Appearance
Vocab: Thinking & opinion — B1 (3)
Thinking & opinion vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
sachlich — objective; factual; matter-of-fact
Sachlich describes communication that concentrates on facts and avoids strong personal emotion. It can be used before a noun with an ending, as in eine sachliche Antwort, or after sein without an ending.
Der Bericht ist sachlich.
The report is objective.
der Bericht means the report. Sachlich is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie schreibt eine sachliche E-Mail.
She is writing an objective email.
schreibt means is writing, and eine E-Mail means an email. Sachliche comes before the feminine accusative noun E-Mail and takes -e after eine; the finite verb schreibt is in position two.
Diese Erklärung ist sachlicher als die vorige.
This explanation is more objective than the previous one.
diese Erklärung means this explanation, and die vorige means the previous one. Sachlicher is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing it is compared with; the adjective is predicative and therefore has no ending.
Das ist die sachlichste Lösung.
That is the most objective solution.
die Lösung means the solution. Sachlichste is the superlative before a noun, so it takes an adjective ending after die; do not use the separate form am sachlichsten in this position.
sachlich — objectively; factually
As an adverb, sachlich describes how someone speaks, writes or behaves and never takes an adjective ending. Do not confuse this unchanged adverb with the attributive adjective sachliche, as in eine sachliche Antwort.
Bitte antworten Sie sachlich.
Please answer objectively.
bitte means please, and antworten means to answer. Sachlich is an adverb modifying antworten, so it does not take an adjective ending; antworten Sie is the polite imperative with the verb in position one.
Er erklärt das Problem sachlich.
He explains the problem objectively.
erklärt means explains, and das Problem means the problem. Sachlich describes how he explains it and therefore stays unchanged; das Problem is accusative because erklären takes a direct object, while erklärt is in position two.
der Schein — banknote, bill; appearance, pretence, semblance
In this sense, Schein means a paper note, not a coin. The amount is often described with klein or groß, as in kleine Scheine for low-value notes.
Der Schein ist zu groß zum Bezahlen.
The banknote is too large to use for payment.
zu groß means too large, and zum Bezahlen means for paying. Der Schein is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche den Schein für den Automaten.
I need the banknote for the machine.
brauche means need, für means for, and der Automat means the machine. Den Schein is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für den Automaten is also accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Der Verkäufer gibt mir Wechselgeld auf den Schein.
The shop assistant gives me change for the banknote.
der Verkäufer means the shop assistant, gibt means gives, and das Wechselgeld means change. Mir is dative as the recipient, while auf den Schein is accusative in this expression for giving change for a banknote.
Der Wert des Scheins steht unten rechts.
The value of the banknote is at the bottom right.
der Wert means the value, unten rechts means at the bottom right, and steht means is written or appears. Des Scheins is genitive because it identifies the banknote whose value is meant; the noun takes -s.
Ich habe nur kleine Scheine.
I only have small banknotes.
nur means only and kleine means small. Scheine is plural and the accusative object of habe, while nur limits the quantity.
Der Schein trügt oft.
Appearances are often deceptive.
trügt means deceives or is deceptive, and oft means often. Der Schein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb trügt is in position two.
Er lächelt nur zum Schein.
He is smiling only for show.
lächelt means smiles, nur means only, and zum means for the purpose of the. The fixed phrase zum Schein means for show; zu takes the dative, and the finite verb lächelt is in position two.
der Schwerpunkt — focus, main emphasis; center of gravity, central point
This word is common in education, work, and project planning. It usually means the topic or area receiving the most attention, not simply any topic.
Der Schwerpunkt des Kurses ist praktische Kommunikation.
The main focus of the course is practical communication.
der Kurs is a course, and praktische Kommunikation means practical communication. Der Schwerpunkt is nominative because it is the subject; des Kurses is genitive because it identifies whose focus it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir legen den Schwerpunkt auf das Sprechen.
We put the focus on speaking.
legen means put or place, das Sprechen means speaking, and auf means on. Den Schwerpunkt is accusative because legen takes a direct object; the phrase auf das Sprechen names the area of focus.
Im Seminar arbeiten wir mit einem Schwerpunkt.
In the seminar, we work with a particular focus.
das Seminar is a seminar, arbeiten means work, and mit means with. Einem Schwerpunkt is dative because mit always takes the dative, while the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Wahl des Schwerpunkts war gut begründet.
The choice of focus was well justified.
die Wahl is the choice, and gut begründet means well justified. Des Schwerpunkts is genitive because it tells us which choice is meant; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die neuen Schwerpunkte stehen im Programm.
The new focus areas are listed in the program.
neu means new, stehen means stand or are listed, and das Programm is the program. Die Schwerpunkte is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the plural is formed with -e plus an umlaut.
Jede Gruppe braucht einen klaren Schwerpunkt.
Every group needs a clear focus.
jede Gruppe means every group, brauchen means need, and klar means clear. Einen klaren Schwerpunkt is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb braucht is in position two.
Der Schwerpunkt der Figur liegt in der Mitte.
The center of gravity of the shape is in the middle.
die Figur is the shape or figure, liegen means lie or be located, and in der Mitte means in the middle. Der Schwerpunkt is nominative because it is the subject; der Figur is genitive because it identifies the shape, and liegt is in position two.
Ingenieure berechnen den Schwerpunkt des Bauteils.
Engineers calculate the center of gravity of the component.
Ingenieure are engineers, berechnen means calculate, and das Bauteil is the component. Den Schwerpunkt is accusative because it is the object of berechnen, while des Bauteils is genitive and identifies the component.
schätzen — to estimate, to judge; to appreciate, to value
In the sense ‘to estimate’, schätzen normally takes an accusative object, as in etwas schätzen. It is also used with auf plus the accusative to give the estimated amount; the perfect is formed with haben.
