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Vocab: Size & shape — A1
Size & shape vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
breit — wide, broad
breit can describe physical width, as in eine breite Straße, or a broad range, as in ein breites Angebot. The opposite is schmal for physical width and often eng for a narrow space.
Die Straße ist sehr breit.
The street is very wide.
die Straße means the street, and sehr means very. Breit is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen durch eine breite Tür.
We are walking through a wide door.
gehen means go or walk, and durch eine Tür means through a door. Eine breite Tür is accusative because durch always takes the accusative; breite has an adjective ending after eine.
Der Fluss ist hier breiter als dort.
The river is wider here than there.
der Fluss means the river, and hier and dort mean here and there. Breiter is followed by als in the comparison; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist die breiteste Straße der Stadt.
That is the widest street in the city.
die Straße means the street, and der Stadt means of the city. The attributive superlative breiteste takes an adjective ending after die; der Stadt is genitive because it identifies whose city is meant.
dick — thick; fat, overweight
Dick usually describes the physical thickness of an object. Before a noun it takes an adjective ending, as in ein dicker Pullover, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Das Buch ist dick.
The book is thick.
das Buch is the book, and dick means thick. Dick is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein dicker Pullover.
That is a thick sweater.
ein dicker Pullover means a thick sweater, and das means that. Dicker stands before the masculine noun Pullover after ein, so it takes the strong masculine ending -er; ist is in position two.
Dieser Mantel ist dicker als meiner.
This coat is thicker than mine.
dieser Mantel means this coat, and meiner means mine. Dicker is the comparative of dick and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no ending.
Von allen Büchern ist dieses am dicksten.
Of all the books, this one is the thickest.
von allen Büchern means of all the books, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, so Büchern is dative plural; am dicksten is the predicative superlative and has no adjective ending.
Der Hund ist ziemlich dick.
The dog is quite fat.
der Hund is the dog, and ziemlich means quite or rather. Dick is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; when describing people, this word can sound direct or impolite, so übergewichtig is more neutral.
Er trägt eine dicke Jacke.
He is wearing a thick jacket.
er trägt means he is wearing or carrying, and eine dicke Jacke means a thick jacket. Eine dicke Jacke is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective after eine takes the ending -e.
dünn — thin, slender
For physical objects, dünn is the opposite of dick. For people, it can mean slim, but schlank is often more polite and positive.
Der Pullover ist dünn.
The sweater is thin.
der Pullover is the sweater. Dünn comes after ist and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing directly before a noun.
Sie trägt einen dünnen Mantel.
She is wearing a thin coat.
trägt means is wearing and der Mantel is the coat. Einen dünnen Mantel is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; after einen, the adjective gets the ending -en.
Dieses Papier ist dünner als das andere.
This paper is thinner than the other one.
dieses Papier means this paper and das andere means the other one. Dünner compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Diese Nadel ist am dünnsten.
This needle is the thinnest.
die Nadel is the needle. Am dünnsten is the predicative superlative, formed with am plus the adjective ending -sten; it does not take a noun ending here.
eng — narrow, tight; close
The common meaning of eng is narrow or tight, as in eine enge Straße (a narrow street) or enge Schuhe (tight shoes). It can also describe a close relationship; the meaning depends on the noun or context.
Der Flur ist eng.
The corridor is narrow.
der Flur means the corridor. Eng is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen durch eine enge Straße.
We are walking through a narrow street.
gehen means to walk, and die Straße means the street. Enge stands before the feminine noun Straße and takes -e after eine; durch forces the accusative, so the phrase is eine enge Straße.
Diese Jacke ist enger als meine alte.
This jacket is tighter than my old one.
die Jacke means the jacket, and alt means old. Enger compares this jacket with another one and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
In diesem Gang ist es am engsten.
This corridor is the narrowest.
dieser Gang means this corridor, and es is a formal subject in this description. Am engsten is the predicative superlative with am; in diesem Gang is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
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.
der Fuß — foot; foot, base, lower part
der Fuß has the irregular plural die Füße, with a vowel change from u to ü. It can also be used in measurements, for example ein Fuß is a foot as a unit of length.
Mein Fuß tut weh.
My foot hurts.
mein means “my” and tut weh means “hurts”. Mein Fuß is nominative because it is the subject; the fixed expression wehtun is split here, with weh at the end.
Ich wasche meinen Fuß.
I wash my foot.
ich wasche means “I wash” and meinen means “my” in the masculine accusative. meinen Fuß is accusative because waschen takes a direct object.
Sie steht auf einem Fuß.
She is standing on one foot.
sie steht means “she is standing” and einem means “one” in the dative masculine. auf takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed position, not movement onto the foot.
Die Sohle des Fußes ist nass.
The sole of the foot is wet.
die Sohle means “the sole” and nass means “wet”. des Fußes is genitive because it shows which foot the sole belongs to; the noun also adds -es in this case.
Nach dem langen Spaziergang tun mir die Füße weh.
After the long walk, my feet hurt.
nach dem langen Spaziergang means “after the long walk”, mir means “to me”, and weh tun means “hurt”. die Füße is plural and the subject, so the verb is tun; mir is dative because the person experiencing the pain is expressed with a dative pronoun.
Wir stehen am Fuß des Berges.
We are standing at the foot of the mountain.
wir stehen means “we are standing” and der Berg means “the mountain”. am Fuß is dative because an describes a location here, while des Berges is genitive to show which mountain.
Am Fuß der Statue liegt eine Blume.
There is a flower at the base of the statue.
die Statue means “the statue”, liegt means “lies”, and eine Blume means “a flower”. am Fuß is dative after an for location, and der Statue is genitive because it identifies the statue’s base.
gerade — straight
Gerade as an adjective means straight, not bent or curved. It can also be used for things that are level or even, but the common basic use is describing a straight line, road, or object.
Die Linie ist gerade.
The line is straight.
die Linie means the line. Gerade is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; this is different from eine gerade Linie before a noun.
Er zeichnet eine gerade Linie.
He is drawing a straight line.
er zeichnet means he is drawing, and die Linie means the line. eine gerade Linie is accusative because zeichnen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective ending after eine is -e.
