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Vocab: Shopping — A1
Shopping vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Angebot — offer, deal
For a special price, ein Angebot often means a deal or special offer. In a shop, it can also mean the range of products available.
Das Angebot ist heute besonders günstig.
The offer is particularly cheap today.
günstig means cheap or good value, and heute means today. Das Angebot is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme das Angebot.
I accept the offer.
nehmen means to take or accept. Das Angebot is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Mit dem Angebot sparen wir viel Geld.
With the offer, we save a lot of money.
sparen means to save, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Dem Angebot is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb sparen is in position two.
Der Preis des Angebots gilt nur bis morgen.
The price of the offer is valid only until tomorrow.
der Preis means the price, gilt means is valid, and bis morgen means until tomorrow. Des Angebots is genitive because it shows whose price it is, while gilt stands in position two.
Die Geschäfte machen am Wochenende viele Angebote.
The shops have many special offers at the weekend.
die Geschäfte means the shops, am Wochenende means at the weekend, and viele means many. Angebote is plural and accusative because machen takes a direct object; the finite verb machen is in position two.
die Anprobe — fitting, try-on session
Die Anprobe dauert zehn Minuten.
The fitting takes ten minutes.
dauern means to last and zehn Minuten means ten minutes. Die Anprobe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Ich habe heute eine Anprobe.
I have a fitting today.
heute means today and haben means to have. Eine Anprobe is accusative after haben; the finite verb habe is in position two and the time word can come at the end.
Bei der Anprobe hilft mir die Verkäuferin.
The sales assistant helps me during the fitting.
bei means during or at, helfen means to help, and die Verkäuferin means the sales assistant. Bei takes the dative, so der Anprobe is dative; hilft is in position two.
Die Dauer der Anprobe ist kurz.
The duration of the fitting is short.
die Dauer means the duration and kurz means short. Der Anprobe is genitive because it identifies the duration of what; with a feminine noun, only the article changes.
Zwei Anproben waren nötig.
Two fittings were necessary.
zwei means two and nötig means necessary. Anproben is the plural subject, formed with -en, so the past verb is plural waren.
anprobieren — to try on
Anprobieren takes the item of clothing as an accusative object: etwas anprobieren. In a main clause, an separates, but the Partizip II is one word: anprobiert.
Sie probiert das Kleid an.
She is trying on the dress.
sie means she and das Kleid means the dress. Das Kleid is accusative because it is the item tried on; probiert is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich habe die Schuhe anprobiert.
I tried on the shoes.
die Schuhe means the shoes. The perfect uses habe plus anprobiert at the end; the shoes are the accusative object.
Er probierte den Mantel an.
He tried on the coat.
er means he and der Mantel means the coat. The weak preterite is probierte; den Mantel is accusative, and the prefix an is separated to the end.
Probier diese Jacke an!
Try on this jacket!
diese Jacke means this jacket. The command contains probier an, with an at the end; diese Jacke is accusative as the item being tried on.
Ich würde den Pullover anprobieren.
I would try on the sweater.
der Pullover means the sweater. Würde expresses a conditional idea, while the infinitive anprobieren goes to the end; the sweater is accusative.
Morgen wird sie das Kleid anprobieren.
Tomorrow she will try on the dress.
morgen means tomorrow and sie means she. Future uses wird in position two and anprobieren at the end; das Kleid is accusative.
der Aufkleber — sticker, label
Aufkleber is a regular masculine noun. Its plural is unchanged in form: der Aufkleber becomes die Aufkleber; do not confuse it with the verb aufkleben, to stick on.
Der Aufkleber klebt auf dem Laptop.
The sticker is stuck to the laptop.
kleben means to be stuck, and der Laptop is a laptop. Der Aufkleber is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Laptop is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Ich kaufe einen Aufkleber.
I am buying a sticker.
kaufen means to buy. Einen Aufkleber is masculine accusative because it is the object of kaufe; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester einen Aufkleber.
I give my sister a sticker.
geben means to give, and meine Schwester means my sister. The recipient meiner Schwester is dative, while einen Aufkleber is accusative as the thing given.
Die Farbe des Aufklebers ist blau.
The sticker’s colour is blue.
die Farbe means colour, and blau means blue. Des Aufklebers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; masculine singular uses des and adds -s to the noun.
Die Aufkleber sind bunt.
The stickers are colourful.
bunt means colourful. Die Aufkleber is nominative plural because it is the subject; the noun does not change its ending from the singular, so the plural article die helps identify it.
aussuchen — to choose, to select
aussuchen is separable: in a main clause, aus moves to the end, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. With a person who benefits, it commonly uses a dative pronoun such as mir plus the accusative thing chosen.
Ich suche mir ein Geschenk aus.
I am choosing a present.
mir means for myself, and ein Geschenk means a present. The reflexive pronoun mir is dative because the action is done for the speaker, while ein Geschenk is accusative because aussuchen takes the selected thing as its object; the finite verb suche is in position two and aus is at the end.
Wir haben ein Hotel ausgesucht.
We chose a hotel.
ein Hotel means a hotel. Ein Hotel is accusative because it is the object of ausgesucht; the perfect uses haben, and the participle goes to the end while the auxiliary haben stands in position two.
Sie suchte ein ruhiges Restaurant aus.
She chose a quiet restaurant.
ein ruhiges Restaurant means a quiet restaurant. This is the weak past form suchte with -te; Restaurant is accusative as the selected object, and aus is separated to the end.
Such dir einen Platz aus.
Choose a place for yourself.
dir means for yourself, and einen Platz means a place. The informal singular command leaves out du; such comes first, aus goes at the end, and einen Platz is accusative.
Ich würde lieber das blaue Hemd aussuchen.
I would rather choose the blue shirt.
würde lieber means would rather, and das blaue Hemd means the blue shirt. The würde construction puts the infinitive aussuchen at the end as one word; das blaue Hemd is accusative because it is the object.
Morgen werde ich die Möbel für das Büro aussuchen.
Tomorrow I will choose the furniture for the office.
