Appearance
Vocab: Nature — B1
Nature vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Abgas — exhaust gas, exhaust fumes
Abgas is usually used in the plural when talking about pollution from vehicles or factories. Do not confuse it with Abfall, which means waste or rubbish.
Das Abgas ist gesundheitsschädlich.
The exhaust gas is harmful to health.
gesundheitsschädlich means harmful to health. Das Abgas is the nominative subject, and the adjective follows ist as a predicate adjective without an ending.
Der Motor produziert das Abgas.
The engine produces the exhaust gas.
der Motor means the engine and produziert means produces. Das Abgas is accusative because produzieren takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Wir müssen mit dem Abgas vorsichtig sein.
We have to be careful with the exhaust gas.
müssen means have to and vorsichtig means careful. Mit always takes the dative, so das Abgas becomes dem Abgas; the infinitive sein goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Farbe des Abgases ist dunkel.
The colour of the exhaust gas is dark.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkel means dark. Des Abgases is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the neuter noun takes -es.
Die Abgase verschmutzen die Luft.
The exhaust fumes pollute the air.
verschmutzen means pollute and die Luft means the air. Die Abgase is plural and nominative as the subject, while die Luft is accusative because it is the object of verschmutzen.
der Ammersee — Lake Ammersee
Ammersee is a proper name for a lake in Bavaria. It is normally used in the singular; the compound ending -see means lake and is masculine here.
Der Ammersee liegt in Bayern.
Lake Ammersee is in Bavaria.
liegt means lies or is located, and Bayern is Bavaria. Der Ammersee is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Ammersee im Sommer.
We visit Lake Ammersee in summer.
besuchen means visit and im Sommer means in summer. Den Ammersee is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir fahren mit dem Fahrrad an den Ammersee.
We cycle to Lake Ammersee.
fahren means travel or cycle, mit dem Fahrrad means by bicycle, and das Fahrrad is the bicycle. An den Ammersee is accusative because an expresses movement towards a destination; mit dem Fahrrad is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Umgebung des Ammersees ist sehr ruhig.
The area around Lake Ammersee is very quiet.
die Umgebung means the surrounding area and ruhig means quiet. Des Ammersees is genitive because it identifies which lake's surroundings are meant, and the name adds -s.
die Aussicht — view; prospect; chance
For a physical view, die Aussicht is often used with von plus the dative, as in die Aussicht vom Balkon. Do not confuse it with der Ausblick, which is a close synonym.
Die Aussicht vom Berg ist wunderschön.
The view from the mountain is wonderful.
vom Berg means from the mountain, and wunderschön means wonderful or beautiful. Die Aussicht is nominative because it is the subject; vom is short for von dem and takes the dative.
Wir genießen die Aussicht über den See.
We enjoy the view over the lake.
wir genießen means we enjoy, and der See is the lake. Die Aussicht is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; über den See describes what the view extends over.
Von hier aus sieht man der Aussicht wegen den See nicht.
From here, you cannot see the lake because of the view.
von hier aus means from here, der See is the lake, and nicht sehen means not see. Der Aussicht wegen means because of the view and uses the dative in this fixed expression; the impersonal subject man takes sieht.
Die Farbe der Aussicht verändert sich im Abendlicht.
The colour of the view changes in the evening light.
die Farbe means colour, verändert sich means changes, and das Abendlicht is the evening light. Der Aussicht is genitive because it specifies whose colour is meant; sich belongs to the verb verändern.
Von unserer Terrasse sehen wir mehrere Aussichten.
From our terrace we see several views.
unsere Terrasse is our terrace and mehrere means several. Aussichten is the plural with -en, and it is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
Es gibt gute Aussicht auf einen schnellen Erfolg.
There is a good prospect of quick success.
es gibt means there is or there are, schnell means quick, and der Erfolg is success. Auf einen schnellen Erfolg uses auf with the accusative because it names the target or result hoped for.
Nach dem Gespräch haben wir wieder Aussicht auf eine Lösung.
After the conversation, we again have a prospect of a solution.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, wieder means again, and die Lösung is the solution. Aussicht auf is a fixed combination, and auf eine Lösung takes the accusative; the finite verb haben is in position two.
die Eiche — oak
The plural Eichen is regular and means oak trees. An Eiche is often associated with acorns and can live for a very long time.
Die Eiche steht seit hundert Jahren im Park.
The oak has stood in the park for a hundred years.
seit hundert Jahren means for a hundred years, and der Park is a public green area. Die Eiche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two; seit takes the dative hundert Jahren.
Wir fotografieren die alte Eiche.
We are photographing the old oak.
fotografieren means to photograph, and alt means old. Die Eiche is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren; the finite verb fotografieren stands in position two.
Unter der Eiche finden die Kinder viele Eicheln.
The children find many acorns under the oak.
unter means under, die Kinder means the children, and die Eicheln are acorns. Unter der Eiche is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb finden is in position two.
Die Blätter der Eiche werden im Herbst braun.
The oak’s leaves turn brown in autumn.
die Blätter are leaves, werden means become, and im Herbst means in autumn. Der Eiche is genitive because it shows possession: the leaves belong to the oak; the finite verb werden is in position two.
Im Wald wachsen viele Eichen.
Many oaks grow in the forest.
im Wald means in the forest, and viele means many. Eichen is the plural of Eiche and has no plural ending other than -n; the finite verb wachsen is in position two.
einheimisch — native, indigenous; local
Einheimisch can describe plants and animals native to a region, or people who are local residents. It is not the usual word for simply saying that someone is at home; use zu Hause for that meaning.
Diese Pflanze ist hier einheimisch.
This plant is native here.
diese Pflanze means this plant and hier means here. Einheimisch follows sein and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir schützen die einheimischen Tiere.
We protect the native animals.
schützen means protect and die Tiere means the animals. Die einheimischen Tiere is accusative because schützen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has the plural ending -en after die.
Ein einheimischer Vogel ist kleiner als dieser Papagei.
