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Vocab: Numbers & quantity — A2 (1)
Numbers & quantity vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Achtel — eighth; one eighth
Achtel is a neuter fraction noun. Its plural is also Achtel, and it is often used after a number such as ein or zwei.
Das Achtel ist sehr klein.
The eighth is very small.
sehr klein means very small. Das Achtel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich esse ein Achtel der Pizza.
I am eating one eighth of the pizza.
ich esse means I am eating and die Pizza means the pizza. ein Achtel is accusative because essen takes an accusative object; der Pizza is genitive because it identifies the whole of which it is a part.
Sie gibt mir einem Achtel keine besondere Bedeutung.
She gives no special importance to one eighth.
gibt means gives, mir means to me, and keine besondere Bedeutung means no special importance. einem Achtel is dative because Bedeutung geben gives the part a recipient-like role, while keine besondere Bedeutung is accusative.
Der Wert eines Achtels reicht aus.
The value of one eighth is sufficient.
der Wert means the value and reicht aus means is sufficient. eines Achtels is genitive because it specifies whose or what value it is; the separable verb reicht ... aus puts aus at the end.
Die Achtel sind unterschiedlich groß.
The eighths are different sizes.
unterschiedlich groß means different in size. Achtel has the same form in the plural, but the article die and the plural verb sind show that more than one part is meant.
achtzehnte — eighteenth
achtzehnte is the feminine or weak form of the ordinal achtzehnt-; other endings include achtzehnter and achtzehnten. Learners often forget that ordinal numbers take adjective endings like other attributive adjectives.
Der achtzehnte März ist mein Geburtstag.
The eighteenth of March is my birthday.
der März means March and mein Geburtstag means my birthday. Der achtzehnte März is the nominative subject, so achtzehnte has the ending required after der; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern am achtzehnten Geburtstag meiner Schwester.
We are celebrating on my sister's eighteenth birthday.
feiern means celebrate, Geburtstag means birthday, and meiner Schwester means of my sister. Am is an dem and forces the dative, so the ordinal appears as achtzehnten; the finite verb feiern is in position two.
achtzigste — eightieth
achtzigste is the feminine or neuter form of the ordinal stem achtzigst-; other endings include achtzigster and achtzigsten. It is not the cardinal number achtzig: it describes position or order.
Heute feiert er seinen achtzigsten Geburtstag.
Today he is celebrating his eightieth birthday.
heute means today, feiert means is celebrating, and seinen Geburtstag means his birthday. Seinen achtzigsten Geburtstag is an accusative object of feiert, so the masculine ordinal takes -en; the finite verb is in position two.
Das ist das achtzigste Kapitel des Buches.
This is the eightieth chapter of the book.
das Kapitel means the chapter and des Buches means of the book. Das achtzigste Kapitel is nominative after ist, and des Buches is genitive to show possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
die Angabe — information, statement
Angabe is often used for information supplied on a form or in an official statement. The plural Angaben is especially common in phrases such as laut eigenen Angaben.
Die Angabe auf dem Formular ist falsch.
The information on the form is wrong.
das Formular is a form, and falsch means wrong. Die Angabe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte korrigieren Sie die Angabe.
Please correct the information.
bitte means please, and korrigieren means to correct. Die Angabe is accusative because korrigieren takes a direct object; in a formal request, korrigieren Sie is the imperative.
Ich vertraue dieser Angabe nicht.
I do not trust this information.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Dieser Angabe is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Richtigkeit der Angabe ist schwer zu prüfen.
The accuracy of the information is difficult to check.
die Richtigkeit means accuracy, schwer means difficult, and prüfen means to check. Der Angabe is genitive and shows whose accuracy is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Angaben auf der Website sind aktuell.
The information on the website is up to date.
die Website is the website, and aktuell means up to date. Die Angaben is plural and therefore takes sind, not ist; auf der Website is a dative location phrase.
ausrechnen — to calculate, to work out
Use ausrechnen for calculating a result, price, cost, or amount. The thing calculated is normally an accusative object, and the prefix aus separates in main clauses.
Er rechnet die Kosten aus.
He calculates the costs.
er means he, and die Kosten means the costs. die Kosten is accusative because it is the direct object; rechnet is in position two and the separable aus comes at the end.
Wir haben den Gesamtpreis ausgerechnet.
We calculated the total price.
der Gesamtpreis means the total price. The object is accusative, and ausgerechnet is the Partizip II used with haben at the end of the perfect clause.
Sie rechnete die Summe aus.
She calculated the sum.
sie means she, and die Summe means the sum. die Summe is accusative as the object; the regular preterite rechnete is in position two and aus closes the clause.
Rechne das bitte aus!
Please calculate that!
bitte means please, and das means that. das is accusative as the direct object; this du imperative splits into rechne and final aus.
Ich würde die Rechnung selbst ausrechnen.
I would calculate the bill myself.
die Rechnung means the bill or calculation, and selbst means myself. The object is accusative; in the Konjunktiv II with würde, the complete infinitive ausrechnen stands at the end.
Morgen werde ich den Rabatt ausrechnen.
Tomorrow I will calculate the discount.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Rabatt means the discount. den Rabatt is accusative because it is what is calculated; werde is in position two and ausrechnen goes to the end.
ausreichen — to be enough, to suffice
ausreichen is often used with für plus the accusative to say what something is enough for. It is different from reichen, which can also mean “to pass or hand something.”
Das Geld reicht für zwei Tage aus.
The money is enough for two days.
das Geld means the money, and für zwei Tage means for two days. für requires the accusative, so zwei Tage is accusative; the separable verb has reicht in position two and aus at the end.
Die Zeit hat nicht ausgereicht.
There was not enough time.
die Zeit means the time, and nicht means not. ausgereicht is the participle of ausreichen and combines with haben; the negative word comes before the participle at the end.
Das Essen reichte für alle aus.
The food was enough for everyone.
das Essen means the food, and für alle means for everyone. für takes the accusative, while alle has the same form in this plural accusative; reichte is in position two and aus is final.
Reich bitte für heute aus!
Please be enough for today!
bitte means please, and für heute means for today. This is the du imperative with no stated subject; the separable parts are reich at the beginning and aus at the end.
Das müsste für eine Woche ausreichen.
That should be enough for a week.
müsste means should or would have to, and eine Woche means one week. für eine Woche is accusative because für requires it; the infinitive ausreichen stays together at the end after the modal verb.
Der Vorrat wird für den Winter ausreichen.
The supply will be enough for the winter.
der Vorrat means the supply, and der Winter means the winter. für den Winter is accusative after für; in the future, wird is in position two and the complete infinitive ausreichen is at the end.
begrenzen — to limit, to restrict; to border, to enclose
Begrenzen is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object. Its Partizip II is begrenzt, without ge-, because be- is inseparable.
Die Stadt begrenzt die Geschwindigkeit im Zentrum.
The city limits the speed in the centre.
die Stadt means “the city”, die Geschwindigkeit means “the speed”, and im Zentrum means “in the centre”. Die Geschwindigkeit is accusative because begrenzen takes a direct object, while im Zentrum is dative after in for a location; begrenzt stands in position two.
