Appearance
Vocab: Movement — A2 (1)
Movement vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
ab — away; from then on
As an adverb, ab often belongs to a separable verb such as abfahren and moves to the end of the clause. It can also begin a time expression such as ab morgen, meaning from tomorrow onward.
Der Zug fährt um acht Uhr ab.
The train leaves at eight o’clock.
der Zug is the train and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Here ab is a separable verb prefix, so the finite verb fährt stands in position two and ab goes to the end.
Ab morgen habe ich Urlaub.
I am on holiday from tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and Urlaub haben means to be on holiday. When ab comes first with a time expression, the whole phrase occupies position one, so the finite verb habe comes immediately after it.
abbiegen — to turn off, to turn left or right
This is a strong separable verb: abbiegen – bog ab – ist abgebogen. For a direction, use rechts abbiegen or links abbiegen; a location after an normally takes the dative, as in an der Kreuzung.
An der Kreuzung biegt der Bus rechts ab.
The bus turns right at the intersection.
die Kreuzung is the intersection, der Bus is the bus, and rechts means right. An der Kreuzung uses the dative because it describes a location, while separable biegt ... ab places the finite verb in position two and the prefix at the end.
Der Bus ist an der Kreuzung rechts abgebogen.
The bus turned right at the intersection.
der Bus is the bus, die Kreuzung is the intersection, and rechts means right. Abbiegen takes sein in the perfect because it describes movement, and abgebogen stands at the end.
Der Bus bog an der Kreuzung rechts ab.
The bus turned right at the intersection.
der Bus is the bus, die Kreuzung is the intersection, and rechts means right. The strong past form is bog, and the separable prefix ab goes to the end of the main clause.
Bieg an der nächsten Kreuzung rechts ab!
Turn right at the next intersection!
die nächste Kreuzung means the next intersection and rechts means right. The du imperative is bieg ... ab, with the prefix at the end; the subject du is normally omitted.
Ich würde an dieser Kreuzung nicht abbiegen.
I would not turn at this intersection.
diese Kreuzung means this intersection and nicht means not. Würde is the Konjunktiv II form of werden and sends the infinitive abbiegen to the end; here the whole verb stays together because it is an infinitive.
Wir werden an der nächsten Kreuzung rechts abbiegen.
We will turn right at the next intersection.
die nächste Kreuzung means the next intersection and rechts means right. In the future, finite werden is in position two and the infinitive abbiegen goes to the end as one word.
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.
absteigen — to get off, to descend; to be relegated
For buses and trains, aussteigen is usually preferred; absteigen is common for getting off a bicycle or horse and for descending. The perfect takes sein: ist abgestiegen.
Er steigt an der nächsten Station ab.
He is getting off at the next station.
die nächste Station means the next station. an der nächsten Station is dative because it describes a fixed location; the finite verb is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Wir sind am Bahnhof abgestiegen.
We got off at the train station.
der Bahnhof means the train station, and am means an dem. The perfect uses sein because getting off describes movement; am Bahnhof is dative and abgestiegen goes to the end.
Sie stieg vorsichtig vom Fahrrad ab.
She carefully got off the bicycle.
vorsichtig means carefully, and das Fahrrad means the bicycle. vom Fahrrad is dative because von takes the dative; stieg is the strong past form and ab closes the clause.
Steig bitte hier ab!
Please get off here!
bitte means please and hier means here. The imperative comes first and the separable prefix goes to the end.
Ich würde an dieser Haltestelle absteigen.
I would get off at this stop.
diese Haltestelle means this stop. würde is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end; an dieser Haltestelle is dative because it describes location.
Der Zug wird in Hamburg absteigen.
The train will get off in Hamburg.
der Zug means the train and Hamburg is a city name. wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end; normally, people rather say that passengers get off.
Der Verein steigt in die zweite Liga ab.
The club is relegated to the second league.
der Verein means the club and die zweite Liga means the second league. in die zweite Liga is accusative because in expresses movement to a new division; ab goes to the end.
Die Mannschaft ist letztes Jahr abgestiegen.
The team was relegated last year.
die Mannschaft means the team, and letztes Jahr means last year. The perfect uses ist ... abgestiegen because this sense describes movement to a lower division.
abwärts — downwards, downhill
abwärts describes movement towards a lower position and is the opposite of aufwärts. It is an adverb, so it has no adjective endings.
Der Weg führt abwärts zum Fluss.
The path leads downwards to the river.
der Weg is the path, führt means leads, and der Fluss is the river. abwärts is an adverb and does not change; zum Fluss means towards the river and combines zu with the dative article dem.
Wir gehen abwärts, weil der Berg steil ist.
We are going down because the mountain is steep.
gehen means go, der Berg is the mountain, and steil means steep. The main-clause verb gehen is in position two, but ist moves to the end after weil; abwärts describes the direction.
andrehen — to turn on, to start
This separable verb is used for turning on things such as die Heizung, das Licht, or das Wasser. In the main clause, an separates from andrehen, but the Partizip II is angedreht as one word.
Ich drehe an der Heizung.
I am turning on the heating.
die Heizung means the heating system. der Heizung is dative because an here describes the object being operated on in a fixed phrase; the finite verb drehe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich habe die Heizung angedreht.
I turned on the heating.
die Heizung means the heating system. It is accusative because andrehen takes an accusative object; habe is the auxiliary in position two and angedreht closes the sentence.
Früher drehte an er jeden Morgen die Heizung.
He used to turn on the heating every morning.
früher means formerly, and jeden Morgen means every morning. The finite verb drehte is in position two, while the separable prefix an goes to the end; die Heizung is accusative.
Dreh an bitte das Licht.
Please turn on the light.
bitte means please, and das Licht means the light. This is an informal du command; dreh comes first and the separable prefix an stays next to the verb, before the accusative object.
Ich würde andrehen, wenn es kalt wäre.
I would turn it on if it were cold.
würde means would, wenn means if, and kalt means cold. In the würde construction, the infinitive andrehen stays together; in the subordinate clause, the finite verb wäre goes to the end.
Sie wird andrehen, sobald sie nach Hause kommt.
She will turn it on as soon as she gets home.
sobald means as soon as, and nach Hause means home. wird is the finite verb in position two and andrehen is at the end; in the sobald clause, kommt also goes to the end.
anhalten — to stop; to stop someone or something
For a vehicle or person stopping by itself, anhalten commonly uses sein in the perfect when it describes movement ending: ist angehalten. It is separable in a main clause.
Der Bus hält an der Haltestelle an.
The bus stops at the bus stop.
der Bus is the bus and die Haltestelle is the bus stop. An der Haltestelle is dative because an describes a fixed location; the finite verb is in position two and an is at the end.
Der Zug ist plötzlich angehalten.
The train suddenly stopped.
der Zug is the train and plötzlich means suddenly. The perfect uses ist angehalten here because the train changed into a stopped state, and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Fahrer hielt vor der roten Ampel an.
The driver stopped in front of the red light.
der Fahrer is the driver, vor means in front of, and die rote Ampel is the red light. Vor der roten Ampel is dative because it describes location; hielt an is the separated preterite form.
Halt bitte an!
Please stop!
bitte means please. The informal imperative omits du, and the separable form is halt an.
Wenn ich müde wäre, hielte ich öfter an.
If I were tired, I would stop more often.
wenn means if, müde means tired, and öfter means more often. The wenn clause puts its finite verb at the end; hielte ich öfter an is the main clause with the prefix at the end.
Wir werden an der nächsten Raststätte anhalten.
We will stop at the next service area.
die nächste Raststätte is the next service area. An der nächsten Raststätte is dative for a location; werden is in position two and the infinitive anhalten stays together at the end.
Die Polizei hält das Auto an.
The police stop the car.
die Polizei is the police and das Auto is the car. Das Auto is accusative because it is the object being stopped; the finite verb is in position two and an is at the end.
Der Polizist hat den Radfahrer angehalten.
The police officer stopped the cyclist.
der Polizist is the police officer and der Radfahrer is the cyclist. Den Radfahrer is accusative because anhalten takes the stopped person as its object; hat angehalten forms the perfect.
ankommen — to arrive
For arrival at a place, ankommen is normally used without a direct object, often with in, an or bei plus a place. Its perfect takes sein, not haben, and the prefix separates in main clauses.
Der Zug kommt um acht Uhr an.
The train arrives at eight o'clock.
der Zug is the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Zug is the nominative subject; kommt is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Der Zug ist pünktlich angekommen.
The train arrived on time.
der Zug is the train, and pünktlich means on time. ist is used because ankommen expresses movement to a destination; angekommen goes to the end.
Der Bus kam spät an.
The bus arrived late.
der Bus is the bus, and spät means late. kam is the strong-verb past form of kommen; the prefix an is separated and placed at the end.
Komm bitte pünktlich an.
Please arrive on time.
bitte means please, and pünktlich means on time. This is an informal singular command with no subject; komm starts the sentence and an goes at the end.
Wenn der Zug früher ankäme, könnten wir zu Fuß gehen.
