Appearance
Vocab: Music & arts — B1
Music & arts vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
aufführen — to perform, to stage; to list, to mention
For a show, aufführen takes the thing performed as an accusative object, for example ein Stück. Do not confuse it with aufnehmen, which can mean to record a performance.
Das Theater führt heute ein neues Stück auf.
The theatre is staging a new play today.
das Theater means the theatre, heute means today, and ein neues Stück is a new play. Das Theater is nominative and ein neues Stück is accusative because aufführen takes the performance as its direct object; führt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben gestern eine Oper aufgeführt.
We performed an opera yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and eine Oper means an opera. Eine Oper is accusative because it is what was performed; the perfect uses haben, and the whole Partizip II aufgeführt goes to the end.
Die Schule führte das Musical im Mai auf.
The school staged the musical in May.
die Schule means the school, das Musical means the musical, and im Mai means in May. The direct object is accusative, while the weak past form führte stands in position two and auf is separated to the end.
Führ das Stück bitte morgen auf.
Please perform the play tomorrow.
das Stück means the play, bitte means please, and morgen means tomorrow. This is a du command with the subject omitted; führ comes first and the separable auf must remain at the end.
Wenn sie mehr Zeit hätte, führte sie das Stück auf.
If she had more time, she would perform the play.
wenn means if and mehr Zeit means more time. In the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end; in the result clause führte is the Konjunktiv II form in position two and auf is separated.
Die Gruppe wird das Stück am Samstag aufführen.
The group will perform the play on Saturday.
die Gruppe means the group and am Samstag means on Saturday. Das Stück is accusative as the direct object; in the future, wird is in position two and the complete infinitive aufführen stays together at the end.
Der Bericht führt drei Gründe auf.
The report lists three reasons.
der Bericht means the report and drei Gründe means three reasons. Drei Gründe is accusative because it is what the report lists; führt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Bitte führ alle Kosten auf.
Please list all the costs.
alle Kosten means all the costs. This is a du imperative with an accusative object; the command form führ comes first and the prefix auf is placed at the end.
auftreten — to perform; to appear
For a performance, auftreten means to perform or appear before an audience. Its perfect uses sein, and its prefix separates in finite main clauses: tritt auf, but aufgetreten and auftreten stay whole.
Die Band tritt heute Abend in Berlin auf.
The band is performing in Berlin tonight.
die Band means the band, heute Abend means tonight, and in Berlin means in Berlin. tritt ... auf is a separable verb: the finite part tritt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Die Band ist gestern in einem kleinen Club aufgetreten.
The band performed in a small club yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and ein kleiner Club means a small club. in einem kleinen Club is dative because in describes a fixed location here. The perfect uses ist ... aufgetreten with sein, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
Der Komiker trat vor dem Publikum auf.
The comedian performed in front of the audience.
der Komiker means the comedian and das Publikum means the audience. vor dem Publikum is dative because vor describes the location in front of which he performed. In the simple past, trat ... auf keeps the prefix at the end.
Tritt morgen bei unserem Fest auf!
Perform at our party tomorrow!
morgen means tomorrow and unser Fest means our party. This is the singular du imperative, so the verb begins with tritt and the prefix auf goes at the end; bei takes the dative in unserem Fest.
Wenn ich mutiger wäre, träte ich vor großem Publikum auf.
If I were braver, I would perform in front of a large audience.
wenn means if, mutiger means braver, and großes Publikum means a large audience. vor großem Publikum is dative after vor in a location expression. In the wenn clause the finite verb comes last; in the main clause träte ... auf is split.
Die Gruppe wird nächste Woche in Hamburg auftreten.
The group will perform in Hamburg next week.
die Gruppe means the group, nächste Woche means next week, and in Hamburg gives the place. Future uses wird plus the infinitive auftreten, which stays whole at the end; do not split the infinitive after wird.
der Auftritt — performance; appearance
An Auftritt is a performance or public appearance, especially by a singer, actor, comedian, or speaker. It is the noun related to auftreten.
Der Auftritt beginnt um acht Uhr.
The performance begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Der Auftritt is the nominative subject. The finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Alle Zuschauer erwarten den Auftritt.
All the spectators are expecting the performance.
alle Zuschauer means all the spectators and erwarten means expect. den Auftritt is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object. The subject is plural, so the finite verb is erwarten.
Nach dem Auftritt gingen wir nach Hause.
After the performance, we went home.
nach Hause means home and gingen means went. nach dem Auftritt is dative because the preposition nach takes the dative here. The time phrase comes first, so the finite verb gingen still occupies position two.
Die Länge des Auftritts überraschte mich.
The length of the performance surprised me.
die Länge means the length and überraschte mich means surprised me. des Auftritts is genitive because it identifies what had the length. mich is accusative because überraschen takes the person who is surprised as a direct object.
Die Sängerin hatte schon viele Auftritte.
The singer had already had many performances.
die Sängerin means the female singer, schon means already, and viele means many. viele Auftritte is plural accusative because haben takes what someone has as its direct object. The plural form ends in -e.
ausstellen — to exhibit, to display; to issue, to write out officially
For issuing an official document, ausstellen is also used with an accusative object, for example einen Pass ausstellen. It is separable in a main clause but not in the infinitive or Partizip II.
Das Museum stellt neue Bilder aus.
The museum is exhibiting new pictures.
das Museum means museum and neue Bilder means new pictures. Neue Bilder is accusative because it is the direct object of ausstellen; the finite verb stellt is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Die Galerie hat die Fotos ausgestellt.
The gallery exhibited the photos.
die Galerie means gallery and die Fotos means the photos. Die Fotos is accusative after hat ausgestellt, and the attached Partizip II goes to the end.
Die Schule stellte ihre Projekte aus.
The school exhibited its projects.
die Schule means school and ihre Projekte means its projects. Ihre Projekte is accusative after ausstellen; the regular past form stellte is in position two and aus is final.
Stell die Bilder aus!
Put the pictures on display!
die Bilder means the pictures. The singular imperative has no du, and the prefix aus must be separated and placed at the end.
Ich würde die Bilder gern ausstellen.
I would be happy to exhibit the pictures.
gern means gladly or would like to. Die Bilder is accusative as the direct object, while würde is in position two and the complete infinitive ausstellen goes to the end.
Wir werden die Arbeiten morgen ausstellen.
We will exhibit the works tomorrow.
die Arbeiten means the works and morgen means tomorrow. Die Arbeiten is accusative after ausstellen; werden is in position two and the attached infinitive goes to the end.
Die Firma stellt eine Rechnung aus.
The company is issuing an invoice.
die Firma means company and eine Rechnung means an invoice. Eine Rechnung is accusative as the direct object; stellt occupies position two and aus is separated to the end.
Der Arzt hat mir ein Rezept ausgestellt.
The doctor issued me a prescription.
der Arzt means doctor and ein Rezept means a prescription. Mir is dative for the recipient and ein Rezept is accusative as the document issued; the Partizip II ausgestellt goes to the end.
die Ausstellung — exhibition, display; issuing, preparation of an official document
An Ausstellung is usually something visitors see, especially art or historical objects. It is related to ausstellen, but the noun names the event or display, not the action of displaying something.
Die Ausstellung ist bis Sonntag geöffnet.
The exhibition is open until Sunday.
bis Sonntag means until Sunday and geöffnet means open. Die Ausstellung is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Ausstellung am Samstag.
We are visiting the exhibition on Saturday.
besuchen means to visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. Die Ausstellung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Nach der Ausstellung gehen wir essen.
After the exhibition, we are going to eat.
nach der Ausstellung means after the exhibition and essen gehen means go to eat. Der Ausstellung is dative because nach always takes the dative; because the prepositional phrase comes first, gehen remains in position two.
Der Katalog der Ausstellung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The exhibition catalogue is on the table.
der Katalog means the catalogue and liegt means is lying. Der Ausstellung is genitive after der Katalog to identify it, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Ausstellungen in Berlin sind sehr beliebt.
The exhibitions in Berlin are very popular.
in Berlin means in Berlin and beliebt means popular. Die Ausstellungen is plural and nominative as the subject, so the verb is plural: sind.
Die Ausstellung des Zertifikats dauert eine Woche.
