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Vocab: Society, politics & law — B1 (2)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
Bundeswehr — German armed forces
Bundeswehr is a feminine proper noun, usually used with die. It names Germany's armed forces and is normally singular; it is not generally used in the plural.
Mein Bruder arbeitet bei der Bundeswehr.
My brother works in the German armed forces.
Mein Bruder means my brother, and arbeitet means works. bei takes the dative here, so der Bundeswehr is dative; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Bundeswehr hilft bei der Überschwemmung.
The German armed forces are helping with the flooding.
hilft means helps, and die Überschwemmung means the flooding. Die Bundeswehr is the nominative subject, while bei der Überschwemmung is a dative phrase; hilft stands in position two.
der Bürger — citizen; resident; member of a community
Der Bürger can mean a citizen in a legal or political sense, or more generally a member of a town or community. It is a weak masculine noun: den Bürger, dem Bürger, and des Bürgers.
Der Bürger hat das Recht zu wählen.
The citizen has the right to vote.
das Recht means the right, and wählen means to vote. Der Bürger is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hat is in position two, and zu wählen comes after das Recht.
Die Stadt informiert den Bürger über den neuen Plan.
The city informs the citizen about the new plan.
die Stadt is the city, informieren means to inform, and der neue Plan is the new plan. Den Bürger is accusative because informieren takes a direct object; über takes the accusative here because it means about a subject.
Die Stadt hilft dem Bürger bei seinem Antrag.
The city helps the citizen with his application.
helfen means to help, der Antrag is the application, and bei means with or in the matter of. Dem Bürger is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and bei also requires the dative.
Die Rechte des Bürgers sind gesetzlich geschützt.
The citizen’s rights are protected by law.
die Rechte are the rights, gesetzlich means legal or by law, and geschützt means protected. Des Bürgers is genitive because it shows whose rights they are; the weak noun adds -s in this form.
Viele Bürger protestieren gegen den Plan.
Many citizens are protesting against the plan.
viele means many, protestieren means to protest, and gegen means against. Viele Bürger is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: protestieren; the plural noun itself has no ending.
Die Bürger der Gemeinde treffen sich im Rathaus.
The residents of the municipality meet at the town hall.
die Gemeinde is the municipality, sich treffen means to meet, and das Rathaus is the town hall. Die Bürger der Gemeinde is the subject; der Gemeinde is genitive after the noun phrase and means of the municipality.
Viele Bürger engagieren sich für saubere Straßen.
Many residents campaign for clean streets.
sich engagieren means to get involved or campaign, sauber means clean, and die Straße is the street. Viele Bürger is the plural subject, while für takes the accusative in saubere Straßen.
die Bürgerin — female citizen
Die Bürgerin is the feminine form of der Bürger. Its plural is Bürgerinnen, formed with -innen, not simply with -s or -e.
Die Bürgerin stellt einen Antrag.
The female citizen submits an application.
stellen means to submit or put, and der Antrag is the application. Die Bürgerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb stellt stands in position two.
Die Stadt berät die Bürgerin.
The city advises the female citizen.
beraten means to advise, and die Stadt is the city. Die Bürgerin is accusative because beraten takes a direct object; the feminine article stays die in both nominative and accusative.
Der Beamte hilft der Bürgerin.
The official helps the female citizen.
der Beamte is the official, and helfen means to help. Der Bürgerin is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Rechte der Bürgerin sind geschützt.
The female citizen’s rights are protected.
die Rechte are the rights, and geschützt means protected. Der Bürgerin is genitive because it shows whose rights they are; this form looks like the dative, so the possessive meaning and article are important.
Viele Bürgerinnen nehmen an der Versammlung teil.
Many female citizens take part in the meeting.
viele means many, die Versammlung is the meeting, and teilnehmen means to take part. Bürgerinnen is the plural subject; an takes the dative for participation in an event, and the separable verb appears as nehmen ... teil.
die Bürgermeisterin — female mayor
The feminine form of der Bürgermeister is used for a woman who leads a town or city. The ending -in marks a female person, and the plural changes it to -innen.
Die Bürgermeisterin begrüßt die Gäste.
The mayor welcomes the guests.
begrüßt means welcomes and die Gäste means the guests. Die Bürgermeisterin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb begrüßt is in position two.
Die Zeitung interviewt die Bürgermeisterin.
The newspaper interviews the mayor.
die Zeitung is the newspaper and interviewt means interviews. die Bürgermeisterin is accusative because interviewen takes a direct object; the finite verb interviewt stands in position two.
Die Bürger danken der Bürgermeisterin für ihre Hilfe.
The citizens thank the mayor for her help.
die Bürger are the citizens, danken means thank, and ihre Hilfe means her help. der Bürgermeisterin is dative because danken requires a dative object, while danken is in position two.
Das Büro der Bürgermeisterin liegt im Rathaus.
The mayor's office is in the town hall.
das Büro means office, liegt means is located, and das Rathaus is the town hall. der Bürgermeisterin is genitive and shows whose office it is; liegt is in position two.
Die Bürgermeisterinnen treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The female mayors meet for a conference.
treffen sich means meet each other, and eine Konferenz is a conference. Die Bürgermeisterinnen is plural nominative because the women are the subject; the ending -innen marks the feminine plural.
der Christ — Christian; Christian man
der Christ is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in every singular case except the nominative, as in den Christen and des Christen. The word can refer generally to a Christian person, although der Christ specifically identifies a male person when gender matters.
Der Christ geht jeden Sonntag in die Kirche.
The Christian goes to church every Sunday.
gläubig means believing and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. Der Christ is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb geht is in position two.
Ich kenne den Christen aus meiner Nachbarschaft.
I know the Christian from my neighbourhood.
kennen means to know a person and die Nachbarschaft is the neighbourhood. Den Christen is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; this weak noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Ich spreche mit dem Christen.
I am speaking with the Christian.
sprechen means to speak. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Christen is dative; the weak noun keeps -en after the article.
Der Glaube des Christen ist stark.
The Christian’s faith is strong.
der Glaube means faith and stark means strong. Des Christen is genitive because it shows possession; Christ takes -en in this case.
Viele Christen feiern Weihnachten.
Many Christians celebrate Christmas.
viele means many and Weihnachten is Christmas. Christen is plural nominative, and the finite verb feiern is in position two.
die Christin — female Christian
The feminine form is built from der Christ with -in. Its plural is Christinnen, with -innen for the feminine personal ending.
Die Christin betet jeden Abend.
The Christian woman prays every evening.
beten means to pray and jeden Abend means every evening. Die Christin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb betet is in position two.
Ich kenne die Christin aus dem Dorf.
I know the Christian woman from the village.
kennen means to know a person, das Dorf is the village, and aus means from. Die Christin is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; aus dem Dorf is a dative phrase because aus requires the dative.
Ich danke der Christin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the Christian woman for her help.
danken means to thank and die Hilfe is help. Der Christin is dative because danken requires the dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Gebet der Christin ist lang.
The Christian woman’s prayer is long.
das Gebet means prayer and lang means long. Der Christin is genitive because it shows whose prayer it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Christinnen arbeiten in sozialen Berufen.
Many Christian women work in social professions.
viele means many, arbeiten means work, and soziale Berufe means social professions. Christinnen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
der Datenschutz — data protection, privacy protection
der Datenschutz is normally an uncountable area of law and practice, so it has no ordinary plural. It is often used with personenbezogene Daten, meaning personal data.
Der Datenschutz ist heute sehr wichtig.
Data protection is very important today.
heute means today and wichtig means important. Der Datenschutz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma verbessert den Datenschutz.
The company is improving data protection.
die Firma means the company and verbessert means improves. den Datenschutz is accusative because verbessern takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir vertrauen dem Datenschutz dieser Website.
We trust this website’s data protection.
vertrauen means trust and dieser Website means of this website. dem Datenschutz is dative because vertrauen governs the dative, not the accusative; the finite verb vertrauen is in position two.
Die Regeln des Datenschutzes sind streng.
The data-protection rules are strict.
die Regeln means the rules and streng means strict. des Datenschutzes is genitive because it describes which rules, and the masculine noun takes -es in the genitive.
demokratisch — democratic
Demokratisch describes a system, decision or procedure that gives citizens a say. Its regular comparison is demokratischer, am demokratischsten; do not use the am form directly before a noun.
Das Land ist demokratisch.
The country is democratic.
das Land means the country. Demokratisch is predicative after the linking verb ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject das Land.
Sie leben in einem demokratischen Staat.
They live in a democratic state.
sie leben means they live, einem Staat means a state, and in means in. Demokratischen describes Staat and has a dative masculine ending because in expresses location here and einem already marks the dative.
Das neue Verfahren ist demokratischer als das alte.
The new procedure is more democratic than the old one.
das Verfahren means the procedure, neu means new, and alt means old. Demokratischer is the comparative form; als introduces the thing used for comparison, and the adjective after ist is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Diese Entscheidung war am demokratischsten.
This decision was the most democratic.
diese Entscheidung means this decision and war means was. Am demokratischsten is the predicative superlative with am; because it follows war rather than standing before a noun, it has no adjective ending.
die Demonstration — demonstration, protest; demonstration, practical showing
For a public protest, die Demonstration is neutral and often political. It can also mean a practical showing of how something works, but Vorführung is often more natural for that meaning.
