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Vocab: Society, politics & law — B1 (5)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
regulieren — to regulate, to control
Regulieren normally takes an accusative object, such as die Temperatur or den Verkehr. Because it ends in -ieren, its Partizip II is reguliert, without ge-, and the perfect uses haben.
Das Thermostat reguliert die Temperatur.
The thermostat regulates the temperature.
das Thermostat is a device that controls temperature, and die Temperatur means “the temperature.” Die Temperatur is accusative because regulieren takes a direct object; the finite verb reguliert is in position two.
Das Thermostat hat die Temperatur automatisch reguliert.
The thermostat automatically regulated the temperature.
automatisch means “automatically,” and die Temperatur means “the temperature.” The perfect is hat reguliert because regulieren takes haben; the unchanged Partizip II reguliert goes to the end.
Die Behörde regulierte den Zugang zum Gebäude.
The authority regulated access to the building.
die Behörde means “the authority,” and der Zugang means “access.” Den Zugang is accusative because it is the object of regulieren, and the finite past form regulierte stands in position two.
Regulier bitte die Heizung.
Please adjust the heating.
bitte means “please,” and die Heizung means “the heating system.” Die Heizung is accusative because it is the direct object; the informal singular imperative omits the subject du.
Wenn der Staat den Markt regulieren würde, wären die Preise stabiler.
If the state regulated the market, prices would be more stable.
der Staat means “the state,” der Markt means “the market,” and stabiler means “more stable.” In the wenn clause, würde sends the infinitive regulieren to the end; den Markt is accusative as the direct object.
Die neue Software wird den Energieverbrauch regulieren.
The new software will regulate energy consumption.
die neue Software means “the new software,” and der Energieverbrauch means “energy consumption.” Futur I places wird in position two and regulieren at the end; den Energieverbrauch is accusative because it is the object.
die Republik — republic
A Republik is a state without a king or queen as head of state. In political contexts, it is often contrasted with Monarchie, meaning monarchy.
Die Republik hat eine neue Regierung.
The republic has a new government.
hat means has and eine neue Regierung means a new government. Die Republik is nominative because it is the subject, while eine neue Regierung is accusative as the thing it has.
Viele Menschen unterstützen die Republik.
Many people support the republic.
viele Menschen means many people and unterstützen means support. die Republik is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object, while Viele Menschen is the nominative subject.
Die Bürger helfen der Republik in einer Krise.
The citizens help the republic in a crisis.
die Bürger means the citizens, helfen means help, and eine Krise is a crisis. der Republik is dative because helfen takes the dative; in einer Krise is also dative because it describes a situation rather than movement.
Die Geschichte der Republik ist lang.
The history of the republic is long.
die Geschichte means the history and lang means long. der Republik is genitive because it identifies whose history is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
In Europa gibt es mehrere Republiken.
There are several republics in Europe.
in Europa means in Europe and mehrere means several. Republiken is the plural with -en; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, even though the plural article remains die.
die Revolution — revolution; revolution; radical change
The word usually describes a political or social upheaval, but it can also describe a dramatic change in another area. Do not confuse die Revolution with der Aufstand, which means uprising and need not change the whole system.
Die Revolution veränderte das Land.
The revolution changed the country.
veränderte means changed, and das Land means the country. Die Revolution is the nominative subject, while das Land is accusative because verändern takes a direct object; the finite verb stands in position two.
Viele Menschen unterstützten die Revolution.
Many people supported the revolution.
viele Menschen means many people, and unterstützten means supported. Die Revolution is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the plural subject comes first and the finite verb remains in position two.
Die Bürger schlossen sich der Revolution an.
The citizens joined the revolution.
die Bürger means the citizens, and schlossen sich an means joined. Sich anschließen takes the dative, so der Revolution is dative; the separable verb places an at the end of the main clause.
Die Folgen der Revolution waren schwerwiegend.
The consequences of the revolution were serious.
die Folgen means the consequences, and schwerwiegend means serious or far-reaching. Der Revolution is genitive after die Folgen to show which consequences are meant; waren is plural because die Folgen is plural.
Revolutionen beginnen oft mit Protesten.
Revolutions often begin with protests.
beginnen means begin, oft means often, and Proteste means protests. Revolutionen is the plural subject, and mit takes the dative, so Protesten has the dative plural ending -n.
Das Internet war eine Revolution in der Kommunikation.
The internet was a revolution in communication.
das Internet means the internet, and Kommunikation means communication. After war, eine Revolution is a predicate noun rather than an accusative object; in der Kommunikation uses the dative because it describes a field where the change happened.
Das neue Gerät brachte eine Revolution in die Küche.
The new device brought a revolution to the kitchen.
das neue Gerät means the new device, and brachte means brought. Eine Revolution is accusative as the object of bringen, while in die Küche is accusative because it expresses movement into the kitchen.
die Richterin — female judge
The feminine noun Richterin is formed from Richter by adding -in. Its plural is Richterinnen, with the ending -innen.
Die Richterin liest das Urteil vor.
The judge reads out the verdict.
das Urteil means the verdict, and vorlesen means to read something aloud. Die Richterin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb liest is in position two.
Der Anwalt begrüßt die Richterin.
The lawyer greets the judge.
der Anwalt is a lawyer, and begrüßen means to greet. Die Richterin is accusative because begrüßen takes a direct object; the article remains die in the feminine accusative.
Ich antworte der Richterin ruhig.
I answer the judge calmly.
antworten means to answer someone, and ruhig means calmly or quietly. Der Richterin is dative because antworten takes a person in the dative; the finite verb antworte stands in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Richterin war überraschend.
The judge’s decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and überraschend means surprising. Der Richterin is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the finite verb war is in position two.
Mehrere Richterinnen nehmen an der Konferenz teil.
Several female judges take part in the conference.
mehrere means several, die Konferenz is the conference, and teilnehmen an means to take part in. Richterinnen is plural, and an der Konferenz is dative because this expression describes participation in an event.
die Richtlinie — guideline; directive; policy; directive; regulation
A Richtlinie is an official guideline or rule for how something should be done. In formal or legal contexts it can also mean a directive; the plural is Richtlinien.
Die Richtlinie gilt ab morgen.
The guideline applies from tomorrow.
gelten means to apply or be valid, and ab morgen means from tomorrow onwards. Die Richtlinie is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gilt is in position two.
Die Firma veröffentlicht die Richtlinie.
The company publishes the guideline.
die Firma means the company, and veröffentlichen means to publish. Die Richtlinie is accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object.
Wir folgen der Richtlinie.
We follow the guideline.
folgen means to follow. Der Richtlinie is dative because folgen always takes the dative, not the accusative; the finite verb folgen is in position two.
Die Einhaltung der Richtlinie wird kontrolliert.
Compliance with the guideline is checked.
die Einhaltung means compliance, and kontrolliert means checked. Der Richtlinie is genitive and means “of the guideline”; wird kontrolliert is passive, with the participle at the end.
Neue Richtlinien schützen die Beschäftigten.
New guidelines protect the employees.
neu means new, schützen means to protect, and die Beschäftigten means the employees. Richtlinien is plural and is the nominative subject, while die Beschäftigten is accusative because schützen takes a direct object.
Die EU-Richtlinie muss bis Juni umgesetzt werden.
The EU directive must be implemented by June.
die EU is the European Union, bis Juni means by June, and umgesetzt werden means be implemented. Die EU-Richtlinie is the subject; the modal verb muss is in position two, while the passive infinitive phrase goes to the end.
Die Behörde arbeitet an der neuen Richtlinie.
The authority is working on the new directive.
die Behörde means the authority, and arbeiten an means to work on. Der neuen Richtlinie is dative because an describes an ongoing activity here; the adjective takes -en after der.
die Schlacht — battle; slaughter
In historical contexts, die Schlacht is a battle between armies. Do not confuse it with schlachten, which means to slaughter animals.
Die Schlacht dauerte drei Tage.
The battle lasted three days.
dauerte means lasted, and drei Tage means three days. Die Schlacht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb dauerte stands in position two.
Die Soldaten gewannen die Schlacht.
The soldiers won the battle.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, and gewannen means won. die Schlacht is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; the finite verb gewannen is in position two.
Nach der Schlacht kehrten die Soldaten nach Hause zurück.
After the battle, the soldiers returned home.
nach means after here, kehrten ... zurück means returned, and nach Hause means home. der Schlacht is dative because nach governs the dative, while the separable verb zurückkehren splits in the main clause.
Die Folgen der Schlacht waren schwer.
The consequences of the battle were serious.
die Folgen means the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. der Schlacht is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they were; the verb waren stands in position two.
Viele Schlachten fanden im Mittelalter statt.
Many battles took place in the Middle Ages.
viele means many, fanden ... statt means took place, and im Mittelalter means in the Middle Ages. Schlachten is the plural subject, and the separable verb stattfinden places statt at the end of the main clause.
