Appearance
Vocab: Furniture — A1
Furniture vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Badewanne — bathtub
die Badewanne is a feminine compound meaning a tub for bathing. Its plural is regular: die Badewannen.
Die Badewanne ist voll.
The bathtub is full.
voll means full. Die Badewanne is the nominative subject, and ist is in position two; after sein, voll is predicative and does not take an adjective ending.
Ich fülle die Badewanne.
I am filling the bathtub.
füllen means to fill. die Badewanne is accusative because füllen takes a direct object, and the finite verb fülle stands in position two.
Ich sitze in der Badewanne.
I am sitting in the bathtub.
sitzen means to sit. in der Badewanne is dative because in describes a fixed location here; with movement into the tub, German uses accusative, as in in die Badewanne.
Der Rand der Badewanne ist sauber.
The edge of the bathtub is clean.
der Rand means the edge and sauber means clean. der Badewanne is genitive because it identifies which edge; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
In diesem Hotel gibt es zwei Badewannen.
There are two bathtubs in this hotel.
diesem Hotel means this hotel, zwei means two, and gibt es means there is or there are. zwei Badewannen is the plural after zwei; the phrase es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural article is not visible here.
die Bank — bench; bank; bank, financial institution
This noun has two important plurals: Bänke means benches, while Banken means financial institutions. The feminine article is die in the nominative and accusative singular.
Die Bank ist alt.
The bench is old.
alt means old. Die Bank is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich streiche die Bank.
I am painting the bench.
streiche means am painting. Die Bank is accusative because streichen takes a direct object, and the finite verb streiche is in position two.
Wir sitzen auf der Bank.
We are sitting on the bench.
sitzen means to sit. auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement; therefore die Bank becomes der Bank.
Die Farbe der Bank ist abgeblättert.
The paint on the bench has peeled off.
die Farbe means the paint, and abgeblättert means peeled off. Der Bank is genitive because it identifies whose paint it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Park stehen viele Bänke.
There are many benches in the park.
im Park means in the park, and viele means many. Bänke is the plural for seats; the umlaut and -e must not be replaced by the financial plural Banken.
Meine Schwester arbeitet bei einer Bank.
My sister works at a bank.
meine Schwester means my sister, and arbeitet means works. Bei always takes the dative, so the feminine form is einer Bank; Bank means a financial institution here.
Die Banken öffnen um neun Uhr.
The banks open at nine o’clock.
öffnen means open, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Banken is the plural for financial institutions; the finite verb öffnen stands in position two.
das Bett — bed
das Bett is the piece of furniture where a person sleeps. Common expressions include ins Bett gehen for going to bed and im Bett liegen for being in bed.
Das Bett ist sehr bequem.
The bed is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. Das Bett is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mache das Bett.
I make the bed.
machen means to make or do. das Bett is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Kind liegt im Bett.
The child is lying in bed.
das Kind is the child and liegt means is lying. im Bett means in bed; in takes the dative for a fixed location, and im is short for in dem.
Die Farbe des Bettes ist blau.
The colour of the bed is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. des Bettes expresses possession in the genitive; the neuter article is des and the noun commonly has the ending -es.
Im Hotel stehen viele Betten.
There are many beds in the hotel.
das Hotel is the hotel, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Betten is plural after viele; im Hotel is a dative location phrase, short for in dem Hotel.
die Bettdecke — blanket, duvet
The word can mean a duvet filled with material or a lighter blanket. Do not confuse Bettdecke with Bettuch, which is the sheet on the mattress.
Die Bettdecke ist sehr warm.
The blanket is very warm.
sehr warm means very warm. Die Bettdecke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wasche die Bettdecke.
I am washing the blanket.
wasche means wash. Die Bettdecke is accusative because waschen takes a direct object, and the finite verb wasche is in position two.
Ich schlafe unter der Bettdecke.
I sleep under the blanket.
schlafe means sleep and unter means under. Der Bettdecke is dative because unter describes a fixed location here; the finite verb schlafe is in position two.
Die Farbe der Bettdecke passt zum Zimmer.
The colour of the blanket matches the room.
die Farbe means the colour, passt means matches, and das Zimmer is the room. Der Bettdecke is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, while passt stands in position two.
Im Hotel liegen viele Bettdecken.
There are many blankets in the hotel.
im Hotel means in the hotel, liegen means lie or are placed, and viele means many. Bettdecken is plural and has -n; the verb agrees with the plural subject and stands in position two.
die Birne — pear; light bulb (informal)
The everyday meaning of Birne is pear. The plural is Birnen; the word can also be used informally for a light bulb, especially in compounds such as Glühbirne.
Die Birne ist süß.
The pear is sweet.
süß means sweet. Die Birne is nominative because it is the subject of ist; süß is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich esse die Birne zum Frühstück.
