Appearance
Vocab: Health — B2
Health vocabulary at B2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Altenpflegeheim — nursing home, care home
Altenpflegeheim is more specific than Altenheim: residents normally need regular nursing or personal care. It is a compound of Altenpflege (care of older people) and Heim (home or residential facility).
Das Altenpflegeheim bietet rund um die Uhr Betreuung.
The nursing home provides care around the clock.
bietet means provides, rund um die Uhr means around the clock, and Betreuung means care or supervision. Das Altenpflegeheim is nominative because it is the subject, and bietet stands in position two.
Die Familie sucht ein Altenpflegeheim.
The family is looking for a nursing home.
die Familie means the family, and sucht means is looking for. Ein Altenpflegeheim is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the neuter indefinite article is ein in both nominative and accusative.
Sie arbeitet in einem Altenpflegeheim.
She works in a nursing home.
arbeitet means works. In einem Altenpflegeheim is dative because in describes a location, not a change of location; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Leitung des Altenpflegeheims sucht Personal.
The management of the nursing home is looking for staff.
Leitung means management, and Personal means staff. Des Altenpflegeheims is genitive because it identifies which management; the singular subject Leitung takes sucht.
In Deutschland entstehen neue Altenpflegeheime.
New nursing homes are being built in Germany.
entstehen means come into existence or are built, and neue means new. Altenpflegeheime is plural because neue modifies several facilities; the plural subject makes the verb entstehen plural.
angeboren — congenital, innate, inborn
Angeboren means present from birth and is especially common with medical conditions or abilities. Do not confuse it with geboren, which means born and describes the event or fact of birth.
Die Fähigkeit ist angeboren.
The ability is innate.
die Fähigkeit means the ability, and ist means is. Angeboren is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Kind hat eine angeborene Herzkrankheit.
The child has a congenital heart disease.
das Kind means the child, eine Herzkrankheit means a heart disease, and hat means has. Eine angeborene Herzkrankheit is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the feminine indefinite-article pattern gives angeborene the ending -e.
Diese Fähigkeit ist nicht angeboren, sondern erlernt.
This ability is not innate but learned.
diese Fähigkeit means this ability, nicht means not, and erlernt means learned. Angeboren is normally not gradable because something is either present from birth or it is not; sondern introduces the correction after nicht.
Die Ärztin untersuchte die angeborene Fehlbildung.
The doctor examined the congenital malformation.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, untersuchte means examined, and die Fehlbildung is the malformation. Die angeborene Fehlbildung is accusative after untersuchen; angeboren has no normal superlative because it describes an absolute condition.
der Arbeitsschutz — occupational safety; protection at work
This is usually an uncountable field or system, so it normally has no plural. It is often used in compounds such as Arbeitsschutzgesetz, meaning occupational-safety law.
Arbeitsschutz ist in dieser Firma besonders wichtig.
Occupational safety is especially important in this company.
die Firma means company and besonders means especially. Arbeitsschutz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; wichtig is a predicative adjective and has no ending.
Die Firma verbessert den Arbeitsschutz.
The company is improving occupational safety.
verbessern means to improve and die Firma means the company. Arbeitsschutz is accusative because verbessern takes a direct object, while the finite verb verbessert stands in position two.
Die Beschäftigten vertrauen dem Arbeitsschutz nicht vollständig.
The employees do not have complete confidence in occupational safety.
die Beschäftigten means the employees and vollständig means complete or completely. Arbeitsschutz is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertrauen stands in position two.
Die Regeln des Arbeitsschutzes gelten für alle.
The occupational-safety rules apply to everyone.
die Regeln means the rules and für alle means for everyone. Arbeitsschutzes is genitive because it specifies which rules; the masculine genitive ending -es follows des, and the finite verb gelten stands in position two.
Guter Arbeitsschutz rettet Leben.
Good occupational safety saves lives.
gut means good and rettet Leben means saves lives. Arbeitsschutz is a mass noun with no normal plural; this slot shows a sentence using the noun in a general, uncountable sense, with the finite verb rettet in position two.
die Arbeitsunfähigkeit — inability to work, incapacity for work; period of certified inability to work
This formal employment and medical term is often used in documents and sick notes. It describes the condition, not the paper proving it; that paper is an Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung.