Morgen means tomorrow, die Möbel means the furniture, and das Büro means the office. The future uses werde in position two and the infinitive aussuchen at the end; die Möbel is accusative because it is the object.
bestellen — to order food, goods or a service; to reserve, to book
Bestellen normally takes an accusative object for the thing ordered: eine Pizza bestellen. It is a regular weak verb, and the perfect is formed with haben: hat bestellt.
Ich bestelle eine Pizza.
I am ordering a pizza.
ich means I, and eine Pizza is a pizza. Eine Pizza is accusative because bestellen takes the ordered thing as a direct object; the finite verb bestelle is in position two.
Wir haben zwei Pizzen bestellt.
We ordered two pizzas.
wir means we, and zwei Pizzen means two pizzas. The perfect uses haben plus bestellt, with the participle at the end; zwei Pizzen is accusative as the thing ordered.
Er bestellte einen Kaffee.
He ordered a coffee.
er means he, and einen Kaffee is a coffee. Bestellte is the regular simple-past form with -te; the drink is accusative because it is the direct object.
Bestell bitte einen Tee!
Please order a tea!
bitte means please, and einen Tee is a tea. Bestell is the singular imperative with the subject du omitted; the ordered drink is accusative.
Ich würde gern ein vegetarisches Gericht bestellen.
I would like to order a vegetarian dish.
gern means gladly or would like to, vegetarisch means vegetarian, and das Gericht is the dish. Ein vegetarisches Gericht is accusative as the direct object; after würde, the infinitive bestellen goes to the end.
Wir werden das Essen später bestellen.
We will order the food later.
das Essen means the food, and später means later. Future I uses werden plus the infinitive bestellen at the end; das Essen is accusative as the thing ordered.
Wir bestellen einen Tisch für sechs Personen.
We are reserving a table for six people.
einen Tisch is a table, and sechs Personen means six people. Einen Tisch is accusative because it is the object of bestellen, and für also takes the accusative in für sechs Personen.
Sie hat ein Hotelzimmer bestellt.
She booked a hotel room.
sie means she, and das Hotelzimmer is the hotel room. The perfect uses hat plus bestellt at the end; ein Hotelzimmer is accusative because it is the reserved item.
die Bestellung — order, order placed; appointment, official designation
For an order, die Bestellung is often used with aufgeben, meaning to place an order, or stornieren, meaning to cancel it. It can refer to food, goods, or services.
Die Bestellung kommt heute.
The order is arriving today.
kommt means is coming or arrives, and heute means today. Die Bestellung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Ich bezahle die Bestellung online.
I am paying for the order online.
bezahle means pay, and online means online. Die Bestellung is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb bezahle stands in position two.
Ich warte auf der Bestellung?
I am waiting for the order?
warte means am waiting, and auf can mean for in this expression. This sentence is not standard German: auf meaning waiting for takes the accusative, so the correct form is auf die Bestellung; learners often wrongly use the dative here.
Die Nummer der Bestellung steht auf der Rechnung.
The order number is on the invoice.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and die Rechnung is the invoice. Der Bestellung is genitive because it identifies whose number it is; auf der Rechnung is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Heute kommen drei Bestellungen zusammen.
Three orders are arriving together today.
drei means three, kommen means come or arrive, and zusammen means together. Bestellungen is plural and has no ending change beyond -en; the plural subject makes the verb kommen plural.
Die Bestellung des neuen Direktors wurde gestern bekannt gegeben.
The appointment of the new director was announced yesterday.
des neuen Direktors means of the new director, and bekannt gegeben means announced. Die Bestellung is the subject in the nominative; the passive phrase wurde ... bekannt gegeben places the announcement in the past.
Die Bestellung gilt nur für ein Jahr.
The appointment is valid for only one year.
gilt means is valid, and nur für ein Jahr means for only one year. Die Bestellung is nominative as the subject, while für takes the accusative in ein Jahr.
der Beutel — bag, pouch
Der Beutel is a small bag or pouch, often for food or shopping. Its plural is die Beutel with no ending, while the genitive singular is des Beutels with -s.
Der Beutel ist schwer.
The bag is heavy.
schwer means heavy. Der Beutel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage den Beutel.
I am carrying the bag.
ich means I, and trage means carry. Den Beutel is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Beutel ein neues Etikett.
I put a new label on the bag.
geben means to give or put, ein neues Etikett means a new label, and neu means new. Dem Beutel is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while ein neues Etikett is accusative; the finite verb gebe stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Beutels ist blau.
The colour of the bag is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. Des Beutels is genitive because it means of the bag; the noun adds -s, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Beutel stehen neben der Kasse.
The bags are next to the checkout.
stehen means are standing, neben means next to, and die Kasse means the checkout. Die Beutel is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; neben der Kasse uses the dative for a fixed location.
der Buchladen — bookshop, bookstore
Der Buchladen ist heute bis acht Uhr geöffnet.
The bookshop is open until eight o’clock today.
heute means today, bis acht Uhr means until eight o’clock, and geöffnet means open. Der Buchladen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Buchladen nach der Arbeit.
I visit the bookshop after work.
besuchen means to visit, nach der Arbeit means after work, and Arbeit means work. Den Buchladen is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; besuche is in position two.
Wir kaufen im Buchladen ein Geschenk.
We are buying a present in the bookshop.
kaufen means to buy, ein Geschenk is a present, and im means in the. Im Buchladen is dative because in describes a fixed location here, while kaufen remains in position two.
Die Tür des Buchladens ist sehr alt.
The door of the bookshop is very old.
die Tür means the door and sehr alt means very old. Des Buchladens is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the noun.
In Berlin gibt es viele Buchläden.
There are many bookshops in Berlin.
viele means many and gibt es means there are. Buchläden is plural after viele, and the umlaut changes u to ü.
die Bäckerei — bakery
Die Bäckerei is the shop, while der Bäcker or die Bäckerin is the person who bakes. The word commonly takes in: in der Bäckerei means at the bakery.
Die Bäckerei öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The bakery opens at six o'clock.
öffnet means opens and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Bäckerei is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich besuche die Bäckerei jeden Samstag.
I visit the bakery every Saturday.
besuchen means to visit and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Die Bäckerei is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; for feminine nouns, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich kaufe in der Bäckerei frische Brötchen.
