Appearance
Vocab: Society, politics & law — B1 (6) ​
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Vermittler — mediator; broker; intermediary ​
A Vermittler can mediate in a dispute or arrange a business or personal contact. The feminine form is Vermittlerin.
Der Vermittler spricht mit beiden Seiten.
The mediator is speaking with both sides.
beide Seiten means both sides. Der Vermittler is nominative because it is the subject, and mit beiden Seiten is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Die Firma sucht den Vermittler.
The company is looking for the mediator.
die Firma means the company, and sucht means is looking for. den Vermittler is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich danke dem Vermittler fĂĽr seine Hilfe.
I thank the mediator for his help.
danke means thank, and seine Hilfe means his help. dem Vermittler is dative because danken requires the dative; fĂĽr seine Hilfe is accusative because fĂĽr always takes the accusative.
Die Entscheidung des Vermittlers war fair.
The mediator’s decision was fair.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and fair means fair. des Vermittlers is genitive to show possession, with -s on the noun; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Vermittler treffen sich heute.
The mediators are meeting today.
heute means today, and treffen sich means meet one another. Die Vermittler is the plural subject; the plural form is identical to the singular, and sich shows the reflexive use of treffen.
die Vermittlung — mediation; arranging; conveying ​
Vermittlung is the noun for mediation, arranging contact, or conveying information. It is also used in formal phrases such as durch Vermittlung von, meaning through the mediation of.
Die Vermittlung zwischen den Nachbarn war erfolgreich.
The mediation between the neighbours was successful.
die Nachbarn means the neighbours, and erfolgreich means successful. Die Vermittlung is nominative because it is the subject; zwischen den Nachbarn is dative because zwischen describes a relationship here.
Wir brauchen die Vermittlung eines Experten.
We need the mediation of an expert.
brauchen means need, and eines Experten means of an expert. die Vermittlung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while eines Experten is genitive and shows whose mediation is meant.
Nach der Vermittlung konnten beide Seiten eine Lösung finden.
After the mediation, both sides were able to find a solution.
nach means after, beide Seiten means both sides, and eine Lösung finden means find a solution. der Vermittlung is dative because nach always takes the dative; konnten ... finden puts the infinitive at the end.
Das Ergebnis der Vermittlung war ein Kompromiss.
The result of the mediation was a compromise.
das Ergebnis means the result, and ein Kompromiss means a compromise. der Vermittlung is genitive after das Ergebnis to show its source; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Vermittlungen dauern oft mehrere Wochen.
The mediations often last several weeks.
dauern means last, oft means often, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Die Vermittlungen is a regular feminine plural in -en and is the nominative subject of dauern.
versammeln — to gather, to assemble; to gather together ​
In the transitive use, versammeln takes an accusative object: jemanden versammeln means to gather someone. The common reflexive form sich versammeln means to gather together, and sich changes case according to the subject and sentence structure.
Die Lehrerin versammelt die Kinder im Hof.
The teacher gathers the children in the playground.
die Lehrerin means the teacher, die Kinder means the children, and im Hof means in the playground. die Kinder is accusative because versammeln takes the people being gathered as its object; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Leiter hat alle Teilnehmer versammelt.
The leader gathered all the participants.
der Leiter means the leader and alle Teilnehmer means all the participants. The perfect uses hat plus versammelt because this is a transitive action; the accusative object comes before the participle at the end.
Die Polizei versammelte die Menschen vor dem Gebäude.
The police gathered the people in front of the building.
die Polizei means the police, die Menschen means the people, and vor dem Gebäude means in front of the building. die Menschen is accusative because it is the object, while vor dem Gebäude is dative because it describes a location.
Versammle die Gruppe hier!
Gather the group here!
die Gruppe means the group and hier means here. Versammle is the informal singular imperative, and die Gruppe is accusative because it is the object being gathered.
Ich wĂĽrde die wichtigsten Leute sofort versammeln.
I would gather the most important people immediately.
die wichtigsten Leute means the most important people and sofort means immediately. The Konjunktiv II uses wĂĽrde with the infinitive versammeln at the end; the people gathered are in the accusative.
Wir werden morgen alle Helfer versammeln.
We will gather all the helpers tomorrow.
alle Helfer means all the helpers and morgen means tomorrow. Future I puts werden in position two and the infinitive versammeln at the end; alle Helfer is the accusative object.
der Verstoß — violation, breach ​
This noun is common in legal, official, and rule-related language. Ein VerstoĂź gegen takes gegen with the accusative, as in ein VerstoĂź gegen die Regeln.
Der VerstoĂź steht in dem Bericht.
The violation is in the report.
der Bericht means the report, and stehen here means to be written or recorded. Der VerstoĂź is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Behörde untersucht den Verstoß.
The authority is investigating the violation.
die Behörde is the authority and untersuchen means to investigate. Den Verstoß is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Die Polizei geht dem VerstoĂź nach.
The police are investigating the violation.
die Polizei is the police, and nachgehen means to investigate or pursue. Dem VerstoĂź is dative because nachgehen requires dative, while the separable verb appears as geht ... nach.
Die Folgen des VerstoĂźes sind schwer.
The consequences of the violation are serious.
die Folgen are the consequences and schwer means serious here. Des VerstoĂźes is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the plural subject Folgen makes sind plural.
