Appearance
Vocab: Kitchen — A2 ​
Kitchen vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abschneiden — to cut off, to cut shorter; to do, to perform ​
It is a strong separable verb: abschneiden – schnitt ab – hat abgeschnitten. The object is usually accusative, and the prefix ab separates in a main clause.
Ich schneide ein Stück Brot ab.
I cut off a piece of bread.
ein Stück Brot means a piece of bread. The finite verb schneide is in position two, while the separable prefix ab goes to the end; ein Stück Brot is accusative because abschneiden takes an accusative object.
Wir haben die alten Zweige abgeschnitten.
We cut off the old branches.
die alten Zweige means the old branches. The perfect uses haben plus abgeschnitten, and the Partizip II stands at the end; die alten Zweige is accusative as the object of abschneiden.
Er schnitt das Papier sauber ab.
He cut the paper neatly.
das Papier means the paper, and sauber means neatly or cleanly. The past form schnitt is in position two and ab is at the end; das Papier is accusative because it is the thing being cut.
Schneid die Enden ab!
Cut off the ends!
die Enden means the ends. The informal singular imperative is schneid; the separable prefix ab stays at the end, and die Enden is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich die Hecke abschneiden.
If I had more time, I would cut the hedge.
mehr Zeit means more time, and die Hecke means the hedge. In the wenn-clause, the finite verb hätte goes to the end; in the main clause, würde is in position two and the complete infinitive abschneiden goes to the end.
Morgen schneide ich die Hecke ab.
Tomorrow I will cut the hedge.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Hecke means the hedge. The sentence uses present tense for a future plan; schneide is in position two and ab is at the end, while die Hecke is accusative.
Sie hat bei der Prüfung sehr gut abgeschnitten.
She did very well in the exam.
bei der Prüfung means in the exam, and sehr gut means very well. The phrase bei takes the dative here, and the perfect form abgeschnitten stands at the end with haben.
Unsere Mannschaft schneidet in diesem Jahr besser ab.
Our team is doing better this year.
unsere Mannschaft means our team, in diesem Jahr means this year, and besser means better. The finite verb schneidet is in position two and ab is at the end; in diesem Jahr is dative because it describes a time period.
braten — to fry, to roast ​
braten is a strong verb: braten - briet - hat gebraten. Its vowel changes to brät in the third-person singular present, and the food being fried or roasted is usually an accusative object.
Ich brate heute Gemüse.
I am frying vegetables today.
heute means today and Gemüse means vegetables. Gemüse is accusative because braten takes a direct object, and the finite verb brate is in position two.
Wir haben den Fisch gebraten.
We fried the fish.
wir means we and der Fisch means the fish. den Fisch is accusative because it is the object of braten; the auxiliary haben is in position two and gebraten goes to the end.
Meine Großmutter briet Kartoffeln in der Pfanne.
My grandmother fried potatoes in the pan.
meine Großmutter means my grandmother, Kartoffeln means potatoes, and die Pfanne means the pan. briet is the strong Präteritum form; in der Pfanne is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Brat das Fleisch langsam!
Roast the meat slowly!
das Fleisch means the meat and langsam means slowly. Brat is the du imperative, and das Fleisch is accusative as the direct object; the subject du is left out.
Wenn er mehr Zeit hätte, bräte er das Gemüse selbst.
If he had more time, he would fry the vegetables himself.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, selbst means himself, and Gemüse means vegetables. bräte is the Konjunktiv II form of braten; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while bräte stands in position two in the main clause.
Heute Abend werde ich einen Fisch braten.
This evening I will fry a fish.
heute Abend means this evening and einen Fisch means a fish. einen Fisch is accusative because it is the object; werde is in position two and the infinitive braten goes to the end.
die Dose — can, tin; container ​
Dose can mean a can or tin for food and drink, and in everyday speech it can also mean a small container. The plural is regular: Dosen.
Die Dose ist leer.
The can is empty.
leer means empty. Die Dose is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Dose.
I am buying the can.
ich means I and kaufe means buy. Die Dose is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the accusative article remains die.
Er trinkt aus der Dose.
He drinks from the can.
er means he, trinkt means drinks, and aus means from or out of. Aus always takes the dative, so der Dose is dative; the finite verb trinkt is in position two.
Der Deckel der Dose ist kaputt.
The lid of the can is broken.
der Deckel means the lid and kaputt means broken. Der Dose is genitive because it identifies whose lid it is; feminine genitive has the same noun form as the singular, but the article is der.
Im Schrank stehen viele Dosen.
