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Vocab: People & relationships — A2 (2)
People & relationships vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Gegner — opponent, rival, enemy
Der Gegner is a weak masculine noun: its plural is die Gegner, but the singular usually has -n after the nominative, for example dem Gegner. The word can describe a sports opponent, a political rival, or an enemy, depending on context.
Der Gegner spielt sehr gut.
The opponent plays very well.
spielt sehr gut means plays very well. Der Gegner is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Gegner heute.
We are seeing the opponent today.
sehen means to see, and heute means today. Den Gegner is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Wir gratulieren dem Gegner.
We congratulate the opponent.
gratulieren means to congratulate. It takes a dative object, so dem Gegner is dative; because this is a weak masculine noun, Gegner has no visible extra ending here, although other forms can show -n.
Die Taktik des Gegners war überraschend.
The opponent’s tactics were surprising.
die Taktik is the tactic, and überraschend means surprising. Des Gegners expresses possession in the genitive; the weak masculine noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Gegner warten schon.
The opponents are already waiting.
warten schon means are already waiting. Die Gegner is plural and has no plural ending change; the finite verb warten shows the plural.
die Gegnerin — female opponent, female rival
Die Gegnerin is the feminine form of der Gegner. Its plural is formed with -innen, giving die Gegnerinnen; unlike the masculine noun, it is not a weak noun.
Die Gegnerin ist sehr schnell.
The opponent is very fast.
sehr schnell means very fast. Die Gegnerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir beobachten die Gegnerin.
We are watching the opponent.
beobachten means to watch or observe. Die Gegnerin is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Wir helfen der Gegnerin.
We help the opponent.
helfen means to help. It takes a dative object, so der Gegnerin is dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Strategie der Gegnerin war klug.
The opponent’s strategy was clever.
die Strategie is the strategy, and klug means clever. Der Gegnerin is genitive because it shows whose strategy it was; feminine nouns normally have no special genitive ending.
Die Gegnerinnen trainieren jeden Tag.
The opponents train every day.
trainieren means train, and jeden Tag means every day. Die Gegnerinnen is plural and ends in -innen, the usual ending for feminine person nouns; the verb trainieren is plural.
gemeinsam — together, jointly, shared; common, shared
gemeinsam can describe an action done together or something shared by several people. It is often used like an adverb without an adjective ending, as in gemeinsam arbeiten.
Wir sind gemeinsam nach Hause gegangen.
We went home together.
nach Hause means home, and gegangen means gone or went. gemeinsam is used adverbially here and does not take an ending; sind ... gegangen uses sein because gehen expresses movement.
Wir planen eine gemeinsame Reise.
We are planning a trip together.
planen means plan and eine Reise is a trip. eine gemeinsame Reise is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the adjective takes -e after eine.
Unser gemeinsamer Plan ist besser.
Our joint plan is better.
unser means our and besser means better. unser gemeinsamer Plan is nominative as the subject; gemeinsamer has the strong ending -er, and the comparative besser is irregular.
So arbeiten wir am gemeinsamsten.
This is how we work most closely together.
so means in this way and arbeiten means work. am gemeinsamsten is an adverbial superlative, so it has the am ... -sten form and the finite verb arbeiten remains in position two.
Wir haben ein gemeinsames Ziel.
We have a common goal.
haben means have and das Ziel is the goal. ein gemeinsames Ziel is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective takes -es after the neuter article ein.
Die beiden Länder haben gemeinsame Interessen.
The two countries have shared interests.
die beiden Länder means the two countries and Interessen means interests. gemeinsame Interessen is the accusative object of haben; the plural adjective takes -e after the zero article.
das Geschlecht — sex, gender; genus, biological group
In everyday contexts, das Geschlecht can mean biological sex or social gender. Its plural die Geschlechter is used when several sexes or gender categories are discussed.
Das Geschlecht des Babys ist noch nicht bekannt.
The baby’s sex is not yet known.
das Baby means baby, and noch nicht bekannt means not yet known. Das Geschlecht is nominative because it is the subject; des Babys is genitive and shows whose sex is meant, while the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der Arzt bestimmt das Geschlecht des Babys.
The doctor determines the baby’s sex.
der Arzt means doctor and bestimmt means determines. Das Geschlecht is accusative because bestimmen takes a direct object; des Babys is genitive, and the finite verb bestimmt stands in position two.
Bei der Untersuchung spricht die Ärztin über dem Geschlecht des Kindes.
During the examination, the doctor talks about the child’s sex.
die Untersuchung means examination, die Ärztin means female doctor, and das Kind means child. The preposition bei takes the dative in bei der Untersuchung; here über means about and normally takes the accusative, so this sentence uses über das Geschlecht in careful German—the dative slot is shown by dem Geschlecht only in the fixed, nonstandard wording and should not be copied.
Die Bestimmung des Geschlechts dauert nur wenige Minuten.
Determining the sex takes only a few minutes.
die Bestimmung means determination, dauert means takes or lasts, and wenige Minuten means a few minutes. Des Geschlechts is genitive because it specifies what is being determined; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
In vielen Ländern werden die Geschlechter gleich behandelt.
In many countries, the genders are treated equally.
viele Länder means many countries, gleich means equally, and behandelt means treated. Die Geschlechter is plural nominative and the subject of the passive; werden is the finite verb in position two and behandelt goes to the end.
Das Geschlecht steht auf dem Formular.
The gender is written on the form.
steht means is written or stands, and das Formular means form. Das Geschlecht is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Formular is dative because auf describes a location here, not movement.
Diese Pflanze gehört zu einem seltenen Geschlecht.
This plant belongs to a rare genus.
diese Pflanze means this plant, gehört zu means belongs to, and selten means rare. The preposition zu takes the dative, so einem seltenen Geschlecht is dative; the finite verb gehört is in position two.
Das Geschlecht dieser Tiere ist schwer zu bestimmen.
The genus of these animals is difficult to determine.
diese Tiere means these animals, schwer means difficult, and bestimmen means determine. Das Geschlecht is nominative as the subject, while dieser Tiere is genitive and means of these animals.
der Held — hero; male protagonist
Held is a weak masculine noun: its singular forms are der Held, den Helden, dem Helden, and des Helden. It can describe a real person or a heroic character in a story or film.
Der Held rettet das Kind.
The hero saves the child.
rettet means saves, and das Kind means the child. Der Held is nominative because it is the subject, while rettet stands in position two.
Die Menschen feiern den Helden.
The people celebrate the hero.
die Menschen means the people, and feiern means celebrate. den Helden is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Held takes -en outside the nominative singular.
Die Kinder danken dem Helden.
The children thank the hero.
die Kinder means the children, and danken means thank. dem Helden is dative because danken always takes a dative person, and the weak noun keeps its -en ending.
Die Geschichte des Helden ist spannend.
The hero’s story is exciting.
die Geschichte means the story, ist means is, and spannend means exciting. des Helden is genitive because it identifies whose story it is; Held is a weak masculine noun and therefore has -en.
Die Helden gewinnen den Kampf.
The heroes win the battle.
gewinnen means win, and der Kampf means the battle. Die Helden is the plural subject, and the verb gewinnen stands in position two.
Der Held des Films reist um die Welt.
The hero of the film travels around the world.
der Film means the film, reist means travels, and um die Welt means around the world. des Films is genitive after der Held to show which hero is meant, and reist stands in position two.
Am Ende heiratet der Held die Prinzessin.
At the end, the hero marries the princess.
am Ende means at the end, heiratet means marries, and die Prinzessin means the princess. der Held is nominative as the subject, while die Prinzessin is accusative as the object of heiraten.
die Heldin — heroine, female hero; female protagonist
Heldin is the feminine form of Held and can mean a female hero or the main female character in a story. Its plural is formed with -innen: Heldinnen.
Die Heldin hilft dem verletzten Mann.
The heroine helps the injured man.
hilft means helps, der verletzte Mann means the injured man. Die Heldin is nominative as the subject, while dem verletzten Mann is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Wir bewundern die Heldin.
We admire the heroine.
wir means we, and bewundern means admire. die Heldin is accusative because bewundern takes a direct object, although the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Kinder danken der Heldin.
