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Vocab: People & relationships — A1 (2)
People & relationships vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
jung — young; young and inexperienced
jung normally describes a person, animal, or thing that has existed for only a short time. Its opposite is alt; the comparative and superlative are jünger and am jüngsten.
Meine Schwester ist noch jung.
My sister is still young.
Meine Schwester means my sister and noch means still. The adjective jung stands after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending.
Das ist ein junges Pferd.
That is a young horse.
Pferd means horse and ein means a. junges comes before the neuter noun Pferd and takes -es after the indefinite article ein; the verb ist is in position two.
Lena ist jünger als ihre Schwester.
Lena is younger than her sister.
jünger means younger and ihre Schwester means her sister. The comparative uses -er and is followed by als; after ist, jünger is predicative and has no ending.
Tom ist am jüngsten in der Familie.
Tom is the youngest in the family.
in der Familie means in the family. am jüngsten is the predicative superlative, while in der Familie uses the dative because it describes a fixed location or group, not movement.
Der junge Arzt arbeitet sehr sorgfältig.
The young doctor works very carefully.
Arzt means doctor and sorgfältig means carefully. junge comes before the masculine nominative noun Arzt after der, so it takes -e; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Sie ist noch jung im Beruf.
She is still inexperienced in her profession.
noch means still and im Beruf means in the profession or at work. jung is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending; im is short for in dem and introduces a dative phrase.
der Junge — boy
der Junge is a weak masculine noun: it takes -n or -en in every case except nominative singular. Its plural is die Jungen, not die Junges.
Der Junge spielt im Garten.
The boy is playing in the garden.
spielt means is playing and im Garten means in the garden. Der Junge is the nominative subject, and the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Jungen im Garten.
I see the boy in the garden.
sehe means see and im Garten means in the garden. den Jungen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Ich helfe dem Jungen bei den Hausaufgaben.
I help the boy with his homework.
helfe means help, bei means with or during, and Hausaufgaben means homework. dem Jungen is dative because helfen governs the dative; Junge therefore becomes Jungen.
Das Fahrrad des Jungen ist neu.
The boy's bicycle is new.
Fahrrad means bicycle and neu means new. des Jungen expresses possession and is genitive; the weak noun keeps -n, while the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Jungen spielen draußen Fußball.
The boys are playing football outside.
spielen means are playing, draußen means outside, and Fußball means football. Die Jungen is the plural subject; the plural form has -en, and the finite verb spielen is in position two.
der Kamerad — comrade, companion, male friend
This word can mean a friend, companion, or comrade in the same group. It is a weak masculine noun: der Kamerad, den Kameraden, and mit dem Kameraden.
Mein Kamerad hilft mir jeden Tag.
My friend helps me every day.
hilft means helps and jeden Tag means every day. Mein Kamerad is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Ich sehe meinen Kameraden jeden Morgen.
I see my friend every morning.
sehe means see and jeden Morgen means every morning. meinen Kameraden is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Kamerad takes -en here.
Ich gebe meinem Kameraden das Buch.
I give my friend the book.
gebe means give and das Buch means the book. meinem Kameraden is dative because geben gives something to someone, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Fahrrad meines Kameraden ist neu.
My friend's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and neu means new. meines Kameraden is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; the weak noun has -en, while meines marks the genitive.
Meine Kameraden spielen heute Fußball.
My friends are playing football today.
spielen means are playing, heute means today, and Fußball means football. Meine Kameraden is plural and is the subject, so the verb spielen agrees with it.
Mein Kamerad kommt aus Spanien.
My friend comes from Spain.
kommt means comes and aus Spanien means from Spain. Mein Kamerad is the nominative subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Wir waren früher gute Kameraden.
We used to be good friends.
waren means were and früher means in the past. gute Kameraden is plural after sein; waren is the past-tense verb in position two.
die Kameradin — female comrade, female companion, female friend
This is the feminine form of der Kamerad. The plural is die Kameradinnen, with -innen added to the singular ending -in.
Meine Kameradin hilft mir jeden Tag.
My friend helps me every day.
hilft means helps and jeden Tag means every day. Meine Kameradin is nominative because it is the subject, and hilft stands in position two.
Ich sehe meine Kameradin jeden Morgen.
I see my friend every morning.
sehe means see and jeden Morgen means every morning. meine Kameradin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
Ich gebe meiner Kameradin das Buch.
I give my friend the book.
gebe means give and das Buch means the book. meiner Kameradin is dative because geben gives something to someone.
Das Fahrrad meiner Kameradin ist neu.
My friend's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and neu means new. meiner Kameradin is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; the feminine article form meiner marks this case.
Meine Kameradinnen spielen heute Fußball.
My friends are playing football today.
spielen means are playing, heute means today, and Fußball means football. Meine Kameradinnen is plural and is the subject, so the verb spielen agrees with it.
Meine Kameradin kommt aus Spanien.
My friend comes from Spain.
kommt means comes and aus Spanien means from Spain. Meine Kameradin is the nominative subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir waren früher gute Kameradinnen.
We used to be good friends.
waren means were and früher means in the past. gute Kameradinnen is plural after sein, and waren is the past-tense verb in position two.
Katharina — Katharina, a female first name
Katharina wohnt neben mir.
Katharina lives next door to me.
wohnt means lives, and neben mir means next door to me; mir is a dative pronoun after neben when it describes a location. The finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich treffe Katharina morgen.
I am meeting Katharina tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. Katharina is the accusative object of treffen, and the finite verb treffe stands in position two.
der Kontakt — contact; connection; contact; communication
For personal relationships, Kontakt often appears in the fixed expressions Kontakt mit jemandem haben and in Kontakt bleiben. With a person, mit takes the dative: mit meiner Freundin.
Der Kontakt mit meiner Familie ist mir wichtig.
Contact with my family is important to me.
meine Familie is my family and wichtig means important. Der Kontakt is nominative because it is the subject, while mit meiner Familie is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche den Kontakt zu neuen Nachbarn.
I am seeking contact with new neighbours.
suche means seek or look for, and neue Nachbarn are new neighbours. Den Kontakt is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; zu neuen Nachbarn uses the dative after zu.
Wir bleiben mit unseren Freunden in Kontakt.
We stay in contact with our friends.
bleiben means stay and unsere Freunde are our friends. The fixed expression in Kontakt bleiben means stay in contact; mit unseren Freunden is dative because mit requires the dative.
Die Qualität des Kontakts war sehr gut.
The quality of the contact was very good.
die Qualität is the quality and sehr gut means very good. Des Kontakts is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Gute Kontakte helfen bei der Jobsuche.
Good contacts help with the job search.
gute means good, helfen means help, and die Jobsuche is the job search. Gute Kontakte is plural nominative as the subject; bei der Jobsuche is dative because bei takes the dative.
Bitte nehmen Sie Kontakt mit unserem Büro auf.
Please contact our office.
unser Büro is our office and aufnehmen means make or establish contact. Mit unserem Büro is dative because mit requires the dative; in the polite command nehmen ... auf, the separable verb splits around the object.
Der Kundendienst hat schnell Kontakt zu mir aufgenommen.