There are many cans in the cupboard.
im Schrank means in the cupboard, stehen means stand or are placed, and viele means many. Dosen is the plural subject, formed with -n; because the sentence begins with a location, the verb stehen comes before the subject.
der Eierkarton — egg carton ​
An Eierkarton protects eggs during storage and transport. It is a compound: Eier means eggs and Karton means carton; the final part determines the gender, so it is der.
Der Eierkarton steht in der Küche.
The egg carton is in the kitchen.
stehen means to stand or be placed, and die Küche is the kitchen. Der Eierkarton is nominative because it is the subject; in der Küche is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich stelle den Eierkarton auf den Tisch.
I put the egg carton on the table.
stellen means to put something upright, and der Tisch is the table. Den Eierkarton is accusative because it is the object of stelle; auf den Tisch is also accusative because auf expresses movement to a place.
Sie gibt dem Eierkarton einen neuen Platz.
She gives the egg carton a new place.
geben means to give, and neu means new. Dem Eierkarton is dative because it is the thing receiving a place, while einen neuen Platz is accusative.
Der Deckel des Eierkartons ist kaputt.
The lid of the egg carton is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. Des Eierkartons is genitive because the lid belongs to the carton; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Im Supermarkt stehen viele Eierkartons.
There are many egg cartons in the supermarket.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, and stehen means are standing or are placed. Eierkartons is the plural with -s; after viele, the noun has no article.
einlegen — to put in, insert; to pickle, preserve; to take a break ​
Einlegen takes an accusative object: etwas einlegen. It is separable, so ein moves to the end in a main clause but stays attached in einzulegen and eingelegt.
Ich lege die Karte in den Umschlag ein.
I put the card into the envelope.
die Karte is the card, and der Umschlag is the envelope. Die Karte is accusative because einlegen takes a direct object; the separable verb splits, with lege in position two and ein at the end.
Ich habe die Karte in den Umschlag eingelegt.
I put the card into the envelope.
die Karte means the card, and der Umschlag means the envelope. The perfect uses habe plus eingelegt, and the Partizip II goes to the end; the destination in den Umschlag takes the accusative because it expresses movement.
Sie legte den Brief in die Schublade ein.
She put the letter into the drawer.
der Brief is the letter, and die Schublade is the drawer. Den Brief is accusative after einlegen; in the preterite the weak verb is legte ... ein, with the prefix separated in the main clause.
Leg den Schlüssel in die Tasche ein.
Put the key in the bag.
der Schlüssel means the key, and die Tasche means the bag. This is the informal singular imperative; leg comes first and the separable prefix ein goes to the end.
Ich würde die Unterlagen in den Ordner einlegen.
I would put the documents into the folder.
die Unterlagen means the documents, and der Ordner means the folder. Würde ... einlegen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive stays whole at the end, unlike the split present form.
Morgen werde ich die Fotos in das Album einlegen.
Tomorrow I will put the photos into the album.
morgen means tomorrow, die Fotos means the photos, and das Album means the album. Future uses werde in position two and the infinitive einlegen at the end; die Fotos is accusative as the direct object.
Meine Großmutter legt jedes Jahr Gurken ein.
My grandmother pickles cucumbers every year.
meine Großmutter is my grandmother, jedes Jahr means every year, and Gurken are cucumbers. Gurken is accusative as the object; legt ... ein is split because the separable verb is in a main clause.
Die Tomaten sind in Öl eingelegt.
The tomatoes are preserved in oil.
die Tomaten are the tomatoes, and Öl is oil. Here eingelegt describes the tomatoes as preserved; the verb sind is in position two and the prepositional phrase in Öl describes the preserving liquid.
Wir legen nach zwei Stunden eine Pause ein.
We take a break after two hours.
nach zwei Stunden means after two hours, and eine Pause is a break. Eine Pause is accusative because it is the object of the fixed expression eine Pause einlegen; the verb splits around the object.
Der Fahrer hat eine kurze Pause eingelegt.
The driver took a short break.
der Fahrer is the driver, and eine kurze Pause means a short break. The perfect uses hat ... eingelegt with haben; the Partizip II stands at the end and the object is accusative.
der Essig — vinegar ​
Essig is normally an uncountable substance noun, so it has no ordinary plural. To talk about different kinds, you can say Essigsorten, meaning types of vinegar.
Der Essig steht neben dem Öl.
The vinegar is next to the oil.
steht means is standing or is placed, neben means next to, and das Öl is the oil. Der Essig is nominative because it is the subject; dem Öl is dative because neben describes a fixed location here.