The children thank the heroine.
die Kinder means the children, and danken means thank. der Heldin is dative because danken takes a dative person; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Geschichte der Heldin ist spannend.
The heroine’s story is exciting.
die Geschichte means the story, ist means is, and spannend means exciting. der Heldin is genitive because it shows whose story is meant; the noun itself does not change.
Die Heldinnen gewinnen den Kampf.
The heroines win the battle.
gewinnen means win, and der Kampf means the battle. Heldinnen is formed with -innen and is the plural subject, so gewinnen stands in position two.
Die Heldin des Romans lebt in Berlin.
The heroine of the novel lives in Berlin.
der Roman means the novel, lebt means lives, and in Berlin means in Berlin. des Romans is genitive after die Heldin to identify the novel’s heroine, and lebt stands in position two.
Am Ende heiratet die Heldin den Prinzen.
At the end, the heroine marries the prince.
am Ende means at the end, heiratet means marries, and der Prinz means the prince. die Heldin is nominative as the subject, while den Prinzen is accusative as the object of heiraten.
der Inder — Indian man; Indian person
The plural is die Inder and can refer to men or to a mixed group; die Inderinnen means Indian women. Do not confuse Inder with the adjective indisch, which means Indian when describing a noun.
Der Inder arbeitet in Berlin.
The Indian man works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Inder is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich treffe den Inder morgen.
I am meeting the Indian man tomorrow.
treffe means meet and morgen means tomorrow. den Inder is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the noun itself keeps the ending, but the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Inder mit dem Formular.
I am helping the Indian man with the form.
helfe means help, and das Formular is the form. dem Inder is dative because helfen requires a dative object; mit also requires dative for dem Formular.
Das Auto des Inders steht vor dem Haus.
The Indian man's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Inders expresses possession in the genitive; the masculine noun adds -s.
Viele Inder sprechen mehrere Sprachen.
Many Indians speak several languages.
Viele means many, sprechen means speak, and mehrere Sprachen means several languages. Inder is unchanged in the plural and is nominative because it is the subject.
die Inderin — Indian woman
The plural is die Inderinnen, formed with -innen, the usual feminine-person ending. The adjective is indisch, while Inderin names a female person from India.
Die Inderin wohnt in Hamburg.
The Indian woman lives in Hamburg.
wohnt means lives, and in Hamburg means in Hamburg. Die Inderin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Ich kenne die Inderin aus dem Kurs.
I know the Indian woman from the course.
kenne means know, and der Kurs means the course. die Inderin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich schreibe der Inderin eine E-Mail.
I am writing the Indian woman an email.
schreibe means write and eine E-Mail means an email. der Inderin is dative because it is the recipient, while eine E-Mail is the accusative thing being written.
Die Tasche der Inderin ist sehr schön.
The Indian woman's bag is very beautiful.
die Tasche means the bag and sehr schön means very beautiful. der Inderin expresses possession in the genitive; unlike a masculine noun, the feminine noun does not add an ending.
Viele Inderinnen studieren in Deutschland.
Many Indian women study in Germany.
Viele means many, studieren means study, and in Deutschland means in Germany. Inderinnen is the plural subject, so it is nominative, and the plural verb studieren stands in position two.
individuell — individual, personal, tailored
individuell often means designed for one person or different from other people or things. In English, individual can also mean a person; German normally uses die Person or der Mensch for that meaning.
Jeder Mensch ist individuell.
Every person is individual.
jeder Mensch means every person. individuell is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen eine individuelle Lösung.
We need an individual solution.
brauchen means to need and eine Lösung means a solution. eine individuelle Lösung is the accusative object of brauchen, and the feminine adjective takes -e after eine; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Der neue Plan ist individueller als der alte.
The new plan is more individual than the old one.
der neue Plan means the new plan and der alte means the old one. individueller compares two plans and is followed by als; as a predicate after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Diese Beratung ist am individuellsten.
This advice is the most individualised.
diese Beratung means this advice or consultation. The predicative superlative is formed with am and -sten, and it has no adjective ending because it does not stand directly before a noun.
der Japaner — Japanese person, Japanese man
Der Japaner means a person from Japan or, more specifically, a Japanese man; the feminine form is die Japanerin. The plural is also Japaner, while the genitive singular is des Japaners.
Der Japaner arbeitet in München.
The Japanese man works in Munich.
arbeitet means works, and München is Munich. Der Japaner is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich habe einen Japaner kennengelernt.
I met a Japanese man.
einen means a in the masculine accusative, and kennengelernt means met or got to know. Einen Japaner is accusative because it is the object of kennenlernen; habe is in position two and kennengelernt goes to the end.
Ich helfe einem Japaner beim Ausfüllen des Formulars.
I am helping a Japanese man fill out the form.
helfe means help, beim Ausfüllen means while filling out, and das Formular means the form. Einem Japaner is dative because helfen requires a dative object; helfe is in position two, and beim Ausfüllen is a shortened form of bei dem Ausfüllen.
Das Auto des Japaners steht vor dem Hotel.
The Japanese man'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 Japaners is genitive because it shows possession; the genitive ending is -s, and steht is in position two.
Viele Japaner leben heute im Ausland.
Many Japanese people live abroad today.
viele means many, heute means today, and im Ausland means abroad. Viele Japaner is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural form is identical in spelling to the singular, but viele makes the number clear.
die Jugend — youth, young people; young people, the youth
Die Jugend can mean the period of being young or young people as a group. It is normally used only in the singular; for individual people, use Jugendliche.
Die Jugend ist eine wichtige Zeit.
Youth is an important time.
wichtige means important and Zeit means time. Die Jugend is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen vermissen die Jugend.
Many people miss their youth.
viele Menschen means many people and vermissen means miss. Die Jugend is accusative because vermissen takes a direct object; the article looks the same in nominative and accusative feminine.
Er denkt oft an die Jugend.
He often thinks about his youth.
denkt means thinks and oft means often. The fixed phrase an die Jugend denken uses an with accusative for the topic being thought about; the finite verb denkt is in position two.
Die Erinnerungen der Jugend bleiben lange.
The memories of youth remain for a long time.
Erinnerungen means memories, bleiben means remain, and lange means for a long time. Der Jugend is genitive because it identifies the memories; lange is an adverb and the finite verb bleiben stands in position two.
Die Jugend von heute benutzt viel Technik.
Young people today use a lot of technology.
von heute means today, benutzt means uses, and viel Technik means a lot of technology. Die Jugend is a collective singular subject, so the verb is singular: benutzt, not a plural verb.
Das Angebot ist besonders für die Jugend.
The offer is especially for young people.
das Angebot means the offer, besonders means especially, and für means for. Die Jugend is accusative because the preposition für always requires the accusative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
jugendlich — youthful; relating to young people; for young people; juvenile
jugendlich usually describes a youthful appearance, style, or quality; it does not itself mean a young person. The noun der Jugendliche or die Jugendliche means a young person and is declined like an adjective.
Sie wirkt noch sehr jugendlich.
She still looks very youthful.
wirkt means looks or seems, and noch means still; sehr means very. After the linking verb wirken, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb wirkt is in position two.
Er hat ein jugendliches Aussehen.
He has a youthful appearance.
ein Aussehen means an appearance, and hat means has. ein jugendliches Aussehen is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective gets -es after the indefinite article.
Heute sieht sie jugendlicher aus als früher.
Today she looks more youthful than before.
heute means today, sieht ... aus means looks, and früher means before or formerly. The comparative is formed with -er, and the separable verb aussehen splits in a main clause, with aus at the end.
Von allen wirkt sie am jugendlichsten.
Of everyone, she looks the most youthful.
von allen means of everyone, and wirkt means looks or seems. von always takes the dative, while the predicative superlative uses am ...-sten and has no adjective ending.
Das Zentrum bietet jugendlichen Besuchern kostenlose Kurse an.
The centre offers free courses to young visitors.
das Zentrum is the centre, bietet ... an means offers, Besucher are visitors, and kostenlose Kurse are free courses. jugendlichen Besuchern is dative because anbieten gives something to someone; the separable verb anbieten places an at the end.
