Appearance
Vocab: Health — B1 (1)
Health vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abhängig — dependent, dependent on
abhängig is usually used with von plus the dative: von jemandem abhängig sein. It can describe financial, practical, or emotional dependence.
Das Kind ist noch von seinen Eltern abhängig.
The child is still dependent on its parents.
das Kind means the child, noch means still, and seine Eltern means its parents. von requires the dative, so seinen Eltern is dative plural; the adjective comes after ist as a predicate and has no ending.
Viele abhängige Menschen brauchen Unterstützung.
Many dependent people need support.
viele Menschen means many people, and Unterstützung means support. abhängige stands before the plural noun and therefore has an adjective ending; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Kinder sind oft abhängiger von ihren Eltern als Erwachsene.
Children are often more dependent on their parents than adults are.
Kinder means children, oft means often, and Erwachsene means adults. abhängiger compares two groups, while von takes the dative in ihren Eltern; als introduces the second group.
In dieser Familie ist der jüngste Sohn am abhängigsten.
In this family, the youngest son is the most dependent.
in dieser Familie means in this family, and der jüngste Sohn means the youngest son. The am-form am abhängigsten is a predicative superlative after ist and has no adjective ending.
die Akupunktur — acupuncture
Akupunktur is normally an uncountable feminine noun and has no plural in ordinary use. Say eine Akupunkturbehandlung when you mean one acupuncture treatment or session.
Die Akupunktur hilft mir.
Acupuncture helps me.
hilft means helps, and mir means me. Die Akupunktur is nominative as the subject, while mir is dative because helfen requires a dative person.
Ich probiere Akupunktur aus.
I am trying acupuncture.
probiere ... aus means am trying out. Akupunktur is an uncountable accusative object without an article, and the separable prefix aus goes to the end.
Nach der Akupunktur fühle ich mich besser.
After the acupuncture, I feel better.
Nach means after, fühle ... mich means feel, and besser means better. Der Akupunktur is dative because nach requires the dative; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Die Wirkung der Akupunktur ist umstritten.
The effect of acupuncture is controversial.
Die Wirkung means the effect, and umstritten means controversial. Der Akupunktur is genitive because it specifies the treatment whose effect is meant; the verb ist stands in position two.
der Altenpfleger — male geriatric nurse, male care worker
The explicitly male job title is Altenpfleger; the general or feminine form is often Pflegefachkraft or Altenpflegerin. The job includes personal care, help with everyday activities, and sometimes medical tasks.
Der Altenpfleger hilft den Bewohnern.
The geriatric nurse helps the residents.
hilft means helps, and Bewohner means residents. Der Altenpfleger is nominative because he is the subject, while den Bewohnern is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; hilft stands in position two.
Die Familie ruft den Altenpfleger.
The family calls the geriatric nurse.
die Familie means the family, and ruft means calls. Den Altenpfleger is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich spreche mit dem Altenpfleger.
I speak with the geriatric nurse.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. Dem Altenpfleger is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Das Auto des Altenpflegers steht vor dem Haus.
The geriatric nurse's car is standing in front of the house.
Auto means car, steht means is standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Altenpflegers is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the subject Auto is neuter singular, so the verb is steht.
Die Altenpfleger arbeiten im Schichtdienst.
The geriatric nurses work shifts.
arbeiten means work, and Schichtdienst means shift work. Altenpfleger has the same spelling in the plural, but die and arbeiten show that it refers to several people.
ansteckend — contagious, infectious
ansteckend is mainly used for illnesses or germs that spread between people. It can also describe a feeling or behaviour figuratively, such as ansteckende Begeisterung, meaning enthusiasm that affects others.
Die Grippe ist sehr ansteckend.
The flu is very contagious.
die Grippe means the flu and sehr means very. Ansteckend is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; die Grippe is nominative because it is the subject.
Er hat eine ansteckende Krankheit.
He has a contagious illness.
haben means have and die Krankheit means illness. Eine ansteckende Krankheit is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after the indefinite article in the feminine accusative.
Diese Krankheit ist ansteckender als die Grippe.
This illness is more contagious than the flu.
diese Krankheit means this illness and als means than. Ansteckender compares two illnesses and is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the comparison uses als, not wie.
Masern gehören zu den ansteckendsten Krankheiten.
Measles are among the most contagious illnesses.
Masern means measles, gehören zu means belong among, and die Krankheiten means illnesses. Zu takes the dative, so den ansteckendsten Krankheiten is dative plural; before a noun, the superlative is ansteckendsten, not am ansteckendsten.
die Atmung — breathing, respiration
This is usually an uncountable noun for the process of breathing. In medical contexts, die Atmung can be described as ruhig, calm, or schnell, fast.
Die Atmung wird nach dem Sport schneller.
Breathing becomes faster after exercise.
schneller means faster, and nach dem Sport means after exercise. Die Atmung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wird is in position two; nach takes the dative here.
Der Arzt überprüft die Atmung.
The doctor checks the breathing.
der Arzt means the doctor, and überprüft means checks. Die Atmung is accusative because überprüfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb überprüft stands in position two.
Der Patient hilft seiner Atmung mit einer Atemübung.
The patient helps his breathing with a breathing exercise.
der Patient means the patient, seiner means his, and eine Atemübung is a breathing exercise. Seiner Atmung is dative because helfen requires the dative, and the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Kontrolle der Atmung dauert nur eine Minute.
The check of the breathing takes only one minute.
die Kontrolle means the check, and dauert means takes or lasts. Der Atmung is genitive because it specifies which check is meant; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
aushalten — to withstand, put up with
This verb can describe enduring pain, noise, stress, or another difficult situation. It is separable: hält ... aus, but the Partizip II is one word, ausgehalten.
Ich halte den Lärm nicht aus.
I can't stand the noise.
der Lärm means noise, and nicht means not. Den Lärm is accusative because aushalten takes a direct object; the finite verb halte is in position two and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die lange Reise gut ausgehalten.
She coped well with the long journey.
die lange Reise means the long journey, and gut means well. Die lange Reise is accusative because it is the object of aushalten; the perfect uses hat and ausgehalten at the end.
Er hielt den starken Regen aus.
He endured the heavy rain.
der starke Regen means the heavy rain, and stark means strong or heavy here. The object is accusative, while hielt is the strong past-tense form and aus is separated to the end.
Halt den Lärm bitte aus!
Please put up with the noise!
bitte means please, and der Lärm means the noise. The informal imperative omits du; halt comes first and the separable prefix aus comes last, while the object is accusative.
Ich würde diese Schmerzen nicht lange aushalten.
I wouldn't endure this pain for long.
diese Schmerzen means this pain, and lange means for long. The object is accusative, and the infinitive aushalten stays whole after würde; do not split the prefix in this position.
Wir werden den Lärm schon aushalten.
We'll manage to put up with the noise.
schon means surely or all right in this reassuring expression, and der Lärm means the noise. Den Lärm is accusative, while werden is in position two and the complete infinitive aushalten stands at the end.
austragen — to deliver (newspapers); to carry out; to fight out, to conduct
For delivery, austragen is used with items such as die Zeitung or die Post and takes an accusative object. It also has the figurative meaning ‘to fight out or conduct’ a dispute, as in einen Streit austragen.
Er trägt jeden Morgen die Zeitung aus.
He delivers the newspaper every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and die Zeitung means the newspaper. Die Zeitung is accusative because it is what he delivers; the finite verb trägt is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die Briefe ausgetragen.
She delivered the letters.
die Briefe means the letters, and hat is the auxiliary haben. Die Briefe is accusative as the delivered object; the participle ausgetragen stays together at the end because the prefix is not separated in the perfect.
Früher trug mein Bruder die Zeitungen aus.
In the past, my brother delivered the newspapers.
früher means in the past, mein Bruder means my brother, and die Zeitungen means the newspapers. The strong past form is trug, not tragte; the object is accusative, and aus is separated to the end.
Trag die Post heute aus.
Deliver the mail today.
die Post means the mail and heute means today. This informal singular command omits du; trag comes first, aus comes last, and die Post is accusative.
Er würde die Zeitungen selbst austragen.
He would deliver the newspapers himself.
selbst means himself, and die Zeitungen means the newspapers. The würde construction expresses a hypothetical action and keeps the infinitive austragen together at the end; the delivered items are accusative.
Nächste Woche wird sie die Post austragen.
Next week she will deliver the mail.
nächste Woche means next week, and die Post means the mail. In the future, wird stands in position two and the infinitive austragen goes to the end; die Post is accusative.
Die beiden tragen ihren Streit vor Gericht aus.
The two of them fight out their dispute in court.
die beiden means the two of them, ihren Streit means their dispute, and vor Gericht means in court. Ihren Streit is accusative as the object; the verb is split in the main clause, with tragen in position two and aus at the end.
Sie haben den Konflikt lange ausgetragen.
