Appearance
Vocab: Free time — A2 (1) ​
Free time vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Abenteuer — adventure ​
Abenteuer can mean a real exciting experience or a risky undertaking; it is not limited to travel. The plural has the same noun form, so the article is important: das Abenteuer, but die Abenteuer.
Das Abenteuer beginnt morgen.
The adventure begins tomorrow.
beginnt means begins and morgen means tomorrow. Das Abenteuer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen ein Abenteuer.
We are planning an adventure.
wir means we and planen means plan. ein Abenteuer is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; the finite verb planen stands in position two.
Mit dem Abenteuer sind alle zufrieden.
Everyone is happy with the adventure.
mit means with and zufrieden means happy or satisfied. dem Abenteuer is dative because mit always takes the dative; sind stands in position two.
Das Ende des Abenteuers war ĂĽberraschend.
The end of the adventure was surprising.
das Ende means the end and ĂĽberraschend means surprising. des Abenteuers is genitive because it shows which adventure the end belongs to; the neuter noun adds -s, and war stands in position two.
Die Abenteuer der Kinder waren spannend.
The children’s adventures were exciting.
der Kinder means of the children and spannend means exciting. Die Abenteuer is plural nominative because it is the subject, while der Kinder is genitive and shows whose adventures they are.
abhängen — to depend on ​
This sense is normally used with von plus dative: von etwas abhängen or von jemandem abhängen. Do not use the accusative after von.
Das hängt ab vom Wetter.
That depends on the weather.
das means that, and das Wetter means the weather. Vom Wetter is dative because von always takes the dative; hängt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Das hat vom Wetter abgehangen.
That depended on the weather.
das Wetter means the weather. Vom Wetter is dative after von, and this meaning uses hat abgehangen with haben, not sein.
FrĂĽher hing ab alles vom Geld.
In the past, everything depended on money.
frĂĽher means in the past, alles means everything, and das Geld means money. Vom Geld is dative after von; hing is the strong past form and ab stands at the end.
Häng ab und mach dir keinen Stress!
Relax and do not stress yourself!
mach dir keinen Stress means do not stress yourself, with dir meaning for yourself. Here häng ab is a colloquial command meaning relax or hang out; the subject du is omitted.
Wenn der Erfolg davon abhinge, wĂĽrde ich mehr arbeiten.
If success depended on it, I would work more.
der Erfolg means success, davon means on that, and mehr arbeiten means work more. Davon contains von and therefore represents a dative relation; abhinge goes to the end after wenn, while wĂĽrde ich mehr arbeiten gives the hypothetical result.
Es wird davon abhängen, wie viel Zeit wir haben.
It will depend on how much time we have.
davon means on that, wie viel Zeit means how much time, and wir haben means we have. Wird is in position two and abhängen goes to the end as one infinitive; von is represented by the dative pronoun davon.
amüsieren — to amuse, to entertain; to enjoy oneself, to have fun ​
In the transitive meaning, amĂĽsieren takes an accusative person: jemanden amĂĽsieren. It also has a common reflexive use, sich amĂĽsieren, meaning to enjoy oneself; its perfect uses haben.
Der Clown amĂĽsiert die Kinder.
The clown is amusing the children.
der Clown means the clown and die Kinder means the children. die Kinder is accusative because amĂĽsieren takes the person being entertained as an accusative object; the finite verb amĂĽsiert stands in position two.
Der Clown hat die Kinder amĂĽsiert.
The clown amused the children.
der Clown is the clown and die Kinder are the children. The perfect uses hat plus amĂĽsiert; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while die Kinder remains accusative.
Der Clown amĂĽsierte die Kinder.
The clown amused the children.
der Clown means the clown and die Kinder means the children. amĂĽsierte is the preterite finite verb in position two, and die Kinder is accusative because it is the object.
AmĂĽsier die Kinder mit deinem Witz!
Amuse the children with your joke!
die Kinder means the children, mit means with, and dein Witz means your joke. The informal singular imperative is amĂĽsier; the object die Kinder is accusative, while mit requires the dative, here deinem Witz.
Der Witz amĂĽsierte ihn bestimmt.
The joke would certainly amuse him.
der Witz means the joke, ihn means him, and bestimmt means certainly. ihn is accusative because it is the person amused; amĂĽsierte is the Konjunktiv II form, which looks like the preterite in this regular verb.
Die Geschichte wird die Gäste amüsieren.
The story will amuse the guests.
die Geschichte means the story and die Gäste means the guests. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive amüsieren at the end; die Gäste is accusative.
Wir amĂĽsieren uns auf der Party.
We are having a good time at the party.
wir means we, uns means ourselves, auf der Party means at the party. In this reflexive use, uns is accusative, and auf takes the dative here because the party is a location; the finite verb amĂĽsieren is in position two.
Sie hat sich im Urlaub gut amĂĽsiert.
She had a good time on holiday.
sie means she, im Urlaub means on holiday, and gut means well. The perfect is hat ... amĂĽsiert, with the reflexive pronoun sich before the time phrase and the Partizip II at the end; im is short for in dem and takes the dative.
angeln — to fish, to go fishing ​
Angeln can be used without an object, as in im See angeln, or with an accusative object such as einen Fisch angeln. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein, because this verb describes an activity rather than movement from one place to another.
Er angelt jeden Samstag am See.
He fishes at the lake every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday and am See means at the lake. Er is the subject, angelt is the finite verb in position two, and am See is dative because an describes a location here.
Wir haben gestern im Fluss geangelt.
We fished in the river yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and im Fluss means in the river. geangelt is the Partizip II and pairs with haben because angeln is an activity; it goes to the end of the perfect clause.
FrĂĽher angelte mein Vater oft am Meer.
My father often used to fish by the sea.
frĂĽher means formerly or in the past, mein Vater means my father, and oft means often. angelte is the weak preterite in position two; am Meer is a location phrase with dative.
Angel nicht ohne Erlaubnis an diesem See!
Don’t fish at this lake without permission!
nicht ohne Erlaubnis means not without permission, and diesem See means this lake. Angel is the du imperative with no pronoun; an diesem See is dative because it names a location, while ohne Erlaubnis is accusative after ohne.
Ich würde angeln, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would fish if I had more time.
wenn means if and mehr Zeit means more time. würde angeln expresses a hypothetical action; hätte is the Konjunktiv II of haben, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Nächstes Wochenende werde ich im See angeln.
I will fish in the lake next weekend.
nächstes Wochenende means next weekend and im See means in the lake. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and angeln goes to the end; the location phrase im See uses the dative.
der Aprilscherz — April Fools' joke, prank ​
An Aprilscherz is a joke or prank made on 1 April. The verb in the common expression einen Aprilscherz machen is machen, not an expression with spielen, although both can be translated with play in English.
Der Aprilscherz war sehr lustig.
The April Fools' prank was very funny.
lustig means funny or amusing. Der Aprilscherz is nominative because it is the subject; the verb war stands in position two.
Mein Bruder erzählt mir einen Aprilscherz.
My brother tells me an April Fools' joke.
Mein Bruder means my brother, erzählt means tells, and mir means to me. Einen Aprilscherz is accusative because it is what he tells, while mir is dative for the person receiving the information.
Bei einem Aprilscherz muss man vorsichtig sein.
You have to be careful with an April Fools' prank.
Bei means with or in the case of, muss man means one has to, and vorsichtig means careful. Bei always takes the dative, so einem Aprilscherz is dative.
Die Idee des Aprilscherzes war genial.
The idea for the April Fools' prank was brilliant.
Die Idee means the idea, and genial means brilliant. Des Aprilscherzes is genitive because it identifies which idea; the verb war agrees with die Idee.
Die Aprilscherze im BĂĽro waren harmlos.
The April Fools' pranks at the office were harmless.
im BĂĽro means at the office, and harmlos means harmless. Die Aprilscherze is a plural subject, so the past-tense verb is waren, not war.
basteln — to do crafts, to make things by hand ​
basteln usually describes a creative hobby or making simple objects, not professional construction. It is normally used without a reflexive pronoun; the perfect is formed with haben.