Ich schätze den Preis auf fünfzig Euro.
I estimate the price at fifty euros.
der Preis means price and fünfzig Euro means fifty euros. Den Preis is accusative because schätzen takes the thing being estimated as a direct object, and auf introduces the estimated amount with the accusative.
Wir haben die Kosten richtig geschätzt.
We estimated the costs correctly.
die Kosten means costs and richtig means correctly. The perfect uses haben plus geschätzt; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Sie schätzte die Entfernung auf zehn Kilometer.
She estimated the distance at ten kilometres.
die Entfernung means distance and zehn Kilometer means ten kilometres. Die Entfernung is accusative as the direct object, and the weak past form schätzte has the ending -te.
Schätz die Zahl ohne Taschenrechner!
Estimate the number without a calculator!
die Zahl means number and ohne Taschenrechner means without a calculator. This is an informal du command, so Schätz has no subject; ohne takes the accusative.
Ich würde den Wert niedriger schätzen.
I would estimate the value lower.
der Wert means value and niedriger means lower. Würde ... schätzen expresses a hypothetical judgement; the infinitive schätzen goes to the end, and den Wert is accusative.
Der Experte wird den Schaden morgen schätzen.
The expert will estimate the damage tomorrow.
der Experte means expert, der Schaden means damage, and morgen means tomorrow. Future uses wird in position two and the infinitive schätzen at the end; den Schaden is accusative.
Ich schätze deine ehrliche Meinung.
I appreciate your honest opinion.
deine ehrliche Meinung means your honest opinion. The whole phrase is accusative because schätzen takes the appreciated thing as a direct object, and the finite verb schätze is in position two.
Unsere Kunden haben den persönlichen Service sehr geschätzt.
Our customers greatly appreciated the personal service.
unsere Kunden means our customers and der persönliche Service means personal service. The perfect uses haben ... geschätzt, with the Partizip II at the end; den persönlichen Service is accusative.
der Sinn — meaning, point, purpose; sense, faculty of perception
In everyday language, Sinn often means the point or purpose of something, while Sinne can mean the physical senses. The genitive can be des Sinns or des Sinnes; the first is shorter and common in ordinary speech.
Der Sinn dieser Übung ist klar.
The purpose of this exercise is clear.
dieser Übung means of this exercise, and klar means clear. Der Sinn is nominative because it is the subject; the possessive phrase is genitive, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich verstehe den Sinn der Regel nicht.
I don’t understand the point of the rule.
verstehen means to understand, die Regel means the rule, and nicht means not. Den Sinn is accusative because verstehen takes a direct object; der Regel is genitive and means of the rule.
Das Gespräch gibt dem Sinn eine neue Richtung.
The conversation gives the meaning a new direction.
das Gespräch means the conversation, eine neue Richtung means a new direction, and geben means to give. Dem Sinn is dative because it is the recipient, while eine neue Richtung is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Suche nach dem Sinn des Lebens beschäftigt viele Menschen.
The search for the meaning of life occupies many people.
die Suche means the search, nach means for, das Leben means life, and beschäftigen means to occupy or concern. Des Lebens is genitive because it specifies whose meaning is meant; nach dem Sinn uses dative after nach, and the finite verb beschäftigt is in position two.
Die fünf Sinne helfen uns, die Welt wahrzunehmen.
The five senses help us perceive the world.
fünf means five, helfen means help, uns means us, die Welt means the world, and wahrnehmen means perceive. Die Sinne is plural nominative as the subject; uns is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Mit allen fünf Sinnen nahm sie den Wald wahr.
She perceived the forest with all five senses.
mit allen fünf Sinnen means with all five senses, wahrnehmen means perceive, and der Wald means the forest. Mit always takes the dative, so allen fünf Sinnen is dative plural; the verb nahm ... wahr is a separable past form.
Ein guter Koch hat einen feinen Sinn für Gewürze.
A good cook has a fine sense for spices.
ein guter Koch means a good cook, fein means fine or sensitive, and die Gewürze means spices. Einen feinen Sinn is accusative after haben, and für takes accusative in the fixed phrase einen Sinn für.
sinnlos — pointless, meaningless; meaningless, senseless
Sinnlos means that something has no useful purpose or point, not simply that it is difficult. Its regular comparison is sinnloser, am sinnlosesten.
Der Streit ist sinnlos.
The argument is pointless.
der Streit means the argument or quarrel, and sein means to be. Sinnlos is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist stands in position two.
Sie stellte eine sinnlose Frage.
She asked a pointless question.
stellen means to ask or put, eine Frage means a question, and sie means she. Sinnlose comes before the feminine accusative noun Frage and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; the finite verb stellte is in position two.
Diese Aufgabe ist sinnloser als die vorige.
This task is more pointless than the previous one.
diese Aufgabe means this task, als means than, and die vorige means the previous one. Sinnloser is a predicative comparative and therefore has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Das war die sinnloseste Regel im ganzen Kurs.
That was the most pointless rule in the whole course.
die Regel means the rule, im ganzen Kurs means in the whole course, and ganz means whole. Before the noun, the superlative is sinnloseste, not am sinnlosesten; im is short for in dem and takes dative for location.
Es ist sinnlos, darüber zu streiten.
It is pointless to argue about it.
darüber means about it, and streiten means to argue. Sinnlos is predicative after ist, while the zu-infinitive zu streiten comes at the end of the clause.
Er machte eine sinnlose Bemerkung.
He made a meaningless remark.
machen means to make, eine Bemerkung means a remark, and er means he. Sinnlose has an -e ending because it comes before a feminine accusative noun after eine; eine Bemerkung is the accusative object of machte.
Ohne Erklärung klingt der Satz sinnlos.
