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Vocab: Household tasks — B1
Household tasks vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Abdeckung — cover, covering, protective cover
Abdeckung is often a physical cover, especially for a machine or piece of equipment. For the action of covering, use abdecken.
Die Abdeckung ist aus Metall.
The cover is made of metal.
aus Metall means “made of metal”. Die Abdeckung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist links the subject to the material phrase.
Ich entferne die Abdeckung.
I remove the cover.
entferne means “remove”. die Abdeckung is accusative because entfernen takes a direct object, although the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Unter der Abdeckung bleibt das Essen warm.
The food stays warm under the cover.
unter means “under”, bleibt means “stays”, and warm means “warm”. der Abdeckung is dative because unter describes a fixed location here; bleibt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Farbe der Abdeckung ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the cover is dark blue.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and dunkelblau means “dark blue”. der Abdeckung is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Neue Abdeckungen schützen die Geräte.
New covers protect the devices.
neue means “new”, schützen means “protect”, and die Geräte means “the devices”. Abdeckungen is a plural nominative subject, while die Geräte is accusative after schützen.
die Ablesung — meter reading; reading of a measuring device; reading; measurement
This noun usually refers to recording a reading from a meter, not to simply looking at a number. The related verb is ablesen.
Die Ablesung des Stromzählers findet im Dezember statt.
The electricity meter is read in December.
der Stromzähler is the electricity meter, and im Dezember means in December. Die Ablesung is nominative because it is the subject; des Stromzählers is genitive because it specifies which reading, and the finite verb findet is in position two.
Der Hausmeister macht morgen die Ablesung.
The caretaker is taking the meter reading tomorrow.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Ablesung is accusative because macht takes a direct object, while the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Wir warten auf die Ablesung der Heizung.
We are waiting for the heating meter reading.
warten auf means to wait for, and die Heizung means the heating system. Wir is nominative, while auf die Ablesung is an accusative prepositional phrase because auf expresses the object waited for here; the finite verb warten is in position two.
Das Ergebnis der Ablesung steht auf der Rechnung.
The result of the meter reading is on the bill.
das Ergebnis is the result, and die Rechnung is the bill. Der Ablesung is genitive after das Ergebnis to show what result it is; steht is in position two and means is written or appears here.
Die Stadt verschickt die Termine für die Ablesungen.
The city sends out the dates for the meter readings.
die Stadt is the city, verschickt means sends out, and die Termine are the dates or appointments. Die Ablesungen is plural accusative after verschickt; the plural ending -en is part of the noun form.
Bei der Ablesung des Thermometers war es schon sehr kalt.
When the thermometer was read, it was already very cold.
bei means during or at, das Thermometer is the thermometer, and schon sehr kalt means already very cold. Der Ablesung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb war goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by bei der Ablesung only if it were a clause, but here the phrase is a prepositional phrase, so war stays in position two.
Die genaue Ablesung zeigt einen kleinen Unterschied.
The precise reading shows a small difference.
genaue means precise, zeigt means shows, and ein kleiner Unterschied is a small difference. Die Ablesung is nominative because it is the subject, while einen kleinen Unterschied is accusative because it is the object of zeigt.
das Abwasser — wastewater, sewage
Abwasser is commonly an uncountable mass noun, but the plural Abwässer is used for separate wastewater streams, types or quantities. The genitive singular is des Abwassers.
Das Abwasser wird in der Kläranlage gereinigt.
The wastewater is treated at the sewage-treatment plant.
die Kläranlage is the sewage-treatment plant, and gereinigt means treated or cleaned. Das Abwasser is nominative because it is the subject; wird is in position two and gereinigt stands at the end.
Die Stadt kontrolliert das Abwasser regelmäßig.
The city checks the wastewater regularly.
die Stadt means the city, and regelmäßig means regularly. Das Abwasser is accusative because kontrollieren takes a direct object; the finite verb kontrolliert is in position two.
Viele Fische können in dem Abwasser nicht leben.
Many fish cannot live in the wastewater.
viele Fische means many fish, and leben means to live. In takes the dative here because this describes a location, so dem Abwasser is dative; leben goes to the end after the modal können.
Die Reinigung des Abwassers kostet viel Geld.
Treating the wastewater costs a lot of money.
die Reinigung means the cleaning or treatment, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Des Abwassers is genitive because it identifies what is being treated; the noun takes the genitive ending -s.
Die Fabrik leitet die Abwässer in einen großen Fluss.
The factory discharges the wastewater into a large river.
die Fabrik means the factory, leitet means directs or discharges, and ein großer Fluss means a large river. Die Abwässer is plural accusative as the object of leitet; in einen großen Fluss is also accusative because it expresses movement towards a place.
das Altöl — used oil, waste oil
Altöl is a mass noun and normally has no plural. It must not be poured into den Abfluss or onto den Boden because it can pollute water and soil.
Das Altöl darf nicht in den Abfluss gelangen.
Used oil must not get into the drain.
darf nicht means must not, der Abfluss is the drain, and gelangen means get or enter. Das Altöl is nominative because it is the subject; with the modal darf, the infinitive gelangen goes to the end.
Die Werkstatt sammelt das Altöl.
The garage collects the used oil.
die Werkstatt is the garage or workshop, and sammelt means collects. Das Altöl is accusative because sammeln takes a direct object, although the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit dem Altöl darf man nicht den Boden verschmutzen.
You must not pollute the soil with used oil.
mit means with, der Boden is the soil or ground, and verschmutzen means pollute. Mit forces the dative, so dem Altöl is dative; the modal darf is in position two and verschmutzen goes at the end.
Die Entsorgung des Altöls kostet Geld.
Disposing of used oil costs money.
die Entsorgung is the disposal, kostet means costs, and Geld is money. Des Altöls is genitive because it specifies what is disposed of; des and the ending -s mark the neuter genitive.
auseinandernehmen — to take apart, to dismantle; to pick apart, to analyse critically
This verb normally takes an accusative object: etwas auseinandernehmen means to take something apart. Do not confuse the separable form nimmt auseinander with the infinitive auseinandernehmen.
