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Vocab: Society, politics & law — B2 (1)
Society, politics & law vocabulary at B2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Abkommen — agreement, treaty
das Abkommen is more formal than die Vereinbarung and is especially common for agreements between states or official organisations.
Das Abkommen gilt ab morgen.
The agreement is valid from tomorrow.
gilt means is valid or applies, and ab morgen means from tomorrow. Das Abkommen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gilt is in position two.
Die beiden Länder unterzeichnen das Abkommen heute.
The two countries are signing the agreement today.
die beiden Länder means the two countries, unterzeichnen means sign, and heute means today. das Abkommen is accusative because unterzeichnen takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Nach dem Abkommen dürfen beide Länder mehr Handel treiben.
Under the agreement, both countries may conduct more trade.
nach means according to or after, beide Länder means both countries, and Handel treiben means conduct trade. nach takes the dative, so dem Abkommen is dative; dürfen is in position two and treiben goes to the end.
Die Einhaltung des Abkommens wird regelmäßig überprüft.
Compliance with the agreement is checked regularly.
die Einhaltung means compliance, regelmäßig means regularly, and überprüft means checked. des Abkommens is genitive because it specifies which agreement is being followed; wird überprüft is a passive construction.
Mehrere Abkommen wurden gestern verlängert.
Several agreements were extended yesterday.
mehrere means several, gestern means yesterday, and verlängert means extended. Abkommen is plural, shown by mehrere; the passive uses wurden ... verlängert, with the participle at the end.
die Abmahnung — formal warning; official reprimand; legal warning; cease-and-desist warning
This is stronger and more formal than Warnung. In employment and copyright law, an Abmahnung can be a written step before further legal or professional consequences.
Die Abmahnung liegt bereits auf dem Schreibtisch.
The formal warning is already on the desk.
liegt bereits means is already lying, and der Schreibtisch is the desk. Die Abmahnung is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Schreibtisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location, and liegt is in position two.
Der Arbeitgeber schickt die Abmahnung per Post.
The employer sends the formal warning by post.
der Arbeitgeber is the employer, schickt means sends, and per Post means by post. Die Abmahnung is accusative because it is the object of schickt; the finite verb stands in position two.
Er widerspricht der Abmahnung.
He objects to the formal warning.
widersprechen means to object to or contradict. Der Abmahnung is dative because widersprechen always takes a dative object; widerspricht is the finite verb in position two.
Der Inhalt der Abmahnung ist rechtlich wichtig.
The content of the formal warning is legally important.
der Inhalt is the content, and rechtlich wichtig means legally important. Der Abmahnung is genitive after der Inhalt to show whose content; ist is in position two and wichtig is predicative.
Mehrere Abmahnungen können zu einer Kündigung führen.
Several formal warnings can lead to dismissal.
mehrere means several, führen zu means lead to, and eine Kündigung is a dismissal or termination of employment. Mehrere Abmahnungen is plural nominative as the subject; können is in position two and führen goes to the end of the modal-verb clause.
Die Firma erhielt eine Abmahnung wegen ihrer Werbung.
The company received a legal warning because of its advertising.
die Firma is the company, erhielt means received, wegen means because of, and die Werbung is the advertising. Eine Abmahnung is accusative after erhielt, while wegen ihrer Werbung uses genitive in formal standard German; the past-tense verb erhielt is in position two.
Der Anwalt fordert die Unterlassung nach der Abmahnung.
The lawyer demands that the conduct stop after the formal warning.
der Anwalt is the lawyer, fordert means demands, and die Unterlassung means stopping the conduct. Die Unterlassung is accusative after fordert, while nach der Abmahnung is dative because nach takes the dative; fordert is in position two.
die Alliierte — female ally
This is the feminine noun made from the adjective alliiert. The adjective ending changes with case, so learners must use die Alliierte in the nominative and accusative but der Alliierten in the dative and genitive.
Die Alliierte sprach mehrere Sprachen.
The female ally spoke several languages.
mehrere Sprachen means several languages. Die Alliierte is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb sprach stands in position two; sprach is the past form of sprechen.
Ich traf die Alliierte am Bahnhof.
I met the female ally at the station.
traf means met, and der Bahnhof means the railway station. die Alliierte is accusative because treffen takes a direct object, while the finite verb traf is in position two.
Ich sprach mit der Alliierten über den Vertrag.
I spoke with the female ally about the treaty.
sprach means spoke, der Vertrag means treaty, and über means about here. mit always takes the dative, so der Alliierten is dative; the finite verb sprach stands in position two.
Die Uniform der Alliierten war dunkelblau.
The female ally's uniform was dark blue.
die Uniform means uniform and dunkelblau means dark blue. der Alliierten is genitive because it shows whose uniform it was, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Alliierten trafen sich nach der Konferenz.
The Allied women met after the conference.
trafen sich means met each other, and die Konferenz means conference. Die Alliierten is the plural subject, and the finite verb trafen stands in position two; sich treffen is reflexive when people meet one another.
amtlich — official, formal
Amtlich describes something issued, confirmed or required by an authority. It is different from offiziell, which is often broader and can also describe a generally recognised status.
Die Information ist amtlich.
The information is official.
die Information means the information. Amtlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir warten auf eine amtliche Antwort.
We are waiting for an official answer.
warten auf means to wait for, and die Antwort means the answer. Amtliche has an adjective ending because it comes before the feminine accusative noun Antwort; auf takes the accusative with this meaning.
Der Bescheid ist amtlicher als die E-Mail.
The official notice is more official than the email.
der Bescheid means the official notice, and die E-Mail means the email. Amtlicher is the comparative and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Das ist die am amtlichsten formulierte Version.
That is the most officially worded version.
formuliert means worded, and die Version means the version. The superlative am amtlichsten modifies the participle formulierte in a longer adjective phrase; do not replace am with der in the predicative form.
das Amtsdeutsch — bureaucratic German
Amtsdeutsch is a mass noun and normally has no plural. It often suggests that official language is unnecessarily complicated or impersonal.
Das Amtsdeutsch in dem Brief ist schwer verständlich.
The bureaucratic German in the letter is difficult to understand.
der Brief means the letter, and schwer verständlich means difficult to understand. Das Amtsdeutsch is nominative as the subject and has no plural because it is a mass noun; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich verstehe das Amtsdeutsch nicht.
I do not understand the bureaucratic German.
verstehen means to understand, and nicht means not. Das Amtsdeutsch is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the finite verb verstehe is in position two.
Mit dem Amtsdeutsch haben viele Probleme.
Many people have problems with bureaucratic German.
viele means many people, and Probleme haben means to have problems. Dem Amtsdeutsch is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb haben stands in position two.
Die Wirkung des Amtsdeutsch ist oft unfreundlich.
The effect of bureaucratic German is often unfriendly.
die Wirkung means the effect, and unfreundlich means unfriendly. Des Amtsdeutsch is genitive because it identifies the type of effect; the finite verb ist is in position two.
die Amtssprache — official language
An Amtssprache has official legal or administrative status. A country can have several Amtssprachen, and this does not necessarily mean that all residents speak each one.
Die Amtssprache des Landes ist Deutsch.
The country’s official language is German.
das Land means the country, and Deutsch means German. Die Amtssprache is nominative as the subject; des Landes is genitive to show which country, and ist stands in position two.
Die Regierung bestimmt die Amtssprache.
The government determines the official language.
die Regierung means the government, and bestimmt means determines. Die Amtssprache is accusative because bestimmen takes a direct object; the finite verb bestimmt is in position two.
Die Behörden arbeiten in der Amtssprache.
The authorities work in the official language.
die Behörden means the authorities, and arbeiten means work. Der Amtssprache is dative because in expresses the language used here, not movement; the finite verb arbeiten stands in position two.
Die Regeln der Amtssprache sind kompliziert.
The rules of the official language are complicated.
die Regeln means the rules, and kompliziert means complicated. Der Amtssprache is genitive because it identifies whose rules they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
In der Schweiz gibt es vier Amtssprachen.
There are four official languages in Switzerland.
die Schweiz means Switzerland, and vier means four. Amtssprachen is accusative after es gibt, while in der Schweiz is dative because it expresses location; the verb gibt is in position two.
der Angeklagte — defendant, accused man
This is an adjectival noun: der Angeklagte means the accused man and is declined like a weak masculine adjective. In legal contexts, it is more precise than the general word der Verdächtige, a suspect.
Der Angeklagte wartet vor Gericht.
The defendant is waiting in court.
vor Gericht means in court. Der Angeklagte is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Die Richterin befragt den Angeklagten.
The judge questions the defendant.
die Richterin means the female judge and befragen means to question. den Angeklagten is accusative because befragen takes a direct object; this weak noun adds -en outside the nominative.
Der Anwalt hilft dem Angeklagten.
The lawyer helps the defendant.
der Anwalt is the lawyer and helfen means to help. dem Angeklagten is dative because helfen governs the dative, and the noun keeps its -en ending.
Die Aussage des Angeklagten ist wichtig.
The defendant’s statement is important.
die Aussage means the statement and wichtig means important. des Angeklagten is genitive because it identifies whose statement it is; the masculine article is des and the weak noun ends in -en.
Die Angeklagten warten auf das Urteil.
The defendants are waiting for the verdict.
warten auf means to wait for, and das Urteil is the verdict. Die Angeklagten is plural and therefore has the ending -en; auf das Urteil is accusative because this fixed expression means waiting for something.
die Angeklagte — defendant, accused woman
This is an adjectival noun: die Angeklagte means the accused woman and is declined like an adjective used as a noun. In legal language, it refers specifically to a woman formally accused in court.
