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Vocab: Health — A1
Health vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Apotheke — pharmacy, chemist's
In English, Apotheke is usually translated as pharmacy or chemist's; it is not a hospital.
Die Apotheke ist heute geschlossen.
The pharmacy is closed today.
heute means today and geschlossen means closed. Die Apotheke is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich suche eine Apotheke.
I am looking for a pharmacy.
ich means I and suche means am looking for. Eine Apotheke is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Ich gehe zur Apotheke.
I am going to the pharmacy.
gehen means go and zur means to the. Zur is short for zu der, and zu always takes the dative, so der Apotheke is dative.
Die Tür der Apotheke ist offen.
The pharmacy's door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Der Apotheke is genitive because it shows whose door it is; ist is in position two.
In dieser Straße gibt es zwei Apotheken.
There are two pharmacies on this street.
in dieser Straße means on this street, and zwei means two. After es gibt, the noun is accusative; zwei Apotheken has the plural ending -n.
der Arzt — doctor
Der Arzt is the usual word for a male doctor; the general word is die Ärztin for a female doctor and die Ärzte for doctors in the plural. The common phrase zum Arzt gehen uses zu with the dative.
Der Arzt untersucht den Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient.
untersucht means examines and der Patient means the patient. Der Arzt is nominative because it is the subject, while den Patienten is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object.
Ich rufe den Arzt an.
I call the doctor.
rufe ... an means call, and anrufen is a separable verb. den Arzt is accusative as the object; in the main clause, rufe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich vertraue dem Arzt.
I trust the doctor.
vertrauen means trust. This verb takes the dative, so dem Arzt is dative, not accusative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Das Auto des Arztes steht vor der Praxis.
The doctor's car is in front of the medical practice.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and die Praxis means the doctor's office. des Arztes is genitive to show possession, while vor der Praxis is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Ärzte arbeiten heute lange.
The doctors are working for a long time today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and lange means for a long time. Ärzte is plural and is the nominative subject; the umlaut changes Arzt to Ärzte.
Morgen habe ich einen Termin beim Arzt.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with the doctor.
morgen means tomorrow, der Termin means the appointment, and beim means at or with the, short for bei dem. beim Arzt is dative because bei always takes the dative; the opening time expression comes first, so habe is in position two.
atmen — to breathe
Atmen is a regular weak verb and normally takes haben in the perfect: hat geatmet. The related separable verb einatmen means to breathe in, while ausatmen means to breathe out.
Ich atme tief ein.
I breathe in deeply.
tief means deeply and ein means in. The verb einatmen is separable: the finite part atme stands in position two and ein goes to the end.
Nach dem Lauf habe ich langsam geatmet.
After the run, I breathed slowly.
nach dem Lauf means after the run, and langsam means slowly. Nach takes the dative, and the perfect uses habe plus geatmet at the end; atmen takes haben, not sein.
Das Kind atmete ruhig weiter.
The child continued breathing calmly.
das Kind means the child, ruhig means calmly, and weiter means on or continuously. Atmete is the regular simple past in position two; das Kind is nominative because it is the subject.
Atme langsam und entspann dich.
Breathe slowly and relax.
langsam means slowly, und means and, and entspann dich means relax. The singular command is atme without du; the second command uses the reflexive pronoun dich in the accusative.
Wenn ich freier atmen könnte, würde ich schneller laufen.
If I could breathe more freely, I would run faster.
wenn means if, freier means more freely, könnte means could, and schneller laufen means run faster. In the wenn clause, atmen stays as an infinitive at the end after the modal könnte; würde introduces the conditional result.
Nach der Pause werde ich wieder normal atmen.
After the break I will breathe normally again.
die Pause means the break, wieder means again, and normal means normally. The future uses werde in position two and the infinitive atmen at the end; nach der Pause is dative after nach.
einschlafen — to fall asleep
einschlafen is separable and strong: its important forms include schläft ein, schlief ein, and eingeschlafen. The perfect takes sein, not haben, because the verb describes a change of state.
Das Kind schläft schnell ein.
The child falls asleep quickly.
das Kind means the child, and schnell means quickly. The finite verb schläft is in position two, the vowel changes from a to ä, and the prefix ein goes to the end.
Ich bin im Zug eingeschlafen.
I fell asleep on the train.
im Zug means on the train. The perfect uses sein with eingeschlafen because falling asleep is a change of state; the participle stands at the end.
Er schlief auf dem Sofa ein.
He fell asleep on the sofa.
auf dem Sofa means on the sofa. The strong past form is schlief, while ein goes to the end; dem Sofa is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Schlaf jetzt ein!
Go to sleep now!
jetzt means now. The informal singular imperative is schlaf, and the separable prefix ein must be placed at the end.
Wenn ich früher ins Bett ginge, würde ich leichter einschlafen.
If I went to bed earlier, I would fall asleep more easily.
früher means earlier, ins Bett means to bed, and leichter means more easily. The infinitive einschlafen stays whole after würde, while ginge stands at the end of the conditional clause.
Heute Abend werde ich früh einschlafen.
Tonight I will fall asleep early.
heute Abend means this evening, and früh means early. Future uses werden plus the complete infinitive einschlafen at the end, rather than splitting the prefix.
die Erkältung — cold; common cold
Die Erkältung is the illness, while erkältet describes the person who has it. German commonly uses eine Erkältung haben for to have a cold and sich erkälten for to catch a cold.
Die Erkältung ist fast vorbei.
The cold is almost over.
fast vorbei means almost over. Die Erkältung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe eine Erkältung.
I have a cold.
haben means to have. Eine Erkältung is accusative because it is the object of haben; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative, so the verb helps show the structure.
Bei einer Erkältung trinke ich viel Tee.
When I have a cold, I drink a lot of tea.
bei means in the case of or when having, and viel Tee means a lot of tea. Einer Erkältung is dative because bei always takes the dative; after the opening phrase, trinke comes in position two.
Die Symptome der Erkältung sind unangenehm.
The symptoms of the cold are unpleasant.
die Symptome means the symptoms and unangenehm means unpleasant. Der Erkältung is genitive because it means of the cold, while die Symptome is nominative as the subject.
Im Winter bekomme ich oft Erkältungen.
In winter I often catch colds.
im Winter means in winter and oft means often. Erkältungen is plural and accusative because it is the object of bekomme; the plural has the ending -en.
der Fahrradhelm — bicycle helmet
The compound Fahrradhelm combines Fahrrad, bicycle, and Helm, helmet. It is masculine, so use der in the singular and die Fahrradhelme in the plural.
Der Fahrradhelm liegt auf dem Tisch.
The bicycle helmet is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Fahrradhelm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme den Fahrradhelm.
I take the bicycle helmet.
nehme means take. Den Fahrradhelm is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Fahrradhelm zur Schule.
I ride to school with the bicycle helmet.
fahre means ride or go, and zur Schule means to school. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Fahrradhelm is dative.
Die Farbe des Fahrradhelms ist blau.
The colour of the bicycle helmet is blue.
Die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Fahrradhelms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
Im Laden hängen viele Fahrradhelme.
Many bicycle helmets are hanging in the shop.
Im Laden means in the shop, and hängen means are hanging. Fahrradhelme is the plural with -e, and viele means many.
die Gefahr — danger, risk
Die Gefahr is feminine and has the plural die Gefahren. In the fixed expression in Gefahr sein, Gefahr is often used without an article.
Das Gefahr ist groß.
The danger is great.
groß means great or serious. The sentence is a simple statement, but the noun is feminine, so the correct sentence is Die Gefahr ist groß; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen die Gefahr.
We see the danger.
sehen means to see. die Gefahr is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Er begegnet der Gefahr ruhig.