I eat the pear for breakfast.
esse means eat and zum Frühstück means for breakfast. die Birne is accusative because essen takes a direct object; the finite verb esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Birne etwas Honig.
I put some honey on the pear.
gebe means give or put, etwas means some, and Honig means honey. der Birne is dative because it is the recipient or surface receiving something, while etwas Honig is the accusative object.
Die Schale der Birne ist dünn.
The pear's skin is thin.
die Schale means the skin or peel and dünn means thin. der Birne is genitive and shows which fruit the skin belongs to; feminine genitive has no noun ending, so the article marks the case.
Birnen schmecken im Herbst besonders gut.
Pears taste especially good in autumn.
schmecken means taste, im Herbst means in autumn, and besonders gut means especially good. Birnen is a plural subject without an article; the finite verb schmecken stands in position two.
Die Lampe braucht eine neue Birne.
The lamp needs a new bulb.
die Lampe means the lamp and braucht means needs. eine neue Birne is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; neue has the feminine accusative ending -e after eine.
Die Birne ist kaputt.
The bulb is broken.
kaputt means broken or not working. Die Birne is nominative because it is the subject of ist; in this household context, Birne means a light bulb rather than a fruit.
die Couch — sofa, couch
Couch is a common everyday word for a sofa; Sofa is also very common. Its plural is Couches, pronounced with an extra syllable, and the feminine article is die.
Die Couch steht im Wohnzimmer.
The sofa is in the living room.
steht means is standing or is located, and das Wohnzimmer means the living room. Die Couch is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir kaufen die Couch morgen.
We are buying the sofa tomorrow.
wir kaufen means we are buying, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Couch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufen stands in position two.
Ich sitze auf der Couch.
I am sitting on the sofa.
ich sitze means I am sitting, and auf means on. Auf takes the dative for a location, so der Couch is dative; with movement onto the sofa, auf would take the accusative.
Die Farbe der Couch ist grau.
The colour of the sofa is grey.
die Farbe means the colour, and grau means grey. Der Couch is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Couches.
There are many sofas in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, stehen means are standing or are located, and viele means many. Couches is plural after viele; im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative here because it expresses location.
das Doppelbett — double bed
Das Doppelbett is a compound made from doppelt, double, and das Bett, bed. Its plural is Doppelbetten, with -en; after in it takes dative for a location but accusative for movement into the bed.
Das Doppelbett ist sehr bequem.
The double bed is very comfortable.
Bequem means comfortable, and sehr means very. Das Doppelbett is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen ein Doppelbett.
We are buying a double bed.
Wir kaufen means we are buying. Ein Doppelbett is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter form of the indefinite article remains ein.
Wir schlafen in einem Doppelbett.
We sleep in a double bed.
Schlafen means to sleep. In einem Doppelbett is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it; the finite verb schlafen is in position two.
Die Breite des Doppelbetts beträgt zwei Meter.
The width of the double bed is two metres.
Die Breite means the width, and beträgt means measures or amounts to. Des Doppelbetts is genitive because it identifies what the width belongs to; the neuter noun adds -s.
Im Hotel gibt es viele Doppelbetten.
There are many double beds in the hotel.
Im Hotel means in the hotel, and viele means many. Doppelbetten is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural form of the article is not visible.
die Dusche — shower; shower fixture
die Dusche can mean the shower fixture or the shower area, while duschen is the verb to shower. The plural is regular: die Duschen.
Die Dusche ist im Badezimmer.
The shower is in the bathroom.
das Badezimmer means the bathroom. Die Dusche is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme die Dusche gleich.
I am going to take a shower in a moment.
gleich means in a moment or soon. die Dusche is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Nach dem Sport gehe ich unter die Dusche.
After sport, I go into the shower.
nach dem Sport means after sport, and gehen means to go. unter die Dusche is accusative because unter describes movement towards a place here; gehe stands in position two.
Die Tür der Dusche ist kaputt.
The shower door is broken.
die Tür means the door and kaputt means broken. der Dusche is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist stands in position two.
In diesem Hotel gibt es drei Duschen.
There are three showers in this hotel.
in diesem Hotel means in this hotel, and drei means three. Duschen is the plural of die Dusche; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is still drei without an ending.
das Fenster — window
Fenster can mean the opening, the frame, or the glass structure in a wall. The plural is also Fenster without an ending.
Das Fenster ist offen.
The window is open.
offen means open. Das Fenster is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; offen is a predicative adjective after sein, so it has no ending.
Ich öffne das Fenster.
I open the window.
öffnen means to open. Das Fenster is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das, and öffne is in position two.
Die Katze sitzt am Fenster.
The cat is sitting by the window.
die Katze means the cat and sitzen means to sit. Am Fenster means at or by the window; an takes the dative for a fixed location, and am is short for an dem.
