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Vocab: People & relationships — A2 (1)
People & relationships vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abschied — farewell, goodbye
Abschied is the separation itself or the occasion when people say goodbye. The common expression Abschied nehmen literally means to take farewell, but English normally says to say goodbye.
Der Abschied war sehr emotional.
The farewell was very emotional.
emotional means emotional and sehr means very. Der Abschied is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich hasse den Abschied.
I hate saying goodbye.
hassen means to hate. Den Abschied is accusative because hassen takes an accusative object, while the subject ich is nominative.
Nach dem Abschied ging sie nach Hause.
After the farewell, she went home.
nach means after here, ging means went, and nach Hause means home. The preposition nach forces the dative, so dem Abschied is dative; the finite verb ging is in position two.
Die Dauer des Abschieds war kurz.
The farewell was brief.
die Dauer means the duration and kurz means short. Des Abschieds is genitive because it identifies whose duration is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Abschiede sind schwer.
Many farewells are difficult.
viele means many and schwer means difficult or hard. Viele Abschiede is a plural nominative subject, so the verb is sind, not singular ist.
der Absender — sender
Der Absender is the person or organisation that sends something; der Empfänger is the person who receives it. The word is especially common on letters and parcels.
Der Absender steht auf der Rückseite des Briefes.
The sender is on the back of the letter.
die Rückseite means the back, and des Briefes means of the letter. Der Absender is nominative as the subject; auf der Rückseite is dative because it describes a fixed location, and des Briefes is genitive.
Ich kenne den Absender nicht.
I do not know the sender.
kenne means know or recognise, and nicht means not. Den Absender is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Ich antworte dem Absender heute.
I am replying to the sender today.
antworte means reply, and heute means today. Antworten takes a dative person, so dem Absender is dative; the finite verb antworte stands in position two.
Die Adresse des Absenders fehlt.
The sender's address is missing.
die Adresse means the address, and fehlt means is missing. Des Absenders is genitive because it identifies whose address it is; die Adresse is the nominative subject.
Die Absender sitzen in verschiedenen Ländern.
The senders live in different countries.
sitzen means sit or are located, and verschiedenen Ländern means different countries. Die Absender is plural nominative as the subject; in verschiedenen Ländern is dative because it describes location.
die Absenderin — female sender
Absenderin is the feminine form of Absender. Its plural is formed with -innen, a common pattern for feminine nouns ending in -in.
Die Absenderin steht auf dem Brief.
The female sender is on the letter.
der Brief means the letter. Die Absenderin is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kenne die Absenderin nicht.
I do not know the female sender.
kenne means know or recognise, and nicht means not. Die Absenderin has the same article in nominative and accusative, but it is accusative here because kennen takes a direct object.
Ich antworte der Absenderin morgen.
I will reply to the female sender tomorrow.
antworte means reply, and morgen means tomorrow. Antworten takes a dative person, so der Absenderin is dative; the finite verb antworte stands in position two.
Die Adresse der Absenderin ist unleserlich.
The female sender's address is illegible.
die Adresse means the address, and unleserlich means illegible or impossible to read. Der Absenderin is genitive because it shows whose address it is; die Adresse is the nominative subject.
Die Absenderinnen warten vor dem Schalter.
The female senders are waiting in front of the counter.
warten means wait, vor means in front of, and der Schalter means the counter or service desk. Die Absenderinnen is plural nominative as the subject; vor dem Schalter is dative because it describes a fixed location.
achten — to pay attention to, to watch out for; to respect, to value
With auf plus accusative, achten means pay attention to or watch out for something. Do not confuse this with the other sense, jemanden achten, which means to respect someone and takes a direct accusative object.
Ich achte auf die Zeit.
I watch the time.
ich means I and die Zeit means the time. auf die Zeit is accusative because this sense of achten requires fixed auf plus accusative; the finite verb achte is in position two.
Wir haben auf den Verkehr geachtet.
We paid attention to the traffic.
der Verkehr means the traffic and wir haben means we have. auf den Verkehr is accusative after fixed auf with this meaning, and geachtet goes to the end with the auxiliary haben.
Sie achtete nicht auf die Warnung.
She did not pay attention to the warning.
nicht means not and die Warnung means the warning. auf die Warnung is accusative because of the fixed preposition pattern, and the finite verb achtete remains in position two.
Achte auf den Verkehr!
Watch the traffic!
der Verkehr means the traffic. Achte is the du imperative, and auf den Verkehr is accusative because this meaning of achten uses fixed auf plus accusative.
Ich würde auf die Kosten achten.
I would pay attention to the costs.
ich würde means I would and die Kosten means the costs. In the würde conditional, the infinitive achten goes to the end; auf die Kosten is accusative after the fixed preposition auf.
Morgen werde ich auf die Details achten.
Tomorrow I will pay attention to the details.
morgen means tomorrow and die Details means the details. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and achten goes to the end; auf die Details is accusative after fixed auf.
Viele Menschen achten ihre Großeltern.
Many people respect their grandparents.
viele Menschen means many people and ihre Großeltern means their grandparents. ihre Großeltern is accusative because achten in the sense respect takes a direct object, and the finite verb achten is in position two.
Er hat seine Lehrerin immer geachtet.
He always respected his teacher.
er means he, seine Lehrerin means his teacher, and immer means always. seine Lehrerin is accusative because it is the direct object; geachtet goes to the end with hat in the perfect.
angehören — to belong to
Angehören is separable and always takes the dative for the person, group, or organisation something belongs to. Do not use the accusative: jemandem angehören, not jemanden angehören.
Das Buch gehört der Bibliothek an.
The book belongs to the library.
das Buch means the book and die Bibliothek means the library. Der Bibliothek is dative because angehören always takes a dative person or group; gehört is in position two and an goes to the end.
Das Buch hat der Bibliothek angehört.
The book belonged to the library.
das Buch means the book. Der Bibliothek is dative because it is the group to which the book belongs; hat is the auxiliary in position two and angehört closes the perfect clause.
Das Grundstück gehörte meiner Familie an.
The property belonged to my family.
das Grundstück means the plot of land or property, and meiner Familie means my family. Meiner Familie is dative because angehören governs the dative; gehörte is in position two and an goes to the end.
Geh dieser Gruppe an!
Join this group!
dieser Gruppe means this group. The dative form dieser Gruppe is required by angehören; the informal imperative separates the prefix and puts an at the end.
Das Museum würde der Stiftung angehören, wenn der Vertrag unterschrieben wäre.
The museum would belong to the foundation if the contract were signed.
das Museum means the museum, der Stiftung means the foundation, and der Vertrag unterschrieben means the contract signed. Der Stiftung is dative because angehören governs the dative; with würde, the infinitive angehören stays at the end of the main clause.
Das Gebäude wird bald der Stadt angehören.
The building will soon belong to the city.
das Gebäude means the building, bald means soon, and der Stadt means the city. Der Stadt is dative because angehören takes a dative object; wird is in position two and angehören goes to the end.
der Angehörige — male relative, male family member; member
Der Angehörige is a substantivized adjective, so it is written with a capital letter and has adjective-like endings. It usually means a relative or family member, especially in medical contexts; the masculine noun has weak declension: der Angehörige, but den Angehörigen.
Der Angehörige wartet vor dem Krankenhaus.
The relative is waiting outside the hospital.
wartet means is waiting, vor dem Krankenhaus means outside the hospital. Der Angehörige is nominative because he is the subject; as a substantivized adjective, Angehörige takes adjective-like endings.
Die Ärztin ruft den Angehörigen.
The doctor calls the relative.
die Ärztin means the female doctor and ruft means calls. Den Angehörigen is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; this masculine noun has -en in every case except the nominative.
Die Ärztin spricht mit dem Angehörigen.
The doctor speaks with the relative.
spricht means speaks. Dem Angehörigen is dative because mit always takes the dative, and the masculine substantivized adjective keeps the ending -en.
Das Auto des Angehörigen steht vor dem Haus.
The relative'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 Angehörigen is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun ends in -en here.
Die Angehörigen besuchen den Patienten.
The relatives visit the patient.
besuchen means visit and den Patienten means the patient. Angehörigen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural form ends in -en, just like the other non-nominative masculine forms.
die Angehörige — female relative, female family member; member
Die Angehörige is a substantivized adjective, so it is written with a capital letter and has adjective-like endings. It usually means a female relative or family member; its plural is die Angehörigen, which is the same for male and female relatives.
