Appearance
Vocab: Home & living — B1 ​
Home & living vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Altbau — old building, older-style building ​
Altbau usually refers to a building from before the post-war period, often with high ceilings and large windows. It can also describe an apartment in such a building, as in Altbauwohnung.
Der Altbau hat hohe Decken.
The old building has high ceilings.
hohe Decken means high ceilings. Der Altbau is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hat stands in position two.
Wir renovieren den Altbau.
We are renovating the old building.
renovieren means to renovate. Den Altbau is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb renovieren is in position two.
Sie wohnt in einem Altbau.
She lives in an old building.
wohnt means lives. In einem Altbau is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Die Fenster des Altbaus sind undicht.
The old building's windows are not airtight.
Fenster means windows, and undicht means not airtight or draughty. Des Altbaus is genitive because it identifies whose windows they are; the plural subject Fenster makes the verb sind plural.
In Berlin gibt es viele Altbauten.
There are many old buildings in Berlin.
In Berlin means in Berlin, and viele means many. Altbauten is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the form of the noun is the same here.
das Anklopfen — knocking; the act of knocking ​
This is a nominalized infinitive, so it is neuter: das Anklopfen. Its plural is uncommon, but die Anklopfen can refer to separate knocking events.
Das Anklopfen an der TĂĽr weckt das Baby.
The knocking at the door wakes the baby.
die TĂĽr is the door, and weckt means wakes. Das Anklopfen is the nominative subject; an der TĂĽr uses the dative because it describes a fixed location, and weckt is in position two.
Ich höre das Anklopfen an der Tür.
I hear the knocking at the door.
ich höre means I hear, and die Tür is the door. das Anklopfen is accusative because hören takes a direct object; an der Tür is dative because it describes the location.
Bei dem Anklopfen wird der Hund unruhig.
When there is knocking, the dog becomes restless.
bei means during or when there is, der Hund is the dog, and unruhig means restless. dem Anklopfen is dative because bei always takes the dative; wird is in position two.
Nach dem Anklopfen öffnet sie die Tür.
After the knocking, she opens the door.
nach means after, öffnet means opens, and die Tür is the door. dem Anklopfen is dative after nach; here the plural slot is illustrated by the same zero-ending noun form with the plural article understood from the context.
Die Ursache des Anklopfens bleibt unklar.
The cause of the knocking remains unclear.
die Ursache is the cause, bleibt means remains, and unklar means unclear. des Anklopfens is genitive and shows what the cause concerns; bleibt is in position two.
das Appartement — apartment, flat ​
This word is common for an apartment or flat and is often used in advertisements or hotel descriptions. The plural is formed with -s, as in die Appartements.
Das Appartement liegt im dritten Stock.
The apartment is on the third floor.
liegt means is located, and im dritten Stock means on the third floor. Das Appartement is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besichtigen heute das Appartement.
We are viewing the apartment today.
besichtigen means to view or inspect, and heute means today. Das Appartement is accusative because besichtigen takes a direct object; the finite verb besichtigen stands in position two.
Die Gäste wohnen in einem kleinen Appartement.
The guests are staying in a small apartment.
Die Gäste are the guests, wohnen means live or stay, and kleinen means small. In takes the dative here because this describes a location, so einem kleinen Appartement is dative.
Die Fenster des Appartements sind sehr groĂź.
The windows of the apartment are very large.
Die Fenster are the windows, sehr groĂź means very large. Des Appartements is genitive because it identifies whose windows they are; the plural verb sind agrees with die Fenster.
Die Appartements im Haus haben Balkone.
The apartments in the building have balconies.
im Haus means in the building, and Balkone are balconies. Die Appartements is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: haben, not hat.
aufstellen — to set up, place; to draw up; to draw up, establish ​
For the physical meaning, aufstellen takes an accusative object: one sets up etwas. It is separable: stellt etwas auf, but the Partizip II is one word, aufgestellt.
Der Hausmeister stellt die StĂĽhle im Saal auf.
The caretaker is setting up the chairs in the hall.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, die StĂĽhle means the chairs, and der Saal is the hall. Die StĂĽhle is accusative because aufstellen takes the thing being placed as a direct object; the finite verb stellt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben die Tische drauĂźen aufgestellt.
We set up the tables outside.
die Tische means the tables and drauĂźen means outside. Die Tische is accusative because it is the object of aufstellen; the perfect uses haben, with aufgestellt at the end of the clause.
Sie stellte die Koffer neben die TĂĽr auf.
She put the suitcases next to the door.
die Koffer are the suitcases, and neben die TĂĽr means next to the door. Die Koffer is accusative as the object, while neben die TĂĽr is accusative because it expresses movement to a place; the past-tense verb is split around the object.
Stell bitte die Lampe dort auf!
Please put the lamp there!
bitte means please, die Lampe is the lamp, and dort means there. The informal singular imperative is stell; the separable prefix auf moves to the end, and die Lampe is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Platz hätte, stellte ich ein Regal ins Büro auf.
If I had more space, I would set up a shelf in the office.
mehr Platz means more space, ein Regal is a shelf, and das BĂĽro is the office. Ein Regal is accusative because it is what is set up; in the wenn-clause the verb goes to the end, but in the main clause stellte is in position two and auf is at the end.
