Appearance
Vocab: Thinking & opinion — A2 (1)
Thinking & opinion vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Absicht — intention; purpose
Die Absicht haben, etwas zu tun means to intend to do something. The fixed phrase mit Absicht means deliberately and takes the dative.
Die Absicht ist gut, aber der Plan ist schwierig.
The intention is good, but the plan is difficult.
gut means good and der Plan means the plan; schwierig means difficult. Die Absicht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich verstehe die Absicht hinter seiner Frage.
I understand the intention behind his question.
verstehen means understand, hinter means behind, and seine Frage means his question. Die Absicht is accusative because verstehen takes an accusative object; hinter seiner Frage is dative because it describes a fixed position.
Wir sprechen mit der Absicht, eine Lösung zu finden.
We are talking with the intention of finding a solution.
sprechen means talk, eine Lösung means a solution, and finden means find. Der Absicht is dative because mit always takes the dative; zu finden is an infinitive phrase expressing the purpose.
Er handelte mit der Absicht eines Betrugs.
He acted with the intention of committing fraud.
handeln means act, eines Betrugs means of a fraud, and Betrug means fraud. Der Absicht is dative after mit, while eines Betrugs is genitive because it specifies whose intention it was.
Viele Absichten bleiben leider unerfüllt.
Many intentions unfortunately remain unfulfilled.
viele means many, bleiben means remain, leider means unfortunately, and unerfüllt means unfulfilled. Absichten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb bleiben stands in position two.
die Ahnung — idea, suspicion; no idea; inkling, feeling
The common expression keine Ahnung haben means “to have no idea”. For a vague feeling or suspicion, German also uses eine Ahnung haben, often with von plus the dative.
Ich habe keine Ahnung.
I have no idea.
keine means no, and haben means to have. In the fixed expression keine Ahnung haben, Ahnung is accusative because haben takes an object; the finite verb habe stands in position two.
Sie hat eine Ahnung, dass etwas nicht stimmt.
She has a feeling that something is wrong.
sie means she, eine Ahnung means an idea or feeling, and etwas nicht stimmt means something is wrong. Eine Ahnung is accusative after hat, while the clause introduced by dass sends the finite verb stimmt to the end.
Er erzählt mir von seiner Ahnung.
He tells me about his suspicion.
erzählen means to tell, mir means to me, and seiner means his. Seiner Ahnung is dative because von always takes the dative; the finite verb erzählt is in position two.
Die Ursache der Ahnung blieb unklar.
The cause of the suspicion remained unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, blieb means remained, and unklar means unclear. Der Ahnung is genitive because it specifies which cause is meant, and the finite verb blieb stands in position two.
Solche Ahnungen können manchmal helfen.
Such intuitions can sometimes help.
solche means such, manchmal means sometimes, and helfen means to help. Ahnungen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; with können, the infinitive helfen goes to the end.
Ich hatte eine Ahnung, dass er lügt.
I had a feeling that he was lying.
hatte means had, lügen means to lie, and dass means that. Eine Ahnung is accusative after hatte, and the finite verb lügt goes to the end of the dass clause.
Plötzlich bekam sie eine Ahnung von der Gefahr.
Suddenly she got an inkling of the danger.
plötzlich means suddenly, bekommen means to get, and die Gefahr means the danger. The phrase eine Ahnung von means an inkling of; von der Gefahr is dative because von requires the dative.
die Alternative — alternative, option
Eine Alternative zu etwas is an option that can replace something else; zu takes the dative. The feminine noun has plural Alternativen and genitive singular der Alternative.
Die Alternative ist zu teuer.
The alternative is too expensive.
zu teuer means too expensive. Die Alternative is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir wählen die Alternative.
We choose the alternative.
wir wählen means we choose. Die Alternative is accusative because wählen takes a direct accusative object; the finite verb wählen is in position two.
Ich vertraue der Alternative nicht.
I do not trust the alternative.
ich vertraue means I trust, and nicht means not. Vertrauen takes the dative, so der Alternative is dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Vorteile der Alternative sind klar.
The advantages of the alternative are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and klar means clear. Der Alternative is genitive and means of the alternative; the finite verb sind agrees with the nominative plural subject die Vorteile.
Es gibt mehrere Alternativen.
There are several alternatives.
mehrere means several. Alternativen is plural, but after es gibt it is accusative because geben takes an accusative object; the plural article is omitted here.
die Ansicht — opinion, view; view, sight
The phrase meiner Ansicht nach means in my opinion. For a physical view, German also commonly uses der Ausblick or die Aussicht.
Meiner Ansicht nach ist der Plan gut.
In my opinion, the plan is good.
meiner means my, nach means according to, der Plan means the plan, and gut means good. Meiner Ansicht nach is a fixed expression meaning in my opinion; Ansicht is dative after nach, and ist is in position two.
Ich teile deine Ansicht nicht.
I do not share your opinion.
ich means I, teile means share, deine means your, and nicht means not. Ansicht is accusative because teilen takes an accusative object; the finite verb teile stands in position two and nicht negates the statement.
Wir sprechen mit ihr über ihre Ansicht.
We are talking to her about her opinion.
wir means we, sprechen means speak or talk, mit ihr means with her, über means about, and ihre means her. ihr is dative because mit requires the dative, while Ansicht is accusative after über when it introduces the topic; the verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Gründe seiner Ansicht sind klar.
The reasons for his opinion are clear.
die Gründe means the reasons, seiner means his, and klar means clear. Ansicht is genitive after seiner because it identifies the opinion; the plural subject die Gründe takes sind, which stands in position two.
Die verschiedenen Ansichten wurden lange diskutiert.
The different opinions were discussed for a long time.
verschiedenen means different, wurden diskutiert means were discussed, and lange means for a long time. Ansichten is plural and nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the finite verb wurden is in position two and diskutiert goes to the end.
Vom Berg hat man eine schöne Ansicht des Dorfes.
From the mountain, you have a beautiful view of the village.
vom Berg means from the mountain, hat man means one has, schöne means beautiful, and das Dorf means the village. Berg is dative after von, while Ansicht is accusative after haben; the finite verb hat remains in position two.
Die Ansicht des alten Hauses gefällt mir.
I like the view of the old house.
das alte Haus means the old house, gefällt means pleases, and mir means to me. des alten Hauses is genitive and describes the view, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative; gefällt stands in position two.
das Argument — argument, reason
In everyday German, Argument usually means a reason supporting an opinion, not a quarrel. The plural is Argumente, with -e.
Das Argument ist überzeugend.
The argument is convincing.
überzeugend means convincing. Das Argument is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich verstehe das Argument.
I understand the argument.
verstehe means understand. das Argument is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the finite verb verstehe stands in position two.
Wir sprechen mit dem Argument nicht über das Problem.
We are not discussing the problem with the argument.
sprechen means speak or discuss, and das Problem means the problem. mit dem Argument uses the dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb sprechen stands in position two.
Die Stärke des Arguments liegt in seiner Klarheit.
The strength of the argument lies in its clarity.
die Stärke means the strength, liegt means lies, and die Klarheit means clarity. des Arguments is genitive because it identifies whose strength is meant; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Die Argumente sind leicht zu verstehen.
The arguments are easy to understand.
leicht means easy and zu verstehen means to understand. Die Argumente is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sind agrees with the plural and stands in position two.
aufmerksam — attentive, paying attention
Aufmerksam describes someone who concentrates and notices things. It is different from aufgeregt, which means excited or agitated.
Die Schülerin ist im Unterricht sehr aufmerksam.
The schoolgirl is very attentive in class.
die Schülerin means the schoolgirl, and der Unterricht means the lesson or class. Aufmerksam is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; sehr means very.
Der aufmerksame Kellner bringt sofort Wasser.
The attentive waiter brings water immediately.
der Kellner is the waiter, bringen means to bring, and sofort means immediately. Aufmerksame stands before the masculine nominative noun Kellner and therefore has the weak ending -e after der; the finite verb bringt is in position two.
Lena ist heute aufmerksamer als gestern.
Lena is more attentive today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Aufmerksamer compares today with yesterday; the comparison uses als, and the adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no noun ending.
Von allen Kindern ist Max am aufmerksamsten.
Of all the children, Max is the most attentive.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and alle means all. Von requires the dative, so Kindern has a dative plural ending; am aufmerksamsten is the predicative superlative.
die Aufmerksamkeit — attention, attentiveness; small gift or gesture; small gift, kind gesture
Aufmerksamkeit usually means attention or concentration. In the plural, Aufmerksamkeiten can also mean small gifts or kind gestures, especially in formal or polite situations.
Die Aufmerksamkeit der Kinder ist schnell weg.
The children's attention is quickly gone.
die Kinder means the children, and schnell weg means quickly gone. Die Aufmerksamkeit is the nominative subject; der Kinder is a possessive genitive meaning of the children, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Der Lehrer bekommt die Aufmerksamkeit der Klasse.