Dieser Weg ist gerader als der andere.
This path is straighter than the other one.
dieser Weg means this path, and der andere means the other one. The comparative is followed by als; dieser Weg is nominative because it is the subject of ist.
Diese Linie ist am geradesten.
This line is the straightest.
diese Linie means this line. The superlative am geradesten follows ist and therefore has no adjective ending; do not say am geradeste.
groß — big, large; tall; big, great; serious, strong
Groß can describe size, height or age, depending on the noun: ein großes Haus is a large house, while ein großes Kind can mean a tall or older child. Its comparison uses an umlaut: größer, am größten.
Meine Wohnung ist groß.
My flat is large.
die Wohnung means flat or apartment, and meine means my. Groß is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen ein großes Zimmer.
We are looking for a large room.
suchen means to look for, das Zimmer means room, and wir means we. Ein großes Zimmer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the neuter adjective ending after ein is -es.
Unser neues Auto ist größer als das alte.
Our new car is bigger than the old one.
unser neues Auto means our new car, and das alte means the old one. Größer is the comparative of groß; after sein it has no ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Dieses Gebäude ist am größten.
This building is the biggest.
dieses Gebäude means this building, and Gebäude means building. Am größten is the superlative used predicatively after sein; it is not an attributive form before a noun.
Der größte Raum ist im Erdgeschoss.
The largest room is on the ground floor.
der Raum means room, im Erdgeschoss means on the ground floor, and sein means to be. Größte is the attributive superlative before a masculine nominative noun and therefore has the ending -e.
Wir haben ein großes Problem.
We have a big problem.
das Problem means problem, and haben means to have. Ein großes Problem is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the neuter adjective after ein takes -es.
Sie hat große Angst vor Hunden.
She is very afraid of dogs.
Angst haben means to be afraid, der Hund means dog, and vor means of or from in this expression. Große Angst is accusative as the object of haben, while vor Hunden uses the dative after vor for the cause of the fear.
die Größe — size, dimensions; greatness, important figure
die Größe commonly means physical size or a clothing size. Its plural is die Größen, with an umlaut and -n; in another sense it can refer to greatness or an important person.
Die Größe des Zimmers ist perfekt.
The size of the room is perfect.
Zimmer means room, and perfekt means perfect. Die Größe is nominative because it is the subject; des Zimmers is genitive because it specifies which size.
Ich brauche eine größere Größe.
I need a larger size.
brauche means need, and größere means larger. eine größere Größe is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine indefinite article eine.
Die Verkäuferin zeigt mir die Größe.
The sales assistant shows me the size.
Verkäuferin means sales assistant, zeigt means shows, and mir means to me. mir is dative because it is the person receiving the information, while die Größe is accusative as the thing shown.
Die Wahl der Größe hängt vom Modell ab.
The choice of size depends on the model.
Wahl means choice, hängt ... ab means depends, and Modell means model. der Größe is genitive because it identifies what kind of choice; the separable verb places hängt in position two and ab at the end.
Die Größen stehen auf dem Etikett.
The sizes are written on the label.
stehen means are written or stand, and Etikett means label. Die Größen is a plural subject, while auf dem Etikett is dative because it describes the fixed location of the information.
Sie gilt als eine Größe der Kunstwelt.
She is considered an important figure in the art world.
gilt als means is considered, Kunstwelt means art world, and eine Größe means an important figure. eine Größe is a complement after als, not a direct object; der Kunstwelt is genitive, identifying the field.
Seine Größe zeigt sich in schwierigen Momenten.
His greatness shows itself in difficult moments.
Seine means his, zeigt sich means shows itself, and schwierigen Momenten means difficult moments. Seine Größe is nominative because it is the subject; in schwierigen Momenten is dative because it describes a fixed situation.
hart — hard, tough; difficult, severe, tough
For a physical object, hart means hard rather than soft; it can also describe a difficult or unpleasant situation. The comparative is härter, with an umlaut, and the superlative is am härtesten.
Der Stein ist hart.
The stone is hard.
der Stein means the stone. hart describes its quality and comes after ist; in this predicative position, the adjective has no ending.
Sie trägt eine harte Schale.
She is carrying a hard shell.
sie trägt means she is carrying, and die Schale is a shell. eine harte Schale is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after the feminine article eine.
Dieser Tisch ist härter als der andere.
This table is harder than the other one.
dieser Tisch means this table, and der andere means the other one. härter compares two tables and is followed by als; the umlaut in härter is part of the comparative form.
Der Winter in den Bergen ist am härtesten.
Winter in the mountains is the hardest.
der Winter means winter, and die Berge are the mountains. in den Bergen is dative because it describes a location, while am härtesten is the superlative form used predicatively.
Die Prüfung war hart.
The exam was tough.
die Prüfung means the exam. hart means difficult or demanding here, not physically hard; after war, the predicative adjective has no ending.
Er hat eine harte Zeit hinter sich.
He has been through a difficult time.
er hat ... hinter sich means he has been through, and die Zeit means the time or period. eine harte Zeit is an accusative object after haben; hinter sich means behind him and is a fixed expression here.
hoch — high, tall; high, large, intense
hoch describes something that reaches far upward, such as a building or mountain. It can also describe a high amount or level, for example hohe Preise means high prices; its comparison is irregular: höher, am höchsten.
Der Turm ist sehr hoch.
The tower is very tall.
der Turm means the tower and sehr means very. hoch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist ein hoher Berg.
That is a high mountain.
der Berg means the mountain. ein hoher Berg is the nominative phrase after ist; because the indefinite article does not show the masculine nominative ending clearly, the adjective takes -er.
Der neue Turm ist höher als der alte.
The new tower is taller than the old one.
neu means new and alt means old. höher is the irregular comparative of hoch, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; der alte means the old one, with the noun understood.
Dieser Berg ist am höchsten.
This mountain is the highest.
dieser Berg means this mountain. am höchsten is the predicative superlative and has no adjective ending; remember the irregular vowel change in hoch → höher → am höchsten.
Die Preise sind hoch.
