Appearance
Vocab: Music & arts — A2 (2)
Music & arts vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Rolle — role, part; roll; film role; roll of material
The common meaning is a function or part, especially in eine Rolle spielen. Die Rolle can also mean a roll-shaped object, such as a roll of paper.
Die Rolle ist wichtig.
The role is important.
wichtig means important. Die Rolle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie spielt eine wichtige Rolle.
She plays an important role.
Sie means she, and spielt means plays. Eine wichtige Rolle is accusative because spielen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine article eine.
Er gibt der Rolle mehr Gewicht.
He gives the role more weight.
gibt means gives, and mehr Gewicht means more weight. Der Rolle is dative because geben marks the recipient or affected thing with the dative; the direct object Gewicht is accusative.
Die Bedeutung der Rolle ist klar.
The meaning of the role is clear.
Die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Der Rolle is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Rollen sind schon vergeben.
The roles have already been assigned.
schon means already, and vergeben means assigned or taken. Die Rollen is plural and adds -n; sind stands in position two.
Er hat eine kleine Rolle im Film.
He has a small role in the film.
kleine means small, and im Film means in the film. Eine kleine Rolle is accusative after haben, while im Film is dative because in describes a location here.
Ich kaufe eine Rolle Geschenkpapier.
I am buying a roll of wrapping paper.
kaufe means buy, and Geschenkpapier means wrapping paper. Eine Rolle Geschenkpapier is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the material follows the noun without an article.
der Roman — novel
der Roman means a novel, not a person who lives in Rome. The plural is die Romane, while the genitive singular is des Romans.
Der Roman ist sehr spannend.
The novel is very exciting.
spannend means exciting or gripping. Der Roman is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich lese den Roman.
I am reading the novel.
lesen means to read. den Roman is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese is in position two.
Sie spricht über den Roman.
She is talking about the novel.
sprechen über means to talk about. den Roman is accusative, not dative, because über takes the accusative in this meaning; spricht is in position two.
Das Ende des Romans überrascht mich.
The ending of the novel surprises me.
das Ende means the ending and überraschen means to surprise. des Romans is genitive to mean of the novel, and the noun adds -s in this case.
In meiner Klasse lesen viele Romane.
Many people in my class read novels.
meine Klasse means my class and viele means many. Romane is the regular plural after viele, and lesen is in position two.
das Saxophon — saxophone
The spelling Saxophon is standard in German; Saxofon is also used. Saxophon spielen means to play the saxophone.
Das Saxophon klingt laut.
The saxophone sounds loud.
klingt means sounds, and laut means loud. Das Saxophon is nominative because it is the subject, and klingt is in position two.
Die Musikerin spielt das Saxophon jeden Abend.
The musician plays the saxophone every evening.
die Musikerin means the female musician, spielt means plays, and jeden Abend means every evening. Das Saxophon is accusative because spielt takes a direct object.
Mit dem Saxophon kann er schöne Melodien spielen.
He can play beautiful melodies with the saxophone.
schöne Melodien means beautiful melodies, and kann means can. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Saxophon is dative; spielen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Der Klang des Saxophons gefällt mir.
I like the sound of the saxophone.
der Klang means the sound, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Des Saxophons is genitive because it shows whose sound is meant; mir is dative with gefallen.
Im Musikgeschäft stehen viele Saxophone.
There are many saxophones in the music shop.
im Musikgeschäft means in the music shop, stehen means are standing or are displayed, and viele means many. Saxophone is the nominative plural subject and is formed with -e, not -s.
die Schallplatte — record, vinyl record
Schallplatte usually means a vinyl record, especially when talking about older music. The plural is Schallplatten, not an unchanged form.
Die Schallplatte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The record is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Schallplatte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich kaufe die Schallplatte im Laden.
I am buying the record in the shop.
kaufe means buy, im Laden means in the shop, and Laden is a shop. Die Schallplatte is accusative because kaufe takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Ich gebe der Schallplatte eine neue Hülle.
I am giving the record a new sleeve.
gebe means give, eine neue Hülle is a new sleeve, and neu means new. Der Schallplatte is dative because it is the recipient, while eine neue Hülle is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe der Schallplatte ist noch schön.
The colour of the record is still beautiful.
Farbe means colour, noch means still, and schön means beautiful. Der Schallplatte is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Schallplatten stehen im Regal.