Die Angehörige wartet vor dem Krankenhaus.
The female relative is waiting outside the hospital.
wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Krankenhaus means outside the hospital. Die Angehörige is nominative because she is the subject; the feminine substantivized adjective has the ending -e.
Die Ärztin ruft die Angehörige.
The doctor calls the female relative.
die Ärztin means the female doctor and ruft means calls. Die Angehörige is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; in the feminine, the nominative and accusative forms look the same.
Die Ärztin spricht mit der Angehörigen.
The doctor speaks with the female relative.
spricht means speaks. Der Angehörigen is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine ending changes from -e to -en.
Das Auto der Angehörigen steht vor dem Haus.
The female relative'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. Der Angehörigen is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine form takes -en in this case.
Die Angehörigen besuchen den Patienten.
The relatives visit the patient.
besuchen means visit and den Patienten means the patient. Angehörigen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural article is die, and the plural ending is -en.
der Anhänger — trailer; pendant, charm
The transport meaning of der Anhänger is a trailer pulled by a car. The plural is also Anhänger, with no ending; context and the article show whether it is singular or plural.
Der Anhänger steht hinter dem Auto.
The trailer is behind the car.
stehen means to stand or be parked, hinter means behind, and das Auto is the car. Der Anhänger is nominative because it is the subject; dem Auto is dative because hinter describes a fixed location.
Wir kaufen den Anhänger.
We are buying the trailer.
wir means we and kaufen means buy. Den Anhänger is accusative because it is the object of kaufen, while the finite verb is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Anhänger zum Campingplatz.
We are driving to the campsite with the trailer.
fahren means drive or travel, mit means with, and der Campingplatz is the campsite. Dem Anhänger is dative because mit always takes the dative; zum Campingplatz means to the campsite.
Die Farbe des Anhängers ist noch neu.
The trailer's paint is still new.
die Farbe is the colour or paint, noch means still, and neu means new. Des Anhängers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun has -s in the genitive.
Auf der Straße stehen drei Anhänger.
There are three trailers on the road.
auf der Straße means on the road, stehen means are standing or parked, and drei means three. Auf der Straße is dative because it describes location, and Anhänger has the same form in singular and plural.
Sie trägt einen Anhänger an einer Kette.
She is wearing a pendant on a chain.
tragen means wear, die Kette is the chain, and an means on here. Einen Anhänger is accusative because it is the object of trägt; einer Kette is dative because an describes a fixed position.
Dieser kleine Anhänger war ein Geschenk.
This small pendant was a gift.
dieser means this, klein means small, and das Geschenk is the gift. Dieser kleine Anhänger is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
ankommen — to arrive
For arrival at a place, ankommen is normally used without a direct object, often with in, an or bei plus a place. Its perfect takes sein, not haben, and the prefix separates in main clauses.
Der Zug kommt um acht Uhr an.
The train arrives at eight o'clock.
der Zug is the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Zug is the nominative subject; kommt is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Der Zug ist pünktlich angekommen.
The train arrived on time.
der Zug is the train, and pünktlich means on time. ist is used because ankommen expresses movement to a destination; angekommen goes to the end.
Der Bus kam spät an.
The bus arrived late.
der Bus is the bus, and spät means late. kam is the strong-verb past form of kommen; the prefix an is separated and placed at the end.
Komm bitte pünktlich an.
Please arrive on time.
bitte means please, and pünktlich means on time. This is an informal singular command with no subject; komm starts the sentence and an goes at the end.
Wenn der Zug früher ankäme, könnten wir zu Fuß gehen.
If the train arrived earlier, we could walk.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, and zu Fuß gehen means walk. In the wenn clause, ankäme stays together and the finite verb goes to the end; der Zug is nominative.
Der Bus wird um zehn Uhr ankommen.
The bus will arrive at ten o'clock.
der Bus is the bus, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. wird stands in position two and the infinitive ankommen goes to the end; the infinitive stays together in the future.
anmachen — to switch on, to turn on; to hit on; to hassle or address rudely
For the physical meaning, anmachen takes an accusative object: das Licht anmachen. As a separable verb, it splits in a main clause but stays together as angemacht and anzumachen.
..., weil ich morgens das Licht anmache.
... because I switch on the light in the morning.
morgens means in the morning, and das Licht means the light. das Licht is accusative because anmachen takes a direct object; in the subordinate clause after weil, the finite verb anmache goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached.
Ich habe den Fernseher angemacht.
I switched on the television.
der Fernseher means television. den Fernseher is accusative because it is the object, and angemacht is the Partizip II at the end of the clause after the auxiliary habe.
..., als sie die Heizung anmachte.
... when she switched on the heating.
als means when, and die Heizung means the heating. die Heizung is accusative as the direct object; in the subordinate clause, the finite verb anmachte goes to the end and the prefix stays attached.
Mach an bitte das Radio.
Please switch on the radio.
bitte means please, and das Radio means the radio. The informal du imperative is mach an, with the prefix attached directly in this short command; das Radio is accusative.
Ich würde anmachen das Licht, wenn es dunkel wäre.
I would switch on the light if it were dark.
dunkel means dark, and wenn means if. würde ... anmachen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive anmachen stays together at the end, and das Licht is accusative.
Er wird anmachen später den Computer.
He will switch on the computer later.
später means later, and der Computer means computer. In the future, the finite auxiliary wird normally comes first in the verbal bracket and the infinitive anmachen goes at the end; den Computer is accusative.
Ich frage mich, warum du mich anmachst.
I wonder why you are hitting on me.
sich fragen means to wonder, and warum means why. mich is accusative because this meaning of anmachen directly affects a person; in the subordinate clause, anmachst goes to the end with the prefix attached.
Der Mann hat meine Freundin in der Bar angemacht.
The man hit on my girlfriend in the bar.
der Mann means the man, meine Freundin means my girlfriend, and die Bar means bar. meine Freundin is accusative because she is the person addressed, while angemacht stays together at the end after hat.
ansprechen — to address, to speak to; to appeal to, to attract
ansprechen takes an accusative person: jemanden ansprechen. Because it is separable, the prefix an moves to the end in a main clause, but stays attached in anzusprechen and angesprochen.
Die Verkäuferin spricht den Kunden freundlich an.
The sales assistant speaks to the customer in a friendly way.
die Verkäuferin means the sales assistant, den Kunden means the customer, and freundlich means friendly. Kunden is accusative because ansprechen takes an accusative person; the finite part spricht is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Ich habe gestern einen Fremden angesprochen.
Yesterday I spoke to a stranger.
gestern means yesterday, einen Fremden means a stranger, and habe ... angesprochen means spoke to. Fremden is accusative after ansprechen; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the Partizip II angesprochen closes the clause.
Er sprach seine Chefin nach der Sitzung an.
He spoke to his boss after the meeting.
er means he, seine Chefin means his female boss, and nach der Sitzung means after the meeting. Chefin is accusative because ansprechen takes an accusative object; in the simple past, sprach is in position two and an goes to the end.
Sprich bitte den Lehrer an!
Please speak to the teacher!
bitte means please and der Lehrer means the teacher. Lehrer is accusative after ansprechen; the du imperative is sprich, and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Ich würde sie direkt ansprechen, wenn ich mutiger wäre.
I would speak to her directly if I were braver.
würde means would, sie means her, direkt means directly, wenn means if, and mutiger means braver. sie is accusative because ansprechen takes an accusative person; after würde, the infinitive ansprechen goes to the end, and wäre is the Konjunktiv II form of sein.
Morgen werde ich den neuen Nachbarn ansprechen.
Tomorrow I will speak to the new neighbour.
morgen means tomorrow, den neuen Nachbarn means the new neighbour, and werde ... ansprechen means will speak to. Nachbarn is accusative after ansprechen; werde stands in position two and the infinitive ansprechen goes to the end.
Das moderne Design spricht junge Menschen an.
The modern design appeals to young people.
das moderne Design means the modern design, junge Menschen means young people, and modern means modern. Menschen is accusative because it is the people whom the design attracts; spricht is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Die Musik hat mich sofort angesprochen.
