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Vocab: Money — A1
Money vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
arm — poor
arm usually means having little money. It can also mean lacking something, as in arm an Erfahrung; its comparison is ärmer, am ärmsten.
Die Familie ist arm.
The family is poor.
Die Familie means the family. arm is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie wohnen in einem armen Dorf.
They live in a poor village.
wohnen means live and das Dorf means village. einem armen Dorf is dative because in describes a fixed location here; armen has the dative adjective ending after einem.
Heute sind viele Menschen ärmer als früher.
Today many people are poorer than before.
heute means today, viele Menschen means many people, and früher means before or in the past. ärmer als compares two situations; after sind, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist das ärmste Viertel der Stadt.
That is the poorest district in the city.
das Viertel means the district and die Stadt means the city. das ärmste Viertel is a superlative noun phrase, and ärmste has an adjective ending after das; der Stadt is genitive after a noun phrase showing which city.
die Bank — bench; bank; bank, financial institution
This noun has two important plurals: Bänke means benches, while Banken means financial institutions. The feminine article is die in the nominative and accusative singular.
Die Bank ist alt.
The bench is old.
alt means old. Die Bank is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich streiche die Bank.
I am painting the bench.
streiche means am painting. Die Bank is accusative because streichen takes a direct object, and the finite verb streiche is in position two.
Wir sitzen auf der Bank.
We are sitting on the bench.
sitzen means to sit. auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement; therefore die Bank becomes der Bank.
Die Farbe der Bank ist abgeblättert.
The paint on the bench has peeled off.
die Farbe means the paint, and abgeblättert means peeled off. Der Bank is genitive because it identifies whose paint it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Park stehen viele Bänke.
There are many benches in the park.
im Park means in the park, and viele means many. Bänke is the plural for seats; the umlaut and -e must not be replaced by the financial plural Banken.
Meine Schwester arbeitet bei einer Bank.
My sister works at a bank.
meine Schwester means my sister, and arbeitet means works. Bei always takes the dative, so the feminine form is einer Bank; Bank means a financial institution here.
Die Banken öffnen um neun Uhr.
The banks open at nine o’clock.
öffnen means open, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Banken is the plural for financial institutions; the finite verb öffnen stands in position two.
das Bargeld — cash, cash money
Das Bargeld is a mass noun, so it is normally singular-only and has no plural. For individual pieces, use eine Münze for a coin or ein Geldschein for a banknote.
Bargeld ist hier nicht nötig.
Cash is not necessary here.
hier means here and nötig means necessary. Bargeld is nominative because it is the subject; it is a mass noun, so it is normally used without a plural.
Ich brauche Bargeld für den Bus.
I need cash for the bus.
brauche means need, für means for, and der Bus means the bus. Bargeld is accusative as the object of brauchen, but the neuter mass noun has no visible article or ending.
Ich bezahle mit Bargeld.
I pay with cash.
bezahle means pay and mit means with. Mit Bargeld is dative because mit always takes the dative; the mass noun has no visible ending here.
Die Herkunft des Bargelds ist unklar.
The origin of the cash is unclear.
die Herkunft means origin and unklar means unclear. Des Bargelds is genitive because it identifies whose origin is meant; the neuter noun takes the ending -s.
Für den Einkauf brauche ich Bargeld.
I need cash for the shopping.
der Einkauf means the shopping or purchase, and brauche means need. This sentence shows that Bargeld has no plural: it refers to cash as an uncountable amount, not to separate items.
bezahlen — to pay, to pay for
Bezahlen normally takes the thing paid for in the accusative: etwas bezahlen. To name the person or company receiving the money, use jemandem etwas bezahlen or für jemanden bezahlen; the inseparable prefix be- means the Partizip II is bezahlt, not gebezahlt.
Ich bezahle die Rechnung.
I pay the bill.
die Rechnung means the bill, and bezahle means pay. Die Rechnung is accusative because bezahlen takes the thing paid for as a direct object, and the finite verb bezahle stands in position two.
Wir haben das Essen bezahlt.
We paid for the food.
wir means we, das Essen means the food, and Essen here means food. Bezahlt is the Partizip II and goes to the end with haben; das Essen is accusative.
Er bezahlte die Fahrkarte am Automaten.
He paid for the ticket at the machine.
die Fahrkarte means the ticket, am Automaten means at the machine, and Automat means machine. Bezahlte is the simple past form; die Fahrkarte is accusative because it is the object, while an in am takes the dative for a location.
Bezahl bitte die Rechnung.
Please pay the bill.
bitte means please, and die Rechnung means the bill. Bezahl is the du imperative, so du is omitted; the bill is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde sofort bezahlen, wenn ich Geld hätte.
I would pay immediately if I had money.
sofort means immediately, wenn means if, and Geld means money. Würde introduces the hypothetical result and the infinitive bezahlen follows it; in the wenn clause, hätte goes to the end.
