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Vocab: Money — A2 (2)
Money vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Parkuhr — parking meter
A Parkuhr is a parking meter, not a clock for general use. The compound combines parken, to park, and die Uhr, clock or watch.
Die Parkuhr funktioniert nicht.
The parking meter is not working.
funktionieren means to work or function, and nicht means not. Die Parkuhr is nominative because it is the subject; funktioniert is the finite verb in position two.
Ich stelle die Zeit an der Parkuhr ein.
I set the time on the parking meter.
die Zeit means the time, and einstellen means to set or adjust. Parkuhr is dative after an because it names the location; the separable verb stelle ... ein puts ein at the end of the main clause.
Wir stehen neben der Parkuhr.
We are standing next to the parking meter.
stehen means to stand, and neben means next to. der Parkuhr is dative because neben takes the dative for a fixed location.
Das Display der Parkuhr ist kaputt.
The display of the parking meter is broken.
das Display means the display, and kaputt means broken. der Parkuhr is genitive because it identifies whose display it is; feminine nouns keep the noun form Parkuhr.
Die neuen Parkuhren akzeptieren Karten.
The new parking meters accept cards.
neu means new, and akzeptieren means accept; Karten means cards. Parkuhren is plural with die; the adjective takes -en after the definite article.
das Porto — postage, postage cost
Porto is normally an uncountable noun for the cost of sending something by post, so it has no ordinary plural. It is used for letters, parcels and other items sent through the post.
Das Porto ist teurer geworden.
Postage has become more expensive.
teurer geworden means become more expensive. Das Porto is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; geworden goes to the end.
Ich bezahle das Porto online.
I pay the postage online.
bezahlen means to pay, and online means online. Das Porto is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object, and the finite verb bezahle is in position two.
Mit dem Porto für den Brief habe ich nicht gerechnet.
I did not expect the postage for the letter.
mit means with or regarding, der Brief means the letter, and nicht gerechnet means did not expect. Dem Porto is dative because mit always requires the dative; in the perfect, habe is early and gerechnet goes to the end.
Die Höhe des Portos überrascht mich.
The amount of the postage surprises me.
die Höhe means the amount, and überrascht means surprises. Des Portos is genitive because it specifies the amount of what, while mich is accusative as the person affected by überraschen.
preiswert — reasonably priced; good value
preiswert is positive: it means reasonably priced, not necessarily extremely cheap. It is often a polite alternative to billig, which can sometimes suggest poor quality.
Das Hotel ist sehr preiswert.
The hotel is very reasonably priced.
das Hotel means the hotel, and sehr means very. preiswert is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen ein preiswertes Restaurant.
We are looking for an affordable restaurant.
suchen means are looking for, and das Restaurant means the restaurant. ein preiswertes Restaurant is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the adjective gets -es after the neuter indefinite article ein.
Dieses Hotel ist preiswerter als das andere.
This hotel is more reasonably priced than the other one.
dieses Hotel means this hotel, and das andere means the other one. The comparative preiswerter is used with als for a comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Angeboten ist dieses am preiswertesten.
Of all the offers, this one is the best value.
von allen Angeboten means of all the offers, and dieses means this one. The predicative superlative uses am preiswertesten; von takes the dative, shown by allen Angeboten.
der Rabatt — discount
A Rabatt is money taken off the normal price. The common expression Rabatt geben means “to give a discount”, while Rabatt bekommen means “to receive a discount”.
Der Rabatt gilt nur heute.
The discount is valid today only.
gilt means “is valid or applies”, and nur heute means “today only”. Der Rabatt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gilt is in position two.
Ich bekomme einen Rabatt.
I get a discount.
bekomme means “get or receive”. Einen Rabatt is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Mit dem Rabatt kostet die Jacke weniger.
With the discount, the jacket costs less.
mit means “with”, die Jacke means “the jacket”, and weniger means “less”. Dem Rabatt is dative because mit always takes the dative; the main verb kostet is in position two.
Die Höhe des Rabatts steht auf dem Schild.
The amount of the discount is written on the sign.
die Höhe means “the amount”, steht auf means “is written on”, and das Schild means “the sign”. Des Rabatts is genitive because it identifies the amount; remember the extra genitive ending -s.
Im Schlussverkauf gibt es viele Rabatte.
There are many discounts in the sale.
im Schlussverkauf means “in the sale”, and viele means “many”. Rabatte is the plural with -e; in es gibt the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form looks the same as nominative.
die Rate — instalment; rate
The most common meaning is a regular payment, especially in in Raten zahlen. In technical or financial contexts, Rate can also mean a rate or proportion.
Die Rate ist jeden Monat gleich.
The instalment is the same every month.
jeden Monat means every month, and gleich means the same. Die Rate is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich zahle die monatliche Rate.
I pay the monthly instalment.
zahlen means pay and monatlich means monthly. Die monatliche Rate is accusative because zahlen takes a direct object; the adjective has the feminine accusative ending -e after die.
Mit der Rate kann ich leben.
I can live with the instalment.
mit means with, and kann ich leben means I can live with it. Der Rate is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and leben goes to the end.
Die Höhe der Rate überrascht mich.
The amount of the instalment surprises me.
die Höhe means the amount, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Der Rate is genitive and means of the instalment; mich is accusative because it is the object of überraschen.
