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Vocab: Thinking & opinion — A2 (2)
Thinking & opinion vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Möglichkeit — possibility, option; option, alternative
die Möglichkeit can mean a possible event or an available option. The common pattern die Möglichkeit haben, etwas zu tun means to have the possibility of doing something; the noun is feminine.
Die Möglichkeit ist interessant.
The possibility is interesting.
interessant means interesting. die Möglichkeit is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Möglichkeit.
I see the possibility.
sehe means see. die Möglichkeit is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; for a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir arbeiten mit der Möglichkeit.
We are working with the possibility.
arbeiten means work. mit always takes the dative, so der Möglichkeit is dative; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Vorteile der Möglichkeit sind klar.
The advantages of the possibility are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and klar means clear. der Möglichkeit is genitive because it identifies whose advantages they are; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Wir haben mehrere Möglichkeiten.
We have several options.
mehrere means several, and haben means have. mehrere Möglichkeiten is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the plural noun ends in -en.
Das ist eine gute Möglichkeit für uns.
That is a good option for us.
gut means good, für means for, and uns means us. eine gute Möglichkeit is part of the identification after ist, while für uns is an accusative phrase because für always takes the accusative.
Welche Möglichkeit passt am besten?
Which option fits best?
welche means which, and passt am besten means fits best. welche Möglichkeit is the subject of passt, so it is nominative; the finite verb passt follows the question phrase in position two.
nachdenken — to think about, to consider
Nachdenken über means to think carefully about a topic and takes über with the accusative. It is a separable verb: ich denke nach, but ich habe nachgedacht; the perfect uses haben.
Ich denke über das Problem nach.
I am thinking about the problem.
über das Problem means about the problem, and Problem means problem. Nachdenken über takes über with the accusative here; denke is in position two and the prefix nach goes to the end.
Wir haben lange über die Antwort nachgedacht.
We thought about the answer for a long time.
lange means for a long time and die Antwort means the answer. Über die Antwort is accusative because nachdenken über uses über for its topic; haben is the auxiliary and nachgedacht goes to the end.
Sie dachte über seine Worte nach.
She thought about his words.
seine Worte means his words, and Worte means words as connected speech. Über seine Worte is accusative because it follows nachdenken über; dachte is in position two and nach stands at the end.
Denk bitte über meinen Vorschlag nach!
Please think about my suggestion!
bitte means please, and mein Vorschlag means my suggestion. The informal singular imperative is denk; because the verb is separable, nach moves to the end, and über meinen Vorschlag is accusative.
Ich würde noch einmal über diese Entscheidung nachdenken.
I would think about this decision once more.
noch einmal means once more, and diese Entscheidung means this decision. Würde is the Konjunktiv II helper in position two, while the whole infinitive nachdenken stays at the end; über diese Entscheidung is accusative.
Er wird über das Angebot nachdenken.
He will think about the offer.
das Angebot means the offer. In the future, wird is in position two and the complete infinitive nachdenken goes to the end; über das Angebot is accusative because it names the topic considered.
der Nachteil — disadvantage, drawback
The usual opposite of der Nachteil is der Vorteil, a benefit or advantage. The compound can describe a practical problem, a negative feature, or an unfavourable consequence.
Der Nachteil ist der hohe Preis.
The disadvantage is the high price.
der hohe Preis means the high price. Der Nachteil is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two, and der hohe Preis is the identifying complement.
Ich sehe den Nachteil sofort.
I see the disadvantage immediately.
sofort means immediately and sehen means to see. den Nachteil is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; the finite verb is in position two.
Mit dem Nachteil kann ich leben.
I can live with the disadvantage.
mit means with and mit etwas leben means to accept or tolerate something. dem Nachteil is dative because mit always governs the dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so kann is in position two.
Die Folgen des Nachteils sind schwer zu vermeiden.
The consequences of the disadvantage are difficult to avoid.
die Folgen means the consequences, schwer means difficult, and vermeiden means to avoid. des Nachteils is genitive because it identifies the disadvantage's consequences; zu vermeiden is an infinitive phrase after schwer.
Die Nachteile dieser Lösung sind deutlich.
The disadvantages of this solution are clear.
dieser Lösung means of this solution and deutlich means clear or obvious. Nachteile is plural and the subject, while dieser Lösung is genitive because it identifies whose disadvantages they are; the plural verb sind agrees with Nachteile.
das Paradies — paradise; heaven; paradise; perfect place
In religious contexts, das Paradies often means heaven. It can also describe an earthly place that is exceptionally beautiful or pleasant.
Das Paradies liegt für viele Menschen im Himmel.
For many people, paradise is in heaven.
liegt means is located, für viele Menschen means for many people, and im Himmel means in heaven. Das Paradies is nominative because it is the subject; für takes accusative, while in is dative here because this is a location.
Viele Menschen hoffen auf das Paradies.
Many people hope for paradise.
Viele Menschen means many people, and hoffen auf means hope for. Das Paradies is accusative because the preposition auf has this fixed meaning with hoffen; the finite verb hoffen is in position two.
Sie glaubt dem Paradies nicht.
She does not believe in paradise.
glaubt nicht means does not believe. Dem Paradies is dative because glauben takes a dative object; the negative word nicht comes after the object here.
Die Vorstellung des Paradieses tröstet ihn.
The idea of paradise comforts him.
die Vorstellung means the idea, tröstet means comforts, and ihn means him. Des Paradieses is genitive because it identifies the idea’s subject; ihn is accusative because he is the person affected.
In vielen Religionen gibt es Paradiese.
There are paradises in many religions.
In vielen Religionen means in many religions, and gibt es means there are. Paradiese is the plural with -e; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the form looks the same as nominative here.
Die Insel ist ein Paradies für Taucher.
The island is a paradise for divers.
die Insel means the island, and Taucher means divers. Ein Paradies is a predicate noun after ist, so it stays nominative; für Taucher is accusative because für always takes accusative.
Der Garten war im Sommer ein Paradies.
The garden was a paradise in summer.
der Garten means the garden, war means was, and im Sommer means in summer. Ein Paradies is a predicate noun after war, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
perfekt — perfect, flawless; ideal, just right
For a finished task, German often uses fertig, not perfekt: Die Arbeit ist fertig means the work is finished. perfekt describes quality, while fertig describes completion.
Der Plan ist perfekt.
The plan is perfect.
der Plan means the plan, and sein means to be. perfekt is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein perfekter Abend.
This is a perfect evening.
der Abend means evening, and das ist means this is. perfekter comes before the masculine noun Abend after ein and has the nominative masculine ending -er; it describes the subject after sein.
Dieser Entwurf ist perfekter als der erste.
This draft is more perfect than the first one.
dieser Entwurf means this draft, and der erste means the first one. perfekter compares two things and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Diese Lösung ist am perfektesten.
This solution is the most perfect.
die Lösung means the solution. am perfektesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; it does not take a noun ending because it stands after ist.
Der Samstag ist perfekt für einen Ausflug.
Saturday is perfect for a trip.
der Samstag means Saturday, für means for, and der Ausflug is trip or outing. perfekt is predicative after ist, while für forces the accusative in einen Ausflug.
Das Wetter ist perfekt zum Wandern.
The weather is perfect for hiking.
das Wetter means the weather, and wandern means to hike. perfekt stands after ist without an ending; zum Wandern means for hiking and contains zu dem plus the noun-like infinitive.
positiv — positive, optimistic; favourable
positiv can describe an optimistic attitude, a favourable result or approval. It can also mean positive in mathematics or science; the opposite is negativ.