Du wirst die Getränke später bezahlen.
You will pay for the drinks later.
die Getränke means the drinks and später means later. Wirst is in position two and the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end; die Getränke is accusative because they are what is paid for.
die Brieftasche — wallet
The compound Brieftasche literally contains Brief, “letter”, and Tasche, “bag”, but it normally means a wallet. It is feminine, so use die in the singular.
Die Brieftasche liegt auf dem Tisch.
The wallet is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Brieftasche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich suche die Brieftasche.
I am looking for the wallet.
suche means “am looking for”. Die Brieftasche is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Ich gebe der Brieftasche einen festen Platz.
I give the wallet a fixed place.
gebe means “give”, and einen festen Platz means “a fixed place”. Der Brieftasche is dative because it is the indirect object of geben; the direct object einen festen Platz is accusative.
Der Inhalt der Brieftasche ist wichtig.
The contents of the wallet are important.
der Inhalt means “the contents”, and wichtig means “important”. Der Brieftasche is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the wallet”; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Brieftaschen liegen in der Schublade.
The wallets are in the drawer.
liegen means “are lying”, and in der Schublade means “in the drawer”. Die Brieftaschen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -n.
der Cent — cent
Cent is the small money unit, usually one hundredth of a euro. The plural is commonly Cents; with amounts, the number normally comes before the noun, as in fünf Cents.
Der Cent liegt auf dem Tisch.
The cent is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and der Tisch is the table. Der Cent is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich habe noch einen Cent.
I still have one cent.
noch means still or left. Einen Cent is accusative because haben takes a direct object, and the masculine article changes from ein to einen in the accusative.
Sie gibt dem Cent keine Bedeutung.
She gives the cent no importance.
geben means to give and keine Bedeutung means no importance. Dem Cent is dative because it is the recipient of something given, while keine Bedeutung is accusative; this sentence is grammatical but less common than talking about giving money to a person.
Der Wert des Cents ist sehr klein.
The value of the cent is very small.
der Wert means the value and sehr klein means very small. Des Cents is genitive after der Wert to show what is being valued; Cent takes -s after des.
Fünf Cents liegen neben der Münze.
Five cents are lying next to the coin.
fünf means five, liegen means are lying, neben means next to, and die Münze is the coin. Cents is plural after fünf, and neben der Münze uses the dative because it describes location.
der Euro — euro
The plural is usually Euros, with -s, unlike many German masculine nouns. For amounts, German commonly uses Euro after a number, as in zehn Euro, without the plural ending.
Der Euro ist die Währung in Deutschland.
The euro is the currency in Germany.
die Währung means currency, and Deutschland means Germany. Der Euro is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche einen Euro für den Einkaufswagen.
I need one euro for the shopping trolley.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and der Einkaufswagen is the shopping trolley. einen Euro is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and für also always takes the accusative.
Mit einem Euro kann man den Schrank öffnen.
With one euro, you can open the locker.
mit means with, kann means can, öffnen means to open, and der Schrank means locker or cupboard. einem Euro is dative because mit always requires the dative; the modal verb kann stands in position two and öffnen goes to the end.
Der Wert eines Euros ist heute niedriger.
The value of one euro is lower today.
der Wert means value, heute means today, and niedriger means lower. eines Euros is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the singular noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Euros liegen auf dem Tisch.
The euros are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, auf means on, and der Tisch means table. Die Euros is plural and nominative as the subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Sie bezahlt jeden Morgen mit einem Euro.
She pays with one euro every morning.
bezahlt means pays, jeden Morgen means every morning, and mit means with. einem Euro is dative because mit requires the dative, while the finite verb bezahlt is in position two.
der Fahrschein — ticket, travel ticket
The compound Fahrschein combines Fahrt, journey, and Schein, ticket or document. In everyday transport language, it means a ticket for a bus, tram or train; it is not normally a ticket for a cinema or concert.
Der Fahrschein liegt in meiner Tasche.
The ticket is in my bag.
liegt means is lying, and in meiner Tasche means in my bag. Der Fahrschein is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe den Fahrschein am Automaten.
I buy the ticket at the machine.
kaufe means buy, and am Automaten means at the ticket machine. Den Fahrschein is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Fahrschein nach Berlin.
I travel to Berlin with the ticket.
fahre means travel or go, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Mit always takes the dative, so the form is dem Fahrschein.
Die Nummer des Fahrscheins ist schwer zu lesen.
The number on the ticket is difficult to read.
Die Nummer means the number, and schwer zu lesen means difficult to read. Des Fahrscheins is genitive because it identifies whose number it is, and the noun takes -s.
Die Kontrolleure prüfen alle Fahrscheine.
The inspectors check all the tickets.
