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Vocab: Thinking & opinion — B1 (2)
Thinking & opinion vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Gedächtnis — memory
das Gedächtnis usually means memory, the ability to remember. The plural die Gedächtnisse is possible when separate memory systems or memories are meant; the related expression im Gedächtnis behalten means to keep in mind.
Mein Gedächtnis ist heute nicht besonders gut.
My memory is not particularly good today.
heute means today, nicht besonders means not particularly, and gut means good. Gedächtnis is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trainiere mein Gedächtnis mit Rätseln.
I train my memory with puzzles.
trainieren means to train, mit means with, and Rätsel means puzzles. Mein Gedächtnis is accusative because trainieren takes a direct object; mit Rätseln is dative because mit requires the dative.
Mit einem guten Gedächtnis lernt man schneller.
With a good memory, people learn faster.
einem guten means a good, lernt means learns, and schneller means faster. Gedächtnis is dative because mit requires the dative; the impersonal subject man comes after the introductory phrase, while lernt remains in position two.
Die Stärke des Gedächtnisses nimmt mit dem Alter ab.
The power of memory decreases with age.
die Stärke means the power or strength, nimmt ab means decreases, and das Alter means age. Des Gedächtnisses is genitive because it identifies whose strength is meant; abnehmen is separable, so ab stands at the end of the main clause.
Gute Gedächtnisse helfen beim Lernen.
Good memories help with learning.
gute means good, helfen means help, and beim Lernen means with learning. Gedächtnisse is the plural subject, so the verb is helfen, not singular hilft; the finite verb stands in position two.
der Gegensatz — contrast, opposite
The fixed phrase im Gegensatz zu means in contrast to and uses zu with the dative. The plural is Gegensätze, with an umlaut.
Der Gegensatz zwischen Stadt und Land ist groß.
The contrast between the city and the countryside is great.
zwischen means between, die Stadt is the city, das Land is the countryside, and groß means great or large. Der Gegensatz is nominative as the subject; zwischen Stadt und Land names the two sides, and ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen sehen den Gegensatz sofort.
Many people see the contrast immediately.
viele Menschen means many people, sehen means see, and sofort means immediately. Den Gegensatz is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Wir sprechen über den Gegensatz.
We are talking about the contrast.
sprechen über means to talk about. Den Gegensatz is accusative because über has this meaning with the accusative; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Gegensatzes ist klar.
The meaning of the contrast is clear.
die Bedeutung is the meaning, and klar means clear. Des Gegensatzes is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the genitive ending -es is required after des.
Gegensätze ziehen sich an.
Opposites attract.
Gegensätze means opposites, sich anziehen means attract each other, and ziehen means pull or draw. Gegensätze is the plural subject, while sich is a reflexive object; the finite verb ziehen is in position two.
geheimnisvoll — mysterious, enigmatic
geheimnisvoll describes a person, place, or event that seems mysterious. It is a regular adjective: the comparative is geheimnisvoller, and the predicative superlative is am geheimnisvollsten.
Der Ort wirkt geheimnisvoll.
The place seems mysterious.
der Ort means the place, and wirkt means seems or appears. The adjective is predicative after wirken, so geheimnisvoll has no ending; the finite verb wirkt is in position two.
Sie erzählt eine geheimnisvolle Geschichte.
She tells a mysterious story.
erzählt means tells, and die Geschichte means the story. Eine geheimnisvolle Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective after eine takes -e.
Die Höhle ist geheimnisvoller als der Wald.
The cave is more mysterious than the forest.
die Höhle means the cave, and der Wald means the forest. Geheimnisvoller is a predicative comparative after ist, and als introduces the comparison; it has no adjective ending.
Dieser Film ist am geheimnisvollsten.
This film is the most mysterious.
dieser Film means this film. The predicative superlative uses am geheimnisvollsten after ist; do not use an adjective ending on geheimnisvollsten in this am construction.
geistig — intellectual, mental
Geistig refers to the mind or intellect, while geistlich usually refers to religion or the clergy. Do not use geistig to mean spiritual in every context.
Die Aufgabe ist geistig anstrengend.
The task is mentally demanding.
die Aufgabe means the task and anstrengend means demanding or tiring. Geistig is predicative after sein and therefore has no adjective ending; ist is in position two.
Er braucht geistige Ruhe.
He needs mental peace and quiet.
er means he, braucht means needs, and Ruhe means peace and quiet. Geistige comes before the feminine accusative noun Ruhe and takes the ending -e after the zero article.
Lesen ist geistiger als Fernsehen.
Reading is more intellectual than watching television.
Lesen means reading and Fernsehen means watching television. Geistiger compares two activities and has no ending because it is predicative after ist; als introduces the comparison.
Dieses Buch ist am geistigsten.
This book is the most intellectual.
dieses Buch means this book. Am geistigsten is the predicative superlative with am; unlike an attributive superlative, it does not take a noun ending.
genial — brilliant, ingenious; excellent
Genial is a strong positive word meaning exceptionally clever or excellent. In everyday speech it can describe an idea, a plan, a solution, or an experience.
Die Idee ist genial.
The idea is brilliant.
die Idee means the idea. genial is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie hat einen genialen Plan entwickelt.
She developed a brilliant plan.
einen Plan means a plan, and entwickelt means developed. genialen has -en because it comes before a masculine accusative noun after einen; hat entwickelt forms the perfect tense.
Dieser Plan ist genialer als der alte.
This plan is more ingenious than the old one.
dieser Plan means this plan, and der alte means the old one. genialer compares two plans and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective, it has no case ending.
Das war die genialste Lösung des Problems.
That was the most ingenious solution to the problem.
das war means that was, die Lösung means the solution, and des Problems means of the problem. genialste is attributive and takes -ste plus the adjective ending -e after die; des Problems is genitive.
gewiss — certain, sure; certain, particular
Gewiss usually means “certain” or “sure” and is often used after sein. Before a noun, gewiss can also mean “a certain”, as in ein gewisser Mann; this is not always a comparison.
Ich bin gewiss, dass er morgen kommt.
I am certain that he is coming tomorrow.
ich bin means I am, dass means that, er means he, and morgen kommt means is coming tomorrow. Gewiss is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; in the dass clause, the finite verb kommt goes to the end.
Das ist ein gewisser Vorteil.
That is a certain advantage.
das means that, ein Vorteil means an advantage, and gewisser means certain here. Gewisser stands before the masculine noun Vorteil and takes the ending -er after ein in the nominative; the phrase follows ist as a predicate.
Diese Erklärung ist gewisser als die vorige.
This explanation is more certain than the previous one.
diese Erklärung means this explanation, and die vorige means the previous one. Gewisser is the comparative and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Von allen Antworten ist diese am gewissesten.
Of all the answers, this one is the most certain.
von allen Antworten means of all the answers, and diese means this one. Von takes the dative, shown by allen Antworten; am gewissesten is the predicative superlative and stands after ist.
Ein gewisser Herr Müller hat angerufen.
A certain Mr Müller called.
ein gewisser Herr Müller means a certain Mr Müller, and angerufen means called. Gewisser is attributive and takes the masculine nominative ending -er after ein; the perfect auxiliary hat is in position two and angerufen goes to the end.
Zu gewissen Zeiten ist die Straße sehr ruhig.
At certain times, the street is very quiet.
zu gewissen Zeiten means at certain times, and die Straße means the street; sehr ruhig means very quiet. Zu always takes the dative, so the plural phrase is zu gewissen Zeiten; the finite verb ist is in position two.
das Gewissen — conscience
The usual expressions are ein gutes Gewissen haben, to have a clear conscience, and ein schlechtes Gewissen haben, to feel guilty. The verb vertrauen takes the dative, so say meinem Gewissen vertrauen, not an accusative form.
Das Gewissen sagt mir, dass ich ehrlich sein muss.
My conscience tells me that I have to be honest.
sagt mir means tells me, ehrlich means honest, and sein means to be. Das Gewissen is the nominative subject; the finite verb sagt is in position two, and muss goes to the end of the dass clause.
Ich höre das Gewissen in meinem Kopf.
I hear my conscience in my head.
höre means hear, in meinem Kopf means in my head, and Kopf means head. Das Gewissen is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Ich vertraue meinem Gewissen.