Der Film ist für jugendliche Zuschauer geeignet.
The film is suitable for young viewers.
der Film is the film, Zuschauer are viewers, and geeignet means suitable. für takes the accusative, so jugendliche Zuschauer has the accusative plural adjective ending -e.
der Jugendliche — young man; male adolescent
der Jugendliche is an adjectival noun: it is declined like an adjective and has -n in every masculine case except nominative singular. It normally means a male teenager or young person, not simply any young male child.
Der Jugendliche wartet an der Bushaltestelle.
The young man is waiting at the bus stop.
wartet means is waiting, and die Bushaltestelle is the bus stop. Der Jugendliche is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Die Polizei spricht mit dem Jugendlichen.
The police are speaking with the young man.
die Polizei is the police, and spricht means speaks or is speaking. mit always takes the dative, so der Jugendliche becomes dem Jugendlichen; this weak noun adds -n.
Die Lehrerin hilft dem Jugendlichen bei den Hausaufgaben.
The teacher helps the young man with his homework.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, hilft means helps, and die Hausaufgaben are homework. helfen takes a dative person, so the form is dem Jugendlichen; bei also takes the dative.
Das Fahrrad des Jugendlichen steht vor dem Haus.
The young man's bicycle is in front of the house.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Jugendlichen is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; this noun has -n in the genitive.
Die Jugendlichen spielen draußen Fußball.
The young people are playing football outside.
spielen means are playing, draußen means outside, and Fußball is football. Die Jugendlichen is the plural subject, and this adjectival noun keeps -en in the plural.
die Jugendliche — young woman; female adolescent
die Jugendliche is an adjectival noun for a female teenager or young person. It is declined like an adjective, so Jugendlichen appears in the plural and after many articles and prepositions.
Die Jugendliche lernt für ihre Prüfung.
The young woman is studying for her exam.
lernt means studies or is learning, and ihre Prüfung means her exam. Die Jugendliche is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb lernt is in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht die Jugendliche.
The doctor examines the young woman.
der Arzt is the doctor, and untersucht means examines. die Jugendliche is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the feminine form looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Mutter gibt der Jugendlichen einen Schlüssel.
The mother gives the young woman a key.
die Mutter is the mother, gibt means gives, and einen Schlüssel is a key. der Jugendlichen is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Schlüssel is accusative as the thing given.
Das Handy der Jugendlichen liegt auf dem Tisch.
The young woman's phone is lying on the table.
das Handy is the mobile phone, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. der Jugendlichen is genitive because it shows whose phone it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Jugendlichen treffen sich nach der Schule.
The young people meet after school.
treffen sich means meet one another, and nach der Schule means after school. Die Jugendlichen is the plural subject; the adjectival noun uses -en in the plural.
kennenlernen — to meet, to get to know
Kennenlernen means beginning to know someone or something, while kennen means already being familiar with it. It is separable in main clauses: ich lerne sie kennen, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together.
Ich lerne heute neue Leute kennen.
I am meeting new people today.
heute means today and neue Leute means new people. Lerne is in position two and the separable part kennen goes to the end; neue Leute is accusative because kennenlernen takes a direct object.
Wir haben unsere Nachbarn kennengelernt.
We got to know our neighbours.
unsere Nachbarn means our neighbours. Kennengelernt is the Partizip II of the separable verb and pairs with haben; unlike the present tense, it stays together at the end.
Sie lernte ihren Mann im Studium kennen.
She met her husband while studying at university.
ihren Mann means her husband and im Studium means while studying at university. In the simple past, lernte is in position two and kennen is separated to the end; ihren Mann is accusative.
Lern deine neue Kollegin kennen!
Get to know your new colleague!
deine neue Kollegin means your new colleague. The informal command uses lern at the beginning and the separable part kennen at the end; the person being got to know is accusative.
Wenn ich ihn besser kennenlernen würde, könnte ich ihm helfen.
If I got to know him better, I could help him.
besser means better and helfen means help. In the wenn clause, the infinitive kennenlernen stays together at the end; ihn is accusative, while ihm is dative after helfen.
Du wirst bald viele Menschen kennenlernen.
You will soon meet many people.
bald means soon and viele Menschen means many people. Wirst stands in position two and the infinitive kennenlernen goes to the end; the people met are the accusative object.
der Klub — club; association; nightclub
Klub is a variant of Club and is common for an organized association. It can also refer to a nightlife venue, depending on context.
Der Klub trifft sich jeden Freitag.
The club meets every Friday.
trifft sich means meets, and jeden Freitag means every Friday. Der Klub is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trifft stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Klub am Abend.
We visit the club in the evening.
besuchen means visit and am Abend means in the evening. Den Klub is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
Ich erzähle meiner Freundin von dem Klub.
I tell my friend about the club.
erzähle means tell and meine Freundin is my female friend. Von dem Klub is dative because von always takes the dative; dem Klub is often shortened to vom Klub.
Die Mitglieder des Klubs planen ein Fest.
The members of the club are planning a party.
die Mitglieder are the members and planen means plan. Des Klubs is genitive because it shows which club the members belong to; Fest means party or celebration.
In Berlin gibt es viele Klubs.
There are many clubs in Berlin.
In Berlin means in Berlin and viele means many. Klubs is the plural formed with -s; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although its form is unchanged.
Heute Abend gehen wir in einen Klub.
Tonight we are going to a club.
heute Abend means tonight and gehen means go. In einen Klub is accusative because in expresses movement towards a place here; the finite verb gehen stands in position two.
Der Klub spielt laute Musik.
The club is playing loud music.
spielt means plays, laut means loud, and die Musik is music. Der Klub is nominative as the subject, while laute Musik is accusative as the object of spielt.
kuscheln — to cuddle, to snuggle
kuscheln usually appears with mit plus the dative for the person or animal involved: mit jemandem kuscheln. The perfect uses haben, and kuscheln is not normally used as a reflexive verb.
Wir kuscheln auf dem Sofa.
We are cuddling on the sofa.
wir means we, auf dem Sofa means on the sofa, and das Sofa is the sofa. The finite verb kuscheln stands in position two; auf takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Wir haben lange gekuschelt.
We cuddled for a long time.
lange means for a long time. haben is the auxiliary used with kuscheln, and the Partizip II gekuschelt goes to the end of the clause; do not use sein.
Als Kinder kuschelten wir jeden Abend.
When we were children, we cuddled every evening.
als Kinder means when we were children, and jeden Abend means every evening. The verb kuschelten is regular preterite; in the als clause the finite verb goes to the end, while the main clause begins with wir after the comma.
Kuschel dich zu mir!
Cuddle up next to me!
dich means yourself and zu mir means next to me or towards me. This informal command uses kuschel without du; dich is an accusative reflexive pronoun, and zu always takes the dative.
Ich würde gern mit dir kuscheln.
I would like to cuddle with you.
ich würde gern means I would like to, and mit dir means with you. mit takes the dative, so dir is used; the infinitive kuscheln goes to the end after the modal structure würde ....
Heute werden wir im Bett kuscheln.
Today we will cuddle in bed.
heute means today and im Bett means in bed. The finite verb werden stands in position two and the infinitive kuscheln goes to the end; im is short for in dem, with dative location.
der Lebenspartner — life partner, long-term partner
Lebenspartner is a gender-neutral term for a long-term romantic partner. It can refer to a married or unmarried partner; the feminine form is die Lebenspartnerin.
Der Lebenspartner unterstützt sie im Alltag.
Her life partner supports her in everyday life.
unterstützt means supports, sie means her, and im Alltag means in everyday life. Der Lebenspartner is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb unterstützt stands in position two.
Sie besucht ihren Lebenspartner am Wochenende.
She visits her life partner at the weekend.
besucht means visits, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Ihren Lebenspartner is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to ihren.
Sie spricht mit ihrem Lebenspartner über den Umzug.
She talks to her life partner about the move.
spricht means talks, über means about, and der Umzug is the move. Ihrem Lebenspartner is dative because mit always takes the dative; über den Umzug is accusative because it names the topic after über here.
Die Meinung des Lebenspartners ist ihr wichtig.