Die Stadt hat die Öffnungszeiten begrenzt.
The city has limited the opening hours.
Öffnungszeiten means “opening hours”, and Stadt means “city”. Die Öffnungszeiten is accusative because it is the object, and the perfect uses hat plus begrenzt at the end; the form has no ge- because be- is an inseparable prefix.
Das Gesetz begrenzte die Menge an Wasser.
The law limited the amount of water.
das Gesetz means “the law”, die Menge means “the amount”, and Wasser means “water”. Die Menge is accusative as the object, and regular Präteritum adds -te, giving begrenzte in position two.
Begrenz bitte die Ausgaben!
Please limit the expenses!
bitte means “please”, and die Ausgaben means “the expenses”. Begrenz is the informal singular imperative, and die Ausgaben is accusative because it is the object of the command.
Wenn wir die Kosten begrenzen würden, könnten wir sparen.
If we limited the costs, we could save money.
wenn means “if”, die Kosten means “the costs”, könnten means “could”, and sparen means “save money”. In the subordinate clause, würden goes to the end after begrenzen; die Kosten is accusative.
Wir werden den Verbrauch begrenzen.
We will limit consumption.
wir means “we”, Verbrauch means “consumption”, and werden marks the future here. Den Verbrauch is accusative, werden is in position two, and the infinitive begrenzen goes to the end.
Ein hoher Zaun begrenzt den Garten.
A high fence borders the garden.
ein hoher Zaun means “a high fence”, den Garten means “the garden”, and hoch means “high”. Den Garten is accusative because it is the object being bordered, and the finite verb begrenzt is in position two.
Der Fluss begrenzt das Dorf im Süden.
The river borders the village to the south.
der Fluss means “the river”, das Dorf means “the village”, and im Süden means “in the south”. Das Dorf is accusative as the object, while im Süden is dative after in because it describes a location.
die Bestellnummer — order number
Bestellnummer is a compound made from Bestellung (order) and Nummer (number). Its plural is Bestellnummern, following the plural of Nummer.
Die Bestellnummer steht auf der E-Mail.
The order number is in the email.
steht means is written or appears, auf der E-Mail means in the email, and die E-Mail is the email. Die Bestellnummer is nominative because it is the subject; auf der E-Mail describes location and therefore uses the dative.
Bitte nennen Sie die Bestellnummer.
Please state the order number.
bitte means please, and nennen means state or give a name. Die Bestellnummer is accusative because nennen takes a direct object; the polite command uses nennen Sie, with the formal subject Sie.
Der Mitarbeiter hilft mir mit der Bestellnummer.
The employee helps me with the order number.
der Mitarbeiter is the employee, hilft means helps, and mir means to me. Der Bestellnummer is dative because mit always takes the dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Eingabe der Bestellnummer war falsch.
Entering the order number was incorrect.
die Eingabe means the entry or entering, war means was, and falsch means incorrect. Der Bestellnummer is genitive because it identifies which number was entered; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Bestellnummern stehen auf den Rechnungen.
The order numbers are on the invoices.
stehen means are written or appear, and die Rechnungen are the invoices. Bestellnummern is the plural subject in the nominative; auf den Rechnungen describes location and therefore takes the dative plural.
der Betrag — amount, sum of money
Der Betrag usually refers to a specific amount of money, often on a bill or invoice. For a general quantity, German can also use die Summe, meaning sum.
Der Betrag steht auf der Rechnung.
The amount is on the bill.
steht means is written or appears, and die Rechnung means the bill. Der Betrag is nominative because it is the subject; der Rechnung is dative because auf describes a location here, and steht is in position two.
Ich bezahle den Betrag morgen.
I will pay the amount tomorrow.
bezahle means pay, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Betrag is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb bezahle is in position two.
Mit dem Betrag kann ich die Rechnung bezahlen.
With the amount, I can pay the bill.
mit means with, die Rechnung means the bill, and bezahlen means pay. Dem Betrag is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and bezahlen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Höhe des Betrags ist überraschend.
The size of the amount is surprising.
die Höhe means the size or amount, and überraschend means surprising. Des Betrags is genitive after die Höhe and means of the amount; the noun adds -s, and ist is in position two.
Die Beträge sind auf den Rechnungen angegeben.
The amounts are stated on the bills.
die Rechnungen means the bills, and angegeben means stated or specified. Beträge is plural and is the subject, so the verb is sind; den Rechnungen is plural dative because auf describes a location.
betragen — to amount to, come to; to behave
In the amount sense, betragen normally has a number or sum after it, not a normal accusative object. The related noun der Betrag means amount; do not confuse beträgt with beträgt sich—the amount sense is not reflexive.
Die Rechnung beträgt fünfzig Euro.
The bill comes to fifty euros.
die Rechnung means the bill, and fünfzig Euro means fifty euros. Die Rechnung is nominative as the subject, while fünfzig Euro states the amount and is not a direct accusative object; beträgt stands in position two.
Die Reparatur hat zweihundert Euro betragen.
The repair came to two hundred euros.
die Reparatur means the repair, and zweihundert Euro means two hundred euros. Hat is in position two and betragen goes to the end because it is the Partizip II; the amount is expressed without an article.
Der Schaden betrug mehrere tausend Euro.
The damage amounted to several thousand euros.
der Schaden means the damage, and mehrere tausend Euro means several thousand euros. Der Schaden is nominative, and the strong preterite betrug stands in position two; the amount is not marked as an accusative object.
Betrage nicht mehr als hundert Euro!
Do not amount to more than one hundred euros!
nicht mehr als means no more than, and hundert Euro means one hundred euros. Betrage is the du imperative with the subject omitted; this command is unusual for the amount sense, so normal speech would usually use a different construction.
Wenn die Kosten höher betrügen, müssten wir sparen.
If the costs amounted to more, we would have to save money.
die Kosten means the costs, höher means higher, and sparen means save money. In the wenn clause, betrügen goes to the end; müssten expresses would have to in the main clause, and die Kosten is nominative.
Die Gesamtkosten werden bald zehntausend Euro betragen.
The total costs will soon amount to ten thousand euros.
die Gesamtkosten means the total costs, bald means soon, and zehntausend Euro means ten thousand euros. Werden is in position two and the infinitive betragen goes to the end; the amount is stated without an article.
Das Kind beträgt sich heute sehr gut.
The child is behaving very well today.
das Kind means the child, heute means today, and sehr gut means very well. Sich is the reflexive pronoun referring to das Kind; beträgt is in position two, and the reflexive form must not be omitted in this sense.
Er hat sich im Restaurant schlecht betragen.
He behaved badly in the restaurant.
im Restaurant means in the restaurant, and schlecht means badly. Sich is required for the meaning behave; hat is in position two and the Partizip II betragen goes to the end.
bisschen — a little, slightly
Bisschen is normally used with the article ein in standard German: ein bisschen. It can modify an adjective, a verb, or an uncountable noun, and it does not change form.
Ich bin bisschen müde.