I buy fresh bread rolls at the bakery.
frische Brötchen means fresh bread rolls. In der Bäckerei is dative because in describes a location here, not movement into it; the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Die Tür der Bäckerei ist offen.
The bakery door is open.
die Tür means door and offen means open. Der Bäckerei is genitive because it identifies whose door it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
In der Stadt gibt es drei Bäckereien.
There are three bakeries in the town.
die Stadt means town or city, and drei means three. Drei Bäckereien is the plural object after es gibt, which takes the accusative; the plural ending is -eien.
die Drogerie — drugstore, chemist's
A German Drogerie mainly sells cosmetics, toiletries, detergents and similar products; it is not normally a pharmacy. A pharmacy is die Apotheke.
Die Drogerie ist heute geschlossen.
The drugstore is closed today.
geschlossen means closed, and heute means today. Die Drogerie is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich besuche die Drogerie nach der Arbeit.
I visit the drugstore after work.
besuchen means visit, and nach der Arbeit means after work. Die Drogerie is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Wir kaufen in der Drogerie Shampoo.
We buy shampoo at the drugstore.
kaufen means buy, and Shampoo means shampoo. Der Drogerie is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the accusative object Shampoo comes after the verb.
Die Öffnungszeiten der Drogerie stehen an der Tür.
The drugstore's opening hours are on the door.
die Öffnungszeiten means the opening hours, stehen means are displayed, and die Tür means the door. Der Drogerie is genitive because it shows which shop the hours belong to; an der Tür is dative because it describes a location.
In unserer Stadt gibt es drei Drogerien.
There are three drugstores in our town.
unsere Stadt means our town, and gibt es means there are. Drogerien is the plural of die Drogerie; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
der Einkauf — shopping, purchase
Der Einkauf can mean the activity of shopping, a shopping trip, or something bought. For the activity, German often uses einkaufen; for individual items, the plural Einkäufe is common.
Der Einkauf dauert heute nicht lange.
The shopping will not take long today.
heute means today, and nicht lange means not long. Der Einkauf is the nominative subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two, and nicht negates the phrase lange.
Ich mache den Einkauf nach der Arbeit.
I do the shopping after work.
nach der Arbeit means after work, and machen means to do or make. Den Einkauf is accusative because it is the object of the expression einen Einkauf machen; nach takes the dative here, so der Arbeit is dative.
Meine Mutter hilft mir beim Einkauf.
My mother helps me with the shopping.
meine Mutter means my mother, and hilft means helps. Mir is dative because helfen takes the dative, while beim Einkauf means bei dem Einkauf and is also dative after bei.
Die Kosten des Einkaufs sind überraschend niedrig.
The cost of the shopping is surprisingly low.
die Kosten are the costs, überraschend means surprisingly, and niedrig means low. Des Einkaufs is genitive and means “of the shopping”; die Kosten is the plural subject of sind.
Am Samstag erledige ich mehrere Einkäufe.
On Saturday I take care of several shopping trips.
am Samstag means on Saturday, and erledigen means to take care of or complete. Einkäufe is plural after mehrere and is accusative because it is the object of erledige; the verb is in position two after the time phrase.
einkaufen — to go shopping, to shop
Einkaufen usually means shopping for food or everyday items, not simply buying one specific object. It is separable: ich kaufe ein, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together as einkaufen and eingekauft.
Ich kaufe jeden Samstag im Supermarkt ein.
I go grocery shopping at the supermarket every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and der Supermarkt is the supermarket. Einkaufen is separable here: the finite part kaufe is in position two and ein goes to the end; the place phrase im Supermarkt uses the dative after in for location.
Wir haben gestern auf dem Markt eingekauft.
We went shopping at the market yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der Markt is the market. The perfect of einkaufen uses haben, and the complete participle eingekauft stays together at the end; auf dem Markt is dative because it describes a location.
Meine Schwester kaufte für die Party Getränke ein.
My sister bought drinks for the party.
meine Schwester means my sister, die Party is the party, and Getränke are drinks. The weak preterite kaufte is in position two, the accusative object is Getränke, and the prefix ein goes to the end.
Kauf ein und bring bitte Milch mit.
Go shopping and please bring some milk back.
bring ... mit means bring along or bring back, bitte means please, and Milch is milk. The imperative addresses one person; ein is separated from kauf and stands at the end of the first command, while mit is the separated prefix of mitbringen.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich öfter einkaufen.
If I had more time, I would go shopping more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, and öfter means more often. The wenn clause puts hätte at the end; in the main clause würde is in position two and the inseparable whole infinitive einkaufen goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich nach der Arbeit einkaufen.
Tomorrow I will go shopping after work.
morgen means tomorrow, and nach der Arbeit means after work. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive einkaufen goes to the end; nach takes the dative, hence der Arbeit.
fein — fine, delicate; nice, excellent; good, pleasant, refined
For texture, fein is the opposite of grob, coarse. It can also mean excellent or refined, depending on the context.
Die Seide fühlt sich fein an.
The silk feels delicate.
die Seide means silk, and sich anfühlen means to feel or have a particular texture. Fein is predicative after sich anfühlen, so it has no adjective ending; the separable verb has fühlt in position two and an at the end.
Sie trägt ein feines Kleid.
She is wearing a delicate dress.
trägt means is wearing, and das Kleid means dress. Ein feines Kleid is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object, and the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Dieses Papier ist feiner als das andere.
This paper is finer than the other one.
dieses Papier means this paper, and das andere means the other one. Feiner compares two things and is predicative after ist; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Das ist der feinste Kaffee im Laden.
That is the finest coffee in the shop.
der Kaffee means coffee, and der Laden means shop. Der feinste Kaffee is a noun phrase in the nominative after ist, and the superlative takes the adjective ending -e after der.
Das Essen ist wirklich fein.
The food is really good.
das Essen means the food, and wirklich means really. Fein is predicative after ist, so it does not take an adjective ending.
Wir hatten einen feinen Abend.
We had a lovely evening.
hatten means had, and der Abend means evening. Einen feinen Abend is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective ending is -en after einen.
das Geschenk — gift, present
Geschenk is a countable neuter noun, so it has the plural Geschenke. The common phrase jemandem ein Geschenk machen literally means to make someone a gift, but it means to give someone a present.
