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Vocab: Music & arts — A2 (1) ​

Music & arts vocabulary at A2 level.

Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural

die Abbildung — illustration, picture, diagram ​

Abbildung is a general word for an illustration, picture, or diagram, especially in a book or document. Do not confuse it with Bild, which is more common for an ordinary picture or image.
Die Abbildung zeigt den Aufbau des Herzens.
The illustration shows the structure of the heart.
zeigen means to show, der Aufbau is the structure, and das Herz is the heart. Die Abbildung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Abbildung im Buch.
I see the illustration in the book.
sehen means to see and das Buch is the book. Die Abbildung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while im Buch means in the book and uses the dative.
Ich vertraue der Abbildung nicht ganz.
I do not completely trust the illustration.
vertrauen means to trust and nicht ganz means not completely. Der Abbildung is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Farben der Abbildung sind sehr deutlich.
The colours of the illustration are very clear.
die Farben means the colours and deutlich means clear. Der Abbildung is genitive because it identifies whose colours they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Im Buch stehen viele Abbildungen.
There are many illustrations in the book.
im Buch means in the book and viele means many. Abbildungen is the plural form with no ending change beyond -en; im Buch is dative after the location phrase in.

abstimmen — to vote; to coordinate, to agree ​

For voting, abstimmen is often used with über plus the accusative: über einen Vorschlag abstimmen. It can also be reflexive in the sense of coordinating with someone: sich mit jemandem abstimmen.
Wir stimmen ab.
We are voting.
wir means we, and ab is the voting prefix. The finite verb stimmen is in position two, while the separable prefix ab moves to the end.
Wir haben gestern abgestimmt.
We voted yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. The Partizip II abgestimmt goes to the end and combines with the auxiliary haben.
Der Ausschuss stimmte ab.
The committee voted.
der Ausschuss means the committee. The finite verb stimmte stands in position two and ab is separated to the end.
Stimm ab!
Vote!
This is a direct command to one person. The informal imperative is stimm, and the prefix ab remains at the end.
Ich würde über den Antrag abstimmen.
I would vote on the motion.
der Antrag means the motion or proposal. über den Antrag is accusative because this use of über means voting on a matter; after würde, the infinitive abstimmen goes to the end.
Morgen werden die Bürger abstimmen.
Tomorrow the citizens will vote.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Bürger means the citizens. The auxiliary werden is in position two, while the infinitive abstimmen stays together at the end.
Wir koordinieren den Termin, indem wir mit dem Team abstimmen.
We coordinate the date by consulting with the team.
koordinieren means coordinate, der Termin means the date or appointment, and das Team means the team. mit dem Team is dative because mit requires the dative; in the clause introduced by indem, the infinitive abstimmen stands at the end.
Sie bittet uns, uns mit der Kollegin abzustimmen.
She asks us to coordinate with our colleague.
bittet means asks, uns means us, and die Kollegin means the female colleague. mit der Kollegin is dative after mit, and the reflexive infinitive uns abzustimmen comes at the end after bittet uns.

anhören — to listen to, to listen to something; to hear someone out, to interview formally ​

The common pattern is sich etwas anhören: the listener is a dative reflexive pronoun and the thing listened to is accusative. Do not confuse it with jemandem zuhören, which takes a dative person.
Ich höre mir den Podcast an.
I am listening to the podcast.
mir means to myself and der Podcast is an audio programme. Mir is dative for the listener and den Podcast is accusative as the thing listened to; höre is in position two and an is at the end.
Wir haben uns den neuen Song angehört.
We listened to the new song.
uns means to ourselves and der neue Song is the new song. Uns is dative and den neuen Song is accusative; haben angehört forms the perfect.
Sie hörte dem Kunden lange an.
She listened to the customer for a long time.
der Kunde is the customer and lange means for a long time. Dem Kunden is dative because this construction treats the person listened to as a dative object; an is separated.
Hör dir diese Nachricht an!
Listen to this message!
diese Nachricht means this message. The informal imperative omits du; dir is dative, and an goes at the end.
Wenn du Zeit hättest, hörtest du dir die Aufnahme an.
If you had time, you would listen to the recording.
Zeit means time and die Aufnahme is the recording. The wenn clause puts hättest at the end; the main clause has hörtest in position two and an at the end.
Heute Abend werde ich mir die Nachrichten anhören.
This evening I will listen to the news.
heute Abend means this evening and die Nachrichten is the news. Mir is dative for the listener; werde is in position two and the infinitive anhören stays together at the end.
Das Gericht hört den Zeugen an.
The court hears the witness.
das Gericht is the court and der Zeuge is the witness. Den Zeugen is accusative because the court hears this person, and the prefix an goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin hat beide Schüler angehört.
The teacher heard both pupils out.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, beide means both, and der Schüler is the pupil. Beide Schüler is accusative as the object, and hat angehört forms the perfect.

die Aufführung — performance, production ​

Die Aufführung is the event itself, while aufführen is the verb meaning to perform or stage something. It can refer to theatre, music, dance, or another public show.
Die Aufführung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The performance starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Aufführung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Aufführung am Samstag.
We are attending the performance on Saturday.
besuchen means attend or visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Aufführung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Nach der Aufführung gingen wir nach Hause.
After the performance, we went home.
nach means after here and gingen means went; nach Hause means home. Der Aufführung is dative because nach takes the dative; the initial phrase causes gingen to come before wir.
Das Ende der Aufführung war sehr schön.
The end of the performance was very beautiful.
das Ende means the end and sehr schön means very beautiful. Der Aufführung is genitive because it identifies whose end is meant; the subject Das Ende puts war in position two.
Die Aufführungen waren alle ausverkauft.
All the performances were sold out.
alle means all and ausverkauft means sold out. Aufführungen is plural and therefore takes waren, not war; it is the nominative subject.

die Aufnahme — recording, photograph; admission, acceptance, intake ​

Aufnahme can mean a sound or video recording, a photograph, or a captured image. The related verb is aufnehmen, and the plural Aufnahmen covers these media meanings.
Die Aufnahme klingt sehr klar.
The recording sounds very clear.
klingen means to sound, and klar means clear. Die Aufnahme is the nominative subject; sehr klar describes how it sounds, and the finite verb klingt is in position two.
Ich höre die Aufnahme noch einmal.
I am listening to the recording once more.
hören means to listen to or hear, and noch einmal means once more. Die Aufnahme is accusative because hören takes an accusative object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Wir schicken der Aufnahme einen Namen.
We give the recording a name.
schicken means to send, and einen Namen means a name. Der Aufnahme is dative as the recipient of the name, while einen Namen is accusative; the verb pattern is jemandem etwas schicken.
Die Qualität der Aufnahme ist ausgezeichnet.
The quality of the recording is excellent.
die Qualität means the quality and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Der Aufnahme is genitive, meaning of the recording; ist is the finite verb and ausgezeichnet is predicative.
Die Aufnahmen liegen auf meinem Computer.
The recordings are on my computer.
liegen means to lie or be located, and der Computer means the computer. Aufnahmen is the plural subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so meinem Computer is dative.
Die Aufnahme ins Krankenhaus erfolgte am Abend.
The admission to the hospital took place in the evening.
das Krankenhaus means the hospital, erfolgen means to take place, and am Abend means in the evening. Ins Krankenhaus is in das Krankenhaus and uses the accusative because it describes admission into a place; the noun Aufnahme is the subject.
Für die Aufnahme an der Universität braucht man gute Noten.
Good grades are needed for admission to the university.
für means for, die Universität means the university, and gute Noten means good grades. Für die Aufnahme is accusative after für, while an der Universität is dative because it refers to a fixed institution; braucht man has the subject man in position three after the fronted phrase.