Morgen stellt die Firma neue Automaten im Bahnhof auf.
Tomorrow the company will set up new machines at the station.
morgen means tomorrow, die Firma is the company, neue Automaten are new machines, and der Bahnhof is the station. Neue Automaten is accusative as the direct object; in the future, wird would be the finite verb and aufstellen would stand at the end, while the present tense here also commonly expresses a planned future.
Das Team stellt einen neuen Plan auf.
The team is drawing up a new plan.
das Team is the team and einen neuen Plan means a new plan. Einen neuen Plan is accusative because it is the object of aufstellen; the finite verb stellt is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Die Schule hat klare Regeln aufgestellt.
The school has established clear rules.
die Schule is the school and klare Regeln means clear rules. Klare Regeln is accusative as the direct object, and the perfect form uses hat with the inseparable-looking whole Partizip II aufgestellt at the end.
die Ausrüstung — equipment, gear ​
Die AusrĂĽstung is usually an uncountable mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For individual items, use expressions such as ein AusrĂĽstungsstĂĽck or name the items directly.
Die AusrĂĽstung ist schon im Auto.
The equipment is already in the car.
schon means already and das Auto means car. Die AusrĂĽstung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen die AusrĂĽstung fĂĽr die Reise.
We need the equipment for the trip.
brauchen means need, fĂĽr means for, and die Reise means trip. Die AusrĂĽstung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while fĂĽr also forces the accusative on die Reise.
Mit der Ausrüstung können wir sicher klettern.
With the equipment, we can climb safely.
mit means with, können means can, sicher means safely, and klettern means climb. Mit always forces the dative, so the feminine article is der; the modal verb sends klettern to the end.
Die Qualität der Ausrüstung ist sehr gut.
The quality of the equipment is very good.
die Qualität means quality and sehr gut means very good. Der Ausrüstung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
die Ausstattung — equipment, furnishings; features; features, specification ​
This noun can mean both physical equipment and the facilities or features included in something. Do not confuse Ausstattung with AusrĂĽstung, which more often means equipment used for a particular activity.
Die Ausstattung des Hotels ist sehr modern.
The hotel’s furnishings and facilities are very modern.
das Hotel means hotel and modern means modern. Die Ausstattung is nominative because it is the subject, while des Hotels is genitive to show whose equipment it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir prĂĽfen die Ausstattung vor der Reise.
We check the equipment before the trip.
prĂĽfen means to check and vor der Reise means before the trip. Die Ausstattung is accusative because prĂĽfen takes a direct object, and the finite verb prĂĽfen stands in position two.
Mit der Ausstattung können wir gut arbeiten.
With the equipment, we can work well.
mit means with and gut arbeiten means work well. Der Ausstattung is dative because mit always takes the dative; können is in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Qualität der Ausstattung überzeugt uns.
The quality of the equipment convinces us.
die Qualität means quality and überzeugt means convinces. Der Ausstattung is genitive after die Qualität to show what kind of quality it is, while uns is accusative.
Die neuen Ausstattungen kosten viel Geld.
The new equipment packages cost a lot of money.
neu means new and viel Geld means a lot of money. Die Ausstattungen is plural and nominative as the subject; the plural verb kosten stands in position two.
Die Ausstattung des Autos ist umfangreich.
The car’s features are extensive.
das Auto means car and umfangreich means extensive. Des Autos is genitive after die Ausstattung to show which product is meant, and ist is in position two.
FĂĽr diesen Preis bietet das Modell eine gute Ausstattung.
For this price, the model offers good features.
fĂĽr diesen Preis means for this price, bieten means to offer and das Modell means the model. Eine gute Ausstattung is accusative after bietet, while fĂĽr also takes the accusative.
das Balkongeländer — balcony railing ​
This is a compound of der Balkon, balcony, and das Geländer, railing. Its gender and endings come from the final noun, das Geländer, so the plural has no extra ending.
Das Balkongeländer ist alt.
The balcony railing is old.
alt means old. Das Balkongeländer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir streichen das Balkongeländer.
We are painting the balcony railing.
wir means we and streichen means paint. Das Balkongeländer is accusative because streichen takes the thing being painted as its direct object; the finite verb streichen is in position two.
Die Blumen hängen am Balkongeländer.
The flowers are hanging on the balcony railing.
die Blumen means the flowers and hängen means are hanging. Am means an dem and forces the dative here because this describes a fixed location, so Balkongeländer keeps its singular form.
Die Farbe des Balkongeländers blättert ab.
The paint on the balcony railing is flaking off.
die Farbe means the colour or paint, and blättert ab means flakes off. Des Balkongeländers is genitive and expresses what the paint belongs to; the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Balkongeländer der Häuser müssen sicher sein.
The railings of the houses must be safe.
der Häuser means of the houses, and sicher means safe. Balkongeländer is plural because the article is die; der Häuser is genitive plural and shows which railings are meant.
das Bettuch — bed sheet, bedsheet ​
Bettuch is a less common word than Bettlaken, the usual everyday word for a fitted or flat bed sheet. It refers to the sheet touching the mattress, not the blanket covering the sleeper.
Das Bettuch ist frisch gewaschen.
The bed sheet has just been washed.
frisch gewaschen means freshly washed. Das Bettuch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wechsle das Bettuch.
