Appearance
Vocab: Size & shape — B1
Size & shape vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abnehmen — to lose weight; to decrease
abnehmen is a strong separable verb: nehmen - nahm - hat genommen, with the prefix added. In the meaning ‘lose weight’ it normally has no object; with an object it can also mean ‘take something off’ or ‘remove something’.
Sie nimmt ab, weil sie gesünder isst.
She is losing weight because she is eating more healthily.
weil means because, gesünder means more healthily, and isst means eats. Nimmt ab is separable: the finite verb nimmt is in position two and ab goes to the end; in the weil clause, the finite verb isst goes to the end.
Er hat in drei Monaten fünf Kilo abgenommen.
He lost five kilos in three months.
in drei Monaten means in three months and fünf Kilo means five kilos. The verb uses haben, not sein, because this meaning describes a change in weight rather than movement; abgenommen stands at the end.
Früher nahm ab ich schnell.
I used to lose weight quickly.
früher means formerly or in the past, and schnell means quickly. Nahm ... ab is the simple past of separable abnehmen; the finite verb nahm is in position two and ab forms the end of the sentence bracket.
Nimm ab und beweg dich mehr!
Lose weight and exercise more!
beweg dich mehr means exercise more, with a reflexive dich meaning yourself. Nimm ab is the singular du imperative; the prefix ab follows the verb, and the accusative reflexive pronoun dich follows beweg.
Ich nähme ab, wenn ich weniger esse.
I would lose weight if I ate less.
wenn means if, weniger means less, and esse means ate or eat. Nähme ab is the Konjunktiv II form for a hypothetical situation; the finite verb nähme is in position two, while wenn sends esse to the end of its clause.
Mit dieser Diät wird sie langsam abnehmen.
With this diet, she will slowly lose weight.
mit dieser Diät means with this diet, and langsam means slowly. Mit takes the dative, and Future I uses wird in position two with the infinitive abnehmen at the end; the infinitive is not separated.
begrenzt — limited, restricted
Begrenzt describes something with a fixed or insufficient limit. It can be used predicatively and attributively, and it has regular comparison: begrenzter, am begrenztesten.
Die Zahl der Plätze ist begrenzt.
The number of places is limited.
die Zahl means “the number”, der Plätze means “of the places”, and sein means “to be”. Begrenzt is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; der Plätze is genitive because it specifies what is being counted.
Wir haben nur eine begrenzte Zeit.
We only have a limited amount of time.
nur means “only”, eine Zeit means “an amount of time”, and haben means “to have”. Begrenzte stands before the feminine accusative noun Zeit and takes -e after eine; the phrase eine begrenzte Zeit is the accusative object of haben.
Dieses Angebot ist begrenzter als das vorige.
This offer is more limited than the previous one.
dieses Angebot means “this offer”, als means “than”, and das vorige means “the previous one”. Begrenzter is predicative after ist, so it has no noun ending; comparisons with als contrast two things.
Das ist das am begrenztesten verfügbare Angebot.
That is the most limited offer available.
das verfügbare Angebot means “the available offer”, and verfügbar means “available”. The superlative is normally am begrenztesten when it stands predicatively, but this sentence is more naturally expressed with the attributive form das begrenzteste Angebot; learners should not use am directly before a noun.
die Biegung — bend, curve; curve, bend
This word can describe a bend in a road or the curving of an object. Do not confuse die Biegung with die Beugung, which is mainly the bending or grammatical inflection of a word.
Die Biegung der Straße ist sehr eng.
The bend in the road is very tight.
die Straße is a road, and eng means narrow or tight. der Straße is genitive because it specifies which bend; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Biegung vor dem Tunnel.
I can see the bend before the tunnel.
sehen means to see, and vor dem Tunnel means before the tunnel. die Biegung is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; vor dem Tunnel is a dative location phrase.
An der Biegung steht ein Schild.
There is a sign at the bend.
an der Biegung means at the bend, and ein Schild is a sign. der Biegung is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the verb steht comes in position two.
Die Form der Biegung ist ungewöhnlich.
The shape of the bend is unusual.
die Form means shape, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. der Biegung is genitive because it identifies the shape's bend; the genitive article is der with a feminine noun.
Die Biegungen auf der Strecke sind gefährlich.
The bends on the route are dangerous.
auf der Strecke means on the route, and gefährlich means dangerous. Biegungen is plural and is the subject, so the verb is plural: sind.
Das Rohr hat eine starke Biegung.
The pipe has a strong bend.
das Rohr is a pipe, and stark means strong. eine Biegung is accusative after haben, while the finite verb hat stands in position two.
Nach der Biegung beginnt der Wald.
The forest begins after the bend.
nach means after, and beginnt means begins; der Wald is the forest. der Biegung is dative because nach always takes the dative, and beginnt is in position two.
breit — broadly, extensively
As an adverb, breit describes the manner or extent of an action. Do not confuse this use with the adjective breit, which can describe the width of a thing.
Er grinste breit, als er die Nachricht hörte.
He grinned broadly when he heard the news.
grinste means grinned, and die Nachricht means the news. als means when in this past situation, and hörte means heard; breit describes how he grinned. The finite verb grinste stands in position two, while hörte goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Das Thema wurde breit diskutiert.
The topic was discussed extensively.
das Thema means the topic, wurde means was, and diskutiert means discussed. breit means extensively here, not physically wide. This is a passive sentence: wurde is in position two and diskutiert goes to the end.
die Dicke — thickness
This noun normally describes a measurement, as in the thickness of a wall or material. Do not confuse die Dicke with dick, which is an adjective meaning thick or fat.
Die Dicke der Wand beträgt zwanzig Zentimeter.