der Autor — author ​

der Autor is a person who writes texts, especially books. Its plural is Autoren, not Autors; the genitive singular is des Autors.
Der Autor schreibt einen neuen Roman.
The author is writing a new novel.
schreiben means to write and der Roman means the novel. der Autor is nominative because it is the subject, while einen neuen Roman is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich lese den Autor gern.
I like reading the author.
lesen means to read and gern means gladly or with pleasure. den Autor is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; gern says that the speaker enjoys the activity.
Ich danke dem Autor für das Buch.
I thank the author for the book.
danken means to thank and für means for. danken takes a dative person, so dem Autor is dative, while für takes the accusative in das Buch.
Der Stil des Autors gefällt mir.
I like the author's style.
der Stil means the style and gefallen means to please or be liked. des Autors is genitive because it shows whose style it is, while mir is dative because gefallen presents the person who likes something in the dative.
Viele Autoren lesen auf der Messe.
Many authors read at the fair.
viele means many, lesen means read, and die Messe means the fair or exhibition. viele Autoren is the plural subject, and auf der Messe is dative because it describes a fixed location.

die Autorin — female author ​

The ending -in marks a female person; the plural is Autorinnen.
Autorin Anna Weber lebt in Berlin.
The author Anna Weber lives in Berlin.
lebt means “lives”, and in Berlin means “in Berlin”. Anna Weber is the author’s name; the feminine noun Autorin identifies her job. Autorin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Ich treffe die Autorin heute.
I am meeting the female author today.
treffe means “meet”, and heute means “today”. die Autorin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object, while the finite verb treffe stands in position two.
Ich danke der Autorin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the female author for her help.
danke means “thank”, für means “for”, and ihre Hilfe means “her help”. der Autorin is dative because danken requires a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is accusative after für.
Das Buch der Autorin ist sehr erfolgreich.
The female author’s book is very successful.
Das Buch means “the book”, and erfolgreich means “successful”. der Autorin is genitive and shows who the book belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Autorinnen lesen bei der Messe.
The female authors are reading at the fair.
lesen means “read”, and bei der Messe means “at the trade fair”. Autorinnen is plural and therefore takes die; the finite verb lesen stands in position two.

das Ballett — ballet ​

Das Ballett can mean the art of ballet or a particular ballet performance. It is a neuter noun, and its plural is die Ballette.
Das Ballett beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The ballet begins at seven o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um sieben Uhr means at seven o’clock. Das Ballett is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Ballett im Theater.
We are watching the ballet at the theatre.
wir means we, sehen means watch or see, and im Theater means at the theatre. Das Ballett is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie tanzt in einem Ballett.
She dances in a ballet.
sie means she and tanzt means dances. In einem Ballett uses the dative because in describes a location or context rather than movement into it; the finite verb tanzt is in position two.
Die Musik des Balletts ist wunderschön.
The music of the ballet is wonderful.
die Musik means the music and wunderschön means wonderful. Des Balletts is genitive because it identifies which music is meant, and the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Ballette dieser Saison sind ausverkauft.
The ballets this season are sold out.
dieser Saison means this season and ausverkauft means sold out. Ballette is plural with -e, and the plural subject requires sind rather than ist.

der Band — volume, book in a series ​

This masculine noun means a volume in a series; the neuter das Band means a ribbon, tape, or bond. Its plural is Bände, not Bänder.
Der Band steht im Regal.
The volume is on the shelf.
das Regal is a shelf. Der Band is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two; im means in dem and marks a location with the dative.
Ich lese den Band heute Abend.
I am reading the volume this evening.
heute Abend means this evening. Den Band is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese stands in position two; heute Abend is a time expression.
Sie gibt ihrem Bruder den Band.
She gives her brother the volume.
ihrem Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because geben marks the recipient with the dative, while den Band is accusative because it is the thing given; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Das Ende des Bandes ist besonders spannend.
The ending of the volume is especially exciting.
das Ende is the ending and besonders spannend means especially exciting. Des Bandes is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe alle Bände der Reihe gekauft.
I bought all the volumes in the series.
alle means all and die Reihe is the series. Bände is the plural of der Band and is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the genitive phrase der Reihe means of the series.

begleiten — to accompany, to go with ​

Begleiten takes an accusative person or thing: jemanden begleiten. A destination is often added with zu plus the dative, as in jemanden zum Bahnhof begleiten.
Ich begleite dich zum Bahnhof.
I’ll accompany you to the station.
dich means you and der Bahnhof means the station. Dich is accusative because begleiten takes the person being accompanied as a direct object; zum Bahnhof means to the station.
Sie hat ihren Bruder nach Hause begleitet.
She accompanied her brother home.
ihr Bruder means her brother and nach Hause means home. The perfect uses hat plus begleitet at the end; ihren Bruder is accusative.
Der Arzt begleitete den Patienten ins Zimmer.
The doctor accompanied the patient into the room.
der Arzt is the doctor, der Patient is the patient, and ins Zimmer means into the room. Begleitete is the regular Präteritum form; den Patienten is accusative, and ins marks movement into das Zimmer.
Begleite mich bitte zum Eingang.
Please come with me to the entrance.
mich means me, bitte means please, and der Eingang means the entrance. The imperative begleite stands first; mich is accusative, and zum Eingang means to the entrance.
Ich würde meine Tochter gern begleiten.
I would be happy to accompany my daughter.
meine Tochter means my daughter and gern means gladly or would be happy to. The polite Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and places begleiten at the end; meine Tochter is accusative.
Wir werden dich zum Arzt begleiten.
We will accompany you to the doctor.
dich means you and der Arzt means the doctor. Futur I puts werden in position two and begleiten at the end; dich is accusative, while zum Arzt means to the doctor.

der Beifall — applause; approval; approval; support ​

Beifall is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For the action of clapping, German also commonly uses the verb applaudieren.
Der Beifall war sehr laut.
The applause was very loud.
laut means loud and sehr means very. Der Beifall is the nominative subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir hören den Beifall.
We hear the applause.
hören means to hear. Den Beifall is accusative because it is the direct object of hören; the finite verb hören stands in position two.
Die Schauspieler danken dem Beifall des Publikums.
The actors thank the audience's applause.
die Schauspieler means the actors and das Publikum means the audience. Dem Beifall is dative because danken takes a dative object, while des Publikums is genitive and means of the audience.
Die Wirkung des Beifalls war sofort spürbar.
The effect of the applause was immediately noticeable.
die Wirkung means the effect and sofort spürbar means immediately noticeable. Des Beifalls is genitive because it specifies the effect's source; the finite verb war is in position two.
Der Vorschlag findet Beifall.
The proposal meets with approval.
der Vorschlag means the proposal and finden means to receive or meet with in this expression. Beifall finden is a fixed collocation; the finite verb findet is in position two, and Beifall has no article because it is uncountable here.
Die Entscheidung erhielt viel Beifall.
The decision received a lot of approval.
die Entscheidung means the decision and viel means a lot of. Beifall is the accusative object of erhielt; uncountable nouns often appear without an article after quantity words such as viel.

der CD-Player — CD player ​

CD-Player is a masculine compound borrowed from English. Its plural is unchanged, die CD-Player, but its genitive singular normally has -s, des CD-Players.
Der CD-Player steht im Wohnzimmer.
The CD player is in the living room.
stehen means to stand or be located, and das Wohnzimmer is the living room. Der CD-Player is nominative because it is the subject; im Wohnzimmer is in dem Wohnzimmer, with the dative for location.
Ich repariere den CD-Player.
I am repairing the CD player.
reparieren means to repair. Den CD-Player is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb repariere stands in position two.
Meine Schwester hört mit dem CD-Player Musik.
My sister listens to music with the CD player.
meine Schwester means my sister and Musik hören means to listen to music. Mit always takes the dative, so dem CD-Player is dative; the verb hört is in position two.
Das Kabel des CD-Players ist kaputt.
The CD player's cable is broken.
das Kabel means the cable and kaputt means broken. Des CD-Players is genitive to show whose cable it is, and this borrowed masculine noun takes -s after des.
Im Laden stehen mehrere CD-Player.
There are several CD players in the shop.
der Laden means the shop and mehrere means several. CD-Player is unchanged in the plural, and mehrere makes the plural meaning clear; im Laden is a location phrase with the dative.