Ich nehme den alten Computer auseinander.
I am taking the old computer apart.
alt means old, and der Computer means computer. The finite verb nehme is in position two, while the prefix auseinander goes to the end because this is a separable verb.
Wir haben die Maschine vorsichtig auseinandergenommen.
We carefully took the machine apart.
die Maschine means machine and vorsichtig means carefully. The accusative object die Maschine is required by auseinandernehmen; the Partizip II auseinandergenommen goes to the end and uses haben.
Der Techniker nahm das Fahrrad auseinander.
The technician took the bicycle apart.
der Techniker is a technician and das Fahrrad is a bicycle. Das Fahrrad is accusative because it is the object, and the past-tense verb is split into nahm and auseinander.
Nimm das Spielzeug nicht auseinander!
Do not take the toy apart!
das Spielzeug means toy and nicht means not. The command uses the singular du form nimm, and the separable prefix auseinander stands at the end.
Ich würde den Wecker nicht auseinandernehmen.
I would not take the alarm clock apart.
der Wecker means alarm clock and nicht means not. Würde introduces a hypothetical statement, so the full infinitive auseinandernehmen stays at the end instead of splitting.
Sie wird den Drucker morgen auseinandernehmen.
She will take the printer apart tomorrow.
der Drucker means printer and morgen means tomorrow. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the complete infinitive auseinandernehmen goes to the end.
Die Journalistin nimmt das Argument des Ministers auseinander.
The journalist is picking apart the minister's argument.
die Journalistin means journalist, das Argument means argument, and der Minister means minister. Das Argument is accusative because it is what she analyses; the finite verb and separable prefix frame the clause.
Der Experte hat den Bericht gründlich auseinandergenommen.
The expert analysed the report thoroughly.
der Experte means expert, der Bericht means report, and gründlich means thoroughly. The report is accusative, and auseinandergenommen is placed at the end with hat because this is the perfect tense.
auslaufen — to run out; to leak out; to expire; to leave port
For liquids, auslaufen means leak out; for time periods or contracts, it means expire. In the perfect it usually takes sein, and its prefix separates in finite main-clause forms.
Das Wasser läuft aus der Flasche aus.
The water is leaking out of the bottle.
das Wasser means the water, die Flasche means the bottle, and auslaufen here means leak out. Aus der Flasche uses the dative because aus always takes the dative; läuft is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Das Wasser ist über Nacht ausgelaufen.
The water leaked out overnight.
über Nacht means overnight. Ausgelaufen goes to the end and pairs with ist, not hat, because the verb describes a change or movement of the water.
Die Frist lief gestern aus.
The deadline expired yesterday.
die Frist means the deadline, and gestern means yesterday. Lief is the strong past form in position two, while the separable prefix aus stands at the end.
Lauf nicht allein aus!
Do not run out alone!
nicht means not, and allein means alone. Lauf is the informal singular imperative, and the prefix aus remains at the end of the command.
Wenn der Vertrag länger gälte, liefe er nicht aus.
If the contract were valid for longer, it would not expire.
der Vertrag means the contract, länger means for longer, and gelten means be valid. The wenn clause sends gälte to the end; in the main clause, liefe is in position two and aus is separated.
Der Mietvertrag wird am Monatsende auslaufen.
The rental contract will expire at the end of the month.
der Mietvertrag means the rental contract, and am Monatsende means at the end of the month. Wird stands in position two, while the complete infinitive auslaufen stays together at the end after the future auxiliary.
Das Schiff läuft um sechs Uhr aus.
The ship leaves port at six o’clock.
das Schiff means the ship, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Läuft is in position two, while aus goes to the end because this is a separable verb.
Die Fähre ist pünktlich ausgelaufen.
The ferry left on time.
die Fähre means the ferry, and pünktlich means on time. Ausgelaufen is at the end and uses ist because the ferry has moved away from the harbour.
beseitigen — to remove, eliminate, resolve; to clear up
beseitigen is often used for unwanted things, faults, dangers, or problems. It takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben: hat beseitigt.
Die Stadt beseitigt den Müll.
The city removes the rubbish.
Die Stadt means the city and der Müll means rubbish. den Müll is accusative because beseitigen takes a direct object, and the finite verb beseitigt is in position two.
Die Arbeiter haben den Schaden beseitigt.
The workers have repaired the damage.
Die Arbeiter means the workers and der Schaden means the damage. The perfect uses haben and beseitigt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II is at the end.
Die Feuerwehr beseitigte die Gefahr.
The fire brigade eliminated the danger.
Die Feuerwehr means the fire brigade and die Gefahr means the danger. die Gefahr is accusative as the direct object, and the regular past form beseitigte occupies position two.
Beseitige bitte das Hindernis!
Please remove the obstacle!
bitte means please and das Hindernis means the obstacle. The imperative omits du and places das Hindernis in the accusative after the verb.
Wir würden den Fehler beseitigen.
We would eliminate the error.
Wir means we and der Fehler means the error. würden expresses the conditional, while the infinitive beseitigen goes to the end and den Fehler is accusative.
Der Techniker wird das Problem beseitigen.
The technician will solve the problem.
Der Techniker means the technician and das Problem means the problem. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive beseitigen at the end; das Problem is accusative.
Wir müssen dieses Missverständnis beseitigen.
We need to clear up this misunderstanding.
müssen means must or need to, and dieses Missverständnis means this misunderstanding. After the modal verb, the infinitive beseitigen goes to the end; dieses Missverständnis is accusative.
Das Gespräch beseitigt viele Zweifel.
The conversation clears up many doubts.
Das Gespräch means the conversation and viele Zweifel means many doubts. viele Zweifel is accusative as the object, while the finite verb beseitigt stands in position two.
der Biomüll — organic waste
Biomüll is a mass noun for organic waste, especially food and garden waste. It normally has no plural; use a quantity expression such as viel Biomüll when needed.
Der Biomüll ist schon voll.
