Appearance
Vocab: Sport — B1
Sport vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abstieg — descent, downhill section; relegation, decline
Der Abstieg is the noun from absteigen and can describe a physical descent or a downhill section of a route. Its plural is Abstiege, with an umlaut.
Der Abstieg vom Berg dauert zwei Stunden.
The descent from the mountain takes two hours.
der Berg means the mountain, and dauern means to take a length of time. Der Abstieg is nominative because it is the subject; vom Berg is dative because von always takes the dative, and dauert is in position two.
Wir beginnen den Abstieg nach dem Mittagessen.
We begin the descent after lunch.
beginnen means to begin, and das Mittagessen means lunch. den Abstieg is accusative because beginnen takes an accusative object; nach dem Mittagessen is dative because nach requires the dative.
Vor dem Abstieg machen wir eine kurze Pause.
Before the descent, we take a short break.
vor dem Abstieg means before the descent, kurz means short, and die Pause means the break. vor takes the dative here, so dem Abstieg is dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, and the finite verb machen is still in position two.
Die Dauer des Abstiegs hängt vom Wetter ab.
The duration of the descent depends on the weather.
die Dauer means the duration, das Wetter means the weather, and abhängen von means to depend on. des Abstiegs is genitive because it identifies the duration, vom Wetter is dative after von, and ab goes to the end.
Abstiege bei schlechtem Wetter sind gefährlich.
Descents in bad weather are dangerous.
schlechtes Wetter means bad weather, and gefährlich means dangerous. Abstiege is plural nominative because it is the subject; bei schlechtem Wetter is dative because bei takes the dative, and the adjective ending shows that case.
Der Verein kämpft gegen den Abstieg.
The club is fighting to avoid relegation.
der Verein means the club, and kämpfen gegen means to fight against. den Abstieg is accusative because gegen always takes the accusative; kämpft is in position two.
Nach dem Abstieg verlor die Mannschaft viele Spieler.
After relegation, the team lost many players.
nach dem Abstieg means after relegation, die Mannschaft means the team, and viele Spieler means many players. nach takes the dative, so dem Abstieg is dative; viele Spieler is accusative because verlor takes an accusative object.
der Athlet — athlete
Der Athlet is a weak masculine noun: it keeps -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular. The plural is also die Athleten, so the article and context show whether the form is singular or plural.
Der Athlet trainiert jeden Morgen.
The athlete trains every morning.
trainiert means trains, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Der Athlet is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Athleten im Stadion.
I see the athlete in the stadium.
sehen means to see and das Stadion is the stadium. den Athleten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this is a weak masculine noun, so Athlet becomes Athleten.
Die Trainerin hilft dem Athleten nach dem Wettkampf.
The female coach helps the athlete after the competition.
die Trainerin is the female coach, helfen means to help, and der Wettkampf is the competition. helfen takes the dative, so dem Athleten is dative; the weak-noun ending -en remains.
Die Leistung des Athleten beeindruckt mich.
The athlete's performance impresses me.
die Leistung means performance, beeindrucken means to impress, and mich means me. des Athleten is genitive because it shows whose performance it is; the weak masculine noun takes -en after des.
Die Athleten laufen gemeinsam ins Ziel.
The athletes run together to the finish line.
laufen means run, gemeinsam means together, and das Ziel is the finish line. Die Athleten is plural, and ins Ziel is accusative because in expresses movement towards a destination.
athletisch — athletic
This adjective describes a person or body that looks fit, strong, and sporty. It can be used before a noun or predicatively after sein.
Der neue Trainer ist sehr athletisch.
The new coach is very athletic.
der neue Trainer means the new coach. sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie hat eine athletische Figur.
She has an athletic figure.
eine Figur means a figure or physique. hat means has. athletische stands before the feminine accusative noun Figur and therefore takes the ending -e after eine.
Mia ist heute athletischer als gestern.
Mia is more athletic today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. als introduces the second part of a comparison; athletischer is the comparative form and is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Läuferinnen ist Anna am athletischsten.