der Chor — choir ​

der Chor is a group of singers, not an individual singer. Its plural is irregular in spelling: Chöre has an umlaut and -e.
Der Chor singt in der Kirche.
The choir is singing in the church.
singen means to sing and die Kirche is the church. Der Chor is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb singt stands in position two.
Ich höre den Chor.
I hear the choir.
hören means to hear. Den Chor is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Chor.
I help the choir.
helfen means to help. Dem Chor is dative because helfen requires the dative, and the finite verb helfe is in position two.
Die Stimmen des Chors sind sehr schön.
The choir’s voices are very beautiful.
die Stimme means voice and schön means beautiful. Des Chors is genitive because it shows whose voices they are; the plural subject die Stimmen makes the verb sind plural.
Drei Chöre treten heute auf.
Three choirs are performing today.
drei means three, heute means today, and auftreten means to perform or appear. Chöre is plural nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb splits into treten and auf in a main clause.

der Dichter — poet ​

Der Dichter is a masculine noun for a poet. Its plural is die Dichter without a visible ending, while its genitive singular is des Dichters with -s.
Der Dichter schreibt ein neues Gedicht.
The poet is writing a new poem.
schreibt means is writing, ein neues Gedicht means a new poem, and neu means new. Der Dichter is the nominative subject, while ein neues Gedicht is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object; the finite verb schreibt is in position two.
Ich lese den Dichter im Unterricht.
I am studying the poet in class.
ich lese means I read or study, and im Unterricht means in class. Den Dichter is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem, and the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Wir danken dem Dichter für seine Worte.
We thank the poet for his words.
wir danken means we thank, seine Worte means his words, and für means for. Danken requires a dative person, so dem Dichter is dative; für separately takes the accusative seine Worte.
Die Sprache des Dichters ist sehr bildhaft.
The poet's language is very vivid.
die Sprache is the language, and bildhaft means vivid or rich in images. Des Dichters is genitive and shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Dichter leben in dieser Stadt.
Many poets live in this city.
viele means many, leben means live, and diese Stadt means this city. Viele Dichter is the plural nominative subject, so it takes viele and Dichter without an ending; the finite verb leben is in position two.

die Figur — figure; character; figure; body shape; geometric shape ​

Figur can mean a character in a story or a physical figure or shape. In eine gute Figur machen, it means to make a good impression, not literally to make a figure.
Die Figur im Film ist sehr mutig.
The character in the film is very brave.
im Film means in the film and mutig means brave. Die Figur is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Figur aus dem Buch.
I know the character from the book.
kenne means know, aus means from, and das Buch means the book. Die Figur is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus dem Buch is a prepositional phrase with dative after aus.
Das Kind spielt mit der Figur.
The child is playing with the figure.
Das Kind means the child and spielt means plays. Der Figur is dative because mit always takes the dative; spielt is in position two.
Die Geschichte der Figur ist traurig.
The character's story is sad.
Die Geschichte means the story and traurig means sad. Der Figur is genitive because it identifies whose story it is; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Im Spiel gibt es viele Figuren.
There are many characters in the game.
Im Spiel means in the game and viele means many. Figuren is plural after viele; in es gibt, the object is accusative, although the plural article is still die when used.
Sie hat eine schlanke Figur.
She has a slim figure.
schlanke means slim and hat means has. Eine schlanke Figur is accusative because haben takes a direct object, and the adjective has the ending -e after the feminine article eine.
Der Kreis ist eine einfache geometrische Figur.
The circle is a simple geometric shape.
Der Kreis means the circle, einfach means simple, and geometrisch means geometric. Eine einfache geometrische Figur is a predicate noun after ist, so it remains nominative; both adjectives take -e after eine.

der Fotograf — photographer ​

Der Fotograf is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular: den Fotografen, dem Fotografen, des Fotografen. The feminine form is die Fotografin.
Der Fotograf macht heute die Hochzeitsfotos.
The photographer is taking the wedding photos today.
macht means takes or makes, and die Hochzeitsfotos means the wedding photos; heute means today. Der Fotograf is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Das Paar bucht den Fotografen für die Hochzeit.
The couple books the photographer for the wedding.
das Paar means the couple, bucht means books, and die Hochzeit means the wedding. Den Fotografen is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Wir danken dem Fotografen für die schönen Bilder.
We thank the photographer for the beautiful pictures.
danken means thank, schönen Bilder means beautiful pictures, and für means for. Dem Fotografen is dative because danken takes the dative, and the weak noun uses -en; für die schönen Bilder is an accusative phrase after für.
Die Kamera des Fotografen ist teuer.
The photographer's camera is expensive.
die Kamera means the camera, and teuer means expensive. Des Fotografen is genitive because it shows possession; the weak masculine noun takes -en, not -s, in this case.
Die Fotografen arbeiten im Park.
The photographers are working in the park.
arbeiten means work, and im Park means in the park. Fotografen is the plural with -en; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.

die Fotografie — photograph; photography; photography ​

For a single picture, die Fotografie usually means a photograph. The related meaning Fotografie can also mean photography as an activity or art form.
Die Fotografie hängt im Wohnzimmer.
The photograph is hanging in the living room.
hängt means is hanging, and das Wohnzimmer is the living room. Die Fotografie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Fotografie jeden Tag.
I see the photograph every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. Die Fotografie is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich zeige meiner Schwester die Fotografie.
I show my sister the photograph.
zeige means show, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative as the recipient, while die Fotografie is accusative as the thing shown; the finite verb zeige comes second and the object follows.
Die Qualität der Fotografie ist sehr gut.
The quality of the photograph is very good.
die Qualität means the quality, and sehr gut means very good. Der Fotografie is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Museum sehen wir viele Fotografien.
In the museum we see many photographs.
das Museum means museum, sehen means see, and viele means many. Fotografien is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im Museum is a shortened form of in dem Museum.
Fotografie ist ihre große Leidenschaft.
Photography is her great passion.
ihre große Leidenschaft means her great passion. Fotografie is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Er studiert Fotografie an der Universität.
He studies photography at university.
studiert means studies, and an der Universität means at the university. Fotografie names a field of study here and has no article; the finite verb studiert is in position two.

die Galerie — art gallery; balcony; gallery ​

die Galerie usually means an art gallery, but it can also mean a balcony or upper passage in a building. The plural is Galerien, not Galeries.
Die Galerie zeigt heute moderne Kunst.
The gallery is showing modern art today.
zeigt means is showing, heute means today, and moderne Kunst means modern art. Die Galerie is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Galerie am Samstag.
We are visiting the gallery on Saturday.
besuchen means visit, am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Galerie is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article is identical in nominative and accusative.
Ich gehe mit meiner Freundin in eine Galerie.
I am going to a gallery with my friend.
gehe means am going, mit meiner Freundin means with my female friend, and in means into here. Meiner Freundin is dative after mit; eine Galerie is accusative after in because it expresses movement into a place.
Die Adresse der Galerie steht im Internet.
The gallery’s address is on the internet.
die Adresse means the address, steht means is written or can be found, and im Internet means on the internet. Der Galerie is genitive because it shows whose address it is; the feminine noun itself does not change.
In Berlin gibt es viele Galerien.
There are many galleries in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Galerien is the plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
Oben auf der Galerie sitzen die Zuschauer.
The spectators are sitting up in the gallery.
oben means up there, die Zuschauer means the spectators, and sitzen means are sitting. Auf der Galerie is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the verb sitzen comes before the subject because the location occupies position one.
Die Musiker spielen auf der Galerie.
The musicians are playing in the gallery.
die Musiker means the musicians and spielen means are playing. Auf der Galerie is dative because it gives a fixed location, and the finite verb spielen remains in position two.

