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Vocab: Household tasks — A2 (2)
Household tasks vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Müllabfuhr — rubbish collection, garbage collection; collection operation
die Müllabfuhr usually refers to the service or regular process as a mass-like singular noun. The plural Müllabfuhren is possible when talking about separate services or collection operations.
Die Müllabfuhr kommt am Montag.
The rubbish collection comes on Monday.
kommt means comes, and am Montag means on Monday. Die Müllabfuhr is nominative because it is the subject; kommt is the finite verb in position two.
Ich rufe die Müllabfuhr an.
I call the rubbish-collection service.
anrufen means to call, and ich means I. die Müllabfuhr is accusative because anrufen takes an accusative object; the separable prefix an stands at the end.
Wir danken der Müllabfuhr für ihre Arbeit.
We thank the rubbish-collection service for its work.
danken means to thank, and ihre Arbeit means its work. der Müllabfuhr is dative because danken always takes a dative person or service; für ihre Arbeit is an accusative phrase after für.
Der Zeitplan der Müllabfuhr hängt am Kühlschrank.
The rubbish-collection schedule is hanging on the fridge.
der Zeitplan means the schedule, hängt means is hanging, and der Kühlschrank is the fridge. der Müllabfuhr is genitive because it identifies the schedule; am Kühlschrank is dative because it describes a fixed location.
In großen Städten gibt es mehrere Müllabfuhren.
In large cities, there are several rubbish-collection services.
in großen Städten means in large cities, and mehrere means several. Müllabfuhren is a plural for different collection services; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is still die.
Die Stadt organisiert zwei Müllabfuhren pro Woche.
The city organises two rubbish collections per week.
die Stadt means the city, organisiert means organises, and pro Woche means per week. zwei Müllabfuhren is an accusative quantity phrase after organisiert; the plural is used because two separate collections are meant.
Für die Baustelle wurde eine besondere Müllabfuhr bestellt.
A special waste collection was ordered for the building site.
die Baustelle is the building site, besondere means special, and bestellt means ordered. Für die Baustelle is accusative after für; the passive finite verb wurde is in position two and bestellt goes to the end.
nähen — to sew, to stitch
nähen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It normally takes an accusative object for the thing being sewn, as in ein Kleid nähen.
Meine Mutter näht ein Kleid.
My mother is sewing a dress.
meine Mutter means my mother and ein Kleid is a dress. Nähen takes an accusative object, so ein Kleid is accusative; the finite verb näht stands in position two.
Meine Mutter hat ein Kleid genäht.
My mother has sewn a dress.
ein Kleid means a dress. The perfect uses hat plus genäht because nähen takes haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Früher nähte sie alle Kleider selbst.
She used to sew all the dresses herself.
früher means formerly or in the past, alle Kleider means all the dresses, and selbst means herself. The regular preterite form nähte is the finite verb in position two, and alle Kleider is accusative after nähen.
Näh bitte den Knopf wieder an!
Please sew the button back on!
bitte means please, der Knopf is the button, and wieder an means back on. Näh is the du imperative without a pronoun; den Knopf is accusative because it is the object, and an belongs to the separable verb annähen in this context.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, nähte ich meine Kleidung selbst.
If I had more time, I would sew my clothes myself.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and meine Kleidung means my clothes. The hypothetical form nähte looks like the preterite; meine Kleidung is accusative, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich einen Vorhang nähen.
Tomorrow I will sew a curtain.
morgen means tomorrow and ein Vorhang is a curtain. Future tense uses werde plus the infinitive nähen; werde is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end, while einen Vorhang is accusative.
die Nähmaschine — sewing machine
die Nähmaschine is a compound made from nähen (“to sew”) and die Maschine (“machine”). It is feminine, and its plural is regular: die Nähmaschinen.
Die Nähmaschine ist sehr alt.
The sewing machine is very old.
alt means old. Die Nähmaschine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Nähmaschine.
I am buying a new sewing machine.
kaufe means buy, neu means new, and eine means a. Eine neue Nähmaschine is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine noun itself does not change, but the adjective has the ending -e.
Ich nähe mit der Nähmaschine.
I sew with the sewing machine.
nähe means sew and mit means with. Der Nähmaschine is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Nadel der Nähmaschine ist kaputt.
The sewing machine’s needle is broken.
die Nadel means the needle and kaputt means broken. Der Nähmaschine is genitive because it shows which machine the needle belongs to; the subject is die Nadel, so the verb is ist.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Nähmaschinen.
There are many sewing machines in the shop.
das Geschäft means the shop, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Nähmaschinen is plural and is the subject; im Geschäft means “in the shop” and is dative because im is in dem for a location.
Die Nähmaschine braucht einen neuen Faden.
The sewing machine needs a new thread.
braucht means needs, neu means new, and der Faden is the thread. Die Nähmaschine is nominative as the subject, while einen neuen Faden is accusative as the object of brauchen.
der Papiermüll — paper waste
Papiermüll is usually an uncountable material noun, so it normally has no plural. It is often used with trennen, sammeln, and entsorgen.
Der Papiermüll steht vor der Tür.
The paper waste is outside the door.
vor der Tür means outside the door. steht means is standing or standing in a place; the finite verb steht is in position two, and der Papiermüll is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir bringen den Papiermüll zum Container.
We take the paper waste to the container.
bringen means to take or bring, and der Container is a collection container. den Papiermüll is accusative because bringen takes a direct object; zum Container means to the container and zum is zu dem, which takes the dative.
Bitte gib dem Papiermüll keinen Restmüll dazu.
Please do not put any general waste in with the paper waste.
keinen Restmüll means no general waste, and dazu means in with it. dem Papiermüll is dative because geben gives something to a recipient or place; gib is an imperative and keinen Restmüll is accusative.
Die richtige Trennung des Papiermülls spart Platz.
The correct separation of paper waste saves space.
die richtige Trennung means the correct separation, and spart Platz means saves space. des Papiermülls is genitive because it identifies what is being separated; the masculine mass noun adds -s in the genitive.
Wir sammeln Papiermüll in einer blauen Tonne.
We collect paper waste in a blue bin.
sammeln means to collect, blau means blue, and die Tonne is a bin. Papiermüll is an uncountable mass noun here, so it has no plural; as the object of sammeln, it is accusative but has no visible ending.
die Pappe — cardboard; thick paper
Pappe usually describes the material and is often used without an article, as in aus Pappe. The countable plural Pappen is possible for separate pieces or sheets of cardboard.
Die Pappe ist sehr stabil.
The cardboard is very sturdy.
stabil means sturdy or stable. Die Pappe is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; stabil is a predicative adjective after sein, so it has no ending.
Ich brauche die Pappe für ein Schulprojekt.
I need the cardboard for a school project.
brauchen means to need, and ein Schulprojekt is a school project. die Pappe is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; für also takes the accusative, but it belongs to the phrase für ein Schulprojekt.
Wir geben der Pappe eine neue Form.
