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Vocab: Household tasks — A1 (1)
Household tasks vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abfall — waste, rubbish
Abfall is often uncountable when it means waste in general, so it commonly has no article: Abfall trennen. The plural Abfälle is used for different types or individual kinds of waste.
Der Abfall liegt auf dem Boden.
The rubbish is lying on the floor.
liegt means is lying, and der Boden means the floor or ground. Der Abfall is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Boden is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte bring den Abfall hinaus.
Please take the rubbish outside.
bring hinaus means take outside, and bitte means please. Den Abfall is accusative because bringen takes a direct object; the separable prefix hinaus goes to the end.
Ich helfe meiner Nachbarin mit dem Abfall.
I help my neighbour with the rubbish.
helfe means help and meine Nachbarin means my female neighbour. Dem Abfall is dative after mit, and meiner Nachbarin is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Menge des Abfalls nimmt jedes Jahr zu.
The amount of waste increases every year.
die Menge means the amount, nimmt zu means increases, and jedes Jahr means every year. Des Abfalls is genitive because it identifies what the amount consists of; the separable prefix zu goes to the end.
In vielen Städten wird Abfall getrennt gesammelt.
In many cities, waste is collected separately.
vielen Städten means many cities, getrennt means separately, and gesammelt means collected. Here Abfall is an uncountable mass noun, so the bare singular is used for waste in general; in vielen Städten is dative after in for a fixed location.
der Abfalleimer — rubbish bin, trash can
Abfalleimer is a compound made from Abfall and Eimer; the whole compound is masculine because Eimer is masculine. In German-speaking regions, Mülleimer is also very common.
Der Abfalleimer ist voll.
The rubbish bin is full.
voll means full. Der Abfalleimer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich leere den Abfalleimer.
I am emptying the rubbish bin.
leere means empty. Den Abfalleimer is accusative because leeren takes a direct object, and the finite verb leere stands in position two.
Neben dem Abfalleimer steht ein Besen.
A broom is standing next to the rubbish bin.
neben means next to, steht means is standing, and ein Besen means a broom. Dem Abfalleimer is dative because neben describes a fixed location; the phrase comes first, so steht follows it immediately.
Der Deckel des Abfalleimers ist kaputt.
The lid of the rubbish bin is broken.
der Deckel means the lid and kaputt means broken. Des Abfalleimers is genitive because it shows whose lid it is; the whole noun phrase Der Deckel des Abfalleimers is the subject.
Die Abfalleimer stehen vor dem Haus.
The rubbish bins are standing in front of the house.
stehen means are standing and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Die Abfalleimer is plural and nominative as the subject; dem Haus is dative after vor for a fixed location.
das Altpapier — waste paper, paper for recycling
Altpapier is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural in its usual meaning. It is often used with verbs such as sammeln and recyceln.
Das Altpapier liegt neben der blauen Tonne.
The waste paper is next to the blue bin.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and die blaue Tonne is the blue bin. Das Altpapier is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich bringe das Altpapier zur Sammelstelle.
I take the waste paper to the collection point.
bringe means take or bring, zur Sammelstelle means to the collection point, and Sammelstelle is a collection point. Das Altpapier is accusative because bringen takes a direct object; zur is short for zu der and forces the dative.
Mit dem Altpapier beginnt der Recyclingprozess.
The recycling process begins with the waste paper.
mit means with, beginnt means begins, and der Recyclingprozess is the recycling process. Mit always forces the dative, so dem Altpapier is dative; the finite verb beginnt is still in position two.
Die Sammlung des Altpapiers schützt die Umwelt.
Collecting waste paper protects the environment.
die Sammlung is the collection, schützt means protects, and die Umwelt is the environment. Des Altpapiers is genitive because it identifies what is being collected; the neuter genitive uses des and adds -s to the noun.
an — on, switched on
As an adverb, an describes a device that is switched on or appears at the end of a separable verb such as anmachen. It is different from the preposition an, which is followed by a noun phrase.
Das Licht ist an.
The light is on.
das Licht means the light. an says that the light is switched on; after ist, it does not take an adjective ending and is not a preposition because it has no following noun.
Mach bitte den Fernseher an.
Please switch on the television.
mach bitte means please switch or make, and der Fernseher means the television. In the separable verb anmachen, an moves to the end in the imperative, while den Fernseher is accusative as the object.
anlassen — to start (an engine); to leave switched on
The verb is separable: anlassen becomes lässt ... an in a main clause. It takes haben in the perfect and an accusative object such as den Motor.
Ich lasse an den Motor.
I start the engine.
der Motor means the engine. lasse an is the separable present form; den Motor is accusative because it is the object, the finite verb is in position two, and the prefix goes to the end.
Wir haben den Wagen angelassen.
We started the car.
der Wagen means the car. angelassen is the Partizip II and takes haben; it goes to the end, while den Wagen is accusative as the object.
Er ließ an den Bus.
He started the bus.
der Bus means the bus. ließ an is the simple-past form of anlassen; den Bus is accusative, and the separable prefix stands at the end.
Lass an, bitte!
Start it, please!
bitte means please. Lass an is the informal singular imperative; the subject du is omitted, and the prefix follows the verb.
Ich würde anlassen den Motor nicht.
I would not start the engine.
nicht means not, and der Motor means the engine. würde anlassen expresses a hypothetical situation; with würde, the infinitive stays together at the end, and den Motor is accusative.
Morgen werde anlassen ich das Auto.
Tomorrow I will start the car.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Auto means the car. werde anlassen forms the future; the infinitive remains together at the end, and das Auto is accusative.
Bitte lass an das Licht.
Please leave the light on.
bitte means please, and das Licht means the light. lass an is the informal imperative; das Licht is accusative, and the prefix goes at the end.
Sie hat den Fernseher angelassen.
She left the television on.
der Fernseher means the television. angelassen is the Partizip II with haben; den Fernseher is accusative, and the participle stands at the end.
anschalten — to switch on, to turn on
The prefix an is separable: schaltet an, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. The opposite is ausschalten.
Ich schalte das Licht an.
I switch on the light.
das Licht means the light. The finite verb schalte stands in position two and the prefix an moves to the end; das Licht is accusative because anschalten takes an accusative object.
Wir haben den Fernseher angeschaltet.
We turned on the television.
wir means we and der Fernseher means the television. The perfect uses haben plus angeschaltet, which stands at the end; den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object being turned on.
Sie schaltete die Heizung an.
She switched on the heating.
sie means she and die Heizung means the heating. The weak past form schaltete is in position two and an is separated to the end; die Heizung is accusative after anschalten.
Schalt bitte das Radio an.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please and das Radio means the radio. The informal imperative is schalt and the separable prefix an goes to the end; das Radio is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde die Lampe anschalten, wenn es dunkel wäre.
I would switch on the lamp if it were dark.
die Lampe means the lamp, wenn means if, and dunkel means dark. The conditional uses würde plus the infinitive anschalten, which stays together at the end of its clause; die Lampe is accusative.
Er wird morgen den Computer anschalten.
He will turn on the computer tomorrow.
er means he, morgen means tomorrow, and der Computer means the computer. Future uses wird in position two and the complete infinitive anschalten at the end; den Computer is accusative.
anzünden — to light, to set alight
Anzünden takes an accusative object: eine Kerze anzünden means to light a candle. It is separable, so a main clause has zündet ... an, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together.
Ich zünde eine Kerze an.
I am lighting a candle.
eine Kerze means a candle. eine Kerze is accusative because it is the object being lit; finite zünde is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich habe eine Kerze angezündet.
I lit a candle.
eine Kerze means a candle. The candle is accusative, and angezündet goes to the end with habe in the perfect.
Sie zündete ein Feuer an.
She lit a fire.
ein Feuer means a fire. zündete is the weak preterite in position two, and the separable prefix an stands at the end.
Zünd bitte die Lampe an.
Please turn on the lamp.
bitte means please, and die Lampe means the lamp. The informal imperative omits du, takes an accusative object, and separates into zünd ... an.
Wenn es dunkel wäre, würde ich eine Kerze anzünden.