I trust my conscience.
vertraue means trust, and meinem means my in the dative. Meinem Gewissen is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object; the verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Stimme meines Gewissens war deutlich.
The voice of my conscience was clear.
die Stimme means the voice, and deutlich means clear. Meines Gewissens is genitive because it shows possession or origin; the noun Gewissens adds -s, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Viele Menschen haben starke Gewissen.
Many people have strong consciences.
viele Menschen means many people, and starke means strong. Gewissen is plural after viele, and it is accusative because haben takes a direct object; its form is identical to the singular, so the determiner or context is important.
der Glaube — belief, faith; faiths, belief systems
Der Glaube usually means religious faith or a strong belief. With an, it commonly means belief in someone or something: der Glaube an Gott.
Der Glaube gibt ihr Kraft.
Her faith gives her strength.
gibt means gives, ihr means her, and Kraft is strength. Der Glaube is nominative because it is the subject, while ihr is dative because geben gives something to someone.
Viele Menschen bewahren ihren Glauben.
Many people preserve their faith.
viele Menschen means many people, bewahren means preserve or keep, and ihren means their. Ihren Glauben is accusative because bewahren takes a direct object; the masculine noun changes from Glaube to Glauben in this case.
Sie hält an ihrem Glauben fest.
She holds firmly to her faith.
hält ... fest means holds firmly to, and ihrem means her. An ihrem Glauben is dative because an etwas festhalten requires an plus dative; the separable verb puts fest at the end of the main clause.
Die Stärke des Glaubens überrascht mich.
The strength of the faith surprises me.
die Stärke is the strength, überrascht means surprises, and mich means me. Des Glaubens is genitive after die Stärke, showing which faith is meant; mich is accusative as the object of überraschen.
Unterschiedliche Glauben treffen hier aufeinander.
Different faiths meet here.
unterschiedliche means different, treffen ... aufeinander means meet one another, and hier means here. Unterschiedliche Glauben is the plural subject, so it is nominative; this plural is used for different religions or systems of faith.
Die verschiedenen Glauben haben eigene Feste.
The different faiths have their own festivals.
verschiedenen means different, eigene means their own, and Feste are festivals. Die verschiedenen Glauben is the plural subject, while eigene Feste is accusative because haben takes a direct object.
Zwischen den Glauben gibt es viele Gemeinsamkeiten.
There are many similarities between the faiths.
zwischen means between, Gemeinsamkeiten are similarities, and es gibt means there are. Zwischen den Glauben is dative because it describes a relationship or location between established groups; viele Gemeinsamkeiten is accusative after es gibt.
glaubhaft — believable, credible
This adjective describes information, explanations, or stories that seem true. It is related to glauben, to believe, but glaubhaft means believable, not personally convinced.
Die Geschichte klingt glaubhaft.
The story sounds believable.
die Geschichte means the story, and klingt means sounds. Glaubhaft is predicative after klingen, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb klingt stands in position two.
Sie erzählt eine glaubhafte Geschichte.
She tells a believable story.
sie erzählt means she tells, and eine Geschichte means a story. Eine glaubhafte Geschichte is accusative because erzählen takes the thing told as its direct object; the feminine indefinite article gives the adjective the ending -e.
Seine Erklärung wirkt glaubhafter als zuvor.
His explanation seems more believable than before.
seine Erklärung means his explanation, and zuvor means previously. Glaubhafter compares this explanation with an earlier one using als; after wirken, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Diese Version klingt am glaubhaftesten.
This version sounds the most believable.
diese Version means this version, and klingt means sounds. Am glaubhaftesten is the predicative superlative after klingen; am is not used before a noun.
die Grundlage — basis, foundation
Die Grundlage can be a practical basis, a foundation for learning, or a principle on which a decision rests. The fixed phrase auf der Grundlage von means “on the basis of” and takes the dative after auf here.
Die Grundlage für den Erfolg ist gute Vorbereitung.
The basis for success is good preparation.
der Erfolg means success, and gute Vorbereitung means good preparation. Die Grundlage is nominative because it is the subject; für den Erfolg is an accusative phrase introduced by für.
Wir brauchen eine Grundlage für die Diskussion.
We need a basis for the discussion.
brauchen means need, and die Diskussion means discussion. Eine Grundlage is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Die Theorie hilft uns als Grundlage für weitere Forschungen.
The theory helps us as a basis for further research.
die Theorie means theory, hilft means helps, and weitere Forschungen means further research. Grundlage is dative after als in this use, and the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Qualität der Grundlage entscheidet über das Ergebnis.
The quality of the basis determines the result.
die Qualität means quality, entscheidet means determines, and das Ergebnis means result. Der Grundlage is genitive because it shows which basis the quality belongs to; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Grundlagen des Kurses sind leicht verständlich.
The fundamentals of the course are easy to understand.
der Kurs means course, and leicht verständlich means easy to understand. Grundlagen is plural and is the nominative subject; des Kurses is genitive and shows which course the fundamentals belong to.
grundsätzlich — fundamental, basic; in principle
As an adjective, grundsätzlich means fundamental or basic; as an adverb, it often means in principle or generally. It usually refers to principles, not to practical details, and it can be compared when different levels of fundamental importance are meant.
Die Entscheidung ist grundsätzlich richtig.
The decision is fundamentally right.
die Entscheidung means decision, and richtig means right or correct. Grundsätzlich is predicative because it follows ist and describes the subject; it has no adjective ending in this position.
Wir brauchen eine grundsätzliche Lösung.
We need a fundamental solution.
brauchen means need, and die Lösung means solution. Grundsätzliche stands before the feminine accusative noun Lösung and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; the whole noun phrase is the object of brauchen.
Diese Frage ist grundsätzlicher als die Kostenfrage.
This question is more fundamental than the question of costs.
diese Frage means this question, and die Kostenfrage means the question of costs. Grundsätzlicher is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Am grundsätzlichsten ist die Frage nach unseren Werten.
The question about our values is the most fundamental one.
die Werte means values, and die Frage nach means the question about. Am grundsätzlichsten is the superlative used predicatively; because the sentence begins with it, the finite verb ist comes next in position two.
grundsätzlich — in principle, fundamentally
grundsätzlich usually comments on a general rule or attitude, not just one individual event. It can stand near the beginning or later in the sentence and does not change form.
Ich bin grundsätzlich für diesen Plan.
In principle, I am in favour of this plan.
für diesen Plan means in favour of this plan. grundsätzlich modifies the whole statement, while the finite verb bin is in position two; für takes the accusative here.
Wir lehnen Gewalt grundsätzlich ab.
We fundamentally reject violence.
Gewalt means violence, and ablehnen means to reject. The separable verb splits into lehnen in position two and ab at the end; grundsätzlich means as a matter of principle.
die Intelligenz — intelligence
die Intelligenz usually means mental ability. In technology, especially in künstliche Intelligenz, it refers to artificial intelligence; the regular plural Intelligenzen is used for different kinds or instances.
Intelligenz ist nicht alles im Leben.
Intelligence is not everything in life.
nicht alles im Leben means not everything in life. Intelligenz is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Test misst die Intelligenz der Kinder.
The test measures the children's intelligence.
der Test is the test, misst means measures, and die Kinder are the children. die Intelligenz is accusative because misst takes a direct object; der Kinder is genitive and means of the children.
Mit Intelligenz findet man oft eine Lösung.
With intelligence, one often finds a solution.
mit means with and findet means finds; eine Lösung is a solution. mit always takes the dative, but a feminine noun has the same form in dative and nominative here; the finite verb findet is in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Intelligenz wird oft diskutiert.
The importance of intelligence is often discussed.
die Bedeutung means the importance, wird diskutiert means is discussed, and oft means often. der Intelligenz is genitive after Bedeutung and means of intelligence; the passive verb phrase has the finite verb wird in position two and the participle at the end.
Es gibt viele verschiedene Intelligenzen bei Tieren.
There are many different kinds of intelligence in animals.
es gibt means there is or there are, viele verschiedene means many different, and bei Tieren means in animals. Intelligenzen is plural, but it is accusative after es gibt; bei takes the dative.
irren — to be mistaken, to be wrong
In the meaning ‘to be mistaken’, irren is normally reflexive: sich irren. It can also describe wandering without a reflexive pronoun, as in im Wald irren.
