Appearance
Vocab: Kitchen — A1
Kitchen vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
backen — to bake
backen is a strong verb with backen - buk/backte - hat gebacken. Both bäckt and backt are used for the third-person present; the usual perfect auxiliary is haben.
Ich backe heute einen Kuchen.
I am baking a cake today.
heute means today and einen Kuchen means a cake. einen Kuchen is accusative because backen takes the thing being baked as an accusative object; the finite verb backe is in position two.
Wir haben gestern einen Kuchen gebacken.
We baked a cake yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and einen Kuchen means a cake. The perfect uses haben because baking is not expressed here as a change of location; gebacken goes to the end of the clause.
Meine Mutter buk früher jeden Sonntag Brot.
My mother used to bake bread every Sunday.
früher means in the past and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. Brot is an accusative object without an article because it is treated as a mass noun; buk is the strong preterite and stands in position two.
Back bitte einen Apfelkuchen!
Please bake an apple cake!
bitte means please and einen Apfelkuchen means an apple cake. Back is the du imperative and normally comes first; the accusative object follows it.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich öfter backen.
If I had more time, I would bake more often.
mehr Zeit means more time and öfter means more often. hätte marks the unreal condition, while würde ... backen forms the conditional; backen goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Am Wochenende werde ich einen Kuchen backen.
I will bake a cake at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and einen Kuchen means a cake. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive backen at the end; the object is accusative.
der Backofen — oven, baking oven
Backofen is a compound of backen and der Ofen. Its plural has an umlaut: die Backöfen.
Der Backofen ist noch warm.
The oven is still warm.
noch means still and warm means warm. Der Backofen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich schalte den Backofen ein.
I switch the oven on.
schalte ... ein means switch on. den Backofen is accusative because it is the object of einschalten; the separable verb has schalte in position two and ein at the end.
Die Pizza bleibt im Backofen.
The pizza stays in the oven.
die Pizza means the pizza and bleibt means stays. im Backofen is dative because in describes a fixed location here; im is short for in dem.
Die Tür des Backofens ist offen.
The oven door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. des Backofens is genitive because it identifies which door; the masculine noun takes -s and des, while ist is in position two.
In modernen Küchen stehen oft zwei Backöfen.
Modern kitchens often have two ovens.
modernen Küchen means modern kitchens and oft means often. zwei Backöfen is plural; in modernen Küchen is dative because it describes location, and stehen is in position two.
der Becher — cup, beaker
Becher usually means a cup without a handle, often made of plastic, glass or ceramic. Unlike Tasse, it does not normally suggest a handle.
Der Becher steht auf dem Tisch.
The cup is on the table.
steht means is standing, and der Tisch means the table. Der Becher is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich nehme den Becher aus dem Schrank.
I take the cup out of the cupboard.
nehme means take, der Schrank means the cupboard, and aus means out of. Den Becher is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; aus dem Schrank is dative because aus always takes the dative.
Sie gibt dem Becher einen neuen Deckel.
She gives the cup a new lid.
gibt means gives, and der Deckel means the lid. Dem Becher is dative because it is the thing receiving the lid, while einen neuen Deckel is accusative.
Der Rand des Bechers ist kaputt.
The rim of the cup is broken.
der Rand means the rim, and kaputt means broken. Des Bechers is genitive because it identifies whose rim it is; the noun adds -s.
Die Becher sind in der Küche.
The cups are in the kitchen.
sind means are, and die Küche means the kitchen. Die Becher is plural even though the noun has no ending; in der Küche is dative because it gives a fixed location.
das Besteck — cutlery, eating utensils
Das Besteck is usually a mass noun for cutlery as a set, so it normally has no plural. For individual items, use words such as das Messer, die Gabel or der Löffel.
Das Besteck liegt neben den Tellern.
The cutlery is next to the plates.
liegt means lies or is lying, neben means next to, and die Teller are the plates. Das Besteck is nominative because it is the subject; neben den Tellern describes location and therefore uses the dative.
Kannst du das Besteck holen?
Can you fetch the cutlery?
kannst du means can you, and holen means fetch or get. Das Besteck is accusative because it is the direct object of holen; after the modal verb kannst, the infinitive holen goes to the end.
Ich esse mit dem Besteck.
I eat with cutlery.
esse means eat, and mit means with. Dem Besteck is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb esse is in position two.
Der Griff des Bestecks ist aus Holz.
The handle of the cutlery is made of wood.
der Griff is the handle, ist aus Holz means is made of wood, and das Holz is wood. Des Bestecks is genitive because it says whose handle it is; the noun Besteck adds -s in the genitive.
der Deckel — lid, cover; cover, lid
The plural is die Deckel with no ending, which is common for some masculine nouns. For a lid that closes a container, Deckel is more specific than the general word Abdeckung.
Der Deckel liegt auf dem Topf.
The lid is on the pot.
liegt means is lying, and der Topf is a cooking pot. Auf dem Topf means on the pot; auf takes the dative here because the lid is in a fixed position, not moving onto the pot. The noun phrase der Deckel is nominative because it is the subject.
Ich nehme den Deckel ab.
I take the lid off.
nehme ... ab means take off, and abnehmen is a separable verb. Ab means off; den Deckel is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb comes in position two while ab goes to the end.
Ich gebe dem Deckel einen neuen Griff.
I give the lid a new handle.
gebe means give, einen neuen Griff is a new handle, and neu means new. Dem Deckel is dative because it is the receiver, while einen neuen Griff is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Deckels passt zur Dose.
The colour of the lid matches the tin.
die Farbe means colour, passt means matches, and die Dose is a tin or can. Des Deckels is genitive because it means of the lid; zur Dose means to the tin and contains zu plus dative.
Die Deckel sind sauber.
The lids are clean.
sauber means clean. Die Deckel is plural and is the nominative subject; this noun has the same form in singular and plural, so the article and verb show the number.
Der Deckel der Kiste ist schwer.
The lid of the crate is heavy.
die Kiste is a crate or box, and schwer means heavy. Der Kiste is genitive after der Deckel to mean of the crate; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Bitte schließe den Deckel der Schachtel.
Please close the lid of the box.
bitte means please, schließe means close, and die Schachtel is a small box. Den Deckel is accusative because it is the object of schließen; the genitive phrase der Schachtel says whose lid it is.
decken — to cover; to set the table; to cover, meet
decken takes an accusative object: etwas decken. It can mean physically covering something, or, in den Tisch decken, preparing a table with plates and cutlery; its perfect uses haben.
Sie deckt den Kuchen mit Folie.