Die Kontrolleure are the inspectors, and prüfen means check. Fahrscheine is plural, and it is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object.
frei — free, available, unoccupied; free, independent
Frei can mean available or unoccupied, as in ein freier Platz, and it can also mean not imprisoned or not controlled. The opposite depends on the meaning: besetzt means occupied, while unfrei means unfree.
Der Platz ist frei.
The seat is free.
der Platz means the seat or space. Frei is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ist dieser freie Tisch noch frei?
Is this empty table still available?
dieser Tisch means this table and noch means still. The first freie stands before the noun and takes -e after dieser in the nominative; in the question, the finite verb ist comes first.
Am Wochenende bin ich freier als unter der Woche.
At the weekend I am freer than during the week.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and unter der Woche means during the week. Freier compares two periods with als; after bin, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Am Sonntag bin ich am freisten.
On Sunday I am the freest.
am Sonntag means on Sunday. Am freisten is the predicative superlative after bin; the preposition an in am Sonntag requires the dative.
Jeder Mensch sollte frei entscheiden können.
Everyone should be able to decide freely.
jeder Mensch means every person, entscheiden means decide, and können means be able to. Frei is used adverbially with entscheiden; the modal verb sollte is in position two and the infinitives go to the end.
Die Bürger leben in einem freien Land.
The citizens live in a free country.
die Bürger means the citizens and Land means country. In einem freien Land is dative because in describes a location, and freien takes -en after the dative article einem.
das Geld — money
Geld is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. To talk about separate amounts, use expressions such as viel Geld or zwei Geldbeträge rather than inventing a plural of Geld.
Geld ist heute wichtig.
Money is important today.
heute means today, and wichtig means important. Geld is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche Geld für die Reise.
I need money for the journey.
ich brauche means I need, and die Reise is the journey. Geld is the accusative object of brauchen; für die Reise also uses the accusative because für always governs that case.
Meine Schwester hilft mir mit Geld.
My sister helps me with money.
meine Schwester means my sister, and hilft mir means helps me. mit Geld is dative because mit governs the dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Der Wert des Geldes sinkt.
The value of money is falling.
der Wert means the value, and sinkt means is falling. des Geldes is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the neuter noun uses des and adds -es.
der Geldautomat — ATM, cash machine
This is a compound of das Geld (money) and der Automat (machine). It is a weak masculine noun: der Geldautomat, but den Geldautomaten and des Geldautomaten.
Der Geldautomat steht vor der Bank.
The ATM is in front of the bank.
steht means is standing or is located, vor der Bank means in front of the bank, and die Bank is the bank. Der Geldautomat is the nominative subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich suche einen Geldautomaten.
I am looking for an ATM.
ich suche means I am looking for, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. einen Geldautomaten is the accusative object of suchen; this weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative singular.
Ich gehe zum Geldautomaten.
I am going to the ATM.
ich gehe means I am going, and zum means to the. zum Geldautomaten is dative because zu governs the dative; zum is short for zu dem.
Die Tür des Geldautomaten ist kaputt.
The ATM's door is broken.
die Tür means the door, and kaputt means broken. des Geldautomaten is genitive because it shows which door is meant; this weak masculine noun has -en in the genitive.
Hier stehen drei Geldautomaten.
There are three ATMs here.
hier means here, and drei means three. Geldautomaten is the plural after drei; its -en ending is easy to mistake for a singular ending, but the number shows that it is plural.
das Geldstück — coin
Ein Geldstück liegt auf dem Tisch.
A coin is lying on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Ein Geldstück is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich finde ein Geldstück unter dem Stuhl.
I find a coin under the chair.
finde means “find,” unter means “under,” and der Stuhl means “the chair.” Ein Geldstück is accusative because finden takes a direct object, while unter dem Stuhl is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Sie gibt mir ein Geldstück.
She gives me a coin.
gibt means “gives,” and mir means “to me.” Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Geldstück is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe des Geldstücks ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the coin is unusual.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and ungewöhnlich means “unusual.” Des Geldstücks is genitive because it shows possession or association, and the genitive ending -s appears on the neuter noun.
Auf dem Boden liegen drei Geldstücke.
Three coins are lying on the floor.
der Boden means “the floor,” and drei means “three.” Geldstücke is plural after drei; auf dem Boden is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
der Gutschein — voucher, gift certificate
Der Gutschein is often bought as a present or for a fixed amount of money. Einen Gutschein einlösen means to use it in a shop or online, while einen Gutschein verschenken means to give it to someone.
Der Gutschein liegt auf dem Tisch.
The voucher is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Gutschein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich habe den Gutschein gestern gekauft.
I bought the voucher yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and gekauft means bought. Den Gutschein is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and gekauft goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester einen Gutschein.
I am giving my sister a voucher as a present.
schenke means give as a present, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Einen Gutschein is accusative because it is the thing given, while meiner Schwester is dative because she receives it.