He faces the danger calmly.
begegnen means to encounter or face, and ruhig means calmly. der Gefahr is dative because begegnen governs the dative; do not replace der with accusative die.
Die Ursache der Gefahr ist unbekannt.
The cause of the danger is unknown.
die Ursache means the cause, and unbekannt means unknown. der Gefahr is genitive because it expresses “of the danger”; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Gefahren lauern im Straßenverkehr.
Many dangers lurk in traffic.
viele means many, lauern means lurk, and der Straßenverkehr means traffic. Gefahren is the plural with -en, and the plural subject makes the verb lauern plural.
gesund — healthy; healthy, wholesome
Gesund most commonly means healthy, the opposite of krank. Its comparison is irregular: gesund, gesünder, am gesündesten, with an umlaut in the comparative and superlative.
Meine Kinder sind gesund.
My children are healthy.
meine Kinder means my children. Gesund is predicative after sind, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject and does not change for the plural.
Wir kaufen gesundes Essen.
We buy healthy food.
wir kaufen means we buy, and das Essen is food. Gesundes Essen is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object, and gesundes has the neuter ending -es because there is no article before the noun.
Obst ist gesünder als Süßigkeiten.
Fruit is healthier than sweets.
das Obst means fruit, and die Süßigkeiten means sweets. Gesünder compares two things with als and is predicative after ist, so it has no case ending; the umlaut in gesünder is part of the irregular comparison.
Von allen Gästen lebt Maria am gesündesten.
Of all the guests, Maria lives the most healthily.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and lebt means lives. Von requires the dative, so Gästen has a dative plural ending; am gesündesten is the adverbial superlative and describes how Maria lives.
Dieser Tee ist besonders gesund.
This tea is especially healthy.
dieser Tee means this tea, and besonders means especially. Gesund follows ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending; dieser Tee is nominative because it is the subject.
Frisches Gemüse ist sehr gesund.
Fresh vegetables are very healthy.
frisches Gemüse means fresh vegetables, and sehr means very. Gesund is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; frisches Gemüse is nominative as the subject.
Regelmäßiger Sport ist gesund.
Regular exercise is healthy.
regelmäßiger Sport means regular exercise, and Sport means sport or exercise. Gesund follows ist without an ending because it is predicative; the subject regelmäßiger Sport is nominative.
die Gesundheit — health
Gesundheit is normally an uncountable noun and has no ordinary plural. It is also said after someone sneezes as a wish for good health.
Gesundheit ist wichtiger als Geld.
Health is more important than money.
wichtiger means more important, and Geld means money. Gesundheit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wünsche dir Gesundheit.
I wish you good health.
wünsche means wish, and dir means to you. Gesundheit is accusative because wünschen takes the thing wished for as its direct object; dir is dative for the person receiving the wish.
Wir trinken auf deine Gesundheit.
We drink to your health.
trinken auf means drink to, and deine means your. The preposition auf takes the accusative here because this is a fixed toast, so deine Gesundheit is accusative, not dative.
Bei guter Gesundheit kann sie wieder arbeiten.
In good health, she can work again.
bei means in or with, guter means good, and wieder arbeiten means work again. bei forces the dative, so guter Gesundheit is dative; the modal verb kann stands in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Wir sprechen oft über Gesundheit.
We often talk about health.
sprechen über means talk about, and oft means often. über takes the accusative in this fixed expression, but Gesundheit is normally an uncountable singular noun, so this example shows the singular form rather than a plural.
die Halsschmerzen — sore throat, throat pain
This word is normally used only in the plural: die Halsschmerzen. For one episode of throat pain, German still uses the plural, often with haben: Halsschmerzen haben.
Halsschmerzen sind oft ein Zeichen für eine Erkältung.
A sore throat is often a sign of a cold.
ein Zeichen means a sign, and eine Erkältung means a cold. Halsschmerzen is the nominative subject, and the finite verb sind is in position two.
Ich habe seit gestern Halsschmerzen.
I have had a sore throat since yesterday.
seit gestern means since yesterday. Halsschmerzen is the accusative object of habe; the finite verb habe stands in position two.
Bei Halsschmerzen trinke ich gern warmen Tee.
When I have a sore throat, I like drinking warm tea.
bei means when suffering from or in the case of, and warmen Tee means warm tea. bei always takes the dative, while trinke comes in position two in the main clause.
Die Ursache der Halsschmerzen ist noch nicht klar.
The cause of the sore throat is not yet clear.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch nicht klar means not clear yet. der Halsschmerzen is a genitive plural phrase showing what the cause is connected with; ist is in position two.
Meine Halsschmerzen werden langsam besser.
My sore throat is slowly getting better.
meine means my, and langsam besser means slowly better. Halsschmerzen is plural, so the verb is werden, and the subject comes before the finite verb in position two.
das Halsweh — sore throat
Halsweh is an uncountable neuter noun and is very close in meaning to plural Halsschmerzen. It is commonly used with haben: Halsweh haben means to have a sore throat.
Halsweh ist bei einer Erkältung ganz normal.
A sore throat is quite normal with a cold.
bei einer Erkältung means with a cold, and ganz normal means quite normal. Halsweh is the nominative subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich habe seit gestern Halsweh.
I have had a sore throat since yesterday.
seit gestern means since yesterday. Halsweh is the accusative object of habe, although its form does not change; habe is in position two.
Bei Halsweh hilft mir warmer Tee.
Warm tea helps me when I have a sore throat.
hilft means helps, and warmer Tee means warm tea. bei takes the dative, and mir is also dative because helfen requires a person in the dative.
Die Ursache des Halswehs ist unbekannt.
The cause of the sore throat is unknown.
die Ursache means the cause, and unbekannt means unknown. des Halswehs is genitive after Ursache and has the neuter ending -s; ist is in position two.
das Herz — heart; heart, feelings; courage or kindness
The plural is die Herzen, and the genitive is des Herzens. Herz can also mean the emotional centre of a person, as in von Herzen.
Mein Herz schlägt schnell.
My heart is beating quickly.
schlägt means beats, and schnell means quickly. Mein Herz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb schlägt is in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht mein Herz.
The doctor examines my heart.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Mein Herz is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Nach dem Sport tut mir das Herz weh.
My heart hurts after sport.
nach dem Sport means after sport, and weh tun means to hurt. Mir is dative for the person affected, while das Herz is nominative as the thing that hurts; tut is in position two.
Die Gesundheit des Herzens ist wichtig.
The health of the heart is important.
die Gesundheit means health, and wichtig means important. Des Herzens is genitive because it shows whose health it is; Herz takes -ens in this form.
Viele Herzen schlagen im gleichen Takt.
Many hearts beat in the same rhythm.
viele means many, schlagen means beat, and im gleichen Takt means in the same rhythm. Viele Herzen is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: schlagen, not schlägt.
Sie hat ein großes Herz.
She has a big heart.
groß means big, and haben means to have. Ein großes Herz is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Er spricht aus dem Herzen.
He speaks from the heart.
spricht means speaks, and aus means from or out of. Dem Herzen is dative because aus always takes the dative; the noun has the ending -en here.
husten — to cough
husten is normally used without a direct object. It takes haben in the perfect: hat gehustet.
Ich huste seit drei Tagen.
I have been coughing for three days.
seit drei Tagen means “for three days”, and Tagen is the dative plural after seit. The finite verb huste stands in position two; husten describes the action without a direct object.
Ich habe die ganze Nacht gehustet.
I coughed all night.
die ganze Nacht means “all night”. The perfect uses habe plus gehustet, and the Partizip II gehustet goes to the end of the clause; husten does not take a direct object here.
Er hustete während des Films.