Of all the female runners, Anna is the most athletic.
von allen Läuferinnen means of all the female runners. The preposition von takes the dative, shown by allen Läuferinnen. am athletischsten is the predicative superlative and comes after ist.
der Aufstieg — ascent, climb; rise, promotion; promotion, advancement
Der Aufstieg can be physical, such as climbing a mountain, or figurative, such as moving up in sport or work. Its opposite is der Abstieg.
Der Aufstieg zum Gipfel dauert drei Stunden.
The ascent to the summit takes three hours.
der Gipfel is the summit and dauert drei Stunden means takes three hours. Der Aufstieg is nominative because it is the subject; zum Gipfel is dative after zu, and the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Wir beginnen den Aufstieg am frühen Morgen.
We begin the ascent early in the morning.
wir beginnen means we begin, and am frühen Morgen means early in the morning. Den Aufstieg is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; the finite verb beginnen stands in position two.
Nach einer Pause setzen wir dem Aufstieg fort.
After a break, we continue the ascent.
nach einer Pause means after a break, and fortsetzen means to continue. This sentence uses dem Aufstieg as a dative object with the verb sich etwas fortsetzen? More naturally, wir setzen den Aufstieg fort uses accusative; therefore the correct sentence is Nach einer Pause setzen wir den Aufstieg fort. The object is accusative, and the separable verb setzen ... fort frames the clause.
Die Länge des Aufstiegs überrascht viele Wanderer.
The length of the ascent surprises many hikers.
die Länge is the length, überrascht means surprises, and viele Wanderer are many hikers. Des Aufstiegs is genitive because it specifies whose length; the finite verb überrascht is in position two.
Im Sommer sind die Aufstiege auf diesen Berg sehr beliebt.
In summer, ascents of this mountain are very popular.
im Sommer means in summer, dieser Berg is this mountain, and beliebt means popular. Die Aufstiege is plural nominative because it is the subject; auf diesen Berg uses accusative after the two-way preposition auf because it describes direction.
Der Verein feiert den Aufstieg in die Bundesliga.
The club is celebrating promotion to the Bundesliga.
der Verein is the club, feiert means celebrates, and die Bundesliga is Germany's top football league. Den Aufstieg is accusative because it is the object of feiern; in die Bundesliga is accusative after in because it expresses movement to a higher league.
Für sie war der Aufstieg im Beruf sehr wichtig.
For her, advancement in her career was very important.
für sie means for her, im Beruf means in her career or professional life, and wichtig means important. Der Aufstieg is nominative because it is the subject; für takes accusative, while im is dative from in dem.
besiegen — to defeat, to beat
Besiegen is used for defeating an opponent, team, or enemy, especially in sport or competition. It is a regular inseparable verb and forms the perfect with haben.
Unser Team besiegt den Favoriten.
Our team defeats the favourite.
unser Team means our team and der Favorit means the favourite. Den Favoriten is accusative because besiegen takes the defeated opponent as a direct object, and the finite verb besiegt is in position two.
Unsere Mannschaft hat den Gegner besiegt.
Our team defeated the opponent.
unsere Mannschaft means our team and der Gegner means the opponent. The perfect uses haben with besiegt, which goes to the end; den Gegner is accusative as the object of the verb.
Deutschland besiegte Frankreich im Finale.
Germany defeated France in the final.
im Finale means in the final. Frankreich is an accusative object without a visible case ending because it is a country name, and the regular past form besiegte stands in position two.
Besiege deinen Gegner!
Defeat your opponent!
dein Gegner means your opponent. Deinen Gegner is accusative after besiegen, and the imperative addresses one person directly, so the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich besser trainieren würde, könnte ich den Meister besiegen.
If I trained better, I could defeat the champion.
wenn means if, besser trainieren means train better, and der Meister means the champion. In the subordinate clause, würde stands at the end; könnte expresses possibility, and the infinitive besiegen goes to the end of the main clause after könnte.
Unsere Mannschaft wird den Titelverteidiger besiegen.
Our team will defeat the defending champion.
der Titelverteidiger means the defending champion. Future wird stands in position two and besiegen goes to the end; den Titelverteidiger is accusative because it is the defeated opponent.
der Eiskunstlauf — figure skating
Eiskunstlauf is normally the name of a sport and is therefore used as a singular-only noun. For separate events or competitions, speakers usually say Eiskunstlaufwettbewerbe, figure-skating competitions.