Mehrere Verstöße wurden festgestellt.
Several violations were identified.
mehrere means several, and feststellen means to identify or establish. Verstöße is the plural subject; wurden festgestellt is the passive, with the participle at the end.
die Verständigung — communication, mutual understanding ​
This noun often describes successful communication between people, especially across language barriers. For an agreement reached after discussion, eine Verständigung erzielen is a useful formal collocation.
Die Verständigung ist schwierig.
Communication is difficult.
schwierig means difficult. Die Verständigung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen die Verständigung mit den Gästen.
We need communication with the guests.
brauchen means to need, and die Gäste are the guests. Die Verständigung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; mit den Gästen is a prepositional phrase, and mit requires the dative.
Ein Wörterbuch hilft bei der Verständigung.
A dictionary helps with communication.
ein Wörterbuch is a dictionary, and helfen means to help. Bei takes the dative, so der Verständigung is dative; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Qualität der Verständigung hängt von der Sprache ab.
The quality of the communication depends on the language.
die Qualität means quality, abhängen von means to depend on, and die Sprache is the language. Der Verständigung is genitive because it specifies the quality’s connection; the separable verb appears as hängt ... ab, and von takes the dative.
Gute Verständigungen sind bei internationalen Treffen wichtig.
Good communication agreements are important at international meetings.
gut means good, international means international, and das Treffen is the meeting. Verständigungen is plural and therefore takes sind; bei takes the dative in bei internationalen Treffen.
verurteilen — to condemn, to sentence ​
verurteilen is mainly used for an official legal decision. The person is accusative, and a punishment is commonly introduced by zu plus the dative.
Das Gericht verurteilt den Angeklagten zu zwei Jahren Gefängnis.
The court sentences the defendant to two years in prison.
das Gericht is the court, der Angeklagte is the defendant, and zwei Jahre Gefängnis means two years in prison. den Angeklagten is accusative because verurteilen takes the person being sentenced as its direct object; the finite verb verurteilt is in position two, and zu takes the dative in the sentencing phrase.
Das Gericht hat den Angeklagten zu zwei Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt.
The court has sentenced the defendant to two years in prison.
das Gericht means the court, der Angeklagte means the defendant, and zwei Jahre Gefängnis means two years in prison. The perfect uses hat plus verurteilt; the participle stands at the end, while den Angeklagten remains accusative after verurteilen.
Das Gericht verurteilte den Angeklagten zu zwei Jahren Gefängnis.
The court sentenced the defendant to two years in prison.
das Gericht is the court, der Angeklagte is the defendant, and zwei Jahre Gefängnis means two years in prison. verurteilte is the regular simple-past form in position two, and den Angeklagten is accusative because it is the direct object.
Verurteile ihn nicht ohne Beweise!
Do not condemn him without evidence!
ihn means him, and ohne Beweise means without evidence. Verurteile is the du-imperative and stands first; ihn is accusative after verurteilen, while ohne also requires the accusative.
Wenn die Beweise eindeutig wären, verurteilte das Gericht ihn.
If the evidence were conclusive, the court would sentence him.
die Beweise are the evidence, eindeutig means conclusive, and das Gericht is the court. In this conditional sentence, wären goes to the end of the subordinate clause, while verurteilte is the conditional form in the main clause and ihn is accusative.
Das Gericht wird den Angeklagten morgen verurteilen.
The court will sentence the defendant tomorrow.
das Gericht means the court, der Angeklagte means the defendant, and morgen means tomorrow. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive verurteilen at the end; den Angeklagten is accusative.
die Verwaltung — administration, administrative authority; management, administration ​
die Verwaltung can mean the activity of administration or the office and authority that carries it out. In everyday language, bei der Verwaltung often means at or with the administrative office.
Die Verwaltung arbeitet heute besonders schnell.
The administration is working especially quickly today.
heute means today, besonders means especially, and schnell means quickly. Die Verwaltung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich besuche morgen die Verwaltung.
I am visiting the administration tomorrow.
besuchen means to visit and morgen means tomorrow. die Verwaltung is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the finite verb besuche stands in position two.
Ich muss morgen zur Verwaltung gehen.
I have to go to the administration tomorrow.
mĂĽssen means to have to, morgen means tomorrow, and gehen means to go. zur Verwaltung means zu der Verwaltung and is dative because zu requires the dative; muss is in position two and gehen goes to the end.
Die Entscheidung der Verwaltung sorgt fĂĽr Diskussionen.
The administration’s decision is causing discussions.
die Entscheidung is the decision, sorgen fĂĽr means to cause, and die Diskussionen are discussions. der Verwaltung is genitive because it shows whose decision it is; the finite verb sorgt is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Verwaltungen.
There are many administrations in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Verwaltungen is plural after viele; with es gibt, the thing that exists is normally accusative, although the plural form has no visible case ending here.
Die Verwaltung des Hotels ist sehr professionell.
The management of the hotel is very professional.
das Hotel is the hotel and professionell means professional. des Hotels is genitive because it identifies which management is meant; die Verwaltung is the subject and the finite verb ist is in position two.
FĂĽr die Verwaltung des Vereins brauchen wir ein neues Programm.
