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Vocab: Size & shape — A2
Size & shape vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abstand — distance, gap, spacing
The common phrase Abstand halten means to keep one's distance. The plural is Abstände, with an umlaut.
Der Abstand zwischen den Stühlen ist groß.
The distance between the chairs is large.
zwischen den Stühlen means between the chairs, and groß means large. Der Abstand is nominative because it is the subject; zwischen is dative here because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte halten Sie den Abstand ein.
Please keep the distance.
bitte means please, and einhalten means to keep or observe. den Abstand is accusative because einhalten takes an accusative object; the separable prefix ein closes the clause.
Wir geben dem Abstand mehr Bedeutung.
We give the distance more importance.
mehr Bedeutung geben means to give more importance. dem Abstand is dative because geben assigns its recipient or target dative, while mehr Bedeutung is accusative.
Die Größe des Abstands hängt vom Verkehr ab.
The size of the distance depends on the traffic.
die Größe means the size, and der Verkehr means traffic. des Abstands is genitive because it identifies the size; vom Verkehr is dative after von, and ab goes to the end.
Die Abstände zwischen den Tischen sind unterschiedlich.
The distances between the tables are different.
die Tische means the tables, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Abstände is plural nominative because it is the subject; zwischen den Tischen is dative because it describes location.
die Außenseite — outside, outer side, outer surface
Die Außenseite means the outer surface or side, and it is the opposite of die Innenseite, the inner surface. It is different from außen, which is an adverb meaning outside.
Die Außenseite der Tasche ist schmutzig.
The outside of the bag is dirty.
die Tasche means the bag, schmutzig means dirty, and ist means is. Die Außenseite is nominative because it is the subject; der Tasche is genitive and tells us which outside is meant.
Ich putze die Außenseite des Fensters.
I am cleaning the outside of the window.
ich putze means I clean, and das Fenster means the window. Die Außenseite is accusative because putzen takes a direct object, while des Fensters is genitive and means of the window.
Auf der Außenseite steht eine Adresse.
There is an address written on the outside.
auf means on, steht means stands or is written, and eine Adresse means an address. Der Außenseite is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb steht follows the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Farbe der Außenseite ist hell.
The colour of the outside is light.
die Farbe means the colour, hell means light, and ist means is. Der Außenseite is genitive because it shows which surface has the colour; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Außenseiten der Häuser sind weiß.
The outside walls of the houses are white.
die Häuser means the houses, weiß means white, and sind means are. Außenseiten is plural and nominative as the subject; der Häuser is genitive and identifies which outside surfaces are meant.
die Breite — width, breadth; breadth, range
die Breite usually means the measurable width of something. It can also mean breadth in a more abstract sense, such as the range of a subject.
Die Breite des Tisches beträgt einen Meter.
The table is one metre wide.
der Tisch means the table, and beträgt means measures or amounts to. einen Meter means one metre. Die Breite is nominative because it is the subject; des Tisches is genitive and means of the table, while the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Ich messe die Breite des Fensters.
I measure the width of the window.
messe means measure, and das Fenster means the window. die Breite is accusative because messen takes a direct object; des Fensters is genitive and means of the window. The finite verb messe stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Regal mehr Breite.
We give the shelf more width.
das Regal means the shelf, and mehr means more. geben means give. dem Regal is dative because it is the thing receiving something, while mehr Breite is the accusative thing given; geben stands in position two.
Die genaue Breite des Flusses ist unbekannt.
The exact width of the river is unknown.
genaue means exact, der Fluss means the river, and unbekannt means unknown. des Flusses is genitive and means of the river. The whole phrase Die genaue Breite des Flusses is the subject, and ist links it to the adjective unbekannt.
Die Straßen haben unterschiedliche Breiten.
The streets have different widths.
die Straßen means the streets, haben means have, and unterschiedliche means different. Breiten is plural and is accusative because haben takes what someone has as a direct object. The plural ending -en is part of the noun form here.
Die Breite des Angebots überrascht mich.
The breadth of the range surprises me.
das Angebot means the range or selection, and überrascht means surprises. mich is me in the accusative. des Angebots is genitive and means of the range; the whole phrase Die Breite des Angebots is the subject and überrascht stands in position two.
Das Museum zeigt die kulturelle Breite der Region.
The museum shows the region's cultural breadth.
das Museum means the museum, zeigt means shows, kulturelle means cultural, and die Region means the region. die kulturelle Breite is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object; der Region is genitive and means of the region. The finite verb zeigt is in position two.
dicht — close, closely
As an adverb, dicht describes a small distance and does not change its form. Do not add an adjective ending: dicht neben mir, not dichte neben mir.
Setz dich dicht neben mich.
Sit close beside me.
setz dich means sit down, neben mich means beside me, and dicht means close. Neben takes the accusative here because it expresses a destination, and the separable verb sich setzen puts setz first and dich after it in the imperative.
Die Kinder stehen dicht beieinander.
The children are standing close together.
die Kinder are the children, stehen means are standing, and beieinander means together or next to one another. Dicht modifies the phrase beieinander and therefore does not take an adjective ending; stehen is the finite verb in position two.
das Dreieck — triangle
Das Dreieck is the mathematical shape with three sides and three corners. Its plural is die Dreiecke, and its genitive is des Dreiecks; do not confuse the plural ending -e with the genitive ending -s.
Das Dreieck hat drei Seiten.
The triangle has three sides.
drei Seiten means three sides, and haben means to have. Das Dreieck is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hat stands in position two.
Ich zeichne ein Dreieck ins Heft.
I draw a triangle in my exercise book.
zeichnen means to draw, ins Heft means into the exercise book, and das Heft is the exercise book. Ein Dreieck is accusative because it is the direct object of zeichne; ins is short for in das.
Mit dem Dreieck kann die Schülerin einen Winkel messen.
With the triangle, the pupil can measure an angle.
mit means with, die Schülerin means the female pupil, ein Winkel means an angle, and messen means to measure. Mit takes the dative, so dem Dreieck is dative; after the modal kann, the infinitive messen goes to the end.
Die Fläche des Dreiecks ist sehr klein.
The area of the triangle is very small.
die Fläche means the area, sehr klein means very small. Des Dreiecks is genitive because it identifies whose area is meant; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Kinder bauen bunte Dreiecke aus Papier.
The children make colourful triangles out of paper.
die Kinder means the children, bunt means colourful, bauen means make or build, and aus Papier means out of paper. Bunte Dreiecke is plural accusative because it is the object of bauen; the plural noun has the ending -e.
eben — flat, level, even
As an adjective, eben describes a surface with no bumps or slope. Do not confuse it with adverbial eben, which can mean “just now” or “simply.”
Der Weg ist eben.
The path is level.
der Weg means “the path,” and ist means “is.” Eben is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen über eine ebene Fläche.
We are walking across a flat surface.
gehen means “walk,” über means “across,” and eine Fläche means “a surface.” Ebene has an adjective ending because it comes before the feminine noun Fläche; über takes the accusative here because it expresses movement across something.