Her life partner’s opinion is important to her.
Die Meinung means the opinion, and wichtig means important. Des Lebenspartners is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is, while ihr is dative because the opinion is important to her.
Viele Lebenspartner teilen sich die Hausarbeit.
Many life partners share the household chores.
Viele means many, teilen sich means share between themselves, and die Hausarbeit means the housework. Lebenspartner is plural with no ending; sich is the reflexive pronoun, and die Hausarbeit is the accusative object.
ledig — single, unmarried
Ledig normally describes an absolute marital status and is usually not compared. Comparative forms such as lediger and am ledigsten are uncommon and are mainly used humorously or metaphorically; after sein or sich fühlen, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Ich bin ledig.
I am single.
ledig means single or unmarried. It is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; bin is the first-person form of sein.
Mein lediger Bruder lebt in Köln.
My unmarried brother lives in Cologne.
Bruder means brother, and lebt means lives. Lediger stands before the masculine noun Bruder and takes -er because the noun phrase is nominative after mein; this adjective normally describes marital status and is not compared in standard usage.
Er fühlt sich lediger als vor der Hochzeit.
He feels more single than before the wedding.
fühlt sich means feels, vor der Hochzeit means before the wedding, and Hochzeit means wedding. Lediger is a rare, informal comparative used here metaphorically; als introduces the comparison, and sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun required by sich fühlen.
Nach der Scheidung fühlt sie sich am ledigsten.
After the divorce, she feels the most single.
nach der Scheidung means after the divorce, and Scheidung means divorce. Am ledigsten is an unusual, expressive superlative; nach takes the dative, shown by der, and the superlative follows fühlt sich in the predicate.
der Lügner — liar
Lügner comes from lügen, to lie. It is a regular masculine noun with plural die Lügner; the plural has no ending, but the genitive singular is des Lügners.
Der Lügner sagt die Wahrheit nicht.
The liar does not tell the truth.
die Wahrheit means the truth, and nicht means not. Der Lügner is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sagt is in position two; die Wahrheit is accusative because sagen takes what is said as its object.
Ich glaube den Lügner nicht.
I do not believe the liar.
glauben means to believe, and nicht means not. Den Lügner is accusative because it is the object of glaube; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the finite verb stays in position two.
Ich antworte dem Lügner nicht.
I do not answer the liar.
antworten means to answer or reply, and nicht means not. Dem Lügner is dative because antworten takes a dative person; this is a common trap because English uses “answer someone” without a visible case marker.
Die Geschichte des Lügners klingt unglaubwürdig.
The liar’s story sounds unbelievable.
die Geschichte is the story, and unglaubwürdig means unbelievable. Des Lügners is genitive because it shows whose story it is, and the masculine noun adds -s; the finite verb klingt is in position two.
Die Lügner werden schnell erkannt.
The liars are recognised quickly.
werden erkannt means are recognised, and schnell means quickly. Die Lügner is plural nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the noun has no plural ending, so the article carries the main visible change.
die Menge — amount, quantity; crowd, lot; crowd
Die Menge can mean an amount or a crowd. Before a noun, eine Menge often means a lot of, and the following noun commonly appears without an article, as in eine Menge Wasser.
Eine große Menge wartet vor dem Stadion.
A large crowd is waiting outside the stadium.
groß means large, wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Stadion means outside the stadium. Eine große Menge is nominative because it is the subject; vor dem Stadion is dative because it expresses a fixed location.
Ich trinke eine Menge Wasser.
I drink a lot of water.
trinke means drink and Wasser means water. Eine Menge Wasser is accusative because it is the object of trinken; the noun after a quantity expression usually has no article.
Mit der Menge kommen auch die Musiker.
The musicians are coming with the crowd too.
mit means with, kommen means are coming, and auch means too. Der Menge is dative because mit always takes the dative; the plural subject die Musiker comes after the verb.
Die Größe der Menge überrascht mich.
The size of the crowd surprises me.
die Größe means the size, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Der Menge is genitive because it identifies the crowd’s size, while mich is accusative as the person affected by überraschen.
Die Mengen sind unterschiedlich.
The amounts are different.
sind means are and unterschiedlich means different. Die Mengen is a plural subject, so the verb is sind rather than singular ist; the plural is formed with -n.
Wir haben eine Menge Arbeit.
We have a lot of work.
haben means have and Arbeit means work. Eine Menge Arbeit is the accusative object of haben; Arbeit is uncountable here and therefore has no article.
Die Menge ruft laut.
The crowd is shouting loudly.
ruft means shouts or calls, and laut means loudly. Die Menge is grammatically singular even when it contains many people, so the verb is ruft, not plural rufen.
Der Sänger winkt der Menge zu.
The singer waves to the crowd.
der Sänger means the singer, winkt means waves, and zu completes zuwinken, to wave to. Der Menge is dative because jemandem zuwinken takes a dative person; the separable prefix zu goes to the end.
necken — to tease, to make fun of
Necken normally means to tease someone in a playful way, not to insult them seriously. It takes an accusative object, as in jemanden necken, and forms the perfect with haben: hat geneckt.
Er neckt seinen Bruder.
He teases his brother.
Er means he, and seinen Bruder means his brother. Seinen Bruder is accusative because necken takes a direct object; the finite verb neckt stands in position two.
Sie hat mich nur geneckt.
She was only teasing me.
Sie means she, mich means me, and nur means only. Mich is accusative because it is the object of necken; hat is in position two and geneckt goes to the end with haben.
Als Kinder neckten wir uns oft.
When we were children, we often teased each other.
Als Kinder means when we were children, oft means often, and uns means each other here. Neckten is the weak-verb preterite; the subordinate clause with als comes first, so the finite verb neckten is in position two of the main clause.
Necke ihn nicht!
Don't tease him!
Ihn means him, and nicht means not. Necke is the du imperative and ihn is accusative because necken takes a direct object; the subject du is left out.
Ich würde dich nicht necken.
I would not tease you.
Ich means I, dich means you, and nicht means not. Würde ... necken expresses a hypothetical or polite idea; the infinitive necken stands at the end, and dich is accusative.
Er wird seine Schwester später necken.
He will tease his sister later.
Seine Schwester means his sister, and später means later. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive necken goes to the end; seine Schwester is accusative.
die Nähe — proximity, closeness; vicinity; closeness, company
Nähe describes physical or personal closeness and is normally used in the singular. The common phrase in der Nähe means “nearby”; it takes the dative form der after in when describing a location.
Die Nähe zum Bahnhof ist sehr praktisch.
The proximity to the train station is very convenient.
der Bahnhof means train station, and praktisch means convenient. Die Nähe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich schätze die Nähe zum Park.
I appreciate the proximity to the park.
schätzen means to appreciate or value, and der Park is the park. Die Nähe is accusative because schätzen takes a direct object; zum Park means “to the park” and contains the dative contraction zu dem.
In der Nähe gibt es einen kleinen Markt.
There is a small market nearby.
in der Nähe means nearby, and einen kleinen Markt is a small market. Nähe is dative because the fixed phrase uses in for location; gibt es means “there is” and the indefinite object is accusative.
Die Vorteile der Nähe sind deutlich.
The advantages of being nearby are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and deutlich means clear. Der Nähe is genitive because it specifies whose advantages; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele Menschen suchen die Nähe zur Natur.
Many people seek closeness to nature.
viele Menschen means many people, suchen means seek, and die Natur means nature. This sentence shows Nähe as a mass-like abstract noun, so it has no plural here; die Nähe is accusative after suchen, while zur Natur means “to nature” with dative zu.
Wir wohnen in der Nähe des Sees.
We live near the lake.
wohnen means to live, and der See is the lake. The fixed phrase in der Nähe uses dative for location, while des Sees is genitive after the phrase to mean “of the lake”.
Das Kind sucht die Nähe seiner Mutter.
The child seeks its mother’s closeness.
das Kind means the child, sucht means seeks, and seine Mutter means its mother. Die Nähe is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, while seiner Mutter is genitive to show whose closeness is meant.
Ihre Nähe gibt mir Sicherheit.
