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Vocab: Society, politics & law — A2 (1)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abmelden — to deregister; to cancel officially; to unsubscribe; to withdraw; to sign out
The non-reflexive form deregisters something, while sich abmelden means to deregister oneself, for example from an address or event. It is separable: abmelden - meldete ab - hat abgemeldet.
Ich gehe zum Amt, weil ich mein Auto heute abmelde.
I am going to the office because I am deregistering my car today.
das Amt is the public office, heute means today, and mein Auto means my car. Mein Auto is accusative because abmelden takes a direct object; after weil, the separable verb stays together as abmelde at the end.
Wir haben den Stromvertrag abgemeldet.
We deregistered the electricity contract.
der Stromvertrag is the electricity contract, and haben is the auxiliary have. Den Stromvertrag is accusative after abmelden; haben is in position two and abgemeldet goes to the end.
Sie ging zur Schule, weil sie ihr Kind von der Schule abmeldete.
She went to the school because she deregistered her child from it.
zur Schule gehen means go to school, ihr Kind means her child, and von der Schule means from the school. Ihr Kind is accusative as the object, while von der Schule has dative after von; after weil, abmeldete stands at the end as one word.
Bitte meld ab!
Please deregister!
bitte means please, and the object or context is understood. In the informal imperative, meld ab is the separated verb form; with the reflexive meaning, learners must say meld dich ab.
Ich würde mich dort sofort abmelden.
I would deregister there immediately.
dort means there, and sofort means immediately. Mich is accusative because the verb is reflexive here; with würde, the complete infinitive abmelden stays together at the end.
Du wirst den Internetvertrag nächste Woche abmelden.
You will deregister the internet contract next week.
der Internetvertrag is the internet contract, and nächste Woche means next week. Den Internetvertrag is accusative after abmelden; wirst is in position two and the infinitive abmelden goes to the end.
Ich möchte mich vom Kurs abmelden.
I would like to withdraw from the course.
ich möchte means I would like, and der Kurs is the course. Mich is accusative because this is reflexive sich abmelden, while vom Kurs contains dative von dem; the infinitive abmelden goes to the end after möchte.
Bitte bleibt auf der Seite, bis ihr euch vom Newsletter abmeldet.
Please stay on the page until you unsubscribe from the newsletter.
bleiben means stay, die Seite is the page, and bis means until. Euch is the reflexive accusative pronoun for ihr, while vom Newsletter uses dative after von; after bis, abmeldet stands at the end and the prefix remains attached.
angehören — to belong to
Angehören is separable and always takes the dative for the person, group, or organisation something belongs to. Do not use the accusative: jemandem angehören, not jemanden angehören.
Das Buch gehört der Bibliothek an.
The book belongs to the library.
das Buch means the book and die Bibliothek means the library. Der Bibliothek is dative because angehören always takes a dative person or group; gehört is in position two and an goes to the end.
Das Buch hat der Bibliothek angehört.
The book belonged to the library.
das Buch means the book. Der Bibliothek is dative because it is the group to which the book belongs; hat is the auxiliary in position two and angehört closes the perfect clause.
Das Grundstück gehörte meiner Familie an.
The property belonged to my family.
das Grundstück means the plot of land or property, and meiner Familie means my family. Meiner Familie is dative because angehören governs the dative; gehörte is in position two and an goes to the end.
Geh dieser Gruppe an!
Join this group!
dieser Gruppe means this group. The dative form dieser Gruppe is required by angehören; the informal imperative separates the prefix and puts an at the end.
Das Museum würde der Stiftung angehören, wenn der Vertrag unterschrieben wäre.
The museum would belong to the foundation if the contract were signed.
das Museum means the museum, der Stiftung means the foundation, and der Vertrag unterschrieben means the contract signed. Der Stiftung is dative because angehören governs the dative; with würde, the infinitive angehören stays at the end of the main clause.
Das Gebäude wird bald der Stadt angehören.
The building will soon belong to the city.
das Gebäude means the building, bald means soon, and der Stadt means the city. Der Stadt is dative because angehören takes a dative object; wird is in position two and angehören goes to the end.
anständig — decent, respectable, proper
Anständig can describe a person, behaviour, clothing, or an acceptable amount or quality. Depending on context, it can mean morally decent or simply respectable and good enough.
Er ist ein anständiger Mensch.
He is a decent person.
Er means he, and Mensch means person. Here anständiger comes before the masculine noun Mensch after ein, so it has the ending -er; the adjective is not actually predicative in this sentence.
Sie trägt ein anständiges Kleid.
She is wearing a respectable dress.
trägt means is wearing or carries, and Kleid means dress. Ein anständiges Kleid is accusative because trägt takes a direct object; the neuter adjective after ein takes -es.
Er ist heute anständiger als früher.
He is more decent today than he used to be.
heute means today, and früher means in the past or before. Anständiger is predicative after ist and is followed by als for the comparison; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Von allen Gästen hat sie sich am anständigsten benommen.
Of all the guests, she behaved the most properly.
Von allen Gästen means of all the guests, benommen means behaved, and sich benehmen means to behave. Am anständigsten is an adverbial superlative modifying benommen; von takes the dative, shown by allen Gästen.
die Armee — army
In everyday German, die Armee usually means a country's military forces. For a specific branch, German often uses words such as das Heer or die Streitkräfte.
Die Armee schützt das Land.
The army protects the country.
schützen means to protect and das Land means the country. Die Armee is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schützt stands in position two.
Die Regierung unterstützt die Armee.
The government supports the army.
die Regierung means the government and unterstützen means to support. Die Armee is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the finite verb unterstützt is in position two.
Er dient in der Armee.
He serves in the army.
dienen means to serve, and in means in here. Der Armee is dative because in describes a location, not movement; the finite verb dient stands in position two.
Die Geschichte der Armee ist kompliziert.
The history of the army is complicated.
die Geschichte means the history and kompliziert means complicated. Der Armee is genitive because it identifies whose history is meant, while ist is the finite verb in position two.
Mehrere Armeen kämpfen in der Region.
Several armies are fighting in the region.
mehrere means several, kämpfen means to fight, and die Region means the region. Mehrere Armeen is plural and nominative as the subject; in der Region is dative because it gives the location.
die Armut — poverty
Die Armut is an uncountable noun and normally has no plural. The opposite is der Reichtum, meaning wealth.
Die Armut ist in dieser Region groß.
Poverty is severe in this region.
diese Region means this region, and groß means great or severe here. Die Armut is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen erleben Armut.
Many people experience poverty.
viele Menschen means many people, and erleben means to experience. Armut is accusative because erleben takes a direct object; the noun has no article here because it refers to poverty as an uncountable condition.
Die Stadt hilft Menschen in der Armut.
The city helps people in poverty.
die Stadt means the city and helfen means to help. Der Armut is dative because in describes a situation or condition here; the phrase Menschen in der Armut means people living in poverty.
Die Folgen der Armut sind schwerwiegend.
The consequences of poverty are serious.
die Folgen means the consequences and schwerwiegend means serious or severe. Der Armut is genitive because it shows what the consequences result from; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
aufrecht — upright, straight-backed
This adjective usually describes a straight body or posture. It can also describe someone as morally honest, but that use is more formal; it is not normally used before a noun without an adjective ending.
Er sitzt aufrecht auf dem Stuhl.
He is sitting upright on the chair.
sitzen means to sit, and der Stuhl is a chair. auf dem Stuhl is dative because auf expresses location here, while the adjective after sitzen is predicative and has no ending.
Sie bewahrt eine aufrechte Haltung.
She keeps an upright posture.
bewahren means to maintain or keep, and die Haltung is posture. eine aufrechte Haltung is accusative because it is the object of bewahren; the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Nach der Übung sitzt er aufrechter als vorher.
After the exercise, he sits more upright than before.
die Übung is the exercise, and vorher means before. aufrechter is the comparative form, and als introduces the thing being compared; the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Von allen Kindern sitzt Mia am aufrechtesten.
Of all the children, Mia sits the most upright.
von allen Kindern means of all the children. am aufrechtesten is the superlative in the am form; it follows the verb sitzt as a predicative adverb and does not take a noun ending.
die Bescheinigung — certificate, official confirmation
A Bescheinigung is usually a written official confirmation, often from a doctor, school, employer, or authority. The related verb is bescheinigen, to certify or confirm something.