Ich irre mich nicht.
I am not mistaken.
mich nicht means not myself, and the complete expression sich irren means to be mistaken. mich is accusative because the reflexive verb uses an accusative reflexive pronoun; the finite verb irre stands in position two.
Ich habe mich bei der Adresse geirrt.
I was mistaken about the address.
bei der Adresse means about the address, and Adresse is an address. mich is accusative with reflexive sich irren; habe is in position two and geirrt goes to the end, and the perfect uses haben.
Er irrte sich bei der Prüfung.
He was mistaken in the exam.
er means he, bei der Prüfung means in the exam, and Prüfung is an exam. sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun for er, and the weak past form irrte stands in position two.
Irr dich nicht von diesem Geräusch!
Do not be misled by this noise!
dich nicht means not yourself, dieses Geräusch means this noise, and von means by or through here. The informal imperative is irr with the reflexive accusative dich; von takes the dative, shown by diesem.
Wenn ich mich nicht irre, beginnt der Film um acht.
If I am not mistaken, the film starts at eight.
wenn means if, beginnt means starts, der Film is the film, and um acht means at eight. In the subordinate clause, the finite verb irre goes to the end after wenn; mich is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
Du wirst dich irren, wenn du ihm nicht zuhörst.
You will be mistaken if you do not listen to him.
du means you, ihm means to him, and zuhören means to listen. dich is accusative with sich irren; wirst stands in position two and the infinitive irren goes to the end.
der Irrtum — mistake, error, misconception
der Irrtum is often a wrong belief or misunderstanding, not only a small factual error. The related verb is sich irren, meaning to be mistaken.
Der Irrtum war schnell klar.
The mistake quickly became clear.
schnell means quickly and klar means clear. Der Irrtum is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich erkenne den Irrtum.
I recognise the mistake.
ich erkenne means I recognise. den Irrtum is accusative because erkennen takes a direct object, and the finite verb erkenne stands in position two.
Sie widerspricht dem Irrtum.
She contradicts the mistaken idea.
sie widerspricht means she contradicts, and widersprechen means to contradict or object to. dem Irrtum is dative because widersprechen governs the dative; the finite verb widerspricht stands in position two.
Die Folgen des Irrtums waren teuer.
The consequences of the mistake were expensive.
die Folgen means the consequences and teuer means expensive. des Irrtums is genitive because it identifies whose consequences they are; the finite verb waren stands in position two.
Viele Irrtümer entstehen durch Stress.
Many mistakes arise because of stress.
viele means many, entstehen means arise, and durch Stress means because of stress or through stress. Irrtümer is the plural subject, so it takes the plural verb entstehen; durch takes the accusative.
die Kategorie — category, class
A Kategorie is a group used for sorting or classifying things. It is common in forms, websites, shops and discussions where items are arranged by type.
Diese Kategorie ist sehr groß.
This category is very large.
diese means this, and groß means large. Diese Kategorie is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich wähle die richtige Kategorie.
I choose the correct category.
wählen means choose, and richtig means correct. Die richtige Kategorie is accusative because it is the direct object of wähle; with a feminine noun, the accusative article remains die.
Wir ordnen dem Buch eine Kategorie zu.
We assign a category to the book.
zuordnen means assign or classify, and das Buch means the book. Dem Buch is dative because it is the thing receiving the classification, while eine Kategorie is accusative; the separable verb appears as ordnen ... zu.
Die Beschreibung der Kategorie ist kurz.
The description of the category is short.
die Beschreibung means the description, and kurz means short. Der Kategorie is genitive because it identifies which description is meant; the feminine noun itself does not change in this case.
Die wichtigsten Kategorien stehen oben.
The most important categories are at the top.
wichtigsten means most important, and oben means at the top. Die wichtigsten Kategorien is the plural subject, and the noun takes the plural ending -n.
knifflig — tricky, difficult
knifflig describes something that is difficult because it requires thought, attention, or skill. It is often used for eine knifflige Aufgabe or ein kniffliges Problem, rather than for something simply physically hard.
Die Aufgabe ist knifflig.
The task is tricky.
die Aufgabe means the task or exercise. knifflig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist eine knifflige Frage.
That is a tricky question.
eine Frage means a question. knifflige stands before the feminine noun and takes -e after eine; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Diese Aufgabe ist kniffliger als die letzte.
This task is trickier than the last one.
diese Aufgabe means this task and die letzte means the last one. kniffliger is the comparative, and als introduces what it is compared with; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das war die kniffligste Prüfung des Kurses.
That was the trickiest exam of the course.
die Prüfung means the exam and der Kurs means the course. kniffligste is the superlative before a feminine noun with die, while des Kurses is genitive and means of the course.
Die Lösung dieses Rätsels ist besonders knifflig.
The solution to this riddle is especially tricky.
die Lösung means the solution, dieses Rätsels means of this riddle, and besonders means especially. knifflig follows ist as a predicative adjective and has no ending; dieses Rätsels is genitive.
die Kombination — combination; pairing
Die Kombination can describe a pairing of colours, clothes, ingredients, or other things. With aus, the elements are introduced after aus, which takes the dative.
Die Kombination aus Blau und Weiß wirkt ruhig.
The combination of blue and white looks calm.
aus Blau und Weiß means of blue and white, and wirkt ruhig means looks calm. Die Kombination is nominative because it is the subject; aus introduces the things included in the combination.
Ich mag diese Kombination aus Farben.
I like this combination of colours.
mag means like, diese means this, and Farben means colours. diese Kombination is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the finite verb mag is in position two.
Mit dieser Kombination kann man nichts falsch machen.
You cannot go wrong with this combination.
Mit dieser Kombination means with this combination, and nichts falsch machen means do nothing wrong. mit always takes the dative, so dieser Kombination is dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and machen goes to the end.
Der Vorteil der Kombination ist ihre Einfachheit.
The advantage of the combination is its simplicity.
der Vorteil means the advantage, ihre means its, and Einfachheit means simplicity. der Kombination is genitive because it specifies which combination's advantage; the verb ist stands in position two.
Diese Kombinationen sind besonders beliebt.
These combinations are especially popular.
Diese means these, sind means are, and besonders beliebt means especially popular. Kombinationen is plural and nominative because it is the subject, so the verb is sind, not ist.
konkret — concrete, specific; physical, real
For ideas, plans, and information, konkret often means specific or detailed, not only physically solid. It contrasts with abstrakt, and it forms regular comparison with konkreter and am konkretesten.
Die Antwort ist konkret.
The answer is specific.
die Antwort means the answer, and ist means is. Konkret is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen einen konkreten Plan.
We need a specific plan.
brauchen means need and der Plan means the plan. einen konkreten Plan is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective has -en after the accusative masculine article einen.
Bitte nennen Sie ein konkreteres Beispiel.
Please give a more specific example.
bitte means please, nennen means name or give, and das Beispiel means example. konkreteres compares this example with another and has -es because it follows ein in the accusative neuter phrase.
Das ist die konkreteste Erklärung im Buch.
That is the most specific explanation in the book.
die Erklärung means the explanation and im Buch means in the book. konkreteste is an attributive superlative before a feminine nominative noun, so it takes -e; this is different from the predicate form am konkretesten.
Das konkrete Beispiel hilft den Schülern.
The concrete example helps the pupils.
das Beispiel means the example, hilft means helps, and den Schülern means the pupils. konkrete has -e after the neuter nominative article das, while den Schülern is dative because helfen takes dative.
In dem Modell sieht man eine konkrete Stadt.
In the model, you can see a real city.
in dem Modell means in the model, sieht man means one can see, and die Stadt means city. eine konkrete Stadt is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; konkrete has the feminine accusative ending -e.
konsequent — consistent, determined, rigorous; logical, consequent
konsequent describes someone who applies a rule or decision consistently, not simply someone who is stubborn. It can be used before a noun with an adjective ending or after sein without an ending.
Sie ist sehr konsequent.
She is very consistent.
sehr means very, and ist means is. konsequent is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Er trifft eine konsequente Entscheidung.
