Appearance
Vocab: Free time — B1
Free time vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Abendkasse — evening box office, ticket office
The Abendkasse is at the place where an event takes place, while an online or advance ticket office sells tickets earlier. The common phrase is an der Abendkasse, with dative after an for a location.
Die Abendkasse öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The box office opens at six o’clock.
öffnet means opens and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Die Abendkasse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Wir suchen die Abendkasse.
We are looking for the box office.
wir means we and suchen means look for. die Abendkasse is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
An der Abendkasse bezahlen wir bar.
We pay in cash at the box office.
an means at, bezahlen means pay, and bar means in cash. der Abendkasse is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the verb bezahlen stands in position two after the introductory phrase.
Die Preise der Abendkasse sind höher.
The prices at the evening box office are higher.
die Preise means the prices and höher means higher. der Abendkasse is genitive because it specifies which box office the prices belong to; sind stands in position two.
Die Abendkassen schließen nach der Vorstellung.
The evening box offices close after the performance.
schließen means close, nach means after, and die Vorstellung is the performance. Die Abendkassen is plural nominative because it is the subject; nach der Vorstellung is a dative phrase because nach takes the dative.
amüsant — amusing, entertaining
The word describes something that is funny or entertaining, but it is more neutral and less strong than lustig. The comparative is amüsanter, and the superlative is amüsantesten.
Der Film ist amüsant.
The film is amusing.
der Film means the film. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir haben einen amüsanten Abend verbracht.
We spent an amusing evening.
wir means we, einen Abend means an evening, and verbracht means spent. einen amüsanten Abend is accusative because verbringen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
Die Komödie ist amüsanter als der Krimi.
The comedy is more amusing than the crime film.
die Komödie means the comedy and der Krimi means the crime film. amüsanter compares two things, and als introduces the second item in the comparison.
Das war der amüsanteste Teil des Abends.
That was the most amusing part of the evening.
das war means that was, der Teil means the part, and des Abends means of the evening. amüsanteste stands before Teil and takes the adjective ending -e after der; des Abends is genitive.
ausrichten — to organize, host; to pass on, tell someone
In this sense, ausrichten means to organize or host an event and takes an accusative object, as in eine Feier ausrichten. It is a separable verb: richtet ... aus in a main clause but ausrichten as an infinitive or ausgerichtet as a participle.
Der Verein richtet morgen ein Fest aus.
The club is hosting a party tomorrow.
der Verein means the club, morgen means tomorrow, and ein Fest means a party. ein Fest is accusative because ausrichten takes a direct object; the finite part richtet is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Der Verein hat ein großes Fest ausgerichtet.
The club hosted a big party.
ein großes Fest means a big party. ausgerichtet is the Partizip II and stays together in the perfect; it combines with haben, and the participle goes to the end.
Der Verein richtete letztes Jahr ein Fest aus.
The club hosted a party last year.
letztes Jahr means last year and ein Fest means a party. The weak past form richtete is in position two, while the separable prefix aus goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Richte bitte die Feier aus!
Please organize the celebration!
bitte means please and die Feier means the celebration. This is the informal singular imperative: richte comes first and the prefix aus goes to the end; the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde gern die Hochzeit ausrichten.
I would like to host the wedding.
ich würde gern means I would like to and die Hochzeit means the wedding. die Hochzeit is accusative, and the whole infinitive ausrichten stays together at the end after würde; do not split it here.
Nächsten Sommer wird unser Verein ein Turnier ausrichten.
Next summer our club will host a tournament.
nächsten Sommer means next summer, unser Verein means our club, and ein Turnier means a tournament. In the future, wird is in position two and the unsplit infinitive ausrichten goes to the end; the event is an accusative object.
Kannst du ihm bitte ausrichten, dass ich später komme?
Can you please tell him that I will come later?
ihm means to him, bitte means please, and später means later. The person receiving the message is dative after jemandem etwas ausrichten; after kannst, the infinitive ausrichten goes to the end and remains unsplit.
Ich richte deiner Mutter liebe Grüße aus.