Ich gebe den Essig in den Salat.
I add the vinegar to the salad.
gebe means give or add, in means into, and der Salat is the salad. Den Essig is accusative because geben takes a direct object; in den Salat is also accusative because it expresses movement into the salad.
Sie gibt dem Salat Essig.
She adds vinegar to the salad.
sie means she, gibt means gives or adds, and der Salat is the salad. Essig is a mass noun used without an article here, while dem Salat is dative as the thing receiving the addition.
Der Geschmack des Essigs ist sehr stark.
The taste of the vinegar is very strong.
der Geschmack means the taste, sehr means very, and stark means strong. Des Essigs is genitive because it identifies whose taste it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
die Grillkohle — barbecue charcoal ​
Grillkohle is charcoal used for grilling food. It is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural; say ein Sack Grillkohle for a bag of charcoal.
Grillkohle ist schnell heiß.
Barbecue charcoal gets hot quickly.
heiß means hot, and schnell means quickly. Grillkohle is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; this material noun is normally used only in the singular.
Wir brauchen mehr Grillkohle.
We need more barbecue charcoal.
mehr means more, and brauchen means need. Grillkohle is an accusative object because brauchen takes an accusative object; as a mass noun, it normally has no plural.
Mit Grillkohle schmeckt das Essen besser.
Food tastes better with barbecue charcoal.
mit means with, schmecken means taste, and das Essen means the food. mit Grillkohle is dative because mit always takes the dative, but the feminine noun has the same form in the dative singular; the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Die Hitze der Grillkohle ist stark.
The heat of the barbecue charcoal is intense.
die Hitze means the heat, and stark means intense or strong. der Grillkohle is genitive because it shows what the heat belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der, while the noun itself does not change.
Im Sommer kaufen viele Familien Grillkohle.
In summer, many families buy barbecue charcoal.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele Familien means many families. Grillkohle has no normal plural because it is a mass noun; the form here is singular and is the accusative object of kaufen.
die Grillzange — barbecue tongs ​
Grillzange is a long-handled tool for turning food on a grill. Its plural is Grillzangen; although the tool often looks like two joined arms, German treats the noun as feminine singular unless a plural is intended.
Die Grillzange liegt neben dem Grill.
The barbecue tongs are lying next to the grill.
liegt means is lying, and neben dem Grill means next to the grill. Grillzange is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two; the noun is singular here.
Nimm die Grillzange, bitte.
Take the barbecue tongs, please.
nimm means take, and bitte means please. die Grillzange is an accusative object because nehmen takes an accusative object; the imperative verb nimm stands first.
Mit der Grillzange wende ich das Gemüse.
I turn the vegetables with the barbecue tongs.
wenden means turn, and das Gemüse means the vegetables. mit der Grillzange is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb wende is in position two even though the sentence begins with a prepositional phrase.
Der Griff der Grillzange ist lang.
The handle of the barbecue tongs is long.
der Griff means the handle, and lang means long. der Grillzange is genitive because it identifies which tongs the handle belongs to; the feminine noun has no special genitive ending.
In der Küche liegen zwei Grillzangen.
There are two barbecue tongs in the kitchen.
in der Küche means in the kitchen, and liegen means are lying. Grillzangen is plural after zwei and takes the plural verb liegen; its ending is -n, not -en added to a changed stem.
der Kaffeefilter — coffee filter ​
This compound combines der Kaffee (coffee) and der Filter (filter). The plural is usually unchanged: die Kaffeefilter.
Der Kaffeefilter liegt neben der Kaffeemaschine.
The coffee filter is next to the coffee machine.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and die Kaffeemaschine is the coffee machine. Der Kaffeefilter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche einen Kaffeefilter für den Morgenkaffee.
I need a coffee filter for my morning coffee.
brauche means need, für means for, and der Morgenkaffee is morning coffee. Einen Kaffeefilter is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für also takes the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kaffeefilter das Kaffeepulver.
I put the coffee grounds into the coffee filter.
gebe means give or put, das Kaffeepulver means coffee grounds, and geben can take a recipient or container in the dative. Dem Kaffeefilter is dative, while das Kaffeepulver is accusative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Kaffeefilters ist weiß.
The coffee filter's colour is white.
die Farbe means colour and weiß means white. Des Kaffeefilters is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the noun takes -s and the article is des.
Die Kaffeefilter liegen in der Schublade.