Die Angeklagte wartet vor Gericht.
The defendant is waiting in court.
vor Gericht means in court. Die Angeklagte is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Die Richterin befragt die Angeklagte.
The judge questions the defendant.
die Richterin means the female judge and befragen means to question. die Angeklagte is accusative because befragen takes a direct object; in the feminine singular, nominative and accusative have the same form.
Der Anwalt hilft der Angeklagten.
The lawyer helps the defendant.
der Anwalt is the lawyer and helfen means to help. der Angeklagten is dative because helfen governs the dative; the noun has -en after the dative article der.
Die Aussage der Angeklagten ist wichtig.
The defendant’s statement is important.
die Aussage means the statement and wichtig means important. der Angeklagten is genitive because it shows whose statement it is; its form is the same as the feminine dative singular.
Die Angeklagten warten auf das Urteil.
The defendants are waiting for the verdict.
warten auf means to wait for, and das Urteil is the verdict. Die Angeklagten is plural; auf das Urteil is accusative because this expression means waiting for something.
anklagen — to accuse, to charge
Anklagen is mainly a legal verb and takes an accusative person: jemanden anklagen. The offence is commonly introduced by wegen plus genitive.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft klagt den Mann wegen Betrugs an.
The public prosecutor's office charges the man with fraud.
die Staatsanwaltschaft is the public prosecutor’s office, der Mann is the man, and der Betrug means fraud. Den Mann is accusative because anklagen takes the accused person as its object; wegen Betrugs is genitive after wegen, and an is at the end.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft hat den Verdächtigen wegen Diebstahls angeklagt.
The public prosecutor's office charged the suspect with theft.
der Verdächtige is the suspect and der Diebstahl is theft. Den Verdächtigen is accusative, while wegen Diebstahls is genitive after wegen; hat angeklagt forms the perfect.
Das Gericht klagte ihn wegen Mordes an.
The court charged him with murder.
das Gericht is the court, ihn means him, and der Mord is murder. Ihn is accusative as the person accused, wegen Mordes is genitive after wegen, and an is separated.
Klag ihn nicht ohne Beweise an!
Do not accuse him without evidence!
ihn means him, ohne means without, and der Beweis is evidence or proof. Ihn is accusative because he is the person accused; the negative imperative uses nicht, and an stands at the end.
Wenn man ihn anklagen könnte, klagte man ihn wegen Betrugs an.
If one could charge him, one would charge him with fraud.
man means one or people in general, könnte means could, and der Betrug means fraud. The wenn clause puts könnte at the end; the main clause has klagte in position two, ihn in the accusative, and an at the end.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft wird den Angeklagten wegen Betrugs anklagen.
The public prosecutor's office will charge the defendant with fraud.
der Angeklagte is the defendant and der Betrug means fraud. Den Angeklagten is accusative, wegen Betrugs is genitive after wegen, and the infinitive anklagen stays together at the end.
der Antragsteller — applicant, person submitting a request
Antragsteller is a compound noun made from Antrag and Steller, literally someone who puts forward an application. Unlike weak masculine nouns such as der Junge, it does not add -n in the other cases.
Der Antragsteller wartet auf eine Antwort.
The applicant is waiting for a reply.
wartet means is waiting, and eine Antwort means a reply. Der Antragsteller is nominative because it is the subject; auf eine Antwort is accusative because warten auf takes auf plus the accusative.
Die Behörde prüft den Antragsteller sorgfältig.
The authority examines the applicant carefully.
die Behörde means the authority, and sorgfältig means carefully. Den Antragsteller is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the finite verb prüft stands in position two.
Die Sachbearbeiterin erklärt dem Antragsteller das Verfahren.
The case officer explains the procedure to the applicant.
die Sachbearbeiterin means the female case officer, and das Verfahren means the procedure. Dem Antragsteller is dative because it is the recipient of erklären, while das Verfahren is the accusative thing being explained.
Die Angaben des Antragstellers fehlen noch.
The applicant’s details are still missing.
die Angaben means the details or information, and fehlen noch means are still missing. Des Antragstellers is genitive because it shows whose details they are; the finite verb fehlen is in position two.
Die Antragsteller erhalten innerhalb eines Monats Bescheid.
The applicants receive a decision within one month.
erhalten means receive, innerhalb means within, and Bescheid means an official decision or notification. Die Antragsteller is plural nominative as the subject; eines Monats is genitive because innerhalb normally governs the genitive.
Der Antragsteller muss das Formular unterschreiben.
The applicant must sign the form.
muss means must, das Formular means the form, and unterschreiben means sign. Der Antragsteller is nominative, while das Formular is accusative; the modal verb sends unterschreiben to the end.
Die Entscheidung wurde dem Antragsteller schriftlich mitgeteilt.
The decision was communicated to the applicant in writing.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and schriftlich mitgeteilt means communicated in writing. Dem Antragsteller is dative because he is the recipient of mitteilen; in the passive, wurde is in position two and mitgeteilt goes to the end.
die Ausnahmegenehmigung — special permit, exemption permit
This formal compound is used for official permission, often from an authority. It is not usually used for an ordinary personal favour; Genehmigung means official approval or permit.
Die Ausnahmegenehmigung liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
The special permit is on the desk.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Schreibtisch means on the desk, and Schreibtisch means desk. Die Ausnahmegenehmigung is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative here because the permit is located in one place.
Wir beantragen die Ausnahmegenehmigung heute.
We are applying for the special permit today.
beantragen means apply for officially and heute means today. Die Ausnahmegenehmigung is accusative because beantragen takes an accusative object; the finite verb beantragen stands in position two.
Der Anwalt hilft uns bei der Ausnahmegenehmigung.
The lawyer helps us with the special permit.
der Anwalt means the lawyer, hilft means helps, and uns means us. Bei forces the dative, so the feminine noun has der; helfen also takes a dative person, uns.
Die Bedingungen der Ausnahmegenehmigung sind streng.
The conditions of the special permit are strict.
die Bedingungen means the conditions and streng means strict. Der Ausnahmegenehmigung is genitive, meaning “of the special permit”; the plural subject Bedingungen makes sind the finite verb in position two.
Mehrere Ausnahmegenehmigungen wurden verlängert.
Several special permits were extended.
mehrere means several and verlängert means extended. Ausnahmegenehmigungen is plural and nominative as the subject of the passive; wurden ... verlängert places the participle at the end.
der Beauftragte — commissioned representative, delegate
This is a masculine adjectival noun: its endings are like a weak adjective, so forms such as den Beauftragten and des Beauftragten are required. It can mean an official representative or a person responsible for a particular area.
Der Beauftragte spricht heute mit den Bürgern.
The representative is speaking with the citizens today.
spricht means is speaking, and die Bürger means the citizens. Der Beauftragte is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Wir informieren den Beauftragten über die Änderung.
We are informing the representative about the change.
informieren means to inform, and die Änderung means the change. Den Beauftragten is accusative because informieren takes a direct object; the masculine adjectival noun has the ending -en.
Wir geben dem Beauftragten die Unterlagen.
We give the representative the documents.
geben means to give, and die Unterlagen means the documents. Dem Beauftragten is dative because it is the recipient, while die Unterlagen is the accusative thing given.
Das Büro des Beauftragten liegt im Rathaus.
The representative's office is in the town hall.
das Büro means the office, and das Rathaus means the town hall. Des Beauftragten is genitive because it shows whose office it is; this masculine adjectival noun takes -en after des.
Die Beauftragten treffen sich am Montag.
The representatives are meeting on Monday.
treffen sich means meet each other, and am Montag means on Monday. Die Beauftragten is the plural subject, and adjectival nouns use the plural ending -en.
die Beauftragte — commissioned female representative, delegate
This is a feminine adjectival noun: it names a woman who has been officially appointed or authorised. In the plural, it becomes die Beauftragten, just like the masculine form.
Die Beauftragte spricht heute mit den Bürgern.
The representative is speaking with the citizens today.
spricht means is speaking, and die Bürger means the citizens. Die Beauftragte is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Wir informieren die Beauftragte über die Änderung.
We are informing the representative about the change.
informieren means to inform, and die Änderung means the change. Die Beauftragte is accusative because informieren takes a direct object; the feminine form does not change in the accusative.
Wir geben der Beauftragten die Unterlagen.
We give the representative the documents.
geben means to give, and die Unterlagen means the documents. Der Beauftragten is dative because it is the recipient, while die Unterlagen is the accusative thing given.
Das Büro der Beauftragten liegt im Rathaus.
The representative's office is in the town hall.
das Büro means the office, and das Rathaus means the town hall. Der Beauftragten is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Beauftragten treffen sich am Montag.
The representatives are meeting on Monday.
treffen sich means meet each other, and am Montag means on Monday. Die Beauftragten is the plural subject, and adjectival nouns use the plural ending -en.
begehen — to commit, to perpetrate; to celebrate, to observe
begehen is formal and is often used with ein Verbrechen or einen Fehler. It takes haben in the perfect: begehen – beging – hat begangen.
Der Mann begeht einen schweren Fehler.
The man is making a serious mistake.
der Mann means the man, and schwer means serious; ein Fehler is a mistake. einen Fehler is accusative because begehen takes a direct object, and begeht stands in position two.
Der Mann hat einen schweren Fehler begangen.
The man has made a serious mistake.
hat ... begangen means has committed or made, and schwer means serious. einen Fehler is accusative, while hat is in position two and begangen goes to the end.
Der Mann beging einen schweren Fehler.
The man made a serious mistake.
beging means committed or made, and schwer means serious. einen Fehler is accusative because it is the object of beging; this simple-past form is especially common in writing.