Dieser Weg ist ebener als der andere.
This path is more level than the other one.
dieser Weg means “this path,” and der andere means “the other one.” Ebener is the comparative of eben, and als introduces the thing being compared; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Diese Fläche ist am ebensten.
This surface is the most level.
diese Fläche means “this surface.” Am ebensten is the predicative superlative after sein; am is short for an dem, and the adjective therefore has no attributive ending.
eng — closely, tightly
As an adverb, eng modifies a verb and means closely or tightly; it does not receive adjective endings. Do not confuse this use with the adjective eng, which describes a noun such as eine enge Straße.
Die beiden Freunde arbeiten eng zusammen.
The two friends work closely together.
beide Freunde means both friends, and zusammenarbeiten means to work together. Eng modifies the verb phrase and does not take an adjective ending; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two, while zusammen stands at the end.
Die Häuser stehen eng beieinander.
The houses stand close together.
die Häuser means the houses, and beieinander means close together. Eng describes how closely the houses stand and remains unchanged because it is an adverb; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
fest — firm, solid, tight
Fest describes something that is firm or not loose. It can also describe a fixed arrangement, as in ein fester Termin, meaning a fixed appointment.
Der Knoten ist fest.
The knot is tight.
der Knoten means “the knot,” and ist means “is.” Fest is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt einen festen Schuh.
She is wearing a sturdy shoe.
trägt means “wears,” and einen Schuh means “a shoe.” Festen is before the noun and has an adjective ending because it follows the indefinite article einen; Schuh is accusative because trägt takes a direct object.
Dieser Deckel sitzt fester als der alte.
This lid fits more tightly than the old one.
dieser Deckel means “this lid,” sitzt means “fits or sits,” and der alte means “the old one.” Fester compares two things and is followed by als; because it is predicative, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Schrauben sitzt diese am festesten.
Of all the screws, this one fits the tightest.
von allen Schrauben means “of all the screws,” and diese means “this one.” Am festesten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
flach — flat, shallow; gentle, not steep
flach describes something with little height or depth. With water, it usually means shallow; with surfaces, it usually means flat.
Der Teller ist flach.
The plate is flat.
der Teller means the plate. flach is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir essen aus einem flachen Teller.
We eat from a flat plate.
essen means to eat, and aus means from or out of. einem flachen Teller is dative because aus always takes the dative; flachen has -en after the dative article einem.
Dieser See ist flacher als der andere.
This lake is shallower than the other one.
dieser See means this lake, and der andere means the other one. flacher is the comparative of flach, formed with -er; after ist it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Hier ist der See am flachsten.
The lake is shallowest here.
hier means here, and der See means the lake. am flachsten is the predicative superlative; the finite verb ist is in position two, and hier gives the place.
Der Weg ist hier sehr flach.
The path is very gentle here.
der Weg means the path, hier means here, and sehr means very. flach is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; it describes the path's gentle slope.
Wir fahren über einen flachen Hügel.
We drive over a low, gently sloping hill.
fahren means to drive or travel, and über means over here. einen flachen Hügel is accusative because the route is treated as movement across something; flachen has -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
die Fläche — area, surface
Die Fläche is used for a measurable area or a flat surface. It is feminine, and its plural is die Flächen.
Die Fläche des Zimmers ist zwanzig Quadratmeter groß.
The area of the room is twenty square metres.
das Zimmer means room, and zwanzig Quadratmeter means twenty square metres. Die Fläche is nominative because it is the subject, and des Zimmers is genitive because it says whose area it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir reinigen die Fläche mit einem feuchten Tuch.
We clean the surface with a damp cloth.
reinigen means clean, feucht means damp, and das Tuch means cloth. Die Fläche is accusative because reinigen takes a direct object, while mit requires the dative in einem feuchten Tuch.
Auf der Fläche liegen viele Bücher.
There are many books lying on the surface.
auf means on, liegen means lie or be situated, and viele Bücher means many books. Der Fläche is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the plural subject viele Bücher follows the verb.
Die Farbe der Fläche passt gut zum Tisch.
The colour of the surface goes well with the table.
die Farbe means colour, passen means fit or go well with, and der Tisch means table. Der Fläche is genitive after die Farbe, while zum Tisch is short for zu dem Tisch and is dative.
Die Flächen im Park sind sauber.
The areas in the park are clean.
im Park means in the park, and sauber means clean. Flächen is plural and acts as the nominative subject; the verb sind agrees with the plural.
die Form — shape, form; format, type, form
Form can mean a physical shape, a format, or a way something is organised. The plural is always Formen, without an umlaut.
Die Form des Tisches ist ungewöhnlich.
The shape of the table is unusual.
des Tisches means of the table, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Die Form is nominative because it is the subject; des Tisches is genitive and shows what the shape belongs to.
Ich sehe die Form des Gebäudes.
I can see the shape of the building.
ich sehe means I can see, and das Gebäude is the building. die Form is accusative because it is the object of sehen; des Gebäudes is genitive and means of the building.
Die Künstlerin gibt der Form mehr Tiefe.
The artist gives the shape more depth.
die Künstlerin is the female artist, and mehr Tiefe means more depth. der Form is dative because geben gives something to it, while mehr Tiefe is the accusative thing being given.
Die Farbe der Form passt nicht zum Raum.
The colour of the shape does not fit the room.
die Farbe means the colour, and passen means to fit or match. der Form is genitive because it means of the shape; zum Raum means to the room and is dative after the contraction zu dem.
Auf dem Tisch liegen verschiedene Formen.
There are various shapes on the table.
verschiedene means various, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Formen is plural and is the nominative subject after liegen; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte füllen Sie diese Form aus.
Please fill in this form.
bitte means please, and ausfüllen means to fill in. diese Form is accusative because it is the object of ausfüllen; in this polite command, füllen comes first and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Das ist eine moderne Form des Unterrichts.
This is a modern form of teaching.
modern means modern, and der Unterricht means teaching or lessons. eine moderne Form is a predicate noun after sein, while des Unterrichts is genitive and means of teaching.
das Gewicht — weight; importance, influence
das Gewicht can refer to a person's body weight, an object's heaviness, or a measured weight. The expression an Gewicht verlieren means lose weight, while Gewicht haben can also mean be important.
Das Gewicht des Pakets beträgt drei Kilo.
The weight of the parcel is three kilos.
das Paket means the parcel, and beträgt means amounts to or is. Das Gewicht is nominative as the subject; des Pakets is genitive because it means of the parcel.
Bitte messen Sie das Gewicht des Koffers.
Please measure the weight of the suitcase.
bitte means please, messen means measure, and der Koffer means suitcase. das Gewicht is accusative because messen takes a direct object; messen Sie is the formal imperative.
Die Ärztin gibt dem Gewicht des Kindes besondere Aufmerksamkeit.