The prices are high.
die Preise means the prices. hoch is predicative after sind, so it has no ending; the plural subject requires sind, not ist.
Wir haben hohe Kosten.
We have high costs.
die Kosten means the costs. hohe Kosten is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes -e after the plural form keine would normally show the article ending.
hoch — high, upwards
As an adverb, hoch describes a position or movement at a great height. Do not confuse this use with the adjective hoch, which can stand before a noun, as in ein hoher Berg.
Der Vogel fliegt hoch.
The bird is flying high.
der Vogel is the bird, and fliegt means is flying. Hoch describes how high the bird flies; the finite verb fliegt is in position two.
Der Ball springt sehr hoch.
The ball bounces very high.
der Ball is the ball, springt means bounces, and sehr means very. Hoch modifies the verb springt, so it tells us the height of the movement rather than describing a noun.
die Höhe — height, altitude; peak, level, amount
For a person or object, die Höhe is its height; for a place, it can mean altitude or elevation. Do not confuse Höhe with Tiefe, meaning depth.
Die Höhe des Hauses beträgt zehn Meter.
The height of the house is ten metres.
des Hauses means of the house, and beträgt zehn Meter means is ten metres. Die Höhe is nominative because it is the subject; des Hauses is genitive because it identifies what has the height.
Ich messe die Höhe des Tisches.
I am measuring the height of the table.
ich messe means I measure, and des Tisches means of the table. Die Höhe is accusative because messen takes a direct object; des Tisches is genitive and the finite verb messe is in position two.
Bei der Höhe wird mir schwindelig.
At that height, I feel dizzy.
bei der Höhe means at that height, and schwindelig means dizzy. Bei always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the finite verb wird stands in position two.
Wegen der Höhe ist die Luft dort dünn.
Because of the altitude, the air there is thin.
wegen means because of, die Luft means the air, and dünn means thin. Wegen takes the genitive in careful standard German, so der Höhe means because of the altitude; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Berge haben sehr unterschiedliche Höhen.
The mountains have very different elevations.
die Berge means the mountains, and sehr unterschiedliche means very different. Höhen is accusative plural because haben takes a direct object; the plural has an umlaut and -n.
Sie ist auf der Höhe ihrer Karriere.
She is at the peak of her career.
auf der Höhe means at the peak, and ihrer Karriere means of her career. Here Höhe is used figuratively for a peak; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, and ihrer Karriere is genitive.
Die Höhe der Rechnung hat mich überrascht.
The amount of the bill surprised me.
die Rechnung means the bill, and hat mich überrascht means surprised me. Die Höhe is nominative because it is the subject, while der Rechnung is genitive because it specifies what amount is meant.
klein — small, little; young, little (of a child)
Klein can describe physical size or a small amount. Its regular comparison is kleiner, am kleinsten; the opposite is groß.
Das Zimmer ist klein.
The room is small.
das Zimmer means the room. Klein is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir wohnen in einem kleinen Haus.
We live in a small house.
wohnen means to live, and das Haus means the house. In einem kleinen Haus is dative because in describes a location, and the adjective takes -en after einem.
Meine Wohnung ist kleiner als deine.
My flat is smaller than yours.
die Wohnung means the flat or apartment, and deine means yours. Kleiner compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative has no adjective ending.
Dieses Zimmer ist am kleinsten.
This room is the smallest.
dieses Zimmer means this room. Am kleinsten is the predicative superlative, used after ist; before a noun, use an ending instead, as in das kleinste Zimmer.
Als ich klein war, las ich viele Bücher.
When I was little, I read many books.
als ich ... war means when I was, and viele Bücher means many books. Klein is predicative after war and therefore has no ending; the verb comes at the end of the als clause.
Die kleinen Kinder spielen im Garten.
The little children are playing in the garden.
die Kinder means the children, spielen means are playing, and der Garten means the garden. Kleinen is attributive before the plural noun and takes -en after die; im Garten is a dative location.
die Kugel — ball, sphere; scoop; bullet
For ice cream, eine Kugel means one scoop; for a round object, it means a ball or sphere.
Die Kugel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The ball is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Kugel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme eine Kugel Eis.
I’ll have one scoop of ice cream.
nehme means take or have, and eine Kugel Eis means one scoop of ice cream. eine Kugel is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Das Kind spielt mit einer Kugel.
The child is playing with a ball.
das Kind is the child, spielt means plays, and mit means with. einer Kugel is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb spielt is in position two.
Die Farbe der Kugel ist blau.
The ball’s colour is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. der Kugel is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; with a feminine noun, die changes to der in the genitive.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Kugeln.
Three balls are lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Kugeln is the plural with -n; because the plural subject comes first, the finite verb liegen follows it in position two.
Die Kugel traf die Wand.
The bullet hit the wall.
traf means hit, and die Wand is the wall. Die Kugel is nominative as the subject, while die Wand is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; traf is the finite verb in position two.
Er wurde von einer Kugel verletzt.
He was injured by a bullet.
wurde verletzt means was injured. von einer Kugel means by a bullet and is dative because von always takes the dative; the passive verb phrase is in position two.
die Kurve — bend, curve; curve, graph line
For roads, die Kurve means a bend; for lines or diagrams, it means a curve. In die Kurve expresses movement into it, while in der Kurve expresses location in it.
Die Kurve ist sehr eng.
The bend is very sharp.
eng means tight or sharp, and sehr means very. Die Kurve is nominative as the subject; the adjective after ist has no ending.
Der Fahrer nimmt die Kurve langsam.
The driver takes the bend slowly.
der Fahrer means the driver, nimmt means takes, and langsam means slowly. Die Kurve is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object.
Wir nähern uns der Kurve.
We approach the bend.
nähern uns means approach and uns marks the reflexive verb. Der Kurve is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object.
Die Form der Kurve verändert sich.
The shape of the curve changes.
die Form means the shape and verändert sich means changes. Der Kurve is genitive to show which curve is meant; verändert is the finite verb in position two.
Die Kurven auf dieser Straße sind gefährlich.
The bends on this road are dangerous.
auf dieser Straße means on this road and gefährlich means dangerous. Kurven is the nominative plural subject; the plural adds -n.