Der Wert des Gutscheins beträgt fünfzig Euro.
The value of the voucher is fifty euros.
der Wert means the value, and beträgt means amounts to. Des Gutscheins is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the masculine noun adds -s, and beträgt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Gutscheine gelten nur bis Ende Juni.
The vouchers are valid only until the end of June.
gelten means are valid or apply, and nur bis Ende Juni means only until the end of June. Die Gutscheine is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: gelten, not singular gilt.
die Kasse — checkout; cash desk; cash register; till; funds; coffers
In a shop, die Kasse can mean the checkout area or the cash register itself. an der Kasse means at the checkout; do not confuse it with Kasse meaning a health-insurance fund.
Die Kasse ist gleich dort.
The checkout is just there.
gleich dort means right there. Die Kasse is the subject in the nominative case, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche die Kasse.
I am looking for the checkout.
suche means am looking for. Die Kasse is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Ich stehe an der Kasse.
I am standing at the checkout.
stehe means am standing. An takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location, so der Kasse is dative.
Die Schlange der Kasse ist lang.
The queue at the checkout is long.
die Schlange is the queue and lang means long. Der Kasse is genitive and means of the checkout; the finite verb ist stays in position two.
Die Kassen schließen um acht.
The checkouts close at eight.
schließen means close and um acht means at eight o’clock. Die Kassen is plural and nominative, so the plural verb schließen agrees with it.
In der Kasse fehlt Geld.
There is money missing from the till.
fehlt means is missing and Geld means money. In der Kasse is dative because in describes a location here; the finite verb fehlt is in position two.
Der Verein braucht eine volle Kasse.
The club needs a full fund.
der Verein is the club, braucht means needs, and voll means full. Eine volle Kasse is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
das Konto — bank account; bill, check (restaurant)
A Konto is usually a bank account. The common verb is ein Konto eröffnen; German uses auf ein Konto for money transferred to an account.
Das Konto ist leer.
The account is empty.
leer means empty. Das Konto is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich eröffne ein Konto bei der Bank.
I am opening an account at the bank.
eröffne means open, and bei der Bank means at the bank. Ein Konto is accusative because eröffnen takes a direct object; bei always takes dative, as in der Bank.
Die Bank hilft mir mit dem Konto.
The bank helps me with the account.
die Bank means the bank, hilft means helps, and mit means with. Dem Konto is dative because mit requires dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Nummer des Kontos steht auf dem Brief.
The account number is on the letter.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or appears, and der Brief means the letter. Des Kontos is genitive because it means of the account; the singular noun takes -s.
Ich habe drei Konten.
I have three accounts.
drei means three, and habe means have. Konten is the plural of das Konto; it is accusative here because haben takes a direct object, but the plural has no special accusative ending.
Der Kellner bringt das Konto.
The waiter brings the bill.
der Kellner means the waiter, bringt means brings, and die Rechnung is the more usual modern word for a restaurant bill. Das Konto is accusative because bringen takes a direct object, and bringt is in position two.
Wir bezahlen das Konto zusammen.
We pay the bill together.
bezahlen means pay, and zusammen means together. Das Konto is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; in everyday German, die Rechnung bezahlen is more usual for a restaurant bill.
kosten — to cost; to taste, sample
The pattern is etwas kostet jemanden etwas: a thing costs someone an amount. The person is often accusative, as in Das kostet mich viel, while the price is an amount without an article; do not confuse this lowercase verb with plural die Kosten.
Das Buch kostet zehn Euro.
The book costs ten euros.
das Buch means the book, and zehn Euro means ten euros. The price is an accusative amount with kosten; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Die Reparatur hat mich zweihundert Euro gekostet.
The repair cost me two hundred euros.
die Reparatur means the repair, mich means me, and zweihundert Euro means two hundred euros. mich is accusative for the person affected and the price is an accusative amount; hat is in position two and gekostet goes to the end.
Das Essen kostete früher nur fünf Euro.
The meal used to cost only five euros.
das Essen means the meal, früher means in the past, and nur means only. kostete is the regular simple-past form in position two; fünf Euro states the price.
Koste die Suppe!
Taste the soup!
die Suppe means the soup. The imperative koste addresses one person informally, and die Suppe is accusative because it is the direct object.
Das würde mehr Zeit kosten.
That would take more time.
das means that, and mehr Zeit means more time. würde expresses a hypothetical situation and kosten remains an infinitive at the end; Zeit is an accusative amount.
Die Reise wird viel Geld kosten.
The trip will cost a lot of money.
die Reise means the trip, and viel Geld means a lot of money. wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive kosten goes to the end; the money is an accusative amount.
Ich möchte die Soße kosten.
I would like to taste the sauce.
möchte means would like, and die Soße means the sauce. die Soße is accusative because it is the direct object; after möchte, the infinitive kosten goes to the end.
Kostest du den Kuchen?