They fought out the conflict for a long time.
den Konflikt means the conflict and lange means for a long time. The perfect uses haben, and ausgetragen is one word at the end; den Konflikt is accusative because it is the conflict being fought out.
behandeln — to treat; to deal with; to deal with; to treat
For medical treatment, behandeln means to treat a patient or illness; for subjects, it means to deal with or discuss them. It takes an accusative object, as in jemanden behandeln or ein Thema behandeln.
Die Ärztin behandelt den Patienten wegen einer Verletzung.
The doctor is treating the patient for an injury.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, der Patient is the patient, and die Verletzung is the injury. den Patienten is accusative because behandeln takes the person treated as a direct object; the finite verb behandelt stands in position two.
Die Ärztin hat den Patienten erfolgreich behandelt.
The doctor treated the patient successfully.
erfolgreich means successfully, and der Patient is the patient. The accusative object is den Patienten, while hat stands in position two and behandelt goes to the end as the Partizip II; this verb uses haben.
Die Ärztin behandelte den Patienten eine Woche lang.
The doctor treated the patient for a week.
eine Woche lang means for a week, and der Patient is the patient. Den Patienten is accusative because it is the direct object, and the regular past form behandelte is in position two.
Behandle die Wunde vorsichtig!
Treat the wound carefully!
die Wunde is the wound, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Wunde is accusative because it is what receives the treatment; the imperative Behandle stands first, and the exclamation mark is not part of the verb form.
Ich würde das Thema anders behandeln.
I would deal with the topic differently.
das Thema is the topic, and anders means differently. Das Thema is accusative as the direct object; würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning and behandeln remains at the end.
Die neue Ärztin wird viele Patienten behandeln.
The new doctor will treat many patients.
neu means new, viele means many, and der Patient is the patient. Viele Patienten is accusative because it is the direct object; wird is in position two and the infinitive behandeln goes to the end.
Der Artikel behandelt die Geschichte der Stadt.
The article deals with the history of the city.
der Artikel is the article, die Geschichte is the history, and die Stadt is the city. Die Geschichte is accusative because it is the subject discussed; the genitive phrase der Stadt shows whose history it is, and behandelt is in position two.
Warum behandelst du deinen Bruder so schlecht?
Why do you treat your brother so badly?
warum means why, der Bruder is the brother, and schlecht means badly in this context. Deinen Bruder is accusative because he is the person treated, and behandelst stands in position two after the question word.
die Behandlung — treatment; dealing with a subject
Die Behandlung can mean medical treatment or the way a subject is dealt with. It is a feminine noun; the plural is die Behandlungen.
Die Behandlung beginnt heute.
The treatment begins today.
beginnt means begins, and heute means today. Die Behandlung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Der Arzt erklärt die Behandlung.
The doctor explains the treatment.
der Arzt is the doctor, and erklärt means explains. Die Behandlung is accusative because erklären takes the thing explained as a direct object; the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Die Patientin vertraut der Behandlung.
The patient trusts the treatment.
die Patientin is the female patient, and vertraut means trusts. Der Behandlung is dative because the verb vertrauen requires a dative object; the finite verb vertraut stands in position two.
Die Dauer der Behandlung ist unklar.
The duration of the treatment is unclear.
die Dauer is the duration, and unklar means unclear. Der Behandlung is genitive because it identifies whose duration is meant; the subject is the whole phrase Die Dauer der Behandlung, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Behandlungen dauern mehrere Wochen.
Many treatments last several weeks.
viele means many, dauern means last, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Behandlungen is the plural subject in the nominative, so it has no plural ending on an article here; the plural verb dauern stands in position two.
behindert — disabled, having a disability
When referring to people, behindert is still understood but can sound dated or impersonal; Mensch mit Behinderung is widely preferred. Do not confuse the adjective with the identical Partizip II behindert of behindern.
Meine Schwester ist behindert.
My sister has a disability.
meine Schwester means my sister, and ist means is. After the linking verb sein, behindert is predicative and has no adjective ending; when speaking respectfully, hat eine Behinderung or ist ein Mensch mit Behinderung is often preferred.
Die Stadt baut einen Aufzug für behinderte Menschen.
The city is building a lift for disabled people.
die Stadt is the city, baut means is building, der Aufzug is the lift and für means for. für takes the accusative, so behinderte Menschen is an accusative group; the adjective has the ending -e after für and no article.
Der Weg ist für behindertere Menschen nicht leichter.
The path is not easier for people with more severe disabilities.
der Weg means the path, nicht leichter means not easier and Menschen means people. für requires the accusative, so the comparative adjective takes the ending -ere in behindertere Menschen; this comparison is uncommon and should be used sensitively.
Diese Einrichtung ist für die behindertesten Menschen gedacht.
This facility is intended for the people with the most severe disabilities.
diese Einrichtung means this facility, gedacht means intended and die Menschen means the people. für takes the accusative, and the superlative before the noun is behindertesten; for people, am stärksten beeinträchtigt is often the more respectful wording.
belasten — to burden, to put under strain; to put a physical load or strain on
belasten is a regular weak verb: belasten – belastete – hat belastet. It normally takes an accusative object for the person or thing that is put under physical, mental or financial strain.
Die vielen Aufgaben belasten ihn.
The many tasks are putting him under strain.
die vielen Aufgaben means the many tasks and ihn means him. ihn is accusative because belasten takes the person affected as an accusative object; the finite verb belasten is in position two.
Die Arbeit hat sie sehr belastet.
The work put a great strain on her.
die Arbeit means the work and sehr means greatly or very much. The perfect uses hat plus belastet, which goes to the end; sie is accusative because she is the person affected.
Der Streit belastete die ganze Familie.
The argument put the whole family under strain.
der Streit means the argument and die ganze Familie means the whole family. die ganze Familie is accusative as the affected object, and belastete is the regular Präteritum form.
Belaste deine Augen nicht zu sehr.
Do not strain your eyes too much.
deine Augen means your eyes and nicht zu sehr means not too much. The imperative puts belaste first and leaves out du; deine Augen is accusative as the object.
Wenn die Sorgen ihn nicht so belasteten, könnte er besser schlafen.
If the worries did not burden him so much, he could sleep better.
die Sorgen means the worries, so means so or that much, and besser schlafen means sleep better. In the wenn-clause, belasteten goes to the end; ihn is accusative, and könnte expresses the unreal result.
Die lange Reise wird meinen Rücken belasten.
The long journey will put strain on my back.
die lange Reise means the long journey and meinen Rücken means my back. Futur I uses wird plus the infinitive belasten at the end; meinen Rücken is accusative because it is the thing affected.
Der schwere Lastwagen belastet die Brücke.
The heavy lorry puts a strain on the bridge.
der schwere Lastwagen means the heavy lorry and die Brücke means the bridge. die Brücke is accusative because it is the thing receiving the physical load; belastet is in position two.
Zu viel Gewicht belastet das Regal.
Too much weight puts a strain on the shelf.
zu viel Gewicht means too much weight and das Regal means the shelf. das Regal is accusative as the object affected, while the finite verb belastet remains in position two.
die Belastung — burden, strain, stress; load, physical strain
Belastung can mean mental stress, a burden or a physical load. It is formed from belasten and is a feminine noun; the plural Belastungen is regular.
Die Belastung ist für ihn zu groß.
The strain is too great for him.
für ihn means for him, and zu groß means too great. die Belastung is nominative because it is the subject; für requires the accusative ihn, while the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich spüre die Belastung jeden Tag.
I feel the strain every day.
spüren means to feel and jeden Tag means every day. die Belastung is accusative because spüren takes an accusative object; the finite verb spüre is in position two.
Mit der Belastung kommt er gut zurecht.
He copes well with the strain.
mit means with, gut zurechtkommen means to cope well, and er means he. mit requires the dative der Belastung; in the main clause, the separable verb appears as kommt ... zurecht, with kommt in position two.
Die Folgen der Belastung sind noch spürbar.
The effects of the strain can still be felt.
die Folgen means the effects and noch spürbar means still noticeable or able to be felt. der Belastung is genitive because it identifies whose effects they are; the plural subject die Folgen takes sind.
Die Belastungen im Alltag nehmen zu.
The stresses in everyday life are increasing.
im Alltag means in everyday life and zunehmen means to increase. Belastungen has the plural ending -en; the separable verb appears as nehmen ... zu, with the prefix at the end.
Die Belastung der Brücke wird regelmäßig geprüft.
The load on the bridge is checked regularly.
die Brücke means the bridge, regelmäßig means regularly, and geprüft means checked or tested. der Brücke is genitive after die Belastung to show the load belonging to or affecting the bridge; the passive uses wird ... geprüft.
Hohe Belastungen können das Material beschädigen.