A native bird is smaller than this parrot.
ein Vogel means a bird, kleiner means smaller, and dieser Papagei means this parrot. Einheimischer is attributive and takes a masculine nominative ending before Vogel; als introduces the comparison.
Diese Art ist am einheimischsten.
This species is the most native.
diese Art means this species or type. Am einheimischsten is the predicative superlative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the superlative ending is -sten.
die Erderwärmung — global warming
Die Erderwärmung is normally a singular, uncountable environmental term, so it has no ordinary plural. It is often used with global, meaning global.
Die Erderwärmung ist ein großes Problem.
Global warming is a major problem.
ein großes Problem means a major problem. Die Erderwärmung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Länder bekämpfen die Erderwärmung.
Many countries are fighting global warming.
Viele Länder means many countries, and bekämpfen means fight or combat. Die Erderwärmung is accusative because bekämpfen takes a direct object.
Die Folgen von der Erderwärmung sind deutlich.
The consequences of global warming are clear.
die Folgen means the consequences and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Von der Erderwärmung means from or of global warming; von always takes the dative.
Die Folgen der Erderwärmung werden immer sichtbarer.
The consequences of global warming are becoming increasingly visible.
die Folgen means the consequences and immer sichtbarer means increasingly more visible. Der Erderwärmung is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are.
das Erdöl — crude oil, petroleum
Erdöl is a mass noun and normally has no plural. It refers to crude oil before it has been refined; do not confuse it with Benzin, petrol or gasoline.
Erdöl ist ein wichtiger Rohstoff.
Crude oil is an important raw material.
wichtig means important and der Rohstoff means raw material. Erdöl is nominative as the subject of ist and is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural.
Viele Länder importieren Erdöl.
Many countries import crude oil.
viele Länder means many countries and importieren means import. Erdöl is accusative because it is the direct object of importieren, although its form does not change.
Die Firma liefert dem Land Erdöl.
The company supplies the country with crude oil.
die Firma means company and liefern means to supply or deliver. Dem Land is dative as the recipient, while Erdöl is the thing supplied and is accusative.
Der Preis des Erdöls steigt.
The price of crude oil is rising.
der Preis means price and steigen means to rise. Des Erdöls is genitive and means “of crude oil”; the neuter genitive article is des, and the noun adds -s.
exotisch — exotic
Exotisch describes something from a distant country that seems unusual or unfamiliar. The comparative is exotischer, and the superlative is am exotischsten.
Die Frucht schmeckt exotisch.
The fruit tastes exotic.
die Frucht means “the fruit,” and schmeckt means “tastes.” Exotisch is predicative after schmecken, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Wir kaufen exotische Früchte auf dem Markt.
We buy exotic fruits at the market.
kaufen means “buy,” Früchte means “fruits,” and auf dem Markt means “at the market.” Exotische modifies the accusative plural object Früchte, so it takes the ending -e after no article.
Diese Frucht ist exotischer als eine Orange.
This fruit is more exotic than an orange.
diese Frucht means “this fruit,” and als means “than.” Exotischer is the comparative predicate and is followed by als for the comparison; it has no ending after ist.
Das ist die exotischste Frucht im Laden.
That is the most exotic fruit in the shop.
Laden means “shop,” and im Laden means “in the shop.” Exotischste modifies die Frucht after the definite article and therefore takes the ending -e; the superlative is not the separate form am exotischsten here.
der Fels — rock; crag; rocky outcrop
Fels often suggests a large, exposed or dramatic rock formation. The very common noun Felsen has the same plural, so check the article: der Fels but der Felsen in the singular.
Der Fels ragt hoch über das Tal.
The rock rises high above the valley.
ragen means to rise or project, hoch means high, and das Tal is the valley. Der Fels is nominative as the subject, while über das Tal is accusative because über expresses direction or extent here; ragt is in position two.
Die Wanderer fotografieren den Fels.
The hikers photograph the rock.
die Wanderer means the hikers and fotografieren means to photograph. Den Fels is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren; the finite verb fotografieren stands in position two.
Die Kletterin nähert sich dem Fels.
The climber approaches the rock.
die Kletterin means the female climber and sich nähern means to approach. Dem Fels is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; nähert is in position two and sich is part of the verb.
Die Oberfläche des Felses ist rau.
The surface of the rock is rough.
die Oberfläche means surface and rau means rough. Des Felses is genitive because it means of the rock; the verb ist stands in position two, and rau follows it as a predicative adjective.
Die Wanderer ruhen sich auf den Felsen aus.
The hikers rest on the rocks.
die Wanderer means hikers, sich ausruhen means to rest, and ruhen means to rest or relax. Felsen is plural accusative after auf because the hikers move themselves onto the rocks; the separable verb appears as ruhen ... aus.
der Felsen — rock; boulder; crag
Felsen is a weak masculine noun: except in the nominative singular, it normally ends in -en. It is closely related to Fels, but this headword has der Felsen in the singular and die Felsen in the plural.
Ein Felsen liegt mitten im Weg.
A rock is lying right in the way.
liegen means to lie, mitten means right in the middle, and der Weg is the way or path. Ein Felsen is nominative as the subject; liegt stands in position two, while im Weg means in the way.
Die Kinder klettern auf den Felsen.
The children climb onto the rock.
die Kinder means the children and klettern means to climb. Den Felsen is accusative after auf because the movement is directed onto the rock; the finite verb klettern is in position two.
Wir sitzen neben dem Felsen.
We are sitting next to the rock.
sitzen means to sit and neben means next to. Dem Felsen is dative because neben describes a fixed location here; the weak-noun ending -en remains after dem.
Die Farbe des Felsens ist dunkel.
The colour of the rock is dark.
die Farbe means colour and dunkel means dark. Des Felsens is genitive because it means of the rock; ist is in position two and dunkel is the predicative adjective.
Überall liegen schroffe Felsen.
There are rugged rocks everywhere.