Die Demonstration beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The demonstration begins at six o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Die Demonstration is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Die Polizei beobachtet die Demonstration.
The police are observing the demonstration.
die Polizei means the police, and beobachtet means observes or is observing. die Demonstration is accusative because it is the direct object of beobachten, while the finite verb beobachtet is in position two.
Bei der Demonstration spricht eine Ärztin über bessere Arbeitsbedingungen.
At the demonstration, a female doctor speaks about better working conditions.
bei means at or during, spricht means speaks, eine Ärztin is a female doctor, and Arbeitsbedingungen means working conditions. The preposition bei requires the dative, so der Demonstration has the dative article der; the finite verb spricht remains in position two.
Das Ziel der Demonstration war mehr Klimaschutz.
The aim of the demonstration was more climate protection.
das Ziel means the aim, war means was, and Klimaschutz means climate protection. der Demonstration is genitive because it identifies whose aim it is, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Demonstrationen finden am Wochenende statt.
Many demonstrations take place at the weekend.
viele means many, finden statt means take place, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Demonstrationen is the plural subject, so it has no plural ending on the article beyond viele; the separable verb stattfinden places finden in position two and statt at the end.
Die Lehrerin macht eine Demonstration mit dem neuen Gerät.
The teacher gives a demonstration with the new device.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, macht means gives or does, and das neue Gerät means the new device. eine Demonstration is accusative because machen takes a direct object, and the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Nach der Demonstration können die Schüler die Maschine selbst bedienen.
After the demonstration, the pupils can operate the machine themselves.
nach means after, die Schüler means the pupils, Maschine means machine, and bedienen means operate. der Demonstration is dative because nach always requires the dative; the modal verb können is in position two and bedienen goes to the end.
der Diebstahl — theft, stealing
Diebstahl names the criminal act of stealing, rather than the person who steals or the object stolen. It is often used in legal language with anzeigen or melden, meaning to report something to the authorities.
Der Diebstahl wurde gestern angezeigt.
The theft was reported yesterday.
wurde angezeigt means was reported, and gestern means yesterday. Der Diebstahl is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the finite verb wurde stands in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Diebstahl.
The police are investigating the theft.
die Polizei means the police and untersucht means is investigating. den Diebstahl is accusative because untersuchen takes an accusative object.
Der Besitzer meldete der Polizei den Diebstahl.
The owner reported the theft to the police.
der Besitzer means the owner and meldete means reported. der Polizei is dative because it is the recipient of the report, while den Diebstahl is the accusative thing reported.
Die Folgen des Diebstahls waren schwer.
The consequences of the theft were serious.
die Folgen means the consequences, waren means were, and schwer means serious. des Diebstahls is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; the noun adds -s in this form.
In diesem Jahr gab es mehrere Diebstähle.
There were several thefts this year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, gab es means there were, and mehrere means several. Diebstähle is the plural after mehrere; the vowel changes from a to ä and the ending -e is added.
der Diplomat — diplomat
Diplomat is a weak masculine noun: use der Diplomat only in the nominative singular, but den Diplomaten, dem Diplomaten, and des Diplomaten in the other singular cases.
Der Diplomat spricht mehrere Sprachen.
The diplomat speaks several languages.
spricht means speaks and mehrere Sprachen means several languages. Der Diplomat is nominative as the subject; this is a weak masculine noun, but the bare form is used in the nominative singular.
Die Journalistin interviewt den Diplomaten.
The journalist interviews the diplomat.
die Journalistin means the female journalist and interviewt means interviews. Den Diplomaten is accusative as the object of interviewt; weak masculine nouns take -en outside the nominative singular.
Ich danke dem Diplomaten.
I thank the diplomat.
ich danke means I thank. Dem Diplomaten is dative because danken takes the dative, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Die Aussage des Diplomaten war wichtig.
The diplomat’s statement was important.
die Aussage means the statement and wichtig means important. Des Diplomaten is genitive and shows whose statement it was; weak masculine nouns use -en in the genitive.
Die Diplomaten treffen sich heute.
The diplomats are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet each other, and heute means today. Die Diplomaten is the plural subject; the plural also ends in -en, just like the non-nominative singular.
Der Diplomat verhandelt mit seinem Diplomatenkollegen.
The diplomat is negotiating with his diplomatic colleague.
verhandelt means negotiates, mit means with, and sein Kollege means his colleague. Mit takes the dative; the compound Diplomatenkollegen has the weak ending -en.
die Diplomatin — female diplomat
Diplomatin is the feminine form of Diplomat. Unlike the masculine noun, it does not take an extra ending in the dative or genitive singular: der Diplomatin.
Die Diplomatin arbeitet in Berlin.
The diplomat works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works and in Berlin identifies the place. Die Diplomatin is nominative as the subject, while in Berlin is a location phrase; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Der Minister begrüßt die Diplomatin.
The minister welcomes the diplomat.
der Minister means the minister and begrüßt means welcomes. Die Diplomatin is accusative as the direct object; feminine singular has the same article form die in the nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Diplomatin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the diplomat for her help.
ich danke means I thank, für ihre Hilfe means for her help, and Hilfe means help. Der Diplomatin is dative because danken takes the dative; für takes the accusative in the phrase ihre Hilfe.
Die Rede der Diplomatin war überzeugend.
The diplomat’s speech was convincing.
die Rede means the speech and überzeugend means convincing. Der Diplomatin is genitive and shows whose speech it was; feminine genitive uses der, while the noun keeps its basic form.
Die Diplomatinnen treffen sich mit dem Präsidenten.
The female diplomats are meeting with the president.
treffen sich means meet each other and der Präsident means the president. Die Diplomatinnen is the plural subject, and mit dem Präsidenten is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Zeitung spricht mit einer Diplomatin.
The newspaper speaks with a female diplomat.
die Zeitung means the newspaper and spricht mit means speaks with. Mit einer Diplomatin is dative because mit requires the dative; einer marks feminine dative singular.
diplomatisch — diplomatic, tactful; diplomatic, relating to diplomacy
In everyday use, diplomatisch often means tactful rather than connected with official diplomacy. It is a regular adjective, so comparison is formed with -er and am ...-sten.
Seine Antwort war sehr diplomatisch.
His answer was very diplomatic.
die Antwort means answer, and sehr means very. The adjective follows war, the past tense of sein, so it is predicative and has no ending.
Sie gab ihm eine diplomatische Antwort.
She gave him a diplomatic answer.
gab means gave, ihm means to him, and die Antwort means the answer. eine diplomatische Antwort is an accusative object after geben; the adjective has -e after the feminine article eine.
Diese Antwort ist diplomatischer als die erste.
This answer is more diplomatic than the first one.
diese Antwort means this answer, and die erste means the first one. diplomatischer compares two things and is followed by als; after ist it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Er war am diplomatischsten, als beide Seiten stritten.
He was the most diplomatic when both sides were arguing.
beide Seiten means both sides, and stritten means were arguing. The predicative superlative uses am diplomatischsten; the finite verb stritten goes to the end of the subordinate clause after als.
Er arbeitet im diplomatischen Dienst.
He works in the diplomatic service.
arbeitet means works, and der Dienst means the service. im diplomatischen Dienst is dative because in describes a location here; im is short for in dem, and the adjective takes -en.
Die Länder haben diplomatische Beziehungen.
The countries have diplomatic relations.
die Länder means the countries, and die Beziehungen means relations. diplomatische Beziehungen is the accusative object of haben; the plural adjective takes -e after the zero article.
drohen — to threaten; to threaten, be imminent
The person being threatened is in the dative: jemandem drohen. A threat can also be introduced with mit plus dative, as in mit einer Anzeige drohen.
Der Mann droht mir mit einer Anzeige.
The man is threatening me with a report to the police.
der Mann means the man, mir means to me, and eine Anzeige means a report to the police. The person threatened is dative after drohen, so mir is dative; mit also takes the dative, and the finite verb droht stands in position two.
Der Mann hat mir mit einer Anzeige gedroht.
The man threatened me with a report to the police.
eine Anzeige means a report to the police, and hat ... gedroht means threatened. Mir is dative because drohen takes a dative person; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gedroht goes to the end.
Der Mann drohte mir mit einer Anzeige.
The man threatened me with a report to the police.
der Mann means the man, mir means to me, and eine Anzeige means a report to the police. Mir is dative because drohen requires a dative person, and the finite preterite drohte stays in position two.
Droh ihm nicht!
Don't threaten him!
ihm means to him, and nicht means not. The imperative droh has no subject pronoun; ihm is dative because the person threatened after drohen is dative.
Wenn du weiter so laut bist, würde ich dir drohen.
If you continue to be so loud, I would threaten you.
weiter means still or continuing, so laut means that loud, and würde ich dir drohen means I would threaten you. The subordinate clause beginning with wenn sends bist to the end, while dir is dative because drohen takes a dative person.
Der Chef wird ihm morgen drohen.
The boss will threaten him tomorrow.
der Chef means the boss, ihm means to him, and morgen means tomorrow. Ihm is dative after drohen; the auxiliary wird is in position two and the infinitive drohen goes to the end.
Ein schweres Gewitter droht.
A severe thunderstorm is threatening.
ein schweres Gewitter means a severe thunderstorm. It is the nominative subject of droht, which stands in position two; in this sense, drohen has no person object.
Uns droht ein langer Stau.
