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Vocab: Health — A2 (2)
Health vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Krankenschein — medical certificate, sick note
A Krankenschein is a certificate proving that someone is ill, especially for work or school. In current German, Krankschreibung or Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung is also common for an official certificate of inability to work.
Der Krankenschein liegt auf dem Tisch.
The sick note is on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Der Krankenschein is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Krankenschein für die Arbeit.
I need the sick note for work.
brauche means “need,” für means “for,” and die Arbeit means “work.” Den Krankenschein is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für die Arbeit is also accusative because für always governs the accusative.
Der Arzt gibt dem Krankenschein eine Nummer.
The doctor gives the sick note a number.
der Arzt is the doctor, gibt means “gives,” and eine Nummer means “a number.” Dem Krankenschein is dative as the recipient of the number, while eine Nummer is accusative; gibt stands in position two.
Die Rückseite des Krankenscheins ist unterschrieben.
The back of the sick note is signed.
die Rückseite is the back, unterschrieben means “signed,” and ist means “is.” Des Krankenscheins is genitive and identifies which back it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Krankenscheine liegen beim Empfang.
The sick notes are at reception.
liegen means “are lying,” and beim Empfang means “at reception.” Krankenscheine is plural and is the subject; beim is short for bei dem, and bei takes the dative for a location.
krankmelden — to report sick
This verb is normally used reflexively: sich krankmelden, to report that one is ill. It is a separable weak verb, so meldet ... krank occurs in a main clause, but krankmelden stays together after a modal or in a subordinate clause.
Ich melde mich heute bei der Arbeit krank.
I am reporting sick at work today.
heute means today and bei der Arbeit means at work. Mich is accusative because the speaker reports themself as sick; melde is in position two and the separable part krank goes to the end.
Ich habe mich gestern krankgemeldet.
I reported sick yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. The perfect uses haben with krankgemeldet; the reflexive pronoun mich is accusative, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
Sie meldete sich am Montag krank.
She reported sick on Monday.
am Montag means on Monday. Sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun for sie; meldete is in position two and krank separates to the end.
Meld dich sofort krank!
Report sick immediately!
sofort means immediately. The informal imperative drops the subject du, uses meld, and places the separable part krank at the end; dich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Ich würde mich morgen krankmelden.
I would report sick tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and würde expresses would. After würde, the whole infinitive krankmelden goes to the end, so it is not separated; mich remains accusative.
Er wird sich morgen krankmelden.
He will report sick tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow. Future uses wird plus the whole infinitive krankmelden at the end; sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun for er.
die Krankmeldung — sick note; notification of illness
Die Krankmeldung can mean the act of notifying an employer or school, or the written medical certificate supporting the absence. In everyday work contexts, the document is also often called die Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, a formal word for a certificate of incapacity for work.
Die Krankmeldung ist heute angekommen.
The sick note arrived today.
heute means today and angekommen means arrived. Die Krankmeldung is nominative because it is the subject; ist angekommen is the perfect tense, with the Partizip II at the end.
Ich brauche die Krankmeldung.
I need the sick note.
brauche means need. Die Krankmeldung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich schicke der Firma die Krankmeldung.
I am sending the sick note to the company.
schicke means send and die Firma is the company. Der Firma is dative because it is the recipient, while die Krankmeldung is accusative because it is the thing being sent.
Die Frist der Krankmeldung endet morgen.
The deadline of the sick note ends tomorrow.
die Frist is the deadline and endet means ends. Der Krankmeldung is genitive because it identifies which deadline is meant; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Die Krankmeldungen liegen im Büro.
The sick notes are in the office.
liegen means are lying or are located, and das Büro is the office. Krankmeldungen is plural with die understood as the subject; im Büro is dative because it describes a fixed location.
leiden — to suffer; to endure; to suffer from an illness
For a condition or source of suffering, leiden commonly takes unter plus dative: unter Stress leiden. Its perfect is formed with haben, and the strong verb has the principal parts leiden – litt – hat gelitten.
Viele Menschen leiden unter Stress.
Many people suffer from stress.
Viele Menschen means many people, and Stress means stress. unter takes the dative here because leiden unter describes a condition, not movement; the finite verb leiden stands in position two.
Sie hat lange unter der Trennung gelitten.
She suffered from the separation for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and die Trennung is the separation. unter der Trennung is dative after unter in this fixed expression; hat is the finite verb in position two and gelitten closes the perfect-tense bracket.
Er litt als Kind oft unter Kopfschmerzen.
As a child, he often suffered from headaches.
als Kind means as a child, oft means often, and Kopfschmerzen means headaches. litt is the irregular Präteritum form, and unter Kopfschmerzen is a dative phrase because leiden unter takes dative.
Leide nicht allein!
Do not suffer alone!
nicht means not, and allein means alone. Leide is the singular imperative, so du is left out and the verb comes first; nicht follows the verb.
Wenn ich dort bleiben müsste, würde ich sehr leiden.
If I had to stay there, I would suffer greatly.
dort means there, bleiben means to stay, and sehr means greatly or very much. In the wenn clause, müsste goes to the end; in the main clause, würde is in position two and the infinitive leiden closes the bracket.
Ohne Hilfe wird der Patient weiter leiden.
Without help, the patient will continue to suffer.
ohne Hilfe means without help, der Patient is the patient, and weiter means further or continuously. ohne takes the accusative, while wird stands in position two and the infinitive leiden goes to the end in the future tense.
Mein Bruder leidet an Asthma.
My brother suffers from asthma.
Mein Bruder means my brother, and Asthma is asthma. an takes the dative in an Asthma leiden; the finite verb leidet stands in position two.
Die Patientin hat an einer seltenen Krankheit gelitten.
The female patient suffered from a rare illness.
Die Patientin means the female patient, selten means rare, and die Krankheit means illness. an einer seltenen Krankheit is dative after an in this expression, while hat comes early and gelitten goes to the end.
die Lunge — lung
Die Lunge is feminine, and its plural is die Lungen. In medical language, Lunge can refer to one lung or to the lung organ generally.
Die Lunge braucht Sauerstoff.
The lung needs oxygen.
braucht means needs, and Sauerstoff means oxygen. Die Lunge is the nominative subject, so the finite verb braucht stands in position two; Sauerstoff is the accusative object.
Der Arzt untersucht die Lunge.
The doctor examines the lung.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Lunge is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Mit der Lunge kann man atmen.
You can breathe with the lung.
mit means with, and atmen means to breathe. Mit always takes the dative, so der Lunge is dative; kann is in position two and atmen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Funktion der Lunge ist lebenswichtig.
The function of the lung is vital.
die Funktion means the function, and lebenswichtig means vital or essential for life. Der Lunge is genitive after die Funktion to show possession or connection, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Beim Atmen arbeiten die Lungen zusammen.
The lungs work together when breathing.
beim Atmen means while breathing, and zusammenarbeiten means work together. Die Lungen is the plural nominative subject, so the plural verb arbeiten stands in position two.
massieren — to massage
Massieren normally takes an accusative person or body part: jemanden massieren or den Rücken massieren. It forms the perfect with haben; the Partizip II is massiert, without ge- because the verb ends in -ieren.
Die Therapeutin massiert meinen Rücken.
The therapist massages my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. Meinen Rücken is accusative because massieren takes the body part as a direct object; the finite verb massiert stands in position two.
Die Therapeutin hat meinen Rücken massiert.
The therapist massaged my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. Massiert is the Partizip II of massieren and goes to the end of the perfect clause, while the auxiliary hat stands in position two; the object is accusative.
Die Therapeutin massierte meinen Rücken.
The therapist massaged my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. Massierte is the regular simple-past form and stands in position two; meinen Rücken is accusative because it is the direct object.
Massier bitte meine Schultern.
Please massage my shoulders.
bitte means please, and meine Schultern means my shoulders. Massier is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; meine Schultern is accusative as the direct object.
Wenn du mich massiertest, würde ich mich entspannen.
If you massaged me, I would relax.
wenn means if, mich means me, and würde ich mich entspannen means I would relax. Massiertest is the second-person singular Konjunktiv II form in this hypothetical condition, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause; mich is accusative.
Die Therapeutin wird meinen Rücken massieren.
The therapist will massage my back.
die Therapeutin is the therapist, and meinen Rücken means my back. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive massieren goes to the end; the body part is accusative.
das Medikament — medicine, medication, drug
Medikament is a countable medicine or drug, so it has a regular plural, Medikamente. For ‘to take medicine’, German commonly uses ein Medikament einnehmen or Medikamente nehmen.
Das Medikament hilft gegen die Schmerzen.
The medicine helps with the pain.
helfen means to help, and die Schmerzen means the pain or aches. Das Medikament is nominative because it is the subject; gegen takes the accusative, so die Schmerzen is accusative.
Ich nehme das Medikament jeden Morgen.
I take the medicine every morning.
nehmen means to take, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Das Medikament is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Der Arzt gibt mir dem Medikament einen neuen Namen.