Die neue Idee ist positiv.
The new idea is positive.
die neue Idee means the new idea. positiv describes the subject after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie hat eine positive Einstellung zum Leben.
She has a positive attitude to life.
eine Einstellung means an attitude, and zum Leben means to life. eine positive Einstellung is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes -e after the indefinite article.
Heute bin ich positiver als gestern.
Today I am more positive than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. positiver compares two states and is followed by als; after bin it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das war die positivste Nachricht des Tages.
That was the most positive news of the day.
die Nachricht means the piece of news, and des Tages means of the day. die positivste Nachricht is nominative after war, and the superlative before a noun takes an adjective ending.
Der Arzt bewertet das Ergebnis positiv.
The doctor assesses the result positively.
der Arzt is the doctor, bewertet means assesses, and das Ergebnis is the result. Here positiv describes how the action is performed, so it is used adverbially without an ending; das Ergebnis is accusative.
der Rat — advice; council
In the sense ‘advice’, Rat is usually uncountable: guten Rat geben. A political or official council is countable and has the plural Räte; the meaning ‘council’ is often clearer with a compound such as Stadtrat.
Der Rat meines Vaters war hilfreich.
My father's advice was helpful.
meines Vaters means my father's, and hilfreich means helpful. Der Rat is nominative because it is the subject; war is the finite verb in position two.
Ich brauche deinen Rat.
I need your advice.
brauchen means need, and deinen means your. Deinen Rat is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; advice is normally uncountable in this meaning.
Sie folgt seinem Rat.
She follows his advice.
sie means she, folgt means follows, and seinem means his. Seinem Rat is dative because folgen takes a dative object.
Die Wirkung des Rates war groß.
The effect of the advice was great.
die Wirkung means the effect and groß means great. Des Rates is genitive and means of the advice; masculine Rat adds -es in this case.
Die Räte beraten heute über den Plan.
The councils are discussing the plan today.
beraten means advise or discuss, heute means today, and der Plan means the plan. Räte is the plural subject, so the finite verb is beraten.
der Ratschlag — advice; suggestion
A Ratschlag is usually one specific piece of advice, while uncountable Rat can also mean advice in general. The common verb phrase is einen Ratschlag geben, to give advice.
Der Ratschlag ist sehr nützlich.
The advice is very useful.
sehr nützlich means very useful. Der Ratschlag is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche einen Ratschlag.
I need some advice.
brauche means need, and einen means a in the masculine accusative. Einen Ratschlag is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
Ich folge deinem Ratschlag.
I follow your advice.
folge means follow, and deinem means your in the dative. Deinem Ratschlag is dative because folgen requires a dative object; the verb folge is in position two.
Die Wirkung des Ratschlags war überraschend.
The effect of the advice was surprising.
die Wirkung means the effect, war means was, and überraschend means surprising. Des Ratschlags is genitive and means of the advice; the masculine noun adds -s.
Gute Ratschläge helfen oft.
Good advice often helps.
gute means good and oft means often. Gute Ratschläge is a plural subject; Ratschläge has an umlaut and -e, and the verb helfen is plural.
recht — right, correct, appropriate
The adjective recht means correct or appropriate and is different from the adverb recht, meaning fairly or quite. Do not confuse lowercase recht with capitalised das Recht, meaning law or a right.
Das ist recht.
That is right.
das means that or it, and ist means is. Recht is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist der rechte Weg.
That is the right way.
der Weg means the way or path. Rechte comes before the masculine nominative noun Weg and takes -e after the definite article der; ist is in position two.
Diese Lösung ist rechter als die andere.
This solution is more appropriate than the other one.
diese Lösung means this solution, and die andere means the other one. Rechter is the comparative of recht; comparisons use als, and the adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending.
Das war die am rechtesten wirkende Entscheidung.
That was the decision that seemed the most appropriate.
wirken means seem or appear, and die Entscheidung means the decision. Am rechtesten is used inside a longer participial adjective phrase; the whole phrase describes die Entscheidung, while war stands in position two.
schwierig — difficult, hard
Schwierig means not easy, while schwer can also mean physically heavy. The comparative is regular: schwieriger, am schwierigsten.
Die Prüfung ist schwierig.
The exam is difficult.
die Prüfung means the exam and ist means is. Schwierig is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; it comes after the linking verb ist.
Wir machen eine schwierige Aufgabe.
We are doing a difficult task.
machen means do and eine Aufgabe means a task. Schwierige stands before the feminine accusative noun Aufgabe, so it takes the ending -e after eine.
Diese Aufgabe ist schwieriger als die vorige.
This task is more difficult than the previous one.
diese Aufgabe means this task and die vorige means the previous one. Schwieriger compares two tasks and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no noun ending.
Von allen Fragen ist diese am schwierigsten.
Of all the questions, this one is the most difficult.
von allen Fragen means of all the questions, and diese means this one. Am schwierigsten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, shown by allen Fragen.
die Schwierigkeit — difficulty, problem
Schwierigkeit can mean a difficult point or a practical problem. The related adjective is schwierig; do not confuse the noun with Schwierigkeit as a general idea and Problem as a concrete problem.
Die Schwierigkeit liegt in der Aussprache.
The difficulty lies in the pronunciation.
liegt means lies or is located, in der Aussprache means in the pronunciation, and Aussprache means pronunciation. Die Schwierigkeit is nominative because it is the subject; in der Aussprache is dative because it describes a location, not a direction.
Ich sehe die Schwierigkeit jetzt.
I see the difficulty now.
sehe means see and jetzt means now. Die Schwierigkeit is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir begegnen der Schwierigkeit gemeinsam.
We face the difficulty together.
begegnen means encounter or face and gemeinsam means together. Der Schwierigkeit is dative because begegnen always takes a dative object, not an accusative object.
Die Ursache der Schwierigkeit ist unklar.
The cause of the difficulty is unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, ist means is, and unklar means unclear. Der Schwierigkeit is genitive because it identifies which cause is meant; feminine genitive uses der.
Wir sprechen über Schwierigkeiten bei der Arbeit.
We are talking about difficulties at work.
sprechen über means talk about, bei der Arbeit means at work, and Arbeit means work. Schwierigkeiten is accusative because über here introduces the topic and takes the accusative; the plural has an umlaut and -en.
seltsam — strange, odd, unusual
seltsam describes something unusual or difficult to explain. It is often translated as strange, but it can also mean odd without being negative.
Der neue Nachbar ist seltsam.
The new neighbour is strange.
der neue Nachbar means the new neighbour. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie erzählt eine seltsame Geschichte.
She is telling a strange story.
erzählt means is telling, and eine Geschichte means a story. eine seltsame Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes an accusative object; the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Dieser Film ist seltsamer als der andere.
This film is stranger than the other one.
dieser Film means this film, and der andere means the other one. seltsamer compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das war der seltsamste Traum meines Lebens.
That was the strangest dream of my life.
der Traum means the dream, and meines Lebens means of my life. der seltsamste Traum is nominative after war; the superlative before a noun takes an adjective ending, and meines Lebens is genitive to show belonging.
stimmen — to be correct, to be right; to agree; to vote
In Das stimmt, stimmen means that something is correct or true. With jemandem zustimmen, it means to agree with someone and takes the dative; the prefix zu- is separable.
Das stimmt nicht.
That is not correct.
das means that or it, and nicht means not. stimmt is in position two because it is the finite verb; stimmen does not take an object in this use, and nicht negates the statement.
Das hat gestern gestimmt.
That was correct yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. The perfect uses hat with stimmen; hat is in position two and gestimmt goes to the end, forming the sentence bracket.
