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Vocab: Science & technology — B1 (2) ​
Science & technology vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Spezialist — specialist, expert ​
Der Spezialist is a weak masculine noun. It takes -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, as well as in the plural: den Spezialisten, dem Spezialisten, des Spezialisten, die Spezialisten.
Der Spezialist arbeitet im Labor.
The specialist works in the laboratory.
arbeitet means works and im Labor means in the laboratory. Spezialist is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich suche einen Spezialisten fĂĽr Computer.
I am looking for a computer specialist.
suche means am looking for and Computer means computers. Spezialisten is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; as a weak masculine noun, der Spezialist changes to einen Spezialisten.
Wir vertrauen dem Spezialisten.
We trust the specialist.
vertrauen means trust. It takes the dative, so dem Spezialisten is dative; the ending -en is required in every case except nominative singular.
Die Empfehlung des Spezialisten war hilfreich.
The specialist's recommendation was helpful.
Empfehlung means recommendation and hilfreich means helpful. Spezialisten is genitive after des to show whose recommendation it was; weak masculine nouns use -en here, not -s.
Die Spezialisten treffen sich heute.
The specialists are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet each other and heute means today. Spezialisten is the plural with die; the finite verb treffen is in position two, and sich is the reflexive pronoun.
die Spezialistin — female specialist, female expert ​
Die Spezialistin is the feminine form of der Spezialist. Its plural is die Spezialistinnen, formed with -innen; unlike the masculine noun, it does not have weak -en case endings.
Die Spezialistin erklärt das Problem.
The specialist explains the problem.
erklärt means explains and das Problem means the problem. Spezialistin is nominative because it is the subject, while das Problem is accusative because erklären takes an object; the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Ich rufe eine Spezialistin an.
I am calling a specialist.
rufe ... an means call, and eine means a in the feminine accusative. Spezialistin is accusative because anrufen takes an accusative object; the separable verb places rufe in position two and an at the end.
Wir danken der Spezialistin.
We thank the specialist.
danken means thank. It always takes the dative, so der Spezialistin is dative; feminine singular has the same noun form as the nominative, but the article shows the case.
Die Meinung der Spezialistin ist wichtig.
The specialist's opinion is important.
Meinung means opinion and wichtig means important. Spezialistin is genitive after der to show whose opinion it is; feminine nouns normally keep the same ending in the genitive.
Die Spezialistinnen arbeiten zusammen.
The female specialists work together.
arbeiten zusammen means work together. Spezialistinnen is formed with -innen and takes die in the plural; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
der Stahl — steel ​
Stahl is normally a mass noun, so it has no plural in everyday use. Use a quantity expression such as eine Tonne Stahl when you need to count it.
Der Stahl ist sehr stabil.
Steel is very strong.
stabil means strong or stable, and sehr means very. Der Stahl is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma produziert den Stahl in Deutschland.
The company produces the steel in Germany.
die Firma means the company, produziert means produces, and in Deutschland means in Germany. Den Stahl is accusative because it is the direct object of produzieren; the finite verb is in position two.
Das Messer ist aus Stahl.
The knife is made of steel.
das Messer means the knife, and aus means made of or from. Aus always takes the dative, but uncountable material nouns such as Stahl often have no visible case ending; ist is in position two.
Die Härte des Stahls ist wichtig.
The hardness of the steel is important.
die Härte means hardness, and wichtig means important. Des Stahls is genitive because it identifies whose hardness is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
die Statistik — statistics, statistical report; statistics as an academic subject ​
Die Statistik can mean a set of numerical data or a report presenting it. The plural Statistiken is common when several subjects or reports are discussed.
Die Statistik zeigt einen deutlichen Anstieg.
The statistics show a clear increase.
zeigt means shows, deutlich means clear, and der Anstieg means the increase. Die Statistik is nominative because it is the subject; the accusative object einen deutlichen Anstieg follows the verb.
Ich lese die Statistik.
I am reading the statistics.
ich means I, and lesen means to read. Die Statistik is accusative because it is the direct object of lese; the feminine article does not change in this case.
Nach der Statistik sind die Preise gestiegen.
According to the statistics, prices have risen.
nach means according to here, die Preise means prices, and gestiegen means risen. Der Statistik is dative because nach always governs the dative; the verb phrase sind gestiegen has its Partizip II at the end.
Die Aussage der Statistik ist interessant.
The statement made by the statistics is interesting.
die Aussage means the statement, and interessant means interesting. Der Statistik is genitive because it identifies which statistics the statement comes from; the genitive phrase follows Aussage.
Neue Statistiken erscheinen jedes Jahr.