Die Farbe des Fensters ist weiß.
The colour of the window is white.
die Farbe means colour and weiß means white. Des Fensters is genitive because it means of the window; ist is in position two and weiß is a predicative adjective without an ending.
In unserem Haus gibt es viele Fenster.
There are many windows in our house.
unser Haus means our house and viele means many. Fenster is the plural with no ending; it is accusative after the fixed expression es gibt, while in unserem Haus is dative because it describes a location.
die Heizung — heating; heater; heating; operation of the heating
Die Heizung can mean the heating system in a building or a single heater. In everyday speech, die Heizung anmachen means to turn the heating on.
Die Heizung ist kaputt.
The heating is broken.
kaputt means broken. Die Heizung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two; kaputt comes after sein as a predicative adjective.
Ich mache die Heizung an.
I turn on the heating.
anmachen means to turn on, and ich means I. Die Heizung is accusative because anmachen takes a direct object; the separable verb splits, with mache in position two and an at the end.
Wir sitzen neben der Heizung.
We are sitting next to the heater.
sitzen means sit, and neben means next to. Here neben describes a fixed location and takes the dative, so der Heizung is feminine dative.
Die Reparatur der Heizung ist teuer.
The repair of the heating system is expensive.
die Reparatur is the repair, and teuer means expensive. Der Heizung is genitive because it identifies whose repair it is; the feminine genitive article is der, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In vielen Wohnungen gibt es neue Heizungen.
There are new heating systems in many apartments.
vielen Wohnungen means many apartments, and neue means new. Heizungen is the plural of Heizung; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article remains die.
Die Heizung läuft den ganzen Tag.
The heating runs all day.
läuft means runs or is operating, and den ganzen Tag means all day. Die Heizung is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Wegen der Kälte bleibt die Heizung an.
Because of the cold, the heating stays on.
wegen der Kälte means because of the cold, and bleibt an means stays on. Wegen commonly takes the genitive, so der Kälte is feminine genitive; the verb bleibt is in position two and an is a predicative particle.
das Kissen — pillow, cushion
The plural is also Kissen, with no change to the noun. A Kissen can support your head in bed or your back on a chair.
Das Kissen ist weich.
The pillow is soft.
weich means soft. Das Kissen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich brauche das Kissen.
I need the pillow.
brauche means need. Das Kissen is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich schlafe auf dem Kissen.
I sleep on the pillow.
schlafe means sleep and auf means on. Here auf describes a fixed location, so it takes the dative dem Kissen, not the accusative.
Der Bezug des Kissens ist sauber.
The pillowcase is clean.
der Bezug is the cover and sauber means clean. Des Kissens is genitive because it means of the pillow; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Auf dem Sofa liegen drei Kissen.
There are three cushions lying on the sofa.
auf dem Sofa means on the sofa and liegen means are lying. Kissen has the same form in singular and plural; drei shows that it is plural.
der Kleiderschrank — wardrobe, clothes closet
Kleiderschrank is a compound of Kleider, clothes, and Schrank, cupboard or wardrobe. The plural has an umlaut: Kleiderschränke.
Der Kleiderschrank steht im Schlafzimmer.
The wardrobe is in the bedroom.
steht means stands or is located, and das Schlafzimmer is the bedroom. Der Kleiderschrank is nominative because it is the subject; im Schlafzimmer is dative because in describes a fixed location, and steht is in position two.
Ich öffne den Kleiderschrank.
I open the wardrobe.
öffne means open. Den Kleiderschrank is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object, and the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kleiderschrank einen neuen Platz.
I give the wardrobe a new place.
geben means give, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. Dem Kleiderschrank is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing with geben, while einen neuen Platz is accusative; gebe is in position two.
Die Tür des Kleiderschranks ist offen.
The door of the wardrobe is open.
die Tür is the door, and offen means open. Des Kleiderschranks is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; ist is the finite verb in position two.
In unserer Wohnung stehen zwei Kleiderschränke.
There are two wardrobes in our flat.
unsere Wohnung is our flat or apartment, and zwei means two. Zwei Kleiderschränke is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in unserer Wohnung is dative for a fixed location, and stehen comes in position two.
das Kopfkissen — pillow
Kopfkissen literally combines Kopf and Kissen and means a pillow for the head. The singular and plural have the same spelling, so the article is especially important.
Das Kopfkissen ist weich.
The pillow is soft.
weich means soft. Das Kopfkissen is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche ein neues Kopfkissen.
I need a new pillow.
brauche means need and neu means new. ein neues Kopfkissen is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Ich schlafe auf dem Kopfkissen.
I sleep on the pillow.
schlafe means sleep. auf dem Kopfkissen is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; with movement onto the pillow, auf would take the accusative.
Der Bezug des Kopfkissens ist sauber.