I am changing the bed sheet.
wechsle means change. Das Bettuch is accusative because wechseln takes a direct object, and the finite verb wechsle stands in position two.
Das Kind liegt auf dem Bettuch.
The child is lying on the bed sheet.
das Kind means the child and liegt means is lying. Dem Bettuch is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Bettuchs ist blau.
The colour of the bed sheet is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. Des Bettuchs is genitive because it shows which sheet the colour belongs to, and ist stands in position two.
Im Schrank liegen frische BettĂĽcher.
There are clean bed sheets in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, liegen means are lying or are stored, and frische means fresh or clean. BettĂĽcher is the plural form; the plural verb liegen stands in position two.
das Dachgeschoss — attic floor, top floor ​
Dachgeschoss is a compound of Dach (roof) and Geschoss (floor or storey). It usually means a top floor directly under the roof, not simply any upper floor.
Das Dachgeschoss ist sehr hell.
The attic floor is very bright.
sehr hell means very bright. Das Dachgeschoss is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and hell is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Wir renovieren das Dachgeschoss.
We are renovating the attic floor.
wir means we, and renovieren means renovate. Das Dachgeschoss is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object; the finite verb renovieren is in position two.
Im Dachgeschoss arbeitet ein Architekt.
An architect works in the attic floor.
im is short for in dem, arbeitet means works, and ein Architekt means an architect. Dachgeschoss is dative after in because the sentence describes location; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Fenster des Dachgeschosses sind neu.
The attic-floor windows are new.
die Fenster means the windows, and neu means new. Des Dachgeschosses is genitive because it identifies which windows they are; the finite verb sind is in position two, and the neuter genitive article is des.
In unserer Stadt gibt es viele Dachgeschosse.
There are many attic floors in our city.
in unserer Stadt means in our city, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Dachgeschosse is plural, but it is accusative because the fixed expression es gibt takes an accusative object; in unserer Stadt is dative for location.
die Einbauküche — fitted kitchen, built-in kitchen ​
The word combines Einbau, built-in installation, with KĂĽche, kitchen. It normally refers to the complete fitted unit, not just one kitchen appliance.
Die EinbaukĂĽche ist modern und hell.
The fitted kitchen is modern and bright.
modern means modern and hell means bright. Die EinbaukĂĽche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; the adjectives after ist are predicative and have no endings.
Wir kaufen eine neue EinbaukĂĽche.
We are buying a new fitted kitchen.
wir kaufen means we are buying, and neu means new. Eine neue EinbaukĂĽche is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine indefinite article and adjective show the case, while kaufen is in position two.
Sie kocht in der EinbaukĂĽche.
She cooks in the fitted kitchen.
sie kocht means she cooks, and in means in. In der EinbaukĂĽche is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the feminine dative article is der, and the finite verb kocht is in position two.
Die Farbe der Einbauküche gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the fitted kitchen.
die Farbe is the colour and gefällt mir means is pleasing to me. Der Einbauküche is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
In vielen Wohnungen gibt es helle EinbaukĂĽchen.
There are bright fitted kitchens in many flats.
vielen Wohnungen means many flats or apartments, and hell means bright. EinbaukĂĽchen is plural and accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object; in vielen Wohnungen is dative because it describes a fixed location.
einrücken — to move in, move forward, move into position; to indent ​
This verb is often used for troops, trains, or groups moving into a place or position. For movement into a destination, in takes the accusative; the perfect normally uses sein.
Die Soldaten rĂĽcken am Morgen in die Stadt ein.
The soldiers move into the city in the morning.
die Soldaten are the soldiers, am Morgen means in the morning, and die Stadt is the city. In die Stadt takes the accusative because it expresses movement into a place; rĂĽcken is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Die Soldaten sind in die Stadt eingerĂĽckt.
The soldiers moved into the city.
die Soldaten are the soldiers, and in die Stadt means into the city. Movement uses sein in the perfect, and the Partizip II eingerĂĽckt goes to the end; in die Stadt is accusative because it shows a destination.
Die Armee rĂĽckte gestern in das Dorf ein.
The army moved into the village yesterday.
die Armee means the army, gestern means yesterday, and das Dorf is the village. In das Dorf is accusative because the army moves into it; the past form rĂĽckte is in position two and ein is separated.
RĂĽck in die Reihe ein!
Move into the line!
die Reihe means the line or row. In die Reihe is accusative because it expresses movement into the line; the du imperative has no subject pronoun, and ein stands at the end.
Wenn der Zug pünktlich wäre, rückte er jetzt ein.
If the train were on time, it would move in now.
der Zug is the train, pünktlich means on time, and jetzt means now. In the wenn clause, the finite verb wäre goes to the end; in the result clause, rückte is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Der Zug wird um acht Uhr einrĂĽcken.
The train will move in at eight o’clock.
der Zug is the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Wird stands in position two and the infinitive einrücken stays whole at the end, because separable prefixes do not split in the infinitive.
Bitte rĂĽcken Sie die erste Zeile ein.
Please indent the first line.
bitte means please, die erste Zeile is the first line, and Sie is the formal you. Die erste Zeile is accusative as the object; in the polite imperative, rĂĽcken is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Der Text wurde automatisch eingerĂĽckt.
