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Vocab: Society, politics & law — B1 (3)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
gehorchen — to obey
gehorchen means to obey and is used with a person or authority in the dative, as in jemandem gehorchen. It is different from hören, which means to hear or listen; its perfect is formed with haben.
Das Kind gehorcht seinen Eltern.
The child obeys its parents.
das Kind means the child, and seinen Eltern means its parents. seinen Eltern is dative because gehorchen takes the dative for the person obeyed; the finite verb gehorcht is in position two.
Der Hund hat seinem Besitzer gehorcht.
The dog obeyed its owner.
der Hund is the dog, and seinem Besitzer is its owner. seinem Besitzer is dative because it is the person obeyed; the perfect uses hat plus gehorcht, with the Partizip II at the end.
Der Soldat gehorchte dem Befehl.
The soldier obeyed the order.
der Soldat means the soldier, and dem Befehl means the order. dem Befehl is dative because gehorchen governs the dative, and the simple-past verb gehorchte stands in position two.
Gehorch deiner Mutter!
Obey your mother!
deiner Mutter means your mother. It is dative because gehorchen takes a dative person; the imperative gehorch stands first, and the subject du is left out.
Wenn er mir gehorchen würde, gäbe es weniger Probleme.
If he obeyed me, there would be fewer problems.
Wenn means if, weniger means fewer, and Probleme means problems. mir is dative because it is the person obeyed; in the wenn clause the infinitive gehorchen goes to the end, while würde marks the Konjunktiv II.
Der Schüler wird dem Trainer bald gehorchen.
The student will soon obey the coach.
der Schüler means the student, dem Trainer means the coach, and bald means soon. dem Trainer is dative because gehorchen governs the dative; wird is in position two and the infinitive gehorchen goes to the end.
gelten — to be valid, to apply; to be considered, to be regarded as
With gelten für plus the accusative, a rule or ticket applies to someone or something. gelten als means “to be regarded as” and is a separate important pattern.
Die Fahrkarte gilt heute für alle Busse.
The ticket is valid today on all buses.
die Fahrkarte is the ticket, heute means today, and alle Busse means all buses. für takes the accusative, so alle Busse is accusative; the finite verb gilt stands in position two.
Die Fahrkarte hat den ganzen Tag gegolten.
The ticket was valid all day.
den ganzen Tag means all day. gegolten is the Partizip II and pairs with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and gegolten goes to the end.
Die alte Regel galt noch im letzten Jahr.
The old rule was still valid last year.
die alte Regel is the old rule, noch means still, and im letzten Jahr means last year. galt is the strong Präteritum form and stands in position two.
Gilt diese Karte auch morgen?
Is this card also valid tomorrow?
diese Karte is this card and auch morgen means tomorrow as well. The verb comes first because this is a yes-or-no question; gilt is also the singular imperative in the fixed expression Das gilt!.
Die Regel würde auch für Kinder gelten.
The rule would also apply to children.
die Regel is the rule, auch means also, and Kinder means children. für takes the accusative, and würde ... gelten puts the infinitive at the end.
Die neue Regel wird ab Montag gelten.
The new rule will apply from Monday.
die neue Regel is the new rule and ab Montag means from Monday. wird is the finite form of werden in position two, while the infinitive gelten goes to the end.
Sie gilt als sehr zuverlässig.
She is considered very reliable.
sehr zuverlässig means very reliable. als introduces the description by which someone is regarded; gilt is in position two, and zuverlässig has no adjective ending because it is predicative.
Er gilt in seiner Stadt als guter Arzt.
He is regarded as a good doctor in his city.
in seiner Stadt means in his city, and guter Arzt means good doctor. The phrase als guter Arzt describes how he is regarded; gilt remains in second position.
die Gemeinschaft — community, fellowship
Gemeinschaft focuses on belonging and connection within a group. It can describe a local community, a group with shared interests, or a close fellowship.
Die Gemeinschaft hilft neuen Mitgliedern.
The community helps new members.
hilft means “helps,” and neuen Mitgliedern means “new members.” Die Gemeinschaft is nominative because it is the subject, while neuen Mitgliedern is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Viele Menschen suchen eine Gemeinschaft.
Many people are looking for a community.
viele Menschen means “many people,” and suchen means “look for.” Eine Gemeinschaft is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
In modernen Gemeinschaften entstehen neue Ideen.
New ideas emerge in modern communities.
modern means “modern,” entstehen means “emerge,” and neue Ideen means “new ideas.” Modernen Gemeinschaften is plural, and the phrase is dative because in describes a location; the finite verb entstehen is in position two.
Er gehört zu einer Gemeinschaft.
He belongs to a community.
gehört zu means “belongs to,” and einer Gemeinschaft means “a community.” Zu always takes the dative, so einer Gemeinschaft is dative; the finite verb gehört stands in position two.
Die Regeln der Gemeinschaft sind klar.
The rules of the community are clear.
die Regeln means “the rules,” and klar means “clear.” Der Gemeinschaft is genitive because it identifies whose rules they are; the plural subject die Regeln requires sind, which stands in position two.
genehmigen — to approve, to authorize; to give permission for, to authorize
genehmigen is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It normally takes an accusative object, such as einen Antrag or einen Plan.
Die Stadt genehmigt den Antrag.
The city approves the application.
die Stadt means the city and der Antrag means the application. den Antrag is accusative because genehmigen takes a direct object, and the finite verb genehmigt stands in position two.
Die Stadt hat den Antrag genehmigt.
The city has approved the application.
die Stadt is the city and der Antrag is the application. den Antrag is accusative after genehmigen; the auxiliary hat is in position two and genehmigt goes to the end.
Die Stadt genehmigte den Antrag gestern.
The city approved the application yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and der Antrag means the application. den Antrag is accusative because it is the direct object, while the regular Präteritum form genehmigte stands in position two.
Genehmige bitte den Antrag.
Please approve the application.
bitte means please and der Antrag means the application. The imperative leaves out du; den Antrag is accusative because it is the object of genehmigen.
Ich würde den Antrag genehmigen.
I would approve the application.
ich würde means I would and der Antrag means the application. The infinitive genehmigen goes to the end after würde, and den Antrag is accusative as the direct object.
Die Behörde wird den Antrag genehmigen.
The authority will approve the application.
die Behörde means the authority and der Antrag means the application. The auxiliary wird is in position two and the infinitive genehmigen goes to the end; den Antrag is accusative.
Der Chef genehmigt die Reise.
The boss authorizes the trip.
der Chef means the boss and die Reise means the trip. die Reise is accusative because it is the direct object, although its article looks like the nominative article.
Der Vorstand hat die Ausgabe genehmigt.
The board has authorized the expense.
der Vorstand means the board and die Ausgabe means the expense. die Ausgabe is accusative after genehmigen; hat comes in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
die Genehmigung — approval, permit, authorization
die Genehmigung can mean both the official permission and the paper or electronic document that records it. It is a feminine noun; its plural is formed with -en.
Die Genehmigung ist noch nicht da.
The approval has not arrived yet.
noch nicht means not yet and da means here or available. Die Genehmigung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Genehmigung.
I need the approval.
ich brauche means I need. die Genehmigung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article looks the same as the nominative article.
Mit der Genehmigung darf er bauen.
With the permit, he is allowed to build.
mit means with and bauen means to build. der Genehmigung is dative because mit always governs the dative; darf is in position two and bauen goes to the end.
Die Dauer der Genehmigung ist begrenzt.
The duration of the permit is limited.
die Dauer means the duration and begrenzt means limited. der Genehmigung is genitive because it identifies whose duration is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen mehrere Genehmigungen.
We need several permits.
mehrere means several and brauchen means to need. Genehmigungen is the plural, and it is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen.
der General — general; general manager, senior leader
der General is a high military rank. The plural changes the vowel and adds -e: Generäle; do not use the English plural ending.
Der General spricht zu den Soldaten.
The general speaks to the soldiers.
spricht means speaks and die Soldaten means the soldiers. Der General is nominative because it is the subject; zu den Soldaten is dative because zu governs the dative.
Die Soldaten grüßen den General.
The soldiers salute the general.
die Soldaten means the soldiers and grüßen means salute or greet. den General is accusative because it is the direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Soldaten folgen dem General.
The soldiers follow the general.
folgen means to follow and die Soldaten means the soldiers. dem General is dative because folgen governs the dative, not the accusative; the finite verb folgen is in position two.
Die Entscheidung des Generals war wichtig.
The general's decision was important.
die Entscheidung means the decision and wichtig means important. des Generals is genitive to show possession, and the noun takes -s in this form; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Generäle waren bei der Feier.
Many generals were at the celebration.
viele means many, waren means were, and die Feier means the celebration. Generäle is the plural subject in the nominative; its umlaut and -e ending must not be omitted.
