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Vocab: Nature — A1
Nature vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Allee — avenue, tree-lined road
Allee is feminine: use die Allee in the singular and die Alleen in the plural. It usually describes a broad road lined with trees.
Die Allee führt zum Schloss.
The avenue leads to the palace.
führt means leads, and das Schloss is the palace. Die Allee is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb führt stands in position two.
Wir überqueren die Allee.
We cross the avenue.
überqueren means cross. Die Allee is accusative because überqueren takes a direct accusative object, and the finite verb überqueren is in position two.
Wir warten an der Allee.
We are waiting by the avenue.
warten means wait, and an means by or at here. Der Allee is dative because the location meaning of an requires the dative; the finite verb warten stands in position two.
Die Bäume der Allee sind sehr alt.
The trees of the avenue are very old.
die Bäume means the trees, and sehr alt means very old. Der Allee is genitive because it identifies which trees; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Im Park gibt es drei Alleen.
There are three avenues in the park.
im Park means in the park, gibt es means there are, and drei means three. Alleen is plural, and after es gibt the noun is accusative, although the plural form looks the same as nominative.
der Bach — stream, small river
The plural Bäche is used for small streams; a large river is usually ein Fluss. Der Bach is masculine, so its accusative is den Bach and its dative is dem Bach.
Der Bach ist heute sehr kalt.
The stream is very cold today.
kalt means cold and heute means today. Der Bach is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich höre den Bach im Garten.
I can hear the stream in the garden.
höre means hear and im Garten means in the garden. Den Bach is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Wir sitzen an dem Bach.
We are sitting by the stream.
sitzen means sit. An means by here and takes the dative for a location, so dem Bach is dative; sitzen is in position two.
Das Rauschen des Bachs war beruhigend.
The sound of the stream was calming.
das Rauschen means the sound or rushing noise, and beruhigend means calming. Des Bachs is genitive because the noise belongs to the stream; war is the finite verb in position two.
Im Wald gibt es viele Bäche.
There are many streams in the forest.
im Wald means in the forest and viele means many. Bäche is plural, and es gibt takes an accusative object, although the article is not visible after viele.
der Baum — tree
The plural of Baum is Bäume, with an umlaut and -e. In location phrases, unter einem Baum means under a tree, while movement uses the accusative: unter einen Baum.
Der Baum ist sehr alt.
The tree is very old.
sehr alt means very old. Der Baum is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Baum.
I see the tree.
sehe means see. den Baum is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Wir sitzen unter dem Baum.
We are sitting under the tree.
sitzen means sit and unter means under. dem Baum is dative because unter describes a fixed location here; there is no movement toward the tree.
Die Blätter des Baumes sind grün.
The tree’s leaves are green.
die Blätter means the leaves and grün means green. des Baumes is genitive and shows which tree the leaves belong to; the genitive form adds -es.
Im Park stehen viele Bäume.
There are many trees in the park.
im Park means in the park, stehen means stand, and viele means many. Viele Bäume is the plural subject after the verb because the location phrase occupies position one; Bäume has an umlaut.
der Berg — mountain; hill
Berg can describe both a mountain and a substantial hill; the exact English translation depends on context. In compounds such as Bergbahn, it means mountain-related.
Der Berg ist im Winter schneebedeckt.
The mountain is covered in snow in winter.
im Winter means in winter and schneebedeckt means covered in snow. Der Berg is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Berg von hier aus.
We can see the mountain from here.
wir means we, sehen means see, and von hier aus means from here. Den Berg is accusative because it is the object of sehen, while the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Sie fährt mit dem Fahrrad zum Berg.
She is cycling to the mountain.
fährt means travels or cycles, mit dem Fahrrad means by bicycle, and zum means to the. Mit always takes the dative, and zum Berg is a shortened form of zu dem Berg, also dative.
Der Gipfel des Berges ist sehr kalt.
The mountain’s summit is very cold.
der Gipfel means the summit and kalt means cold. Des Berges is genitive because it shows whose summit it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Urlaub besuchen wir die Berge.
On holiday we visit the mountains.
im Urlaub means on holiday and besuchen means visit. Die Berge is plural and accusative because it is the object of besuchen; the verb is in position two after the introductory phrase.
das Bett — bed
das Bett is the piece of furniture where a person sleeps. Common expressions include ins Bett gehen for going to bed and im Bett liegen for being in bed.
Das Bett ist sehr bequem.
The bed is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable. Das Bett is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mache das Bett.
I make the bed.
machen means to make or do. das Bett is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Kind liegt im Bett.
The child is lying in bed.
das Kind is the child and liegt means is lying. im Bett means in bed; in takes the dative for a fixed location, and im is short for in dem.
Die Farbe des Bettes ist blau.
The colour of the bed is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. des Bettes expresses possession in the genitive; the neuter article is des and the noun commonly has the ending -es.
Im Hotel stehen viele Betten.
There are many beds in the hotel.
das Hotel is the hotel, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Betten is plural after viele; im Hotel is a dative location phrase, short for in dem Hotel.
der Boden — floor, ground; bottom
The context tells you whether der Boden means an indoor floor or outdoor ground.
Der Boden ist sauber.
The floor is clean.
sauber means clean. Der Boden is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich putze den Boden.
I clean the floor.
putzen means to clean. Den Boden is accusative because it is the direct object; learners must use den, not der.
Die Schuhe stehen auf dem Boden.
The shoes are on the floor.
die Schuhe means the shoes, and stehen means are standing or are placed. Auf dem Boden is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Die Farbe des Bodens ist hell.
The colour of the floor is light.
die Farbe means the colour, and hell means light or pale. Des Bodens is genitive to show possession, and Boden adds -s.
Die Böden der Wohnungen sind alt.
The floors of the flats are old.
die Wohnungen means the flats, and alt means old. Böden is the plural of der Boden, while der Wohnungen means of the flats.
Am Boden der Flasche liegt Sand.
There is sand at the bottom of the bottle.
die Flasche means the bottle, and Sand means sand. Am Boden is dative after an for a location, while der Flasche is genitive.
Der Stein fiel auf den Boden der Schachtel.
The stone fell to the bottom of the box.
der Stein means the stone, fiel means fell, and die Schachtel means the box. Auf den Boden is accusative because auf shows movement towards a destination.
draußen — outside; outdoors
Draußen describes a position or activity outside, while drinnen means inside. It is an adverb, so it has no plural, case, or adjective ending.
