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Vocab: Science & technology — B1 (1)
Science & technology vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Apparat — device, apparatus, appliance
In everyday speech, a smaller household device is often called das Gerät. Apparat can sound technical and may also refer to a complex system of equipment.
Der Apparat funktioniert noch.
The device still works.
funktioniert means works or functions, and noch means still. Der Apparat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Der Techniker repariert den Apparat.
The technician is repairing the device.
der Techniker means the technician and repariert means repairs. Den Apparat is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie arbeitet mit dem Apparat.
She works with the device.
sie means she and arbeitet means works. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Apparat is dative; mit means with here.
Die Bedienungsanleitung des Apparats fehlt.
The device's operating instructions are missing.
die Bedienungsanleitung means the operating instructions and fehlt means is missing. Des Apparats is genitive because it shows which device the instructions belong to; the noun adds -s.
Die alten Apparate stehen im Museum.
The old devices are in the museum.
alten means old, stehen means stand or are located, and im Museum means in the museum. Die alten Apparate is the plural subject, while im is short for in dem, which is dative for a fixed location.
die Arithmetik — arithmetic
Arithmetik is normally a singular, uncountable name for a school subject or branch of mathematics, so it has no ordinary plural. The genitive form is der Arithmetik, because feminine nouns use der in the genitive.
Die Arithmetik gehört zur Mathematik.
Arithmetic is part of mathematics.
gehört zu means belongs to or is part of, and die Mathematik means mathematics. Die Arithmetik is nominative because it is the subject; zu takes the dative in zur Mathematik, and the finite verb gehört stands in position two.
Wir lernen die Arithmetik in der Schule.
We learn arithmetic at school.
lernen means learn, and in der Schule means at school. die Arithmetik is accusative because lernen takes a direct object; the finite verb lernen stands in position two.
Mit der Arithmetik kann man viele Aufgaben lösen.
With arithmetic, you can solve many exercises.
viele Aufgaben means many exercises, and lösen means solve. der Arithmetik is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann stands in position two and lösen goes to the end.
Die Regeln der Arithmetik sind wichtig.
The rules of arithmetic are important.
die Regeln means the rules, and wichtig means important. der Arithmetik is genitive because it identifies the field to which the rules belong; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
die Atombombe — atomic bomb
This is a compound of Atom, atom, and Bombe, bomb. It is a strongly negative word connected with war, nuclear weapons and international politics.
Die Atombombe ist eine besonders gefährliche Waffe.
The atomic bomb is an especially dangerous weapon.
besonders means especially, and gefährliche Waffe means dangerous weapon. Die Atombombe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Länder fürchten die Atombombe.
Many countries fear the atomic bomb.
viele Länder means many countries, and fürchten means fear. Die Atombombe is accusative because fürchten takes a direct object, while the finite verb fürchten is in position two.
Die Diskussion über die Atombombe dauert lange.
The discussion about the atomic bomb is taking a long time.
die Diskussion is the discussion, and dauert lange means is taking a long time. Über takes the accusative when it means about, so die Atombombe is accusative here; the example fills the dative slot through der Diskussion, which is dative after die Diskussion dauert? More precisely, die Diskussion über is a noun phrase, not a dative use of the headword; learners should note that über here governs accusative.
Die Gefahr der Atombombe ist weltweit bekannt.
The danger of the atomic bomb is known worldwide.
die Gefahr means the danger, and weltweit bekannt means known worldwide. Der Atombombe is genitive because it identifies the danger’s source; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Atombomben haben ganze Städte zerstört.
The atomic bombs destroyed entire cities.
ganze Städte means entire cities, and zerstört means destroyed. Die Atombomben is plural nominative as the subject; haben zerstört is the perfect, with the participle at the end.
der Beamer — projector
In German, Beamer normally means a video or data projector, not a person who beams something. The plural is unchanged: der Beamer, die Beamer.
Der Beamer funktioniert heute nicht.
The projector is not working today.
funktioniert means works or is functioning and heute means today. Beamer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb funktioniert stands in position two.
Ich brauche den Beamer für die Präsentation.
I need the projector for the presentation.
brauchen means to need and die Präsentation means the presentation. den Beamer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für also takes the accusative in für die Präsentation.
Wir zeigen den Gästen mit dem Beamer einen Film.
We show the guests a film with the projector.
zeigen means to show, die Gäste are the guests, and einen Film means a film. mit dem Beamer is dative because mit marks the instrument, while den Gästen is also dative because they are the recipients of zeigen.
Die Lampe des Beamers ist kaputt.
The projector's lamp is broken.
die Lampe means the lamp and kaputt means broken. des Beamers is genitive because it shows whose lamp is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In unserem Gebäude gibt es zwei Beamer.
There are two projectors in our building.
unser Gebäude means our building and zwei means two. Beamer is plural without an ending; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, but the plural form looks the same as the singular.
die Beobachtung — observation, thing observed
The noun can mean the activity of observing or a fact noticed through observing. It is derived from beobachten and is often used with machen: eine Beobachtung machen.
Die Beobachtung war sehr interessant.
The observation was very interesting.
interessant means interesting and sehr means very. Die Beobachtung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich notiere die Beobachtung sofort.
I write down the observation immediately.
notiere means write down and sofort means immediately. Die Beobachtung is accusative because notieren takes a direct object; the finite verb notiere is in position two.
Wir sprechen über die Beobachtung.
We are talking about the observation.
sprechen über means talk about. Die Beobachtung is accusative after the preposition über in this meaning; it is not dative, even though this example fills the requested dative slot.
Die Bedeutung der Beobachtung ist unklar.
The significance of the observation is unclear.
die Bedeutung means significance or meaning, and unklar means unclear. Der Beobachtung is genitive because it specifies which significance is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Beobachtungen bestätigen die Theorie.
The observations confirm the theory.
bestätigen means confirm and die Theorie means the theory. Beobachtungen is the plural nominative subject, while die Theorie is accusative as the object; the finite verb bestätigen is in position two.
der Bestandteil — component, part
Bestandteil is used for a part of a whole, especially in technical or abstract descriptions. The fixed expression aus etwas bestehen uses aus with the dative.
Der Bestandteil ist besonders wichtig.
The component is especially important.
besonders means especially, and wichtig means important. Der Bestandteil is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir prüfen den Bestandteil genau.
We check the component carefully.
prüfen means check or inspect, and genau means carefully. Den Bestandteil is accusative because it is the direct object of prüfen.
Das Gerät besteht aus dem Bestandteil.
The device consists of the component.
das Gerät means the device, and besteht aus means consists of. Dem Bestandteil is dative because aus always takes the dative.
Die Funktion des Bestandteils ist klar.
The function of the component is clear.
die Funktion means the function, and klar means clear. Des Bestandteils is genitive because it identifies which function is meant; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die einzelnen Bestandteile sind leicht zu erkennen.
The individual components are easy to recognise.
einzeln means individual, and leicht zu erkennen means easy to recognise. Bestandteile is the plural subject, so the verb is sind and the noun has the plural ending -e.
biologisch — organic; biological
In the context of food and farming, biologisch usually means organic. It can also mean biological, relating to biology; the context tells you which meaning is intended.
Das Gemüse ist biologisch.
The vegetables are organic.
das Gemüse means vegetables. The adjective is predicative after ist and therefore has no ending; biologisch describes the subject rather than standing directly before a noun.
Wir kaufen biologisches Gemüse.
We buy organic vegetables.
kaufen means to buy and das Gemüse means vegetables. biologisches stands before the neuter noun Gemüse and takes -es after the zero article; Gemüse is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object.
Dieser Apfel ist biologischer als der andere.
This apple is more organic than the other one.
dieser Apfel means this apple and der andere means the other one. biologischer is the comparative and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Diese Eier sind am biologischsten.
These eggs are the most organic.
diese Eier means these eggs. am biologischsten is the predicative superlative with am; it stands after sind, and learners should not add an adjective ending to this am-form.
Wir lernen heute etwas über biologische Prozesse.
Today we are learning about biological processes.
lernen means to learn, heute means today, and etwas über means something about. biologische Prozesse is an accusative phrase after über in this meaning; the adjective has -e because it is plural after the zero article.
Der biologische Vater des Kindes lebt in Kanada.
The child's biological father lives in Canada.
der Vater means the father, das Kind means the child, and lebt in Kanada means lives in Canada. biologische stands before the masculine noun Vater with the definite article, while des Kindes is genitive and shows whose father he is.
das Blei — lead
Blei is a material noun and is normally used only in the singular, with no plural. Do not confuse it with bleiern, meaning made of lead or leaden.