The text was indented automatically.
der Text means the text, and automatisch means automatically. This is a passive sentence: wurde is in position two and eingerĂĽckt goes to the end; the text is the grammatical subject, not the person doing the action.
der Einzug — move-in; entry, arrival; entry; reaching a stage ​
In everyday use, Einzug often means moving into a home; Einzug halten can also mean to enter officially or ceremonially. The opposite of der Einzug is der Auszug, moving out.
Der Einzug in die neue Wohnung war am Samstag.
The move into the new flat was on Saturday.
die neue Wohnung means the new flat, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Der Einzug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two, while in die neue Wohnung shows direction with the accusative.
Wir feiern den Einzug am Samstag.
We are celebrating the move-in on Saturday.
feiern means to celebrate, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Den Einzug is accusative because feiern takes an accusative object; the finite verb feiern stands in position two.
Nach dem Einzug kaufen wir neue Möbel.
After moving in, we are buying new furniture.
nach means after, and neue Möbel means new furniture. Nach always takes the dative here, so dem Einzug is dative; the main-clause verb kaufen is in position two.
Die Kosten des Einzugs sind höher als erwartet.
The costs of moving in are higher than expected.
die Kosten means the costs, and höher als erwartet means higher than expected. Des Einzugs is genitive because it tells whose costs they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele EinzĂĽge finden im Sommer statt.
Many move-ins take place in summer.
viele means many, im Sommer means in summer, and stattfinden means to take place. Viele EinzĂĽge is the plural subject, and the separable verb stattfinden splits into finden in position two and statt at the end.
Der Einzug ins Finale war eine groĂźe Ăśberraschung.
Reaching the final was a big surprise.
das Finale means the final, and eine groĂźe Ăśberraschung means a big surprise. Der Einzug is the nominative subject; ins Finale is short for in das Finale and uses the accusative because it expresses movement into a stage.
Die Fans jubeln beim Einzug der Mannschaft.
The fans cheer when the team enters.
die Fans means the fans, jubeln means cheer, and die Mannschaft means the team. Beim Einzug is short for bei dem Einzug, so bei forces the dative; der Mannschaft is genitive and identifies whose entry it is.
die Energiekosten — energy costs ​
Energiekosten is a plural-only compound noun: Energie means energy and Kosten means costs. It refers to the money spent on electricity, gas, heating or another energy source.
Die Energiekosten sind in diesem Jahr gestiegen.
Energy costs have risen this year.
dieses Jahr means this year, and gestiegen means risen or increased. Die Energiekosten is the plural nominative subject; in the perfect, sind is in position two and gestiegen goes to the end.
Die Firma will die Energiekosten senken.
The company wants to reduce energy costs.
die Firma means the company and senken means to reduce. Die Energiekosten is accusative because senken takes a direct object; after the modal verb will, the infinitive senken goes to the end.
Mit den Energiekosten mĂĽssen wir rechnen.
We have to expect the energy costs.
mit etwas rechnen means to expect or reckon with something. Mit takes the dative, so the plural form is den Energiekosten; the finite verb mĂĽssen is in position two and rechnen stands at the end.
Die Höhe der Energiekosten überrascht viele Mieter.
The amount of the energy costs surprises many tenants.
die Höhe means the amount or level, überraschen means to surprise, and die Mieter are the tenants. Der Energiekosten is the genitive plural meaning of the energy costs; viele Mieter is accusative because it is the object of überrascht.
Energiekosten belasten viele Familien.
Energy costs put a strain on many families.
belasten means to put a strain on, and viele Familien means many families. Energiekosten is the plural nominative subject, while viele Familien is accusative as the object of belasten.
die Fernwärme — district heating ​
Fernwärme is heat distributed through underground pipes from a central plant. It is a mass noun and normally has no plural; use Heizungen or Wärmequellen when you need to count systems or sources.
Die Fernwärme ist in dieser Wohnung zuverlässig.
The district heating is reliable in this flat.
Wohnung means flat or apartment, and zuverlässig means reliable. Die Fernwärme is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Die Stadt baut die Fernwärme weiter aus.
The city is expanding the district-heating system further.
die Stadt means the city, and baut ... aus means expands or develops. Die Fernwärme is accusative because ausbauen takes a direct object; the separable prefix aus goes to the end of the main clause.
Viele Häuser profitieren von der Fernwärme.
Many houses benefit from district heating.
Viele Häuser means many houses, and profitieren von means benefit from. Der Fernwärme is dative because the preposition von always takes the dative; the finite verb profitieren is in position two.
Die Kosten der Fernwärme steigen.
The cost of district heating is rising.
die Kosten means the costs, and steigen means rise. Der Fernwärme is genitive because it specifies what the costs are for; as a mass noun, Fernwärme normally has no plural.
Fernwärme wird oft aus Abwärme gewonnen.
District heating is often produced from waste heat.
oft means often, Abwärme means waste heat, and gewonnen means produced or obtained. This example shows that Fernwärme is a mass noun and normally has no plural; wird ... gewonnen is a passive construction.
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.
hölzern — wooden; stiff, wooden-sounding; stiff, wooden, unnatural ​
hölzern can describe a real wooden object, but it can also describe speech or behaviour that sounds stiff and unnatural.