Ich bastle eine Laterne.
I am making a lantern.
eine Laterne is a lantern. It is accusative because the activity makes or produces this object, and the finite verb bastle is in position two.
Wir haben gestern eine Laterne gebastelt.
We made a lantern yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and eine Laterne is a lantern. The perfect uses haben plus gebastelt; the participle goes to the end, while haben stands in position two.
Als Kind bastelte er gern mit Papier.
As a child, he liked making things with paper.
als Kind means as a child, gern means gladly or with pleasure, and mit Papier means with paper. mit takes the dative, and the weak past form bastelte is in position two.
Bastle eine Karte fĂĽr Oma!
Make a card for Grandma!
eine Karte is a card, and fĂĽr Oma means for Grandma. The informal singular imperative uses bastle without a subject; eine Karte is accusative after basteln.
Ich wĂĽrde gern mehr basteln.
I would like to do more crafts.
wĂĽrde gern means would like to, and mehr means more. The Konjunktiv II uses wĂĽrde with the infinitive basteln at the end, expressing a wish rather than a fact.
Am Wochenende werde ich mit den Kindern basteln.
At the weekend I will do crafts with the children.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and mit den Kindern means with the children. mit takes the dative, while future werde is in position two and the infinitive basteln goes to the end.
der Biergarten — beer garden ​
A Biergarten is an outdoor place for drinking beer and eating, especially common in southern Germany. The compound combines Bier (beer) and Garten (garden), and its plural is Biergärten.
Der Biergarten ist heute voll.
The beer garden is full today.
heute means today, and voll means full. Der Biergarten is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Biergarten.
We are visiting the beer garden.
besuchen means to visit. den Biergarten is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; do not use dative dem here.
Wir sitzen in dem Biergarten.
We are sitting in the beer garden.
sitzen means to sit. in dem Biergarten is dative because in describes a fixed location here; in dem is commonly shortened to im.
Die Atmosphäre des Biergartens ist entspannt.
The atmosphere of the beer garden is relaxed.
die Atmosphäre means the atmosphere, and entspannt means relaxed. des Biergartens is genitive because it identifies whose atmosphere it is; the subject is Die Atmosphäre, so ist is singular.
Im Sommer sind die Biergärten besonders beliebt.
In summer, beer gardens are especially popular.
im Sommer means in summer, and besonders beliebt means especially popular. Biergärten is plural and the subject, so the verb is sind; im means in dem and refers to a time period here.
bummeln — to stroll; to browse; to dawdle; to work slowly ​
Bummeln means moving around slowly and pleasantly, often in town or in shops. The perfect is normally formed with sein when the meaning clearly describes movement from place to place, although haben can occur when the focus is simply on spending time browsing.
Ich bummele jeden Samstag durch die Stadt.
Every Saturday I stroll through the city.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and durch die Stadt means through the city. Bummele is a regular present-tense form; durch takes the accusative, and the finite verb is in position two.
Wir sind gestern lange durch die Altstadt gebummelt.
Yesterday we strolled through the old town for a long time.
gestern means yesterday, lange means for a long time, and die Altstadt is the old town. Here gebummelt forms the perfect with sein because the sentence presents movement from place to place; the Partizip II goes at the end.
Früher bummelte er nach der Arbeit durch die Geschäfte.
He used to browse through the shops after work.
früher means in the past, nach der Arbeit means after work, and die Geschäfte are the shops. Bummelte is the regular preterite; nach takes the dative in der Arbeit.
Bummle nicht so lange durch die Läden!
Don’t take so long browsing through the shops!
nicht so lange means not for so long, and die Läden are the shops. Bummle is the du imperative and stands first; durch takes the accusative.
Ich würde gern durch die Stadt bummeln, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would like to stroll through the city if I had time.
gern means gladly or would like to, and wenn ich Zeit hätte means if I had time. Würde bummeln expresses a hypothetical wish; the infinitive bummeln goes to the end of the main clause, while hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich nach dem FrĂĽhstĂĽck durch die Altstadt bummeln.
Tomorrow I will stroll through the old town after breakfast.
morgen means tomorrow, nach dem FrĂĽhstĂĽck means after breakfast, and die Altstadt is the old town. In the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive bummeln goes to the end.
Wenn du beim Packen bummelst, verpassen wir den Zug.
If you dawdle while packing, we will miss the train.
beim Packen means while packing, verpassen means miss, and der Zug is the train. Bummelst goes to the end of the wenn clause because it is subordinate; the warning describes a condition.
Die Chefin sagt, dass er bei der Arbeit bummelt.
The boss says that he is working too slowly.
die Chefin is the female boss, sagen means to say, and bei der Arbeit means at work. Bummelt stands at the end of the dass clause, and bei takes the dative.
der Camper — camper, person who camps; camper van, motorhome ​
der Camper normally means a person who camps. It can also refer informally to a camping vehicle; the context tells you which meaning is intended.
Der Camper kocht drauĂźen.
The camper is cooking outside.
kocht means is cooking and drauĂźen means outside. Der Camper is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kocht is in position two.
Ich sehe den Camper am Zelt.
I see the camper by the tent.
sehe means see, das Zelt means the tent, and am Zelt means by the tent. den Camper is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Camper mit dem Zelt.
I am helping the camper with the tent.
helfe means help and mit dem Zelt means with the tent. dem Camper is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit also requires dative.
Das Fahrrad des Campers steht neben dem Auto.
The camper’s bicycle is next to the car.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and neben dem Auto means next to the car. des Campers is genitive because it shows possession, and this noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Camper sitzen am Lagerfeuer.
The campers are sitting around the campfire.
sitzen means are sitting and das Lagerfeuer is the campfire. Camper is plural without a changed ending; am Lagerfeuer is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir mieten einen Camper fĂĽr die Reise.
We are renting a camper van for the trip.
mieten means rent, fĂĽr die Reise means for the trip, and Reise means trip. einen Camper is accusative because mieten takes a direct object; fĂĽr also requires accusative.
Mit dem Camper fahren wir durch Europa.
We are travelling through Europe in the camper van.
mit dem Camper means in or with the camper van, and durch Europa means through Europe. dem Camper is dative because mit always takes dative; because the sentence begins with this phrase, fahren wir comes next and the verb is still in position two.
das Camping — camping ​
Camping is usually an uncountable noun, so it normally has no plural. It is often used with gehen, machen or beim (bei dem).
Das Camping macht uns im Sommer viel SpaĂź.
We really enjoy camping in summer.
der Sommer means summer and viel SpaĂź machen means to be a lot of fun. Das Camping is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb macht is in position two; uns is an accusative pronoun meaning us.
Wir lieben das Camping in den Bergen.
We love camping in the mountains.
lieben means to love and die Berge means the mountains. Das Camping is accusative because lieben takes a direct object, while in den Bergen means in the mountains and uses the dative for location.
Beim Camping schlafen wir in einem Zelt.
When camping, we sleep in a tent.
schlafen means to sleep and das Zelt is a tent. Beim is bei dem and forces the dative, so dem Camping becomes beim Camping; the finite verb schlafen is in position two.
Die Vorteile des Campings sind die Ruhe und die Natur.
The advantages of camping are peace and nature.
die Vorteile means the advantages, die Ruhe means peace and die Natur means nature. Des Campings is genitive after die Vorteile to show what the advantages belong to; the finite verb sind is in position two.
der Campingplatz — campsite, campground ​
Campingplatz is a compound of Camping and Platz, place. With a tent, the usual location phrase is auf dem Campingplatz, with the dative after auf for a fixed location.
Der Campingplatz liegt direkt am See.
The campsite is right by the lake.
liegen means to be situated, direkt means right or directly, and der See is the lake. Der Campingplatz is nominative because it is the subject, and am See is an dem See, using the dative for location.
Wir suchen den Campingplatz auf der Karte.
We are looking for the campsite on the map.
suchen means to look for, die Karte is the map, and auf der Karte means on the map. Den Campingplatz is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; auf der Karte is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir ĂĽbernachten auf dem Campingplatz.