I send your mother my best wishes.
deiner Mutter means to your mother and liebe Grüße means best wishes or kind regards. The person is dative and liebe Grüße is accusative; richte stands in position two and aus goes to the end.
belustigend — amusing, entertaining
belustigend describes something that causes amusement and can sometimes suggest that the thing is ridiculous. It is related to belustigen, to amuse, and is less common in everyday speech than lustig or unterhaltsam.
Der Film ist belustigend.
The film is amusing.
der Film means the film. The adjective follows ist and is predicative, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie erzählt eine belustigende Geschichte.
She is telling an amusing story.
erzählt means is telling and Geschichte means story. eine belustigende Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Sein Kommentar war belustigender als der ganze Film.
His comment was more amusing than the whole film.
sein Kommentar means his comment and der ganze Film means the whole film. The comparative is followed by als for the comparison; belustigender is predicative after war, so it has no additional adjective ending.
Das war der belustigendste Moment des Abends.
That was the most amusing moment of the evening.
Moment means moment and des Abends means of the evening. The masculine superlative before Moment takes -ste and the adjective ending -e after der; des Abends is genitive showing whose moment it was.
Die Kinder finden den Clown belustigend.
The children find the clown amusing.
Kinder means children and Clown means clown. den Clown is accusative as the object of finden, while belustigend is an uninflected predicative adjective describing that object.
die Beschäftigung — employment, job; activity, occupation
Beschäftigung can mean paid employment or an activity that keeps someone occupied. The meaning is often clear from context: eine Beschäftigung suchen usually means ‘look for a job’, while eine Beschäftigung für Kinder means ‘an activity for children’.
Die Beschäftigung gibt ihm Sicherheit.
The job gives him security.
gibt means ‘gives’, ihm means ‘to him’, and Sicherheit means ‘security’. Die Beschäftigung is the nominative subject, while ihm is dative because geben gives something to someone; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Er sucht eine neue Beschäftigung.
He is looking for new employment.
er means ‘he’, sucht means ‘is looking for’, and eine neue means ‘a new’. eine neue Beschäftigung is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sucht stands in position two.
Sie widmet sich einer neuen Beschäftigung.
She devotes herself to a new occupation.
sie means ‘she’, widmet sich means ‘devotes herself’, and einer neuen means ‘a new’. The verb sich widmen takes a dative object, so einer neuen Beschäftigung is dative.
Die Vorteile der Beschäftigung sind klar.
The advantages of the employment are clear.
die Vorteile means ‘the advantages’, sind means ‘are’, and klar means ‘clear’. der Beschäftigung is genitive and shows which employment the advantages belong to; the plural subject die Vorteile makes the verb sind plural.
Viele Beschäftigungen machen den Alltag interessanter.
Many activities make everyday life more interesting.
viele means ‘many’, machen means ‘make’, den Alltag means ‘everyday life’, and interessanter means ‘more interesting’. Viele Beschäftigungen is the plural subject, while den Alltag is accusative as the object of machen.
der Bummel — stroll; leisurely outing
Der Bummel describes a relaxed walk, often through a town or shops, with no hurry. It is commonly used with einen Bummel machen or auf einen Bummel gehen.
Der Bummel durch die Altstadt war sehr schön.
The stroll through the old town was very pleasant.
durch die Altstadt means through the old town, and schön means pleasant or nice. Der Bummel is nominative because it is the subject; durch takes the accusative.
Wir machen am Samstag einen Bummel durch die Geschäfte.
We are taking a stroll through the shops on Saturday.
am Samstag means on Saturday, and die Geschäfte are the shops. Einen Bummel is accusative after the expression einen Bummel machen; durch also takes the accusative.
Nach dem Essen gehen wir noch auf einen Bummel.
After the meal, we are going for a stroll.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and noch means still or additionally. Nach takes the dative in dem Essen, while auf einen Bummel is accusative because it expresses going on an outing.
Die Ruhe des Bummels hat mir gutgetan.
The relaxing stroll did me good.
die Ruhe is the calm, and gutgetan means did good or helped. Des Bummels is genitive and describes the calm belonging to the stroll; the noun adds -s.
Im Urlaub unternehmen wir mehrere Bummel durch kleine Städte.