Begeh keinen solchen Fehler!
Do not make such a mistake!
keinen solchen Fehler means no such mistake, and solch means such. Begeh is the singular imperative, and keinen Fehler is accusative; in everyday German, Mach keinen solchen Fehler is more common.
Er würde keinen solchen Fehler begehen.
He would not make such a mistake.
würde ... begehen means would commit or make, and keinen solchen Fehler means no such mistake. The infinitive begehen goes to the end after würde, while the object is accusative.
Er wird keinen solchen Fehler begehen.
He will not make such a mistake.
wird ... begehen means will commit or make, and keinen solchen Fehler means no such mistake. wird stands in position two and begehen goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Die Stadt begeht ihr hundertjähriges Jubiläum.
The city is celebrating its hundredth anniversary.
die Stadt means the city, and hundertjährig means hundred-year or centenary; ihr Jubiläum is its anniversary. ihr Jubiläum is accusative because begehen takes a direct object, and begeht is in position two.
Wir haben den Feiertag gemeinsam begangen.
We celebrated the public holiday together.
den Feiertag means the public holiday, and gemeinsam means together. den Feiertag is accusative, haben is in position two, and begangen goes at the end as the Partizip II.
beglaubigen — to certify, to authenticate
Beglaubigen is a regular weak verb and takes an accusative object: eine Kopie beglaubigen. It is mainly used for official documents, signatures and copies.
Das Amt beglaubigt die Kopie.
The authority certifies the copy.
das Amt is the public authority and die Kopie is the copy. Die Kopie is accusative because beglaubigen takes a direct object, while beglaubigt stands in position two.
Der Notar hat die Unterschrift beglaubigt.
The notary authenticated the signature.
der Notar is the notary and die Unterschrift is the signature. The perfect uses hat plus beglaubigt at the end; die Unterschrift is accusative as the object.
Das Gericht beglaubigte das Dokument.
The court certified the document.
das Gericht means the court and das Dokument means the document. Beglaubigte is the regular Präteritum form in position two, and das Dokument is accusative.
Beglaubige bitte diese Unterschrift.
Please authenticate this signature.
bitte means please and diese Unterschrift means this signature. The imperative beglaubige comes first, and the object is accusative because it is what is being authenticated.
Ich würde die Kopie gern beglaubigen.
I would be happy to certify the copy.
gern means gladly or would be happy to, and die Kopie is the copy. The polite Konjunktiv II uses würde in position two and puts beglaubigen at the end; the copy is accusative.
Die Behörde wird den Vertrag morgen beglaubigen.
The authority will certify the contract tomorrow.
die Behörde is the authority, der Vertrag is the contract, and morgen means tomorrow. Futur I places wird in position two and the infinitive beglaubigen at the end; den Vertrag is accusative.
die Beglaubigung — certification, authentication
Die Beglaubigung is the noun for the official act or document of beglaubigen. Its plural is die Beglaubigungen; it is common in official and legal contexts.
Die Beglaubigung ist noch gültig.
The certification is still valid.
noch means still and gültig means valid. Die Beglaubigung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Beglaubigung.
I need the certification.
brauchen means to need. Die Beglaubigung is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; its form is identical to the nominative feminine form.
Mit der Beglaubigung kann sie den Antrag einreichen.
With the certification, she can submit the application.
mit means with, den Antrag is the application, and einreichen means submit. Mit always takes the dative, so der Beglaubigung is dative; the modal kann is in position two and einreichen goes to the end.
Die Echtheit der Beglaubigung wurde geprüft.
The authenticity of the certification was checked.
die Echtheit means authenticity and geprüft means checked. Der Beglaubigung is genitive because it identifies whose authenticity is meant; the passive auxiliary wurde is in position two and geprüft is at the end.
Die Beglaubigungen liegen im Büro.
The certifications are in the office.
liegen means are lying or are located, and im Büro means in the office. Die Beglaubigungen is plural and nominative as the subject; the plural ending -en is part of the noun form.
berechtigen — to entitle, to authorise; to authorise, to permit
berechtigen normally takes the person or group being given a right in the accusative and often uses zu with the activity or right. Do not confuse it with berechtigt sein, which describes someone as entitled or justified rather than giving that right.
Diese Karte berechtigt Sie zum Eintritt.
This card entitles you to admission.
Diese Karte means this card, Sie means you in the formal form, and der Eintritt means admission. Sie is accusative because it is the person being entitled, while zum Eintritt means to admission and zu takes the dative; the finite verb berechtigt stands in position two.
Der Ausweis hat ihn zum Betreten des Gebäudes berechtigt.
The ID card entitled him to enter the building.
der Ausweis is an ID card, ihn means him, and das Betreten des Gebäudes means entering the building. Ihn is accusative because it is the person entitled, zum Betreten is dative after zu, and the Partizip II berechtigt stands at the end with hat.
Die Genehmigung berechtigte uns zur Nutzung des Raums.
The permit authorised us to use the room.
Die Genehmigung is the permit, uns means us, and die Nutzung des Raums means the use of the room. Uns is accusative because it is the group receiving the authorisation, while zur Nutzung is dative after zu; the weak-verb form berechtigte is in position two.
Berechtige bitte nur die angemeldeten Personen zum Zugang.
Please authorise only the registered people to access it.
bitte means please, nur means only, angemeldet means registered, and der Zugang means access. The imperative berechtige has no subject; die angemeldeten Personen is accusative, and zum Zugang is dative after zu.
Wenn die Karte gültig wäre, berechtigte sie dich zum Eintritt.
If the card were valid, it would entitle you to admission.
gültig means valid, dich means you, and der Eintritt means admission. In the wenn clause the finite verb comes last, while berechtigte is the Konjunktiv II form in the main clause; dich is accusative and zum Eintritt is dative after zu.
Die neue Regelung wird Kunden zur kostenlosen Rückgabe berechtigen.
The new regulation will entitle customers to return items free of charge.
die Regelung is the regulation, Kunden means customers, kostenlos means free of charge, and die Rückgabe means return. Wird is the finite verb in position two, berechtigen goes to the end in the future construction, and Kunden is accusative while zur Rückgabe is dative after zu.
Der Gutschein berechtigt dich zum Kauf eines Getränks.
The voucher entitles you to buy a drink.
Der Gutschein is the voucher, dich means you, der Kauf is the purchase, and das Getränk is the drink. Dich is accusative after berechtigen, while zum Kauf is dative after zu; the finite verb berechtigt is in position two.
Nur der Direktor berechtigte sie zur Freigabe der Daten.
Only the director authorised her to release the data.
Nur means only, der Direktor is the director, die Freigabe is the release, and die Daten are the data. Sie is accusative as the person authorised, while zur Freigabe is dative after zu; the finite verb berechtigte stands in position two.
berechtigt — justified, legitimate, reasonable; entitled, authorised
In berechtigte Kritik, the adjective means justified or reasonable. With zu and an infinitive, as in berechtigt sein, etwas zu tun, it can instead mean entitled or authorised to do something.
Deine Sorge ist berechtigt.
Your concern is justified.
Deine Sorge means your concern, and Sorge can mean worry or concern. Berechtigt is a predicate adjective after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the adjective describes the subject deine Sorge.
Das ist eine berechtigte Frage.
That is a justified question.
eine Frage means a question, and das means that. Berechtigte stands before the feminine noun Frage and takes -e after the indefinite article; the phrase is the nominative subject complement after ist.
Seine Kritik ist berechtigter als meine.
His criticism is more justified than mine.
Seine Kritik means his criticism, and meine means mine, with Kritik understood. Berechtigter is a predicate comparative after ist and is followed by als for the comparison; it has no ending here.
Das ist der berechtigtste Einwand im Bericht.
That is the most justified objection in the report.
der Einwand is the objection and der Bericht is the report. Berechtigtste comes before the masculine noun with the definite article and takes -e; im Bericht means in the report, with in expressing location and therefore taking the dative.
Sein Ärger ist berechtigt.
His anger is justified.
Sein Ärger means his anger. Berechtigt follows ist as a predicate adjective and does not take an ending; it describes the nominative subject sein Ärger.
Die Kundin hat einen berechtigten Einwand.
The customer has a justified objection.
Die Kundin is the female customer, einen Einwand is an objection, and haben means to have. Einen berechtigten Einwand is the accusative object of hat, so the masculine adjective takes -en after einen.
Sie sind berechtigt, den Vertrag zu kündigen.
You are entitled to terminate the contract.
Sie is the formal you, der Vertrag is the contract, and kündigen means to terminate or cancel. Berechtigt is a predicate adjective after sind, and the action follows as zu kündigen; the object den Vertrag is accusative after kündigen.
Nur Mitglieder sind zum Eintritt berechtigt.
Only members are entitled to admission.
Nur Mitglieder means only members, and der Eintritt means admission or entry. Berechtigt follows sind as a predicate adjective; zum Eintritt is a dative phrase after zu, and nur Mitglieder is the nominative subject.
die Berechtigung — permission, authorisation, entitlement; access right, authorisation
Berechtigung is common in official and computer contexts. It means a formal permission or access right, not simply a personal wish to do something.
Die Berechtigung ist noch gültig.
The authorisation is still valid.
noch means still and gültig means valid. Die Berechtigung is the nominative subject; the adjective gültig follows ist as a predicate, and the sentence uses sein rather than an action verb.
Ich brauche die Berechtigung des Leiters.
I need the manager’s authorisation.
Ich brauche means I need, der Leiter is the manager, and des Leiters means of the manager. Die Berechtigung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; des Leiters is genitive to show whose authorisation it is.