We need a new programme for managing the club.
der Verein is the club, brauchen means to need, and ein neues Programm is a new programme. fĂĽr die Verwaltung is accusative because fĂĽr requires the accusative; des Vereins is genitive and means of the club.
verweigern — to refuse, to deny ​
With a person and a thing, the pattern is jemandem etwas verweigern: the person is dative and the refused thing is accusative. The optional reflexive use sich verweigern means to refuse to cooperate or participate.
Der Arzt verweigert die Behandlung nicht.
The doctor is not refusing the treatment.
der Arzt means the doctor, and die Behandlung means the treatment. Die Behandlung is accusative because it is the thing refused; the finite verb verweigert is in position two, and nicht negates the action.
Die Firma hat ihm den Urlaub verweigert.
The company refused him the holiday leave.
die Firma means the company, ihm means to him, and der Urlaub means holiday leave. Ihm is dative for the person affected, while den Urlaub is accusative for the thing refused; hat is in position two and verweigert closes the perfect clause.
Der Beamte verweigerte die Einreise.
The official refused entry.
der Beamte means the official, and die Einreise means entry into the country. Die Einreise is accusative as the thing refused; the weak past form verweigerte stands in position two.
Verweigere ihm nicht die Hilfe!
Do not refuse him help!
ihm means to him, and die Hilfe means help. The command has an omitted du subject; ihm is dative for the person affected and die Hilfe is accusative for what is refused.
Wenn sie mir die Antwort verweigerte, wäre ich enttäuscht.
If she refused me the answer, I would be disappointed.
mir means to me, die Antwort means the answer, and enttäuscht means disappointed. In the wenn clause, verweigerte goes to the end; mir is dative and die Antwort accusative, while wäre gives the hypothetical result.
Der Verkäufer wird uns den Umtausch verweigern.
The shop assistant will refuse us the exchange.
der Verkäufer means the shop assistant, uns means us, and der Umtausch means the exchange of goods. Uns is dative and den Umtausch is accusative; wird stands in position two and the infinitive verweigern goes to the end.
vorschreiben — to prescribe, to require ​
vorschreiben is often used for official requirements or medical prescriptions. It is separable in a main clause, as in schreibt ... vor, but stays together as vorschreiben after a modal or in a subordinate clause.
Der Arzt schreibt mir ein Medikament vor.
The doctor prescribes a medicine for me.
der Arzt means the doctor and ein Medikament means a medicine. mir is dative for the person receiving the prescription, while ein Medikament is accusative; schreibt is in position two and vor is at the end.
Die Ärztin hat ihm eine spezielle Diät vorgeschrieben.
The doctor prescribed a special diet for him.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, ihm means to him, and eine spezielle Diät means a special diet. ihm is dative and eine spezielle Diät is accusative; the perfect uses hat, with vorgeschrieben at the end.
Das Gesetz schrieb eine Kontrolle pro Jahr vor.
The law required one inspection per year.
das Gesetz means the law, and eine Kontrolle pro Jahr means one inspection per year. schrieb is the strong past form, and vor separates and goes to the end; the required inspection is accusative.
Schreib dem Patienten diese Dosierung vor.
Prescribe this dosage for the patient.
dem Patienten means to the patient, and diese Dosierung means this dosage. The patient is dative and the dosage is accusative; in the du imperative, schreib comes first and vor goes to the end.
Ich wĂĽrde keine bestimmte Therapie vorschreiben.
I would not prescribe any particular therapy.
keine bestimmte Therapie means no particular therapy. wĂĽrde plus the infinitive vorschreiben expresses a hypothetical view, and the infinitive remains together at the end instead of separating.
Die Behörde wird neue Sicherheitsregeln vorschreiben.
The authority will prescribe new safety rules.
die Behörde means the authority, and neue Sicherheitsregeln means new safety rules. wird is in position two and vorschreiben goes to the end as an infinitive; the rules are accusative because they are what is prescribed.
der Vorsitzende — chairperson, chairman ​
This is a masculine noun formed from the adjective vorsitzend, meaning chairing. It is a weak noun: use Vorsitzenden after den, dem, des, and in the plural.
Der Vorsitzende eröffnet die Sitzung.
The chairperson opens the meeting.
die Sitzung means the meeting, and eröffnet means opens. Der Vorsitzende is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb eröffnet is in position two.
Die Mitglieder wählen den Vorsitzenden.
The members elect the chairperson.
die Mitglieder are the members, and wählen means elect or choose. Den Vorsitzenden is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; as an adjectival masculine noun, it keeps the weak ending -en.
Die Mitarbeiter danken dem Vorsitzenden.
The employees thank the chairperson.
die Mitarbeiter are the employees, and danken means thank. Dem Vorsitzenden is dative because danken governs the dative; the masculine noun has dem and the ending -en.
Die Entscheidung des Vorsitzenden wurde akzeptiert.
The chairperson's decision was accepted.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and akzeptiert means accepted. Des Vorsitzenden shows possession and is genitive; wurde akzeptiert is a passive construction, with the finite verb in position two and the participle at the end.
Die Vorsitzenden treffen sich vor der Konferenz.
The chairpersons meet before the conference.
treffen sich means meet one another, and vor der Konferenz means before the conference. Die Vorsitzenden is plural and has the weak ending -en; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb phrase.
die Vorsitzende — chairperson, chairwoman ​
This is a feminine noun formed from the adjective vorsitzend, meaning chairing. It is declined like a weak adjectival noun, so Vorsitzenden is used in the dative, genitive, and plural.