Customer service contacted me quickly.
der Kundendienst is customer service, schnell means quickly, and zu mir means with me or to me. The perfect uses hat aufgenommen; Kontakt is the accusative object, and zu mir is dative after zu.
der Kopf — head; clever person; mind
Kopf is used for the body part and also in expressions about thinking or control, such as den Kopf verlieren. The fixed expression Kopfschmerzen haben means to have a headache.
Mein Kopf tut weh.
My head hurts.
mein means my and tut weh means hurts. Mein Kopf is the nominative subject; the separable verb wehtun appears as tut ... weh, with the finite part in position two.
Ich wasche mir den Kopf.
I wash my head.
wasche means wash and mir means to myself. den Kopf is accusative because it is the direct object, while mir is dative for the person affected.
Er hat sich den Kopf gestoßen.
He bumped his head.
gestoßen means bumped or hit, and sich means himself. In sich den Kopf stoßen, den Kopf is accusative and sich is dative for the person who is affected.
Die Form des Kopfes ist ungewöhnlich.
The shape of the head is unusual.
die Form means the shape and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Kopfes is genitive and identifies whose shape it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Köpfe der Kinder sind nass.
The children’s heads are wet.
der Kinder means of the children, and nass means wet. Köpfe is the plural subject, while der Kinder is genitive and shows possession.
Sie ist ein kluger Kopf.
She is a clever person.
sie means she, klug means clever, and ist means is. ein kluger Kopf is a noun phrase after sein, so Kopf is nominative and the adjective takes -er after the masculine article ein.
Verlier nicht den Kopf!
Don’t lose your head!
verlier nicht means do not lose, and the phrase means do not panic. den Kopf is accusative because verlieren takes a direct object; the imperative places the verb first.
der Kumpel — mate, buddy; miner
Kumpel is informal and friendly, like mate or buddy. In mining, Kumpel can also mean a miner; context tells you which meaning is intended.
Der Kumpel wartet vor dem Kino.
The mate is waiting outside the cinema.
wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Kino means outside or in front of the cinema. Der Kumpel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich treffe den Kumpel nach der Arbeit.
I am meeting my mate after work.
treffe means meet, nach der Arbeit means after work, and Arbeit means work. den Kumpel is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; nach takes the dative in the time phrase.
Ich helfe dem Kumpel beim Umzug.
I am helping my mate with the move.
helfe means help, beim Umzug means during or with the move, and Umzug means move to a new home. dem Kumpel is dative because helfen governs the dative; beim is bei dem, also dative.
Das Fahrrad des Kumpels ist kaputt.
The mate's bicycle is broken.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle and kaputt means broken. des Kumpels shows possession in the genitive; the masculine noun takes -s, while ist remains in position two.
Die Kumpel sitzen zusammen im Park.
The mates are sitting together in the park.
sitzen means are sitting, zusammen means together, and im Park means in the park. Die Kumpel is plural, but the noun itself does not change; the plural is shown by die and by sitzen.
Mein Onkel war früher Kumpel im Bergwerk.
My uncle used to be a miner in the coal mine.
mein Onkel is my uncle, früher means formerly, and Bergwerk means mine. After war, an occupation can appear without an article; im Bergwerk is in dem Bergwerk, with dative for a location.
Die alten Kumpel erzählen Geschichten aus dem Bergbau.
The old miners tell stories from the mining industry.
alt means old, erzählen means tell, Geschichten means stories, and Bergbau means mining. Die alten Kumpel is a plural subject; aus takes the dative, so dem Bergbau is dative.
der Kunde — customer, client
Kunde is a weak masculine noun. Use der Kunde only for the nominative singular; use Kunden after articles such as den, dem, or des, and in the plural.
Der Kunde wartet an der Kasse.
The customer is waiting at the checkout.
wartet means is waiting, an der Kasse means at the checkout, and Kasse means checkout or cash desk. Der Kunde is nominative as the subject; this is the only singular case in which the noun has no -n.
Die Verkäuferin berät den Kunden.
The sales assistant advises the customer.
die Verkäuferin is the sales assistant and berät means advises. den Kunden is accusative because beraten takes a direct object; the weak noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Kunden sofort.
I will help the customer immediately.
helfe means help and sofort means immediately. dem Kunden is dative because helfen governs the dative; Kunde must keep its -n.
Die Beschwerde des Kunden ist berechtigt.
The customer's complaint is justified.
die Beschwerde is the complaint and berechtigt means justified. des Kunden expresses possession in the genitive, and the weak noun again takes -n, not -s.
Die Kunden bezahlen mit Karte.
The customers pay by card.
bezahlen means pay and mit Karte means by card; Karte is card. Die Kunden is plural and has -n; mit takes the dative, although the feminine singular article is not visible here.
die Kundin — female customer, client
Use die Kundin for a female customer; the masculine counterpart is der Kunde. The plural is Kundinnen, with -innen, and the word is common in shops, offices and service situations.
Die Kundin wartet an der Kasse.
The female customer is waiting at the checkout.
warten means to wait, and die Kasse is the checkout. Die Kundin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Der Verkäufer begrüßt die Kundin.
The salesperson greets the female customer.
der Verkäufer is the salesperson, and begrüßen means to greet. Die Kundin is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the article remains die in the feminine accusative.
Ich helfe der Kundin mit dem Formular.
I help the female customer with the form.
helfen means to help, das Formular is the form, and mit means with. Der Kundin is dative because helfen takes a dative person; mit dem Formular is also dative because mit always requires the dative.
Die Tasche der Kundin liegt auf dem Tisch.
The female customer's bag is on the table.
die Tasche is the bag, liegen means to lie or be located, and der Tisch is the table. Der Kundin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive article is der, just like the feminine dative article.
Viele Kundinnen bezahlen mit Karte.
Many female customers pay by card.
viele means many, bezahlen means to pay, and die Karte is the card. Kundinnen is plural and has no ending for the case here because it is nominative; the plural article is die.
der Kuss — kiss; greeting or farewell kiss
der Kuss can describe one kiss or, in the plural, several kisses. The plural has an umlaut: Küsse, not Kusse.
Der Kuss war sehr schön.
The kiss was very nice.
war means was and sehr schön means very nice or beautiful. Der Kuss is nominative because it is the subject; war is the preterite of sein, and the predicative adjective schön has no ending.
Ich gebe ihm einen Kuss.
I am giving him a kiss.
ich gebe means I am giving and ihm means to him. ihm is dative because he receives something, while einen Kuss is accusative because it is the thing given.
Sie gibt ihrem Freund einen Kuss.
She gives her boyfriend a kiss.
sie gibt means she gives, ihrem Freund means to her boyfriend, and einen Kuss is a kiss. ihrem Freund is dative as the recipient; einen Kuss is accusative as the direct object.
Der Anfang des Kusses war vorsichtig.
The beginning of the kiss was cautious.
der Anfang is the beginning and vorsichtig means cautious or careful. des Kusses is genitive because it identifies the kiss's beginning; the genitive masculine article is des, and the noun takes -es.
Sie geben sich zur Begrüßung Küsse.
They give each other kisses as a greeting.
sie geben sich means they give each other, zur Begrüßung means as a greeting, and sich means each other here. Küsse is plural and accusative because it is the thing being given; the umlaut and -e mark the plural.
Zum Abschied bekam sie einen Kuss.
She got a kiss goodbye.
zum Abschied means goodbye or as a farewell, bekam means got, and sie means she. einen Kuss is accusative because it is what she received; zum is short for zu dem, and zu takes the dative.