Das Geschenk liegt auf dem Tisch.
The gift is on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and der Tisch is the table. Das Geschenk is nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location here.
Ich öffne das Geschenk.
I am opening the gift.
öffnen means open and ich means I. das Geschenk is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke dir für das Geschenk.
I thank you for the gift.
danke means thank, dir means to you, and für means for. dir is dative because danken requires a dative person, while für das Geschenk is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Farbe des Geschenks gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the gift.
die Farbe is the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. des Geschenks is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen requires the person who likes something in the dative.
Auf dem Tisch liegen viele Geschenke.
There are many presents on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Geschenke is the plural of Geschenk with an umlaut and -e; dem Tisch is dative because auf describes location, not movement.
das Geschäft — shop, store; business; deal; business; deal; matter
The common meaning is a shop, but das Geschäft can also mean a business or a business deal. In the shop meaning, im Geschäft is a common phrase for “in the shop.”
Das Geschäft öffnet um neun Uhr.
The shop opens at nine o’clock.
öffnet means “opens,” and um neun Uhr means “at nine o’clock.” Das Geschäft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Ich besuche heute das Geschäft.
I am visiting the shop today.
besuche means “visit,” and heute means “today.” Das Geschäft is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich kaufe in dem Geschäft ein Geschenk.
I am buying a present in the shop.
kaufe ... ein means “buy,” and ein Geschenk is “a present.” Dem Geschäft is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the separable verb kaufe ... ein has its prefix at the end.
Die Tür des Geschäfts ist schon offen.
The shop’s door is already open.
die Tür is “the door,” and schon offen means “already open.” Des Geschäfts is genitive because it shows possession, meaning “of the shop”; the adjective offen follows the linking verb ist.
Am Samstag haben die Geschäfte lange geöffnet.
The shops are open for a long time on Saturday.
am Samstag means “on Saturday,” and lange geöffnet means “open for a long time.” Die Geschäfte is the plural subject, so the verb is haben; Geschäfte has an umlaut and -e in the plural.
Das ist ein gutes Geschäft.
That is a good deal.
ein gutes means “a good,” and ist means “is.” Ein gutes Geschäft is nominative after das ist in this identifying sentence; the adjective ending -es agrees with the neuter noun.
Wir müssen über das Geschäft sprechen.
We have to talk about the business deal.
müssen means “have to,” and über ... sprechen means “talk about.” Über das Geschäft is accusative because über takes the accusative with this topic meaning; the modal verb müssen sends sprechen to the end.
der Gutschein — voucher, gift certificate
Der Gutschein is often bought as a present or for a fixed amount of money. Einen Gutschein einlösen means to use it in a shop or online, while einen Gutschein verschenken means to give it to someone.
Der Gutschein liegt auf dem Tisch.
The voucher is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Gutschein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich habe den Gutschein gestern gekauft.
I bought the voucher yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and gekauft means bought. Den Gutschein is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and gekauft goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester einen Gutschein.
I am giving my sister a voucher as a present.
schenke means give as a present, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Einen Gutschein is accusative because it is the thing given, while meiner Schwester is dative because she receives it.
Der Wert des Gutscheins beträgt fünfzig Euro.
The value of the voucher is fifty euros.
der Wert means the value, and beträgt means amounts to. Des Gutscheins is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the masculine noun adds -s, and beträgt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Gutscheine gelten nur bis Ende Juni.
The vouchers are valid only until the end of June.
gelten means are valid or apply, and nur bis Ende Juni means only until the end of June. Die Gutscheine is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: gelten, not singular gilt.
die Kasse — checkout; cash desk; cash register; till; funds; coffers
In a shop, die Kasse can mean the checkout area or the cash register itself. an der Kasse means at the checkout; do not confuse it with Kasse meaning a health-insurance fund.
Die Kasse ist gleich dort.
The checkout is just there.
gleich dort means right there. Die Kasse is the subject in the nominative case, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche die Kasse.
I am looking for the checkout.
suche means am looking for. Die Kasse is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Ich stehe an der Kasse.
I am standing at the checkout.
stehe means am standing. An takes the dative here because this describes a fixed location, so der Kasse is dative.
Die Schlange der Kasse ist lang.
The queue at the checkout is long.
die Schlange is the queue and lang means long. Der Kasse is genitive and means of the checkout; the finite verb ist stays in position two.
Die Kassen schließen um acht.
The checkouts close at eight.
schließen means close and um acht means at eight o’clock. Die Kassen is plural and nominative, so the plural verb schließen agrees with it.
In der Kasse fehlt Geld.
There is money missing from the till.
fehlt means is missing and Geld means money. In der Kasse is dative because in describes a location here; the finite verb fehlt is in position two.
Der Verein braucht eine volle Kasse.
The club needs a full fund.
der Verein is the club, braucht means needs, and voll means full. Eine volle Kasse is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
kaufen — to buy
kaufen is a weak verb with kaufte and gekauft. It takes haben in the perfect and normally an accusative object for the thing bought: etwas kaufen.
Ich kaufe heute Brot.
I am buying bread today.
heute means today and Brot means bread. Brot is accusative because kaufen takes the thing bought as a direct object, and the finite verb kaufe stands in position two.
Wir haben ein neues Fahrrad gekauft.
We bought a new bicycle.
wir means we, ein neues Fahrrad means a new bicycle. ein neues Fahrrad is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; the perfect uses haben in position two and gekauft at the end.
Sie kaufte die Blumen gestern.
She bought the flowers yesterday.
sie means she, die Blumen means the flowers, and gestern means yesterday. die Blumen is accusative because it is the object; the weak-verb past form kaufte stands in position two.
Kauf bitte zwei Brötchen!
Please buy two bread rolls!
bitte means please and zwei Brötchen means two bread rolls. Kauf is the du imperative without du, and zwei Brötchen is accusative because it is what should be bought.
Ich würde ein größeres Auto kaufen, wenn ich mehr Geld hätte.
I would buy a larger car if I had more money.
würde means would, ein größeres Auto means a larger car, wenn means if, and mehr Geld means more money. ein größeres Auto is accusative after kaufen; the infinitive kaufen goes to the end after würde, and hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Morgen werde ich ein Geschenk kaufen.