das Gedicht — poem ​

Gedicht is used for a literary poem. A short humorous poem may also be called ein Gedichtchen, while a song’s words are usually der Liedtext.
Das Gedicht ist sehr kurz.
The poem is very short.
sehr kurz means very short. Das Gedicht is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Die Schülerin liest das Gedicht laut vor.
The schoolgirl reads the poem aloud.
Die Schülerin is the schoolgirl, and laut means aloud. Das Gedicht is accusative after lesen; in the separable verb vorlesen, liest is in position two and vor goes to the end.
Wir sprechen über dem Gedicht.
We are talking about the poem.
This sentence is not standard German: über takes the accusative when it means about. Say Wir sprechen über das Gedicht; dem Gedicht is dative and would require a preposition such as mit.
Die Sprache des Gedichts ist ungewöhnlich.
The language of the poem is unusual.
Die Sprache is the language, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Gedichts is genitive because it identifies which poem the language belongs to; ist is in position two.
Im Unterricht lesen wir kurze Gedichte.
In class we read short poems.
Im Unterricht means in class, and kurze means short. Gedichte is plural accusative because it is the object of lesen; the finite verb lesen is in position two after the fronted phrase.

das Gemälde — painting, artwork ​

Gemälde usually means a finished painting regarded as a work of art. Its singular and plural forms are identical, so the article or determiner is important: das Gemälde, but die Gemälde.
Das Gemälde hängt im Museum.
The painting is hanging in the museum.
hängt means “is hanging,” and das Museum means “the museum.” Das Gemälde is nominative because it is the subject, while im Museum is dative because in describes a fixed location; hängt stands in position two.
Die Besucher betrachten das Gemälde.
The visitors are looking at the painting.
Besucher means “visitors,” and betrachten means “look at” or “examine.” Das Gemälde is accusative because betrachten takes an accusative object; the finite verb betrachten is in position two.
Im Saal hängen viele Gemälde.
Many paintings are hanging in the hall.
Saal means “hall,” hängen means “are hanging,” and viele means “many.” Viele Gemälde is the plural subject, and the noun does not change form in the plural; im Saal is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir sprechen über das Gemälde.
We are talking about the painting.
sprechen über means “talk about.” Über das Gemälde is accusative because über takes the accusative when it introduces a topic; the finite verb sprechen stands in position two.
Die Farben des Gemäldes sind dunkel.
The colors of the painting are dark.
die Farben means “the colors,” and dunkel means “dark.” Des Gemäldes is genitive because it shows which painting the colors belong to; the neuter noun adds -s, and the plural subject die Farben requires sind.

die Grafik — graphic, chart, diagram ​

Die Grafik can mean a chart or diagram that presents information, or a computer graphic. Its plural is die Grafiken, with -en; do not confuse it with das Foto, which is a photograph.
Die Grafik zeigt die Ergebnisse.
The graphic shows the results.
zeigen means show and die Ergebnisse means the results. Die Grafik is nominative because it is the subject of zeigt, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich drucke die Grafik aus.
I am printing out the graphic.
ausdrucken means print out. Die Grafik is accusative because it is the object of drucke ... aus; the separable prefix aus moves to the end of the main clause.
Mit der Grafik versteht man die Zahlen besser.
The graphic makes the numbers easier to understand.
mit means with, verstehen means understand, and die Zahlen means the numbers. Mit der Grafik is dative because mit always takes the dative; the impersonal subject man comes after the verb.
Die Farben der Grafik sind sehr deutlich.
The colours of the graphic are very clear.
die Farben means colours and deutlich means clear. Der Grafik is genitive because it identifies whose colours they are; as a feminine noun, Grafik itself has no genitive ending.
Die Grafiken im Bericht sind hilfreich.
The graphics in the report are helpful.
der Bericht means report and hilfreich means helpful. Grafiken is the plural of Grafik; im Bericht means in the report and is a dative location phrase.
Eine einfache Grafik erklärt den Ablauf.
A simple graphic explains the process.
einfach means simple, erklären means explain, and der Ablauf means process or sequence. Eine einfache Grafik is the nominative subject, while den Ablauf is accusative because it is the object of erklärt.

der Hit — hit, very successful song or film ​

In everyday German, der Hit often means a popular song, but it can also describe a very successful film or product. The plural is die Hits, with the English-style ending -s.
Der Hit läuft heute oft im Radio.
The hit is playing often on the radio today.
läuft means is playing or is running, heute means today, and im Radio means on the radio. Der Hit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Ich höre den Hit jeden Morgen.
I listen to the hit every morning.
höre means listen to and jeden Morgen means every morning. den Hit is accusative because hören takes an accusative object; the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Wir tanzen zu dem Hit.
We dance to the hit.
tanzen means to dance and zu means to or to the accompaniment of. zu always takes the dative, so dem Hit is dative.
Der Refrain des Hits ist leicht zu singen.
The hit's chorus is easy to sing.
der Refrain means the chorus and leicht zu singen means easy to sing. des Hits is genitive because it shows whose chorus it is; des also helps learners recognise the genitive masculine form.
Die Band spielt drei Hits.
The band is playing three hits.
die Band means the band, spielt means is playing, and drei means three. drei Hits is plural and accusative because it is the object of spielt; the noun keeps the plural ending -s.

der Horrorfilm — horror film, horror movie ​

This compound combines Horror, horror, with Film, film. The grammatical gender comes from the last part, der Film, so it is der Horrorfilm.
Der Horrorfilm ist ziemlich gruselig.
The horror film is quite scary.
ziemlich means quite, and gruselig means scary. Der Horrorfilm is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen heute Abend den Horrorfilm.
We are watching the horror film this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and sehen means watch here. Den Horrorfilm is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the time expression can stand before the object without changing its case.
Sie empfiehlt ihrem Bruder den Horrorfilm.
She recommends the horror film to her brother.
empfiehlt means recommends, and ihr Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because he is the recipient of the recommendation, while den Horrorfilm is the accusative thing recommended.
Das Ende des Horrorfilms war überraschend.
The ending of the horror film was surprising.
das Ende means the ending, and überraschend means surprising. Des Horrorfilms is genitive because it means of the horror film; the masculine noun adds -s.
Im Wettbewerb laufen viele Horrorfilme.
Many horror films are being shown in the competition.
im Wettbewerb means in the competition, and viele means many. Horrorfilme is plural after viele; its ending is -e, and the plural article would be die when an article is needed.

das Instrument — musical instrument; tool, means ​

For a device used in an orchestra or band, Instrument means musical instrument. The word can also mean a tool or device used for a particular purpose.
Das Instrument klingt sehr schön.
The instrument sounds very beautiful.
klingt means sounds, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Das Instrument is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb klingt is in position two.
Sie spielt das Instrument jeden Abend.
She plays the instrument every evening.
spielt means plays, and jeden Abend means every evening. das Instrument is accusative because spielen takes a direct object; the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Er lernt mit dem Instrument ein neues Lied.
He is learning a new song with the instrument.
lernt means is learning, and ein neues Lied means a new song. dem Instrument is dative because mit always takes the dative; the direct object ein neues Lied is accusative.
Der Klang des Instruments ist warm.
The sound of the instrument is warm.
Der Klang means the sound, and warm means warm. des Instruments is genitive because it says whose sound it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Im Musikgeschäft stehen viele Instrumente.
There are many instruments in the music shop.
Im Musikgeschäft means in the music shop, stehen means stand, and viele means many. Instrumente is the nominative plural subject, and the finite verb stehen comes in position two.
Das Gesetz ist ein wichtiges Instrument gegen Betrug.
The law is an important tool against fraud.
Das Gesetz means the law, and Betrug means fraud. ein wichtiges Instrument follows the linking verb ist and describes the subject; gegen Betrug uses the accusative after gegen.
Der Vertrag ist ein Instrument für mehr Sicherheit.
The contract is a tool for greater security.
Der Vertrag means the contract, and mehr Sicherheit means greater security. ein Instrument follows ist as a description, while für takes the accusative in für mehr Sicherheit.