The teacher gets the class's attention.
der Lehrer is the teacher, bekommen means to get, and die Klasse means the class. Die Aufmerksamkeit is accusative because bekommen takes an accusative object; der Klasse is genitive, meaning of the class.
Wir schenken der Aufmerksamkeit des Publikums große Bedeutung.
We attach great importance to the audience's attention.
schenken means to give, das Publikum means the audience, and große Bedeutung means great importance. In jemandem Bedeutung schenken, the thing receiving the abstract gift is dative: der Aufmerksamkeit; des Publikums is genitive.
Die Wirkung der Aufmerksamkeit ist deutlich.
The effect of attention is clear.
die Wirkung means the effect and deutlich means clear or noticeable. Der Aufmerksamkeit is genitive after Wirkung, showing whose effect it is; the adjective deutlich is predicative after ist.
Viele Aufmerksamkeiten machen den Besuch besonders schön.
Many small gestures make the visit especially pleasant.
viele means many, der Besuch means the visit, and besonders schön means especially pleasant. Aufmerksamkeiten is a plural subject, while den Besuch is accusative because machen takes an accusative object.
Als Dankeschön brachte sie uns eine kleine Aufmerksamkeit.
As a thank-you, she brought us a small gift.
als Dankeschön means as a thank-you, bringen means to bring, and klein means small. Eine kleine Aufmerksamkeit is accusative because bringen takes an accusative object; the finite verb brachte is in position two.
Die Gäste freuten sich über die Aufmerksamkeiten.
The guests were pleased about the small gifts.
die Gäste means the guests and sich freuen means to be pleased or happy. Über takes the accusative here, so die Aufmerksamkeiten is accusative; the reflexive verb is in the past form freuten sich.
bemerken — to notice, to realize
bemerken takes an accusative object. It is not separable, so the prefix be- stays attached in every form.
Ich bemerke den Fehler sofort.
I notice the mistake immediately.
der Fehler means the mistake, and sofort means immediately. den Fehler is accusative because bemerken takes a direct object, and the finite verb bemerke stands in position two.
Ich habe den Fehler sofort bemerkt.
I noticed the mistake immediately.
der Fehler means the mistake, and sofort means immediately. The perfect uses habe plus bemerkt; the Partizip II stands at the end, and den Fehler is accusative because it is the object.
Sie bemerkte den ungewöhnlichen Geruch.
She noticed the unusual smell.
sie means she, ungewöhnlich means unusual, and der Geruch means the smell. Den ungewöhnlichen Geruch is accusative after bemerkte, and the regular past verb stands in position two.
Bemerk bitte die kleine Änderung.
Please notice the small change.
bitte means please, klein means small, and die Änderung means the change. This is an informal singular command: bemerk comes first, and die kleine Änderung is the accusative object.
Wenn du genauer hinschauen würdest, würdest du den Unterschied bemerken.
If you looked more closely, you would notice the difference.
genauer hinschauen means to look more closely, and der Unterschied means the difference. The conditional uses würdest in the subordinate clause and places bemerken at the end; den Unterschied is accusative.
Du wirst den Unterschied bald bemerken.
You will notice the difference soon.
bald means soon, and der Unterschied means the difference. Future uses wirst in position two and the infinitive bemerken at the end; den Unterschied is the accusative object.
beobachten — to observe, to watch
Beobachten suggests watching carefully, often to learn something or notice changes. For simply looking at something, German commonly uses ansehen or anschauen instead.
Wir beobachten die Vögel im Park.
We are watching the birds in the park.
die Vögel means the birds and im Park means in the park. Die Vögel is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object, while im Park is a location phrase; the finite verb beobachten is in position two.
Die Kinder haben einen Frosch beobachtet.
The children watched a frog.
die Kinder means the children and einen Frosch means a frog. The perfect uses haben plus beobachtet at the end; einen Frosch is accusative because it is the object.
Er beobachtete den Verkehr.
He watched the traffic.
den Verkehr means the traffic. The weak past form beobachtete stands in position two, and den Verkehr is accusative after beobachten.
Beobachte den Hund!
Watch the dog!
den Hund means the dog. Beobachte is an imperative, so the subject du is left out; den Hund is accusative because it is the thing being watched.
Ich beobachtete die Situation genau.
I would observe the situation carefully.
die Situation means the situation and genau means carefully or closely. In this context, beobachtete can express a hypothetical or cautious statement, although it looks like the simple past; die Situation is accusative.
Wir werden die Sterne beobachten.
We will watch the stars.
die Sterne means the stars. Future tense puts werden in position two and the infinitive beobachten at the end; die Sterne is accusative after the verb.
bestimmen — to determine, decide, set
Bestimmen normally takes an accusative object, such as einen Termin or die Regeln. In the perfect it uses haben, and its Partizip II is bestimmt.
Die Regeln bestimmen den Ablauf.
The rules determine the procedure.
die Regeln means the rules, and der Ablauf means the procedure or sequence of events. Den Ablauf is accusative because bestimmen takes a direct object; the finite verb bestimmen is in position two.
Wir haben den Termin bestimmt.
We have set the date.
wir means we, and der Termin is the date or appointment. Den Termin is accusative after bestimmen; the auxiliary haben is in position two and bestimmt goes to the end.
Der Chef bestimmte den neuen Plan.
The boss decided on the new plan.
der Chef means the boss, and der neue Plan means the new plan. Den neuen Plan is accusative because it is the object; the regular preterite bestimmte occupies position two.
Bestimm bitte den Treffpunkt.
Please decide on the meeting place.
bitte means please, and der Treffpunkt means the meeting place. Den Treffpunkt is accusative after bestimmen; the imperative bestimm comes first and du is left out.
Wenn ich das entscheiden könnte, bestimmte ich einen anderen Termin.
If I could decide that, I would set a different date.
wenn means if, entscheiden means decide, könnte means could, and einen anderen Termin means a different date. In the wenn clause, the finite verb könnte goes to the end; bestimmte is also the Konjunktiv-II form here and stands in position two in the main clause.
Morgen werden wir den Termin bestimmen.
Tomorrow we will set the date.
morgen means tomorrow, and der Termin means the date or appointment. Den Termin is accusative after bestimmen; werden stands in position two and the infinitive bestimmen goes to the end.
bevorzugen — to prefer
Bevorzugen means to like or choose one option more than another. It takes an accusative object and uses haben in the perfect; the prefix bevor- is inseparable, so the verb never splits.
Sie bevorzugt den Zug.
She prefers the train.
sie means she, and der Zug means the train. Den Zug is accusative because bevorzugen takes a direct object; the inseparable verb bevorzugt remains one word in position two.
Sie hat den Zug bevorzugt.
She preferred the train.
der Zug means the train. Den Zug is accusative as the direct object; hat is the auxiliary in position two and the Partizip II bevorzugt goes to the end, without ge- because of bevor-.
Früher bevorzugte er das Fahrrad.
He used to prefer the bicycle.
früher means formerly or in the past, er means he, and das Fahrrad means the bicycle. The weak past form bevorzugte stands in position two, and das Fahrrad is accusative after bevorzugen.
Bevorzuge bitte den Fensterplatz.
Please prefer the window seat.
bitte means please, and der Fensterplatz means the window seat. This is a du command with the subject omitted; the object is accusative, and bevorzuge stays together because bevor- is inseparable.
Ich würde den Zug bevorzugen.
I would prefer the train.
ich means I, würde means would, and der Zug means the train. The infinitive bevorzugen goes to the end after würde; den Zug is accusative as the direct object.
Viele Menschen werden das Fahrrad bevorzugen.
Many people will prefer the bicycle.
viele Menschen means many people, and das Fahrrad means the bicycle. Werden occupies position two and sends bevorzugen to the end; das Fahrrad is accusative after the verb.
die Bewertung — rating, review, assessment
A Bewertung can be a numerical rating, such as stars, or a written review. For an online product review, Bewertung is common; Rezension is more often a detailed review of a book, film, or other work.
Die Bewertung ist sehr positiv.
The review is very positive.
positiv means positive. Die Bewertung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese die Bewertung vor der Reise.
I read the review before the trip.
lese means read, vor der Reise means before the trip, and Reise means trip. Die Bewertung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Ich vertraue der Bewertung nicht.
I do not trust the review.
vertraue means trust and nicht means not. Vertrauen takes a dative object, so der Bewertung is dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Qualität der Bewertung ist wichtig.
The quality of the review is important.
die Qualität means the quality and wichtig means important. Der Bewertung is genitive because it identifies which review is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Online gibt es viele Bewertungen.
There are many reviews online.
online means online and viele means many. Bewertungen is plural, and es gibt takes an accusative object; after viele, the plural noun has no visible article.
bewusst — conscious, aware; deliberate; deliberate, intentional
In sich bewusst sein, bewusst means aware of something; in eine bewusste Entscheidung, it means deliberate or intentional. Do not confuse it with English “busy”; the German word for busy is beschäftigt.
Mir ist bewusst, dass ich mehr lernen muss.