Die Raten sind leider zu hoch.
Unfortunately, the instalments are too high.
leider means unfortunately and zu hoch means too high. Raten is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; do not confuse this noun plural with the verb form raten.
raten — to advise; to recommend; to guess
The person receiving advice is in the dative: jemandem raten. With zu, the recommended action or thing follows: jemandem zu etwas raten.
Ich rate dir zu diesem Kurs.
I advise you to take this course.
dir means to you, dieser Kurs means this course, and zu means to or towards. Dir is dative because this sense of raten takes the person advised in the dative; the finite verb rate is in position two.
Ich habe dir zu diesem Kurs geraten.
I advised you to take this course.
habe geraten means advised, and dieser Kurs means this course. Dir is dative because raten takes the person advised in the dative; habe is in position two and geraten goes to the end.
Meine Mutter riet mir zu einer Pause.
My mother advised me to take a break.
meine Mutter means my mother, mir means to me, and eine Pause means a break. Mir is dative because it is the person advised; riet is the simple past and stands in position two.
Rate mir, ob ich den Job annehmen soll.
Advise me whether I should accept the job.
mir means to me, ob means whether, den Job annehmen means accept the job, and soll means should. Rate is the informal singular imperative; mir is dative, and soll goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Ich würde dir raten, früher zu buchen.
I would advise you to book earlier.
würde expresses would, früher means earlier, and buchen means book. Dir is dative because it is the person advised; raten remains an infinitive after würde, and zu buchen comes at the end.
Der Arzt wird ihr zu mehr Ruhe raten.
The doctor will advise her to get more rest.
der Arzt means the doctor, ihr means to her, and mehr Ruhe means more rest. Ihr is dative because it is the person advised; wird is in position two and the infinitive raten goes to the end.
Kannst du die Antwort raten?
Can you guess the answer?
kannst du means can you, and die Antwort means the answer. Die Antwort is accusative because this meaning of raten takes the guessed answer as a direct object; after kannst the infinitive raten goes to the end.
Niemand riet die richtige Zahl.
Nobody guessed the correct number.
niemand means nobody, die richtige Zahl means the correct number. The number is accusative as the object of raten, and riet is the simple past in position two.
reich — rich; wealthy; rich; abundant; varied
For people and countries, reich usually means wealthy or possessing a lot of money. With reich an, it means having a lot of something, such as experience or natural resources.
Der Mann ist reich.
The man is rich.
der Mann means the man, and sein means to be. reich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie heiratet einen reichen Geschäftsmann.
She is marrying a rich businessman.
heiraten means to marry, and der Geschäftsmann means the businessman. reichen comes before the masculine accusative noun Geschäftsmann and takes -en after einen; the object is accusative because heiraten takes an accusative object.
Mein Onkel ist reicher als mein Vater.
My uncle is richer than my father.
der Onkel means the uncle, der Vater means the father, and als means than. reicher is a predicative comparative after ist and has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Er ist in der Familie am reichsten.
He is the richest in the family.
in der Familie means in the family, and sein means to be. am reichsten is the predicative superlative; in der Familie is dative because it describes a location or group in which the comparison is made.
Die reiche Familie wohnt in einer großen Villa.
The rich family lives in a large villa.
die Familie means the family, wohnen means to live, and eine große Villa means a large villa. reiche has the feminine nominative ending -e after die; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Viele Länder sind reich an Bodenschätzen.
Many countries are rich in natural resources.
viele Länder means many countries, reich an means rich in, and Bodenschätze means natural resources. reich is predicative and has no ending; the fixed phrase reich an takes an with the dative, although the plural form looks the same here.
Das Museum hat eine reiche Sammlung moderner Kunst.
The museum has a rich collection of modern art.
das Museum means the museum, eine Sammlung means a collection, and moderne Kunst means modern art. reiche Sammlung is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Der Vortrag bietet ein reiches kulturelles Programm.
The lecture offers a varied cultural programme.
der Vortrag means the lecture, bieten means to offer, and ein kulturelles Programm means a cultural programme. reiches modifies the neuter accusative noun Programm after ein; the finite verb bietet is in position two.
die Rückfahrkarte — return ticket
The compound combines Rückfahrt (return journey) and Karte (ticket). In some transport systems, a return ticket may be called Hin- und Rückfahrkarte, literally an outward-and-return ticket.
Die Rückfahrkarte kostet zwanzig Euro.
The return ticket costs twenty euros.
kostet means costs, and zwanzig Euro means twenty euros. Die Rückfahrkarte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Rückfahrkarte.
I am buying a return ticket.
kaufe means buy, and eine means a or one in the feminine accusative. Eine Rückfahrkarte is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Der Schalter gibt mir die Rückfahrkarte.
The ticket counter gives me the return ticket.
der Schalter means the ticket counter, and gibt means gives. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while die Rückfahrkarte is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Preis der Rückfahrkarte ist günstig.
The price of the return ticket is reasonable.
der Preis means the price, and günstig means reasonably priced or cheap. Der Rückfahrkarte is genitive because it means of the return ticket, while Der Preis der Rückfahrkarte is the nominative subject.
Am Automaten liegen mehrere Rückfahrkarten.