She covers the cake with foil.
der Kuchen is cake and die Folie is foil or plastic wrap. Den Kuchen is accusative because decken takes a direct object, while mit Folie uses mit plus dative. The finite verb deckt stands in position two.
Wir haben den Tisch gedeckt.
We set the table.
der Tisch is table, and den Tisch decken means to set the table. Den Tisch is accusative because it is the object; the perfect uses haben, with haben in position two and gedeckt at the end.
Er deckte das Fenster mit einem Tuch ab.
He covered the window with a cloth.
das Fenster is window, das Tuch is cloth, and abdecken means cover up. Das Fenster is accusative, and because abdecken is separable, deckte is in position two while ab goes to the end.
Deck den Topf zu!
Cover the pot!
der Topf is pot and zu means up or closed in this expression. Den Topf is accusative; the imperative has no du, and the separable part zu stands at the end.
Wenn du den Salat decktest, bliebe er frisch.
If you covered the salad, it would stay fresh.
der Salat is salad, bliebe means would stay, and frisch means fresh. Den Salat is accusative because it is the object; decktest is in the subordinate clause at the end, and the form is also used as a hypothetical past-style form.
Ich werde den Tisch für das Abendessen decken.
I will set the table for dinner.
für das Abendessen means for dinner, and der Tisch is table. Den Tisch is accusative because decken takes a direct object; werde is in position two and the infinitive decken goes to the end.
Die Einnahmen decken die Kosten nicht.
The income does not cover the costs.
die Einnahmen means income or revenue, die Kosten means costs, and nicht means not. Die Kosten is accusative because it is the object of decken; nicht negates the verb phrase.
Das kleine Hotel kann den Bedarf an Zimmern nicht decken.
The small hotel cannot meet the demand for rooms.
klein means small, der Bedarf means demand or need, and das Zimmer is room. Den Bedarf is accusative because it is the object; after the modal kann, the infinitive decken goes to the end.
eingießen — to pour in, pour into
The liquid is normally the accusative object, and the container is often introduced by in plus the accusative for direction. In a main clause the prefix ein separates, but the infinitive and Partizip II remain whole.
Sie gießt den Tee in die Tasse ein.
She pours the tea into the cup.
der Tee means tea and die Tasse means cup. Den Tee is accusative because it is the object of eingießen, and in die Tasse is also accusative because the liquid is poured into the cup; the prefix ein goes to the end.
Wir haben den Saft in die Flasche eingegossen.
We poured the juice into the bottle.
der Saft means juice and die Flasche means bottle. The perfect uses haben because someone performs the action, and eingegossen goes to the end; both den Saft and in die Flasche are accusative.
Er goss die Milch vorsichtig in das Glas ein.
He carefully poured the milk into the glass.
die Milch means milk, vorsichtig means carefully, and das Glas means glass. The strong past form is goss, and in das Glas is accusative because it expresses the destination; ein is separated at the end.
Gieß bitte Wasser in den Topf ein.
Please pour water into the pot.
bitte means please, Wasser means water, and der Topf means pot. This is the informal imperative with omitted du; in den Topf is accusative for direction and ein remains at the end.
Wenn du mehr Zucker eingössest, wäre der Kaffee süßer.
If you poured in more sugar, the coffee would be sweeter.
mehr Zucker means more sugar, der Kaffee means the coffee, and süßer means sweeter. The rare-looking form eingössest is the second-person Konjunktiv II of eingießen; in the subordinate clause the finite verb goes to the end and the object is accusative.
Ich werde später den Wein eingießen.
I will pour the wine later.
später means later and der Wein means wine. Werde is the future auxiliary in position two, while the whole infinitive eingießen goes to the end; den Wein is accusative.
der Eiswürfel — ice cube
der Eiswürfel is a small cube of ice used in drinks. The plural is die Eiswürfel, with no ending; the genitive singular is des Eiswürfels.
Der Eiswürfel schwimmt im Glas.
The ice cube is floating in the glass.
schwimmt means floats, and im Glas means in the glass. Der Eiswürfel is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem and describes a location.
Ich nehme einen Eiswürfel.
I take an ice cube.
nehmen means to take, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. einen Eiswürfel is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object.
Gib dem Eiswürfel ein Glas Wasser.
Give the ice cube a glass of water.
gib means give, and ein Glas Wasser means a glass of water. dem Eiswürfel is dative because it is the recipient of geben; the thing given, ein Glas Wasser, is accusative.
Die Größe des Eiswürfels passt zum Glas.
The size of the ice cube fits the glass.
die Größe means size, and passt zum Glas means fits the glass. des Eiswürfels is genitive because it identifies whose size; zum is short for zu dem and takes the dative.
Die Eiswürfel sind schnell geschmolzen.
The ice cubes melted quickly.
schnell means quickly, and geschmolzen means melted. Die Eiswürfel is plural and has no noun ending; sind geschmolzen is the perfect of schmelzen.
die Gabel — fork
The plural is die Gabeln, with -n added to the noun. With a utensil, mit der Gabel means with the fork; mit always takes the dative.
Die Gabel liegt neben dem Teller.
The fork is next to the plate.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and der Teller means the plate. Die Gabel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine Gabel.
I need a fork.
brauche means need, and eine means a. Eine Gabel is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Kannst du mir eine Gabel geben?
Can you give me a fork?
kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and geben means give. Mir is dative as the recipient, while eine Gabel is accusative as the thing being given.
Der Griff der Gabel ist aus Holz.
The handle of the fork is made of wood.
der Griff means the handle, aus Holz means made of wood, and ist means is. Der Gabel is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine noun keeps its form and the article changes to der.
Die Gabeln liegen in der Schublade.
The forks are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying, in means in, and die Schublade means the drawer. Die Gabeln is plural nominative as the subject; in der Schublade uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Geschirr — crockery, tableware, dishes; harness, tack
Geschirr is usually a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural when it means tableware. To count it, say ein Stück Geschirr or name the item, such as Teller or Tasse.
Das Geschirr steht in der Küche.
The dishes are in the kitchen.
steht means is standing or is located, and Küche means kitchen. Das Geschirr is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two, and this mass noun is treated as singular.
Ich spüle das Geschirr.
I am washing the dishes.
spüle means wash, and spülen is commonly used for washing dishes. Das Geschirr is accusative because it is the direct object of spülen; the article looks the same in nominative and accusative for neuter nouns.
Ich helfe meiner Mutter beim Geschirr.
I help my mother with the dishes.
helfe means help, Mutter means mother, and beim means during or with the. Meiner Mutter is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and beim Geschirr is also dative because bei is contained in beim.