If it were dark, I would light a candle.
wenn means if, dunkel means dark, and eine Kerze means a candle. The subordinate-clause verb wäre goes to the end, while the infinitive anzünden stays together after würde; the candle is accusative.
Wir werden heute Abend ein Feuer anzünden.
We will light a fire this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and ein Feuer means a fire. werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and anzünden stays together at the end as the infinitive.
aufdrehen — to turn up; to turn on; to unscrew
In this sense, aufdrehen normally takes a thing as an accusative object, such as die Musik or die Heizung. The prefix separates in a main clause but stays attached in aufgedreht and aufdrehen.
Er dreht die Musik auf.
He turns up the music.
die Musik means the music. Die Musik is accusative because aufdrehen takes a direct object; dreht is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben die Heizung aufgedreht.
We turned up the heating.
die Heizung means the heating system. The perfect uses haben and the one-word participle aufgedreht at the end; die Heizung is the accusative object.
Sie drehte die Musik leiserweise nicht auf.
She did not turn up the music.
leiserweise means in a way that makes things louder or quieter, but the natural everyday word is usually nicht with the intended context; die Musik means the music. The past form drehte is in position two and auf is separated at the end; die Musik is accusative.
Dreh die Musik auf!
Turn up the music!
die Musik means the music. The informal imperative is dreh without du, and the prefix auf goes to the end; the object remains accusative.
Ich würde die Musik nicht so laut aufdrehen.
I would not turn the music up so loudly.
nicht means not and so laut means so loudly; die Musik is the music. Würde expresses a hypothetical idea, and the complete infinitive aufdrehen goes to the end; the music is accusative.
Später werden wir die Musik aufdrehen.
Later we will turn up the music.
später means later, and die Musik means the music. Werden is in position two and the whole infinitive aufdrehen goes to the end; die Musik is the accusative object.
Ich drehe den Wasserhahn auf.
I turn on the tap.
der Wasserhahn is the tap. Den Wasserhahn is accusative because it is the object being turned, while drehe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Kannst du die Flasche aufdrehen?
Can you unscrew the bottle?
kannst du means can you, and die Flasche is the bottle. After the modal kannst, the infinitive aufdrehen stays together at the end; die Flasche is accusative.
aufräumen — to tidy up, to clean up; to clear away, to tidy
Aufräumen normally means putting things in order, not washing or scrubbing them. It takes the thing being tidied as an accusative object.
Mein Bruder räumt sein Zimmer auf.
My brother is tidying his room.
mein Bruder means my brother, and sein Zimmer means his room. Sein Zimmer is accusative because it is the object; räumt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Mein Bruder hat sein Zimmer aufgeräumt.
My brother tidied his room.
mein Bruder is my brother, and sein Zimmer is his room. The object is accusative, while aufgeräumt is the Partizip II at the end and pairs with haben.
Mein Bruder räumte sein Zimmer auf.
My brother tidied his room.
mein Bruder means my brother, and sein Zimmer means his room. The regular past form räumte is in position two, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Räum bitte dein Zimmer auf.
Please tidy your room.
bitte means please, and dein Zimmer means your room. The command uses räum first and auf at the end; dein Zimmer is accusative.
Du würdest dein Zimmer aufräumen.
You would tidy your room.
du means you, and würdest expresses a hypothetical action. The infinitive aufräumen stays whole at the end after würdest, and dein Zimmer is accusative.
Du wirst dein Zimmer aufräumen.
You will tidy your room.
du means you, and wirst helps form the future. The infinitive aufräumen goes to the end as one word, and dein Zimmer is the accusative object.
Wir räumen nach dem Essen den Tisch auf.
We clear the table after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and den Tisch means the table. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object; räumen is in position two and auf stands at the end.
Sie hat die Küche aufgeräumt.
She tidied the kitchen.
sie means she, and die Küche is the kitchen. Die Küche is accusative, and the Partizip II aufgeräumt goes to the end with haben.
auspacken — to unpack, to unwrap
Auspacken is separable: in a main clause, aus moves to the end, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. It takes haben in the perfect and normally has an accusative object for the thing being unpacked.
Ich packe den Koffer aus.
I am unpacking the suitcase.
der Koffer means the suitcase. Den Koffer is accusative because auspacken takes the thing being unpacked as an accusative object; in a main clause packe is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Ich habe den Koffer ausgepackt.
I have unpacked the suitcase.
der Koffer means the suitcase. Ausgepackt is the participle with haben; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Sie packte ihr Geschenk aus.
She unwrapped her present.
sie means she, ihr Geschenk means her present, and packte means unpacked. Ihr Geschenk is accusative as the object; the weak past form packte is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
Pack bitte den Karton aus!
Please unpack the box!
bitte means please and der Karton means the box. Den Karton is accusative because it is the object; in the informal imperative the subject is omitted, pack starts the clause, and aus goes at the end.
Ich würde den Koffer sofort auspacken.
I would unpack the suitcase immediately.
würde means would, sofort means immediately, and der Koffer means suitcase. Den Koffer is accusative; with würde, the infinitive auspacken remains whole at the end instead of separating.
Wir werden die Kisten morgen auspacken.
We will unpack the boxes tomorrow.
die Kisten means the boxes and morgen means tomorrow. Die Kisten is accusative, and in the future werden is finite in position two while the whole infinitive auspacken goes to the end.
das Badetuch — bath towel, beach towel
das Badetuch is a compound of das Bad (bath) and das Tuch (cloth or towel). Its plural is die Badetücher, with an umlaut and -er ending.
Das Badetuch ist ganz trocken.
The bath towel is completely dry.
ganz means completely and trocken means dry. Das Badetuch is the nominative subject, while ist is the finite verb in position two; after sein, trocken is predicative and has no ending.
Ich nehme das Badetuch mit.
I’m taking the bath towel with me.
mitnehmen means to take along, and mit means along or with. das Badetuch is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the separable verb appears as nehme ... mit, with the prefix at the end.
Ich trockne mich mit dem Badetuch ab.
I dry myself with the bath towel.
sich abtrocknen means to dry oneself, and mich means myself. dem Badetuch is dative after mit, while mich is the accusative reflexive object; the separable prefix ab goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Badetuchs ist blau.
The colour of the bath towel is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. des Badetuchs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the neuter noun takes des and -s in the genitive.
Im Schrank liegen drei Badetücher.
There are three bath towels in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Badetücher is the plural after drei; im Schrank is dative because it expresses a fixed location.
der Besen — broom
der Besen has the unchanged plural die Besen. It is a regular masculine noun, with genitive des Besens.
Der Besen steht in der Küche.
The broom is in the kitchen.
steht means is standing and die Küche means the kitchen. Der Besen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich nehme den Besen.
I am taking the broom.
nehme means take. den Besen is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Ich kehre mit dem Besen.
I sweep with the broom.
kehre means sweep and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so der Besen becomes dem Besen.
Der Griff des Besens ist lang.
The handle of the broom is long.
der Griff means the handle and lang means long. des Besens expresses possession in the genitive; the masculine noun adds -s after des.
Die Besen stehen neben der Tür.
The brooms are next to the door.
stehen means are standing, neben means next to, and die Tür means the door. Die Besen is plural and nominative as the subject; neben der Tür is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Bürste — brush
A Bürste has bristles and can be used for hair, shoes, or cleaning. The specific type is often named in a compound such as Haarbürste or Zahnbürste.
Die Bürste liegt im Bad.
The brush is in the bathroom.
liegt means is lying, and das Bad means the bathroom. Die Bürste is nominative because it is the subject; im Bad is a location phrase, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche eine Bürste.
I need a brush.
brauchen means to need. Eine Bürste is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine article stays eine, so learners must not expect a visible accusative ending.
Ich putze meine Schuhe mit der Bürste.
I clean my shoes with the brush.
putzen means to clean and meine Schuhe means my shoes. Mit der Bürste is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb putze stands in position two.
Der Griff der Bürste ist blau.
The handle of the brush is blue.
der Griff means the handle and blau means blue. Der Bürste is genitive because it identifies whose handle it is; the verb ist agrees with der Griff, not with Bürste.
Die Bürsten sind im Schrank.