Die Kinder spielen draußen.
The children are playing outside.
Die Kinder means the children, and spielen means are playing or play. draußen is an adverb and does not change form; the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
Ist es draußen kalt?
Is it cold outside?
Ist es kalt? means Is it cold?, and kalt means cold. In a yes-no question, the finite verb ist comes first; draußen tells us where the cold conditions are and remains unchanged.
das Eis — ice; ice cream; ice
Eis can mean frozen water or the dessert ice cream. As a food or material noun it is normally used without a plural; use a measure such as zwei Kugeln Eis for amounts.
Das Eis schmeckt lecker.
The ice cream tastes delicious.
schmeckt means tastes, and lecker means delicious. Das Eis is the nominative subject, and the finite verb schmeckt is in position two.
Ich esse das Eis mit einem Löffel.
I am eating the ice cream with a spoon.
esse means eat, mit means with, and einem Löffel means a spoon. Das Eis is accusative because essen takes an accusative object; mit forces the dative, so einem Löffel has a dative article.
Mit dem Eis wird der Kaffee kalt.
The coffee becomes cold with the ice.
mit means with, der Kaffee means the coffee, and kalt means cold. Mit dem Eis is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb wird is in position two.
Der Geschmack des Eises ist sehr mild.
The taste of the ice cream is very mild.
der Geschmack means the taste, and mild means mild or gentle. Des Eises is genitive because it tells what has the taste; the neuter noun adds -es in the genitive, and ist is in position two.
Im Sommer essen wir viel Eis.
In summer we eat a lot of ice cream.
im Sommer means in summer, and viel means a lot of. Eis is a mass noun here and normally has no plural; the verb essen is in position two after the time phrase.
Das Eis auf dem See ist dünn.
The ice on the lake is thin.
auf dem See means on the lake, and dünn means thin. Das Eis is the nominative subject; auf dem See uses the dative because it describes a fixed location, and ist is in position two.
Die Kinder laufen vorsichtig über das Eis.
The children walk carefully across the ice.
die Kinder means the children, laufen means walk or run, vorsichtig means carefully, and über means across. Über das Eis takes the accusative because it expresses movement across a surface; the finite verb laufen is in position two.
die Erde — earth, soil; Earth; Earth, the planet
die Erde commonly means soil or ground. With a capital letter and suitable context, it can also mean the planet Earth; the plural Erden is mainly used for different soils or worlds.
Die Erde im Garten ist trocken.
The soil in the garden is dry.
im Garten means in the garden, and trocken means dry. Die Erde is nominative because it is the subject; im Garten is a shortened form of in dem Garten and gives the location.
Die Kinder graben die Erde um.
The children dig over the soil.
die Kinder means the children, and graben ... um means dig over. Die Erde is accusative because umgraben takes an accusative object; the separable verb has graben in position two and um at the end.
Die Pflanze wächst in der Erde.
The plant grows in the soil.
die Pflanze means the plant, and wächst means grows. In der Erde describes a fixed location, so in takes the dative; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Farbe der Erde ist dunkelbraun.
The colour of the soil is dark brown.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkelbraun means dark brown. Der Erde is genitive because it means “of the soil”; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Für verschiedene Pflanzen braucht man unterschiedliche Erden.
Different plants need different types of soil.
verschiedene Pflanzen means different plants, braucht man means one needs, and unterschiedliche means different. Erden is plural and accusative after für; here the plural means different types of soil.
Die Erde ist rund.
The Earth is round.
rund means round. Die Erde is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen leben auf der Erde.
Many people live on Earth.
Viele Menschen means many people, and leben means live. Auf der Erde gives a location, so auf takes the dative here; do not use the accusative unless you mean movement onto the Earth.
das Feld — field; area, domain; pitch, playing field
The everyday meaning is an agricultural field. Das Feld can also mean a marked area for sport or a particular area of work or knowledge.
Das Feld ist im Sommer grün.
The field is green in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and grün means green. Das Feld is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Bauer pflügt das Feld.
The farmer ploughs the field.
der Bauer means the farmer, and pflügt means ploughs. Das Feld is accusative because pflügen takes an accusative object; the neuter article remains das in both nominative and accusative.
Auf dem Feld wachsen Kartoffeln.
Potatoes grow in the field.
auf dem Feld means in the field, and Kartoffeln means potatoes. Auf takes dative for a location, so dem Feld is dative; wachsen stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Feldes verändert sich im Herbst.
The colour of the field changes in autumn.
die Farbe means colour, verändert sich means changes, and im Herbst means in autumn. Des Feldes is genitive to show which colour is meant, and the neuter noun adds -es.
Die Felder liegen hinter dem Dorf.
The fields lie behind the village.
liegen means lie or are situated, and hinter dem Dorf means behind the village. Die Felder is the plural subject; hinter dem Dorf describes location and therefore uses dative.
Die Kinder spielen auf dem Feld.
The children are playing on the pitch.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means play. Auf dem Feld uses dative because auf describes a fixed location; the finite verb spielen is in position two.
Der Torwart läuft über das Feld.
The goalkeeper runs across the pitch.
der Torwart means the goalkeeper, and läuft über means runs across. Über das Feld uses accusative because it describes movement across a space, not a fixed location.
das Festland — mainland
Das Festland is a mass noun and normally has no plural. Use it when contrasting the mainland with die Insel or die Inseln.
Das Festland ist nur zehn Kilometer entfernt.
The mainland is only ten kilometres away.
nur zehn Kilometer means only ten kilometres, and entfernt means away or distant. Das Festland is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Festland vom Schiff aus.
We can see the mainland from the ship.
wir sehen means we see, vom Schiff aus means from the ship, and das Schiff is the ship. Das Festland is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; vom Schiff is dative after the contraction von dem.
Auf dem Festland gibt es viele große Städte.
There are many large cities on the mainland.
viele große Städte means many large cities. Auf dem Festland is dative because auf describes a fixed location, and gibt es means there are; the plural phrase after gibt es is accusative.
Die Küste des Festlands ist sehr lang.