Tomorrow I will buy a present.
morgen means tomorrow and ein Geschenk means a present. ein Geschenk is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; werde is in position two and the infinitive kaufen goes to the end.
der Kiosk — kiosk, small shop
A Kiosk is usually a small shop selling snacks, drinks or newspapers. In German, it is often associated with a neighbourhood street and may stay open late.
Der Kiosk ist heute geschlossen.
The kiosk is closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Der Kiosk is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich kaufe am Kiosk eine Zeitung.
I am buying a newspaper at the kiosk.
kaufe means buy, and Zeitung means newspaper. The object eine Zeitung is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; am Kiosk means at the kiosk, with an plus dative for a fixed location.
Ich gebe dem Verkäufer am Kiosk das Geld.
I give the money to the seller at the kiosk.
Verkäufer means seller, and Geld means money. Dem Verkäufer is dative because he receives the money, while am Kiosk is also dative because it describes a location; the direct object is das Geld.
Die Tür des Kiosks ist offen.
The kiosk's door is open.
Tür means door, and offen means open. Des Kiosks is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist remains in position two.
In Berlin gibt es viele Kioske.
There are many kiosks in Berlin.
Berlin is a city, and viele means many. Kioske is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative even though the plural form itself does not show the case.
der Korb — basket; rejection; refusal of romantic interest
In the expression jemandem einen Korb geben, the literal meaning is “to give someone a basket”, but the usual meaning is to reject someone, especially romantically. The person rejected is in the dative, as in ihm einen Korb geben.
Der Korb ist voll.
The basket is full.
voll means full. Der Korb is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage den Korb.
I am carrying the basket.
trage means carry. Den Korb is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Ich gehe mit dem Korb zum Markt.
I am going to the market with the basket.
gehe means go, mit means with, and zum Markt means to the market. Mit always takes the dative, so der Korb becomes dem Korb; zum is short for zu dem.
Der Henkel des Korbes ist kaputt.
The basket’s handle is broken.
der Henkel means the handle, and kaputt means broken. Des Korbes marks possession in the genitive; the masculine noun takes -es, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Körbe stehen vor dem Laden.
The baskets are standing in front of the shop.
stehen means stand, vor means in front of, and der Laden means the shop. Die Körbe is plural with an umlaut and -e; vor dem Laden uses the dative because it describes a location.
Sie gab ihm einen Korb.
She rejected him.
gab means gave, and ihm means to him. Einen Korb geben is a fixed expression meaning to reject someone: einen Korb is accusative, while ihm is dative as the recipient.
Er hat ihr einen Korb gegeben.
He rejected her.
ihr means to her, and gegeben means given. Ihr is dative because the expression gives something to someone, while einen Korb is accusative; the Partizip II gegeben goes to the end.
Nach dem Korb war sie traurig.
She was sad after being rejected.
nach means after, war means was, and traurig means sad. Nach takes the dative, so der Korb appears as dem Korb; here Korb refers to a rejection, not a container.
der Kunde — customer, client
Kunde is a weak masculine noun. Use der Kunde only for the nominative singular; use Kunden after articles such as den, dem, or des, and in the plural.
Der Kunde wartet an der Kasse.
The customer is waiting at the checkout.
wartet means is waiting, an der Kasse means at the checkout, and Kasse means checkout or cash desk. Der Kunde is nominative as the subject; this is the only singular case in which the noun has no -n.
Die Verkäuferin berät den Kunden.
The sales assistant advises the customer.
die Verkäuferin is the sales assistant and berät means advises. den Kunden is accusative because beraten takes a direct object; the weak noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich helfe dem Kunden sofort.
I will help the customer immediately.
helfe means help and sofort means immediately. dem Kunden is dative because helfen governs the dative; Kunde must keep its -n.
Die Beschwerde des Kunden ist berechtigt.
The customer's complaint is justified.
die Beschwerde is the complaint and berechtigt means justified. des Kunden expresses possession in the genitive, and the weak noun again takes -n, not -s.
Die Kunden bezahlen mit Karte.
The customers pay by card.
bezahlen means pay and mit Karte means by card; Karte is card. Die Kunden is plural and has -n; mit takes the dative, although the feminine singular article is not visible here.
die Kundin — female customer, client
Use die Kundin for a female customer; the masculine counterpart is der Kunde. The plural is Kundinnen, with -innen, and the word is common in shops, offices and service situations.
Die Kundin wartet an der Kasse.
The female customer is waiting at the checkout.
warten means to wait, and die Kasse is the checkout. Die Kundin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Der Verkäufer begrüßt die Kundin.
The salesperson greets the female customer.
der Verkäufer is the salesperson, and begrüßen means to greet. Die Kundin is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the article remains die in the feminine accusative.
Ich helfe der Kundin mit dem Formular.
I help the female customer with the form.
helfen means to help, das Formular is the form, and mit means with. Der Kundin is dative because helfen takes a dative person; mit dem Formular is also dative because mit always requires the dative.
Die Tasche der Kundin liegt auf dem Tisch.
The female customer's bag is on the table.
die Tasche is the bag, liegen means to lie or be located, and der Tisch is the table. Der Kundin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive article is der, just like the feminine dative article.
Viele Kundinnen bezahlen mit Karte.
Many female customers pay by card.
viele means many, bezahlen means to pay, and die Karte is the card. Kundinnen is plural and has no ending for the case here because it is nominative; the plural article is die.
der Laden — shop, store; load, cargo
der Laden usually means a shop or store in everyday German. Its plural is irregular: die Läden; do not confuse this noun with the separate word laden, meaning to load.
Der Laden öffnet um neun Uhr.
The shop opens at nine o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Der Laden is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Laden jeden Samstag.
I visit the shop every Saturday.
besuche means visit, and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. den Laden is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich kaufe in dem Laden ein Geschenk.
I am buying a present in the shop.
kaufe ... ein means buy, and ein Geschenk means a present. dem Laden is dative because in describes a location here; in dem is often shortened to im, and the separable prefix ein goes to the end.