I am a little tired.
müde means tired. In everyday speech, bisschen can mean a little, but the fuller form is ein bisschen; after sein, müde is a predicative adjective and has no ending.
Warte bisschen, bitte.
Wait a little, please.
warte means wait, and bitte means please. Bisschen modifies the duration of the command; in careful standard German, learners normally say ein bisschen, and the imperative verb warte stands first.
doppelt — double; twice as much
Doppelt usually expresses multiplication by two, especially in doppelt so ... wie, meaning twice as ... as. It is normally not compared like an ordinary quality adjective; forms such as doppelten are adjective endings, not comparative or superlative forms.
Der Preis ist doppelt so hoch.
The price is twice as high.
Der Preis means the price, and so hoch means as high. Doppelt so hoch means twice as high; doppelt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending.
Ich bestelle einen doppelten Espresso.
I order a double espresso.
Bestellen means to order, and der Espresso is an espresso. Einen doppelten Espresso is accusative because bestellen takes a direct object; the masculine article einen requires the adjective ending -en.
Diese Flasche ist doppelt so groß wie meine.
This bottle is twice as big as mine.
Die Flasche means the bottle, and groß means big; meine means mine. The comparison pattern doppelt so groß wie means twice as big as, and wie introduces the standard of comparison.
Er bekommt den doppelten Betrag.
He gets double the amount.
Bekommt means gets, and der Betrag means the amount of money. Den doppelten Betrag is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; this sentence uses the ordinary adjective doppelten, not a true superlative.
doppelt — twice; double
As an adverb, doppelt modifies a verb or an adjective and does not take an adjective ending. Do not add -e or -en when it is used adverbially, as in doppelt bezahlen.
Ich bezahle doppelt.
I pay twice as much.
Bezahlen means to pay. Doppelt modifies the verb and means twice or double; the finite verb bezahle stands in position two.
Sie sieht heute doppelt.
She is seeing double today.
Sie sieht means she sees, and heute means today. Doppelt modifies sieht and means double; heute occupies the first position, so the finite verb sieht remains in position two.
das Drittel — third, one third
das Drittel is one of three equal parts. Its plural is also Drittel, so the article or a number shows whether it is singular or plural; phrases with der or des often identify the whole being divided.
Ein Drittel des Kuchens ist noch da.
One third of the cake is still there.
der Kuchen means the cake, and noch da means still there. ein Drittel is nominative because it is the subject; des Kuchens is genitive and names the whole from which the third is taken.
Ich esse ein Drittel der Pizza.
I am eating one third of the pizza.
essen means to eat, and die Pizza is pizza. ein Drittel is accusative because it is the object of esse; der Pizza is genitive-like partitive wording showing what the third belongs to.
Ich gebe meinem Bruder ein Drittel.
I give my brother one third.
geben means to give, and mein Bruder means my brother. meinem Bruder is dative because geben assigns the recipient dative, while ein Drittel is the accusative thing being given.
Der Wert des Drittels ist unbekannt.
The value of the third is unknown.
der Wert means the value, and unbekannt means unknown. des Drittels is genitive because it specifies whose value is meant; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Zwei Drittel der Klasse sind anwesend.
Two thirds of the class are present.
zwei means two, die Klasse means the class, and anwesend means present. zwei Drittel is plural even though the noun form does not change; the article is omitted after the number, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
drittens — thirdly
Drittens is used to introduce the third item in a list or the third reason. It is usually followed by a comma, and it does not change form.
Drittens müssen wir den Termin verschieben.
Thirdly, we have to postpone the appointment.
müssen means have to, and den Termin verschieben means postpone the appointment. Drittens can stand in position one, so the finite verb müssen comes directly after it in position two; the infinitive verschieben goes to the end.
Drittens fehlt uns noch eine wichtige Information.
Thirdly, we are still missing an important piece of information.
fehlen means be missing, uns means to us, and eine wichtige Information means an important piece of information. With fehlen, the person affected is in the dative, so uns is dative, while Drittens in position one puts the finite verb fehlt in position two.
der Durchschnitt — average, mean; the average, the norm
Im Durchschnitt is the very common fixed phrase for “on average”. In mathematics, der Durchschnitt is the mean value; in everyday speech it can also mean a typical level.
Der Durchschnitt liegt bei siebzig Punkten.
The average is seventy points.
liegt bei means “is at” and Punkte are points. Der Durchschnitt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir berechnen den Durchschnitt der Noten.
We calculate the average of the grades.
berechnen means calculate and die Noten are the grades. Den Durchschnitt is accusative because berechnen takes a direct object; der Noten is genitive and means “of the grades”.
Mit dem Durchschnitt kann man die Ergebnisse vergleichen.
You can compare the results with the average.
mit means with, Ergebnisse are results, and vergleichen means compare. Mit takes the dative, so dem Durchschnitt is dative; kann is in position two and vergleichen goes to the end.
Die Berechnung des Durchschnitts dauert nur eine Minute.
Calculating the average takes only one minute.
die Berechnung is the calculation, dauert means takes or lasts, and nur means only. Des Durchschnitts is genitive because it specifies what is being calculated; the masculine noun has -s in this form.
Die Durchschnitte der Klassen sind ähnlich.
The class averages are similar.
die Klassen are the classes and ähnlich means similar. Die Durchschnitte is plural, with the umlaut and ending -e; sind stands in position two.
Seine Leistung liegt über dem Durchschnitt.
His performance is above average.
seine Leistung is his performance and über means above here. Über dem Durchschnitt describes a position on a scale and therefore uses the dative; liegt is in position two.
Das Hotel ist für den Preis besser als der Durchschnitt.
For the price, the hotel is better than average.
das Hotel is the hotel, der Preis is the price, and besser als means better than. Der Durchschnitt follows als as the comparison standard and is nominative in this shortened comparison.
das Dutzend — dozen; group of twelve
ein Dutzend means exactly twelve, usually with a count noun such as ein Dutzend Eier. The plural Dutzende means dozens and is approximate, not necessarily a precise number.
Das Dutzend kostet fünf Euro.
The dozen costs five euros.
kostet means costs, and fünf Euro means five euros. Das Dutzend is nominative because it is the subject; kostet stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Dutzend Eier.
I am buying a dozen eggs.
kaufe means buy, and Eier means eggs. ein Dutzend is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; the quantity expression comes before the noun it counts.
Sie gibt einem Dutzend Kindern Süßigkeiten.
She gives sweets to a dozen children.
Kindern means children and Süßigkeiten means sweets or candies. einem Dutzend Kindern is dative because it marks the recipients of gibt, while Süßigkeiten is the accusative thing given.
Der Preis des Dutzends ist gestiegen.
The price of the dozen has risen.
der Preis means the price, and ist gestiegen means has risen. des Dutzends is genitive because it specifies the price of what; the noun adds -s, and the perfect participle gestiegen comes at the end.
Im Karton liegen zwei Dutzend Eier.