Die Schlacht der Rinder findet im Herbst statt.
The slaughter of the cattle takes place in autumn.
die Rinder means the cattle, findet ... statt means takes place, and im Herbst means in autumn. der Rinder is genitive plural because it specifies which animals are slaughtered; the separable verb stattfinden puts statt at the end.
Nach der Schlacht wird das Fleisch verarbeitet.
After the slaughter, the meat is processed.
das Fleisch means the meat and verarbeitet means processed. der Schlacht is dative after nach, and wird verarbeitet is a passive construction with the finite verb in position two.
schuldig — guilty; responsible
Schuldig can describe legal guilt or personal responsibility. After sein, werden, or wirken, it is predicative and has no adjective ending; before a noun, it takes a normal adjective ending.
Der Mann ist schuldig.
The man is guilty.
der Mann means the man. Schuldig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Polizei sucht den schuldigen Fahrer.
The police are looking for the guilty driver.
die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for; der Fahrer is the driver. Den schuldigen Fahrer is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object, and schuldigen has an adjective ending after den.
Der Angeklagte wirkt schuldiger als sein Bruder.
The defendant seems guiltier than his brother.
der Angeklagte means the defendant, and wirkt means seems. Schuldiger follows wirken predicatively without an ending, and als introduces the person used for comparison.
Von allen wirkt er am schuldigsten.
Of everyone, he seems the guiltiest.
von allen means of everyone, and wirkt means seems. The predicative superlative is am schuldigsten; am is part of this superlative form, not a separate preposition here.
die Schulpflicht — compulsory school attendance
This is a legal term for the period during which children must attend school. The exact starting age and length of die Schulpflicht can differ between German-speaking regions.
In Deutschland beginnt die Schulpflicht normalerweise mit sechs Jahren.
In Germany, compulsory school attendance normally begins at the age of six.
Deutschland is Germany, beginnt means begins, normalerweise means normally, and mit sechs Jahren means at the age of six. Die Schulpflicht is nominative because it is the subject, and mit takes the dative; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Die Eltern müssen die Schulpflicht ihrer Kinder beachten.
Parents must observe their children's compulsory school attendance.
Die Eltern are the parents, müssen means must, ihre Kinder means their children, and beachten means observe or comply with. Die Schulpflicht is accusative because beachten takes an accusative object; with the modal müssen, the infinitive beachten goes to the end.
Die Schule erklärt den Eltern die Schulpflicht.
The school explains compulsory school attendance to the parents.
Die Schule is the school, erklärt means explains, and den Eltern means to the parents. Den Eltern is dative because they receive the explanation, while die Schulpflicht is accusative as the thing explained; the finite verb erklärt is in position two.
Die Dauer der Schulpflicht ist gesetzlich festgelegt.
The duration of compulsory school attendance is set by law.
Die Dauer is the duration, gesetzlich means legal or set by law, and festgelegt means fixed or specified. Der Schulpflicht is genitive because it specifies whose duration is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and festgelegt is the predicate complement.
In Europa gelten unterschiedliche Schulpflichten.
Different compulsory-school-attendance rules apply in Europe.
Europa is Europe, gelten means apply or be valid, and unterschiedliche means different. Schulpflichten is the plural form, and in Europa is dative here because it describes a location rather than movement; the finite verb gelten stands in position two.
das Schulsystem — school system
Das Schulsystem includes the different types of schools, school levels and rules in a country. In Germany, some educational decisions are made by each Bundesland, or federal state, so systems can vary from one state to another.
Das Schulsystem in Deutschland ist in jedem Bundesland etwas anders.
The school system in Germany is slightly different in each federal state.
Deutschland is Germany, jedem Bundesland means each federal state, and etwas anders means slightly different. Das Schulsystem is nominative because it is the subject; in Deutschland and in jedem Bundesland use the dative for location, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Eltern kritisieren das Schulsystem.
Many parents criticize the school system.
Viele Eltern means many parents, and kritisieren means criticize. Das Schulsystem is accusative because kritisieren takes an accusative object; the neuter article das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Lehrerin erklärt den Kindern das Schulsystem.
The teacher explains the school system to the children.
Die Lehrerin is the female teacher, erklärt means explains, and den Kindern means to the children. Den Kindern is dative because the children receive the explanation, while das Schulsystem is accusative as the thing explained.
Die Struktur des Schulsystems wird oft diskutiert.
The structure of the school system is often discussed.
Die Struktur is the structure, wird diskutiert means is discussed, and oft means often. Des Schulsystems is genitive because it identifies the system whose structure is meant; wird is in position two and the participle diskutiert goes to the end in the passive.
Die Schulsysteme verschiedener Länder unterscheiden sich stark.
The school systems of different countries differ greatly.
Verschiedener Länder means of different countries, unterscheiden sich means differ, and stark means greatly. Schulsysteme is the plural subject; verschiedener Länder is a genitive phrase showing which countries are being compared, and sich is part of the verb sich unterscheiden.
der Selbstmord — suicide
The neutral modern term is Selbstmord; in sensitive contexts, Suizid is also common and more clinical. The verb phrase Selbstmord begehen means to commit suicide.
Der Selbstmord seines Freundes hat ihn tief getroffen.
His friend’s suicide affected him deeply.
der Freund means friend, and tief getroffen means deeply affected. Der Selbstmord is nominative because it is the subject, while seines Freundes is genitive to show whose suicide it was; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Selbstmord.
The police are investigating the suicide.
die Polizei means the police, and untersuchen means investigate. Den Selbstmord is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Die Familie spricht über den Selbstmord.
The family is talking about the suicide.
die Familie means the family, and spricht über means is talking about. Den Selbstmord is accusative because the preposition über has this meaning and case here; do not confuse this with a dative object.
Die Folgen des Selbstmords sind für alle schwer.
The consequences of the suicide are difficult for everyone.
die Folgen means the consequences, and schwer means difficult or hard. Des Selbstmords is genitive because it identifies the suicide connected with the consequences; the plural subject die Folgen makes the verb sind plural.
In den Nachrichten wurden mehrere Selbstmorde erwähnt.
Several suicides were mentioned in the news.
in den Nachrichten means in the news, mehrere means several, and erwähnt means mentioned. Selbstmorde is plural after mehrere; the passive form wurden erwähnt puts the finite verb in position two and the participle at the end.
die Sicherheit — safety, security; guarantee
The abstract meaning of Sicherheit usually has no plural. The plural Sicherheiten is used for separate guarantees, securities, or forms of security.
Die Sicherheit ist hier sehr wichtig.
Safety is very important here.
hier means here, and sehr wichtig means very important. Die Sicherheit is the nominative subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Stadt verbessert die Sicherheit.
The city is improving safety.
die Stadt is the city, and verbessert means improves. die Sicherheit is accusative because verbessern takes a direct object; its form is identical to the nominative, so the case is shown by its role.
Wir vertrauen der Sicherheit des Systems.
We trust the security of the system.
wir vertrauen means we trust, and des Systems means of the system. vertrauen takes the dative, so der Sicherheit is dative; des Systems is genitive and describes whose security it is.
Die Qualität der Sicherheit muss besser werden.
The quality of the safety must improve.
die Qualität means the quality, and besser werden means become better. der Sicherheit is genitive after die Qualität to mean of the safety; muss is a modal verb, so werden goes to the end.
Neue Sicherheiten sind nötig.
New guarantees are necessary.
neue means new, and nötig means necessary. Sicherheiten is plural and is the nominative subject; the plural ending -en is part of the noun form.
sichern — to save, secure; to back up; to secure, make safe
For digital information, sichern means to save or back up something. It takes an accusative object, such as Daten or eine Datei, and forms the perfect with haben.
Ich sichere meine Daten jeden Abend.
I back up my data every evening.
meine Daten means “my data”, and jeden Abend means “every evening”. Meine Daten is accusative because sichern takes a direct object, and the finite verb sichere stands in position two.
Wir haben die Fotos auf einer Festplatte gesichert.
We backed up the photos on a hard drive.
die Fotos means “the photos”, and eine Festplatte is “a hard drive”. Die Fotos is accusative because it is the object of sichern; haben is in position two and gesichert goes to the end.
Die App sicherte alle Dateien automatisch.
The app saved all the files automatically.
die App means “the app”, alle Dateien means “all the files”, and automatisch means “automatically”. The weak-verb preterite sicherte is the finite verb in position two, while alle Dateien is accusative.
Sicher bitte deine wichtigen Dokumente!
Please back up your important documents!
wichtige Dokumente means “important documents”, and bitte means “please”. Sicher is the informal du imperative, with the subject omitted; the object deine wichtigen Dokumente is accusative.
Ich würde die Datei sofort sichern.
I would save the file immediately.
die Datei means “the file”, and sofort means “immediately”. Würde ... sichern expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive sichern goes to the end, and die Datei is accusative.
Morgen werden wir alle Daten sichern.