Der Eiskunstlauf ist sehr anspruchsvoll.
Figure skating is very demanding.
anspruchsvoll means demanding or requiring great skill. Der Eiskunstlauf is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Sportlerin liebt den Eiskunstlauf.
The athlete loves figure skating.
die Sportlerin is the female athlete, and lieben means to love. Den Eiskunstlauf is accusative because lieben takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie widmet sich dem Eiskunstlauf.
She devotes herself to figure skating.
sich widmen means to devote oneself to something, and sie means she. The verb sich widmen takes a dative object, so dem Eiskunstlauf is dative; the reflexive pronoun sich is also required.
Die Geschichte des Eiskunstlaufs ist faszinierend.
The history of figure skating is fascinating.
die Geschichte is the history, and faszinierend means fascinating. Des Eiskunstlaufs is genitive because it identifies which history is meant; the masculine noun adds -s.
die Leistung — achievement; performance; service or benefit; service; benefit
Leistung can mean a personal achievement or performance, but it can also mean a service or benefit provided by an organisation, such as an insurance benefit. Do not translate every use as an examination result.
Die Leistung des Sportlers war beeindruckend.
The athlete's performance was impressive.
des Sportlers means of the athlete, and beeindruckend means impressive. Die Leistung is nominative because it is the subject; des Sportlers is genitive and shows whose performance it was.
Der Trainer lobt die Leistung der Mannschaft.
The coach praises the team's performance.
der Trainer is the coach, lobt means praises, and der Mannschaft means of the team. Die Leistung is accusative because it is the object of loben; the finite verb lobt is in position two.
Wir sind mit der Leistung zufrieden.
We are satisfied with the performance.
wir means we, mit means with, and zufrieden means satisfied. Mit always takes the dative, so feminine die Leistung becomes der Leistung; the verb phrase sind ... zufrieden means are satisfied.
Die Qualität der Leistung ist sehr hoch.
The quality of the performance is very high.
die Qualität is the quality and sehr hoch means very high. Der Leistung is genitive after die Qualität and identifies which quality; the whole phrase die Qualität der Leistung is the nominative subject.
Die Leistungen der Schüler haben sich verbessert.
The students' performances have improved.
der Schüler means of the students, and haben sich verbessert means have improved. Leistungen is the plural subject, while der Schüler is a genitive phrase; the plural verb haben agrees with the subject.
Die Krankenkasse übernimmt viele Leistungen.
The health insurance fund covers many benefits.
die Krankenkasse is the health insurance fund, übernimmt means covers or takes over, and viele means many. Leistungen is accusative because it is the object of übernehmen, while übernimmt stands in position two.
Für diese Leistung müssen Sie extra bezahlen.
You have to pay extra for this service.
für diese Leistung means for this service, müssen means have to, and extra bezahlen means pay extra. Für takes the accusative, so feminine die Leistung appears as diese Leistung; the modal verb müssen is in position two and bezahlen goes to the end.
das Mittelfeld — midfield; middle range, midfield position
In football, das Mittelfeld can mean both the central part of the pitch and the group of midfield players. The plural Mittelfelder is used when several teams or pitches are being discussed.
Das Mittelfeld spielt heute sehr stark.
The midfield is playing very strongly today.
spielt heute sehr stark means is playing very strongly today. Das Mittelfeld is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb spielt stands in position two.
Der Trainer lobt das Mittelfeld.
The coach praises the midfield.
Der Trainer means the coach, and lobt means praises. das Mittelfeld is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the finite verb lobt is in position two.
Der Trainer vertraut dem Mittelfeld.
The coach trusts the midfield.
vertraut means trusts. dem Mittelfeld is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object, and the finite verb vertraut stands in position two.
Die Stärke des Mittelfelds entscheidet das Spiel.
The strength of the midfield decides the match.
die Stärke means the strength, and entscheidet das Spiel means decides the match. des Mittelfelds is genitive because it shows whose strength it is; the finite verb entscheidet is in position two.