Mit der Berechtigung kann sie das System öffnen.
With the authorisation, she can open the system.
mit means with, sie means she, and das System öffnen means open the system. Der Berechtigung is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and öffnen goes to the end with the modal verb.
Die Dauer der Berechtigung ist begrenzt.
The duration of the authorisation is limited.
Die Dauer means the duration and begrenzt means limited. Der Berechtigung is genitive after die Dauer to show what duration is meant; the whole phrase Die Dauer der Berechtigung is the nominative subject.
Die Berechtigungen werden regelmäßig kontrolliert.
The authorisations are checked regularly.
regelmäßig means regularly and kontrolliert means checked. Berechtigungen is the plural subject, and werden kontrolliert is the passive; the Partizip II kontrolliert stands at the end.
Ohne Berechtigung darf niemand die Datei lesen.
Without authorisation, nobody may read the file.
Ohne means without, niemand means nobody, and die Datei lesen means read the file. Berechtigung is dative after ohne only if the phrase is actually mit Berechtigung; here ohne takes the accusative, but the article is omitted in this general, uncounted use, while die Datei is accusative after lesen.
Der Administrator erteilt ihr Berechtigung für das Programm.
The administrator gives her permission for the program.
Der Administrator is the system administrator, erteilen means grant, and das Programm is the program. Ihr is dative for the recipient, while the uncounted Berechtigung is the permission being granted; für das Programm is accusative after für.
die Berufsgruppe — occupational group, professional group
Berufsgruppe groups people by their occupation, such as teachers or engineers. With zu it takes the dative, as in zu einer Berufsgruppe gehören; with für, however, it takes the accusative.
Die Berufsgruppe der Pflegekräfte braucht mehr Unterstützung.
The occupational group of nursing staff needs more support.
Pflegekräfte means nursing staff, and Unterstützung means support. Berufsgruppe is nominative because it is the subject; der Pflegekräfte is genitive and identifies the group, while braucht is in position two.
Die Regierung unterstützt die Berufsgruppe finanziell.
The government supports the occupational group financially.
die Regierung means the government, unterstützt means supports, and finanziell means financially. die Berufsgruppe is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the finite verb unterstützt is in position two.
Für diese Berufsgruppe gelten besondere Regeln.
Special rules apply to this occupational group.
für diese means for this, gelten means apply, and besondere Regeln means special rules. In this sentence Berufsgruppe is accusative, not dative, because für always takes accusative; the phrase is placed first, so gelten comes next.
Die Interessen der Berufsgruppe müssen berücksichtigt werden.
The interests of the occupational group must be taken into account.
die Interessen means the interests, and berücksichtigt werden means be taken into account. der Berufsgruppe is genitive because it shows whose interests are meant; the passive bracket müssen berücksichtigt werden comes after the subject.
Mehrere Berufsgruppen fordern bessere Arbeitsbedingungen.
Several occupational groups are demanding better working conditions.
mehrere means several, fordern means demand, and bessere Arbeitsbedingungen means better working conditions. Berufsgruppen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural verb fordern is in position two.
die Besatzungszone — occupation zone
Die Besatzungszone is mainly a historical term for an area controlled by a foreign power. It is especially associated with the division of Germany after 1945.
Die Besatzungszone lag im Osten Deutschlands.
The occupation zone was in the east of Germany.
lag means was located, im Osten means in the east, and Deutschlands means of Germany. Die Besatzungszone is nominative because it is the subject; im Osten is dative because in describes a location, and lag is in position two.
Historiker untersuchen die Besatzungszone.
Historians are studying the occupation zone.
Historiker are historians, and untersuchen means to study or examine. Die Besatzungszone is accusative because it is the direct object; the plural subject Historiker has no article, and untersuchen stands in position two.
In der Besatzungszone galten besondere Regeln.
Special rules applied in the occupation zone.
galten means applied or were valid, and besondere Regeln means special rules. In der Besatzungszone is dative because in describes a fixed location; the phrase comes first, so the finite verb galten still occupies position two.
Die Verwaltung der Besatzungszone wurde neu organisiert.
The administration of the occupation zone was reorganized.
die Verwaltung means the administration, neu means anew, and organisiert means organized. Der Besatzungszone is genitive because it specifies which administration is meant; wurde is in position two and organisiert closes the passive construction.
Die vier Besatzungszonen hatten unterschiedliche Systeme.
The four occupation zones had different systems.
vier means four, unterschiedlich means different, and Systeme means systems. Die vier Besatzungszonen is plural nominative because it is the subject, while unterschiedliche Systeme is accusative because hatten takes an object; the finite verb is in position two.
der Betriebsrat — works council; works-council member
A Betriebsrat is the elected employee-representation body in a company, not one individual employee. The plural Betriebsräte can mean several councils or, depending on context, several council members.
Der Betriebsrat vertritt die Beschäftigten.
The works council represents the employees.
vertritt means represents, and die Beschäftigten means the employees. Der Betriebsrat is nominative as the subject, while die Beschäftigten is accusative because vertreten takes a direct object.
Die Belegschaft wählt den Betriebsrat.
The workforce elects the works council.
die Belegschaft means the workforce, and wählt means elects. Den Betriebsrat is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Geschäftsführung spricht mit dem Betriebsrat.
The management speaks with the works council.
die Geschäftsführung means the management, and spricht mit means speaks with. Dem Betriebsrat is dative because mit always takes the dative; spricht stands in position two.
Die Entscheidung des Betriebsrats wird morgen bekannt gegeben.
The works council's decision will be announced tomorrow.
die Entscheidung means the decision, morgen means tomorrow, and bekannt gegeben means announced. Des Betriebsrats is genitive and shows whose decision it is; the passive verb bracket has wird in position two and gegeben at the end.
Die Betriebsräte treffen sich zu einer Konferenz.
The works councils meet for a conference.
treffen sich means meet, and zu einer Konferenz means for a conference. Betriebsräte is plural and nominative as the subject; zu takes the dative, so einer Konferenz is dative.
Sie ist seit zwei Jahren im Betriebsrat.
She has been on the works council for two years.
seit zwei Jahren means for two years, and im means in or on the. Im Betriebsrat is dative after in because it describes a fixed location or membership, not movement; ist stands in position two.
Er wurde in den Betriebsrat gewählt.
He was elected to the works council.
wurde gewählt means was elected, and in den means into or to the. In den Betriebsrat is accusative because in expresses movement or a change of status here; wurde is the finite passive verb in position two.
die Betriebsrätin — female works-council member
A Betriebsrätin is a woman elected to represent employees on a company’s works council. The masculine form is Betriebsrat, and the plural of the feminine form is Betriebsrätinnen.
Die Betriebsrätin spricht heute mit den Beschäftigten.
The female works-council member is speaking with the employees today.
heute means today, sprechen means to speak, and die Beschäftigten are the employees. Die Betriebsrätin is nominative because she is the subject, while mit den Beschäftigten is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Der Arbeitgeber informiert die Betriebsrätin über die Änderungen.
The employer informs the female works-council member about the changes.
der Arbeitgeber is the employer, informieren means to inform, and die Änderungen are the changes. Die Betriebsrätin is accusative because informieren takes a direct object; the preposition über also takes the accusative here because it means “about” a subject.
Die Kolleginnen vertrauen der Betriebsrätin.
The female colleagues trust the female works-council member.
die Kolleginnen are the female colleagues, and vertrauen means to trust. Der Betriebsrätin is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, not an accusative one; the finite verb vertrauen stands in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Betriebsrätin war wichtig.
The female works-council member’s decision was important.
die Entscheidung is the decision and wichtig means important. Der Betriebsrätin is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the feminine noun does not change, but the article der marks the genitive.
Die Betriebsrätinnen nehmen an der Sitzung teil.
The female works-council members take part in the meeting.
die Sitzung is the meeting, and teilnehmen means to take part. Betriebsrätinnen is plural and has no ending for the case here because it is nominative; teilnehmen is separable, so nehmen comes in position two and teil goes to the end.
Die Betriebsrätin beantwortet die Fragen der Mitarbeiter.
The female works-council member answers the employees’ questions.
beantworten means to answer, die Fragen are the questions, and der Mitarbeiter means of the employees. Die Betriebsrätin is the nominative subject, while die Fragen is accusative because it is the object of beantworten; der Mitarbeiter is genitive and shows whose questions they are.
die Brandbekämpfung — fire-fighting, fire control
This compound combines der Brand, fire, with die Bekämpfung, combating or control. It usually describes an activity rather than one individual action, so the singular is much more common than the plural.
Die Brandbekämpfung dauert mehrere Stunden.
The fire-fighting takes several hours.
dauern means to last, and mehrere Stunden means several hours. Die Brandbekämpfung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Die Feuerwehr beginnt die Brandbekämpfung.
The fire brigade begins the fire-fighting operation.
beginnen means to begin, and die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade. Die Brandbekämpfung is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; with this feminine noun, nominative and accusative have the same article.
Die Einsatzleitung gibt der Brandbekämpfung höchste Priorität.
The operations management gives fire-fighting the highest priority.
die Einsatzleitung means operations management, and höchste Priorität means the highest priority. Der Brandbekämpfung is dative because geben has a recipient or target in the dative; the feminine article remains der in this case.
Der Erfolg der Brandbekämpfung hängt vom Wind ab.
The success of the fire-fighting operation depends on the wind.
der Erfolg means the success, abhängen von means to depend on, and der Wind means the wind. Der Brandbekämpfung is genitive because it specifies whose success is meant; hängt ... ab is a separable verb, so its prefix goes to the end.
Moderne Brandbekämpfungen erfordern gute Ausbildung.