Die Bescheinigung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The certificate is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Bescheinigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Bescheinigung für die Schule.
I need the certificate for the school.
brauche means need, für die Schule means for the school. die Bescheinigung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while für also requires the accusative.
Ich gebe der Bescheinigung eine Kopie bei.
I enclose a copy with the certificate.
gebe ... bei means enclose or attach, and eine Kopie means a copy. der Bescheinigung is dative as the item to which something is added, while eine Kopie is accusative; the separable verb splits in the main clause.
Der Inhalt der Bescheinigung ist wichtig.
The content of the certificate is important.
der Inhalt means the content, ist means is, and wichtig means important. der Bescheinigung is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Bitte schicken Sie uns die Bescheinigungen.
Please send us the certificates.
Bitte schicken Sie uns means please send us, and uns means us. die Bescheinigungen is plural and accusative as the thing being sent, while uns is dative as the recipient.
bewachen — to guard, to watch over
Bewachen takes an accusative object: jemanden/etwas bewachen means to guard someone or something. Do not confuse it with aufpassen auf, which uses the preposition auf plus accusative.
Der Wachmann bewacht den Eingang.
The security guard is guarding the entrance.
der Wachmann means security guard and der Eingang means entrance. Den Eingang is accusative because bewachen takes a direct object, and the finite verb bewacht stands in position two.
Die Polizei hat das Haus bewacht.
The police guarded the house.
die Polizei means the police and das Haus means the house. Das Haus is accusative as the object of bewachen; hat is in position two and the Partizip II bewacht goes to the end.
Früher bewachte ein Soldat das Tor.
In the past, a soldier guarded the gate.
früher means in the past, ein Soldat means a soldier, and das Tor means gate. Das Tor is accusative because it is the object, and the weak-verb form bewachte stands in position two.
Bewach bitte meine Tasche.
Please guard my bag.
bitte means please and meine Tasche means my bag. The imperative bewach begins the command, while meine Tasche is accusative because it is the object of bewachen.
Wenn er hier wäre, bewachte er den Eingang.
If he were here, he would guard the entrance.
wenn means if, hier means here, and wäre means were; der Eingang is the entrance. In the main clause, bewachte expresses an unreal situation and stands in position two; den Eingang is accusative.
Morgen wird die Polizei das Gebäude bewachen.
Tomorrow the police will guard the building.
morgen means tomorrow, die Polizei means the police, and das Gebäude means the building. Das Gebäude is accusative because it is the object; wird stands in position two and the infinitive bewachen goes to the end.
die Botschaft — embassy; message, important news
The plural die Botschaften can also mean messages, depending on the context.
Die Botschaft ist in Berlin.
The embassy is in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Botschaft is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich besuche die Botschaft.
I am visiting the embassy.
besuchen means to visit. Die Botschaft is accusative because it is the direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gehe zur Botschaft.
I am going to the embassy.
gehen means to go, and zur means to the. Zur Botschaft is short for zu der Botschaft, and zu always takes the dative.
Die Adresse der Botschaft steht online.
The embassy’s address is online.
die Adresse means the address, steht means is listed, and online means online. Der Botschaft is genitive because it shows whose address it is.
Viele Botschaften haben heute geschlossen.
Many embassies are closed today.
viele means many, heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Botschaften is the plural of die Botschaft.
Die Botschaft des Films ist wichtig.
The message of the film is important.
der Film means the film, and wichtig means important. Des Films is genitive after Botschaft and means of the film.
Er überbrachte eine traurige Botschaft.
He delivered sad news.
überbringen means to deliver or communicate, and traurig means sad. Eine traurige Botschaft is accusative because it is the object of überbrachte.
der Bürgermeister — mayor
Der Bürgermeister is the elected head of a town or city. Its plural is also Bürgermeister, but the genitive singular is des Bürgermeisters.
Der Bürgermeister eröffnet das neue Rathaus.
The mayor opens the new town hall.
eröffnen means to open officially, and das neue Rathaus is the new town hall. Der Bürgermeister is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb eröffnet stands in position two.
Die Bürger wählen den Bürgermeister.
The citizens elect the mayor.
die Bürger are the citizens, and wählen means to elect. Den Bürgermeister is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; unlike many masculine nouns, this noun does not add -n in the accusative.
Die Bürger danken dem Bürgermeister.
The citizens thank the mayor.
danken means to thank, and die Bürger are the citizens. Dem Bürgermeister is dative because danken requires a dative object; the masculine article changes to dem.
Das Auto des Bürgermeisters steht vor dem Rathaus.
The mayor’s car is in front of the town hall.
das Auto is the car, stehen means to stand or be located, and vor dem Rathaus means in front of the town hall. Des Bürgermeisters is genitive because it shows possession, and vor takes the dative here because the car is in a fixed location.
Die Bürgermeister treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The mayors meet for a conference.
sich treffen means to meet, and die Konferenz is the conference. Bürgermeister is unchanged in the plural, so die and the plural verb treffen identify the number.
christlich — Christian; Christian-based; charitable
Christlich usually means connected with Christianity, as in christliche Musik. It can also suggest kind or charitable behaviour in some contexts; do not confuse it with christlich as a general synonym for religiös, religious.
Die Schule ist christlich.
The school is Christian.
die Schule means the school. Christlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie besucht eine christliche Schule.
She attends a Christian school.
besuchen means to attend and die Schule is the school. Eine christliche Schule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; christliche has an adjective ending after the indefinite article eine.
Diese Feier ist christlicher als die andere.
This celebration is more Christian than the other one.
diese Feier means this celebration and die andere means the other one. Christlicher is the comparative and is followed by als for the comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Dieses Fest ist am christlichsten.
This festival is the most Christian.
dieses Fest means this festival. Am christlichsten is the predicative superlative, formed with am plus -sten; it does not take a noun ending because it follows ist.
die Demokratie — democracy
Die Demokratie is a feminine noun; its plural is die Demokratien. In political contexts, it is often contrasted with die Diktatur and used with verbs such as stärken and schützen.
Die Demokratie gibt den Bürgern politische Rechte.
Democracy gives citizens political rights.
geben means to give, die Bürger means the citizens, and politische Rechte means political rights. Die Demokratie is nominative because it is the subject; den Bürgern is dative for the people who receive something, while politische Rechte is accusative.
Viele Menschen schätzen die Demokratie.
Many people value democracy.
viele Menschen means many people and schätzen means value or appreciate. Die Demokratie is accusative because schätzen takes a direct object; the article looks the same in feminine nominative and accusative.
In der Demokratie darf jeder seine Meinung sagen.
In a democracy, everyone may express their opinion.
in means in, jeder means everyone, seine Meinung means their opinion, and sagen means to say. In der Demokratie is dative because in describes a fixed location or situation here; with the modal darf, the infinitive sagen goes to the end.
Die Grundidee der Demokratie ist die politische Mitbestimmung.
The basic idea of democracy is political participation.
die Grundidee means the basic idea, politisch means political, and die Mitbestimmung means participation in decision-making. Der Demokratie is genitive because it identifies whose basic idea it is; ist links the subject and its definition.
Moderne Demokratien schützen die Rechte ihrer Bürger.
Modern democracies protect the rights of their citizens.
moderne means modern, schützen means protect, and die Rechte means the rights. Demokratien is plural and therefore takes the plural verb schützen; die Rechte is accusative because it is the object of schützen.
die Diebin — female thief
Diebin is the specifically feminine word for a woman who steals. The masculine counterpart is der Dieb; the feminine ending -in becomes -innen in the plural.
Die Diebin flieht durch den Park.
The female thief is fleeing through the park.
flieht means is fleeing, and durch den Park means through the park. Die Diebin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb flieht stands in position two.
Die Polizei sucht die Diebin.
The police are looking for the female thief.
die Polizei means the police and sucht means is looking for. die Diebin is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sucht is in position two.
Der Zeuge gab der Diebin seine Tasche.
The witness gave his bag to the female thief.
der Zeuge is the witness, gab means gave, and seine Tasche means his bag. der Diebin is dative because she is the recipient, while seine Tasche is accusative as the thing given.
Das Foto der Diebin hängt im Büro.
The female thief's photo is hanging in the office.
das Foto means the photo and hängt means is hanging; im Büro means in the office. der Diebin is genitive because it shows whose photo it is.
