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Vocab: Numbers & quantity — B1
Numbers & quantity vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Ablesung — meter reading; reading of a measuring device; reading; measurement
This noun usually refers to recording a reading from a meter, not to simply looking at a number. The related verb is ablesen.
Die Ablesung des Stromzählers findet im Dezember statt.
The electricity meter is read in December.
der Stromzähler is the electricity meter, and im Dezember means in December. Die Ablesung is nominative because it is the subject; des Stromzählers is genitive because it specifies which reading, and the finite verb findet is in position two.
Der Hausmeister macht morgen die Ablesung.
The caretaker is taking the meter reading tomorrow.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Ablesung is accusative because macht takes a direct object, while the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Wir warten auf die Ablesung der Heizung.
We are waiting for the heating meter reading.
warten auf means to wait for, and die Heizung means the heating system. Wir is nominative, while auf die Ablesung is an accusative prepositional phrase because auf expresses the object waited for here; the finite verb warten is in position two.
Das Ergebnis der Ablesung steht auf der Rechnung.
The result of the meter reading is on the bill.
das Ergebnis is the result, and die Rechnung is the bill. Der Ablesung is genitive after das Ergebnis to show what result it is; steht is in position two and means is written or appears here.
Die Stadt verschickt die Termine für die Ablesungen.
The city sends out the dates for the meter readings.
die Stadt is the city, verschickt means sends out, and die Termine are the dates or appointments. Die Ablesungen is plural accusative after verschickt; the plural ending -en is part of the noun form.
Bei der Ablesung des Thermometers war es schon sehr kalt.
When the thermometer was read, it was already very cold.
bei means during or at, das Thermometer is the thermometer, and schon sehr kalt means already very cold. Der Ablesung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb war goes to the end of the subordinate clause introduced by bei der Ablesung only if it were a clause, but here the phrase is a prepositional phrase, so war stays in position two.
Die genaue Ablesung zeigt einen kleinen Unterschied.
The precise reading shows a small difference.
genaue means precise, zeigt means shows, and ein kleiner Unterschied is a small difference. Die Ablesung is nominative because it is the subject, while einen kleinen Unterschied is accusative because it is the object of zeigt.
anrechnen — to credit, count towards; to hold against, give credit for
In the pattern jemandem etwas anrechnen, the person receiving the credit is dative and the credited thing is accusative. It means that something contributes to a result or total.
Die Schule rechnet ihr die Erfahrung an.
The school counts her experience as a credit.
die Schule means the school and die Erfahrung means the experience. Ihr is dative for the person receiving the credit, while die Erfahrung is accusative; the finite verb rechnet is in position two.
Die Universität hat ihm das Praktikum angerechnet.
The university credited the internship to him.
die Universität means the university, ihm means to him, and das Praktikum means the internship. Ihm is dative and das Praktikum is accusative; the perfect uses hat with angerechnet at the end.
Der Arbeitgeber rechnete ihr die Überstunden an.
The employer counted her overtime as a credit.
der Arbeitgeber means the employer and die Überstunden means overtime hours. Ihr is dative and die Überstunden is accusative; rechnete is the past-tense verb and an closes the clause.
Rechne ihm die Fahrtkosten an!
Count the travel costs as a credit for him!
ihm means to him and die Fahrtkosten means the travel costs. The person is dative and the costs are accusative; in the command, an goes to the end.
Ich würde ihr die Kosten anrechnen.
I would credit the costs to her.
ihr means to her and die Kosten means the costs. Würde gives the conditional meaning, while anrechnen goes to the end; ihr is dative and die Kosten accusative.
Der Kurs wird ihm die Prüfung anrechnen.
The course will count the examination as a credit for him.
der Kurs means the course and die Prüfung means the examination. Future uses wird in position two and anrechnen at the end; ihm is dative and die Prüfung is accusative.
Ich rechne ihm den Fehler nicht an.
I do not hold the mistake against him.
ihm means to him or against him here, and der Fehler means the mistake. Ihm is dative and den Fehler is accusative; nicht negates the phrase and an is at the end.
Wir rechnen ihr ihre Geduld hoch an.
We give her a lot of credit for her patience.
ihre Geduld means her patience and hoch means highly or a lot in this expression. Ihr is dative and ihre Geduld is accusative; rechnen is in position two and an is separated to the end.
ansteigen — to rise, to increase
This verb is used for values and levels that become higher, such as die Preise, die Temperatur, or die Zahl. It normally takes sein in the perfect, and its prefix separates in a main clause: Die Preise steigen an.
Die Temperatur steigt heute deutlich an.
The temperature is rising noticeably today.
die Temperatur means the temperature, heute means today, and deutlich means noticeably. The finite verb steigt is in position two, while the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Die Temperatur ist über Nacht angestiegen.
The temperature rose overnight.
über Nacht means overnight. angestiegen is the Partizip II with sein, because the temperature has changed to a higher level; the participle stands at the end.
Im letzten Jahr stieg die Zahl der Besucher stark an.
Last year, the number of visitors rose sharply.
im letzten Jahr means last year, die Zahl is the number, der Besucher means of visitors, and stark means sharply or greatly. The past-tense verb stieg is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Steig bitte langsam an!
Please rise slowly!
bitte means please and langsam means slowly. In the informal singular imperative, steig comes first and the separable prefix an goes to the end; this command is mainly natural for a value or level, not a person.
Wenn die Kosten weiter anstiegen, müssten wir sparen.
If the costs continued to rise, we would have to save money.
die Kosten means the costs, weiter means further, müssten means would have to, and sparen means save money. In the wenn clause, the complete verb anstiegen stands at the end; müssten expresses the hypothetical result.
Die Nachfrage wird im Sommer ansteigen.
Demand will rise in summer.
die Nachfrage means demand and im Sommer means in summer. wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive ansteigen goes to the end and stays together.
der Anteil — share, portion; share, contribution
Anteil an is commonly followed by an plus the dative: Anteil an etwas. In business, Anteil can also mean an ownership stake.
Ein kleiner Anteil des Gewinns geht an die Firma.
A small share of the profit goes to the company.
der Gewinn means the profit, and die Firma means the company. Ein kleiner Anteil is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb geht stands in position two, while des Gewinns is genitive because it specifies what the share belongs to.
Wir bekommen einen Anteil am Gewinn.
We receive a share of the profit.
bekommen means to receive, and der Gewinn is the profit. Einen Anteil is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; am Gewinn means “of the profit” and combines an dem.
Sie ist an einem Anteil der Kosten beteiligt.
She is involved in part of the costs.
beteiligt means involved, and die Kosten means the costs. An einem Anteil is dative because an has a fixed dative use here; einem shows masculine dative.
Die Höhe des Anteils ist noch unklar.
The size of the share is still unclear.
die Höhe means the size or amount, and unklar means unclear. Des Anteils is genitive because it identifies whose size is meant; the masculine noun adds -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Anteile der Kinder liegen auf dem Tisch.
The children’s shares are on the table.
die Kinder means the children, liegen means are lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Anteile is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Kinder is genitive, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location.
Jeder muss seinen Anteil bezahlen.
Everyone has to pay their share.
jeder means everyone, and bezahlen means to pay. Seinen Anteil is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; after the modal verb muss, the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end.
Ich habe meinen Anteil schon überwiesen.
I have already transferred my share.
schon means already, and überwiesen means transferred. Meinen Anteil is accusative because it is the object of überwiesen; the perfect uses habe plus the participle at the end.
die Anzahl — number, quantity, amount
Anzahl is usually used for countable people or things and is often followed by von plus a noun. For an uncountable amount, Menge is often more natural.
Die Anzahl der Gäste ist begrenzt.
The number of guests is limited.
die Gäste means the guests, and begrenzt means limited. Die Anzahl is nominative because it is the subject, while der Gäste is genitive because it specifies whose number is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir zählen die Anzahl der Plätze.
We are counting the number of seats.
zählen means to count, and die Plätze means the seats. Die Anzahl is accusative because it is the direct object of zählen, and the finite verb zählen is in position two.
Mit der Anzahl der Stimmen sind wir zufrieden.
We are satisfied with the number of votes.
mit means with, die Stimmen means the votes, and zufrieden means satisfied. Mit der Anzahl is dative because mit requires the dative; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Höhe der Anzahl überrascht mich.
The size of the number surprises me.
die Höhe means the size or level, and überraschen means to surprise. Der Anzahl is genitive because it specifies the size of what; mich is accusative because I am the person affected by überrascht.
Die Anzahlen werden in einer Tabelle verglichen.
The quantities are compared in a table.
werden verglichen means are compared, and eine Tabelle means a table. Anzahlen is the plural subject, and the passive participle verglichen goes to the end of the clause.
aufteilen — to divide up, split; to distribute; to split up, divide oneself
Aufteilen normally takes an accusative object: etwas aufteilen. It can also be reflexive, sich aufteilen, when people or things divide themselves into groups or parts.
Der Lehrer teilt die Klasse in vier Gruppen auf.