He makes a consistent decision.
trifft means makes, and eine Entscheidung means a decision. eine konsequente Entscheidung is the accusative object of trifft; the adjective takes -e after the indefinite article in feminine accusative.
Mit Erfahrung wird sie konsequenter.
With experience, she becomes more consistent.
mit Erfahrung means with experience, and wird means becomes. mit forces the dative, and konsequenter compares her new behaviour with her earlier behaviour; the finite verb wird is in position two.
Von allen arbeitet er am konsequentesten.
Of everyone, he works most consistently.
von allen means of everyone, and arbeitet means works. von forces the dative, and the predicative superlative is am konsequentesten; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Diese Maßnahme ist konsequent.
This measure is logical.
diese Maßnahme means this measure, and ist means is. konsequent is predicative after sein and therefore has no ending; the adjective says that the measure follows logically from the situation.
Der nächste Schritt ergibt sich konsequenterweise aus dem Plan.
The next step follows logically from the plan.
der nächste Schritt means the next step, ergibt sich means follows or results, and der Plan means the plan. aus forces the dative in aus dem Plan, while konsequenterweise is an adverb meaning consequently.
die Konsequenz — consequence, result; firmness, determination
die Konsequenz usually means a result, especially one that follows naturally or as a punishment. The plural is die Konsequenzen; in formal language, Konsequenzen ziehen means to draw consequences or take action as a result.
Die Konsequenz ist klar.
The consequence is clear.
klar means clear, and ist means is. die Konsequenz is the nominative subject of ist; the finite verb stands in position two.
Er trägt die Konsequenz.
He bears the consequence.
trägt means bears or accepts responsibility for. die Konsequenz is the accusative object of tragen, and the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Mit dieser Konsequenz habe ich nicht gerechnet.
I did not expect this consequence.
mit dieser Konsequenz means with this consequence, and gerechnet means expected or counted on. mit forces the dative, and the perfect phrase habe gerechnet places gerechnet at the end.
Die Ursache der Konsequenz bleibt unklar.
The cause of the consequence remains unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and bleibt unklar means remains unclear. der Konsequenz is a genitive attribute meaning of the consequence; bleibt is the finite verb in position two.
Schlechte Entscheidungen haben oft schwere Konsequenzen.
Bad decisions often have serious consequences.
schlechte Entscheidungen means bad decisions, oft means often, and schwere means serious. schwere Konsequenzen is the accusative plural object of haben, while the plural article is die when an article is used.
Sie handelt mit Konsequenz.
She acts with determination.
handelt means acts, and mit Konsequenz means with determination. mit forces the dative, although the feminine noun has the same form after the articleless preposition; the finite verb handelt is in position two.
Der Trainer zeigt Konsequenz.
The coach shows determination.
der Trainer means the coach, and zeigt means shows. Konsequenz is an uncountable accusative object of zeigen here, so it has no article; the finite verb zeigt stands in position two.
die Konzentration — concentration, ability to focus; concentration of a substance
The most common meaning is mental focus or attention. In scientific contexts, die Konzentration can also mean the amount of a substance in a mixture or solution.
Die Konzentration fällt mir heute schwer.
I find it difficult to concentrate today.
schwerfallen means to be difficult, and heute means today. Die Konzentration is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative because this expression describes what is difficult for someone.
Für die Prüfung brauche ich die Konzentration.
I need concentration for the exam.
die Prüfung is the exam, and brauchen means need. Die Konzentration is accusative as the object of brauchen; für always takes the accusative, so die Prüfung has that case.
Mit der Konzentration klappt die Arbeit besser.
With concentration, the work goes better.
mit means with, klappen means to work out, and besser means better. Mit always takes the dative, so der Konzentration is dative; the finite verb klappt is in position two.
Die Dauer der Konzentration ist bei Kindern kürzer.
The length of concentration is shorter in children.
die Dauer is the length or duration, bei Kindern means in children, and kürzer means shorter. Der Konzentration is genitive because it identifies what kind of duration is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Lange Konzentrationen sind für viele Menschen anstrengend.
Long periods of concentration are tiring for many people.
lange means long, viele Menschen means many people, and anstrengend means tiring. Konzentrationen is plural and is the subject; für viele Menschen uses the accusative after für.
Die Konzentration von Salz im Wasser ist zu hoch.
The concentration of salt in the water is too high.
das Salz is salt, das Wasser is water, and zu hoch means too high. Von Salz identifies the substance being measured; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and zu hoch is a predicate adjective.
Eine hohe Konzentration an Schadstoffen belastet die Luft.
A high concentration of pollutants puts a strain on the air.
hoch means high, Schadstoffe are pollutants, belasten means put a strain on, and die Luft is the air. Eine hohe Konzentration is nominative as the subject, while die Luft is accusative as the object of belastet.
die Kritik — criticism; review; review
Kritik can mean criticism of a person or idea, but eine Kritik can also be a review of a film, book, or concert. The verb kritisieren is different from Kritik üben, although both express criticism.
Die Kritik war sachlich und hilfreich.
The criticism was factual and helpful.
sachlich means factual or objective, and hilfreich means helpful. Die Kritik is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Der Chef hört die Kritik ruhig an.
The boss listens calmly to the criticism.
der Chef means the boss, hört ... an means listens to, and ruhig means calmly. Die Kritik is accusative as the object of sich anhören; the separable verb has hört in position two and an at the end.
Sie widerspricht der Kritik nicht.
She does not contradict the criticism.
widerspricht means contradicts or objects to, and nicht means not. Der Kritik is dative because widersprechen takes a dative object; the finite verb widerspricht is in position two.
Die Berechtigung der Kritik ist umstritten.
The legitimacy of the criticism is disputed.
die Berechtigung means the legitimacy or justification, and umstritten means disputed. Der Kritik is genitive because it specifies whose legitimacy is being discussed; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Kritiken in der Zeitung sind sehr unterschiedlich.
The reviews in the newspaper are very different.
in der Zeitung means in the newspaper, and unterschiedlich means different. Kritiken is the plural subject; in der Zeitung is dative because in describes a location.
Ich habe eine positive Kritik zu dem Film gelesen.
I read a positive review of the film.
positive means positive, zu dem Film means of the film, and gelesen means read. Eine positive Kritik is accusative as the object of lesen; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end.
Die Kritik lobt die Schauspielerin.
The review praises the actress.
lobt means praises, and die Schauspielerin means the actress. Die Kritik is nominative as the subject, while die Schauspielerin is accusative as the direct object of loben.
der Kritiker — critic, reviewer
Der Kritiker can review cultural works or comment on problems more generally. The feminine form is die Kritikerin, and the plural die Kritiker has no extra ending.
Der Kritiker schreibt für eine große Zeitung.
The critic writes for a major newspaper.
schreibt means writes, für means for, and eine große Zeitung means a major newspaper. Der Kritiker is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb schreibt is in position two.
Ich lese den Kritiker jeden Sonntag.
I read the critic every Sunday.
lese means read, and jeden Sonntag means every Sunday. Den Kritiker is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; this noun does not add -n in the accusative singular.
Die Moderatorin gibt dem Kritiker das Wort.
The presenter gives the critic the floor.
die Moderatorin means the presenter, gibt means gives, and das Wort means the floor or opportunity to speak. Dem Kritiker is dative as the recipient, while das Wort is accusative as the thing given.
Die Meinung des Kritikers ist interessant.
The critic's opinion is interesting.
die Meinung means the opinion and interessant means interesting. Des Kritikers is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is; the noun takes -s in this case.
Die Kritiker diskutieren den neuen Film.
The critics discuss the new film.
diskutieren means discuss, and den neuen Film means the new film. Kritiker is the plural subject and looks like the singular, so the article and plural verb diskutieren show that more than one critic is meant.
kritisch — critical; analytical; difficult; critical; serious; dangerous
In German, kritisch can mean analytical and questioning, not only dangerous or negative. Before a noun it takes an adjective ending, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Der Bericht ist kritisch.
The report is critical.
der Bericht means the report. The adjective kritisch stands after ist in the predicative position and therefore has no adjective ending.
Sie schreibt einen kritischen Bericht.
She is writing a critical report.
schreibt means is writing, and einen Bericht means a report. einen kritischen Bericht is accusative because schreiben takes an accusative object; the adjective has -en after the indefinite article einen.