On holiday, we take several strolls through small towns.
im Urlaub means on holiday, mehrere means several, and kleine Städte are small towns. Bummel has the same form in singular and plural; mehrere Bummel is accusative after unternehmen.
Nach dem Bummel trinken wir einen Kaffee.
After the stroll, we drink a coffee.
trinken means to drink, and einen Kaffee is a coffee. Nach dem Bummel uses the dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb trinken is in position two.
die Detektivgeschichte — detective story
This is a compound of Detektiv and Geschichte, so its gender and plural come from Geschichte. The plural is Detektivgeschichten, with -n added to the final noun.
Die Detektivgeschichte ist spannend.
The detective story is exciting.
spannend means exciting. Die Detektivgeschichte is nominative because it is the subject, and ist links it to the predicative adjective spannend, which has no ending.
Ich lese die Detektivgeschichte heute Abend.
I am reading the detective story this evening.
lese means read, and heute Abend means this evening. Die Detektivgeschichte is accusative because it is the direct object; feminine die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich empfehle der Detektivgeschichte eine Fortsetzung.
I recommend a sequel to the detective story.
empfehle means recommend, and eine Fortsetzung is a sequel. Der Detektivgeschichte is dative as the personified recipient of the recommendation, while eine Fortsetzung is accusative.
Das Ende der Detektivgeschichte ist überraschend.
The ending of the detective story is surprising.
das Ende means the ending, and überraschend means surprising. Der Detektivgeschichte is genitive because it identifies which ending is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Ich lese gern Detektivgeschichten.
I like reading detective stories.
lese means read, and gern means gladly or like doing something. Detektivgeschichten is the plural accusative object of lese; its ending -n is part of the plural form.
die Eröffnung — opening; inauguration; formal opening; initiation
The noun is feminine and comes from the verb eröffnen, to open or inaugurate. Do not confuse a physical opening with the verb aufmachen, which is common for doors and containers.
Die Eröffnung des neuen Museums ist am Samstag.
The opening of the new museum is on Saturday.
das neue Museum means the new museum, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Eröffnung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Eröffnung der Ausstellung.
We are attending the opening of the exhibition.
besuchen means to attend or visit, and die Ausstellung is the exhibition. Die Eröffnung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Bei der Eröffnung spricht die Direktorin.
The director speaks at the opening.
bei means at or during, and die Direktorin is the female director. Bei always takes the dative, so der Eröffnung is dative; the verb spricht is in position two.
Die Gäste warten auf den Beginn der Eröffnung.
The guests are waiting for the beginning of the opening ceremony.
die Gäste are the guests, warten auf means wait for, and der Beginn is the beginning. Der Eröffnung is genitive because it tells whose beginning it is; the genitive phrase follows the noun Beginn.
Bei den Eröffnungen werden oft Reden gehalten.
Speeches are often given at openings.
Reden are speeches, oft means often, and gehalten werden means are given or held. Eröffnungen is plural after bei den; bei takes the dative, and the passive verb comes at the end of the clause.
Die Eröffnung eines Verfahrens dauert mehrere Wochen.
Opening proceedings takes several weeks.
ein Verfahren is a proceeding or legal process, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Eines Verfahrens is genitive after Eröffnung to show what is being opened; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Für die Kontoeröffnung brauche ich meinen Ausweis.
I need my identity card to open the account.
die Kontoeröffnung means opening an account, brauchen means need, and mein Ausweis is my identity card. Für takes the accusative in the purpose phrase, while meinen Ausweis is also accusative because it is the object of brauche.
die Fasnacht — carnival (regional)
Die Fasnacht is a regional word for carnival, especially common in Switzerland and parts of southwestern Germany. The related words der Fasching and der Karneval are more common in other regions.
Die Fasnacht beginnt heute.
Carnival begins today.
beginnt means “begins,” and heute means today. Die Fasnacht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Fasnacht in Basel.
We attend carnival in Basel.
besuchen means “attend” or “visit,” and in Basel means in Basel. Die Fasnacht is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative both use die.
Wir gehen an die Fasnacht.