A long traffic jam is threatening us.
uns means to us, ein langer Stau means a long traffic jam, and droht means threatens or is likely to happen. Uns is dative because the people affected can be marked as a dative object, while ein langer Stau is the nominative subject.
durchsetzen — to enforce, push through, implement; to prevail, assert oneself
The transitive use takes an accusative object, for example eine Forderung durchsetzen. The reflexive use sich durchsetzen means to prevail or assert oneself; do not confuse it with durchsetzen meaning to permeate something.
Die Regierung setzt das neue Gesetz durch.
The government is pushing the new law through.
die Regierung is the government and das neue Gesetz is the new law. Das neue Gesetz is accusative because the transitive verb takes a direct object; setzt is in position two and the prefix durch goes to the end.
Die Regierung hat das neue Gesetz durchgesetzt.
The government pushed the new law through.
die Regierung is the government and das neue Gesetz is the new law. The perfect uses hat because durchsetzen takes haben, while durchgesetzt goes to the end and the object is accusative.
Der Verein setzte seine Forderung durch.
The club enforced its demand.
der Verein is the club and seine Forderung is its demand. Setzte ... durch is the weak preterite; the demand is accusative, and the separable prefix stands at the end.
Setz deinen Plan durch!
Push your plan through!
deinen Plan means your plan. The du imperative is setz without a subject, and durch remains at the end because the verb is separable; the plan is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Mut hätte, würde ich meine Idee durchsetzen.
If I had more courage, I would push my idea through.
wenn means if, mehr Mut is more courage, and meine Idee is my idea. The Konjunktiv II uses würde plus the infinitive durchsetzen; in the subordinate clause hätte goes to the end, while the infinitive stays whole at the end of the main clause.
Wir werden den Vorschlag morgen durchsetzen.
We will push the proposal through tomorrow.
der Vorschlag is the proposal and morgen means tomorrow. Future uses werden in position two plus the whole infinitive durchsetzen at the end; the proposal is accusative.
Sie setzt sich gegen ihre Konkurrentin durch.
She prevails against her competitor.
sich durchsetzen means prevail, gegen means against, and ihre Konkurrentin is her competitor. Gegen takes the accusative, while the reflexive pronoun sich is accusative here; setzt ... durch is split in the main clause.
Nach langer Diskussion hat er sich durchgesetzt.
After a long discussion, he prevailed.
nach langer Diskussion means after a long discussion, and lange means long. The reflexive perfect uses hat sich durchgesetzt because the verb takes haben; the Partizip II is at the end.
die Ehre — honour, respect; honour, privilege
Ehre is usually an uncountable idea, but Ehren is used for separate honours or distinctions. In the fixed expression die Ehre haben, the following verb normally appears with zu.
Die Ehre des Sieges gehört der ganzen Mannschaft.
The honour of the victory belongs to the whole team.
der Sieg means the victory and die ganze Mannschaft means the whole team. Die Ehre is nominative because it is the subject, while des Sieges is genitive and means of the victory; the finite verb gehört is in position two.
Alle Gäste spürten die Ehre des Augenblicks.
All the guests felt the honour of the moment.
alle Gäste means all the guests, spüren means to feel, and der Augenblick means the moment. Die Ehre is accusative because spüren takes a direct object, while des Augenblicks is genitive; the finite verb spürten stands in position two.
Der Preis wurde der Ehre des Forschers gewidmet.
The prize was dedicated to the honour of the researcher.
der Preis is the prize, widmen means to dedicate, and der Forscher is the researcher. Der Ehre is dative because widmen assigns a dative recipient, and des Forschers is genitive; in the passive, wurde ... gewidmet forms the verb bracket.
Die Bedeutung der Ehre ist in diesem Roman wichtig.
The meaning of honour is important in this novel.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, in diesem Roman means in this novel, and wichtig means important. Der Ehre is genitive because it describes the meaning of honour; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Bei der Zeremonie wurden viele Ehren verliehen.
Many honours were awarded at the ceremony.
die Zeremonie means the ceremony, viele means many, and verleihen means to award. Ehren is the plural subject in the passive, and wurden ... verliehen places the finite verb second and the participle at the end.
Es ist mir eine Ehre, Sie kennenzulernen.
It is an honour for me to meet you.
mir means to me, Sie is the formal you, and kennenlernen means to meet or get to know. Mir is dative because the expression es ist mir eine Ehre names the person who feels honoured; kennenzulernen is a zu-infinitive at the end.
Der Präsident erwies der Familie die letzte Ehre.
The president paid his final respects to the family.
der Präsident means the president, erweisen means to pay or show, die Familie means the family, and letzte means final. Der Familie is dative because erweisen takes the person receiving the respect in the dative, while die letzte Ehre is the accusative thing shown.
ehren — to honour, to respect
Ehren is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It normally takes a person or group directly in the accusative, as in jemanden ehren.
Die Stadt ehrt die freiwilligen Helfer.
The city honours the volunteer helpers.
die Stadt means the city and freiwillige Helfer are volunteer helpers. Die freiwilligen Helfer is accusative because ehren takes a direct object, and the finite verb ehrt stands in position two.
Die Stadt hat die freiwilligen Helfer geehrt.
The city has honoured the volunteer helpers.
freiwillige Helfer means volunteer helpers, and haben ... geehrt means have honoured. The object is accusative after ehren; hat is in position two and the participle geehrt goes to the end.
Die Stadt ehrte die freiwilligen Helfer.
The city honoured the volunteer helpers.
die Stadt means the city and freiwillige Helfer means volunteer helpers. Die freiwilligen Helfer is accusative after ehren, and the weak preterite ehrte stands in position two.
Ehre die Menschen, die dir geholfen haben.
Honour the people who helped you.
die Menschen means the people and geholfen haben means have helped. Die Menschen is accusative because it is the object of ehre; the imperative begins the clause, and the relative-clause verb geholfen haben goes to the end.
Ich würde die mutige Frau dafür ehren.
I would honour the brave woman for that.
ich würde means I would, mutig means brave, and dafür means for that. Die mutige Frau is accusative after ehren; würde is in position two and the infinitive ehren stands at the end.
Wir werden die Gewinner morgen ehren.
We will honour the winners tomorrow.
die Gewinner means the winners and morgen means tomorrow. Die Gewinner is accusative because it is the object of ehren; werden is in position two and the infinitive ehren goes to the end.
das Ehrenamt — voluntary position, voluntary work
Ehrenamt can mean either the unpaid position itself or the voluntary work connected with it. The related adjective ehrenamtlich means voluntary or unpaid.
Das Ehrenamt macht ihr viel Freude.
The voluntary work gives her a lot of pleasure.
Freude means pleasure or joy, and viel means a lot of. Das Ehrenamt is nominative because it is the subject, while ihr is dative because Freude machen gives a feeling to someone; macht is in position two.
Sie übernimmt das Ehrenamt im Sportverein.
She takes on the voluntary position at the sports club.
sie means she, übernehmen means to take on, and der Sportverein means sports club. Das Ehrenamt is accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb übernimmt stands in position two.
Er hilft dem Ehrenamt mit seiner Erfahrung.
He helps the voluntary work with his experience.
helfen means to help and Erfahrung means experience. Dem Ehrenamt is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, and mit also forces dative in mit seiner Erfahrung.
Die Wirkung des Ehrenamts ist deutlich.
The effect of voluntary work is clear.
die Wirkung means the effect and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Des Ehrenamts is genitive because it identifies the effect's source; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Ehrenämter brauchen regelmäßige Zeit.
Many voluntary positions require regular time.
viele means many, brauchen means need or require, and regelmäßig means regular. Ehrenämter is the plural subject, so it has no plural article ending beyond viele; brauchen stands in position two.
das Eigentum — property, possessions; ownership, title
Eigentum is normally a mass noun, so it usually has no plural. For separate objects, German often uses Sachen or Besitztümer instead.
Eigentum ist in Deutschland gesetzlich geschützt.
Property is protected by law in Germany.
gesetzlich means “by law” or “legal,” and geschützt means “protected.” Eigentum is the nominative subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and geschützt completes the passive construction at the end.
Die Versicherung schützt mein Eigentum.
The insurance protects my property.
die Versicherung means “the insurance,” and schützt means “protects.” Mein Eigentum is accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the neuter possessive form mein looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich vertraue ihm mein Eigentum an.
I entrust my property to him.
vertraue ... an means “entrust,” ihm means “to him,” and anvertrauen is a separable verb. Ihm is dative because it is the recipient, while mein Eigentum is accusative; an moves to the end in the main clause.
Der Wert des Eigentums steigt jedes Jahr.
The value of the property rises every year.
der Wert means “the value,” steigt means “rises,” and jedes Jahr means “every year.” Des Eigentums is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the neuter article is des, and the noun takes -s.
Sie muss ihr Eigentum gut versichern.
She has to insure her property well.
muss means “has to,” ihr means “her,” gut means “well,” and versichern means “insure.” Ihr Eigentum is an accusative object of versichern; with the modal verb muss, the second verb versichern stays in the infinitive at the end.
Das Eigentum an dem Grundstück gehört ihr.
The ownership of the plot of land belongs to her.
das Grundstück means “the plot of land,” and gehört means “belongs.” An dem Grundstück uses dative because an expresses a fixed relationship here; ihr is also dative because gehören means “belong to someone.”
Der Vertrag überträgt das Eigentum auf den Käufer.