High loads can damage the material.
hohe means high, können means can, das Material means the material, and beschädigen means damage. Belastungen is the plural subject, while das Material is accusative after beschädigen; the modal verb sends beschädigen to the end.
die Besserung — improvement; recovery; improvement
In gute Besserung!, the word is a set expression meaning get well soon. It can also mean a general improvement, not only recovery from an illness.
Die Besserung kommt langsam.
The improvement is happening slowly.
kommt langsam means is happening slowly. Die Besserung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Der Arzt sieht eine Besserung.
The doctor sees an improvement.
der Arzt means the doctor, and sieht means sees. Eine Besserung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article changes from eine in the nominative to eine in the accusative.
Wir wünschen der Patientin eine Besserung.
We wish the patient an improvement.
wünschen means to wish, and die Patientin means the female patient. Der Patientin is dative as the person receiving the wish, while eine Besserung is the accusative thing wished for.
Die Dauer der Besserung ist unklar.
The duration of the improvement is unclear.
die Dauer means the duration, and unklar means unclear. Der Besserung is genitive because it identifies which duration is meant; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Weitere Besserungen sind möglich.
Further improvements are possible.
weitere means further or additional, and möglich means possible. Besserungen is the plural subject, so it takes sind; the ending -en is part of the plural form.
Wir erkennen eine Besserung der Lage.
We can see an improvement in the situation.
erkennen means recognise or see, and die Lage means the situation. Eine Besserung is accusative because it is the object of erkennen, while der Lage is genitive and specifies what has improved.
Die neuen Regeln bringen Besserungen.
The new rules bring improvements.
neue Regeln means new rules, and bringen means bring. Besserungen is accusative because it is the object of bringen; the finite verb stands in position two.
die Blutung — bleeding
Die Blutung is a medical noun formed from bluten with the ending -ung. It usually refers to a particular episode of bleeding, while das Blut means blood as a substance.
Die Blutung hat endlich aufgehört.
The bleeding has finally stopped.
hat aufgehört means has stopped, and endlich means finally. Die Blutung is nominative because it is the subject; the perfect uses hat plus aufgehört, with the Partizip II at the end.
Der Arzt muss die Blutung schnell stoppen.
The doctor must stop the bleeding quickly.
Der Arzt is the doctor, muss means must, and schnell means quickly. Die Blutung is accusative because stoppen takes a direct object; with muss, the infinitive stoppen goes to the end.
Das Medikament hilft bei der Blutung.
The medicine helps with the bleeding.
Das Medikament is the medicine, and hilft means helps. Bei der Blutung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Ursache der Blutung ist noch unklar.
The cause of the bleeding is still unclear.
Die Ursache is the cause, and noch unklar means still unclear. Der Blutung is genitive because it identifies the cause; the feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Nach der Operation traten mehrere Blutungen auf.
Several bleedings occurred after the operation.
Nach der Operation means after the operation, mehrere means several, and traten ... auf means occurred. Blutungen is the regular plural in -en; the separable verb places auf at the end of the main clause.
der Chirurg — surgeon
Chirurg is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular and in the plural. The nominative singular is the only form without -en: der Chirurg.
Der Chirurg operiert heute.
The surgeon is operating today.
operiert means operates, and heute means today. Der Chirurg is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb operiert stands in position two.
Die Patientin besucht den Chirurgen.
The female patient visits the surgeon.
die Patientin means female patient and besucht means visits. Den Chirurgen is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, and this weak masculine noun takes -en outside the nominative singular.
Ich spreche mit dem Chirurgen.
I speak with the surgeon.
spreche means speak. Dem Chirurgen is dative because mit always takes the dative, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Chirurgen steht vor dem Krankenhaus.
The surgeon’s car is in front of the hospital.
das Auto means car, steht means is standing, and das Krankenhaus means hospital. Des Chirurgen is genitive to show possession; the weak masculine noun has -en, while des marks the genitive.
Die Chirurgen arbeiten im Operationssaal.
The surgeons work in the operating theatre.
arbeiten means work and der Operationssaal means operating theatre. Die Chirurgen is plural nominative because the surgeons are the subject; im Operationssaal means in the operating theatre and contains dative dem after in for a location.
die Chirurgin — female surgeon
The feminine form is built from der Chirurg with -in. It is a regular feminine noun, and its plural ends in -innen.
Die Chirurgin arbeitet heute im Krankenhaus.
The surgeon is working at the hospital today.
heute means today and das Krankenhaus is a hospital. Die Chirurgin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Chirurgin im Flur.
I see the surgeon in the corridor.
sehen means to see and der Flur is the corridor. Die Chirurgin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich danke der Chirurgin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the surgeon for her help.
danken means to thank and die Hilfe is help. Der Chirurgin is dative because danken requires the dative; für ihre Hilfe is an accusative phrase after für.
Das Büro der Chirurgin ist im zweiten Stock.
The surgeon’s office is on the second floor.
das Büro is the office and der zweite Stock is the second floor. Der Chirurgin is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Chirurginnen operieren gemeinsam.
The surgeons operate together.
operieren means to operate and gemeinsam means together. Die Chirurginnen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and -innen marks female professionals in the plural.
der Diabetiker — diabetic person; person with diabetes
This is the person noun for someone with Diabetes, diabetes. The plural is also Diabetiker, while the genitive singular is des Diabetikers.
Der Diabetiker wartet vor der Arztpraxis.
The diabetic man is waiting outside the doctor’s office.
warten means to wait, and die Arztpraxis is the doctor’s office. Der Diabetiker is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Die Ärztin untersucht den Diabetiker.
The doctor examines the diabetic man.
die Ärztin is a female doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. Den Diabetiker is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Ärztin gibt dem Diabetiker neue Medikamente.
The doctor gives the diabetic man new medication.
geben means to give, and neue Medikamente means new medication. Dem Diabetiker is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while neue Medikamente is the accusative thing given.
Die Blutzuckerwerte des Diabetikers sind heute besser.
The diabetic man’s blood sugar levels are better today.
die Blutzuckerwerte are blood sugar levels, and besser means better. Des Diabetikers expresses possession in the genitive; the masculine noun takes -s after des.
Viele Diabetiker kontrollieren ihren Blutzucker täglich.
Many diabetics check their blood sugar every day.
viele means many, kontrollieren means to check, and täglich means every day. Diabetiker has the same form in singular and plural; ihren Blutzucker is accusative because it is the object of kontrollieren.
Als Diabetiker muss er regelmäßig essen.
As a diabetic, he has to eat regularly.
als means as, and regelmäßig means regularly. Als Diabetiker is an explanatory phrase, not an object; muss is the finite modal verb in position two and essen goes to the end.
Sie arbeitet in einer Gruppe für Diabetiker.
She works in a group for diabetics.
arbeiten means to work, and die Gruppe is a group. Für Diabetiker means for diabetics and für takes the accusative, but the plural form has no visible case ending.
die Einweisung — instruction, briefing; hospital referral
In everyday or workplace contexts, Einweisung usually means instruction on how to use something. In medical language, eine Einweisung ins Krankenhaus means a referral or admission order to hospital.
Die Einweisung in das Gerät dauert eine Stunde.
The briefing on the device takes an hour.
das Gerät means the device, and dauert eine Stunde means takes an hour. die Einweisung is nominative because it is the subject; the preposition in takes the accusative here because in das Gerät expresses the topic or direction of the explanation.
Der Techniker gibt mir eine Einweisung.
The technician gives me an explanation of how to use it.
der Techniker means the technician, gibt means gives, and mir means to me. eine Einweisung is accusative because it is the thing given, while mir is dative because it is the recipient; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Nach der Einweisung kann ich das Gerät sicher bedienen.
After the briefing, I can operate the device safely.
nach means after, sicher means safely, and bedienen means operate. nach always takes the dative, so der Einweisung is dative; kann stands in position two and bedienen goes to the end because it is the infinitive with a modal verb.
Die Dauer der Einweisung hängt vom Gerät ab.
The length of the briefing depends on the device.
die Dauer means the length, hängt ... ab means depends, and vom Gerät means on the device. der Einweisung is genitive because it specifies the briefing's length; the separable verb abhängen splits in the main clause, with ab at the end.
Neue Mitarbeiter erhalten kurze Einweisungen.
New employees receive short briefings.
neue Mitarbeiter means new employees, erhalten means receive, and kurze means short. Einweisungen is plural and accusative because it is the object of erhalten; the plural ending is -en.
empfindlich — sensitive, delicate; sensitive, touchy
For physical sensitivity, empfindlich can describe skin, materials, or reactions. It is also used for people who are easily hurt emotionally; do not confuse it with empfindsam, which usually means emotionally sensitive in a more literary way.
Meine Haut ist sehr empfindlich.
My skin is very sensitive.
die Haut means skin and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending and stays empfindlich.
Sie trägt eine empfindliche Bluse aus Seide.