Früher stimmte diese Rechnung.
This calculation used to be correct.
früher means formerly or in the past, and diese Rechnung is this calculation. stimmte is the weak-verb preterite in position two; diese Rechnung is the nominative subject.
Stimm mir bitte zu!
Please agree with me!
mir means to me, bitte means please, and zustimmen means to agree. The verb takes the dative, so mir is dative; the separable prefix zu moves to the end in the imperative.
Wenn das stimmte, wäre ich beruhigt.
If that were correct, I would be reassured.
wenn means if, beruhigt means reassured or relieved, and wäre means would be. In the wenn clause, the finite verb stimmte goes to the end; stimmte can look like the preterite, but here it expresses an unreal condition.
Das wird morgen wieder stimmen.
That will be correct again tomorrow.
wieder means again, and morgen means tomorrow. The finite verb wird is in position two and the infinitive stimmen goes to the end; this creates the future sentence bracket.
Viele Menschen stimmen für diese Partei.
Many people vote for this party.
viele Menschen means many people, and diese Partei means this party. für always takes the accusative, so diese Partei is accusative; the finite verb stimmen stands in position two.
Die Abgeordneten haben gegen den Antrag gestimmt.
The members of parliament voted against the motion.
die Abgeordneten are the members of parliament, and der Antrag is the motion or proposal. gegen takes the accusative, so den Antrag is accusative; the perfect uses haben, with gestimmt at the end.
die Tatsache — fact
Tatsache is used for something presented as objectively true. The common pattern die Tatsache, dass ... introduces a clause explaining the fact.
Die Tatsache ist bekannt.
The fact is known.
ist means “is” and bekannt means “known”. Die Tatsache is nominative because it is the subject; bekannt is a predicative adjective after sein and has no ending.
Ich akzeptiere die Tatsache.
I accept the fact.
akzeptiere means “accept”. Die Tatsache is accusative because akzeptieren takes an accusative object, and the finite verb akzeptiere is in position two.
Mit dieser Tatsache kann ich leben.
I can live with this fact.
dieser means “this”, kann means “can”, and mit etwas leben means “to live with something”. Dieser Tatsache is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and leben goes to the end.
Die Bedeutung der Tatsache war unklar.
The meaning of the fact was unclear.
die Bedeutung means “the meaning” and unklar means “unclear”. Der Tatsache is genitive because it specifies which fact the meaning belongs to; war is in position two because the subject is die Bedeutung.
Wir müssen die Tatsachen prüfen.
We have to check the facts.
müssen means “have to” and prüfen means “check”. Tatsachen is the plural of Tatsache and is accusative because it is the object of prüfen; the modal verb müssen stands in position two and prüfen goes to the end.
tatsächlich — actually, really, indeed
tatsächlich often confirms a fact or contrasts reality with an expectation. It is similar to wirklich, but can sound slightly more factual or emphatic.
Das ist tatsächlich wahr.
That really is true.
wahr means true. Das means that, and ist means is; the adverb tatsächlich emphasizes that the statement is true in reality.
Er hat tatsächlich angerufen.
He really did call.
angerufen means called, and Er means he. The perfect uses hat in position two and angerufen at the end; tatsächlich stresses that the call really happened.
das Thema — topic, subject, theme
The plural of das Thema is die Themen, not die Themas. In school or work, Thema often means a subject for discussion or study.
Das Thema ist sehr wichtig.
The topic is very important.
wichtig means important. Das Thema is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besprechen das Thema morgen.
We will discuss the topic tomorrow.
besprechen means discuss and morgen means tomorrow. Das Thema is accusative because besprechen takes a direct object; the finite verb besprechen is in position two.
Die Lehrerin gibt dem Thema mehr Zeit.
The teacher gives the topic more time.
die Lehrerin is the teacher and mehr Zeit means more time. Dem Thema is dative because geben assigns a dative recipient or affected thing, while mehr Zeit is accusative.
Die Bedeutung des Themas ist nicht klar.
The meaning of the topic is not clear.
die Bedeutung means meaning and klar means clear. Des Themas is genitive to show which meaning is meant, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sprechen heute über verschiedene Themen.
Today we are talking about different topics.
heute means today and verschiedene means different. Über verschiedene Themen uses accusative because über means about here; Themen is the plural form.
typisch — typical, characteristic
Typisch für means typical of and is followed by the accusative after für. The adjective can be used before a noun with an ending or after sein without an ending.
Das ist typisch für meine Familie.
That is typical of my family.
meine Familie means my family. Typisch is predicative after ist, and für always takes the accusative; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das ist ein typischer Fehler.
That is a typical mistake.
ein Fehler means a mistake. Typischer stands before the masculine noun Fehler after ein, so it takes the ending -er; the verb ist is in position two.
Dieses Verhalten ist typischer für Kinder.
This behaviour is more typical of children.
dieses Verhalten means this behaviour, and Kinder means children. Typischer compares this behaviour with something else; für Kinder is accusative because für requires the accusative.
Das ist am typischsten für den Sommer.
That is most typical of summer.
der Sommer means summer. Am typischsten is the predicative superlative with am; für den Sommer is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Sein typisches Lächeln kenne ich sofort.
I recognise his typical smile immediately.
sein means his, Lächeln means smile, and sofort means immediately. Sein typisches Lächeln is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne stands in position two.
unbekannt — unknown, unfamiliar; unknown, unidentified
Use this adjective for a person, name, place or fact that someone does not know. It can mean either simply unknown or unfamiliar, depending on the context.
Der Name ist mir unbekannt.
The name is unknown to me.
der Name means name, and mir means to me. Unbekannt is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; mir is dative because this adjective commonly describes what is unknown to a person with jemandem unbekannt sein.
Sie liest ein Buch von einem unbekannten Autor.
She is reading a book by an unknown author.
liest means is reading, das Buch means book, and der Autor means author. Von einem unbekannten Autor is dative because von takes the dative, and -en follows einem; the accusative object is ein Buch.
Dieser Ort ist unbekannter als der andere.
This place is less familiar than the other one.
dieser Ort means this place, and der andere means the other one. Unbekannter is a predicative comparative with no adjective ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Gesichtern war seines am unbekanntesten.
Of all the faces, his was the least familiar.
von allen Gesichtern means of all the faces, war means was, and seines means his one. Am unbekanntesten is the predicative superlative; von takes the dative, shown by allen Gesichtern.
Die Ursache des Problems bleibt unbekannt.
The cause of the problem remains unknown.
die Ursache means cause, das Problem means problem, and bleibt means remains. Des Problems is genitive because it specifies the cause; unbekannt is predicative after bleibt and therefore has no ending.
Die Polizei sucht einen unbekannten Täter.
The police are looking for an unidentified perpetrator.
die Polizei means the police, sucht means is looking for, and der Täter means perpetrator. Einen unbekannten Täter is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the masculine ending -en follows einen.
unentschieden — undecided, drawn, unresolved
unentschieden has two closely related uses: a contest can end with no winner, or a question or person can remain undecided. In sports, unentschieden spielen means to draw; it is not the same as unentschlossen, which usually describes a person's inability to choose.
Das Spiel ist unentschieden.
The game is a draw.
das Spiel means the game or match. After ist, unentschieden is predicative and has no ending; here it describes a result with no winner.
Wir sahen ein unentschiedenes Spiel.
We watched a drawn game.
sehen means to watch or see, and ein Spiel means a game. ein unentschiedenes Spiel is accusative because it is the object of sahen, and the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Die Lage wirkt unentschiedener als gestern.