Are you tasting the cake?
du means you, and der Kuchen means the cake. In a yes-no question, the finite verb kostest comes first; den Kuchen is accusative as the thing being tasted.
der Kurs — course, class; rate, quoted value
For a series of lessons, der Kurs usually means course or class. It is different from die Klasse, which can mean a school class.
Der Kurs beginnt heute.
The course starts today.
beginnt means starts and heute means today. Der Kurs is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich besuche den Kurs zweimal pro Woche.
I attend the course twice a week.
besuche means attend and zweimal pro Woche means twice a week. Den Kurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; besuche is in position two.
Wir sprechen nach dem Kurs.
We talk after the course.
sprechen means talk and nach means after. Dem Kurs is dative because nach requires the dative; sprechen is in position two.
Die Dauer des Kurses beträgt zehn Wochen.
The course lasts ten weeks.
die Dauer means duration, beträgt means amounts to, and zehn Wochen means ten weeks. Des Kurses is genitive because it identifies the course; beträgt is in position two.
An unserer Schule gibt es drei Kurse.
There are three courses at our school.
unserer Schule means our school and gibt es means there is or there are. Kurse is the plural form after es gibt; the plural has -e and an umlaut, not -n.
Der Kurs des Euro steigt.
The euro exchange rate is rising.
des Euro means of the euro and steigt means rises. Der Kurs is nominative as the subject; des Euro is genitive, and steigt is in position two.
Der aktuelle Kurs liegt bei 1,10 Dollar.
The current rate is 1.10 dollars.
aktuelle means current, liegt bei means stands at, and Dollar means dollars. Der Kurs is nominative as the subject; liegt is in position two.
das Los — lot, lottery ticket; fate, lot in life
In the lottery sense, das Los is a ticket or a lot used in a draw. Its plural is die Lose; do not confuse this noun with the adjective los, meaning loose or wrong.
Das Los entscheidet über den Gewinner.
The draw decides the winner.
entscheidet means decides and der Gewinner is the winner. Das Los is the nominative subject of entscheidet, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich ziehe das Los.
I draw the lot.
ziehe means draw, and das Los is the lot. das Los is accusative because ziehen takes a direct object; the finite verb ziehe is in position two.
Wir vertrauen dem Los.
We trust the draw.
vertrauen means trust. The verb vertrauen takes the dative, so dem Los is dative, not accusative; the finite verb vertrauen is in position two.
Das Ergebnis des Loses überrascht alle.
The result of the draw surprises everyone.
das Ergebnis means the result and überrascht means surprises; alle means everyone. des Loses is genitive because it identifies whose result it is, and the noun adds -es in the genitive.
Viele Lose sind schon verkauft.
Many lottery tickets have already been sold.
viele means many, schon means already, and verkauft means sold. Lose is the nominative plural subject; sind verkauft is a passive-style state, so the finite verb sind is in position two.
Sie akzeptiert ihr Los.
She accepts her fate.
sie means she and akzeptiert means accepts. ihr Los is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; ihr means her and agrees with the neuter noun Los.
Er beklagt sich über sein Los.
He complains about his fate.
beklagt sich means complains, and sein Los means his fate. The reflexive verb is sich beklagen über; über takes the accusative here, so sein Los is accusative.
die Miete — rent
Miete normally means the regular payment for a rented home. The verb mieten means to rent something, while vermieten means to rent something out to another person.
Die Miete ist sehr hoch.
The rent is very high.
ist means is, sehr means very, and hoch means high. Die Miete is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Miete jeden Monat.
I pay the rent every month.
bezahle means pay and jeden Monat means every month. Die Miete is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; die looks the same in feminine nominative and accusative.
Mit der Miete ist das Geld fast weg.
After paying the rent, the money is almost gone.
mit means with, das Geld means the money, and fast weg means almost gone. Mit der Miete uses the dative because mit always takes dative; the phrase is in the first position, so ist comes directly after it.
Die Höhe der Miete überrascht mich.
The amount of the rent surprises me.
Die Höhe means the amount or level, and überrascht mich means surprises me. Der Miete is genitive because it identifies whose amount it is; mich is accusative because it is the person affected by überraschen.
Die Mieten steigen in vielen Städten.
Rents are rising in many cities.
steigen means rise, and in vielen Städten means in many cities. Die Mieten is the plural subject, formed with -n; vielen Städten is dative plural after the location phrase in.
die Münze — coin; mint
A coin is a piece of metal used as money. In the expression eine Münze werfen, people toss a coin to make a random decision.
Die Münze liegt auf dem Tisch.
The coin is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Münze is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the coin is located in one place, not moving toward it.
Ich finde die Münze unter dem Sofa.
I find the coin under the sofa.
finde means find, and unter dem Sofa means under the sofa. Die Münze is accusative because it is the object of finden; unter dem Sofa is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Er gibt der Münze keine Beachtung.