Die Tür des Ladens ist offen.
The shop’s door is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. des Ladens is genitive because it means of the shop; the masculine noun takes -s and the article is des.
In dieser Straße gibt es viele Läden.
There are many shops in this street.
in dieser Straße means in this street, and viele means many. Läden is the plural with an umlaut and -e; es gibt takes an accusative object, although English uses there are.
Der Laden des Lastwagens ist voll.
The truck’s load is full.
der Lastwagen means the truck, and voll means full. des Lastwagens is genitive because it means of the truck; here Laden means a load, not a shop, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Händler prüft den Laden vor der Abfahrt.
The dealer checks the load before departure.
der Händler means the dealer or trader, prüft means checks, and vor der Abfahrt means before departure. den Laden is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; in this transport sense, the noun is still masculine singular.
das Lebensmittelgeschäft — grocery store, food shop
The compound combines Lebensmittel, food products, and Geschäft, shop or business. It is a count noun with plural Lebensmittelgeschäfte; the plural has -e and an umlaut.
Das Lebensmittelgeschäft ist heute bis acht Uhr geöffnet.
The grocery store is open until eight today.
heute means today, bis acht Uhr means until eight o’clock, and geöffnet means open. Das Lebensmittelgeschäft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and geöffnet follows the verb sein.
Ich kaufe im Lebensmittelgeschäft Milch und Brot.
I buy milk and bread at the grocery store.
Milch means milk and Brot means bread. Im Lebensmittelgeschäft is dative because in describes a fixed location here, while Milch und Brot are accusative objects of kaufe; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Lebensmittelgeschäft.
We are meeting in front of the grocery store.
wir treffen uns means we are meeting, and vor means in front of. Dem Lebensmittelgeschäft is dative because the preposition vor takes the dative for a location; uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Die Öffnungszeiten des Lebensmittelgeschäfts stehen an der Tür.
The grocery store’s opening hours are on the door.
Die Öffnungszeiten are the opening hours, stehen means are displayed, and an der Tür means on the door. Des Lebensmittelgeschäfts is genitive because it shows whose opening hours they are; the verb stehen agrees with plural Öffnungszeiten.
In unserer Straße gibt es zwei Lebensmittelgeschäfte.
There are two grocery stores in our street.
In unserer Straße means in our street, and zwei means two. Lebensmittelgeschäfte is the plural after zwei; es gibt always takes an accusative noun, although the plural form looks the same in this sentence as nominative.
die Marke — brand; stamp (postage)
Marke most often means a brand, but it can also mean a postage stamp or a mark or label. The plural Marken is used for all these meanings.
Die Marke ist sehr bekannt.
The brand is very well known.
bekannt means well known. Die Marke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Marke gut.
I know the brand well.
kenne means know and gut means well. Die Marke is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir vertrauen der Marke.
We trust the brand.
vertrauen means trust. Der Marke is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, a common pattern learners mistakenly replace with accusative.
Der Ruf der Marke ist ausgezeichnet.
The brand's reputation is excellent.
der Ruf means the reputation and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Der Marke is genitive because it shows which brand the reputation belongs to.
Im Laden sehe ich viele Marken.
I see many brands in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, sehe means see, and viele means many. Marken is plural after viele and has the regular feminine plural ending -n.
Die Marke klebt auf dem Brief.
The stamp is stuck on the letter.
klebt means is stuck, auf means on, and der Brief means the letter. Die Marke is nominative as the subject; auf dem Brief is dative because the stamp is in a fixed location.
Ich kaufe die Marke für die Postkarte.
I am buying the stamp for the postcard.
kaufe means buy, für means for, and die Postkarte means the postcard. Die Marke is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; für always takes accusative.
der Markt — market
Der Markt can mean an open-air market or, more generally, the market as an economic system. For a supermarket, German usually uses der Supermarkt.
Der Markt ist heute sehr voll.
The market is very crowded today.
heute means today, and sehr voll means very crowded. Markt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Markt am Samstag.
I visit the market on Saturday.
besuche means visit, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Markt is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Wir kaufen auf dem Markt frisches Gemüse.
We buy fresh vegetables at the market.
kaufen means buy, and frisches Gemüse means fresh vegetables. Markt is dative after auf because this sentence describes a location, not movement toward it; the finite verb kaufen is in position two.
Die Preise des Marktes sind niedrig.
The market's prices are low.
die Preise means the prices, and niedrig means low. Marktes is genitive because it shows whose prices they are, and sind stands in position two; the genitive ending is -es.
Auf den Märkten gibt es viele regionale Produkte.
There are many regional products at the markets.
viele regionale Produkte means many regional products, and es gibt means there are. Märkten is dative plural after auf for a location; the plural Märkte adds -e and changes a to ä, and dative plural adds -n.
der Marktplatz — market square
Der Marktplatz is a town square, not simply any place where goods are sold. It is commonly used with auf, which takes the dative for a location: auf dem Marktplatz.
Der Marktplatz liegt im Zentrum der Stadt.
The market square is in the town centre.
liegt means is located, im Zentrum means in the centre, and der Stadt means of the town. Marktplatz is nominative because it is the subject, while der Stadt is genitive after Zentrum; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen den Marktplatz am Abend.
We visit the market square in the evening.
besuchen means visit, and am Abend means in the evening. Marktplatz is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Die Musiker spielen auf dem Marktplatz.
The musicians are playing in the market square.
die Musiker means the musicians, and spielen means play. Marktplatz is dative after auf because it describes a fixed location; the finite verb spielen is in position two.
Die Geschichte des Marktplatzes ist interessant.
The history of the market square is interesting.
die Geschichte means the history, and interessant means interesting. Marktplatzes is genitive because it identifies whose history it is, and ist stands in position two; the genitive singular ends in -es.
Die alten Marktplätze sind beliebte Treffpunkte.
The old market squares are popular meeting places.
alten means old, and beliebte Treffpunkte means popular meeting places. Marktplätze is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural changes a to ä and adds -e, while sind stands in position two.
die Packung — packet; package; pack
Die Packung usually means a shop package containing a stated amount of a product. A package as a larger parcel for sending is often das Paket.
Die Packung ist leer.