Die Vorsitzende eröffnet die Sitzung.
The chairperson opens the meeting.
die Sitzung means the meeting, and eröffnet means opens. Die Vorsitzende is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb eröffnet stands in position two.
Die Mitglieder wählen die Vorsitzende.
The members elect the chairperson.
die Mitglieder are the members, and wählen means elect. Die Vorsitzende is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the feminine form looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Die Mitarbeiter danken der Vorsitzenden.
The employees thank the chairperson.
die Mitarbeiter are the employees, and danken means thank. Der Vorsitzenden is dative because danken governs the dative, and the adjectival noun takes -en.
Die Entscheidung der Vorsitzenden wurde akzeptiert.
The chairperson's decision was accepted.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and akzeptiert means accepted. Der Vorsitzenden is genitive and shows possession; wurde akzeptiert is passive, with the participle at the end.
Die Vorsitzenden treffen sich vor der Konferenz.
The chairpersons meet before the conference.
treffen sich means meet one another, and vor der Konferenz means before the conference. Die Vorsitzenden is plural and takes -en, just like the masculine and feminine oblique forms.
das Vorurteil — prejudice, preconceived idea ​
Vorurteil combines vor, meaning before, with Urteil, meaning judgement. It is usually negative; for a neutral opinion or expectation, use die Meinung or die Erwartung instead.
Ein Vorurteil kann Menschen verletzen.
A prejudice can hurt people.
Menschen means people and verletzen means to hurt. Ein Vorurteil is nominative because it is the subject; after the modal kann, the infinitive verletzen goes to the end.
Wir mĂĽssen dieses Vorurteil hinterfragen.
We must question this prejudice.
mĂĽssen means must or have to, and hinterfragen means to question critically. Dieses Vorurteil is accusative because it is the object of hinterfragen; after mĂĽssen, the infinitive stands at the end.
Mit diesem Vorurteil kann man niemandem helfen.
You cannot help anyone with this prejudice.
niemandem means to nobody and helfen means to help. Diesem Vorurteil is dative after mit, and niemandem is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Entstehung des Vorurteils ist schwer zu erklären.
The origin of the prejudice is difficult to explain.
Entstehung means origin or development, schwer means difficult, and erklären means to explain. Des Vorurteils is genitive because it specifies the origin’s subject; zu erklären is an infinitive phrase after schwer.
Viele Vorurteile entstehen durch fehlende Informationen.
Many prejudices arise through a lack of information.
viele means many, entstehen means arise, and fehlend means missing or lacking. Viele Vorurteile is nominative plural because it is the subject, while durch fehlende Informationen is an accusative phrase introduced by durch.
wehren — to defend oneself, to resist ​
The common expression is sich gegen jemanden oder etwas wehren, meaning to defend oneself against or resist someone or something. It is usually reflexive, and gegen forces the accusative.
Ich wehre mich gegen diese Entscheidung.
I am resisting this decision.
diese Entscheidung means this decision. sich gegen means to defend oneself against or resist something; diese Entscheidung is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative, and the finite verb wehre is in position two.
Sie hat sich gegen den Angriff gewehrt.
She defended herself against the attack.
der Angriff means the attack. The reflexive expression is sich gegen etwas wehren; den Angriff is accusative after gegen, while hat is in position two and gewehrt goes to the end.
Der Junge wehrte sich gegen den unfairen Vorwurf.
The boy resisted the unfair accusation.
der Junge means the boy, and der Vorwurf means the accusation; unfair means unfair. den unfairen Vorwurf is accusative after gegen, and the regular past form wehrte stands in position two.
Wehr dich gegen den Druck!
Stand up to the pressure!
der Druck means the pressure, and sich gegen etwas wehren means to stand up to or resist something. The imperative wehr comes first, and the reflexive pronoun changes to dich for du; den Druck is accusative after gegen.
Ich wĂĽrde mich gegen diese Behandlung wehren.
I would resist this treatment.
diese Behandlung means this treatment. wĂĽrde ... wehren expresses a hypothetical action; the infinitive wehren goes to the end, and diese Behandlung is accusative after gegen.
Wir werden uns gegen den Plan wehren.
We will resist the plan.
der Plan means the plan. werden is in position two and the infinitive wehren goes to the end; the reflexive pronoun is uns for wir, and den Plan is accusative after gegen.
die Wirtschaft — economy; business world; pub, inn; pub, inn, small restaurant ​
Die Wirtschaft has two common meanings: the economy or business world, and, especially in southern Germany and Austria, a traditional pub or inn. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Die Wirtschaft wächst in diesem Jahr.
The economy is growing this year.
wächst means grows, and in diesem Jahr means this year. Die Wirtschaft is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Die Regierung unterstĂĽtzt die Wirtschaft.
The government supports the economy.
die Regierung is the government and unterstĂĽtzt means supports. Die Wirtschaft is accusative because it is the direct object of unterstĂĽtzen; the feminine article die is identical in nominative and accusative.
Viele Menschen arbeiten in der Wirtschaft.
Many people work in the economy.
viele Menschen means many people and arbeiten means work. In der Wirtschaft is dative because in describes a location here, not movement; the finite verb arbeiten remains in position two.
