Appearance
Vocab: Money — A2 (1)
Money vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abheben — to take off; to withdraw money
For taking off, abheben normally uses sein in the perfect. A different common sense is withdrawing money: Geld abheben uses haben.
Das Flugzeug hebt ab.
The plane is taking off.
das Flugzeug means the plane. Das Flugzeug is nominative as the subject, and hebt ab is split because abheben is separable; the finite verb is in position two.
Das Flugzeug ist pünktlich abgehoben.
The plane took off on time.
pünktlich means on time. Das Flugzeug is nominative, and ist abgehoben uses sein because taking off describes movement; the participle goes to the end.
Das Flugzeug hob ab, obwohl es stark regnete.
The plane took off although it was raining heavily.
obwohl means although, stark means heavily, and regnete means was raining. Hob ab is the strong simple-past form; in the subordinate clause after obwohl, the finite verb regnete goes to the end.
Heb ab, wenn du bereit bist!
Take off when you are ready!
wenn du bereit bist means when you are ready. Heb ab is the informal singular command, with ab at the end; the subject du is normally omitted.
Wenn das Wetter besser wäre, würde das Flugzeug abheben.
If the weather were better, the plane would take off.
das Wetter means the weather, and besser means better. Wenn sends wäre to the end of its clause, while würde ... abheben expresses an unreal result and keeps the infinitive at the end.
Das Flugzeug wird abheben, sobald der Nebel weg ist.
The plane will take off as soon as the fog is gone.
sobald means as soon as, der Nebel means the fog, and weg means gone. Wird is in position two and abheben is at the end; as an infinitive, the separable verb is written as one word.
Ich muss noch Geld abheben.
I still need to withdraw money.
muss means must or need to, and noch means still. Geld is an accusative object of abheben; after the modal muss, the infinitive abheben goes to the end and stays together.
Sie hat am Automaten Geld abgehoben.
She withdrew money from the ATM.
am Automaten means at the ATM. Geld is accusative because it is what she withdraws, and this meaning takes haben in the perfect: hat abgehoben.
abschließen — to lock; to conclude, to sign, to take out; to complete, to finish
In this sense, abschließen takes the thing locked as an accusative object. Do not confuse it with zumachen, which means to close but does not necessarily imply using a key.
Er schließt ab jeden Abend die Haustür.
He locks the front door every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening and die Haustür means the front door. Die Haustür is accusative because it is the object being locked; schließt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Ich habe mein Fahrrad abgeschlossen.
I locked my bicycle.
mein Fahrrad means my bicycle. The perfect uses habe plus abgeschlossen at the end, and mein Fahrrad is accusative because it is the thing locked.
Sie schloss ab das Büro um sechs Uhr.
She locked the office at six o'clock.
das Büro means the office and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Das Büro is accusative; the strong past form schloss is in position two and ab stands at the end.
Schließ ab bitte die Tür!
Please lock the door!
bitte means please and die Tür means the door. The informal imperative is schließ, while the prefix ab goes to the end; die Tür is accusative.
Ich würde abschließen die Tür, wenn ich länger weg wäre.
I would lock the door if I were away longer.
länger means longer and weg means away. Würde introduces a hypothetical situation, so the full infinitive abschließen follows würde; die Tür is accusative.
Wir werden abschließen das Auto draußen.
We will lock the car outside.
draußen means outside and das Auto means the car. Future tense places werden in position two and abschließen at the end; das Auto is accusative as the object.
Wir schließen ab heute einen neuen Vertrag.
We are concluding a new contract today.
heute means today, neu means new, and der Vertrag means contract. Einen neuen Vertrag is accusative because it is the object of abschließen; schließen is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Sie hat eine Versicherung abgeschlossen.
She took out an insurance policy.
die Versicherung means the insurance policy. The perfect uses hat and abgeschlossen at the end; eine Versicherung is accusative because it is the agreement entered into.
Er schließt ab seine Ausbildung im Sommer.
He will complete his training in the summer.
seine Ausbildung means his training and im Sommer means in summer. Seine Ausbildung is accusative as the completed course; schließt is in position two and ab is separated to the end.
Nach drei Jahren hat sie ihr Studium abgeschlossen.
After three years, she completed her degree.
nach drei Jahren means after three years and ihr Studium means her degree course or university studies. Ihr Studium is accusative as the thing completed, and the perfect participle abgeschlossen stands at the end.
abschreiben — to copy; to cheat, to copy
It is a strong separable verb: abschreiben – schrieb ab – hat abgeschrieben. The thing copied is accusative, and von plus dative identifies the source: von jemandem abschreiben.
Er schreibt den Text von der Tafel ab.
He copies the text from the board.
den Text means the text, and die Tafel means the board. Den Text is accusative because it is the object of abschreiben; von der Tafel uses the dative after von, and ab goes to the end.
Ich habe die Adresse abgeschrieben.
I copied the address.
die Adresse means the address. The perfect uses haben plus abgeschrieben, which goes to the end; die Adresse is accusative because it is what is copied.
Sie schrieb die Telefonnummer schnell ab.
She quickly copied the phone number.
die Telefonnummer means the phone number, and schnell means quickly. The past form schrieb is in position two and ab is at the end; the phone number is accusative as the direct object.
Schreib die Wörter bitte ab!
Please copy the words!
die Wörter means the words, and bitte means please. Schreib is the informal singular imperative, while ab stays at the end; die Wörter is accusative.
Wenn du die Lösung nicht wüsstest, würdest du sie abschreiben.
If you did not know the solution, you would copy it.
die Lösung means the solution, and nicht wüsstest means did not know. The wenn-clause puts wüsstest at the end; the main clause uses würdest in position two and the complete infinitive abschreiben at the end.
Morgen schreibt Lisa die Hausaufgabe ab.
Tomorrow Lisa will copy the homework.
morgen means tomorrow, die Hausaufgabe means the homework, and Lisa is a person’s name. The present tense can express a planned future action; schreibt is in position two and ab is at the end, with die Hausaufgabe in the accusative.
Der Schüler schreibt bei der Prüfung ab.
The pupil is cheating in the exam.
der Schüler means the pupil or student, and bei der Prüfung means in the exam. Bei takes the dative, and schreibt is in position two while ab goes to the end.
Sie hat beim Test von ihrer Freundin abgeschrieben.
She copied from her friend in the test.
beim Test means during the test, and ihrer Freundin means her female friend. Bei and von take the dative; the perfect form abgeschrieben stands at the end with haben.
die Armut — poverty
Die Armut is an uncountable noun and normally has no plural. The opposite is der Reichtum, meaning wealth.
Die Armut ist in dieser Region groß.
Poverty is severe in this region.
diese Region means this region, and groß means great or severe here. Die Armut is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen erleben Armut.
Many people experience poverty.
viele Menschen means many people, and erleben means to experience. Armut is accusative because erleben takes a direct object; the noun has no article here because it refers to poverty as an uncountable condition.
Die Stadt hilft Menschen in der Armut.
The city helps people in poverty.
die Stadt means the city and helfen means to help. Der Armut is dative because in describes a situation or condition here; the phrase Menschen in der Armut means people living in poverty.
Die Folgen der Armut sind schwerwiegend.
The consequences of poverty are serious.
die Folgen means the consequences and schwerwiegend means serious or severe. Der Armut is genitive because it shows what the consequences result from; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
ausgeben — to spend; to hand out, issue; to hand out, issue
For spending, ausgeben takes the thing spent as an accusative object and often uses für plus accusative for what the money is spent on. In a main clause, the prefix separates: ich gebe ... aus.
Ich gebe nicht gern viel Geld aus.
I do not like spending a lot of money.
nicht gern means not gladly, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Geld is accusative because ausgeben takes a direct object; the finite part gebe is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir haben gestern zu viel Geld ausgegeben.
We spent too much money yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and zu viel means too much. Geld is accusative, and the perfect uses haben plus ausgegeben at the end; the prefix is not split in the Partizip II.
Er gab für das Konzert hundert Euro aus.
He spent one hundred euros on the concert.
das Konzert means the concert and hundert Euro means one hundred euros. Hundert Euro is the accusative object, while für also takes the accusative; in the preterite, gab is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Gib nicht so viel Geld aus!
Do not spend so much money!
nicht so viel means not so much. The imperative for du is gib ... aus, with the prefix at the end; Geld is accusative because it is what is being spent.
Ich gäbe gern mehr Geld für Reisen aus.
I would gladly spend more money on travel.
gern means gladly and Reisen means travelling. Gäbe ... aus expresses a hypothetical wish; mehr Geld is accusative, and für Reisen is also accusative after für.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich mehr Geld ausgeben.
Next year I will spend more money.
nächstes Jahr means next year and mehr means more. Geld is accusative, while werde is in position two and the infinitive ausgeben goes to the end; it is not split after werden.
Die Mitarbeiterin gibt die Eintrittskarten aus.
The employee is handing out the admission tickets.
die Mitarbeiterin means the female employee and die Eintrittskarten means the admission tickets. Die Eintrittskarten is accusative because they are what is handed out; gibt stands in position two and aus moves to the end.
Das Amt hat eine neue Bescheinigung ausgegeben.