Tomorrow we will back up all the data.
morgen means “tomorrow”, and alle Daten means “all the data”. Werden is in position two and the infinitive sichern goes to the end; alle Daten is the accusative object.
Die Polizei sichert die Unfallstelle.
The police are securing the accident scene.
die Polizei means “the police”, and die Unfallstelle means “the accident scene”. The object is accusative because sichern takes a direct object, and the finite verb sichert stands in position two.
Feuerwehrleute sicherten das Gebäude.
Firefighters secured the building.
Feuerwehrleute means “firefighters”, and das Gebäude means “the building”. Das Gebäude is accusative as the direct object, and the preterite form sicherten follows the subject in the normal verb-second position.
der Sozialarbeiter — social worker
A Sozialarbeiter is a trained professional in social services. The feminine form is Sozialarbeiterin; Sozialarbeiter can refer to men or to a mixed group in the plural.
Der Sozialarbeiter hilft einer Familie.
The social worker helps a family.
helfen means to help, and einer Familie means a family. Der Sozialarbeiter is nominative because it is the subject, while helfen governs the dative, so einer Familie is dative.
Die Frau besucht den Sozialarbeiter.
The woman visits the social worker.
die Frau means the woman and besucht means visits. den Sozialarbeiter is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb besucht stands in position two.
Ich spreche mit dem Sozialarbeiter.
I am speaking with the social worker.
ich spreche means I am speaking, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so the masculine article is dem; the verb spreche is in position two.
Das Büro des Sozialarbeiters ist neben der Schule.
The social worker's office is next to the school.
das Büro means the office, neben means next to, and die Schule means the school. des Sozialarbeiters expresses possession in the genitive; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist remains in position two.
Die Sozialarbeiter beraten die Jugendlichen.
The social workers advise the young people.
beraten means advise, and die Jugendlichen means the young people. Sozialarbeiter has no visible plural ending, but die and the plural verb beraten show that it is plural; die Jugendlichen is accusative as the object.
die Sozialarbeiterin — female social worker
Sozialarbeiterin is the specifically feminine form of Sozialarbeiter. It refers to a woman who works professionally in social services.
Die Sozialarbeiterin arbeitet in einem Jugendzentrum.
The social worker works in a youth centre.
arbeitet means works, and ein Jugendzentrum is a youth centre. Die Sozialarbeiterin is nominative as the subject; in einem Jugendzentrum is dative because in describes a location here, not movement.
Die Familie ruft die Sozialarbeiterin an.
The family calls the social worker.
die Familie means the family and ruft ... an means calls. die Sozialarbeiterin is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable verb has ruft in position two and an at the end.
Ich danke der Sozialarbeiterin.
I thank the social worker.
danke means thank. danken always takes the dative, so der Sozialarbeiterin is dative, even though English uses a direct object; danke stands in position two.
Das Gespräch der Sozialarbeiterin war sehr hilfreich.
The social worker's conversation was very helpful.
das Gespräch means the conversation, and hilfreich means helpful. der Sozialarbeiterin is genitive and expresses possession; with a feminine noun, the noun stays unchanged and only the article shows the case.
Die Sozialarbeiterinnen besuchen mehrere Familien.
The social workers visit several families.
besuchen means visit, and mehrere Familien means several families. Sozialarbeiterinnen is plural with -innen; mehrere Familien is an accusative object after besuchen.
die Sozialleistung — social benefit, welfare benefit
This compound combines Sozial-, social, with Leistung, benefit or payment. It usually refers to official support, not to an ordinary personal gift.
Die Sozialleistung hilft der Familie jeden Monat.
The social benefit helps the family every month.
die Familie means the family, and jeden Monat means every month. Die Sozialleistung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Familie beantragt die Sozialleistung online.
The family applies for the social benefit online.
beantragen means to apply for, and online means online. Die Sozialleistung is accusative because it is the direct object of beantragt; the finite verb remains in position two.
Die Behörde überweist der Familie der Sozialleistung?
The authority transfers the social benefit to the family?
die Behörde is the authority, überweisen means to transfer, and die Familie is the family. This sentence is not natural with der Sozialleistung as a dative object: the natural form is die Sozialleistung as the accusative object, while the recipient is dative; learners must not force a dative form merely to fill a case pattern.
Die Höhe der Sozialleistung hängt vom Einkommen ab.
The amount of the social benefit depends on income.
die Höhe means the amount, das Einkommen means income, and abhängen von means to depend on. Der Sozialleistung is genitive because it specifies the amount; the separable verb hängt ... ab places ab at the end of the main clause.
Viele Sozialleistungen werden automatisch ausgezahlt.
Many social benefits are paid out automatically.
viele means many, automatisch means automatically, and ausgezahlt werden means are paid out. Sozialleistungen is plural with viele; in the passive, werden is finite in position two and ausgezahlt goes to the end.
der Spion — spy
This word usually refers to a person who secretly obtains information, often for a government. It is related to spionieren, meaning to spy.
Der Spion arbeitet für einen fremden Staat.
The spy works for a foreign state.
arbeitet means works, and ein fremder Staat means a foreign state. Der Spion is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Polizei beobachtet den Spion.
The police are watching the spy.
die Polizei is the police and beobachtet means watches or observes. Den Spion is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the finite verb beobachtet is in position two.
Die Polizei folgt dem Spion.
The police follow the spy.
folgt means follows. Dem Spion is dative because folgen requires a dative object, not an accusative one; folgt stands in position two.
Das Auto des Spions steht vor dem Haus.
The spy’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Des Spions is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Spione treffen sich im Hotel.
The spies meet at the hotel.
treffen sich means meet each other, and im Hotel means at or in the hotel. Spione is the plural subject, and sich is required because sich treffen is a reflexive expression.
die Spionin — female spy
This is the specifically feminine form of der Spion. The ending -in marks a female person, and its plural is Spioninnen.
Die Spionin arbeitet für einen fremden Staat.
The female spy works for a foreign state.
arbeitet means works, and ein fremder Staat means a foreign state. Die Spionin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Polizei beobachtet die Spionin.
The police are watching the female spy.
die Polizei is the police and beobachtet means watches or observes. Die Spionin is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the finite verb beobachtet is in position two.
Die Polizei folgt der Spionin.
The police follow the female spy.
folgt means follows. Der Spionin is dative because folgen requires a dative object, not an accusative one; folgt stands in position two.
Das Auto der Spionin steht vor dem Haus.
The female spy’s car is in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, steht means is located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Spionin is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Spioninnen treffen sich im Hotel.
The female spies meet at the hotel.
treffen sich means meet each other, and im Hotel means at or in the hotel. Spioninnen is the plural subject; nouns ending in -in form their plural with -nen.
staatlich — state-run, government, public
Staatlich describes something provided or controlled by the government, often in contrast to privat, private. It is different from staatseigene, which specifically means owned by the state.
Die Universität ist staatlich.
The university is state-run.
die Universität means the university, and ist means is. Staatlich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie besucht eine staatliche Schule.
She attends a state school.
besucht means attends, and eine Schule means a school. Eine staatliche Schule is accusative because besuchen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after the feminine indefinite article eine.
Diese Schule ist staatlicher als die andere.
This school is more state-run than the other one.
diese Schule means this school, and die andere means the other one. The comparative uses -er and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Dieses Modell ist am staatlichsten.
This model is the most state-run.
dieses Modell means this model, and Modell means model. The predicative superlative uses am staatlichsten; because it follows ist, there is no adjective ending on staatlichsten.
die Staatsangehörigkeit — nationality, citizenship; nationality held by a person
This is a formal word used for legal nationality or citizenship, especially on official forms. It is not normally used for cultural identity alone.
Meine Staatsangehörigkeit ist deutsch.
My nationality is German.
deutsch means German. Meine Staatsangehörigkeit is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two; the adjective after sein has no ending.
Ich muss meine Staatsangehörigkeit im Formular angeben.
I have to state my nationality on the form.
muss means have to, das Formular is a form, and angeben means to state or provide. Meine Staatsangehörigkeit is accusative because angeben takes a direct object, while the separable verb prefix an goes to the end of this main clause.
Bei der Bewerbung wird nach meiner Staatsangehörigkeit gefragt.
The application asks for my nationality.
die Bewerbung is an application, nach etwas fragen means to ask about something, and gefragt means asked. Nach always takes the dative, so meiner Staatsangehörigkeit is dative; wird ... gefragt is a passive construction.
Der Nachweis der Staatsangehörigkeit liegt im Ordner.
The proof of nationality is in the folder.
der Nachweis means proof, liegen means to be located, and der Ordner is the folder. Der Staatsangehörigkeit is genitive because it specifies what the proof is about; im Ordner is short for in dem Ordner and marks location.
In dieser Klasse haben die Kinder verschiedene Staatsangehörigkeiten.
