Appearance
Vocab: Sport — A2 (1)
Sport vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Angabe — information, statement
Angabe is often used for information supplied on a form or in an official statement. The plural Angaben is especially common in phrases such as laut eigenen Angaben.
Die Angabe auf dem Formular ist falsch.
The information on the form is wrong.
das Formular is a form, and falsch means wrong. Die Angabe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte korrigieren Sie die Angabe.
Please correct the information.
bitte means please, and korrigieren means to correct. Die Angabe is accusative because korrigieren takes a direct object; in a formal request, korrigieren Sie is the imperative.
Ich vertraue dieser Angabe nicht.
I do not trust this information.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Dieser Angabe is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Richtigkeit der Angabe ist schwer zu prüfen.
The accuracy of the information is difficult to check.
die Richtigkeit means accuracy, schwer means difficult, and prüfen means to check. Der Angabe is genitive and shows whose accuracy is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Angaben auf der Website sind aktuell.
The information on the website is up to date.
die Website is the website, and aktuell means up to date. Die Angaben is plural and therefore takes sind, not ist; auf der Website is a dative location phrase.
angeln — to fish, to go fishing
Angeln can be used without an object, as in im See angeln, or with an accusative object such as einen Fisch angeln. The perfect is formed with haben, not sein, because this verb describes an activity rather than movement from one place to another.
Er angelt jeden Samstag am See.
He fishes at the lake every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday and am See means at the lake. Er is the subject, angelt is the finite verb in position two, and am See is dative because an describes a location here.
Wir haben gestern im Fluss geangelt.
We fished in the river yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and im Fluss means in the river. geangelt is the Partizip II and pairs with haben because angeln is an activity; it goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Früher angelte mein Vater oft am Meer.
My father often used to fish by the sea.
früher means formerly or in the past, mein Vater means my father, and oft means often. angelte is the weak preterite in position two; am Meer is a location phrase with dative.
Angel nicht ohne Erlaubnis an diesem See!
Don’t fish at this lake without permission!
nicht ohne Erlaubnis means not without permission, and diesem See means this lake. Angel is the du imperative with no pronoun; an diesem See is dative because it names a location, while ohne Erlaubnis is accusative after ohne.
Ich würde angeln, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would fish if I had more time.
wenn means if and mehr Zeit means more time. würde angeln expresses a hypothetical action; hätte is the Konjunktiv II of haben, and the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Nächstes Wochenende werde ich im See angeln.
I will fish in the lake next weekend.
nächstes Wochenende means next weekend and im See means in the lake. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and angeln goes to the end; the location phrase im See uses the dative.
die Anstrengung — effort, exertion, strain
Anstrengung is often used for a deliberate effort, while physical strain can also be described with Anstrengung. The plural Anstrengungen is common when talking about repeated or considerable efforts.
Die Anstrengung lohnt sich.
The effort is worth it.
lohnt sich means is worth it. Die Anstrengung is nominative because it is the subject, and sich lohnen is a reflexive expression meaning to be worth the effort.
Ich spüre die Anstrengung in meinen Beinen.
I feel the strain in my legs.
spüre means feel, in meinen Beinen means in my legs, and Beinen means legs. Die Anstrengung is accusative because it is the direct object of spüren; in meinen Beinen is dative because it describes a location.
Nach der Anstrengung brauche ich eine Pause.
After the effort, I need a break.
Nach means after, brauche means need, and eine Pause means a break. Der Anstrengung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Die Folgen der Anstrengung waren deutlich.
The effects of the effort were clear.
Die Folgen means the effects or consequences, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Der Anstrengung is genitive because it identifies which effort the effects came from; the feminine genitive article is der.
Seine Anstrengungen haben sich gelohnt.
His efforts paid off.
Seine means his, haben sich gelohnt means have paid off, and gelohnt means rewarded or worthwhile. Anstrengungen is plural and the subject, so the auxiliary is haben; the reflexive expression sich lohnen means to pay off.
das Autorennen — car race
das Autorennen is a competition in which cars race. It is a compound of das Auto and das Rennen; the plural is unchanged: die Autorennen.
Das Autorennen beginnt um drei Uhr.
The car race starts at three o'clock.
beginnen means to begin and um drei Uhr means at three o'clock. das Autorennen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Autorennen im Fernsehen.
We watch the car race on television.
sehen means to watch or see, im Fernsehen means on television. das Autorennen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir fahren zu dem Autorennen.
We are going to the car race.
fahren means to travel or drive, and zu means to or towards. zu always takes the dative, so dem Autorennen is dative; zu dem is often shortened to zum.
Die Regeln des Autorennens sind streng.
The rules of the car race are strict.
die Regeln means the rules and streng means strict. des Autorennens is genitive because it identifies which race's rules are meant; the genitive article for das is des.
Die Autorennen finden jedes Wochenende statt.
The car races take place every weekend.
jedes Wochenende means every weekend and stattfinden means to take place. die Autorennen is plural and nominative as the subject; the separable verb places finden in position two and statt at the end.
das Baseballspiel — baseball game
Baseballspiel means one game, not the sport in general. The sport is usually simply Baseball.
Das Baseballspiel beginnt um sieben Uhr.
The baseball game starts at seven o'clock.
beginnen means to start, and um sieben Uhr means at seven o'clock. Das Baseballspiel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen das Baseballspiel im Fernsehen.
We are watching the baseball game on television.
im Fernsehen means on television, and sehen means watch or see. Das Baseballspiel is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; with a neuter noun, the article stays das.
Nach dem Baseballspiel gehen wir noch etwas essen.
After the baseball game, we are going to get something to eat.
nach means after here, noch etwas means something more, and essen gehen means go to eat. Dem Baseballspiel is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase at the start occupies position one, so gehen comes next.
Die Spannung des Baseballspiels war groß.
The tension of the baseball game was great.
die Spannung means the tension, and groß means great or high. Des Baseballspiels is genitive to show which game the tension belongs to; the past verb war stands in position two.
Am Wochenende finden drei Baseballspiele statt.
Three baseball games take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, drei means three, and stattfinden means take place. Baseballspiele is plural because there are three games; in the separable verb finden ... statt, finden is in position two and statt goes to the end.
die Bewegung — movement, exercise
Bewegung can mean physical movement or exercise. It can also refer to an organized social or political movement, with the plural Bewegungen.
Bewegung ist gut für den Körper.
Exercise is good for the body.
gut means good, für means for, and der Körper means the body. Bewegung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche mehr Bewegung.
I need more exercise.
ich brauche means I need and mehr means more. Bewegung is accusative because brauchen takes it as a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Nach der Arbeit gehe ich mit Bewegung?
After work, do I go with movement?
nach der Arbeit means after work, but this sentence is not natural German with the noun Bewegung. The preposition mit requires the dative, yet a natural example would use mit viel Bewegung in a different context; learners should not treat every preposition as interchangeable.
Die Bedeutung der Bewegung ist klar.
The meaning of the movement is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning and klar means clear. Der Bewegung is genitive because it identifies which meaning is meant, and ist stands in position two.
Regelmäßige Bewegungen halten den Körper fit.
Regular movement keeps the body fit.
regelmäßig means regular, halten means keep, and fit means fit or healthy. Bewegungen is the plural; den Körper is accusative because it is the object of halten.
das Eislaufen — ice skating
Eislaufen is the activity of skating on ice and is a nominalized infinitive, so it is capitalized and neuter. It is normally used without a plural because an activity is treated as a mass noun.
Eislaufen macht im Winter besonders viel Spaß.
Ice skating is especially fun in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and besonders means especially. Eislaufen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht is in position two, and Spaß machen means to be fun.
Ich mag Eislaufen im Freien.
I like ice skating outdoors.
im Freien means outdoors. Eislaufen is accusative because mögen takes an accusative object; the infinitive used as a noun keeps its neuter form.
Beim Eislaufen trage ich warme Handschuhe.
I wear warm gloves while ice skating.
beim means while doing something, and warme Handschuhe are warm gloves. beim is bei dem and forces the dative, so the neuter form is Eislaufen; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Die Freude des Eislaufens ist für viele Menschen groß.
Many people take great pleasure in ice skating.
die Freude is the joy, für viele Menschen means for many people, and groß means great. des Eislaufens is genitive because it specifies whose joy; the nominalized infinitive takes -s in the genitive.