There are two dozen eggs in the carton.
im Karton means in the carton, liegen means are lying or are there, and Eier means eggs. After a number, Dutzend can remain unchanged in the quantity expression zwei Dutzend; the verb liegen is plural because the sentence refers to two dozen eggs.
einzeln — individual, separate, single
Einzeln describes things that are separate or considered one by one. In attributive use it takes normal adjective endings, as in einzelne Fragen; in predicative use it has no ending.
Jeder Fehler ist einzeln erklärbar.
Each mistake can be explained separately.
jeder Fehler means “each mistake”, and erklärbar means “explainable”. Einzeln is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the modal verb kann stands in position two and erklärbar goes to the end.
Wir arbeiten mit einzelnen Gruppen.
We work with individual groups.
arbeiten means “to work”, and Gruppen means “groups”. Einzelnen Gruppen is dative because mit takes the dative; the adjective has the ending -en after mit and the plural form.
Die Aufgaben sind einzelner als gestern.
The tasks are more separate than yesterday.
die Aufgaben means “the tasks”, and gestern means “yesterday”. Einzelner is a comparative predicate after sind; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Diese Lösung ist am einzelsten.
This solution is the most individual one.
diese Lösung means “this solution”. Am einzelsten is the superlative in predicative use, formed with am and -sten; the adjective has no ending after ist.
einzeln — separately, individually, one by one
As an adverb, einzeln modifies a verb and means “separately” or “one by one”. Unlike the adjective, it never takes an adjective ending.
Bitte bezahlen Sie einzeln.
Please pay separately.
bezahlen means “to pay”, and bitte makes the request polite. Einzeln is an adverb modifying bezahlen, so it does not take an adjective ending; the formal imperative places Sie after the verb.
Die Kinder kommen einzeln ins Klassenzimmer.
The children come into the classroom one by one.
die Kinder means “the children”, kommen means “come”, and ins Klassenzimmer means “into the classroom”. Einzeln says that they come one by one; the finite verb kommen is in position two and ins is short for in das.
elfte — eleventh; 11th
elfte is the ordinal form of elf, meaning 11th. It behaves like an adjective and takes endings such as elfte after der and elften after im; unlike a cardinal number, it normally needs an adjective ending.
Heute ist der elfte Mai.
Today is 11 May.
heute means today, and der Mai is May. elfte is the ordinal form of elf and takes the adjective ending -e after der; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie wohnt im elften Stock.
She lives on the eleventh floor.
wohnt means lives, and der Stock means the floor of a building. im is short for in dem and requires the dative for a location, so the ordinal has the ending -en: elften.
etwa — about, approximately; surely, by any chance
Etwa is placed directly before the number or amount that is only approximate. Do not confuse it with ungefähr, which has almost the same meaning.
Die Fahrt dauert etwa zehn Minuten.
The journey takes about ten minutes.
die Fahrt means the journey, and dauern means to last; zehn Minuten means ten minutes. Etwa comes before the approximate amount, while the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Etwa zwanzig Gäste kommen zur Feier.
About twenty guests are coming to the party.
zwanzig Gäste means about twenty guests, and die Feier is the party or celebration. Etwa zwanzig Gäste is the subject, so the plural verb kommen stands in position two.
Willst du etwa schon gehen?
Are you suggesting that you want to leave already?
schon means already, and gehen means to leave or go. In a yes-no question, the finite verb willst comes first; etwa signals surprise or doubt rather than an approximate number.
Du hast etwa meine Tasche genommen!
You took my bag, surely!
meine Tasche means my bag, and genommen means taken. The accusative object meine Tasche follows haben; here etwa adds strong surprise or accusation, not the meaning ‘about’.
fast — almost, nearly
Fast is an adverb and does not take an ending. Do not confuse it with English fast meaning “quick”; the usual German word for “quickly” is schnell.
Ich bin fast fertig.
I am almost finished.
fertig means finished or ready. Fast modifies the adjective fertig and usually comes directly before the word or phrase it limits; it does not change form.
Der Bus ist fast leer.
The bus is almost empty.
der Bus means the bus and leer means empty. Fast modifies leer; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
fünfte — fifth; 5th
Fünfte is an ordinal number meaning “fifth” or “5th”. It behaves like an adjective, so its ending changes with the article and case: for example, fünfte but fünften.
Ich wohne im fünften Stock.
I live on the fifth floor.
wohne means “live”, and im Stock means “on the floor”. Im is short for in dem and takes the dative for location; fünften has a dative adjective ending after dem.
Heute ist der fünfte Mai.
Today is the fifth of May.
heute means “today”, and Mai is May. Der fünfte Mai is a date expression in the nominative; the ordinal acts like an adjective and takes the ending -e after der.
fünfzigste — fiftieth
fünfzigste is an ordinal number meaning fiftieth. Like other ordinal numbers, it behaves like an adjective and takes endings, for example fünfzigsten after a masculine accusative article; do not confuse it with fünfzig, fifty.
Heute feiert er seinen fünfzigsten Geburtstag.
Today he is celebrating his fiftieth birthday.
feiert means celebrates and sein Geburtstag means his birthday. Geburtstag is an accusative object after feiern, and the possessive determiner seinen gives the masculine ordinal the ending -en.
Sie gewann den fünfzigsten Wettbewerb.
She won the fiftieth competition.
gewann means won and der Wettbewerb means competition or contest. Wettbewerb is masculine and accusative after gewann, so fünfzigste appears as fünfzigsten after den.
das Geburtsdatum — date of birth
das Geburtsdatum is a compound of die Geburt (birth) and das Datum (date). In forms and official documents, it normally means the complete day, month and year of birth.
Mein Geburtsdatum steht im Pass.
My date of birth is in my passport.
mein means my, steht means is written or appears, and der Pass is the passport. mein Geburtsdatum is the nominative subject; im Pass is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Bitte schreiben Sie Ihr Geburtsdatum hier auf.
Please write your date of birth down here.
bitte means please, and hier means here. Ihr Geburtsdatum is accusative because aufschreiben takes a direct object; in the formal imperative, schreiben Sie ... auf splits the separable verb.
Ich gebe dem Amt mein Geburtsdatum.
I am giving the office my date of birth.
geben means to give, and das Amt is the public office. dem Amt is dative because it is the recipient, while mein Geburtsdatum is accusative as the thing given.
Die Richtigkeit des Geburtsdatums ist wichtig.
The correctness of the date of birth is important.
die Richtigkeit means correctness, and wichtig means important. des Geburtsdatums is genitive because it specifies which correctness; the neuter genitive has des and -s, and ist is in position two.
Die Geburtsdaten aller Kinder stehen in der Liste.
All the children's dates of birth are in the list.
aller Kinder means of all children, and die Liste is the list. die Geburtsdaten is the plural nominative subject, while aller Kinder is genitive and shows whose dates they are.
gering — small, low, slight
gering describes a small amount, low level, or minor degree, often with words such as Kosten, Schaden, or Gewinn. It is more formal than klein when talking about amounts or importance.
Der Schaden ist gering.
The damage is minor.
der Schaden is the damage, and gering means small or minor in amount. After the linking verb ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben nur geringe Kosten.