The records are standing on the shelf.
stehen means are standing, im Regal means on the shelf, and Regal is a shelf. Die Schallplatten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -n.
der Schauspieler — actor
Der Schauspieler is a male actor who performs in films, television or plays. The feminine form is die Schauspielerin; the plural die Schauspieler can refer to men or to a mixed group.
Der Schauspieler spricht sehr deutlich.
The actor speaks very clearly.
spricht means speaks and sehr deutlich means very clearly. Der Schauspieler is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Schauspieler aus dem Film.
I know the actor from the film.
ich kenne means I know, aus means from, and der Film means the film. Den Schauspieler is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Schauspieler eine Blume.
I give the actor a flower.
geben means give, eine Blume means a flower, and ich means I. Dem Schauspieler is dative because he receives something, while eine Blume is the accusative thing given.
Die Stimme des Schauspielers ist bekannt.
The actor's voice is well known.
die Stimme means the voice and bekannt means well known. Des Schauspielers is genitive because it shows whose voice it is; the noun takes -s.
Die Schauspieler proben heute zusammen.
The actors are rehearsing together today.
proben means rehearse, heute means today, and zusammen means together. Die Schauspieler is plural even though the noun has no plural ending; the plural verb proben confirms this.
die Schauspielerin — actress
Die Schauspielerin is a woman who acts in films, television or plays. Feminine nouns ending in -in usually form their plural with -innen, so Schauspielerin becomes Schauspielerinnen.
Die Schauspielerin spielt die Hauptrolle.
The actress plays the leading role.
spielt means plays and die Hauptrolle means the leading role. Die Schauspielerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Wir sehen die Schauspielerin im Theater.
We see the actress in the theatre.
wir sehen means we see, im Theater means in the theatre, and wir means we. Die Schauspielerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article is still die in the accusative.
Ich danke der Schauspielerin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the actress for her help.
danke means thank, für means for, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Schauspielerin is dative because danken always takes a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is accusative after für.
Das Kleid der Schauspielerin ist elegant.
The actress's dress is elegant.
das Kleid means the dress and elegant means elegant. Der Schauspielerin is genitive because it shows whose dress it is; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Schauspielerinnen sprechen über den Film.
The actresses are talking about the film.
sprechen über means talk about and der Film means the film. Die Schauspielerinnen is plural because it refers to several women; the ending -innen marks the plural.
der Scheinwerfer — headlight, spotlight
der Scheinwerfer can mean a vehicle headlight or a powerful spotlight. The plural is unchanged in form: der Scheinwerfer, but die Scheinwerfer; use the article to distinguish singular from plural.
Der Scheinwerfer ist kaputt.
The headlight is broken.
kaputt means broken. Der Scheinwerfer is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich repariere den Scheinwerfer.
I am repairing the headlight.
ich means I and reparieren means to repair. den Scheinwerfer is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the noun itself does not change in the accusative singular.
Der Mechaniker hilft dem Scheinwerfer nicht.
The mechanic does not help the headlight.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic and hilft means helps. helfen requires a dative object, so dem Scheinwerfer is dative; nicht negates the verb phrase.
Das Licht des Scheinwerfers blendet mich.
The light from the headlight dazzles me.
das Licht means the light and blendet means dazzles or blinds. des Scheinwerfers is genitive and identifies whose light it is; mich is accusative because I am the person affected by blenden.
Die Scheinwerfer des Autos sind sehr hell.
The car's headlights are very bright.
des Autos means of the car and sehr hell means very bright. Die Scheinwerfer is a plural nominative subject, and the noun has no visible plural ending, so the article die shows the plural.
die Show — show, performance, programme
Die Show can mean a live performance or a television programme. The plural is die Shows, with an English-style -s ending.
Die Show beginnt um acht Uhr.
The show starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Show is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen die Show heute Abend.
We are watching the show tonight.
sehen means watch or see, and heute Abend means tonight. Die Show is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir sprechen nach der Show mit der Sängerin.
We speak to the singer after the show.
nach der Show means after the show, sprechen means speak, and die Sängerin is the female singer. Nach forces the dative, so the feminine article is der; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Das Ende der Show war überraschend.
The end of the show was surprising.
das Ende means the end, and überraschend means surprising. Der Show is genitive after das Ende and means of the show; war is the past form of sein and stands in position two.
