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Vocab: Free time — A2 (2)
Free time vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Radtour — bicycle tour, bike ride
Die Radtour usually means a pleasant bicycle trip rather than a competitive race. It is a compound of das Rad (bicycle) and die Tour (tour or trip).
Die Radtour war anstrengend, aber schön.
The bicycle tour was tiring but beautiful.
anstrengend means tiring, aber means but, and schön means beautiful or pleasant. Die Radtour is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir planen die Radtour für Samstag.
We are planning the bicycle tour for Saturday.
planen means to plan, für means for, and Samstag means Saturday. Die Radtour is accusative because planen takes a direct object; für also takes accusative when it introduces a time or purpose.
Nach der Radtour trinken wir im Garten Wasser.
After the bicycle tour, we drink water in the garden.
nach means after, trinken means drink, im Garten means in the garden, and Wasser means water. Der Radtour is dative because nach always takes the dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so trinken is still in position two.
Die Länge der Radtour beträgt fünfzig Kilometer.
The length of the bicycle tour is fifty kilometres.
die Länge means the length, betragen means to amount to, and fünfzig Kilometer means fifty kilometres. Der Radtour is genitive because it tells whose length is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Frühling machen wir oft Radtouren.
In spring we often go on bicycle tours.
im Frühling means in spring, oft means often, and machen means make or do. Radtouren is plural after the omitted quantity; the phrase Radtouren machen is a common way to say go on bicycle tours.
die Runde — round of drinks or food; lap, round, turn
In this sense, eine Runde is a round for everyone in a group, especially drinks. The fixed expression eine Runde ausgeben means to buy a round; ausgeben is separable.
Die Runde ist von mir.
This round is on me.
von mir means on me or paid for by me. Die Runde is nominative because it is the subject of ist; von takes the dative mir.
Ich gebe eine Runde aus.
I am buying a round.
ausgeben means buy or pay for, and eine Runde means a round for everyone. Eine Runde is accusative because ausgeben takes a direct object; the prefix aus separates and goes to the end.
Wir sitzen in einer Runde.
We are sitting in a group.
sitzen means sit, and einer Runde means a group. In einer Runde is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement into the group.
Der Preis der Runde steht auf der Rechnung.
The price of the round is on the bill.
der Preis means the price, and die Rechnung means the bill. Der Runde is genitive after der Preis to show possession; auf der Rechnung is dative because it describes location.
Wir bestellen drei Runden.
We order three rounds.
bestellen means order, and drei Runden means three rounds. The plural has -n, and the object is accusative even though the article is absent after the number.
Ich laufe noch eine Runde.
I am running one more lap.
noch means one more or still, and laufen means run. Eine Runde is accusative because it is the distance or lap being run; the finite verb laufe is in position two.
Nach zwei Runden war ich müde.
After two laps, I was tired.
nach means after, and müde means tired. Nach zwei Runden takes the dative because nach always governs dative; the plural form is Runden.
sammeln — to collect, to gather
Sammeln usually takes an accusative object, as in Briefmarken sammeln. It is a regular weak verb: sammelte, gesammelt; the perfect uses haben.
Ich sammle alte Münzen.
I collect old coins.
alte Münzen means old coins. Alte Münzen is accusative because it is the direct object of sammle, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir haben viele Muscheln gesammelt.
We collected many shells.
viele Muscheln means many shells. Gesammelt is the Partizip II of sammeln and pairs with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Sie sammelte früher Postkarten.
She used to collect postcards.
früher means formerly or in the past, and Postkarten are postcards. Sammelte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; Postkarten is accusative as the collected objects.
Sammle bitte die Blätter ein.
Please collect the leaves.
bitte means please, die Blätter are the leaves, and einsammeln means to collect up. Sammle is the du imperative; the separable prefix ein goes to the end of the main clause.
Ich würde gern mehr Erfahrungen sammeln.
I would like to gain more experience.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mehr Erfahrungen means more experience. Würde expresses the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive sammeln goes to the end; mehr Erfahrungen is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich wieder Briefmarken sammeln.
Next year I will collect stamps again.
nächstes Jahr means next year, wieder means again, and Briefmarken are stamps. Werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive sammeln goes to the end.
Die Kinder sammeln Kastanien im Park.
The children collect chestnuts in the park.
die Kinder are the children, Kastanien are chestnuts, and im Park means in the park. Sammeln is in position two because it is the finite verb; Kastanien is accusative as the direct object.
das Schach — chess
Schach is normally used without an article in Schach spielen. It is a singular-only name for the game; a particular contest is usually das Schachspiel.
Das Schach ist ein anspruchsvolles Spiel.
Chess is a demanding game.
anspruchsvoll means demanding, and das Spiel means the game. Das Schach is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen spielen das Schach gern.
Many people like playing chess.
viele Menschen means many people, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. Das Schach is accusative because spielen takes a direct object; the article is often omitted in Schach spielen.
Mit dem Schach verbringt sie ihre Freizeit.
She spends her free time with chess.
verbringt means spends, and ihre Freizeit means her free time. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Schach is dative.