Die Entwicklung der Wirtschaft ist wichtig.
The development of the economy is important.
die Entwicklung is the development and wichtig means important. Der Wirtschaft is genitive because it identifies which development is meant; the whole phrase Die Entwicklung der Wirtschaft is nominative and the verb ist is in position two.
Die Wirtschaften verschiedener Länder sind miteinander verbunden.
The economies of different countries are connected with one another.
verschiedener Länder means of different countries, and miteinander verbunden means connected with one another. Die Wirtschaften is nominative plural because the economies are the subject; -en is the plural ending.
Am Abend gehen wir in eine gemĂĽtliche Wirtschaft.
In the evening, we are going to a cosy pub.
am Abend means in the evening, gemĂĽtlich means cosy, and gehen means go. In eine gemĂĽtliche Wirtschaft is accusative because in expresses movement towards a place; the finite verb gehen is in position two.
Die alte Wirtschaft ist heute geschlossen.
The old pub is closed today.
alt means old and geschlossen means closed. Die alte Wirtschaft is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; heute means today.
der Wächter — guard, watchman ​
Wächter has the same noun form in the singular and plural; the article shows the difference: der Wächter, but die Wächter. It is not a weak masculine noun, so it does not add -n in the dative or accusative singular.
Der Wächter steht vor dem Tor.
The guard is standing in front of the gate.
stehen means stand, vor means in front of, and das Tor means gate. Der Wächter is nominative as the subject; vor dem Tor is dative because it describes location.
Ich sehe den Wächter.
I see the guard.
sehen means see. den Wächter is accusative because it is the direct object; the noun itself does not add -n here.
Ich vertraue dem Wächter.
I trust the guard.
vertrauen means trust. It requires a dative object, so dem Wächter is dative.
Die Aufgabe des Wächters ist wichtig.
The guard’s task is important.
die Aufgabe means task and wichtig means important. des Wächters is genitive because it shows whose task it is.
Die Wächter kontrollieren alle Eingänge.
The guards check all entrances.
kontrollieren means check, and alle Eingänge means all entrances. Wächter is both the singular form without an article and the plural form; here die Wächter is plural and the finite verb is kontrollieren.
das Zeitalter — era, age; era of change, age ​
The plural is die Zeitalter, with no ending; the genitive singular is des Zeitalters. It often appears in the phrase das Zeitalter der ..., where the following noun phrase is genitive.
Das Zeitalter der Raumfahrt begann im 20. Jahrhundert.
The age of space travel began in the twentieth century.
die Raumfahrt means space travel, and begann means began. Das Zeitalter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb begann is in position two.
Viele Menschen bewundern das Zeitalter der groĂźen Entdeckungen.
Many people admire the age of the great discoveries.
viele Menschen means many people, bewundern means admire, and die groĂźen Entdeckungen means the great discoveries. Das Zeitalter is accusative because bewundern takes a direct object; the phrase der groĂźen Entdeckungen is a genitive attribute.
In diesem Zeitalter verändern sich Technik und Gesellschaft schnell.
In this age, technology and society are changing quickly.
diesem means this, verändern sich means change, and schnell means quickly. In diesem Zeitalter is dative because in describes a fixed time or location here, not movement; verändern is in position two.
Die Möglichkeiten dieses Zeitalters sind beeindruckend.
The possibilities of this age are impressive.
die Möglichkeiten means the possibilities, and beeindruckend means impressive. Dieses Zeitalters is genitive because it shows whose possibilities they are; the genitive ending -s appears on the noun.
FrĂĽhere Zeitalter hatten andere Werte und Regeln.
Earlier ages had different values and rules.
frĂĽhere means earlier, hatten means had, and andere Werte und Regeln means different values and rules. Zeitalter has the same form in the singular and plural, so the word frĂĽhere and the plural verb hatten show that it is plural.
Das Internet hat ein neues Zeitalter eingeleitet.
The internet has ushered in a new era.
das Internet means the internet, neu means new, and eingeleitet means ushered in or introduced. Ein neues Zeitalter is accusative because einleiten takes a direct object; the participle eingeleitet goes to the end with hat.
Wir leben in einem Zeitalter ständiger Veränderungen.
We live in an age of constant change.
wir leben means we live, ständig means constant, and Veränderungen means changes. In einem Zeitalter is dative because in refers to a situation or period here; ständiger Veränderungen is a genitive phrase describing the age.
der Zeuge — witness ​
der Zeuge is a weak masculine noun, so it uses Zeugen in the accusative, dative, genitive, and plural. In legal language, a witness may aussagen, meaning give testimony; do not use Zeug for a person, because das Zeug means stuff or material.
Der Zeuge wartet vor dem Gericht.
The witness is waiting in front of the court.
wartet means is waiting, vor means in front of, and das Gericht means the court. Der Zeuge is nominative because it is the subject; vor dem Gericht is dative because vor describes a fixed location.
Die Polizei befragt den Zeugen.
The police are questioning the witness.
die Polizei means the police and befragen means question. den Zeugen is accusative because befragen takes a direct object, and Zeuge is a weak masculine noun that adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Die Anwältin stellt dem Zeugen eine Frage.
The lawyer asks the witness a question.
die Anwältin means the female lawyer and eine Frage means a question. dem Zeugen is dative because it is the person receiving the question, while eine Frage is accusative; the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Die Aussage des Zeugen ist sehr wichtig.
