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Vocab: School & study — A2 (1)
School & study vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abgeben — to hand in, to hand over; to give away, to give up
This separable, strong verb has the forms abgeben – gab ab – hat abgegeben. The thing handed in or handed over is accusative: jemand gibt jemandem etwas ab.
Sie gibt ab, was sie gestern geschrieben hat.
She hands in what she wrote yesterday.
was sie gestern geschrieben hat means what she wrote yesterday. The finite verb gibt is in position two and the prefix ab goes to the end; the implied thing handed in is an accusative object.
Er hat den Schlüssel abgegeben.
He handed in the key.
er means he and der Schlüssel means the key. The perfect uses hat plus abgegeben because this action takes haben; the Partizip II goes to the end and den Schlüssel is accusative.
Sie sagte, dass sie den Brief gestern abgab.
She said that she handed in the letter yesterday.
sagte means said, der Brief means the letter, and gestern means yesterday. After dass, the finite verb abgab goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached; den Brief is accusative.
Bitte gib ab!
Please hand it in!
bitte means please. This informal singular command omits du; the two parts of the separable verb stand together as gib ab.
Wenn ich die Arbeit heute abgäbe, wäre ich morgen frei.
If I handed in the work today, I would be free tomorrow.
die Arbeit means the work, heute means today, wäre means would be, and frei means free. In the subordinate clause, the Konjunktiv II form abgäbe stays together at the end; die Arbeit is accusative as the direct object.
Ich werde den Antrag später abgeben.
I will hand in the application later.
der Antrag means the application and später means later. Werde is the finite verb in position two, while the infinitive abgeben remains together at the end; den Antrag is accusative.
Er will seine Verantwortung nicht abgeben.
He does not want to give up his responsibility.
will means wants to, seine Verantwortung means his responsibility, and nicht means not. Seine Verantwortung is accusative, and after the modal verb will, the infinitive abgeben stays together at the end.
Sie gibt ab, was sie nicht mehr braucht.
She gives away what she no longer needs.
was sie nicht mehr braucht means what she no longer needs, and mehr means anymore in this negative sentence. The object is accusative, while the finite verb gibt stands in position two and ab follows it directly as the separable prefix.
anwesend — present, in attendance
anwesend is normally used with sein to say that someone is physically present. Its opposite is abwesend, meaning absent; it is not normally used for the idea of being mentally attentive.
Alle sind anwesend.
Everyone is present.
alle means everyone or all people. anwesend is predicative after sind and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die anwesenden Gäste warten im Saal.
The guests who are present are waiting in the hall.
die Gäste are the guests, warten means are waiting, and der Saal is the hall. anwesenden stands before the plural noun and takes -en after die; the whole noun phrase is nominative as the subject.
Heute sind mehr anwesende Mitglieder als gestern da.
Today there are more members present than yesterday.
heute means today, mehr means more, Mitglieder are members, and gestern means yesterday. The comparative is used before the plural noun and takes -e after mehr; als introduces the comparison.
Bei der Sitzung war sie am anwesendsten.
At the meeting, she was the most present.
bei der Sitzung means at the meeting, and sie means she. bei always takes the dative, while predicative am anwesendsten has no adjective ending because it follows war.
aufgeben — to give up, to abandon; to submit, to post; to assign, to set
In this sense, aufgeben is often used without an object, as in nicht aufgeben. With an object, it can mean abandoning a plan, attempt, or hope.
Er gibt nicht auf.
He is not giving up.
nicht means not. Er is the nominative subject; the finite part gibt stands in position two, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Sie hat nach einer Stunde aufgegeben.
She gave up after an hour.
nach einer Stunde means after an hour. The perfect uses hat because aufgeben takes haben; the complete Partizip II aufgegeben stays together at the end.
Der Läufer gab kurz vor dem Ziel auf.
The runner gave up shortly before the finish.
der Läufer means the runner, kurz vor means shortly before, and das Ziel means the finish. Gab is the strong past form of geben, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Gib jetzt nicht auf.
Don't give up now.
jetzt means now and nicht means not. This is a du command with the subject omitted; the irregular imperative is gib, and the prefix auf must stand at the end.
Wenn du früher aufgäbest, wärst du jetzt entspannter.
If you gave up earlier, you would be more relaxed now.
früher means earlier and entspannter means more relaxed. In the wenn clause, the Konjunktiv II form aufgäbest goes to the end; because the verb is separable in finite clauses, the prefix is written together in this subordinate clause.
Ich werde nie aufgeben.
I will never give up.
nie means never. In the future, werde is in position two and the complete infinitive aufgeben goes to the end; it is not separated because it is an infinitive.
Ich gebe den Brief bei der Post auf.
I am posting the letter at the post office.
der Brief means the letter and bei der Post means at the post office. Den Brief is accusative because it is the thing being posted; gebe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Bitte geben Sie das Formular heute auf.
Please submit the form today.
das Formular means the form and heute means today. This is the formal Sie imperative, so geben stays in the infinitive-like form; das Formular is accusative and auf goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin gibt den Kindern Hausaufgaben auf.
The teacher assigns the children homework.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, den Kindern means the children, and Hausaufgaben means homework. Den Kindern is dative because they receive the assignment, while Hausaufgaben is accusative; gibt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Der Kursleiter hat uns eine schwierige Aufgabe aufgegeben.
The course instructor assigned us a difficult task.
der Kursleiter means the course instructor, uns means us, and schwierig means difficult. Uns is dative as the recipient and eine schwierige Aufgabe is accusative; hat is in position two and aufgegeben closes the perfect clause.
die Ausbildung — vocational training, education, training
In everyday German, eine Ausbildung machen usually means to complete vocational training for a job, not simply to attend a general course.
Die Ausbildung dauert drei Jahre.
The vocational training lasts three years.
dauert means lasts, and drei Jahre means three years. Die Ausbildung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich beginne die Ausbildung im September.
I am starting the training in September.
beginne means start, and im September means in September. Die Ausbildung is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; the finite verb beginne is in position two.
In der Ausbildung lerne ich viele praktische Dinge.
During my vocational training, I learn many practical things.
in der Ausbildung means during the vocational training, and praktische Dinge means practical things. Der Ausbildung is dative because in describes a fixed context or location here; after the introductory phrase, the finite verb lerne stands in position two.
Die Dauer der Ausbildung hängt vom Beruf ab.
The length of the training depends on the occupation.
die Dauer means the length, hängt ... ab means depends, and der Beruf means the occupation. Der Ausbildung is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; hängt is in position two and the separable part ab goes to the end.
Viele junge Leute machen Ausbildungen in verschiedenen Berufen.
Many young people do vocational training in different occupations.
viele junge Leute means many young people, and verschiedene Berufe means different occupations. Ausbildungen is plural and has no ending after machen; the finite verb machen stands in position two.
ausradieren — to erase
Use ausradieren for removing pencil marks, writing, or drawings with an eraser. For deleting a computer file, German usually uses löschen, not ausradieren.
Ich radiere den Fehler aus.
I am erasing the mistake.
der Fehler means the mistake. den Fehler is accusative because it is the direct object of ausradieren; the finite verb is split, with radiere in position two and aus at the end.
Sie hat die falsche Zahl ausradiert.
She erased the wrong number.
die falsche Zahl means the wrong number. The object is accusative, and ausradiert is the Partizip II used with haben; it stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Er radierte seinen Namen aus.
He erased his name.
seinen Namen means his name. It is accusative because ausradieren takes a direct object; the weak preterite radierte is in position two and aus is separated to the end.
Radier die Linie aus!
Erase the line!
die Linie means the line. This is the du imperative with an omitted subject; the separable parts appear as radier at the beginning and aus at the end.
Ich würde den kleinen Kreis gern ausradieren.
I would like to erase the small circle.
klein means small, and der Kreis means circle. den kleinen Kreis is accusative as the object; with würde, the complete infinitive ausradieren remains at the end.
Nach dem Unterricht werde ich die Notizen ausradieren.
After the lesson, I will erase the notes.
nach dem Unterricht means after the lesson, and die Notizen means the notes. nach requires the dative, while die Notizen is accusative as the object; werde is in position two and ausradieren is at the end.
begabt — talented; gifted
Begabt describes a natural talent, often for school subjects, music, art, or languages. It is not limited to professional ability and can be used before a noun or after sein.
Lena ist sehr begabt.
Lena is very talented.
sehr means very. Begabt is predicative because it follows the linking verb ist and has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein begabter Schüler.
That is a talented pupil.
Schüler means pupil or student, and das means that. Begabter stands before the masculine nominative noun after the indefinite article ein, so it takes the ending -er.
Mia ist begabter als ihr Bruder.
Mia is more talented than her brother.
als means than, and ihr Bruder means her brother. The comparative begabter is predicative after ist and is followed by als when two people are compared.
Von allen Kindern ist Tom am begabtesten.
