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Vocab: Society, politics & law — B1 (4)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Laster — vice, bad habit
This neuter noun means a vice or bad habit. It is not the same word as masculine der Laster, which means a truck; context and the article show the difference.
Das Laster begann mit dem Rauchen.
The vice began with smoking.
begann means began, mit means with, and das Rauchen means smoking. das Laster is nominative because it is the subject; mit dem Rauchen is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Viele Menschen verstecken das Laster.
Many people hide the vice.
viele Menschen means many people and verstecken means hide. das Laster is accusative because verstecken takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in nominative and accusative.
Er gibt dem Laster nach.
He gives in to the vice.
er means he, gibt ... nach means gives in, and nachgeben means to give in. dem Laster is dative because the verb pattern is einem Laster nachgeben; the separable prefix nach moves to the end of the main clause.
Die Folgen des Lasters sind schwer.
The consequences of the vice are serious.
die Folgen means the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. des Lasters expresses possession, meaning the consequences of the vice; the neuter genitive uses des and adds -s.
Die Laster können das Leben zerstören.
Vices can destroy life.
können means can, das Leben is life, and zerstören means destroy. die Laster is plural and therefore takes können; after the modal verb, zerstören remains as an infinitive at the end.
die Luftwaffe — air force
In the singular, die Luftwaffe usually means one country's air force. The plural die Luftwaffen refers to several air forces.
Die Luftwaffe schützt den Luftraum.
The air force protects the airspace.
schützt means protects and der Luftraum means the airspace. Die Luftwaffe is nominative because it is the subject, while den Luftraum is accusative because it is the object of schützen.
Der Staat baut die Luftwaffe aus.
The state is expanding the air force.
Der Staat means the state and baut ... aus means expands or develops. Die Luftwaffe is accusative because it is the object of ausbauen; the separable verb has baut in position two and aus at the end.
Er dient in der Luftwaffe.
He serves in the air force.
Er dient means he serves and in means in. In der Luftwaffe is dative because it describes a location, not movement into it; the feminine article is der in the dative.
Die Flugzeuge der Luftwaffe sind modern.
The air force's aircraft are modern.
Die Flugzeuge means the aircraft and modern means modern. Der Luftwaffe is genitive because it shows whose aircraft they are; the feminine noun keeps its ending and changes only the article.
Mehrere Luftwaffen üben gemeinsam.
Several air forces are training together.
Mehrere means several, üben means train or practise, and gemeinsam means together. Luftwaffen is the plural form with -n, used here because the sentence compares the air forces of several countries.
die Macht — power, authority; force, influence
Macht usually means power or authority and is often used without a plural when the idea is abstract. The plural Mächte normally refers to powerful states, groups, or opposing forces.
Die Macht liegt beim Volk.
Power lies with the people.
liegt means lies or rests, and beim Volk means with the people. Die Macht is nominative because it is the subject; beim is short for bei dem, which forces the dative.
Viele Menschen fürchten die Macht.
Many people fear power.
viele Menschen means many people, and fürchten means fear. Die Macht is accusative because it is the object of fürchten; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er widerspricht der Macht des Staates.
He contradicts the power of the state.
widerspricht means contradicts or opposes, and des Staates means of the state. Der Macht is dative because widersprechen always takes a dative object; des Staates is genitive and shows whose power it is.
Die Grenzen der Macht sind sichtbar.
The limits of power are visible.
die Grenzen means the limits, and sichtbar means visible. Der Macht is genitive because it means “of power”; the feminine genitive uses der, not die.
Die demokratischen Mächte arbeiten zusammen.
The democratic powers work together.
demokratisch means democratic, and zusammenarbeiten means to work together. Mächte is the plural of Macht, with an umlaut and -e; the plural phrase is nominative because it is the subject.
Die Macht der Natur ist beeindruckend.
The power of nature is impressive.
die Natur means nature, and beeindruckend means impressive. Die Macht der Natur is the subject, while der Natur is genitive because it identifies the source of the power; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Gegen die Macht des Sturms waren wir hilflos.
We were helpless against the power of the storm.
gegen means against, der Sturm is the storm, and hilflos means helpless. Gegen die Macht is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative; des Sturms is genitive because it means “of the storm”.
die Mahnung — formal reminder; payment demand; warning; serious appeal
A Mahnung is stronger and more formal than an Erinnerung and often concerns an unpaid bill. It can be a letter or an email, and repeated Mahnungen may lead to legal action.
Die Mahnung lag heute im Briefkasten.
The formal payment reminder was in the letterbox today.
lag means was lying, heute means today, and Briefkasten is letterbox. Die Mahnung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb lag is in position two.
Ich habe die Mahnung sofort bezahlt.
I paid the payment reminder immediately.
sofort means immediately and bezahlt means paid. Die Mahnung is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and bezahlt goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Ich antworte der Mahnung nicht, sondern der Firma.
I do not reply to the formal reminder, but to the company.
antworte means reply, nicht means not, sondern means but rather, and Firma is company. The verb antworten normally takes a dative person or thing, so der Mahnung is dative; antworte is the finite verb in position two.
Der Inhalt der Mahnung war schwer zu verstehen.
The content of the formal reminder was difficult to understand.
Inhalt means content, schwer means difficult, and zu verstehen means to understand. Der Mahnung is genitive because it shows whose content it is; the finite verb war stands in position two, while zu verstehen stays at the end.
Im Büro liegen drei Mahnungen.
There are three formal payment reminders lying in the office.
Büro means office, liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Mahnungen is the plural with -en; im Büro is dative because in describes a fixed location, while Mahnungen is the nominative subject after liegen.
Seine Rede war eine Mahnung zur Vorsicht.
His speech was a warning to be careful.
Rede means speech, Vorsicht means caution, and seine means his. Eine Mahnung is nominative after war; zur Vorsicht means to caution and contains zu der, while the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Ärztin verstand den Unfall als Mahnung.
The doctor understood the accident as a warning.
Ärztin means female doctor, verstand means understood, Unfall means accident, and als means as. Den Unfall is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object, while als Mahnung describes how the accident was interpreted.
die Marine — navy
Marine normally means the navy, not the sea itself; die See or das Meer means the sea. The verb dienen takes dative, as in der Marine dienen.
Die Marine schützt die Küste.
The navy protects the coast.
schützt means protects and die Küste means the coast. Die Marine is nominative because it is the subject; schützt stands in position two.
Das Land baut die Marine aus.
The country is expanding the navy.
das Land means the country and baut ... aus means expands or develops. Die Marine is accusative because ausbauen takes a direct object; the separable prefix aus goes to the end of the main clause.
Er dient der Marine.
He serves in the navy.
dient means serves. Der Marine is dative because dienen requires a dative object, not an accusative one.
Die Schiffe der Marine liegen im Hafen.
The navy's ships are in the harbour.
die Schiffe means the ships and liegen means are lying or are located; im Hafen means in the harbour. Der Marine is genitive because it shows which navy the ships belong to.
Mehrere Marinen arbeiten zusammen.
Several navies work together.
mehrere means several and zusammenarbeiten means work together. Marinen is plural after mehrere; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
der Mauerfall — fall of the Berlin Wall
This word usually refers specifically to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, not to an ordinary wall collapsing.
Der Mauerfall war ein historischer Moment.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was a historic moment.
historischer Moment means historic moment. Der Mauerfall is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Viele Menschen feierten den Mauerfall.
Many people celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Viele Menschen means many people, and feierten means celebrated. Den Mauerfall is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the finite verb feierten stands in position two.
Bei dem Mauerfall waren die Straßen voller Menschen.
At the fall of the Berlin Wall, the streets were full of people.
Bei means at or during, and die Straßen means the streets; voller Menschen means full of people. Dem Mauerfall is dative because bei always takes the dative, and waren is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Mauerfalls ist bis heute groß.
The significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall is still great today.
Die Bedeutung means the significance, and bis heute means to this day. Des Mauerfalls is genitive because it identifies whose significance is meant; the genitive ending -s is added to the masculine noun.
Die Mauerfälle in verschiedenen Ländern hatten unterschiedliche Folgen.
The wall collapses in different countries had different consequences.
In verschiedenen Ländern means in different countries, and unterschiedliche Folgen means different consequences. Mauerfälle is the plural of Mauerfall, formed with an umlaut and -e; hatten agrees with the plural subject.
Viele Familien trafen sich nach dem Mauerfall wieder.