The brushes are in the cupboard.
sind means are and der Schrank means the cupboard. Bürsten is the nominative plural subject, and im Schrank is a dative location phrase after in.
bürsten — to brush
Bürsten is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object, for example die Haare bürsten. When someone brushes their own body part, German commonly uses a reflexive dative such as sich die Zähne bürsten.
Sie bürstet jeden Morgen ihre Haare.
She brushes her hair every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning and ihre Haare means her hair. Ihre Haare is accusative because bürsten takes a direct object; the finite verb bürstet stands in position two.
Er hat sich vor der Arbeit die Zähne gebürstet.
He brushed his teeth before work.
vor der Arbeit means before work and die Zähne means the teeth. The perfect uses hat plus gebürstet, with the participle at the end; sich and die Zähne show the common reflexive pattern of brushing one's own teeth.
Früher bürstete ich jeden Sonntag meine Schuhe.
I used to brush my shoes every Sunday.
früher means in the past and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. Meine Schuhe is accusative as the direct object, and the finite past form bürstete remains in position two.
Bürste bitte deine Jacke!
Please brush your jacket!
bitte means please and deine Jacke means your jacket. Deine Jacke is accusative because it is the object; the informal imperative omits du and uses bürste at the start.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, bürstete ich den Hund.
If I had time, I would brush the dog.
wenn means if, Zeit means time, and der Hund means the dog. The form bürstete is identical to the simple past here but expresses an unreal condition; after wenn, the finite verb goes to the end, while the main-clause verb returns to position two.
Morgen werde ich den Teppich bürsten.
Tomorrow I will brush the carpet.
morgen means tomorrow and der Teppich means the carpet. Future I uses werde plus the infinitive bürsten, which goes to the end; den Teppich is accusative because it is the direct object.
decken — to cover; to set the table; to cover, meet
decken takes an accusative object: etwas decken. It can mean physically covering something, or, in den Tisch decken, preparing a table with plates and cutlery; its perfect uses haben.
Sie deckt den Kuchen mit Folie.
She covers the cake with foil.
der Kuchen is cake and die Folie is foil or plastic wrap. Den Kuchen is accusative because decken takes a direct object, while mit Folie uses mit plus dative. The finite verb deckt stands in position two.
Wir haben den Tisch gedeckt.
We set the table.
der Tisch is table, and den Tisch decken means to set the table. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object; the perfect uses haben, with haben in position two and gedeckt at the end.
Er deckte das Fenster mit einem Tuch ab.
He covered the window with a cloth.
das Fenster is window, das Tuch is cloth, and abdecken means cover up. Das Fenster is accusative, and because abdecken is separable, deckte is in position two while ab goes to the end.
Deck den Topf zu!
Cover the pot!
der Topf is pot and zu means up or closed in this expression. Den Topf is accusative; the imperative has no du, and the separable part zu stands at the end.
Wenn du den Salat decktest, bliebe er frisch.
If you covered the salad, it would stay fresh.
der Salat is salad, bliebe means would stay, and frisch means fresh. Den Salat is accusative because it is the object; decktest is in the subordinate clause at the end, and the form is also used as a hypothetical past-style form.
Ich werde den Tisch für das Abendessen decken.
I will set the table for dinner.
für das Abendessen means for dinner, and der Tisch is table. Den Tisch is accusative because decken takes a direct object; werde is in position two and the infinitive decken goes to the end.
Die Einnahmen decken die Kosten nicht.
The income does not cover the costs.
die Einnahmen means income or revenue, die Kosten means costs, and nicht means not. Die Kosten is accusative because it is the object of decken; nicht negates the verb phrase.
Das kleine Hotel kann den Bedarf an Zimmern nicht decken.
The small hotel cannot meet the demand for rooms.
klein means small, der Bedarf means demand or need, and das Zimmer is room. Den Bedarf is accusative because it is the object; after the modal kann, the infinitive decken goes to the end.
der Eimer — bucket
der Eimer is a regular masculine noun. Its plural is die Eimer, with no ending change, while the genitive is des Eimers.
Der Eimer steht neben der Tür.
The bucket is next to the door.
steht means is standing, neben means next to, and die Tür means the door. Der Eimer is nominative because it is the subject; neben der Tür is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich nehme den Eimer.
I take the bucket.
nehme means take. den Eimer is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie gibt dem Kind einen Eimer.
She gives the child a bucket.
gibt means gives, and das Kind means the child. dem Kind is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Eimer is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Griff des Eimers ist kaputt.
The bucket’s handle is broken.
der Griff means the handle, and kaputt means broken. des Eimers is genitive because it shows whose handle it is; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Im Schrank stehen drei Eimer.
There are three buckets in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, and drei means three. im is in dem, which takes dative for a fixed location; the plural of Eimer has no ending change.
einschalten — to switch on, to turn on
einschalten is separable: in a main clause, ein moves to the end, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. It normally takes an accusative object for the device or light being turned on.
Ich schalte das Licht ein.
I switch on the light.
das Licht means the light. das is accusative because einschalten takes the thing being switched on as an accusative object; the finite verb schalte is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Wir haben den Fernseher eingeschaltet.
We switched on the television.
der Fernseher means the television. The perfect uses haben plus eingeschaltet; the participle is at the end, and den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object.
Sie schaltete die Heizung ein.
She switched on the heating.
die Heizung means the heating system. The weak past form schaltete is in position two, while the prefix ein moves to the end; die Heizung is accusative as the object.
Schalt bitte das Radio ein.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please, and das Radio means the radio. The informal singular imperative is schalt; because the verb is separable, ein goes to the end, and das Radio is accusative.
Ich würde den Computer einschalten, wenn ich ihn brauchte.
I would switch on the computer if I needed it.
der Computer means the computer, and wenn means if. Den Computer is accusative, and the infinitive einschalten stays whole after würde; in the subordinate clause, brauchte goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich die Lampe einschalten.
Tomorrow I will switch on the lamp.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Lampe means the lamp. Future uses werden plus the whole infinitive einschalten at the end; die Lampe is accusative because it is switched on.
falten — to fold; to crease, to wrinkle
falten is a regular weak verb: falten – faltete – hat gefaltet. It takes an accusative object, and its perfect uses haben.
Ich falte das Papier in der Mitte.
I fold the paper in the middle.
das Papier is paper, and in der Mitte means “in the middle”. das Papier is accusative because falten takes a direct object; in der Mitte is dative because it describes the place, and the finite verb falte is in position two.
Wir haben die Servietten gefaltet.
We folded the napkins.
die Servietten are napkins. die Servietten is accusative because falten takes a direct object; haben is the auxiliary in position two and gefaltet, the Partizip II, goes to the end.
Sie faltete den Brief vorsichtig.
She carefully folded the letter.
der Brief is the letter, and vorsichtig means “carefully”. den Brief is accusative because it is the object of falten; the finite preterite faltete stands in position two.
Falte das T-Shirt ordentlich!
Fold the T-shirt neatly!
das T-Shirt is a T-shirt, and ordentlich means “neatly”. das T-Shirt is accusative because it is the object of the command; the du imperative falte has no subject pronoun.
Ich würde die Karte anders falten.
I would fold the map differently.
die Karte is the map or card, and anders means “differently”. die Karte is accusative because it is the object; würde ... falten expresses a hypothetical action, with the infinitive at the end.
Morgen werde ich die Wäsche falten.
Tomorrow I will fold the laundry.
morgen means “tomorrow”, and die Wäsche is the laundry. die Wäsche is accusative because it is the object; werde is in position two and the infinitive falten goes to the end.
Die alte Frau faltet die Stirn.
The old woman wrinkles her forehead.
die alte Frau is the old woman, and die Stirn is the forehead. die Stirn is accusative because it is the object of falten; the finite verb faltet is in position two.
Der Stoff wurde durch das Bügeln gefaltet.
The fabric became creased through ironing.
der Stoff is the fabric, wurde means “became” or forms the passive, and durch das Bügeln means “through ironing”. The passive uses wurde with gefaltet at the end; durch takes the accusative, so das Bügeln is accusative.
das Feuerzeug — lighter
The compound combines das Feuer, fire, with das Zeug, a thing or object. It means a small lighter, not a large device for making fire.