The organic-waste bin is already full.
ist schon voll means is already full. Der Biomüll is nominative because it is the subject of ist; this noun is usually a mass noun, so it normally has no plural.
Bitte bring den Biomüll nach draußen.
Please take the organic waste outside.
bitte means please and nach draußen means outside. den Biomüll is accusative because bringen takes a direct object; the imperative bring comes first, while the separable verb nach draußen bringen keeps its infinitive part at the end.
Ich gebe dem Biomüll eine neue Tüte.
I put a new bag in the organic-waste bin.
geben means to give or put, eine neue Tüte means a new bag, and neu means new. dem Biomüll is dative because it is the recipient or place receiving something, while eine neue Tüte is accusative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Geruch des Biomülls ist unangenehm.
The smell of the organic waste is unpleasant.
der Geruch means the smell and unangenehm means unpleasant. des Biomülls is genitive and identifies whose smell it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
der Brandschutz — fire protection, fire safety
Brandschutz is normally an uncountable field or system, so it has no ordinary plural. It covers both prevention and protective measures, especially in buildings, workplaces and public institutions.
Der Brandschutz ist in diesem Gebäude besonders wichtig.
Fire protection is especially important in this building.
dieses Gebäude means this building, and besonders wichtig means especially important. Der Brandschutz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Firma verbessert den Brandschutz.
The company is improving fire protection.
die Firma means the company, and verbessern means to improve. Den Brandschutz is accusative because it is the direct object of verbessern; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Behörde widmet dem Brandschutz große Aufmerksamkeit.
The authority devotes a great deal of attention to fire protection.
die Behörde means the authority, and große Aufmerksamkeit means a great deal of attention. Dem Brandschutz is dative because widmen governs the dative; the direct object große Aufmerksamkeit is accusative.
Die Kosten des Brandschutzes steigen.
The costs of fire protection are rising.
die Kosten means the costs, and steigen means to rise. Des Brandschutzes is genitive because it specifies which costs are meant; Schutz takes -es in the genitive singular.
Guter Brandschutz rettet Leben.
Good fire protection saves lives.
gut means good, retten means to save, and Leben means lives. Brandschutz is a mass noun here, so it has no ordinary plural; the uncountable subject takes the singular verb rettet.
der Container — container, freight container; software container
In transport, a Container is usually a standardized metal box for goods.
Der Container steht im Hafen.
The container is in the harbor.
steht means is located, and der Hafen is the harbor. Der Container is nominative because it is the subject; im Hafen is a location phrase with the dative.
Die Arbeiter öffnen den Container.
The workers are opening the container.
die Arbeiter are the workers and öffnen means open. den Container is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object.
Wir lagern die Möbel in einem Container.
We store the furniture in a container.
lagern means store and die Möbel means the furniture. in einem Container is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it; the accusative object is die Möbel.
Die Tür des Containers ist verschlossen.
The container’s door is locked.
die Tür means the door and verschlossen means locked. des Containers is genitive because it shows possession, and the noun takes -s after des.
Die Container werden per Schiff transportiert.
The containers are transported by ship.
per Schiff means by ship and transportiert means transported. Die Container is plural nominative as the subject; the plural form is unchanged from the singular.
Die Anwendung läuft in einem Container.
The application runs in a container.
die Anwendung means the application and läuft means runs. in einem Container is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Wir starten mehrere Container auf dem Server.
We start several containers on the server.
starten means start, mehrere means several, and der Server is the server. mehrere Container is accusative because it is the object of starten, while auf dem Server is dative for location.
durcheinander — messy, disordered, confused
As an adjective, durcheinander is often used after sein, where it does not take an ending. Before a noun it can take an adjective ending, as in ein durcheinanderes Zimmer; do not confuse this adjective with the noun das Durcheinander.
Nach der Party ist alles durcheinander.
Everything is in a mess after the party.
nach der Party means after the party and alles means everything. Durcheinander is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Sie räumt das durcheinandere Zimmer auf.
She tidies up the messy room.
sie räumt ... auf means she tidies up, and das Zimmer means the room. Durcheinandere describes the accusative noun Zimmer, so it receives the ending -e after das; the separable verb räumt ... auf puts its prefix at the end.
Sein Schreibtisch ist durcheinanderer als meiner.
His desk is more disordered than mine.
sein Schreibtisch means his desk, and meiner means mine. Durcheinanderer is predicative after ist and is followed by als for the comparison; because it is predicative, it has no additional adjective ending.
Nach der Party war die Küche am durcheinandersten.
After the party, the kitchen was the most disordered.
nach der Party means after the party and die Küche means the kitchen. Am durcheinandersten is the predicative superlative, built with am plus the -sten ending; it comes after the finite verb war.
das Durcheinander — mess, chaos, confusion
This capitalized noun means a mess or confused situation and is normally used only in the singular. It must be distinguished from lowercase durcheinander, which is an adjective or adverb; the noun is often used with ein, as in ein großes Durcheinander.
In der Küche herrscht ein großes Durcheinander.
There is a great mess in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, herrschen means to prevail or exist, and ein großes means a great. Ein großes Durcheinander is the nominative subject; the finite verb herrscht is in position two.
Ich sehe in diesem Zimmer ein großes Durcheinander.
I see a great mess in this room.
ich sehe means I see, in diesem Zimmer means in this room, and groß means great or big. Ein großes Durcheinander is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; sehe is in position two.
Mit diesem Durcheinander kann niemand arbeiten.
Nobody can work with this mess.
mit means with, niemand means nobody, and arbeiten means to work. Diesem Durcheinander is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is the finite modal verb in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Ursache des Durcheinanders war ein Missverständnis.
The cause of the confusion was a misunderstanding.
die Ursache means the cause and das Missverständnis means the misunderstanding. Des Durcheinanders is genitive because it identifies the mess whose cause is being discussed; war is the finite verb in position two.
einbauen — to install, to build in
This separable verb is used for fitting a device, fixture, or component into a larger object or structure. Its object is normally accusative, as in etwas einbauen.
Der Techniker baut eine neue Heizung ein.