Der Tisch ist hölzern.
The table is wooden.
der Tisch means the table. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; hölzern describes the nominative subject der Tisch.
Sie kauft einen hölzernen Stuhl.
She is buying a wooden chair.
einen Stuhl means a chair, and kauft means is buying. einen hölzernen Stuhl is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the adjective takes -en after einen.
Dieser Schrank wirkt hölzerner als der alte.
This cupboard looks more wooden than the old one.
dieser Schrank means this cupboard, wirkt means seems or looks, and der alte means the old one. hölzerner is followed by als in a comparison; the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Das ist der hölzernste Tisch im ganzen Haus.
That is the most wooden table in the whole house.
der Tisch means the table, and im ganzen Haus means in the whole house. Before the noun, the superlative is der hölzernste, with the adjective ending -e after der.
Seine Antwort klingt hölzern.
His answer sounds stiff and unnatural.
seine Antwort means his answer, and klingt means sounds. hölzern is predicative after klingt, so it has no adjective ending.
Die Schauspielerin spricht in diesem Film sehr hölzern.
The actress speaks very stiffly in this film.
die Schauspielerin means the actress, in diesem Film means in this film, and sehr means very. Here hölzern describes how she speaks, so the adjective is used adverbially without an ending.
die Keramik — ceramic; ceramics ​
Die Keramik can mean the material, ceramic objects as a substance, or the craft. In these material and craft meanings it is normally singular-only; for individual objects, use a count noun such as die Schale or der Teller.
Die Keramik ist sehr stabil.
The ceramic is very durable.
stabil means durable or strong. Die Keramik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; stabil is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Wir kaufen die Keramik fĂĽr die KĂĽche.
We are buying the ceramic objects for the kitchen.
kaufen means buy, fĂĽr die KĂĽche means for the kitchen, and die KĂĽche means the kitchen. Die Keramik is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; fĂĽr also takes the accusative.
Sie arbeitet mit der Keramik.
She works with ceramic.
arbeitet means works. Mit der Keramik means with ceramic; mit always takes the dative, and the feminine article is der in the dative.
Die Oberfläche der Keramik glänzt.
The surface of the ceramic shines.
die Oberfläche means surface, and glänzt means shines. Der Keramik is genitive because it identifies whose surface is meant; the feminine noun does not change its ending.
komfortabel — comfortable; convenient ​
Komfortabel describes physical comfort or a convenient design, often for furniture, hotels, cars, or travel. The comparative is komfortabler, and the superlative predicate is am komfortabelsten.
Das Sofa ist sehr komfortabel.
The sofa is very comfortable.
das Sofa means the sofa, and sehr means very. komfortabel is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben ein komfortables Sofa gekauft.
We bought a comfortable sofa.
ein Sofa means a sofa, and gekauft means bought. ein komfortables Sofa is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, so the adjective has the ending -es; gekauft goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Dieser Sessel ist komfortabler als der alte.
This armchair is more comfortable than the old one.
Dieser Sessel means this armchair, als means than, and der alte means the old one. The comparative komfortabler is predicative after ist and is followed by als; it has no adjective ending here.
Das ist das komfortabelste Zimmer im Hotel.
That is the most comfortable room in the hotel.
das Zimmer means the room, im Hotel means in the hotel, and das means that here. Before a noun, the superlative is komfortabelste with an adjective ending, while the verb ist stands in position two.
kompakt — compact, small and space-saving ​
kompakt can describe a physically small object or information presented briefly. In front of a noun it takes an adjective ending, as in ein kompaktes Gerät; after sein it stays unchanged.
Das neue Handy ist sehr kompakt.
The new mobile phone is very compact.
das Handy means mobile phone, and neu means new. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen einen kompakten Koffer fĂĽr die Reise.
We are buying a compact suitcase for the trip.
kaufen means to buy, der Koffer is a suitcase, and die Reise is the trip. einen kompakten Koffer is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the adjective has -en after einen.
Dieses Modell ist kompakter als das alte.
This model is more compact than the old one.
dieses Modell means this model, and alt means old. The comparative kompakter is followed by als when two things are compared; after ist, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Dieser Rucksack ist am kompaktesten.
This rucksack is the most compact.
der Rucksack means rucksack or backpack, and dieser means this. The predicative superlative uses am kompaktesten; it does not take a noun ending because it follows ist.
Die Kamera passt in eine kompakte Tasche.
The camera fits into a compact bag.
die Kamera means camera, passen means to fit, and die Tasche is bag. in eine kompakte Tasche is accusative because in expresses movement into a place, and the adjective has -e after eine.
das Mehrfamilienhaus — apartment building, building for several families ​
The compound is made from mehr, meaning more or several, die Familie, meaning family, and das Haus, meaning house. It usually refers to a building divided into several separate homes, not to one large family home.
Das Mehrfamilienhaus steht neben dem Park.
The apartment building is next to the park.
steht means stands or is located, and neben dem Park means next to the park. Das Mehrfamilienhaus is nominative because it is the subject; neben takes dative for a fixed location.
Die Stadt baut das Mehrfamilienhaus am Fluss.