Der Rand des Geschirrs ist beschädigt.
The edge of the crockery is damaged.
Rand means edge, and beschädigt means damaged. Des Geschirrs is genitive because it identifies whose edge it is; the neuter noun takes -s, and ist stands in position two.
Der Bauer legt dem Pferd das Geschirr an.
The farmer puts the harness on the horse.
Bauer means farmer, Pferd means horse, and legt ... an means puts on. Dem Pferd is dative because it is the animal receiving the harness, while das Geschirr is accusative; the separable verb anlegen splits in the main clause.
Das alte Geschirr muss repariert werden.
The old harness has to be repaired.
alt means old, muss means must or has to, and repariert werden means be repaired. Das alte Geschirr is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; werden goes to the end after the modal structure.
das Glas — glass; drinking glass; glass (material)
As a container, das Glas can mean both the vessel and the quantity it holds. The material is also called das Glas, but its plural is normally not used when speaking about the material.
Das Glas ist leer.
The glass is empty.
leer means empty. Das Glas is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme ein Glas.
I am taking a glass.
nehme means take. Ein Glas is accusative because it is the direct object of nehme, and the finite verb is in position two.
Sie gibt mir ein Glas.
She gives me a glass.
gibt means gives and mir means to me. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Glas is accusative as the thing given.
Der Rand des Glases ist sauber.
The rim of the glass is clean.
Der Rand means the rim and sauber means clean. Des Glases is genitive because it shows which glass the rim belongs to; the noun takes -es in this form.
Auf dem Tisch stehen drei Gläser.
There are three glasses on the table.
Auf dem Tisch means on the table, stehen means stand, and drei means three. Gläser is plural after drei, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes location.
Kannst du mir ein Glas Wasser geben?
Can you give me a glass of water?
Kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and Wasser is water. Mir is dative as the recipient and ein Glas Wasser is accusative as the object; the modal verb kannst is in position two and geben goes to the end.
Die Flasche ist aus Glas.
The bottle is made of glass.
Die Flasche means the bottle and aus means made of or from. Aus Glas uses the material word without an article, and aus always governs the dative even though the neuter form is not visibly marked here.
Vorsicht, das Glas ist heiß!
Careful, the glass is hot!
Vorsicht means careful or watch out, and heiß means hot. Das Glas is nominative as the subject of ist, and the warning uses a normal main-clause word order.
der Grill — grill; barbecue
der Grill usually means the appliance, often an outdoor barbecue. The food cooked on it is normally called Grillgut or described with gegrillt, not simply Grill.
Der Grill ist auf dem Balkon.
The grill is on the balcony.
der Balkon means the balcony. Der Grill is nominative because it is the subject, and auf dem Balkon is dative because auf describes a location; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen einen Grill.
We are buying a grill.
kaufen means to buy, and wir means we. einen Grill is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the finite verb kaufen stands in position two.
Ich stehe neben dem Grill.
I am standing next to the grill.
stehen means to stand, and neben means next to. neben dem Grill is dative because neben describes location here; the finite verb stehe is in position two.
Der Deckel des Grills ist heiß.
The lid of the grill is hot.
der Deckel means the lid, and heiß means hot. des Grills is genitive because it shows which lid is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Grills stehen im Garten.
The grills are in the garden.
stehen means are standing or are located, and der Garten means the garden. Grills is plural with die; im Garten means in the garden and is dative because it describes location.
grillen — to grill; to barbecue
grillen takes haben in the perfect: hat gegrillt. It normally takes an accusative food object, such as Fleisch or Würstchen.
Ich grille heute Würstchen.
I am grilling sausages today.
heute means today, and Würstchen means sausages. Würstchen is accusative because grillen takes a direct object; the finite verb grille stands in position two.
Wir haben im Garten gegrillt.
We barbecued in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden. The perfect uses haben plus gegrillt, and the Partizip II goes to the end; because there is no object, the sentence does not need an accusative noun.
Er grillte für seine Freunde.
He grilled for his friends.
für seine Freunde means for his friends. grillte is the weak-verb preterite, and für takes the accusative, so seine Freunde is accusative.
Grill die Paprika!
Grill the peppers!
die Paprika means the peppers. Grill is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; die Paprika is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde lieber draußen grillen.
I would rather barbecue outside.
lieber means rather, and draußen means outside. würde ... grillen expresses a hypothetical or polite preference; the infinitive grillen stays at the end after würde.
Am Samstag werden wir grillen.
We will barbecue on Saturday.
am Samstag means on Saturday. Future uses werden with the infinitive grillen at the end; the finite verb werden is in position two.
der Herd — stove, cooker
Der Herd usually means a kitchen stove or cooker. Do not confuse its plural Herde with feminine die Herde, which means a herd of animals.
Der Herd ist noch heiß.
The stove is still hot.
noch means still, and heiß means hot. Der Herd is nominative because it is the subject; ist is the finite verb in position two and heiß is a predicative adjective.
Ich putze den Herd.
I am cleaning the stove.
putze means clean. Den Herd is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the finite verb putze stands in position two.
Auf dem Herd steht ein Topf.
There is a pot on the stove.
auf dem Herd means on the stove, and ein Topf is a pot. Dem Herd is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the verb steht comes in position two before the subject placed later in the sentence.
Die Platte des Herdes ist kaputt.
The hotplate of the stove is broken.
die Platte means the hotplate, and kaputt means broken. Des Herdes is genitive and means of the stove; the whole phrase Die Platte des Herdes is the nominative subject.
In der Küche stehen zwei Herde.
There are two stoves in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, stehen means stand or are located, and zwei means two. Herde is plural and nominative as the subject; der Küche is dative because in describes location, not movement.
die Kaffeemaschine — coffee machine
This compound combines der Kaffee (coffee) and die Maschine (machine). It normally means a machine for preparing coffee, not a coffee grinder.
Die Kaffeemaschine ist in der Küche.
The coffee machine is in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen. Die Kaffeemaschine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Kaffeemaschine.
I am buying a new coffee machine.
kaufe means buy and neu means new. Eine neue Kaffeemaschine is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article remains eine.
Ich mache mit der Kaffeemaschine Kaffee.
I make coffee with the coffee machine.
mache means make and mit means with. Der Kaffeemaschine is dative because mit always takes the dative, while Kaffee is the accusative object of mache.
Der Deckel der Kaffeemaschine ist kaputt.
The coffee machine's lid is broken.
der Deckel means the lid and kaputt means broken. Der Kaffeemaschine is genitive because it identifies whose lid it is; feminine genitive uses der, just like feminine dative.