Die Regeln des Schachs sind nicht einfach.
The rules of chess are not simple.
die Regeln means the rules, and nicht einfach means not simple. Des Schachs is genitive because it identifies which rules are meant; the noun takes -s.
In unserem Verein wird jeden Freitag Schach gespielt.
Chess is played in our club every Friday.
unser Verein means our club, jeden Freitag means every Friday, and gespielt means played. Schach is a singular-only noun, so it has no plural; wird gespielt is the passive construction.
die Serie — series; sequence
For television, Serie usually means a series with several episodes, while a single film is a Film. Eine Serie von is followed by a noun that describes what is being counted.
Die Serie beginnt um acht Uhr.
The series starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Serie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich sehe eine neue Serie.
I am watching a new series.
sehe means watch or see, and eine neue means a new. Eine neue Serie is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir sprechen über die Serie.
We are talking about the series.
sprechen über means talk about. Die Serie has the accusative form after über here because the preposition means about, not location; the verb sprechen is in position two.
Das Ende der Serie ist überraschend.
The ending of the series is surprising.
das Ende means the ending, and überraschend means surprising. Der Serie is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Serien sind spannend.
Many series are exciting.
viele means many, and spannend means exciting. Serien is the plural subject, so it is nominative plural; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject.
Die Serie erzählt eine spannende Geschichte.
The series tells an exciting story.
erzählt means tells, and eine spannende Geschichte means an exciting story. Die Serie is the subject in the nominative, while eine spannende Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object.
die Spielkarte — playing card
The plural is die Spielkarten, with -n. The compound combines Spiel, game, and Karte, card.
Die Spielkarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The playing card is on the table.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and der Tisch is the table. Die Spielkarte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme die Spielkarte vom Tisch.
I take the playing card from the table.
nehmen means to take, and vom Tisch means from the table. Die Spielkarte is accusative because it is the object of nehmen; vom means von dem and requires the dative.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester der Spielkarte?
I give my sister the playing card?
This sentence is not natural German because der Spielkarte cannot be the direct object here; the natural sentence is Ich gebe meiner Schwester die Spielkarte. meiner Schwester is dative as the recipient, while die Spielkarte is accusative as the thing given, so learners should not use the dative form for the card.
Die Farbe der Spielkarte ist rot.
The colour of the playing card is red.
die Farbe means the colour, and rot means red. Der Spielkarte is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir mischen die Spielkarten vor dem Spiel.
We shuffle the playing cards before the game.
mischen means to shuffle, and vor dem Spiel means before the game. Die Spielkarten is plural and accusative because it is the object of mischen; the plural ending is -n.
das Straßenfest — street festival
A Straßenfest is a local public event in a street, not simply any party held outdoors. The compound combines Straße (street) and Fest (festival or celebration).
Das Straßenfest beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The street festival starts at six o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Das Straßenfest is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Viele Nachbarn besuchen das Straßenfest.
Many neighbours attend the street festival.
viele Nachbarn means many neighbours, and besuchen means attend or visit. Das Straßenfest is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; neuter das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir treffen uns auf dem Straßenfest.
We are meeting at the street festival.
wir treffen uns means we are meeting, and auf means at or on here. Auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Straßenfest is dative.
Die Musik des Straßenfestes ist sehr laut.
The music of the street festival is very loud.
die Musik is the music, and sehr laut means very loud. Des Straßenfestes is genitive because it shows whose music it is; the neuter noun has the ending -es.
Die Straßenfeste im Sommer sind beliebt.
The street festivals in summer are popular.
im Sommer means in summer, and beliebt means popular. Die Straßenfeste is a plural subject, so the verb is sind, not ist.
stricken — to knit
stricken is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. The item being knitted is normally an accusative object, as in einen Schal stricken.
Meine Oma strickt einen Schal.
My grandmother is knitting a scarf.
meine Oma means my grandmother and einen Schal means a scarf. Schal is accusative because stricken takes the thing being made as a direct object; the finite verb strickt stands in position two.
Meine Oma hat einen Schal gestrickt.
My grandmother has knitted a scarf.
Oma means grandmother and Schal means scarf. einen Schal is accusative, while hat is the auxiliary in position two and gestrickt goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Meine Oma strickte früher viele Pullover.
My grandmother used to knit many sweaters.
früher means in the past or used to, and viele Pullover means many sweaters. strickte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; Pullover is an accusative object, although its plural form has no ending.
Strick mir bitte eine Mütze.
Please knit me a hat.
mir means for me or to me, bitte means please, and eine Mütze means a hat. mir is dative for the person receiving the item, while eine Mütze is accusative; the imperative strick stands first.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, strickte ich einen Pullover.
If I had more time, I would knit a sweater.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and Pullover means sweater. The subordinate-clause verb hätte goes to the end, while strickte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause; einen Pullover is accusative.
Im Winter werde ich einen Schal stricken.
In winter I will knit a scarf.
im Winter means in winter and einen Schal means a scarf. In the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive stricken goes to the end; the scarf is accusative as the direct object.
der Trick — trick, clever method
der Trick can be a useful method, but it can also suggest deception depending on the context. The plural is die Tricks, with -s, and the genitive is des Tricks.
