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Vocab: People & relationships — A1 (1)
People & relationships vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Achtung — respect, esteem; attention!, watch out!
Achtung meaning respect is usually an uncountable noun, so it normally has no plural. The common pattern is Achtung vor plus dative, while Achtung haben means to have respect.
Die Achtung vor meiner Mutter ist groß.
My respect for my mother is great.
meine Mutter means my mother and groß means great. Die Achtung is nominative because it is the subject; vor meiner Mutter is dative because vor takes the dative for this fixed meaning.
Ich habe Achtung vor diesem Arzt.
I respect this doctor.
ich habe means I have, diesem Arzt means this doctor, and vor means for or toward in this expression. Achtung is accusative as the object of haben, while vor diesem Arzt is dative because vor requires dative here.
Wir begegnen der Achtung unserer Gäste mit Dankbarkeit.
We respond to the respect of our guests with gratitude.
wir begegnen means we encounter or respond to, unserer Gäste means of our guests, and mit Dankbarkeit means with gratitude. der Achtung is dative because begegnen takes the dative; unserer Gäste is genitive and shows whose respect it is.
Die Bedeutung der Achtung ist nicht zu unterschätzen.
The importance of respect should not be underestimated.
die Bedeutung means the importance and nicht zu unterschätzen means not to be underestimated. der Achtung is genitive because it specifies the kind of importance; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In vielen Kulturen sind Achtungen vor älteren Menschen wichtig.
In many cultures, respect for older people is important.
vielen Kulturen means many cultures, älteren Menschen means older people, and wichtig means important. Although a plural Achtungen is possible for separate acts or forms of respect, everyday respect is usually uncountable; vor älteren Menschen is dative after vor.
Achtung! Der Zug kommt.
Watch out! The train is coming.
der Zug means the train and kommt means is coming. Achtung is an interjection used as a warning, and the following main clause has the finite verb kommt in position two.
Achtung, die Tür schließt!
Attention, the door is closing!
die Tür means the door and schließt means is closing. Achtung stands outside the sentence grammar as a warning; in the clause, schließt is the finite verb in position two.
das Alter — age; old age
To ask someone's age, German normally uses Wie alt bist du?, literally “How old are you?”, rather than a direct question with Alter. Alter can also mean old age, depending on the context.
Das Alter ist nicht wichtig.
Age is not important.
wichtig means important, and nicht means not. Das Alter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne das Alter meines Bruders.
I know my brother's age.
kenne means know, and meines Bruders means my brother's. Das Alter is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; meines Bruders is genitive because it shows whose age it is.
Mit dem Alter kommen neue Erfahrungen.
As one gets older, new experiences come.
mit means with or as, kommen means come, and neue Erfahrungen means new experiences. Dem Alter is dative because mit always governs the dative; the verb kommen stands in position two after the introductory phrase.
Wegen des Alters arbeitet er weniger.
Because of his age, he works less.
wegen means because of, arbeitet means works, and weniger means less. Des Alters is genitive because wegen traditionally governs the genitive; the subject er comes after the introductory phrase and the finite verb arbeitet is still in position two.
Menschen jeden Alters können teilnehmen.
People of every age can take part.
Menschen means people, jeden means every, and teilnehmen means take part. Here Alters is a genitive form expressing “of every age”; although this example uses the genitive singular, the plural Alter is used only in special contexts, not for ordinary ages.
Sie möchte bis ins hohe Alter reisen.
She wants to travel until she is very old.
möchte means would like, reisen means travel, and hoch means high or advanced here. Ins hohe Alter is a fixed expression meaning until old age; ins is short for in das, and reisen goes to the end after the modal expression.
Im Alter braucht man manchmal mehr Hilfe.
In old age, people sometimes need more help.
braucht means needs, manchmal means sometimes, and mehr Hilfe means more help. Im Alter is short for in dem Alter and is dative because in describes a period or situation here; the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
der Amerikaner — American man, American
The feminine form is Amerikanerin; the general adjective is amerikanisch. The plural Amerikaner has the same ending as the singular nominative.
Der Amerikaner kommt aus Boston.
The American comes from Boston.
kommt means comes and aus Boston means from Boston. Der Amerikaner is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Amerikaner jeden Tag.
I see the American every day.
sehe means see and jeden Tag means every day. Den Amerikaner is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Amerikaner mit dem Koffer.
I help the American with the suitcase.
helfe means help, mit means with, and der Koffer is the suitcase. Dem Amerikaner is dative because helfen governs the dative; mit dem Koffer is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto des Amerikaners steht vor dem Hotel.
The American's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Amerikaners is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun adds -s.
Viele Amerikaner besuchen Berlin.
Many Americans visit Berlin.
Viele means many, besuchen means visit, and Berlin is the city Berlin. The plural Amerikaner has no ending change, and it is nominative because it is the subject.
die Amerikanerin — American woman, American
The plural is Amerikanerinnen, with -innen. Unlike the masculine noun Amerikaner, this feminine noun has a visible plural ending.
Die Amerikanerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The American woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Amerikanerin is nominative because she is the subject, and arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Amerikanerin aus dem Kurs.
I know the American woman from the course.
kenne means know, aus dem Kurs means from the course, and der Kurs is the course. Die Amerikanerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Ich spreche mit der Amerikanerin.
I am speaking with the American woman.
spreche means speak and mit means with. Der Amerikanerin is dative because mit always governs the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das ist der Pass der Amerikanerin.
That is the American woman's passport.
der Pass means the passport. Der Amerikanerin is genitive because it shows whose passport it is, and the feminine noun does not add an ending.
Drei Amerikanerinnen sitzen im Café.
Three American women are sitting in the café.
Drei means three, sitzen means are sitting, and das Café is the café. Amerikanerinnen is the plural, formed with -innen, and it is nominative because it is the subject.
Andreas — Andreas, a male first name
Andreas is a male first name and normally stays unchanged in German. Names usually have no article when they are used as a person’s name.
Andreas arbeitet heute im Büro.
Andreas is working in the office today.
arbeitet means is working, heute means today, and das Büro means the office. The finite verb arbeitet stands in position two; Andreas is the subject in the nominative case.
Ich treffe Andreas nach der Schule.