Die Kaffeemaschinen stehen im Laden.
The coffee machines are in the shop.
stehen means are standing and der Laden means shop. Kaffeemaschinen is plural because it ends in -n and takes die; the plural verb is stehen.
die Kaffeetasse — coffee cup
This compound combines der Kaffee (coffee) and die Tasse (cup). A Kaffeetasse is usually smaller than a mug; a mug is commonly called der Becher.
Die Kaffeetasse steht auf dem Tisch.
The coffee cup is on the table.
steht means is standing, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and der Tisch is the table. Die Kaffeetasse is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the cup is in a fixed location.
Ich nehme die Kaffeetasse aus dem Schrank.
I take the coffee cup out of the cupboard.
nehme means take, aus means out of, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Die Kaffeetasse is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, while dem Schrank is dative after aus.
Ich gebe der Kaffeetasse einen neuen Platz.
I give the coffee cup a new place.
gebe means give, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. Der Kaffeetasse is dative because it is the thing receiving a place; einen neuen Platz is accusative.
Der Henkel der Kaffeetasse ist klein.
The handle of the coffee cup is small.
der Henkel means the handle and klein means small. Der Kaffeetasse is genitive because it tells us which handle is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Kaffeetassen sind sauber.
The coffee cups are clean.
sauber means clean. Kaffeetassen is plural because the noun adds -n and uses die; the plural verb is sind.
die Kanne — jug, pot; serving pot
Kanne is used for containers with a handle or spout, especially for drinks such as coffee or tea. For a small drinking container, German usually uses die Tasse or das Glas instead.
Die Kanne steht auf dem Tisch.
The jug is on the table.
steht means is standing or is placed, and der Tisch means table. Die Kanne is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte stell die Kanne auf den Tisch.
Please put the jug on the table.
stell means put, bitte means please, and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Die Kanne is accusative as the object of stell; auf takes the accusative here because the jug is moved to a destination.
Ich schenke der Kanne noch Wasser ein.
I pour more water into the jug.
noch means more or some more, and Wasser means water. Der Kanne is dative because einschenken can name the container with dative; the separable verb has schenke in position two and ein at the end.
Der Deckel der Kanne ist kaputt.
The lid of the jug is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. Der Kanne is genitive because it identifies whose lid it is; with a feminine noun, the article changes to der but the noun itself does not change.
Auf dem Tisch stehen zwei Kannen.
There are two jugs on the table.
zwei means two, and stehen means are standing or are placed. Kannen is plural, formed with -n; the plural subject makes the verb stehen plural.
das Kochbuch — cookbook
das Kochbuch contains recipes, usually with a list of ingredients and preparation steps. It is a compound of kochen and das Buch.
Das Kochbuch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The cookbook is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Kochbuch is nominative as the subject; auf takes dative dem Tisch because this is a location.
Ich kaufe das Kochbuch.
I am buying the cookbook.
ich means I, and kaufe means am buying. Das Kochbuch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; its neuter article stays das in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe meiner Mutter das Kochbuch.
I give my mother the cookbook.
gebe means give, and meiner Mutter means my mother. Meiner Mutter is dative as the recipient, while das Kochbuch is accusative as the thing given.
Die Seiten des Kochbuchs sind alt.
The pages of the cookbook are old.
die Seiten means the pages, and alt means old. Des Kochbuchs is genitive because it identifies whose pages they are; the neuter noun adds -s.
Die Kochbücher stehen im Regal.
The cookbooks are on the shelf.
stehen means are standing, and im Regal means on the shelf. Die Kochbücher is plural and nominative as the subject; im is short for in dem, and in takes dative for location.
Meine Tante liest ein Kochbuch.
My aunt is reading a cookbook.
meine Tante means my aunt, and liest means is reading. Ein Kochbuch is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the neuter form of ein is unchanged in the accusative.
In diesem Kochbuch gibt es viele einfache Rezepte.
There are many simple recipes in this cookbook.
in diesem Kochbuch means in this cookbook, and viele einfache Rezepte means many simple recipes. In takes dative because this is a location, and gibt es is the fixed expression for there are.
kochen — to cook; to boil
kochen normally means to cook food, but with water or potatoes it can mean to boil. It is a regular weak verb: kochen – kochte – hat gekocht, and its perfect uses haben.
Ich koche jeden Abend.
I cook every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening. The finite verb koche is in position two, and jeden Abend is an accusative time expression, not a direct object.
Wir haben gestern eine Suppe gekocht.
We cooked a soup yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and eine Suppe means a soup. Eine Suppe is accusative as the food prepared; haben is in position two and gekocht goes to the end.
Meine Mutter kochte am Sonntag Reis.
My mother cooked rice on Sunday.
meine Mutter means my mother, am Sonntag means on Sunday, and Reis means rice. Reis is an accusative object, and the weak past form kochte stands in position two.
Koch bitte das Gemüse!
Please cook the vegetables!
bitte means please, and das Gemüse means the vegetables. Koch is the informal singular imperative and comes first; das Gemüse is accusative as the object.
Ich würde heute gern kochen.
I would like to cook today.
heute means today, and gern means gladly or like to. Würde expresses a wish or hypothetical situation, while the infinitive kochen goes to the end.
Am Wochenende werde ich für meine Freunde kochen.
At the weekend I will cook for my friends.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and für meine Freunde means for my friends. Für takes the accusative, while werde is in position two and kochen goes to the end.
Er kocht Wasser für den Tee.
He is boiling water for the tea.
Wasser means water, and für den Tee means for the tea. Wasser is accusative as the object; here kochen means heat a liquid until it boils, and the finite verb kocht is in position two.
Die Kartoffeln kochen schon.
The potatoes are already boiling.
die Kartoffeln means the potatoes, schon means already, and kochen means are boiling. Die Kartoffeln is nominative as the subject; no object is needed because the potatoes themselves are boiling.
das Kochen — cooking; cooking as an activity
This is a nominalized infinitive: kochen becomes the neuter noun das Kochen. It usually describes cooking as an activity and is normally singular-only.
Kochen macht mir Spaß.
Cooking is fun for me.
Spaß means fun, and mir means to me. Kochen is the subject in the nominative case, and the finite verb macht stands in position two; mir is dative because the expression Spaß machen means to be fun for someone.
Ich mag Kochen am Wochenende.
I like cooking at the weekend.
ich means I, mag means like, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Kochen is an accusative object after mag; the finite verb mag is in position two, and the time phrase comes at the end.
Meine Schwester widmet dem Kochen viel Zeit.