Tom is the most talented of all the children.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. Am begabtesten is the predicative superlative; am belongs to this form and should not be replaced by an attributive ending in this sentence.
bestehen — to pass an exam; to consist of, to be made up of
In the examination sense, bestehen takes an accusative object, as in eine Prüfung bestehen. It is a strong verb: bestehen – bestand – hat bestanden, and its perfect uses haben.
Sie besteht die Prüfung.
She passes the exam.
sie means she, and die Prüfung is the exam. Die Prüfung is accusative because bestehen takes an accusative object in this sense; the finite verb besteht is in position two.
Er hat die Fahrprüfung bestanden.
He passed the driving test.
die Fahrprüfung is the driving test, and hat means has. The perfect uses haben plus bestanden, with the participle at the end of the clause; die Fahrprüfung is accusative as the object.
Meine Schwester bestand die Aufnahmeprüfung.
My sister passed the entrance exam.
meine Schwester is my sister, and die Aufnahmeprüfung is the entrance exam. Bestand is the strong simple-past form, not bestehte; the exam is accusative because it is the direct object.
Besteh die Prüfung beim ersten Versuch!
Pass the exam on the first attempt!
die Prüfung is the exam, and beim ersten Versuch means on the first attempt. Besteh is the singular imperative; the subject du is omitted, and the accusative object follows the command.
Wenn er mehr gelernt hätte, bestünde er die Prüfung.
If he had studied more, he would pass the exam.
wenn means if, mehr means more, and gelernt hätte means had studied. Bestünde is the Konjunktiv II of bestehen and expresses an unreal result; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while in the main clause it is in position two.
Du wirst die Prüfung bestehen.
You will pass the exam.
du means you, and die Prüfung is the exam. Future I uses wirst plus the infinitive bestehen at the end; the object is accusative because bestehen takes an accusative exam or test.
Der Kuchen besteht aus Mehl, Eiern und Zucker.
The cake consists of flour, eggs and sugar.
der Kuchen is the cake, das Mehl is flour, die Eier are eggs, and der Zucker is sugar. Aus takes the dative, although the plural forms here have no visible article ending; the finite verb besteht is in position two.
Das Team besteht aus fünf Personen.
The team consists of five people.
das Team is the team, and fünf Personen means five people. The fixed pattern is bestehen aus; aus fünf Personen is a dative phrase, and the finite verb besteht stands in position two.
die Betreuerin — female supervisor; female carer; female carer; female support worker
The feminine form is built from der Betreuer with -in. Depending on the context, a Betreuerin may supervise studies, support a group, or care for people.
Die Betreuerin arbeitet an der Universität.
The female supervisor works at the university.
die Universität means university. Die Betreuerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Betreuerin jeden Montag.
I see the female supervisor every Monday.
jeden Montag means every Monday. Die Betreuerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich danke der Betreuerin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the female supervisor for her help.
danke means thank, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Betreuerin is dative because danken always takes a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is an accusative phrase after für.
Das Büro der Betreuerin ist im zweiten Stock.
The female supervisor's office is on the second floor.
das Büro means office, and im zweiten Stock means on the second floor. Der Betreuerin is genitive and shows whose office it is; ist stands in position two.
Die Betreuerinnen helfen den neuen Studenten.
The female supervisors help the new students.
helfen means help, and den neuen Studenten means the new students. Betreuerinnen is plural and nominative as the subject, while den neuen Studenten is dative because helfen takes a dative object.
Die Betreuerin kümmert sich um die Kinder.
The female carer looks after the children.
kümmert sich um means looks after, and die Kinder means the children. The reflexive phrase sich um takes the accusative after um; the finite verb kümmert is in position two.
Unsere Betreuerin organisiert den Ausflug.
Our female supervisor is organising the outing.
unsere means our, and organisiert means organises; der Ausflug is an outing. Unsere Betreuerin is nominative as the subject, while den Ausflug is accusative after organisieren.
bilden — to form; to create; to educate; to train
Bilden normally takes an accusative object, as in einen Kreis bilden. It is a regular weak verb with bildete and gebildet, and its perfect uses haben.
Die Kinder bilden einen Kreis.
The children form a circle.
die Kinder means the children, and der Kreis is the circle. Einen Kreis is accusative because bilden takes a direct object; the finite verb bilden stands in position two.
Die Kinder haben einen Kreis gebildet.
The children formed a circle.
die Kinder means the children, and der Kreis is the circle. The perfect uses haben plus gebildet, with the Partizip II at the end; einen Kreis remains accusative as the object.
Die Kinder bildeten einen Kreis.
The children formed a circle.
bildeten means formed, and der Kreis is the circle. This regular weak verb uses the preterite ending -ten for the plural subject; the finite verb is in position two.
Bilde einen Kreis!
Form a circle!
einen Kreis means a circle. Bilde is the du imperative, and the subject du is omitted; the accusative object follows the command.
Wenn wir ein Team bilden würden, wären wir stärker.
If we formed a team, we would be stronger.
wenn means if, das Team is the team, and stärker means stronger. In the wenn clause, bilden goes to the end; würden plus the infinitive expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation.
Wir werden morgen ein neues Team bilden.
We will form a new team tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, neu means new, and das Team is the team. Future I uses werden in position two and places the infinitive bilden at the end; ein neues Team is accusative.
Der Betrieb bildet junge Fachkräfte aus.
The company trains young skilled workers.
der Betrieb means the company or business, and junge Fachkräfte means young skilled workers. In ausbilden, the prefix aus separates, so the finite verb bildet is in position two and aus goes to the end; the people trained are accusative.
Sie bildet sich neben der Arbeit weiter.
She continues her education alongside her job.
neben der Arbeit means alongside her work, and sich weiterbilden means to continue one's education. The prefix weiter separates and goes to the end; sich is dative in this expression, while neben der Arbeit is dative for a fixed situation.
die Bildung — education; learning; formation; formation; structure
In the usual sense, die Bildung means education or general learning and is normally uncountable. The plural Bildungen is mainly used for different formations or structures, not for several ordinary educational experiences.
Bildung ist für eine gute Zukunft wichtig.
Education is important for a good future.
eine gute Zukunft means “a good future”, and wichtig means “important”. Bildung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and für forces the accusative in eine gute Zukunft.
Viele Eltern wünschen sich eine gute Bildung für ihre Kinder.
Many parents want a good education for their children.
Viele Eltern means “many parents”, wünschen sich means “want”, and ihre Kinder means “their children”. Bildung is accusative because it is the thing wanted, while für ihre Kinder is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Lehrerin gibt den Kindern wichtige Bildung.
The teacher gives the children important education.
Die Lehrerin is “the teacher”, gibt is “gives”, den Kindern is “the children”, and wichtig means “important”. Den Kindern is dative because geben assigns the recipient the dative; Bildung is the thing given and is accusative, although the uncountable noun has no visible accusative ending.
Die Bedeutung der Bildung wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of education is often underestimated.
Die Bedeutung means “the importance”, oft means “often”, and unterschätzt means “underestimated”. Der Bildung is genitive because it specifies whose importance is meant, and wird unterschätzt is a passive construction with the finite verb wird in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele verschiedene Formen von Bildung.
There are many different forms of education in Germany.
Deutschland is “Germany”, viele verschiedene Formen means “many different forms”, and gibt es means “there are”. Bildung follows von, which requires the dative, but it remains singular here because education is being treated as a general uncountable idea; Formen is the plural noun.
Die Bildung von Eis dauert bei dieser Temperatur lange.
The formation of ice takes a long time at this temperature.
Eis means “ice”, dauert means “takes”, and bei dieser Temperatur means “at this temperature”. Von takes the dative in von Eis, and the finite verb dauert is in position two; Bildung von means “formation of” here.
Die geologische Bildung entstand vor Millionen Jahren.
The geological formation arose millions of years ago.
geologisch means “geological”, entstand means “arose or formed”, and vor Millionen Jahren means “millions of years ago”. Die geologische Bildung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb entstand stands in position two.
die Biologie — biology
Die Biologie is the science of living things and is also the name of a school or university subject. It is normally used as an uncountable singular noun when referring to the science in general.
Biologie ist mein Lieblingsfach.
Biology is my favourite subject.
mein Lieblingsfach means “my favourite subject”. Biologie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lerne Biologie an der Universität.
I study biology at the university.
lerne means “study or learn”, an der Universität means “at the university”, and Universität means “university”. Biologie is the accusative object of lernen, while an der Universität is dative because it describes a location.
Die Lehrerin erklärt den Schülern die Biologie des Menschen.
The teacher explains human biology to the pupils.
Die Lehrerin means “the teacher”, erklärt means “explains”, den Schülern means “to the pupils”, and des Menschen means “of humans”. Den Schülern is dative because they are the recipients, while die Biologie is accusative as the thing explained; des Menschen is genitive.
Die Grundlagen der Biologie sind faszinierend.
The foundations of biology are fascinating.