Issuing the certificate takes one week.
das Zertifikat means certificate and dauert means takes or lasts. Des Zertifikats is genitive after die Ausstellung to name the document being issued; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Für die Ausstellung der Rechnung brauchen wir Ihre Adresse.
We need your address to issue the invoice.
für means for, die Rechnung means invoice and Ihre Adresse means your address. Für die Ausstellung expresses purpose and takes the accusative, while der Rechnung is genitive to specify which issuing is meant.
der Bildhauer — sculptor
Der Bildhauer is a male sculptor; the feminine form is die Bildhauerin. Its plural is unchanged in spelling: die Bildhauer, and it is not a weak masculine noun.
Der Bildhauer arbeitet in seinem Atelier.
The sculptor works in his studio.
arbeiten means to work, and das Atelier is the studio or workshop of an artist. Der Bildhauer is nominative because it is the subject; the possessive phrase seinem Atelier is dative after the location phrase in.
Das Museum ehrt den Bildhauer.
The museum honours the sculptor.
das Museum is the museum, and ehren means to honour. Den Bildhauer is accusative because ehren takes a direct object; this masculine noun changes its article from der to den.
Wir danken dem Bildhauer für seine Arbeit.
We thank the sculptor for his work.
danken means to thank, für means for, and seine Arbeit means his work. Dem Bildhauer is dative because danken governs the dative; für seine Arbeit is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Skulptur des Bildhauers steht im Park.
The sculptor's sculpture stands in the park.
die Skulptur means the sculpture, and der Park is the park. Des Bildhauers is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s, not -n, in the genitive.
Die Bildhauer zeigen ihre Werke.
The sculptors show their works.
zeigen means to show, and die Werke means the works or artworks. Bildhauer has the same form in singular and plural, so only the article and verb agreement show the plural here.
die Bühne — stage, platform; platform, public stage
The main meaning is the performance area in a theatre, concert hall, or similar place. It can also mean a raised platform used for presentations or events.
Die Bühne ist schon hell beleuchtet.
The stage is already brightly lit.
schon means already, and hell beleuchtet means brightly lit. Die Bühne is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Schauspielerin betritt die Bühne.
The actress goes onto the stage.
die Schauspielerin means the actress, and betritt means enters or steps onto. Die Bühne is accusative because betreten takes the place entered as its direct object; it does not need a preposition here.
Wir stehen auf der Bühne.
We are standing on the stage.
wir stehen means we are standing. Auf der Bühne is dative because auf describes a fixed location; movement onto the stage would use accusative, as in auf die Bühne.
Die Beleuchtung der Bühne wird verändert.
The stage lighting is being changed.
die Beleuchtung means the lighting, and wird verändert means is being changed. Der Bühne is genitive because it identifies which lighting is meant; the passive construction uses wird plus the Partizip II verändert.
Die Schauspieler betreten die Bühnen.
The actors enter the stages.
die Schauspieler means the actors, and betreten means enter. Bühnen is plural after die; it is accusative because the verb betreten takes the places entered as direct objects.
Das Thema bekommt auf internationaler Bühne viel Aufmerksamkeit.
The issue is receiving a lot of attention on the international stage.
das Thema means the issue, bekommt means receives or gets, and viel Aufmerksamkeit means a lot of attention. Auf internationaler Bühne is dative because auf describes a setting or location, and the finite verb bekommt stands in position two.
Die Organisation will jungen Künstlern eine Bühne geben.
The organisation wants to give young artists a platform.
die Organisation means the organisation, jungen Künstlern means young artists, and eine Bühne geben means give a platform. Jungen Künstlern is dative as the recipients, while eine Bühne is accusative as the thing given; geben comes at the end after the modal-like verb will.
darstellen — to represent, to present, to depict; to portray, to play
Darstellen is separable: in a main clause, dar moves to the end, as in stellt ... dar. It takes an accusative object and uses haben in the perfect; for a person’s appearance, darstellen can also mean “portray.”
Die Grafik stellt die Ergebnisse dar.
The chart presents the results.
die Grafik is the chart and die Ergebnisse are the results. Die Ergebnisse is accusative because darstellen takes a direct object; as a separable verb, stellt is in position two and dar goes to the end.
Der Bericht hat die Lage klar dargestellt.
The report presented the situation clearly.
der Bericht is the report, die Lage is the situation, and klar means clearly. The perfect uses hat ... dargestellt with haben; the Partizip II goes to the end, and die Lage is accusative.
Die Ausstellung stellte das Leben früherer Generationen dar.
The exhibition presented the lives of earlier generations.
die Ausstellung is the exhibition, das Leben is the life or lives, and früherer Generationen means of earlier generations. The simple-past form splits into stellte ... dar in the main clause; früherer Generationen is a genitive description of whose lives are meant.
Stell den Ablauf bitte genau dar.
Please explain the process precisely.
der Ablauf is the process or sequence of events, bitte means please, and genau means precisely. This informal singular command omits du; stell comes first and the separable dar goes to the end, while den Ablauf is accusative.
Ich würde den Plan anders darstellen.
I would present the plan differently.
der Plan is the plan and anders means differently. Würde ... darstellen expresses a hypothetical or polite idea; the infinitive stays together at the end, and den Plan is accusative.
Wir werden die Zahlen in einer Tabelle darstellen.
We will present the figures in a table.
die Zahlen are the figures or numbers and die Tabelle is the table. In the future, werden is finite in position two and the infinitive darstellen goes to the end; in einer Tabelle is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Die Schauspielerin stellt eine mutige Ärztin dar.
The actress portrays a brave doctor.
die Schauspielerin is the actress, mutig means brave, and die Ärztin is the female doctor. The object eine mutige Ärztin is accusative; stellt ... dar is split because the verb is separable in this main clause.
Er hat in dem Film einen Detektiv dargestellt.
He portrayed a detective in the film.
der Film is the film and der Detektiv is the detective. The perfect is hat ... dargestellt, with the whole Partizip II at the end; einen Detektiv is accusative because it is the role he portrayed.
die Darstellung — presentation, representation; depiction, portrayal
Die Darstellung is often used for a clear presentation of information, especially in reports, diagrams, or explanations. The related verb is separable darstellen; the plural is Darstellungen.
Die Darstellung der Ergebnisse ist sehr übersichtlich.
The presentation of the results is very clear.
die Ergebnisse are the results and übersichtlich means clear and easy to understand. Die Darstellung is nominative because it is the subject; der Ergebnisse is genitive and specifies what is being presented.
Ich finde die Darstellung zu kompliziert.
I find the presentation too complicated.
finden means to find or consider, and kompliziert means complicated. Die Darstellung is accusative because it is the direct object of finde; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit der Darstellung kann jeder die Zahlen verstehen.
With the presentation, everyone can understand the figures.
mit means with, jeder means everyone, die Zahlen are the figures, and verstehen means to understand. Mit always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the modal-like phrase kann ... verstehen places the infinitive at the end.
Die Qualität der Darstellung hängt vom Inhalt ab.
The quality of the presentation depends on the content.
die Qualität is the quality, abhängen von means to depend on, and der Inhalt is the content. Der Darstellung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; hängt ... ab is the separable verb abhängen, and vom Inhalt means von dem Inhalt.
Die neuen Darstellungen sind online verfügbar.
The new presentations are available online.
neu means new, online means online, and verfügbar means available. Darstellungen is plural and adds -en; the plural subject takes the verb sind, and neuen has the adjective ending after die understood from the noun phrase.
Das Gemälde zeigt eine Darstellung einer alten Stadt.
The painting shows a depiction of an old city.
das Gemälde is the painting, zeigen means to show, alt means old, and die Stadt is the city. Eine Darstellung is accusative after zeigt; einer alten Stadt is genitive after the noun Darstellung and means “of an old city.”
Ihre Darstellung der Königin war beeindruckend.
Her portrayal of the queen was impressive.
ihre means her, die Königin is the queen, and beeindruckend means impressive. Ihre Darstellung is nominative because it is the subject; der Königin is genitive and identifies the person portrayed.
das Drama — drama; serious play; drama; fuss
Das Drama can mean a serious theatre play or, more generally, a very serious event. Its plural is irregular in appearance: die Dramen, not die Dramas.
Das Drama beginnt um acht Uhr.
The play begins at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Das Drama is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen heute Abend ein Drama.