Diese Frage ist kritischer als die vorige.
This question is more critical than the previous one.
diese Frage means this question, and die vorige means the previous one. kritischer compares two things and is followed by als, not wie, in this structure.
Das ist der kritischste Punkt des Plans.
That is the most critical point of the plan.
der Punkt means the point, and des Plans means of the plan. The superlative before the noun is kritischste with an adjective ending; des Plans is genitive showing whose point it is.
Der Patient ist in einem kritischen Zustand.
The patient is in a critical condition.
der Patient means the patient, and der Zustand means the condition or state. in einem kritischen Zustand is dative because in describes a location here; the adjective has -en after einem.
Die nächsten Stunden werden kritisch.
The next few hours will be critical.
die nächsten Stunden means the next few hours. kritisch is predicative after werden, so it has no ending; werden is in position two and expresses a future change of state.
kritisieren — to criticise; to criticize
kritisieren takes an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas kritisieren. It is a regular verb ending in -ieren, so its Partizip II is kritisiert, without ge-, and it forms the perfect with haben.
Die Journalistin kritisiert den Bericht.
The journalist criticises the report.
die Journalistin means the journalist, and der Bericht means the report. den Bericht is accusative because kritisieren takes an accusative object; the finite verb kritisiert stands in position two.
Die Journalistin hat den Bericht kritisiert.
The journalist criticised the report.
die Journalistin is the journalist and der Bericht is the report. The perfect uses hat and the Partizip II kritisiert at the end; den Bericht is accusative because it is the object of kritisieren.
Die Journalistin kritisierte den Bericht.
The journalist criticised the report.
die Journalistin means the journalist, and der Bericht means the report. The regular preterite kritisierte is the finite verb in position two, while den Bericht is accusative after kritisieren.
Kritisiere nicht jede Kleinigkeit!
Don’t criticise every little thing!
nicht means not, and jede Kleinigkeit means every little thing. Kritisiere is the singular imperative; jede Kleinigkeit is accusative because it is the object, and the subject du is left out.
Ich kritisierte den Plan, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would criticise the plan if I had more time.
der Plan means the plan, and mehr Zeit means more time. The sentence uses a past form to express an unreal condition; den Plan is accusative, and the finite verb hätte goes to the end of the wenn clause.
Wir werden den Vorschlag morgen kritisieren.
We will criticise the proposal tomorrow.
der Vorschlag means the proposal, and morgen means tomorrow. Future tense uses werden in position two and the infinitive kritisieren at the end; den Vorschlag is accusative after the verb.
lohnen — to be worthwhile, to pay off; to reward, to repay
The common use is reflexive: sich lohnen means to be worthwhile or to pay off. It is not normally used to say that a person earns a wage; for that meaning, use verdienen.
Der Kurs lohnt sich für Anfänger.
The course is worthwhile for beginners.
Kurs means course and Anfänger means beginners. Sich is the reflexive pronoun in the expression sich lohnen; für Anfänger uses the accusative after für, and the finite verb lohnt is in position two.
Die Reise hat sich gelohnt.
The trip was worth it.
Reise means trip and hat ... gelohnt means was worthwhile or paid off. The perfect uses haben because lohnen is a weak verb; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gelohnt goes to the end, with reflexive sich between them.
Der lange Weg lohnte sich nicht.
The long journey was not worth it.
lange Weg means long route or journey and nicht means not. Lohnte is the regular simple-past form, and sich is required by the common reflexive expression; the finite verb is in position two.
Lohn dich der Aufwand wirklich?
Is the effort really worthwhile for you?
Aufwand means effort and wirklich means really. Lohn dich is the du imperative with the reflexive pronoun dich, but this form is uncommon; everyday German normally asks Lohnt sich der Aufwand wirklich? instead.
Die Arbeit würde sich nicht lohnen, wenn sie so lange dauert.
The work would not be worthwhile if it took that long.
Arbeit means work, wenn means if, and so lange dauert means takes that long. Würde ... lohnen is the Konjunktiv II form, with the infinitive lohnen at the end of the main clause; the subordinate-clause verb dauert also goes to the end.
Die Investition wird sich später lohnen.
The investment will pay off later.
Investition means investment and später means later. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive lohnen at the end; sich is the reflexive pronoun required by the usual expression.
Seine Geduld lohnte ihm am Ende.
His patience rewarded him in the end.
Geduld means patience and am Ende means in the end. In this less common use, ihm is dative because the person receiving the reward is expressed with the dative; the finite verb lohnte is in position two.
Die Mühe hat sich gelohnt.
The effort paid off.
Mühe means effort and hat ... gelohnt means paid off. This sentence uses the much more usual reflexive expression sich lohnen; hat is the auxiliary in position two and gelohnt is at the end.
mitdenken — to think along, to follow actively
Mitdenken usually describes active attention, not simply hearing words. It is separable in a main clause, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together; it takes haben in the perfect.
Die Schüler denken im Unterricht gut mit.
The students follow and think well in class.
Die Schüler means the pupils or students, im Unterricht means in class, and gut means well. Denken is in position two and mit is separated to the end; im is in dem, and the dative marks the situation in which they think along.
Ich habe bei der Erklärung gut mitgedacht.
I followed the explanation well.
Bei der Erklärung means during the explanation, and gut means well. The perfect uses haben plus mitgedacht at the end; bei always takes the dative, shown by der Erklärung.
Sie dachte bei der Planung nicht mit.
She did not think along during the planning.
Bei der Planung means during the planning, and nicht means not. The preterite form dachte stands in position two, while mit moves to the end; bei der Planung is dative because bei governs the dative.
Denk bitte bei der Lösung mit.
Please think along while solving it.
Bitte means please and die Lösung means the solution. This is the du imperative with the subject omitted; mit must stand at the end, and bei der Lösung is dative after bei.
Du würdest besser mitdenken.
You would do better to think along.
Du würdest besser means you would do better. With würde, the complete infinitive mitdenken goes to the end and is not separated; this is a suggestion, not a direct command.
Ihr werdet bei der Besprechung mitdenken.
You will think along during the meeting.
Ihr means you plural, bei der Besprechung means during the meeting, and werdet means will. Werdet occupies position two and the complete infinitive mitdenken goes to the end; bei requires the dative.
moralisch — moral, ethical
moralisch describes what concerns right and wrong behaviour. It is not the same as moralisch in the phrase moralische Unterstützung, where it can mean based on values rather than practical or financial.
Die Entscheidung ist moralisch.
The decision is moral.
die Entscheidung means the decision. Moralisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes whether the decision agrees with ideas about right and wrong.
Sie übernimmt eine moralische Verantwortung.
She takes on a moral responsibility.
übernimmt means takes on and die Verantwortung means responsibility. Moralische stands before the feminine accusative noun Verantwortung, and the ending -e follows the indefinite article eine.
Seine Entscheidung ist moralischer als meine.
His decision is more moral than mine.
seine Entscheidung means his decision and meine means mine. Moralischer is the comparative, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no noun ending.
Das ist die moralischste Lösung.
That is the most moral solution.
die Lösung means the solution. Moralischste is the superlative before a noun and takes the ending -e after die; do not use am moralischsten directly before a noun.
das Motiv — motive, reason; motif, theme; motif, subject, theme
In art, das Motiv can also mean a motif or subject, such as a repeated pattern or a scene in a photograph. The plural is Motive for both the reasons and the artistic themes.
Sein Motiv war die Angst vor dem Krieg.
His motive was fear of the war.
sein means his, die Angst is fear, and der Krieg is war. Sein Motiv is nominative because it is the subject after war; the finite verb stands in position two.
Die Polizei sucht das Motiv für die Tat.
The police are looking for the motive for the crime.
die Polizei is the police, sucht means is looking for, and die Tat is the crime or act. Das Motiv is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object, while für also requires the accusative.
Die Journalistin sprach mit dem Motiv des Täters.
The journalist spoke about the perpetrator's motive.
die Journalistin is the female journalist, sprach means spoke, and der Täter is the perpetrator. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Motiv is dative; des Täters is genitive, meaning of the perpetrator.
Die Bedeutung des Motivs blieb unklar.
The meaning of the motive remained unclear.
die Bedeutung means meaning and unklar means unclear. Des Motivs is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; the finite verb blieb is in position two.