The pillowcase is clean.
der Bezug means the cover or pillowcase, and sauber means clean. des Kopfkissens is genitive and shows which object the cover belongs to.
Die Kopfkissen liegen auf dem Bett.
The pillows are lying on the bed.
liegen means are lying, auf dem Bett means on the bed, and Bett means bed. Kopfkissen is the plural subject; its plural is unchanged, while the location phrase uses dative.
die Lampe — lamp; light
Lampe is a regular feminine noun. The plural is Lampen, with -n, and the related verb einschalten means to switch a lamp on.
Die Lampe ist an.
The lamp is on.
an means on in this sentence. Die Lampe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich stelle die Lampe auf den Tisch.
I put the lamp on the table.
stellen means to put in an upright position, and der Tisch is the table. Die Lampe is accusative because it is the object; auf den Tisch is accusative because the lamp is moved to a destination.
Ich lese bei der Lampe.
I read by the lamp.
lesen means to read, and bei means by or near. Der Lampe is dative because bei always takes the dative; the phrase describes the setting for reading.
Der Schirm der Lampe ist kaputt.
The lamp's shade is broken.
der Schirm means the shade, and kaputt means broken. Der Lampe is genitive because it shows which lamp the shade belongs to; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Lampen hängen an der Decke.
The lamps hang from the ceiling.
hängen means hang, and die Decke is the ceiling. Lampen is the plural with -n; an der Decke is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Licht — light; lamp light; brightness; hope or clarification
For a room's electric light, German commonly uses das Licht in the singular. The plural die Lichter usually means several visible lights or lamps; in figurative expressions, Licht can also mean hope or clarification.
Das Licht ist hell.
The light is bright.
hell means bright. Das Licht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich mache das Licht an.
I turn on the light.
mache ... an means turn on, and ich means I. das Licht is accusative because anmachen takes a direct object; the separable prefix an moves to the end of the main clause.
Bei dem Licht kann ich lesen.
I can read in this light.
bei dem Licht means in this light, and lesen means read. bei always takes the dative, so dem Licht is dative; in the clause after kann, the infinitive lesen stands at the end.
Die Farbe des Lichts ist warm.
The colour of the light is warm.
die Farbe means the colour, and warm means warm. des Lichts is genitive and shows whose colour it is; the neuter noun adds -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Lichter der Stadt leuchten nachts.
The lights of the city shine at night.
der Stadt means of the city, leuchten means shine, and nachts means at night. Lichter is the plural subject, while der Stadt is a genitive phrase showing which city; the finite verb leuchten is in position two.
Endlich sehe ich ein Licht am Ende des Tunnels.
At last I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
endlich means at last, sehe means see, and am Ende des Tunnels means at the end of the tunnel. ein Licht is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the phrase is a fixed expression for hope after a difficult period.
Der Bericht bringt Licht in den Fall.
The report sheds light on the case.
der Bericht means the report, bringt means brings, and der Fall means the case. Licht is used without an article in this expression, while in den Fall is accusative because it describes putting clarity into the matter; in takes the accusative here for a figurative change or direction.
die Matratze — mattress
Matratze means the part of a bed that supports your body. Do not confuse it with Bett, which means the whole bed.
Die Matratze ist sehr weich.
The mattress is very soft.
weich means soft, and sehr means very. Die Matratze is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen die Matratze heute.
We need the mattress today.
brauchen means need, and heute means today. Die Matratze is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; brauchen is the finite verb in position two.
Ich schlafe auf der Matratze.
I sleep on the mattress.
schlafe means sleep, and auf means on. Der Matratze is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; with movement onto the mattress, auf would take the accusative.
Die Farbe der Matratze passt nicht zum Bett.
The colour of the mattress does not match the bed.
die Farbe means the colour, passt nicht means does not match, and zum Bett means the bed. Der Matratze is genitive because it identifies which colour is meant; zum is short for zu dem and takes the dative.
Im Möbelhaus liegen viele Matratzen.
There are many mattresses in the furniture shop.
im Möbelhaus means in the furniture shop, and liegen means are lying or are placed. Matratzen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
die Möbel — furniture
Möbel is normally used only in the plural in learner German: die Möbel. For one item, use ein Möbelstück, meaning one piece of furniture.
Die Möbel sind neu.
The furniture is new.
neu means new. Die Möbel is a plural-only noun and is nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb is sind, even though English often uses singular “furniture”.
Wir kaufen die Möbel morgen.
We are buying the furniture tomorrow.
kaufen means buy and morgen means tomorrow. Die Möbel is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; the plural article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir geben den Möbeln mehr Platz.
We give the furniture more space.
geben means give, mehr Platz means more space. Den Möbeln is dative because it is the indirect object, and the dative plural adds -n when possible; here the noun already ends in -n.
Die Farbe der Möbel passt nicht zum Teppich.