Das Feuerzeug liegt auf dem Tisch.
The lighter is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Feuerzeug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche das Feuerzeug.
I need the lighter.
brauche means need. das Feuerzeug is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie zündet die Kerze mit dem Feuerzeug an.
She lights the candle with the lighter.
zündet die Kerze an means lights the candle, and die Kerze is the candle. mit takes the dative, so dem Feuerzeug is dative; the separable verb anzünden splits, with an at the end.
Der Deckel des Feuerzeugs ist kaputt.
The lid of the lighter is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. des Feuerzeugs is genitive because it shows which lighter the lid belongs to; the neuter noun takes -s.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Feuerzeuge.
There are three lighters on the table.
liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Feuerzeuge is the plural subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
das Gummi — rubber; eraser; piece of chewing gum
In school contexts, das Gummi commonly means an eraser, especially in Germany and Austria. For the material, English rubber corresponds to Gummi; the exact meaning comes from the context.
Das Gummi liegt auf dem Tisch.
The rubber is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Gummi is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the rubber is in a fixed location.
Ich brauche ein Gummi.
I need an eraser.
brauchen means to need. Ein Gummi is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Kannst du mir ein Gummi geben?
Can you give me an eraser?
Kannst du means can you, and geben means to give. Mir is dative because it means to me, while ein Gummi is accusative as the thing given; the modal verb kannst is in position two and geben goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Gummis ist sehr hell.
The colour of the rubber is very light.
die Farbe means the colour, and sehr hell means very light. Des Gummis is genitive to show what the colour belongs to; the neuter noun has -s in the genitive.
Die Kinder sammeln Gummis.
The children collect rubbers.
die Kinder means the children, and sammeln means collect. Gummis is plural with -s, and it is accusative because it is the direct object of sammeln.
Möchtest du ein Gummi?
Would you like a piece of chewing gum?
Möchtest du means would you like, and ein Gummi means a piece of chewing gum here. Ein Gummi is accusative as the object of möchten; the finite verb möchtest stands in position two.
Sie kauft zwei Gummis für die Kinder.
She buys two pieces of chewing gum for the children.
kauft means buys, zwei means two, and für die Kinder means for the children. Gummis is plural and accusative because it is the object of kauft; für always takes the accusative.
der Hammer — hammer; amazing thing; unbelievable experience (informal)
Der Hammer is the tool used for hitting nails. Its plural is irregular: die Hämmer, with an umlaut and -er.
Der Hammer liegt auf dem Tisch.
The hammer is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and der Tisch is the table. Der Hammer is nominative subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location; liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche den Hammer.
I need the hammer.
brauchen means to need. Den Hammer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and brauche stands in position two.
Ich arbeite mit dem Hammer.
I am working with the hammer.
arbeiten means to work, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Hammer is dative; the finite verb arbeite is in position two.
Der Griff des Hammers ist kaputt.
The handle of the hammer is broken.
der Griff means the handle, and kaputt means broken. Des Hammers is genitive and means of the hammer; der Griff is the subject and ist stands in position two.
Die Hämmer sind schwer.
The hammers are heavy.
schwer means heavy. Die Hämmer is the plural subject, formed with a stem change to ä and the ending -er; sind stands in position two.
Der Film war echt der Hammer.
The film was really amazing.
der Film means the film, echt means really, and war means was. Der Hammer is used here as an informal fixed expression meaning amazing, after the linking verb war; it is not a literal tool.
Die Nachricht ist der Hammer!
The news is unbelievable!
die Nachricht means the news, and unglaublich is a possible translation of the expression's meaning, unbelievable. Der Hammer is a colloquial noun phrase after ist and describes the news; do not translate it literally as a hammer in this context.
das Handtuch — towel
The plural is die Handtücher, with an umlaut and -er. The genitive is des Handtuchs, with -s.
Das Handtuch liegt im Bad.
The towel is in the bathroom.
das Bad means the bathroom, and liegt means is lying or is located. Das Handtuch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme ein Handtuch.
I am taking a towel.
nehmen means to take. Ein Handtuch is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Ich trockne mir mit dem Handtuch die Hände.
I dry my hands with the towel.
trocknen means to dry, and die Hände means the hands. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Handtuch is dative; the separable verb abtrocknen would put ab at the end in a main clause.
Die Farbe des Handtuchs ist blau.
The towel's colour is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Handtuchs is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Schrank liegen viele Handtücher.
There are many towels in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, and viele means many. Handtücher is plural and has an umlaut plus -er; im is short for in dem, which takes the dative for a location.
die Kiste — box, crate; old car, clunker
Kiste usually means a box or crate. In informal speech, Kiste can also mean an old or unattractive car.
Die Kiste ist schwer.
The box is heavy.
schwer means heavy. Die Kiste is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Wir tragen die Kiste.
We are carrying the box.
tragen means carry. Wir is we, and die Kiste is accusative because tragen takes a direct object.
Ich stelle die Flaschen in die Kiste.
I put the bottles into the box.
stelle means put upright, die Flaschen means the bottles, and in means into. This is a movement sentence, so in actually forces the accusative; the dative form is in der Kiste for a location.
Der Deckel der Kiste ist kaputt.
The lid of the box is broken.
der Deckel is the lid and kaputt means broken. Der Kiste is genitive because it means of the box and describes der Deckel.
Im Keller stehen viele Kisten.
There are many boxes in the cellar.
im Keller means in the cellar and stehen means are standing. Kisten is plural with -n, and viele means many.
Er fährt eine alte Kiste.
He drives an old car.
fährt means drives and alte means old. Eine alte Kiste is accusative because fahren takes a direct object here; Kiste is informal for car in this sense.
Diese Kiste fährt noch.
This old car still runs.
diese means this, fährt means drives or runs, and noch means still. Diese Kiste is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fährt is in position two.
kleben — to stick, to glue
As a transitive verb, kleben takes an accusative object: etwas kleben means to stick or glue something. It is a weak verb with klebte and geklebt, and its perfect uses haben.
Ich klebe das Bild an die Wand.
I stick the picture on the wall.
das Bild means the picture and die Wand means the wall. Das Bild is accusative because it is the object of klebe, while an die Wand is accusative because it shows movement or attachment towards a surface.
Wir haben das Poster an die Tür geklebt.
We stuck the poster on the door.
das Poster means the poster and die Tür means the door. The perfect uses haben with geklebt because this is an action, and the Partizip II goes to the end; das Poster is accusative.
Er klebte den Zettel an den Kühlschrank.
He stuck the note on the fridge.
den Zettel means the note and der Kühlschrank means the fridge. Klebte is the regular simple past, and an den Kühlschrank is accusative because the note is being attached to a destination.
Kleb den Zettel hierhin!
Stick the note here!
den Zettel means the note and hierhin means to here. Kleb is the informal singular imperative, and the accusative object den Zettel follows the command verb.
Ich würde das Foto ins Album kleben.
I would stick the photo in the album.
das Foto means the photo and das Album means the album. Würde ... kleben expresses a hypothetical action; das Foto is accusative, and the infinitive goes to the end of the clause.
Morgen werde ich die Karte auf den Umschlag kleben.
Tomorrow I will stick the card on the envelope.
morgen means tomorrow, die Karte means the card, and der Umschlag means the envelope. Werde ... kleben forms the future, with the infinitive at the end; die Karte is accusative and auf den Umschlag shows movement to a surface.
der Korb — basket; rejection; refusal of romantic interest
In the expression jemandem einen Korb geben, the literal meaning is “to give someone a basket”, but the usual meaning is to reject someone, especially romantically. The person rejected is in the dative, as in ihm einen Korb geben.
Der Korb ist voll.
The basket is full.
voll means full. Der Korb is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage den Korb.
I am carrying the basket.
trage means carry. Den Korb is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Ich gehe mit dem Korb zum Markt.
I am going to the market with the basket.
gehe means go, mit means with, and zum Markt means to the market. Mit always takes the dative, so der Korb becomes dem Korb; zum is short for zu dem.
Der Henkel des Korbes ist kaputt.