Without an explanation, the sentence sounds meaningless.
ohne Erklärung means without an explanation, klingen means sound, and der Satz means the sentence. Ohne takes accusative, but its noun phrase is not shown with an article here; sinnlos is predicative after klingt and has no ending.
sinnvoll — useful, sensible, meaningful; meaningful, worthwhile
Sinnvoll can mean practically useful, sensible, or meaningful, depending on the context. Its comparison is regular: sinnvoller, am sinnvollsten.
Der Plan ist sinnvoll.
The plan is sensible.
der Plan means the plan, and sein means to be. Sinnvoll is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen eine sinnvolle Lösung.
We need a sensible solution.
brauchen means need, eine Lösung means a solution, and wir means we. Eine sinnvolle Lösung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after the feminine indefinite article eine.
Dieser Weg ist sinnvoller als der andere.
This approach is more sensible than the other one.
dieser Weg means this way or approach, and der andere means the other one. Sinnvoller is a predicative comparative with no ending, and als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Für kleine Gruppen ist diese Lösung am sinnvollsten.
For small groups, this solution makes the most sense.
für kleine Gruppen means for small groups, and diese Lösung means this solution. Für takes accusative, while am sinnvollsten is the predicative superlative; am belongs to the am-superlative and is not an adjective ending.
Es ist sinnvoll, vorher einen Termin zu vereinbaren.
It is sensible to arrange an appointment beforehand.
vorher means beforehand, einen Termin means an appointment, and vereinbaren means arrange or agree on. Sinnvoll is predicative after ist, and the zu-infinitive phrase comes at the end of the clause.
Sie möchte ihre Freizeit sinnvoll nutzen.
She wants to use her free time meaningfully.
möchten means would like to, ihre Freizeit means her free time, and nutzen means use. Sinnvoll is used adverbially and therefore has no ending; the infinitive phrase sinnvoll nutzen follows möchte at the end.
Das Gespräch war für beide Seiten sinnvoll.
The conversation was meaningful for both sides.
das Gespräch means the conversation, für beide Seiten means for both sides, and beide means both. Für takes accusative, and sinnvoll is predicative after war, so it does not take an adjective ending.
der Standpunkt — point of view, position
Der Standpunkt is an opinion or position in a discussion, not usually a physical place to stand. The common verb phrase einen Standpunkt vertreten means to maintain or defend a position.
Mein Standpunkt ist klar.
My position is clear.
mein means my, and klar means clear. Mein Standpunkt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich erkläre meinen Standpunkt.
I am explaining my point of view.
erklären means to explain, and meinen means my in the masculine accusative form. Meinen Standpunkt is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; the finite verb erkläre is in position two.
Ich kann mit deinem Standpunkt leben.
I can live with your point of view.
können means can, mit means with, and leben means to live. Deinem Standpunkt is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and the infinitive leben goes to the end.
Die Begründung des Standpunkts überzeugt mich nicht.
The justification for the position does not convince me.
die Begründung means the justification, überzeugen means to convince, and nicht means not. Des Standpunkts is genitive and specifies which position is justified; mich is accusative because überzeugen takes an accusative object.
Die beiden Standpunkte sind schwer zu vereinbaren.
The two positions are difficult to reconcile.
beide means both, schwer means difficult, and vereinbaren means to reconcile or make compatible. Standpunkte is the plural subject, so it takes the plural verb sind; zu vereinbaren goes to the end.
Bitte respektiere auch meinen Standpunkt.
Please respect my point of view too.
bitte means please, respektieren means to respect, and auch means also or too. Meinen Standpunkt is accusative because respektieren takes a direct object; the imperative respektiere comes first.
die Stellungnahme — statement, position paper
This compound combines die Stellung (position) and die Annahme (view or assumption), but it usually means an official statement rather than a physical position. It is often used with zu plus the dative, as in eine Stellungnahme zu einem Vorschlag.
Die Stellungnahme liegt dem Bericht bei.
The statement is attached to the report.
liegt ... bei means is attached or enclosed, and der Bericht means the report. Die Stellungnahme is nominative because it is the subject; dem Bericht is dative because beiliegen describes something being attached to something.
Ich lese die Stellungnahme heute Abend.
I am reading the statement this evening.
lese means read, and heute Abend means this evening. Die Stellungnahme is accusative because it is the direct object of lesen; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Wir widersprechen der Stellungnahme in diesem Punkt.
We disagree with the statement on this point.
widersprechen means contradict or disagree with, and in diesem Punkt means on this point. Der Stellungnahme is dative because widersprechen requires the dative; the verb is in position two.
Die Begründung der Stellungnahme ist überzeugend.
The reasoning of the statement is convincing.
die Begründung means the reasoning or justification, and überzeugend means convincing. Der Stellungnahme is genitive because it identifies whose reasoning it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Stellungnahmen der Parteien unterscheiden sich deutlich.
The parties' statements differ clearly.
der Parteien means of the parties, and unterscheiden sich deutlich means differ clearly. Stellungnahmen is the plural subject, while der Parteien is genitive and shows whose statements they are.
das Talent — talent, natural ability; gifted person, promising talent
Talent haben means to have talent. The word can describe an ability, while ein Talent can also mean a gifted person in a particular area.
Ihr Talent für Musik ist außergewöhnlich.
Her talent for music is exceptional.
Musik means music, and außergewöhnlich means exceptional. Ihr Talent is nominative because it is the subject; the preposition für takes the accusative, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele Leute bewundern sein Talent.
Many people admire his talent.
Viele Leute means many people, and bewundern means admire. Sein Talent is accusative because bewundern takes a direct object; the finite verb bewundern stands in position two.
Mit ihrem Talent kann sie Geld verdienen.
With her talent, she can earn money.
Mit means with, Geld verdienen means earn money, and kann means can. Ihrem Talent is dative because mit always takes the dative; the second verb verdienen goes to the end after the modal verb kann.