We have only low costs.
nur means only, and die Kosten are the costs or expenses. geringe Kosten is an accusative object because haben takes an accusative object; the adjective has the plural ending -e.
Dieses Jahr haben wir geringere Kosten.
This year we have lower costs.
dieses Jahr means this year, and geringere Kosten means lower costs. The comparative geringere modifies a plural accusative object after haben and therefore has the ending -e.
Im Januar sind die Kosten am geringsten.
In January, the costs are lowest.
im Januar means in January, and die Kosten are the costs. am geringsten is the superlative used predicatively after sind; im is short for in dem and marks a time period in the dative.
Die Firma hat nur einen geringen Gewinn.
The company makes only a small profit.
die Firma is the company, nur means only, and der Gewinn is the profit. einen geringen Gewinn is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the masculine adjective takes -en after einen.
Der Unterschied ist gering, aber sichtbar.
The difference is small but visible.
der Unterschied is the difference, aber means but, and sichtbar means visible. gering is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; aber does not send the verb to the end.
gesamt — entire, whole; total
gesamt usually stands before a noun and means that nothing in the group is left out. It is normally not compared; use insgesamt for the adverb meaning in total.
Die gesamte Klasse fährt morgen ins Museum.
The whole class is going to the museum tomorrow.
die Klasse means the class, morgen means tomorrow, and das Museum is the museum. gesamte stands before the feminine noun Klasse and has the adjective ending -e after die; the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Die Klasse ist gesamt anwesend.
The entire class is present.
die Klasse means the class and anwesend means present. gesamt is used predicatively after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die gesamten Kosten sind gesamter als erwartet.
The total costs are greater than expected.
die Kosten means the costs and erwartet means expected. gesamter compares the total costs with an expectation and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Das ist die gesamtste Summe der Ausgaben.
That is the greatest total of the expenses.
die Summe means the total or sum, and die Ausgaben are the expenses. gesamtste is the attributive superlative before the feminine noun Summe; der Ausgaben is genitive because it says whose sum it is.
der Grad — degree; degree of extent; degree, extent
Der Grad is used for temperature and angles, and also for the extent of something. The plural is die Grade, but temperatures are often expressed after a number without an article, as in zehn Grad.
Heute sind es zehn Grad.
Today it is ten degrees.
heute means today and zehn means ten. Zehn Grad is the measured value in the expression es sind; the plural is used because the number is greater than one.
Das Thermometer zeigt dreißig Grad.
The thermometer shows thirty degrees.
das Thermometer means thermometer and zeigen means show. Dreißig Grad is accusative because it is the object of zeigt; after a number, the noun is normally used without an article.
Bei fünf Grad wird es kalt.
At five degrees, it gets cold.
bei means at or with, kalt means cold, and werden means become. Bei fünf Grad is a dative phrase because bei always takes the dative, although the plural form has no visible dative ending.
Die Hälfte des Grades ist bereits erreicht.
Half of the degree has already been reached.
die Hälfte means half and bereits means already. Des Grades is genitive because it specifies the whole of which half is meant; the genitive ending is -es.
Die Grade steigen im Sommer.
The temperatures rise in summer.
steigen means rise and im Sommer means in summer. Grade is the plural of Grad here, and the finite verb steigen stands in position two.
Der Winkel hat einen Grad von neunzig.
The angle is ninety degrees.
der Winkel means angle and neunzig means ninety. Einen Grad is accusative because haben takes a direct object; in measurements, Grad can name a unit of angle.
Der Grad der Genauigkeit ist beeindruckend.
The degree of accuracy is impressive.
die Genauigkeit means accuracy and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Grad der Genauigkeit uses a genitive phrase to show which degree is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In hohem Grad hängt der Erfolg vom Team ab.
To a great extent, success depends on the team.
hoch means high, der Erfolg means success, abhängen means depend, and das Team means team. In hohem Grad is dative because in describes a figurative location here, and hängt ... ab splits the separable verb in the main clause.
das Gramm — gram
Gramm is used for weight. After numbers, the noun usually stays unchanged, as in fünf Gramm; do not add an English-style plural ending.
Ein Gramm Gold kostet heute viel.
One gram of gold costs a lot today.
Gold is gold, kostet means costs, and heute means today. Ein Gramm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich brauche zweihundert Gramm Mehl.
I need two hundred grams of flour.
brauchen means need, zweihundert means two hundred, and das Mehl is flour. Zweihundert Gramm Mehl is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; after a number, Gramm stays unchanged.
Mit einem Gramm Salz schmeckt die Suppe besser.
With one gram of salt, the soup tastes better.
mit means with, das Salz is salt, schmecken means taste, and besser means better. Mit forces the dative, so einem Gramm is dative; the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Das Gewicht eines Gramms ist sehr klein.
The weight of one gram is very small.
das Gewicht is the weight, sehr means very, and klein means small. Eines Gramms is genitive because it identifies whose weight is meant, and the neuter genitive article is eines.
Die Waage zeigt fünf Gramm an.
The scales show five grams.
die Waage is the scales, zeigen means show, and an belongs to the separable verb anzeigen, to display or show. After fünf, Gramm is a plural quantity noun with no ending change; in the main clause, zeigt comes second and an goes to the end.
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 Hälfte — half; half, one half
Hälfte means one of two equal parts and is often used with die Hälfte von plus a noun. Do not translate every use with the English article “a”; zur Hälfte means “halfway” or “by half”.
Die Hälfte des Kuchens ist weg.
Half of the cake is gone.
des Kuchens means of the cake, and weg means gone. Die Hälfte is nominative because it is the subject; des Kuchens is genitive and shows what the half belongs to.
Ich esse die Hälfte der Pizza.
I eat half of the pizza.
esse means eat, and der Pizza means of the pizza. Die Hälfte is accusative because it is the object of esse; the feminine article is still die in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Hälfte der Gruppe die Karten.
I give half of the group the cards.
gebe means give, der Gruppe means to the group, and die Karten means the cards. Der Hälfte is dative because it is the receiver of gebe; die Karten is the accusative object.
Der Preis der Hälfte der Waren ist niedriger.
The price of half of the goods is lower.
Der Preis means the price, der Waren means of the goods, and niedriger means lower. Der Hälfte is genitive because it specifies which part has the price; the feminine genitive form has no noun ending.
Wir teilen den Kuchen in zwei Hälften.
We divide the cake into two halves.
teilen means divide, den Kuchen means the cake, and in means into here. Hälften is plural after zwei; the plural ending is -n, and in zwei Hälften expresses the result of dividing.
Die Hälfte der Klasse kommt mit dem Bus.
Half of the class comes by bus.
der Klasse means of the class, kommt means comes, and mit dem Bus means by bus. Die Hälfte is nominative as the subject; der Klasse is genitive, and mit always takes the dative.
Fast die Hälfte der Gäste bleibt über Nacht.
Almost half of the guests stay overnight.
fast means almost, Gäste means guests, and über Nacht means overnight. Die Hälfte is accusative because it is the object of the implied quantity expression; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
höchstens — at most, no more than
Höchstens gives an upper limit. Its opposite is mindestens, meaning at least; do not confuse the two limits.