Im Ferienkurs lernen Kinder Eislaufen.
Children learn ice skating in the holiday course.
im Ferienkurs means in the holiday course, and Kinder means children. Eislaufen has no plural because it names an activity or mass noun; here it is the object of lernen.
eislaufen — to go ice skating
eislaufen is a strong separable verb: du läufst eis, lief eis, ist eisgelaufen. In a main clause the parts split, but the infinitive and Partizip II remain together at the end.
Im Winter laufe ich gern eis.
I like ice skating in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and gern means gladly or with pleasure. eislaufen is separable, so the finite part laufe is in position two and eis goes to the end.
Wir sind gestern auf dem See eisgelaufen.
Yesterday we went ice skating on the lake.
gestern means yesterday, auf dem See means on the lake, and See is lake here. The perfect uses sein with eisgelaufen; the Partizip II stands at the end of the clause.
Als Kind lief ich jeden Sonntag eis.
When I was a child, I went ice skating every Sunday.
als Kind means when I was a child, and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. lief is the strong preterite of laufen; because the verb is separable, eis stands at the end of the main clause.
Lauf am Wochenende eis!
Go ice skating at the weekend!
am Wochenende means at the weekend. The singular imperative of eislaufen is lauf eis: the stem comes first and the separable part goes to the end.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, liefe ich öfter eis.
If I had more time, I would go ice skating more often.
mehr Zeit means more time, and öfter means more often. hätte and liefe express an unreal condition; in the main clause the separable part eis goes to the end.
Morgen werde ich im Park eislaufen.
Tomorrow I will go ice skating in the park.
morgen means tomorrow, and im Park means in the park. In the future, werde is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive eislaufen goes to the end, so it is not split.
der Eisläufer — ice skater
der Eisläufer is a person who skates on ice. Its plural is die Eisläufer, with no change to the noun; do not confuse it with der Eislauf, the activity.
Der Eisläufer trainiert jeden Morgen.
The ice skater trains every morning.
trainiert means trains, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Der Eisläufer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Eisläufer auf der Bahn.
I see the ice skater on the rink.
sehen means to see, and die Bahn is the rink here. den Eisläufer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; auf der Bahn is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich helfe dem Eisläufer mit den Schlittschuhen.
I help the ice skater with the skates.
helfen means to help, and die Schlittschuhe are ice skates. dem Eisläufer is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; mit also forces the dative.
Die Technik des Eisläufers ist beeindruckend.
The ice skater’s technique is impressive.
die Technik means technique, and beeindruckend means impressive. des Eisläufers is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Eisläufer zeigen eine neue Übung.
The ice skaters show a new exercise.
zeigen means show, eine neue Übung means a new exercise. Die Eisläufer is the plural subject, and this noun keeps the same form as the singular without an ending.
der Fallschirm — parachute
The compound Fallschirm combines fallen, “to fall”, and Schirm, “canopy” or “umbrella”. Its plural is Fallschirme, not Fallschirms.
Der Fallschirm öffnet sich über dem Flugzeug.
The parachute opens above the aeroplane.
öffnet sich means “opens”, and über dem Flugzeug means “above the aeroplane”. das Flugzeug is an aeroplane. Der Fallschirm is nominative because it is the subject, and sich öffnen is a reflexive verb; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Der Pilot trägt einen Fallschirm.
The pilot is carrying a parachute.
der Pilot is the pilot, and trägt means “carries” or “wears”. einen Fallschirm is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trägt stands in position two.
Sie vertraut dem Fallschirm.
She trusts the parachute.
sie means “she”, and vertraut means “trusts”. dem Fallschirm is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraut is in position two.
Die Farbe des Fallschirms ist rot.
The colour of the parachute is red.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and rot means “red”. des Fallschirms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist is in position two.
Auf dem Boden liegen drei Fallschirme.
Three parachutes are lying on the ground.
auf dem Boden means “on the ground”, and liegen means “are lying”. Fallschirme is plural with drei; auf dem Boden is dative because it describes a location, not movement.
die Fitness — fitness, physical condition; fitness training, exercise
Fitness usually means general physical condition and is normally used only in the singular. It is often used with haben, verbessern or trainieren when talking about exercise.
Die Fitness ist mir wichtig.
Fitness is important to me.
wichtig means important, and mir means to me. Fitness is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and mir is dative with the meaning “to me.”
Ich trainiere die Fitness meiner Beine.
I train my leg fitness.
trainieren means to train, and die Beine means the legs. Fitness is accusative because trainieren takes an accusative object, while meiner Beine is genitive and means of my legs; the finite verb trainiere is in position two.
Mit der Fitness kommt auch mehr Energie.
With better fitness, more energy also comes.
mit means with, and mehr Energie means more energy. der Fitness is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb kommt is in position two, after the prepositional phrase.
Die Bedeutung der Fitness wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of fitness is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means the importance, and unterschätzt means underestimated. der Fitness is genitive because it specifies whose importance is meant; wird ... unterschätzt is a passive construction with the participle at the end.
Sportler achten auf ihre Fitness.
Athletes pay attention to their fitness.
Sportler means athletes, and achten auf means pay attention to. Fitness normally has no plural because it is uncountable; ihre Fitness is accusative because auf in this fixed expression takes the accusative.
Im Urlaub mache ich morgens Fitness.
I do fitness training in the mornings on holiday.
im Urlaub means on holiday, and morgens means in the mornings. Fitness is used without an article here because it refers to an activity; the finite verb mache is in position two, while im Urlaub gives the setting.
Das Hotel bietet Fitness und Yoga an.
The hotel offers fitness training and yoga.
das Hotel means the hotel, bietet ... an means offers, and Yoga is a type of exercise. Fitness and Yoga are accusative objects of anbieten; the separable verb has bietet in position two and an at the end.
der Fußballclub — football club, soccer club
Fußballclub is a compound of Fußball, football, and Club, club. Fußballverein is also very common and often means the same thing.
Der Fußballclub trainiert jeden Dienstag.
The football club trains every Tuesday.
trainiert means trains, and jeden Dienstag means every Tuesday. Der Fußballclub is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trainiert is in position two.
Die Stadt unterstützt den Fußballclub.
The city supports the football club.
die Stadt means the city and unterstützt means supports. den Fußballclub is accusative because unterstützen takes an accusative object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Kinder spielen in dem Fußballclub.
The children play in the football club.
die Kinder means the children and spielen means play. in dem Fußballclub is dative because in describes a fixed location here; dem is the masculine dative article.
Die Geschichte des Fußballclubs ist beeindruckend.
The history of the football club is impressive.
die Geschichte means the history and beeindruckend means impressive. des Fußballclubs is genitive because it names the club whose history is meant; the noun takes -s.
Viele Fußballclubs suchen neue Trainer.
Many football clubs are looking for new coaches.
viele means many, suchen means are looking for, and neue Trainer means new coaches. Fußballclubs forms its plural with -s; the plural subject requires suchen, not sucht.
der Fußballspieler — football player, soccer player
This compound means Fußball, football, plus Spieler, player. Unlike weak masculine nouns such as Junge, it does not add -n in the accusative or dative singular.
Der Fußballspieler trainiert jeden Tag.
The football player trains every day.
trainiert means trains, and jeden Tag means every day. Der Fußballspieler is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Der Trainer lobt den Fußballspieler.
The coach praises the football player.
der Trainer is the coach and lobt means praises. den Fußballspieler is accusative because loben takes an accusative object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Fußballspieler eine Flasche Wasser.
I give the football player a bottle of water.
geben means to give, eine Flasche Wasser means a bottle of water. dem Fußballspieler is dative because the recipient of geben is dative, while eine Flasche Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Die Karriere des Fußballspielers begann sehr früh.
The football player's career began very early.
die Karriere means the career and begann sehr früh means began very early. des Fußballspielers is genitive because it shows whose career it is; the noun adds -s in this form.
Die Fußballspieler laufen auf den Platz.
The football players run onto the pitch.
laufen means run and der Platz is the pitch or field. Fußballspieler has the same visible form in singular and plural, but die and laufen show the plural; auf den Platz is accusative because it expresses movement onto the pitch.
der Gegner — opponent, rival, enemy
Der Gegner is a weak masculine noun: its plural is die Gegner, but the singular usually has -n after the nominative, for example dem Gegner. The word can describe a sports opponent, a political rival, or an enemy, depending on context.