Several return tickets are available at the machine.
am Automaten means at the ticket machine, liegen means lie or are available, and mehrere means several. Rückfahrkarten is the plural with -n; am Automaten is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Scheckkarte — debit card, bank card
The word is also used for an older cheque-card system; in modern everyday German, Bankkarte or EC-Karte may be more common.
Die Scheckkarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The debit card is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Scheckkarte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich habe die Scheckkarte zu Hause vergessen.
I forgot the debit card at home.
zu Hause means at home, and vergessen means forgotten. Die Scheckkarte is accusative because vergessen takes a direct object; the participle vergessen goes to the end after habe.
Ich bezahle mit der Scheckkarte.
I pay by debit card.
bezahlen means to pay, and mit means with or by. Mit always takes the dative, so die Scheckkarte becomes der Scheckkarte.
Die Nummer der Scheckkarte steht auf dem Formular.
The number of the debit card is on the form.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and das Formular means the form. Der Scheckkarte is genitive because it identifies whose number it is.
Viele Scheckkarten haben eine neue Nummer.
Many debit cards have a new number.
viele means many, and eine neue Nummer means a new number. Scheckkarten is plural and is the subject, so the verb is haben.
schnallen — to buckle, to fasten; to get, to understand (informal)
This transitive verb takes the thing being fastened as an accusative object. For fastening your own seat belt, German normally uses sich anschnallen, not bare schnallen.
Der Mann schnallt den Gürtel.
The man buckles the belt.
der Mann is the man, and der Gürtel is the belt. den Gürtel is accusative because schnallen takes the thing being fastened as a direct object; the finite verb schnallt stands in position two.
Sie hat den Rucksack geschnallt.
She fastened the backpack.
sie means she, and der Rucksack is the backpack. den Rucksack is accusative because it is the object of schnallen; hat stands in position two and geschnallt goes to the end.
Er schnallte den Gurt fest.
He fastened the belt securely.
der Gurt is the belt or safety strap, and fest means securely or tightly. den Gurt is accusative as the direct object; schnallte is the weak simple-past form.
Schnall den Gurt fest!
Fasten the belt securely!
der Gurt is the belt or safety strap, and fest means tightly. den Gurt is accusative because it is the object, and the imperative omits du.
Wenn du den Gurt fester schnalltest, wärst du besser geschützt.
If you fastened the belt more tightly, you would be better protected.
fester means more tightly, and geschützt means protected. den Gurt is accusative after schnallen; in the wenn clause, the finite verb schnalltest goes to the end, and wärst expresses the unreal result.
Morgen schnallen wir die neuen Gurte.
Tomorrow we will fasten the new belts.
morgen means tomorrow, and neu means new. die neuen Gurte is accusative because it is the direct object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive schnallen goes to the end.
Ich schnalle die Aufgabe nicht.
I don't understand the task.
die Aufgabe is the task or exercise, and nicht means not. die Aufgabe is accusative because it is the thing understood; this informal meaning is often used with nicht when someone does not understand.
Jetzt habe ich es geschnallt.
Now I get it.
jetzt means now, and es means it. es is an accusative pronoun referring to an idea or explanation; habe stands in position two and geschnallt goes to the end in the perfect.
das Schnäppchen — bargain, great deal
Das Schnäppchen is a standard word for something offered at an unusually good price. It often suggests that the buyer feels lucky to have found it.
Das Schnäppchen war schnell weg.
The bargain was quickly gone.
schnell weg means quickly gone or sold, and war means was. Das Schnäppchen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich habe ein Schnäppchen gefunden.
I found a bargain.
gefunden means found. Ein Schnäppchen is accusative because finden takes a direct object, while the perfect places gefunden at the end.
Mit einem Schnäppchen spart man Geld.
You save money with a bargain.
mit means with, spart means saves, and Geld means money. Mit always takes the dative, so einem Schnäppchen is dative; man means people or you in general.
Der Preis des Schnäppchens war unglaublich niedrig.
The price of the bargain was incredibly low.
der Preis means the price, unglaublich means incredibly, and niedrig means low. Des Schnäppchens is genitive because it specifies which price; the neuter noun adds -s.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Schnäppchen.
There are three bargains on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Schnäppchen is unchanged in the plural; auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location.
das Sonderangebot — special offer; bargain
This compound combines sonder (special) and Angebot (offer). The final part, das Angebot, determines the neuter gender and the plural ending.
Das Sonderangebot gilt nur heute.
The special offer is valid today only.
gilt means is valid and nur heute means today only. Das Sonderangebot is nominative because it is the subject, and gilt stands in position two.
Ich sehe ein Sonderangebot für Kaffee.
I see a special offer for coffee.
sehe means see and für Kaffee means for coffee. Ein Sonderangebot is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article ein does not change in the accusative.
Bei dem Sonderangebot spare ich fünf Euro.
I save five euros with the special offer.
bei means with or in the case of, and spare means save. Bei dem Sonderangebot is dative because bei always governs the dative; bei dem is often shortened to beim.
Der Preis des Sonderangebots ist unschlagbar.
The price of the special offer is unbeatable.
der Preis means the price and unschlagbar means unbeatable. Des Sonderangebots is genitive because it identifies whose price it is, and the neuter noun adds -s.
Die Sonderangebote hängen am Eingang.