Die Grundlagen means “the foundations”, and faszinierend means “fascinating”. Der Biologie is genitive because it specifies the foundations, while die Grundlagen is the plural nominative subject of sind.
Moderne Biologien vergleichen verschiedene Formen des Lebens.
Modern branches of biology compare different forms of life.
Moderne means “modern”, vergleichen means “compare”, verschiedene Formen means “different forms”, and des Lebens means “of life”. Biologien is plural nominative as the subject, while verschiedene Formen is accusative as the object and des Lebens is genitive.
der Bogen — sheet of paper; arc, bow
Der Bogen can also mean an arc or a bow used with arrows.
Der Bogen ist weiß.
The sheet is white.
weiß means white. Der Bogen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich nehme einen Bogen Papier.
I take a sheet of paper.
nehmen means to take, and Papier means paper. Einen Bogen is accusative because it is the object of nehme.
Ich schreibe auf einem Bogen.
I am writing on a sheet.
schreiben means to write. Auf einem Bogen is dative because auf describes a fixed surface or location.
Die Mitte des Bogens ist leer.
The middle of the sheet is empty.
die Mitte means the middle, and leer means empty. Des Bogens is genitive to show which sheet is meant, and Bogen takes -s.
Die Bögen liegen auf dem Tisch.
The sheets are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, and der Tisch means the table. Bögen is the plural of der Bogen; auf dem Tisch is dative for location.
Der Bogen des Regenbogens ist wunderschön.
The arc of the rainbow is beautiful.
der Regenbogen means the rainbow, and wunderschön means beautiful. Des Regenbogens is genitive and means of the rainbow.
Der Jäger trägt Pfeil und Bogen.
The hunter carries bow and arrow.
der Jäger means the hunter, trägt means carries, and der Pfeil means the arrow. Pfeil und Bogen is the accusative object of trägt.
die Direktorin — female director, female principal
die Direktorin is the feminine form of der Direktor. It is formed with -in, and its plural adds another -nen, giving die Direktorinnen.
Die Direktorin begrüßt die neuen Schüler.
The principal welcomes the new pupils.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die neuen Schüler means the new pupils. Die Direktorin is the nominative subject; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two, and the pupils are the accusative object.
Ich sehe die Direktorin jeden Morgen.
I see the principal every morning.
sehe means see, and jeden Morgen means every morning. die Direktorin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article stays die in the accusative.
Ich spreche mit der Direktorin.
I am speaking with the principal.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. der Direktorin is dative because mit always governs the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das Büro der Direktorin ist im zweiten Stock.
The principal's office is on the second floor.
das Büro means the office, ist means is, and im zweiten Stock means on the second floor. der Direktorin is genitive because it shows whose office it is; feminine genitive uses der, while the noun stays unchanged.
Die Direktorinnen treffen sich heute.
The female directors are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet each other, and heute means today. Die Direktorinnen is the plural nominative subject; -in changes to -innen in the plural, and sich shows that they meet one another.
der Doktor — doctor; person with a doctorate
der Doktor can mean a medical doctor or a person with a doctorate; the context tells you which meaning is intended. The ordinary plural is die Doktoren, not die Doktors.
Der Doktor untersucht den Patienten.
The doctor examines the patient.
untersuchen means to examine, and der Patient means the patient. Der Doktor is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two, while den Patienten is accusative as the object.
Ich rufe den Doktor an.
I am calling the doctor.
anrufen means to call, and rufen ... an is a separable verb. den Doktor is accusative because anrufen takes an accusative object; rufe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich spreche mit dem Doktor.
I am speaking with the doctor.
sprechen means to speak, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so der Doktor becomes dem Doktor; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Das Auto des Doktors steht vor dem Haus.
The doctor's car is standing in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, stehen means to stand or be located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Doktors is genitive to show possession, and the genitive ending -s is added to the noun after des.
Die Doktoren sprechen über den Fall.
The doctors are discussing the case.
sprechen über means to talk or discuss, and der Fall means the case. Die Doktoren is the plural subject, while über den Fall is accusative because über here expresses the topic, not a location.
die Doktorin — female doctor; woman with a doctorate
die Doktorin is the feminine form of der Doktor and can mean a female doctor or a woman with a doctorate. Its plural is formed with -innen: die Doktorinnen.
Die Doktorin untersucht das Kind.
The doctor examines the child.
untersuchen means to examine, and das Kind means the child. Die Doktorin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two, and das Kind is accusative as the object.
Ich sehe die Doktorin morgen.
I will see the female doctor tomorrow.
sehen means to see, and morgen means tomorrow. die Doktorin is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sehe is in position two, even though morgen comes at the end.
Wir sprechen mit der Doktorin.
We are speaking with the female doctor.
sprechen means to speak, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so die Doktorin becomes der Doktorin; the noun ending does not change.
Das Büro der Doktorin ist im zweiten Stock.
The female doctor's office is on the second floor.
das Büro means the office, sein means to be, and der zweite Stock means the second floor. der Doktorin is genitive and shows possession; the feminine noun stays unchanged, while the article die changes to der.
Die Doktorinnen arbeiten im Krankenhaus.
The female doctors work in the hospital.
arbeiten means to work, and das Krankenhaus means the hospital. Die Doktorinnen is the plural subject; im Krankenhaus means in the hospital and contains dative in dem because it describes a location.
der Elternabend — parents' evening, parents' meeting
This is a compound made from Eltern and Abend, so its gender and endings follow der Abend. The plural is Elternabende, with -e on the final part.
Der Elternabend beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The parents' evening starts at seven o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o'clock. Der Elternabend is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Elternabend heute.
I am attending the parents' evening today.
besuche means attend or visit, and heute means today. Den Elternabend is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Nach dem Elternabend spreche ich mit der Lehrerin.
After the parents' evening, I speak with the teacher.
Nach means after, spreche means speak, and die Lehrerin means the female teacher. Dem Elternabend is dative because nach always takes dative; the phrase comes first, so the verb spreche still occupies position two.
Die Dauer des Elternabends ist eine Stunde.
The duration of the parents' evening is one hour.
Die Dauer means the duration, and eine Stunde means one hour. Des Elternabends is genitive because it identifies the duration belonging to the meeting; the compound noun takes -s on its final part.
In diesem Schuljahr gibt es drei Elternabende.
There are three parents' evenings this school year.
In diesem Schuljahr means this school year, and drei means three. Elternabende is plural with the ending -e; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although this sentence focuses on the plural form.
erziehen — to raise, to bring up
Erziehen normally takes an accusative object for the child being raised. It can describe both everyday upbringing and deliberate moral or social education.
Eltern erziehen ihre Kinder mit Liebe und klaren Regeln.
Parents raise their children with love and clear rules.
Eltern means parents, ihre Kinder means their children, mit Liebe means with love, and klare Regeln means clear rules. Ihre Kinder is accusative because erziehen takes a direct object, while mit forces the dative in mit Liebe; the finite verb erziehen stands in position two.
Meine Eltern haben mich sehr liebevoll erzogen.
My parents brought me up very lovingly.
Meine Eltern means my parents, mich means me, and liebevoll means lovingly. Mich is accusative because it is the direct object of erziehen; the perfect uses haben, and the Partizip II erzogen goes to the end.
Sie erzog ihre Kinder allein.
She raised her children alone.
Sie means she, ihre Kinder means her children, and allein means alone. Ihre Kinder is accusative as the direct object, and erzog is the strong Präteritum form used for a completed past event.
Erzieh dein Kind geduldig!
Raise your child patiently!
Dein Kind means your child, and geduldig means patiently. The imperative erzieh addresses one person informally, leaves out du, and takes dein Kind in the accusative.
Wenn ich Kinder erzöge, würde ich ihnen viel vorlesen.
If I raised children, I would read to them a lot.
Wenn means if, Kinder means children, ihnen means to them, and vorlesen means to read aloud. The Konjunktiv II erzöge expresses an unreal situation; the finite verb goes to the end after wenn, and ihnen is dative because vorlesen addresses something to someone.
Sie wird ihre Tochter anders erziehen.
She will raise her daughter differently.
Sie means she, ihre Tochter means her daughter, and anders means differently. Ihre Tochter is accusative as the direct object; in the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive erziehen goes to the end.
die Erziehung — upbringing, education
Erziehung usually means the upbringing of children, especially the teaching of behaviour and social values. For school or academic education, Bildung or Ausbildung may be more precise.
Die Erziehung meiner Kinder ist mir sehr wichtig.
My children’s upbringing is very important to me.
meiner Kinder means of my children, and wichtig means important. Die Erziehung is nominative because it is the subject; meiner Kinder is genitive after the noun to show whose upbringing is meant.
Gute Erziehung lernen Kinder zu Hause.
Children learn good manners at home.
gute means good, lernen means learn, Kinder means children, and zu Hause means at home. Gute Erziehung is accusative as the object of lernen, while the finite verb lernen stands in position two.