Modern fire-fighting operations require good training.
modern means modern, erfordern means require, and gute Ausbildung means good training. Brandbekämpfungen is the plural; it is accusative because it is the direct object of erfordern, although the plural article is omitted here.
der Brandfall — fire emergency, fire incident
Brandfall is mainly used in official, safety and emergency language. The fixed phrase im Brandfall means in the event of a fire, with in plus dative because it describes a situation rather than movement.
Der Brandfall erfordert schnelles Handeln.
The fire emergency requires quick action.
erfordern means to require, and schnelles Handeln means quick action. Der Brandfall is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb erfordert is in position two.
Die Leitstelle meldet den Brandfall.
The control centre reports the fire emergency.
die Leitstelle is the control centre, and melden means to report or notify. Den Brandfall is accusative because it is the direct object of melden; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Bewohner werden bei dem Brandfall evakuiert.
The residents are evacuated in the event of a fire.
die Bewohner means the residents, and evakuieren means to evacuate. Bei always takes the dative, so dem Brandfall is dative; werden evakuiert is the passive, with the participle at the end.
Die Folgen des Brandfalls sind noch nicht bekannt.
The consequences of the fire emergency are not yet known.
die Folgen means the consequences, and bekannt means known. Des Brandfalls is genitive because it specifies which consequences are meant; the compound takes -s in the genitive singular.
Mehrere Brandfälle wurden untersucht.
Several fire incidents were investigated.
mehrere means several, and untersuchen means to investigate. Brandfälle is the plural and nominative subject; wurden untersucht is passive, with untersucht at the end.
der Bundesrat — Federal Council; upper house of parliament; Swiss Federal Council
In Germany, der Bundesrat is a constitutional body in which the federal states take part in national law-making. In Switzerland, der Bundesrat means the seven-member Federal Council, the country's highest executive body; the exact meaning depends on context.
Der Bundesrat stimmt heute über das Gesetz ab.
The Federal Council is voting on the law today.
stimmt ... ab means votes on or approves, heute means today, and das Gesetz is the law. Der Bundesrat is the nominative subject; the separable verb abstimmen places stimmt in position two and ab at the end.
Die Regierung braucht den Bundesrat für dieses Gesetz.
The government needs the Federal Council for this law.
die Regierung means the government, braucht means needs, and für dieses Gesetz means for this law. den Bundesrat is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für separately forces the accusative.
Die Länder schicken Vertreter in den Bundesrat.
The federal states send representatives to the Federal Council.
die Länder means the federal states, schicken means send, and Vertreter means representatives. in den Bundesrat is accusative because it expresses movement into the council, while die Länder is nominative and Vertreter is accusative after schicken.
Die Entscheidung des Bundesrates war wichtig.
The Federal Council's decision was important.
die Entscheidung means the decision, wichtig means important, and war means was. des Bundesrates is genitive because it identifies whose decision it was; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die beiden Bundesräte diskutieren lange.
The two Federal Councils debate for a long time.
die beiden means the two, diskutieren means debate, and lange means for a long time. die beiden Bundesräte is a plural nominative subject, so the verb has the plural form diskutieren.
Der Bundesrat vertritt die Interessen der Länder.
The Federal Council represents the interests of the federal states.
vertritt means represents, die Interessen means the interests, and der Länder means of the federal states. Der Bundesrat is the subject, die Interessen is accusative after vertreten, and der Länder is genitive.
Der Schweizer Bundesrat informiert die Bevölkerung.
The Swiss Federal Council informs the population.
Schweizer means Swiss, informiert means informs, and die Bevölkerung means the population. Der Schweizer Bundesrat is the nominative subject, while die Bevölkerung is accusative after informieren.
Der Bundesrat tagt jeden Mittwoch in Bern.
The Federal Council meets every Wednesday in Bern.
tagt means meets officially, jeden Mittwoch means every Wednesday, and in Bern means in Bern. Der Bundesrat is the nominative subject; the time phrase is accusative because jeden is used for a recurring time period, not because of the verb.
der Bürgerkrieg — civil war
Bürgerkrieg is a compound of Bürger and Krieg and refers specifically to armed conflict within one country. It is not normally used for an ordinary political disagreement.
Der Bürgerkrieg begann im Jahr 2011.
The civil war began in 2011.
beginnen means to begin, and das Jahr is the year. Der Bürgerkrieg is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb begann is in position two.
Die Regierung beendete den Bürgerkrieg.
The government ended the civil war.
die Regierung is the government, and beenden means to end. Den Bürgerkrieg is accusative because beenden takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Viele Menschen flohen aus dem Bürgerkrieg.
Many people fled the civil war.
viele Menschen means many people, and fliehen means to flee. Aus always takes the dative when it means out of or away from, so the phrase is aus dem Bürgerkrieg.
Die Folgen des Bürgerkriegs sind noch sichtbar.
The consequences of the civil war are still visible.
die Folgen are the consequences, noch means still, and sichtbar means visible. Des Bürgerkriegs is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; the compound takes -s at the end.
In vielen Ländern gibt es Bürgerkriege.
There are civil wars in many countries.
viele Länder means many countries, and es gibt means there is or there are and takes the accusative. Bürgerkriege is the plural form, used here as the accusative object after gibt es.
bürgerlich — civic; civil; bourgeois; bourgeois; conventional middle-class
Bürgerlich has two common areas of meaning: civic or relating to citizens, and bourgeois or associated with the middle class. The correct English meaning depends strongly on the noun it describes.
Das Engagement ist bürgerlich.
The engagement is civic.
das Engagement means commitment or active involvement. Bürgerlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the sentence describes the kind of involvement.
Sie unterstützt bürgerliche Initiativen.
She supports civic initiatives.
unterstützen means to support, and die Initiativen are the initiatives. Bürgerliche stands before a plural accusative noun and takes -e because there is no article showing case or number.
Bürgerliche Organisationen sind bürgerlicher als staatliche Stellen.
Civic organisations are more civic than government offices.
die Organisationen are organisations and staatliche Stellen are government offices or agencies. Bürgerlicher is the comparative adjective; comparisons use als, and the adjective is predicative here.
Diese Partei wirkt am bürgerlichsten.
This party seems the most bourgeois.
diese Partei means this party, and wirken means to seem or appear. Am bürgerlichsten is a predicative superlative after wirkt; the am ... -sten form is not used directly before a noun.
Sie führt ein sehr bürgerliches Leben.
She leads a very conventional middle-class life.
führen means to lead, sehr means very, and das Leben is life. Ein sehr bürgerliches Leben is the accusative object after führt, and the adjective takes -es after the neuter indefinite article ein.
Seine Eltern haben bürgerliche Werte vermittelt.
His parents passed on middle-class values.
seine Eltern means his parents, Werte are values, and vermitteln means to pass on or communicate. Bürgerliche Werte is the accusative object, while the finite verb haben is in position two and the participle vermittelt goes to the end.
divers — various, diverse; diverse (gender designation)
Divers means various or diverse, and comparison is possible when degrees of diversity are being compared: diverser, am diversesten. In everyday use, the positive form is much more common than the comparative and superlative.
Die Gründe sind divers.
The reasons are varied.
die Gründe means the reasons, and divers means varied or different from one another. Divers is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Wir haben diverse Möglichkeiten.
We have various possibilities.
Möglichkeiten means possibilities. Diverse stands before the plural accusative object and has no ending in this form; the finite verb haben is in position two.
Die Auswahl ist diverser als früher.
The selection is more diverse than before.
die Auswahl means the selection, and früher means before or in the past. Diverser is the comparative form after sein and is followed by als when two situations are compared; ist stands in position two.
Dieses Team ist am diversesten zusammengesetzt.
This team is the most diverse in its composition.
dieses Team means this team, and zusammengesetzt means composed or made up. Am diversesten is the predicative superlative with sein; ist is in position two, while zusammengesetzt comes later in the predicate.
Auf dem Formular steht divers.
The form says diverse.
auf dem Formular means on the form, and steht means says or is written. Divers is used as an official designation here; auf takes the dative for a location, and steht is in position two.
Sie wählt die Option divers.
She chooses the diverse option.
wählen means to choose and die Option means the option. Divers describes the option after the noun and has no ending in this use; die Option is accusative because it is the object of wählt.
einigen — to agree, to reach an agreement; to reconcile, to bring into agreement
The common construction is reflexive: sich einigen means to reach an agreement. Use sich auf etwas einigen for what the agreement concerns and sich mit jemandem einigen for the person involved.
Die beiden Parteien einigen sich auf einen neuen Vertrag.
The two parties agree on a new contract.
die beiden Parteien means the two parties, and ein neuer Vertrag is a new contract. sich auf etwas einigen takes a reflexive pronoun and auf with the accusative for the subject of agreement; the finite verb einigen is in position two.
Wir haben uns gestern auf einen Kompromiss geeinigt.
Yesterday we reached a compromise.
gestern means yesterday, and ein Kompromiss is a compromise. The perfect uses haben with uns as the reflexive accusative pronoun; auf einen Kompromiss is accusative, and geeinigt stands at the end.
Nach langen Gesprächen einigte sich der Ausschuss auf einen Vorschlag.
After lengthy discussions, the committee agreed on a proposal.
lange Gespräche are lengthy discussions, and der Ausschuss is the committee; ein Vorschlag means a proposal. The weak preterite einigte is in position two, while sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun and auf einen Vorschlag is accusative.
Einige dich bitte mit deiner Schwester.
Please reach an agreement with your sister.
bitte means please, and deine Schwester is your sister. The imperative addresses one person and uses dich as the reflexive accusative pronoun; mit always takes the dative, so deiner Schwester is dative.