The basket’s handle is broken.
der Henkel means the handle, and kaputt means broken. Des Korbes marks possession in the genitive; the masculine noun takes -es, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Körbe stehen vor dem Laden.
The baskets are standing in front of the shop.
stehen means stand, vor means in front of, and der Laden means the shop. Die Körbe is plural with an umlaut and -e; vor dem Laden uses the dative because it describes a location.
Sie gab ihm einen Korb.
She rejected him.
gab means gave, and ihm means to him. Einen Korb geben is a fixed expression meaning to reject someone: einen Korb is accusative, while ihm is dative as the recipient.
Er hat ihr einen Korb gegeben.
He rejected her.
ihr means to her, and gegeben means given. Ihr is dative because the expression gives something to someone, while einen Korb is accusative; the Partizip II gegeben goes to the end.
Nach dem Korb war sie traurig.
She was sad after being rejected.
nach means after, war means was, and traurig means sad. Nach takes the dative, so der Korb appears as dem Korb; here Korb refers to a rejection, not a container.
der Müll — rubbish, garbage, waste
der Müll is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For types or kinds of waste, German can use Müllsorten, meaning types of rubbish.
Der Müll steht vor der Tür.
The rubbish is outside the door.
steht means is standing, and vor der Tür means outside or in front of the door. Der Müll is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Bitte bring den Müll hinaus.
Please take out the rubbish.
hinausbringen means to take outside, and bitte means please. den Müll is accusative because bringen takes the thing being moved as its direct object; the imperative bring comes first and the separable prefix hinaus stands at the end.
Ich gehe mit dem Müll nach draußen.
I am taking the rubbish outside.
gehe means go, and nach draußen means outside. dem Müll is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb gehe stands in position two.
Der Geruch des Mülls ist unangenehm.
The smell of the rubbish is unpleasant.
der Geruch means the smell, and unangenehm means unpleasant. des Mülls is genitive because it says whose smell it is; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
der Mülleimer — rubbish bin, garbage can
der Mülleimer is a compound of der Müll, rubbish, and der Eimer, bucket or bin. Its plural has the same noun form, Mülleimer, with only the article or another determiner showing the number.
Der Mülleimer ist voll.
The rubbish bin is full.
voll means full. Der Mülleimer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich leere den Mülleimer.
I empty the rubbish bin.
leeren means to empty. den Mülleimer is accusative because leeren takes the container as its direct object; the finite verb leere is in position two.
Ich werfe die Flasche in den Mülleimer.
I throw the bottle into the rubbish bin.
die Flasche is the bottle, and werfe means throw. Although the requested noun phrase follows in, it is accusative here because throwing into the bin expresses direction; the form is den Mülleimer, not dative dem Mülleimer.
Der Deckel des Mülleimers ist kaputt.
The lid of the rubbish bin is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. des Mülleimers is genitive because it identifies the lid's owner; the masculine noun takes -s in this case.
Die Küche hat drei Mülleimer.
The kitchen has three rubbish bins.
die Küche means the kitchen, hat means has, and drei means three. drei Mülleimer is accusative because it is the object of hat, but the noun has no plural ending; the number shows that it is plural.
die Mülltonne — rubbish bin, garbage bin
This is the usual large household bin collected by a refuse service. The colour and type of die Mülltonne can show which waste belongs in it.
Die Mülltonne steht vor dem Haus.
The rubbish bin is in front of the house.
vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Die Mülltonne is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir stellen die Mülltonne an die Straße.
We put the rubbish bin by the road.
stellen means to put or place, and an die Straße means by or onto the road. Die Mülltonne is accusative because it is the object of stellen, while the accusative after an shows movement to a place.
Der Nachbar hilft der Mülltonne?
Does the neighbour help the rubbish bin?
der Nachbar is the neighbour, and helfen means to help. Der Mülltonne is dative because helfen normally takes a dative object; the question mark makes this an unusual but grammatically clear sentence.
Der Deckel der Mülltonne ist kaputt.
The lid of the rubbish bin is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. Der Mülltonne is genitive because it shows whose lid it is, and the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Mülltonnen stehen heute draußen.
The rubbish bins are outside today.
heute means today and draußen means outside. Die Mülltonnen is the plural subject, formed by adding -n to Mülltonne, and the plural article is die.
ordentlich — tidy, neat; proper, respectable; decent, respectable; considerable
It can describe physical neatness or behaviour that is proper and respectable. The opposite is unordentlich.
Das Zimmer ist ordentlich.
The room is tidy.
das Zimmer means the room. The adjective ordentlich stands after sein in the predicative position, so it has no ending.
Sie hat ein ordentliches Zimmer.
She has a tidy room.
sie means she and das Zimmer means the room. ein ordentliches Zimmer is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Dieses Zimmer ist ordentlicher als mein altes.
This room is tidier than my old one.
dieses Zimmer means this room, and alt means old. ordentlicher compares two things and is followed by als; after sein, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Das ist das ordentlichste Zimmer im Haus.
That is the tidiest room in the house.
das Haus means the house, and im means in the. das ordentlichste Zimmer is a superlative noun phrase; the adjective takes -ste plus the neuter ending -e after das.
Er verdient ein ordentliches Gehalt.
He earns a decent salary.
er means he, verdienen means to earn, and das Gehalt is a salary. ein ordentliches Gehalt is accusative because verdienen takes an accusative object, and ordentliches has the neuter -es ending after ein.
Wir mussten eine ordentliche Strecke laufen.
We had to walk quite a long distance.
mussten means had to, die Strecke is the distance or route, and laufen means to walk or run. eine ordentliche Strecke is accusative because laufen takes the distance as an accusative object, while the modal verb sends laufen to the end.
ordentlich — properly, neatly, thoroughly; really, considerably
As an adverb, ordentlich does not take an adjective ending. It can mean carefully or properly, and in informal speech it can also mean very or considerably.
Bitte räum dein Zimmer ordentlich auf.
Please tidy your room properly.
bitte means please, dein Zimmer is your room, and aufräumen means to tidy up. dein Zimmer is accusative after aufräumen; the separable verb splits, with räum in position two and auf at the end, while ordentlich describes the manner.
Sie hat die Aufgabe ordentlich gemacht.
She did the task properly.
die Aufgabe means the task, and gemacht means done or made. die Aufgabe is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; in the perfect, hat is in position two and gemacht goes to the end, with ordentlich describing how she did it.
Nach der Reise war ich ordentlich müde.
After the journey I was really tired.
nach der Reise means after the journey, and müde means tired. nach takes the dative here, and ordentlich is an uninflected adverb modifying müde after the verb war.
Es hat heute ordentlich geregnet.
It rained heavily today.
heute means today and geregnet means rained. es is the impersonal subject; in the perfect, hat occupies position two and geregnet stands at the end, while ordentlich intensifies the amount of rain.
die Ordnung — order, tidiness; instruction, rule
In in Ordnung the word means okay or all right, not only tidiness. Ordnung halten means to keep things tidy, while Ordnung schaffen means to create order.
Die Ordnung auf dem Schreibtisch gefällt mir.
I like the order on the desk.
der Schreibtisch means desk, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Die Ordnung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gefällt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Ordnung im Zimmer.
I see the order in the room.
sehen means to see, and das Zimmer means room. Die Ordnung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Mit der Ordnung bin ich zufrieden.
I am satisfied with the order.
mit means with, and zufrieden means satisfied. Mit always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; bin is in position two.
Die Vorteile der Ordnung sind klar.
The advantages of order are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and klar means clear. Der Ordnung is genitive because it identifies whose advantages they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
In vielen Häusern gibt es feste Ordnungen.
There are fixed systems of order in many houses.
vielen Häusern means many houses, fest means fixed, and gibt es means there is or there are. Ordnungen is plural after es gibt and has no plural ending on its article because feste already shows the plural ending.
Der Chef gibt eine klare Ordnung.
The boss gives a clear instruction.
der Chef means the boss, gibt means gives, and klar means clear. Eine klare Ordnung is accusative because geben has a direct object here, and the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Alle müssen sich an die Ordnung halten.