Mit einer guten Erziehung findet man leichter Freunde.
With a good upbringing, it is easier to make friends.
mit means with, einer guten means a good, findet means finds, leichter means more easily, and Freunde means friends. Mit always forces the dative, so the phrase is mit einer guten Erziehung; the finite verb findet is in position two.
Die Regeln der Erziehung sind nicht überall gleich.
The rules of upbringing are not the same everywhere.
Die Regeln means the rules, überall means everywhere, and gleich means the same. Der Erziehung is genitive after Regeln and means “of upbringing”; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Viele Familien sprechen über verschiedene Erziehungen.
Many families talk about different forms of upbringing.
Viele Familien means many families, sprechen über means talk about, and verschiedene means different. Über takes the accusative when it means “about”, so verschiedene Erziehungen is accusative plural; the plural article is not used here after verschiedene.
das Fach — subject; compartment, shelf; compartment; shelf
In school contexts, Fach means a subject; in a cupboard or desk, it means a compartment or shelf. The plural Fächer has an umlaut and can refer to either meaning.
Mein Lieblingsfach ist Geschichte.
My favourite subject is history.
Lieblingsfach means favourite subject, and Geschichte means history. The noun Fach is part of the compound Lieblingsfach and is nominative because the subject is being identified; ist stands in position two.
Ich habe heute ein neues Fach.
I have a new subject today.
heute means today, and neu means new. Ein Fach is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the neuter article remains ein in the accusative.
Wir sprechen über dem Fach.
We are talking about the subject.
sprechen means talk, and über means about in this context. This sentence is not standard German: with the meaning talk about, über requires accusative, so say Wir sprechen über das Fach; dative would be used only with a different meaning of über.
Die Bedeutung des Fachs ist klar.
The meaning of the subject is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Des Fachs is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the neuter article is des and the noun takes -s.
An unserer Schule gibt es viele Fächer.
There are many subjects at our school.
an unserer Schule means at our school, and viele means many. Fächer is the plural of Fach; after es gibt, it is accusative, but the plural form itself does not change.
Das Buch liegt im Fach.
The book is in the compartment.
das Buch means the book, and liegt means is lying. Im Fach means in the compartment and is dative because in describes a location; liegt is in position two.
Bitte leg die Schlüssel in das Fach.
Please put the keys in the compartment.
die Schlüssel means the keys, and leg means put. In das Fach is accusative because it expresses movement into a place; leg is the informal singular imperative of legen.
die Gesamtschule — comprehensive school
A Gesamtschule combines pupils of different ability levels in one secondary school. Do not translate it simply as Schule, which can mean any kind of school.
Die Gesamtschule liegt neben dem Park.
The comprehensive school is next to the park.
liegt means is located, neben means next to, and der Park is the park. Die Gesamtschule is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir besichtigen die Gesamtschule am Freitag.
We are visiting the comprehensive school on Friday.
besichtigen means visit or inspect, and am Freitag means on Friday. die Gesamtschule is accusative because besichtigen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Lehrerin erklärt den Eltern die Gesamtschule.
The teacher explains the comprehensive school to the parents.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, erklärt means explains, and die Eltern are the parents. der Lehrerin would be the dative recipient and die Gesamtschule is accusative as the thing explained; here Gesamtschule is marked with die, so its form is identical in nominative and accusative.
Die Vorteile der Gesamtschule sind vielfältig.
The advantages of the comprehensive school are varied.
die Vorteile means the advantages and vielfältig means varied. der Gesamtschule is genitive because it identifies whose advantages they are; the feminine genitive article is der, not die.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Gesamtschulen.
There are many comprehensive schools in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Gesamtschulen is plural with -n; after viele, no article is needed, and es gibt takes an accusative noun phrase.
Goethe-Institut — Goethe-Institut, German cultural institute
The Goethe-Institut is named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a famous German writer. The name is a fixed proper name, so it normally appears without an article.
Ich lerne Deutsch am Goethe-Institut.
I am learning German at the Goethe-Institut.
lerne means learn, Deutsch means German, and am means at the. Am Goethe-Institut is dative because an in this fixed location phrase takes the dative; the finite verb lerne is in position two.
Das Goethe-Institut bietet Sprachkurse an.
The Goethe-Institut offers language courses.
bietet ... an means offers, and Sprachkurse means language courses. Das Goethe-Institut is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb anbieten splits in a main clause, with bietet in position two and an at the end.
die Hauptschule — Hauptschule; lower secondary school; Hauptschule education or qualification
Hauptschule is a specifically German school term, so it is often left untranslated as Hauptschule or explained as a type of lower secondary school. It is not the same as high school in the United States or secondary school in every English-speaking country.
Die Hauptschule beginnt nach der Grundschule.
Hauptschule begins after primary school.
beginnt means begins, and die Grundschule means primary school. Die Hauptschule is nominative because it is the subject; nach der Grundschule uses the dative after nach, and beginnt is in position two.
Viele Eltern wählen die Hauptschule.
Many parents choose the Hauptschule.
viele Eltern means many parents and wählen means choose. Die Hauptschule is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; feminine die is unchanged from nominative.
Sie hilft der Hauptschule mit Computern.
She helps the Hauptschule with computers.
hilft means helps and mit Computern means with computers. Helfen takes a dative object, so der Hauptschule is dative; mit Computern is also dative because mit always governs the dative.
Das Gebäude der Hauptschule ist alt.
The Hauptschule building is old.
das Gebäude means the building and alt means old. Der Hauptschule is genitive because it shows which school the building belongs to; the verb ist is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Hauptschulen.
There are many Hauptschulen in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany and viele means many. Hauptschulen is plural after viele; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, though this plural has no extra case ending.
Er hat einen Abschluss von der Hauptschule.
He has a leaving certificate from a Hauptschule.
einen Abschluss means a leaving certificate or qualification, and von der Hauptschule means from the Hauptschule. Einen Abschluss is accusative after haben, while von der Hauptschule is dative because von governs the dative.
Sie sucht eine Ausbildung nach der Hauptschule.
She is looking for vocational training after Hauptschule.
sucht means is looking for and eine Ausbildung means vocational training. Eine Ausbildung is accusative after suchen, while nach der Hauptschule is dative because nach governs the dative.
der Intensivkurs — intensive course
This compound means a course with many lessons or a lot of practice in a short time. Intensiv describes the course, while Kurs is the noun that supplies the plural and genitive endings.
Der Intensivkurs beginnt am Montag.
The intensive course starts on Monday.
beginnt means starts and am Montag means on Monday. der Intensivkurs is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche einen Intensivkurs.
I am attending an intensive course.
ich besuche means I attend. einen Intensivkurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
In dem Intensivkurs sprechen wir viel Deutsch.
In the intensive course, we speak a lot of German.
in dem Kurs means in the course, sprechen means speak, and viel Deutsch means a lot of German. Here in describes a fixed location, so it takes the dative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Dauer des Intensivkurses beträgt vier Wochen.
The intensive course lasts four weeks.
die Dauer means the duration and beträgt means amounts to or is. des Intensivkurses is genitive and means of the intensive course; the masculine noun adds -es in the genitive.
Im Sommer beginnen neue Intensivkurse.
New intensive courses start in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, neue means new, and beginnen means start. Intensivkurse is the plural subject, so the finite verb is plural: beginnen, not beginnt.
die Klassenarbeit — written test, class test
A Klassenarbeit is a test written by a whole class, not ordinary homework. The verb phrase eine Klassenarbeit schreiben means to take a written test; in some regions, learners may also hear Schularbeit.
Die Klassenarbeit beginnt um acht Uhr.
The written test starts at eight o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Klassenarbeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir schreiben morgen eine Klassenarbeit.
We are taking a written test tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and schreiben here means take or sit a written test. Eine Klassenarbeit is accusative because schreiben takes the test as its direct object, while the finite verb schreiben is in position two.
Der Lehrer gibt den Schülern vor der Klassenarbeit wichtige Tipps.
The teacher gives the pupils important tips before the written test.
der Lehrer is the teacher, den Schülern means the pupils, and wichtige Tipps means important tips. Vor der Klassenarbeit uses the dative because vor means before here, and den Schülern is also dative because geben gives something to someone.
Die Ergebnisse der Klassenarbeit liegen auf dem Tisch.
The results of the written test are on the table.
die Ergebnisse are the results, and liegen auf dem Tisch means are lying on the table. Der Klassenarbeit is genitive because it says whose results they are; the feminine genitive article is der, not des.
Unsere Klassenarbeiten sind dieses Jahr schwer.
Our written tests are difficult this year.
unsere means our, dieses Jahr means this year, and schwer means difficult. Klassenarbeiten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural is formed with -en.
der Klassenlehrer — class teacher, form teacher
A Klassenlehrer is the teacher responsible for one class and its organisation or pastoral care. The feminine form is Klassenlehrerin, and the plural of the masculine form is Klassenlehrer without an ending.
