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Vocab: Society, politics & law — B1 (1)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abgeordnete — member of parliament, representative
This is an adjectival noun: the noun is written with a capital letter but keeps adjective-like endings. It is a weak masculine noun, so use den Abgeordneten and dem Abgeordneten, not den Abgeordnete or dem Abgeordnete.
Der Abgeordnete spricht im Parlament.
The member of parliament is speaking in parliament.
spricht means speaks or is speaking, and das Parlament means parliament. Der Abgeordnete is the nominative subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Bürger wählen den Abgeordneten.
The citizens elect the representative.
die Bürger means the citizens and wählen means elect. Den Abgeordneten is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; this masculine weak noun adds -en outside the nominative singular.
Wir danken dem Abgeordneten für seine Hilfe.
We thank the member of parliament for his help.
wir danken means we thank, für seine Hilfe means for his help, and Hilfe means help. Danken requires the dative, so the noun is dem Abgeordneten; the preposition für separately takes accusative.
Die Meinung des Abgeordneten ist wichtig.
The representative’s opinion is important.
die Meinung means the opinion and wichtig means important. Des Abgeordneten is genitive and shows whose opinion it is; the weak noun keeps the ending -en, while the masculine article is des.
Die Abgeordneten stimmen heute über das Gesetz ab.
The members of parliament are voting on the law today.
stimmen ... ab means vote, heute means today, and das Gesetz means the law. Die Abgeordneten is the plural nominative subject; the separable prefix ab goes to the end, and über takes accusative here in the phrase über das Gesetz abstimmen.
die Abgeordnete — female member of parliament, female delegate
This is an adjectival noun: the feminine form of der Abgeordnete. It is written with a capital letter as a noun, but its endings behave like an adjective.
Die Abgeordnete spricht im Bundestag.
The member of parliament is speaking in the Bundestag.
spricht means is speaking, and im Bundestag means in the German parliament. Die Abgeordnete is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Abgeordnete im Fernsehen.
I see the member of parliament on television.
sehe means see, and im Fernsehen means on television. Die Abgeordnete is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Abgeordneten für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the member of parliament for her help.
danken means thank, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Abgeordneten is dative because danken requires the dative; the feminine noun has the ending -en here.
Das Büro der Abgeordneten ist in Berlin.
The member of parliament's office is in Berlin.
das Büro means office, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Der Abgeordneten is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Viele Abgeordneten stimmen für den Vorschlag.
Many members of parliament vote for the proposal.
viele means many, stimmen means vote, and der Vorschlag is the proposal. Abgeordneten is plural; after viele, the plural noun has -en, and stimmen stands in position two.
die Abmeldung — deregistration, cancellation notice
The feminine noun die Abmeldung is formed from abmelden, to deregister, plus -ung. It can mean officially deregistering from an address or course, or cancelling a service; the opposite is die Anmeldung.
Die Abmeldung vom Kurs ist bis Freitag möglich.
Deregistration from the course is possible until Friday.
der Kurs means course, bis Freitag means by Friday, and möglich means possible. Die Abmeldung is nominative because it is the subject; vom Kurs is dative because von always takes the dative, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe die Abmeldung gestern abgeschickt.
I sent the cancellation notice yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and abgeschickt means sent off. Die Abmeldung is accusative because it is the direct object of abgeschickt; the auxiliary habe is in position two and the participle abgeschickt goes to the end.
Bei der Abmeldung brauche ich meinen Ausweis.
When deregistering, I need my identity card.
bei means when or during, brauche means need, and meinen Ausweis means my identity card. Bei der Abmeldung is dative because bei requires the dative; the subject ich comes after this fronted phrase, while brauche remains in position two.
Die Frist der Abmeldung endet morgen.
The cancellation deadline ends tomorrow.
die Frist means deadline and endet morgen means ends tomorrow. Der Abmeldung is genitive because it identifies which deadline is meant; the finite verb endet stands in position two.
Für die neuen Abmeldungen gibt es ein Online-Formular.
There is an online form for the new deregistrations.
neuen means new, für means for, and das Online-Formular means online form. Die Abmeldungen is plural after für, which requires the accusative; in the sentence it appears as die neuen Abmeldungen with the adjective ending -en.
der Alliierte — ally, Allied person; the Allies; the Allies, Allied forces
This is an adjectival noun: it is capitalized but takes adjective-like endings. It is a weak masculine noun, so use der Alliierte only in the nominative singular and den, dem, or des Alliierten in the other singular cases.
Der Alliierte unterstützt uns.
The ally supports us.
unterstützt means supports, and uns means us. Der Alliierte is nominative because it is the subject; this adjectival noun is a weak masculine noun, so the nominative singular ends in -e.
Wir besuchen den Alliierten.
We are visiting the ally.
wir besuchen means we are visiting. den Alliierten is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; weak masculine nouns take -en in the accusative.
Wir danken dem Alliierten.
We thank the ally.
danken means to thank, and wir means we. dem Alliierten is dative because danken governs the dative; the noun keeps the weak ending -en.
Die Hilfe des Alliierten war wichtig.
The ally’s help was important.
die Hilfe means the help, and wichtig means important. des Alliierten is genitive because it identifies whose help it was; the weak masculine noun has -en, while the masculine article is des.
Die Alliierten gewannen den Krieg.
The Allies won the war.
gewannen means won, and der Krieg means the war. Die Alliierten is the plural subject, so the finite verb gewannen is plural and stands in position two; the noun still ends in -en.
Die Alliierten landeten in der Normandie.
The Allies landed in Normandy.
landeten means landed, and die Normandie is Normandy. Die Alliierten is the plural subject; in der Normandie is dative because it gives the location, and the finite verb landeten is in position two.
Im Museum gibt es Bilder von Alliierten.
There are pictures of Allied soldiers in the museum.
im Museum means in the museum, gibt es means there are, and Bilder means pictures. von forces the dative, but the plural form Alliierten has the same visible ending here; gibt is the finite verb in position two.
anerkannt — recognized, respected
anerkannt is the Partizip II of anerkennen, but it is also commonly used as an adjective meaning recognized or respected. Its comparison is regular: anerkannter, am anerkanntesten.
Der Arzt ist international anerkannt.
The doctor is internationally recognized.
der Arzt means the doctor, and international means internationally. anerkannt is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie arbeitet an einer anerkannten Universität.
She works at a recognized university.
arbeitet means works, and die Universität means university. an einer anerkannten Universität is dative because an describes a location here; the adjective has -en after the dative article einer.
Das ist ein anerkannterer Abschluss.
That is a more widely recognized qualification.
der Abschluss means qualification or degree, and das means that. anerkannterer is a comparative attributive adjective with the masculine nominative ending -er after ein; the adjective follows the noun phrase’s case and gender.
Diese Klinik ist am anerkanntesten.
This clinic is the most recognized.
diese Klinik means this clinic. am anerkanntesten is the predicative superlative, and ist is in position two; the superlative does not take a noun ending in this form.
anerkennen — to recognize, acknowledge, accept
anerkennen takes an accusative object: you recognize etwas or jemanden. It is separable in the main clause (erkennt ... an), but the infinitive anerkennen and Partizip II anerkannt stay together.
Die Jury erkennt an, wie viel Arbeit sie geleistet hat.
The jury recognizes how much work she has done.
die Jury means the jury, wie viel Arbeit means how much work, and geleistet means done or completed. die Leistung understood in the clause is recognized as an accusative object; the finite verb erkennt is in position two and an goes to the end.
Der Chef hat seine Leistung anerkannt.
The boss recognized his achievement.
der Chef means the boss, and seine Leistung means his achievement or performance. seine Leistung is accusative because anerkennen takes an accusative object; hat is in position two and anerkannt closes the clause.
Früher erkannte an niemand ihre Arbeit.
In the past, nobody recognized her work.
früher means in the past, niemand means nobody, and ihre Arbeit means her work. erkannte is the finite past-tense verb in position two, while an is separated and placed at the end; ihre Arbeit is accusative.
Erkenne an, dass er recht hat.
Acknowledge that he is right.
dass means that, and recht haben means to be right. This is an informal du command; erkenne comes first and an is separated, while hat goes to the end of the dass clause.
Ich würde anerkennen, wenn du ehrlich wärst.
I would acknowledge it if you were honest.
ehrlich means honest, and wenn means if. In the würde construction, the infinitive anerkennen stays together; in the subordinate clause, wärst goes to the end.
Die Öffentlichkeit wird anerkennen, was sie erreicht hat.
The public will recognize what she has achieved.
die Öffentlichkeit means the public, and erreicht means achieved. wird is the finite verb in position two and anerkennen is at the end; in the was clause, hat also goes to the end.
angreifen — to attack; to attack, criticize
Angreifen takes an accusative object. It can describe a physical attack or a forceful verbal attack, and its separable prefix an stays attached in angegriffen.
Die Soldaten greifen das Dorf an.
The soldiers are attacking the village.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, and das Dorf means the village. das Dorf is accusative because angreifen takes a direct object; greifen is in position two and an goes to the end.
Die Armee hat die Stadt angegriffen.
The army has attacked the city.
die Armee means the army, and die Stadt means the city. die Stadt is accusative; hat is in position two and angegriffen goes to the end.
Der Feind griff unser Lager an.
The enemy attacked our camp.
der Feind means the enemy, and unser Lager means our camp. unser Lager is accusative; the strong past form griff is in position two and an closes the clause.
Greif den Hund nicht an!
Don't attack the dog!
der Hund means the dog, and nicht means not. den Hund is accusative; greif comes first and the prefix an goes to the end.
Ich würde niemanden ohne Grund angreifen.
I would not attack anyone without a reason.
niemanden means nobody or anyone in a negative sentence, and ohne Grund means without a reason. niemanden is accusative and ohne also takes the accusative; würde is in position two and angreifen goes to the end.
Die Tiere werden den Besucher bald angreifen.