I am aware that I have to study more.
mir means to me, dass means that, and mehr lernen means study more. Bewusst stands after ist as a predicative adjective; mir is dative for the person who is aware, and the verb muss goes to the end of the dass clause.
Sie trifft eine bewusste Entscheidung.
She makes a deliberate decision.
trifft means makes or takes, eine Entscheidung means a decision, and trifft eine Entscheidung means makes a decision. Bewusste comes before the feminine accusative noun and takes -e after eine; the decision is accusative because it is the object of trifft.
Er lebt heute bewusster als früher.
He lives more consciously today than before.
lebt means lives, heute means today, and früher means before or in the past. Bewusster compares his way of living with an earlier time; als introduces the second part of an unequal comparison.
Nach dem Unfall lebt sie am bewusstesten.
After the accident, she lives most consciously.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and Unfall means accident. Am bewusstesten is the superlative used predicatively after lebt; nach requires the dative, shown by dem.
Er hat die Tür bewusst offen gelassen.
He deliberately left the door open.
die Tür means the door, offen means open, and gelassen means left. Bewusst explains that the action was intentional; hat is the auxiliary and gelassen goes to the end in the perfect.
Sie entscheidet sich bewusst für ein kleines Auto.
She deliberately chooses a small car.
entscheidet sich means decides, für means for, and ein kleines Auto means a small car. Bewusst describes the deliberate choice; für requires the accusative, and the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to sich entscheiden.
die Chance — chance, opportunity
Chance is often used for a realistic opportunity, while Möglichkeit is a more general possibility. The fixed phrase eine Chance haben takes an accusative noun after haben.
Die Chance ist groß.
The chance is high.
groß means high or great. Die Chance is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir nutzen die Chance.
We are using the opportunity.
nutzen means “use”, and wir means we. Die Chance is accusative because nutzen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich gebe der Chance eine Bedeutung.
I give the chance a meaning.
geben means “give”, and eine Bedeutung is a meaning or significance. Der Chance is dative because it is the recipient, while eine Bedeutung is accusative as the thing given.
Die Größe der Chance ist schwer zu beurteilen.
The size of the chance is difficult to assess.
die Größe means size, and beurteilen means assess or judge. Der Chance is genitive because it shows which chance the size belongs to; zu beurteilen is an infinitive phrase after schwer.
Gute Chancen helfen uns.
Good chances help us.
gute means good, and helfen means help. Gute Chancen is plural and has no article here; uns means us and is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Sie hat eine Chance, den Wettbewerb zu gewinnen.
She has a chance to win the competition.
der Wettbewerb is the competition, and gewinnen means win. Eine Chance is accusative after haben, and zu gewinnen is an infinitive phrase explaining what the chance is for.
die Diskussion — discussion, debate
A Diskussion can be calm and constructive or heated; it does not automatically mean an argument. The common expression eine Diskussion führen means to have or conduct a discussion.
Die Diskussion beginnt um acht Uhr.
The discussion begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Diskussion is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt stands in position two.
Wir führen eine Diskussion über das Problem.
We are having a discussion about the problem.
führen means conduct or have, and das Problem means the problem. Eine Diskussion is accusative because führen takes a direct object; über das Problem is also accusative because über means about here.
Nach der Diskussion trinken wir Kaffee.
After the discussion, we drink coffee.
nach means after, and trinken means drink. Der Diskussion is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase Nach der Diskussion is in position one, so trinken comes next.
Das Ergebnis der Diskussion war überraschend.
The result of the discussion was surprising.
das Ergebnis means the result, and überraschend means surprising. Der Diskussion is genitive because it shows which discussion the result belongs to; war is in position two.
Die Diskussionen waren sehr interessant.
The discussions were very interesting.
interessant means interesting, and waren means were. Diskussionen is the regular plural with -en, and it is nominative because it is the subject of waren.
doof — silly, stupid; annoying
Doof is informal and can mean silly, stupid, or annoying depending on context. The comparative is doofer and the superlative is am doofsten; the word can be stronger than the neutral English silly, so use it carefully with people.
Das ist doof.
That is annoying.
Das means that or it. Doof means annoying or silly; as a predicative adjective after sein, it has no ending, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er hat einen doofen Hut.
He has a silly hat.
Er means he, hat means has, and der Hut is the hat. Einen doofen Hut is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the masculine accusative article einen requires the adjective ending -en.
Diese Aufgabe ist doofer als die letzte.
This task is sillier than the last one.
Diese Aufgabe means this task, and die letzte means the last one. Doofe adds -er to form the comparative doofer, and als introduces the thing being compared with.
Das war am doofsten.
That was the silliest.
Das war means that was, and am here belongs to the superlative expression. Am doofsten is the superlative used predicatively; the finite verb war is in position two.
dumm — foolishly, stupidly
As an adverb, dumm describes how someone acts or speaks and never takes an adjective ending. It is often used with sich dumm anstellen, meaning to behave foolishly or handle something badly.
Du hast dich dumm angestellt.
You behaved foolishly.
Du hast dich angestellt means you behaved or handled it, and sich anstellen means to behave or manage something. Dumm is an adverb here, so it does not take an adjective ending; hast angestellt forms the perfect.
Warum stellst du dich so dumm an?
Why are you acting so foolishly?
Warum means why, and so means so or so much. Dumm describes the manner of the action and stays unchanged; in the separable verb sich anstellen, stellst is in position two and an goes to the end.
echt — real, genuine, authentic; true, genuine, sincere
Echt means real rather than fake or imitation. It can also describe something sincere or genuine, and its comparison is regular: echter, am echtesten.
Der Ring ist echt.
The ring is real.
Der Ring means the ring, and ist means is. Echt is predicative after the linking verb ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb stands in position two.
Sie trägt eine echte Perle.
She is wearing a real pearl.
trägt means is wearing, and eine Perle means a pearl. Echte stands before the feminine noun Perle and has an adjective ending; eine echte Perle is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object.
Diese Unterschrift wirkt echter als die erste.
This signature looks more genuine than the first one.
Diese Unterschrift means this signature, wirkt means seems or looks, and die erste means the first one. Echter compares two signatures and is followed by als; after the linking verb wirkt, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Das ist die echteste Geschichte von allen.
That is the most genuine story of them all.
die Geschichte means the story, and von allen means of all of them. Echteste is the attributive superlative and takes an ending after die; von governs the dative, so allen is dative plural.
Er ist ein echter Freund.
He is a true friend.
ein Freund means a friend, and echter means true or genuine here. The adjective comes before the masculine noun after ein and therefore takes -er; the whole phrase follows the linking verb ist.
Ihre echte Freude war deutlich zu sehen.
Her genuine joy was clearly visible.
ihre Freude means her joy, deutlich means clearly, and zu sehen means visible or to be seen. Echte Freude is the nominative subject, and the adjective takes -e after ihre; the separable-style idea is not involved because zu sehen is an infinitive phrase.
einverstanden — in agreement, willing to agree
einverstanden is normally used with sein, often in the pattern mit etwas einverstanden sein. It is mainly predicative, so learners should say Ich bin einverstanden, not normally place it before a noun; attributive use is possible in formal phrases such as die damit einverstandenen Eltern. Comparison is rare and normally formed analytically with mehr and am meisten.
Ich bin einverstanden.
I agree.
ich means I, and bin means am. einverstanden is used after sein as a predicative adjective; the finite verb bin stands in position two.
Die damit einverstandenen Eltern unterschrieben den Vertrag.
The parents who agreed to this signed the contract.
damit means with this, die Eltern means the parents, unterschrieben means signed, and der Vertrag means the contract. In this formal attributive use, einverstanden takes the ending -en after plural die; the finite verb unterschrieben stands in position two.
Mit dem neuen Vorschlag bin ich mehr einverstanden als mit dem alten.
I agree more with the new suggestion than with the old one.
der Vorschlag means the suggestion, neu means new, and alt means old. Comparison is formed analytically with mehr, while mit takes the dative in mit dem neuen Vorschlag; the finite verb bin stands in position two.
Mit diesem Plan bin ich am meisten einverstanden.
I agree most with this plan.
dieser Plan means this plan, and am meisten means the most. The superlative is expressed analytically with am meisten, not with a special ending on einverstanden; mit requires the dative in mit diesem Plan.
die Empfehlung — recommendation; advice
Die Empfehlung is the noun made from empfehlen. It can be a person's advice or a written suggestion, and the person who receives it is often expressed with von or a dative phrase.
Deine Empfehlung war sehr hilfreich.
Your recommendation was very helpful.
deine means your, and hilfreich means helpful. Deine Empfehlung is nominative because it is the subject; after war, the adjective hilfreich is predicative and has no ending.
Ich brauche eine Empfehlung für ein Hotel.
I need a recommendation for a hotel.
brauchen means to need, and für ein Hotel means for a hotel. Eine Empfehlung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für always takes the accusative.
Ich danke dir für die Empfehlung.