The teacher divides the class into four groups.
der Lehrer is the teacher, die Klasse is the class, and vier Gruppen are four groups. Die Klasse is accusative because it is the object of aufteilen; in vier Gruppen is accusative after in because it shows the result of dividing, and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben die Kosten gerecht aufgeteilt.
We divided the costs fairly.
die Kosten means the costs and gerecht means fairly. Die Kosten is accusative as the object; the perfect uses haben, and the whole Partizip II aufgeteilt stands at the end.
Sie teilte das Geld unter den Kindern auf.
She divided the money among the children.
das Geld is the money and unter den Kindern means among the children. Das Geld is accusative as the object, while unter den Kindern is dative because it describes a fixed location or distribution among people; the verb is split in the past-tense main clause.
Teil die Aufgaben bitte gleichmäßig auf!
Please divide up the tasks evenly!
die Aufgaben are the tasks and gleichmäßig means evenly. The informal singular imperative is teil; die Aufgaben is accusative, and the prefix auf moves to the end.
Wenn wir die Kosten besser aufteilten, könnten alle sparen.
If we divided the costs more fairly, everyone could save money.
besser means better, alle means everyone, and sparen means save money. Die Kosten is accusative as the object; in the wenn-clause the finite verb aufteilten goes to the end, while könnten is in position two in the main clause.
Morgen teilt die Gruppe die Aufgaben neu auf.
Tomorrow the group will redistribute the tasks.
morgen means tomorrow, die Gruppe is the group, and neu means anew or differently. Die Aufgaben is accusative because it is the object; the present tense can express a planned future, and the separable prefix auf stands at the end.
Die Gäste teilen sich auf die beiden Räume auf.
The guests split between the two rooms.
die Gäste are the guests and die beiden Räume are the two rooms. Sich is the reflexive pronoun, and auf die beiden Räume is accusative because auf expresses distribution toward places; both halves of the separable verb are marked.
Die Kinder haben sich in kleine Teams aufgeteilt.
The children split into small teams.
die Kinder are the children and kleine Teams are small teams. The reflexive form sich aufteilen uses haben in the perfect; in kleine Teams is accusative because it expresses the result of the division.
die Aufteilung — division, distribution, allocation
Die Aufteilung is the noun from aufteilen. It can describe dividing things into parts or allocating them among people, groups or categories.
Die Aufteilung der Arbeit ist fair.
The division of the work is fair.
die Arbeit is the work and fair means fair. Die Aufteilung is nominative because it is the subject, while der Arbeit is genitive because it identifies what is divided; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besprechen die Aufteilung der Aufgaben.
We are discussing the division of the tasks.
wir besprechen means we are discussing, and die Aufgaben are the tasks. Die Aufteilung is accusative because besprechen takes a direct object; der Aufgaben is genitive and specifies what is being divided.
Nach dem Essen helfen wir bei der Aufteilung der Kuchenstücke.
After the meal, we help with distributing the pieces of cake.
nach dem Essen means after the meal, helfen means help, and die Kuchenstücke are the pieces of cake. Der Aufteilung is dative after bei, which always takes dative; der Kuchenstücke is genitive and identifies the things being distributed.
Die Regeln der Aufteilung stehen im Vertrag.
The rules for the distribution are in the contract.
die Regeln are the rules, stehen means are written or stand, and der Vertrag is the contract. Der Aufteilung is genitive because it specifies the rules, while im Vertrag is dative from in dem because it describes location.
Verschiedene Aufteilungen sind möglich.
Different distributions are possible.
verschiedene means different and möglich means possible. Verschiedene Aufteilungen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the verb sind agrees with the plural.
ausreichend — sufficient, adequate
ausreichend means enough for a specific purpose. It is a normal adjective and can be compared as ausreichender and am ausreichendsten, although genügend is often more idiomatic in everyday speech.
Das Essen ist ausreichend.
The food is sufficient.
das Essen means the food. The adjective is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben ausreichende Vorräte für den Winter.
We have sufficient supplies for the winter.
Vorräte means supplies and der Winter means winter. ausreichende has an adjective ending because it stands before the plural noun Vorräte; the noun is accusative because haben takes an accusative object.
Diese Lösung ist ausreichender als die alte.
This solution is more adequate than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution and die alte means the old one. ausreichender is the comparative and als introduces the thing being compared; the adjective is predicative after ist and has no ending.
Von allen Vorschlägen ist dieser am ausreichendsten.
Of all the suggestions, this one is the most adequate.
von allen Vorschlägen means of all the suggestions and dieser means this one. am ausreichendsten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Für den Kurs wird das Material ausreichend sein.
The material will be sufficient for the course.
für den Kurs means for the course and das Material means the material. ausreichend is predicative after sein; in the future construction, wird is in position two and sein goes to the end.
ausreichend — sufficiently, enough
As an adverb, ausreichend describes how much or to what degree something happens, meaning sufficiently or enough. It does not take an adjective ending, so it remains ausreichend in every position.
Bitte trinken Sie ausreichend.
Please drink enough.
bitte means please and trinken means to drink. ausreichend is an adverb modifying the verb trinken; the formal imperative trinken Sie puts the verb before Sie.
Sie hat sich ausreichend auf die Prüfung vorbereitet.
She prepared sufficiently for the exam.
sich vorbereiten means to prepare oneself and die Prüfung means the exam. ausreichend modifies vorbereitet; the perfect uses hat and the Partizip II vorbereitet at the end, while sich is the reflexive pronoun.
der Bedarf — need, demand, requirement
Bedarf is often used as an uncountable noun for a general need or demand, as in Bedarf an etwas. The plural Bedarfe is possible when several specific requirements are being distinguished, especially in formal or administrative language.
Der Bedarf an Wohnraum steigt.
The need for housing is increasing.
Wohnraum means living space, and steigt means is rising. Der Bedarf is nominative because it is the subject; an Wohnraum is dative because Bedarf an commonly uses an with the dative.
Die Stadt muss den Bedarf an Wohnungen decken.
The city must meet the demand for apartments.
die Stadt means the city, Wohnungen means apartments, and decken means meet or cover. Den Bedarf is accusative because decken takes a direct object; muss is in position two and the infinitive decken goes to the end.
Wir passen uns dem Bedarf der Kunden an.
We adapt to the customers' needs.
passen uns an means adapt, and die Kunden means the customers. Dem Bedarf is dative because sich anpassen takes an plus dative for what one adapts to; the separable prefix an stands at the end.
Die Deckung des Bedarfs kostet viel Geld.
Meeting the need costs a lot of money.
die Deckung means meeting or covering, and kostet viel Geld means costs a lot of money. Des Bedarfs is genitive because it specifies which need is being met; the noun adds -s in this case.
Die verschiedenen Bedarfe werden jedes Jahr geprüft.
The different requirements are reviewed every year.
verschiedenen means different, jedes Jahr means every year, and geprüft means reviewed or checked. Die Bedarfe is a plural used for separate requirements; werden geprüft is the passive, with the participle at the end.
berechnen — to calculate, to work out; to charge, to bill
Berechnen can mean working out a number or amount, and it can also mean charging an amount. It is a regular verb with the inseparable prefix be-, so its perfect participle is berechnet, not geberechnet.
Der Computer berechnet die Kosten.
The computer calculates the costs.
der Computer is the computer and die Kosten are the costs. Die Kosten is accusative because berechnen takes the amount being calculated as a direct object; the finite verb berechnet stands in position two.
Der Computer hat die Kosten berechnet.
The computer calculated the costs.
hat ... berechnet means calculated, and die Kosten are the costs. Die Kosten is accusative as the object of berechnen; hat is in position two and the Partizip II berechnet goes to the end.
Der Computer berechnete die Kosten automatisch.
The computer calculated the costs automatically.
automatisch means automatically, and die Kosten are the costs. Die Kosten is accusative because it is the object, while the regular past form berechnete stands in position two.
Berechne bitte die Gesamtkosten.
Please calculate the total costs.
bitte means please and die Gesamtkosten means the total costs. Die Gesamtkosten is accusative because it is the object of berechnen; the imperative berechne comes first and du is omitted.
Wenn sie die Strecke kennen würde, berechnete sie die Zeit genauer.
If she knew the distance, she would calculate the time more precisely.
die Strecke is the distance, die Zeit is the time, and genauer means more precisely. Die Strecke is accusative after kennen, and berechnete is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause, where it stands in position two.
Die App wird den Betrag sofort berechnen.
The app will calculate the amount immediately.
die App is the app, der Betrag is the amount, and sofort means immediately. Den Betrag is accusative because it is the object of berechnen; wird stands in position two and the infinitive berechnen goes to the end.
Das Hotel berechnet dem Gast eine Gebühr.
The hotel charges the guest a fee.
das Hotel is the hotel, der Gast is the guest, and eine Gebühr is a fee. Dem Gast is dative because the person charged is an indirect object, while eine Gebühr is accusative as the amount charged; berechnet stands in position two.
Für das Frühstück berechnet das Hotel fünf Euro.