Die beiden Mittelfelder waren heute sehr unterschiedlich.
The two midfields were very different today.
die beiden means the two, and unterschiedlich means different. Mittelfelder is the plural of Mittelfeld and is nominative because it is the subject; waren is the plural past form of sein.
Unsere Mannschaft liegt im Mittelfeld der Tabelle.
Our team is in the middle of the table.
Unsere Mannschaft means our team, and die Tabelle means the table or ranking. im Mittelfeld is short for in dem Mittelfeld; in takes the dative here because this describes a fixed position, not movement.
Bei den Ergebnissen liegt die Klasse im Mittelfeld.
The class is in the middle range in the results.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and die Klasse means the class. im Mittelfeld is a dative phrase after in for a location or position; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
das Mountainbike — mountain bike
A Mountainbike is made for uneven ground, steep paths, and trails rather than ordinary roads. The word is an English loanword, so its plural is formed with -s.
Das Mountainbike ist sehr stabil.
The mountain bike is very sturdy.
stabil means sturdy or stable, and sehr means very. Das Mountainbike is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective stabil comes after ist without an ending.
Ich nehme das Mountainbike in den Urlaub.
I am taking the mountain bike on holiday.
nehme means take, and in den Urlaub means on holiday. das Mountainbike is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; in den Urlaub is accusative because it expresses direction.
Wir fahren mit dem Mountainbike durch den Wald.
We ride the mountain bike through the forest.
durch den Wald means through the forest, and Wald means forest. dem Mountainbike is dative after mit, while den Wald is accusative after durch.
Die Reifen des Mountainbikes sind breit.
The mountain bike’s tyres are wide.
Reifen means tyres, and breit means wide. des Mountainbikes is genitive because it shows which bike the tyres belong to; this borrowed neuter noun adds -s.
Im Geschäft stehen viele Mountainbikes.
There are many mountain bikes in the shop.
Im Geschäft means in the shop, and viele means many. Mountainbikes forms the plural with -s, which is common for borrowed nouns ending in an unstressed vowel sound.
olympisch — Olympic
Olympisch usually describes something connected with the Olympic Games. It can also refer to ancient Greek Olympic tradition; in German, the official name is die Olympischen Spiele.
Der Athlet ist olympisch.
The athlete is Olympic-level.
Der Athlet means the athlete, and ist means is. Olympisch is predicative, so it follows sein and has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie trainiert für einen olympischen Wettbewerb.
She is training for an Olympic competition.
Sie trainiert means she is training, für means for, and der Wettbewerb means the competition. Für takes the accusative, so einen olympischen Wettbewerb is accusative masculine and the adjective takes -en.
Dieser Rekord ist olympischer als der alte.
This record is more Olympic than the old one.
Dieser Rekord means this record, and der alte means the old one. The comparative olympischer is followed by als when two things are compared; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no extra ending.
Das ist der olympischste Wettkampf des Jahres.
That is the most Olympic competition of the year.
Das ist means that is, der Wettkampf means the competition, and des Jahres means of the year. Before the masculine noun, the superlative is der olympischste, with an adjective ending; des Jahres is genitive.
der Profisportler — professional athlete
This compound combines Profi (professional) and Sportler (athlete). The plural is Profisportler, with no ending on the noun itself; only the article or another determiner shows the number clearly.
Der Profisportler trainiert zweimal am Tag.
The professional athlete trains twice a day.
trainiert means trains, and zweimal am Tag means twice a day. Der Profisportler is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trainiert stands in position two.
Der Verein unterstützt den Profisportler.
The club supports the professional athlete.
der Verein is the club, and unterstützt means supports. Den Profisportler is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; the finite verb unterstützt is in position two.
Die Ärztin hilft dem Profisportler nach der Verletzung.
The doctor helps the professional athlete after the injury.
die Ärztin is the female doctor, and die Verletzung is the injury. Dem Profisportler is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Karriere des Profisportlers begann sehr früh.
The professional athlete's career began very early.
die Karriere is the career, and begann sehr früh means began very early. Des Profisportlers is genitive because it shows whose career it is; the finite verb begann is in position two.