The contract transfers ownership to the buyer.
der Vertrag means “the contract,” überträgt means “transfers,” and der Käufer means “the buyer.” Das Eigentum is accusative because übertragen takes a direct object, and auf den Käufer is accusative because it expresses transfer towards a new owner.
einbrechen — to break in, to break into a building; to plunge, to fall sharply
This verb normally describes illegal entry into a building and uses sein in the perfect: ist eingebrochen. With a destination, in takes the accusative, as in in ein Haus einbrechen.
Die Polizei sagt, dass zwei Männer heute Nacht in das Geschäft einbrechen.
The police say that two men are breaking into the shop tonight.
die Polizei means the police, zwei Männer means two men, heute Nacht means tonight, and das Geschäft is the shop. The finite verb sagt stands in position two in the main clause, while einbrechen stays together and moves to the end of the dass-clause; in das Geschäft is accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
Die Täter sind durch das Fenster in die Wohnung eingebrochen.
The offenders broke into the flat through the window.
die Täter means the offenders, durch means through, das Fenster is the window, and die Wohnung is the flat or apartment. Eingebrochen is at the end and pairs with sein because this verb describes entering or a change of place; durch das Fenster takes the accusative, and in die Wohnung is accusative because it shows direction.
Letzte Woche brach jemand in unser Büro ein.
Someone broke into our office last week.
letzte Woche means last week, jemand means someone, and unser Büro means our office. In the simple past, the strong verb uses brach, the finite verb is in position two, and the prefix ein moves to the end; in unser Büro is accusative because it expresses entry into the office.
Brich nicht in fremde Häuser ein!
Do not break into other people's houses!
nicht means not, and fremde Häuser means other people's or strange houses. The singular imperative of the strong verb is brich, with the prefix ein at the end; in fremde Häuser is accusative because the phrase expresses movement into buildings.
Wenn ich einen Schlüssel hätte, würde ich nicht in das Haus einbrechen.
If I had a key, I would not break into the house.
wenn means if, einen Schlüssel is a key, and hätte means had. The wenn-clause sends hätte to the end, while würde takes position two in the main clause and the inseparable infinitive einbrechen goes to the end; in das Haus is accusative because it expresses direction.
Die Alarmanlage wird auslösen, wenn jemand in den Laden einbricht.
The alarm system will go off if someone breaks into the shop.
die Alarmanlage means the alarm system, auslösen means to trigger or set off, and der Laden is the shop. In the future, wird is in position two and auslösen goes to the end; in the wenn-clause, einbricht stays together at the end because the verb is subordinate.
Nach der Nachricht brechen die Aktienkurse ein.
After the news, share prices plunge.
nach der Nachricht means after the news, and die Aktienkurse means share prices. The finite verb brechen is in position two and the prefix ein is separated and placed at the end; nach takes the dative, shown by der Nachricht.
Im Winter ist die Temperatur plötzlich eingebrochen.
In winter, the temperature suddenly dropped sharply.
im Winter means in winter, die Temperatur is the temperature, and plötzlich means suddenly. The perfect uses ist ... eingebrochen, with the auxiliary in position two and the Partizip II at the end; im is in dem, a dative phrase for a time or location.
der Einbrecher — burglar, housebreaker
Einbrecher is a weak masculine noun: it adds -n in the accusative, dative, and plural oblique forms, but not in the nominative singular. The plural is also Einbrecher, so the article or another determiner is important.
Der Einbrecher flieht durch den Garten.
The burglar is fleeing through the garden.
flieht means is fleeing, durch means through, and der Garten is the garden. Der Einbrecher is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb flieht stands in position two; durch den Garten takes the accusative.
Die Polizei sucht den Einbrecher.
The police are looking for the burglar.
die Polizei means the police and sucht means is looking for. Den Einbrecher is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; masculine weak nouns keep -n in the accusative, so not den Einbrecher without that ending.
Die Nachbarin gibt dem Einbrecher kein Geld.
The neighbour gives the burglar no money.
die Nachbarin means the female neighbour, gibt means gives, and kein Geld means no money. Dem Einbrecher is dative because geben has a recipient; this weak masculine noun has the same -n form after the dative article dem.
Das Foto des Einbrechers hängt im Flur.
The burglar's photo is hanging in the hallway.
das Foto means the photo, hängt means is hanging, and der Flur is the hallway. Des Einbrechers is genitive because it shows possession, and the weak noun takes -s in this singular genitive form; im Flur means in dem Flur.
Die Polizei befragt drei Einbrecher.
The police are questioning three burglars.
befragt means questions or interviews, and drei means three. Drei Einbrecher is plural and accusative because it is the object of befragen; the plural has no ending, so the number or article shows that it is plural.
die Einbrecherin — female burglar
The plural of Einbrecherin is Einbrecherinnen: feminine nouns ending in -in take -innen in the plural. In the genitive singular, the form stays Einbrecherin, with der showing the case: der Einbrecherin.
Die Einbrecherin läuft schnell weg.
The female burglar runs away quickly.
läuft schnell weg means runs away quickly. Die Einbrecherin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb läuft stands in position two; weg is the separated part of weglaufen.
Die Polizei verfolgt die Einbrecherin.
The police are chasing the female burglar.
die Polizei means the police and verfolgt means chases or pursues. Die Einbrecherin is accusative because verfolgen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die, so the case must be understood from the verb.
Der Zeuge hilft der Einbrecherin nicht.
The witness does not help the female burglar.
der Zeuge means the witness, hilft means helps, and nicht means not. Der Einbrecherin is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; feminine dative singular uses the article der.
Die Beschreibung der Einbrecherin ist sehr genau.
The description of the female burglar is very precise.
die Beschreibung means the description, sehr genau means very precise, and ist means is. Der Einbrecherin is genitive because it identifies whose description it is; feminine nouns do not add an ending in the genitive singular, so the article carries the case.
Zwei Einbrecherinnen wurden gestern verhaftet.
Two female burglars were arrested yesterday.
zwei means two, gestern means yesterday, and wurden verhaftet means were arrested. Zwei Einbrecherinnen is the plural subject, so it is nominative; the plural ending -innen is part of the noun and must not be replaced by singular -in.
der Einbruch — burglary, break-in
Einbruch is the noun related to einbrechen and usually means a burglary or break-in. Do not confuse it with der Durchbruch, which can mean a breakthrough; the plural of Einbruch is Einbrüche.
Der Einbruch wurde gestern Abend gemeldet.
The burglary was reported yesterday evening.
wurde gemeldet means was reported, and gestern Abend means yesterday evening. Der Einbruch is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; wurde stands in position two and the Partizip II gemeldet goes to the end.
Die Polizei untersucht den Einbruch.
The police are investigating the burglary.
die Polizei means the police and untersucht means investigates. Den Einbruch is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Nach dem Einbruch braucht die Familie eine neue Tür.
After the break-in, the family needs a new door.
nach means after, die Familie means the family, and eine neue Tür is a new door. Nach dem Einbruch is dative because nach always governs the dative; the finite verb braucht stands in position two even though the sentence starts with this prepositional phrase.
Die Folgen des Einbruchs sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the burglary are still visible.
die Folgen means the consequences, noch means still, and sichtbar means visible. Des Einbruchs is genitive because it shows which break-in the consequences belong to; the plural subject die Folgen makes the verb sind plural.
In unserer Straße gab es drei Einbrüche.
There were three break-ins in our street.
in unserer Straße means in our street, gab es means there were, and drei means three. Drei Einbrüche is plural, with the umlaut and -e ending; the phrase is introduced by es gab, a common way to say that something existed or happened.
der Einfluss — influence, effect; effect, impact
The fixed expression Einfluss auf etwas haben uses auf with the accusative: Einfluss auf die Entscheidung. For personal influence, German often uses jemanden beeinflussen as a verb.
Der Einfluss der Medien ist groß.
The influence of the media is great.
die Medien means the media, and groß means great or significant. Der Einfluss is nominative because it is the subject, while der Medien is genitive and means of the media; ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen spüren den Einfluss der Werbung.
Many people feel the influence of advertising.
viele Menschen means many people, spüren means feel, and die Werbung is advertising. Den Einfluss is accusative because spüren takes a direct object; der Werbung is genitive and identifies the source.
Wir geben dem Einfluss der Familie große Bedeutung.
We attach great importance to the family's influence.
geben means give, große Bedeutung means great importance, and die Familie is the family. Dem Einfluss is dative because this expression uses jemandem etwas geben; der Familie is genitive, meaning of the family.
Die Stärke des Einflusses ist schwer zu messen.
The strength of the influence is difficult to measure.
die Stärke means the strength, schwer means difficult, and messen means measure. Des Einflusses is genitive because it tells whose strength is meant; zu messen is an infinitive phrase after schwer.
Politische Einflüsse verändern die Gesellschaft.
Political influences change society.
politische means political, verändern means change, and die Gesellschaft is society. Einflüsse is plural and nominative as the subject, so the verb is verändern, not singular verändert.
Der Wind hatte großen Einfluss auf die Reise.
The wind had a major effect on the journey.
der Wind is the wind, groß means great or major, and die Reise is the journey. Einfluss auf die Reise uses auf with the accusative because it names what is affected; hatte is the past form of haben.
Unter dem Einfluss von Stress schläft er schlecht.