The music appealed to me immediately.
die Musik means the music, mich means me, sofort means immediately, and hat ... angesprochen means appealed to. mich is accusative because the verb marks the person who is attracted; the auxiliary hat is in position two and angesprochen goes to the end.
der Ansprechpartner — contact person, person to contact; designated contact, responsible person
This noun is masculine even when the person is female; an inclusive alternative is die Ansprechperson. Its plural is unchanged: der Ansprechpartner, die Ansprechpartner.
Der Ansprechpartner hilft mir bei der Anmeldung.
The contact person helps me with the registration.
hilft means helps, mir means me, bei der Anmeldung means with the registration, and Anmeldung means registration. Ansprechpartner is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Ich suche den Ansprechpartner für das Projekt.
I am looking for the contact person for the project.
ich suche means I am looking for, für means for, and das Projekt means the project. Ansprechpartner is accusative after suchen; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the noun itself has no visible ending.
Ich schreibe dem Ansprechpartner eine E-Mail.
I am writing the contact person an email.
schreibe means write, dem means to the, and eine E-Mail means an email. Ansprechpartner is dative because it is the recipient of schreiben, while eine E-Mail is accusative as the thing written; the finite verb schreibe stands in position two.
Die Telefonnummer des Ansprechpartners steht auf der Website.
The contact person’s telephone number is on the website.
die Telefonnummer means the telephone number, steht means is located or is written, auf der Website means on the website. Ansprechpartners is genitive after des because it shows whose number it is; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Ansprechpartner beantworten alle Fragen.
The contact persons answer all questions.
beantworten means answer, alle means all, and Fragen means questions. Ansprechpartner is plural and nominative because it is the subject, while Fragen is accusative after beantworten; the plural has no ending on this noun.
Frau Keller ist meine Ansprechpartnerin für Versicherungen.
Ms Keller is my contact for insurance matters.
Frau Keller is Ms Keller, meine means my, für means for, and Versicherungen means insurance matters. The feminine form Ansprechpartnerin follows ist as a predicative noun and stays nominative-like; Versicherungen is accusative after für.
Im Notfall wenden Sie sich an den Ansprechpartner.
In an emergency, contact the designated person.
im Notfall means in an emergency, wenden Sie sich means turn or refer yourself, and an means to. The fixed expression sich an jemanden wenden takes an plus accusative for the person contacted; the formal imperative uses Sie and the verb stays in position two.
aufwachsen — to grow up; to grow, develop
The perfect normally uses sein: ist aufgewachsen. The prefix auf- is separable in main clauses but stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Ich wachse in einer kleinen Stadt auf.
I am growing up in a small town.
eine kleine Stadt means a small town. The finite verb wachse is in position two, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end of the main clause.
Sie ist bei ihren Großeltern aufgewachsen.
She grew up with her grandparents.
ihre Großeltern means her grandparents. The perfect uses ist with aufgewachsen because growing up describes a change or development, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
Mein Vater wuchs in Berlin auf.
My father grew up in Berlin.
mein Vater means my father, and Berlin is the city name. In the simple past, the strong form wuchs is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wachs auf dem Land auf!
Grow up in the countryside!
auf dem Land means in the countryside. This informal command omits du; wach comes first and the prefix auf remains at the end.
Wenn ich dort aufwachsen würde, wäre ich vielleicht ruhiger.
If I grew up there, I might be calmer.
dort means there and ruhiger means calmer. In the wenn clause, the infinitive aufwachsen goes to the end; würde expresses an unreal or imagined situation.
Unsere Kinder werden in diesem Dorf aufwachsen.
Our children will grow up in this village.
unsere Kinder means our children and dieses Dorf means this village. The auxiliary werden is in position two and the infinitive aufwachsen goes to the end.
Viele Kinder wachsen heute mit zwei Sprachen auf.
Many children grow up with two languages today.
viele Kinder means many children, heute means today, and zwei Sprachen means two languages. The phrase mit zwei Sprachen uses mit with the dative, while wachsen and auf form a split verb.
Die jungen Pflanzen wachsen im Frühling schnell auf.
The young plants grow quickly in spring.
die jungen Pflanzen means the young plants and im Frühling means in spring. The finite verb wachsen stands in position two, and the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Die Setzlinge sind im Gewächshaus aufgewachsen.
The seedlings grew in the greenhouse.
die Setzlinge are seedlings and das Gewächshaus is the greenhouse. The perfect uses sein with aufgewachsen, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
die Ausländerin — female foreigner, woman from another country
The feminine noun is formed from der Ausländer (male foreigner) with the ending -in. It describes nationality or origin, but it can sound impersonal in some contexts; a person’s name or nationality is often more natural.
Die Ausländerin arbeitet in unserem Team.
The female foreigner works in our team.
arbeitet means works and unserem Team means our team. Die Ausländerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Ausländerin aus dem Sprachkurs.
I know the female foreigner from the language course.
kennen means to know someone and der Sprachkurs is the language course. Die Ausländerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus takes the dative in dem Sprachkurs.
Ich helfe der Ausländerin beim Ausfüllen des Formulars.
I help the female foreigner fill out the form.
helfen means to help, beim Ausfüllen means while filling out, and das Formular is the form. Der Ausländerin is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the phrase des Formulars is genitive after the noun phrase meaning “filling out of the form”.
Die Wohnung der Ausländerin liegt im Zentrum.
The female foreigner’s flat is in the city centre.
die Wohnung means flat and das Zentrum means city centre. Der Ausländerin is genitive because it shows whose flat it is; the verb liegt agrees with the singular subject Wohnung.
Viele Ausländerinnen lernen Deutsch in Deutschland.
Many female foreigners learn German in Germany.
viele means many, lernen means learn, and Deutschland is Germany. Ausländerinnen is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is the plural form lernen; the plural ending is -innen.
der Band — volume, book in a series
This masculine noun means a volume in a series; the neuter das Band means a ribbon, tape, or bond. Its plural is Bände, not Bänder.
Der Band steht im Regal.
The volume is on the shelf.
das Regal is a shelf. Der Band is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two; im means in dem and marks a location with the dative.
Ich lese den Band heute Abend.
I am reading the volume this evening.
heute Abend means this evening. Den Band is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese stands in position two; heute Abend is a time expression.
Sie gibt ihrem Bruder den Band.
She gives her brother the volume.
ihrem Bruder means her brother. Ihrem Bruder is dative because geben marks the recipient with the dative, while den Band is accusative because it is the thing given; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Das Ende des Bandes ist besonders spannend.
The ending of the volume is especially exciting.
das Ende is the ending and besonders spannend means especially exciting. Des Bandes is genitive because it identifies whose ending it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe alle Bände der Reihe gekauft.
I bought all the volumes in the series.
alle means all and die Reihe is the series. Bände is the plural of der Band and is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the genitive phrase der Reihe means of the series.
begabt — talented; gifted
Begabt describes a natural talent, often for school subjects, music, art, or languages. It is not limited to professional ability and can be used before a noun or after sein.
Lena ist sehr begabt.
Lena is very talented.
sehr means very. Begabt is predicative because it follows the linking verb ist and has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein begabter Schüler.
That is a talented pupil.
Schüler means pupil or student, and das means that. Begabter stands before the masculine nominative noun after the indefinite article ein, so it takes the ending -er.
Mia ist begabter als ihr Bruder.
Mia is more talented than her brother.
als means than, and ihr Bruder means her brother. The comparative begabter is predicative after ist and is followed by als when two people are compared.
Von allen Kindern ist Tom am begabtesten.
Tom is the most talented of all the children.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. Am begabtesten is the predicative superlative; am belongs to this form and should not be replaced by an attributive ending in this sentence.
begegnen — to meet; to encounter
Begegnen takes a dative person: jemandem begegnen, not an accusative person. It normally describes meeting someone by chance or coming across someone, and its perfect uses sein: ist begegnet.
Ich begegne jeden Morgen meinem Nachbarn.
I meet my neighbour every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and meinem Nachbarn means my neighbour. Meinem Nachbarn is dative because begegnen always takes the dative for the person encountered; the finite verb begegne is in position two.
Wir sind gestern einer alten Freundin begegnet.
We met an old female friend yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and einer alten Freundin means an old female friend. The person is dative after begegnen; sind forms the perfect with begegnet, which goes to the end.
Er begegnete seinem späteren Chef im Zug.
He met his future boss on the train.
seinem späteren Chef means his future boss, and im Zug means on the train. The person is dative after begegnen, and the simple past form begegnete stands in position two.
Begegne neuen Menschen mit Offenheit!