Viele Motive werden noch untersucht.
Many motives are still being investigated.
viele means many, noch means still, and untersucht means investigated. Viele Motive is plural nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the plural has -e.
Die Tat hatte ein politisches Motiv.
The crime had a political motive.
die Tat is the crime or act and politisch means political. Ein politisches Motiv is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, and the adjective has -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Das Foto zeigt ein schönes Motiv.
The photo shows a beautiful subject.
das Foto is the photo, zeigt means shows, and schön means beautiful. Ein schönes Motiv is accusative because zeigen takes an accusative object; the adjective ending is -es after ein with a neuter noun.
Die Blumen sind ein beliebtes Motiv in der Malerei.
Flowers are a popular motif in painting.
die Blumen are flowers, beliebt means popular, and die Malerei is painting. Ein beliebtes Motiv is a predicate noun after sein, so it stays nominative; in der Malerei is a dative location phrase.
mysteriös — mysterious
Mysteriös describes something that seems difficult to explain or understand. It is a regular adjective, so its comparison is mysteriöser – am mysteriösesten.
Der Fall ist mysteriös.
The case is mysterious.
Der Fall means the case. Mysteriös is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie fand eine mysteriöse Nachricht.
She found a mysterious message.
fand means found and eine Nachricht means a message. Mysteriöse stands before the feminine accusative noun Nachricht, so it takes -e after eine; the verb fand is the past tense of finden.
Dieser Fall ist mysteriöser als der erste.
This case is more mysterious than the first one.
Dieser Fall means this case and der erste means the first one. Mysteriöser compares two cases and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative has no adjective ending.
Das ist der mysteriöseste Teil der Geschichte.
That is the most mysterious part of the story.
Das ist means that is, der Teil means the part, and der Geschichte means of the story. Mysteriöseste is attributive before Teil and takes -e after der; the genitive phrase der Geschichte identifies the story.
nachdenklich — thoughtful, pensive, reflective
Nachdenklich describes someone who is thinking seriously or quietly about something. It can be used before a noun, as in ein nachdenklicher Mensch, or after sein and wirken, as in sie ist nachdenklich.
Nach dem Gespräch ist sie sehr nachdenklich.
She is very thoughtful after the conversation.
Nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and Gespräch means conversation. Nach takes the dative for time here, so dem Gespräch is dative; nachdenklich is predicative after ist and has no adjective ending.
Der nachdenkliche Mann sitzt am Fenster.
The thoughtful man is sitting by the window.
der Mann means the man, sitzt means is sitting, and am Fenster means by or at the window. Nachdenkliche comes before the masculine nominative noun and takes -e after der; the finite verb sitzt is in position two.
Heute wirkt er nachdenklicher als gestern.
Today he seems more thoughtful than yesterday.
Heute means today, wirkt means seems or appears, and gestern means yesterday. Nachdenklicher is the comparative with -er; als introduces the thing used for comparison, and wirkt is in position two.
Von allen Gästen wirkt sie am nachdenklichsten.
Of all the guests, she seems the most thoughtful.
Von allen Gästen means of all the guests, and wirkt means seems or appears. Von requires the dative, so Gästen has -n; am nachdenklichsten is the superlative after wirkt, not an attributive adjective before a noun.
neutral — neutral, impartial
neutral can describe a person, country, answer, or position that does not support either side. Its comparison is regular: neutraler, am neutralsten; in political contexts, it is often used with bleiben.
Die Schweiz blieb im Krieg neutral.
Switzerland remained neutral in the war.
Die Schweiz means Switzerland and blieb means remained; im Krieg means in the war. neutral is predicative after blieb, so it has no adjective ending, and im Krieg is dative because in describes a location or situation.
Sie nahm eine neutrale Haltung ein.
She adopted a neutral attitude.
Sie nahm ... ein means she adopted, and eine Haltung means an attitude. neutrale has the ending -e after feminine eine; eine neutrale Haltung is the accusative object of the separable verb einnehmen, whose second part ein stands at the end.
Seine Antwort war neutraler als meine.
His answer was more neutral than mine.
Seine Antwort means his answer and meine means mine. neutraler is predicative after war, so it has no ending; als introduces the thing being compared, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Der Vorsitzende blieb am neutralsten.
The chairperson remained the most neutral.
Der Vorsitzende means the chairperson and blieb means remained. am neutralsten is the predicative superlative after blieb; use this am form after a verb, not an attributive form before a noun.
die Notwendigkeit — necessity, need
die Notwendigkeit is a more formal noun than die Notwendigkeit brauchen is not used; German usually says etwas ist notwendig or die Notwendigkeit von etwas. It is often followed by von plus the dative or by a genitive noun.
Die Notwendigkeit von Pausen ist klar.
The necessity of breaks is clear.
Pausen means breaks, and klar means clear. Die Notwendigkeit is the nominative subject; von Pausen means of breaks, with von forcing the dative plural, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir erkennen die Notwendigkeit einer Änderung.
We recognise the necessity of a change.
wir means we, erkennen means recognise, and eine Änderung is a change. die Notwendigkeit is accusative because erkennen takes a direct object; einer Änderung is genitive and means of a change.
Er widerspricht der Notwendigkeit eines neuen Plans.
He disagrees with the necessity of a new plan.
widersprechen means to contradict or disagree with, and ein neuer Plan is a new plan. der Notwendigkeit is dative because widersprechen governs the dative; eines neuen Plans is genitive, meaning of a new plan.
Trotz der Notwendigkeit einer Reform bleibt alles gleich.
Despite the necessity of a reform, everything remains the same.
trotz means despite, eine Reform is a reform, and alles bleibt gleich means everything stays the same. trotz normally forces the genitive, so der Notwendigkeit is genitive; the main-clause verb bleibt is in position two.
Viele Notwendigkeiten stehen neben unseren Wünschen.
Many necessities stand alongside our wishes.
viele means many, stehen means stand, and Wünsche means wishes. Notwendigkeiten is plural and is the nominative subject; neben takes the dative for location, so unseren Wünschen is dative plural.
offenbar — apparent, evident
Offenbar means apparent or evident and is more formal than everyday klar in some contexts. Do not confuse it with offen, which usually means open.
Es ist offenbar, dass er gelogen hat.
It is apparent that he lied.
es ist offenbar means it is apparent, gelogen means lied, and hat means has. Offenbar is predicative after ist and has no ending; the dass-clause sends the finite verb hat to the end.
Das offenbare Problem liegt im Zeitplan.
The obvious problem lies in the schedule.
das Problem means the problem, liegt means lies or is located, and der Zeitplan means the schedule. Offenbare stands before the nominative subject Problem and takes -e after das; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Seine Schuld wurde immer offenbarer.
His guilt became increasingly more apparent.
seine Schuld means his guilt, wurde means became or was, and immer means increasingly or ever more. Offenbarer is predicative after wurde, so it has no adjective ending; the sentence uses the comparative to show a change over time.
Nach dem Gespräch war die Ursache am offenbarsten.
After the conversation, the cause was most evident.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, war means was, and die Ursache means the cause. Am offenbarsten is the predicative superlative after war; nach takes the dative, shown by dem Gespräch.
offenbar — apparently, evidently
As an adverb, offenbar modifies a whole statement and means apparently or evidently. It does not change form and can stand at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle field.
Er hat offenbar den Zug verpasst.
He apparently missed the train.
er means he, hat ... verpasst means missed, and der Zug means the train. Offenbar is an adverb in the middle field, while the auxiliary hat is in position two and the Partizip II verpasst goes to the end.
Offenbar kennt niemand die Antwort.
Apparently, nobody knows the answer.
niemand means nobody, kennt means knows, and die Antwort means the answer. Because offenbar occupies the first position, the finite verb kennt must come immediately after it in position two, before the subject niemand.
offensichtlich — obvious, evident
Offensichtlich can describe something that is clear from the evidence or easy to notice. Do not confuse it with offen, which usually means open or not closed.
Der Grund ist offensichtlich.
The reason is obvious.
der Grund is the reason. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein offensichtlicher Fehler.
That is an obvious mistake.
der Fehler is the mistake. Ein offensichtlicher Fehler follows ein in the nominative masculine, so the adjective takes -er; ist links the subject to this description.