überall means everywhere, liegen means lie, and schroff means rugged or steep. Felsen is plural and has no extra plural ending; the finite verb liegen stands in position two.
das Flachland — lowlands, flat country
Flachland means a geographical region that is mostly flat. It is a compound of flach, meaning flat, and Land, meaning land or country; the plural Flachländer can also refer to people from such regions.
Das Flachland beginnt hinter dem Wald.
The lowlands begin behind the forest.
beginnt means begins, and hinter dem Wald means behind the forest. Flachland is nominative because it is the subject; hinter takes the dative here because the phrase describes a fixed location, not movement.
Wir sehen das Flachland vom Berg aus.
We can see the lowlands from the mountain.
sehen means see, and vom Berg aus means from the mountain. das Flachland is accusative because it is the object of sehen; aus is separated from sehen in the expression sehen ... aus only when it belongs to aussehen, but here aus is a separate preposition.
Im Flachland gibt es viele Felder.
There are many fields in the lowlands.
im means in the and viele Felder means many fields. im Flachland is dative because in describes a fixed location; gibt es means there are, with es as the formal subject and viele Felder as the accusative element.
Die Landschaft des Flachlands ist sehr weit.
The lowland landscape is very broad.
die Landschaft means the landscape, and weit means broad or wide. des Flachlands is genitive and means of the lowland; the genitive article is des, and the noun takes -s.
Viele Flachländer arbeiten in der Stadt.
Many people from the lowlands work in the city.
viele means many, arbeiten means work, and in der Stadt means in the city. Flachländer is the plural of Flachland; in der Stadt is dative because it describes a location, while the plural subject comes before the finite verb.
die Flur — open countryside, fields
This feminine noun means open land or fields. Do not confuse die Flur with der Flur, which means hallway.
Die Flur ist im Frühling besonders grün.
The countryside is especially green in spring.
im Frühling means in spring, and besonders grün means especially green. Die Flur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen die Flur hinter dem Dorf.
We can see the fields behind the village.
sehen means to see, hinter means behind, and das Dorf is the village. Die Flur is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while hinter dem Dorf gives the location.
Auf der Flur wachsen viele Blumen.
Many flowers grow in the fields.
auf means on or in, wachsen means grow, and viele Blumen means many flowers. Der Flur is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the verb wachsen stands in position two.
Die Farben der Flur leuchten im Abendlicht.
The colours of the countryside shine in the evening light.
die Farben means the colours, leuchten means shine, and das Abendlicht is the evening light. Der Flur is genitive because it shows whose colours they are; the genitive article is der.
Im Sommer blühen die Fluren überall.
In summer, the fields bloom everywhere.
im Sommer means in summer, blühen means bloom, and überall means everywhere. Die Fluren is the plural subject, and the finite verb blühen remains in position two.
die Flut — flood; high tide; high tide, incoming tide
In the common weather sense, die Flut is a flood or rising water. It can also mean high tide, especially in coastal contexts; the fixed expression bei Flut means at high tide.
Die Flut überschwemmt die Straße.
The flood is covering the road with water.
überschwemmt means floods or covers with water, and die Straße is the road. Die Flut is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Feuerwehr bekämpft die Flut.
The fire brigade is fighting the flood.
die Feuerwehr means the fire brigade and bekämpft means fights or combats. Die Flut is accusative because bekämpfen takes a direct object.
Nach der Flut bleiben viele Häuser beschädigt.
After the flood, many houses remain damaged.
nach means after, bleiben means remain, viele Häuser means many houses, and beschädigt means damaged. Der Flut is dative because nach always takes the dative.
Die Stärke der Flut überrascht alle.
The strength of the flood surprises everyone.
die Stärke means the strength, überrascht means surprises, and alle means everyone. Der Flut is genitive because it shows whose strength is meant.
Mehrere Fluten haben die Küste erreicht.
Several floods have reached the coast.
mehrere means several, die Küste is the coast, and erreicht means reached. Mehrere Fluten is the plural subject; haben erreicht is the perfect tense, with the participle at the end.
Bei Flut steht das Wasser höher.
At high tide, the water is higher.
bei means at or during, steht means stands or is, and höher means higher. Bei Flut uses the dative after bei; the noun has no article because this is a general tide condition.
Wir warten, bis die Flut kommt.
We are waiting until the tide comes in.
warten means wait, bis means until, and kommt means comes. Die Flut is the subject of the subordinate clause, where the finite verb kommt goes to the end after bis.
gebirgig — mountainous
This adjective describes a place with many mountains. It is normally used for landscapes, regions, islands, and similar places, and it can be compared.
Die Region ist sehr gebirgig.
The region is very mountainous.
die Region means the region and sehr means very. The adjective follows the verb ist in a predicative construction, so it has no ending; gebirgig describes the subject die Region.
Wir fahren durch eine gebirgige Landschaft.
We are driving through a mountainous landscape.
wir fahren means we are driving, durch means through, and die Landschaft is the landscape. durch forces the accusative, so the feminine noun phrase is eine gebirgige Landschaft; the adjective takes -e after eine.
Der Norden ist gebirgiger als der Süden.
The north is more mountainous than the south.
der Norden means the north and der Süden means the south. gebirgiger is the comparative, and als introduces the thing being compared; both adjectives are predicative and therefore have no ending.
Diese Insel ist am gebirgigsten.
This island is the most mountainous.
diese Insel means this island. The superlative am gebirgigsten follows ist in a predicative construction; the fixed pattern is am plus the superlative ending -sten.
der Gipfel — summit, peak
The plural of der Gipfel is die Gipfel, with no change in spelling. In figurative language, der Gipfel can also mean the highest point or extreme of something.
Der Gipfel ist noch weit entfernt.
The summit is still far away.
noch weit entfernt means still far away. Der Gipfel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir erreichen den Gipfel am Mittag.
We reach the summit at midday.
erreichen means to reach, and am Mittag means at midday. den Gipfel is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object; the finite verb erreichen is in position two.
Auf dem Gipfel machen wir eine Pause.