Das Auto fährt um die Kurve.
The car drives around the bend.
das Auto means the car, fährt means drives, and um means around. Die Kurve is accusative because um always requires the accusative.
Auf dem Diagramm sieht man eine Kurve.
You can see a curve on the diagram.
das Diagramm means the diagram and sieht man means you can see. Dem Diagramm is dative because auf describes a location; eine Kurve is accusative as the object of sehen.
Die Kurve steigt am Ende stark an.
The curve rises sharply at the end.
steigt ... an means rises, am Ende means at the end, and stark means sharply. Die Kurve is nominative as the subject; the prefix an separates and goes to the end.
Wir zeichnen Kurven mit einem Lineal.
We draw curves with a ruler.
zeichnen means draw, mit means with, and einem Lineal means a ruler. Kurven is accusative plural as the object; einem Lineal is dative after mit.
kurz — short; brief, concise
kurz describes something with little length, distance, or duration. It can also mean brief, as in eine kurze Antwort.
Der Weg ist kurz.
The way is short.
der Weg means the way or route. kurz follows ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending.
Sie trägt einen kurzen Rock.
She is wearing a short skirt.
sie trägt means she is wearing and der Rock is the skirt. einen kurzen Rock is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object; after einen, the masculine adjective has the ending -en.
Der neue Weg ist kürzer als der alte.
The new way is shorter than the old one.
neu means new and alt means old; der alte stands for the old way. kürzer compares two things and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective it has no ending.
Das ist der kürzeste Weg zum Bahnhof.
That is the shortest way to the station.
der Bahnhof means the station and zum means to the. der kürzeste Weg is a superlative noun phrase; after the masculine article der, the adjective has the ending -e.
Bitte sag es kurz.
Please say it briefly.
bitte means please, sag means say, and es means it. Here kurz is used adverbially, so it describes how someone should speak and has no adjective ending.
Ich schreibe eine kurze E-Mail.
I am writing a short email.
schreiben means write and die E-Mail is the email. eine kurze E-Mail is accusative because schreiben takes an accusative object; after eine, the feminine adjective has the ending -e.
der Körper — body; solid, three-dimensional object
der Körper usually means the whole physical body, while der Leib is more literary or old-fashioned. In compounds, it appears in words such as Körperteil (body part) and Körpergewicht (body weight).
Der Körper braucht Bewegung.
The body needs movement.
braucht means needs and Bewegung means movement or exercise. Der Körper is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
Sport stärkt den Körper.
Sport strengthens the body.
Sport means sport or exercise and stärkt means strengthens. den Körper is accusative because stärken takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Nach dem Unfall tut mir der Körper weh.
After the accident, my body hurts.
Nach dem Unfall means after the accident and tut ... weh means hurts. mir is dative because the person experiencing pain is expressed with wehtun; der Körper is nominative as the thing that hurts.
Die Form des Körpers verändert sich mit dem Alter.
The shape of the body changes with age.
die Form means the shape, verändert sich means changes, and mit dem Alter means with age. des Körpers is genitive because it identifies whose shape is meant; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Körper der Kinder wachsen schnell.
The children’s bodies grow quickly.
der Kinder means of the children, wachsen means grow, and schnell means quickly. Körper is plural and nominative as the subject; its spelling does not change, so die and the verb wachsen show the plural.
Der Würfel ist ein geometrischer Körper.
The cube is a geometric solid.
der Würfel means the cube, ist means is, and geometrisch means geometric. ein geometrischer Körper is nominative after sein because it identifies the subject; the adjective has the masculine ending -er.
Wir berechnen das Volumen eines Körpers.
We calculate the volume of a solid.
berechnen means calculate, das Volumen means the volume, and eines means of a. eines Körpers is genitive because it identifies whose volume is calculated, while das Volumen is accusative as the object of berechnen.
lang — long; lengthy
The opposite is kurz, meaning short. For duration, lang often occurs with sein or dauern; the adverb lange is also common for ‘for a long time’.
Der Weg ist lang.
The way is long.
der Weg means the way or route. lang follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen einen langen Weg.
We are walking a long way.
gehen means to go or walk, and einen Weg means a route. einen langen Weg is accusative because gehen takes this direct object; after einen, the adjective takes the ending -en.
Der neue Weg ist länger als der alte.
The new route is longer than the old one.
neu means new and alt means old. länger als compares two routes; because länger follows ist, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist der längste Weg im Park.
That is the longest route in the park.
der Weg means the route and im Park means in the park. der längste Weg is a superlative noun phrase in the nominative; after der, the masculine adjective takes -e.
leicht — light; easy; light, slight
The adjective has two common related meanings: low in weight and easy to do or understand. Its opposite is schwer, which can mean heavy or difficult.
Der Koffer ist leicht.
The suitcase is light.
der Koffer is the suitcase. Leicht follows the linking verb ist and therefore has no adjective ending; do not add -e in this predicative position.
Ich kaufe eine leichte Jacke.
I am buying a light jacket.
kaufen means to buy, and die Jacke is the jacket. eine leichte Jacke is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective takes -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Dieser Rucksack ist leichter als meiner.
This backpack is lighter than mine.
der Rucksack is the backpack, and meiner means mine. Leichter compares two backpacks and is followed by als; it is predicative, so it has no adjective ending.
Das ist der leichteste Weg zum Bahnhof.
That is the easiest way to the station.
der Weg is the way, and der Bahnhof is the train station. Der leichteste Weg is a superlative noun phrase, so the adjective has the ending -e; the phrase zum Bahnhof means to the station.
Heute gibt es leichten Regen.
There is light rain today.
heute means today, and der Regen is the rain. Leichten Regen is an accusative phrase after es gibt, and the adjective has -en because the masculine article is omitted after es gibt.
Sie trägt ein leichtes Kleid.
She is wearing a light dress.
tragen means to wear, and das Kleid is the dress. ein leichtes Kleid is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
das Loch — hole, opening; cavity; hole in fabric
The plural is Löcher, with an umlaut and -er. In in das Loch, the two-way preposition in takes the accusative because there is movement into the hole.