Many families met again after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Viele Familien means many families, trafen sich wieder means met again, and nach means after. Dem Mauerfall is dative because nach takes the dative; the verb trafen is in position two.
die Maßnahme — measure, step, action
Maßnahme is a deliberate action taken to solve a problem or reach a goal. The common phrase Maßnahmen ergreifen means to take measures; the verb ergreifen is stronger and more formal than simply machen.
Die Maßnahme hilft vielen Menschen.
The measure helps many people.
hilft means helps, and vielen Menschen means many people. Die Maßnahme is nominative because it is the subject; helfen takes a dative object, so vielen Menschen is dative.
Die Stadt plant eine neue Maßnahme.
The city is planning a new measure.
Stadt means city, plant means is planning, and neu means new. eine neue Maßnahme is accusative because planen takes an accusative object; the finite verb plant is in position two.
Mit der Maßnahme sparen wir Energie.
With the measure, we save energy.
sparen means save, and Energie means energy. mit requires the dative, so der Maßnahme is dative; the finite verb sparen is in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Wirkung der Maßnahme ist noch unklar.
The effect of the measure is still unclear.
Wirkung means effect, and noch unklar means still unclear. der Maßnahme is genitive because it identifies whose effect is meant; the verb ist is in position two.
Neue Maßnahmen schützen die Umwelt.
New measures protect the environment.
neu means new, schützen means protect, and Umwelt means environment. Neue Maßnahmen is the plural subject, while die Umwelt is accusative because schützen takes an accusative object.
die Mehrheit — majority; larger number
Die Mehrheit can mean more than half in a vote or simply the larger part of a group. The opposite is die Minderheit, meaning minority; die meisten means most and is not a noun.
Die Mehrheit stimmt für den Vorschlag.
The majority votes for the proposal.
stimmt für means votes in favour of, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Die Mehrheit is nominative because it is the subject; für den Vorschlag uses accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Wir brauchen die Mehrheit im Parlament.
We need a majority in parliament.
brauchen means need, and im Parlament means in parliament. Die Mehrheit is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the article looks the same in nominative and accusative for this feminine noun.
Die Partei vertraut der Mehrheit der Wähler.
The party trusts the majority of voters.
die Partei means the party, vertraut means trusts, and die Wähler means the voters. Der Mehrheit is dative because vertrauen takes dative; der Wähler is genitive and means of the voters.
Die Entscheidung der Mehrheit gilt heute.
The majority's decision is valid today.
die Entscheidung means the decision, gilt means is valid or applies, and heute means today. Der Mehrheit is genitive because it shows whose decision it is; the finite verb gilt stands in position two.
Die Mehrheiten in den Ländern sind unterschiedlich.
The majorities in the countries are different.
in den Ländern means in the countries, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Mehrheiten is plural nominative as the subject; in den Ländern is dative because it describes a fixed location, and Ländern adds -n in the dative plural.
die Mehrwertsteuer — value-added tax, VAT
In Germany, die Mehrwertsteuer is commonly abbreviated as MwSt. The standard rate is often called der Regelsteuersatz, while a lower rate is der ermäßigte Steuersatz.
Die Mehrwertsteuer beträgt neunzehn Prozent.
Value-added tax is nineteen percent.
beträgt means amounts to, and neunzehn Prozent means nineteen percent. Die Mehrwertsteuer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Wir zahlen die Mehrwertsteuer beim Einkauf.
We pay value-added tax when shopping.
zahlen means pay, beim Einkauf means when shopping, and Einkauf means purchase or shopping. die Mehrwertsteuer is accusative because zahlen takes the thing paid as its direct object.
Auf dem Kassenbon steht die Mehrwertsteuer.
The receipt shows the value-added tax.
auf dem Kassenbon means on the receipt, and steht means is shown or stands. dem Kassenbon is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the feminine noun die Mehrwertsteuer looks the same in nominative and accusative, while the verb remains in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Höhe der Mehrwertsteuer ist gesetzlich festgelegt.
The amount of value-added tax is set by law.
die Höhe means the amount or level, gesetzlich means prescribed by law, and festgelegt means set. der Mehrwertsteuer is genitive because it identifies the amount; the subject Die Höhe is nominative and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In Europa gelten unterschiedliche Mehrwertsteuern.
Different value-added taxes apply in Europe.
In Europa means in Europe, gelten means apply, and unterschiedliche means different. Mehrwertsteuern is nominative plural because it is the subject; the plural ending -n is part of the noun form.
der Migrant — migrant
Der Migrant is a person who has moved, or is moving, to another place, often across a national border. It is a weak masculine noun: use Migrant only in nominative singular and Migranten in the other cases and in the plural.
Der Migrant lebt seit zwei Jahren in Deutschland.
The migrant has lived in Germany for two years.
lebt means lives, seit zwei Jahren means for two years, and Deutschland is Germany. Der Migrant is nominative because he is the subject; seit takes the dative, so zwei Jahren has the dative plural ending.
Die Behörde unterstützt den Migranten.
The authority supports the migrant.
die Behörde is the authority, and unterstützt means supports. Den Migranten is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Migrant takes -en outside the nominative singular.
Die Sozialarbeiterin hilft dem Migranten bei der Wohnungssuche.
The social worker helps the migrant look for a home.
die Sozialarbeiterin is the female social worker, hilft means helps, and die Wohnungssuche is the search for a home. Dem Migranten is dative because helfen requires the dative, and the weak noun keeps -en.
Die Geschichte des Migranten wurde veröffentlicht.
The migrant's story was published.
die Geschichte means story, and veröffentlicht means published. Des Migranten is genitive because it shows whose story it is; this weak masculine noun uses -en, not -s, in the genitive.
Viele Migranten lernen Deutsch.
Many migrants are learning German.
viele means many, and lernen Deutsch means are learning German. Migranten is plural and is the subject, so lernen is plural; the plural looks the same as the non-nominative singular.
die Migrantin — female migrant
Die Migrantin is the feminine form of der Migrant, a migrant. The ending -in marks a female person, and the plural ending is -innen.
Die Migrantin arbeitet in einem Krankenhaus.
The female migrant works in a hospital.
arbeitet means works, and das Krankenhaus is the hospital. Die Migrantin is nominative because she is the subject; in einem Krankenhaus uses dative because it describes the place where she works.
Die Organisation berät die Migrantin.
The organisation advises the female migrant.
die Organisation is the organisation, and berät means advises. Die Migrantin is accusative because beraten takes a direct object; the feminine accusative article remains die.
Der Berater hilft der Migrantin beim Ausfüllen des Formulars.
The adviser helps the female migrant fill out the form.
der Berater is the adviser, beim Ausfüllen means with filling in, and das Formular is the form. Der Migrantin is dative because helfen requires the dative; des Formulars is genitive after the noun-like Ausfüllen.
Die Familie der Migrantin lebt in Berlin.
The female migrant's family lives in Berlin.
die Familie means family, and lebt means lives. Der Migrantin is genitive because it shows whose family it is; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Viele Migrantinnen besuchen einen Sprachkurs.
Many female migrants attend a language course.
viele means many, besuchen means attend, and der Sprachkurs is the language course. Migrantinnen is plural and is the subject, while einen Sprachkurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
die Migration — migration; migration, seasonal movement
This is a formal word often used for movement between countries or regions. The plural is Migrationen; for one person’s move, everyday German often uses Einwanderung or Auswanderung depending on the direction.
Migration verändert viele Städte.
Migration is changing many cities.
verändert means changes, and viele Städte means many cities. Migration is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb verändert stands in position two.
Viele Menschen erleben Migration als Chance.
Many people experience migration as an opportunity.
viele Menschen means many people, erleben means experience, and als Chance means as an opportunity. Migration is accusative because it is the object of erleben, while the finite verb stays in position two.
Die Stadt hilft Menschen mit Migration.
The city helps people affected by migration.
die Stadt is the city, hilft means helps, and Menschen means people. Migration is dative after mit, which always takes the dative; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Folgen der Migration sind sichtbar.
The consequences of migration are visible.
die Folgen means the consequences, and sichtbar means visible. Migration is genitive after Folgen to show whose consequences they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele Länder diskutieren die Migrationen.
Many countries are discussing the migrations.
viele Länder means many countries, and diskutieren means discuss. Migrationen is the plural with -en and is accusative because it is the object of diskutieren.
Die Migration der Vögel beginnt im Herbst.