We are watching a drama this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and sehen means watch or see. ein Drama is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Nach dem Drama sprechen wir über die letzte Szene.
After the drama, we talk about the last scene.
Nach means after, sprechen means talk, and die letzte Szene is the last scene. dem Drama is dative because nach always governs the dative; the phrase Nach dem Drama occupies position one, so sprechen comes next.
Das Ende des Dramas ist sehr traurig.
The ending of the drama is very sad.
Das Ende means the ending, sehr means very, and traurig means sad. des Dramas is genitive because it identifies which ending is meant, and this noun has the ending -s in the genitive.
Im Kurs lesen wir mehrere Dramen.
In the course, we read several dramas.
Im Kurs means in the course, lesen means read, and mehrere means several. Dramen is the plural of Drama; the phrase Im Kurs is in position one, so the finite verb lesen remains in position two.
Das Stück ist ein echtes Drama.
The play is a real drama.
Das Stück means the play, and echt means real or genuine. ein echtes Drama is a predicate noun after ist, so it stays in the nominative rather than becoming accusative.
Der Streit war ein großes Drama.
The argument was a big drama.
Der Streit means the argument or quarrel, war means was, and groß means big. ein großes Drama is a predicate noun after war, so it is nominative; the adjective takes -es after ein with this neuter noun.
Mach kein Drama daraus!
Don’t make such a fuss about it!
Mach means make or do, kein means no or not any, and daraus means out of it or about it. kein Drama is accusative because machen takes a direct object; Mach is the informal singular imperative.
dramatisch — dramatic; intense
Dramatisch can describe an exciting or emotionally intense situation, not only a theatre play. The comparison is regular: dramatischer, am dramatischsten.
Die Geschichte ist dramatisch.
The story is dramatic.
Die Geschichte means the story, and ist means is. dramatisch is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; it has no adjective ending in this position.
Sie erzählt eine dramatische Geschichte.
She tells a dramatic story.
Sie erzählt means she tells, and Geschichte means story. eine dramatische Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object, and the adjective has -e after eine with a feminine noun.
Der zweite Teil ist noch dramatischer.
The second part is even more dramatic.
Der zweite Teil means the second part, noch means even or still, and Teil means part. dramatischer is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; noch strengthens the comparison.
Das war der dramatischste Moment des Abends.
That was the most dramatic moment of the evening.
der Moment means the moment, and des Abends means of the evening. der dramatischste Moment is an attributive superlative with the ending -ste and -e; des Abends is genitive for possession.
der Filmstar — film star; movie star
Filmstar normally refers to a very famous film actor or actress, not simply anyone who acts in a film. It is a masculine noun grammatically, regardless of whether the person is male or female.
Der Filmstar gibt heute ein Interview.
The film star is giving an interview today.
gibt means gives, heute means today, and ein Interview means an interview. Der Filmstar is nominative because it is the subject, and gibt stands in position two.
Die Fans fotografieren den Filmstar.
The fans are photographing the film star.
Die Fans means the fans and fotografieren means photograph. Den Filmstar is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Reporterin spricht mit dem Filmstar.
The reporter is talking with the film star.
Die Reporterin means the female reporter and spricht means speaks or talks. Dem Filmstar is dative because mit always takes the dative; spricht is the finite verb in position two.
Die Karriere des Filmstars begann sehr früh.
The film star's career began very early.
Die Karriere means the career, begann means began, and sehr früh means very early. Des Filmstars is genitive because it shows whose career it is; Filmstar takes -s in the genitive.
Viele Filmstars leben in Los Angeles.
Many film stars live in Los Angeles.
Viele means many and leben means live. Filmstars is plural after viele and is the subject, so the plural verb leben agrees with it.
der Fotoapparat — camera
Der Fotoapparat usually means a separate camera, especially a traditional or dedicated camera. For a phone camera, German speakers commonly say die Handykamera.
Der Fotoapparat liegt auf dem Tisch.
The camera is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Fotoapparat is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative after auf because it describes a fixed location.
Ich nehme den Fotoapparat mit.
I am taking the camera with me.
nehme ... mit means take along, and mit means along or with. Den Fotoapparat is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the separable verb has nehme in position two and mit at the end.
Sie fotografiert mit dem Fotoapparat.
She takes photographs with the camera.
fotografiert means takes photographs, and mit means with. Dem Fotoapparat is dative because the preposition mit always takes the dative; the finite verb fotografiert is in position two.
Die Tasche des Fotoapparats ist kaputt.
The camera's case is broken.
die Tasche means the case or bag, and kaputt means broken. Des Fotoapparats is genitive because it means of the camera; Fotoapparat ends in -s in the genitive, and ist is in position two.
Im Museum stehen viele Fotoapparate.
There are many cameras in the museum.
im Museum means in the museum, and stehen means stand or are displayed. Fotoapparate is the plural with -e; because im Museum comes first, the finite verb stehen comes before the subject.
gestalten — to design, shape, organize; to organize, structure
Gestalten is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object. It can describe visual design, but also the deliberate shaping of situations or a person's life; its perfect uses haben.
Die Designerin gestaltet eine neue Website.
The designer is designing a new website.
die Designerin is the female designer, and eine neue Website is a new website. Eine neue Website is accusative because gestalten takes a direct object; the finite verb gestaltet stands in position two.
Wir haben den kleinen Garten gemeinsam gestaltet.
We designed the small garden together.
der kleine Garten is the small garden, and gemeinsam means together. Den kleinen Garten is accusative because it is the object of gestalten; the auxiliary haben is in position two and gestaltet goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Früher gestaltete er Plakate für Konzerte.
In the past, he designed posters for concerts.
früher means in the past, and Plakate are posters; Konzerte are concerts. Gestaltete is the weak-verb simple past in position two, and Plakate is accusative because it is the direct object.
Gestalte dein Zimmer nach deinen Wünschen!
Design your room according to your wishes!
dein Zimmer means your room, and nach deinen Wünschen means according to your wishes. The imperative gestalte stands first and has no subject pronoun; dein Zimmer is accusative because it is the direct object, while nach takes the dative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, gestaltete ich den Kurs anders.
If I had more time, I would design the course differently.
mehr Zeit means more time, der Kurs is the course, and anders means differently. The conditional meaning is expressed by hätte in the subordinate clause and the Präteritum form gestaltete in the main clause; den Kurs is accusative because it is the direct object.
Nächstes Jahr wird sie den Park neu gestalten.
Next year she will redesign the park.
nächstes Jahr means next year, der Park is the park, and neu means anew or in a new way. In the future, wird stands in position two and the infinitive gestalten goes to the end; den Park is accusative as the direct object.
Die Lehrerin gestaltet den Unterricht abwechslungsreich.
The teacher makes the lessons varied.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, der Unterricht means the lessons or teaching, and abwechslungsreich means varied and interesting. Den Unterricht is accusative because it is the direct object; abwechslungsreich is used adverbially without an ending, and the finite verb is in position two.
Der Verein hat ein buntes Fest gestaltet.
The club organized a colourful festival.
der Verein is the club or association, bunt means colourful, and das Fest is the festival. Ein buntes Fest is accusative after gestalten; hat is in position two and the Partizip II gestaltet goes to the end.
die Gestaltung — design, visual arrangement; organization, structuring
Die Gestaltung can mean the visual design of a product, page, room, or piece of media. It is often followed by a genitive phrase such as die Gestaltung der Website.
Die Gestaltung der Website gefällt mir.
I like the design of the website.
die Website is the website, and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. Die Gestaltung is nominative because it is the subject; der Website is genitive and shows what is being designed, while gefällt stands in position two.
Ich beurteile die Gestaltung des Buchcovers.
I assess the design of the book cover.
beurteile means assess, and das Buchcover is the book cover. Die Gestaltung is accusative because beurteilen takes a direct object; des Buchcovers is genitive and identifies whose design it is.
Mit der Gestaltung des Flyers bin ich zufrieden.
I am happy with the design of the flyer.
der Flyer is the flyer, and zufrieden means satisfied or happy. Mit der Gestaltung is dative because mit requires the dative; des Flyers is genitive, and the phrase bin ich zufrieden is a fixed way to say I am satisfied.
Die Qualität der Gestaltung ist beeindruckend.
The quality of the design is impressive.
die Qualität means the quality, and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Gestaltung is genitive after die Qualität to show what kind of quality is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die modernen Gestaltungen wirken sehr klar.