New statistics appear every year.
neue means new, erscheinen means appear or are published, and jedes Jahr means every year. Statistiken is plural and nominative as the subject, so the finite verb is erscheinen.
Sie studiert Statistik an der Universität.
She studies statistics at university.
sie means she, studiert means studies, and die Universität means the university. As an academic subject, Statistik is often used without an article; an der Universität is a location phrase with the dative.
Statistik hilft uns bei vielen Entscheidungen.
Statistics helps us with many decisions.
hilft means helps, uns means us, and viele Entscheidungen means many decisions. The subject Statistik is used without an article for the field of study; uns is dative because helfen governs the dative.
der Stromschlag — electric shock ​
Stromschlag means a shock from an electrical current and can be dangerous. The common expression einen Stromschlag bekommen uses the accusative because bekommen takes an accusative object.
Der Stromschlag war sehr stark.
The electric shock was very strong.
stark means strong, and war means was. Der Stromschlag is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Er bekam einen Stromschlag.
He got an electric shock.
bekam means got or received, and er means he. Einen Stromschlag is accusative because it is the object of bekam; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Nach dem Stromschlag musste sie ins Krankenhaus.
After the electric shock, she had to go to hospital.
nach means after, musste means had to, and ins Krankenhaus means to the hospital. Nach takes the dative, so dem Stromschlag is dative; musste is in position two and gehen is understood at the end.
Die Ursache des Stromschlags war ein defektes Kabel.
The cause of the electric shock was a faulty cable.
die Ursache is the cause, and ein defektes Kabel is a faulty cable. Des Stromschlags is genitive because it means of the electric shock; war links the subject and its description.
Mehrere Stromschläge können lebensgefährlich sein.
Several electric shocks can be life-threatening.
mehrere means several, können means can, and lebensgefährlich means life-threatening. Stromschläge is the plural subject; with the modal verb können, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
die Struktur — structure, organization; physical structure, framework ​
Struktur can describe the arrangement of parts in a text, system, organization, or object. It is also used for a building's or material's physical structure, but the basic idea is always how parts are arranged and connected.
Die Struktur des Textes ist klar.
The structure of the text is clear.
der Text is the text, and klar means clear. Die Struktur is nominative because it is the subject; des Textes is genitive because it means of the text.
Ich analysiere die Struktur des Romans.
I am analysing the structure of the novel.
analysiere means analyse, and der Roman is the novel. Die Struktur is accusative because it is the object of analysiere; des Romans is genitive and identifies which structure.
Wir arbeiten mit der Struktur des Kapitels.
We are working with the structure of the chapter.
arbeiten means work, and das Kapitel is the chapter. Mit always takes the dative, so der Struktur is dative; des Kapitels is genitive because it means of the chapter.
Die Vorteile der Struktur sind deutlich.
The advantages of the structure are clear.
die Vorteile are the advantages, and deutlich means clear or obvious. Der Struktur is genitive because it means of the structure; die Vorteile is a plural subject, so the verb is sind.
Moderne Strukturen brauchen flexible Regeln.
Modern structures need flexible rules.
moderne means modern, brauchen means need, and flexible Regeln means flexible rules. Strukturen is the plural subject, while flexible Regeln is accusative because it is the object of brauchen.
Die Struktur des Gebäudes ist stabil.
The structure of the building is stable.
das Gebäude is the building, and stabil means stable. Die Struktur is nominative as the subject, while des Gebäudes is genitive because it means of the building.
Wasser kann die Struktur des Metalls verändern.
Water can change the structure of the metal.
Wasser is water, Metall is metal, and verändern means change. Die Struktur is accusative because it is the object of verändern; after kann, the infinitive verändern goes to the end.
das System — system ​
The plural is Systeme, and the genitive singular is des Systems. In everyday language, System can mean an organised method, a technical arrangement, or a set of rules.
Das System funktioniert gut.
The system works well.
funktioniert means works, and gut means well. Das System is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Ich verstehe das System nicht.
I do not understand the system.
verstehe means understand and nicht means not. Das System is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object, while the finite verb verstehe stands in position two.
Wir arbeiten mit dem System.
We work with the system.
arbeiten means work and mit means with. Dem System is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Regeln des Systems sind kompliziert.
The rules of the system are complicated.
die Regeln means the rules and kompliziert means complicated. Des Systems is genitive because it identifies whose rules they are, and the finite verb sind agrees with the nominative subject die Regeln.
Moderne Systeme speichern viele Daten.
Modern systems store a lot of data.
modern means modern, speichern means store, and viele Daten means a lot of data. Systeme is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb speichern follows it in position two.
die Säure — acid; acidity; sourness ​
In chemistry, Säure is an acid and can damage skin or materials. Do not confuse it with sauer, which means sour or acidic as an adjective.