Der Trick ist ganz einfach.
The trick is very simple.
ganz einfach means very simple. Der Trick is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Trick.
I know the trick.
ich means I and kenne means know. den Trick is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Mit diesem Trick geht es schneller.
With this trick, it is quicker.
mit diesem Trick means with this trick, and schneller means quicker. mit always takes the dative, so diesem Trick is dative; the verb geht is in position two.
Die Wirkung des Tricks war überraschend.
The effect of the trick was surprising.
die Wirkung means the effect and überraschend means surprising. des Tricks is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Im Internet findet man viele Tricks.
You can find many tricks on the internet.
im Internet means on the internet, findet means finds, and viele means many. viele Tricks is an accusative plural object, but the plural noun has no case ending here; man means you or people in general.
unterhalten — to talk, to have a conversation; to entertain
The reflexive pattern is sich mit jemandem über etwas unterhalten: mit takes the dative and über normally takes the accusative here. This meaning is about talking, not about entertaining an audience.
Wir unterhalten uns oft über unsere Reisen.
We often talk about our travels.
oft means often, and unsere Reisen means our travels. uns is accusative because the reflexive form of unterhalten uses an accusative pronoun, while über takes the accusative in this meaning; the finite verb unterhalten is in position two.
Wir haben uns gestern lange unterhalten.
We talked for a long time yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben plus unterhalten, and uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun; the participle stands at the end of the clause.
Sie unterhielt sich nach dem Konzert mit ihrer Schwester.
She talked with her sister after the concert.
nach dem Konzert means after the concert, and ihrer Schwester means her sister. mit always takes the dative, so ihrer Schwester is dative; unterhielt is the simple-past finite verb in position two.
Unterhalte dich mit deinen Gästen!
Talk with your guests!
deinen Gästen means your guests. mit requires the dative plural, shown by Gästen; the imperative comes first, and the reflexive pronoun dich follows it.
Ich unterhielte mich gern länger mit dir.
I would gladly talk with you for longer.
gern means gladly and länger means for longer. mit dir is dative because mit requires dative, while mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun; unterhielte expresses a hypothetical or polite situation.
Wir werden uns morgen über den neuen Plan unterhalten.
We will talk about the new plan tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and den neuen Plan means the new plan. über takes the accusative here, and the finite verb werden is in position two while the infinitive unterhalten goes to the end.
Der Clown unterhält die Kinder.
The clown entertains the children.
der Clown is a clown, and die Kinder means the children. die Kinder is accusative because this meaning of unterhalten takes a direct object; the finite verb unterhält stands in position two.
Die Musik hat die Gäste den ganzen Abend unterhalten.
The music entertained the guests all evening.
die Musik means the music, die Gäste means the guests, and den ganzen Abend means all evening. die Gäste is accusative as the direct object; the perfect uses hat, with unterhalten at the end.
die Verabredung — appointment, arrangement
die Verabredung can mean a planned meeting or the agreement made about it. For the verb, compare eine Verabredung haben with eine Verabredung verabreden; the first is especially common for a scheduled meeting.
Die Verabredung ist um sieben Uhr.
The appointment is at seven o’clock.
um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Die Verabredung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich verschiebe die Verabredung.
I am postponing the appointment.
verschieben means to postpone. die Verabredung is accusative because it is the direct object of verschiebe; the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich komme zu der Verabredung etwas später.
I am coming to the appointment a little later.
etwas später means a little later. The preposition zu always forces the dative, so der Verabredung is dative; komme is in position two.
Wegen der Verabredung kann ich nicht bleiben.
Because of the appointment, I cannot stay.
wegen means because of, and bleiben means to stay. In careful standard German, wegen takes the genitive, so der Verabredung is genitive; the finite verb kann is in position two.
Wir haben heute zwei Verabredungen.
We have two appointments today.
heute means today, and zwei means two. zwei Verabredungen is plural and accusative because it is the object of haben; the plural ending is -en.
veranstalten — to organise, to hold (an event)
veranstalten is used for planned public or private events such as ein Konzert or eine Party. The event is the accusative object; the verb does not mean simply “to attend” an event.
Die Schule veranstaltet ein Sommerfest.
The school is holding a summer festival.
die Schule means the school, and ein Sommerfest is a summer festival. ein Sommerfest is accusative because it is the event organised by veranstaltet; the finite verb stands in position two.
Die Schule hat ein Sommerfest veranstaltet.
The school held a summer festival.
die Schule means the school, and ein Sommerfest is a summer festival. The perfect uses haben plus veranstaltet; the Partizip II goes to the end, and the event is an accusative object.
Der Verein veranstaltete ein großes Konzert.
The club organised a large concert.
der Verein means the club or association, and ein großes Konzert is a large concert. ein großes Konzert is accusative as the direct object; the weak-verb past form veranstaltete is in position two.
Veranstalte eine Party für deine Freunde!
Hold a party for your friends!
eine Party means a party, and deine Freunde means your friends. The imperative addresses du; eine Party is accusative as the object, and für forces the accusative in für deine Freunde.