The packet is empty.
leer means empty. Die Packung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich öffne die Packung.
I am opening the packet.
ich öffne means I am opening. Die Packung is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object, although the feminine article die looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Packung einen Platz im Schrank.
I give the packet a place in the cupboard.
ich gebe means I give, einen Platz means a place, im Schrank means in the cupboard, and Schrank means cupboard. Der Packung is dative because it is the recipient or thing assigned a place; einen Platz is accusative.
Der Inhalt der Packung ist beschädigt.
The contents of the packet are damaged.
der Inhalt means the contents, beschädigt means damaged, and ist means is. Der Packung is genitive because it tells us which contents are meant; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Zwei Packungen stehen auf dem Tisch.
Two packets are on the table.
zwei means two, stehen means are standing or are located, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Packungen is the plural with -en; dem Tisch is dative because auf expresses location here.
das Produkt — product, goods; result, product
The plural Produkte usually means manufactured goods, while the word can also mean a service or commercial offering. It is a normal neuter noun with das in the singular and die in the plural.
Das Produkt ist sehr beliebt.
The product is very popular.
beliebt means popular. Das Produkt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das Produkt.
I am buying the product.
kaufe means am buying. Das Produkt is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Produkt.
I trust the product.
vertraue means trust. Dem Produkt is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Qualität des Produkts ist ausgezeichnet.
The quality of the product is excellent.
Die Qualität means the quality, and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Des Produkts is genitive because it shows whose quality is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Produkte stehen im Regal.
The products are on the shelf.
stehen means are standing, and das Regal is a shelf. Die Produkte is plural and is the subject; im Regal means in the shelf area and uses dative after the location meaning of in.
Das Produkt aus drei und vier ist zwölf.
The product of three and four is twelve.
aus drei und vier means of three and four, and zwölf means twelve. Das Produkt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Dieses Produkt entsteht durch eine chemische Reaktion.
This product is created by a chemical reaction.
Dieses means this, entsteht means is created or arises, and eine chemische Reaktion is a chemical reaction. Durch takes the accusative, while the passive-style verb entsteht remains in position two.
das Päckchen — small parcel, packet
Päckchen is a diminutive of das Paket or another small package, formed with -chen. Diminutives are always neuter and usually have no plural ending: das Päckchen, die Päckchen.
Das Päckchen ist schon da.
The small parcel is already here.
ist schon da means is already here, and schon means already. Das Päckchen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich öffne das Päckchen sofort.
I am opening the small parcel immediately.
öffne means open, and sofort means immediately. Das Päckchen is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; the finite verb öffne stands in position two.
Der Postbote bringt mir dem Päckchen einen Aufkleber an.
The postman puts a sticker on the small parcel for me.
Der Postbote is the postman, bringt ... an means puts on, and einen Aufkleber is a sticker. Dem Päckchen is dative because anbringen uses a dative object for the thing receiving the sticker; the accusative object is einen Aufkleber.
Die Adresse des Päckchens ist unleserlich.
The address on the small parcel is illegible.
die Adresse means the address, and unleserlich means illegible. Des Päckchens is genitive and means of the small parcel; the neuter noun takes -s in this case.
Die Päckchen liegen im Schrank.
The small parcels are in the cupboard.
liegen means are lying, im Schrank means in the cupboard, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Päckchen has the same form in singular and plural; im contains dative dem after in for a location.
die Quittung — receipt
The everyday meaning is a receipt for payment. In shops, die Quittung and der Kassenbon can both mean “receipt”, but Kassenbon is especially common for a printed till receipt.
Die Quittung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The receipt is on the table.
liegt means “is lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Die Quittung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche die Quittung.
I need the receipt.
brauche means “need”. Die Quittung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich gebe dem Kunden die Quittung.
I give the customer the receipt.
gebe means “give”, and dem Kunden means “the customer”. Die Quittung is accusative as the thing given, while dem Kunden is dative as the recipient.
Die Nummer der Quittung steht oben.
The receipt number is at the top.
die Nummer means “the number”, and oben means “at the top”. Der Quittung is genitive because it expresses possession or association: “the number of the receipt”.
Bitte bewahren Sie die Quittungen auf.
Please keep the receipts.
bewahren ... auf means “keep”, and bitte makes the request polite. Quittungen is the plural with -en; the separable verb places auf at the end of this main clause.
der Supermarkt — supermarket
Der Supermarkt is the usual word for a large food shop. For a small shop, German often uses der Laden or das Geschäft.
Der Supermarkt öffnet um acht Uhr.
The supermarket opens at eight o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Der Supermarkt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet stands in position two.
Ich gehe in den Supermarkt.
I am going to the supermarket.
gehen means go, and in means into or to here. Den Supermarkt is accusative because in expresses movement toward a place; the finite verb gehe is in position two.
Wir kaufen im Supermarkt Brot.
We buy bread at the supermarket.
kaufen means buy, im means in the, and Brot is bread. Im Supermarkt is dative because it describes a fixed location; im is short for in dem, and Brot is the accusative object.
Die Preise des Supermarkts sind niedrig.
The supermarket’s prices are low.
die Preise are the prices, and niedrig means low. Des Supermarkts is genitive because it shows which supermarket the prices belong to; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Supermärkte schließen um acht Uhr.
The supermarkets close at eight o'clock.
schließen means close, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Supermärkte is the plural, with an umlaut and -e; the plural subject requires schließen, not singular schließt.
die Tüte — bag, packet
Tüte usually means a shopping bag or a packet, and eine Tüte Chips means a packet of crisps. It is feminine, so its plural is Tüten and its genitive singular is der Tüte.
Die Tüte ist schwer.
The bag is heavy.
schwer means heavy. Die Tüte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich nehme eine Tüte.
I’ll take a bag.
nehmen means to take. eine Tüte is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Ich gebe der Tüte einen Platz.
I give the bag a place.
geben means to give, and einen Platz means a place. der Tüte is dative because it is the indirect object receiving something; einen Platz is accusative.
Die Farbe der Tüte ist blau.
The colour of the bag is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. der Tüte is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Tüten stehen neben der Kasse.