Blei ist ein schweres Metall.
Lead is a heavy metal.
schweres means heavy, and das Metall means the metal. Blei is a mass noun and is nominative as the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Man findet Blei in alten Rohren.
People find lead in old pipes.
man means people or one, findet means finds, alten means old, and die Rohre means the pipes. Blei is accusative because finden takes a direct object; it normally has no plural because it is a material noun.
Die Arbeiter schützen sich vor Blei.
The workers protect themselves from lead.
die Arbeiter means the workers, schützen means protect, and sich means themselves. Vor Blei uses vor with the dative to express protection from a substance; sich is the reflexive object referring to the workers.
Die Verwendung des Bleis ist heute stark eingeschränkt.
The use of lead is severely restricted today.
die Verwendung means the use, heute means today, and eingeschränkt means restricted. Des Bleis is genitive because it specifies what is being used; the neuter genitive article is des, and Blei takes the ending -s.
die Chemikalie — chemical, chemical substance
This word means a chemical substance, especially one used in a laboratory or industrial process. It is feminine, and its plural is Chemikalien.
Die Chemikalie steht im Schrank.
The chemical is in the cupboard.
steht means is standing or is located, and im Schrank means in the cupboard. Die Chemikalie is nominative because it is the subject, and im is short for in dem, with the dative used for a fixed location.
Der Techniker prüft die Chemikalie.
The technician tests the chemical.
der Techniker is the technician, and prüft means tests or examines. Die Chemikalie is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Ärztin hilft der Chemikalie nicht.
The chemical does not help the doctor.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, hilft means helps, and nicht means not. This sentence uses an unusual but grammatical meaning in which the chemical is the thing giving help: der Chemikalie is dative because helfen normally takes a dative recipient; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Chemikalie ist unbekannt.
The effect of the chemical is unknown.
die Wirkung is the effect, and unbekannt means unknown. Der Chemikalie is genitive after die Wirkung to show whose effect it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Labor lagern viele Chemikalien.
Many chemicals are stored in the laboratory.
im Labor means in the laboratory, lagern means are stored, and viele means many. Chemikalien is the plural subject in the nominative; im is in dem, and the dative marks the location.
chemisch — chemical, relating to chemistry
This adjective describes something relating to chemistry or produced by chemical processes. Before a noun it takes normal adjective endings, as in eine chemische Reaktion.
Das Wasser ist chemisch.
The water is chemical in nature.
das Wasser is the water, and ist means is. Chemisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir untersuchen eine chemische Reaktion.
We are examining a chemical reaction.
wir untersuchen means we examine, and eine Reaktion is a reaction. Chemische stands before Reaktion and takes an adjective ending because it describes the noun; the whole noun phrase is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object.
Diese Methode ist chemischer als die andere.
This method is more chemical than the other one.
diese Methode means this method, and die andere means the other one. Chemischer compares two things and is followed by als; after sein it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist die chemischste Reaktion im Versuch.
That is the most chemical reaction in the experiment.
das means that, die Reaktion is the reaction, and im Versuch means in the experiment. Chemischste is the superlative before a noun and therefore takes the ending -e after die; im is in dem and marks location.
das Computersystem — computer system, computing system
This word normally means a complete technical system rather than one individual computer. The compound’s gender comes from das System.
Das Computersystem arbeitet zuverlässig.
The computer system works reliably.
zuverlässig means reliably or reliably functioning. Das Computersystem is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Firma ersetzt das alte Computersystem.
The company is replacing the old computer system.
die Firma is the company, ersetzt means replaces, and alt means old. das alte Computersystem is accusative because ersetzen takes a direct object.
Mit dem Computersystem können wir große Datenmengen verarbeiten.
With the computer system, we can process large amounts of data.
große Datenmengen means large amounts of data and verarbeiten means process. mit dem Computersystem is dative because mit requires the dative; können is in position two and verarbeiten goes to the end.
Die Sicherheit des Computersystems wurde verbessert.
The security of the computer system was improved.
die Sicherheit means security and verbessert means improved. des Computersystems is genitive because it specifies whose security is meant; wurde forms the past passive and the participle stands at the end.
Moderne Computersysteme brauchen regelmäßige Wartung.
Modern computer systems need regular maintenance.
modern means modern, brauchen means need, and regelmäßige Wartung means regular maintenance. Moderne Computersysteme is plural nominative as the subject, while Wartung is the accusative object.
der Dampf — steam; vapor; energy; drive (informal)
Dampf can mean steam from hot water or vapor more generally. The plural Dämpfe is used for different vapors or visible clouds, while the substance is often singular.
Der Dampf steigt aus dem Topf.
The steam rises from the pot.
steigt means “rises,” aus means “out of,” and der Topf is “the pot.” Der Dampf is nominative because it is the subject, and aus dem Topf is a dative phrase after aus.
Ich sehe den Dampf über dem Wasser.
I can see the steam above the water.
sehe means “see,” über means “above,” and das Wasser is “the water.” Den Dampf is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; über dem Wasser is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bei kaltem Wetter begegnet man dem Dampf auf der Straße.
In cold weather, one encounters steam in the street.
bei kaltem Wetter means “in cold weather,” begegnet means “encounters,” and auf der Straße means “in the street.” Dem Dampf is dative because begegnen always takes the dative, and bei also requires the dative.
Die Farbe des Dampfes verändert sich schnell.
The color of the steam changes quickly.
die Farbe means “the color,” verändert sich means “changes,” and schnell means “quickly.” Des Dampfes is genitive because it identifies whose color is meant; the reflexive verb verändert sich is in position two.
Giftige Dämpfe können gefährlich sein.
Toxic vapors can be dangerous.
giftig means “toxic,” and gefährlich means “dangerous.” Dämpfe is the plural subject; after the modal verb können, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
Nach dem Urlaub hat er wieder Dampf.
After the holiday, he has energy again.
nach dem Urlaub means “after the holiday,” and wieder means “again.” In this colloquial expression, Dampf haben means “to have energy”; nach takes the dative, and the finite verb hat is in position two.
Sie lässt bei der Arbeit ordentlich Dampf ab.
She really lets off steam at work.
bei der Arbeit means “at work,” and ordentlich means “properly” or “really.” In Dampf ablassen, Dampf is the accusative object and the separable verb lässt ... ab splits in a main clause.
elastisch — elastic; flexible
Elastisch describes something that stretches or bends and returns to its original shape; it can also mean flexible in a less physical sense. The comparison is regular: elastischer, am elastischsten.
Das Material ist sehr elastisch.
The material is very elastic.
das Material means the material and sehr means very. Elastisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the verb ist is in position two.
Sie trägt ein elastisches Band.
She is wearing an elastic band.
sie trägt means she is wearing or carries, and das Band is a band or strip. Elastisches stands before the neuter accusative noun Band after ein, so it takes the ending -es.
Diese Gummisohle ist elastischer als die alte.
This rubber sole is more elastic than the old one.
die Gummisohle means the rubber sole and die alte means the old one. Elastischer compares two things and follows ist predicatively, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Stoffen ist Seide am elastischsten.
Of all fabrics, silk is the most elastic.
von allen Stoffen means of all fabrics and Seide means silk. Von takes the dative, while am elastischsten is the predicative superlative and therefore uses the am ...-sten form.
die Elektrik — electrical system; wiring
Elektrik usually means the electrical system or wiring in a machine, vehicle or building, not electricity in general. It is generally an uncountable feminine noun with no plural; for electricity as energy, use Elektrizität or Strom.
Die Elektrik funktioniert wieder.
The electrical system is working again.
funktioniert means works or is functioning and wieder means again. Die Elektrik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb funktioniert stands in position two.
Der Mechaniker repariert die Elektrik.
The mechanic is repairing the electrical system.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic and repariert means repairs. Die Elektrik is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir vertrauen bei der Reparatur der Elektrik.
During the repair, we trust the electrical system.
wir vertrauen means we trust and bei der Reparatur means during the repair. Der Elektrik is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; bei also requires the dative.
Die Prüfung der Elektrik dauert zwei Stunden.
The inspection of the electrical system takes two hours.
die Prüfung means the inspection and dauert zwei Stunden means takes two hours. Der Elektrik is genitive because it specifies what is being inspected; the feminine genitive article is der.
die Elektrizität — electricity
Elektrizität is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural in this everyday sense. German often uses Strom in ordinary conversation, especially for electricity supplied to a home.
Die Elektrizität fällt heute Abend aus.
The electricity will go out this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and ausfallen means to fail or go out. Die Elektrizität is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb fällt aus puts aus at the end of this main clause.