Ich würde gern ein Treffen für die Nachbarschaft veranstalten.
I would like to organise a meeting for the neighbourhood.
gern means gladly or would like to, and die Nachbarschaft means the neighbourhood. ein Treffen is accusative; the polite Konjunktiv II puts würde in position two and the infinitive veranstalten at the end.
Im Herbst werden wir ein großes Fest veranstalten.
We will hold a large festival in autumn.
im Herbst means in autumn, and ein großes Fest is a large festival. Futur I uses werden in position two and the infinitive veranstalten at the end; ein großes Fest is accusative.
die Veranstaltung — event, organised activity
Veranstaltung is broader than “party”: it can be a concert, lecture, course session or public meeting. To say that you attend one, use eine Veranstaltung besuchen, not usually a direct translation of “go to an event”.
Die Veranstaltung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The event begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Veranstaltung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir besuchen die Veranstaltung am Samstag.
We are attending the event on Saturday.
besuchen means attend or visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Veranstaltung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; am is short for an dem.
Bei der Veranstaltung lernt man viele Leute kennen.
At the event, you meet many people.
bei means at or during, viele Leute means many people, and kennenlernen means meet or get to know. Der Veranstaltung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb lernt is in position two.
Das Programm der Veranstaltung steht online.
The programme of the event is online.
das Programm means the programme and online means online. Der Veranstaltung is genitive and shows which event the programme belongs to; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Die Veranstaltungen im Stadtzentrum sind sehr beliebt.
The events in the city centre are very popular.
im Stadtzentrum means in the city centre and beliebt means popular. Die Veranstaltungen is plural nominative as the subject, and the verb sind agrees with the plural.
der Verein — club; association
der Verein can mean a leisure club, sports club, or other formally organized association. It is different from die Vereinigung, which is a more formal word for an association or union.
Der Verein trainiert jeden Dienstag.
The club trains every Tuesday.
trainiert means trains or practises, and jeden Dienstag means every Tuesday. der Verein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Verein am Wochenende.
I visit the club at the weekend.
besuche means visit, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. den Verein is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; Ich is in position one and besuche in position two.
Sie hilft dem Verein bei der Organisation.
She helps the club with the organisation.
hilft means helps, bei der Organisation means with the organisation, and Organisation means organisation. dem Verein is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; bei also requires the dative.
Die Geschichte des Vereins ist interessant.
The history of the club is interesting.
die Geschichte means the history and interessant means interesting. des Vereins is genitive because it shows whose history it is, and the noun receives -s in the genitive singular.
Viele Vereine bieten kostenlose Kurse an.
Many clubs offer free courses.
viele means many, kostenlose Kurse means free courses, and bieten ... an means offer. Viele Vereine is the plural subject, and the separable verb anbieten splits so that an goes to the end.
das Vergnügen — pleasure, enjoyment, fun; pleasurable activity, treat
This noun means pleasure or fun and is not the same word as the verb vergnügen, to amuse. The common phrase viel Vergnügen means have fun.
Das Vergnügen war leider schnell vorbei.
Unfortunately, the fun was over quickly.
leider means unfortunately, and schnell vorbei means over quickly. Das Vergnügen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir hatten viel Vergnügen im Urlaub.
We had a lot of fun on holiday.
viel means a lot of, and im Urlaub means on holiday. Vergnügen is accusative because haben takes a direct object, while im Urlaub is a dative place phrase after in.
Mit diesem Spiel haben die Kinder viel Vergnügen.
The children have a lot of fun with this game.
diesem Spiel means this game, and die Kinder means the children. Vergnügen is part of the phrase viel Vergnügen; diesem Spiel is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Freude des Vergnügens hielt nicht lange an.
The joy of the pleasure did not last long.
die Freude is the joy, and hielt nicht lange an means did not last long. Vergnügens is genitive to show what kind of joy it is, and the noun takes -s with des.
Die Kinder suchen neue Vergnügungen.
The children are looking for new pleasures.
neue means new, and suchen means are looking for. Vergnügungen is plural and accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the plural article is usually die.
Das Konzert war ein echtes Vergnügen.
The concert was a real pleasure.
das Konzert means the concert, and echt means real. Vergnügen follows sein as a predicative noun, so it stays nominative rather than becoming accusative.
Für die Kinder ist der Ausflug ein großes Vergnügen.
For the children, the outing is a great pleasure.
für die Kinder means for the children, and der Ausflug is the outing. Kinder is accusative after für, while Vergnügen is a predicative noun after ist.
die Wanderung — hike; walking trip
Die Wanderung usually means one particular hike or walking trip, while das Wandern describes hiking as an activity. It is formed from wandern with the noun ending -ung.
Die Wanderung war sehr schön.
The hike was very beautiful.
schön means beautiful or pleasant, and sehr means very. Die Wanderung is nominative because it is the subject; war is the Präteritum of sein and stands in position two.
Wir machen heute eine Wanderung.