Meet new people with an open mind!
neuen Menschen means new people, and mit Offenheit means with openness. Menschen is dative because begegnen takes a dative person; mit also governs the dative, and the imperative begins the sentence.
Ich würde ihr gern begegnen.
I would like to meet her.
ihr means to her or her, and gern means gladly or would like to. Ihr is dative after begegnen; würde ... begegnen expresses a hypothetical wish, with the infinitive at the end.
Morgen werden wir einem berühmten Autor begegnen.
Tomorrow we will meet a famous author.
Morgen means tomorrow, and einem berühmten Autor means a famous author. The person is dative after begegnen; werden is in position two and the infinitive begegnen goes to the end.
bekannt — known; familiar; famous; acquainted; familiar with
Bekannt can mean known or familiar, and with people it often means famous. Before a noun it takes normal adjective endings, but after sein it has no ending; the comparative is bekannter and the superlative is am bekanntesten.
Der Sänger ist sehr bekannt.
The singer is very famous.
der Sänger is the singer and sehr means very. Bekannt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein bekannter Name.
That is a well-known name.
der Name means the name. Bekannter stands before Name and takes the adjective ending -er after ein in the masculine nominative; ist is in position two.
Diese Schauspielerin ist bekannter als ihr Bruder.
This actress is better known than her brother.
diese Schauspielerin means this actress, and ihr Bruder means her brother. Bekannter is predicative after ist and compares with als; it has no adjective ending here.
Wer ist am bekanntesten?
Who is the most famous?
wer means who. Am bekanntesten is the predicative superlative after sein; am is required in this construction, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich bin mit seiner Schwester bekannt.
I am acquainted with his sister.
seine Schwester means his sister. Mit seiner Schwester is dative because mit always governs the dative; bekannt is predicative after bin and therefore has no ending.
Bist du mit diesem Wort bekannt?
Are you familiar with this word?
dieses Wort means this word. Mit diesem Wort is dative after mit; in a yes-no question, the finite verb bist comes first, followed by the subject du.
der Bekannte — male acquaintance
Der Bekannte is a substantivized adjective meaning a male acquaintance, not necessarily a friend. It is a weak masculine noun: den Bekannten, dem Bekannten, and des Bekannten all have -en; the feminine counterpart is die Bekannte.
Der Bekannte wartet vor dem Haus.
The male acquaintance is waiting in front of the house.
warten means to wait, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Bekannte is nominative because he is the subject; this noun comes from an adjective and keeps an ending.
Ich treffe den Bekannten morgen.
I am meeting the male acquaintance tomorrow.
treffen means to meet and morgen means tomorrow. Den Bekannten is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; this masculine noun has -en in every case except the nominative.
Ich erzähle dem Bekannten die Neuigkeit.
I tell the male acquaintance the news.
erzählen means to tell, and die Neuigkeit is the news. Dem Bekannten is dative because it is the person receiving the information; the weak masculine noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Das Auto des Bekannten steht dort.
The male acquaintance's car is standing there.
das Auto is the car and dort means there. Des Bekannten is genitive to show whose car it is; the adjective-based noun has -en in this case.
Die Bekannten kommen heute zu Besuch.
The acquaintances are coming to visit today.
kommen means to come, heute means today, and zu Besuch means to visit. Bekannten is a plural subject with die; the ending -en remains because the noun is a substantivized adjective.
Ich kenne den Bekannten meiner Schwester.
I know my sister's male acquaintance.
kennen means to know, and meine Schwester means my sister. Den Bekannten is accusative after kennen, while meiner Schwester is genitive and means of my sister; do not use the nominative form after den.
beleidigen — to insult, offend
The person who is insulted is the accusative object: jemanden beleidigen. Beleidigt sein means to be offended, while beleidigen means to offend someone else.
Er beleidigt seinen Bruder oft.
He often insults his brother.
seinen Bruder means his brother, and oft means often. Seinen Bruder is accusative because beleidigen takes an accusative object; the finite verb beleidigt stands in position two.
Sie hat ihre Kollegin beleidigt.
She insulted her colleague.
ihre Kollegin means her female colleague. The perfect uses hat plus beleidigt, which goes to the end; ihre Kollegin is accusative because she is the person affected by the insult.
Der Mann beleidigte den Kellner.
The man insulted the waiter.
der Mann is the man, and den Kellner is the waiter. Beleidigte is the simple-past form in position two; den Kellner is accusative because he is the object of beleidigen.
Beleidige niemanden!
Don’t insult anyone!
niemanden means nobody or anyone in a negative sentence. Beleidige is the du imperative, and niemanden is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn er mich beleidigte, würde ich gehen.
If he insulted me, I would leave.
wenn means if, mich means me, and würde ich gehen means I would leave. The finite verb beleidigte goes to the end of the wenn clause; mich is accusative because it is the object of beleidigen.
Er wird seine Freundin nicht beleidigen.
He will not insult his girlfriend.
seine Freundin means his girlfriend, and nicht means not. Future uses wird in position two and beleidigen at the end; seine Freundin is accusative.
die Beleidigung — insult, offence
Eine Beleidigung can be a spoken or written insult, or offensive behaviour. The related verb is beleidigen, and the person affected is expressed in the accusative: jemanden beleidigen.
Die Beleidigung hat ihn sehr verletzt.
The insult hurt him deeply.
hat ... verletzt means has hurt, and ihn means him. Die Beleidigung is nominative because it is the subject; ihn is accusative because verletzen takes an accusative object.
Ich habe die Beleidigung nicht vergessen.
I have not forgotten the insult.
nicht vergessen means not forgotten. Die Beleidigung is accusative because vergessen takes an accusative object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and vergessen goes to the end.
Er widerspricht der Beleidigung nicht.
He does not contradict the insult.
widerspricht means contradicts or objects to, and nicht means not. The verb widersprechen takes the dative, so der Beleidigung is dative; the finite verb remains in position two.
Die Folgen der Beleidigung waren ernst.
The consequences of the insult were serious.
die Folgen are the consequences, and ernst means serious. Der Beleidigung is genitive because it means of the insult; die Folgen is the plural nominative subject.
Solche Beleidigungen sind nicht akzeptabel.
Such insults are not acceptable.
solche means such, and nicht akzeptabel means not acceptable. Beleidigungen is plural nominative as the subject; after sind, the adjective phrase is predicative and has no ending.
beliebt — popular, well-liked
With people, beliebt bei means popular with someone, and bei takes the dative: bei den Kindern beliebt. The opposite is unbeliebt, unpopular.
Der Sänger ist sehr beliebt.
The singer is very popular.
der Sänger means the singer and sehr means very. The adjective follows sein and is therefore predicative with no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist ein beliebter Film.
That is a popular film.
der Film means the film. ein beliebter Film is the subject in the nominative, and the masculine adjective takes -er after ein.
Dieser Kurs ist beliebter als der andere.
This course is more popular than the other one.
dieser Kurs means this course and der andere means the other one. The comparative beliebter is followed by als when the thing being compared is named; both noun phrases are nominative subjects or subject complements here.
Sie ist die beliebteste Lehrerin an der Schule.
She is the most popular teacher at the school.
sie means she, Lehrerin means female teacher, and Schule means school. die beliebteste Lehrerin is a nominative complement after sein, while an der Schule is dative because it describes location.
Dieser Musiker ist bei Jugendlichen sehr beliebt.
This musician is very popular with young people.
dieser Musiker means this musician and Jugendlichen means young people. bei always takes the dative, so bei Jugendlichen means with young people; the adjective after ist has no ending.
berühmt — famous, well-known
Berühmt means known and admired by many people. The comparative is regular: berühmter, and the predicative superlative is am berühmtesten.
Der Schauspieler ist berühmt.
The actor is famous.
Der Schauspieler means the actor. Berühmt is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; predicative adjectives have no ending, and ist stands in position two.
Sie besucht einen berühmten Sänger.
She is visiting a famous singer.
Sie besucht means she is visiting, and einen Sänger means a male singer. Berühmten stands before the noun and takes -en because einen Sänger is masculine accusative, the object of besucht.
Dieser Sänger ist berühmter als sein Bruder.
This singer is more famous than his brother.
Dieser Sänger means this singer, and sein Bruder means his brother. Berühmter compares two people and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Sie ist am berühmtesten in ihrer Familie.
She is the most famous in her family.