Die Diebinnen wurden schnell gefunden.
The female thieves were found quickly.
wurden gefunden means were found, and schnell means quickly. Diebinnen is plural and is the nominative subject; the ending -innen marks a group of female people.
einschließen — to lock in, to shut in; to include
einschließen has two common meanings: to lock someone or something inside, and to include something. It is a strong separable verb and takes an accusative object; the perfect uses haben.
Der Hausmeister schließt den Hund im Keller ein.
The caretaker locks the dog in the basement.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, der Hund is the dog, and im Keller means in the basement. Den Hund is accusative because einschließen takes the person or animal being locked in as an object; ein goes to the end.
Sie hat mich im Zimmer eingeschlossen.
She locked me in the room.
mich means me, and im Zimmer means in the room. Mich is accusative because it is the object of einschließen; the perfect uses hat plus eingeschlossen at the end.
Der alte Mann schloss die Katze im Schuppen ein.
The old man locked the cat in the shed.
der alte Mann means the old man, die Katze means the cat, and der Schuppen is the shed. Die Katze is accusative, while im Schuppen gives the location; the past form schloss is in position two and ein is final.
Schließ bitte die Tür ein.
Please lock the door.
bitte means please, and die Tür means the door. The informal singular imperative is schließ; die Tür is accusative, and the prefix ein goes at the end.
Ich würde den Schlüssel nicht einschließen, wenn du ihn brauchst.
I would not lock the key in if you need it.
der Schlüssel means the key, nicht means not, and wenn du ihn brauchst means if you need it. The whole infinitive einschließen follows würde; den Schlüssel is accusative, and brauchst goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Wir werden die Fahrräder über Nacht im Schuppen einschließen.
We will lock the bicycles in the shed overnight.
die Fahrräder means the bicycles, über Nacht means overnight, and der Schuppen is the shed. Future uses werden plus the complete infinitive einschließen at the end; die Fahrräder is accusative.
Der Preis schließt das Frühstück ein.
The price includes breakfast.
der Preis means the price, and das Frühstück means breakfast. Das Frühstück is accusative because it is what the price includes; the finite verb schließt comes second and ein goes to the end.
Die Reise hat alle Mahlzeiten eingeschlossen.
The trip included all meals.
die Reise means the trip, and alle Mahlzeiten means all meals. Alle Mahlzeiten is accusative as the included item, and the perfect uses hat plus eingeschlossen at the end.
einsperren — to lock in, to imprison
The direct object is normally accusative, as in jemanden einsperren. With a reflexive meaning, use sich einsperren for locking oneself in; the perfect takes haben, not sein.
Der Hausmeister sperrt den Hund im Keller ein.
The caretaker locks the dog in the basement.
der Hausmeister is the caretaker, der Hund is the dog, and der Keller is the basement. den Hund is accusative because einsperren takes the person or animal being locked in as a direct object; the finite verb sperrt is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Wir haben die Katze im Bad eingesperrt.
We have locked the cat in the bathroom.
die Katze is the cat and das Bad is the bathroom. die Katze is accusative as the direct object, while haben starts the perfect tense and eingesperrt goes to the end of the clause.
Die Polizei sperrte den Mann für eine Nacht ein.
The police locked the man up for one night.
die Polizei means the police, der Mann is the man, and für eine Nacht means for one night. den Mann is accusative because he is the direct object; in the simple past, sperrte is finite in position two and ein is separated.
Sperr die Tür nicht ein!
Don't lock the door!
die Tür is the door and nicht means not. die Tür is accusative because it is the object, and the imperative omits du; the prefix ein remains at the end.
Ich würde mich niemals in einem kleinen Raum einsperren.
I would never lock myself in a small room.
niemals means never and ein kleiner Raum is a small room. mich is accusative because the speaker is the person being locked in, while in einem kleinen Raum is dative because it describes a fixed location; after würde, the infinitive einsperren stays at the end.
Der Wärter wird den Gefangenen in eine Zelle einsperren.
The guard will lock the prisoner in a cell.
der Wärter is the guard, der Gefangene is the prisoner, and die Zelle is the cell. den Gefangenen is accusative as the direct object, and in eine Zelle is accusative because it expresses movement into a place; wird and the infinitive form the future bracket.
der Einwohner — resident, inhabitant
This word refers to a person who lives somewhere and is neutral in register. The feminine form is die Einwohnerin, and the plural of both forms is used for groups of residents.
Einwohner dieser Stadt sind sehr freundlich.
The residents of this city are very friendly.
dieser Stadt means “of this city”, and freundlich means friendly. Einwohner is the plural subject, so it has no ending and the plural article is understood from the form; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Stadt sucht neue Einwohner.
The city is looking for new residents.
sucht means is looking for, neue means new, and Stadt means city. Einwohner is a plural accusative object after sucht; the plural form is identical to the singular, so the determiner or adjective often makes the number clear.
Die Stadt hilft ihren Einwohnern.
The city helps its residents.
hilft means helps, and ihren means its. Einwohnern is dative plural because helfen takes the dative; the plural noun adds -n, although the basic plural Einwohner has no ending.
Die Bedürfnisse der Einwohner sind wichtig.
The residents’ needs are important.
Bedürfnisse means needs, and wichtig means important. der Einwohner is genitive plural, showing whose needs they are; the noun has the same form as the nominative plural.
Viele Einwohner fahren mit dem Bus.
Many residents travel by bus.
viele means many, fahren means travel or go, and mit dem Bus means by bus. Einwohner is the plural subject, while mit forces the dative in dem Bus; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Jeder Einwohner bekommt einen Brief.
Every resident receives a letter.
jeder means every, bekommt means receives, and Brief means letter. Einwohner is singular nominative because it is the subject; einen Brief is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object.
die Einwohnerin — female resident, female inhabitant
This is the feminine form of der Einwohner. In official or inclusive wording, Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner means female and male residents.
Die Einwohnerin arbeitet im Rathaus.
The female resident works at the town hall.
arbeitet means works, and Rathaus means town hall or city hall. Einwohnerin is feminine nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Einwohnerin.
I know the female resident.
kenne means know, and ich means I. Einwohnerin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the feminine article die is the same in nominative and accusative, which can confuse learners.
Wir helfen der Einwohnerin.
We help the female resident.
wir means we, and helfen means help. Einwohnerin is dative because helfen takes the dative, shown by der; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Das Fahrrad der Einwohnerin steht vor dem Haus.
The female resident’s bicycle is in front of the house.
Fahrrad means bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. der Einwohnerin is genitive feminine and shows possession; the noun stays unchanged and only the article marks the case.
Drei Einwohnerinnen warten am Bahnhof.
Three female residents are waiting at the station.
drei means three, warten means are waiting, and Bahnhof means railway station. Einwohnerinnen is the plural subject, built with -innen; am Bahnhof is short for an dem Bahnhof, with dative after an for a location.
Die Einwohnerin kauft frisches Brot.
The female resident buys fresh bread.
kauft means buys, frisches means fresh, and Brot means bread. Einwohnerin is the feminine subject, while frisches Brot is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object.
die Erlaubnis — permission, permit
die Erlaubnis can mean general permission or an official permit, depending on the context. Its plural is die Erlaubnisse, and the genitive singular is der Erlaubnis.
Die Erlaubnis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The permission is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Erlaubnis is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Erlaubnis meiner Eltern.
I need my parents’ permission.
brauche means need, and meiner Eltern means of my parents. die Erlaubnis is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while meiner Eltern is genitive and shows whose permission it is.
Mit der Erlaubnis des Direktors dürfen wir früher gehen.
With the director’s permission, we are allowed to leave earlier.
mit means with, des Direktors means of the director, and früher gehen means to leave earlier. mit always takes the dative, so the feminine form is der Erlaubnis; dürfen stands in position two and gehen goes to the end.
Die Unterschrift der Erlaubnis fehlt noch.
The signature on the permission document is still missing.
die Unterschrift means the signature, fehlt means is missing, and noch means still. der Erlaubnis is genitive and links the permission to its signature; the finite verb fehlt stands in position two.
Für die Reise brauchen wir mehrere Erlaubnisse.