We give the cardboard a new shape.
geben means to give, eine neue Form means a new shape, and neu means new. der Pappe is dative because it names the material being given a shape, while eine neue Form is the accusative object.
Die Oberfläche der Pappe ist rau.
The surface of the cardboard is rough.
die Oberfläche means the surface, and rau means rough. der Pappe is genitive because it says whose surface it is; the feminine genitive uses der and no noun ending.
Für die Bastelarbeit kaufen wir Pappen in verschiedenen Farben.
For the craft project, we buy sheets of cardboard in different colours.
die Bastelarbeit is the craft project, verschieden means different, and die Farben are colours. Pappen is plural and accusative because it is the object of kaufen; für also forces the accusative.
die Pumpe — pump; pump, pumping organ or machine
Pumpe is a device for moving air or liquid, such as a bicycle pump or water pump. It can also be used in compounds such as Fahrradpumpe.
Die Pumpe funktioniert wieder.
The pump works again.
funktionieren means to work or function, and wieder means again. Die Pumpe is nominative because it is the subject, and funktioniert is in position two.
Ich brauche eine Pumpe für den Reifen.
I need a pump for the tyre.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and der Reifen is the tyre. Eine Pumpe is accusative because it is the object of brauche; für den Reifen is also accusative because für always takes accusative.
Mit der Pumpe füllen wir den Ball.
We fill the ball with the pump.
mit means with, füllen means to fill, and der Ball is the ball. Mit der Pumpe is dative because mit always takes dative; the phrase comes first, so füllen still occupies position two.
Der Griff der Pumpe ist kaputt.
The handle of the pump is broken.
der Griff is the handle, and kaputt means broken. Der Pumpe is genitive because it identifies whose handle it is; feminine genitive uses der without changing Pumpe.
Die Pumpen stehen im Keller.
The pumps are in the basement.
stehen means are located, im Keller means in the basement, and der Keller is the basement. Pumpen is the plural formed with -n; im Keller is dative because it describes a fixed location after in.
Die Pumpe transportiert das Wasser durch das Rohr.
The pump transports the water through the pipe.
transportieren means to transport, das Wasser is the water, and das Rohr is the pipe. Die Pumpe is the subject, das Wasser is accusative as the object, and durch das Rohr is accusative because durch always takes accusative.
Eine kleine Pumpe hält das Herz-Kreislauf-System in Bewegung.
A small pump keeps the cardiovascular system moving.
klein means small, halten means to keep, and in Bewegung means moving or in motion. Eine kleine Pumpe is the nominative subject, while das Herz-Kreislauf-System is accusative as the object of hält.
die Reinigung — cleaning; cleaning service; dry cleaner's; cleaning service
die Reinigung can mean the process of cleaning or a cleaning service. It is a feminine noun; its regular plural is die Reinigungen, and the genitive is der Reinigung.
Die Reinigung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The cleaning begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Reinigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Reinigung heute.
I am paying for the cleaning today.
ich bezahle means I am paying, and heute means today. Die Reinigung is accusative because it is the object of bezahlen; with a feminine noun, the nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Ich vertraue der Reinigung nicht.
I do not trust the cleaning.
ich vertraue nicht means I do not trust, and nicht means not. Der Reinigung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Qualität der Reinigung ist sehr gut.
The quality of the cleaning is very good.
die Qualität means the quality, and sehr gut means very good. Der Reinigung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In großen Hotels gibt es mehrere Reinigungen pro Tag.
In large hotels, there are several cleanings per day.
in großen Hotels means in large hotels, and mehrere means several; pro Tag means per day. Reinigungen is the plural after mehrere, and after es gibt the plural noun is grammatically accusative even though the form has no visible case ending.
Nach der Reinigung riecht das Zimmer frisch.
After the cleaning, the room smells fresh.
nach means after, riecht means smells, and frisch means fresh. Der Reinigung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb riecht is in position two.
Ich bringe den Mantel in die Reinigung.
I am taking the coat to the dry cleaner’s.
ich bringe means I am taking, and der Mantel is the coat. In die Reinigung expresses movement towards a place, so in takes the accusative; the finite verb bringe stands in position two.
Die Reinigung hat heute geschlossen.
The dry cleaner’s is closed today.
hat geschlossen means is closed, and heute means today. Die Reinigung is the nominative subject; geschlossen is the Partizip II of schließen and goes to the end with hat.
renovieren — to renovate, to refurbish
Renovieren is a regular weak verb and takes an accusative object, for example eine Wohnung renovieren. Its perfect uses haben, and because it ends in -ieren, its Partizip II is renoviert without ge-.
Wir renovieren gerade unsere Küche.
We are currently renovating our kitchen.
gerade means currently, unsere Küche means our kitchen, and Küche means kitchen. Unsere Küche is accusative because renovieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb renovieren is in position two.
Sie haben das Badezimmer komplett renoviert.
They completely renovated the bathroom.
das Badezimmer means the bathroom and komplett means completely. Das Badezimmer is accusative as the direct object; haben is the perfect auxiliary and renoviert goes to the end, forming the sentence bracket.
Mein Vater renovierte letztes Jahr das Wohnzimmer.
My father renovated the living room last year.
mein Vater means my father, letztes Jahr means last year, and das Wohnzimmer means the living room. Renovierte is the regular simple past in position two, while das Wohnzimmer is accusative after renovieren.
Renovier zuerst dein Zimmer!
Renovate your room first!
zuerst means first and dein Zimmer means your room. Renovier is the du imperative without a pronoun, and dein Zimmer is accusative because it is the direct object.
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, würde ich renovieren.
If I had more money, I would renovate.
wenn means if and mehr Geld means more money. The finite verb hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause, while würde ich renovieren expresses the hypothetical result and places the infinitive at the end.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich renovieren.
Next year I will renovate.
nächstes Jahr means next year. Werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive renovieren goes to the end; a specific object is not needed when the context is clear.
die Reparatur — repair, repairs; repair service, repair job
Die Reparatur is used for fixing objects, machines, buildings, or technical problems. The related verb is reparieren, meaning to repair.
Die Reparatur dauert zwei Tage.
The repair takes two days.
dauern means to take a length of time, and zwei Tage means two days. Die Reparatur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Wir bezahlen die Reparatur sofort.
We pay for the repair immediately.
bezahlen means to pay for, and sofort means immediately. die Reparatur is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; bezahlen does not need the preposition für in this sentence.
Ich vertraue dem Mechaniker mit der Reparatur.
I trust the mechanic with the repair.
vertrauen means to trust, der Mechaniker is the mechanic, and mit means with. der Reparatur is dative after mit, while dem Mechaniker is dative because vertrauen takes a dative person.
Die Kosten der Reparatur sind hoch.
The costs of the repair are high.
die Kosten are the costs, and hoch means high or expensive. der Reparatur is genitive because it specifies which costs; sind is in position two and hoch is a predicative adjective.
Kleine Reparaturen kann ich selbst machen.