We are going on a hike today.
heute means today and machen means to do or make; eine Wanderung machen means to go on a hike. eine Wanderung is accusative because it is the object of machen, and the finite verb machen is in position two.
Nach der Wanderung trinken wir Kaffee.
After the hike, we drink coffee.
nach means after, trinken means to drink, and Kaffee means coffee. nach always takes the dative, so der Wanderung is dative; because the sentence begins with this phrase, trinken comes before the subject wir in position two.
Die Dauer der Wanderung beträgt drei Stunden.
The duration of the hike is three hours.
die Dauer means the duration, betragen means to amount to, and drei Stunden means three hours. der Wanderung is genitive because it says which hike is meant; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Im Frühling unternehmen wir viele Wanderungen.
In spring we go on many hikes.
im Frühling means in spring, unternehmen means to undertake or go on, and viele means many. viele Wanderungen is accusative because unternehmen takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -en.
die Weihnachtsfeier — Christmas party
A Weihnachtsfeier is a social celebration, not necessarily a religious service. It is often a party organised by a company, school, club, or other group.
Die Weihnachtsfeier beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The Christmas party starts at seven o’clock.
beginnt means “starts”, and um sieben Uhr means “at seven o’clock”. Die Weihnachtsfeier is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir planen eine Weihnachtsfeier für das Team.
We are planning a Christmas party for the team.
planen means “plan”, für means “for”, and das Team means “the team”. eine Weihnachtsfeier is accusative because planen takes a direct object; für also forces the accusative.
Bei der Weihnachtsfeier singt die ganze Klasse.
The whole class sings at the Christmas party.
bei means “at”, singt means “sings”, and die ganze Klasse means “the whole class”. bei always takes the dative, so der Weihnachtsfeier is dative; the verb singt is in position two.
Die Organisation der Weihnachtsfeier kostet viel Zeit.
Organising the Christmas party takes a lot of time.
die Organisation means “the organisation”, kostet means “costs”, and viel Zeit means “a lot of time”. der Weihnachtsfeier is genitive because it specifies which celebration is being organised; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Dieses Jahr gibt es drei Weihnachtsfeiern im Büro.
This year there are three Christmas parties in the office.
dieses Jahr means “this year”, drei means “three”, and im Büro means “in the office”. Weihnachtsfeiern is plural after drei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself does not show the case.
wetten — to bet, to wager
With the meaning of making a bet, wetten is often used with auf plus the accusative: auf etwas wetten. It can also introduce a clause with Ich wette, dass ...; its perfect is formed with haben.
Ich wette zehn Euro auf Bayern.
I bet ten euros on Bayern.
zehn Euro means ten euros, and auf Bayern means on Bayern. zehn Euro is an accusative object because it is the amount being bet, while auf takes the accusative here because it introduces the target of the bet; the finite verb wette stands in position two.
Wir haben auf das richtige Team gewettet.
We bet on the right team.
das richtige Team means the right team, and richtig means right or correct. The perfect uses haben plus gewettet, with gewettet at the end; auf takes the accusative das richtige Team in this betting expression.
Er wettete mit seinem Bruder.
He bet with his brother.
er means he, and sein Bruder means his brother. mit always takes the dative, so seinem Bruder is dative; the regular past form wettete is the finite verb in position two.
Wette nicht so viel Geld!
Don't bet so much money!
nicht means not, so viel means so much, and Geld means money. The imperative stands first and so viel Geld is an accusative object of wetten; the negative word nicht follows the verb here.
Ich würde darauf wetten, dass sie gewinnt.
I would bet that she will win.
darauf means on that or on it, dass means that, and gewinnt means wins. würde wetten expresses a hypothetical bet; after dass, the finite verb gewinnt goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Morgen werde ich auf das Spiel wetten.
Tomorrow I will bet on the game.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Spiel means the game. The future uses werden plus the infinitive wetten at the end; auf das Spiel is accusative because auf introduces what the bet concerns.
der Witz — joke; point, meaning
Der Witz is something intended to make people laugh, especially a spoken joke. The phrase Der Witz ist, dass ... means the point is that ..., so Witz can also refer to the central point of a situation.
Der Witz ist wirklich lustig.
The joke is really funny.
wirklich means really, and lustig means funny. Der Witz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er erzählt einen Witz.
He tells a joke.
erzählt means tells, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Witz is accusative because erzählen takes the thing being told as a direct object.
Wir lachen über den Witz.
We laugh at the joke.
lachen means laugh, über means at or about here, and wir means we. In the fixed expression über etwas lachen, über takes the accusative, so den Witz is accusative; the verb lachen is in position two.
Die Pointe des Witzes kommt am Ende.
The punchline of the joke comes at the end.
die Pointe means the punchline, kommt means comes, and am Ende means at the end. Des Witzes is genitive because it identifies which punchline is meant; des Witzes has the ending -es.
Die Kinder erzählen sich Witze.
The children tell each other jokes.
die Kinder means the children, erzählen means tell, and sich means each other here. Witze is plural and accusative as the direct object, while sich is a dative reflexive pronoun showing who receives the jokes.
Der Witz an der Sache ist, dass niemand bezahlt.