The modern designs look very clear.
modern means modern, and wirken means appear or look. Gestaltungen is the plural subject, so the verb is plural wirken; after the definite article die, the adjective has the plural ending -en in modernen.
Bei der Gestaltung des Kurses hat sie viele Ideen.
She had many ideas for organizing the course.
bei means during or in the organization of, der Kurs is the course, and viele Ideen means many ideas. Bei der Gestaltung is dative because bei requires the dative; des Kurses is genitive, and hat stands in position two.
Die Gestaltung des Tages hängt vom Wetter ab.
How the day is organized depends on the weather.
der Tag is the day, hängt ab means depends, and das Wetter is the weather. Die Gestaltung is the nominative subject, while des Tages is genitive; hängt stands in position two and the separable prefix ab moves to the end.
die Handlung — action, deed; plot, storyline
In everyday contexts, die Handlung usually means an action or deed. In books, films, or plays it can also mean the plot; the plural is Handlungen for both meanings.
Die Handlung war mutig.
The action was brave.
mutig means brave. Die Handlung is nominative because it is the subject, and war stands in position two; mutig is a predicative adjective after sein and has no ending.
Die Polizei untersucht die Handlung.
The police are investigating the action.
die Polizei is the police, and untersuchen means to investigate. Die Handlung is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, while untersucht stands in position two.
Mit dieser Handlung hat er viele Menschen verletzt.
With this action, he hurt many people.
diese means this, viele Menschen means many people, and verletzt means hurt. Mit forces the dative, so dieser Handlung is dative; hat ... verletzt is the perfect, with the participle at the end.
Die Folgen der Handlung waren schwer.
The consequences of the action were serious.
die Folgen are the consequences, and schwer means serious or severe. Der Handlung is genitive to show which action the consequences belong to, and waren stands in position two.
Solche Handlungen können anderen Menschen schaden.
Such actions can harm other people.
solche means such, anderen Menschen means other people, and schaden means to harm. Handlungen is the plural subject; können stands in position two and the infinitive schaden goes to the end, taking a dative person.
Die Handlung des Films ist kompliziert.
The plot of the film is complicated.
der Film is the film, and kompliziert means complicated. Des Films is genitive after Handlung to identify whose plot it is; ist is in position two.
Die Handlung spielt im Mittelalter.
The story takes place in the Middle Ages.
spielen here means to take place, and das Mittelalter is the Middle Ages. Im means in dem and forces the dative; spielt stands in position two, and the phrase im Mittelalter gives the setting.
die Hauptrolle — leading role; major role
Hauptrolle means the most important part in a performance. In eine Hauptrolle spielen, the verb spielen means to act in or perform a role, not simply to play a game.
Die Hauptrolle spielt eine bekannte Schauspielerin.
A well-known actress plays the leading role.
eine bekannte Schauspielerin means a well-known actress. Die Hauptrolle is nominative because it is the subject of spielt; the finite verb is in position two.
Er spielt die Hauptrolle im Film.
He plays the leading role in the film.
er means he, spielt means plays, and im Film means in the film. Die Hauptrolle is accusative because spielen takes a direct object; feminine die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt der Hauptrolle eine besondere Stimme.
She gives the leading character a special voice.
gibt means gives, eine besondere Stimme means a special voice. Der Hauptrolle is dative because it is the recipient with geben, while eine besondere Stimme is the accusative thing given.
Die Bedeutung der Hauptrolle ist sehr groß.
The importance of the leading role is very great.
die Bedeutung means the importance and sehr groß means very great. Der Hauptrolle is genitive because it specifies whose importance is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
In diesem Film gibt es mehrere Hauptrollen.
There are several leading roles in this film.
in diesem Film means in this film and mehrere means several. Hauptrollen is plural after mehrere; after es gibt, the phrase is accusative, but the plural form has no extra case ending.
Geld spielt eine Hauptrolle bei dieser Entscheidung.
Money plays a major role in this decision.
Geld means money and diese Entscheidung means this decision. Bei dieser Entscheidung uses the dative after bei; eine Hauptrolle is accusative after spielt, and the finite verb is in position two.
Technologie spielt heute mehrere Hauptrollen.
Technology plays several major roles today.
Technologie means technology and heute means today. Mehrere Hauptrollen is an accusative plural object after spielt; the plural ending is -n, and the verb is in position two.
die Karikatur — caricature, cartoon; caricature, grotesque imitation
A Karikatur can be a humorous drawing, especially one that exaggerates a politician's appearance or behaviour.
Die Karikatur hängt im Museum.
The caricature is hanging in the museum.
hängt means is hanging, and das Museum means museum. Die Karikatur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hängt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Karikatur jeden Morgen.
I see the caricature every morning.
sehe means see, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Karikatur is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich erzähle meiner Freundin von der Karikatur.
I tell my friend about the caricature.
erzähle means tell, meiner Freundin means my female friend, and von means about. Der Karikatur is dative because von always takes the dative; meiner Freundin is also dative because erzählen tells something to someone.
Die Wirkung der Karikatur ist stark.
The effect of the caricature is strong.
die Wirkung means the effect, and stark means strong. Der Karikatur is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
In der Ausstellung hängen viele Karikaturen.
Many caricatures are hanging in the exhibition.
die Ausstellung means the exhibition, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Karikaturen is plural after viele, and the plural article is not used here because viele already determines the noun.
Die Zeitung veröffentlichte eine Karikatur über den Minister.
The newspaper published a caricature about the minister.
die Zeitung means the newspaper, veröffentlichte means published, and der Minister means the minister. Eine Karikatur is accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object; the finite verb veröffentlichte is in position two.
Er ist nur eine Karikatur eines modernen Politikers.
He is merely a caricature of a modern politician.
nur means merely, modern means modern, and der Politiker means politician. Eine Karikatur is nominative after ist because it describes the subject; eines modernen Politikers is genitive because it means of a modern politician.
Die Figur wirkt wie eine Karikatur.
The character seems like a caricature.
die Figur means the character, and wirkt means seems or appears. Wie means like and introduces a comparison; eine Karikatur remains nominative after wirken wie in this sentence.
die Kassette — cassette; cassette tape
Die Kassette usually means an audio cassette or cassette tape in older technology. It is also used in some technical compounds for a small removable container, but the tape meaning is the everyday one.
Die Kassette ist alt.
The cassette is old.
alt means old. Die Kassette is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich höre die Kassette.
I am listening to the cassette.
höre means am listening to. Die Kassette is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt mir die Kassette.
She gives me the cassette.
gibt means gives and mir means to me. Mir is the dative recipient, while die Kassette is the accusative thing being given.
Das Band der Kassette ist gerissen.
The tape in the cassette has snapped.
das Band is the tape and gerissen means snapped or torn. Der Kassette is genitive, meaning of the cassette, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Kassetten stehen im Schrank.
The cassettes are in the cupboard.
stehen means are standing and der Schrank is the cupboard. Die Kassetten is plural nominative; im Schrank is a location phrase with dative.
der Kassettenrekorder — cassette recorder; tape recorder
Der Kassettenrekorder is a compound of Kassette and Rekorder: it is a recorder for cassettes. The word is less common today because cassette technology is old-fashioned.
Der Kassettenrekorder funktioniert noch.
The cassette recorder still works.
funktioniert means works and noch means still. Der Kassettenrekorder is the nominative subject, and the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Er repariert den Kassettenrekorder.
He is repairing the cassette recorder.
repariert means is repairing. Den Kassettenrekorder is masculine accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Sie hört mit dem Kassettenrekorder Musik.
She listens to music with the cassette recorder.
hört Musik means listens to music, and mit means with. Dem Kassettenrekorder is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Reparatur des Kassettenrekorders war teuer.
The repair of the cassette recorder was expensive.
die Reparatur is the repair and teuer means expensive. Des Kassettenrekorders is genitive, meaning of the cassette recorder, and the noun ends in -s.
Die Kassettenrekorder stehen im Museum.
The cassette recorders are in the museum.
stehen means are standing and das Museum is the museum. Die Kassettenrekorder is plural nominative; the compound has no plural ending.
klassisch — classical; classic, traditional
Klassisch can describe classical music, art, or culture, but it can also mean typical or traditional, as in ein klassischer Fehler. Its regular comparison is klassischer, am klassischsten; do not confuse klassisch with English “classic” in every context.