My sister devotes a lot of time to cooking.
meine Schwester means my sister, widmet means devotes, and viel Zeit means a lot of time. dem Kochen is dative because widmen takes a dative person or activity, while viel Zeit is the accusative object; the finite verb widmet is in position two.
Der Geruch des Kochens ist wunderbar.
The smell of cooking is wonderful.
der Geruch means the smell, and wunderbar means wonderful. des Kochens is genitive and describes whose smell it is; the neuter genitive ending is -s, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Beim Kochen höre ich Musik.
I listen to music while cooking.
beim means while or during, and höre ich Musik means I listen to music. beim Kochen is short for bei dem Kochen, so Kochen is dative after bei; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Beim Kochen brauche ich ein scharfes Messer.
I need a sharp knife when cooking.
brauchen means need, ein scharfes Messer means a sharp knife, and scharf means sharp. beim Kochen is dative after bei, while ein scharfes Messer is accusative after brauchen; the finite verb brauche remains in position two.
die Küche — kitchen
die Küche is the room where meals are prepared. Its plural is die Küchen; do not confuse Küchen with Kuchen, meaning cake.
Die Küche ist sehr klein.
The kitchen is very small.
sehr klein means very small. die Küche is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two; klein is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich putze die Küche jeden Samstag.
I clean the kitchen every Saturday.
putze means clean and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. die Küche is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the finite verb putze is in position two.
Wir essen in der Küche.
We eat in the kitchen.
essen means eat. der Küche is dative because the preposition in describes a fixed location here; with movement into the kitchen, in would take the accusative, as in in die Küche.
Das Fenster der Küche ist offen.
The kitchen window is open.
das Fenster means the window and offen means open. der Küche is genitive because it identifies which window is meant; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist stands in position two.
In diesem Haus gibt es zwei Küchen.
There are two kitchens in this house.
in diesem Haus means in this house and zwei means two. Küchen is the plural accusative after es gibt, because es gibt always takes an accusative object; the plural article is omitted after the number.
der Kühlschrank — refrigerator, fridge
The compound is made from kühl, cool, and der Schrank, cupboard or cabinet. In everyday English, fridge is often the natural translation.
Der Kühlschrank ist leer.
The refrigerator is empty.
leer means empty. Der Kühlschrank is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich öffne den Kühlschrank.
I am opening the refrigerator.
öffne means open. Den Kühlschrank is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich stelle die Milch in den Kühlschrank.
I put the milk into the refrigerator.
stelle means put or place, and die Milch means the milk. Strictly, den Kühlschrank is accusative after in because it expresses movement into the refrigerator; a location would use dative, im Kühlschrank.
Die Tür des Kühlschranks ist offen.
The refrigerator door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Kühlschranks is genitive because it shows that the door belongs to or is part of the refrigerator; the masculine noun adds -s.
In vielen Wohnungen stehen zwei Kühlschränke.
There are two refrigerators in many apartments.
vielen Wohnungen means many apartments, and stehen means stand or are located. Kühlschränke is plural with an umlaut and -e; in vielen Wohnungen is dative because it describes a location.
der Löffel — spoon
The plural is also Löffel, without an ending. For a spoonful, German commonly uses ein Löffel plus the substance, as in ein Löffel Zucker.
Der Löffel liegt neben dem Teller.
The spoon is next to the plate.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and der Teller is the plate. Der Löffel is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt is in position two; neben takes the dative here because this sentence describes a location.
Ich nehme einen Löffel.
I take a spoon.
nehmen means to take. Einen Löffel is accusative because nehmen has a direct object, while ich is nominative; the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Sie isst die Suppe mit einem Löffel.
She eats the soup with a spoon.
isst means eats, die Suppe is the soup, and mit means with. Einem Löffel is dative because mit always takes the dative, and isst is in position two.
Der Griff des Löffels ist aus Holz.
The handle of the spoon is made of wood.
der Griff is the handle, aus Holz means made of wood, and ist means is. Des Löffels is genitive because it shows whose handle it is; the masculine noun has des and -s.
Die Löffel liegen in der Schublade.
The spoons are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying, and die Schublade is the drawer. Die Löffel is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; in der Schublade is a dative location.
das Messer — knife
Das Messer liegt auf dem Tisch.
The knife is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and der Tisch means the table. Das Messer is nominative because it is the subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich brauche das Messer.
I need the knife.
brauchen means to need. das Messer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich schneide das Brot mit dem Messer.
I cut the bread with the knife.
schneiden means to cut and das Brot means the bread. dem Messer is dative because mit always takes the dative; the direct object das Brot is accusative.
Die Klinge des Messers ist sehr scharf.
The blade of the knife is very sharp.
die Klinge means the blade and scharf means sharp. des Messers is genitive to show possession, while die Klinge is the nominative subject of ist.
In der Schublade liegen drei Messer.
There are three knives in the drawer.
die Schublade means the drawer and drei means three. Messer has the same form in singular and plural; drei Messer is plural, and in der Schublade is dative because it names a fixed location.
der Milchkarton — milk carton
The compound Milchkarton combines Milch (milk) and Karton (carton). Its plural is regular with -s, as with many modern borrowed or international nouns.
Der Milchkarton steht im Kühlschrank.
The milk carton is in the fridge.
steht means is standing, and im Kühlschrank means in the fridge. Milchkarton is nominative as the subject; im is short for in dem and marks a fixed location with the dative.
Ich stelle den Milchkarton in den Kühlschrank.
I put the milk carton in the fridge.
stelle means put or place, and in den Kühlschrank means into the fridge. Milchkarton is accusative after stelle, and in den Kühlschrank is accusative because it shows movement towards a place.
Ich gebe dem Nachbarn den Milchkarton.
I give the milk carton to the neighbour.
gebe means give and dem Nachbarn means to the neighbour. Milchkarton is accusative as the thing given, while dem Nachbarn is dative as the recipient.
Der Deckel des Milchkartons ist offen.
The lid of the milk carton is open.
der Deckel means the lid, and offen means open. Milchkartons is genitive after Deckel; the masculine noun takes -s and its article is des.
Im Supermarkt stehen viele Milchkartons.
There are many milk cartons in the supermarket.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, and viele means many. Milchkartons is the plural with -s; im Supermarkt is dative because it gives a location.
die Obstschale — fruit bowl
Die Obstschale steht auf dem Tisch.
The fruit bowl is on the table.
steht means is standing or is placed, and der Tisch means the table. Die Obstschale is the nominative subject; auf dem Tisch uses the dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Ich stelle die Obstschale auf den Tisch.