The hotel charges five euros for breakfast.
für das Frühstück means for breakfast, and fünf Euro means five euros. Fünf Euro is the accusative amount charged, while für also takes the accusative; the subject das Hotel comes after the opening phrase and the finite verb berechnet remains in position two.
durchschnittlich — average, ordinary, typical; on average
Durchschnittlich usually means ordinary or typical, not “bad”. In formal descriptions, it can simply state that something is close to the average.
Die Wohnung ist durchschnittlich groß.
The flat is average in size.
die Wohnung is the flat and groß means big or large. Durchschnittlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Er hat ein durchschnittliches Einkommen.
He has an average income.
ein Einkommen is an income and hat means has. Durchschnittliches stands before the neuter accusative noun Einkommen and takes -es after ein; the phrase is the direct object.
Dieses Jahr war durchschnittlicher als das letzte.
This year was more average than the previous one.
dieses Jahr means this year and das letzte means the previous one. Durchschnittlicher is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Werten ist dieser am durchschnittlichsten.
Of all the values, this one is the most average.
von allen Werten means of all the values, and dieser means this one. Von takes the dative, and the predicative superlative uses am ...-sten; it has no adjective ending before a noun here.
Die Besucher bleiben durchschnittlich drei Tage.
Visitors stay for an average of three days.
die Besucher are the visitors and bleiben means stay. Here durchschnittlich is used adverbially, so it does not take an ending; drei Tage gives the average duration.
Sie verdient durchschnittlich zweitausend Euro im Monat.
She earns an average of two thousand euros a month.
verdient means earns, zweitausend Euro means two thousand euros, and im Monat means per month. The adjective is adverbial and therefore unchanged; verdient is in position two.
einig — in agreement, agreed; some, several
The common expression is sich einig sein, meaning to agree or to be of the same opinion. The reflexive pronoun is normally dative, as in Wir sind uns einig.
Wir sind uns einig.
We agree.
wir means we, and uns means ourselves or each other here. uns is dative because the fixed expression is sich einig sein; einig follows the verb sind as a predicative adjective and does not take an ending.
Die einigen Parteien unterschrieben den Vertrag.
The parties that were in agreement signed the contract.
die Parteien means the parties, and unterschrieben means signed. den Vertrag is accusative because unterschreiben takes an accusative object; einigen stands before the plural noun and has the adjective ending -en after die.
Nach dem Gespräch waren die beiden Seiten einiger.
After the conversation, the two sides were more in agreement.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and die beiden Seiten means the two sides. nach takes the dative, shown by dem; einiger follows waren as a predicative comparative and therefore has no ending.
Bei diesem Thema sind die Experten am einigsten.
The experts are most in agreement on this topic.
bei diesem Thema means on this topic, and die Experten means the experts. bei takes the dative, shown by diesem; am einigsten is the predicative superlative after sind.
Einige kommen später.
Some are coming later.
kommen means are coming, and später means later. Einige stands alone as a plural pronoun referring to some people; the finite verb kommen is in position two, and the pronoun has no noun after it.
Ich habe einige gesehen.
I saw several.
habe gesehen means saw or have seen. einige is an accusative plural pronoun because sehen takes an accusative object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gesehen goes to the end.
einundzwanzigste — twenty-first
Ordinal numerals are adjectives and take adjective endings: einundzwanzigste is used before a feminine noun with die. In dates, other endings are common, such as am einundzwanzigsten.
Das ist die einundzwanzigste Seite.
That is the twenty-first page.
die Seite means the page, and das means that. einundzwanzigste is an ordinal adjective before a feminine noun, so it has the ending -e; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie wurde die einundzwanzigste Teilnehmerin.
She became the twenty-first participant.
sie means she, wurde means became, and die Teilnehmerin means the female participant. After wurde, the noun phrase is a predicative complement, and the ordinal has the feminine ending -e.
erhöhen — to increase, to raise; to increase, to rise
Erhöhen takes an accusative object when someone raises a price, amount or level. It can also be reflexive: sich erhöhen means to increase, without someone actively causing the change.
Die Firma erhöht die Preise.
The company is increasing the prices.
die Firma means the company and die Preise means the prices. Die Preise is accusative because erhöhen takes the thing being increased as an accusative object; the finite verb erhöht is in position two.
Die Firma hat die Preise erhöht.
The company has increased the prices.
die Firma means the company and die Preise means the prices. The perfect uses hat plus erhöht; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while die Preise remains accusative.
Die Firma erhöhte die Preise im Januar.
The company increased the prices in January.
im Januar means in January. Erhöhte is the regular Präteritum form and stands in position two; die Preise is accusative because it is the object being increased.
Erhöhe bitte die Lautstärke.
Please turn up the volume.
bitte means please and die Lautstärke means the volume. Erhöhe is a direct du command, with the subject omitted; die Lautstärke is accusative as the object of the verb.
Ich würde die Steuer nicht erhöhen.
I would not increase the tax.
die Steuer means the tax and nicht means not. Würde erhöhen expresses a hypothetical action; würde occupies position two and the infinitive erhöhen goes to the end, with die Steuer in the accusative.
Die Regierung wird die Steuern nächstes Jahr erhöhen.
The government will increase taxes next year.
die Regierung means the government, die Steuern means taxes, and nächstes Jahr means next year. Future tense uses wird in position two and sends the infinitive erhöhen to the end; die Steuern is accusative.
Die Temperatur erhöht sich am Nachmittag.
The temperature rises in the afternoon.
die Temperatur means the temperature and am Nachmittag means in the afternoon. The reflexive pronoun sich is required for the meaning become higher; erhöht is in position two.
Durch den Wind erhöht sich die Gefahr.
The danger increases because of the wind.
durch den Wind means because of the wind, and die Gefahr means the danger. Durch takes the accusative, so den Wind is accusative; the reflexive sich belongs with erhöhen, and the verb is in position two.
die Erhöhung — increase, rise, raise; raised area, elevation
Erhöhung is often used for an increase in prices, rent or pay. The common compound Gehaltserhöhung specifically means a pay rise.
Die Erhöhung kommt im nächsten Monat.
The increase comes next month.
kommt means comes or takes effect, and im nächsten Monat means next month. Die Erhöhung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich lehne die Erhöhung der Miete ab.
I reject the rent increase.
lehne ... ab means reject, and der Miete means of the rent. Die Erhöhung is accusative because it is the object of ablehnen; the separable verb places ab at the end.
Viele Kunden widersprechen der Erhöhung.
Many customers object to the increase.
viele Kunden means many customers, and widersprechen means object to or contradict. Widersprechen takes the dative, so der Erhöhung is dative; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Folgen der Erhöhung sind noch unklar.
The consequences of the increase are still unclear.
die Folgen means the consequences and noch unklar means still unclear. Der Erhöhung is genitive and means of the increase; the whole phrase Die Folgen der Erhöhung is the nominative subject.
Die neuen Erhöhungen belasten viele Familien.
The new increases put a strain on many families.
die neuen means the new ones, belasten means put a strain on, and viele Familien means many families. Erhöhungen is plural with die; the phrase is nominative because it is the subject, while viele Familien is accusative.
Der Weg führt über eine Erhöhung.
The path leads over a raised area.
der Weg means the path and führt über means leads over or across. Eine Erhöhung is accusative because über expresses movement across a raised area here; the finite verb führt is in position two.
Auf der kleinen Erhöhung steht eine Bank.
A bench stands on the small raised area.
auf der kleinen means on the small one, steht means stands, and eine Bank is a bench. Auf der kleinen Erhöhung is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement; the subject eine Bank follows the verb.
exakt — exact, precise
Exakt is common for numbers, measurements, times and information when complete precision matters. Its comparison is regular: exakter and am exaktesten.
Die Antwort ist exakt.
The answer is exact.
Die Antwort means the answer, and exakt means exact or precise. The adjective follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; sein links the subject with its description.
Bitte schreiben Sie die exakte Adresse auf.
Please write down the exact address.
die Adresse means the address and aufschreiben means write down. Die exakte Adresse is accusative because aufschreiben takes an accusative object; in this polite imperative, schreiben Sie is in position two and the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Diese Messung ist exakter als die erste.
This measurement is more precise than the first one.
Diese Messung means this measurement and die erste means the first one. Exakter compares two measurements and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Ergebnissen ist dieses am exaktesten.
Of all the results, this one is the most precise.
von allen Ergebnissen means of all the results, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, so allen Ergebnissen is dative plural; the superlative am exaktesten is predicative and therefore has the am ... -sten form.
der Gehalt — content, substance
This masculine noun, der Gehalt, means content or substance. It is different from neuter das Gehalt, which means salary; the masculine plural is die Gehalte, while the salary plural is die Gehälter.
Der Gehalt an Zucker ist hoch.
The sugar content is high.
der Zucker is sugar, and hoch means high. Der Gehalt is nominative because it is the subject; an Zucker specifies what is being measured, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir messen den Gehalt an Salz.