I can do small repairs myself.
klein means small, selbst means myself, and machen means to do or carry out. Kleine Reparaturen is plural and accusative because it is the object of machen; the modal verb kann is in position two and machen goes to the end.
Die Werkstatt bietet schnelle Reparatur an.
The garage offers fast repair service.
die Werkstatt is the garage or repair shop, anbieten means to offer, and schnell means fast. schnelle Reparatur is accusative after anbieten; the separable verb appears as bietet ... an in the main clause.
Das Handy ist wieder nach der Reparatur funktionsfähig.
The mobile phone works again after the repair.
das Handy is the mobile phone, wieder means again, nach means after, and funktionsfähig means working or functional. der Reparatur is dative after nach; funktionsfähig is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending.
räumen — to clear, to tidy; to evacuate, to clear
Räumen can mean removing objects from a place or making a place tidy. For tidying a room, German often uses the separable verb aufräumen, whose prefix auf moves to the end of a main clause.
Ich räume jeden Abend die Küche.
I clear the kitchen every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and die Küche is the kitchen. The finite verb räume stands in position two, and die Küche is accusative because räumen takes a direct object.
Wir haben nach dem Essen den Tisch geräumt.
We cleared the table after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and den Tisch is the table. The perfect uses haben plus geräumt at the end; den Tisch is accusative because räumen takes a direct object.
Sie räumte das Büro am Freitag.
She cleared the office on Friday.
das Büro is the office, and am Freitag means on Friday. Räumte is the regular simple-past form and stands in position two; das Büro is accusative as the object.
Räum bitte deinen Schreibtisch!
Please clear your desk!
bitte means please, and deinen Schreibtisch is your desk. The imperative räum comes first and the subject du is omitted; deinen Schreibtisch is accusative because it is what must be cleared.
Ich würde gern den Keller räumen, aber ich habe keine Zeit.
I would like to clear the basement, but I have no time.
gern means gladly or would like to, der Keller is the basement, and keine Zeit means no time. The Konjunktiv II form würde carries the hypothetical meaning, while räumen stays at the end of its clause; den Keller is accusative.
Morgen räume ich den Dachboden.
Tomorrow I will clear the attic.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Dachboden is the attic. This sentence uses the present for a planned future action; the finite verb räume stands in position two, and den Dachboden is accusative because it is the object.
Die Polizei räumt das Gebäude.
The police are evacuating the building.
die Polizei means the police, and das Gebäude is the building. The finite verb räumt stands in position two, and das Gebäude is accusative because it is the place being cleared.
Wegen des Feuers mussten alle Besucher den Saal räumen.
Because of the fire, all visitors had to leave the hall.
wegen des Feuers means because of the fire, alle Besucher means all visitors, and der Saal is the hall. The modal mussten is in position two and sends the infinitive räumen to the end; den Saal is accusative.
der Sack — sack; large bag
Sack normally means a large bag or container. In everyday speech, it can also occur in rough expressions, so use it carefully when a neutral word such as Tasche or Beutel would be more suitable.
Der Sack ist schwer.
The sack is heavy.
schwer means heavy. Der Sack is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage den Sack in den Keller.
I am carrying the sack into the cellar.
trage means carry, in means into here, and der Keller means the cellar. Den Sack is accusative because tragen takes a direct object, and den Keller is also accusative because in expresses movement into a place; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Mit dem Sack kann ich das Laub sammeln.
I can collect the leaves with the sack.
kann means can, das Laub means fallen leaves, and sammeln means collect. Dem Sack is dative because mit always takes the dative; with the modal verb kann, the infinitive sammeln goes to the end.
Der Inhalt des Sacks ist nass.
The contents of the sack are wet.
der Inhalt means the contents, and nass means wet. Des Sacks is genitive because it tells us whose contents they are; the masculine genitive article is des, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Säcke stehen vor dem Haus.
The sacks are standing in front of the house.
stehen means stand or be placed, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Säcke is the plural subject in the nominative; dem Haus is dative because vor describes a location here, not movement.
die Sauberkeit — cleanliness; hygiene
Sauberkeit is normally an uncountable quality, so it has no plural. In contexts such as hotels, hospitals, or food preparation, it can mean hygiene as well as general cleanliness.
Sauberkeit ist in der Küche wichtig.
Cleanliness is important in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen and wichtig means important. Sauberkeit is the uncountable nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kontrollieren die Sauberkeit jeden Abend.
We check the cleanliness every evening.
kontrollieren means to check and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Sauberkeit is accusative because it is the direct object of kontrollieren; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Hotel legt großen Wert auf Sauberkeit.
The hotel places great value on cleanliness.
das Hotel is the hotel, großen Wert auf etwas legen means to place great value on something, and groß means great. The fixed preposition auf takes the accusative here, although the mass noun has the same visible form; legt is in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Sauberkeit wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of cleanliness is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means importance, oft means often, and unterschätzen means to underestimate. Der Sauberkeit is genitive because it tells us whose importance is meant; wird unterschätzt is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
die Schachtel — box, carton
Schachtel usually means a relatively small box or carton, especially one used for packaging. For a larger box, German often uses der Karton or die Kiste, depending on the object.
Die Schachtel steht auf dem Tisch.
The box is on the table.
steht means is standing or is located, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Schachtel is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location.
Ich öffne die Schachtel vorsichtig.
I open the box carefully.
öffne means open, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Schachtel is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
In der Schachtel liegt ein Geschenk.
There is a present in the box.
liegt means lies or is located, and ein Geschenk means a present. In takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Schachtel is dative.
Der Deckel der Schachtel ist kaputt.
The lid of the box is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. Der Schachtel is genitive because it shows which box the lid belongs to; the feminine noun itself stays unchanged.
Im Laden stehen viele Schachteln.
There are many boxes in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means are standing or are displayed, and viele means many. Schachteln is the nominative plural subject and is formed with -n.
der Schmutz — dirt; grime
Schmutz is normally a mass noun for dirt or grime, so it has no plural in this everyday sense. Do not confuse it with the adjective schmutzig, which means dirty.
Der Schmutz liegt auf dem Boden.
The dirt is on the floor.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Boden means on the floor. Der Schmutz is the nominative subject; auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
Ich sehe den Schmutz am Fenster.
I can see the dirt on the window.
sehe means see, and am Fenster means on the window. den Schmutz is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; am Fenster is a location phrase with dative dem Fenster.
Mit einem Tuch entferne ich den Schmutz.
I remove the dirt with a cloth.
mit einem Tuch means with a cloth, and entferne means remove. mit always takes the dative, so einem Tuch is dative; the phrase comes first, but the finite verb entferne still occupies position two.
Die Farbe des Schmutzes ist dunkel.
The colour of the dirt is dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. des Schmutzes is genitive because it specifies which colour; the noun takes -es in the genitive after des.
Auf dem Tisch liegt viel Schmutz.