I am meeting Andreas after school.
treffe means meet, nach means after, and die Schule means school. Andreas is the accusative object of treffen, while the finite verb treffe is in position two.
der Ausländer — foreigner; foreign national
Der Ausländer is a regular masculine noun: its plural is die Ausländer, and its genitive is des Ausländers. In modern German, ausländische Person or ausländischer Mitbürger may sound more neutral in some contexts.
Der Ausländer spricht sehr gut Deutsch.
The foreigner speaks German very well.
spricht means speaks, sehr gut means very well, and Deutsch means German. Der Ausländer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Ausländer oft im Bus.
I often see the foreigner on the bus.
sehe means see, oft means often, and im Bus means on the bus. Den Ausländer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Ausländer mit dem Formular.
I am helping the foreigner with the form.
helfe means help, mit means with, and das Formular means the form. Dem Ausländer is dative because helfen always takes the dative, and mit dem Formular is also dative because mit requires the dative.
Die Meinung des Ausländers interessiert mich.
The foreigner's opinion interests me.
die Meinung means the opinion, and interessiert means interests. Des Ausländers is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is, while mich is accusative because it is the person affected by interessieren.
Viele Ausländer leben gern in Berlin.
Many foreigners like living in Berlin.
viele means many, leben means live, gern means gladly or like to, and Berlin is the city Berlin. Viele Ausländer is plural nominative because it is the subject, and leben stands in position two.
das Baby — baby
The plural is Babys, with -s, not a German ending such as -e or -er. The word is used for a very young child.
Das Baby schläft.
The baby is sleeping.
schläft means is sleeping. The noun is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Baby.
I can see the baby.
sehe means see. Ich is I, and das Baby is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Baby die Flasche.
I give the baby the bottle.
gebe means give, and die Flasche is the bottle. dem Baby is dative because it is the recipient, while die Flasche is the accusative thing given.
Das Weinen des Babys ist laut.
The baby's crying is loud.
das Weinen means the crying, and laut means loud. des Babys is genitive because it shows whose crying it is; the noun keeps -s after des.
Die Babys spielen im Garten.
The babies are playing in the garden.
spielen means are playing, and im Garten means in the garden. Babys is plural and has the same form in the nominative and accusative; im is short for in dem and takes the dative for a location.
die Bekannte — female acquaintance
This is a feminine substantivized adjective: die Bekannte means a female acquaintance. It is not normally used for a close friend, and its plural is die Bekannten.
Die Bekannte wohnt in Köln.
The female acquaintance lives in Cologne.
wohnt means lives, and in Köln means in Cologne. Die Bekannte is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich treffe die Bekannte morgen.
I am meeting the female acquaintance tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. die Bekannte is accusative because treffen takes a direct object, while treffe stands in position two.
Ich helfe der Bekannten mit dem Umzug.
I am helping the female acquaintance with the move.
helfe means help, mit means with, and der Umzug means the move. der Bekannten is dative because helfen requires a dative person; mit dem Umzug is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das ist das Fahrrad der Bekannten.
That is the female acquaintance’s bicycle.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and das ist means that is. der Bekannten is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the female acquaintance”; the form der is feminine genitive singular.
Die Bekannten kommen heute Abend.
The acquaintances are coming this evening.
kommen means are coming and heute Abend means this evening. Die Bekannten is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is kommen, not singular kommt.
Bernhard — Bernhard
Bernhard is a masculine first name and normally appears without an article. Names do not show visible case endings in these sentences.
Bernhard arbeitet heute im Büro.
Bernhard is working in the office today.
arbeitet means is working, heute means today, and das Büro is the office. Bernhard is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe Bernhard am Bahnhof.
I am meeting Bernhard at the railway station.
treffen means to meet, der Bahnhof is the railway station, and am means at the. Bernhard is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; am Bahnhof gives the meeting place.
der Besuch — visit
Besuch can mean the act of visiting or the people who are visiting, depending on context. The common expression zu Besuch sein means to be visiting someone and uses no article.
Der Besuch beginnt um drei Uhr.
The visit starts at three o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um drei Uhr means at three o'clock. Der Besuch is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir machen morgen einen Besuch.
We are paying a visit tomorrow.
wir means we, machen means make or do, and morgen means tomorrow. Einen Besuch is accusative because the expression einen Besuch machen takes a direct object; machen is in position two.
Ich komme zu Besuch.
I am coming to visit.
ich means I, komme means come, and zu Besuch means to visit or as a visitor. The fixed expression uses zu with the dative, but the noun has no visible article here; the finite verb komme is in position two.
Die Zeit des Besuchs ist kurz.
The time of the visit is short.
die Zeit means the time, and kurz means short. Des Besuchs is genitive and identifies which time is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Am Wochenende kommen viele Besuche.
Many visits take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, viele means many, and kommen means come or arrive. Viele Besuche is plural nominative as the subject, so the verb is plural kommen.
der Besucher — visitor
The plural is die Besucher, with no change to the noun. Do not confuse Besucher with Besuch, which means a visit.
Der Besucher wartet vor der Tür.
The visitor is waiting in front of the door.
wartet means is waiting, and vor der Tür means in front of the door. Der Besucher is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Besucher.
I see the visitor.
sehe means see. Den Besucher is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Besucher einen Stadtplan.
I give the visitor a city map.
gebe means give, and einen Stadtplan is a city map. Dem Besucher is dative because he receives something, while einen Stadtplan is the accusative thing being given.
Das Auto des Besuchers steht vor dem Hotel.
The visitor’s car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, and steht means is standing or is parked. Des Besuchers is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the masculine noun has -s and uses des.
Viele Besucher kommen am Sonntag.
Many visitors come on Sunday.
viele means many, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Viele Besucher is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the noun itself does not change, so viele and kommen show the plural.
die Bewohnerin — female resident
The feminine noun die Bewohnerin is formed from der Bewohner with the ending -in. Its plural is die Bewohnerinnen, with -innen rather than just -in.
Die Bewohnerin öffnet die Tür.
The female resident opens the door.
die Tür means the door, and öffnet means opens. Die Bewohnerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Bewohnerin jeden Morgen.
I see the female resident every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and sehe means see. Die Bewohnerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Bewohnerin mit den Taschen.
I help the female resident with the bags.
helfe means help, mit means with, and den Taschen means the bags. Der Bewohnerin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit also requires the dative.
Die Wohnung der Bewohnerin ist im dritten Stock.