The mainland’s coastline is very long.
die Küste means the coastline, and sehr lang means very long. Des Festlands is genitive because it shows which coastline is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
das Feuer — fire
das Feuer has the unchanged plural die Feuer. In compounds, it appears in words such as Feuerwehr, meaning fire brigade.
Das Feuer brennt.
The fire is burning.
brennen means to burn. das Feuer is nominative because it is the subject of brennt; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir machen ein Feuer.
We are making a fire.
wir means we and machen means to make. ein Feuer is the accusative object of machen; the neuter article remains ein, and the finite verb is in position two.
Wir sitzen an dem Feuer.
We are sitting by the fire.
sitzen means to sit, and an means by or at in this sentence. dem Feuer is dative because an describes a fixed location; an dem is often shortened to am.
Die Wärme des Feuers ist angenehm.
The warmth of the fire is pleasant.
die Wärme means the warmth and angenehm means pleasant. des Feuers is genitive because it identifies whose warmth it is; Feuer adds -s in the genitive.
Im Winter brennen viele Feuer.
Many fires burn in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and viele means many. The plural of das Feuer is die Feuer, with no change to the noun; im Winter is dative because in marks a time period here.
die Flamme — flame; flame; person one is in love with
die Flamme can also be used figuratively for a romantic passion. The more general word for fire is das Feuer.
Die Flamme ist heiß.
The flame is hot.
heiß means hot. Die Flamme is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich sehe die Flamme.
I can see the flame.
sehen means to see. die Flamme is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; sehe is in position two.
Wir sitzen neben der Flamme.
We are sitting next to the flame.
sitzen means to sit and neben means next to. der Flamme is dative because neben describes a location here.
Die Farbe der Flamme ist blau.
The colour of the flame is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. der Flamme is genitive because it shows whose colour it is.
Die Flammen brennen im Kamin.
The flames are burning in the fireplace.
brennen means to burn and der Kamin means fireplace. Flammen is plural, so it takes die and the plural verb brennen.
Sie ist seine neue Flamme.
She is his new flame.
neu means new and seine means his. seine neue Flamme is a nominative subject complement after ist.
Er spricht von seiner Flamme.
He is talking about his flame.
sprechen von means to talk about. seiner Flamme is dative because von always takes the dative.
der Himmel — sky, heaven; heaven
Der Himmel usually means the sky, but it can also mean heaven in a religious or figurative context. In the expression im siebten Himmel sein, it means to be extremely happy.
Der Himmel ist heute ganz blau.
The sky is completely blue today.
heute means today, ganz means completely, and blau means blue. Der Himmel is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two, and blau is a predicative adjective without an ending.
Die Wolken bedecken den Himmel.
The clouds cover the sky.
die Wolken means the clouds, and bedecken means cover. Den Himmel is accusative because bedecken takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Vögel fliegen über dem Himmel.
The birds fly above the sky.
die Vögel means the birds, and fliegen means fly. Über dem Himmel describes a location and uses the dative; the finite verb fliegen is in position two.
Die Farbe des Himmels verändert sich am Abend.
The colour of the sky changes in the evening.
die Farbe means the colour, verändert sich means changes, and am Abend means in the evening. Des Himmels is genitive because it means “of the sky”; des and the ending -s mark the masculine genitive.
Die Sterne leuchten an vielen Himmeln.
The stars shine in many skies.
die Sterne means the stars, leuchten means shine, and vielen means many. Himmeln is a dative plural after an in a location phrase; the noun takes an extra -n in the dative plural.
Wir schauen in den Himmel.
We look up at the sky.
wir schauen means we look, and in den means into the. In den Himmel expresses direction and therefore uses the accusative; with a location rather than a direction, in would take the dative.
Sie glaubt an den Himmel.
She believes in heaven.
sie glaubt means she believes, and an means in or on. An den Himmel is accusative because glauben an takes the accusative when referring to belief in something; glaubt is in position two.
Nach der guten Nachricht war er im siebten Himmel.
After the good news, he was over the moon.
nach der guten Nachricht means after the good news, and im siebten means in the seventh. Im siebten Himmel is an idiom meaning extremely happy; nach takes the dative, and war is in position two.
der Hügel — hill
Der Hügel is smaller and gentler than a mountain. Its plural die Hügel has no ending and no vowel change.
Der Hügel ist grün.
The hill is green.
grün means green. Der Hügel is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Hügel.
We see the hill.
sehen means to see and wir means we. Den Hügel is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; sehen is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen auf dem Hügel.
The children are playing on the hill.
Kinder means children and spielen means to play. Dem Hügel is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Der Gipfel des Hügels ist nass.
The top of the hill is wet.
Gipfel means top and nass means wet. Des Hügels is genitive because it identifies which top; the noun adds -s.
Hinter dem Haus liegen drei Hügel.
There are three hills behind the house.
hinter dem Haus means behind the house and drei means three. Hügel is the plural as well as the singular spelling; drei makes the plural meaning clear.
die Insel — island
Auf der Insel means on the island, while auf die Insel means onto the island; the two-way preposition auf uses the dative for location and the accusative for direction.
Die Insel ist klein.
The island is small.
klein means small. Die Insel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Insel.
We are visiting the island.
Wir besuchen means we are visiting. Die Insel is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Auf der Insel gibt es einen Leuchtturm.
There is a lighthouse on the island.
Auf der Insel means on the island and ein Leuchtturm means a lighthouse. Here auf describes a fixed location, so it takes the dative; gibt es means there is and the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Die Küste der Insel ist felsig.
The coast of the island is rocky.
Die Küste means the coast and felsig means rocky. Der Insel is genitive because it shows whose coast it is, and feminine genitive uses der.
Im Urlaub besuchen wir mehrere Inseln.
On holiday we visit several islands.
Im Urlaub means on holiday and mehrere means several. Inseln is the plural of Insel and is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
der Kontinent — continent
The usual plural is die Kontinente. Do not confuse der Kontinent with das Land: a continent contains many countries.
Der Kontinent ist sehr groß.
The continent is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Der Kontinent is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir sehen den Kontinent aus dem Flugzeug.
We can see the continent from the aeroplane.
sehen means to see, and aus dem Flugzeug means from the aeroplane. Den Kontinent is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while aus takes the dative dem Flugzeug.
Auf dem Kontinent gibt es viele Sprachen.