The situation seems less settled than yesterday.
die Lage means the situation, wirken means to seem, and gestern means yesterday. unentschiedener compares the situation now with yesterday using als; after wirkt, the adjective is predicative.
Diese Frage bleibt am unentschiedensten.
This question remains the least settled.
die Frage means the question and bleiben means to remain. am unentschiedensten is the superlative after bleibt; the am form is not used directly before a noun.
Nach neunzig Minuten stand es unentschieden.
After ninety minutes, the score was level.
nach neunzig Minuten means after ninety minutes and stand es means the score was. unentschieden describes a level score; nach takes the dative, and the finite verb stand is in position two.
Die beiden Teams spielten unentschieden.
The two teams drew.
die beiden Teams means both teams and spielen means to play. Here unentschieden is used adverbially with spielten and has no ending; die beiden Teams is the plural subject.
ungewöhnlich — unusual, uncommon
It usually describes something that is not normal or expected. The opposite is gewöhnlich, meaning usual or ordinary.
Der Name ist ungewöhnlich.
The name is unusual.
der Name means the name. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending and agrees with neither case nor gender; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie trägt einen ungewöhnlichen Hut.
She is wearing an unusual hat.
trägt means is wearing, and der Hut is a hat. einen ungewöhnlichen Hut is accusative because tragen takes an accusative object; after einen, the adjective has the ending -en.
Dieser Weg ist ungewöhnlicher als der andere.
This path is more unusual than the other one.
dieser Weg means this path, and der andere means the other one. ungewöhnlicher compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist das ungewöhnlichste Geschenk auf der Party.
That is the most unusual present at the party.
das Geschenk is the present and die Party is the party. Before the noun, the superlative uses -st- with an adjective ending: das ungewöhnlichste Geschenk; auf der Party is dative because it describes a location.
Im Winter ist es hier ungewöhnlich warm.
It is unusually warm here in winter.
im Winter means in winter, and hier means here. ungewöhnlich modifies the adjective warm, so it has no ending; im is short for in dem, and this location phrase is dative.
Ein ungewöhnlicher Geruch kam aus der Küche.
An unusual smell came from the kitchen.
der Geruch is the smell, kam means came, and die Küche is the kitchen. Ein ungewöhnlicher Geruch is the nominative subject, so the adjective takes -er after ein; aus der Küche is dative because aus always takes the dative.
unglaublich — unbelievable, incredible
It can mean literally difficult to believe, or, in everyday speech, extremely good, bad, or surprising. The same word can therefore be enthusiastic or critical depending on the context.
Die Geschichte ist unglaublich.
The story is unbelievable.
die Geschichte means the story. unglaublich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Er erzählt eine unglaubliche Geschichte.
He is telling an unbelievable story.
erzählt means is telling, and die Geschichte is the story. eine unglaubliche Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes an accusative object; after eine, the feminine adjective takes -e.
Diese Nachricht ist unglaublicher als die erste.
This piece of news is more unbelievable than the first one.
diese Nachricht means this piece of news, and die erste means the first one. The comparative is followed by als; after ist, unglaublicher is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das war die unglaublichste Reise meines Lebens.
That was the most incredible journey of my life.
die Reise means the journey and mein Leben means my life. Before the noun, the superlative takes an adjective ending; meines Lebens is genitive because it means of my life.
Es ist unglaublich, wie schnell er lernt.
It is unbelievable how quickly he learns.
wie schnell means how quickly, and lernt means learns. unglaublich is a predicative adjective with no ending; in the wie clause, the finite verb lernt goes to the end.
Sie hat unglaubliches Glück gehabt.
She has had incredible luck.
sie means she, Glück means luck, and gehabt means had. unglaubliches Glück is an accusative object with a neuter adjective ending; the perfect is formed with hat and gehabt.
unmöglich — impossible
Unmöglich means not possible and is often used as an exclamation to mean that something is unacceptable. It is formed from möglich with un- and can be compared when the speaker means increasingly unrealistic or difficult.
Das ist unmöglich.
That is impossible.
das means that or it in this sentence. Unmöglich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist stands in position two.
Das ist eine unmögliche Aufgabe.
That is an impossible task.
eine Aufgabe means a task. Unmögliche comes before the feminine noun Aufgabe and takes -e after eine in the nominative; ist is in position two.
Dieser Plan ist unmöglicher als der erste.
This plan is more impossible than the first one.
dieser Plan means this plan and der erste means the first one. Unmöglicher compares two plans and is followed by als; as a predicate after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Das ist am unmöglichsten.
That is the most impossible.
das means that or it. Am unmöglichsten is the predicative superlative after ist; am belongs to this superlative form, and the verb ist is in position two.
der Unterschied — difference, distinction
Der Unterschied is commonly used with zwischen for a difference between two things. Do not confuse it with der Unterschied as a general difference and der Kontrast, which usually suggests a stronger opposition.
Der Unterschied ist sofort sichtbar.
The difference is immediately visible.
sofort means immediately, and sichtbar means visible. Der Unterschied is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, followed by the adjective sichtbar.
Ich sehe den Unterschied sofort.
I can see the difference immediately.
sehen means to see, and sofort means immediately. Den Unterschied is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich erkläre meiner Schwester den Unterschied.
I explain the difference to my sister.
erklären means to explain, and meine Schwester is my sister. Meiner Schwester is dative because it is the person receiving the explanation, while den Unterschied is accusative as the thing explained.
Die Ursache des Unterschieds ist nicht klar.
The cause of the difference is not clear.
die Ursache means the cause, and klar means clear. Des Unterschieds is genitive because it identifies what the cause belongs to; the full subject Die Ursache des Unterschieds is nominative.
Zwischen den beiden Ländern gibt es große Unterschiede.
There are major differences between the two countries.
zwischen means between, beide Länder means both countries, and groß means big or major. Unterschiede is the plural form after es gibt, which takes the accusative; den beiden Ländern is dative because zwischen describes a location or relationship here.
unterschiedlich — different, varied
Unterschiedlich can describe two things that are not the same or several things that vary from one another. Before a noun it takes a normal adjective ending, as in unterschiedliche Gründe; after sein, it has no ending.
Die beiden Ergebnisse sind unterschiedlich.
The two results are different.
beide means both, and das Ergebnis is a result. Unterschiedlich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after sind; die beiden Ergebnisse is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir haben unterschiedliche Meinungen.
We have different opinions.
haben means to have, and die Meinung is an opinion. Unterschiedliche comes before the plural noun Meinungen and takes the ending -e; unterschiedliche Meinungen is accusative because it is the object of haben.
Die Aufgaben sind heute unterschiedlicher als gestern.
The tasks are more varied today than yesterday.
die Aufgabe is a task, heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. Unterschiedlicher is the comparative after sind; als introduces the thing used for comparison, and no adjective ending is added in this predicative position.
Diese Gruppe ist am unterschiedlichsten.
This group is the most varied.
diese Gruppe means this group, and am here belongs to the superlative expression, meaning the most. Am unterschiedlichsten is the predicative superlative after ist; before a noun, use an ending form such as die unterschiedlichste Gruppe.
unterschiedlich — differently, variously
As an adverb, unterschiedlich describes how something happens and never takes an adjective ending. It can modify a verb, as in unterschiedlich aussehen, or another adverb, as in unterschiedlich oft.
Die beiden Kinder sehen unterschiedlich aus.
The two children look different.
beide Kinder means both children, and aussehen means to look or appear. Unterschiedlich is an adverb modifying sehen ... aus; the separable verb places sehen in position two and aus at the end.