The doctor pays particular attention to the child's weight.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, besondere Aufmerksamkeit means particular attention, and das Kind means the child. dem Gewicht is dative after the expression Aufmerksamkeit geben; des Kindes is genitive because it means of the child.
Die Anzeige des Gewichts ist kaputt.
The weight display is broken.
die Anzeige means display, and kaputt means broken. des Gewichts is genitive because it specifies what the display shows; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Die Gewichte liegen neben der Waage.
The weights are next to the scales.
liegen means are lying, and neben der Waage means next to the scales. Gewichte is plural and nominative as the subject; neben takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Waage is dative.
Seine Meinung hat in der Diskussion viel Gewicht.
His opinion carries a lot of weight in the discussion.
seine Meinung means his opinion, die Diskussion means the discussion, and viel means a lot of. Gewicht is accusative after haben, and the expression viel Gewicht haben means to be important or influential.
Die neue Studie legt großes Gewicht auf praktische Lösungen.
The new study places great importance on practical solutions.
die Studie means the study, legt ... auf means places emphasis on, and praktische Lösungen means practical solutions. The fixed expression Gewicht auf etwas legen takes an accusative object after auf here; legt is in position two and auf closes the separable verb.
hohl — hollow, empty inside; empty, insincere
hohl usually means empty inside, as with a tree, ball, or piece of wood. Figuratively, hohle Worte are empty words that sound impressive but have little real meaning.
Der Baum ist innen hohl.
The tree is hollow inside.
der Baum means the tree, and innen means inside. After ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; hohl describes the tree rather than standing before a noun.
Wir fanden einen hohlen Baum im Wald.
We found a hollow tree in the forest.
wir fanden means we found, einen Baum means a tree, and im Wald means in the forest. einen hohlen Baum is accusative because finden takes an accusative object, and the adjective has -en after einen.
Diese Schale klingt hohler als die andere.
This bowl sounds hollower than the other one.
diese Schale means this bowl, klingt means sounds, and die andere means the other one. The comparative is formed with -er and followed by als; because it follows klingt, it has no adjective ending.
Die alte Trommel klingt am hohlsten.
The old drum sounds the most hollow.
die alte Trommel means the old drum, and klingt means sounds. The superlative after klingt uses am hohlsten and has no adjective ending.
Der Ball ist nicht hohl, sondern fest.
The ball is not hollow but solid.
der Ball means the ball, nicht means not, sondern means but rather, and fest means solid. Both adjectives are predicative after ist, so neither takes an ending; sondern contrasts a correction after a negation.
Seine Rede war voller hohler Versprechen.
His speech was full of empty promises.
seine Rede means his speech, voller means full of, and Versprechen means promises. hohler Versprechen is genitive after voller; the adjective has -er because Versprechen is neuter plural here without an article.
Das klingt hohl und unehrlich.
That sounds empty and dishonest.
das means that, klingt means sounds, and unehrlich means dishonest. Both adjectives are predicative after klingt, so they have no endings; und joins the two descriptions.
der Kreis — circle; circle, group of people
For direction into a circle, in takes the accusative, as in in den Kreis; for a fixed position, it takes the dative, as in in dem Kreis. The plural is Kreise.
Der Kreis ist nicht ganz rund.
The circle is not completely round.
rund means round, and nicht ganz means not completely. Der Kreis is nominative because it is the subject, and the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Die Schülerin zeichnet den Kreis.
The schoolgirl draws the circle.
die Schülerin is the schoolgirl, and zeichnen means to draw. Den Kreis is accusative because it is the direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir sitzen in dem Kreis.
We are sitting in the circle.
sitzen means to sit, and wir means we. Dem Kreis is dative because in describes a fixed location here; im is the contracted form of in dem.
Der Mittelpunkt des Kreises liegt hier.
The centre of the circle is here.
der Mittelpunkt is the centre, and hier means here. Des Kreises is genitive because it identifies the circle’s centre; the masculine noun takes -es.
Die Kinder bilden Kreise.
The children form circles.
die Kinder are the children, and bilden means to form. Kreise is an accusative plural object after bilden; the plural has the ending -e.
Sie gehört zu einem kleinen Kreis.
She belongs to a small circle of people.
gehören zu means to belong to, and klein means small. Einem kleinen Kreis is dative because zu always governs the dative; the adjective takes the ending -en after einem.
In politischen Kreisen spricht man darüber.
People are talking about it in political circles.
politisch means political, and darüber sprechen means to talk about it. In politischen Kreisen is a location phrase with dative plural, marked by -n on Kreisen; man is the general subject meaning people or one.
die Länge — length; length measurement
Die Länge can describe a physical measurement or the duration of something. The opposite is die Kürze, shortness or brevity.
Die Länge des Tisches beträgt zwei Meter.
The length of the table is two metres.
der Tisch means table and betragen means to amount to. Die Länge is nominative because it is the subject; des Tisches is genitive and means of the table, and beträgt is in position two.
Wir messen die Länge des Zimmers.
We measure the length of the room.
messen means to measure and das Zimmer means room. Die Länge is accusative because messen takes a direct object, while des Zimmers is genitive and identifies the room.
Bei der Länge brauche ich mehr Zeit.
With this length, I need more time.
bei means with or given, brauchen means to need, and mehr Zeit means more time. Bei always takes the dative, so der Länge is dative; brauche is the finite verb in position two.
Wegen der Länge des Textes machen wir eine Pause.
Because of the length of the text, we are taking a break.
wegen means because of, der Text means the text, machen means to take or make, and eine Pause means a break. Wegen normally takes the genitive, so der Länge and des Textes form a genitive phrase; the verb machen remains in position two.
Die beiden Längen sind fast gleich.
The two lengths are almost the same.
beide means both, fast means almost, and gleich means the same. Längen is plural and is the nominative subject, so the plural verb sind is required.
die Lücke — gap, blank, opening; gap, deficiency
For a blank in a text or exercise, die Lücke often means a space that must be filled in. It can also mean a physical opening or a missing part.
In der Mauer ist eine große Lücke.
There is a large gap in the wall.
die Mauer means the wall, and groß means large. Eine große Lücke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Wind dringt durch die Lücke.
The wind comes through the gap.
der Wind means the wind, and dringen means to come or penetrate. Die Lücke is accusative after durch, which always takes the accusative; the finite verb dringt is in position two.
Wir geben der Lücke einen Namen.
We give the gap a name.
geben means to give, einen Namen means a name, and Name is an irregular masculine noun. Der Lücke is dative because it is the recipient, while einen Namen is the accusative object.
Die Größe der Lücke ist schwer zu messen.
The size of the gap is difficult to measure.
die Größe means the size, and schwer zu messen means difficult to measure. Der Lücke is genitive after die Größe to show what size is meant; the verb ist remains in position two.
Die Lücken im Zaun sind gefährlich.
The gaps in the fence are dangerous.
der Zaun means the fence, and gefährlich means dangerous. Lücken is plural, so it takes die and the plural verb sind; im Zaun means in the fence.