The special offers are displayed at the entrance.
hängen means hang or are displayed and der Eingang means the entrance. Sonderangebote is plural with die; am Eingang is dative because an expresses a location here.
das Sparkonto — savings account
A Sparkonto is an account for saving money, not normally an everyday current account. Its plural is Sparkonten, with -en.
Mein Sparkonto ist bei dieser Bank.
My savings account is at this bank.
mein means my, and diese Bank means this bank. Mein Sparkonto is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich eröffne ein Sparkonto.
I am opening a savings account.
eröffne means open, in the banking sense. Ein Sparkonto is accusative because eröffnen takes a direct object; the neuter article ein looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie überweist Geld auf ihr Sparkonto.
She transfers money to her savings account.
überweist means transfers, and Geld means money. Auf takes the dative here because the account is the destination as a location for the transfer, so ihr Sparkonto has dative ihrem in careful phrasing; the sentence uses the common banking destination pattern.
Die Nummer des Sparkontos steht auf dem Brief.
The account number is on the letter.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and der Brief means the letter. Des Sparkontos is genitive after die Nummer to show possession; auf dem Brief is dative because it describes a location.
Viele Sparkonten haben niedrige Zinsen.
Many savings accounts have low interest rates.
viele means many, and niedrige Zinsen means low interest rates. Viele Sparkonten is the plural nominative subject, so the finite verb haben follows it in position two.
sparsam — economical, frugal; sparing
Sparsam describes a person or thing that uses little of something. With mit it means careful or sparing in the use of a resource, and mit takes the dative.
Meine Schwester ist sehr sparsam.
My sister is very frugal.
meine Schwester means my sister, and sehr means very. Sparsam is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Er kauft ein sparsames Auto.
He is buying an economical car.
kauft means buys, and Auto means car. Ein sparsames Auto is accusative because kauft takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending -es follows ein.
Dieses Auto ist sparsamer als mein altes.
This car is more economical than my old one.
dieses Auto means this car, and mein altes means my old one. Sparsamer follows ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the comparison.
Sie fährt am sparsamsten, wenn sie langsam fährt.
She drives most economically when she drives slowly.
fährt means drives, langsam means slowly, and wenn means when. Am sparsamsten is the superlative adverbial form; in the wenn clause, the finite verb fährt moves to the end.
der Steuer — steering wheel, control
This is the masculine noun der Steuer, used for a steering wheel or control. The feminine die Steuer means a tax and has a different plural, die Steuern.
Das Steuer ist sehr empfindlich.
The steering wheel is very sensitive.
empfindlich means sensitive. Das Steuer is nominative because it is the subject; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Er hält das Steuer fest.
He holds the steering wheel tightly.
hält means holds, and fest means firmly or tightly. Das Steuer is accusative because halten takes a direct object; the finite verb hält is in position two.
Sie sitzt am Steuer.
She is sitting at the wheel.
sitzt means is sitting, and am means an dem, at the. Am Steuer is dative because an describes a fixed location here; sitzt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Steuers passt zum Auto.
The colour of the steering wheel matches the car.
die Farbe means the colour, passt zu means matches, and das Auto means the car. Des Steuers is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die Steuer der beiden Boote sind unterschiedlich.
The steering wheels of the two boats are different.
beide Boote means both boats, and unterschiedlich means different. The plural Steuer has no ending, while der beiden Boote is genitive and means of the two boats.
die Steuer — tax
The feminine noun die Steuer means a tax. Its plural is die Steuern; masculine der Steuer is a different word meaning a steering wheel or control.
Die Steuer ist in diesem Jahr höher.
The tax is higher this year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, and höher means higher. Die Steuer is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Steuer pünktlich.
I pay the tax on time.
bezahle means pay, and pünktlich means on time. Die Steuer is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb bezahle is in position two.
Der Staat hilft Bürgern bei der Steuer.
The state helps citizens with the tax.
der Staat means the government, Bürgern means citizens, and bei means with or in matters of. Bürgern is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and der Steuer is dative after bei.
Die Höhe der Steuer hängt vom Einkommen ab.
The amount of the tax depends on income.
die Höhe means the amount, hängt ab von means depends on, and das Einkommen means income. Der Steuer is genitive because it identifies the tax’s amount; hängt is in position two and ab closes the main clause.
Viele Steuern werden jedes Jahr erhöht.
Many taxes are increased every year.
viele means many, jedes Jahr means every year, and erhöht means increased. Viele Steuern is nominative plural in the passive sentence; the finite auxiliary werden is in position two and erhöht goes to the end.
der Strafzettel — penalty notice, ticket, fine
A Strafzettel is usually a written fine for a parking or traffic offence, not the fine itself. It is a masculine noun with the plural Strafzettel.
Der Strafzettel lag unter dem Scheibenwischer.
The penalty notice was under the windscreen wiper.
lag means “was lying,” and unter dem Scheibenwischer means “under the windscreen wiper”; a Scheibenwischer is the device that clears rain from a car window. Der Strafzettel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lag is in position two.
Ich habe den Strafzettel sofort bezahlt.
I paid the penalty notice immediately.
sofort means “immediately,” and bezahlt means “paid.” Den Strafzettel is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and bezahlt goes to the end in the perfect.
Die Polizistin gab mir den Strafzettel nicht zurück.