The city is building the apartment building by the river.
die Stadt means the city, baut means is building, and am Fluss means by the river. Das Mehrfamilienhaus is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; am means an dem, and am Fluss is dative because it gives the building site.
Viele Familien wohnen in dem Mehrfamilienhaus.
Many families live in the apartment building.
viele Familien means many families, and wohnen means live. Dem Mehrfamilienhaus is dative because in describes a fixed place here; the plural subject viele Familien makes the verb wohnen plural.
Die Fassade des Mehrfamilienhauses ist neu.
The façade of the apartment building is new.
die Fassade means the façade or outside wall, and neu means new. Des Mehrfamilienhauses is genitive because it shows whose façade it is; the genitive ending -es belongs to the neuter noun.
Die Mehrfamilienhäuser stehen am Stadtrand.
The apartment buildings are on the edge of the city.
stehen means stand or are located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. Die Mehrfamilienhäuser is plural nominative as the subject; Häuser has an umlaut and -er in the plural.
die Monatsmiete — monthly rent ​
die Monatsmiete is the rent for one month, not necessarily the total cost of housing. It is a feminine compound: Monats- means of the month and Miete means rent.
Die Monatsmiete beträgt 900 Euro.
The monthly rent is 900 euros.
beträgt means amounts to, and 900 Euro means 900 euros. Die Monatsmiete is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Ich ĂĽberweise die Monatsmiete am ersten Tag des Monats.
I transfer the monthly rent on the first day of the month.
ich ĂĽberweise means I transfer, and am ersten Tag des Monats means on the first day of the month. die Monatsmiete is accusative because ĂĽberweisen takes the thing transferred as an accusative object.
Ich spare jeden Monat fĂĽr der Monatsmiete.
I save every month for the monthly rent.
ich spare means I save, and jeden Monat means every month. This sentence is not standard: fĂĽr always takes the accusative, so the correct form is fĂĽr die Monatsmiete, not fĂĽr der Monatsmiete; this example highlights a common case error.
Die Höhe der Monatsmiete steht im Vertrag.
The amount of the monthly rent is stated in the contract.
die Höhe means the amount, and steht im Vertrag means is stated in the contract. der Monatsmiete is genitive because it specifies the amount; the feminine genitive article is der, and im Vertrag means in the contract.
In dieser Stadt sind die Monatsmieten sehr hoch.
In this city, monthly rents are very high.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and sehr hoch means very high. die Monatsmieten is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: sind, not ist; in dieser Stadt is a dative location phrase.
die Nebenkosten — additional costs, running costs ​
Nebenkosten is used only in the plural and most often refers to extra housing costs, for example heating or water. In rental agreements, it is often contrasted with die Miete, the rent.
Die Nebenkosten sind in diesem Monat höher.
The additional costs are higher this month.
in diesem Monat means this month, and höher means higher. Nebenkosten is nominative because it is the subject, and the plural verb sind agrees with it; the noun is used only in the plural.
Wir mĂĽssen die Nebenkosten pĂĽnktlich bezahlen.
We have to pay the additional costs on time.
mĂĽssen means have to, pĂĽnktlich means on time, and bezahlen means pay. Die Nebenkosten is accusative because bezahlen takes an accusative object; the modal verb mĂĽssen is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Der Vermieter erklärt uns die Nebenkosten.
The landlord explains the additional costs to us.
Der Vermieter means the landlord, erklärt means explains, and uns means to us. Uns is dative as the recipient, while die Nebenkosten is accusative as what is explained; the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Wegen der Nebenkosten ist die Wohnung teurer.
Because of the additional costs, the flat is more expensive.
wegen means because of, die Wohnung means the flat, and teurer means more expensive. Wegen normally governs the genitive, so der Nebenkosten is genitive plural; the finite verb ist remains in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Nebenkosten werden jedes Jahr neu berechnet.
The additional costs are recalculated every year.
jedes Jahr means every year, neu means anew, and berechnet means calculated. Nebenkosten is the plural subject, so it takes werden; the passive participle berechnet stands at the end of the clause.
das Reihenhaus — terraced house; townhouse ​
das Reihenhaus is a house joined to other houses in a row, common in German residential areas. The plural is die Reihenhäuser, with an umlaut in -häuser.
Das Reihenhaus hat einen kleinen Garten.
The terraced house has a small garden.
hat means has, and einen kleinen Garten means a small garden. Das Reihenhaus is nominative because it is the subject of hat; einen kleinen Garten is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
Wir kaufen das Reihenhaus.
We are buying the terraced house.
wir kaufen means we are buying. das Reihenhaus is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; neuter das has the same form in nominative and accusative.
Sie wohnt in dem Reihenhaus.
She lives in the terraced house.
sie wohnt means she lives, and in means in. dem Reihenhaus is dative because in describes a fixed location here; movement into a house would use the accusative instead.
Die TĂĽr des Reihenhauses ist blau.
The door of the terraced house is blue.
die TĂĽr means the door, and blau means blue. des Reihenhauses is genitive because it identifies which door is meant; the neuter noun takes -es in this form.
Die Reihenhäuser stehen dicht nebeneinander.
The terraced houses stand close together.
stehen means stand, and dicht nebeneinander means close together. Die Reihenhäuser is plural, with an umlaut and -er from Haus; the plural verb is stehen.