Nach der Schule hatte sie eine Lücke in ihrem Lebenslauf.
After school, she had a gap in her CV.
nach der Schule means after school, and der Lebenslauf means the CV or résumé. Eine Lücke is accusative after hatte as its object, while in ihrem Lebenslauf describes where the gap appears.
Der Kurs soll diese Lücke schließen.
The course is supposed to close this gap.
der Kurs means the course, and schließen means to close. Diese Lücke is accusative because schließen takes an accusative object; soll ... schließen forms a sentence bracket with the infinitive at the end.
mager — lean, thin, skinny; poor, meagre, disappointing
For food, mager usually means low in fat or lean; for a person, it can mean very thin and may sound less positive than schlank. The regular comparison is magerer, am magersten.
Das Fleisch ist mager.
The meat is lean.
das Fleisch means meat. Mager is predicative here, after the linking verb ist, so it has no adjective ending.
Ich kaufe mageres mageres Fleisch.
I am buying lean meat.
kaufen means to buy. mageres Fleisch is an accusative object after kaufe; the adjective has -es because Fleisch is neuter and has the indefinite article understood here.
Dieses Fleisch ist magerer als das andere.
This meat is leaner than the other one.
dieses means this, als means than, and andere means other. Magerer compares two kinds of meat and stands after ist, so it is predicative and has no extra adjective ending.
Von allen Gerichten ist die Suppe am magersten.
Of all the dishes, the soup is the leanest.
von allen Gerichten means of all the dishes and die Suppe means the soup. Am magersten is the predicative superlative after ist; am is part of the superlative form, not an article before a noun.
Das Unternehmen hatte ein mageres Jahr.
The company had a poor year.
das Unternehmen means the company and das Jahr means the year. Ein mageres Jahr is an accusative object after hatte, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Die Ernte fiel dieses Jahr mager aus.
The harvest was poor this year.
die Ernte means the harvest, dieses Jahr means this year, and ausfallen means to turn out. Mager describes the result predicatively; the separable verb appears as fiel ... aus, with aus at the end.
messen — to measure
messen – maß – hat gemessen is a strong verb and normally takes haben in the perfect. It can also be used reflexively in sich mit jemandem messen, meaning to compete with someone.
Ich messe die Temperatur im Zimmer.
I measure the temperature in the room.
die Temperatur means the temperature and das Zimmer means the room. die Temperatur is accusative because messen takes a direct object, while im Zimmer is dative after in for a location; the finite verb messe is in position two.
Wir haben die Länge des Tisches gemessen.
We measured the length of the table.
die Länge means the length, der Tisch means the table, and des Tisches means of the table. die Länge is accusative because it is the object of messen, and gemessen goes to the end with haben; des Tisches is genitive to show possession.
Der Arzt maß meinen Blutdruck.
The doctor measured my blood pressure.
der Arzt means the doctor and mein Blutdruck means my blood pressure. meinen Blutdruck is accusative because messen takes a direct object, and the strong past form maß stands in position two.
Miss bitte die Breite des Fensters.
Please measure the width of the window.
bitte means please, die Breite means the width, and das Fenster means the window. die Breite is accusative after messen, and the imperative miss comes first; des Fensters is genitive after a noun to mean of the window.
Wenn du die Strecke selbst messen würdest, wärst du schneller fertig.
If you measured the distance yourself, you would finish faster.
die Strecke means the distance, selbst means yourself, and schneller fertig means finished more quickly. die Strecke is accusative after messen; in the wenn clause, messen goes to the end, and würdest forms the Konjunktiv II.
Morgen messen wir den Raum genau.
Tomorrow we will measure the room precisely.
morgen means tomorrow, der Raum means the room, and genau means precisely. den Raum is accusative because it is the object of messen; werden is understood in the future construction, while messen remains at the end.
mitten — right in the middle
mitten usually appears with in or auf and makes the meaning stronger: right in the middle. Do not confuse it with Mitte, the noun meaning centre; mitten is an adverb and does not take an adjective ending.
Wir wohnen mitten in der Stadt.
We live right in the city centre.
wohnen means live, and die Stadt means the city. mitten in der Stadt means right in the city centre; in der Stadt is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb wohnen is in position two.
Er stand mitten auf der Straße.
He was standing right in the middle of the street.
Er stand means he was standing, and die Straße means the street. mitten auf der Straße describes a location, so auf takes the dative; the finite verb stand is in position two.
das Modell — model, design, scale model; model, version
Modell can mean a representation, a design or version of a product, or a scale model. It is not the same word as Model, which normally means a fashion model.
Das Modell zeigt das neue Gebäude.
The model shows the new building.
zeigt means shows and das neue Gebäude means the new building. Das Modell is nominative because it is the subject, while das neue Gebäude is accusative because it is the object of zeigt.
Die Schülerin baut ein Modell.
The schoolgirl is building a model.
die Schülerin means the schoolgirl and baut means builds or is building. Ein Modell is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; the neuter article ein is the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Lehrer erklärt den Kindern das Modell.
The teacher explains the model to the children.
der Lehrer means the teacher, erklärt means explains, and den Kindern means to the children. Den Kindern is dative because it names the people receiving the explanation, while das Modell is the accusative thing explained.
Die Entwicklung des Modells dauerte zwei Jahre.
The development of the model took two years.
die Entwicklung means the development, dauerte means took or lasted, and zwei Jahre means two years. Des Modells is genitive because it shows which model was developed; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Modelle stehen im Schaufenster.
The models are in the shop window.
stehen means are standing or are displayed, and im Schaufenster means in the shop window. Modelle is the plural of Modell with an umlaut and -e; stehen is plural and stands in position two.
Dieses Modell ist besonders stabil.
This model is especially stable.
dieses means this, besonders means especially, and stabil means stable. Dieses Modell is the nominative subject; ist is the finite verb in position two, and stabil is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Dieses Modell ist günstiger als das alte.
This model is cheaper than the old one.
günstiger means cheaper and das alte means the old one. Dieses Modell is the nominative subject; als introduces the comparison, and the adjective after ist is predicative.
Der Händler bietet mehrere Modelle an.
The dealer offers several models.
der Händler means the dealer, bietet ... an means offers, and mehrere means several. Modelle is accusative because it is the object of anbieten; the separable prefix an goes to the end of the main clause.
nahe — near, close; close, dear
For distance, nahe is often used before a noun, while the predicative form can also be nah in everyday German. Its comparison is irregular: nahe – näher – am nächsten.
Der Bahnhof ist nahe.
The station is near.
der Bahnhof means the station. Nahe is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir wohnen in einem nahen Dorf.
We live in a nearby village.
wohnen means to live, and in einem Dorf means in a village. Nahen describes Dorf and takes a dative ending because in expresses location here; the ending -en follows einem.
Der Laden ist näher als der Supermarkt.
The shop is closer than the supermarket.
der Laden means the shop, and als means than. Näher compares two places and is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; its umlaut is easy to miss.
Diese Haltestelle ist am nächsten.