Under the influence of stress, he sleeps badly.
unter dem Einfluss von Stress means under the influence of stress, and schlecht means badly. Dem Einfluss is dative because unter describes a situation rather than movement; the opening phrase occupies position one, so schläft comes immediately after it.
einhalten — to observe, keep, comply with
Use einhalten for rules, agreements, limits, deadlines, and promises. It is separable in a main clause, but einhalten stays together as an infinitive and eingehalten as a Partizip II.
Er hält die Regeln genau ein.
He follows the rules exactly.
die Regeln means the rules and genau means exactly. Die Regeln is accusative because einhalten takes an accusative object; the finite verb hält is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Wir haben die Frist eingehalten.
We met the deadline.
die Frist means the deadline, and wir means we. The perfect uses haben because this is an action performed by someone; die Frist is accusative and eingehalten stands at the end.
Sie hielt ihr Versprechen ein.
She kept her promise.
ihr Versprechen means her promise. The strong past form is hielt, the possessive phrase is accusative as the object, and the prefix ein is separated to the end.
Halt bitte die Verkehrsregeln ein.
Please obey the traffic rules.
bitte means please and die Verkehrsregeln means the traffic rules. This is the informal imperative with omitted du; the object is accusative and the prefix ein stays at the end.
Wenn er die Vereinbarung einhielte, gäbe es keinen Streit.
If he kept the agreement, there would be no argument.
die Vereinbarung means the agreement, keinen Streit means no argument, and gäbe es means there would be. Einhielte is the Konjunktiv II in the subordinate clause, so it comes at the end; the agreement is accusative.
Ihr werdet die Sicherheitsregeln einhalten.
You will obey the safety rules.
ihr means you plural, and die Sicherheitsregeln means the safety rules. Werdet is the future auxiliary in position two, while the complete infinitive einhalten goes to the end; the object is accusative.
einheitlich — uniform, consistent
einheitlich describes things that match or follow the same standard. It is different from einig, which describes people who agree.
Die Preise sind in allen Filialen einheitlich.
The prices are the same in all branches.
die Preise means the prices, and die Filialen means the branches. in takes the dative here because it describes location, and sind is the finite verb in position two; the adjective follows the verb in its basic predicative form.
Wir brauchen einheitliche Regeln für alle Klassen.
We need uniform rules for all classes.
die Regeln means the rules, and alle Klassen means all classes. Regeln is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; einheitliche has an adjective ending because it stands before the plural noun with -e after einheitlich.
Die neuen Formulare sehen jetzt einheitlicher aus.
The new forms look more uniform now.
die neuen Formulare means the new forms, and jetzt means now. einheitlicher compares the forms with how they looked before; aussehen is separable, so sehen stands in position two and aus goes to the end.
Von den drei Entwürfen wirkt dieser am einheitlichsten.
Of the three designs, this one looks the most uniform.
die drei Entwürfe means the three designs, and dieser means this one. von takes the dative, shown by den; am einheitlichsten is the superlative adverb after wirkt, and the finite verb is in position two.
einheitlich — uniformly, consistently
As an adverb, einheitlich describes how an action happens and does not change its ending. The adjective version before a noun does change, as in einheitliche Regeln.
Die Mitarbeiter sind einheitlich gekleidet.
The employees are dressed uniformly.
die Mitarbeiter means the employees, and gekleidet means dressed. Here einheitlich modifies the adjective gekleidet, not a noun; sind is in position two, while gekleidet completes the description.
Die Kinder sollen einheitlich auftreten.
The children are supposed to appear uniformly.
die Kinder means the children, sollen means are supposed to, and auftreten means to appear or perform. einheitlich is an adverb and does not take an adjective ending; with the modal verb sollen, the infinitive goes to the end.
die Einigung — agreement, settlement
An Einigung is normally the result of negotiations or a disagreement. The related verb is sich einigen, and the plural is regular: Einigungen.
Die Einigung war für alle Beteiligten ein Erfolg.
The agreement was a success for everyone involved.
für alle Beteiligten means for everyone involved, and ein Erfolg is a success. Die Einigung is the nominative subject of war; für takes the accusative, so alle Beteiligten is accusative.
Beide Seiten suchen eine Einigung.
Both sides are looking for an agreement.
beide Seiten means both sides, and suchen means are looking for. Eine Einigung is the accusative object of suchen, while the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns einer Einigung.
We are getting closer to an agreement.
sich nähern means to get closer to, and wir means we. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so einer Einigung is dative; uns is the reflexive pronoun.
Die Bedingungen der Einigung bleiben geheim.
The terms of the agreement remain secret.
die Bedingungen are the terms or conditions, and geheim means secret. Der Einigung is genitive and means “of the agreement”; it follows the noun it describes, while bleiben is in position two.
In den letzten Jahren gab es mehrere Einigungen.
There were several agreements in recent years.
in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, and mehrere means several. Einigungen is the plural form after mehrere; es gab is the past form used to say that something existed or happened.
die Einwanderung — immigration
Einwanderung can describe immigration as a general process, often without a plural. The plural Einwanderungen is used for separate movements or instances of immigration.
Die Einwanderung nach Deutschland ist gestiegen.
Immigration to Germany has increased.
nach Deutschland means to Germany, and ist gestiegen means has increased. die Einwanderung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Länder fördern die Einwanderung.
Many countries promote immigration.
viele Länder means many countries, and fördern means promote. die Einwanderung is accusative because fördern takes a direct object; the finite verb fördern is in position two.
Mit der Einwanderung verändern sich die Städte.
Immigration changes the cities.
mit means with, verändern means change, and die Städte means the cities. mit always takes the dative, so der Einwanderung is dative; the reflexive-looking phrase verändern sich has the finite verb in position two.
Die Folgen der Einwanderung sind oft politisch wichtig.
The consequences of immigration are often politically important.
die Folgen means the consequences, oft means often, and politisch wichtig means politically important. der Einwanderung is genitive because it specifies whose consequences; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
In Europa gibt es verschiedene Einwanderungen.
There are different waves or instances of immigration in Europe.
in Europa means in Europe, gibt es means there are, and verschiedene means different. Einwanderungen is plural after verschiedene; gibt stands in position two, while es is the formal subject.
das Einwohnermeldeamt — residents’ registration office
This compound literally refers to an office for registering residents. In some places the office has another official name, such as Bürgeramt, but Einwohnermeldeamt is widely understood.
Das Einwohnermeldeamt ist heute geschlossen.
The residents’ registration office is closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Einwohnermeldeamt is neuter nominative because it is the subject; the adjective geschlossen follows the linking verb ist and stands at the end of the clause.
Ich besuche das Einwohnermeldeamt.
I am visiting the residents’ registration office.
besuche means visit, and ich means I. Einwohnermeldeamt is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir müssen zum Einwohnermeldeamt gehen.
We have to go to the residents’ registration office.
müssen means have to, gehen means go, and zum means to the. zum is short for zu dem, and zu always forces the dative; with müssen, the infinitive gehen goes to the end.
Die Öffnungszeiten des Einwohnermeldeamts stehen online.
The registration office’s opening hours are online.
Öffnungszeiten means opening hours, stehen means are listed or can be found, and online means online. des Einwohnermeldeamts is genitive and shows which office the hours belong to; Amt adds -s in the genitive singular.
In Berlin gibt es mehrere Einwohnermeldeämter.
There are several residents’ registration offices in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, gibt es means there are, and mehrere means several. Einwohnermeldeämter is the plural after mehrere; Amt changes to Ämter, with an umlaut and -er.
Für die Anmeldung brauche ich das Einwohnermeldeamt.
I need the registration office for the registration process.
für means for, Anmeldung means registration, and brauche means need. für die Anmeldung expresses purpose, while das Einwohnermeldeamt is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
engagieren — to hire, book
For the meaning ‘to commit oneself’, engagieren is commonly reflexive: sich engagieren für plus accusative. In the hiring meaning, it takes a direct accusative object without sich.
Die Firma engagiert einen neuen Designer.
The company is hiring a new designer.
die Firma is the company, and einen neuen Designer means a new designer. Einen neuen Designer is accusative because engagieren takes the person being hired as a direct object; the finite verb engagiert stands in position two.
Die Firma hat einen neuen Designer engagiert.
The company has hired a new designer.
die Firma is the company, and einen neuen Designer means a new designer. The perfect uses hat plus engagiert, with the Partizip II at the end; einen neuen Designer is accusative as the object of engagieren.
Die Firma engagierte einen neuen Designer.
The company hired a new designer.
die Firma is the company, and einen neuen Designer means a new designer. Engagierte is the regular Präteritum form, and the direct object einen neuen Designer is accusative.
Engagier einen guten Fotografen!
Hire a good photographer!
einen guten Fotografen means a good photographer. Einen guten Fotografen is accusative because it is the person being hired; the informal imperative engagier has no written du subject.
Ich engagierte einen Musiker, wenn ich eine größere Feier hätte.
I would hire a musician if I had a bigger party.
einen Musiker is a musician, and eine größere Feier means a bigger party. Here the second clause expresses an unreal condition; einen Musiker is accusative, and engagierte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause.
Wir werden für die Hochzeit eine Band engagieren.
We will book a band for the wedding.
für die Hochzeit means for the wedding, and eine Band is a band. The future uses werden in position two and places the infinitive engagieren at the end; eine Band is accusative.
die Entwicklung — development, growth, change
die Entwicklung is often used for a process or its result. It is formed from entwickeln with -ung and is feminine.