Der General leitet die gesamte Abteilung.
The general manager leads the entire department.
leitet means leads, die gesamte Abteilung means the entire department, and gesamte means entire. Der General is the nominative subject, while die gesamte Abteilung is accusative after leiten.
Sie arbeitet als General in einem großen Unternehmen.
She works as a general manager in a large company.
arbeitet als means works as, groß means large, and das Unternehmen means the company. After in with a location, einem großen Unternehmen is dative; als General names her role and has no article here.
geschichtlich — historical; relating to history
Geschichtlich describes a connection with history, while historisch is often more common for important or famous historical events. The comparative and superlative are grammatically possible but are less common than the positive form.
Das Museum ist geschichtlich sehr wichtig.
The museum is very important historically.
Museum means museum, and wichtig means important. Geschichtlich is predicative because it follows ist and describes the museum in relation to history; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen ein geschichtliches Museum.
We are visiting a historical museum.
besuchen means visit, and Museum means museum. Ein geschichtliches Museum is accusative because it is the object of besuchen; the adjective ending -es follows the neuter article ein.
Diese Ausstellung ist geschichtlicher als die alte.
This exhibition is more historical than the old one.
Ausstellung means exhibition, and alt means old. Geschichtlicher compares two exhibitions with als; as a predicative adjective after ist, it has no case ending.
Das ist der geschichtlichste Ort der Stadt.
That is the most historical place in the city.
Ort means place, and Stadt means city. Geschichtlichste stands before the masculine noun Ort and takes the ending -e after der; der Stadt is genitive and means “of the city”.
die Gesellschaft — company; business organisation; company; companionship; society
In business and legal contexts, Gesellschaft often means a company or legal business organisation. It can also mean society or a group of people, so the context is important.
Die Gesellschaft eröffnet eine neue Filiale.
The company is opening a new branch.
eröffnet means opens, and eine neue Filiale is a new branch. Die Gesellschaft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb eröffnet stands in position two.
Die Bank finanziert die Gesellschaft.
The bank finances the company.
die Bank is the bank, finanziert means finances, and finanzieren means to provide money for something. Die Gesellschaft is accusative because it is the direct object of finanziert; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Bank hilft der Gesellschaft bei der Expansion.
The bank helps the company with its expansion.
hilft means helps, bei means with or during, and die Expansion is the expansion. Der Gesellschaft is dative because helfen governs the dative; bei der Expansion also uses the dative after bei.
Der Name der Gesellschaft steht auf dem Dokument.
The company's name is on the document.
der Name is the name, steht means is written or stands, and das Dokument is the document. Der Gesellschaft is genitive because it shows whose name it is; auf dem Dokument is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Viele Gesellschaften bieten ähnliche Dienstleistungen an.
Many companies offer similar services.
viele means many, ähnlich means similar, and Dienstleistungen are services. Gesellschaften is the plural subject; in the main clause, the separable verb anbieten splits into bieten ... an.
In guter Gesellschaft macht das Essen mehr Spaß.
Eating is more fun in good company.
in guter Gesellschaft means in good company, das Essen means eating or the food, and mehr Spaß machen means to be more fun. In guter Gesellschaft uses the dative because in describes a fixed situation; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Ich leiste meiner Großmutter heute Gesellschaft.
I am keeping my grandmother company today.
meiner Großmutter means my grandmother in the dative, and heute means today. The fixed expression jemandem Gesellschaft leisten takes the person in the dative and Gesellschaft as an accusative object; the finite verb leiste stands in position two.
gesetzlich — legal, statutory, required by law
gesetzlich means based on or required by a law, especially in official language. Do not confuse it with legal, which is more common in everyday speech for something that is not illegal.
Die Regelung ist gesetzlich.
The regulation is statutory.
Regelung means regulation, and ist means is. Gesetzlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; die Regelung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Das ist eine gesetzliche Pflicht.
That is a legal obligation.
Pflicht means obligation or duty, and Das ist means that is. Eine gesetzliche Pflicht is the nominative predicate after ist, and the adjective before the feminine noun takes the ending -e; ist remains in position two.
Der Schutz ist gesetzlicher geworden.
The protection has become more firmly established by law.
Schutz means protection, and geworden means become. Gesetzlicher is predicative after ist geworden, so it has no noun ending; the comparative -er shows a stronger legal basis than before.
Diese Regelung ist am gesetzlichsten begründet.
This regulation has the strongest basis in law.
Diese Regelung means this regulation, and begründet means justified or based. Am gesetzlichsten is the superlative form and has no adjective ending; this wording is formal and uncommon, so everyday German often uses am stärksten gesetzlich geregelt instead.
die Gewalt — violence, force; power, authority; power, authority, control
In the common sense of violence, Gewalt is usually uncountable and has no plural. The plural Gewalten is used for separate powers or authorities, while the phrase höhere Gewalt means force majeure or circumstances beyond one's control.
Gewalt ist keine Lösung.
Violence is not a solution.
keine Lösung means no solution. Gewalt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Polizei bekämpft Gewalt.
The police fight violence.
Polizei means police, and bekämpft means fights or combats. Gewalt is accusative because bekämpfen takes a direct object; as an uncountable noun in this sense, it has no plural here.
Viele Menschen leiden unter Gewalt.
Many people suffer from violence.
Viele Menschen means many people, and leiden unter means suffer from. unter forces the dative in this expression, but the feminine article is omitted because the noun is used without an article.
Die Folgen der Gewalt sind schwerwiegend.
The consequences of the violence are serious.
Folgen means consequences, and schwerwiegend means serious or severe. der Gewalt is genitive because it specifies the consequences' cause or source; sind stands in position two.
In vielen Ländern gibt es verschiedene Gewalten.
In many countries there are different powers.
vielen Ländern means many countries, and verschiedene means different. Gewalten is the plural when the word means separate powers or authorities; in takes the dative for a location, while es gibt takes the accusative.
Der Staat hat die Gewalt über das Gebiet.
The state has control over the territory.
Staat means state, Gebiet means territory, and über means over. die Gewalt is the accusative object of hat, while über das Gebiet expresses what is controlled; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Die drei Gewalten kontrollieren sich gegenseitig.
The three branches of power control one another.
drei means three, kontrollieren means control, and gegenseitig means one another. Gewalten is plural here for separate branches of power; sich is a reciprocal pronoun, and the finite verb stands in position two.
die Gewerkschaft — trade union, labour union
die Gewerkschaft represents employees in negotiations with employers. A member is ein Gewerkschaftsmitglied, and Mitglied einer Gewerkschaft means member of a trade union.
Die Gewerkschaft vertritt die Beschäftigten.
The trade union represents the employees.
vertritt means represents, and die Beschäftigten means the employees. Die Gewerkschaft is nominative as the subject, while die Beschäftigten is accusative because vertreten takes a direct object.
Viele Beschäftigte unterstützen die Gewerkschaft.
Many employees support the trade union.
viele Beschäftigte means many employees, and unterstützen means support. die Gewerkschaft is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Beschäftigten danken der Gewerkschaft für ihre Hilfe.
The employees thank the trade union for its help.
die Beschäftigten means the employees, danken means thank, and ihre Hilfe means its help. danken always takes a dative person or organisation, so der Gewerkschaft is dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative after für.
Die Forderungen der Gewerkschaft sind wichtig.
The trade union's demands are important.
die Forderungen means the demands, and wichtig means important. der Gewerkschaft is genitive because it shows whose demands they are; sind is in position two.
Mehrere Gewerkschaften rufen zu einem Streik auf.
Several trade unions call for a strike.
mehrere means several, rufen ... auf means call for, and ein Streik means a strike. Gewerkschaften is plural and nominative as the subject; the separable verb places auf at the end of the main clause.
der Glaube — belief, faith; faiths, belief systems
Der Glaube usually means religious faith or a strong belief. With an, it commonly means belief in someone or something: der Glaube an Gott.
Der Glaube gibt ihr Kraft.
Her faith gives her strength.
gibt means gives, ihr means her, and Kraft is strength. Der Glaube is nominative because it is the subject, while ihr is dative because geben gives something to someone.
Viele Menschen bewahren ihren Glauben.
Many people preserve their faith.
viele Menschen means many people, bewahren means preserve or keep, and ihren means their. Ihren Glauben is accusative because bewahren takes a direct object; the masculine noun changes from Glaube to Glauben in this case.
Sie hält an ihrem Glauben fest.
She holds firmly to her faith.
hält ... fest means holds firmly to, and ihrem means her. An ihrem Glauben is dative because an etwas festhalten requires an plus dative; the separable verb puts fest at the end of the main clause.
Die Stärke des Glaubens überrascht mich.
The strength of the faith surprises me.
die Stärke is the strength, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Des Glaubens is genitive after die Stärke, showing which faith is meant; mich is accusative as the object of überraschen.