This stop is the closest.
diese Haltestelle means this stop. Am nächsten is the predicative superlative; am is short for an dem, and the superlative is not am nähesten.
Sie ist mir sehr nahe.
She is very close to me.
sehr means very, and mir means to me. Mir is dative because this expression describes a person who feels emotionally close to someone; nahe is predicative after ist.
Das Thema ist ihm besonders nahe.
The topic is especially close to his heart.
das Thema means the topic, and besonders means especially. Ihm means to him and is dative in this expression; nahe comes at the end of the clause as the predicative adjective.
nahe — near, close by
As an adverb, nahe does not change its ending. Do not confuse it with the preposition nahe, which is followed by a noun phrase in the dative.
Komm nahe!
Come closer!
komm means come, and nahe means closer or near. Nahe is an adverb here, so it does not take an adjective ending; the imperative komm stands first.
Der Hund bleibt ganz nahe.
The dog stays very close.
der Hund means the dog, bleibt means stays, and ganz means very or quite. Nahe is an adverb describing where the dog stays, and the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
neben — beside, next door
As an adverb, neben can stand without a noun when the place or person it refers to is clear from the context. This is different from the preposition neben, which is normally followed by a noun phrase.
Setz dich neben!
Sit down next to me!
setz dich means sit down, and the omitted reference after neben is understood from the situation, often meaning next to me or next to us. Setz is an imperative, while the adverb neben stands separately at the end; learners should not add a second prepositional object when the context already makes it clear.
Die Apotheke ist gleich neben.
The pharmacy is right next door.
die Apotheke is the pharmacy and gleich means right or immediately. Neben is used adverbially with the place left understood; the linking verb ist stands in position two and neben comes at the end.
nebeneinander — next to one another, side by side
Nebeneinander describes two or more people or things that are next to each other. It is an adverb and is often used with verbs such as sitzen, stehen or liegen.
Die Kinder sitzen nebeneinander.
The children are sitting next to one another.
Die Kinder means the children, and sitzen means are sitting. Nebeneinander describes the position of several people or things and stands as an adverb; it does not take a plural ending or an article.
Bitte stellen Sie die Stühle nebeneinander.
Please put the chairs next to one another.
Bitte means please, stellen means put or place, and die Stühle means the chairs. Nebeneinander describes the resulting arrangement, while die Stühle is accusative because stellen takes an accusative object; Sie is the formal imperative subject.
niedrig — low, lower; small
niedrig describes a low position, level, price, amount, or temperature. For physical size, use klein instead; the opposite is hoch.
Der Tisch ist sehr niedrig.
The table is very low.
der Tisch means the table, and sehr means very. Niedrig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein niedriger Preis.
That is a low price.
der Preis means the price, and das means that in this sentence. Niedriger stands before the masculine noun in a nominative predicate phrase after ist and takes -er after the indefinite article ein.
Der Preis ist niedriger als gestern.
The price is lower than yesterday.
der Preis means the price, and gestern means yesterday. Niedriger is the comparative of niedrig and is predicative without an ending; als introduces the comparison.
Im Januar sind die Temperaturen am niedrigsten.
Temperatures are lowest in January.
im Januar means in January, and die Temperaturen are the temperatures. Am niedrigsten is the predicate superlative formed with am and -sten; im Januar is a dative time expression, and the finite verb sind is in position two.
das Oval — oval, oval shape
Oval is a neuter noun borrowed from Latin and is used for a shape or something with that shape. It is not an adjective, so German uses phrases such as ein ovales Fenster for “an oval window.”
Das Oval ist auf dem Papier.
The oval is on the paper.
auf dem Papier means on the paper. Das Oval is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich zeichne ein Oval.
I am drawing an oval.
ich zeichne means I am drawing. Ein Oval is accusative because zeichnen takes a direct object, and the finite verb zeichne is in position two.
Auf dem Blatt fehlt ein Oval.
An oval is missing from the sheet.
auf dem Blatt means on the sheet, and fehlt means is missing. Auf dem Blatt is dative because it describes a fixed location; ein Oval is nominative because it is what is missing.
Die Mitte des Ovals ist leer.
The middle of the oval is empty.
die Mitte means the middle and leer means empty. Des Ovals is genitive because it identifies which oval the middle belongs to; the noun takes -s.
Die Kinder malen bunte Ovale.
The children paint colourful ovals.
die Kinder means the children, malen means paint, and bunte means colourful. Bunte Ovale is plural and accusative because malen takes the shapes as its direct objects.
passend — suitable, appropriate, fitting
passend describes something that fits a purpose or situation. It is related to passen; for physical size, German often uses passen itself, while passend is especially common before a noun.
Der Termin ist passend.
The appointment is suitable.
der Termin means the appointment. passend follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen eine passende Lösung.
We are looking for a suitable solution.
wir suchen means we are looking for, and die Lösung is the solution. eine passende Lösung is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Der zweite Vorschlag ist passender.
The second suggestion is more suitable.
der zweite Vorschlag means the second suggestion. passender compares this suggestion with another one and follows ist without an adjective ending because it is predicative.
Dieser Zeitpunkt ist am passendsten.
This is the most suitable time.
dieser Zeitpunkt means this time or point in time. am passendsten is the predicative superlative after ist; learners should not add a noun ending to the am form.
quadratisch — square-shaped, square
The adjective describes a shape or form. Its opposite is rund, meaning round.
Der Tisch ist quadratisch.
The table is square.
der Tisch means the table. Quadratisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen einen quadratischen Tisch.
We are buying a square table.
kaufen means to buy, and der Tisch means the table. Einen quadratischen Tisch is accusative because it is the object of kaufen, and the adjective takes -en after einen.
Dieser Tisch ist quadratischer als der andere.
This table is squarer than the other one.
dieser means this, andere means other, and als means than. Quadratischer is the comparative and is predicative after ist; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Tischen ist dieser am quadratischsten.
Of all the tables, this one is the most square.
von allen Tischen means of all the tables, and dieser means this one. Am quadratischsten is the predicative superlative after ist; do not use the am form directly before a noun.
der Rand — edge, border, margin; outskirts, margins
Der Rand is used for the outer part of an object, page, plate, or area. For the edge of a town or road, am Rand is common; remember that Rand has the plural Ränder, with an umlaut.
Der Tisch steht am Rand des Zimmers.
The table is at the edge of the room.
der Tisch is the table, stehen means to stand or be located, and das Zimmer is the room. Der Tisch is nominative because it is the subject; am Rand means “at the edge” and uses the dative after an for a fixed location, while des Zimmers is genitive after Rand to show what edge it is.
Ich sehe den Rand des Tellers.
I can see the rim of the plate.
sehen means to see and der Teller is the plate. Den Rand is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; des Tellers is genitive and means “of the plate,” and the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Am Rand der Straße steht ein altes Haus.