I am putting the fruit bowl on the table.
ich stelle means I put or place, and der Tisch means the table. Die Obstschale is accusative because stellen takes a direct object, and auf den Tisch is accusative because auf shows movement to a destination.
Ich gebe der Obstschale einen neuen Platz.
I give the fruit bowl a new place.
ich gebe means I give, neu means new, and der Platz means the place. Der Obstschale is dative as the recipient or affected thing after geben, while einen neuen Platz is the accusative object.
Der Rand der Obstschale ist blau.
The rim of the fruit bowl is blue.
der Rand means the rim and blau means blue. Der Obstschale is genitive because it shows which bowl the rim belongs to; feminine nouns keep the same noun form in the genitive.
In der Küche stehen drei Obstschalen.
There are three fruit bowls in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, stehen means are standing, and drei means three. Obstschalen is plural after drei, while in der Küche is dative because it names a location.
der Ofen — oven, stove
Der Ofen can mean an oven for cooking or a stove that heats a room; the context usually makes the meaning clear.
Der Ofen ist noch warm.
The oven is still warm.
noch means still and warm means warm. Der Ofen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mache den Ofen an.
I turn on the oven.
mache ... an means turn on, and ich means I. Den Ofen is accusative because anmachen takes a direct object; the separable verb appears as mache in position two and an at the end.
Wir kochen im Ofen.
We cook in the oven.
wir means we, kochen means cook, and im means in the. Im Ofen is dative because in describes a fixed location here, and the finite verb kochen is in position two.
Die Tür des Ofens ist offen.
The oven door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Ofens is genitive because it identifies whose door it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In der Küche stehen zwei Öfen.
There are two ovens in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, stehen means stand or are located, and zwei means two. Öfen is the plural of Ofen; after the opening location phrase, the finite verb stehen comes before the subject.
die Pfanne — pan, frying pan
Die Pfanne is the usual word for a shallow pan used for frying. Do not confuse it with der Topf, which is a deeper cooking pot.
Die Pfanne ist heiß.
The pan is hot.
heiß means “hot”. Die Pfanne is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich stelle die Pfanne auf den Herd.
I put the pan on the cooker.
stelle means “put”, auf den Herd means “onto the cooker”, and Herd means “cooker”. Die Pfanne is accusative because it is the direct object of stelle; den Herd is also accusative because auf expresses movement to a place.
Das Essen ist in der Pfanne.
The food is in the pan.
das Essen means “the food” and in der Pfanne means “in the pan”. The preposition in takes dative for a fixed location, so der Pfanne is dative; ist is in position two.
Der Griff der Pfanne ist locker.
The handle of the pan is loose.
der Griff means “the handle”, locker means “loose”, and ist means “is”. Der Pfanne is genitive after Griff to show which pan the handle belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Pfannen stehen im Schrank.
The pans are in the cupboard.
stehen means “are standing” and im Schrank means “in the cupboard”. Die Pfannen is plural and nominative, so the verb is stehen; Schrank means “cupboard”.
das Rezept — recipe; prescription
The everyday meaning is a cooking recipe. In medical contexts, das Rezept means a prescription, so the meaning depends on words such as der Arzt or die Apotheke.
Das Rezept ist einfach.
The recipe is easy.
ist einfach means is easy. Das Rezept is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; einfach is a predicate adjective and therefore has no ending.
Ich lese das Rezept.
I am reading the recipe.
lese means am reading. Das Rezept is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the nominative and accusative article are both das.
Ich folge dem Rezept.
I follow the recipe.
folge means follow. The verb folgen takes the dative, so dem Rezept is dative; learners often incorrectly use the accusative after this verb.
Die Zutaten des Rezepts stehen auf der Seite.
The ingredients of the recipe are on the page.
die Zutaten means the ingredients, and die Seite means the page. Des Rezepts is genitive after die Zutaten to show which ingredients they are; auf der Seite is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Rezepte findet man im Internet.
You can find recipes on the internet.
findet man means you can find or people find, and im Internet means on the internet. Rezepte is a plural accusative object, but its form is the same as the plural nominative; man is an impersonal subject.
Der Arzt gibt mir ein Rezept.
The doctor gives me a prescription.
der Arzt means the doctor, and gibt means gives. Mir is dative because it marks the recipient, while ein Rezept is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Mit dem Rezept bekomme ich die Medizin in der Apotheke.
With the prescription, I get the medicine at the pharmacy.
die Medizin means the medicine, and die Apotheke means the pharmacy. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Rezept is dative; the phrase at the start takes position one, so the finite verb bekomme comes immediately after the subject ich.
die Schürze — apron
A Schürze is normally worn while cooking or doing messy work. Do not confuse Schürze with Hose, which means trousers or pants.
Die Schürze ist sauber.
The apron is clean.
sauber means clean. Die Schürze is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich trage eine Schürze.
I am wearing an apron.
tragen means to wear or carry, and eine means one or an here. Eine Schürze is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Ich gebe der Schürze einen neuen Knopf.
I give the apron a new button.
geben means to give, neu means new, and der Knopf is the button. Der Schürze is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Knopf is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe der Schürze ist blau.
The colour of the apron is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. Der Schürze is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is: the colour of the apron.
Die Schürzen hängen in der Küche.
The aprons are hanging in the kitchen.
hängen means to hang, and die Küche is the kitchen. Schürzen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in der Küche is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Schüssel — bowl, dish
Schüssel usually means a deep bowl, while Teller means a flat plate. In everyday speech, a large serving bowl can also be called a Schüssel.
Die Schüssel steht auf dem Tisch.
The bowl is on the table.
stehen means to stand or be placed, and der Tisch is the table. Die Schüssel is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich nehme die Schüssel.
I take the bowl.
nehmen means to take. Die Schüssel is accusative because it is the direct object of nehmen, and the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Ich gebe der Schüssel einen Platz im Schrank.
I give the bowl a place in the cupboard.
geben means to give, der Platz is the place, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Der Schüssel is dative because it is the thing receiving a place, while einen Platz is accusative.
Der Rand der Schüssel ist kaputt.
The rim of the bowl is broken.
der Rand is the rim or edge, and kaputt means broken. Der Schüssel is genitive because it identifies which rim is meant: the rim of the bowl.
Die Schüsseln sind in der Küche.
The bowls are in the kitchen.
sein means to be, and die Küche is the kitchen. Schüsseln is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in der Küche is dative because it gives a location.
die Serviette — napkin; table napkin
A Serviette can be made of paper or cloth and is used while eating. In a restaurant, eine Serviette is usually placed beside or on the plate.