The animals will attack the visitor soon.
die Tiere means the animals, den Besucher means the visitor, and bald means soon. den Besucher is accusative; werden is in position two and angreifen stands at the end.
Die Journalistin greift die Entscheidung scharf an.
The journalist is sharply criticizing the decision.
die Journalistin means the female journalist, die Entscheidung means the decision, and scharf means sharply or severely. die Entscheidung is accusative; greift is in position two and an goes to the end.
Er wurde wegen seiner Meinung oft angegriffen.
He was often attacked because of his opinion.
wegen seiner Meinung means because of his opinion, and oft means often. angegriffen is the past participle at the end; wegen normally takes the genitive, as in seiner Meinung.
das Ansehen — respect, reputation; viewing, watching
This abstract noun normally has no plural. Do not confuse das Ansehen (respect or reputation) with ansehen (to look at).
Die Ärztin genießt in der Stadt großes Ansehen.
The doctor enjoys great respect in the city.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, genießt means enjoys, die Stadt means the city, and groß means great. Ansehen is accusative after genießen, while die Ärztin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb genießt is in position two.
Viele Menschen bewundern sein Ansehen.
Many people admire his reputation.
viele Menschen means many people, bewundern means admire, and sein means his. Ansehen is accusative because bewundern takes an accusative object, and sein shows whose reputation it is; the finite verb bewundern stands in position two.
Mit großem Ansehen spricht er über seine Arbeit.
He speaks about his work with great respect.
mit means with, großem means great, spricht means speaks, er means he, über means about, seine Arbeit means his work. Ansehen is dative because mit always takes the dative, while über seine Arbeit is a prepositional phrase; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Der Wert des Ansehens ist schwer zu messen.
The value of reputation is difficult to measure.
der Wert means the value, schwer means difficult, and zu messen means to measure. Ansehens is genitive because it tells whose value is meant; des marks the neuter genitive, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Politiker brauchen Vertrauen und Ansehen.
Politicians need trust and respect.
Politiker means politicians, brauchen means need, and Vertrauen means trust. The noun Ansehen has no ordinary plural because this abstract idea is normally uncountable; here it is an accusative object coordinated with Vertrauen.
Beim Ansehen des Films habe ich viel gelacht.
I laughed a lot while watching the film.
beim means while or during, der Film means the film, habe ... gelacht means laughed, and viel means a lot. Ansehen is a nominalized verb here and is capitalized; des Films is genitive because it identifies what was watched, while the perfect verb frame ends with gelacht.
Das Ansehen der Bilder dauert nur wenige Minuten.
Looking at the pictures takes only a few minutes.
die Bilder means the pictures, dauert means takes or lasts, nur wenige Minuten means only a few minutes. Ansehen is a nominalized verb and therefore a neuter noun; der Bilder is genitive, and dauert stands in position two.
der Anspruch — claim, right, entitlement; demand, expectation, standard
The fixed pattern Anspruch auf etwas haben means to be entitled to something and uses auf plus the accusative. In legal contexts, an Anspruch is a claim that can be enforced.
Sie hat Anspruch auf Urlaub.
She is entitled to vacation.
sie means she, hat means has, auf means to or for, and Urlaub means vacation. Anspruch is nominative as the subject of hat Anspruch auf; auf Urlaub is accusative because this fixed expression uses auf with an entitlement, and hat is in position two.
Der Arbeitnehmer fordert seinen Anspruch ein.
The employee asserts his claim.
der Arbeitnehmer means the employee, fordert ... ein means asserts or demands, and seinen means his. Anspruch is accusative because einfordern takes an accusative object; fordert is in position two and the separable prefix ein goes to the end.
Der Anwalt hilft dem Kunden bei seinem Anspruch.
The lawyer helps the customer with his claim.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, hilft means helps, dem Kunden means the customer, and bei means with. Kunden is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and Anspruch is dative after bei; hilft stands in position two.
Die Prüfung des Anspruchs dauert mehrere Wochen.
The examination of the claim takes several weeks.
die Prüfung means the examination, dauert means takes, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Anspruchs is genitive after des because it identifies what is being examined; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Viele Ansprüche müssen geprüft werden.
Many claims have to be examined.
viele means many, müssen means have to, and geprüft werden means be examined. Ansprüche is plural nominative because it is the subject; with the modal müssen, the infinitive group geprüft werden goes to the end.
Die Kundin hat hohe Ansprüche an das Hotel.
The customer has high expectations of the hotel.
die Kundin means the female customer, hohe means high, an means of or regarding, and das Hotel means the hotel. Ansprüche is plural accusative after hat, while an das Hotel is accusative because these expectations are directed towards a target; hat is in position two.
Der neue Film genügt meinen Ansprüchen nicht.
The new film does not meet my standards.
der neue Film means the new film, genügt means meets or is sufficient for, meinen means my, and nicht means not. Ansprüchen is plural dative because genügen takes a dative standard or person; the finite verb genügt stands in position two and nicht negates the sentence.
das Asyl — asylum
Das Asyl schützt Menschen vor Verfolgung.
Asylum protects people from persecution.
schützt means protects, Menschen means people, and vor Verfolgung means from persecution. Das Asyl is nominative because it is the subject; vor forces the dative in Verfolgung.
Viele Menschen suchen in Deutschland Asyl.
Many people seek asylum in Germany.
viele Menschen means many people, suchen means seek, and in Deutschland means in Germany. Asyl is an accusative object after suchen, but it has no article here because it refers to asylum as a general form of protection.
Die Regierung gibt dem Asyl eine neue rechtliche Grundlage.
The government gives asylum a new legal basis.
die Regierung means the government, gibt means gives, and eine neue rechtliche Grundlage means a new legal basis. Dem Asyl is dative because geben takes the recipient or beneficiary in the dative, while eine Grundlage is the accusative thing given.
Die Bedeutung des Asyls ist gesetzlich geregelt.
The meaning of asylum is regulated by law.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and gesetzlich geregelt means regulated by law. Des Asyls is genitive because it identifies the meaning being discussed; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In Europa gibt es verschiedene Asyle.
There are different asylum systems or shelters in Europe.
in Europa means in Europe, gibt es means there are, and verschiedene means different. Asyle is the plural of Asyl; after es gibt, the plural noun is grammatically accusative even though its form is unchanged from the nominative plural.
die Atombombe — atomic bomb
This is a compound of Atom, atom, and Bombe, bomb. It is a strongly negative word connected with war, nuclear weapons and international politics.
Die Atombombe ist eine besonders gefährliche Waffe.
The atomic bomb is an especially dangerous weapon.
besonders means especially, and gefährliche Waffe means dangerous weapon. Die Atombombe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Länder fürchten die Atombombe.
Many countries fear the atomic bomb.
viele Länder means many countries, and fürchten means fear. Die Atombombe is accusative because fürchten takes a direct object, while the finite verb fürchten is in position two.
Die Diskussion über die Atombombe dauert lange.
The discussion about the atomic bomb is taking a long time.
die Diskussion is the discussion, and dauert lange means is taking a long time. Über takes the accusative when it means about, so die Atombombe is accusative here; the example fills the dative slot through der Diskussion, which is dative after die Diskussion dauert? More precisely, die Diskussion über is a noun phrase, not a dative use of the headword; learners should note that über here governs accusative.
Die Gefahr der Atombombe ist weltweit bekannt.
The danger of the atomic bomb is known worldwide.
die Gefahr means the danger, and weltweit bekannt means known worldwide. Der Atombombe is genitive because it identifies the danger’s source; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Atombomben haben ganze Städte zerstört.
The atomic bombs destroyed entire cities.
ganze Städte means entire cities, and zerstört means destroyed. Die Atombomben is plural nominative as the subject; haben zerstört is the perfect, with the participle at the end.
die Aufenthaltserlaubnis — residence permit
This is an official term made from Aufenthalt (residence or stay) and Erlaubnis (permission). Do not confuse it with a Visum, which is usually permission to enter or visit rather than a longer-term residence permit.
Die Aufenthaltserlaubnis ist noch sechs Monate gültig.
The residence permit is still valid for six months.
noch sechs Monate means for another six months, and gültig means valid. Die Aufenthaltserlaubnis is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two.
Ich beantrage die Aufenthaltserlaubnis online.
I am applying for the residence permit online.
beantragen means apply for officially and online means online. Die Aufenthaltserlaubnis is accusative because beantragen takes a direct object; the finite verb beantrage is in position two.
Mit der Aufenthaltserlaubnis darf sie in Deutschland arbeiten.
With the residence permit, she is allowed to work in Germany.
mit means with, dürfen means be allowed to, and arbeiten means work. Mit always takes the dative, so der Aufenthaltserlaubnis is dative; darf is in position two and the infinitive arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Gültigkeit der Aufenthaltserlaubnis endet im Juli.
The validity of the residence permit ends in July.
die Gültigkeit means validity and enden means end. Der Aufenthaltserlaubnis is genitive because it specifies whose validity is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Viele Aufenthaltserlaubnisse müssen jedes Jahr verlängert werden.
Many residence permits have to be extended every year.
viele means many, jedes Jahr means every year, and verlängert werden means be extended. Aufenthaltserlaubnisse is the plural subject; in the passive, werden goes to the end in this clause.
Für die Aufenthaltserlaubnis braucht man einen gültigen Pass.
You need a valid passport for the residence permit.
für means for, brauchen means need, and ein gültiger Pass means a valid passport. Für takes the accusative, so die Aufenthaltserlaubnis has the same form as nominative; man is an indefinite subject meaning people or you.
der Aufruf — appeal, call
An Aufruf is usually a public request for action, often published by an organisation or group. The fixed phrase Aufruf zu takes zu plus the dative, as in ein Aufruf zur Hilfe.
Der Aufruf zur Hilfe erreichte viele Menschen.
The appeal for help reached many people.
zur Hilfe means for help, and erreichen means to reach; viele Menschen means many people. der Aufruf is nominative because it is the subject, while zu in zur Hilfe governs the dative.