The children in this class have different nationalities.
diese Klasse means this class, die Kinder are the children, and verschieden means different. Staatsangehörigkeiten is plural and accusative because haben takes a direct object; verschiedene has the plural adjective ending -e after die.
Sie hat zwei Staatsangehörigkeiten.
She has two nationalities.
zwei means two. Staatsangehörigkeiten is plural and accusative because hat takes the thing that someone has as a direct object; the numeral does not take an ending.
Er möchte seine Staatsangehörigkeit wechseln.
He would like to change his nationality.
möchte means would like to, wechseln means to change, and seine means his. Seine Staatsangehörigkeit is accusative as the object of wechseln; after möchte, the infinitive wechseln stands at the end.
die Streitkraft — armed force, military force
In everyday and political language, the plural die Streitkräfte is especially common and usually means a country's armed forces. The word belongs mainly to military and political contexts.
Die Streitkraft schützt das Land.
The armed force protects the country.
schützt means protects, and das Land means the country. Die Streitkraft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb schützt stands in position two.
Die Regierung unterstützt die Streitkraft.
The government supports the armed force.
die Regierung means the government, and unterstützt means supports. Die Streitkraft is accusative because unterstützen takes an accusative object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Die Regierung gibt der Streitkraft neue Fahrzeuge.
The government gives the armed force new vehicles.
gibt means gives, neue Fahrzeuge means new vehicles, and Regierung means government. Der Streitkraft is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while neue Fahrzeuge is the accusative thing being given.
Die Stärke der Streitkraft ist schwer einzuschätzen.
The strength of the armed force is difficult to assess.
die Stärke means the strength, and schwer einzuschätzen means difficult to assess. Der Streitkraft is genitive because it identifies whose strength is meant; einzuschätzen is a zu-infinitive at the end.
Mehrere Streitkräfte arbeiten gemeinsam.
Several armed forces work together.
mehrere means several, and gemeinsam means together. Streitkräfte is the plural subject, so the verb arbeiten is plural; the umlaut is part of the plural form.
die Sünde — sin
die Sünde is used especially in religious or moral contexts. The common collocation eine Sünde begehen means to commit a sin, while eine kleine Sünde can also describe a minor indulgence.
Die Sünde belastet sein Gewissen.
The sin weighs on his conscience.
belasten means weigh on or burden, and das Gewissen is the conscience. Die Sünde is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb belastet stands in position two.
Er bereut die Sünde.
He regrets the sin.
bereuen means regret. die Sünde is accusative because bereuen takes a direct object, although the feminine accusative article looks like the nominative article.
Sie spricht mit der Sünde in ihrer Predigt über Vergebung.
In her sermon, she talks about sin and forgiveness.
sprechen means talk, die Predigt is the sermon, and die Vergebung is forgiveness. mit forces the dative, so the feminine phrase is der Sünde; the verb spricht is in position two.
Die Folgen der Sünde können schwer sein.
The consequences of the sin can be serious.
die Folgen are the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. der Sünde is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the modal verb können is in position two and sein goes to the end.
Viele Sünden werden in diesem Text genannt.
Many sins are mentioned in this text.
viele means many, dieser Text is this text, and nennen means name or mention. Sünden is nominative plural as the subject of the passive sentence; werden stands in position two and genannt goes to the end.
die Tat — deed, act, action
Tat often describes an action that people evaluate, as in eine gute Tat or eine schreckliche Tat. It is stronger and more deliberate than the general word Handlung, meaning action.
Die Polizei untersucht die Tat.
The police are investigating the act.
die Polizei is the police and untersucht means “is investigating”. Die Tat is accusative because untersuchen takes an accusative object, while the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Er hilft dem Opfer nach der Tat.
He helps the victim after the act.
hilft means “helps”, dem Opfer is “the victim”, and nach der Tat means “after the act”. Dem Opfer is dative because helfen requires the dative, and der Tat is also dative because nach always takes the dative.
Die Folgen der Tat waren schwer.
The consequences of the act were serious.
die Folgen are the consequences and schwer means “serious” or “severe”. Der Tat is genitive because it identifies which act the consequences belong to; the plural subject die Folgen controls waren.
Die Tat war mutig.
The deed was brave.
war means “was” and mutig means “brave”. Die Tat is nominative because it is the subject; mutig is a predicative adjective after sein and therefore has no adjective ending.
Seine Taten haben viele Menschen verletzt.
His actions hurt many people.
seine means “his”, viele Menschen means “many people”, and verletzt means “hurt” or “injured”. Taten is the plural of Tat and is nominative as the subject; viele Menschen is accusative because it is the object of verletzen.
das Testament — will, testament
In everyday legal language, das Testament normally means a will. It is not usually used for an ordinary written text; that is der Text.
Das Testament liegt im Safe.
The will is in the safe.
liegt means is lying or is located, and der Safe is a safe for valuables. Das Testament is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Der Anwalt liest das Testament.
The lawyer is reading the will.
der Anwalt is a lawyer, and liest means is reading. Das Testament is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb liest stands in position two.
Sie vertraut dem Testament nicht.
She does not trust the will.
vertraut means trusts, and nicht means not. Dem Testament is dative because vertrauen governs the dative, while the finite verb vertraut is in position two.
Der Inhalt des Testaments ist geheim.
The contents of the will are secret.
der Inhalt means the contents, and geheim means secret. Des Testaments is genitive because it shows which document the contents belong to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die beiden Testamente wurden verglichen.
The two wills were compared.
beiden means two or both, and verglichen means compared. Testamente is the plural of das Testament; die beiden Testamente is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence.
Wir haben das Testament gestern gefunden.
We found the will yesterday.
wir means we, gestern means yesterday, and gefunden means found. Das Testament is accusative after finden, and the perfect uses haben plus gefunden at the end of the clause.
der Tierschutz — animal protection, animal welfare
Tierschutz is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. It refers both to the general principle and to organised work or rules protecting animals.
Der Tierschutz ist mir wichtig.
Animal protection is important to me.
ist mir wichtig means is important to me. Der Tierschutz is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because the expression wichtig sein uses a dative person.
Viele Menschen unterstützen den Tierschutz.
Many people support animal protection.
viele Menschen means many people, and unterstützen means support. Den Tierschutz is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the noun remains singular because it is normally uncountable.
Wir widmen dem Tierschutz viel Zeit.
We devote a lot of time to animal protection.
widmen means devote, and viel Zeit means a lot of time. Dem Tierschutz is dative because widmen takes the person or cause receiving something; do not use the accusative article den.
Die Ziele des Tierschutzes sind klar.
The goals of animal protection are clear.
die Ziele means the goals, sind means are, and klar means clear. Des Tierschutzes is genitive because it identifies whose goals they are; this noun adds -es in the genitive.
tolerant — tolerant, open-minded
Tolerant is usually used for attitudes towards people, opinions, or behaviour. It is a regular adjective: tolerant, toleranter, am tolerantesten.
Meine Schwester ist sehr tolerant.
My sister is very tolerant.
meine Schwester means my sister, and sehr means very. Tolerant is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; it has no adjective ending in this position.
Er arbeitet in einer toleranten Gesellschaft.
He works in a tolerant society.
arbeitet means works and die Gesellschaft means society. In einer toleranten Gesellschaft describes a fixed location, so in takes the dative; the adjective has -en after the feminine dative article einer.
Unsere Stadt ist toleranter als früher.
Our city is more tolerant than before.
unsere Stadt means our city, and früher means before or in the past. Toleranter compares the city with its earlier state and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no noun ending.
Sie ist die toleranteste Person im Team.
She is the most tolerant person on the team.
die Person means the person and im Team means on the team. Die toleranteste Person is a superlative before a feminine noun, so the adjective takes -ste plus the ending -e; the superlative form am tolerantesten is used without a noun.
die Tradition — tradition, custom
Tradition can mean a custom passed down in a family or society, and it can also mean an established way of doing something. The phrase in der Tradition von ... means in the tradition of ... and takes the dative after von.
Die Tradition ist in der Familie sehr wichtig.
The tradition is very important in the family.
in der Familie means in the family, and wichtig means important. Die Tradition is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Familien pflegen die Tradition.
Many families maintain the tradition.
viele Familien means many families, and pflegen means maintain or preserve. Die Tradition is accusative because pflegen takes a direct object; the finite verb pflegen is in position two.
Wir folgen der Tradition unserer Großeltern.
We follow our grandparents’ tradition.
folgen means follow, and unsere Großeltern are our grandparents. Der Tradition is dative because folgen governs the dative; unserer Großeltern is genitive and shows whose tradition it is.
Die Bedeutung der Tradition ist noch groß.
The importance of the tradition is still great.
die Bedeutung means the importance, and noch groß means still great or considerable. Der Tradition is genitive because it specifies the tradition’s importance; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Alte Traditionen verbinden die Menschen.