Im Fernsehen laufen heute viele Shows.
Many shows are on television today.
im Fernsehen means on television, laufen means are being shown or are on, and viele means many. Viele Shows is nominative plural and is the subject; the plural ending -s is typical of this loanword.
die Statue — statue
Die Statue steht vor dem Museum.
The statue is in front of the museum.
stehen means stand or be located, vor dem Museum means in front of the museum, and das Museum means museum. Die Statue is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir fotografieren die Statue.
We are photographing the statue.
wir means we and fotografieren means photograph. die Statue is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb fotografieren stands in position two.
Die Kinder laufen zu der Statue.
The children run to the statue.
die Kinder means the children and laufen means run; zu der Statue means to the statue. zu always takes the dative, so der Statue is used, and laufen is in position two.
Die Farbe der Statue ist sehr dunkel.
The colour of the statue is very dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. der Statue is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Park stehen drei Statuen.
There are three statues in the park.
im Park means in the park, stehen means stand or are located, and drei means three. Statuen is the plural of Statue and takes drei without an article; the verb is plural and stands in position two.
der Stil — style
Der Stil can describe visual design, writing, music, clothing, or a person's manner. The fixed phrase im Stil von means in the style of and is followed by the dative after von.
Der Stil ist sehr modern.
The style is very modern.
sehr modern means very modern. Der Stil is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den Stil dieses Hauses.
I like the style of this house.
mag means like and dieses Hauses means of this house. Den Stil is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; dieses Hauses is genitive and identifies the house.
Mit dem Stil kann ich gut leben.
I can live with the style.
mit means with and gut leben können means can live with something. Dem Stil is dative because mit always takes the dative; after the opening phrase, kann comes in position two.
Die Wirkung des Stils ist stark.
The effect of the style is strong.
die Wirkung means the effect and stark means strong. Des Stils is genitive because it shows which style has the effect.
Die Stile der Künstler sind sehr verschieden.
The artists' styles are very different.
der Künstler means of the artists and verschieden means different. Stile is the plural subject, so the verb is sind, not ist.
das Studio — studio; recording or production studio; studio flat; one-room apartment
Studio can mean a recording or production studio. It can also mean a small one-room flat in property descriptions; the context tells you which meaning is intended.
Das Studio ist heute geschlossen.
The studio is closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Das Studio is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir mieten ein Studio für die Aufnahme.
We are renting a studio for the recording.
mieten means to rent, and die Aufnahme is the recording. Ein Studio is accusative because it is the direct object of mieten; für also takes the accusative.
Die Band arbeitet in einem Studio.
The band is working in a studio.
die Band is the band, and arbeiten means to work. In einem Studio is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Tür des Studios ist offen.
The studio door is open.
die Tür is the door, and offen means open. Des Studios is genitive to show possession, and the neuter genitive article is des, although the noun itself has no genitive ending.
In Berlin gibt es viele Studios.
There are many studios in Berlin.
viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Studios is plural after viele; after es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, even though the plural form looks the same as nominative.
Sie wohnt in einem kleinen Studio.
She lives in a small studio flat.
wohnt means lives, and klein means small. In einem kleinen Studio is dative because in describes location, and the adjective takes -en after the dative article einem.
Das Studio hat eine kleine Küche.
The studio flat has a small kitchen.
hat means has, and eine kleine Küche is a small kitchen. Das Studio is nominative as the subject, while eine kleine Küche is accusative as the object of hat.
das Stück — piece, portion, item; piece of music, play
das Stück is used for a portion, as in ein Stück Kuchen, and for an individual item, as in drei Stück Seife. In measurements, the material after Stück often has no article.
Das Stück Kuchen ist sehr groß.
The piece of cake is very large.
Kuchen means cake, and sehr groß means very large. Das Stück is nominative because it is the subject; Kuchen names what the piece consists of and has no article in this measure expression.
Ich nehme ein Stück Brot.
I will have a piece of bread.
nehmen means take or have, and Brot is bread. ein Stück is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the neuter indefinite article ein looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Kannst du mir ein Stück geben?
Can you give me a piece?
kannst du means can you, and geben means give. mir is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Stück is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Stücks passt nicht zum Rahmen.