Die Säure greift das Metall an.
The acid corrodes the metal.
angreifen means to attack or corrode, and das Metall means metal. Die Säure is nominative as the subject; the separable verb splits into greift in position two and an at the end.
Man darf die Säure nicht berühren.
You must not touch the acid.
berühren means to touch and nicht means not. Die Säure is accusative because it is the object of berühren; after the modal darf, the infinitive berühren goes to the end.
Der Chemiker gibt der Säure Wasser hinzu.
The chemist adds water to the acid.
der Chemiker means chemist, Wasser means water, and hinzugeben means to add. Der Säure is dative as the substance receiving the water; the separable prefix hinzu goes to the end.
Die Wirkung der Säure ist gefährlich.
The effect of the acid is dangerous.
die Wirkung means effect and gefährlich means dangerous. Der Säure is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is; the feminine noun itself does not add an ending.
Die Säuren werden im Labor untersucht.
The acids are examined in the laboratory.
untersuchen means to examine and das Labor means laboratory. Die Säuren is the plural subject; the passive uses werden plus untersucht, with the participle at the end.
Die Säure der Zitrone ist deutlich.
The acidity of the lemon is noticeable.
die Zitrone means lemon and deutlich means noticeable. Die Säure is nominative as the subject, while der Zitrone is genitive because it shows the source of the acidity.
Der Wein hat eine angenehme Säure.
The wine has a pleasant acidity.
der Wein means wine, angenehm means pleasant, and haben means to have. Eine angenehme Säure is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the finite verb hat is in position two.
technisch — technical; technological ​
Technisch refers to technology, machines or technical methods, while technologisch is often used for technology as a field or development. As a normal adjective, it takes endings before nouns and can be compared.
Der Fehler ist technisch.
The problem is technical.
der Fehler means the error or problem. Technisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen eine technische Lösung.
We need a technical solution.
brauchen means need and die Lösung is the solution. Technische stands before the feminine accusative noun Lösung and takes -e after eine; the whole phrase eine technische Lösung is the direct object.
Diese Aufgabe ist technischer als die andere.
This task is more technical than the other one.
diese Aufgabe means this task and die andere means the other one. Technischer is the comparative form with -er, and als introduces the thing being compared; after ist, the adjective is predicative.
Das ist die am technischsten ausgestattete Schule.
That is the most technically equipped school.
ausgestattet means equipped and die Schule means the school. Am technischsten is the superlative idea, but in this noun phrase it is part of a longer attributive expression and ausgestattete carries the visible adjective ending.
die Technologie — technology ​
Technologie is usually an uncountable idea when it means technology in general, but it has a plural, Technologien, when different technologies are meant. It is related to technisch, which means technical.
Die Technologie entwickelt sich schnell.
Technology is developing quickly.
entwickelt sich means is developing, and schnell means quickly. Die Technologie is nominative because it is the subject; the reflexive verb sich entwickeln has the finite verb entwickelt in position two.
Viele Firmen nutzen neue Technologie.
Many companies use new technology.
viele Firmen means many companies and nutzen means use. Neue Technologie is accusative because nutzen takes a direct object; the article is omitted because Technologie is used here as an uncountable general idea.
Mit der Technologie arbeiten wir effizienter.
We work more efficiently with the technology.
mit means with and effizienter means more efficiently. Der Technologie is dative because mit always takes the dative; the phrase mit der Technologie occupies position one, so arbeiten comes next.
Die Entwicklung der Technologie verändert unseren Alltag.
The development of technology is changing our everyday life.
die Entwicklung means the development and verändert means changes; unser Alltag is our everyday life. Der Technologie is genitive because it says whose development it is, and unseren Alltag is accusative because verändern takes a direct object.
Neue Technologien verändern die Arbeitswelt.
New technologies are changing the world of work.
neu means new, verändern means are changing, and die Arbeitswelt is the world of work. Technologien is plural with -n; the plural phrase is nominative here because it is the subject.
theoretisch — theoretical ​
Theoretisch describes ideas or explanations that are not directly practical. Its opposite is praktisch; remember that the adjective takes an ending before a noun but not after sein.
Die Idee ist sehr theoretisch.
The idea is very theoretical.
die Idee means the idea and sehr means very. Theoretisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen theoretisches Wissen.
We need theoretical knowledge.
brauchen means need and Wissen means knowledge. Theoretisches is an attributive adjective with the neuter accusative ending -es after brauchen, which takes an accusative object; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Dieser Ansatz ist theoretischer als der praktische.