Das Loch ist zu groß.
The hole is too big.
zu groß means too big. Das Loch is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist is in position two; zu makes the adjective express an excessive degree.
Ich sehe das Loch in der Wand.
I can see the hole in the wall.
sehe means see and in der Wand means in the wall. das Loch is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; in der Wand is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Er fällt in das Loch.
He falls into the hole.
fällt means falls. in das Loch shows movement into a place, so the two-way preposition in takes the accusative; this is not dative despite the English word “into” sometimes being translated with a fixed phrase.
Die Tiefe des Lochs überrascht mich.
The depth of the hole surprises me.
die Tiefe means the depth and überrascht mich means surprises me. des Lochs is genitive because it identifies whose depth it is; the noun gets -s, while mich is accusative after überraschen.
Auf der Straße sind viele Löcher.
There are many holes in the road.
auf der Straße means on the road and viele means many. Löcher is plural after viele; auf der Straße is dative because it describes a fixed location, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
Der Zahnarzt findet ein Loch im Zahn.
The dentist finds a cavity in the tooth.
der Zahnarzt is the dentist, findet means finds, and im Zahn means in the tooth. ein Loch is accusative because finden takes a direct object, while im means in dem and marks a fixed location with the dative.
Meine Mutter stopft ein Loch in der Socke.
My mother is darning a hole in the sock.
meine Mutter means my mother, stopft means darns or fills, and die Socke is the sock. ein Loch is accusative as the object of stopfen; in der Socke is dative because the hole is located in the sock.
der Meter — metre; meter
Meter is a unit of length; in American English the equivalent is usually meter only in technical contexts, while everyday length is often given in feet. German writes the plural Meter without an ending, so the number or article is important.
Der Meter hat hundert Zentimeter.
A metre has one hundred centimetres.
haben means to have, hundert means one hundred, and der Zentimeter means centimetre. Der Meter is nominative because it is the subject, while hundert Zentimeter is the accusative object; the plural Zentimeter has no ending.
Der Tisch ist einen Meter lang.
The table is one metre long.
der Tisch means the table and lang means long. einen Meter is accusative because measurements after an adjective such as lang are commonly used as an accusative measure phrase; ist is in position two and lang is predicative.
Die Leiter steht neben dem Meter Holz.
The ladder is standing next to a metre of wood.
die Leiter means the ladder, stehen means to stand, and das Holz means wood. dem Meter is dative because neben takes the dative for a fixed location; Holz is a mass noun used to specify what is being measured.
Die Länge des Meters ist genau festgelegt.
The length of the metre is precisely defined.
die Länge means the length, genau means precisely, and festgelegt means defined or fixed. des Meters is genitive after die Länge to show possession; ist festgelegt is a passive-like description with the adjective at the end.
Wir laufen heute fünf Meter.
Today we are running five metres.
laufen means to run or walk, heute means today, and fünf means five. fünf Meter is a plural measurement phrase and an accusative object or distance expression; Meter keeps the same form in singular and plural.
die Mitte — middle, centre; middle of a period or sequence
Mitte means the central point or part of a thing. With movement, use in die Mitte for a destination; with a fixed position, use in der Mitte.
Die Mitte des Tisches ist frei.
The middle of the table is free.
des Tisches means of the table and frei means free or empty. Die Mitte is nominative because it is the subject, while des Tisches is genitive because it identifies the thing’s middle.
Stell die Vase in die Mitte.
Put the vase in the middle.
stell means put or place, and die Vase means the vase. In die Mitte is accusative because in shows movement towards a destination; the imperative verb stell comes first.
Wir sitzen in der Mitte des Raumes.
We are sitting in the middle of the room.
wir sitzen means we are sitting and des Raumes means of the room. In der Mitte is dative because in describes a fixed location, not movement; the finite verb sitzen is in position two.
Der Rand der Mitte ist schwer zu erkennen.
The edge of the middle is difficult to recognise.
der Rand means the edge and schwer zu erkennen means difficult to recognise. Der Mitte is genitive because it identifies whose edge is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Mitten der Kreise liegen nicht genau übereinander.
The centres of the circles are not exactly on top of each other.
der Kreise means of the circles, liegen means lie or are located, and übereinander means on top of each other. Die Mitten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural noun takes -n.
In der Mitte der Woche habe ich frei.
I have a day off in the middle of the week.
der Woche means of the week and frei haben means to have time off. In der Mitte is dative because in refers to a point within a time period, and the finite verb habe is in position two.
Zur Mitte des Films wurde die Geschichte spannend.
Around the middle of the film, the story became exciting.
zur Mitte des Films means around the middle of the film, and spannend means exciting. Zur Mitte is dative because zu always takes the dative; the finite verb wurde is in position two after the fronted time phrase.
nah — near, close; close; next, upcoming
For physical distance, nah is commonly used with bei or an, as in nah bei Berlin or nah am Bahnhof. The comparative and superlative are irregular: näher, am nächsten.
Der Bahnhof ist nah.
The train station is near.
Bahnhof means train station. Nah is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir wohnen in einer nahen Stadt.
We live in a nearby city.
wohnen means live and Stadt means city. In einer nahen Stadt is dative because in describes a fixed location; after einer, the feminine adjective takes -en.
Der Supermarkt ist näher als die Bäckerei.
The supermarket is closer than the bakery.
Supermarkt means supermarket and Bäckerei means bakery. Näher is the irregular comparative of nah and is followed by als; it is predicative after ist, so it has no ending.
Welche Haltestelle ist am nächsten?
Which stop is the nearest?
Welche means which and Haltestelle means stop. Am nächsten is the predicative superlative of nah; the finite verb ist comes before the subject because this is a question.
Sie steht ihrer Schwester sehr nah.
She is very close to her sister.
Schwester means sister and sehr means very. Ihrer Schwester is dative because this expression uses jemandem nahestehen; nah is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Wir treffen uns am nächsten Montag.