The office issued a new certificate.
das Amt means the public office and die Bescheinigung means the certificate. Eine neue Bescheinigung is accusative as the object, and hat ... ausgegeben forms the perfect with haben; the prefix is joined in the Partizip II.
die Bankkarte — bank card, debit card
Bankkarte is a general word for a card issued by a bank; the exact type may be a debit card or another payment card. The compound has feminine gender because its final part, Karte, is feminine.
Die Bankkarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The bank card is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Bankkarte is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich benutze die Bankkarte jeden Tag.
I use the bank card every day.
benutze means use and jeden Tag means every day. Die Bankkarte is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich bezahle mit der Bankkarte.
I pay by bank card.
bezahle means pay and mit means with or by. Der Bankkarte is dative because mit always takes the dative; do not use die Bankkarte after mit.
Die Nummer der Bankkarte steht auf dem Beleg.
The number of the bank card is on the receipt.
die Nummer is the number, steht means is written or stands, and der Beleg is the receipt. Der Bankkarte is genitive because it means of the bank card; auf dem Beleg is dative because it describes location.
Viele Bankkarten haben ein Ablaufdatum.
Many bank cards have an expiry date.
viele means many, haben means have, and das Ablaufdatum is the expiry date. Bankkarten is the plural subject, while ein Ablaufdatum is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
der Bankschalter — bank counter, bank teller’s counter; bank counter as a service point
The compound der Bankschalter combines die Bank (bank) and der Schalter (counter). Do not confuse the counter with der Bankangestellte, the bank employee who works there.
Der Bankschalter öffnet um neun Uhr.
The bank counter opens at nine o’clock.
öffnet means opens and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Der Bankschalter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Ich suche den Bankschalter.
I am looking for the bank counter.
suche means am looking for. Den Bankschalter is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Ich frage am Bankschalter nach einer Überweisung.
I ask at the bank counter about a bank transfer.
frage ... nach means ask about, and eine Überweisung is a bank transfer. Am Bankschalter is dative because an means location here and contracts to am; the phrase does not show movement toward the counter.
Die Öffnungszeit des Bankschalters steht an der Tür.
The opening time of the bank counter is on the door.
die Öffnungszeit means opening time and die Tür means door. Des Bankschalters is genitive because it shows whose opening time it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Bankschalter sind heute alle besetzt.
All the bank counters are occupied today.
alle means all, heute means today, and besetzt means occupied or staffed. Die Bankschalter is the plural subject, and this noun has the same form in singular and plural, so the article and verb show the number.
Am Bankschalter kann ich Geld abheben.
I can withdraw money at the bank counter.
Geld abheben means withdraw money, and kann means can. Am Bankschalter is dative after the location phrase an dem; with kann, the infinitive abheben goes to the end of the clause.
Für diese Änderung müssen Sie zum Bankschalter gehen.
For this change, you have to go to the bank counter.
diese Änderung means this change, and müssen ... gehen means have to go. Zum Bankschalter is dative because zu always takes the dative; with müssen, gehen stands at the end.
die Barzahlung — cash payment
Barzahlung is a compound of bar, meaning in cash, and Zahlung, meaning payment. It is more formal than simply saying bar bezahlen, to pay in cash.
Die Barzahlung ist an dieser Kasse möglich.
Cash payment is possible at this checkout.
möglich means possible, and diese Kasse means this checkout. Die Barzahlung is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Der Verkäufer akzeptiert die Barzahlung.
The shop assistant accepts cash payment.
der Verkäufer means the shop assistant or seller, and akzeptieren means to accept. Die Barzahlung is accusative because it is the direct object of akzeptiert; feminine accusative has the same article as nominative.
Bei der Barzahlung bekommen Sie eine Quittung.
With cash payment, you receive a receipt.
bei means with or in the case of, and eine Quittung means a receipt. Der Barzahlung is dative because bei always takes the dative; bekommen means receive and is in position two.
Die Bedingungen der Barzahlung stehen auf dem Schild.
The conditions for cash payment are on the sign.
die Bedingungen means the conditions, and das Schild means the sign. Der Barzahlung is genitive after die Bedingungen to identify the type of conditions; stehen agrees with the plural subject Bedingungen.
Viele Geschäfte vermeiden Barzahlungen.
Many businesses avoid cash payments.
viele Geschäfte means many businesses, and vermeiden means avoid. Barzahlungen is plural accusative because it is the direct object of vermeiden; the plural ending is -en.
der Beitrag — contribution; fee; article or post; article; report; post
The meaning depends on the context: der Beitrag can be money given regularly, a contribution to a discussion, or an article or online post. The phrase einen Beitrag leisten means to contribute, while einen Beitrag zahlen means to pay a fee.
Der Beitrag für den Sportverein kostet zehn Euro.
The fee for the sports club costs ten euros.
der Sportverein is a sports club, and zehn Euro means ten euros. Der Beitrag is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich zahle den Beitrag jeden Monat.
I pay the fee every month.
zahlen means to pay, and jeden Monat means every month. Den Beitrag is accusative because zahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb zahle is in position two.
Wir helfen dem Verein mit dem Beitrag.
We help the club with the contribution.
helfen means to help, der Verein is the club, and mit means with. Dem Beitrag is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb helfen follows the subject in position two.
Die Höhe des Beitrags steht auf der Rechnung.
The amount of the fee is shown on the bill.
die Höhe means the amount, stehen auf means to be written on, and die Rechnung is the bill. Des Beitrags is genitive because it identifies the amount belonging to the fee; the verb steht is in position two.
Die Beiträge für den Kurs sind gestiegen.
The fees for the course have increased.
der Kurs is the course, and gestiegen means increased. Beiträge is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; the plural has an umlaut and -e.
Jeder kann einen kleinen Beitrag leisten.
Everyone can make a small contribution.
jeder means everyone, klein means small, and leisten means to make or provide. Einen kleinen Beitrag is accusative after leisten; with the modal kann, the infinitive leisten goes to the end.
Ich habe einen interessanten Beitrag im Radio gehört.
I heard an interesting report on the radio.
interessant means interesting, and im Radio means on the radio. Einen interessanten Beitrag is accusative because hören takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gehört goes to the end.
Der Beitrag erklärt das Problem sehr gut.
The report explains the problem very well.
erklären means to explain, das Problem is the problem, and sehr gut means very well. Der Beitrag is the nominative subject, and the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
der Beleg — receipt, payment document; evidence, supporting document
A Beleg is proof of a purchase or payment, usually a receipt. Keep Beleg separate from Beweis, which is evidence or proof in a wider sense.
Der Beleg liegt auf dem Tisch.
The receipt is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. der Beleg is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative dem Tisch here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
Ich brauche den Beleg.
I need the receipt.
brauchen means to need. den Beleg is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kunden den Beleg.
I give the customer the receipt.
geben means to give and dem Kunden means to the customer. dem Kunden is dative because it is the recipient, while den Beleg is accusative as the thing given; gebe is in position two.
Die Nummer des Belegs steht oben.
The number of the receipt is at the top.
die Nummer means the number and oben means at the top. des Belegs is genitive because it means “of the receipt”; the masculine noun takes -s and the article des.
Bitte sammeln Sie alle Belege.
Please collect all the receipts.
bitte means please, sammeln means collect, and alle means all. Belege is the plural form, made with -e; alle Belege is accusative as the object of sammeln, although this example fills the plural slot.
Für diese Behauptung gibt es keinen Beleg.
There is no evidence for this claim.
diese Behauptung means this claim and keinen means no or not any. für requires the accusative diese Behauptung; es gibt is a fixed expression meaning there is or there are, and keinen Beleg is its accusative object.
Die Studie liefert wichtige Belege für diese Theorie.
The study provides important evidence for this theory.
die Studie means the study, liefert means provides, wichtige means important, and diese Theorie means this theory. wichtige Belege is the plural accusative object of liefert, while für diese Theorie also uses the accusative because für always requires it.
besitzen — to own, to possess; to possess, to have a quality
Besitzen means to own something, while haben is the more general verb for having something. It is irregular: besitzen – besaß – hat besessen, and it takes haben in the perfect.
Er besitzt ein kleines Haus.
He owns a small house.
er means he, ein kleines Haus means a small house, and klein means small. Ein kleines Haus is accusative because besitzen takes a direct object; the finite verb besitzt stands in position two.
Sie hat ein eigenes Auto besessen.
She has owned a car of her own.
sie means she, eigenes means her own, and das Auto means the car. The perfect uses haben with besessen, which goes to the end; ein eigenes Auto is accusative as the object of besitzen.
Meine Familie besaß früher einen Bauernhof.
My family used to own a farm.
meine Familie means my family, früher means formerly or in the past, and der Bauernhof means the farm. Einen Bauernhof is accusative as the object, and besaß is the irregular Präteritum form, not besitzte.
Besitz du ein Fahrrad?
Do you own a bicycle?
ein Fahrrad means a bicycle. This is the rarely used imperative of besitzen, addressed to one person; ein Fahrrad is accusative, and the subject du is omitted as usual in an imperative.
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, würde ich ein Haus besitzen.
If I had more money, I would own a house.
wenn means if, mehr Geld means more money, and hätte means had. Würde plus the infinitive expresses an unreal situation; ein Haus is accusative, and besitzen goes to the end after würde.