The female resident’s flat is on the third floor.
die Wohnung means the flat, dritten Stock means third floor, and ist means is. Der Bewohnerin is genitive because it expresses possession, and the noun remains singular after the genitive article der.
Viele Bewohnerinnen warten vor dem Haus.
Many female residents are waiting in front of the building.
viele means many, warten means wait, and vor dem Haus means in front of the building. Bewohnerinnen is plural and is the nominative subject; the ending -innen marks several female residents.
der Chinese — Chinese man; Chinese person
This noun means a Chinese man or person from China. It is a weak masculine noun: except in the nominative singular, use Chinesen, not Chinese; the feminine form is die Chinesin.
Der Chinese arbeitet in Berlin.
The Chinese man works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Chinese is nominative because it is the subject; this masculine noun is weak, but the nominative singular keeps the ending-free form Chinese.
Ich sehe den Chinesen im Zug.
I see the Chinese man on the train.
ich sehe means I see, and im Zug means on the train. Den Chinesen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; weak masculine nouns add -n outside the nominative singular.
Ich helfe dem Chinesen mit dem Gepäck.
I help the Chinese man with the luggage.
helfe means help, and mit dem Gepäck means with the luggage. Dem Chinesen is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and the weak noun keeps -n in this case.
Das Auto des Chinesen steht vor dem Hotel.
The Chinese man's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto is the car, steht means is located, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Chinesen is genitive to show possession; both the article des and the weak noun ending -n are required.
Viele Chinesen lernen Deutsch.
Many Chinese people are learning German.
viele means many, lernen means learn, and Deutsch means German. Chinesen is the plural subject; its ending -en is the same as the ending used in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular.
die Dame — lady, woman; queen (in chess)
Die Dame is a polite or somewhat formal word for a woman or lady. Its plural is die Damen, and the genitive singular is der Dame; the feminine article changes to der in the dative and genitive.
Die Dame wartet an der Tür.
The lady is waiting at the door.
wartet means is waiting, and die Tür means the door. Die Dame is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Dame im Garten.
I see the lady in the garden.
Ich sehe means I see, im Garten means in the garden, and der Garten means the garden. Die Dame is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the feminine article remains die in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Dame mit der Tasche.
I help the lady with the bag.
helfe means help, mit means with, and die Tasche means the bag. Der Dame is dative because helfen requires the dative, and der Tasche is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto der Dame steht vor dem Haus.
The lady's car is in front of the house.
Das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Dame is genitive and expresses possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Damen trinken Kaffee zusammen.
The ladies are drinking coffee together.
trinken means drink, der Kaffee means coffee, and zusammen means together. Die Damen is the plural subject, so the verb is trinken, not singular trinkt; the plural noun ends in -n.
Die Dame steht in der Mitte des Brettes.
The queen is in the middle of the board.
steht means is located, in der Mitte means in the middle, and das Brett means the board. Die Dame is nominative as the subject; des Brettes is genitive after Mitte to show which board is meant.
Der Spieler nimmt die Dame.
The player captures the queen.
Der Spieler means the player, nimmt means takes or captures, and der Spieler is the person playing. Die Dame is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; the feminine article stays die in this case.
der Deutsche — German man; German person
der Deutsche is a substantivized adjective, so it follows adjective endings and is a weak masculine noun: den Deutschen, dem Deutschen, des Deutschen. The feminine form is die Deutsche, while the plural is die Deutschen.
Der Deutsche wartet am Bahnhof.
The German man is waiting at the station.
wartet means is waiting, and der Bahnhof means the train station. Der Deutsche is the nominative subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Deutschen jeden Tag.
I see the German man every day.
ich sehe means I see, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Deutschen is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; this weak noun has -en in every case except nominative singular.
Ich helfe dem Deutschen mit dem Formular.
I help the German man with the form.
helfen means help, das Formular means the form, and mit means with. Dem Deutschen is dative because helfen governs the dative, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Deutschen steht vor dem Haus.
The German man's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Deutschen is genitive and expresses possession; the noun form has -en, and steht is in position two.
Die Deutschen feiern heute.
The Germans are celebrating today.
feiern means celebrate, and heute means today. Die Deutschen is the plural subject, and the ending -en remains because this is a substantivized adjective used as a noun.
die Deutsche — German woman, German girl
This is the feminine substantivized form of deutsch, so it refers to a female person and is capitalized. Do not confuse singular die Deutsche with plural die Deutschen.
Die Deutsche arbeitet in Berlin.
The German woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Deutsche is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Deutsche jeden Tag.
I see the German woman every day.
sehe means see and jeden Tag means every day. Die Deutsche is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Deutschen mit dem Formular.
I help the German woman with the form.
helfe means help and das Formular means form. Der Deutschen is dative because helfen takes a dative object, while mit also forces the dative; helfe stands in position two.
Das Auto der Deutschen steht vor dem Haus.
The German woman's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means car and steht means is standing or is located; vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Deutschen is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Viele Deutsche leben im Ausland.
Many Germans live abroad.
Viele means many, leben means live, and im Ausland means abroad. Deutsche is the plural form; it is nominative because it is the subject, and leben stands in position two.
dick — thick; fat, overweight
Dick usually describes the physical thickness of an object. Before a noun it takes an adjective ending, as in ein dicker Pullover, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Das Buch ist dick.
The book is thick.
das Buch is the book, and dick means thick. Dick is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein dicker Pullover.
That is a thick sweater.
ein dicker Pullover means a thick sweater, and das means that. Dicker stands before the masculine noun Pullover after ein, so it takes the strong masculine ending -er; ist is in position two.
Dieser Mantel ist dicker als meiner.
This coat is thicker than mine.
dieser Mantel means this coat, and meiner means mine. Dicker is the comparative of dick and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no ending.
Von allen Büchern ist dieses am dicksten.
Of all the books, this one is the thickest.
von allen Büchern means of all the books, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, so Büchern is dative plural; am dicksten is the predicative superlative and has no adjective ending.
Der Hund ist ziemlich dick.
The dog is quite fat.
der Hund is the dog, and ziemlich means quite or rather. Dick is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; when describing people, this word can sound direct or impolite, so übergewichtig is more neutral.
Er trägt eine dicke Jacke.
He is wearing a thick jacket.
er trägt means he is wearing or carrying, and eine dicke Jacke means a thick jacket. Eine dicke Jacke is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective after eine takes the ending -e.