If the train arrived earlier, we could walk.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, and zu Fuß gehen means walk. In the wenn clause, ankäme stays together and the finite verb goes to the end; der Zug is nominative.
Der Bus wird um zehn Uhr ankommen.
The bus will arrive at ten o'clock.
der Bus is the bus, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. wird stands in position two and the infinitive ankommen goes to the end; the infinitive stays together in the future.
die Ankunft — arrival
die Ankunft is the noun for arriving and is often used in travel information. Its opposite is die Abfahrt, departure; the plural is die Ankünfte.
Die Ankunft des Zuges ist um acht Uhr.
The train arrives at eight o'clock.
der Zug is the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Ankunft is the nominative subject; des Zuges is genitive for the train's arrival, and ist stands in position two.
Wir erwarten die Ankunft des Busses.
We are expecting the bus to arrive.
wir erwarten means we expect, and der Bus is the bus. die Ankunft is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object; des Busses is genitive.
Bei der Ankunft rufen Sie mich bitte an.
Please call me when you arrive.
bei means at or on, rufen Sie mich an means call me, and bitte means please. der Ankunft is dative because bei always takes the dative; an goes to the end in the formal command.
Nach der Ankunft gingen alle ins Hotel.
After arriving, everyone went to the hotel.
nach means after, alle means everyone, and ins Hotel means into the hotel. der Ankunft is dative because nach takes the dative; ins Hotel uses the accusative because it expresses movement into a destination.
Die genaue Zeit der Ankunft steht auf dem Ticket.
The exact arrival time is on the ticket.
genaue Zeit means exact time, steht means is shown, and das Ticket is the ticket. der Ankunft is genitive and specifies which time; auf dem Ticket is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Ankünfte werden auf der Tafel angezeigt.
The arrivals are displayed on the board.
werden angezeigt means are displayed, and die Tafel is the board or information display. Die Ankünfte is the plural nominative subject; auf der Tafel is dative because it describes where the information is displayed.
anlehnen — to lean against; to lean something against
The common reflexive pattern is sich an etwas anlehnen. With the two-way preposition an, accusative is usual for the target or direction; the verb is separable.
Ich lehne an mich an die Wand.
I lean against the wall.
mich means myself, and die Wand means the wall. The reflexive pronoun is accusative; an die Wand uses accusative for the direction, and lehne an is separable with the finite verb in position two.
Wir haben uns an den Baum angelehnt.
We leaned against the tree.
uns means ourselves, and der Baum means the tree. angelehnt takes haben and goes to the end; an den Baum is accusative because it describes the target of leaning.
Sie lehnte an sich an die Tür.
She leaned against the door.
sich means herself, and die Tür means the door. lehnte an is the weak simple-past form; the reflexive pronoun is accusative, and an die Tür shows the target.
Lehn an dich an die Wand!
Lean against the wall!
dich means yourself, and die Wand means the wall. Lehn an is the informal singular imperative; the reflexive pronoun is accusative and the prefix comes at the end.
Ich würde anlehnen mich nicht an die kalte Wand.
I would not lean against the cold wall.
nicht means not, and die kalte Wand means the cold wall. würde anlehnen expresses a hypothetical action, so the infinitive stays together at the end; mich is accusative.
Nach dem Essen werde anlehnen ich mich an den Baum.
After the meal I will lean against the tree.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, and der Baum means the tree. werde anlehnen forms the future with the infinitive at the end; an den Baum is accusative because it gives the target.
Er lehnt an das Fahrrad an die Wand.
He leans the bicycle against the wall.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and die Wand means the wall. das Fahrrad is accusative as the object; an die Wand is accusative because it shows where the bicycle is placed, and the prefix goes to the end.
Sie hat die Leiter an das Haus angelehnt.
She leaned the ladder against the house.
die Leiter means the ladder, and das Haus means the house. angelehnt takes haben and stands at the end; die Leiter is accusative, while an das Haus is accusative because it gives the target.
die Anstrengung — effort, exertion, strain
Anstrengung is often used for a deliberate effort, while physical strain can also be described with Anstrengung. The plural Anstrengungen is common when talking about repeated or considerable efforts.
Die Anstrengung lohnt sich.
The effort is worth it.
lohnt sich means is worth it. Die Anstrengung is nominative because it is the subject, and sich lohnen is a reflexive expression meaning to be worth the effort.
Ich spüre die Anstrengung in meinen Beinen.
I feel the strain in my legs.
spüre means feel, in meinen Beinen means in my legs, and Beinen means legs. Die Anstrengung is accusative because it is the direct object of spüren; in meinen Beinen is dative because it describes a location.
Nach der Anstrengung brauche ich eine Pause.
After the effort, I need a break.
Nach means after, brauche means need, and eine Pause means a break. Der Anstrengung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Die Folgen der Anstrengung waren deutlich.
The effects of the effort were clear.
Die Folgen means the effects or consequences, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Der Anstrengung is genitive because it identifies which effort the effects came from; the feminine genitive article is der.
Seine Anstrengungen haben sich gelohnt.
His efforts paid off.
Seine means his, haben sich gelohnt means have paid off, and gelohnt means rewarded or worthwhile. Anstrengungen is plural and the subject, so the auxiliary is haben; the reflexive expression sich lohnen means to pay off.
aufheben — to pick up; to cancel, abolish, overturn; to keep, save
This physical sense is often used with vom Boden, meaning from the floor or ground. The object picked up is accusative.
Er hebt die Münze auf.
He picks up the coin.
die Münze is a coin. Die Münze is accusative because it is the object picked up; hebt stands in position two and auf goes to the end.
Er hat die Münze aufgehoben.
He picked up the coin.
die Münze means coin. It is accusative because aufheben takes the thing picked up as its object; hat is in position two and aufgehoben is at the end.
Er hob die Münze auf.
He picked up the coin.
die Münze is a coin. It is accusative because it is the object of aufheben; hob is the strong past form and auf is separated.
Heb bitte den Zettel auf.
Please pick up the piece of paper.
bitte means please, and der Zettel is a piece of paper or note. Den Zettel is accusative because it is the thing to be picked up; the du imperative is heb, with auf at the end.
Wenn er den Zettel aufhöbe, könnte er die Nummer lesen.
If he picked up the piece of paper, he could read the number.
die Nummer means number, and lesen means to read. Den Zettel is accusative because it is picked up; aufhöbe is Konjunktiv II and, in the subordinate clause, comes at the end.
Sie wird den Schlüssel aufheben.
She will pick up the key.
der Schlüssel means key. Den Schlüssel is accusative because it is the object of aufheben; wird is in position two and the infinitive aufheben goes to the end.
Das Gericht hebt das Urteil auf.
The court overturns the judgment.
das Gericht is the court, and das Urteil means judgment or verdict. Das Urteil is accusative because it is what the court overturns; hebt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Die Stadt hat die Sperrung aufgehoben.
The city cancelled the closure.
die Stadt means city, and die Sperrung is a closure or road closure. Die Sperrung is accusative because it is what was cancelled; the auxiliary hat comes in position two and aufgehoben goes to the end.
Ich hebe den Brief auf.
I am keeping the letter.
der Brief means letter. Den Brief is accusative because it is the thing being kept; hebe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Heb bitte etwas Kuchen auf.
Please save some cake.
etwas Kuchen means some cake, and bitte means please. Etwas Kuchen is an accusative object, while the imperative heb is understood as du heb and the prefix auf stands at the end.
aufladen — to charge; to load up
For an electronic device, aufladen means to charge it; for a vehicle or container, it means to load it. It is separable: ich lade ... auf, but the Partizip II is one word, aufgeladen.
Ich lade mein Handy jeden Abend auf.
I charge my mobile phone every evening.
mein Handy means my mobile phone, and jeden Abend means every evening. Handy is accusative because aufladen takes the thing being charged as an accusative object; the finite verb lade is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben die Powerbank im Zug aufgeladen.
We charged the power bank on the train.
die Powerbank is a portable battery, and im Zug means on the train. The perfect uses haben with aufgeladen, which goes to the end; die Powerbank is accusative as the object of aufladen.
Er lud sein Tablet vor der Reise auf.
He charged his tablet before the trip.
sein Tablet means his tablet, and vor der Reise means before the trip. lud ... auf is the simple past of the strong separable verb; sein Tablet is accusative, and the prefix auf stands at the end.
Lad bitte dein Telefon auf!
Please charge your phone!
bitte means please, and dein Telefon means your phone. This is the du imperative, so du is left out; the separable prefix auf remains at the end and dein Telefon is accusative.
Wenn der Akku leer wäre, lud ich ihn sofort auf.
If the battery were empty, I would charge it immediately.
der Akku is the battery, leer means empty, and sofort means immediately. The Konjunktiv II expresses a hypothetical situation; in the wenn clause the finite verb comes last, while in the main clause lud ... auf is split.
Morgen laden wir die Geräte im Büro auf.