Sein Fehler ist offensichtlicher als meiner.
His mistake is more obvious than mine.
sein Fehler means his mistake and meiner means mine. The comparative adds -er and is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the comparison.
Diese Erklärung ist am offensichtlichsten.
This explanation is the most obvious.
diese Erklärung means this explanation. The predicative superlative uses am ...-sten without an adjective ending; ist is in position two and the description comes after it.
offensichtlich — obviously, evidently
As an adverb, offensichtlich modifies a verb, adjective, or whole statement and never takes an adjective ending. It is often placed before the part of the sentence it comments on.
Er hat offensichtlich keine Zeit.
He obviously has no time.
keine Zeit means no time. The adverb offensichtlich modifies the whole statement and does not change form; the finite verb hat stands in position two.
Sie war offensichtlich sehr müde.
She was obviously very tired.
sehr müde means very tired. The adverb modifies the adjective müde and stays unchanged; war is the finite verb in position two, followed by the description.
die Option — option, choice
die Option is often used for a possible choice in a plan or decision. It is a direct object with verbs such as prüfen and wählen, so it normally appears in the accusative.
Diese Option ist für uns zu teuer.
This option is too expensive for us.
Diese means this, and zu teuer means too expensive. Option is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir prüfen die Option morgen.
We will examine the option tomorrow.
prüfen means to examine and morgen means tomorrow. die Option is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb prüfen is in position two.
Mit der Option sparen wir Zeit.
With the option, we save time.
mit der Option means with the option, and sparen means save, while Zeit means time. mit always forces the dative, so der Option is dative; the prepositional phrase is in position one, so the finite verb sparen comes in position two.
Die Vorteile der Option sind klar.
The advantages of the option are clear.
Vorteile means advantages and klar means clear. der Option is genitive to show possession or connection, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Wir vergleichen mehrere Optionen.
We are comparing several options.
vergleichen means to compare and mehrere means several. Optionen is plural and accusative because it is the direct object of vergleichen; the plural ending is -en.
die Phantasie — imagination; fantasy
Phantasie is the traditional spelling; Fantasie is the more common modern spelling. The word can mean creative imagination or an imagined fantasy, depending on context.
Die Phantasie der Kinder ist groß.
The children's imagination is great.
der Kinder means of the children, and groß means great or strong. Die Phantasie is nominative because it is the subject; der Kinder is genitive and identifies whose imagination it is.
Sie benutzt die Phantasie, um eine Geschichte zu schreiben.
She uses her imagination to write a story.
sie benutzt means she uses, eine Geschichte is a story, and zu schreiben means to write. Die Phantasie is accusative because benutzen takes a direct object; the infinitive phrase with zu explains the purpose.
Mit der Phantasie kann man neue Welten erschaffen.
With imagination, you can create new worlds.
mit means with, neue Welten means new worlds, and erschaffen means create. Mit always takes the dative, so der Phantasie is dative; with the modal kann, the infinitive erschaffen goes to the end.
Die Kraft der Phantasie ist erstaunlich.
The power of imagination is astonishing.
die Kraft means the power and erstaunlich means astonishing. Der Phantasie is genitive after die Kraft to show what kind of power is meant; the verb ist stands in position two.
Romane brauchen Phantasien und starke Bilder.
Novels need fantasies and strong images.
Romane means novels, brauchen means need, and starke Bilder means strong images. Phantasien is plural and accusative because it is one of the direct objects of brauchen.
Für dieses Bild braucht man viel Phantasie.
You need a lot of imagination for this picture.
für dieses Bild means for this picture, and braucht man means one needs or you need. Phantasie is used without an article as an abstract mass noun; für takes the accusative, shown by dieses Bild.
die Planung — planning, plan; plan, arrangements
die Planung means the process of organising something in advance. Its plural Planungen is used for separate planning processes or sets of plans; the related verb is planen, to plan.
Die Planung beginnt im Januar.
The planning begins in January.
beginnt means begins, and im Januar means in January. Die Planung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir verbessern die Planung für das Fest.
We are improving the planning for the party.
wir means we, verbessern means improve, and das Fest means the party. die Planung is accusative because verbessern takes a direct object; für also takes the accusative, so das Fest is accusative.
Bei der Planung hilft uns ein erfahrenes Team.
An experienced team helps us with the planning.
bei means with or during, hilft means helps, and erfahren means experienced. der Planung is dative because bei always takes the dative; ein erfahrenes Team is the subject, and hilft is in position two.
Das Ziel der Planung ist ein realistischer Zeitplan.
The aim of the planning is a realistic schedule.
das Ziel means the aim, and ein realistischer Zeitplan means a realistic schedule. der Planung is genitive to show whose aim it is; after ist, the noun phrase ein realistischer Zeitplan is a subject complement.
Gute Planungen sparen später Zeit.
Good plans save time later.
gute means good, sparen means save, and später means later. Planungen is the plural subject, so the verb is plural sparen; Zeit is an accusative object without an article.
Die Planung des Umzugs dauert lange.
Planning the move takes a long time.
der Umzug means the move, and dauert lange means takes a long time. des Umzugs is genitive because it identifies what is being planned; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Wir ändern die Planung für die Hochzeit.
We are changing the plans for the wedding.
ändern means change, and die Hochzeit means the wedding. die Planung is accusative as the object of ändern, while für forces the accusative in für die Hochzeit.
das Prinzip — principle; basic rule
das Prinzip can mean a basic rule, idea, or guideline. Its plural is Prinzipien, not Prinzips; the genitive singular is des Prinzips.
Das Prinzip ist einfach.
The principle is simple.
einfach means simple. Das Prinzip is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir verstehen das Prinzip jetzt.
We understand the principle now.
wir means we, verstehen means understand, and jetzt means now. Das Prinzip is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Der Lehrer erklärt dem Prinzip?
Does the teacher explain the principle?
der Lehrer is the teacher and erklärt means explains. This sentence is not natural with dem Prinzip: erklären normally takes an accusative object, so say Der Lehrer erklärt das Prinzip; a dative example would require a verb such as folgen.
Die Bedeutung des Prinzips ist klar.
The meaning of the principle is clear.
die Bedeutung means meaning and klar means clear. Des Prinzips is genitive and identifies which meaning is meant; the noun adds -s in the genitive.
Viele Prinzipien gelten auch heute.
Many principles still apply today.
viele means many, gelten means apply or be valid, and auch heute means today as well. Prinzipien is plural and has the ending -ien; gelten is plural to agree with the subject.
die Prognose — forecast, prediction
In everyday use, die Prognose often refers to a weather forecast; in medicine, it means an expectation about how an illness will develop. The common expression eine Prognose abgeben means to make a forecast.
Die Prognose für morgen ist gut.
The forecast for tomorrow is good.
morgen means tomorrow, and gut means good. Die Prognose is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Expertin veröffentlicht die Prognose heute.
The expert publishes the forecast today.
die Expertin is the female expert, veröffentlicht means publishes, and heute means today. Die Prognose is accusative because veröffentlichen takes a direct object, and the finite verb veröffentlicht is in position two.
Ich vertraue der Prognose nicht.
I do not trust the forecast.
ich vertraue means I trust, and nicht means not. Der Prognose is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object; the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Genauigkeit der Prognose ist beeindruckend.
The accuracy of the forecast is impressive.
die Genauigkeit means accuracy, and beeindruckend means impressive. Der Prognose is genitive and means of the forecast; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Prognosen unterscheiden sich stark.
The forecasts differ greatly.
unterscheiden sich means differ, and stark means greatly or considerably. Die Prognosen is a plural subject, and the verb phrase unterscheiden sich agrees with the plural.
der Ratgeber — guide; adviser; advice book
A Ratgeber can be a person or a book, usually one that offers practical advice. The plural is also Ratgeber, with no visible ending change.
Der Ratgeber hilft vielen Menschen.
The guide helps many people.
hilft means helps, and vielen Menschen means many people. Der Ratgeber is nominative because it is the subject; the verb hilft is in position two and helfen takes a dative person.
Ich lese den Ratgeber.
I am reading the guide.
lese means read. Den Ratgeber is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; masculine nouns change the article from der to den in the accusative.