The technician is installing a new heating system.
der Techniker is the technician, and eine neue Heizung means a new heating system. Eine neue Heizung is accusative because einbauen takes the thing being installed as an accusative object; the finite verb baut is in position two and ein stands at the end.
Wir haben die Lampe im Flur eingebaut.
We installed the lamp in the hallway.
die Lampe is the lamp and der Flur is the hallway; im means in dem. Die Lampe is accusative because it is the object of einbauen, while haben is in position two and eingebaut goes to the end.
Der Monteur baute den neuen Herd ein.
The installer fitted the new cooker.
der Monteur is the installer and der Herd is the cooker; neu means new. Den neuen Herd is accusative because einbauen takes an accusative object, and the past-tense verb baute is in position two while ein is separated.
Bau bitte den Filter ein.
Please install the filter.
bitte means please, and der Filter is the filter. The informal imperative bau has no subject pronoun, and den Filter is accusative because it is the object; the prefix ein remains at the end.
Ich würde die Steckdose dort einbauen.
I would install the socket there.
die Steckdose is the electrical socket and dort means there. Die Steckdose is accusative because it is the object of einbauen; in the würde construction, the infinitive einbauen goes to the end and stays together.
Der Handwerker wird ein Fenster in die Wand einbauen.
The tradesman will install a window in the wall.
der Handwerker is the tradesman, ein Fenster is a window, and die Wand is the wall. Ein Fenster is accusative because it is being installed, while in die Wand is accusative because it expresses the direction into the wall; wird is in position two and einbauen goes to the end.
eindecken — to set the table; to cover; to stock up on something
For setting a table, eindecken normally takes an accusative object such as den Tisch. It is separable: deckt ... ein in a main clause, but eindecken stays together after a modal verb or in a subordinate clause.
Ich decke den Tisch ein.
I am setting the table.
der Tisch means the table. Den Tisch is accusative because eindecken takes the thing being set as an accusative object; the finite verb decke is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Wir haben den Tisch eingedeckt.
We have set the table.
wir means we and der Tisch means the table. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object of eindecken; the perfect uses haben, and eingedeckt stands at the end.
Sie deckte den Tisch ein, bevor die Gäste kamen.
She set the table before the guests arrived.
sie means she, and die Gäste are the guests. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object; deckte is in position two in the main clause, while ein is separated, and kamen goes to the end of the clause introduced by bevor.
Deck bitte den Tisch ein!
Please set the table!
bitte means please and der Tisch means the table. The object is accusative, and the informal imperative drops du; the prefix ein remains separate at the end.
Wenn du früher kämst, könntest du den Tisch eindecken.
If you came earlier, you could set the table.
früher means earlier and könntest means could. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object of eindecken; after the modal verb könntest, the infinitive eindecken stays whole at the end.
Ich werde den Tisch eindecken.
I will set the table.
ich means I and der Tisch means the table. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object; werde is in position two and the complete infinitive eindecken goes to the end.
Wir decken uns vor dem Sturm mit Wasser ein.
We are stocking up on water before the storm.
vor dem Sturm means before the storm, and das Wasser means water. Uns is the reflexive accusative object here, while mit Wasser uses the dative after mit; the finite verb decken is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Sie hat sich für die Reise mit Snacks eingedeckt.
She stocked up on snacks for the journey.
die Reise means the journey and Snacks means snacks. Für die Reise is accusative after für, while mit Snacks is dative after mit; the perfect uses hat, and eingedeckt stands at the end.
die Energieverschwendung — waste of energy
This is a compound of Energie (energy) and Verschwendung (waste). It is an uncountable noun in normal use, so it has no plural; use expressions such as viel Energieverschwendung rather than a plural form.
Die Energieverschwendung muss aufhören.
The waste of energy must stop.
müssen expresses necessity, and aufhören means to stop. Die Energieverschwendung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb muss is in position two, and aufhören goes to the end.
Wir wollen die Energieverschwendung vermeiden.
We want to avoid wasting energy.
wollen means to want to, and vermeiden means to avoid. Die Energieverschwendung is accusative because vermeiden takes a direct object; after the modal verb wollen, the infinitive vermeiden stands at the end.
Mit der Energieverschwendung entstehen hohe Kosten.
High costs arise from wasting energy.
entstehen means to arise or result, and hohe Kosten means high costs. Der Energieverschwendung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb entstehen is in position two.
Die Folgen der Energieverschwendung sind teuer.
The consequences of wasting energy are expensive.
die Folgen means the consequences, and teuer means expensive. Der Energieverschwendung is genitive because it identifies the source of the consequences; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
feuerfest — fire-resistant; fireproof
feuerfest means able to withstand fire or high heat; it does not always mean completely impossible to burn. It is a compound of Feuer, fire, and fest, resistant or firm.
Das Material ist feuerfest.
The material is fire-resistant.
das Material means the material. feuerfest follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the compound combines Feuer, fire, with fest, resistant or firm.
Wir brauchen feuerfeste Handschuhe.
We need fire-resistant gloves.
brauchen means to need, and die Handschuhe means the gloves. feuerfeste Handschuhe is the accusative object of brauchen; the plural adjective takes -e after the zero article.
Dieses Glas ist feuerfester als normales Glas.
This glass is more fire-resistant than ordinary glass.
dieses Glas means this glass, and normales Glas means ordinary glass. feuerfester compares two kinds of glass and follows ist as a predicative comparative, so it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Materialien ist Keramik am feuerfestesten.
Of all materials, ceramic is the most fire-resistant.
von allen Materialien means of all materials, and Keramik means ceramic. von takes the dative, shown by allen Materialien; am feuerfestesten is the predicative superlative after ist.
der Hausmann — househusband, male homemaker
Hausmann is the male counterpart of Hausfrau and is also used for a man who manages the home as his main occupation.
Der Hausmann kümmert sich um die Kinder.
The househusband looks after the children.
kümmert sich um means looks after, and die Kinder are the children. Der Hausmann is nominative because it is the subject; sich um is a fixed reflexive pattern, and um takes the accusative.