There is a lot of dirt on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegt means lies or is, and viel means a lot of. Schmutz is a mass noun and has no plural here; auf takes the dative because this is a fixed location.
die Schnur — cord, string; lace, drawstring
Die Schnur is a general word for a cord, string, or thin flexible line. Do not confuse it with der Faden, which usually means a single thread.
Die Schnur ist zu kurz.
The cord is too short.
kurz means short. Die Schnur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine Schnur.
I need a cord.
brauchen means to need. Eine Schnur is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich binde das Paket mit einer Schnur zu.
I tie the package shut with a cord.
binden means to tie, das Paket means the package, and zu means shut. Mit always takes the dative, so einer Schnur is dative.
Das Ende der Schnur ist nass.
The end of the cord is wet.
das Ende means the end and nass means wet. Der Schnur is genitive because it shows whose end it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Schrank liegen viele Schnüre.
There are many cords in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Schnüre is plural; im means in dem, and in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location.
Meine Schnur ist gerissen.
My shoelace has snapped.
meine means my and gerissen means snapped. Meine Schnur is nominative because it is the subject; the perfect uses ist gerissen because the verb describes a change of state.
Die Schuhe haben lange Schnüre.
The shoes have long laces.
die Schuhe means the shoes and lange means long. Schnüre is plural, and lange Schnüre is accusative after haben.
die Schraube — screw
Schraube means a screw, the metal fastener turned with a tool. Do not confuse the noun die Schraube with the verb schrauben, which means to screw or tighten.
Die Schraube ist zu kurz.
The screw is too short.
zu kurz means too short, and ist means is. Die Schraube is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine Schraube.
I need a screw.
brauche means need, and eine means a. Eine Schraube is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the accusative article remains eine.
Ich gebe dem Handwerker eine Schraube.
I give the craftsperson a screw.
gebe means give, dem Handwerker means to the craftsperson, and eine means a. Dem Handwerker is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Schraube is the accusative thing being given.
Die Spitze der Schraube ist scharf.
The tip of the screw is sharp.
die Spitze means the tip, scharf means sharp, and ist means is. Der Schraube is genitive because it shows which tip is meant; feminine genitive uses der without changing Schraube.
Die Schrauben liegen auf dem Tisch.
The screws are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and dem Tisch is the table in the dative. Schrauben is the plural subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir haben die Schraube vorsichtig festgezogen.
We tightened the screw carefully.
haben ... festgezogen means tightened, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Schraube is accusative because it is the object; in the perfect, haben stands in position two and festgezogen goes at the end.
sortieren — to sort, to organise
sortieren takes an accusative object: etwas sortieren means to sort something. It is a regular -ieren verb, so its Partizip II is sortiert, not gesortiert, and the perfect uses haben.
Ich sortiere die Bücher nach Größe.
I sort the books by size.
die Bücher means the books, nach Größe means by size, and Größe means size. die Bücher is accusative because sortieren takes an accusative object, while nach takes the dative in this meaning; the finite verb sortiere stands in position two.
Wir haben die Rechnungen sortiert.
We sorted the bills.
die Rechnungen means the bills, and haben means have. die Rechnungen is accusative because it is what we sorted; the auxiliary haben is in position two and the Partizip II sortiert goes to the end.
Sie sortierte die Karten am Abend.
She sorted the cards in the evening.
die Karten means the cards, and am Abend means in the evening. die Karten is accusative because sortierte takes an object; the regular preterite form sortierte stands in position two.
Sortier bitte die Wäsche.
Please sort the laundry.
bitte means please, and die Wäsche means the laundry. This is a du imperative, so the pronoun is omitted and sortier comes first; die Wäsche is accusative because it is the thing to be sorted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, sortierte ich alle Dateien.
If I had more time, I would sort all the files.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and alle Dateien means all the files. The wenn clause sends its finite verb to the end, while sortierte in the main clause is the Konjunktiv II form and stands in position two; alle Dateien is accusative.
Morgen werde ich die Fotos sortieren.
Tomorrow I will sort the photos.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Fotos means the photos. die Fotos is accusative because sortieren takes an object; werde is in position two and the infinitive sortieren goes to the end.
sparsam — economical, frugal; sparing
Sparsam describes a person or thing that uses little of something. With mit it means careful or sparing in the use of a resource, and mit takes the dative.
Meine Schwester ist sehr sparsam.
My sister is very frugal.
meine Schwester means my sister, and sehr means very. Sparsam is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Er kauft ein sparsames Auto.
He is buying an economical car.
kauft means buys, and Auto means car. Ein sparsames Auto is accusative because kauft takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending -es follows ein.
Dieses Auto ist sparsamer als mein altes.
This car is more economical than my old one.
dieses Auto means this car, and mein altes means my old one. Sparsamer follows ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the comparison.
Sie fährt am sparsamsten, wenn sie langsam fährt.
She drives most economically when she drives slowly.
fährt means drives, langsam means slowly, and wenn means when. Am sparsamsten is the superlative adverbial form; in the wenn clause, the finite verb fährt moves to the end.
der Spaten — spade
The plural of der Spaten is die Spaten, with no change to the noun. It is a tool for digging, not a small shovel; die Schaufel is the more general word for a shovel.
Der Spaten steht im Schuppen.
The spade is in the shed.
steht means “is standing”, and der Schuppen is the shed. Der Spaten is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich nehme den Spaten aus dem Schuppen.
I take the spade out of the shed.
nehme ... aus means “take ... out”, and aus dem Schuppen means “out of the shed”. Den Spaten is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; aus takes the dative here because it expresses movement out of a place.
Ich grabe mit dem Spaten ein Loch.
I dig a hole with the spade.
grabe means “dig”, and ein Loch is a hole. Dem Spaten is dative because the preposition mit always takes the dative; the finite verb grabe stands in position two.
Der Griff des Spatens ist aus Holz.
The handle of the spade is made of wood.
der Griff is the handle, and aus Holz means “made of wood”. Des Spatens is genitive because it identifies whose handle it is; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Im Garten liegen drei Spaten.
There are three spades lying in the garden.
im Garten means “in the garden”, and liegen means “are lying”. Spaten is plural after drei, and im is short for in dem, which takes the dative for a location.
der Sperrmüll — bulky waste, large-item rubbish
Sperrmüll means bulky waste: large household items that are not put in the normal rubbish bin. It is a mass noun and normally has no plural; use der Sperrmüll for the material or collection category.
Der Sperrmüll steht vor dem Haus.
The bulky waste is in front of the house.
vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Sperrmüll is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Stadt holt den Sperrmüll morgen ab.
The city will collect the bulky waste tomorrow.
die Stadt is the city, holt ... ab means collects, and morgen means tomorrow. Sperrmüll is accusative because abholen takes an object; the separable verb places holt in position two and ab at the end.
Wir geben dem Sperrmüll keinen Platz im Keller.
We do not give the bulky waste any space in the cellar.
geben means to give, keinen Platz means no space, and im Keller means in the cellar. Sperrmüll is dative because geben uses dem Sperrmüll for the recipient or thing given space, while keinen Platz is accusative.