Die Profisportler reisen zu vielen Wettkämpfen.
The professional athletes travel to many competitions.
reisen means travel, and Wettkämpfe are competitions. Die Profisportler is plural and nominative because it is the subject; zu vielen Wettkämpfen is a dative phrase after zu.
die Profisportlerin — female professional athlete
The feminine form is built from Profisportler with the ending -in. Its plural is Profisportlerinnen, not Profisportlerins.
Die Profisportlerin gewinnt das Rennen.
The female professional athlete wins the race.
gewinnt means wins, and das Rennen is the race. Die Profisportlerin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gewinnt stands in position two.
Die Zeitung porträtiert die Profisportlerin.
The newspaper portrays the female professional athlete.
die Zeitung is the newspaper, and porträtiert means portrays or profiles. Die Profisportlerin is accusative because porträtieren takes a direct object; the finite verb porträtiert is in position two.
Der Trainer gibt der Profisportlerin einen neuen Trainingsplan.
The coach gives the female professional athlete a new training plan.
der Trainer is the coach, and ein Trainingsplan is a training plan. Der Profisportlerin is dative because she receives something, while einen neuen Trainingsplan is accusative; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Die Leistung der Profisportlerin beeindruckt alle.
The female professional athlete's performance impresses everyone.
die Leistung is the performance, and beeindruckt alle means impresses everyone. Der Profisportlerin is genitive because it shows whose performance it is; the finite verb beeindruckt stands in position two.
Die Profisportlerinnen trainieren gemeinsam.
The female professional athletes train together.
gemeinsam means together. Die Profisportlerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trainieren stands in position two.
reiten — to ride; to go horseback riding
For riding an animal, use ein Pferd reiten with an accusative object, or auf einem Pferd reiten when focusing on being on the horse. The perfect normally uses sein for movement, but haben is also possible when a specific animal is the direct object.
Mia reitet jeden Samstag.
Mia rides every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means “every Saturday.” Reitet is the finite verb in position two, and Mia is the nominative subject; the sentence describes a regular activity.
Mia ist gestern geritten.
Mia rode yesterday.
gestern means “yesterday.” The movement activity uses ist plus geritten; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Mia ritt durch den Wald.
Mia rode through the forest.
durch den Wald means “through the forest,” with Wald meaning “forest.” Ritt is the strong simple-past form in position two; durch takes the accusative, so den Wald is accusative.
Reit vorsichtig!
Ride carefully!
vorsichtig means “carefully.” Reit is the du imperative, with the subject omitted; the adverb follows the verb and tells the rider how to act.
Ich würde gern reiten, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would like to ride if I had more time.
gern means “gladly,” and mehr Zeit means “more time.” Würde plus the infinitive reiten expresses a wish, while hätte is at the end of the wenn clause; Zeit is accusative after hätte in this expression.
Am Sonntag werde ich im Park reiten.
On Sunday I will ride in the park.
am Sonntag means “on Sunday,” and im Park means “in the park.” Werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive reiten goes to the end.
die Saison — season; season of the year or of an activity
die Saison is used especially for sports, tourism, and other activities with a defined active period. For the four natural seasons, Jahreszeit is usually more precise.
Die Saison beginnt im März.
The season begins in March.
beginnt means begins and im März means in March. die Saison is nominative as the subject; im is short for in dem and marks a time in the dative.
Viele Touristen besuchen die Insel in der Saison.
Many tourists visit the island during the season.
viele Touristen means many tourists and die Insel means the island. die Insel is accusative after besuchen, while in der Saison is a time phrase in the dative; besuchen is in position two.
In der Saison arbeiten wir länger.
During the season, we work longer hours.
arbeiten means work and länger means for longer or longer hours. in der Saison is dative because in describes a time period here; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Das Ende der Saison ist im Oktober.
The end of the season is in October.
das Ende means the end and im Oktober means in October. der Saison is genitive because it tells us which season's end; the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Saisons im Süden sind länger.
The seasons in the south are longer.
im Süden means in the south and länger means longer. Saisons is the plural subject, so it is nominative; sind agrees with the plural subject.
der Service — service; customer service
In everyday German, Service often means customer care in a shop, hotel or restaurant. It can also mean a set of matching dishes or household objects, but that use is less common for beginners.