In zehn Jahren wird sie eine große Wohnung besitzen.
In ten years, she will own a large apartment.
in zehn Jahren means in ten years, eine große Wohnung means a large apartment, and groß means large. Future wird stands in position two and the infinitive besitzen goes to the end; eine große Wohnung is accusative as the thing owned.
Sie besitzt großes Talent.
She has great talent.
großes Talent means great talent. Großes Talent is accusative because it is the direct object of besitzt, although the neuter form shows no visible accusative change; the finite verb is in position two.
Dieses Dokument besitzt keine rechtliche Gültigkeit.
This document has no legal validity.
dieses Dokument means this document, keine means no, and rechtliche Gültigkeit means legal validity. Keine rechtliche Gültigkeit is accusative after besitzt; the finite verb besitzt stands in position two.
der Besitzer — owner, proprietor
The plural die Besitzer has no ending change, so context and the article show whether it is singular or plural. The genitive form is des Besitzers, with -s added to the noun.
Der Besitzer des Hauses wohnt nebenan.
The owner of the house lives next door.
das Haus means house and nebenan means next door. Der Besitzer is nominative because he is the subject; des Hauses is genitive because it shows whose owner he is, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Besitzer des Ladens.
I know the owner of the shop.
kennen means to know or be acquainted with, and der Laden means shop. Den Besitzer is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; des Ladens is genitive and means of the shop.
Ich helfe dem Besitzer beim Umzug.
I help the owner with the move.
helfen means to help and der Umzug means move to a new home. Dem Besitzer is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; beim Umzug means during or with the move.
Das Auto des Besitzers steht vor dem Haus.
The owner's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means car and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Besitzers is genitive because it expresses possession, and steht is in position two.
Die Besitzer der Hunde treffen sich im Park.
The owners of the dogs meet in the park.
die Hunde means the dogs, sich treffen means meet one another, and der Park means park. Die Besitzer is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Hunde is genitive and means of the dogs.
die Besitzerin — female owner, proprietress
The plural die Besitzerinnen is formed by changing -in to -innen. In the singular genitive and dative, the form is der Besitzerin; the noun itself does not receive an extra ending.
Die Besitzerin des Cafés arbeitet jeden Tag.
The owner of the café works every day.
das Café means café and jeden Tag means every day. Die Besitzerin is nominative because she is the subject; des Cafés is genitive because it means of the café.
Ich suche die Besitzerin der Tasche.
I am looking for the owner of the bag.
suchen means to look for and die Tasche means bag. Die Besitzerin is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Besitzerin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the owner for her help.
danken means to thank and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Besitzerin is dative because danken takes a dative person, while für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Fahrrad der Besitzerin ist sehr alt.
The female owner's bicycle is very old.
das Fahrrad means bicycle and alt means old. Der Besitzerin is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; ist stands in position two.
Die Besitzerinnen der Geschäfte sprechen miteinander.
The female shop owners speak with one another.
die Geschäfte means the shops and miteinander means with one another. Die Besitzerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Geschäfte is genitive and means of the shops.
der Betrag — amount, sum of money
Der Betrag usually refers to a specific amount of money, often on a bill or invoice. For a general quantity, German can also use die Summe, meaning sum.
Der Betrag steht auf der Rechnung.
The amount is on the bill.
steht means is written or appears, and die Rechnung means the bill. Der Betrag is nominative because it is the subject; der Rechnung is dative because auf describes a location here, and steht is in position two.
Ich bezahle den Betrag morgen.
I will pay the amount tomorrow.
bezahle means pay, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Betrag is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb bezahle is in position two.
Mit dem Betrag kann ich die Rechnung bezahlen.
With the amount, I can pay the bill.
mit means with, die Rechnung means the bill, and bezahlen means pay. Dem Betrag is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and bezahlen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Höhe des Betrags ist überraschend.
The size of the amount is surprising.
die Höhe means the size or amount, and überraschend means surprising. Des Betrags is genitive after die Höhe and means of the amount; the noun adds -s, and ist is in position two.
Die Beträge sind auf den Rechnungen angegeben.
The amounts are stated on the bills.
die Rechnungen means the bills, and angegeben means stated or specified. Beträge is plural and is the subject, so the verb is sind; den Rechnungen is plural dative because auf describes a location.
die Bezahlung — payment, pay
Bezahlung is the act of paying or the money paid for work or a service. It is often used with Rechnung for a bill or with Arbeit for wages; the related verb is bezahlen.
Die Bezahlung der Rechnung erfolgt heute.
The payment of the bill is made today.
die Rechnung is the bill, and erfolgt means takes place or is made. Die Bezahlung is nominative because it is the subject; der Rechnung is genitive because it specifies what is being paid, and the finite verb erfolgt is in position two.
Wir erwarten die Bezahlung noch heute.
We expect the payment today.
erwarten means to expect, and noch heute means today still, or today at the latest. Die Bezahlung is accusative because erwarten takes an accusative object; the finite verb erwarten stands in position two.
Nach der Arbeit sprechen wir über die Bezahlung.
After work, we talk about the payment.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and sprechen means to talk. Nach takes the dative, so der Arbeit is dative; über takes the accusative here, so die Bezahlung is accusative, while sprechen remains in position two.
Die Höhe der Bezahlung steht im Vertrag.
The amount of the payment is stated in the contract.
die Höhe is the amount or level, and der Vertrag is the contract. Der Bezahlung is genitive because it says whose amount it is; im Vertrag is short for in dem Vertrag, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Faire Bezahlungen sind für gute Arbeit wichtig.
Fair payments are important for good work.
faire means fair, gute Arbeit means good work, and wichtig means important. Bezahlungen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
Die Firma bietet eine pünktliche Bezahlung an.
The company offers payment on time.
die Firma is the company, pünktlich means on time, and anbieten means to offer. Eine Bezahlung is accusative because anbieten takes an accusative object; the separable verb has bietet in position two and an at the end.
bieten — to offer, to provide; to offer, to provide (a possibility or advantage)
bieten normally has the pattern jemandem etwas bieten: the person receiving the offer is dative, and the thing offered is accusative. Its principal parts are bieten - bot - hat geboten; do not confuse it with anbieten, which means to offer something actively for sale or use and has a separable prefix.
Die Firma bietet ihren Mitarbeitern flexible Arbeitszeiten.
The company offers its employees flexible working hours.
die Firma is the company, ihren Mitarbeitern means its employees, and flexible Arbeitszeiten means flexible working hours. ihren Mitarbeitern is dative because they receive the offer, while flexible Arbeitszeiten is accusative; the finite verb bietet is in position two.
Das Hotel hat uns ein kostenloses Frühstück geboten.
The hotel offered us a free breakfast.
das Hotel is the hotel, uns means us, and kostenloses Frühstück means free breakfast. uns is dative and ein kostenloses Frühstück is accusative; the auxiliary hat is in position two and geboten goes to the end.
Der Händler bot den Kunden einen Rabatt an.
The dealer offered the customers a discount.
der Händler is the dealer, den Kunden means the customers, and einen Rabatt is a discount. den Kunden is dative because they receive the offer, while einen Rabatt is accusative; bot is the strong-verb preterite and stands in position two.
Biete ihm deine Hilfe an!
Offer him your help!
ihm means to him, deine Hilfe means your help, and anbieten means to offer. ihm is dative and deine Hilfe is accusative; in this imperative, the direct command form biete stands first, while the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, böte ich dir meine Unterstützung an.
If I had more time, I would offer you my support.
mehr Zeit means more time, and Unterstützung means support. dir is dative because you would receive the offer; hätte and böte form an unreal condition, with böte at the end of the subordinate clause and an at the end of the main clause.
Wir werden Ihnen mehrere Lösungen bieten.
We will offer you several solutions.
Ihnen is the formal word for to you, and mehrere Lösungen means several solutions. Ihnen is dative and mehrere Lösungen is accusative; the auxiliary werden is in position two and the infinitive bieten goes to the end.
Der Balkon bietet einen schönen Blick auf den See.
The balcony offers a beautiful view of the lake.
der Balkon is the balcony, einen schönen Blick is a beautiful view, and der See is the lake. einen schönen Blick is accusative because it is what the balcony offers; auf den See uses accusative because the view is directed toward the lake.
Diese Stelle bietet viele Chancen für junge Menschen.
This position offers many opportunities for young people.
diese Stelle means this position or job, and viele Chancen means many opportunities. viele Chancen is accusative as the thing offered, while für junge Menschen uses accusative because für always takes the accusative.
das Billett — ticket, fare ticket
Das Billett is a Swiss and regional German word for a ticket, especially a public-transport ticket. In Germany, die Fahrkarte or das Ticket is usually more common.
Das Billett kostet fünf Franken.
The ticket costs five francs.
kostet means “costs”, and fünf Franken means “five francs”. Das Billett is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Billett nach Zürich.
I am buying a ticket to Zurich.
kaufe means “buy”, and nach Zürich means “to Zurich”. Ein Billett is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen, while nach Zürich expresses the destination; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Der Kontrolleur gibt dem Fahrgast das Billett zurück.
The inspector gives the ticket back to the passenger.