The policewoman did not give the penalty notice back to me.
die Polizistin means “the policewoman,” mir means “to me,” and zurückgeben means “give back.” Mir is dative because it marks the recipient, while den Strafzettel is accusative because it is the thing given; the separable verb places gab in position two and zurück at the end.
Die Höhe des Strafzettels hat mich überrascht.
The amount of the penalty notice surprised me.
die Höhe means “the amount,” and überrascht means “surprised.” Des Strafzettels is genitive because it identifies whose amount is meant; mich is accusative because überraschen takes an accusative object.
Viele Strafzettel lagen auf dem Tisch.
Many penalty notices were lying on the table.
viele means “many,” and lagen means “were lying”; auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Strafzettel has the same form in the plural, but viele and the plural verb lagen show that it is plural.
die Stromkosten — electricity costs, power bill
Stromkosten is normally used only in the plural, even when referring to one household's total bill. It is a compound of Strom and Kosten; the verb is therefore plural: Die Stromkosten sind ....
Die Stromkosten sind sehr hoch.
The electricity costs are very high.
sehr hoch means very high. Die Stromkosten is a plural-only noun and is nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
Wir müssen die Stromkosten bezahlen.
We have to pay the electricity costs.
müssen means have to, and bezahlen means pay. Die Stromkosten is accusative because it is the object of bezahlen; with müssen, the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end.
Mit den Stromkosten haben wir nicht gerechnet.
We did not expect the electricity costs.
mit means with, and nicht gerechnet means did not expected or did not reckon with. Mit takes the dative, so the plural form is den Stromkosten; haben is in position two and gerechnet goes to the end.
Die Höhe der Stromkosten überrascht mich.
The amount of the electricity costs surprises me.
die Höhe is the amount or level, and überrascht means surprises. Der Stromkosten is genitive plural because it means of the electricity costs; the object mich is accusative.
Stromkosten steigen im Winter oft.
Electricity costs often rise in winter.
steigen means rise, im Winter means in winter, and oft means often. Stromkosten is a plural-only noun used without an article here; it is the plural subject, and the finite verb steigen is in position two.
teuer — expensive, costly
Teuer means costing a lot, while kostbar means valuable and is not always about price. In comparisons, use teurer, not teuerer.
Das Hotel ist teuer.
The hotel is expensive.
das Hotel means the hotel, and ist means is. Teuer is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen ein teures Hotel.
We are looking for an expensive hotel.
suchen means are looking for, and ein Hotel means a hotel. Teures describes Hotel and takes an adjective ending because it stands before the neuter accusative noun after suchen.
Dieses Hotel ist teurer als das andere.
This hotel is more expensive than the other one.
dieses Hotel means this hotel, and das andere means the other one. Teurer compares two things and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no case ending.
Dieses ist das teuerste Zimmer im Haus.
This is the most expensive room in the house.
dieses means this one, das Zimmer means the room, and im Haus means in the house. Teuerste stands before the neuter noun with the definite article das, so it takes -e; the superlative can also be predicative as am teuersten.
das Trinkgeld — tip, gratuity
das Trinkgeld is often used without a plural when talking about tipping in general. The countable plural Trinkgelder refers to several separate tips, and the genitive is des Trinkgelds.
Das Trinkgeld liegt auf dem Tisch.
The tip is on the table.
liegt means lies or is located, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and Tisch means table. Das Trinkgeld is nominative as the subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich gebe das Trinkgeld.
I give the tip.
ich means I and gebe means give. das Trinkgeld is accusative because it is the thing being given; the neuter article is the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir geben dem Kellner Trinkgeld.
We give the waiter a tip.
wir means we, geben means give, and dem Kellner means to the waiter. dem Kellner is dative because it marks the recipient, while the uncountable Trinkgeld is the accusative thing given.
Die Höhe des Trinkgelds hängt vom Service ab.
The amount of the tip depends on the service.
die Höhe means the amount, hängt ... ab means depends, and vom Service means on the service. des Trinkgelds is genitive because it specifies the amount, and the separable verb abhängen splits in the main clause.
In Deutschland sind Trinkgelder nicht immer üblich.
In Germany, tips are not always customary.
in Deutschland means in Germany, nicht immer means not always, and üblich means customary. Trinkgelder is the plural subject, so the finite verb sind is plural and stands in position two.
umsonst — for free, free of charge; in vain, for nothing
In this sense, umsonst means that no money is required. Do not confuse it with kostenlos, which is also common for goods and services offered free of charge.
Kinder fahren heute umsonst mit dem Bus.
Children can travel free on the bus today.
Kinder means children, heute means today, and mit dem Bus means by bus. Umsonst modifies fahren and means free of charge; mit takes the dative in dem Bus, and the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Wir haben die Eintrittskarten umsonst bekommen.
We got the admission tickets for free.
die Eintrittskarten means the admission tickets, and bekommen means get or receive. Umsonst describes the way the tickets were obtained; die Eintrittskarten is accusative, while haben is in position two and bekommen closes the perfect clause.
Ich habe umsonst auf den Zug gewartet.
I waited for the train in vain.
auf den Zug means for the train, and gewartet means waited. Here umsonst means in vain, not free; auf takes the accusative with the verb warten auf, and habe is in position two while gewartet is at the end.