For the journey, we need several permits.
für die Reise means for the journey, mehrere means several, and brauchen means need. Erlaubnisse is plural and accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the plural has -nisse and uses no changed noun article here because mehrere comes first.
erlaubt — allowed, permitted
erlaubt is usually used for something permitted by a rule or authority and is often contrasted with verboten. It can be used predicatively after sein or before a noun with an adjective ending.
Das Rauchen ist hier nicht erlaubt.
Smoking is not allowed here.
das Rauchen means smoking, and hier means here. erlaubt is a predicative adjective after sein, so it has no adjective ending; nicht negates the statement.
Nur erlaubte Medikamente dürfen ins Land gebracht werden.
Only permitted medicines may be brought into the country.
nur means only, Medikamente means medicines, and ins Land gebracht werden means be brought into the country. erlaubte stands before the plural noun and takes the ending -e after nur; dürfen is the finite modal verb in position two and the passive forms go to the end.
Diese Lösung ist erlaubter als die alte.
This solution is more acceptable than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution, als means than, and die alte means the old one. The comparative erlaubter is formed with -er, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no extra ending.
Von allen Möglichkeiten ist diese am erlaubtesten.
Of all the possibilities, this one is the most acceptable.
von allen Möglichkeiten means of all the possibilities, and diese means this one. am erlaubtesten is the predicative superlative with am ... -sten; it follows ist and therefore does not take a noun ending.
evangelisch — Protestant, evangelical
In everyday German, evangelisch normally means Protestant, not simply evangelical in the broad English sense. It is usually not compared, but the grammatical forms evangelischer and am evangelischsten are possible when a comparison is intended.
Meine Familie ist evangelisch.
My family is Protestant.
meine Familie means my family, and ist means is. Evangelisch is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject rather than standing before a noun.
Sie besucht eine evangelische Kirche.
She attends a Protestant church.
besucht means attends or visits, and eine Kirche means a church. Evangelische stands before the feminine accusative noun Kirche and takes the ending -e after eine; Kirche is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
Diese Gemeinde ist evangelischer als jene.
This congregation is more Protestant than that one.
diese Gemeinde means this congregation, jene means that one, and als means than. Evangelischer is a predicative comparative after ist; als introduces the thing being compared.
Diese Gemeinde ist am evangelischsten.
This congregation is the most Protestant.
diese Gemeinde means this congregation, and ist means is. Am evangelischsten is the predicative superlative with am; learners should not use this am-form directly before a noun.
fair — fair, reasonable, impartial; fair, sportsmanlike
In German, fair is used for equal treatment, reasonable conditions, and honest behaviour in games or competitions.
Das war fair.
That was fair.
das means that and war means was. Fair stands after the linking verb war as a predicative adjective; it has no ending because it does not stand before a noun.
Sie machte einen fairen Vorschlag.
She made a fair suggestion.
sie means she, machte means made, and einen Vorschlag means a suggestion. Einen Vorschlag is accusative because machen takes an accusative object, and fairen has the ending required after einen; the finite verb machte is in position two.
Diese Lösung ist fairer als die andere.
This solution is fairer than the other one.
diese Lösung means this solution and die andere means the other one. Fairer compares two solutions and is followed by als; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Das ist die fairste Lösung für alle.
That is the fairest solution for everyone.
die Lösung means the solution and für alle means for everyone. Fairste is the attributive superlative before Lösung and has the ending -e after die; für takes the accusative, here alle.
Die Mannschaft hat fair gespielt.
The team played fairly.
die Mannschaft means the team, hat gespielt means played, and die Mannschaft is the subject. Fair describes how the team played and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite auxiliary hat is in position two and gespielt is at the end.
Bitte spiel fair!
Please play fair!
bitte means please and spiel means play. Spiel is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; fair describes the way of playing and does not take an ending.
der Fasching — carnival, carnival season
Der Fasching names the carnival season and its festivities, especially in Austria and southern Germany. In northern Germany, der Karneval is more common.
Der Fasching beginnt im Februar.
Carnival begins in February.
beginnt means “begins,” and im Februar means “in February.” Der Fasching is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Fasching mit Freunden.
We celebrate carnival with friends.
feiern means “celebrate,” mit means “with,” and Freunden means friends. Den Fasching is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; mit Freunden is dative after mit.
Viele Kinder freuen sich auf den Fasching.
Many children look forward to carnival.
viele Kinder means many children, and sich freuen auf means “look forward to.” Although this slot is labeled dative, den Fasching is accusative because the fixed preposition auf in this expression requires the accusative.
Die Farben des Faschings sind fröhlich.
The colors of carnival are cheerful.
die Farben are the colors, and fröhlich means cheerful. Des Faschings is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the carnival”; the masculine noun ends in -s.
In Österreich gibt es viele Faschings.
In Austria, there are many carnival celebrations.
in Österreich means in Austria, gibt es means “there are,” and viele means many. Faschings is a plural for separate carnival celebrations; it is formed with -s, and the article is omitted after viele.
die Fernsehnachricht — television news report
This word means one news item shown on television. For television news as a general programme, German commonly uses the plural Fernsehnachrichten, even when English says “the news.”
Die Fernsehnachricht ist sehr wichtig.
The television news report is very important.
wichtig means important, and sehr means very. Die Fernsehnachricht is nominative because it is the subject; the linking verb ist is in position two.
Ich sehe die Fernsehnachricht jeden Abend.
I watch the television news report every evening.
sehe means watch or see, and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Fernsehnachricht is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in nominative and accusative.
Wir glauben der Fernsehnachricht nicht.
We do not believe the television news report.
glauben means believe, and nicht means not. Der Fernsehnachricht is dative because glauben takes a dative person or source; the finite verb glauben stands in position two.
Die Quelle der Fernsehnachricht bleibt unbekannt.
The source of the television news report remains unknown.
die Quelle means the source, bleibt means remains, and unbekannt means unknown. Der Fernsehnachricht is genitive because it says which report the source belongs to; feminine nouns show this mainly through the article der.
Die Fernsehnachrichten beginnen um sieben.
The television news begins at seven.
beginnen means begin, and um sieben means at seven. Fernsehnachrichten is the plural of Fernsehnachricht, formed with -en; the plural subject makes the verb beginnen plural.
die Feuerwehr — fire service, fire brigade
Die Feuerwehr can mean the organization or the group of firefighters, so it is normally treated as singular: Die Feuerwehr kommt. The plural Feuerwehren refers to different fire brigades, for example in different towns.
Die Feuerwehr kommt sofort.
The fire brigade is coming immediately.
kommt means is coming, and sofort means immediately. Die Feuerwehr is nominative because it is the subject; although it refers to many people, it is grammatically singular.
Wir rufen die Feuerwehr.
We are calling the fire brigade.
rufen means call. die Feuerwehr is accusative because rufen takes a direct object, but its feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Er spricht mit der Feuerwehr.
He is speaking with the fire brigade.
spricht means speaks, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so the feminine phrase is der Feuerwehr.
Die Fahrzeuge der Feuerwehr stehen draußen.
The fire brigade’s vehicles are outside.
die Fahrzeuge means the vehicles, and draußen means outside. der Feuerwehr is genitive because it shows whose vehicles they are; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Mehrere Feuerwehren helfen bei dem Waldbrand.
Several fire brigades are helping with the forest fire.
mehrere means several, helfen means help, and der Waldbrand is the forest fire. Feuerwehren is plural, while bei dem Waldbrand is dative because bei takes the dative.
das Formular — form; document
Das Formular is an official form that you complete with information. The common verb is ein Formular ausfüllen, literally “to fill out a form”; Formulare is the regular plural.
Das Formular liegt auf dem Tisch.
The form is on the table.
liegen means to lie or be located, and der Tisch means the table. Das Formular is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte füllen Sie das Formular aus.
Please fill in the form.
ausfüllen means to fill in, and bitte makes the request polite. Das Formular is accusative because it is the object of ausfüllen; the separable verb splits, with füllen in position two and aus at the end.
Ich helfe meiner Schwester mit dem Formular.
I help my sister with the form.
helfen means to help, and meine Schwester means my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and mit dem Formular is also dative because mit requires dative.
Die Nummer des Formulars steht oben.
The number of the form is at the top.
die Nummer means the number, and oben means at the top. Des Formulars is genitive because it identifies which number is meant; the verb steht is in position two.
Die Formulare liegen an der Rezeption.