The thickness of the wall is twenty centimetres.
die Wand means the wall, and beträgt means amounts to or measures. Der Wand is genitive because it specifies whose thickness is meant, while die Dicke is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Ich kenne die Dicke des Glases nicht.
I do not know the thickness of the glass.
kennen means to know, and das Glas means glass; nicht means not. Die Dicke is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while des Glases is genitive and means “of the glass”; the finite verb kenne stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Dicke von drei Millimetern.
We are approaching a thickness of three millimetres.
sich nähern means to approach, and drei Millimeter means three millimetres. Der Dicke is dative because sich nähern takes a dative complement; the reflexive pronoun uns is also dative, and von takes the dative here.
Wegen der Dicke passt das Buch nicht in die Tasche.
Because of its thickness, the book does not fit in the bag.
wegen means because of, passen means to fit, and die Tasche is the bag. Wegen traditionally takes the genitive, so der Dicke means “because of the thickness”; the finite verb passt is in position two, and in die Tasche is accusative because it expresses direction.
Die verschiedenen Dicken der Bretter müssen zusammenpassen.
The different thicknesses of the boards have to match.
verschieden means different, das Brett is a board, and zusammenpassen means to match or fit together. Dicken is plural and is the subject; der Bretter is genitive plural and means “of the boards,” while müssen sends zusammenpassen to the end.
die Distanz — distance, separation
Distanz can describe physical space or emotional separation. The more everyday word for a physical distance is often Entfernung.
Die Distanz zwischen den Häusern ist groß.
The distance between the houses is great.
zwischen den Häusern means between the houses, and groß means great or large. Die Distanz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir messen die Distanz.
We measure the distance.
messen means to measure. Die Distanz is accusative because it is the direct object of messen, and the finite verb messen is in position two.
Mit der Distanz komme ich gut klar.
I cope well with the distance.
mit means with and gut klarkommen means to cope well. Der Distanz is dative because mit governs the dative; the separable verb klarkommen appears as komme ... klar in the main clause.
Die Länge der Distanz überrascht mich.
The length of the distance surprises me.
die Länge means length and überraschen means to surprise. Der Distanz is genitive because it specifies the length of what; überrascht is in position two.
Große Distanzen sind für sie kein Problem.
Long distances are no problem for her.
groß means great or long here, and kein Problem means no problem. Distanzen is plural and the plural subject takes sind; für sie is accusative because für always governs the accusative.
erweitern — to expand, to extend
Erweitern takes an accusative object. It can describe a physical extension, such as a building, or an increase in knowledge or possibilities.
Wir erweitern unseren Wortschatz jeden Tag.
We expand our vocabulary every day.
unseren Wortschatz means our vocabulary, and jeden Tag means every day. Unseren Wortschatz is accusative because erweitern takes a direct object, while the finite verb is in position two.
Wir haben unseren Wortschatz erweitert.
We have expanded our vocabulary.
unseren Wortschatz means our vocabulary. Erweitert is the Partizip II and stands at the end, while haben forms the perfect; the object is accusative after erweitern.
Die Firma erweiterte ihr Büro im letzten Jahr.
The company extended its office last year.
die Firma means the company, ihr Büro means its office, and im letzten Jahr means last year. Ihr Büro is accusative as the object, and the regular past form erweiterte is in position two.
Erweitere bitte den Speicher!
Please expand the storage!
bitte means please, and der Speicher means storage or memory space. The imperative addresses du, omits the subject, and takes den Speicher as an accusative object.
Ich würde den Kurs gern erweitern.
I would be happy to expand the course.
der Kurs means the course, and gern means gladly or would like to. In the Konjunktiv II, würde is finite in position two and the infinitive erweitern goes to the end; den Kurs is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir das Angebot erweitern.
Next year we will expand the range of services.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and das Angebot means the range or offer. Werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while erweitern goes to the end and das Angebot is accusative.
die Erweiterung — extension, expansion
The feminine noun die Erweiterung is formed from erweitern with -ung. It can mean a physical extension or a broader addition to an offer, system, or subject.
Die Erweiterung ist dringend nötig.
The extension is urgently needed.
dringend nötig means urgently necessary. Die Erweiterung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir planen die Erweiterung des Museums.
We are planning the extension of the museum.
planen means plan, and das Museum means the museum. Die Erweiterung is accusative because it is the object of planen, while des Museums is genitive and means of the museum.
Wir helfen bei der Erweiterung des Bahnhofs.
We are helping with the extension of the railway station.
helfen means help, bei means with, and der Bahnhof means the railway station. Bei requires the dative, so der Erweiterung is dative; des Bahnhofs is genitive.
Die Kosten der Erweiterung sind hoch.
The costs of the extension are high.
die Kosten means the costs and hoch means high. Der Erweiterung is genitive after die Kosten and means of the extension; the whole phrase is the nominative subject.
Große Erweiterungen brauchen Zeit.
Large extensions take time.
große means large, and Zeit means time. Große Erweiterungen is a plural nominative subject, so the adjective has the plural ending -e and the verb is brauchen.
gleichmäßig — even, regular, uniform
Gleichmäßig describes something distributed or moving in a steady way, without sudden changes. When it describes an action, it works like an adverb and does not take an adjective ending.
Die Bewegung ist gleichmäßig.
The movement is even.
die Bewegung means the movement. Gleichmäßig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing directly before a noun.
Der Motor macht ein gleichmäßiges Geräusch.
The engine makes a steady noise.
der Motor is the engine and das Geräusch is the noise or sound. Ein gleichmäßiges Geräusch is an accusative object after macht; the adjective has -es because Geräusch is neuter after ein.
Mit Musik arbeitet sie gleichmäßiger als ohne Musik.
She works more steadily with music than without music.
mit Musik means with music, arbeitet means works, and ohne Musik means without music. The comparative gleichmäßiger als describes how she works; ohne takes the accusative, although the feminine noun has no visible case change here.