We are going to carnival.
gehen means “go,” and an means “to” here. The phrase expresses movement toward an event, so an die Fasnacht uses the accusative; the case label is not dative despite the preposition being a two-way preposition.
Die Musik der Fasnacht ist laut.
The music of carnival is loud.
die Musik is the music, and laut means loud. Der Fasnacht is genitive and means “of the carnival”; feminine nouns keep the form Fasnacht, while the article changes to der.
Die Fasnachten in der Schweiz sind berühmt.
The carnival celebrations in Switzerland are famous.
in der Schweiz means in Switzerland, and berühmt means famous. Fasnachten is plural nominative as the subject and is formed with -en; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
der Höhepunkt — highlight, climax
Höhepunkt can mean the best part of an event or the climax of a story. It is a compound of Höhe, height, and Punkt, point.
Der Höhepunkt des Konzerts war das letzte Lied.
The highlight of the concert was the last song.
das Konzert is a concert, and das letzte Lied means the last song. Der Höhepunkt des Konzerts is nominative because it is the subject; des Konzerts is genitive, meaning of the concert.
Wir haben den Höhepunkt der Reise erreicht.
We reached the highlight of the trip.
die Reise is the trip, and erreichen means to reach. Den Höhepunkt is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object; der Reise is genitive, meaning of the trip.
Alle Gäste sprachen über den Höhepunkt des Abends.
All the guests talked about the highlight of the evening.
alle Gäste means all the guests, sprachen means talked, and der Abend is the evening. Über takes the accusative when it means about, so den Höhepunkt is accusative, not dative.
Der Beginn des Films war spannender als der Höhepunkt.
The beginning of the film was more exciting than the climax.
der Beginn is the beginning, der Film is the film, and spannender als means more exciting than. Des Films is genitive after Beginn, meaning the beginning of the film.
Die Höhepunkte der Ausstellung sind im ersten Raum.
The highlights of the exhibition are in the first room.
die Ausstellung is the exhibition, and der erste Raum is the first room. Die Höhepunkte is a plural subject, while der Ausstellung is genitive, meaning of the exhibition; the verb sind agrees with the plural.
der Kriminalfilm — crime film
Kriminalfilm is a compound of Kriminal-, meaning crime-related, and Film, meaning film. The shorter everyday word is Krimi.
Der Kriminalfilm läuft heute im Fernsehen.
The crime film is on television today.
läuft means is on or is showing, and heute im Fernsehen means on television today. Der Kriminalfilm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Wir sehen einen Kriminalfilm.
We’re watching a crime film.
wir sehen means we are watching or seeing, and einen marks a masculine accusative noun. Einen Kriminalfilm is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Nach dem Kriminalfilm diskutierten wir lange.
After the crime film, we discussed it for a long time.
nach means after, diskutierten means discussed, and lange means for a long time. Dem Kriminalfilm is dative because nach governs the dative; the finite verb diskutierten is in position two after the introductory phrase.
Das Ende des Kriminalfilms war schwer vorherzusehen.
The ending of the crime film was difficult to predict.
das Ende is the ending, and schwer vorherzusehen means difficult to predict. Des Kriminalfilms is genitive after das Ende to show whose ending it is; vorherzusehen is an infinitive with zu at the end.
Die Kriminalfilme der letzten Jahre waren besonders erfolgreich.
The crime films of recent years were particularly successful.
der letzten Jahre means of the last few years, and besonders erfolgreich means particularly successful. Kriminalfilme is the plural with -e, and der letzten Jahre is a genitive phrase describing which films.
der Kriminalroman — detective novel, crime novel
The compound Kriminalroman combines Kriminal-, meaning crime-related, with Roman, meaning novel. It is a book, not a person who investigates a crime.
Der Kriminalroman liegt auf dem Tisch.
The detective novel is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Kriminalroman is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese den Kriminalroman im Zug.
I am reading the detective novel on the train.
lese means am reading, im Zug means on the train, and Zug is train. Den Kriminalroman is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, while the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Sie schenkt ihrem Bruder den Kriminalroman.
She gives her brother the detective novel as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and ihrem Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative as the recipient, while den Kriminalroman is accusative as the thing given.