Sie hat umsonst versucht, ihn anzurufen.
She tried in vain to call him.
versucht means tried, ihn means him, and anzurufen means to call. Umsonst means in vain here; ihn is accusative as the object of anrufen, and hat is in position two while versucht ends the main clause.
verdienen — to earn; to deserve
Verdienen has two common meanings: to receive payment and to be worthy of something. The perfect uses haben: hat verdient.
Er verdient gutes Geld.
He earns good money.
gutes Geld means good money or a good income. Gutes Geld is accusative because verdienen takes the money earned as a direct object, and verdient stands in position two.
Sie hat viel Geld verdient.
She earned a lot of money.
viel Geld means a lot of money, and hat ... verdient means earned. Viel Geld is accusative; the auxiliary hat is in position two and the Partizip II verdient closes the clause.
Mein Vater verdiente früher wenig.
My father used to earn little.
mein Vater means my father, früher means formerly or in the past, and wenig means little. Verdiente is the regular simple past and stands in position two; wenig is an amount, not an accusative noun here.
Verdien endlich dein eigenes Geld!
Finally earn your own money!
endlich means finally, and dein eigenes Geld means your own money. Verdien is the du imperative without a pronoun, and dein eigenes Geld is accusative as the direct object.
Ich verdiente mehr, wenn ich Vollzeit arbeitete.
I would earn more if I worked full-time.
mehr means more, wenn means if, and Vollzeit means full-time. The sentence uses a past form in a conditional meaning; wenn sends arbeitete to the end of its clause, while verdiente is in position two in the main clause.
Du wirst bald mehr verdienen.
You will soon earn more.
bald means soon, and mehr means more. Wirst is the finite auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive verdienen goes to the end of the future-tense clause.
Er verdient eine Belohnung.
He deserves a reward.
eine Belohnung means a reward. In this meaning verdienen takes an accusative object, and verdient stands in position two.
die Vermietung — rental; letting
Vermietung is the noun made from vermieten, to rent out. It can mean the process of renting out property or a particular rental arrangement.
Die Vermietung beginnt im nächsten Monat.
The rental begins next month.
beginnt means begins, and im nächsten Monat means next month. Die Vermietung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir organisieren die Vermietung der Wohnung.
We organise the rental of the flat.
organisieren means organise, and die Wohnung means the flat. Die Vermietung is accusative because organisieren takes a direct object; the phrase der Wohnung is genitive and specifies what is being rented.
Bei der Vermietung hilft uns eine Agentur.
An agency helps us with the rental.
bei means during or with, hilft means helps, and eine Agentur means an agency. Der Vermietung is dative because bei always takes the dative; hilft is in position two, while uns is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Kosten der Vermietung sind hoch.
The costs of the rental are high.
die Kosten means the costs, hoch means high, and sind means are. Der Vermietung is genitive because it identifies which costs are meant; the feminine article is der in the genitive.
Online findet man viele Vermietungen.
You can find many rental offers online.
online means online, findet man means one can find, and viele means many. Vermietungen is plural with -en, and viele introduces the plural accusative object; the impersonal subject man is nominative.
die Versandkosten — shipping costs, postage and packing
Versandkosten means the money charged for sending an order. It is a plural-only noun, so say die Versandkosten even when referring to one total charge; do not create a singular form.
Die Versandkosten sind im Preis enthalten.
The shipping costs are included in the price.
im Preis enthalten means included in the price. Die Versandkosten is nominative because it is the subject, and sind stands in position two; Versandkosten is used only in the plural.
Der Shop berechnet die Versandkosten extra.
The shop charges the shipping costs separately.
Der Shop means the shop, berechnet means charges, and extra means separately or additionally. Die Versandkosten is accusative because berechnen takes a direct object; the plural article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Bei den Versandkosten gibt es große Unterschiede.
There are major differences in the shipping costs.
bei means with or concerning, große Unterschiede means major differences, and gibt es means there are. Den Versandkosten is dative because bei always takes the dative; the plural noun does not add another ending here.
Die Höhe der Versandkosten überrascht viele Kunden.
The amount of the shipping costs surprises many customers.
Die Höhe means the amount, überrascht means surprises, and viele Kunden means many customers. Der Versandkosten is genitive because it specifies the amount of what; viele Kunden is accusative because it is the object of überrascht.
Die Versandkosten werden an der Kasse angezeigt.
The shipping costs are displayed at checkout.
an der Kasse means at checkout, and angezeigt means displayed or shown. Die Versandkosten is nominative plural because it is the subject of the passive sentence; werden stands in position two and angezeigt goes to the end.
verschwenden — to waste, to squander
verschwenden takes an accusative object: Zeit, Geld, and Wasser can all be wasted. It takes haben in the perfect and is not separable.
Wir verschwenden kein Wasser.
We do not waste any water.
kein Wasser means no water or any water in a negative sentence. Wasser is accusative because verschwenden takes an accusative object, and the finite verb verschwenden is in position two.
Sie hat den ganzen Nachmittag verschwendet.
She wasted the whole afternoon.
den ganzen Nachmittag means the whole afternoon. The perfect uses hat and puts verschwendet at the end; the time period is accusative as the thing being wasted.
Er verschwendete viel Geld für neue Spiele.