The migration of the birds begins in autumn.
der Vögel means of the birds, and beginnt means begins. Migration is nominative as the subject; der Vögel is genitive to show which migration is meant.
Wissenschaftler erforschen die Migration der Wale.
Scientists study the migration of the whales.
Wissenschaftler means scientists, erforschen means study, and Wale means whales. Migration is accusative after erforschen, while der Wale is genitive and means of the whales.
das Militär — the military, armed forces; military service
Das Militär is normally a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. For a specific branch or force, German often uses another noun such as die Armee or die Streitkräfte.
Das Militär schützt das Land.
The military protects the country.
schützt means protects and das Land means the country. Das Militär is the nominative subject, while das Land is accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the finite verb schützt is in position two.
Die Regierung unterstützt das Militär.
The government supports the military.
Die Regierung is the government and unterstützt means supports. Das Militär is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in the accusative.
Die Regierung gibt dem Militär mehr Geld.
The government gives the military more money.
gibt means gives, mehr Geld means more money, and die Regierung is the government. Dem Militär is dative because geben marks the recipient in the dative, while mehr Geld is the accusative thing given.
Die Aufgaben des Militärs sind schwierig.
The military's tasks are difficult.
Die Aufgaben are the tasks, sind means are, and schwierig means difficult. Des Militärs is genitive and shows whose tasks they are; the genitive noun adds -s, while die Aufgaben is the nominative plural subject.
Mein Bruder war zwei Jahre beim Militär.
My brother was in the military for two years.
Mein Bruder means my brother, war means was, and zwei Jahre means two years. Beim is bei dem and forces the dative, so Militär is dative; war is the past-tense form of sein.
Sie will nicht zum Militär gehen.
She does not want to join the military.
Sie means she, will nicht means does not want to, and gehen means go. Zum is zu dem and takes the dative; with the modal verb will, the infinitive gehen goes to the end of the clause.
die Minderheit — minority
Minderheit can mean a social or political minority, while Mehrheit means majority. The plural is Minderheiten.
Die Minderheit fordert mehr Rechte.
The minority is demanding more rights.
fordert means demands, and mehr Rechte means more rights. Die Minderheit is nominative because it is the subject; mehr Rechte is accusative after fordern.
Die Regierung schützt die Minderheit.
The government protects the minority.
die Regierung means the government, and schützt means protects. Die Minderheit is accusative because schützen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die.
Wir geben der Minderheit eine Stimme.
We give the minority a voice.
geben means give, and eine Stimme means a voice. Der Minderheit is dative as the recipient, while eine Stimme is accusative as the thing given.
Die Rechte der Minderheit müssen geschützt werden.
The rights of the minority must be protected.
die Rechte means the rights, müssen means must, and geschützt werden means be protected. Der Minderheit is genitive because it identifies whose rights they are.
In vielen Ländern leben Minderheiten.
Minorities live in many countries.
in vielen Ländern means in many countries, and leben means live. Minderheiten is nominative plural as the subject and has the ending -en.
der Minister — minister, government minister
A Minister is a member of a government responsible for one policy area. Minister is a weak masculine noun: its spelling stays unchanged in the plural, but the singular forms include den Minister and dem Minister.
Der Minister spricht heute im Parlament.
The minister is speaking in parliament today.
spricht means is speaking, heute means today, and das Parlament means parliament. Der Minister is the nominative subject, and the finite verb spricht stands in position two.
Die Zeitung kritisiert den Minister.
The newspaper criticises the minister.
die Zeitung means the newspaper and kritisiert means criticises. Den Minister is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun has the same form as the nominative here, but many similar nouns add -n or -en.
Die Journalistin stellt dem Minister eine Frage.
The journalist asks the minister a question.
die Journalistin means the female journalist, stellt eine Frage means asks a question, and dem Minister means to the minister. Dem Minister is dative because stellen has the person receiving the question as an indirect object; this noun happens to have no visible extra ending.
Die Entscheidung des Ministers sorgt für Diskussionen.
The minister's decision causes discussions.
die Entscheidung means the decision, sorgt für means causes or leads to, and Diskussionen means discussions. Des Ministers is genitive to show possession, and this form takes -s, unlike the dative and accusative forms of the weak noun.
Mehrere Minister nehmen an der Sitzung teil.
Several ministers take part in the meeting.
mehrere means several, nehmen teil means take part, and die Sitzung means the meeting. Minister is plural even though its spelling does not change; an in an der Sitzung teilnehmen takes the dative in this fixed expression.
die Ministerin — female minister
A Ministerin is a woman who is a member of a government. The plural is formed with -innen, and the feminine noun keeps the same ending in the dative and genitive while the article changes.
Die Ministerin besucht heute unsere Stadt.
The minister is visiting our city today.
besucht means visits, heute means today, and unsere Stadt means our city. Die Ministerin is the nominative subject, while unsere Stadt is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
Die Bürger wählen die Ministerin nicht direkt.
The citizens do not elect the minister directly.
die Bürger means the citizens, wählen means elect, and direkt means directly. Die Ministerin is accusative because it is the object of wählen; nicht negates the action, not the noun's case.
Der Reporter stellt der Ministerin eine schwierige Frage.
The reporter asks the minister a difficult question.
der Reporter means the reporter, stellt eine Frage means asks a question, and schwierig means difficult. Der Ministerin is dative because she receives the question, while eine schwierige Frage is the accusative object.
Die Rede der Ministerin war sehr klar.
The minister's speech was very clear.
die Rede means the speech, war means was, and klar means clear. Der Ministerin is genitive and shows whose speech it was; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der, not die.
Mehrere Ministerinnen nehmen an der Konferenz teil.
Several female ministers take part in the conference.
mehrere means several, die Konferenz means the conference, and nehmen teil means take part. Ministerinnen is the regular feminine plural with -innen, and an der Konferenz teilnehmen uses an with the dative.
das Mittelalter — Middle Ages
Mittelalter is normally treated as a singular-only historical-period noun, so it has no ordinary plural. The common phrase im Mittelalter means ‘in the Middle Ages’ and is a contraction of in dem Mittelalter.
Das Mittelalter war eine lange Zeit.
The Middle Ages were a long period.
war means ‘was’ and eine lange Zeit means ‘a long period’. Das Mittelalter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Menschen besuchen Burgen aus dem Mittelalter.
Many people visit castles from the Middle Ages.
viele Menschen means ‘many people’, besuchen means ‘visit’, and Burgen means ‘castles’. Burgen is accusative as the object of besuchen, while aus dem Mittelalter is dative because aus always takes the dative.
Im Mittelalter lebten die Menschen ohne Strom.
In the Middle Ages, people lived without electricity.
lebten means ‘lived’, ohne means ‘without’, and Strom means ‘electricity’. im Mittelalter is short for in dem Mittelalter and is dative because in describes a period here; the verb follows the fronted time phrase in position two.
Die Geschichte des Mittelalters ist faszinierend.
The history of the Middle Ages is fascinating.
die Geschichte means ‘the history’ and faszinierend means ‘fascinating’. des Mittelalters is genitive because it identifies which history is meant; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive.
moralisch — moral, ethical
moralisch describes what concerns right and wrong behaviour. It is not the same as moralisch in the phrase moralische Unterstützung, where it can mean based on values rather than practical or financial.
Die Entscheidung ist moralisch.
The decision is moral.
die Entscheidung means the decision. Moralisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes whether the decision agrees with ideas about right and wrong.
Sie übernimmt eine moralische Verantwortung.
She takes on a moral responsibility.
übernimmt means takes on and die Verantwortung means responsibility. Moralische stands before the feminine accusative noun Verantwortung, and the ending -e follows the indefinite article eine.
Seine Entscheidung ist moralischer als meine.
His decision is more moral than mine.
seine Entscheidung means his decision and meine means mine. Moralischer is the comparative, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no noun ending.
Das ist die moralischste Lösung.
That is the most moral solution.
die Lösung means the solution. Moralischste is the superlative before a noun and takes the ending -e after die; do not use am moralischsten directly before a noun.
der Mörder — murderer
The feminine form is die Mörderin. The plural is die Mörder, with no ending on the noun.
Der Mörder wurde gestern verhaftet.
The murderer was arrested yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and verhaftet means arrested. Der Mörder is nominative because he is the subject of the passive sentence; the finite verb wurde is in position two and the participle verhaftet goes to the end.
Die Polizei verhaftete den Mörder.
The police arrested the murderer.
die Polizei is the police, and verhaftete means arrested. Den Mörder is accusative because verhaften takes a direct object; the finite verb verhaftete stands in position two.