Er begrüßt seine Mutter mit einem Kuss.
He greets his mother with a kiss.
begrüßt means greets, seine Mutter is his mother, and mit einem Kuss means with a kiss. seine Mutter is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; mit forces the dative, so einem Kuss is dative.
küssen — to kiss
küssen normally takes an accusative object for the person or thing receiving the kiss. With sich küssen, the action is mutual or reflexive, and the perfect is formed with haben.
Ich küsse meine Tochter jeden Abend.
I kiss my daughter every evening.
meine Tochter means my daughter, and jeden Abend means every evening. meine Tochter is accusative because küssen takes the person being kissed as a direct object, and the finite verb küsse stands in position two.
Wir haben uns zum Abschied geküsst.
We kissed goodbye.
uns means each other here, and zum Abschied means goodbye or when saying goodbye. The perfect uses haben plus geküsst at the end; uns is an accusative reflexive pronoun referring to the people who kissed each other.
Sie küsste ihn vor dem Bahnhof.
She kissed him in front of the station.
ihn means him, and vor dem Bahnhof means in front of the station. ihn is accusative because he is the person kissed, while the weak past form küsste is the finite verb in position two.
Küss mich!
Kiss me!
mich means me. Küss is the du imperative, and mich is accusative because it is the person receiving the action; the subject du is left out.
Ich würde ihn gern küssen, aber ich bin zu schüchtern.
I would like to kiss him, but I am too shy.
gern means gladly or would like to, aber means but, and schüchtern means shy. The polite or imagined form uses würde in position two and sends the infinitive küssen to the end; ihn is accusative.
Sie wird ihn nach dem Konzert küssen.
She will kiss him after the concert.
nach dem Konzert means after the concert. wird forms the future in position two, while the infinitive küssen goes to the end; ihn is accusative as the direct object.
die Leute — people
Leute is common and slightly informal; in more formal writing, Personen may be better. It is always plural in form, including after numbers such as zwei.
Leute warten vor dem Kino.
People are waiting in front of the cinema.
warten means are waiting, and vor dem Kino means in front of the cinema. Leute is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb warten is in position two.
Ich sehe viele Leute auf dem Markt.
I see many people at the market.
sehen means see, viele means many, and auf dem Markt means at the market. Leute is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe den Leuten mit den Taschen.
I help the people with the bags.
helfen means help, and mit den Taschen means with the bags. Leuten is dative because helfen requires the dative; plural dative nouns usually add -n, and helfen is in position two.
Die Stimmen der Leute waren laut.
The people's voices were loud.
die Stimmen means the voices, and laut means loud. der Leute is a genitive phrase showing whose voices they were; the finite verb waren is in position two.
Leute aus verschiedenen Ländern lernen hier Deutsch.
People from different countries are learning German here.
aus verschiedenen Ländern means from different countries, and hier means here. Leute is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: lernen; it stands in position two.
lieb — kind, nice; dear, sweet
Lieb can describe friendly behaviour or affection, depending on context. Its comparison is regular: lieber and am liebsten; the adverb lieber is also used to mean rather.
Meine Schwester ist sehr lieb.
My sister is very kind.
meine Schwester means my sister, and sehr means very. Lieb is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist ein liebes Kind.
That is a sweet child.
das means that, ein Kind means a child, and ist means is. Liebes stands before the neuter noun Kind after ein, so it takes the ending -es.
Unser neuer Nachbar ist lieber als der alte.
Our new neighbour is kinder than the old one.
unser neuer Nachbar means our new neighbour, and der alte means the old one. Lieber is the comparative and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Sie ist am liebsten mit Kindern zusammen.
She likes being with children best.
mit Kindern means with children, and zusammen means together. Am liebsten is the superlative form used adverbially; mit forces the dative plural Kindern.
lieben — to love; to like very much
Lieben takes an accusative object: jemanden lieben means to love someone. It is a weak verb with haben in the perfect: lieben – liebte – hat geliebt.
Sie liebt ihren Mann.
She loves her husband.
sie means she, and ihren Mann means her husband. Ihren Mann is accusative because lieben takes a direct object, and the finite verb liebt stands in position two.
Wir haben unsere neue Wohnung geliebt.
We loved our new flat.
unsere neue Wohnung means our new flat. Unsere neue Wohnung is accusative after lieben; haben is in position two and the Partizip II geliebt goes to the end.
Er liebte seine Großmutter sehr.
He loved his grandmother very much.
seine Großmutter means his grandmother, and sehr means very much. Seine Großmutter is accusative because it is the object of lieben; liebte is the weak-verb past form in position two.
Liebe deine Familie!
Love your family!
deine Familie means your family. Liebe is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted and the verb comes first; deine Familie is accusative as the direct object.
Ich würde meine Kinder immer lieben.
I would always love my children.
würde means would, meine Kinder means my children, and immer means always. Meine Kinder is accusative after lieben; with würde, the infinitive lieben goes to the end.
Sie wird ihren Hund immer lieben.
She will always love her dog.
ihren Hund means her dog, and immer means always. Ihren Hund is accusative because lieben takes a direct object; wird is in position two and the infinitive lieben goes to the end.
Lucia — Lucia, a female first name
Lucia is a female personal name. Personal names normally appear without an article in German.
Lucia kommt heute mit dem Bus.
Lucia is coming by bus today.
heute means today, and mit dem Bus means by bus. Lucia is the nominative subject, and mit forces the dative in dem Bus; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir besuchen Lucia am Sonntag.
We are visiting Lucia on Sunday.
besuchen means visit, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Lucia is the accusative object of besuchen, while the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
der Luxemburger — Luxembourgish man; Luxembourgish person
The plural die Luxemburger refers to Luxembourgish people and has no extra ending. For a woman, use die Luxemburgerin; for a general person, Luxemburger can be used depending on context.
Der Luxemburger arbeitet in Deutschland.
The Luxembourgish man works in Germany.
arbeitet means works and Deutschland is Germany. Der Luxemburger is the nominative subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe den Luxemburger am Bahnhof.
I am meeting the Luxembourgish man at the station.
treffe means meet, am Bahnhof means at the station. den Luxemburger is accusative because treffen takes an accusative object; the noun keeps its singular form, but the article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Luxemburger mit dem Gepäck.
I am helping the Luxembourgish man with the luggage.
helfe means help and das Gepäck means luggage. helfen requires a dative object, so dem Luxemburger is dative; the finite verb helfe is in position two.
Das Auto des Luxemburgers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Luxembourgish man'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 Luxemburgers expresses possession in the genitive and adds -s to the noun; steht is in position two.
Die Luxemburger sprechen oft mehrere Sprachen.
Luxembourgish people often speak several languages.
sprechen means speak, oft means often, and mehrere Sprachen means several languages. Die Luxemburger is the plural subject; its noun form is identical to the singular, so the article die shows the number.
der Mann — man, male adult; husband, male partner
Mann means an adult male person. In another very common sense, der Mann can mean a woman's husband; the context normally makes this clear.
Der Mann wartet an der Bushaltestelle.
The man is waiting at the bus stop.
wartet means is waiting and die Bushaltestelle means bus stop. Der Mann is nominative because he is the subject, while an der Bushaltestelle is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Ich sehe den Mann im Park.