Von allen Läufern läuft er am gleichmäßigsten.
Of all the runners, he runs most evenly.
von allen Läufern means of all the runners, and läuft means runs. The superlative describes the manner of running and therefore uses am gleichmäßigsten; von takes the dative plural.
Bitte atme gleichmäßig und ruhig.
Please breathe evenly and calmly.
atme means breathe, bitte means please, and ruhig means calmly or quietly. This is a du imperative, and the adjective is used adverbially without an ending because it describes the verb.
Die Abstände zwischen den Stühlen sind gleichmäßig.
The distances between the chairs are even.
die Abstände means the distances, zwischen den Stühlen means between the chairs, and sind means are. Den Stühlen is dative plural after zwischen here because the sentence describes a fixed location; gleichmäßig follows the linking verb without an ending.
grob — rough, coarse; rude, blunt; rude, blunt; rough
For physical objects, grob means rough or coarse; for speech or behaviour, it can mean rude or blunt. Its comparison is irregular in spelling: grob, gröber, am gröbsten.
Das Papier fühlt sich grob an.
The paper feels rough.
das Papier means the paper, and sich anfühlen means to feel or have a texture. Grob is predicative after sich anfühlen and has no ending; the separable verb fühlt ... an puts an at the end.
Sie benutzt grobes Salz zum Kochen.
She uses coarse salt for cooking.
benutzen means to use, das Salz means salt, and zum Kochen means for cooking. Grobes is an attributive adjective with a neuter accusative ending after grobes Salz, because benutzt takes an accusative object.
Dieses Tuch ist gröber als das andere.
This cloth is rougher than the other one.
das Tuch means cloth, and das andere means the other one. Gröber is the comparative of grob, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after sein, the adjective has no ending.
Von allen Schwämmen ist dieser am gröbsten.
Of all the sponges, this one is the coarsest.
der Schwamm means sponge, von allen means of all, and dieser means this one. Am gröbsten is the superlative after sein, and von takes the dative in von allen Schwämmen.
Der Handwerker bearbeitet das Holz mit dem gröbsten Werkzeug.
The craftsman works the wood with the coarsest tool.
der Handwerker means craftsman, bearbeiten means to work or process, das Holz means wood, and das Werkzeug means tool. Gröbsten has a superlative ending because it stands before a noun, and mit requires the dative: mit dem gröbsten Werkzeug.
Das war ein grober Fehler.
That was a serious mistake.
der Fehler means mistake or error, and das war means that was. Grober has a masculine nominative ending after ein, because the noun phrase is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Bitte sei nicht so grob zu deiner Schwester.
Please do not be so rude to your sister.
bitte means please, sein means to be, and die Schwester means sister. Grob is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending; zu takes the dative in zu deiner Schwester.
die Innenseite — inside, inner side
Innenseite is a compound of innen, inside, and Seite, side. It normally refers to the inner surface of an object, while Innenraum means the interior space.
Die Innenseite der Tür ist weiß.
The inside of the door is white.
die Tür means the door and weiß means white. die Innenseite is nominative because it is the subject; der Tür is genitive to show whose inside surface it is, and ist stands in position two.
Ich streiche die Innenseite des Schranks.
I am painting the inside of the cupboard.
ich streiche means I am painting, and der Schrank is a cupboard. die Innenseite is accusative because it is the direct object of streichen; des Schranks is genitive and means of the cupboard.
Auf der Innenseite klebt ein Etikett.
There is a label stuck on the inside.
auf means on, klebt means is stuck, and ein Etikett is a label. der Innenseite is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the verb klebt is in position two.
Die Farbe der Innenseite passt nicht zum Rahmen.
The colour of the inside does not match the frame.
die Farbe means the colour, passt nicht means does not match, and der Rahmen is the frame. der Innenseite is genitive after die Farbe to show what colour is meant; zum Rahmen is short for zu dem Rahmen and is dative.
Die Innenseiten der Umschläge sind leer.
The insides of the envelopes are empty.
Umschläge means envelopes and leer means empty. die Innenseiten is the plural subject, while der Umschläge is genitive and means of the envelopes; the plural ending is -n.
die Kante — edge, rim
Kante is used for the edge of a table, object, or surface. In expressions such as an der Kante, it normally means a fixed position at the edge; movement to the edge uses the accusative after the two-way preposition an.
Die Kante des Tisches ist scharf.
The edge of the table is sharp.
des Tisches means of the table, and scharf means sharp. Die Kante is nominative because it is the subject, while des Tisches is genitive to show which edge; the verb ist stands in position two.
Pass auf die Kante auf!
Watch out for the edge!
Pass auf means watch out or pay attention, and auf at the end belongs to the verb aufpassen. Die Kante is accusative because aufpassen auf takes an accusative object; the separable verb is split around the object.
Die Leiter lehnt an der Kante der Mauer.
The ladder is leaning against the edge of the wall.
die Leiter means the ladder, lehnt means is leaning, and die Mauer means the wall. Der Kante is dative because an describes a fixed position here; der Mauer is genitive, meaning of the wall.
Die Farbe der Kante ist anders.
The colour of the edge is different.
die Farbe means the colour, and anders means different. Der Kante is genitive because it identifies which edge; the feminine noun itself stays unchanged and the article der marks the case.
Die Tische haben scharfe Kanten.
The tables have sharp edges.
die Tische means the tables, haben means have, and scharfe means sharp. Kanten is plural and accusative because it is the object of haben; its plural ending is -n.
kompakt — compact, small and space-saving
kompakt can describe a physically small object or information presented briefly. In front of a noun it takes an adjective ending, as in ein kompaktes Gerät; after sein it stays unchanged.