der Jazz — jazz ​

Jazz is normally used without a plural article because it names music as a substance or style. It is usually pronounced with a German masculine article: der Jazz.
Jazz ist eine Musikrichtung mit viel Improvisation.
Jazz is a type of music with a lot of improvisation.
die Musikrichtung means type or style of music, and viel Improvisation means a lot of improvisation. Jazz is the nominative subject, and after ist the noun phrase is a predicative nominative; the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich höre gern Jazz.
I like listening to jazz.
höre means listen to, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. Jazz is an accusative object because hören takes an accusative object, while the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Ich schenke meinem Bruder eine CD mit Jazz.
I am giving my brother a CD with jazz.
schenke means give as a present, meinem Bruder means to my brother, and eine CD is a CD. Jazz follows mit, which always takes the dative; the finite verb schenke is in position two, and meinem Bruder is also dative as the recipient.
Die Geschichte des Jazz ist lang.
The history of jazz is long.
die Geschichte means history and lang means long. des Jazz is genitive and shows what kind of history it is; ist stands in position two, and Jazz normally has no plural because it is a mass noun.

der Klang — sound; tone ​

Klang often suggests the quality or character of a sound, especially a musical sound or a voice. For an unpleasant noise, Geräusch or Lärm is often more natural.
Der Klang der Gitarre ist wunderschön.
The sound of the guitar is beautiful.
die Gitarre is the guitar, and wunderschön means beautiful. Der Klang is nominative as the subject; der Gitarre is genitive, meaning of the guitar, and ist is in position two.
Ich höre einen leisen Klang.
I hear a quiet sound.
hören means to hear, einen is the masculine accusative article, and leise means quiet. Einen leisen Klang is accusative because hören takes a direct object; höre is in position two.
Wir lauschen dem Klang der Musik.
We listen closely to the sound of the music.
lauschen means to listen closely, and die Musik is music. Dem Klang is dative because lauschen governs the dative; der Musik is genitive, meaning of the music.
Die Schönheit des Klanges überrascht mich.
The beauty of the sound surprises me.
die Schönheit is the beauty, and überraschen means to surprise. Des Klanges is genitive after Schönheit, while mich is accusative because I am the person affected; überrascht is in position two.
Die Klänge des Klaviers erfüllen den Raum.
The piano sounds fill the room.
das Klavier is the piano, erfüllen means fill, and der Raum is the room. Klänge is plural and the subject; den Raum is accusative because erfüllen takes a direct object.

klingen — to sound, to ring out ​

Use klingen for the quality or impression of a sound: Das klingt gut means that something sounds good. Use klingeln when a bell or telephone actively rings.
Die Musik klingt schön.
The music sounds beautiful.
die Musik means the music, and schön means beautiful. Klingt is in position two; schön describes the sound and is not an accusative object.
Die Stimme hat sehr warm geklungen.
The voice sounded very warm.
die Stimme means the voice, and warm means warm in tone. The perfect uses hat plus geklungen because klingen takes haben; the participle stands at the end.
Das Lied klang traurig.
The song sounded sad.
das Lied means the song, and traurig means sad. Klang is the strong preterite of klingen and occupies position two; traurig describes the sound.
Klinge nicht so hart!
Don't sound so harsh!
nicht means not, and hart means harsh or hard. Klinge is the informal singular imperative; the subject du is omitted, and nicht comes before the description.
Wenn meine Stimme sicherer klänge, würde ich vorsingen.
If my voice sounded more confident, I would sing in front of people.
sicherer means more confident, and vorsingen means to sing in front of other people. The hypothetical form klänge goes to the end of the wenn clause, while würde introduces the result.
Das Instrument wird morgen wieder klingen.
The instrument will sound again tomorrow.
das Instrument means the instrument, and morgen wieder means again tomorrow. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive klingen goes to the end.

die Komödie — comedy; comic play or film ​

The word covers both a funny play and a funny film. It is feminine, so the accusative is still die Komödie, not den Komödie.
Die Komödie beginnt um acht Uhr.
The comedy begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means “begins,” and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock.” Die Komödie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen heute Abend die Komödie.
We are watching the comedy this evening.
heute Abend means “this evening,” and sehen means “watch” here. Die Komödie is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Nach dem Essen sprechen wir über der Komödie.
After the meal, we talk about the comedy.
nach dem Essen means “after the meal,” and sprechen means “talk.” This sentence is not grammatically correct with der Komödie after über in this meaning: über takes the accusative when it means “about,” so the correct form is die Komödie; sprechen is in position two.
Die Handlung der Komödie ist sehr einfach.
The plot of the comedy is very simple.
die Handlung means “the plot,” and einfach means “simple.” Der Komödie is genitive because it shows whose plot it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Festival laufen drei Komödien.
Three comedies are showing at the festival.
im Festival means “at the festival,” and laufen means “are showing” in this context. Drei Komödien is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -ien.
Wir haben gestern eine Komödie gesehen.
We watched a comedy yesterday.
gestern means “yesterday,” and gesehen means “seen/watched.” Eine Komödie is accusative after sehen; the perfect uses haben, with gesehen at the end of the clause.

der Kopfhörer — headphones; headphone ​

Kopfhörer is a compound of Kopf and Hörer and normally means headphones as a device. Its singular and plural forms are identical, so use the article or context to tell them apart.
Der Kopfhörer ist kaputt.
The headphones are broken.
kaputt means broken. Der Kopfhörer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; singular and plural look alike, but the article shows singular here.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Kopfhörer.
I am buying new headphones.
kaufe means buy and neu means new. einen neuen Kopfhörer is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective takes -en after the masculine article einen.
Mit dem Kopfhörer höre ich Musik.
I listen to music with the headphones.
mit means with and höre Musik means listen to music. mit dem Kopfhörer is dative because mit always takes the dative; the initial prepositional phrase is followed by the finite verb in position two.
Die Batterie des Kopfhörers ist leer.
The headphone battery is empty.
die Batterie means the battery and leer means empty. des Kopfhörers is genitive and shows which device the battery belongs to.
Die Kopfhörer liegen auf dem Tisch.
The headphones are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Kopfhörer is the plural subject; the noun has no plural ending, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location.

der Krimi — crime story, crime film ​

Krimi is a short, everyday form of Kriminalfilm or Kriminalroman. Depending on the context, it can mean a crime film, a television crime programme, or a crime novel.
Der Krimi beginnt um acht Uhr.
The crime film starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Der Krimi is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Krimi heute Abend.
I’m watching the crime film this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and sehen means to watch or see. Den Krimi is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir sprechen über den Krimi.
We’re talking about the crime film.
sprechen über means talk about. Den Krimi is accusative, not dative, because über means “about” here and governs the accusative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Das Ende des Krimis war überraschend.
The ending of the crime film was surprising.
das Ende is the ending, and überraschend means surprising. Des Krimis is genitive after das Ende to show whose ending it is; the verb war follows the subject Das Ende.
Am Wochenende schauen wir gern Krimis.
At the weekend, we like watching crime films.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and gern means gladly or like to. Krimis is the plural without an ending change apart from -s, and the finite verb schauen is in position two after the time phrase.

die Kultur — culture, way of life; the arts, cultural life ​

Kultur can mean the traditions and way of life of a society, including its language, customs, and arts. The adjective is kulturell, meaning cultural.
Die Kultur dieses Landes ist sehr vielfältig.
The culture of this country is very diverse.
dieses Landes means of this country and vielfältig means diverse. Die Kultur is nominative because it is the subject; dieses Landes is genitive, showing which country is meant.
Wir lernen die Kultur des Landes kennen.
We are getting to know the country’s culture.
lernen ... kennen means get to know, and des Landes means of the country. die Kultur is accusative because kennenlernen takes a direct object; in this main clause, kennen stands at the end as part of the separable verb.
Sie interessiert sich für die Kultur anderer Länder.
She is interested in the culture of other countries.
interessiert sich für means is interested in, and anderer Länder means of other countries. The phrase für die Kultur is accusative because für always takes the accusative; sich is the reflexive pronoun with interessieren.
Die Geschichte der Kultur ist lang.
The history of culture is long.
die Geschichte is the history and lang means long. der Kultur is genitive because it identifies whose history is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Viele Kulturen treffen sich bei diesem Fest.
Many cultures come together at this festival.
viele means many, treffen sich means meet or come together, and dieses Fest is this festival. Kulturen is the plural with -en; it is the nominative subject, so the plural verb phrase treffen sich follows it.
In Berlin gibt es viel Kultur.
There is a lot of culture in Berlin.
gibt es means there is or are, and viel means a lot of. Here Kultur means cultural activities and is used as an uncountable noun, so it has no article or plural; gibt is in position two.
Am Wochenende gehen wir in die Kultur.
At the weekend, we go to cultural events.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and gehen means go. in die Kultur is accusative because in expresses movement towards a destination here, although this expression is less common than naming the specific event or institution.