The colour of the piece does not match the frame.
die Farbe means the colour, passt nicht means does not match, and der Rahmen is the frame. des Stücks is genitive after die Farbe to show which piece's colour; zum Rahmen is short for zu dem Rahmen and takes dative.
Wir schneiden den Kuchen in vier Stücke.
We cut the cake into four pieces.
schneiden means cut, der Kuchen is the cake, and vier means four. Stücke is plural; in vier Stücke uses accusative because the cutting changes the cake into four pieces.
Das Orchester spielt ein Stück von Mozart.
The orchestra is playing a piece by Mozart.
das Orchester means the orchestra, spielt means is playing, and von Mozart means by Mozart. ein Stück is accusative after spielen; von Mozart uses dative after von.
Wir sehen heute Abend zwei Stücke im Theater.
We are seeing two plays at the theatre tonight.
heute Abend means tonight, and im Theater means at the theatre. zwei Stücke is the plural direct object of sehen, while im Theater is short for in dem Theater and marks location.
das Taschenbuch — paperback
das Taschenbuch is a paperback book, literally a book that can be carried in a pocket or bag. Its plural is die Taschenbücher, with an umlaut in Bücher, and its genitive is des Taschenbuchs.
Das Taschenbuch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The paperback is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and Tisch means table. Das Taschenbuch is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich lese das Taschenbuch im Zug.
I read the paperback on the train.
lese means read, im Zug means on the train, and Zug means train. das Taschenbuch is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; im Zug is a shortened form of in dem Zug and gives the setting.
Sie gibt ihrem Freund das Taschenbuch.
She gives the paperback to her friend.
gibt means gives, and ihrem Freund means to her friend. ihrem Freund is dative because it is the recipient, while das Taschenbuch is accusative because it is the thing being given.
Der Titel des Taschenbuchs gefällt mir.
I like the title of the paperback.
Titel means title, gefällt means is pleasing or appeals, and mir means to me. des Taschenbuchs is genitive because it identifies the title's book; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
In der Bibliothek stehen viele Taschenbücher.
There are many paperbacks in the library.
Bibliothek means library, stehen means are standing or are shelved, and viele means many. Taschenbücher is nominative plural after stehen; the location phrase comes first, so stehen remains in position two.
das Theaterstück — play, theatre piece
Theaterstück is a compound made from Theater and Stück, meaning piece. Its plural is Theaterstücke, with -e and an umlaut in Stück.
Das Theaterstück beginnt um acht Uhr.
The play begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Das Theaterstück is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Klasse liest das Theaterstück.
The class is reading the play.
die Klasse is the class and liest means reads. Das Theaterstück is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb liest stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Theaterstück eine neue Form.
We are giving the play a new form.
eine neue Form means a new form. Dem Theaterstück is dative because geben assigns a dative recipient or affected thing, while eine neue Form is accusative; geben is in position two.
Das Ende des Theaterstücks war überraschend.
The ending of the play was surprising.
das Ende means the ending and überraschend means surprising. Des Theaterstücks is genitive to identify whose ending it is, and war is the finite verb in position two.
Die Theaterstücke dieser Saison sind sehr verschieden.
The plays this season are very different.
dieser Saison means this season and verschieden means different. Theaterstücke is the plural subject, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
der Titel — title; name of a work; title, championship; rank
Der Titel is the name of a work such as a book, film, or song. It can also mean a rank or honour, for example an academic or sports title.
Der Titel des Films ist lustig.
The title of the film is funny.
der Film means film and lustig means funny. Der Titel is nominative because it is the subject; des Films is genitive and means of the film.
Ich kenne den Titel des Liedes.
I know the title of the song.
kennen means to know someone or something, and das Lied means song. Den Titel is accusative because it is the object of kenne; des Liedes is genitive and means of the song.
Auf dem Titel steht der Name des Autors.
The author's name is written on the title page.
auf means on, stehen means stand or be written, der Name means name, and der Autor means author. Dem Titel is dative because auf describes a fixed location; steht is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Titels ist klar.
The meaning of the title is clear.
die Bedeutung means meaning and klar means clear. Des Titels is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the masculine noun adds -s in this case.
Die Titel stehen auf der Liste.
The titles are on the list.
stehen means stand or are written, and die Liste means list. Titel is the plural of Titel with no ending; stehen shows that the subject is plural.
Die Mannschaft gewinnt den Titel.