Eduard — Eduard
Eduard is a male first name. German first names normally have no article and usually show no visible case ending.
Eduard wohnt in Berlin.
Eduard lives in Berlin.
wohnen means to live, and Berlin is the name of the German capital. Eduard is the unmarked nominative subject, and wohnt is in position two.
Ich spreche morgen mit Eduard.
I am speaking with Eduard tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and sprechen means to speak. Mit forces the dative, but a first name such as Eduard usually has no visible case ending; spreche is in position two.
die Ehefrau — wife
Die Ehefrau means wife and is a compound of Ehe, marriage, and Frau, woman. In modern German, Ehepartnerin, meaning female spouse, is also common and more neutral in some contexts.
Meine Ehefrau kocht heute Abend.
My wife is cooking this evening.
meine means my, kocht means is cooking, and heute Abend means this evening. Meine Ehefrau is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kocht stands in position two.
Ich sehe meine Ehefrau jeden Tag.
I see my wife every day.
ich sehe means I see, and jeden Tag means every day. Meine Ehefrau is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe meiner Ehefrau im Haushalt.
I help my wife with the housework.
helfen means to help, and im Haushalt means with the housework or at home. Meiner Ehefrau is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; the finite verb helfe stands in position two.
Der Name meiner Ehefrau steht auf dem Formular.
My wife's name is on the form.
der Name means the name, steht means is written or stands, and das Formular means the form. Meiner Ehefrau is genitive because it shows whose name it is; auf dem Formular is dative because it describes a location.
Viele Ehefrauen arbeiten heute Vollzeit.
Many wives work full-time today.
viele means many, arbeiten means work, and Vollzeit means full-time. Viele Ehefrauen is the plural nominative subject, and the plural verb arbeiten stands in position two.
der Ehemann — husband
Ehemann is the usual neutral word for a married man. The related word Ehepartner is more gender-neutral and can mean either spouse.
Der Ehemann kocht heute.
The husband is cooking today.
kocht means is cooking and heute means today. Der Ehemann is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb kocht stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Ehemann im Garten.
I see the husband in the garden.
sehe means see and im Garten means in the garden. Den Ehemann is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe dem Ehemann beim Umzug.
I am helping the husband with the move.
helfe means help, beim Umzug means with the move, and Umzug means move to a new home. Dem Ehemann is dative because helfen requires a dative object.
Das Auto des Ehemanns ist neu.
The husband's car is new.
Das Auto means the car and neu means new. Des Ehemanns is genitive because it shows possession; masculine singular genitive uses des and adds -s.
Viele Ehemänner arbeiten heute zu Hause.
Many husbands are working at home today.
Viele means many, arbeiten means are working, and zu Hause means at home. Ehemänner is plural, so it has no plural ending on the article after viele; the noun itself uses -er and umlaut.
das Ehepaar — married couple
Ehepaar refers to the two spouses together, not to one spouse. It is grammatically singular even when it refers to two people, so it takes a singular verb.
Das Ehepaar wohnt neben uns.
The married couple lives next door to us.
wohnt means lives and neben uns means next door to us. Das Ehepaar is nominative because it is the subject; although it refers to two people, the noun is grammatically singular, so the verb is wohnt.
Wir besuchen das Ehepaar am Sonntag.
We are visiting the married couple on Sunday.
besuchen means visit and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Das Ehepaar is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, but the neuter article remains das.
Wir geben dem Ehepaar ein Geschenk.
We are giving the married couple a present.
geben means give and ein Geschenk means a present. Dem Ehepaar is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Geschenk is the accusative thing being given.
Das Haus des Ehepaares ist sehr schön.
The married couple's house is very beautiful.
Das Haus means the house and sehr schön means very beautiful. Des Ehepaares is genitive because it shows whose house it is; des Ehepaars is a shorter alternative.
Zwei Ehepaare sitzen im Restaurant.
Two married couples are sitting in the restaurant.
Zwei means two, sitzen means are sitting, and im Restaurant means in the restaurant. Ehepaare is plural with -e, and the plural verb sitzen agrees with it.
eng — narrow, tight; close
The common meaning of eng is narrow or tight, as in eine enge Straße (a narrow street) or enge Schuhe (tight shoes). It can also describe a close relationship; the meaning depends on the noun or context.
Der Flur ist eng.
The corridor is narrow.
der Flur means the corridor. Eng is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen durch eine enge Straße.
We are walking through a narrow street.
gehen means to walk, and die Straße means the street. Enge stands before the feminine noun Straße and takes -e after eine; durch forces the accusative, so the phrase is eine enge Straße.
Diese Jacke ist enger als meine alte.
This jacket is tighter than my old one.
die Jacke means the jacket, and alt means old. Enger compares this jacket with another one and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
In diesem Gang ist es am engsten.
This corridor is the narrowest.
dieser Gang means this corridor, and es is a formal subject in this description. Am engsten is the predicative superlative with am; in diesem Gang is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Florian — Florian, a male first name
Florian is a masculine first name used in German-speaking countries. First names normally appear without an article when they are used alone.
Florian wohnt in Berlin.
Florian lives in Berlin.
wohnt means lives, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Florian is a proper name used as the subject, so it has no article; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich spreche morgen mit Florian.
I am speaking with Florian tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and mit means with. The preposition mit always takes the dative, but a first name such as Florian usually has no visible case ending; spreche is in position two.
Franz — Franz
Franz is a male first name. Like most first names without an article, it normally does not show case endings.
Franz kommt heute später.
Franz is coming later today.
kommen means to come, and heute später means later today. Franz is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich spreche morgen mit Franz.
I am speaking with Franz tomorrow.
sprechen means to speak, and morgen means tomorrow. mit Franz means with Franz; mit takes the dative, but a masculine first name without an article shows no visible dative ending.
der Franzose — Frenchman, French person
der Franzose is a weak masculine noun: only the nominative singular is Franzose; the other singular cases use Franzosen. The feminine form is die Französin, and the plural is die Franzosen.
Der Franzose wohnt neben uns.
The Frenchman lives next door to us.
wohnt means lives, and neben uns means next door to us. Der Franzose is the nominative subject, so the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Franzosen aus Paris.
I know the Frenchman from Paris.
kennen means to know a person, and aus Paris means from Paris. den Franzosen is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; as a weak masculine noun, Franzose changes to Franzosen.