Her presence gives me a sense of security.
ihre means her, gibt means gives, and Sicherheit means security. Ihre Nähe is nominative because it is the subject; mir is dative because geben gives something to someone.
der Partner — partner; companion; associate
Der Partner can mean a romantic partner, a person you work with, or someone who shares an activity with you. The feminine form is die Partnerin.
Mein Partner kocht heute.
My partner is cooking today.
mein means my, and kochen means to cook; heute means today. Mein Partner is nominative because it is the subject, and kocht is in position two.
Ich treffe meinen Partner nach der Arbeit.
I am meeting my partner after work.
treffen means to meet, meinen means my in the masculine accusative, and nach der Arbeit means after work. Partner is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb treffe is in position two.
Sie hilft ihrem Partner beim Umzug.
She is helping her partner with the move.
helfen means to help, ihrem means her in the masculine dative, and der Umzug means the move to a new home. Partner is dative because helfen requires a dative object; beim means bei dem.
Das Auto meines Partners ist alt.
My partner's car is old.
das Auto means the car, mein means my, and alt means old. meines Partners is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die beiden Partner arbeiten zusammen.
Both partners work together.
beide means both, and zusammen means together. Partner is plural after die beiden, although its noun form does not change; the finite verb arbeiten is plural.
persönlich — personal, private; in person
Persönlich can mean belonging to an individual, private, or done in person. Do not confuse it with personell, which means relating to staff or personnel.
Die Meinung ist persönlich.
The opinion is personal.
die Meinung means the opinion. Persönlich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist meine persönliche Entscheidung.
That is my personal decision.
meine Entscheidung means my decision. Persönliche comes before the feminine noun Entscheidung and takes an adjective ending; after ist, the phrase is a predicate identifying das.
Dieses Gespräch ist persönlicher als das letzte.
This conversation is more personal than the last one.
dieses Gespräch means this conversation, and das letzte means the last one. Persönlicher is a predicative comparative with no ending, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Das war mein persönlichstes Erlebnis.
That was my most personal experience.
mein Erlebnis means my experience, and war means was. Persönlichstes is the superlative before the neuter noun Erlebnis and therefore has the ending -es; the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich möchte dich persönlich treffen.
I would like to meet you in person.
dich treffen means to meet you, and möchte means would like. Here persönlich means in person and works adverbially without an ending; treffen stays at the end after the modal-style verb möchte.
der Pole — Pole, Polish man
der Pole means a Polish man. It is a weak masculine noun: use den Polen, dem Polen, and des Polen, not the bare form in those cases.
Der Pole arbeitet in Berlin.
The Polish man works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Pole is nominative because it is the subject; this noun is weak, but the nominative masculine form has no extra -n.
Ich kenne den Polen aus dem Sprachkurs.
I know the Polish man from the language course.
kennen means to know or be acquainted with, and der Sprachkurs means the language course. Den Polen is accusative because it is the object of kenne; weak masculine nouns add -n outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Polen bei der Anmeldung.
I help the Polish man with the registration.
helfen means to help, and die Anmeldung means the registration. Dem Polen is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the weak noun keeps the ending -n.
Das Auto des Polen steht vor dem Haus.
The Polish man’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Polen is genitive because it shows possession, and this weak masculine noun uses -n, not -s.
Die Pole feiern heute zusammen.
The Polish men are celebrating together today.
feiern means celebrate, and zusammen means together. Die Pole is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural has -e, while the weak singular forms have -n.
die Polin — Polish woman
die Polin means a Polish woman. The plural is die Polinnen; die Polen is not the feminine plural, but refers to Polish men or a mixed group.
Die Polin wohnt seit einem Jahr in Köln.
The Polish woman has been living in Cologne for a year.
wohnt means lives, seit einem Jahr means for one year, and Köln is a city. Die Polin is nominative because it is the subject; seit takes the dative, shown by einem Jahr.
Ich treffe die Polin morgen am Bahnhof.
I am meeting the Polish woman at the station tomorrow.
treffen means to meet, morgen means tomorrow, and der Bahnhof means the station. Die Polin is accusative because it is the direct object, but feminine singular die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Polin eine Stadtkarte.
I give the Polish woman a city map.
geben means to give, and eine Stadtkarte means a city map. Der Polin is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Stadtkarte is accusative as the thing given.
Die Tasche der Polin ist sehr schwer.
The Polish woman’s bag is very heavy.
die Tasche means the bag, and schwer means heavy. Der Polin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine noun itself does not change, so the article der carries the case information.
Die Polinnen arbeiten in einem Krankenhaus.
The Polish women work in a hospital.
arbeiten means work, and das Krankenhaus means the hospital. Die Polinnen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -nen must not be replaced by the masculine form Polen.
der Priester — priest
Der Priester is a regular masculine noun, not a weak noun: its genitive is des Priesters, but its plural is simply die Priester. It is normally used for a male religious official.
Der Priester spricht in der Kirche.
The priest is speaking in the church.
spricht means speaks, and die Kirche is the church. Der Priester is nominative because he is the subject; in der Kirche is dative because it describes a location, and spricht is in position two.
Die Gemeinde begrüßt den Priester.
The congregation welcomes the priest.
Die Gemeinde means the congregation, and begrüßt means welcomes. Den Priester is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßen, while the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two.
Die Kinder danken dem Priester.
The children thank the priest.
Die Kinder means the children, and danken means thank. Dem Priester is dative because danken always takes a dative person; the finite verb danken is in position two.
Die Predigt des Priesters war kurz.
The priest’s sermon was short.
Die Predigt means the sermon, and kurz means short. Des Priesters is genitive because it shows whose sermon it was; the noun adds -s, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Viele Priester arbeiten in kleinen Gemeinden.
Many priests work in small congregations.
Viele means many, arbeiten means work, and kleinen Gemeinden means small congregations. Priester has the same spelling in singular and plural, so the article or another word shows the number; arbeiten is in position two.
die Priesterin — priestess; female priest
Die Priesterin is the feminine form of der Priester. Feminine nouns ending in -in usually form their plural with -innen: die Priesterinnen.
Die Priesterin spricht mit den Gästen.
The priestess is speaking with the guests.
spricht means speaks, and die Gäste are the guests. Die Priesterin is nominative because she is the subject, while mit den Gästen is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Gemeinde begrüßt die Priesterin.
The congregation welcomes the priestess.
Die Gemeinde means the congregation, and begrüßt means welcomes. Die Priesterin is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßen; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two.
Die Kinder danken der Priesterin.
The children thank the priestess.
Die Kinder means the children, and danken means thank. Der Priesterin is dative because danken takes a dative person, and danken is in position two.
Die Predigt der Priesterin war interessant.
The priestess’s sermon was interesting.
Die Predigt means the sermon, and interessant means interesting. Der Priesterin is genitive because it shows whose sermon it was; the feminine noun does not add an ending, and war is in position two.
Mehrere Priesterinnen arbeiten in der Stadt.
Several priestesses work in the city.
Mehrere means several, arbeiten means work, and die Stadt is the city. Priesterinnen is the plural with -innen, while in der Stadt is dative because it describes a location.
der Prinz — prince
Der Prinz is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular, as well as in the plural. The nominative singular is the only common form without -en.
Der Prinz lebt in einem großen Schloss.
The prince lives in a large castle.
lebt means lives, groß means large, and das Schloss is the castle or palace. Der Prinz is nominative because he is the subject; in einem großen Schloss is dative because it describes a location, and lebt is in position two.
Die Königin ruft den Prinzen.
The queen calls the prince.
Die Königin means the queen, and ruft means calls. Den Prinzen is accusative because it is the object of rufen; this weak masculine noun takes -en outside the nominative singular.
Die Königin hilft dem Prinzen.
The queen helps the prince.
Die Königin means the queen, and hilft means helps. Dem Prinzen is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and Prinz has the weak-noun ending -en here.
Das Pferd des Prinzen ist schnell.
The prince’s horse is fast.
Das Pferd means the horse, and schnell means fast. Des Prinzen is genitive because it shows whose horse it is; the weak noun takes -en, and ist stands in position two.
Die Prinzen besuchen den König.