Der Gegner spielt sehr gut.
The opponent plays very well.
spielt sehr gut means plays very well. Der Gegner is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Wir sehen den Gegner heute.
We are seeing the opponent today.
sehen means to see, and heute means today. Den Gegner is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Wir gratulieren dem Gegner.
We congratulate the opponent.
gratulieren means to congratulate. It takes a dative object, so dem Gegner is dative; because this is a weak masculine noun, Gegner has no visible extra ending here, although other forms can show -n.
Die Taktik des Gegners war überraschend.
The opponent’s tactics were surprising.
die Taktik is the tactic, and überraschend means surprising. Des Gegners expresses possession in the genitive; the weak masculine noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Gegner warten schon.
The opponents are already waiting.
warten schon means are already waiting. Die Gegner is plural and has no plural ending change; the finite verb warten shows the plural.
die Gegnerin — female opponent, female rival
Die Gegnerin is the feminine form of der Gegner. Its plural is formed with -innen, giving die Gegnerinnen; unlike the masculine noun, it is not a weak noun.
Die Gegnerin ist sehr schnell.
The opponent is very fast.
sehr schnell means very fast. Die Gegnerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir beobachten die Gegnerin.
We are watching the opponent.
beobachten means to watch or observe. Die Gegnerin is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Wir helfen der Gegnerin.
We help the opponent.
helfen means to help. It takes a dative object, so der Gegnerin is dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Strategie der Gegnerin war klug.
The opponent’s strategy was clever.
die Strategie is the strategy, and klug means clever. Der Gegnerin is genitive because it shows whose strategy it was; feminine nouns normally have no special genitive ending.
Die Gegnerinnen trainieren jeden Tag.
The opponents train every day.
trainieren means train, and jeden Tag means every day. Die Gegnerinnen is plural and ends in -innen, the usual ending for feminine person nouns; the verb trainieren is plural.
gewinnen — to win, to gain; to gain, to increase
Gewinnen is a strong verb: gewinnen – gewann – hat gewonnen. It takes an accusative object, for example ein Spiel gewinnen; the opposite is verlieren.
Meine Mannschaft gewinnt das Spiel.
My team is winning the game.
meine Mannschaft means my team, and das Spiel means the game. Das Spiel is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; the finite verb gewinnt stands in position two.
Wir haben das Finale gewonnen.
We won the final.
das Finale means the final match. Das Finale is accusative as the object of gewinnen; the perfect is formed with haben and gewonnen, which goes to the end.
Unsere Mannschaft gewann gestern den Pokal.
Our team won the cup yesterday.
unsere Mannschaft means our team, gestern means yesterday, and der Pokal means the cup or trophy. Den Pokal is accusative because it is the object; gewann is the strong-verb preterite and has no -te ending.
Gewinn das Rennen!
Win the race!
das Rennen means the race. Das Rennen is accusative because it is the object of the command; the informal singular imperative is gewinn, without a pronoun.
Wenn sie besser trainierte, gewänne sie den Wettbewerb.
If she trained better, she would win the competition.
besser trainieren means to train better, and der Wettbewerb means the competition. Den Wettbewerb is accusative as the object; gewänne is Konjunktiv II for an unreal or hypothetical result, and the verb goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Unsere Mannschaft wird morgen das Spiel gewinnen.
Our team will win the game tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and unsere Mannschaft means our team. Das Spiel is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; in the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive gewinnen goes to the end.
Durch die Reise hat er viel Erfahrung gewonnen.
Through the trip, he gained a lot of experience.
durch die Reise means through the trip, and viel Erfahrung means a lot of experience. Durch takes the accusative, while viel Erfahrung is the accusative object of gewinnen; the participle gewonnen stands at the end.
Das Thema gewinnt immer mehr an Bedeutung.
The topic is becoming increasingly important.
das Thema means the topic, and immer mehr means increasingly or more and more. The fixed expression an Bedeutung gewinnen means to gain importance; an takes the dative here, and the finite verb gewinnt is in position two.
der Gewinner — winner
Der Gewinner is a weak masculine noun: after der in the nominative singular it has no extra ending, but use den Gewinner, dem Gewinner, and des Gewinners in the other cases. The feminine form is die Gewinnerin.
Der Gewinner bekommt einen Pokal.
The winner gets a trophy.
bekommt means gets, and einen Pokal means a trophy. Der Gewinner is nominative because it is the subject, while einen Pokal is accusative because it is the thing received; bekommt stands in position two.
Die Zuschauer feiern den Gewinner.
The spectators celebrate the winner.
die Zuschauer means the spectators, and feiern means celebrate. Den Gewinner is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Gewinner takes -n after den.
Die Trainerin gratuliert dem Gewinner.
The female coach congratulates the winner.
die Trainerin means the female coach, and gratuliert means congratulates. Gratulieren takes the dative, so dem Gewinner has dative dem and the weak-noun ending -n.
Die Entscheidung des Gewinners war überraschend.
The winner’s decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and überraschend means surprising. Des Gewinners is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the weak masculine noun has -n in the genitive and -s as part of this form.
Die Gewinner feiern gemeinsam.
The winners celebrate together.
gemeinsam means together. Die Gewinner is plural nominative and has no visible plural ending; the finite verb feiern follows the plural subject.
die Gewinnerin — female winner
Die Gewinnerin is the feminine form of der Gewinner. Its plural is formed with -innen, and the feminine article changes from die to der in the dative and genitive.
Die Gewinnerin erhält eine Medaille.
The female winner receives a medal.
erhält means receives, and eine Medaille means a medal. Die Gewinnerin is nominative because it is the subject, while eine Medaille is accusative because it is what she receives; the finite verb erhält is in position two.
Die Jury ehrt die Gewinnerin.
The jury honours the female winner.
die Jury means the jury, and ehrt means honours. Die Gewinnerin is accusative because ehren takes a direct object; the feminine article die is the same in nominative and accusative, so the sentence position helps identify the case.
Die Moderatorin gratuliert der Gewinnerin.
The presenter congratulates the female winner.
die Moderatorin means the female presenter, and gratuliert means congratulates. Gratulieren takes the dative, so the feminine article changes to der Gewinnerin; the noun itself does not change.
Die Freude der Gewinnerin war deutlich zu sehen.
The female winner’s joy was clearly visible.
die Freude means the joy, and deutlich zu sehen means clearly visible. Der Gewinnerin is genitive because it shows whose joy it was; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Gewinnerinnen stehen auf der Bühne.
The female winners are standing on the stage.
stehen means are standing, and die Bühne means the stage. Die Gewinnerinnen is plural nominative; auf der Bühne is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement onto the stage.
das Golfspiel — golf game, golf match
Das Golfspiel means one game or match of golf, while Golf alone names the sport. The plural is die Golfspiele, and the genitive is des Golfspiels.
Das Golfspiel beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The golf match begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Das Golfspiel is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe das Golfspiel im Fernsehen.
I watch the golf match on television.
sehe means watch or see, and im Fernsehen means on television. Das Golfspiel is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Nach dem Golfspiel essen wir zusammen.
After the golf match, we eat together.
nach means after, essen means eat, and zusammen means together. Dem Golfspiel is dative because nach always takes the dative; the sentence begins with this phrase, so essen comes in position two.
Die Regeln des Golfspiels sind kompliziert.
The rules of the golf match are complicated.
die Regeln means the rules, and kompliziert means complicated. Des Golfspiels is genitive to identify the match whose rules are meant, while sind stands in position two.
Die Golfspiele am Wochenende sind ausverkauft.
The golf matches at the weekend are sold out.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and ausverkauft means sold out. Die Golfspiele is the plural subject, so the verb is sind, not singular ist.
die Gymnastik — gymnastics, physical exercise
Gymnastik is generally a mass noun in German, so it has no ordinary plural. For particular routines or classes, speakers often use Übungen, meaning exercises.
Die Gymnastik tut meinem Rücken gut.
Gymnastics is good for my back.
tut ... gut means is good for, and meinem Rücken means for my back. Die Gymnastik is nominative because it is the subject, while meinem Rücken is dative because guttun marks the person or body part that benefits.
Ich mache jeden Morgen Gymnastik.
I do exercises every morning.
mache means do, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Gymnastik is an uncountable accusative object after machen and normally has no article; the finite verb mache stands in position two.