She is wearing a delicate silk blouse.
tragen means to wear, die Bluse is a blouse, and aus Seide means made of silk. eine empfindliche Bluse is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the feminine indefinite-article ending is -e.
Kinderhaut ist oft empfindlicher als Erwachsenenhaut.
Children’s skin is often more sensitive than adults’ skin.
die Kinderhaut means children’s skin, oft means often, and die Erwachsenenhaut means adults’ skin. Empfindlicher compares two things and is followed by als; because it is predicative after sein, it has no adjective ending.
Diese Stelle ist am empfindlichsten.
This spot is the most sensitive.
diese Stelle means this spot and die Stelle is a place or spot. Am empfindlichsten is the predicative superlative after sein; do not add a noun ending to the am-form.
Er ist sehr empfindlich und nimmt jede Kritik persönlich.
He is very touchy and takes every criticism personally.
nehmen means to take, jede Kritik means every criticism, and persönlich means personally. Empfindlich is predicative after sein and therefore has no ending; jede Kritik is accusative as the object of nehmen.
Sei nicht so empfindlich!
Don’t be so sensitive!
nicht so means not so, or not so much. Sei is the imperative of sein; the adjective is predicative and therefore remains empfindlich without an ending.
der Ersthelfer — first aider, first responder
This masculine noun is a weak noun: use den Ersthelfer and dem Ersthelfer, but der Ersthelfer in the nominative singular. It can mean a trained first aider at an accident or, in some contexts, a first responder.
Der Ersthelfer ruft den Notarzt.
The first aider calls the emergency doctor.
ruft means calls, and der Notarzt means the emergency doctor. Der Ersthelfer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ruft is in position two, and den Notarzt is accusative because it is the object.
Die Passantin sieht den Ersthelfer.
The female passer-by sees the first aider.
die Passantin means the female passer-by, and sieht means sees. Den Ersthelfer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich danke dem Ersthelfer für seine Hilfe.
I thank the first aider for his help.
danke means thank, and seine Hilfe means his help. Dem Ersthelfer is dative because danken governs the dative; the weak noun therefore has -n, and für seine Hilfe is an accusative phrase after für.
Die schnelle Reaktion des Ersthelfers war entscheidend.
The first aider’s quick reaction was crucial.
die schnelle Reaktion means the quick reaction, and entscheidend means crucial. Des Ersthelfers is genitive because it shows whose reaction is meant; in the genitive singular this weak masculine noun takes -s, not -n.
Die Ersthelfer versorgen die Verletzten.
The first aiders treat the injured people.
versorgen means provide medical care for or treat, and die Verletzten means the injured people. Die Ersthelfer is plural and has the same form as the singular without its article; die Verletzten is accusative because it is the object of versorgen.
ertrinken — to drown
This intransitive verb does not take a direct accusative object: a person ertrinkt, but does not normally ertrinken someone. Its perfect is formed with sein: ist ertrunken.
Das Kind ertrinkt fast im See.
The child is nearly drowning in the lake.
das Kind means “the child”, fast means “almost”, and der See means “the lake”. im is short for in dem and takes the dative for a location; the finite verb ertrinkt stands in position two.
Das Kind ist im See ertrunken.
The child drowned in the lake.
das Kind means “the child”, der See means “the lake”, and ertrunken means “drowned”. The perfect uses ist plus ertrunken because ertrinken describes a change of state; im See is dative because it gives a location.
Der Mann ertrank im Fluss.
The man drowned in the river.
der Mann means “the man”, and der Fluss means “the river”. im Fluss is dative after in for a location, and the simple past ertrank is especially typical in written reports and stories.
Ertrink nicht!
Don’t drown!
nicht means “not”. Ertrink is the informal singular imperative, but this warning sounds unusual in real life; speakers more naturally say Geh nicht ins Wasser or Rette dich.
Wenn du nicht schwimmst, würdest du ertrinken.
If you didn’t swim, you would drown.
wenn means “if”, schwimmen means “to swim”, and nicht means “not”. In the wenn clause the finite verb schwimmst goes to the end; würdest plus the infinitive ertrinken expresses an unreal result.
Ohne Hilfe wirst du ertrinken.
Without help, you will drown.
ohne Hilfe means “without help”. ohne takes the accusative, although no article shows the case here; wirst is the finite form of werden in position two and ertrinken goes to the end.
der Facharzt — specialist doctor
Facharzt is a doctor with a recognised specialisation, such as cardiology or dermatology. The feminine form is Fachärztin, and the plural of the masculine form is Fachärzte.
Der Facharzt untersucht den Patienten.
The specialist doctor examines the patient.
untersucht means examines, and der Patient means the patient. Der Facharzt is nominative because he is the subject, while den Patienten is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object.
Ich brauche einen Facharzt.
I need a specialist doctor.
brauche means need, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Facharzt is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; brauche is the finite verb in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Facharzt.
I trust the specialist doctor.
vertraue means trust. Dem Facharzt is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative person, not an accusative person.
Die Empfehlung des Facharztes war hilfreich.
The specialist doctor’s recommendation was helpful.
die Empfehlung means the recommendation, and hilfreich means helpful. Des Facharztes is genitive to show possession; the masculine noun takes -es and the finite verb war is in position two.
Viele Fachärzte arbeiten in diesem Krankenhaus.
Many specialist doctors work in this hospital.
viele means many, and dieses Krankenhaus means this hospital. Fachärzte is plural with an umlaut; because it is the subject, it is nominative and the verb arbeiten follows in position two.
das Fußgelenk — ankle, ankle joint
In ordinary conversation, Fußgelenk often means the ankle as a whole, not only the joint. For a medical context, Sprunggelenk is another common word.
Mein Fußgelenk tut weh.
My ankle hurts.
mein means my and tut weh means hurts. Mein Fußgelenk is nominative because it is the subject; the fixed expression wehtun has the finite part tut in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Fußgelenk.
The doctor examines the ankle.
der Arzt is the doctor and untersucht means examines. das Fußgelenk is accusative because untersuchen takes an accusative object; with a neuter noun, das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Nach dem Sturz kann ich auf dem Fußgelenk nicht stehen.
After the fall, I cannot stand on my ankle.
nach dem Sturz means after the fall, kann ich nicht means I cannot, and stehen means stand. auf dem Fußgelenk is dative because auf describes a location or support here; the modal verb kann sends stehen to the end.
Die Beweglichkeit des Fußgelenks ist eingeschränkt.
The mobility of the ankle is restricted.
die Beweglichkeit means mobility and eingeschränkt means restricted. des Fußgelenks is genitive because it specifies which joint's mobility is meant; the noun takes -s.
Beide Fußgelenke sind nach dem Training müde.
Both ankles are tired after training.
beide means both, nach dem Training means after training, and müde means tired. Fußgelenke is the plural with -e; the plural subject requires sind, not ist.
der Fußknöchel — ankle
Der Fußknöchel is the ankle joint. Its plural is unchanged: der Fußknöchel, but die Fußknöchel; do not confuse it with der Knöchel, which can also mean the knuckle of a finger.
Mein Fußknöchel tut nach dem Lauf weh.
My ankle hurts after the run.
Mein means my, tut weh means hurts, Lauf means run, and nach means after. Mein Fußknöchel is the nominative subject, and nach dem Lauf is dative because nach takes the dative.
Der Arzt untersucht den Fußknöchel.
The doctor examines the ankle.
Arzt means doctor and untersucht means examines. den Fußknöchel is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Fußknöchel etwas Ruhe.
I give the ankle some rest.
gebe means give and etwas Ruhe means some rest. dem Fußknöchel is dative as the recipient or affected part, while etwas Ruhe is accusative as the thing given.
Die Beweglichkeit des Fußknöchels ist eingeschränkt.
The ankle's mobility is restricted.
Beweglichkeit means mobility and eingeschränkt means restricted or limited. des Fußknöchels is genitive and shows whose mobility is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Beide Fußknöchel sind nach der Wanderung müde.
Both ankles are sore after the hike.
Beide means both, nach means after, and Wanderung means hike. Fußknöchel has the same form in the singular and plural; Beide and sind make the plural clear.
Beim Sport sollst du deine Fußknöchel schützen.
When doing sports, you should protect your ankles.
Beim Sport means during sport or while exercising, sollst means should, and schützen means protect. deine Fußknöchel is accusative because schützen takes a direct object, while the modal verb sollst sends the infinitive schützen to the end.
gefährden — to endanger, to put at risk
The person or thing put at risk is an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas gefährden. The perfect uses haben: hat gefährdet.
Zu schnelles Fahren gefährdet andere Menschen.
Driving too fast endangers other people.
zu schnelles Fahren means driving too fast, and andere Menschen means other people. andere Menschen is accusative because gefährden takes an accusative object; the finite verb gefährdet stands in position two.
Der Sturm hat die Boote gefährdet.