Wegen Arbeitsunfähigkeit bleibt er diese Woche zu Hause.
Because he is unable to work, he is staying at home this week.
diese Woche means this week, and zu Hause means at home. Wegen normally takes the genitive in careful standard German, while the finite verb bleibt stands in position two; the marked noun is part of the prepositional phrase.
Der Arzt bestätigt die Arbeitsunfähigkeit des Patienten.
The doctor confirms the patient’s inability to work.
der Arzt is the doctor, bestätigt means confirms, and der Patient is the patient. Die Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative because bestätigen takes a direct object; the genitive phrase des Patienten shows whose condition it is.
Nach der Untersuchung spricht die Ärztin über die Arbeitsunfähigkeit.
After the examination, the doctor talks about the inability to work.
nach der Untersuchung means after the examination, and die Ärztin is the female doctor. Nach forces the dative in der Untersuchung, while über means about and forces the accusative in die Arbeitsunfähigkeit; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Die Dauer der Arbeitsunfähigkeit hängt von der Diagnose ab.
The duration of the inability to work depends on the diagnosis.
die Dauer is the duration, hängt ... ab means depends, and die Diagnose is the diagnosis. Der Arbeitsunfähigkeit is genitive because it specifies the duration; abhängen is separable, so hängt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Im Bericht stehen mehrere Arbeitsunfähigkeiten.
The report lists several periods of inability to work.
der Bericht is the report, mehrere means several, and stehen here means are listed or recorded. Im Bericht is dative after in for a location, and the plural Arbeitsunfähigkeiten is the subject of the sentence.
Die Arbeitsunfähigkeit beginnt am Montag.
The certified inability to work begins on Monday.
beginnt means begins, and am Montag means on Monday. The noun is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Sie meldet ihre Arbeitsunfähigkeit sofort dem Arbeitgeber.
She immediately reports her inability to work to her employer.
meldet means reports, sofort means immediately, and der Arbeitgeber is the employer. Ihre Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative as the thing reported, while dem Arbeitgeber is dative as the person receiving the report.
ausgewogen — balanced, well-balanced
ausgewogen is often used for food, opinions, plans, or relationships that contain suitable or fair proportions. It can be compared regularly: ausgewogener, am ausgewogensten.
Die Ernährung ist ausgewogen.
The diet is balanced.
die Ernährung means the diet or nutrition. ausgewogen is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the verb ist stands in position two.
Sie kocht eine ausgewogene Mahlzeit.
She cooks a balanced meal.
kocht means cooks and eine Mahlzeit is a meal. ausgewogene describes the feminine accusative noun Mahlzeit and takes -e after eine; kocht is the finite verb in position two.
Diese Lösung ist ausgewogener als die alte.
This solution is more balanced than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution and die alte means the old one. ausgewogener compares two things and is followed by als; ist remains in position two.
Von allen Vorschlägen ist dieser am ausgewogensten.
Of all the suggestions, this one is the most balanced.
von allen Vorschlägen means of all the suggestions, and dieser means this one. The predicative superlative uses am ausgewogensten, while ist is in position two and the comparison phrase comes first.
belastbar — resilient, able to cope with pressure
belastbar is often used for people who can handle stress and for materials or systems that can withstand strain. It can describe physical or mental capacity; the comparative and superlative are regular.
Die Mitarbeiterin ist sehr belastbar.
The employee is very resilient.
die Mitarbeiterin means the female employee and sehr means very. belastbar is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after ist; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen eine belastbare Person für diese Aufgabe.
We are looking for a resilient person for this task.
suchen means are looking for, eine Person means a person, and diese Aufgabe means this task. eine belastbare Person is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Dieses Material ist belastbarer als das alte.
This material is more durable than the old one.
dieses Material means this material and das alte means the old one. belastbarer compares this material with the old one using als; because it follows ist, it has no attributive ending.
Von allen Bewerbern ist Anna am belastbarsten.
Of all the applicants, Anna is the most resilient.
von allen Bewerbern means of all the applicants and von requires the dative plural. The predicative superlative is am belastbarsten; it follows ist and therefore has no noun ending.
die Betäubungsspritze — anaesthetic injection, numbing injection
This compound consists of Betäubung (numbing or anaesthesia) and Spritze (injection or syringe). It is mainly used in medical and dental contexts.