The witness’s statement is very important.
die Aussage means the statement and sehr wichtig means very important. des Zeugen is genitive and means “of the witness”; Zeuge is weak, so it uses -en, not -s, in this form.
Mehrere Zeugen bestätigen den Unfall.
Several witnesses confirm the accident.
mehrere means several, bestätigen means confirm, and der Unfall means the accident. Zeugen is the nominative plural subject, while den Unfall is accusative because it is the object of bestätigen.
die Zeugin — female witness ​
The feminine form is built from der Zeuge by adding -in. Unlike many feminine nouns, die Zeugin has the plural die Zeuginnen, with doubled n.
Die Zeugin wartet vor dem Gericht.
The witness is waiting outside the court.
vor dem Gericht means outside the court. Die Zeugin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Der Richter ruft die Zeugin.
The judge calls the witness.
Der Richter means the judge and ruft means calls. Die Zeugin is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the finite verb ruft stands in position two.
Der Anwalt stellt der Zeugin eine Frage.
The lawyer asks the witness a question.
Der Anwalt is the lawyer, stellt means asks here, and eine Frage is a question. Der Zeugin is dative because jemandem eine Frage stellen gives the person asked the dative; eine Frage is accusative.
Die Aussage der Zeugin ist sehr wichtig.
The witness’s statement is very important.
Die Aussage means the statement and sehr wichtig means very important. Der Zeugin is genitive because it identifies whose statement it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Zeuginnen sprechen mit der Polizei.
The witnesses are speaking with the police.
sprechen means speak and die Polizei means the police. Die Zeuginnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; mit always takes the dative in mit der Polizei.
der Zoll — customs; tariff, duty; inch ​
When der Zoll means customs duties, its plural is die Zölle. The customs authority can also be called der Zoll, while the unit of length has the unchanged plural Zoll, as in zwei Zoll.
Der Zoll kontrolliert die Koffer.
Customs is checking the suitcases.
kontrolliert means checks and die Koffer means the suitcases. Der Zoll is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kontrolliert is in position two.
Wir mĂĽssen am Flughafen den Zoll passieren.
We have to pass through customs at the airport.
der Flughafen means the airport, passieren means to pass through, and mĂĽssen means have to. Den Zoll is accusative because it is the direct object of passieren; the infinitive goes to the end after the modal verb.
Ich frage beim Zoll nach den GebĂĽhren.
I ask customs about the fees.
fragen means to ask and die GebĂĽhren means the fees. Beim Zoll means bei dem Zoll, so bei forces dative; nach also takes dative, and the separable verb nachfragen places frage in position two and nach at the end.
Die Entscheidung des Zolls dauert lange.
The customs decision is taking a long time.
die Entscheidung means the decision and dauert lange means takes a long time. Des Zolls is genitive because it identifies whose decision it is; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Die neuen Zölle verteuern die Waren.
The new tariffs make the goods more expensive.
neuen means new, verteuern means make more expensive, and die Waren means the goods. Zölle is the plural for tariffs and is nominative here because it is the subject; die Waren is accusative as the direct object.
Der Zoll am Flughafen öffnet meinen Koffer.
The customs officer at the airport opens my suitcase.
am Flughafen means at the airport, öffnet means opens, and meinen Koffer means my suitcase. Here der Zoll means the customs authority or officers and is nominative; meinen Koffer is accusative because it is the object.
Der Bildschirm ist fĂĽnf Zoll groĂź.
The screen is five inches in size.
der Bildschirm means the screen, fĂĽnf means five, and groĂź means large or in size. After a number, the measurement word is usually unchanged as Zoll; ist is in position two and groĂź stands at the end of the predicate.
Das Kabel ist drei Zoll lang.
The cable is three inches long.
das Kabel means the cable, drei means three, and lang means long. Drei Zoll is a measurement phrase with no plural ending; lang is a predicative adjective and therefore has no adjective ending.
die Zulassung — admission, approval, registration; approval, authorisation ​
The noun can mean admission to an institution, official approval, or the registration of a vehicle. The exact meaning usually comes from the phrase, such as die Zulassung zur Universität or die Zulassung eines Fahrzeugs.
Die Zulassung zur Universität kam heute mit der Post.
The admission to the university arrived in the post today.
die Universität is the university, and heute means today; mit der Post means by post. Die Zulassung is nominative because it is the subject, while zur Universität means zu der Universität and takes the dative; the finite verb kam is in position two.
Ich habe die Zulassung fĂĽr den Kurs bekommen.
I received approval for the course.
der Kurs is the course, and bekommen means to receive or get. Die Zulassung is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; in the perfect, habe is in position two and bekommen goes to the end.
Die Schule schickt der Zulassung noch einen Brief.
The school is sending the admission another letter.
die Schule is the school, schickt means sends, and einen Brief is a letter. This sentence is unusual in meaning: der Zulassung is dative because schicken can take a recipient, while einen Brief is the accusative thing sent; schickt stands in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Zulassung dauert mehrere Wochen.
The decision about the admission takes several weeks.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and mehrere Wochen means several weeks. Der Zulassung is genitive and depends on Entscheidung, showing which decision is meant; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Viele Zulassungen werden im September verschickt.