Die Förderung des Talents ist wichtig.
The development of the talent is important.
Die Förderung means the support or development, and wichtig means important. Des Talents is genitive because it identifies whose development is meant; the noun takes -s and the finite verb ist is in position two.
In der Klasse gibt es viele Talente.
There are many talents in the class.
In der Klasse means in the class, and gibt es means there are. Viele Talente is plural after viele; in this existence pattern, es is used with gibt, while the finite verb is in position two.
Der Verein hat ein neues Talent entdeckt.
The club has discovered a new talent.
Der Verein means the club, neu means new, and entdeckt means discovered. Ein neues Talent is accusative because entdecken takes a direct object; hat entdeckt is the perfect tense and the participle stands at the end.
Das junge Talent spielt heute im Finale.
The young talent is playing in the final today.
Jung means young, spielt means is playing, heute means today, and das Finale is the final. Das junge Talent is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
tatsächlich — actual, real; actually, in fact; actually, in fact
As an adjective before a noun, tatsächlich means “actual” or “real”, as in die tatsächlichen Kosten. It is also very common as an adverb meaning “actually” or “in fact”; this use is not normally a comparison.
Das ist tatsächlich wahr.
That is actually true.
das means “that”, and wahr means “true”. Tatsächlich is used adverbially here to emphasise that something is really true; ist is the finite verb in position two, and wahr is predicative.
Sie hat eine tatsächliche Chance auf Erfolg.
She has a real chance of success.
eine means “a”, Chance means “chance”, and Erfolg means “success”; auf Erfolg means “of success” in this expression. Tatsächliche stands before the feminine noun Chance and takes -e after the indefinite article; the whole phrase is accusative after hat.
Der tatsächliche Preis ist höher als erwartet.
The actual price is higher than expected.
der Preis means “the price”, höher means “higher”, and erwartet means “expected”. Tatsächliche is an attributive form before the masculine subject Preis; höher als introduces the comparison.
Das ist die tatsächlichste Erklärung von allen.
That is the most genuinely real explanation of all.
die Erklärung means “the explanation”, von allen means “of all of them”, and genuin is the sense added by the translation. Here tatsächlichste is an attributive superlative before Erklärung; the common everyday use of tatsächlich is usually the non-comparative adverb “actually”, so this superlative is rare.
Tatsächlich hat er den Schlüssel gefunden.
Actually, he found the key.
hat gefunden means “found”, and den Schlüssel is “the key”. Tatsächlich is an adverb here, not an adjective describing a noun; because it occupies the first position, the finite verb hat comes immediately after it in position two.
Das war tatsächlich eine Überraschung.
That really was a surprise.
war means “was”, eine Überraschung is “a surprise”, and das means “that”. Tatsächlich emphasises the statement “that was a surprise”; it does not take an adjective ending because it is used adverbially.
theoretisch — theoretical
Theoretisch describes ideas or explanations that are not directly practical. Its opposite is praktisch; remember that the adjective takes an ending before a noun but not after sein.
Die Idee ist sehr theoretisch.
The idea is very theoretical.
die Idee means the idea and sehr means very. Theoretisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen theoretisches Wissen.
We need theoretical knowledge.
brauchen means need and Wissen means knowledge. Theoretisches is an attributive adjective with the neuter accusative ending -es after brauchen, which takes an accusative object; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Dieser Ansatz ist theoretischer als der praktische.
This approach is more theoretical than the practical one.
dieser Ansatz means this approach and praktische means practical. Theoretischer is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Dieser Abschnitt ist am theoretischsten formuliert.
This section is formulated in the most theoretical way.
dieser Abschnitt means this section and formuliert means formulated. Am theoretischsten is the predicative superlative after ist; the finite verb ist comes in position two and the participle formuliert goes to the end.
die Theorie — theory
A Theorie is an organised explanation, often in science or education. In everyday speech, it can also mean an idea that has not yet been proved.
Die Theorie erklärt den Vorgang gut.
The theory explains the process well.
erklärt means explains, der Vorgang means the process, and gut means well. Die Theorie is nominative because it is the subject; den Vorgang is accusative because erklären takes a direct object.
Die Forscher prüfen die Theorie.
The researchers are testing the theory.
die Forscher means the researchers and prüfen means test or examine. Die Theorie is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object, while the finite verb prüfen stands in position two.
Wir nähern uns der Theorie langsam.
We are slowly approaching the theory.
sich nähern means to approach and langsam means slowly. The verb sich nähern takes a dative object, so der Theorie is dative; nähern is in position two.
Die Grundlage der Theorie fehlt noch.
The basis of the theory is still missing.
die Grundlage means the basis and fehlt noch means is still missing. Der Theorie is genitive because it identifies whose basis it is, and the finite verb fehlt stands in position two.
Es gibt viele Theorien über Sprache.
There are many theories about language.
viele means many and Sprache means language. Theorien is plural after es gibt, and über Sprache uses accusative because über means about here.
täuschen — to deceive, to mislead; to be mistaken (reflexive)
In the reflexive use sich täuschen, the meaning changes to be mistaken. The verb takes haben in the perfect: hat getäuscht; it is not a movement verb and does not take sein.
Der Verkäufer täuscht die Kunden.
The salesperson deceives the customers.
der Verkäufer means the salesperson, and die Kunden means the customers. Die Kunden is accusative because täuschen takes an accusative object; the finite verb täuscht stands in position two.
Der Verkäufer hat die Kunden getäuscht.
The salesperson deceived the customers.
der Verkäufer means the salesperson, and die Kunden means the customers. The perfect uses hat with getäuscht because this is a transitive verb; hat is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der Verkäufer täuschte die Kunden.