Die Betäubungsspritze wirkt schnell.
The anaesthetic injection works quickly.
wirkt means works or takes effect, and schnell means quickly. Die Betäubungsspritze is nominative because it is the subject, and wirkt stands in position two.
Der Zahnarzt gibt mir eine Betäubungsspritze.
The dentist gives me an anaesthetic injection.
der Zahnarzt is the dentist and mir means to me. Eine Betäubungsspritze is accusative because geben takes the thing given as a direct object, while mir is dative for the recipient.
Nach der Betäubungsspritze spüre ich nichts.
After the anaesthetic injection, I feel nothing.
nach means after, spüre means feel, and nichts means nothing. Der Betäubungsspritze is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase at the beginning makes spüre come in position two.
Die Wirkung der Betäubungsspritze hält eine Stunde an.
The effect of the anaesthetic injection lasts for an hour.
die Wirkung means the effect, hält ... an means lasts, and eine Stunde is one hour. Der Betäubungsspritze is genitive because it identifies the injection's effect; the separable verb hält ... an places its prefix at the end.
Im Schrank liegen mehrere Betäubungsspritzen.
There are several anaesthetic injections in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, liegen means are lying or are stored, and mehrere means several. Betäubungsspritzen is the plural with -n, and the plural verb liegen stands in position two.
ermüden — to tire, to make tired; to become tired
In the transitive sense, ermüden takes an accusative person who becomes tired and forms the perfect with haben. The verb also has an intransitive change-of-state use with sein, meaning to become tired.
Die lange Reise ermüdet ihn.
The long journey tires him.
die lange Reise is the long journey, and ihn means him. Ihn is accusative because the journey tires him, and the finite verb ermüdet stands in position two.
Die Arbeit hat sie sehr ermüdet.
The work tired her greatly.
die Arbeit is the work, sie means her, and sehr means very or greatly. Sie is accusative as the person affected, and the Partizip II ermüdet goes to the end after hat.
Der Lärm ermüdete die Patienten.
The noise tired the patients.
der Lärm is the noise, and die Patienten are the patients. Die Patienten is accusative as the object, while ermüdete is the regular past form in position two.
Ermüde deine Kollegen nicht!
Do not tire your colleagues!
deine Kollegen means your colleagues, and nicht means not. The object is accusative after ermüden, and the imperative has no subject pronoun; the negative word nicht follows the object here.
Das würde die Kinder schnell ermüden.
That would quickly tire the children.
die Kinder are the children, and schnell means quickly. Die Kinder is accusative as the affected object, and the infinitive ermüden goes to the end after würde.
Die vielen Termine werden ihn ermüden.
The many appointments will tire him.
die vielen Termine are the many appointments, and ihn means him. Ihn is accusative as the affected person, and the infinitive ermüden stands at the end after werden.
Nach mehreren Stunden ermüdete der Fahrer.
After several hours, the driver became tired.
nach mehreren Stunden means after several hours, and der Fahrer is the driver. The driver is the nominative subject, and the intransitive verb ermüdete stands in position two; this sense describes becoming tired, so the perfect normally uses sein.
Mit zunehmendem Alter ist sie schneller ermüdet.
As she got older, she became tired more quickly.
mit zunehmendem Alter means as age increased, and schneller means more quickly. Mit takes the dative, and the intransitive perfect uses ist plus ermüdet, with the participle at the end.
erschöpfen — to exhaust; to use up; to exhaust; to deplete
erschöpfen takes an accusative object for the person or resource affected, as in jemanden erschöpfen or die Vorräte erschöpfen. Do not confuse the verb with the adjective erschöpft, which describes the resulting state.
Die lange Wanderung erschöpft mich.
The long hike exhausts me.
die lange Wanderung means the long hike, and mich means me. mich is accusative because erschöpfen takes the person affected as an accusative object; the finite verb erschöpft stands in position two.
Die lange Wanderung hat mich erschöpft.
The long hike has exhausted me.
die lange Wanderung means the long hike, and mich means me. The perfect uses hat plus erschöpft because erschöpfen takes an object; erschöpft goes to the end of the clause.
