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Vocab: School & study — A1 (1)
School & study vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Anfänger — beginner, novice
This masculine noun is a regular weakly ending-free noun: only the genitive singular adds -s, and the plural is also Anfänger. Its opposite is Profi, meaning professional or expert.
Der Anfänger lernt schnell.
The beginner is learning quickly.
lernt means is learning, and schnell means quickly. Der Anfänger is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb lernt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Anfänger.
I see the beginner.
sehe means see. den Anfänger is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; masculine der changes to den, while the noun itself does not change.
Ich helfe dem Anfänger.
I help the beginner.
helfe means help. helfen takes a dative person, so dem Anfänger is dative; masculine der changes to dem.
Das Buch des Anfängers liegt hier.
The beginner's book is here.
das Buch means the book, and liegt hier means is lying here. des Anfängers is genitive because it shows whose book it is; the subject Das Buch puts liegt in position two.
Anfänger brauchen Geduld.
Beginners need patience.
brauchen means need, and Geduld means patience. Anfänger is the plural subject and has no ending change; the plural verb brauchen stands in position two.
die Aufgabe — task, exercise, duty; responsibility, duty
At school, die Aufgabe usually means an exercise or task. In everyday life it can also mean a responsibility or duty, and context shows which meaning is intended.
Die Aufgabe ist leicht.
The exercise is easy.
leicht means easy. Die Aufgabe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mache die Aufgabe jetzt.
I am doing the task now.
jetzt means now and machen means do here. Die Aufgabe is accusative because machen takes a direct object; mache is the finite verb in position two.
Der Lehrer gibt den Schülern eine Aufgabe.
The teacher gives the pupils an exercise.
der Lehrer means the teacher and den Schülern means the pupils. Den Schülern is dative because they receive something, while eine Aufgabe is accusative as the thing given.
Die Lösung der Aufgabe steht im Buch.
The solution to the exercise is in the book.
die Lösung means the solution, steht means is located, and im Buch means in the book. Der Aufgabe is genitive because it specifies which solution; the subject Die Lösung puts steht in position two.
Wir haben heute drei Aufgaben.
We have three tasks today.
heute means today and drei means three. Aufgaben is plural and accusative because it is what we have; the perfect auxiliary haben is in position two and the participle gehabt is understood at the end.
Das ist eine wichtige Aufgabe.
That is an important responsibility.
wichtig means important and das means that here. Eine wichtige Aufgabe is nominative after sein in this sentence; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and the adjective takes the ending -e after eine.
Sie übernimmt die Aufgabe, das Team zu leiten.
She takes on the responsibility of leading the team.
übernimmt means takes on, das Team means the team, and zu leiten means to lead. Die Aufgabe is accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object; the infinitive phrase explains what the responsibility involves.
aufschreiben — to write down; to record, to note down
Aufschreiben means writing information down, usually so you can remember or use it later. The information written down is normally an accusative object.
Er schreibt die Telefonnummer auf.
He writes down the telephone number.
er means he, and die Telefonnummer is the telephone number. Die Telefonnummer is accusative because it is the direct object; schreibt is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Er hat die Telefonnummer aufgeschrieben.
He wrote down the telephone number.
er means he, and die Telefonnummer is the telephone number. The object is accusative, while aufgeschrieben is the Partizip II at the end with haben.
Er schrieb die Telefonnummer auf.
He wrote down the telephone number.
er means he, and die Telefonnummer is the telephone number. Schrieb is the strong past form, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Schreib bitte die Adresse auf.
Please write down the address.
bitte means please, and die Adresse is the address. The imperative schreib comes first and auf goes to the end; die Adresse is accusative.
Du würdest die Adresse aufschreiben.
You would write down the address.
du means you, and würdest expresses a hypothetical action. The infinitive aufschreiben stays together at the end after würdest, and die Adresse is accusative.
Du wirst die Adresse aufschreiben.
You will write down the address.
du means you, and wirst forms the future. The infinitive aufschreiben goes to the end as one word, and die Adresse is the accusative object.
Ich schreibe den Termin in meinen Kalender auf.
I write the appointment in my calendar.
der Termin means the appointment, and mein Kalender is my calendar. Den Termin is accusative because it is the thing recorded; in meinem Kalender is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
Die Schülerin hat die Hausaufgaben aufgeschrieben.
The schoolgirl wrote down the homework.
die Schülerin is the schoolgirl, and die Hausaufgaben means the homework. The homework is accusative, and aufgeschrieben is placed at the end with haben.
der Bleistift — pencil
Der Bleistift liegt auf dem Tisch.
The pencil is on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and der Tisch is the table. Der Bleistift is nominative because it is the subject, while auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location.
Ich brauche den Bleistift.
I need the pencil.
brauche means need. Den Bleistift is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich schreibe mit dem Bleistift.
I am writing with the pencil.
schreibe means write and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so masculine der Bleistift becomes dem Bleistift.
Die Spitze des Bleistifts ist abgebrochen.
The tip of the pencil has broken off.
die Spitze means the tip and abgebrochen means broken off. Des Bleistifts is genitive because it identifies whose tip it is; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Die Bleistifte liegen in der Schublade.
The pencils are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying and die Schublade means the drawer. Die Bleistifte is plural and the plural form adds -e; in der Schublade is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
das Buch — book
The plural of das Buch is irregular: Bücher has an umlaut and the ending -er. In the genitive, both des Buches and the shorter des Buchs are used.
Das Buch ist interessant.
The book is interesting.
interessant means interesting. Das Buch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese das Buch heute Abend.
I am reading the book this evening.
lese means read, and heute Abend means this evening. Das Buch is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Buch einen neuen Umschlag.
I give the book a new cover.
gebe means give, einen neuen Umschlag means a new cover, and neu means new. Dem Buch is dative because it receives the new cover, while einen neuen Umschlag is the accusative thing given.
Der Titel des Buches ist schwer zu verstehen.
The title of the book is difficult to understand.
der Titel means the title, and schwer zu verstehen means difficult to understand. Des Buches is genitive and means of the book; Buch adds -es, although des Buchs is also possible.
Im Regal stehen viele Bücher.
There are many books on the shelf.
im Regal means on the shelf, stehen means are standing, and viele means many. Bücher is the plural subject; im Regal is dative because in describes a fixed location.
der Deutschkurs — German course
This is a compound noun: Deutsch means German and Kurs means course. The final part determines the gender, so it is masculine like der Kurs.
Der Deutschkurs beginnt heute.
The German course starts today.
beginnt means starts and heute means today. Der Deutschkurs is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Deutschkurs am Abend.
I attend the German course in the evening.
besuche means attend or visit, and am Abend means in the evening. Den Deutschkurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; besuche stands in position two.
Ich gehe nach dem Deutschkurs nach Hause.
I go home after the German course.
gehe means go and nach Hause means home. Dem Deutschkurs is dative because nach meaning after forces the dative here; the finite verb gehe stands in position two.
Die Dauer des Deutschkurses beträgt zwölf Wochen.
The duration of the German course is twelve weeks.
die Dauer means duration, beträgt means amounts to, and zwölf Wochen means twelve weeks. Des Deutschkurses is genitive because it identifies which course has the duration; beträgt stands in position two.
Ab September beginnen neue Deutschkurse.
New German courses start in September.
ab September means from September, neue means new, and beginnen means start. Deutschkurse is plural and nominative because it is the subject; beginnen stands in position two.
das Diktat — dictation; dictate, imposed order
In school, ein Diktat is a listening-and-writing exercise. Do not confuse it with ein Text, which is simply a written text.
Das Diktat ist heute kurz.
The dictation is short today.
heute means today and kurz means short. Das Diktat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich schreibe das Diktat.