The salesperson deceived the customers.
der Verkäufer means the salesperson, and die Kunden means the customers. Täuschte is the regular simple-past form and stands in position two; die Kunden remains accusative as the object.
Täusch die Kunden nicht!
Do not deceive the customers!
nicht means not, and die Kunden means the customers. Täusch is the bare du imperative, and the object is accusative because täuschen takes an accusative object.
Wenn du ihm glaubst, täuschst du dich.
If you believe him, you are mistaken.
wenn means if, ihm means him, and glaubst means believe. This sentence actually uses the present form täuschst, not the Konjunktiv II: sich täuschen means be mistaken, with dich as the reflexive accusative; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause.
Er wird die Kunden nicht täuschen.
He will not deceive the customers.
er means he, nicht means not, and die Kunden means the customers. Future I uses wird in position two and the infinitive täuschen at the end; die Kunden is accusative after the verb.
umgekehrt — reversed, opposite
Umgekehrt can be compared when different degrees of reversal or opposition are meant, although comparison is less common than the basic form. The comparative is umgekehrter, and the superlative is am umgekehrtesten.
Die Reihenfolge ist umgekehrt.
The order is reversed.
die Reihenfolge means the order, and reversed describes its new arrangement. Umgekehrt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir fahren in die umgekehrte Richtung.
We are travelling in the opposite direction.
fahren means travel or drive, and die Richtung means the direction. In die umgekehrte Richtung is accusative because in expresses movement towards a destination; the adjective takes -e after die.
Seine Erklärung war noch umgekehrter als meine.
His explanation was even more opposite to mine.
seine Erklärung means his explanation, noch means even, and meine means mine. Umgekehrter is predicative after war; als introduces the thing used for comparison, and the adjective has no noun ending in this position.
Das ist die umgekehrteste Lösung von allen.
That is the most reversed solution of all.
die Lösung means the solution, and von allen means of all of them. Die umgekehrteste Lösung is nominative after ist; the attributive superlative takes -ste plus the adjective ending -e.
umgekehrt — the other way round, conversely
As an adverb, umgekehrt means “the other way round” or “conversely” and does not take an adjective ending. It often contrasts two directions, actions, or statements.
So funktioniert es nicht; umgekehrt funktioniert es.
It does not work this way; the other way round, it does.
so means this way, funktioniert means works, and nicht means not. Umgekehrt is an unchanged adverb; in the second clause it comes first, so the finite verb funktioniert follows it in position two.
Wenn du mir hilfst, helfe ich dir umgekehrt.
If you help me, I will help you in return.
helfen means help, mir means to me, and dir means to you. The wenn clause puts hilfst at the end, while the main clause has helfe in position two; umgekehrt means in return or likewise in the opposite direction.
der Unsinn — nonsense, foolishness
Unsinn is normally an uncountable noun, so it has no ordinary plural. In everyday speech, Das ist Unsinn is a common way to reject an idea or statement.
Der Unsinn macht mich wütend.
The nonsense makes me angry.
macht mich wütend means makes me angry. Der Unsinn is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Ich glaube den Unsinn nicht.
I do not believe the nonsense.
ich glaube ... nicht means I do not believe, and nicht negates the statement. Den Unsinn is accusative because glauben takes an accusative object in this meaning; the finite verb glaube is in position two.
Er widerspricht dem Unsinn sofort.
He immediately contradicts the nonsense.
widerspricht means contradicts, and sofort means immediately. Dem Unsinn is dative because widersprechen always takes a dative object; the verb is in position two.
Die Ursache des Unsinns ist ein Missverständnis.
The cause of the nonsense is a misunderstanding.
die Ursache is the cause, and ein Missverständnis is a misunderstanding. Des Unsinns is genitive because it identifies what the cause belongs to; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
unterscheiden — to distinguish, to tell apart
The common pattern is zwischen etwas unterscheiden, with zwischen taking the dative in this meaning, or etwas von etwas unterscheiden, with von taking the dative. The reflexive form sich unterscheiden von means to differ from something.
Man unterscheidet zwischen privaten und beruflichen E-Mails.
People distinguish between private and work emails.
man means people or one, privat means private, beruflich means work-related, and die E-Mail is an email. The fixed preposition zwischen takes the dative here because this is a distinction, not movement: privaten und beruflichen E-Mails; the finite verb unterscheidet stands in position two.
Wir haben die beiden Sorten kaum unterschieden.
We could hardly tell the two varieties apart.
beide means both, die Sorte is a variety or type, and kaum means hardly. Die beiden Sorten is accusative because it is the object being distinguished; haben is in position two and unterschieden goes at the end.
Früher unterschied man nur wenige Arten.
In the past, people distinguished only a few species.
früher means in the past, wenig means little or few, and die Art can mean a species or type. Wenige Arten is accusative as the object of unterscheiden; the strong past form unterschied stands in position two.
Unterscheide die beiden Farben genau!
Distinguish the two colours carefully!
beide means both, die Farbe is a colour, and genau means carefully or precisely. Die beiden Farben is accusative because it is the object; unterscheide is the informal singular imperative.
An deiner Stelle würde ich die beiden Angebote besser unterscheiden.
If I were you, I would distinguish the two offers more clearly.
an deiner Stelle means if I were you, das Angebot is an offer, and besser means better or more clearly in this sentence. Die beiden Angebote is accusative as the object; würde ... unterscheiden forms the conditional, with the infinitive at the end.
Mit etwas Übung wirst du die Stimmen bald unterscheiden.
With some practice, you will soon be able to tell the voices apart.
die Übung means practice, etwas means some, die Stimme is a voice, and bald means soon. Die Stimmen is accusative as the object of unterscheiden; wirst stands in position two and the infinitive unterscheiden goes to the end.
der Ursprung — origin, source, beginning
Der Ursprung can mean the source from which something comes or its beginning in history. It is often used with von plus the dative or with a genitive phrase such as der Ursprung einer Idee.