Sie vertraut dem Ratgeber.
She trusts the adviser.
vertraut means trusts. Dem Ratgeber is dative because vertrauen requires a dative person; the finite verb vertraut stands in position two.
Die Tipps des Ratgebers sind praktisch.
The guide's tips are practical.
die Tipps means the tips, and praktisch means practical. Des Ratgebers is genitive and means of the guide; the noun adds -s, while sind agrees with plural Tipps.
Die Ratgeber stehen im Regal.
The guides are on the shelf.
stehen means are standing or are located, and das Regal is the shelf. Die Ratgeber is plural, but the noun itself has no ending change; im Regal is a dative location phrase.
realistisch — realistic
realistisch describes something that fits the facts or can really happen. Its opposite is unrealistisch; the comparative is realistischer, not mehr realistisch.
Der Plan ist realistisch.
The plan is realistic.
der Plan means the plan. The adjective realistisch stands after ist in the predicative position, so it has no adjective ending.
Sie hat einen realistischen Plan für die Prüfung.
She has a realistic plan for the exam.
einen Plan means a plan, and die Prüfung is the exam. einen Plan is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the adjective before the masculine noun therefore has the ending -en.
Dieser Weg ist realistischer als der andere.
This route is more realistic than the other one.
dieser Weg means this route, and der andere means the other one. realistischer compares two things and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective remains predicative and has no ending.
Das ist am realistischsten.
That is the most realistic.
das means that or this, depending on context. am realistischsten is the predicative superlative with am; it does not take a noun ending here.
die Realität — reality; actual facts
die Realität is usually the opposite of die Fantasie or an imagined version of something. The expression der Realität entsprechen means to correspond to reality.
Die Realität ist oft komplizierter.
Reality is often more complicated.
komplizierter means more complicated. Die Realität is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Menschen sehen die Realität nicht gern.
Many people do not like seeing reality.
viele Menschen means many people, and nicht gern means not gladly or do not like to. die Realität is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Er muss sich der Realität stellen.
He has to face reality.
sich stellen means to face or confront something, and muss means has to. The fixed expression sich der Realität stellen uses the dative der Realität; the modal verb muss is in position two and stellen goes to the end.
Die Härte der Realität hat sie überrascht.
The harshness of reality surprised her.
die Härte means the harshness, and überrascht means surprised. der Realität is genitive because it identifies whose harshness is meant; the finite verb hat is in position two.
Wir müssen uns mit verschiedenen Realitäten beschäftigen.
We have to deal with different realities.
verschiedenen means different, and sich beschäftigen mit means to deal with or occupy oneself with. Realitäten is plural and dative because the preposition mit always takes the dative; müssen sends beschäftigen to the end.
die Richtigkeit — correctness; accuracy; truth
Richtigkeit is an abstract noun formed from richtig and means correctness or accuracy. It is normally used only in the singular, so do not usually form a plural; its genitive is der Richtigkeit.
Die Richtigkeit der Angaben ist wichtig.
The correctness of the information is important.
die Angaben means the information or details, and wichtig means important. Die Richtigkeit is nominative because it is the subject; der Angaben is genitive and means “of the information”, while ist stands in position two.
Wir prüfen die Richtigkeit der Zahlen.
We check the correctness of the figures.
prüfen means to check, and die Zahlen means the figures or numbers. Die Richtigkeit is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; der Zahlen is genitive and means “of the figures”.
Niemand vertraut der Richtigkeit dieser Meldung.
Nobody trusts the correctness of this report.
niemand means nobody, vertrauen means to trust, and die Meldung is the report or piece of news. Der Richtigkeit is dative because vertrauen takes the dative; dieser Meldung is genitive-like possession after it.
Die Frage der Richtigkeit bleibt offen.
The question of correctness remains open.
die Frage means the question, and offen bleiben means to remain open or undecided. Der Richtigkeit is genitive after die Frage to show what the question concerns; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Die Richtigkeit dieser Aussage wurde bestätigt.
The correctness of this statement was confirmed.
diese Aussage means this statement, and bestätigt means confirmed. Richtigkeit is an abstract mass noun and normally has no plural; wurde bestätigt is a passive form, with the participle at the end.
das Risiko — risk
Risiko is used for a possible danger or an uncertain negative result. The common expression ein Risiko eingehen means to take a risk.
Das Risiko ist zu groß.
The risk is too great.
zu groß means too great or too large. Das Risiko is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir akzeptieren das Risiko.
We accept the risk.
wir means we and akzeptieren means accept. Das Risiko is accusative because akzeptieren takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Arzt erklärt dem Risiko eine wichtige Grenze.
The doctor explains an important limit to the risk.
der Arzt is the doctor, erklärt means explains, and eine wichtige Grenze is an important limit. Dem Risiko is dative because erklären can mark the person or thing receiving an explanation with the dative, while eine wichtige Grenze is accusative.
Die Bewertung des Risikos dauert lange.
The assessment of the risk takes a long time.
die Bewertung means assessment, dauert means takes or lasts, and lange means a long time. Des Risikos is genitive after die Bewertung to show what is being assessed; the noun adds -s.
Neue Projekte bringen oft große Risiken.
New projects often bring great risks.
neue Projekte means new projects, bringen means bring, oft means often, and große means great or large. Große Risiken is plural and accusative because it is the object of bringen; the plural form ends in -en.
riskieren — to risk
riskieren is a regular weak verb and normally takes an accusative object: etwas riskieren. Its perfect uses haben, and because it ends in -ieren, its Partizip II is riskiert, without ge-.
Er riskiert seinen Arbeitsplatz.
He is risking his job.
er means he and seinen Arbeitsplatz means his job or workplace. Seinen Arbeitsplatz is accusative because riskieren takes a direct object, and the finite verb riskiert stands in position two.
Sie hat ihre Gesundheit riskiert.
She risked her health.
sie means she and ihre Gesundheit means her health. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II riskiert at the end; ihre Gesundheit is accusative because it is the object of riskieren.
Er riskierte alles für seine Familie.
He risked everything for his family.
alles means everything and für seine Familie means for his family. Alles is accusative because riskieren takes a direct object, and the weak-verb Präteritum riskierte stands in position two.
Riskier nicht dein Geld!
Don't risk your money!
nicht means not and dein Geld means your money. Riskier is the du imperative, with du omitted; dein Geld is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde das nicht riskieren.
I wouldn't risk that.
ich würde means I would, das means that, and nicht means not. The Konjunktiv II uses würde plus the infinitive riskieren at the end; das is accusative as the direct object.
Wir werden keine unnötigen Kosten riskieren.
We will not risk any unnecessary costs.
wir werden means we will, keine unnötigen Kosten means no unnecessary costs. The future uses werden in position two and the infinitive riskieren at the end; keine unnötigen Kosten is accusative because it is the object.
der Rückblick — look back, review, retrospective
The fixed phrase ein Rückblick auf means a review of or look back at something; auf takes the accusative in this topic meaning. It is common in reports, magazines and year-end summaries.
Der Rückblick auf das Jahr war interessant.
The review of the year was interesting.
das Jahr means the year, and interessant means interesting. Der Rückblick is nominative because it is the subject, while auf das Jahr uses accusative after auf here because it names the topic of the review.
Ich lese den Rückblick im Magazin.
I am reading the review in the magazine.
lesen means to read, and das Magazin is the magazine. Den Rückblick is accusative because it is the object of lese; im Magazin means in the magazine and uses dative after in for location.
Wir sprechen in der Pause über den Rückblick.
We talk about the review during the break.
sprechen means to talk, in der Pause means during the break, and über means about. In der Pause is dative because it describes a fixed time or location, but über den Rückblick is accusative because über means about here.
Das Ende des Rückblicks war sehr persönlich.
The end of the review was very personal.
das Ende means the end, sehr means very, and persönlich means personal. Des Rückblicks is genitive because it says whose end it is; the whole phrase Das Ende des Rückblicks is the nominative subject.
Die Rückblicke der Zeitung erscheinen im Dezember.
The newspaper's reviews appear in December.
der Zeitung means of the newspaper, erscheinen means appear, and im Dezember means in December. Rückblicke is the plural subject, while der Zeitung is genitive and shows whose reviews they are.