Das Ende des Kriminalromans ist überraschend.
The ending of the detective novel is surprising.
das Ende is the ending and überraschend means surprising. Des Kriminalromans is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is; the noun takes -s in the genitive.
In der Bibliothek stehen viele Kriminalromane.
There are many detective novels in the library.
in der Bibliothek means in the library, and viele means many. Kriminalromane is the plural form; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
das Osterfest — Easter celebration, Easter festival
Osterfest is a compound of Ostern and Fest. It often suggests an organised public or family celebration, whereas Ostern can simply mean the Easter holiday.
Das Osterfest beginnt am Sonntag.
The Easter celebration begins on Sunday.
beginnt means begins, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Das Osterfest is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Die Gemeinde plant ein Osterfest.
The community is planning an Easter celebration.
die Gemeinde means the community and plant means is planning. Ein Osterfest is accusative because planen takes a direct object, and the finite verb plant is in position two.
Viele Familien gehen zu einem Osterfest.
Many families go to an Easter celebration.
viele Familien means many families and gehen means go. Zu always takes the dative, so einem Osterfest is dative.
Die Tradition des Osterfestes ist sehr alt.
The tradition of the Easter celebration is very old.
die Tradition means the tradition and sehr alt means very old. Des Osterfestes is genitive because it shows which celebration the tradition belongs to; the neuter article is des and the noun has -es.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Osterfeste.
There are many Easter celebrations in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Osterfeste is plural after viele, and the noun has the plural ending -e.
das Quiz — quiz
The plural has two accepted forms: die Quiz and die Quizze. The word is a loanword and is common for television, school and online question games.
Das Quiz ist heute sehr schwierig.
The quiz is very difficult today.
schwierig means “difficult”, and heute means “today”. Das Quiz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir machen ein Quiz.
We are doing a quiz.
wir means “we”, and machen means “do” or “make”. Ein Quiz is accusative because machen takes a direct object, while ein has the same form for nominative and accusative neuter.
Bei dem Quiz helfe ich meiner Schwester.
I help my sister with the quiz.
bei means “with” in this context, and helfen means “help”. Dem Quiz is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb helfe comes in position two.
Die Fragen des Quiz sind interessant.
The questions of the quiz are interesting.
die Fragen means “the questions”, and interessant means “interesting”. Des Quiz is genitive because it shows which quiz the questions belong to; the borrowed noun itself does not add an ending.
Die Quizze beginnen um acht Uhr.
The quizzes begin at eight o’clock.
beginnen means “begin”, and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock”. Quizze is one plural of das Quiz; unchanged Quiz is also possible, so do not treat it as a spelling error.
die Quizshow — quiz show
A Quizshow is normally a television programme with questions and contestants. The compound combines Quiz with Show, and its plural is formed with -s.
Die Quizshow beginnt um acht Uhr.
The quiz show starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means “starts”, and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock”. Die Quizshow is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen die Quizshow jeden Samstag.
We watch the quiz show every Saturday.
sehen means “watch or see”, and jeden Samstag means “every Saturday”. Die Quizshow is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Ich empfehle meiner Mutter die Quizshow.
I recommend the quiz show to my mother.
empfehle means “recommend”, and meiner Mutter means “to my mother”. Die Quizshow is accusative as the thing recommended, while meiner Mutter is dative as the person receiving the recommendation.
Das Ende der Quizshow war überraschend.
The end of the quiz show was surprising.
das Ende means “the end”, and überraschend means “surprising”. Der Quizshow is genitive because it identifies which programme had an end; the feminine article is der in the genitive.
Viele Quizshows laufen am Abend.
Many quiz shows are on in the evening.
viele means “many”, and laufen means “are on or are broadcast”; am Abend means “in the evening”. Quizshows is the plural with -s, and the finite verb laufen follows the plural subject.
die Sammlung — collection; compilation; collection; fundraising
This word can be a set of objects kept by someone or a compilation of texts, stories, or other material. It can also refer to the act of collecting, depending on context.
Die Sammlung ist sehr wertvoll.