Der Ursprung der Geschichte ist unbekannt.
The origin of the story is unknown.
Geschichte means story or history, and unbekannt means unknown. Der Ursprung is nominative because it is the subject; der Geschichte is genitive and means of the story.
Viele Menschen suchen den Ursprung des Problems.
Many people are looking for the origin of the problem.
viele Menschen means many people and suchen means look for. Den Ursprung is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, while des Problems is genitive.
Wir nähern uns dem Ursprung der Tradition.
We are approaching the origin of the tradition.
nähern means approach and Tradition means tradition. Uns is accusative reflexive, while dem Ursprung is dative because sich nähern governs the dative; der Tradition is genitive.
Die Erforschung des Ursprungs dauert lange.
Researching the origin takes a long time.
Erforschung means investigation or research and dauert lange means takes a long time. Des Ursprungs is genitive because it specifies what is being researched; the entire noun phrase is the subject.
Die Ursprünge der Sprache liegen weit zurück.
The origins of the language go far back.
Sprache means language, and weit zurückliegen means go far back in time. Ursprünge is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegen is in position two.
die Variante — variant, version, option
Variante can mean a version that differs from another version or an alternative way of doing something. Its plural is Varianten, with -n; do not confuse it with Version, which is also common for a version of software or a text.
Die Variante ist einfacher.
The variant is simpler.
einfacher means simpler. Die Variante is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir wählen eine Variante.
We choose a variant.
Wir means we and wählen means choose. Eine Variante is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the indefinite article remains eine in the accusative.
Ich stimme der Variante zu.
I agree with the variant.
stimme ... zu means agree, and zu is the separated verb prefix here. Der Variante is dative because zustimmen takes a dative object; in this main clause stimme is in position two and zu goes to the end.
Die Vorteile der Variante sind klar.
The advantages of the variant are clear.
Die Vorteile means the advantages and klar means clear. Der Variante is genitive because it shows which variant the advantages belong to; the plural verb sind agrees with Die Vorteile and stands in position two.
Wir vergleichen drei Varianten.
We compare three variants.
vergleichen means compare and drei means three. Drei Varianten is a plural accusative object because vergleichen takes a direct object; the plural ending -en belongs to the noun, and vergleichen is in position two.
der Verdacht — suspicion
The common expression is unter Verdacht stehen, meaning to be under suspicion. The noun is often used without an article in fixed expressions such as Verdacht schöpfen.
Der Verdacht fällt auf den Nachbarn.
Suspicion falls on the neighbour.
fällt auf means falls on, and der Nachbar means the neighbour. Der Verdacht is nominative as the subject; auf den Nachbarn is accusative because the expression fallen auf assigns that case.
Die Polizei untersucht den Verdacht.
The police are investigating the suspicion.
die Polizei means the police, and untersucht means investigates. Den Verdacht is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb is in position two.
Die Polizei geht dem Verdacht nach.
The police follow up the suspicion.
geht ... nach means follows up or investigates, and die Polizei means the police. Dem Verdacht is dative because jemandem nachgehen requires dative; the separable verb has geht in position two and nach at the end.
Die Ursache des Verdachts ist noch unklar.
The cause of the suspicion is still unclear.
die Ursache means the cause, and noch unklar means still unclear. Des Verdachts is genitive because it identifies the cause of what is suspected.
Die Ermittler prüften mehrere Verdächte.
The investigators examined several suspicions.
die Ermittler means the investigators, prüften means examined, and mehrere means several. Verdächte is plural and accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; the plural is unusual because suspicion is more often used in the singular.
verdanken — to owe, to attribute to
Verdanken normally follows the pattern jemandem etwas verdanken: the person is dative and the benefit or result is accusative. In the perfect it takes haben and has the Partizip II verdankt.
Sie verdankt ihrem Team den Erfolg.
She owes her success to her team.
ihrem Team means to her team, and den Erfolg means the success. Ihrem Team is dative because verdanken takes the person owed something in the dative, while den Erfolg is accusative; the finite verb verdankt is in position two.
Sie hat ihrem Team den Erfolg verdankt.
She owed her success to her team.
hat ... verdankt means owed, and ihrem Team means to her team. Ihrem Team is dative and den Erfolg is accusative; the auxiliary hat is in position two and the Partizip II verdankt closes the clause.
Er verdankte seiner Mutter seine Ausbildung.
He owed his education to his mother.
seiner Mutter means to his mother, and seine Ausbildung means his education. Seiner Mutter is dative and seine Ausbildung is accusative; the weak-verb past form verdankte stands in position two.
Verdank deiner Schwester diesen Erfolg!
Owe this success to your sister!
deiner Schwester means to your sister, and diesen Erfolg means this success. Verdank is the du imperative without a pronoun; the person is dative and the thing owed is accusative.
Ich verdankte ihr den Rat.
I owed her the advice.
ihr means to her, and der Rat means the advice. The sentence uses the past form verdankte in a conditional context; ihr is dative and den Rat is accusative.
Wir werden ihm diesen Sieg verdanken.
We will owe him this victory.
ihm means to him, and dieser Sieg means this victory. Ihm is dative and diesen Sieg is accusative; the auxiliary werden is in position two and the infinitive verdanken goes to the end.
der Vergleich — comparison; settlement; legal agreement
Do not confuse der Vergleich with the verb vergleichen; the fixed expression im Vergleich zu means compared with and uses zu plus the dative.
Der Vergleich der beiden Angebote ist hilfreich.
The comparison of the two offers is helpful.
der beiden Angebote means of the two offers, and hilfreich means helpful. Der Vergleich is nominative because it is the subject; der beiden Angebote is genitive and shows what is being compared.