Many admissions are sent out in September.
viele means many, im September means in September, and verschickt means sent out. Zulassungen is the plural subject; werden ... verschickt forms the passive, with the participle at the end.
Die neue Medizin wartet noch auf ihre Zulassung.
The new medicine is still waiting for its approval.
die neue Medizin is the new medicine, noch means still, and warten auf means to wait for. Ihre Zulassung is accusative because auf takes the accusative with warten auf; the separable verb wartet ... auf places its prefix at the end.
Ohne Zulassung darf die Firma das Produkt nicht verkaufen.
Without approval, the company is not allowed to sell the product.
ohne means without, die Firma is the company, darf means is allowed to, and verkaufen means to sell. Ohne Zulassung takes the accusative after ohne, although the article is omitted; the modal verb darf is in position two and verkaufen goes to the end.
das Zusammenleben — living together, coexistence ​
This is a nominalised form of zusammenleben, to live together, and it is normally an abstract mass noun. It can describe private life together or peaceful coexistence in society.
Das Zusammenleben in einer groĂźen Familie ist nicht immer einfach.
Living together in a large family is not always easy.
eine groĂźe Familie means a large family, and nicht immer einfach means not always easy. Das Zusammenleben is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen genieĂźen das Zusammenleben mit anderen.
Many people enjoy living together with others.
viele Menschen means many people, genieĂźen means enjoy, and mit anderen means with others. Das Zusammenleben is accusative because genieĂźen takes an accusative object, while mit always takes the dative.
In einer Wohngemeinschaft hilft RĂĽcksicht beim Zusammenleben.
In a shared flat, consideration helps people live together.
eine Wohngemeinschaft is a shared flat, RĂĽcksicht is consideration, and hilft means helps. Beim Zusammenleben is dative because bei dem contracts to beim; the phrase gives the situation in which consideration helps.
Die Regeln des Zusammenlebens mĂĽssen fĂĽr alle gelten.
The rules for living together must apply to everyone.
die Regeln means the rules, fĂĽr alle means for everyone, and gelten means apply. Des Zusammenlebens is genitive because it identifies the rules as rules of living together, and the modal verb mĂĽssen sends gelten to the end.
Gutes Zusammenleben braucht Vertrauen und Geduld.
Good living together requires trust and patience.
gutes means good, Vertrauen means trust, and Geduld means patience. This example shows the singular form because das Zusammenleben is normally an uncountable abstract noun and has no ordinary plural.
zwingen — to force, to compel ​
The person being forced is accusative: jemanden zwingen. The action is commonly expressed with jemanden zu etwas zwingen or jemanden dazu zwingen, etwas zu tun; the perfect uses haben.
Er zwingt mich zu bleiben.
He forces me to stay.
mich means “me”, and zu bleiben means “to stay”. Mich is accusative because zwingen takes the person being forced as an accusative object; the finite verb zwingt stands in position two.
Sie hat ihn dazu gezwungen, zu unterschreiben.
She forced him to sign.
sie means “she”, ihn means “him”, dazu means “to do that”, and zu unterschreiben means “to sign”. Ihn is accusative as the person being forced; gezwungen goes to the end with hat, and zu unterschreiben goes to the end of its infinitive clause.
Der Chef zwang ihn zur Ăśberstundenarbeit.
The boss forced him to work overtime.
der Chef means “the boss”, ihn means “him”, and zur Überstundenarbeit means “to overtime work”. Ihn is accusative because he is the person being forced; zwang is the strong simple-past form and stands in position two.
Zwing mich nicht dazu!
Don’t force me to do it!
mich means “me”, nicht means “not”, and dazu means “to do it”. Zwing is the informal singular imperative; the accusative object mich follows it.
Ich wĂĽrde niemanden dazu zwingen, mitzukommen.
I would not force anyone to come along.
niemanden means “no one”, and mitzukommen means “to come along”. Niemanden is accusative because it is the person being forced; zwingen follows würde as the infinitive and stands at the end of the clause.
Niemand wird dich dazu zwingen, sofort zu gehen.
No one will force you to leave immediately.
niemand means “no one”, dich means “you”, and sofort zu gehen means “to leave immediately”. Dich is accusative because it is the person being forced; wird is in position two, while zwingen goes to the end with the infinitive clause.
die Öffentlichkeit — the public, public sphere, publicity ​
Ă–ffentlichkeit usually means the public as a whole or public life, not simply a physical place. The fixed phrase in der Ă–ffentlichkeit means in public and uses the dative after in for a location.
Die Ă–ffentlichkeit kennt den Fall noch nicht.
The public does not yet know about the case.
kennen means know or be familiar with, and der Fall means the case. Die Ă–ffentlichkeit is nominative because it is the subject, while den Fall is accusative as the object of kennt.
Die Regierung informiert die Ă–ffentlichkeit.
The government is informing the public.
die Regierung means the government, and informieren means inform. Die Ă–ffentlichkeit is accusative because it is the direct object; the finite verb informiert stands in position two.
Das Thema ist der Ă–ffentlichkeit wichtig.
The topic is important to the public.
das Thema means the topic, and wichtig means important. Der Ă–ffentlichkeit is dative because wichtig sein expresses importance to someone; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Reaktion der Ă–ffentlichkeit war stark.