We are staying overnight at the campsite.
ĂĽbernachten means to stay overnight. Auf dem Campingplatz uses the dative because auf describes a location here, not movement towards it; the finite verb ĂĽbernachten is in position two.
Die Regeln des Campingplatzes stehen am Eingang.
The campsite's rules are at the entrance.
die Regeln means the rules and der Eingang is the entrance. Des Campingplatzes is genitive to show whose rules they are, and the masculine singular noun takes -es after des.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Campingplätze.
There are many campsites in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany and viele means many. Campingplätze is the plural of Campingplatz and has an umlaut; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself has no visible case ending here.
der Clown — clown ​
The plural is Clowns, not Clown. The word can describe a professional entertainer or, informally, a foolish person.
Der Clown trägt eine rote Nase.
The clown is wearing a red nose.
tragen means to wear, and eine rote Nase means a red nose. Der Clown is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Clown.
The children see the clown.
die Kinder means the children, and sehen means to see. den Clown is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Die Kinder winken dem Clown.
The children wave to the clown.
die Kinder means the children, and winken means to wave. dem Clown is dative because this use of winken addresses the person waved to; the finite verb winken is in position two.
Das KostĂĽm des Clowns ist sehr bunt.
The clown's costume is very colourful.
das KostĂĽm means the costume, and bunt means colourful. des Clowns is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Zirkus arbeiten drei Clowns.
Three clowns work in the circus.
im Zirkus means in the circus, arbeiten means to work, and drei means three. Clowns is plural after drei, and the plural subject is in the nominative.
der Club — club, association; nightclub; nightclub ​
The plural is Clubs, not Club. The word can describe a professional association or a nightclub.
Der Club trifft sich jeden Mittwoch.
The club meets every Wednesday.
sich treffen means to meet, and jeden Mittwoch means every Wednesday. Der Club is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trifft is in position two.
Wir besuchen den Club jeden Monat.
We visit the club every month.
besuchen means to visit, and jeden Monat means every month. den Club is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Club bei der Organisation.
I help the club with the organisation.
helfen means to help, and die Organisation means the organisation. dem Club is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the finite verb helfe is in position two.
Die Mitglieder des Clubs planen ein Fest.
The members of the club are planning a festival.
die Mitglieder means the members, planen means to plan, and ein Fest means a festival. des Clubs is genitive to show which club the members belong to, and planen is in position two.
Viele Clubs bieten kostenlose Kurse an.
Many clubs offer free courses.
viele means many, kostenlos means free, and Kurse means courses. Clubs is the plural subject in the nominative; anbieten is separable, so bieten is in position two and an goes to the end.
Der Club öffnet um zehn Uhr.
The nightclub opens at ten o'clock.
öffnen means to open, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Der Club is the nominative subject, and the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Wir tanzen heute Nacht im Club.
We are dancing in the nightclub tonight.
tanzen means to dance, heute Nacht means tonight, and im Club means in the nightclub. im is short for in dem, and the dative is used because im Club describes a location, not movement into it.
das Computerspiel — computer game, video game ​
The word usually includes games played on computers, consoles or similar devices, not only on desktop computers.
Das Computerspiel macht viel SpaĂź.
The computer game is a lot of fun.
macht SpaĂź means is fun, and viel means a lot of. Das Computerspiel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Ich spiele am Abend ein Computerspiel.
I play a computer game in the evening.
am Abend means in the evening and spiele means play. ein Computerspiel is accusative because spielen takes a direct object.
Mit dem Computerspiel verbringt er viele Stunden.
He spends many hours with the computer game.
verbringt means spends and viele Stunden means many hours. mit dem Computerspiel is dative because mit requires the dative; the prepositional phrase is in position one, so verbringt comes before er.
Die Grafik des Computerspiels ist beeindruckend.
The graphics of the computer game are impressive.
die Grafik means the graphics and beeindruckend means impressive. des Computerspiels is genitive because it identifies which game’s graphics are meant, and Computerspiels takes -s.
Die Computerspiele sind heute sehr realistisch.
Computer games are very realistic today.
realistisch means realistic and heute means today. Die Computerspiele is plural nominative as the subject, with the plural ending -e.
die Disco — disco, dance club ​
This is the shortened, informal form of die Diskothek. Die Disco and die Disko are spelling variants.
Die Disco ist heute Abend voll.
The disco is full this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and voll means full or crowded. Die Disco is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Disco am Samstag.
We are visiting the disco on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Disco is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Wir treffen uns vor der Disco.
We are meeting in front of the disco.
treffen uns means are meeting, and vor means in front of. Der Disco is dative because vor expresses a location here; the verb treffen is in position two.
Die TĂĽr der Disco ist offen.
The door of the disco is open.
die TĂĽr means the door, and offen means open. Der Disco is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Discos.
There are three discos in our city.
unsere Stadt means our city, and drei means three. Discos is the regular plural with -s; after es gibt, the noun is accusative even though the plural article is not visible.
die Disko — disco, dance club ​
This is a spelling variant of die Disco and a shortened form of die Diskothek. Both spellings refer to the same kind of dance club.
Die Disko ist heute Abend voll.
The disco is full this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and voll means full or crowded. Die Disko is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Disko am Samstag.
We are visiting the disco on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Disko is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir treffen uns vor der Disko.
We are meeting in front of the disco.
treffen uns means are meeting, and vor means in front of. Der Disko is dative because vor expresses a location here.
Die TĂĽr der Disko ist offen.
The door of the disco is open.
die TĂĽr means the door, and offen means open. Der Disko is genitive because it shows whose door it is; ist is in position two.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Diskos.
There are three discos in our city.
unsere Stadt means our city, and drei means three. Diskos is the regular plural with -s; after es gibt, the noun is accusative.
die Diskothek — discotheque, nightclub ​
Die Diskothek is the complete and somewhat more formal word; die Disco and die Disko are shorter everyday forms. It refers to a club for dancing, not simply any bar.
Die Diskothek ist am Wochenende geöffnet.
The nightclub is open at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and geöffnet means open. Die Diskothek is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Jugendliche besuchen die Diskothek.
Many young people visit the nightclub.
viele Jugendliche means many young people, and besuchen means visit. Die Diskothek is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir treffen uns vor der Diskothek.
We are meeting in front of the nightclub.
treffen uns means are meeting, and vor means in front of. Der Diskothek is dative because vor expresses a fixed location here.
Die Musik der Diskothek ist sehr laut.
The nightclub's music is very loud.
die Musik means the music, and laut means loud. Der Diskothek is genitive because it identifies whose music it is; ist remains in position two.
In Berlin gibt es viele Diskotheken.
There are many nightclubs in Berlin.
viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Diskotheken is formed with -en; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative.
das Domino — dominoes, domino game ​
This neuter noun means the game or set of pieces, not a mask or costume. The plural is die Dominos; the masculine word der Domino has a different meaning.
Das Domino liegt auf dem Tisch.
The domino game is on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Das Domino is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir spielen das Domino nach dem Essen.
We play dominoes after the meal.
spielen means “play,” and nach dem Essen means “after the meal.” Das Domino is accusative because it is the object of spielen, while the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
Wir spielen mit dem Domino.
We play with the domino game.
mit means “with.” It always takes the dative, so dem Domino is dative; the finite verb spielen remains in position two.
Die Regeln des Dominos sind einfach.
The rules of the domino game are simple.
die Regeln means “the rules,” and einfach means “simple.” Des Dominos is genitive because it identifies whose rules they are; the verb sind agrees with die Regeln and is in position two.
Die Dominos liegen in der Schachtel.
The dominoes are in the box.
liegen means “are lying,” and die Schachtel is “the box.” Die Dominos is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural adds -s.
das Dominospiel — domino game, game of dominoes ​
Dominospiel is a transparent compound of Domino and Spiel, so it refers clearly to a game or match of dominoes. Its plural is regular: die Dominospiele.
Das Dominospiel beginnt um acht Uhr.
The domino game starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means “starts,” and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock.” Das Dominospiel is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Wir gewinnen das Dominospiel.