I thank you for the recommendation.
danke means thank, and dir means you in the dative. Dir is dative because danken requires dative, while für die Empfehlung is accusative because für always governs accusative.
Der Wert der Empfehlung ist schwer zu beurteilen.
The value of the recommendation is difficult to assess.
der Wert means the value, and schwer zu beurteilen means difficult to assess. Der Empfehlung is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the infinitive phrase zu beurteilen comes after the adjective.
Wir haben mehrere Empfehlungen bekommen.
We received several recommendations.
mehrere means several, and bekommen means to receive or get. Empfehlungen is the plural with -en; it is accusative as the thing received, while haben bekommen forms the perfect.
Die Empfehlung steht auf der Webseite.
The recommendation is on the website.
steht means is written or appears, and die Webseite is the website. Die Empfehlung is nominative as the subject; auf der Webseite uses dative because it describes a fixed location.
entdecken — to discover; to notice
Entdecken is a regular weak verb with the inseparable prefix ent-, so its Partizip II is entdeckt, not entge-deckt. It takes haben in the perfect and normally has an accusative object.
Wir entdecken einen schönen See.
We discover a beautiful lake.
einen schönen See means a beautiful lake. Einen schönen See is accusative because entdecken takes a direct object, and the finite verb entdecken stands in position two.
Sie hat einen alten Brief entdeckt.
She discovered an old letter.
einen alten Brief means an old letter, and alt means old. The perfect uses hat plus entdeckt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end, while the object is accusative.
Er entdeckte den Fehler gestern.
He noticed the mistake yesterday.
den Fehler means the mistake and gestern means yesterday. Den Fehler is accusative because it is the object; the regular Präteritum form entdeckte is the finite verb in position two.
Entdeck die Stadt zu Fuß!
Discover the city on foot!
die Stadt means the city and zu Fuß means on foot. Entdeck is the singular imperative and stands first; die Stadt is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde gern einen neuen Weg entdecken.
I would like to discover a new route.
gern means gladly, neu means new, and ein Weg is a route or path. Einen neuen Weg is accusative because it is the object; würde carries Konjunktiv II and the infinitive entdecken goes at the end.
Morgen werden wir einen versteckten Strand entdecken.
Tomorrow we will discover a hidden beach.
morgen means tomorrow, versteckt means hidden, and der Strand means beach. The future uses werden in position two and the infinitive entdecken at the end; einen versteckten Strand is accusative.
die Entdeckung — discovery; finding
Entdeckung is the noun formed from entdecken and can mean either the process of discovering or the thing discovered. Its plural is Entdeckungen.
Die Entdeckung war eine große Überraschung.
The discovery was a big surprise.
groß means big and die Überraschung means surprise. Die Entdeckung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Sie feiern die Entdeckung gemeinsam.
They are celebrating the discovery together.
feiern means to celebrate and gemeinsam means together. Die Entdeckung is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the feminine article is die in both nominative and accusative.
Nach der Entdeckung begann die Arbeit.
After the discovery, the work began.
nach means after and begann means began. Der Entdeckung is dative because the preposition nach always governs the dative; the verb begann is in position two in the main clause.
Die Bedeutung der Entdeckung ist noch unklar.
The significance of the discovery is still unclear.
die Bedeutung means significance and noch unklar means still unclear. Der Entdeckung is genitive because it identifies which significance; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Entdeckungen veränderten die Wissenschaft.
The discoveries changed science.
veränderten means changed and die Wissenschaft means science. Die Entdeckungen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; its plural ending is -en.
entscheiden — to decide, make a choice
For a personal choice, use sich entscheiden für plus accusative or sich entscheiden gegen plus accusative. Without sich, the verb can mean to decide or settle an issue, often with über plus accusative.
Ich entscheide mich heute für den blauen Pullover.
Today I am choosing the blue sweater.
heute means today and der blaue Pullover is the blue sweater. mich is accusative because the verb is reflexive, and für takes the accusative; the finite verb entscheide stands in position two.
Wir haben uns für das günstigere Hotel entschieden.
We decided on the cheaper hotel.
günstiger means cheaper and das Hotel is the hotel. uns is the accusative reflexive pronoun, while für forces accusative on das günstigere Hotel; haben is in position two and entschieden is at the end.
Sie entschied sich gegen den Vorschlag.
She decided against the proposal.
sie means she and der Vorschlag is the proposal. sich is accusative because of the reflexive verb, and gegen takes the accusative; entschied is the strong Präteritum form in position two.
Entscheide dich jetzt!
Make up your mind now!
jetzt means now. The command uses the accusative reflexive pronoun dich, and the imperative entscheide comes first; leaving out dich is a common mistake with this meaning.
Ich würde mich für den Zug entscheiden.
I would choose the train.
der Zug is the train. mich is accusative and für takes accusative; würde is finite in position two, while the infinitive entscheiden stands at the end.
Morgen werden die Kinder selbst entscheiden.
Tomorrow the children will decide for themselves.
morgen means tomorrow, die Kinder are the children, and selbst means themselves or on their own. werden is the finite verb in position two and entscheiden goes to the end as the infinitive.
die Entscheidung — decision
The common expression is eine Entscheidung treffen, literally “to make a decision”. German also commonly uses sich entscheiden, the related verb, when the person making the choice is important.
Die Entscheidung ist nicht leicht.
The decision is not easy.
nicht leicht means not easy. Die Entscheidung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; the adjective after sein has no ending.
Ich akzeptiere die Entscheidung.
I accept the decision.
akzeptiere means accept. die Entscheidung is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb akzeptiere stands in position two.
Wir vertrauen der Entscheidung des Teams.
We trust the team’s decision.
vertrauen means trust and das Team is the team. der Entscheidung is dative because vertrauen takes dative; des Teams is genitive and means of the team.
Die Folgen der Entscheidung waren teuer.
The consequences of the decision were expensive.
die Folgen are the consequences and teuer means expensive. der Entscheidung is genitive after die Folgen to show whose consequences they are; the finite verb waren stands in position two.
Gute Entscheidungen brauchen Zeit.
Good decisions take time.
gute means good and brauchen means need or take. Entscheidungen is the plural subject, so it takes the plural article when one is present; the verb brauchen is plural and stands in position two.
die Erfahrung — experience; practical knowledge; experience; event lived through
die Erfahrung can mean practical knowledge gained over time or one event that teaches you something. The plural die Erfahrungen is common when talking about several events or lessons.
Die Erfahrung hilft mir im Beruf.
The experience helps me at work.
hilft means helps, mir means me, and im Beruf means at work or in my profession. Die Erfahrung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Ich brauche die Erfahrung für diese Aufgabe.
I need the experience for this task.
brauche means need, für means for, and diese Aufgabe means this task. die Erfahrung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while für also forces accusative on diese Aufgabe.
Mit der Erfahrung wird die Arbeit leichter.
With experience, the work becomes easier.
mit means with, die Arbeit means the work, and leichter means easier. mit always takes the dative, so der Erfahrung is dative; the verb wird is in position two.
Der Wert der Erfahrung ist groß.
The value of the experience is great.
der Wert means the value and groß means great. der Erfahrung is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Erfahrungen verändern einen Menschen.
Many experiences change a person.
viele means many, verändern means change, and einen Menschen means a person. Erfahrungen is plural nominative as the subject, while einen Menschen is accusative after verändern.
Die Reise war eine tolle Erfahrung.
The trip was a great experience.
die Reise means the trip and toll means great. eine tolle Erfahrung is a noun phrase after war that describes the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir teilen unsere Erfahrungen mit anderen.
We share our experiences with others.
teilen means share, unsere means our, and anderen means others. unsere Erfahrungen is accusative after teilen, while mit forces the dative in mit anderen.
die Erinnerung — memory; reminder; reminder
The noun can mean a memory or a reminder. It is formed from erinnern plus -ung, and it is feminine: die Erinnerung, plural die Erinnerungen.
Die Erinnerung an meine erste Reise ist noch sehr lebendig.
The memory of my first trip is still very vivid.
die erste Reise means the first trip, and lebendig means vivid or alive. Die Erinnerung is nominative because it is the subject, and the phrase with an adds what is being remembered.
Ich bewahre eine schöne Erinnerung an meine Kindheit.
I keep a beautiful memory of my childhood.
bewahren means to keep, schön means beautiful, and die Kindheit means childhood. Eine schöne Erinnerung is accusative because bewahren takes a direct object; the finite verb bewahre is in position two.
Mit dieser Erinnerung fühle ich mich heute noch wohl.
Even today, this memory still makes me feel good.
mit means with, fühlen means to feel, and wohl means comfortable or well. Mit dieser Erinnerung is dative because mit always takes the dative, while fühle remains in position two.
Die Kraft der Erinnerung kann sehr stark sein.
The power of memory can be very strong.
die Kraft means power, stark means strong, and sein means to be. Der Erinnerung is genitive because it shows whose power is meant; kann is in position two and sein goes to the end after the modal verb.