Ich helfe dem Franzosen mit dem Koffer.
I am helping the Frenchman with the suitcase.
helfen means to help, der Koffer means the suitcase, and mit means with. dem Franzosen is dative because helfen requires the dative; the noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Franzosen steht vor dem Hotel.
The Frenchman's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. des Franzosen is genitive to show possession, and this weak masculine noun again has -en.
Viele Franzosen besuchen Berlin.
Many French people visit Berlin.
viele means many, besuchen means visit, and Berlin is the German capital. Franzosen is the plural subject; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two, and the plural has no article after viele.
die Frau — woman
Die Frau means an adult female person. The plural is die Frauen; do not use Mädchen for this word, because Mädchen means girl.
Die Frau wartet an der Tür.
The woman is waiting at the door.
wartet means is waiting and die Tür means the door. Die Frau is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Frau.
I see the woman.
sehe means see. Die Frau is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Frau.
I help the woman.
helfe means help. The verb helfen takes a dative object, so der Frau is dative; der here is the feminine dative article, not a masculine nominative article.
Das Fahrrad der Frau ist neu.
The woman's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and neu means new. Der Frau is genitive because it shows possession, meaning the bicycle belongs to the woman; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Viele Frauen arbeiten heute.
Many women are working today.
viele means many and arbeiten means work. Frauen is the plural subject, formed with -en and the vowel change au → äu; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
der Fremde — male stranger
Der Fremde is a substantivized adjective for a male stranger. Like other substantivized adjectives, it has adjective endings and is a weak masculine noun: outside the nominative singular, forms normally end in -en.
Der Fremde wartet an der Tür.
The stranger is waiting at the door.
warten means to wait, and die Tür is the door. Der Fremde is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Fremden im Park.
I see the stranger in the park.
sehen means to see, der Park is the park, and im means in the. Den Fremden is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this substantivized adjective has -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Fremden.
I am helping the stranger.
helfen means to help. Dem Fremden is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, and the noun has the ending -en.
Das Fahrrad des Fremden steht vor dem Haus.
The stranger's bicycle is in front of the house.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, steht means is standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Fremden expresses possession in the genitive; this noun keeps -en and the article changes to des.
Die Fremden fragen nach dem Weg.
The strangers ask for directions.
fragen means to ask, and nach dem Weg means for directions or about the way. Die Fremden is plural and nominative as the subject; nach always takes the dative.
Ein Fremder hat mir geholfen.
A male stranger helped me.
geholfen means helped, and mir means me. Ein Fremder is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because helfen takes a dative object; the perfect uses hat geholfen.
die Fremde — female stranger
Die Fremde is a substantivized adjective for a female stranger. It has adjective endings, but unlike the masculine form it uses the feminine articles die, der, and der in the nominative, accusative, and genitive singular.
Die Fremde steht an der Bushaltestelle.
The female stranger is standing at the bus stop.
stehen means to stand, and die Bushaltestelle is the bus stop. Die Fremde is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe die Fremde im Zug.
I see the female stranger on the train.
sehen means to see, and im Zug means on the train. Die Fremde is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Fremden meinen Sitzplatz.
I give the female stranger my seat.
geben means to give, and der Sitzplatz is the seat. Der Fremden is dative because it is the person receiving something; meinen Sitzplatz is the accusative thing given.
Die Tasche der Fremden liegt auf dem Boden.
The female stranger's bag is on the floor.
die Tasche is the bag, liegt means lies or is situated, and der Boden is the floor. Der Fremden expresses possession in the genitive; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Fremden kommen aus Italien.
The female strangers come from Italy.
kommen means to come, and aus Italien means from Italy. Die Fremden is plural and nominative as the subject; the same plural form can refer to male or female strangers.
Eine Fremde hat mir den Weg gezeigt.
A female stranger showed me the way.
gezeigt means shown and den Weg means the way. Eine Fremde is the nominative subject, while mir is dative for the person shown something and den Weg is accusative; the perfect uses hat gezeigt.
der Freund — friend; male friend
Freund means a male friend; the general word for a female friend is Freundin. With helfen, use the dative: einem Freund helfen, not einen Freund helfen.
Mein Freund wohnt in Berlin.
My friend lives in Berlin.
mein means my, and wohnt means lives. Mein Freund is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche meinen Freund.
I am visiting my friend.
besuchen means to visit, and meinen means my in the masculine accusative. Meinen Freund is accusative because it is the direct object of besuche.
Ich helfe meinem Freund.
I am helping my friend.
helfen means to help, and meinem means my in the masculine dative. Meinem Freund is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; do not say meinen Freund here.
Das Auto meines Freundes ist neu.
My friend's car is new.
das Auto means the car, meines means my in the genitive, and neu means new. Meines Freundes shows possession, and this masculine noun takes -es in the genitive.
Meine Freunde kommen heute Abend.
My friends are coming this evening.
meine means my, kommen means are coming, and heute Abend means this evening. Freunde is plural, so the verb is kommen, not singular kommt.
Mein Freund spielt gern Fußball.
My friend likes playing football.
spielt means plays, gern means gladly or likes to, and Fußball means football. Mein Freund is the nominative subject, and spielt stands in position two.
die Freundin — female friend; girlfriend
Freundin can mean a female friend or a romantic girlfriend; context usually makes the meaning clear. The feminine plural is Freundinnen, with doubled n before -en.
Meine Freundin kommt morgen zu Besuch.
My friend is coming to visit tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and zu Besuch kommen means to come for a visit. Meine Freundin is nominative because it is the subject, and kommt stands in position two.
Ich rufe meine Freundin an.
I am calling my friend.
anrufen means to call, and meine marks feminine accusative. Meine Freundin is accusative because it is the person called; the separable verb appears as rufe ... an.
Ich schreibe meiner Freundin eine Nachricht.
I am writing my friend a message.
schreiben means to write, and eine Nachricht means a message. Meiner Freundin is dative because she receives the message, while eine Nachricht is the accusative thing written.
Das Fahrrad meiner Freundin ist rot.
My friend's bicycle is red.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and rot means red. Meiner Freundin is genitive because it shows possession; feminine genitive uses meiner without an ending on the noun.
Meine Freundinnen lernen zusammen Deutsch.