Das neue Handy ist sehr kompakt.
The new mobile phone is very compact.
das Handy means mobile phone, and neu means new. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir kaufen einen kompakten Koffer für die Reise.
We are buying a compact suitcase for the trip.
kaufen means to buy, der Koffer is a suitcase, and die Reise is the trip. einen kompakten Koffer is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the adjective has -en after einen.
Dieses Modell ist kompakter als das alte.
This model is more compact than the old one.
dieses Modell means this model, and alt means old. The comparative kompakter is followed by als when two things are compared; after ist, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Dieser Rucksack ist am kompaktesten.
This rucksack is the most compact.
der Rucksack means rucksack or backpack, and dieser means this. The predicative superlative uses am kompaktesten; it does not take a noun ending because it follows ist.
Die Kamera passt in eine kompakte Tasche.
The camera fits into a compact bag.
die Kamera means camera, passen means to fit, and die Tasche is bag. in eine kompakte Tasche is accusative because in expresses movement into a place, and the adjective has -e after eine.
massiv — solid; massive; heavy-built; serious; extensive; strong
For buildings and objects, massiv means solid or heavy-built. It can also describe something large or serious in extent; the comparison forms are regular: massiver, am massivsten.
Die Mauer ist massiv.
The wall is solid.
die Mauer means the wall. Massiv is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie kaufen einen massiven Tisch.
They are buying a solid, heavy table.
kaufen means buy, and einen Tisch means a table. Massiven describes the accusative masculine noun Tisch after einen, so it takes the ending -en; the finite verb kaufen is in position two.
Dieser Tisch ist massiver als der andere.
This table is more solid than the other one.
dieser Tisch means this table, and der andere means the other one. Massiver is the comparative form and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Das ist der massivste Tisch im Raum.
That is the most solid table in the room.
der Tisch is the table, and im Raum means in the room. Before the noun, the superlative is massivste, not am massivsten; the adjective takes -e after the masculine nominative article der.
Die Firma hat massive Probleme.
The company has serious problems.
die Firma means the company, and Probleme means problems. Massive Probleme is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the adjective has the plural ending -e after the zero article.
Nach dem Sturm gab es massive Schäden.
After the storm, there was serious damage.
nach dem Sturm means after the storm, and Schäden means damage. Massive Schäden is plural after es gab, and the adjective takes -e with no article; gab is the past form of geben in the expression meaning there was or there were.
maximal — maximum, maximal
Maximal is normally an absolute adjective meaning “at the highest possible level,” so comparison is uncommon. The forms maximaler and am maximalsten are possible but rare; before a noun, remember that the adjective still takes the usual ending.
Die Geschwindigkeit ist maximal.
The speed is at the maximum.
Die Geschwindigkeit means the speed, and ist means is. Maximal is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing before a noun.
Wir fahren mit maximaler Geschwindigkeit.
We are travelling at maximum speed.
Wir fahren means we are travelling, and Geschwindigkeit means speed. Mit takes the dative, so the feminine phrase is mit maximaler Geschwindigkeit; here maximaler is the inflected positive adjective, not a comparative.
Eine größere Batterie ermöglicht eine maximalere Reichweite.
A larger battery allows a greater maximum range.
Eine größere Batterie means a larger battery, ermöglicht means allows or makes possible, and Reichweite means range. Maximalere is a rare comparative form meaning more maximal; eine maximalere Reichweite is accusative because it is the object of ermöglichen.
Das war die maximalste Auslastung des Systems.
That was the system’s highest possible level of use.
Auslastung means level of use or capacity utilisation, and des Systems means of the system. Maximalste is a rare superlative form; des Systems is genitive because it identifies the system concerned.
Die Maschine arbeitet mit maximaler Leistung.
The machine operates at maximum power.
Die Maschine means the machine, arbeitet means operates or works, and Leistung means power or output. Mit maximaler Leistung is dative because mit requires the dative; maximaler agrees with the feminine noun.
der Maßstab — scale; standard, criterion; standard, criterion
For maps and drawings, Maßstab describes how a representation relates to reality. In the figurative sense, Maßstab means a standard for judging people or things, as in ein Maßstab für Qualität.
Der Maßstab steht auf der Karte.
The scale is shown on the map.
steht auf means is shown on or stands on, and Karte means map. Der Maßstab is nominative because it is the subject; auf der Karte is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich brauche einen größeren Maßstab für die Zeichnung.
I need a larger scale for the drawing.
größer means larger, and Zeichnung means drawing. einen größeren Maßstab is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; für die Zeichnung is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Auf dem Maßstab kann man die Entfernung ablesen.
You can read the distance from the scale.
Entfernung means distance, and ablesen means read off. auf dem Maßstab is dative because it describes the location of information; the modal-like phrase kann ... ablesen sends the infinitive to the end.
Die Genauigkeit des Maßstabs ist entscheidend.
The accuracy of the scale is crucial.
Genauigkeit means accuracy, and entscheidend means crucial. des Maßstabs is genitive because it shows which scale's accuracy is meant; the verb ist is in position two.
Die beiden Karten haben unterschiedliche Maßstäbe.
The two maps have different scales.
beiden means two, and unterschiedlich means different. unterschiedliche Maßstäbe is accusative plural after haben; the plural has the umlaut ä.
Er misst alle Bewerber am gleichen Maßstab.
He judges all applicants by the same standard.
misst means measures or judges, Bewerber means applicants, and gleichen means same. alle Bewerber is accusative after messen, while am gleichen Maßstab means by the same standard and uses an dem, the dative form of an here.
Für diese Arbeit gelten hohe Maßstäbe.