Alte Erinnerungen kommen manchmal plötzlich zurück.
Old memories sometimes suddenly come back.
alt means old, manchmal means sometimes, plötzlich means suddenly, and zurückkommen means to come back. Alte Erinnerungen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb appears as kommen ... zurück.
Danke für die freundliche Erinnerung an den Termin.
Thank you for the friendly reminder about the appointment.
danke means thank you, freundlich means friendly, and der Termin means appointment. Für takes the accusative, while an den Termin identifies what the reminder concerns.
Bitte stellen Sie eine Erinnerung für morgen ein.
Please set a reminder for tomorrow.
bitte means please, einstellen means to set, and morgen means tomorrow. Eine Erinnerung is accusative because einstellen takes a direct object; the formal command uses stellen Sie ... ein.
erkennen — to recognize; to realize; to realize; to understand
Erkennen takes an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas erkennen. It means recognizing something familiar, while kennen means being familiar with someone or something; its perfect is hat erkannt.
Ich erkenne meinen alten Lehrer sofort.
I recognize my old teacher immediately.
mein alter Lehrer means my old teacher, and sofort means immediately. Meinen alten Lehrer is accusative because erkennen takes a direct object; erkenne is the finite verb in position two.
Ich habe ihn auf dem Foto erkannt.
I recognized him in the photo.
ihn means him, auf dem Foto means in the photo, and das Foto means photo. The object ihn is accusative, and the perfect uses habe ... erkannt with the Partizip II at the end.
Sie erkannte ihren Bruder an der Stimme.
She recognized her brother by his voice.
ihr Bruder means her brother, and die Stimme means voice. Ihren Bruder is accusative because it is the object, while an der Stimme means by the voice and uses the dative after an for this identifying feature.
Erkenne deine Fehler und lerne daraus!
Recognize your mistakes and learn from them!
deine Fehler means your mistakes, lernen means learn, and daraus means from them or from that. Deine Fehler is accusative after erkenne; the command has no subject pronoun, and daraus refers back to the mistakes.
Ich würde die Wahrheit sofort erkennen.
I would recognize the truth immediately.
die Wahrheit means the truth, and sofort means immediately. Die Wahrheit is accusative because it is the direct object; würde is in position two and the infinitive erkennen goes to the end.
Du wirst den Unterschied bald erkennen.
You will soon recognize the difference.
der Unterschied means the difference, and bald means soon. Den Unterschied is accusative after erkennen; wirst is in position two and the infinitive erkennen stands at the end.
Wir erkennen, dass der Plan nicht funktioniert.
We realize that the plan does not work.
der Plan means the plan, and nicht funktionieren means not to work. The clause after dass is a content clause, so its finite verb funktioniert goes to the end; erkennen takes the whole clause as what is realized.
Sie erkennt den Zusammenhang zwischen den beiden Ereignissen.
She sees the connection between the two events.
der Zusammenhang means connection, zwischen means between, and das Ereignis means event. Den Zusammenhang is accusative because it is the object of erkennen, while zwischen den beiden Ereignissen uses the dative because it describes a fixed relation rather than movement.
ernst — serious, earnest
Ernst describes something important, grave or not meant as a joke. Its comparison is regular: ernst, ernster, am ernstesten.
Die Lage ist ernst.
The situation is serious.
die Lage is the situation, and ist means is. Ernst is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen eine ernste Lösung.
We need a serious solution.
brauchen means need, and eine Lösung is a solution. Eine ernste Lösung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine article eine.
Diese Frage ist ernster als die vorige.
This question is more serious than the previous one.
diese Frage is this question, and die vorige means the previous one. Ernster is the comparative with als, and the adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending.
Das war der ernsteste Fehler im Bericht.
That was the most serious mistake in the report.
der Fehler is the mistake, and im Bericht means in the report. Der ernsteste Fehler is nominative after war; before a noun, the superlative takes the ending -e, not the form am ernstesten.
ernst — seriously, in earnest
As an adverb, ernst modifies a verb and means seriously or in earnest. It does not take adjective endings, so the form stays ernst even when the object is feminine or plural.
Ich meine das ernst.
I mean that seriously.
meinen means mean or intend, and das means that or it. Ernst is an adverb here and therefore has no ending; the finite verb meine stands in position two.
Nimm meine Warnung ernst!
Take my warning seriously!
nimm means take, meine Warnung is my warning, and the sentence is a command. Meine Warnung is accusative after nehmen, while ernst is an adverb placed after the object; do not add an adjective ending to it.
erwarten — to expect; to await; to expect, demand
Erwarten takes an accusative object: Ich erwarte eine Antwort. Do not confuse it with warten auf; warten auf means “to wait for” and uses auf with the accusative for the thing awaited.
Ich erwarte heute Besuch.
I am expecting visitors today.
heute means “today”, and Besuch means “visitors” or “a visit”. Besuch is an accusative object after erwarten, although its masculine mass-noun form has no visible article; the finite verb erwarte is in position two.
Wir haben lange auf den Bus gewartet.
We waited a long time for the bus.
lange means “for a long time”, auf den Bus means “for the bus”, and gewartet means “waited”. This sentence uses warten auf, not erwarten; auf den Bus is accusative because it means waiting for a person or thing, and the perfect uses haben.
Sie erwartete eine wichtige Nachricht.
She was expecting an important message.
eine wichtige Nachricht means “an important message”. The phrase is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object, and the weak past form erwartete is normally in position two.
Erwarte bitte keine Überraschung.
Please don’t expect a surprise.
bitte means “please”, keine Überraschung means “no surprise”, and keine makes the object negative. Erwarte is the informal singular imperative; the accusative object follows the verb, and bitte softens the command.
Ich würde mehr von ihm erwarten.
I would expect more from him.
mehr means “more”, and von ihm means “from him”. Von always takes the dative, so ihm is dative; würde carries the conditional meaning and the infinitive erwarten goes to the end.
Die Prüfung wird viel Zeit erwarten.
The exam will require a lot of time.
die Prüfung means “the exam”, and viel Zeit means “a lot of time”. The sentence is grammatically possible but unusual because erwarten normally expects a person or an event; wird is in position two and the infinitive erwarten goes to the end.
Der Chef erwartet Pünktlichkeit von allen Mitarbeitern.
The boss expects punctuality from all employees.
der Chef means “the boss”, Pünktlichkeit means “punctuality”, and alle Mitarbeiter means “all employees”. Pünktlichkeit is accusative after erwarten, while von allen Mitarbeitern is dative because von always takes the dative; erwartet is in position two.
Die Lehrerin erwartet von den Schülern, dass sie leise sind.
The teacher expects the pupils to be quiet.
die Lehrerin means “the teacher”, die Schüler means “the pupils”, and leise means “quiet”. Von den Schülern is dative after von, and dass sends the finite verbs sind to the end of its subordinate clause.
festlegen — to set; to determine; to commit oneself
With a direct object, festlegen means set or establish something. The reflexive form sich festlegen means commit oneself or make a firm decision, and the verb is separable: legt ... fest.
Die Chefin legt den Termin heute fest.
The boss is setting the date today.
die Chefin is the female boss and der Termin is the date or appointment. Den Termin is accusative because festlegen takes a direct object; the separable verb places legt in position two and fest at the end.
Wir haben den Termin gestern festgelegt.
We set the date yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. Den Termin is accusative as the object, and the perfect uses haben festgelegt; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Der Ausschuss legte neue Regeln fest.
The committee established new rules.
der Ausschuss is the committee and neue Regeln means new rules. The weak past form legte is in position two, while fest is separated to the end; neue Regeln is accusative.
Legt bitte einen Termin fest.
Please set a date.
bitte means please and einen Termin means a date. This is the plural or polite imperative, with legt first and fest at the end; einen Termin is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich mich heute festlegte, wäre die Entscheidung endgültig.
If I committed myself today, the decision would be final.
mich festlegen means commit myself, die Entscheidung is the decision, and endgültig means final. The reflexive pronoun mich is accusative, and in the subordinate clause the hypothetical verb festlegte goes to the end; the reflexive use means deciding firmly for oneself.
Wir werden die Aufgaben morgen festlegen.
We will set the tasks tomorrow.
die Aufgaben means the tasks and morgen means tomorrow. Die Aufgaben is accusative as the object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive festlegen goes to the end.
die Folge — episode, instalment; consequence, result
In the television or podcast sense, die Folge means episode. The plural is die Folgen; do not confuse this noun with the verb folgen, to follow.
Die Folge beginnt um acht Uhr.
The episode begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Folge is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Folge heute Abend.
I am watching the episode this evening.
sehen means to watch or see and heute Abend means this evening. die Folge is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; the feminine article is unchanged in this case.
Nach der Folge sprechen wir über die Handlung.
After the episode, we talk about the plot.
nach der Folge means after the episode, sprechen means talk, and die Handlung means the plot. nach always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the phrase in position one puts sprechen before wir.