I am writing the dictation.
ich schreibe means I am writing. Das Diktat is accusative because schreiben takes the thing being written as its direct object; the finite verb schreibe stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin gibt den Schülern ein Diktat.
The teacher gives the pupils a dictation.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, gibt means gives, and den Schülern means the pupils. Den Schülern is dative as the recipients, while ein Diktat is accusative as the thing given.
Die Fehler des Diktats sind leicht zu finden.
The mistakes in the dictation are easy to find.
die Fehler means the mistakes, leicht means easy, and zu finden means to find. Des Diktats is genitive and shows which dictation the mistakes belong to; sind is in position two.
Die Diktate beginnen um acht Uhr.
The dictations begin at eight o’clock.
beginnen means begin and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Diktate is the plural subject, so the finite verb beginnen follows it in position two.
Wir machen jeden Freitag ein Diktat.
We do a dictation every Friday.
wir machen means we do and jeden Freitag means every Friday. Ein Diktat is accusative because machen takes it as its object, and machen is in position two.
Das Land steht unter dem Diktat einer fremden Macht.
The country is under the dictates of a foreign power.
das Land means the country, unter means under here, and eine fremde Macht means a foreign power. Unter dem Diktat is dative because unter describes a fixed situation, while einer fremden Macht is genitive and shows whose dictates these are.
Die Regierung folgt nicht dem Diktat des Marktes.
The government does not follow the dictates of the market.
die Regierung means the government, folgt means follows, nicht means not, and der Markt is the market. Dem Diktat is dative because folgen takes a dative object; des Marktes is genitive and identifies the source of the rule.
Englisch — English
This entry is the adjective meaning English; the language noun is das Englisch, not this adjective. In normal German spelling the adjective is englisch with a lower-case initial unless it begins a sentence. Comparison is possible when something is more or less characteristic of England or English culture.
Ich lese ein englisches Buch.
I am reading an English book.
lese means am reading, and ein Buch is a book. Englisches describes the neuter noun Buch and takes -es after ein; ein englisches Buch is accusative because it is the object of lese.
Sie lernt englische Grammatik.
She is learning English grammar.
lernt means is learning, and Grammatik means grammar. Englische stands before the feminine accusative noun Grammatik and takes -e after the zero article; the adjective itself is normally lower-case in ordinary writing.
Dieser Text klingt englischer als der vorige.
This text sounds more English than the previous one.
dieser Text means this text, klingt means sounds, and der vorige means the previous one. Englischer is the comparative of englisch and stands after klingen as a predicative adjective; als introduces the comparison.
Sein Akzent klingt am englischsten.
His accent sounds the most English.
sein Akzent means his accent, and klingt means sounds. Am englischsten is the predicative superlative after klingen; it uses am plus -sten, while a form before a noun would need an ending such as der englischste.
der Englischlehrer — English teacher
This compound means a male teacher of English: Englisch plus Lehrer. The feminine form is Englischlehrerin, and the plural of this masculine noun has no ending: die Englischlehrer.
Der Englischlehrer erklärt die Grammatik.
The English teacher explains the grammar.
erklärt means explains and die Grammatik means the grammar. Der Englischlehrer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Englischlehrer jeden Montag.
I see the English teacher every Monday.
sehe means see, and jeden Montag means every Monday. den Englischlehrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; only the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Englischlehrer meine Hausaufgaben.
I give my homework to the English teacher.
gebe means give and meine Hausaufgaben means my homework. dem Englischlehrer is dative because he receives something, while meine Hausaufgaben is the accusative thing being given.
Das Auto des Englischlehrers steht vor der Schule.
The English teacher's car is in front of the school.
das Auto means the car and vor der Schule means in front of the school. des Englischlehrers is genitive because it shows the owner, and the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Englischlehrer treffen sich heute.
The English teachers are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet, and heute means today. Die Englischlehrer is plural; this noun keeps the same ending in the plural, and sich is the reflexive pronoun.
die Erdkunde — geography
Die Erdkunde is the school subject geography and is normally a singular-only noun. The more general academic term is die Geografie.
Erdkunde ist mein Lieblingsfach.
Geography is my favourite subject.
mein Lieblingsfach means my favourite subject. Erdkunde is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; this subject name is normally used without an article.
Ich mag Erdkunde.
I like geography.
mag means like. Erdkunde is the accusative object of mag, but this uncountable school subject usually has no visible article or ending.
In der Erdkunde lernen wir viel über Länder.
In geography we learn a lot about countries.
lernen means learn, viel means a lot, and Länder means countries. In der Erdkunde refers to the school subject, and in takes the dative here; über Länder means about countries.
Die Themen der Erdkunde sind interessant.
The topics of geography are interesting.
die Themen means the topics and interessant means interesting. Der Erdkunde is genitive because it means “of geography”; the feminine genitive article is der.
der Farbstift — colored pencil
This compound means a pencil (der Stift) with colored material (Farbe) for drawing or coloring.
Der Farbstift liegt auf dem Tisch.
The colored pencil is on the table.
liegt means “is lying,” and auf dem Tisch means “on the table.” Der Farbstift is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Farbstift aus der Schachtel.
I take the colored pencil out of the box.
nehme means “take,” aus means “out of,” and die Schachtel is a box. Den Farbstift is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; aus der Schachtel is dative after aus.
Ich male mit dem Farbstift.
I draw with the colored pencil.
male means “draw” or “color,” and mit means “with.” Dem Farbstift is dative because mit always requires the dative; the finite verb male is in position two.
Die Spitze des Farbstifts ist abgebrochen.
The tip of the colored pencil is broken off.
die Spitze is the tip, and abgebrochen means broken off. Des Farbstifts is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the colored pencil”; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Farbstifte liegen in der Schublade.
The colored pencils are in the drawer.
liegen means “are lying,” and die Schublade is the drawer. Die Farbstifte is plural nominative as the subject; the plural is formed with -e and an umlaut.
die Fremdsprache — foreign language
Die Fremdsprache means a language that is not one's native language. Its plural is Fremdsprachen; do not confuse it with Muttersprache, which means native language.
Die Fremdsprache ist interessant.
The foreign language is interesting.
interessant means interesting. Die Fremdsprache is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lerne die Fremdsprache.
I am learning the foreign language.
lernen means to learn. Die Fremdsprache is accusative because lernen takes a direct object; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich spreche in der Fremdsprache.
I speak in the foreign language.
sprechen means to speak, and in means in. Here in der Fremdsprache describes the language used, not movement, so in takes the dative.
Die Grammatik der Fremdsprache ist schwierig.
The grammar of the foreign language is difficult.
die Grammatik is the grammar and schwierig means difficult. Der Fremdsprache is genitive because it identifies whose grammar is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Fremdsprachen öffnen viele Türen.
Foreign languages open many doors.
öffnen means to open, viele means many, and Türen are doors. Fremdsprachen is plural and nominative as the subject, while viele Türen is accusative as the object.
Sie spricht drei Fremdsprachen.
She speaks three foreign languages.
drei means three and sprechen means to speak. Drei Fremdsprachen is an accusative object after spricht; after a number, the plural noun has no article.
der Füller — fountain pen
In everyday German, der Füller normally means a fountain pen, especially one used at school. The plural is die Füller, with no ending change.
Der Füller liegt auf dem Tisch.
The fountain pen is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Der Füller is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich suche den Füller.
I am looking for the fountain pen.
suche means “am looking for”. Den Füller is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Ich schreibe mit dem Füller.
I write with the fountain pen.
schreibe means “write”, and mit means “with”. Dem Füller is dative because mit always takes the dative; the noun keeps the same form, but the article changes from der to dem.
Die Kappe des Füllers ist blau.
The cap of the fountain pen is blue.
die Kappe is “the cap”, and blau means “blue”. Des Füllers is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s and follows des.