The storm endangered the boats.
der Sturm means the storm and die Boote means the boats. hat is the auxiliary haben, while gefährdet goes to the end; die Boote is accusative because it is the object at risk.
Der Unfall gefährdete mehrere Fahrgäste.
The accident endangered several passengers.
der Unfall means the accident and mehrere Fahrgäste means several passengers. The regular past form gefährdete is in position two, and mehrere Fahrgäste is accusative after gefährden.
Gefährde niemanden mit diesem Gerät!
Don’t endanger anyone with this device!
niemanden means no one and dieses Gerät means this device. niemanden is accusative because it is the object of gefährden; the imperative gefährde is addressed to one person informally.
Wenn du die Warnung ignoriertest, gefährdetest du alle.
If you ignored the warning, you would endanger everyone.
die Warnung means the warning and alle means everyone. gefährdetest is the Konjunktiv II form, and alle is accusative as the object of gefährden.
Unvorsichtiges Verhalten wird andere gefährden.
Careless behaviour will endanger others.
unvorsichtiges Verhalten means careless behaviour and andere means others. wird is the future auxiliary in position two, while gefährden goes to the end and takes andere as its accusative object.
der Gehörschutz — hearing protection, ear protection
der Gehörschutz is normally a mass noun for protective equipment, so it has no ordinary plural. It may refer to earplugs or earmuffs as equipment; for individual items, use ein Gehörschutzgerät or name the item directly.
Der Gehörschutz liegt neben der Maschine.
The hearing protection is next to the machine.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and die Maschine means the machine. Der Gehörschutz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Bei der Arbeit brauche ich den Gehörschutz.
I need hearing protection at work.
bei der Arbeit means at work, and brauchen means need. bei der Arbeit is dative because bei always takes the dative, while den Gehörschutz is accusative because it is the direct object of brauche.
Der Arzt empfiehlt mir dem Gehörschutz?
The doctor recommends hearing protection to me?
der Arzt means the doctor and empfehlen means recommend. This sentence is not natural with Gehörschutz in the dative as written: the natural form is Der Arzt empfiehlt mir den Gehörschutz, where mir is the dative recipient and den Gehörschutz is the accusative object.
Die Wirkung des Gehörschutzes ist sehr gut.
The effect of the hearing protection is very good.
die Wirkung means the effect and sehr gut means very good. des Gehörschutzes is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the masculine genitive uses des and -es.
gesundheitlich — health-related, medical
gesundheitlich means related to health, not simply healthy; gesund is the usual adjective for a healthy person or thing. It is often used before nouns, as in gesundheitliche Probleme, and the comparative forms are less common than phrases with gesundheitlich besser.
Die Folgen sind gesundheitlich problematisch.
The consequences are problematic from a health perspective.
Folgen means consequences, and problematisch means problematic. gesundheitlich is predicative after sind, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die gesundheitlichen Probleme sind inzwischen verschwunden.
The health problems have disappeared by now.
gesundheitlichen Probleme means health problems, and inzwischen means by now. The adjective is attributive and has the plural ending -en after the definite article die; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die gesundheitlichere Lösung ist nicht immer die billigste.
The option that is better for health is not always the cheapest.
Lösung means solution or option, and billigste means cheapest. gesundheitlichere is the comparative adjective before a feminine noun with the definite article die, so it takes -e; ist stands in position two.
Diese Ernährung ist am gesundheitlichsten.
This diet is the best for health.
Ernährung means diet or nutrition, and diese means this. The predicative superlative uses am gesundheitlichsten rather than an adjective ending before a noun; ist stands in position two.
das Gift — poison, toxin
Das Gift means poison or toxin, not an English gift or present. The plural Gifte is used for different poisonous substances or types of poison.
Das Gift wirkt sehr schnell.
The poison works very quickly.
wirkt means works or takes effect, and sehr schnell means very quickly. Das Gift is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wirkt stands in position two.
Der Arzt erkennt das Gift im Blut.
The doctor detects the poison in the blood.
der Arzt means the doctor, erkennt means recognises or detects, and im Blut means in the blood. Das Gift is accusative because erkennen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem and marks location.
Die Pflanze schützt sich vor dem Gift.
The plant protects itself from the poison.
die Pflanze means the plant, schützt sich means protects itself, and vor means from or against. Vor forces the dative here, so das Gift becomes dem Gift; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to the plant.
Die Wirkung des Giftes ist unbekannt.
The effect of the poison is unknown.
die Wirkung means the effect, and unbekannt means unknown. Des Giftes is genitive because it identifies the poison connected with the effect; the noun has the genitive ending -es.
Einige Gifte greifen das Nervensystem an.
Some poisons attack the nervous system.
einige means some, greifen ... an means attack, and das Nervensystem means the nervous system. Gifte is the plural subject, while the separable verb splits in the main clause: greifen is in position two and an goes to the end.
glutenfrei — gluten-free
This adjective is mainly used for food and diets. It describes food that contains no Gluten, or gluten.
Das Brot ist glutenfrei.
The bread is gluten-free.
das Brot is the bread. Glutenfrei is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich kaufe glutenfreies Brot.
I am buying gluten-free bread.
kaufe means buy, and das Brot is bread. Glutenfreies stands before the neuter accusative noun Brot and takes -es after the zero article; Brot is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object.
Dieses Brot ist glutenfreier als das andere.
This bread is more gluten-free than the other one.
dieses Brot means this bread, and das andere means the other one. Glutenfreier is predicative and has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Kuchen ist dieser am glutenfreiesten.
Of all the cakes, this one is the most gluten-free.
von allen Kuchen means of all the cakes, and dieser means this one. The superlative uses am plus -sten in a predicative phrase; ist remains in position two.
der Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt — ENT doctor, ear-nose-and-throat specialist
The long compound Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt means an ear, nose, and throat specialist. In everyday medical language, the shorter form HNO-Arzt is very common; HNO is pronounced as the names of the three letters.
Der Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt untersucht meine Ohren.
The ENT doctor examines my ears.
untersucht means examines, and meine Ohren means my ears. Der Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Ich rufe den Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt an.
I am calling the ENT doctor.
rufe ... an means call, and anrufen is a separable verb. Den Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt is accusative because it is the object of anrufen; rufe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich gebe dem Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt meine Versichertenkarte.
I give the ENT doctor my health-insurance card.
gebe means give, and die Versichertenkarte is a health-insurance card. Dem Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt is dative because the person receiving something is the indirect object; meine Versichertenkarte is the accusative thing given.
Die Diagnose des Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arztes war beruhigend.
The ENT doctor's diagnosis was reassuring.
die Diagnose means the diagnosis, and beruhigend means reassuring or calming. Des Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arztes is genitive because it shows whose diagnosis it was; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Ärzte beraten sich über den Fall.
The ENT doctors consult one another about the case.
beraten sich means consult one another, and der Fall means the case. Die Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Ärzte is nominative plural as the subject; über den Fall is accusative after über in this meaning of discussing a topic.
das Hausmittel — home remedy
A Hausmittel is usually a traditional or simple treatment, such as tea or a compress, not a prescribed drug. The compound contains Haus and Mittel, but its usual meaning is “home remedy.”
Das Hausmittel hilft gegen Husten.
The home remedy helps against coughing.
helfen means to help and der Husten means coughing or a cough. Das Hausmittel is nominative because it is the subject; gegen Husten is accusative because gegen requires the accusative.
Viele Menschen probieren das Hausmittel aus.
Many people try the home remedy.
viele Menschen means many people and ausprobieren means to try. Das Hausmittel is accusative because ausprobieren takes a direct object; probieren is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Ich vertraue dem Hausmittel nicht.
I do not trust the home remedy.
vertrauen means to trust and nicht means not. Dem Hausmittel is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Wirkung des Hausmittels ist nicht bewiesen.
The effect of the home remedy has not been proven.
die Wirkung means the effect, bewiesen means proven, and nicht means not. Des Hausmittels is genitive and shows which remedy the effect belongs to; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Solche Hausmittel sind nicht immer wirksam.
Such home remedies are not always effective.
solche means such, immer means always, and wirksam means effective. Hausmittel has the same form in the plural, marked by solche and sind; wirksam is predicative and has no ending.
die Karies — tooth decay, dental caries
Karies is a medical mass noun and normally has no plural. It is feminine, so the article is die Karies in the nominative and accusative and der Karies in the dative and genitive.
Karies verursacht oft Zahnschmerzen.
Tooth decay often causes toothache.
verursacht means causes, oft means often, and Zahnschmerzen means toothache. Karies is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb verursacht stands in position two.
Der Zahnarzt behandelt die Karies.
The dentist treats the tooth decay.
der Zahnarzt means the dentist, and behandelt means treats. Die Karies is accusative because it is the direct object of behandeln; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Bei der Karies braucht man eine Behandlung.
For tooth decay, treatment is needed.
bei means for or in the case of, braucht man means one needs, and eine Behandlung is a treatment. Bei always takes the dative, so der Karies is dative; man is the subject of the sentence.