Die Busse fahren unterschiedlich oft.
The buses run with different frequency.
der Bus is a bus, fahren means to travel or run, and oft means often. Unterschiedlich modifies oft and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb fahren stands in position two.
die Ursache — cause, reason
Die Ursache is the reason something happens, especially a problem or event. For a more general personal reason, German also often uses der Grund; die Ursache sounds more factual or analytical.
Die Ursache ist noch unbekannt.
The cause is still unknown.
noch means still and unbekannt means unknown. Die Ursache is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen die Ursache des Problems.
We are looking for the cause of the problem.
suchen means look for and Problem means problem. Die Ursache is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, while des Problems is genitive and means of the problem.
Der Techniker erklärt uns die Ursache.
The technician explains the cause to us.
Techniker means technician and erklärt means explains. Uns is dative because it is the people receiving the explanation, while die Ursache is accusative because it is what is explained.
Die genaue Ursache des Unfalls ist unklar.
The exact cause of the accident is unclear.
genau means exact, Unfall means accident, and unklar means unclear. Des Unfalls is genitive and identifies the accident connected with the cause; the whole phrase die genaue Ursache des Unfalls is the nominative subject.
Es gibt mehrere Ursachen für den Streit.
There are several causes for the argument.
mehrere means several, Streit means argument, and für means for. Ursachen is plural and accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object; für den Streit gives what the causes relate to.
vermutlich — probably, presumably
Vermutlich is usually placed before the part of the sentence it qualifies, often near the beginning. It means that the speaker thinks something is likely, not that it is certain; wahrscheinlich is a close synonym.
Der vermutlich verspätete Zug kommt um acht Uhr.
The probably delayed train arrives at eight o’clock.
verspätet means delayed, der Zug means the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Vermutlich modifies the adjective verspätete here; the finite verb kommt is in position two, while the time phrase comes later.
Sie hat vermutlich den Schlüssel zu Hause vergessen.
She probably forgot the key at home.
der Schlüssel means the key, zu Hause means at home, and vergessen means forgotten. Vermutlich expresses uncertainty about the whole statement; hat is in position two and vergessen goes to the end because this is the perfect tense.
vernünftig — sensible, reasonable
This adjective describes a person, decision or action that shows good judgment. Its opposite is unvernünftig, meaning unreasonable; comparison is regular: vernünftig, vernünftiger, am vernünftigsten.
Das ist vernünftig.
That is sensible.
das means that, and ist means is. Vernünftig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen einen vernünftigen Plan.
We need a sensible plan.
wir means we, brauchen means need, and der Plan is a plan. Einen vernünftigen Plan is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the adjective takes -en after einen; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Dieser Vorschlag ist vernünftiger als der alte.
This suggestion is more sensible than the old one.
dieser Vorschlag means this suggestion, and der alte means the old one. Vernünftiger is a comparative predicative adjective, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; ist remains in position two.
Das ist die vernünftigste Lösung.
That is the most sensible solution.
die Lösung means the solution, and das means that. Die vernünftigste Lösung is nominative after sein and the adjective takes -ste before the feminine noun; ist is in position two.
vertraut — familiar; known; trusted
With mit and the dative, mit etwas vertraut sein means to be familiar with something. It can also describe a person or relationship as close or trusted, depending on context.
Der Weg ist mir vertraut.
The route is familiar to me.
der Weg means the route, and mir means to me. vertraut is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; mir is dative for the person to whom something is familiar.
Sie wohnt in einer vertrauten Umgebung.
She lives in a familiar environment.
wohnen means live, einer means a in the feminine dative, and die Umgebung means the environment. vertrauten stands before Umgebung and takes the weak ending -en after einer; in einer Umgebung is dative because it describes a location.
Diese Stimme klingt mir vertrauter als seine.
This voice sounds more familiar to me than his.
diese Stimme means this voice, klingen means sound, and seine means his one. vertrauter ... als compares two things; mir is dative for the person experiencing the familiarity.
Dieser Ort ist mir am vertrautesten.
This place is the most familiar to me.
dieser Ort means this place, and am ... -sten means the most. The predicative superlative is am vertrautesten, while mir is dative for the person to whom the place is familiar.
verwechseln — to confuse, to mix up
The usual pattern is jemanden/etwas mit jemandem/etwas verwechseln: an accusative person or thing is mistaken for another one, introduced by mit plus dative. Do not confuse this verb with sich erinnern, which means remember.
Ich verwechsle die beiden Namen oft.
I often mix up the two names.
die beiden Namen means the two names, and oft means often. The object die beiden Namen is accusative because verwechseln takes an accusative object; the finite verb verwechsle is in position two.
Ich habe die beiden Adressen verwechselt.
I mixed up the two addresses.
die beiden Adressen means the two addresses. The perfect uses habe plus verwechselt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Er verwechselte die Namen der Straßen.
He mixed up the names of the streets.
die Namen der Straßen means the names of the streets. Die Namen is accusative after verwechseln, while der Straßen is genitive because it specifies whose names; the weak past form verwechselte is in position two.
Verwechsle bitte nicht die beiden Termine!
Please do not mix up the two appointments!
bitte means please, nicht means not, and die beiden Termine means the two appointments. The omitted subject is du; the imperative comes first, and the accusative object follows the verb.
Wenn ich die Namen verwechselte, wäre mir das sehr peinlich.
If I mixed up the names, I would find that very embarrassing.
die Namen means the names, and peinlich means embarrassing. In the wenn clause the finite verb verwechselte goes to the end; wäre expresses the hypothetical result, and die Namen is accusative.
Du wirst die beiden Wörter bestimmt verwechseln.
You will definitely mix up the two words.
die beiden Wörter means the two words, and bestimmt means definitely. Future uses wirst in position two and the infinitive verwechseln at the end; the object is accusative.
das Vorbild — role model; example to follow
A Vorbild can be a person, but it can also be an example or model for an object or method. The expression jemandem als Vorbild dienen takes a dative person.
Das Vorbild der Kinder arbeitet als Ärztin.
The children's role model works as a doctor.
die Kinder means the children, and Ärztin means female doctor. Das Vorbild is nominative because it is the subject; der Kinder is genitive and means of the children, showing whose role model it is.
Viele Jugendliche suchen ein Vorbild.
Many young people look for a role model.
viele Jugendliche means many young people, and suchen means look for. Ein Vorbild is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suchen is in position two.
Die Trainerin gibt dem Vorbild der Mannschaft eine besondere Rolle.
The coach gives the team's role model a special role.
die Trainerin means the female coach, der Mannschaft means of the team, and eine besondere Rolle means a special role. Dem Vorbild is dative because it is the recipient of gibt, while eine besondere Rolle is the accusative thing being given.
Der Einfluss des Vorbilds ist deutlich zu erkennen.
The influence of the role model is clearly noticeable.
der Einfluss means the influence, and deutlich zu erkennen means clearly noticeable. Des Vorbilds is genitive because it identifies whose influence is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Gute Vorbilder zeigen, wie man fair bleibt.
Good role models show how to remain fair.
gute means good, zeigen means show, and fair bleibt means remains fair. Vorbilder is plural and nominative as the subject; in the subordinate clause introduced by wie, the finite verb bleibt moves to the end.
vorschlagen — to suggest, to propose; to recommend
vorschlagen is separable: its present form is schlägt vor, but its infinitive and Partizip II are written together as vorschlagen and vorgeschlagen. The person receiving the suggestion is commonly dative, as in jemandem etwas vorschlagen.
Ich schlage einen neuen Termin vor.