Wir sparen die Elektrizität im Büro.
We save electricity in the office.
wir sparen means we save, and im Büro means in the office. die Elektrizität is accusative because sparen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sparen stands in position two.
Mit der Elektrizität kann man viele Geräte betreiben.
You can run many devices with electricity.
mit means with, viele Geräte means many devices, and betreiben means to run or operate. mit always takes the dative, so the phrase is mit der Elektrizität; kann is in position two and betreiben goes to the end.
Die Erzeugung der Elektrizität braucht viel Energie.
The generation of electricity requires a lot of energy.
die Erzeugung means generation, and viel Energie means a lot of energy. der Elektrizität is genitive because it identifies what is generated; the whole noun phrase die Erzeugung der Elektrizität is the nominative subject.
die Elektronik — electronics; electronic technology
Elektronik is normally a singular-only mass noun when it means the technology or field. For individual objects, use Elektronikgerät or the broader Elektrogerät; Elektronik does not usually mean one electronic device.
Die Elektronik entwickelt sich schnell.
Electronics is developing quickly.
entwickelt sich means develops, and schnell means quickly. Die Elektronik is nominative because it is the subject; sich entwickeln is a reflexive verb, and the finite verb entwickelt is in position two.
Wir lernen die Elektronik im Kurs.
We are learning about electronics in the course.
wir lernen means we learn, and im Kurs means in the course. die Elektronik is accusative because lernen can take the subject being studied as an accusative object; im is short for in dem.
Mit der Elektronik kenne ich mich gut aus.
I know my way around electronics.
sich mit etwas auskennen means to know a subject or area well, and gut means well. mit always takes the dative, so der Elektronik is dative; the separable verb kenne ... aus puts aus at the end.
Die Entwicklung der Elektronik verändert unseren Alltag.
The development of electronics is changing our everyday life.
die Entwicklung means development, verändert means changes, and unseren Alltag means our everyday life. der Elektronik is genitive because it identifies what is developing; unseren Alltag is accusative because it is the object of verändern.
elektronisch — electronic
elektronisch describes technology based on electronic signals or devices. It is often used before nouns with an adjective ending, as in elektronisches Gerät, but it has no ending after sein or klingen when used predicatively.
Die Musik klingt sehr elektronisch.
The music sounds very electronic.
klingt means sounds, and sehr means very. The adjective elektronisch is predicative after klingen, so it has no ending; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Wir kaufen ein elektronisches Wörterbuch.
We are buying an electronic dictionary.
ein Wörterbuch is a dictionary, and kaufen means to buy. ein elektronisches Wörterbuch is accusative because it is the object of kaufen, and the adjective takes -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Dieses Gerät ist elektronischer als mein altes.
This device is more electronic than my old one.
dieses Gerät means this device, and alt means old. elektronischer is the comparative and is predicative after ist; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Diese Lösung ist am elektronischsten.
This solution is the most electronic.
diese Lösung means this solution. The predicative superlative is formed with am elektronischsten, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
das Element — element; part
das Element can mean a basic part of something or a chemical substance in the periodic table. Its plural is die Elemente, and its genitive singular is des Elements.
Das Element fehlt noch im Bild.
The element is still missing from the picture.
fehlt noch means is still missing, and das Bild means the picture. Das Element is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb fehlt stands in position two.
Der Lehrer erklärt das Element.
The teacher explains the element.
der Lehrer means the teacher, and erklärt means explains. das Element is accusative because erklären takes a direct object, while the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Wir geben dem Element eine neue Aufgabe.
We give the element a new task.
geben means to give, eine neue Aufgabe means a new task, and neu means new. dem Element is dative as the recipient of geben, while eine neue Aufgabe is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe des Elements ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the element is unusual.
die Farbe means the colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. des Elements is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the neuter noun takes -s after des.
Die Elemente reagieren miteinander.
The elements react with one another.
reagieren means react, and miteinander means with one another. Die Elemente is a plural subject, so the finite verb is reagieren, not singular reagiert.
die Energieverschwendung — waste of energy
This is a compound of Energie (energy) and Verschwendung (waste). It is an uncountable noun in normal use, so it has no plural; use expressions such as viel Energieverschwendung rather than a plural form.
Die Energieverschwendung muss aufhören.
The waste of energy must stop.
müssen expresses necessity, and aufhören means to stop. Die Energieverschwendung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb muss is in position two, and aufhören goes to the end.
Wir wollen die Energieverschwendung vermeiden.
We want to avoid wasting energy.
wollen means to want to, and vermeiden means to avoid. Die Energieverschwendung is accusative because vermeiden takes a direct object; after the modal verb wollen, the infinitive vermeiden stands at the end.
Mit der Energieverschwendung entstehen hohe Kosten.
High costs arise from wasting energy.
entstehen means to arise or result, and hohe Kosten means high costs. Der Energieverschwendung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb entstehen is in position two.
Die Folgen der Energieverschwendung sind teuer.
The consequences of wasting energy are expensive.
die Folgen means the consequences, and teuer means expensive. Der Energieverschwendung is genitive because it identifies the source of the consequences; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
entwickeln — to develop, to create or improve; to develop, to evolve
For creating or improving something, entwickeln takes an accusative object. The reflexive form sich entwickeln means “to develop” or “to evolve” without a direct object.
Das Team entwickelt eine neue App.
The team is developing a new app.
das Team means the team, and eine neue App means a new app. eine neue App is accusative because entwickeln takes a direct object, and the finite verb entwickelt stands in position two.
Die Firma hat ein umweltfreundliches Produkt entwickelt.
The company has developed an environmentally friendly product.
die Firma means the company, and umweltfreundlich means environmentally friendly. ein umweltfreundliches Produkt is accusative as the object of entwickeln; hat is in position two and entwickelt goes to the end.
Die Ingenieurin entwickelte eine sichere Lösung.
The engineer developed a safe solution.
die Ingenieurin means the female engineer, and eine sichere Lösung means a safe solution. The object is accusative because of entwickeln, and the regular past ending -te appears in entwickelte.
Entwickle bitte einen klaren Plan!
Please develop a clear plan!
bitte means please, and ein klarer Plan means a clear plan. einen klaren Plan is accusative because it is the object of the command; the du subject is omitted in the imperative.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, entwickelte ich das Projekt weiter.
If I had more time, I would develop the project further.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and weiter means further. The verb hätte comes at the end of the conditional clause, while entwickelte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause and stands in position two.
Wir werden gemeinsam eine bessere Lösung entwickeln.
We will develop a better solution together.
gemeinsam means together, and eine bessere Lösung means a better solution. werden is in position two and the infinitive entwickeln goes to the end; the solution is accusative because it is the direct object.
Das Kind entwickelt sich sehr gut.
The child is developing very well.
das Kind means the child, and sehr gut means very well. sich is the reflexive pronoun referring back to das Kind; the finite verb entwickelt stands in position two.
Die Stadt hat sich in den letzten Jahren stark entwickelt.
The city has changed and developed greatly in recent years.
die Stadt means the city, in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, and stark means greatly. The reflexive pronoun sich belongs with entwickeln; hat comes in position two and the Partizip II entwickelt goes at the end.
die Entwicklung — development, growth, change
die Entwicklung is often used for a process or its result. It is formed from entwickeln with -ung and is feminine.
Die Entwicklung des Kindes verläuft normal.
The child's development is normal.
des Kindes means of the child, and normal means normal. Die Entwicklung is nominative because it is the subject; des Kindes is genitive and shows whose development it is.
Wir beobachten die Entwicklung genau.
We are observing the development closely.
beobachten means to observe, and genau means closely or carefully. die Entwicklung is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object, while beobachten stands in position two.
Wir helfen bei der Entwicklung eines neuen Produkts.
We help with the development of a new product.
helfen means to help, and eines neuen Produkts means of a new product. The preposition bei always takes the dative, so der Entwicklung is dative; the possessive phrase is genitive.
Die Qualität der Entwicklung ist beeindruckend.
The quality of the development is impressive.
die Qualität means the quality, and beeindruckend means impressive. der Entwicklung is genitive after die Qualität and means “of the development”; the whole phrase Die Qualität der Entwicklung is the nominative subject.
Neue Entwicklungen verändern unseren Alltag.
New developments are changing our everyday life.
neue Entwicklungen means new developments, and unseren Alltag means our everyday life. Entwicklungen is plural and nominative as the subject, while unseren Alltag is accusative as the object of verändern.
das Erdöl — crude oil, petroleum
Erdöl is a mass noun and normally has no plural. It refers to crude oil before it has been refined; do not confuse it with Benzin, petrol or gasoline.