Meine Ärztin empfiehlt mir Gymnastik.
My doctor recommends exercise to me.
meine Ärztin means my female doctor, and empfiehlt means recommends. Mir is dative because it marks the person receiving the recommendation, while Gymnastik names the activity recommended.
Die Wirkung der Gymnastik ist deutlich.
The effect of the exercises is clear.
die Wirkung means the effect, and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Der Gymnastik is genitive because it specifies the source of the effect; feminine die changes to der, while the noun stays unchanged.
der Handball — handball
Handball usually means the sport, not just the ball. The plural Handbälle is used when several physical balls are meant.
Handball ist in Deutschland sehr beliebt.
Handball is very popular in Germany.
ist means is, in Deutschland means in Germany, and beliebt means popular. Handball is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir spielen heute Handball.
We are playing handball today.
Wir means we, spielen means play, and heute means today. Handball is accusative because spielen takes the sport as its object; the sentence still has the finite verb in position two.
Nach dem Training gehe ich zum Handball.
After training, I am going to the handball game.
Nach dem Training means after training, gehe means go, and zum means to the. dem Training is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase zum Handball can mean to the handball match.
Die Regeln des Handballs sind nicht einfach.
The rules of handball are not simple.
Regeln means rules and nicht einfach means not simple. des Handballs is genitive because it identifies which sport the rules belong to; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Die Handbälle liegen in der Halle.
The handballs are in the sports hall.
liegen means lie or are located, in der Halle means in the sports hall. Handbälle is the plural subject, while der Halle is dative because in describes a location, not movement.
der Helm — helmet; helm, control of a ship
der Helm is the usual word for protective headgear. The plural is die Helme, and the genitive is des Helms.
Der Helm liegt auf dem Tisch.
The helmet is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Helm is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Ich kaufe den Helm für mein Kind.
I am buying the helmet for my child.
ich kaufe means I buy, and für mein Kind means for my child. den Helm is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while für always takes the accusative.
Ich fahre mit dem Helm im Rucksack.
I am travelling with the helmet in my backpack.
ich fahre means I travel or ride, and im Rucksack means in the backpack. mit dem Helm is dative because mit always governs the dative; the location phrase im Rucksack is also dative.
Die Farbe des Helms ist auffällig.
The colour of the helmet is conspicuous.
die Farbe means the colour, and auffällig means conspicuous or noticeable. des Helms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun adds -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Laden liegen viele Helme.
There are many helmets in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Helme is the plural of der Helm; im Laden is dative because in expresses a fixed location.
Der Kapitän steht am Helm.
The captain is at the helm.
der Kapitän means the captain, and steht means stands. am Helm means at the helm; am is an dem, and an takes the dative here because this is a fixed location.
Sie übernimmt den Helm des Segelboots.
She takes control of the sailboat.
sie übernimmt means she takes over, and das Segelboot is the sailboat. den Helm is accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object; des Segelboots is genitive and means of the sailboat.
das Inlineskaten — inline skating
Inlineskaten is a nominalised activity and means inline skating. It is normally used only in the singular: das Inlineskaten; it is often used with gehen in Inlineskaten gehen.
Das Inlineskaten macht mir Spaß.
I enjoy inline skating.
macht mir Spaß means is fun for me, and Spaß means fun. Das Inlineskaten is a nominalised infinitive and is therefore capitalised and neuter; it is nominative as the subject, and macht stands in position two.
Ich mag das Inlineskaten im Park.
I like inline skating in the park.
mag means like, im Park means in the park, and Park is a park. Das Inlineskaten is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the article remains das because neuter nominative and accusative are identical.
Beim Inlineskaten trage ich einen Helm.
When inline skating, I wear a helmet.
beim means while or during and is short for bei dem; trage means wear, and der Helm is the helmet. Inlineskaten is dative after bei, and trage is in position two even though the sentence begins with the prepositional phrase.
Die Regeln des Inlineskatens sind einfach.
The rules of inline skating are simple.
die Regeln are the rules, and einfach means simple. Des Inlineskatens is genitive and identifies which rules; sind is the finite verb in position two.
joggen — to jog
joggen is a regular borrowed verb. For an ordinary statement about jogging as movement, the perfect normally uses sein: ist gejoggt.
Ich jogge jeden Morgen im Park.
I jog in the park every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and im Park means in the park. The finite verb jogge stands in position two; im Park is a location phrase in the dative.
Ich bin gestern fünf Kilometer gejoggt.
I jogged five kilometres yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and fünf Kilometer means five kilometres. The perfect uses bin with gejoggt because this activity is presented as movement; the Partizip II goes to the end.
Früher joggte sie jeden Abend.
She used to jog every evening.
früher means formerly or in the past, and jeden Abend means every evening. joggte is the regular simple-past form; the finite verb remains in position two.
Jogg langsam und trink genug Wasser.
Jog slowly and drink enough water.
langsam means slowly, trink means drink, and genug Wasser means enough water. Jogg is the informal singular command to one person; the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, joggte ich jeden Tag.
If I had more time, I would jog every day.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and jeden Tag means every day. In this unreal condition, joggte is the Konjunktiv II form; the verb comes at the end of the wenn-clause.
Morgen werde ich am See joggen.
Tomorrow I will jog by the lake.
morgen means tomorrow, and am See means by the lake. The auxiliary werde is in position two and the infinitive joggen goes to the end, forming the future sentence bracket.
der Jogginganzug — tracksuit, jogging suit
The compound combines das Jogging (jogging) and der Anzug (suit). In everyday German it can describe sportswear used for exercise or comfortable clothing worn at home.
Der Jogginganzug ist sehr bequem.
The tracksuit is very comfortable.
bequem means comfortable, and sehr means very. Der Jogginganzug is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Jogginganzug.
I am buying a new tracksuit.
kaufe means buy, and einen neuen means a new. einen neuen Jogginganzug is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the adjective has the ending -en after einen.
In dem Jogginganzug kann ich gut laufen.
I can run well in the tracksuit.
in dem Jogginganzug means in the tracksuit, and gut laufen means run well. in dem is dative because it describes location, and the modal verb kann sends laufen to the end.
Die Farbe des Jogginganzugs gefällt mir nicht.
I do not like the colour of the tracksuit.
die Farbe means the colour, gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it, and nicht means not. des Jogginganzugs is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; mir is dative with gefallen.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Jogginganzüge.
There are many tracksuits hanging in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, hängen means hang, and viele means many. Jogginganzüge is plural after viele; im Geschäft is dative because it gives the location.
Mein Jogginganzug ist nach dem Waschen noch nass.
My tracksuit is still wet after washing.
mein means my, nach dem Waschen means after washing, and nass means wet. Mein Jogginganzug is nominative after ist because it is the subject; nach takes the dative.
der Kampf — fight, struggle, battle
der Kampf can be a physical fight, a sporting contest, or a difficult struggle for a goal. Do not confuse the noun der Kampf with the related verb kämpfen, meaning to fight or struggle.
Der Kampf beginnt um acht Uhr.
The fight begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Kampf is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Die Mannschaft gewinnt den Kampf.
The team wins the fight.
die Mannschaft means the team and gewinnt means wins. den Kampf is accusative because gewinnen takes the thing that is won.
Er geht dem Kampf nicht aus dem Weg.
He does not avoid the fight.
geht ... aus dem Weg means avoids and nicht means not. dem Kampf is dative because the fixed expression jemandem aus dem Weg gehen takes a dative object.
Das Ende des Kampfs war überraschend.
The end of the fight was surprising.
das Ende means the end and überraschend means surprising. des Kampfs is genitive because it shows which fight's end; war is the past-tense verb in position two.
Viele Kämpfe dauern mehrere Stunden.
Many fights last several hours.
viele means many, dauern means last, and mehrere Stunden means several hours. Viele Kämpfe is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: dauern, not dauert.
Der Kampf war sehr anstrengend.
The fight was very exhausting.
war means was and anstrengend means exhausting. Der Kampf is the nominative subject; after sein, anstrengend is a predicative adjective and has no ending.
Sie kämpft für ihre Rechte, aber der Kampf ist noch nicht vorbei.