He wasted a lot of money on new games.
viel Geld means a lot of money, and neue Spiele means new games. verschwendete is the regular preterite, while für takes the accusative.
Verschwende deine Zeit nicht!
Do not waste your time!
deine Zeit means your time, and nicht means not. The imperative addresses du; the possessive phrase is accusative as the object, and nicht makes the command negative.
Ich würde damit kein Geld verschwenden.
I would not waste any money on that.
damit means on that or with that, and kein Geld means no money. The würde construction expresses a condition, while the infinitive verschwenden goes to the end and takes an accusative object.
Wir werden unsere Zeit nicht verschwenden.
We will not waste our time.
unsere Zeit means our time, and nicht means not. Future uses werden in position two and places verschwenden at the end; unsere Zeit is accusative.
die Versicherung — insurance; insurance policy; insurance company
The meaning depends on context: die Versicherung can mean the insurance cover, the policy, or the company providing it. It is often used with abschließen for taking out insurance and kündigen for cancelling it.
Die Versicherung bezahlt die Reparatur.
The insurance pays for the repair.
bezahlt means pays, and die Reparatur is the repair. Die Versicherung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb bezahlt stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Versicherung für den Mietwagen.
I need the insurance for the rental car.
brauche means need, and der Mietwagen is the rental car. die Versicherung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Wir sprechen mit der Versicherung über den Schaden.
We are talking to the insurance company about the damage.
sprechen means talk, mit means with, and der Schaden is the damage. der Versicherung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the preposition über here takes the accusative for the topic.
Die Entscheidung der Versicherung kam heute.
The insurance company's decision came today.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and heute means today. der Versicherung is genitive because it shows whose decision it is; the finite verb kam is in position two.
Viele Versicherungen bieten diesen Tarif an.
Many insurance companies offer this plan.
viele means many, bieten ... an means offer, and dieser Tarif is this plan. Versicherungen is plural and has the article viele here; the finite verb bieten agrees with the plural subject and stands in position two.
Die Versicherung ist teuer.
The insurance is expensive.
teuer means expensive. Die Versicherung is nominative as the subject, and ist is in position two; after sein, teuer is predicative and has no adjective ending.
das Wechselgeld — change
Wechselgeld is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. German uses the same word for the coins and notes returned after payment, not only for coins.
Das Wechselgeld liegt auf dem Tisch.
The change is on the table.
liegen means to be lying or be located, and der Tisch is the table. Das Wechselgeld is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Verkäuferin gibt mir das Wechselgeld.
The sales assistant gives me the change.
die Verkäuferin is the sales assistant, and geben means to give. Das Wechselgeld is accusative as the thing given, while mir is dative because it is the recipient.
Ich gebe dem Kunden das Wechselgeld.
I give the customer the change.
der Kunde is the customer, and geben means to give. Dem Kunden is dative because it is the recipient, while das Wechselgeld is accusative as the thing given.
Die Höhe des Wechselgelds stimmt.
The amount of change is correct.
die Höhe means the amount or height, and stimmen means to be correct. Des Wechselgelds is genitive because it means of the change; this mass noun normally has no plural.
wechseln — to change, to switch; to exchange money
For changing from one means of transport to another, German often uses den Zug wechseln or den Bus wechseln, with the transport noun in the accusative. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein, even when the change involves travel.
Ich wechsle morgen den Arbeitsplatz.
I am changing jobs tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Arbeitsplatz means job or workplace. Den Arbeitsplatz is accusative because wechseln takes a direct object; the present tense can refer to a planned future, and wechsle stands in position two.
Ich habe den Arbeitsplatz gewechselt.
I have changed jobs.
der Arbeitsplatz means job or workplace. Den Arbeitsplatz is accusative as the object of wechseln; the perfect uses habe plus gewechselt, which goes to the end.
Sie wechselte nach Berlin.
She moved to a different situation in Berlin.
nach Berlin means to Berlin, and sie means she. Nach Berlin expresses direction to a city; the simple-past verb wechselte stands in position two.
Wechsle bitte den Zug!
Please change trains!
bitte means please, and der Zug means train. Den Zug is accusative because it is the object of wechseln; the imperative wechsle comes first.
Wenn der Bus zu voll wäre, würde ich den Zug wechseln.
If the bus were too full, I would change trains.
der Bus is the bus, zu voll means too full, and würde means would. Den Zug is accusative as the object; in the würde construction, würde is in position two and the infinitive wechseln goes to the end.
Nächste Woche werde ich den Zug wechseln.
Next week I will change trains.
nächste Woche means next week, and der Zug means train. Den Zug is accusative because it is the object; werde is in position two and the infinitive wechseln goes to the end.
Ich möchte am Flughafen Geld wechseln.
I would like to exchange money at the airport.
möchte means would like, der Flughafen is the airport, and Geld means money. Geld is accusative as the object of wechseln; after möchte, the infinitive wechseln goes to the end.
Kannst du mir diesen Schein wechseln?
Can you change this banknote for me?
können means can, mir means for me, and der Schein is a banknote. Mir is dative for the person benefiting, while diesen Schein is accusative as the thing being exchanged; after kannst, the infinitive wechseln goes to the end.
der Wert — value; worth; importance; value; principle
Der Wert can mean a price or measurable value, but also the importance of something. In mathematics and science, it often means a numerical value; in discussions, it can mean importance or worth.