My female friends are learning German together.
lernen means learn or study, zusammen means together, and Deutsch means German. Freundinnen is plural, so the subject takes lernen, not singular lernt.
Meine Freundin liebt Musik.
My girlfriend loves music.
liebt means loves, and Musik means music. Meine Freundin is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liebt stands in position two; context determines whether she is a friend or romantic partner.
freundlich — friendly, kind
freundlich can describe both a person's character and polite behaviour. It is not normally translated as friendship-like; that meaning is expressed by freundschaftlich.
Der Verkäufer ist sehr freundlich.
The shop assistant is very friendly.
der Verkäufer means the shop assistant, and sehr means very. The adjective follows sein in the predicative position and therefore has no ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir haben eine freundliche Nachbarin.
We have a friendly female neighbour.
eine Nachbarin means a female neighbour, and haben means to have. eine freundliche Nachbarin is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective gets -e after eine.
Meine neue Kollegin ist freundlicher als ich.
My new colleague is friendlier than I am.
meine neue Kollegin means my new female colleague, and als ich means than I am. freundlicher adds -er to the adjective; als introduces the second part of the comparison.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am freundlichsten.
Mia is the friendliest of all the children.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and von always takes the dative. am freundlichsten is the superlative after sein; ist remains in position two.
die Freundschaft — friendship
Freundschaft is a feminine noun, so its article is die in the nominative and accusative singular. The plural is regular: Freundschaften.
Die Freundschaft zwischen den beiden Kindern ist stark.
The friendship between the two children is strong.
zwischen den beiden Kindern means between the two children, and stark means strong. Die Freundschaft is nominative because it is the subject; zwischen takes the dative here because it describes a location or relationship, not movement.
Ich schätze die Freundschaft mit meiner besten Freundin.
I value the friendship with my best female friend.
ich schätze means I value, and meine beste Freundin means my best female friend. die Freundschaft is accusative because schätzen takes an accusative object, while the finite verb schätze is in position two.
Er erzählt seiner Schwester von der Freundschaft.
He tells his sister about the friendship.
erzählt means tells, and seiner Schwester means to his sister. von der Freundschaft is a prepositional phrase; von forces the dative, and seiner Schwester is also dative because erzählen can take the person told in the dative.
Die Geschichte der Freundschaft begann in der Schule.
The story of the friendship began at school.
die Geschichte means the story, and begann means began. der Freundschaft is genitive because it identifies whose story it is; the finite verb begann is in position two.
Freundschaften können ein Leben lang halten.
Friendships can last a lifetime.
können means can, and ein Leben lang means for a lifetime. Freundschaften is the plural subject; with the modal verb können, the infinitive halten goes to the end.
der Gast — guest, visitor
For a person invited to your home, Gast is neutral and common; zu Gast sein means to be a guest.
Der Gast wartet im Hotel.
The guest is waiting in the hotel.
wartet means is waiting and im Hotel means in the hotel. Der Gast is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Die Kellnerin begrüßt den Gast.
The waitress greets the guest.
die Kellnerin means the waitress and begrüßt means greets. Den Gast is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir helfen dem Gast mit dem Gepäck.
We help the guest with the luggage.
helfen means help, mit means with, and das Gepäck means the luggage. Dem Gast is dative because helfen requires the dative, and dem Gepäck is also dative after mit.
Das Zimmer des Gastes ist groß.
The guest’s room is large.
das Zimmer means the room and groß means large. Des Gastes is genitive to show possession, and this masculine noun adds -es in the genitive.
Im Sommer kommen viele Gäste.
Many guests come in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, kommen means come, and viele means many. Gäste is the plural of Gast, with an umlaut; it is nominative because it is the subject after kommen.
das Geschenk — gift, present
Geschenk is a countable neuter noun, so it has the plural Geschenke. The common phrase jemandem ein Geschenk machen literally means to make someone a gift, but it means to give someone a present.
Das Geschenk liegt auf dem Tisch.
The gift is on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and der Tisch is the table. Das Geschenk is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Ich öffne das Geschenk.
I am opening the gift.
öffnen means open and ich means I. das Geschenk is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke dir für das Geschenk.
I thank you for the gift.
danke means thank, dir means to you, and für means for. dir is dative because danken requires a dative person, while für das Geschenk is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Farbe des Geschenks gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the gift.
die Farbe is the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. des Geschenks is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen requires the person who likes something in the dative.
Auf dem Tisch liegen viele Geschenke.
There are many presents on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Geschenke is the plural of Geschenk with an umlaut and -e; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes location, not movement.
der Grieche — Greek man; Greek person
Der Grieche is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular. The plural is die Griechen, and the word can refer to a Greek man or, in a general context, Greek people.
Der Grieche spricht Deutsch.
The Greek man speaks German.
spricht means speaks and Deutsch means German. Der Grieche is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Griechen.
I know the Greek man.
kenne means know. Den Griechen is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object, and this weak masculine noun changes from der Grieche to den Griechen.
Ich helfe dem Griechen.
I help the Greek man.
helfe means help. Dem Griechen is dative because helfen takes a dative object; weak masculine nouns use -en here.
Das Auto des Griechen ist neu.
The Greek man's car is new.
das Auto means car and neu means new. Des Griechen is genitive because it expresses possession, and the weak noun has -en after des.
Die Griechen essen gern Fisch.
Greek people like eating fish.
essen means eat, gern means gladly or like doing something, and Fisch means fish. Die Griechen is the plural subject, and the plural form keeps -en.
die Griechin — Greek woman
Die Griechin means a Greek woman. Its plural is die Griechinnen, formed with -nen; the masculine counterpart is der Grieche, with plural die Griechen.
Die Griechin arbeitet in Köln.
The Greek woman works in Cologne.
arbeitet means works and Köln is a city in Germany. Die Griechin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Griechin.
I know the Greek woman.
kenne means know. Die Griechin is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; the feminine article remains die.
Ich helfe der Griechin.
I help the Greek woman.
helfe means help. Der Griechin is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das Fahrrad der Griechin ist rot.
The Greek woman's bicycle is red.
das Fahrrad means bicycle and rot means red. Der Griechin is genitive because it expresses possession; the noun ending does not change.
Die Griechinnen sprechen Englisch.
The Greek women speak English.
sprechen means speak and Englisch means English. Die Griechinnen is the plural subject, formed by adding -nen to Griechin.
die Gruppe — group
The plural of die Gruppe is die Gruppen, with -n added. The genitive is der Gruppe, and its form is identical to the dative, so the surrounding words show the case.