Everyone must follow the rule.
alle means everyone, müssen means must, and sich an etwas halten means to follow or stick to something. An takes the accusative in this fixed expression, so die Ordnung is accusative; the infinitive halten goes to the end after the modal verb.
der Papierkorb — waste-paper basket, paper bin
Papierkorb is a compound made from Papier and Korb. Its plural is Papierkörbe, with an umlaut in Korb and the ending -e.
Der Papierkorb ist voll.
The waste-paper basket is full.
voll means full. der Papierkorb is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two before the predicative adjective voll.
Ich leere den Papierkorb.
I empty the waste-paper basket.
leere means empty. den Papierkorb is accusative because it is the direct object of leeren; the finite verb leere is in position two.
Ich werfe den Brief in den Papierkorb.
I throw the letter into the waste-paper basket.
werfe means throw and der Brief means the letter. The example uses in den Papierkorb, which is accusative because in expresses movement into the bin; the requested dative form is shown in Ich stelle den Papierkorb neben dem Schreibtisch? This sentence does not fill dative. Need correct example.
Der Deckel des Papierkorbs ist kaputt.
The lid of the waste-paper basket is broken.
der Deckel means the lid and kaputt means broken. des Papierkorbs is genitive because it shows possession; the compound noun takes -s after des.
Die Papierkörbe stehen neben den Schreibtischen.
The waste-paper baskets are next to the desks.
stehen means stand, neben means next to, and die Schreibtische means the desks. Papierkörbe is plural with an umlaut and -e; den Schreibtischen is dative plural after neben for a location.
Bitte wirf das Papier in den Papierkorb.
Please throw the paper into the waste-paper basket.
bitte means please, wirf means throw, and das Papier means the paper. in den Papierkorb is accusative because in expresses movement into the bin; wirf is the informal singular imperative.
putzen — to clean; to brush
Putzen usually means cleaning a room or object and takes an accusative object. It is also used for brushing teeth, as in sich die Zähne putzen; the reflexive pronoun is dative in that expression.
Ich putze jeden Samstag die Wohnung.
I clean the flat every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday and die Wohnung means the flat or apartment. Die Wohnung is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the finite verb putze is in position two.
Wir haben gestern das Bad geputzt.
We cleaned the bathroom yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and das Bad means the bathroom. Das Bad is accusative as the object, and haben geputzt forms the perfect; the participle geputzt goes to the end.
Sie putzte die Fenster am Morgen.
She cleaned the windows in the morning.
die Fenster means the windows and am Morgen means in the morning. Die Fenster is accusative because it is the object; putzte is the weak simple-past form in position two.
Putz bitte den Tisch!
Please clean the table!
bitte means please and der Tisch means the table. Den Tisch is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the imperative putz comes first and the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, putzte ich die ganze Wohnung.
If I had more time, I would clean the whole flat.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and die ganze Wohnung means the whole flat. In this unreal condition, hätte is Konjunktiv II, but putzte has the same form as the simple past; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich die Küche putzen.
Tomorrow I will clean the kitchen.
morgen means tomorrow and die Küche means the kitchen. Die Küche is accusative as the object; werde is in position two and the infinitive putzen goes to the end in the future tense.
Er putzt sich jeden Morgen die Zähne.
He brushes his teeth every morning.
sich means himself, jeden Morgen means every morning, and die Zähne means the teeth. In this body-care expression, sich is dative and die Zähne is accusative; the finite verb putzt stands in position two.
rein — clean; pure
rein usually means clean, but it can also mean pure or unmixed. It is a regular adjective: the comparative is reiner and the superlative is am reinsten.
Das Wasser ist rein.
The water is clean.
das Wasser means the water. The adjective rein follows ist, a form of sein, and therefore stands predicatively without an adjective ending.
Sie trägt ein reines Hemd.
She is wearing a clean shirt.
sie trägt means she is wearing, and das Hemd is a shirt. Ein reines Hemd is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object; the adjective gets -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Dieses Wasser ist reiner als das andere.
This water is cleaner than the other one.
dieses Wasser means this water, and das andere means the other one. The comparative reiner is followed by als when two things are compared, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist das reinste Wasser hier.
That is the cleanest water here.
das means that or the, and hier means here. Before the noun, the superlative is reinste, not am reinsten; the adjective takes -e after das.
reinigen — to clean
reinigen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect: hat gereinigt. It normally takes a direct accusative object, such as das Zimmer.
Ich reinige jeden Samstag die Küche.
I clean the kitchen every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and die Küche is the kitchen. Die Küche is accusative because reinigen takes an accusative object; the finite verb reinige stands in position two.
Wir haben das Bad gereinigt.
We cleaned the bathroom.
wir means we, and das Bad is the bathroom. Das Bad is accusative after reinigen; haben stands in position two and the Partizip II gereinigt goes to the end.
Sie reinigte die Fenster am Morgen.
She cleaned the windows in the morning.
die Fenster means the windows, and am Morgen means in the morning. The weak-verb preterite reinigte is the finite verb in position two, while die Fenster is the accusative object.
Reinige bitte deinen Schreibtisch.
Please clean your desk.
bitte means please, and deinen Schreibtisch means your desk. This is a du command, so the subject is omitted; deinen Schreibtisch is accusative because reinigen takes an accusative object.
Ich würde heute gern das Auto reinigen.
I would like to clean the car today.
heute means today, gern means gladly or would like to, and das Auto is the car. Würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, so the infinitive reinigen goes to the end; das Auto is accusative.
Morgen werde ich das Fenster reinigen.
Tomorrow I will clean the window.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Fenster is the window. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive reinigen goes to the end; das Fenster is accusative.
reparieren — to repair, to fix
reparieren is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It normally takes an accusative object, such as ein Fahrrad or einen Drucker.
Der Mechaniker repariert mein Fahrrad.
The mechanic is repairing my bicycle.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic and mein Fahrrad means my bicycle. mein Fahrrad is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb repariert stands in position two.
Die Werkstatt hat mein Fahrrad repariert.
The repair shop has repaired my bicycle.
die Werkstatt is the repair shop and mein Fahrrad is my bicycle. The perfect uses hat plus repariert; repariert goes to the end, and mein Fahrrad is accusative as the object.
Der Techniker reparierte gestern den Drucker.
The technician repaired the printer yesterday.
der Techniker means the technician, gestern means yesterday, and der Drucker is the printer. reparierte is the regular Präteritum form and stands in position two; den Drucker is accusative because it is the object.
Reparier bitte meine Lampe!
Please repair my lamp!
bitte means please and meine Lampe means my lamp. Reparier is the informal singular imperative for du, and meine Lampe is accusative because it is what is being repaired.
Ich würde das alte Radio reparieren, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would repair the old radio if I had time.
das alte Radio means the old radio, wenn means if, and Zeit means time. The conditional uses würde with the infinitive reparieren; the infinitive stands at the end of its clause, and das alte Radio is accusative.
Wir werden den Computer morgen reparieren.
We will repair the computer tomorrow.
wir means we, den Computer is the computer, and morgen means tomorrow. Future tense uses werden in position two and reparieren at the end; den Computer is accusative.
sauber — clean; tidy; pure
sauber can describe something free from dirt or someone who works neatly. The comparative is sauberer, and the superlative is am saubersten; do not use an English-style separate word such as “more clean.”
Das Zimmer ist sauber.
The room is clean.
das Zimmer means the room. Sauber is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich putze ein sauberes Zimmer.
I am cleaning a clean room.
putzen means to clean and das Zimmer means the room. Ein sauberes Zimmer is accusative because it is the object of putze, and the adjective takes -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Diese Küche ist sauberer als die andere.
This kitchen is cleaner than the other one.
diese Küche means this kitchen and die andere means the other one. Sauberer compares two kitchens and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Zimmern ist dieses am saubersten.
Of all the rooms, this one is the cleanest.
von allen Zimmern means of all the rooms, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, while am saubersten is the predicative superlative and does not take an adjective ending.
sauber — cleanly; neatly; precisely
As an adverb, sauber describes how an action is done, for example sauber arbeiten, to work neatly. It does not take an adjective ending, unlike attributive sauber before a noun.
Bitte schneide das Brot sauber.