Unterschiedliche Glauben treffen hier aufeinander.
Different faiths meet here.
unterschiedliche means different, treffen ... aufeinander means meet one another, and hier means here. Unterschiedliche Glauben is the plural subject, so it is nominative; this plural is used for different religions or systems of faith.
Die verschiedenen Glauben haben eigene Feste.
The different faiths have their own festivals.
verschiedenen means different, eigene means their own, and Feste are festivals. Die verschiedenen Glauben is the plural subject, while eigene Feste is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
Zwischen den Glauben gibt es viele Gemeinsamkeiten.
There are many similarities between the faiths.
zwischen means between, Gemeinsamkeiten are similarities, and es gibt means there are. Zwischen den Glauben is dative because it describes a relationship or location between established groups; viele Gemeinsamkeiten is accusative after es gibt.
gleichberechtigt — equal, having equal rights
Gleichberechtigt is especially common when discussing people, groups, rights, and opportunities. It means equal in legal or social status, not simply physically identical.
Frauen und Männer sind gleichberechtigt.
Women and men have equal rights.
Frauen und Männer means women and men, and sind means are. Gleichberechtigt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the coordinated noun phrase is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir brauchen eine gleichberechtigte Gesellschaft.
We need an equal society.
wir brauchen means we need, and eine Gesellschaft means a society. Eine gleichberechtigte Gesellschaft is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine indefinite article gives the adjective the ending -e.
Die Partner arbeiten heute gleichberechtigter zusammen.
The partners work together more as equals today.
die Partner means the partners, arbeiten zusammen means work together, and heute means today. Gleichberechtigter is used adverbially to compare how the partners work; it has no ending because it does not stand before a noun.
In diesem Team arbeiten alle am gleichberechtigtsten zusammen.
In this team, everyone works together most equally.
in diesem Team means in this team, and alle means everyone. In takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, while am gleichberechtigtsten is an adverbial superlative describing how everyone works.
die Gleichberechtigung — equality, equal rights
Die Gleichberechtigung is an abstract noun for equal rights and opportunities. It is normally used only in the singular; do not form a plural when speaking about the general principle.
Die Gleichberechtigung ist ein wichtiges Ziel.
Equality is an important goal.
ein wichtiges Ziel means an important goal, and ist means is. Die Gleichberechtigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and the adjective wichtiges has a neuter ending after ein.
Viele Menschen fordern die Gleichberechtigung.
Many people demand equality.
viele Menschen means many people, and fordern means demand or call for. Die Gleichberechtigung is accusative because fordern takes the demanded thing as its direct object; the finite verb fordern is in position two.
Wir setzen uns für die Gleichberechtigung ein.
We campaign for equality.
wir setzen uns ein means we campaign or take action, and für means for. Für always takes the accusative, so die Gleichberechtigung is accusative; einsetzen is separable, putting setzen in position two and ein at the end.
Die Bedeutung der Gleichberechtigung wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of equality is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means the importance, wird means is or becomes, and unterschätzt means underestimated. Der Gleichberechtigung is genitive because it specifies what kind of importance is meant; in the passive, the finite verb wird is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Gleichberechtigung sollte für alle gelten.
Equality should apply to everyone.
sollte means should, für alle means for everyone, and gelten means apply or be valid. Gleichberechtigung is a mass abstract noun and normally has no plural; für takes the accusative, and the modal verb sends gelten to the end.
gründen — to found, to establish
gründen takes an accusative object: eine Firma gründen means to found a company. Do not confuse it with begründen, which means to give reasons for something.
Sie gründet eine neue Firma.
She is founding a new company.
eine neue Firma means a new company. The object is accusative because gründen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb gründet stands in position two.
Sie hat eine neue Firma gegründet.
She has founded a new company.
hat means has, and eine neue Firma means a new company. The perfect uses haben plus gegründet at the end; the company remains accusative because it is the object of gründen.
Er gründete den Verein im Jahr 2010.
He founded the club in 2010.
der Verein means the club, and im Jahr 2010 means in the year 2010. den Verein is accusative, and the regular past form gründete is in position two.
Gründe jetzt deinen eigenen Betrieb!
Found your own business now!
jetzt means now, deinen eigenen means your own, and der Betrieb means business. The informal imperative has an understood du, and deinen eigenen Betrieb is accusative.
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, gründete ich eine Schule.
If I had more money, I would found a school.
wenn means if, mehr Geld means more money, and eine Schule means a school. In the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end; gründete is the Konjunktiv II form and eine Schule is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr wird sie eine Stiftung gründen.
Next year she will found a foundation.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and eine Stiftung means a foundation. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive gründen at the end; the foundation is accusative.
die Haftpflicht — liability; third-party liability insurance
In everyday German, Haftpflicht often means liability insurance, especially in Haftpflichtversicherung. It is usually treated as an uncountable idea and is normally used in the singular.
Die Haftpflicht schützt mich vor hohen Kosten.
Liability insurance protects me from high costs.
schützt means protects, mich means me, and hohe Kosten are high costs. Die Haftpflicht is nominative because it is the subject; vor takes the dative when it means protection from something.
Ich brauche die Haftpflicht für meine Wohnung.
I need liability insurance for my flat.
brauche means need, and meine Wohnung is my flat. Die Haftpflicht is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Mit der Haftpflicht fühle ich mich sicherer.
With liability insurance, I feel safer.
mit means with, fühle ich mich means I feel, and sicherer means safer. Der Haftpflicht is dative because mit always requires the dative.
Die Kosten der Haftpflicht sind gestiegen.
The costs of liability insurance have risen.
die Kosten means the costs, and gestiegen means risen. Der Haftpflicht is genitive and identifies which costs are meant; sind agrees with plural Kosten.
Viele Familien haben eine Haftpflicht.
Many families have liability insurance.
viele Familien means many families, and haben means have. Haftpflicht is normally an uncountable type of insurance, so it has no ordinary plural; eine Haftpflicht is an accusative object after haben.
die Haftpflichtversicherung — liability insurance policy
Haftpflichtversicherung is a compound of Haftpflicht and Versicherung, meaning liability insurance. Unlike Haftpflicht itself, it can refer to separate policies and therefore has the regular plural Haftpflichtversicherungen.
Die Haftpflichtversicherung bezahlt den Schaden.
The liability insurance pays for the damage.
bezahlt means pays, and der Schaden is the damage or loss. Die Haftpflichtversicherung is nominative because it is the subject, while den Schaden is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object.
Wir suchen die Haftpflichtversicherung online.
We are looking for the liability insurance online.
suchen means look for, and online means online. Die Haftpflichtversicherung is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article is identical in the nominative and accusative.
Mit der Haftpflichtversicherung bin ich gut geschützt.
I am well protected with liability insurance.
geschützt means protected, and gut means well. Der Haftpflichtversicherung is dative because mit always takes the dative; bin is in position two and geschützt comes at the end with sein.
Die Bedingungen der Haftpflichtversicherung sind klar.
The conditions of the liability insurance are clear.
die Bedingungen means the conditions or terms, and klar means clear. Der Haftpflichtversicherung is genitive and shows which conditions are meant; sind agrees with plural Bedingungen.
Viele Menschen vergleichen Haftpflichtversicherungen.
Many people compare liability insurance policies.
viele Menschen means many people, and vergleichen means compare. Haftpflichtversicherungen is the plural accusative object after vergleichen; the ending -en marks the plural.
das Heer — army, armed forces
das Heer is a formal or historical word for an army; everyday German often uses die Armee or das Militär. Its plural is die Heere.
Das Heer schützt das Land.
The army protects the country.
schützt means protects and das Land is the country. Das Heer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schützt stands in position two.
Die Regierung unterstützt das Heer.
The government supports the army.
die Regierung is the government and unterstützt means supports. das Heer is accusative because it is the direct object of unterstützen, although the neuter article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Er dient dem Heer.
He serves in the army.
dient means serves. The verb dienen takes the dative, so dem Heer is dative; the finite verb dient is in position two.
Die Geschichte des Heeres ist kompliziert.
The history of the army is complicated.
die Geschichte is the history and kompliziert means complicated. des Heeres is genitive because it identifies whose history it is, and the noun adds -es in the genitive.
Viele Heere kämpften gegeneinander.
Many armies fought against each other.
viele means many, kämpften means fought, and gegeneinander means against one another. Heere is the plural subject in the nominative, so the verb is plural.
der Herrscher — ruler, sovereign
Der Herrscher is mainly used for a ruler in history, politics, or fantasy. The related verb herrschen means “rule”, but Herrscher is a person, not the act of ruling.
Der Herrscher regiert das Land mit harter Hand.
The ruler governs the country with a firm hand.
regieren means “govern”, das Land means “the country”, and mit harter Hand means “with a firm hand”. Der Herrscher is the nominative subject, and the finite verb regiert stands in position two.