We measure the salt content.
messen means to measure, and das Salz is salt. Den Gehalt is accusative because messen takes a direct object; an Salz names the substance whose content is measured.
Das Getränk fehlt dem Gehalt an Vitaminen.
The drink lacks vitamin content.
das Getränk is the drink, fehlen means to be lacking, and die Vitamine are vitamins. Dem Gehalt is dative because fehlen takes a dative complement; this sentence is formal and means that the drink lacks content in vitamins.
Die Messung des Gehalts dauert lange.
The measurement of the content takes a long time.
die Messung is the measurement, and dauert lange means takes a long time. Des Gehalts is genitive and identifies what is measured; the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
Die verschiedenen Gehalte werden verglichen.
The different contents are compared.
verschieden means different, and verglichen means compared. Die Gehalte is the plural of masculine der Gehalt in the content sense; werden verglichen is the present passive, with the participle at the end.
genügen — to be enough, to suffice
The person for whom something is enough is usually in the dative: Das genügt mir means That is enough for me. Do not use an accusative pronoun such as mich for this person.
Eine Stunde genügt für die Prüfung.
One hour is enough for the exam.
eine Stunde means one hour and die Prüfung means the exam. Für die Prüfung is accusative because für always takes the accusative; the finite verb genügt stands in position two.
Die kurze Pause hat genügt.
The short break was enough.
die kurze Pause means the short break. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II genügt; hat stands in position two and genügt goes to the end.
Das Geld genügte nicht für die Reise.
The money was not enough for the trip.
das Geld means the money, nicht means not, and die Reise means the trip. Für die Reise is accusative after für, and the regular Präteritum form genügte is the finite verb in position two.
Genüg jetzt mit dieser Erklärung!
Be satisfied with this explanation now!
jetzt means now and diese Erklärung means this explanation. In this less common imperative use, genüg means be satisfied; the preposition mit takes the dative, although the object is understood rather than stated.
Das genügte mir damals nicht.
That was not enough for me at the time.
damals means at that time and nicht means not. Here genügte is formally the same as the Präteritum, so the context gives the meaning; mir is dative because the person for whom something is enough is expressed in the dative.
Das wird für heute genügen.
That will be enough for today.
für heute means for today. The future uses wird in position two and the infinitive genügen at the end; für takes the accusative, though heute has no visible case ending.
hundertste — hundredth
hundertste is the ordinal form of hundert and means 100th. It behaves like an adjective, so its ending changes with the article and case; when used as a noun, it is capitalised, as in die Hundertste.
Heute feiern wir den hundertsten Geburtstag unseres Vereins.
Today we are celebrating our club's hundredth birthday.
heute means today, feiern means celebrate, der Geburtstag is the birthday, and unser Verein is our club. den hundertsten Geburtstag is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the ordinal has the masculine accusative ending -en.
Sie kam als Hundertste ins Ziel.
She finished in hundredth place.
sie means she, kam means came, das Ziel is the finish, and ins Ziel means to the finish. Hundertste is a substantivised ordinal, so it is capitalised; als Hundertste describes her position, while kam is in position two.
je — per, each; ever
Je can mean “each” or “per” when it gives a quantity for individual people or things. It is an adverb, so it never takes an ending.
Die Kinder bekommen je zwei Kekse.
The children each get two biscuits.
die Kinder means the children, and Kekse are biscuits. Je means each or per here and does not change the case; bekommen stands in position two, while zwei Kekse is the accusative object.
Die Eintrittskarten kosten je zehn Euro.
The tickets cost ten euros each.
die Eintrittskarten means the tickets, and kosten means cost. Je zehn Euro gives the price per ticket; the finite verb kosten is in position two, and je stays unchanged.
Warst du je in Wien?
Have you ever been to Vienna?
warst means were or have been, and Wien is Vienna. Je means ever in this question; the finite verb warst comes first because this is a yes-no question.
Ich habe je so einen Film gesehen.
I have never seen such a film.
so einen Film means such a film, and gesehen means seen. In this context je means ever and the sentence normally has a negative meaning in English; habe is in position two and the Partizip II gesehen goes to the end.
jeweils — each, each time, respectively
jeweils often means jeder/jede/jedes in a distributive sense, as in jeweils zwei meaning two each. It usually stands near the information it distributes and does not take an ending.
Die Kinder bekommen jeweils ein Eis.
The children each get an ice cream.
die Kinder means the children, bekommen means get, and ein Eis is an ice cream. jeweils distributes ein Eis among the children; ein Eis is accusative because bekommen takes an accusative object.
Die Kurse finden jeweils am Dienstag statt.
The courses take place every Tuesday.
die Kurse means the courses, am Dienstag means on Tuesday, and stattfinden means take place. jeweils means on each occasion, while the separable verb finden ... statt puts statt at the end of the main clause.
die Masse — mass; large amount; crowd; masses
In science, Masse means mass and is usually singular. In everyday language, it can also mean a very large quantity or group.
Die Masse des Wassers ist schwer zu bewegen.
The mass of the water is difficult to move.
des Wassers means of the water, and schwer zu bewegen means difficult to move. Die Masse is nominative because it is the subject; des Wassers is genitive because it specifies what the mass consists of.
Wir messen die Masse des Körpers.
We measure the mass of the body.
messen means measure, and des Körpers means of the body. Die Masse is accusative because it is the direct object of messen, while des Körpers is genitive and identifies the body.
Mit der Masse kann man die Dichte berechnen.
Using the mass, you can calculate the density.
mit means with, and die Dichte berechnen means calculate the density. Der Masse is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann man is an impersonal way to say you or one can.
Die Temperatur der Masse steigt langsam.
The temperature of the mass rises slowly.
die Temperatur is the temperature, and steigt langsam means rises slowly. Der Masse is genitive because it says whose temperature is meant; the finite verb steigt is in position two.
Große Massen bewegen sich durch die Straßen.
Large crowds move through the streets.
große means large, and durch die Straßen means through the streets. Massen is plural nominative because it is the subject; sich bewegen means move, and the reflexive pronoun is sich.
Die Masse jubelte im Stadion.
The crowd cheered in the stadium.
jubelte means cheered, and im Stadion means in the stadium. Die Masse is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb jubelte stands in position two.
Er wollte nicht in der Masse verschwinden.
He did not want to disappear into the crowd.
wollte nicht means did not want to, and verschwinden means disappear. In der Masse is dative because it describes a fixed location or state rather than movement into it; the infinitive verschwinden goes to the end after wollte.
maximal — maximum, maximal
Maximal is normally an absolute adjective meaning “at the highest possible level,” so comparison is uncommon. The forms maximaler and am maximalsten are possible but rare; before a noun, remember that the adjective still takes the usual ending.
Die Geschwindigkeit ist maximal.
The speed is at the maximum.
Die Geschwindigkeit means the speed, and ist means is. Maximal is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing before a noun.
Wir fahren mit maximaler Geschwindigkeit.
We are travelling at maximum speed.
Wir fahren means we are travelling, and Geschwindigkeit means speed. Mit takes the dative, so the feminine phrase is mit maximaler Geschwindigkeit; here maximaler is the inflected positive adjective, not a comparative.
Eine größere Batterie ermöglicht eine maximalere Reichweite.
A larger battery allows a greater maximum range.
Eine größere Batterie means a larger battery, ermöglicht means allows or makes possible, and Reichweite means range. Maximalere is a rare comparative form meaning more maximal; eine maximalere Reichweite is accusative because it is the object of ermöglichen.
Das war die maximalste Auslastung des Systems.
That was the system’s highest possible level of use.
Auslastung means level of use or capacity utilisation, and des Systems means of the system. Maximalste is a rare superlative form; des Systems is genitive because it identifies the system concerned.
Die Maschine arbeitet mit maximaler Leistung.
The machine operates at maximum power.
Die Maschine means the machine, arbeitet means operates or works, and Leistung means power or output. Mit maximaler Leistung is dative because mit requires the dative; maximaler agrees with the feminine noun.
maximal — at most, no more than; extremely, to the greatest degree
As an adverb, maximal means “at most” and does not change its form. It often comes directly before a number or amount, as in maximal zwei Stunden.
Die Fahrt dauert maximal zehn Minuten.
The journey takes at most ten minutes.
Die Fahrt means the journey or ride, and dauert means lasts or takes. Maximal zehn Minuten means at most ten minutes; maximal is an adverb and therefore has no adjective ending.
Du darfst maximal zwei Taschen mitnehmen.
You may take at most two bags with you.
Darfst means are allowed to, zwei Taschen means two bags, and mitnehmen means take along. Maximal limits the number; zwei Taschen is accusative as the object of mitnehmen, and the infinitive goes to the end after the modal verb.
Der Film war maximal spannend.
The film was extremely exciting.
Der Film means the film, and spannend means exciting or suspenseful. Here maximal intensifies the adjective spannend; it is an adverb and remains unchanged.
Das Konzert war maximal laut.
The concert was extremely loud.