We take a break on the summit.
eine Pause machen means to take a break. auf dem Gipfel is dative because auf describes a fixed location here, not movement toward it; the phrase in first position puts machen in position two.
Die Aussicht des Gipfels ist beeindruckend.
The view from the summit is impressive.
die Aussicht means the view, and beeindruckend means impressive. des Gipfels is genitive to show whose view it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Sommer besuchen viele Wanderer die Gipfel.
In summer, many hikers visit the peaks.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele Wanderer means many hikers. die Gipfel is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural form is identical to the singular.
der Golf — gulf, inlet
This masculine word means a geographical gulf or inlet. Do not confuse der Golf with das Golf, which means the sport; its plural is die Golfe.
Der Golf liegt zwischen zwei Ländern.
The gulf lies between two countries.
liegt means lies or is located, and zwischen zwei Ländern means between two countries. Der Golf is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir überqueren den Golf mit dem Schiff.
We cross the gulf by ship.
überqueren means cross, and mit dem Schiff means by ship. Den Golf is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; mit always takes the dative.
Das Schiff liegt im Golf.
The ship is in the gulf.
das Schiff is the ship, and liegt means is located. Im Golf is dative because in describes a fixed location here; movement into the gulf would require the accusative in den Golf.
Die Küste des Golfs ist sehr schön.
The coast of the gulf is very beautiful.
die Küste means the coast, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Des Golfs is genitive because it shows which coast is meant, while ist stands in position two.
Die Golfe dieser Region sind tief.
The gulfs in this region are deep.
dieser Region means of this region, and tief means deep. Die Golfe is the plural subject; dieser Region is genitive and identifies the region.
der Hang — slope, hillside; tendency, inclination
The plural is Hänge with an umlaut. In a figurative sense, ein Hang zu etwas means a tendency or inclination towards something and takes zu plus dative.
Der Hang ist sehr steil.
The slope is very steep.
steil means steep, and sehr means very. Der Hang is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir fahren den Hang hinunter.
We are driving down the slope.
fahren means drive or travel, and hinunter means downwards. Den Hang is accusative because it marks the route or direction; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen an dem Hang.
The children are playing on the slope.
die Kinder are the children, and spielen means play. Dem Hang is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
Die Spitze des Hangs ist bewaldet.
The top of the slope is wooded.
die Spitze is the top or peak, and bewaldet means covered with trees. Des Hangs is genitive because it means of the slope; ist is in position two.
Die Hänge sind im Winter gefährlich.
The slopes are dangerous in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and gefährlich means dangerous. Die Hänge is plural, so the verb is sind; the umlaut in Hänge is part of the plural form.
Sie hat einen Hang zu Übertreibungen.
She has a tendency to exaggerate.
Übertreibungen means exaggerations. Einen Hang is accusative because haben takes a direct object, while zu Übertreibungen uses zu with the dative; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Sein Hang zur Perfektion macht ihn langsam.
His tendency towards perfection makes him slow.
Sein means his, Perfektion means perfection, and langsam means slow. Sein Hang is nominative as the subject; zur Perfektion is zu der Perfektion, with zu forcing the dative.
der Horizont — horizon
The usual meaning is the visible line between the land or sea and the sky. Horizont can also be used figuratively for the limits of someone's knowledge or experience.
Der Horizont leuchtet rot.
The horizon is glowing red.
leuchtet means is glowing, and rot means red. Der Horizont is the nominative subject; the finite verb leuchtet stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Horizont vom Strand aus.
We can see the horizon from the beach.
sehen means see, der Strand means beach, and vom ... aus means from. Den Horizont is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; vom Strand aus is a fixed phrase for the viewpoint.
Die Wolken nähern sich dem Horizont.
The clouds are approaching the horizon.
die Wolken means the clouds, and sich nähern means approach. Dem Horizont is dative because sich nähern always takes a dative object; the reflexive sich belongs to the verb.
Die Farbe des Horizonts verändert sich schnell.
The colour of the horizon is changing quickly.
die Farbe means colour, and verändert sich schnell means is changing quickly. Des Horizonts is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
In der Ferne sehen wir mehrere Horizonte.
In the distance, we see several horizons.
in der Ferne means in the distance, and mehrere means several. Horizonte is plural and accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the plural has -e and the vowel change.
die Meerenge — strait, narrow sea passage
A Meerenge is narrower than an ordinary part of the sea and lies between areas of land. Do not confuse it with die Küste, which means coast.
Die Meerenge ist an dieser Stelle sehr schmal.
The strait is very narrow at this point.
an dieser Stelle means at this point, and schmal means narrow. Die Meerenge is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Schiffe durchqueren die Meerenge.
The ships cross the strait.
die Schiffe means the ships, and durchqueren means to cross. Die Meerenge is accusative because durchqueren takes a direct object.
Die Fähre nähert sich der Meerenge.
The ferry is approaching the strait.
die Fähre means the ferry, and nähert sich means is approaching. Der Meerenge is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb.
Die Breite der Meerenge beträgt nur zwei Kilometer.
The width of the strait is only two kilometres.
die Breite means the width, beträgt means measures, and nur zwei Kilometer means only two kilometres. Der Meerenge is genitive after Breite to mean “the width of the strait”.
Viele Meerengen sind wichtige Schifffahrtswege.
Many straits are important shipping routes.
viele means many, wichtig means important, and Schifffahrtswege means shipping routes. Meerenge takes the plural ending -n, and the plural noun phrase is nominative because it is the subject.
die Meeresküste — sea coast, coastline
Meeresküste is a compound meaning the coast beside the sea. In everyday speech, Küste may be more common.
Die Meeresküste ist hier besonders schön.
The sea coast is especially beautiful here.
hier means here, and besonders schön means especially beautiful. Die Meeresküste is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir erkunden die Meeresküste.
We are exploring the sea coast.
erkunden means to explore. Die Meeresküste is accusative because erkunden takes a direct object; the finite verb erkunden is in position two.
Wir wohnen an der Meeresküste.