The coffee filters are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying, in means in, and die Schublade is the drawer. Kaffeefilter has the same form in the singular and plural, but die and the plural verb liegen show that several filters are meant.
die Konservendose — tin, can ​
die Konservendose is a compound: Konserve means preserved food and Dose means can or tin. It normally refers to the container, while the food inside may also be called a Konserve.
Die Konservendose steht im Schrank.
The tin is in the cupboard.
steht means stands or is located, im Schrank means in the cupboard, and Schrank means cupboard. die Konservendose is the nominative subject; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes location, not movement.
Ich öffne die Konservendose.
I open the tin.
öffne means open. die Konservendose is the accusative object of öffnen, and the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester eine Konservendose.
I give my sister a tin.
gebe means give, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. meiner Schwester is dative because geben has a recipient, while eine Konservendose is the accusative thing being given.
Der Deckel der Konservendose ist kaputt.
The lid of the tin is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. der Konservendose is a genitive attribute meaning of the tin; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Supermarkt stehen viele Konservendosen.
There are many tins in the supermarket.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. im is in dem and forces the dative for location, while viele Konservendosen is the plural subject.
der Korken — cork, stopper ​
der Korken is a weak masculine noun: it takes -n in the accusative and dative singular, as in den Korken and dem Korken. Do not confuse the stopper Korken with the material Kork, which means cork.
Der Korken steckt in der Flasche.
The cork is stuck in the bottle.
steckt means is stuck, and die Flasche means the bottle. Der Korken is nominative because it is the subject; in der Flasche describes a location and therefore uses the dative.
Ich ziehe den Korken heraus.
I am pulling out the cork.
ziehe ... heraus means pull out. Den Korken is accusative because herausziehen takes a direct object; in this main clause the separable verb splits, with ziehe in position two and heraus at the end.
Sie gibt dem Korken einen neuen Platz.
She gives the cork a new place.
gibt means gives, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. Dem Korken is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Platz is the accusative thing being given; the weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Die Farbe des Korkens ist hell.
The colour of the cork is light.
die Farbe means the colour, and hell means light or pale. Des Korkens expresses possession in the genitive; this weak masculine noun has -ens, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Korken liegen auf dem Tisch.
The corks are lying on the table.
liegen means lie or be lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Korken has the same form as the singular noun but a plural article; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Krug — jug, pitcher; drinking vessel, mug ​
In everyday German, der Krug is usually a jug or pitcher for drinks. The plural is die Krüge, with an umlaut.
Der Krug steht auf dem Tisch.
The jug is on the table.
stehen means to stand or be placed, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Krug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich stelle den Krug auf den Tisch.
I put the jug on the table.
stellen means to put upright, and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Den Krug is accusative because it is the object of stelle; auf takes accusative here because the sentence expresses movement toward a place.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester Wasser aus dem Krug ein.
I pour water from the jug for my sister.
schenken means to give, meiner Schwester means for my sister, and einschenken means to pour a drink. Dem Krug is dative after aus, and the separable verb appears as schenke ... ein in the main clause.
Der Deckel des Kruges ist kaputt.
The lid of the jug is broken.
der Deckel is the lid and kaputt means broken. Des Kruges is genitive because it tells whose lid it is; the masculine noun takes -es after des.
Auf dem Markt verkaufen sie schöne Krüge.
They sell beautiful jugs at the market.
auf dem Markt means at the market, verkaufen means sell, and schön means beautiful. Krüge is plural after schöne; the umlaut and plural ending must not be omitted.
Der Wirt stellt einen Krug Bier auf den Tisch.
The innkeeper puts a jug of beer on the table.
der Wirt is the innkeeper, stellt ... auf den Tisch means puts ... on the table, and Bier is beer. Einen Krug is accusative because it is what the innkeeper puts there; the verb stellt is in position two.
Die Gäste trinken aus großen Krügen.
The guests drink from large mugs.
die Gäste are the guests, trinken means drink, and groß means large. Aus takes the dative, so the plural appears as großen Krügen with the dative plural ending -n.
die Köchin — female cook, female chef ​
Köchin is the feminine form of Koch, a woman who prepares food professionally or at home. In a restaurant, it can mean female chef.
Die Köchin bereitet das Abendessen zu.
The chef prepares dinner.
bereitet ... zu means prepares, and das Abendessen means dinner. Die Köchin is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb zubereiten puts bereitet in position two and zu at the end.
Der Besitzer lobt die Köchin.
The owner praises the chef.
der Besitzer means the owner, and lobt means praises. Die Köchin is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the feminine article is unchanged from nominative.
Der Kellner dankt der Köchin.