Die Abholung des Sperrmülls kostet nichts.
The collection of bulky waste costs nothing.
Abholung means collection and kostet nichts means costs nothing. Sperrmülls is genitive after die Abholung to show what is being collected, and the genitive ending is -s.
die Stecknadel — pin, sewing pin
A Stecknadel is a small pin for sewing or fastening fabric. It is not the same as a Reißzwecke, which is a drawing pin or thumbtack.
Die Stecknadel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The pin is lying on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and der Tisch is a table. Die Stecknadel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich suche die Stecknadel.
I am looking for the pin.
suche means “am looking for”, and suchen means “to look for”. Die Stecknadel is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article stays die.
Ich nähe mit der Stecknadel.
I sew with the pin.
nähe means “sew”, and mit means “with”. Der Stecknadel is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Spitze der Stecknadel ist sehr scharf.
The tip of the pin is very sharp.
die Spitze is the tip, and scharf means sharp. Der Stecknadel is genitive because it identifies whose tip it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Stecknadeln liegen in der Schachtel.
The pins are in the box.
liegen means “are lying”, die Schachtel is the box, and in der Schachtel means “in the box”. Stecknadeln is plural with -n; der Schachtel is dative because in describes a location here.
der Strom — electricity; river, current; river; current, flow
For household energy, Strom usually means electricity and is normally uncountable. In geographical or technical contexts, der Strom can mean a large river or a current, with the plural die Ströme.
Der Strom ist heute teuer.
Electricity is expensive today.
heute means today, and teuer means expensive. Der Strom is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir bezahlen den Strom jeden Monat.
We pay for the electricity every month.
bezahlen means pay for, and jeden Monat means every month. Den Strom is accusative because it is the object of bezahlen; jeden Monat is an accusative time expression.
Die Lampe funktioniert mit dem Strom.
The lamp works with electricity.
die Lampe is the lamp, and funktioniert means works. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Strom is dative; the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Der Preis des Stroms steigt.
The price of electricity is rising.
der Preis is the price, and steigt means is rising. Des Stroms is genitive because it means of the electricity, and the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
In Europa fließen mehrere Ströme durch große Länder.
Several rivers flow through large countries in Europe.
Europa is Europe, fließen means flow, and mehrere means several. Ströme is the plural when Strom means rivers or strong flows; it is the plural subject, so the verb fließen is plural.
Der Strom fließt schnell.
The river is flowing quickly.
fließt means flows, and schnell means quickly. Der Strom is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb fließt stands in position two.
Das Boot fährt gegen den Strom.
The boat is travelling against the current.
das Boot is the boat, fährt means travels, and gegen means against. Gegen always takes the accusative, so den Strom is accusative; gegen den Strom is a fixed expression for moving against the current.
die Stromkosten — electricity costs, power bill
Stromkosten is normally used only in the plural, even when referring to one household's total bill. It is a compound of Strom and Kosten; the verb is therefore plural: Die Stromkosten sind ....
Die Stromkosten sind sehr hoch.
The electricity costs are very high.
sehr hoch means very high. Die Stromkosten is a plural-only noun and is nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
Wir müssen die Stromkosten bezahlen.
We have to pay the electricity costs.
müssen means have to, and bezahlen means pay. Die Stromkosten is accusative because it is the object of bezahlen; with müssen, the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end.
Mit den Stromkosten haben wir nicht gerechnet.
We did not expect the electricity costs.
mit means with, and nicht gerechnet means did not expected or did not reckon with. Mit takes the dative, so the plural form is den Stromkosten; haben is in position two and gerechnet goes to the end.
Die Höhe der Stromkosten überrascht mich.
The amount of the electricity costs surprises me.
die Höhe is the amount or level, and überrascht means surprises. Der Stromkosten is genitive plural because it means of the electricity costs; the object mich is accusative.
Stromkosten steigen im Winter oft.
Electricity costs often rise in winter.
steigen means rise, im Winter means in winter, and oft means often. Stromkosten is a plural-only noun used without an article here; it is the plural subject, and the finite verb steigen is in position two.
sägen — to saw
sägen is a regular verb and forms the perfect with haben: hat gesägt. Do not confuse simple sägen with separable absägen, which means to saw something off.
Mein Vater sägt Holz.
My father is sawing wood.
mein Vater means my father and Holz means wood. Holz is accusative because sägen takes the material being cut as a direct object; the finite verb sägt is in position two.
Wir haben ein Brett gesägt.
We sawed a board.
ein Brett means a board. The perfect uses haben and gesägt, with the Partizip II at the end; ein Brett is accusative as the object.
Er sägte den Ast ab.
He sawed off the branch.
den Ast means the branch and ab means off here. The weak past form sägte is in position two, while den Ast is accusative; absägen is a different separable verb.
Säge das Holz gerade!
Saw the wood straight!
das Holz means the wood and gerade means straight. Säge is the singular du imperative, with the subject omitted; das Holz is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde das Brett selbst sägen.
I would saw the board myself.
das Brett means the board and selbst means myself or myself alone. The würde construction puts würde in position two and sägen at the end; das Brett is accusative.
Morgen werde ich den Tisch sägen.
Tomorrow I will saw the table.
morgen means tomorrow and den Tisch means the table. Future places werde in position two and sägen at the end; den Tisch is accusative as the direct object.
das Taschenmesser — pocketknife
This compound joins Tasche (pocket or bag) and Messer (knife). The plural is unchanged: das Taschenmesser becomes die Taschenmesser.
Das Taschenmesser ist sehr praktisch.
The pocketknife is very practical.
praktisch means practical or useful. Das Taschenmesser is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme das Taschenmesser mit.
I am taking the pocketknife with me.
nehmen means to take, and mitnehmen means to take along. Das Taschenmesser is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; in the separable verb nehme ... mit, mit goes to the end of the main clause.
Mit dem Taschenmesser schneidet er das Seil.
He cuts the rope with the pocketknife.
mit means with, schneiden means to cut, and das Seil is the rope. Mit takes the dative, so dem Taschenmesser is dative; schneidet is in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Klinge des Taschenmessers ist scharf.
The blade of the pocketknife is sharp.
die Klinge means the blade, and scharf means sharp. Des Taschenmessers is genitive because it shows which knife the blade belongs to; the neuter genitive adds -s to the noun.
Die Taschenmesser liegen auf dem Tisch.
The pocketknives are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Taschenmesser is plural nominative because it is the subject; this noun has the same form in singular and plural, so the article gives the clue.
das Tischtuch — tablecloth
Das Tischtuch is another word for a tablecloth. It is a compound of der Tisch and das Tuch, meaning cloth.
Das Tischtuch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The tablecloth is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Tischtuch is nominative because it is the subject; the verb liegt is in position two.
Sie legt das Tischtuch auf den Tisch.
She puts the tablecloth on the table.
legen means to put something down, and sie means she. Das Tischtuch is accusative because it is the direct object; auf den Tisch is also accusative because auf shows movement towards a destination.