The collection is very valuable.
wertvoll means valuable. Die Sammlung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Tante zeigt uns ihre Sammlung.
My aunt shows us her collection.
meine Tante is my aunt, zeigt means shows, and uns means us. ihre Sammlung is accusative because zeigen takes the thing shown as a direct object; uns is dative for the people receiving the information.
Er arbeitet an einer Sammlung von Kurzgeschichten.
He is working on a collection of short stories.
arbeitet an means is working on, and Kurzgeschichten are short stories. an einer Sammlung is dative because an describes the project being worked on here; von Kurzgeschichten means of short stories.
Der Wert der Sammlung steigt jedes Jahr.
The value of the collection rises every year.
der Wert means the value, steigt means rises, and jedes Jahr means every year. der Sammlung is genitive because it specifies whose value is meant; the finite verb steigt is in position two.
Im Museum sehen wir viele Sammlungen.
In the museum we see many collections.
das Museum means the museum, and viele means many. Sammlungen is plural with -en and is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the phrase im Museum gives the location.
Die Sammlung für die Nachbarn war erfolgreich.
The collection for the neighbours was successful.
für die Nachbarn means for the neighbours, and erfolgreich means successful. Die Sammlung is nominative as the subject; für takes the accusative, so die Nachbarn stays die in the plural.
Nach dem Konzert beginnt eine Sammlung.
After the concert, a collection for donations begins.
nach dem Konzert means after the concert, and beginnt means begins. eine Sammlung is nominative because it is the subject; nach takes the dative, and the finite verb beginnt remains in position two after the opening phrase.
das Sonnenbad — sunbath; sunbathing session
Sonnenbad is a fairly formal or careful word; in everyday speech, people often say sich sonnen or in der Sonne liegen. A Sonnenbad is usually understood as deliberate and prolonged exposure to the sun.
Ein Sonnenbad kann entspannend sein.
A sunbath can be relaxing.
kann means can and entspannend means relaxing. Ein Sonnenbad is the nominative subject; after the modal verb kann, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
Ich nehme am Strand ein Sonnenbad.
I am sunbathing on the beach.
nehme means take, am Strand means on the beach, and ein Sonnenbad means a period of sunbathing. The phrase ein Sonnenbad nehmen is a fixed expression, and ein Sonnenbad is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object.
Nach dem Sonnenbad trinke ich viel Wasser.
After the sunbath I drink a lot of water.
nach dem Sonnenbad means after the sunbath, trinke means drink, and viel Wasser means a lot of water. Nach forces the dative, and the finite verb trinke is in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Dauer des Sonnenbads sollte kurz sein.
The duration of the sunbath should be short.
die Dauer means the duration, sollte means should, and kurz means short. Des Sonnenbads is genitive because it identifies the duration of what; the infinitive sein goes to the end after sollte.
Zu viele Sonnenbäder sind ungesund.
Too many sunbaths are unhealthy.
zu viele means too many and ungesund means unhealthy. Sonnenbäder is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; the umlaut changes a to ä in the plural.
der Tango — tango
Tango can mean both the dance and its music. The phrase Tango tanzen means to dance the tango.
Der Tango ist ein leidenschaftlicher Tanz.
The tango is a passionate dance.
Leidenschaftlich means passionate, and der Tanz means dance. Der Tango is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie tanzt gern den Tango.
She likes dancing the tango.
Sie tanzt gern means she likes dancing, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. Den Tango is accusative because tanzen can take the dance as its direct object; the finite verb tanzt is in position two.
Bei dem Tango braucht man viel Übung.
You need a lot of practice for the tango.
Bei means with or for in this context, braucht means needs, and viel Übung means a lot of practice. Dem Tango is dative because bei takes the dative; man is the general subject and braucht is in position two.
Der Rhythmus des Tangos ist nicht einfach.
The rhythm of the tango is not easy.
Der Rhythmus means the rhythm, nicht means not, and einfach means easy. Des Tangos is genitive because it identifies whose rhythm is meant; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Kurs lernen wir verschiedene Tangos.
In the course, we learn different tangos.