He pays no attention to the coin.
gibt means gives, and keine Beachtung means no attention. Der Münze is dative because the expression Beachtung geben gives its indirect object the dative; the more usual phrase is einer Sache Beachtung schenken.
Die Farbe der Münze ist dunkel.
The colour of the coin is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. Der Münze is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Münzen klimpern in meiner Tasche.
The coins jingle in my pocket.
klimpern means jingle, and in meiner Tasche means in my pocket. Die Münzen is a plural subject formed with -n, so the verb is plural klimpern.
Die staatliche Münze produziert neue Euro-Münzen.
The state mint produces new euro coins.
staatlich means state-owned and produziert means produces; Euro-Münzen are euro coins. Die Münze is nominative because it is the subject, while neue Euro-Münzen is the accusative object.
Die Geschichte der Münze ist sehr interessant.
The history of the mint is very interesting.
die Geschichte means the history and sehr interessant means very interesting. Der Münze is genitive because it means of the mint; context shows that Münze refers to the institution, not a single coin.
der Preis — price; prize; prize; award
der Preis commonly means the cost of something. It can also mean a prize or award, as in einen Preis gewinnen; the plural is die Preise for both meanings.
Der Preis ist zu hoch.
The price is too high.
zu hoch means too high. Der Preis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich finde den Preis fair.
I think the price is fair.
finde means think or find, and fair means fair. den Preis is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the finite verb finde is in position two.
Wir sprechen über den Preis.
We are talking about the price.
sprechen means to talk, and über means about here. über takes the accusative when it means about, so den Preis is accusative; the verb is first in the phrase after wir.
Die Höhe des Preises überrascht mich.
The amount of the price surprises me.
die Höhe means the amount or level, and überrascht means surprises. des Preises is genitive because it specifies the amount belonging to the price; mich is accusative as the person affected.
Die Preise im Supermarkt sind gestiegen.
The prices in the supermarket have risen.
im Supermarkt means in the supermarket, and gestiegen means risen. Preise is plural and the subject, while sind gestiegen is the perfect of steigen with sein.
Sie hat einen Preis gewonnen.
She won a prize.
gewonnen means won, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. einen Preis is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; the perfect uses hat plus gewonnen at the end.
Er bekam den ersten Preis.
He received first prize.
bekam means received or got, and den ersten means the first. den ersten Preis is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; bekam is the finite preterite verb in position two.
die Quittung — receipt
The everyday meaning is a receipt for payment. In shops, die Quittung and der Kassenbon can both mean “receipt”, but Kassenbon is especially common for a printed till receipt.
Die Quittung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The receipt is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Quittung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche die Quittung.
I need the receipt.
brauche means “need”. Die Quittung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kunden die Quittung.
I give the customer the receipt.
gebe means “give”, and dem Kunden means “the customer”. Die Quittung is accusative as the thing given, while dem Kunden is dative as the recipient.
Die Nummer der Quittung steht oben.
The receipt number is at the top.
die Nummer means “the number”, and oben means “at the top”. Der Quittung is genitive because it expresses possession or association: “the number of the receipt”.
Bitte bewahren Sie die Quittungen auf.
Please keep the receipts.
bewahren ... auf means “keep”, and bitte makes the request polite. Quittungen is the plural with -en; the separable verb places auf at the end of this main clause.
die Rechnung — bill, invoice; calculation, arithmetic problem
Die Rechnung usually means a bill or invoice. In mathematics, it can also mean a calculation or arithmetic problem; the plural Rechnungen is used for both meanings.
Die Rechnung kommt heute.
The bill is coming today.
kommt means comes or arrives, and heute means today. Die Rechnung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Rechnung.
I am paying the bill.
bezahle means pay. Die Rechnung is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kellner die Rechnung.
I give the bill to the waiter.
gebe means give, and der Kellner means the waiter. Dem Kellner is dative because it is the recipient, while die Rechnung is accusative as the thing given.
Die Höhe der Rechnung überrascht mich.
The amount of the bill surprises me.
die Höhe means the amount, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Der Rechnung is genitive because it specifies whose amount; mich is accusative as the person affected.
Die Rechnungen liegen auf dem Tisch.
The bills are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Rechnungen is plural nominative as the subject; auf takes dative here because the bills are already in a location, not moving onto it.
Diese Rechnung ist schwierig.
This calculation is difficult.
diese means this, and schwierig means difficult. Diese Rechnung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder lösen mehrere Rechnungen.
The children solve several calculations.
die Kinder means the children, lösen means solve, and mehrere means several. Mehrere Rechnungen is accusative because it is the object of lösen; the plural ending is -en.
der Schatz — treasure; darling, sweetheart; darling, sweetheart
For a person, Schatz is an affectionate word like darling or sweetheart. In the treasure meaning, the plural is Schätze; in the affectionate meaning, people often use the singular as a form of address.