Die Fahrt dauert höchstens eine Stunde.
The journey takes at most one hour.
die Fahrt means the journey, and eine Stunde means one hour. Höchstens limits the amount; eine Stunde is an accusative duration expression, while the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Wir kommen höchstens zehn Minuten später.
We will arrive at most ten minutes later.
zehn Minuten means ten minutes, and später means later. Höchstens means that ten minutes is the upper limit; the finite verb kommen stands in position two.
insgesamt — altogether, in total
Insgesamt refers to a complete sum or number, not to something that is especially important; that meaning belongs to insbesondere or besonders.
Insgesamt kostet die Reise 800 Euro.
The trip costs 800 euros in total.
kostet means costs and die Reise means the trip. Insgesamt refers to the complete amount and stands in position one here, so the finite verb kostet follows it immediately in position two.
Wir haben insgesamt zehn Bewerbungen bekommen.
We received ten applications in total.
zehn Bewerbungen means ten applications and bekommen means received or got. Insgesamt modifies the number, while haben bekommen forms the perfect and places the Partizip II bekommen at the end of the clause.
die Jahreszahl — year number; year in a date; historical year
Jahreszahl is used for the number that names a year, especially in a written date. Do not confuse it with das Datum, the complete date.
Die Jahreszahl steht auf dem Dokument.
The year number is written on the document.
steht auf dem Dokument means is written on the document. Die Jahreszahl is the nominative subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich schreibe die Jahreszahl auf das Formular.
I write the year number on the form.
aufschreiben means to write down, and das Formular is the form. Die Jahreszahl is accusative because schreiben takes it as its direct object; auf das Formular shows movement onto a surface and therefore uses accusative.
Auf dem Buch steht eine alte Jahreszahl.
An old year number is written on the book.
das Buch is the book, and alt means old. Auf dem Buch is dative because it describes a fixed location, while eine alte Jahreszahl is the nominative subject.
Die Bedeutung der Jahreszahl ist unklar.
The meaning of the year number is unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unklar means unclear. Der Jahreszahl is genitive because it tells whose meaning it is; a feminine noun has der in the genitive.
Alte Jahreszahlen sind manchmal schwer zu lesen.
Old year numbers are sometimes difficult to read.
alte means old, manchmal means sometimes, and schwer zu lesen means difficult to read. Alte Jahreszahlen is a plural nominative subject, so the verb sind is plural.
Wie spricht man diese Jahreszahl aus?
How do you say this year aloud?
wie means how, and aussprechen means pronounce or say aloud. Diese Jahreszahl is accusative as the object of aussprechen, while man is the general subject.
Die Jahreszahl 1989 erinnert viele Menschen an die Wiedervereinigung.
The year 1989 reminds many people of reunification.
erinnern an means remind someone of, and die Wiedervereinigung is reunification. Viele Menschen is dative because erinnern takes the person reminded in the dative; the finite verb erinnert is in position two.
knapp — limited, scarce; narrow
knapp can describe an amount that is barely sufficient or a result that is narrowly achieved. Before a noun it takes an adjective ending, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Die Zeit ist knapp.
Time is limited.
die Zeit means time. knapp is predicative here and means limited, not physically narrow; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben nur knappe zehn Minuten.
We have only ten minutes at most.
nur means only and zehn Minuten means ten minutes. knappe stands before the time expression and agrees with the understood feminine plural quantity; zehn Minuten is the accusative object of haben.
Heute habe ich knappere Fristen als sonst.
Today I have tighter deadlines than usual.
heute means today, Fristen are deadlines, and als sonst means than usual. knappere is comparative and modifies the accusative object Fristen; als introduces the comparison.
Das war der knappste Sieg der Saison.
That was the narrowest victory of the season.
der Sieg means the victory and die Saison means the season. knappste has a definite-article ending before Sieg, while der Saison is genitive and means of the season.
Der Sieg war knapp.
The victory was narrow.
der Sieg means the victory. knapp describes the result after war; as a predicative adjective it has no ending.
knapp — barely, narrowly, only just; approximately, just under
As an adverb, knapp does not take an adjective ending. It often means barely or by a small margin; before a number, it can also mean approximately or just under.
Der Bus kam knapp rechtzeitig.
The bus arrived just in time.
der Bus means the bus, kam means came, and rechtzeitig means on time. knapp modifies rechtzeitig and means only just; the finite verb kam is in position two.
Sie hat das Rennen knapp gewonnen.
She won the race narrowly.
das Rennen means the race and gewonnen means won. knapp modifies gewonnen; in the perfect, hat is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der Weg ist knapp drei Kilometer lang.
The route is just under three kilometres long.
der Weg means the route, drei Kilometer means three kilometres, and lang means long. knapp modifies the measurement and means just under; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir warten knapp eine Stunde.
We are waiting for almost an hour.
wir warten means we are waiting, eine Stunde means one hour. knapp modifies the duration; eine Stunde is an accusative time expression, and the finite verb warten stands in position two.
der Liter — litre
Liter is used for liquids and other measured volumes. The plural is also Liter, while the genitive singular is des Liters; a number makes the plural clear.
Ein Liter Milch reicht für den Kuchen.
One litre of milk is enough for the cake.
Milch means milk, reicht means is enough, and der Kuchen is the cake. Ein Liter is nominative because it is the subject; für den Kuchen is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Ich kaufe einen Liter Saft.
I am buying one litre of juice.
kaufe means buy and der Saft is juice. Einen Liter Saft is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; the substance after a measure expression usually has no article.
Mit einem Liter Wasser kann man viel kochen.
With one litre of water, you can cook a lot.
Wasser is water, kann means can, viel means a lot, and kochen means cook. Einem Liter is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal phrase kann man ... kochen places kochen at the end.
Der Preis eines Liters Wasser ist gestiegen.
The price of one litre of water has risen.
der Preis is the price, gestiegen means risen, and Wasser is water. Eines Liters is genitive because it specifies the amount whose price is meant; ist gestiegen is the perfect of steigen, with the participle at the end.
Zwei Liter Wasser stehen im Kühlschrank.
Two litres of water are in the fridge.
zwei means two, stehen means are standing or are kept, and der Kühlschrank is the fridge. Liter is plural here, although its spelling does not change; im Kühlschrank is a location in the dative.
das Maß — measure; amount, degree; moderation; one-litre mug of beer
In expressions such as das Maß an Geduld, Maß means an amount or degree. It is different from Masse, which means mass or a large quantity.
Das Maß ist genau richtig.
The amount is exactly right.
genau richtig means exactly right. Das Maß is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen ein gutes Maß an Geduld.
We need a good amount of patience.
brauchen means to need, and Geduld means patience. ein gutes Maß is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Mit dem richtigen Maß wird die Arbeit leichter.
With the right amount, the work becomes easier.
richtig means right, and leichter means easier. mit always takes the dative, so dem richtigen Maß is dative; the finite verb wird is in position two.
Die Einhaltung des Maßes ist wichtig.