The point of the matter is that nobody pays.
die Sache means the matter or situation, and niemand bezahlt means nobody pays. In der Witz an der Sache, an takes the dative because it refers to the point connected with a situation; the clause after ist explains the point.
Ich verstehe den Witz nicht.
I do not understand the point.
verstehe means understand and nicht means not. Den Witz is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; nicht comes after the object here to negate the verb phrase.
witzig — funny, amusing; witty, clever
Witzig usually means funny or amusing and can describe a person, joke, story, or situation. Do not confuse it with witzhaft, which is less common and means joke-like or humorous in a more formal description.
Der Film ist sehr witzig.
The film is very funny.
der Film means the film, and sehr means very. Witzig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie erzählt eine witzige Geschichte.
She tells a funny story.
erzählt means tells, and eine Geschichte means a story. Witzige comes before the feminine noun Geschichte and takes -e after eine; eine witzige Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object.
Dieser Witz ist witziger als der erste.
This joke is funnier than the first one.
dieser Witz means this joke, and der erste means the first one. Witziger is the comparative form after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Am witzigsten war die Szene im Restaurant.
The scene in the restaurant was the funniest.
die Szene means the scene, and im Restaurant means in the restaurant. Am witzigsten is the predicative superlative; because it comes first for emphasis, the finite verb war follows it immediately, while the subject comes later.
Er hatte sofort eine witzige Antwort.
He immediately had a witty answer.
sofort means immediately, hatte means had, and die Antwort means the answer. Eine witzige Antwort is accusative because haben takes a direct object; witzige has the feminine ending -e after eine.
Sie reagiert immer witzig auf Kritik.
She always reacts wittily to criticism.
reagiert means reacts, immer means always, and Kritik means criticism. Witzig describes the manner of reacting and is used without an ending; auf Kritik is accusative after auf because it expresses the target of the reaction.
der Zauberer — magician; wizard; wizard
In everyday contexts, der Zauberer usually performs tricks, while in stories he may have magical powers. The feminine form is die Zauberin.
Der Zauberer steht auf der Bühne.
The magician is standing on the stage.
die Bühne means the stage. Der Zauberer is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe den Zauberer im Zirkus.
I see the magician in the circus.
sehen means to see, and der Zirkus is the circus. Den Zauberer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Zauberer eine Münze.
I give the magician a coin.
geben means to give, and eine Münze is a coin. Dem Zauberer is dative because he receives something, while eine Münze is the accusative thing being given.
Der Hut des Zauberers ist sehr groß.
The magician's hat is very large.
der Hut means the hat and groß means large. Des Zauberers is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun takes -s after des.
Die Zauberer zeigen neue Tricks.
The magicians show new tricks.
zeigen means to show and neue Tricks means new tricks. Die Zauberer is plural; this noun keeps the same form as the singular, so the article and context show the number.
Der Zauberer kann Feuer machen.
The wizard can make fire.
kann means can, and Feuer machen means to make fire. With the modal verb kann, the finite verb is in position two and the infinitive machen goes to the end.
Im Märchen besiegt der Zauberer den Drachen.
In the fairy tale, the wizard defeats the dragon.
das Märchen is the fairy tale, besiegen means to defeat, and der Drache is the dragon. Der Zauberer is nominative as the subject, while den Drachen is accusative as the object.
die Zauberin — female magician; witch
In a performance, die Zauberin can be a female magician; in a story, she can be a witch with magical powers. The masculine form is der Zauberer.
Die Zauberin trägt einen schwarzen Umhang.
The witch is wearing a black cloak.
trägt means is wearing, schwarz means black, and der Umhang is the cloak. Die Zauberin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Das Publikum bewundert die Zauberin.
The audience admires the female magician.
das Publikum means the audience and bewundern means to admire. Die Zauberin is accusative because bewundern takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir helfen der Zauberin.
We help the witch.
helfen means to help. Der Zauberin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person, and the feminine article changes from die to der.
Der Hut der Zauberin ist spitz.
The witch's hat is pointed.
der Hut means the hat and spitz means pointed. Der Zauberin is genitive because it shows whose hat it is; feminine nouns have no extra genitive ending.
Die Zauberinnen tanzen um das Feuer.
The witches dance around the fire.
tanzen means to dance, um means around, and das Feuer is the fire. Die Zauberinnen is plural and is formed with -nen; um das Feuer is an accusative phrase because um takes the accusative.
zaubern — to perform magic; to conjure; to produce quickly; to create as if by magic
Zaubern is usually intransitive when it means performing magic, but it can take an accusative object for something conjured, as in einen Hasen zaubern. Its perfect is formed with haben.
Der Künstler zaubert auf der Bühne.
The artist performs magic on the stage.
der Künstler means the artist, auf der Bühne means on the stage, and zaubern means to perform magic. The finite verb zaubert stands in position two; auf takes the dative here because the action happens at a fixed location.
Der Künstler hat auf der Bühne gezaubert.
The artist performed magic on the stage.
der Künstler is the artist and die Bühne is the stage. The perfect uses hat plus gezaubert because zaubern takes haben; the participle goes to the end.