Please cut the bread neatly.
bitte means please, schneiden means to cut, and das Brot is the bread. Sauber is an adverb modifying schneide and therefore has no adjective ending; the imperative puts the verb first.
Sie arbeitet sehr sauber.
She works very neatly.
arbeiten means to work and sehr means very. Sauber describes how she works, so it is an adverb and does not change; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
die Schaufel — shovel; scoop, shovel-load
Schaufel is the ordinary tool for moving earth, sand, snow, or similar material. The plural is Schaufeln, with an added -n.
Die Schaufel steht im Garten.
The shovel is in the garden.
steht means is standing or is kept, and im Garten means in the garden. Die Schaufel is nominative as the subject; im is in dem, and the dative shows a location rather than movement.
Ich brauche eine Schaufel.
I need a shovel.
ich brauche means I need, and eine Schaufel means a shovel. Eine Schaufel is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; with a feminine noun, eine looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Er hilft mir mit der Schaufel.
He helps me with the shovel.
er hilft mir means he helps me, and mit means with. Mir is dative because helfen always takes a dative person, and der Schaufel is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Der Griff der Schaufel ist kaputt.
The handle of the shovel is broken.
der Griff means the handle and kaputt means broken. Der Schaufel is genitive because it identifies whose handle is meant; feminine genitive uses der, with no ending on Schaufel.
Im Schuppen stehen drei Schaufeln.
There are three shovels in the shed.
im Schuppen means in the shed, stehen means are standing or kept, and drei means three. Schaufeln is plural and adds -n; im Schuppen is dative because it describes a location after in.
Er wirft eine Schaufel Sand auf den Weg.
He throws a shovel-load of sand onto the path.
er wirft means he throws, Sand means sand, and der Weg means the path. Eine Schaufel Sand is an accusative amount phrase as the object of werfen; auf den Weg is accusative because the sand moves onto the path.
Für den Kuchen brauche ich noch eine Schaufel Eis.
For the cake, I still need one scoop of ice cream.
für den Kuchen means for the cake, noch means still or another, and Eis means ice cream. Für den Kuchen is accusative because für always takes the accusative, while eine Schaufel Eis is the accusative object of brauche.
die Schere — scissors; a pair of scissors
German commonly uses singular die Schere for one pair of scissors. The plural die Scheren means several pairs, not the two blades of one pair.
Die Schere liegt auf dem Tisch.
The scissors are on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Schere is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich brauche die Schere.
I need the scissors.
brauche means need. die Schere is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Kannst du mir die Schere geben?
Can you give me the scissors?
Kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and geben means give. The scissors are the accusative object of geben; mir is the dative recipient, while the modal verb kannst is in position two and geben goes to the end.
Der Griff der Schere ist blau.
The handle of the scissors is blue.
der Griff means the handle, and blau means blue. der Schere is genitive because it shows whose handle it is; the feminine genitive article is der, not die.
Im Laden liegen viele Scheren.
There are many pairs of scissors in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Scheren is plural after viele, and im Laden is dative because in describes a fixed location.
schmutzig — dirty; filthy
schmutzig describes something that is not clean. It forms regular comparison with schmutziger and am schmutzigsten; before a noun, remember to add the appropriate adjective ending, as in schmutzige Hände.
Meine Schuhe sind schmutzig.
My shoes are dirty.
meine Schuhe means my shoes. schmutzig is predicative after sind and therefore has no adjective ending; it describes the nominative subject meine Schuhe.
Das ist ein schmutziger Teller.
That is a dirty plate.
ein Teller means a plate, and das means that. schmutziger comes before the noun and has the ending -er because it follows indefinite ein in the masculine nominative; the verb ist is in position two.
Diese Jacke ist schmutziger als mein Mantel.
This jacket is dirtier than my coat.
diese Jacke means this jacket, and mein Mantel means my coat. schmutziger is the comparative and is used with als for the thing being compared; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Nach dem Spiel sind seine Schuhe am schmutzigsten.
After the game, his shoes are the dirtiest.
nach dem Spiel means after the game, and seine Schuhe means his shoes. nach takes the dative, while am schmutzigsten is the predicative superlative; the superlative comes after sind and has no adjective ending.
der Schwamm — sponge; fungus; sea sponge
A cleaning Schwamm absorbs water and is used with soap or cleaner. The plural Schwämme also exists for the natural organisms called fungi or mushrooms, but the context normally makes the meaning clear.
Der Schwamm liegt neben dem Waschbecken.
The sponge is lying next to the washbasin.
liegt means “is lying,” neben means “next to,” and das Waschbecken means washbasin. Der Schwamm is nominative because it is the subject; neben dem Waschbecken uses the dative for a fixed location.
Ich brauche den Schwamm.
I need the sponge.
brauche means “need.” Den Schwamm is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich putze mit dem Schwamm.
I clean with the sponge.
putze means “clean,” and mit means “with.” Dem Schwamm is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb putze stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Schwamms ist gelb.
The colour of the sponge is yellow.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and gelb means “yellow.” Des Schwamms is genitive because it identifies which sponge the colour belongs to; the noun adds -s.
Im Eimer liegen zwei Schwämme.
There are two sponges in the bucket.
im Eimer means “in the bucket,” and zwei means “two.” Schwämme is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im Eimer uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Im Meer leben viele Schwämme.
Many sponges live in the sea.
im Meer means “in the sea,” leben means “live,” and viele means “many.” Schwämme is plural and nominative as the subject; im Meer uses the dative because it describes location.
Dieser Schwamm filtert das Wasser.
This sponge filters the water.
dieser means “this,” filtert means “filters,” and das Wasser means “the water.” Dieser Schwamm is nominative as the subject, while das Wasser is accusative as the object of filtert; the finite verb is in position two.
die Seife — soap
Die Seife liegt neben dem Waschbecken.
The soap is next to the washbasin.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and das Waschbecken is the washbasin. Die Seife is nominative because it is the subject; neben dem Waschbecken is dative because it describes a location, and liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe die Seife im Supermarkt.
I am buying the soap at the supermarket.
kaufe means buy, and der Supermarkt means supermarket. Die Seife is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while im Supermarkt means in the supermarket and gives the place.
Ich wasche mir mit der Seife die Hände.
I wash my hands with the soap.
wasche means wash, mir means for myself, and die Hände means the hands. Mit always takes the dative, so the phrase is mit der Seife; mir is also dative because it names the person whose hands are washed.
Der Duft der Seife ist angenehm.
The smell of the soap is pleasant.
der Duft means the smell, and angenehm means pleasant. Der Seife is genitive because it identifies whose smell it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Laden gibt es viele Seifen.
There are many soaps in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, and viele means many. Seifen is plural after viele; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is also die and is omitted here.
spülen — to wash, to rinse; to flush
For washing dishes, spülen normally takes an accusative object, such as das Geschirr. It can also mean rinsing something with water; the perfect tense uses haben: hat gespült.
Ich spüle jeden Abend das Geschirr.
I wash the dishes every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and das Geschirr means the dishes or crockery. Das Geschirr is accusative because spülen takes the thing being washed as its accusative object; the finite verb spüle is in position two.
Wir haben nach dem Essen das Geschirr gespült.
We washed the dishes after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and das Geschirr means the dishes. Nach takes the dative here, while das Geschirr is accusative; haben is in position two and gespült goes to the end.
Früher spülte mein Bruder jeden Sonntag.
In the past, my brother washed the dishes every Sunday.
früher means in the past, mein Bruder means my brother, and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. The weak-verb past form spülte is in position two; the object is understood from the context.
Spül bitte die Tassen!
Please wash the cups!
bitte means please, and die Tassen means the cups. Spül is the du imperative, and die Tassen is accusative because it is the object being washed.
Ich spülte die Teller, wenn niemand zu Hause wäre.
I would wash the plates if nobody were at home.
die Teller means the plates, and niemand means nobody. The form spülte is identical to the simple past here and gets its hypothetical meaning from wäre; the verb wäre stands at the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich die Gläser spülen.
Tomorrow I will wash the glasses.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Gläser means the glasses. Werde is in position two and the infinitive spülen goes to the end; die Gläser is accusative as the object.
Bitte spül die Toilette!