This approach is more theoretical than the practical one.
dieser Ansatz means this approach and praktische means practical. Theoretischer is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Dieser Abschnitt ist am theoretischsten formuliert.
This section is formulated in the most theoretical way.
dieser Abschnitt means this section and formuliert means formulated. Am theoretischsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the finite verb ist comes in position two and the participle formuliert goes to the end.
die Theorie — theory ​
A Theorie is an organised explanation, often in science or education. In everyday speech, it can also mean an idea that has not yet been proved.
Die Theorie erklärt den Vorgang gut.
The theory explains the process well.
erklärt means explains, der Vorgang means the process, and gut means well. Die Theorie is nominative because it is the subject; den Vorgang is accusative because erklären takes a direct object.
Die Forscher prĂĽfen die Theorie.
The researchers are testing the theory.
die Forscher means the researchers and prĂĽfen means test or examine. Die Theorie is accusative because prĂĽfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb prĂĽfen stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Theorie langsam.
We are slowly approaching the theory.
sich nähern means to approach and langsam means slowly. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so der Theorie is dative; nähern is in position two.
Die Grundlage der Theorie fehlt noch.
The basis of the theory is still missing.
die Grundlage means the basis and fehlt noch means is still missing. Der Theorie is genitive because it identifies whose basis it is, and the finite verb fehlt stands in position two.
Es gibt viele Theorien ĂĽber Sprache.
There are many theories about language.
viele means many and Sprache means language. Theorien is plural after es gibt, and ĂĽber Sprache uses accusative because ĂĽber means about here.
das Verfahren — method, procedure; proceedings, formal procedure ​
Verfahren has two common meanings: a method for doing something, and a formal procedure, including legal proceedings. The plural is also Verfahren, so the article or another determiner must show whether it is singular or plural.
Das Verfahren ist einfach.
The method is simple.
einfach means simple. Das Verfahren is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is a linking verb followed by the predicative adjective einfach.
Wir testen das Verfahren.
We are testing the method.
testen means to test. Das Verfahren is accusative because testen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the accusative article das looks the same as the nominative article.
Mit dem Verfahren sparen wir Zeit.
With the method, we save time.
mit means with, and Zeit sparen means save time. Dem Verfahren is dative because mit always requires the dative; the phrase Mit dem Verfahren fills the first position, so sparen comes directly after it.
Die Vorteile des Verfahrens sind bekannt.
The advantages of the method are known.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and bekannt means known. Des Verfahrens is genitive because it identifies whose advantages they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Verfahren sind sicher und schnell.
The methods are safe and fast.
sicher means safe, and schnell means fast. Die Verfahren is plural and nominative because it is the subject; its form is identical to the singular, so the article and verb sind show the number.
Das gerichtliche Verfahren dauert lange.
The legal proceedings are taking a long time.
gerichtlich means legal or judicial, and dauert lange means takes a long time. Das gerichtliche Verfahren is the nominative subject, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Gegen ihn läuft ein Verfahren.
Proceedings are being brought against him.
gegen ihn means against him, and läuft literally means runs but here means is under way. Ein Verfahren is nominative because it is the subject; gegen takes the accusative, shown by ihn, and the finite verb läuft stands in position two.
der Virus — virus; computer virus ​
The masculine form der Virus has the plural die Viren. In everyday German, the neuter variant das Virus is also very common and has the same plural.
Der Virus ist sehr ansteckend.
The virus is highly contagious.
ansteckend means contagious or infectious, and sehr means very. Der Virus is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht den Virus.
The doctor examines the virus.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. den Virus is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Das Medikament hilft gegen dem Virus nicht.
The medicine does not help against the virus.
das Medikament means the medicine, and helfen means to help. Standard German uses gegen with the accusative, so the natural sentence is Das Medikament hilft gegen den Virus nicht; learners often incorrectly use the dative after gegen.
Die Folgen des Virus sind noch unklar.
The consequences of the virus are still unclear.
die Folgen means the consequences, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. des Virus is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the masculine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Im Winter verbreiten sich viele Viren.
Many viruses spread in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and sich verbreiten means to spread. viele Viren is the plural nominative subject; the plural is Viren, not Viruses, and the reflexive pronoun sich is part of the verb.
Der Virus hat meinen Computer beschädigt.
The virus damaged my computer.
hat beschädigt means damaged, and mein Computer means my computer. meinen Computer is accusative because beschädigen takes a direct object; in the perfect, the auxiliary hat is in position two and beschädigt is at the end.
Ein Virus kann Dateien löschen.