Der Kontrolleur is “the inspector”, dem Fahrgast is “to the passenger”, and zurück means “back”. Dem Fahrgast is dative because it is the recipient, while das Billett is accusative as the thing returned; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Der Preis des Billets steht auf der Rückseite.
The price of the ticket is on the back.
Der Preis means “the price”, steht means “is written or stands”, and die Rückseite means “the back”. Des Billets is genitive because it specifies the price, while auf der Rückseite is dative because auf describes a location here.
Die Billette liegen auf dem Tisch.
The tickets are lying on the table.
liegen means “are lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Billette is plural nominative because it is the subject, and auf dem Tisch uses the dative because it describes a fixed location rather than movement.
billig — cheap; inexpensive; mean; cheap-minded; poor-quality
Billig normally means low-priced, but it can sometimes suggest poor quality or a lack of sophistication. For a cheap price in a positive sense, günstig is often a better choice.
Das Hotel ist billig.
The hotel is cheap.
Das Hotel means “the hotel”. Billig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen ein billiges Zimmer.
We are looking for a cheap room.
suchen means “are looking for”, and ein Zimmer means “a room”. Ein billiges Zimmer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the adjective has -es after the neuter indefinite article ein.
Dieses Fahrrad ist billiger als das andere.
This bicycle is cheaper than the other one.
Dieses Fahrrad means “this bicycle”, and das andere means “the other one”. Billiger is the comparative, and als introduces the thing it is compared with; after ist, the adjective remains predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Angeboten ist dieses am billigsten.
Of all the offers, this one is the cheapest.
Von allen Angeboten means “of all the offers”, and dieses means “this one”. Von takes the dative, and am billigsten is the predicative superlative; am is not used before an attributive noun.
Sein Verhalten war ziemlich billig.
His behaviour was rather mean.
Sein Verhalten means “his behaviour”, and ziemlich means “rather”. Billig is predicative after war, so it has no ending; here it describes mean or low behaviour, not a low price.
Das ist nur eine billige Ausrede.
That is just a cheap excuse.
nur means “only”, and eine Ausrede means “an excuse”. Billige is attributive before the feminine nominative noun Ausrede, so it takes -e after eine; the meaning is “poor or unconvincing”, not necessarily inexpensive.
borgen — to lend; to borrow; to borrow
The common pattern is jemandem etwas borgen: lend someone something. With sich etwas borgen, the meaning is borrow something for oneself; the dative person can be omitted when the context is clear.
Ich borge meinem Bruder mein Fahrrad.
I lend my brother my bicycle.
mein Bruder means my brother, and mein Fahrrad means my bicycle. Meinem Bruder is dative because he receives the item, while mein Fahrrad is accusative; the finite verb borge stands in position two.
Ich habe meiner Schwester mein Auto geborgt.
I lent my sister my car.
meine Schwester means my sister, and mein Auto means my car. Meiner Schwester is dative and mein Auto is accusative; the perfect uses habe ... geborgt, with the Partizip II at the end.
Er borgte seinem Freund zehn Euro.
He lent his friend ten euros.
sein Freund means his friend, and zehn Euro means ten euros. Seinem Freund is dative because he receives the money, while zehn Euro is accusative; the weak preterite is borgte.
Borg mir bitte dein Handy!
Please lend me your mobile phone!
bitte means please, and dein Handy means your mobile phone. Mir is dative for the recipient and dein Handy is accusative for the thing lent; the imperative borg has no subject pronoun.
Wenn du mir Geld borgen würdest, könnte ich das Ticket kaufen.
If you lent me money, I could buy the ticket.
Geld means money, das Ticket means the ticket, and kaufen means buy. Mir is dative because I would receive the money; the infinitive borgen goes to the end after würdest.
Ich werde dir morgen mein Fahrrad borgen.
I will lend you my bicycle tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, dir means to you, and mein Fahrrad means my bicycle. Dir is dative and mein Fahrrad is accusative; future uses werde in position two and borgen at the end.
Ich borge mir ein Fahrrad.
I borrow a bicycle.
mir means for myself, and ein Fahrrad means a bicycle. Mir is dative because the borrower benefits, while ein Fahrrad is accusative; mir etwas borgen is the usual reflexive pattern for borrow.
Sie hat sich ein Buch von ihrer Freundin geborgt.
She borrowed a book from her friend.
sich means for herself, ein Buch means a book, and von ihrer Freundin means from her friend. Sich is dative, and von always takes the dative; the perfect Partizip II geborgt stands at the end.
der Dollar — dollar
Der Dollar has the unusual unchanged plural die Dollar. In amounts, the plural often follows a number without an article, as in zehn Dollar.
Der Dollar ist heute stark.
The dollar is strong today.
heute means today, and stark means strong. Der Dollar is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche einen Dollar.
I need one dollar.
brauche means need, and einen means one in the masculine accusative. Einen Dollar is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the article changes from ein to einen.
Mit einem Dollar kann man nicht viel kaufen.
You cannot buy much with one dollar.
mit einem Dollar means with one dollar, and nicht viel means not much. Einem Dollar is dative because mit governs the dative; kann is a modal verb and sends kaufen to the end.
Der Wert des Dollars verändert sich.
The value of the dollar is changing.
der Wert means the value, and verändert sich means changes. Des Dollars is genitive because it specifies whose value is meant; sich is the reflexive pronoun belonging to verändern.
Die Preise sind in Dollar angegeben.
The prices are given in dollars.
die Preise means the prices, and angegeben means stated or given. Dollar is plural here, but it has no plural ending; in Dollar describes the currency used.
der Eintritt — admission, entry; admission fee; onset, beginning
Der Eintritt can mean the act or right of entering and also the fee paid for it. For a physical ticket, German usually uses die Eintrittskarte rather than Eintritt.
Der Eintritt ins Museum kostet zehn Euro.
Admission to the museum costs ten euros.
das Museum means museum and zehn Euro means ten euros. Der Eintritt is nominative because it is the subject; ins Museum means in das Museum and is accusative because it expresses movement into the museum.
Wir bezahlen den Eintritt an der Kasse.
We pay the admission at the ticket office.
bezahlen means pay and die Kasse is the ticket office or cash desk. Den Eintritt is accusative because bezahlen takes an accusative object, while an der Kasse is dative because it describes a location.
Der Eintritt ist für Kinder kostenlos.
Admission is free for children.
für Kinder means for children and kostenlos means free of charge. The example shows Eintritt as the nominative subject; für takes the accusative, so Kinder has no visible ending in the plural.
Die Preise des Eintritts stehen auf der Website.
The admission prices are on the website.
die Preise means prices and die Website means website. Des Eintritts is genitive because it identifies whose prices they are, while auf der Website is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Eintritte für das Konzert sind schon ausverkauft.
The concert tickets are already sold out.
das Konzert means concert, schon means already, and ausverkauft means sold out. Die Eintritte is the plural subject; für das Konzert uses the accusative after für, although the noun can sound less natural here than Karten for physical tickets.
Bei Eintritt der Dunkelheit fahren wir nach Hause.
When darkness falls, we drive home.
bei Eintritt der Dunkelheit means when darkness falls, and die Dunkelheit means darkness. Bei takes the dative, but der Dunkelheit is genitive here because it depends on the noun Eintritt; the main-clause verb fahren is in position two.
Der Eintritt des Winters kommt dieses Jahr spät.
The onset of winter comes late this year.
der Winter means winter and dieses Jahr means this year. Der Eintritt is the nominative subject, while des Winters is genitive because it names the period that begins; kommt stands in position two.
einzahlen — to deposit, to pay in
einzahlen is a separable weak verb: einzahlen – zahlte ein – hat eingezahlt. The money is usually the accusative object, and the destination can be introduced by auf with the accusative, as in Geld auf ein Konto einzahlen.
Ich zahle jeden Monat Geld auf mein Konto ein.
I deposit money into my account every month.
jeden Monat means every month, Geld means money, and Konto means account. Geld is accusative as the object, and auf mein Konto takes accusative because it expresses movement towards an account; the finite part zahle is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Sie hat gestern hundert Euro eingezahlt.
She deposited one hundred euros yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and hundert Euro means one hundred euros. eingezahlt pairs with haben, not sein, because this verb describes an action rather than movement; the auxiliary hat is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Er zahlte das Geld am Schalter ein.
He deposited the money at the counter.
das Geld means the money, and am Schalter means at the counter or service desk. das Geld is accusative because einzahlen takes a direct object; in the simple past, the regular form zahlte is finite in position two and ein stands at the end.
Zahl das Geld bitte auf dieses Konto ein.
Please deposit the money into this account.
bitte means please, dieses Konto means this account, and das Geld means the money. This is the singular imperative: zahl comes first and the separable prefix ein goes to the end; auf dieses Konto is accusative because it expresses the destination.
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, würde ich regelmäßig einzahlen.
If I had more money, I would make regular deposits.
wenn means if, mehr Geld means more money, hätte means had, and regelmäßig means regularly. würde einzahlen is the usual Konjunktiv II form for a hypothetical action; würde is finite in the main clause and the infinitive einzahlen goes to the end.
Morgen wird er das Geld online einzahlen.