Die lange Wanderung erschöpfte mich.
The long hike exhausted me.
die lange Wanderung means the long hike, and mich means me. mich is accusative because it is the object of erschöpfen, while the finite Präteritum form erschöpfte is in position two.
Erschöpf mich nicht mit deinen Fragen!
Don’t exhaust me with your questions!
nicht means not, and deinen Fragen means your questions. The omitted du is understood, and mich is accusative because it is the object of the imperative erschöpf.
Die lange Wanderung würde mich erschöpfen.
The long hike would exhaust me.
die lange Wanderung means the long hike, and mich means me. würde erschöpfen expresses a hypothetical result; mich remains accusative because erschöpfen takes an accusative object.
Die lange Wanderung wird mich erschöpfen.
The long hike will exhaust me.
die lange Wanderung means the long hike, and mich means me. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive erschöpfen at the end; mich is the accusative object.
Wir haben die Möglichkeiten fast erschöpft.
We have almost exhausted the possibilities.
die Möglichkeiten means the possibilities, and fast means almost. die Möglichkeiten is accusative because it is what has been exhausted, while haben erschöpft forms the perfect.
Der Fonds ist nach einem Jahr erschöpft.
The fund is exhausted after one year.
der Fonds means the fund, and nach einem Jahr means after one year. Here erschöpft is an adjective describing the fund, not an active verb; ist links the subject and the predicative adjective.
die Naturkosmetik — natural cosmetics
Naturkosmetik is usually a mass noun for the product category, so it normally has no plural. The compound combines Natur (nature) and Kosmetik (cosmetics).
Die Naturkosmetik wird immer beliebter.
Natural cosmetics are becoming increasingly popular.
immer beliebter means increasingly popular. The headword is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wird stands in position two in the passive-like change-of-state construction.
Viele Kundinnen kaufen die Naturkosmetik.
Many female customers buy natural cosmetics.
Viele Kundinnen means many female customers and kaufen means buy. The headword is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while the finite verb stands in position two.
Viele Menschen vertrauen der Naturkosmetik.
Many people trust natural cosmetics.
Viele Menschen means many people and vertrauen means trust. The headword is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object; the finite verb vertrauen stands in position two.
Die Inhaltsstoffe der Naturkosmetik sind oft pflanzlich.
The ingredients of natural cosmetics are often plant-based.
Die Inhaltsstoffe means the ingredients, oft means often, and pflanzlich means plant-based. The headword is genitive after die Inhaltsstoffe, showing which ingredients are meant, and sind stands in position two.
Dieses Geschäft verkauft Produkte aus Naturkosmetik.
This shop sells products made from natural cosmetics.
Dieses Geschäft means this shop, verkauft means sells, and Produkte means products. The headword follows aus, which normally takes the dative, but this mass noun has the same visible form in dative as in the other singular cases.
der Orthopäde — orthopaedist, orthopaedic doctor
Orthopäde is a weak masculine noun: only the nominative singular is der Orthopäde; the other singular cases use Orthopäden. It is a medical specialist, not a general doctor.
Der Orthopäde untersucht mein Knie.
The orthopaedist examines my knee.
untersucht means “examines,” and mein Knie means “my knee.” Der Orthopäde is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Orthopäden an.
I am calling the orthopaedist.
anrufen means “to call,” and ich rufe ... an means “I am calling.” Den Orthopäden is accusative as the direct object, and this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Ich vertraue dem Orthopäden.
I trust the orthopaedist.
vertrauen means “trust.” Dem Orthopäden is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object, and the weak noun keeps -n.
Die Empfehlung des Orthopäden hilft mir.
The orthopaedist’s recommendation helps me.
die Empfehlung means “the recommendation,” and hilft mir means “helps me.” Des Orthopäden is genitive because it shows whose recommendation it is; the noun still has -n, not a special genitive ending.
Der Orthopäde ist sehr erfahren.
The orthopaedist is very experienced.
erfahren means “experienced.” Der Orthopäde is nominative as the subject, and ist links the subject to the adjective.
Die Orthopäden arbeiten in verschiedenen Kliniken.