Diese Musik ist sehr klassisch.
This music is very classical.
diese Musik means this music, and sehr means very. Klassisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir hören gern klassische Musik.
We like listening to classical music.
hören gern means like listening to, and Musik means music. Klassische Musik is an accusative object of hören; because Musik is feminine with no article, the adjective takes -e.
Sein Stil ist klassischer als meiner.
His style is more classical than mine.
sein Stil means his style, and meiner means mine. Klassischer is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Das ist der klassischste Roman in unserer Sammlung.
That is the most classical novel in our collection.
der Roman is the novel, and unsere Sammlung means our collection. Before the masculine noun Roman, the superlative needs the ending -ste and the definite article der; in unserer Sammlung is a dative phrase describing location.
der Kommentator — commentator
This word is especially common for someone commentating on sport or current events. The feminine form is die Kommentatorin.
Der Kommentator spricht sehr schnell.
The commentator speaks very quickly.
spricht sehr schnell means speaks very quickly. Der Kommentator is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Ich höre den Kommentator im Radio.
I listen to the commentator on the radio.
höre means listen to, and im Radio means on the radio. den Kommentator is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Wir danken dem Kommentator für die Erklärung.
We thank the commentator for the explanation.
danken means thank, and die Erklärung is the explanation. dem Kommentator is dative because danken requires a dative object, while für die Erklärung uses accusative after für.
Die Stimme des Kommentators ist gut zu verstehen.
The commentator's voice is easy to understand.
die Stimme means the voice, and gut zu verstehen means easy to understand. des Kommentators is genitive because it shows whose voice it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the masculine noun.
Die Kommentatoren erklären die wichtigsten Szenen.
The commentators explain the most important scenes.
erklären means explain, and die wichtigsten Szenen means the most important scenes. Die Kommentatoren is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
Der Kommentator hat das Tor sofort beschrieben.
The commentator described the goal immediately.
das Tor is the goal, and sofort means immediately. Der Kommentator is the subject in the nominative, while das Tor is accusative after beschreiben; hat beschrieben forms the perfect.
der Komponist — composer
This is a weak masculine noun: der Komponist, but den Komponisten and dem Komponisten. The feminine form is die Komponistin.
Der Komponist arbeitet an einer neuen Oper.
The composer is working on a new opera.
arbeitet means is working, neuen means new, and die Oper is the opera. Der Komponist is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Komponisten nach dem Konzert.
I am meeting the composer after the concert.
treffen means to meet, nach means after, and das Konzert means the concert. den Komponisten is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Komponist adds -en outside the nominative.
Wir danken dem Komponisten für seine Musik.
We thank the composer for his music.
danken means to thank and für seine Musik means for his music. dem Komponisten is dative because danken governs the dative, and the weak noun keeps -en.
Der Titel des Komponisten steht auf dem Programm.
The composer's name is on the programme.
der Titel means the title, steht means is written or stands, and auf dem Programm means on the programme. des Komponisten is genitive to show possession, and the masculine weak noun has -en in this case.
Viele Komponisten schreiben auch Filmmusik.
Many composers also write film music.
viele means many, schreiben means write, and Filmmusik means film music. Viele Komponisten is the plural subject in the nominative, and the finite verb schreiben is in position two.
die Komponistin — female composer, woman composer
The feminine noun is formed with -in from der Komponist. Its plural is Komponistinnen, with -innen, not Komponiste or Komponistin.
Die Komponistin lebt in Berlin.
The composer lives in Berlin.
lebt means lives and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Komponistin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Das Orchester spielt die Komponistin.
The orchestra is playing the female composer's music.
das Orchester means the orchestra and spielt means plays. Die Komponistin is accusative as a shortened reference to the composer's music or work; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Komponistin für das Konzert.
We thank the composer for the concert.
danken means to thank, für means for, and das Konzert means the concert. Der Komponistin is dative because danken governs the dative; für das Konzert is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Musik der Komponistin ist sehr bekannt.
The female composer's music is very well known.
die Musik means the music and bekannt means well known. Der Komponistin is genitive and shows who wrote the music; the feminine noun itself does not change, but the article changes to der.
Heute treffen sich drei Komponistinnen.
Three female composers are meeting today.
heute means today, drei means three, and treffen sich means meet each other. Drei Komponistinnen is the plural subject, and the plural ending -innen is added to Komponistin.
kreativ — creative
Kreativ normally describes people, ideas, designs, or solutions that are imaginative or original. It is a regular adjective: kreativer, am kreativsten.
Die Designerin ist sehr kreativ.
The designer is very creative.
die Designerin is the female designer and sehr means very. Kreativ is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie entwickelt kreative Lösungen.
She develops creative solutions.
sie entwickelt means she develops, and die Lösungen are the solutions. Kreative stands before the feminine plural noun and takes -e; Lösungen is accusative because entwickeln takes a direct object.
Diese Idee ist kreativer als die alte.
This idea is more creative than the old one.
diese Idee means this idea, als means than, and die alte means the old one. The comparative kreativer follows sein without an ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Teams arbeitet dieses am kreativsten.
Of all the teams, this one works the most creatively.
von allen Teams means of all the teams, and arbeitet means works. Am kreativsten is the superlative adverb; von takes the dative, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
der Kriminalfilm — crime film
Kriminalfilm is a compound of Kriminal-, meaning crime-related, and Film, meaning film. The shorter everyday word is Krimi.
Der Kriminalfilm läuft heute im Fernsehen.
The crime film is on television today.
läuft means is on or is showing, and heute im Fernsehen means on television today. Der Kriminalfilm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Wir sehen einen Kriminalfilm.
We’re watching a crime film.
wir sehen means we are watching or seeing, and einen marks a masculine accusative noun. Einen Kriminalfilm is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Nach dem Kriminalfilm diskutierten wir lange.
After the crime film, we discussed it for a long time.
nach means after, diskutierten means discussed, and lange means for a long time. Dem Kriminalfilm is dative because nach governs the dative; the finite verb diskutierten is in position two after the introductory phrase.
Das Ende des Kriminalfilms war schwer vorherzusehen.
The ending of the crime film was difficult to predict.
das Ende is the ending, and schwer vorherzusehen means difficult to predict. Des Kriminalfilms is genitive after das Ende to show whose ending it is; vorherzusehen is an infinitive with zu at the end.
Die Kriminalfilme der letzten Jahre waren besonders erfolgreich.
The crime films of recent years were particularly successful.
der letzten Jahre means of the last few years, and besonders erfolgreich means particularly successful. Kriminalfilme is the plural with -e, and der letzten Jahre is a genitive phrase describing which films.
der Kriminalroman — detective novel, crime novel
The compound Kriminalroman combines Kriminal-, meaning crime-related, with Roman, meaning novel. It is a book, not a person who investigates a crime.
Der Kriminalroman liegt auf dem Tisch.
The detective novel is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Kriminalroman is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese den Kriminalroman im Zug.
I am reading the detective novel on the train.
lese means am reading, im Zug means on the train, and Zug is train. Den Kriminalroman is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, while the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Sie schenkt ihrem Bruder den Kriminalroman.
She gives her brother the detective novel as a present.
schenkt means gives as a present, and ihrem Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative as the recipient, while den Kriminalroman is accusative as the thing given.
Das Ende des Kriminalromans ist überraschend.
The ending of the detective novel is surprising.
das Ende is the ending and überraschend means surprising. Des Kriminalromans is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is; the noun takes -s in the genitive.
In der Bibliothek stehen viele Kriminalromane.
There are many detective novels in the library.
in der Bibliothek means in the library, and viele means many. Kriminalromane is the plural form; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
die Legende — legend, traditional story; key, explanatory legend
This word can also mean a traditional story about a famous person or place. In books and maps, die Legende can instead mean a key or explanatory caption.
Die Legende erzählt von einem mutigen Ritter.
The legend tells of a brave knight.
erzählt means tells, mutig means brave, and der Ritter is a knight. Die Legende is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb erzählt stands in position two.
Ich kenne diese Legende aus meiner Kindheit.
I know this legend from my childhood.
kennen means to know, diese means this, and die Kindheit is childhood. Diese Legende is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while the finite verb kenne stands in position two.
