Appearance
Vocab: Nature — A2 (1)
Nature vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Asche — ash
Asche is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural; use die Asche for ash in general. For separate kinds or quantities, German can sometimes use Aschen, but learners should not form this plural in everyday use.
Asche liegt auf dem Boden.
Ash is lying on the floor.
liegt means is lying, and der Boden means the floor; auf dem Boden means on the floor. Asche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich fege die Asche zusammen.
I sweep the ash together.
fegen means to sweep, and zusammen means together. die Asche is accusative because fegen takes a direct object, while the separable verb zusammenfegen splits and zusammen goes to the end.
Die Blumen wachsen in der Asche.
The flowers grow in the ash.
die Blumen means the flowers, and wachsen means grow. in der Asche is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it; the finite verb wachsen stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Asche ist grau.
The colour of the ash is grey.
die Farbe means the colour, and grau means grey. der Asche is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
der Ast — branch
Der Ast ist sehr dick.
The branch is very thick.
ist means is, and sehr dick means very thick. Der Ast is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Kind sammelt einen Ast im Wald.
The child collects a branch in the forest.
das Kind means the child, sammelt means collects, and im Wald means in the forest. Einen Ast is accusative because sammeln takes a direct object, and im is in dem, which marks location with the dative.
Der Vogel sitzt auf dem Ast.
The bird is sitting on the branch.
der Vogel means the bird, sitzt means is sitting, and auf means on. Dem Ast is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; a direction towards the branch would require the accusative.
Die Farbe des Astes ist dunkel.
The colour of the branch is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Astes is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Herbst fallen viele Äste herunter.
In autumn, many branches fall down.
im Herbst means in autumn, viele means many, and herunterfallen means to fall down. Äste is the plural of Ast; because the sentence starts with a time expression, the finite verb fallen remains in position two.
der Atlantik — Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic
Der Atlantik is normally used as a singular geographical name and has no ordinary plural. The genitive is des Atlantiks, with -s added to the noun.
Der Atlantik ist heute ruhig.
The Atlantic is calm today.
heute means today and ruhig means calm. Der Atlantik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir überqueren den Atlantik mit dem Schiff.
We are crossing the Atlantic by ship.
überqueren means to cross, mit dem Schiff means by ship, and das Schiff is the ship. den Atlantik is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; mit takes the dative in dem Schiff.
Am Atlantik gibt es viele schöne Strände.
There are many beautiful beaches on the Atlantic.
es gibt means there is or there are, viele schöne Strände means many beautiful beaches, and am means an dem, at or on the. am Atlantik is dative because an expresses location here; es gibt takes its thing-that-exists in the accusative.
Die Küste des Atlantiks ist sehr lang.
The coast of the Atlantic is very long.
die Küste means the coast, sehr lang means very long, and sein means to be. des Atlantiks is genitive because it identifies which coast; Atlantik adds -s in the genitive.
der Ausblick — view, outlook, prospect; outlook, prospect
The concrete meaning is a view from a place. In a second common meaning, ein Ausblick auf something is an outlook or prospect for it; auf takes the accusative here because it points towards a topic.
Der Ausblick vom Berg ist wunderschön.
The view from the mountain is wonderful.
vom Berg means from the mountain, and wunderschön means wonderful. Der Ausblick is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Wir genießen den Ausblick.
We are enjoying the view.
genießen means enjoy. Den Ausblick is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Auf der Terrasse sitzen wir mit dem Ausblick auf den See.
We sit on the terrace with a view of the lake.
die Terrasse is the terrace and der See is the lake. Dem Ausblick is dative because mit always takes the dative; sitzen means sit and the finite verb is in position two after the introductory phrase.
Die Farbe des Ausblicks verändert sich im Abendlicht.
The colour of the view changes in the evening light.
die Farbe means the colour, verändert sich means changes, and das Abendlicht means the evening light. Des Ausblicks is genitive because it specifies which colour is meant; the masculine noun takes -s.
Von hier aus sieht man schöne Ausblicke.
From here, you can see beautiful views.
von hier aus means from here, and sieht man means you can see. Ausblicke is plural and is the accusative object of sehen; man is an indefinite subject, not the word for a male person.
Der Bericht gibt einen positiven Ausblick auf die Zukunft.
The report gives a positive outlook for the future.
der Bericht means the report, gibt means gives, positiv means positive, and die Zukunft means the future. Einen positiven Ausblick is accusative after geben, while auf die Zukunft uses accusative because auf introduces the topic or direction of the outlook.
Der Ausblick für das nächste Jahr ist vorsichtig optimistisch.
The outlook for next year is cautiously optimistic.
für das nächste Jahr means for next year, and vorsichtig optimistisch means cautiously optimistic. Der Ausblick is nominative as the subject, and ist stands in position two; für takes the accusative in das nächste Jahr.
der Diamant — diamond; diamond material or coating
A Diamant is a very hard precious stone, often used in jewellery. It is a weak masculine noun: den Diamanten, des Diamanten, and plural die Diamanten.
Der Diamant glitzert im Licht.
The diamond sparkles in the light.
glitzern means to sparkle, and das Licht is the light. Der Diamant is nominative as the subject; im Licht is short for in dem Licht and uses the dative for a location.
Sie trägt den Diamanten am Finger.
She is wearing the diamond on her finger.
tragen means to wear or carry, and der Finger is the finger. Den Diamanten is accusative because it is the object of tragen; as a weak masculine noun, Diamant takes -en here.
Er schenkt dem Diamanten eine neue Fassung.
He gives the diamond a new setting.
schenken means to give as a present, and die Fassung is the setting of a jewel. Dem Diamanten is dative as the recipient or affected thing, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Der Glanz des Diamanten ist beeindruckend.
The diamond’s brilliance is impressive.
der Glanz is the shine or brilliance, and beeindruckend means impressive. Des Diamanten is genitive to show possession; this weak masculine noun takes -en, not -s.
Die Diamanten liegen im Schaufenster.
The diamonds are in the shop window.
liegen means to lie or be situated, and das Schaufenster is the shop window. Diamanten is the plural subject; im Schaufenster is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Die Firma verwendet Diamanten zum Schneiden von Glas.
The company uses diamonds to cut glass.
die Firma is the company, verwenden means to use, and schneiden means to cut. Diamanten is accusative plural after verwendet; zum Schneiden means for cutting and contains zu dem.
Dieses Werkzeug ist mit Diamanten beschichtet.
This tool is coated with diamonds.
dieses Werkzeug means this tool, and beschichtet means coated. Mit Diamanten is dative after mit; ist beschichtet describes a state using sein plus the participle.
die Dunkelheit — darkness, dark
This is normally a singular-only mass noun; German usually says die Dunkelheit, not a plural. For “dark” as an adjective, use dunkel, not Dunkelheit.
Die Dunkelheit kommt früh im Winter.
Darkness comes early in winter.
früh means early and im Winter means in winter. Die Dunkelheit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Ich fürchte die Dunkelheit.
I am afraid of the dark.
fürchten means to fear. Die Dunkelheit is accusative because fürchten takes an accusative object; the finite verb fürchte stands in position two.
Bei der Dunkelheit kann man kaum etwas sehen.
In the darkness, you can hardly see anything.
bei means in or with, kaum means hardly, and etwas sehen means to see anything. Der Dunkelheit is dative because bei always takes the dative, while kann is the finite modal verb in position two and sehen goes to the end.
Die Ursache der Dunkelheit war ein Stromausfall.
The cause of the darkness was a power cut.
die Ursache means the cause and der Stromausfall means the power cut. Der Dunkelheit is genitive because it describes whose or what darkness it was; the noun Ursache is the subject and war is in position two.
die Ebbe — low tide, ebb
Ebbe is normally used with Flut in the pair Ebbe und Flut, “low and high tide.” The opposite of Ebbe is die Flut.
Die Ebbe beginnt am Nachmittag.
Low tide begins in the afternoon.
beginnt means “begins,” and am Nachmittag means “in the afternoon.” Die Ebbe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir beobachten die Ebbe.