He coughed during the film.
während des Films means “during the film”; Films is genitive after the formal preposition während. The weak past form hustete is used here, and the finite verb remains in position two.
Huste bitte einmal.
Please cough once.
bitte means “please”, and einmal means “once”. Huste is the singular imperative, so du is omitted and the verb comes first.
Wenn du weniger rauchen würdest, hustest du vielleicht nicht so viel.
If you smoked less, perhaps you would not cough so much.
weniger rauchen means “smoke less”, and vielleicht means “perhaps”. The conditional form würdest sends rauchen to the end of the subordinate clause; hustest is in the main clause and comes after the comma.
Morgen wird sie wahrscheinlich wieder husten.
Tomorrow she will probably cough again.
morgen means “tomorrow”, wahrscheinlich means “probably”, and wieder means “again”. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive husten at the end; learners should not use the Partizip II here.
der Husten — cough
der Husten is usually a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For a particular cough, German can also use the verb husten rather than making a plural noun.
Der Husten ist heute besser.
The cough is better today.
heute means “today”, and besser means “better”. Der Husten is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt hört den Husten.
The doctor hears the cough.
der Arzt means “the doctor”, and hört means “hears”. Den Husten is accusative because it is the direct object of hört; the article changes from der to den.
Mit dem Husten kann ich nicht schlafen.
I cannot sleep with the cough.
mit means “with”, and schlafen means “sleep”. Dem Husten is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb kann is in position two and schlafen goes to the end.
Die Ursache des Hustens ist noch unklar.
The cause of the cough is still unclear.
die Ursache means “the cause”, and noch unklar means “still unclear”. Des Hustens is genitive because it identifies what the cause belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
der Hustensaft — cough syrup
der Hustensaft is a compound made from Husten and Saft. It is countable, so it has the plural Hustensäfte; the vowel changes from a to ä.
Der Hustensaft schmeckt süß.
The cough syrup tastes sweet.
schmeckt means “tastes”, and süß means “sweet”. Der Hustensaft is nominative because it is the subject, and schmeckt stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Hustensaft vor dem Schlafengehen.
I take the cough syrup before going to bed.
nehme means “take”, and vor dem Schlafengehen means “before going to bed”. Den Hustensaft is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; vor takes the dative here because it describes time, not movement.
Der Arzt gibt mir dem Hustensaft?
Does the doctor give me the cough syrup?
der Arzt means “the doctor”, and gibt means “gives”. This sentence is not natural with dem Hustensaft: the medicine is the accusative object, so the correct sentence is Der Arzt gibt mir den Hustensaft; mir is dative because it is the recipient.
Die Farbe des Hustensaftes ist ungewöhnlich dunkel.
The colour of the cough syrup is unusually dark.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and ungewöhnlich dunkel means “unusually dark”. Des Hustensaftes is genitive because it specifies whose colour is meant; the masculine noun takes -es in this formal genitive form.
In der Apotheke stehen verschiedene Hustensäfte.
There are various cough syrups in the pharmacy.
in der Apotheke means “in the pharmacy”, and verschiedene means “various”. Hustensäfte is the plural after verschiedene; in der Apotheke is dative because it describes a fixed location, while stehen is in position two.
die Kopfschmerzen — headache, headaches
Kopfschmerzen is always plural in German, even when English says “a headache.” The common expression is Kopfschmerzen haben; do not create a singular form such as Kopfschmerz for ordinary use.
Kopfschmerzen sind unangenehm.
Headaches are unpleasant.
unangenehm means unpleasant. Kopfschmerzen is nominative and plural because it is the subject; this noun has no singular form, so use the plural verb sind.
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
I have a headache.
habe means have. Kopfschmerzen is accusative because haben takes a direct object, although the form looks the same as the nominative plural; German commonly says Kopfschmerzen haben without an article.
Der Arzt hilft mir gegen Kopfschmerzen.
The doctor helps me against headaches.
der Arzt is the doctor, hilft means helps, and gegen means against. Mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, while gegen Kopfschmerzen is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative.
Wegen Kopfschmerzen bleibe ich heute zu Hause.
Because of a headache, I am staying at home today.
wegen means because of, bleibe means am staying, heute means today, and zu Hause means at home. Wegen normally governs the genitive, but the plural form Kopfschmerzen has no visible genitive ending; the finite verb bleibe is in position two after the opening phrase.
Kopfschmerzen können viele Ursachen haben.
Headaches can have many causes.
können means can, viele means many, and Ursachen means causes. Kopfschmerzen is plural-only and is the subject; with the modal können, the infinitive haben goes to the end.
das Kopfweh — headache
Kopfweh is a singular-only mass noun and is common in everyday speech, especially in the expression Kopfweh haben. It means the same as Kopfschmerzen, but Kopfschmerzen is the more standard plural noun in many contexts.
Das Kopfweh ist heute stark.
The headache is bad today.
heute means today and stark means strong or bad. Das Kopfweh is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe das Kopfweh seit gestern.
I have had the headache since yesterday.
habe means have, seit means since, and gestern means yesterday. Das Kopfweh is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das in the accusative.
Der Arzt behandelt das Kopfweh.
The doctor treats the headache.
der Arzt means the doctor and behandelt means treats. Das Kopfweh is accusative because behandeln takes a direct object; the form of the neuter article is still das.
Wegen des Kopfwehs bleibe ich im Bett.
Because of the headache, I am staying in bed.
wegen means because of, bleibe means am staying, and im Bett means in bed. Des Kopfwehs is genitive because wegen traditionally governs the genitive; the neuter noun takes -s, and bleibe is in position two.
krank — ill, sick
Krank normally describes physical illness and is used with sein, werden or sich fühlen. It can also describe something harmful or unhealthy, as in eine kranke Idee, a sick or unhealthy idea.
Ich bin krank.
I am ill.
ich means I and bin means am. Krank is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb bin stands in position two.
Das kranke Kind bleibt zu Hause.
The ill child stays at home.
das Kind is the child, bleibt means stays, and zu Hause means at home. Kranke stands before the neuter noun and takes -e after das; bleibt is the finite verb in position two.
Heute fühle ich mich kränker als gestern.
Today I feel sicker than yesterday.
heute means today, fühle ich mich means I feel, and gestern means yesterday. Kränker is the comparative and is followed by als for the comparison; mich is accusative because sich fühlen uses an accusative reflexive pronoun.
Im Winter bin ich am kränksten.
In winter I am at my sickest.
im Winter means in winter. Am kränksten is the predicative superlative after sein; im contains dative dem after in when it describes a time period.
Viele Menschen werden im Herbst krank.
Many people become ill in autumn.
viele Menschen means many people, werden means become, and im Herbst means in autumn. Krank follows werden as a predicative adjective and has no ending; im Herbst is a dative time phrase.
Bleib heute zu Hause, wenn du krank bist.
Stay at home today if you are ill.
bleib means stay, heute means today, and wenn means if or when. The imperative bleib begins the main clause, while the finite verb bist goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by wenn.
das Krankenhaus — hospital
Krankenhaus is a compound of krank (“sick”) and Haus (“house”), but it means hospital, not a house for sick people. The common fixed forms are ins Krankenhaus for movement into hospital and im Krankenhaus for being there.
Das Krankenhaus ist sehr groß.
The hospital is very large.
sehr groß means “very large.” Das Krankenhaus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; groß is predicative after sein and has no ending.
Wir besuchen das Krankenhaus morgen.
We are visiting the hospital tomorrow.
besuchen means “visit” and morgen means “tomorrow.” Das Krankenhaus is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Ärztin arbeitet in dem Krankenhaus.