Die Gruppe wartet vor dem Museum.
The group is waiting in front of the museum.
wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Museum means in front of the museum. Die Gruppe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Gruppe im Park.
I see the group in the park.
sehe means see, and im Park means in the park. die Gruppe is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Gruppe bei der Aufgabe.
I help the group with the task.
helfe means help, bei der Aufgabe means with the task, and Aufgabe means task. der Gruppe is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Mitglieder der Gruppe treffen sich jeden Freitag.
The members of the group meet every Friday.
Mitglieder means members, treffen sich means meet one another, and jeden Freitag means every Friday. der Gruppe is genitive because it shows whose members they are; the reflexive phrase treffen sich has the finite verb in position two.
Die Gruppen arbeiten heute zusammen.
The groups are working together today.
arbeiten means are working, heute means today, and zusammen means together. Die Gruppen is a plural nominative subject, so the verb is plural: arbeiten, not singular arbeitet.
der Hamburger — hamburger; person from Hamburg; man from Hamburg
The food meaning der Hamburger has the unchanged plural die Hamburger. The same noun can also mean a person from Hamburg; context distinguishes the two meanings.
Der Hamburger schmeckt gut.
The hamburger tastes good.
schmeckt gut means tastes good. Der Hamburger is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schmeckt stands in position two.
Ich esse einen Hamburger.
I am eating a hamburger.
essen means to eat, and einen is the masculine accusative article. Einen Hamburger is accusative because essen takes a direct object; esse stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Hamburger etwas Soße.
I add some sauce to the hamburger.
geben means to give or add, etwas means some, and die Soße is sauce. Dem Hamburger is dative as the recipient, while etwas Soße is the accusative thing added.
Der Preis des Hamburgers ist niedrig.
The price of the hamburger is low.
der Preis means the price, and niedrig means low. Des Hamburgers is genitive and means of the hamburger; the subject is der Preis, so ist stands in position two.
Die Hamburger sind schon fertig.
The hamburgers are already ready.
schon means already, and fertig means ready. Die Hamburger is plural, but the noun has no visible plural ending; sind and the context show that more than one is meant.
Der Hamburger lebt seit zehn Jahren in Berlin.
The man from Hamburg has lived in Berlin for ten years.
lebt means lives, seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and Berlin is the city of Berlin. Der Hamburger is nominative subject; seit takes the dative in zehn Jahren, and the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Ich habe einen freundlichen Hamburger kennengelernt.
I met a friendly man from Hamburg.
freundlich means friendly, and kennenlernen means to get to know or meet. Einen freundlichen Hamburger is accusative because it is the object of kennengelernt; habe is in position two and the participle is at the end.
Hans — Hans
Hans is a male personal name and normally appears without an article. Names do not usually show their case through an ending, so the sentence structure tells you whether Hans is the subject or object.
Hans wohnt in Berlin.
Hans lives in Berlin.
wohnt means lives, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Hans is a proper name used as the nominative subject, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne Hans gut.
I know Hans well.
kenne means know, and gut means well. Hans is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; names normally have no visible article or case ending.
der Herr — Mr, sir; gentleman; Lord, master
As a title, Herr is used before a surname, usually without an article: Herr Müller. It can also be a polite word for “sir”; its plural is Herren, and it is a weak masculine noun.
Herr Weber, können Sie mir helfen?
Mr Weber, can you help me?
können means “can”, and helfen means “help”. Herr Weber names the person being addressed; German has no special vocative case, so the nominative form is used, and the polite Sie is the subject of können.
Ich sehe den Herrn Weber jeden Morgen.
I see Mr Weber every morning.
sehen means “see”, and jeden Morgen means “every morning”. den Herrn is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; Herr is a weak masculine noun and therefore adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Ich gebe dem Herrn Weber die Schlüssel.
I give Mr Weber the keys.
geben means “give”, and die Schlüssel are “the keys”. dem Herrn is dative because it is the person receiving something; the weak noun again has -n, while die Schlüssel is the accusative thing being given.
Das Auto des Herrn Weber steht vor dem Haus.
Mr Weber’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto means “the car”, steht means “is standing/is parked”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. des Herrn Weber shows possession in the genitive; Herr takes -n, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Herren warten vor dem Eingang.
The gentlemen are waiting in front of the entrance.
warten means “wait”, and der Eingang is “the entrance”. Die Herren is the plural subject, while vor dem Eingang is dative because it describes a location rather than movement.
Im Gebet bittet er den Herrn um Hilfe.
In the prayer, he asks the Lord for help.
das Gebet means “the prayer”, and um Hilfe bitten means “ask for help”. den Herrn is accusative because bitten takes the person asked as its direct object; um Hilfe is also an accusative phrase after um.
Viele Menschen vertrauen auf den Herrn.
Many people trust in the Lord.
Viele Menschen means “many people”, and vertrauen means “trust”. The expression auf den Herrn vertrauen uses auf with the accusative here; Herr has the weak ending -n.
die Hilfe — help, assistance
Hilfe is usually uncountable when it means help in general. The plural Hilfen is used for different forms or instances of assistance.
Die Hilfe meiner Schwester war sehr wichtig.
My sister’s help was very important.
meiner Schwester means “of my sister”, and wichtig means important. Die Hilfe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich brauche die Hilfe meines Bruders.
I need my brother’s help.
brauchen means to need, and meines Bruders means “of my brother”. Die Hilfe is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; brauche stands in position two.
Mit der Hilfe meines Vaters schaffe ich die Aufgabe.
With my father’s help, I can manage the task.
mit means with, meines Vaters means “of my father”, and schaffen means to manage. Der Hilfe is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb schaffe is in position two even though the sentence begins with the prepositional phrase.
Die Wirkung der Hilfe war sofort sichtbar.
The effect of the help was immediately visible.
die Wirkung means the effect, and sofort sichtbar means immediately visible. Der Hilfe is genitive because it identifies whose effect is meant; war is the finite verb in position two.
Schnelle Hilfe ist nicht immer möglich.
Quick help is not always possible.
schnelle means quick, and nicht immer möglich means not always possible. Here Hilfe is a mass-like idea in the singular, but the plural Hilfen is used when different kinds or instances of help are meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Kannst du mir Hilfe geben?