Die Zeugin hat Angst vor dem Mörder.
The witness is afraid of the murderer.
die Zeugin is the female witness, and Angst haben means to be afraid. Vor takes the dative here in the fixed expression Angst vor, so dem Mörder is dative; hat is in position two and gehabt is understood in the perfect construction with Angst haben.
Das Auto des Mörders steht vor dem Haus.
The murderer’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is located, and das Haus is the house. Des Mörders is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Mörder sitzen im Gefängnis.
The murderers are sitting in prison.
sitzen means are sitting, and das Gefängnis is the prison. Die Mörder is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im means in dem, and in takes the dative here because it describes a location.
die Mörderin — female murderer
The masculine counterpart is der Mörder. Feminine nouns ending in -in form their plural with -innen.
Die Mörderin wurde vor Gericht gestellt.
The female murderer was put on trial.
vor Gericht means in court, and gestellt means put or placed. Die Mörderin is nominative because she is the subject of the passive sentence; wurde is in position two and gestellt goes to the end.
Die Polizei sucht die Mörderin.
The police are looking for the female murderer.
die Polizei is the police, and sucht means is looking for. Die Mörderin is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article stays die in both nominative and accusative.
Die Ermittler sprechen mit der Mörderin.
The investigators are speaking with the female murderer.
die Ermittler are the investigators, and sprechen means speak. Mit always takes the dative, so der Mörderin is dative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Aussage der Mörderin war kurz.
The female murderer’s statement was brief.
die Aussage is the statement, and kurz means brief or short. Der Mörderin is genitive because it identifies whose statement it was; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Mörderinnen wurden zu langen Haftstrafen verurteilt.
The female murderers were sentenced to long prison terms.
lange Haftstrafen means long prison sentences, and verurteilt means sentenced or convicted. Die Mörderinnen is plural nominative as the subject; the plural ending -innen is part of the noun, and wurden ... verurteilt forms the passive.
die Nachkriegszeit — postwar period
Nachkriegszeit is a compound of nach (after) and Kriegszeit (war period). In ordinary historical writing it often refers specifically to the period after the Second World War, but the context can define another war.
Die Nachkriegszeit war für viele Familien sehr schwierig.
The postwar period was very difficult for many families.
für viele Familien means for many families, and schwierig means difficult. Die Nachkriegszeit is nominative because it is the subject; the verb war stands in position two.
Viele Menschen erinnern sich an die Nachkriegszeit.
Many people remember the postwar period.
viele Menschen means many people, and erinnern sich means remember. An takes the accusative with sich erinnern an, so die Nachkriegszeit is accusative; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb.
In der Nachkriegszeit lebten die Menschen oft sehr sparsam.
In the postwar period, people often lived very frugally.
lebten means lived, and sparsam means frugally or economically. In takes the dative for a time or location, so der Nachkriegszeit is dative; the verb lebten is in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Folgen der Nachkriegszeit spürt man noch heute.
People can still feel the effects of the postwar period today.
die Folgen means the effects or consequences, and spürt means feels. Der Nachkriegszeit is genitive and identifies whose effects they are; man is the subject, while spürt comes in position two.
Die Nachkriegszeiten Europas waren oft von Armut geprägt.
Europe’s postwar periods were often marked by poverty.
Europas means of Europe, Armut means poverty, and geprägt means marked or shaped. Nachkriegszeiten is plural and is the subject; Europas is a genitive name without an article, and the verb waren agrees with the plural.
die Nation — nation, country; people sharing a national identity
In everyday use, die Nation can mean either the country as a political state or its people as a collective. It is often used in political and historical contexts, while das Land is more common for an ordinary country.
Die Nation feiert heute ihren Nationalfeiertag.
The nation is celebrating its national holiday today.
feiert means is celebrating, heute means today, and ihren Nationalfeiertag means its national holiday. Die Nation is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb feiert stands in position two.
Viele Menschen lieben die Nation und ihre Geschichte.
Many people love the nation and its history.
Viele Menschen means many people, lieben means love, and ihre Geschichte means its history. Die Nation is accusative because lieben takes a direct object; the finite verb lieben is in position two.
Die Regierung hilft der Nation in einer Krise.
The government helps the nation in a crisis.
Die Regierung means the government, hilft means helps, and in einer Krise means in a crisis. Der Nation is dative because helfen governs the dative; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Zukunft der Nation hängt von guter Bildung ab.
The future of the nation depends on good education.
Die Zukunft means the future, hängt ... ab means depends, and guter Bildung means good education. Der Nation is genitive because it identifies whose future is meant; the separable verb abhängen puts hängt in position two and ab at the end.
Die Nationen arbeiten gemeinsam an einem Vertrag.
The nations are working together on a treaty.
arbeiten gemeinsam means are working together, and an einem Vertrag means on a treaty. Nationen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; an takes the dative here because this describes work on an existing matter, not movement.
national — national; relating to a nation
National contrasts with international and often describes government, sport, culture or public interests. In front of a noun, it takes normal adjective endings, as in nationale Interessen.
Der Sport ist national sehr wichtig.
The sport is very important nationally.
Der Sport means the sport, and sehr wichtig means very important. National is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die nationale Mannschaft spielt heute in Berlin.
The national team is playing in Berlin today.
Die Mannschaft means the team, spielt means is playing, and heute in Berlin means today in Berlin. Nationale stands before the feminine nominative noun Mannschaft and takes -e after the definite article die.
Die Diskussion ist heute nationaler als früher.
The discussion is more national today than in the past.
Die Diskussion means the discussion, heute means today, and früher means in the past. Nationaler is a predicative comparative after ist and is followed by als when two things are compared.
Diese Frage ist am nationalsten geprägt.
This question is shaped in the most nationally focused way.
Diese Frage means this question, and geprägt means shaped or marked. Am nationalsten is the predicative superlative with am; the verb phrase ist geprägt places the participle geprägt at the end.
NATO — NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NATO is the usual German abbreviation for die Nordatlantikpakt-Organisation, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is the name of an organization and does not take ordinary inflected forms.
Die NATO schützt ihre Mitgliedstaaten.
NATO protects its member states.
schützt means protects and ihre Mitgliedstaaten means its member states. The organization name is the subject with the feminine article die, and the finite verb schützt stands in position two.
Deutschland ist seit 1955 Mitglied der NATO.
Germany has been a member of NATO since 1955.
Deutschland means Germany and seit 1955 means since 1955; Mitglied means member. The phrase der NATO is genitive after Mitglied, expressing membership of the organization, while ist stands in position two.
der Offizier — officer
der Offizier is a military rank and is not the same as English official, which is usually Beamter or offiziell, depending on the meaning. The plural is Offiziere, and the genitive singular is des Offiziers.
Der Offizier spricht mit den Soldaten.
The officer is speaking with the soldiers.
spricht means is speaking, mit means with, and den Soldaten means the soldiers. Der Offizier is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spricht is in second position; mit takes the dative.
Ich sehe den Offizier im Flur.
I see the officer in the corridor.
sehe means see, im Flur means in the corridor, and der Flur is the corridor. den Offizier is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir danken dem Offizier für seine Hilfe.
We thank the officer for his help.
danken means to thank, für means for, and seine Hilfe means his help. dem Offizier is dative because danken requires a dative object; für takes the accusative in the separate phrase seine Hilfe.
Die Uniform des Offiziers ist sauber.
The officer's uniform is clean.
die Uniform means the uniform, and sauber means clean. des Offiziers is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun adds -s; the finite verb ist stands in second position.
Viele Offiziere besuchen die Schule.
Many officers visit the school.
viele means many, besuchen means visit, and die Schule means the school. Offiziere is the plural subject in the nominative, while die Schule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object.
die Opposition — opposition; opposition party; opposition; resistance
In politics, die Opposition refers collectively to parties or politicians outside the government. It is often used as a collective singular noun, even when it refers to many people; the plural die Oppositionen is possible when comparing separate opposition groups.
Die Opposition kritisiert den neuen Plan.
The opposition criticises the new plan.
kritisieren means to criticise and der neue Plan is the new plan. Die Opposition is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kritisiert stands in position two.
Die Wähler unterstützen die Opposition.
The voters support the opposition.
die Wähler are the voters and unterstützen means to support. Die Opposition is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; unterstützen is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Bürger geben der Opposition ihre Stimme.