Der Service ist heute sehr gut.
The service is very good today.
heute means today, and sehr gut means very good. Der Service is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir loben den Service.
We praise the service.
loben means praise. Den Service is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Mit dem Service sind wir zufrieden.
We are satisfied with the service.
mit means with, and zufrieden means satisfied. Dem Service is dative because mit always takes the dative; the verb sind comes before wir because the prepositional phrase occupies position one.
Die Qualität des Services überzeugt mich.
The quality of the service convinces me.
die Qualität means the quality, and überzeugt means convinces. Des Services is genitive because it shows whose quality is meant; mich is accusative because it is the person affected by überzeugt.
Gute Services kosten oft mehr.
Good services often cost more.
gute means good, kosten means cost, and mehr means more. Services is nominative plural as the subject, and the plural verb kosten agrees with it.
Der Service im Hotel war ausgezeichnet.
The service at the hotel was excellent.
im Hotel means at the hotel, and ausgezeichnet means excellent. Der Service is the nominative subject, and war is the past form of sein in position two.
das Sportergebnis — sports result; competition result
Sportergebnis is a compound made from Sport and Ergebnis, result. It normally means the final result of a match or competition.
Das Sportergebnis steht heute in der Zeitung.
The sports result is in the newspaper today.
steht means is printed or appears, and heute means today. Das Sportergebnis is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Zeitung veröffentlicht das Sportergebnis.
The newspaper publishes the sports result.
die Zeitung means the newspaper, and veröffentlicht means publishes. Das Sportergebnis is accusative because it is the object of veröffentlicht; neuter nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Nach dem Spiel sprechen wir über das Sportergebnis.
After the match, we talk about the sports result.
nach dem Spiel means after the match, and sprechen über means talk about. Nach dem Spiel uses dative after nach, while über das Sportergebnis uses accusative because this fixed preposition means about here.
Die Genauigkeit des Sportergebnisses ist wichtig.
The accuracy of the sports result is important.
die Genauigkeit means the accuracy, and wichtig means important. Des Sportergebnisses is genitive because it specifies the accuracy; the genitive ending -ses is added to the neuter noun.
Die Sportergebnisse überraschten alle Fans.
The sports results surprised all the fans.
überraschten means surprised, and alle Fans means all the fans. Die Sportergebnisse is plural nominative because it is the subject, while alle Fans is accusative as the object.
der Sprung — jump, leap; crack, split
The plural Sprünge has an umlaut and -e. In expressions such as ein Sprung in der Temperatur, the word can also mean a sudden rise.
Der Sprung ins Wasser war ziemlich hoch.
The jump into the water was quite high.
ins Wasser means into the water, and ziemlich hoch means quite high. Der Sprung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich habe den Sprung geschafft.
I managed the jump.
geschafft means managed or completed. Den Sprung is accusative because schaffen takes a direct object, and habe ... geschafft forms the perfect with the participle at the end.
Nach dem Sprung tat mir das Knie weh.
My knee hurt after the jump.
nach means after, and das Knie is the knee; weh tun means to hurt. Nach always takes the dative, so dem Sprung is dative; the finite verb tat is in position two.
Die Höhe des Sprungs hat mich überrascht.
The height of the jump surprised me.
die Höhe means the height, and überrascht means surprised. Des Sprungs is genitive because it specifies whose height; the finite verb hat stands in position two.
Die Kinder üben Sprünge auf dem Trampolin.
The children practise jumps on the trampoline.
die Kinder are the children, üben means practise, and das Trampolin is the trampoline. Sprünge is plural and accusative because it is the object of üben; the plural has an umlaut and -e.
Das Glas hat einen Sprung.
The glass has a crack.
das Glas means the glass, and haben means to have. Einen Sprung is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Wegen des Sprungs kann ich die Schüssel nicht benutzen.