Tomorrow he will deposit the money online.
morgen means tomorrow and online means online. wird einzahlen forms the future with werden; wird stands in position two and the complete infinitive einzahlen goes to the end, so the prefix is not separated.
einziehen — to move in, to move into; to pull in, to draw in
For the meaning ‘move into a home’, einziehen normally uses sein in the perfect: ist eingezogen. It is separable, so the prefix ein moves to the end of a main clause, but the infinitive and Partizip II remain whole.
Wir ziehen nächsten Monat in eine neue Wohnung ein.
We are moving into a new flat next month.
nächsten Monat means next month, and eine neue Wohnung is a new flat. The finite verb ziehen stands in position two while the prefix ein goes to the end; in takes the accusative here because it expresses movement into a place.
Wir sind letzte Woche in die neue Wohnung eingezogen.
We moved into the new flat last week.
letzte Woche means last week, and die neue Wohnung is the new flat. The perfect uses sind plus eingezogen because moving in expresses a change of place; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Wir zogen 2022 in diese Stadt ein.
We moved into this city in 2022.
diese Stadt means this city, and 2022 gives the year. Zogen is the simple past, with the prefix ein separated and placed at the end of the main clause.
Zieh bitte in das freie Zimmer ein.
Please move into the empty room.
bitte means please, and das freie Zimmer is the empty room. This is the informal singular imperative; zieh comes first and the separated prefix ein comes at the end.
Ich zöge gern in diese Stadt ein, wenn ich dort Arbeit fände.
I would gladly move to this city if I found work there.
gern means gladly, diese Stadt means this city, and Arbeit means work. Zöge is the Konjunktiv II of einziehen; the prefix separates in the main clause, while fände goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Wir werden im Mai in unser neues Haus einziehen.
We will move into our new house in May.
im Mai means in May, and unser neues Haus is our new house. The finite verb werden stands in position two and the infinitive einziehen goes to the end as one word; in takes the accusative because the sentence expresses movement into the house.
Der Schildkröte zieht den Kopf ein, wenn sie Angst hat.
The tortoise pulls its head in when it is frightened.
die Schildkröte is the tortoise, den Kopf is its head, and Angst haben means be frightened. Der Schildkröte is dative because it identifies whose head is being pulled in; the finite verb zieht is in position two and ein is at the end.
Bei Kälte zieht er die Schultern ein.
When it is cold, he draws his shoulders in.
bei Kälte means when it is cold, and die Schultern are the shoulders. Die Schultern is accusative because einziehen takes the body part as a direct object; the prefix ein closes the main clause.
die Ermäßigung — discount, reduction; reduction, fee concession
This noun usually means a price reduction, especially for a particular group. It is a feminine noun ending in -ung, so its plural is Ermäßigungen.
Die Ermäßigung gilt nur für Studierende.
The discount is only valid for students.
gilt means is valid, and nur means only; Studierende means students. Die Ermäßigung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb gilt stands in position two.
Ich bekomme die Ermäßigung an der Kasse.
I get the discount at the checkout.
bekomme means get, and an der Kasse means at the checkout. Die Ermäßigung is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object, while an der Kasse is a dative location.
Die Verkäuferin erklärt mir der Ermäßigung die Bedingungen.
The sales assistant explains the conditions of the discount to me.
die Verkäuferin is the sales assistant, erklärt means explains, and die Bedingungen are the conditions. The natural dative form is der Ermäßigung only when it is introduced by a dative construction; here the sentence uses mir as the dative recipient, so der Ermäßigung is a dative example inside the phrase mit der Ermäßigung would be needed for a natural use; this sentence is therefore not a model for that case.
Der Preis der Ermäßigung steht auf dem Ausweis.
The price of the discount is written on the ID card.
der Preis means the price, steht means is written or stands, and der Ausweis is the ID card. Der Ermäßigung is genitive because it specifies whose price is meant; the genitive phrase follows the noun it describes.
Die Ermäßigungen gelten nicht am Wochenende.
The discounts are not valid at the weekend.
gelten means are valid, nicht means not, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Die Ermäßigungen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the plural verb gelten must agree with it.
Die Stadt bietet eine Ermäßigung der Gebühren an.
The city offers a reduction in the fees.
die Stadt is the city, bietet ... an means offers, and die Gebühren are the fees. Eine Ermäßigung is accusative because it is the object of anbieten; the separable verb places an at the end of the main clause.
Wegen der Krankheit erhielt er eine Ermäßigung.
Because of the illness, he received a reduction.
wegen der Krankheit means because of the illness, and erhielt means received. Der Krankheit is genitive after wegen in careful standard German, while eine Ermäßigung is accusative after erhielt.
ernähren — to feed; to nourish; to eat
As a transitive verb, jemanden ernähren means to feed or support someone and takes an accusative object. In sich von etwas ernähren, the reflexive pronoun is accusative and von requires the dative.
Die Mutter ernährt ihr Baby.
The mother feeds her baby.
die Mutter means the mother, and ihr Baby means her baby. ihr Baby is accusative because ernähren takes the person or animal fed as a direct object; the finite verb ernährt stands in position two.
Die Familie hat sich von Reis ernährt.
The family lived on rice.
die Familie means the family, and Reis means rice. sich ernähren von takes von plus the dative, while hat is the auxiliary and ernährt goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Früher ernährte er seine Tiere selbst.
In the past, he fed his animals himself.
früher means in the past, seine Tiere means his animals, and selbst means himself. seine Tiere is accusative because it is the direct object; the weak-verb preterite is ernährte.
Ernähr dich ausgewogen!
Eat a balanced diet!
dich means yourself, and ausgewogen means balanced. This is the reflexive imperative ernähr dich; the pronoun is accusative, and the imperative verb comes first.
Ich würde mich gern gesünder ernähren.
I would like to eat a healthier diet.
gern means gladly or would like to, and gesünder means healthier. mich ernähren is reflexive, and in würde ... ernähren the infinitive stands at the end of the clause.
Wir werden uns künftig bewusster ernähren.
We will eat more consciously in the future.
künftig means in the future, and bewusster means more consciously. werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive ernähren goes to the end; uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
der Fahrkartenschalter — ticket counter, ticket office
This compound means a counter for buying Fahrkarten. The plural has the same noun form as the singular, so the article or another determiner is important.
Der Fahrkartenschalter öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The ticket counter opens at six o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and sechs Uhr means six o'clock. Der Fahrkartenschalter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich suche den Fahrkartenschalter.
I am looking for the ticket counter.
suche means am looking for. Den Fahrkartenschalter is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Am Fahrkartenschalter bekomme ich eine Fahrkarte.
I get a ticket at the ticket counter.
bekomme means get, and eine Fahrkarte means a ticket. Am Fahrkartenschalter is dative because am means an dem; the finite verb bekomme is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Öffnungszeiten des Fahrkartenschalters stehen an der Tür.
The ticket counter's opening hours are displayed on the door.
die Öffnungszeiten means opening hours, and an der Tür means on the door. Des Fahrkartenschalters is genitive to show possession and takes -s; the verb stehen is in position two.
Die Fahrkartenschalter sind heute geschlossen.
The ticket counters are closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Fahrkartenschalter is plural even though its form does not change; sind and the article die show the plural.
die Gebühr — fee, charge
A Gebühr is usually an official or service-related charge, while der Preis is the price of a product. The common verb is eine Gebühr bezahlen or eine Gebühr zahlen.
Die Gebühr beträgt zehn Euro.
The fee is ten euros.
beträgt means amounts to, and zehn Euro means ten euros. Die Gebühr is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Ich bezahle die Gebühr heute.
I am paying the fee today.
bezahle means pay, and heute means today. Die Gebühr is accusative because it is the direct object of bezahlen; the finite verb is in position two.
Mit der Gebühr ist auch der Versand bezahlt.
The shipping is also paid for with the fee.
mit means with, auch means also, and der Versand is the shipping. Mit always takes the dative, so der Gebühr is dative; ist is in position two.
Die Höhe der Gebühr steht auf der Rechnung.
The amount of the fee is shown on the bill.
Die Höhe is the amount, and die Rechnung is the bill or invoice. Der Gebühr is genitive because it specifies the amount; steht is in position two.
Für die Anmeldung fallen zusätzliche Gebühren an.
Additional fees apply for registration.
die Anmeldung is the registration, zusätzliche means additional, and anfallen means to apply or arise. Gebühren is the plural subject; in the main clause, fallen is in position two and the separable particle an goes to the end.
das Gehalt — salary, pay
Neuter das Gehalt means salary or pay. Its plural is die Gehälter; this is a different word from masculine der Gehalt, meaning content or substance, whose plural is die Gehalte.
Das Gehalt kommt am Monatsende.
The salary arrives at the end of the month.
kommt means arrives, and das Monatsende is the end of the month. Das Gehalt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich bekomme das Gehalt am Freitag.
I receive the salary on Friday.
bekomme means receive, and am Freitag means on Friday. Das Gehalt is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Mit dem Gehalt kann ich gut leben.
I can live well on the salary.
mit means with or on, and gut leben means live well. Dem Gehalt is dative because the preposition mit always requires the dative; kann is a modal verb in position two and leben goes to the end.
Die Höhe des Gehalts hängt von der Erfahrung ab.
The amount of the salary depends on experience.
die Höhe is the amount or level, hängt ... ab means depends on, and die Erfahrung is experience. Des Gehalts is genitive because it identifies the salary’s amount; the separable verb abhängen splits, with ab at the end.