Ich mache einen Vergleich der Preise.
I am making a comparison of the prices.
mache means make or do, and der Preise means of the prices. einen Vergleich is accusative because machen takes a direct object; the genitive phrase specifies what is compared.
Mit dem Vergleich kann man die Unterschiede sehen.
With the comparison, one can see the differences.
mit means with, die Unterschiede means the differences, and sehen means to see. dem Vergleich is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb kann is in position two.
Das Ergebnis des Vergleichs überrascht mich.
The result of the comparison surprises me.
das Ergebnis means the result, and überrascht means surprises. des Vergleichs is genitive because it identifies whose result it is, while mich is accusative as the person affected by überraschen.
Die Vergleiche zeigen große Unterschiede.
The comparisons show major differences.
große Unterschiede means major differences. Die Vergleiche is plural nominative because it is the subject, and große Unterschiede is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object.
Die Parteien haben einen Vergleich geschlossen.
The parties reached a settlement.
die Parteien means the parties, and geschlossen means reached or concluded in this expression. einen Vergleich is accusative because schließen takes a direct object; the perfect uses haben and puts geschlossen at the end.
Nach dem Vergleich zahlte die Firma das Geld.
After the settlement, the company paid the money.
nach dem Vergleich means after the settlement, die Firma is the company, and zahlte means paid. nach takes the dative, so dem Vergleich is dative; the finite verb zahlte follows the introductory phrase and stands in position two.
vergleichbar — comparable
vergleichbar normally describes data, prices, or situations that can be compared fairly; it does not simply mean identical. With mit, it describes what something can be compared with, and mit takes the dative.
Die Preise sind gut vergleichbar.
The prices can be compared well.
die Preise means the prices, and gut means well. vergleichbar is predicative after sind, so it has no adjective ending; die Preise is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir brauchen vergleichbare Zahlen.
We need comparable figures.
wir brauchen means we need, and Zahlen means figures or numbers. vergleichbare stands before the plural noun and takes -e after the zero article; Zahlen is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
Diese Werte sind vergleichbarer als die alten.
These values are more comparable than the old ones.
diese Werte means these values, and die alten means the old ones. The comparative uses vergleichbarer before the omitted noun, and als introduces the item used for comparison.
Die Daten aus diesem Jahr sind am vergleichbarsten.
The data from this year are the most comparable.
die Daten means the data, and aus diesem Jahr means from this year. The superlative is the predicative form am vergleichbarsten; aus takes the dative, shown by diesem Jahr.
verhältnismäßig — relatively; comparatively
The adverb verhältnismäßig usually modifies an adjective or adverb and means “relatively.” Unlike the adjective used before a noun, it does not take an ending.
Die Prüfung war verhältnismäßig leicht.
The exam was relatively easy.
die Prüfung means “the exam,” and leicht means “easy.” Verhältnismäßig modifies leicht and does not take an adjective ending; war is the finite verb in position two.
Das Hotel ist verhältnismäßig günstig.
The hotel is relatively inexpensive.
das Hotel means “the hotel,” and günstig means “inexpensive.” Verhältnismäßig modifies the adjective günstig, while ist stays in position two after the subject.
vermuten — to suspect; to assume; to suppose
vermuten expresses an uncertain belief, so it is different from wissen, to know. It normally takes an accusative noun or a clause introduced by dass.
Ich vermute, dass er schon zu Hause ist.
I suspect that he is already at home.
schon means already, and zu Hause means at home. Ich vermute is in position two, while the finite verb ist goes to the end of the dass clause; the suspected statement is introduced by dass.
Ich habe einen technischen Fehler vermutet.
I suspected a technical error.
einen technischen Fehler means a technical error. It is accusative because vermuten takes an accusative object; the perfect uses habe ... vermutet, with the Partizip II at the end.
Sie vermutete einen Zusammenhang.
She suspected a connection.
sie means she, and einen Zusammenhang means a connection or link. einen Zusammenhang is accusative because it is the object of vermutete, the weak-verb Präteritum in position two.
Vermute nicht sofort das Schlimmste.
Don’t immediately assume the worst.
nicht sofort means not immediately, and das Schlimmste means the worst. Vermute is the singular imperative without a pronoun; das Schlimmste is accusative because vermuten takes an accusative object.
Ich würde einen Irrtum vermuten.
I would suspect a mistake.
einen Irrtum means a mistake or error. würde ... vermuten expresses a cautious or hypothetical opinion; the infinitive vermuten goes to the end, and einen Irrtum is accusative.
Der Arzt wird eine Infektion vermuten.
The doctor will suspect an infection.
der Arzt means the doctor, and eine Infektion means an infection. Future tense uses wird in position two and vermuten at the end; eine Infektion is accusative because it is the object.
vermutlich — probable; presumably; probably
vermutlich often means wahrscheinlich, probably, and can modify a whole statement or stand before a noun. In everyday German, wahrscheinlicher and am wahrscheinlichsten are often more natural comparative and superlative forms.
Das ist vermutlich die richtige Adresse.
That is probably the right address.
die richtige Adresse means the correct address. vermutlich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two, and die richtige Adresse is nominative because it identifies the subject.
Wir nehmen den vermutlichen Eingang.
We will take the presumed entrance.
wir nehmen means we take, and der Eingang means the entrance. den vermutlichen Eingang is accusative because nehmen takes an accusative object; vermutlichen has -en after the masculine accusative article den.
Diese Erklärung ist vermutlicher als die andere.
This explanation is more likely than the other one.
diese Erklärung means this explanation, and die andere means the other one. vermutlicher compares two possibilities and is followed by als; because it is predicative after ist, it has no adjective ending.
Diese Lösung ist am vermutlichsten.