Die Behandlung der Karies dauert mehrere Wochen.
The treatment of tooth decay takes several weeks.
die Behandlung means the treatment, dauert means takes or lasts, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Der Karies is genitive here because it identifies what is being treated; this mass noun normally has no plural.
der Kranke — sick man, male patient
This is a substantivized adjective, so it is written with a capital letter and takes adjective endings. The feminine form is die Kranke, and the general plural die Kranken can refer to patients of any gender.
Der Kranke wartet im Zimmer.
The male patient is waiting in the room.
wartet means waits, im Zimmer means in the room, and Zimmer is a room. Der Kranke is nominative because it is the subject; as a weak masculine noun, it has no -n in the nominative, and wartet is in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht den Kranken.
The doctor examines the male patient.
der Arzt is the doctor and untersucht means examines. Den Kranken is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; this substantivized adjective adds -en in the accusative.
Die Schwester hilft dem Kranken.
The nurse helps the male patient.
die Schwester is the nurse and hilft means helps. Dem Kranken is dative because helfen always takes a dative person, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Die Familie des Kranken besucht ihn.
The sick man's family visits him.
die Familie is the family, besucht means visits, and ihn means him. Des Kranken is genitive because it shows whose family it is; the weak masculine form uses -en, not -s.
Im Krankenhaus liegen viele Kranken.
Many patients are lying in the hospital.
im Krankenhaus means in the hospital, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Kranken is plural and nominative as the subject; im Krankenhaus is a dative location phrase, and the plural has the same -en ending as the oblique singular.
die Kranke — sick woman, female patient
This is a substantivized adjective: it refers specifically to a sick woman or female patient. Like other substantivized adjectives, it keeps adjective endings, so die Kranke, der Kranken, and die Kranken are different forms.
Die Kranke wartet im Zimmer.
The sick woman is waiting in the room.
wartet means “is waiting,” and das Zimmer means “the room.” Die Kranke is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Kranke.
The doctor examines the sick woman.
der Arzt is the doctor and untersucht means “examines.” Die Kranke is accusative because untersuchen takes the person being examined as a direct object; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Ich bringe der Kranken einen Tee.
I bring the sick woman a tea.
bringe means “bring” and einen Tee means “a tea.” Der Kranken is dative because the woman receives the tea, while einen Tee is accusative; bringe stands in position two.
Die Tasche der Kranken steht neben dem Bett.
The sick woman’s bag is next to the bed.
die Tasche is the bag, steht means “is standing,” and neben dem Bett means “next to the bed.” Der Kranken is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Im Wartezimmer sitzen mehrere Kranken.
Several sick women are sitting in the waiting room.
das Wartezimmer is the waiting room, sitzen means “are sitting,” and mehrere means “several.” Kranken is plural; the adjective-like noun keeps -en, and the verb sitzen follows the first-position phrase im Wartezimmer.
die Kur — course of treatment, spa stay; specific treatment
Kur usually means a medically recommended period of treatment and rest, often at a health resort. It is different from Heilung, which means the process or result of becoming healthy.
Die Kur beginnt am Montag.
The course of treatment begins on Monday.
beginnen means to begin, and am Montag means on Monday. Die Kur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Der Arzt empfiehlt eine Kur.
The doctor recommends a course of treatment.
der Arzt is the doctor, and empfehlen means to recommend. Eine Kur is accusative because it is the direct object of empfehlen; the feminine indefinite article remains eine in the accusative.
Die Ruhe hilft der Kur.
The rest helps the treatment.
die Ruhe means rest or quiet, and helfen means to help. Der Kur is dative because helfen takes a dative object; the sentence means that rest helps the course of treatment.
Das Ziel der Kur ist mehr Beweglichkeit.
The aim of the treatment is greater mobility.
das Ziel is the aim, mehr means more, and die Beweglichkeit is mobility. Der Kur is genitive because it identifies which treatment has this aim; after ist, mehr Beweglichkeit is a predicate noun phrase.
Viele Kuren finden in den Bergen statt.
Many courses of treatment take place in the mountains.
viele means many, in den Bergen means in the mountains, and stattfinden means to take place. Kuren is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in the main clause, the separable verb appears as finden ... statt.
Die Trink-Kur dauert drei Wochen.
The drinking-water treatment lasts three weeks.
Trinkkur is a compound meaning a drinking-water treatment, and dauern means to last. The headword is part of a compound noun; drei Wochen means three weeks, and the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Nach der Kur fühlt er sich besser.
After the treatment, he feels better.
nach means after, sich fühlen means to feel, and besser means better. Der Kur is dative because nach always requires the dative; the reflexive sich belongs with fühlen.
laktosefrei — lactose-free
laktosefrei is a compound adjective meaning that a food or drink contains no lactose. It is often used before food nouns, where it takes the normal adjective ending, as in laktosefreie Milch.
Die Milch ist laktosefrei.
The milk is lactose-free.
die Milch means the milk. Laktosefrei is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe laktosefreie Milch.
I am buying lactose-free milk.
kaufe means am buying, and Milch means milk. laktosefreie Milch is an accusative object after kaufen, and the adjective has the ending -e after the zero article for feminine accusative.
Diese Milch ist laktosefreier als die andere.
This milk is more lactose-free than the other one.
diese Milch means this milk and die andere means the other one. The comparative laktosefreier is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Produkten ist dieses am laktosefreiesten.
Of all the products, this one is the most lactose-free.
von allen Produkten means of all the products and dieses means this one. The predicative superlative uses am plus -sten and has no adjective ending; the comparison group follows von with dative.
die Lebensgefahr — mortal danger, danger to life
die Lebensgefahr is a compound of Leben and Gefahr. It is common in the fixed phrase in Lebensgefahr sein/schweben; the case after in depends on whether the phrase describes a state or movement into it.
Er schwebt in Lebensgefahr.
He is in mortal danger.
er means he, and schwebt here means is hovering or is in a dangerous state. The fixed phrase in Lebensgefahr schweben uses in with the dative for a state or situation; the feminine noun has no visible dative ending.
Der Unfall brachte ihn in Lebensgefahr.
The accident put him in mortal danger.
der Unfall means the accident, brachte means brought or put, and ihn means him. In Lebensgefahr uses the accusative because bringen expresses movement into a dangerous situation; ihn is also accusative as the direct object.
Die Ärzte helfen Menschen in Lebensgefahr.
The doctors help people in mortal danger.
die Ärzte means the doctors, helfen means help, and Menschen means people. In Lebensgefahr is dative because it describes a situation, not movement into one; Menschen is an accusative object after helfen only in the English sense, while German helfen normally takes a person in the dative, here expressed by the plural form without a visible ending.
Die Ursache der Lebensgefahr war ein technischer Fehler.
The cause of the danger to life was a technical fault.
die Ursache means the cause, technischer Fehler means technical fault, and war means was. Der Lebensgefahr is genitive after Ursache to show what kind of cause is meant; feminine genitive has the same noun form as the singular.
Solche Lebensgefahren müssen vermieden werden.
Such dangers to life must be avoided.
solche means such, müssen means must, and vermieden werden means be avoided. Lebensgefahren is the plural subject, and the passive structure places the participle vermieden at the end before werden in this modal construction.
die Meditation — meditation
Meditation is normally uncountable when referring to the activity in general, but individual sessions can be counted as Meditationen. The expression Meditation machen is possible, but Meditation üben is especially common.
Die Meditation hilft mir beim Entspannen.
Meditation helps me relax.
helfen means to help, and beim Entspannen means while relaxing. Die Meditation is nominative because it is the subject; beim means bei dem and takes the dative.
Ich beginne die Meditation nach dem Frühstück.
I begin the meditation after breakfast.
beginnen means to begin, and nach dem Frühstück means after breakfast. Die Meditation is accusative because it is the direct object; nach takes the dative in dem Frühstück.
Bei der Meditation sitze ich ganz still.
During meditation, I sit completely still.
bei der Meditation means during or in meditation, and ganz still means completely still. Bei always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the verb sitze is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Dauer der Meditation beträgt zehn Minuten.
The duration of the meditation is ten minutes.
die Dauer means the duration, and beträgt zehn Minuten means is ten minutes long. Der Meditation is genitive because it specifies what the duration belongs to; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Die Meditationen in diesem Kurs sind sehr kurz.
The meditations in this course are very short.
in diesem Kurs means in this course, and sehr kurz means very short. Die Meditationen is plural and nominative as the subject; sind is the finite verb in position two.
der Milchzucker — lactose
Milchzucker is the chemical name for lactose and is mainly used in health, food and nutrition contexts. It is a mass noun with no ordinary plural; Milchzuckerunverträglichkeit means lactose intolerance.
Milchzucker kommt in Milch vor.