Das Ende der Folge war überraschend.
The ending of the episode was surprising.
das Ende means the ending and überraschend means surprising. der Folge is genitive because it means of the episode, while Das Ende is the nominative subject of war.
Wir sehen drei Folgen am Wochenende.
We watch three episodes at the weekend.
drei means three, am Wochenende means at the weekend, and sehen means watch. Folgen is plural accusative because it is the object of sehen; after a number, there is no plural article.
Die Folge des Unfalls war eine lange Pause.
The consequence of the accident was a long break.
der Unfall means the accident and eine lange Pause means a long break. Die Folge is nominative as the subject, while des Unfalls is genitive, meaning of the accident.
In Folge des Sturms fiel der Strom aus.
As a result of the storm, the power went out.
in Folge means as a result, der Sturm means the storm, and der Strom fiel aus means the power went out. The fixed expression in Folge des Sturms uses genitive des Sturms; the whole phrase in position one puts fiel before der Strom.
der Gedanke — thought, idea; thoughts, worries
Gedanke is a weak masculine noun: den Gedanken, dem Gedanken, and des Gedankens. For a planned or general idea, eine Idee is often a natural alternative.
Der Gedanke gefällt mir.
I like the idea.
gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. Der Gedanke is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because gefallen assigns the person who likes something to the dative.
Ich habe den Gedanken oft.
I often have that thought.
habe means have, and oft means often. Den Gedanken is accusative because it is the object of haben; Gedanke changes to Gedanken in this case because it is a weak masculine noun.
Ich vertraue dem Gedanken nicht.
I do not trust the idea.
vertraue means trust, and nicht means not. Vertrauen takes a dative object, so dem Gedanken is dative and has -n.
Die Folgen des Gedankens sind unklar.
The consequences of the idea are unclear.
Die Folgen are the consequences, and unklar means unclear. Des Gedankens is genitive because it identifies which thought the consequences belong to; the plural verb sind is in position two.
Manchmal habe ich viele Gedanken.
Sometimes I have many thoughts.
Manchmal means sometimes, and viele means many. Gedanken is plural and accusative after habe; it looks like the singular dative or accusative, so the quantity word helps show the plural.
Ich mache mir Gedanken über die Prüfung.
I am worrying about the exam.
die Prüfung is the exam, and sich Gedanken machen means to worry or think about something. Mir is dative because it is the reflexive person affected, while über takes the accusative here for the topic.
Sie war völlig in Gedanken.
She was completely lost in thought.
völlig means completely, and in Gedanken sein means to be lost in thought. This fixed expression uses in with the plural dative Gedanken; war is the preterite of sein.
der Geist — ghost, spirit; mind, intellect
Geist has a second common meaning: mind or intellect, as in der menschliche Geist. The plural Geister is normally used for ghosts or spirits, not for the intellectual meaning.
Der Geist erscheint im alten Haus.
The ghost appears in the old house.
erscheint means appears and das alte Haus means the old house. Der Geist is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb erscheint is in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Geist.
The children see the ghost.
die Kinder means the children and sehen means see. Den Geist is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Niemand glaubt dem Geist.
Nobody believes the ghost.
niemand means nobody and glaubt means believes. Glauben takes a dative object, so dem Geist is dative.
Die Stimme des Geistes war leise.
The ghost’s voice was quiet.
die Stimme means the voice and leise means quiet. Des Geistes is genitive because it shows possession, and war is the past form of sein.
Im Wald hört man viele Geister.
In the forest, people hear many ghosts.
im Wald means in the forest, hört means hears, and viele means many. Geister is the plural of Geist, formed with an umlaut and -er; man is an indefinite subject meaning people or one.
Sein Geist bleibt auch im Alter wach.
His mind stays alert even in old age.
sein means his, bleibt means stays, and im Alter means in old age. Sein Geist is nominative as the subject, and wach is a predicative adjective after bleiben.
Musik kann den Geist beruhigen.
Music can calm the mind.
Musik means music, kann means can, and beruhigen means calm. Den Geist is accusative because beruhigen takes a direct object; after the modal verb kann, the infinitive goes to the end.
gescheit — clever, smart; sensible; sensible, decent, substantial
gescheit can mean intelligent, but it can also describe a sensible idea or solution. It is neutral to slightly colloquial; the comparative and superlative are regular: gescheiter, am gescheitesten.
Meine Schwester ist sehr gescheit.
My sister is very clever.
meine Schwester means my sister and sehr means very. gescheit is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein gescheiter Junge.
That is a clever boy.
das means that and ein Junge is a boy. gescheiter stands before the masculine noun Junge after the indefinite article ein, so it takes the ending -er; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Anna ist gescheiter als ihr Bruder.
Anna is cleverer than her brother.
ihr Bruder means her brother, and als introduces the comparison than. gescheiter compares Anna with her brother and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Von allen im Team ist Lea am gescheitesten.
Of everyone on the team, Lea is the cleverest.
von allen means of everyone, im Team means on the team, and Lea is a name. von takes the dative, while the predicative superlative uses am gescheitesten; ist is in position two.
Das ist ein gescheiter Plan.
That is a sensible plan.
der Plan is the plan, and das ist means that is. gescheiter means sensible here and stands before the masculine noun Plan after ein, so it takes -er.
Wir brauchen eine gescheite Lösung.
We need a sensible solution.
brauchen means need and die Lösung is the solution. eine gescheite Lösung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; after feminine eine, the adjective takes the ending -e.
der Grund — reason, cause; bottom, ground, base
In the expression aus diesem Grund, meaning for this reason, aus takes the dative. The plural Gründe is used for reasons; do not confuse this sense with Grund, meaning ground or base.
Der Grund ist ganz einfach.
The reason is quite simple.
ganz einfach means quite simple. Der Grund is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Grund nicht.
I do not know the reason.
kenne means know and nicht means not. Den Grund is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; nicht comes after the object here to negate the whole statement.
Aus welchem Grund kommst du so spät?
For what reason are you coming so late?
welchem means which, kommst du means are you coming, and so spät means so late. Aus welchem Grund is dative because aus always takes the dative; the question word occupies position one and kommst follows in position two.
Die Ursache des Grundes ist unklar.
The cause of the reason is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause and unklar means unclear. Des Grundes is genitive because it depends on Ursache and expresses “of the reason”; in natural German, die Ursache des Problems would usually be more precise than this sentence.
Es gibt viele Gründe für diese Entscheidung.
There are many reasons for this decision.
es gibt means there are, viele means many, and Entscheidung means decision. Viele Gründe is accusative after es gibt, while für diese Entscheidung is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Das Schiff liegt auf dem Grund des Sees.
The ship is lying on the bottom of the lake.
das Schiff means the ship, liegt means is lying, and See means lake. Auf dem Grund is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the verb liegt is in position two.
Die Taucher sehen den Grund des Meeres.
The divers can see the seabed.
Taucher means divers, sehen means see, and Meer means sea. Den Grund is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while des Meeres is genitive and means “of the sea.”
der Hauptgrund — main reason; central explanation
Hauptgrund combines Haupt (main) with Grund (reason). It is stronger than simply Grund because it presents one reason as the most important one.
Der Hauptgrund ist das Geld.
The main reason is the money.
das Geld means the money. Der Hauptgrund is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Sie nennt den Hauptgrund.
She names the main reason.
sie means she and nennt means names or states. Den Hauptgrund is accusative because nennen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich widerspreche dem Hauptgrund.
I disagree with the main reason.
widersprechen means disagree with. It always takes the dative, so dem Hauptgrund is dative; the finite verb widerspreche is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Hauptgrunds ist klar.
The importance of the main reason is clear.
die Bedeutung means the importance and klar means clear. Des Hauptgrunds is genitive because it identifies which reason has the importance; the noun adds -s.
Es gibt mehrere Hauptgründe.
There are several main reasons.
mehrere means several. Hauptgründe is plural and has the vowel change u to ü; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, but this plural has no visible case ending.
Der Hauptgrund für die Reise war die Hochzeit.
The main reason for the trip was the wedding.
die Reise means the trip and die Hochzeit means the wedding. Für die Reise uses the accusative after für; the phrase names what the main reason concerns, while war is in position two.
Was ist der Hauptgrund dafür?
What is the main reason for that?
was means what and dafür means for that. Der Hauptgrund is nominative after ist, and in this question the finite verb ist comes before the subject.
die Hauptsache — main thing; main point; the main thing is; as long as
The phrase die Hauptsache ist, dass ... means that the most important thing is that something is true. As a sentence adverb, Hauptsache, ... means as long as or the main thing is, and it is usually written without an article.
Die Hauptsache ist, dass du gesund bist.
The main thing is that you are healthy.
gesund means healthy, and dass introduces that. Die Hauptsache is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two in the main clause, but bist goes to the end of the dass-clause.
Ich verstehe die Hauptsache nicht.
I do not understand the main point.
verstehe means understand and nicht means not. Die Hauptsache is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die.