Die Teller stehen auf dem Tischtuch.
The plates are on the tablecloth.
die Teller means the plates and stehen means stand. Dem Tischtuch is dative because auf describes a fixed location; stehen is in position two.
Die Farbe des Tischtuchs ist blau.
The colour of the tablecloth is blue.
die Farbe means colour and blau means blue. Des Tischtuchs is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the verb ist remains in position two.
Im Laden gibt es viele Tischtücher.
There are many tablecloths in the shop.
der Laden means shop, geben in es gibt means there is or there are, and viele means many. Tischtücher is the plural, with ü and -er; after es gibt, the object is accusative even though the plural article is viele.
die Tonne — barrel, bin; metric ton
Tonne has two common meanings: a large container such as a rubbish bin, and a metric unit equal to 1,000 kilograms. The context normally makes the meaning clear.
Die Tonne ist voll.
The bin is full.
voll means full. Die Tonne is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Hausmeister leert die Tonne.
The caretaker is emptying the bin.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, and leert means empties. Die Tonne is accusative because leeren takes a direct object; the finite verb leert is in position two.
Ich nähere mich der Tonne.
I am approaching the bin.
nähere mich means approach, and sich nähern is a reflexive verb. Der Tonne is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; do not use accusative die here.
Der Deckel der Tonne ist kaputt.
The lid of the bin is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. Der Tonne is genitive because it shows which bin the lid belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Tonnen stehen hinter dem Haus.
The bins are behind the house.
stehen means stand or are standing, and hinter means behind. Tonnen is the plural with -n; dem Haus is dative because hinter describes a fixed location here.
Eine Tonne wiegt tausend Kilogramm.
One metric ton weighs one thousand kilograms.
wiegt means weighs, and tausend Kilogramm means one thousand kilograms. Here Tonne means a metric ton, not a container; it is nominative because it is the subject.
das Tuch — cloth, towel; scarf
The meaning depends on context: das Tuch can be a cleaning cloth, a towel, or a scarf. A Handtuch is specifically a towel.
Das Tuch ist weich.
The cloth is soft.
weich means soft. Das Tuch is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme das Tuch.
I take the cloth.
nehme means take. Das Tuch is accusative because nehme takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich trockne mir mit dem Tuch die Hände.
I dry my hands with the towel.
trockne ... die Hände means dry my hands, and mit means with. Dem Tuch is dative because mit always takes the dative; mir is also dative for the person benefiting.
Die Farbe des Tuchs ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the cloth is dark blue.
Die Farbe means the colour, and dunkelblau means dark blue. Des Tuchs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the noun takes -s.
Die Tücher liegen im Bad.
The towels are in the bathroom.
liegen means are lying, and das Bad means the bathroom. Tücher is the plural with an umlaut and -er; im Bad is dative because it gives a location.
die Unordnung — disorder, mess, untidiness
die Unordnung is normally a mass noun, so it is usually used without a plural. The opposite is die Ordnung, meaning order or tidiness.
Die Unordnung ist groß.
The mess is considerable.
groß means considerable or great, and ist means is. Die Unordnung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Unordnung.
I see the mess.
ich sehe means I see. die Unordnung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe bei der Unordnung nicht.
I do not help with the mess.
helfen means help and nicht means not. bei always takes the dative, so der Unordnung is dative; the separable-looking phrase is not a verb bracket, and nicht comes at the end here.
Die Ursache der Unordnung ist unbekannt.
The cause of the mess is unknown.
die Ursache means the cause and unbekannt means unknown. der Unordnung is genitive after Ursache to mean of the mess; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Nach dem Fest herrscht überall Unordnung.
After the party, there is mess everywhere.
nach dem Fest means after the party, herrscht means reigns or prevails, and überall means everywhere. Unordnung is normally a mass noun with no plural, and nach takes the dative: dem Fest.
verlegen — to misplace; to postpone or reschedule; to publish
For an object that cannot be found, verlegen means to misplace; for an event, it means to postpone or reschedule. It is not separable: verlegt does not become legt ... ver.
Ich verlege meine Schlüssel ständig.
I am always misplacing my keys.
ständig means constantly, and meine Schlüssel means my keys. meine Schlüssel is accusative because verlegen takes the thing that is misplaced as an accusative object; the finite verb verlege stands in position two.
Ich habe meinen Pass verlegt.
I have misplaced my passport.
mein Pass means my passport. meinen Pass is accusative because it is the object of verlegen; the perfect uses haben, and verlegt goes to the end of the clause.
Sie verlegte den Termin auf Freitag.
She moved the appointment to Friday.
der Termin is the appointment and Freitag is Friday. den Termin is accusative because it is what she moved, while auf Freitag gives the new time; the weak-verb preterite verlegte is in position two.
Verleg die Sitzung bitte.
Please postpone the meeting.
die Sitzung means the meeting and bitte means please. The imperative verleg addresses du and takes die Sitzung in the accusative; the subject pronoun is normally omitted.
Ich würde den Termin nicht verlegen.
I would not postpone the appointment.
nicht means not and der Termin is the appointment. den Termin is accusative because it is the object; würde ... verlegen expresses a hypothetical idea, with the infinitive at the end.
Wir werden die Reise auf nächste Woche verlegen.
We will move the trip to next week.
die Reise means the trip and nächste Woche means next week. die Reise is accusative, and werden stands in position two while the infinitive verlegen goes to the end.
Der Verlag verlegt viele Kinderbücher.
The publishing house publishes many children's books.
der Verlag is the publishing house and viele Kinderbücher means many children's books. viele Kinderbücher is accusative because the publishing house publishes them; the finite verb verlegt is in position two.
Dieser Verlag hat den Roman verlegt.
This publishing house published the novel.
dieser Verlag means this publishing house and der Roman is the novel. den Roman is accusative as the published work; hat carries the perfect and verlegt stands at the end.
verschmutzen — to dirty, to pollute
Verschmutzen is a regular weak verb with the inseparable prefix ver- and usually takes an accusative object: etwas verschmutzen. The reflexive use sich verschmutzen is also possible when a person or thing becomes dirty.
Plastik verschmutzt die Meere.
Plastic pollutes the seas.
Plastik means plastic, and die Meere means the seas. Die Meere is accusative because verschmutzen takes a direct object; the finite verb verschmutzt stands in position two.
Der Abfluss ist mit Müll verschmutzt worden.
The drain has been polluted with rubbish.
der Abfluss means the drain, and Müll means rubbish or waste. This is a perfect passive: ist ... verschmutzt worden; mit takes the dative, and the participles go to the end.
Der Rauch verschmutzte die Luft.
The smoke polluted the air.
der Rauch means the smoke, and die Luft means the air. Die Luft is accusative as the direct object, and the regular preterite verschmutzte stands in position two.
Verschmutz den Fluss nicht!