High standards apply to this work.
für diese Arbeit means for this work, and gelten means apply or be valid. hohe Maßstäbe is the plural subject; für takes the accusative, but diese Arbeit is not the headword.
minimal — minimal, very small
Minimal describes an amount or degree that is very small. It can be used before a noun with an adjective ending, or after sein without an ending; its comparative and superlative are regular.
Der Aufwand ist minimal.
The effort required is minimal.
der Aufwand means the effort or amount of work required. Minimal is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen minimale Änderungen.
We need minimal changes.
brauchen means need and Änderungen means changes. Minimale Änderungen is an accusative object after brauchen; because the plural noun has no article, the adjective shows the plural ending -e.
Dieses Modell verursacht minimalere Kosten als das alte.
This model causes lower costs than the old one.
dieses Modell means this model, verursacht means causes, and das alte means the old one. Minimalere compares two amounts and agrees with plural Kosten in the accusative; als introduces the comparison.
Mit dieser Methode entstehen am minimalsten Fehler.
This method produces the fewest errors.
mit dieser Methode means with this method, entstehen means arise or occur, and Fehler means errors. Mit takes the dative, while am minimalsten is the predicative superlative form and does not take an adjective ending.
mittel — medium, average, middle
mittel is usually used for size, amount or quality, as in mittlere Größe. Its comparison is grammatically possible but uncommon; everyday German often uses durchschnittlich for ‘average’.
Die Größe ist mittel.
The size is medium.
die Größe means ‘the size’, and ist means ‘is’. mittel is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen eine mittlere Pizza.
We are buying a medium-sized pizza.
kaufen means ‘buy’, and eine Pizza is ‘a pizza’. eine mittlere Pizza is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Dieses Zimmer ist mittler als das andere.
This room is more medium-sized than the other one.
dieses Zimmer means ‘this room’ and das andere means ‘the other one’. The comparative is followed by als; because mittler is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Von den drei Räumen ist dieser am mittelsten.
Of the three rooms, this one is the most medium-sized.
von den drei Räumen means ‘of the three rooms’, and dieser means ‘this one’. am mittelsten is the predicative superlative; the preposition von takes the dative plural den Räumen.
die Oberfläche — surface; surface area; outer layer
Die Oberfläche des Tisches ist sehr glatt.
The surface of the table is very smooth.
der Tisch means table, and glatt means smooth. Die Oberfläche is nominative because it is the subject; des Tisches is genitive because it identifies whose surface it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wische die Oberfläche mit einem Tuch ab.
I wipe the surface with a cloth.
wischen means to wipe, mit means with, das Tuch means cloth, and abwischen means to wipe off. Die Oberfläche is accusative because abwischen takes a direct object; mit einem Tuch is dative after mit, and the separable prefix ab moves to the end.
Mit einem weichen Tuch kann man die Oberfläche vorsichtig reinigen.
You can clean the surface carefully with a soft cloth.
weich means soft, vorsichtig means carefully, and reinigen means to clean. Mit einem weichen Tuch is dative because mit always takes the dative; die Oberfläche is accusative because it is the object of reinigen, while kann is in position two and reinigen goes to the end.
Die Farbe der Oberfläche passt gut zum Raum.
The colour of the surface goes well with the room.
die Farbe means colour, passen means to go well with, and der Raum means room. Der Oberfläche is genitive after die Farbe to show which surface is meant; zum Raum is dative because zu is contracted in zum and takes the dative.
Die Oberflächen dieser Geräte sind leicht zu reinigen.
The surfaces of these devices are easy to clean.
das Gerät means device, leicht means easy, and zu reinigen means to clean. Die Oberflächen is plural nominative and the subject; dieser Geräte is genitive plural, showing whose surfaces they are, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
Wasser sammelt sich auf der Oberfläche des Sees.
Water collects on the surface of the lake.
das Wasser means water, sich sammeln means to collect, and der See means lake. Auf der Oberfläche is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement; des Sees is genitive, and sammelt sich is the reflexive verb in position two.
Die Oberfläche des Materials wurde im Labor gemessen.
The surface area of the material was measured in the laboratory.
das Material means material, das Labor means laboratory, and messen means to measure. Des Materials is genitive after die Oberfläche to specify the material; wurde gemessen is a passive construction, with the participle at the end.
Eine größere Oberfläche kann mehr Wärme aufnehmen.
A larger surface area can absorb more heat.
größer means larger, die Wärme means heat, and aufnehmen means to absorb or take in. Eine größere Oberfläche is nominative because it is the subject; kann is in position two and the separable infinitive aufnehmen remains whole at the end after the modal verb.
parallel — parallel; in parallel; at the same time
Parallel is common in geometry and also describes things that develop alongside each other. With zu, it takes the dative: parallel zur Straße means parallel to the road.
Die beiden Linien sind parallel.
The two lines are parallel.
beiden means two, and Linien means lines. Parallel is a predicative adjective after sind and therefore has no ending; the subject die beiden Linien is nominative.
Wir zeichnen parallele Linien.
We draw parallel lines.
zeichnen means draw, and Linien means lines. Parallele is attributive and takes -e after the zero article in the plural; Linien is accusative because it is the object of zeichnen.
Diese Straßen verlaufen paralleler als die alte Straße.
These roads run more parallel than the old road.
Straßen means roads, verlaufen means run or extend, and die alte Straße means the old road. Paralleler compares two directions with als; because it is predicative after verlaufen, it has no adjective ending.
Diese Linien verlaufen am parallelsten.
These lines run the most parallel.
Linien means lines, and verlaufen means run or extend. Am parallelsten is the predicative superlative with am; it has no adjective ending because it does not stand directly before a noun.
Wir arbeiten parallel an zwei Projekten.
We are working on two projects in parallel.
arbeiten means work, and zwei Projekte means two projects. Parallel is an adverb and therefore does not take an adjective ending; an zwei Projekten is dative because an describes a fixed area of work here.