There are many languages on the continent.
auf dem Kontinent means on the continent, and viele Sprachen means many languages. Here auf describes a location, so it takes dative: dem Kontinent; the phrase auf dem Kontinent stands first, so gibt comes in position two.
Die Größe des Kontinents überrascht mich.
The size of the continent surprises me.
die Größe means the size, and überrascht mich means surprises me. Des Kontinents is genitive because it shows whose size it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Auf der Erde gibt es sieben Kontinente.
There are seven continents on Earth.
auf der Erde means on Earth, gibt es means there are, and sieben means seven. Kontinente is the plural of der Kontinent, formed with -e and an umlaut; after sieben, no article is used.
die Kreuzung — intersection, crossing
For a road intersection, die Kreuzung is more precise than das Kreuz, which usually means a cross or a cross-shaped mark.
Die Kreuzung ist sehr groß.
The intersection is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Die Kreuzung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Kreuzung dort vorne.
I can see the intersection up ahead.
dort vorne means up ahead. die Kreuzung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
An der Kreuzung wartet ein Taxi.
A taxi is waiting at the intersection.
wartet means is waiting and ein Taxi means a taxi. an der Kreuzung is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the subject ein Taxi follows the verb.
Die Ampel der Kreuzung ist kaputt.
The traffic light at the intersection is broken.
die Ampel means the traffic light and kaputt means broken. der Kreuzung is genitive feminine, meaning “of the intersection,” and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Auf dieser Strecke gibt es viele Kreuzungen.
There are many intersections on this route.
auf dieser Strecke means on this route and viele means many. After es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form Kreuzungen looks the same in nominative and accusative.
das Land — country; land; countryside; rural area
Land means a country in political contexts and land or countryside in other contexts. The plural is Länder for countries; the article and meaning make the plural clear.
Das Land ist sehr groß.
The country is very large.
groß means large. Das Land is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen das Land im Sommer.
We are visiting the country in summer.
besuchen means to visit, and der Sommer is summer. Das Land is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the time phrase im Sommer is short for in dem Sommer.
Ich lebe seit einem Jahr in dem Land.
I have been living in the country for a year.
leben means to live, seit means for or since, and einem Jahr is one year. Dem Land is dative because in describes a fixed location here; seit also takes the dative.
Die Hauptstadt des Landes liegt am Meer.
The country's capital is by the sea.
die Hauptstadt is the capital, liegen means to lie or be situated, and das Meer is the sea. Des Landes is genitive because it shows which country the capital belongs to; am Meer means an dem Meer.
Viele Länder nehmen an dem Wettbewerb teil.
Many countries take part in the competition.
viele means many, der Wettbewerb is the competition, and teilnehmen means to take part. Länder is the plural with an umlaut and -er; the phrase an dem Wettbewerb is dative because teilnehmen an takes the dative.
Meine Großeltern wohnen auf dem Land.
My grandparents live in the countryside.
meine Großeltern means my grandparents, and wohnen means to live or reside. Dem Land is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; auf dem Land is the usual expression for in the countryside.
Am Wochenende fahren wir aufs Land.
At the weekend we are going to the countryside.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and fahren means to go or travel by vehicle. Aufs Land is short for auf das Land and is accusative because fahren expresses movement towards a destination; do not use dative for this direction.
die Luft — air; atmosphere, mood
die Luft is usually a mass noun and has no plural when it means the air people breathe. In fixed expressions such as an der Luft, it can mean outdoors; do not confuse it with der Wind, which means wind.
Die Luft ist heute sehr frisch.
The air is very fresh today.
heute means today, and sehr frisch means very fresh. Die Luft is the nominative subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen frische Luft.
We need fresh air.
brauchen means need, and frische means fresh. Frische Luft is the accusative object of brauchen; because Luft is a mass noun in this sense, it normally has no plural.
Die Kinder spielen an der Luft.
The children are playing outdoors.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means play. An der Luft means outdoors and uses the dative because this fixed expression describes a location; an is followed by der here, not die.
Die Qualität der Luft ist schlecht.
The quality of the air is poor.
die Qualität means the quality, and schlecht means poor or bad. Der Luft is genitive after die Qualität to mean “of the air”; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Nach dem Streit war dicke Luft im Büro.
After the argument, there was a tense atmosphere in the office.
nach dem Streit means after the argument, and dicke means tense or unpleasant here; im Büro means in the office. Nach takes the dative in dem Streit, while dicke Luft is a nominative phrase after war.
Man spürt die angespannte Luft sofort.
You can immediately sense the tense atmosphere.
man means one or people in general, spürt means senses, angespannt means tense, and sofort means immediately. Die angespannte Luft is the accusative object of spüren, and the finite verb spürt stands in position two.
das Meer — sea, ocean
The plural Meere can refer to different seas or oceans. With an, use am Meer for location but ans Meer for movement towards the seaside.
Das Meer ist heute ruhig.
The sea is calm today.
ruhig means calm, and heute means today. Das Meer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Meer vom Balkon.
We can see the sea from the balcony.
sehen means to see, and vom Balkon means from the balcony. Das Meer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; vom is short for von dem, and von forces the dative.
Wir wohnen am Meer.
We live by the sea.
wohnen means to live, and am Meer means by the sea. Am is short for an dem, and an takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location, not movement.
Die Farbe des Meeres ist wunderschön.
The colour of the sea is beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour, and wunderschön means beautiful. Des Meeres is genitive because it means “of the sea”; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Menschen die Meere.
In summer, many people visit the seas.
im Sommer means in summer, viele Menschen means many people, and besuchen means visit. Die Meere is plural accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural is Meere, not Meers.
der Mond — moon
der Mond usually means Earth’s moon, but it can also mean a moon orbiting another planet. The phrase bei Mondlicht means by moonlight, while am Mond is not normally used for this meaning.
Der Mond ist heute sehr hell.
The moon is very bright today.
heute means today, and sehr hell means very bright. Der Mond is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Mond am Himmel.
I can see the moon in the sky.
ich sehe means I see, and am Himmel means in the sky. den Mond is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; am is short for an dem, a dative location phrase.
Wir sitzen unter dem Mond.
We are sitting under the moon.
wir sitzen means we are sitting, and unter means under. dem Mond is dative because unter describes a fixed location here; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Das Licht des Mondes ist wunderschön.