We are observing the low tide.
beobachten means “observe” or “watch.” Die Ebbe is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object, while the finite verb beobachten is in position two.
Bei der Ebbe liegen viele Boote im Sand.
At low tide, many boats lie on the sand.
bei means “at” or “during,” liegen means “lie,” and viele Boote means “many boats.” Der Ebbe is dative because bei always governs the dative; the sentence begins with this time phrase, so the verb liegen comes next.
Die Dauer der Ebbe hängt vom Mond ab.
The duration of low tide depends on the moon.
die Dauer means “the duration,” hängt ... ab means “depends,” and der Mond means “the moon.” Der Ebbe is genitive because it identifies the duration’s connection to low tide; the separable verb abhängen splits in the main clause.
Die Ebben an dieser Küste sind unterschiedlich lang.
The low tides on this coast are different lengths.
an dieser Küste means “on this coast,” and unterschiedlich lang means “of different lengths.” Die Ebben is plural and nominative, and the plural ending is -n.
eben — flat, level, even
As an adjective, eben describes a surface with no bumps or slope. Do not confuse it with adverbial eben, which can mean “just now” or “simply.”
Der Weg ist eben.
The path is level.
der Weg means “the path,” and ist means “is.” Eben is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen über eine ebene Fläche.
We are walking across a flat surface.
gehen means “walk,” über means “across,” and eine Fläche means “a surface.” Ebene has an adjective ending because it comes before the feminine noun Fläche; über takes the accusative here because it expresses movement across something.
Dieser Weg ist ebener als der andere.
This path is more level than the other one.
dieser Weg means “this path,” and der andere means “the other one.” Ebener is the comparative of eben, and als introduces the thing being compared; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Diese Fläche ist am ebensten.
This surface is the most level.
diese Fläche means “this surface.” Am ebensten is the predicative superlative after sein; am is short for an dem, and the adjective therefore has no attributive ending.
das Erdbeben — earthquake
Erdbeben is a compound of Erde, earth, and Beben, tremor. Its plural is unchanged: das Erdbeben, die Erdbeben.
Das Erdbeben war sehr stark.
The earthquake was very strong.
sehr stark means very strong. Das Erdbeben is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Menschen spürten das Erdbeben.
The people felt the earthquake.
die Menschen means the people, and spürten means felt. Das Erdbeben is accusative because spüren takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Nach dem Erdbeben halfen viele Nachbarn.
After the earthquake, many neighbours helped.
nach means after, and halfen means helped. Dem Erdbeben is dative because nach always requires the dative; the opening phrase occupies position one, so halfen is in position two.
Die Stärke des Erdbebens überraschte alle.
The strength of the earthquake surprised everyone.
die Stärke means the strength, and überraschte alle means surprised everyone. Des Erdbebens is genitive because it means of the earthquake; the neuter noun takes -s.
Mehrere Erdbeben erschütterten die Region.
Several earthquakes shook the region.
mehrere means several, erschütterten means shook, and die Region is the region. Erdbeben has the same form in singular and plural; mehrere and the plural verb erschütterten identify it as plural.
der Fluss — river
Der Fluss is a natural moving body of water. Its plural changes u to ü: die Flüsse.
Der Fluss fließt durch die Stadt.
The river flows through the city.
fließt means flows, durch means through, and die Stadt is the city. Der Fluss is nominative because it is the subject, and fließt is in position two.
Wir überqueren den Fluss mit dem Fahrrad.
We cross the river by bicycle.
überqueren means cross, mit dem Fahrrad means by bicycle. Den Fluss is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen am Fluss.
The children play by the river.
die Kinder means the children, spielen means play, and am means at the or by the. Am Fluss is dative because an describes a fixed location here.
Das Wasser des Flusses ist kalt.
The river's water is cold.
das Wasser means the water and kalt means cold. Des Flusses is genitive because it shows whose water it is; the noun adds -es.
Viele Flüsse führen im Frühjahr Hochwasser.
Many rivers carry floodwater in spring.
viele means many, führen means carry or convey, and Hochwasser means floodwater. Viele Flüsse is the plural subject, with ü and -e in the plural.
der Förster — forester
A Förster manages forests, for example by caring for trees and wildlife. The plural is also Förster, with no ending change.
Der Förster arbeitet im Wald.
The forester works in the forest.
arbeitet means works, and im Wald means in the forest. Förster is nominative as the subject; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement into it.
Ich sehe den Förster im Wald.
I see the forester in the forest.
sehe means see, and im Wald means in the forest. Förster is accusative after sehen, but its form is unchanged; the article shows the case with den.
Ich spreche mit dem Förster.
I am speaking with the forester.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so the masculine phrase is dem Förster.
Der Hut des Försters liegt hier.
The forester's hat is lying here.
der Hut means the hat, and liegt hier means is lying here. Des Försters is genitive and shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Förster kontrollieren den Wald.
The foresters inspect the forest.
kontrollieren means inspect or check, and den Wald means the forest. Förster is plural with no ending change, while den Wald is accusative as the object.
das Gebiet — area; territory; field; area of expertise
This sense refers to a physical area or territory. Das Gebiet is also used for a field of study or activity, with the meaning field or area of expertise.
Das Gebiet ist für seine Seen bekannt.
The area is known for its lakes.
bekannt means known, and seine Seen means its lakes. Das Gebiet is nominative because it is the subject; the phrase für seine Seen uses the accusative after für.
Wir besuchen ein großes Gebiet im Norden.
We are visiting a large area in the north.
besuchen means visit, groß means large, and der Norden means the north. Ein großes Gebiet is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
In diesem Gebiet leben viele seltene Tiere.
Many rare animals live in this area.
selten means rare, and Tiere means animals. In diesem Gebiet uses the dative because it describes a location, and the verb leben follows the fronted phrase in position two.
Die Grenzen des Gebiets sind nicht klar.
The boundaries of the area are not clear.
die Grenzen means the boundaries, and klar means clear. Des Gebiets is genitive because it identifies whose boundaries they are; the noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Gebiete im Süden sind sehr trocken.
The areas in the south are very dry.
im Süden means in the south, and trocken means dry. Die Gebiete is the plural subject, so the verb is sind rather than singular ist.
Sie arbeitet auf dem Gebiet der Medizin.
She works in the field of medicine.
arbeitet means works, and die Medizin means medicine. Auf dem Gebiet uses the dative because it describes a figurative field, while der Medizin is genitive after Gebiet der.
Dieses Gebiet ist für mich noch neu.
This field is still new to me.
dieses means this, noch means still, and neu means new. Dieses Gebiet is nominative as the subject, while für mich uses the accusative after für.
das Gebirge — mountain range; mountains
Das Gebirge usually means a connected mountain range or mountain region, rather than one individual mountain. Its plural is also Gebirge, so the article or another determiner shows whether it is singular or plural.
Das Gebirge liegt im Süden des Landes.
The mountain range is in the south of the country.
liegt means lies or is located, der Süden means the south, and das Land means the country. Das Gebirge is nominative because it is the subject; des Landes is genitive after im Süden to show which country's south.
Wir sehen das Gebirge aus dem Zug.
We can see the mountains from the train.
sehen means see, aus means from, and der Zug means the train. Das Gebirge is accusative because it is the object of sehen, while aus dem Zug takes the dative after aus.
Im Gebirge ist die Luft besonders frisch.
The air is especially fresh in the mountains.
die Luft means the air, besonders means especially, and frisch means fresh. Im Gebirge is in dem Gebirge and uses the dative for location; the finite verb ist is still in position two.
Die Gipfel des Gebirges sind im Winter schneebedeckt.
The peaks of the mountain range are snow-covered in winter.
die Gipfel means the peaks, im Winter means in winter, and schneebedeckt means snow-covered. Des Gebirges is genitive because it shows which peaks are meant; die Gipfel is the plural subject.
Viele Gebirge liegen nahe am Meer.