An old house stands at the side of the road.
die Straße is the road, stehen means to stand, and alt means old. Am Rand is dative because an describes a fixed location here, and der Straße is genitive because it identifies the edge; the verb steht comes in position two.
Die Farbe des Randes ist dunkelblau.
The color of the edge is dark blue.
die Farbe is the color, dunkelblau means dark blue, and sein means to be. Des Randes is genitive and means “of the edge”; Die Farbe is the subject, so the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Ränder der Blätter sind trocken.
The edges of the leaves are dry.
die Blätter are the leaves and trocken means dry. Die Ränder is plural and is the nominative subject; der Blätter is genitive and means “of the leaves,” while sind agrees with the plural subject.
Sie wohnen am Rand der Stadt.
They live on the outskirts of the city.
wohnen means to live and die Stadt is the city. Am Rand is dative because an describes a fixed place, and der Stadt is genitive because it means “of the city.”
Er fühlt sich an den Rand gedrängt.
He feels pushed to the margins.
sich fühlen means to feel, and gedrängt means pushed or forced aside. An den Rand is accusative because it expresses movement toward a figurative boundary; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb, not to Rand.
der Reifen — tire; tyre; hoop; ring
In everyday transport language, der Reifen is a tire. It is a weak masculine noun: use der Reifen only for the nominative singular, and den Reifen, dem Reifen, or des Reifens elsewhere.
Der Reifen ist platt.
The tire is flat.
platt means flat, usually because there is no air. Der Reifen is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the adjective after sein is predicative and has no ending.
Ich repariere den Reifen.
I am repairing the tire.
ich repariere means I am repairing. den Reifen is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the weak noun itself stays Reifen.
Mit dem Reifen stimmt etwas nicht.
Something is wrong with the tire.
etwas means something, and stimmt nicht means is not right. dem Reifen is dative because mit requires the dative; the noun keeps its -en ending in all non-nominative singular cases.
Die Größe des Reifens passt nicht.
The size of the tire does not fit.
die Größe means the size, and passt nicht means does not fit. des Reifens is genitive because it identifies whose size is meant; this weak masculine noun takes -en in the genitive.
Die Reifen müssen gewechselt werden.
The tires need to be changed.
müssen gewechselt werden means need to be changed. Die Reifen is plural and looks like the singular noun without a visible change; the modal müssen is finite in position two and gewechselt werden goes to the end.
Der Mechaniker prüft den Reifen.
The mechanic checks the tire.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic, and prüft means checks. den Reifen is accusative after prüfen; as a weak masculine noun, Reifen has -en outside the nominative.
Das Kind springt durch einen Reifen.
The child jumps through a hoop.
das Kind means the child, and springt durch means jumps through. einen Reifen is accusative because durch always takes the accusative; the finite verb springt is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen mit den Reifen.
The children play with the hoops.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means play. den Reifen is dative because mit takes the dative; the plural form is identical in spelling to the singular, so the article gives the clue.
der Riese — giant
Riese is a weak masculine noun: use der Riese only for the nominative singular, but den Riesen, dem Riesen and des Riesen in the other cases.
Der Riese lebt im Wald.
The giant lives in the forest.
lebt means lives, and der Wald is the forest. Der Riese is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Riesen im Film.
I see the giant in the film.
sehen means to see, and der Film is the film. Den Riesen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Riese keeps -n outside the nominative.
Wir geben dem Riesen einen Schlüssel.
We give the giant a key.
geben means to give, and der Schlüssel is the key. Dem Riesen is dative because it is the recipient of geben; the direct object einen Schlüssel is accusative.
Das Schloss des Riesen ist sehr alt.
The giant’s castle is very old.
das Schloss is the castle, and sehr alt means very old. Des Riesen expresses possession and is genitive; the weak noun again has -n, not -es.
Die Riesen tanzen auf der Bühne.
The giants are dancing on the stage.
tanzen means dance, and die Bühne is the stage. Riesen is plural and is the nominative subject, so the verb is tanzen and the article is die.
riesig — huge, enormous
Riesig is stronger than simply groß and often describes something surprisingly large. In informal speech it can also intensify a reaction, as in riesig freuen meaning “be extremely pleased”.
Der Elefant ist riesig.
The elephant is huge.
der Elefant is the elephant. Riesig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir wohnen in einem riesigen Haus.
We live in a huge house.
wohnen means live, and das Haus is the house. In einem riesigen Haus is a dative location phrase, and the adjective takes -en after the dative article einem; the finite verb wohnen is in position two.
Dieses Gebäude ist riesiger als unser altes Büro.
This building is bigger than our old office.
dieses Gebäude is this building, and unser altes Büro is our old office. Riesiger is predicative after ist and compares two things with als; predicative adjectives do not take an ending.
Der Lastwagen ist am riesigsten.
The lorry is the biggest.
der Lastwagen is the lorry. Am riesigsten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; it does not take a noun ending because it stands after ist.
schief — crooked, tilted, leaning; suspicious, awkward
Schief describes something that is not straight or level. For the opposite, use gerade; the comparative and superlative are regular: schiefer, am schiefsten.
Der Turm ist schief.
The tower is leaning.
der Turm means the tower, and ist means is. Schief is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein schiefer Turm.
That is a leaning tower.
das means that, ein means a, and der Turm means the tower. Schiefer comes before the noun and takes -er after the masculine indefinite article ein; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Dieser Turm ist schiefer als der andere.
This tower is more tilted than the other one.
dieser Turm means this tower, and der andere means the other one. Schiefer is the comparative and is followed by als when two things are compared; ist remains in position two.
Dieser Weg ist am schiefsten.
This path is the most crooked.
dieser Weg means this path. Am schiefsten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er sieht mich schief an.
He gives me a suspicious look.
er means he, sieht ... an means looks at, and mich means me. Here schief describes an unfriendly or suspicious look; the separable verb ansehen splits in a main clause, while mich is accusative.
Sie lachte schief, weil der Witz schlecht war.
She gave an awkward laugh because the joke was bad.
sie lachte means she laughed, weil means because, and der Witz means the joke. Schief describes an awkward laugh; in the subordinate clause after weil, the finite verb war moves to the end.
schmal — narrow; slim
Schmal describes something narrow or slim and is the opposite of breit. Its comparison is regular: schmaler, am schmalsten.
Die Straße ist schmal.
The street is narrow.
Die Straße means the street. Schmal is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen durch eine schmale Gasse.
We are walking through a narrow alley.
gehen means walk or go, and Gasse means alley. Schmale stands before the feminine noun Gasse and takes an adjective ending; durch always takes the accusative, hence eine schmale Gasse.
Der Weg ist schmaler als die Straße.
The path is narrower than the street.
Der Weg means the path, and als means than. Schmaler compares the path with the street; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist der schmalste Weg zum Dorf.
That is the narrowest path to the village.
Dorf means village, and zum means to the. Schmalste is the superlative before the masculine noun Weg, so it takes an adjective ending after der.
die Schuhgröße — shoe size; shoe size (when buying shoes)
Meine Schuhgröße ist 39.