Nach einer Legende lebte hier ein Drache.
According to a legend, a dragon lived here.
nach means according to or after, leben means to live, hier means here, and der Drache is a dragon. Einer Legende is dative because the preposition nach always takes the dative; the finite verb lebte is in position two.
Die Herkunft der Legende ist unbekannt.
The origin of the legend is unknown.
die Herkunft means origin and unbekannt means unknown. Der Legende is genitive because it identifies whose origin is meant, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Museum werden viele Legenden ausgestellt.
Many legends are exhibited in the museum.
das Museum is the museum and ausstellen means to exhibit. Viele Legenden is plural and nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; werden is in position two and ausgestellt goes to the end.
Die Legende erklärt die Farben auf der Karte.
The key explains the colours on the map.
erklären means to explain, die Farben are the colours, and die Karte is the map. Die Legende is nominative as the subject, while die Farben is accusative because erklären takes the thing explained as a direct object.
Bitte sieh in der Legende nach.
Please check the key.
bitte means please, nachsehen means to check or look something up, and in der Legende means in the key. Der Legende is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the separable verb nachsehen appears as sieh ... nach.
die Leinwand — canvas; cinema screen
Leinwand means canvas in art and, by extension, the screen in a cinema. The plural Leinwände is used for both meanings.
Die Leinwand ist sehr groß.
The canvas is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Die Leinwand is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite form of sein in position two; groß is a predicate adjective without an ending.
Die Künstlerin bemalt die Leinwand.
The artist paints on the canvas.
die Künstlerin means the female artist, and bemalt means paints or covers with paint. die Leinwand is accusative because bemalen takes an accusative object; the finite verb bemalt is in position two.
Der Künstler arbeitet an der Leinwand.
The artist is working on the canvas.
der Künstler means the male artist, and arbeitet means works. an der Leinwand means on the canvas and is dative because an describes a fixed location here; movement toward a surface would normally use accusative.
Die Farbe der Leinwand ist dunkel.
The colour of the canvas is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. der Leinwand is genitive because it identifies which colour; the whole phrase Die Farbe der Leinwand is the nominative subject.
Im Museum hängen mehrere Leinwände.
Several canvases are hanging in the museum.
im Museum means in the museum, hängen means are hanging, and mehrere means several. Leinwände is the plural with an umlaut; im Museum is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Literatur — literature; literary works; literary studies
Literatur is usually an uncountable noun in German, so it normally has no plural. For separate works, German often uses Bücher, Romane or Gedichte instead.
Literatur kann uns neue Welten zeigen.
Literature can show us new worlds.
neue Welten means new worlds, and zeigen means to show. Literatur is nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb kann is in position two, while the infinitive zeigen goes to the end.
Viele Menschen lesen gern Literatur.
Many people enjoy reading literature.
Viele Menschen means many people, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. Literatur is accusative because lesen takes an accusative object; the finite verb lesen is in position two.
In der Schule sprechen wir über Literatur.
At school we talk about literature.
In der Schule means at school, and sprechen means to talk. This sentence does not show a dative form: über Literatur is accusative after über in the meaning about; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Geschichte der Literatur ist sehr lang.
The history of literature is very long.
Die Geschichte means the history, and sehr lang means very long. der Literatur is a genitive phrase showing whose history it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie studiert Literatur an der Universität.
She studies literature at university.
Sie studiert means she studies, and an der Universität means at university. Literatur is the accusative object of studiert, while the finite verb stands in position two.
Mein Bruder arbeitet in der Literatur.
My brother works in the field of literature.
Mein Bruder means my brother, and arbeitet means works. in der Literatur uses the dative after in for a field or area, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
die Lyrik — poetry
die Lyrik is a mass noun for poetry as a genre and normally has no plural. For one individual work, use das Gedicht; Lyrik is more abstract than Gedicht.
Die Lyrik ist heute sehr beliebt.
Poetry is very popular today.
ist means is, heute means today, and beliebt means popular. Die Lyrik is the feminine nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen lesen die Lyrik gern.
Many people enjoy reading poetry.
viele Menschen means many people and gern means gladly or with pleasure. die Lyrik is accusative because lesen takes an accusative object; this mass noun has the same article form in feminine nominative and accusative.
Wir sprechen in der Schule über die Lyrik.
We talk about poetry at school.
wir sprechen means we talk, in der Schule means at school, and über means about. Here über means about and takes the accusative, so the correct form is die Lyrik, not der Lyrik; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Geschichte der Lyrik ist lang.
The history of poetry is long.
die Geschichte means the history, lang means long, and ist means is. der Lyrik is genitive because it identifies whose history it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is also der.
die Melodie — melody, tune
Die Melodie is the musical tune, not the lyrics. The plural is die Melodien, with -ien.
Die Melodie ist sehr schön.
The melody is very beautiful.
sehr schön means very beautiful. Die Melodie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Melodie.
I know the melody.
kenne means know. Die Melodie is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich kann der Melodie gut folgen.
I can follow the melody well.
kann means can, gut means well, and folgen means follow. Der Melodie is dative because folgen takes a dative object; the modal verb kann is finite in position two and folgen goes to the end.
Der Anfang der Melodie ist schwierig.
The beginning of the melody is difficult.
der Anfang means the beginning and schwierig means difficult. Der Melodie is genitive because it shows which melody the beginning belongs to; ist is in position two.
Die Melodien bleiben mir im Kopf.
The melodies stay in my head.
bleiben means stay and im Kopf means in my head. Die Melodien is plural and nominative, while mir is dative because it means for me or in my mind; the plural ends in -en.
Sie summt eine bekannte Melodie.
She hums a familiar melody.
summt means hums and bekannt means familiar or well-known. Eine bekannte Melodie is accusative because summen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after the feminine article eine.
musikalisch — musical; musically talented; musical; relating to music
Musikalisch can mean connected with music or talented at music, depending on the context. The comparative and superlative are regular: musikalischer, am musikalischsten.
Meine Tochter ist sehr musikalisch.
My daughter is very musical.
meine Tochter means my daughter and sehr means very. Musikalisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; meine Tochter is nominative because it is the subject.
Sie hat einen musikalischen Sohn.
She has a musical son.
sie means she, hat means has, and einen Sohn means a son. Musikalischen describes Sohn and takes -en because it follows the accusative masculine article einen; einen musikalischen Sohn is the direct object of hat.
Lena ist musikalischer als ihr Bruder.
Lena is more musical than her brother.
als ihr Bruder means than her brother. Musikalischer is the comparative after ist and has no ending here; als introduces the second part of the comparison, with ihr Bruder in the nominative.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am musikalischsten.
Of all the children, Mia is the most musical.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. Am musikalischsten is the predicative superlative and is not placed directly before a noun; von takes dative, shown by allen Kindern, and ist is in position two.
Wir hören ein musikalisches Hörspiel.
We are listening to a musical radio play.
wir means we, hören means listen to, and ein Hörspiel is a radio play or audio drama. Musikalisches describes Hörspiel and takes the neuter ending -es after ein in the accusative; the finite verb hören is in position two.
Das Konzert bietet ein musikalisches Erlebnis.
The concert offers a musical experience.
das Konzert means the concert, bietet means offers, and ein Erlebnis means an experience. Musikalisches Erlebnis is accusative because it is the object of bietet, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
der Ohrwurm — earworm; catchy song; earwig
In everyday German, Ohrwurm usually means a catchy song stuck in your head, not a literal worm. The plural Ohrwürmer is used for several such songs.
Der Ohrwurm läuft den ganzen Tag in meinem Kopf.
The earworm has been playing in my head all day.
läuft literally means runs or plays, den ganzen Tag means all day, and mein Kopf means my head. Der Ohrwurm is nominative because it is the subject; in meinem Kopf is dative because it describes location, and the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Ich habe seit gestern einen Ohrwurm.
I have had a song stuck in my head since yesterday.
seit gestern means since yesterday, and haben means have. Einen Ohrwurm is accusative because it is the thing one has; seit takes the dative in gestern when a noun is used, and the finite verb habe stands in position two.
Mein Bruder singt mir den Ohrwurm vor.
My brother sings the earworm to me.
mein Bruder means my brother, vorsingen means to sing something to someone, and mir means to me. Mir is dative as the listener, while den Ohrwurm is accusative; the separable verb appears as singt ... vor in the main clause.