Die Soldaten stürzen den Herrscher.
The soldiers overthrow the ruler.
die Soldaten are “the soldiers”, and stürzen here means “overthrow”. Den Herrscher is accusative because stürzen takes the person overthrown as its direct object; the plural subject keeps the verb in position two.
Das Volk gehorcht dem Herrscher.
The people obey the ruler.
das Volk means “the people”, and gehorchen means “obey”. Dem Herrscher is dative because gehorchen always takes a dative person; this is not the same pattern as English “obey someone”.
Die Entscheidung des Herrschers veränderte das Reich.
The ruler’s decision changed the empire.
die Entscheidung means “the decision”, veränderte means “changed”, and das Reich is “the empire”. Des Herrschers is genitive to show possession, and this noun takes -s, not the weak ending -n.
Die Herrscher trafen sich zu einem Gipfel.
The rulers met for a summit.
trafen sich means “met”, and zu einem Gipfel means “for a summit”. Die Herrscher is the plural subject with no plural ending; zu takes the dative, shown by einem Gipfel.
die Hilfsorganisation — aid organisation, relief organisation
A Hilfsorganisation is usually a non-profit or public organisation that helps people in need. The compound combines Hilfe and Organisation; its plural ends in -en.
Die Hilfsorganisation hilft Familien nach der Überschwemmung.
The aid organisation helps families after the flood.
hilft Familien means helps families, and nach der Überschwemmung means after the flood. Die Hilfsorganisation is nominative because it is the subject; nach takes the dative here, and hilft is in position two.
Wir unterstützen die Hilfsorganisation jedes Jahr.
We support the aid organisation every year.
unterstützen means to support, and jedes Jahr means every year. Die Hilfsorganisation is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; unterstützen is in position two.
Mit der Hilfsorganisation arbeiten viele Ärzte zusammen.
Many doctors work together with the aid organisation.
viele Ärzte means many doctors, and zusammenarbeiten means to work together. Der Hilfsorganisation is dative because mit always takes the dative; the separable verb appears as arbeiten ... zusammen, with the finite part in position two.
Die Arbeit der Hilfsorganisation ist beeindruckend.
The work of the aid organisation is impressive.
die Arbeit means the work, and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Hilfsorganisation is genitive because it shows whose work is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Hilfsorganisationen sammeln Geld für die Opfer.
Many aid organisations collect money for the victims.
viele means many, sammeln Geld means collect money, and die Opfer means the victims. Hilfsorganisationen is plural and is the nominative subject; Geld is accusative because it is what they collect, and sammeln is in position two.
der Häftling — prisoner, inmate
The neutral word Häftling means a person held in prison; in legal or official language, Gefangener is also common. It is masculine, and its plural is Häftlinge; it is not a regular weak noun in the genitive, which is des Häftlings.
Der Häftling wartet auf seinen Anwalt.
The prisoner is waiting for his lawyer.
wartet means is waiting, and seinen Anwalt means his lawyer. Der Häftling is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two, and auf takes the accusative here.
Die Polizei vernimmt den Häftling.
The police question the prisoner.
Die Polizei means the police, and vernimmt means questions or interrogates. Den Häftling is accusative because vernehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb vernimmt stands in position two.
Der Beamte gibt dem Häftling seine Post.
The official gives the prisoner his mail.
Der Beamte is the official, gibt means gives, and seine Post means his mail. Dem Häftling is dative because it is the receiver of gibt; seine Post is the accusative thing being given.
Die Tür des Häftlings bleibt geschlossen.
The prisoner's door remains closed.
Die Tür means the door, and bleibt geschlossen means remains closed. Des Häftlings is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Die Häftlinge essen gemeinsam zu Abend.
The prisoners eat dinner together.
essen means eat, gemeinsam means together, and zu Abend means dinner or in the evening. Häftlinge is plural with the article die understood here; the plural subject makes the verb essen plural.
illegal — illegal, unlawful
illegal is the normal adjective for something forbidden by law. Its opposite is legal; in everyday German, illegal is often used before nouns such as Drogen or Downloads.
Das ist illegal.
That is illegal.
Das means that, and ist means is. illegal is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Polizei beschlagnahmte illegale Drogen.
The police confiscated illegal drugs.
Die Polizei means the police, beschlagnahmte means confiscated, and Drogen means drugs. illegale stands before the plural accusative object Drogen and therefore has the adjective ending -e after the definite article die.
Der Verkauf ohne Erlaubnis ist illegaler als der Kauf.
Selling without permission is more illegal than buying.
Der Verkauf means the sale, ohne Erlaubnis means without permission, and der Kauf means the purchase. illegaler compares two actions with als; it is predicative after ist and therefore has no noun ending.
Das ist am illegalsten.
That is the most illegal.
Das means that and ist means is. am illegalsten is the predicative superlative; learners should use am with this form, not the attributive form der illegalste before a noun.
die Institution — institution, organization; social institution
In everyday use, Institution often means an important organization such as a school, church, or public body. It can also mean an established social system, but the organization meaning is more common.
Die Institution bietet kostenlose Beratung an.
The institution offers free advice.
kostenlose Beratung means free advice, and bietet ... an means offers. Die Institution is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb anbieten puts bietet in position two and an at the end.
Viele Menschen besuchen die Institution jedes Jahr.
Many people visit the institution every year.
Viele Menschen means many people, and jedes Jahr means every year. die Institution is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Er arbeitet seit zehn Jahren in der Institution.
He has worked at the institution for ten years.
seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and arbeitet means works. in der Institution is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Leitung der Institution entscheidet heute.
The management of the institution is making a decision today.
Die Leitung is the management, and entscheidet heute means is making a decision today. der Institution is genitive because it shows whose management it is; the finite verb entscheidet stands in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Institutionen.
There are many institutions in Germany.
In Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Institutionen is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural form looks the same as nominative.
Die Familie ist eine wichtige Institution.
The family is an important institution.
die Familie means the family, and wichtig means important. Die Familie is nominative as the subject, while eine wichtige Institution follows the linking verb ist and describes the subject.
Die Ehe gilt in vielen Kulturen als Institution.
Marriage is regarded as an institution in many cultures.
die Ehe means marriage, gilt als means is regarded as, and vielen Kulturen means many cultures. als Institution names what marriage is regarded as; the finite verb gilt stands in position two.
die Integration — integration; integration, incorporation
Integration is commonly used for people becoming part of a society, especially through language, work, and social contact. The phrase Integration von uses von with the dative.
Die Integration braucht Zeit.
Integration takes time.
braucht Zeit means takes time. Die Integration is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
Die Stadt unterstützt die Integration von Migranten.
The city supports the integration of migrants.
Die Stadt means the city, unterstützt means supports, and Migranten means migrants. die Integration is accusative after unterstützen, while von Migranten uses von with the dative.
Viele Vereine helfen bei der Integration.
Many clubs help with integration.
Viele Vereine means many clubs, and helfen means help. bei der Integration is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Der Erfolg der Integration ist schwer zu messen.
The success of integration is difficult to measure.
Der Erfolg means the success, and schwer zu messen means difficult to measure. der Integration is genitive because it identifies whose success is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
In vielen Ländern gibt es unterschiedliche Integrationen.
There are different forms of integration in many countries.
In vielen Ländern means in many countries, and unterschiedliche means different. Integrationen is plural after unterschiedliche; in es gibt, it is grammatically accusative.
Die Integration der neuen Software dauert mehrere Wochen.
The integration of the new software takes several weeks.
die neue Software means the new software, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. der neuen Software is genitive because it identifies what is being integrated; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Die Integration in das bestehende System war erfolgreich.
The integration into the existing system was successful.
bestehende means existing, and erfolgreich means successful. in das bestehende System uses the accusative because in expresses integration into a destination; war is the Präteritum of sein.
der Integrationskurs — integration course
In Germany, an Integrationskurs normally combines German lessons with an orientation course about society and everyday life. Do not confuse it with a general course about integration.
Der Integrationskurs beginnt im September.
The integration course begins in September.
beginnt means begins, and im September means in September. Der Integrationskurs is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Viele Menschen besuchen den Integrationskurs.
Many people attend the integration course.
Viele Menschen means many people, and besuchen means attend. den Integrationskurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie lernt im Integrationskurs Deutsch.
She is learning German in the integration course.
lernt means is learning, and Deutsch means German. im Integrationskurs means in dem Integrationskurs and is dative because in describes a location here.
Der Lehrer des Integrationskurses erklärt die Prüfung.
The teacher of the integration course explains the exam.
Der Lehrer means the teacher, erklärt means explains, and die Prüfung means the exam. des Integrationskurses is genitive because it means of the integration course; the final noun in the compound has -es.