Das Konzert means the concert, and laut means loud. In this colloquial use, maximal means extremely; because it modifies laut rather than a noun, it has no adjective ending.
mehrfach — multiple; repeated; several times
Mehrfach can be an adjective meaning multiple or repeated and an adverb meaning several times. The comparative and superlative are possible but uncommon; in everyday speech, speakers often use öfter or mehrmals instead.
Der Fehler ist mehrfach.
The error occurs repeatedly.
der Fehler means the error, and ist means is. Mehrfach is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat einen mehrfachen Fehler gemacht.
She made a repeated error.
hat gemacht means made, and einen Fehler means an error. Mehrfachen comes before the masculine accusative noun Fehler after machen and therefore takes the ending -en.
Dieser Vorgang ist mehrfacher als der vorige.
This process is more repeated than the previous one.
dieser Vorgang means this process, and der vorige means the previous one. Mehrfacher is the comparative and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no case ending.
Von allen Verfahren ist dieses am mehrfachsten dokumentiert.
Of all the methods, this one is documented most repeatedly.
von allen Verfahren means of all the methods, and dokumentiert means documented. Am mehrfachsten is the predicative superlative with am and -sten; the finite verb ist is in position two and dokumentiert remains at the end.
die Mehrheit — majority; larger number
Die Mehrheit can mean more than half in a vote or simply the larger part of a group. The opposite is die Minderheit, meaning minority; die meisten means most and is not a noun.
Die Mehrheit stimmt für den Vorschlag.
The majority votes for the proposal.
stimmt für means votes in favour of, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Die Mehrheit is nominative because it is the subject; für den Vorschlag uses accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Wir brauchen die Mehrheit im Parlament.
We need a majority in parliament.
brauchen means need, and im Parlament means in parliament. Die Mehrheit is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the article looks the same in nominative and accusative for this feminine noun.
Die Partei vertraut der Mehrheit der Wähler.
The party trusts the majority of voters.
die Partei means the party, vertraut means trusts, and die Wähler means the voters. Der Mehrheit is dative because vertrauen takes dative; der Wähler is genitive and means of the voters.
Die Entscheidung der Mehrheit gilt heute.
The majority's decision is valid today.
die Entscheidung means the decision, gilt means is valid or applies, and heute means today. Der Mehrheit is genitive because it shows whose decision it is; the finite verb gilt stands in position two.
Die Mehrheiten in den Ländern sind unterschiedlich.
The majorities in the countries are different.
in den Ländern means in the countries, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Mehrheiten is plural nominative as the subject; in den Ländern is dative because it describes a fixed location, and Ländern adds -n in the dative plural.
die Mengenangabe — quantity indication, quantity statement
Die Mengenangabe is common in recipes, product packaging, forms, and instructions. It can state an amount using units such as Gramm, Liter, or Stück.
Die Mengenangabe steht auf der Packung.
The quantity indication is on the packet.
steht means is written or is located, and auf der Packung means on the packet. Die Mengenangabe is nominative because it is the subject; auf der Packung is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich lese die Mengenangabe im Rezept.
I read the quantity indication in the recipe.
lese means read and das Rezept means the recipe. Die Mengenangabe is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; im Rezept means in the recipe and gives the context.
Bitte folgen Sie der Mengenangabe.
Please follow the quantity indication.
bitte means please and folgen means follow. Der Mengenangabe is dative because folgen always takes a dative object; folgen Sie is the polite imperative and the verb comes first.
Die Bedeutung der Mengenangabe ist nicht klar.
The meaning of the quantity indication is not clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, nicht klar means not clear, and ist means is. Der Mengenangabe is genitive because it specifies whose meaning is being discussed; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Mengenangaben unterscheiden sich je nach Land.
The quantity indications differ depending on the country.
unterscheiden sich means differ from one another, and je nach Land means depending on the country. Die Mengenangaben is a plural subject, so the verb is unterscheiden; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb.
Die Tabelle enthält eine Mengenangabe.
The table contains a quantity indication.
die Tabelle means the table and enthält means contains. Eine Mengenangabe is accusative because enthalten takes a direct object; enthält is the finite verb in position two.
die Quote — rate, percentage; quota; viewing figure
Quote often means a rate or percentage, for example a television viewing figure or a proportion of people. It can also mean a quota or fixed share; it does not normally mean an English-style quotation, which is das Zitat.
Die Quote ist in diesem Jahr gestiegen.
The rate has risen this year.
in diesem Jahr means “this year”, and gestiegen means “risen”. Die Quote is nominative because it is the subject; the perfect auxiliary ist is in position two and gestiegen goes to the end.
Die Zeitung nennt eine hohe Quote.
The newspaper gives a high rate.
die Zeitung means “the newspaper”, nennt means “names or gives”, and hoch means “high”. Eine hohe Quote is accusative because nennt takes a direct object; the adjective has the feminine accusative ending -e.
Mit der Quote sind alle zufrieden.
Everyone is satisfied with the rate.
mit means “with”, and zufrieden means “satisfied”. Der Quote is dative because mit always takes the dative; sind is in position two and alle means “everyone” here.
Die Höhe der Quote überrascht mich.
The level of the rate surprises me.
die Höhe means “the level”, and überrascht means “surprises”. Der Quote is genitive because it specifies the level; mich is accusative because I am the person affected by überraschen.
Die Quoten für das Fernsehen sinken.
Television viewing figures are falling.
für das Fernsehen means “for television”, and sinken means “fall”. Quoten is the plural of die Quote with -en, and the plural verb sinken follows the subject.
reduzieren — to reduce, to cut down; to lower, to lessen
Reduzieren takes an accusative object: you reduce etwas. It is a regular verb ending in -ieren, so its Partizip II is reduziert, without ge-, and the perfect uses haben.
Die Firma reduziert die Preise.
The company is reducing the prices.
die Firma means the company, and die Preise means the prices. Die Preise is accusative because reduzieren takes a direct object; the finite verb reduziert is in position two.
Wir haben unseren Energieverbrauch reduziert.
We have reduced our energy consumption.
unseren Energieverbrauch means our energy consumption. It is accusative because reduzieren takes a direct object; haben is in position two and the Partizip II reduziert goes to the end.
Das Geschäft reduzierte die Preise im Winter.
The shop reduced the prices in winter.
das Geschäft means the shop, im Winter means in winter, and die Preise means the prices. Reduzierte is the regular simple past in position two, and die Preise is accusative as the direct object.
Reduziere bitte den Lärm!
Please reduce the noise!
bitte means please, and der Lärm means the noise. Reduziere is the informal singular imperative, while den Lärm is accusative because it is the object being reduced.
Ich würde gern meine Arbeitszeit reduzieren.
I would like to reduce my working hours.
gern means gladly or would like to, and meine Arbeitszeit means my working hours. Meine Arbeitszeit is accusative because reduzieren takes a direct object; würde is in position two and reduzieren goes to the end.
Die Stadt wird den Verkehr in der Innenstadt reduzieren.
The city will reduce traffic in the city centre.
die Stadt means the city, der Verkehr means traffic, and in der Innenstadt means in the city centre. Den Verkehr is accusative as the direct object; wird is in position two and the infinitive reduzieren goes to the end.
Sport kann Stress reduzieren.
Exercise can reduce stress.
Sport means exercise or sport, kann means can, and Stress means stress. Stress is accusative because it is the object of reduzieren; after the modal verb kann, the infinitive goes to the end.
Bitte reduzieren Sie die Lautstärke.
Please turn down the volume.
bitte means please, Sie is the formal you, and die Lautstärke means the volume. This is a polite command with Sie; die Lautstärke is accusative because it is the direct object.
reichlich — plentiful, abundant
As an adjective, reichlich describes an amount that is plentiful or more than necessary. It can stand predicatively without an ending, as in Das Essen ist reichlich, or before a noun with an adjective ending.
Die Ernte war reichlich.
The harvest was plentiful.
die Ernte means the harvest. reichlich is predicative after war, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb war is in position two and the adjective follows the subject.
Wir hatten eine reichliche Mahlzeit.
We had a plentiful meal.
eine Mahlzeit means a meal, and hatten means had. Mahlzeit is an accusative object of hatten, so the feminine adjective takes the ending -e after eine.
Dieses Jahr war die Ernte reichlicher als im letzten Jahr.
This year the harvest was more plentiful than last year.
dieses Jahr means this year, die Ernte means the harvest, and letztes Jahr means last year. reichlicher compares two harvests and is followed by als; because it is predicative after war, it has no adjective ending.
Auf diesem Feld wächst das Getreide am reichlichsten.
The grain grows most abundantly in this field.
auf diesem Feld means in this field, and das Getreide means the grain. auf takes the dative for a location, so diesem Feld is dative; am reichlichsten is the adverbial superlative and the verb wächst is in position two.
reichlich — plentifully, abundantly; plenty
As an adverb, reichlich modifies a verb, adjective, or amount and never receives an adjective ending. It can mean “plenty of” before a noun, as in reichlich Zeit.
Bitte trinken Sie reichlich.