She is fighting for her rights, but the struggle is not over yet.
kämpft means is fighting, für ihre Rechte means for her rights, and noch nicht vorbei means not over yet. After aber, the new main clause keeps verb-second order, so ist stands in position two; der Kampf is its subject.
kicken — to play football; to kick a ball; to kick
This informal verb is common for playing football or kicking a ball. It is a weak verb: kicken - kickte - hat gekickt, and it takes haben in the perfect.
Wir kicken nach der Schule im Park.
We play football in the park after school.
nach der Schule means after school, and im Park means in the park. The finite verb kicken is in position two; im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative here because it describes a location.
Wir haben gestern im Hof gekickt.
We played football in the courtyard yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der Hof is the courtyard; im Hof means in the courtyard. The perfect uses haben plus gekickt, with the participle at the end of the clause; im Hof is dative after the location preposition in.
Als Kinder kickten sie jeden Nachmittag draußen.
When they were children, they played football outside every afternoon.
als Kinder means when they were children, jeden Nachmittag means every afternoon, and draußen means outside. Kickten is the simple past of a weak verb; the finite verb remains in position two in the main clause.
Kick den Ball zu mir!
Kick the ball to me!
der Ball is the ball, and zu mir means to me. Den Ball is accusative because it is the object of kick; the informal imperative has no subject and uses the short form kick.
Ich würde gern mit euch kicken.
I would like to play football with you.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mit euch means with you all. The polite or hypothetical form uses würde plus the infinitive kicken at the end; mit always takes the dative, shown by euch.
Am Samstag werden wir im Stadion kicken.
On Saturday we will play football in the stadium.
am Samstag means on Saturday, and das Stadion is the stadium. Future I uses werden in position two and the infinitive kicken at the end; im Stadion is dative because it describes a location.
Der Hund hat den Ball ins Gebüsch gekickt.
The dog kicked the ball into the bushes.
der Hund is the dog, der Ball is the ball, and das Gebüsch means the bushes. Den Ball is accusative because it is the object, while ins Gebüsch means into the bushes and uses accusative after in for movement; gekickt stands at the end in the perfect.
Er kickte wütend gegen die Tür.
He kicked angrily against the door.
wütend means angrily, and gegen die Tür means against the door. The preposition gegen takes the accusative, and kickte is the finite verb in position two.
klettern — to climb
Klettern is a regular weak verb. In the perfect, movement is commonly expressed with sein—ist geklettert—but the activity can also be expressed with haben: Er hat den ganzen Tag geklettert.
Die Kinder klettern auf den Baum.
The children are climbing the tree.
die Kinder means the children, and der Baum means the tree. Auf den Baum is accusative because auf describes movement towards a place; the finite verb klettern stands in position two.
Wir sind gestern auf den Berg geklettert.
Yesterday we climbed the mountain.
gestern means yesterday, der Berg means the mountain, and sein means to be. The perfect uses sind plus geklettert because the climbing expresses movement; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Er kletterte vorsichtig über die Mauer.
He climbed carefully over the wall.
vorsichtig means carefully, and die Mauer means the wall. Kletterte is the regular Präteritum form; über die Mauer is accusative because it describes movement across it.
Kletter nicht so hoch!
Do not climb so high!
nicht means not, and so hoch means so high. Kletter is the singular du imperative and stands first; the subject du is left out, and nicht comes before the part being negated.
Ich würde gern auf diesen Felsen klettern.
I would like to climb this rock.
gern means gladly or would like to, and dieser Felsen means this rock. The polite hypothetical uses würde plus the infinitive klettern, which goes to the end; auf diesen Felsen is accusative because it expresses movement towards the rock.
Morgen werde ich mit meinem Bruder klettern.
Tomorrow I will go climbing with my brother.
morgen means tomorrow, der Bruder means the brother, and mit means with. Future uses werde in position two and sends the infinitive klettern to the end; mit meinem Bruder is dative after mit.
der Kopfsprung — headfirst dive
A Kopfsprung is a type of dive, not simply any jump involving the head. The usual verb is einen Kopfsprung machen or einen Kopfsprung springen.
Der Kopfsprung war mutig.
The headfirst dive was brave.
mutig means brave. Der Kopfsprung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Sie macht einen Kopfsprung.
She does a headfirst dive.
Sie means she and macht means does. Einen Kopfsprung is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Der Trainer zeigt dem Kopfsprung besondere Aufmerksamkeit.
The trainer gives special attention to the headfirst dive.
der Trainer is the coach, zeigt means gives or shows, and besondere Aufmerksamkeit means special attention. Dem Kopfsprung is dative because zeigen can mark the thing receiving attention with the dative; the direct object is Aufmerksamkeit.
Die Technik des Kopfsprungs ist nicht einfach.
The technique of the headfirst dive is not easy.
die Technik means the technique and nicht einfach means not easy. Des Kopfsprungs is genitive because it identifies the technique belonging to the dive; the noun takes -s.
Im Wettbewerb sehen wir viele Kopfsprünge.
In the competition we see many headfirst dives.
im Wettbewerb means in the competition, sehen means see, and viele means many. Kopfsprünge is plural and accusative because it is the object of sehen; the umlaut changes u to ü.
kämpfen — to fight; to struggle
With für or gegen, kämpfen often means working hard for or against something, not only physical fighting. The fixed phrases für etwas kämpfen and gegen etwas kämpfen both use the accusative after the preposition.
Er kämpft für seine Rechte.
He fights for his rights.
für means “for”, seine Rechte means “his rights”, and Rechte means “rights”. Für seine Rechte is an accusative prepositional phrase because für always takes the accusative; the finite verb kämpft is in position two.
Wir haben lange gekämpft.
We fought for a long time.
lange means “for a long time”. The perfect uses haben plus gekämpft because kämpfen takes haben; the participle goes to the end of the clause.
Die Mannschaft kämpfte bis zum Ende.
The team fought until the end.
die Mannschaft means “the team”, bis zum Ende means “until the end”, and Ende means “end”. The subject die Mannschaft is nominative, and the weak-verb preterite kämpfte stands in position two.
Kämpf für deine Familie!
Fight for your family!
für deine Familie means “for your family”, and Familie means “family”. Für takes the accusative, shown by deine; the imperative kämpf comes first and has no written du.
Wenn er mutiger wäre, kämpfte er weiter.
If he were braver, he would keep fighting.
wenn means “if”, mutiger means “braver”, wäre means “were”, and weiter means “on/further”. In the wenn-clause, kämpfte is the Konjunktiv II form and stands at the end; the subject er is nominative.
Sie wird für ihren Traum kämpfen.
She will fight for her dream.
wird means “will”, für ihren Traum means “for her dream”, and Traum means “dream”. Für ihren Traum is accusative because für governs the accusative; the infinitive kämpfen goes to the end after wird.
die Mannschaft — team, squad; crew, organised group
A Mannschaft is a group that competes together, especially in sport. It is also used for an organised crew or group in some contexts; the plural is always Mannschaften.
Die Mannschaft trainiert jeden Montag.
The team trains every Monday.
trainiert means trains, and jeden Montag means every Monday. Die Mannschaft is the nominative subject, and the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Der Trainer lobt die Mannschaft.
The coach praises the team.
der Trainer means the coach and lobt means praises. Die Mannschaft is accusative because it is the direct object of lobt, while der Trainer is the nominative subject.
Der Trainer gibt der Mannschaft neue Trikots.
The coach gives the team new jerseys.
gibt means gives, neue means new, and die Trikots are the jerseys. Der Mannschaft is dative because it receives something, while neue Trikots is the accusative object.
Die Leistung der Mannschaft war beeindruckend.
The team's performance was impressive.
die Leistung means the performance and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Mannschaft is genitive because it shows whose performance is meant; the adjective is predicative after war.
Die Mannschaften spielen heute gegeneinander.
The teams are playing against each other today.
spielen means play, heute means today, and gegeneinander means against each other. Die Mannschaften is the plural subject, and spielen is the matching plural verb.
Die Mannschaft des Schiffs arbeitet rund um die Uhr.
The ship's crew works around the clock.
das Schiff means ship, arbeitet means works, and rund um die Uhr means around the clock. Des Schiffs is genitive because it identifies which crew is meant, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Mannschaft begrüßt die Passagiere an Bord.
The crew welcomes the passengers on board.
begrüßt means welcomes, die Passagiere means the passengers, and an Bord means on board. Die Mannschaft is the nominative subject, while die Passagiere is accusative as the direct object.
die Niederlage — defeat, loss
die Niederlage is used for losing a match, election, battle, or similar contest. The opposite is der Sieg; do not confuse Niederlage with die Lage, which means situation or location.