We are winning the domino game.
gewinnen means “win.” Das Dominospiel is accusative because it is the object of gewinnen, and the finite verb gewinnen is in position two.
Nach dem Abendessen widmen wir uns dem Dominospiel.
After dinner, we devote ourselves to the domino game.
Nach dem Abendessen means “after dinner,” and widmen means “devote.” The phrase sich widmen takes a dative object, so dem Dominospiel is dative; the finite verb widmen is in position two.
Die Regeln des Dominospiels sind leicht.
The rules of the domino game are easy.
die Regeln means “the rules,” and leicht means “easy.” Des Dominospiels is genitive because it expresses possession or connection, while sind agrees with die Regeln.
Die Dominospiele machen den Kindern SpaĂź.
The domino games are fun for the children.
machen Spaß means “are fun,” and den Kindern means “for the children.” Die Dominospiele is plural nominative as the subject; den Kindern is dative because it names the people who enjoy them.
die Eintrittskarte — admission ticket, ticket ​
This is a compound: Eintritt means admission and Karte means card or ticket. The plural ending belongs to the final noun, so die Eintrittskarte becomes die Eintrittskarten.
Die Eintrittskarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The admission ticket is on the table.
liegen means lie or be located, and der Tisch means table. Die Eintrittskarte is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich kaufe eine Eintrittskarte fĂĽr den Film.
I am buying a ticket for the film.
kaufen means buy and der Film means film or movie. Eine Eintrittskarte is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; fĂĽr den Film also has the accusative because fĂĽr always governs it.
Kannst du mir die Eintrittskarte geben?
Can you give me the admission ticket?
können means can and geben means give. Mir is dative because it is the person receiving something, while die Eintrittskarte is accusative because it is the thing given; the modal keeps geben at the end.
Der Preis der Eintrittskarte ist ziemlich hoch.
The price of the admission ticket is quite high.
der Preis means price, ziemlich means quite, and hoch means high. Der Eintrittskarte is genitive because it says whose price it is; the adjective hoch follows ist as a predicate and has no ending.
Die Eintrittskarten sind bereits verkauft.
The admission tickets have already been sold.
bereits means already and verkauft means sold. Die Eintrittskarten is the plural subject, and the plural article die is the same as the feminine singular article, so the noun ending shows the number.
die Einweihungsparty — housewarming party; opening party ​
The word combines Einweihung, a celebration or ceremony for opening something, with Party, party. In everyday use, it most often means a party in a new home; the plural is formed with -s.
Die Einweihungsparty beginnt um acht Uhr.
The housewarming party starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. die Einweihungsparty is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen eine Einweihungsparty.
We are planning a housewarming party.
wir means we, planen means plan, and eine means a. eine Einweihungsparty is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Bei der Einweihungsparty lernen wir die neuen Nachbarn kennen.
At the housewarming party, we get to know the new neighbours.
bei means at, neuen Nachbarn means new neighbours, and kennenlernen means get to know. bei takes the dative, so der Einweihungsparty is dative; the separable verb lernen ... kennen puts kennen at the end.
Die Musik der Einweihungsparty war sehr laut.
The music at the housewarming party was very loud.
die Musik means the music, war means was, and sehr laut means very loud. der Einweihungsparty is genitive because it identifies which party the music belongs to; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen wir viele Einweihungspartys.
In summer, we attend many housewarming parties.
im Sommer means in summer, besuchen means visit or attend, and viele means many. Einweihungspartys is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural form ends in -s.
das Eislaufen — ice skating ​
Eislaufen is the activity of skating on ice and is a nominalized infinitive, so it is capitalized and neuter. It is normally used without a plural because an activity is treated as a mass noun.
Eislaufen macht im Winter besonders viel SpaĂź.
Ice skating is especially fun in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and besonders means especially. Eislaufen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht is in position two, and SpaĂź machen means to be fun.
Ich mag Eislaufen im Freien.
I like ice skating outdoors.
im Freien means outdoors. Eislaufen is accusative because mögen takes an accusative object; the infinitive used as a noun keeps its neuter form.
Beim Eislaufen trage ich warme Handschuhe.
I wear warm gloves while ice skating.
beim means while doing something, and warme Handschuhe are warm gloves. beim is bei dem and forces the dative, so the neuter form is Eislaufen; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Die Freude des Eislaufens ist fĂĽr viele Menschen groĂź.
Many people take great pleasure in ice skating.
die Freude is the joy, fĂĽr viele Menschen means for many people, and groĂź means great. des Eislaufens is genitive because it specifies whose joy; the nominalized infinitive takes -s in the genitive.
Im Ferienkurs lernen Kinder Eislaufen.
Children learn ice skating in the holiday course.
im Ferienkurs means in the holiday course, and Kinder means children. Eislaufen has no plural because it names an activity or mass noun; here it is the object of lernen.
eislaufen — to go ice skating ​
eislaufen is a strong separable verb: du läufst eis, lief eis, ist eisgelaufen. In a main clause the parts split, but the infinitive and Partizip II remain together at the end.
Im Winter laufe ich gern eis.
I like ice skating in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. eislaufen is separable, so the finite part laufe is in position two and eis goes to the end.
Wir sind gestern auf dem See eisgelaufen.
Yesterday we went ice skating on the lake.
gestern means yesterday, auf dem See means on the lake, and See is lake here. The perfect uses sein with eisgelaufen; the Partizip II stands at the end of the clause.
Als Kind lief ich jeden Sonntag eis.
When I was a child, I went ice skating every Sunday.
als Kind means when I was a child, and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. lief is the strong preterite of laufen; because the verb is separable, eis stands at the end of the main clause.
Lauf am Wochenende eis!
Go ice skating at the weekend!
am Wochenende means at the weekend. The singular imperative of eislaufen is lauf eis: the stem comes first and the separable part goes to the end.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, liefe ich öfter eis.
If I had more time, I would go ice skating more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, and öfter means more often. hätte and liefe express an unreal condition; in the main clause the separable part eis goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich im Park eislaufen.
Tomorrow I will go ice skating in the park.
morgen means tomorrow, and im Park means in the park. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive eislaufen goes to the end, so it is not split.
der Eisläufer — ice skater ​
der Eisläufer is a person who skates on ice. Its plural is die Eisläufer, with no change to the noun; do not confuse it with der Eislauf, the activity.
Der Eisläufer trainiert jeden Morgen.
The ice skater trains every morning.
trainiert means trains, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Der Eisläufer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Eisläufer auf der Bahn.
I see the ice skater on the rink.
sehen means to see, and die Bahn is the rink here. den Eisläufer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf der Bahn is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich helfe dem Eisläufer mit den Schlittschuhen.
I help the ice skater with the skates.
helfen means to help, and die Schlittschuhe are ice skates. dem Eisläufer is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit also forces the dative.
Die Technik des Eisläufers ist beeindruckend.
The ice skater’s technique is impressive.
die Technik means technique, and beeindruckend means impressive. des Eisläufers is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Eisläufer zeigen eine neue Übung.
The ice skaters show a new exercise.
zeigen means show, eine neue Übung means a new exercise. Die Eisläufer is the plural subject, and this noun keeps the same form as the singular without an ending.
erholen — to relax, to recover ​
This verb is normally used reflexively as sich erholen. Its principal parts are erholen – erholte – hat erholt, and the perfect uses haben; the reflexive pronoun changes with the subject.
Er erholt sich am Wochenende.
He relaxes at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun referring back to er; erholt is the finite verb in position two.
Sie hat sich erholt.
She has recovered.
sich means herself here and erholt means recovered. The reflexive pronoun is accusative, hat is the auxiliary in position two, and the Partizip II erholt goes to the end.
Nach der Reise erholte sich Paul schnell.
Paul recovered quickly after the journey.
nach der Reise means after the journey and schnell means quickly. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and erholte is the regular Präteritum in position two.
Erhol dich gut!
Get plenty of rest!
gut means well or properly. The command uses erhol plus the accusative reflexive pronoun dich, while the subject du is omitted.
An deiner Stelle wĂĽrde ich mich erholen.