A virus can delete files.
kann means can, Dateien means files, and löschen means to delete. The modal verb kann is in position two, while the infinitive löschen goes to the end; Dateien is the accusative object.
das Virus — virus; computer virus ​
The neuter form das Virus has the plural die Viren. The masculine variant der Virus is also common, especially in some technical and colloquial contexts; both variants use the same plural.
Das Virus ist sehr ansteckend.
The virus is highly contagious.
ansteckend means contagious or infectious, and sehr means very. Das Virus is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arzt untersucht das Virus.
The doctor examines the virus.
der Arzt means the doctor, and untersuchen means to examine. das Virus is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Das Medikament hilft gegen das Virus nicht.
The medicine does not help against the virus.
das Medikament means the medicine, and helfen means to help. Standard German uses gegen with the accusative, so das Virus is accusative here; learners often incorrectly use the dative after gegen.
Die Folgen des Virus sind noch unklar.
The consequences of the virus are still unclear.
die Folgen means the consequences, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. des Virus is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the neuter noun itself has no genitive ending.
Im Winter verbreiten sich viele Viren.
Many viruses spread in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and sich verbreiten means to spread. viele Viren is the plural nominative subject; the plural is Viren, not Viruses, and the reflexive pronoun sich is part of the verb.
Das Virus hat meinen Computer beschädigt.
The virus damaged my computer.
hat beschädigt means damaged, and mein Computer means my computer. meinen Computer is accusative because beschädigen takes a direct object; in the perfect, the auxiliary hat is in position two and beschädigt is at the end.
Ein Virus kann Dateien löschen.
A virus can delete files.
kann means can, Dateien means files, and löschen means to delete. The modal verb kann is in position two, while the infinitive löschen goes to the end; Dateien is the accusative object.
wissenschaftlich — scientific, academic ​
Wissenschaftlich is used for things based on research or connected with science, not simply for anything that seems clever or exact. As an adjective before a noun, it takes a normal adjective ending, as in wissenschaftliche Forschung; after sein, it has no ending.
Die Studie ist wissenschaftlich.
The study is scientific.
die Studie means the study. Wissenschaftlich stands after ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie liest ein wissenschaftliches Buch über Ernährung.
She is reading a scientific book about nutrition.
liest means is reading, ein Buch is a book, and Ernährung means nutrition. Wissenschaftliches comes before Buch and takes the neuter accusative ending -es after ein; ein Buch is accusative because lesen takes a direct object.
Diese Erklärung ist wissenschaftlicher als die alte.
This explanation is more scientific than the old one.
diese Erklärung means this explanation, and die alte means the old one. Wissenschaftlicher is the comparative form and is predicative after ist, so it has no additional adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Das ist die wissenschaftlichste Erklärung im ganzen Bericht.
That is the most scientific explanation in the whole report.
die Erklärung means the explanation, and der Bericht means the report. Wissenschaftlichste is the superlative before a noun and takes the feminine ending -e after die; im ganzen Bericht means in the whole report and uses the dative after in for a location.
der Zähler — counter; meter; numerator ​
Der Zähler can be a counting device or a household meter. In mathematics, der Zähler also means the numerator of a fraction, opposite der Nenner.
Der Zähler im Keller zeigt den Wasserverbrauch an.
The meter in the basement shows the water consumption.
der Keller is the basement, and der Wasserverbrauch means water consumption. Der Zähler is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt stands in position two, while an belongs to separable anzeigen and moves to the end.
Ich lese den Zähler jeden Monat ab.
I read the meter every month.
jeden Monat means every month, and ablesen means to read a meter. Den Zähler is accusative because ablesen takes a direct object; the verb is split, with lese in position two and ab at the end.
Der Techniker erklärt mir den Zähler.
The technician explains the meter to me.
der Techniker is the technician, and erklären means to explain. Mir is dative for the person receiving the explanation, while den Zähler is accusative as the thing explained.
Die Anzeige des Zählers ist schwer zu lesen.
The meter's display is difficult to read.
die Anzeige is the display, and schwer zu lesen means difficult to read. Des Zählers is genitive because it shows whose display it is; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Zähler werden nächstes Jahr ausgetauscht.
The meters will be replaced next year.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and ausgetauscht means replaced. Die Zähler is plural and has no ending change from the singular; werden ausgetauscht is a passive construction.
Bei drei Vierteln ist die drei der Zähler.
In three quarters, three is the numerator.
drei Viertel means three quarters, and bei here means in the case of. Der Zähler is nominative after the linking verb ist; the number drei is the numerator being identified.
Der Zähler steht über dem Nenner.
The numerator is above the denominator.
über means above, and der Nenner is the denominator. Der Zähler is nominative as the subject, while dem Nenner is dative because über describes a fixed location here.