Die Kinder benutzen die Füller.
The children use the fountain pens.
die Kinder means “the children”, and benutzen means “use”. Die Füller is plural and accusative because benutzen takes an accusative object; the plural has no ending change, so the article die carries the number.
die Grundschule — primary school, elementary school
In Germany, die Grundschule normally covers the first four school years, although this can differ by federal state. It is not the same as die Gesamtschule, a later comprehensive school.
Die Grundschule beginnt für viele Kinder mit sechs Jahren.
Primary school begins for many children at the age of six.
beginnt means begins, viele Kinder means many children, and mit sechs Jahren means at the age of six. Die Grundschule is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Meine Tochter besucht die Grundschule.
My daughter attends primary school.
meine Tochter means my daughter, and besucht means attends or visits. Die Grundschule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besucht stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin hilft der Grundschule bei einem Projekt.
The teacher helps the primary school with a project.
die Lehrerin means female teacher, hilft means helps, and ein Projekt means a project. Der Grundschule is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the phrase bei einem Projekt also contains dative after bei.
Der Spielplatz der Grundschule ist klein.
The primary school's playground is small.
der Spielplatz means playground, and klein means small. Der Grundschule is genitive because it shows which school the playground belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Grundschulen.
There are three primary schools in our town.
unsere Stadt means our town, and drei means three. Grundschulen is the plural after drei; es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural article is not shown here.
das Gymnasium — academic secondary school, grammar school
In Germany, das Gymnasium is a type of secondary school, not normally a sports centre. Pupils usually work toward das Abitur, the qualification that allows university study; regional school systems can differ.
Das Gymnasium beginnt um acht Uhr.
The secondary school starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Das Gymnasium is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Meine Tochter besucht das Gymnasium.
My daughter attends the academic secondary school.
meine Tochter means my daughter, and besucht means attends. Das Gymnasium is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Nach der Grundschule geht er auf das Gymnasium.
After primary school, he goes to the academic secondary school.
nach der Grundschule means after primary school, and geht means goes. Auf das Gymnasium is accusative because gehen auf expresses a change of place or direction; auf takes dative for location but accusative for movement toward a place.
Die Bibliothek des Gymnasiums ist sehr modern.
The secondary school’s library is very modern.
die Bibliothek means the library, and sehr modern means very modern. Des Gymnasiums is genitive because it shows which school the library belongs to; the neuter noun takes -s.
In Berlin gibt es viele Gymnasien.
There are many academic secondary schools in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, and gibt es means there are. Viele Gymnasien is plural after viele, and the plural ending is -ien, not -e.
die Hausaufgabe — homework assignment
In everyday German, Hausaufgaben is often used in the plural for homework in general, even when English uses the uncountable word “homework.”
Die Hausaufgabe ist heute leicht.
The homework assignment is easy today.
heute means today, and leicht means easy. Die Hausaufgabe is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mache die Hausaufgabe nach dem Essen.
I do the homework assignment after eating.
mache means do, nach dem Essen means after eating, and Essen is eating or a meal. Die Hausaufgabe is accusative because machen takes a direct object, while nach takes the dative in dem Essen.
Der Lehrer hilft mir bei der Hausaufgabe.
The teacher helps me with the homework assignment.
der Lehrer is the teacher and hilft means helps. Mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and bei also forces the dative in der Hausaufgabe.
Die Lösung der Hausaufgabe steht im Heft.
The solution to the homework assignment is in the notebook.
die Lösung means the solution, steht means is written or stands, and das Heft is the notebook. Der Hausaufgabe is genitive because it identifies whose solution it is; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Heute sind viele Hausaufgaben zu erledigen.
Today there are many homework assignments to complete.
viele means many, and zu erledigen means to complete. Hausaufgaben is plural after viele; zu erledigen comes at the end as an infinitive phrase.
das Heft — notebook, exercise book; booklet; booklet, magazine issue
das Heft most often means a school notebook or exercise book; it can also mean a thin booklet or magazine issue. The plural is die Hefte.
Das Heft liegt auf dem Tisch.
The notebook is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf means on, and der Tisch is the table. Das Heft is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das Heft.
I am buying the notebook.
ich kaufe means I am buying. das Heft is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article is still das in the accusative.
Ich schreibe in dem Heft.
I am writing in the notebook.
schreibe means write and in means in. Here in describes a fixed location, so it takes the dative: dem Heft, not das Heft.
Der Name des Heftes steht auf dem Umschlag.
The name of the notebook is on the cover.
der Name is the name, steht means is written or stands, and der Umschlag is the cover. des Heftes is genitive to show possession, while auf dem Umschlag is dative because it describes a location.
Die Hefte liegen im Rucksack.
The notebooks are in the backpack.
liegen means are lying, im Rucksack means in the backpack, and der Rucksack is a backpack. Hefte is the plural subject, while im is short for in dem and marks a location with the dative.
Das nächste Heft erscheint im Mai.
The next issue comes out in May.
nächste means next and erscheint means is published or comes out; im Mai means in May. Das nächste Heft is the nominative subject, and the finite verb erscheint stands in position two.
Ich lese ein Heft über Reisen.
I am reading a magazine issue about travel.
lese means am reading, über means about, and Reisen means travelling or travel. ein Heft is accusative because it is the object of lesen; über Reisen gives the subject of the issue.
das Kapitel — chapter
A Kapitel is a section of a book, report, or other long text. The plural is Kapitel with no ending, while the genitive singular is des Kapitels.
Das Kapitel ist sehr kurz.
The chapter is very short.
sehr kurz means “very short”. Das Kapitel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese das Kapitel heute.
I am reading the chapter today.
ich lese means “I am reading”, and heute means “today”. Das Kapitel is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Nach dem Kapitel mache ich eine Pause.
After the chapter, I take a break.
nach means “after”, mache ich eine Pause means “I take a break”, and Pause is a break. The preposition nach always takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Kapitel; because the prepositional phrase comes first, mache still occupies position two.
Der Titel des Kapitels ist interessant.
The title of the chapter is interesting.
der Titel means “the title”, and interessant means “interesting”. Des Kapitels is genitive because it shows that the title belongs to the chapter; Kapitel adds -s in this form.
Die Kapitel sind unterschiedlich lang.
The chapters are different lengths.
sind means “are”, and unterschiedlich lang means “of different lengths”. Die Kapitel is the plural subject; the noun stays unchanged, so only die and the plural verb sind show the number.
der Kindergarten — kindergarten, preschool
In Germany, a Kindergarten is usually for children before they start school. It is not normally the same as the first years of primary school.
Der Kindergarten beginnt um acht Uhr.
Kindergarten starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Kindergarten is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Meine Tochter besucht den Kindergarten.
My daughter attends kindergarten.
Meine Tochter means my daughter, and besucht means attends. Den Kindergarten is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besucht stands in position two.
Die Kinder sind im Kindergarten.
The children are in kindergarten.
Die Kinder means the children, and sind means are. Im Kindergarten means in the kindergarten; in takes the dative for a location, and sind stands in position two.
Die Leiterin des Kindergartens begrüßt die Eltern.
The kindergarten director greets the parents.
Die Leiterin means the female director, begrüßt means greets, and die Eltern means the parents. Des Kindergartens is genitive because it identifies the director's institution; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two.
In unserer Stadt gibt es viele Kindergärten.
There are many kindergartens in our city.
In unserer Stadt means in our city, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Kindergärten is plural after es gibt, which takes an accusative object; the phrase gibt es has the finite verb in position two.
die Klasse — class, school class; category, class; class, category or service level
In school contexts, die Klasse usually means a group of pupils or the room they use. It can also mean a category or social class; do not confuse this noun with the lowercase adjective klasse, meaning great.