The public's reaction was strong.
die Reaktion means the reaction, and stark means strong. Der Ă–ffentlichkeit is genitive because it shows whose reaction is meant; war is the finite verb in position two.
In verschiedenen Ă–ffentlichkeiten gelten unterschiedliche Regeln.
Different rules apply in different public spheres.
verschieden means different, gelten means apply, and unterschiedliche Regeln means different rules. In verschiedenen Ă–ffentlichkeiten is plural dative because in describes locations or social spheres here; the plural noun ends in -en.
der Überfall — robbery, attack ​
Ăśberfall can mean a criminal robbery or a sudden physical attack; the context tells you which meaning is intended. Do not confuse it with der Unfall, which means accident and does not involve an attacker.
Der Ăśberfall passiert am frĂĽhen Morgen.
The robbery happens early in the morning.
passiert means happens, and am frĂĽhen Morgen means early in the morning. Der Ăśberfall is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb passiert is in position two.
Die Polizei untersucht den Ăśberfall.
The police investigate the robbery.
die Polizei is the police, and untersucht means investigates. Den Ăśberfall is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb untersucht stands in position two.
Nach dem Ăśberfall rief der Ladenbesitzer die Polizei.
After the robbery, the shop owner called the police.
nach dem Ăśberfall means after the robbery, der Ladenbesitzer is the shop owner, and rief ... an means called. Dem Ăśberfall is dative because nach requires dative; rief is in position two and the separable an goes to the end.
Die Folgen des Ăśberfalls waren schwer.
The consequences of the robbery were serious.
die Folgen are the consequences, and schwer means serious or severe. Des Ăśberfalls is genitive and shows which robbery caused the consequences; the plural verb waren agrees with die Folgen.
In dieser Stadt gab es mehrere Überfälle.
There were several robberies in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and mehrere means several. Überfälle is plural after es gab, whose object is accusative; the plural has -e and an umlaut.
öffentlich — public, open to the public ​
öffentlich usually means open to everyone or connected with public life, while privat means private. In compounds such as öffentliche Verkehrsmittel, it can mean public rather than privately owned.
Die Sitzung ist öffentlich.
The meeting is open to the public.
die Sitzung means the meeting, and öffentlich means open to the public. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Morgen findet eine öffentliche Sitzung statt.
A public meeting is taking place tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, eine Sitzung means a meeting, and stattfinden means to take place. eine öffentliche Sitzung is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb findet ... statt puts its prefix at the end of the main clause.
Die zweite Sitzung ist öffentlicher als die erste.
The second meeting is more open to the public than the first one.
die zweite Sitzung means the second meeting, and die erste means the first one. öffentlicher is a comparative used predicatively after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Die Sitzung im Rathaus ist am öffentlichsten.
The meeting in the town hall is the most open to the public.
das Rathaus means the town hall, and die Sitzung means the meeting. The superlative is predicative and therefore uses am öffentlichsten; im Rathaus is a dative location phrase, short for in dem Rathaus.
Der Zugang zum Park ist öffentlich.
Access to the park is public.
der Zugang means access, and der Park means the park. zum Park is short for zu dem Park and is dative because zu always takes the dative; öffentlich follows ist predicatively and has no ending.
überfallen — to attack, to rob; to overcome suddenly ​
In this sense, überfallen is usually sudden and involves an attack or robbery. It is inseparable, so forms such as überfällt and überfiel remain one word.
Zwei Männer überfallen eine Bank.
Two men rob a bank.
zwei Männer means two men, and eine Bank is a bank. The bank is accusative because überfallen takes an accusative object; the inseparable verb stays together in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Täter überfallen.
The police attacked the offender.
die Polizei means the police, and der Täter is the offender. The perfect uses haben, and den Täter is accusative as the person affected by the action; the Partizip II goes to the end.
Ein Fremder ĂĽberfiel den Mann im Park.
A stranger attacked the man in the park.
ein Fremder means a stranger, der Mann is the man, and im Park means in the park. den Mann is accusative after ĂĽberfallen, and the strong past form ĂĽberfiel stays in position two.
Ăśberfall ihn nicht!
Do not attack him!
ihn means him, and nicht means not. ihn is accusative because it is the object of ĂĽberfallen; the imperative omits du and the inseparable prefix remains attached.
Ich wĂĽrde den Mann niemals ĂĽberfallen.
I would never attack the man.
niemals means never, and der Mann is the man. den Mann is accusative after ĂĽberfallen; after wĂĽrde, the whole infinitive stays at the end.
Die Täter werden heute Nacht eine Tankstelle überfallen.
The criminals will rob a petrol station tonight.
die Täter means the criminals, heute Nacht means tonight, and die Tankstelle is the petrol station. The object is accusative; future werden is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Plötzlich überfällt mich große Angst.
Suddenly, great fear overwhelms me.
plötzlich means suddenly, and große Angst is great fear. mich is accusative because the feeling affects this person; the verb stays together in position two, even though the sentence starts with an adverb.
Nach der langen Reise hat ihn die MĂĽdigkeit ĂĽberfallen.
After the long journey, tiredness suddenly overcame him.
nach der langen Reise means after the long journey, and die MĂĽdigkeit is tiredness. nach takes the dative, while ihn is accusative as the person affected; the perfect uses hat and ends with ĂĽberfallen.