Die Organisation veröffentlichte den Aufruf.
The organisation published the appeal.
die Organisation is the organisation and veröffentlichen means to publish. den Aufruf is accusative because it is the object of veröffentlichte; the finite verb is in position two.
Viele Menschen folgten dem Aufruf.
Many people followed the appeal.
viele Menschen means many people and folgen means to follow. dem Aufruf is dative because folgen always takes a dative object, even though English uses “follow” without a preposition.
Die Wirkung des Aufrufs war sofort sichtbar.
The effect of the appeal was immediately visible.
die Wirkung means the effect, and sofort sichtbar means immediately visible. des Aufrufs is genitive because it identifies which appeal the effect belongs to; the masculine noun takes -s in this case.
Im Internet erscheinen täglich neue Aufrufe.
New appeals appear on the internet every day.
im Internet means on the internet, erscheinen means appear, and täglich means every day. Aufrufe is the plural subject, while im means in dem and is dative because it expresses location.
der Ausgleich — balance, compensation, compromise
Ausgleich can mean a balance between two things, compensation for a disadvantage, or a compromise between people or groups. In the fixed phrase einen Ausgleich schaffen, the noun is accusative because schaffen takes a direct object.
Der Ausgleich zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit ist wichtig.
The balance between work and free time is important.
zwischen Arbeit und Freizeit means between work and free time, and wichtig means important. der Ausgleich is the nominative subject; zwischen takes the dative here because it describes a fixed relationship rather than movement.
Wir suchen einen fairen Ausgleich.
We are looking for a fair balance.
suchen means look for and fairen means fair. einen fairen Ausgleich is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; suchen is in position two.
Die Parteien einigen sich auf einen Ausgleich.
The parties agree on a compromise.
die Parteien means the parties, sich einigen means to reach an agreement, and auf einen Ausgleich means on a compromise. The reflexive pronoun sich is accusative with sich einigen, while auf takes the accusative here because it expresses the goal of the agreement.
Die Bedingungen des Ausgleichs sind noch offen.
The conditions of the agreement are still open.
die Bedingungen means the conditions and noch offen means still open. des Ausgleichs is genitive because it identifies whose conditions they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Nach langen Gesprächen wurden mehrere Ausgleiche gefunden.
After long discussions, several compromises were found.
nach langen Gesprächen means after long discussions, mehrere means several, and gefunden means found. mehrere Ausgleiche is a plural nominative subject, and the passive uses wurden in position two with gefunden at the end.
die Ausländerbehörde — immigration office, foreigners' authority
This is an official administrative authority, not simply any office for foreigners. It is a compound of Ausländer (foreigner) and Behörde (authority or government office).
Die Ausländerbehörde ist heute geschlossen.
The immigration office is closed today.
heute means today and geschlossen means closed. Die Ausländerbehörde is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich besuche die Ausländerbehörde morgen.
I am visiting the immigration office tomorrow.
besuchen means to visit and morgen means tomorrow. Die Ausländerbehörde is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche is in position two.
Ich muss bei der Ausländerbehörde einen Antrag abgeben.
I have to submit an application at the immigration office.
müssen means to have to, einen Antrag is an application, and abgeben means to submit. Der Ausländerbehörde is dative because bei always takes the dative; the modal verb muss is in position two and the infinitive abgeben goes to the end.
Die Öffnungszeiten der Ausländerbehörde stehen im Internet.
The immigration office’s opening hours are on the internet.
die Öffnungszeiten means opening hours and im Internet means online. Der Ausländerbehörde is genitive because it identifies whose opening hours these are; the plural subject Öffnungszeiten makes the verb stehen plural.
In Berlin gibt es mehrere Ausländerbehörden.
There are several immigration offices in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin and mehrere means several. Ausländerbehörden is plural and accusative after es gibt; the plural ending is -n.
ausrauben — to rob, to burgle
The person or place robbed is an accusative object: jemanden ausrauben or eine Bank ausrauben. The verb is strong in meaning but weak in conjugation; its participle is ausgeraubt.
Die Täter rauben eine Bank aus.
The criminals are robbing a bank.
die Täter means the criminals, and eine Bank means a bank. eine Bank is accusative because it is the direct object; the separable verb has rauben in position two and aus at the end.
Die Täter haben den Laden ausgeraubt.
The criminals robbed the shop.
die Täter means the criminals, and der Laden means the shop. den Laden is accusative, and ausgeraubt is the participle used with haben at the end of the perfect clause.
Der Mann raubte eine Touristin aus.
The man robbed a female tourist.
der Mann means the man, and eine Touristin means a female tourist. The person robbed is accusative; the weak preterite raubte occupies position two and aus is separated to the end.
Raub ihn nicht aus!
Do not rob him!
ihn means him, and nicht means not. The pronoun is accusative because it is the person affected by ausrauben; in the du imperative, raub and aus are separated around the object.
Ich würde niemals einen alten Menschen ausrauben.
I would never rob an elderly person.
niemals means never, and ein alter Mensch means an elderly person. einen alten Menschen is accusative as the direct object; with würde, the complete infinitive stays at the end.
Die Polizei wird den Verdächtigen ausrauben.
The police will rob the suspect.
die Polizei means the police, and der Verdächtige means the suspect. den Verdächtigen is accusative as the object; wird is the finite future verb in position two and ausrauben goes to the end.
die Autorität — authority; respected expert; expert authority
This word can mean power to command or a person regarded as an expert. In everyday contexts, Autorität often refers to respect rather than official power.
Die Autorität der Lehrerin ist unbestritten.
The teacher’s authority is undisputed.
der Lehrerin means “of the teacher”, and unbestritten means “undisputed”. Autorität is nominative because it is the subject; der Lehrerin is genitive and shows whose authority it is.
Viele Schüler akzeptieren die Autorität der Lehrerin.
Many pupils accept the teacher’s authority.
Viele Schüler means “many pupils”, and akzeptieren means “accept”. die Autorität is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; der Lehrerin is genitive.
Die Eltern vertrauen der Autorität der Ärztin.
The parents trust the doctor’s authority.
Die Eltern means “the parents”, vertrauen means “trust”, and der Ärztin means “of the female doctor”. der Autorität is dative because vertrauen requires dative; der Ärztin is genitive.
Die Grenzen der Autorität sind klar.
The limits of the authority are clear.
Die Grenzen means “the limits”, and klar means “clear”. der Autorität is genitive after Grenzen and identifies whose limits they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Autoritäten treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The authorities are meeting for a conference.
treffen sich means “meet”, and zu einer Konferenz means “for a conference”. Autoritäten is plural with die; zu takes the dative, shown by einer Konferenz.
Sie ist eine Autorität auf dem Gebiet der Klimaforschung.
She is an authority in the field of climate research.
Sie ist means “she is”, and Klimaforschung means “climate research”. eine Autorität is a predicative noun after sein, so it remains nominative; auf dem Gebiet uses the dative because it describes a fixed area, not movement.
Der Professor gilt als Autorität für mittelalterliche Geschichte.
The professor is regarded as an authority on medieval history.
Der Professor means “the professor”, gilt als means “is regarded as”, and mittelalterliche Geschichte means “medieval history”. After als, Autorität names the role; für takes the accusative in für mittelalterliche Geschichte.
der Außenminister — foreign minister
Der Außenminister is a masculine personal noun. Its plural is unchanged as die Außenminister, but the genitive singular is des Außenministers.
Der Außenminister spricht heute im Parlament.
The foreign minister is speaking in parliament today.
spricht means speaks, heute means today, and das Parlament means parliament. Der Außenminister is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Journalisten interviewen den Außenminister.
The journalists are interviewing the foreign minister.
die Journalisten means the journalists and interviewen means interview. Den Außenminister is accusative because interviewen takes a direct object; masculine der changes to den in the accusative.
Ich habe mit dem Außenminister gesprochen.
I spoke with the foreign minister.
ich habe gesprochen means I spoke, and mit means with. Dem Außenminister is dative because the preposition mit always takes the dative; the participle gesprochen goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Die Rede des Außenministers war sehr kurz.
The foreign minister's speech was very short.
die Rede means the speech, war means was, and sehr kurz means very short. Des Außenministers is genitive because it shows whose speech it was; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Mehrere Außenminister treffen sich in Berlin.
Several foreign ministers are meeting in Berlin.
mehrere means several, treffen sich means meet each other, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Außenminister is plural and nominative as the subject; the plural has no ending, so mehrere and the verb treffen show the number.
die Außenpolitik — foreign policy
Die Außenpolitik is normally an abstract mass noun and is used without a plural. In political language, it often appears in combinations such as deutsche Außenpolitik or die Außenpolitik eines Landes.
Die Außenpolitik des Landes ist umstritten.
The country's foreign policy is controversial.
des Landes means of the country, ist means is, and umstritten means controversial. Die Außenpolitik is nominative because it is the subject; des Landes is genitive and shows which country's policy it is.
Viele Bürger kritisieren die Außenpolitik.
Many citizens criticise the foreign policy.
viele Bürger means many citizens and kritisieren means criticise. Die Außenpolitik is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
Deutschland folgt in der Außenpolitik klaren Regeln.
In foreign policy, Germany follows clear rules.
Deutschland is Germany, folgt means follows, and klare Regeln means clear rules. Der Außenpolitik is dative because in describes the area in which something happens, not movement into it.
Die Ziele der Außenpolitik ändern sich langsam.
The aims of foreign policy are changing slowly.
die Ziele means the aims, ändern sich means change, and langsam means slowly. Der Außenpolitik is genitive because it identifies whose aims they are; the finite verb ändern stands in position two.
der Beamte — civil servant, public official
This is a masculine noun made from the adjective ending in -e. It is a weak noun: der Beamte is used only for the nominative singular, while all other singular cases and the plural use Beamten.
Beamte arbeiten für den Staat.
Civil servants work for the state.
arbeiten means work, and der Staat means the state. Beamte is the plural subject in the nominative, and the finite verb arbeiten stands in position two.