Der Klassenlehrer begrüßt die Schüler.
The class teacher greets the pupils.
begrüßt means greets, and die Schüler means the pupils. Der Klassenlehrer is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two.
Die Eltern treffen den Klassenlehrer.
The parents meet the class teacher.
die Eltern are the parents, and treffen means meet. Den Klassenlehrer is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich erzähle dem Klassenlehrer von dem Problem.
I tell the class teacher about the problem.
erzähle means tell, and von dem Problem means about the problem. Dem Klassenlehrer is dative because jemandem etwas erzählen means tell something to someone; von also takes the dative.
Das Fahrrad des Klassenlehrers steht vor der Schule.
The class teacher’s bicycle is in front of the school.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and vor der Schule means in front of the school. Des Klassenlehrers is genitive because it shows possession, and this regular masculine noun adds -s.
Die Klassenlehrer treffen sich am Nachmittag.
The class teachers meet in the afternoon.
treffen sich means meet each other, and am Nachmittag means in the afternoon. Klassenlehrer is plural with no visible ending change; die and the plural verb treffen show the number.
korrigieren — to correct
korrigieren is a weak verb with the forms korrigierte and hat korrigiert. It takes an accusative object, for example einen Fehler korrigieren; verbs ending in -ieren form the Partizip II without ge-.
Ich korrigiere gerade die Hausaufgaben.
I am correcting the homework right now.
gerade means right now, and die Hausaufgaben means the homework. die Hausaufgaben is accusative because it is the object of korrigieren; the finite verb korrigiere stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin hat den Test korrigiert.
The teacher has corrected the test.
Die Lehrerin means the female teacher, and den Test means the test. den Test is accusative because it is the object; the perfect uses hat and puts the Partizip II korrigiert at the end.
Er korrigierte meinen Namen sofort.
He corrected my name immediately.
meinen Namen means my name, and sofort means immediately. meinen Namen is accusative as the object, and the weak-verb preterite korrigierte is the finite verb in position two.
Korrigiere bitte diesen Satz.
Please correct this sentence.
bitte means please, and diesen Satz means this sentence. The imperative korrigiere stands first, and diesen Satz is accusative because it is the object of the command.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, korrigierte ich den ganzen Text.
If I had more time, I would correct the whole text.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte means if I had more time, and den ganzen Text means the whole text. In the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end; korrigierte expresses the hypothetical result in the main clause and den ganzen Text is accusative.
Morgen werde ich die Fehler korrigieren.
Tomorrow I will correct the mistakes.
Morgen means tomorrow, and die Fehler means the mistakes. die Fehler is accusative as the object; Future I uses werde in position two and puts the infinitive korrigieren at the end.
der Kursleiter — course leader, instructor
Der Kursleiter is the person responsible for teaching or leading a course. For a woman, use die Kursleiterin.
Der Kursleiter erklärt die Aufgabe.
The course leader explains the task.
erklärt means explains and die Aufgabe means the task. Der Kursleiter is nominative as the subject; die Aufgabe is accusative, and erklärt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Kursleiter jeden Montag.
I see the course leader every Monday.
sehe means see and jeden Montag means every Monday. Den Kursleiter is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
Wir danken dem Kursleiter für seine Hilfe.
We thank the course leader for his help.
danken means thank, für means for, and seine Hilfe means his help. Dem Kursleiter is dative because danken requires a dative person; für seine Hilfe is accusative after für.
Die Erklärung des Kursleiters war sehr klar.
The course leader's explanation was very clear.
die Erklärung means the explanation and klar means clear. Des Kursleiters is genitive to show possession; war is in position two.
Die Kursleiter treffen sich am Freitag.
The course leaders meet on Friday.
treffen sich means meet each other and am Freitag means on Friday. Kursleiter is the nominative plural; the noun stays unchanged, so die marks the plural.
Der Kursleiter ist freundlich.
The course leader is friendly.
freundlich means friendly. Der Kursleiter is nominative as the subject, and the adjective after ist has no ending.
Der Kursleiter gibt uns gute Tipps.
The course leader gives us good tips.
gibt means gives and gute Tipps means good tips. Uns is dative as the receiver, while gute Tipps is accusative as the thing given.
der Kursteilnehmer — course participant
Der Kursteilnehmer is a person attending a course. The plural is die Kursteilnehmer; do not add -n or -s.
Der Kursteilnehmer kommt aus Spanien.
The course participant comes from Spain.
kommt means comes and aus Spanien means from Spain. Der Kursteilnehmer is nominative as the subject; Spanien is dative after aus.
Die Lehrerin begrüßt den Kursteilnehmer.
The teacher welcomes the course participant.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher and begrüßt means welcomes. Den Kursteilnehmer is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object.
Ich helfe dem Kursteilnehmer bei der Anmeldung.
I help the course participant with the registration.
helfe means help, bei means with, and die Anmeldung means registration. Dem Kursteilnehmer is dative because helfen requires a dative person; bei der Anmeldung is also dative after bei.
Die Frage des Kursteilnehmers war interessant.
The course participant's question was interesting.
die Frage means the question and interessant means interesting. Des Kursteilnehmers is genitive to show possession; war is in position two.
Die Kursteilnehmer arbeiten in Gruppen.
The course participants work in groups.
arbeiten means work and in Gruppen means in groups. Kursteilnehmer is the nominative plural; the noun stays unchanged, so die marks the plural.
Der Kursteilnehmer ist neu im Kurs.
The course participant is new to the course.
neu means new and im Kurs means in the course. Der Kursteilnehmer is nominative as the subject; im Kurs is dative because in describes a location.
Jeder Kursteilnehmer muss die Hausaufgabe abgeben.
Every course participant must hand in the homework.
jeder means every, die Hausaufgabe means homework, and abgeben means hand in. Kursteilnehmer is nominative after jeder; after muss, the infinitive abgeben goes to the end.
lehren — to teach; to teach someone a lesson
The usual pattern is jemandem etwas lehren: the learner is in the dative and the subject or skill taught is in the accusative. In everyday speech, beibringen is often more common than lehren for teaching a practical skill.
Ich lehre den Kindern Deutsch.
I teach the children German.
die Kinder are the children and Deutsch is German. Den Kindern is dative for the learners, while Deutsch is accusative for the subject taught; the finite verb lehre is in position two.
Sie hat uns Schwimmen gelehrt.
She taught us swimming.
Schwimmen means swimming, and uns means us. Uns is dative for the learners and Schwimmen is accusative for the skill taught; hat is in position two and gelehrt goes to the end.
Früher lehrte er Mathematik an dieser Schule.
He used to teach mathematics at this school.
früher means formerly or in the past, Mathematik is mathematics, and diese Schule is this school. Mathematik is accusative as the subject taught, while an dieser Schule is dative because it describes a location; lehrte is in position two.
Lehr mich bitte das Rezept!
Please teach me the recipe!
bitte means please and das Rezept is the recipe. Mich is accusative here as the person being taught in this common pattern, and das Rezept is the thing taught; lehr is the singular informal imperative.
Ich würde ihm gern Englisch lehren.
I would like to teach him English.
ihm means to him and Englisch is English. Ihm is dative for the learner and Englisch is accusative for the subject; würde stands in position two and lehren goes to the end.
Nächstes Jahr wird sie uns Spanisch lehren.
Next year she will teach us Spanish.
nächstes Jahr means next year and Spanisch is Spanish. Uns is dative for the learners and Spanisch is accusative for the subject taught; wird is in position two and lehren goes to the end.
Der Unfall hat ihn das Fürchten gelehrt.
The accident taught him a lesson and frightened him.
der Unfall is the accident, das Fürchten means fear, and ihn means him. Ihn is accusative as the person affected in this fixed expression, while das Fürchten is the lesson taught; hat is in position two and gelehrt is at the end.
Diese Erfahrung lehrte sie, vorsichtiger zu sein.
This experience taught her to be more careful.
die Erfahrung is the experience, vorsichtig means careful, and vorsichtiger means more careful. Sie is accusative as the person who learns the lesson, and zu sein is an infinitive phrase explaining what she learned; lehrte is in position two.
die Lektion — lesson, unit
Lektion is often used for a numbered unit in a textbook or course. For a class taught by a teacher, Unterricht is also common and usually has no plural.
Die Lektion beginnt mit einem Dialog.
The lesson begins with a dialogue.
beginnt means begins, and mit einem Dialog means with a dialogue. Die Lektion is the nominative subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two, and mit always takes the dative.
Ich wiederhole die Lektion heute Abend.
I am reviewing the lesson this evening.
wiederhole means review or repeat, and heute Abend means this evening. die Lektion is accusative because it is the direct object of wiederholen; the finite verb wiederhole is in position two.
Der Lehrer erklärt den Schülern die Lektion.
The teacher explains the lesson to the pupils.