Die Serviette liegt neben dem Teller.
The napkin is next to the plate.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and der Teller means the plate. Die Serviette is nominative because it is the subject; dem Teller is dative because neben describes a fixed location.
Ich brauche eine Serviette.
I need a napkin.
brauche means need, and eine means a. Eine Serviette is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Kannst du mir eine Serviette geben?
Can you give me a napkin?
kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and geben means give. Mir is dative as the recipient, while eine Serviette is accusative as the thing given; the infinitive geben goes to the end of the question.
Die Farbe der Serviette passt zum Tisch.
The colour of the napkin matches the table.
die Farbe means the colour, passt means matches, and der Tisch means the table. Der Serviette is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; zum Tisch means to the table and contains dative zu dem.
Auf dem Tisch liegen viele Servietten.
There are many napkins lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Servietten is nominative plural as the subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes location rather than movement.
Die Serviette ist aus Papier.
The napkin is made of paper.
ist aus Papier means is made of paper. Die Serviette is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; aus takes the dative, although the uncountable material Papier has no visible article ending here.
das Spülbecken — sink, washbasin
Spülbecken is a compound meaning a basin for washing dishes: spülen means rinse or wash dishes, and Becken means basin. Its singular and plural forms are identical, so the article or a number shows which one is meant.
Das Spülbecken ist sauber.
The sink is clean.
sauber means clean. Das Spülbecken is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich putze das Spülbecken jeden Abend.
I clean the sink every evening.
putze means clean, and jeden Abend means every evening. Das Spülbecken is accusative because putzen takes a direct object; the finite verb putze is in position two.
Das Wasser läuft aus dem Spülbecken.
The water runs out of the sink.
das Wasser is the water, and läuft aus means runs out of. Aus always takes the dative, so dem Spülbecken is dative; the separable verb places läuft in position two and aus at the end.
Der Abfluss des Spülbeckens ist verstopft.
The sink's drain is blocked.
der Abfluss is the drain, and verstopft means blocked. Des Spülbeckens is genitive because it identifies which drain; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In der Küche stehen zwei Spülbecken.
There are two sinks in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, stehen means stand or are situated, and zwei means two. Spülbecken is plural but unchanged in form; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
spülen — to wash, to rinse; to flush
For washing dishes, spülen normally takes an accusative object, such as das Geschirr. It can also mean rinsing something with water; the perfect tense uses haben: hat gespült.
Ich spüle jeden Abend das Geschirr.
I wash the dishes every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and das Geschirr means the dishes or crockery. Das Geschirr is accusative because spülen takes the thing being washed as its accusative object; the finite verb spüle is in position two.
Wir haben nach dem Essen das Geschirr gespült.
We washed the dishes after the meal.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and das Geschirr means the dishes. Nach takes the dative here, while das Geschirr is accusative; haben is in position two and gespült goes to the end.
Früher spülte mein Bruder jeden Sonntag.
In the past, my brother washed the dishes every Sunday.
früher means in the past, mein Bruder means my brother, and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. The weak-verb past form spülte is in position two; the object is understood from the context.
Spül bitte die Tassen!
Please wash the cups!
bitte means please, and die Tassen means the cups. Spül is the du imperative, and die Tassen is accusative because it is the object being washed.
Ich spülte die Teller, wenn niemand zu Hause wäre.
I would wash the plates if nobody were at home.
die Teller means the plates, and niemand means nobody. The form spülte is identical to the simple past here and gets its hypothetical meaning from wäre; the verb wäre stands at the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich die Gläser spülen.
Tomorrow I will wash the glasses.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Gläser means the glasses. Werde is in position two and the infinitive spülen goes to the end; die Gläser is accusative as the object.
Bitte spül die Toilette!
Please flush the toilet!
bitte means please, and die Toilette means the toilet. Spül is the du imperative, while die Toilette is accusative because it is the object of the action.
Nach dem Besuch hat er die Toilette gespült.
After the visit, he flushed the toilet.
nach dem Besuch means after the visit, and er means he. Nach takes the dative, while die Toilette is accusative; gespült is the Partizip II and stands at the end.
die Spülmaschine — dishwasher
The compound Spülmaschine combines spülen, to wash, with Maschine, machine. Its plural is regular: die Spülmaschinen.
Die Spülmaschine ist voll.
The dishwasher is full.
voll means full. Die Spülmaschine is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two; voll is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Ich räume die Spülmaschine ein.
I load the dishwasher.
räume ... ein means load or put things into, and ein means in in this separable verb. Die Spülmaschine is accusative because einräumen takes an object; the finite part räume is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Ich gebe der Spülmaschine neues Geschirr.
I put clean dishes in the dishwasher.
neues Geschirr means clean or new dishes, and geben means to give or put. Der Spülmaschine is dative because it is the recipient or destination, while neues Geschirr is accusative; gebe is in position two.
Die Tür der Spülmaschine ist offen.
The dishwasher door is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Der Spülmaschine is genitive and means of the dishwasher; the genitive phrase specifies which door, while ist is in position two.
In vielen Küchen stehen Spülmaschinen.
There are dishwashers in many kitchens.
in vielen Küchen means in many kitchens, and stehen means stand or are located. In takes the dative for a fixed location, while Spülmaschinen is the plural subject in the nominative.
die Tasse — cup, mug
A Tasse is usually smaller than a Becher and often has a handle. It is also used in measurements such as eine Tasse Kaffee, meaning “a cup of coffee”.
Die Tasse ist auf dem Tisch.
The cup is on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Tasse is nominative because it is the subject of ist; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich nehme die Tasse.
I take the cup.
nehmen means to take. Die Tasse is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; for this feminine noun, die is the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich trinke aus der Tasse.
I drink from the cup.
trinken means to drink, and aus means from or out of. Aus always takes the dative, so der Tasse is dative; trinke stands in position two.
Der Henkel der Tasse ist kaputt.
The handle of the cup is broken.
der Henkel means the handle, and kaputt means broken. Der Tasse is genitive because it shows which cup the handle belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist is in position two.
Die Tassen stehen in der Küche.
The cups are in the kitchen.
stehen means are standing or are placed, and die Küche is the kitchen. Die Tassen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural is made by adding -n.
der Teller — plate; bank clerk, teller
The plural Teller looks exactly like the singular, so always check the article or verb. For a bowl, use Schüssel, not Teller.
Der Teller steht auf dem Tisch.
The plate is on the table.
steht means “is standing”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Der Teller is nominative because it is the subject, while dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the verb steht is in position two.
Ich nehme den Teller.