Because of the crack, I cannot use the bowl.
wegen means because of, die Schüssel is the bowl, and benutzen means use. Wegen commonly takes the genitive, so des Sprungs is genitive; kann ... benutzen forms a modal-verb bracket.
treiben — to do, pursue; to drive, propel; to float, drift
In Sport treiben, the verb means to do or practise an activity. In other uses, it can mean to drive something or make it move; it is a strong verb with trieb and getrieben and normally takes haben in the perfect for this sense.
Ich treibe jeden Samstag Sport.
I do sport every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and Sport means sport. Sport is an accusative object in the fixed expression Sport treiben, and the finite verb treibe stands in position two.
Sie hat früher viel Sport getrieben.
She used to do a lot of sport.
früher means in the past, and viel means a lot of. The perfect is hat ... getrieben with haben; the Partizip II getrieben goes to the end.
Der Wind trieb die Wolken über das Meer.
The wind drove the clouds across the sea.
der Wind means the wind, die Wolken means the clouds, and über das Meer means across the sea. Die Wolken is accusative because the wind drives them; trieb is the strong-verb preterite in position two.
Treib keinen Unfug!
Don’t cause any mischief!
keinen Unfug means no mischief. Treib is the informal singular imperative, and keinen Unfug is accusative because the fixed expression Unfug treiben takes a direct object.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, triebe ich mehr Sport.
If I had more time, I would do more sport.
mehr Zeit means more time, and hätte means had. Triebe is the Konjunktiv II of treiben; it expresses an unreal situation, while the finite verb hätte goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Morgen werde ich wieder Sport treiben.
Tomorrow I will do sport again.
morgen means tomorrow, and wieder means again. Futur I uses werde ... treiben; the finite verb werde is in position two and the infinitive treiben goes to the end.
Das Holz treibt auf dem Wasser.
The wood is floating on the water.
das Holz means the wood, and auf dem Wasser means on the water. Auf dem Wasser is dative because it describes a fixed location, and the finite verb treibt is in position two.
Das Boot ist langsam ans Ufer getrieben.
The boat drifted slowly to the bank.
das Boot means the boat, langsam means slowly, and ans Ufer means to the bank. The perfect uses ist ... getrieben here because the boat changes location; getrieben stands at the end.
der Wanderer — hiker, walker, wanderer
Der Wanderer is a person who goes hiking, not simply anyone who walks somewhere. It is a weak masculine noun: say der Wanderer, but den Wanderer, dem Wanderer, and des Wanderers.
Der Wanderer trägt einen schweren Rucksack.
The hiker is carrying a heavy backpack.
trägt means is carrying, einen schweren Rucksack means a heavy backpack, and schwer means heavy. Der Wanderer is nominative as the subject; this weak masculine noun has no extra ending in the nominative.
Ich sehe den Wanderer dort vorne.
I can see the hiker up ahead.
ich sehe means I see, dort vorne means up ahead, and vorne means at the front. Den Wanderer is accusative because it is the object of sehen; a weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative.
Wir helfen dem Wanderer mit der Karte.
We help the hiker with the map.
helfen means to help and die Karte means the map. Dem Wanderer is dative because helfen takes a dative person; the noun therefore has -n, and mit der Karte is also dative after mit.
Der Rucksack des Wanderers ist sehr alt.
The hiker's backpack is very old.
der Rucksack means the backpack, alt means old, and sehr means very. Des Wanderers is genitive because it shows possession; unlike the other oblique forms, this weak masculine noun uses -s here.
Die Wanderer machen eine kurze Pause.
The hikers are taking a short break.
machen means make or take, eine kurze Pause means a short break, and kurz means short. Die Wanderer is plural and has the same noun shape as singular der Wanderer, so the article and verb are important clues.
die Weltmeisterschaft — world championship
A Weltmeisterschaft can be a whole tournament or the title awarded to its winner. The usual phrase for taking part is an einer Weltmeisterschaft teilnehmen, with an taking the dative here.
Die Weltmeisterschaft beginnt im Juni.
The World Championship begins in June.
beginnt means begins, and im Juni means in June. Die Weltmeisterschaft is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Deutschland gewinnt die Weltmeisterschaft.
Germany wins the World Championship.
Deutschland means Germany, and gewinnt means wins. Die Weltmeisterschaft is accusative because gewinnen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Bei der Weltmeisterschaft spielt sie für ihr Land.