The light of the moon is beautiful.
das Licht means the light, and wunderschön means beautiful. des Mondes is genitive and means of the moon; it shows whose light it is, while ist remains in position two.
Am Himmel stehen heute die Monde mehrerer Planeten.
Today, the moons of several planets are in the sky.
am Himmel means in the sky, and mehrerer Planeten means of several planets. die Monde is the plural subject; mehrerer Planeten is a genitive phrase, and the verb stehen comes in position two after the opening location phrase.
die Natur — nature, the natural world
When die Natur means the natural world, it is normally a mass noun and has no plural. The phrase in der Natur means in nature, while die Natur eines Menschen can mean a person's character or nature.
Die Natur ist im Frühling besonders schön.
Nature is especially beautiful in spring.
im Frühling means in spring and besonders schön means especially beautiful. The headword is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen lieben die Natur.
Many people love nature.
Viele Menschen means many people and lieben means love. The headword is accusative because lieben takes a direct object, while the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir gehen gern in der Natur spazieren.
We like going for walks in nature.
gern means gladly or like to, and spazieren gehen means to go for a walk. The preposition in takes dative here because the phrase describes a location rather than movement into it; gehen starts the sentence bracket and spazieren comes at the end.
Die Farben der Natur gefallen mir.
I like the colours of nature.
Die Farben means the colours and gefallen means are pleasing to; mir means to me. The genitive phrase shows whose colours they are, and gefallen stands in position two.
Kinder spielen gern in der Natur.
Children like playing in nature.
Kinder means children and spielen means play. This sentence uses the singular mass noun after in, not a plural form: in der Natur is dative because it describes a place.
der Ozean — ocean
The word is usually used for one of the world's very large salt-water areas. The related word das Meer is broader and can also mean a sea.
Der Ozean ist heute ruhig.
The ocean is calm today.
heute means today and ruhig means calm. Der Ozean is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Ozean.
We can see the ocean.
wir means we and sehen means see. Den Ozean is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Sie lebt seit Jahren am Ozean.
She has lived by the ocean for years.
sie lebt means she lives, seit Jahren means for years, and am means at the or by the. Am Ozean is dative because an expresses location here; am is short for an dem.
Die Weite des Ozeans beeindruckt mich.
The vastness of the ocean impresses me.
die Weite means the vastness and beeindruckt mich means impresses me. Des Ozeans is genitive because it identifies whose vastness it is, and the genitive noun takes -s.
Viele Ozeane liegen zwischen den Kontinenten.
Many oceans lie between the continents.
viele means many, liegen means lie or are located, and zwischen den Kontinenten means between the continents. Ozeane is the plural with -e, and the finite verb liegen is in position two.
der Pass — passport; mountain pass; mountain pass
The most common meaning of Pass is passport; it can also mean a mountain pass between mountains. The plural Pässe is the same for both meanings.
Mein Pass ist noch gültig.
My passport is still valid.
noch means still, and gültig means valid. Mein Pass is nominative because it is the subject; the adjective gültig stands after ist as a predicate, and ist is in position two.
Ich brauche meinen Pass.
I need my passport.
brauchen means to need, and meinen means my in the masculine accusative form. Meinen Pass is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Mit dem Pass kann man nach Kanada reisen.
With a passport, you can travel to Canada.
mit means with, nach Kanada means to Canada, and reisen means to travel. Dem Pass is dative because mit always takes dative; with the modal kann, the infinitive reisen goes to the end.
Die Nummer des Passes steht auf dem Formular.
The passport number is on the form.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or appears, and das Formular is the form. Des Passes is genitive because it shows what kind of number it is; auf dem Formular is dative because it describes a location.
Alle Pässe liegen auf dem Tisch.
All the passports are lying on the table.
alle means all, liegen means are lying, and der Tisch is the table. Pässe is a plural nominative subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Der Pass ist im Winter oft gesperrt.
The mountain pass is often closed in winter.
im Winter means in winter, oft means often, and gesperrt means closed to traffic. Der Pass is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir fahren morgen über den Pass.
We are driving over the mountain pass tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and über means over. Den Pass is accusative because über expresses movement across a place here; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
der Pazifik — Pacific Ocean
der Pazifik is the name of the Pacific Ocean and is normally used with the definite article. It normally has no plural; the genitive is des Pazifiks.
Der Pazifik ist sehr groß.
The Pacific is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Der Pazifik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Schiffe überqueren den Pazifik.
Many ships cross the Pacific.
viele Schiffe means many ships and überqueren means cross. den Pazifik is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; the finite verb überqueren stands in position two.
Am Pazifik ist das Wetter oft warm.
The weather on the Pacific is often warm.
am means an dem, or on the, and das Wetter means the weather. The preposition an takes the dative here because it describes a location, so am Pazifik is dative; ist is in position two.
Die Inseln des Pazifiks sind weit verstreut.
The islands of the Pacific are widely scattered.
die Inseln means the islands and weit verstreut means widely scattered. des Pazifiks is genitive because it means “of the Pacific”; the masculine noun adds -s, and sind stands in position two.
Am Pazifik gibt es schöne Strände.
There are beautiful beaches on the Pacific.
es gibt means there is or there are, and schöne Strände means beautiful beaches. am Pazifik is dative after the location preposition an; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, but the location phrase remains dative.
der Pilz — mushroom, fungus
Pilz can mean a mushroom used as food or a fungus more generally. In everyday food contexts, Pilze usually means edible mushrooms, but not every fungus is safe to eat.
Der Pilz wächst im Wald.
The mushroom is growing in the forest.
wächst means grows, and der Wald means forest. Der Pilz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst stands in position two.
Wir essen den Pilz mit Reis.
We eat the mushroom with rice.
essen means eat and der Reis means rice. Den Pilz is accusative because essen takes a direct object; mit Reis is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Sie kocht mit dem Pilz eine Suppe.
She cooks a soup with the mushroom.
kocht means cooks and eine Suppe means a soup. Mit dem Pilz is dative because mit requires the dative, while eine Suppe is the accusative object of kocht.
Die Farbe des Pilzes ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the mushroom is unusual.
die Farbe means colour and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Pilzes is genitive because it shows which mushroom the colour belongs to; the masculine noun adds -es.
Im Herbst wachsen viele Pilze.