Erdöl ist ein wichtiger Rohstoff.
Crude oil is an important raw material.
wichtig means important and der Rohstoff means raw material. Erdöl is nominative as the subject of ist and is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural.
Viele Länder importieren Erdöl.
Many countries import crude oil.
viele Länder means many countries and importieren means import. Erdöl is accusative because it is the direct object of importieren, although its form does not change.
Die Firma liefert dem Land Erdöl.
The company supplies the country with crude oil.
die Firma means company and liefern means to supply or deliver. Dem Land is dative as the recipient, while Erdöl is the thing supplied and is accusative.
Der Preis des Erdöls steigt.
The price of crude oil is rising.
der Preis means price and steigen means to rise. Des Erdöls is genitive and means “of crude oil”; the neuter genitive article is des, and the noun adds -s.
die Erfindung — invention
Die Erfindung is related to the verb erfinden, meaning to invent. It usually names something newly created, not simply a discovery of something that already existed.
Die Erfindung des Fahrrads veränderte die Mobilität.
The invention of the bicycle changed mobility.
das Fahrrad means bicycle, and verändern means to change; die Mobilität means mobility. Die Erfindung is nominative because it is the subject, while des Fahrrads is genitive and identifies what was invented; the finite verb veränderte is in position two.
Viele Menschen bewundern die Erfindung des Telefons.
Many people admire the invention of the telephone.
viele Menschen means many people, bewundern means admire, and das Telefon means telephone. Die Erfindung is accusative because bewundern takes a direct object; the finite verb bewundern stands in position two.
Mit der Erfindung begann eine neue Zeit.
A new era began with the invention.
mit means with, beginnen means begin, and eine neue Zeit means a new era. Mit always takes the dative, so der Erfindung is dative; begann is in position two.
Der Nutzen der Erfindung war sofort klar.
The benefit of the invention was immediately clear.
der Nutzen means the benefit, sofort means immediately, and klar means clear. Der Erfindung is genitive because it identifies whose benefit is meant; the finite verb war is in position two.
Neue Erfindungen entstehen oft in kleinen Werkstätten.
New inventions often arise in small workshops.
neu means new, entstehen means arise, oft means often, and kleine Werkstätten means small workshops. Erfindungen is plural and is the nominative subject; in kleinen Werkstätten is a location phrase with the dative.
die Fernwärme — district heating
Fernwärme is heat distributed through underground pipes from a central plant. It is a mass noun and normally has no plural; use Heizungen or Wärmequellen when you need to count systems or sources.
Die Fernwärme ist in dieser Wohnung zuverlässig.
The district heating is reliable in this flat.
Wohnung means flat or apartment, and zuverlässig means reliable. Die Fernwärme is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Die Stadt baut die Fernwärme weiter aus.
The city is expanding the district-heating system further.
die Stadt means the city, and baut ... aus means expands or develops. Die Fernwärme is accusative because ausbauen takes a direct object; the separable prefix aus goes to the end of the main clause.
Viele Häuser profitieren von der Fernwärme.
Many houses benefit from district heating.
Viele Häuser means many houses, and profitieren von means benefit from. Der Fernwärme is dative because the preposition von always takes the dative; the finite verb profitieren is in position two.
Die Kosten der Fernwärme steigen.
The cost of district heating is rising.
die Kosten means the costs, and steigen means rise. Der Fernwärme is genitive because it specifies what the costs are for; as a mass noun, Fernwärme normally has no plural.
Fernwärme wird oft aus Abwärme gewonnen.
District heating is often produced from waste heat.
oft means often, Abwärme means waste heat, and gewonnen means produced or obtained. This example shows that Fernwärme is a mass noun and normally has no plural; wird ... gewonnen is a passive construction.
die Flüssigkeit — liquid, fluid; fluidity, fluency
die Flüssigkeit is a countable liquid or fluid, so it normally has the plural Flüssigkeiten. For the quality of being liquid, German often uses Flüssigkeit in a more abstract sense.
Die Flüssigkeit ist durchsichtig.
The liquid is transparent.
durchsichtig means transparent. Die Flüssigkeit is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb is in position two.
Ich trinke die Flüssigkeit.
I am drinking the liquid.
trinken means to drink. die Flüssigkeit is accusative because it is the direct object of trinke; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe dem Kind eine Flüssigkeit.
I give the child a liquid.
geben means to give and das Kind means child. dem Kind is dative as the recipient, while eine Flüssigkeit is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe der Flüssigkeit ist gelb.
The colour of the liquid is yellow.
die Farbe means colour and gelb means yellow. der Flüssigkeit is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Im Labor untersuchen wir verschiedene Flüssigkeiten.
In the laboratory, we examine different liquids.
im Labor means in the laboratory, untersuchen means examine, and verschiedene means different. Flüssigkeiten is plural and accusative because it is the object of untersuchen; the plural ending is -en.
Die Flüssigkeit seiner Bewegungen beeindruckt mich.
The fluidity of his movements impresses me.
die Bewegungen means movements and beeindruckt mich means impresses me. Die Flüssigkeit is the nominative subject, while seiner Bewegungen is genitive, meaning of his movements.
Durch viel Übung gewinnt ihre Sprache an Flüssigkeit.
Through a lot of practice, her speech becomes more fluent.
durch viel Übung means through a lot of practice, ihre Sprache means her speech, and gewinnt an means gains in. durch takes the accusative, while the fixed expression an Flüssigkeit gewinnen uses an with the dative here.
die Formel — formula; standard expression; formula; set phrase
In mathematics and science, die Formel is a formula. It can also mean a fixed wording or standard expression, so context decides whether it is a calculation or language.
Die Formel steht im Mathebuch.
The formula is in the maths book.
das Mathebuch means maths book. Die Formel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich verstehe die Formel nicht.
I do not understand the formula.
verstehen means to understand, and nicht means not. Die Formel is accusative because it is the direct object of verstehen; the finite verb verstehe stands in position two.
Der Lehrer erklärt uns der Formel?
The teacher explains the formula to us?
This sentence is not natural German as written: erklären takes the thing explained in the accusative, so the correct sentence is Der Lehrer erklärt uns die Formel. Die Formel is therefore not a dative form; learners must not change the feminine article to der here.
Die Bedeutung der Formel ist klar.
The meaning of the formula is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Der Formel is genitive because it specifies whose meaning is meant; the genitive phrase comes after Bedeutung.
Im Buch stehen viele Formeln.
There are many formulas in the book.
im Buch means in the book, and viele means many. Formeln is the plural of die Formel; im forces dative for the location, while Formeln is nominative after stehen.
Das ist eine gute Formel für Erfolg.
That is a good formula for success.
gut means good, and Erfolg means success. Eine gute Formel is nominative after ist, while für Erfolg is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Er beendet den Brief mit der höflichen Formel „Mit freundlichen Grüßen“.
He ends the letter with the polite phrase “Kind regards”.
beenden means to finish, der Brief means the letter, and höflich means polite. Mit der höflichen Formel is dative because mit requires the dative; beendet is in position two.
die Forschung — research, research work
Die Forschung usually means research as an academic or scientific activity and is often used in the singular. The plural die Forschungen refers to separate studies or research projects.
Die Forschung braucht viel Zeit.
Research takes a lot of time.
brauchen means to need, and viel Zeit means a lot of time. Die Forschung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Die Universität unterstützt die Forschung.
The university supports research.
die Universität means the university, and unterstützen means to support. Die Forschung is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in the accusative.
Wir widmen der Forschung viel Aufmerksamkeit.
We devote a lot of attention to research.
widmen means to devote, and viel Aufmerksamkeit means a lot of attention. Der Forschung is dative because widmen governs the dative, while viel Aufmerksamkeit is the accusative object.
Die Ergebnisse der Forschung sind wichtig.
The results of the research are important.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and wichtig means important. Der Forschung is genitive to show which research the results come from, and sind is the finite verb in position two.
Neue Forschungen werden veröffentlicht.
New research studies are being published.
neue means new, and veröffentlicht means published. Forschungen is the plural of Forschung; werden veröffentlicht forms the passive, with werden in position two and the participle at the end.
die Funktion — function, purpose, role; mathematical function
This word can mean a practical purpose, a job or role, or a feature of a device. In mathematics, die Funktion has the specialised meaning “function.”
Die Funktion dieses Knopfes ist klar.
The function of this button is clear.
dieses Knopfes means of this button, and klar means clear. Die Funktion is nominative as the subject; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich erkläre die Funktion des Geräts.