Many mountain ranges lie near the sea.
viele means many, nahe means near, and das Meer means the sea. Viele Gebirge is plural even though the noun has the same shape as the singular; am Meer is an dem Meer, with dative for location.
der Graben — ditch, trench
The noun der Graben means a ditch or trench. Its plural is die Gräben with an umlaut; it is unrelated in meaning to the lowercase verb graben, to dig.
Der Graben ist voller Wasser.
The ditch is full of water.
voller Wasser means full of water. Der Graben is nominative because it is the subject of ist, and the finite verb is in position two.
Die Arbeiter bauen einen Graben.
The workers are building a ditch.
die Arbeiter means the workers and bauen means build. Einen Graben is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; the finite verb bauen stands in position two.
Wir gehen an dem Graben entlang.
We walk along the ditch.
entlanggehen means walk along. An dem Graben is dative because the preposition an describes the fixed route beside the ditch; dem marks the masculine dative.
Die Tiefe des Grabens beträgt zwei Meter.
The depth of the ditch is two metres.
die Tiefe means depth, betragen means amount to, and zwei Meter means two metres. Des Grabens is genitive because it identifies whose depth is meant; this noun adds -s in the genitive.
Nach dem Regen sind die Gräben voll.
After the rain, the ditches are full.
der Regen means rain and voll means full. Gräben is the plural of Graben; nach dem Regen is dative because nach always takes the dative.
Ein tiefer Graben schützt das Dorf.
A deep ditch protects the village.
tief means deep, schützen means protect, and das Dorf means village. Ein tiefer Graben is the nominative subject, and the finite verb schützt is in position two.
der Hektar — hectare
Hektar is a masculine unit of area. After a number, it normally has the unchanged form Hektar, not an ending such as -e.
Der Hof ist drei Hektar groß.
The farm is three hectares in size.
der Hof means the farm, and groß means large or in size; drei means three. Hektar is a measure used after a number, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Gemeinde kauft einen Hektar Land.
The municipality is buying one hectare of land.
die Gemeinde is the municipality, kauft means is buying, and Land means land. einen Hektar is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and kauft stands in position two.
Auf einem Hektar wachsen viele Apfelbäume.
Many apple trees grow on one hectare.
auf means on, wachsen means grow, and viele Apfelbäume means many apple trees. einem Hektar is dative because auf describes a location here, and the verb comes directly after the initial phrase.
Die Größe des Hektars überrascht den Käufer.
The size of the hectare surprises the buyer.
die Größe means the size, überrascht means surprises, and der Käufer is the buyer. des Hektars is genitive because it shows whose size is meant; the genitive ending is -s.
Die Bauern besitzen fünf Hektar.
The farmers own five hectares.
die Bauern means the farmers, besitzen means own, and fünf means five. The plural is Hektar, unchanged from the singular, and the verb besitzen stands in position two.
die Heuschrecke — grasshopper; locust
The ordinary plural of die Heuschrecke is die Heuschrecken. The word can describe a single grasshopper or, depending on context, a locust.
Die Heuschrecke sitzt auf dem Blatt.
The grasshopper is sitting on the leaf.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Blatt is the leaf. Die Heuschrecke is the nominative subject; auf dem Blatt is dative because auf describes a fixed location, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Ich sehe eine Heuschrecke im Garten.
I see a grasshopper in the garden.
sehe means see, im Garten means in the garden, and Garten is garden. Eine Heuschrecke is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Das Kind gibt der Heuschrecke etwas Gras.
The child gives the grasshopper some grass.
das Kind is the child, gibt means gives, and etwas Gras means some grass. Der Heuschrecke is dative because it is the recipient, while etwas Gras is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe der Heuschrecke ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the grasshopper is unusual.
die Farbe means the colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Der Heuschrecke is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; feminine nouns use der in the genitive but do not change their ending.
Im Sommer sehe ich viele Heuschrecken.
In summer I see many grasshoppers.
im Sommer means in summer, sehe means see, and viele means many. Viele Heuschrecken is accusative because it is the object of sehen; the plural noun ends in -en.
das Holz — wood; timber
Holz is normally a mass noun when it means wood as a material, but the plural Hölzer is possible for different kinds or pieces of wood. The common phrase aus Holz means made of wood; aus takes the dative.
Das Holz ist sehr trocken.
The wood is very dry.
ist means is, and sehr trocken means very dry. Das Holz is nominative because it is the subject; Holz is usually a mass noun here, so it is singular.
Wir kaufen das Holz im Baumarkt.
We buy the wood at the DIY store.
kaufen means buy, im Baumarkt means at the DIY store, and Baumarkt is a DIY or home-improvement store. Das Holz is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich baue dem Holz einen kleinen Rahmen.
I build a small frame for the wood.
baue means build, einen kleinen Rahmen is a small frame, and klein means small. Dem Holz is dative because it is the thing for which the frame is built, while einen kleinen Rahmen is the accusative object; this meaning is less common than using a preposition such as aus.
Die Farbe des Holzes ist schön.
The colour of the wood is beautiful.
die Farbe is the colour, schön means beautiful, and ist means is. Des Holzes is genitive because it specifies whose colour; the neuter noun adds -es after des.
Die Künstler verwenden verschiedene Hölzer.
The artists use different kinds of wood.
die Künstler are the artists, verwenden means use, and verschiedene means different. Verschiedene Hölzer is accusative because verwenden takes a direct object; the plural refers to different kinds of wood, not ordinary undivided wood.
die Höhle — cave; cavity, hollow
Höhle normally means a cave or natural hollow space. Do not confuse it with Hölle, which means hell.
Die Höhle ist sehr dunkel.
The cave is very dark.
sehr dunkel means very dark. Die Höhle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir besuchen die Höhle.
We are visiting the cave.
besuchen means to visit. Die Höhle is accusative because it is the direct object, although the feminine nominative and accusative articles look the same.
In der Höhle schlafen Fledermäuse.
Bats sleep in the cave.
Fledermäuse are bats, and schlafen means sleep. In takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Höhle is dative; the verb comes before the subject after the opening place phrase.
Der Eingang der Höhle ist klein.
The entrance of the cave is small.
der Eingang is the entrance, and klein means small. Der Höhle is genitive and means of the cave.
Die Höhlen in dieser Gegend sind interessant.
The caves in this area are interesting.
diese Gegend means this area, and interessant means interesting. Die Höhlen is a plural subject, so the verb is sind; in dieser Gegend is a location phrase with the dative.
Der Zahnarzt entdeckt eine Höhle im Zahn.
The dentist discovers a cavity in the tooth.
der Zahnarzt is the dentist, entdeckt means discovers, and der Zahn is the tooth. Eine Höhle is accusative as the object of entdecken, while im Zahn is dative for a location.
In dem weichen Gestein bildet sich eine Höhle.
A hollow forms in the soft rock.
weiches Gestein means soft rock, and sich bilden means to form. In dem weichen Gestein is dative because it describes a location, while eine Höhle is nominative as the thing that forms.
der Klimawandel — climate change
der Klimawandel is normally used without a plural when referring to the global process. The plural form Klimawandel is possible when discussing several distinct climate changes.
Der Klimawandel ist ein großes Problem.
Climate change is a major problem.
großes Problem means major problem. Der Klimawandel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen fürchten den Klimawandel.
Many people fear climate change.
viele Menschen means many people, and fürchten means fear. den Klimawandel is accusative because fürchten takes a direct object; the finite verb fürchten stands in position two.
Wir müssen mit dem Klimawandel leben.
We have to live with climate change.
müssen means have to, and leben means live. mit always takes the dative, so dem Klimawandel is dative; müssen stands in position two and the infinitive leben goes to the end.
Die Folgen des Klimawandels sind sichtbar.
The effects of climate change are visible.
die Folgen means the effects, and sichtbar means visible. des Klimawandels is genitive because it identifies the source of the effects; the verb sind stands in position two.
Klimawandel betrifft viele Länder.
Climate change affects many countries.
betrifft means affects, and viele Länder means many countries. Here Klimawandel is plural without an ending and is the subject, while viele Länder is accusative because betrifft takes a direct object.
die Küste — coast, shore
Die Küste ist heute sehr windig.