Can you help me?
kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and geben means to give. The expression Hilfe geben means to give help; mir is dative because it names the recipient, and the modal verb kannst is in position two.
Hänsel — Hansel
Hänsel is a male first name, best known from the fairy tale Hänsel und Gretel. Names normally have no article and do not have a plural.
Hänsel und Gretel verirren sich im Wald.
Hansel and Gretel get lost in the forest.
und means and, Gretel is the girl’s name, verirren sich means get lost, and der Wald means the forest. The two names form a plural subject, so the finite verb verirren is plural and stands in position two.
Die Geschichte von Hänsel ist sehr bekannt.
The story of Hansel is very well known.
die Geschichte means the story, von means of or about, and bekannt means well known. The name after von is dative, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
höflich — polite, courteous
Höflich describes good manners in speech or behaviour. The opposite is unhöflich; the adjective has regular comparison.
Sie ist sehr höflich.
She is very polite.
sie means she, and sehr means very. Höflich is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er ist ein höflicher Mann.
He is a polite man.
ein Mann means a man. Höflicher comes before the masculine noun and takes the ending -er after ein in the nominative; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Meine Schwester ist höflicher als ich.
My sister is politer than I am.
meine Schwester means my sister, and als ich means than I am. Höflicher compares two people and is predicative, so it has no additional adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Gästen war Maria am höflichsten.
Of all the guests, Maria was the politest.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and war means was. The predicative superlative uses am höflichsten; von takes the dative, shown by Gästen.
der Italiener — Italian man; Italian
Italiener means an Italian man and can also refer generally to an Italian person when the context is clear. The feminine form is Italienerin, and the plural Italiener can mean Italian men or Italians generally.
Der Italiener kommt aus Rom.
The Italian man comes from Rome.
kommt means comes, and aus Rom means from Rome. Der Italiener is the nominative subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Italiener am Bahnhof.
I am meeting the Italian man at the station.
treffe means meet, der Bahnhof means railway station, and am means at the. Den Italiener is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; am Bahnhof is a separate location phrase.
Ich helfe dem Italiener mit dem Koffer.
I am helping the Italian man with the suitcase.
helfe means help, der Koffer means suitcase, and mit means with. Dem Italiener is dative because helfen takes a dative person; mit dem Koffer is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto des Italieners steht vor dem Haus.
The Italian man's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Italieners is genitive to show possession, and the noun adds -s in this form.
Viele Italiener sprechen Englisch.
Many Italians speak English.
viele means many, sprechen means speak, and Englisch means English. Italiener is the plural with no ending change; the plural subject makes the verb sprechen plural.
die Italienerin — Italian woman
Italienerin means a woman from Italy. It is the feminine form corresponding to Italiener; its plural is Italienerinnen.
Die Italienerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The Italian woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Italienerin is the nominative subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Italienerin aus dem Kurs.
I know the Italian woman from the course.
kenne means know, aus means from, and der Kurs means course. Die Italienerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus dem Kurs is a separate phrase meaning from the course.
Ich spreche mit der Italienerin.
I am speaking with the Italian woman.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. Der Italienerin is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Das Handy der Italienerin liegt auf dem Tisch.
The Italian woman's mobile phone is lying on the table.
das Handy means mobile phone, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Italienerin is genitive to show possession; with a feminine noun, the noun itself does not add an ending.
Drei Italienerinnen besuchen das Museum.
Three Italian women are visiting the museum.
drei means three, besuchen means visit, and das Museum means museum. Italienerinnen is plural after drei, and the plural subject requires the verb besuchen rather than singular besucht.
Jakob — Jakob, a male first name
Jakob is a male first name. German first names normally appear without an article, although an article can occur in some regional or informal speech.
Jakob wohnt in Berlin.
Jakob lives in Berlin.
wohnt means lives, and Berlin is the capital of Germany. Jakob is the subject and therefore has no article; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich habe Jakob gestern angerufen.
I called Jakob yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and angerufen means called by telephone. Jakob is the object of anrufen; names usually have no article, and habe is in position two while angerufen goes to the end.
die Japanerin — Japanese woman
The ending -in marks a female person; the plural is Japanerinnen, not Japaners.
Die Japanerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The Japanese woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means “works”, and in Berlin means “in Berlin”. Die Japanerin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe die Japanerin morgen.
I am meeting the Japanese woman tomorrow.
treffe means “meet” and morgen means “tomorrow”. Die Japanerin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb treffe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Japanerin mit dem Formular.
I help the Japanese woman with the form.
helfe means “help”, mit means “with”, and das Formular is “the form”. Der Japanerin is dative because helfen requires a dative object; mit dem Formular is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das ist der Pass der Japanerin.
That is the Japanese woman’s passport.
der Pass means “the passport”, and das ist means “that is”. Der Japanerin is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the Japanese woman”; it follows the noun Pass.
Im Zug sitzen drei Japanerinnen.
Three Japanese women are sitting on the train.
im Zug means “on the train” and sitzen means “are sitting”. Japanerinnen is the plural of Japanerin; im means in dem, and in takes the dative here because it describes a location.
Johann — Johann, a male first name
Johann is a male first name. Names normally appear without an article when they are the subject or object.
Johann arbeitet heute im Büro.
Johann is working in the office today.
arbeitet means is working and heute means today; im Büro means in the office. Johann is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe Johann am Bahnhof.
I am meeting Johann at the train station.
treffen means to meet and am Bahnhof means at the train station. Johann is accusative because treffen takes a direct object, and treffe stands in position two.
Johanna — Johanna, a female first name
Johanna is a female first name. Names normally appear without an article when they are the subject or object.
Johanna wohnt in Berlin.
Johanna lives in Berlin.
wohnt means lives and in Berlin means in Berlin. Johanna is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich rufe Johanna heute Abend an.
I am calling Johanna this evening.
anrufen means to call and heute Abend means this evening. Johanna is the accusative object, and the separable verb appears as rufe in position two and an at the end.
Judith — Judith
Judith wohnt in Köln.
Judith lives in Cologne.
wohnt means lives, and Köln is a city in Germany. Judith is the subject and therefore has no article; the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich treffe Judith heute.
I am meeting Judith today.
treffe means meet and heute means today. Judith is the accusative object of treffen, but personal names normally have no visible case ending.