The female doctor works in the hospital.
die Ärztin means “the female doctor” and arbeitet means “works.” In dem Krankenhaus is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement; arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Notaufnahme des Krankenhauses ist nachts geöffnet.
The hospital’s emergency department is open at night.
die Notaufnahme is the emergency department, nachts means “at night,” and geöffnet means “open.” Des Krankenhauses is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Krankenhäuser.
There are many hospitals in Germany.
in Deutschland means “in Germany,” gibt es means “there are,” and viele means “many.” Krankenhäuser is plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself is unchanged.
die Krankenschwester — female nurse
This word specifically refers to a female nurse; der Krankenpfleger is the usual word for a male nurse. The modern gender-neutral term die Pflegekraft can refer to any nursing professional.
Die Krankenschwester arbeitet im Krankenhaus.
The nurse works in the hospital.
arbeitet means works, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Die Krankenschwester is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Krankenschwester im Flur.
I see the nurse in the corridor.
sehe means see, and der Flur is the corridor. Die Krankenschwester is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich danke der Krankenschwester**.
I thank the nurse.
danke means thank. Der Krankenschwester is dative because danken always takes a dative person; feminine die changes to der in the dative.
Die Tasche der Krankenschwester liegt hier.
The nurse’s bag is here.
die Tasche is the bag, and liegt hier means is lying here. Der Krankenschwester is genitive because it shows possession, meaning the bag belongs to the nurse.
Die Krankenschwestern sprechen mit den Patienten.
The nurses talk to the patients.
sprechen means talk, mit means with, and den Patienten means the patients. Krankenschwestern is the plural with die understood as the subject; mit forces the dative in den Patienten.
der Krankenwagen — ambulance
The word combines krank, sick, and Wagen, vehicle or car. Do not confuse der Krankenwagen with der Rettungswagen: both can mean ambulance, but Rettungswagen focuses more on rescue and emergency service.
Der Krankenwagen kommt schnell.
The ambulance is coming quickly.
kommt means is coming, and schnell means quickly. Der Krankenwagen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir rufen den Krankenwagen.
We are calling an ambulance.
rufen means call. Den Krankenwagen is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie fährt mit dem Krankenwagen ins Krankenhaus.
She is going to the hospital by ambulance.
fährt means goes or drives, and ins Krankenhaus means into the hospital. Mit dem Krankenwagen is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Sirene des Krankenwagens ist laut.
The ambulance’s siren is loud.
die Sirene is the siren, and laut means loud. Des Krankenwagens is genitive because it shows that the siren belongs to the ambulance; the noun adds -s.
Mehrere Krankenwagen stehen vor dem Gebäude.
Several ambulances are standing in front of the building.
mehrere means several, stehen means are standing, and das Gebäude is the building. Krankenwagen has the same form in singular and plural; vor dem Gebäude is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Krankheit — illness, disease
Die Krankheit is a general word for an illness or disease, while die Beschwerden usually means symptoms or complaints. The expression an einer Krankheit leiden uses dative after an.
Die Krankheit ist ansteckend.
The illness is contagious.
ansteckend means contagious, something that can spread to other people. Die Krankheit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der Arzt behandelt die Krankheit.
The doctor is treating the illness.
der Arzt is the doctor and behandelt means treats. Die Krankheit is accusative because behandeln takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er leidet an einer Krankheit.
He is suffering from an illness.
leidet means suffers, and einer means a in the feminine dative. An einer Krankheit is dative because this meaning of leiden an requires an plus dative.
Die Ursache der Krankheit ist unbekannt.
The cause of the illness is unknown.
die Ursache is the cause and unbekannt means unknown. Der Krankheit is genitive because it identifies which cause is meant: the cause of the illness.
Viele Krankheiten können heute behandelt werden.
Many illnesses can be treated today.
viele means many, heute means today, and behandelt werden means be treated. Krankheiten is plural after viele; können is a modal verb, so the infinitive phrase goes to the end.
die Magenschmerzen — stomach ache, stomach pains; stomach ache, stomach pains
Die Magenschmerzen is a plural-only noun: it has no singular form. German commonly uses the plural even when English says “stomach ache” in the singular.
Magenschmerzen sind unangenehm.
Stomach ache is unpleasant.
unangenehm means unpleasant. Magenschmerzen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Ich habe starke Magenschmerzen.
I have severe stomach ache.
stark means severe or strong. Magenschmerzen is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; as a plural-only noun, it has the same form in the accusative.
Der Arzt hilft mir gegen die Magenschmerzen.
The doctor helps me with the stomach ache.
der Arzt means the doctor, helfen means to help, and gegen means against or for relief from. Mir is dative because helfen governs the dative, while die Magenschmerzen is accusative after gegen.
Wegen der Magenschmerzen kann sie nicht schlafen.
Because of the stomach ache, she cannot sleep.
wegen means because of, können means can, and schlafen means to sleep. Der Magenschmerzen is genitive after wegen; the finite verb kann stands in position two, while schlafen goes to the end.
Nach dem Essen bekomme ich oft Magenschmerzen.
I often get stomach ache after eating.
nach dem Essen means after eating, bekommen means to get, and oft means often. Magenschmerzen is an accusative object after bekomme; the plural-only noun keeps this form in the plural.
Seit gestern habe ich wieder Magenschmerzen.
I have stomach ache again since yesterday.
seit gestern means since yesterday and wieder means again. Magenschmerzen is the accusative object of habe; the time expression seit gestern comes first, but the finite verb still stays in position two.
Wenn die Magenschmerzen bleiben, gehe ich zum Arzt.
If the stomach ache continues, I will go to the doctor.
wenn means if, bleiben means to continue or remain, and zum Arzt means to the doctor. Magenschmerzen is nominative as the subject of the subordinate clause, whose verb bleiben moves to the end; zum is zu dem, which requires the dative.
die Massage — massage; massage technique; massaging
The usual verb is massieren, meaning to massage. For one treatment, German normally uses the countable noun eine Massage; the plural is Massagen.
Die Massage beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The massage starts at ten o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Die Massage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich brauche die Massage heute.
I need the massage today.
brauche means need, and heute means today. Die Massage is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Nach der Arbeit gönne ich mir eine Massage.
After work, I treat myself to a massage.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and gönne ich mir means I treat myself to. The pronoun mir is dative because it names the person who benefits, while eine Massage is accusative because it is the thing given or enjoyed; the finite verb gönne is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Massage hält lange an.
The effect of the massage lasts a long time.
die Wirkung is the effect, and hält lange an means lasts a long time. Der Massage is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the separable verb anhalten appears as hält ... an in the main clause.
Die Massagen sind sehr beliebt.
The massages are very popular.
sind means are, and sehr beliebt means very popular. Die Massagen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the plural noun ends in -n.
Diese Massage ist besonders sanft.
This massage is especially gentle.
Diese means this, and besonders sanft means especially gentle. Massage is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist comes in position two.
Die Therapeutin erklärt die richtige Massage.
The therapist explains the correct massage technique.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, erklärt means explains, and die richtige means the correct one. Massage is accusative because it is the object of erklären; richtige has the adjective ending required after the definite article die.
der Raucher — smoker (male)
The feminine equivalent is die Raucherin; the generic plural is die Raucher. Do not use Raucher for a woman when the gender is known.
Der Raucher wartet vor dem Gebäude.
The smoker is waiting outside the building.
warten means to wait, and vor dem Gebäude means outside the building. Der Raucher is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Raucher am Fenster.
I see the smoker at the window.
sehen means to see, am Fenster means at the window, and Fenster is a window. Den Raucher is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich spreche mit dem Raucher.
I am speaking with the smoker.
sprechen means to speak, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Raucher is dative; spreche is the finite verb in position two.