Wenn sie vernünftiger wäre, würde sie sich mit ihm einigen.
If she were more reasonable, she would reach an agreement with him.
vernünftig means reasonable, and mit ihm means with him. The wenn clause sends its finite verb wäre to the end, while würde is in position two in the main clause; mit requires the dative pronoun ihm.
Die Verhandlungspartner werden sich morgen auf die letzten Details einigen.
The negotiating parties will agree on the final details tomorrow.
die Verhandlungspartner are the negotiating parties, morgen means tomorrow, and die letzten Details are the final details. In the future, werden is in position two and the infinitive einigen goes to the end; auf die letzten Details is accusative because it names what they will agree on.
Der Vermittler einigte die beiden Gruppen.
The mediator reconciled the two groups.
der Vermittler is the mediator, and die beiden Gruppen are the two groups. In this less common non-reflexive use, einigen takes an accusative object; the finite verb einigte is in position two.
Die neue Regelung einigт die unterschiedlichen Interessen.
The new regulation brings the different interests into alignment.
die neue Regelung means the new regulation, and unterschiedliche Interessen are different interests. The people or things being brought into agreement are accusative objects, and the finite verb einigt occupies position two.
das Elend — misery; extreme poverty
das Elend is a mass noun for severe suffering or poverty and normally has no plural. The genitive singular is des Elends; do not confuse this noun with the adjective elend, meaning miserable.
Das Elend der Familie war schwer zu ertragen.
The family’s misery was difficult to bear.
die Familie means the family, and schwer zu ertragen means difficult to bear. Das Elend is nominative because it is the subject, while der Familie is genitive and shows whose misery is meant.
Viele Menschen sehen das Elend täglich.
Many people see misery every day.
viele Menschen means many people, and täglich means every day. das Elend is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
In diesem Elend konnte er nicht bleiben.
He could not stay in this misery.
in diesem Elend means in this misery, and bleiben means to stay. in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed situation rather than movement, and the modal verb konnte is in position two while bleiben goes to the end.
Die Ursachen des Elends sind vielfältig.
The causes of misery are varied.
die Ursachen means the causes, and vielfältig means varied. des Elends is genitive because it specifies the causes of what; Elend adds -s in the genitive singular.
erheben — to raise, to lift; to charge, to levy, to collect officially
This is a strong verb with the principal parts erheben – erhob – hat erhoben. It can mean physically raising something or, in formal contexts, charging or collecting a fee or tax.
Der Kran erhebt die schwere Last.
The crane lifts the heavy load.
der Kran means crane and die schwere Last means the heavy load. Die schwere Last is accusative because erheben takes a direct object, and erhebt is the finite verb in position two.
Der Kran hat die schwere Last erhoben.
The crane lifted the heavy load.
der Kran means crane and die schwere Last means the heavy load. Die schwere Last is accusative because it is the object of erheben; hat is in position two and erhoben goes to the end.
Der Lehrer erhob die Hand.
The teacher raised his hand.
der Lehrer means teacher and die Hand means hand. Die Hand is accusative because it is the object being raised, while erhob is the strong-verb Präteritum in position two.
Erhebe die Stimme nicht!
Do not raise your voice!
die Stimme means voice and nicht means not. Erhebe is a singular command with the subject du omitted, and die Stimme is its accusative object.
Ich erhöbe Einspruch, wenn ich einen Grund hätte.
I would object if I had a reason.
Einspruch means objection and einen Grund means a reason. Einspruch is accusative after erheben; erhöbe is the formal Konjunktiv II and hätte appears in the conditional clause.
Morgen wird der Kran die Last erheben.
Tomorrow the crane will lift the load.
morgen means tomorrow and die Last means the load. Wird is the finite verb in position two, while the infinitive erheben goes to the end of the future-tense clause.
Die Stadt erhebt eine Gebühr für das Parken.
The city charges a fee for parking.
die Stadt means city, eine Gebühr means a fee, and das Parken means parking. Eine Gebühr is accusative because it is the direct object of erheben, and erhebt stands in position two.
Der Staat erhebt hohe Steuern.
The state levies high taxes.
der Staat means state and hohe Steuern means high taxes. Hohe Steuern is accusative as the object of erheben, while erhebt is the finite verb in position two.
ermorden — to murder
Ermorden is a strong, formal word meaning to murder deliberately; it is much stronger than töten, to kill. It takes an accusative person as its object and forms the perfect with haben; the inseparable prefix er- prevents ge- in ermordet.
Der Täter ermordet einen wehrlosen Mann.
The perpetrator murders a helpless man.
der Täter means ‘the perpetrator’, and wehrlos means ‘helpless’ or ‘unable to defend himself’. Einen wehrlosen Mann is accusative because ermorden takes a direct object, and ermordet stands in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Politiker ermordet aufgefunden.
The police found the politician murdered.
die Polizei means ‘the police’, den Politiker means ‘the politician’, and aufgefunden means ‘found’. The perfect of ermorden uses hat; its Partizip II ermordet has no ge- because er- is inseparable, and den Politiker is accusative.
Der Täter ermordete das Opfer im Park.
The perpetrator murdered the victim in the park.
der Täter means ‘the perpetrator’, das Opfer means ‘the victim’, and im Park means ‘in the park’. The weak past form ermordete stands in position two, and das Opfer is accusative.
Ermorde niemanden!
Do not murder anyone!
niemanden means ‘no one’ and is the accusative form of niemand. The imperative omits du; the negative word niemanden is the direct object, and this sentence is normally understood as a dramatic or fictional command.
Er würde den Zeugen nicht ermorden, wenn er unschuldig wäre.
He would not murder the witness if he were innocent.
den Zeugen means ‘the witness’, and unschuldig means ‘innocent’. Würde ... ermorden expresses a hypothetical action; the object den Zeugen is accusative, and the verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Der Angeklagte wird den Zeugen nicht ermorden.
The accused person will not murder the witness.
der Angeklagte means ‘the accused person’, and den Zeugen means ‘the witness’. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive ermorden at the end; den Zeugen is accusative.
erschießen — to shoot dead
Erschießen means to kill by shooting, not merely to shoot at someone. It is a strong verb with erschoss and erschossen, takes haben, and is an inseparable er- verb.
Der Soldat erschießt den Angreifer.
The soldier shoots the attacker dead.
der Soldat is the soldier and der Angreifer is the attacker. Den Angreifer is accusative because erschießen takes the person or animal shot as a direct object; the finite verb erschießt stands in position two.
Die Polizei hat den Täter erschossen.
The police shot the perpetrator dead.
die Polizei is the police and der Täter is the perpetrator. Den Täter is accusative after erschießen; the perfect uses hat plus erschossen, with the Partizip II at the end.
Der Jäger erschoss den verletzten Wolf.
The hunter shot the injured wolf dead.
der Jäger is the hunter, verletzt means injured, and der Wolf is the wolf. Den verletzten Wolf is accusative because it is the direct object; erschoss is the strong-verb simple past used in a narrative.
Erschieß ihn nicht!
Don't shoot him dead!
ihn means him and nicht means not. Erschieß is the singular du imperative, and ihn is accusative because the verb acts directly on him; the imperative has no subject pronoun.
Wenn er die Geisel sähe, erschösse er sie.
If he saw the hostage, he would shoot her dead.
wenn means if, die Geisel is the hostage, and sähe means saw. Die Geisel and sie are accusative objects in their clauses; erschösse is Konjunktiv II for an unreal situation, and the finite verb goes to the end after wenn.
Die Drohne wird den Wagen erschießen.
The drone will shoot the person in the vehicle dead.
die Drohne is the drone and der Wagen is the vehicle or car. Den Wagen is accusative after erschießen; Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive erschießen at the end.
der Finanzminister — finance minister
A Finanzminister is a member of the national government responsible for public money. It is a weak masculine noun: use den Finanzminister and dem Finanzminister, but der Finanzminister in the nominative.
Der Finanzminister stellt den neuen Haushalt vor.
The finance minister presents the new budget.
stellt ... vor means presents and is a separable verb; der neue Haushalt means the new budget. Der Finanzminister is nominative because he is the subject, and stellt is in position two while vor goes to the end.
Das Parlament kritisiert den Finanzminister.
Parliament criticises the finance minister.
das Parlament means parliament and kritisiert means criticises. Den Finanzminister is accusative because it is the direct object; this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Die Abgeordneten widersprechen dem Finanzminister.
The members of parliament contradict the finance minister.
die Abgeordneten are members of parliament and widersprechen means contradict or oppose. Dem Finanzminister is dative because widersprechen takes the dative, and the weak noun keeps the ending -n.
Die Rede des Finanzministers war sehr deutlich.
The finance minister's speech was very clear.
die Rede means the speech and deutlich means clear. Des Finanzministers is genitive to show whose speech it was; the masculine noun adds -s in this genitive form.
Mehrere Finanzminister treffen sich heute.
Several finance ministers are meeting today.
mehrere means several, treffen sich means meet one another, and heute means today. Finanzminister is unchanged in the plural, while the reflexive pronoun sich shows that the ministers meet each other.
die Formalität — formality, official procedure; mere formality
Formalität is commonly used for an official step or bureaucratic requirement, often in the plural Formalitäten. It does not usually mean a polite social manner; for that meaning, English formality may need a different German expression.
Die Formalität ist schnell erledigt.
The formality is dealt with quickly.
schnell means quickly, and erledigt means dealt with or completed. Die Formalität is nominative because it is the subject; erledigt is a predicate adjective after sein, not a second finite verb.
Wir müssen die Formalität vor der Reise erledigen.