The colour of the furniture does not match the carpet.
die Farbe means the colour, passt nicht means does not match, and der Teppich means the carpet. Der Möbel is genitive plural because it identifies whose colour is meant.
Möbel können teuer sein.
Furniture can be expensive.
können means can and teuer means expensive. Möbel is a plural-only noun with no ending; after the modal können, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
das Regal — shelf, shelving unit
Das Regal can be one shelf or a whole shelving unit with several levels. For a single horizontal board, das Brett or der Regalboden may be more precise.
Das Regal steht neben dem Fenster.
The shelf is next to the window.
steht means is standing, neben means next to, and das Fenster means the window. Das Regal is nominative because it is the subject; dem Fenster is dative because neben describes a fixed location here.
Ich kaufe ein neues Regal.
I am buying a new shelf.
kaufe means am buying, and neues means new. ein neues Regal is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; the neuter adjective ending after ein is -es.
Wir stellen dem Kind ein Regal ins Zimmer.
We are putting a shelf in the child's room for the child.
stellen means put or place, dem Kind means for the child, and ins Zimmer means into the room. dem Kind is dative as the recipient, while ein Regal is accusative as the thing being placed.
Die Tür des Regals ist kaputt.
The door of the shelf is broken.
die Tür means the door, and kaputt means broken. des Regals is genitive because it says whose door it is; Die Tür is the nominative subject.
Die Regale sind voller Bücher.
The shelves are full of books.
sind means are, voller means full of, and Bücher means books. Die Regale is plural nominative because it is the subject; voller Bücher describes what the shelves contain.
das Schloss — castle; lock; lock
This noun has two common meanings: a grand building and a device that keeps a door closed. The plural Schlösser is the same for both meanings, but the context tells you which one is intended.
Das Schloss steht auf einem Hügel.
The castle stands on a hill.
steht means stands, and auf einem Hügel means on a hill; der Hügel is a hill. Das Schloss is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir besichtigen das Schloss am Sonntag.
We are visiting the castle on Sunday.
besichtigen means to visit or tour, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Das Schloss is accusative because besichtigen takes a direct object; the finite verb besichtigen stands in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Bus zum Schloss.
We are going to the castle by bus.
fahren means go or travel, mit dem Bus means by bus, and zum means to the. Zum Schloss is a destination phrase; zu always takes the dative, although the movement may make English speakers expect an accusative.
Die Tür des Schlosses ist sehr alt.
The castle's door is very old.
die Tür is the door and sehr alt means very old. Des Schlosses is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the neuter noun takes -es in the genitive singular.
Im Märchen gibt es viele Schlösser.
There are many castles in the fairy tale.
im Märchen means in the fairy tale, and viele means many. Schlösser is plural, and es gibt always takes the accusative, even though English uses there are.
Das Schloss ist wunderschön.
The castle is beautiful.
wunderschön means beautiful. Das Schloss is the nominative subject, and ist is in position two; the adjective after sein has no ending.
Die Königin lebt im Schloss.
The queen lives in the castle.
die Königin means the queen, lebt means lives, and im Schloss means in the castle. Im is in dem, and the location phrase uses the dative; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Der Schlüssel passt nicht ins Schloss.
The key does not fit the lock.
der Schlüssel is the key, passt nicht means does not fit, and ins Schloss means into the lock. In takes the accusative here because the sentence describes movement into the lock; ins is in das.
Bitte mach das Schloss zu.
Please lock it.
bitte means please, and mach ... zu means close or lock. Das Schloss is accusative because zumachen takes a direct object, and the separable prefix zu goes to the end of the main clause.
der Schrank — cupboard, cabinet, wardrobe
Schrank can mean a cupboard, cabinet, or wardrobe, depending on what is stored in it. It is a regular masculine noun with the plural Schränke.
Der Schrank steht im Schlafzimmer.
The wardrobe is in the bedroom.
steht means stands or is located, and im Schlafzimmer means in the bedroom. Der Schrank is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich öffne den Schrank.
I open the cupboard.
öffne means open. Den Schrank is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich lege die Teller in den Schrank.
I put the plates in the cupboard.
lege means put or lay, and die Teller means the plates. In den Schrank is actually accusative because it expresses movement into the cupboard; in takes the dative for location but the accusative for direction.
Die Tür des Schranks ist offen.
The cupboard door is open.
die Tür means the door, offen means open, and ist means is. Des Schranks is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the noun takes -s and the article is des.
In der Küche stehen zwei Schränke.
There are two cupboards in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, stehen means stand or are located, and zwei means two. Schränke is the plural form with an umlaut and -e; in der Küche is dative because it describes a location.
Wir haben den Schrank gestern gekauft.