If I were you, I would get some rest.
an deiner Stelle means if I were you and mich means myself. Mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and the infinitive erholen goes to the end after wĂĽrde.
Nach dem Sport wird er sich erholen.
He will rest after exercising.
nach dem Sport means after exercising or after sport. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while wird is in position two and erholen goes to the end.
erholt — rested, refreshed ​
Erholt can be an adjective meaning rested, but it has the same form as the Partizip II of erholen. Context tells you whether it describes a state or forms a perfect-tense verb phrase.
Nach dem Urlaub bin ich wieder erholt.
After the holiday I am rested again.
nach dem Urlaub means after the holiday and wieder means again. Erholt is predicative after bin and therefore has no adjective ending; it describes the speaker's state.
Sie ist eine erholte Patientin.
She is a rested patient.
eine Patientin means a female patient. Erholte stands before the feminine noun Patientin after eine, so it takes the ending -e; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Nach dem Wochenende wirkt er erholter als vorher.
After the weekend he seems more rested than before.
nach dem Wochenende means after the weekend, wirkt means seems, and vorher means before. Erholter compares his present state with an earlier one, and als introduces that comparison.
Nach dieser Pause sieht sie am erholtesten aus.
After this break she looks the most rested.
diese Pause means this break and sieht ... aus means looks. Am erholtesten is the predicative superlative, while the separable verb sieht ... aus places aus at the end.
die Erholung — rest, relaxation, recovery ​
Erholung usually means rest or relaxation and is often used as an uncountable idea, but Erholungen is possible when referring to separate periods of rest. For the activity itself, German commonly says sich erholen or sich ausruhen.
Die Erholung tut mir gut.
The rest does me good.
tut mir gut means does me good. Die Erholung is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative with the fixed expression jemandem guttun.
Ich brauche die Erholung dringend.
I urgently need the rest.
brauchen means need and dringend means urgently. Die Erholung is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen, and brauche is in position two.
Ich widme mich der Erholung.
I devote myself to relaxation.
widmen means devote and mich means myself. Der Erholung is dative because sich widmen requires a dative object; mich is the accusative reflexive object.
Die Wirkung der Erholung ist deutlich.
The effect of the rest is clear.
die Wirkung means the effect and deutlich means clear. Der Erholung is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Kurze Erholungen helfen im Arbeitsalltag.
Short breaks help in everyday working life.
kurze means short and der Arbeitsalltag means everyday working life. Erholungen is a plural subject, so the article is omitted here and the finite verb helfen has the plural form.
erleben — to experience, to live through ​
erleben takes an accusative object: you experience etwas. It is a weak verb with erlebte and hat erlebt; do not use sein in the perfect.
Wir erleben heute einen besonderen Tag.
We are experiencing a special day today.
heute means today, and einen besonderen Tag means a special day. einen besonderen Tag is accusative because erleben takes an accusative object; the finite verb erleben stands in position two.
Sie hat einen unvergesslichen Urlaub erlebt.
She had an unforgettable holiday.
sie means she, and einen unvergesslichen Urlaub means an unforgettable holiday. The holiday is accusative because it is the object of erleben; hat is in position two and erlebt goes to the end with haben.
Er erlebte als Kind viele Abenteuer.
As a child, he experienced many adventures.
als Kind means as a child, and viele Abenteuer means many adventures. viele Abenteuer is accusative as the object of erleben, and the weak past form erlebte stands in position two.
Erleb etwas Schönes!
Experience something lovely!
etwas Schönes means something lovely. The imperative erleb comes first without du, and etwas Schönes is an accusative object; this command is possible but less common than a friendly wish such as Erleb einen schönen Tag!.
Ich wĂĽrde gern mehr von der Welt erleben.
I would like to experience more of the world.
gern means gladly or would like to, mehr von der Welt means more of the world. mehr is the accusative object of erleben, and the infinitive erleben stands at the end after wĂĽrde.
Ihr werdet dort viele neue Dinge erleben.
You will experience many new things there.
dort means there, and viele neue Dinge means many new things. viele neue Dinge is accusative because it is the object of erleben; werdet stands in position two and the infinitive erleben goes to the end.
das Erlebnis — experience, memorable event ​
das Erlebnis usually means a memorable or notable experience, not just any ordinary event. Its plural is die Erlebnisse, and its genitive singular is des Erlebnisses.
Das Erlebnis bleibt mir lange im Gedächtnis.
The experience will stay in my memory for a long time.
bleibt means stays, lange means for a long time, and im Gedächtnis means in my memory. Das Erlebnis is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative with the expression im Gedächtnis bleiben.
Ich werde das Erlebnis nie vergessen.
I will never forget the experience.
werde means will, and nie vergessen means never forget. das Erlebnis is accusative because vergessen takes an accusative object; werde is in position two and vergessen goes to the end.
Nach dem Erlebnis brauchte ich eine Pause.
After the experience, I needed a break.
nach means after, brauchte means needed, and eine Pause means a break. nach always takes the dative, so the neuter form is dem Erlebnis; the finite verb brauchte stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Erlebnisses wurde erst später klar.
The meaning of the experience only became clear later.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, wurde ... klar means became clear, and erst später means only later. des Erlebnisses is genitive and identifies whose meaning it is; des Erlebnisses has the genitive ending -ses.
Unsere schönsten Erlebnisse waren die Reisen nach Italien.
Our most beautiful experiences were the trips to Italy.
unsere schönsten means our most beautiful, Reisen means trips, and nach Italien means to Italy. Erlebnisse is nominative plural because it is the subject of waren; the noun changes from Erlebnis to Erlebnisse and uses the plural article when an article is needed.
das Event — event, occasion ​
Event is a common modern loanword for a planned public occasion and is used especially for entertainment, sport, culture and business. Its plural is Events, not an umlaut form such as Evente.
Das Event beginnt um acht Uhr.
The event begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Das Event is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Event am Samstag.
We are attending the event on Saturday.
besuchen means attend or visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Event is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Bei dem Event treffen wir Freunde.
At the event, we meet friends.
bei means at, treffen means meet, and Freunde means friends. Dem Event is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb treffen is in position two after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Organisation des Events dauert lange.
The organisation of the event takes a long time.
die Organisation means the organisation, dauert means takes or lasts, and lange means a long time. Des Events is genitive because it identifies which organisation is meant; the borrowed noun adds -s in this genitive phrase.
Im Sommer gibt es viele Events.
There are many events in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Events is the plural after viele; the borrowed noun keeps its -s plural ending.
der Fasching — carnival, carnival season ​
Der Fasching names the carnival season and its festivities, especially in Austria and southern Germany. In northern Germany, der Karneval is more common.
Der Fasching beginnt im Februar.
Carnival begins in February.
beginnt means “begins,” and im Februar means “in February.” Der Fasching is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Fasching mit Freunden.
We celebrate carnival with friends.
feiern means “celebrate,” mit means “with,” and Freunden means friends. Den Fasching is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; mit Freunden is dative after mit.
Viele Kinder freuen sich auf den Fasching.
Many children look forward to carnival.
viele Kinder means many children, and sich freuen auf means “look forward to.” Although this slot is labeled dative, den Fasching is accusative because the fixed preposition auf in this expression requires the accusative.
Die Farben des Faschings sind fröhlich.
The colors of carnival are cheerful.
die Farben are the colors, and fröhlich means cheerful. Des Faschings is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the carnival”; the masculine noun ends in -s.
In Ă–sterreich gibt es viele Faschings.
In Austria, there are many carnival celebrations.
in Österreich means in Austria, gibt es means “there are,” and viele means many. Faschings is a plural for separate carnival celebrations; it is formed with -s, and the article is omitted after viele.
faulenzen — to laze around, to idle ​
Faulenzen is usually intransitive and describes relaxing or doing nothing instead of working. Its perfect uses haben: hat gefaulenzt.
Am Sonntag faulenze ich zu Hause.
On Sunday I laze around at home.
am Sonntag means on Sunday and zu Hause means at home. The time phrase comes first, so the finite verb faulenze must still be in position two, followed by the subject ich.