I see the man in the park.
sehe means see, im Park means in the park, and der Park is the park. Den Mann is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; im Park is dative because it describes location.
Ich helfe dem Mann mit dem Koffer.
I help the man with the suitcase.
helfe means help, mit means with, and der Koffer means suitcase. Helfen takes a dative object, so dem Mann is dative; mit dem Koffer is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto des Mannes steht vor dem Haus.
The 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 Mannes is genitive to show possession, and vor dem Haus is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Männer spielen im Garten Fußball.
The men are playing football in the garden.
spielen means play, im Garten means in the garden, and Fußball means football. Die Männer is the plural subject, and the plural verb spielen agrees with it.
Mein Mann kocht heute Abend.
My husband is cooking this evening.
mein means my, kocht means is cooking, and heute Abend means this evening. Mein Mann is the nominative subject, and the possessive determiner has the masculine ending -in in the nominative.
Sie spricht oft über ihren Mann.
She often talks about her husband.
sie means she, spricht means talks, oft means often, and über means about. Über takes the accusative when it means about, so ihren Mann is accusative; ihren agrees with the masculine noun.
der Mensch — person, human being
der Mensch is a weak masculine noun: it has -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, as in den Menschen and dem Menschen. Its plural is also Menschen.
Der Mensch braucht Wasser.
A human being needs water.
braucht means “needs” and Wasser means “water.” Der Mensch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
Ich sehe einen Menschen**.
I see a person.
sehe means “see” and einen means “a” in the masculine accusative. Menschen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and this weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Menschen.
I help the person.
helfe means “help” and dem means “the” in the dative. Menschen is dative because helfen governs the dative, and the weak noun uses -en.
Die Stimme des Menschen ist leise.
The person’s voice is quiet.
die Stimme means “the voice,” ist means “is,” and leise means “quiet.” Des Menschen is genitive because it shows whose voice it is, and Mensch takes -en in this case.
Viele Menschen arbeiten hier.
Many people work here.
viele means “many,” arbeiten means “work,” and hier means “here.” Menschen is the plural form, and the plural verb arbeiten agrees with it.
Jeder Mensch macht Fehler.
Every person makes mistakes.
jeder means “every,” macht means “makes,” and Fehler means “mistakes.” Jeder Mensch is nominative because it is the subject, and Mensch is not weakly marked in the nominative singular.
miteinander — together, with each other
Miteinander is an adverb used when people or things act together or interact with each other. Do not confuse it with zusammen: both can mean together, but miteinander especially highlights the relationship between the participants.
Wir sprechen oft miteinander.
We often talk to each other.
Wir means we, sprechen means speak or talk, and oft means often. Miteinander is an adverb meaning with each other; the finite verb sprechen stands in position two, and the adverb can follow it.
Die Kinder spielen friedlich miteinander.
The children play peacefully together.
Die Kinder means the children, spielen means play, and friedlich means peacefully. Miteinander describes the relationship between the children and means with each other; the finite verb spielen is in position two.
das Mitglied — member
Das Mitglied is neuter and has the regular plural die Mitglieder. It can mean a member of a club, organisation, political party, or other group.
Das Mitglied nimmt an der Sitzung teil.
The member takes part in the meeting.
Nimmt an ... teil means takes part in, and die Sitzung is the meeting. Das Mitglied is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb teilnehmen appears as nimmt ... teil.
Der Verein begrüßt das Mitglied.
The club welcomes the member.
Der Verein means the club or association, and begrüßt means welcomes. Das Mitglied is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßen; for this neuter noun, nominative and accusative look the same.
Wir helfen dem Mitglied bei der Anmeldung.
We help the member with the registration.
Helfen means to help, bei der Anmeldung means with the registration, and die Anmeldung is registration. Dem Mitglied is dative because helfen governs the dative; bei also requires the dative.
Die Meinung des Mitglieds ist wichtig.
The member's opinion is important.
Die Meinung means the opinion, and wichtig means important. Des Mitglieds is genitive to show possession, with des and the ending -s; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Mitglieder treffen sich jeden Montag.
The members meet every Monday.
Treffen sich means meet one another, and jeden Montag means every Monday. Die Mitglieder is the plural subject in the nominative; the noun changes from Mitglied to Mitglieder, and sich marks the reciprocal action.
das Mädchen — girl
Although Mädchen refers to a female person, its grammatical gender is neuter because the diminutive ending -chen always makes a noun neuter. Its plural is also Mädchen, with the article showing whether it is singular or plural.
Das Mädchen liest ein Buch.
The girl is reading a book.
liest means reads or is reading, and ein Buch means a book. Das Mädchen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liest is in position two.
Ich sehe das Mädchen im Park.
I see the girl in the park.
sehe means see and im Park means in the park. Das Mädchen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Mädchen einen Ball.
I give the girl a ball.
gebe means give and einen Ball means a ball. Dem Mädchen is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Ball is accusative because it is the thing given; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Die Mutter des Mädchens arbeitet im Krankenhaus.
The girl’s mother works in the hospital.
Die Mutter means the mother, arbeitet means works, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Des Mädchens is genitive because it shows whose mother she is; the neuter article is des and the noun adds -s.
Die Mädchen spielen zusammen.
The girls are playing together.
spielen means play and zusammen means together. Mädchen is plural here, shown by die and the plural verb spielen; the noun itself does not change because it ends in -chen.
der Nachbar — neighbour
Nachbar is a weak masculine noun: use Nachbarn in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, as well as in the plural. Do not use der Nachbar outside the nominative singular.
Der Nachbar grüßt mich.
The neighbour greets me.
grüßt means greets, and mich means me. Der Nachbar is nominative because it is the subject, while mich is accusative because it is the object; the finite verb grüßt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Nachbarn jeden Tag.
I see the neighbour every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. den Nachbarn is accusative after sehen, and the weak masculine noun takes -n outside the nominative; learners often incorrectly say den Nachbar.
Ich helfe dem Nachbarn im Garten.
I help the neighbour in the garden.
helfe means help, and im Garten means in the garden. helfen takes the dative, so der Nachbar becomes dem Nachbarn; the weak-noun ending -n remains on the noun.
Das Auto des Nachbarn ist sehr laut.
The neighbour’s car is very loud.
Das Auto means the car, and sehr laut means very loud. des Nachbarn is genitive because it shows possession, and this weak masculine noun takes -n as well as the genitive article des.
Die Nachbarn feiern im Hof.
The neighbours are celebrating in the courtyard.
feiern means celebrate, and im Hof means in the courtyard. Nachbarn is the plural subject, and the plural form ends in -n; im is short for in dem.
die Nachbarin — female neighbour
The feminine noun die Nachbarin is the female form of der Nachbar, a male neighbour. Its plural is die Nachbarinnen, with -in changing to -innen.
Die Nachbarin wohnt neben uns.
The female neighbour lives next door to us.
wohnt means lives, neben uns means next to us, and uns means us. Die Nachbarin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Nachbarin im Garten.
I see the female neighbour in the garden.
sehe means see, im Garten means in the garden, and Garten means garden. Die Nachbarin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe der Nachbarin mit den Taschen.
I help the female neighbour with the bags.
helfe means help, mit means with, and den Taschen means the bags. Der Nachbarin is dative because helfen takes a dative object; mit also requires the dative.
Das Fahrrad der Nachbarin steht vor dem Haus.