We are meeting next Monday.
treffen uns means meet each other and Montag means Monday. Am nächsten Montag is short for an dem nächsten Montag; the adjective takes -en after the dative article dem.
passen — to fit, to suit; to be appropriate, to fit a situation
For size or suitability, passen takes the person in the dative: jemandem passen. With a thing that matches another thing, use zu plus dative, as in Das passt zu dir.
Die Jacke passt mir gut.
The jacket fits me well.
die Jacke means jacket, and gut means well. mir is dative because passen says who something fits or suits; the finite verb passt is in position two.
Der Termin hat mir gestern nicht gepasst.
The appointment did not suit me yesterday.
der Termin is an appointment, and gestern means yesterday. mir is dative because it names the person the appointment suits; hat is in position two and gepasst goes to the end.
Der alte Mantel passte ihm noch.
The old coat still fitted him.
der alte Mantel means the old coat, and noch means still. ihm is dative because the coat fits him; the simple-past verb passte stands in position two.
Pass mir bitte das Salz!
Please pass me the salt!
bitte means please, and das Salz means the salt. mir is dative for the person receiving something; the imperative Pass stands first, and the object das Salz is accusative.
Das passte mir nicht, aber ich sagte nichts.
I was not happy with that, but I said nothing.
aber means but, and ich sagte nichts means I said nothing. Here passte is also the form used for the hypothetical or polite meaning “would suit”; mir remains dative.
Die neuen Schuhe werden dir bald passen.
The new shoes will fit you soon.
die neuen Schuhe means the new shoes, and bald means soon. dir is dative because it names the person the shoes will fit; werden is in position two and the infinitive passen goes to the end.
Diese Antwort passt nicht zur Frage.
This answer does not fit the question.
diese Antwort means this answer, and die Frage means the question. zur Frage is zu der Frage, with dative after zu; the finite verb passt is in position two.
Der Witz passt nicht zu der ernsten Situation.
The joke does not suit the serious situation.
der Witz means the joke, and ernst means serious. zu der ernsten Situation is dative after zu; the adjective has the ending -en after the definite article.
das Quadrat — square; square, square number
Quadrat usually means the shape; in mathematics it can also mean the square of a number.
Das Quadrat ist blau.
The square is blue.
blau means blue. Das Quadrat is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich zeichne ein Quadrat.
I am drawing a square.
zeichnen means to draw. Ein Quadrat is accusative because it is the direct object of zeichnen, and the finite verb zeichne is in position two.
Ich male in dem Quadrat.
I am painting inside the square.
malen means to paint, and in means inside here. Dem Quadrat is dative because in describes a fixed location; the finite verb male is in position two.
Die Seitenlänge des Quadrats beträgt zwei Zentimeter.
The side length of the square is two centimetres.
die Seitenlänge means side length, and beträgt means measures. Des Quadrats is genitive because it shows which side length is meant; the noun adds -s.
Die Kinder basteln Quadrate.
The children are making squares.
die Kinder means the children, and basteln means to make things by hand. Quadrate is plural, and the finite verb basteln is in position two.
Das Quadrat von fünf ist fünfundzwanzig.
The square of five is twenty-five.
fünf means five, and fünfundzwanzig means twenty-five. Von fünf expresses “of five”; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir berechnen das Quadrat der Zahl.
We calculate the square of the number.
berechnen means to calculate, and die Zahl means the number. Das Quadrat is accusative after berechnen, while der Zahl is genitive and means “of the number”.
der Quadratmeter — square metre
Quadratmeter is used for the area of rooms, flats, land, and other surfaces. The singular and plural have the same noun form.
Der Quadratmeter ist eine Flächeneinheit.
The square metre is a unit of area.
die Flächeneinheit means unit of area. Der Quadratmeter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das Zimmer hat dreißig Quadratmeter.
The room is thirty square metres.
das Zimmer means the room, and dreißig means thirty. Dreißig Quadratmeter is the accusative object after hat; after a number, the plural form has no ending.
Auf einem Quadratmeter stehen viele Pflanzen.
Many plants are standing on one square metre.
auf means on, stehen means to stand, and viele Pflanzen means many plants. Einem Quadratmeter is dative because auf describes a location; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Der Preis des Quadratmeters ist hoch.
The price per square metre is high.
der Preis means the price, and hoch means high. Des Quadratmeters is genitive because it identifies which price is meant; the noun adds -s.
Die Wohnung ist sechzig Quadratmeter groß.
The flat is sixty square metres in size.
die Wohnung means the flat, sechzig means sixty, and groß means large or in size. Quadratmeter is plural after sechzig; the adjective groß comes at the end in this fixed pattern.
das Rechteck — rectangle
Das Rechteck is the standard word for a rectangle in geometry. Its plural is die Rechtecke, with an added -e.
Das Rechteck ist groß.
The rectangle is large.
groß means large. Das Rechteck is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich zeichne ein Rechteck.
I am drawing a rectangle.
zeichne means draw. Ein Rechteck is accusative because zeichnen takes a direct object, and the finite verb zeichne stands in position two.
Ich male in dem Rechteck einen Stern.
I am drawing a star inside the rectangle.
male means draw or colour in, and einen Stern means a star. Dem Rechteck is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb male stands in position two.
Die Fläche des Rechtecks ist blau.
The area of the rectangle is blue.
die Fläche means the area and blau means blue. Des Rechtecks is genitive because it identifies whose area is meant, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Rechtecke liegen auf dem Tisch.
The rectangles are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying and der Tisch means the table. Die Rechtecke is plural and nominative because it is the subject; dem Tisch is dative after the location phrase auf dem.
der Ring — ring; finger ring; circle; hoop; ring-shaped group
In this sense, Ring is jewellery worn on a finger. It can also mean a circular object, such as a sports ring or a ring-shaped mark.
Der Ring ist aus Gold.
The ring is made of gold.
aus Gold means made of gold. Der Ring is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt den Ring jeden Tag.
She wears the ring every day.
sie trägt means she wears, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Ring is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe meiner Schwester dem Ring eine neue Schachtel.
I give my sister a new box for the ring.
meiner Schwester means to my sister, eine neue Schachtel is a new box, and gebe means give. Dem Ring is dative because it is the item for which the box is intended in this slightly formal construction; more naturally, German usually says eine neue Schachtel für den Ring.