Die Niederlage war bitter.
The defeat was bitter.
bitter means bitter or painful, and war means was. die Niederlage is the nominative subject of war; the adjective bitter is predicative after sein and has no ending.
Die Mannschaft akzeptiert die Niederlage.
The team accepts the defeat.
die Mannschaft means the team, and akzeptiert means accepts. die Niederlage is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; the finite verb akzeptiert is in position two.
Nach der Niederlage sprach der Trainer mit den Spielern.
After the defeat, the coach spoke with the players.
nach means after, der Trainer means the coach, and die Spieler means the players. nach der Niederlage is dative because nach governs the dative; the phrase comes first, so the finite verb sprach still occupies position two.
Die Folgen der Niederlage waren schwer.
The consequences of the defeat were serious.
die Folgen means the consequences, and schwer means serious or difficult. der Niederlage is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they were; the finite verb waren is in position two.
Zwei Niederlagen in einer Woche sind zu viel.
Two defeats in one week are too many.
zwei means two, in einer Woche means in one week, and zu viel means too much. Niederlagen is the plural subject, so the verb is plural sind; after a number, the noun has no article.
der Pfeil — arrow
Pfeil is also used for an arrow symbol on a sign or screen. The plural is Pfeile, without an umlaut.
Der Pfeil fliegt durch die Luft.
The arrow flies through the air.
fliegt means flies, durch means through, and die Luft means the air. Der Pfeil is nominative because it is the subject; durch die Luft is accusative because durch always takes the accusative.
Der Schütze nimmt den Pfeil.
The archer takes the arrow.
der Schütze means the archer, and nimmt means takes. Den Pfeil is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich folge dem Pfeil auf der Karte.
I follow the arrow on the map.
folgen means to follow, and die Karte means the map. Dem Pfeil is dative because folgen governs the dative, while auf der Karte is also dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Spitze des Pfeils ist sehr scharf.
The tip of the arrow is very sharp.
die Spitze means the tip, and scharf means sharp. Des Pfeils is genitive because it shows that the tip belongs to the arrow; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist is in position two.
Die Pfeile zeigen auf das Ziel.
The arrows point at the target.
zeigen means point or show, auf means at here, and das Ziel means the target. Pfeile is plural and therefore takes zeigen; auf das Ziel is accusative because the arrows point toward a target.
das Pferderennen — horse race
Pferderennen is a compound of Pferd and Rennen, meaning horse race. Its plural has no ending: ein Pferderennen, but zwei Pferderennen.
Das Pferderennen beginnt um drei Uhr.
The horse race starts at three o'clock.
beginnen means to start, and um drei Uhr means at three o'clock. Das Pferderennen is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen das Pferderennen im Fernsehen.
We are watching the horse race on television.
im Fernsehen means on television. Das Pferderennen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Bei dem Pferderennen sind viele Zuschauer.
There are many spectators at the horse race.
bei means at or during, and viele Zuschauer means many spectators. Dem Pferderennen is dative because bei always takes the dative.
Die Ergebnisse des Pferderennens stehen online.
The results of the horse race are online.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and online means online. Des Pferderennens is genitive because it identifies which results; Pferderennen adds -s in this form.
Am Wochenende finden zwei Pferderennen statt.
Two horse races take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and stattfinden means to take place. Pferderennen has the same form in singular and plural; finden and statt split because stattfinden is separable.
das Pilates — Pilates
Das Pilates is a singular-only mass noun and names the exercise system. It is often used without an article after Pilates machen; the related compound Pilateskurs means Pilates class.
Das Pilates tut meinem Rücken gut.
Pilates is good for my back.
meinem Rücken means my back, and gut tun means to be good for someone. das Pilates is the nominative subject; meinem Rücken is dative because the expression jemandem guttun describes who benefits.
Ich mache das Pilates jeden Dienstag.
I do Pilates every Tuesday.
jeden Dienstag means every Tuesday. das Pilates is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the finite verb mache is in position two, while the time expression comes at the end.
Nach dem Pilates dusche ich sofort.
After Pilates, I take a shower immediately.
nach means after, duschen means take a shower, and sofort means immediately. nach always takes the dative, so dem Pilates is dative; because the prepositional phrase comes first, dusche still stays in position two before ich.
Die Wirkung des Pilates spüre ich schnell.
I quickly feel the effect of Pilates.
die Wirkung means the effect, spüren means feel, and schnell means quickly. des Pilates is genitive because it identifies the exercise whose effect is meant; the object die Wirkung comes first, so the finite verb spüre is in position two and ich follows it.
der Radfahrer — cyclist
Der Radfahrer is a masculine noun for a cyclist. Its plural has no ending: die Radfahrer.
Der Radfahrer trägt einen Helm.
The cyclist is wearing a helmet.
trägt means is wearing, and der Helm means the helmet. Der Radfahrer is nominative because it is the subject; trägt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Radfahrer.
I see the cyclist.
sehen means to see. Den Radfahrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and sehe is the finite verb in position two.
Ich helfe dem Radfahrer.
I help the cyclist.
helfen means to help. Helfen always takes the dative, so dem Radfahrer is dative; helfe stands in position two.
Das Fahrrad des Radfahrers ist teuer.
The cyclist's bicycle is expensive.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and teuer means expensive. Des Radfahrers is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Radfahrer warten an der Ampel.
The cyclists are waiting at the traffic light.
warten means to wait, and die Ampel means the traffic light. Radfahrer has the same spelling in the singular and plural, while die shows the plural here; an der Ampel is dative because it describes a location.
die Radfahrerin — female cyclist
Die Radfahrerin is the feminine form of der Radfahrer. The plural ending is -innen, giving die Radfahrerinnen.
Die Radfahrerin fährt sehr vorsichtig.
The female cyclist rides very carefully.
fährt means rides or drives, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Radfahrerin is nominative as the subject, and fährt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Radfahrerin.
I see the female cyclist.
sehen means to see. Die Radfahrerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; with feminine nouns, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Radfahrerin.
I help the female cyclist.
helfen means to help. It takes the dative, so the feminine article is der in der Radfahrerin; helfe is in position two.
Das Fahrrad der Radfahrerin ist rot.
The female cyclist's bicycle is red.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and rot means red. Der Radfahrerin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine noun does not receive an extra ending.
Die Radfahrerinnen fahren durch den Park.
The female cyclists are riding through the park.
fahren means ride, and durch den Park means through the park. Radfahrerinnen is the plural formed with -innen; durch takes the accusative.
das Radrennen — bicycle race
Das Radrennen is a race on bicycles, usually as a sporting event. It is a compound of das Rad (bicycle) and das Rennen (race), and its plural is unchanged: die Radrennen.
Das Radrennen beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The bicycle race starts at ten o'clock.
beginnen means to begin, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Das Radrennen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Zuschauer sehen das Radrennen im Fernsehen.
The spectators watch the bicycle race on television.
die Zuschauer means the spectators, sehen means watch or see, and im Fernsehen means on television. Das Radrennen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Die Strecke gefällt dem Radrennen nicht.
The route does not suit the bicycle race.
die Strecke means the route, gefallen means to please or suit, and nicht means not. Dem Radrennen is dative because gefallen assigns dative to the person or thing that likes something; the finite verb gefällt is in position two.
Die Organisation des Radrennens war schwierig.
Organising the bicycle race was difficult.
die Organisation means the organisation, and schwierig means difficult. Des Radrennens is genitive because it specifies which organisation is meant; the finite verb war is in position two.
Im Sommer finden viele Radrennen statt.
Many bicycle races take place in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and stattfinden means to take place. Radrennen has the same singular and plural form; finden is in position two and the separable prefix statt goes to the end.
die Rangliste — ranking list, rankings
Die Rangliste is a list ordered by points, results, or quality. Do not translate it as a simple list: Liste means list, while Rang adds the idea of ranking.
Die Rangliste zeigt die besten Spieler.
The ranking list shows the best players.
zeigen means to show and die besten Spieler means the best players. Die Rangliste is nominative because it is the subject, while die besten Spieler is accusative because it is what the list shows.
Ich sehe die Rangliste im Internet.
I can see the ranking list on the internet.
sehen means to see and im Internet means on the internet. Die Rangliste is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; sehe is in position two.