The orthopaedists work in different clinics.
arbeiten means “work,” verschieden means “different,” and Kliniken means “clinics.” Orthopäden is plural and has the characteristic weak-noun ending -n; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
der Personenschaden — personal injury, human casualty
This compound is common in accident reports and insurance language. It can refer to an injury or, in official contexts, to a person killed in an accident.
Der Personenschaden war schwer.
The personal injury was serious.
schwer means serious or severe. Der Personenschaden is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Versicherung ersetzt den Personenschaden.
The insurance company compensates for the personal injury.
die Versicherung is the insurance company, and ersetzen means to compensate for or replace. Den Personenschaden is accusative because ersetzen takes an accusative object; ersetzt is in position two.
Die Polizei hilft dem Personenschaden nicht ab.
The police cannot remedy the personal injury.
die Polizei is the police, and helfen means to help; abhelfen means to remedy a problem. Dem Personenschaden is dative because the expression einem Schaden abhelfen requires the dative, while hilft stays in position two and ab goes to the end.
Die Folgen des Personenschadens sind noch unklar.
The consequences of the personal injury are still unclear.
die Folgen means the consequences, and unklar means unclear. Des Personenschadens is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Bei dem Unfall gab es zwei Personenschäden.
There were two personal injuries in the accident.
bei dem Unfall means at the accident, and zwei means two. Personenschäden is plural after zwei; bei requires the dative, but the plural article is hidden in bei dem for the noun phrase describing the setting.
Der Rettungsdienst behandelt Personenschaden sofort.
Emergency services treat personal injuries immediately.
der Rettungsdienst means emergency medical services, behandeln means to treat, and sofort means immediately. Here Personenschaden is used without an article in a general, uncountable sense; behandelt stands in position two.
die Pflegeversicherung — long-term-care insurance
Die Pflegeversicherung is usually discussed as part of the German social-insurance system. It pays only some costs, so people may also need their own money or additional insurance.
Die Pflegeversicherung übernimmt einen Teil der Kosten.
Long-term-care insurance covers part of the costs.
übernimmt means covers or takes over, einen Teil means a part, and die Kosten means the costs. Die Pflegeversicherung is nominative because it is the subject; the accusative object einen Teil der Kosten follows the verb.
Viele Familien brauchen die Pflegeversicherung.
Many families need long-term-care insurance.
viele Familien means many families, and brauchen means need. Die Pflegeversicherung is accusative as the direct object of brauchen; the feminine article looks the same as in the nominative.
Mit der Pflegeversicherung können Angehörige Unterstützung bekommen.
With long-term-care insurance, relatives can receive support.
mit means with, Angehörige means relatives, and Unterstützung means support. Mit always requires the dative, so der Pflegeversicherung is dative; the modal verb können sends bekommen to the end.
Die Leistungen der Pflegeversicherung sind begrenzt.
The benefits provided by long-term-care insurance are limited.
die Leistungen means the benefits, and begrenzt means limited. Der Pflegeversicherung is genitive because it identifies whose benefits they are; the adjective begrenzt comes after the verb sind.
Private Pflegeversicherungen bieten oft zusätzliche Leistungen.
Private long-term-care insurance schemes often offer additional benefits.
private means private, bieten means offer, oft means often, and zusätzliche Leistungen means additional benefits. Pflegeversicherungen is nominative plural as the subject, and zusätzliche Leistungen is accusative after bieten.
die Pharmaindustrie — pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaindustrie is a compound of Pharma (pharmaceuticals) and Industrie (industry). It refers to the sector as a whole; an individual business is das Pharmaunternehmen.
Die Pharmaindustrie investiert viel Geld in Forschung.
The pharmaceutical industry invests a lot of money in research.
investiert means invests, viel Geld means a lot of money, and Forschung means research. Die Pharmaindustrie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb investiert stands in position two.
Die Regierung kritisiert die Pharmaindustrie.
The government criticises the pharmaceutical industry.
die Regierung means the government and kritisiert means criticises. Die Pharmaindustrie is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; its feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Viele Fachkräfte arbeiten in der Pharmaindustrie.
Many skilled workers work in the pharmaceutical industry.
viele Fachkräfte means many skilled workers and arbeiten means work. In takes the dative here because it describes a fixed place or sector, so der Pharmaindustrie is dative; the verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Produkte der Pharmaindustrie sind oft teuer.