The female neighbour’s bicycle is in front of the house.
Das Fahrrad means the bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Nachbarin is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Nachbarinnen trinken zusammen Kaffee.
The female neighbours drink coffee together.
trinken means drink, zusammen means together, and Kaffee means coffee. Die Nachbarinnen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the ending -innen shows that the neighbours are female.
der Name — name
Der Name has the unusual plural die Namen. It is a weak masculine noun: outside the nominative singular, it normally has -n or -en.
Der Name meines Bruders ist Paul.
My brother’s name is Paul.
mein Bruder means my brother, and Paul is a male first name. Der Name is nominative because it is the subject; meines Bruders is genitive and means “of my brother.”
Ich kenne den Namen des Restaurants.
I know the name of the restaurant.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, and das Restaurant means the restaurant. Den Namen is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; des Restaurants is genitive and means “of the restaurant.”
Ich gebe dem Namen eine Nummer.
I give the name a number.
geben means to give, and eine Nummer is a number. Dem Namen is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while eine Nummer is the accusative thing given.
Die Bedeutung des Namens ist unbekannt.
The meaning of the name is unknown.
die Bedeutung means meaning, and unbekannt means unknown. Des Namens is genitive and shows whose meaning it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Namen stehen auf der Liste.
The names are on the list.
stehen means are written or stand, and die Liste means the list. Die Namen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; auf der Liste uses dative because it describes a location.
nett — nice, kind, friendly
Nett is a common, friendly word for a person or behaviour. In some contexts it can mean only pleasantly acceptable, not especially warm or enthusiastic.
Die Nachbarin ist sehr nett.
The neighbour is very nice.
die Nachbarin is the female neighbour, and sehr means very. Nett stands after ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no adjective ending.
Wir haben einen netten Lehrer.
We have a nice teacher.
der Lehrer is the teacher, and haben means to have. Einen netten Lehrer is accusative because haben takes a direct object; after einen, the masculine adjective has the -en ending.
Meine neue Kollegin ist netter als ich erwartet habe.
My new colleague is nicer than I expected.
neu means new, die Kollegin is the female colleague, and erwarten means to expect. Netter is the comparative after ist, and German uses als for the comparison.
Von allen Gästen war Maria am nettesten.
Of all the guests, Maria was the nicest.
alle Gäste means all the guests, and von means from or of. Von takes the dative, while am nettesten is the predicative superlative after war.
das Paar — pair; couple; pair of matching items
Das Paar can mean two people in a relationship or two matching things. It is a capitalized noun; lowercase paar is a different word meaning a few.
Das Paar sitzt im Café.
The couple is sitting in the café.
sitzt means is sitting and im Café means in the café. Das Paar is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sitzt stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Paar Schuhe.
I am buying a pair of shoes.
ich kaufe means I am buying and Schuhe means shoes. Ein Paar is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; Schuhe specifies what the pair consists of.
Ich schenke dem Paar Blumen.
I am giving the couple flowers.
ich schenke means I give as a present, Blumen means flowers, and dem Paar means to the couple. Dem Paar is dative because it is the recipient, while Blumen is the accusative thing given.
Das Auto des Paares steht vor dem Haus.
The couple'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. Des Paares is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the noun takes -es.
Die Paare tanzen zusammen.
The couples are dancing together.
tanzen means dance and zusammen means together. Paare is the plural of Paar, and the plural subject requires tanzen.
Ich brauche ein Paar Socken.
I need a pair of socks.
ich brauche means I need and Socken means socks. Ein Paar is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; Socken names the two matching items.
Dieses Paar Ohrringe ist sehr schön.
This pair of earrings is very beautiful.
dieses means this, Ohrringe means earrings, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Paar is grammatically singular, so the verb is ist, even though Ohrringe is plural.
die Partnerin — female partner
Partnerin can mean a romantic partner or a female partner in an activity or organisation. The plural is Partnerinnen.
Meine Partnerin kommt heute Abend.
My partner is coming this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and kommt means is coming. Meine Partnerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich besuche meine Partnerin am Wochenende.
I am visiting my partner at the weekend.
besuchen means to visit, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Meine Partnerin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich schenke meiner Partnerin Blumen.
I am giving my partner flowers.
schenken means to give as a present, and Blumen are flowers. Meiner Partnerin is dative because it is the recipient, while Blumen is the accusative thing given.
Das Auto meiner Partnerin ist neu.
My partner's car is new.
das Auto means the car, and neu means new. Meiner Partnerin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive form is meiner, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Partnerinnen arbeiten heute.
Many female partners are working today.
viele means many, and arbeiten means are working. Partnerinnen is the plural of Partnerin; the plural subject is nominative, and arbeiten stands in position two.
die Person — person
die Person is neutral and can sound more formal than der Mensch or die Leute, depending on the sentence. Its plural is die Personen; use die Leute only for people in general, not for a specific number of individuals.
Die Person wartet an der Tür.
The person is waiting at the door.
warten means to wait, die Tür means the door, and an der Tür means at the door. Die Person is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Person jeden Tag.
I see the person every day.
sehen means to see, and jeden Tag means every day. die Person is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Person mit dem Gepäck.
I help the person with the luggage.
helfen means to help, das Gepäck means luggage, and mit means with. der Person is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit dem Gepäck is also dative because mit requires the dative.
Der Name der Person steht auf der Liste.
The person's name is on the list.
der Name means the name, stehen means to be written or listed, and die Liste means list. der Person is genitive because it shows whose name it is; feminine genitive uses der.
Viele Personen warten draußen.
Many people are waiting outside.
viele means many, warten means are waiting, and draußen means outside. Personen is plural and is the subject, so the verb is warten, not singular wartet.
der Portugiese — Portuguese man; Portuguese person
Portugiese is a weak masculine noun: use der Portugiese only in the nominative singular, but den Portugiesen, dem Portugiesen, and des Portugiesen in the other singular cases.
Der Portugiese arbeitet in Berlin.
The Portuguese man works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Der Portugiese is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Portugiesen.
I know the Portuguese man.
kenne means know. den Portugiesen is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, and this weak masculine noun has -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Portugiesen.
I am helping the Portuguese man.
helfe means help. dem Portugiesen is dative because helfen governs the dative; the weak noun keeps -en.
Das Auto des Portugiesen ist neu.
The Portuguese man's car is new.
das Auto means car and neu means new. des Portugiesen expresses possession in the genitive, and this weak masculine noun takes -en in the genitive.
Die Portugiesen sprechen Portugiesisch.
The Portuguese speak Portuguese.
sprechen means speak and Portugiesisch means Portuguese. Die Portugiesen is the plural subject, and the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
die Prinzessin — princess
The plural is Prinzessinnen, with -nen. Like many feminine nouns ending in -in, it forms the plural by changing -in to -innen.
Die Prinzessin wohnt in einem großen Schloss.
The princess lives in a large castle.
wohnt means lives, groß means large, and das Schloss is a castle. Die Prinzessin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Der König sieht die Prinzessin.
The king sees the princess.
der König is the king and sieht means sees. Die Prinzessin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article stays die in both nominative and accusative.
Der Prinz gibt der Prinzessin eine Blume.
The prince gives the princess a flower.
der Prinz is the prince, gibt means gives, and eine Blume is a flower. Der Prinzessin is dative because she is the recipient of the gift, while eine Blume is the accusative thing being given.