Die Bürger sehen den Beamten im Rathaus.
The citizens see the civil servant in the town hall.
die Bürger are the citizens, sehen means see, and das Rathaus is the town hall. den Beamten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this masculine noun has -en outside the nominative.
Ich spreche mit dem Beamten.
I am speaking with the civil servant.
sprechen means speak, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Beamten; the noun keeps its -en ending.
Das Büro des Beamten ist im ersten Stock.
The civil servant’s office is on the first floor.
das Büro means office, sein means be, and der erste Stock is the first floor. des Beamten expresses possession in the genitive, and im is short for in dem, here describing location.
Die Beamten prüfen die Dokumente.
The civil servants check the documents.
prüfen means check or examine, and die Dokumente are the documents. Die Beamten is the plural subject, and the plural form is also Beamten, with -en.
die Beamte — female civil servant, female public official
Die Beamte is a feminine noun formed from an adjective, but it is less common today than die Beamtin. Its plural and its oblique singular forms use Beamten, so context and the article show the case or number.
Beamte arbeiten für das Land.
Female civil servants work for the state.
arbeiten means work, and das Land means the federal state or region. Beamte is the feminine singular subject in this sentence, while the verb arbeiten stands in position two; the same form can also be a plural.
Die Zeitung nennt die Beamte sehr zuverlässig.
The newspaper calls the female civil servant very reliable.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, nennen means call, and zuverlässig means reliable. die Beamte is accusative because nennen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative have the same form.
Ich spreche mit der Beamten.
I am speaking with the female civil servant.
sprechen means speak, and mit means with. mit requires the dative, giving der Beamten; this less common feminine form has -en in the dative.
Die Entscheidung der Beamten war wichtig.
The female civil servant’s decision was important.
die Entscheidung means the decision, wichtig means important, and sein means be. der Beamten is genitive because it identifies whose decision it was.
Die Beamten arbeiten heute gemeinsam.
The female civil servants are working together today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and gemeinsam means together. Die Beamten is the plural subject, and this plural is identical to the plural of the masculine noun der Beamte.
beerdigen — to bury
Beerdigen is a formal or neutral word for burying a dead person. Its object is accusative; der Verstorbene is a respectful noun meaning ‘the deceased person’.
Die Familie beerdigt ihren Großvater am Samstag.
The family is burying their grandfather on Saturday.
die Familie is the family, ihren Großvater means their grandfather, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Ihren Großvater is accusative because beerdigen takes the person being buried as its direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Sie haben den Verstorbenen gestern beerdigt.
They buried the deceased person yesterday.
den Verstorbenen means the deceased person and gestern means yesterday. The person is accusative, while haben is in position two and beerdigt goes to the end in the perfect.
Man beerdigte ihn in seiner Heimatstadt.
He was buried in his home town.
man means people or they, ihn means him, and seine Heimatstadt is his home town. Ihn is accusative because he is the object; beerdigte is the regular simple-past form in position two.
Beerdige ihn neben seiner Frau.
Bury him next to his wife.
neben means next to and seine Frau means his wife. The informal imperative addresses one person; ihn is accusative, while neben seiner Frau is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Angehörigen würden ihn gern dort beerdigen.
The relatives would like to bury him there.
die Angehörigen are the relatives, gern means gladly or would like to, and dort means there. Würden expresses a hypothetical wish, so beerdigen is at the end; ihn is accusative.
Die Stadt wird die Opfer auf dem Friedhof beerdigen.
The city will bury the victims in the cemetery.
die Stadt is the city, die Opfer are the victims, and der Friedhof is the cemetery. Die Opfer is accusative, while wird occupies position two and beerdigen goes to the end in the future.
der Befehl — order, command; command, instruction (computing)
Der Befehl is usually a strong instruction from someone with authority. Do not confuse it with der Befehl in computer language, where it can also mean a command given to a computer.
Der Offizier gab den Befehl.
The officer gave the order.
der Offizier is the officer and gab means gave. Der Befehl is the subject in the nominative, while den Befehl is the accusative object of geben; the verb gab stands in position two.
Der Soldat hörte den Befehl.
The soldier heard the order.
der Soldat is the soldier and hörte means heard. Den Befehl is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den in the masculine accusative.
Der Hauptmann vertraute dem Befehl.
The captain trusted the order.
der Hauptmann is the captain and vertraute means trusted. Dem Befehl is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the masculine article is dem in this case.
Die Folgen des Befehls waren schwer.
The consequences of the order were serious.
die Folgen means the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. Des Befehls is genitive because it identifies which order the consequences belong to; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Befehle waren eindeutig.
The orders were clear.
eindeutig means clear or unambiguous. Befehle is the nominative plural subject, marked by die; the singular form is der Befehl, so learners should not use Befehl unchanged for the plural.
Der Computer führt den Befehl sofort aus.
The computer executes the command immediately.
der Computer is the computer, sofort means immediately, and ausführen means execute or carry out. Den Befehl is accusative as the object of ausführen; because ausführen is separable, führt comes in position two and aus goes to the end.
Gib den Befehl in das Terminal ein.
Enter the command into the terminal.
gib ... ein means enter, das Terminal is the terminal, and in means into here. Den Befehl is accusative because it is the object; in this informal imperative, the separable verb places gib first and ein at the end.
befehlen — to order, to command
befehlen normally follows the pattern jemandem etwas befehlen: the person is dative and the thing ordered is accusative. It is a strong verb: befehlen – befahl – hat befohlen.
Der Offizier befiehlt den Soldaten den Rückzug.
The officer orders the soldiers to retreat.
der Offizier is the officer, die Soldaten are the soldiers, and der Rückzug means retreat. den Soldaten is dative because they receive the order, while den Rückzug is accusative; befiehlt is in position two.
Der Offizier hat den Soldaten den Rückzug befohlen.
The officer ordered the soldiers to retreat.
der Offizier is the officer, die Soldaten are the soldiers, and der Rückzug means retreat. The perfect uses hat ... befohlen, and den Soldaten remains dative while befohlen goes to the end.
Der König befahl seinem Diener zu warten.
The king ordered his servant to wait.
der König is the king, sein Diener means his servant, and warten means to wait. seinem Diener is dative because he receives the order, and befahl is the finite verb in position two.
Befiehl ihm sofort zu kommen!
Order him to come immediately!
ihm means to him, sofort means immediately, and kommen means to come. ihm is dative because he receives the order; the imperative befiehl comes first.
Ich würde dem Kind nicht befehlen, allein zu gehen.
I would not order the child to go alone.
das Kind is the child, nicht means not, allein means alone, and gehen means to go. dem Kind is dative because it receives the order; würde ... befehlen expresses a hypothetical situation, with zu gehen at the end.
Der Kapitän wird der Mannschaft den Start befehlen.
The captain will order the team to start.
der Kapitän is the captain, die Mannschaft is the team, and der Start means the start. der Mannschaft is dative because it receives the order; wird is in position two and befehlen goes to the end.
befreien — to free, to liberate; to rid oneself of, to release from
The person or thing being freed is accusative: jemanden or etwas befreien. The source of captivity or trouble is often introduced by von plus dative or aus plus dative.
Die Polizei befreit den Hund aus dem Auto.
The police free the dog from the car.
die Polizei means the police, der Hund means the dog, and das Auto means the car. Den Hund is accusative because befreien takes the person or animal being freed as its direct object; aus dem Auto is a dative phrase after aus, and the finite verb befreit stands in position two.
Die Feuerwehr hat die Menschen aus dem brennenden Haus befreit.
The fire brigade freed the people from the burning house.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, die Menschen means the people, and brennend means burning. Die Menschen is accusative, while aus dem brennenden Haus uses dative after aus; the perfect uses hat plus befreit, which goes to the end.
Der Arzt befreite den Patienten von den Schmerzen.
The doctor freed the patient from the pain.
der Arzt means the doctor, der Patient means the patient, and der Schmerz means pain. Den Patienten is accusative because it is the direct object, while von den Schmerzen is dative after von; befreite is the simple past form used in this written-style sentence.
Befreie bitte den Vogel aus dem Käfig!
Please free the bird from the cage!
bitte means please, der Vogel means the bird, and der Käfig means the cage. The imperative omits du, den Vogel is accusative, and aus dem Käfig is dative after aus.
Ich würde die Geisel sofort befreien.
I would free the hostage immediately.
die Geisel means the hostage and sofort means immediately. Die Geisel is accusative because it is the direct object; würde carries the conditional meaning and the infinitive befreien stands at the end.
Wir werden die Tiere morgen befreien.
We will free the animals tomorrow.
die Tiere means the animals and morgen means tomorrow. Die Tiere is accusative, and in the future werden is finite in position two while befreien goes to the end.
Sie möchte sich von ihren Sorgen befreien.
She wants to free herself from her worries.
möchte means would like to, and die Sorgen means worries. Sich is the reflexive accusative object, while von ihren Sorgen is dative after von; after möchte, the infinitive befreien goes to the end.
Sport befreit den Kopf von negativen Gedanken.
Exercise clears the head of negative thoughts.
der Sport means exercise, der Kopf means the head or mind, and negativ means negative. Den Kopf is accusative, while von negativen Gedanken is dative after von; the finite verb befreit is in position two.
das Begräbnis — funeral, burial ceremony
Das Begräbnis is a formal or neutral word for a funeral ceremony. Its plural is Begräbnisse, and its genitive singular is des Begräbnisses.
Das Begräbnis findet am Freitag statt.
The funeral takes place on Friday.
stattfinden means “to take place”, and am Freitag means “on Friday”. Das Begräbnis is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb findet statt puts findet in position two and statt at the end.
Die Familie plant das Begräbnis.
The family is planning the funeral.
die Familie means “the family”, plant means “is planning”, and planen means “to plan”. Das Begräbnis is accusative because it is the direct object of plant; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir gehen nach dem Begräbnis nach Hause.