The team wins the championship.
die Mannschaft means team and gewinnen means to win. Den Titel is accusative because it is the direct object of gewinnt; the finite verb stands in position two.
Sie ist seit Jahren Titelverteidigerin und will den Titel behalten.
She has been the defending champion for years and wants to keep the title.
seit Jahren means for years, Titelverteidigerin means defending champion, and behalten means to keep. Den Titel is accusative after behalten; after the modal verb will, the infinitive behalten goes to the end of the clause.
der Tänzer — dancer, male dancer
Der Tänzer normally means a male dancer, while die Tänzerin means a female dancer. The plural die Tänzer can refer to a group of male dancers or to dancers in general when the gender is not specified.
Der Tänzer übt jeden Abend.
The dancer practises every evening.
üben means to practise, and jeden Abend means every evening. Der Tänzer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb übt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Tänzer auf der Bühne.
I see the dancer on the stage.
sehen means to see, auf der Bühne means on the stage, and Bühne means stage. Den Tänzer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf der Bühne is dative because it describes a location.
Ich gebe dem Tänzer eine Flasche Wasser.
I give the dancer a bottle of water.
geben means to give, eine Flasche Wasser means a bottle of water. Dem Tänzer is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Flasche Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Musik des Tänzers ist sehr modern.
The dancer's music is very modern.
die Musik means the music, and modern means modern. Des Tänzers expresses possession in the genitive; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Tänzer beginnen mit dem Training.
The dancers begin training.
beginnen means begin, mit means with, and das Training means training. Die Tänzer is plural and nominative as the subject; mit dem Training is dative because mit always takes the dative.
die Vorstellung — idea, conception; performance, show; performance, show; introduction, presentation of a person
The sense “idea” is often used with von plus the dative, as in eine Vorstellung von etwas. Do not confuse sich etwas vorstellen, “to imagine something”, with eine Vorstellung haben, “to have an idea”.
Meine Vorstellung von einem perfekten Urlaub ist ein ruhiges Haus am Meer.
My idea of a perfect holiday is a quiet house by the sea.
perfekt means perfect, Urlaub means holiday, ruhig means quiet, and am Meer means by the sea. Meine Vorstellung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe eine ganz andere Vorstellung von diesem Projekt.
I have a completely different idea of this project.
ganz anders means completely different, and Projekt means project. Eine Vorstellung is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; diesem Projekt is dative after the preposition von.
Wir erklären dem neuen Kollegen unsere Vorstellung.
We explain our idea to the new colleague.
erklären means to explain, neu means new, and Kollege means colleague. Dem neuen Kollegen is dative because it is the person receiving the explanation, while unsere Vorstellung is accusative; the finite verb erklären is in position two.
Die Umsetzung der Vorstellung dauerte mehrere Monate.
Putting the idea into practice took several months.
Umsetzung means implementation, dauern means to last or take time, and mehrere Monate means several months. Der Vorstellung is genitive because it identifies whose implementation is meant; the finite verb dauerte stands in position two.
Die Vorstellungen der Kinder sind oft sehr fantasievoll.
Children’s ideas are often very imaginative.
Kinder means children, oft means often, and fantasievoll means imaginative. Die Vorstellungen is nominative plural because it is the subject, while der Kinder is genitive and means of the children.
Die Vorstellung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The performance starts at eight o’clock.
beginnen means to start, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Vorstellung is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Nach der Vorstellung gehen wir noch etwas essen.
After the performance, we are going to eat something.
nach means after, noch means still or additionally, and etwas essen means to eat something. Der Vorstellung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the verb gehen is in position two in the main clause.
Bei der ersten Vorstellung lernten sich alle Teilnehmer kennen.
At the first introduction, all the participants got to know one another.
erste means first, Teilnehmer means participants, and sich kennenlernen means to get to know one another. Der Vorstellung is dative after bei, and lernten ... kennen is a separable verb with its parts at the end of the clause.
Die Vorstellung der neuen Mitarbeiterin war sehr freundlich.
The introduction of the new female employee was very friendly.
Mitarbeiterin means female employee and freundlich means friendly. Die Vorstellung is nominative as the subject, while der neuen Mitarbeiterin is genitive and means of the new employee.
das Werk — work; work of art; factory; industrial plant
In this sense, Werk commonly means a creative work or achievement. Its plural is Werke; in the industrial sense, the same plural can mean plants or factories.