Die Integrationskurse sind oft ausgebucht.
The integration courses are often fully booked.
sind means are, and oft ausgebucht means often fully booked. Integrationskurse is the plural subject; ausgebucht follows sein as a predicate adjective and has no ending.
integrieren — to integrate, to include; to integrate, to incorporate
When it has a person or group as its object, integrieren takes the accusative: jemanden integrieren. The reflexive form sich integrieren means to become integrated, and the verb forms its perfect with haben.
Die Schule integriert neue Schüler schnell.
The school integrates new pupils quickly.
Die Schule means the school, neue Schüler means new pupils, and schnell means quickly. neue Schüler is accusative because integrieren takes a direct object; the finite verb integriert is in position two.
Die Stadt hat die Familien gut integriert.
The city has integrated the families well.
Die Stadt means the city, Familien means families, and gut means well. die Familien is accusative after integrieren; hat is in position two and the Partizip II integriert goes to the end.
Die Gemeinde integrierte viele Flüchtlinge.
The community integrated many refugees.
Die Gemeinde means the community, and Flüchtlinge means refugees. viele Flüchtlinge is accusative as the direct object, while the regular Präteritum form integrierte stands in position two.
Integriere dich aktiv in die Gruppe.
Integrate actively into the group.
dich aktiv means yourself actively, and die Gruppe means the group. This is an informal du command; dich is accusative with reflexive sich integrieren, and in die Gruppe is accusative because it expresses movement or a change of place.
Er integrierte sich schnell in das Team.
He quickly integrated into the team.
sich schnell integrieren means to integrate quickly, and das Team means the team. The conditional uses würde in position two and integrieren at the end; sich is reflexive accusative and in das Team is accusative for a change of state.
Die Organisation wird neue Mitglieder integrieren.
The organization will integrate new members.
Die Organisation means the organization, and neue Mitglieder means new members. wird stands in position two and the infinitive integrieren goes to the end; neue Mitglieder is accusative.
Wir integrieren die neue Funktion in die App.
We are integrating the new function into the app.
die neue Funktion means the new function, and die App means the app. die neue Funktion is accusative after integrieren; in die App is also accusative because it expresses insertion into a destination.
Das Programm ist vollständig in das System integriert.
The program is fully integrated into the system.
Das Programm means the program, and vollständig means fully. integriert is a participle used as an adjective after ist; in das System is accusative because it describes integration into a destination or larger system.
interkulturell — intercultural
interkulturell describes contact or exchange between different cultures. It is common in education, work and society, and it can be compared when different approaches or situations are being contrasted.
Das Seminar ist sehr interkulturell ausgerichtet.
The seminar is strongly focused on intercultural exchange.
das Seminar means the seminar, sehr means very, and ausgerichtet means focused or oriented. interkulturell is used predicatively after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; ausgerichtet stands at the end as part of the predicate.
Wir arbeiten in einem interkulturellen Team.
We work in an intercultural team.
wir arbeiten means we work, in einem Team means in a team, and Team is a group of people working together. in takes the dative for a location, so einem interkulturellen Team has the adjective ending -en; the phrase is not a direction of movement.
Dieses Projekt ist interkultureller als unser vorheriges.
This project is more intercultural than our previous one.
dieses Projekt means this project, unser vorheriges means our previous one, and als means than. interkultureller is predicative after ist and has the comparative ending -er; als introduces the second side of an unequal comparison.
Der interkulturellste Ansatz berücksichtigt viele Perspektiven.
The most intercultural approach takes many perspectives into account.
der Ansatz means the approach, berücksichtigt means takes into account, and viele Perspektiven means many perspectives. der interkulturellste Ansatz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb berücksichtigt stands in position two, and the superlative before a noun takes the ending -ste.
das Jobcenter — job centre, employment office
The Jobcenter is a German public employment office. It can help with job searches and may administer unemployment benefits; it is not simply any private recruitment agency.
Das Jobcenter hilft arbeitslosen Menschen.
The job centre helps unemployed people.
hilft means helps, and arbeitslose Menschen means unemployed people. Das Jobcenter is nominative because it is the subject; Menschen is dative after helfen.
Ich rufe das Jobcenter morgen an.
I will call the job centre tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and anrufen means to call. das Jobcenter is accusative because it is the direct object; the separable verb rufe ... an puts its prefix at the end of the main clause.
Ich gehe heute zum Jobcenter.
I am going to the job centre today.
heute means today, and gehen means to go. zum Jobcenter means zu dem Jobcenter; zu always takes the dative.
Die Entscheidung des Jobcenters ist noch nicht da.
The decision from the job centre is not here yet.
die Entscheidung means the decision, noch nicht means not yet, and da means here or available. des Jobcenters is genitive because it identifies whose decision it is; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Jobcenter.
There are many job centres in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Jobcenter has the same form in the singular and plural, so viele and es gibt show that it is plural here.
Das Jobcenter bietet einen Deutschkurs an.
The job centre offers a German course.
bietet ... an means offers, and einen Deutschkurs means a German course. einen Deutschkurs is accusative because anbieten takes a direct object; the prefix an stands at the end of the main clause.
der Jude — Jewish man, Jew
The noun is a weak masculine noun: der Jude, den Juden, dem Juden, des Juden. In modern neutral language, jüdischer Mann or jüdische Person may be preferred when the religious or cultural identity is not the focus.
Der Jude lebt in Berlin.
The Jewish man lives in Berlin.
lebt means lives, and Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Der Jude is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb lebt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Juden im Museum.
I see the Jewish man in the museum.
sehe means see, im Museum means in the museum, and Museum is a museum. Den Juden is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the weak noun keeps -n outside the nominative singular.
Wir helfen dem Juden bei der Suche.
We help the Jewish man with the search.
helfen means help, bei der Suche means with the search, and Suche is search. Dem Juden is dative because helfen requires a dative object, and the finite verb helfen stands in position two.
Das Buch des Juden liegt auf dem Tisch.
The Jewish man's book is lying on the table.
das Buch means the book, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Des Juden is genitive because it shows whose book it is; the weak noun uses -n, not -s, in this form.
Viele Juden feiern dieses Fest.
Many Jewish people celebrate this festival.
viele means many, feiern means celebrate, and dieses Fest means this festival. Juden is the plural form and is nominative here because it is the subject of feiern.
der Kaiser — emperor
In modern German history, der Kaiser often refers specifically to the German emperor before 1918; in older history it can also mean a Roman or other emperor. The feminine word is die Kaiserin, empress.
Der Kaiser regierte das Land viele Jahre.
The emperor ruled the country for many years.
regierte means ruled, das Land means the country, and viele Jahre means many years. Der Kaiser is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb regierte stands in position two.
Die Menschen sahen den Kaiser im Palast.
The people saw the emperor in the palace.
die Menschen means the people, sahen means saw, and der Palast is the palace. Den Kaiser is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Bürger dankten dem Kaiser für seine Hilfe.
The citizens thanked the emperor for his help.
die Bürger means the citizens, dankten means thanked, and seine Hilfe means his help. Dem Kaiser is dative because danken takes a dative object; für takes the accusative in seine Hilfe.
Das Bild des Kaisers hängt im Museum.
The emperor's picture hangs in the museum.
das Bild means the picture, hängt means hangs, and das Museum is the museum. Des Kaisers is genitive because it shows whose picture it is; the masculine noun adds -s and takes des.
Die Kaiser der Antike sind bekannt.
The emperors of antiquity are famous.
der Antike means of antiquity and bekannt means famous or well known. Kaiser has the same form in the singular and plural, but die and the plural verb sind show that several emperors are meant.
die Kaiserin — empress
The feminine noun die Kaiserin is formed from der Kaiser with the ending -in. Its plural is Kaiserinnen, with a doubled n before the plural ending.
Die Kaiserin begrüßt die Gäste im Palast.
The empress welcomes the guests in the palace.
die Gäste means the guests, and der Palast means the palace. Die Kaiserin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb begrüßt is in position two.
Die Zeitung beschreibt die Kaiserin als mutige Frau.
The newspaper describes the empress as a brave woman.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, and mutige Frau means brave woman. Die Kaiserin is accusative because beschreiben takes an accusative object; the finite verb beschreibt is in position two.
Die Kinder winken der Kaiserin zu.
The children wave to the empress.
die Kinder means the children, and zuwinken means to wave to someone. Der Kaiserin is dative because zuwinken takes a dative person; winken is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Das Kleid der Kaiserin ist aus Seide.
The empress's dress is made of silk.
das Kleid is the dress, and Seide is silk. Der Kaiserin is genitive because it shows whose dress it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Kaiserinnen standen in den Geschichtsbüchern.