Lactose is found in milk.
kommt ... vor means occurs or is found, and in Milch means in milk. Milchzucker is nominative as the subject; the separable verb vorkommen splits in the main clause, with vor at the end.
Manche Menschen vertragen Milchzucker nicht.
Some people do not tolerate lactose.
manche Menschen means some people, vertragen means tolerate, and nicht means not. Milchzucker is an uncountable accusative object after vertragen, so it normally appears without an article.
Ärzte helfen Menschen mit Milchzucker-Unverträglichkeit.
Doctors help people with lactose intolerance.
Ärzte means doctors, helfen means help, and Unverträglichkeit means intolerance. Milchzucker is part of the compound Milchzucker-Unverträglichkeit; mit introduces the dative phrase mit Milchzucker-Unverträglichkeit.
Die Wirkung des Milchzuckers ist gut untersucht.
The effect of lactose has been well studied.
die Wirkung means the effect, and gut untersucht means well studied. Milchzuckers is genitive after Wirkung to identify the substance’s effect; ist untersucht forms a passive construction.
mittel — medium, average, middle
mittel is usually used for size, amount or quality, as in mittlere Größe. Its comparison is grammatically possible but uncommon; everyday German often uses durchschnittlich for ‘average’.
Die Größe ist mittel.
The size is medium.
die Größe means ‘the size’, and ist means ‘is’. mittel is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen eine mittlere Pizza.
We are buying a medium-sized pizza.
kaufen means ‘buy’, and eine Pizza is ‘a pizza’. eine mittlere Pizza is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Dieses Zimmer ist mittler als das andere.
This room is more medium-sized than the other one.
dieses Zimmer means ‘this room’ and das andere means ‘the other one’. The comparative is followed by als; because mittler is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Von den drei Räumen ist dieser am mittelsten.
Of the three rooms, this one is the most medium-sized.
von den drei Räumen means ‘of the three rooms’, and dieser means ‘this one’. am mittelsten is the predicative superlative; the preposition von takes the dative plural den Räumen.
die Nebenwirkung — side effect
This word is mainly used for unwanted effects of medicines, treatments, or occasionally other actions. The plural is Nebenwirkungen, with -en, and it is often used with haben: Nebenwirkungen haben means to have side effects.
Dieses Medikament hat eine Nebenwirkung.
This medicine has a side effect.
Dieses Medikament means this medicine, and eine Nebenwirkung means a side effect. Eine Nebenwirkung is nominative because it is the subject of hat; the finite verb stands in position two.
Der Arzt erklärt die Nebenwirkung.
The doctor explains the side effect.
Der Arzt is the doctor, and erklärt means explains. Die Nebenwirkung is accusative because erklären takes a direct object, while the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Ich spreche mit dem Arzt über die Nebenwirkung.
I am talking to the doctor about the side effect.
sprechen means to talk, and über means about. Dem Arzt is dative after mit, while die Nebenwirkung is accusative after über in this meaning.
Die Wirkung des Medikaments ist stärker als die Nebenwirkung.
The effect of the medicine is stronger than the side effect.
Die Wirkung means the effect, des Medikaments means of the medicine, and stärker means stronger. Des Medikaments is genitive to show possession; the comparison with als means than.
Die Nebenwirkungen sind unangenehm.
The side effects are unpleasant.
unangenehm means unpleasant. Nebenwirkungen is plural, so it takes sind rather than ist; the finite verb remains in position two.
der Nerv — nerve; nerve; composure
Der Nerv is a masculine noun with the plural die Nerven. It is also used figuratively for someone’s emotional endurance, as in Das geht auf die Nerven; do not confuse this noun with the English adjective “nervous”.
Der Nerv im Rücken tut weh.
The nerve in my back hurts.
im Rücken means in the back, and tut weh means hurts. Der Nerv is nominative because it is the subject; im Rücken is dative because in describes a location, and the separable verb phrase tut ... weh puts weh at the end.
Der Arzt untersucht den Nerv.
The doctor examines the nerve.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Den Nerv is accusative as the object of untersuchen; this noun has the ending -en in the accusative, unlike nominative der Nerv.
Die Schmerzen folgen dem Nerv.
The pain follows the nerve.
die Schmerzen means the pain, and folgen means follow. Dem Nerv is dative because folgen governs the dative; unlike many masculine nouns, Nerv does not add -en in this dative form.
Die Funktion des Nervs ist wichtig.
The function of the nerve is important.
die Funktion means the function, and wichtig means important. Des Nervs is genitive because it identifies whose function it is; des and the ending -s mark the masculine genitive.
Viele Nerven liegen im Arm.
Many nerves lie in the arm.
viele means many, liegen means lie or are located, and im Arm means in the arm. Nerven is plural after viele; im Arm is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Der Lärm geht mir auf die Nerven.
The noise is getting on my nerves.
der Lärm means the noise, and mir means to me. The fixed expression auf die Nerven gehen means get on someone’s nerves: mir is dative for the affected person, while auf die Nerven is accusative after auf in this idiom.
Trotz des Problems behält sie die Nerven.
Despite the problem, she keeps her cool.
trotz des Problems means despite the problem, and behält means keeps. Trotz takes the genitive in careful standard German, while die Nerven is accusative as the object of behalten; the finite verb behält stands in position two.
der Notdienst — emergency service, out-of-hours service
In medical contexts, der Notdienst often means the doctor or pharmacy service available outside normal hours. For urgent danger, German speakers may instead mean der Rettungsdienst, the ambulance service.
Der Notdienst ist heute Nacht erreichbar.
The emergency service can be reached tonight.
heute Nacht means tonight, and erreichbar means reachable or available. Der Notdienst is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Rufen Sie den Notdienst an.
Call the emergency service.
rufen Sie ... an means call, and Sie is the formal you. Den Notdienst is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable verb has rufen first and an at the end.
Ich vertraue dem Notdienst.
I trust the emergency service.
vertrauen means to trust. Dem Notdienst is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object, not an accusative one; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Telefonnummer des Notdienstes steht am Eingang.
The emergency service’s telephone number is at the entrance.
die Telefonnummer is the telephone number, and der Eingang is the entrance. Des Notdienstes is genitive to show whose number it is, while steht is the finite verb in position two.
In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Notdienste.
There are several emergency services in the city.
die Stadt means the city, and mehrere means several. Notdienste is plural after mehrere; after es gibt, the existing services are grammatically accusative.
die Ohnmacht — fainting, loss of consciousness
The usual expression is in Ohnmacht fallen, meaning to faint. Do not confuse Ohnmacht with a general feeling of weakness; it specifically involves losing consciousness.
Die Frau fällt in Ohnmacht.
The woman faints.
die Frau means the woman, and fällt means falls. In Ohnmacht fallen is a fixed expression meaning to faint; in is used here in the phrase, not as a normal direction or location choice.
Der Arzt untersucht die Ohnmacht.
The doctor examines the fainting episode.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersucht means examines. Die Ohnmacht is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Nach der Ohnmacht ruht sie im Bett.
After the fainting episode, she rests in bed.
nach der Ohnmacht means after the fainting episode, and ruht means rests. Nach always takes the dative, so the feminine phrase is der Ohnmacht; im Bett means in bed.
Die Ursache der Ohnmacht ist noch unklar.
The cause of the fainting episode is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch unklar means still unclear. Der Ohnmacht is genitive because it identifies the cause; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der, not des.
Plötzliche Ohnmachten können gefährlich sein.
Sudden fainting episodes can be dangerous.
plötzliche means sudden, and gefährlich means dangerous. Plötzliche Ohnmachten is the plural subject, so it is nominative; after the modal verb können, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
ohnmächtig — unconscious; powerless
Ohnmächtig has two related uses: medically, unconscious, and figuratively, powerless or unable to influence a situation. The opposite of the medical meaning is bei Bewusstsein.
Die Patientin ist ohnmächtig.
The patient is unconscious.
die Patientin means the female patient, and ist means is. Ohnmächtig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing before a noun.
Ein ohnmächtiger Mann liegt auf dem Boden.
An unconscious man is lying on the floor.
ein Mann means a man, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Boden means on the floor. Ohnmächtiger is attributive and takes -er because it follows the indefinite article in the masculine nominative.
Nach dem Unfall wirkte er ohnmächtiger als vorher.
After the accident, he seemed more unconscious than before.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, wirkte means seemed, and vorher means before. Ohnmächtiger als compares two states; nach takes the dative, giving dem Unfall, while the adjective after wirken is predicative.
Nach dem Schock war sie am ohnmächtigsten.
After the shock, she was the most unconscious.
nach dem Schock means after the shock, and war means was. Am ohnmächtigsten is the predicative superlative; nach forces the dative dem Schock, and am is part of the superlative form, not an article before a noun.
die Operation — operation, surgery; operation, organised mission
In everyday medical German, eine Operation haben means to undergo an operation, while eine Operation durchführen means to perform one. The plural is Operationen.