We have to complete the formality before the journey.
müssen means have to, vor der Reise means before the journey, and erledigen means complete. die Formalität is accusative as the object of erledigen; the modal müssen is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Bei der Formalität hilft uns die Sachbearbeiterin.
The administrative officer helps us with the formality.
bei means with or during in this context, and die Sachbearbeiterin is the female administrative officer. der Formalität is dative because bei always governs the dative; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Formalität ist unklar.
The significance of the formality is unclear.
die Bedeutung means the significance or meaning, and unklar means unclear. der Formalität is genitive because it specifies whose significance is meant; the whole phrase Die Bedeutung der Formalität is the nominative subject.
Die Behörde verlangt mehrere Formalitäten.
The authority requires several formalities.
die Behörde is the authority, and verlangt means requires or demands. mehrere Formalitäten is accusative because it is the object of verlangen; the plural ends in -äten.
Die Unterschrift ist nur eine Formalität.
The signature is only a formality.
die Unterschrift means the signature, and nur means only. eine Formalität is a nominative predicate noun after sein, so it uses the same case as the subject.
Das Gespräch war eine reine Formalität.
The conversation was a mere formality.
das Gespräch means the conversation, war is the past form of sein, and rein means mere or pure. eine reine Formalität is a predicate noun after war and therefore remains nominative.
fortschrittlich — progressive, forward-thinking
This adjective often describes politics, technology or social ideas. It is more positive and change-oriented than simply modern.
Die neue Methode ist fortschrittlich.
The new method is progressive.
Die neue Methode means the new method. fortschrittlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist stands in position two.
Sie unterstützt eine fortschrittliche Politik.
She supports progressive politics.
unterstützt means supports, and Politik means politics or policy. eine fortschrittliche Politik is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Diese Lösung ist fortschrittlicher als die alte.
This solution is more progressive than the old one.
Lösung means solution, and die alte means the old one. The comparative is formed with -er and followed by als; after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Dieses Land ist politisch am fortschrittlichsten.
This country is the most progressive politically.
Dieses Land means this country, and politisch means politically. am fortschrittlichsten is the predicative am-superlative and therefore has no noun ending.
gesellschaftlich — social, societal
gesellschaftlich describes society, social structures or issues affecting a community. For people and personal behaviour, sozial is often the more natural choice.
Gesellschaftliche Probleme sind schwer zu lösen.
Social problems are difficult to solve.
Probleme means problems, schwer means difficult, and zu lösen means to solve. Gesellschaftliche Probleme is nominative because it is the subject; the adjective gesellschaftlich is attributive here and takes the plural ending -e, while the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Wir brauchen eine gesellschaftliche Debatte.
We need a social debate.
brauchen means need, Debatte means debate, and eine means a. Eine gesellschaftliche Debatte is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the adjective before the feminine noun takes -e, and brauchen is in position two.
Die Stadt ist gesellschaftlicher geworden.
The city has become more socially connected.
Stadt means city, and geworden means become. Gesellschaftlicher is predicative after ist geworden, so it has no noun ending; the comparative ending -er compares the city's present social character with its earlier character.
Diese Frage ist am gesellschaftlichsten umstritten.
This question is the most socially controversial.
Diese Frage means this question, and umstritten means controversial or disputed. Am gesellschaftlichsten is the superlative adverbial form and has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two, followed by the predicative description.
die Großmacht — great power
Großmacht is used mainly in politics and history for a country with major international influence. Its plural is irregular in spelling: Großmächte has an umlaut and -e.
Die Großmacht beeinflusst die internationale Politik.
The great power influences international politics.
beeinflusst means influences, and internationale Politik means international politics. Die Großmacht is nominative as the subject, while die internationale Politik is accusative because beeinflussen takes a direct object.
Viele Staaten fürchten die Großmacht.
Many states fear the great power.
Viele Staaten means many states, and fürchten means fear. Die Großmacht is accusative because it is the object of fürchten; the finite verb fürchten is in position two.
Die Nachbarländer widersprechen der Großmacht.
The neighbouring countries oppose the great power.
Nachbarländer means neighbouring countries, and widersprechen means contradict or oppose. Der Großmacht is dative because widersprechen always takes a dative object; the finite verb widersprechen stands in position two.
Die Macht der Großmacht wächst weiter.
The great power's influence continues to grow.
Macht means power or influence, and wächst weiter means continues to grow. Der Großmacht is genitive after die Macht to show whose power it is; the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Die Großmächte verhandeln über einen Friedensvertrag.
The great powers are negotiating a peace treaty.
verhandeln means negotiate, and Friedensvertrag means peace treaty. Die Großmächte is a plural subject, while über einen Friedensvertrag is accusative because über takes accusative when it means about; the finite verb verhandeln is in position two.
das Grundgesetz — German constitution, basic law
In Germany, das Grundgesetz is the official name of the constitution. It literally means “basic law”; do not confuse it with das Gesetz, which means any law.
Das Grundgesetz schützt die Würde des Menschen.
The constitution protects human dignity.
die Würde means dignity, and der Mensch means human being or person. Das Grundgesetz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb schützt is in position two.
Der Bundestag ändert das Grundgesetz nur mit großer Mehrheit.
The German parliament changes the constitution only with a large majority.
der Bundestag is the German parliament, ändert means changes, and große Mehrheit means large majority. Das Grundgesetz is accusative because ändern takes a direct object; the finite verb ändert stands in position two.
Viele Bürger vertrauen dem Grundgesetz.
Many citizens trust the constitution.
viele Bürger means many citizens, and vertrauen means trust. Dem Grundgesetz is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, while the finite verb vertrauen is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Grundgesetzes ist unbestritten.
The importance of the constitution is undisputed.
die Bedeutung means importance, unbestritten means undisputed, and ist means is. Des Grundgesetzes is genitive because it identifies whose importance is meant; the ending -es and article des mark the genitive.
In Deutschland gelten mehrere Grundgesetze?
Several constitutions apply in Germany?
in Deutschland means in Germany, and mehrere means several. Grundgesetze is the plural form, but this sentence is unusual because Germany has one federal constitution; normally the plural refers to constitutions in different states or historical contexts.
der Höhere — higher-ranking man, superior
This is the substantivized adjective höher, higher, used for a male superior or higher-ranking person. It is capitalized and keeps adjective endings: der Höhere, den Höheren, dem Höheren.
Der Höhere entscheidet über den Antrag.
The superior decides on the application.
entscheidet means decides, and der Antrag is the application. Der Höhere is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb entscheidet is in position two.
Die Mitarbeiterin informiert den Höheren.
The female employee informs the superior.
die Mitarbeiterin is the female employee, and informieren means to inform. Den Höheren is accusative because it is the direct object; the substantivized adjective takes the ending -en.
Er spricht mit dem Höheren über das Problem.
He speaks with the superior about the problem.
spricht means speaks, and das Problem is the problem. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Höheren is dative and has the ending -en.
Die Entscheidung des Höheren war überraschend.
The superior's decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and überraschend means surprising. Des Höheren is genitive and shows whose decision it is; the substantivized adjective ends in -en.
Die Höheren treffen sich jeden Monat.
The higher-ranking people meet every month.
treffen sich means meet one another, and jeden Monat means every month. Die Höheren is a plural subject, and the verb treffen agrees with the plural.
die Höhere — higher-ranking woman, female superior
This is the substantivized adjective höher, higher, used for a female superior or higher-ranking person. It is capitalized and keeps adjective endings: die Höhere, der Höheren, die Höhere.
Die Höhere entscheidet über den Antrag.
The female superior decides on the application.
entscheidet means decides, and der Antrag is the application. Die Höhere is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb is in position two.
Die Mitarbeiter informieren die Höhere.
The employees inform the female superior.
die Mitarbeiter are the employees, and informieren means inform. Die Höhere is accusative as the direct object; in the feminine, the article shows the case and the adjective ends in -e.
Er spricht mit der Höheren über das Problem.
He speaks with the female superior about the problem.
spricht means speaks, and das Problem is the problem. Mit always takes the dative, so der Höheren is dative and ends in -en.
Die Entscheidung der Höheren war überraschend.
The female superior's decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung is the decision, and überraschend means surprising. Der Höheren is genitive and shows whose decision it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Höheren treffen sich jeden Monat.
The higher-ranking women meet every month.
treffen sich means meet one another, and jeden Monat means every month. Die Höheren is plural and can refer to several women or mixed higher-ranking people; the verb agrees with the plural.
das Impressum — legal notice, imprint
An Impressum is legally required on many German websites and publications. It often gives the name and address of the person or organisation responsible for the content.
Das Impressum der Website ist leicht zu finden.
The website’s legal notice is easy to find.
die Website means the website and leicht zu finden means easy to find. Das Impressum is nominative because it is the subject, while der Website is genitive because it says whose legal notice it is.
Bitte lesen Sie das Impressum.
Please read the legal notice.
bitte means please and lesen Sie is the polite form of read. Das Impressum is accusative because lesen takes a direct object.
Im Impressum steht die Adresse des Vereins.
The association’s address is stated in the legal notice.
die Adresse means the address and der Verein means the association or club. Im Impressum is short for in dem Impressum; in takes the dative for a fixed location, and steht is in position two.
Die Angaben des Impressums müssen aktuell sein.
The information in the legal notice must be up to date.
die Angaben means the information and aktuell means up to date. Des Impressums is genitive because it identifies which information is meant; after müssen, the infinitive sein goes to the end.
Viele Impressums enthalten eine E-Mail-Adresse.