The doctor gives the medicine a new name.
der Arzt means the doctor, and einen neuen Namen means a new name. This sentence is unusual in meaning but shows the dative form dem Medikament; the dative marks the recipient or affected item, while einen neuen Namen is accusative.
Die Wirkung des Medikaments ist noch nicht klar.
The effect of the medicine is not yet clear.
die Wirkung means the effect, and noch nicht klar means not clear yet. Des Medikaments is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Medikamente liegen auf dem Tisch.
The medicines are on the table.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Medikamente is plural and nominative as the subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Tisch is dative.
die Medizin — medicine; medical science
Medizin is usually uncountable in the sense of the medical field or medical treatment, so it normally has no plural in everyday use. The plural Medizinen is possible when referring to distinct medical systems, for example conventional and traditional systems.
Die Medizin macht große Fortschritte.
Medicine is making great progress.
Fortschritte machen means to make progress, and große means great or major. Die Medizin is nominative because it is the subject; große Fortschritte is accusative as the object of machen.
Sie studiert die Medizin in Berlin.
She studies medicine in Berlin.
studieren means to study, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Medizin is accusative because it is the subject of study; the finite verb studiert stands in position two.
In der Medizin gibt es neue Methoden.
There are new methods in medicine.
neue Methoden means new methods, and gibt es means there are. In der Medizin describes a fixed area and therefore uses the dative; with es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although this sentence uses the neutral es gibt construction.
Die Geschichte der Medizin ist sehr lang.
The history of medicine is very long.
die Geschichte means the history, and sehr lang means very long. Der Medizin is genitive because it tells us whose history it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Verschiedene Medizinen verwenden unterschiedliche Heilmethoden.
Different medical systems use different healing methods.
verschiedene means different, verwenden means use, and unterschiedliche Heilmethoden means different healing methods. Verschiedene Medizinen is plural nominative as the subject, while unterschiedliche Heilmethoden is accusative after verwenden.
das Mittel — means, method, remedy, resource; middle, average
The meaning depends on context: ein Mittel gegen etwas is a remedy, while mit den Mitteln often means ‘with the resources’ or ‘by the means’. The noun das Mittel is different from adjective mittel, ‘medium’.
Das Mittel hilft gegen Kopfschmerzen.
The remedy helps against headaches.
hilft means ‘helps’, gegen means ‘against’, and Kopfschmerzen means ‘headache’. Das Mittel is nominative because it is the subject, while gegen Kopfschmerzen uses the accusative after gegen.
Der Arzt verschreibt ein Mittel.
The doctor prescribes a remedy.
der Arzt means ‘the doctor’ and verschreibt means ‘prescribes’. ein Mittel is accusative because it is the direct object of verschreiben; the neuter form of the article stays ein.
Wir arbeiten mit einem Mittel.
We work with a method/tool.
arbeiten means ‘work’ and mit means ‘with’. einem Mittel is dative because mit always takes the dative; the neuter dative article is einem.
Die Wirkung des Mittels ist noch nicht bekannt.
The effect of the remedy is not yet known.
die Wirkung means ‘the effect’, noch nicht means ‘not yet’, and bekannt means ‘known’. des Mittels is genitive because it identifies the remedy’s effect; neuter genitive nouns take des and usually add -s.
Diese Mittel sind sehr teuer.
These remedies are very expensive.
diese means ‘these’, sehr means ‘very’, and teuer means ‘expensive’. Mittel has the same spelling in the singular and plural, but diese and the plural verb sind show that it is plural here.
Die Zahl fünf ist das Mittel zwischen zwei und acht.
The number five is the middle value between two and eight.
die Zahl means ‘the number’, zwischen means ‘between’, and zwei und acht are ‘two and eight’. das Mittel is nominative after ist; zwischen takes the dative when it describes a fixed location or position.
Wir suchen das Mittel aus den beiden Werten.
We are looking for the average of the two values.
suchen means ‘look for’, beiden means ‘both’, and Werte means ‘values’. das Mittel is accusative as the object of suchen, while aus den beiden Werten uses the dative after aus.
der Nichtraucher — non-smoker
Nichtraucher is a compound of nicht and Raucher and can describe a person or, in compounds, a non-smoking facility. The feminine form is Nichtraucherin.
Der Nichtraucher sitzt am offenen Fenster.
The non-smoker is sitting at the open window.
sitzen means to sit, offen means open, and das Fenster means the window. Der Nichtraucher is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Nichtraucher dort.
I can see the non-smoker there.
sehen means to see, and dort means there. Den Nichtraucher is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Nichtraucher mit der Tür.
I help the non-smoker with the door.
helfen means to help, and mit der Tür means with the door. Dem Nichtraucher is dative because helfen governs the dative; mit also always takes the dative.
Die Meinung des Nichtrauchers ist verständlich.
The non-smoker's opinion is understandable.
die Meinung means the opinion, and verständlich means understandable. Des Nichtrauchers is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Viele Nichtraucher mögen rauchfreie Cafés.
Many non-smokers like smoke-free cafés.
viele means many, mögen means like, and rauchfreie Cafés means smoke-free cafés. Nichtraucher is plural without an ending; viele and the plural verb mögen show this clearly.
die Nichtraucherin — female non-smoker
Nichtraucherin is the specifically feminine form of Nichtraucher. Its plural is Nichtraucherinnen, with the ending -innen.
Die Nichtraucherin wartet vor dem Gebäude.
The non-smoker is waiting in front of the building.
warten means to wait, vor dem Gebäude means in front of the building, and das Gebäude means the building. Die Nichtraucherin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich treffe die Nichtraucherin später.
I am meeting the non-smoker later.
treffen means to meet, and später means later. Die Nichtraucherin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the feminine article is identical in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Nichtraucherin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the non-smoker for her help.
danken means to thank, für ihre Hilfe means for her help, and die Hilfe means help. Der Nichtraucherin is dative because danken governs the dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Auto der Nichtraucherin steht draußen.
The non-smoker's car is outside.
das Auto means the car, stehen means to stand or be located, and draußen means outside. Der Nichtraucherin is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the feminine noun has no genitive ending.
Die Nichtraucherinnen sitzen zusammen.
The non-smoking women are sitting together.
sitzen means to sit, and zusammen means together. Nichtraucherinnen is plural because -innen is the regular plural ending for feminine nouns in -in; the plural subject takes sitzen.
die Notaufnahme — emergency department, emergency room
Notaufnahme is a compound of Not (emergency or urgent need) and Aufnahme (admission or reception). In Germany, people commonly go to a Notaufnahme for urgent medical treatment without an appointment.
Die Notaufnahme ist heute sehr voll.
The emergency department is very full today.
heute means today, and sehr voll means very crowded. Die Notaufnahme is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir rufen die Notaufnahme an.
We call the emergency department.
wir rufen ... an means we call, and the two-part verb is separable. die Notaufnahme is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; in this main clause rufen is in position two and an goes to the end.
Der Arzt bringt den Patienten in die Notaufnahme.
The doctor takes the patient to the emergency department.
der Arzt means the doctor, bringt means takes or brings, and den Patienten means the patient. in die Notaufnahme is accusative because it shows movement into the department; with a fixed location, in would take the dative: in der Notaufnahme.
Die Tür der Notaufnahme ist geschlossen.
The emergency department's door is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. der Notaufnahme is genitive and shows which department the door belongs to; geschlossen is a predicative adjective after ist and therefore has no ending.
In großen Städten gibt es mehrere Notaufnahmen.
There are several emergency departments in large cities.
in großen Städten means in large cities, and gibt es means there are. Notaufnahmen is plural after mehrere; the phrase es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural article is not visible here.
der Notfall — emergency
The fixed phrase im Notfall means in an emergency. Der Notfall is broader than a medical emergency and can describe any urgent dangerous situation.
Der Notfall beginnt plötzlich.
The emergency starts suddenly.
beginnt means starts, and plötzlich means suddenly. Der Notfall is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir melden den Notfall sofort.
We report the emergency immediately.
melden means report or notify, and sofort means immediately. Den Notfall is accusative because it is the direct object of melden; melden is in position two.
Im Notfall rufen Sie die 112 an.
In an emergency, call 112.
im means in the, rufen Sie ... an means call, and die 112 is the emergency number 112. Im Notfall is dative because in describes the situation here; the separable verb places an at the end.
Die Ursache des Notfalls ist noch unbekannt.
The cause of the emergency is still unknown.
die Ursache is the cause, noch means still, and unbekannt means unknown. Des Notfalls is genitive to show which cause is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Bei Notfällen wählen Sie die 112.
In emergencies, dial 112.
bei means in the event of or in cases of, and wählen means dial or choose. Notfällen is plural dative because bei requires the dative; the plural ending is -fällen, with an extra -n in the dative plural.
Was tun wir im Notfall?