The coast is very windy today.
heute means today, and windig means windy. Die Küste is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Küste im Sommer.
We are visiting the coast in summer.
besuchen means visit, and im Sommer means in summer. die Küste is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir wohnen nahe der Küste.
We live near the coast.
wohnen means live, and nahe means near. der Küste is dative because the preposition nahe governs the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Schönheit der Küste beeindruckt mich.
The beauty of the coast impresses me.
die Schönheit means the beauty, and beeindruckt means impresses. der Küste is genitive because it identifies whose beauty it is; the finite verb beeindruckt remains in position two.
An den Küsten gibt es viele kleine Dörfer.
There are many small villages on the coasts.
an den Küsten means on the coasts, viele means many, and kleine Dörfer means small villages. Küsten adds -n in the plural, and an takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
das Lagerfeuer — campfire
This compound combines das Lager and das Feuer and means a fire made at a campsite or outdoors. Its plural is unchanged: die Lagerfeuer.
Das Lagerfeuer brennt die ganze Nacht.
The campfire burns all night.
brennt means burns and die ganze Nacht means the whole night. Das Lagerfeuer is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb brennt stands in position two.
Wir machen das Lagerfeuer am Strand.
We are making the campfire on the beach.
machen means make and am Strand means on the beach. das Lagerfeuer is accusative because it is the object of machen, while am Strand is an dem Strand and uses dative for a location.
Die Kinder sitzen neben dem Lagerfeuer.
The children are sitting beside the campfire.
die Kinder means the children and sitzen means are sitting. dem Lagerfeuer is dative because neben describes a fixed position here; the finite verb sitzen stands in position two.
Die Wärme des Lagerfeuers ist angenehm.
The warmth of the campfire is pleasant.
die Wärme means the warmth and angenehm means pleasant. des Lagerfeuers is genitive because it shows where the warmth comes from or to what it belongs; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Am Strand brennen drei Lagerfeuer.
Three campfires are burning on the beach.
am Strand means on the beach, brennen means are burning, and drei means three. Lagerfeuer is plural but unchanged from the singular; the plural subject follows the verb because am Strand occupies the first position.
die Landschaft — landscape, scenery; landscape, scene
Landschaft usually refers to natural scenery, while Umgebung means the area around a particular place or person.
Die Landschaft ist im Herbst besonders schön.
The landscape is especially beautiful in autumn.
im Herbst means “in autumn”, and besonders schön means “especially beautiful”. Die Landschaft is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir bewundern die Landschaft vom Zug aus.
We admire the landscape from the train.
bewundern means “admire”, der Zug means “the train”, and vom Zug aus means “from the train”. die Landschaft is accusative because bewundern takes a direct object; the finite verb bewundern is in position two.
In der Landschaft gibt es viele kleine Dörfer.
There are many small villages in the landscape.
in der Landschaft means “in the landscape”, gibt es means “there are”, and viele kleine Dörfer means “many small villages”. in takes the dative for location, so der Landschaft is dative; in es gibt, es is a fixed placeholder and Dörfer is accusative.
Die Farben der Landschaft verändern sich im Laufe des Tages.
The colours of the landscape change during the day.
die Farben means “the colours”, verändern sich means “change”, and im Laufe des Tages means “during the day”. der Landschaft is genitive because it specifies whose colours they are; des Tages is also genitive after im Laufe.
Die Landschaften im Norden sind sehr abwechslungsreich.
The landscapes in the north are very varied.
im Norden means “in the north”, and abwechslungsreich means “varied”. Landschaften is plural, so the verb is sind, not singular ist; im is short for in dem.
Die politische Landschaft hat sich stark verändert.
The political landscape has changed considerably.
politische means “political”, sich verändern means “to change”, and stark means “considerably”. Die politische Landschaft is the nominative subject; hat sich verändert is the perfect tense, with the participle at the end.
In der deutschen Medienlandschaft gibt es viele neue Angebote.
There are many new offerings in the German media landscape.
deutschen means “German”, Medienlandschaft means “media landscape”, and neue Angebote means “new offerings”. in der deutschen Medienlandschaft is dative because in expresses location; the compound noun is written as one word.
die Landwirtschaft — agriculture, farming; farming as an occupation
Landwirtschaft is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For one farm or business, German uses der Bauernhof or der Landwirtschaftsbetrieb instead.
Die Landwirtschaft ist für die Region sehr wichtig.
Agriculture is very important for the region.
für die Region means “for the region”, and wichtig means “important”. Die Landwirtschaft is the nominative subject; für takes the accusative, so die Region is accusative, and ist is in position two.
Der Staat unterstützt die Landwirtschaft.
The state supports agriculture.
der Staat means “the state”, and unterstützt means “supports”. die Landwirtschaft is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; although this noun is a mass noun, its singular article still changes when the case requires it.
Viele Menschen arbeiten in der Landwirtschaft.
Many people work in agriculture.
viele Menschen means “many people”, and arbeiten means “work”. in der Landwirtschaft is dative because in expresses the field or area in which people work; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Zukunft der Landwirtschaft hängt vom Klima ab.
The future of agriculture depends on the climate.
die Zukunft means “the future”, hängt ... ab means “depends”, and das Klima means “the climate”. der Landwirtschaft is genitive because it identifies whose future; abhängen is separable, so hängt is in position two and ab goes at the end.
Die moderne Landwirtschaft braucht weniger Arbeitskräfte.
Modern agriculture needs fewer workers.
moderne means “modern”, braucht means “needs”, and weniger Arbeitskräfte means “fewer workers”. Die moderne Landwirtschaft is the nominative subject, while weniger Arbeitskräfte is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
Ohne technische Hilfe ist die Landwirtschaft heute kaum möglich.
Without technical assistance, farming is hardly possible today.
ohne technische Hilfe means “without technical assistance”, heute means “today”, and kaum möglich means “hardly possible”. ohne takes the accusative, so technische Hilfe is accusative; ist is in position two, and möglich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending.
Main — Main, a river in Germany
The river name normally appears with an article in phrases such as am Main and den Main. It is not the English adjective main.
Frankfurt liegt am Main.
Frankfurt is on the River Main.
Frankfurt is a city, liegt means is situated, and am means on the. Am Main is short for an dem Main; the preposition an takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location.
Wir fahren über den Main.
We are travelling across the River Main.
fahren means travel or drive, and über means across. Den Main is accusative because über describes movement across the river in this sentence, not a fixed location.
der Meerblick — sea view
Meerblick is a compound of Meer and Blick. It is often used after mit without an article, as in ein Zimmer mit Meerblick.
Der Meerblick ist fantastisch.
The sea view is fantastic.
fantastisch means fantastic. Der Meerblick is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Hotel bietet einen Meerblick.
The hotel offers a sea view.
das Hotel means the hotel, and bietet means offers. Einen Meerblick is accusative because bieten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Wir sitzen mit einem Meerblick auf der Terrasse.
We are sitting on the terrace with a sea view.
sitzen means to sit, mit means with, and auf der Terrasse means on the terrace. Einem Meerblick is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Aussicht des Meerblicks gefällt uns.
We like the view of the sea view.
die Aussicht means the view, and gefällt uns means is pleasing to us. Des Meerblicks is genitive after Aussicht; uns is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Viele Ferienwohnungen haben Meerblicke.
Many holiday apartments have sea views.
viele Ferienwohnungen means many holiday apartments, and haben means have. Meerblicke is plural accusative because haben takes a direct object.
die Muschel — shell; mussel
Muschel can mean the shell itself or a mussel, especially in food and nature contexts. The plural Muscheln is the same for both meanings.
Die Muschel liegt am Strand.
The shell is lying on the beach.
liegt means is lying, and am Strand means on the beach. Die Muschel is nominative because it is the subject; am is short for an dem, and dem Strand is dative because the sentence describes a location.
Ich nehme die Muschel.