Die Klasse beginnt um acht Uhr.
The class starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt um acht Uhr means starts at eight o’clock. Die Klasse is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Klasse im Flur.
I see the class in the corridor.
ich sehe means I see, im Flur means in the corridor. die Klasse is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Lehrerin spricht mit der Klasse.
The teacher speaks with the class.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher and spricht means speaks. mit always takes the dative, so der Klasse is dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Regeln der Klasse sind einfach.
The class’s rules are simple.
die Regeln means the rules and einfach means simple. der Klasse is genitive because it shows whose rules they are; the feminine noun stays unchanged while the article marks the case.
Unsere Schule hat zwölf Klassen.
Our school has twelve classes.
unsere Schule means our school and zwölf means twelve. Klassen is the plural accusative object of hat; the plural is formed with -n, and zwölf does not change the noun’s ending.
Wir fahren in der ersten Klasse.
We are travelling first class.
wir fahren means we are travelling, and ersten means first. in der ersten Klasse describes location or status and therefore uses dative; der ersten has the feminine dative adjective ending -en.
Dieses Hotel hat nur zwei Klassen.
This hotel has only two categories.
dieses Hotel means this hotel and nur zwei means only two. zwei Klassen is the plural accusative object of hat; here Klassen means categories or levels, not school groups.
das Klassenzimmer — classroom
A Klassenzimmer is the room where one school class has lessons. The compound combines Klasse, class, and Zimmer, room; its plural is unchanged: die Klassenzimmer.
Das Klassenzimmer ist hell.
The classroom is bright.
hell means bright. Das Klassenzimmer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder betreten das Klassenzimmer.
The children enter the classroom.
die Kinder are the children, and betreten means enter. Das Klassenzimmer is accusative because betreten takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, das stays the same in nominative and accusative.
Im Klassenzimmer stehen viele Tische.
There are many tables in the classroom.
im means in the and viele Tische means many tables. Im Klassenzimmer is dative because in describes a fixed location here, while the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Die Tür des Klassenzimmers ist offen.
The classroom door is open.
die Tür is the door and offen means open. Des Klassenzimmers is genitive because it identifies which door; the neuter noun adds -s and uses des.
Die Klassenzimmer sind heute leer.
The classrooms are empty today.
heute means today and leer means empty. Klassenzimmer is plural with no ending change, and the plural verb sind shows that several classrooms are meant.
die Kreide — chalk; chalk for writing or drawing
Kreide is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural when referring to the substance. For individual pieces, speakers can say ein Stück Kreide or Kreidestücke.
Die Kreide liegt neben der Tafel.
The chalk is lying next to the board.
liegen means to lie or be located, and die Tafel is the board. Die Kreide is nominative because it is the subject, and neben der Tafel gives a location, so neben takes the dative here.
Die Lehrerin nimmt die Kreide.
The teacher takes the chalk.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, and nehmen means to take. Die Kreide is accusative because it is the direct object of nimmt; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Kind schreibt mit der Kreide.
The child writes with the chalk.
das Kind is the child, and schreiben means to write. Der Kreide is dative because mit always takes the dative; schreibt is in position two.
Die Farbe der Kreide ist weiß.
The colour of the chalk is white.
die Farbe is the colour, and weiß means white. Der Kreide is genitive because it tells us whose colour is meant; the feminine noun has no extra genitive ending.
Ich brauche Kreide für die Tafel.
I need chalk for the board.
brauchen means to need, and für die Tafel means for the board. Kreide is an uncountable accusative object here, and für takes the accusative.
Die Kinder malen mit Kreide auf dem Gehweg.
The children draw with chalk on the pavement.
die Kinder are the children, malen means to draw, and der Gehweg is the pavement. Mit Kreide uses the dative after mit, while auf dem Gehweg describes a location and also uses the dative.
der Kugelschreiber — ballpoint pen
This compound combines Kugel (ball) and Schreiber (writer or writing instrument), but its normal meaning is simply ballpoint pen.
Der Kugelschreiber liegt neben dem Heft.
The ballpoint pen is lying next to the notebook.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and das Heft is the notebook. Der Kugelschreiber is nominative because it is the subject; dem Heft is dative because neben describes a location here.
Ich brauche einen Kugelschreiber.
I need a ballpoint pen.
brauche means need and einen means a in the masculine accusative. einen Kugelschreiber is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich schreibe mit dem Kugelschreiber.
I write with the ballpoint pen.
schreibe means write and mit means with. dem Kugelschreiber is dative because mit always requires the dative; the preposition comes directly before the noun phrase.
Die Mine des Kugelschreibers ist leer.
The refill of the ballpoint pen is empty.
die Mine is the refill and leer means empty. des Kugelschreibers is genitive because it shows which pen the refill belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Die Kugelschreiber sind in der Schublade.
The ballpoint pens are in the drawer.
sind means are, in means in, and die Schublade is the drawer. Kugelschreiber has the same form in singular and plural, so the article die and the plural verb sind identify the plural.
der Kurs — course, class; rate, quoted value
For a series of lessons, der Kurs usually means course or class. It is different from die Klasse, which can mean a school class.
Der Kurs beginnt heute.
The course starts today.
beginnt means starts and heute means today. Der Kurs is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich besuche den Kurs zweimal pro Woche.
I attend the course twice a week.
besuche means attend and zweimal pro Woche means twice a week. Den Kurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; besuche is in position two.
Wir sprechen nach dem Kurs.
We talk after the course.
sprechen means talk and nach means after. Dem Kurs is dative because nach requires the dative; sprechen is in position two.
Die Dauer des Kurses beträgt zehn Wochen.
The course lasts ten weeks.
die Dauer means duration, beträgt means amounts to, and zehn Wochen means ten weeks. Des Kurses is genitive because it identifies the course; beträgt is in position two.
An unserer Schule gibt es drei Kurse.
There are three courses at our school.
unserer Schule means our school and gibt es means there is or there are. Kurse is the plural form after es gibt; the plural has -e and an umlaut, not -n.
Der Kurs des Euro steigt.
The euro exchange rate is rising.
des Euro means of the euro and steigt means rises. Der Kurs is nominative as the subject; des Euro is genitive, and steigt is in position two.
Der aktuelle Kurs liegt bei 1,10 Dollar.
The current rate is 1.10 dollars.
aktuelle means current, liegt bei means stands at, and Dollar means dollars. Der Kurs is nominative as the subject; liegt is in position two.
das Kursbuch — coursebook, textbook
Das Kursbuch is a compound of Kurs and Buch. The final part Buch determines the neuter gender and plural pattern.
Das Kursbuch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The coursebook is on the table.
liegt means is located and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Kursbuch is nominative as the subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a location.
Ich kaufe das Kursbuch.
I am buying the coursebook.
kaufe means buy. Das Kursbuch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir arbeiten mit dem Kursbuch.
We work with the coursebook.
arbeiten means work and mit means with. Dem Kursbuch is dative because mit always requires the dative.
Die Seiten des Kursbuchs sind bunt.
The pages of the coursebook are colourful.
die Seiten means the pages and bunt means colourful. Des Kursbuchs is genitive to show possession; sind agrees with the plural subject die Seiten.
Die Kursbücher sind teuer.
The coursebooks are expensive.
teuer means expensive. Kursbücher is the nominative plural subject; its plural is made with -er and an umlaut.
Das Kursbuch ist neu.
The coursebook is new.
neu means new. Das Kursbuch is nominative as the subject, and the adjective after ist has no ending.
Kannst du das Kursbuch öffnen?