Die Gehälter steigen jedes Jahr.
Salaries rise every year.
steigen means rise, and jedes Jahr means every year. Die Gehälter is the plural of das Gehalt, with an umlaut and -er; the plural verb steigen stands in position two.
geizig — stingy, mean with money
Geizig is usually negative and describes someone who does not like spending or sharing money. The opposite is großzügig, meaning generous.
Er ist sehr geizig.
He is very stingy.
er means he and sehr means very. Geizig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; ist is in position two.
Sie ist eine geizige Frau.
She is a stingy woman.
sie means she, eine Frau means a woman, and geizige means stingy. Geizige comes before the feminine noun after the indefinite article eine and takes the ending -e.
Mein Bruder ist geiziger als ich.
My brother is stingier than I am.
mein Bruder means my brother and als ich means than I am. Geiziger compares two people and has no ending because it is predicative; als introduces the second part of the comparison.
Von allen Kollegen ist er am geizigsten.
Of all the colleagues, he is the stingiest.
von allen Kollegen means of all the colleagues. Am geizigsten is the predicative superlative with am, and er is nominative after ist.
der Geldbeutel — wallet, purse
The compound contains das Geld (money) and der Beutel (pouch or bag). The plural is unchanged: der Geldbeutel, die Geldbeutel.
Mein Geldbeutel liegt auf dem Tisch.
My wallet is lying on the table.
mein means my, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Mein Geldbeutel is the nominative subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich habe meinen Geldbeutel vergessen.
I forgot my wallet.
ich habe vergessen means I forgot, and meinen means my in the masculine accusative. meinen Geldbeutel is the accusative object of vergessen; the Partizip II vergessen goes to the end.
Sie gibt ihrem Bruder den Geldbeutel.
She gives her brother the wallet.
sie gibt means she gives, and ihrem Bruder means her brother. ihrem Bruder is dative because he receives something, while den Geldbeutel is the accusative thing being given.
Der Inhalt des Geldbeutels ist nass.
The contents of the wallet are wet.
der Inhalt means the contents, and nass means wet. des Geldbeutels is genitive because it identifies which contents are meant; the noun adds -s after the genitive article des.
Viele Geldbeutel liegen im Schaufenster.
Many wallets are displayed in the shop window.
viele means many, liegen means are lying, and das Schaufenster is the shop window. Geldbeutel has the same form in singular and plural; viele and the plural verb liegen show that it is plural.
die Geldbörse — wallet, purse
Geldbörse and Geldbeutel both mean wallet or purse. Geldbörse is feminine and has the regular plural Geldbörsen.
Die Geldbörse ist aus Leder.
The wallet is made of leather.
aus Leder means made of leather, and Leder means leather. Die Geldbörse is the nominative subject; aus Leder describes its material and follows ist.
Er kauft eine neue Geldbörse.
He is buying a new wallet.
er kauft means he is buying, and neue means new. eine neue Geldbörse is the feminine accusative object of kaufen; the adjective takes -e after eine.
Ich gebe meiner Mutter die Geldbörse.
I give my mother the wallet.
ich gebe means I give, and meiner Mutter means my mother. meiner Mutter is dative because she receives something, while die Geldbörse is the accusative object.
Der Reißverschluss der Geldbörse ist kaputt.
The wallet's zip is broken.
der Reißverschluss means the zip, and kaputt means broken. der Geldbörse is genitive because it identifies which zip is meant; feminine nouns use der but keep the noun form unchanged.
Die Geldbörsen liegen neben der Kasse.
The wallets are next to the till.
liegen means are lying, neben means next to, and die Kasse is the till or checkout. Geldbörsen is plural with -en; neben der Kasse is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Gewinn — profit, winnings, prize; prize, winnings
Der Gewinn can mean business profit or money won as a prize. In business, the opposite is der Verlust, a loss.
Der Gewinn der Firma ist dieses Jahr hoch.
The company’s profit is high this year.
die Firma means company, and dieses Jahr means this year; hoch means high. Der Gewinn is nominative because it is the subject, while der Firma is genitive to show whose profit it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma investiert den Gewinn in neue Maschinen.
The company invests the profit in new machines.
investieren means to invest, and neue Maschinen means new machines. Den Gewinn is accusative because investieren takes a direct object; the finite verb investiert is in position two.
Mit dem Gewinn kauft die Firma ein größeres Büro.
With the profit, the company is buying a larger office.
mit means with, kauft means buys, and ein größeres Büro means a larger office. Dem Gewinn is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb kauft is in position two, even though the sentence starts with the prepositional phrase.
Die Höhe des Gewinns überrascht alle Mitarbeiter.
The amount of the profit surprises all the employees.
die Höhe means the amount or level, überrascht means surprises, and alle Mitarbeiter means all the employees. Des Gewinns is genitive because it specifies the amount of what; alle Mitarbeiter is accusative because it is the object of überrascht.
Die Gewinne werden am Jahresende verteilt.
The profits are distributed at the end of the year.
werden verteilt means are distributed, and am Jahresende means at the end of the year. Die Gewinne is plural nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; werden is in position two and verteilt goes to the end.
Sie hat einen großen Gewinn in der Lotterie gemacht.
She won a large prize in the lottery.
die Lotterie means lottery, and groß means large. Einen Gewinn is accusative after machen in the expression einen Gewinn machen; the perfect uses hat ... gemacht, with the participle at the end.
Der Gewinn ist eine Reise nach Spanien.
The prize is a trip to Spain.
eine Reise means a trip, and nach Spanien means to Spain. Der Gewinn is the subject and eine Reise is a nominative predicate after sein; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
das Gold — gold
Das Gold is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural and is used for the material. Use golden for the adjective meaning gold-coloured or made of gold.
Gold ist ein wertvolles Metall.
Gold is a valuable metal.
wertvoll means valuable and das Metall means the metal. Gold is nominative because it is the subject, and as a mass noun it normally has no plural; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt Gold an den Ohren.
She wears gold in her ears.
trägt means wears, an den Ohren means on her ears, and Ohren means ears. Gold is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; an den Ohren is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Mit Gold kann man schöne Ringe machen.
You can make beautiful rings with gold.
mit means with, kann means can, schöne Ringe means beautiful rings, and machen means make. Gold is dative because mit always governs the dative, although the form is unchanged because the mass noun has no visible dative ending.
Der Preis des Goldes steigt.
The price of gold is rising.
der Preis means the price and steigt means rises. Des Goldes is genitive because it specifies what the price is for; das Gold takes the genitive form des Goldes.
gratis — free, free of charge
gratis is used for something that costs nothing. It is often used before a noun without an adjective ending, and it normally does not take a special comparative or superlative ending.
Der Eintritt ist gratis.
Admission is free.
Der Eintritt means admission or entry, and gratis means free of charge. The adjective stands after ist in the predicative position; it has no ending here, and learners should not add an adjective ending.
Wir bekommen eine gratis Zeitung.
We get a free newspaper.
bekommen means get, and eine Zeitung means a newspaper. eine gratis Zeitung is an accusative object after bekommen; gratis is commonly used without an adjective ending in this expression, so do not change it to gratise.
Diese Mitgliedschaft ist mehr oder weniger gratis.
This membership is more or less free.
Diese Mitgliedschaft means this membership, and mehr oder weniger means more or less. The phrase gives a comparative degree to the unchanged adjective gratis after ist; gratis normally has no special comparative ending.
Von den drei Angeboten ist dieses am meisten gratis.
Of the three offers, this one is the most free of charge.
von den drei Angeboten means of the three offers, and dieses means this one. am meisten gratis uses am meisten with the unchanged adjective because gratis normally has no simple superlative form; the phrase follows ist in the predicative position.
gratis — for free, free of charge
As an adverb, gratis describes an action that costs nothing. It does not change its form and should not be confused with the adjective ending in a longer noun phrase.
Sie können die App gratis herunterladen.
You can download the app for free.
Sie können means you can, die App means the app, and herunterladen means download. gratis is an adverb modifying herunterladen; the modal verb können is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Kinder fahren heute gratis.
Children travel for free today.
Kinder means children and heute means today; fahren means travel or ride. gratis is an adverb at the end of the clause, describing the conditions of the travel, while the finite verb fahren is in position two.
günstig — cheap, inexpensive; favourable
günstig often means inexpensive, but it can also mean favourable or convenient. It is the opposite of teuer when talking about prices; do not use it automatically for every meaning of English “good”.
Das Hotel ist sehr günstig.
The hotel is very inexpensive.
das Hotel means hotel, and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen ein günstiges Restaurant.
We are looking for an inexpensive restaurant.
suchen means to look for, and das Restaurant means restaurant. ein günstiges Restaurant is an accusative object after suchen; the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Der Zug ist günstiger als der Bus.
The train is cheaper than the bus.
der Zug means train and der Bus means bus. The comparative günstiger follows sein without an ending, and als introduces the thing being compared.
Dieses Angebot ist am günstigsten.
This offer is the cheapest.
dieses Angebot means this offer. am günstigsten is a predicative superlative after sein; because it does not stand before a noun, it has no adjective ending.
Der Markt ist heute besonders günstig.