I take the plate.
nehme means “take”, and ich means “I”. Den Teller is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Sie gibt dem Teller einen neuen Platz.
She gives the plate a new place.
gibt means “gives”, and einen neuen Platz means “a new place”. Dem Teller is dative because it is the indirect object of geben, while einen neuen Platz is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Tellers ist blau.
The colour of the plate is blue.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and blau means “blue”. Des Tellers is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Teller stehen in der Küche.
The plates are in the kitchen.
stehen means “are standing”, and in der Küche means “in the kitchen”. Teller is plural with no ending, and der Küche is dative because in expresses a fixed location.
Der Teller zählt das Geld.
The bank clerk counts the money.
zählt means “counts”, and das Geld means “the money”. Der Teller is nominative as the subject, while das Geld is accusative because zählen takes a direct object.
Ich spreche mit dem Teller.
I am speaking with the bank clerk.
spreche means “speak”, and mit means “with”. Dem Teller is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
der Toaster — toaster
The plural Toaster looks exactly like the singular, so the article or another determiner shows the number. The related verb is toasten, to toast.
Der Toaster steht in der Küche.
The toaster is in the kitchen.
steht means is standing and in der Küche means in the kitchen. Der Toaster is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich benutze den Toaster.
I use the toaster.
benutze means use. Den Toaster is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Toaster eine Pause.
I give the toaster a break.
gebe means give, eine Pause means a break, and Pause is a feminine noun. Dem Toaster is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while eine Pause is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Toasters gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the toaster.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means is pleasing to me. Des Toasters is genitive because it identifies which toaster; mir is dative because gefallen puts the person who likes something in the dative.
In dem Geschäft stehen neue Toaster.
There are new toasters in the shop.
in dem Geschäft means in the shop, stehen means are standing, and neue means new. Toaster has the same form in singular and plural; neue and the context show that it is plural.
der Topf — pot, saucepan; container
Topf usually means a cooking pot, but it can also mean a container for plants, as in Blumentopf. Its plural is Töpfe, with an umlaut.
Der Topf ist auf dem Herd.
The pot is on the cooker.
auf dem Herd means on the cooker or stove. Der Topf is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Topf.
I am taking the pot.
nehme means take. Den Topf is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; masculine der changes to den in the accusative.
Sie kocht im Topf eine Suppe.
She is cooking a soup in the pot.
kocht means cooks, and eine Suppe means a soup. Im Topf means in dem Topf and is dative because in describes a fixed location; eine Suppe is the accusative object.
Der Deckel des Topfes fehlt.
The lid of the pot is missing.
der Deckel means the lid, and fehlt means is missing. Des Topfes is genitive because it shows which pot the lid belongs to; masculine genitive uses des and usually adds -es.
Die Töpfe stehen in der Küche.
The pots are in the kitchen.
stehen means stand or are standing, and die Küche is the kitchen. Töpfe is the plural with an umlaut and -e; in der Küche is dative because it describes a location.
umrühren — to stir
Umrühren is a separable verb and normally takes an accusative object such as die Suppe. Its perfect uses haben: hat umgerührt, not ist umgerührt.
Ich rühre die Suppe gut um.
I stir the soup well.
die Suppe is soup and gut means well. Die Suppe is accusative because umrühren takes a direct object; the finite verb rühre is in position two and um goes to the end.
Wir haben die Soße vorsichtig umgerührt.
We stirred the sauce carefully.
die Soße is sauce and vorsichtig means carefully. Umgerührt pairs with haben because stirring is an action on an object, and the participle stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Er rührte den Tee langsam um.
He stirred the tea slowly.
den Tee means the tea and langsam means slowly. Den Tee is accusative as the direct object; the past form rührte is in position two and um is separated to the end.
Rühr die Suppe bitte um!
Please stir the soup!
bitte means please and die Suppe is the soup. This informal singular imperative puts rühr first and um at the end; the soup is accusative because it is the object being stirred.
Du solltest die Mischung öfter umrühren.
You should stir the mixture more often.
die Mischung means the mixture and öfter means more often. Solltest expresses advice, while the whole infinitive umrühren stays at the end; die Mischung is accusative as the direct object.
Ich werde die Suppe gleich umrühren.
I will stir the soup in a moment.
gleich means in a moment or shortly, and die Suppe is the soup. Future werde stands in position two and the whole infinitive umrühren goes to the end; the soup is accusative.
die Untertasse — saucer
Die Untertasse is the small plate that belongs under a cup. It is a compound of unter, meaning under, and Tasse, meaning cup.
Die Untertasse steht auf dem Tisch.
The saucer is on the table.
steht means is standing or is placed, and der Tisch means the table. Die Untertasse is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch describes a fixed location and therefore uses the dative.
Ich nehme die Untertasse.
I take the saucer.
Ich nehme means I take, and nehmen is an irregular verb. die Untertasse is accusative because it is the direct object; with a feminine noun, the nominative and accusative article are both die.
Die Tasse steht auf der Untertasse.
The cup is on the saucer.
Die Tasse means the cup, and steht means is standing or is placed. auf der Untertasse is dative because auf describes a location here, not movement; the feminine dative article is der.
Der Rand der Untertasse ist blau.
The rim of the saucer is blue.
Der Rand means the rim, and blau means blue. der Untertasse is genitive because it tells whose rim it is; the subject Der Rand is singular, so the verb is ist.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Untertassen.
There are three saucers on the table.
Auf dem Tisch means on the table, and liegen means are lying or are placed. drei Untertassen is the plural subject, while dem Tisch is dative because auf expresses a fixed location.
der Wasserhahn — tap, faucet
The compound combines Wasser (water) and Hahn (tap or rooster). In everyday German, Wasserhahn normally means the tap, not a bird.
Der Wasserhahn ist kaputt.
The tap is broken.
kaputt means broken. Der Wasserhahn is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich repariere den Wasserhahn.
I am repairing the tap.
reparieren means to repair. Den Wasserhahn is accusative because reparieren takes an accusative object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Das Wasser läuft aus dem Wasserhahn.
The water is running from the tap.
laufen means to run or flow, and aus means from or out of. Aus always takes the dative, so masculine der Wasserhahn becomes dem Wasserhahn.
Die Dichtung des Wasserhahns ist locker.
The tap's seal is loose.
die Dichtung means the seal and locker means loose. Des Wasserhahns is genitive because it identifies which seal; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
In der Küche gibt es zwei Wasserhähne.
There are two taps in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, and zwei means two. Zwei Wasserhähne is accusative after es gibt; the plural has the vowel change a to ä and takes die when definite.