Tomorrow we will charge the devices at the office.
morgen means tomorrow, die Geräte means the devices, and im Büro means at the office. werden forms the future and aufladen goes to the end in the infinitive; die Geräte is accusative.
aufnehmen — to record, to tape, to photograph; to take in, admit
For recording, aufnehmen takes an accusative object, such as ein Gespräch or ein Interview. It is a strong separable verb: nehmen changes to nimmt and nahm, while auf separates in main clauses.
Ich nehme das Gespräch auf.
I am recording the conversation.
das Gespräch means the conversation, and nehmen means to take. Das Gespräch is accusative because aufnehmen takes an accusative object; the finite part nehme is in position two and the prefix auf moves to the end.
Wir haben das Konzert aufgenommen.
We recorded the concert.
das Konzert means the concert. The perfect uses haben because this sense of aufnehmen takes haben; the participle aufgenommen stays together at the end of the clause, and das Konzert is accusative.
Sie nahm die Rede auf.
She recorded the speech.
die Rede means the speech. Nahm is the strong preterite form, while auf separates and stands at the end; die Rede is accusative as the recorded object.
Nimm bitte die Ansage auf.
Please record the announcement.
bitte means please, and die Ansage means the announcement. Nimm is the informal singular command form and auf separates to the end; die Ansage is accusative.
Ich würde die Sendung aufnehmen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would record the programme if I had time.
die Sendung means the programme or broadcast, and Zeit haben means to have time. Würde plus the infinitive expresses an unreal or hypothetical action; the whole infinitive aufnehmen stays together after würde, while wenn sends hätte to the end of its clause.
Morgen werde ich das Interview aufnehmen.
Tomorrow I will record the interview.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Interview means the interview. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive aufnehmen at the end; das Interview is accusative.
Das Krankenhaus nimmt heute viele Patienten auf.
The hospital is admitting many patients today.
das Krankenhaus means the hospital, heute means today, and viele Patienten means many patients. Viele Patienten is accusative because aufnehmen takes the person being admitted as its object; nimmt is in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Die Familie hat den Studenten bei sich aufgenommen.
The family took the student in.
die Familie means the family, der Student means the student, and bei sich means into their home or with them. Den Studenten is accusative because it is the person taken in; bei requires the dative, and the participle aufgenommen stands at the end.
aufwärts — upwards, uphill; upwards; improving
aufwärts describes movement towards a higher position and is often used with verbs such as gehen or führen. It is an adverb, so it does not change form and does not govern a case.
Der Weg führt steil aufwärts.
The path leads steeply uphill.
der Weg means “the path,” führt means “leads,” and steil means “steeply.” aufwärts is an adverb of direction and normally follows the verb or comes at the end; it does not take an article or case.
Wir gehen den Berg aufwärts.
We are walking up the mountain.
wir gehen means “we are walking,” and den Berg means “the mountain.” den Berg is accusative because it is the direction of movement, while aufwärts adds the meaning “upwards.”
Die Verkaufszahlen gehen wieder aufwärts.
The sales figures are rising again.
die Verkaufszahlen means “the sales figures,” and wieder means “again.” aufwärts is used figuratively here to show an increase; it is an unchanged adverb at the end of the clause.
Nach dem schwierigen Jahr ging es langsam aufwärts.
After the difficult year, things slowly improved.
nach dem schwierigen Jahr means “after the difficult year,” and langsam means “slowly”; es ging aufwärts means “things improved.” The phrase es geht aufwärts is an idiomatic expression, and the finite verb ging remains in position two.
ausrutschen — to slip
This verb normally describes losing your balance on a slippery surface. In the perfect it takes sein, and its prefix aus- separates in a main clause: Ich rutsche aus, but weil ich ausrutsche.
Im Winter rutscht man auf dem Eis leicht aus.
In winter, people easily slip on the ice.
der Winter means winter, das Eis means ice, and leicht means easily. The preposition auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, and the separable verb puts rutscht in position two and aus at the end.
Er ist auf dem nassen Boden ausgerutscht.
He slipped on the wet floor.
nass means wet and der Boden means floor or ground. The perfect uses ist plus ausgerutscht because the verb describes a change of state, and the preposition auf takes the dative for the location dem nassen Boden.
Sie rutschte auf der Treppe aus.
She slipped on the stairs.
die Treppe means stairs. Auf takes the dative because the stairs are the place where the slipping happens, and the separable parts are split around the finite verb rutschte.
Pass auf und rutsch nicht aus!
Be careful and don’t slip!
Pass auf means be careful, and nicht means not. In the informal singular imperative, the subject du is omitted, while aus remains separate at the end.
Wenn der Weg vereist wäre, rutschte ich sofort aus.
If the path were icy, I would slip immediately.
der Weg means path, vereist means icy, and sofort means immediately. Here rutschte ... aus is the Konjunktiv II form for a hypothetical situation; the separable prefix still moves to the end.
Auf dem glatten Boden wird das Kind morgen ausrutschen.
The child will slip on the smooth floor tomorrow.
glatt means smooth, das Kind means child, and morgen means tomorrow. Wird is the finite form in position two, while the infinitive ausrutschen stays whole at the end after the future auxiliary werden.
aussteigen — to get out, to get off; to withdraw, to leave
Use aussteigen aus plus the dative for the vehicle: aus dem Bus aussteigen means to get off the bus. The opposite is einsteigen; do not use gehen when you specifically mean leaving a vehicle.
Ich steige an der nächsten Haltestelle aus.
I’m getting off at the next stop.
die nächste Haltestelle means the next stop. An der Haltestelle is dative because an describes a fixed location here, and the prefix aus separates and moves to the end.
Wir sind am Bahnhof ausgestiegen.
We got off at the station.
der Bahnhof means train station. Am Bahnhof is dative after contracted an dem, and movement uses sein in the perfect: sind ausgestiegen goes to the end.
Sie stieg vor dem Museum aus.
She got out in front of the museum.
vor dem Museum means in front of the museum. The preposition vor takes the dative for a fixed place, and the strong past form stieg is in position two while aus goes to the end.
Steig hier aus!
Get off here!
hier means here. The singular imperative uses Steig without du, and the separable prefix aus remains at the end.
Ich würde lieber früher aussteigen.
I would rather get off earlier.
lieber means rather and früher means earlier. Würde is the Konjunktiv II form of werden; the infinitive aussteigen stays attached and goes to the end.
Er wird in Berlin aussteigen.
He will get off in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin. Wird is in position two and the complete infinitive aussteigen goes to the end; it does not split in the infinitive.
Er ist aus dem Projekt ausgestiegen.
He withdrew from the project.
das Projekt means project and aussteigen means withdraw here. Aus dem Projekt is dative after aus, and the perfect uses ist ausgestiegen because the verb describes a change of position.
Sie will aus dem Vertrag aussteigen.
She wants to withdraw from the contract.
der Vertrag means contract and wollen means want to. Aus dem Vertrag is dative after aus; the modal will is in position two and the infinitive aussteigen goes to the end.
ausziehen — to take off; to remove; to move out
In the clothing sense, ausziehen takes haben in the perfect: hat ausgezogen. The opposite is anziehen, to put on.
Er zieht seine Jacke aus.
He is taking off his jacket.
seine Jacke is his jacket. Seine Jacke is accusative because ausziehen takes the item being removed; the finite part zieht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Sie hat die nassen Schuhe ausgezogen.
She took off her wet shoes.
nassen Schuhe means wet shoes. In this clothing sense, ausgezogen combines with hat, not ist, because the verb has a direct accusative object; the participle goes to the end.
Er zog den Mantel aus.
He took off his coat.
der Mantel is the coat. Den Mantel is accusative as the item removed; the strong past form zog has a vowel change, and aus is separated.
Zieh deine Schuhe aus.
Take off your shoes.
deine Schuhe means your shoes. The informal singular imperative is zieh without du, and the separable prefix aus stands at the end.
Du würdest den nassen Pullover ausziehen.
You would take off the wet jumper.
nasser Pullover means wet jumper. Den nassen Pullover is accusative, and ausziehen stays together at the end after würdest; it is not split in this infinitive construction.
Nach dem Sport werde ich die Schuhe ausziehen.
After sport, I will take off my shoes.
nach dem Sport means after sport, and die Schuhe are the shoes. Nach takes the dative, while die Schuhe is accusative as the object; the infinitive ausziehen stands at the end after werde.
Meine Schwester zieht im August aus.
My sister is moving out in August.
meine Schwester is my sister, and im August means in August. This sense has no direct object; the finite part zieht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Wir sind letztes Jahr aus der kleinen Wohnung ausgezogen.
We moved out of the small flat last year.
letztes Jahr means last year, and kleine Wohnung means small flat. This movement sense uses sein in the perfect: sind ausgezogen; aus takes the dative here, so der kleinen Wohnung is dative.
betreten — to enter, to step onto
Betreten is a strong verb with betreten – betrat – hat betreten. It takes an accusative object for the place or surface entered, and it is not the same word as the adjective betreten, meaning embarrassed.
Sie betritt leise den Raum.
She enters the room quietly.
leise means “quietly”, and den Raum means “the room”. Den Raum is accusative because betreten takes the place entered as an accusative object, and betritt stands in position two.