In ihrer Familie means in her family. Am berühmtesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am plus -sten; in takes the dative here because it describes a location or group, giving ihrer Familie.
bescheiden — modest, unassuming; simple, not luxurious
bescheiden usually describes a person who does not show off or a lifestyle that does not require much. It can also mean simple or not luxurious, as in eine bescheidene Wohnung.
Sie ist sehr bescheiden.
She is very modest.
sehr means very. The adjective is bescheiden, and ist means is; the adjective stands after sein and therefore has no ending.
Er wohnt in einer bescheidenen Wohnung.
He lives in a modest flat.
wohnt means lives, einer Wohnung means a flat, and in means in. in einer Wohnung is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the adjective before the feminine noun takes the ending -en after einer.
Meine Wünsche sind bescheidener als früher.
My wishes are more modest than before.
meine Wünsche means my wishes, als means than, and früher means before or in the past. The comparative bescheidener is used after sind; als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Sie lebt am bescheidensten von uns allen.
She lives the most modestly of all of us.
lebt means lives, von uns allen means of all of us. von requires the dative, and the superlative am bescheidensten is used adverbially to describe how she lives.
der Besitzer — owner, proprietor
The plural die Besitzer has no ending change, so context and the article show whether it is singular or plural. The genitive form is des Besitzers, with -s added to the noun.
Der Besitzer des Hauses wohnt nebenan.
The owner of the house lives next door.
das Haus means house and nebenan means next door. Der Besitzer is nominative because he is the subject; des Hauses is genitive because it shows whose owner he is, and the finite verb wohnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Besitzer des Ladens.
I know the owner of the shop.
kennen means to know or be acquainted with, and der Laden means shop. Den Besitzer is accusative because kennen takes an accusative object; des Ladens is genitive and means of the shop.
Ich helfe dem Besitzer beim Umzug.
I help the owner with the move.
helfen means to help and der Umzug means move to a new home. Dem Besitzer is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; beim Umzug means during or with the move.
Das Auto des Besitzers steht vor dem Haus.
The owner's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means car and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Besitzers is genitive because it expresses possession, and steht is in position two.
Die Besitzer der Hunde treffen sich im Park.
The owners of the dogs meet in the park.
die Hunde means the dogs, sich treffen means meet one another, and der Park means park. Die Besitzer is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Hunde is genitive and means of the dogs.
die Besitzerin — female owner, proprietress
The plural die Besitzerinnen is formed by changing -in to -innen. In the singular genitive and dative, the form is der Besitzerin; the noun itself does not receive an extra ending.
Die Besitzerin des Cafés arbeitet jeden Tag.
The owner of the café works every day.
das Café means café and jeden Tag means every day. Die Besitzerin is nominative because she is the subject; des Cafés is genitive because it means of the café.
Ich suche die Besitzerin der Tasche.
I am looking for the owner of the bag.
suchen means to look for and die Tasche means bag. Die Besitzerin is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Besitzerin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the owner for her help.
danken means to thank and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Besitzerin is dative because danken takes a dative person, while für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Fahrrad der Besitzerin ist sehr alt.
The female owner's bicycle is very old.
das Fahrrad means bicycle and alt means old. Der Besitzerin is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; ist stands in position two.
Die Besitzerinnen der Geschäfte sprechen miteinander.
The female shop owners speak with one another.
die Geschäfte means the shops and miteinander means with one another. Die Besitzerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Geschäfte is genitive and means of the shops.
die Beste — the best woman or girl
This is a substantivized form of the adjective beste and refers specifically to a female person. Like an adjective used as a noun, it is capitalized and takes adjective endings: die Beste, der Besten, die Besten.
Die Beste der Klasse bekommt einen Preis.
The best girl in the class gets a prize.
die Klasse means the class, and bekommt means receives; einen Preis is a prize. Die Beste is nominative because she is the subject, while der Klasse is genitive in the phrase meaning “of the class”; the finite verb bekommt is in position two.
Die Lehrerin lobt die Beste im Wettbewerb.
The teacher praises the best girl in the competition.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, lobt means praises, and der Wettbewerb is the competition. Die Beste is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the finite verb lobt stands in position two.
Der Trainer gibt der Besten eine Medaille.
The coach gives the best girl a medal.
der Trainer is the coach, gibt means gives, and eine Medaille is a medal. Der Besten is dative because she is the recipient of geben, while eine Medaille is accusative; the adjective-based noun keeps the ending -en.
Die Leistung der Besten beeindruckt alle.
The performance of the best girl impresses everyone.
die Leistung means performance or achievement, beeindruckt means impresses, and alle means everyone. Der Besten is genitive because it identifies whose performance it is; the finite verb beeindruckt is in position two.
Im Finale stehen die Besten auf der Bühne.
In the final, the best girls are standing on the stage.
das Finale is the final, stehen means stand, and die Bühne is the stage. Die Besten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im Finale and auf der Bühne are location phrases with the dative.
Die Beste hilft ihrer Freundin beim Lernen.
The best girl helps her friend with studying.
hilft means helps, ihre Freundin is her female friend, and das Lernen means studying. Die Beste is nominative as the subject, while ihrer Freundin is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the verb hilft is in position two.
Alle wollen mit der Besten zusammenarbeiten.
Everyone wants to work together with the best woman.
alle means everyone, zusammenarbeiten means work together, and wollen means want to. Mit always takes the dative, so der Besten is dative; after the modal verb wollen, the infinitive zusammenarbeiten goes to the end.
die Betreuung — care; support; supervision; childcare; care service
Betreuung is usually an uncountable activity or service, so the singular is common for care in general. The plural Betreuungen is used for separate care arrangements or programmes.
Die Betreuung beginnt um acht Uhr.
The care service begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Betreuung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Eltern brauchen die Betreuung am Nachmittag.
The parents need care in the afternoon.
die Eltern means the parents, and am Nachmittag means in the afternoon. Die Betreuung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; brauchen stands in position two.
Die Kinder vertrauen der Betreuung im Ferienlager.
The children trust the care service at the holiday camp.
die Kinder means the children, vertrauen means trust, and das Ferienlager is the holiday camp. Der Betreuung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; im Ferienlager means at the holiday camp.
Die Qualität der Betreuung ist sehr wichtig.
The quality of the care is very important.
die Qualität means the quality, and sehr wichtig means very important. Der Betreuung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; ist stands in position two.
Verschiedene Betreuungen stehen zur Auswahl.
Different care arrangements are available to choose from.
verschiedene means different, and zur Auswahl stehen means be available to choose from. Betreuungen is plural and nominative as the subject; the phrase zur Auswahl contains dative zur.
Die Betreuung von Kindern kostet viel Zeit.
Looking after children takes a lot of time.
von Kindern means of children, or looking after children, and viel Zeit means a lot of time. Von takes the dative, and Betreuung is the subject of kostet, which stands in position two.
Während der Reise ist eine Betreuung möglich.
Care is possible during the journey.
während der Reise means during the journey, and möglich means possible. The phrase eine Betreuung is nominative after ist; während introduces a time phrase and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
die Beziehung — relationship, connection
Beziehung commonly means a personal or romantic relationship, but it can also mean a connection between things. With people, in einer Beziehung sein means to be in a relationship; zu takes the dative in phrases such as eine Beziehung zu jemandem.
Die Beziehung ist für beide wichtig.
The relationship is important to both of them.
beide means both, and wichtig means important. Die Beziehung is nominative because it is the subject; für beide uses the accusative after für, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie beendet die Beziehung.
She ends the relationship.
sie means she, and beendet means ends. Die Beziehung is accusative because beenden takes an accusative object; the finite verb beendet is in position two.
Er vertraut seiner Beziehung nicht mehr.
He no longer trusts his relationship.
vertraut means trusts, and nicht mehr means no longer. Seiner Beziehung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraut is in position two, and nicht mehr comes later in the clause.
Die Zukunft der Beziehung ist unklar.
The future of the relationship is unclear.
die Zukunft is the future, and unklar means unclear. Der Beziehung is genitive because it specifies whose future is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Gute Beziehungen brauchen Vertrauen.
Good relationships need trust.
gute means good, brauchen means need, and Vertrauen means trust. Beziehungen is plural nominative because it is the subject, while Vertrauen is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object.
Sie hat eine gute Beziehung zu ihrer Schwester.