Many legal notices contain an email address.
viele means many, enthalten means contain, and die E-Mail-Adresse means email address. Impressums is the plural subject, while eine E-Mail-Adresse is accusative after enthalten.
die Justiz — justice system, judiciary
die Justiz usually means the justice system or judiciary, not an individual court. It is normally an abstract singular noun and has no ordinary plural, so use die Justiz for the institution as a whole.
Die Justiz muss unabhängig bleiben.
The justice system must remain independent.
muss means must, unabhängig means independent, and bleiben means remain. Die Justiz is the nominative subject; with the modal verb muss, the infinitive bleiben goes to the end.
Die Regierung unterstützt die Justiz.
The government supports the justice system.
Regierung means government and unterstützt means supports. die Justiz is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object, although the feminine nominative and accusative articles look the same.
Viele Menschen vertrauen der Justiz.
Many people trust the justice system.
Viele Menschen means many people and vertrauen means trust. der Justiz is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the feminine article die changes to der.
Die Unabhängigkeit der Justiz ist entscheidend.
The independence of the justice system is crucial.
Unabhängigkeit means independence and entscheidend means crucial. der Justiz is genitive and identifies whose independence is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
das Kabinett — cabinet, government ministers; display cabinet, small cabinet
In politics, das Kabinett means the group of government ministers, not normally a piece of furniture. It is also used in compounds such as Bundeskabinett.
Das Kabinett berät heute über den Haushalt.
The cabinet is discussing the budget today.
berät means discusses or advises on, heute means today, and der Haushalt means the budget. Das Kabinett is nominative because it is the subject; über den Haushalt is accusative after über in this meaning, and berät stands in position two.
Der Kanzler bildet das Kabinett nach der Wahl.
The chancellor forms the cabinet after the election.
Der Kanzler means the chancellor, bildet means forms, and die Wahl means the election. Das Kabinett is accusative because bilden takes a direct object, and bildet stands in position two.
Die Minister gehören dem Kabinett an.
The ministers belong to the cabinet.
Die Minister means the ministers and gehören ... an means belong to. Dem Kabinett is dative because angehören requires a dative complement; the separable verb places gehören in position two and an at the end.
Die Entscheidung des Kabinetts sorgt für Streit.
The cabinet's decision causes disagreement.
Die Entscheidung means the decision, sorgt für means causes or leads to, and Streit means disagreement. Des Kabinetts is genitive because it identifies whose decision it is, and sorgt stands in position two.
Mehrere Kabinette stimmten über den Vorschlag ab.
Several cabinets voted on the proposal.
Mehrere means several, stimmten ... ab means voted, and der Vorschlag means the proposal. Kabinette is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb puts stimmten in position two and ab at the end.
Im Museum steht ein Kabinett mit alten Münzen.
In the museum there is a display case with old coins.
Im Museum means in the museum, steht means stands, alte Münzen means old coins. Ein Kabinett is nominative in the existential sentence because it is the thing standing there; im is dative for a fixed location, and steht is in position two.
Die Kuratorin öffnet das Kabinett vorsichtig.
The curator opens the display case carefully.
Die Kuratorin means the curator, öffnet means opens, and vorsichtig means carefully. Das Kabinett is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object, and öffnet stands in position two.
der Kapitalismus — capitalism
Der Kapitalismus is an abstract system, so it is normally used as a singular-only noun. It is often discussed with political and economic adjectives such as modern or global.
Der Kapitalismus verändert unsere Arbeitswelt.
Capitalism is changing our world of work.
verändert means “changes”, unsere Arbeitswelt means “our world of work”, and Arbeitswelt is the world of employment. Der Kapitalismus is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb verändert is in position two.
Viele Menschen kritisieren den Kapitalismus.
Many people criticise capitalism.
viele Menschen means “many people”, and kritisieren means “criticise”. Den Kapitalismus is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; the finite verb kritisieren is in position two.
In dieser Debatte sprechen wir über dem Kapitalismus?
In this debate, we are talking about capitalism.
in dieser Debatte means “in this debate”, and sprechen means “talk”. This sentence would be incorrect with dem Kapitalismus: the preposition über normally takes the accusative for the topic discussed, so the natural sentence is: In dieser Debatte sprechen wir über den Kapitalismus.
Die Folgen des Kapitalismus sind umstritten.
The consequences of capitalism are controversial.
die Folgen means “the consequences”, and umstritten means “controversial”. Des Kapitalismus is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the noun Kapitalismus has no ending in the genitive.
kapitalistisch — capitalist
Kapitalistisch describes something connected with capitalism or organised according to capitalist principles. It can describe an economic system, a society, or interests; it is not the same as the noun Kapitalismus.
Das Wirtschaftssystem ist kapitalistisch.
The economic system is capitalist.
das Wirtschaftssystem means “the economic system”, and ist means “is”. Kapitalistisch is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the verb ist is in position two.
Sie leben in einem kapitalistischen Land.
They live in a capitalist country.
sie leben means “they live”, and einem Land means “a country”. In takes the dative here because leben describes a location, so the adjective has the ending in einem kapitalistischen Land.
Dieses Modell ist kapitalistischer als das frühere.
This model is more capitalist than the earlier one.
dieses Modell means “this model”, and frühere means “earlier”. The comparative kapitalistischer is followed by als, not wie, when two things are unequal; it is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Dieses Land gilt als am kapitalistischsten.
This country is considered the most capitalist.
dieses Land means “this country”, and gilt als means “is considered”. Am kapitalistischsten is the predicative superlative with am; the adjective is not placed before a noun here.
die Koalition — coalition; alliance, coalition
In politics, die Koalition usually means a government partnership between parties. It can also describe a temporary alliance of states, groups, or organisations.
Die Koalition hat heute ein neues Gesetz beschlossen.
The coalition passed a new law today.
heute means today, and ein neues Gesetz means a new law. Die Koalition is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hat is in position two, and beschlossen goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Die Wähler kritisieren die Koalition.
The voters are criticising the coalition.
die Wähler means the voters, and kritisieren means criticise. Die Koalition is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; the finite verb is in position two.
Viele Bürger vertrauen der Koalition nicht.
Many citizens do not trust the coalition.
viele Bürger means many citizens, and vertrauen means trust. Der Koalition is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the feminine article der is the same in the dative and genitive.
Die Entscheidungen der Koalition sorgen für Diskussionen.
The coalition's decisions are causing discussions.
die Entscheidungen means the decisions, and Diskussionen means discussions. Der Koalition is genitive because it shows whose decisions they are; the finite verb sorgen is in position two.
Die Koalitionen in Europa arbeiten oft unterschiedlich.
The coalitions in Europe often work differently.
in Europa means in Europe, and unterschiedlich means differently. Die Koalitionen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
Eine internationale Koalition kämpft gegen den Terrorismus.
An international coalition is fighting terrorism.
internationale means international, and kämpft gegen den Terrorismus means is fighting terrorism. Eine internationale Koalition is nominative as the subject, while gegen takes the accusative den Terrorismus.
Mehrere Länder schlossen sich der Koalition an.
Several countries joined the coalition.
mehrere Länder means several countries, and sich anschließen means to join. Der Koalition is dative because sich anschließen governs the dative; schlossen ... an splits in the main clause.
der Kommissar — police inspector; commissioner
In everyday German crime contexts, Kommissar usually means a police inspector. It can also be an official title, depending on the institution.
Der Kommissar untersucht den Fall.
The inspector investigates the case.
untersucht means investigates, and der Fall is the case. Der Kommissar is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb untersucht is in position two.
Die Polizei ruft den Kommissar.
The police call the inspector.
die Polizei means the police, and ruft means calls. den Kommissar is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Die Zeugin hilft dem Kommissar.
The witness helps the inspector.
die Zeugin is the female witness, and hilft means helps. dem Kommissar is dative because helfen requires a dative object, not an accusative one.
Die Entscheidung des Kommissars überrascht alle.
The inspector's decision surprises everyone.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and überrascht alle means surprises everyone. des Kommissars is genitive to show possession; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Kommissare besprechen den neuen Fall.
The inspectors discuss the new case.
besprechen means discuss, and den neuen Fall means the new case. Die Kommissare is plural nominative because it is the subject; its plural ending is -e.
Der Kommissar hat wichtige Beweise gefunden.
The inspector found important evidence.
wichtige Beweise means important pieces of evidence, and gefunden means found. Der Kommissar is the nominative subject, while wichtige Beweise is accusative after finden; the perfect uses hat gefunden.
der Kommunismus — communism
der Kommunismus is an uncountable political and economic system, so it normally has no plural. In historical or political texts, it is often contrasted with der Kapitalismus.
Der Kommunismus war im 20. Jahrhundert ein wichtiges politisches Thema.
Communism was an important political topic in the 20th century.
war means was, im 20. Jahrhundert means in the 20th century, and wichtiges politisches Thema means important political topic. Der Kommunismus is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Viele Menschen lehnten den Kommunismus ab.
Many people rejected communism.
Viele Menschen means many people, lehnten ... ab means rejected, and ab is the separated prefix. den Kommunismus is accusative because ablehnen takes an accusative object; the finite part lehnten is in position two and ab goes to the end.
In der Diskussion sprach er von dem Kommunismus.
In the discussion, he spoke about communism.
In der Diskussion means in the discussion, sprach means spoke, and von means about or of. dem Kommunismus is dative because von always takes the dative; sprach is the finite verb in position two.
Die Geschichte des Kommunismus wird an der Universität behandelt.
The history of communism is discussed at the university.
die Geschichte means the history, Universität means university, and behandelt means discussed or dealt with. des Kommunismus is genitive because it means of communism; wird ... behandelt is a passive construction with the participle at the end.