Many empresses appeared in the history books.
viele means many, and Geschichtsbücher are history books. Kaiserinnen is the plural subject, and the finite verb standen is in position two.
der Kandidat — candidate
Kandidat is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular: den Kandidaten, dem Kandidaten, des Kandidaten. It can refer to someone seeking a political office, a job, a prize, or another position.
Der Kandidat hält eine Rede.
The candidate is giving a speech.
hält means gives or delivers, and eine Rede means a speech. Der Kandidat is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Die Wähler wählen den Kandidaten.
The voters elect the candidate.
die Wähler means the voters and wählen means elect or choose. Den Kandidaten is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; this masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative singular.
Die Journalistin stellt dem Kandidaten eine Frage.
The journalist asks the candidate a question.
die Journalistin means the female journalist, stellt eine Frage means asks a question, and eine Frage is a question. Dem Kandidaten is dative because jemandem eine Frage stellen takes the person in the dative; the weak noun keeps -en.
Die Meinung des Kandidaten ist bekannt.
The candidate's opinion is well known.
die Meinung means the opinion and bekannt means known or well known. Des Kandidaten is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is; Kandidat takes -en in this case, not -s.
Die Kandidaten beantworten schwierige Fragen.
The candidates answer difficult questions.
beantworten means answer, and schwierige Fragen means difficult questions. Kandidaten is the plural subject; the adjective schwierige has an ending because it comes before the plural noun Fragen.
die Kanone — cannon, gun
The everyday military meaning is a heavy gun. In informal speech, eine Kanone sein can also mean to be exceptionally good at something, especially sport or schoolwork.
Die Kanone steht vor dem Museum.
The cannon is in front of the museum.
steht means is standing or is displayed, and vor dem Museum means in front of the museum. Die Kanone is nominative because it is the subject; vor takes the dative here because the cannon is in a fixed place.
Die Soldaten laden die Kanone.
The soldiers load the cannon.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, and laden means load. Die Kanone is accusative because laden takes a direct object; for a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Offizier gibt der Kanone eine neue Stellung.
The officer gives the cannon a new position.
der Offizier means the officer, gibt means gives, and eine neue Stellung means a new position. Der Kanone is dative as the recipient or target, while eine neue Stellung is accusative as the thing assigned.
Der Rückstoß der Kanone ist stark.
The recoil of the cannon is strong.
der Rückstoß means recoil, and stark means strong. Der Kanone is genitive because it identifies which cannon the recoil belongs to; the feminine noun has no genitive ending.
Im Museum stehen mehrere Kanonen.
There are several cannons in the museum.
im Museum means in the museum, and mehrere means several. Kanonen is plural with -n, and the plural subject requires the verb stehen.
der Kanton — canton, administrative region
In everyday use, der Kanton most often refers to a Swiss administrative region. The names of individual regions are used with Kanton, as in der Kanton Zürich.
Der Kanton Zürich liegt im Norden der Schweiz.
The canton of Zurich is in the north of Switzerland.
liegt means “is situated,” im Norden means “in the north,” and der Schweiz means “of Switzerland.” Der Kanton is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen den Kanton Bern im Sommer.
We are visiting the canton of Bern in summer.
besuchen means “visit,” im Sommer means “in summer,” and Bern is the name of the canton. Den Kanton is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen stands in position two.
Sie arbeitet seit drei Jahren in einem Kanton nahe der Grenze.
She has been working in a canton near the border for three years.
arbeitet means “works,” seit drei Jahren means “for three years,” nahe der Grenze means “near the border,” and Grenze is “border.” In einem Kanton is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement; the verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Regierung des Kantons plant ein neues Krankenhaus.
The canton’s government is planning a new hospital.
Die Regierung is “the government,” plant means “is planning,” ein neues Krankenhaus means “a new hospital,” and neu means “new.” Des Kantons is genitive because it shows whose government it is; the finite verb plant is in position two.
Viele Kantone haben eigene Regeln.
Many cantons have their own rules.
Viele means “many,” eigene means “their own,” and Regeln means “rules.” Kantone is plural and nominative because it is the subject; haben is plural and stands in position two.
der Kanzler — chancellor
Der Kanzler is a political title and is usually translated as “chancellor,” not “prime minister,” although the role is similar in some countries. The feminine form is die Kanzlerin.
Der Kanzler spricht heute im Parlament.
The chancellor is speaking in parliament today.
spricht means “speaks,” heute means “today,” and das Parlament is “parliament.” Der Kanzler is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Bürger wählen den Kanzler nicht direkt.
The citizens do not elect the chancellor directly.
Die Bürger are “the citizens,” wählen means “elect,” nicht direkt means “not directly.” Den Kanzler is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; nicht negates the verb phrase.
Der Minister gibt dem Kanzler einen Bericht.
The minister gives the chancellor a report.
Der Minister is “the minister,” gibt means “gives,” and einen Bericht is “a report.” Dem Kanzler is dative because it marks the recipient of geben; einen Bericht is the accusative thing being given.
Die Entscheidung des Kanzlers war umstritten.
The chancellor’s decision was controversial.
Die Entscheidung is “the decision,” war means “was,” and umstritten means “controversial.” Des Kanzlers is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the verb war is in position two.
Mehrere Kanzler trafen sich bei der Konferenz.
Several chancellors met at the conference.
Mehrere means “several,” trafen sich means “met,” and bei der Konferenz means “at the conference.” Kanzler is plural and nominative as the subject; sich is the reflexive pronoun used with sich treffen.
die Kanzlerin — female chancellor
Die Kanzlerin is the feminine form of der Kanzler. It is used for a woman holding the political office, and the plural is die Kanzlerinnen.
Die Kanzlerin besucht heute eine Schule.
The chancellor is visiting a school today.
besucht means “visits,” heute means “today,” and eine Schule is “a school.” Die Kanzlerin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb besucht is in position two.
Die Journalisten interviewen die Kanzlerin am Abend.
The journalists are interviewing the chancellor in the evening.
Die Journalisten are “the journalists,” interviewen means “interview,” and am Abend means “in the evening.” Die Kanzlerin is accusative because interviewen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Präsident gratuliert der Kanzlerin zum Wahlsieg.
The president congratulates the chancellor on her election victory.
Der Präsident is “the president,” gratuliert means “congratulates,” zum Wahlsieg means “on the election victory,” and Wahlsieg is “election victory.” Der Kanzlerin is dative because gratulieren takes a dative person; zu also requires dative in zum.
Die Rede der Kanzlerin wurde weltweit gehört.
The chancellor’s speech was heard worldwide.
Die Rede is “the speech,” wurde gehört means “was heard,” and weltweit means “worldwide.” Der Kanzlerin is genitive because it identifies whose speech it was; wurde gehört is a passive construction.
Zwei Kanzlerinnen nahmen an der Diskussion teil.
Two female chancellors took part in the discussion.
Zwei means “two,” nahmen teil means “took part,” and an der Diskussion means “in the discussion.” Kanzlerinnen is plural and nominative as the subject; teilnehmen is separable, so nahmen and teil are separated in the main clause.
der Kardinal — cardinal
This noun refers to a senior Catholic church official. It is not a weak masculine noun: the genitive is des Kardinals, but the other non-nominative forms do not take -n.
Der Kardinal spricht heute im Dom.
The cardinal is speaking in the cathedral today.
spricht means is speaking, heute means today, and der Dom is the cathedral. Der Kardinal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Gläubigen begrüßen den Kardinal.
The believers greet the cardinal.
die Gläubigen means the believers, and begrüßen means greet. Den Kardinal is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßen; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Kinder geben dem Kardinal Blumen.
The children give the cardinal flowers.
die Kinder means the children, geben means give, and Blumen means flowers. Dem Kardinal is dative because geben marks the recipient in the dative, while Blumen is the accusative thing being given.
Die Predigt des Kardinals war sehr interessant.
The cardinal's sermon was very interesting.
die Predigt means the sermon, and interessant means interesting. Des Kardinals is genitive because it shows whose sermon it is; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Viele Kardinäle reisen nach Rom.
Many cardinals travel to Rome.
viele means many, reisen means travel, and nach Rom means to Rome. Kardinäle is plural and nominative because the cardinals are the subject; its umlaut and ending must not be omitted.
die Katastrophe — disaster, catastrophe
Katastrophe is used for both natural disasters and events that are a complete failure. In informal speech, people also exaggerate by calling a small problem eine Katastrophe.
Die Katastrophe hat viele Häuser zerstört.
The disaster destroyed many houses.
viele Häuser means many houses, and zerstört means destroyed. Die Katastrophe is nominative because it is the subject; hat zerstört is the perfect tense, with the participle at the end.
Die Nachrichten zeigen die Katastrophe.
The news shows the disaster.
die Nachrichten means the news, and zeigen means show. Die Katastrophe is accusative because it is the direct object of zeigen; feminine nominative and accusative articles both look like die.