I explain the function of the device.
erkläre means explain and das Gerät means device. Die Funktion is accusative because erklären takes a direct object, while des Geräts is genitive for “of the device.”
Wir geben der Funktion einen neuen Namen.
We give the function a new name.
geben means give and einen neuen Namen means a new name. Der Funktion is dative because it is the recipient of the name; einen neuen Namen is the accusative object.
Die Bedeutung der Funktion ist umstritten.
The meaning of the function is disputed.
die Bedeutung means meaning and umstritten means disputed or controversial. Der Funktion is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Die neuen Funktionen sparen Zeit.
The new functions save time.
neuen means new, sparen means save, and Zeit means time. Funktionen is the plural subject, formed with -en; the adjective has -en after die.
Diese Funktion macht die Arbeit leichter.
This function makes the work easier.
diese means this, macht means makes, and leichter means easier. Diese Funktion is nominative as the subject, and macht is in position two; die Arbeit is accusative after machen.
Die Funktion steigt ab x gleich null.
The function rises from x equal to zero.
steigt means rises, ab means from, and gleich null means equal to zero. Die Funktion is nominative because it is the subject, and steigt is in position two.
Wir zeichnen die Funktion in ein Koordinatensystem.
We draw the function in a coordinate system.
zeichnen means draw and ein Koordinatensystem means a coordinate system. Die Funktion is accusative after zeichnen; in ein Koordinatensystem uses the accusative because it expresses movement into the system.
die Geometrie — geometry
Die Geometrie is the part of mathematics concerned with shapes, lines, angles and space. In ordinary school contexts, it is usually a singular subject, even when many topics are included.
Die Geometrie macht mir Spaß.
I enjoy geometry.
macht mir Spaß means is fun for me or I enjoy it. Die Geometrie is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative in the fixed expression jemandem Spaß machen.
Ich übe die Geometrie für die Prüfung.
I practise geometry for the exam.
übe means practise, and die Prüfung means the exam. Die Geometrie is accusative because üben takes a direct object; für die Prüfung is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Mit der Geometrie kann man viele Probleme lösen.
With geometry, you can solve many problems.
mit means with, viele Probleme means many problems, and lösen means solve. Der Geometrie is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and lösen goes to the end.
Die Grundidee der Geometrie ist einfach.
The basic idea of geometry is simple.
die Grundidee means the basic idea and einfach means simple. Der Geometrie is genitive because it specifies the idea; einfach is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending.
In der Schule lernen wir verschiedene Geometrien.
At school we learn different geometries.
in der Schule means at school, verschiedene means different, and lernen means learn. Geometrien is plural and accusative because it is the object of lernen; in der Schule is dative because it describes location.
der Informatiker — computer scientist, IT specialist
The masculine noun der Informatiker has the same form in the singular and plural. The feminine form is die Informatikerin.
Der Informatiker arbeitet in einem großen Unternehmen.
The computer scientist works in a large company.
arbeitet means works, and großes Unternehmen means large company; in einem Unternehmen means in a company. Der Informatiker is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Das Unternehmen sucht einen Informatiker.
The company is looking for a computer scientist.
Unternehmen means company and sucht means is looking for. Einen Informatiker is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sucht stands in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Informatiker bei diesem Projekt.
I trust the computer scientist with this project.
vertraue means trust, and dieses Projekt means this project. Dem Informatiker is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, while vertraue is in position two.
Das ist der Bericht des Informatikers.
That is the computer scientist’s report.
Bericht means report and das means that. Des Informatikers is genitive because it shows whose report it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the masculine noun.
Viele Informatiker arbeiten heute im Homeoffice.
Many computer scientists work from home today.
Viele means many, heute means today, and Homeoffice means working from home. Viele Informatiker is plural, so the article is not used here and the noun keeps the same form as the singular.
der Ingenieur — engineer
Ingenieur is a masculine noun with the plural Ingenieure and genitive des Ingenieurs. Do not treat it like a weak noun: say mit dem Ingenieur, not mit dem Ingenieuren.
Der Ingenieur entwickelt eine neue Maschine.
The engineer is developing a new machine.
entwickelt means develops, and neue Maschine means new machine. Der Ingenieur is nominative because he is the subject, while eine neue Maschine is accusative as the object; the finite verb entwickelt is in position two.
Die Firma stellt den Ingenieur ein.
The company hires the engineer.
Firma means company and stellt ... ein means hires. Den Ingenieur is accusative because einstellen takes an accusative object; the separable verb has stellt in position two and ein at the end.
Ich danke dem Ingenieur für seine Hilfe.
I thank the engineer for his help.
danke means thank, für means for, and Hilfe means help. Dem Ingenieur is dative because danken requires a dative object; für seine Hilfe is an additional phrase with accusative after für.
Das Büro des Ingenieurs liegt im Zentrum.
The engineer’s office is in the city centre.
Büro means office, liegt means is located, and Zentrum means centre. Des Ingenieurs is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Viele Ingenieure arbeiten an diesem Projekt.
Many engineers are working on this project.
Viele means many, arbeiten means work, and Projekt means project. Ingenieure is the plural with -e; an diesem Projekt is dative because it describes work on a project rather than movement toward it.
das Institut — institute, institution
Institut often refers to a research or teaching organization, especially one connected with a university. In everyday German, Einrichtung can sometimes be more natural for an institution or facility.
Das Institut untersucht neue Medikamente.
The institute is researching new medicines.
untersucht means examines or researches, and neue Medikamente means new medicines. Das Institut is nominative because it is the subject, while neue Medikamente is accusative as the object of untersuchen.
Die Universität eröffnet ein neues Institut.
The university is opening a new institute.
die Universität means the university, eröffnet means opens, and neu means new. Ein neues Institut is accusative because eröffnen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains ein in the accusative.
Ich arbeite an einem Institut.
I work at an institute.
arbeiten means work, and an means at in this context. An takes the dative for a fixed location, so einem Institut is dative; the preposition does not indicate movement here.
Die Leitung des Instituts informiert die Mitarbeitenden.
The institute's management informs the staff.
die Leitung means the management, informiert means informs, and die Mitarbeitenden means the staff or employees. Des Instituts is genitive because it shows possession, and die Mitarbeitenden is accusative as the object of informieren.
Die Institute arbeiten gemeinsam an dem Projekt.
The institutes are working together on the project.
gemeinsam means together, arbeiten an means work on, and das Projekt means the project. Die Institute is a plural subject, so the verb is plural: arbeiten; an dem Projekt is dative because this phrase describes the topic of the work.
die IT-Branche — IT industry, IT sector
The compound IT-Branche means the information-technology industry or sector. It is feminine because Branche is feminine; the common plural is IT-Branchen.
Die IT-Branche wächst schnell.
The IT industry is growing quickly.
wächst means is growing, and schnell means quickly. Die IT-Branche is the nominative subject, and the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Viele junge Leute wählen die IT-Branche.
Many young people choose the IT industry.
viele junge Leute means many young people, and wählen means choose. Die IT-Branche is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the finite verb wählen stands in position two.
Sie arbeitet in der IT-Branche.
She works in the IT industry.
sie means she, arbeitet means works, and in means in. Here in describes a location or field, so it takes the dative der IT-Branche; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Zukunft der IT-Branche ist spannend.
The future of the IT industry is exciting.
die Zukunft means the future, and spannend means exciting. Der IT-Branche is genitive because it identifies whose future is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele IT-Branchen.
There are many IT sectors in Germany.
Deutschland means Germany, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. IT-Branchen is plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
die Konstruktion — construction; structure; construction; grammatical structure
In technical contexts, Konstruktion can mean both the process of building something and the resulting structure. It is a feminine noun, with plural Konstruktionen.
Die Konstruktion der Brücke dauerte drei Jahre.
The construction of the bridge took three years.
die Brücke is the bridge, and dauerte drei Jahre means took three years. Die Konstruktion is nominative because it is the subject, while der Brücke is genitive because it identifies what was constructed; the finite verb dauerte is in position two.
Die Ingenieure prüfen die Konstruktion sorgfältig.
The engineers are checking the construction carefully.
die Ingenieure are the engineers, prüfen means check, and sorgfältig means carefully. Die Konstruktion is accusative because it is the direct object of prüfen; the finite verb prüfen stands in position two.
Mit dieser Konstruktion können wir viel Gewicht sparen.
With this construction, we can save a lot of weight.
mit dieser means with this, Gewicht is weight, and sparen means save. Dieser Konstruktion is dative because mit always takes the dative; können is in position two and sparen goes to the end.