The princes visit the king.
besuchen means visit, and den König means the king. Prinzen is the plural of Prinz, while den König is accusative because it is the object of besuchen; the plural subject does not have an extra ending beyond -en.
privat — private; personal; not public
privat usually means personal or not open to the public, and it contrasts with öffentlich. In a phrase before a noun it takes a normal adjective ending, as in private Fotos; after sein it stays unchanged.
Die E-Mail-Adresse ist privat.
The email address is private.
die E-Mail-Adresse means email address. Privat is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat eine private Telefonnummer.
She has a private telephone number.
sie means she, hat means has, and die Telefonnummer is the telephone number. Private stands before the feminine accusative noun Telefonnummer and takes -e after the indefinite article eine.
Dieses Zimmer ist privater als das andere.
This room is more private than the other one.
dieses Zimmer means this room and das andere means the other one. Privater compares two rooms and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Von allen Räumen ist dieses Büro am privatesten.
Of all the rooms, this office is the most private.
von allen Räumen means of all the rooms, and dieses Büro is this office. Am privatesten is the predicative superlative after ist; the form uses am plus the adjective ending -sten.
reif — ripe; mature, ready
reif describes fruit that is ready to eat and people who are mature or ready for something. With the fixed phrase reif für (“ready for”), für takes the accusative.
Die Banane ist reif.
The banana is ripe.
die Banane means the banana. reif is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe reife Tomaten.
I am buying ripe tomatoes.
kaufe means am buying, and Tomaten means tomatoes. reife describes the accusative object Tomaten, and the adjective takes -e because it follows the uninflected plural form Tomaten without an article.
Diese Äpfel sind reifer als die anderen.
These apples are riper than the others.
diese Äpfel means these apples, and die anderen means the others. reifer compares two groups and is followed by als; because it is predicative after sind, it has no adjective ending.
Die Erdbeeren sind am reifsten.
The strawberries are the ripest.
die Erdbeeren means the strawberries. am reifsten is the superlative used predicatively after sind; the verb is in position two, and this form is not placed directly before a noun.
der Rentner — male pensioner, retired man
Der Rentner refers specifically to a man; the feminine form is die Rentnerin. It is often used for anyone receiving a pension, but the word can also describe someone who has retired even before receiving a state pension.
Der Rentner liest jeden Morgen die Zeitung.
The pensioner reads the newspaper every morning.
liest means reads, jeden Morgen means every morning, and die Zeitung is the newspaper. Der Rentner is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb liest is in position two.
Ich sehe den Rentner im Park.
I see the pensioner in the park.
sehen means to see, and der Park is the park. den Rentner is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Rentner keeps its form here, but the article changes to den.
Ich helfe dem Rentner mit den Taschen.
I help the pensioner with the bags.
helfen means to help, die Tasche is a bag, and mit means with. dem Rentner is dative because helfen requires the dative; the plural den Taschen is also dative after mit.
Das Fahrrad des Rentners steht vor dem Haus.
The pensioner's bicycle is in front of the house.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, stehen means to stand or be located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Rentners is genitive because it shows possession, and this weak masculine noun has -s in the genitive singular.
Viele Rentner reisen im Sommer.
Many pensioners travel in summer.
viele means many, reisen means travel, and im Sommer means in summer. Rentner has the same form in the singular and plural, so viele and the plural verb reisen show that it is plural.
die Rentnerin — female pensioner, retired woman
Die Rentnerin is the feminine form of der Rentner. German forms the plural of many feminine job and person nouns in -in with -innen.
Die Rentnerin wohnt allein.
The female pensioner lives alone.
wohnt means lives or resides, and allein means alone. Die Rentnerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb wohnt is in position two.
Der Arzt besucht die Rentnerin.
The doctor visits the female pensioner.
der Arzt is the doctor, and besuchen means to visit. die Rentnerin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Rentnerin meinen Platz.
I give the female pensioner my seat.
geben means to give, mein Platz is my seat, and meinen means my in the masculine accusative form. der Rentnerin is dative because she is the recipient, while meinen Platz is accusative as the thing given.
Die Wohnung der Rentnerin ist sehr klein.
The female pensioner's flat is very small.
die Wohnung is the flat, sehr means very, and klein means small. der Rentnerin is genitive because it shows possession; ist is the finite verb in position two and klein is a predicative adjective without an ending.
Viele Rentnerinnen treffen sich im Café.
Many female pensioners meet in the café.
viele means many, sich treffen means to meet one another, and das Café is the café. Rentnerinnen is plural, formed with -innen, and treffen is plural because the women are the subject.
respektlos — disrespectful, rude
respektlos describes words or behaviour that show no respect. Its opposite is respektvoll; before a noun, remember that it needs a normal adjective ending, as in ein respektloser Kommentar.
Sein Ton ist respektlos.
His tone is disrespectful.
sein Ton means “his tone”. respektlos is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das war ein respektloser Kommentar.
That was a disrespectful comment.
ein Kommentar means “a comment”, and das war means “that was”. respektloser comes before the masculine noun Kommentar after the indefinite article ein, so it takes the nominative masculine ending -er.
Seine Antwort war respektloser als seine Frage.
His answer was more disrespectful than his question.
seine Antwort means “his answer”, and seine Frage means “his question”. The comparative uses -er and is followed by als; because respektloser is predicative after war, it has no additional adjective ending.
Er hat sich am respektlosesten verhalten.
He behaved the most disrespectfully.
sich verhalten means “to behave”, and am is part of the superlative expression. am respektlosesten is predicative after verhalten; the perfect uses hat and puts verhalten at the end.
die Rolle — role, part; roll; film role; roll of material
The common meaning is a function or part, especially in eine Rolle spielen. Die Rolle can also mean a roll-shaped object, such as a roll of paper.
Die Rolle ist wichtig.
The role is important.
wichtig means important. Die Rolle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie spielt eine wichtige Rolle.
She plays an important role.
Sie means she, and spielt means plays. Eine wichtige Rolle is accusative because spielen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine article eine.
Er gibt der Rolle mehr Gewicht.
He gives the role more weight.
gibt means gives, and mehr Gewicht means more weight. Der Rolle is dative because geben marks the recipient or affected thing with the dative; the direct object Gewicht is accusative.
Die Bedeutung der Rolle ist klar.
The meaning of the role is clear.
Die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Der Rolle is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Rollen sind schon vergeben.
The roles have already been assigned.
schon means already, and vergeben means assigned or taken. Die Rollen is plural and adds -n; sind stands in position two.
Er hat eine kleine Rolle im Film.
He has a small role in the film.
kleine means small, and im Film means in the film. Eine kleine Rolle is accusative after haben, while im Film is dative because in describes a location here.
Ich kaufe eine Rolle Geschenkpapier.
I am buying a roll of wrapping paper.
kaufe means buy, and Geschenkpapier means wrapping paper. Eine Rolle Geschenkpapier is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the material follows the noun without an article.
siezen — to address formally, to use Sie with someone
Use siezen when you address someone with Sie; the opposite is duzen. The person addressed is an accusative object: jemanden siezen.
Ich sieze meine Chefin.
I address my boss formally.
meine Chefin means my female boss. sieze is the finite verb in position two, and meine Chefin is accusative because siezen takes the person being addressed as an accusative object.
Ich habe den neuen Kollegen gesiezt.
I addressed the new colleague formally.
den neuen Kollegen means the new colleague; neu means new. gesiezt is at the end because the perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II, and den neuen Kollegen is accusative as the object.
Früher siezte man die Lehrer immer.
In the past, people always addressed teachers formally.
früher means in the past, man means people or one, and immer means always. siezte is the simple-past finite verb in position two; die Lehrer is accusative, although it follows the adverbial subject man.
Siez den Kunden bitte.
Please address the customer formally.
den Kunden means the customer, and bitte means please. Siez is the singular imperative; the accusative object follows the imperative verb, and bitte softens the command.
Ich würde den Richter siezen.
I would address the judge formally.
würde expresses a hypothetical situation, and der Richter means the judge. The infinitive siezen goes to the end after würde, while den Richter is accusative because it is the object.
Wir werden den Arzt siezen.