Wir nähern uns der Hauptsache.
We are getting closer to the main point.
sich nähern means get closer to, and uns means ourselves or us. The verb sich nähern requires a dative object, so der Hauptsache is dative; the finite verb nähern is in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Hauptsache ist klar.
The importance of the main point is clear.
die Bedeutung means the importance and klar means clear. Der Hauptsache is genitive because it identifies which thing has the importance; with a feminine noun, the genitive article is der.
Die Hauptsachen stehen auf der Liste.
The main matters are on the list.
stehen means stand or are written, and die Liste means the list. Hauptsachen is plural and has the ending -n; it is nominative because it is the subject of stehen.
Hauptsache, wir kommen pünktlich an.
The main thing is that we arrive on time.
pünktlich means on time and ankommen means arrive. Hauptsache stands at the beginning as a sentence adverb; the finite verb kommen is in position two, while the separable prefix of ankommen appears at the end as an.
Hauptsache, du hast Spaß.
The main thing is that you are having fun.
Spaß haben means have fun. Here Hauptsache is an elliptical expression meaning the main thing is; the verb hast is in position two in the following clause.
herausfinden — to find out, to discover
This separable verb means to discover information, not physically to take something out. In a main clause, herausfinden splits into findet ... heraus, but it stays together after a modal verb or in the perfect.
Ich finde heute Abend die Wahrheit heraus.
I will find out the truth this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and die Wahrheit is the truth. Die Wahrheit is accusative because herausfinden takes a direct object; the finite part finde is in position two and heraus goes to the end.
Wir haben endlich die Ursache herausgefunden.
We have finally found out the cause.
endlich means finally, and die Ursache is the cause. The perfect uses haben plus herausgefunden, which stands at the end; die Ursache is accusative because it is the direct object.
Sie fand den Fehler schnell heraus.
She quickly found out the mistake.
der Fehler means the mistake, and schnell means quickly. Den Fehler is accusative as the direct object; in the simple past, fand is in position two and heraus is separated to the end.
Finde bitte die richtige Adresse heraus.
Please find out the correct address.
bitte means please, and die richtige Adresse means the correct address. This is the informal singular imperative, with the subject du omitted; finde comes first and heraus goes to the end.
Ich würde gern herausfinden, warum der Zug verspätet ist.
I would like to find out why the train is late.
gern means gladly or would like to, warum means why, der Zug is the train, and verspätet means late. Würde plus the infinitive herausfinden forms the Konjunktiv II; the infinitive stays attached because it is not a separated main-clause form.
Morgen werden wir die Ergebnisse herausfinden.
Tomorrow we will find out the results.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Ergebnisse means the results. Futur I uses werden in position two and the infinitive herausfinden at the end; die Ergebnisse is accusative as the direct object.
der Hintergrund — background; context, background information, underlying reasons
Hintergrund can describe a visible background in a picture or place. It is also used figuratively for the context or information behind an event.
Der Hintergrund des Bildes ist blau.
The background of the picture is blue.
das Bild means the picture and blau means blue. der Hintergrund is the nominative subject, while des Bildes is genitive to show which background is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich sehe den Hintergrund nicht gut.
I cannot see the background well.
ich sehe means I see, nicht gut means not well, and sehen means to see. den Hintergrund is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Hintergrund spielt leise Musik.
Soft music is playing in the background.
im means in dem, spielt means is playing, and leise Musik means quiet music. im Hintergrund is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it.
Die Farbe des Hintergrunds gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the background.
die Farbe means the colour and gefällt mir means pleases me or I like it. des Hintergrunds is genitive after die Farbe to show possession, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Die Hintergründe sind verschwommen.
The backgrounds are blurred.
sind means are and verschwommen means blurred. die Hintergründe is the plural subject, and the adjective verschwommen has no ending after the verb sein.
Wir müssen den Hintergrund des Problems verstehen.
We have to understand the background to the problem.
wir müssen means we have to, das Problem means the problem, and verstehen means understand. den Hintergrund is accusative after verstehen, and the modal verb müssen sends verstehen to the end of the clause.
Die Zeitung erklärt die politischen Hintergründe.
The newspaper explains the political background information.
die Zeitung means the newspaper, erklärt means explains, and politischen means political. die politischen Hintergründe is an accusative plural object after erklären, and the adjective ending -en follows the definite article die.
das Kennzeichen — identifying mark; registration plate
Das Kennzeichen can be a characteristic feature or, especially for a vehicle, its registration plate. The plural is also Kennzeichen, with no visible ending, so the article and context are important.
Das Kennzeichen ist leicht zu erkennen.
The distinguishing feature is easy to recognise.
leicht means easy, and zu erkennen means to recognise. Das Kennzeichen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and zu erkennen stays at the end.
Ich notiere das Kennzeichen des Autos.
I write down the car's registration plate.
notiere means write down, and des Autos means of the car. Das Kennzeichen is accusative because notieren takes a direct object; des Autos is genitive and shows which vehicle it belongs to.
Mit dem Kennzeichen kann die Polizei das Auto finden.
With the registration plate, the police can find the car.
mit means with, die Polizei means the police, and finden means find. Dem Kennzeichen is dative because mit always takes the dative; in the subordinate clause after kann, the infinitive finden goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Kennzeichens ist ungewöhnlich.
The colour of the distinguishing mark is unusual.
die Farbe means colour, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Des Kennzeichens is genitive because it expresses possession; the noun takes -s and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Kennzeichen der Autos sind verschieden.
The cars' registration plates are different.
der Autos means of the cars, and verschieden means different. Die Kennzeichen is plural even though the noun has no plural ending; der Autos is genitive and identifies the cars.
klären — to clarify, settle, resolve; to clear up; to become clear
Klären normally takes an accusative object, as in eine Frage klären. It can also be reflexive: sich klären means that something becomes clear or is resolved.
Ich kläre die Frage morgen.
I will clarify the question tomorrow.
die Frage is the question and morgen means tomorrow. Die Frage is accusative because klären takes a direct object; the finite verb kläre stands in position two.
Wir haben das Problem geklärt.
We resolved the problem.
das Problem is the problem and haben means have. Das Problem is accusative, while geklärt is the Partizip II with haben and goes to the end of the main clause.
Sie klärte den Streit schnell.
She settled the argument quickly.
der Streit is the argument or dispute, and schnell means quickly. Den Streit is accusative after klärte; the regular past ending is -te.
Klär das bitte heute.
Please sort that out today.
das means that or it, bitte means please, and heute means today. Klär is the informal singular imperative without du; the object das is accusative.
Ich würde die Sache sofort klären.
I would clarify the matter immediately.
die Sache is the matter and sofort means immediately. Die Sache is accusative, while the infinitive klären goes to the end after würde.
Morgen werde ich den Termin klären.
Tomorrow I will clarify the appointment.
morgen means tomorrow and der Termin is the appointment or arrangement. Den Termin is accusative; in the future, werde stands in position two and the infinitive klären goes to the end.
Wir müssen das Missverständnis klären.
We have to clear up the misunderstanding.
müssen means have to, and das Missverständnis is the misunderstanding. Das Missverständnis is accusative after klären; with müssen, the infinitive klären goes to the end.
Nach dem Gespräch hat sich die Lage geklärt.
After the conversation, the situation became clear.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and die Lage is the situation. Here sich klären is reflexive and means become clear; geklärt pairs with haben and goes to the end.
kompliziert — complicated, complex
The opposite is einfach, meaning simple or easy. Do not confuse the adjective with English complicated only in a negative sense: kompliziert can simply describe something with many details.
Die Aufgabe ist kompliziert.
The task is complicated.
die Aufgabe means the task. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir lösen eine komplizierte Aufgabe.
We are solving a complicated task.
lösen means to solve and eine Aufgabe means a task. eine komplizierte Aufgabe is accusative because lösen takes a direct object, and the adjective gets the ending -e after eine.
Diese Aufgabe ist komplizierter als die andere.
This task is more complicated than the other one.
diese Aufgabe means this task and die andere means the other one. komplizierter compares two tasks and is followed by als; after ist it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist die komplizierteste Frage im Test.
That is the most complicated question in the test.
die Frage means the question and im Test means in the test. Before the feminine noun, the superlative is die komplizierteste, with the ending -e after die; im means in dem and takes the dative.
konzentrieren — to concentrate, to focus; to concentrate a substance
The common pattern is sich auf etwas konzentrieren: the person is reflexive, and auf takes the accusative when it names the target of focus. Do not leave out the reflexive pronoun in this pattern: say ich konzentriere mich, not simply ich konzentriere when you mean ‘I focus’.
Ich konzentriere mich auf die Aufgabe.
I am concentrating on the task.
mich means myself, and die Aufgabe is the task. In sich auf etwas konzentrieren, mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun and auf die Aufgabe uses the accusative because it names the target of focus; the finite verb konzentriere is in position two.
Ich habe mich auf die Aufgabe konzentriert.