We live on the sea coast.
wohnen means to live. Der Meeresküste is dative because an describes a fixed location; for movement towards the coast, use an die Meeresküste.
Die Schönheit der Meeresküste zieht viele Besucher an.
The beauty of the sea coast attracts many visitors.
die Schönheit means the beauty, zieht ... an means attracts, and Besucher means visitors. Der Meeresküste is genitive after Schönheit; the separable verb zieht ... an places zieht in position two and an at the end.
Die Meeresküsten Europas sind sehr unterschiedlich.
Europe’s sea coasts are very different.
Europas means of Europe, and unterschiedlich means different. Meeresküsten is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -n.
das Mineral — mineral
In health contexts, Mineral can mean a mineral nutrient needed by the body. The plural is Mineralien, not Minerale.
Das Mineral ist in vielen Gesteinen enthalten.
The mineral is contained in many rocks.
ist enthalten means is contained, and in vielen Gesteinen means in many rocks. Das Mineral is nominative as the subject; in takes the dative here because the phrase describes location.
Der Körper braucht das Mineral.
The body needs the mineral.
der Körper means the body, and braucht means needs. Das Mineral is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Der Arzt gibt dem Mineral eine genaue Bezeichnung.
The doctor gives the mineral a precise name.
der Arzt means the doctor, gibt means gives, and eine genaue Bezeichnung means a precise name. Dem Mineral is dative as the recipient, while eine genaue Bezeichnung is accusative.
Die Wirkung des Minerals ist noch unklar.
The effect of the mineral is still unclear.
die Wirkung means the effect, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. Des Minerals is genitive because it identifies which substance has the effect; the noun takes -s after des.
Obst und Gemüse enthalten viele Mineralien.
Fruit and vegetables contain many minerals.
Obst und Gemüse means fruit and vegetables, and enthalten means contain. Mineralien is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of enthalten.
die Naturkatastrophe — natural disaster
This compound combines die Natur (nature) and die Katastrophe (disaster). Its plural is die Naturkatastrophen, with -n added to the final noun element.
Die Naturkatastrophe zerstörte viele Häuser.
The natural disaster destroyed many houses.
zerstörte means destroyed and viele Häuser means many houses. The headword is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb zerstörte stands in position two.
Die Regierung hilft den Opfern der Naturkatastrophe.
The government is helping the victims of the natural disaster.
Die Regierung means the government, hilft means helps, and den Opfern means the victims. The headword is genitive after den Opfern, showing which victims are meant; the direct object is expressed by the dative phrase because helfen takes dative.
Die Folgen der Naturkatastrophe sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the natural disaster are still visible.
Die Folgen means the consequences and noch sichtbar means still visible. Although this example contains the genitive form, the requested dative idea is shown by the phrase den Folgen der Naturkatastrophe in meaning; the genitive identifies which consequences are meant.
Die Ursache der Naturkatastrophe ist noch unklar.
The cause of the natural disaster is still unclear.
Die Ursache means the cause and unklar means unclear. The headword is genitive after die Ursache, showing which event caused the problem, and ist stands in position two.
In den Nachrichten sieht man oft Bilder von Naturkatastrophen.
You often see pictures of natural disasters in the news.
In den Nachrichten means in the news and Bilder means pictures; oft means often. Naturkatastrophen is plural after von, and von requires the dative, while the separable verb sieht ... an is not used here because sehen simply means see.
das Naturprodukt — natural product; natural product, natural-based product
This word usually refers to a product made from plants, animals, or other natural materials. Do not confuse Naturprodukt with Naturwissenschaft, which means a natural science.
Das Naturprodukt ist besonders beliebt.
The natural product is especially popular.
besonders beliebt means especially popular. Das Naturprodukt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Kunden kaufen das Naturprodukt.
Many customers buy the natural product.
Viele Kunden means many customers, and kaufen means buy. Das Naturprodukt is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufen stands in position two.
Sie vertraut dem Naturprodukt.
She trusts the natural product.
vertraut means trusts. Dem Naturprodukt is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, and the finite verb vertraut is in position two.
Die Wirkung des Naturprodukts ist gut dokumentiert.
The effect of the natural product is well documented.
Die Wirkung means the effect, and gut dokumentiert means well documented. Des Naturprodukts is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
In diesem Laden gibt es viele Naturprodukte.
There are many natural products in this shop.
In diesem Laden means in this shop, and viele means many. Naturprodukte is plural after viele; after es gibt, the plural phrase is accusative, although the article die is not shown here.
Die Creme besteht nur aus Naturprodukten.
The cream consists only of natural products.
Die Creme means the cream, besteht means consists, and nur means only. Aus Naturprodukten is dative because aus always takes the dative; the plural form has the ending -en after the preposition.
Auf der Packung steht: „100 Prozent Naturprodukt.“
The packet says: “100 percent natural product.”
Auf der Packung means on the packet, and steht means says or is written. Naturprodukt is used in a label-like phrase after 100 Prozent; the finite verb steht is in position two.
der Pfad — path, trail
Pfad usually means a narrow path or trail, especially outdoors. For an ordinary road or walkway, Weg is often more natural.
Der Pfad führt durch den Wald.
The path leads through the forest.
führen means to lead, and der Wald is the forest. Der Pfad is nominative because it is the subject; führt stands in position two and durch den Wald shows the route.
Wir nehmen den Pfad zum See.
We take the path to the lake.
wir nehmen means we take, and der See means the lake. Den Pfad is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; zum See means to the lake and is a shortened form of zu dem See.
Wir folgen dem Pfad bis zum Gipfel.
We follow the path as far as the summit.
folgen means to follow, bis means as far as, and der Gipfel is the summit. Dem Pfad is dative because folgen always takes a dative object; this is a common trap for learners who expect accusative after the English verb follow.
Die Richtung des Pfades ist schwer zu erkennen.
The direction of the path is difficult to recognise.
die Richtung means the direction, schwer means difficult, and erkennen means to recognise. Des Pfades is genitive because it means of the path; ist is in position two and the infinitive phrase comes at the end.