The bags are next to the checkout.
stehen means are standing, neben means next to, and die Kasse is the checkout. Tüten is plural with die; der Kasse is dative because neben describes a fixed location.
der Verkäufer — sales assistant, seller (male)
The feminine form is Verkäuferin. In a shop, Verkäufer usually means a sales assistant, while in business it can also mean a seller.
Der Verkäufer arbeitet in einem großen Geschäft.
The sales assistant works in a large shop.
das Geschäft means shop, and groß means large. Der Verkäufer is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Verkäufer jeden Samstag.
I see the sales assistant every Saturday.
sehen means to see, and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Den Verkäufer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich frage dem Verkäufer nach dem Preis.
I ask the sales assistant about the price.
fragen means to ask, and der Preis means the price. In this sentence, dem Verkäufer is dative because the person asked is treated as the indirect object; learners should not confuse this with the accusative in jemanden fragen.
Das Handy des Verkäufers liegt auf dem Tisch.
The sales assistant’s mobile phone is lying on the table.
das Handy means mobile phone, and liegen means to lie or be situated. Des Verkäufers is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Verkäufer helfen den Kunden.
The sales assistants help the customers.
helfen means to help, and die Kunden means the customers. Verkäufer has the same form in the singular and plural, but die and the plural verb helfen show the plural; den Kunden is dative because helfen takes the dative.
die Verkäuferin — sales assistant, seller (female)
Verkäuferin is the feminine form of Verkäufer. Its plural is formed with -innen, not simply -in.
Die Verkäuferin arbeitet heute.
The sales assistant is working today.
heute means today, and arbeiten means to work. Die Verkäuferin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Verkäuferin im Supermarkt.
I see the sales assistant in the supermarket.
sehen means to see, and der Supermarkt means the supermarket. Die Verkäuferin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Verkäuferin mit den Kisten.
I help the sales assistant with the crates.
helfen means to help, and die Kisten means the crates. Der Verkäuferin is dative because helfen always takes the dative; mit also requires the dative.
Die Tasche der Verkäuferin ist neu.
The sales assistant’s bag is new.
die Tasche means the bag, and neu means new. Der Verkäuferin is genitive to show possession; with a feminine noun, the noun itself does not change in the genitive.
Die Verkäuferinnen begrüßen die Kunden.
The sales assistants welcome the customers.
begrüßen means to welcome, and die Kunden means the customers. Verkäuferinnen is plural because -in becomes -innen, and the plural verb begrüßen stands in position two.
verpacken — to pack, to wrap
The object of verpacken is the thing being put into a covering, so it normally appears in the accusative. The verb is regular and uses haben in the perfect: hat verpackt.
Sie verpackt das Geschenk.
She wraps the present.
sie means she, and das Geschenk is the present or gift. Das Geschenk is accusative because verpacken takes an accusative object, and the finite verb verpackt stands in position two.
Sie hat das Geschenk verpackt.
She has wrapped the present.
sie means she, and das Geschenk is the present or gift. The perfect uses hat plus verpackt, and the Partizip II goes to the end; das Geschenk remains accusative as the object.
Sie verpackte das Geschenk gestern.
She wrapped the present yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and das Geschenk is the present or gift. Das Geschenk is accusative because it is the object, while the weak past form verpackte has the ending -te.
Verpacke bitte das Geschenk.
Please wrap the present.
bitte means please, and das Geschenk is the present or gift. Verpacke is the informal singular imperative, and das Geschenk is accusative because it is the object of the command.
Ich würde die Flasche vorsichtig verpacken.
I would pack the bottle carefully.
ich means I, die Flasche is the bottle, and vorsichtig means carefully. Würde verpacken expresses a hypothetical action, with the infinitive at the end; die Flasche is accusative as the object.
Wir werden die Bücher sicher verpacken.
We will pack the books safely.
wir means we, die Bücher are the books, and sicher means safely. Future werden verpacken puts werden in position two and the infinitive at the end; die Bücher is accusative.
die Verpackung — packaging, package, wrapping
Verpackung can mean the material around a product or the individual package itself. It is feminine, and its regular plural is Verpackungen.
Die Verpackung ist aus Papier.
The packaging is made of paper.
aus Papier means made of paper. Die Verpackung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; aus takes the dative, but the material phrase has no visible article here.
Ich öffne die Verpackung.
I am opening the packaging.
ich means I, öffne means open, and öffnen is to open. Die Verpackung is accusative because it is the object of öffnen; with a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Auf dem Tisch liegt eine Verpackung.
There is a package lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegt means lies, and eine Verpackung means a package. Auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, while eine Verpackung is nominative as the subject after liegt.
Die Farbe der Verpackung gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the packaging.
die Farbe means the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. Der Verpackung is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Laden stehen viele Verpackungen.
There are many packages in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means stand or are located, and viele means many. Verpackungen is the plural subject; im Laden is dative after in because it describes location, and the verb comes before the subject because the location occupies position one.
das Weihnachtsgeschenk — Christmas present, Christmas gift
This compound combines Weihnachten and Geschenk. It can mean a present given at Christmas, whether it is for a child, friend, relative, or colleague.
Das Weihnachtsgeschenk liegt unter dem Baum.
The Christmas present is under the tree.
liegt means “is lying”, unter dem Baum means “under the tree”, and Baum means “tree”. Das Weihnachtsgeschenk is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich habe ein Weihnachtsgeschenk gekauft.
I bought a Christmas present.
habe gekauft means “bought”. ein Weihnachtsgeschenk is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the participle gekauft goes to the end.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester ein Weihnachtsgeschenk.
I give my sister a Christmas present.
gebe means “give”, and meiner Schwester means “to my sister”. meiner Schwester is dative because she receives something, while ein Weihnachtsgeschenk is accusative because it is the thing given.
Die Farbe des Weihnachtsgeschenks ist sehr schön.
The colour of the Christmas present is very nice.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and sehr schön means “very nice”. des Weihnachtsgeschenks is genitive because it identifies which present the colour belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Kinder öffnen ihre Weihnachtsgeschenke.
The children open their Christmas presents.
die Kinder means “the children”, öffnen means “open”, and ihre means “their”. Weihnachtsgeschenke is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of öffnen; the plural ending is -e.