Die Entwicklung des Kindes verläuft normal.
The child's development is normal.
des Kindes means of the child, and normal means normal. Die Entwicklung is nominative because it is the subject; des Kindes is genitive and shows whose development it is.
Wir beobachten die Entwicklung genau.
We are observing the development closely.
beobachten means to observe, and genau means closely or carefully. die Entwicklung is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object, while beobachten stands in position two.
Wir helfen bei der Entwicklung eines neuen Produkts.
We help with the development of a new product.
helfen means to help, and eines neuen Produkts means of a new product. The preposition bei always takes the dative, so der Entwicklung is dative; the possessive phrase is genitive.
Die Qualität der Entwicklung ist beeindruckend.
The quality of the development is impressive.
die Qualität means the quality, and beeindruckend means impressive. der Entwicklung is genitive after die Qualität and means “of the development”; the whole phrase Die Qualität der Entwicklung is the nominative subject.
Neue Entwicklungen verändern unseren Alltag.
New developments are changing our everyday life.
neue Entwicklungen means new developments, and unseren Alltag means our everyday life. Entwicklungen is plural and nominative as the subject, while unseren Alltag is accusative as the object of verändern.
erobern — to conquer, to capture
This verb is used especially for cities, countries, or territory. It is a regular verb and forms the perfect with haben: erobern - eroberte - hat erobert.
Die Armee erobert die Stadt.
The army is conquering the city.
die Armee means the army and die Stadt means the city. die Stadt is accusative because erobern takes the place being conquered as a direct object, and the finite verb erobert stands in position two.
Die Armee hat die Stadt erobert.
The army has conquered the city.
die Armee is the army and die Stadt is the city. The perfect uses hat plus erobert; die Stadt is accusative, and the Partizip II goes to the end of the clause.
Die Armee eroberte die Stadt im Sommer.
The army conquered the city in summer.
die Armee means the army, die Stadt means the city, and im Sommer means in summer. die Stadt is accusative after erobern, while the simple past form eroberte stands in position two.
Erobere die Stadt!
Conquer the city!
die Stadt means the city. die Stadt is accusative because it is the object of erobern, and the imperative erobere stands first with the subject du omitted.
Wenn er die Stadt erobern könnte, eroberte er das ganze Land.
If he could conquer the city, he would conquer the whole country.
wenn means if, könnte means could, and das ganze Land means the whole country. In the wenn clause the infinitive erobern goes to the end; eroberte is the second conditional verb and takes die Stadt and das ganze Land as accusative objects.
Die Armee wird die Stadt erobern.
The army will conquer the city.
die Armee means the army and die Stadt means the city. Future uses wird plus the infinitive erobern, which goes to the end; die Stadt is accusative as the direct object.
eskalieren — to escalate; to get out of control; to cause to escalate
Eskalieren is normally intransitive: a conflict or situation escalates by itself. Its perfect uses sein, and the Partizip II has no ge- because the verb ends in -ieren.
Der Streit eskaliert schnell.
The argument is escalating quickly.
der Streit is the argument or dispute, and schnell means quickly. Der Streit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb eskaliert stands in position two, and the verb takes no accusative object here.
Die Situation ist völlig eskaliert.
The situation has completely escalated.
die Situation means the situation and völlig means completely. The perfect is ist eskaliert, with sein because the situation has entered a new state; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Der Konflikt eskalierte nach dem Gespräch.
The conflict escalated after the conversation.
der Konflikt is the conflict, nach means after, and das Gespräch is the conversation. Der Konflikt is nominative, while nach dem Gespräch is a dative time phrase; the finite verb is in position two.
Eskalier nicht weiter!
Don’t escalate any further!
nicht means not and weiter means further. Eskalier is the singular imperative; nicht negates the command, and the intransitive verb has no object.
Wenn der Streit weiterginge, würde alles eskalieren.
If the argument continued, everything would escalate.
wenn means if, weiterginge means continued, and alles means everything. The conditional form würde eskalieren expresses a hypothetical result; würde is finite in position two of the main clause, while eskalieren comes at the end.
Ohne eine Lösung wird der Konflikt weiter eskalieren.
Without a solution, the conflict will continue to escalate.
ohne means without, eine Lösung is a solution, and weiter means further or continue. Future I uses wird plus the infinitive eskalieren; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Seine Worte ließen den Konflikt eskalieren.
His words caused the conflict to escalate.
seine Worte are his words, ließen means caused or let, and der Konflikt is the conflict. Den Konflikt is accusative as the object of ließen; the infinitive eskalieren remains at the end after lassen.
Die Medien dürfen die Situation nicht eskalieren lassen.
The media must not let the situation escalate.
die Medien means the media, dürfen means may or are allowed to, and nicht means not. Die Situation is accusative as the object of lassen; with the modal dürfen, the infinitives eskalieren lassen stand together at the end.
die Evakuierung — evacuation
Evakuierung is a feminine noun ending in -ung; such nouns are normally abstract actions and always take die. It is related to the verb evakuieren, to evacuate.
Die Evakuierung beginnt sofort.
The evacuation begins immediately.
beginnt means begins, and sofort means immediately. Die Evakuierung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Polizei plant die Evakuierung des Hauses.
The police are planning the evacuation of the house.
die Polizei means the police, plant means is planning, and des Hauses means of the house. Die Evakuierung is accusative because planen takes a direct object; des Hauses is genitive possession.
Bei der Evakuierung bleiben alle ruhig.
Everyone remains calm during the evacuation.
bei means during or in the event of, and alle ruhig means everyone calm. Der Evakuierung is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb bleiben is in position two.
Die Dauer der Evakuierung ist unbekannt.
The duration of the evacuation is unknown.
die Dauer means the duration, ist means is, and unbekannt means unknown. Der Evakuierung is genitive because it states whose duration is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Mehrere Evakuierungen waren nötig.
Several evacuations were necessary.
mehrere means several, waren means were, and nötig means necessary. Evakuierungen is the plural subject, marked by -en, and the past-tense verb waren stands in position two.
die Fasnacht — carnival (regional)
Die Fasnacht is a regional word for carnival, especially common in Switzerland and parts of southwestern Germany. The related words der Fasching and der Karneval are more common in other regions.
Die Fasnacht beginnt heute.
Carnival begins today.
beginnt means “begins,” and heute means today. Die Fasnacht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Fasnacht in Basel.
We attend carnival in Basel.
besuchen means “attend” or “visit,” and in Basel means in Basel. Die Fasnacht is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative both use die.
Wir gehen an die Fasnacht.
We are going to carnival.
gehen means “go,” and an means “to” here. The phrase expresses movement toward an event, so an die Fasnacht uses the accusative; the case label is not dative despite the preposition being a two-way preposition.
Die Musik der Fasnacht ist laut.
The music of carnival is loud.
die Musik is the music, and laut means loud. Der Fasnacht is genitive and means “of the carnival”; feminine nouns keep the form Fasnacht, while the article changes to der.
Die Fasnachten in der Schweiz sind berühmt.
The carnival celebrations in Switzerland are famous.
in der Schweiz means in Switzerland, and berühmt means famous. Fasnachten is plural nominative as the subject and is formed with -en; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
festnehmen — to arrest; to detain
This is the usual word for arresting a person. The person arrested is in the accusative, and the perfect uses haben, not sein.
Die Polizei nimmt den Verdächtigen fest.
The police arrest the suspect.
die Polizei means the police, and der Verdächtige is the suspect. den Verdächtigen is accusative because festnehmen takes the person arrested as a direct object; the finite verb is split in position two, with fest at the end.
Die Polizei hat den Verdächtigen festgenommen.
The police have arrested the suspect.
der Verdächtige means the suspect, and die Polizei means the police. The perfect uses hat plus festgenommen; the participle stands at the end, while den Verdächtigen is accusative as the object.
Die Polizei nahm den Verdächtigen fest.
The police arrested the suspect.
der Verdächtige means the suspect, and die Polizei means the police. Nahm ... fest is the simple past of the separable verb; the object den Verdächtigen is accusative.
Nimm den Verdächtigen fest!
Arrest the suspect!
der Verdächtige means the suspect. The imperative for du is nimm, and the prefix fest moves to the end; the person arrested is accusative.
Die Polizei würde den Verdächtigen festnehmen, wenn sie Beweise hätte.
The police would arrest the suspect if they had evidence.
der Verdächtige means the suspect, and die Beweise means the evidence. Würde ... festnehmen expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive stays whole after würde, and den Verdächtigen is accusative.
Die Polizei wird den Verdächtigen festnehmen.
The police will arrest the suspect.
der Verdächtige means the suspect, and die Polizei means the police. Future tense uses wird plus the whole infinitive festnehmen at the end; the object is accusative.
Die Beamten nahmen ihn zur Kontrolle fest.
The officers detained him for a check.
die Beamten means the officers, ihn means him, and zur Kontrolle means for a check. Ihn is accusative because he is the person detained; the prefix fest is separated and stands at the end.
Der Mann wurde am Bahnhof festgenommen.
The man was arrested at the station.
der Mann means the man, and der Bahnhof means the station. This is a passive sentence with wurde and festgenommen; am Bahnhof is a location phrase, not the object of the verb.
festsetzen — to set, determine; to detain
In this sense, festsetzen is used for an official decision about a price, date, amount, or rule. The thing being set is normally an accusative object.