Please drink plenty.
bitte means please, and trinken means to drink. reichlich is an adverb modifying trinken, so it never takes an adjective ending; the formal imperative uses Sie and places the verb first.
Sie hat reichlich Erfahrung.
She has plenty of experience.
sie means she, and Erfahrung means experience. reichlich modifies the amount of experience; Erfahrung is an accusative object of hat, and the perfect-like sentence bracket is formed by hat in position two and the object at the end of the clause.
die Reihenfolge — order; sequence
die Reihenfolge is used for the order of steps, items, or events. Do not confuse it with die Reihe, which more often means a line, row, or turn.
Die Reihenfolge ist wichtig.
The order is important.
wichtig means important. Die Reihenfolge is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the adjective after sein is predicative and has no ending.
Bitte ändere die Reihenfolge.
Please change the order.
bitte means please, and ändere means change. die Reihenfolge is accusative because ändern takes a direct object; ändere is an imperative and stands first.
Wir arbeiten in der Reihenfolge.
We work in that order.
wir arbeiten means we work. der Reihenfolge is dative because in describes the manner or fixed order here; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Kontrolle der Reihenfolge dauert lange.
Checking the order takes a long time.
die Kontrolle means the checking, and dauert lange means takes a long time. der Reihenfolge is genitive because it specifies what is being checked; dauert is in position two.
Die Reihenfolgen unterscheiden sich.
The orders differ.
unterscheiden sich means differ from one another. Die Reihenfolgen is plural and takes unterscheiden, not unterscheidet; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to the plural subject.
Welche Reihenfolge ist richtig?
Which order is correct?
welche means which, and richtig means correct. Welche Reihenfolge is the subject of ist; the question word occupies position one and the finite verb follows it.
der Rückgang — decline, decrease, fall; statistical decline, reduction
This noun is common in reports and statistics for a fall in numbers, sales, demand or prices. The opposite is der Anstieg (increase); do not confuse Rückgang with a physical walk back.
Der Rückgang ist deutlich.
The decline is clear.
deutlich means clear or noticeable. Der Rückgang is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma meldet einen Rückgang der Verkäufe.
The company reports a decline in sales.
die Firma means the company, meldet means reports, and die Verkäufe means the sales. einen Rückgang is accusative because melden takes a direct object; der Verkäufe is genitive plural and specifies what has declined.
Wir rechnen mit einem Rückgang der Nachfrage.
We expect a decline in demand.
rechnen mit means expect or reckon with, and die Nachfrage means demand. einem Rückgang is dative because mit requires the dative; der Nachfrage is genitive and identifies what is declining.
Die Ursachen des Rückgangs sind unklar.
The causes of the decline are unclear.
die Ursachen means the causes, and unklar means unclear. des Rückgangs is genitive because it identifies which causes are meant; the masculine noun adds -s in this case.
Die Rückgänge bei den Bestellungen machen uns Sorgen.
The declines in orders worry us.
die Bestellungen means the orders, and machen uns Sorgen means worry us. Rückgänge is plural nominative as the subject; bei den Bestellungen is dative because bei takes the dative.
Ein starker Rückgang der Preise ist möglich.
A sharp fall in prices is possible.
stark means strong or sharp, die Preise means the prices, and möglich means possible. Ein Rückgang is nominative because the whole noun phrase is the subject, while der Preise is genitive plural.
Die Statistik zeigt einen Rückgang der Arbeitslosigkeit.
The statistics show a decline in unemployment.
die Statistik means the statistics, zeigt means shows, and die Arbeitslosigkeit means unemployment. einen Rückgang is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object; der Arbeitslosigkeit is genitive after the noun and names what has decreased.
Nach dem Sommer gab es einen Rückgang der Besucherzahlen.
After the summer, there was a decline in visitor numbers.
nach dem Sommer means after the summer, gab es means there was, and die Besucherzahlen means visitor numbers. dem Sommer is dative because nach takes the dative; einen Rückgang is accusative after es gab.
schätzen — to estimate, to judge; to appreciate, to value
In the sense ‘to estimate’, schätzen normally takes an accusative object, as in etwas schätzen. It is also used with auf plus the accusative to give the estimated amount; the perfect is formed with haben.
Ich schätze den Preis auf fünfzig Euro.
I estimate the price at fifty euros.
der Preis means price and fünfzig Euro means fifty euros. Den Preis is accusative because schätzen takes the thing being estimated as a direct object, and auf introduces the estimated amount with the accusative.
Wir haben die Kosten richtig geschätzt.
We estimated the costs correctly.
die Kosten means costs and richtig means correctly. The perfect uses haben plus geschätzt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Sie schätzte die Entfernung auf zehn Kilometer.
She estimated the distance at ten kilometres.
die Entfernung means distance and zehn Kilometer means ten kilometres. Die Entfernung is accusative as the direct object, and the weak past form schätzte has the ending -te.
Schätz die Zahl ohne Taschenrechner!
Estimate the number without a calculator!
die Zahl means number and ohne Taschenrechner means without a calculator. This is an informal du command, so Schätz has no subject; ohne takes the accusative.
Ich würde den Wert niedriger schätzen.
I would estimate the value lower.
der Wert means value and niedriger means lower. Würde ... schätzen expresses a hypothetical judgement; the infinitive schätzen goes to the end, and den Wert is accusative.
Der Experte wird den Schaden morgen schätzen.
The expert will estimate the damage tomorrow.
der Experte means expert, der Schaden means damage, and morgen means tomorrow. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive schätzen at the end; den Schaden is accusative.
Ich schätze deine ehrliche Meinung.
I appreciate your honest opinion.
deine ehrliche Meinung means your honest opinion. The whole phrase is accusative because schätzen takes the appreciated thing as a direct object, and the finite verb schätze is in position two.
Unsere Kunden haben den persönlichen Service sehr geschätzt.
Our customers greatly appreciated the personal service.
unsere Kunden means our customers and der persönliche Service means personal service. The perfect uses haben ... geschätzt, with the Partizip II at the end; den persönlichen Service is accusative.
senken — to lower, to reduce; to lower, to drop
Senken is transitive: the thing that becomes lower is its accusative object, as in die Preise senken. Do not confuse it with sinken, which is intransitive and means to go down by itself.
Die Firma senkt die Preise.
The company is lowering the prices.
die Firma is the company, and die Preise means the prices. die Preise is accusative because senken is transitive and takes a direct object; the finite verb senkt stands in position two.
Die Firma hat die Preise gesenkt.
The company has lowered the prices.
hat means has, and die Preise means the prices. die Preise is accusative because senken takes a direct object; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gesenkt goes to the end.
Die Firma senkte die Preise im Januar.
The company lowered the prices in January.
im Januar means in January. die Preise is accusative because it is the object of senken; senkte is the regular weak-verb simple past and stands in position two.
Senk bitte die Lautstärke.
Please lower the volume.
bitte means please, and die Lautstärke is the volume. Senk is the short du imperative; the object is accusative because senken takes a direct object.
Wenn ich die Kosten senkte, wäre das Projekt sicherer.
If I lowered the costs, the project would be safer.
die Kosten means the costs, das Projekt is the project, and sicherer means safer. die Kosten is accusative because senken takes a direct object; senkte is the Konjunktiv II form and the verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Wir werden die Heizung nachts senken.
We will lower the heating at night.
die Heizung is the heating, and nachts means at night. die Heizung is accusative because it is the object of senken; werden is in position two and the infinitive senken goes to the end.
Er senkt den Kopf.
He lowers his head.
er means he, and den Kopf is the head. den Kopf is accusative because senken takes a direct object; the finite verb senkt is in position two.
Sie senkte die Augen vor Scham.
She lowered her eyes out of shame.
die Augen means the eyes, vor Scham means out of shame, and senkte means lowered. die Augen is accusative because it is the object of senken; senkte is the weak-verb simple past in position two.
die Statistik — statistics, statistical report; statistics as an academic subject
Die Statistik can mean a set of numerical data or a report presenting it. The plural Statistiken is common when several subjects or reports are discussed.
Die Statistik zeigt einen deutlichen Anstieg.
The statistics show a clear increase.
zeigt means shows, deutlich means clear, and der Anstieg means the increase. Die Statistik is nominative because it is the subject; the accusative object einen deutlichen Anstieg follows the verb.
Ich lese die Statistik.
I am reading the statistics.
ich means I, and lesen means to read. Die Statistik is accusative because it is the direct object of lese; the feminine article does not change in this case.
Nach der Statistik sind die Preise gestiegen.
According to the statistics, prices have risen.
nach means according to here, die Preise means prices, and gestiegen means risen. Der Statistik is dative because nach always governs the dative; the verb phrase sind gestiegen has its Partizip II at the end.
Die Aussage der Statistik ist interessant.
The statement made by the statistics is interesting.
die Aussage means the statement, and interessant means interesting. Der Statistik is genitive because it identifies which statistics the statement comes from; the genitive phrase follows Aussage.
Neue Statistiken erscheinen jedes Jahr.