Im Kurs means in the course, lernen means learn, and verschiedene means different. Verschiedene Tangos is accusative plural because it is the object of lernen; the plural ending is -s.
der Veranstalter — organiser, promoter
The noun can refer to a person or an organisation. The feminine form is die Veranstalterin, and the plural is die Veranstalter.
Der Veranstalter begrüßt die Gäste am Eingang.
The organiser welcomes the guests at the entrance.
die Gäste means the guests and der Eingang means the entrance. Der Veranstalter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb begrüßt is in position two.
Die Besucher sehen den Veranstalter vor der Bühne.
The visitors see the organiser in front of the stage.
die Besucher are the visitors and die Bühne is the stage. Den Veranstalter is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Die Mitarbeiter helfen dem Veranstalter beim Aufbau.
The staff help the organiser with the set-up.
die Mitarbeiter are the staff and der Aufbau is the set-up. Dem Veranstalter is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; beim means bei dem and also introduces the dative.
Die Entscheidung des Veranstalters war überraschend.
The organiser’s decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung means the decision and überraschend means surprising. Des Veranstalters is genitive to show whose decision it was; the noun takes -s after des.
Die Veranstalter planen schon das nächste Festival.
The organisers are already planning the next festival.
planen means are planning, schon means already, and das nächste Festival is the next festival. Die Veranstalter is plural nominative as the subject, and the finite verb planen is in position two.
vergnügen — to enjoy oneself; to have fun; to amuse; to entertain
The everyday meaning is reflexive: sich vergnügen means to enjoy oneself. Do not confuse the verb with the related noun das Vergnügen, meaning pleasure or enjoyment.
Die Kinder vergnügen sich im Park.
The children are enjoying themselves in the park.
die Kinder means the children, and im Park means in the park. sich is the accusative reflexive object required by this use; the finite verb vergnügen is in position two, while im Park is dative after the location preposition in.
Wir haben uns auf dem Fest vergnügt.
We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
uns means ourselves, and auf dem Fest means at the party. The perfect uses haben with vergnügt, and the Partizip II goes to the end; uns is accusative, while auf dem Fest is dative because it describes a location.
Er vergnügte sich mit einem Computerspiel.
He enjoyed himself with a computer game.
mit einem Computerspiel means with a computer game. sich is the accusative reflexive object, and mit einem Computerspiel is dative after mit; the weak past form vergnügte stands in position two.
Vergnüg dich auf der Reise!
Enjoy yourself on the trip!
dich means yourself, and auf der Reise means on the trip. The singular imperative is vergnüg, and dich must be included because this meaning is normally reflexive; auf der Reise is dative for a location.
Du würdest dich dort sicher vergnügen.
You would certainly enjoy yourself there.
dort means there, and sicher means certainly. dich is the accusative reflexive object; würdest marks the conditional and sends the infinitive vergnügen to the end.
Ihr werdet euch am Wochenende vergnügen.
You will enjoy yourselves at the weekend.
ihr means you plural, euch means yourselves, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. euch is accusative, while werdet marks the future and sends vergnügen to the end.
Der Clown vergnügte die Kinder.
The clown amused the children.
der Clown means the clown, and die Kinder means the children. die Kinder is accusative because they are the people entertained; the finite verb vergnügte stands in position two.
Die Musik hat das Publikum vergnügt.
The music entertained the audience.
die Musik means the music, and das Publikum means the audience. The perfect uses hat plus vergnügt, with the Partizip II at the end; das Publikum is accusative as the object.
das Wandern — hiking; walking for pleasure
Das Wandern is a nominalized infinitive, so it is always capitalized and neuter. It describes the activity in general; the lowercase verb wandern means to hike.
Wandern macht mir Spaß.
I enjoy hiking.
Spaß machen means to be enjoyable, and mir means to me. Wandern is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht is in position two, while mir is dative after the fixed expression Spaß machen.
Ich liebe das Wandern in den Bergen.
I love hiking in the mountains.
lieben means to love, in den Bergen means in the mountains, and Bergen means mountains. das Wandern is accusative because lieben takes an accusative object; the finite verb liebe stands in position two.
Beim Wandern brauche ich gute Schuhe.