We bought the wardrobe yesterday.
haben ... gekauft means bought, and gestern means yesterday. Den Schrank is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; in the perfect, haben is in position two and gekauft goes to the end.
der Schreibtisch — desk
Der Schreibtisch is specifically a desk for work or study, not usually a general table for eating.
Der Schreibtisch steht am Fenster.
The desk is by the window.
steht means is located and am Fenster means by the window. Der Schreibtisch is nominative because it is the subject, and steht is in position two.
Ich kaufe den Schreibtisch.
I am buying the desk.
kaufe means buy. Den Schreibtisch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Lampe steht auf dem Schreibtisch.
The lamp is on the desk.
die Lampe is the lamp and steht means is standing or is located. Dem Schreibtisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; there is no movement onto the desk.
Die Schublade des Schreibtisches ist offen.
The desk drawer is open.
die Schublade is the drawer and offen means open. Des Schreibtisches is genitive and shows that the drawer belongs to the desk; the noun has the genitive ending -es.
Im Klassenzimmer stehen neue Schreibtische.
There are new desks in the classroom.
im Klassenzimmer means in the classroom and neue means new. Schreibtische is plural, with an umlaut and -e; stehen is plural because the desks are the subject.
die Schublade — drawer
Use in die Schublade for movement into a drawer and in der Schublade for a fixed location. The plural is Schubladen.
Die Schublade ist offen.
The drawer is open.
offen means open. Die Schublade is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich öffne die Schublade.
I open the drawer.
öffne means open. Die Schublade is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the feminine article is die in both nominative and accusative.
Ich finde den Schlüssel in der Schublade.
I find the key in the drawer.
finde means find, den Schlüssel means the key, and in means in. Der Schublade is dative because in describes a fixed location here; movement into the drawer would require in die Schublade.
Der Griff der Schublade ist kaputt.
The drawer handle is broken.
Der Griff means the handle and kaputt means broken. Der Schublade is genitive to show which drawer the handle belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
In der Küche sind drei Schubladen.
There are three drawers in the kitchen.
In der Küche means in the kitchen, and drei means three. Schubladen is plural after drei; in der Küche is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Sessel — armchair
In Austria, Sessel can also mean a chair more generally; in much of Germany, Stuhl is the usual word for an ordinary chair.
Der Sessel steht am Fenster.
The armchair is by the window.
steht means is standing or is positioned, and am Fenster means by the window. Der Sessel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kaufe einen Sessel.
I am buying an armchair.
kaufe means am buying, and einen means an in the masculine accusative. Einen Sessel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Wir sitzen in dem Sessel.
We are sitting in the armchair.
sitzen means are sitting, and in dem means in the. In dem Sessel is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it; the shortened form im is also common.
Die Farbe des Sessels gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the armchair.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Des Sessels is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, and the noun adds -s in the masculine genitive singular.
Im Laden stehen viele Sessel.
There are many armchairs in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means are standing, and viele means many. The plural of der Sessel is die Sessel with no ending; viele makes the plural meaning clear.
der Sitz — seat; place to sit; official seat; headquarters
In everyday German, der Sitz usually means a physical seat. It can also mean an official seat or position, for example in einen Sitz im Parlament.
Der Sitz ist noch frei.
The seat is still free.
frei means free or unoccupied. Der Sitz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich nehme den Sitz am Fenster.
I take the seat by the window.
nehmen means to take, and am Fenster means by the window. Den Sitz is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Ich sitze auf dem Sitz.
I am sitting on the seat.
sitzen means to sit, and auf dem Sitz means on the seat. Auf takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location, not movement; therefore der becomes dem.
Die Farbe des Sitzes ist sehr dunkel.
The colour of the seat is very dark.
die Farbe is the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Sitzes is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the masculine noun has the ending -es.
Im Bus sind alle Sitze besetzt.
All the seats on the bus are occupied.
im Bus means on the bus, and besetzt means occupied. Alle Sitze is the plural subject, and sind agrees with the plural.
Der Politiker hat einen Sitz im Parlament.
The politician has a seat in parliament.
der Politiker is the politician and das Parlament is parliament. Einen Sitz is accusative after haben, while the perfect form hat stands in position two and gehabt goes to the end.
Der Sitz der Firma ist in München.
The company’s headquarters are in Munich.
die Firma means company and in München means in Munich. Der Firma is genitive after der Sitz to show the company’s official base, while ist is in position two.
Die Organisation verlegt ihren Sitz nach Berlin.
The organisation is moving its headquarters to Berlin.
die Organisation means organisation and verlegen means to move or relocate; nach Berlin means to Berlin. Ihren Sitz is accusative because it is the object of verlegt, and nach marks the destination.
der Sitzplatz — seat; seating place
Der Sitzplatz is more specific than der Sitz: it usually means an allocated or available seat, for example on a train or at an event. The compound ends in Platz, so it is masculine.
Der Sitzplatz ist frei.