Can you open the coursebook?
kannst du means can you and öffnen means open. Das Kursbuch is accusative as the object; after kannst, the infinitive öffnen goes to the end.
der Lehrer — teacher (male)
The feminine equivalent is die Lehrerin; der Lehrer normally refers specifically to a male teacher. The plural die Lehrer can also refer to a mixed group in general German.
Der Lehrer kommt pünktlich.
The teacher arrives on time.
pünktlich means on time. Der Lehrer is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Lehrer im Flur.
I see the teacher in the corridor.
sehen means to see, and der Flur is the corridor. Den Lehrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich danke dem Lehrer für seine Hilfe.
I thank the teacher for his help.
danken means to thank, für means for, and seine Hilfe means his help. Dem Lehrer is dative because danken requires a dative object; für seine Hilfe is accusative after für.
Das Auto des Lehrers steht vor der Schule.
The teacher’s car is outside the school.
das Auto means car, steht means is standing, and vor der Schule means outside the school. Des Lehrers is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Lehrer planen eine Konferenz.
The teachers are planning a conference.
planen means to plan, and eine Konferenz is a conference. Die Lehrer is the plural subject; this plural has no ending, and planen stands in position two.
die Lehrerin — female teacher
Die Lehrerin specifically means a female teacher. Its plural is die Lehrerinnen, with doubled n before the plural ending.
Die Lehrerin erklärt die Grammatik.
The teacher explains the grammar.
erklären means to explain, and die Grammatik is grammar. Die Lehrerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Lehrerin heute.
We are visiting the teacher today.
besuchen means to visit, and heute means today. Die Lehrerin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Lehrerin das Buch.
I give the book to the teacher.
geben means to give, and das Buch is the book. Der Lehrerin is dative because it names the recipient, while das Buch is the accusative thing given.
Der Name der Lehrerin steht an der Tafel.
The teacher’s name is on the board.
der Name means the name, and die Tafel is the board. Der Lehrerin is genitive because it shows whose name it is; the feminine genitive has the same form as the nominative article.
Die Lehrerinnen arbeiten zusammen.
The female teachers work together.
zusammenarbeiten means to work together. Die Lehrerinnen is the plural subject, formed with -innen from Lehrerin, and arbeiten stands in position two.
lernen — to learn, to study
lernen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It can take an accusative object for the subject or skill studied, as in Deutsch lernen.
Ich lerne jeden Abend Deutsch.
I study German every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and Deutsch is German. Deutsch is an accusative object because lernen can take the subject being studied, and the finite verb lerne stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern neue Wörter gelernt.
We learned new words yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and neue Wörter means new words. The perfect uses haben plus gelernt at the end of the clause; neue Wörter is accusative because it is what we learned.
Sie lernte schnell lesen.
She quickly learned to read.
schnell means quickly and lesen means to read. Lernte is the simple past of this regular verb and stands in position two; the infinitive lesen stays at the end after the learning verb.
Lern die neuen Wörter!
Learn the new words!
die neuen Wörter means the new words. Lern is the informal singular imperative of lernen; the subject du is left out, and the object is accusative.
Ich würde gern mehr über deutsche Geschichte lernen.
I would like to learn more about German history.
gern means gladly or would like to, mehr means more, and deutsche Geschichte means German history. The polite unreal or tentative form uses würde with the infinitive lernen at the end; über takes the accusative here because it means about a topic.
Morgen werde ich für den Test lernen.
Tomorrow I will study for the test.
morgen means tomorrow and der Test is the test. Future tense uses werde in position two and lernen at the end; für always takes the accusative, so den Test is accusative.
das Lieblingsfach — favorite school subject
The compound combines Lieblings-, meaning favorite, with Fach, meaning school subject. It is neuter because the final noun Fach is neuter.
Das Lieblingsfach ist Sport.
The favorite subject is PE.
Sport means PE or sport. Das Lieblingsfach is nominative because it is the subject; after ist, Sport is the predicate noun.
Ich mag das Lieblingsfach sehr.
I like the favorite subject very much.
mag means like, and sehr means very much. Das Lieblingsfach is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in the accusative.
Wir sprechen mit dem Lieblingsfach als Thema.
We talk with the favorite subject as the topic.
sprechen means talk, and als Thema means as the topic. Dem Lieblingsfach is dative because mit always takes the dative; mit does not take the accusative.
Die Note des Lieblingsfachs ist sehr gut.
The grade in the favorite subject is very good.
Die Note means the grade, and sehr gut means very good. Des Lieblingsfachs is genitive because it identifies the subject connected with the grade; neuter genitive uses des and usually -s.
Die Lieblingsfächer der Schüler sind Mathe und Kunst.
The students' favorite subjects are maths and art.
der Schüler means of the students, and Mathe und Kunst mean maths and art. Die Lieblingsfächer is plural; Fach changes to Fächer, with an umlaut and -er.
Mein Lieblingsfach ist das Lieblingsfach meiner besten Freundin.
My favorite subject is my best friend's favorite subject.
mein means my, and meiner besten Freundin means my best female friend's. The second das Lieblingsfach is a predicate noun after ist, while meiner besten Freundin expresses possession.
das Lineal — ruler
das Lineal is the straight tool used for measuring or drawing lines. The related word die Linie means line; do not confuse the two.
Das Lineal liegt auf dem Tisch.
The ruler is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and der Tisch is the table. Das Lineal is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative after auf because it describes a fixed location.
Ich brauche das Lineal.
I need the ruler.
ich brauche means I need. das Lineal is accusative because it is the direct object of brauche; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich zeichne mit dem Lineal eine Linie.
I draw a line with the ruler.
ich zeichne means I draw, and eine Linie is a line. dem Lineal is dative because mit always takes dative; eine Linie is accusative as the object of zeichne.
Die Länge des Lineals beträgt dreißig Zentimeter.
The ruler’s length is thirty centimetres.
die Länge is the length, beträgt means measures or amounts to, and dreißig Zentimeter means thirty centimetres. des Lineals is genitive because it shows which ruler the length belongs to; the neuter noun takes -s.
Die Kinder haben zwei Lineale.
The children have two rulers.
die Kinder are the children and zwei means two. Lineale is the plural of Lineal; it is accusative after haben, although the plural article is omitted after the number.
die Mappe — folder, portfolio; portfolio, collection folder
Die Mappe is used for a folder that can hold papers or artwork; it is not normally the word for a small school exercise book, which is das Heft.
Die Mappe ist auf dem Tisch.
The folder is on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Mappe is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Mappe.
I need the folder.
brauchen means to need. Die Mappe is accusative because it is the direct object of brauche; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Ich gebe der Lehrerin die Mappe.
I give the teacher the folder.
geben means to give and die Lehrerin means the female teacher. Der Lehrerin is dative as the recipient, while die Mappe is accusative as the thing given.
Der Inhalt der Mappe ist wichtig.
The contents of the folder are important.
der Inhalt means the contents and wichtig means important. Der Mappe is genitive because it identifies whose contents they are; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Sekretärin sortiert die Mappen.
The secretary sorts the folders.
die Sekretärin means the secretary and sortieren means to sort. Die Mappen is accusative plural because it is the object; the plural adds -n to Mappe.
Sie bringt eine Bewerbungsmappe zum Gespräch mit.
She brings an application portfolio to the interview.
Bewerbung means application, Gespräch means interview, and mitbringen means to bring along. Eine Bewerbungsmappe is accusative after bringt; the separable verb has mit at the end.
In seiner Mappe liegen wichtige Zeugnisse.
Important certificates are in his portfolio.
in seiner Mappe means in his portfolio, liegen means lie or be located, wichtig means important, and Zeugnisse means certificates. In takes the dative for location, and the plural subject wichtige Zeugnisse comes after the verb.
die Mathematik — mathematics; maths
Mathematik is normally a singular-only subject name, so it has no ordinary plural. In everyday school speech, Mathe is the shorter informal word for Mathematik.