Der Schatz liegt tief unter der Erde.
The treasure is deep underground.
liegt means is lying or is located, tief means deep, and unter der Erde means underground. Der Schatz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Kinder suchen den Schatz.
The children are looking for the treasure.
die Kinder means the children, suchen means look for, and Kinder means children. Den Schatz is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Der alte Mann erzählt den Kindern von dem Schatz.
The old man tells the children about the treasure.
der alte Mann means the old man, erzählt means tells, and von means about or of. Den Kindern is dative because erzählen gives the listeners a dative role, and von dem Schatz is also dative because von always takes the dative.
Die Geschichte von der Herkunft des Schatzes ist spannend.
The story about the origin of the treasure is exciting.
die Geschichte is the story, die Herkunft is the origin, and spannend means exciting. Des Schatzes is genitive because it identifies whose origin is meant; the genitive ending is -es.
Im Museum sehen wir viele Schätze.
In the museum we see many treasures.
im Museum means in the museum, sehen means see, and viele means many. Viele Schätze is accusative because it is the object of sehen; the plural has the vowel change a–ä and the ending -e.
Schatz, kannst du mir bitte helfen?
Darling, can you please help me?
kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and bitte helfen means please help. Schatz is a form of direct address and has no case role in the sentence; the modal verb kannst is in position two and helfen goes to the end.
Mein Schatz schenkt mir heute Blumen.
My darling is giving me flowers today.
mein means my, schenkt means gives as a present, heute means today, and Blumen means flowers. Mein Schatz is nominative as the subject, while mir is dative because schenken gives something to someone; the finite verb schenkt is in position two.
setzen — to put, place; to seat; to sit down; to sit down
The transitive use takes an accusative object: jemanden/etwas setzen. The reflexive use sich setzen means to sit down and is different from sitzen, which means to be sitting.
Ich setze das Kind auf den Stuhl.
I am putting the child on the chair.
das Kind is the child and auf den Stuhl means onto the chair. Das Kind is accusative because setzen takes a direct object, and auf den Stuhl is accusative because it expresses movement to a place; the finite verb setze is in position two.
Ich habe das Kind auf den Stuhl gesetzt.
I put the child on the chair.
habe means have and das Kind means the child; auf den Stuhl means onto the chair. The perfect uses haben plus gesetzt, which goes to the end of the clause; both objects remain accusative.
Sie setzte die Tasche neben die Tür.
She put the bag next to the door.
sie means she, die Tasche is the bag, and neben die Tür means next to the door. Die Tasche is accusative as the direct object, while neben die Tür is accusative because the bag is moved to that position; setzte is the regular simple past.
Setz dich bitte hierhin!
Please sit down here!
dich means yourself, bitte means please, and hierhin means to here. This is the reflexive use setz dich, with the reflexive pronoun in the accusative; the imperative has no subject pronoun and usually no final -e.
Ich würde die Vase auf den Tisch setzen.
I would put the vase on the table.
die Vase is the vase and auf den Tisch means onto the table. Würde setzen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive setzen goes to the end, and auf den Tisch is accusative because it expresses movement to a destination.
Morgen werde ich mich ans Fenster setzen.
Tomorrow I will sit down by the window.
morgen means tomorrow, mich means myself, and ans Fenster means by or beside the window. The future uses werde in position two and the infinitive setzen at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Wir setzen uns an den Tisch.
We sit down at the table.
uns means ourselves, and an den Tisch means to the table. The reflexive pronoun uns is accusative, and an den Tisch is accusative because the movement ends at the table; the finite verb setzen stands in position two.
Setzt euch bitte in den Kreis.
Please sit down in the circle.
euch means yourselves, bitte means please, and in den Kreis means into the circle. Setzt is the plural imperative, while euch is accusative and in den Kreis is accusative because the people move into a new position.
sparen — to save money; to economise; to save, conserve
For saving money, sparen usually appears without a reflexive pronoun. The purpose is often introduced by für plus the accusative.
Ich spare jeden Monat hundert Euro.
I save one hundred euros every month.
jeden Monat means every month, and hundert Euro means one hundred euros. Jeden Monat is an accusative time expression, while hundert Euro is the amount saved; the finite verb spare is in position two.
Wir haben für die Reise gespart.
We saved for the trip.
die Reise means the trip. Für takes the accusative, so die Reise is accusative; haben is in position two and gespart goes to the end because it is the Partizip II.
Früher sparte er sein Geld zu Hause.
In the past, he saved his money at home.
früher means in the past, sein Geld means his money, and zu Hause means at home. Sein Geld is accusative because sparen takes the thing saved as an accusative object; sparte is the finite verb in position two.
Spar etwas Geld für morgen!
Save some money for tomorrow!
etwas Geld means some money, and für morgen means for tomorrow. The informal singular imperative spar comes first, and Geld is accusative as the object of sparen.