New statistics appear every year.
neue means new, erscheinen means appear or are published, and jedes Jahr means every year. Statistiken is plural and nominative as the subject, so the finite verb is erscheinen.
Sie studiert Statistik an der Universität.
She studies statistics at university.
sie means she, studiert means studies, and die Universität means the university. As an academic subject, Statistik is often used without an article; an der Universität is a location phrase with the dative.
Statistik hilft uns bei vielen Entscheidungen.
Statistics helps us with many decisions.
hilft means helps, uns means us, and viele Entscheidungen means many decisions. The subject Statistik is used without an article for the field of study; uns is dative because helfen governs the dative.
steigern — to increase, to improve, to raise
Steigern is normally transitive and takes an accusative object: etwas steigern means to increase something. With a person or thing improving by itself, use sich steigern instead.
Das Training steigert meine Leistung.
The training increases my performance.
das Training means training, and meine Leistung means my performance. Meine Leistung is accusative because steigern takes an accusative object, and the finite verb steigert stands in position two.
Das Training hat meine Leistung gesteigert.
The training has increased my performance.
das Training means training, and meine Leistung means my performance. Meine Leistung is accusative after steigern; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gesteigert goes to the end.
Die neue Werbung steigerte den Umsatz.
The new advertising increased sales.
die neue Werbung means the new advertising, and der Umsatz means sales or turnover. Den Umsatz is accusative because it is the object of steigerte, which is the finite verb in position two.
Steiger deine Konzentration mit einer Pause!
Improve your concentration with a break!
deine Konzentration means your concentration, mit means with, and einer Pause means a break. The imperative steiger comes first; deine Konzentration is accusative, while mit requires the dative einer Pause.
Wenn sie früher trainieren würde, steigerte sie ihre Leistung.
If she trained earlier, she would improve her performance.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, and ihre Leistung means her performance. Here steigerte is also the Konjunktiv II form; in the main clause it follows the subject, while ihre Leistung is accusative.
Das neue Programm wird die Produktivität steigern.
The new programme will increase productivity.
das neue Programm means the new programme, and die Produktivität means productivity. The finite auxiliary wird stands in position two and the infinitive steigern goes to the end; die Produktivität is accusative.
die Steigerung — increase, improvement, intensification; comparison of an adjective
Die Steigerung is the noun formed from steigern. In grammar, it can also mean comparison or intensification, as in die Steigerung eines Adjektivs, the comparison of an adjective.
Die Steigerung der Preise ist deutlich.
The increase in prices is clear.
die Preise means the prices, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Die Steigerung is nominative because it is the subject; der Preise is genitive and means “of the prices”.
Wir sehen eine Steigerung der Nachfrage.
We see an increase in demand.
wir sehen means we see, and die Nachfrage means demand. Eine Steigerung is accusative because it is the object of sehen, while der Nachfrage is genitive and means “of demand”.
Dank der Steigerung verdienen die Mitarbeiter mehr.
Thanks to the increase, the employees earn more.
dank means thanks to, die Mitarbeiter means the employees, and mehr means more. Der Steigerung is genitive after dank in formal standard German; the finite verb verdienen is in position two.
Die Gründe der Steigerung sind noch unklar.
The reasons for the increase are still unclear.
die Gründe means the reasons, and noch unklar means still unclear. Der Steigerung is genitive after Gründe and means “for the increase”; the whole phrase die Gründe der Steigerung is the nominative subject.
Solche Steigerungen belasten viele Familien.
Such increases put a strain on many families.
solche means such, belasten means put a strain on, and viele Familien means many families. Steigerungen is plural nominative as the subject, while viele Familien is accusative after belasten.
Die Steigerung von „schnell“ ist „schneller, am schnellsten“.
The comparison of “fast” is “faster, fastest”.
schnell means fast, schneller means faster, and am schnellsten means fastest. Die Steigerung is the grammatical process; the quoted adjective forms are examples, not objects of the verb.
Bei diesem Adjektiv gibt es keine Steigerung.
This adjective has no comparison.
bei diesem Adjektiv means with this adjective, and keine means no. Bei takes the dative, so diesem Adjektiv is dative; keine Steigerung is the nominative subject after es gibt? Here the natural meaning is “there is no comparison,” with keine Steigerung as the subject of gibt es.
tausendste — thousandth
tausendste is an ordinal, not a cardinal number: it identifies position 1,000 in a sequence. It behaves like an adjective and takes endings, for example der tausendste but zum tausendsten.
Sie war die tausendste Besucherin.
She was the thousandth visitor.
sie means “she”, die Besucherin means “the female visitor”, and war means “was”. tausendste is an ordinal used like an adjective and takes the ending -e after the definite article die; war is the past form of sein and links the person to the description.
Zum tausendsten Mal erzählte er dieselbe Geschichte.
For the thousandth time, he told the same story.
zum means “for the” and is short for zu dem, Mal means “time”, and dieselbe Geschichte means “the same story”. zu forces the dative, so tausendste becomes tausendsten after dem; the time phrase can stand first, so the finite verb erzählte still occupies position two.
die Teilung — division, separation, sharing; division
Teilung is often used for dividing work, money, or another whole into parts. It is related to teilen, meaning to divide or share.
Die Teilung der Arbeit macht das Projekt einfacher.
Dividing the work makes the project easier.
die Arbeit means the work, and das Projekt means the project; einfacher means easier. Die Teilung is nominative because it is the subject, while der Arbeit is genitive and specifies what is divided; macht stands in position two.
Wir besprechen heute die Teilung der Aufgaben.
Today we are discussing the division of the tasks.
heute means today, besprechen means discuss, and die Aufgaben means the tasks. Die Teilung is accusative because besprechen takes a direct object, while der Aufgaben is genitive and tells us what is divided.
Bei der Teilung bekommt jeder einen gleichen Anteil.
When it is divided, everyone gets an equal share.
bei means during or in the situation of, jeder means everyone, and ein gleicher Anteil means an equal share. Der Teilung is dative because bei always takes the dative; einen Anteil is accusative because it is what everyone receives.
Die Regeln der Teilung stehen im Vertrag.
The rules for the division are in the contract.
die Regeln means the rules, stehen means are written or stand, and der Vertrag means the contract. Der Teilung is genitive and describes which rules are meant; im Vertrag is short for in dem Vertrag and expresses location.
Solche Teilungen können Streit verursachen.
Such divisions can cause arguments.
solche means such, können means can, Streit means conflict, and verursachen means cause. Teilungen is plural and nominative as the subject; after the modal können, the infinitive verursachen goes to the end.
Die Teilung durch zwei ergibt fünf.
Dividing by two gives five.
durch zwei means by two, and ergibt means gives or results in. Die Teilung is nominative as the subject; durch takes the accusative, and ergibt stands in position two.
Bei dieser Teilung ist das Ergebnis eine ganze Zahl.
With this division, the result is a whole number.
bei dieser means in this case, das Ergebnis means the result, and eine ganze Zahl means a whole number. Dieser Teilung is dative because bei takes the dative; eine ganze Zahl is nominative after sein.
teilweise — partly, partially
Teilweise says that something is true only for part of a thing or situation. It usually modifies an adjective or participle, as in teilweise geöffnet, and does not change its form.
Der Laden ist heute teilweise geöffnet.
The shop is partly open today.
der Laden means the shop, heute means today, and geöffnet means open. Teilweise modifies geöffnet and means not completely; ist stands in position two, while heute and teilweise are adverbial information.
Die Straße ist wegen des Schnees teilweise gesperrt.
The road is partly closed because of the snow.
die Straße means the road, wegen means because of, der Schnee means the snow, and gesperrt means closed. Teilweise modifies gesperrt; des Schnees is genitive because wegen commonly takes the genitive, and ist is in position two.
der Verbrauch — consumption, usage
Der Verbrauch is usually the amount of energy, fuel, water, or another resource that is used. It is a countable noun in contexts such as ein hoher Verbrauch and has the plural Verbräuche; do not confuse it with Verbraucher, a consumer.
Der Verbrauch unseres Autos ist niedrig.
Our car's fuel consumption is low.
Unseres Autos means our car's, and niedrig means low. Der Verbrauch is the nominative subject, while unseres Autos is genitive because it identifies what has the consumption; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir messen den Verbrauch jeden Monat.
We measure consumption every month.
Wir messen means we measure, and jeden Monat means every month. Den Verbrauch is accusative because messen takes a direct object, and the finite verb messen stands in position two.
Mit weniger Wasser sinkt der Verbrauch.
With less water, consumption falls.
Mit weniger Wasser means with less water, and sinkt means falls. Mit always takes the dative, so weniger Wasser is dative; der Verbrauch is the nominative subject, and the verb still comes in position two.
Die Höhe des Verbrauchs überrascht mich.
The level of consumption surprises me.
Die Höhe means the level, and überrascht mich means surprises me. Des Verbrauchs is genitive after the noun Höhe to show what kind of level it is, while mich is accusative after überraschen.