I need good shoes when hiking.
beim means while doing the activity, brauchen means to need, and gute Schuhe means good shoes. beim is bei dem, so Wandern is dative; the finite verb brauche is in position two, and gute Schuhe is the accusative object.
Die Freude des Wanderns ist groß.
The joy of hiking is great.
die Freude means the joy, and groß means great or strong. des Wanderns is genitive because it identifies whose joy it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wandern und Radfahren sind beliebte Hobbys.
Hiking and cycling are popular hobbies.
Radfahren means cycling, beliebte means popular, and Hobbys means hobbies. Wandern is a mass noun and has no plural here; together with Radfahren, it forms a plural subject, so the verb is sind.
Morgen gehen wir wandern.
Tomorrow we are going hiking.
Morgen means tomorrow and gehen means to go. Here wandern is the lowercase infinitive verb, not the noun das Wandern; it follows gehen at the end of the clause.
die Wandertour — hiking tour; walking trip
A Wandertour is usually a planned walk with a route and a destination, often longer than an ordinary walk. The compound combines wandern, to hike, with die Tour, trip or tour.
Die Wandertour beginnt um acht Uhr.
The hiking tour starts at eight o'clock.
beginnen means to start, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Wandertour is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen eine Wandertour durch den Wald.
We are planning a hiking tour through the forest.
planen means to plan, durch means through, and der Wald means the forest. eine Wandertour is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; durch den Wald is also accusative because durch always takes the accusative.
Bei der Wandertour habe ich viele Fotos gemacht.
I took many photos during the hiking tour.
bei means during or at, viele Fotos means many photos, and gemacht means taken or made. bei der Wandertour is dative because bei always takes the dative; the perfect-tense verb has habe in position two and gemacht at the end.
Die Länge der Wandertour beträgt zwölf Kilometer.
The length of the hiking tour is twelve kilometres.
die Länge means the length, betragen means to amount to, and zwölf Kilometer means twelve kilometres. der Wandertour is genitive because it specifies the length of which tour; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Im Sommer machen wir mehrere Wandertouren.
In summer we go on several hiking tours.
im Sommer means in summer and mehrere means several. mehrere Wandertouren is accusative because machen takes the object in this expression; the plural ending is -en.
die Zauberei — magic, magic tricks; magic-like trickery, seemingly magical effect
Die Zauberei can mean magic as an art or activity; individual acts or tricks can be called Zaubereien. It is related to zaubern, meaning “to do magic” or “to cast a spell.”
Die Zauberei fasziniert die Kinder.
Magic fascinates the children.
fasziniert means “fascinates,” and die Kinder means “the children.” Die Zauberei is nominative because it is the subject, while die Kinder is accusative because faszinieren takes an accusative object.
Die Kinder lieben die Zauberei.
The children love magic.
die Kinder means “the children,” and lieben means “love.” Die Zauberei is accusative because it is the object of lieben; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir staunen über die Zauberei.
We are amazed by the magic.
staunen über means “be amazed by,” and wir means “we.” Here über takes the accusative, so the form is die Zauberei, not a dative form; this is a useful exception to the common location use of über.
Die Geschichte der Zauberei ist sehr lang.
The history of magic is very long.
die Geschichte means “the history,” and sehr lang means “very long.” Der Zauberei is genitive because it tells us what kind of history it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Museum sehen wir verschiedene Zaubereien.
In the museum we see various magic tricks.
im Museum means “in the museum,” verschiedene means “various,” and sehen means “see.” Zaubereien is plural and accusative because it is the object of sehen; the plural article is omitted after verschiedene.
Mit diesem Gerät ist das fast Zauberei.
With this device, it is almost magic.
mit diesem Gerät means “with this device,” and fast means “almost.” Zauberei is a predicative noun after ist, so it appears without an article; mit takes the dative, as shown by diesem Gerät.
Er verkauft einfache Tricks als Zaubereien.
He sells simple tricks as magic.
verkauft means “sells,” einfache Tricks means “simple tricks,” and als means “as.” Zaubereien is plural and appears after als to describe what the tricks are presented as; einfache Tricks is the accusative object of verkauft.