What do we do in an emergency?
was tun wir means what do we do. Im Notfall is dative because in describes a situation rather than movement; in this question, tun follows the question word and is in position two.
der Nährstoff — nutrient
As a countable noun, der Nährstoff usually refers to one particular nutrient; the general substance is often expressed with the plural Nährstoffe.
Der Nährstoff ist wichtig für den Körper.
The nutrient is important for the body.
wichtig means important and der Körper means the body. Der Nährstoff is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der Körper braucht den Nährstoff.
The body needs the nutrient.
der Körper means the body and brauchen means to need. Den Nährstoff is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Der Arzt erklärt dem Patienten die Wirkung von dem Nährstoff.
The doctor explains the effect of the nutrient to the patient.
der Arzt is the doctor, erklären means to explain, der Patient is the patient, and die Wirkung is the effect. Dem Nährstoff is dative because von always takes the dative, while dem Patienten is also dative as the person receiving the explanation.
Die Bedeutung des Nährstoffs ist noch nicht klar.
The importance of the nutrient is not yet clear.
die Bedeutung means importance, noch nicht means not yet, and klar means clear. Des Nährstoffs is genitive because it identifies whose importance is meant; the masculine noun takes -s and the article is des.
Obst und Gemüse enthalten viele Nährstoffe.
Fruit and vegetables contain many nutrients.
Obst means fruit, Gemüse means vegetables, enthalten means contain, and viele means many. Nährstoffe is accusative plural because it is the object of enthalten; the plural has the ending -e.
die Ordination — doctor's practice, consulting room (especially Austrian)
This is especially common in Austria; in Germany, die Arztpraxis is more usual. It can refer to the practice itself or to a doctor's consultation.
Die Ordination ist heute geschlossen.
The doctor's practice is closed today.
geschlossen means closed and heute means today. Die Ordination is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche die Ordination.
I am looking for the doctor's practice.
ich suche means I am looking for, and suchen means to look for. die Ordination is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Ich bin in der Ordination.
I am at the doctor's practice.
ich bin means I am and in means in or at. Here in describes a location, so it takes the dative der Ordination; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Die Tür der Ordination ist offen.
The door of the doctor's practice is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. der Ordination is genitive because it shows whose door it is, and the finite verb ist agrees with the nominative subject die Tür.
In dieser Straße gibt es drei Ordinationen.
There are three doctors' practices on this street.
diese Straße means this street, gibt es means there is or there are, and drei means three. drei Ordinationen is plural, while es gibt takes an accusative object; the verb phrase gibt es comes after the opening prepositional phrase.
der Patient — patient
This is a weak masculine noun: use Patient only in the nominative singular, and Patienten in the other singular cases and in the plural.
Der Patient wartet im Wartezimmer.
The patient is waiting in the waiting room.
wartet means is waiting and das Wartezimmer means waiting room. Der Patient is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht den Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient.
der Arzt means doctor and untersucht means examines. Den Patienten is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Die Ärztin hilft dem Patienten.
The female doctor helps the patient.
die Ärztin means female doctor and hilft means helps. Helfen takes the dative, so the noun is dem Patienten, with -en because Patient is a weak masculine noun.
Der Zustand des Patienten verbessert sich.
The patient's condition is improving.
der Zustand means condition and verbessert sich means improves. Des Patienten is genitive to show whose condition it is, and the weak noun keeps -en; sich is the reflexive pronoun.
Die Klinik betreut viele Patienten.
The clinic cares for many patients.
die Klinik means clinic, betreut means cares for, and viele means many. Patienten is plural and accusative because it is the object of betreuen; its plural looks like the other non-nominative singular forms.
die Patientin — female patient
This is the feminine form of der Patient. Its plural is Patientinnen, with the ending -innen typical of many feminine job and person nouns.
Die Patientin wartet im Wartezimmer.
The female patient is waiting in the waiting room.
wartet means is waiting and das Wartezimmer means waiting room. Die Patientin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Patientin.
The doctor examines the female patient.
der Arzt means doctor and untersucht means examines. Die Patientin is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, but the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Ärztin hilft der Patientin.
The female doctor helps the female patient.
die Ärztin means female doctor and hilft means helps. Helfen takes the dative, so der Patientin is used; feminine der can be confused with the masculine nominative article.
Der Zustand der Patientin verbessert sich.
The female patient's condition is improving.
der Zustand means condition and verbessert sich means improves. Der Patientin is genitive because it shows whose condition is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Klinik betreut viele Patientinnen.
The clinic cares for many female patients.
die Klinik means clinic, betreut means cares for, and viele means many. Patientinnen is plural and accusative because it is the object of betreuen; the plural ending is -innen.
das Pflaster — plaster; pavement; paving; area, neighbourhood
In the medical sense, das Pflaster is an adhesive plaster for a small wound. The same word also means a paved surface or pavement; the plural is unchanged: die Pflaster.
Das Pflaster ist auf meinem Finger.
The plaster is on my finger.
mein Finger means my finger. Das Pflaster is nominative because it is the subject, while meinem Finger is dative after the location phrase auf when there is no movement.
Ich brauche ein Pflaster.
I need a plaster.
brauchen means to need. ein Pflaster is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kind ein Pflaster.
I give the child a plaster.
geben means to give and das Kind means the child. dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Pflaster is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe des Pflasters passt nicht zum Verband.
The colour of the plaster does not match the bandage.
die Farbe means the colour, passt nicht means does not match, and der Verband means the bandage. des Pflasters is genitive to show whose colour is meant; zum Verband is short for zu dem Verband and is dative.
In der Schachtel liegen drei Pflaster.
There are three plasters in the box.
die Schachtel means the box and liegen means are lying. Pflaster stays unchanged in the plural, and in der Schachtel is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Das alte Pflaster ist sehr uneben.
The old paving is very uneven.
alt means old and uneben means uneven. Das alte Pflaster is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Dieses Pflaster ist ein teures Wohngebiet.
This area is an expensive residential district.
dieses means this, teuer means expensive, and das Wohngebiet means residential district. Dieses Pflaster is the subject after ist; the noun after the copula is also nominative, not accusative.
die Pille — pill, tablet; contraceptive pill
Die Pille can mean an ordinary medicine tablet, but in everyday conversation it can also mean the contraceptive pill. The exact meaning usually comes from context, especially verbs such as nehmen or verschreiben.
Die Pille liegt auf dem Tisch.
The pill is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. die Pille is the nominative subject; auf dem Tisch uses the dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Nimm die Pille mit Wasser.
Take the pill with water.
nimm means take, mit Wasser means with water. die Pille is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; nimm is the informal singular imperative and comes first.
Nach der Pille geht es ihr besser.
After taking the pill, she feels better.
nach means after, ihr means to her, and besser means better. nach der Pille uses the dative because nach always takes dative; the phrase comes first, so geht remains the verb in position two.
Die Wirkung der Pille beginnt bald.
The effect of the pill begins soon.
die Wirkung means the effect and bald means soon. der Pille is genitive because it identifies which pill has the effect; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Der Arzt verschreibt verschiedene Pillen.
The doctor prescribes different pills.
der Arzt means the doctor, verschreibt means prescribes, and verschiedene means different. Pillen is plural and accusative because it is the object of verschreiben; the plural is made with -n.
Sie nimmt die Pille jeden Morgen.
She takes the pill every morning.
sie means she and jeden Morgen means every morning. die Pille is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nimmt is in position two, and the time expression comes later.
Viele Frauen sprechen mit ihrer Ärztin über die Pille.
Many women talk to their doctor about the pill.
viele Frauen means many women, ihre Ärztin means their female doctor, and sprechen über means talk about. über takes the accusative in this meaning, so die Pille is accusative; mit takes the dative in mit ihrer Ärztin.
der Rauch — smoke
Rauch is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For smoke coming from a fire, use der Rauch; for exhaust or harmful gases, die Abgase or die Dämpfe may be more precise.
Der Rauch steigt aus dem Schornstein.
The smoke is rising from the chimney.
steigt auf means rises, and der Schornstein is the chimney. Der Rauch is nominative because it is the subject; aus takes the dative in dem Schornstein, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Rauch.
I can see the smoke.
ich sehe means I can see. den Rauch is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the definite article changes from der to den in the masculine accusative.
Wegen des Rauchs bleibt das Fenster offen.
The window stays open because of the smoke.
wegen means because of, bleibt offen means stays open, and das Fenster is the window. des Rauchs is genitive because wegen commonly takes the genitive; do not mistake this example’s case label for a dative construction.
Die Farbe des Rauchs ist dunkel.
The colour of the smoke is dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. des Rauchs is genitive because it means “of the smoke”; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach dem Brand roch das Haus nach Rauch.
After the fire, the house smelled of smoke.
nach dem Brand means after the fire, roch means smelled, and das Haus is the house. This is not a true plural example: Rauch is a mass noun and has no normal plural; nach takes the dative for time, while nach Rauch is the fixed phrase meaning of smoke.
die Rettung — rescue; salvation; lifesaver; salvation
For a specific rescue, use the countable noun die Rettung; for the general idea of salvation, it is often used without a plural. The phrase Rettung vor takes vor with the dative when it means protection from something.