Old traditions connect people.
alte means old, verbinden means connect, and die Menschen means people. Traditionen is plural and nominative as the subject, while die Menschen is accusative after verbinden.
die Truppe — troop, troupe, group
For soldiers, die Truppe can mean the troops; for performers, it can mean a troupe. The plural is die Truppen in both uses.
Die Truppe reist heute nach Berlin.
The troupe is travelling to Berlin today.
reist means travels, and heute means today. Die Truppe is nominative because it is the subject; nach Berlin expresses direction, and the finite verb reist is in position two.
Der Regisseur lobt die Truppe.
The director praises the troupe.
der Regisseur is the director, and lobt means praises. Die Truppe is accusative because loben takes a direct object, although the feminine article looks the same as in the nominative.
Der Regisseur gibt der Truppe neue Aufgaben.
The director gives the troupe new tasks.
gibt means gives, and neue Aufgaben are new tasks. Der Truppe is dative because it is the recipient, while neue Aufgaben is the accusative thing being given.
Die Mitglieder der Truppe proben jeden Abend.
The members of the troupe rehearse every evening.
die Mitglieder are the members, and proben means rehearse. Der Truppe is genitive because it shows belonging; jeden Abend means every evening, and the finite verb proben is in position two.
Viele Truppen treten beim Festival auf.
Many troupes perform at the festival.
viele means many, and treten ... auf means perform or appear. Truppen is the plural subject; the separable verb auftreten splits in the main clause, so treten is in position two and auf goes to the end.
der Täter — perpetrator, offender, culprit
This noun is used especially for someone who has committed a crime. Mutmaßlicher Täter means suspected perpetrator, so it does not necessarily say that the person has been proven guilty.
Der Täter wurde gestern festgenommen.
The perpetrator was arrested yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and festgenommen means arrested. Der Täter is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the finite verb wurde is in position two and the participle festgenommen goes to the end.
Die Polizei sucht den Täter.
The police are looking for the perpetrator.
die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for. Den Täter is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sucht stands in position two.
Die Polizei folgt dem Täter.
The police follow the perpetrator.
folgt means follows. Dem Täter is dative because folgen requires a dative object, not an accusative one; the finite verb folgt is in position two.
Die Aussage des Täters war widersprüchlich.
The perpetrator’s statement was contradictory.
die Aussage means the statement, and widersprüchlich means contradictory. Des Täters is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun takes -s; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Polizei hat drei Täter verhaftet.
The police arrested three perpetrators.
drei means three, and verhaftet means arrested. Drei Täter is an accusative plural object after hat ... verhaftet; the plural has no ending because Täter already ends in -er.
die Täterin — female perpetrator, female offender
The feminine ending -in identifies a female person. The masculine counterpart is der Täter, and its plural is die Täter, while this word has the specifically feminine plural die Täterinnen.
Die Täterin wurde am Bahnhof erkannt.
The female perpetrator was recognised at the station.
am Bahnhof means at the station, and erkannt means recognised. Die Täterin is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; wurde erkannt forms the past passive, with the participle at the end.
Die Polizei sucht die Täterin.
The police are looking for the female perpetrator.
die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for. Die Täterin is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; feminine nominative and accusative have the same article die.
Die Polizei folgt der Täterin.
The police follow the female perpetrator.
folgt means follows. Der Täterin is dative because folgen requires a dative object; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Aussage der Täterin war widersprüchlich.
The female perpetrator’s statement was contradictory.
die Aussage means the statement, and widersprüchlich means contradictory. Der Täterin is genitive to show possession; the feminine noun stays unchanged and the article der marks the case.
Die Polizei hat zwei Täterinnen verhaftet.
The police arrested two female perpetrators.
zwei means two, and verhaftet means arrested. Zwei Täterinnen is an accusative plural object after hat ... verhaftet; the plural ending is -nen.
der Umweltschutz — environmental protection
Der Umweltschutz is the general activity of protecting nature from pollution and damage. It is a mass noun and normally has no plural; common phrases include Maßnahmen zum Umweltschutz and sich für den Umweltschutz einsetzen.
Der Umweltschutz ist heute sehr wichtig.
Environmental protection is very important today.
heute means today and sehr wichtig means very important. Der Umweltschutz is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and this mass noun is normally used only in the singular.
Viele Menschen unterstützen den Umweltschutz.
Many people support environmental protection.
viele Menschen means many people and unterstützen means support. Den Umweltschutz is accusative because it is the object of unterstützen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Organisation hilft dem Umweltschutz.
The organisation helps environmental protection.
die Organisation means the organisation and hilft means helps. Helfen takes the dative, so dem Umweltschutz is dative; the masculine article changes from der to dem.
Die Ziele des Umweltschutzes sind klar.
The aims of environmental protection are clear.
die Ziele means the aims and klar means clear. Des Umweltschutzes is genitive because it means of environmental protection; the masculine noun takes -es, and the plural subject Ziele makes sind plural.
unbürokratisch — unbureaucratic, straightforward
unbürokratisch is especially common for applications, public services, and help that require little paperwork. It does not mean that no rules exist; it means that the process is simple and practical.
Die Lösung ist unbürokratisch.
The solution is straightforward and involves little bureaucracy.
die Lösung means the solution. After ist, unbürokratisch is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen eine unbürokratische Lösung.
We need a straightforward solution.
brauchen means to need and eine Lösung means a solution. eine unbürokratische Lösung is accusative because it is the object of brauchen, and the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Dieses Verfahren ist unbürokratischer als das alte.
This procedure is less bureaucratic than the old one.
dieses Verfahren means this procedure and das alte means the old one. unbürokratischer compares two procedures with als, while ist remains in position two.
Diese Behörde arbeitet am unbürokratischsten.
This public authority works in the most straightforward way.
die Behörde means the public authority and arbeitet means works. The superlative am unbürokratischsten describes how it works; am is part of the superlative form here, not a preposition.
Die Anmeldung war unbürokratisch.
The registration process was straightforward.
die Anmeldung means the registration process and war means was. The adjective follows war predicatively without an ending; the past-tense verb is in position two.
Dank der unbürokratischen Hilfe bekam sie schnell Geld.
Thanks to the straightforward help, she received money quickly.
dank means thanks to, die Hilfe means help, bekam means received, and schnell means quickly. der unbürokratischen Hilfe is genitive after dank in careful standard German, and the adjective takes -en.
ungerecht — unfair, unjust
ungerecht describes a situation, decision, or treatment that is not fair. With people, German often uses jemanden ungerecht behandeln, meaning to treat someone unfairly.
Die Entscheidung ist ungerecht.
The decision is unfair.
die Entscheidung means the decision. ungerecht comes after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no adjective ending.
Das Gericht traf eine ungerechte Entscheidung.
The court made an unfair decision.
das Gericht is the court, traf means made or reached, and eine Entscheidung is a decision. eine ungerechte Entscheidung is the accusative object of traf, and the adjective takes -e after the indefinite article.
Diese Regel ist ungerechter als die alte.
This rule is more unfair than the old one.
diese Regel means this rule and die alte means the old one. ungerechter follows ist in the comparative, while als introduces the rule used for comparison.
Von allen Vorschlägen ist dieser am ungerechtesten.
Of all the suggestions, this one is the most unfair.
von allen Vorschlägen means of all the suggestions, and dieser means this one. The predicative superlative is am ungerechtesten; von takes the dative, which is why Vorschlägen has -n.
das Unrecht — injustice, wrong
das Unrecht means injustice or a wrong, especially when someone is treated unfairly. It is normally used as an abstract singular-only noun; the opposite is das Recht, meaning justice or the law.
Das Unrecht muss enden.
The injustice must end.
muss means must and enden means end. Das Unrecht is nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb muss stands in position two and enden goes to the end.
Viele Menschen sehen das Unrecht.
Many people see the injustice.
viele Menschen means many people, and sehen means see. das Unrecht is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir widersprechen dem Unrecht.
We oppose the injustice.
wir means we and widersprechen means oppose or contradict. widersprechen takes a dative object, so dem Unrecht is dative; the neuter article changes from das to dem.
Die Folgen des Unrechts sind schwer.
The consequences of the injustice are serious.
die Folgen means the consequences and schwer means serious or severe. des Unrechts is genitive after Folgen to mean of the injustice; the plural subject die Folgen controls sind.
die Unruhe — restlessness, unease; unrest; disturbance, commotion
For a person's feeling, Unruhe means inner restlessness or anxiety. In the plural, Unruhen usually means public or political disturbances, not several private feelings.
Die Unruhe machte mich nervös.
The restlessness made me nervous.
machte means made, and nervös means nervous. Die Unruhe is the nominative subject, while mich is accusative because the verb phrase jemanden nervös machen takes the person affected in the accusative.
Ich spüre die Unruhe im Raum.
I can feel the unease in the room.
spüre means can feel, and im Raum means in the room. die Unruhe is accusative because spüren takes an accusative object; im is in dem, with dative because it describes a location.