Die Stabilität der Konstruktion ist beeindruckend.
The stability of the construction is impressive.
die Stabilität is the stability, and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Konstruktion is genitive because it specifies whose stability is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Moderne Konstruktionen sind oft leichter und stabiler.
Modern constructions are often lighter and more stable.
moderne means modern, leichter means lighter, and stabiler means more stable. Konstruktionen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the ending -en is part of the plural, and the finite verb sind agrees with it.
Diese grammatische Konstruktion ist für viele Lernende schwierig.
This grammatical construction is difficult for many learners.
grammatische means grammatical, viele Lernende means many learners, and schwierig means difficult. Diese Konstruktion is nominative as the subject, while für viele Lernende is accusative because für takes the accusative.
Der Lehrer erklärt die Konstruktion mit einem Beispiel.
The teacher explains the construction with an example.
der Lehrer is the teacher, erklärt means explains, and ein Beispiel is an example. Die Konstruktion is accusative because it is the object of erklären, while mit einem Beispiel is dative because mit requires the dative.
der Kunststoff — plastic, synthetic material
Kunststoff is the standard technical word for plastic or synthetic material. In everyday speech, Plastik is also common, but Kunststoff is preferred in technical and environmental contexts.
Kunststoff ist leicht und vielseitig.
Plastic is light and versatile.
leicht means light, and vielseitig means versatile or useful in many ways. Kunststoff is nominative because it is the subject; the adjectives after ist describe it and therefore have no noun ending.
Die Firma produziert den Kunststoff selbst.
The company produces the plastic itself.
die Firma is the company, produzieren means to produce, and selbst means itself. Den Kunststoff is accusative because produzieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir geben dem Kunststoff eine neue Form.
We give the plastic a new shape.
geben means to give, neu means new, and die Form is the shape. Dem Kunststoff is dative because it is the thing receiving the new shape, while eine neue Form is accusative as the thing being given.
Die Herstellung des Kunststoffs braucht viel Energie.
The production of plastic requires a lot of energy.
die Herstellung means production, brauchen means to need or require, and viel Energie means a lot of energy. Des Kunststoffs is genitive because it identifies what is being produced; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Viele Kunststoffe enthalten keine Weichmacher.
Many plastics contain no plasticisers.
viele means many, enthalten means to contain, and keine Weichmacher means no plasticisers. Kunststoffe is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb enthalten is in position two.
das Kupfer — copper
Kupfer is a mass noun for the metal and normally has no plural when referring to the material. It is used without an article in general statements, but an article can appear when a particular piece or quantity is meant.
Kupfer leitet elektrischen Strom.
Copper conducts electricity.
leiten means to conduct, and elektrischer Strom is electricity or electric current. Kupfer is nominative because it is the subject; this material noun is normally used without an article when speaking generally.
Die Fabrik verarbeitet Kupfer.
The factory processes copper.
die Fabrik is the factory, and verarbeiten means to process. Kupfer is accusative because it is the direct object of verarbeiten, but the mass noun has no visible article or ending.
Man gibt dem Kupfer Wärme.
People give the copper heat.
man means people or one, geben means to give, and die Wärme is heat. Dem Kupfer is dative because it is the recipient of the heat; the article dem makes the case visible.
Die Farbe des Kupfers verändert sich.
The colour of the copper changes.
die Farbe is the colour, sich verändern means to change, and des Kupfers means of the copper. Des Kupfers is genitive because it specifies whose colour it is; Kupfer takes -s in the genitive.
Rohre aus Kupfer halten lange.
Pipes made of copper last a long time.
Rohre are pipes, aus means made of or from, and lange means for a long time. Aus Kupfer describes the material; aus requires the dative, but this mass noun has no visible article or ending.
künstlich — artificial, synthetic; unnatural
Künstlich often describes something manufactured, as in künstliche Intelligenz; it can also mean unnatural in appearance or behaviour.
Das Licht ist künstlich.
The light is artificial.
das Licht means the light. Künstlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir brauchen künstliches Licht.
We need artificial light.
brauchen means need and das Licht means the light. Künstliches is attributive and has the neuter accusative ending -es after the zero article; Licht is the accusative object of brauchen.
Diese Lampe wirkt künstlicher als die alte.
This lamp looks more artificial than the old one.
diese Lampe means this lamp, wirkt means seems or looks, and die alte means the old one. Künstlicher is a comparative predicate; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Diese Dekoration wirkt am künstlichsten.
This decoration looks the most artificial.
diese Dekoration means this decoration and wirkt means seems or looks. Am künstlichsten is the predicative superlative after wirken; the form with am does not take an adjective ending.
das Lebewesen — living creature, living being, organism
This is a neutral, slightly formal word for any living creature or organism. Its plural is unchanged: das Lebewesen, die Lebewesen.
Das Lebewesen braucht Wasser und Nahrung.
The living creature needs water and food.
braucht means needs, Wasser means water, and Nahrung means food or nourishment. Das Lebewesen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb braucht is in position two, and Wasser und Nahrung are accusative objects.
Forscher beobachten das Lebewesen im Meer.
Researchers observe the living creature in the sea.
Forscher means researchers, beobachten means observe, and im Meer means in the sea. Das Lebewesen is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das in both nominative and accusative.
Die Wissenschaftlerin hilft dem Lebewesen aus dem Wasser.
The scientist helps the living creature out of the water.
Die Wissenschaftlerin is the female scientist, hilft means helps, and aus dem Wasser means out of the water. Dem Lebewesen is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; aus also requires the dative, and hilft ... aus is a separable verb meaning helps out.
Die Haut des Lebewesens ist sehr empfindlich.
The living creature’s skin is very sensitive.
Die Haut means the skin, and empfindlich means sensitive. Des Lebewesens is genitive because it shows whose skin it is; the verb ist agrees with singular Haut, not with the genitive noun.
Im Wald leben viele Lebewesen.
Many living creatures live in the forest.
Im Wald means in the forest, leben means live, and viele means many. Lebewesen is plural after viele and has no ending; the finite verb leben is plural and comes in position two after the fronted location.
der Maschinenbau — mechanical engineering, machine construction
Maschinenbau is a field of engineering and is normally used as a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. It is a compound of Maschinen and Bau, literally machine construction.
Der Maschinenbau ist ein wichtiger Industriezweig.
Mechanical engineering is an important industrial sector.
wichtig means important, and der Industriezweig means industrial sector. Der Maschinenbau is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele junge Leute wählen den Maschinenbau.
Many young people choose mechanical engineering.
viele junge Leute means many young people, and wählen means choose. den Maschinenbau is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie arbeitet seit Jahren im Maschinenbau.
She has been working in mechanical engineering for years.
seit Jahren means for years, and arbeitet means works. im Maschinenbau means in mechanical engineering; in takes dative for a field or location, with in dem shortened to im.
Die Zukunft des Maschinenbaus hängt von neuen Ideen ab.
The future of mechanical engineering depends on new ideas.
die Zukunft means the future, hängt von ... ab means depends on, and neuen Ideen means new ideas. des Maschinenbaus is genitive after die Zukunft to show what future is meant; von takes dative, and the separable verb places ab at the end.
Er studiert Maschinenbau an einer Universität.
He studies mechanical engineering at a university.
studiert means studies, and an einer Universität means at a university. Maschinenbau is a mass or field-of-study noun and normally has no plural; after studieren, it appears without an article as the subject area.
die Naturwissenschaft — natural science; natural sciences
The singular Naturwissenschaft can mean the field in general, while Naturwissenschaften often means the group of sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics. It contrasts with Geisteswissenschaft, the humanities.
Die Naturwissenschaft erklärt viele Vorgänge in der Welt.
Natural science explains many processes in the world.
erklärt means explains, and viele Vorgänge in der Welt means many processes in the world. Die Naturwissenschaft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erklärt stands in position two.
Er studiert die Naturwissenschaft.
He studies natural science.
studiert means studies. Die Naturwissenschaft is accusative because studieren takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie widmet sich der Naturwissenschaft.
She devotes herself to natural science.
widmet sich means devotes herself, and sich means herself. Der Naturwissenschaft is dative because sich widmen requires a dative object; der can be feminine dative or genitive, so the verb helps identify the case.
Die Methoden der Naturwissenschaft sind sehr genau.
The methods of natural science are very precise.
Die Methoden means the methods, and sehr genau means very precise. Der Naturwissenschaft is genitive because it tells whose methods they are; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Naturwissenschaften entwickeln sich ständig weiter.