Die Rettung kam in letzter Minute.
The rescue came at the last minute.
die letzte Minute means the last minute. Kam means came, and in letzter Minute means at the last possible moment. The headword is the subject in the nominative case, and the finite verb kam stands in position two.
Alle warteten auf die Rettung.
Everyone was waiting for the rescue.
alle means everyone, and warteten means waited. Auf with the meaning of waiting for takes the accusative here, so die Rettung is an accusative object; the finite verb warteten is in position two.
Die Helfer näherten sich der Rettung.
The helpers approached the rescue site.
die Helfer means the helpers, and näherten sich means approached. The verb sich nähern takes the dative, so der Rettung is dative; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb.
Der Beginn der Rettung wurde live übertragen.
The beginning of the rescue was broadcast live.
der Beginn means the beginning, and live übertragen means broadcast live. Der Rettung is genitive after der Beginn to show whose beginning it is; the passive verb phrase wurde übertragen surrounds the information about the rescue.
Schnelle Rettungen sind nicht immer möglich.
Quick rescues are not always possible.
schnelle means quick, and möglich means possible. Rettungen is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; the ending on schnelle shows the plural form.
Dein Anruf war meine Rettung.
Your phone call was my salvation.
dein Anruf means your phone call, and meine means my. After war, the noun phrase is a predicate complement, not an accusative object; meine Rettung names what the phone call was.
Der Regenschirm war die Rettung bei dem starken Regen.
The umbrella was a lifesaver in the heavy rain.
der Regenschirm means the umbrella, and starker Regen means heavy rain. After war, die Rettung is a predicate noun; bei takes the dative, so dem starken Regen is dative.
die Salbe — ointment, salve
Salbe is normally used for a medicine or cream put on the skin. It is a feminine noun, so the plural is Salben, not Salbes.
Die Salbe hilft gegen den Juckreiz.
The ointment helps against the itching.
helfen means to help, gegen means against, and der Juckreiz is itching. Die Salbe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Ich trage die Salbe auf die Wunde auf.
I apply the ointment to the wound.
auftragen means to apply, and die Wunde is the wound. Die Salbe is accusative because it is the direct object of auftragen; the separable verb appears as trage ... auf in the main clause.
Der Arzt gibt mir der Salbe einen neuen Namen.
The doctor gives the ointment a new name.
der Arzt is the doctor, geben means to give, and einen neuen Namen means a new name. Der Salbe is dative here because it is the indirect object of geben; the direct object is einen neuen Namen.
Die Wirkung der Salbe beginnt nach zehn Minuten.
The effect of the ointment begins after ten minutes.
die Wirkung means the effect, beginnen means to begin, and nach zehn Minuten means after ten minutes. Der Salbe is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
In der Apotheke stehen viele Salben.
There are many ointments in the pharmacy.
die Apotheke is the pharmacy, stehen means are standing or are displayed, and viele means many. Salben is plural after viele; in der Apotheke is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Meine Salbe ist fast leer.
My ointment is almost empty.
meine means my, and fast leer means almost empty. Salbe is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
der Sanitäter — paramedic, first aider
The word is used for a trained person who gives immediate medical help. Its plural is Sanitäter, with no ending, while the genitive singular is des Sanitäters.
Der Sanitäter hilft dem verletzten Mann.
The paramedic helps the injured man.
hilft means helps, verletzt means injured, and der Mann means the man. Der Sanitäter is nominative because it is the subject, while dem verletzten Mann is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Ich rufe den Sanitäter.
I call the paramedic.
rufe means call. Den Sanitäter is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; this masculine noun changes its article from der to den in the accusative.
Ich spreche mit dem Sanitäter.
I speak with the paramedic.
spreche means speak and mit means with. Dem Sanitäter is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Die Entscheidung des Sanitäters war richtig.
The paramedic’s decision was right.
die Entscheidung means the decision and richtig means right or correct. Des Sanitäters is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the masculine noun adds -s in this case.
Sanitäter arbeiten bei dem Rennen.
Paramedics are working at the race.
arbeiten means work, bei means at, and das Rennen means the race. Sanitäter is plural even though it has no visible ending; the plural verb arbeiten and the context show this.
die Sauberkeit — cleanliness; hygiene
Sauberkeit is normally an uncountable quality, so it has no plural. In contexts such as hotels, hospitals, or food preparation, it can mean hygiene as well as general cleanliness.
Sauberkeit ist in der Küche wichtig.
Cleanliness is important in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen and wichtig means important. Sauberkeit is the uncountable nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kontrollieren die Sauberkeit jeden Abend.
We check the cleanliness every evening.
kontrollieren means to check and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Sauberkeit is accusative because it is the direct object of kontrollieren; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Hotel legt großen Wert auf Sauberkeit.
The hotel places great value on cleanliness.
das Hotel is the hotel, großen Wert auf etwas legen means to place great value on something, and groß means great. The fixed preposition auf takes the accusative here, although the mass noun has the same visible form; legt is in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Sauberkeit wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of cleanliness is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means importance, oft means often, and unterschätzen means to underestimate. Der Sauberkeit is genitive because it tells us whose importance is meant; wird unterschätzt is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
der Schaden — damage; harm; loss; harm; disadvantage
Der Schaden is usually uncountable when it means general damage, but die Schäden refers to separate kinds or cases of damage. Do not confuse the noun with the verb schaden, which takes a dative object.
Der Sturm hat großen Schaden verursacht.
The storm caused a lot of damage.
Der Sturm means “the storm”, großen means “great” or “a lot of”, and verursacht means “caused”. Der Sturm is nominative because it is the subject; hat is in position two and verursacht goes to the end in the perfect.
Die Versicherung bezahlt den Schaden.
The insurance company pays for the damage.
Die Versicherung means “the insurance company”, bezahlt means “pays”, and bezahlen means “to pay for”. Den Schaden is accusative because it is the direct object of bezahlt; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir helfen dem Nachbarn bei dem Schaden.
We help the neighbour with the damage.
Wir means “we”, helfen means “help”, and dem Nachbarn means “the neighbour”. Dem Nachbarn is dative because helfen takes the dative, while bei dem Schaden is also dative because bei always governs the dative.
Die Ursache des Schadens ist noch unklar.
The cause of the damage is still unclear.
Die Ursache means “the cause”, noch means “still”, and unklar means “unclear”. Des Schadens is genitive because it identifies what the cause belongs to; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Nach dem Unfall gab es mehrere Schäden.
There were several cases of damage after the accident.
Nach dem Unfall means “after the accident”, gab es means “there were”, and mehrere means “several”. Schäden is the plural form with ä and -e; nach dem Unfall is dative because nach governs the dative.
Das ist ein großer Schaden für die Umwelt.
That is a major disadvantage for the environment.
Das ist means “that is”, ein großer means “a major”, and die Umwelt means “the environment”. Ein großer Schaden is a predicative noun after sein, while für die Umwelt uses the accusative after für.
Der Streit hat unserer Freundschaft Schaden zugefügt.
The argument harmed our friendship.
Der Streit means “the argument”, unserer Freundschaft means “our friendship”, and zugefügt means “caused” or “inflicted”. Unserer Freundschaft is dative because the fixed expression Schaden zufügen gives the affected person or thing the dative; zugefügt goes to the end in the perfect.
der Schmerz — pain; ache; emotional pain; suffering
German often uses the plural Schmerzen when speaking about pain in general or pain in several places. The genitive is des Schmerzes, with -es.
Der Schmerz ist fast weg.
The pain is almost gone.
fast means almost and weg means gone. Der Schmerz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich spüre den Schmerz im Rücken.
I feel the pain in my back.
spüre means feel, and Rücken means back. Den Schmerz is accusative because spüren takes a direct object; im Rücken means in the back and contains dative in dem.
Der Arzt hilft mir bei dem Schmerz.
The doctor helps me with the pain.
Arzt means doctor and hilft means helps. Bei always takes the dative, so dem Schmerz is dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Ursache des Schmerzes ist unklar.
The cause of the pain is unclear.
Ursache means cause and unklar means unclear. Des Schmerzes is genitive because it identifies whose cause it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Schmerzen werden langsam besser.
The pains are slowly getting better.
werden means become or get, langsam means slowly, and besser means better. Die Schmerzen is plural nominative as the subject; werden is in position two.
Der Verlust verursachte großen Schmerz.
The loss caused great pain.
Verlust means loss and verursachte means caused. Großen Schmerz is accusative because verursachen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after the unmarked masculine accusative.
Sie sprach offen über ihren Schmerz.
She spoke openly about her pain.
sprach offen means spoke openly, and über means about. Über takes the accusative in this meaning, so ihren Schmerz is accusative; the finite verb sprach is in position two.
schmerzhaft — painful
schmerzhaft describes something that causes or involves pain, especially in a medical context. Its comparison is regular: schmerzhafter, am schmerzhaftesten.