We are going home after the funeral.
wir gehen means “we go”, nach Hause means “home”, and nach means “after” in this expression. Dem Begräbnis is dative because nach meaning “after” requires the dative; the phrase nach dem Begräbnis occupies the first position, so gehen follows in position two.
Die Kosten des Begräbnisses sind sehr hoch.
The costs of the funeral are very high.
die Kosten means “the costs”, sehr hoch means “very high”, and sind means “are”. Des Begräbnisses is genitive because it identifies whose costs they are; the whole phrase Die Kosten des Begräbnisses is the nominative subject.
In diesem Jahr gibt es mehrere Begräbnisse im Dorf.
There are several funerals in the village this year.
in diesem Jahr means “this year”, mehrere means “several”, im Dorf means “in the village”, and geben means “to give”, but es gibt means “there is/are”. Mehrere Begräbnisse is accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object, while im Dorf is dative after in for a location.
die Behörde — authority, government office
die Behörde usually means a public or government authority, not a private company. Its plural is die Behörden, with -en.
Die Behörde arbeitet heute nicht.
The government office is not working today.
arbeitet means is working and heute means today. Die Behörde is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich besuche die Behörde morgen.
I am visiting the government office tomorrow.
ich besuche means I am visiting and morgen means tomorrow. die Behörde is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative have the same article.
Ich schreibe der Behörde eine E-Mail.
I am writing the authority an email.
schreiben means to write and eine E-Mail means an email. der Behörde is dative because it is the recipient, while eine E-Mail is the accusative thing being written.
Die Entscheidung der Behörde überrascht mich.
The authority’s decision surprises me.
die Entscheidung means the decision and überrascht mich means surprises me. der Behörde is genitive and shows possession or association; the finite verb überrascht stands in position two.
Viele Behörden verlangen dieses Formular.
Many authorities require this form.
viele means many, verlangen means require and dieses Formular means this form. Behörden is plural and is the nominative subject; dieses Formular is accusative because it is what the authorities require.
beilegen — to settle; to resolve; to enclose; to include
For a dispute, beilegen takes an accusative object, as in einen Streit beilegen, and uses haben in the perfect. It is separable: legt ... bei in a main clause, but beilegen remains whole at the end of a subordinate clause or after a modal verb.
Die beiden Parteien legen den Streit bei.
The two parties settle the dispute.
die beiden Parteien means the two parties and der Streit means the dispute. Den Streit is accusative because beilegen takes a direct object; the finite part legen is in position two and bei moves to the end.
Die beiden Parteien haben den Streit beigelegt.
The two parties have settled the dispute.
die beiden Parteien means the two parties and der Streit means the dispute. The perfect uses haben plus beigelegt, which is the Partizip II at the end; the object den Streit is accusative.
Sie legte den Konflikt gestern bei.
She settled the conflict yesterday.
der Konflikt means the conflict and gestern means yesterday. Den Konflikt is accusative because it is the object, while legte is in position two and bei goes to the end.
Leg den Streit endlich bei!
Settle the dispute at last!
endlich means at last and der Streit means the dispute. This is the informal singular imperative; leg begins the command and the separable prefix bei goes to the end.
Wenn sie vernünftig wäre, legte sie den Streit bei.
If she were reasonable, she would settle the dispute.
wenn means if and vernünftig means reasonable. In the subordinate clause the finite verb wäre goes to the end, but in the main clause legte is in position two and bei is separated at the end.
Morgen wird sie den Streit beilegen.
Tomorrow she will settle the dispute.
morgen means tomorrow and der Streit means the dispute. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive beilegen at the end, where the prefix is not separated.
Bitte legen Sie eine Kopie bei.
Please enclose a copy.
bitte means please and eine Kopie means a copy. Eine Kopie is accusative because it is the object; with formal Sie, the verb starts the request and bei is separated to the end.
Ich habe die Rechnung beigelegt.
I have enclosed the invoice.
die Rechnung means the invoice. The perfect uses habe and the Partizip II beigelegt at the end; die Rechnung is accusative as the enclosed item.
beitragen — to contribute; to help bring about
The usual pattern is zu etwas beitragen: zu takes the dative, as in zum Erfolg beitragen. It is a separable strong verb: trägt bei, but beigetragen in the perfect.
Viele Menschen tragen zum Erfolg des Projekts bei.
Many people contribute to the success of the project.
viele Menschen means many people, der Erfolg is success, and das Projekt is the project. Zum Erfolg is dative because zu governs the dative; the finite part tragen is in position two and bei goes to the end.
Alle haben zum Fest beigetragen.
Everyone contributed to the celebration.
alle means everyone and das Fest is the celebration. Zum Fest is dative after zu; in the perfect, haben is in position two and beigetragen goes to the end as one word.
Er trug viel zur Lösung des Problems bei.
He contributed a lot to solving the problem.
viel means a lot, die Lösung is the solution, and das Problem is the problem. Zur Lösung is dative after zu, while des Problems is genitive; the strong past form trug is in position two and bei is separated to the end.
Trag etwas zum Umweltschutz bei!
Contribute something to environmental protection!
etwas means something, and der Umweltschutz means environmental protection. The command uses trag without a subject; zum Umweltschutz is dative after zu, and the prefix bei stands at the end.
Ich würde gern mehr zum Team beitragen.
I would like to contribute more to the team.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mehr means more. Zum Team is dative after zu; in the würde form, the infinitive beitragen stays together at the end.
Die neuen Ideen werden zur Verbesserung des Plans beitragen.
The new ideas will contribute to improving the plan.
neu means new, die Idee is an idea, and die Verbesserung is the improvement. Zur Verbesserung is dative after zu, while des Plans is genitive; in the future, werden is in position two and beitragen goes to the end.
die Beratungsstelle — advice centre, counselling centre
Die Beratungsstelle is usually an office or organisation offering specialised support, not simply a room. It can provide help with issues such as family matters, finances, health, or official paperwork.
Die Beratungsstelle hilft Familien.
The advice centre helps families.
hilft means helps and Familien means families. Die Beratungsstelle is nominative because it is the subject, while Familien is dative because helfen takes a dative person or group.
Ich suche eine Beratungsstelle.
I am looking for an advice centre.
ich suche means I am looking for. Eine Beratungsstelle is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the indefinite article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir gehen zu einer Beratungsstelle.
We are going to an advice centre.
wir gehen means we are going, and zu means to. Zu always takes the dative, so einer Beratungsstelle is dative; gehen stands in position two.
Die Adresse der Beratungsstelle steht online.
The address of the advice centre is online.
die Adresse means the address and steht online means is available online. Der Beratungsstelle is genitive because it means of the advice centre; steht stands in position two.
In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Beratungsstellen.
There are several advice centres in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Beratungsstellen is plural after mehrere; in es gibt, the thing that exists is normally an accusative object, although the plural form has no visible article.
bescheinigen — to certify, to confirm, to attest; to attest that someone has a quality
The usual pattern is jemandem etwas bescheinigen: the person is in the dative and the fact or quality is in the accusative. The verb has the inseparable prefix be-, takes haben in the perfect, and has no ge- in bescheinigt.
Die Ärztin bescheinigt ihm die Arbeitsunfähigkeit.
The doctor certifies that he is unable to work.
die Ärztin is the doctor, ihm means to him, and die Arbeitsunfähigkeit means inability to work. ihm is dative for the person receiving the certification, while die Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative as the thing certified; the finite verb bescheinigt stands in position two.
Die Ärztin hat ihm die Arbeitsunfähigkeit bescheinigt.
The doctor has certified that he is unable to work.
die Ärztin is the doctor, ihm means to him, and Arbeitsunfähigkeit means inability to work. The perfect uses hat and the Partizip II bescheinigt at the end; ihm is dative and die Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative.
Die Ärztin bescheinigte ihm die Arbeitsunfähigkeit.
The doctor certified that he was unable to work.
die Ärztin is the doctor, ihm means to him, and Arbeitsunfähigkeit means inability to work. The weak-verb past form bescheinigte is the finite verb in position two; the recipient remains dative and the certified fact remains accusative.
Bescheinige ihm bitte die Arbeitsunfähigkeit.
Please certify that he is unable to work.
ihm means to him, bitte means please, and Arbeitsunfähigkeit means inability to work. The imperative comes first; ihm is dative for the recipient and die Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative for what is certified.
Die Ärztin bescheinigte ihm die Arbeitsunfähigkeit, wenn alle Befunde vorlägen.
The doctor would certify that he was unable to work if all the findings were available.
wenn means if, alle Befunde means all the findings, and vorlägen means were available. The conditional form here is bescheinigte; in the wenn clause the finite verb vorlägen goes to the end, while ihm is dative and die Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative.
Die Ärztin wird ihm morgen die Arbeitsunfähigkeit bescheinigen.
The doctor will certify tomorrow that he is unable to work.
morgen means tomorrow, ihm means to him, and Arbeitsunfähigkeit means inability to work. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive bescheinigen at the end; ihm is dative and die Arbeitsunfähigkeit is accusative.
Die Trainerin bescheinigte dem jungen Spieler großes Talent.
The coach attested that the young player had great talent.
die Trainerin is the coach, dem jungen Spieler means to the young player, and großes Talent means great talent. The person is dative after the pattern jemandem etwas bescheinigen, while großes Talent is the accusative quality being attributed.
Viele Kollegen bescheinigen ihr außergewöhnliche Geduld.
Many colleagues say that she has exceptional patience.
viele Kollegen means many colleagues, ihr means to her, and außergewöhnliche Geduld means exceptional patience. ihr is dative for the person receiving the assessment, and außergewöhnliche Geduld is the accusative quality; the finite verb bescheinigen is in position two.
beschließen — to decide, to resolve, to approve; to decide to do something
For an official decision, beschließen is often used with eine Entscheidung or a plan, law, or proposal. It is a strong verb: beschließen – beschloss – hat beschlossen.