The products of the pharmaceutical industry are often expensive.
die Produkte means the products, oft means often, and teuer means expensive. Der Pharmaindustrie is genitive after die Produkte to show ownership or origin; sind stands in position two.
In Europa gibt es mehrere Pharmaindustrien.
There are several pharmaceutical industries in Europe.
in Europa means in Europe, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Pharmaindustrien is plural after mehrere; in the fixed structure es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
Die Pharmaindustrie entwickelt neue Medikamente.
The pharmaceutical industry develops new medicines.
entwickelt means develops and neue Medikamente means new medicines. Die Pharmaindustrie is the nominative subject, while neue Medikamente is accusative as the direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
schädigen — to harm, to damage
schädigen is a formal or technical verb for causing harm and takes an accusative object. In everyday speech, schaden is also common, but it takes the dative: jemandem schaden.
Rauchen schädigt die Gesundheit.
Smoking harms health.
Rauchen means smoking, and die Gesundheit means health. die Gesundheit is accusative because schädigen takes a direct object; the finite verb schädigt stands in position two.
Der Unfall hat die Wirbelsäule geschädigt.
The accident damaged the spine.
der Unfall means the accident, and die Wirbelsäule means the spine. die Wirbelsäule is accusative as the object of geschädigt; hat is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end with haben.
Der Lärm schädigte die Tiere.
The noise harmed the animals.
der Lärm means the noise, and die Tiere means the animals. die Tiere is accusative because it is the object, and the weak-verb preterite schädigte stands in position two.
Schädige deine Augen nicht mit diesem Licht!
Do not harm your eyes with this light!
deine Augen means your eyes, and dieses Licht means this light. Schädige is the informal du imperative; the object deine Augen is accusative, and nicht makes the command negative.
Zu viel Sonne würde die Haut schädigen.
Too much sun would harm the skin.
zu viel Sonne means too much sun, and die Haut means the skin. würde schädigen expresses a hypothetical result; die Haut is accusative because it is the direct object.
Die Chemikalien werden den Boden schädigen.
The chemicals will damage the soil.
die Chemikalien means the chemicals, and den Boden means the soil. den Boden is accusative as the object; werden stands in position two and schädigen goes to the end.
die Sucht — addiction, dependency
die Sucht can refer to dependence on a substance, such as alcohol, or to compulsive behavior, such as gambling. Do not confuse this noun with the verb form sucht, meaning “looks for”.
Die Sucht bestimmt sein Leben.
The addiction controls his life.
bestimmt means controls or determines, and sein Leben is his life. Die Sucht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb bestimmt stands in position two.
Der Arzt behandelt die Sucht.
The doctor is treating the addiction.
der Arzt is the doctor and behandelt means treats. die Sucht is accusative because behandeln takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Er lebt mit der Sucht.
He lives with the addiction.
lebt means lives and mit means with. der Sucht is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Die Folgen der Sucht sind schwer.
The consequences of the addiction are serious.
die Folgen are the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. der Sucht is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; the plural subject die Folgen takes sind.
Viele Süchte beginnen schon in der Jugend.
Many addictions already begin in youth.
viele means many, beginnen means begin, and die Jugend is youth or adolescence. Süchte is plural nominative and therefore takes the plural verb beginnen; in der Jugend is a location or time phrase with dative.
das Suchtmittel — addictive substance, drug
Suchtmittel is a broad, fairly formal term for substances that can cause dependence; in legal or medical contexts it may refer to controlled drugs. The unchanged plural die Suchtmittel is easy to miss, so check the article or determiner.
Das Suchtmittel kann die Gesundheit schädigen.
The addictive substance can damage health.
kann means can, die Gesundheit is health, and schädigen means damage. Das Suchtmittel is nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb kann is in position two and the infinitive schädigen goes to the end.
Die Polizei beschlagnahmt das Suchtmittel.
The police confiscate the addictive substance.
die Polizei is the police and beschlagnahmt means confiscates or seizes. das Suchtmittel is accusative because beschlagnahmen takes a direct object; for a neuter noun the nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Der Patient bekommt Hilfe bei dem Suchtmittel.