Wir haben den ganzen Nachmittag gefaulenzt.
We lazed around all afternoon.
den ganzen Nachmittag means all afternoon. The time phrase is accusative because it expresses a duration, while haben is in position two and gefaulenzt goes to the end.
Er faulenzte im Garten.
He lazed around in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden. Im is a contraction of in dem and is dative here because it describes a location; the regular past form faulenzte is in position two.
Faulenz nicht den ganzen Tag!
Do not laze around all day!
nicht means not and den ganzen Tag means all day. The informal imperative faulenz begins the sentence, and nicht comes before the time phrase it negates.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich öfter faulenzen.
If I had more time, I would laze around more often.
mehr Zeit means more time and öfter means more often. In the wenn clause hätte goes to the end; in the main clause würde is in position two and the infinitive faulenzen goes to the end.
Im Urlaub werden wir viel faulenzen.
On holiday we will laze around a lot.
im Urlaub means on holiday and viel means a lot. Werden is in position two and the infinitive faulenzen goes to the end; im is dative because it means being in a period or situation.
die Fee — fairy ​
Fee is normally used for a magical female character in a story. The plural is Feen, with an added -n.
Die Fee erscheint im Wald.
The fairy appears in the forest.
erscheinen means to appear, and der Wald is the forest. Die Fee is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erscheint stands in position two.
Das Kind sieht die Fee.
The child sees the fairy.
das Kind is the child, and sehen means to see. Die Fee is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the article remains die because feminine nominative and accusative are identical.
Die Fee hilft dem Mädchen.
The fairy helps the girl.
helfen means to help, and das Mädchen is the girl. Die Fee is nominative as the helper, while dem Mädchen is dative because helfen takes a dative object.
Der Zauber der Fee ist stark.
The fairy's magic is strong.
der Zauber means the magic or spell, and stark means strong. Der Fee is genitive because it shows whose magic it is; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Im Buch leben drei Feen.
Three fairies live in the book.
das Buch is the book, leben means to live, and drei means three. Feen is plural because of drei; im Buch marks the place where they live.
die Feier — celebration, party; ceremony ​
die Feier is a planned celebration or ceremony, often for a birthday, wedding, or special event. For a general social event, die Party is also common, while feiern is the related verb.
Die Feier beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The celebration starts at seven o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Die Feier is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen die Feier fĂĽr Samstag.
We are planning the celebration for Saturday.
wir planen means we are planning, and fĂĽr Samstag means for Saturday. die Feier is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; fĂĽr also always takes the accusative.
Wir helfen bei der Feier.
We help at the celebration.
helfen means help, and bei means at or during. der Feier is dative because bei always requires the dative; do not confuse this form with the genitive without checking the context.
Die Musik der Feier war sehr laut.
The music at the celebration was very loud.
die Musik means the music, and sehr laut means very loud. der Feier is genitive and means of the celebration; it identifies whose music it was, while the finite verb war is in position two.
Im Sommer gibt es viele Feiern.
There are many celebrations in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Feiern is the plural form, and after viele it has no ending; the phrase es gibt takes an accusative noun phrase.
das Fest — celebration, festival, party ​
The noun das Fest is different from the adjective fest, which means “firm” or “solid.” For a private celebration, Party is also common in everyday German.
Das Fest beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The celebration starts at six o’clock.
beginnt means “starts,” and um sechs Uhr means “at six o’clock.” Das Fest is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen das Fest fĂĽr Samstag.
We are planning the celebration for Saturday.
planen means “to plan,” and für Samstag means “for Saturday.” Das Fest is accusative because planen takes a direct object, while für also takes the accusative; the finite verb planen is in position two.
Wir helfen bei dem Fest.
We help at the celebration.
helfen means “to help,” and bei means “at or during.” Dem Fest is dative because the preposition bei always takes the dative; helfen is in position two.
Die Musik des Festes war laut.
The music of the celebration was loud.
die Musik means “the music,” and laut means “loud.” Des Festes is genitive because it shows possession or connection, meaning “of the celebration”; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen wir viele Feste.
In summer we attend many celebrations.
im Sommer means “in summer,” besuchen means “attend or visit,” and viele means “many.” Feste is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural article is not visible after viele.
das Feuerwerk — fireworks, fireworks display ​
In everyday German, das Feuerwerk can mean fireworks as a general display or event. For individual displays, the plural die Feuerwerke is used.
Das Feuerwerk beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The fireworks display begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Das Feuerwerk is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir fotografieren das Feuerwerk.
We are photographing the fireworks.
fotografieren means photograph. das Feuerwerk is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object, and the neuter article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Kinder tanzen bei dem Feuerwerk.
The children dance during the fireworks.
die Kinder means the children, and tanzen means dance. bei takes the dative, so dem Feuerwerk is dative; bei dem is often shortened to beim.
Die Farben des Feuerwerks sind wunderschön.
The colours of the fireworks are beautiful.
die Farben means the colours, and wunderschön means beautiful. des Feuerwerks is genitive because it tells us whose colours they are; the neuter noun adds -s.
Im Sommer sehen wir viele Feuerwerke.
In summer we see many fireworks displays.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele means many. Feuerwerke is plural, while viele Feuerwerke is accusative because sehen takes the displays as its direct object.
die Freizeitaktivität — leisure activity; recreational activity ​
die Freizeitaktivität is a compound noun made from Freizeit and Aktivität. Its plural is regular in meaning but keeps the stress and spelling of Aktivität, giving die Freizeitaktivitäten.
Die Freizeitaktivität macht viel Spaß.
The leisure activity is a lot of fun.
macht viel Spaß means is a lot of fun. Die Freizeitaktivität is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Wir planen die Freizeitaktivität gemeinsam.
We are planning the leisure activity together.
planen means plan, and gemeinsam means together. die Freizeitaktivität is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; the finite verb planen stands in position two.
Bei der Freizeitaktivität lernt er neue Leute kennen.
During the leisure activity, he gets to know new people.
bei means during or at, lernt ... kennen means gets to know, and neue Leute means new people. bei always takes the dative, so der Freizeitaktivität is dative; the separable verb kennenlernen places kennen at the end.
Die Kosten der Freizeitaktivität sind niedrig.
The costs of the leisure activity are low.
die Kosten means the costs, and niedrig means low. der Freizeitaktivität is genitive because it tells us which activity the costs belong to; sind agrees with the plural subject Kosten.
Wir probieren verschiedene Freizeitaktivitäten aus.
We try out different leisure activities.
verschiedene means different, and probieren ... aus means try out. verschiedene Freizeitaktivitäten is accusative plural because ausprobieren takes an accusative object; the separable prefix aus moves to the end of the main clause.
die Gartenparty — garden party ​
Die Gartenparty beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The garden party starts at six o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Die Gartenparty is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir planen die Gartenparty fĂĽr Samstag.
We are planning the garden party for Saturday.
planen means to plan and fĂĽr Samstag means for Saturday. Die Gartenparty is accusative because planen takes a direct object, while fĂĽr also requires the accusative.
Wir sprechen auf der Terrasse ĂĽber der Gartenparty?
We are talking about the garden party on the terrace?
sprechen means talk and die Terrasse is the terrace. This sentence is not standard German: ĂĽber takes the accusative for the meaning about, so the correct form is ĂĽber die Gartenparty, not ĂĽber der Gartenparty.
Die Musik der Gartenparty ist sehr laut.
The music of the garden party is very loud.
die Musik means the music and laut means loud. Der Gartenparty is genitive to show whose music it is, and the feminine noun has the same ending in the genitive.
Im Sommer besuchen wir viele Gartenpartys.
In summer we go to many garden parties.
im Sommer means in summer, besuchen means visit, and viele means many. Gartenpartys is plural and accusative because it is the object of besuchen; the borrowed noun forms its plural with -s.
genießen — to enjoy, to savour ​
Genießen is a strong verb: genießen – genoss – hat genossen. It normally takes an accusative object and uses haben, not sein, in the perfect.
Wir genieĂźen den Abend im Garten.