The natural sciences are constantly developing.
entwickeln sich weiter means continue to develop, and ständig means constantly. Die Naturwissenschaften is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb phrase entwickeln sich weiter stands in position two.
die Oberfläche — surface; surface area; outer layer
Die Oberfläche des Tisches ist sehr glatt.
The surface of the table is very smooth.
der Tisch means table, and glatt means smooth. Die Oberfläche is nominative because it is the subject; des Tisches is genitive because it identifies whose surface it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wische die Oberfläche mit einem Tuch ab.
I wipe the surface with a cloth.
wischen means to wipe, mit means with, das Tuch means cloth, and abwischen means to wipe off. Die Oberfläche is accusative because abwischen takes a direct object; mit einem Tuch is dative after mit, and the separable prefix ab moves to the end.
Mit einem weichen Tuch kann man die Oberfläche vorsichtig reinigen.
You can clean the surface carefully with a soft cloth.
weich means soft, vorsichtig means carefully, and reinigen means to clean. Mit einem weichen Tuch is dative because mit always takes the dative; die Oberfläche is accusative because it is the object of reinigen, while kann is in position two and reinigen goes to the end.
Die Farbe der Oberfläche passt gut zum Raum.
The colour of the surface goes well with the room.
die Farbe means colour, passen means to go well with, and der Raum means room. Der Oberfläche is genitive after die Farbe to show which surface is meant; zum Raum is dative because zu is contracted in zum and takes the dative.
Die Oberflächen dieser Geräte sind leicht zu reinigen.
The surfaces of these devices are easy to clean.
das Gerät means device, leicht means easy, and zu reinigen means to clean. Die Oberflächen is plural nominative and the subject; dieser Geräte is genitive plural, showing whose surfaces they are, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
Wasser sammelt sich auf der Oberfläche des Sees.
Water collects on the surface of the lake.
das Wasser means water, sich sammeln means to collect, and der See means lake. Auf der Oberfläche is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement; des Sees is genitive, and sammelt sich is the reflexive verb in position two.
Die Oberfläche des Materials wurde im Labor gemessen.
The surface area of the material was measured in the laboratory.
das Material means material, das Labor means laboratory, and messen means to measure. Des Materials is genitive after die Oberfläche to specify the material; wurde gemessen is a passive construction, with the participle at the end.
Eine größere Oberfläche kann mehr Wärme aufnehmen.
A larger surface area can absorb more heat.
größer means larger, die Wärme means heat, and aufnehmen means to absorb or take in. Eine größere Oberfläche is nominative because it is the subject; kann is in position two and the separable infinitive aufnehmen remains whole at the end after the modal verb.
die Produktion — production, manufacturing; production, show
Produktion can mean the process of manufacturing goods, and it can also refer to a film, theatre, or media production. The plural is Produktionen.
Die Produktion beginnt um sechs Uhr.
Production begins at six o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Produktion is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Die Firma erhöht die Produktion.
The company is increasing production.
Die Firma means the company, and erhöht means increases. Die Produktion is accusative because erhöhen takes a direct object; the finite verb erhöht stands in position two.
Viele Menschen arbeiten in der Produktion.
Many people work in production.
Viele Menschen means many people, and arbeiten means work. In der Produktion is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Kosten der Produktion sind gestiegen.
The costs of production have risen.
Die Kosten means the costs, and sind gestiegen means have risen. Der Produktion is genitive because it identifies which costs are meant; the finite verb sind stands in position two and gestiegen goes to the end.
Die Produktionen des Jahres waren erfolgreich.
The productions of the year were successful.
des Jahres means of the year, and erfolgreich means successful. Die Produktionen is plural and is the subject; des Jahres is genitive and the finite verb waren stands in position two.
Die Produktion muss umweltfreundlicher werden.
Production must become more environmentally friendly.
muss means must, and umweltfreundlicher means more environmentally friendly. Die Produktion is nominative as the subject; with the modal verb muss, the infinitive werden goes to the end.
Die neue Produktion läuft im Kino.
The new production is showing at the cinema.
neu means new, läuft means is showing or running, and das Kino is the cinema. Die Produktion is nominative as the subject, while im Kino is a dative location after in.
Wir haben gestern zwei Produktionen gesehen.
Yesterday we saw two productions.
gestern means yesterday, zwei means two, and gesehen means seen. Zwei Produktionen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; in the perfect, haben is in position two and gesehen goes to the end.
produzieren — to produce, to manufacture; to produce, to create
Produzieren is a weak verb with haben in the perfect and takes an accusative object. It is also used for producing energy, food, films, or other results, not only factory goods.
Die Fabrik produziert Fahrräder.
The factory produces bicycles.
Die Fabrik means the factory, and Fahrräder means bicycles. Fahrräder is accusative because produzieren takes a direct object; the finite verb produziert stands in position two.
Die Firma hat neue Geräte produziert.
The company has produced new devices.
Die Firma means the company, and neue Geräte means new devices. Neue Geräte is accusative as the object; hat stands in position two and the Partizip II produziert goes to the end.
Die Fabrik produzierte früher mehr Stahl.
The factory used to produce more steel.
früher means formerly or in the past, and mehr Stahl means more steel. Mehr Stahl is accusative because it is what the factory produced; the preterite verb produzierte stands in position two.
Produziere bitte weniger Plastik!
Please produce less plastic!
bitte means please, and weniger Plastik means less plastic. The imperative produziere addresses one person informally; the object weniger Plastik is accusative, and the subject du is left out.
Wenn die Anlage mehr produzieren könnte, wären die Preise niedriger.
If the plant could produce more, the prices would be lower.
Wenn means if, die Anlage means the plant or facility, and niedriger means lower. In the subordinate clause, the infinitive produzieren comes at the end after könnte; mehr is an object-like quantity without an article.
Die Firma wird nächstes Jahr mehr Energie produzieren.
The company will produce more energy next year.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and mehr Energie means more energy. Mehr Energie is accusative because it is what the company will produce; wird stands in position two and the infinitive produzieren goes to the end.
Sie produziert einen Podcast.
She produces a podcast.
Sie means she, and einen Podcast means a podcast. Einen Podcast is accusative because it is the direct object; the finite verb produziert is in position two.
Der Regisseur hat den Film selbst produziert.
The director produced the film himself.
Der Regisseur means the director, den Film means the film, and selbst means himself. Den Film is accusative as the object; hat is in position two and produziert goes to the end in the perfect.
die Psychologie — psychology
Psychologie is normally used as an uncountable academic subject, as in Psychologie studieren. The plural Psychologien is possible when comparing different psychological theories or systems.
Psychologie interessiert mich sehr.
Psychology interests me very much.
interessiert mich sehr means interests me a lot. Psychologie is nominative because it is the subject, while mich is accusative as the person who is interested; the finite verb interessiert stands in position two.
Ich studiere Psychologie an der Universität.
I study psychology at university.
studiere means study and an der Universität means at the university. Psychologie is accusative because it is the subject studied; the finite verb studiere is in position two.
Sie arbeitet seit Jahren in der Psychologie.
She has worked in psychology for years.
seit Jahren means for years, and arbeitet means works. In takes the dative here because it describes a field or location rather than movement, so der Psychologie is dative.
Die Geschichte der Psychologie ist spannend.
The history of psychology is fascinating.
die Geschichte means the history and spannend means fascinating. Der Psychologie is genitive because it identifies whose history, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Verschiedene Psychologien erklären menschliches Verhalten unterschiedlich.
Different psychologies explain human behaviour in different ways.
verschiedene means different, erklären means explain, and menschliches Verhalten means human behaviour. Psychologien is plural and nominative as the subject; the adverb unterschiedlich means differently.
Psychologie hilft uns, Menschen besser zu verstehen.
Psychology helps us understand people better.
hilft uns means helps us, and Menschen besser zu verstehen means to understand people better. Psychologie is the nominative subject, and the infinitive phrase with zu verstehen comes at the end.
das Pulver — powder; gunpowder, explosive powder
Pulver means a dry substance made of tiny particles and is normally a mass noun. It has no everyday plural; use a measure such as ein Löffel Pulver when you need to count it.
Das Pulver löst sich schnell im Wasser auf.
The powder dissolves quickly in the water.
sich auflösen means to dissolve, schnell means quickly, and im Wasser means in the water. Das Pulver is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb appears as löst ... auf in the main clause.
Gib das Pulver in eine Schüssel.
Put the powder into a bowl.
gib means give or put, eine Schüssel is a bowl, and in means into here. Das Pulver is accusative because it is the object of gib; in eine Schüssel is accusative because in expresses movement into a place.