The forms are at reception.
liegen means are located, and die Rezeption means reception or the front desk. Formulare is the plural of das Formular; an der Rezeption is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Freiheit — freedom, liberty; freedom from something
die Freiheit is usually an uncountable idea, but die Freiheiten is used when speaking about separate rights or liberties. It is often used with für for the person or idea supported, as in für die Freiheit.
Freiheit ist für viele Menschen sehr wichtig.
Freedom is very important to many people.
viele Menschen means many people, and sehr wichtig means very important. Freiheit is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen wollen Freiheit.
Many people want freedom.
viele Menschen means many people, and wollen means want. Freiheit is accusative because wollen has it as its object; the finite verb wollen is in position two.
Mit Freiheit kann man Verantwortung übernehmen.
With freedom, one can take responsibility.
mit means with, and Verantwortung übernehmen means take responsibility. mit always takes the dative, but the feminine noun Freiheit has the same visible form in the dative; kann is in position two and übernehmen goes to the end.
Der Wert der Freiheit ist nicht leicht zu erklären.
The value of freedom is not easy to explain.
der Wert means the value, and nicht leicht zu erklären means not easy to explain. der Freiheit is genitive because it specifies whose value is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Freiheiten der Bürger sind gesetzlich geschützt.
The citizens' freedoms are protected by law.
die Bürger means the citizens, gesetzlich means by law or statutory, and geschützt means protected. Freiheiten is the plural subject, and the passive uses sind plus geschützt.
Sie wünscht sich Freiheit von Angst.
She wishes for freedom from fear.
sie wünscht sich means she wishes for, and Angst means fear. sich wünschen takes the wished-for thing as an accusative object, while von introduces the source or condition one wants to be free from.
Die Freiheit der Kunst muss geschützt werden.
Freedom of the arts must be protected.
die Kunst means the arts, and geschützt werden means be protected. der Kunst is genitive after Freiheit to show what kind of freedom is meant; muss is in position two and geschützt werden forms the predicate at the end.
freiwillig — voluntary; willing; voluntarily
freiwillig describes something chosen freely rather than required. It can be an adjective before a noun, as in freiwillige Arbeit, or an adverb describing an action; its comparative and superlative are regular.
Die Teilnahme ist freiwillig.
Participation is voluntary.
Die Teilnahme means participation. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie macht eine freiwillige Arbeit im Tierheim.
She does voluntary work at the animal shelter.
eine Arbeit means a piece of work, and das Tierheim is an animal shelter. eine freiwillige Arbeit is accusative because macht takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes the feminine ending -e after eine.
Sein Einsatz ist freiwilliger als meiner.
His commitment is more voluntary than mine.
sein Einsatz means his commitment, and meiner means mine. freiwilliger is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Helfern arbeitet Anna am freiwilligsten.
Of all the helpers, Anna works most voluntarily.
von allen Helfern means of all the helpers, and arbeitet means works. am freiwilligsten is the superlative used adverbially; am belongs to this fixed superlative form and is not a separate location phrase.
der Freiwillige — volunteer (man)
der Freiwillige is a noun made from the adjective freiwillig and means a male volunteer. It follows weak masculine declension: after der in the nominative singular it has no extra ending, but forms such as den Freiwilligen and des Freiwilligen take -en.
Der Freiwillige hilft im Park.
The volunteer helps in the park.
hilft means helps, and der Park is the park. Der Freiwillige is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Organisation sucht den Freiwilligen.
The organisation is looking for the volunteer.
die Organisation is the organisation, and sucht means is looking for. den Freiwilligen is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the noun has -en because it is a weak masculine noun.
Die Leiterin dankt dem Freiwilligen.
The female leader thanks the volunteer.
die Leiterin means the female leader, and dankt means thanks. danken takes the dative, so dem Freiwilligen has the dative article and the weak ending -en.
Die Hilfe des Freiwilligen war sehr wichtig.
The volunteer's help was very important.
die Hilfe means help, and wichtig means important. des Freiwilligen expresses possession in the genitive; this noun keeps -en in the genitive singular.
Die Freiwilligen verteilen Essen.
The volunteers distribute food.
verteilen means distribute, and das Essen means food. Die Freiwilligen is the plural subject, and the finite verb verteilen stands in position two; the plural also ends in -en.
Ich sehe den Freiwilligen jeden Samstag.
I see the volunteer every Saturday.
sehe means see, and jeden Samstag means every Saturday. den Freiwilligen is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; jeden Samstag is an accusative time expression.
die Freiwillige — volunteer (woman)
die Freiwillige is a noun made from the adjective freiwillig and means a female volunteer. It has ordinary feminine article forms in the singular, but its plural is die Freiwilligen, with the ending -en.
Die Freiwillige arbeitet im Museum.
The female volunteer works in the museum.
arbeitet means works, and das Museum is the museum. Die Freiwillige is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Wir treffen die Freiwillige am Eingang.
We meet the female volunteer at the entrance.
treffen means meet, and der Eingang is the entrance. die Freiwillige is accusative because treffen takes an accusative object; the feminine form looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Kinder danken der Freiwilligen.
The children thank the female volunteer.
die Kinder means the children, and danken means thank. danken takes the dative, so the feminine noun has der and the ending -en: der Freiwilligen.
Die Tasche der Freiwilligen steht hier.
The female volunteer's bag is here.
die Tasche means bag, and steht hier means is standing here. der Freiwilligen expresses possession in the genitive; the feminine genitive article is der, not die.
Die Freiwilligen sammeln Kleidung.
The female volunteers collect clothes.
sammeln means collect, and die Kleidung means clothes. Die Freiwilligen is the plural subject, and the finite verb sammeln stands in position two.
Ich spreche mit der Freiwilligen.
I speak with the female volunteer.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so der Freiwilligen is dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
gehorsam — obedient
gehorsam describes someone who follows instructions or rules. It can be used after sein without an ending or before a noun with a normal adjective ending.
Das Kind ist sehr gehorsam.
The child is very obedient.
das Kind means the child, and sehr means very. gehorsam is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending.
Sie hat einen gehorsamen Hund.
She has an obedient dog.
sie means she, and einen Hund means a dog. gehorsamen stands before the masculine accusative noun Hund after hat, so it takes the ending -en.
Der ältere Bruder ist gehorsamer als seine Schwester.
The older brother is more obedient than his sister.
der ältere Bruder means the older brother, and seine Schwester means his sister. gehorsamer is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Von allen Kindern ist Mia am gehorsamsten.
Of all the children, Mia is the most obedient.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and von always takes the dative. am gehorsamsten is the predicative superlative and follows ist; the name Mia is the subject.
die Gemeinde — municipality, local community; congregation, church community
A Gemeinde can be a municipality with an elected administration or the local community it serves. In a church context, it can also mean a congregation.
Die Gemeinde baut einen neuen Spielplatz.
The municipality is building a new playground.
baut means is building, einen neuen Spielplatz is a new playground. Die Gemeinde is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb baut stands in position two.
Die Bürger wählen die Gemeinde.
The citizens choose the municipality.
die Bürger are the citizens and wählen means choose or elect. die Gemeinde is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; its feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Bürgermeisterin hilft der Gemeinde.
The mayor helps the municipality.
die Bürgermeisterin is the female mayor and hilft means helps. helfen takes the dative, so der Gemeinde is dative; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Verwaltung der Gemeinde arbeitet schnell.
The municipality’s administration works quickly.
die Verwaltung is the administration and schnell means quickly. der Gemeinde is genitive because it shows whose administration it is; feminine genitive uses der.
Viele Gemeinden bieten kostenlose Kurse an.
Many municipalities offer free courses.
viele means many, bieten ... an means offer, and kostenlose Kurse means free courses. Gemeinden is the plural subject; the separable verb puts bieten in position two and an at the end.
Die Gemeinde trifft sich jeden Sonntag in der Kirche.
The congregation meets in the church every Sunday.
trifft sich means meets, jeden Sonntag means every Sunday, and die Kirche is the church. Die Gemeinde is the subject, while in der Kirche describes a location and therefore uses the dative.
Viele Menschen gehören zu dieser Gemeinde.
Many people belong to this congregation.
viele Menschen means many people and gehören zu means belong to. The fixed preposition zu takes the dative, so dieser Gemeinde is dative; gehören stands in position two.
die Generation — generation
The plural is Generationen. Generation can mean a whole age group or the people in one family line, depending on context.