Der Stadtrat beschließt heute den neuen Plan.
The city council is deciding on the new plan today.
der Stadtrat means the city council, and der neue Plan means the new plan. Den neuen Plan is accusative because beschließen takes a direct object, and the finite verb beschließt stands in position two.
Wir haben gestern eine wichtige Änderung beschlossen.
We decided on an important change yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and eine wichtige Änderung means an important change. The perfect uses haben plus beschlossen at the end; eine wichtige Änderung is accusative as the object of beschließen.
Der Ausschuss beschloss den Antrag nach langer Diskussion.
The committee approved the motion after a long discussion.
der Ausschuss is the committee, der Antrag is the motion, and lange Diskussion means long discussion. The simple-past form beschloss is in position two, while den Antrag is accusative because it is the object.
Beschließ endlich, was du willst.
Finally decide what you want.
endlich means finally, and was du willst means what you want. The imperative beschließ stands first; in the subordinate clause, the finite verb willst goes to the end.
Ich würde den Kauf nicht beschließen, ohne alles zu prüfen.
I would not decide on the purchase without checking everything.
der Kauf means the purchase, ohne means without, and prüfen means to check. Den Kauf is accusative after beschließen; würde marks the conditional, and the infinitive beschließen follows it.
Die Regierung wird morgen neue Regeln beschließen.
The government will decide on new rules tomorrow.
die Regierung means the government, morgen means tomorrow, and neue Regeln means new rules. Future tense uses wird in position two and sends the infinitive beschließen to the end; neue Regeln is accusative.
Sie beschließt, im Sommer nach Kanada zu reisen.
She decides to travel to Canada in the summer.
im Sommer means in the summer, nach Kanada means to Canada, and reisen means to travel. The finite verb beschließt is in position two, while zu reisen goes to the end as the decided action.
Nach dem Gespräch beschlossen sie, zu Hause zu bleiben.
After the conversation, they decided to stay at home.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and zu Hause bleiben means to stay at home. The past form beschlossen is in position two after the opening phrase; zu bleiben goes to the end of the clause.
beschuldigen — to accuse, to blame
beschuldigen takes the accused person in the accusative and often uses the pattern jemanden des Diebstahls beschuldigen. It is stronger and more formal than simply saying that someone made a mistake.
Die Polizei beschuldigt den Mann des Diebstahls.
The police accuse the man of theft.
die Polizei means the police, der Mann means the man, and der Diebstahl means theft. den Mann is accusative because beschuldigen takes the person accused as a direct object, while des Diebstahls is genitive in the fixed pattern jemanden des Diebstahls beschuldigen; the finite verb beschuldigt is in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Mann des Diebstahls beschuldigt.
The police have accused the man of theft.
die Polizei is the police, der Mann is the man, and der Diebstahl is theft. den Mann is accusative because it is the object of beschuldigen, and des Diebstahls is genitive in the fixed pattern; hat is in position two and the Partizip II beschuldigt goes to the end.
Der Nachbar beschuldigte mich ohne Beweise.
The neighbour accused me without evidence.
der Nachbar means the neighbour, mich means me, and ohne Beweise means without evidence. mich is accusative because it is the person accused, and beschuldigte is a regular Präteritum form in position two.
Beschuldige niemanden ohne Beweise!
Do not accuse anyone without evidence!
niemanden means nobody or anyone, and ohne Beweise means without evidence. The imperative beschuldige addresses one person informally; niemanden is accusative because it is the direct object, and ohne also requires the accusative.
Ich würde ihn nicht beschuldigen, wenn ich keine Beweise hätte.
I would not accuse him if I had no evidence.
ihn means him, keine Beweise means no evidence, and wenn means if. ihn is accusative as the direct object; würde beschuldigen expresses an unreal or cautious idea, while hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Der Staatsanwalt wird den Angeklagten beschuldigen.
The public prosecutor will accuse the defendant.
der Staatsanwalt means the public prosecutor, and der Angeklagte means the defendant. den Angeklagten is accusative because it is the person accused; wird stands in position two and the infinitive beschuldigen goes to the end.
bestrafen — to punish
This verb normally takes a person as an accusative object: jemanden bestrafen means to punish someone. The person is not marked with mit; use für only to name the reason, as in jemanden für etwas bestrafen.
Die Lehrerin bestraft den Schüler nicht.
The teacher does not punish the pupil.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, der Schüler is the pupil, and nicht means not. den Schüler is accusative because bestrafen takes the person being punished as a direct object; the finite verb bestraft stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin hat den Schüler nicht bestraft.
The teacher has not punished the pupil.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, der Schüler means the pupil, and nicht means not. The perfect uses hat plus bestraft, with the Partizip II at the end; den Schüler is accusative after bestrafen.
Die Lehrerin bestrafte den Schüler gestern.
The teacher punished the pupil yesterday.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, der Schüler is the pupil, and gestern means yesterday. Den Schüler is accusative because he is the direct object, and the regular past form bestrafte is in position two.
Bestrafe den Schüler nicht!
Do not punish the pupil!
der Schüler means the pupil, and nicht means not. Bestrafe is the du imperative and comes first; the direct object den Schüler is accusative.
Ich würde den Schüler nicht bestrafen.
I would not punish the pupil.
ich means I, würde means would, der Schüler means the pupil, and nicht means not. The infinitive bestrafen goes to the end after würde; den Schüler is accusative as the direct object.
Die Lehrerin wird den Schüler nicht bestrafen.
The teacher will not punish the pupil.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, der Schüler means the pupil, and nicht means not. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive bestrafen at the end, while den Schüler is the accusative object.
beteiligen — to participate, to take part
This verb is normally reflexive: sich an etwas beteiligen. The reflexive pronoun is accusative, while an takes the dative in this fixed expression.
Er beteiligt sich an der Diskussion.
He is taking part in the discussion.
die Diskussion means the discussion, and sich refers back to er. Sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun, while an der Diskussion uses dative because this meaning of an is fixed with sich beteiligen; the finite verb beteiligt is in position two.
Wir haben uns an der Planung beteiligt.
We took part in the planning.
uns means ourselves or we, and die Planung means the planning. Uns is accusative and an der Planung is dative; haben is in position two and beteiligt goes to the end.
Sie beteiligte sich nicht an dem Wettbewerb.
She did not take part in the competition.
nicht means not, and der Wettbewerb means the competition. The regular past form beteiligte is in position two; sich is accusative and an dem Wettbewerb is dative.
Beteilige dich an der Gruppenarbeit!
Take part in the group work!
dich means yourself and die Gruppenarbeit means group work. The imperative beteilige comes first, and the reflexive pronoun dich must not be omitted; an der Gruppenarbeit is dative.
Ich würde mich gern an dem Projekt beteiligen.
I would like to take part in the project.
gern means gladly or would like to, and das Projekt means the project. Mich is reflexive accusative, an dem Projekt is dative, and the infinitive beteiligen goes to the end after würde.
Nächstes Jahr wird sie sich an der Konferenz beteiligen.
Next year she will take part in the conference.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and die Konferenz means the conference. Wird stands in position two, sich is reflexive accusative, an der Konferenz is dative, and beteiligen goes to the end.
betreffen — to affect, concern
Betreffen is a strong verb with the principal parts betreffen – betraf – hat betroffen. It takes an accusative object, so the person or thing affected appears in the accusative.
Das betrifft auch meine Familie.
That also concerns my family.
auch means “also”, and meine Familie means “my family”. Meine Familie is the accusative object because betreffen takes an accusative object, while the finite verb betrifft stands in position two.
Die Nachricht hat viele Menschen betroffen.
The news affected many people.
die Nachricht means “the news”, and viele Menschen means “many people”. The perfect uses hat and betroffen; betroffen stands at the end, and viele Menschen is accusative because it is affected by the action.
Der Skandal betraf mehrere Abteilungen.
The scandal affected several departments.
der Skandal means “the scandal”, and mehrere Abteilungen means “several departments”. Betraf is the simple past form and stands in position two; mehrere Abteilungen is an accusative object.
Betriff nicht immer dieselben Leute!
Do not always affect the same people!
nicht immer means “not always”, and dieselben Leute means “the same people”. Betriff is the singular imperative, and dieselben Leute is accusative because the verb takes an accusative object.
Das würde mich nicht betreffen.
That would not concern me.
würde marks an unreal or hypothetical situation, and nicht means “not”. Mich is accusative because the matter would concern me, and the infinitive betreffen stands at the end after würde.
Die neue Regelung wird alle Kunden betreffen.
The new regulation will affect all customers.
die neue Regelung means “the new regulation”, and alle Kunden means “all customers”. Future tense uses wird in position two and places the infinitive betreffen at the end; alle Kunden is accusative.
der Betrug — fraud; deception
Betrug means dishonest deception, especially when someone gains money or another advantage. It is also used in legal language, for example wegen Betrugs means “because of fraud” or “on a fraud charge”; wegen traditionally takes the genitive.
Der Betrug wurde schnell entdeckt.
The fraud was discovered quickly.
wurde entdeckt means was discovered, and schnell means quickly. Der Betrug is nominative as the subject of the passive sentence; wurde is in position two and the Partizip II entdeckt goes to the end.
Die Polizei untersucht den Betrug.
The police are investigating the fraud.
die Polizei is the police and untersuchen means to investigate. Den Betrug is accusative because it is the direct object of untersuchen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Das Gericht glaubt dem Betrug nicht.
The court does not believe the fraud claim.
das Gericht is the court, glauben means to believe, and nicht means not. Dem Betrug is dative because glauben takes a dative object; nicht negates the verb phrase and stands near the end before other final elements.
Die Folgen des Betrugs sind schwer.
The consequences of the fraud are serious.
die Folgen are the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. Des Betrugs is genitive because it shows which fraud the consequences belong to; the masculine noun takes -s and the article is des.
Online-Betrüge nehmen zu.