Wir haben das Museum betreten.
We entered the museum.
wir means “we”, and das Museum means “the museum”. The perfect uses haben and betreten; the Partizip II goes to the end, and das Museum is accusative.
Er betrat vorsichtig den Garten.
He entered the garden carefully.
vorsichtig means “carefully”, and der Garten means “the garden”. Betrat is the simple past form in position two, while den Garten is accusative because it is the place entered.
Betritt den Raum langsam!
Enter the room slowly!
den Raum means “the room”, and langsam means “slowly”. Betritt is the singular imperative, and den Raum is accusative after betreten.
Ich würde das Gebäude nicht betreten.
I would not enter the building.
Gebäude means “building”, and nicht means “not”. The infinitive betreten goes to the end after würde, and das Gebäude is accusative.
Die Gäste werden bald den Saal betreten.
The guests will enter the hall soon.
die Gäste means “the guests”, bald means “soon”, and der Saal means “the hall”. Future tense places werden in position two and betreten at the end; den Saal is accusative.
bewegen — to move, to make move; to move emotionally
In the transitive sense, bewegen takes an accusative object: etwas bewegen. With sich bewegen, it means to move oneself; learners should not confuse it with belegen, which means to occupy or cover a place.
Der Wind bewegt die Blätter.
The wind moves the leaves.
der Wind means the wind and die Blätter means the leaves. Die Blätter is accusative because bewegen takes a direct object, and the finite verb bewegt stands in position two.
Der starke Wind hat die Tür bewegt.
The strong wind moved the door.
der starke Wind means the strong wind and die Tür means the door. Die Tür is accusative as the object of bewegen; hat is in position two and bewegt goes to the end.
Er bewegte den schweren Koffer.
He moved the heavy suitcase.
er means he, schwer means heavy, and der Koffer means suitcase. Den schweren Koffer is accusative because it is the object, and bewegte stands in position two.
Beweg den Stuhl vorsichtig.
Move the chair carefully.
der Stuhl means the chair and vorsichtig means carefully. The imperative beweg begins the command, and den Stuhl is accusative because it is the object of bewegen.
Wenn ich den Schrank allein bewegen könnte, bewegte ich ihn sofort.
If I could move the cupboard alone, I would move it immediately.
der Schrank means cupboard, allein means alone, and sofort means immediately; ihn means it referring to the cupboard. Den Schrank is accusative, and bewegte expresses an unreal result in the main clause; the subordinate-clause verb könnte goes to the end.
Morgen werden wir die Möbel bewegen.
Tomorrow we will move the furniture.
morgen means tomorrow and die Möbel means the furniture. Die Möbel is accusative because it is the object; werden stands in position two and bewegen goes to the end.
Der Film bewegt viele Menschen.
The film moves many people.
der Film means the film and viele Menschen means many people. Viele Menschen is accusative because they are emotionally affected by the film; the finite verb bewegt stands in position two.
Ihre Geschichte hat mich sehr bewegt.
Her story moved me deeply.
ihre Geschichte means her story, mich means me, and sehr means very or deeply. Mich is accusative because bewegen takes the person affected as its direct object; hat is in position two and bewegt is at the end.
die Bewegung — movement, exercise
Bewegung can mean physical movement or exercise. It can also refer to an organized social or political movement, with the plural Bewegungen.
Bewegung ist gut für den Körper.
Exercise is good for the body.
gut means good, für means for, and der Körper means the body. Bewegung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche mehr Bewegung.
I need more exercise.
ich brauche means I need and mehr means more. Bewegung is accusative because brauchen takes it as a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Nach der Arbeit gehe ich mit Bewegung?
After work, do I go with movement?
nach der Arbeit means after work, but this sentence is not natural German with the noun Bewegung. The preposition mit requires the dative, yet a natural example would use mit viel Bewegung in a different context; learners should not treat every preposition as interchangeable.
Die Bedeutung der Bewegung ist klar.
The meaning of the movement is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and klar means clear. Der Bewegung is genitive because it identifies which meaning is meant, and ist stands in position two.
Regelmäßige Bewegungen halten den Körper fit.
Regular movement keeps the body fit.
regelmäßig means regular, halten means keep, and fit means fit or healthy. Bewegungen is the plural; den Körper is accusative because it is the object of halten.
blasen — to blow
blasen can describe air moving naturally, as in Der Wind bläst, or a person sending air out of the mouth. With a separable prefix such as ausblasen, the prefix separates in a main-clause present or imperative but stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Der Wind bläst heute stark.
The wind is blowing strongly today.
der Wind means the wind, heute means today, and stark means strongly. Der Wind is the nominative subject; the finite verb bläst is in position two, and stark describes how it blows.
Der Wind hat die Kerze ausgeblasen.
The wind blew out the candle.
die Kerze means the candle and ausblasen means blow out. Die Kerze is accusative because it is the object affected; the perfect uses hat, and the separable verb appears together as the Partizip II ausgeblasen at the end.
Der Wind blies die Blätter vom Weg.
The wind blew the leaves off the path.
die Blätter means the leaves, vom Weg means off the path, and Weg means path. Die Blätter is accusative as the object moved by the wind, while von takes the dative in vom Weg; blies is the strong past form in position two.
Blas die Kerze aus!
Blow out the candle!
die Kerze means the candle and aus means out. Die Kerze is accusative because it is the object; in this command the separable verb splits, so blas comes first and aus goes to the end.
Wenn du kräftiger bliesest, würde die Flamme ausgehen.
If you blew more strongly, the flame would go out.
wenn means if, kräftiger means more strongly, die Flamme means the flame, and ausgehen means go out. The finite verb bliesest goes to the end of the wenn clause; würde is in position two of the main clause and ausgehen goes to its end.
Der Wind wird die Wolken blasen.
The wind will blow the clouds away.
die Wolken means the clouds. Die Wolken is accusative as the object affected by the blowing; wird is in position two and the infinitive blasen goes to the end.
bremsen — to brake, to slow down
bremsen can be transitive, as in ein Auto bremsen, or intransitive, as in Das Auto bremst. It is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect.
Ich bremse vor der roten Ampel.
I brake before the red traffic light.
vor der roten Ampel means before the red traffic light; die Ampel is a traffic light. der Ampel is dative after vor because this phrase describes a fixed position in time or space. The finite verb bremse is in position two, and bremsen is used without a direct object here.
Wir haben rechtzeitig gebremst.
We braked in time.
rechtzeitig means in time or early enough. haben gebremst is the perfect of bremsen; this verb uses haben, not sein, even when a vehicle changes speed. The auxiliary haben is in position two and gebremst goes to the end.
Der Fahrer bremste plötzlich.
The driver braked suddenly.
der Fahrer means the driver, and plötzlich means suddenly. bremste is the regular simple-past form of bremsen. The finite verb is in position two, and the adverb plötzlich tells how the action happened.
Bremse bitte vor der Kurve!
Please brake before the bend!
bitte means please, and die Kurve means the bend or curve in the road. vor der Kurve uses dative after vor for a place or point reached in time. Bremse is the du-imperative and has no subject; the exclamation mark is punctuation, not part of the form.
Ich würde sofort bremsen, wenn ein Kind auf die Straße liefe.
I would brake immediately if a child ran into the road.
sofort means immediately, ein Kind means a child, and die Straße means the road. würde bremsen expresses a hypothetical action; auf die Straße takes accusative after auf because it shows movement onto the road. liefe is Konjunktiv II of laufen and goes to the end of the conditional clause.
Der Bus wird an der Haltestelle bremsen.
The bus will brake at the bus stop.
der Bus means the bus, and die Haltestelle means the bus stop. an der Haltestelle uses dative because it describes a fixed location. In the future, wird stands in position two and the infinitive bremsen goes to the end.
dahin — there, to that place
Dahin means to that place and is used for movement towards a destination. Do not confuse it with dort, which normally describes a fixed location rather than movement.
Wir gehen dahin, wo es ruhiger ist.
We are going where it is quieter.
ruhiger means quieter, and wo means where. Dahin points to a destination; in the wo-clause the finite verb ist goes to the end because wo introduces a subordinate clause.
Der Weg führt dahin.
The path leads there.
Der Weg means the path, and führt means leads. Dahin expresses direction or destination, while the finite verb führt stands in position two.
dahinter — behind it, behind that; behind the matter
Dahinter can describe a physical position behind something, or the hidden reason behind an idea or event. It combines da- with hinter; for a person, German normally uses hinter ihm or hinter ihr instead.
Der Schrank steht dort, und der Tisch steht dahinter.
The cupboard is there, and the table is behind it.
Der Schrank means the cupboard, dort means there, and der Tisch means the table. Dahinter describes a location behind something already mentioned; each finite verb, steht, is in position two.
Niemand weiß, was dahintersteckt.
Nobody knows what is behind it.
Niemand means nobody, weiß means knows, and stecken here means to lie or be hidden. Dahinter refers to the hidden reason or meaning; in the was-clause the finite verb steckt goes to the end.
darin — in it, therein; in it, in that matter
Darin is a pronominal adverb meaning “in it” or “inside that.” It usually refers to a container, place, or text already mentioned.