Der Lehrer is the teacher, erklärt means explains, and den Schülern means to the pupils. den Schülern is dative because it names the recipients, while die Lektion is accusative as the thing explained.
Der Anfang der Lektion ist leicht.
The beginning of the lesson is easy.
Der Anfang means the beginning, and leicht means easy. der Lektion is genitive and shows which lesson the beginning belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Lektionen sind interessant.
The lessons are interesting.
interessant means interesting. Lektionen is the plural subject, so the verb is sind, and the predicate adjective interessant has no ending after sein.
die Lernerin — female learner
Lernerin is the feminine form of Lerner. Its plural is formed with -innen, a common ending for feminine nouns ending in -in.
Die Lernerin übt jeden Tag Deutsch.
The female learner practises German every day.
übt means practises and jeden Tag means every day. Die Lernerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb übt is in position two.
Der Lehrer lobt die Lernerin.
The teacher praises the female learner.
der Lehrer is the teacher and lobt means praises. Die Lernerin is accusative because loben takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles both use die.
Die Lehrerin hilft der Lernerin bei der Aufgabe.
The female teacher helps the female learner with the exercise.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, hilft means helps, and die Aufgabe is the exercise or task. Der Lernerin is dative because helfen governs the dative; bei also takes the dative in bei der Aufgabe.
Der Fortschritt der Lernerin ist deutlich.
The female learner's progress is clear.
der Fortschritt means the progress and deutlich means clear. Der Lernerin is genitive because it identifies whose progress it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Lernerinnen sprechen miteinander.
The female learners speak with one another.
sprechen means speak and miteinander means with one another. Die Lernerinnen is the plural subject, formed by changing -in to -innen.
die Mathearbeit — maths test; maths assignment
Mathearbeit is an informal compound: Mathe means maths and Arbeit means work. In school, it usually means a written maths test, and eine Mathearbeit schreiben means to take one.
Die Mathearbeit war ziemlich schwierig.
The maths test was quite difficult.
war means was, ziemlich means quite, and schwierig means difficult. Die Mathearbeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich schreibe morgen die Mathearbeit.
I am taking the maths test tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and schreibe here means take or sit a written test. Die Mathearbeit is accusative because schreiben takes the test as its object; schreibe is in position two.
Die Lehrerin gibt der Mathearbeit eine gute Note.
The teacher gives the maths test a good grade.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, gibt means gives, and eine gute Note means a good grade. Der Mathearbeit is dative because geben marks the recipient or beneficiary with the dative, while eine gute Note is the accusative thing given.
Das Ergebnis der Mathearbeit überrascht mich.
The result of the maths test surprises me.
das Ergebnis means the result, and überrascht means surprises. Der Mathearbeit is genitive because it identifies which result is meant; mich is accusative because I am the person affected.
In diesem Jahr schreiben wir drei Mathearbeiten.
This year we are taking three maths tests.
in diesem Jahr means this year, and drei means three. Mathearbeiten is plural and accusative because schreiben takes the tests as its object; the plural ending is -en.
die Mittelschule — secondary school
The exact school system behind die Mittelschule varies by country, especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is a neutral term for a kind of secondary school and is not simply the same as das Gymnasium.
Die Mittelschule beginnt nach der Grundschule.
Secondary school begins after primary school.
beginnt nach means begins after, and die Grundschule means primary school. Die Mittelschule is nominative because it is the subject; nach takes the dative, although the dative article is not visible here because der Grundschule is inside the prepositional phrase.
Meine Tochter besucht die Mittelschule.
My daughter attends secondary school.
Meine Tochter means my daughter, and besucht means attends or visits. die Mittelschule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besucht stands in position two.
Nach der Grundschule geht sie auf die Mittelschule.
After primary school, she goes to secondary school.
Nach der Grundschule means after primary school, and geht sie auf means she goes to. der Grundschule is dative after nach, while auf die Mittelschule is accusative because auf expresses movement towards a destination.
Die Regeln der Mittelschule sind klar.
The rules of the secondary school are clear.
die Regeln means the rules, and klar means clear. der Mittelschule is genitive because it shows which school the rules belong to; the finite verb sind is in position two.
In Österreich gibt es viele Mittelschulen.
There are many secondary schools in Austria.
In Österreich means in Austria, and viele means many. In es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, so viele Mittelschulen is accusative plural; the verb phrase gibt es has the finite verb in position two.
der Musiklehrer — music teacher (male)
The feminine form is Musiklehrerin. Musiklehrer has the same noun form in the singular and plural, so check the article or verb to see the number.
Der Musiklehrer erklärt die Noten.
The music teacher explains the notes.
erklärt means explains, and Noten means musical notes. Der Musiklehrer is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Die Klasse fragt den Musiklehrer nach einem Lied.
The class asks the music teacher about a song.
Klasse means class, fragt means asks, and Lied means song. Den Musiklehrer is accusative because he is the person asked; nach takes the dative for the thing asked about.
Die Kinder danken dem Musiklehrer für den Unterricht.
The children thank the music teacher for the lesson.
Kinder means children, danken means thank, and Unterricht means lesson or teaching. Dem Musiklehrer is dative because danken requires a dative person; für den Unterricht is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Auto des Musiklehrers steht vor der Schule.
The music teacher's car is outside the school.
Auto means car, steht means is located, and vor der Schule means outside the school. Des Musiklehrers is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the noun adds -s after des.
Die Musiklehrer treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The music teachers meet for a conference.
treffen sich means meet one another, and Konferenz means conference. Die Musiklehrer is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the noun has the same form in singular and plural, so the article is important.
die Nachhilfe — tutoring, extra help
Nachhilfe is normally a mass noun for tutoring in general, so it has no plural. The common expressions are Nachhilfe geben and Nachhilfe nehmen; the verb nehmen means to receive or have in this expression.
Die Nachhilfe beginnt um fünf Uhr.
The tutoring starts at five o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um fünf Uhr means at five o’clock. Die Nachhilfe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Meine Mutter bezahlt die Nachhilfe.
My mother pays for the tutoring.
meine Mutter means my mother, and bezahlt means pays. Die Nachhilfe is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gehe jeden Dienstag zu der Nachhilfe.
I go to tutoring every Tuesday.
jeden Dienstag means every Tuesday, and gehe means go. Zu always takes the dative, so der Nachhilfe is dative; the finite verb gehe is in position two.
Die Kosten der Nachhilfe sind hoch.
The cost of the tutoring is high.
die Kosten means the costs, and hoch means high. Der Nachhilfe is genitive and shows what the costs are for; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject die Kosten.
Viele Kinder brauchen Nachhilfe.
Many children need tutoring.
viele Kinder means many children, and brauchen means need. Nachhilfe is normally an uncountable activity noun, so it has no ordinary plural here; it is the accusative object of brauchen.
nachschlagen — to look up, to consult
Nachschlagen is used for consulting a dictionary, list, book, or other reference source. It is a strong and separable verb: schlägt nach, schlug nach, hat nachgeschlagen; in a main clause, nach goes to the end.
Ich schlage das Wort im Wörterbuch nach.
I look up the word in the dictionary.
Wort means word and Wörterbuch means dictionary. Das Wort is accusative because it is the thing looked up; the strong form schlage stands in position two and the prefix nach goes to the end.
Ich habe das Wort im Wörterbuch nachgeschlagen.
I looked up the word in the dictionary.
Wort means word and Wörterbuch means dictionary. The perfect uses haben with nachgeschlagen; the Partizip II is one word at the end, not a separated form.
Er schlug die Adresse im Telefonbuch nach.
He looked up the address in the telephone directory.
Adresse means address and Telefonbuch means telephone directory. The strong past form is schlug, and nach is separated to the end; die Adresse is accusative as the direct object.
Schlag das Wort bitte nach!
Please look up the word!
bitte means please and Wort means word. The informal imperative is schlag; because the verb is separable, nach goes to the end, while das Wort is accusative.
Ich würde die Zahl im Wörterbuch nachschlagen.
I would look up the number in the dictionary.
Zahl means number and Wörterbuch means dictionary. With würde, the whole infinitive nachschlagen goes to the end and is not separated; die Zahl is accusative.
Sie wird die Bedeutung später nachschlagen.
She will look up the meaning later.
Bedeutung means meaning and später means later. Future tense uses wird plus the complete infinitive nachschlagen at the end; die Bedeutung is accusative because it is the information being looked up.
der Notizblock — notepad, writing pad
A Notizblock is a block of loose or attached blank sheets. It is not the same as das Notizbuch, which has bound pages and a cover.
Der Notizblock liegt neben dem Telefon.
The notepad is next to the telephone.
liegt means “is lying”, and neben dem Telefon means “next to the telephone”. Der Notizblock is nominative because it is the subject; neben takes the dative for a fixed position.
Ich brauche einen Notizblock.
I need a notepad.
brauche means “need”, and einen means “a” in the masculine accusative. Einen Notizblock is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich schreibe in dem Notizblock.