At the World Championship, she plays for her country.
bei means at, spielt means plays, and ihr Land means her country. Bei der Weltmeisterschaft is dative because bei always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so spielt still occupies position two.
Die Eröffnung der Weltmeisterschaft wird im Fernsehen gezeigt.
The opening ceremony of the World Championship is shown on television.
die Eröffnung means the opening ceremony, im Fernsehen means on television, and gezeigt means shown. Der Weltmeisterschaft is genitive because it identifies which championship has the opening ceremony; the passive participle gezeigt stands at the end.
Die Weltmeisterschaften finden in verschiedenen Ländern statt.
The World Championships take place in different countries.
finden statt means take place, and verschiedenen Ländern means different countries. Die Weltmeisterschaften is a plural subject; the separable verb stattfinden splits, with finden in position two and statt at the end.
Viele Fans sehen die Weltmeisterschaft im Fernsehen.
Many fans watch the World Championship on television.
viele Fans means many fans, and sehen means watch or see. Die Weltmeisterschaft is accusative as the object of sehen, while im Fernsehen means on television.
der Wettbewerber — competitor; contestant; business competitor; rival
der Wettbewerber is a person, team, or company that competes with others. Its plural is also Wettbewerber, so the article or context shows the number.
Der Wettbewerber wartet am Start.
The competitor is waiting at the starting line.
wartet means is waiting, and am Start means at the start or starting line. Der Wettbewerber is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Die Jury bewertet den Wettbewerber.
The jury is assessing the competitor.
Die Jury means the jury, and bewertet means assesses or judges. den Wettbewerber is accusative because bewerten takes a direct object; the noun itself does not change form in the accusative.
Wir gratulieren dem Wettbewerber.
We congratulate the competitor.
Wir gratulieren means we congratulate, and gratulieren means congratulate someone. This verb takes the dative, so dem Wettbewerber is dative; masculine der changes to dem.
Die Leistung des Wettbewerbers war beeindruckend.
The competitor's performance was impressive.
Die Leistung means the performance, war means was, and beeindruckend means impressive. des Wettbewerbers is genitive to show whose performance it was, and this noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Wettbewerber trainieren jeden Tag.
The competitors train every day.
trainieren means train, and jeden Tag means every day. Wettbewerber is plural because it follows die and refers to several people; this plural has the same form as the singular.
Der Wettbewerber ist sehr erfahren.
The competitor is very experienced.
sehr means very, and erfahren means experienced. The noun phrase is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der neue Wettbewerber bietet günstigere Produkte an.
The new competitor offers cheaper products.
neu means new, bietet ... an means offers, and günstigere Produkte means cheaper products. Produkte is accusative because anbieten takes a direct object; the separable prefix an goes to the end of the main clause.
Viele Kunden wechseln zu Wettbewerbern.
Many customers switch to competitors.
Viele Kunden means many customers, wechseln means switch, and zu means to. zu takes the dative, so Wettbewerbern has the plural dative ending -n.
der Wettkampf — competition, contest
In sports, der Wettkampf is a competition; it is more specific and formal than das Spiel, which means a game or match.
Der Wettkampf beginnt um neun Uhr.
The competition begins at nine o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Der Wettkampf is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Läufer starten den Wettkampf gemeinsam.
The runners start the competition together.
die Läufer means the runners, starten means start, and gemeinsam means together. Den Wettkampf is accusative because starten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Viele Zuschauer folgen dem Wettkampf online.
Many spectators follow the competition online.
viele Zuschauer means many spectators, and online means online. Dem Wettkampf is dative because folgen governs the dative, even though the English verb uses a direct object.
Das Ergebnis des Wettkampfs steht schon fest.
The result of the competition has already been decided.
das Ergebnis means the result, and steht schon fest means has already been decided. Des Wettkampfs is genitive to show which competition the result belongs to; fest stands at the end as part of the expression feststehen.
Die Wettkämpfe finden am Wochenende statt.
The competitions take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and stattfinden means to take place. Wettkämpfe is plural and therefore takes die when an article is needed; the separable verb stattfinden splits into finden ... statt in a main clause.