I’ll take the shell.
nehme means take. Die Muschel is accusative because it is the direct object of nehmen, while Ich is nominative and the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester die Muschel.
I give my sister the shell.
meiner Schwester means to my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because geben marks the recipient, while die Muschel is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe der Muschel ist schön.
The colour of the shell is beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour and schön means beautiful. Der Muschel is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Am Strand liegen viele Muscheln.
There are many shells on the beach.
am Strand means on the beach, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Muscheln is the plural after viele; am Strand is dative because an describes a fixed location here.
Nahe — the Nahe (river)
The river name is written with a capital letter as Nahe. It is distinct from lowercase nahe, meaning near.
Wir wandern an der Nahe.
We are hiking along the Nahe.
wandern means to hike, and an der Nahe means along the Nahe River. The preposition an takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement towards it.
Die Nahe fließt durch Rheinland-Pfalz.
The Nahe flows through Rhineland-Palatinate.
fließt means flows, and durch Rheinland-Pfalz means through Rhineland-Palatinate. Die Nahe is the nominative subject, and the finite verb fließt stands in position two.
natürlich — natural; not artificial
As an adjective, natürlich describes a noun and changes its ending when it comes before that noun. The same word is also commonly used as an adverb meaning of course; that use is listed separately.
Der Geschmack ist natürlich.
The taste is natural.
Der Geschmack means the taste. Natürlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir trinken natürliches Mineralwasser.
We drink natural mineral water.
Mineralwasser means mineral water, and trinken means drink. Natürliches is attributive and has the neuter accusative ending -es after no article; the noun phrase is accusative because trinken takes a direct object.
Dieses Brot schmeckt natürlicher als das andere.
This bread tastes more natural than the other one.
Dieses Brot means this bread, schmeckt means tastes, and das andere means the other one. Natürlicher compares two things and is followed by als; after schmeckt, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Frisches Obst schmeckt am natürlichsten.
Fresh fruit tastes the most natural.
Frisches Obst means fresh fruit, and schmeckt means tastes. Am natürlichsten is the superlative in predicative use; am belongs to the superlative expression and the adjective has no noun ending.
pflanzen — to plant
pflanzen normally takes the plant or seed as an accusative object. It is a weak verb: pflanzen – pflanzte – hat gepflanzt.
Wir pflanzen heute einen Baum.
We are planting a tree today.
heute means today and einen Baum means a tree. einen Baum is accusative because pflanzen takes the thing being planted as a direct object, and the finite verb pflanzen stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern einen Baum gepflanzt.
We planted a tree yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and einen Baum means a tree. The perfect uses haben plus gepflanzt at the end; einen Baum is accusative because it is the direct object.
Sie pflanzte im Frühling Tomaten.
She planted tomatoes in spring.
im Frühling means in spring and Tomaten means tomatoes. pflanzte is the weak-verb simple past, and Tomaten is accusative as the direct object.
Pflanz die Blumen vorsichtig!
Plant the flowers carefully!
die Blumen means the flowers and vorsichtig means carefully. Pflanz is a direct singular command; the subject du is normally left out, while die Blumen is accusative.
Wenn ich einen Garten hätte, pflanzte ich viele Obstbäume.
If I had a garden, I would plant many fruit trees.
wenn means if, einen Garten means a garden, and Obstbäume means fruit trees. pflanzte is also the Konjunktiv II form here; the verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause, while viele Obstbäume is accusative.
Im Herbst werden wir neue Bäume pflanzen.
In autumn we will plant new trees.
im Herbst means in autumn and neue Bäume means new trees. Future I uses werden in position two and the infinitive pflanzen at the end; neue Bäume is accusative.
pflücken — to pick, to pluck
Pflücken is used for fruit, flowers, and similar parts of plants. Do not use it for buying or collecting things that have already been detached; sammeln means to collect.
Die Kinder pflücken Äpfel im Garten.
The children are picking apples in the garden.
die Kinder means the children, Äpfel means apples, and im Garten means in the garden. Äpfel is accusative because pflücken takes a direct object, and the finite verb pflücken stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern Erdbeeren gepflückt.
We picked strawberries yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and Erdbeeren means strawberries. The perfect uses haben plus gepflückt at the end; Erdbeeren is accusative as the fruit being picked.
Sie pflückte eine rote Rose.
She picked a red rose.
eine rote Rose means a red rose. Pflückte is the regular simple past in position two, and eine rote Rose is accusative because it is the direct object.
Pflück keine Blumen!
Don't pick any flowers!
keine Blumen means no flowers. The imperative omits du; keine Blumen is accusative after pflücken, and keine makes the command negative.
Ich pflückte die Kirschen, wenn sie reif wären.
I would pick the cherries if they were ripe.
die Kirschen means the cherries, wenn means if, and reif means ripe. Here pflückte has the same form as the simple past but is understood as conditional because of wären; the cherries are accusative.
Morgen wird er die ersten Tomaten pflücken.
Tomorrow he will pick the first tomatoes.
morgen means tomorrow, die ersten Tomaten means the first tomatoes, and ersten means first. In the future, wird stands in position two and pflücken goes to the end; the tomatoes are accusative.
der Regenbogen — rainbow
der Regenbogen is a compound of der Regen (rain) and der Bogen (bow or arc). Its plural is unusual only because it has no ending change: die Regenbogen.
Der Regenbogen ist wunderschön.
The rainbow is beautiful.
wunderschön means beautiful or wonderful. Der Regenbogen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir fotografieren den Regenbogen.
We are photographing the rainbow.
fotografieren means photograph. Den Regenbogen is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb fotografieren stands in position two.
Die Kinder winken dem Regenbogen zu.
The children wave at the rainbow.
die Kinder means the children, and zuwinken means wave at. Dem Regenbogen is dative because zuwinken takes the dative; the separable verb appears as winken ... zu in the main clause.
Die Farben des Regenbogens leuchten hell.
The colours of the rainbow shine brightly.
die Farben means the colours, leuchten means shine, and hell means brightly or brightly coloured. Des Regenbogens is genitive because it identifies whose colours they are; the masculine noun adds -s.
Nach dem Gewitter sehe ich oft Regenbogen.
After the storm, I often see rainbows.
nach dem Gewitter means after the storm, oft means often, and sehe means see. Regenbogen is plural accusative after sehen; this plural has no ending change, so the context or article shows the number.
der Regenwurm — earthworm
The compound Regen means rain and Wurm means worm. The plural is Regenwürmer, with an umlaut and -er ending.
Der Regenwurm lebt in der Erde.
The earthworm lives in the soil.
leben means to live, and die Erde means earth or soil. Der Regenwurm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Der Vogel frisst den Regenwurm.
The bird eats the earthworm.
der Vogel means bird and frisst means eats. den Regenwurm is accusative because it is the direct object of fressen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Regenwurm etwas Erde.
I give the earthworm some soil.
geben means to give and etwas Erde means some soil. dem Regenwurm is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while etwas Erde is the thing given.
Die Farbe des Regenwurms ist rosa.
The earthworm’s colour is pink.
die Farbe means colour and rosa means pink. des Regenwurms is genitive because it expresses possession or association, and the masculine noun takes -s.
Nach dem Regen sehe ich viele Regenwürmer.
After the rain I see many earthworms.
nach dem Regen means after the rain, and viele means many. Regenwürmer is the plural; it is accusative because it is the object of sehen, while nach takes the dative.
die Region — region, area
Region usually means a geographical area larger than a town but smaller than a country. It can refer to an administrative area or simply to an area with common landscape or culture.
Die Region ist für ihre Seen bekannt.
The region is known for its lakes.
ist bekannt für means is known for, and ihre Seen means its lakes. Die Region is nominative because it is the subject; für takes the accusative, so ihre Seen is accusative.
Wir besuchen die Region im Sommer.
We visit the region in summer.
besuchen means visit, and im Sommer means in summer. Die Region is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in the accusative.
In der Region gibt es viele Radwege.