I suggest a new date.
einen neuen Termin means a new appointment or date. It is accusative because vorschlagen takes the suggested thing as an accusative object, while the separable prefix vor goes to the end and the finite verb schlage stands in position two.
Wir haben ihr ein anderes Restaurant vorgeschlagen.
We suggested another restaurant to her.
ihr means to her, and ein anderes Restaurant means another restaurant. ihr is dative for the person receiving the suggestion, while ein anderes Restaurant is accusative; haben forms the perfect and vorgeschlagen stands at the end.
Er schlug eine kurze Pause vor.
He suggested a short break.
eine kurze Pause means a short break. schlug is the strong-verb past form, and the prefix vor separates and goes to the end of the main clause.
Schlag einen Treffpunkt vor.
Suggest a meeting place.
einen Treffpunkt means a meeting place. This is the du imperative: schlag comes first and the separable prefix vor goes to the end; the accusative marks what is being suggested.
Ich würde einen früheren Zug vorschlagen.
I would suggest an earlier train.
einen früheren Zug means an earlier train. würde plus the infinitive vorschlagen expresses a polite or hypothetical suggestion, and because the verb is at the end here, its prefix does not separate.
Sie wird uns morgen einen Plan vorschlagen.
She will suggest a plan to us tomorrow.
uns means to us, morgen means tomorrow, and einen Plan means a plan. uns is dative for the people receiving the suggestion, while einen Plan is accusative; wird is in position two and the infinitive vorschlagen goes to the end.
Die Ärztin schlägt eine andere Behandlung vor.
The doctor recommends a different treatment.
die Ärztin means the female doctor, and eine andere Behandlung means a different treatment. The treatment is accusative because it is what she recommends, and vor separates from schlägt and stands at the end.
Der Reiseleiter hat uns dieses Hotel vorgeschlagen.
The tour guide recommended this hotel to us.
der Reiseleiter is the tour guide, uns means to us, and dieses Hotel means this hotel. uns is dative and dieses Hotel is accusative; in the perfect, hat is in position two and vorgeschlagen is at the end.
der Vorteil — advantage, benefit
The usual opposite is der Nachteil, meaning disadvantage. Der Vorteil ist, dass ... introduces a useful benefit followed by a clause beginning with dass.
Der Vorteil dieser Wohnung ist der große Balkon.
The advantage of this flat is the large balcony.
Wohnung means flat or apartment, groß means large, and Balkon means balcony. Der Vorteil is nominative as the subject, while dieser Wohnung is genitive and means of this flat.
Die kurze Fahrt hat einen großen Vorteil.
The short journey has a major advantage.
kurz means short, Fahrt means journey, and groß means major or large. Einen großen Vorteil is accusative because haben takes an accusative object.
Bei diesem Vorteil kann niemand widersprechen.
No one can disagree with this advantage.
niemand means no one and widersprechen means to disagree or object. Diesem Vorteil is dative because bei always takes the dative; after the modal kann, the infinitive widersprechen goes to the end.
Die Höhe des Vorteils hängt vom Preis ab.
The size of the advantage depends on the price.
Höhe means size or amount, Preis means price, and abhängen von means to depend on. Des Vorteils is genitive because it specifies whose amount is meant; hängt ... ab is separable.
Die Vorteile dieses Plans sind offensichtlich.
The advantages of this plan are obvious.
Plan means plan and offensichtlich means obvious. Die Vorteile is nominative plural because it is the subject, while dieses Plans is genitive and means of this plan.
wahr — true, correct, real; genuine, true
Wahr means true or factual, while richtig often means correct in the sense of having the right answer. Do not confuse it with English aware, which is sich bewusst.
Das ist wahr.
That is true.
das means that or it. Wahr is used predicatively after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie erzählt eine wahre Geschichte.
She is telling a true story.
sie means she, erzählt means is telling, and eine Geschichte is a story. Wahre describes Geschichte and has the -e ending because it follows eine; the story is accusative because erzählen takes an accusative object.
Diese Erklärung ist wahrer als die andere.
This explanation is truer than the other one.
diese Erklärung means this explanation, and die andere means the other one. The comparative wahrer is followed by als when two things are compared; after ist it is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Das ist die wahrste Antwort.
That is the truest answer.
die Antwort means the answer. Before the feminine noun Antwort, the superlative is wahrste, not am wahrsten; the latter is used after sein, as in Das ist am wahrsten.
Er ist ein wahrer Freund.
He is a true friend.
er means he, and ein Freund is a friend. Wahrer describes Freund after the indefinite article ein; Freund is nominative because it is a predicative noun after sein.
Sie zeigte wahre Stärke.
She showed true strength.
sie means she, zeigte means showed, and Stärke is strength. Wahre Stärke is an accusative object because zeigen takes the accusative; the feminine noun after zero article takes the -e adjective ending.
wahrscheinlich — likely, probable
Wahrscheinlich can describe a likely event or express the speaker's estimate, as in Wahrscheinlich kommt er morgen. It is often translated as probably when it modifies the whole sentence.
Das ist wahrscheinlich.
That is likely.
das means that or it. Wahrscheinlich is used predicatively after sein, so it has no adjective ending; ist is in position two.
Das ist eine wahrscheinliche Erklärung.
That is a likely explanation.
eine Erklärung means an explanation. Wahrscheinliche describes the feminine noun Erklärung after eine, so it takes the -e ending; the noun phrase after ist is predicative.
Diese Lösung ist wahrscheinlicher als die erste.
This solution is more likely than the first one.
diese Lösung means this solution, and die erste means the first one. Wahrscheinlicher is predicative after ist and is followed by als to compare two solutions; it therefore has no adjective ending.
Diese Erklärung ist am wahrscheinlichsten.
This explanation is the most likely.
diese Erklärung means this explanation. The predicative superlative uses am wahrscheinlichsten after ist; before a noun, use an ending form such as die wahrscheinlichste Erklärung.
wahrscheinlich — probably, likely
Wahrscheinlich normally means probably or likely. Do not confuse it with scheinbar, which means apparently but often suggests that something only seems to be true.
Sie kommt wahrscheinlich morgen.
She will probably come tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and kommen means to come. Wahrscheinlich is an adverb and can stand after the finite verb in a normal main clause; it expresses probability, not certainty.
Das ist wahrscheinlich der richtige Weg.
That is probably the right way.
das means that, der richtige Weg means the right way, and richtig means right or correct. Wahrscheinlich modifies the whole statement, while the finite verb ist remains in position two.
die Wirklichkeit — reality, real world; real life, practical reality
Die Wirklichkeit is the opposite of an imagined or merely apparent situation. It is a feminine noun; its plural Wirklichkeiten is used when speaking about different realities or real-world conditions.
Die Wirklichkeit ist oft anders.
Reality is often different.
oft means often and anders means different. Die Wirklichkeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen fürchten die Wirklichkeit.
Many people fear reality.
viele Menschen means many people and fürchten means fear. die Wirklichkeit is accusative because fürchten takes a direct object; the finite verb fürchten stands in position two.
Er stellt sich der Wirklichkeit.
He faces reality.
sich stellen means to face or confront something, and er means he. der Wirklichkeit is dative because this expression uses sich stellen with a dative object; the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to the subject.
Die Macht der Wirklichkeit darf man nicht unterschätzen.
One must not underestimate the power of reality.
die Macht means the power, and unterschätzen means underestimate. der Wirklichkeit is genitive because it identifies whose power it is; the separable-looking? no, unterschätzen is inseparable and its infinitive goes to the end with the modal-like expression darf man.