She has a good relationship with her sister.
eine gute means a good, and Schwester means sister. Eine gute Beziehung is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; zu takes the dative, so ihrer Schwester is dative, and hat with the rest of the perfect phrase forms a sentence bracket.
die Braut — bride
The masculine word for the groom is der Bräutigam. Do not confuse die Braut with die Frau, which means woman or wife more generally.
Die Braut trägt ein weißes Kleid.
The bride is wearing a white dress.
trägt means is wearing, and ein weißes Kleid is a white dress. Die Braut is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Braut vor der Kirche.
I see the bride in front of the church.
sehe means see, vor der Kirche means in front of the church. Die Braut is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while vor der Kirche gives a location and therefore uses the dative.
Ich gratuliere der Braut.
I congratulate the bride.
gratuliere means congratulate. Der Braut is dative because gratulieren always takes the person being congratulated in the dative; the finite verb gratuliere is in position two.
Das Kleid der Braut ist sehr elegant.
The bride's dress is very elegant.
das Kleid means the dress, and elegant means elegant. Der Braut is genitive because it shows possession, meaning the dress belongs to the bride; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Bräute bekommen viele Blumen.
The brides receive many flowers.
bekommen means receive, and viele Blumen means many flowers. Die Bräute is the plural subject, and the plural form changes au to äu and adds -e.
brünett — brunette, brown-haired
Brünett normally describes hair or a person with brown hair and is less common than simply saying braunhaarig in some contexts. It can be compared grammatically, although comparisons of hair colour are relatively subjective.
Ihre Haare sind brünett.
Her hair is brunette.
ihre Haare means her hair, and sind means are. Brünett is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending.
Sie hat brünettes Haar.
She has brunette hair.
hat means has, and Haar means hair. Brünettes stands before the neuter accusative noun Haar and therefore takes the ending -es.
Ihre Haare sind heute brünetter als gestern.
Her hair is more brunette today than yesterday.
heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. Brünetter compares two states and is followed by als; after sind, it is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen im Team ist Lara am brünettsten.
Of everyone on the team, Lara is the most brunette.
von allen im Team means of everyone on the team. Am brünettsten is the predicative superlative; do not use the am-form directly before a noun.
der Bub — boy (regional)
Bub is regional, especially in southern Germany and Austria; the neutral word used throughout the German-speaking area is Junge. It is a weak masculine noun: use den Buben and dem Buben, not den Bub or dem Bub.
Der Bub spielt im Garten.
The boy is playing in the garden.
spielt means is playing, and im Garten means in the garden. Der Bub is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Buben dort.
I see the boy over there.
sehe means see, and dort means over there. Den Buben is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Buben bei den Hausaufgaben.
I help the boy with his homework.
helfe means help, and bei den Hausaufgaben means with the homework. Dem Buben is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and Bub has the weak ending -en.
Das Fahrrad des Buben ist neu.
The boy's bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and neu means new. Des Buben expresses possession in the genitive; the weak noun uses -en, not -s.
Die Buben spielen Fußball.
The boys are playing football.
spielen Fußball means play football. Buben is the plural subject, and the finite verb spielen stands in position two; the regional word is not the usual choice everywhere in German-speaking countries.
die Chinesin — Chinese woman
The plural is Chinesinnen, not Chinesins. The genitive and dative singular use der Chinesin.
Die Chinesin arbeitet in Berlin.
The Chinese woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Die Chinesin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich treffe die Chinesin morgen.
I am meeting the Chinese woman tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. Die Chinesin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb treffe stands in position two.
Ich helfe der Chinesin mit dem Formular.
I help the Chinese woman with the form.
helfe means help and das Formular means the form. Der Chinesin is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the finite verb helfe stands in position two.
Das Fahrrad der Chinesin ist neu.
The Chinese woman’s bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means bicycle and neu means new. Der Chinesin is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Chinesinnen besuchen das Museum.
The Chinese women visit the museum.
besuchen means visit and das Museum means museum. Die Chinesinnen is plural and nominative because the women are the subject; the ending -innen is the normal plural ending for feminine nouns in -in.
der Ehepartner — spouse, marriage partner
Ehepartner is gender-neutral and is often preferred when the person's gender is unknown or irrelevant. Unlike Ehemann and Ehefrau, it can refer to either member of a marriage.
Der Ehepartner muss das Formular unterschreiben.
The spouse has to sign the form.
muss means has to, das Formular means the form, and unterschreiben means sign. Der Ehepartner is nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb muss is in position two and the infinitive unterschreiben goes to the end.
Sie sucht den Ehepartner ihres Bruders.
She is looking for her brother's spouse.
sucht means is looking for, ihres Bruders means her brother's, and Bruder means brother. Den Ehepartner is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; ihres Bruders is genitive and shows whose spouse this is.
Er spricht mit dem Ehepartner seiner Schwester.
He is talking with his sister's spouse.
spricht means talks, mit means with, and seiner Schwester means his sister's. Dem Ehepartner is dative because mit always requires the dative; the possessive phrase seiner Schwester also uses the genitive idea of whose spouse is meant.
Die Meinung des Ehepartners ist wichtig.
The spouse's opinion is important.
Die Meinung means the opinion and wichtig means important. Des Ehepartners is genitive because it identifies whose opinion it is; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Beide Ehepartner arbeiten Vollzeit.
Both spouses work full-time.
Beide means both, arbeiten means work, and Vollzeit means full-time. Ehepartner has the same form in the singular and plural, so beide and the plural verb arbeiten make the number clear.
ehrlich — honest, truthful; sincere, frank
Ehrlich describes a person, statement, or action that tells the truth. The expression ehrlich gesagt is a common way to introduce a frank opinion.
Seine Antwort ist ehrlich.
His answer is honest.
seine Antwort means his answer. Ehrlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie gibt mir eine ehrliche Antwort.
She gives me an honest answer.
sie gibt means she gives, mir means to me, and eine Antwort means an answer. Eine ehrliche Antwort is accusative because geben takes the thing given as an accusative object, while mir is dative for the recipient; the adjective ending -e follows eine.
Seine zweite Erklärung ist ehrlicher als die erste.
His second explanation is more honest than the first one.
zweite Erklärung means second explanation and erste means first one. Ehrlicher is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen klingt ihre Antwort am ehrlichsten.
Of all of them, her answer sounds the most honest.
von allen means of all of them, klingen means to sound, and ihre Antwort means her answer. Von takes the dative, while am ehrlichsten is the predicative superlative after klingt and therefore uses am.
Bitte sei ehrlich zu mir.
Please be honest with me.
bitte means please and zu mir means with me or towards me. Ehrlich is predicative after sei, and zu takes the dative here, shown by mir.
Er spricht offen über seine Gefühle und bleibt ehrlich.
He speaks openly about his feelings and remains sincere.
offen means openly, über seine Gefühle means about his feelings, and bleibt means remains. Ehrlich is predicative after bleibt, with no adjective ending; the coordinating conjunction und leaves normal verb-second order in the second clause.
der Empfänger — recipient; receiver
Empfänger can be a person who receives a message or parcel, or a technical receiver such as a radio receiver. The feminine person noun is Empfängerin.
Der Empfänger öffnet den Brief.
The recipient opens the letter.
öffnen means to open and der Brief means the letter. Der Empfänger is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich suche den Empfänger des Pakets.
I am looking for the recipient of the parcel.
suchen means to look for, das Paket means parcel, and des Pakets means of the parcel. Den Empfänger is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; des Pakets is genitive and identifies what was sent.
Ich schicke dem Empfänger eine Nachricht.
I am sending the recipient a message.
schicken means to send and eine Nachricht means a message. Dem Empfänger is dative because it is the person receiving something, while eine Nachricht is the accusative thing being sent.
Die Adresse des Empfängers steht auf dem Umschlag.
The recipient’s address is on the envelope.
die Adresse means address, stehen means to be written or located, and der Umschlag means envelope. Des Empfängers is genitive to show possession; auf dem Umschlag is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Empfänger bestätigen den Erhalt der Pakete.
The recipients confirm receipt of the parcels.
bestätigen means to confirm, der Erhalt means receipt, and das Paket means parcel. Die Empfänger is plural nominative as the subject, while den Erhalt is accusative after bestätigen.
erwachsen — adult, grown-up; mature
Erwachsen describes a person who is no longer a child. As an adjective before a noun it takes a normal adjective ending, as in ein erwachsener Mensch; as a noun, der Erwachsene means “the adult”.