Many citizens give the opposition their vote.
viele Bürger means many citizens, geben means to give, and ihre Stimme is their vote. Der Opposition is dative because the opposition receives the vote; the direct object ihre Stimme is accusative.
Die Kritik der Opposition war sehr deutlich.
The opposition’s criticism was very clear.
die Kritik is the criticism and deutlich means clear or explicit. Der Opposition is genitive and shows whose criticism it was; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Oppositionen sind in einer Demokratie wichtig.
Oppositions parties are important in a democracy.
wichtig means important and Demokratie means democracy. Oppositionen is plural and nominative as the subject, so the verb is plural sind; the phrase in einer Demokratie gives the setting.
Es gibt viel Opposition gegen das Projekt.
There is a lot of opposition to the project.
es gibt means there is or there are, viel means a lot of, and das Projekt is the project. Opposition is used without an article as an uncountable idea here, while gegen das Projekt uses the accusative after gegen.
Die Opposition gegen den Vorschlag wächst.
Opposition to the proposal is growing.
der Vorschlag is the proposal and wachsen means to grow. Gegen den Vorschlag means against the proposal and uses the accusative after gegen; the finite verb wächst stands in position two.
die Parade — parade, procession
Parade usually means a public procession with music, uniforms, or vehicles. In a military context it can describe a formal display of soldiers; in everyday German, die Parade may also refer to a spectacular save by a goalkeeper.
Die Parade beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The parade begins at ten o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Die Parade is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Tausende Menschen sehen die Parade.
Thousands of people watch the parade.
tausende Menschen means thousands of people, and sehen means to watch or see. die Parade is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; its feminine nominative and accusative forms look identical.
Die Stadt gibt der Parade eine besondere Route.
The city gives the parade a special route.
die Stadt is the city, eine besondere Route is a special route, and besonders means special. der Parade is dative because it is the recipient or target of geben, while eine besondere Route is the accusative object.
Die Musik der Parade ist laut.
The music of the parade is loud.
die Musik means the music, and laut means loud. der Parade is genitive because it identifies which music is meant; the feminine noun has no visible ending change in the genitive.
Am Wochenende besuchen wir Paraden in mehreren Städten.
At the weekend, we visit parades in several cities.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, mehreren Städten means several cities, and besuchen means to visit. Paraden is plural accusative because it is the object of besuchen; in mehreren Städten is dative because it describes location.
der Paragraph — paragraph; section of a law
In legal German, der Paragraph usually means a numbered section of a law, not only a paragraph in an ordinary essay. It is a weak masculine noun: use Paragraphen after den, dem and des.
Der Paragraph ist sehr kompliziert.
The section is very complicated.
kompliziert means complicated. Der Paragraph is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Der Anwalt liest den Paragraphen.
The lawyer is reading the section.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, and liest means is reading. Den Paragraphen is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Paragraph takes -en outside the nominative singular.
Nach dem Paragraphen muss die Firma handeln.
The company must act according to the section.
Nach means according to or after, die Firma means the company, and handeln means act. Nach takes the dative, giving dem Paragraphen; the modal verb muss is in position two and handeln goes to the end.
Der Inhalt des Paragraphen ist eindeutig.
The content of the section is unambiguous.
der Inhalt means the content, and eindeutig means unambiguous. Des Paragraphen is genitive because it identifies which content; this weak noun still has -en in the genitive singular.
Die neuen Paragraphen treten morgen in Kraft.
The new sections come into force tomorrow.
neu means new, morgen means tomorrow, and in Kraft treten means come into force. Paragraphen is the plural and has the same form as the oblique singular; die and neuen show that it is plural.
das Parlament — parliament
A Parlament is the political institution that represents citizens and makes or discusses laws. In some countries it has two Kammern, or chambers.
Das Parlament diskutiert heute über das Gesetz.
Parliament is discussing the law today.
diskutieren means to discuss, heute means today, and das Gesetz means the law. Das Parlament is nominative because it is the subject; über das Gesetz is accusative after über in this meaning.
Die Bürger wählen das Parlament.
The citizens elect parliament.
die Bürger means the citizens, and wählen means to elect. Parlament is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the finite verb wählen is in position two.
Die Abgeordneten arbeiten im Parlament.
The members of parliament work in parliament.
die Abgeordneten means the members of parliament, and arbeiten means to work. im Parlament means in parliament and is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Die Entscheidung des Parlaments ist wichtig.
The parliament's decision is important.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and wichtig means important. des Parlaments is genitive because it shows which body's decision it is; the neuter noun adds -s.
Mehrere Parlamente beraten über gemeinsame Regeln.
Several parliaments are discussing common rules.
mehrere means several, beraten über means discuss, and gemeinsame Regeln means common rules. Parlamente is plural after mehrere; the finite verb beraten stays in position two.
die Partei — political party; party, group; side, party in a dispute
The most common meaning of die Partei is a political party. In the fixed expression Partei ergreifen, it means to take someone's side.
Die Partei gewinnt die Wahl.
The party wins the election.
gewinnen means to win, and die Wahl means the election. Die Partei is nominative because it is the subject; gewinnt is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Menschen wählen diese Partei.
Many people vote for this party.
viele Menschen means many people, and diese means this. Partei is accusative because wählen takes the group voted for as a direct object; wählen is in position two.
Er gehört zu einer Partei.
He belongs to a party.
gehören zu means to belong to, and einer means a or one in the feminine dative. Partei is dative because the fixed preposition zu always takes the dative.
Das Programm der Partei ist neu.
The party's programme is new.
das Programm means the programme, and neu means new. der Partei is genitive because it shows whose programme it is; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Die großen Parteien diskutieren im Fernsehen.
The large parties are discussing things on television.
groß means large, diskutieren means discuss, and im Fernsehen means on television. Parteien is plural after die; großen has the adjective ending -en.
In diesem Streit ergreift sie Partei für ihre Freundin.
In this argument, she takes her friend's side.
dieser Streit means this argument, ergreifen means take, and ihre Freundin means her female friend. The fixed expression Partei ergreifen means to take a side; Partei is accusative as the object of ergreifen.
Er steht auf der Partei der Mieter.
He is on the tenants' side.
stehen auf means to stand on or support, and die Mieter means the tenants. der Partei is dative after auf for a fixed position, while der Mieter is genitive and means of the tenants.
der Pfarrer — pastor, priest
In many Protestant churches, der Pfarrer means pastor; in some contexts it can also mean a priest, especially in a Catholic setting. The feminine form is die Pfarrerin.
Der Pfarrer hält heute einen Gottesdienst.
The pastor is conducting a church service today.
hält means “conducts or holds”, heute means “today”, and einen Gottesdienst means “a church service”. Der Pfarrer is nominative because it is the subject, and hält is in position two.
Die Gemeinde besucht den Pfarrer.
The congregation visits the pastor.
die Gemeinde means “the congregation” and besucht means “visits”. Den Pfarrer is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besucht stands in position two.
Ich danke dem Pfarrer für seine Hilfe.
I thank the pastor for his help.
danke means “thank”, für seine Hilfe means “for his help”, and Hilfe means “help”. Dem Pfarrer is dative because danken requires a dative object; für takes accusative in seine Hilfe.
Die Predigt des Pfarrers war sehr interessant.
The pastor’s sermon was very interesting.
die Predigt means “the sermon”, war means “was”, and interessant means “interesting”. Des Pfarrers is genitive to show whose sermon it was, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Pfarrer treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The pastors are meeting for a conference.
treffen sich means “meet”, zu einer Konferenz means “for a conference”, and Konferenz means “conference”. Die Pfarrer is plural and nominative; the noun has no plural ending, and treffen sich is the plural verb phrase.
die Pfarrerin — female pastor, female priest
Die Pfarrerin is the feminine form of der Pfarrer. Depending on the church and context, it can mean a female pastor or a female priest.
Die Pfarrerin begrüßt die Besucher.
The female pastor welcomes the visitors.
begrüßt means “welcomes” and die Besucher means “the visitors”. Die Pfarrerin is nominative because it is the subject, while die Besucher is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object.
Die Gemeinde hört die Pfarrerin.
The congregation listens to the female pastor.
die Gemeinde means “the congregation” and hört means “listens to or hears”. Die Pfarrerin is accusative because hören takes a direct object, and hört is in position two.
Viele Menschen danken der Pfarrerin.
Many people thank the female pastor.
viele Menschen means “many people” and danken means “thank”. Der Pfarrerin is dative because danken requires a dative object; the plural subject viele Menschen makes the verb danken.