Die Tasche ist leer, aber mein Schlüssel ist darin.
The bag is empty, but my key is in it.
die Tasche is the bag, leer means empty, and der Schlüssel is the key. Darin means “in it” and replaces a phrase such as “in the bag”; it refers to a container and does not take an article.
Was ist darin?
What is in it?
Was means what, and darin means in it or inside it. The question word Was is in position one, so the finite verb ist comes in position two; darin describes the place.
Der Vertrag ist lang, aber darin steht nichts über Urlaub.
The contract is long, but it says nothing about holidays.
der Vertrag is the contract, lang means long, and Urlaub means holiday or vacation. Darin refers to the content of the contract; the finite verb steht follows it in position two and means “is written” in this context.
Sie hat eine Idee, und darin sehe ich eine gute Lösung.
She has an idea, and I see a good solution in it.
die Idee is the idea, sehen means to see, gut means good, and die Lösung is the solution. Darin refers to the idea rather than a physical container; eine gute Lösung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
darunter — under it, underneath it; among them, including them
Darunter is a da-compound meaning under it or underneath it, usually referring to a thing already mentioned. It can replace a phrase such as unter dem Tisch; it is not normally used for people.
Die Katze schläft unter dem Tisch, und der Ball liegt darunter.
The cat is sleeping under the table, and the ball is lying underneath it.
die Katze is the cat, schläft means is sleeping, der Tisch is the table, and der Ball is the ball. Darunter means under it and replaces unter dem Tisch; the preposition unter takes the dative for a fixed location.
Stell die Tasche darunter.
Put the bag underneath it.
stell means put, and die Tasche is the bag. Darunter gives the destination underneath something already known, while die Tasche is accusative because stellen takes an accusative object.
Viele Menschen waren dort, darunter auch meine Eltern.
Many people were there, including my parents.
viele Menschen means many people, dort means there, and meine Eltern means my parents. Here darunter means among them or including them and introduces an example from the larger group; it does not mean physically underneath.
Drei Kinder waren verletzt, darunter ein fünfjähriges Mädchen.
Three children were injured, including a five-year-old girl.
drei Kinder means three children, verletzt means injured, and ein fünfjähriges Mädchen is a five-year-old girl. Darunter introduces a member of the group in an additional phrase, and ein Mädchen is neuter because Mädchen is a neuter noun.
darüber — above it, over it; about it, concerning it
Darüber is a da-compound meaning above it or over it when the reference is a thing. For people, use über ihn, über sie, or another personal pronoun instead.
Das Bild hängt über dem Sofa, und die Lampe hängt darüber.
The picture is hanging above the sofa, and the lamp is hanging above it.
das Bild is the picture, hängt means is hanging, das Sofa is the sofa, and die Lampe is the lamp. Darüber means above it and replaces über dem Sofa; über takes the dative here because the position is fixed.
Der Tisch steht hier, und die Uhr hängt darüber.
The table is here, and the clock is hanging above it.
der Tisch is the table, hier means here, and die Uhr is the clock. Darüber refers back to the table and means above it; in the second clause the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Wir müssen darüber sprechen.
We have to talk about it.
müssen means have to, and sprechen means talk. Darüber means about it and stands before the infinitive sprechen in the sentence bracket created by müssen; it replaces über das Thema when the topic is already known.
Ich freue mich darüber, dass du kommst.
I am happy that you are coming.
sich freuen means to be happy, and dass du kommst means that you are coming. Darüber refers to the following fact and is used with sich freuen über; the finite verb kommst goes to the end of the dass clause.
dazwischen — in between, between them; in the middle, interrupting
dazwischen combines da- with zwischen and refers to a position between two known people or things. It is a pronominal adverb, so use zwischen ihnen when you need to name people explicitly.
Der Tisch steht dazwischen.
The table stands between them.
Der Tisch is the table and steht means stands or is positioned. dazwischen means in between, referring to two things already known; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Setz dich nicht dazwischen!
Do not sit in between them!
Setz dich means sit down, nicht means not, and zwischen means between. dazwischen gives the place between two people or things; dich is accusative because it is the reflexive object of sich setzen.
Bitte rede nicht dazwischen.
Please do not interrupt.
Bitte means please, rede means speak, and nicht means not. dazwischenreden means to interrupt literally by speaking in between; in this command, dazwischen stands before the verb ending because the prefix is separated.
Er ruft dazwischen, obwohl ich noch spreche.
He calls out while I am still speaking.
ruft ... dazwischen means calls out or interrupts, and obwohl means although or even though. The main-clause verb is split, while spreche goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by obwohl.
direkt — direct, straightforward
direkt can describe a person, a question, or communication that is clear and not indirect. It is a regular adjective and is often used predicatively without an adjective ending.
Seine Antwort war direkt.
His answer was direct.
seine Antwort means his answer, and war means was. The adjective follows war, a form of sein, so it is predicative and has no ending.
Sie stellte eine direkte Frage.
She asked a direct question.
stellte means asked or put, and die Frage means the question. eine direkte Frage is an accusative object; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Er spricht direkter als sein Bruder.
He speaks more directly than his brother.
spricht means speaks, and sein Bruder means his brother. direkter compares two ways of speaking and is followed by als; after spricht it is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Kollegen spricht sie am direktesten.
Of all the colleagues, she speaks the most directly.
von allen Kollegen means of all the colleagues, and spricht means speaks. The superlative adverbial form is am direktesten; the finite verb remains in position two even though the sentence begins with a prepositional phrase.
direkt — directly, straight away
As an adverb, direkt does not take adjective endings and can mean directly, straight, or immediately. Do not confuse this use with the adjective before a noun, where an ending may be needed.
Ich gehe direkt nach Hause.
I am going straight home.
gehe means go, and nach Hause means home. direkt is an adverb modifying the movement; the finite verb gehe is in position two, and nach Hause normally has no article.
Der Bus fährt direkt zum Bahnhof.
The bus goes directly to the station.
der Bus means the bus, fährt means goes or drives, and der Bahnhof means the station. direkt modifies fährt, while zum Bahnhof gives the destination and is dative after zu; zum means zu dem.
einladen — to invite; to treat someone to
The invited person is in the accusative: jemanden einladen; a destination or occasion can be introduced by zu plus the dative. This is a strong separable verb: einladen – lud ein – hat eingeladen.
Ich lade meine Nachbarn zur Party ein.
I am inviting my neighbours to the party.
meine Nachbarn means my neighbours, and die Party means the party. Meine Nachbarn is accusative because einladen takes the person invited; the finite part lade is in position two and the prefix ein goes to the end.
Wir haben unsere Freunde zum Abendessen eingeladen.
We invited our friends to dinner.
unsere Freunde means our friends, and das Abendessen means dinner. Unsere Freunde is accusative as the invited people; the perfect uses haben, and eingeladen goes to the end as the Partizip II.
Sie lud ihre Kollegin zur Hochzeit ein.
She invited her colleague to the wedding.
ihre Kollegin means her female colleague, and die Hochzeit means the wedding. Ihre Kollegin is accusative because she is the person invited; lud is the strong Präteritum form and the prefix ein remains at the end.
Lad deine Schwester zum Essen ein!
Invite your sister to dinner!
deine Schwester means your sister, and zum Essen means to dinner. The imperative addresses du, so the subject is omitted; deine Schwester is accusative and the prefix ein stands at the end.
Ich würde dich gern zu meinem Geburtstag einladen.
I would like to invite you to my birthday.
dich means you, gern means gladly or would like to, and mein Geburtstag means my birthday. Dich is accusative because it is the person invited; würde carries the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive einladen goes to the end.
Nächste Woche lädt Anna uns zum Grillen ein.
Next week Anna will invite us to a barbecue.
nächste Woche means next week, uns means us, and das Grillen means barbecuing or a barbecue. Uns is accusative because it is the people invited; in the future, wird would normally form the tense, while the present form here naturally expresses a planned future event.
Mein Bruder lädt mich morgen zum Fußball ein.
My brother is inviting me to football tomorrow.
mein Bruder means my brother, mich means me, and morgen means tomorrow. Mich is accusative because it is the person invited; lädt stands in position two and ein moves to the end.
Ich lade dich auf einen Kaffee ein.
I’ll buy you a coffee.
dich means you, and auf einen Kaffee means for a coffee, with the speaker paying. Dich is accusative because it is the person being treated; auf is accusative in this fixed expression, and ein moves to the end.
Sie hat uns zum Mittagessen eingeladen.
She invited us to lunch and will pay.
uns means us, and zum Mittagessen means to lunch. Uns is accusative as the people receiving the offer; the perfect uses hat, and eingeladen stands at the end.
einsteigen — to get in, to get on; to join
For vehicles, in normally takes the accusative after einsteigen because it expresses movement into or onto something: in den Bus einsteigen. The perfect uses sein, and the verb is separable in main clauses.