Sie studiert und arbeitet parallel.
She studies and works at the same time.
studiert means studies, and arbeitet means works. Parallel modifies both coordinated verbs and stays unchanged; the finite verbs occupy the normal position after the subject and conjunction.
quer — crosswise, sideways; awkward, obstructive
Quer describes something that goes across another direction or is not straight. In phrases such as quer zur Straße, zu takes the dative, although the adjective itself does not assign a case.
Der Balken liegt quer.
The beam lies across.
Balken means beam and liegt means lies or is positioned. quer is predicative after liegt, so it has no adjective ending.
Sie zeichnet eine quere Linie.
She draws a crosswise line.
zeichnet means draws and Linie means line. quere is attributive and has the feminine accusative ending -e after eine; Linie is accusative because it is what she draws.
Diese Linie verläuft querer als die alte.
This line runs more across than the old one.
verläuft means runs or goes, and alte means old one. querer is the comparative and als introduces the thing it is compared with; the adjective used after the verb has no ending.
Diese Linie verläuft am quersten.
This line runs the most crosswise.
verläuft means runs or goes. am quersten is the adverbial superlative after the verb, so it uses am and does not take a noun ending.
Er stellt sich bei jeder Änderung quer.
He objects to every change.
stellt sich quer means acts obstructively, bei means at or with, and Änderung means change. The reflexive pronoun sich is accusative here, while bei jeder Änderung is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Bitte sei nicht so quer.
Please do not be so difficult.
Bitte means please and sei means be. quer is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; here it means difficult or uncooperative, not physically crosswise.
quer — across, diagonally
As an adverb, quer describes direction and does not take an adjective ending. Do not confuse it with the adjective quer, which can stand before a noun with an ending.
Der Wind kommt quer über das Feld.
The wind comes across the field.
Wind means wind, kommt means comes, and Feld means field. quer is an adverb describing the direction; über das Feld is accusative because it describes movement across the field.
Wir gehen quer durch den Park.
We walk across the park.
gehen means go or walk, durch means through, and Park means park. quer modifies the direction, while durch always takes the accusative, shown by den Park.
stabil — stable, sturdy, strong; stable, secure, reliable
Stabil can describe a physical object, a situation, or a condition that does not change easily. Its comparison is regular: stabiler, am stabilsten; the opposite is instabil.
Die Brücke ist stabil.
The bridge is stable.
die Brücke means the bridge. Stabil is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen einen stabilen Tisch.
We need a sturdy table.
brauchen means need and der Tisch is the table. Einen stabilen Tisch is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; after einen, the masculine adjective takes -en.
Dieser Tisch ist stabiler als der alte.
This table is more stable than the old one.
dieser Tisch means this table and alt means old. Stabiler compares two tables and is followed by als; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Von allen Stühlen ist dieser am stabilsten.
Of all the chairs, this one is the most stable.
von allen Stühlen means of all the chairs, and dieser means this one. Am stabilsten is the predicative superlative used after sein; von requires the dative, so Stühlen has the plural dative ending -n.
Die politische Lage bleibt stabil.
The political situation remains stable.
politisch means political, die Lage means situation, and bleibt means remains. Stabil is predicative after bleiben, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Nach dem Unfall ist sein Zustand wieder stabil.
After the accident, his condition is stable again.
der Unfall is the accident, sein Zustand means his condition, and wieder means again. Nach dem Unfall is dative because nach requires the dative; stabil follows ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending.
der Strich — line, mark; bottom line; final result
Strich is used for a drawn line or mark. In the fixed phrase unter dem Strich, it means the final result or bottom line, not a physical line only.
Der Strich ist zu kurz.
The line is too short.
zu kurz means too short. Strich is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Zieh einen Strich unter die Rechnung.
Draw a line under the calculation.
zieh means draw, unter means under, and die Rechnung means the calculation or bill. Strich is accusative because ziehen takes a direct object; the imperative zieh stands first.
Mit einem Strich kann man etwas markieren.
You can mark something with a line.
mit means with, etwas means something, and markieren means to mark. mit requires the dative, so einem Strich is dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and markieren goes to the end.
Die Länge des Strichs ist wichtig.
The length of the line is important.
die Länge means the length and wichtig means important. des Strichs is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Auf dem Papier sind drei Striche.
There are three lines on the paper.
auf dem Papier means on the paper and drei means three. Striche is plural, while dem Papier is dative because auf describes a fixed location; sind agrees with the plural subject.
Unter dem Strich war die Reise ein Erfolg.
All in all, the trip was a success.
unter dem Strich means all in all, die Reise means the trip, and ein Erfolg means a success. This fixed expression uses dem Strich in the dative after unter for a figurative situation; war is in position two.
Unter dem Strich haben wir Geld gespart.
All in all, we saved money.
Geld means money and gespart means saved. unter dem Strich is a fixed expression meaning all in all; in the perfect, haben is in position two and gespart goes to the end.
stumpf — blunt, dull-edged; dull, insensitive
For knives, pencils, and other tools, stumpf means not sharp. It can also be used figuratively for a person or feeling that seems dull or insensitive.
Das Messer ist stumpf.
The knife is blunt.
das Messer means the knife and ist means is. Stumpf is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the knife's edge.
Ich brauche ein stumpfes Messer.
I need a blunt knife.
brauche means need and ein Messer is a knife. Ein stumpfes Messer is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Diese Klinge ist stumpfer als die andere.
This blade is blunter than the other one.
diese Klinge means this blade, als means than, and die andere means the other one. Stumpfer is predicative and therefore has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von den drei Messern ist dieses am stumpfsten.