The waiter thanks the chef.
der Kellner means the waiter, and dankt means thanks. Der Köchin is dative because danken always takes a dative person, not an accusative person.
Das Rezept der Köchin ist geheim.
The chef's recipe is secret.
das Rezept means the recipe, and geheim means secret. Der Köchin is genitive because it shows who the recipe belongs to; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Die Köchinnen arbeiten heute bis spät.
The female chefs are working late today.
arbeiten means are working, heute means today, and bis spät means until late. Köchinnen is plural with -innen, and the plural keeps the umlaut ö.
die Küchenhilfe — kitchen assistant, kitchen helper ​
This usually means a person, not general help in a kitchen. The plural is Küchenhilfen, with -n.
Die Küchenhilfe beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The kitchen assistant starts at six o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Küchenhilfe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Der Chef ruft die Küchenhilfe.
The chef calls the kitchen assistant.
der Chef means the boss or chef, and ruft means calls. Die Küchenhilfe is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in both nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Küchenhilfe die Kiste.
I give the kitchen assistant the crate.
gebe means give, and die Kiste is the crate. Der Küchenhilfe is dative because it is the person receiving something; die Kiste is the accusative thing being given.
Die Aufgaben der Küchenhilfe sind klar.
The kitchen assistant's tasks are clear.
die Aufgaben means the tasks, and klar means clear. Der Küchenhilfe is genitive because it shows possession or connection; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Heute arbeiten drei Küchenhilfen in der Kantine.
Today three kitchen assistants are working in the cafeteria.
heute means today, drei means three, and die Kantine is the cafeteria. Küchenhilfen is plural with -n, and the plural subject comes before the finite verb arbeiten in position two.
kühlen — to cool, to chill ​
Kühlen normally takes an accusative object: etwas kühlen, to cool something. It can also be used reflexively, as in sich kühlen, to cool oneself or a body part.
Der Kühlschrank kühlt das Essen.
The refrigerator cools the food.
der Kühlschrank means the refrigerator and das Essen means the food. Das Essen is accusative because kühlen takes a direct object; the finite verb kühlt is in position two.
Wir haben die Suppe gekühlt.
We cooled the soup.
die Suppe means the soup. Die Suppe is accusative because it is the object of kühlen; the perfect uses haben plus gekühlt, which goes to the end of the clause.
Sie kühlte den Tee.
She cooled the tea.
sie means she and der Tee means the tea. Den Tee is accusative as the direct object, and the weak-verb preterite kühlte stands in position two.
Kühl die Flasche bitte!
Please chill the bottle!
die Flasche means the bottle and bitte means please. The subject du is omitted in an imperative, and die Flasche is accusative because it is the object being cooled.
Wenn wir das Wasser früher kühlten, könnten wir es sofort trinken.
If we cooled the water earlier, we could drink it immediately.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, and sofort means immediately. The example uses kühlten as a Konjunktiv II form in a hypothetical conditional; das Wasser is accusative, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Ich werde die Getränke im Kühlschrank kühlen.
I will chill the drinks in the refrigerator.
die Getränke means the drinks, and im Kühlschrank means in the refrigerator. Die Getränke is accusative as the object; in the future, werde is in position two and the infinitive kühlen goes to the end.
mischen — to mix, to blend ​
mischen takes a direct accusative object for the things being combined. Its perfect is formed with haben, not sein, and the related verb vermischen has a separable-looking meaning but is not the same basic form.
Ich mische Mehl und Wasser.
I mix flour and water.
Mehl means flour and Wasser means water. Both are accusative objects because mischen combines directly with the things being mixed, and the finite verb mische stands in position two.
Wir haben die Farben gemischt.
We mixed the colours.
die Farben means the colours. Die Farben is accusative because mischen takes a direct object; haben is in position two and gemischt goes to the end.
Sie mischte den Teig mit einem Löffel.
She mixed the dough with a spoon.
der Teig means the dough and ein Löffel means a spoon. Den Teig is accusative because it is the object of mischen, while mit forces the dative in einem Löffel; mischte stands in position two.
Misch den Saft mit Wasser!
Mix the juice with water!
der Saft means the juice and Wasser means water. Den Saft is accusative as the object, and mit forces the dative even though the mass noun Wasser has no visible article; the informal command uses misch, not mischst.
Ich würde die Zutaten zuerst mischen.
I would mix the ingredients first.
die Zutaten means the ingredients and zuerst means first. Die Zutaten is accusative because it is the object of mischen; in a würde construction, würde is finite in position two and the infinitive mischen goes to the end.