Die Stimme der Pfarrerin klingt ruhig.
The female pastor’s voice sounds calm.
die Stimme means “the voice”, klingt means “sounds”, and ruhig means “calm”. Der Pfarrerin is genitive to show whose voice it is; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Die Pfarrerinnen arbeiten in verschiedenen Gemeinden.
The female pastors work in different congregations.
arbeiten means “work”, verschiedenen means “different”, and Gemeinden means “congregations or parishes”. Die Pfarrerinnen is plural and nominative, and the ending -innen marks the feminine plural.
die Pistole — pistol, handgun
Pistole is a firearm, so it is common in contexts involving police, crime or security. It is more specific than Waffe, which means weapon in general.
Die Pistole liegt im Schrank.
The pistol is in the cupboard.
liegen means to be lying, and der Schrank means cupboard. Die Pistole is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht die Pistole.
The police are examining the pistol.
die Polizei means the police and untersuchen means to examine or investigate. Die Pistole is accusative because it is the direct object of untersucht; the finite verb remains in position two.
Der Zeuge nähert sich der Pistole nicht.
The witness does not approach the pistol.
der Zeuge means the witness, sich nähern means to approach, and nicht means not. Sich nähern takes a dative object, so der Pistole is dative; do not use the accusative here.
Der Besitzer der Pistole ist unbekannt.
The owner of the pistol is unknown.
der Besitzer means owner and unbekannt means unknown. Der Pistole is genitive because it identifies which owner is meant; feminine genitive uses der without an extra noun ending.
Die Beamten beschlagnahmen mehrere Pistolen.
The officers confiscate several pistols.
die Beamten means the officers, beschlagnahmen means confiscate, and mehrere means several. Pistolen is the plural formed with -n, and it is accusative because it is the object of beschlagnahmen.
die Politik — politics; political activity and policy; policy
die Politik can mean politics as a field or the policy of a person, party, or government. It is often used as a mass noun in the singular; the plural Politiken is used when several policies or political approaches are contrasted.
Die Politik beeinflusst unseren Alltag.
Politics affects our everyday lives.
beeinflusst means affects, and unser Alltag means our everyday life. Die Politik is nominative because it is the subject, while unseren Alltag is accusative because it is the object of beeinflussen.
Viele Menschen kritisieren die Politik.
Many people criticise politics.
viele Menschen means many people, and kritisieren means criticise. Die Politik is accusative because it is the object of kritisieren; the article looks the same as in the nominative because the noun is feminine.
Die Bürger vertrauen der Politik nicht.
The citizens do not trust politics.
die Bürger means the citizens, vertrauen means trust, and nicht means not. Der Politik is dative because vertrauen takes the dative; the finite verb vertrauen stands in position two.
Die Folgen der Politik sind deutlich sichtbar.
The consequences of politics are clearly visible.
die Folgen means the consequences, and deutlich sichtbar means clearly visible. Der Politik is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; sind agrees with the plural subject die Folgen.
Die verschiedenen Politiken führen zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen.
The different policies lead to different results.
verschieden means different, führen zu means lead to, and unterschiedliche Ergebnisse means different results. Die Politiken is plural nominative because it is the subject; zu takes the dative, although the plural article and adjective show this only indirectly here.
Die Regierung ändert ihre Politik gegenüber den Nachbarn.
The government is changing its policy towards its neighbours.
die Regierung means the government, ändert means changes, and gegenüber means towards. Ihre Politik is accusative because it is the object of ändert; gegenüber den Nachbarn is dative because gegenüber takes the dative.
Diese Politik soll kleine Unternehmen unterstützen.
This policy is intended to support small businesses.
diese means this, soll means is intended to or should, and kleine Unternehmen means small businesses. Diese Politik is nominative because it is the subject; after soll, the infinitive unterstützen goes to the end and takes the accusative object kleine Unternehmen.
der Polizeibeamte — male police officer
Polizeibeamte is a weak masculine noun: use der Polizeibeamte only in the nominative singular, but den, dem, or des Polizeibeamten in the other singular cases. The plural is die Polizeibeamten.
Der Polizeibeamte wartet vor dem Gebäude.
The police officer is waiting in front of the building.
wartet means is waiting, vor dem Gebäude means in front of the building, and Gebäude means building. Der Polizeibeamte is nominative; a weak masculine noun has no extra -n in the nominative singular.
Ich sehe den Polizeibeamten.
I see the police officer.
ich sehe means I see. Den Polizeibeamten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Wir danken dem Polizeibeamten.
We thank the police officer.
wir danken means we thank. Dem Polizeibeamten is dative because danken requires a dative object, and the weak noun keeps the ending -n.
Das Auto des Polizeibeamten steht dort.
The police officer’s car is standing there.
das Auto means the car, and dort means there. Des Polizeibeamten is genitive and shows possession; the ending -n remains in this case.
Die Polizeibeamten kontrollieren die Straße.
The police officers are checking the street.
kontrollieren means check, and die Straße means the street. Die Polizeibeamten is plural and ends in -en, which looks like the singular dative and genitive forms.
die Polizeibeamte — female police officer
This is a substantivized adjective used for a female police officer. In everyday German, Polizeibeamtin is often the more usual feminine form; Polizeibeamte follows adjective-like endings.
Die Polizeibeamte kontrolliert den Ausweis.
The female police officer checks the identity card.
kontrolliert means checks, and der Ausweis is an identity card. Die Polizeibeamte is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb kontrolliert is in position two.
Ich sehe die Polizeibeamte am Eingang.
I see the female police officer at the entrance.
sehen means to see, and der Eingang is the entrance. Die Polizeibeamte is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article stays die in both nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Polizeibeamten bei der Suche.
I help the female police officer with the search.
helfen means to help, bei means with, and die Suche is the search. Der Polizeibeamten is dative because helfen takes a dative object; the form ends in -en, which learners may mistake for a plural.
Das Auto der Polizeibeamten steht vor dem Haus.
The female police officer’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, stehen means to stand or be located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Polizeibeamten is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb steht remains in position two.
Die Polizeibeamten arbeiten heute zusammen.
The police officers work together today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and zusammen means together. Die Polizeibeamten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
die Propaganda — propaganda
Propaganda is usually negative: it presents information selectively in order to persuade people. It is an uncountable noun in standard German, so learners should not normally form a plural.
Die Propaganda beeinflusst viele Menschen.
The propaganda influences many people.
beeinflusst means influences, and viele Menschen means many people. Die Propaganda is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beeinflusst stands in position two.
Viele Menschen glauben die Propaganda.
Many people believe the propaganda.
viele Menschen means many people, and glauben means believe. die Propaganda is accusative because glauben takes a direct object here; the finite verb glauben is in position two.
Die Zeitung widerspricht der Propaganda.
The newspaper contradicts the propaganda.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, and widerspricht means contradicts. der Propaganda is dative because widersprechen requires the dative; the finite verb widerspricht is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Propaganda ist schwer zu messen.
The effect of the propaganda is difficult to measure.
die Wirkung means the effect, and schwer zu messen means difficult to measure. der Propaganda is genitive to show possession or association, while die Wirkung is the nominative subject.
Viele Länder verbieten bestimmte Formen von Propaganda.
Many countries ban certain forms of propaganda.
viele Länder means many countries, verbieten means ban, and bestimmte Formen means certain forms. Propaganda remains singular because it is a mass noun; after von, the noun is dative, although the plural form belongs to Formen, not to Propaganda.
die Provinz — province, the provinces; rural region
In everyday speech, die Provinz can mean rural areas outside major cities, not only an official administrative unit. It may carry a slightly dismissive nuance when contrasted with a capital or large city.
Die Provinz ist sehr ruhig.
The countryside is very quiet.
ruhig means quiet or peaceful. Die Provinz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen verlassen die Provinz.
Many people leave the provinces.
viele Menschen means many people, and verlassen means leave. Die Provinz is accusative because verlassen takes a direct object; the finite verb stands in position two.
Er lebt seit Jahren in der Provinz.
He has lived in the provinces for years.
seit Jahren means for years, and lebt means lives. In der Provinz is dative because in describes a fixed location here; there is no movement into the region.
Die Bewohner der Provinz fordern bessere Busse.
The inhabitants of the province are demanding better buses.
die Bewohner are the inhabitants, fordern means demand, and bessere Busse means better buses. Der Provinz is genitive because it identifies whose inhabitants they are.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Provinzen.