Die Helfer helfen den Menschen nach der Katastrophe.
The helpers help the people after the disaster.
die Helfer means the helpers, helfen means help, and die Menschen means the people. Den Menschen is dative because helfen requires dative, and nach der Katastrophe is also dative because nach takes dative.
Die Folgen der Katastrophe sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the disaster are still visible.
die Folgen means the consequences, noch means still, and sichtbar means visible. Der Katastrophe is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; the feminine noun has no ending change.
Solche Katastrophen dürfen nicht wieder passieren.
Disasters like that must not happen again.
solche means such, dürfen nicht means must not, and wieder passieren means happen again. Solche Katastrophen is the plural subject, and the modal verb dürfen sends the infinitive passieren to the end.
katholisch — Catholic
This adjective describes the Catholic Church, its members, or its beliefs. In the comparative and superlative, it can describe a greater or greatest degree of Catholic religious practice, although these forms are less common than the basic form.
Meine Tante ist katholisch.
My aunt is Catholic.
meine Tante means my aunt. katholisch is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie besucht eine katholische Kirche.
She visits a Catholic church.
besucht means visits and eine Kirche means a church. katholische stands before the feminine accusative noun Kirche and therefore has the ending -e after eine; besucht takes an accusative object.
Seine Familie ist katholischer als meine.
His family is more Catholic than mine.
seine Familie means his family and meine means mine. katholischer compares the degree of religious practice, and als introduces the second side of the comparison.
In diesem Dorf ist diese Familie am katholischsten.
In this village, this family is the most Catholic.
in diesem Dorf means in this village, and diese Familie means this family. The predicative superlative is am katholischsten after ist; in takes the dative here because it describes a location.
die Kirchensteuer — church tax
Kirchensteuer is normally treated as a mass noun when referring to the tax generally, but the plural Kirchensteuern is possible when comparing different taxes or systems. It is a culture-specific term, especially important for understanding German payslips and tax forms.
Die Kirchensteuer ist in Deutschland gesetzlich geregelt.
Church tax is regulated by law in Germany.
Deutschland means Germany, gesetzlich means legal or statutory, and geregelt means regulated. Die Kirchensteuer is nominative because it is the subject, and ist ... geregelt is a state expression with the finite verb ist in position two.
Viele Menschen zahlen die Kirchensteuer jedes Jahr.
Many people pay church tax every year.
Viele Menschen means many people, and jedes Jahr means every year. Die Kirchensteuer is accusative because zahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb zahlen stands in position two.
Arbeitnehmern wird der Kirchensteuer oft ein Teil des Gehalts abgezogen.
For employees, part of their salary is often deducted as church tax.
Arbeitnehmern means employees, oft means often, Teil means part, and Gehalt means salary. Der Kirchensteuer is dative because als is understood in the meaning as church tax, while Arbeitnehmern is also dative as the affected group; the passive verb wird abgezogen places abgezogen at the end.
Die Höhe der Kirchensteuer hängt vom Einkommen ab.
The amount of church tax depends on income.
Höhe means amount, hängt ... ab means depends, and Einkommen means income. Der Kirchensteuer is genitive because it specifies the amount; von requires the dative in vom Einkommen, and the separable verb hängt ... ab brackets the clause.
In einigen Ländern gibt es unterschiedliche Kirchensteuern.
In some countries there are different church taxes.
einigen Ländern means some countries, and unterschiedliche means different. Kirchensteuern is plural after unterschiedliche; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, but the plural ending remains -n.
die Klage — complaint; lawsuit; lawsuit
The everyday sense is a complaint; in legal contexts, die Klage is a lawsuit. Do not confuse it with klagen, which is the verb meaning to complain or sue.
Die Klage der Nachbarn war berechtigt.
The neighbours’ complaint was justified.
die Nachbarn are the neighbours, and berechtigt means justified. Die Klage der Nachbarn is nominative because it is the subject; der Nachbarn is genitive and means of the neighbours, while the finite verb war stands in position two.
Der Richter prüft die Klage.
The judge examines the complaint.
der Richter is the judge, and prüfen means to examine or check. Die Klage is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, and prüft is in position two.
Der Anwalt widerspricht der Klage.
The lawyer contradicts the complaint.
der Anwalt is the lawyer, and widersprechen means to contradict or oppose. Der Klage is dative because widersprechen governs the dative; the finite verb widerspricht is in position two.
Die Begründung der Klage ist lang.
The reasoning behind the complaint is long.
die Begründung is the reasoning or grounds, and lang means long. Der Klage is genitive after Begründung, showing whose grounds they are; ist stands in position two.
Die Klagen über den Lärm werden immer lauter.
The complaints about the noise are getting louder and louder.
der Lärm is the noise, and immer lauter means louder and louder. Klagen is plural, and über den Lärm means about the noise; the plural subject takes werden.
Die Firma hat eine Klage gegen den Hersteller eingereicht.
The company has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
die Firma is the company, der Hersteller is the manufacturer, and einreichen means to file or submit. Eine Klage is accusative after einreichen, while gegen den Hersteller uses gegen with the accusative; the participle eingereicht goes to the end with hat.
Die Klage wurde vom Gericht abgewiesen.
The lawsuit was dismissed by the court.
das Gericht is the court, and abweisen means to dismiss or reject. Die Klage is nominative in the passive sentence, and wurde ... abgewiesen forms the passive bracket.
die Kommissarin — female police inspector; female commissioner
Kommissarin is the feminine form of Kommissar and is used for a female police inspector or commissioner. The plural ending is -nen, as in many feminine nouns ending in -in.
Die Kommissarin arbeitet heute im Büro.
The female inspector is working in the office today.
arbeitet heute im Büro means is working in the office today. Die Kommissarin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Der Chef bittet die Kommissarin um Hilfe.
The boss asks the female inspector for help.
der Chef means the boss, and um Hilfe means for help. die Kommissarin is accusative because bitten takes the person asked as a direct object; um always takes accusative here.
Der Zeuge erzählt der Kommissarin alles.
The witness tells the female inspector everything.
der Zeuge is the witness, and erzählt alles means tells everything. der Kommissarin is dative because it is the person receiving the information; the direct object alles is accusative.
Die Aussage der Kommissarin war sehr wichtig.
The female inspector's statement was very important.
die Aussage means the statement, and sehr wichtig means very important. der Kommissarin is genitive because it shows whose statement it was; feminine genitive uses der.
Die Kommissarinnen sprechen mit den Zeugen.
The female inspectors speak with the witnesses.
sprechen mit means speak with, and den Zeugen means the witnesses. Die Kommissarinnen is plural nominative as the subject, while mit forces the dative.
Die Kommissarin hat den Verdächtigen befragt.
The female inspector questioned the suspect.
den Verdächtigen means the suspect, and befragt means questioned. Die Kommissarin is the nominative subject, den Verdächtigen is accusative after befragen, and the perfect is hat befragt.
die Konfession — religious denomination; religious confession
In modern German, Konfession usually refers to a religious denomination or branch, not to a personal admission of guilt. The common plural is Konfessionen.
Die Konfession spielt für ihn keine Rolle.
Denomination plays no role for him.
spielt keine Rolle means “plays no role,” and für ihn means “for him.” Die Konfession is nominative because it is the subject, while ihm is dative after für? Actually für requires accusative, so the correct phrase is für ihn; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Viele Menschen wechseln die Konfession.
Many people change their denomination.
viele Menschen means “many people,” and wechseln means “change.” Die Konfession is accusative because wechseln takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
Sie gehört zu der Konfession ihrer Eltern.
She belongs to her parents’ denomination.
gehört zu means “belongs to,” and ihrer Eltern means “of her parents.” Der Konfession is dative because zu always requires the dative; the finite verb gehört stands in position two.
Die Geschichte der Konfession ist lang.
The history of the denomination is long.
die Geschichte means “the history,” and lang means “long.” Der Konfession is genitive because it identifies whose history is meant; ist is in position two.
In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Konfessionen.
There are several denominations in the city.
mehrere means “several,” and in der Stadt means “in the city.” Konfessionen is the plural, formed with -en; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is not shown.
Die Schule ist offen für alle Konfessionen.
The school is open to all denominations.
die Schule means “the school,” and offen für alle means “open to everyone/all.” Für alle Konfessionen is accusative because für requires the accusative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
der Konflikt — conflict, disagreement
This word can describe a personal disagreement, a political dispute, or an armed conflict. The verb lösen takes an accusative object: einen Konflikt lösen means resolve a conflict.
Der Konflikt dauert schon lange.
The conflict has been going on for a long time.
dauert schon lange means has been going on for a long time. Der Konflikt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Die beiden Parteien haben den Konflikt gelöst.