Das Kleid der Prinzessin ist sehr teuer.
The princess's dress is very expensive.
das Kleid is the dress, sehr means very, and teuer means expensive. Der Prinzessin is genitive and shows possession: the dress belongs to the princess.
Im Märchen leben drei Prinzessinnen.
Three princesses live in the fairy tale.
im Märchen means in the fairy tale, leben means live, and drei means three. Prinzessinnen is plural, so it is used with drei and has the plural ending -nen.
der Respekt — respect, regard
der Respekt is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no plural in everyday use. The fixed expression Respekt vor jemandem haben uses vor with the dative.
Der Respekt vor anderen Menschen ist wichtig.
Respect for other people is important.
vor anderen Menschen means “for other people”, and wichtig means “important”. Der Respekt is nominative because it is the subject; the preposition vor takes the dative here, so anderen Menschen is dative.
Die Kinder zeigen Respekt vor ihrer Lehrerin.
The children show respect for their teacher.
die Kinder means “the children”, zeigen means “show”, and ihrer Lehrerin means “their teacher”. Respekt is the accusative object of zeigen, while vor takes the dative in vor ihrer Lehrerin.
Wir begegnen unserem Trainer mit Respekt.
We treat our coach with respect.
begegnen means “meet” or “treat”, unserem Trainer is “our coach”, and mit means “with”. begegnen takes the dative, and mit Respekt is a prepositional phrase with mit, which also takes the dative.
Die Bedeutung des Respekts wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of respect is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means “the importance”, and unterschätzt means “underestimated”. des Respekts is genitive after die Bedeutung and means “of respect”; wird unterschätzt expresses a passive meaning.
respektieren — to respect
respektieren takes an accusative object: jemanden respektieren means “to respect someone”. It is a regular verb ending in -ieren, so its Partizip II is respektiert, without ge-, and the perfect uses haben.
Ich respektiere deine Meinung.
I respect your opinion.
deine Meinung means “your opinion”. respektieren takes an accusative object, so deine Meinung is accusative; the finite verb respektiere stands in position two.
Wir haben seine Entscheidung respektiert.
We respected his decision.
seine Entscheidung means “his decision”. The perfect uses haben plus respektiert at the end; seine Entscheidung is accusative because it is the object of respektieren.
Die Schüler respektierten ihre Lehrerin.
The pupils respected their teacher.
die Schüler means “the pupils”, and ihre Lehrerin means “their teacher”. respektierten is the regular Präteritum form and stands in position two; ihre Lehrerin is accusative.
Respektiere bitte die Regeln.
Please respect the rules.
bitte means “please”, and die Regeln means “the rules”. The imperative respektiere comes first, and die Regeln is accusative because it is the object.
Ich respektierte ihn mehr, wenn er ehrlich wäre.
I would respect him more if he were honest.
ihn means “him”, mehr means “more”, and ehrlich means “honest”. respektierte is the Konjunktiv II form here and expresses a hypothetical result; ihn is accusative, while wäre stands at the end of the wenn-clause.
Wir werden deine Entscheidung respektieren.
We will respect your decision.
werden means “will”, and deine Entscheidung means “your decision”. In the future, werden is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive respektieren goes to the end; the object is accusative.
die Russin — Russian woman
The feminine nationality noun is formed with -in; its plural is Russinnen. It normally describes a woman from Russia, not simply any woman who speaks Russian.
Die Russin arbeitet heute im Büro.
The Russian woman is working in the office today.
arbeitet means is working, heute means today, and das Büro means the office. Die Russin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Russin jeden Morgen.
I see the Russian woman every morning.
sehe means see and jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Russin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich gebe der Russin die Adresse.
I give the Russian woman the address.
gebe means give and die Adresse means the address. Der Russin is dative because she receives something, while die Adresse is accusative as the thing given.
Das Auto der Russin steht vor dem Haus.
The Russian woman’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto means car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Russin is genitive to show possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Kurs lernen drei Russinnen Deutsch.
Three Russian women are learning German in the course.
im Kurs means in the course, lernen means learn, and Deutsch means German. Russinnen is plural and is the subject; im is short for in dem, which forces the dative for a location.
der Schwede — Swede
der Schwede is a weak masculine noun: it takes -n in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, as well as in the plural. The feminine form is die Schwedin.
Der Schwede wohnt in Stockholm.
The Swede lives in Stockholm.
wohnt means lives, and Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Der Schwede is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe einen Schweden.
I see a Swede.
sehe means see. einen Schweden is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object, and this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Schweden.
I help the Swede.
helfe means help. dem Schweden is dative because helfen requires the dative, and the weak noun keeps its -n ending.
Das Auto des Schweden ist neu.
The Swede's car is new.
das Auto means the car, and neu means new. des Schweden expresses possession in the genitive; the weak noun has -n, and ist agrees with das Auto.
Die Schweden sprechen Schwedisch.
The Swedes speak Swedish.
sprechen means speak, and Schwedisch means Swedish. Die Schweden is plural and therefore takes sprechen, not the singular form spricht.
das Schwein — pig; swine; pig, nasty person (insult)
The literal meaning is a farm animal. In the expression Schwein haben, the word means luck rather than a pig; calling a person ein Schwein can be insulting.
Das Schwein schläft im Stall.
The pig is sleeping in the stable.
der Stall means stable or pigsty. Das Schwein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schläft is in position two.
Der Bauer füttert das Schwein.
The farmer feeds the pig.
der Bauer means the farmer and füttern means to feed. das Schwein is accusative because it is the direct object of füttert; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Bauer gibt dem Schwein Futter.
The farmer gives the pig food.
geben means to give and das Futter means animal feed. dem Schwein is dative because it is the recipient, while Futter is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Schweins ist rosa.
The pig’s colour is pink.
die Farbe means the colour and rosa means pink. des Schweins expresses possession, so the neuter genitive uses des and the noun ending -s.
Die Schweine laufen über die Wiese.
The pigs are running across the meadow.
laufen means to run, and die Wiese is the meadow. Die Schweine is plural nominative as the subject; über die Wiese is accusative because it describes movement across it.
Er benimmt sich wie ein Schwein.
He behaves like a pig.
sich benehmen means to behave, and wie means like or as. The phrase wie ein Schwein is a comparison; after wie, the noun phrase keeps the case required by its role, here nominative after sich benehmen wie.
Du bist doch kein Schwein!
You’re not a pig, after all!
doch adds emphasis, roughly ‘after all’, and kein means no or not a. Schwein is predicative after bist, so it is not an accusative object; kein negates the description.
der Schweizer — Swiss man; Swiss person
The plural is die Schweizer, with no ending. In the genitive singular, use des Schweizers; this noun is not a weak masculine noun, so it does not take -n in the other cases.
Der Schweizer arbeitet in Zürich.
The Swiss man works in Zurich.
arbeitet means works, and in Zürich means in Zurich. Der Schweizer is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Schweizer im Zug.
I see the Swiss man on the train.
sehen means to see, and im Zug means on the train. den Schweizer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the noun itself does not change in this case.
Ich helfe dem Schweizer mit dem Koffer.
I help the Swiss man with the suitcase.
helfen means to help, mit means with, and der Koffer is the suitcase. helfen takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Schweizer; mit also requires the dative in dem Koffer.