There are many provinces in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Provinzen is the plural of Provinz; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself looks the same as nominative.
der Präsident — president; president, chairperson
Präsident is a weak masculine noun: use den Präsidenten, dem Präsidenten, and des Präsidenten, not forms without -en. In politics it normally means the leader of a country or organisation, while Vorsitzender is often used for the chair of a committee or club.
Der Präsident spricht heute zur Bevölkerung.
The president is speaking to the population today.
spricht means speaks, heute means today, and die Bevölkerung means the population. Der Präsident is nominative because he is the subject; zur means zu der, and zu takes the dative.
Die Bürger wählen den Präsidenten.
The citizens elect the president.
die Bürger means the citizens and wählen means elect. Den Präsidenten is accusative because it is the direct object of wählen; the weak noun has -en outside nominative singular.
Wir gratulieren dem Präsidenten.
We congratulate the president.
gratulieren means congratulate. It takes a dative person, so dem Präsidenten is dative; the -en ending is required because Präsident is a weak masculine noun.
Die Rede des Präsidenten war kurz.
The president’s speech was short.
die Rede means the speech and kurz means short. Des Präsidenten is genitive to show whose speech it was, and the weak noun keeps -en after the genitive article des.
Die Präsidenten treffen sich in Berlin.
The presidents meet in Berlin.
treffen sich means meet one another, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Die Präsidenten is plural, with the same -en ending as the weak noun’s other forms; sich is a reflexive pronoun.
Sie wurde zur Präsidentin des Vereins gewählt.
She was elected president of the club.
wurde ... gewählt means was elected, die Präsidentin means female president, and der Verein means club or association. Zur Präsidentin is dative after zu; the masculine headword has the feminine form Präsidentin in this sentence.
Der Präsident leitete die Mitgliederversammlung.
The president chaired the members’ meeting.
leitete means chaired or led, and die Mitgliederversammlung means the members’ meeting. Der Präsident is nominative as the subject, while die Mitgliederversammlung is accusative as the direct object.
die Präsidentin — female president
The feminine noun is formed from der Präsident with the ending -in. It can refer to the head of a country or to the female head of another organisation.
Die Präsidentin hält heute eine Rede.
The female president is giving a speech today.
hält eine Rede means “is giving a speech”, and heute means today. Die Präsidentin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Die Bürger wählen die Präsidentin.
The citizens are electing the female president.
die Bürger are the citizens, and wählen means elect. Die Präsidentin is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the finite verb wählen stands in position two.
Ich spreche morgen mit der Präsidentin.
I am speaking with the female president tomorrow.
sprechen means speak and morgen means tomorrow. Mit always takes the dative, so der Präsidentin is dative; the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Präsidentin war überraschend.
The female president’s decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung means the decision and überraschend means surprising. Der Präsidentin is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Präsidentinnen treffen sich in Berlin.
Many female presidents are meeting in Berlin.
viele means many, treffen sich means meet, and Berlin is the capital city. Präsidentinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural article is not needed after viele.
Die Präsidentin eröffnet die Konferenz.
The female president opens the conference.
eröffnet means opens, and die Konferenz means the conference. Die Präsidentin is the subject in the nominative, while die Konferenz is accusative as the direct object.
der Rang — rank, status, position
Der Rang describes a position in a hierarchy or competition and is often used with hoch or niedrig. In the expression im Rang steigen, im is short for in dem and takes the dative.
Der Rang des Teams ist sehr hoch.
The team’s rank is very high.
das Team is the team and hoch means high. Der Rang is nominative because it is the subject; des Teams is genitive and means “of the team,” while ist stands in position two.
Sie hat einen hohen Rang erreicht.
She reached a high rank.
erreichen means to reach and hoch means high. Einen hohen Rang is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object; hat erreicht is the perfect, with the participle at the end.
Mit der Zeit stieg er im Rang.
Over time, he rose in rank.
mit der Zeit means over time, and steigen means to rise. Im Rang is dative after in in this fixed expression; stieg is the preterite and stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Ranges war damals größer.
The importance of the rank was greater at that time.
die Bedeutung is the importance, damals means at that time, and größer means greater. Des Ranges is genitive and means “of the rank”; the subject is Die Bedeutung, so war is in position two.
Die Ränge der Spieler wurden veröffentlicht.
The players’ ranks were published.
die Spieler are the players and veröffentlichen means to publish. Die Ränge is the plural subject; der Spieler is genitive, and wurden veröffentlicht forms the passive in the past.
der Raub — robbery, theft
Raub is a legal or fairly serious word for stealing property, especially in Raubüberfall. It is not normally used for a simple minor theft; Diebstahl is the more general word.
Der Raub geschah am helllichten Tag.
The robbery happened in broad daylight.
geschah means happened, and am helllichten Tag means in broad daylight. Der Raub is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb geschah stands in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Raub.
The police are investigating the robbery.
die Polizei is the police, untersucht means is investigating, and den Raub means the robbery. den Raub is accusative because it is the direct object of untersuchen; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Bei dem Raub wurde niemand verletzt.
No one was injured during the robbery.
bei means during or at, niemand means no one, and verletzt means injured. dem Raub is dative because bei always takes the dative; wurde verletzt is a passive construction.
Die Folgen des Raubes waren schwer.
The consequences of the robbery were serious.
die Folgen are the consequences, and schwer means serious or severe. des Raubes is genitive because it says whose consequences they are; the genitive article is des.
In der Stadt gab es in diesem Jahr drei Raube.
There were three robberies in the city this year.
in der Stadt means in the city, diesem Jahr means this year, and drei means three. Raube is the plural of Raub; after es gab, the thing that existed is normally accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending here.
rauben — to rob, to steal from; to deprive
For taking something away from a person, rauben commonly follows the pattern jemandem etwas rauben: the person is dative and the thing is accusative. For robbing a place, use the separable verb ausrauben, as in eine Bank ausrauben.
Der Täter raubt dem Mann sein Handy.
The offender steals the man’s mobile phone.
der Täter means the offender, dem Mann means the man, and sein Handy means his mobile phone. dem Mann is dative because rauben can mean taking something away from someone, while sein Handy is accusative; the finite verb raubt stands in position two.
Die Täter haben der Frau ihre Tasche geraubt.
The offenders robbed the woman of her bag.
die Täter means the offenders, der Frau means the woman, and ihre Tasche means her bag. der Frau is dative and ihre Tasche is accusative; the auxiliary haben is in position two and geraubt goes to the end.
Früher raubte die Bande Reisende aus.
In the past, the gang robbed travellers.
früher means in the past, die Bande is the gang, and Reisende means travellers. raubte ... aus is the separable verb ausrauben; the finite part is in position two and the prefix aus goes to the end.
Raub ihm nicht die Hoffnung!
Do not rob him of hope!
ihm means to him, and die Hoffnung means hope. ihm is dative because it names the person losing something, while die Hoffnung is accusative; the imperative Raub comes first and nicht makes the command negative.
Wenn du mir die Zeit rauben würdest, wäre ich sehr böse.
If you were to take my time away from me, I would be very angry.
wenn means if, mir means from me or to me, and sehr böse means very angry. mir is dative and die Zeit is accusative; in the wenn clause the verb group rauben würdest goes to the end.
Der Räuber wird dem Opfer den Schmuck rauben.
The robber will steal the jewellery from the victim.
der Räuber is the robber, dem Opfer means from the victim, and der Schmuck means the jewellery. dem Opfer is dative and den Schmuck is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive rauben goes to the end.
der Raubüberfall — robbery, armed robbery
Raubüberfall is more specific and more forceful than Diebstahl: it normally involves a victim being threatened or attacked. It is a compound of Raub and Überfall.
Der Raubüberfall ereignete sich spät in der Nacht.
The robbery took place late at night.
ereignete sich means took place, and spät in der Nacht means late at night. Der Raubüberfall is nominative because it is the subject; the reflexive verb ereignete sich stands in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Raubüberfall.
The police are investigating the robbery.
die Polizei is the police, untersucht means is investigating, and den Raubüberfall means the robbery. den Raubüberfall is accusative because it is the direct object of untersuchen; the finite verb stands in position two.
Bei dem Raubüberfall wurde niemand verletzt.
No one was injured during the robbery.
bei means during, niemand means no one, and verletzt means injured. dem Raubüberfall is dative because bei always takes the dative; wurde verletzt is a passive construction.
Die Folgen des Raubüberfalls waren schwer.