There are many cycle paths in the region.
in der Region means in the region, and viele Radwege means many cycle paths. In takes the dative for a fixed location, and der Region is dative; gibt es is the fixed structure meaning there is or there are.
Die Wirtschaft der Region wächst schnell.
The region's economy is growing quickly.
die Wirtschaft means the economy, wächst means is growing, and schnell means quickly. Der Region is genitive because it shows whose economy it is; the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Viele Regionen kämpfen mit Wassermangel.
Many regions are struggling with water shortages.
viele means many, kämpfen mit means struggle with, and Wassermangel means water shortage. Regionen is plural nominative as the subject; mit always takes the dative, although the dative form Wassermangel has no visible ending here.
das Reh — roe deer; deer
Reh normally means a roe deer, not any large deer. The plural is Rehe, with no change to the vowel.
Das Reh steht im Wald.
The roe deer is standing in the forest.
stehen means to stand, and der Wald means the forest. Das Reh is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir sehen ein Reh auf der Wiese.
We see a roe deer in the meadow.
sehen means to see, die Wiese means the meadow, and auf means on. ein Reh is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while auf der Wiese is dative because it describes a location.
Das Reh läuft vor dem Hund weg.
The roe deer runs away from the dog.
laufen means to run, vor means from or in front of, and der Hund means the dog. dem Hund is dative after the location preposition vor, and the separable verb weglaufen appears as läuft ... weg in the main clause.
Die Spuren des Rehs führen zum Fluss.
The tracks of the roe deer lead to the river.
die Spuren means the tracks, führen means lead, zu means to, and der Fluss means the river. des Rehs is genitive because it identifies whose tracks they are, while zum Fluss is a contraction of zu dem Fluss.
Im Frühling sieht man viele Rehe.
In spring you can see many roe deer.
im Frühling means in spring, sehen means to see, and viele means many. Rehe is plural after viele; man is an impersonal subject and the verb remains third-person singular.
Das Reh frisst junge Blätter.
The roe deer eats young leaves.
fressen means to eat when speaking about animals, jung means young, and die Blätter means the leaves. Das Reh is nominative and junge Blätter is accusative as the object; the finite verb frisst is in position two.
der Schatten — shadow; shade; shadow, follower (figurative)
Schatten means a shadow, or shade from the sun. It is a weak masculine noun: use Schatten in the accusative and dative singular, but des Schattens in the genitive; the plural is also Schatten.
Der Schatten ist angenehm.
The shade is pleasant.
angenehm means pleasant or comfortable. Der Schatten is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen den Schatten.
We are looking for the shade.
suchen means to look for. Den Schatten is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun has -en outside the nominative.
Die Kinder spielen im Schatten.
The children are playing in the shade.
Kinder means children and spielen means to play. Im Schatten means in the shade; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location.
Die Farbe des Schattens ist dunkel.
The colour of the shadow is dark.
Farbe means colour and dunkel means dark. Des Schattens is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the noun adds -s in this case.
Die Schatten werden länger.
The shadows are becoming longer.
werden means to become and länger means longer. Die Schatten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; its form is identical to the singular, but the article die shows the plural.
Er ist nur ein Schatten seines früheren Selbst.
He is only a shadow of his former self.
nur means only, früheren means former, and Selbst means self. Ein Schatten is nominative after ist as the complement; seines früheren Selbst is genitive in the phrase describing the former self.
Sie folgt ihrem Bruder wie ein Schatten.
She follows her brother like a shadow.
folgt means follows, ihrem Bruder means her brother, and wie means like. Ihrem Bruder is dative because folgen governs the dative; ein Schatten is used in the comparison after wie.
scheinen — to shine; to seem, to appear
For the light meaning, scheinen takes haben in the perfect: hat geschienen. It can also mean to seem; that meaning is normally followed by an adjective or by zu plus an infinitive.
Die Sonne scheint heute hell.
The sun is shining brightly today.
die Sonne means the sun, heute means today, and hell means brightly. scheint is the finite verb in position two, and die Sonne is the nominative subject.
Die Sonne hat den ganzen Tag geschienen.
The sun shone all day.
den ganzen Tag means all day. hat is the auxiliary in position two and geschienen is the Partizip II at the end; scheinen uses haben, not sein, in the perfect.
Gestern schien die Sonne nur kurz.
Yesterday the sun shone only briefly.
gestern means yesterday and nur kurz means only briefly. schien is the simple-past form in position two, even though the time expression comes first.
Scheine hell, kleiner Stern!
Shine brightly, little star!
hell means brightly and kleiner Stern means little star. Scheine is a du command, so du is left out; kleiner Stern is a form of address, not an object.
Wenn die Sonne schiene, wären wir draußen.
If the sun were shining, we would be outside.
wenn means if, wären means would be, and draußen means outside. schiene is the Konjunktiv II form and goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by wenn.
Morgen wird die Sonne wieder scheinen.
Tomorrow the sun will shine again.
morgen means tomorrow and wieder means again. wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive scheinen goes to the end.
Du scheinst müde zu sein.
You seem to be tired.
müde means tired and sein means to be. scheinst is in position two, while zu sein goes to the end as the infinitive complement; müde is a predicative adjective, not an object.
Das scheint eine gute Idee zu sein.
That seems to be a good idea.
das means that, eine gute Idee means a good idea, and sein means to be. scheint is in position two and zu sein stands at the end; eine gute Idee is a predicative noun phrase, not an accusative object.
der Sonnenuntergang — sunset
Sonnenuntergang is a compound of Sonne (sun) and Untergang (setting or going down). The opposite is Sonnenaufgang, sunrise.
Der Sonnenuntergang ist heute besonders schön.
The sunset is especially beautiful today.
heute means today and besonders schön means especially beautiful. Sonnenuntergang is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir fotografieren den Sonnenuntergang.
We are photographing the sunset.
fotografieren means photograph. den Sonnenuntergang is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to den.
Nach dem Sonnenuntergang wird es kühl.
After sunset, it gets cool.
nach means after, wird es kühl means it gets cool, and kühl means cool. nach always takes the dative, so der Sonnenuntergang becomes dem Sonnenuntergang.
Die Farben des Sonnenuntergangs sind wunderschön.
The colours of the sunset are beautiful.
die Farben means the colours and wunderschön means beautiful. des Sonnenuntergangs is genitive because it shows which sunset the colours belong to; masculine singular genitive adds -s.
Im Urlaub sehen wir viele Sonnenuntergänge.
On holiday, we see many sunsets.
im Urlaub means on holiday, sehen means see, and viele means many. Sonnenuntergänge is plural and accusative because it is the object of sehen; the plural has both -e and an umlaut.
die Spitze — tip; peak; top
Die Spitze can be the pointed end of an object or the highest point of a mountain or ranking. In the expression an der Spitze, it means at the top or in first place.
Die Spitze des Berges ist schneebedeckt.
The peak of the mountain is covered in snow.
des Berges means of the mountain, and schneebedeckt means covered in snow. Die Spitze is nominative because it is the subject; des Berges is genitive to show which mountain, and ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen die Spitze des Turms.
We can see the top of the tower.
wir sehen means we see, and des Turms means of the tower. Die Spitze is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; des Turms is genitive because it identifies the tower’s top.
Wir stehen an der Spitze des Berges.
We are standing at the peak of the mountain.
stehen means stand, and des Berges means of the mountain. An der Spitze is dative because the fixed location preposition an takes dative here; there is no movement toward the peak.
Die Aussicht von der Spitze ist wunderschön.
The view from the peak is beautiful.
die Aussicht is the view, von means from, and wunderschön means beautiful. Der Spitze is genitive because it follows von in the phrase die Aussicht von der Spitze? More precisely, der Spitze is dative after von; the genitive slot is shown by the genitive phrase der Spitze only in formal alternatives, so do not confuse the two cases.
Die Spitzen der Berge sind weiß.
The peaks of the mountains are white.
der Berge means of the mountains and weiß means white. Spitzen is the plural subject, while der Berge is genitive because it identifies whose peaks they are; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
der Stadtwald — urban forest
The compound Stadtwald combines Stadt, city, with Wald, forest. It normally refers to a forest used by city residents, not necessarily a forest entirely inside the built-up area.