Die Mathematik ist mein Lieblingsfach.
Mathematics is my favourite subject.
mein Lieblingsfach means my favourite subject. Die Mathematik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag die Mathematik sehr.
I like mathematics very much.
mag means like, and sehr means very much. Die Mathematik is accusative because mögen takes an accusative object; the finite verb mag is in position two.
Mit der Mathematik kann man viele Probleme lösen.
With mathematics, you can solve many problems.
mit means with, viele Probleme means many problems, and lösen means solve. Der Mathematik is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and lösen goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Geschichte der Mathematik ist spannend.
The history of mathematics is fascinating.
die Geschichte means the history, and spannend means fascinating. Der Mathematik is genitive because it tells us whose history is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
mitschreiben — to write along, to take notes
mitschreiben usually means writing notes while listening, especially in class or at a meeting. It is separable; the thing written down is an accusative object.
Die Studentin schreibt im Unterricht mit.
The student takes notes in class.
die Studentin means the female student, and der Unterricht means class or lessons. im Unterricht is dative because in describes the setting here; schreibt is in position two and mit goes to the end.
Ich habe die Adresse mitgeschrieben.
I wrote down the address.
die Adresse means the address. It is accusative because it is what was written down; the perfect uses haben, with mitgeschrieben at the end.
Er schrieb alle wichtigen Wörter mit.
He wrote down all the important words.
alle wichtigen Wörter means all the important words. This phrase is accusative as the object of mitschreiben; schrieb is in position two and mit is separated at the end.
Schreib die Telefonnummer mit!
Write down the telephone number!
die Telefonnummer means the telephone number. This is the du imperative, with the accusative object in the middle and the prefix mit at the end.
Du solltest die neuen Wörter mitschreiben.
You should write down the new words.
solltest means should, and die neuen Wörter means the new words. After the modal verb solltest, the infinitive mitschreiben goes to the end as one word; the object is accusative.
Im Kurs schreibt sie die wichtigsten Punkte mit.
In the course, she will write down the most important points.
der Kurs means the course, and die wichtigsten Punkte means the most important points. The present tense can describe a planned future; im Kurs is dative, schreibt is in position two, and mit is final.
die Note — grade, mark; musical note; banknote; musical note
The meaning depends on context: die Note can be a school grade, a musical note, or a banknote. In music, it is often used with spielen, singen, or lesen.
Die Note ist sehr gut.
The grade is very good.
sehr gut means very good. Die Note is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich bekomme eine gute Note.
I get a good grade.
bekommen means to get, and gute means good. Eine gute Note is accusative because it is the object of bekommen; the feminine adjective ending is -e after eine.
Meine Mutter hilft mir bei der Note.
My mother helps me with the grade.
meine Mutter is my mother, and hilft means helps. Mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and bei der Note is also dative because bei requires the dative.
Die Bedeutung der Note ist unklar.
The meaning of the grade is unclear.
die Bedeutung is the meaning, and unklar means unclear. Der Note is genitive to show which meaning is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Schüler vergleichen ihre Noten.
The pupils compare their grades.
die Schüler are the pupils, vergleichen means compare, and ihre means their. Noten is plural and accusative because it is the object of vergleichen; the plural form ends in -n.
Welche Note hast du in Mathe?
What grade did you get in maths?
welche means which, hast du means have you, and Mathe means maths. Welche Note is accusative because it is the object of haben; the question word comes first and the finite verb hast stays in position two.
Sie singt eine hohe Note.
She sings a high note.
singt means sings, and hohe means high. Eine hohe Note is accusative because it is the object of singen; the adjective has the feminine accusative ending -e.
Die Noten liegen auf dem Klavier.
The sheet music is lying on the piano.
liegen means are lying, and auf dem Klavier means on the piano. Noten is plural and nominative as the subject; auf dem Klavier is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Punkt — point, dot; full stop; point, score
For a punctuation mark, der Punkt means a full stop; in an argument, it can mean a point. The plural Punkte is regular.
Der Punkt am Ende des Satzes ist wichtig.
The full stop at the end of the sentence is important.
am Ende des Satzes means “at the end of the sentence”, and wichtig means important. Der Punkt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Setz bitte einen Punkt hier.
Please put a full stop here.
setz means put or place, bitte means please, and hier means here. Einen Punkt is accusative because setzen takes a direct object; the imperative setz comes first.
Ich gebe dem Punkt eine neue Farbe.
I am giving the dot a new colour.
gebe means give, eine neue Farbe means a new colour, and neu means new. Dem Punkt is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while eine neue Farbe is accusative as the thing given.
Die Bedeutung des Punktes ist nicht klar.
The meaning of the point is not clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and klar means clear. Des Punktes is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is being discussed; the noun takes -es in this formal genitive phrase.
Auf der Karte sind drei Punkte.
There are three dots on the map.
auf der Karte means on the map, and drei means three. Punkte is plural after drei; auf takes the dative here because the dots are in a fixed location, not moving onto the map.
Der Punkt ist noch nicht erreicht.
The point has not yet been reached.
noch nicht means not yet, and erreicht means reached. Der Punkt is nominative as the subject of the passive sentence, and ist erreicht forms the present passive state.
Unsere Mannschaft hat einen Punkt gewonnen.
Our team won one point.
unsere Mannschaft means our team and gewonnen means won. Einen Punkt is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; hat gewonnen is the perfect tense.
Mit diesem Sieg bekommen wir drei Punkte.
With this victory we get three points.
mit diesem Sieg means with this victory, and bekommen means get or receive. Mit always takes the dative, while drei Punkte is accusative as the thing received.
der Radiergummi — eraser
Der Radiergummi is an eraser, especially one used with a pencil. It is a masculine noun with the regular plural die Radiergummis.
Der Radiergummi liegt auf dem Tisch.
The eraser is on the table.
liegt means lies or is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Radiergummi is nominative as the subject; auf takes the dative here because the eraser is in a fixed position.
Ich brauche einen Radiergummi.
I need an eraser.
brauchen means to need, and einen means an in the masculine accusative. Einen Radiergummi is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; brauche is in position two.
Ich schreibe mit einem Radiergummi.
I write with an eraser.
schreibe means write, and mit einem means with an. Mit always takes the dative, so einem Radiergummi is dative; schreibe stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Radiergummis ist blau.
The colour of the eraser is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Radiergummis is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the article is des and the noun ends in -s.
Die Radiergummis sind in der Schublade.
The erasers are in the drawer.
sind means are, and die Schublade means the drawer. Radiergummis is the plural with -s; in der Schublade is dative because it describes location.
rechnen — to calculate, to do arithmetic
Rechnen usually takes an accusative object when someone calculates something. With mit plus dative, mit etwas rechnen means to expect something or take it into account.
Ich rechne die Kosten zusammen.
I add up the costs.
die Kosten means the costs, and zusammen means together or up. Die Kosten is accusative because it is the object of rechnen; the finite verb rechne stands in position two, while zusammen belongs to the separable expression zusammenrechnen and comes at the end.
Wir haben die Summe schnell gerechnet.
We calculated the total quickly.
die Summe means the total, and schnell means quickly. Die Summe is accusative because it is the object, and gerechnet combines with haben and goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Früher rechnete er alles auf Papier.
He used to calculate everything on paper.
früher means in the past, alles means everything, and auf Papier means on paper. Rechnete is the weak-verb preterite in position two; alles is accusative as the object of the verb.
Rechne bitte noch einmal!
Please calculate it one more time!
bitte means please, and noch einmal means once again. The informal singular imperative is rechne; the subject du is omitted and the verb stands first.
Wenn ich richtig rechnete, wäre das Ergebnis anders.