Die Behandlung ist schmerzhaft.
The treatment is painful.
die Behandlung means the treatment. schmerzhaft comes after the linking verb ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der Arzt erklärt eine schmerzhafte Untersuchung.
The doctor explains a painful examination.
der Arzt is the doctor and die Untersuchung is the examination. eine schmerzhafte Untersuchung is accusative because erklären takes an accusative object, and the feminine adjective ending is -e after eine.
Der zweite Eingriff war schmerzhafter als der erste.
The second procedure was more painful than the first one.
der zweite Eingriff means the second procedure, and der erste means the first one. schmerzhafter compares two things with als; after the linking verb war, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das war der schmerzhafteste Moment der Behandlung.
That was the most painful moment of the treatment.
der Moment is the moment and die Behandlung is the treatment. schmerzhafteste is the superlative before a noun and takes -e after der; der Behandlung is genitive, showing whose moment it was.
das Schmerzmittel — painkiller, pain medication
The compound Schmerzmittel combines Schmerz, pain, and Mittel, remedy or medicine. It is a countable neuter noun, and its plural is unchanged: die Schmerzmittel.
Das Schmerzmittel wirkt schnell.
The painkiller works quickly.
wirkt schnell means works quickly. Das Schmerzmittel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wirkt stands in position two.
Ich nehme das Schmerzmittel nach dem Essen.
I take the painkiller after eating.
nehmen means to take, and nach dem Essen means after eating. das Schmerzmittel is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Der Arzt gibt mir dem Schmerzmittel?
The doctor gives me the painkiller?
der Arzt is the doctor and gibt means gives. This sentence is not natural with dem Schmerzmittel as the intended thing given: the noun should normally be accusative, das Schmerzmittel, while the person receiving it is dative, mir.
Die Wirkung des Schmerzmittels hält vier Stunden an.
The effect of the painkiller lasts four hours.
die Wirkung is the effect, hält ... an means lasts, and vier Stunden means four hours. des Schmerzmittels is genitive after die Wirkung, showing whose effect it is; the separable verb puts an at the end of the main clause.
Viele Schmerzmittel machen müde.
Many painkillers make you tired.
viele means many and müde machen means make someone tired. Schmerzmittel has the same form in the singular and plural; viele and the meaning identify the plural subject.
die Schmerztablette — pain tablet, painkiller tablet
Schmerztablette is a specific form of Schmerzmittel: it is pain medicine in tablet form. The feminine noun has the regular plural Schmerztabletten.
Die Schmerztablette hilft gegen die Kopfschmerzen.
The pain tablet helps with the headache.
hilft gegen means helps with or relieves, and die Kopfschmerzen means the headache. Die Schmerztablette is nominative because it is the subject; gegen always takes the accusative case.
Ich nehme eine Schmerztablette.
I take a pain tablet.
nehmen means to take. eine Schmerztablette is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, while the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester eine Schmerztablette.
I give my sister a pain tablet.
geben means to give and meine Schwester means my sister. The recipient meiner Schwester is dative, while eine Schmerztablette is accusative as the thing given.
Die Wirkung der Schmerztablette beginnt nach zwanzig Minuten.
The effect of the pain tablet begins after twenty minutes.
die Wirkung is the effect, beginnt means begins, and zwanzig Minuten means twenty minutes. der Schmerztablette is genitive after die Wirkung; nach zwanzig Minuten uses dative because nach governs the dative.
Zwei Schmerztabletten liegen auf dem Tisch.
Two pain tablets are lying on the table.
zwei means two, liegen means are lying, and der Tisch is the table. Schmerztabletten is plural, and auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location rather than movement.
der Schnupfen — cold, runny nose
Der Schnupfen is normally a singular-only mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. To say that someone has a cold, German commonly uses Schnupfen haben rather than an article-free English-style phrase with cold.
Der Schnupfen ist fast weg.
The cold is almost gone.
fast means almost and weg means gone. Der Schnupfen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe den Schnupfen seit drei Tagen.
I have had the cold for three days.
seit drei Tagen means for three days. Den Schnupfen is accusative because haben takes a direct object; seit introduces the time period and takes the dative, although the plural form has no visible article ending here.
Bei dem Schnupfen 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. Dem Schnupfen is dative because bei always takes the dative; the phrase Bei dem Schnupfen occupies position one, so trinke comes before ich.
Wegen des Schnupfens bleibe ich zu Hause.
Because of the cold, I am staying at home.
wegen means because of and zu Hause means at home. Des Schnupfens is genitive because formal standard German uses genitive after wegen; the opening phrase causes the finite verb bleibe to come before ich.
schonen — to spare; to treat gently; to take it easy; to conserve; to use sparingly
Schonen normally takes an accusative object, as in die Umwelt schonen; the reflexive use sich schonen means to take it easy and usually has an accusative reflexive pronoun.
Wir schonen die Umwelt.
We protect the environment.
wir means we and die Umwelt means the environment. Die Umwelt is accusative because schonen takes a direct object, and the finite verb schonen stands in position two.
Nach der Operation hat sie sich geschont.
After the operation, she took it easy.
nach der Operation means after the operation, and sich geschont means took it easy. Nach takes the dative here, while sich is an accusative reflexive pronoun; hat is in position two and geschont goes to the end.
Der Arzt schonte das verletzte Knie.
The doctor treated the injured knee gently.
der Arzt means the doctor, verletzte means injured, and das Knie means the knee. Das verletzte Knie is accusative as the direct object, and the weak past form schonte is the finite verb in position two.
Schon deine Augen!
Rest your eyes!
deine Augen means your eyes. Deine Augen is accusative because schonen takes a direct object; the imperative schon comes first and the subject du is omitted.
Wenn du krank bist, schontest du dich.
If you are ill, you would take it easy.
wenn means if, krank means ill, and dich means yourself. The form schontest is Konjunktiv II, used here for a hypothetical result; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause, while dich is accusative.
Wir werden unsere Kräfte schonen.
We will conserve our energy.
unsere Kräfte means our strength or energy. Unsere Kräfte is accusative because schonen takes a direct object; werden is in position two and the infinitive schonen goes to the end.
Wir müssen beim Drucken Papier schonen.
We must use paper sparingly when printing.
müssen means must, beim Drucken means when printing, and Papier means paper. Papier is accusative as the object of schonen; after the modal verb müssen, the infinitive schonen goes to the end.
Das neue Programm schont den Akku.
The new program conserves the battery.
das neue Programm means the new program and der Akku means the battery. Den Akku is accusative because it is the direct object, and the finite verb schont stands in position two.
die Schutzbrille — protective goggles; safety glasses
The compound Schutzbrille combines Schutz, meaning protection, with Brille, meaning glasses. It is usually worn during work that could harm the eyes.
Die Schutzbrille liegt auf dem Tisch.
The protective goggles are on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Die Schutzbrille is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Bitte trag die Schutzbrille beim Bohren.
Please wear the protective goggles when drilling.
trag means “wear,” beim Bohren means “while drilling,” and bitte means “please.” Die Schutzbrille is accusative because tragen takes a direct object, while the imperative trag comes first.
Ich arbeite mit der Schutzbrille.
I work with the protective goggles.
arbeite means “work,” and mit means “with.” Der Schutzbrille is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb arbeite stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Schutzbrille ist blau.
The colour of the protective goggles is blue.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and blau means “blue.” Der Schutzbrille is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Labor liegen Schutzbrillen für alle.
There are protective goggles for everyone in the laboratory.
im Labor means “in the laboratory,” and für alle means “for everyone.” Schutzbrillen is plural, and im is short for in dem, which takes the dative for a location; the verb liegen agrees with the plural subject.
Diese Schutzbrille schützt die Augen vor Chemikalien.
These protective goggles protect the eyes from chemicals.
schützt means “protects,” die Augen means “the eyes,” and Chemikalien means “chemicals.” Die Augen is accusative as the object of schützt, while vor Chemikalien uses vor with the dative; the finite verb schützt is in position two.
Für die Arbeit brauche ich eine Schutzbrille mit Seitenschutz.
For the work, I need protective goggles with side protection.
für die Arbeit means “for the work,” brauche means “need,” and Seitenschutz means side protection. Eine Schutzbrille is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; mit Seitenschutz uses the dative after mit.
der Schutzhelm — safety helmet
The compound Schutzhelm combines Schutz, meaning protection, with Helm, meaning helmet. It is common on building sites and in other dangerous workplaces.
Der Schutzhelm sitzt gut.
The safety helmet fits well.
sitzt gut means “fits well.” Der Schutzhelm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sitzt stands in position two.
Der Arbeiter trägt den Schutzhelm.
The worker is wearing the safety helmet.
der Arbeiter means “the worker,” and trägt means “wears.” Den Schutzhelm is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Mit dem Schutzhelm bist du sicherer.
With the safety helmet, you are safer.
mit means “with,” and sicherer means “safer.” Dem Schutzhelm is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb bist is in position two.