Online frauds are increasing.
online means online, and zunehmen means to increase. Betrüge is plural and nominative because it is the subject; zunehmen is separable, so nehmen is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Viele Menschen verlieren durch Betrug ihr Geld.
Many people lose their money through fraud.
viele Menschen means many people, verlieren means to lose, and ihr Geld is their money. Betrug is used without an article because it refers to fraud in general; durch Betrug is accusative because durch always takes the accusative, while ihr Geld is the accusative object of verlieren.
betrügen — to cheat, to deceive
betrügen takes an accusative object: jemanden betrügen means to cheat or deceive someone. Its perfect is hat betrogen, not ist betrogen; the related passive expression betrogen werden means to be cheated.
Er betrügt seine Kunden.
He cheats his customers.
seine Kunden means his customers. Kunden is accusative because betrügen takes the person being deceived as an accusative object, and the finite verb betrügt stands in position two.
Die Firma hat viele Kunden betrogen.
The company cheated many customers.
die Firma is the company and viele Kunden means many customers. The perfect uses hat because betrügen takes haben; betrogen is at the end, and Kunden is accusative as the object.
Der Verkäufer betrog die Touristen.
The salesman cheated the tourists.
der Verkäufer is the salesman and die Touristen are the tourists. betrog is the strong-verb preterite, and die Touristen is accusative because it is the object of betrügen.
Betrüg deine Freunde nicht!
Do not cheat your friends!
deine Freunde means your friends, and nicht means not. The imperative betrüg stands first and the subject du is omitted; Freunde is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich ihn betrügen würde, hätte ich ein schlechtes Gewissen.
If I cheated him, I would feel guilty.
wenn means if, ihn means him, and ein schlechtes Gewissen is a guilty conscience. In the wenn clause, the infinitive betrügen goes to the end; ihn is accusative, and würde expresses the unreal condition.
Sie wird niemanden betrügen.
She will not cheat anyone.
niemanden means nobody or anyone in a negative sentence. wird forms the future and the infinitive betrügen goes to the end; niemanden is accusative because it is the object.
der Betrüger — fraudster, cheat
der Betrüger is a person who cheats others, often for money. The feminine form is die Betrügerin, and the plural die Betrüger looks the same as the singular apart from the article.
Der Betrüger sitzt im Gefängnis.
The fraudster is in prison.
sitzt means is sitting or is staying, and das Gefängnis is prison. Der Betrüger is the nominative subject, and the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Die Polizei sucht den Betrüger.
The police are looking for the fraudster.
die Polizei is the police and sucht means is looking for. den Betrüger is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sucht stands in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Betrüger nicht.
I do not trust the fraudster.
vertrauen means to trust and nicht means not. dem Betrüger is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Das Auto des Betrügers ist sehr teuer.
The fraudster's car is very expensive.
das Auto is the car and teuer means expensive. des Betrügers expresses possession in the genitive, with -s on the masculine noun; the verb ist agrees with das Auto, not with the possessor.
Die Betrüger versprechen schnelle Gewinne.
The fraudsters promise quick profits.
versprechen means promise, schnell means quick, and die Gewinne are the profits. Die Betrüger is plural and nominative as the subject; the plural form has no ending change from the singular.
die Betrügerin — female fraudster, female cheat
die Betrügerin is the feminine form of der Betrüger, a woman who cheats others. Its plural is die Betrügerinnen, formed with -innen.
Die Betrügerin arbeitet allein.
The female fraudster works alone.
arbeitet means works and allein means alone. Die Betrügerin is the nominative subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Polizei verhaftet die Betrügerin.
The police arrest the female fraudster.
die Polizei is the police and verhaftet means arrests. die Betrügerin is accusative because verhaften takes an accusative object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Betrügerin nicht.
I do not help the female fraudster.
helfen means to help and nicht means not. der Betrügerin is dative because helfen governs the dative; the article der is important because feminine dative is not die.
Das Telefon der Betrügerin klingelt.
The female fraudster's telephone is ringing.
das Telefon is the telephone and klingelt means is ringing. der Betrügerin expresses possession in the genitive; the feminine noun has no extra ending, but its article is der.
Die Betrügerinnen wurden verurteilt.
The female fraudsters were convicted.
wurden verurteilt means were convicted, and verurteilt means convicted. Die Betrügerinnen is the plural nominative subject; the passive uses wurden plus the Partizip II verurteilt.
die Bevölkerung — population, inhabitants
This noun usually refers collectively to the people of a place, not to one individual. The plural Bevölkerungen is used for several distinct populations.
Die Bevölkerung der Stadt wächst jedes Jahr.
The city's population grows every year.
wächst means grows, and jedes Jahr means every year; der Stadt means of the city. Die Bevölkerung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb wächst stands in position two.
Die Regierung informiert die Bevölkerung über die neuen Regeln.
The government informs the population about the new rules.
die Regierung is the government, informiert means informs, and die neuen Regeln means the new rules. Die Bevölkerung is accusative because informieren takes the people being informed as its direct object; the finite verb informiert is in position two.
Der Bürgermeister spricht mit der Bevölkerung.
The mayor speaks with the population.
der Bürgermeister is the mayor and spricht means speaks. Mit always takes the dative, so der Bevölkerung is dative; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Bedürfnisse der Bevölkerung sind wichtig.
The needs of the population are important.
die Bedürfnisse means the needs and wichtig means important. Der Bevölkerung is genitive because it identifies whose needs they are, and sind stands in position two.
Viele Bevölkerungen leiden unter dem Klimawandel.
Many populations suffer from climate change.
viele means many, leiden means suffer, and der Klimawandel means climate change. Bevölkerungen is the plural form; unter takes the dative here because it describes a condition, not movement.
der Beweis — proof, evidence
The word can mean a proof in an argument or evidence in an investigation. In everyday legal and investigative contexts, Beweis often means evidence rather than a mathematical proof.
Der Beweis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The evidence is on the table.
liegt auf dem Tisch means “is lying on the table.” Der Beweis is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Polizei findet den Beweis.
The police find the evidence.
die Polizei means the police, and findet means finds. Den Beweis is accusative because finden takes a direct object; the finite verb findet stands in position two.
Der Anwalt vertraut dem Beweis.
The lawyer trusts the evidence.
der Anwalt is the lawyer, and vertraut means trusts. Dem Beweis is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the verb is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Beweises ist klar.
The significance of the evidence is clear.
die Bedeutung means significance, and klar means clear. Des Beweises is genitive because it shows whose significance is meant; the noun takes -es after des.
Die Beweise überzeugen das Gericht.
The pieces of evidence convince the court.
überzeugen means convince, and das Gericht is the court. Die Beweise is plural and nominative because it is the subject; das Gericht is accusative because it is the object.
der Bezirk — district, administrative area
Bezirk is an administrative division, especially one within a city. It is more official than Stadtteil, which usually means a neighbourhood or part of a city.
Der Bezirk ist sehr groß.
The district is very large.
sehr groß means very large. Der Bezirk is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Stadt plant den Bezirk neu.
The city is redesigning the district.
die Stadt is the city, plant means plans, and neu means anew or in a new way. Den Bezirk is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; the finite verb plant is in position two.
Im Bezirk gibt es viele Parks.
There are many parks in the district.
im Bezirk means in the district, gibt es means there are, and viele Parks means many parks. Im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative here because this describes a location, not movement; gibt is in position two.
Die Verwaltung des Bezirks veröffentlicht neue Regeln.
The district administration publishes new rules.
die Verwaltung is the administration, veröffentlicht means publishes, and neue Regeln means new rules. Des Bezirks is genitive because it identifies which administration is meant; the finite verb veröffentlicht stands in position two.
Die Bezirke arbeiten zusammen.
The districts work together.
arbeiten zusammen means work together. Bezirke is plural nominative because it is the subject; zusammenarbeiten is separable, so arbeiten is in position two and zusammen goes to the end.
In diesem Bezirk wohnen viele Familien.
Many families live in this district.
in diesem Bezirk means in this district, wohnen means live, and viele Familien means many families. Diesem Bezirk is dative because in describes a fixed location; the finite verb wohnen is in position two.
der Bischof — bishop; bishop (chess piece)
The plural is Bischöfe, not Bischofs. In church contexts, Bischof is often used with a place or denomination, such as Bischof von Rom.
Der Bischof spricht heute.
The bishop is speaking today.
spricht means is speaking, and heute means today. Der Bischof is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Gemeinde begrüßt den Bischof.
The congregation welcomes the bishop.
die Gemeinde means the congregation, and begrüßt means welcomes. den Bischof is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object, while begrüßt remains in position two.
Die Gläubigen danken dem Bischof.
The believers thank the bishop.
die Gläubigen means the believers, and danken means thank. dem Bischof is dative because the verb danken requires a dative object; the finite verb danken is in position two.
Das Amt des Bischofs ist anspruchsvoll.
The bishop's office is demanding.
das Amt means the office or position, and anspruchsvoll means demanding. des Bischofs is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the genitive noun takes -s and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Bischöfe treffen sich in Rom.
The bishops meet in Rome.
treffen sich means meet each other, and in Rom means in Rome. Die Bischöfe is the plural subject in the nominative; the plural is formed with an umlaut and -e, and treffen stands in position two.
Der Bischof steht auf einem weißen Feld.
The bishop is on a white square.
steht means is standing, auf means on, and einem weißen Feld means a white square. Der Bischof is nominative as the subject, while auf takes dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
Ich ziehe den Bischof nach links.
I move the bishop to the left.
ziehe means move, and nach links means to the left. den Bischof is accusative because ziehen has a direct object; the finite verb ziehe stands in position two.
der Botschafter — ambassador; representative, ambassador
The feminine form is die Botschafterin. For a country's official representative, Botschafter is usually more precise than the general word Vertreter.
Der Botschafter begrüßt die Gäste.
The ambassador welcomes the guests.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die Gäste means the guests. Der Botschafter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two.
Die Ministerin trifft den Botschafter heute.