If I calculated correctly, the result would be different.
richtig means correctly, das Ergebnis means the result, and anders means different. In the wenn-clause, rechnete stands at the end; the conditional meaning is supplied by the context and wäre in the main clause.
Morgen werde ich die Kosten rechnen.
Tomorrow I will calculate the costs.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Kosten means the costs. Die Kosten is accusative, while werde stands in position two and the infinitive rechnen goes to the end.
die Rechnung — bill, invoice; calculation, arithmetic problem
Die Rechnung usually means a bill or invoice. In mathematics, it can also mean a calculation or arithmetic problem; the plural Rechnungen is used for both meanings.
Die Rechnung kommt heute.
The bill is coming today.
kommt means comes or arrives, and heute means today. Die Rechnung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich bezahle die Rechnung.
I am paying the bill.
bezahle means pay. Die Rechnung is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kellner die Rechnung.
I give the bill to the waiter.
gebe means give, and der Kellner means the waiter. Dem Kellner is dative because it is the recipient, while die Rechnung is accusative as the thing given.
Die Höhe der Rechnung überrascht mich.
The amount of the bill surprises me.
die Höhe means the amount, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Der Rechnung is genitive because it specifies whose amount; mich is accusative as the person affected.
Die Rechnungen liegen auf dem Tisch.
The bills are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Rechnungen is plural nominative as the subject; auf takes dative here because the bills are already in a location, not moving onto it.
Diese Rechnung ist schwierig.
This calculation is difficult.
diese means this, and schwierig means difficult. Diese Rechnung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder lösen mehrere Rechnungen.
The children solve several calculations.
die Kinder means the children, lösen means solve, and mehrere means several. Mehrere Rechnungen is accusative because it is the object of lösen; the plural ending is -en.
die Schule — school
Die Schule can mean the institution pupils attend or the school building. In die Schule gehen usually means attending school, while zur Schule gehen uses zu with the dative.
Die Schule beginnt um acht Uhr.
School starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Schule is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich besuche die Schule in meinem Dorf.
I attend the school in my village.
besuche means attend, and mein Dorf means my village. Die Schule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Nachmittags fahre ich mit dem Bus zu der Schule.
In the afternoons I travel to the school by bus.
nachmittags means in the afternoons, and mit dem Bus means by bus. Zu always takes the dative, so der Schule is dative; fahre is in position two even though the sentence starts with Nachmittags.
Das Tor der Schule ist heute geschlossen.
The school's gate is closed today.
das Tor means the gate, and geschlossen means closed. Der Schule is genitive because it shows possession, meaning the gate of the school; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Schulen.
There are three schools in our city.
unsere Stadt means our city, and drei means three. Schulen is plural after drei; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
der Schüler — pupil, school student
Der Schüler usually means a school pupil, not a university student; a university student is der Student or die Studentin. The plural die Schüler can refer to a mixed group, while die Schülerinnen refers specifically to female pupils.
Der Schüler liest ein Buch.
The pupil is reading a book.
liest means is reading and ein Buch means a book. Der Schüler is nominative because he is the subject, while ein Buch is accusative because lesen takes a direct object.
Die Lehrerin fragt den Schüler.
The teacher asks the pupil.
die Lehrerin means female teacher and fragt means asks. Den Schüler is accusative because fragen takes the person asked as its direct object; the finite verb fragt is in position two.
Der Lehrer gibt dem Schüler eine Aufgabe.
The teacher gives the pupil an exercise.
der Lehrer means teacher and eine Aufgabe means an exercise or task. Dem Schüler is dative because geben marks the recipient with the dative, while eine Aufgabe is the accusative thing given.
Das Heft des Schülers liegt auf dem Tisch.
The pupil’s notebook is lying on the table.
das Heft means notebook, liegt means is lying, and der Tisch means table. Des Schülers is genitive to show possession; auf dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Die Schüler machen eine Pause.
The pupils are taking a break.
machen means make or take, and eine Pause means a break. Die Schüler is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural noun has no ending change.
die Schülerin — female pupil, female student
Use Schülerin for a female pupil or student and Schüler for a male pupil or student. The plural Schülerinnen has -innen, not just -s.
Die Schülerin lernt für die Prüfung.
The female student is studying for the exam.
lernen means to study or learn, and die Prüfung is the exam. Die Schülerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lernt is in position two.
Der Lehrer fragt die Schülerin.
The teacher asks the female student.
der Lehrer is the teacher and fragen means to ask. Die Schülerin is accusative because fragen takes the person being asked as its direct object; the finite verb fragt is in position two.
Ich helfe der Schülerin bei den Hausaufgaben.
I help the female student with her homework.
helfen means to help, and die Hausaufgaben are homework. Der Schülerin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; bei also takes the dative here.
Das Fahrrad der Schülerin steht vor der Schule.
The female student’s bicycle is standing in front of the school.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, steht means is standing, and vor der Schule means in front of the school. Der Schülerin is genitive because it shows possession: the bicycle belongs to the student.
Die Schülerinnen spielen im Hof.
The female pupils are playing in the schoolyard.
spielen means to play and der Hof is the schoolyard or courtyard. Schülerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im means in dem and takes the dative for a location.
der Spitzer — pencil sharpener
Der Spitzer is the small tool used to make a pencil point sharp. Its plural is also Spitzer, so the article is important for telling singular and plural apart.
Der Spitzer liegt auf dem Tisch.
The pencil sharpener is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Spitzer is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Spitzer.
I need the pencil sharpener.
ich brauche means I need. Den Spitzer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe meinem Bruder dem Spitzer?
I give my brother the pencil sharpener.
geben means give and meinem Bruder means to my brother. This example uses dem Spitzer as a dative recipient, but the natural sentence would need another object; use Ich gebe meinem Bruder den Spitzer for “I give my brother the sharpener,” where meinem Bruder is dative and den Spitzer is accusative.
Der Deckel des Spitzers ist kaputt.
The sharpener’s lid is broken.
der Deckel is the lid and kaputt means broken. Des Spitzers is genitive because it shows whose lid it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Spitzer liegen in der Schublade.
The pencil sharpeners are in the drawer.
liegen means are lying, and in der Schublade means in the drawer. Spitzer is plural even though it looks like the singular; the article die and plural verb liegen make this clear.
der Sportunterricht — physical education, PE
Sportunterricht is normally a mass noun, so it is used without a plural when it means the school subject in general. It is a compound of Sport (sport) and Unterricht (lessons or teaching).
Der Sportunterricht beginnt um neun Uhr.
Physical education starts at nine o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Der Sportunterricht is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich mag den Sportunterricht.
I like physical education.
mag means like, and ich means I. den Sportunterricht is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Sportunterricht spielen wir Fußball.
In physical education, we play football.
im Sportunterricht means in physical education, and Fußball means football. im is short for in dem, so Sportunterricht is dative after in for a fixed setting; the finite verb spielen is in position two.
Die Regeln des Sportunterrichts sind einfach.
The rules of physical education are simple.
die Regeln means the rules, and einfach means simple. des Sportunterrichts is genitive because it specifies which lessons the rules belong to; sind agrees with the plural subject die Regeln.
die Sprachschule — language school
A Sprachschule offers lessons in languages, often in groups and at different levels. Learners usually besuchen a Sprachschule or melden sich an there.
Die Sprachschule beginnt um neun Uhr.
The language school starts at nine o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Die Sprachschule is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche die Sprachschule jeden Abend.
I attend the language school every evening.
besuche means attend or visit, and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Sprachschule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir gehen zu der Sprachschule mit dem Bus.
We go to the language school by bus.
gehen means go, mit dem Bus means by bus, and der Bus is the bus. Der Sprachschule is dative because zu always takes the dative; zur is short for zu der.
Die Adresse der Sprachschule steht hier.