kulturell — cultural ​

kulturell normally describes culture, art, or social traditions. It can be used before a noun or after sein; it is not the usual word for a person who is well educated or sophisticated.
Das Museum ist sehr kulturell ausgerichtet.
The museum has a strong cultural focus.
das Museum is the museum, and ausgerichtet means oriented or focused. The adjective follows ist as a predicate, so it has no adjective ending; sehr means very.
Wir besuchen eine kulturelle Veranstaltung.
We are attending a cultural event.
besuchen means to attend or visit, and eine Veranstaltung is an event. eine kulturelle Veranstaltung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine ending is -e after eine.
Das Festival ist kultureller als die Party.
The festival is more cultural than the party.
das Festival is the festival, and die Party is the party. kultureller als means more cultural than; after ist, the comparative is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Berlin gehört zu den kulturellsten Städten Europas.
Berlin is one of the most cultural cities in Europe.
gehört zu means belongs among, and Städte means cities; Europas means of Europe. zu takes the dative, so den kulturellsten Städten is dative plural; the superlative before a noun takes -sten plus an adjective ending.

die Kunst — art; skill, art of doing something; skill, art ​

Kunst usually means art in general and is often used without a plural. The plural Künste refers to different art forms or artistic skills, and the expression die Kunst, etwas zu tun means the art of doing something.
Kunst kann Menschen verbinden.
Art can bring people together.
Menschen means people, and verbinden means to connect or bring together. Kunst is nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb kann is in position two and the infinitive verbinden goes to the end.
Wir besuchen heute die Kunst.
Today we are visiting the art exhibition.
heute means today, and besuchen means to visit. Die Kunst is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; in everyday German, a specific exhibition is often understood from the context.
Sie widmet sich der Kunst.
She devotes herself to art.
sich widmen means to devote oneself to, and sie means she. Der Kunst is dative because the verb phrase sich widmen requires the dative; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to the subject.
Die Geschichte der Kunst ist lang.
The history of art is long.
die Geschichte is the history, and lang means long. Der Kunst is genitive because it specifies whose history it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In diesem Museum sieht man viele Künste.
In this museum you can see many art forms.
diesem Museum means this museum, sehen means to see, and viele means many. Künste is the plural for different art forms; after viele, the plural noun has no article.
Die Kunst, ruhig zu bleiben, ist nicht leicht.
The art of staying calm is not easy.
ruhig means calm, bleiben means to stay, and leicht means easy. Die Kunst is followed by a comma and a zu-infinitive phrase; zu bleiben explains what skill is meant.
Er beherrscht die Kunst des Zuhörens.
He has mastered the art of listening.
beherrschen means to master, and das Zuhören means listening. Die Kunst is accusative because beherrschen takes a direct object, while des Zuhörens is genitive and specifies the skill.

der Künstler — artist ​

der Künstler is a masculine noun for a person who makes art; the feminine form is die Künstlerin. It is a weak masculine noun, but its plural is simply Künstler, with no ending change.
Der Künstler malt ein Porträt.
The artist is painting a portrait.
malt means is painting, and ein Porträt is a portrait. Der Künstler is nominative because it is the subject, while ein Porträt is accusative after malen; the finite verb malt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Künstler im Museum.
I see the artist in the museum.
sehe means see, and im Museum means in the museum. den Künstler is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Künstler keeps its form here but the article changes to den.
Sie spricht mit dem Künstler.
She is speaking with the artist.
spricht means speaks, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so dem Künstler is dative; as a weak masculine noun, Künstler would take -n in many other dative forms, but this noun already ends in -er.
Das Atelier des Künstlers ist hell.
The artist's studio is bright.
das Atelier means the studio, and hell means bright. des Künstlers is genitive and means of the artist; the genitive masculine article is des, and this noun adds -s.
Die Künstler zeigen ihre Werke.
The artists are showing their works.
zeigen means show, ihre means their, and die Werke means the works. Künstler has the same form in singular and plural, but die and the plural verb zeigen show that it means artists here.

die Künstlerin — female artist ​

The ending -in marks a female person; the plural is Künstlerinnen, not Künstlerin.
Die Künstlerin lebt in Berlin.
The female artist lives in Berlin.
lebt means lives, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Künstlerin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Ich besuche die Künstlerin morgen.
I am visiting the female artist tomorrow.
besuche means visit and morgen means tomorrow. Die Künstlerin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Künstlerin die Blumen.
I give the female artist the flowers.
gebe means give, and die Blumen means the flowers. Der Künstlerin is dative because it is the recipient, while die Blumen is the accusative thing being given.
Das Atelier der Künstlerin ist hell.
The female artist's studio is bright.
das Atelier means the studio and hell means bright. Der Künstlerin is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Künstlerinnen stellen heute aus.
Many female artists are exhibiting today.
Viele means many, stellen ... aus means exhibit, and heute means today. Künstlerinnen is plural and is the nominative subject; the separable verb stellen ... aus puts aus at the end of the main clause.

die Lieblings-CD — favorite CD ​

The compound combines Lieblings-, meaning favorite, with CD. It is feminine because the final noun CD is feminine in this entry.
Die Lieblings-CD liegt auf dem Tisch.
The favorite CD is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Lieblings-CD is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich höre die Lieblings-CD jeden Abend.
I listen to the favorite CD every evening.
höre means listen to, and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Lieblings-CD is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester der Lieblings-CD eine neue Hülle.
I give my sister a new cover for the favorite CD.
schenke means give, meiner Schwester means my sister, and eine neue Hülle is a new cover. Der Lieblings-CD is dative because the preposition-free recipient is dative here; the finite verb schenke stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Lieblings-CD ist blau.
The color of the favorite CD is blue.
Die Farbe means the color, and blau means blue. Der Lieblings-CD is genitive because it expresses whose color it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Lieblings-CDs stehen im Regal.
The favorite CDs are on the shelf.
stehen means are standing, and im Regal means on the shelf. Die Lieblings-CDs is plural and has the same article die as a feminine singular noun; CDs takes -s.
Ich habe die Lieblings-CD gestern gekauft.
I bought the favorite CD yesterday.
habe gekauft means bought, and gestern means yesterday. Die Lieblings-CD is accusative after gekauft; the perfect uses haben and puts gekauft at the end.

der Musiker — musician (male) ​

The feminine form is Musikerin; Musiker can also refer to musicians generally when the gender is mixed or unknown.
Der Musiker spielt heute Abend in einem kleinen Club.
The musician is playing in a small club this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and kleinen Club means small club. Der Musiker is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Ich höre den Musiker jeden Samstag im Radio.
I listen to the musician on the radio every Saturday.
höre means listen to, jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and Radio means radio. Den Musiker is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Musiker nach dem Konzert Wasser.
We give the musician water after the concert.
geben means give, nach dem Konzert means after the concert, and Wasser is water. Dem Musiker is dative because the person receiving something is an indirect object; Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Das Fahrrad des Musikers steht vor dem Hotel.
The musician's bicycle is outside the hotel.
Fahrrad means bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Hotel means outside the hotel. Des Musikers is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; the genitive ending -s is added to Musiker.
Die Musiker spielen zusammen auf der Bühne.
The musicians are playing together on the stage.
zusammen means together, and Bühne means stage. Die Musiker is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb spielen has the plural ending -en.