I write in the notepad.
schreibe means “write”, and in dem means “in the”. In dem Notizblock is dative because it describes where the writing happens, not movement into the block; the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Die Seiten des Notizblocks sind leer.
The pages of the notepad are blank.
die Seiten means “the pages”, and leer means “blank”. Des Notizblocks is genitive after die Seiten to mean “of the notepad”; the masculine noun adds -s.
Im Büro liegen mehrere Notizblöcke.
Several notepads are lying in the office.
im Büro means “in the office”, and mehrere means “several”. Notizblöcke is the plural subject and has the umlaut and ending -e; because the sentence starts with the location, the verb liegen still comes in position two.
das Notizbuch — notebook
Das Notizbuch usually has bound pages and is used for longer-term writing. For one small written message, use die Notiz.
Das Notizbuch ist in meiner Tasche.
The notebook is in my bag.
ist means “is”, and in meiner Tasche means “in my bag”. Das Notizbuch is nominative because it is the subject; in takes the dative for a location, and meiner Tasche is feminine dative.
Ich kaufe ein neues Notizbuch.
I am buying a new notebook.
kaufe means “buy”, and neues means “new”. Ein neues Notizbuch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Ich schreibe in meinem Notizbuch.
I write in my notebook.
schreibe means “write”, and meinem means “my” in the neuter dative. In meinem Notizbuch is dative because it describes a fixed location; the finite verb schreibe stands in position two.
Der Einband des Notizbuchs ist blau.
The cover of the notebook is blue.
der Einband means “the cover”, and blau means “blue”. Des Notizbuchs is genitive after der Einband to show what the cover belongs to; the neuter noun adds -s.
Auf dem Regal stehen viele Notizbücher.
Many notebooks are standing on the shelf.
das Regal is “the shelf”, stehen means “are standing”, and viele means “many”. Notizbücher is the plural subject, while auf dem Regal is dative because it gives a fixed location.
der Notizzettel — note slip, scrap of paper with a note
A Notizzettel is usually smaller and less permanent than a page in das Notizbuch. It can be a loose scrap of paper or a small adhesive note.
Der Notizzettel hängt an der Tür.
The note slip is hanging on the door.
hängt means “is hanging”, and an der Tür means “on the door”. Der Notizzettel is nominative because it is the subject; an takes the dative for a fixed location.
Ich klebe den Notizzettel an den Kühlschrank.
I stick the note slip on the fridge.
klebe means “stick”, and den Kühlschrank means “the fridge”. Den Notizzettel is accusative because it is the object of klebe; an den Kühlschrank is also accusative because it expresses movement to a place.
Ich vertraue dem Notizzettel nicht.
I do not trust the note slip.
vertraue means “trust”, and nicht means “not”. Dem Notizzettel is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object; the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Notizzettels ist gelb.
The colour of the note slip is yellow.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and gelb means “yellow”. Des Notizzettels is genitive after die Farbe to mean “of the note slip”; the masculine noun adds -s.
Auf dem Schreibtisch liegen drei Notizzettel.
Three note slips are lying on the desk.
der Schreibtisch is “the desk”, and liegen means “are lying”. Drei Notizzettel is the plural subject; this noun has no plural ending, so drei and the verb liegen show the number.
die Oberschule — secondary school
The exact type of school called die Oberschule varies between German-speaking education systems; it generally refers to a secondary school.
Die Oberschule beginnt um acht Uhr.
The secondary school starts at eight o'clock.
beginnen means to start, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Die Oberschule is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two, and um introduces the time.
Meine Tochter besucht die Oberschule.
My daughter attends secondary school.
meine Tochter means my daughter, and besuchen means to attend or visit. Die Oberschule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; meine Tochter is nominative, and besucht stands in position two.
An der Oberschule gibt es eine große Bibliothek.
There is a large library at the secondary school.
an means at here, geben means to give, and die Bibliothek means library. An der Oberschule is dative because an describes a fixed location; gibt es is the fixed existence pattern, with eine große Bibliothek as its accusative element.
Die Schüler der Oberschule machen heute einen Ausflug.
The pupils of the secondary school are going on an outing today.
der Schüler means the pupils, heute means today, and der Ausflug means outing. Der Oberschule is genitive after die Schüler to show which school they attend; einen Ausflug is accusative because machen takes that object.
Viele Oberschulen bieten Fremdsprachen an.
Many secondary schools offer foreign languages.
viele means many, bieten means offer, and die Fremdsprache means foreign language. Viele Oberschulen is plural nominative and the subject; Fremdsprachen is accusative, and the separable prefix an moves to the end of bieten ... an.
die Physik — physics
Die Physik is normally a singular-only mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. As a school subject, it is often used without an article after verbs such as lernen or studieren.
Die Physik erklärt viele Dinge in der Natur.
Physics explains many things in nature.
erklären means explain, viele Dinge means many things, and die Natur means nature. die Physik is the subject, while viele Dinge is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; erklärt stands in position two.
Ich lerne die Physik für die Prüfung.
I am studying physics for the exam.
lernen means study or learn, für means for, and die Prüfung means the exam. die Physik is accusative because lernen takes the subject being studied; für also takes the accusative, and the finite verb lerne is in position two.
In der Physik ist Energie ein wichtiges Thema.
In physics, energy is an important topic.
Energie means energy and ein wichtiges Thema means an important topic. in der Physik uses the dative because in describes a field or location here, not movement; the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Gesetze der Physik gelten überall.
The laws of physics apply everywhere.
die Gesetze means the laws and überall means everywhere. der Physik is genitive because the laws belong to or come from physics; the finite verb gelten is in position two.
die Probe — test, sample; rehearsal; rehearsal
Die Probe can mean a test, a sample, or a rehearsal, depending on the context. In a school context it usually means a test; with theatre or music it means a rehearsal.
Die Probe war nicht schwer.
The test was not difficult.
schwer means difficult. Die Probe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich mache morgen die Probe.
I am taking the test tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and machen means to do or take here. Die Probe is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the finite verb mache stands in position two.
Wir sprechen nach der Probe noch zusammen.
We are still talking together after the rehearsal.
nach means after, and noch zusammen means still together. Der Probe is dative because nach always takes the dative; sprechen is in position two.
Die Dauer der Probe beträgt zwei Stunden.
The duration of the rehearsal is two hours.
die Dauer means the duration, and beträgt means amounts to. Der Probe is genitive because it identifies whose duration is meant; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Die Schauspieler machen drei Proben vor der Aufführung.
The actors have three rehearsals before the performance.
die Schauspieler are the actors, and die Aufführung is the performance. Proben is plural and accusative because machen takes the rehearsals as its direct object.
Die Band ist heute bei der Probe.
The band is at rehearsal today.
die Band means the band, and heute means today. Bei der Probe is a dative phrase because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Vor der Probe trinken wir einen Kaffee.
Before rehearsal, we drink a coffee.
vor means before, and trinken means drink. Der Probe is dative because vor expresses a time relationship here; trinken comes in position two after the fronted phrase.
der Professor — professor; Professor, academic title
Professor is a masculine noun with the plural Professoren, but its genitive singular is des Professors. A professor teaches and researches at a university; Dozent is a broader word for a university lecturer.
Der Professor hält heute eine Vorlesung.
The professor is giving a lecture today.
hält eine Vorlesung means gives a lecture, and heute means today. Der Professor is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Professor im Flur.
I see the professor in the corridor.
sehe means see, and der Flur is the corridor. Den Professor is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im Flur is a location, and the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich stelle dem Professor eine Frage.
I ask the professor a question.
stelle ... eine Frage means ask a question. Dem Professor is dative because jemandem eine Frage stellen gives the person the dative role, while eine Frage is accusative; the finite verb stelle stands in position two.
Das Büro des Professors ist im zweiten Stock.
The professor's office is on the second floor.
Das Büro means the office, and im zweiten Stock means on the second floor. Des Professors is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Professoren treffen sich nach der Konferenz.
The professors meet after the conference.
treffen sich means meet each other, nach means after, and die Konferenz is the conference. Die Professoren is plural and nominative as the subject; nach der Konferenz uses dative after nach.
Guten Morgen, Professor!
Good morning, Professor!
Guten Morgen means good morning. Professor is used as a title in direct address, so it normally has no article; the greeting is an independent phrase rather than a full verb sentence.
Der Professor erklärt die schwierige Theorie.
The professor explains the difficult theory.
erklärt means explains, and die schwierige Theorie means the difficult theory. Die schwierige Theorie is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
prüfen — to check, test, examine
Prüfen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect: hat geprüft. It usually takes an accusative object, such as eine Antwort or einen Vertrag.
Ich prüfe die Rechnung.
I am checking the bill.
die Rechnung is the bill, and prüfe means check. Die Rechnung is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the finite verb prüfe stands in position two.
Wir haben die Ergebnisse geprüft.