Meine Tochter ist jetzt erwachsen.
My daughter is an adult now.
meine Tochter means “my daughter” and jetzt means “now”. After ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ein erwachsener Mann hilft dem Kind.
An adult man helps the child.
ein Mann means “a man”, helfen means “to help”, and das Kind means “the child”. Erwachsener is nominative with ein because it describes the subject, while dem Kind is dative because helfen requires the dative.
Er wirkt heute erwachsener als früher.
He seems more mature today than before.
wirken means “to seem”, heute means “today”, and früher means “before”. The comparative erwachsener is predicative and has no ending; als introduces the thing being compared.
Sie ist in ihrer Gruppe am erwachsensten.
She is the most mature in her group.
in ihrer Gruppe means “in her group”, and Gruppe means “group”. am erwachsensten is the predicative superlative; in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location or group, not movement.
der Erwachsene — adult man, male adult
This is an adjective used as a noun, so it is capitalised and keeps adjective endings. It is a weak masculine noun: der Erwachsene, but den, dem and des Erwachsenen.
Der Erwachsene wartet an der Kasse.
The adult is waiting at the checkout.
warten means “to wait”, and die Kasse means “the checkout or till”. Der Erwachsene is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Erwachsenen im Park.
I see the adult in the park.
sehen means “to see”, der Park means “the park”, and im Park means “in the park”. Den Erwachsenen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this noun has -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Erwachsenen mit dem Formular.
I help the adult with the form.
helfen means “to help”, mit means “with”, and das Formular means “the form”. Dem Erwachsenen is dative because helfen requires the dative, and mit dem Formular is also dative because mit always takes the dative.
Das Fahrrad des Erwachsenen steht vor dem Haus.
The adult’s bicycle is in front of the house.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, stehen means “to stand or be located”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. Des Erwachsenen expresses possession in the genitive; the noun keeps -en, and steht is in position two.
Die Erwachsenen sprechen leise.
The adults are speaking quietly.
sprechen means “to speak”, and leise means “quietly”. The plural is die Erwachsenen, with -en on the noun; the plural verb sprechen stands in position two.
die Erwachsene — adult woman, female adult
This is an adjective used as a noun, so it is capitalised and keeps adjective endings. The feminine singular is die Erwachsene, while the plural is die Erwachsenen for people of any gender or a mixed group.
Die Erwachsene wartet vor dem Kino.
The adult woman is waiting in front of the cinema.
warten means “to wait”, and vor dem Kino means “in front of the cinema”. Die Erwachsene is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Erwachsene im Bus.
I see the adult woman on the bus.
sehen means “to see”, der Bus means “the bus”, and im Bus means “on the bus”. Die Erwachsene is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine form looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Erwachsenen mit dem Ticket.
I help the adult woman with the ticket.
helfen means “to help”, mit means “with”, and das Ticket means “the ticket”. Der Erwachsenen is dative because helfen requires the dative, while mit dem Ticket is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Tasche der Erwachsenen liegt neben dem Stuhl.
The adult woman’s bag is next to the chair.
die Tasche means “the bag”, liegen means “to lie or be located”, and neben dem Stuhl means “next to the chair”. Der Erwachsenen expresses possession in the genitive; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Erwachsenen kaufen Konzertkarten.
The adults are buying concert tickets.
kaufen means “to buy”, and die Konzertkarten means “the concert tickets”. Die Erwachsenen is plural and takes the plural verb kaufen; the noun form has -en, not just -e.
der Europäer — European man; European person
der Europäer is a weak masculine noun: den Europäer and dem Europäer take -n, while the genitive is des Europäers. The plural is die Europäer, with no extra ending.
Der Europäer spricht drei Sprachen.
The European speaks three languages.
spricht means speaks, and drei Sprachen means three languages. Der Europäer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich treffe einen Europäer am Bahnhof.
I am meeting a European man at the station.
treffe means meet, am Bahnhof means at the railway station, and der Bahnhof is railway station. einen Europäer is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Europäer takes -n outside the nominative.
Ich reise mit einem Europäer.
I am travelling with a European man.
reise means travel, and mit means with. einem Europäer is dative because mit requires the dative; this weak noun has the same visible form as the nominative but is understood from the article.
Die Meinung des Europäers ist interessant.
The European man's opinion is interesting.
die Meinung means opinion, and interessant means interesting. des Europäers is genitive because it shows possession; the noun takes -s here, while weak masculine nouns often take -n in accusative and dative.
Viele Europäer sprechen Englisch.
Many Europeans speak English.
viele means many, sprechen means speak, and Englisch means English. Viele Europäer is plural nominative as the subject; the plural form is identical to the singular form, so the determiner and verb help show the number.
Der Europäer wartet vor dem Museum.
The European is waiting in front of the museum.
wartet means is waiting, vor means in front of, and das Museum means museum. Der Europäer is nominative as the subject, while dem Museum is dative because vor describes a fixed location.
die Europäerin — European woman
die Europäerin is the feminine form of der Europäer. Its plural is Europäerinnen, formed with -innen; do not use the masculine plural Europäer when only women are meant.
Die Europäerin arbeitet in Berlin.
The European woman works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and Berlin is the capital of Germany. Die Europäerin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne eine Europäerin aus Spanien.
I know a European woman from Spain.
kenne means know, aus means from, and Spanien means Spain. eine Europäerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus Spanien is a separate origin phrase with dative after aus.
Ich spreche mit einer Europäerin.
I am speaking with a European woman.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. einer Europäerin is dative because mit requires the dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Die Stimme der Europäerin ist ruhig.
The European woman's voice is calm.
die Stimme means voice, and ruhig means calm. der Europäerin is genitive because it shows whose voice is meant; feminine nouns do not add a special genitive ending.
Die Europäerinnen diskutieren über Politik.
The European women are discussing politics.
diskutieren means discuss, über means about, and die Politik means politics. Die Europäerinnen is plural nominative as the subject, and über Politik is an accusative phrase expressing the topic.
Eine Europäerin reist morgen nach Rom.
A European woman is travelling to Rome tomorrow.
reist means travels, morgen means tomorrow, and nach Rom means to Rome. Eine Europäerin is nominative as the subject; nach Rom expresses direction and normally has no article.
der Familienname — family name, surname
Familienname means surname or last name, not a person's first name. It is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -n in the accusative, dative and plural, and -ns in the genitive.
Mein Familienname ist Müller.
My family name is Müller.
Mein means my, and Müller is a surname. Mein Familienname is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two, and the name after it identifies the subject.
Ich schreibe meinen Familiennamen auf das Formular.
I am writing my family name on the form.
schreiben means to write, and das Formular is the form. Meinen Familiennamen is accusative because schreiben takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Familienname takes -n in the accusative.
Ich antworte mit meinem Familiennamen.
I answer with my family name.
antworte means answer, and mit means with. Meinem Familiennamen is dative because mit always takes the dative; the weak noun keeps -n outside the nominative.
Die Bedeutung meines Familiennamens ist unbekannt.
The meaning of my family name is unknown.
Die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unbekannt means unknown. Meines Familiennamens is genitive because it shows which name is meant; this noun has -ns in the genitive singular.
In Deutschland gibt es viele verschiedene Familiennamen.
There are many different family names in Germany.
In Deutschland means in Germany, viele verschiedene means many different, and es gibt means there are. Familiennamen is the plural and takes -n; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form looks the same as the nominative plural.
der Familienstand — marital status
Familienstand is mainly used on official forms and in administrative contexts. Common values include ledig, single, verheiratet, married, geschieden, divorced, and verwitwet, widowed.
Mein Familienstand ist ledig.
My marital status is single.
Mein means my, and ledig means single or unmarried. Mein Familienstand is nominative because it is the subject; ledig is a predicate adjective after ist and therefore has no ending.
Bitte geben Sie Ihren Familienstand an.
Please state your marital status.
Bitte means please, geben Sie ... an means state or provide, and Ihren means your in the formal form. Ihren Familienstand is accusative because angeben takes a direct object; the separable prefix an goes to the end of this imperative clause.
Die Mitarbeiterin hilft mir beim Familienstand.
The female employee helps me with the marital-status section.
Die Mitarbeiterin means the female employee, hilft means helps, and beim means bei dem, at or with the. Beim Familienstand is dative because bei takes the dative; mir is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Änderung des Familienstands kostet Zeit.