die Musikerin — musician (female) ​

Use Musikerin for a woman. The plural Musikerinnen refers only to women, while Musiker can be used for a mixed group.
Die Musikerin singt sehr schön.
The female musician sings very beautifully.
singt means sings, and sehr schön means very beautifully. Die Musikerin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb singt is in position two.
Wir sehen die Musikerin auf der Bühne.
We see the female musician on the stage.
sehen means see, and Bühne means stage. Die Musikerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the phrase auf der Bühne gives the location.
Ich helfe der Musikerin mit dem Mikrofon.
I help the female musician with the microphone.
helfe means help, and Mikrofon means microphone. Der Musikerin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit also requires the dative.
Die Stimme der Musikerin ist sehr klar.
The female musician's voice is very clear.
Stimme means voice, and klar means clear. Der Musikerin is genitive because it shows whose voice it is; feminine genitive uses der and the noun keeps its form.
Die Musikerinnen proben für das Konzert.
The female musicians are rehearsing for the concert.
proben means rehearse, and Konzert means concert. Die Musikerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; -innen marks the plural of a feminine -in noun.

der Musiklehrer — music teacher (male) ​

The feminine form is Musiklehrerin. Musiklehrer has the same noun form in the singular and plural, so check the article or verb to see the number.
Der Musiklehrer erklärt die Noten.
The music teacher explains the notes.
erklärt means explains, and Noten means musical notes. Der Musiklehrer is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Die Klasse fragt den Musiklehrer nach einem Lied.
The class asks the music teacher about a song.
Klasse means class, fragt means asks, and Lied means song. Den Musiklehrer is accusative because he is the person asked; nach takes the dative for the thing asked about.
Die Kinder danken dem Musiklehrer für den Unterricht.
The children thank the music teacher for the lesson.
Kinder means children, danken means thank, and Unterricht means lesson or teaching. Dem Musiklehrer is dative because danken requires a dative person; für den Unterricht is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Auto des Musiklehrers steht vor der Schule.
The music teacher's car is outside the school.
Auto means car, steht means is located, and vor der Schule means outside the school. Des Musiklehrers is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the noun adds -s after des.
Die Musiklehrer treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The music teachers meet for a conference.
treffen sich means meet one another, and Konferenz means conference. Die Musiklehrer is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the noun has the same form in singular and plural, so the article is important.

die Oper — opera; opera house; opera as an art form ​

Oper can mean the musical work or the building where opera is performed. With in die Oper gehen, in takes the accusative because it expresses direction.
Die Oper beginnt um acht Uhr.
The opera begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Oper is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Oper.
We are going to the opera.
Wir means we, and besuchen means visit or attend. Die Oper is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir gehen in die Oper.
We are going to the opera house.
gehen means go, and in die Oper means to the opera house. Although this matrix slot is labelled dative, in takes accusative here because the sentence expresses movement towards a place; die Oper is therefore accusative.
Die Musik der Oper ist wunderschön.
The music of the opera is wonderful.
Musik means music, and wunderschön means wonderful. Der Oper is genitive because it identifies whose music it is; feminine genitive uses der.
In dieser Stadt gibt es zwei Opern.
There are two opera houses in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, gibt es means there are, and zwei means two. Zwei Opern is plural accusative after es gibt; the plural is formed with -n.
Oper ist nicht jedermanns Sache.
Opera is not everyone's cup of tea.
nicht jedermanns Sache means not everyone's cup of tea, or not something everyone likes. Here Oper refers to the art form in general and is used as a singular mass noun; the verb ist stands in position two.
Meine Schwester hört gern Oper.
My sister enjoys listening to opera.
Meine Schwester means my sister, hört means listens to, and gern means gladly or enjoys doing something. Oper is a bare noun naming the art form; the finite verb hört is in position two.

das Orchester — orchestra ​

das Orchester is a group of musicians, normally led by a Dirigent. Its plural is also Orchester, so the article and verb are important clues to the number.
Das Orchester spielt heute Abend.
The orchestra is playing this evening.
spielt means plays and heute Abend means this evening. Orchester is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Wir hören das Orchester.
We are listening to the orchestra.
hören means listen to or hear. das Orchester is accusative because hören takes a direct object, and the neuter article remains das in the accusative.
Sie spielt in einem Orchester.
She plays in an orchestra.
spielt means plays and einem means a in the dative. in einem Orchester describes a location and therefore uses the dative; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Der Dirigent lobt die Musiker des Orchesters.
The conductor praises the orchestra's musicians.
Dirigent means conductor, lobt means praises, and Musiker means musicians. des Orchesters is genitive because it shows which orchestra the musicians belong to; die Musiker is accusative after lobt.
Viele Orchester spielen dieses Werk.
Many orchestras play this work.
Viele means many and Werk means work, here a piece of music. Orchester is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the form is identical to the singular, but the verb spielen shows the plural.

die Pfeife — pipe; whistle ​

Pfeife can mean a whistle or a smoking pipe. In the expression eine Pfeife rauchen, it means a smoking pipe; in music or sport, it usually means a whistle or small pipe.
Die Pfeife liegt neben dem Fenster.
The pipe is lying next to the window.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and das Fenster means window. Die Pfeife is nominative because it is the subject; neben dem Fenster uses the dative for a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Der Junge hält die Pfeife in der Hand.
The boy is holding the whistle in his hand.
der Junge means the boy, hält means is holding, and in der Hand means in his hand. Die Pfeife is accusative because halten takes a direct object; in der Hand is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich gebe der Pfeife ein neues Mundstück.
I give the pipe a new mouthpiece.
geben means to give, ein neues Mundstück is a new mouthpiece, and neu means new. Der Pfeife is dative because it is the recipient, while ein neues Mundstück is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Klang der Pfeife ist sehr hell.
The sound of the whistle is very high-pitched.
der Klang means the sound, and hell can mean high-pitched when describing a sound. Der Pfeife is genitive because it identifies whose sound it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der, and ist stands in position two.
Im Laden hängen viele Pfeifen.
Many pipes are hanging in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Pfeifen is plural after viele; im Laden is dative because in describes a location, and the verb agrees with the plural subject.

pfeifen — to whistle ​

Pfeifen is a strong verb: pfeifen - pfiff - hat gepfiffen. It takes haben in the perfect, and a tune or song being whistled is normally an accusative object.
Er pfeift eine bekannte Melodie.
He is whistling a familiar tune.
eine bekannte Melodie means a familiar tune, and bekannt means familiar or well-known. Pfeift is the finite verb in position two, while eine bekannte Melodie is accusative because it is the tune being whistled.
Sie hat auf dem Weg zur Arbeit gepfiffen.
She whistled on the way to work.
auf dem Weg means on the way, and zur Arbeit means to work. The perfect uses hat plus gepfiffen because this verb takes haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Junge pfiff den ganzen Abend.
The boy whistled all evening.
der Junge means the boy, and den ganzen Abend means all evening. Pfiff is the strong-verb preterite of pfeifen; unlike the perfect, the single finite verb stands in position two.
Pfeif bitte leiser!
Please whistle more quietly!
bitte means please, and leiser means more quietly. The imperative pfeif has no subject pronoun and normally no ending; leiser modifies the manner of the action, not the whistle itself.
Wenn er die Melodie kennt, pfiffe er sie sofort.
If he knew the tune, he would whistle it immediately.
wenn means if, kennen means to know or be familiar with, and sofort means immediately. Pfiffe is Konjunktiv II for an unreal situation; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause, while pfiffe comes in position two in the main clause.
Morgen wird sie im Konzert pfeifen.
Tomorrow she will whistle at the concert.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Konzert means concert. Futur I uses wird in position two and the infinitive pfeifen at the end; do not put the infinitive directly after wird in a main clause.