Wenn ich mehr verdiente, sparte ich jeden Monat mehr.
If I earned more, I would save more every month.
mehr verdiente means earned more, and jeden Monat means every month. In this hypothetical sentence, sparte expresses the unreal result; the finite verb comes second in the main clause but final in the wenn clause.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich für ein Auto sparen.
Next year I will save for a car.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and für ein Auto means for a car. Für takes the accusative; werde stands in position two and the infinitive sparen goes to the end.
Bitte spar Wasser!
Please save water!
Bitte means please, and Wasser is water. The imperative spar comes first; Wasser is an uncountable accusative object.
Mit dem Bus sparen wir Zeit.
We save time by taking the bus.
mit dem Bus means by bus, and Zeit means time. Mit takes the dative, so dem Bus is dative; the phrase comes first, but the finite verb sparen remains in position two.
das Sparschwein — piggy bank
A Sparschwein is literally a saving pig, but its usual meaning is a pig-shaped container for coins. The plural is Sparschweine, with an umlaut and -e.
Das Sparschwein ist voll.
The piggy bank is full.
voll means full. Das Sparschwein is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich füttere das Sparschwein jeden Tag.
I put money in the piggy bank every day.
füttere literally means feed, but here it means put money into, and jeden Tag means every day. Das Sparschwein is accusative because füttern takes a direct object; the finite verb füttere is in position two.
Ich stecke eine Münze in das Sparschwein.
I put a coin into the piggy bank.
eine Münze means a coin, and stecke means put or insert. In takes the accusative here because the coin moves into the piggy bank; this sentence is labelled for the location-related case contrast, but the actual form is accusative.
Der Deckel des Sparschweins ist kaputt.
The lid of the piggy bank is broken.
der Deckel means the lid, and kaputt means broken. Des Sparschweins is genitive to show whose lid it is; the neuter noun takes -s.
Die Kinder haben drei Sparschweine.
The children have three piggy banks.
die Kinder means the children, and drei means three. Drei Sparschweine is an accusative object after haben; the plural form uses -e and an umlaut.
das Taschengeld — pocket money, allowance
das Taschengeld is money given regularly to a child or teenager for personal spending. It is normally a mass noun with no plural, and bekommen means to get while sparen means to save.
Das Taschengeld reicht für ein Eis.
The pocket money is enough for an ice cream.
reicht means is enough, für means for, and ein Eis means an ice cream. Das Taschengeld is nominative because it is the subject; für ein Eis is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Meine Eltern geben mir das Taschengeld am Samstag.
My parents give me my pocket money on Saturday.
Meine Eltern means my parents, geben means give, mir means to me, and am Samstag means on Saturday. das Taschengeld is accusative because it is the thing given, while mir is dative because it is the recipient.
Mit dem Taschengeld kaufe ich Süßigkeiten.
With the pocket money, I buy sweets.
mit means with, kaufe means buy, and Süßigkeiten means sweets. dem Taschengeld is dative because mit always takes the dative; the initial prepositional phrase causes kaufe to come immediately after it in position two.
Die Höhe des Taschengelds hängt vom Alter ab.
The amount of pocket money depends on age.
Höhe means amount or level, hängt ... ab means depends on, vom Alter means on age, and Alter means age. des Taschengelds is genitive because it specifies the amount's type; the separable verb places hängt in position two and ab at the end.
zahlen — to pay
zahlen takes an accusative object for the thing paid, as in die Rechnung zahlen. With für, it means to pay for something, and für always takes the accusative; the perfect uses haben: hat gezahlt.
Ich zahle die Rechnung.
I am paying the bill.
ich means I, and die Rechnung is the bill. die Rechnung is accusative because zahlen takes a direct object, and the finite verb zahle stands in position two.
Wir haben die Rechnung gezahlt.
We paid the bill.
wir means we, and die Rechnung is the bill. haben is the auxiliary and gezahlt is the Partizip II at the end of the clause; die Rechnung is accusative because it is the thing paid.
Früher zahlte mein Vater die Miete.
My father used to pay the rent.
früher means formerly or in the past, mein Vater is my father, and die Miete is the rent. zahlte is the weak-verb preterite in position two, while die Miete is accusative.
Zahl bitte bar.
Please pay in cash.
bitte means please and bar means in cash. Zahl is the informal singular imperative; the subject du is omitted, and the imperative begins the sentence.
Ich würde gern für das Essen zahlen.
I would gladly pay for the food.
gern means gladly, and für das Essen means for the food. würde ... zahlen expresses a polite or hypothetical wish; für takes the accusative, so das Essen has that form.
Morgen werde ich die Rechnung zahlen.
Tomorrow I will pay the bill.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Rechnung is the bill. werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two and zahlen goes to the end; the bill remains accusative as the direct object.