Many mushrooms grow in autumn.
im Herbst means in autumn, viele means many, and wachsen means grow. Viele Pilze is plural, with -e added to Pilz; the plural subject follows the initial time phrase, but the finite verb remains in position two.
der Sand — sand
Sand is normally an uncountable mass noun, so it has no plural when it means the substance. Use Strand for the beach itself, not Sand.
Sand ist überall auf dem Handtuch.
There is sand all over the towel.
überall means everywhere, and das Handtuch is the towel. Sand is a mass noun used in the singular without a plural here; it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder sammeln Sand.
The children collect sand.
die Kinder are the children, and sammeln means collect. Sand is accusative because sammeln takes a direct object; as a mass noun it normally has no article in this general meaning.
Wir spielen im Sand.
We are playing in the sand.
spielen means play, and im means in the. im Sand is short for in dem Sand and uses the dative because it describes a fixed location; the noun has no plural in this meaning.
Die Farbe des Sandes ist hell.
The colour of the sand is light.
die Farbe means the colour, and hell means light or pale. des Sandes is genitive because it says whose colour is meant; the masculine noun has the ending -es in the genitive.
der See — lake
The masculine der See means lake. The feminine noun die See means sea, so the article is essential; am See is a very common phrase meaning by the lake.
Der See ist heute ganz ruhig.
The lake is very calm today.
heute means today and ruhig means calm or still. Der See is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen den See vom Berg aus.
We can see the lake from the mountain.
wir sehen means we see, vom Berg means from the mountain, and aus adds the idea of looking out from there. Den See is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the separable-looking expression vom Berg aus does not change that case.
Wir sitzen an dem See.
We are sitting by the lake.
sitzen means to sit and an means at or by here. Dem See is dative because an describes a fixed location, not movement; the contracted form am See is also common.
Das Wasser des Sees ist sehr klar.
The water of the lake is very clear.
das Wasser means the water and klar means clear. Des Sees is genitive because it shows possession or association, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Familien die Seen.
In summer, many families visit the lakes.
im Sommer means in summer and viele Familien means many families. Die Seen is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural has -n but no vowel change.
die See — sea
The feminine die See means sea and is especially common in expressions about the coast or sailing. Do not confuse it with masculine der See, which means lake; both have the plural die Seen.
Die See ist heute sehr ruhig.
The sea is very calm today.
heute means today and ruhig means calm or still. Die See is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder sehen die See.
The children can see the sea.
die Kinder means the children and sehen means see. Die See is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Wir fahren an die See.
We are travelling to the seaside.
wir fahren means we are travelling, and an die See means to the seaside. In this common destination expression, an takes accusative for movement toward a place; the feminine article remains die.
Die Kraft der See ist beeindruckend.
The power of the sea is impressive.
die Kraft means the power, and beeindruckend means impressive. Der See is genitive because it identifies whose power it is; with feminine nouns, the genitive article is der.
Viele Menschen lieben die Seen.
Many people love the seas.
viele Menschen means many people and lieben means love. Die Seen is plural and accusative because lieben takes a direct object; this plural is written exactly like the plural of masculine der See meaning lakes.
die Sonne — sun; sunlight; sunshine
The usual plural is Sonnen, but everyday speech normally uses the singular because there is one sun. For direct sunlight, German also commonly uses Sonne in expressions such as in der Sonne.
Die Sonne scheint heute.
The sun is shining today.
scheint means is shining and heute means today. Die Sonne is the nominative subject, and the finite verb scheint stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Sonne durch das Fenster.
I see the sun through the window.
sehe means see, durch means through, and das Fenster means the window. Die Sonne is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; durch also forces the accusative in durch das Fenster.
Wir sitzen in der Sonne.
We are sitting in the sun.
sitzen means sit. In der Sonne is dative because in describes a location here, not movement into it; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Die Wärme der Sonne tut gut.
The warmth of the sun feels good.
die Wärme means the warmth and tut gut means feels good or does you good. Der Sonne is genitive because it says whose warmth it is; tut is the finite verb in position two.
Im Urlaub sehe ich viele Sonnen.
On holiday I see many suns.
im Urlaub means on holiday and viele means many. Sonnen is accusative plural because sehen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -n, and the verb remains sehe because the subject is ich.
Die Kinder spielen in der Sonne.
The children are playing in the sunshine.
die Kinder means the children and spielen means are playing. In der Sonne is dative because in shows the place where the action happens; the phrase means in the sunshine here.
Nach dem Regen kommt wieder die Sonne.
After the rain, the sun comes out again.
nach dem Regen means after the rain and wieder means again. Nach dem Regen is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb kommt is in position two even though the sentence starts with a time phrase.
der Stein — stone, rock
Der Stein can mean a single stone or rock and can also refer to stone as a building material. In the genitive, both des Steins and des Steines are correct.
Der Stein ist schwer.
The stone is heavy.
schwer means heavy. Der Stein is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective schwer follows sein without an ending.
Ich sehe den Stein.
I see the stone.
ich sehe means I see. Den Stein is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Das Kind sitzt auf dem Stein.
The child is sitting on the stone.
das Kind means the child and sitzt means is sitting. Auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Stein is dative; there is no movement onto the stone here.
Die Farbe des Steins ist dunkel.
The colour of the stone is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Steins is genitive and means “of the stone”; the whole phrase die Farbe des Steins is the nominative subject.
Auf dem Weg liegen viele Steine.
There are many stones lying on the path.
auf dem Weg means on the path and liegen means are lying. Viele Steine is plural nominative, while auf dem Weg is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Stern — star; star, celebrity
The usual plural is die Sterne. Der Stern can also describe a star-shaped decoration or a star in a rating system.
Am Himmel leuchtet ein heller Stern.
A bright star shines in the sky.
der Himmel means the sky, and hell means bright. Ein heller Stern is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb leuchtet stands in position two.
Ich sehe heute einen Stern.
I can see a star today.
heute means today, and sehen means to see. Einen Stern is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Sie erzählt ihrem Kind von einem Stern.
She tells her child about a star.
erzählen means to tell, ihrem Kind means her child, and von means about or from. Einem Stern is dative because von always takes the dative; erzählt is in position two.
Das Licht des Sterns ist sehr hell.