Die Jacke des Rauchers riecht nach Rauch.
The smoker’s jacket smells of smoke.
die Jacke is the jacket, riechen means to smell, and der Rauch is smoke. Des Rauchers shows possession in the genitive, while die Jacke is the subject and riecht is in position two.
Viele Raucher möchten mit dem Rauchen aufhören.
Many smokers would like to stop smoking.
viele means many, möchten means would like to, and mit dem Rauchen aufhören means to stop smoking. Raucher has no plural ending here; the plural is shown by viele, and the infinitive aufhören goes to the end after möchten.
die Raucherin — smoker (female)
Use die Raucherin specifically for a female smoker; the masculine noun is der Raucher. The plural ending is -innen, not just -s.
Die Raucherin wartet vor dem Gebäude.
The smoker is waiting outside the building.
warten means to wait, and vor dem Gebäude means outside the building. Die Raucherin is nominative because she is the subject, and wartet is the finite verb in position two.
Ich sehe die Raucherin am Fenster.
I see the smoker at the window.
sehen means to see, am Fenster means at the window, and Fenster is a window. Die Raucherin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich spreche mit der Raucherin.
I am speaking with the smoker.
sprechen means to speak, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so der Raucherin is dative; spreche is in position two.
Die Jacke der Raucherin riecht nach Rauch.
The smoker’s jacket smells of smoke.
die Jacke is the jacket, riechen means to smell, and der Rauch is smoke. Der Raucherin shows possession in the genitive, and riecht is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Raucherinnen möchten mit dem Rauchen aufhören.
Many female smokers would like to stop smoking.
viele means many, möchten means would like to, and mit dem Rauchen aufhören means to stop smoking. The plural ending is -innen, and the infinitive aufhören goes to the end after möchten.
der Rettungswagen — ambulance
This compound means a vehicle for rescue: Rettung means rescue and Wagen means vehicle or car. In everyday speech, people often say der Krankenwagen for an ambulance, while Rettungswagen is the official term.
Der Rettungswagen kommt sofort.
The ambulance is coming immediately.
kommt means is coming, and sofort means immediately. Der Rettungswagen is the subject in the nominative case, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Die Polizei ruft den Rettungswagen.
The police call the ambulance.
die Polizei means the police, and ruft means calls. Den Rettungswagen is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the finite verb ruft is in position two.
Der Arzt spricht mit dem Rettungswagen.
The doctor speaks with the ambulance crew.
der Arzt means the doctor, and spricht means speaks. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Rettungswagen is dative; in natural use, the phrase can refer to the ambulance team as well as the vehicle.
Die Sirene des Rettungswagens ist laut.
The ambulance's siren is loud.
die Sirene means the siren, and laut means loud. Des Rettungswagens is genitive to show whose siren it is; the adjective laut comes after ist as a predicate adjective.
Rettungswagen stehen vor dem Krankenhaus.
Ambulances are standing outside the hospital.
stehen means are standing, and vor dem Krankenhaus means outside the hospital. The plural form Rettungswagen looks like the singular, so the plural verb stehen and the missing singular article show that it means ambulances.
das Rezept — recipe; prescription
The everyday meaning is a cooking recipe. In medical contexts, das Rezept means a prescription, so the meaning depends on words such as der Arzt or die Apotheke.
Das Rezept ist einfach.
The recipe is easy.
ist einfach means is easy. Das Rezept is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; einfach is a predicate adjective and therefore has no ending.
Ich lese das Rezept.
I am reading the recipe.
lese means am reading. Das Rezept is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the nominative and accusative article are both das.
Ich folge dem Rezept.
I follow the recipe.
folge means follow. The verb folgen takes the dative, so dem Rezept is dative; learners often incorrectly use the accusative after this verb.
Die Zutaten des Rezepts stehen auf der Seite.
The ingredients of the recipe are on the page.
die Zutaten means the ingredients, and die Seite means the page. Des Rezepts is genitive after die Zutaten to show which ingredients they are; auf der Seite is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Rezepte findet man im Internet.
You can find recipes on the internet.
findet man means you can find or people find, and im Internet means on the internet. Rezepte is a plural accusative object, but its form is the same as the plural nominative; man is an impersonal subject.
Der Arzt gibt mir ein Rezept.
The doctor gives me a prescription.
der Arzt means the doctor, and gibt means gives. Mir is dative because it marks the recipient, while ein Rezept is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Mit dem Rezept bekomme ich die Medizin in der Apotheke.
With the prescription, I get the medicine at the pharmacy.
die Medizin means the medicine, and die Apotheke means the pharmacy. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Rezept is dative; the phrase at the start takes position one, so the finite verb bekomme comes immediately after the subject ich.
der Rollstuhl — wheelchair
der Rollstuhl is a wheelchair, literally a rolling chair. The plural is die Rollstühle, with an umlaut in Stühle; use respectful wording such as Person im Rollstuhl when talking about people.
Der Rollstuhl ist bequem.
The wheelchair is comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. Der Rollstuhl is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie braucht den Rollstuhl.
She needs the wheelchair.
Sie means she, and braucht means needs. Den Rollstuhl is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Er sitzt in dem Rollstuhl.
He is sitting in the wheelchair.
sitzt means is sitting. In dem Rollstuhl is dative because in describes a fixed location here; in dem is commonly shortened to im.
Die Bremse des Rollstuhls ist kaputt.
The wheelchair's brake is broken.
Die Bremse means the brake, and kaputt means broken. Des Rollstuhls is genitive because it shows which wheelchair the brake belongs to; the masculine noun takes des and -s.
Die Rollstühle stehen vor dem Gebäude.
The wheelchairs are standing in front of the building.
stehen means are standing or are placed, and das Gebäude means the building. Die Rollstühle is plural with an umlaut and -e; vor dem Gebäude is dative because it describes a location.
der Schlaf — sleep
der Schlaf is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For the activity of sleeping, German also commonly uses schlafen, as in Ich schlafe.
Der Schlaf ist wichtig für die Gesundheit.
Sleep is important for health.
wichtig means important and die Gesundheit means health. Der Schlaf is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche mehr Schlaf.
I need more sleep.
ich brauche means I need, and mehr means more. Schlaf is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; as a mass noun it has no article here.
Nach dem Schlaf fühlt sie sich besser.
After sleeping, she feels better.
nach means after, fühlt sich means feels, and besser means better. dem Schlaf is dative because nach governs the dative; the finite verb fühlt is in position two and sich is the reflexive pronoun.
Die Qualität des Schlafs ist schlecht.
The quality of the sleep is poor.
die Qualität means the quality and schlecht means poor or bad. des Schlafs is genitive because it tells us whose quality is meant; the masculine noun takes -s in this genitive form.
Guter Schlaf macht mich glücklich.
Good sleep makes me happy.
guter means good, macht means makes, and glücklich means happy. This sentence is labelled plural in the matrix, but Schlaf is a mass noun and has no normal plural; here it is an uncountable nominative subject, while mich is accusative after macht.
schlecht — bad, poor; badly; bad, wicked; negative
Schlecht usually means bad or of low quality, but in Mir ist schlecht it means that someone feels sick. As an adjective it has the regular comparative forms schlechter and am schlechtesten.
Das Wetter ist heute schlecht.
The weather is bad today.
das Wetter means the weather and heute means today. Schlecht is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe eine schlechte Nachricht.
I have some bad news.
haben means to have and die Nachricht is news or a message. Eine schlechte Nachricht is accusative because it is the object of habe; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Dieser Film ist schlechter als der erste.
This film is worse than the first one.
dieser Film means this film and der erste means the first one. Schlechter compares two films and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Von den drei Filmen ist dieser am schlechtesten.