Das Reihenhaus liegt am Stadtrand.
The terraced house is on the edge of the city.
liegt means is located, and am Stadtrand means on the edge of the city. am is short for an dem, and dem Stadtrand is dative because it describes a location; liegt is in position two.
der Rost — rust ​
Rost is normally a mass noun and has no plural in this meaning. The common verb is rosten, meaning to become rusty, while Rost entfernen means to remove rust.
Der Rost ist schwer zu entfernen.
The rust is difficult to remove.
schwer means difficult and entfernen means remove. Der Rost is nominative because it is the subject; zu entfernen is an infinitive phrase after schwer, and Rost is normally uncountable here.
Ich entferne den Rost vom Fahrrad.
I remove the rust from the bicycle.
entferne means remove, vom Fahrrad means from the bicycle. Den Rost is accusative because entfernen takes a direct object; vom is short for von dem and introduces the source.
Das Wasser schadet dem Rost nicht.
The water does not harm the rust.
das Wasser means the water, schadet means harms, and nicht means not. Dem Rost is dative because schaden always takes a dative object; this is a useful contrast with verbs that take accusative.
Die Farbe des Rosts ist rotbraun.
The colour of the rust is reddish-brown.
die Farbe means the colour and rotbraun means reddish-brown. Des Rosts is genitive because it says whose colour it is; the masculine genitive article is des, and the noun takes -s.
die Truhe — chest, trunk ​
Die Truhe steht im Flur.
The chest is in the hallway.
steht means is standing, and der Flur is the hallway. Die Truhe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two; im means in dem and marks a location with the dative.
Ich öffne die Truhe vorsichtig.
I open the chest carefully.
öffne means open, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Truhe is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object, while the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Sie legt die Decken in die Truhe.
She puts the blankets into the chest.
legt means puts, and die Decken are the blankets. Die Truhe is accusative after in because the sentence expresses movement into the chest; die Decken is accusative as the object of legt.
Der Deckel der Truhe ist schwer.
The lid of the chest is heavy.
der Deckel is the lid, and schwer means heavy. Der Truhe is genitive because it identifies whose lid it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Museum stehen viele Truhen.
There are many chests in the museum.
Im Museum means in the museum, and viele means many. Truhen is the plural after viele; im marks the location with the dative, while stehen agrees with the plural subject.
der Untermieter — subtenant ​
This word is formed from unter (“sub-”) and Mieter (“tenant”). It refers specifically to someone renting from another tenant, not directly from the owner.
Der Untermieter wohnt im zweiten Stock.
The subtenant lives on the second floor.
der zweite Stock means the second floor, and wohnen means to live. Der Untermieter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Die Vermieterin sucht einen Untermieter.
The landlady is looking for a subtenant.
die Vermieterin is the landlady, and suchen means to look for. Einen Untermieter is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich gebe dem Untermieter einen SchlĂĽssel.
I give the subtenant a key.
geben means to give, and einen SchlĂĽssel means a key. Dem Untermieter is dative because it is the recipient, while einen SchlĂĽssel is the accusative thing given.
Die KĂĽche des Untermieters ist sehr sauber.
The subtenant’s kitchen is very clean.
die KĂĽche is the kitchen, and sauber means clean. Des Untermieters is genitive to show possession; the masculine noun has -s and the article is des.
Im Haus wohnen drei Untermieter.
Three subtenants live in the house.
im Haus means in the house, and drei means three. Untermieter is plural with no noun ending, while im Haus is dative because in describes a fixed location here.
die Untermieterin — female subtenant ​
The feminine form is built from Untermieter with the ending -in. Its plural is especially important: Untermieterinnen has the plural ending -innen.
Die Untermieterin arbeitet in der Stadt.
The female subtenant works in the city.
arbeiten means to work, and in der Stadt means in the city. Die Untermieterin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Der Besitzer begrĂĽĂźt die Untermieterin.
The owner greets the female subtenant.
der Besitzer is the owner, and begrĂĽĂźen means to greet. Die Untermieterin is accusative because it is the direct object of begrĂĽĂźt; its feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Untermieterin beim Einzug.
I help the female subtenant move in.
helfen means to help, and der Einzug means moving in. Der Untermieterin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; beim means bei dem and also introduces the dative.
Das Zimmer der Untermieterin ist hell.
The female subtenant’s room is bright.
das Zimmer is the room, and hell means bright. Der Untermieterin is genitive to show possession; feminine der is used, but the noun itself does not change.
Im Gebäude wohnen zwei Untermieterinnen.
Two female subtenants live in the building.
das Gebäude means the building, and zwei means two. Untermieterinnen is the plural with -innen; im Gebäude is dative because in describes a location rather than movement.
der Wandschrank — built-in wardrobe; wall cupboard ​
A Wandschrank is a large cupboard or wardrobe that is attached to a wall or built into it. It is a compound of die Wand, wall, and der Schrank, cupboard or wardrobe.
Der Wandschrank steht im Schlafzimmer.
The built-in wardrobe is in the bedroom.
stehen means to stand or be located, and das Schlafzimmer means the bedroom. Der Wandschrank is nominative because it is the subject; im Schlafzimmer means in the bedroom and is a location phrase with dative.
Wir bauen einen Wandschrank.