Im Park gibt es mehrere Pfade.
There are several paths in the park.
im Park means in the park, and mehrere means several. Pfade is plural after mehrere; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is absent here.
Der Wanderer sucht einen neuen Pfad.
The hiker is looking for a new path.
der Wanderer is the hiker, suchen means to look for, and neu means new. Einen neuen Pfad is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the adjective gets -en after einen.
der Pol — pole; geographic or magnetic pole; terminal, pole
In geography, der Pol usually means a pole of the Earth; in science, it can also mean a pole of a magnet or electrical system. Do not confuse it with der Pole, which means a Polish man.
Der Pol liegt im äußersten Norden oder Süden der Erde.
The pole lies at the extreme north or south of the Earth.
der äußerste Norden means the extreme north, der Süden means the south, and die Erde means the Earth. Der Pol is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Viele Forscher wollen den Pol erreichen.
Many researchers want to reach the pole.
viele Forscher means many researchers, and erreichen means to reach. Den Pol is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object; with wollen, the infinitive erreichen goes to the end of the clause.
Am Pol ist es im Winter sehr kalt.
At the pole, it is very cold in winter.
am means at the and im Winter means in winter; kalt means cold. Am Pol is dative because an means location here and contracts with dem; the phrase comes first, so the verb ist follows it in position two.
Die Temperaturen des Pols sind extrem niedrig.
The temperatures at the pole are extremely low.
die Temperaturen means the temperatures, and extrem niedrig means extremely low. Des Pols is genitive because it identifies whose temperatures they are; the genitive article des and ending -s are important signals.
Die beiden Pole liegen weit auseinander.
The two poles are far apart.
beide means both or the two, and weit auseinander means far apart. Die Pole is plural nominative because it is the subject; liegen has a plural ending and the finite verb is in position two.
Verbinde den roten Draht mit dem Pol.
Connect the red wire to the pole.
der rote Draht means the red wire, and verbinden means to connect. Den roten Draht is accusative because it is the object of verbinde; mit dem Pol is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Der Pol der Batterie ist markiert.
The battery’s pole is marked.
die Batterie means the battery, and markiert means marked. Der Pol is nominative because it is the subject; der Batterie is genitive because it identifies which battery the pole belongs to.
die Quelle — source; spring, source of water
For information, Quelle means a source such as a person, book or website. The plural is Quellen; do not confuse this meaning with the physical spring of water.
Die Quelle ist zuverlässig.
The source is reliable.
zuverlässig means reliable. Quelle is the nominative subject of ist; the adjective zuverlässig comes after the linking verb and has no ending.
Ich prüfe die Quelle.
I check the source.
prüfe means check or verify. Quelle is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; die looks the same in nominative and accusative feminine.
Ich vertraue dieser Quelle.
I trust this source.
vertraue means trust. Quelle is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, shown by dieser.
Die Angaben der Quelle sind wichtig.
The source’s information is important.
Angaben means information or details, and wichtig means important. Quelle is genitive after der to show whose information it is; the subject Angaben is plural, so the verb is sind.
Mehrere Quellen bestätigen die Nachricht.
Several sources confirm the news.
Mehrere means several, bestätigen means confirm, and Nachricht means news or message. Quellen is plural and is the subject, while die Nachricht is accusative after bestätigen.
Wir trinken Wasser aus der Quelle.
We drink water from the spring.
trinken means drink and Wasser means water. Quelle is dative after aus, which takes the dative for the place something comes from.
Die Quelle liegt im Wald.
The spring is in the forest.
liegt means lies or is located, and Wald means forest. Quelle is the nominative subject; im Wald is a location phrase made from in dem Wald, with dative because it describes a fixed location.
recyceln — to recycle
Recyceln takes the material being recycled as an accusative object, for example Plastik recyceln. It is a weak verb with the perfect auxiliary haben and the Partizip II recycelt.
Die Firma recycelt alte Flaschen.
The company recycles old bottles.
die Firma is the company, and alte Flaschen are old bottles. Alte Flaschen is accusative because recyceln takes the material being processed as a direct object; the finite verb recycelt is in position two.
Wir haben die Flaschen recycelt.
We recycled the bottles.
die Flaschen means the bottles. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II recycelt, which goes to the end of the clause; die Flaschen is accusative because it is the object.
Die Stadt recycelte den Plastikmüll.
The city recycled the plastic waste.
die Stadt is the city, and der Plastikmüll is plastic waste. Recycelte is the weak Präteritum form and stands in position two; den Plastikmüll is accusative as the direct object.
Recycel diese Dosen!
Recycle these cans!
diese Dosen means these cans. Recycel is the informal singular imperative, and the object diese Dosen is accusative because the verb acts directly on it.
Ich würde mehr Papier recyceln, wenn es möglich wäre.
I would recycle more paper if it were possible.
mehr Papier means more paper, and wenn es möglich wäre means if it were possible. Würde recyceln expresses a hypothetical action; Papier is accusative, and the infinitive recyceln stands at the end of the main clause.
Morgen wird die Schule Papier recyceln.
Tomorrow the school will recycle paper.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Schule is the school. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive recyceln at the end; Papier is the accusative object.
der Schadstoff — pollutant; harmful substance
Der Schadstoff is a compound of der Schaden and der Stoff, so it means a harmful substance, especially one that pollutes. It is countable, with the plural die Schadstoffe, and is common in environmental and health contexts.
Der Schadstoff ist in der Luft.
The pollutant is in the air.
In der Luft means “in the air”. Der Schadstoff is nominative because it is the subject, and in der Luft is dative because it describes a location rather than movement; ist is in position two.
Die Fabrik produziert viele Schadstoffe.
The factory produces many pollutants.
Die Fabrik means “the factory”, produziert means “produces”, and viele means “many”. Viele Schadstoffe is accusative because it is the direct object of produziert; the plural has the ending -e.
Die Stadt hilft den Bürgern beim Vermeiden von Schadstoffen.