The minister is meeting the ambassador today.
die Ministerin is the female minister, trifft means meets, and heute means today. Den Botschafter is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb trifft is in position two.
Wir danken dem Botschafter für seine Hilfe.
We thank the ambassador for his help.
danken means thank, and für seine Hilfe means for his help. Dem Botschafter is dative because the verb danken requires a dative person; für takes the accusative in seine Hilfe.
Die Rede des Botschafters war sehr wichtig.
The ambassador's speech was very important.
die Rede is the speech and sehr wichtig means very important. Des Botschafters is genitive because it shows whose speech it was; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Botschafter nehmen an der Konferenz teil.
Many ambassadors are taking part in the conference.
viele means many, an der Konferenz means at the conference, and teilnehmen means take part. Viele Botschafter is plural and nominative as the subject; in the main clause, nehmen comes in position two and teil goes to the end.
Sie ist Botschafterin für den Umweltschutz.
She is an ambassador for environmental protection.
sie means she, and der Umweltschutz means environmental protection. Botschafterin is the feminine form; für takes the accusative in den Umweltschutz, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Der Sportler wurde zum Botschafter der Organisation ernannt.
The athlete was appointed ambassador of the organisation.
der Sportler is the athlete, wurde ernannt means was appointed, and die Organisation means organisation. Zum Botschafter is dative after zu; wurde ernannt forms the passive and the participle stands at the end.
der Brauch — custom, tradition
der Brauch usually means a custom or tradition shared by a group, not an individual habit. The plural Bräuche has an umlaut, and the genitive can be des Brauchs or des Brauches.
Der Brauch ist in unserem Dorf sehr alt.
The custom is very old in our village.
unserem Dorf means our village and sehr alt means very old. Der Brauch is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Familien feiern den Brauch.
Many families celebrate the custom.
viele Familien means many families and feiern means celebrate. den Brauch is accusative because feiern takes a direct object, so the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Kinder folgen dem Brauch.
The children follow the custom.
die Kinder means the children and folgen means follow. folgen requires a dative object, so dem Brauch is dative rather than accusative.
Die Bedeutung des Brauchs ist heute noch klar.
The meaning of the custom is still clear today.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, heute noch means still today, and klar means clear. des Brauchs is genitive because it specifies which meaning is meant; the noun takes -s in the genitive.
In verschiedenen Ländern gibt es ähnliche Bräuche.
There are similar customs in different countries.
verschiedenen Ländern means different countries and ähnliche means similar. Bräuche is the plural of Brauch; in verschiedenen Ländern is dative because it describes location, while es gibt takes an accusative object.
der Bundeskanzler — federal chancellor
Der Bundeskanzler is the head of Germany’s federal government. The feminine form is die Bundeskanzlerin; do not confuse this political title with the president, der Bundespräsident.
Der Bundeskanzler spricht heute im Bundestag.
The federal chancellor is speaking in the Bundestag today.
sprechen means to speak, heute means today, and der Bundestag is the German federal parliament. Der Bundeskanzler is nominative because it is the subject, and spricht stands in position two.
Viele Menschen kritisieren den Bundeskanzler.
Many people criticise the federal chancellor.
viele Menschen means many people, and kritisieren means criticise. Den Bundeskanzler is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Journalistin stellt dem Bundeskanzler eine Frage.
The journalist asks the federal chancellor a question.
die Journalistin is the female journalist, stellen means to ask in this expression, and eine Frage is a question. Dem Bundeskanzler is dative because it is the person receiving the question, while eine Frage is accusative.
Die Entscheidung des Bundeskanzlers wird morgen bekannt gegeben.
The federal chancellor’s decision will be announced tomorrow.
die Entscheidung is the decision, morgen means tomorrow, and bekannt geben means announce or make public. Des Bundeskanzlers is genitive and shows who made the decision; this noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Bundeskanzler der Länder treffen sich zu einem Gespräch.
The federal chancellors of the countries meet for a discussion.
die Länder means the countries or federal states, sich treffen means meet, and ein Gespräch is a discussion. Bundeskanzler has no plural ending; der Länder is genitive after the plural noun and means of the countries or states.
Der Bundespräsident ernennt den neuen Bundeskanzler.
The federal president appoints the new federal chancellor.
der Bundespräsident is the federal president, ernennen means appoint, and neu means new. Den neuen Bundeskanzler is accusative because ernennen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after den.
das Bundesland — federal state
In Germany, das Bundesland usually means one of the country's sixteen federal states. The plural is die Bundesländer; the word is also used for federal states in Austria, although Austrian states are more often called Bundesländer.
Bayern ist ein großes Bundesland.
Bavaria is a large federal state.
Bayern is Bavaria, and groß means large. Bayern is the subject in the nominative, while ein großes Bundesland is a predicate noun after ist; the adjective takes the ending -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Viele Menschen besuchen dieses Bundesland im Sommer.
Many people visit this federal state in summer.
viele Menschen means many people, besuchen means visit, and im Sommer means in summer. dieses Bundesland is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
In diesem Bundesland gibt es viele Seen.
There are many lakes in this federal state.
in diesem Bundesland means in this federal state, gibt es means there are, and viele Seen means many lakes. in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement; the phrase comes first, so gibt still occupies position two.
Die Hauptstadt des Bundeslandes liegt am Fluss.
The capital of the federal state lies on the river.
die Hauptstadt means the capital, liegt means lies or is located, and am Fluss means by the river. des Bundeslandes is genitive because it shows whose capital it is, and the genitive ending -es must not be omitted.
Deutschland hat sechzehn Bundesländer.
Germany has sixteen federal states.
Deutschland is Germany, hat means has, and sechzehn means sixteen. sechzehn Bundesländer is an accusative object after hat, and the plural has the umlaut in Länder.
Welches Bundesland möchtest du besuchen?
Which federal state would you like to visit?
welches means which, möchtest du means would you like, and besuchen means to visit. welches Bundesland is accusative because it is the object of besuchen; in a yes-or-no or question-word question, the finite verb comes before the subject.
die Bundesrepublik — Federal Republic; Federal Republic of Germany; federal republic
die Bundesrepublik is most often short for die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the official name of Germany. It is more formal than simply Deutschland and is common in political, legal and historical writing.
Die Bundesrepublik ist ein demokratischer Staat.
The Federal Republic is a democratic state.
demokratischer Staat means democratic state. Die Bundesrepublik is the nominative subject, and ein demokratischer Staat is a predicate noun after ist; the adjective has the strong ending -er after ein with a masculine noun.
Viele Menschen kennen die Bundesrepublik.
Many people know the Federal Republic.
viele Menschen means many people, and kennen means know or be familiar with. die Bundesrepublik is accusative because it is the direct object of kennen; its feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
In der Bundesrepublik gibt es sechzehn Bundesländer.
There are sixteen federal states in the Federal Republic.
in der Bundesrepublik means in the Federal Republic, and sechzehn Bundesländer means sixteen federal states. in takes the dative for a fixed location, shown by der; gibt is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Geschichte der Bundesrepublik ist interessant.
The history of the Federal Republic is interesting.
die Geschichte means the history, and interessant means interesting. der Bundesrepublik is genitive because it means of the Federal Republic; feminine genitive uses der but does not add an ending to the noun.
Die beiden Bundesrepubliken arbeiten zusammen.
The two federal republics work together.
die beiden means the two, and arbeiten zusammen means work together. die beiden Bundesrepubliken is a plural nominative subject, and the plural noun ends in -en.
Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland liegt in Europa.
The Federal Republic of Germany is in Europe.
Deutschland is Germany, liegt means is located, and Europa is Europe. Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland is a full official name in the nominative; Deutschland stands next to the noun as an identifying name, not as a separate object.
Die neue Bundesrepublik verabschiedete eine Verfassung.
The new federal republic adopted a constitution.
neu means new, verabschiedete means adopted or passed, and die Verfassung means the constitution. Die neue Bundesrepublik is the nominative subject, while eine Verfassung is accusative after verabschieden.
Mehrere Bundesrepubliken sind Mitglieder der Organisation.
Several federal republics are members of the organisation.
mehrere means several, Mitglieder means members, and die Organisation means the organisation. Mehrere Bundesrepubliken is the plural nominative subject; der Organisation is genitive after Mitglieder to show membership of the organisation.
der Bundestag — German Bundestag; national parliament
der Bundestag normally means Germany's national parliament, not simply any parliament. Although the plural die Bundestage is grammatically possible for different federal parliaments, political texts usually use der Bundestag as the institution's proper name.
Der Bundestag berät heute über den Haushalt.
The Bundestag is debating the budget today.
berät ... über means debates or discusses, heute means today, and der Haushalt means the budget. Der Bundestag is the nominative subject; the preposition über takes the accusative here, and the finite verb berät is in position two.
Die Bürger wählen den Bundestag.
Citizens elect the Bundestag.
die Bürger means the citizens, and wählen means elect or choose. den Bundestag is accusative because it is the direct object of wählen; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Abgeordnete spricht im Bundestag.
The female member of parliament speaks in the Bundestag.
die Abgeordnete means the female member of parliament, spricht means speaks, and im Bundestag means in the Bundestag. im is in dem, and in takes the dative because the sentence describes a location rather than movement.
Die Debatte des Bundestages wurde live übertragen.
The Bundestag's debate was broadcast live.
die Debatte means the debate, wurde übertragen means was broadcast, and live means live. des Bundestages is genitive because it shows whose debate it was; the passive participle übertragen stands at the end.
In Europa gibt es mehrere Bundestage.
There are several national parliaments in Europe.
Europa is Europe, mehrere means several, and gibt es means there are. mehrere Bundestage is the plural form used for different national parliaments, while in Europa is dative because it gives a location.
Der Bundestag entscheidet über wichtige Gesetze.
The Bundestag decides on important laws.
entscheidet über means decides on, wichtig means important, and Gesetze means laws. Der Bundestag is the subject, and über takes the accusative in über wichtige Gesetze; the finite verb entscheidet stands in position two.