The consequences of the robbery were serious.
die Folgen are the consequences, and schwer means serious or severe. des Raubüberfalls is genitive because it identifies which robbery the consequences belong to; the genitive article is des.
In diesem Jahr gab es drei Raubüberfälle.
There were three robberies this year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, drei means three, and gab es means there were. Raubüberfälle is the plural form; after es gab, the thing that existed is grammatically accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending.
das Rauschgift — illegal drug, narcotic
This compound combines der Rausch, an intoxicated state, with das Gift, poison, but Rauschgift normally means an illegal drug. It is a count noun, so it has the plural Rauschgifte.
Das Rauschgift wurde von der Polizei gefunden.
The drugs were found by the police.
wurde gefunden means was found, and die Polizei means the police. Das Rauschgift is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the finite verb wurde is in position two and gefunden goes to the end.
Die Polizei beschlagnahmte das Rauschgift.
The police confiscated the drugs.
die Polizei is the police, and beschlagnahmte means confiscated. Das Rauschgift is accusative because beschlagnahmen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Die Polizei kam mit dem Rauschgift zur Wache.
The police came to the station with the drugs.
die Polizei means the police, kam means came, mit means with, and die Wache is the police station. Mit always takes the dative, so das Rauschgift becomes dem Rauschgift; zur means to the and contains zu der.
Der Besitz des Rauschgifts ist strafbar.
Possession of the drug is punishable by law.
der Besitz means possession, strafbar means punishable by law, and ist means is. Des Rauschgifts is genitive because it specifies whose possession; the genitive article is des, and the noun adds -s.
In diesem Fall wurden mehrere Rauschgifte beschlagnahmt.
In this case, several illegal drugs were confiscated.
in diesem Fall means in this case, mehrere means several, and wurden beschlagnahmt means were confiscated. Rauschgifte is plural and takes die when the article is present; mehrere already shows that more than one is meant.
rechtlich — legal; relating to the law
Rechtlich means connected with the law, not simply correct or fair; those meanings are often expressed by richtig or gerecht. The adjective can describe a noun or modify a verb, and its endings change with the article and case.
Die Entscheidung ist rechtlich korrekt.
The decision is legally correct.
die Entscheidung means the decision and korrekt means correct. Rechtlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen rechtliche Beratung.
We need legal advice.
brauchen means need and die Beratung means advice or consultation. Rechtliche stands before the feminine accusative noun Beratung and takes -e after the article-less plural-like? Here Beratung has the unmentioned zero article, so the correct form is weak only with die; in this sentence rechtliche Beratung is an uncountable phrase with a weak-looking -e.
Diese Lösung ist rechtlicher als die alte.
This solution is more legally sound than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution, and die alte means the old one. Rechtlicher is predicative after ist and compares with als; it has no extra adjective ending in this position.
So ist die Vereinbarung am rechtlichsten abgesichert.
In this way, the agreement is secured in the most legally robust manner.
die Vereinbarung means the agreement and abgesichert means secured or protected. Am rechtlichsten is the adverbial superlative, while the finite verb ist stands in position two and the participle abgesichert goes to the end.
der Rechtsanwalt — lawyer; attorney
Der Rechtsanwalt is a compound noun: Recht means law and Anwalt means lawyer or legal representative. Unlike weak masculine nouns such as der Junge, it keeps the basic form in the accusative and dative singular: den Rechtsanwalt, dem Rechtsanwalt.
Der Rechtsanwalt berät die Familie.
The lawyer advises the family.
berät means advises and die Familie means the family. Der Rechtsanwalt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb berät stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Rechtsanwalt an.
I am calling the lawyer.
anrufen means to call. Den Rechtsanwalt is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the finite part rufe stands in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Ich vertraue dem Rechtsanwalt.
I trust the lawyer.
vertrauen means trust. Dem Rechtsanwalt is dative because vertrauen governs the dative, and the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Empfehlung des Rechtsanwalts war hilfreich.
The lawyer's recommendation was helpful.
die Empfehlung means the recommendation and hilfreich means helpful. Des Rechtsanwalts is genitive because it shows whose recommendation it was, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Rechtsanwälte arbeiten in großen Kanzleien.
Many lawyers work in large law firms.
viele means many, arbeiten means work, and großen Kanzleien means large law firms. Viele Rechtsanwälte is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in großen Kanzleien is a location phrase with dative plural.
die Rechtsanwältin — female lawyer, attorney
This is the feminine form of der Rechtsanwalt. A Rechtsanwältin can advise clients and represent them in court.
Die Rechtsanwältin berät den Mandanten.
The female lawyer advises the client.
berät means advises, and der Mandant is the client. Die Rechtsanwältin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb berät stands in position two.
Ich rufe die Rechtsanwältin an.
I am calling the female lawyer.
anrufen means to call. Die Rechtsanwältin is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable verb places rufe in position two and an at the end.
Ich vertraue der Rechtsanwältin.
I trust the female lawyer.
vertrauen means to trust. Der Rechtsanwältin is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative person, and the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Das Büro der Rechtsanwältin ist in Berlin.
The female lawyer’s office is in Berlin.
das Büro is the office, and Berlin is a city. Der Rechtsanwältin is genitive because it shows possession or connection: the office belongs to the lawyer.
Viele Rechtsanwältinnen arbeiten in großen Kanzleien.
Many female lawyers work in large law firms.
viele means many, arbeiten means work, and große Kanzleien means large law firms. Rechtsanwältinnen is plural, so it has no singular -in ending and is used with viele.
regieren — to govern; to rule; to be in government
regieren is a weak verb with the forms regierte and hat regiert. It normally takes an accusative object for the country, state, or people being governed.
Die Präsidentin regiert das Land.
The president governs the country.
die Präsidentin means female president and das Land means country. das Land is accusative because regieren takes the governed country as a direct object, and the finite verb regiert is in position two.
Die Präsidentin hat das Land regiert.
The president governed the country.
die Präsidentin means female president and das Land means country. The perfect uses hat plus regiert, with the participle at the end; das Land remains accusative as the direct object.
Die Partei regierte das Land zehn Jahre lang.
The party governed the country for ten years.
die Partei means political party and zehn Jahre lang means for ten years. das Land is accusative because it is governed, and the weak past form regierte stands in position two.
Regier das Land gerecht!
Govern the country fairly!
gerecht means fairly or justly. das Land is accusative because it is the object of regieren, and the informal singular imperative regier comes first.
Wenn ich das Land regieren würde, würde ich die Schulen verbessern.
If I governed the country, I would improve the schools.
wenn means if, die Schulen means the schools, and verbessern means to improve. The conditional form uses würde with the infinitive regieren at the end of the subordinate clause; das Land is accusative.
Die neue Partei wird das Land regieren.
The new party will govern the country.
die neue Partei means the new party. Future tense uses wird plus the infinitive regieren at the end, and das Land is accusative because it is the direct object.
Die Koalition regiert seit zwei Jahren.
The coalition has been in government for two years.
die Koalition means coalition, and seit zwei Jahren means for two years. Here regieren is used without a direct object to mean being in government; the finite verb regiert is in position two.
Wer regiert derzeit in Österreich?
Who is currently in government in Austria?
derzeit means currently and Österreich is Austria. This sense has no accusative object: it asks who is ruling, and the finite verb regiert comes immediately after the question word.
die Regierung — government
die Regierung can mean the governing group or the political administration of a country. It comes from regieren, meaning to govern, and is often used with verbs such as bilden, wählen, and kritisieren.
Die Regierung kündigt neue Maßnahmen an.
The government is announcing new measures.
kündigt ... an means announces, and neue Maßnahmen means new measures. Die Regierung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kündigt is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Die Bürger wählen die Regierung.
The citizens elect the government.
die Bürger means the citizens and wählen means elect or vote for. die Regierung is accusative because it is the direct object of wählen; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Opposition widerspricht der Regierung.
The opposition contradicts the government.
die Opposition means the opposition and widersprechen means to contradict or oppose. der Regierung is dative because widersprechen takes a dative object, although English does not show this case.
Die Entscheidung der Regierung sorgt für Streit.
The government’s decision causes disagreement.
die Entscheidung means decision and der Streit means disagreement. der Regierung is genitive because it shows whose decision it is; für Streit is accusative after für.
Viele Regierungen arbeiten zusammen.
Many governments work together.
viele means many and zusammenarbeiten means to work together. Regierungen is the plural of die Regierung and is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.