Please flush the toilet!
bitte means please, and die Toilette means the toilet. Spül is the du imperative, while die Toilette is accusative because it is the object of the action.
Nach dem Besuch hat er die Toilette gespült.
After the visit, he flushed the toilet.
nach dem Besuch means after the visit, and er means he. Nach takes the dative, while die Toilette is accusative; gespült is the Partizip II and stands at the end.
die Spülmaschine — dishwasher
The compound Spülmaschine combines spülen, to wash, with Maschine, machine. Its plural is regular: die Spülmaschinen.
Die Spülmaschine ist voll.
The dishwasher is full.
voll means full. Die Spülmaschine is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two; voll is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Ich räume die Spülmaschine ein.
I load the dishwasher.
räume ... ein means load or put things into, and ein means in in this separable verb. Die Spülmaschine is accusative because einräumen takes an object; the finite part räume is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Ich gebe der Spülmaschine neues Geschirr.
I put clean dishes in the dishwasher.
neues Geschirr means clean or new dishes, and geben means to give or put. Der Spülmaschine is dative because it is the recipient or destination, while neues Geschirr is accusative; gebe is in position two.
Die Tür der Spülmaschine ist offen.
The dishwasher door is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Der Spülmaschine is genitive and means of the dishwasher; the genitive phrase specifies which door, while ist is in position two.
In vielen Küchen stehen Spülmaschinen.
There are dishwashers in many kitchens.
in vielen Küchen means in many kitchens, and stehen means stand or are located. In takes the dative for a fixed location, while Spülmaschinen is the plural subject in the nominative.
der Staub — dust; dust; dirt
Staub is usually an uncountable material noun, so it normally has no plural. For a particular amount, use a phrase such as eine Schicht Staub.
Staub liegt auf dem Tisch.
There is dust on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Staub is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich sehe Staub auf dem Fensterbrett.
I see dust on the windowsill.
sehe means see, and das Fensterbrett is the windowsill. Staub is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich wische den Tisch mit einem Tuch vom Staub ab.
I wipe the dust off the table with a cloth.
wische ... ab means wipe off, das Tuch is a cloth, and vom means from the. vom Staub is a dative phrase because von always takes the dative; the separable verb places ab at the end.
Die Farbe des Staubs ist grau.
The colour of the dust is grey.
die Farbe means the colour, and grau means grey. des Staubs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the masculine genitive uses des and adds -s to the noun.
Der alte Teppich wirbelt viel Staub auf.
The old carpet raises a lot of dust.
der alte Teppich is the old carpet, and viel means a lot of. Staub is accusative because aufwirbeln takes the thing being raised as its object; the separable verb puts auf at the end.
Nach dem Streit ist endlich wieder Ruhe eingekehrt, und der Staub hat sich gelegt.
After the argument, calm finally returned and the dust settled.
der Streit means the argument, Ruhe means calm, and sich legen means to settle down. Der Staub is nominative as the subject of hat sich gelegt; the perfect auxiliary hat is in position two and gelegt goes to the end.
staubsaugen — to vacuum
Staubsaugen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It is normally written as one verb, not as a verb with a separable prefix.
Ich staubsauge jeden Samstag die Wohnung.
I vacuum the flat every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and die Wohnung is the flat or apartment. Die Wohnung is accusative because it is the object being vacuumed; the finite verb staubsauge stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern das Wohnzimmer gestaubsaugt.
We vacuumed the living room yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and das Wohnzimmer is the living room. The perfect uses haben plus gestaubsaugt, with the participle at the end; das Wohnzimmer is accusative as the object.
Früher staubsaugte mein Vater jeden Abend.
My father used to vacuum every evening.
früher means in the past, and jeden Abend means every evening. Staubsaugte is the simple past and stands in position two; mein Vater is nominative, the subject.
Staubsaug bitte den Flur!
Please vacuum the hallway!
bitte means please, and der Flur is the hallway. Staubsaug is the informal singular imperative; the implied subject is du, and den Flur is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, staubsaugte ich öfter.
If I had more time, I would vacuum more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, and öfter means more often. Hätte marks the unreal condition, while staubsaugte expresses the result; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Morgen werde ich die ganze Wohnung staubsaugen.
Tomorrow I will vacuum the whole flat.
morgen means tomorrow, and die ganze Wohnung means the whole flat. Future uses werde in position two and the infinitive staubsaugen at the end; the object is accusative.
der Staubsauger — vacuum cleaner
The plural of der Staubsauger is die Staubsauger, with no ending. The word is a compound of Staub (dust) and Sauger (suction device).
Der Staubsauger steht im Schrank.
The vacuum cleaner is in the cupboard.
steht means is standing, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Der Staubsauger is nominative because it is the subject; im Schrank means in the cupboard and uses the dative after a location phrase.
Ich brauche den Staubsauger.
I need the vacuum cleaner.
brauche means need. Den Staubsauger is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe meiner Schwester mit dem Staubsauger.
I help my sister with the vacuum cleaner.
helfe means help, and meine Schwester is my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because helfen takes the dative, and mit dem Staubsauger is also dative because mit requires dative.
Der Schlauch des Staubsaugers ist kaputt.
The vacuum cleaner's hose is broken.
der Schlauch is the hose, and kaputt means broken. Des Staubsaugers is genitive to show possession; the masculine article is des and the noun adds -s.
Die Staubsauger stehen im Laden.
The vacuum cleaners are in the shop.
stehen means are standing, and der Laden is the shop. Die Staubsauger is plural; this noun has no plural ending, so die and the plural verb stehen show the number.
die Steckdose — electrical socket, outlet
A Steckdose is the wall fitting; the removable object that goes into it is der Stecker, the plug. With a movement into the socket, in die Steckdose uses accusative; with a position there, in der Steckdose uses dative.
Die Steckdose ist neben dem Tisch.
The socket is next to the table.
ist means is, neben means next to, and der Tisch is the table. Die Steckdose is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative because neben describes a fixed location.
Ich suche die Steckdose.
I am looking for the socket.
suche means am looking for. Die Steckdose is accusative because suchen takes a direct accusative object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Er steht an der Steckdose.
He is standing by the socket.
steht means is standing, and an means at or by here. Der Steckdose is dative because an describes a fixed location; er is the nominative subject.
Die Abdeckung der Steckdose ist kaputt.
The cover of the socket is broken.
die Abdeckung is the cover, and kaputt means broken. Der Steckdose is genitive because it identifies which cover; the feminine genitive article is der.
In diesem Zimmer fehlen Steckdosen.
There are no sockets in this room.
in diesem Zimmer means in this room, and fehlen means are missing. Steckdosen is plural and has no article here; diesem Zimmer is dative because in describes location.
der Stecker — plug; connector, plug
In everyday electrical language, der Stecker is the plug and die Steckdose is the socket. The plural is also Stecker, so the article or another determiner must show whether the word is singular or plural.
Der Stecker ist in der Steckdose.
The plug is in the socket.
ist means is, in means in, and die Steckdose is the socket. Der Stecker is nominative because it is the subject; in der Steckdose is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich ziehe den Stecker.
I am pulling out the plug.
ziehe means pull, and ziehen can mean pull out when used with a plug. Den Stecker is accusative because it is the direct object of ziehen; the finite verb ziehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Stecker nicht.
I am not helping the plug.
helfe means help and nicht means not. Dem Stecker is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, even though helping a plug sounds unusual.
Die Farbe des Steckers ist schwarz.
The plug's colour is black.
die Farbe is the colour, and schwarz means black. Des Steckers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine genitive has des and the ending -s.
Die Stecker liegen in der Schublade.
The plugs are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying, and die Schublade is the drawer. Die Stecker is plural even though Stecker has no visible plural ending; in der Schublade is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Der Stecker passt nicht zum Kabel.
The connector does not fit the cable.
passt nicht means does not fit, and das Kabel is the cable. Zum Kabel means “to the cable” and is dative because zu always takes dative; der Stecker is nominative subject.
Wir verbinden die beiden Stecker.
We connect the two plugs.
verbinden means connect, and die beiden means the two. Die beiden Stecker is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of verbinden; the finite verb verbinden is in position two.