Following the limit is important.
Einhaltung means following or observance, and wichtig means important. des Maßes is genitive because it tells us which observance is meant; the verb ist is in position two.
Verschiedene Maße werden miteinander verglichen.
Different measurements are compared with one another.
verschiedene means different, and miteinander verglichen means compared with one another. Maße is the plural subject, and werden ... verglichen forms the passive; the participle verglichen goes to the end.
Auf dem Fest bestellte er ein Maß.
At the festival, he ordered a one-litre mug of beer.
auf dem Fest means at the festival, and bestellte means ordered. ein Maß is accusative because bestellen takes an accusative object; the finite verb bestellte is in position two.
Die Gäste tranken drei Maße.
The guests drank three one-litre mugs of beer.
Gäste means guests, tranken means drank, and drei means three. Maße is the plural accusative object of tranken; the noun has the same form in nominative and accusative plural.
mehrfach — several times, repeatedly; multiple
Mehrfach means several times or in several parts. Do not confuse it with mehrmals, which normally means several times only; mehrfach can also describe something with multiple connections or uses.
Bitte wiederholen Sie die Nummer mehrfach.
Please repeat the number several times.
wiederholen means to repeat, and die Nummer means the number. Mehrfach is an adverb and usually stands near the verb or at the end; Sie is the polite form of “you,” so wiederholen Sie is a polite imperative.
Diese Steckdose kann mehrfach benutzt werden.
This socket can be used several times.
diese Steckdose means this socket, and benutzt werden means to be used. Mehrfach modifies benutzt and means more than once; after kann, the infinitive group benutzt werden goes to the end of the clause.
die Meile — mile
In everyday German, distances are usually given in Kilometer rather than Meilen. The word can also refer specifically to a nautical mile in contexts involving ships or aviation, but that meaning is normally made clear by Seemeile.
Die Meile ist eine alte Entfernungseinheit.
The mile is an old unit of distance.
alte means old, and Entfernungseinheit means unit of distance. Die Meile is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir laufen eine Meile.
We run one mile.
laufen means run or walk, and eine means one or a. eine Meile is accusative because it gives the distance of the action; the finite verb laufen stands in position two.
Nach einer Meile machen wir eine Pause.
After one mile, we take a break.
nach means after, machen means take or make, and eine Pause means a break. einer Meile is dative because nach takes the dative; the fronted prepositional phrase is followed by the finite verb machen in position two.
Die Länge der Meile beträgt 1,609 Kilometer.
The length of the mile is 1.609 kilometres.
die Länge means the length, beträgt means amounts to, and Kilometer means kilometres. der Meile is genitive because it identifies which length; the subject Die Länge is nominative.
Sie sind drei Meilen gelaufen.
They walked three miles.
drei means three, and gelaufen means walked or ran. Meilen is plural after the number drei; sind gelaufen is the perfect of movement verb laufen, so it uses sein.
die Menge — amount, quantity; crowd, lot; crowd
Die Menge can mean an amount or a crowd. Before a noun, eine Menge often means a lot of, and the following noun commonly appears without an article, as in eine Menge Wasser.
Eine große Menge wartet vor dem Stadion.
A large crowd is waiting outside the stadium.
groß means large, wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Stadion means outside the stadium. Eine große Menge is nominative because it is the subject; vor dem Stadion is dative because it expresses a fixed location.
Ich trinke eine Menge Wasser.
I drink a lot of water.
trinke means drink and Wasser means water. Eine Menge Wasser is accusative because it is the object of trinken; the noun after a quantity expression usually has no article.
Mit der Menge kommen auch die Musiker.
The musicians are coming with the crowd too.
mit means with, kommen means are coming, and auch means too. Der Menge is dative because mit always takes the dative; the plural subject die Musiker comes after the verb.
Die Größe der Menge überrascht mich.
The size of the crowd surprises me.
die Größe means the size, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Der Menge is genitive because it identifies the crowd’s size, while mich is accusative as the person affected by überraschen.
Die Mengen sind unterschiedlich.
The amounts are different.
sind means are and unterschiedlich means different. Die Mengen is a plural subject, so the verb is sind rather than singular ist; the plural is formed with -n.
Wir haben eine Menge Arbeit.
We have a lot of work.
haben means have and Arbeit means work. Eine Menge Arbeit is the accusative object of haben; Arbeit is uncountable here and therefore has no article.
Die Menge ruft laut.
The crowd is shouting loudly.
ruft means shouts or calls, and laut means loudly. Die Menge is grammatically singular even when it contains many people, so the verb is ruft, not plural rufen.
Der Sänger winkt der Menge zu.
The singer waves to the crowd.
der Sänger means the singer, winkt means waves, and zu completes zuwinken, to wave to. Der Menge is dative because jemandem zuwinken takes a dative person; the separable prefix zu goes to the end.
die Milliarde — billion
Eine Milliarde is 1,000,000,000 in German. After a number, use the plural Milliarden, and the noun is feminine: eine Milliarde, not ein Milliarde.
Eine Milliarde Menschen leben dort.
One billion people live there.
Eine Milliarde means one billion, Menschen means people, and leben means live. Eine Milliarde is the nominative subject; the finite verb leben is in position two, and the verb is plural because Menschen is the counted group.
Die Firma investiert eine Milliarde Euro.
The company is investing one billion euros.
Die Firma is the company, investiert means invests, and Euro means euros. Eine Milliarde Euro is the accusative object of investieren; the amount has no plural marker on Euro after a number.
Mit einer Milliarde Euro kann man viel bauen.
With one billion euros, you can build a lot.
Mit means with, kann man means one can, viel means a lot, and bauen means build. Mit always takes the dative, so einer Milliarde is dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and bauen goes to the end.
Der Wert einer Milliarde Euro ist schwer vorstellbar.
The value of one billion euros is difficult to imagine.
Der Wert means the value, schwer vorstellbar means difficult to imagine, and ist means is. Einer Milliarde Euro is genitive and shows the amount of the value; einer is the genitive form of the feminine article.
Zwei Milliarden Euro fehlen noch.
Two billion euros are still missing.
Zwei means two, Euro means euros, fehlen means are missing, and noch means still. Zwei Milliarden Euro is the nominative plural subject; after a number, Milliarde becomes Milliarden.
die Million — million
Eine Million is 1,000,000. Its plural is Millionen; unlike English, German uses a plural noun after numbers greater than one.
Eine Million Menschen sehen den Film.
One million people are watching the film.
Eine Million means one million, Menschen means people, and sehen means watch or see; den Film is the film. Eine Million is the nominative subject, while den Film is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Die Stadt braucht eine Million Euro.
The city needs one million euros.
Die Stadt is the city, braucht means needs, and Euro means euros. Eine Million Euro is the accusative object of brauchen; after a number, Euro normally has no plural ending.
Mit einer Million Euro kann sie das Haus kaufen.
With one million euros, she can buy the house.
Mit means with, kann means can, sie means she, das Haus is the house, and kaufen means buy. Mit forces the dative, so einer Million is dative; with kann, the infinitive kaufen goes to the end.