Of the three knives, this one is the bluntest.
von den drei Messern means of the three knives, and dieses means this one. Am stumpfsten is a predicative superlative; von takes the dative, shown by den Messern.
Nach der langen Reise fühlte ich mich stumpf.
After the long journey, I felt dull and drained.
nach der langen Reise means after the long journey, and fühlte ich mich means I felt. Stumpf is predicative after sich fühlen and has no ending; mich is accusative because it is the reflexive pronoun for ich.
Er gab eine stumpfe Antwort.
He gave a dull, insensitive answer.
gab means gave and eine Antwort is an answer. Stumpfe stands before the feminine accusative noun Antwort and takes -e after eine; the answer is emotionally insensitive rather than physically blunt.
der Umfang — scope, extent, size; circumference, girth
In everyday and academic contexts, der Umfang often means the scope or extent of a task, project, or text. Its plural is die Umfänge, with an umlaut; in another common sense, it means the circumference of a shape.
Der Umfang des Projekts ist größer als erwartet.
The scope of the project is larger than expected.
des Projekts means of the project, and größer als erwartet means larger than expected. Der Umfang is nominative because it is the subject, while des Projekts is genitive and shows what the scope belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir prüfen den Umfang der Arbeit.
We are checking the scope of the work.
prüfen means to check, and der Arbeit means of the work. den Umfang is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while der Arbeit is genitive; the finite verb prüfen is in position two.
Mit dem Umfang der Aufgabe hatte ich nicht gerechnet.
I had not expected the scope of the task.
mit means with, der Aufgabe means of the task, and gerechnet means expected or reckoned. dem Umfang is dative because mit always takes the dative; the perfect-like expression hatte ... gerechnet forms a sentence bracket.
Die Grenzen des Umfangs sind noch unklar.
The limits of the scope are still unclear.
Die Grenzen means the limits, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. des Umfangs is genitive because it specifies which limits are meant; Die Grenzen is the nominative subject and sind is in position two.
Die Umfänge der Berichte unterscheiden sich stark.
The scopes of the reports differ greatly.
der Berichte means of the reports, unterscheiden sich means differ, and stark means greatly. Die Umfänge is plural nominative as the subject, while der Berichte is genitive; the reflexive verb unterscheiden sich is split around the finite verb.
Wir messen den Umfang des Kreises.
We are measuring the circumference of the circle.
messen means to measure, and des Kreises means of the circle. den Umfang is accusative because it is the object of messen, while des Kreises is genitive; the finite verb messen stands in position two.
Der Arzt misst den Umfang des Bauches.
The doctor measures the circumference of the abdomen.
Der Arzt is the doctor, misst means measures, and des Bauches means of the abdomen. den Umfang is accusative as the object of misst, and des Bauches is genitive; the finite verb is in position two.
umfangreich — extensive, comprehensive
This adjective describes something containing many details or covering a large area. It is often used for reports, knowledge, research, or plans.
Der Bericht ist umfangreich.
The report is comprehensive.
der Bericht means the report. Umfangreich describes the report and stands after the linking verb ist, so it has no adjective ending.
Sie schreibt einen umfangreichen Bericht über das Projekt.
She is writing a comprehensive report about the project.
schreibt means is writing, einen Bericht is a report, and über das Projekt means about the project. Einen umfangreichen Bericht is accusative because schreiben takes an accusative object; the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
Dieser Bericht ist umfangreicher als der alte.
This report is more comprehensive than the old one.
dieser Bericht means this report, als means than, and der alte means the old one. The comparative umfangreicher is used with als to compare two reports and stands after ist without an adjective ending.
Das ist der umfangreichste Bericht im Archiv.
That is the most comprehensive report in the archive.
das ist means that is, der Bericht is the report, and im Archiv means in the archive. Before the masculine noun Bericht, the superlative uses umfangreichste with the ending -e; im Archiv is a dative phrase.
verkürzen — to shorten, reduce
verkürzen is a regular transitive verb and takes haben in the perfect. It can refer to reducing length, duration, or a text.
Die Firma verkürzt die Arbeitszeit.
The company is shortening the working hours.
die Firma means the company, and die Arbeitszeit means the working hours. Die Arbeitszeit is accusative because verkürzen takes a direct object; the finite verb verkürzt is in position two.
Die Firma hat die Arbeitszeit verkürzt.
The company has shortened the working hours.
die Firma means the company, and die Arbeitszeit means the working hours. The perfect uses hat plus verkürzt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Die Firma verkürzte die Arbeitszeit im Sommer.
The company shortened the working hours in summer.
im Sommer means in summer. Die Arbeitszeit is accusative because it is the direct object, and the regular past form verkürzte stands in position two.
Verkürz bitte den Text.
Please shorten the text.
bitte means please, and der Text means the text. Verkürz is the singular du imperative without a pronoun; den Text is accusative because it is the object.
Ich verkürzte die Sitzung, wenn ich mehr Zeit gehabt hätte.
I would shorten the meeting if I had had more time.
die Sitzung means the meeting, and mehr Zeit means more time. This sentence uses the past conditional with hätte verkürzt; the conditional clause puts its finite verb hätte at the end.
Wir werden den Bericht verkürzen.
We will shorten the report.
der Bericht means the report. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive verkürzen at the end; the report is accusative because it is the direct object.
verlängern — to extend; to renew
Verlängern takes an accusative object. It is used both for making a physical thing longer and for renewing a period, contract, ticket, or membership.
Ich verlängere den Vertrag heute.
I am renewing the contract today.
heute means today and der Vertrag means the contract. Den Vertrag is accusative because verlängern takes a direct object, and the finite verb verlängere stands in position two.
Wir haben die Mitgliedschaft verlängert.
We extended the membership.
die Mitgliedschaft means the membership. The perfect uses haben plus the Partizip II verlängert; the object die Mitgliedschaft is accusative, and the participle goes to the end.