Der Wert des Hauses ist gestiegen.
The value of the house has risen.
das Haus is the house, and gestiegen means risen or gone up. Der Wert is nominative because it is the subject, while des Hauses is genitive because it identifies what has the value; ist gestiegen is the perfect of movement or change.
Ich kenne den Wert dieses Bildes.
I know the value of this picture.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, and dieses Bild is this picture. Den Wert is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; dieses Bildes is genitive because it identifies the picture whose value is meant.
Der Händler gibt dem Wert eine neue Bedeutung.
The dealer gives the value a new meaning.
der Händler is the dealer, geben means to give, and die Bedeutung is the meaning. Dem Wert is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while eine neue Bedeutung is accusative as the thing given.
Die Höhe des Werts überrascht mich.
The amount of the value surprises me.
die Höhe means the amount or level, and überraschen means to surprise. Des Werts is genitive because it identifies the value whose amount is meant; mich is accusative as the person surprised.
Die Werte stehen auf dem Etikett.
The values are written on the label.
stehen means are written or are located, and das Etikett is the label. Werte is plural nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Etikett is dative because it describes location.
Respekt und Ehrlichkeit sind wichtige Werte.
Respect and honesty are important values.
Respekt means respect, Ehrlichkeit means honesty, and wichtig means important. Werte is plural nominative because it is part of the subject after sind; the adjective takes -e before the plural noun.
Meine Werte beeinflussen meine Entscheidungen.
My values influence my decisions.
beeinflussen means to influence, and die Entscheidungen are the decisions. Meine Werte is plural nominative as the subject, while meine Entscheidungen is accusative because it is the object of beeinflussen.
die Überweisung — bank transfer; medical referral, referral slip
In banking, die Überweisung means a transfer of money; the related verb is überweisen, to transfer money. Do not confuse this sense with the medical sense, where a doctor’s Überweisung is a referral to another doctor or specialist.
Die Überweisung ist heute angekommen.
The bank transfer arrived today.
heute means today, and angekommen means arrived. Die Überweisung is nominative because it is the subject; ist angekommen uses sein in the perfect because arrival expresses a change of location.
Ich mache die Überweisung morgen.
I will make the bank transfer tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and machen means make or do. Die Überweisung is accusative after machen in this expression; the finite verb mache stands in position two.
Nach der Überweisung rufe ich die Bank an.
After the bank transfer, I call the bank.
nach means after, anrufen means to call, and die Bank means the bank. Der Überweisung is dative because nach governs the dative; rufe is in position two and the separable part an goes to the end.
Der Betrag der Überweisung ist noch nicht sichtbar.
The amount of the transfer is not visible yet.
der Betrag means the amount, noch nicht means not yet, and sichtbar means visible. Der Überweisung is genitive because it identifies which amount is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Heute bearbeitet die Bank viele Überweisungen.
Today the bank processes many transfers.
bearbeitet means processes, and viele means many. Überweisungen is plural after viele and is accusative because it is the direct object of bearbeitet; the verb is in position two after heute.
Bitte prüfen Sie die Überweisung noch einmal.
Please check the bank transfer once more.
bitte means please, prüfen means check, and noch einmal means once more. Die Überweisung is accusative after prüfen; prüfen Sie is the formal imperative, with Sie following the verb.
Die Ärztin gibt mir eine Überweisung zum Facharzt.
The doctor gives me a referral to a specialist.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, gibt means gives, and der Facharzt means the specialist. Mir is dative because geben takes a recipient, while eine Überweisung is accusative as the thing given.
Ohne Überweisung bekomme ich keinen Termin.
I cannot get an appointment without a referral.
ohne means without, bekomme means get, and kein Termin means no appointment. Überweisung is accusative after ohne, although the article is omitted because the meaning is general; keinen Termin is also accusative after bekommen.
überweisen — to transfer money, to make a bank transfer
The transferred amount is accusative, while the recipient is often dative: jemandem Geld überweisen. This meaning is common in banking contexts.
Mein Arbeitgeber überweist mir das Gehalt am Monatsende.
My employer transfers my salary to me at the end of the month.
mein Arbeitgeber means my employer, mir means to me, das Gehalt means salary, and am Monatsende means at the end of the month. mir is dative for the recipient and das Gehalt is accusative; the verb is in position two.
Ich habe die Rechnung gestern überwiesen.
I transferred the bill yesterday.
die Rechnung means bill and gestern means yesterday. die Rechnung is accusative; habe is in position two and überwiesen goes to the end.
Sie überwies das Geld sofort.
She transferred the money immediately.
das Geld means money and sofort means immediately. das Geld is accusative, and the strong past form is in position two.
Überweis den Betrag bitte heute.
Please transfer the amount today.
der Betrag means amount, bitte means please, and heute means today. den Betrag is accusative, and du is omitted.
Ich würde den Betrag morgen überweisen.
I would transfer the amount tomorrow.
der Betrag means amount and morgen means tomorrow. den Betrag is accusative; würde plus the infinitive expresses a hypothetical intention.
Die Bank wird das Geld am Freitag überweisen.
The bank will transfer the money on Friday.
die Bank means bank, das Geld means money, and am Freitag means on Friday. das Geld is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.