Die Unruhe macht der Patientin große Angst.
The restlessness is causing the female patient great anxiety.
die Patientin means the female patient, große Angst means great fear or anxiety, and macht means causes. der Patientin is dative because machen in this pattern gives the person affected a dative role, while Angst is the accusative object.
Die Ursache der Unruhe ist noch unklar.
The cause of the restlessness is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch unklar means still unclear. der Unruhe is genitive after Ursache to show what kind of cause it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Nach den Wahlen gab es Unruhen.
There was unrest after the elections.
nach den Wahlen means after the elections, and gab es means there was or there were. Unruhen is the plural here and refers to disturbances or unrest in several places or events; nach takes the dative, shown by den Wahlen.
Die Kinder sorgen im Haus für Unruhe.
The children are causing a disturbance in the house.
die Kinder means the children, sorgen für means cause or make sure of, and im Haus means in the house. The fixed phrase für Unruhe sorgen uses für with the accusative, while im Haus is a dative location.
Wegen der Unruhe konnte ich nicht schlafen.
Because of the disturbance, I could not sleep.
wegen means because of, konnte means could, and schlafen means sleep. der Unruhe is genitive after wegen in careful standard German, and the finite verb konnte comes before the infinitive at the end of the clause.
die Urkunde — certificate, official document
An Urkunde is usually an official or legal document, not just any piece of paper. A school or university may issue an Urkunde as proof of a qualification.
Die Urkunde hängt im Büro.
The certificate is hanging in the office.
hängt means is hanging, and im Büro means in the office. Die Urkunde is nominative because it is the subject; the verb hängt stands in position two.
Sie unterschreibt die Urkunde.
She signs the certificate.
sie means she, and unterschreibt means signs. Die Urkunde is accusative because unterschreiben takes a direct object; the finite verb unterschreibt is in position two.
Der Anwalt erklärt dem Kunden die Urkunde.
The lawyer explains the document to the customer.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, erklärt means explains, and dem Kunden means to the customer. Dem Kunden is dative because it is the recipient, while die Urkunde is accusative as the thing explained.
Der Inhalt der Urkunde ist wichtig.
The content of the document is important.
der Inhalt means the content, and wichtig means important. Der Urkunde is genitive because it identifies whose content it is; ist stands in position two.
Die Firma bewahrt wichtige Urkunden auf.
The company keeps important documents.
die Firma means the company, bewahrt ... auf means keeps or stores, and wichtig means important. Urkunden is plural and accusative as the object; the separable verb places auf at the end of the main clause.
das Urteil — verdict, judgment; opinion, assessment
In legal language, das Urteil is a court's verdict or judgment. In everyday language it can also mean an opinion or assessment, but the legal sense is especially common with Gericht and Richter.
Das Urteil ist heute gefallen.
The verdict was delivered today.
heute means today and gefallen here means was delivered or was reached, not physically fell. Das Urteil is nominative because it is the subject; the perfect phrase ist gefallen places the participle at the end.
Das Gericht verkündet das Urteil.
The court announces the verdict.
Gericht means court and verkündet means announces. Das Urteil is accusative because verkünden takes the announced decision as its direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles look the same.
Die Richterin stimmt dem Urteil zu.
The judge agrees with the verdict.
Richterin means female judge and stimmt ... zu means agrees with. Dem Urteil is dative because zustimmen governs the dative; the separable verb has stimmt in position two and zu at the end.
Die Begründung des Urteils ist ausführlich.
The reasoning behind the verdict is detailed.
Begründung means reasoning or grounds, and ausführlich means detailed. Des Urteils is genitive and identifies which reasoning; the whole phrase is the nominative subject.
Die Urteile der Gerichte sind unterschiedlich.
The courts' verdicts are different.
Gerichte means courts and unterschiedlich means different. Urteile is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Gerichte is genitive and means of the courts.
Ich bilde mir ein Urteil über das Buch.
I form an opinion about the book.
bilde mir ein means form for myself, and Buch means book. Ein Urteil is accusative because sich ein Urteil bilden takes an accusative object; über das Buch uses accusative because über means about in this fixed expression.
Sein Urteil über den Film war sehr positiv.
His opinion of the film was very positive.
sein means his, Film means film, and positiv means positive. Sein Urteil is nominative because it is the subject; über den Film uses accusative after über when it means about.
die Verantwortung — responsibility, duty
The singular Verantwortung is much more common for the general idea; the plural Verantwortungen refers to separate duties or areas of responsibility. The common patterns are Verantwortung übernehmen and Verantwortung für etwas tragen.
Die Verantwortung liegt bei der Leitung.
The responsibility lies with the management.
liegt bei means lies with, and die Leitung means the management. Die Verantwortung is nominative as the subject; bei der Leitung is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Sie übernimmt die Verantwortung für den Fehler.
She takes responsibility for the mistake.
übernehmen means take on, and der Fehler is the mistake. Die Verantwortung is accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object; für den Fehler is also accusative because für requires the accusative.
Der Chef gibt der Verantwortung eine klare Grenze.
The boss gives responsibility a clear limit.
der Chef is the boss, geben means give, and eine klare Grenze is a clear limit. Der Verantwortung is dative as the receiver with geben, while eine klare Grenze is the accusative thing being given.
Die Folgen der Verantwortung sind nicht immer leicht.
The consequences of responsibility are not always easy.
die Folgen means the consequences and leicht means easy. Der Verantwortung is genitive and explains which responsibility the consequences concern; sind is the finite verb in position two.
Die Verantwortungen der einzelnen Abteilungen sind klar verteilt.
The individual departments’ responsibilities are clearly distributed.
die einzelnen Abteilungen means the individual departments and klar verteilt means clearly distributed. Die Verantwortungen is plural nominative as the subject, while der einzelnen Abteilungen is genitive to show whose responsibilities they are.
das Verbot — ban, prohibition; legal prohibition, restriction
Das Verbot is a rule against an action, while die Erlaubnis is permission. The noun is related to verbieten; do not confuse lowercase verbot, the past form of the verb, with capitalised das Verbot, the noun.
Das Verbot gilt ab morgen.
The ban applies from tomorrow.
gilt means applies or is valid, and ab morgen means from tomorrow. Das Verbot is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gilt is in position two.
Die Regierung erlässt ein Verbot.
The government is issuing a ban.
die Regierung is the government, and erlässt means issues or introduces. Ein Verbot is accusative because erlassen takes a direct object; the finite verb erlässt stands in position two.
Nach dem Verbot darf niemand hier rauchen.
After the ban, nobody may smoke here.
nach means after, niemand means nobody, and rauchen means smoke. Dem Verbot is dative because nach takes the dative; darf is the finite modal verb in position two, and rauchen goes to the end.
Die Folgen des Verbots sind deutlich.
The consequences of the ban are clear.
die Folgen means the consequences, and deutlich means clear. Des Verbots is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; sind is in position two.
In diesem Gebäude gelten mehrere Verbote.
Several bans apply in this building.
in diesem Gebäude means in this building, and gelten means apply. Mehrere Verbote is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the initial place phrase causes the verb gelten to come before the subject.
Wegen des Verbots bleibt der Park geschlossen.
Because of the ban, the park remains closed.
wegen means because of, bleibt means remains, and geschlossen means closed. Des Verbots is genitive because wegen normally takes the genitive; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Das Verbot schützt die Besucher.
The ban protects the visitors.
schützt means protects, and die Besucher are the visitors. Das Verbot is nominative as the subject, while die Besucher is accusative as the object; schützt is in position two.
der Verbrecher — criminal
Verbrecher is a masculine noun for a person who commits a crime. It is not a weak masculine noun: its plural is die Verbrecher, but its genitive singular is des Verbrechers.
Der Verbrecher sitzt im Gefängnis.
The criminal is in prison.
sitzt means is sitting or is staying, and im Gefängnis means in prison. Der Verbrecher is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Die Polizei sucht den Verbrecher.
The police are looking for the criminal.
Die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for. Den Verbrecher is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Polizei folgt dem Verbrecher.
The police are following the criminal.
folgt means follows. Dem Verbrecher is dative because folgen requires a dative object, and the finite verb folgt stands in position two.
Die Aussage des Verbrechers war falsch.
The criminal's statement was false.
Die Aussage means the statement, and falsch means false. Des Verbrechers is genitive to show possession, and the noun takes -s after des.
Die Polizei hat drei Verbrecher festgenommen.
The police arrested three criminals.
drei means three, and festgenommen means arrested. Verbrecher has the same form in the singular and plural; here it is accusative plural because it is the object of hat festgenommen.
die Verbrecherin — female criminal
Verbrecherin is the feminine form of Verbrecher, a woman who commits a crime. Its plural is formed with -innen, and unlike a weak masculine noun it does not take an extra case ending in the singular.
Die Verbrecherin flieht aus dem Gefängnis.