Morgen mischen wir die beiden Flüssigkeiten.
Tomorrow we will mix the two liquids.
morgen means tomorrow, beide means both, and die Flüssigkeiten means the liquids. Die beiden Flüssigkeiten is accusative as the object; werden is omitted from the bracketed headword form here because the sentence uses the present for a clear future time, with mischen in position two.
die Mischung — mixture, blend, combination ​
die Mischung can mean a physical mixture or a combination of different types or elements. The plural is Mischungen, and eine Mischung aus is a common pattern for naming what it contains.
Die Mischung ist sehr süß.
The mixture is very sweet.
süß means sweet and sehr means very. Die Mischung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich probiere die Mischung.
I am trying the mixture.
probieren means to try or taste. Die Mischung is accusative because probieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb probiere stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Suppe eine Mischung aus Kräutern bei.
I add a mixture of herbs to the soup.
die Suppe means the soup, Kräuter means herbs, and beigeben means add. Eine Mischung is accusative because it is what is added, while der Suppe is dative because it is the recipient; the separable verb appears as gebe ... bei.
Der Geschmack der Mischung überrascht mich.
The taste of the mixture surprises me.
der Geschmack means the taste and überraschen means surprise. Der Mischung is genitive because it shows what the taste belongs to, while mich is accusative as the person affected.
Im Laden gibt es viele Mischungen.
There are many mixtures in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop and viele means many. Mischungen is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
die Platte — plate, panel, slab; record; record, vinyl record ​
die Platte can mean a flat object such as a plate or panel, and in music it can mean a record. The context tells you which meaning is intended; the plural is always Platten.
Die Platte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The plate is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and der Tisch means the table. Die Platte is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Ich stelle die Platte auf den Tisch.
I put the plate on the table.
stelle means put or place, and der Tisch means the table. die Platte is accusative because it is the object of stellen; auf den Tisch is accusative because the plate is moved onto the table.
Wir geben der Platte einen neuen Rahmen.
We are giving the panel a new frame.
geben means give, ein neuer Rahmen means a new frame, and neu means new. der Platte is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while einen neuen Rahmen is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe der Platte passt zum Tisch.
The colour of the panel matches the table.
die Farbe means the colour, passen means match, and der Tisch means the table. der Platte is genitive and means of the panel; zum means zu dem, and zu takes the dative.
Im Keller stehen alte Platten.
Old panels are standing in the cellar.
im Keller means in the cellar, stehen means are standing, and alt means old. Platten is the plural subject; im Keller is dative because in expresses a fixed location.
Mein Vater hört eine alte Platte.
My father is listening to an old record.
mein Vater means my father, hört means listens to, and alt means old. eine alte Platte is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb hört is in position two.
Diese Platte klingt noch sehr gut.
This record still sounds very good.
diese means this, klingt means sounds, and noch means still. Diese Platte is nominative because it is the subject; klingt stands in position two, and sehr gut describes how it sounds.
rühren — to stir; to touch, to move emotionally ​
For the physical meaning, rühren takes an accusative object such as die Suppe. With sich, sich rühren means to move, while Das rührt mich means that touches or moves me emotionally.
Ich rühre die Suppe um.
I stir the soup.
die Suppe is soup and um means around or thoroughly in this separable expression. die Suppe is accusative because rühren takes an accusative object, and the finite verb rühre stands in position two while um moves to the end.
Ich habe die Suppe gerührt.
I stirred the soup.
die Suppe is soup. The perfect uses habe plus gerührt because rühren takes haben; gerührt stands at the end, and the object is accusative.
Früher rührte sie den Teig mit einem Holzlöffel.
She used to stir the dough with a wooden spoon.
früher means formerly, der Teig is dough, and der Holzlöffel is wooden spoon. den Teig is accusative because it is the object of rührte, while mit einem Holzlöffel is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Rühr bitte die Soße!
Please stir the sauce!
bitte means please and die Soße is sauce. Rühr is the du imperative, and die Soße is accusative because it is the object; the subject du is normally left out in a command.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, rührte ich den Teig selbst.
If I had more time, I would stir the dough myself.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and selbst means myself or personally. In the wenn clause, hätte goes to the end; the second clause uses rührte as Konjunktiv II for an unreal or hypothetical situation.
Morgen werde ich die Suppe rühren.
Tomorrow I will stir the soup.
morgen means tomorrow and die Suppe is soup. Future I uses werde in position two and the infinitive rühren at the end; die Suppe is accusative because it is the object.