Don’t pollute the river!
den Fluss means the river, and nicht means not. Den Fluss is accusative because it is the object of verschmutzen; the du imperative verschmutz stands first.
Wenn jeder vorsichtiger wäre, verschmutzte niemand die Natur.
If everyone were more careful, nobody would pollute nature.
jeder means everyone, vorsichtiger means more careful, and niemand means nobody; die Natur means nature. After wenn, the finite verb goes to the end; verschmutzte is identical in form to the preterite here.
Die Fabrik wird den Fluss weiter verschmutzen.
The factory will continue to pollute the river.
die Fabrik means the factory, den Fluss means the river, and weiter means continuously or further. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive verschmutzen at the end; the river is accusative because it is the direct object.
verschmutzt — dirty, polluted; polluted, contaminated
As an adjective, verschmutzt describes something dirty or polluted. It is also the Partizip II of verschmutzen, but this entry uses it as an adjective.
Das Fenster ist verschmutzt.
The window is dirty.
das Fenster means the window. verschmutzt describes its condition after sein; it is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Wir putzen ein verschmutztes Fenster.
We are cleaning a dirty window.
putzen means to clean, and ein Fenster means a window. verschmutztes is attributive and takes the neuter accusative ending -es after ein; the whole noun phrase is the accusative object of putzen.
Der alte Park ist verschmutzter als der neue.
The old park is dirtier than the new one.
der alte Park is the old park and der neue means the new one. verschmutzter compares two parks and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Dieser Fluss ist am verschmutztesten.
This river is the dirtiest.
dieser Fluss means this river. am verschmutztesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; it does not take the attributive ending used before a noun.
Der Fluss ist stark verschmutzt.
The river is heavily polluted.
der Fluss means the river and stark means heavily in this context. verschmutzt is predicative after ist, while stark modifies the adjective.
Die Stadt kämpft gegen verschmutzte Luft.
The city is fighting against polluted air.
die Stadt is the city, kämpfen gegen means to fight against, and die Luft is the air. gegen requires the accusative, so verschmutzte Luft is an accusative phrase; the finite verb kämpft is in position two.
verschwenden — to waste, to squander
verschwenden takes an accusative object: Zeit, Geld, and Wasser can all be wasted. It takes haben in the perfect and is not separable.
Wir verschwenden kein Wasser.
We do not waste any water.
kein Wasser means no water or any water in a negative sentence. Wasser is accusative because verschwenden takes an accusative object, and the finite verb verschwenden is in position two.
Sie hat den ganzen Nachmittag verschwendet.
She wasted the whole afternoon.
den ganzen Nachmittag means the whole afternoon. The perfect uses hat and puts verschwendet at the end; the time period is accusative as the thing being wasted.
Er verschwendete viel Geld für neue Spiele.
He wasted a lot of money on new games.
viel Geld means a lot of money, and neue Spiele means new games. verschwendete is the regular preterite, while für takes the accusative.
Verschwende deine Zeit nicht!
Do not waste your time!
deine Zeit means your time, and nicht means not. The imperative addresses du; the possessive phrase is accusative as the object, and nicht makes the command negative.
Ich würde damit kein Geld verschwenden.
I would not waste any money on that.
damit means on that or with that, and kein Geld means no money. The würde construction expresses a condition, while the infinitive verschwenden goes to the end and takes an accusative object.
Wir werden unsere Zeit nicht verschwenden.
We will not waste our time.
unsere Zeit means our time, and nicht means not. Future uses werden in position two and places verschwenden at the end; unsere Zeit is accusative.
verschütten — to spill; to bury, to cover
The object is usually a liquid or loose material. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein.
Ich verschütte den Kaffee.
I spill the coffee.
der Kaffee means coffee. Den Kaffee is accusative because verschütten takes a direct object, and the finite verb verschütte is in position two.
Sie hat die Suppe verschüttet.
She spilled the soup.
die Suppe means soup. The perfect uses hat plus verschüttet, which stands at the end; die Suppe is accusative because it is what was spilled.
Er verschüttete den Saft auf den Tisch.
He spilled the juice on the table.
der Saft means juice, and der Tisch means table. Den Saft is accusative as the object, while auf den Tisch is accusative because the juice moves onto the table.
Verschütte bitte kein Wasser!
Please do not spill any water!
bitte means please, and kein Wasser means no water. The imperative leaves out du; kein Wasser is accusative as the object, and kein is used because Wasser is uncountable here.
Ich würde beinahe die Milch verschütten.
I would almost spill the milk.
beinahe means almost, and die Milch means milk. Die Milch is accusative because it is the object; würde carries the subjunctive meaning, while the infinitive verschütten goes to the end.
Du wirst den Tee verschütten.
You will spill the tea.
der Tee means tea. Den Tee is accusative because it is what will be spilled, and wirst is in position two while verschütten goes to the end.
Die Lawine verschüttete zwei Wanderer.
The avalanche buried two hikers.
die Lawine means avalanche, and zwei Wanderer means two hikers. Zwei Wanderer is accusative because verschütten takes a direct object, and verschüttete is in position two in this past-tense main clause.
Die Arbeiter suchten nach dem verschütteten Mann.
The workers searched for the buried man.
die Arbeiter means workers, suchten means searched, and nach means for. Nach dem verschütteten Mann is dative because nach requires the dative; the participle verschüttet has an adjective ending before the noun.
wickeln — to wrap; to change a baby’s nappy; to wind, coil
Wickeln normally takes an accusative object, such as ein Geschenk or ein Baby. It can also be used reflexively when someone wraps themselves; the perfect uses haben, not sein.
Ich wickle das Geschenk in Papier.
I wrap the present in paper.
das Geschenk means the present and in Papier means in paper. Das Geschenk is accusative because wickeln takes the thing being wrapped; the finite verb wickle stands in position two.
Sie hat das Geschenk in Papier gewickelt.
She wrapped the present in paper.
sie means she, das Geschenk means the present, and in Papier means in paper. Gewickelt is the Partizip II and pairs with haben; the auxiliary hat is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Die Mutter wickelte das Baby nach dem Bad.
The mother changed the baby after the bath.
die Mutter means the mother, das Baby means the baby, and nach dem Bad means after the bath. Das Baby is accusative because it is the object of wickelte; the weak past ending -te marks the Präteritum.
Wickle das Geschenk vorsichtig!
Wrap the present carefully!
das Geschenk means the present and vorsichtig means carefully. Wickle is the singular du imperative, so the subject is omitted; the accusative object follows the command.
Ich würde das Baby jetzt wickeln.
I would change the baby now.
das Baby means the baby and jetzt means now. Würde plus the infinitive wickeln expresses a hypothetical or polite idea; the infinitive stands at the end, and das Baby is accusative.
Ich werde das Geschenk später wickeln.
I will wrap the present later.
das Geschenk means the present and später means later. Werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive wickeln goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Er wickelt den Faden um die Spule.
He winds the thread around the spool.
der Faden means the thread and die Spule means the spool. Den Faden is accusative because it is the object being wound; um die Spule takes the accusative because um always governs that case.