Fantasien und Wirklichkeiten können weit auseinanderliegen.
Fantasies and realities can be very far apart.
Fantasien means fantasies, weit means far, and auseinanderliegen means to be far apart. Fantasien und Wirklichkeiten is a plural subject, so können is plural; after können, the infinitive auseinanderliegen goes to the end.
In der Wirklichkeit ist der Plan viel schwieriger.
In reality, the plan is much more difficult.
der Plan means the plan and viel schwieriger means much more difficult. in der Wirklichkeit is a fixed phrase with the dative here; because the phrase comes first, the finite verb ist still takes position two.
Seine Ideen passen nicht zur Wirklichkeit.
His ideas do not fit reality.
seine Ideen means his ideas and passen means fit or match. zur Wirklichkeit means zu der Wirklichkeit and is dative because zu always takes the dative; nicht negates the statement.
das Wunder — miracle, wonder; marvel, amazing thing
das Wunder can mean a miracle, an event seen as impossible, or something amazingly beautiful or successful. The plural is also Wunder, with no ending; use the determiner to show number.
Das Wunder macht alle glücklich.
The miracle makes everyone happy.
macht means makes, and alle means everyone. Das Wunder is nominative because it is the subject; glücklich means happy and comes after machen as a result adjective.
Die Menschen feiern das Wunder.
The people celebrate the miracle.
die Menschen means the people, and feiern means celebrate. Das Wunder is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; neuter das is unchanged from nominative.
Viele danken dem Wunder.
Many people give thanks for the miracle.
viele means many people, and danken means give thanks. Dem Wunder is dative because danken requires a dative object; this verb does not take the accusative even though English says thank or give thanks for.
Die Ursache des Wunders bleibt unklar.
The cause of the miracle remains unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and bleibt unklar means remains unclear. Des Wunders is genitive because it identifies the cause belonging to the miracle; the neuter noun adds -s.
In der Geschichte gibt es viele Wunder.
There are many miracles in the story.
in der Geschichte means in the story, and viele means many. Wunder is both the singular and plural noun form; viele and the context show that it is plural.
Dieses Gebäude ist ein Wunder der Technik.
This building is a marvel of technology.
dieses Gebäude means this building, and Technik means technology. Ein Wunder is a predicative noun after ist, while der Technik is genitive after the phrase meaning a marvel of technology.
Du bist ein Wunder!
You are amazing!
du bist means you are, and the whole sentence praises the listener. Ein Wunder is a predicative noun after sein and stays in the nominative form; it does not receive an accusative ending.
wundern — to wonder, to be surprised; to surprise someone
With the reflexive pronoun, sich wundern über means to be surprised by something. Do not use für for the thing that causes surprise; the fixed preposition is über with the accusative.
Ich wundere mich über seine Antwort.
I am surprised by his answer.
seine Antwort means his answer. The reflexive verb sich wundern takes über plus the accusative, so seine Antwort is accusative; the finite verb wundere stands in position two.
Wir haben uns über das Ergebnis gewundert.
We were surprised by the result.
das Ergebnis means the result. The perfect uses haben plus gewundert, and uns is the reflexive pronoun; über das Ergebnis is an accusative prepositional phrase.
Sie wunderte sich über den hohen Preis.
She was surprised by the high price.
der hohe Preis means the high price. The weak past form wunderte is in position two, while sich is the reflexive pronoun and über den hohen Preis is accusative.
Wundere dich nicht über den Lärm!
Do not be surprised by the noise!
der Lärm means the noise, and nicht means not. The imperative wundere comes first and is followed by reflexive dich; über den Lärm is accusative.
Ich würde mich nicht wundern, wenn er zu spät kommt.
I would not be surprised if he arrived late.
zu spät means late, and wenn means if or when. Würde forms the Konjunktiv II, while the infinitive wundern goes to the end of the main clause; the reflexive pronoun is mich.
Du wirst dich über diese Nachricht wundern.
You will be surprised by this news.
diese Nachricht means this news. The future uses wirst in position two and sends the infinitive wundern to the end; über diese Nachricht is accusative and dich is reflexive.
Es wundert mich, dass er nicht anruft.
It surprises me that he is not calling.
anrufen means to call, and dass means that. In Es wundert mich, mich is accusative because it is the person affected; the finite verb wundert is in position two, while anruft goes to the end of the dass clause.
Die Nachricht wundert niemanden.
The news surprises nobody.
die Nachricht means the news, and niemanden means nobody. niemanden is accusative as the person who is surprised, while the finite verb wundert stands in position two.
der Zufall — coincidence; chance
Der Zufall is chance or a coincidence, not a plan. The fixed expression durch Zufall means by chance and uses the accusative.
Der Zufall hat uns zusammengebracht.
Chance brought us together.
zusammenbringen means to bring together, and uns means us. Der Zufall is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hat is in position two, while zusammengebracht goes to the end in the perfect.
Ich glaube an den Zufall.
I believe in chance.
glauben an means to believe in, and an takes the accusative here. Den Zufall is therefore accusative; the finite verb glaube stands in position two.
Durch den Zufall haben wir uns wieder getroffen.
By chance, we met again.
durch means by or through, and wieder treffen means to meet again. Durch normally takes the accusative, so den Zufall is accusative, not dative; haben is in position two and getroffen is at the end.
Die Kraft des Zufalls überrascht mich oft.
The power of chance often surprises me.
die Kraft means power and überraschen means to surprise. Des Zufalls is genitive because it tells whose power it is; the genitive ending -s and article des are important signals.
Manchmal passieren seltsame Zufälle.
Sometimes strange coincidences happen.
manchmal means sometimes and seltsam means strange. Zufälle is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural changes a to ä and adds -e, while the finite verb passieren follows it in position two.
zufällig — by chance; accidentally
The adverb zufällig does not change its form and often makes a question more polite or less direct. In Hast du zufällig ...?, it means by any chance.
Ich habe ihn zufällig im Supermarkt gesehen.
I happened to see him in the supermarket.
ihn means him and der Supermarkt means the supermarket. Zufällig modifies gesehen and has no ending because it is an adverb; habe is in position two and gesehen goes to the end.
Hast du zufällig einen Stift dabei?
Do you happen to have a pen with you?
einen Stift means a pen and dabei means with you or on you. Zufällig softens the question to mean by any chance; the finite verb hast comes first in a yes-no question, and dabei comes at the end.
zustimmen — to agree (with someone or something); to approve, to consent to (formally)
Zustimmen takes the dative: jemandem zustimmen and einem Vorschlag zustimmen. English speakers often use an accusative form here, but jemandem and einem are required; the verb is separable in main clauses.
Ich stimme dir zu.
I agree with you.
dir means “to you”. Dir is dative because jemandem zustimmen requires a dative object; stimme is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Wir haben dem Plan zugestimmt.
We agreed to the plan.
der Plan is the plan. Dem Plan is dative because zustimmen takes a dative object; the perfect uses haben, and zugestimmt stands at the end.
Sie stimmte dem Vorschlag sofort zu.
She immediately agreed to the suggestion.
der Vorschlag is the suggestion, and sofort means “immediately”. Dem Vorschlag is dative after zustimmen; the regular past form stimmte is in position two and zu is final.
Stimm diesem Kompromiss zu!
Agree to this compromise!
diesem means “to this”, and der Kompromiss is the compromise. Diesem Kompromiss is dative because zustimmen governs the dative; in the singular command, stimm and zu are separated.
Ich würde deiner Idee gern zustimmen.