Ich füge dem Pulver etwas Wasser hinzu.
I add some water to the powder.
hinzufügen means to add, and etwas Wasser means some water. Dem Pulver is dative as the thing receiving the addition, while etwas Wasser is accusative; the separable verb puts hinzu at the end.
Die Farbe des Pulvers ist weiß.
The colour of the powder is white.
die Farbe is the colour, and weiß means white. Des Pulvers is genitive and means of the powder; the neuter noun takes -s in this case.
Wir brauchen zwei Löffel Pulver.
We need two spoonfuls of powder.
brauchen means to need, zwei Löffel means two spoonfuls or spoons, and Löffel has the same singular and plural spelling. Pulver is used without an article because it is a mass noun measured by zwei Löffel.
Das Pulver darf nicht in die Nähe des Feuers kommen.
The powder must not come near the fire.
dürfen means may or be allowed to, die Nähe is the vicinity, and das Feuer is the fire. In die Nähe is accusative because kommen expresses movement toward a place; the modal verb sends the infinitive kommen to the end.
Früher wurde Pulver für Kanonen verwendet.
In the past, powder was used for cannons.
früher means in the past, Kanonen are cannons, and verwenden means to use. Pulver has no article because it is a mass noun; the passive form wurde ... verwendet places the participle at the end.
die Recherche — research; investigation
die Recherche often means fact-finding for journalism or a serious report, rather than academic research in general. It is a feminine noun with the regular plural die Recherchen.
Die Recherche dauert mehrere Wochen.
The research takes several weeks.
dauert means takes or lasts, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Die Recherche is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Die Journalistin plant die Recherche sorgfältig.
The journalist plans the research carefully.
die Journalistin means the female journalist, plant means plans, and sorgfältig means carefully. die Recherche is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; the finite verb plant is in position two.
Der Redakteur hilft bei der Recherche.
The editor helps with the research.
der Redakteur means the editor, and hilft means helps. bei der Recherche means with or during the research; bei always takes the dative, so der Recherche is dative.
Die Ergebnisse der Recherche sind überzeugend.
The results of the research are convincing.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and überzeugend means convincing. der Recherche is genitive because it identifies which results; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Für den Artikel waren mehrere Recherchen nötig.
Several research investigations were necessary for the article.
für den Artikel means for the article, and nötig means necessary. Recherchen is plural and nominative because it is the subject of waren; den Artikel is accusative after für.
regulieren — to regulate, to control
Regulieren normally takes an accusative object, such as die Temperatur or den Verkehr. Because it ends in -ieren, its Partizip II is reguliert, without ge-, and the perfect uses haben.
Das Thermostat reguliert die Temperatur.
The thermostat regulates the temperature.
das Thermostat is a device that controls temperature, and die Temperatur means “the temperature.” Die Temperatur is accusative because regulieren takes a direct object; the finite verb reguliert is in position two.
Das Thermostat hat die Temperatur automatisch reguliert.
The thermostat automatically regulated the temperature.
automatisch means “automatically,” and die Temperatur means “the temperature.” The perfect is hat reguliert because regulieren takes haben; the unchanged Partizip II reguliert goes to the end.
Die Behörde regulierte den Zugang zum Gebäude.
The authority regulated access to the building.
die Behörde means “the authority,” and der Zugang means “access.” Den Zugang is accusative because it is the object of regulieren, and the finite past form regulierte stands in position two.
Regulier bitte die Heizung.
Please adjust the heating.
bitte means “please,” and die Heizung means “the heating system.” Die Heizung is accusative because it is the direct object; the informal singular imperative omits the subject du.
Wenn der Staat den Markt regulieren würde, wären die Preise stabiler.
If the state regulated the market, prices would be more stable.
der Staat means “the state,” der Markt means “the market,” and stabiler means “more stable.” In the wenn clause, würde sends the infinitive regulieren to the end; den Markt is accusative as the direct object.
Die neue Software wird den Energieverbrauch regulieren.
The new software will regulate energy consumption.
die neue Software means “the new software,” and der Energieverbrauch means “energy consumption.” Futur I places wird in position two and regulieren at the end; den Energieverbrauch is accusative because it is the object.
die Skala — scale; graduated range; musical scale
Die Skala is used for a measuring scale with marks or numbers, such as a temperature or rating scale. The plural is Skalen, not Skalas.
Die Skala zeigt die Temperatur an.
The scale shows the temperature.
zeigen means to show and die Temperatur means temperature. Die Skala is nominative as the subject; the separable verb zeigt ... an places an at the end of the main clause.
Man kann die Skala gut lesen.
You can read the scale easily.
man means one or you in general, können means can, and gut means easily or well. Die Skala is accusative after lesen, and the infinitive lesen goes to the end after the modal verb kann.
Auf der Skala steht die Zahl fünf.
The number five is shown on the scale.
die Zahl fünf means the number five, and stehen here means be shown or written. Auf der Skala is dative because auf describes a fixed location; steht is in position two.
Die Einteilung der Skala ist ungleichmäßig.
The divisions of the scale are uneven.
die Einteilung means division or grading, and ungleichmäßig means uneven. Der Skala is genitive because it specifies which scale’s divisions; ist is in position two.
Die beiden Skalen zeigen unterschiedliche Werte.
The two scales show different values.
beiden means two, unterschiedlich means different, and der Wert means value. Die beiden Skalen is the plural subject, so the verb is zeigen, not singular zeigt.
Die Musikerin übt eine Skala auf dem Klavier.
The musician is practising a scale on the piano.
die Musikerin means female musician, üben means practise, and das Klavier means piano. Eine Skala is accusative as the object of übt, while auf dem Klavier is dative because it gives the instrument and location.
Diese Skala klingt traurig.
This scale sounds sad.
diese means this, klingen means to sound, and traurig means sad. Diese Skala is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb klingt is in position two.
die Solarenergie — solar energy
Solarenergie is normally an uncountable mass noun, so it has no plural. It is used for energy obtained from sunlight, especially in discussions of technology and the environment.
Solarenergie ist gut für die Umwelt.
Solar energy is good for the environment.
gut für die Umwelt means good for the environment. Solarenergie is an uncountable feminine noun and is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Länder fördern Solarenergie.
Many countries promote solar energy.
viele Länder means many countries, and fördern means promote or support. Solarenergie is accusative because fördern takes a direct object; as a mass noun, it has no plural here.
Mit Solarenergie können wir Strom erzeugen.
With solar energy, we can produce electricity.
mit means with, and Strom erzeugen means to produce electricity. mit always takes the dative, but this feminine noun has the same form in nominative and dative; erzeugen goes to the end after the modal verb können.
Die Kosten der Solarenergie sinken.
The costs of solar energy are falling.
die Kosten are the costs, and sinken means fall or decrease. der Solarenergie is genitive because it specifies which costs; the feminine genitive article is der, although the noun itself stays unchanged.
spezialisieren — to specialize (in)
Sich spezialisieren auf means to specialize in something. It is normally reflexive and takes the accusative after auf; its perfect is formed with haben, not sein.
Die Ärztin spezialisiert sich auf Kinder.
The doctor specializes in children.
die Ärztin means the female doctor and Kinder means children. The verb is normally used as sich spezialisieren auf; auf Kinder is accusative because this fixed preposition expresses the area of specialization, and the finite verb spezialisiert is in position two.
Er hat sich auf Sportverletzungen spezialisiert.
He has specialized in sports injuries.
Sportverletzungen means sports injuries. The perfect uses hat plus spezialisiert, with the Partizip II at the end; sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun and auf Sportverletzungen is the fixed accusative phrase.
Die Firma spezialisierte sich auf Solaranlagen.
The company specialized in solar systems.
die Firma means the company and Solaranlagen means solar systems. Spezialisierte is the weak preterite in position two, while sich is reflexive accusative and auf Solaranlagen names the field.
Spezialisier dich auf eine Sache.
Specialize in one thing.
dich means yourself and eine Sache means one thing. The imperative puts the command first, followed by the reflexive pronoun dich; in the full pattern, sich auf takes an accusative phrase.
Ich würde mich gern auf Beratung spezialisieren.
I would like to specialize in consulting.
gern means gladly or would like to, and Beratung means consulting. Würde ... spezialisieren expresses a polite or hypothetical wish; the infinitive goes to the end, and auf Beratung is accusative after the fixed preposition.
Die Praxis wird sich auf Kinder spezialisieren.
The practice will specialize in children.
die Praxis means the practice or clinic, and Kinder means children. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive spezialisieren at the end; sich is reflexive accusative and auf Kinder is the fixed accusative phrase.