Die Familie sucht einen Hausmann.
The family is looking for a househusband.
die Familie means the family, and sucht means is looking for. Einen Hausmann is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Sie hilft dem Hausmann beim Einkaufen.
She helps the househusband with the shopping.
sie hilft means she helps, and beim Einkaufen means with the shopping. Dem Hausmann is dative because helfen requires a dative person; beim is short for bei dem.
Die Arbeit des Hausmanns wird oft unterschätzt.
The househusband's work is often underestimated.
die Arbeit means the work, oft means often, and unterschätzt means underestimated. Des Hausmanns is genitive because it shows possession, and wird unterschätzt forms a passive construction.
Immer mehr Hausmänner teilen ihre Erfahrungen online.
More and more househusbands share their experiences online.
immer mehr means more and more, teilen means share, ihre Erfahrungen means their experiences, and online means online. Hausmänner is plural; ihre Erfahrungen is accusative because it is the direct object of teilen.
der Leim — glue, adhesive
Leim is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For modern craft glue, Klebstoff is also very common.
Der Leim ist noch nicht trocken.
The glue is not dry yet.
noch nicht means not yet, and trocken means dry. Der Leim is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite form of sein in position two; trocken is a predicate adjective with no ending.
Ich brauche den Leim für das Regal.
I need the glue for the shelf.
brauche means need, für means for, and das Regal is the shelf. den Leim is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; für also forces accusative, but it belongs to das Regal, not to Leim.
Mit dem Leim klebe ich das Papier fest.
I stick the paper down with the glue.
mit means with, klebe means stick or glue, and das Papier means the paper. dem Leim is dative because mit always takes dative; the prepositional phrase is first, so klebe still comes in position two.
Der Geruch des Leims ist stark.
The smell of the glue is strong.
der Geruch means the smell and stark means strong. des Leims is genitive because it identifies what the smell belongs to; the whole phrase Der Geruch des Leims is the nominative subject.
loswerden — to get rid of, to become free of
loswerden is a separable, irregular verb with the forms wird los, wurde los, and losgeworden. It normally takes an accusative object, and its perfect is formed with sein, not haben.
Ich werde den alten Schrank los.
I am getting rid of the old cupboard.
der alte Schrank means the old cupboard. Ich is the subject, and den alten Schrank is accusative because loswerden takes an accusative object; the finite verb werde is in position two and the separable part los goes to the end.
Wir sind die kaputten Stühle endlich losgeworden.
We finally got rid of the broken chairs.
die kaputten Stühle means the broken chairs, and endlich means finally. The perfect uses sind because loswerden is formed with sein; losgeworden stands at the end, while die kaputten Stühle is accusative.
Er wurde seine Schulden nicht los.
He did not manage to get rid of his debts.
seine Schulden means his debts, and nicht means not. Seine Schulden is accusative as the object of loswerden; in the simple past, wurde is in position two and los is separated to the end.
Werd den alten Fernseher endlich los!
Get rid of the old television at last!
der alte Fernseher means the old television, and endlich means at last. This is the informal singular imperative: werd begins the command and los goes to the end; the object is accusative because loswerden takes the accusative.
Ich würde diese Sorge gern loswerden.
I would like to get rid of this worry.
diese Sorge means this worry, and gern means gladly or would like to. Diese Sorge is accusative, and the complete infinitive loswerden stays together after würde; it is not split at the end of this clause.
Nächste Woche werde ich den ganzen Papierkram loswerden.
Next week I will get rid of all the paperwork.
nächste Woche means next week, and der ganze Papierkram means all the paperwork. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive loswerden goes to the end; the object is accusative.
die Mangel — laundry press, mangle
Feminine die Mangel is a household machine for pressing laundry. Do not confuse it with masculine der Mangel, which means a lack or defect and has the plural Mängel.
Die Mangel steht im Keller.
The laundry press is in the basement.
stehen means stand or be located, der Keller is the basement, and im Keller means in the basement. die Mangel is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, and the fixed location takes the dative.
Meine Großmutter benutzt die Mangel.
My grandmother uses the laundry press.
meine Großmutter means my grandmother, and benutzen means use. die Mangel is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe meiner Mutter mit der Mangel.
I help my mother with the laundry press.
helfen means help, and meine Mutter is my mother. meiner Mutter is dative because helfen requires the dative, and der Mangel is also dative after mit.
Der Griff der Mangel ist kaputt.
The handle of the laundry press is broken.
der Griff is the handle, kaputt means broken, and sein means be. der Mangel is genitive to show whose handle it is; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist stands in position two.
In der Wäscherei stehen zwei Mangeln.
There are two laundry presses in the laundry.
die Wäscherei is the laundry, and stehen means stand or be located. Mangeln is the plural of feminine die Mangel; in der Wäscherei is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Mülltrennung — waste separation, waste sorting
Die Mülltrennung is the general process, while the different bins are often called die Mülltonnen. German speakers also use Müll trennen for the action of sorting waste.
Die Mülltrennung ist in Deutschland wichtig.
Waste separation is important in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and wichtig means important. Die Mülltrennung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Familien machen die Mülltrennung zu Hause.
Many families sort their waste at home.
viele Familien means many families and zu Hause means at home. Die Mülltrennung is accusative because it is the object of machen; the finite verb is in position two.
Bei der Mülltrennung hilft eine Liste.
A list helps with waste separation.
bei means with or during, and eine Liste is a list. Bei always takes the dative here, so der Mülltrennung is dative; the verb hilft is in position two.
Die Regeln der Mülltrennung sind einfach.
The rules for waste separation are simple.
die Regeln means the rules and einfach means simple. Der Mülltrennung is genitive because it specifies which rules, namely the rules of waste separation.
Die Mülltrennungen in den Städten funktionieren unterschiedlich.
Waste-separation systems in the cities work differently.
in den Städten means in the cities, and unterschiedlich means differently or in different ways. Die Mülltrennungen is a plural subject formed with -en, so the verb is funktionieren, not singular funktioniert.
recyceln — to recycle
Recyceln takes the material being recycled as an accusative object, for example Plastik recyceln. It is a weak verb with the perfect auxiliary haben and the Partizip II recycelt.