We will address the doctor formally.
wir means we, and der Arzt means the doctor. The finite verb werden is in position two and the infinitive siezen goes to the end; den Arzt is accusative.
sozial — social; socially responsible
sozial can describe society, social services, or a person who cares about other people. It is not usually the same as English sociable, which is often gesellig in German.
Meine Schwester arbeitet in einem sozialen Beruf.
My sister works in a socially oriented profession.
meine Schwester means my sister, and arbeitet means works; ein Beruf is a profession. The adjective appears in the dative phrase in einem sozialen Beruf because in describes a field or area here, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Er möchte soziale Projekte unterstützen.
He wants to support social projects.
er means he, möchte means wants to, Projekte are projects, and unterstützen means to support. soziale Projekte is an accusative object after unterstützen, while the modal verb möchte is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Dieser Verein ist sozialer als viele andere.
This association is more socially minded than many others.
dieser Verein means this association, and viele andere means many others. sozialer als compares two things; after sein, the adjective is predicative and has no ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Die sozialste Lösung hilft den meisten Menschen.
The most socially responsible solution helps the most people.
die Lösung is the solution, hilft means helps, and den meisten Menschen means the most people. sozialste is a superlative before a noun and takes an adjective ending; helfen governs the dative, so den meisten Menschen is dative.
Das Programm hat eine soziale Seite.
The programme has a social side.
das Programm means the programme and eine Seite means one side or an aspect. eine soziale Seite is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective ending follows the feminine article eine.
der Star — star, celebrity; starling
In this sense, der Star means a celebrity, not an astronomical der Stern. Its plural is die Stars.
Der Star gibt heute ein Konzert.
The star is giving a concert today.
ein Konzert is a concert, and heute means today. Der Star is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Fans sehen den Star am Eingang.
The fans see the star at the entrance.
die Fans are the fans, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den Star is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Die Reporterin gibt dem Star ein Mikrofon.
The reporter gives the star a microphone.
die Reporterin is the female reporter, and ein Mikrofon is a microphone. Dem Star is dative because geben marks the receiver with the dative, while ein Mikrofon is the accusative thing given.
Das Auto des Stars steht vor dem Hotel.
The star's car is in front of the hotel.
das Auto is the car, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Des Stars is genitive because it shows possession; vor takes the dative here because the car is located there, not moving there.
Viele Stars wohnen in Berlin.
Many stars live in Berlin.
viele means many, and wohnen means live. Stars is the plural with -s; in Berlin gives the place and does not change the plural noun.
Ein Star sitzt auf dem Dach.
A starling is sitting on the roof.
sitzt means is sitting, and das Dach is the roof. Ein Star is nominative as the subject, while auf dem Dach uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich höre einen Star im Garten.
I hear a starling in the garden.
höre means hear, and der Garten is the garden. Einen Star is accusative because hören takes a direct object; im Garten means in the garden and uses the dative.
der Streit — argument, quarrel, dispute
Streit is often used with mit for the person involved and über for the topic. It can describe anything from a small argument to a serious conflict.
Der Streit beginnt sofort.
The argument starts immediately.
sofort means immediately, and beginnt means starts. Der Streit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich möchte den Streit beenden.
I want to end the argument.
möchte means would like, and beenden means to end. Den Streit is accusative because beenden takes an accusative object; after möchte, the infinitive beenden goes to the end.
Nach dem Streit sprechen wir wieder miteinander.
After the argument, we speak to each other again.
nach means after, wieder means again, and miteinander means with each other. Dem Streit is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Ursache des Streits ist unklar.
The cause of the argument is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and unklar means unclear. Des Streits is genitive because it identifies whose cause it is; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
In dieser Klasse gibt es oft Streite.
There are often arguments in this class.
in dieser Klasse means in this class, and oft means often. Streite is the plural of der Streit; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although its form is the same as the nominative plural.
Wir haben gestern einen Streit gehabt.
We had an argument yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and gehabt means had. Einen Streit is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the perfect uses haben and places gehabt at the end.
streiten — to argue, to quarrel
The common pattern is sich mit jemandem streiten or sich über etwas streiten. The reflexive pronoun is accusative, while mit takes a dative person.
Die Kinder streiten über das Spielzeug.
The children are arguing about the toy.
die Kinder means the children, über means about, and das Spielzeug means the toy. With the meaning “argue,” sich streiten is normally reflexive; über das Spielzeug uses accusative because this meaning of über takes the accusative for a topic.
Wir haben uns gestern gestritten.
We argued yesterday.
uns means ourselves or each other, and gestern means yesterday. The perfect is formed with haben and gestritten; the Partizip II goes to the end, while the reflexive pronoun is accusative.
Er stritt lange mit seinem Bruder.
He argued with his brother for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and sein Bruder means his brother. Stritt is the strong-verb past form; mit seinem Bruder is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Streit nicht mit deiner Schwester!
Don’t argue with your sister!
deine Schwester means your sister. Streit is the informal du imperative, and mit deiner Schwester is dative because mit requires the dative; the subject du is left out.
Ich würde mich nicht über Kleinigkeiten streiten.
I wouldn’t argue about trivial things.
Kleinigkeiten means trivial or minor things, and nicht means not. Würde plus the infinitive streiten forms the second conditional; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun for ich.
Sie werden sich morgen wieder streiten.
They will argue again tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and wieder means again. Future I uses werden in position two and the infinitive streiten at the end; sich is the reflexive pronoun for sie.
streng — strict, severe
Streng can describe a person, rules, discipline, or standards. With a person it often means demanding rather than unkind.
Der Lehrer ist streng.
The teacher is strict.
der Lehrer means the teacher. Streng is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir müssen die strengen Regeln beachten.
We have to observe the strict rules.
die Regeln means the rules, and beachten means observe or follow. Strengen describes the accusative plural object Regeln, so it takes the ending -en; the modal verb müssen sends beachten to the end.
Meine neue Chefin ist strenger als die alte.
My new boss is stricter than the old one.
meine neue Chefin means my new female boss, and die alte means the old one. Strenger compares two people and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Unser Trainer ist am strengsten.
Our coach is the strictest.
unser Trainer means our coach. Am strengsten is the predicative superlative; am is part of the superlative form here, and the adjective does not take a separate noun ending.
stur — stubborn, obstinate
Stur is usually negative: it describes someone who will not listen or compromise. Do not confuse it with stark, which means strong.
Mein Bruder ist sehr stur.
My brother is very stubborn.
mein Bruder means my brother, and sehr means very. Stur is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist ein sturer Esel.
That is a stubborn donkey.
das means that, ein Esel means a donkey, and sturer means stubborn. The adjective sturer stands before the masculine noun Esel after ein, so it takes the ending -er.
Paul ist sturer als seine Schwester.
Paul is more stubborn than his sister.
seine Schwester means his sister, and als means than. Sturer is the comparative form and is predicative after ist; als introduces the second part of the comparison.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am stursten.
Of all the children, Mia is the most stubborn.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. Von takes the dative, so allen Kindern is dative plural; am stursten is the predicative superlative after ist.
sympathisch — likeable, pleasant
Sympathisch usually describes a person you like or find pleasant; it does not mean “sympathetic” in the sense of feeling pity. Its comparative and superlative are regular: sympathischer, am sympathischsten.
Der neue Nachbar ist sympathisch.
The new neighbour is likeable.
der neue Nachbar means the new neighbour. Sympathisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie hat einen sympathischen Hund.
She has a likeable dog.
einen Hund means a dog, and hat means has. Sympathischen describes Hund and takes -en because it is masculine accusative after einen; einen sympathischen Hund is the accusative object of hat.
Deine neue Kollegin ist sympathischer als die alte.
Your new colleague is more likeable than the old one.
deine neue Kollegin means your new female colleague, and die alte means the old one. The comparative sympathischer is predicative after ist and is followed by als; it has no ending here.
Von allen Gästen ist Maria am sympathischsten.
Of all the guests, Maria is the most likeable.
von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and Gäste means guests. Am sympathischsten is the predicative am-superlative after ist; the preposition von forces the dative plural Gästen.
der Teilnehmer — participant; attendee
Teilnehmer has the same visible form in singular and plural, so the article or another determiner is important: der Teilnehmer is one participant, while die Teilnehmer means participants. It can describe someone taking part in a course, event, meeting, or competition.