Die Farbe des Schutzhelms ist gelb.
The colour of the safety helmet is yellow.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and gelb means “yellow.” Des Schutzhelms is genitive because it shows which helmet the colour belongs to; the noun adds -s in this case.
Auf der Baustelle tragen alle Schutzhelme.
Everyone on the building site wears safety helmets.
auf der Baustelle means “on the building site,” and alle means “everyone.” Schutzhelme is plural and is accusative because it is the object of tragen; the subject alle comes before the finite verb.
schwach — weak; faint; low; poor; unconvincing
Schwach can describe a person’s physical strength, a signal, a drink, or another low level of power. Its opposite is stark, meaning strong.
Nach der Krankheit bin ich noch schwach.
I am still weak after the illness.
nach der Krankheit means “after the illness,” and noch means “still.” Schwach is predicative after bin and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Das ist ein schwacher Kaffee.
That is a weak coffee.
Kaffee means coffee, and ein means “a.” Schwacher comes before the masculine noun Kaffee and has an adjective ending because it is part of the nominative subject complement after ist.
Heute ist der Wind schwächer als gestern.
Today the wind is weaker than yesterday.
heute means “today,” der Wind means “the wind,” and gestern means “yesterday.” Schwächer compares today with yesterday and is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Am Abend ist der Akku am schwächsten.
In the evening, the battery is at its weakest.
am Abend means “in the evening,” and der Akku means “the battery.” Am schwächsten is the superlative after ist and means “at its weakest”; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Seine Erklärung war ziemlich schwach.
His explanation was rather unconvincing.
seine Erklärung means “his explanation,” and ziemlich means “rather” or “quite.” Schwach is predicative after war, so it does not take an adjective ending; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Das Team zeigte eine schwache Leistung.
The team gave a poor performance.
das Team means “the team,” zeigte means “showed,” and Leistung means performance. Eine schwache Leistung is accusative because it is the object of zeigte, and schwache takes an ending before the feminine noun Leistung.
schwanger — pregnant
Schwanger describes a person who is carrying a baby. The usual expressions are schwanger sein and schwanger werden; the comparative and superlative exist but are uncommon.
Meine Schwester ist schwanger.
My sister is pregnant.
meine Schwester means my sister. Schwanger is predicative because it comes after ist, a form of sein, and it therefore has no adjective ending.
Eine schwangere Frau wartet vor der Praxis.
A pregnant woman is waiting outside the doctor’s office.
eine Frau means a woman, wartet means is waiting, vor means outside or in front of, and die Praxis means the doctor’s office. Schwangere stands before Frau and takes -e because it is an attributive adjective after the indefinite article eine.
Sie fühlt sich heute schwangerer als letzte Woche.
She feels more pregnant today than last week.
sich fühlen means to feel, heute means today, and letzte Woche means last week. Schwangerer is comparative and is followed by als; sich is accusative because fühlen is used reflexively here.
Im neunten Monat fühlt sie sich am schwangersten.
In the ninth month, she feels the most pregnant.
im neunten Monat means in the ninth month, and fühlt sich means feels. Am schwangersten is the predicative superlative with am; it does not take an adjective ending because it does not stand before a noun.
Der Test zeigt, dass sie schwanger ist.
The test shows that she is pregnant.
der Test means test, zeigt means shows, and dass means that. In the subordinate clause introduced by dass, the finite verb ist goes to the end, while schwanger remains the predicative adjective.
Die schwangere Ärztin arbeitet heute weiter.
The pregnant doctor continues working today.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, arbeitet means works, heute means today, and weiter means on or further. Schwangere is attributive before Ärztin and has the ending -e after the definite article die.
der Schweiß — sweat; hard work, effort
Schweiß is usually an uncountable substance, so German normally does not use a plural. It often appears with der Schweiß or with expressions such as im Schweiß baden.
Der Schweiß läuft ihm über die Stirn.
Sweat is running down his forehead.
die Stirn means forehead, and über means over or down across. Der Schweiß is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb läuft is in position two, while ihm is dative for the person affected.
Ich wische den Schweiß mit einem Handtuch ab.
I wipe away the sweat with a towel.
wischen means to wipe, das Handtuch means towel, and abwischen means to wipe away. Den Schweiß is accusative because abwischen takes a direct object; the separable prefix ab stands at the end of this main clause.
Nach dem Lauf tropft mir der Schweiß.
After the run, sweat is dripping from me.
der Lauf means the run, and tropfen means to drip. Mir is dative for the person from whom the sweat drips, while der Schweiß is the nominative subject; the verb tropft remains in position two.
Die Ursache des Schweißes ist die Hitze.
The cause of the sweat is the heat.
die Ursache means cause and die Hitze means heat. Des Schweißes is genitive because it identifies what kind of cause it is; the linking verb ist connects the subject and its description.
Sportler verlieren viel Schweiß.
Athletes lose a lot of sweat.
Sportler means athletes and verlieren means lose; viel means a lot of. Schweiß is a mass noun here, so it has no plural; it is accusative because verlieren takes a direct object.
Der Erfolg wurde mit viel Schweiß erreicht.
The success was achieved through a great deal of hard work.
der Erfolg means success and erreichen means to achieve; viel means a lot of. Mit takes the dative, but this expression uses uncountable Schweiß without an article; the passive form wurde erreicht puts the action in the past.
Ohne Schweiß gibt es keinen Erfolg.
Without hard work, there is no success.
ohne means without, geben means there is or are in this pattern, and keinen Erfolg means no success. Ohne takes the accusative, but the mass noun Schweiß is used without an article; keinen negates the masculine accusative noun Erfolg.
die Schwäche — weakness, lack of strength; fault, weakness; liking
For physical weakness, Schwäche is often used with haben or spüren. The plural Schwächen means several weaknesses.
Schwäche ist nach einer Krankheit normal.
Weakness is normal after an illness.
nach einer Krankheit means after an illness, and normal means normal. Schwäche is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach dem langen Lauf spürt er die Schwäche.
After the long run, he feels the weakness.
nach dem langen Lauf means after the long run, and spürt means feels. die Schwäche is accusative because it is the object of spürt, while the finite verb spürt is in position two.
Mit seiner Schwäche kann er heute nicht arbeiten.
With his weakness, he cannot work today.
mit seiner Schwäche means with his weakness, and heute means today. mit always takes the dative, so seiner Schwäche is dative; kann stands in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Ursache der Schwäche ist noch unklar.
The cause of the weakness is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and unklar means unclear. der Schwäche is genitive because it identifies whose cause it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach der Reise hatte sie mehrere Schwächen.
After the journey, she had several weaknesses.
nach der Reise means after the journey, and mehrere means several. Schwächen is plural and accusative because it is the object of hatte; the plural article is not shown after mehrere.
Meine Schwäche ist Schokolade.
My weakness is chocolate.
meine means my, and Schokolade means chocolate. Meine Schwäche is the subject, so it is nominative; ist is in position two, and this sentence says that chocolate is a personal failing or temptation.
Er hat eine Schwäche für alte Filme.
He has a weakness for old films.
alte Filme means old films, and für means for. eine Schwäche is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; für also takes the accusative in the fixed phrase eine Schwäche für.
schützen — to protect, to keep safe
Schützen takes an accusative object: jemanden/etwas schützen. With protection from a danger, use vor plus dative, as in jemanden vor der Kälte schützen; the verb can also be reflexive in sich schützen.
Wir schützen die Umwelt.
We protect the environment.
wir means we and die Umwelt is the environment. Die Umwelt is accusative because schützen takes a direct object, and the finite verb schützen is in position two.
Die Polizei hat das Gebäude geschützt.
The police protected the building.
die Polizei is the police and das Gebäude is the building. Das Gebäude is accusative because it is the object; the perfect uses hat plus geschützt, with the Partizip II at the end.
Der Helm schützte seinen Kopf.
The helmet protected his head.
der Helm is the helmet and sein Kopf means his head. Seinen Kopf is accusative because it is what was protected, and schützte is the finite past verb in position two.
Schütze deine Augen vor der Sonne.
Protect your eyes from the sun.
deine Augen means your eyes, and die Sonne is the sun. Deine Augen is accusative because it is the object; vor der Sonne uses the dative after vor here because it means protection from a danger, not movement toward a place.
Ich würde die Kinder besser schützen, wenn ich könnte.
I would protect the children better if I could.
die Kinder are the children, besser means better, and können means can or be able to. Die Kinder is accusative because it is the object; schützen follows würde at the end of the main clause.
Wir werden die Tiere im Winter schützen.
We will protect the animals in winter.
die Tiere are the animals, im Winter means in winter, and Winter means winter. Die Tiere is accusative because it is the direct object; werden is in position two and the infinitive schützen goes to the end.
der Sicherheitsgurt — seat belt, safety belt
This is a compound of die Sicherheit and der Gurt. In a car, den Sicherheitsgurt anlegen means fasten the seat belt; do not translate the compound word by word as a general belt for security.