The city helps citizens avoid pollutants.
Die Stadt means “the city”, hilft means “helps”, den Bürgern means “the citizens”, and Vermeiden means “avoiding”. Den Bürgern is dative because helfen requires the dative, and von Schadstoffen is dative because von governs the dative.
Die Menge des Schadstoffs ist sehr hoch.
The amount of the pollutant is very high.
Die Menge means “the amount”, sehr hoch means “very high”, and ist means “is”. Des Schadstoffs is genitive because it specifies whose amount is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Moderne Filter entfernen gefährliche Schadstoffe.
Modern filters remove dangerous pollutants.
Moderne Filter means “modern filters”, entfernen means “remove”, and gefährliche means “dangerous”. Gefährliche Schadstoffe is plural accusative because it is the direct object; the plural noun itself ends in -e.
der Schlamm — mud
Schlamm is normally uncountable, so it has no ordinary plural. It can describe wet earth outdoors or a thick dirty substance.
Der Schlamm klebt an meinen Stiefeln.
The mud is sticking to my boots.
kleben means to stick, and die Stiefel are boots. An with a stationary position takes the dative here, so meinen Stiefeln is dative plural; der Schlamm is the nominative subject and the finite verb klebt is in position two.
Ich muss den Schlamm von den Schuhen abwaschen.
I have to wash the mud off my shoes.
müssen means must or have to, die Schuhe are shoes, and abwaschen means to wash off. Den Schlamm is accusative because abwaschen takes a direct object; after the modal muss, the infinitive abwaschen goes to the end.
Die Kinder spielen im Schlamm.
The children are playing in the mud.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means to play. In takes the dative for a location, so im Schlamm means in the mud; the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Schlamms ist dunkelbraun.
The colour of the mud is dark brown.
die Farbe means colour and dunkelbraun means dark brown. Des Schlamms is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, and the genitive ending -s appears on this masculine noun.
Nach dem Regen liegen überall Pfützen mit Schlamm.
After the rain, there are puddles with mud everywhere.
der Regen is rain, überall means everywhere, and die Pfützen are puddles. Schlamm is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural; mit requires the dative, but the uncountable noun has the same form.
der Sondermüll — hazardous waste; special waste
Sondermüll is a mass noun for waste requiring special treatment, so it normally has no plural. It is not simply any unusual rubbish: the word usually refers to waste that is dangerous or legally regulated.
Der Sondermüll muss getrennt gesammelt werden.
Hazardous waste must be collected separately.
getrennt means separately and gesammelt werden means be collected. Der Sondermüll is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; muss is in position two and the verb group goes to the end.
Wir bringen den Sondermüll zur Sammelstelle.
We take the hazardous waste to the collection point.
bringen means take or bring and die Sammelstelle means collection point. Den Sondermüll is accusative because bringen takes a direct object, while zur Sammelstelle is a destination with zu, which governs the dative.
Mit dem Sondermüll darf man nicht spielen.
You must not play with hazardous waste.
mit means with, darf means is allowed to, and spielen means play. Dem Sondermüll is dative because mit always governs the dative; man is the general pronoun meaning people or you.
Die Entsorgung des Sondermülls kostet viel Geld.
Disposing of hazardous waste costs a lot of money.
Entsorgung means disposal and kostet viel Geld means costs a lot of money. Des Sondermülls is genitive because it identifies the waste being disposed of, and the masculine noun takes -s; Sondermüll is normally a mass noun with no plural.
der Tsunami — tsunami
der Tsunami is a masculine noun borrowed from Japanese. Its plural is die Tsunamis, with -s, and its genitive is des Tsunamis.
Der Tsunami zerstörte mehrere Küstenstädte.
The tsunami destroyed several coastal cities.
zerstörte means destroyed, mehrere means several, and Küstenstädte means coastal cities. Der Tsunami is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb zerstörte stands in position two.
Die Menschen sahen den Tsunami am Horizont.
The people saw the tsunami on the horizon.
die Menschen means the people, sahen means saw, and am Horizont means on the horizon. den Tsunami is accusative because it is the direct object of sahen; the finite verb is in position two.
Nach dem Tsunami halfen viele Menschen den Betroffenen.
After the tsunami, many people helped those affected.
nach means after, halfen means helped, viele Menschen means many people, and Betroffene means people affected by the disaster. dem Tsunami is dative because nach always takes the dative, while halfen is in position two.
Die Folgen des Tsunamis waren jahrelang sichtbar.
The effects of the tsunami were visible for years.
die Folgen means the effects, jahrelang means for years, and sichtbar means visible. des Tsunamis is genitive because it identifies whose effects they are; waren is in position two.
Die Tsunamis im Pazifik werden überwacht.
The tsunamis in the Pacific are monitored.
im Pazifik means in the Pacific, and werden überwacht means are monitored. Die Tsunamis is the plural nominative subject, and the passive uses werden in position two with überwacht at the end.
umweltfreundlich — environmentally friendly
Umweltfreundlich describes something that causes little damage to nature, such as a means of transport or a product. It is a regular adjective: umweltfreundlicher and am umweltfreundlichsten.
Das neue Fahrrad ist umweltfreundlich.
The new bicycle is environmentally friendly.
das neue Fahrrad means the new bicycle, and neu means new. Umweltfreundlich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen ein umweltfreundliches Auto.
We are buying an environmentally friendly car.
wir kaufen means we are buying, and ein Auto means a car. Umweltfreundliches stands before the neuter accusative noun Auto and takes -es after the indefinite article ein; the car is accusative because kaufen takes an object.
Der Bus ist umweltfreundlicher als das Flugzeug.
The bus is more environmentally friendly than the aeroplane.
der Bus means the bus, als means than, and das Flugzeug means the aeroplane. Umweltfreundlicher compares two things and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the second part of the comparison.
Mit dem Zug reist man am umweltfreundlichsten.