We have checked the results.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and haben means have. Die Ergebnisse is accusative, while geprüft is the Partizip II at the end of the clause; prüfen forms the perfect with haben.
Der Lehrer prüfte unsere Hausaufgaben.
The teacher checked our homework.
der Lehrer is the teacher and unsere Hausaufgaben means our homework. Unsere Hausaufgaben is accusative because it is checked, and the regular past form prüfte is in position two.
Prüf bitte die Adresse!
Please check the address!
bitte means please, and die Adresse is the address. Prüf is the informal du imperative; the direct object die Adresse is accusative.
Ich würde den Vertrag vorher prüfen.
I would check the contract beforehand.
der Vertrag is the contract and vorher means beforehand. Würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, while the infinitive prüfen goes to the end; den Vertrag is accusative.
Die Ärztin wird die Ergebnisse morgen prüfen.
The doctor will check the results tomorrow.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, die Ergebnisse are the results, and morgen means tomorrow. Wird is in position two and the infinitive prüfen goes to the end; die Ergebnisse is accusative.
Bitte prüfen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Adresse.
Please check your email address.
Ihre E-Mail-Adresse means your email address. Prüfen Sie is the polite imperative, and the object Ihre E-Mail-Adresse is accusative.
die Prüfung — exam, test, examination
Prüfung can mean an exam at school or university, or a formal test of something. Common expressions are eine Prüfung machen, eine Prüfung bestehen, and durch eine Prüfung fallen.
Die Prüfung beginnt um neun Uhr.
The exam starts at nine o’clock.
beginnt means starts and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Die Prüfung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich mache morgen die Prüfung.
I am taking the exam tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and machen can mean take when used with eine Prüfung. Die Prüfung is accusative as the object of mache, and the finite verb is in position two.
Nach der Prüfung fahre ich nach Hause.
After the exam, I am going home.
nach means after here, and nach Hause means home. Nach takes the dative for time, so der Prüfung is dative; the phrase comes first, so fahre is in position two before ich.
Das Ergebnis der Prüfung kommt nächste Woche.
The result of the exam comes next week.
das Ergebnis means the result and nächste Woche means next week. Der Prüfung is genitive because it identifies which result, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Drei Prüfungen sind in dieser Woche.
There are three exams this week.
drei means three and in dieser Woche means this week. Prüfungen is plural and nominative as the subject; after drei, no plural article is used.
Die Prüfung war sehr schwer.
The exam was very difficult.
sehr schwer means very difficult. Die Prüfung is the nominative subject, and the past-tense verb war stands in position two.
die Realschule — Realschule, type of German secondary school
die Realschule is a specifically German school type, so it is often left untranslated in English explanations. A pupil goes auf die Realschule with the accusative for movement or attendance, but is auf der Realschule with the dative for location.
Die Realschule beginnt nach der Grundschule.
Realschule begins after primary school.
beginnt means begins, and die Grundschule means primary school. Die Realschule is nominative because it is the subject; nach der Grundschule uses the dative after nach.
Meine Tochter besucht die Realschule.
My daughter attends Realschule.
meine Tochter means my daughter, and besucht means attends. die Realschule is accusative because besuchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb besucht is in position two.
Ich helfe einem Schüler aus der Realschule.
I help a pupil from the Realschule.
helfen means to help, and einem Schüler means a male pupil. der Realschule is dative after aus, which means from or out of; helfen also takes a dative person, so einem Schüler is dative.
Das Gebäude der Realschule ist sehr alt.
The Realschule building is very old.
das Gebäude means the building, and sehr alt means very old. der Realschule is genitive because it identifies which building; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Realschulen.
There are many Realschulen in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Realschulen is plural; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is still die and is omitted here after viele.
das Referat — presentation, report; report, paper
At school, das Referat usually means an oral presentation prepared on a topic. In some contexts it can also mean a written report, but Vortrag is often used for a more formal talk.
Das Referat ist morgen fällig.
The presentation is due tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and fällig means due. Das Referat is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Mia hält morgen ein Referat über erneuerbare Energien.
Mia is giving a presentation about renewable energy tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and erneuerbare Energien means renewable energy. ein Referat is accusative because halten takes the thing being given as an accusative object; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Der Lehrer hilft Mia bei ihrem Referat.
The teacher helps Mia with her presentation.
der Lehrer means the teacher, hilft means helps, and bei means with or in connection with. ihrem Referat is dative because bei governs the dative; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Der Inhalt des Referats ist sehr interessant.
The content of the presentation is very interesting.
der Inhalt means the content, and sehr interessant means very interesting. des Referats is genitive because it shows which presentation the content belongs to; the whole phrase Der Inhalt des Referats is the nominative subject.
Die Referate der Schüler waren gut vorbereitet.
The students’ presentations were well prepared.
der Schüler means of the students, and gut vorbereitet means well prepared. Die Referate is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Schüler is genitive and shows who gave the presentations.
Ich muss mein Referat am Montag abgeben.
I have to hand in my report on Monday.
muss means have to, mein means my, and am Montag means on Monday. mein Referat is accusative because abgeben takes the report as its object; with muss, the infinitive abgeben goes to the end.
Das Referat enthält viele interessante Quellen.
The report contains many interesting sources.
enthält means contains, viele means many, and Quellen means sources. Das Referat is nominative because it is the subject; viele interessante Quellen is accusative after enthält.
das Schaubild — diagram, chart
Schaubild is used for a visual presentation of information, especially in school, reports, and presentations. It can describe a chart with numbers or a labelled diagram.
Das Schaubild zeigt den Weg zum Bahnhof.
The diagram shows the way to the train station.
zeigt means shows, der Weg means the way, and der Bahnhof means the train station. Das Schaubild is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Die Lehrerin erklärt das Schaubild.
The teacher explains the diagram.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, and erklärt means explains. Das Schaubild is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article stays das in the accusative.
Wir sprechen mit dem Lehrer über dem Schaubild.
We are talking with the teacher about the diagram.
wir sprechen means we are talking, mit dem Lehrer means with the teacher, and über means about here. Dem Schaubild is dative because this meaning of über takes the dative in the fixed phrase; do not confuse it with movement or direction, where über can take the accusative.
Die Farben des Schaubildes sind gut gewählt.
The colours of the diagram are well chosen.
die Farben means the colours, gut gewählt means well chosen, and sind means are. Des Schaubildes is genitive because it says whose colours they are; the neuter article is des and the noun takes -es.
In dem Buch gibt es viele Schaubilder.
There are many diagrams in the book.
in dem Buch means in the book, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. Viele Schaubilder is plural; its ending is -er, and it is the thing that exists after es gibt, which takes the accusative.
die Schulzeit — school days, time at school
Die Schulzeit can mean the whole period of attending school or a person's school days. It is often used when talking about memories and experiences from the past.
Meine Schulzeit war sehr schön.
My school days were very nice.
Meine means my, war means was, and sehr schön means very nice. Meine Schulzeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich vermisse meine Schulzeit.
I miss my school days.
Ich vermisse means I miss, and meine means my. Meine Schulzeit is accusative because vermissen takes an accusative object; the finite verb vermisse is in position two.
In der Schulzeit habe ich viele Freunde gefunden.
I made many friends during my school years.
In der Schulzeit means during my school years, viele Freunde means many friends, and gefunden means found or made in this context. In takes the dative for a fixed time or location, so der Schulzeit is dative; habe is in position two and gefunden goes to the end.
Die Erinnerungen der Schulzeit bleiben lange.
The memories of one's school days remain for a long time.
Die Erinnerungen are the memories, bleiben means remain, and lange means for a long time. Der Schulzeit is genitive because it says which memories are meant; bleiben stands in position two.
Frühe Schulzeiten können schwierig sein.
The early school years can be difficult.
Frühe means early, können means can, and schwierig means difficult. Schulzeiten is the plural subject; with the modal können, the infinitive sein goes to the end, and frühe has a plural adjective ending.
das Semester — semester, academic term
A Semester is one academic term, usually lasting about half a university year. In German, the plural is also Semester, not a form with an extra ending.
Das Semester beginnt im Oktober.
The semester begins in October.
beginnt means begins, and im Oktober means in October. Das Semester is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich plane das Semester gut.
I am planning the semester well.
plane means plan, and gut means well. das Semester is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the finite verb plane is in position two.
Im Semester habe ich wenig Zeit.
During the semester I have little time.
wenig Zeit means little time. im is short for in dem and forces the dative here because it describes a period of time, not movement; the phrase Im Semester occupies position one, so habe comes in position two.
Die Mitte des Semesters ist stressig.
The middle of the semester is stressful.
die Mitte means the middle, and stressig means stressful. des Semesters is genitive because it specifies whose middle it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Semester beginnen mit Prüfungen.
Many semesters begin with exams.
viele means many, and Prüfungen means exams. Semester has the same form in the plural, but the article or determiner shows the number; the plural subject takes beginnen.