Die Melodie des Ohrwurms kenne ich noch nicht.
I do not know the melody of the earworm yet.
die Melodie means the melody, and noch nicht means not yet. Des Ohrwurms is genitive because it identifies the melody's source; kenne is in position two even though the object die Melodie comes first.
Viele Ohrwürmer entstehen durch Werbung.
Many earworms are created by advertising.
viele means many, entstehen means arise or are created, and Werbung means advertising. Ohrwürmer is plural nominative because it is the subject; durch takes the accusative in Werbung.
Ein Ohrwurm sitzt auf dem Blatt.
An earwig is sitting on the leaf.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Blatt means the leaf. Ein Ohrwurm is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Blatt is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir haben im Garten mehrere Ohrwürmer gefunden.
We found several earwigs in the garden.
im Garten means in the garden, mehrere means several, and gefunden means found. Ohrwürmer is plural accusative because it is the object of gefunden; the perfect uses haben, and the participle goes to the end.
das Original — original; original work or object; character, eccentric person
For a person, ein Original can mean an unusual or unforgettable character; for an authentic object, it contrasts with eine Kopie. The plural is Originale, while the genitive is des Originals.
Das Original hängt im Museum.
The original is hanging in the museum.
hängt means “is hanging,” and im Museum means “in the museum.” Das Original is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Die Restauratorin fotografiert das Original.
The restorer photographs the original.
die Restauratorin is a restorer, and fotografiert means “photographs.” Das Original is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografiert; the finite verb stands in position two.
Der Direktor vertraut dem Original.
The director trusts the original.
der Direktor is the director, and vertraut means “trusts.” Dem Original is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraut is in position two.
Die Farbe des Originals ist verblasst.
The colour of the original has faded.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and verblasst means “has faded.” Des Originals is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the genitive ending -s appears on Originals.
Wir sehen heute mehrere Originale.
Today we are seeing several originals.
heute means “today,” and mehrere means “several.” Originale is plural and accusative because it is the object of sehen; mehrere has the same form in the plural.
Unser Nachbar ist ein echtes Original.
Our neighbour is a real character.
unser Nachbar means “our neighbour,” and echt means “real” or “genuine.” Ein echtes Original is a noun phrase after ist that describes the subject; the adjective echtes has a neuter ending because Original is neuter.
Alle im Verein kennen dieses Original.
Everyone in the club knows this character.
alle im Verein means “everyone in the club,” and kennen means “know.” Dieses Original is accusative because it is the direct object of kennen; dieses marks the neuter accusative form.
der Regisseur — director
Regisseur is used for a person who directs a film, play or performance. The feminine form is Regisseurin, and the plural is Regisseure.
Der Regisseur spricht mit der Schauspielerin.
The director is talking to the actress.
spricht means “speaks” or “is talking,” and die Schauspielerin is a female actor. Der Regisseur is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Die Journalisten interviewen den Regisseur.
The journalists are interviewing the director.
die Journalisten means “the journalists,” and interviewen means “interview.” Den Regisseur is accusative because interviewen takes a direct object; the finite verb interviewen stands in position two.
Die Schauspielerin dankt dem Regisseur.
The actress thanks the director.
dankt means “thanks,” and die Schauspielerin is a female actor. Dem Regisseur is dative because danken always takes a dative person, not an accusative one.
Die Meinung des Regisseurs ist wichtig.
The director’s opinion is important.
die Meinung means “the opinion,” and wichtig means “important.” Des Regisseurs is genitive because it shows possession, and the genitive ending -s is added to this masculine noun.
Die Regisseure treffen sich nach der Vorstellung.
The directors meet after the performance.
treffen sich means “meet,” and die Vorstellung is the performance or show. Regisseure is the plural of Regisseur; sich is used because the people meet one another.
Der Regisseur plant einen neuen Film.
The director is planning a new film.
plant means “plans,” and einen neuen Film means “a new film.” Der Regisseur is the nominative subject, while einen neuen Film is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the finite verb plant is in position two.
die Regisseurin — female director
Regisseurin is the feminine form of Regisseur, a woman who directs a film, play or performance. Its plural is Regisseurinnen.
Die Regisseurin erklärt die Szene.
The female director explains the scene.
erklärt means “explains,” and die Szene is the scene in a film or play. Die Regisseurin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Die Produzentin lobt die Regisseurin.
The producer praises the female director.
die Produzentin means “the female producer,” and lobt means “praises.” Die Regisseurin is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Schauspieler dankt der Regisseurin.
The actor thanks the female director.
der Schauspieler means “the actor,” and dankt means “thanks.” Der Regisseurin is dative because danken always governs the dative.
Das Drehbuch der Regisseurin ist sehr spannend.
The female director’s screenplay is very exciting.
das Drehbuch means “the screenplay,” and spannend means “exciting.” Der Regisseurin is genitive because it expresses possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Regisseurinnen diskutieren über das Ende.
The female directors discuss the ending.
diskutieren means “discuss,” and das Ende means “the ending.” Regisseurinnen is the plural of Regisseurin, formed with -innen; über das Ende is an accusative phrase here because it means the topic of discussion.
Die Regisseurin arbeitet heute im Studio.
The female director is working in the studio today.
arbeitet means “works,” heute means “today,” and das Studio is the studio. Die Regisseurin is the nominative subject, and im Studio means in dem Studio, with dative because it describes a fixed location.
rhythmisch — rhythmic
Rhythmisch is used for regular beats, sounds or movements. In music, it commonly describes Musik, Bewegungen, Schläge or a Rhythmus.
Die Musik ist sehr rhythmisch.
The music is very rhythmic.
die Musik means the music and sehr means very. The adjective follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending.
Sie macht rhythmische Bewegungen.
She makes rhythmic movements.
macht means makes or does, and Bewegungen means movements. Rhythmische Bewegungen is the accusative object of macht; the plural adjective takes -e after the zero article.
Der neue Song klingt rhythmischer als der alte.
The new song sounds more rhythmic than the old one.
der neue Song means the new song, klingt means sounds, and der alte means the old one. Rhythmischer compares the new song with the old one and is followed by als; both are nominative subjects of klingt.
Diese Trommel klingt am rhythmischsten.
This drum sounds the most rhythmic.
diese Trommel means this drum and klingt means sounds. Am rhythmischsten is the predicative superlative after klingt; do not add an adjective ending to the am form.
Die Kinder tanzen zu rhythmischer Musik.
The children dance to rhythmic music.
die Kinder means the children, tanzen means dance, and zu means to or to the sound of. Zu takes the dative, so rhythmischer Musik is feminine dative after the zero article.
Der Trainer zählt mit rhythmischen Schlägen.
The trainer counts with rhythmic beats.
der Trainer means the coach, zählt means counts, and Schläge means beats. Mit always takes the dative, so the plural phrase is mit rhythmischen Schlägen.
der Schlager — hit song, schlager
In modern German, Schlager usually means a catchy German-language pop song. It is not normally used for every successful song in English-speaking pop music.
Der Schlager ist sehr bekannt.
The hit song is very well known.
bekannt means well known. Der Schlager is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir hören den Schlager im Radio.
We are listening to the hit song on the radio.
hören means to listen to or hear, and im Radio means on the radio. Den Schlager is accusative because hören takes a direct object.
Sie tanzt zu einem Schlager.
She is dancing to a hit song.
tanzen means to dance. Zu einem Schlager means to a hit song; zu always takes the dative, shown by einem.
Der Text des Schlagers ist lustig.
The lyrics of the hit song are funny.
der Text means the lyrics or text, and lustig means funny. Des Schlagers is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun adds -s.
Im Sommer laufen viele Schlager.
Many hit songs are played in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and laufen means are playing or running here. Schlager has the same form in the singular and plural; viele and the plural verb show the number.
der Schriftsteller — writer, author; literary writer, author
This word normally refers to a man who writes books; the feminine form is die Schriftstellerin. It can describe both a professional author and someone who writes literary works.
Der Schriftsteller lebt in Berlin.
The writer lives in Berlin.
lebt means lives, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Schriftsteller is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Ich lese den Schriftsteller sehr gern.