Die Stadt setzt eine neue Frist fest.
The city sets a new deadline.
die Stadt means the city, and eine neue Frist means a new deadline. The object is accusative because festsetzen sets a deadline; the finite part is in position two and fest goes to the end.
Die Stadt hat eine neue Frist festgesetzt.
The city has set a new deadline.
die Stadt means the city, and eine neue Frist means a new deadline. The perfect uses hat festgesetzt; the participle is at the end and the deadline is accusative.
Die Stadt setzte eine neue Frist fest.
The city set a new deadline.
eine neue Frist means a new deadline. Setzte ... fest is the simple past, with the direct object in the accusative and the prefix at the end.
Setz eine klare Frist fest!
Set a clear deadline!
eine klare Frist means a clear deadline. The du imperative is setz, and the prefix fest is separated; the deadline is accusative.
Die Stadt würde eine neue Frist festsetzen, wenn es nötig wäre.
The city would set a new deadline if it were necessary.
nötig means necessary. Würde ... festsetzen expresses a hypothetical action; after würde, the whole infinitive stays at the end, and eine neue Frist is accusative.
Die Stadt wird eine neue Frist festsetzen.
The city will set a new deadline.
die Stadt means the city, and eine neue Frist means a new deadline. Future tense uses wird plus the whole infinitive festsetzen at the end; the object is accusative.
Die Polizei setzte den Mann mehrere Stunden fest.
The police detained the man for several hours.
die Polizei means the police, der Mann means the man, and mehrere Stunden means several hours. Den Mann is accusative because he is the person detained; fest is separated and stands at the end.
Der Verdächtige wurde im Gebäude festgesetzt.
The suspect was detained in the building.
der Verdächtige means the suspect, and das Gebäude means the building. This passive sentence uses wurde festgesetzt; im Gebäude gives the location and does not replace the accusative object of the active verb.
das Finanzamt — tax office, revenue office
Finanzamt is the German government office responsible for taxes. It is not simply a company's finance department; that is die Finanzabteilung.
Das Finanzamt schickt einen Brief.
The tax office sends a letter.
schickt means sends and einen Brief means a letter. Das Finanzamt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schickt stands in position two.
Ich muss das Finanzamt anrufen.
I have to call the tax office.
muss means have to, and anrufen means call by telephone. Das Finanzamt is accusative because it is the direct object of anrufen; after the modal verb muss, the infinitive goes to the end.
Sie antwortet dem Finanzamt sofort.
She replies to the tax office immediately.
antwortet means replies and sofort means immediately. Dem Finanzamt is dative because antworten takes a dative recipient; the finite verb antwortet is in position two.
Die Website des Finanzamts ist leicht zu finden.
The tax office's website is easy to find.
die Website is the website and leicht zu finden means easy to find. Des Finanzamts is genitive because it shows which office the website belongs to; the neuter genitive article is des.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Finanzämter.
There are many tax offices in Germany.
Deutschland is Germany and viele means many. Finanzämter is the plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself has no visible case ending here.
der Flüchtling — refugee
Der Flüchtling is a weak masculine noun: use der Flüchtling only in the nominative singular, but den Flüchtling, dem Flüchtling, and des Flüchtlings in the other singular cases. The plural is die Flüchtlinge.
Der Flüchtling sucht eine sichere Wohnung.
The refugee is looking for a safe flat.
suchen means look for, sicher means safe, and die Wohnung means flat or apartment. Der Flüchtling is nominative because it is the subject, while eine sichere Wohnung is accusative after suchen; the finite verb sucht stands in position two.
Die Stadt unterstützt den Flüchtling.
The city supports the refugee.
die Stadt means city, and unterstützen means support. Den Flüchtling is accusative because it is the direct object, and this weak masculine noun takes -n outside the nominative.
Die Helferin gibt dem Flüchtling Kleidung.
The helper gives the refugee clothes.
die Helferin means female helper, geben means give, and die Kleidung means clothing. Dem Flüchtling is dative because it is the recipient, and the weak noun keeps -n; Kleidung is the accusative thing given.
Die Geschichte des Flüchtlings ist traurig.
The refugee's story is sad.
die Geschichte means story, and traurig means sad. Des Flüchtlings is genitive after die Geschichte, showing whose story it is; the weak noun has the ending -s here because its stem already ends in -n.
Viele Flüchtlinge lernen Deutsch.
Many refugees are learning German.
viele means many, and lernen Deutsch means learn German. Flüchtlinge is the plural subject, so the verb is lernen; the plural form does not add another -n.
die Forderung — demand, claim; financial claim, receivable
A Forderung can be a spoken or written demand, or a claim to something. In financial contexts, it can also mean a sum of money that someone is entitled to receive.
Die Forderung ist berechtigt.
The demand is justified.
berechtigt means justified or legitimate. Die Forderung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arbeitgeber lehnt die Forderung ab.
The employer rejects the demand.
der Arbeitgeber is the employer, and ablehnen means to reject. die Forderung is accusative because it is the object of ablehnen; the separable verb places ab at the end.
Wir widersprechen der Forderung.
We object to the demand.
widersprechen means to contradict or object to, and wir means we. der Forderung is dative because widersprechen always takes a dative object, even though English uses to.
Die Erfüllung der Forderung dauert lange.
Fulfilling the demand takes a long time.
die Erfüllung means fulfilment, and dauert lange means takes a long time. der Forderung is genitive because it identifies whose fulfilment is meant; the feminine noun has the same ending, but the article changes to der.
Die Gewerkschaft stellt mehrere Forderungen.
The trade union is making several demands.
die Gewerkschaft is the trade union, and mehrere means several. mehrere Forderungen is accusative because it is the object of stellt ..., and the plural noun ends in -en.
Das Unternehmen hat noch offene Forderungen.
The company still has outstanding claims.
das Unternehmen means the company, noch means still, and offen means outstanding or unpaid. offene Forderungen is accusative after hat as its object, and the plural article is not repeated because the adjective ending carries the marking.
Die Bank kauft Forderungen von anderen Firmen.
The bank buys claims from other companies.
die Bank is the bank, kauft means buys, and andere Firmen means other companies. Forderungen is accusative as the object of kauft, while von anderen Firmen is dative after von.
formell — formal; official; formal; ceremonious
Formell describes official language, clothing, or behaviour. It is the opposite of informell; unlike English, German adjectives before nouns must take an ending.
Die Begrüßung klingt formell.
The greeting sounds formal.
die Begrüßung means the greeting, and klingen means to sound. Formell is predicative after klingt, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Sie trägt ein formelles Kleid.
She is wearing a formal dress.
tragen means to wear, and das Kleid means the dress. Ein formelles Kleid is accusative because it is the object of trägt, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Diese E-Mail ist formeller als die vorige.
This email is more formal than the previous one.
die E-Mail means the email, and vorig means previous. Formeller compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist die formellste Einladung im Ordner.
That is the most formal invitation in the folder.
die Einladung means the invitation, and der Ordner means the folder. Die formellste Einladung is nominative after ist; before the feminine noun, the superlative takes the ending -ste.
Bitte bleiben Sie formell, wenn Sie an die Behörde schreiben.
Please remain formal when you write to the authority.
bleiben means to remain, die Behörde means the authority, and schreiben means to write. Formell is predicative after bleiben; wenn sends schreiben to the end of its subordinate clause.
In diesem Gespräch war er sehr formell.
He was very formal in this conversation.
dieses Gespräch means this conversation, and sehr means very. In diesem Gespräch is dative because it describes a situation or location, and formell follows war without an ending.
der Friede — peace
der Friede is a somewhat formal or literary variant of der Frieden and is especially common in fixed expressions such as Frieden schließen. Its plural is die Frieden, though the plural is much less common than the singular.
Der Friede ist endlich zurück.
Peace has finally returned.
endlich means finally, and zurück means back. Der Friede is the nominative subject; ist is in position two, and zurück is a predicative adverb at the end.
Die Menschen wollen den Frieden.
People want peace.
die Menschen means people, and wollen means want. den Frieden is accusative because wollen takes an accusative object; the infinitive is not needed here because wollen means want in this sentence.
Viele Familien sehnen sich nach dem Frieden.
Many families long for peace.
viele Familien means many families, and sich sehnen nach means to long for. nach dem Frieden is dative because nach always takes the dative; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb.
Die Rückkehr des Friedens gibt den Menschen Hoffnung.
The return of peace gives people hope.
die Rückkehr means the return, and Hoffnung means hope. des Friedens is genitive after die Rückkehr, while den Menschen is dative because geben gives something to someone.
Die Frieden nach den Kriegen waren oft instabil.
The periods of peace after the wars were often unstable.
nach den Kriegen means after the wars, and instabil means unstable. Frieden is plural here, shown by die and the plural verb waren; nach forces the dative in den Kriegen.
fromm — devout, religious
fromm usually describes a person who takes religion seriously. It can also describe religious behaviour or practices, as in fromm leben.
Meine Großmutter ist sehr fromm.
My grandmother is very devout.
die Großmutter means grandmother, and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; fromm describes the subject meine Großmutter.
Er liest jeden Abend ein frommes Buch.
He reads a religious book every evening.
jeden Abend means every evening, and das Buch is a book. ein frommes Buch is accusative because liest takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Sie ist heute frommer als früher.