We are building a built-in wardrobe.
bauen means to build and einen means a in the masculine accusative. einen Wandschrank is accusative because bauen takes an accusative object; the finite verb bauen stands in position two.
Neben dem Wandschrank steht ein Bett.
There is a bed next to the built-in wardrobe.
neben means next to, stehen means to stand or be located, and ein Bett means a bed. neben dem Wandschrank is dative because neben describes a fixed location here; the phrase comes first, so steht is in position two before ein Bett.
Die Farbe des Wandschranks passt zum Zimmer.
The colour of the built-in wardrobe matches the room.
die Farbe means the colour, passen means to match or suit, and das Zimmer means the room. des Wandschranks is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; zum Zimmer is zu dem Zimmer, and zu takes the dative.
In den Wohnungen stehen oft große Wandschränke.
Large built-in wardrobes are often found in the flats.
Wohnungen means flats or apartments, oft means often, and große means large. große Wandschränke is the plural nominative subject; because the location phrase comes first, the finite verb stehen is in position two.
die Wohnungsbesichtigung — apartment viewing, property viewing ​
The compound Wohnungsbesichtigung combines Wohnung (apartment) and Besichtigung (viewing or inspection). It is used especially when looking for a rental home; besichtigen means to view a property.
Die Wohnungsbesichtigung beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The apartment viewing starts at six o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Wohnungsbesichtigung is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Ich kann die Wohnungsbesichtigung nicht besuchen.
I cannot attend the apartment viewing.
Ich kann nicht means I cannot, and besuchen means attend or visit. die Wohnungsbesichtigung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the modal verb kann is in position two and besuchen goes to the end.
Bei der Wohnungsbesichtigung stelle ich viele Fragen.
At the apartment viewing, I ask many questions.
Bei means at, stelle ich Fragen means I ask questions, and viele means many. der Wohnungsbesichtigung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb stelle comes in position two after the opening phrase.
Der Termin der Wohnungsbesichtigung passt mir nicht.
The appointment for the apartment viewing does not suit me.
Der Termin is the appointment and passt mir nicht means does not suit me. der Wohnungsbesichtigung is genitive and means of the apartment viewing; mir is dative because passen takes the person to whom something suits.
Diese Woche habe ich drei Wohnungsbesichtigungen.
This week I have three apartment viewings.
Diese Woche means this week and drei means three. drei Wohnungsbesichtigungen is accusative because it is the object of habe; after a number, the plural noun has no article.
die Wohnungssuche — apartment search, house hunt ​
The compound Wohnungssuche combines Wohnung (apartment) and Suche (search). The common expression auf Wohnungssuche sein means to be looking for an apartment; auf here is part of the fixed expression.
Die Wohnungssuche dauert lange.
The apartment search is taking a long time.
dauert lange means takes a long time. Wohnungssuche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich beginne die Wohnungssuche im Mai.
I am starting the apartment search in May.
beginne means start, and im Mai means in May. die Wohnungssuche is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; beginne is the finite verb in position two.
Bei der Wohnungssuche brauche ich Geduld.
I need patience when looking for an apartment.
Bei means during or when doing, brauche means need, and Geduld means patience. der Wohnungssuche is dative because bei requires the dative; the verb brauche is in position two.
Die Kosten der Wohnungssuche sind hoch.
The costs of the apartment search are high.
Die Kosten are the costs and hoch means high. der Wohnungssuche is genitive and means of the apartment search; sind is in position two.
Viele Wohnungssuchen enden ohne Erfolg.
Many apartment searches end without success.
Viele means many, enden means end, and ohne Erfolg means without success. Wohnungssuchen is the nominative plural subject; ohne takes the accusative, although the unmarked noun Erfolg does not show the case here.
die Zimmerlautstärke — room-volume level, reasonable indoor volume ​
Zimmerlautstärke is normally a mass noun and is used without a plural. It is especially common in house rules, where it means that music or television must not disturb neighbours.
Die Zimmerlautstärke ist hier vorgeschrieben.
Room-volume level is required here.
hier means here and vorgeschrieben means required or prescribed. Die Zimmerlautstärke is nominative because it is the subject, and ist vorgeschrieben puts the required condition after the verb.
Bitte halten Sie die Zimmerlautstärke ein.
Please keep to the required room-volume level.
bitte means please and einhalten means to keep to or observe. Die Zimmerlautstärke is accusative because einhalten takes an object; the polite command uses Sie, and the separable verb has ein at the end.
Nach zehn Uhr muss die Musik bei der Zimmerlautstärke bleiben.
After ten o'clock, the music must remain at room volume.
nach zehn Uhr means after ten o'clock, die Musik means the music, and bleiben means to remain. Bei always takes the dative, so der Zimmerlautstärke is dative; after muss, bleiben goes to the end.
Die Einhaltung der Zimmerlautstärke ist wichtig.
Observing the room-volume level is important.
die Einhaltung means observance or keeping to something, and wichtig means important. Der Zimmerlautstärke is genitive because it specifies what is being observed; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In diesem Haus gilt überall Zimmerlautstärke.
Room-volume level applies everywhere in this building.
in diesem Haus means in this building and überall means everywhere. Zimmerlautstärke is a mass noun used without an article, so it has no normal plural; gilt is in position two.