I really enjoy reading the writer's work.
lese means read, and sehr gern means with great enjoyment. Den Schriftsteller is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the feminine and masculine articles must not be confused.
Ich spreche mit dem Schriftsteller über seinen neuen Roman.
I am speaking with the writer about his new novel.
spreche means speak, mit means with, and seinen neuen Roman means his new novel. Dem Schriftsteller is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Der Titel des Schriftstellers steht auf dem Buch.
The writer's title is on the book.
Der Titel means the title and auf dem Buch means on the book. Des Schriftstellers is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun adds -s.
Viele Schriftsteller arbeiten allein.
Many writers work alone.
Viele means many and allein means alone. Schriftsteller is plural and nominative as the subject; its form is unchanged from the singular.
Der berühmte Schriftsteller erhielt einen Literaturpreis.
The famous author received a literary prize.
berühmte means famous, erhielt means received, and einen Literaturpreis means a literary prize. Der Schriftsteller is nominative as the subject, while einen Literaturpreis is accusative as the object.
Über diesen Schriftsteller gibt es viele gute Bücher.
There are many good books about this author.
Über diesen Schriftsteller means about this author, and viele gute Bücher means many good books. Über takes the accusative here, so diesen Schriftsteller is accusative; gibt stands in position two in es gibt.
die Schriftstellerin — female writer, female author
The ending -in marks a female person. Its plural is Schriftstellerinnen, with doubled n before the plural ending.
Die Schriftstellerin arbeitet an ihrem neuen Roman.
The writer is working on her new novel.
arbeitet means is working, an means on, and ihrem neuen Roman means her new novel. Die Schriftstellerin is nominative as the subject; an takes the dative here because it describes work on something.
Ich lese die Schriftstellerin gern.
I enjoy reading this writer's work.
lese means read and gern means gladly or with enjoyment. Die Schriftstellerin is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the feminine article is die in both nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Schriftstellerin für das Buch.
I thank the writer for the book.
danke means thank, für means for, and das Buch means the book. Der Schriftstellerin is dative because danken requires a dative person; für das Buch is accusative.
Der Stil der Schriftstellerin ist sehr klar.
The writer's style is very clear.
Der Stil means the style and sehr klar means very clear. Der Schriftstellerin is genitive to show possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Viele Schriftstellerinnen schreiben über ihre Erfahrungen.
Many women writers write about their experiences.
Viele means many, schreiben means write, and ihre Erfahrungen means their experiences. Schriftstellerinnen is plural and nominative as the subject; the plural ending is -innen.
die Szene — scene; social scene
Szene most often means a part of a film, play, or story. It can also mean a social group or activity, as in die Musikszene for the music scene.
Die Szene ist sehr lustig.
The scene is very funny.
sehr lustig means very funny. Die Szene is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Szene aus dem Film.
I know the scene from the film.
kenne means know, aus means from, and der Film means the film. Die Szene is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus dem Film is a prepositional phrase with dative after aus.
Wir sprechen über die Szene.
We are talking about the scene.
sprechen über means talk about. Here die Szene is accusative, not dative, because über means about in this fixed expression and takes the accusative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Das Ende der Szene war überraschend.
The end of the scene was surprising.
das Ende means the end and überraschend means surprising. Der Szene is genitive because it shows whose end it was, while war agrees with the nominative subject das Ende.
Die besten Szenen kommen am Ende.
The best scenes come at the end.
die besten means the best and am Ende means at the end. Szenen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommen is in position two.
der Tango — tango
Tango can mean both the dance and its music. The phrase Tango tanzen means to dance the tango.
Der Tango ist ein leidenschaftlicher Tanz.
The tango is a passionate dance.
Leidenschaftlich means passionate, and der Tanz means dance. Der Tango is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie tanzt gern den Tango.
She likes dancing the tango.
Sie tanzt gern means she likes dancing, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. Den Tango is accusative because tanzen can take the dance as its direct object; the finite verb tanzt is in position two.
Bei dem Tango braucht man viel Übung.
You need a lot of practice for the tango.
Bei means with or for in this context, braucht means needs, and viel Übung means a lot of practice. Dem Tango is dative because bei takes the dative; man is the general subject and braucht is in position two.
Der Rhythmus des Tangos ist nicht einfach.
The rhythm of the tango is not easy.
Der Rhythmus means the rhythm, nicht means not, and einfach means easy. Des Tangos is genitive because it identifies whose rhythm is meant; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Kurs lernen wir verschiedene Tangos.
In the course, we learn different tangos.
Im Kurs means in the course, lernen means learn, and verschiedene means different. Verschiedene Tangos is accusative plural because it is the object of lernen; the plural ending is -s.
das Tonband — audio tape, recording tape
Tonband refers mainly to magnetic audio tape and is associated with older recording equipment. For the machine itself, German usually uses Tonbandgerät.
Das Tonband funktioniert noch.
The audio tape still works.
funktioniert means works, and noch means still. Das Tonband is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Ich höre das Tonband.
I am listening to the audio tape.
höre means listen to or hear. Das Tonband is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie gibt dem Tonband eine neue Hülle.
She gives the audio tape a new cover.
gibt means gives, and eine neue Hülle means a new cover. Dem Tonband is dative because it is the recipient, while eine neue Hülle is the accusative thing given.
Die Qualität des Tonbandes ist schlecht.
The quality of the audio tape is poor.
die Qualität means the quality, and schlecht means poor or bad. Des Tonbandes is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; neuter genitive uses des and usually adds -es to the noun.
Die alten Tonbänder liegen im Archiv.
The old audio tapes are in the archive.
alten means old, liegen means are lying, and das Archiv is the archive. Tonbänder is the plural with -er and an umlaut; im Archiv is a dative location after in.
die Truppe — troop, troupe, group
For soldiers, die Truppe can mean the troops; for performers, it can mean a troupe. The plural is die Truppen in both uses.
Die Truppe reist heute nach Berlin.
The troupe is travelling to Berlin today.
reist means travels, and heute means today. Die Truppe is nominative because it is the subject; nach Berlin expresses direction, and the finite verb reist is in position two.
Der Regisseur lobt die Truppe.
The director praises the troupe.
der Regisseur is the director, and lobt means praises. Die Truppe is accusative because loben takes a direct object, although the feminine article looks the same as in the nominative.
Der Regisseur gibt der Truppe neue Aufgaben.
The director gives the troupe new tasks.
gibt means gives, and neue Aufgaben are new tasks. Der Truppe is dative because it is the recipient, while neue Aufgaben is the accusative thing being given.
Die Mitglieder der Truppe proben jeden Abend.
The members of the troupe rehearse every evening.
die Mitglieder are the members, and proben means rehearse. Der Truppe is genitive because it shows belonging; jeden Abend means every evening, and the finite verb proben is in position two.
Viele Truppen treten beim Festival auf.
Many troupes perform at the festival.
viele means many, and treten ... auf means perform or appear. Truppen is the plural subject; the separable verb auftreten splits in the main clause, so treten is in position two and auf goes to the end.
der Zeichentrickfilm — animated film, cartoon
der Zeichentrickfilm is a compound of Zeichen (drawn sign or image) and Film (film). It normally means an animated film or cartoon; its plural is die Zeichentrickfilme.
Der Zeichentrickfilm ist sehr lustig.
The cartoon is very funny.
sehr lustig means very funny. Der Zeichentrickfilm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; lustig is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Wir schauen heute Abend einen Zeichentrickfilm an.
We are watching an animated film this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and anschauen means watch. einen Zeichentrickfilm is accusative because it is the object of anschauen; the separable verb splits, with schauen in position two and an at the end.
Die Kinder lachen über dem Zeichentrickfilm.
The children laugh at the cartoon.
die Kinder means the children, and lachen means laugh. This sentence is not standard German with über dem Zeichentrickfilm: the natural phrase is über den Zeichentrickfilm lachen, with accusative after über when it means laughing at something; learners must not use the dative here.
Die Musik des Zeichentrickfilms gefällt mir.
I like the music of the cartoon.
die Musik means music, and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. des Zeichentrickfilms is genitive because it identifies whose music it is, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Die Zeichentrickfilme sind für Kinder geeignet.
Animated films are suitable for children.
für Kinder geeignet means suitable for children. Die Zeichentrickfilme is plural and takes sind; für Kinder is accusative because the preposition für always governs the accusative.