She is more devout today than she used to be.
heute means today, and früher means formerly or in the past. frommer is the comparative after ist; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Er ist der frommste Mann im Dorf.
He is the most devout man in the village.
der Mann means the man, and das Dorf means the village. Before the noun, the superlative is frommste, not am frommsten, and im Dorf is a shortened form of in dem Dorf.
Die Nonne lebt sehr fromm.
The nun lives a very devout life.
die Nonne means the nun, and leben means to live. Here fromm describes how she lives, so the adjective is used adverbially without an ending.
Sein Bruder ist fromm geworden.
His brother has become devout.
sein Bruder means his brother, and geworden means become. fromm is predicative after ist geworden, so it has no adjective ending; the Partizip II geworden stands at the end.
die Führerin — female guide, female leader; female leader
Die Führerin is the feminine form of der Führer and can mean a female guide or leader. The plural is Führerinnen, with -innen; use the context to decide whether the person guides visitors or leads a group.
Die Führerin zeigt uns den Weg.
The guide shows us the way.
zeigen means to show and der Weg means the way or route. Die Führerin is nominative because she is the subject; uns is dative as the people shown something, and den Weg is accusative.
Ich sehe die Führerin am Eingang.
I see the guide at the entrance.
sehen means to see and der Eingang means the entrance. Die Führerin has the same visible form in the nominative and accusative, but it is accusative here because sehen takes a direct object.
Ich folge der Führerin in den Saal.
I follow the guide into the hall.
folgen means to follow and der Saal means the hall. Folgen requires the dative, so der Führerin is dative; in den Saal is accusative because it expresses movement into the hall.
Die Stimme der Führerin ist sehr ruhig.
The guide’s voice is very calm.
die Stimme means the voice and ruhig means calm. Der Führerin is genitive and shows whose voice it is; feminine nouns do not add an ending in the genitive.
Die Führerinnen erklären den Plan.
The female guides explain the plan.
erklären means to explain and der Plan means the plan. Die Führerinnen is the plural nominative subject, while den Plan is accusative because it is the thing explained.
Die Führerin der Partei spricht heute im Parlament.
The party leader is speaking in parliament today.
die Partei means the political party, sprechen means to speak, and das Parlament means parliament. Der Partei is genitive after die Führerin and identifies which leader is meant; spricht is in position two, while im Parlament is a fixed-location phrase.
Viele Menschen vertrauen der Führerin.
Many people trust the female leader.
viele Menschen means many people and vertrauen means to trust. Vertrauen takes the dative, so der Führerin is dative; vertrauen is in position two after the subject phrase.
das Führungszeugnis — certificate of good conduct; criminal record certificate
A Führungszeugnis is an official document about a person's criminal record; it is not a reference letter. It is commonly needed when applying for jobs involving children, public service or security.
Das Führungszeugnis ist für die Bewerbung nötig.
The certificate of good conduct is necessary for the application.
für die Bewerbung means for the application and nötig means necessary. Das Führungszeugnis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich beantrage ein Führungszeugnis.
I am applying for a certificate of good conduct.
beantragen means apply for officially. Ein Führungszeugnis is accusative because beantragen takes a direct object, and the finite verb beantrage stands in position two.
Die Behörde hilft mir beim Führungszeugnis.
The authority helps me with the certificate of good conduct.
die Behörde means the authority and hilft means helps. Mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and beim Führungszeugnis is also dative because beim means bei dem.
Die Gültigkeit des Führungszeugnisses ist begrenzt.
The validity of the certificate of good conduct is limited.
die Gültigkeit means validity and begrenzt means limited. Des Führungszeugnisses is genitive because it specifies whose validity is meant, and the neuter genitive ending is -ses.
Die Personalabteilung prüft mehrere Führungszeugnisse.
The human resources department checks several certificates of good conduct.
die Personalabteilung means the human resources department, prüft means checks, and mehrere means several. Führungszeugnisse is plural and accusative because it is the object of prüfen.
der Gastarbeiter — guest worker, migrant worker (historical term)
Gastarbeiter is mainly a historical term for workers recruited from abroad, especially in West Germany; for present-day contexts, Arbeitsmigrant or ausländischer Arbeitnehmer may be more suitable.
Der Gastarbeiter kam in den sechziger Jahren nach Deutschland.
The guest worker came to Germany in the 1960s.
kam means came, in den sechziger Jahren means in the 1960s, and nach Deutschland means to Germany. Der Gastarbeiter is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb kam is in position two.
Die Zeitung interviewte den Gastarbeiter.
The newspaper interviewed the guest worker.
die Zeitung means the newspaper and interviewte means interviewed. Den Gastarbeiter is accusative because interviewen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to den.
Die Stadt half dem Gastarbeiter bei der Wohnungssuche.
The city helped the guest worker look for a flat.
die Stadt means the city, half means helped, and die Wohnungssuche means the search for a flat. Dem Gastarbeiter is dative because helfen requires the dative; bei also takes the dative in bei der Wohnungssuche.
Die Geschichte des Gastarbeiters wurde oft erzählt.
The guest worker’s story was often told.
die Geschichte means the story, wurde erzählt means was told, and oft means often. Des Gastarbeiters is genitive to show whose story it is, while wurde erzählt is a passive construction with the finite verb in position two.
Viele Gastarbeiter gründeten hier Familien.
Many guest workers started families here.
viele means many, gründeten means started or founded, hier means here, and Familien means families. Gastarbeiter has the same written form in the singular and plural; only the article or another determiner makes the number clear.
die Geburtsurkunde — birth certificate
A Geburtsurkunde is an official certificate containing details such as the date and place of birth. It is commonly needed for official applications and is different from an informal birth announcement.
Die Geburtsurkunde liegt im Familienordner.
The birth certificate is in the family folder.
der Familienordner means the family folder, and liegen means to be located or lie. Die Geburtsurkunde is nominative because it is the subject; im Familienordner is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Für den Antrag brauche ich die Geburtsurkunde.
I need the birth certificate for the application.
der Antrag means the application, and brauchen means to need. Die Geburtsurkunde is accusative because it is the object of brauche; für den Antrag comes first, but the finite verb still stays in position two.
Ich schicke dem Amt eine Kopie der Geburtsurkunde.
I send the office a copy of the birth certificate.
schicken means to send, dem Amt means to the government office, and eine Kopie is a copy. Dem Amt is dative because it is the recipient, while der Geburtsurkunde is genitive after eine Kopie to show what is copied.
Die Nummer der Geburtsurkunde steht auf dem Formular.
The number of the birth certificate is on the form.
die Nummer means the number, and das Formular means the form. Der Geburtsurkunde is genitive because it identifies which certificate the number belongs to; auf dem Formular is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Geburtsurkunden liegen im Archiv.
The birth certificates are kept in the archive.
das Archiv means the archive, and liegen means are located or kept. Geburtsurkunden is plural after die; im Archiv is dative because in describes a fixed place.
der Gefangene — male prisoner, captive
This is a masculine substantivized adjective, so it behaves like a weak noun: der Gefangene, but den Gefangenen, dem Gefangenen, and des Gefangenen. The feminine noun is die Gefangene.
Der Gefangene wartet im Hof.
The prisoner is waiting in the courtyard.
wartet means is waiting, and der Hof means the courtyard. Der Gefangene is nominative because it is the subject; as a weak masculine noun, it has -e in the nominative singular.
Die Polizei sucht den Gefangenen.
The police are looking for the prisoner.
die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for. den Gefangenen is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the weak noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Der Anwalt spricht mit dem Gefangenen.
The lawyer is speaking with the prisoner.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, and spricht means speaks or is speaking. mit always takes the dative, so the noun is dem Gefangenen; the ending -en is required for this weak masculine noun.
Das Zimmer des Gefangenen ist klein.
The prisoner's room is small.
das Zimmer means the room, and klein means small. des Gefangenen expresses possession in the genitive; both the article des and the weak-noun ending -en are needed.
Die Wärter bewachen die Gefangenen.
The guards are guarding the prisoners.
die Wärter means the guards, and bewachen means guard. die Gefangenen is plural and also accusative because bewachen takes a direct object; the plural form ends in -en.
die Gefangene — female prisoner, captive
This feminine noun is a substantivized adjective. Its singular forms are die Gefangene, der Gefangenen, die Gefangene, and der Gefangenen; the plural is also die Gefangenen.
Die Gefangene wartet im Hof.
The female prisoner is waiting in the courtyard.
wartet means is waiting, and der Hof means the courtyard. Die Gefangene is nominative because it is the subject; the noun is a substantivized adjective and has the feminine ending -e.
Die Polizei sucht die Gefangene.
The police are looking for the female prisoner.
die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for. die Gefangene is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; for a feminine noun, the article remains die in the accusative.
Der Anwalt spricht mit der Gefangenen.
The lawyer is speaking with the female prisoner.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, and spricht means speaks or is speaking. mit takes the dative, so die Gefangene becomes der Gefangenen; the adjective-based noun takes -en here.
Das Zimmer der Gefangenen ist klein.
The female prisoner's room is small.
das Zimmer means the room, and klein means small. der Gefangenen is genitive and expresses possession; the feminine genitive article is der, not des.
Die Wärter bewachen die Gefangenen.
The guards are guarding the female prisoners.
die Wärter means the guards, and bewachen means guard. die Gefangenen is plural and accusative because bewachen takes a direct object; the plural is identical in form to the feminine dative and genitive singular.