Of the three films, this one is the worst.
von den drei Filmen means of the three films, and dieser means this one. Am schlechtesten is the predicative superlative after ist; von takes the dative, shown by den drei Filmen.
Ich habe heute schlecht geschlafen.
I slept badly today.
schlafen means to sleep and heute means today. Here schlecht is used adverbially to describe how the sleeping happened, so it has no ending; the perfect uses habe plus geschlafen at the end.
Mir ist schlecht.
I feel sick.
mir means to me, and this sentence means that I feel sick or nauseous. Mir is dative because this impersonal expression describes a person's state; schlecht is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending.
Er ist kein schlechter Mensch.
He is not a bad person.
kein means no or not a, and der Mensch means person or human being. Schlechter Mensch is a masculine noun phrase after ist; because kein marks the masculine nominative, the adjective takes -er.
Bitte denk nicht schlecht über sie.
Please do not think badly of her.
bitte means please, denken means to think, nicht means not, and sie means her here. The expression schlecht über jemanden denken uses über with the accusative; in this informal imperative, denk comes first and the separable-looking phrase stays together.
schläfrig — sleepy; drowsy
Schläfrig describes a person who feels the need to sleep, not necessarily someone who is already asleep. Its comparison is regular: schläfriger, am schläfrigsten.
Ich bin heute sehr schläfrig.
I am very sleepy today.
heute means today, and sehr means very. Schläfrig is predicative after bin and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Das schläfrige Kind liegt im Bett.
The sleepy child is lying in bed.
das Kind means the child, liegt means is lying, and im Bett means in bed. Schläfrige comes before Kind and takes an adjective ending; im Bett is dative because in describes a location.
Nach dem Mittagessen bin ich noch schläfriger.
After lunch, I am even sleepier.
nach dem Mittagessen means after lunch, noch means even or still, and schläfriger means sleepier. Nach takes the dative, while the comparative adjective is predicative after bin and has no ending.
Am Montagmorgen bin ich am schläfrigsten.
On Monday morning, I am the sleepiest.
am Montagmorgen means on Monday morning, and am schläfrigsten means the sleepiest. Am here belongs to the predicative superlative, not to a noun phrase; the adjective therefore keeps the ending -sten.
die Schwester — sister; nurse
Die Schwester can mean a female sibling. In a hospital, it can also mean a nurse, but that use is less neutral today than die Pflegefachkraft.
Meine Schwester wohnt in Berlin.
My sister lives in Berlin.
meine means my, wohnen means live, and Berlin is the capital of Germany. Meine Schwester is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche meine Schwester am Samstag.
I am visiting my sister on Saturday.
besuchen means visit, meine means my, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Meine Schwester is accusative because it is the direct object of besuche; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich helfe meiner Schwester bei den Hausaufgaben.
I help my sister with her homework.
helfen means help, meiner means my in the feminine dative, bei means with or during, and die Hausaufgaben are homework. Meiner Schwester is dative because helfen takes a dative person; bei den Hausaufgaben is also dative because bei requires the dative.
Das Fahrrad meiner Schwester ist neu.
My sister's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, and neu means new. Meiner Schwester is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Schwestern lernen zusammen.
My sisters study together.
meine means my, lernen means study or learn, and zusammen means together. Meine Schwestern is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural is formed with -n.
Meine Schwester trinkt gern Tee.
My sister likes drinking tea.
trinken means drink, gern means gladly or enjoy doing something, and der Tee is tea. Meine Schwester is the subject, and the finite verb trinkt is in position two.
Die Schwester bringt dem Patienten seine Medikamente.
The nurse brings the patient his medication.
bringen means bring, der Patient is the patient, and die Medikamente are the medicines. Dem Patienten is dative because it is the recipient, while seine Medikamente is the accusative thing being brought.
Die Schwester arbeitet auf der Station.
The nurse works on the ward.
arbeiten means work, auf der Station means on the hospital ward, and die Station is the ward. Die Schwester is nominative because it is the subject; auf der Station is dative because it describes a fixed location.
schwitzen — to sweat
schwitzen is a regular verb and normally takes haben in the perfect. The cause can be expressed with vor plus dative, as in vor Angst, or with a situation introduced by bei.
Ich schwitze in der heißen Sonne.
I am sweating in the hot sun.
heiß means hot, and die Sonne is the sun. in der heißen Sonne is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir haben beim Sport stark geschwitzt.
We sweated a lot during sport.
beim Sport means during sport, and stark means heavily or a lot. geschwitzt combines with haben and stands at the end.
Er schwitzte vor Angst.
He was sweating with fear.
vor Angst means from fear, and Angst is fear. schwitzte is the regular simple-past form and stands in position two.
Schwitz nicht so viel!
Don't sweat so much!
nicht means not, and so viel means so much. Schwitz is the informal singular command for du, whose pronoun is left out.
Wenn ich würde schwitzen, wäre mir zu warm.
If I were sweating, I would feel too hot.
wenn means if, and zu warm means too hot. In the wenn clause, würde is at the end and the infinitive schwitzen follows it in this construction.
Im Sommer werde ich schnell schwitzen.
In summer I will sweat quickly.
im Sommer means in summer, and schnell means quickly. werde is in position two, while the infinitive schwitzen goes to the end.
tot — dead; dead; not working; inactive
Tot means dead and is normally used for people, animals, or things that are no longer alive. It is generally not compared in literal use; forms such as toter and am totesten are possible mainly in vivid or figurative comparisons.
Der Vogel ist tot.
The bird is dead.
der Vogel means the bird. Tot is predicative after ist, the finite form of sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the nominative subject der Vogel.
Sie findet einen toten Vogel.
She finds a dead bird.
findet means finds, and einen Vogel means a bird. Toten stands before the noun and takes an adjective ending; einen toten Vogel is accusative because finden takes a direct object.
Der Hund sieht toter aus als gestern.
The dog looks deader than yesterday.
der Hund means the dog, and gestern means yesterday. Toter is the comparative of tot and is used with als for a comparison; in sieht ... aus, the separable verb puts aus at the end.
Nach dem Unfall sah er am totesten aus.
After the accident, he looked the deadest.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and sah ... aus means looked. Am totesten is the superlative in the predicative am-form; it has no adjective ending because it does not stand directly before a noun.
Mein Handy ist tot.
My phone is dead.
mein Handy means my phone. Tot is predicative after ist and means not working here, not physically dead; it has no ending after sein.
Am Sonntag ist die Straße tot.
The street is completely deserted on Sunday.
am Sonntag means on Sunday, and die Straße means the street. Here tot means deserted or inactive, not dead; as a predicative adjective after ist, it has no ending.
der Tote — dead man
Der Tote is a masculine noun made from the adjective tot, meaning dead. Because it is a substantive adjective, its forms follow adjective declension: der Tote, den Toten, dem Toten, and des Toten.
Der Tote liegt im Krankenhaus.
The dead man is in the hospital.
liegt means is lying, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Der Tote is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Polizei fand den Toten am Morgen.
The police found the dead man in the morning.
die Polizei is the police, fand means found, and am Morgen means in the morning. Den Toten is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the masculine form changes from der to den.
Die Ärztin half dem Toten.
The female doctor helped the dead man.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, and half means helped. Dem Toten is dative because helfen requires the dative; the adjective-based noun keeps the ending -en.
Die Identität des Toten ist noch unbekannt.
The dead man's identity is still unknown.
die Identität is the identity, and noch unbekannt means still unknown. Des Toten is genitive to show whose identity it is; the masculine article is des and the noun form is Toten.
Die Familien besuchen die Toten auf dem Friedhof.