Die Farbe des Ringes gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the ring.
die Farbe means colour and gefällt mir means pleases me, or I like it. Des Ringes is genitive after die Farbe to show whose colour it is; the shorter des Rings is also possible.
Im Schaufenster liegen viele Ringe.
Many rings are displayed in the shop window.
im Schaufenster means in the shop window, liegen means lie or are displayed, and viele means many. Viele Ringe is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -e.
Die Kinder stehen im Ring um den Lehrer.
The children stand in a circle around the teacher.
die Kinder are the children, stehen means stand, and um den Lehrer means around the teacher. Im Ring means in the circle; in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it.
Die Turner springen durch einen Ring.
The gymnasts jump through a hoop.
die Turner are the gymnasts, springen means jump, and durch means through. Einen Ring is accusative because durch always takes the accusative; the ring here is a hoop, not jewellery.
rund — round; about, approximately
Rund is a regular adjective: runder and am rundesten. Before a noun it takes the normal adjective ending, but after sein it has no ending.
Der Ball ist rund.
The ball is round.
der Ball means the ball. Rund is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; der Ball is nominative because it is the subject.
Das ist ein runder Tisch.
That is a round table.
ein Tisch means a table. Runder comes before the noun and has the ending -er because it follows ein in the masculine nominative.
Dieser Tisch ist runder als der alte.
This table is rounder than the old one.
dieser Tisch means this table, and der alte means the old one. The comparative adds -er and is followed by als when two things are compared.
Dieser Ball ist am rundesten.
This ball is the roundest.
dieser Ball means this ball. The predicative superlative uses am rundesten; it does not take an adjective ending after am.
Das kostet runde zehn Euro.
That costs about ten euros.
kostet means costs, and zehn Euro means ten euros. Here runde means approximately; it is an adjective before the number and has an ending because it modifies an understood amount.
Wir waren rund drei Stunden unterwegs.
We were on the road for about three hours.
unterwegs means on the way or out and about, and drei Stunden means three hours. Here rund is used adverbially before an amount and means about, not physically round.
rund — around, round; about, approximately
As an adverb, rund can mean around when it occurs in rund um. Do not confuse this use with the adjective rund, meaning having a circular shape.
Wir sitzen rund um den Tisch.
We are sitting around the table.
sitzen means are sitting, and der Tisch means the table. Rund um den Tisch means around the table; um takes the accusative den Tisch, and rund strengthens the meaning of around.
Der Bus fährt rund um den See.
The bus goes around the lake.
der Bus means the bus, fährt means goes or drives, and der See means the lake. Rund um den See means around the lake; um requires the accusative den See, while rund is an adverb modifying the prepositional phrase.
Das kostet rund zehn Euro.
That costs about ten euros.
kostet means costs, and zehn Euro means ten euros. Rund comes before the number and means approximately; the finite verb kostet is in position two.
Die Fahrt dauert rund eine Stunde.
The journey takes about an hour.
die Fahrt means the journey, and dauert means lasts or takes. Rund eine Stunde means about one hour; the time expression is an accusative measure of duration, and rund comes directly before the amount.
schwer — heavy; difficult; serious; severe
Schwer can describe physical weight or difficulty, so eine schwere Tasche is a heavy bag but eine schwere Prüfung is a difficult exam. The comparative is schwerer and the superlative is am schwersten.
Die Tasche ist schwer.
The bag is heavy.
die Tasche means bag. Schwer is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage einen schweren Koffer.
I am carrying a heavy suitcase.
tragen means to carry and der Koffer means suitcase. Einen schweren Koffer is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the adjective has -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
Dieser Koffer ist schwerer als meiner.
This suitcase is heavier than mine.
dieser Koffer means this suitcase and meiner means mine. Schwerer compares two things and is followed by als; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist der schwerste Koffer im Laden.
That is the heaviest suitcase in the shop.
der Laden means shop. Der schwerste Koffer is a superlative noun phrase, so the adjective has the ending -ste plus the strong masculine nominative ending -e; im Laden means in the shop.
Der Rucksack ist für mich zu schwer.
The rucksack is too heavy for me.
der Rucksack means rucksack and zu schwer means too heavy. Für takes the accusative, so mich is accusative; after ist, schwer is predicative and has no ending.
Sie ist schwer krank.
She is seriously ill.
krank means ill, and schwer krank means seriously ill rather than physically heavy. Schwer is used adverbially before the adjective krank, so it has no ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Der Unfall hatte schwere Folgen.
The accident had serious consequences.
der Unfall means accident and die Folgen means consequences. Schwere Folgen is an accusative plural object of hatte; the adjective takes -e after the plural article die.
tief — deep; low; deeply; far down
Tief describes something far below a surface, such as water, a hole, or a valley. It can also mean low in expressions about sound or position; the opposite is hoch or flach, depending on the context.
Der See ist tief.
The lake is deep.
Der See means the lake, and ist means is. Tief is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; it has no adjective ending in this position.
Wir schwimmen in einem tiefen See.
We are swimming in a deep lake.
schwimmen means swim, and See means lake. In einem tiefen See is dative because in describes a location here; tiefen comes before the noun and takes an adjective ending.
Dieser See ist tiefer als der andere.
This lake is deeper than the other one.
dieser See means this lake, and der andere means the other one. Tiefer als compares two things; tiefer has the comparative ending -er, and ist remains the finite verb in position two.
Hier ist der See am tiefsten.
The lake is deepest here.
hier means here, and der See means the lake. Am tiefsten is the predicative superlative after ist; do not say am tiefste in this construction.
Das Loch ist sehr tief.
The hole is very deep.
das Loch means the hole, and sehr means very. Tief follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; ist is in position two.
Der Ball fällt tief in den Schnee.
The ball falls deep into the snow.
der Ball means the ball, fällt means falls, and der Schnee means snow. Tief describes how far down the ball falls; in den Schnee is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
tief — deeply; far down
As an adverb, tief describes a verb and means far down or deeply. It does not take an adjective ending, so say tief schlafen; tiefer means more deeply or farther down and is the comparative form.