We are enjoying the evening in the garden.
der Abend means the evening, and im Garten means in the garden. den Abend is accusative because genieĂźen takes a direct object; the finite verb genieĂźen stands in position two.
Wir haben den Abend im Garten genossen.
We enjoyed the evening in the garden.
der Abend means the evening, and im Garten means in the garden. den Abend remains accusative because genieĂźen takes an accusative object; haben is the auxiliary in position two and genossen goes to the end.
Sie genoss die Ruhe am See.
She enjoyed the peace and quiet by the lake.
die Ruhe means the peace and quiet, and am See means by the lake. genoss is the strong-verb preterite; die Ruhe is accusative because it is the direct object.
GenieĂź den Urlaub!
Enjoy your holiday!
der Urlaub means the holiday. GenieĂź is the singular du imperative without a pronoun, and den Urlaub is accusative because it is the object.
Ich wĂĽrde den Abend mehr genieĂźen, wenn ich nicht arbeiten mĂĽsste.
I would enjoy the evening more if I did not have to work.
mehr means more, arbeiten means to work, and mĂĽsste means would have to. den Abend is accusative after genieĂźen; wĂĽrde genieĂźen expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation, while the finite verb mĂĽsste goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Ihr werdet die Reise genieĂźen.
You will enjoy the trip.
die Reise means the trip. die Reise is accusative because genieĂźen takes a direct object; werdet is the finite future auxiliary in position two and genieĂźen goes to the end.
der Grillplatz — barbecue place, grilling area ​
Grillplatz means a designated place for barbecuing, often in a park or beside a lake. Its plural is Grillplätze, with an umlaut and -e; it is not the place where the grill itself is sold.
Der Grillplatz liegt am See.
The barbecue place is beside the lake.
liegt means is situated, and am See means beside the lake. Grillplatz is the nominative subject, so it has the article der; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir suchen einen Grillplatz.
We are looking for a barbecue place.
suchen means look for. einen Grillplatz is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the masculine article changes from der to einen.
Wir treffen uns an dem Grillplatz.
We are meeting at the barbecue place.
sich treffen means meet, and uns means each other or ourselves. an dem Grillplatz describes a fixed location, so the two-way preposition an takes the dative; an dem is often shortened to am.
Die Regeln des Grillplatzes sind klar.
The rules of the barbecue place are clear.
die Regeln means the rules, and klar means clear. des Grillplatzes is genitive because it identifies whose rules they are; this masculine noun adds -es in the genitive singular.
Im Park gibt es drei Grillplätze.
There are three barbecue places in the park.
im Park means in the park, and drei means three. Grillplätze is plural after drei; es gibt takes an accusative object, but the plural article is not needed here.
die Hochzeitsfeier — wedding celebration, wedding reception ​
Die Hochzeitsfeier is the celebration connected with a wedding. It is a compound of Hochzeit and Feier, and the last part determines the feminine gender.
Die Hochzeitsfeier beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The wedding celebration starts at seven o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Die Hochzeitsfeier is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Wir organisieren die Hochzeitsfeier.
We are organising the wedding celebration.
organisieren means to organise. Die Hochzeitsfeier is accusative because it is the direct object of organisieren, while the finite verb is in position two.
Bei der Hochzeitsfeier lernten wir viele Verwandte kennen.
At the wedding celebration, we met many relatives.
bei means at, lernten ... kennen means met, and Verwandte means relatives. Der Hochzeitsfeier is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb lernten comes before the subject because the prepositional phrase occupies position one.
Die Musik der Hochzeitsfeier war sehr laut.
The music of the wedding celebration was very loud.
die Musik means the music and laut means loud. Der Hochzeitsfeier is genitive because it identifies which celebration the music belonged to.
Im Sommer finden viele Hochzeitsfeiern statt.
Many wedding celebrations take place in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and stattfinden means to take place. Hochzeitsfeiern is plural after viele, and the separable verb appears as finden ... statt in a main clause.
Wir waren zu einer Hochzeitsfeier eingeladen.
We were invited to a wedding celebration.
waren eingeladen means were invited, and zu einer means to a. Zu einer Hochzeitsfeier is dative because zu always takes the dative; eingeladen stands at the end of this clause.
der Karneval — carnival ​
Karneval refers both to the festival itself and to the season of celebrations. In Germany, the word is especially associated with costumes, parades and regional traditions.
Der Karneval beginnt im Februar.
Carnival begins in February.
beginnt means begins, and im Februar means in February. Der Karneval is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Karneval in Köln.
We celebrate carnival in Cologne.
feiern means celebrate, and in Köln means in Cologne. Den Karneval is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Viele Menschen fahren zum Karneval.
Many people travel to the carnival.
viele Menschen means many people, and fahren means travel or go. Zum means to the and is short for zu dem; zu always takes the dative, so Karneval has the article dem hidden in zum.
Die Geschichte des Karnevals ist sehr lang.
The history of carnival is very long.
die Geschichte means the history, and sehr lang means very long. Des Karnevals is genitive because it means of carnival; the masculine noun takes -s and the article changes to des.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Karnevale.
There are many carnivals in Germany.
Deutschland means Germany, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Karnevale is plural after viele, and es gibt takes an accusative object even though the plural article is not shown here.
Karneval macht Kindern viel SpaĂź.
Carnival is a lot of fun for children.
macht ... SpaĂź means is fun, Kindern means children, and viel means a lot of. Karneval is the subject without an article in this general statement, while Kindern is dative because SpaĂź machen identifies the people who enjoy something.
Kasper — Kasper, a comic puppet character; clown, fool (colloquial) ​
Kasper is the name of a traditional puppet character, often called Kasperle in children's theatre. It is a proper name here, so it has no article or ordinary plural.
Kasper kommt gleich auf die BĂĽhne.
Kasper is coming onto the stage soon.
kommt gleich means is coming soon, and die BĂĽhne means the stage. Kasper is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Die Kinder lachen ĂĽber Kasper.
The children laugh at Kasper.
die Kinder means the children, and lachen means laugh. Ăśber Kasper means at Kasper here; ĂĽber takes the accusative in this meaning, but a proper name has no visible article ending.
Sei kein Kasper!
Don't be such a clown!
Sei means be, and kein means no or not a. Kasper is a predicate noun after sein, so it remains in the nominative; the imperative has the implied subject du.
Er macht sich vor allen zum Kasper.
He makes a fool of himself in front of everyone.
macht sich zum Kasper means makes a fool of himself, and vor allen means in front of everyone. Sich is reflexive, while vor takes the dative here because it describes a location; the proper-name-like noun has no visible ending.
der Klub — club; association; nightclub ​
Klub is a variant of Club and is common for an organized association. It can also refer to a nightlife venue, depending on context.
Der Klub trifft sich jeden Freitag.
The club meets every Friday.
trifft sich means meets, and jeden Freitag means every Friday. Der Klub is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trifft stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Klub am Abend.
We visit the club in the evening.
besuchen means visit and am Abend means in the evening. Den Klub is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
Ich erzähle meiner Freundin von dem Klub.
I tell my friend about the club.
erzähle means tell and meine Freundin is my female friend. Von dem Klub is dative because von always takes the dative; dem Klub is often shortened to vom Klub.
Die Mitglieder des Klubs planen ein Fest.
The members of the club are planning a party.
die Mitglieder are the members and planen means plan. Des Klubs is genitive because it shows which club the members belong to; Fest means party or celebration.
In Berlin gibt es viele Klubs.
There are many clubs in Berlin.
In Berlin means in Berlin and viele means many. Klubs is the plural formed with -s; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although its form is unchanged.
Heute Abend gehen wir in einen Klub.
Tonight we are going to a club.
heute Abend means tonight and gehen means go. In einen Klub is accusative because in expresses movement towards a place here; the finite verb gehen stands in position two.
Der Klub spielt laute Musik.
The club is playing loud music.
spielt means plays, laut means loud, and die Musik is music. Der Klub is nominative as the subject, while laute Musik is accusative as the object of spielt.
das Kreuzworträtsel — crossword puzzle ​
This compound combines Kreuzwort, a crossword word, and Rätsel, a puzzle. The plural is unchanged: ein Kreuzworträtsel, but drei Kreuzworträtsel.