The families visit the dead people in the cemetery.
die Familien means the families, besuchen means visit, and der Friedhof is the cemetery. Die Toten is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural ending remains -en.
die Tote — dead woman
Die Tote is a feminine noun made from the adjective tot, meaning dead. As a substantive adjective, it follows adjective declension: die Tote, der Toten, and die Toten in the plural.
Die Tote liegt im Krankenhaus.
The dead woman is in the hospital.
liegt means is lying, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Die Tote is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Polizei fand die Tote am Morgen.
The police found the dead woman in the morning.
die Polizei is the police, fand means found, and am Morgen means in the morning. Die Tote is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Ärztin half der Toten.
The female doctor helped the dead woman.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, and half means helped. Der Toten is dative because helfen requires the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Identität der Toten ist noch unbekannt.
The dead woman's identity is still unknown.
die Identität is the identity, and noch unbekannt means still unknown. Der Toten is genitive to show whose identity it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Familien besuchen die Toten auf dem Friedhof.
The families visit the dead people in the cemetery.
die Familien means the families, besuchen means visit, and der Friedhof is the cemetery. Die Toten is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -en.
tun — to do, to carry out
Tun is a very common general verb, often used when the exact action is not named. It is irregular: tun – tat – hat getan, and it takes haben in the perfect.
Ich tue heute viel.
I am doing a lot today.
heute means today, and viel means a lot. The finite verb tue stands in position two; viel is an unspecific object, so no article is needed.
Wir haben alles getan.
We have done everything.
alles means everything. Getan is the Partizip II of tun and pairs with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Er tat das Richtige.
He did the right thing.
das Richtige means the right thing. Das Richtige is accusative because tat takes a direct object, and irregular tat is the simple past of tun.
Tu bitte die Tür zu!
Please close the door!
bitte means please, and die Tür means the door. Tu is the informal singular imperative; zumachen splits into tu ... zu, so the prefix goes to the end.
Ich würde mehr tun, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would do more if I had time.
mehr means more, and Zeit means time. Würde tun expresses an unreal or hypothetical action; hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich etwas Neues tun.
Tomorrow I will do something new.
morgen means tomorrow, and etwas Neues means something new. Werde is the finite auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive tun goes to the end.
der Unfall — accident
der Unfall usually means an accident involving damage or injury. The plural is die Unfälle, with an umlaut; it is different from der Zufall, which means coincidence or chance.
Der Unfall ist gestern passiert.
The accident happened yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and passiert means happened. Der Unfall is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, while passiert goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Die Polizei untersucht den Unfall.
The police are investigating the accident.
die Polizei means the police and untersucht means investigates. den Unfall is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb stands in position two.
Bei dem Unfall wurde niemand verletzt.
Nobody was injured in the accident.
bei dem Unfall means in or at the accident and niemand means nobody. bei always takes the dative, so der Unfall becomes dem Unfall; wurde verletzt is a passive construction.
Die Ursache des Unfalls ist noch unklar.
The cause of the accident is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause and noch unklar means still unclear. des Unfalls is genitive because it identifies the cause as belonging to the accident; the masculine noun adds -s.
Auf dieser Straße passieren viele Unfälle.
Many accidents happen on this road.
auf dieser Straße means on this road and viele means many. Unfälle is the plural subject, while auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location, not movement.
verschlafen — sleepy, drowsy
As an adjective, verschlafen means sleepy or drowsy, often describing someone’s appearance after waking. It is distinct from the verb verschlafen, meaning to oversleep.
Nach dem langen Flug bin ich noch verschlafen.
After the long flight, I am still sleepy.
nach dem langen Flug means after the long flight, and noch means still. Nach takes the dative, and verschlafen is predicative after bin, so it has no ending.
Das verschlafene Kind trinkt Milch.
The sleepy child is drinking milk.
das Kind means the child, and Milch means milk. Verschlafene comes before the neuter noun with das, so it takes -e; the finite verb trinkt stands in position two.
Am Morgen wirkt er verschlafener als sonst.
In the morning he looks sleepier than usual.
am Morgen means in the morning, and wirkt means seems or looks. Verschlafener is the comparative after wirkt and is followed by als sonst, meaning than usual; it has no ending because it is predicative.
Von allen Gästen sieht Paul am verschlafensten aus.
Paul looks the sleepiest of all the guests.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and sieht ... aus means looks or appears. Von forces the dative, and am verschlafensten is predicative; the verb sieht ... aus is separable, so its parts frame the clause.
das Vitamin — vitamin
Das Vitamin ist wichtig für den Körper.
The vitamin is important for the body.
wichtig means important, and der Körper means body. das Vitamin is the nominative subject; für den Körper is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Obst enthält das Vitamin.
Fruit contains the vitamin.
Obst means fruit, and enthalten means to contain. das Vitamin is accusative because it is the direct object of enthält, whose finite form is in position two.
Mit dem Vitamin fühle ich mich besser.
With the vitamin, I feel better.
mit means with, and fühle ich mich besser means I feel better. mit always takes the dative, so dem Vitamin is dative; the verb fühle remains in position two after the introductory phrase.
Die Wirkung des Vitamins ist gut erforscht.
The effect of the vitamin has been well researched.
die Wirkung means effect, and gut erforscht means well researched. des Vitamins is genitive because it identifies the vitamin's effect; the neuter noun adds -s.
Frisches Obst enthält viele Vitamine.
Fresh fruit contains many vitamins.
frisch means fresh, and viele means many. viele Vitamine is a plural accusative object after enthält; the adjective has the ending -es before the neuter singular noun Obst.
das Wartezimmer — waiting room
das Wartezimmer is usually found in a doctor’s or dentist’s office. It is a compound made from warten and das Zimmer, but its plural remains unchanged: die Wartezimmer.
Das Wartezimmer ist voll.
The waiting room is full.
voll means full. Das Wartezimmer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich betrete das Wartezimmer.
I enter the waiting room.
betreten means to enter, and it takes a direct object. das Wartezimmer is accusative; with a neuter noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich sitze in dem Wartezimmer.
I am sitting in the waiting room.
sitzen means to sit. in dem Wartezimmer is dative because it describes a fixed location; in would take the accusative with movement into the room.
Die Tür des Wartezimmers ist geschlossen.
The waiting room door is closed.
die Tür means the door and geschlossen means closed. des Wartezimmers is genitive and identifies which door is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In der Praxis gibt es drei Wartezimmer.
There are three waiting rooms in the practice.
die Praxis means the medical practice and drei means three. Wartezimmer has the same form in the plural, and drei Wartezimmer is accusative after es gibt.
der Zahnarzt — dentist
The feminine form is die Zahnärztin. In everyday speech, zum Zahnarzt gehen means to go to the dentist.
Der Zahnarzt arbeitet heute nicht.
The dentist is not working today.
arbeitet means works, heute means today, and nicht means not. Der Zahnarzt is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich besuche morgen den Zahnarzt.
I am visiting the dentist tomorrow.
besuche means visit and morgen means tomorrow. Den Zahnarzt is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich erzähle dem Zahnarzt von meinen Schmerzen.
I tell the dentist about my pain.
erzähle means tell, von means about, and meine Schmerzen means my pain. Dem Zahnarzt is dative because erzählen gives the information to someone; von takes the dative here, and erzähle stands in position two.
Die Praxis des Zahnarztes ist neben der Apotheke.
The dentist's practice is next to the pharmacy.
die Praxis is the practice or office, neben means next to, and die Apotheke is the pharmacy. Des Zahnarztes is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Zahnärzte treffen sich auf einer Konferenz.