The address of the language school is written here.
die Adresse means the address, and hier means here. Der Sprachschule is genitive because it shows whose address it is; the whole phrase is the subject.
In der Stadt gibt es drei Sprachschulen.
There are three language schools in the city.
die Stadt means the city, and drei means three. Sprachschulen is plural after drei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural form has no special case ending.
der Stift — pen; pencil; trainee; inexperienced young person
The masculine noun der Stift means a writing instrument. Do not confuse it with neuter das Stift, which means a religious foundation or institution.
Der Stift ist blau.
The pen is blue.
blau means blue. Der Stift is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Stift.
I am taking the pen.
nehme means am taking. Den Stift is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Ich schreibe mit dem Stift.
I am writing with the pen.
schreibe means am writing and mit means with. Dem Stift is dative because mit always takes the dative; do not use den after mit.
Die Farbe des Stifts ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the pen is dark blue.
die Farbe means the colour and dunkelblau means dark blue. Des Stifts is genitive because it shows which pen the colour belongs to.
Die Stifte liegen auf dem Tisch.
The pens are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Stifte is plural with die understood here, and auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a location.
Der neue Stift lernt schnell.
The new trainee learns quickly.
neu means new and lernt schnell means learns quickly. Der neue Stift is nominative as the subject, and lernt stands in position two.
Der Chef erklärt dem Stift die Aufgabe.
The boss explains the task to the trainee.
der Chef is the boss and die Aufgabe is the task. Dem Stift is dative for the person receiving the explanation, while die Aufgabe is accusative; erklärt is in position two.
der Student — male student
Student is a weak masculine noun: it has -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, as well as in the plural.
Der Student lernt in der Bibliothek.
The student is studying in the library.
lernt means is studying or learning, and die Bibliothek is the library. Der Student is nominative because he is the subject, and lernt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Studenten jeden Tag.
I see the student every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Studenten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Studenten bei der Bewerbung.
I am helping the student with the application.
helfe means help, and die Bewerbung is the application. Dem Studenten is dative because helfen always takes a dative person, and the noun keeps its -en ending.
Die Tasche des Studenten steht auf dem Tisch.
The student's bag is on the table.
die Tasche means bag, steht means is standing or is placed, and der Tisch is the table. Des Studenten is genitive because it expresses possession; the weak noun ends in -en.
Viele Studenten wohnen in dieser Stadt.
Many students live in this city.
viele means many, wohnen means live, and diese Stadt means this city. Viele Studenten is the plural subject, and the verb wohnen stands in position two.
die Studentin — female student
The feminine noun is formed from der Student with -in; its plural adds -nen, giving Studentinnen.
Die Studentin liest ein Buch.
The student is reading a book.
liest means is reading, and ein Buch is a book. Die Studentin is nominative because she is the subject, and liest stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Studentin morgen.
We are visiting the student tomorrow.
besuchen means visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Studentin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Professor erklärt der Studentin die Aufgabe.
The professor explains the task to the student.
der Professor means the professor, erklärt means explains, and die Aufgabe is the task. Der Studentin is dative because she receives the explanation, while die Aufgabe is the accusative thing explained.
Das Handy der Studentin liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
The student's mobile phone is on the desk.
das Handy means mobile phone, liegt means is lying, and der Schreibtisch is the desk. Der Studentin is genitive because it expresses possession; auf dem Schreibtisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Studentinnen lernen zusammen.
The female students are studying together.
lernen means study or learn, and zusammen means together. Die Studentinnen is the plural subject, and lernen is in position two.
studieren — to study; to attend university; to examine closely
For a university subject, German commonly uses etwas studieren without a preposition, as in Medizin studieren. The perfect is hat studiert, not a form with ge-.
Ich studiere an der Universität.
I study at university.
an der Universität means at the university. Studiere is the finite verb in position two, and an takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location rather than movement.
Sie hat Biologie studiert.
She studied biology.
Biologie is biology. The perfect uses hat plus studiert; because studieren ends in unstressed -ieren, its participle has no ge-, and the participle goes to the end.
Er studierte drei Jahre in Berlin.
He studied in Berlin for three years.
drei Jahre means three years, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Studierte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; a time expression can stand after the verb without changing the case of the location.
Studier jeden Tag für die Prüfung!
Study every day for the exam!
jeden Tag means every day, and die Prüfung is the exam. Studier is the informal du imperative; für always takes the accusative, so die Prüfung stays accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, studierte ich noch ein Fach.
If I had more time, I would study another subject.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and ein Fach is a subject. The conditional meaning is normally expressed with würde studieren; here studierte is also possible, and the verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Nächstes Jahr wird sie in München studieren.
Next year she will study in Munich.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and in München means in Munich. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive studieren at the end; the finite verb wird stands in position two.
Er studierte lange den Fahrplan.
He studied the timetable for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and der Fahrplan is the timetable. Den Fahrplan is accusative because this sense of studieren takes a direct object, while studierte remains in position two.
Sie studiert das Gesicht des Fremden.
She is studying the stranger's face.
das Gesicht means the face, and der Fremde is the stranger. Das Gesicht is accusative as the object of studiert, while des Fremden is genitive to show whose face it is.
die Stunde — hour; lesson, class period
Eine Stunde is sixty minutes. For clock times, use Uhr for the exact time, but use Stunde for a duration or a period such as zwei Stunden.
Die Stunde beginnt um neun Uhr.
The hour begins at nine o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Die Stunde is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine Stunde.
I need an hour.
brauche means need. Eine Stunde is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine form of eine looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir treffen uns in einer Stunde.
We will meet in an hour.
treffen uns means meet, and in einer Stunde means in one hour. In takes the dative here because it refers to a point in time, so eine becomes einer; uns is the reflexive object.
Das Ende der Stunde ist um zehn Uhr.
The end of the hour is at ten o'clock.
das Ende means the end and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Der Stunde is genitive because it identifies whose end it is; feminine genitive uses der, with no ending on Stunde.
Der Film dauert zwei Stunden.
The film lasts two hours.
der Film is the film, dauert means lasts, and zwei means two. Stunden is plural with -n; the duration phrase is an accusative object of dauern in this common construction.
Die nächste Stunde ist Mathematik.
The next lesson is mathematics.
die nächste means the next one and Mathematik means mathematics. Die nächste Stunde is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Nach der dritten Stunde gehen wir nach Hause.
After the third lesson, we go home.
nach der dritten Stunde means after the third lesson, gehen means go, and nach Hause means home. Nach takes the dative, so the feminine phrase uses der; the finite verb gehen is in position two even though the sentence begins with a time phrase.
der Stundenplan — timetable, class schedule
The plural Stundenpläne changes the vowel from a to ä. In schools, a Stundenplan normally lists subjects, times, and rooms.
Der Stundenplan hängt neben der Tür.
The timetable is hanging next to the door.
hängt means is hanging, and neben der Tür means next to the door. Der Stundenplan is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Ich lese den Stundenplan jeden Morgen.
I read the timetable every morning.
lese means read, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Stundenplan is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich folge dem Stundenplan genau.
I follow the timetable exactly.
folge means follow, and genau means exactly. Dem Stundenplan is dative because folgen takes a dative object; the finite verb folge is in position two.
Die Zeiten des Stundenplans ändern sich morgen.
The timetable’s times are changing tomorrow.
die Zeiten means the times, and ändern sich means are changing. Des Stundenplans is genitive because it shows whose times they are; the verb ändern is in position two and sich is a reflexive pronoun.
Die neuen Stundenpläne liegen im Sekretariat.
The new timetables are in the school office.
neuen means new, liegen means are lying, and das Sekretariat is the school office. Die Stundenpläne is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the verb liegen agrees with it.