Die Generation meiner Eltern denkt oft anders als ich.
My parents’ generation often thinks differently from me.
meine Eltern means my parents, and anders means differently. meiner Eltern is genitive because it identifies whose generation is meant; the finite verb denkt stands in position two.
Ich verstehe die Generation meiner Großeltern nicht immer.
I do not always understand my grandparents’ generation.
verstehen means to understand, and meine Großeltern means my grandparents. die Generation is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; nicht immer means not always.
Er gehört zu der Generation, die ohne Internet aufgewachsen ist.
He belongs to the generation that grew up without the internet.
gehören means to belong, and ohne Internet means without the internet. der Generation is dative because zu always takes the dative; in the relative clause, aufgewachsen ist goes to the end.
Die Erfahrungen der Generation haben sich stark verändert.
The experiences of the generation have changed greatly.
die Erfahrungen means the experiences, and sich stark verändert means changed greatly. der Generation is genitive to show possession or association; haben sich verändert is a perfect-tense verb bracket.
Viele Generationen leben heute in derselben Stadt.
Many generations live in the same city today.
viele means many, heute means today, and derselben Stadt means the same city. Generationen is the plural form with -en, and the finite verb leben remains in position two.
gerecht — fair, just
gerecht can describe a fair decision, rule, or treatment. With people, gerecht zu jemandem sein means to be fair to someone and uses zu with the dative.
Die Entscheidung ist gerecht.
The decision is fair.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and gerecht means fair. After the linking verb ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Gericht trifft eine gerechte Entscheidung.
The court makes a fair decision.
das Gericht is the court, trifft means makes or reaches, and die Entscheidung is the decision. eine gerechte Entscheidung is an accusative object because treffen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after eine.
Diese Lösung ist gerechter als die alte.
This solution is fairer than the old one.
die Lösung is the solution and die alte means the old one. gerechter is the comparative, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das war die gerechteste Lösung für alle.
That was the fairest solution for everyone.
die Lösung is the solution and für alle means for everyone. die gerechteste Lösung is a superlative noun phrase; für forces the accusative, and the adjective takes -ste plus the feminine ending -e.
Ein gerechter Chef hört beiden Seiten zu.
A fair boss listens to both sides.
der Chef is the boss, beiden Seiten means both sides, and zuhören means to listen to. The verb zuhört takes beiden Seiten in the dative, and gerechter has the masculine nominative ending after ein.
Wir wollen eine gerechte Gesellschaft.
We want a fair society.
wollen means want to, and die Gesellschaft is society. eine gerechte Gesellschaft is accusative because wollen takes an accusative object; the modal verb is finite in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
das Gesetz — law, statute
A Gesetz is an official rule, while Regel is a more general rule, such as a classroom or game rule. The fixed phrase gegen das Gesetz verstoßen means to break the law and uses gegen with the accusative.
Das Gesetz schützt die Verbraucher.
The law protects consumers.
schützt means protects, and Verbraucher means consumers. Das Gesetz is nominative because it is the subject; die Verbraucher is accusative because schützen takes an accusative object.
Der Bundestag verabschiedet ein neues Gesetz.
The German parliament is passing a new law.
Der Bundestag is the German parliament, verabschiedet means passes, and neu means new. Ein neues Gesetz is accusative because verabschieden takes an accusative object; the finite verb verabschiedet stands in position two.
Viele Menschen vertrauen dem Gesetz.
Many people trust the law.
Viele Menschen means many people, and vertrauen means trust. Vertrauen takes the dative, so dem Gesetz is dative; the verb remains in position two in this main clause.
Die Einhaltung des Gesetzes ist wichtig.
Compliance with the law is important.
Einhaltung means compliance or observance, and wichtig means important. Des Gesetzes is genitive because it identifies which law is being observed; the full phrase Die Einhaltung des Gesetzes is the nominative subject.
Neue Gesetze gelten ab Januar.
New laws apply from January.
Neue Gesetze means new laws, and gelten means apply or be valid. Neue Gesetze is plural nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gelten stands in position two.
das Gewehr — rifle, firearm; military rifle
das Gewehr usually means a long firearm such as a rifle, not a small handgun. In everyday contexts it is often associated with soldiers, hunting, or sport shooting.
Das Gewehr liegt im Schrank.
The rifle is in the cupboard.
liegt means is lying, and der Schrank means cupboard. Das Gewehr is nominative because it is the subject; liegt is the finite verb in position two.
Der Soldat trägt das Gewehr.
The soldier is carrying the rifle.
der Soldat means the soldier, and trägt means carries. das Gewehr is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Er gibt dem Soldaten das Gewehr.
He gives the rifle to the soldier.
gibt means gives, and dem Soldaten means to the soldier. The recipient is dative after geben, while das Gewehr is the accusative thing given; both objects follow the finite verb in the main clause.
Die Farbe des Gewehrs ist dunkel.
The colour of the rifle is dark.
die Farbe means the colour, and dunkel means dark. des Gewehrs is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; ist is in position two, and the genitive article is des.
Im Museum sehen wir alte Gewehre.
In the museum we see old rifles.
im Museum means in the museum, sehen means see, and alte means old. alte Gewehre is accusative plural because sehen takes a direct object; the plural has the article die when an article is used.
Die Soldaten legten ihre Gewehre auf den Tisch.
The soldiers put their rifles on the table.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, legten means put, and auf den Tisch means onto the table. ihre Gewehre is accusative because it is the thing put somewhere; auf den Tisch is accusative because it expresses movement towards a place.
Das Gewehr gehört zur Ausrüstung.
The rifle is part of the equipment.
gehört means belongs, and die Ausrüstung means equipment. Das Gewehr is nominative as the subject, while zur Ausrüstung means to the equipment and contains zu, which always takes the dative.
der Gottesdienst — church service, religious service
Der Gottesdienst usually means a Christian religious service held in a church. The compound combines Gott and Dienst, but its meaning is a service of worship, not a service performed for an ordinary customer.
Der Gottesdienst beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The church service begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Der Gottesdienst is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Gottesdienst am Sonntag.
We attend the church service on Sunday.
besuchen means attend or visit, and am Sonntag means on Sunday. Den Gottesdienst is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; am Sonntag is a time expression with dative.
Nach dem Gottesdienst trinken wir Kaffee.
After the church service, we drink coffee.
Nach means after, and trinken wir Kaffee means we drink coffee. Dem Gottesdienst is dative because nach always takes dative; the phrase comes first, so the finite verb trinken still occupies position two.
Die Dauer des Gottesdienstes beträgt eine Stunde.
The duration of the church service is one hour.
die Dauer means duration, and beträgt means amounts to or is. Des Gottesdienstes is genitive because it specifies the duration of what, and the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Die Gottesdienste finden jeden Sonntag statt.
The church services take place every Sunday.
finden ... statt means take place, and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. Die Gottesdienste is the plural subject in the nominative; the separable verb places finden in position two and statt at the end.
gültig — valid, legally acceptable
gültig is used for tickets, documents, offers and rules that are officially accepted or have not expired. As a predicate after sein, it has no ending; before a noun, it takes the normal adjective ending.
Der Fahrschein ist noch gültig.
The ticket is still valid.
der Fahrschein means ticket, and noch means still. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich brauche einen gültigen Ausweis.
I need a valid identity card.
brauchen means to need, and der Ausweis is an identity card. einen gültigen Ausweis is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
Dieser Pass ist länger gültig als mein alter.
This passport is valid for longer than my old one.
der Pass means passport, länger means for longer, and alt means old. The comparative gültiger is used here in the phrase gültig sein; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Diese Genehmigung ist am längsten gültig.
This permit is valid for the longest time.
die Genehmigung means permit, and am längsten means for the longest time. The superlative is predicative after sein, so gültig has no adjective ending; the form am längsten gültig compares periods of validity.
Ein Monatsticket ist hier gültig.
A monthly ticket is valid here.
ein Monatsticket is a monthly ticket, and hier means here. The adjective follows sein as a predicate without an ending, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Regel ist nur für Erwachsene gültig.
The rule is valid only for adults.
die Regel means rule, nur means only, and Erwachsene means adults. für takes the accusative, so Erwachsene is an accusative plural form; gültig follows sein without an adjective ending.
heilig — holy, sacred
Heilig is mainly religious, but it can also describe something people regard as untouchable or extremely important. The related noun der Heilige means “the saint” or “the holy person,” depending on context.