Sie verlängerte die Frist um eine Woche.
She extended the deadline by one week.
die Frist means the deadline, and um eine Woche means by one week. Verlängerte is the regular simple-past form; die Frist is accusative because it is the direct object.
Verlängere bitte meinen Vertrag!
Please extend my contract!
bitte means please, and mein Vertrag means my contract. Verlängere is the informal singular imperative; the object meinen Vertrag is accusative, and the subject du is omitted.
Ich würde die Frist gern verlängern.
I would gladly extend the deadline.
gern means gladly or would like to, and die Frist means the deadline. Würde expresses a hypothetical idea, while the infinitive verlängern goes at the end; the object is accusative.
Der Arzt wird die Behandlung verlängern.
The doctor will extend the treatment.
der Arzt means the doctor and die Behandlung means the treatment. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive verlängern goes to the end; die Behandlung is accusative.
verwandeln — to transform, to turn into; to change, to transform oneself
The usual pattern is etwas in etwas verwandeln: the first object is accusative, and in introduces the result with the accusative. The reflexive form sich verwandeln means to change oneself or change into something.
Der Zauberer verwandelt den Stein in Gold.
The magician turns the stone into gold.
der Zauberer is the magician, der Stein is the stone, and Gold is gold. den Stein is accusative because it is the object being changed, and in Gold is also accusative because it expresses the result; the finite verb verwandelt is in position two.
Der Zauberer hat den Stein in Gold verwandelt.
The magician has turned the stone into gold.
der Zauberer means the magician, der Stein means the stone, and Gold means gold. The perfect uses hat plus verwandelt, which goes to the end; den Stein is accusative and in Gold expresses the result.
Der Zauberer verwandelte den Stein in Gold.
The magician turned the stone into gold.
der Zauberer is the magician, der Stein is the stone, and Gold is gold. verwandelte is the regular simple-past form in position two; den Stein is accusative as the direct object.
Verwandle den Stein in Gold!
Turn the stone into gold!
der Stein means the stone and Gold means gold. Verwandle is the du-imperative and stands first; den Stein is accusative, and in Gold names the result.
Wenn ich zaubern könnte, verwandelte ich den Stein in Gold.
If I could do magic, I would turn the stone into gold.
zaubern means to do magic, könnte means could, der Stein is the stone, and Gold is gold. The conditional form verwandelte is used in the main clause; den Stein is accusative and in Gold gives the result.
Der Zauberer wird den Stein in Gold verwandeln.
The magician will turn the stone into gold.
der Zauberer is the magician, der Stein is the stone, and Gold is gold. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive verwandeln at the end; den Stein is accusative.
Die Raupe verwandelt sich in einen Schmetterling.
The caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
die Raupe is the caterpillar and der Schmetterling is the butterfly. sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and in einen Schmetterling is accusative because it expresses the result of the change.
Im Frühling verwandelt sich der Garten.
In spring, the garden changes.
im Frühling means in spring, and der Garten is the garden. The reflexive sich verwandelt means changes or transforms; the finite verb verwandelt is in position two, after the time phrase.
der Vordergrund — foreground; centre of attention
In the figurative sense, im Vordergrund stehen means to be the main focus, while im Hintergrund means in the background or less prominently. With a change of position, in den Vordergrund takes the accusative: etwas in den Vordergrund stellen.
Der Vordergrund des Bildes zeigt einen alten Baum.
The foreground of the picture shows an old tree.
das Bild means the picture, and ein alter Baum means an old tree. Der Vordergrund is nominative because it is the subject; des Bildes is genitive and means of the picture, while the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Die Fotografin rückt den Vordergrund näher an die Kamera.
The photographer moves the foreground closer to the camera.
die Fotografin means the female photographer, rückt means moves, and näher means closer. Den Vordergrund is accusative because it is the object of rücken; an die Kamera uses the accusative because it expresses movement towards the camera.
Wir geben dem Vordergrund mehr Farbe.
We give the foreground more colour.
geben means give, and mehr Farbe means more colour. Dem Vordergrund is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while mehr Farbe is the accusative thing being given.
Die Gestaltung des Vordergrunds wirkt sehr modern.
The design of the foreground looks very modern.
die Gestaltung means the design, and wirkt sehr modern means looks very modern. Des Vordergrunds is genitive because it specifies which foreground is meant; the finite verb wirkt stands in position two.
Im Foto stehen die Blumen im Vordergrund.
In the photo, the flowers are in the foreground.
im Foto means in the photo, die Blumen means the flowers, and stehen means stand or are situated. Here Vordergrund is actually singular, not plural: im means in dem, and in takes the dative for a fixed location; the sentence shows the common phrase im Vordergrund stehen.
winzig — tiny, very small
Winzig is a regular adjective: winzig – winziger – am winzigsten. In attributive use it takes normal adjective endings, as in ein winziges Zimmer; in predicative use after sein, it does not.
Der Käfer ist winzig.
The beetle is tiny.
der Käfer means the beetle. Winzig is predicative here because it follows ist and describes the subject without an adjective ending.
Sie hat ein winziges Zimmer.
She has a tiny room.
ein Zimmer means a room and haben means to have. Winziges stands before the neuter noun Zimmer and takes -es after ein; the whole noun phrase is accusative after hat.
Diese Tasche ist winziger als meine.
This bag is tinier than mine.
diese Tasche means this bag and meine means mine. Winziger compares two things with als; because it follows ist, it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist der winzigste Knopf an der Jacke.
That is the tiniest button on the jacket.
der Knopf means the button and die Jacke means the jacket. Before the masculine noun Knopf, the superlative uses -ste with the ending -e; an der Jacke is a location phrase with dative.