Die Firma recycelt alte Flaschen.
The company recycles old bottles.
die Firma is the company, and alte Flaschen are old bottles. Alte Flaschen is accusative because recyceln takes the material being processed as a direct object; the finite verb recycelt is in position two.
Wir haben die Flaschen recycelt.
We recycled the bottles.
die Flaschen means the bottles. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II recycelt, which goes to the end of the clause; die Flaschen is accusative because it is the object.
Die Stadt recycelte den Plastikmüll.
The city recycled the plastic waste.
die Stadt is the city, and der Plastikmüll is plastic waste. Recycelte is the weak Präteritum form and stands in position two; den Plastikmüll is accusative as the direct object.
Recycel diese Dosen!
Recycle these cans!
diese Dosen means these cans. Recycel is the informal singular imperative, and the object diese Dosen is accusative because the verb acts directly on it.
Ich würde mehr Papier recyceln, wenn es möglich wäre.
I would recycle more paper if it were possible.
mehr Papier means more paper, and wenn es möglich wäre means if it were possible. Würde recyceln expresses a hypothetical action; Papier is accusative, and the infinitive recyceln stands at the end of the main clause.
Morgen wird die Schule Papier recyceln.
Tomorrow the school will recycle paper.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Schule is the school. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive recyceln at the end; Papier is the accusative object.
der Restmüll — residual waste, non-recyclable waste
Restmüll is usually a mass noun, so it has no plural. It is the waste left after recyclable materials have been separated and is often put in a grey bin.
Der Restmüll kommt in die graue Tonne.
Residual waste goes into the grey bin.
die graue Tonne means the grey bin, and kommt means goes or comes. Der Restmüll is nominative as the subject; in die graue Tonne is accusative because it expresses movement into the bin.
Wir werfen den Restmüll weg.
We throw away the residual waste.
werfen means throw, and weg means away. Den Restmüll is accusative because wegwerfen takes a direct object; in this main clause, werfen is in position two and weg stands at the end.
Mit dem Restmüll darf man kein Papier sammeln.
You must not collect paper with the residual waste.
darf man nicht means one must not, and kein Papier means no paper. Dem Restmüll is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb darf is in position two and sammeln goes to the end.
Die Menge des Restmülls sinkt.
The amount of residual waste is falling.
die Menge means the amount, and sinkt means falls or decreases. Des Restmülls is genitive because it specifies what the amount consists of; the finite verb sinkt is in position two.
Wohin kommt der Restmüll?
Where does the residual waste go?
wohin means where to, and kommt means goes. Der Restmüll is nominative because it is the subject; in this question, the finite verb kommt follows the question word.
die Sammelstelle — collection point; drop-off point; assembly point; assembly point; meeting point
This word can mean a drop-off point for objects or a place where people meet. It is a feminine noun, and its plural is Sammelstellen.
Die Sammelstelle ist hinter dem Rathaus.
The collection point is behind the town hall.
hinter dem Rathaus means behind the town hall. Die Sammelstelle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen die Sammelstelle für alte Kleidung.
We are looking for the collection point for old clothes.
suchen means to look for, and alte Kleidung means old clothes. Die Sammelstelle is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suchen is in position two.
Wir bringen die Kartons zur Sammelstelle.
We take the cardboard boxes to the collection point.
die Kartons are the cardboard boxes, and bringen means take or bring. zur Sammelstelle is short for zu der Sammelstelle; zu always takes the dative, while die Kartons is accusative as the object of bringen.
Die Adresse der Sammelstelle steht auf dem Flyer.
The address of the collection point is on the flyer.
die Adresse is the address, and der Flyer is the flyer or leaflet. der Sammelstelle is genitive because it identifies whose address it is; the finite verb steht is in position two.
In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Sammelstellen.
There are several collection points in the city.
mehrere means several, and die Stadt means the city. Sammelstellen is plural with the ending -n; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form of this feminine noun looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Alle Bewohner warten an der Sammelstelle.
All residents are waiting at the assembly point.
alle Bewohner means all residents, and warten means wait. an der Sammelstelle uses the dative because an describes a fixed location here; the finite verb warten stands in position two.
Die Feuerwehr führt die Kinder zur Sammelstelle.
The fire brigade leads the children to the assembly point.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, führt means leads, and die Kinder are the children. zur Sammelstelle means zu der Sammelstelle and takes the dative; die Kinder is accusative because they are led by the fire brigade.
der Schlauch — hose, tube
A Schlauch is usually a flexible hose, for example for water or air. In technical contexts it can also mean a tube, but do not confuse it with der Schlauch as a tube-shaped body part.
Der Schlauch ist kaputt.
The hose is broken.
kaputt means broken or not working. Der Schlauch is the nominative subject, and the adjective kaputt is predicative after ist, so it has no ending.
Ich brauche einen neuen Schlauch.
I need a new hose.
brauchen means to need and neu means new. Einen neuen Schlauch is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine adjective takes -en after einen.
Ich gebe dem Schlauch mehr Druck.
I give the hose more pressure.
geben means to give, mehr means more, and der Druck is pressure. Dem Schlauch is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while mehr Druck is the accusative thing being given.
Das Ende des Schlauchs liegt im Garten.
The end of the hose is in the garden.
das Ende means the end, liegen means to lie or be located, and der Garten is the garden. Des Schlauchs is genitive because it identifies whose end it is; im Garten is a dative location after in.
Die Feuerwehr benutzt lange Schläuche.
The fire brigade uses long hoses.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade and benutzen means to use. Schläuche is the plural, and it is accusative because it is the direct object of benutzt; lange has the plural adjective ending -e after the zero article.
der Sondermüll — hazardous waste; special waste
Sondermüll is a mass noun for waste requiring special treatment, so it normally has no plural. It is not simply any unusual rubbish: the word usually refers to waste that is dangerous or legally regulated.
Der Sondermüll muss getrennt gesammelt werden.