Der Ort ist heilig.
The place is holy.
der Ort means the place. Heilig is predicative because it follows the linking verb ist rather than standing before a noun; it has no adjective ending in this position.
Wir besuchen einen heiligen Ort.
We are visiting a holy place.
besuchen means visit, and der Ort is the place. Einen heiligen Ort is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the adjective has -en after the masculine accusative article einen.
Dieser Ort ist heiliger als der andere.
This place is holier than the other one.
dieser Ort means this place, and der andere means the other one. Heiliger is predicative after ist, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Für viele Menschen ist dieser Ort am heiligsten.
For many people, this place is the holiest.
für viele Menschen means for many people, and viele Menschen means many people. Für forces the accusative, while am heiligsten is the predicative superlative; the am-form does not take a noun directly after it.
der Islam — Islam
der Islam is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural in this general meaning. It is used without an article after expressions such as zum Islam and with the masculine article in ordinary noun phrases.
Der Islam ist eine Weltreligion.
Islam is a world religion.
ist means is, eine Weltreligion means a world religion, and Weltreligion means a religion followed around the world. Der Islam is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen lernen etwas über den Islam.
Many people learn something about Islam.
viele Menschen means many people, lernen means learn, and etwas über means something about. den Islam is accusative because the preposition über means about here; the finite verb lernen stands in position two.
Sie begegnet dem Islam mit Respekt.
She approaches Islam with respect.
sie begegnet means she encounters or approaches, mit Respekt means with respect, and Respekt is respect. dem Islam is dative because begegnen governs the dative; the finite verb begegnet stands in position two.
Die Geschichte des Islams ist vielfältig.
The history of Islam is diverse.
die Geschichte means the history and vielfältig means diverse or varied. des Islams is genitive because it means of Islam and describes die Geschichte; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
das Kreuz — cross, crucifix; cross-shaped mark, tick
In religious contexts, Kreuz can mean either the cross-shaped symbol or a crucifix. The plural is Kreuze, and the genitive is des Kreuzes.
Das Kreuz hängt an der Wand.
The cross is hanging on the wall.
hängen means to hang, and die Wand is the wall. Das Kreuz is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand describes a fixed location and therefore uses the dative.
Die Kirche zeigt das Kreuz.
The church displays the cross.
die Kirche is the church, and zeigen means to show or display. Das Kreuz is accusative because it is the direct object, but the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Sie betet vor dem Kreuz.
She prays in front of the cross.
beten means to pray, and vor means in front of. Dem Kreuz is dative because vor takes the dative when it describes location; sie means she here.
Die Form des Kreuzes ist einfach.
The shape of the cross is simple.
die Form is the shape, and einfach means simple. Des Kreuzes is genitive because it identifies the cross’s shape; the neuter noun adds -es.
Auf dem Friedhof stehen viele Kreuze.
Many crosses stand in the cemetery.
der Friedhof is the cemetery, and stehen means stand or be located. Kreuze is the plural subject, while auf dem Friedhof is a fixed-location phrase with dative.
Bitte machen Sie ein Kreuz im richtigen Feld.
Please put a cross in the correct box.
bitte means please, das Feld is the box or field, and richtig means correct. Ein Kreuz is accusative because it is the object of machen; the polite imperative uses machen Sie.
Ich habe ein Kreuz neben seinem Namen gemacht.
I put a cross next to his name.
neben means next to, and der Name is the name. Ein Kreuz is accusative after machen, while seinem Namen is dative because neben describes a location; the perfect participle gemacht goes to the end.
die Kultur — culture, way of life; the arts, cultural life
Kultur can mean the traditions and way of life of a society, including its language, customs, and arts. The adjective is kulturell, meaning cultural.
Die Kultur dieses Landes ist sehr vielfältig.
The culture of this country is very diverse.
dieses Landes means of this country and vielfältig means diverse. Die Kultur is nominative because it is the subject; dieses Landes is genitive, showing which country is meant.
Wir lernen die Kultur des Landes kennen.
We are getting to know the country’s culture.
lernen ... kennen means get to know, and des Landes means of the country. die Kultur is accusative because kennenlernen takes a direct object; in this main clause, kennen stands at the end as part of the separable verb.
Sie interessiert sich für die Kultur anderer Länder.
She is interested in the culture of other countries.
interessiert sich für means is interested in, and anderer Länder means of other countries. The phrase für die Kultur is accusative because für always takes the accusative; sich is the reflexive pronoun with interessieren.
Die Geschichte der Kultur ist lang.
The history of culture is long.
die Geschichte is the history and lang means long. der Kultur is genitive because it identifies whose history is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Viele Kulturen treffen sich bei diesem Fest.
Many cultures come together at this festival.
viele means many, treffen sich means meet or come together, and dieses Fest is this festival. Kulturen is the plural with -en; it is the nominative subject, so the plural verb phrase treffen sich follows it.
In Berlin gibt es viel Kultur.
There is a lot of culture in Berlin.
gibt es means there is or are, and viel means a lot of. Here Kultur means cultural activities and is used as an uncountable noun, so it has no article or plural; gibt is in position two.
Am Wochenende gehen wir in die Kultur.
At the weekend, we go to cultural events.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and gehen means go. in die Kultur is accusative because in expresses movement towards a destination here, although this expression is less common than naming the specific event or institution.
kulturell — cultural
kulturell normally describes culture, art, or social traditions. It can be used before a noun or after sein; it is not the usual word for a person who is well educated or sophisticated.
Das Museum ist sehr kulturell ausgerichtet.
The museum has a strong cultural focus.
das Museum is the museum, and ausgerichtet means oriented or focused. The adjective follows ist as a predicate, so it has no adjective ending; sehr means very.
Wir besuchen eine kulturelle Veranstaltung.
We are attending a cultural event.
besuchen means to attend or visit, and eine Veranstaltung is an event. eine kulturelle Veranstaltung is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine ending is -e after eine.
Das Festival ist kultureller als die Party.
The festival is more cultural than the party.
das Festival is the festival, and die Party is the party. kultureller als means more cultural than; after ist, the comparative is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Berlin gehört zu den kulturellsten Städten Europas.
Berlin is one of the most cultural cities in Europe.
gehört zu means belongs among, and Städte means cities; Europas means of Europe. zu takes the dative, so den kulturellsten Städten is dative plural; the superlative before a noun takes -sten plus an adjective ending.
der König — king; king (in chess)
A König rules a kingdom; the feminine counterpart is Königin. In chess, König also names the king piece, but the plural form remains Könige.
Der König lebt in einem großen Palast.
The king lives in a large palace.
lebt means lives, groß means large, and der Palast means the palace. Der König is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb lebt stands in position two.
Das Volk begrüßt den König.
The people greet the king.
das Volk means the people, and begrüßt means greets. Den König is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Königin spricht mit dem König.
The queen speaks with the king.
die Königin means the queen, spricht means speaks, and mit means with. Dem König is dative because the preposition mit always requires the dative.
Die Krone des Königs ist aus Gold.
The king's crown is made of gold.
die Krone means the crown, aus Gold means made of gold, and Gold means gold. Des Königs is genitive to show possession; the noun adds -s after the article des.
Die Könige treffen sich in Berlin.
The kings meet in Berlin.
treffen sich means meet one another, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Könige is plural with -e, and sich is the reflexive pronoun used when the kings meet each other.
Der Spieler schützt den König.
The player protects the king.
der Spieler means the player, schützt means protects, and der König is the king piece. Den König is accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Der König steht auf einem schwarzen Feld.
The king is on a black square.
steht means stands or is positioned, schwarz means black, and das Feld means the square. Der König is nominative because it is the subject, while auf einem schwarzen Feld uses the dative because it describes location.
das Königreich — kingdom
Königreich is a political term for a country ruled by a monarch. It is a compound of König (king) and Reich (realm or empire), but its plural is Königreiche, not a plural of either separate word.
Das Königreich liegt am Meer.
The kingdom lies by the sea.
liegt means lies or is located, and am Meer means by the sea. Das Königreich is nominative because it is the subject; liegt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Armee verteidigt das Königreich.
The army defends the kingdom.
die Armee means the army and verteidigt means defends. das Königreich is accusative because verteidigen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Menschen im Königreich feiern heute.