der Pinsel — brush, paintbrush ​

Pinsel usually means a paintbrush, but it can also be used for other small brushes. Its plural is unchanged: one Pinsel, several Pinsel.
Der Pinsel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The brush is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Pinsel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche den Pinsel für das Bild.
I need the brush for the picture.
brauchen means to need, für means for, and das Bild is the picture. Den Pinsel is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Sie malt mit dem Pinsel eine Blume.
She is painting a flower with the brush.
malen means to paint and eine Blume is a flower. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Pinsel is dative; the finite verb malt is in position two.
Der Griff des Pinsels ist kaputt.
The handle of the brush is broken.
der Griff means handle and kaputt means broken. Des Pinsels is genitive because it says whose handle it is; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Im Malkasten liegen viele Pinsel.
There are many brushes in the paint box.
der Malkasten means paint box and viele means many. Pinsel is both singular and plural, so viele makes the meaning plural; im Malkasten is a dative location.

der Plattenspieler — record player, turntable ​

der Plattenspieler is a device for playing die Platte, a record. The plural is unusual because die Plattenspieler has the same form as the singular without its article.
Der Plattenspieler steht im Wohnzimmer.
The record player is in the living room.
steht means is standing or is located, and das Wohnzimmer means the living room. Der Plattenspieler is nominative because it is the subject; im Wohnzimmer is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Sie repariert den Plattenspieler.
She is repairing the record player.
sie means she, and repariert means repairs or is repairing. den Plattenspieler is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Er gibt dem Plattenspieler neue Nadeln.
He gives the record player new needles.
gibt means gives, neu means new, and die Nadel means needle. dem Plattenspieler is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while neue Nadeln is the accusative thing being given.
Der Klang des Plattenspielers ist warm.
The sound of the record player is warm.
der Klang means the sound, warm means warm or rich, and ist means is. des Plattenspielers is genitive to show whose sound it is; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Im Laden stehen drei Plattenspieler.
There are three record players in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means are standing or are located, and drei means three. Plattenspieler has the same spelling in the singular and plural; the number drei and the context show that it is plural.

die Poesie — poetry ​

die Poesie is usually an uncountable noun for poetry as an art or kind of literature, so it normally has no plural. For an individual poetic text, use das Gedicht, meaning poem.
Poesie kann Gefühle ausdrücken.
Poetry can express feelings.
kann means can, and Gefühle ausdrücken means express feelings. Poesie is the nominative subject; after the modal verb kann, the infinitive ausdrücken goes to the end.
Ich lese gern Poesie.
I like reading poetry.
lese gern means like reading, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. Poesie is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Sie widmet sich der Poesie.
She devotes herself to poetry.
widmet sich means devotes herself. The verb phrase sich widmen requires a dative object, so der Poesie is dative; the reflexive pronoun sich is also dative here.
Die Kraft der Poesie ist oft überraschend.
The power of poetry is often surprising.
die Kraft means the power, and überraschend means surprising. der Poesie is genitive because it identifies whose power it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.

die Posaune — trombone ​

Posaune spielen means to play the trombone. German normally uses the definite article when naming the instrument in this activity.
Die Posaune klingt laut.
The trombone sounds loud.
klingt means sounds and laut means loud. Die Posaune is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Sie spielt die Posaune.
She plays the trombone.
spielt means plays and sie means she. die Posaune is accusative because spielen takes a direct object; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Er gibt der Posaune ein Mikrofon.
He gives the trombone a microphone.
gibt means gives and ein Mikrofon means a microphone. der Posaune is dative because it is the recipient or thing receiving something, while ein Mikrofon is the accusative object.
Der Klang der Posaune ist warm.
The sound of the trombone is warm.
der Klang means the sound and warm means warm. der Posaune is genitive because it identifies whose sound it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Posaunen spielen zusammen.
The trombones play together.
spielen means play and zusammen means together. Die Posaunen is the plural subject, and the finite verb spielen is in position two.

der Prospekt — brochure, leaflet, catalogue ​

In everyday German, der Prospekt usually means a brochure or advertising leaflet. Do not confuse it with das Prospekt, which is a technical theatre term for the stage set or backdrop.
Der Prospekt liegt auf dem Tisch.
The brochure is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Prospekt is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich lese den Prospekt.
I am reading the brochure.
lese means read, and ich means I. den Prospekt is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe meiner Nachbarin dem Prospekt?
I give the brochure to my neighbour.
geben means give, and meiner Nachbarin means to my female neighbour. The sentence uses dem Prospekt as the thing given, but this is not natural German: the thing given should be accusative, den Prospekt; the dative is meiner Nachbarin.
Die Farbe des Prospekts ist sehr auffällig.
The colour of the brochure is very striking.
die Farbe means the colour, and auffällig means striking or noticeable. des Prospekts is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Laden liegen viele Prospekte.
There are many brochures lying in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, and liegen means are lying. Prospekte is the plural form with -e; im Laden is dative because it gives a fixed location.

der Rhythmus — rhythm; routine, pattern ​

Der Rhythmus is the regular beat or pattern in music, movement or speech. Its plural is irregular in spelling: die Rhythmen.
Der Rhythmus ist leicht.
The rhythm is easy.
leicht means easy. Der Rhythmus is the nominative subject of ist, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich höre den Rhythmus.
I hear the rhythm.
höre means hear. Den Rhythmus is masculine accusative because it is the direct object of hören; the article changes from der to den.
Wir tanzen zu dem Rhythmus.
We dance to the rhythm.
wir tanzen means we dance and zu means to or along with. Zu always takes the dative, so dem Rhythmus is dative; dem is often shortened to zum.
Die Farbe des Rhythmus passt zum Lied.
The colour of the rhythm fits the song.
die Farbe means the colour, passt means fits, and das Lied means the song. Des Rhythmus expresses a close relationship or possession and is genitive; the masculine genitive article is des.
Afrikanische Rhythmen sind oft sehr lebendig.
African rhythms are often very lively.
afrikanische means African and lebendig means lively. Rhythmen is the plural subject, so the finite verb is plural: sind; the adjective before the zero-article plural noun ends in -e.
Ein fester Rhythmus hilft mir im Alltag.
A fixed routine helps me in everyday life.
fest means fixed, hilft means helps, and der Alltag means everyday life. Ein fester Rhythmus is the nominative subject, while mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Nach der Reise muss ich wieder meinen Rhythmus finden.
After the trip, I have to find my routine again.
nach der Reise means after the trip, muss means have to, and wieder finden means find again. Meinen Rhythmus is the accusative object of finden; the modal verb muss stands in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.

der Rock — skirt; rock music ​

Der Rock means skirt. The plural is die Röcke, with an umlaut and -e.
Der Rock ist blau.
The skirt is blue.
blau means blue. Der Rock is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two after the subject.
Sie kauft den Rock im Kaufhaus.
She is buying the skirt in the department store.
sie kauft means she buys, and das Kaufhaus is the department store. Den Rock is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; im Kaufhaus gives the place.
Die Verkäuferin hilft der Kundin mit dem Rock.
The sales assistant helps the customer with the skirt.
die Verkäuferin is the sales assistant, hilft means helps, and die Kundin is the female customer. Dem Rock is dative because mit always takes the dative; helfen also requires a dative person, here der Kundin.
Die Farbe des Rockes gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the skirt.
die Farbe is the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. Des Rockes is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Schaufenster hängen viele Röcke.
Many skirts are hanging in the shop window.
im Schaufenster means in the shop window, and hängen means are hanging. Viele Röcke is plural and is the subject; the plural has the umlaut ö and the ending -e.
Ich höre gern Rock.
I like listening to rock music.
ich höre gern means I like listening, and Musik means music. Rock is used without an article here because music in this sense is usually uncountable; it is the accusative object of hören.
Rock ist bei Jugendlichen beliebt.
Rock music is popular among young people.
bei Jugendlichen means among young people, and beliebt means popular. Rock is nominative as the subject and is used without an article because this meaning normally refers to music as a mass noun.