Das Auto des Schweizers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Swiss man'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 Schweizers expresses possession in the genitive, and the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
Viele Schweizer sprechen Deutsch.
Many Swiss people speak German.
viele means many, sprechen means speak, and Deutsch means German. Schweizer is the unchanged plural after viele; the plural subject takes the verb form sprechen.
die Schweizerin — Swiss woman
The plural of die Schweizerin is die Schweizerinnen: the ending -in becomes -innen. In the genitive singular, use der Schweizerin; the feminine noun itself does not get an extra ending.
Die Schweizerin kommt aus Bern.
The Swiss woman comes from Bern.
kommt aus means comes from, and Bern is a city in Switzerland. Die Schweizerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich treffe eine Schweizerin im Café.
I meet a Swiss woman in the café.
treffen means to meet, and das Café means the café. eine Schweizerin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the feminine noun has the same form in nominative and accusative.
Ich schreibe der Schweizerin eine Nachricht.
I write the Swiss woman a message.
schreiben means to write, and eine Nachricht is a message. der Schweizerin is dative because she is the recipient, while eine Nachricht is the accusative thing being written.
Das Fahrrad der Schweizerin ist neu.
The Swiss woman's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and neu means new. der Schweizerin expresses possession in the genitive; feminine nouns usually keep the same noun form and change the article to der.
Drei Schweizerinnen sitzen am Fenster.
Three Swiss women are sitting by the window.
drei means three, sitzen means are sitting, and am Fenster means by the window. The plural Schweizerinnen is formed with -innen, and the plural subject takes sitzen.
der Spanier — Spaniard, Spanish man
Spanier can mean a male person from Spain or, in the plural, Spanish people generally. The related adjective is spanisch, meaning Spanish.
Der Spanier kommt aus Madrid.
The Spaniard comes from Madrid.
kommt aus means comes from, and Madrid is the capital of Spain. Der Spanier is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Spanier im Zug.
I see the Spaniard on the train.
sehen means to see, im Zug means on the train, and der Zug is the train. Den Spanier is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Spanier mit dem Gepäck.
I help the Spaniard with the luggage.
helfen means to help, mit means with, and das Gepäck means the luggage. Dem Spanier is dative because helfen takes a dative object; mit dem Gepäck is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Auto des Spaniers steht vor dem Hotel.
The Spaniard's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Spaniers is genitive because it shows possession; this noun takes -s in the masculine genitive singular.
Viele Spanier sprechen sehr gut Englisch.
Many Spaniards speak English very well.
viele means many, sprechen means speak, and sehr gut means very well. Spanier is the plural form after viele; unlike many masculine nouns, it does not add -n in the plural.
die Spanierin — Spanish woman
The ending -in makes a feminine noun for a woman with the relevant nationality. The plural is Spanierinnen, with -innen, not Spanierins.
Die Spanierin wohnt in Berlin.
The Spanish woman lives in Berlin.
wohnt means “lives”, and Berlin is the German capital. Die Spanierin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Spanierin jeden Tag.
I see the Spanish woman every day.
sehe means “see”, and jeden Tag means “every day”. Die Spanierin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe der Spanierin.
I help the Spanish woman.
helfe means “help”. Der Spanierin is dative because helfen requires a dative object, not an accusative one; helfe is in position two.
Das Auto der Spanierin steht vor dem Haus.
The Spanish woman’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto means “the car”, steht means “is standing/is located”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. Der Spanierin is genitive and shows whose car it is; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Spanierinnen trinken Kaffee.
The Spanish women are drinking coffee.
trinken means “drink”, and Kaffee means “coffee”. Die Spanierinnen is plural and nominative as the subject; the ending -innen marks several female people.
der Student — male student
Student is a weak masculine noun: it has -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, as well as in the plural.
Der Student lernt in der Bibliothek.
The student is studying in the library.
lernt means is studying or learning, and die Bibliothek is the library. Der Student is nominative because he is the subject, and lernt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Studenten jeden Tag.
I see the student every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Studenten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Studenten bei der Bewerbung.
I am helping the student with the application.
helfe means help, and die Bewerbung is the application. Dem Studenten is dative because helfen always takes a dative person, and the noun keeps its -en ending.
Die Tasche des Studenten steht auf dem Tisch.
The student's bag is on the table.
die Tasche means bag, steht means is standing or is placed, and der Tisch is the table. Des Studenten is genitive because it expresses possession; the weak noun ends in -en.
Viele Studenten wohnen in dieser Stadt.
Many students live in this city.
viele means many, wohnen means live, and diese Stadt means this city. Viele Studenten is the plural subject, and the verb wohnen stands in position two.
die Studentin — female student
The feminine noun is formed from der Student with -in; its plural adds -nen, giving Studentinnen.
Die Studentin liest ein Buch.
The student is reading a book.
liest means is reading, and ein Buch is a book. Die Studentin is nominative because she is the subject, and liest stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Studentin morgen.
We are visiting the student tomorrow.
besuchen means visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Studentin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Professor erklärt der Studentin die Aufgabe.
The professor explains the task to the student.
der Professor means the professor, erklärt means explains, and die Aufgabe is the task. Der Studentin is dative because she receives the explanation, while die Aufgabe is the accusative thing explained.
Das Handy der Studentin liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
The student's mobile phone is on the desk.
das Handy means mobile phone, liegt means is lying, and der Schreibtisch is the desk. Der Studentin is genitive because it expresses possession; auf dem Schreibtisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Studentinnen lernen zusammen.
The female students are studying together.
lernen means study or learn, and zusammen means together. Die Studentinnen is the plural subject, and lernen is in position two.
Susanne — Susanne
Susanne is a female first name. Names normally have no article and do not change form for case.
Susanne arbeitet heute im Büro.
Susanne is working in the office today.
arbeitet means is working, heute means today, and das Büro means the office. Susanne is the nominative subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe Susanne nach der Arbeit.
I am meeting Susanne after work.
treffe means meet, nach der Arbeit means after work, and die Arbeit means work. Susanne is an accusative object because treffen takes the accusative; the finite verb treffe is in position two.
der Teenager — teenager
Teenager has the same form in the singular and plural: der Teenager, die Teenager. The genitive singular is des Teenagers, with -s.
Der Teenager hört Musik.
The teenager is listening to music.
hört Musik means is listening to music. Der Teenager is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hört stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Teenager im Bus.
I see the teenager on the bus.
sehe means see, and im Bus means on or in the bus. Den Teenager is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the noun itself does not change, so the article den shows the case.
Ich helfe dem Teenager bei den Hausaufgaben.
I help the teenager with the homework.
helfe means help, bei den Hausaufgaben means with the homework, and Hausaufgaben means homework. Dem Teenager is dative because helfen takes a dative person; bei also takes the dative.
Das Fahrrad des Teenagers steht vor dem Haus.
The teenager's bicycle is standing 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 Teenagers is genitive because it shows possession, while dem Haus is dative because vor describes a fixed location here.
Viele Teenager spielen gern Computerspiele.
Many teenagers like playing computer games.
viele means many, gern means gladly or like to, and Computerspiele are computer games. Teenager is unchanged in the plural; the word viele and the plural verb spielen show that it means more than one person.
Die Teenager treffen sich nach der Schule.