The two sides resolved the conflict.
die beiden Parteien means the two sides and gelöst means resolved. den Konflikt is accusative because lösen takes a direct object; haben is in position two and gelöst goes to the end.
Bei dem Konflikt leiden viele Menschen.
Many people suffer because of the conflict.
bei dem means during or because of the, and leiden means suffer. dem Konflikt is dative after bei, while the finite verb leiden stands in position two.
Die Folgen des Konflikts sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the conflict are still visible.
die Folgen means the consequences and sichtbar means visible. des Konflikts is genitive because it identifies which consequences; remember the masculine ending -s on the noun.
Solche Konflikte können gefährlich werden.
Conflicts like that can become dangerous.
solche means such, können means can, and gefährlich werden means become dangerous. Konflikte is plural after solche; with the modal verb können, the other verb werden goes to the end.
konservativ — conservative; traditional, cautious
konservativ can describe political views, people, or parties that prefer traditional ideas and limited change. It can also describe a cautious style or estimate, so the context is important.
Er ist politisch konservativ.
He is politically conservative.
politisch means politically, and ist means is. konservativ is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie wählt eine konservative Partei.
She votes for a conservative party.
wählt means votes for or chooses, and eine Partei means a party. eine konservative Partei is the accusative object of wählen; the adjective takes -e after the indefinite article in feminine accusative.
Seine Ansichten sind konservativer als meine.
His views are more conservative than mine.
seine Ansichten means his views, and als meine means than mine. konservativer is a comparative predicate after sind, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Diese Gruppe ist am konservativsten.
This group is the most conservative.
diese Gruppe means this group, and ist means is. am konservativsten is the predicative superlative after sein; do not use an adjective ending after am.
Sie trägt konservative Kleidung.
She wears conservative clothing.
trägt means wears, and Kleidung means clothing. konservative Kleidung is the accusative object of trägt; because Kleidung is feminine and has no article here, the adjective shows the -e ending.
Die Zahl wurde konservativ geschätzt.
The figure was estimated conservatively.
die Zahl means the figure or number, wurde geschätzt means was estimated, and geschätzt means estimated. Here konservativ is used adverbially, so it has no ending; the passive participle geschätzt stands at the end.
das Kriegsende — end of the war
Kriegsende is usually used for the end of a particular war, often one already known from the context. It is a neuter compound: der Krieg means war and das Ende means end.
Das Kriegsende brachte den Menschen Hoffnung.
The end of the war brought people hope.
brachte means brought, and die Menschen means the people; Hoffnung is hope. Das Kriegsende is nominative because it is the subject, while den Menschen is dative because bringen can show who receives something.
Viele Familien erwarteten das Kriegsende.
Many families were waiting for the end of the war.
viele Familien means many families, and erwarteten means expected or were waiting for. Das Kriegsende is accusative because erwarten takes an accusative object; the finite verb erwarteten is in position two.
Nach dem Kriegsende kehrten die Soldaten nach Hause zurück.
After the end of the war, the soldiers returned home.
nach means after here, die Soldaten are the soldiers, and nach Hause means home. Dem Kriegsende is dative because nach governs the dative; the separable verb kehrten ... zurück places zurück at the end.
Die Folgen des Kriegsendes waren noch lange spürbar.
The consequences of the end of the war were noticeable for a long time.
die Folgen are the consequences, noch lange means for a long time, and spürbar means noticeable. Des Kriegsendes is genitive and identifies whose consequences they were; the finite verb waren follows the subject phrase.
Die Kriegsenden verschiedener Länder werden heute untersucht.
The ends of wars in different countries are studied today.
verschiedener Länder means of different countries, and heute means today; untersucht means studied or examined. Kriegsenden is the plural after die, and the passive uses werden plus untersucht at the end.
die Kriminalpolizei — criminal investigation department, criminal police
Kriminalpolizei is normally a singular mass noun for the police department or its personnel, so it has no ordinary plural. It is often shortened to Kripo in informal speech.
Die Kriminalpolizei untersucht den Fall.
The criminal investigation department is investigating the case.
untersucht means investigates, and der Fall is the case. Die Kriminalpolizei is nominative because it is the subject, while den Fall is accusative because untersuchen takes an accusative object.
Die Staatsanwältin ruft die Kriminalpolizei.
The public prosecutor calls the criminal investigation department.
die Staatsanwältin is the female public prosecutor, and ruft means calls. Die Kriminalpolizei is accusative because rufen takes an accusative object here; the finite verb ruft stands in position two.
Bei der Kriminalpolizei arbeitet mein Nachbar.
My neighbour works for the criminal investigation department.
bei means at or for, and mein Nachbar is my neighbour. Der Kriminalpolizei is dative because bei governs the dative; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two after the introductory phrase.
Die Ermittlungen der Kriminalpolizei dauern mehrere Wochen.
The investigation by the criminal investigation department lasts several weeks.
die Ermittlungen are the investigations, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Der Kriminalpolizei is genitive after die Ermittlungen to show whose investigations they are; the finite verb dauern agrees with plural Ermittlungen.
Die Kriminalpolizei arbeitet oft mit der Staatsanwaltschaft zusammen.
The criminal investigation department often works together with the public prosecutor’s office.
oft means often, mit means with, and die Staatsanwaltschaft is the public prosecutor’s office. Die Kriminalpolizei is the nominative subject, and the separable verb arbeitet ... zusammen puts zusammen at the end; mit der Staatsanwaltschaft is dative after mit.
die Krise — crisis
Eine Krise can affect a country, company, relationship, or person. The common collocation in einer Krise means in a crisis; the noun is feminine even though its plural ends in -en.
Die Krise dauert schon mehrere Monate.
The crisis has already lasted several months.
dauert means lasts, schon means already, and mehrere Monate means several months. Die Krise is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Die Firma hat die Krise überstanden.
The company has survived the crisis.
die Firma means the company and überstanden means survived or got through. Die Krise is accusative because überstehen takes a direct object; hat is in position two and the participle überstanden goes to the end.
Die Regierung hilft den Menschen in der Krise.
The government helps people in the crisis.
die Regierung means the government and den Menschen means the people. In der Krise is dative because in describes a situation or location, while helfen takes a dative person.
Die Folgen der Krise sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the crisis are still visible.
die Folgen means the consequences and sichtbar means visible. Der Krise is genitive because it identifies which crisis caused the consequences; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele Krisen beginnen mit kleinen Problemen.
Many crises begin with small problems.
viele means many, beginnen means begin, and kleine Probleme means small problems. Krisen is the plural subject, and the plural verb beginnen stands in position two.
die Kundgebung — rally, public demonstration
Kundgebung is a fairly formal word for a public rally or demonstration. The fixed expression an einer Kundgebung teilnehmen means to take part in a rally; an requires the dative here.
Die Kundgebung beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The rally begins at six o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Kundgebung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Polizei beobachtet die Kundgebung.
The police are observing the rally.
die Polizei is the police and beobachtet means observes or monitors. die Kundgebung is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the feminine nominative and accusative articles look identical.
Viele Menschen nehmen an der Kundgebung teil.
Many people are taking part in the rally.
viele Menschen means many people and nehmen ... teil means take part. an takes the dative here because teilnehmen an is a fixed expression; teil goes to the end because teilnehmen is separable.
Das Ziel der Kundgebung war mehr Klimaschutz.
The aim of the rally was greater climate protection.
das Ziel is the aim, mehr means more or greater, and Klimaschutz means climate protection. der Kundgebung is genitive and identifies which aim; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der, just as in the dative.
Die Kundgebungen blieben friedlich.
The rallies remained peaceful.
blieben means remained and friedlich means peaceful. Die Kundgebungen is a plural subject, and the finite verb blieben is in position two; the noun plural ends in -en.
die Kündigung — notice of termination; cancellation; resignation
die Kündigung can refer to ending employment or to cancelling a contract. It is feminine, and nouns ending in -ung are usually feminine and form their plural with -en.
Die Kündigung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The notice of termination is on the table.
liegt auf dem Tisch means is lying on the table. Die Kündigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich habe die Kündigung gestern abgeschickt.
I sent the notice yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and abgeschickt means sent off. die Kündigung is accusative because abschicken takes a direct object; habe is in position two and abgeschickt is at the end.
Er widerspricht der Kündigung.
He objects to the notice of termination.
widerspricht means objects to or disputes. The verb widersprechen requires the dative, so der Kündigung is dative, and the finite verb widerspricht is in position two.
Die Gründe der Kündigung sind unklar.
The reasons for the termination are unclear.
die Gründe means the reasons, and unklar means unclear. der Kündigung is genitive and means of the termination; the plural subject Die Gründe makes sind plural.
Mehrere Kündigungen gingen heute ein.
Several notices came in today.
mehrere means several, and gingen ein means came in or were received. Kündigungen is plural with no ending change beyond -en; the plural subject requires gingen.