I would gladly agree with your idea.
deiner Idee means “to your idea”, and gern means “gladly”. Deiner Idee is dative after zustimmen; with würde, the infinitive zustimmen remains whole at the end.
Morgen wird der Ausschuss dem Antrag zustimmen.
Tomorrow the committee will approve the application.
morgen means “tomorrow”, der Ausschuss is the committee, and der Antrag is the application or motion. Dem Antrag is dative because zustimmen takes a dative object; wird is in position two and zustimmen goes to the end.
Das Parlament stimmt dem Gesetz zu.
Parliament approves the law.
das Parlament is parliament, and das Gesetz is the law. Dem Gesetz is dative because the formal verb zustimmen governs the dative; stimmt is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Die Mitglieder haben der Änderung einstimmig zugestimmt.
The members unanimously approved the change.
die Mitglieder are the members, die Änderung is the change, and einstimmig means “unanimously”. Der Änderung is dative after zustimmen; zugestimmt is the Partizip II at the end of the perfect clause.
der Zweck — purpose, aim; point; usefulness
der Zweck is the aim or purpose of something. It is often used in zu diesem Zweck, meaning for this purpose; do not confuse it with der Sinn, which can mean meaning or sense.
Der Zweck dieser Übung ist klar.
The purpose of this exercise is clear.
dieser Übung means of this exercise, and klar means clear. Der Zweck is the nominative subject; after ist, klar is a predicate adjective and does not take an ending.
Wir kennen den Zweck des Spiels.
We know the purpose of the game.
kennen means to know, das Spiel is the game, and des Spiels means of the game. den Zweck is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while des Spiels is genitive and describes whose purpose it is.
Sie dient einem guten Zweck.
It serves a good purpose.
dienen means to serve, and gut means good. einem guten Zweck is dative because dienen governs the dative; both einem and the adjective ending -en show this case.
Die Erfüllung des Zwecks dauert lange.
Fulfilling the purpose takes a long time.
die Erfüllung means the fulfilment, and dauert lange means takes a long time. des Zwecks is genitive after Erfüllung and expresses the purpose being fulfilled; the masculine noun adds -s.
Gute Zwecke brauchen klare Regeln.
Good purposes need clear rules.
gute means good, brauchen means need, and klare Regeln means clear rules. Gute Zwecke is a plural nominative subject, so Zwecke has no article here and the adjective takes -e.
Diese alte Maschine hat keinen Zweck mehr.
This old machine is no longer useful.
diese alte Maschine means this old machine, and nicht mehr means no longer. keinen Zweck is accusative because haben takes a direct object; keinen has the masculine accusative ending -en.
Das hat doch keinen Zweck.
That is pointless, after all.
doch adds emphasis, often like after all or really, and keinen Zweck haben means to be pointless. keinen Zweck is the accusative object of hat; the phrase is idiomatic and does not mean physically possessing a purpose.
zögern — to hesitate; to delay
Zögern is usually followed by mit plus dative when you name what someone hesitates over, as in mit einer Antwort zögern. It can also be used without an object in nicht zögern, meaning do not hesitate.
Ich zögere noch mit meiner Entscheidung.
I am still hesitating over my decision.
noch means still, and die Entscheidung is the decision. Mit takes the dative, so meiner Entscheidung is dative; the finite verb zögere stands in position two.
Wir haben nicht lange gezögert.
We did not hesitate for long.
nicht lange means not for long. Gezögert is the Partizip II and pairs with haben; haben stands in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Sie zögerte, bevor sie die Tür öffnete.
She hesitated before she opened the door.
bevor means before, and die Tür is the door. Zögerte is the weak-verb preterite; in the subordinate clause introduced by bevor, öffnete goes to the end.
Zögere nicht, komm einfach herein!
Do not hesitate; just come in!
nicht means not, einfach means simply, and herein means in. Zögere is the du imperative, so du is omitted; the command is softened by the following invitation.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, zögerte ich nicht.
If I had more time, I would not hesitate.
mehr Zeit means more time, and hätte means had. Zögerte is also the Konjunktiv II form here; the wenn clause gives an unreal condition, and the finite verb comes at its end.
Er wird nicht lange zögern.
He will not hesitate for long.
nicht lange means not for long. Wird forms the future in position two, while the infinitive zögern goes to the end; learners should not use the Partizip II after wird.
ähnlich — similar; alike
With people, ähnlich commonly takes jemandem in the dative: Sie sieht ihrer Mutter ähnlich means she looks like her mother. For direct comparison, use ähnlicher als, not ähnlicher wie in standard German.
Der neue Film ist ähnlich.
The new film is similar.
neu means new and Film means film. Ähnlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Sie trägt ein ähnliches Kleid wie ihre Schwester.
She is wearing a dress similar to her sister's.
trägt means wears, Kleid means dress, and Schwester means sister. Ähnliches stands before the neuter accusative noun Kleid; the ending -es agrees with ein, and wie introduces the comparison.
Dieser Weg ist ähnlicher als der andere.
This path is more similar than the other one.
Weg means path, and der andere means the other one. Ähnlicher is the comparative with -er, followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no additional adjective ending.
Von allen Bildern ist dieses am ähnlichsten.
Of all the pictures, this one is the most similar.
von allen Bildern means of all the pictures, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative plural Bildern; am ähnlichsten is the predicative superlative and therefore uses am, not a noun ending.
überlegen — to consider, to think over; to think, to reflect
As a transitive verb, überlegen commonly takes an accusative thing, as in eine Frage überlegen. With the meaning “think something over,” speakers often add a dative reflexive pronoun such as mir or dir.
Ich überlege noch, ob ich mitkomme.
I’m still thinking about whether I’ll come along.
noch means “still,” and mitkommen means “to come along.” The finite verb überlege is in position two; the clause introduced by ob is a subordinate clause, so mitkomme stands at the end.
Wir haben lange überlegt, bevor wir zugesagt haben.
We thought it over for a long time before agreeing.
lange means “for a long time,” bevor means “before,” and zusagen means “to agree.” Überlegt is the Partizip II and stands at the end with haben; zugesagt haben forms a second perfect-tense clause.
Sie überlegte eine Weile, was sie tun sollte.
She thought for a while about what she should do.
eine Weile means “for a while,” and tun means “to do.” Eine Weile is an accusative time expression, while was sie tun sollte is an embedded question with the verb sollte at the end.
Überleg dir das bitte noch einmal!
Please think it over once more!
dir means “for yourself/to you,” das means “that,” and noch einmal means “once more.” The imperative überleg comes first; dir is a dative reflexive pronoun, and das is the accusative object.
Ich würde mir das an deiner Stelle gut überlegen.
If I were you, I would think that over carefully.
an deiner Stelle means “in your position,” and gut means “carefully” here. Würde plus the infinitive expresses a hypothetical idea; mir is dative, and das is the accusative object.
Du wirst es dir noch überlegen.
You’ll think it over yet.
noch means “still/yet,” and es means “it.” Wirst is the finite form of werden in position two, while the infinitive überlegen goes to the end; dir is dative and es is accusative.
Er überlegt über einen neuen Vorschlag.
He is thinking about a new proposal.
einen neuen Vorschlag means “a new proposal.” With this less common construction, über means “about” and takes the dative here: einem neuen Vorschlag would be the standard form; learners should prefer über einen neuen Vorschlag nachdenken with this meaning.
Nach dem Gespräch musste ich erst überlegen.
After the conversation, I first had to think.
nach dem Gespräch means “after the conversation,” and erst means “first.” The modal verb musste is finite in position two, while the infinitive überlegen stands at the end; the verb has no separable split.