Die Operation dauert zwei Stunden.
The operation lasts two hours.
dauert means lasts, and zwei Stunden means two hours. Die Operation is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Der Arzt plant die Operation.
The doctor is planning the operation.
Der Arzt means the doctor, and plant means plans. Die Operation is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the feminine article is identical in nominative and accusative.
Nach der Operation muss sie sich ausruhen.
She has to rest after the operation.
Nach means after, muss means has to, and sich ausruhen means rest. Der Operation is dative because nach always takes the dative; the modal verb muss is in position two and ausruhen goes to the end.
Das Ergebnis der Operation war gut.
The result of the operation was good.
Ergebnis means result, and gut means good. Der Operation is genitive because it identifies which operation the result belongs to; the past-tense verb war stands in position two.
Im Krankenhaus finden heute drei Operationen statt.
Three operations are taking place at the hospital today.
Im Krankenhaus means at the hospital, heute means today, and stattfinden means take place. Drei Operationen is the plural subject; the separable verb appears as finden in position two and statt at the end.
Die Armee startet eine geheime Operation.
The army is launching a secret operation.
Armee means army, startet means launches, and geheim means secret. Eine geheime Operation is accusative because starten takes a direct object; the finite verb startet stands in position two.
Die Operation war sorgfältig vorbereitet.
The operation had been carefully prepared.
sorgfältig means carefully, vorbereitet means prepared, and war means was. Die Operation is nominative as the subject; the participle vorbereitet comes after the auxiliary in this past passive construction.
operieren — to operate; to perform surgery; to operate; to function
For surgery, operieren normally takes an accusative object for the person or body part being operated on. It is a regular verb ending in -ieren, so its Partizip II is operiert, not geoperiert, and the perfect takes haben.
Der Arzt operiert den Patienten heute.
The doctor is operating on the patient today.
der Arzt is the doctor, der Patient is the patient, and heute means today. Den Patienten is accusative because operieren takes the person operated on as a direct object, and the finite verb operiert stands in position two.
Die Ärztin hat den Patienten erfolgreich operiert.
The doctor successfully operated on the patient.
die Ärztin is the female doctor and erfolgreich means successfully. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II operiert; den Patienten is accusative, and the participle goes to the end.
Der Chirurg operierte den Mann am Morgen.
The surgeon operated on the man in the morning.
der Chirurg is the surgeon, der Mann is the man, and am Morgen means in the morning. Den Mann is accusative because it is the direct object, and the regular past form operierte is in position two.
Operier den verletzten Arm sofort!
Operate on the injured arm immediately!
der verletzte Arm means the injured arm, and sofort means immediately. Operier is the informal singular imperative; the accusative phrase den verletzten Arm is the object, and the subject du is left out.
Ich würde den Patienten heute operieren.
I would operate on the patient today.
ich is I, der Patient is the patient, and heute means today. The conditional uses würde plus the infinitive operieren, which goes to the end; den Patienten is accusative.
Das Team wird den Patienten morgen operieren.
The team will operate on the patient tomorrow.
das Team is the team, morgen means tomorrow, and der Patient is the patient. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive operieren at the end, while den Patienten is the accusative object.
Das neue System operiert sehr zuverlässig.
The new system operates very reliably.
das neue System is the new system and zuverlässig means reliably. Here operieren means to function, not to perform surgery; the finite verb operiert stands in position two.
Die Organisation operiert in mehreren Ländern.
The organisation operates in several countries.
die Organisation is the organisation, mehreren Ländern means several countries, and in means in. In mehreren Ländern expresses location and therefore uses the dative plural; the finite verb operiert is in position two.
die Pflege — care, nursing; maintenance, care
die Pflege usually refers to care for people, especially medical or everyday support. In this general meaning it is often used as a mass noun without a plural; die Pflegen is possible when different care systems or forms are being compared.
Die Pflege meiner Mutter ist anstrengend.
Caring for my mother is exhausting.
meine Mutter means my mother and anstrengend means exhausting. Die Pflege is the nominative subject, while meiner Mutter is genitive because it identifies whose care is meant.
Ich organisiere die Pflege meines Vaters.
I organise my father’s care.
organisieren means to organise and mein Vater means my father. die Pflege is accusative because it is the direct object of organisiere, while meines Vaters is genitive.
Sie widmet sich der Pflege ihres Mannes.
She devotes herself to caring for her husband.
sich widmen means to devote oneself to and ihr Mann means her husband. The phrase sich widmen takes dative, so der Pflege is dative; ihres Mannes is genitive.
Die Kosten der Pflege steigen jedes Jahr.
The costs of care rise every year.
die Kosten means the costs, steigen means rise, and jedes Jahr means every year. der Pflege is genitive after Kosten to show what the costs are for; the finite verb steigen is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es verschiedene Formen der Pflege.
There are various forms of care in Germany.
Deutschland means Germany, verschiedene Formen means various forms, and gibt es means there are. Here Pflege is used in the genitive phrase der Pflege; the plural Formen belongs to Form, not to Pflege itself.
Regelmäßige Pflege hält die Schuhe sauber.
Regular care keeps the shoes clean.
regelmäßig means regular, halten means keep, and sauber means clean. Regelmäßige Pflege is the nominative subject, while die Schuhe is accusative as the object of hält.
Die Pflege von Pflanzen braucht Zeit.
Looking after plants takes time.
Pflanzen means plants and braucht Zeit means takes time. Die Pflege is the subject, and von Pflanzen uses von with dative to say what is being looked after.
die Pflegekraft — care worker, nurse
die Pflegekraft is a trained care worker; in a hospital, English often translates it as nurse. The compound combines Pflege (care) and Kraft (worker or person), and its plural is Pflegekräfte.
Die Pflegekraft hilft dem Patienten.
The nurse helps the patient.
helfen means to help and der Patient means the patient. Die Pflegekraft is nominative as the subject, while dem Patienten is dative because helfen always takes a dative object.
Ich rufe die Pflegekraft.
I am calling the nurse.
rufen means to call. die Pflegekraft is accusative because it is the direct object of rufe, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich danke der Pflegekraft.
I thank the nurse.
danken means to thank. der Pflegekraft is dative because danken governs dative, even though English uses a direct object.
Die Arbeit der Pflegekraft ist sehr wichtig.
The care worker’s work is very important.
die Arbeit means the work and wichtig means important. der Pflegekraft is genitive to show whose work is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Krankenhaus arbeiten viele Pflegekräfte.
Many nurses work in the hospital.
das Krankenhaus means the hospital and viele means many. Pflegekräfte is the plural with the vowel change in Kraft, and im Krankenhaus is dative because it describes a fixed location.
pflegen — to care for, to look after; to maintain, to cultivate
For caring for a person, pflegen takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben. It can also mean maintaining plants, objects, or a habit.
Meine Schwester pflegt unseren kranken Vater zu Hause.
My sister cares for our sick father at home.
meine Schwester means my sister, unseren kranken Vater means our sick father, and zu Hause means at home. Unseren kranken Vater is accusative because pflegen takes a direct object, and the finite verb pflegt stands in position two.
Wir haben unsere Großmutter viele Monate lang gepflegt.
We cared for our grandmother for many months.
unsere Großmutter means our grandmother, and viele Monate lang means for many months. The perfect uses haben plus gepflegt at the end; unsere Großmutter is accusative because it is the person receiving the care.
Früher pflegte er seine Frau allein.
In the past, he cared for his wife alone.
früher means in the past, seine Frau means his wife, and allein means alone. The regular past form pflegte is in position two, while seine Frau is accusative as the direct object.
Pfleg bitte deinen Bruder gut.
Please take good care of your brother.
bitte means please, deinen Bruder means your brother, and gut means well. The imperative leaves out du, and deinen Bruder is accusative because pflegen takes a direct object.
Ich pflegte meine Mutter, wenn sie krank war.
I would care for my mother when she was ill.
meine Mutter means my mother, wenn means when or whenever, and krank means ill. Here pflegte has the same form as the simple past, so the context shows the repeated or hypothetical meaning; meine Mutter is accusative.
Morgen wird sie ihren verletzten Mann pflegen.
Tomorrow she will care for her injured husband.
morgen means tomorrow, ihren verletzten Mann means her injured husband, and verletzt means injured. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive pflegen goes to the end; the person cared for is accusative.
Er pflegt seinen Garten jeden Samstag.
He maintains his garden every Saturday.
seinen Garten means his garden, and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Seinen Garten is accusative because pflegen takes a direct object, and the finite verb pflegt is in position two.
Sie pflegt den Kontakt zu ihren alten Freunden.
She maintains contact with her old friends.
den Kontakt means the contact, zu ihren alten Freunden means with her old friends, and alt means old. Den Kontakt is accusative as the direct object, while zu requires the dative in ihren alten Freunden.