The teenagers meet after school.
treffen sich means meet one another, and nach der Schule means after school. Teenager is plural and unchanged; sich is the reflexive pronoun used with the plural subject, and nach takes the dative.
Thomas — Thomas
Thomas is a male personal name. German personal names normally appear without an article, including after verbs that assign accusative or dative case.
Thomas wohnt neben uns.
Thomas lives next door to us.
wohnt means lives, and neben uns means next door to us. Thomas is a proper name and has no article; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich treffe Thomas morgen.
I am meeting Thomas tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. Thomas is accusative because treffen takes a direct object, but a person's name does not show a special accusative ending.
der Tote — dead man
Der Tote is a masculine noun made from the adjective tot, meaning dead. Because it is a substantive adjective, its forms follow adjective declension: der Tote, den Toten, dem Toten, and des Toten.
Der Tote liegt im Krankenhaus.
The dead man is in the hospital.
liegt means is lying, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Der Tote is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Polizei fand den Toten am Morgen.
The police found the dead man in the morning.
die Polizei is the police, fand means found, and am Morgen means in the morning. Den Toten is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the masculine form changes from der to den.
Die Ärztin half dem Toten.
The female doctor helped the dead man.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, and half means helped. Dem Toten is dative because helfen requires the dative; the adjective-based noun keeps the ending -en.
Die Identität des Toten ist noch unbekannt.
The dead man's identity is still unknown.
die Identität is the identity, and noch unbekannt means still unknown. Des Toten is genitive to show whose identity it is; the masculine article is des and the noun form is Toten.
Die Familien besuchen die Toten auf dem Friedhof.
The families visit the dead people in the cemetery.
die Familien means the families, besuchen means visit, and der Friedhof is the cemetery. Die Toten is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural ending remains -en.
die Tote — dead woman
Die Tote is a feminine noun made from the adjective tot, meaning dead. As a substantive adjective, it follows adjective declension: die Tote, der Toten, and die Toten in the plural.
Die Tote liegt im Krankenhaus.
The dead woman is in the hospital.
liegt means is lying, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Die Tote is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Polizei fand die Tote am Morgen.
The police found the dead woman in the morning.
die Polizei is the police, fand means found, and am Morgen means in the morning. Die Tote is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Ärztin half der Toten.
The female doctor helped the dead woman.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, and half means helped. Der Toten is dative because helfen requires the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Identität der Toten ist noch unbekannt.
The dead woman's identity is still unknown.
die Identität is the identity, and noch unbekannt means still unknown. Der Toten is genitive to show whose identity it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Familien besuchen die Toten auf dem Friedhof.
The families visit the dead people in the cemetery.
die Familien means the families, besuchen means visit, and der Friedhof is the cemetery. Die Toten is plural and accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the plural ending is -en.
das Treffen — meeting, get-together; encounter, meeting
This noun comes from the verb treffen, to meet, but das Treffen means a meeting or event. Do not confuse capitalized Treffen with lowercase treffen, the verb.
Das Treffen beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The meeting starts at ten o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Das Treffen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich plane das Treffen für Montag.
I am planning the meeting for Monday.
plane means plan, and für Montag means for Monday. Das Treffen is accusative because planen takes a direct object, and für also always takes the accusative.
Wir sprechen bei dem Treffen über den neuen Plan.
We talk about the new plan at the meeting.
sprechen means talk, bei means at, and der neue Plan means the new plan. Dem Treffen is dative because bei governs the dative; über den neuen Plan is an additional phrase with über here taking the accusative.
Die Ergebnisse des Treffens sind sehr gut.
The results of the meeting are very good.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and sehr gut means very good. Des Treffens is genitive because it shows whose results they are; the noun Treffen adds -s in this case.
In diesem Jahr gibt es viele Treffen.
There are many meetings this year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, and viele means many. Treffen is the plural form, and it does not change from the singular; after es gibt, the phrase is accusative.
Wir haben morgen ein Treffen.
We have a meeting tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow. Ein Treffen is accusative because haben takes a direct object, and the finite verb haben stands in position two.
Das war ein unerwartetes Treffen.
That was an unexpected encounter.
unerwartet means unexpected, and das war means that was. Ein unerwartetes Treffen is a predicate noun phrase after sein; the adjective has the ending -es because the noun is neuter with the indefinite article.
Beim Treffen mit alten Freunden haben wir viel gelacht.
At the meeting with old friends, we laughed a lot.
beim means at the, alte Freunde means old friends, and viel gelacht means laughed a lot. Beim Treffen is dative because bei governs the dative; haben ... gelacht forms the perfect, with the participle at the end.
treu — loyal, faithful
treu usually describes loyalty to a person, group or principle. Its opposite is untreu, and the comparative forms are treuer and am treuesten.
Mein Hund ist sehr treu.
My dog is very loyal.
mein Hund means my dog, and sehr means very. The adjective treu stands after ist as a predicate and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat einen treuen Freund.
She has a loyal friend.
sie means she, hat means has, and einen Freund means a male friend. einen treuen Freund is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective gets -en after einen.
Er ist seinem Bruder treuer als seinem Chef.
He is more loyal to his brother than to his boss.
seinem Bruder means to his brother, and seinem Chef means to his boss. treuer is the comparative; after sein, the comparison is predicative, while seinem marks the people being compared in the dative.
Von allen Freunden ist Lara am treuesten.
Of all the friends, Lara is the most loyal.
von allen Freunden means of all the friends. am treuesten is the predicative superlative, and the phrase with von is dative; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Ein treuer Hund wartet oft jahrelang.
A loyal dog often waits for years.
ein Hund is a dog, wartet means waits, oft means often, and jahrelang means for years. treuer stands before the masculine nominative noun after ein, so it takes the ending -er.
verheiratet — married; married
Verheiratet describes a marital status and is normally not compared; forms such as mehr verheiratet and am verheiratetsten are playful or unusual. With a person, use mit plus the dative to say who they are married to.
Meine Schwester ist verheiratet.
My sister is married.
meine Schwester means my sister. Verheiratet is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach zehn Jahren wirkt er noch mehr verheiratet als früher.
After ten years, he still seems more married than before.
nach zehn Jahren means after ten years, and früher means before or formerly. The unusual comparative mehr verheiratet means more strongly or visibly married; it is normally humorous or informal, not a standard comparison of marital status.
Von allen Paaren wirken sie am verheiratetsten.
Of all the couples, they seem the most married.
von allen Paaren means of all the couples, and wirken means seem or appear. Am verheiratetsten is a playful superlative meaning most married; ordinary German normally does not compare verheiratet because a person is either married or not.
Das ist mein verheirateter Bruder.
That is my married brother.
mein Bruder means my brother, and das means that. Before the masculine nominative noun Bruder, the adjective takes the ending -er after mein; verheirateter Bruder is the noun phrase being identified.
Verheiratete Paare bekommen oft gemeinsame Post.
Married couples often receive joint mail.
Paare means couples, bekommen means receive, and gemeinsame Post means joint mail. Verheiratete is an adjective used as a plural noun, so it has a capital letter and the ending -e; it is the subject.
Er ist seit zehn Jahren mit Anna verheiratet.
He has been married to Anna for ten years.
seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and mit Anna means to Anna. Mit takes the dative, although the feminine name Anna shows no visible case ending; verheiratet follows ist as a predicative adjective.