My shoe size is 39.
meine means my, and ist means is; 39 is the shoe size. Schuhgröße is nominative because it is the subject after sein, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche eine größere Schuhgröße.
I need a larger shoe size.
brauche means need, and größere means larger. eine größere Schuhgröße is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Mit dieser Schuhgröße kann ich gut laufen.
I can walk well in this shoe size.
mit means with, dieser means this, and laufen means walk. Mit dieser Schuhgröße is dative because mit always governs the dative, while kann is in position two and laufen goes to the end.
Die Länge der Schuhgröße steht auf dem Karton.
The length of the shoe size is written on the box.
die Länge means the length, steht means is written or stands, and der Karton is the box. der Schuhgröße is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Im Geschäft gibt es viele Schuhgrößen.
There are many shoe sizes in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Schuhgrößen is plural and accusative after the fixed expression es gibt; the plural adds -n.
Welche Schuhgröße tragen Sie?
What shoe size do you wear?
Welche means which, tragen means wear, and Sie is the formal you. Schuhgröße is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object; the polite question uses the formal pronoun Sie.
Diese Schuhe gibt es nicht in meiner Schuhgröße.
These shoes are not available in my shoe size.
diese Schuhe means these shoes, gibt es nicht means are not available, and meiner means my. In meiner Schuhgröße is dative because it describes a fixed size with in, not movement; gibt is in position two.
senkrecht — vertical, upright; perpendicular
Use senkrecht for something that goes straight up and down or is at a right angle to something else. With zu, the reference is normally in the dative, as in senkrecht zur Straße.
Die Linie ist senkrecht.
The line is vertical.
die Linie means the line. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending and describes the subject in the nominative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen eine senkrechte Linie.
We need a vertical line.
brauchen means to need and die Linie means the line. eine senkrechte Linie is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Diese Wand ist senkrechter als die andere.
This wall is more vertical than the other one.
diese Wand means this wall and die andere means the other one. senkrechter is the comparative and is followed by als when two things are compared; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no extra ending.
Der Mast steht am senkrechtesten.
The mast is standing the most vertically.
der Mast means the mast and steht means is standing. am senkrechtesten is the predicative or adverbial superlative, so it uses am; it does not take a noun ending here.
senkrecht — vertically, straight up or down
As an adverb, senkrecht describes a direction or movement and never takes an adjective ending. Do not confuse this use with attributive senkrechte, as in eine senkrechte Linie.
Der Ball fällt senkrecht nach unten.
The ball falls straight down.
der Ball means the ball, fällt means falls, and nach unten means downwards. senkrecht is an adverb modifying the direction; the finite verb fällt is in position two, while nach unten is a prepositional phrase.
Der Aufzug fährt senkrecht nach oben.
The lift goes straight up.
der Aufzug means the lift and nach oben means upwards. senkrecht describes how the lift moves and has no adjective ending because it is used adverbially; the finite verb fährt stands in position two.
spitz — sharp; pointed; sarcastic; biting
Spitz describes a sharp point or a pointed shape, as in a pencil or hat. It can also describe a person’s tone as biting or sarcastic, but the physical meaning is the basic one.
Der Bleistift ist spitz.
The pencil is sharp.
der Bleistift is the pencil and ist means is. Spitz is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie trägt einen spitzen Hut.
She is wearing a pointed hat.
trägt means wears and der Hut is the hat. Einen spitzen Hut is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; spitzen has -en after the accusative masculine article einen.
Dieses Messer ist spitzer als das alte.
This knife is sharper than the old one.
dieses Messer means this knife and das alte means the old one. Spitzer compares two knives and is followed by als; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist der spitzeste Berg auf der Karte.
That is the most pointed mountain on the map.
der Berg is the mountain and auf der Karte means on the map. Spitzeste is attributive after the definite masculine nominative article der, so it takes -e; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Er macht eine spitze Bemerkung.
He makes a sarcastic remark.
macht means makes, and eine Bemerkung is a remark. Eine spitze Bemerkung is accusative because machen takes a direct object; spitze has the feminine accusative ending -e after eine.
Ihre Antwort klingt spitz.
Her answer sounds sarcastic.
ihre Antwort means her answer and klingt means sounds. Spitz is predicative after klingen, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb klingt is in position two.
die Spitze — tip; peak; top
Die Spitze can be the pointed end of an object or the highest point of a mountain or ranking. In the expression an der Spitze, it means at the top or in first place.
Die Spitze des Berges ist schneebedeckt.
The peak of the mountain is covered in snow.
des Berges means of the mountain, and schneebedeckt means covered in snow. Die Spitze is nominative because it is the subject; des Berges is genitive to show which mountain, and ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen die Spitze des Turms.
We can see the top of the tower.
wir sehen means we see, and des Turms means of the tower. Die Spitze is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; des Turms is genitive because it identifies the tower’s top.
Wir stehen an der Spitze des Berges.
We are standing at the peak of the mountain.
stehen means stand, and des Berges means of the mountain. An der Spitze is dative because the fixed location preposition an takes dative here; there is no movement toward the peak.
Die Aussicht von der Spitze ist wunderschön.
The view from the peak is beautiful.
die Aussicht is the view, von means from, and wunderschön means beautiful. Der Spitze is genitive because it follows von in the phrase die Aussicht von der Spitze? More precisely, der Spitze is dative after von; the genitive slot is shown by the genitive phrase der Spitze only in formal alternatives, so do not confuse the two cases.
Die Spitzen der Berge sind weiß.
The peaks of the mountains are white.
der Berge means of the mountains and weiß means white. Spitzen is the plural subject, while der Berge is genitive because it identifies whose peaks they are; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
steil — steep
Steil describes a strong slope or angle, usually for a road, path, hill, or roof. Its comparison is regular: steiler, am steilsten.
Der Weg ist steil.
The path is steep.
der Weg means the path and ist means is. Steil is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir gehen eine steile Straße hinauf.
We are walking up a steep street.
gehen ... hinauf means go or walk upwards, and die Straße means the street. Eine steile Straße is accusative because it is the route or object of hinaufgehen; the adjective has the feminine accusative ending -e.
Dieser Weg ist steiler als der andere.
This path is steeper than the other one.
dieser Weg means this path, and der andere means the other one. Steiler als compares two things; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist der steilste Weg zum Gipfel.
That is the steepest path to the summit.
der Weg means the path, zum Gipfel means to the summit, and Gipfel means summit. Before a masculine noun with der, the superlative takes the ending -e: der steilste Weg; zum is short for zu dem and takes the dative.
die Tiefe — depth; depths; depth, profundity
Tiefe is the noun made from tief and usually means physical depth. It can also refer figuratively to emotional or intellectual depth; its plural is Tiefen.
Die Tiefe des Sees beträgt zehn Meter.
The depth of the lake is ten metres.
beträgt means amounts to, des Sees means of the lake, and zehn Meter means ten metres. Die Tiefe is nominative as the subject, while des Sees is genitive to show what it belongs to; beträgt is in position two.