Das Kreuzworträtsel ist schwer.
The crossword puzzle is difficult.
schwer means difficult. Das Kreuzworträtsel is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich mache heute ein Kreuzworträtsel.
I am doing a crossword puzzle today.
heute means today and machen means do here. ein Kreuzworträtsel is accusative because it is the object of machen; mache is in position two.
Bei einem Kreuzworträtsel brauche ich Ruhe.
I need peace and quiet for a crossword puzzle.
bei means for or while doing here, and Ruhe means peace and quiet. einem Kreuzworträtsel is dative because bei always takes the dative; brauche is in position two.
Die Lösung des Kreuzworträtsels steht unten.
The solution to the crossword puzzle is below.
die Lösung means the solution and unten means below. des Kreuzworträtsels is genitive, meaning “of the crossword puzzle,” and the neuter noun takes -s in this case.
In der Zeitschrift sind drei Kreuzworträtsel.
There are three crossword puzzles in the magazine.
die Zeitschrift means the magazine and drei means three. Kreuzworträtsel has the same form in singular and plural; sind comes before the subject because the sentence begins with a location.
das Lagerfeuer — campfire ​
This compound combines das Lager and das Feuer and means a fire made at a campsite or outdoors. Its plural is unchanged: die Lagerfeuer.
Das Lagerfeuer brennt die ganze Nacht.
The campfire burns all night.
brennt means burns and die ganze Nacht means the whole night. Das Lagerfeuer is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb brennt stands in position two.
Wir machen das Lagerfeuer am Strand.
We are making the campfire on the beach.
machen means make and am Strand means on the beach. das Lagerfeuer is accusative because it is the object of machen, while am Strand is an dem Strand and uses dative for a location.
Die Kinder sitzen neben dem Lagerfeuer.
The children are sitting beside the campfire.
die Kinder means the children and sitzen means are sitting. dem Lagerfeuer is dative because neben describes a fixed position here; the finite verb sitzen stands in position two.
Die Wärme des Lagerfeuers ist angenehm.
The warmth of the campfire is pleasant.
die Wärme means the warmth and angenehm means pleasant. des Lagerfeuers is genitive because it shows where the warmth comes from or to what it belongs; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Am Strand brennen drei Lagerfeuer.
Three campfires are burning on the beach.
am Strand means on the beach, brennen means are burning, and drei means three. Lagerfeuer is plural but unchanged from the singular; the plural subject follows the verb because am Strand occupies the first position.
die Lieblingsbeschäftigung — favorite activity, favorite pastime ​
The compound combines Lieblings-, meaning favorite, with Beschäftigung, meaning activity or pastime. The feminine gender comes from the final noun Beschäftigung.
Die Lieblingsbeschäftigung meines Bruders ist Kochen.
My brother's favorite activity is cooking.
meines Bruders means my brother's, and Kochen means cooking. Die Lieblingsbeschäftigung is nominative because it is the subject; meines Bruders is genitive possession.
Sie nennt die Lieblingsbeschäftigung im Fragebogen.
She names her favorite activity in the questionnaire.
nennt means names, and im Fragebogen means in the questionnaire. Die Lieblingsbeschäftigung is accusative because nennen takes a direct object; the finite verb nennt is in position two.
Er widmet sich der Lieblingsbeschäftigung am Wochenende.
He devotes himself to his favorite activity at the weekend.
widmet sich means devotes himself, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Der Lieblingsbeschäftigung is dative because sich widmen takes a dative object; the reflexive pronoun sich is also part of the verb phrase.
Der Beginn der Lieblingsbeschäftigung macht mich glücklich.
The beginning of the favorite activity makes me happy.
Der Beginn means the beginning, and macht mich glücklich means makes me happy. Der Lieblingsbeschäftigung is genitive because it shows what the beginning belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Lieblingsbeschäftigungen der Kinder sind unterschiedlich.
The children's favorite activities are different.
der Kinder means of the children, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Lieblingsbeschäftigungen is plural; -ung becomes -ungen, and the plural article is die.
Lesen ist die Lieblingsbeschäftigung meiner Mutter.
Reading is my mother's favorite activity.
Lesen means reading, and meiner Mutter means my mother's. Die Lieblingsbeschäftigung is a predicate noun after ist, while meiner Mutter is a possessive genitive phrase.
das Lokal — restaurant, bar, venue ​
Lokal is a common word for a restaurant, bar, or similar public venue. It is a neuter noun: das Lokal, plural die Lokale, genitive des Lokals.
Das Lokal ist heute Abend voll.
The restaurant is full this evening.
heute Abend means this evening and voll means full. Lokal is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen ein Lokal fĂĽr unser Abendessen.
We are looking for a restaurant for our dinner.
suchen means look for, fĂĽr means for, unser Abendessen means our dinner. Lokal is accusative as the object of suchen, and fĂĽr also forces the accusative in unser Abendessen.
In dem Lokal gibt es gute Pizza.
There is good pizza in the restaurant.
in dem Lokal means in the restaurant, es gibt means there is or there are, and gute Pizza means good pizza. In takes the dative for a fixed location, while Pizza is accusative after es gibt.
Die TĂĽr des Lokals ist geschlossen.
The door of the restaurant is closed.
die TĂĽr means the door and geschlossen means closed. Des Lokals is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the finite verb ist is in position two and geschlossen is predicative.
In der Altstadt gibt es viele Lokale.
There are many restaurants in the old town.
die Altstadt means the old town and viele means many. Lokale is the plural of Lokal; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative even though its form is identical to the nominative plural.
das Oktoberfest — Oktoberfest ​
The best-known Oktoberfest is the annual festival in Munich, but the word can also describe similar festivals elsewhere.
Das Oktoberfest beginnt im September.
Oktoberfest begins in September.
beginnt means begins, and im September means in September. Das Oktoberfest is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Viele Touristen besuchen das Oktoberfest.
Many tourists visit Oktoberfest.
Viele Touristen means many tourists, and besuchen means visit. Das Oktoberfest is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir treffen uns auf dem Oktoberfest.
We meet at Oktoberfest.
Wir treffen uns means we meet, and auf dem means at the. The preposition auf takes the dative here because this sentence describes a location, not movement; therefore dem Oktoberfest is dative.
Die Atmosphäre des Oktoberfests ist einzigartig.
The atmosphere of Oktoberfest is unique.
Die Atmosphäre means the atmosphere, and einzigartig means unique. Des Oktoberfests is genitive because it shows whose atmosphere it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Herbst finden die Oktoberfeste in vielen Städten statt.
In autumn, Oktoberfest celebrations take place in many cities.
Im Herbst means in autumn, vielen Städten means many cities, and stattfinden means take place. Oktoberfeste is the plural after die; finden ... statt is a separable verb, so its prefix stands at the end of the main clause.
der Pfadfinder — scout ​
The plural is die Pfadfinder with no ending. The word can refer to a member of the Scouts organisation, usually a young person.
Der Pfadfinder trägt ein grünes Hemd.
The scout is wearing a green shirt.
trägt means “is wearing” and ein grünes Hemd means “a green shirt”. Der Pfadfinder is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Pfadfinder im Wald.
I see the scout in the forest.
sehe means “see” and im Wald means “in the forest”. Den Pfadfinder is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe dem Pfadfinder beim Zeltaufbau.
I am helping the scout put up the tent.
helfe means “help”, beim Zeltaufbau means “with putting up the tent”, and Zeltaufbau means “tent construction”. Dem Pfadfinder is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the finite verb helfe is in position two.
Das Fahrrad des Pfadfinders steht vor dem Haus.
The scout’s bicycle is in front of the house.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, steht means “is standing”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. Des Pfadfinders is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Pfadfinder schlafen heute im Zelt.
The scouts are sleeping in the tent today.
schlafen means “sleep”, heute means “today”, and im Zelt means “in the tent”. Die Pfadfinder is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is schlafen, not singular schläft.