Hazardous waste must be collected separately.
getrennt means separately and gesammelt werden means be collected. Der Sondermüll is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; muss is in position two and the verb group goes to the end.
Wir bringen den Sondermüll zur Sammelstelle.
We take the hazardous waste to the collection point.
bringen means take or bring and die Sammelstelle means collection point. Den Sondermüll is accusative because bringen takes a direct object, while zur Sammelstelle is a destination with zu, which governs the dative.
Mit dem Sondermüll darf man nicht spielen.
You must not play with hazardous waste.
mit means with, darf means is allowed to, and spielen means play. Dem Sondermüll is dative because mit always governs the dative; man is the general pronoun meaning people or you.
Die Entsorgung des Sondermülls kostet viel Geld.
Disposing of hazardous waste costs a lot of money.
Entsorgung means disposal and kostet viel Geld means costs a lot of money. Des Sondermülls is genitive because it identifies the waste being disposed of, and the masculine noun takes -s; Sondermüll is normally a mass noun with no plural.
der Verbrauch — consumption, usage
Der Verbrauch is usually the amount of energy, fuel, water, or another resource that is used. It is a countable noun in contexts such as ein hoher Verbrauch and has the plural Verbräuche; do not confuse it with Verbraucher, a consumer.
Der Verbrauch unseres Autos ist niedrig.
Our car's fuel consumption is low.
Unseres Autos means our car's, and niedrig means low. Der Verbrauch is the nominative subject, while unseres Autos is genitive because it identifies what has the consumption; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir messen den Verbrauch jeden Monat.
We measure consumption every month.
Wir messen means we measure, and jeden Monat means every month. Den Verbrauch is accusative because messen takes a direct object, and the finite verb messen stands in position two.
Mit weniger Wasser sinkt der Verbrauch.
With less water, consumption falls.
Mit weniger Wasser means with less water, and sinkt means falls. Mit always takes the dative, so weniger Wasser is dative; der Verbrauch is the nominative subject, and the verb still comes in position two.
Die Höhe des Verbrauchs überrascht mich.
The level of consumption surprises me.
Die Höhe means the level, and überrascht mich means surprises me. Des Verbrauchs is genitive after the noun Höhe to show what kind of level it is, while mich is accusative after überraschen.
Die Verbräuche der Haushalte werden verglichen.
The consumption levels of households are compared.
Der Haushalte means of the households, and werden verglichen means are compared. Verbräuche is the plural nominative subject; the plural noun takes the article die, and the passive uses werden plus verglichen at the end.
verbrauchen — to consume, to use up
Verbrauchen means to use up a resource, such as Energie, Wasser, or Geld. It is a weak verb with perfect hat verbraucht; it is not separable, so ver- stays attached in forms such as verbraucht.
Die Heizung verbraucht viel Energie.
The heating uses a lot of energy.
Die Heizung means the heating system, and viel Energie means a lot of energy. Verbraucht is in position two, and viel Energie is accusative because verbrauchen takes the thing that is used up as its direct object.
Wir haben gestern viel Wasser verbraucht.
We used a lot of water yesterday.
Gestern means yesterday, and viel Wasser means a lot of water. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II verbraucht; haben is in position two and the participle goes to the end, while viel Wasser is accusative.
Der alte Kühlschrank verbrauchte zu viel Strom.
The old refrigerator used too much electricity.
Der alte Kühlschrank means the old refrigerator, and zu viel Strom means too much electricity. Verbrauchte is the weak-verb preterite in position two, and Strom is accusative because it is what the refrigerator used.
Verbrauche nicht so viel Papier!
Don't use so much paper!
Nicht so viel Papier means not so much paper. Verbrauche is the informal singular imperative, with no subject pronoun; Papier is an accusative object, and nicht negates the action.
Wenn ich weniger Strom hätte, verbrauchte ich weniger.
If I had less electricity, I would use less.
Wenn means if, and weniger Strom means less electricity. Here verbrauchte is the Konjunktiv II form, which has the same spelling as the preterite for this weak verb; the finite verb goes to the end after wenn, but returns to position two in the main clause.
Die neue Maschine wird weniger Energie verbrauchen.
The new machine will use less energy.
Die neue Maschine means the new machine, and weniger Energie means less energy. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive verbrauchen at the end; the energy is an accusative object.
verbrennen — to burn; to burn up
In the transitive sense, verbrennen takes an accusative object and normally forms the perfect with haben. For an unplanned change of state, as in something burning up, sein is also possible: Das Holz ist verbrannt.
Ich verbrenne trockenes Holz im Ofen.
I burn dry wood in the stove.
trockenes Holz means dry wood, and im Ofen means in the stove. Trockenes Holz is accusative because verbrennen takes a direct object, and the finite verb verbrenne stands in position two.
Wir haben die alten Briefe verbrannt.
We burned the old letters.
die alten Briefe means the old letters. Verbrannt is at the end because it is the Partizip II in a perfect clause, while haben is the auxiliary in second position.
Er verbrannte das Papier im Kamin.
He burned the paper in the fireplace.
das Papier means the paper, and im Kamin means in the fireplace. Das Papier is accusative as the object, and verbrannte is the weak preterite form in position two.
Verbrenn diese Fotos nicht!
Don't burn these photos!
diese Fotos means these photos, and nicht means not. The imperative verbrenn addresses one person directly; the object is accusative, and ver- does not separate.
Ich würde den Müll nicht verbrennen.
I would not burn the rubbish.
den Müll means the rubbish, and nicht means not. In this conditional sentence, würde carries the Konjunktiv II and the infinitive verbrennen goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Die Feuerwehr wird das Holz verbrennen.
The fire brigade will burn the wood.
Die Feuerwehr means the fire brigade, and das Holz means the wood. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while verbrennen goes to the end and takes the accusative object das Holz.
Das Essen ist verbrannt.
The food has burned.
Das Essen means the food, and verbrannt means burned. Ist is used rather than hat because this sentence describes a change of state; the Partizip II verbrannt stands at the end.