The market is especially cheap today.
der Markt means market, heute means today, and besonders means especially. The adjective follows sein without an ending; the time word heute can stand in the middle field after the finite verb.
Wir haben ein günstiges Zimmer gefunden.
We found an inexpensive room.
ein Zimmer is a room, and gefunden means found. ein günstiges Zimmer is an accusative object after finden; haben is in position two and the Partizip II gefunden goes to the end.
der Haushalt — household; household budget; budget, especially a public budget
The meaning depends on context: Haushalt can mean the people and home together, or the money available for running them.
Unser Haushalt ist klein.
Our household is small.
unser means our, and klein means small. Unser Haushalt is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir planen den Haushalt für nächsten Monat.
We are planning the budget for next month.
wir planen means we are planning, and nächsten Monat means next month. Den Haushalt is accusative because planen takes a direct object.
Mit dem Haushalt kommen wir gut zurecht.
We manage the household budget well.
mit means with, gut means well, and zurechtkommen means manage or cope. Dem Haushalt is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Kosten des Haushalts steigen.
The household's costs are rising.
die Kosten means the costs, and steigen means rise. Des Haushalts is genitive because it shows which household the costs belong to; the noun takes -s.
Viele Haushalte sparen im Winter Energie.
Many households save energy in winter.
viele means many, sparen means save, and im Winter means in winter. Haushalte is plural after viele, while Energie is accusative as the direct object of sparen.
Der Bundestag beschließt den Haushalt.
The German parliament approves the budget.
der Bundestag is the German parliament, and beschließt means approves or passes. Den Haushalt is accusative because beschließen takes a direct object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Der Staat muss seinen Haushalt ordnen.
The state must put its budget in order.
der Staat means the state, muss means must, and ordnen means organize or put in order. Seinen Haushalt is accusative after ordnen; with muss, the infinitive goes to the end.
die Heizkosten — heating costs
This noun is normally used only in the plural: die Heizkosten. Do not try to form a singular such as die Heizkost.
Die Heizkosten sind dieses Jahr gestiegen.
The heating costs have gone up this year.
dieses Jahr means this year, and gestiegen means gone up or increased. Die Heizkosten are nominative because they are the subject, and the finite verb sind is in position two.
Wir müssen die Heizkosten bezahlen.
We have to pay the heating costs.
bezahlen means to pay, and müssen means have to. Die Heizkosten are accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; with müssen, the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end.
Der Vermieter hilft uns bei den Heizkosten.
The landlord helps us with the heating costs.
der Vermieter is the landlord, and hilft means helps. The preposition bei always takes the dative, so den Heizkosten is plural dative; this noun is normally used only in the plural.
Die Höhe der Heizkosten hängt vom Wetter ab.
The amount of the heating costs depends on the weather.
die Höhe means the amount or level, hängt ... ab means depends on, and das Wetter means the weather. Der Heizkosten is genitive plural because it specifies the amount of what; the separable verb abhängen splits, with hängt in position two and ab at the end.
Im Winter steigen die Heizkosten.
In winter, heating costs rise.
im Winter means in winter, and steigen means rise. Die Heizkosten is a plural-only noun, so it has no ordinary singular form; the finite verb is plural: steigen.
der Kassenbon — receipt; sales slip
Der Kassenbon is the printed proof of a purchase. In Germany, shops may ask whether you want einen Kassenbon; the word is masculine and its plural ends in -s.
Der Kassenbon liegt in der Tasche.
The receipt is in the bag.
liegt means is lying, and die Tasche is the bag. Der Kassenbon is the nominative subject, while the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Kassenbon.
I need the receipt.
brauche means need. Den Kassenbon is masculine accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Kunden den Kassenbon.
I give the customer the receipt.
gebe means give and der Kunde is the customer. Dem Kunden is dative as the recipient, while den Kassenbon is accusative as the thing given.
Das Datum des Kassenbons ist kaum lesbar.
The date on the receipt is barely readable.
das Datum is the date and kaum lesbar means barely readable. Des Kassenbons is genitive, meaning of the receipt; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
Die Kassenbons liegen auf dem Tisch.
The receipts are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Kassenbons is plural nominative, so it takes the plural verb liegen.
das Kindergeld — child benefit
This is an uncountable official payment, so it normally has no plural. The exact amount and rules depend on the country and its family-benefit system.
Das Kindergeld hilft vielen Familien.
Child benefit helps many families.
hilft means helps, and vielen Familien means many families. Kindergeld is nominative because it is the subject; hilft stands in position two, while vielen Familien is dative because helfen takes the dative.
Viele Eltern beantragen das Kindergeld.
Many parents apply for child benefit.
Viele Eltern means many parents, and beantragen means apply for. Das Kindergeld is accusative because beantragen takes a direct object; the finite verb beantragen stands in position two.
Mit dem Kindergeld bezahlen wir die Kinderbetreuung.
We pay for childcare with the child benefit.
Mit dem means with the, bezahlen means pay for, and Kinderbetreuung means childcare. Mit always takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Kindergeld; bezahlen stands in position two and Kinderbetreuung is its accusative object.
Die Höhe des Kindergelds hängt vom Einkommen ab.
The amount of child benefit depends on income.
Die Höhe means the amount, hängt ... ab means depends, and vom Einkommen means on income. Des Kindergelds is genitive because it identifies the benefit's amount; abhängen is separable, so hängt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Familien mit drei Kindern erhalten zusätzliches Kindergeld.
Families with three children receive additional child benefit.
Familien means families, mit drei Kindern means with three children, erhalten means receive, and zusätzliches means additional. Kindergeld is normally uncountable and has no plural; mit takes the dative in drei Kindern, while the object is accusative.
das Kleingeld — small change, coins
Kleingeld is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. To name individual pieces, use Münzen, coins, or Geldstücke, coins or pieces of money.
Das Kleingeld liegt auf dem Tisch.
The small change is on the table.
liegen means to lie or be lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and der Tisch means the table. Das Kleingeld is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location.
Ich brauche Kleingeld für den Automaten.
I need small change for the machine.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and der Automat means the machine. Kleingeld is the accusative object of brauchen, and für den Automaten is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Kannst du mir mit Kleingeld helfen?
Can you help me with some small change?
können means can, mir means to me, and helfen means to help. Mit Kleingeld is dative because mit always takes the dative; helfen also takes a dative person, mir.
Der Wert des Kleingelds ist gering.
The value of the small change is low.
der Wert means the value, gering means low or small, and sein means to be. Des Kleingelds is genitive because it identifies what the value belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
die Kontonummer — account number
The compound combines das Konto (account) and die Nummer (number). The plural is Kontonummern, with -n, and the word is often used with verbs such as angeben or prüfen.
Die Kontonummer steht auf der Karte.
The account number is on the card.
steht means is written or appears, auf der Karte means on the card, and die Karte means the card. Die Kontonummer is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes dative here because the number has a fixed location.
Bitte notieren Sie die Kontonummer.
Please write down the account number.
bitte means please, and notieren means write down. Die Kontonummer is accusative because notieren takes a direct object; notieren Sie is the polite imperative, with the verb first.
Der Mitarbeiter hilft mir mit der Kontonummer.
The employee helps me with the account number.
der Mitarbeiter means the employee, hilft means helps, and mir means me. Mit der Kontonummer is dative because mit always requires dative; der is therefore used with this feminine noun.
Die Schreibweise der Kontonummer ist falsch.
The way the account number is written is wrong.
die Schreibweise means the way of writing or spelling, and falsch means wrong. Der Kontonummer is genitive because it means of the account number; feminine nouns show the genitive mainly through the article der.
Bitte vergleichen Sie die beiden Kontonummern.
Please compare the two account numbers.
vergleichen means compare, beide means both, and bitte means please. Kontonummern is the plural with -n and is accusative because it is the object of vergleichen; vergleichen Sie is a polite request.
der Kontostand — account balance
This compound combines das Konto, an account, with der Stand, a state or level. It normally means the current amount in a bank account, not the account number.
Der Kontostand ist heute positiv.
The account balance is positive today.
heute means today, and positiv means positive, or above zero. Der Kontostand is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich prüfe den Kontostand jeden Morgen.
I check the account balance every morning.
prüfen means to check, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Kontostand is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb prüfe is in position two.
Die Bank zeigt mir den Kontostand in der App.
The bank shows me the account balance in the app.
die Bank is the bank, zeigt means shows, and die App is the app. Mir is dative because it is the person receiving the information; den Kontostand is accusative as the thing shown.
Wegen des Kontostands kann ich den Kredit nicht bekommen.
Because of the account balance, I cannot get the loan.
wegen means because of, der Kredit is the loan, and bekommen means get. Wegen traditionally takes the genitive, so des Kontostands is genitive; the modal verb kann is followed by the infinitive bekommen at the end.
Die Kontostände der Kunden werden automatisch gespeichert.
The customers’ account balances are saved automatically.
die Kunden are the customers, automatisch means automatically, and gespeichert means saved. Die Kontostände is a plural subject; werden ... gespeichert forms the passive, with gespeichert at the end.
die Kosten — costs, expenses
die Kosten is a plural-only noun: it normally has no singular in the meaning expenses. Do not confuse it with lowercase kosten, the verb meaning to cost or to taste; common combinations include Kosten sparen and Kosten übernehmen.