Der Stadtwald liegt am Rand der Stadt.
The urban forest is on the edge of the city.
am Rand means at the edge, and die Stadt means the city. Der Stadtwald is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Stadtwald am Sonntag.
We are visiting the urban forest on Sunday.
besuchen means to visit, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Den Stadtwald is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir gehen in dem Stadtwald spazieren.
We are going for a walk in the urban forest.
spazieren gehen means to go for a walk. In dem Stadtwald is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the verb phrase gehen ... spazieren has the finite verb in position two.
Die Ruhe des Stadtwaldes tut den Menschen gut.
The tranquillity of the urban forest is good for people.
die Ruhe means tranquillity, and den Menschen means the people. Des Stadtwaldes is genitive because it expresses whose tranquillity it is; tut ... gut means is good for and stands with the finite verb in position two.
Viele Stadtwälder haben breite Wege.
Many urban forests have wide paths.
viele means many, breite Wege means wide paths, and haben means have. Stadtwälder is the plural subject, so the verb is haben, and the umlaut changes Wald to Wälder.
die Stechmücke — mosquito
The compound Stechmücke literally combines stechen, to sting, and Mücke, mosquito. Only female mosquitoes bite for blood, but the ordinary German word does not normally specify this.
Die Stechmücke sitzt an der Wand.
The mosquito is sitting on the wall.
sitzt means is sitting, and die Wand is the wall. Die Stechmücke is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich höre die Stechmücke im Schlafzimmer.
I can hear the mosquito in the bedroom.
höre means hear, and das Schlafzimmer is the bedroom. Die Stechmücke is accusative because it is what is heard; the preposition im means “in the” and gives the location.
Ich gebe der Stechmücke keine Chance.
I don't give the mosquito a chance.
gebe means give, keine Chance means no chance, and Chance is a chance. Der Stechmücke is dative because geben gives something to someone or something, while keine Chance is accusative.
Der Stich der Stechmücke juckt sehr.
The mosquito's bite itches a lot.
der Stich is the bite, and juckt sehr means itches a lot. Der Stechmücke is genitive because it shows whose bite it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Stechmücken kommen im Sommer.
Mosquitoes come in summer.
kommen means come, and im Sommer means in summer. Die Stechmücken is a plural subject, so the verb is kommen, not singular kommt; the finite verb is in position two.
steil — steep
Steil describes a strong slope or angle, usually for a road, path, hill, or roof. Its comparison is regular: steiler, am steilsten.
Der Weg ist steil.
The path is steep.
der Weg means the path and ist means is. Steil is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen eine steile Straße hinauf.
We are walking up a steep street.
gehen ... hinauf means go or walk upwards, and die Straße means the street. Eine steile Straße is accusative because it is the route or object of hinaufgehen; the adjective has the feminine accusative ending -e.
Dieser Weg ist steiler als der andere.
This path is steeper than the other one.
dieser Weg means this path, and der andere means the other one. Steiler als compares two things; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist der steilste Weg zum Gipfel.
That is the steepest path to the summit.
der Weg means the path, zum Gipfel means to the summit, and Gipfel means summit. Before a masculine noun with der, the superlative takes the ending -e: der steilste Weg; zum is short for zu dem and takes the dative.
das Stroh — straw
Stroh is usually an uncountable material noun, so it normally has no plural. In compounds such as Strohhalm and Strohdach, it means straw as a material.
Das Stroh liegt im Stall.
The straw is lying in the stable.
liegt means is lying, and der Stall is the stable. Das Stroh is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Der Bauer bringt das Stroh in den Stall.
The farmer brings the straw into the stable.
der Bauer is the farmer, bringt means brings, and in den Stall means into the stable. Das Stroh is accusative because it is the object of bringt; in den Stall is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Wir geben dem Stroh etwas Wasser.
We give the straw some water.
geben means give, and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Stroh is dative because geben uses a dative recipient; the thing given, etwas Wasser, is accusative.
Die Farbe des Strohs ist hellgelb.
The colour of the straw is light yellow.
die Farbe is the colour, and hellgelb means light yellow. Des Strohs is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Sommer riechen die Strohballen frisch.
In summer, the straw bales smell fresh.
im Sommer means in summer, riechen means smell, and frisch means fresh. Stroh has no ordinary plural here because it is a material noun; in Strohballen, it is the first part of a compound meaning straw bales.
das Tal — valley
A Tal is normally a valley between hills or mountains. The plural has an umlaut and -er, so learners should not use Tals for the plural; Tals is genitive singular.
Das Tal liegt zwischen hohen Bergen.
The valley lies between high mountains.
zwischen hohen Bergen means between high mountains. Das Tal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir durchqueren das Tal zu Fuß.
We are crossing the valley on foot.
durchqueren means cross, and zu Fuß means on foot. Das Tal is accusative because durchqueren takes a direct object; the finite verb durchqueren is in position two.
Im Tal ist es morgens oft neblig.
It is often foggy in the valley in the mornings.
morgens means in the mornings, and neblig means foggy. Im Tal is dative because in describes a location; im is short for in dem, and ist stands in position two.
Die Bewohner des Tals leben vom Tourismus.
The inhabitants of the valley live from tourism.
die Bewohner means the inhabitants, and vom Tourismus means from tourism. Des Tals is genitive because it identifies the inhabitants, and vom is short for von dem, which forces dative.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Menschen die Täler.
In summer, many people visit the valleys.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele Menschen means many people. Die Täler is accusative plural because besuchen takes a direct object; remember the umlaut and the -er plural ending.
tropfen — to drip, to drop; to leak
Tropfen describes liquid falling or coming out in drops. It is a regular weak verb and forms the perfect with haben: hat getropft.
Aus dem Wasserhahn tropft Wasser.
Water is dripping from the tap.
der Wasserhahn is the tap, and Wasser is water. The verb tropft stands in position two; aus dem Wasserhahn is dative because aus always takes the dative.
Der Wasserhahn hat die ganze Nacht getropft.
The tap dripped all night.
die ganze Nacht means all night. The perfect uses hat plus getropft because tropfen takes haben; the finite auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Früher tropfte das Dach bei jedem Regen.
In the past, the roof dripped whenever it rained.
früher means in the past, das Dach is the roof, and bei jedem Regen means whenever it rained or with every rain. Tropfte is the regular weak preterite in position two; bei takes the dative.
Bitte tropf nicht auf den Tisch.
Please do not drip onto the table.
bitte means please, nicht means not, and der Tisch is the table. Tropf is the informal singular imperative; auf den Tisch is accusative because it expresses movement towards the table.
Wenn das Rohr nicht kaputt wäre, tropfte es nicht.
If the pipe were not broken, it would not drip.
das Rohr is the pipe, kaputt means broken, and wäre means were. Tropfte is also the Konjunktiv II form here; the verb comes at the end of the conditional clause after wenn, while wäre is at the end of that subordinate clause.
Morgen wird der Hahn wieder tropfen.
Tomorrow the tap will drip again.
morgen means tomorrow, der Hahn is the tap in this context, and wieder means again. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive tropfen at the end; learners should not put the infinitive next to wird.
Das Rohr tropft an der Wand.
The pipe is leaking at the wall.
das Rohr is the pipe, die Wand is the wall, and an der Wand means at the wall. Tropft is in position two, and an der Wand is dative because it gives the fixed location of the leak.
Der alte Wasserhahn tropft seit gestern.
The old tap has been leaking since yesterday.
alt means old and seit gestern means since yesterday. The verb is in position two, and seit takes the dative; the present tense is natural for an action that started in the past and is still continuing.
das Ufer — bank, shore
Ufer means the edge of a river, lake, or sea. Its plural is unchanged: das Ufer, die Ufer; the genitive is des Ufers.
Das Ufer ist sehr ruhig.
The bank is very quiet.
ruhig means quiet or peaceful, and sehr means very. Das Ufer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Ufer.