Das Werk ist sehr bekannt.
The work is very well known.
bekannt means well known. Das Werk is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese das Werk im Original.
I am reading the work in the original language.
lese means read, and im Original means in the original version or language. das Werk is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; lese is in position two.
Mit dem Werk beginnt die Ausstellung.
The exhibition begins with the work.
mit means with, beginnt means begins, and die Ausstellung is the exhibition. dem Werk is dative because mit requires the dative; after the initial phrase, beginnt remains in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Werkes ist noch unklar.
The significance of the work is still unclear.
die Bedeutung means significance, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. des Werkes is genitive because it specifies which significance; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Werke hängen im Museum.
Many works are hanging in the museum.
viele means many, hängen means are hanging, and das Museum is the museum. Werke is the nominative plural subject, so the verb is plural; the plural is formed with an umlaut and -e.
Mein Bruder arbeitet in einem Werk.
My brother works in a plant.
mein Bruder means my brother, arbeitet means works, and in einem Werk means in a plant. einem Werk is dative because in describes a fixed location here; arbeitet is in position two.
Das Werk produziert Autoteile.
The plant produces car parts.
produziert means produces and Autoteile means car parts. Das Werk is nominative as the subject, while Autoteile is accusative as the object; the finite verb produziert stands in position two.
das Xylophon — xylophone
The musical instrument is normally used with spielen: Xylophon spielen means to play the xylophone. The plural is Xylophone, not Xylophons.
Das Xylophon klingt schön.
The xylophone sounds beautiful.
klingt means sounds, and schön means beautiful. Das Xylophon is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Die Kinder spielen das Xylophon.
The children are playing the xylophone.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means play. das Xylophon is accusative because spielen has a direct object here; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Xylophon einen neuen Platz.
I am giving the xylophone a new place.
geben means to give, einen neuen Platz means a new place, and neu means new. dem Xylophon is dative because it is the thing receiving the place, while einen neuen Platz is the accusative object.
Der Klang des Xylophons ist hell.
The sound of the xylophone is bright.
der Klang means the sound and hell means bright or clear. des Xylophons is genitive because it tells whose sound it is; the neuter noun adds -s.
Im Musikraum stehen drei Xylophone.
There are three xylophones in the music room.
im Musikraum means in the music room, stehen means are standing, and drei means three. Xylophone is the plural form, and im Musikraum is dative because in describes a location rather than movement.
die Zeichnung — drawing
A Zeichnung is usually made with a pencil or pen, while a Bild can also be a painting or photograph. The plural is Zeichnungen.
Die Zeichnung hängt an der Wand.
The drawing is hanging on the wall.
hängt means is hanging, and die Wand means the wall. Die Zeichnung is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is dative because an describes a location here.
Ich sehe die Zeichnung.
I see the drawing.
sehe means see. die Zeichnung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Zeichnung.
I give the child a drawing.
gebe means give, and dem Kind means to the child. dem Kind is dative as the recipient, while eine Zeichnung is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe der Zeichnung ist sehr dunkel.
The colour of the drawing is very dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. der Zeichnung is genitive and means “of the drawing”; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Museum sehen wir viele Zeichnungen.
In the museum we see many drawings.
im Museum means in the museum, and viele means many. Zeichnungen is the plural after viele, and the whole phrase is accusative because it is the object of sehen.
der Zirkus — circus
The usual plural is die Zirkusse. A circus can be a travelling show or the building and organisation connected with it.
Der Zirkus kommt morgen in unsere Stadt.
The circus is coming to our town tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, unsere Stadt means our town, and kommen means to come. Der Zirkus is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir besuchen den Zirkus am Samstag.
We are visiting the circus on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. Den Zirkus is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Die Kinder erzählen ihren Freunden vom Zirkus.
The children tell their friends about the circus.
die Kinder are the children, ihren Freunden means their friends, and erzählen means to tell. Ihren Freunden is dative because erzählen gives the people receiving the information dative, and vom means von dem, which also takes dative.
Die Musik des Zirkus ist sehr laut.
The circus’s music is very loud.
die Musik is the music and sehr laut means very loud. Des Zirkus is genitive because it shows whose music it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Familien die Zirkusse.
In summer, many families visit the circuses.
im Sommer means in summer, viele Familien means many families, and besuchen means to visit. Die Zirkusse is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the plural article is die.