The patient receives help with the addictive substance.
der Patient is the patient, bekommt means receives, and Hilfe is help. bei dem Suchtmittel is dative after bei; in natural German, treatment is more often described with Hilfe bei der Sucht, help with the addiction.
Die Wirkung des Suchtmittels ist gefährlich.
The effect of the addictive substance is dangerous.
die Wirkung is the effect and gefährlich means dangerous. des Suchtmittels is genitive because it identifies whose effect is meant; the neuter noun has the genitive ending -s.
Viele Suchtmittel sind verboten.
Many addictive substances are prohibited.
viele means many and verboten means prohibited or banned. Suchtmittel has the same form in the singular and plural, but viele and the plural verb sind show that it is plural.
tödlich — deadly, fatal, lethal
This adjective describes something that causes death or can result in death. It is stronger than gefährlich, which means dangerous but does not necessarily mean fatal.
Der Biss der Schlange ist tödlich.
The snake’s bite is fatal.
der Biss means the bite, and die Schlange means the snake. Tödlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; der Biss is nominative as the subject.
Sie wurde von einer tödlichen Krankheit geheilt.
She was cured of a fatal disease.
geheilt means cured, von means by or of here, and eine Krankheit means a disease. Tödlichen stands before the feminine noun in the dative phrase von einer tödlichen Krankheit, so it takes the ending -en after the dative article einer.
Dieser Unfall war tödlicher als der erste.
This accident was deadlier than the first one.
dieser Unfall means this accident, and der erste means the first one. Tödlicher compares this accident with another using als; after war, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Das Gift dieser Pflanze ist am tödlichsten.
The poison of this plant is the deadliest.
das Gift means the poison, and dieser Pflanze means of this plant. Am tödlichsten is the predicative superlative after ist; dieser Pflanze is genitive because it shows whose poison it is.
unterziehen — to undergo; to submit oneself to; to subject something or someone to
In the common reflexive construction, sich einer Sache unterziehen means to undergo or submit to something. The person is marked by the reflexive pronoun, while the process is expressed in the genitive.
Der Patient unterzieht sich einer gründlichen Untersuchung.
The patient is undergoing a thorough examination.
der Patient is the patient, and gründlich means thorough; die Untersuchung is an examination. Sich einer Untersuchung unterziehen uses a reflexive pronoun and a genitive phrase because the person undergoes the process; the finite verb unterzieht is in position two.
Die Patientin hat sich einer langen Behandlung unterzogen.
The patient underwent a long treatment.
die Patientin is the female patient, and lang means long; die Behandlung is treatment. The perfect uses hat plus unterzogen, with the Partizip II at the end; sich einer Behandlung is the reflexive pronoun plus genitive phrase required by the construction.
Der Angeklagte unterzog sich einer Befragung.
The defendant submitted to questioning.
der Angeklagte is the defendant, and die Befragung means questioning. The simple past form unterzog has the strong-verb vowel change and stands in position two; einer Befragung is genitive after this formal construction.
Unterzieh dich bitte einer ärztlichen Untersuchung.
Please undergo a medical examination.
bitte means please, and ärztlich means medical; die Untersuchung is an examination. The imperative addresses one person and begins the sentence, while dich is the reflexive accusative pronoun and einer Untersuchung is the genitive phrase belonging to the verb.
Ich würde mich dieser Prüfung nicht unterziehen.
I would not subject myself to this examination.
dieser means this, and die Prüfung is an examination or test; nicht means not. Würde creates the Konjunktiv II, so the infinitive unterziehen goes to the end; dieser Prüfung is a genitive phrase after the construction.
Sie wird sich morgen einer weiteren Kontrolle unterziehen.
She will undergo another inspection tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, weiter means additional, and die Kontrolle is an inspection or check. In the future, wird is the finite verb in position two and unterziehen goes to the end; einer weiteren Kontrolle is genitive after the verb.
Die Kommission unterzieht den Antrag einer genauen Prüfung.
The commission is subjecting the application to a careful review.
die Kommission is the commission, der Antrag is the application, and genau means careful or precise; die Prüfung is the review. The person or thing being subjected is accusative, while einer Prüfung is genitive; the finite verb unterzieht stands in position two.
Das Labor hat die Probe einer zusätzlichen Analyse unterzogen.