The light of the star is very bright.
das Licht means the light, and sehr hell means very bright. Des Sterns is genitive because it shows whose light it is; the noun adds -s after des.
Nachts sieht man viele Sterne.
At night you can see many stars.
nachts means at night, viele means many, and sehen means to see. Viele Sterne is accusative because it is the object of sieht; the plural has -e and uses die in the nominative.
Der Schauspieler ist ein großer Star.
The actor is a big star.
der Schauspieler means the actor, and groß means big or important. Ein großer Star is a predicate noun after ist, so it stays nominative; ist is in position two.
Viele Fans warten vor dem Hotel auf den Star.
Many fans are waiting for the star outside the hotel.
viele Fans means many fans, warten means wait, and vor dem Hotel means outside the hotel. Auf den Star is accusative because warten auf takes the accusative; warten and auf form a sentence bracket.
der Strand — beach, shore
Der Strand usually means a beach by the sea, but it can also be the shore of a lake. The common expressions am Strand and an den Strand use different cases: location takes dative, while movement towards it takes accusative.
Der Strand ist sehr sauber.
The beach is very clean.
sehr sauber means “very clean.” Der Strand is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Strand jeden Sommer.
We visit the beach every summer.
besuchen means “visit,” and jeden Sommer means “every summer.” Den Strand is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen an dem Strand.
The children are playing on the beach.
die Kinder means “the children,” and spielen means “are playing.” The preposition an takes dative here because it describes a location, so dem Strand is dative; am Strand is the common contraction.
Die Farbe des Strandes ist golden.
The colour of the beach is golden.
die Farbe means “the colour,” and golden means “golden.” Des Strandes is genitive because it means “of the beach,” and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Urlaub besuchen wir mehrere Strände.
On holiday, we visit several beaches.
im Urlaub means “on holiday,” and mehrere means “several.” Strände is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the umlaut changes a to ä.
der Teich — pond
A Teich is a small body of still water, often found in a garden or park. Its plural is Teiche.
Der Teich ist im Sommer warm.
The pond is warm in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and warm means warm. Der Teich is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Teich.
The children see the pond.
die Kinder are the children, and sehen means see. Den Teich is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir sitzen an einem Teich.
We are sitting beside a pond.
sitzen means sit, and an einem Teich means beside a pond. Einem Teich is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Die Oberfläche des Teiches ist ganz ruhig.
The surface of the pond is completely calm.
die Oberfläche is the surface, and ganz ruhig means completely calm. Des Teiches is genitive because it identifies which surface is meant; the genitive ending -es is added to the noun.
Im Park gibt es drei Teiche.
There are three ponds in the park.
im Park means in the park, gibt es means there are, and drei means three. Teiche is the plural of der Teich; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although its form looks like the nominative plural.
Enten schwimmen auf den Teichen.
Ducks are swimming on the ponds.
Enten are ducks and schwimmen means are swimming. Den Teichen is dative plural because auf describes location, and the plural noun adds -n after the plural ending.
der Tropfen — drop; small amount of drink; good wine
This noun means a small amount of liquid, usually round in shape. The plural is die Tropfen, with no ending added to the noun.
Der Tropfen fällt auf den Boden.
The drop falls onto the floor.
fällt means falls, and der Boden is the floor or ground. Der Tropfen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb fällt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Tropfen auf dem Glas.
I can see the drop on the glass.
sehe means see, and das Glas means the glass. Den Tropfen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while auf dem Glas is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich gebe dem Tropfen keine Beachtung.
I pay no attention to the drop.
gebe means give, and keine Beachtung means no attention. Dem Tropfen is dative because the fixed expression Beachtung geben gives the thing receiving attention the dative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Die Farbe des Tropfens ist dunkel.
The colour of the drop is dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. Des Tropfens is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant, and the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Auf dem Fenster sind viele Tropfen.
There are many drops on the window.
das Fenster means the window, and viele means many. Tropfen is plural after viele; the noun has no plural ending, while auf dem Fenster is dative because it describes location.
Er trinkt gern einen guten Tropfen.
He likes drinking a good wine.
trinkt gern means likes drinking, and einen guten means a good one. Einen guten Tropfen is accusative because it is the object of trinkt; the adjective has the ending -en after the masculine article einen.
Dieser Tropfen schmeckt nach Pflaumen.
This wine tastes of plums.
Dieser means this, schmeckt means tastes, and Pflaumen are plums. Dieser Tropfen is nominative because it is the subject, and nach takes the dative in nach Pflaumen.
wachsen — to grow
Wachsen is a strong verb: wachsen – wuchs – ist gewachsen. It normally takes sein in the perfect because it describes a change in size or state, and it does not take a direct object in this sense.
Die Pflanze wächst sehr schnell.
The plant is growing very quickly.
die Pflanze means plant, and sehr schnell means very quickly. Wächst is the third-person singular present of the strong verb wachsen, with a changing to ä; it stands in position two.
Das Kind ist in einem Jahr stark gewachsen.
The child grew a lot in one year.
das Kind means child, in einem Jahr means in one year, and stark means a lot or considerably. Ist gewachsen uses sein because the subject changes in size; ist is in position two and gewachsen goes to the end.
Der Baum wuchs trotz des trockenen Sommers.
The tree grew despite the dry summer.
der Baum means tree, trotz means despite, and der trockene Sommer means the dry summer. Wuchs is the strong-verb Präteritum form; trotz des trockenen Sommers uses the genitive, and the finite verb is in position two.
Wachse nicht so schnell!
Do not grow so quickly!
nicht so schnell means not so quickly. Wachse is the singular imperative used with one person; the subject du is omitted, and nicht comes before the phrase it negates.
Wenn der Baum mehr Licht hätte, wüchse er schneller.
If the tree had more light, it would grow faster.
mehr Licht means more light, hätte means had, and schneller means faster. Wüchse is the Konjunktiv II of wachsen; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while wüchse stands in position two in the main clause.
Die Kinder werden im nächsten Jahr weiter wachsen.
The children will continue to grow next year.
die Kinder means children, im nächsten Jahr means next year, and weiter means further or continuing. Werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive wachsen goes to the end; weiter wachsen means continue to grow.
der Wald — forest, woods
The usual plural of der Wald is die Wälder, with an umlaut and -er. Im Wald means in the forest, while in den Wald means into the forest and uses the accusative for direction.