Der Sicherheitsgurt ist wichtig.
The seat belt is important.
wichtig means important. Der Sicherheitsgurt is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte leg den Sicherheitsgurt an.
Please fasten your seat belt.
bitte means please, and leg ... an means fasten or put on. den Sicherheitsgurt is accusative because anlegen takes a direct object; the separable prefix an moves to the end of the imperative clause.
Mit dem Sicherheitsgurt fahren wir sicherer.
With the seat belt, we drive more safely.
mit means with, and sicherer means more safely here. mit always takes the dative, so dem Sicherheitsgurt is dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two even though the sentence begins with the prepositional phrase.
Die Farbe des Sicherheitsgurtes ist schwarz.
The colour of the seat belt is black.
die Farbe means the colour, and schwarz means black. des Sicherheitsgurtes is genitive after die Farbe and means of the seat belt; the whole phrase Die Farbe des Sicherheitsgurtes is the nominative subject.
Die Sicherheitsgurte liegen auf den Sitzen.
The seat belts are lying on the seats.
liegen means are lying, and die Sitze are the seats. Die Sicherheitsgurte is a plural nominative subject; auf den Sitzen uses dative because the belts are already located there, not moving onto the seats.
die Sprechstunde — consultation hour, office hours
die Sprechstunde is a set time for speaking with a professional, not necessarily one single hour. In a doctor’s practice, it can mean consultation hours when patients may come without a separate appointment.
Die Sprechstunde beginnt um neun Uhr.
The consultation hour begins at nine o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Die Sprechstunde is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche die Sprechstunde am Dienstag.
I attend the consultation hour on Tuesday.
besuche means attend or visit, and am Dienstag means on Tuesday. die Sprechstunde is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; feminine die looks unchanged in this case.
Ich gehe in der Sprechstunde zum Arzt.
I go to the doctor during consultation hours.
gehe means go, and zum Arzt means to the doctor. in der Sprechstunde is dative because it describes when something happens, not movement into the consultation; in uses dative for a fixed setting.
Die Tür der Sprechstunde ist geschlossen.
The consultation-room door is closed.
die Tür is the door, and geschlossen means closed. der Sprechstunde is genitive and shows the door’s connection with the consultation; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Sprechstunden der Ärzte sind voll.
The doctors’ consultation hours are full.
die Ärzte are the doctors, and voll means full or fully booked. Sprechstunden is plural; der Ärzte is genitive plural and means of the doctors.
die Spritze — injection, shot; syringe
In this medical sense, Spritze usually means an injection or shot. It can also mean the syringe itself; the context tells you whether the focus is the treatment or the instrument.
Die Spritze ist schnell vorbei.
The injection is over quickly.
schnell vorbei means over quickly. Die Spritze is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Ärztin gibt mir eine Spritze.
The doctor gives me an injection.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, and gibt means gives. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Spritze is accusative because it is the thing given.
Nach der Spritze ruht er zehn Minuten.
After the injection, he rests for ten minutes.
nach means after, ruht means rests, and zehn Minuten means ten minutes. Der Spritze is dative because nach always takes the dative; the verb ruht is in position two after the fronted time phrase.
Die Wirkung der Spritze beginnt bald.
The effect of the injection begins soon.
die Wirkung means the effect, and beginnt bald means begins soon. Der Spritze is genitive because it identifies the injection whose effect is meant; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Im Kühlschrank liegen noch zwei Spritzen.
There are still two injections in the refrigerator.
im Kühlschrank means in the refrigerator, and noch means still. Zwei Spritzen is plural and adds -n; im Kühlschrank is dative because it describes a location.
Die Krankenschwester hält die Spritze in der Hand.
The nurse is holding the syringe in her hand.
die Krankenschwester means the nurse, and hält means holds. Die Spritze is accusative as the object of hält, while in der Hand is dative because it describes a location.
Die Spritze ist schon mit Medizin gefüllt.
The syringe is already filled with medicine.
schon means already, mit Medizin means with medicine, and gefüllt means filled. Die Spritze is nominative as the subject; mit takes the dative, and ist gefüllt forms a state with the participle at the end.
der Star — star, celebrity; starling
In this sense, der Star means a celebrity, not an astronomical der Stern. Its plural is die Stars.
Der Star gibt heute ein Konzert.
The star is giving a concert today.
ein Konzert is a concert, and heute means today. Der Star is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Fans sehen den Star am Eingang.
The fans see the star at the entrance.
die Fans are the fans, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den Star is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Die Reporterin gibt dem Star ein Mikrofon.
The reporter gives the star a microphone.
die Reporterin is the female reporter, and ein Mikrofon is a microphone. Dem Star is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while ein Mikrofon is the accusative thing given.
Das Auto des Stars steht vor dem Hotel.
The star's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto is the car, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Stars is genitive because it shows possession; vor takes the dative here because the car is located there, not moving there.
Viele Stars wohnen in Berlin.
Many stars live in Berlin.
viele means many, and wohnen means live. Stars is the plural with -s; in Berlin gives the place and does not change the plural noun.
Ein Star sitzt auf dem Dach.
A starling is sitting on the roof.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Dach is the roof. Ein Star is nominative as the subject, while auf dem Dach uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich höre einen Star im Garten.
I hear a starling in the garden.
höre means hear, and der Garten is the garden. Einen Star is accusative because hören takes a direct object; im Garten means in the garden and uses the dative.
sterben — to die
Sterben is a strong verb: sterben – starb – ist gestorben. It normally takes sein in the perfect because it describes a change of state; an plus the dative can name the illness or cause.
Der alte Mann stirbt friedlich.
The old man dies peacefully.
der alte Mann means the old man, and friedlich means peacefully. Stirbt is the third-person singular present form with a stem change from e to i; the finite verb stands in position two.
Meine Großmutter ist letztes Jahr gestorben.
My grandmother died last year.
meine Großmutter means my grandmother, and letztes Jahr means last year. Gestorben pairs with sein because dying is a change of state; ist is in position two and gestorben goes to the end.
Der Vogel starb in der Nacht.
The bird died during the night.
der Vogel means the bird, and in der Nacht means during the night. Starb is the strong-verb preterite of sterben, with no -te ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Stirb nicht für eine dumme Idee!
Don't die for a stupid idea!
nicht means not, and eine dumme Idee means a stupid idea. Stirb is the singular du imperative; für eine dumme Idee is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Wenn du so weiterarbeitest, würdest du bald vor Müdigkeit sterben.
If you keep working like this, you would soon die of exhaustion.
so weiterarbeitest means keep working like this, bald means soon, and vor Müdigkeit means from exhaustion. Würdest ... sterben is the Konjunktiv II conditional; the finite verb würdest comes at the end of the wenn clause, while the infinitive sterben follows it in the main clause.
Die Pflanze wird ohne Wasser sterben.
The plant will die without water.
die Pflanze means the plant, and ohne Wasser means without water. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive sterben at the end; ohne takes the accusative, although the uncountable noun Wasser has no visible article ending.
stärken — to strengthen, to boost; to support, to reinforce
For physical or figurative strength, stärken normally takes an accusative object, as in die Muskeln stärken. The reflexive form sich stärken can mean to refresh oneself with food or drink, but it is less common for beginners.
Regelmäßiger Sport stärkt die Muskeln.
Regular exercise strengthens the muscles.
regelmäßiger Sport means regular exercise, and die Muskeln are the muscles. Die Muskeln is accusative because stärken takes a direct object, while the finite verb stärkt stands in position two.
Der Spaziergang hat meinen Rücken gestärkt.
The walk strengthened my back.
der Spaziergang is the walk, and mein Rücken means my back. The perfect uses hat plus gestärkt; meinen Rücken is accusative because it is the object of stärken.
Die Therapie stärkte ihr Selbstvertrauen.
The therapy strengthened her self-confidence.
die Therapie means the therapy, and ihr Selbstvertrauen means her self-confidence. The weak past form stärkte is in position two, and ihr Selbstvertrauen is accusative as the direct object.
Stärk deine Abwehrkräfte!
Strengthen your immune system!
deine Abwehrkräfte means your immune defences. The du imperative is stärk, the subject is omitted, and the accusative object follows it.
Mehr Schlaf stärkte wahrscheinlich seine Konzentration.
More sleep would probably strengthen his concentration.
mehr Schlaf means more sleep, and wahrscheinlich means probably; seine Konzentration is his concentration. The Konjunktiv II has the same form as the simple past here, and the accusative object follows the verb.
Das Training wird ihre Beine stärken.
The training will strengthen her legs.
das Training means the training, and ihre Beine means her legs. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive stärken goes to the end; ihre Beine is accusative.
Die Kollegin stärkt ihm den Rücken.
The colleague supports him.
die Kollegin is the female colleague, and den Rücken stärken literally means strengthen the back, or support someone. ihm is dative for the person receiving support, while den Rücken is accusative as the thing strengthened.