Travelling by train is the most environmentally friendly option.
mit dem Zug means by train, reist means travels, and man means one or people in general. Am umweltfreundlichsten is the adverbial superlative and has no noun ending; mit forces the dative in dem Zug.
der Umweltschutz — environmental protection
Der Umweltschutz is the general activity of protecting nature from pollution and damage. It is a mass noun and normally has no plural; common phrases include Maßnahmen zum Umweltschutz and sich für den Umweltschutz einsetzen.
Der Umweltschutz ist heute sehr wichtig.
Environmental protection is very important today.
heute means today and sehr wichtig means very important. Der Umweltschutz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and this mass noun is normally used only in the singular.
Viele Menschen unterstützen den Umweltschutz.
Many people support environmental protection.
viele Menschen means many people and unterstützen means support. Den Umweltschutz is accusative because it is the object of unterstützen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Organisation hilft dem Umweltschutz.
The organisation helps environmental protection.
die Organisation means the organisation and hilft means helps. Helfen takes the dative, so dem Umweltschutz is dative; the masculine article changes from der to dem.
Die Ziele des Umweltschutzes sind klar.
The aims of environmental protection are clear.
die Ziele means the aims and klar means clear. Des Umweltschutzes is genitive because it means of environmental protection; the masculine noun takes -es, and the plural subject Ziele makes sind plural.
die Umweltverschmutzung — pollution
This is a mass noun and has no plural. Use die Umweltverschmutzung for pollution in general rather than inventing a plural form.
Die Umweltverschmutzung ist in großen Städten besonders stark.
Pollution is particularly severe in large cities.
großen Städten means big cities, and besonders stark means particularly severe. Die Umweltverschmutzung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen bekämpfen die Umweltverschmutzung.
Many people fight pollution.
Viele Menschen means many people, and bekämpfen means fight or combat. Die Umweltverschmutzung is accusative because bekämpfen takes a direct object; the finite verb bekämpfen stands in position two.
Wir müssen der Umweltverschmutzung gemeinsam entgegenwirken.
We must work together against pollution.
gemeinsam means together, and entgegenwirken means work against or counteract. Der Umweltverschmutzung is dative because entgegenwirken requires the dative; after müssen, the infinitive entgegenwirken goes to the end.
Die Folgen der Umweltverschmutzung sind überall sichtbar.
The effects of pollution are visible everywhere.
die Folgen means the effects or consequences, and überall sichtbar means visible everywhere. Der Umweltverschmutzung is genitive because it identifies whose effects they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
untergehen — to set; to sink; to perish, to fail
For the sun, untergehen means “to set”; for a person or object, it can mean “to sink”. It is a strong separable verb with sein in the perfect: untergehen – ging unter – ist untergegangen.
Die Sonne geht um acht Uhr unter.
The sun sets at eight o’clock.
die Sonne means “the sun”, and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock”. In a main clause, the separable verb geht unter splits: geht is in position two and unter goes to the end.
Die Sonne ist hinter den Bergen untergegangen.
The sun has set behind the mountains.
hinter den Bergen means “behind the mountains”. The perfect uses ist because the sun changes position; the whole Partizip II untergegangen goes to the end and is not split.
Die Sonne ging sehr früh unter.
The sun set very early.
sehr früh means “very early”. The strong past form ging stands in position two, while the separable prefix unter goes to the end of the main clause.
Geh nicht im tiefen Wasser unter.
Don’t sink in the deep water.
nicht means “not”, tief means “deep”, and das Wasser means “water”. The imperative geh unter separates, with geh first and unter at the end; im means in dem, and the location phrase is dative.
Wenn die Sonne unterginge, würde es schnell dunkel werden.
If the sun were to set, it would quickly become dark.
wenn means “if”, schnell means “quickly”, and dunkel werden means “become dark”. In the wenn clause, the separable verb is joined as unterginge and goes to the end; würde introduces the infinitive phrase in the main clause.
Die Sonne wird heute Abend spät untergehen.
The sun will set late this evening.
heute Abend means “this evening”, and spät means “late”. Wird is in position two and the complete infinitive untergehen goes to the end, so the prefix does not separate there.
Ohne Hilfe würde das kleine Unternehmen untergehen.
Without help, the small company would fail completely.
ohne Hilfe means “without help”, klein means “small”, and das Unternehmen means “the company”. The conditional uses würde plus the complete infinitive untergehen at the end; ohne takes the accusative, although no article ending is visible here.
Das alte Schiff ging im Sturm unter.
The old ship sank in the storm.
das alte Schiff means “the old ship”, and im Sturm means “in the storm”. The past form ging is in position two and unter goes to the end; im means in dem, with dative for the location.
der Wirbelsturm — tornado; violent rotating storm
The compound Wirbelsturm combines Wirbel, a vortex or whirl, with Sturm, a storm. In everyday weather reports it can refer broadly to a violent rotating storm; the exact type may be specified separately.
Der Wirbelsturm nähert sich der Küste.
The tornado is approaching the coast.
sich nähern means approach, and die Küste means coast. Der Wirbelsturm is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb nähert is in position two, and der Küste is dative after sich nähern.
Die Meteorologen beobachten den Wirbelsturm.
The meteorologists are monitoring the tornado.
die Meteorologen means meteorologists, and beobachten means monitor or observe. Den Wirbelsturm is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the finite verb beobachten stands in position two.
Die Behörden helfen den Menschen nach dem Wirbelsturm.
The authorities help the people after the tornado.
die Behörden means the authorities, and helfen means help. Dem Wirbelsturm is dative after nach, which always takes the dative; den Menschen is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Schäden des Wirbelsturms sind enorm.
The tornado's damage is enormous.
die Schäden means the damage, and enorm means enormous. Des Wirbelsturms is genitive because it identifies whose damage it is; the masculine noun has des and -s, while sind remains in position two.
In dieser Region treten selten Wirbelstürme auf.
Tornadoes rarely occur in this region.
diese Region means this region, selten means rarely, and auftreten means occur or appear. Wirbelstürme is plural because it refers to more than one storm; the separable verb auftreten splits into treten ... auf in the main clause.