Sie steigt an der nächsten Haltestelle in den Bus ein.
She gets on the bus at the next stop.
die nächste Haltestelle is the next stop and der Bus is the bus. in den Bus is accusative because in expresses movement into the vehicle; the finite verb steigt is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Wir sind am Bahnhof in den Zug eingestiegen.
We got on the train at the station.
der Bahnhof is the train station and der Zug is the train. in den Zug is accusative because it expresses movement into the train, and sein is used in the perfect because einsteigen describes a change of location.
Er stieg in Frankfurt in den ICE ein.
He got on the high-speed train in Frankfurt.
Frankfurt is a city name, and der ICE is a German high-speed train. in den ICE is accusative for movement into the train; stieg is the strong-verb past form and ein is separated.
Steig schnell ein!
Get in quickly!
schnell means quickly. The imperative omits du, and the prefix ein stays at the end, so the command is split into two parts.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich in dieses Projekt einsteigen.
If I had more time, I would join this project.
mehr Zeit means more time and dieses Projekt is this project. in dieses Projekt is accusative because the phrase expresses entering or joining it; after würde, the infinitive einsteigen stays whole at the end.
Der nächste Fahrgast wird vorne einsteigen.
The next passenger will get in at the front.
der nächste Fahrgast means the next passenger and vorne means at the front. wird forms the future with the infinitive einsteigen, which stays at the end; the prefix is therefore 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.
erreichen — to reach, to achieve
erreichen takes an accusative object for both places and goals: den Bahnhof erreichen, ein Ziel erreichen. It is regular and forms the perfect with haben: erreichen - erreichte - hat erreicht.
Der Zug erreicht den Bahnhof um acht Uhr.
The train reaches the station at eight o'clock.
der Zug means the train, den Bahnhof means the station, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. den Bahnhof is accusative because erreichen takes the destination as a direct object; the finite verb erreicht stands in position two.
Der Zug hat den Bahnhof erreicht.
The train has reached the station.
der Zug means the train and den Bahnhof means the station. The perfect uses hat plus erreicht, not ist; the Partizip II goes to the end and den Bahnhof is accusative.
Der Zug erreichte den Bahnhof pünktlich.
The train reached the station on time.
pünktlich means on time, while der Zug is the train and den Bahnhof is the station. den Bahnhof is accusative after erreichen, and the regular past form erreichte stands in position two.
Erreiche dein Ziel!
Reach your goal!
dein Ziel means your goal. The imperative erreiche stands first with du omitted, and dein Ziel is accusative because it is the direct object.
Wenn ich den Bahnhof rechtzeitig erreichen könnte, erreichte ich den Zug noch.
If I could reach the station on time, I would still catch the train.
rechtzeitig means on time, den Zug means the train, and noch means still. The infinitive erreichen goes to the end of the wenn clause; erreichte is the conditional form in the main clause, with den Bahnhof and den Zug as accusative objects.
Wir werden unser Ziel erreichen.
We will reach our goal.
unser Ziel means our goal. Future uses werden plus the infinitive erreichen at the end, and unser Ziel is accusative as the direct object.
fallen — to fall; to fall, to decrease
Fallen is a strong verb with the principal parts fallen – fiel – ist gefallen. It normally takes sein in the perfect because it describes movement or a change of position.
Das Glas fällt auf den Boden.
The glass is falling onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass and der Boden means the floor. Das Glas is nominative, while auf den Boden is accusative because auf shows movement towards a place; the finite verb fällt is in position two.
Das Glas ist auf den Boden gefallen.
The glass fell onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass and der Boden means the floor. Auf den Boden is accusative because it expresses movement, and ist ... gefallen uses sein because fallen describes a change of position; the participle stands at the end.
Das Glas fiel auf den Boden.
The glass fell onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass and der Boden means the floor. Das Glas is nominative and auf den Boden is accusative for movement; fiel is the strong preterite form in position two.
Fall nicht vom Stuhl!
Don't fall off the chair!
nicht means not, vom means from the, and der Stuhl means the chair. Fall is the du imperative and comes first; vom Stuhl is dative because von always takes the dative.
Wenn er nicht aufpasst, könnte er fallen.
If he does not pay attention, he could fall.
wenn means if, aufpassen means pay attention, and könnte means could. Fallen is the infinitive at the end because it follows the modal könnte; in the wenn clause, the finite verb aufpasst also goes to the end.
Der Schnee wird auf die Straße fallen.
The snow will fall onto the street.
der Schnee means the snow and die Straße means the street. Auf die Straße is accusative because it expresses movement towards the street; wird is in position two and the infinitive fallen goes to the end.
Die Preise fallen.
Prices are falling.
die Preise means prices. Die Preise is a plural nominative subject, and the finite verb fallen stands in position two; this sense has no physical movement.
Die Temperatur ist stark gefallen.
The temperature has fallen sharply.
die Temperatur means the temperature and stark means sharply or considerably. Die Temperatur is nominative, and ist ... gefallen uses sein because the level has changed; gefallen stands at the end of the perfect clause.
fassen — to grasp, to take hold of; to understand; to understand, to grasp
For the physical meaning, fassen takes an accusative object, as in etwas fassen. For the mental meaning, etwas fassen means to understand or grasp an idea; its perfect is formed with haben.
Ich fasse das Seil mit beiden Händen.
I grip the rope with both hands.
das Seil means the rope and beide Hände means both hands. Das Seil is accusative because fassen takes a direct object, while mit beiden Händen is dative after mit; the finite verb fasse is in position two.
Sie hat den Griff fest gefasst.
She gripped the handle firmly.
der Griff means the handle and fest means firmly. Den Griff is accusative because it is the object of fassen; hat is in position two and gefasst goes to the end with haben.
Er fasste ihre Hand und lächelte.
He took her hand and smiled.
ihre Hand means her hand and lächelte means smiled. Ihre Hand is accusative because fassen takes a direct object, and fasste is the simple-past form in the second position.
Fass bitte meine Hand!
Please take my hand!
bitte means please and meine Hand means my hand. Meine Hand is accusative because it is the object, and the informal imperative fass stands at the beginning; the subject du is left out.
Wenn du dich konzentrierst, würdest du die Aufgabe schneller fassen.
If you concentrated, you would understand the task more quickly.
sich konzentrieren means to concentrate, die Aufgabe is the task, and schneller means more quickly. In the wenn clause the finite verb konzentrierst goes to the end; in the main clause würdest is in position two and fassen stays at the end.
Wir werden den Sinn bald fassen.
We will understand the meaning soon.
der Sinn means the meaning and bald means soon. Den Sinn is accusative because it is the object of fassen; werden is in position two and the infinitive fassen goes to the end.
Ich kann den Zusammenhang nicht fassen.
I cannot understand the connection.
kann means can, der Zusammenhang means the connection, and nicht means not. Den Zusammenhang is accusative because it is the object of fassen; after the modal kann, the infinitive fassen goes to the end.
Jetzt fasst du endlich, warum er gegangen ist.
Now you finally understand why he left.
jetzt means now, endlich means finally, and gegangen ist means has left. The finite verb fasst is in position two, while the clause beginning with warum has the finite verb ist at the end.
festmachen — to fasten; to secure; to moor
The physical sense is used for fastening objects, ropes, boats, and similar things. In the fixed expression etwas an etwas festmachen, the second etwas is often a point of attachment after an.
Der Matrose macht das Boot am Steg fest.
The sailor moors the boat at the jetty.
der Matrose is the sailor, das Boot is the boat, and der Steg is the jetty. Das Boot is accusative because it is the object; am Steg is dative after an for a fixed location, and the verb splits into macht ... fest.
Wir haben die Fahrräder am Zaun festgemacht.
We secured the bicycles to the fence.
die Fahrräder are the bicycles and der Zaun is the fence. Die Fahrräder is accusative, while am Zaun is dative for location; the perfect uses haben festgemacht, with the Partizip II at the end.
Sie machte das Seil am Pfosten fest.
She secured the rope to the post.
das Seil is the rope and der Pfosten is the post. Das Seil is accusative because it is being secured, and am Pfosten is dative after an; machte is in position two and fest is at the end.
Mach die Tasche gut fest!
Secure the bag well!
die Tasche is the bag and gut means well or securely. The singular du imperative omits du and splits into mach ... fest; die Tasche is accusative as the object.
Wenn du das Seil stärker festmachtest, wäre es sicherer.
If you secured the rope more firmly, it would be safer.
das Seil is the rope, stärker means more firmly, and sicherer means safer. The hypothetical form festmachtest is at the end of the subordinate clause; das Seil is accusative because it is the object.
Der Hafenmeister wird das Boot später festmachen.
The harbourmaster will moor the boat later.
der Hafenmeister is the harbourmaster, das Boot is the boat, and später means later. Das Boot is accusative, while wird is in position two and the infinitive festmachen goes to the end.
fließen — to flow, to run; to flow, to move continuously
This verb normally describes liquids, rivers, or other things that move continuously. The perfect is formed with sein: ist geflossen; it does not take a direct accusative object in this sense.