Der Wald ist im Herbst sehr schön.
The forest is very beautiful in autumn.
der Wald means the forest, im Herbst means in autumn, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Der Wald is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir sehen den Wald vom Zug aus.
We can see the forest from the train.
wir means we, sehen means see, vom Zug aus means from the train, and Zug means train. Den Wald is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; aus belongs to the fixed expression vom Zug aus.
Wir gehen heute im Wald spazieren.
We are going for a walk in the forest today.
heute means today, spazieren gehen means to go for a walk, and im Wald means in the forest. Im is in dem, and the dative marks location here, not movement into the forest.
Die Tiere des Waldes brauchen Ruhe.
The animals of the forest need peace and quiet.
die Tiere means the animals, brauchen means need, and Ruhe means peace and quiet. Des Waldes is genitive because it identifies whose animals they are; the masculine noun takes des and -es.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Familien die Wälder.
In summer, many families visit the forests.
im Sommer means in summer, viele Familien means many families, and besuchen means visit. Die Wälder is plural accusative because it is the object of besuchen; its singular is der Wald.
das Wasser — water
This is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For different kinds or bottles of water, German can use expressions such as Wassersorten or Flaschen Wasser.
Das Wasser ist kalt.
The water is cold.
kalt means cold. Das Wasser is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trinke Wasser jeden Morgen.
I drink water every morning.
trinken means to drink, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Wasser is accusative because trinken takes the thing being drunk as its object; the finite verb trinke stands in position two.
Wir kochen mit Wasser.
We cook with water.
kochen means to cook, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, but the neuter noun Wasser has no visible article ending here.
Die Qualität des Wassers ist sehr gut.
The quality of the water is very good.
die Qualität means quality, and sehr gut means very good. Des Wassers is genitive because it shows which water the quality belongs to; the neuter article is des, and the noun adds -s.
Wir werden morgen Wasser kaufen.
We will buy water tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and kaufen means to buy. Wasser is an accusative object of kaufen; although this sentence fills the plural slot in the matrix, Wasser is a mass noun and has no ordinary plural, so the form remains singular.
wehen — to blow, to be windy
Wehen describes wind or air moving and is usually used without an object. Its perfect is formed with haben: der Wind hat geweht; do not confuse it with wehtun, which means to hurt.
Heute weht ein kalter Wind.
A cold wind is blowing today.
heute means today, and ein kalter Wind means a cold wind. The verb weht is in position two; ein kalter Wind is the subject, not an object, so wehen does not assign the accusative here.
Am Meer hat ein starker Wind geweht.
A strong wind was blowing by the sea.
am Meer means by the sea, and ein starker Wind means a strong wind. Geweht pairs with haben and goes to the end; am is short for an dem, with dative after an for a location.
Gestern wehte der Wind den ganzen Tag.
Yesterday the wind blew all day.
gestern means yesterday, and den ganzen Tag means all day. Wehte is the regular past form and stands in position two; the time phrase den ganzen Tag is accusative because it measures the duration.
Weh bitte leiser!
Blow more gently, please!
bitte means please, and leiser means more gently or more quietly. This is a command to one person; the imperative weh is rare in everyday speech and is more natural when addressing wind figuratively.
Wenn es morgen wehen würde, blieben wir zu Hause.
If it were windy tomorrow, we would stay at home.
morgen means tomorrow, and zu Hause bleiben means stay at home. In the wenn clause, wehen goes to the end; würde marks the hypothetical situation, while blieben is the conditional form of bleiben.
Morgen wird ein warmer Wind wehen.
A warm wind will blow tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and ein warmer Wind means a warm wind. Wird is in position two and the infinitive wehen goes to the end; ein warmer Wind is the subject.
die Welt — world, Earth; world, sphere
Die Welt can mean the planet Earth, life and society on it, or the world in general. The fixed expression auf der Welt uses the dative after auf because it describes location.
Die Welt ist groß.
The world is big.
groß means big. Die Welt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen sehen die Welt.
Many people see the world.
viele Menschen means many people and sehen means see. Die Welt is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Auf der Welt leben viele Menschen.
Many people live in the world.
auf der Welt means in the world and leben means live. Der Welt is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; viele Menschen is the plural subject after the introductory phrase.
Die Zukunft der Welt liegt in unseren Händen.
The future of the world is in our hands.
die Zukunft means the future, liegt means lies or is, and in unseren Händen means in our hands. Der Welt is genitive because it means of the world; in unseren Händen is dative because it describes a location.
Welten treffen in diesem Roman aufeinander.
Worlds meet in this novel.
treffen ... aufeinander means meet one another, diesem Roman means this novel, and der Roman is a novel. Welten is plural nominative because it is the subject; in diesem Roman is dative for a fixed setting.
Nach dem Studium beginnt für sie eine neue Welt.
After university, a new world begins for her.
nach dem Studium means after university or after her studies, beginnt means begins, and für sie means for her. Nach takes the dative, so dem Studium is dative; eine neue Welt is nominative because it is the subject.
Er öffnet uns die Welt der Kunst.
He opens up the world of art to us.
öffnet means opens, uns means to us, and die Kunst is art. Uns is dative as the people who benefit, while die Welt is accusative as the thing opened; der Kunst is genitive, meaning of art.
die Wiese — meadow, grassy field
A Wiese is usually a natural grassy area, unlike a Rasen, which is normally deliberately planted and cut short. The common phrase auf der Wiese means on the meadow or grass.
Die Wiese ist grün.
The meadow is green.
grün means green. Die Wiese is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder spielen auf die Wiese.
The children are playing onto the meadow.
die Kinder means the children and spielen means play. Here auf takes the accusative because it describes movement onto the meadow; the finite verb spielen is in position two. In natural contexts, auf der Wiese spielen is more common when the children are already there.
Die Kinder spielen auf der Wiese.
The children are playing on the meadow.
die Kinder means the children and spielen means are playing. auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Wiese is dative; the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
Das Gras der Wiese ist nass.
The grass of the meadow is wet.
das Gras means the grass and nass means wet. der Wiese is genitive because it means “of the meadow”, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Im Park gibt es viele Wiesen.
There are many meadows in the park.
im Park means in the park, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Wiesen is the plural after viele; after es gibt, the noun phrase is grammatically accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.