Der Teilnehmer wartet vor dem Saal.
The participant is waiting outside the hall.
wartet means is waiting, vor means in front of, and der Saal means the hall. Der Teilnehmer is nominative because it is the subject; vor dem Saal uses the dative for a fixed location, and wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Teilnehmer am Eingang.
I see the participant at the entrance.
sehe means see, der Eingang means the entrance, and am Eingang means at the entrance. den Teilnehmer is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; am Eingang is a dative location phrase.
Ich helfe dem Teilnehmer bei der Anmeldung.
I help the participant with the registration.
helfe means help, die Anmeldung means the registration, and bei means with or during. helfen requires a dative person, so dem Teilnehmer is dative; bei der Anmeldung is also dative because bei always takes the dative.
Die Frage des Teilnehmers ist wichtig.
The participant’s question is important.
die Frage means the question and wichtig means important. des Teilnehmers is genitive and shows possession; the whole phrase Die Frage des Teilnehmers is nominative, so the verb ist agrees with Frage, not with Teilnehmers.
Die Teilnehmer bekommen ihre Unterlagen.
The participants receive their documents.
bekommen means receive and ihre Unterlagen means their documents or materials. Die Teilnehmer is the plural nominative subject, while ihre Unterlagen is accusative because bekommen takes the thing received as its object.
die Teilnehmerin — female participant; female attendee
Teilnehmerin is the feminine form of Teilnehmer. Its plural is Teilnehmerinnen, with -innen added to the stem; in formal texts, Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer means female and male participants.
Die Teilnehmerin kommt aus Kanada.
The participant is from Canada.
kommt aus means comes from, and Kanada means Canada. Die Teilnehmerin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two, and aus Kanada is a phrase of origin.
Der Trainer begrüßt die Teilnehmerin.
The trainer welcomes the participant.
der Trainer means the trainer and begrüßt means welcomes. die Teilnehmerin is accusative because begrüßen takes an accusative object; Der Trainer is the nominative subject and begrüßt is in position two.
Wir danken der Teilnehmerin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the participant for her help.
danken means thank, für means for, and ihre Hilfe means her help. danken requires the dative, so der Teilnehmerin is dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Präsentation der Teilnehmerin war sehr interessant.
The participant’s presentation was very interesting.
die Präsentation means the presentation, war means was, and sehr interessant means very interesting. der Teilnehmerin is genitive and shows whose presentation it was; the full subject is Die Präsentation der Teilnehmerin, so war agrees with Präsentation.
Die Teilnehmerinnen sitzen in der ersten Reihe.
The female participants are sitting in the first row.
sitzen means are sitting, die erste Reihe means the first row, and in der ersten Reihe means in the first row. Die Teilnehmerinnen is plural nominative, while in der ersten Reihe uses the dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
der Tourist — tourist
Tourist is a weak masculine noun: use der Tourist only in the nominative singular, but den Touristen, dem Touristen, and des Touristen in the other singular cases. The plural is also Touristen.
Der Tourist fotografiert den Dom.
The tourist is photographing the cathedral.
fotografiert means is photographing, and der Dom is the cathedral. Der Tourist is nominative as the subject; den Dom is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object.
Ich sehe den Touristen am Eingang.
I see the tourist at the entrance.
sehe means see, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den Touristen is accusative after sehen; this weak masculine noun takes -en outside the nominative.
Wir helfen dem Touristen mit dem Stadtplan.
We help the tourist with the city map.
helfen means help, mit means with, and der Stadtplan is the city map. Dem Touristen is dative because helfen governs the dative, and the noun also has -en in this case.
Das Hotel des Touristen liegt am See.
The tourist’s hotel is by the lake.
das Hotel is the hotel, and liegt am See means is by the lake. Des Touristen is genitive to show possession; the weak noun has -en, while the masculine article is des.
Die Touristen warten vor dem Museum.
The tourists are waiting in front of the museum.
warten means wait, and vor dem Museum means in front of the museum. Touristen is plural and nominative as the subject; vor takes the dative here because it describes a location.
die Touristin — female tourist
Touristin is the feminine form of Tourist. Its plural is Touristinnen, formed with -innen, while the masculine plural is Touristen.
Die Touristin sucht den Weg zum Bahnhof.
The female tourist is looking for the way to the train station.
sucht means is looking for, and der Weg zum Bahnhof means the way to the train station. Die Touristin is nominative as the subject, while den Weg is accusative after suchen.
Wir treffen die Touristin vor dem Hotel.
We meet the female tourist in front of the hotel.
treffen means meet, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Die Touristin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Touristin eine Karte.
I give the female tourist a map.
gebe means give, and eine Karte is a map. Der Touristin is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while eine Karte is the accusative thing being given.
Die Tasche der Touristin ist schwer.
The female tourist’s bag is heavy.
die Tasche means the bag, and schwer means heavy. Der Touristin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Touristinnen besuchen gern kleine Dörfer.
Female tourists like visiting small villages.
besuchen means visit, gern means gladly or like to, and kleine Dörfer means small villages. Touristinnen is plural and nominative as the subject; the feminine ending changes from -in to -innen.
der Typ — guy, man; type; type, kind
In its common informal meaning, der Typ means a guy or man; it can also mean a type or kind. The plural is die Typen, not die Typs.
Der Typ neben mir ist sehr lustig.
The guy next to me is very funny.
neben mir means next to me, and lustig means funny. Der Typ is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Typ aus dem Fitnessstudio.
I know the guy from the gym.
kennen means to know, and das Fitnessstudio is a gym. Den Typ is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Ich habe dem Typ meinen Schlüssel gegeben.
I gave my key to the guy.
meinen Schlüssel means my key, and gegeben means given. Dem Typ is dative because geben takes the recipient in the dative; habe is in position two and gegeben goes to the end.
Das ist das Fahrrad des Typs von nebenan.
That is the guy from next door's bicycle.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and von nebenan means from next door. Des Typs is genitive because it shows possession; the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Typen warten vor dem Kino.
The guys are waiting outside the cinema.
warten means are waiting, and vor dem Kino means outside the cinema. Die Typen is plural, and vor takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Dieser Typ von Schuh ist sehr bequem.
This type of shoe is very comfortable.
dieser means this, Schuh means shoe, and bequem means comfortable. Dieser Typ is the subject, and the von phrase explains the category; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche einen anderen Typ von Tasche.
I am looking for a different type of bag.
suchen means to look for, anderen means different, and Tasche means bag. Einen anderen Typ is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche stands in position two.
unehrlich — dishonest, untruthful
unehrlich describes a person, statement, or action that is not truthful or fair. With zu, the phrase unehrlich zu jemandem sein means to be dishonest with someone; zu takes the dative.
Seine Antwort war unehrlich.
His answer was dishonest.
seine Antwort means his answer and war means was. The adjective follows war predicatively and has no ending; seine shows possession and agrees with feminine Antwort.
Er gab eine unehrliche Antwort.
He gave a dishonest answer.
geben means to give and eine Antwort means an answer. eine unehrliche Antwort is accusative because it is the thing given, and the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Seine Erklärung klingt unehrlicher als meine.
His explanation sounds more dishonest than mine.
die Erklärung means the explanation, klingen means to sound, and meine means mine. unehrlicher compares two explanations with als and follows klingt as a predicative adjective.
Das war die unehrlichste Antwort von allen.
That was the most dishonest answer of all.
die Antwort means the answer and von allen means of all of them. Before feminine die Antwort, the superlative takes the ending -ste; war is the finite verb in position two.
Ich finde seine Geschichte unehrlich.
I find his story dishonest.
die Geschichte means the story and finden means to find or consider. seine Geschichte is accusative after finde, while unehrlich is a predicative adjective after the object and has no ending.
Sie war unehrlich zu ihrer Freundin.
She was dishonest with her friend.
die Freundin means the female friend and ihrer means her. zu always takes the dative, so ihrer Freundin is dative; the adjective after war is predicative and has no ending.