The seat is free.
frei means free or unoccupied. Der Sitzplatz is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich suche einen Sitzplatz.
I am looking for a seat.
suchen means to look for. Einen Sitzplatz is accusative because it is the direct object of suchen, and suche is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Zug ohne Sitzplatz.
We are travelling by train without a seat.
mit dem Zug means by train and ohne means without. Mit dem Zug is dative because mit always takes dative; ohne Sitzplatz is an additional phrase with no article.
Die Nummer des Sitzplatzes steht auf dem Ticket.
The seat number is written on the ticket.
die Nummer means number, stehen means to be written or stand, and das Ticket means ticket. Des Sitzplatzes is genitive because it specifies the number, and auf dem Ticket is dative for location.
Im Zug sind noch viele Sitzplätze frei.
There are still many seats free on the train.
noch means still and viele means many. Viele Sitzplätze is the plural subject, while im Zug is dative because it describes location.
das Sofa — sofa, couch
Das Sofa steht im Wohnzimmer.
The sofa is in the living room.
das Wohnzimmer means living room, and steht means is standing or is located. Das Sofa is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Sofa.
I am buying a sofa.
kaufe means am buying. Ein Sofa is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Wir sitzen auf dem Sofa.
We are sitting on the sofa.
sitzen means to sit. Auf dem Sofa is dative because auf describes a location here, not movement; the finite verb sitzen stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Sofas gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the sofa.
die Farbe is the colour, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Des Sofas is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; gefällt is in position two, while mir is dative because gefallen requires a dative person.
Im Möbelhaus stehen viele Sofas.
There are many sofas in the furniture shop.
das Möbelhaus is the furniture shop, and viele means many. Sofas is the plural with -s; the phrase im Möbelhaus is a location phrase, and stehen is in position two.
der Spiegel — mirror
The plural of der Spiegel is also Spiegel, without an ending. Do not confuse Spiegel with spiegeln, which means to reflect or mirror.
Der Spiegel hängt im Flur.
The mirror is hanging in the hallway.
hängt means is hanging and der Flur is the hallway. Der Spiegel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Ich putze den Spiegel.
I am cleaning the mirror.
putzen means to clean. Den Spiegel is accusative because it is the object of putzen; the masculine article changes from der to den in the accusative.
Sie steht vor dem Spiegel.
She is standing in front of the mirror.
steht means is standing and vor means in front of. Dem Spiegel is dative because the preposition vor describes a fixed location here; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Oberfläche des Spiegels ist sauber.
The surface of the mirror is clean.
die Oberfläche means the surface and sauber means clean. Des Spiegels is genitive because it shows whose surface it is, and masculine Spiegel adds -s in this form.
In diesem Zimmer hängen zwei Spiegel.
Two mirrors are hanging in this room.
in diesem Zimmer means in this room, hängen means are hanging, and zwei means two. Spiegel is plural and nominative because it is the subject; unlike many nouns, its plural has no ending.
der Stuhl — chair
The plural is die Stühle, with an umlaut and -e. Do not confuse the plural with a genitive form: des Stuhls means of the chair.
Der Stuhl ist sehr bequem.
The chair is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable and sehr means very. Der Stuhl is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen Stuhl.
I am buying a chair.
kaufe means am buying. Einen Stuhl is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich sitze auf dem Stuhl.
I am sitting on the chair.
sitze means am sitting and auf means on. Here auf describes a location, so it takes the dative dem Stuhl; the finite verb sitze is in position two.
Die Farbe des Stuhls gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the chair.
die Farbe is the colour and gefällt mir means is pleasing to me. Des Stuhls is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; des and the ending -s mark the masculine genitive.
Im Zimmer stehen sechs Stühle.
There are six chairs in the room.
im Zimmer means in the room, stehen means are standing, and sechs means six. Stühle is plural with an umlaut and -e; im Zimmer is dative because in describes a location.
die Tafel — board, blackboard; bar of chocolate
In a classroom, die Tafel usually means the blackboard or whiteboard. It is different from der Tisch, which is a table.
Die Tafel ist noch sauber.
The board is still clean.
sauber means clean, and noch means still. Die Tafel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Tafel nicht.
I cannot see the board.
sehen means to see, and nicht means not. die Tafel is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Der Lehrer steht neben der Tafel.
The teacher is standing next to the board.
der Lehrer means the teacher, steht means is standing, and neben means next to. der Tafel is dative because neben describes a location here; the noun does not change, but the article does.
Die Farbe der Tafel ist grün.
The colour of the board is green.
die Farbe means the colour and grün means green. der Tafel is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Tafeln hängen in den Klassenräumen.
The boards are hanging in the classrooms.
hängen means are hanging and die Klassenräume means the classrooms. Tafeln is plural, and in den Klassenräumen is dative because it describes a fixed location; the plural noun ends in -n.