Das Papier verbrennt sehr schnell.
The paper burns very quickly.
Das Papier means the paper, and sehr schnell means very quickly. The sentence describes the paper burning by itself, so there is no accusative object; the finite verb verbrennt is in position two.
die Verschwendung — waste, wastage
die Verschwendung is usually an uncountable idea, but die Verschwendungen can mean separate instances or kinds of waste. It is a feminine noun, so its genitive singular is der Verschwendung, not des Verschwendungs.
Die Verschwendung von Wasser ist ein großes Problem.
The waste of water is a major problem.
die Verschwendung von Wasser means the waste of water, and ein großes Problem means a major problem. The noun phrase is the nominative subject; von takes the dative, so Wasser is dative here.
Wir müssen die Verschwendung von Lebensmitteln stoppen.
We must stop wasting food.
Lebensmittel means food, stoppen means to stop, and müssen means must. die Verschwendung is accusative because it is the object of stoppen; the modal verb müssen is in position two and stoppen goes to the end.
Mit weniger Verschwendung sparen wir Geld.
With less waste, we save money.
mit weniger Verschwendung means with less waste, and sparen means save. mit always takes the dative, so the feminine noun has the form Verschwendung; the finite verb sparen remains in position two.
Die Folgen der Verschwendung sind deutlich sichtbar.
The consequences of waste are clearly visible.
die Folgen means the consequences, and deutlich sichtbar means clearly visible. der Verschwendung is a genitive phrase showing what the consequences are connected with; the whole phrase Die Folgen der Verschwendung is the subject.
Viele Verschwendungen lassen sich vermeiden.
Many instances of waste can be avoided.
viele means many, and lassen sich vermeiden means can be avoided. Verschwendungen is the plural subject, so the article is not needed; the reflexive construction places vermeiden at the end.
der Vorrat — supply, stock, reserve
A Vorrat is something stored for future use, such as food, water, or money. The plural Vorräte is common when talking about different supplies or stored amounts.
Der Vorrat an Wasser reicht für eine Woche.
The water supply is enough for a week.
das Wasser means water, and reichen means to be enough; eine Woche means one week. Der Vorrat is the nominative subject, and an Wasser names what the supply consists of; the finite verb reicht is in position two.
Wir brauchen den Vorrat für den Winter.
We need the supply for the winter.
brauchen means to need, and der Winter means winter. Den Vorrat is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; für also forces accusative in für den Winter.
Mit dem Vorrat kommen wir lange aus.
We can manage for a long time with the supply.
mit means with, lange means for a long time, and auskommen means to manage or get by. Dem Vorrat is dative because mit always takes dative; the separable verb appears as kommen ... aus.
Die Größe des Vorrats hängt vom Wetter ab.
The size of the supply depends on the weather.
die Größe means size, abhängen means to depend, and das Wetter means weather. Des Vorrats is genitive because it says whose size it is; hängt ... ab is separable, and vom Wetter is dative after von.
Im Keller stehen große Vorräte.
There are large supplies in the cellar.
der Keller means cellar, groß means large, and stehen means stand or be located. Vorräte is plural and is the subject, while im Keller is a fixed location with dative in; the plural ending is -e with an umlaut.
die Wartung — maintenance, servicing
Die Wartung is usually used for scheduled technical work on a vehicle, machine, or system. It is often confused with die Reparatur, which means repair after something has broken.
Die Wartung ist wichtig.
The maintenance is important.
wichtig means important. Die Wartung is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir planen die Wartung der Heizung.
We are planning the heating system's maintenance.
wir planen means we are planning, and die Heizung is the heating system. Die Wartung is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the genitive phrase der Heizung says whose maintenance it is.
Bei der Wartung prüft der Techniker den Motor.
During the maintenance, the technician checks the engine.
bei means during or at, prüfen means to check, der Techniker is the technician, and der Motor is the engine. Bei forces the dative, so der Wartung is dative; the finite verb prüft is in position two.
Die Kosten der Wartung sind hoch.
The costs of the maintenance are high.
die Kosten are the costs, and hoch means high. Der Wartung is genitive because it identifies what the costs belong to; the feminine genitive form looks the same as the dative form.
Regelmäßige Wartungen verlängern die Lebensdauer der Maschine.
Regular maintenance procedures extend the machine's service life.
regelmäßig means regular, verlängern means extend, die Lebensdauer is the service life, and die Maschine is the machine. Wartungen is plural and nominative as the subject, so the verb is verlängern, not singular verlängert.
zusammenlegen — to combine, pool, merge
The object is usually a thing, amount or group that is combined with another one, as in Geld zusammenlegen. Do not confuse the separable verb with a non-separable form: in a main clause, zusammen stands at the end.
Wir legen jeden Monat Geld zusammen.
We pool money every month.
jeden Monat means every month, and Geld means money. The finite verb legen is in position two, while the separable prefix zusammen goes to the end; Geld is accusative because it is the object.
Wir haben für die Reise Geld zusammengelegt.
We pooled money for the trip.
für die Reise means for the trip, and Geld means money. The perfect uses haben plus zusammengelegt, with the Partizip II at the end; für forces the accusative.
Die Firma legte zwei Abteilungen zusammen.
The company merged two departments.
die Firma means the company, and zwei Abteilungen means two departments. Legte is the simple past in position two, and zusammen separates at the end; the merged departments are accusative.
Leg bitte deine Sachen zusammen.
Please put your things together.
bitte means please, and deine Sachen means your things. The du imperative is leg, with the prefix at the end; deine Sachen is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde unsere Ausgaben gern zusammenlegen.
I would gladly pool our expenses.
unsere Ausgaben means our expenses, and gern means gladly. Würde expresses a hypothetical wish, while the complete infinitive zusammenlegen stands at the end; unsere Ausgaben is accusative.
Wir werden unsere Ersparnisse bald zusammenlegen.
We will pool our savings soon.
unsere Ersparnisse means our savings, and bald means soon. Future werden is in position two and the complete infinitive zusammenlegen goes to the end; the savings are an accusative object.