Früher zauberte er im Theater.
He used to perform magic in the theatre.
früher means formerly or in the past, and das Theater is the theatre. Zauberte is the weak-verb preterite, and the finite verb remains in position two.
Zaubere einen Hasen aus dem Hut!
Make a rabbit appear from the hat!
einen Hasen means a rabbit and aus dem Hut means from the hat. Zaubere is a command to du, so the subject is omitted; einen Hasen is accusative as the thing being conjured.
Wenn ich könnte, zauberte ich das Essen auf den Tisch.
If I could, I would conjure the food onto the table.
wenn ich könnte means if I could, das Essen is the food, and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Zauberte has the same form as the preterite here, but it expresses an unreal wish; in the wenn clause the finite verb könnte goes to the end.
Morgen zaubert der Künstler wieder im Theater.
Tomorrow the artist will perform magic again in the theatre.
morgen means tomorrow, wieder means again, and das Theater is the theatre. German often uses the present zaubert for a planned future, with the time word morgen making the meaning clear; it is still in position two.
Sie zaubert ein leckeres Abendessen auf den Tisch.
She quickly produces a delicious dinner for the table.
lecker means delicious, das Abendessen is dinner, and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Ein leckeres Abendessen is accusative because it is what she produces, while the finite verb zaubert is in position two.
Der Koch hat in zehn Minuten ein tolles Menü gezaubert.
The cook produced a fantastic menu in ten minutes.
der Koch means the cook, in zehn Minuten means in ten minutes, and toll means fantastic. Ein tolles Menü is accusative as the object; hat is in position two and gezaubert goes at the end in the perfect.
der Zirkus — circus
The usual plural is die Zirkusse. A circus can be a travelling show or the building and organisation connected with it.
Der Zirkus kommt morgen in unsere Stadt.
The circus is coming to our town tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, unsere Stadt means our town, and kommen means to come. Der Zirkus is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir besuchen den Zirkus am Samstag.
We are visiting the circus on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. Den Zirkus is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Die Kinder erzählen ihren Freunden vom Zirkus.
The children tell their friends about the circus.
die Kinder are the children, ihren Freunden means their friends, and erzählen means to tell. Ihren Freunden is dative because erzählen gives the people receiving the information dative, and vom means von dem, which also takes dative.
Die Musik des Zirkus ist sehr laut.
The circus’s music is very loud.
die Musik is the music and sehr laut means very loud. Des Zirkus is genitive because it shows whose music it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Familien die Zirkusse.
In summer, many families visit the circuses.
im Sommer means in summer, viele Familien means many families, and besuchen means to visit. Die Zirkusse is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the plural article is die.
zuschauen — to watch, to look on
The person or event watched is expressed in the dative: jemandem zuschauen. It is different from ansehen, which normally takes an accusative object such as einen Film.
Ich schaue meiner Schwester beim Tanzen zu.
I watch my sister dancing.
meiner Schwester means “my sister”, and beim Tanzen means “while dancing”. Meiner Schwester is dative because jemandem zuschauen takes a dative person; the finite part schaue is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Wir haben den Kindern im Park zugeschaut.
We watched the children in the park.
den Kindern means “the children”, and im Park means “in the park”. Den Kindern is dative because jemandem zuschauen requires the dative; haben is the auxiliary and zugeschaut stands at the end.
Früher schaute er seinem Vater beim Kochen zu.
He used to watch his father cooking.
früher means “formerly” or “in the past”, and seinem Vater means “his father”. The person watched is dative after zuschauen, while schaute is in position two and zu closes the main clause.
Schau mir beim Spiel zu!
Watch me during the game!
mir means “to me”, and beim Spiel means “during the game”. The imperative schau begins the command, and the separable prefix zu goes to the end; mir is dative because the person watched is marked by zuschauen.
Wenn ich nicht arbeiten müsste, würde ich dir gern zuschauen.
If I did not have to work, I would gladly watch you.
wenn means “if”, arbeiten müsste means “had to work”, and gern means “gladly”. Dir is dative because jemandem zuschauen takes a dative person; in the subordinate clause müsste goes to the end, while the infinitive zuschauen stays whole after würde.
Morgen schaut ihr dem Spiel im Stadion zu.
Tomorrow you will watch the game in the stadium.
morgen means “tomorrow”, dem Spiel means “the game”, and im Stadion means “in the stadium”. In the future, werdet would be the auxiliary, but this sentence uses present tense for a planned future event; dem Spiel is dative and zu is separated at the end.
der Zuschauer — spectator, viewer, member of the audience
Der Zuschauer is a person who watches, while a participant takes part in the event. The plural is also Zuschauer, without an ending.
Der Zuschauer klatscht laut.
The spectator claps loudly.
klatscht means “claps”, and laut means “loudly”. Der Zuschauer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb klatscht stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Zuschauer in der ersten Reihe.
I see the spectator in the first row.
sehe means “see”, and die erste Reihe is the first row. Den Zuschauer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Zuschauer sein Ticket.