The dentists are meeting at a conference.
treffen sich means meet, auf means at, and eine Konferenz is a conference. Die Zahnärzte is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural has an umlaut and -e.
die Zahnbürste — toothbrush
The compound combines der Zahn, tooth, and die Bürste, brush. Do not confuse Zahnbürste with Zahnpasta, toothpaste.
Die Zahnbürste liegt im Badezimmer.
The toothbrush is in the bathroom.
liegt means lies or is located, im Badezimmer means in the bathroom. Die Zahnbürste is nominative because it is the subject; im Badezimmer is dative because in describes a location, and liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Zahnbürste.
I am buying a new toothbrush.
kaufe means buy and neu means new. Eine neue Zahnbürste is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine article eine does not change in the accusative.
Ich putze mir mit der Zahnbürste die Zähne.
I brush my teeth with the toothbrush.
putze means clean or brush, mir means for myself, and die Zähne means the teeth. Der Zahnbürste is dative because mit always takes the dative; die Zähne is the accusative object of putzen.
Der Griff der Zahnbürste ist kaputt.
The handle of the toothbrush is broken.
der Griff is the handle and kaputt means broken. Der Zahnbürste is genitive because it identifies whose handle it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Geschäft gibt es viele Zahnbürsten.
There are many toothbrushes in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop and viele means many. After es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form Zahnbürsten looks the same as nominative plural.
die Zahnpasta — toothpaste
Zahnpasta is normally uncountable, so it has no ordinary plural. To talk about different kinds, say Sorten Zahnpasta, varieties of toothpaste.
Die Zahnpasta ist im Bad.
The toothpaste is in the bathroom.
ist means is, im Bad means in the bathroom. Die Zahnpasta is nominative because it is the subject; im Bad is dative because in describes a location, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich brauche Zahnpasta für meine Zähne.
I need toothpaste for my teeth.
brauche means need, für means for, and meine Zähne means my teeth. Zahnpasta is the accusative object of brauchen; it has no article here because it is an uncountable substance, while für takes the accusative.
Ich gebe der Zahnpasta einen festen Platz.
I give the toothpaste a fixed place.
gebe means give, einen festen Platz means a fixed place. Der Zahnpasta is dative because it is the thing receiving the place, while einen festen Platz is accusative as the direct object of geben.
Der Geschmack der Zahnpasta ist sehr frisch.
The taste of the toothpaste is very fresh.
der Geschmack means the taste and sehr frisch means very fresh. Der Zahnpasta is genitive because it shows which toothpaste the taste belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Laden stehen viele Sorten Zahnpasta.
There are many kinds of toothpaste in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means stand or are displayed, and viele Sorten means many varieties. Zahnpasta remains singular because it is a mass noun; the countable plural is Sorten, not a plural of the headword.
die Zahnschmerzen — toothache, tooth pain
This noun is used only in the plural: die Zahnschmerzen. German commonly says Zahnschmerzen haben, literally “to have tooth pains”; English usually says “to have toothache.”
Zahnschmerzen sind sehr unangenehm.
Toothache is very unpleasant.
sind means are and unangenehm means unpleasant. Zahnschmerzen is a plural-only subject, so the verb is plural; do not look for a singular form such as Zahnschmerz in ordinary learner German.
Ich habe Zahnschmerzen.
I have toothache.
habe means have. Zahnschmerzen is the accusative object of haben, and this noun normally appears without an article because it describes a condition; it has plural form but no singular meaning “one toothache.”
Der Arzt hilft mir bei Zahnschmerzen.
The doctor helps me with toothache.
der Arzt means the doctor and hilft means helps. Bei Zahnschmerzen is dative because bei always takes the dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Ursache der Zahnschmerzen ist unklar.
The cause of the toothache is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause and unklar means unclear. Der Zahnschmerzen is genitive because it identifies what the cause belongs to; the plural-only noun has the same visible form in the genitive, with the article der showing the case.
Starke Zahnschmerzen können den Schlaf stören.
Severe toothache can disturb sleep.
starke means severe, können means can, der Schlaf means sleep, and stören means disturb. Starke Zahnschmerzen is a plural subject, so können is plural; the infinitive stören goes to the end after the modal verb.
die Zahnärztin — female dentist
Zahnärztin is the feminine form of der Zahnarzt. The plural is Zahnärztinnen, with -innen, the usual ending for many feminine job titles.
Die Zahnärztin untersucht meinen Zahn.
The dentist is examining my tooth.
untersucht means examines and mein Zahn means my tooth. Die Zahnärztin is nominative because she is the subject, while meinen Zahn is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object.
Ich rufe die Zahnärztin an.
I am calling the dentist.
rufe ... an means call, and Ich means I. Die Zahnärztin is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable verb has rufe in position two and an at the end.
Ich danke der Zahnärztin.
I thank the dentist.
danke means thank. Der Zahnärztin is dative because danken always takes a dative person; the finite verb danke stands in position two.
Das Auto der Zahnärztin steht vor der Praxis.
The dentist's car is in front of the practice.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, vor means in front of, and die Praxis is the practice. Der Zahnärztin is genitive to show possession; vor der Praxis is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Zahnärztinnen arbeiten in derselben Klinik.
The female dentists work in the same clinic.
arbeiten means work, in means in, derselben means the same, and die Klinik is the clinic. Die Zahnärztinnen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -nen, not just -n.
die Zigarette — cigarette
The plural is Zigaretten, with -n. German usually uses rauchen for smoke and anzünden for light; smoking is harmful to health.
Die Zigarette ist fast aus.
The cigarette is almost finished.
fast means almost, and aus means finished or out in this expression. Die Zigarette is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Er raucht eine Zigarette.
He is smoking a cigarette.
er means he, and raucht means smokes. Eine Zigarette is accusative because rauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb raucht is in position two.
Sie gibt ihrem Freund eine Zigarette.
She gives her friend a cigarette.
gibt means gives, and ihrem Freund means to her friend. Ihrem Freund is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Zigarette is accusative as the thing given.
Der Geruch der Zigarette bleibt im Zimmer.
The smell of the cigarette remains in the room.
der Geruch means the smell, bleibt means remains, and im Zimmer means in the room. Der Zigarette is genitive because it means of the cigarette; im Zimmer is dative because it describes a location.
Die Zigaretten liegen auf dem Tisch.
The cigarettes are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Zigaretten is plural nominative as the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Mein Vater kauft keine Zigarette.
My father is not buying a cigarette.
mein Vater means my father, kauft means buys, and keine means no or not any. Keine Zigarette is accusative because it is the object of kauft; feminine accusative has the same form as feminine nominative.
die Ärztin — female doctor, doctor
The usual gender-neutral word is der Arzt, while die Ärztin specifically means a woman doctor. The plural ending is -innen, not just -in.
Die Ärztin untersucht den Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient.
untersuchen means to examine, and der Patient is the patient. Die Ärztin is nominative because she is the subject; den Patienten is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich rufe die Ärztin an.
I am calling the doctor.
anrufen means to call, and rufe ... an is its split present form. Die Ärztin is accusative as the object, while the finite verb rufe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich vertraue der Ärztin.
I trust the doctor.
vertrauen means to trust. It takes a dative person, so der Ärztin is dative; the feminine dative article is der, not die.
Das Auto der Ärztin steht vor dem Haus.
The doctor's car is parked in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, and steht vor dem Haus means is standing in front of the house. Der Ärztin is genitive because it shows possession, while vor dem Haus uses dative for a fixed location.
Die Ärztinnen arbeiten im Krankenhaus.
The doctors work in the hospital.
arbeiten means work, and das Krankenhaus is the hospital. Ärztinnen is the plural with -innen; im Krankenhaus means in dem Krankenhaus and uses dative for location.