Changing the marital status takes time.
Die Änderung means the change, and kostet Zeit means takes time. Des Familienstands is genitive because it specifies which change is meant; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
Die Familienstände sind in der Statistik getrennt aufgeführt.
The marital statuses are listed separately in the statistics.
Die Statistik means the statistics, and getrennt aufgeführt means listed separately. Familienstände is the plural with an umlaut and -e; sind ... aufgeführt is a passive construction, with the participle at the end.
der Fan — fan, supporter
The German plural is die Fans, just like the English plural. Fan can refer to a supporter of a team or performer; the context usually makes the meaning clear.
Der Fan wartet vor dem Stadion.
The fan is waiting outside the stadium.
wartet means is waiting, and das Stadion is a stadium. Der Fan is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Fan im Fernsehen.
I see the fan on television.
sehe means see, and das Fernsehen means television. den Fan is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe dem Fan mit dem Ticket.
I help the fan with the ticket.
helfe means help, and das Ticket is a ticket. dem Fan is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit also takes dative in mit dem Ticket.
Die Stimme des Fans ist laut.
The fan's voice is loud.
die Stimme is the voice, and laut means loud. des Fans is genitive because it shows whose voice it is; the masculine noun has -s and uses des.
Die Fans singen im Stadion.
The fans are singing in the stadium.
singen means are singing, and im Stadion means in the stadium. Die Fans is the plural subject, and this loanword forms its plural with -s.
der Feind — enemy
Der Feind can mean a personal enemy or an enemy in war. The opposite is der Freund, friend, but Feind is stronger than simply someone you dislike.
Der Feind greift die Stadt an.
The enemy is attacking the city.
greift ... an means attacks, and die Stadt means the city. Der Feind is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb has greift in position two and an at the end.
Die Soldaten sehen den Feind.
The soldiers see the enemy.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, and sehen means see. Den Feind is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object, while the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Der Wächter folgt dem Feind.
The guard follows the enemy.
der Wächter means the guard, and folgt means follows. Dem Feind is dative because folgen always takes a dative object; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Name des Feindes steht auf der Liste.
The enemy's name is on the list.
der Name means name, and die Liste means list. Des Feindes is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun adds -es; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Feinde ziehen sich zurück.
The enemies retreat.
ziehen sich zurück means retreat or withdraw. Die Feinde is the plural subject, and the separable verb places ziehen in position two and zurück at the end.
die Feindin — female enemy
Die Feindin is the feminine form of der Feind. Like other nouns ending in -in, its plural ends in -innen.
Die Feindin greift das Dorf an.
The female enemy is attacking the village.
greift ... an means attacks, and das Dorf means the village. Die Feindin is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb has greift in position two and an at the end.
Die Soldaten sehen die Feindin.
The soldiers see the female enemy.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, and sehen means see. Die Feindin is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object, although its article looks the same as nominative.
Der Wächter folgt der Feindin.
The guard follows the female enemy.
der Wächter means the guard, and folgt means follows. Der Feindin is dative because folgen always takes a dative object; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Der Name der Feindin steht auf der Liste.
The female enemy's name is on the list.
der Name means name, and die Liste means list. Der Feindin is genitive to show possession; the feminine noun has no ending change, but its article is der.
Die Feindinnen ziehen sich zurück.
The female enemies retreat.
ziehen sich zurück means retreat or withdraw. Die Feindinnen is the plural subject, formed with -innen, and the separable verb places ziehen in position two and zurück at the end.
flirten — to flirt
The usual pattern is mit jemandem flirten, with the person in the dative after mit. The perfect is hat geflirtet, not ist geflirtet.
Er flirtet mit seiner Kollegin.
He is flirting with his colleague.
er means he, mit means with, and seine Kollegin means his female colleague. mit seiner Kollegin is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb flirtet stands in position two.
Sie hat gestern mit mir geflirtet.
She flirted with me yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and mit mir means with me. The perfect uses hat plus geflirtet because flirten takes haben; the Partizip II goes to the end, while mir is dative after mit.
Er flirtete den ganzen Abend mit ihr.
He flirted with her all evening.
den ganzen Abend means all evening and mit ihr means with her. flirtete is the regular simple past with -te; ihr is dative because it follows mit.
Flirt nicht mit dem Kellner!
Don’t flirt with the waiter!
nicht means not and der Kellner means waiter. flirt is the bare du imperative; mit dem Kellner is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Wenn er mutiger wäre, flirtete er mit ihr.
If he were braver, he would flirt with her.
wenn means if, mutiger means braver, and mit ihr means with her. This sentence uses wäre for the unreal condition; flirtete can serve as the Konjunktiv II form of this regular verb.
Sie wird heute Abend mit ihm flirten.
She will flirt with him this evening.
heute Abend means this evening and mit ihm means with him. Future I uses wird plus the infinitive flirten at the end; ihm is dative after mit.
frech — cheeky, naughty; impudent
Frech can be playful and cheeky, especially for children, but it can also sound rude when describing an adult. It is not the same as böse, which means evil or angry.
Der Junge ist sehr frech.
The boy is very cheeky.
der Junge means the boy and sehr means very. Frech is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das freche Kind lacht laut.
The cheeky child is laughing loudly.
das Kind means the child, lacht means laughs, and laut means loudly. Freche stands before the noun and takes -e after das in the nominative singular; the subject is nominative and lacht is in position two.
Tom ist frecher als sein Bruder.
Tom is cheekier than his brother.
sein Bruder means his brother. Frecher compares Tom with his brother and als means than; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am frechsten.
Of all the children, Mia is the cheekiest.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and allen Kindern is dative because von requires the dative. Am frechsten is the predicative superlative after ist, while the finite verb remains in position two.
der Gastgeber — host
This word normally describes the person who invites or receives guests. It can also refer to a male host at an organised event; the feminine form is die Gastgeberin.
Der Gastgeber begrüßt die Gäste an der Tür.
The host welcomes the guests at the door.
begrüßen means to welcome, die Gäste means the guests, and an der Tür means at the door. Der Gastgeber is nominative because he performs the action, while die Gäste is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the finite verb begrüßt is in position two.
Wir danken dem Gastgeber für den schönen Abend.
We thank the host for the lovely evening.
danken means to thank, der schöne Abend means the lovely evening, and für means for. Dem Gastgeber is dative because danken takes a dative person, while den schönen Abend is accusative after für; the finite verb danken stands in position two.
Wir helfen dem Gastgeber in der Küche.
We help the host in the kitchen.
helfen means to help, and in der Küche means in the kitchen. Dem Gastgeber is dative because helfen governs the dative; the finite verb helfen is in position two, and in der Küche describes the place.
Das Auto des Gastgebers steht vor dem Haus.
The host's car is standing in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Gastgebers is genitive to show possession, and dem Haus is dative after the location preposition vor; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Gastgeber servieren das Essen im Garten.
The hosts serve the food in the garden.
servieren means to serve, das Essen means the food, and im Garten means in the garden. Die Gastgeber is plural nominative because the hosts perform the action, while das Essen is accusative as the direct object; servieren is in position two.
die Gastgeberin — hostess, female host
This is the specifically feminine form of der Gastgeber. In many contexts, English uses host for both genders, but German keeps the feminine ending -in when the person is a woman.
Die Gastgeberin begrüßt uns freundlich.
The hostess welcomes us warmly.
begrüßen means to welcome, uns means us, and freundlich means warmly or in a friendly way. Die Gastgeberin is nominative because she performs the action, while uns is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; begrüßt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Gastgeberin im Flur.
I see the hostess in the hallway.
sehen means to see, and im Flur means in the hallway. Die Gastgeberin is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir danken der Gastgeberin für die Einladung.
We thank the hostess for the invitation.
danken means to thank, and die Einladung means the invitation. Der Gastgeberin is dative because danken governs the dative, while die Einladung is accusative after für; danken is in position two.
Das Geschenk der Gastgeberin liegt auf dem Tisch.
The hostess's gift is lying on the table.
das Geschenk means the gift, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Gastgeberin is genitive and shows possession; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a location, and liegt is in position two.
Die Gastgeberinnen bringen Kaffee und Kuchen.
The hostesses bring coffee and cake.
bringen means to bring, and Kaffee und Kuchen means coffee and cake. Die Gastgeberinnen is plural nominative because the women perform the action, while Kaffee und Kuchen are accusative objects; bringen stands in position two.