Auf der Rangliste steht unser Verein ganz oben.
Our club is right at the top of the ranking list.
unser Verein is our club and ganz oben means right at the top. Auf der Rangliste is dative because auf describes a fixed location; steht is in position two and unser Verein is the subject.
Das Ergebnis der Rangliste überrascht mich.
The result of the ranking list surprises me.
das Ergebnis is the result and überraschen means to surprise. Der Rangliste is genitive and means “of the ranking list”; mich is accusative because I am the person surprised.
Die Ranglisten werden jeden Monat aktualisiert.
The ranking lists are updated every month.
jeden Monat means every month and aktualisieren means to update. Die Ranglisten is the plural subject; werden aktualisiert is the passive, with the participle at the end.
der Rekord — record, best result
In sport, einen Rekord brechen means to beat an existing record, while einen Rekord aufstellen means to set a new one. The word can also mean a recording or record in technical contexts, but the achievement meaning is the common learner use.
Der Rekord liegt bei 9,58 Sekunden.
The record is 9.58 seconds.
liegt bei means stands at, and Sekunden means seconds. Der Rekord is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Sie hat den Rekord gebrochen.
She broke the record.
sie means she, and gebrochen means broken. Den Rekord is accusative because brechen takes a direct object; in the perfect, hat is in position two and gebrochen goes to the end.
Er nähert sich dem Rekord.
He is getting close to the record.
sich nähern means get close to, and nähert sich means is getting close. Dem Rekord is dative because sich nähern requires dative; the reflexive pronoun sich is separate from the dative object.
Die Verbesserung des Rekords war überraschend.
The improvement of the record was surprising.
die Verbesserung means the improvement, and überraschend means surprising. Des Rekords is genitive because it identifies which record was improved; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die neuen Rekorde stehen in der Zeitung.
The new records are in the newspaper.
neuen means new, stehen means are listed or stand, and die Zeitung means the newspaper. Die neuen Rekorde is plural nominative as the subject; in der Zeitung is dative because it describes a location.
das Rennen — race, racing competition; contest, competition
Das Rennen is the noun for a race or racing event. It is formed from the verb rennen, but it is a neuter noun and must be written with a capital letter.
Das Rennen beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The race begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Das Rennen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir sehen das Rennen im Fernsehen.
We are watching the race on television.
wir sehen means we watch or see, and im Fernsehen means on television. Das Rennen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Bei dem Rennen trägt er eine rote Nummer.
At the race, he wears a red number.
bei dem Rennen means at the race, trägt means wears, and eine rote Nummer means a red number. Bei always takes the dative, so dem Rennen is dative; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Die Strecke des Rennens ist zehn Kilometer lang.
The course of the race is ten kilometres long.
die Strecke means the course, zehn Kilometer means ten kilometres, and lang means long. Des Rennens is genitive because it shows which race the course belongs to; the noun gets -s in the genitive.
Am Wochenende finden mehrere Rennen statt.
Several races take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, mehrere means several, and stattfinden means take place. Rennen is plural after mehrere, and the separable verb stattfinden splits so that finden is in position two and statt is at the end.
Sie liegt im Rennen um den ersten Platz vorn.
She is ahead in the contest for first place.
liegt ... vorn means is ahead, um den ersten Platz means for first place, and ersten means first. Im Rennen is in dem Rennen, with dative because in describes a situation or location; um takes the accusative in this fixed competition phrase.
Zwei Kandidaten sind noch im Rennen.
Two candidates are still in the running.
zwei Kandidaten means two candidates and noch means still. Im Rennen is in dem Rennen and uses the dative because it describes a state or situation, not movement into a place.
rudern — to row
Rudern is usually used without a direct object for the activity, or with a boat as the object. Its perfect normally uses haben: hat gerudert.
Wir rudern jeden Samstag auf dem See.
We row on the lake every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and auf dem See means on the lake. The finite verb rudern stands in position two; auf takes the dative here because dem See describes a fixed location.
Wir haben zwei Stunden gerudert.
We rowed for two hours.
zwei Stunden means two hours. The perfect uses haben plus gerudert, and the Partizip II goes to the end of the clause; gerudert does not take sein here.
Sie ruderte allein über den Fluss.
She rowed across the river alone.
allein means alone, and über den Fluss means across the river. Ruderte is the weak preterite with -te; über takes the accusative for movement across something.
Rudere nicht so schnell!
Do not row so fast!
nicht so schnell means not so fast. Rudere is the informal singular imperative and has no subject; the negative word nicht comes before the adverbial phrase it negates.
Wenn das Wetter besser wäre, ruderte ich bis zur Insel.
If the weather were better, I would row as far as the island.
das Wetter is the weather, besser means better, and bis zur Insel means as far as the island. In the unreal conditional, ruderte is the same form as the preterite for this weak verb; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Morgen werde ich auf dem Fluss rudern.
Tomorrow I will row on the river.
morgen means tomorrow, and auf dem Fluss means on the river. Future tense uses werde plus the infinitive rudern, which goes to the end; the location takes dative after auf.
die Runde — round of drinks or food; lap, round, turn
In this sense, eine Runde is a round for everyone in a group, especially drinks. The fixed expression eine Runde ausgeben means to buy a round; ausgeben is separable.
Die Runde ist von mir.
This round is on me.
von mir means on me or paid for by me. Die Runde is nominative because it is the subject of ist; von takes the dative mir.
Ich gebe eine Runde aus.
I am buying a round.
ausgeben means buy or pay for, and eine Runde means a round for everyone. Eine Runde is accusative because ausgeben takes a direct object; the prefix aus separates and goes to the end.
Wir sitzen in einer Runde.
We are sitting in a group.
sitzen means sit, and einer Runde means a group. In einer Runde is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement into the group.
Der Preis der Runde steht auf der Rechnung.
The price of the round is on the bill.
der Preis means the price, and die Rechnung means the bill. Der Runde is genitive after der Preis to show possession; auf der Rechnung is dative because it describes location.
Wir bestellen drei Runden.
We order three rounds.
bestellen means order, and drei Runden means three rounds. The plural has -n, and the object is accusative even though the article is absent after the number.
Ich laufe noch eine Runde.
I am running one more lap.
noch means one more or still, and laufen means run. Eine Runde is accusative because it is the distance or lap being run; the finite verb laufe is in position two.
Nach zwei Runden war ich müde.
After two laps, I was tired.
nach means after, and müde means tired. Nach zwei Runden takes the dative because nach always governs dative; the plural form is Runden.
der Schiedsrichter — referee
Der Schiedsrichter is used for the official in many sports; the feminine form is die Schiedsrichterin. The plural is unchanged: die Schiedsrichter.
Der Schiedsrichter pfeift laut.
The referee blows the whistle loudly.
pfeift means “blows the whistle,” and laut means “loudly.” Der Schiedsrichter is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb pfeift stands in position two.
Die Fans sehen den Schiedsrichter.
The fans see the referee.
die Fans means “the fans,” and sehen means “see.” Den Schiedsrichter is accusative because it is the object of sehen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Der Spieler gibt dem Schiedsrichter den Ball.
The player gives the ball to the referee.
der Spieler means “the player,” gibt means “gives,” and der Ball means “the ball.” Dem Schiedsrichter is dative because he receives the ball, while den Ball is accusative as the thing given.
Die Entscheidung des Schiedsrichters war richtig.
The referee’s decision was correct.
die Entscheidung means “the decision,” and richtig means “correct.” Des Schiedsrichters is genitive and shows whose decision it was; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Die Schiedsrichter tragen schwarze Kleidung.
The referees wear black clothing.
tragen means “wear,” schwarze Kleidung means “black clothing,” and schwarz means “black.” Schiedsrichter has the same form in the singular and plural; here die Schiedsrichter is plural and nominative as the subject.
die Schiedsrichterin — female referee
The feminine noun is formed from der Schiedsrichter by replacing -er with -erin. It is used for a woman who referees a match.
Die Schiedsrichterin läuft schnell zum Ball.
The referee runs quickly to the ball.
läuft means runs, schnell means quickly, and der Ball is the ball. Die Schiedsrichterin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb läuft is in position two.
Die Spieler sehen die Schiedsrichterin.
The players see the referee.
die Spieler means the players, and sehen means see. Die Schiedsrichterin is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the finite verb sehen stands in position two.