Bitte wickle das Kabel ordentlich zusammen.
Please wind the cable up neatly.
das Kabel means the cable, ordentlich means neatly, and zusammen means together or up. Wickle is a singular command, and das Kabel is accusative; the separable prefix zusammen stands at the end.
wischen — to wipe; to mop
Wischen normally takes an accusative object: you wipe etwas, a surface or object. For the meaning “wipe up,” the separable verb aufwischen is common; its prefix is separated in a main clause.
Ich wische den Tisch nach dem Essen.
I wipe the table after the meal.
der Tisch is the table, nach dem Essen means after the meal, and Essen here is a noun meaning meal. Den Tisch is accusative because wischen takes the surface being cleaned as its direct object; the finite verb wische stands in position two.
Ich habe den Boden gewischt.
I mopped the floor.
der Boden is the floor. Den Boden is accusative because it is the object of wischen; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the Partizip II gewischt goes to the end.
Sie wischte die Küche am Morgen.
She cleaned the kitchen in the morning.
sie means she, die Küche is the kitchen, and am Morgen means in the morning. Die Küche is accusative because it is the object being cleaned; wischte is the regular weak-verb preterite in position two.
Wisch bitte den Saft auf!
Please wipe up the juice!
bitte means please, der Saft is the juice, and aufwischen means wipe up. The imperative wisch addresses one person informally, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end; den Saft is accusative.
Wenn du den Tisch wischtest, wäre die Küche sauber.
If you wiped the table, the kitchen would be clean.
wenn means if, sauber means clean, and wäre means would be. Wischtest is the Konjunktiv II form in the wenn-clause, where the finite verb goes to the end; den Tisch is accusative because it is the object.
Morgen werde ich das Fenster wischen.
Tomorrow I will wipe 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 wischen goes to the end; das Fenster is accusative as the object.
die Zange — pliers, tongs
Die Zange usually refers to a tool; in English, “pliers” is normally plural, but German uses the singular for one tool. Its plural is die Zangen.
Die Zange liegt auf dem Tisch.
The pliers are on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Die Zange is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Zange für den Draht.
I need the pliers for the wire.
brauche means “need,” and der Draht is wire. Die Zange is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; für also requires the accusative, as in für den Draht.
Ich schneide den Draht mit der Zange.
I cut the wire with the pliers.
schneide means “cut,” and der Draht is wire. Mit always takes the dative, so der Zange is dative; the accusative object is den Draht.
Der Griff der Zange ist kaputt.
The handle of the pliers is broken.
der Griff means “the handle,” and kaputt means “broken.” Der Zange is genitive because it shows possession or connection: the handle belongs to the pliers; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Werkstatt braucht drei Zangen.
The workshop needs three pairs of pliers.
die Werkstatt means “the workshop,” and drei means “three.” Zangen is the plural after drei, and it is accusative because braucht takes an accusative object.
zudecken — to cover, to cover up
In its common reflexive use, sich zudecken means “to cover oneself”, usually with a blanket. The covered person or thing is an accusative object, while the covering material is often introduced by mit plus dative.
Ich decke das Baby mit einer Decke zu.
I cover the baby with a blanket.
das Baby is “the baby”, mit means “with”, and die Decke is “the blanket”. Das Baby is accusative because zudecken takes the person or thing being covered; the finite part decke is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Wir haben das Kind warm zugedeckt.
We covered the child warmly.
das Kind means “the child” and warm means “warmly” here. Das Kind is accusative because it is the object; haben is in position two and zugedeckt, the Partizip II, goes to the end.
Sie deckte ihren Sohn zu.
She covered her son.
sie is “she” and ihren Sohn means “her son”. Ihren Sohn is accusative because it is the object, while the weak past form deckte is in position two and zu is separated to the end.
Deck dich gut zu!
Cover yourself well!
dich means “yourself” and gut means “well”. This is the informal singular imperative: deck comes first, zu goes to the end, and the reflexive pronoun dich is accusative.
Ich würde mich im Bett zudecken.
I would cover myself in bed.
im Bett means “in bed”. Mich is accusative because it is the reflexive object; with würde, the infinitive zudecken stays together at the end of the clause.
Er wird sich mit dem Mantel zudecken.
He will cover himself with the coat.
sich means “himself” and mit dem Mantel means “with the coat”. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive zudecken goes to the end; mit takes the dative, shown by dem Mantel.
zudrehen — to turn off, to close by turning
Zudrehen is used for something controlled by turning, such as den Wasserhahn, das Gas, or die Heizung. The object is accusative, and the verb is separable in main-clause present and simple-past forms.
Bitte dreh den Wasserhahn zu.
Please turn off the tap.
Bitte means “please” and der Wasserhahn is “the tap”. Den Wasserhahn is accusative because zudrehen takes a direct object; the finite part dreh is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Sie hat das Gas zugedreht.
She turned off the gas.
das Gas means “the gas”. Das Gas is accusative because it is what was turned off; hat is in position two and the complete Partizip II zugedreht goes to the end.
Er drehte den Hahn zu.
He turned off the tap.
der Hahn is “the tap” or “faucet”. Den Hahn is accusative because it is the direct object, while the weak past form drehte stands in position two and zu is separated.
Dreh die Heizung zu!
Turn off the heating!
die Heizung means “the heating”. This is the informal singular imperative: dreh comes first and zu goes to the end; die Heizung remains an accusative object.
Ich würde das Wasser zudrehen.
I would turn off the water.
das Wasser means “the water”. With würde, the infinitive zudrehen stays together at the end; das Wasser is accusative because it is the thing being turned off.
Wir werden den Hahn zudrehen.
We will turn off the tap.
wir means “we” and der Hahn means “the tap”. In the future, werden is in position two and the infinitive zudrehen goes to the end; den Hahn is accusative as the direct object.
das Zündholz — match
Zündholz means a match, especially a wooden match used to make a flame. The common alternative is Streichholz; do not confuse Zündholz with Zünder, which is an igniter or detonator.
Ein Zündholz brennt schnell.
A match burns quickly.
brennt means burns and schnell means quickly. Ein Zündholz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb brennt stands in position two.
Ich brauche ein Zündholz.
I need a match.
ich means I and brauche means need. Ein Zündholz is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Mit dem Zündholz mache ich ein Feuer.
I make a fire with the match.
mit means with, mache means make, and das Feuer is the fire. Dem Zündholz is dative because mit always requires the dative; the phrase at the beginning occupies position one, so mache comes directly after it.
Die Spitze des Zündholzes ist rot.
The tip of the match is red.
die Spitze means the tip and rot means red. Des Zündholzes is genitive because it shows which match the tip belongs to; the noun adds -es, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Zündhölzer liegen in der Schachtel.
The matches are in the box.
liegen means are lying or are located, and die Schachtel is the box. Zündhölzer is the plural of Zündholz, with ö and -er; der Schachtel is dative because in describes a location here.