Die neue Regelung stärkt die Rechte der Mieter.
The new regulation strengthens tenants' rights.
die neue Regelung means the new regulation, and die Rechte are the rights; der Mieter means of the tenants. Die Rechte is accusative, and der Mieter is genitive showing whose rights they are.
taub — deaf; numb, without feeling
taub normally means unable to hear. It can also describe a body part that feels numb, as in taube Finger; it is not the usual word for a temporarily blocked ear.
Mein Großvater ist taub.
My grandfather is deaf.
Mein Großvater means my grandfather. taub is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the sentence describes the subject rather than placing the adjective before a noun.
Sie hat einen tauben Bruder.
She has a deaf brother.
Sie means she and einen Bruder means a brother. tauben stands before the accusative noun Bruder and takes -en after einen; haben places its object in the accusative.
Nach dem Unfall war sein linkes Ohr tauber.
After the accident, his left ear was deafer.
Nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and sein linkes Ohr means his left ear. Nach takes the dative, while tauber is a predicative comparative after war and therefore has no adjective ending.
Von den drei Kindern hört Anna am taubsten.
Of the three children, Anna hears the least well.
Von den drei Kindern means of the three children, and hört means hears. von takes the dative, and am taubsten is the predicative superlative; the adverbial phrase am taubsten has no adjective ending.
Nach dem Schlafen hatte ich taube Finger.
After sleeping, I had numb fingers.
Nach dem Schlafen means after sleeping, hatte means had, and Finger means fingers. taube Finger is the accusative object of hatte; the plural adjective takes -e after the zero article.
Mein Fuß ist ganz taub.
My foot is completely numb.
Mein Fuß means my foot and ganz means completely. taub is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; ganz taub describes the resulting sensation.
der Tierarzt — veterinarian
The compound combines Tier, animal, with Arzt, doctor. The feminine form is die Tierärztin, and the plural changes a to ä: die Tierärzte.
Der Tierarzt untersucht den Hund.
The veterinarian examines the dog.
untersucht means examines, and der Hund is the dog. Der Tierarzt is nominative because he is the subject, while den Hund is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object.
Wir rufen den Tierarzt an.
We are calling the veterinarian.
rufen ... an means call, and wir means we. Den Tierarzt is accusative because he is the object of anrufen; the separable verb puts rufen in position two and an at the end.
Ich erzähle dem Tierarzt von der Verletzung.
I tell the veterinarian about the injury.
erzähle means tell, die Verletzung is the injury, and von means about here. Dem Tierarzt is dative because erzählen addresses a recipient, and von der Verletzung is also dative because von requires the dative.
Das Auto des Tierarztes steht vor der Praxis.
The veterinarian's car is in front of the practice.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and die Praxis is the doctor's practice. Des Tierarztes is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the masculine noun takes -es.
Die Tierärzte arbeiten heute lange.
The veterinarians are working late today.
arbeiten means work, and lange means for a long time or late in this context. Die Tierärzte is plural, so the finite verb is arbeiten, not the singular arbeitet.
der Tod — death; death, end, demise
Tod is normally an abstract, singular-only noun. The genitive is commonly des Todes; the fixed expression zu Tode uses the older dative form Tode.
Der Tod gehört zum Leben.
Death is part of life.
gehört zu means belongs to or is part of, and das Leben means life. Der Tod is nominative because it is the subject; the phrase zum Leben is dative after zu, and the verb gehört is in position two.
Viele Menschen fürchten den Tod.
Many people fear death.
viele Menschen means many people and fürchten means fear. Den Tod is accusative because fürchten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie begegnet dem Tod ohne Angst.
She faces death without fear.
begegnet means encounters or faces, ohne Angst means without fear. Dem Tod is dative because begegnen always takes the dative; the prepositional phrase ohne Angst is accusative after ohne.
Die Angst des Todes ist in dem Roman wichtig.
The fear of death is important in the novel.
die Angst means the fear, in dem Roman means in the novel, and wichtig means important. Des Todes is genitive because it specifies what kind of fear; the noun adds -es and the verb ist is in position two.
Niemand spricht gern über den Tod.
Nobody likes talking about death.
niemand means nobody, spricht gern means likes talking, and über means about. Tod is a mass or abstract noun here and has no normal plural; über takes the accusative when it means about a topic.
Der Tod der alten Tradition wäre schade.
The death of the old tradition would be a pity.
die alte Tradition means the old tradition and wäre schade means would be a pity. Der Tod is the subject, while der alten Tradition is genitive after Tod; wäre is sein in the Konjunktiv II.
Viele sehen das als den Tod des Projekts.
Many see that as the death of the project.
viele means many people, sehen means see, and das Projekt means the project. Den Tod is accusative after sehen because it is what people see something as; des Projekts is genitive and names what has ended.
ungesund — unhealthy
ungesund is used for food, habits, behaviour, or conditions that harm health. The opposite is gesund; the comparative changes the vowel: ungesünder.
Zu viel Zucker ist ungesund.
Too much sugar is unhealthy.
zu viel Zucker means too much sugar. ungesund follows ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending; zu viel expresses an excessive amount.
Er kauft oft ungesunde Snacks.
He often buys unhealthy snacks.
kauft means buys, oft means often, and Snacks are small foods eaten between meals. ungesunde comes before the accusative object Snacks and takes the ending -e because the plural has no article.
Fast Food ist ungesünder als frisches Gemüse.
Fast food is less healthy than fresh vegetables.
Fast Food means fast food, and frisches Gemüse means fresh vegetables. ungesünder follows ist as a predicative comparative; the vowel changes to ü, and als introduces the comparison.
Von diesen Getränken ist die Limonade am ungesündesten.
Of these drinks, lemonade is the least healthy.
diese Getränke means these drinks, and die Limonade means lemonade. am ungesündesten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, shown by diesen Getränken.
das Unglück — accident; misfortune, bad luck; misfortune, bad luck
Unglück can mean a serious accident or a misfortune; the context decides which meaning is intended. In the fixed expression Glück im Unglück, it means a bad situation that nevertheless has a fortunate side.
Das Unglück passierte am Morgen.
The accident happened in the morning.
passierte means happened and am Morgen means in the morning. Das Unglück is the nominative subject; the finite verb passierte is in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht das Unglück.
The police are investigating the accident.
die Polizei means the police and untersucht means is investigating. das Unglück is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Viele Menschen helfen nach dem Unglück.
Many people help after the accident.
viele Menschen means many people, helfen means help, and nach means after. dem Unglück is dative because nach takes the dative; the prepositional phrase follows the verb here.
Die Ursache des Unglücks ist noch unbekannt.
The cause of the accident is still unknown.
die Ursache means the cause, noch means still, and unbekannt means unknown. des Unglücks is genitive because it identifies the cause of the accident; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In den Nachrichten wurden mehrere Unglücke erwähnt.
Several accidents were mentioned in the news.
in den Nachrichten means in the news, mehrere means several, and erwähnt means mentioned. Unglücke is the plural form with the article omitted after mehrere; wurden erwähnt is a passive construction, with the participle at the end.
Nach diesem Unglück braucht er Hilfe.
After this misfortune, he needs help.
nach means after, diesem means this, and braucht means needs. diesem Unglück is dative because nach takes the dative; the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Sie hatte viel Unglück in ihrem Leben.
She had a lot of bad luck in her life.
viel means a lot of, ihrem Leben means her life, and hatte means had. In this meaning, Unglück is often used without an article as an abstract or uncountable noun; in ihrem Leben is dative because it describes location or time.
untersuchen — to examine; to investigate
This verb takes an accusative object: jemanden/etwas untersuchen. It is used both for a medical examination and for investigating a problem or event.
Der Arzt untersucht den Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient.
Der Arzt means the doctor, and der Patient means the patient. den Patienten is accusative because untersuchen takes the person being examined as a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Die Ärztin hat meinen Rücken untersucht.
The doctor examined my back.
Die Ärztin is the female doctor, and mein Rücken means my back. meinen Rücken is accusative because it is the object of untersuchen; the perfect uses hat plus untersucht, with the Partizip II at the end.
Der Arzt untersuchte das Kind gestern.
The doctor examined the child yesterday.
das Kind means the child, and gestern means yesterday. das Kind is accusative, although its article looks like the nominative; untersuchte is the weak past form and stands in position two.
Untersuche bitte den Fuß.
Please examine the foot.
bitte means please, and der Fuß means the foot. den Fuß is accusative because it is the object; the informal imperative untersuche comes first, and the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde gern die Ursache untersuchen.
I would like to investigate the cause.
gern means gladly or would like to, and die Ursache means the cause. die Ursache is accusative as the object of untersuchen; würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, while the infinitive untersuchen goes to the end.
Die Polizei wird den Unfall untersuchen.
The police will investigate the accident.
Die Polizei means the police, and der Unfall means the accident. den Unfall is accusative because it is being investigated; wird is in position two and the infinitive untersuchen stands at the end.