Die Kosten einer Million Euro sind schwer zu bezahlen.
The costs of one million euros are difficult to pay.
Die Kosten means the costs, schwer zu bezahlen means difficult to pay, and sind means are. Einer Million Euro is genitive and identifies the amount of the costs; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject die Kosten.
Drei Millionen Euro wurden gesammelt.
Three million euros were collected.
Drei means three, Euro means euros, wurden gesammelt means were collected. Drei Millionen is plural because it follows drei; the passive uses wurden plus the Partizip II gesammelt.
millionste — millionth
Millionste is an ordinal numeral, so it behaves like an adjective and takes an ending: millionster, millionste, or millionsten. It is not compared; forms such as mehr millionste are incorrect.
Heute begrüßen wir den millionsten Besucher.
Today we are welcoming the millionth visitor.
Heute means today, begrüßen means welcome, and der Besucher is the visitor. Den millionsten Besucher is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the ordinal has the ending -en after den.
Das ist ihr millionster Klick.
That is her millionth click.
Das ist means that is, ihr means her, and der Klick is the click. Ihr millionster Klick is the nominative noun phrase after ist, and the ordinal takes -er after the possessive determiner ihr; ordinal numerals take adjective endings.
mindestens — at least
Mindestens sets a lower limit, whereas höchstens sets an upper limit. It can modify numbers, amounts, time periods and frequency.
Ich brauche mindestens zehn Minuten.
I need at least ten minutes.
brauche means need, and zehn Minuten means ten minutes. Mindestens modifies the amount and means that ten minutes is the minimum; it usually stands directly before the number or amount.
Bitte kommen Sie mindestens fünf Minuten früher.
Please come at least five minutes earlier.
Bitte makes the request polite, kommen Sie means come, and früher means earlier. Mindestens modifies fünf Minuten and means no fewer than five minutes; in this polite imperative, Sie follows the verb.
das Minus — minus; minus sign; negative amount
The noun das Minus is conventionally neuter and is used for the mathematical sign or a negative balance. Do not confuse it with minus used before an amount or number.
Das Minus steht vor der Zahl.
The minus sign is before the number.
steht vor means is in front of, and die Zahl means the number. Das Minus is nominative because it is the subject; vor der Zahl describes location and takes the dative.
Ich sehe ein Minus auf dem Display.
I see a minus sign on the display.
sehen means see, and das Display means the screen or display. Ein Minus is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf dem Display is dative because it describes location.
Mit einem Minus beginnt die Rechnung.
The calculation begins with a minus sign.
mit means with, and die Rechnung means the calculation. Einem Minus is dative because mit always takes the dative; the opening phrase causes beginnt to follow in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Minus ist klar.
The meaning of the minus sign is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Des Minus is genitive because it identifies which meaning is meant; the neuter genitive article is des, although the noun stays unchanged.
Die beiden Minusse sehen ähnlich aus.
The two minus signs look similar.
beiden means two, and ähnlich means similar. Minusse is plural, and sehen ... aus means look; the prefix aus separates and goes to the end.
das Mittel — means, method, remedy, resource; middle, average
The meaning depends on context: ein Mittel gegen etwas is a remedy, while mit den Mitteln often means ‘with the resources’ or ‘by the means’. The noun das Mittel is different from adjective mittel, ‘medium’.
Das Mittel hilft gegen Kopfschmerzen.
The remedy helps against headaches.
hilft means ‘helps’, gegen means ‘against’, and Kopfschmerzen means ‘headache’. Das Mittel is nominative because it is the subject, while gegen Kopfschmerzen uses the accusative after gegen.
Der Arzt verschreibt ein Mittel.
The doctor prescribes a remedy.
der Arzt means ‘the doctor’ and verschreibt means ‘prescribes’. ein Mittel is accusative because it is the direct object of verschreiben; the neuter form of the article stays ein.
Wir arbeiten mit einem Mittel.
We work with a method/tool.
arbeiten means ‘work’ and mit means ‘with’. einem Mittel is dative because mit always takes the dative; the neuter dative article is einem.
Die Wirkung des Mittels ist noch nicht bekannt.
The effect of the remedy is not yet known.
die Wirkung means ‘the effect’, noch nicht means ‘not yet’, and bekannt means ‘known’. des Mittels is genitive because it identifies the remedy’s effect; neuter genitive nouns take des and usually add -s.
Diese Mittel sind sehr teuer.
These remedies are very expensive.
diese means ‘these’, sehr means ‘very’, and teuer means ‘expensive’. Mittel has the same spelling in the singular and plural, but diese and the plural verb sind show that it is plural here.
Die Zahl fünf ist das Mittel zwischen zwei und acht.
The number five is the middle value between two and eight.
die Zahl means ‘the number’, zwischen means ‘between’, and zwei und acht are ‘two and eight’. das Mittel is nominative after ist; zwischen takes the dative when it describes a fixed location or position.
Wir suchen das Mittel aus den beiden Werten.
We are looking for the average of the two values.
suchen means ‘look for’, beiden means ‘both’, and Werte means ‘values’. das Mittel is accusative as the object of suchen, while aus den beiden Werten uses the dative after aus.
neunte — ninth
Neunte is the ordinal form of neun and normally behaves like an adjective before a noun. Its ending changes with case, gender and article, for example der neunte Tag but am neunten Tag.
Heute ist der neunte Mai.
Today is the ninth of May.
heute means today, and der Mai is May. Neunte is an ordinal numeral and has the adjective ending -e after the masculine article der; the date expression uses nominative der neunte Mai.
Sie sitzt in der neunten Reihe.
She is sitting in the ninth row.
sitzt means is sitting, and die Reihe is the row. In der neunten Reihe describes a location, so in takes the dative; the feminine dative ending is -en, giving neunten.
neunzehnte — nineteenth
As an ordinal, neunzehnte is used like an adjective and normally takes an adjective ending. It is often used in dates, where der neunzehnte means the nineteenth day.
Heute ist der neunzehnte März.
Today is the nineteenth of March.
Heute means today and März means March. In dates, the ordinal is used with the masculine noun der März, so neunzehnte has the ending -e after der; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist die neunzehnte Seite im Buch.
That is the nineteenth page in the book.
die Seite means the page and im Buch means in the book. neunzehnte has the ending -e because it comes before feminine die Seite; im is short for in dem and marks location.
neunzigste — ninetieth
As an ordinal, neunzigste is used like an adjective and takes an adjective ending. Do not confuse it with neunzig, which gives the quantity ninety rather than position ninety.
Er feiert heute seinen neunzigsten Geburtstag.
He is celebrating his ninetieth birthday today.
Er feiert means he is celebrating, heute means today, and seinen Geburtstag means his birthday. Geburtstag is the accusative object of feiert, so masculine neunzigste takes the ending -en after seinen.
Das ist die neunzigste Minute des Spiels.
That is the ninetieth minute of the match.
die Minute means the minute and des Spiels means of the match. neunzigste has the feminine ending -e after die; des Spiels is genitive because it identifies which match the minute belongs to.