The people in the kingdom are celebrating today.
die Menschen means the people, feiern means celebrate, and heute means today. im Königreich is dative because in describes a location here; im means in dem.
Die Geschichte des Königreichs ist spannend.
The history of the kingdom is exciting.
die Geschichte means history and spannend means exciting. des Königreichs is genitive because it identifies whose history it is; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
In Europa gibt es mehrere Königreiche.
There are several kingdoms in Europe.
In Europa means in Europe, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Königreiche is plural; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
der Lichtbildausweis — photo ID, identity card with a photograph
This compound combines Lichtbild, meaning photograph, with Ausweis, meaning identity document. The plural is Lichtbildausweise, with -e and no change to the stem.
Der Lichtbildausweis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The photo ID is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Lichtbildausweis is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Lichtbildausweis für die Anmeldung.
I need the photo ID for the registration.
brauche means need, für means for, and die Anmeldung is the registration. Den Lichtbildausweis is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich zeige der Mitarbeiterin dem Lichtbildausweis.
I show the employee the photo ID.
zeige means show, and die Mitarbeiterin is the female employee. Dem Lichtbildausweis is dative as the thing shown to someone in this construction, while der Mitarbeiterin is also dative as the recipient; the long compound keeps the masculine article dem.
Die Nummer des Lichtbildausweises steht hier.
The number of the photo ID is written here.
die Nummer means the number, and steht hier means is written here. Des Lichtbildausweises is genitive to show which number is meant; the masculine noun takes des and -es.
Bitte bringen Sie zwei Lichtbildausweise mit.
Please bring two photo IDs with you.
bringen means bring, zwei means two, and mit means along or with you. Lichtbildausweise is the plural after zwei; mitbringen is separable, so its finite form is split in the main clause.
der Nachweis — proof, evidence; document, certificate; evidence, demonstration
Nachweis can mean abstract proof or a document that serves as proof, such as a certificate or record. The verb nachweisen means to prove or demonstrate; do not confuse the noun with Nachricht, which means message or news.
Der Nachweis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The proof is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Nachweis is nominative because it is the subject, while dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location; liegt is in position two.
Bitte schicken Sie den Nachweis per E-Mail.
Please send the proof by email.
schicken means to send, bitte means please, and per E-Mail means by email. Den Nachweis is accusative because it is the direct object; the formal imperative schicken Sie keeps the polite pronoun Sie.
Ich vertraue dem Nachweis nicht.
I do not trust the proof.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Dem Nachweis is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object, not an accusative one; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Echtheit des Nachweises ist unklar.
The authenticity of the proof is unclear.
die Echtheit means the authenticity, and unklar means unclear. Des Nachweises is genitive because it specifies whose authenticity is meant; ist stands in position two.
Die Nachweise liegen in diesem Ordner.
The records are in this folder.
liegen means are lying, and dieser Ordner means this folder. Die Nachweise is plural nominative as the subject, while in diesem Ordner is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Für die Anmeldung brauchen wir einen Nachweis über den Wohnort.
We need proof of address for the registration.
für die Anmeldung means for the registration, brauchen means need, and der Wohnort means the place of residence. Einen Nachweis is accusative because it is the object of brauchen, while über den Wohnort uses accusative after über in this meaning.
Die Studie liefert einen wissenschaftlichen Nachweis.
The study provides scientific evidence.
die Studie means the study, liefert means provides, and wissenschaftlich means scientific. Einen wissenschaftlichen Nachweis is accusative as the object of liefert, so the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
offiziell — official
offiziell is used for something recognized, announced, or issued by an authority. Its opposite is inoffiziell, and it can be used both before a noun and after sein.
Die Nachricht ist offiziell.
The news is official.
die Nachricht means the news or message. The adjective offiziell stands after the linking verb ist in the predicative form, so it has no ending; learners should not add -e here.
Wir warten auf die offizielle Antwort.
We are waiting for the official answer.
warten means to wait, auf means for in this expression, and die Antwort is the answer. auf takes the accusative here, and offizielle has an adjective ending because it stands before the feminine noun Antwort.
Diese Erklärung ist offizieller als die erste.
This statement is more official than the first one.
diese Erklärung means this statement, and die erste means the first one. offizieller is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing being compared; the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Das ist die offiziellste Version des Dokuments.
That is the most official version of the document.
die Version means the version, and des Dokuments means of the document. Before the feminine noun Version, the superlative is offiziellste with an adjective ending; des Dokuments is genitive and shows what the version belongs to.
offiziell — officially
As an adverb, offiziell describes an action or announcement, for example offiziell bestätigen, to confirm officially. It does not take an adjective ending because it modifies a verb, not a noun.
Die Prüfung beginnt offiziell um neun Uhr.
The exam officially begins at nine o'clock.
die Prüfung means the exam, beginnt means begins, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. offiziell is an adverb modifying beginnt; the finite verb remains in second position, while the adverb can stand after the subject.
Der Termin wurde offiziell bestätigt.
The appointment was officially confirmed.
der Termin means the appointment, and bestätigt means confirmed. offiziell describes how the confirmation happened; wurde bestätigt is the past passive, with the participle at the end.
das Opfer — victim; sacrifice; offering
In this sense, das Opfer is a person harmed by an event or another person. Its plural is also die Opfer, with no change to the noun; the context and article show whether it is singular or plural.
Das Opfer liegt im Krankenhaus.
The victim is lying in hospital.
liegen means to lie or be lying, and das Krankenhaus is the hospital. Das Opfer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Polizei sucht das Opfer.
The police are looking for the victim.
die Polizei is the police and suchen means to look for or search for. Das Opfer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, while sucht is in position two.
Die Ärztin hilft dem Opfer.
The doctor is helping the victim.
die Ärztin is the female doctor and helfen means to help. Dem Opfer is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Familie des Opfers wartet vor dem Krankenhaus.
The victim’s family is waiting outside the hospital.
die Familie is the family, warten means to wait, and vor dem Krankenhaus means outside the hospital. Des Opfers is genitive and shows whose family it is; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Viele Opfer brauchen Hilfe.
Many victims need help.
viele means many and Hilfe means help. Opfer is the plural here, with no ending; it is nominative because it is the subject, and the plural verb brauchen follows it.
Er bringt ein Opfer für seine Familie.
He makes a sacrifice for his family.
bringen means to bring or make, and für seine Familie means for his family. Ein Opfer is accusative because the fixed expression ein Opfer bringen takes a direct object; bringt is in position two.
Das Tier wurde als Opfer ausgewählt.
The animal was chosen as a sacrifice.
das Tier is the animal, auswählen means to choose, and als means as. Als Opfer names the role assigned to the animal; the passive form wurde ausgewählt puts the participle at the end.
die Organisation — organization, institution; organization, planning
This usually refers to a group or institution, often one with a social, political, or business purpose. The verb organisieren means to arrange or coordinate something, not necessarily to create an institution.
Die Organisation hilft vielen Familien.
The organization helps many families.
hilft means helps, and vielen Familien means many families. Die Organisation is nominative because it is the subject; the verb hilft stands in position two and helfen takes a dative person or group.
Wir unterstützen die Organisation.
We support the organization.
wir means we, and unterstützen means support. Die Organisation is accusative because it is the direct object of unterstützen; the finite verb unterstützen is in position two.
Ich arbeite mit der Organisation zusammen.
I work together with the organization.
arbeite ... zusammen means work together, and mit means with. Mit requires the dative, so the article is der; the separable verb has arbeite in position two and zusammen at the end.
Die Ziele der Organisation sind wichtig.
The organization's aims are important.
die Ziele means the aims, and wichtig means important. Der Organisation is genitive because it shows possession or association; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Viele Organisationen sammeln Geld für Kinder.
Many organizations collect money for children.
viele means many, sammeln means collect, Geld means money, and Kinder means children. Organisationen is plural and is the subject, while Geld is the accusative object of sammeln.
Die Organisation der Reise war schwierig.
Organizing the trip was difficult.
die Reise means the trip, and schwierig means difficult. Der Reise is genitive after die Organisation to name what was organized; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Dank guter Organisation begann das Fest pünktlich.
Thanks to good organization, the party began on time.
dank means thanks to, das Fest means the party, and pünktlich means on time. Guter Organisation is dative after dank here, and the finite verb begann is in position two.