Das Schiff sinkt tief.
The ship is sinking deep.
das Schiff means the ship, and sinkt means sinks. Tief describes how far down the ship sinks, so it is used as an adverb and does not take an adjective ending; the finite verb sinkt is in position two.
Sie schläft tief und ruhig.
She is sleeping deeply and peacefully.
schläft means sleeps, and ruhig means peacefully or calmly. Tief describes the way she sleeps, so it stays unchanged; the finite verb schläft stands in position two.
vorn — at the front, in front
Vorn describes a position at the front and is often used with vehicles, rooms, or queues. The opposite is hinten, meaning at the back; do not confuse vorn with vor, which is a preposition meaning in front of or before.
Ich sitze vorn im Bus.
I am sitting at the front of the bus.
sitzen means to sit and der Bus means the bus. Vorn gives the position, while im Bus is short for in dem Bus and uses the dative for location; the finite verb sitze is in position two.
Bitte stellen Sie sich vorn an.
Please queue at the front.
bitte means please and sich anstellen means to queue. Vorn gives the place; the formal imperative stellen Sie comes first, and the separable prefix an moves to the end.
vorne — at the front, in front
Vorne describes position at the front, while vor is a preposition that must be followed by a noun phrase. Do not confuse vorne with vorn; both are used, but vorne is especially common in everyday speech.
Ich sitze im Bus vorne.
I am sitting at the front of the bus.
der Bus means bus, and sitzen means to sit. Vorne is an adverb of place and usually comes after the verb or object; it has no ending because adverbs do not agree with nouns.
Bitte stell die Tasche vorne hin.
Please put the bag at the front.
die Tasche means bag, and hinstellen means to put or place something. Vorne tells us where the bag should go; the separable verb appears as stell ... hin in the imperative, while vorne stays unchanged.
weich — soft; gentle, soft, mild
weich describes something that is not hard and can be pressed or bent easily. Its opposite is hart; for the comparative and superlative, use weicher and am weichsten.
Das Kissen ist weich.
The cushion is soft.
das Kissen means the cushion, and ist means is. weich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein weiches Kissen.
I am buying a soft cushion.
kaufen means to buy, and ein Kissen means a cushion. ein weiches Kissen is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; the neuter adjective has -es after ein.
Dieses Kissen ist weicher als das andere.
This cushion is softer than the other one.
dieses Kissen means this cushion, and das andere means the other one. weicher is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing being compared; the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Von allen Kissen ist dieses am weichsten.
Of all the cushions, this one is the softest.
von allen Kissen means of all the cushions, and dieses means this one. von takes the dative, and the predicative superlative is formed with am weichsten.
Sie spricht mit einer weichen Stimme.
She speaks in a soft voice.
sprechen means to speak, and die Stimme means the voice. mit einer weichen Stimme is dative because mit takes the dative; the adjective has -en after einer.
Das weiche Licht macht den Raum gemütlich.
The soft light makes the room cosy.
das Licht means the light, der Raum means the room, and gemütlich means cosy. Das weiche Licht is the nominative subject, while den Raum is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after das.
weit — far; wide; fully
Weit describes a large distance and is often used with von plus the dative. Do not confuse it with weitgehend, which means largely or for the most part.
Der Bahnhof ist nicht weit von hier.
The train station is not far from here.
der Bahnhof is the train station, and von hier means from here. Weit is an adverb modifying the adjective phrase nicht weit; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir müssen noch weit laufen.
We still have to walk a long way.
noch means still, and laufen means to walk or go on foot. Weit describes the distance of the action, while the modal verb müssen sends laufen to the end of the clause.
Bitte mach das Fenster weit auf.
Please open the window wide.
das Fenster is the window, and aufmachen means to open. Das Fenster is accusative because aufmachen takes a direct object; auf is separated from mach in this main clause.
Die Tür steht weit offen.
The door is wide open.
die Tür is the door, and offen means open. Weit intensifies offen; the verb steht is in position two, and offen remains after it as a predicative adjective.
der Würfel — die, cube
In games, der Würfel usually means a die; in other contexts it can mean a cube. The plural is also Würfel, with no ending or vowel change.
Der Würfel liegt auf dem Tisch.
The die is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Würfel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme den Würfel.
I take the die.
nehme means take. Den Würfel is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Sie gibt dem Würfel eine neue Farbe.
She gives the cube a new colour.
gibt means gives, eine neue Farbe means a new colour, and neu means new. Dem Würfel is dative as the recipient or object affected by gibt, while eine neue Farbe is accusative.
Die Kanten des Würfels sind gleich lang.
The edges of the cube are the same length.
die Kanten means the edges, and gleich lang means the same length. Des Würfels is genitive to show that the edges belong to the cube; the plural subject Kanten takes sind.
Die Kinder werfen Würfel.
The children roll dice.
die Kinder means the children, and werfen means throw or roll. Würfel is plural and also has the same spelling as the singular; here it is accusative because it is the object of werfen.
der Zentimeter — centimetre
The plural of der Zentimeter is unchanged: die Zentimeter. In measurements, German often uses the noun directly after a number, and the unit can also appear with lang or breit.
Ein Zentimeter ist zehn Millimeter.
One centimetre is ten millimetres.
zehn Millimeter means ten millimetres. Ein Zentimeter is nominative because it is the subject, and the linking verb ist connects it with the measurement after it.
Der Tisch ist einen Zentimeter zu kurz.
The table is one centimetre too short.
der Tisch means the table, and zu kurz means too short. einen Zentimeter is accusative because a length or amount can be given as an accusative measure; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich messe mit einem Zentimeter.
I measure with a centimetre ruler.
messe means measure, and mit means with. einem Zentimeter is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb messe is in position two.
Die Länge des Zentimeters ist genau definiert.
The length of a centimetre is precisely defined.
die Länge means the length, and genau definiert means precisely defined. des Zentimeters is genitive to show what the length belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s.
Zwei Zentimeter fehlen noch.
Two centimetres are still missing.
zwei means two, and fehlen noch means are still missing. Zentimeter has the same form in singular and plural, so zwei and the verb fehlen identify the plural.