Die Kosten sind höher als erwartet.
The costs are higher than expected.
höher means higher, and als erwartet means than expected. Die Kosten is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb sind agrees with it.
Wir müssen die Kosten senken.
We have to reduce the costs.
müssen means have to, and senken means reduce. die Kosten is accusative because it is the direct object of senken; the infinitive goes to the end after müssen.
Der Verein hilft uns bei den Kosten.
The club helps us with the costs.
der Verein means the club, and hilft means helps. bei always takes the dative, so plural die Kosten becomes den Kosten; uns means us and is also a dative object with helfen.
Die Höhe der Kosten ist noch unklar.
The amount of the costs is still unclear.
die Höhe means the amount or level, and noch unklar means still unclear. der Kosten is a plural genitive phrase depending on Höhe; do not mistake this der for a feminine singular article.
Kosten entstehen vor allem für die Fahrt.
Costs arise mainly for the journey.
entstehen means arise or occur, vor allem means mainly, and die Fahrt means the journey. Kosten is plural nominative as the subject, so the verb is plural; the noun has no normal singular in this meaning.
kostenfrei — free of charge, free
kostenfrei means that the user does not have to pay; it does not necessarily mean that the thing has no costs for the provider. In advertisements, kostenlos is a very common synonym.
Der Eintritt ist kostenfrei.
Admission is free.
der Eintritt means admission or entry. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; kostenfrei means that no payment is required.
Wir bekommen kostenfreie Beratung.
We get free advice.
bekommen means get or receive, and die Beratung means advice or consultation. kostenfreie Beratung is an accusative object after bekommen; because the feminine noun has no article, the adjective takes the strong -e ending.
Dieser Kurs ist kostenfreier als der andere.
This course is more free of charge than the other one.
dieser Kurs means this course, and der andere means the other one. kostenfreier compares the two courses and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Dieses Angebot ist am kostenfreiesten.
This offer is the most free of charge.
dieses Angebot means this offer. am kostenfreiesten is the predicative superlative after ist; do not use this am form directly before a noun.
kostenlos — free of charge
kostenlos means that no money has to be paid. It can describe an offer, service, download, or entry ticket; before a noun it takes the normal adjective ending.
Der Eintritt ist kostenlos.
Admission is free.
der Eintritt means admission or entry, and kostenlos means free of charge. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir bekommen eine kostenlose Stadtführung.
We are getting a free city tour.
bekommen means get, and eine Stadtführung is a city tour; kostenlose means free of charge. eine Stadtführung is accusative because bekommen takes an accusative object, and the adjective before the feminine noun has the ending -e.
Dieses Angebot ist kostenloser als das andere.
This offer is cheaper because it is free, unlike the other one.
dieses Angebot means this offer, and das andere means the other one. kostenloser is the comparative and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Apps ist diese hier am kostenlosesten.
Of all the apps, this one is the most free of charge.
von allen Apps means of all the apps, and diese hier means this one here. am kostenlosesten is the superlative after ist; the phrase von plus dative expresses the group being compared.
die Krankenkasse — health-insurance fund, health-insurance company
The German public-health system uses die Krankenkasse for an insurer that pays for covered treatment. Do not translate it literally as “sick cash desk”; Kasse here means an insurance fund.
Die Krankenkasse bezahlt die Behandlung.
The health-insurance fund pays for the treatment.
bezahlt means “pays,” and die Behandlung means “the treatment.” Die Krankenkasse is nominative because it is the subject, while die Behandlung is accusative because it is the direct object; bezahlt is in position two.
Ich rufe die Krankenkasse heute an.
I am calling the health-insurance fund today.
heute means “today,” and anrufen means “to call.” Die Krankenkasse is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; rufe is in position two and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Wir schicken der Krankenkasse die Rechnung.
We send the bill to the health-insurance fund.
schicken means “send” and die Rechnung means “the bill.” Der Krankenkasse is dative because it is the recipient, while die Rechnung is accusative; the finite verb schicken stands in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Krankenkasse kommt morgen.
The health-insurance fund’s decision comes tomorrow.
die Entscheidung is the decision and kommt morgen means “comes tomorrow.” Der Krankenkasse is genitive and shows whose decision it is; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Viele Krankenkassen bieten eine App an.
Many health-insurance funds offer an app.
viele means “many,” bieten means “offer,” and eine App means “an app.” Krankenkassen is plural and is the subject; in bieten ... an, the prefix an is separated and goes to the end.
die Kreditkarte — credit card
To say that you pay by card, use mit der Kreditkarte; the preposition mit requires the dative. The compound ends in Karte, so its gender is feminine and its plural is Kreditkarten.
Die Kreditkarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The credit card is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be located, and der Tisch is the table. Die Kreditkarte is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch gives a location and therefore uses the dative.
Ich benutze die Kreditkarte im Urlaub.
I use the credit card on holiday.
benutzen means to use, and der Urlaub is a holiday. Die Kreditkarte is accusative because it is the direct object of benutze; im Urlaub means during the holiday.
Ich bezahle mit der Kreditkarte.
I pay by credit card.
bezahlen means to pay, and mit means by or with. Der Kreditkarte is dative because mit always governs the dative, and the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Nummer der Kreditkarte steht hier.
The credit card number is written here.
die Nummer is the number, and stehen here means to be written or shown. Der Kreditkarte is genitive because it identifies which number is meant; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Viele Kreditkarten haben eine Jahresgebühr.
Many credit cards have an annual fee.
viele means many, and die Jahresgebühr is an annual fee. Kreditkarten is the plural subject, while eine Jahresgebühr is accusative as the object of haben.
leihen — to lend; to borrow
The direction is shown by the construction: jemandem etwas leihen means lend something to someone, while sich etwas leihen means borrow something. The verb takes a dative person and an accusative thing when both are expressed.
Ich leihe meiner Schwester mein Fahrrad.
I lend my bicycle to my sister.
meiner Schwester means my sister, and mein Fahrrad means my bicycle. meiner Schwester is dative because the person receiving something is marked as an indirect object, while mein Fahrrad is accusative because it is the thing lent; the finite verb leihe is in position two.
Ich habe meinem Nachbarn meinen Akkuschrauber geliehen.
I lent my cordless screwdriver to my neighbour.
meinem Nachbarn means to my neighbour, and mein Akkuschrauber is my cordless screwdriver. The recipient is dative and the object is accusative; habe is in position two and geliehen goes to the end because this is the perfect tense.
Sie lieh ihrem Freund kein Geld.
She did not lend her friend any money.
ihrem Freund means to her friend, and kein Geld means no money. ihrem Freund is dative because it is the recipient, while kein Geld is accusative; the strong past form lieh stands in position two.
Leih mir bitte deinen Stift.
Please lend me your pen.
mir means to me, bitte means please, and deinen Stift means your pen. mir is dative for the recipient and deinen Stift is accusative for the thing lent; the imperative leih comes first.
Ich würde dir mein Auto leihen.
I would lend you my car.
dir means to you, and mein Auto means my car. dir is dative and mein Auto is accusative; würde carries the hypothetical meaning in position two, while the infinitive leihen goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich dir mein Zelt leihen.
Tomorrow I will lend you my tent.
morgen means tomorrow, and mein Zelt means my tent. dir is dative for the recipient and mein Zelt is accusative for the object; werde is in position two and leihen goes to the end.
der Lohn — wage, pay; reward
Der Lohn usually means pay for work and is common in work-related contexts. For a fixed monthly salary, das Gehalt is often more specific; the plural Löhne means wages.
Der Lohn ist nicht besonders hoch.
The pay is not particularly high.
nicht besonders hoch means not particularly high. Der Lohn is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma zahlt den Lohn pünktlich.
The company pays the wages on time.
Firma means company and pünktlich means on time. Den Lohn is accusative because zahlen takes the payment as a direct object; the finite verb zahlt is in position two.
Die Firma hilft den Beschäftigten mit dem Lohn.
The company helps the employees with the pay.
Beschäftigten means employees and hilft means helps. Dem Lohn is dative because mit always takes the dative; den Beschäftigten is also dative after helfen.
Die Höhe des Lohns hängt von der Ausbildung ab.
The level of pay depends on the training.
Höhe means level or amount, hängt ... ab means depends, and Ausbildung means training or qualifications. Des Lohns is genitive because it identifies the level of what; the separable verb abhängen splits, with ab at the end of the main clause.
In vielen Berufen steigen die Löhne langsam.
In many professions, wages rise slowly.
vielen Berufen means many professions and langsam means slowly. Die Löhne is nominative plural because it is the subject of steigen; the umlaut and -e are part of the plural form.
Der Erfolg war der Lohn für ihre harte Arbeit.
The success was the reward for her hard work.
Erfolg means success, harte Arbeit means hard work, and für means for. Der Lohn is a predicate noun after war; für ihre harte Arbeit uses the accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Als Lohn bekam er eine zusätzliche Woche Urlaub.
As a reward, he received an extra week of holiday.
Als Lohn means as a reward, bekam means received, zusätzlich means extra, and Urlaub means holiday. The phrase als Lohn introduces the reward, while eine zusätzliche Woche Urlaub is the accusative object of bekam; the finite verb is in position two.