The laboratory subjected the sample to an additional analysis.
das Labor is the laboratory, die Probe is the sample, and zusätzlich means additional; die Analyse is the analysis. The perfect uses hat and the Partizip II unterzogen at the end; die Probe is accusative and einer zusätzlichen Analyse is genitive.
verpflegen — to feed; to provide for, to care for; to care for; to look after
Verpflegen is often used for supplying meals, especially in hotels, camps and organised events. It can also be reflexive: sich verpflegen means to arrange one's own food.
Das Hotel verpflegt seine Gäste dreimal am Tag.
The hotel provides its guests with meals three times a day.
das Hotel is a hotel, seine Gäste means its guests, and dreimal am Tag means three times a day. Seine Gäste is accusative because verpflegen takes the person receiving food as its direct object; the finite verb verpflegt stands in position two.
Das Hotel hat die Gäste gut verpflegt.
The hotel provided the guests with good meals.
gut means well, and die Gäste means the guests. Die Gäste is accusative because it is the object of verpflegen; hat stands in position two and verpflegt goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Früher verpflegte die Küche zweihundert Menschen.
In the past, the kitchen fed two hundred people.
früher means in the past, die Küche is the kitchen, and zweihundert Menschen means two hundred people. The object zweihundert Menschen is accusative, while the regular past form verpflegte stands in position two after the fronted time word.
Verpfleg die Kinder zuerst!
Feed the children first!
die Kinder means the children, and zuerst means first. Die Kinder is accusative because it is the object; the informal imperative verpfleg stands at the beginning and the subject du is left out.
Wenn ich müsste, verpflegte ich die ganze Gruppe selbst.
If I had to, I would provide food for the whole group myself.
wenn ich müsste means if I had to, die ganze Gruppe means the whole group, and selbst means myself. In the subordinate clause, the finite verb müsste goes to the end; the conditional form verpflegte is regular and takes the accusative object die ganze Gruppe.
Der Veranstalter wird alle Teilnehmer verpflegen.
The organiser will provide food for all participants.
der Veranstalter is the organiser, and alle Teilnehmer means all participants. Alle Teilnehmer is accusative after verpflegen; wird stands in position two and the infinitive verpflegen goes to the end.
Die Helfer verpflegen die Verletzten.
The helpers are caring for the injured.
die Helfer are the helpers, and die Verletzten means the injured people. Die Verletzten is accusative because verpflegen takes a direct object; the finite verb verpflegen stands in position two.
Wir müssen die Pferde jeden Morgen verpflegen.
We have to look after the horses every morning.
müssen means have to, die Pferde are the horses, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Pferde is accusative, while the infinitive verpflegen goes to the end after the modal verb müssen.
die Zusatzversicherung — supplementary insurance, additional insurance
This compound combines der Zusatz, an addition, with die Versicherung, insurance. It normally means extra cover alongside basic insurance, not a completely separate replacement policy.
Die Zusatzversicherung übernimmt die Kosten für das Einzelzimmer.
The supplementary insurance covers the cost of the private room.
übernimmt means “covers” or “takes over”, die Kosten means “the costs”, and das Einzelzimmer is a private room. Die Zusatzversicherung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb übernimmt stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Zusatzversicherung jeden Monat.
I pay for the supplementary insurance every month.
bezahle means “pay”, and jeden Monat means “every month”. Die Zusatzversicherung is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb bezahle is in position two.
Mit der Zusatzversicherung bekomme ich schneller einen Termin.
With the supplementary insurance, I get an appointment more quickly.
mit means “with”, schneller means “more quickly”, and einen Termin is an appointment. Der Zusatzversicherung is dative because mit always takes the dative, and bekomme is in position two after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Leistungen der Zusatzversicherung sind genau erklärt.
The benefits of the supplementary insurance are explained clearly.
die Leistungen are the benefits or services, and genau erklärt means “explained clearly”. Der Zusatzversicherung is genitive because it identifies whose Leistungen they are; the verb sind remains in position two.
Viele Zusatzversicherungen bieten Schutz im Ausland.
Many supplementary insurance policies offer cover abroad.
viele means “many”, bieten means “offer”, and der Ausland idea in im Ausland means “abroad”. Zusatzversicherungen is nominative plural as the subject, so the verb is plural: bieten, not bietet.