The female criminal escapes from prison.
flieht means escapes or flees, and aus dem Gefängnis means from prison. Die Verbrecherin is nominative because it is the subject; aus takes the dative here because it expresses movement out of a place.
Die Polizei sucht die Verbrecherin.
The police are looking for the female criminal.
Die Polizei means the police, and sucht means is looking for. Die Verbrecherin is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; feminine die looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Polizei folgt der Verbrecherin.
The police are following the female criminal.
folgt means follows. Der Verbrecherin is dative because folgen requires a dative object; feminine die changes to der in the dative.
Die Aussage der Verbrecherin war falsch.
The female criminal's statement was false.
Die Aussage means the statement, and falsch means false. Der Verbrecherin is genitive to show possession; feminine genitive uses der, just like feminine dative.
Die Zeitung beschreibt drei Verbrecherinnen.
The newspaper describes three female criminals.
Die Zeitung means the newspaper, and beschreibt means describes. Verbrecherinnen is accusative plural because it is the object of beschreibt; the plural ending -innen must not be omitted.
der Verdacht — suspicion
The common expression is unter Verdacht stehen, meaning to be under suspicion. The noun is often used without an article in fixed expressions such as Verdacht schöpfen.
Der Verdacht fällt auf den Nachbarn.
Suspicion falls on the neighbour.
fällt auf means falls on, and der Nachbar means the neighbour. Der Verdacht is nominative as the subject; auf den Nachbarn is accusative because the expression fallen auf assigns that case.
Die Polizei untersucht den Verdacht.
The police are investigating the suspicion.
die Polizei means the police, and untersucht means investigates. Den Verdacht is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Die Polizei geht dem Verdacht nach.
The police follow up the suspicion.
geht ... nach means follows up or investigates, and die Polizei means the police. Dem Verdacht is dative because jemandem nachgehen requires dative; the separable verb has geht in position two and nach at the end.
Die Ursache des Verdachts ist noch unklar.
The cause of the suspicion is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch unklar means still unclear. Des Verdachts is genitive because it identifies the cause of what is suspected.
Die Ermittler prüften mehrere Verdächte.
The investigators examined several suspicions.
die Ermittler means the investigators, prüften means examined, and mehrere means several. Verdächte is plural and accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the plural is unusual because suspicion is more often used in the singular.
verdächtig — suspicious; suspect; suspicious; unusual
verdächtig describes a person, action, or object that seems connected with wrongdoing. It can also mean suspicious in the sense of unusual or not trustworthy, but it does not itself prove guilt.
Der Mann sieht verdächtig aus.
The man looks suspicious.
der Mann means the man, and sieht ... aus means looks or appears. verdächtig is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the separable verb aussehen splits, with sieht in position two and aus at the end.
Die Polizei beobachtet den verdächtigen Mann.
The police are watching the suspicious man.
die Polizei means the police and beobachtet means is watching. den verdächtigen Mann is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object, so the adjective has the ending -en after den.
Dieser Zeuge wirkt verdächtiger als der andere.
This witness seems more suspicious than the other one.
dieser Zeuge means this witness, wirkt means seems, and der andere means the other one. The comparative verdächtiger follows the linking verb wirken without an ending, and als introduces the thing being compared.
Der dritte Mann war am verdächtigsten.
The third man was the most suspicious.
der dritte Mann means the third man. am verdächtigsten is the predicative superlative after war; it has am plus the adjective ending -sten, not a normal attributive ending.
Ich habe eine verdächtige E-Mail bekommen.
I received a suspicious email.
eine E-Mail means an email, bekommen means receive, and verdächtig means suspicious. eine verdächtige E-Mail is accusative because it is the object of bekommen, and bekommen uses haben in the perfect.
Im Keller hören wir verdächtige Geräusche.
We hear suspicious noises in the basement.
im Keller means in the basement, and Geräusche means noises. verdächtige Geräusche is accusative as the object of hören; because the sentence begins with im Keller, the finite verb hören still comes in position two.
vereinen — to unite, to combine
Vereinen is normally transitive: someone unites people or things, so the object is accusative. The reflexive form sich vereinen means to unite or merge with one another.
Der Verein vereint Menschen aus vielen Ländern.
The association unites people from many countries.
der Verein is an association or club, and viele Länder means many countries. Menschen is accusative because vereinen takes a direct object; the finite verb vereint stands in position two.
Die Initiative hat viele Organisationen vereint.
The initiative has united many organisations.
die Initiative is an initiative, and Organisationen means organisations. The perfect uses hat plus vereint with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while viele Organisationen is accusative.
Der Vertrag vereinte die beiden Staaten.
The treaty united the two states.
der Vertrag means treaty or contract, and die beiden Staaten means the two states. Die beiden Staaten is accusative as the direct object, and the preterite verb vereinte stands in position two.
Vereine deine Kräfte mit uns!
Unite your strength with us!
deine Kräfte means your strength or forces, and mit uns means with us. Deine Kräfte is accusative because it is the object of vereine; the imperative has no subject pronoun and the verb begins the sentence.
Wenn er seine Kräfte vereinen könnte, wäre er stärker.
If he could unite his forces, he would be stronger.
seine Kräfte means his strength or forces, and stärker means stronger. Seine Kräfte is accusative after vereinen; in the wenn clause, the infinitive vereinen goes to the end, while könnte expresses the unreal possibility.
Die Konferenz wird die verschiedenen Gruppen vereinen.
The conference will unite the different groups.
die Konferenz means the conference, and verschiedene Gruppen means different groups. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive vereinen at the end; die verschiedenen Gruppen is accusative.
vereinigen — to unite, to merge
Vereinigen often suggests bringing separate political or organisational units together, while vereinen is broader. The reflexive form sich vereinigen means to merge or unite with one another.
Der Vertrag vereinigt die beiden Länder.
The treaty unites the two countries.
der Vertrag means treaty, and die beiden Länder means the two countries. Die beiden Länder is accusative because vereinigen takes a direct object; the finite verb vereinigt stands in position two.
Die Reform hat die Abteilungen vereinigt.
The reform has united the departments.
die Reform is a reform, and die Abteilungen means the departments. The perfect uses hat and vereinigt with haben; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while die Abteilungen is accusative.
Die Bewegung vereinigte viele Menschen.
The movement united many people.
die Bewegung means movement, and viele Menschen means many people. Viele Menschen is accusative as the direct object, and the preterite vereinigte stands in position two.
Vereinige die beiden Teile!
Unite the two parts!
die beiden Teile means the two parts. The phrase is accusative because it is the object of vereinige; the imperative begins with the verb and normally leaves out the subject pronoun.
Wenn sie die Gruppen vereinigen könnten, wäre die Arbeit leichter.
If they could unite the groups, the work would be easier.
die Gruppen means the groups, and leichter means easier. The object is accusative, and the infinitive vereinigen goes to the end of the wenn clause; könnten expresses an unreal possibility.
Die neue Organisation wird mehrere Vereine vereinigen.
The new organisation will unite several clubs.
die neue Organisation means the new organisation, and mehrere Vereine means several clubs. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive vereinigen at the end; mehrere Vereine is accusative.
vereint — united, together
Vereint can describe people or groups that act together, and it is also the Partizip II of vereinigen. Do not confuse vereint with vereinigt: vereint is the usual adjective for united, while vereinigt is the verb form or a more formal adjective.
Wir sind vereint.
We are united.
wir means we, and sind means are. Vereint is predicative after the linking verb sind, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject wir.
Die vereinten Gruppen feiern gemeinsam.
The united groups are celebrating together.
die Gruppen means the groups, and gemeinsam means together. Vereinten stands before the plural noun and takes the ending -en after die; the finite verb feiern is in position two.
Mit vereinteren Kräften schaffen wir das Ziel.
With more united forces, we will achieve the goal.
mit vereinteren Kräften means with more united forces, and schaffen means achieve or manage. Mit requires the dative, so Kräften has the dative plural ending and the comparative adjective has -eren; the finite verb schaffen stands in position two.
Am vereintesten ist das Team in schwierigen Zeiten.
The team is most united in difficult times.
das Team means the team, and schwierige Zeiten means difficult times. Am vereintesten is a predicative superlative with am and no adjective ending; the verb ist stands in position two.
die Verfassung — constitution; physical condition, state of health
In political contexts, die Verfassung is the constitution of a country. It can also mean a person's physical constitution or state of health, as in eine schwache Verfassung.
Die Verfassung schützt die Grundrechte.
The constitution protects fundamental rights.
schützen means protect, and die Grundrechte means fundamental rights. Die Verfassung is nominative because it is the subject, while die Grundrechte is accusative as the protected object; schützt stands in position two.
Das Parlament ändert die Verfassung.
Parliament is amending the constitution.
das Parlament means parliament, and ändern means to change or amend. Die Verfassung is accusative because it is the direct object of ändert; the feminine article is the same in nominative and accusative.