Ich kaufe eine Tafel Schokolade.
I am buying a bar of chocolate.
kaufen means to buy and Schokolade means chocolate. eine Tafel Schokolade is accusative because it is the object of kaufe; Schokolade specifies what kind of bar it is.
Die Tafel Schokolade ist fast leer.
The bar of chocolate is almost gone.
fast means almost and leer means empty or gone. Die Tafel Schokolade is the subject, so it is nominative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
der Teppich — carpet, rug
Teppich can mean a wall-to-wall carpet or a movable rug. Its plural is Teppiche, with -e added; it is not a weak masculine noun, so the genitive is des Teppichs.
Der Teppich ist neu.
The carpet is new.
neu means new. Der Teppich is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen den Teppich im Möbelhaus.
We are buying the carpet at the furniture store.
kaufen means buy, and das Möbelhaus means furniture store. den Teppich is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir sitzen auf dem Teppich.
We are sitting on the carpet.
sitzen means sit. auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Teppich is dative; there is no movement onto the carpet in this sentence.
Die Farbe des Teppichs gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the carpet.
die Farbe means the colour and gefallen means please or be liked by. des Teppichs is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; mir is dative because gefallen expresses who likes something.
Im Hotel liegen viele Teppiche.
There are many carpets in the hotel.
im Hotel means in the hotel, liegen means lie or be located, and viele means many. Teppiche is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the subject comes after the verb here because im Hotel occupies position one.
der Tisch — table; people at the table
For furniture, der Tisch means a table. It can also refer to a group of people sitting together for a meal, as in am Tisch.
Der Tisch ist in der Küche.
The table is in the kitchen.
die Küche means the kitchen. Der Tisch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich putze den Tisch.
I am cleaning the table.
putzen means to clean. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the direct object of putzen; the finite verb putze stands in position two.
Wir sitzen an dem Tisch.
We are sitting at the table.
sitzen means to sit. An dem Tisch is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the contraction am is also common.
Die Farbe des Tisches ist schön.
The colour of the table is beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour, and schön means beautiful. Des Tisches is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the verb ist remains in position two.
Im Restaurant stehen viele Tische.
There are many tables in the restaurant.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, stehen means stand, and viele means many. Tische is the plural of Tisch; after the opening location phrase, the verb stehen comes before the subject.
Am Tisch sprechen wir über den Urlaub.
At the table, we talk about the holiday.
sprechen means to talk, and der Urlaub means the holiday. Am Tisch means at the table and is dative after an for a location; sprechen is in position two.
Alle am Tisch lachen.
Everyone at the table is laughing.
alle means everyone and lachen means to laugh. Am Tisch is a dative location phrase after an; the finite verb lachen is in position two.
die Toilette — toilet, bathroom, restroom
In everyday German, die Toilette can mean either the room or the toilet itself. In public places, die Toilette or the plural die Toiletten is neutral and polite.
Die Toilette ist im ersten Stock.
The toilet is on the first floor.
der erste Stock means the first floor. Die Toilette is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; im means in dem and shows location with the dative.
Ich suche die Toilette.
I am looking for the toilet.
suchen means to look for. Die Toilette is accusative because it is the object of suchen; with a feminine noun, the accusative article remains die, which can make the case hard to see.
Können Sie mir sagen, wo der Toilette?
Can you tell me where the toilet is?
Können Sie mir sagen means can you tell me, and wo means where. The natural full sentence is Können Sie mir sagen, wo die Toilette ist?; mir is dative because sagen gives information to someone, while der Toilette would be incorrect here, so learners must not confuse the dative article with the subject.
Die Tür der Toilette ist geschlossen.
The toilet door is closed.
die Tür is the door and geschlossen means closed. Der Toilette is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the finite verb ist stays in position two, and geschlossen comes after it as a predicate adjective.
Wo sind die Toiletten?
Where are the toilets?
Wo means where. Die Toiletten is the plural subject, formed by adding -n to Toilette, and sind is the plural form of sein in position two; do not use singular ist with this plural.
die Tür — door
The plural is Türen, with an -en ending. Tür can mean a door in a building or a movable entrance panel, and it is feminine: die Tür.
Die Tür ist offen.
The door is open.
offen means open. Die Tür is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich öffne die Tür.
I am opening the door.
öffne means am opening, and ich means I. die Tür is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the finite verb öffne is in position two.
Ich stehe an der Tür.
I am standing by the door.
stehe means am standing, and an means at or by here. der Tür is dative because an describes a fixed location; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Farbe der Tür ist blau.
The colour of the door is blue.
die Farbe is the colour, and blau means blue. der Tür is genitive because it tells whose colour it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Die Türen sind geschlossen.
The doors are closed.
geschlossen means closed. Die Türen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural of die Tür ends in -en.