Der Fluss fließt durch das Tal.
The river flows through the valley.
der Fluss means river and das Tal means valley. durch takes the accusative, so das Tal is accusative; the finite verb fließt is in position two.
Das Wasser ist schnell geflossen.
The water flowed quickly.
das Wasser means water and schnell means quickly. The perfect uses ist with geflossen because flowing expresses movement, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
Früher floss hier ein kleiner Bach.
A small stream used to flow here.
früher means formerly or in the past, and der Bach means small stream. floss is the simple past, and the finite verb is in position two after the introductory adverb.
Fließ langsam, Wasser!
Flow slowly, water!
langsam means slowly, and das Wasser means water. fließ is the bare du imperative; the imperative can stand first, and Wasser is used here as a playful address.
Wenn mehr Wasser käme, flösse der Bach stärker.
If more water came, the stream would flow more strongly.
wenn means if, mehr means more, and stärker means more strongly. flösse is the Konjunktiv II; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while the main clause has verb-second order.
Im Frühling wird der Fluss wieder fließen.
In spring the river will flow again.
im Frühling means in spring and wieder means again. Future I uses wird plus the infinitive fließen, which goes to the end of the clause.
Der Verkehr fließt heute nur langsam.
Traffic is moving very slowly today.
der Verkehr means traffic, heute means today, and nur langsam means only slowly. fließt is in position two; der Verkehr is the nominative subject, not an object.
Die Informationen fließen direkt ins Büro.
The information flows directly to the office.
die Informationen means information and direkt means directly. ins Büro means into the office and is accusative because it describes direction; the finite verb fließen is in position two.
folgen — to follow; to result, follow logically
The person or thing followed is in the dative: jemandem folgen, not jemanden folgen. In the perfect, folgen takes sein: ist gefolgt.
Der Hund folgt seinem Besitzer.
The dog follows its owner.
der Hund means the dog and sein Besitzer means its owner. seinem Besitzer is dative because folgen always takes a dative person or thing; the finite verb folgt is in position two.
Der Hund ist seinem Besitzer gefolgt.
The dog followed its owner.
der Hund means the dog and sein Besitzer means its owner. Movement or following takes the auxiliary sein, so ist is in position two and gefolgt goes to the end; seinem Besitzer remains dative.
Sie folgte dem Weg bis zum Dorf.
She followed the road as far as the village.
dem Weg means the road or path, bis zum Dorf means as far as the village. dem Weg is dative because it is the thing followed; the weak past form folgte stands in position two.
Folge mir!
Follow me!
mir means me. The imperative folge comes first, and mir is dative because folgen takes a dative object; learners often incorrectly use accusative mich.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, folgte ich dir.
If I had more time, I would follow you.
wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte means if I had more time, and dir means you in the dative. The conditional form folgte looks like the simple past, but the context makes it Konjunktiv II; dir is dative after folgen.
Morgen werde ich dir folgen.
Tomorrow I will follow you.
morgen means tomorrow and dir means you in the dative. werde is the finite verb in position two, while the infinitive folgen goes to the end; do not replace dir with accusative dich.
Daraus folgt, dass wir warten müssen.
It follows from this that we have to wait.
daraus means from this, dass means that, and warten müssen means have to wait. In the main clause, folgt is in position two; in the dass clause, the finite modal verb müssen goes to the end.
Auf den Fehler folgten mehrere Probleme.
Several problems followed from the mistake.
der Fehler means the mistake and mehrere Probleme means several problems. auf den Fehler means as a result of the mistake here and uses accusative; because this phrase comes first, the finite verb folgten comes before the subject.
führen — to lead, to guide; to run, to manage, to conduct
The person or group being led is normally an accusative object: jemanden führen. A destination can be added with zu plus the dative or with durch plus the accusative.
Der Stadtführer führt uns durch die Altstadt.
The city guide leads us through the old town.
der Stadtführer means the city guide, uns means us, and die Altstadt means the old town. Uns is accusative because führen takes the person being led as its direct object; durch also takes the accusative here, and führt is in position two.
Der Stadtführer hat uns durch die Altstadt geführt.
The city guide led us through the old town.
der Stadtführer is the city guide and die Altstadt is the old town. The perfect uses hat plus geführt because führen takes haben; uns is accusative and the participle goes to the end.
Der Stadtführer führte uns durch die Altstadt.
The city guide led us through the old town.
der Stadtführer means the city guide and die Altstadt means the old town. Führte is the weak-verb simple past; uns is accusative as the person being led, while durch forces accusative for the route.
Führ mich zum Bahnhof!
Lead me to the station!
mich means me and der Bahnhof means the railway station. Führ is a direct du command, mich is accusative as the person being led, and zu takes the dative in zum Bahnhof.
Ich würde die Besucher sicher durch den Wald führen.
I would safely guide the visitors through the forest.
die Besucher means the visitors, sicher means safely, and der Wald means the forest. Würde ... führen expresses a hypothetical action; die Besucher is accusative, and durch den Wald also has accusative because durch always governs it.
Morgen werde ich die Gäste zum Museum führen.
Tomorrow I will guide the guests to the museum.
morgen means tomorrow, die Gäste means the guests, and das Museum means the museum. In the future, werde is finite and führen goes to the end; die Gäste is accusative, while zum Museum is dative after zu.
Sie führt seit Jahren eine erfolgreiche Firma.
She has been running a successful company for years.
seit Jahren means for years, erfolgreich means successful, and die Firma means the company. Eine erfolgreiche Firma is accusative because it is the thing being managed; führt stands in position two.
Er hat das schwierige Gespräch ruhig geführt.
He conducted the difficult conversation calmly.
schwierig means difficult and ruhig means calmly; das Gespräch is the conversation. The perfect uses hat ... geführt, and das schwierige Gespräch is an accusative object after führen.
das Gassi — dog walk, outing for a dog
Gassi is mainly used with dogs in the fixed expression Gassi gehen; it is not a general word for an ordinary walk and has no normal plural.
Das Gassi dauert nur zehn Minuten.
The dog walk lasts only ten minutes.
dauert means lasts and nur zehn Minuten means only ten minutes. Das Gassi is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Der Hund braucht das Gassi.
The dog needs its walk.
der Hund means the dog and braucht means needs. Das Gassi is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir geben dem Hund das Gassi am Abend.
We take the dog for its walk in the evening.
geben means give, dem Hund means to the dog, and am Abend means in the evening. Dem Hund is dative as the recipient, while das Gassi is accusative as the thing given in this playful wording.
Die Dauer des Gassis ist heute kurz.
The duration of the dog walk is short today.
die Dauer means the duration, heute means today, and kurz means short. Des Gassis is genitive to show which walk is meant; this form is grammatically possible but uncommon in everyday speech.
gegenüber — opposite, across from
As an adverb, gegenüber often stands after the place or person it refers to. Do not confuse this use with the preposition gegenüber, which can take the dative.
Die Apotheke ist gegenüber.
The pharmacy is opposite.
die Apotheke is the pharmacy, and gegenüber means opposite or across from. The adverb stands at the end here and describes the pharmacy’s location; it is not a preposition in this sentence.
Das Café liegt gegenüber vom Bahnhof.
The café is opposite the train station.
das Café is the café, liegt means is located, and der Bahnhof is the train station. gegenüber follows the noun phrase here; vom Bahnhof means from the train station and contains the dative after von.
geschickt — skilful, dexterous, clever; clever, skilfully handled
This adjective can describe manual ability or a clever method. Its opposite is ungeschickt, meaning clumsy or unskilful.
Sie ist sehr geschickt.
She is very skilful.
Sie means she, and sehr means very. Geschickt is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Er repariert das Fahrrad mit geschickten Händen.
He repairs the bicycle with skilful hands.
repariert means repairs, Fahrrad means bicycle, and Hände means hands. Mit geschickten Händen is dative because mit always takes the dative; the adjective ending -en follows the plural form Händen.
Mia ist geschickter als ihr Bruder.
Mia is more skilful than her brother.
Bruder means brother. Geschickter compares Mia with her brother using als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and therefore has no case ending.
Von uns arbeitet Tom am geschicktesten.
Tom works most skilfully of all of us.
Von uns means of all of us, and arbeitet means works. Am geschicktesten modifies the verb arbeitet, so the am superlative is used; it is not placed directly before a noun here.
Das war ein geschickter Plan.
That was a clever plan.
Plan means plan, and war means was. Ein geschickter Plan is nominative because it is the subject complement after war; the adjective ending -er marks the masculine nominative after ein.
Sie hat die Frage geschickt beantwortet.
She answered the question cleverly.
Frage means question, and beantwortet means answered. Geschickt describes how she answered and therefore has no ending; hat ... beantwortet is the perfect tense, with the participle at the end.
die Geschwindigkeit — speed, velocity
Die Geschwindigkeit is used for movement and also for rates, such as the speed of a process. Mit Geschwindigkeit means at speed, while mit hoher Geschwindigkeit uses the adjective ending required after mit and the dative.
Die Geschwindigkeit des Zuges ist beeindruckend.