Die Mannschaft dankt der Schiedsrichterin.
The team thanks the referee.
die Mannschaft means the team, and dankt means thanks. The verb danken takes a dative object, so der Schiedsrichterin is dative; the finite verb dankt is in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Schiedsrichterin war richtig.
The referee’s decision was correct.
die Entscheidung means the decision, and richtig means correct. Der Schiedsrichterin is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the referee”; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Schiedsrichterinnen sprechen mit den Kapitäninnen.
The referees speak with the captains.
sprechen means speak, mit means with, and die Kapitäninnen are the female captains. Die Schiedsrichterinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; mit takes the dative, as in den Kapitäninnen.
schießen — to shoot, to fire; to shoot a ball
Schießen is a strong verb with the principal parts schießen – schoss – hat geschossen. It usually takes haben in the perfect and can take an accusative object such as den Ball; auf takes the accusative when it expresses directed shooting at a target.
Der Spieler schießt den Ball ins Tor.
The player shoots the ball into the goal.
Der Spieler means the player, der Ball means the ball, and ins Tor means into the goal. Den Ball is accusative because schießen takes a direct object, and the finite verb schießt stands in position two.
Sie hat den Ball ins Tor geschossen.
She shot the ball into the goal.
Sie means she, der Ball means the ball, and ins Tor means into the goal. The perfect uses haben plus geschossen, which goes to the end; den Ball is accusative as the direct object.
Der Stürmer schoß in der letzten Minute ein Tor.
The striker scored a goal in the last minute.
Der Stürmer means the striker, in der letzten Minute means in the last minute, and ein Tor means a goal. Schoß is the strong Präteritum form of schießen; ein Tor is accusative, and the finite verb is in position two.
Schieß den Ball zu mir!
Shoot the ball to me!
Den Ball means the ball, and zu mir means to me. Schieß is the du imperative without a pronoun; den Ball is accusative, while zu takes the dative in mir.
Wenn ich besser zielen könnte, schösse ich den Ball ins Tor.
If I could aim better, I would shoot the ball into the goal.
Wenn means if, besser means better, zielen means to aim, and könnte means could. Schösse is the Konjunktiv II of schießen; the wenn-clause sends könnte to the end, while schösse stands in position two in the main clause.
Die Soldaten werden auf das Ziel schießen.
The soldiers will fire at the target.
Die Soldaten means the soldiers, auf das Ziel means at the target, and werden means will. Future I uses werden in position two and the infinitive schießen at the end; auf takes the accusative here because it expresses directed action.
der Schlittschuh — ice skate
Der Schlittschuh is one skate; people usually use the plural Schlittschuhe when talking about skating equipment. The verb for the activity is Schlittschuh laufen.
Der Schlittschuh ist zu klein.
The ice skate is too small.
ist means is, and zu klein means too small. Der Schlittschuh is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen Schlittschuh.
I am buying an ice skate.
ich means I, and kaufe means am buying. Einen Schlittschuh is accusative because it is the object of kaufe; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Das Kind fährt mit dem Schlittschuh vorsichtig.
The child moves carefully with the ice skate.
das Kind means the child, fährt means travels or moves, and vorsichtig means carefully. Mit always takes dative, so der Schlittschuh becomes dem Schlittschuh.
Die Kufe des Schlittschuhs ist rostig.
The blade of the ice skate is rusty.
die Kufe means the blade, and rostig means rusty. Des Schlittschuhs is genitive because it shows which skate the blade belongs to; the masculine noun takes des and -s.
Die Kinder tragen Schlittschuhe im Eisstadion.
The children wear ice skates in the ice rink.
die Kinder means the children, tragen means wear or carry, and im Eisstadion means in the ice rink. Schlittschuhe is plural and is the accusative object of tragen; the plural article is omitted here because the sentence uses the noun without an article.
der Schläger — bat; racket; thug; bully
In sports, der Schläger is a bat or racket. The same word can also mean a person who hits others, so the context is important.
Der Schläger liegt neben dem Ball.
The racket is lying next to the ball.
liegt means is lying, neben means next to, and der Ball is the ball. Der Schläger is nominative because it is the subject; neben dem Ball uses the dative because it describes a location.
Ich brauche einen neuen Schläger.
I need a new racket.
brauchen means need, and neu means new. Einen neuen Schläger is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective has -en after the accusative masculine article einen.
Mit dem Schläger kann ich gut spielen.
I can play well with the racket.
mit dem Schläger means with the racket, kann means can, and gut means well. Mit always takes the dative; with the modal verb kann, the infinitive spielen goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Schlägers gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the racket.
die Farbe means the colour, gefällt means is pleasing or appeals, and mir means to me. Des Schlägers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Verein liegen viele Schläger.
There are many rackets in the club.
im Verein means in the club, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Schläger is plural and nominative as the subject; its form is identical to the singular, so viele makes the plural clear.
Die Polizei hat den Schläger festgenommen.
The police arrested the thug.
die Polizei means the police, festgenommen means arrested, and hat ... festgenommen is the perfect tense. Den Schläger is accusative because festnehmen takes a direct object; the participle festgenommen goes to the end.
Ein Schläger bedrohte die Passanten.
A thug threatened the passers-by.
bedrohte means threatened, and die Passanten means the passers-by or people walking past. Ein Schläger is nominative because it is the subject, while die Passanten is accusative as the object of bedrohen; the preterite verb is in position two.
das Schwimmbecken — swimming pool, pool
Schwimmbecken is a compound of schwimmen (to swim) and Becken (basin or pool). Unlike Schwimmbad, it often means the individual pool itself, and its plural is unchanged: das Schwimmbecken, die Schwimmbecken.
Das Schwimmbecken ist heute sauber.
The swimming pool is clean today.
sauber means clean and heute means today. Das Schwimmbecken is nominative because it is the subject, and the linking verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kinder verlassen das Schwimmbecken.
The children leave the swimming pool.
die Kinder means the children and verlassen means leave. Das Schwimmbecken is accusative because verlassen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Wir schwimmen in dem Schwimmbecken.
We are swimming in the pool.
schwimmen means swim and in means in. Dem Schwimmbecken is dative because in describes a fixed location here; for movement into the pool, German uses the accusative, as in in das Schwimmbecken.
Die Tiefe des Schwimmbeckens beträgt zwei Meter.
The depth of the pool is two metres.
die Tiefe means the depth, beträgt means is or amounts to, and zwei Meter means two metres. Des Schwimmbeckens is genitive because it tells us whose depth is meant; the neuter noun takes des and -s.
Die neuen Schwimmbecken haben warme Duschen.
The new swimming pools have warm showers.
neuen means new, haben means have, and warme Duschen means warm showers. Schwimmbecken is plural and nominative because it is the subject; this noun has the same form in singular and plural, so the article and context show the number.
segeln — to sail
Segeln can mean travelling by sail or taking part in sailing as a sport. In the perfect, use sein when the sentence focuses on movement, but haben is also possible when it focuses on the activity: Wir haben den ganzen Tag gesegelt.
Wir segeln jeden Samstag auf dem See.
We sail on the lake every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and der See means lake. Wir segeln is in the present tense with the finite verb in position two; auf dem See is dative because auf describes a location here.
Wir sind gestern auf dem See gesegelt.
We sailed on the lake yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der See means lake. Gesegelt pairs with sein here because it describes movement, and the Partizip II goes to the end of the clause; auf dem See is dative for location.
Sie segelte den ganzen Nachmittag.
She sailed all afternoon.
den ganzen Nachmittag means all afternoon. Segelte is the weak-verb simple past in position two; the time expression is accusative because duration expressions commonly use the accusative.
Segel vorsichtig zum Ufer!
Sail carefully to the shore!
vorsichtig means carefully, and das Ufer means shore. Segel is the du imperative, so the pronoun is omitted and the verb comes first; zum Ufer means to the shore.
Ich würde segeln, wenn das Wetter besser wäre.
I would sail if the weather were better.
wenn means if, das Wetter means the weather, and besser means better. Würde segeln expresses an unreal condition; segeln goes to the end after würde, and wäre is final in the wenn-clause.
Morgen werden wir zur Insel segeln.
Tomorrow we will sail to the island.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Insel means island. In the future, the finite form werden is in position two and the infinitive segeln goes to the end; zur Insel expresses direction.