Deine Nachricht rührt mich sehr.
Your message touches me deeply.
deine Nachricht is your message and sehr means very or deeply here. mich is accusative because the person emotionally affected is the object of rühren, and the finite verb rührt stands in position two.
Der Film hat sie zu Tränen gerührt.
The film moved her to tears.
der Film is the film and zu Tränen means to tears. sie is accusative because the film moves her emotionally; the perfect uses hat and places gerührt at the end.
die Tischdecke — tablecloth ​
Die Tischdecke is a cloth that covers a table. Do not confuse it with das Tischtuch, which has the same basic meaning.
Die Tischdecke ist weiß.
The tablecloth is white.
weiß means white. Die Tischdecke is nominative because it is the subject, and the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Tischdecke.
I am buying a new tablecloth.
kaufen means to buy and neu means new. Eine neue Tischdecke is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Auf der Tischdecke steht eine Vase.
There is a vase on the tablecloth.
auf means on, stehen means stand, and eine Vase is a vase. Auf der Tischdecke is dative because it describes a fixed location; the verb steht comes before the subject after the opening phrase.
Die Farbe der Tischdecke passt zum Geschirr.
The colour of the tablecloth matches the crockery.
die Farbe means colour, passen means to match, and das Geschirr means crockery. Der Tischdecke is genitive after die Farbe, showing whose colour it is; passt is in position two.
Im Schrank liegen drei Tischdecken.
There are three tablecloths in the cupboard.
der Schrank means cupboard, liegen means lie, and drei means three. Tischdecken is the plural; after the opening location phrase, liegen comes before the subject.
das Tischtuch — tablecloth ​
Das Tischtuch is another word for a tablecloth. It is a compound of der Tisch and das Tuch, meaning cloth.
Das Tischtuch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The tablecloth is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Tischtuch is nominative because it is the subject; the verb liegt is in position two.
Sie legt das Tischtuch auf den Tisch.
She puts the tablecloth on the table.
legen means to put something down, and sie means she. Das Tischtuch is accusative because it is the direct object; auf den Tisch is also accusative because auf shows movement towards a destination.
Die Teller stehen auf dem Tischtuch.
The plates are on the tablecloth.
die Teller means the plates and stehen means stand. Dem Tischtuch is dative because auf describes a fixed location; stehen is in position two.
Die Farbe des Tischtuchs ist blau.
The colour of the tablecloth is blue.
die Farbe means colour and blau means blue. Des Tischtuchs is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the verb ist remains in position two.
Im Laden gibt es viele Tischtücher.
There are many tablecloths in the shop.
der Laden means shop, geben in es gibt means there is or there are, and viele means many. Tischtücher is the plural, with ü and -er; after es gibt, the object is accusative even though the plural article is viele.
vermischen — to mix; to blend ​
Vermischen is a weak verb with the inseparable prefix ver-, so its Partizip II is vermischt, not gevermischt. It normally takes an accusative object for the things being mixed.
Ich vermische Mehl und Wasser.
I mix flour and water.
Mehl means flour, and Wasser means water. Both objects are accusative because vermischen takes the things being mixed as direct objects; the finite verb vermische stands in position two.
Wir haben die Farben vermischt.
We mixed the colours.
die Farben means the colours. Die Farben is accusative because it is the object of vermischen; the perfect uses haben, and vermischt goes to the end of the clause.
Sie vermischte Zucker und Salz.
She mixed sugar and salt.
Zucker means sugar, and Salz means salt. The two substances are accusative objects, while the weak-verb form vermischte stands in position two.
Vermisch die Zutaten gut!
Mix the ingredients well!
die Zutaten means the ingredients, and gut means well. Vermisch is the singular imperative, so the subject du is omitted; the accusative object follows the command.
Ich würde die beiden Flüssigkeiten nicht vermischen.
I would not mix the two liquids.
die beiden Flüssigkeiten means the two liquids, and nicht means not. Würde plus the infinitive vermischen expresses a hypothetical or cautious statement; the object is accusative and the infinitive goes to the end.
Wir werden die Zutaten später vermischen.
We will mix the ingredients later.
später means later, and die Zutaten means the ingredients. Werden forms the future, while the infinitive vermischen goes to the end; the ingredients are accusative because they are directly mixed.
verschütten — to spill; to bury, to cover ​
The object is usually a liquid or loose material. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein.
Ich verschütte den Kaffee.
I spill the coffee.
der Kaffee means coffee. Den Kaffee is accusative because verschütten takes a direct object, and the finite verb verschütte is in position two.