I concentrated on the task.
die Aufgabe is the task, and haben ... konzentriert means have concentrated. The perfect uses haben, with konzentriert at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun and auf die Aufgabe takes the accusative here.
Sie konzentrierte sich im Unterricht auf den Text.
She concentrated on the text in class.
der Unterricht is the lesson or class, and der Text is the text. Sich is the reflexive pronoun, while auf den Text is accusative because it gives the target of concentration; the finite past form konzentrierte is in position two.
Konzentriere dich bitte auf den Weg.
Please concentrate on the road.
bitte means please, and der Weg is the way or road. Konzentriere dich is the singular imperative with the reflexive pronoun dich; auf den Weg is accusative because it names the target of focus.
Ich würde mich besser konzentrieren, wenn es ruhiger wäre.
I would concentrate better if it were quieter.
besser means better, ruhig means quiet, and wenn means if. Würde ... konzentrieren expresses a hypothetical situation; the infinitive goes to the end, and wäre also stands at the end of the subordinate clause introduced by wenn.
Nach der Pause werde ich mich wieder konzentrieren.
After the break, I will concentrate again.
die Pause is the break, and wieder means again. Werde is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while konzentrieren goes to the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Das Verfahren konzentriert die Lösung.
The process concentrates the solution.
das Verfahren is the process or method, and die Lösung is the solution. Die Lösung is accusative because this technical sense of konzentrieren takes a direct object; the finite verb konzentriert stands in position two.
Die Flüssigkeit wird durch Erhitzen konzentriert.
The liquid is concentrated by heating.
die Flüssigkeit is the liquid, durch means by or through, and Erhitzen means heating. Wird ... konzentriert is the passive, with konzentriert at the end; durch Erhitzen uses the accusative after durch.
konzentriert — focused, concentrated; concentrated
For people, konzentriert usually means focused or attentive. It can also describe something made stronger by removing water, such as konzentrierter Saft.
Ich bin heute sehr konzentriert.
I am very focused today.
heute means today and sehr means very. The adjective is predicative after bin, the first-person singular form of sein, so it has no ending.
Die konzentrierte Schülerin löst die Aufgabe schnell.
The focused student solves the exercise quickly.
die Schülerin is a female student, die Aufgabe is the exercise, and schnell means quickly. konzentrierte stands before the feminine nominative subject and takes -e after the definite article die.
Nach dem Kaffee bin ich konzentrierter als vorher.
After the coffee, I am more focused than before.
nach dem Kaffee means after the coffee, and vorher means before or earlier. nach takes the dative, while konzentrierter is the comparative after bin and als introduces the comparison.
Mara ist am konzentriertesten, wenn es ruhig ist.
Mara is most focused when it is quiet.
wenn means when, and ruhig means quiet. am konzentriertesten is the predicative superlative; in the wenn clause, the finite verb ist goes to the end.
Für die Soße brauche ich konzentrierte Tomaten.
I need concentrated tomatoes for the sauce.
für die Soße means for the sauce, brauche means need, and Tomaten means tomatoes. für takes the accusative, so konzentrierte Tomaten is an accusative object.
Die konzentrierte Brühe schmeckt sehr salzig.
The concentrated stock tastes very salty.
die Brühe is stock or broth, schmeckt means tastes, and salzig means salty. The adjective is part of the nominative subject phrase die konzentrierte Brühe and takes -e after die.
korrekt — correct, accurate
korrekt is a neutral word for something that agrees with the facts or with a rule. It is often used for answers, information, spelling, addresses, and behaviour; the opposite is falsch or inkorrekt.
Deine Antwort ist korrekt.
Your answer is correct.
Deine Antwort means your answer. korrekt stands after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Bitte schreiben Sie die korrekte Adresse auf.
Please write down the correct address.
schreiben Sie ... auf means write down, and die Adresse is the address. die korrekte Adresse is accusative because it is the object of aufschreiben; korrekte has an ending because it comes before the feminine noun with die.
Diese Erklärung ist korrekter als die erste.
This explanation is more accurate than the first one.
Diese Erklärung means this explanation, and die erste means the first one. korrekter compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, it is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Von allen Lösungen ist diese am korrektesten.
Of all the solutions, this one is the most correct.
Von allen Lösungen means of all the solutions, and diese means this one. von takes the dative, while am korrektesten is the predicative superlative; am is not used before a noun.
die Lösung — solution; answer
Die Lösung can be the answer to a question or problem, or a practical way to deal with a difficult situation. It is the noun formed from lösen; do not confuse it with die Losung, which has different meanings and spelling.
Die Lösung ist ganz einfach.
The solution is very simple.
ganz einfach means very simple. Die Lösung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir suchen eine Lösung.
We are looking for a solution.
suchen means are looking for. Eine Lösung is accusative because it is the direct object of suchen, and suchen stands in position two.
Mit dieser Lösung sparen wir Zeit.
With this solution, we save time.
mit dieser Lösung means with this solution, and sparen means save. Dieser Lösung is dative because mit always takes the dative; the phrase at the start occupies position one, so sparen comes directly after it.
Der Vorteil der Lösung ist ihre Einfachheit.
The advantage of the solution is its simplicity.
der Vorteil is the advantage, ihre Einfachheit is its simplicity, and ist means is. Der Lösung is genitive because it identifies which solution has the advantage; a feminine genitive uses der.
Wir vergleichen mehrere Lösungen.
We are comparing several solutions.
vergleichen means compare, and mehrere means several. Mehrere Lösungen is plural and accusative because the solutions are the direct object of vergleichen; the plural ending is -en.
merkwürdig — strange; unusual
Merkwürdig can mean simply unusual or can suggest that something is suspicious. It is not the same as English ‘remarkable’, which is often positive.
Das ist merkwürdig.
That is strange.
das means that or this, and ist means is. Merkwürdig is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after sein; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie erzählt eine merkwürdige Geschichte.
She is telling a strange story.
erzählt means tells, and eine Geschichte means a story. Eine merkwürdige Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after the indefinite article in feminine accusative.
Heute wirkt der Film merkwürdiger als gestern.
Today the film seems stranger than yesterday.
heute means today, wirkt means seems, and gestern means yesterday. Merkwürdiger is comparative and is predicative after wirken, so it has no ending; als introduces the comparison.
Das war der merkwürdigste Zufall meines Lebens.
That was the strangest coincidence of my life.
der Zufall means the coincidence and meines Lebens means of my life. Der merkwürdigste Zufall is nominative after das war, and the adjective takes -ste with the definite article; meines Lebens is genitive possession.
die Methode — method, approach; technique, teaching method
The word can mean a practical approach as well as a systematic method. It is often used with anwenden or testen.
Die Methode funktioniert bei Kindern gut.
The method works well with children.
funktioniert means works, and bei Kindern means with children. Die Methode is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb funktioniert stands in position two.
Wir testen die Methode heute.
We are testing the method today.
testen means to test and heute means today. die Methode is accusative because it is the direct object of testen, while the finite verb testen is in position two.
Mit der Methode lernen die Schüler schneller.
With the method, the pupils learn faster.
mit means with and Schüler means pupils; schneller means faster. mit always takes the dative, so der Methode is dative, and lernen comes in position two.
Die Vorteile der Methode sind klar.
The advantages of the method are clear.
Vorteile means advantages and klar means clear. der Methode is genitive because it identifies whose advantages they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Viele Methoden helfen beim Lernen.
Many methods help with learning.
Viele means many, helfen means help, and beim Lernen means when learning. Methoden is the plural subject, and the finite verb helfen follows it in position two.
Die Lehrerin erklärt eine neue Methode.
The teacher explains a new method.
Lehrerin means female teacher, erklärt means explains, and eine neue means a new. eine neue Methode is accusative as the direct object of erklärt, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Diese Methode hilft beim Deutschlernen.
This method helps with learning German.
Diese means this, hilft means helps, and Deutschlernen means learning German. Diese Methode is nominative because it is the subject, and hilft comes in position two.
möglich — possible, feasible
möglich can describe something that can happen, can be done, or is acceptable in a situation. It is often used with sein, as in es ist möglich; do not confuse möglichst with the adjective möglich.
Das ist heute möglich.
That is possible today.
heute means today. möglich comes after ist because it is a predicative adjective, not an adjective placed before a noun; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen eine mögliche Lösung.
We are looking for a possible solution.
suchen means to look for, and die Lösung is a solution. eine mögliche Lösung is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the adjective has the ending -e after eine in the feminine accusative.
Mit mehr Zeit ist eine genaue Antwort möglicher.
With more time, an exact answer is more possible.
mehr Zeit means more time, and eine genaue Antwort is an exact answer. mit takes the dative, while möglicher is the comparative form used after ist; the comparison is understood from the extra time.
Von allen Plänen ist dieser am möglichsten.
Of all the plans, this one is the most feasible.
von allen Plänen means of all the plans, and dieser means this one. von takes the dative plural, and am möglichsten is the superlative after ist; use am here, not an adjective ending before a noun.