Viele Bürger vertrauen der Verfassung.
Many citizens trust the constitution.
viele Bürger means many citizens, and vertrauen means trust. Vertrauen takes a dative object, so der Verfassung is dative; the finite verb vertrauen is in position two.
Der Schutz der Verfassung ist eine wichtige Aufgabe.
Protecting the constitution is an important task.
der Schutz means protection, and eine wichtige Aufgabe means an important task. Der Verfassung is genitive and identifies what is protected; ist agrees with der Schutz, the subject.
Viele Länder haben moderne Verfassungen.
Many countries have modern constitutions.
viele Länder means many countries, and modern means modern. Moderne Verfassungen is accusative plural because it is the object of haben; haben is both the present verb and the perfect auxiliary, so the context here is present.
Nach der Reise war er nicht in guter Verfassung.
After the journey, he was not in good shape.
nach der Reise means after the journey, and nicht in guter Verfassung means not in good shape. Nach takes the dative, while in guter Verfassung describes a state rather than movement; war is the finite verb in position two.
Sie ist trotz ihres Alters in erstaunlich guter Verfassung.
Despite her age, she is in surprisingly good shape.
trotz ihres Alters means despite her age, and erstaunlich means surprisingly. Trotz takes the genitive here, while in guter Verfassung describes her condition; ist stands in position two and guter has a dative feminine ending after in.
verhaften — to arrest
verhaften is a regular weak verb and takes haben in the perfect. It is used for an official arrest, not simply for stopping or questioning someone.
Die Polizei verhaftet den Verdächtigen.
The police arrest the suspect.
die Polizei means the police, and der Verdächtige means the suspect. Den Verdächtigen is accusative because verhaften takes the person arrested as a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Verdächtigen verhaftet.
The police have arrested the suspect.
die Polizei means the police, and der Verdächtige means the suspect. Verhaftet is the Partizip II with haben; the auxiliary stands in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Die Polizei verhaftete den Mann am Bahnhof.
The police arrested the man at the station.
der Mann means the man, and der Bahnhof means the station. Verhaftete is the regular simple past in position two, and den Mann is accusative as the person arrested.
Verhafte ihn sofort!
Arrest him immediately!
ihn means him, and sofort means immediately. The imperative omits du, and ihn is accusative because it is the direct object of verhaften.
Wenn die Beweise ausreichen würden, verhaftete man ihn.
If the evidence were sufficient, they would arrest him.
die Beweise means the evidence, and ausreichen means be sufficient. Verhaftete is Konjunktiv II here; the verb is at the end of the wenn clause, while man is an indefinite subject in the main clause.
Die Polizei wird den Täter morgen verhaften.
The police will arrest the perpetrator tomorrow.
der Täter means the perpetrator, and morgen means tomorrow. Wird marks the future in position two, while the infinitive verhaften goes to the end; den Täter is accusative.
verhandeln — to negotiate, to conduct negotiations
Verhandeln usually appears with über plus the accusative for the subject being negotiated and with mit plus the dative for the negotiating partner. It is a regular verb with haben in the perfect.
Die beiden Seiten verhandeln über einen neuen Vertrag.
The two sides are negotiating a new contract.
die beiden Seiten means the two sides, and ein neuer Vertrag is a new contract. Über takes the accusative when it means about, so einen neuen Vertrag is accusative; the finite verb verhandeln is in position two.
Die beiden Seiten haben lange über den Vertrag verhandelt.
The two sides negotiated the contract for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and der Vertrag is the contract. Verhandelt is the Partizip II and combines with haben; it goes to the end of the clause, while über den Vertrag is an accusative prepositional phrase.
Die Regierung verhandelte bis spät in die Nacht.
The government negotiated until late at night.
die Regierung means the government, and bis spät in die Nacht means until late at night. Verhandelte is the regular simple past form and stands in position two.
Verhandle ruhig mit deiner Kollegin.
Negotiate calmly with your colleague.
ruhig means calmly, and deine Kollegin is your female colleague. The imperative omits du; mit forces the dative, so deiner Kollegin is dative.
Wenn du ruhig verhandeln würdest, fänden wir vielleicht eine Lösung.
If you negotiated calmly, we might find a solution.
ruhig means calmly, vielleicht means perhaps, and eine Lösung is a solution. In the wenn clause, the infinitive verhandeln comes at the end; würdest forms the Konjunktiv II, and eine Lösung is accusative after finden.
Morgen verhandeln die Parteien weiter.
Tomorrow the parties will continue negotiating.
morgen means tomorrow, die Parteien means the parties, and weiter means further or on. Werden verhandeln forms the future; because the sentence begins with morgen, the finite verb werden is still in position two and the infinitive comes at the end.
die Verhandlung — negotiation, talks; court hearing, trial
Die Verhandlung can mean a negotiation or, in a legal context, a court hearing. The plural die Verhandlungen is common when several rounds or talks are meant.
Die Verhandlung beginnt um neun Uhr.
The negotiation begins at nine o'clock.
beginnen means to begin, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Die Verhandlung is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Wir verschieben die Verhandlung.
We are postponing the negotiation.
verschieben means to postpone. Die Verhandlung is accusative because it is the direct object of verschieben; the finite verb verschieben is in position two.
Bei der Verhandlung waren beide Anwälte anwesend.
Both lawyers were present at the hearing.
bei means at or during, and beide Anwälte means both lawyers; anwesend means present. Bei always takes the dative, so der Verhandlung is dative, while waren is in position two.
Das Ergebnis der Verhandlung ist noch offen.
The result of the negotiation is still undecided.
das Ergebnis means the result, and noch offen means still undecided. Der Verhandlung is genitive because it means of the negotiation; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Verhandlungen dauern mehrere Tage.
The negotiations last several days.
dauern means last, and mehrere Tage means several days. Die Verhandlungen is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the plural noun is formed with -en.
Nach der Verhandlung unterschreiben beide Seiten den Vertrag.
After the negotiation, both sides sign the contract.
nach means after, unterschreiben means sign, and beide Seiten means both sides. Nach takes the dative, so der Verhandlung is dative; den Vertrag is accusative as the object of unterschreiben.
Die Verhandlung vor Gericht dauert den ganzen Tag.
The court hearing lasts all day.
vor Gericht means in court, and den ganzen Tag means all day. Vor Gericht is a fixed legal expression; die Verhandlung is the subject and dauert is in position two.
Der Richter eröffnet die Verhandlung.
The judge opens the hearing.
der Richter is the judge, and eröffnen means to open formally. Die Verhandlung is accusative because it is the direct object of eröffnet; the finite verb is in position two.
vermitteln — to mediate; to arrange contact; to convey; to impart
This sense usually describes helping people or groups settle a disagreement or make contact. With zwischen, the following plural noun is normally dative: zwischen den Parteien.
Die Anwältin vermittelt zwischen den beiden Parteien.
The lawyer is mediating between the two parties.
die Anwältin is a female lawyer, and beide Parteien means both parties. zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative here because this describes mediation between people, not movement; the finite verb vermittelt is in position two.
Die Anwältin hat zwischen den beiden Parteien vermittelt.
The lawyer has mediated between the two parties.
die Anwältin means the lawyer, and beide Parteien means both parties. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II vermittelt, which goes to the end; zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative because zwischen describes a relationship here.
Die Anwältin vermittelte erfolgreich zwischen den beiden Parteien.
The lawyer successfully mediated between the two parties.
erfolgreich means successfully, and die beiden Parteien means the two parties. vermittelte is the weak-verb Präteritum in position two, while zwischen den beiden Parteien remains dative.
Vermittle bitte zwischen den beiden Parteien.
Please mediate between the two parties.
bitte means please, and beide Parteien means both parties. Vermittle is the singular imperative without a pronoun; zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative because the verb describes mediation, not a change of location.
Ich würde gern zwischen den beiden Parteien vermitteln.
I would gladly mediate between the two parties.
gern means gladly, and beide Parteien means both parties. würde ... vermitteln expresses a polite or hypothetical wish; the infinitive vermitteln goes to the end, and zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative.
Morgen wird die Anwältin zwischen den beiden Parteien vermitteln.
Tomorrow the lawyer will mediate between the two parties.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Anwältin means the lawyer. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive vermitteln at the end; zwischen den beiden Parteien is dative.
Der Kurs vermittelt wichtige Kenntnisse.
The course conveys important knowledge.
der Kurs is the course, and wichtige Kenntnisse means important knowledge. wichtige Kenntnisse is accusative because vermitteln takes an accusative object, and the finite verb vermittelt stands in position two.
Die Lehrerin hat den Kindern viel Wissen vermittelt.
The teacher conveyed a lot of knowledge to the children.
die Lehrerin is the teacher, die Kinder means the children, and viel Wissen means a lot of knowledge. den Kindern is dative because it names the recipients, while viel Wissen is accusative; hat ... vermittelt forms the perfect.