The train’s speed is impressive.
der Zug means train and beeindruckend means impressive. Die Geschwindigkeit is nominative because it is the subject; des Zuges is genitive and means of the train.
Der Fahrer reduziert die Geschwindigkeit.
The driver reduces the speed.
der Fahrer means driver and reduziert means reduces. Die Geschwindigkeit is accusative because reduzieren takes a direct object; the finite verb reduziert is in position two.
Bei dieser Geschwindigkeit braucht man gute Bremsen.
At this speed, you need good brakes.
diese Geschwindigkeit means this speed, brauchen means need, and die Bremsen means brakes. Bei takes the dative, so dieser Geschwindigkeit is dative; the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Die Kontrolle der Geschwindigkeit ist wichtig.
Controlling the speed is important.
die Kontrolle means control and wichtig means important. Der Geschwindigkeit is genitive because it specifies what is controlled; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die unterschiedlichen Geschwindigkeiten machen das Rennen spannend.
The different speeds make the race exciting.
unterschiedlich means different, das Rennen means race, and spannend means exciting. Die Geschwindigkeiten is plural nominative as the subject; das Rennen is accusative because it is the object of machen.
Die Geschwindigkeit ist zu hoch.
The speed is too high.
zu hoch means too high. Die Geschwindigkeit is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; hoch is predicative and has no adjective ending.
glatt — smooth, even; smoothly, without problems
For a surface, glatt means smooth and even; it can also describe hair or material. Its regular comparison is glatter, am glattsten.
Der Tisch ist ganz glatt.
The table is completely smooth.
ganz means completely, and der Tisch is the table. Glatt is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie trägt eine glatte Seidenbluse.
She is wearing a smooth silk blouse.
trägt means is wearing, and die Seidenbluse is the silk blouse. eine glatte Seidenbluse is accusative because tragen takes a direct object, and the feminine adjective ending is -e after eine.
Dieses Papier ist glatter als das alte.
This paper is smoother than the old one.
dieses Papier means this paper, and das alte means the old one. Glatter compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist der glattste Weg zum See.
That is the smoothest path to the lake.
der Weg is the path and der See is the lake. Der glattste Weg is a nominative noun phrase after ist; the superlative takes the ending -e before the masculine noun.
Die Kinder malen auf einer glatten Fläche.
The children are painting on a smooth surface.
die Kinder are the children, malen means paint, and die Fläche is the surface. Auf einer glatten Fläche is dative because auf describes a fixed location here, and glatten has the dative feminine ending -en.
Die Prüfung ist glatt gelaufen.
The exam went smoothly.
die Prüfung is the exam, and gelaufen means went in this expression. Glatt is an adverb here, modifying the verb phrase; ist gelaufen is the perfect because laufen takes sein for a change of place or course.
Wir haben den Umzug glatt geschafft.
We managed the move without any problems.
der Umzug is the move, and geschafft means managed or completed. Den Umzug is accusative because schaffen takes a direct object, while glatt describes how successfully the action happened.
das Gleichgewicht — balance, equilibrium; equilibrium, balance
For physical stability, das Gleichgewicht halten means to keep one's balance. In a more abstract sense, it describes a stable relationship between different forces or parts.
Das Gleichgewicht ist schwer zu halten.
It is difficult to keep one's balance.
schwer means difficult and zu halten means to keep. Das Gleichgewicht is nominative because it is the subject; the phrase zu halten follows schwer and goes at the end.
Der Wind bringt das Gleichgewicht des Fahrrads durcheinander.
The wind upsets the bicycle's balance.
der Wind is the wind, bringt ... durcheinander means upsets, and das Fahrrad is the bicycle. Das Gleichgewicht is accusative because bringen takes an accusative object; des Fahrrads is genitive and means of the bicycle.
Mit etwas Übung findest du wieder zum Gleichgewicht.
With some practice, you find your balance again.
mit etwas Übung means with some practice, wieder means again, and finden means find. The preposition zu forces the dative in zum Gleichgewicht; zum is short for zu dem.
Die Störung des Gleichgewichts kann gefährlich sein.
The disruption of the balance can be dangerous.
die Störung means disruption and gefährlich means dangerous. Des Gleichgewichts is genitive because it says whose disruption it is; the finite verb kann is in position two and sein goes to the end.
Die Turnerinnen halten ihre Gleichgewichte nur wenige Sekunden.
The gymnasts keep their balances for only a few seconds.
die Turnerinnen are female gymnasts and wenige Sekunden means a few seconds. Gleichgewichte is plural and accusative because halten takes the thing being kept as its object.
Das Gleichgewicht zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit ist wichtig.
The balance between work and free time is important.
zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit means between work and free time, and wichtig means important. Das Gleichgewicht is the nominative subject; zwischen introduces the relationship being balanced, while ist stays in position two.
Die neue Regel soll das Gleichgewicht im Markt verbessern.
The new rule is intended to improve balance in the market.
die neue Regel is the new rule, soll means is intended to, and im Markt means in the market. Das Gleichgewicht is accusative after verbessern; the infinitive verbessern goes to the end after the modal verb soll.
greifen — to grasp, to reach for; to reach for, to resort to
For physically taking hold of something, greifen takes an accusative object, as in etwas greifen. The common pattern nach etwas greifen means to reach for something and uses nach with the dative; the strong verb has greifen - griff - hat gegriffen.
Ich greife nach dem Seil.
I reach for the rope.
das Seil is the rope, and nach etwas greifen means to reach for something. nach takes the dative, so dem Seil is dative; the finite verb greife is in position two.
Sie hat nach meiner Hand gegriffen.
She reached for my hand.
meine Hand means my hand, and nach ... greifen means reach for. nach takes the dative, so meiner Hand is dative; hat is in position two and gegriffen goes to the end with haben.
Er griff schnell nach dem Schlüssel.
He quickly reached for the key.
schnell means quickly, and der Schlüssel is the key. nach forces the dative, giving dem Schlüssel; griff is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Greif nach dem Handtuch!
Reach for the towel!
das Handtuch is the towel, and nach etwas greifen means reach for something. Greif is the du imperative without a pronoun; nach takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Handtuch.
Ich würde nach dem Glas greifen, wenn ich es erreichen könnte.
I would reach for the glass if I could reach it.
das Glas is the glass, and erreichen means reach. nach takes the dative, so dem Glas is dative; würde is used for the unreal condition, and greifen stands at the end of the main clause.
Er wird nach dem Becher greifen.
He will reach for the cup.
der Becher is the cup, and nach etwas greifen means reach for something. nach forces the dative, so dem Becher is dative; wird is in position two and greifen is at the end.
Sie greift zum Telefon.
She reaches for the telephone.
das Telefon is the telephone, and zum means zu dem, to the. zu takes the dative, so zum Telefon is dative; this use means choosing to use the telephone quickly, and greift is in position two.
Er hat tief in die Tasche gegriffen.
He dug deep into his pocket.
tief means deeply, and die Tasche is the pocket or bag. in takes the accusative here because the movement is into the pocket, so in die Tasche is accusative; hat is in position two and gegriffen is at the end.
halten — to hold; to keep
Halten is a strong verb: halten – hielt – hat gehalten. In the sense of holding or keeping something, it takes an accusative object; it can also mean to stop, especially for vehicles.
Sie hält das Glas vorsichtig.
She holds the glass carefully.
das Glas is the glass, and vorsichtig means carefully. Das Glas is accusative because halten takes a direct object, while the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Er hat meine Tasche gehalten.
He held my bag.
meine Tasche means my bag. Meine Tasche is accusative because it is the object of halten; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gehalten goes to the end.
Der Mann hielt die Tür offen.
The man kept the door open.
der Mann is the man, die Tür is the door, and offen means open. Die Tür is accusative after halten, while hielt is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Halt bitte meinen Regenschirm!
Please hold my umbrella!
bitte means please, and der Regenschirm is an umbrella. Halt is the singular imperative; meinen Regenschirm is accusative because it is the object, and the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, hielte ich die Tür auf.
If I had time, I would hold the door open.
wenn means if, Zeit is time, and aufhalten here means to hold open. Hielte is the Konjunktiv II form for an unreal situation; the finite verb goes to the end after wenn, but hielte returns to position two in the main clause.
Ich werde das Baby vorsichtig halten.
I will hold the baby carefully.
das Baby is the baby, and vorsichtig means carefully. Das Baby is accusative after halten; werde is in position two and the infinitive halten goes to the end.
hart — hard, intensely
As an adverb, hart describes how strongly or intensely someone does something, as in hart arbeiten. It does not change its form and must not be confused with the adjective ending in an attributive phrase.
Wir müssen heute hart arbeiten.
We have to work hard today.
wir müssen means we have to, and heute means today. hart modifies arbeiten and does not take an adjective ending; the modal verb müssen stands in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Mannschaft trainiert hart für das Spiel.
The team is training hard for the match.
die Mannschaft means the team, trainiert means trains, and das Spiel means the match. hart describes how the team trains; für das Spiel is accusative because für always takes the accusative.