We can see the bank.
sehen means to see. das Ufer is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Wir sitzen an dem Ufer.
We are sitting by the bank.
sitzen means to sit and an means at or by here. dem Ufer is dative because an describes a fixed location; an dem is often contracted to am.
Die Breite des Ufers ist unbekannt.
The width of the bank is unknown.
die Breite means the width and unbekannt means unknown. des Ufers is genitive because it shows what the width belongs to; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Ufer des Sees sind grün.
The shores of the lake are green.
der See means the lake and grün means green. Ufer is plural without a noun ending and takes die; des Sees is genitive to show which shores.
die Umgebung — surroundings, surrounding area, environment
Die Umgebung usually means the area around a place. In some contexts it means an environment, such as a natural or working environment.
Die Umgebung ist sehr ruhig.
The surrounding area is very quiet.
sehr ruhig means very quiet. Die Umgebung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir erkunden die Umgebung.
We are exploring the surrounding area.
wir erkunden means we are exploring. Die Umgebung is accusative because erkunden takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
In der Umgebung gibt es viele Cafés.
There are many cafés in the area.
in der Umgebung means in the area, and viele Cafés means many cafés. In takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location, and the phrase gibt es places the verb before the plural noun.
Die Ruhe der Umgebung gefällt mir.
The quiet of the area appeals to me.
die Ruhe means the quiet, gefällt means appeals to or pleases, and mir means to me. Der Umgebung is genitive because it identifies whose quiet it is; gefallen takes a dative person, so mir is dative.
Wir besuchen verschiedene Umgebungen.
We visit different environments.
wir besuchen means we visit, and verschiedene means different. Umgebungen is accusative plural because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -en.
die Umwelt — environment, natural world; surroundings, social environment
In everyday German, die Umwelt usually means the natural environment and is often used with topics such as pollution and protection. The plural die Umwelten is mainly used for several distinct environments or worlds.
Die Umwelt braucht unseren Schutz.
The environment needs our protection.
braucht means needs, and unseren Schutz means our protection. Die Umwelt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb braucht is in position two, and unseren Schutz is accusative as its object.
Wir schützen die Umwelt jeden Tag.
We protect the environment every day.
wir means we, schützen means protect, and jeden Tag means every day. Die Umwelt is accusative because it is the object of schützen; the finite verb is in position two even though the subject comes first.
Viele Menschen helfen der Umwelt durch weniger Plastik.
Many people help the environment by using less plastic.
viele Menschen means many people, helfen means help, durch means through, and weniger Plastik means less plastic. Helfen takes the dative, so der Umwelt is dative; durch weniger Plastik explains how and durch takes the accusative.
Die Zukunft der Umwelt ist uns wichtig.
The future of the environment is important to us.
die Zukunft means the future, wichtig means important, and uns means to us. Der Umwelt is genitive and means of the environment; uns is dative because something is important to someone, while ist remains in position two.
Städte brauchen unterschiedliche Umwelten.
Cities need different environments.
Städte means cities, brauchen means need, and unterschiedliche means different. Umwelten is the plural form and is accusative because it is the object of brauchen; the adjective takes the ending -e after unterschiedliche.
Kinder lernen viel aus ihrer Umwelt.
Children learn a lot from their environment.
Kinder means children, lernen means learn, viel means a lot, and aus means from. Aus takes the dative, so ihrer Umwelt is dative; the possessive form ihrer agrees with the feminine noun in that case.
Eine freundliche Umwelt gibt ihm Sicherheit.
A friendly environment gives him security.
freundlich means friendly, gibt means gives, ihm means to him, and Sicherheit means security. Eine freundliche Umwelt is nominative as the subject, while ihm is dative because geben gives something to someone.
verschmutzen — to dirty, to pollute
Verschmutzen is a regular weak verb with the inseparable prefix ver- and usually takes an accusative object: etwas verschmutzen. The reflexive use sich verschmutzen is also possible when a person or thing becomes dirty.
Plastik verschmutzt die Meere.
Plastic pollutes the seas.
Plastik means plastic, and die Meere means the seas. Die Meere is accusative because verschmutzen takes a direct object; the finite verb verschmutzt stands in position two.
Der Abfluss ist mit Müll verschmutzt worden.
The drain has been polluted with rubbish.
der Abfluss means the drain, and Müll means rubbish or waste. This is a perfect passive: ist ... verschmutzt worden; mit takes the dative, and the participles go to the end.
Der Rauch verschmutzte die Luft.
The smoke polluted the air.
der Rauch means the smoke, and die Luft means the air. Die Luft is accusative as the direct object, and the regular preterite verschmutzte stands in position two.
Verschmutz den Fluss nicht!
Don’t pollute the river!
den Fluss means the river, and nicht means not. Den Fluss is accusative because it is the object of verschmutzen; the du imperative verschmutz stands first.
Wenn jeder vorsichtiger wäre, verschmutzte niemand die Natur.
If everyone were more careful, nobody would pollute nature.
jeder means everyone, vorsichtiger means more careful, and niemand means nobody; die Natur means nature. After wenn, the finite verb goes to the end; verschmutzte is identical in form to the preterite here.
Die Fabrik wird den Fluss weiter verschmutzen.
The factory will continue to pollute the river.
die Fabrik means the factory, den Fluss means the river, and weiter means continuously or further. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive verschmutzen at the end; the river is accusative because it is the direct object.
verschmutzt — dirty, polluted; polluted, contaminated
As an adjective, verschmutzt describes something dirty or polluted. It is also the Partizip II of verschmutzen, but this entry uses it as an adjective.
Das Fenster ist verschmutzt.
The window is dirty.
das Fenster means the window. verschmutzt describes its condition after sein; it is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Wir putzen ein verschmutztes Fenster.
We are cleaning a dirty window.
putzen means to clean, and ein Fenster means a window. verschmutztes is attributive and takes the neuter accusative ending -es after ein; the whole noun phrase is the accusative object of putzen.
Der alte Park ist verschmutzter als der neue.
The old park is dirtier than the new one.
der alte Park is the old park and der neue means the new one. verschmutzter compares two parks and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Dieser Fluss ist am verschmutztesten.
This river is the dirtiest.
dieser Fluss means this river. am verschmutztesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; it does not take the attributive ending used before a noun.
Der Fluss ist stark verschmutzt.
The river is heavily polluted.
der Fluss means the river and stark means heavily in this context. verschmutzt is predicative after ist, while stark modifies the adjective.
Die Stadt kämpft gegen verschmutzte Luft.
The city is fighting against polluted air.
die Stadt is the city, kämpfen gegen means to fight against, and die Luft is the air. gegen requires the accusative, so verschmutzte Luft is an accusative phrase; the finite verb kämpft is in position two.
der Vulkan — volcano
The plural is Vulkane, with an umlaut and -e. A volcano can be aktiv or ruhig, and ausbrechen means to erupt; do not confuse Vulkan with vulkanisch, which means volcanic.
Der Vulkan ist seit Jahren ruhig.
The volcano has been quiet for years.
seit Jahren means for years, and ruhig means quiet. Der Vulkan is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and seit takes the dative plural Jahren.
Die Touristen sehen den Vulkan.
The tourists see the volcano.
die Touristen means the tourists, and sehen means see. Den Vulkan is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the subject die Touristen is nominative and the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Die Wanderer nähern sich dem Vulkan.
The hikers approach the volcano.
die Wanderer means the hikers, and sich nähern means approach. The verb sich nähern requires a dative object, so dem Vulkan is dative; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to the hikers.
Die Spitze des Vulkans ist mit Schnee bedeckt.
The top of the volcano is covered with snow.
die Spitze means the top, der Schnee means snow, and bedeckt means covered. Des Vulkans is genitive because it identifies whose top it is; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist remains in position two.
Viele Vulkane liegen unter dem Meer.
Many volcanoes lie beneath the sea.
viele means many, liegen means lie or are located, and unter dem Meer means beneath the sea. Vulkane is nominative plural as the subject; unter takes dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement toward it.