Sie hat die Suppe verschüttet.
She spilled the soup.
die Suppe means soup. The perfect uses hat plus verschüttet, which stands at the end; die Suppe is accusative because it is what was spilled.
Er verschüttete den Saft auf den Tisch.
He spilled the juice on the table.
der Saft means juice, and der Tisch means table. Den Saft is accusative as the object, while auf den Tisch is accusative because the juice moves onto the table.
Verschütte bitte kein Wasser!
Please do not spill any water!
bitte means please, and kein Wasser means no water. The imperative leaves out du; kein Wasser is accusative as the object, and kein is used because Wasser is uncountable here.
Ich würde beinahe die Milch verschütten.
I would almost spill the milk.
beinahe means almost, and die Milch means milk. Die Milch is accusative because it is the object; würde carries the subjunctive meaning, while the infinitive verschütten goes to the end.
Du wirst den Tee verschütten.
You will spill the tea.
der Tee means tea. Den Tee is accusative because it is what will be spilled, and wirst is in position two while verschütten goes to the end.
Die Lawine verschüttete zwei Wanderer.
The avalanche buried two hikers.
die Lawine means avalanche, and zwei Wanderer means two hikers. Zwei Wanderer is accusative because verschütten takes a direct object, and verschüttete is in position two in this past-tense main clause.
Die Arbeiter suchten nach dem verschütteten Mann.
The workers searched for the buried man.
die Arbeiter means workers, suchten means searched, and nach means for. Nach dem verschütteten Mann is dative because nach requires the dative; the participle verschüttet has an adjective ending before the noun.
zerdrücken — to crush, to squash ​
zerdrücken is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It describes pressing something until it loses its shape, not simply breaking it.
Er zerdrückt die reife Tomate.
He is squashing the ripe tomato.
er means he, reif means ripe, and die Tomate is the tomato. Die reife Tomate is accusative because zerdrücken takes a direct object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Sie hat die Banane zerdrückt.
She squashed the banana.
sie means she and die Banane is the banana. The perfect uses hat with this transitive verb, while the Partizip II zerdrückt goes to the end.
Der Junge zerdrückte das Brot.
The boy squashed the bread.
der Junge is the boy and das Brot is the bread. Das Brot is accusative as the direct object, and zerdrückte is the regular preterite form.
Zerdrück die Kartoffeln mit der Gabel!
Squash the potatoes with the fork!
die Kartoffeln are the potatoes, mit means with, and die Gabel is the fork. The object is accusative, while mit der Gabel is dative after mit; the imperative stands first.
Wenn du die Beeren zu stark drücktest, zerdrücktest du sie.
If you pressed the berries too hard, you would squash them.
die Beeren are the berries and zu stark means too hard. The wenn clause puts its finite verb at the end, and zerdrücktest is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause.
Die Maschine wird die Früchte zerdrücken.
The machine will crush the fruit.
die Maschine is the machine and die Früchte are the fruit. Die Früchte is accusative as the object; wird stands in position two and zerdrücken goes to the end.
zubereiten — to prepare (food) ​
zubereiten is a separable weak verb: bereitet zu, bereitete zu, zubereitet. It normally takes an accusative food or meal as its object and uses haben in the perfect.
Ich bereite heute das Abendessen zu.
I am preparing dinner today.
heute means today, and das Abendessen means dinner. das Abendessen is accusative because zubereiten takes a direct object; the separable verb has bereite in position two and zu at the end.
Wir haben eine Suppe zubereitet.
We prepared a soup.
eine Suppe means a soup. The accusative object follows haben, while the Partizip II zubereitet goes to the end; zubereiten takes haben, not sein, in the perfect.
Sie bereitete das Essen schnell zu.
She prepared the food quickly.
das Essen means the food, and schnell means quickly. das Essen is accusative because it is the direct object; in the simple past, bereitete is in position two and zu is separated to the end.
Bereite bitte das Gemüse zu.
Please prepare the vegetables.
bitte means please, and das Gemüse means the vegetables. The command uses the stem bereite and places the separable prefix zu at the end; das Gemüse is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde gern einen Salat zubereiten.
I would like to prepare a salad.
gern means gladly or would like to, and einen Salat means a salad. einen Salat is accusative because it is the direct object; after würde, the whole infinitive zubereiten goes to the end and is not split.
Wir werden das Frühstück gemeinsam zubereiten.
We will prepare breakfast together.
das Frühstück means breakfast, and gemeinsam means together. das Frühstück is accusative, while werden is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive zubereiten stands at the end.