Die Verbräuche der Haushalte werden verglichen.
The consumption levels of households are compared.
Der Haushalte means of the households, and werden verglichen means are compared. Verbräuche is the plural nominative subject; the plural noun takes the article die, and the passive uses werden plus verglichen at the end.
der Vierter — person in fourth place; fourth one; the fourth one
This is a substantivized ordinal adjective: the normal noun form is der Vierte, not der Vierter, although the supplied headword identifies this entry as der Vierter. It can refer to a fourth-place person or, depending on context, the fourth item or person.
Der Vierte bekommt eine Urkunde.
The person in fourth place gets a certificate.
bekommen means to get, and die Urkunde is the certificate. Der Vierte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb bekommt is in position two.
Der Trainer lobt den Vierten.
The coach praises the person in fourth place.
der Trainer is the coach, and loben means to praise. Den Vierten is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the substantivized adjective has -en after den.
Die Mannschaft gratuliert dem Vierten.
The team congratulates the person in fourth place.
die Mannschaft means the team, and gratulieren means to congratulate. Dem Vierten is dative because gratulieren requires the dative, not the accusative; the finite verb gratuliert is in position two.
Die Leistung des Vierten war überraschend gut.
The performance of the person in fourth place was surprisingly good.
die Leistung means the performance, and überraschend gut means surprisingly good. Des Vierten expresses possession or association in the genitive; war is the finite verb in position two.
Die Vierten feiern gemeinsam.
The people in fourth place celebrate together.
feiern means to celebrate, and gemeinsam means together. Die Vierten is a plural subject, so the finite verb is feiern; the ending -en remains in the plural.
Der Vierte von links trägt eine rote Jacke.
The fourth person from the left is wearing a red jacket.
von links means from the left, and trägt means is wearing; eine rote Jacke is a red jacket. Der Vierte is the nominative subject, while von takes the dative in von links; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Ich nehme den Vierten aus der Reihe.
I will take the fourth one out of the row.
nehmen means to take, aus der Reihe means out of the row, and Reihe means row or line. Den Vierten is accusative because it is the object of nehmen; aus takes the dative, and nehme ... aus is separated in this main clause.
zahlreich — numerous, plentiful
zahlreich is mainly used before plural nouns, as in zahlreiche Besucher, or with sein to say that people are present in large numbers. It normally describes a large quantity, not a person's personal quality.
Zahlreiche Gäste waren bei der Feier.
Numerous guests were at the celebration.
zahlreiche Gäste means numerous guests, and die Feier is the celebration. zahlreiche is attributive before the plural noun and has the plural ending -e; waren is the finite verb in position two.
Wir haben zahlreiche Fragen erhalten.
We received numerous questions.
zahlreiche Fragen means numerous questions, and erhalten means received. zahlreiche describes the plural accusative object Fragen; the perfect uses haben, with erhalten at the end.
Heute sind mehr Besucher da, also ist das Publikum zahlreicher als gestern.
There are more visitors today, so the audience is more numerous than yesterday.
heute means today, mehr Besucher means more visitors, das Publikum is the audience, and gestern means yesterday. zahlreicher ... als compares two groups; the comparative is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending.
Bei diesem Fest ist die Gruppe am zahlreichsten.
At this celebration, the group is the largest in number.
bei diesem Fest means at this celebration, and die Gruppe means the group. bei takes the dative, while am zahlreichsten is the predicative superlative after ist and has no adjective ending.
die Zunahme — increase, rise; weight gain; increase in weight
This noun often describes an upward change in a measurable quantity. The opposite is die Abnahme, a decrease; Zunahme is usually used with a genitive phrase such as die Zunahme der Preise.
Die Zunahme der Preise belastet viele Familien.
The increase in prices is a burden for many families.
die Preise means prices, belasten means burden, and viele Familien means many families. Die Zunahme is nominative because it is the subject, while der Preise is genitive because it identifies what is increasing; the finite verb belastet is in position two.
Viele Menschen spüren die Zunahme der Kosten.
Many people feel the increase in costs.
viele Menschen means many people, spüren means feel, and die Kosten means the costs. Die Zunahme is accusative because spüren takes an accusative object, and spüren stands in position two.
Die Regierung begegnet der Zunahme der Arbeitslosigkeit mit neuen Maßnahmen.
The government responds to the increase in unemployment with new measures.
die Regierung means the government, die Arbeitslosigkeit means unemployment, and neue Maßnahmen means new measures. Der Zunahme is dative because begegnen takes the dative; der Arbeitslosigkeit is genitive and specifies the increase.
Die Folgen der Zunahme sind deutlich sichtbar.
The consequences of the increase are clearly visible.
die Folgen means the consequences, and deutlich sichtbar means clearly visible. Der Zunahme is genitive after die Folgen to mean of the increase; the plural subject Folgen takes sind.
In den letzten Jahren gab es mehrere Zunahmen der Nachfrage.
In recent years there were several increases in demand.
in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, mehrere means several, and die Nachfrage means demand. Zunahmen is plural after mehrere, while der Nachfrage is genitive and means in demand; gab es is the past expression for there were.
Eine Zunahme des Gewichts kann verschiedene Ursachen haben.
An increase in weight can have various causes.
das Gewicht means weight, and verschiedene Ursachen means various causes. Zunahme is the subject with the indefinite article eine, while des Gewichts is genitive and means of the weight; kann is followed by the infinitive haben at the end.
Der Arzt beobachtet eine langsame Zunahme des Gewichts.
The doctor observes a slow increase in weight.
der Arzt means the doctor, beobachtet means observes, and langsam means slow. Eine Zunahme is accusative because beobachten takes an accusative object, and des Gewichts is genitive after the noun.
überschreiten — to cross, to exceed
überschreiten takes an accusative object, such as eine Grenze or ein Limit. It can describe physically crossing something or going beyond a rule, limit, or personal boundary.
Der Fahrer überschreitet die Höchstgeschwindigkeit.
The driver exceeds the maximum speed.
Fahrer means driver, and Höchstgeschwindigkeit means maximum speed. die Höchstgeschwindigkeit is accusative because it is the limit being exceeded; the finite verb überschreitet is in position two.
Der Fahrer hat die Höchstgeschwindigkeit überschritten.
The driver exceeded the maximum speed.
Fahrer means driver, and Höchstgeschwindigkeit means maximum speed. The speed is accusative because it is the object of überschreiten; hat is the auxiliary and the irregular participle überschritten ends the clause.
Sie überschritt eine wichtige Grenze.
She crossed an important boundary.
wichtige Grenze means important boundary. eine wichtige Grenze is accusative because it is what she crossed, and überschritt is the strong simple-past form with a vowel change.
Überschreite diese Linie nicht!
Don’t cross this line!
diese Linie means this line, and nicht means not. diese Linie is accusative because it is the boundary crossed; the negative imperative places nicht after the object.
Ich würde niemals meine persönlichen Grenzen überschreiten.
I would never cross my personal boundaries.
niemals means never, and persönliche Grenzen means personal boundaries. meine persönlichen Grenzen is accusative because the boundaries are crossed; würde ... überschreiten expresses a hypothetical action.
Das neue Gesetz wird die bisherigen Grenzen überschreiten.
The new law will exceed the previous boundaries.
neue Gesetz means new law, and bisherigen Grenzen means previous boundaries. The boundaries are accusative as the object; wird occupies position two and the infinitive überschreiten goes to the end.
überwiegend — predominant, prevailing, mostly
This adjective describes what forms the larger part of something. It is often used with words such as Mehrheit or positiv; it is different from the adverb überwiegend, which means mostly.
Die Stimmung ist überwiegend positiv.
The mood is predominantly positive.
die Stimmung means the mood, and positiv means positive. The adjective stands after sein in a predicative position and therefore has no ending.
Wir haben überwiegende Zustimmung bekommen.
We received predominantly positive approval.
die Zustimmung means approval, and bekommen means to receive. überwiegende stands before the feminine accusative noun Zustimmung and takes -e after the zero article.
Der zweite Teil war überwiegender als der erste.
The second part was more predominant than the first.
der zweite Teil means the second part, and der erste means the first one. The comparative überwiegender is used with als to compare two parts; after sein, it is predicative and has no extra ending.
Dieser Faktor war am überwiegendsten.
This factor was the most predominant.
dieser Faktor means this factor. The form am überwiegendsten is the superlative used after sein; do not add an adjective ending after am.
überwiegend — mostly, predominantly
As an adverb, überwiegend means mostly or predominantly and does not change its ending. It can modify an adjective, a verb, or the whole sentence.
Die Besucher kommen überwiegend aus Deutschland.
The visitors mostly come from Germany.
die Besucher means the visitors, and kommen means come; aus Deutschland means from Germany. überwiegend modifies the whole statement, while aus takes the dative, shown by the country name without a visible article here.
Das Publikum war überwiegend jung.
The audience was mostly young.
das Publikum means the audience, and jung means young. The adverb modifies jung, and the adjective follows war in a predicative position without an ending.