Ich messe die Tiefe des Flusses.
I measure the depth of the river.
messe means measure, and des Flusses means of the river. Die Tiefe is accusative because messen takes a direct object; des Flusses is genitive and messe is in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Tiefe langsam.
We slowly approach the depth.
nähern uns means approach, and langsam means slowly. Der Tiefe is dative because the reflexive verb sich nähern requires a dative object; nähern is in position two.
Die Farbe der Tiefe ist dunkelblau.
The colour of the depth is dark blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkelblau means dark blue. Der Tiefe is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; ist stands in position two.
Die Tiefen des Ozeans sind kaum erforscht.
The depths of the ocean are hardly explored.
des Ozeans means of the ocean, and kaum erforscht means hardly explored. Die Tiefen is a plural subject, while des Ozeans is genitive; the plural verb sind is in position two.
Der Roman hat große Tiefe.
The novel has great depth.
der Roman means the novel, and große means great. Tiefe is accusative after hat because it is what the novel possesses; the adjective große has a feminine accusative ending because Tiefe is feminine.
Sie spricht über die Tiefe ihrer Gefühle.
She talks about the depth of her feelings.
spricht über means talks about, and ihrer Gefühle means of her feelings. Die Tiefe is accusative because über takes the accusative for this topic meaning; ihrer Gefühle is genitive.
vergrößern — to enlarge, to make bigger
vergrößern is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It is not separable: ver- remains attached in forms such as vergrößert.
Das Programm vergrößert das Foto automatisch.
The program enlarges the photo automatically.
das Programm means the program, das Foto means the photo, and automatisch means automatically. Vergrößert is in position two; das Foto is accusative because vergrößern takes a direct object.
Wir haben das Bild vergrößert.
We enlarged the picture.
das Bild means the picture. Vergrößert is the Partizip II and pairs with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der Fotograf vergrößerte den Ausschnitt.
The photographer enlarged the section of the image.
der Fotograf is the photographer, and der Ausschnitt is the selected section of an image. Vergrößerte is the regular past form in position two, and den Ausschnitt is accusative as the direct object.
Vergrößere bitte die Schrift!
Please enlarge the writing!
bitte means please, and die Schrift means the writing or text. The imperative omits du, and die Schrift is accusative because it is the object being enlarged.
Wenn ich könnte, vergrößerte ich den Raum.
If I could, I would enlarge the room.
wenn ich könnte means if I could, and der Raum means the room. The form vergrößerte is also the Konjunktiv II here; the verb comes at the end of the wenn clause but returns to position two in the main clause.
Die neue Kamera wird das Bild vergrößern.
The new camera will enlarge the picture.
die neue Kamera means the new camera, and das Bild means the picture. Wird marks the future in position two, while the infinitive vergrößern goes to the end and takes das Bild as its accusative object.
das Viereck — quadrilateral
In geometry, das Viereck is a four-sided shape; it is not necessarily a square. The plural is die Vierecke, and the genitive is des Vierecks.
Das Viereck hat vier Seiten.
The quadrilateral has four sides.
vier means four and Seiten means sides. Das Viereck is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb hat is in position two.
Ich zeichne ein Viereck.
I am drawing a quadrilateral.
zeichnen means to draw. Ein Viereck is accusative because it is the direct object of zeichne, and the finite verb is in position two.
Mit einem Viereck kann man viele Muster bilden.
You can make many patterns with a quadrilateral.
mit means with, viele Muster means many patterns, and bilden means to make. Einem Viereck is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and bilden goes to the end.
Die vier Seiten des Vierecks sind gleich lang.
The four sides of the quadrilateral are the same length.
gleich lang means the same length. Des Vierecks is genitive because it identifies whose sides they are; the neuter genitive article is des, and the noun adds -s.
Auf dem Blatt sehe ich drei Vierecke.
I can see three quadrilaterals on the sheet.
auf dem Blatt means on the sheet, and sehe means see. Drei Vierecke is accusative because it is the object of sehe; Vierecke is the plural with -e.
die Vorderseite — front side, front page
Vorderseite is often used for the front of a card, page, building, or object. The opposite is Rückseite, the back side; with a page, Vorderseite can also mean the front page.
Die Vorderseite des Hauses ist frisch gestrichen.
The front of the house has been freshly painted.
das Haus means house, and frisch gestrichen means freshly painted. Die Vorderseite is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich fotografiere die Vorderseite des Gebäudes.
I am photographing the front of the building.
fotografieren means to photograph, and das Gebäude means building. Die Vorderseite is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren, while des Gebäudes is genitive to show possession.
Auf der Vorderseite steht die Adresse.
The address is written on the front side.
die Adresse means address, and steht means is written or stands. Auf der Vorderseite is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Farbe der Vorderseite passt zum Dach.
The colour of the front side matches the roof.
die Farbe means colour, passen means to match, and das Dach means roof. Der Vorderseite is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant, and zum Dach is short for zu dem Dach.
Die Vorderseiten der Bücher sind bunt.
The fronts of the books are colourful.
die Bücher means books, and bunt means colourful. Vorderseiten is plural and is the nominative subject; the plural ending -en must not be replaced by singular -seite.
waagerecht — horizontal, level
Waagerecht describes something that runs from left to right at a level angle, like a line or shelf. Its opposite is senkrecht, meaning vertical.
Die Linie ist waagerecht.
The line is horizontal.
die Linie means line. Waagerecht is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir zeichnen eine waagerechte Linie.
We are drawing a horizontal line.
zeichnen means to draw, and eine Linie means a line. Waagerechte stands before the feminine accusative noun Linie and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; the finite verb zeichnen is in position two.
Diese Kante ist waagerechter als die andere.
This edge is more horizontal than the other one.
die Kante means edge, and die andere means the other one. Waagerechter compares two edges and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Linien ist diese am waagerechtsten.
Of all the lines, this one is the most horizontal.
von allen Linien means of all the lines, and diese means this one. Am waagerechtsten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
weit — far, distant; wide, broad
Weit can describe distance, as in weit entfernt, or physical width, as in ein weiter Raum. In comparisons, weiter may mean farther or wider depending on the noun.
Der Bahnhof ist weit entfernt.
The train station is far away.
der Bahnhof means train station and entfernt means away or distant. Weit is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir wohnen in einem weiten Tal.
We live in a wide valley.
wohnen means to live and das Tal means valley. In einem weiten Tal describes a location, so in takes the dative; weiten has -en after the dative article einem.
Der Flughafen ist weiter als der Bahnhof.
The airport is farther away than the train station.
der Flughafen means airport and als means than. Weiter compares two distances and is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the comparison uses als.
Von allen Orten ist das Dorf am weitesten entfernt.
Of all the places, the village is the farthest away.
alle Orte means all places and das Dorf means village. Von takes the dative in von allen Orten, while am weitesten is the superlative predicate and entfernt means away.