I give the spectator his ticket.
gebe means “give”, and sein Ticket means “his ticket”. Dem Zuschauer is dative as the recipient, while sein Ticket is accusative as the thing given.
Die Reaktion des Zuschauers war überraschend.
The spectator’s reaction was surprising.
die Reaktion means “the reaction”, and überraschend means “surprising”. Des Zuschauers is genitive because it shows whose reaction it was; the masculine noun takes -s in this case.
Die Zuschauer warten vor dem Kino.
The spectators are waiting outside the cinema.
warten means “wait”, and vor dem Kino means “outside the cinema”. Die Zuschauer is nominative plural, and this noun has the same form in the singular and plural; only the article and verb show the number.
die Zuschauerin — female spectator, female viewer
Die Zuschauerin is the feminine form of der Zuschauer. Feminine nouns ending in -in form their plural with -innen, as in Zuschauerinnen.
Die Zuschauerin fotografiert die Bühne.
The female spectator is photographing the stage.
fotografiert means “photographs”, and die Bühne is the stage. Die Zuschauerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fotografiert stands in position two.
Der Ordner bittet die Zuschauerin um Ruhe.
The usher asks the female spectator for quiet.
der Ordner is an usher or event attendant, and um Ruhe bitten means “ask for quiet”. Die Zuschauerin is accusative because bitten takes the person asked as a direct object; um takes accusative in the fixed phrase.
Ich erkläre der Zuschauerin den Weg.
I explain the way to the female spectator.
erkläre means “explain”, and den Weg means “the way”. Der Zuschauerin is dative because she is the person receiving the explanation, while den Weg is accusative.
Die Frage der Zuschauerin war sehr interessant.
The female spectator’s question was very interesting.
die Frage means “the question”, and interessant means “interesting”. Der Zuschauerin is genitive because it shows whose question it was; feminine genitive uses der and leaves the noun unchanged.
Die Zuschauerinnen lachen über den Witz.
The female spectators laugh at the joke.
lachen means “laugh”, and der Witz is the joke. Zuschauerinnen is nominative plural, formed with -innen; über den Witz means “at the joke” and über takes accusative here.
zusehen — to watch, to look on; to stand by, to watch without intervening
Zusehen normally takes a dative object: jemandem zusehen means “to watch someone”. Do not use the accusative for the person watched; the verb is separable in main clauses but stays together in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Er sieht dem Koch zu.
He watches the cook.
der Koch is the cook. Dem Koch is dative because jemandem zusehen requires a dative object; the finite part sieht is in position two and zu moves to the end.
Wir haben dem Handwerker zugesehen.
We watched the tradesman.
der Handwerker is a tradesman or craftsperson. Dem Handwerker is dative after zusehen; the perfect uses haben, and zugesehen stands at the end.
Sie sah den Kindern beim Spielen zu.
She watched the children playing.
die Kinder means “the children”, and beim Spielen means “while playing”. Den Kindern is dative because zusehen takes a dative person; sah is the irregular past form and zu goes to the end.
Sieh dem Vogel zu!
Watch the bird!
der Vogel is the bird. Dem Vogel is dative after zusehen; in the singular command, sieh and zu are separated.
Ich würde dem Spiel nur zusehen.
I would only watch the game.
das Spiel means “the game”, and nur means “only”. Dem Spiel is dative because zusehen governs the person or thing watched; with würde, the infinitive zusehen stays whole at the end.
Morgen wird er dem Training zusehen.
Tomorrow he will watch the training session.
morgen means “tomorrow”, and das Training is the training session. Dem Training is dative after zusehen; wird is in position two and the infinitive zusehen goes to the end.
Ich kann nicht einfach zusehen, wie er leidet.
I cannot simply stand by while he suffers.
einfach means “simply”, and leidet means “suffers”. After wie, the finite verb leidet goes to the end; zusehen stays whole because it is an infinitive after kann.
Die Nachbarn sahen lange zu.
The neighbours watched for a long time.
die Nachbarn are the neighbours, and lange means “for a long time”. The finite past form sahen is in position two and the prefix zu goes to the end; no object is needed when the context is clear.
öde — boring, bleak
öde can describe something that is boring because nothing interesting happens; it can also describe a bleak or empty landscape. In the second meaning, English desolate or bleak is often a better translation than boring.
Der Film ist öde.
The film is boring.
der Film means the film, and öde means boring. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen einen öden Film.
We are watching a boring film.
sehen means to watch or see, and einen Film means a film. einen öden Film is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; after the indefinite article, the adjective takes the ending -en.
Der zweite Film war öder als der erste.
The second film was more boring than the first one.
der zweite Film means the second film, and der erste means the first one. öder compares this film with another using als; because it follows war predicatively, it has no adjective ending.
Dieser Film war am ödesten.
This film was the most boring.
dieser Film means this film, and am ödesten means the most boring. The predicative superlative uses am plus the ending -sten, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Landschaft wirkt im Winter öde.
The landscape looks bleak in winter.
die Landschaft means the landscape, wirken means to look or seem, and im Winter means in winter. öde is predicative after wirkt, so it has no ending; im is short for in dem and marks a time in the dative.