This solution is the most likely.
diese Lösung means this solution. am vermutlichsten is the superlative used predicatively after ist; learners should not add a noun directly after the am form, but use die vermutlichste Lösung before a noun.
die Vernunft — reason, common sense
Die Vernunft is an abstract mass noun and normally has no plural. The common expression zur Vernunft kommen means to start behaving sensibly, literally to come to reason.
Die Vernunft sagt, dass wir warten sollten.
Common sense says that we should wait.
sagt means says, warten means wait, and sollten means should. Die Vernunft is nominative because it is the subject; dass sends the finite verb sollten to the end of its subordinate clause.
Er hört nicht auf die Vernunft.
He does not listen to reason.
hört nicht auf means does not listen to, and nicht means not. The fixed expression auf die Vernunft hören uses auf with the accusative here; the finite verb hört is in position two and the separated particle auf follows the object.
Mit der Vernunft findet man oft eine Lösung.
With reason, one often finds a solution.
mit means with, findet means finds, oft means often, and eine Lösung means a solution. Der Vernunft is dative because mit always takes the dative; man is the general subject and findet is in position two.
Die Stimme der Vernunft wird oft ignoriert.
The voice of reason is often ignored.
die Stimme means the voice, oft means often, and ignoriert means ignored. Der Vernunft is genitive because it identifies whose voice it is; wird ignoriert is passive, with the participle at the end.
der Verstand — reason, understanding, common sense; sound mind, mental clarity
Der Verstand is an abstract noun and normally has no plural in everyday German. Do not confuse it with verstand, the past-tense form of verstehen; common expressions include gesunder Menschenverstand and den Verstand verlieren.
Sein Verstand sagt ihm, dass das gefährlich ist.
His common sense tells him that it is dangerous.
sein means his, sagt means tells, ihm means to him, and gefährlich means dangerous. Sein Verstand is nominative because it is the subject, while ihm is dative because sagen can take the person told in the dative; the finite verb sagt is in position two.
Ich verliere langsam den Verstand.
I am slowly losing my mind.
ich means I, verliere means lose, and langsam means slowly. Den Verstand is accusative because verlieren takes an accusative object; with langsam in position three, the finite verb verliere remains in position two.
Mit Verstand findet man meistens eine Lösung.
With common sense, one usually finds a solution.
mit means with, findet means finds, meistens means usually, and die Lösung is the solution. Mit always takes the dative, so the unmarked noun Verstand is dative; the finite verb findet is in position two.
Die Kraft des Verstands reicht dafür nicht aus.
The power of reason is not enough for that.
die Kraft is the power, reicht aus means is enough, and dafür means for that. Des Verstands is genitive because it means of reason; ausreichen is separable, so reicht is in position two and aus goes to the end.
Er ist noch bei klarem Verstand.
He is still of sound mind.
noch means still, and klar means clear. Bei takes the dative, so klarem Verstand is a dative phrase; ist is the finite verb in position two and noch means the state continues.
Nach dem Unfall war sie nicht bei Verstand.
After the accident, she was not in her right mind.
nach means after, der Unfall is the accident, war means was, and nicht means not. Bei takes the dative, so Verstand is dative; war is the Präteritum of sein and stands in position two.
das Verständnis — understanding, comprehension; understanding, sympathy
The common sense is usually uncountable: Verständnis für jemanden haben means to show understanding or sympathy for someone. The plural Verständnisse is mainly used for different interpretations or readings of an idea.
Das Verständnis für Grammatik wächst langsam.
Understanding of grammar grows slowly.
die Grammatik means grammar, and wachsen means to grow. Das Verständnis is nominative because it is the subject; für Grammatik uses the accusative after für, and wächst is in position two.
Der Kurs verbessert das Verständnis der Sprache.
The course improves understanding of the language.
der Kurs is the course, verbessern means to improve, and die Sprache is the language. Das Verständnis is accusative because it is the object of verbessert; der Sprache is genitive and specifies what is understood.
Die Lehrerin hilft den Schülern beim Verständnis.
The teacher helps the students with their understanding.
die Lehrerin is the female teacher, and die Schüler are the students. Den Schülern is dative because helfen requires dative, and beim Verständnis means with understanding; beim is short for bei dem.
Die Bedeutung des Verständnisses ist klar.
The importance of understanding is clear.
die Bedeutung means importance or meaning, and klar means clear. Des Verständnisses is genitive because it identifies the type or focus of the importance; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die verschiedenen Verständnisse des Begriffs führen zu Diskussionen.
The different interpretations of the term lead to discussions.
verschieden means different, der Begriff is the term, and die Diskussion is the discussion. Verständnisse is plural and therefore takes führen; des Begriffs is genitive and identifies what the interpretations concern.
Danke für dein Verständnis.
Thank you for your understanding.
danke means thank you, and dein means your. Für dein Verständnis is accusative because für requires the accusative; the noun is normally singular in this expression.
Wir bitten um Verständnis für die Verspätung.
We ask for understanding for the delay.
bitten um means to ask for, and die Verspätung is the delay. Um Verständnis is accusative because bitten um requires the accusative; the finite verb bitten is in position two.
voraussichtlich — expected; probable
Voraussichtlich is normally not gradable, so standard learner German does not use a comparative or superlative. As an adjective it takes endings before a noun, as in der voraussichtliche Termin; as an adverb it stays unchanged.
Der voraussichtliche Termin ist der 15. Mai.
The expected date is 15 May.
der Termin means the date or appointment, and der 15. Mai means 15 May. Here voraussichtliche describes the nominative noun Termin and has an adjective ending after der; it is not the adverbial use meaning simply probably.
Wir planen mit dem voraussichtlichen Ende um sechs Uhr.
We are planning for the expected end at six o’clock.
planen means to plan, mit means with or for, das Ende means the end, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Dem voraussichtlichen Ende is dative because mit requires the dative; the adjective has -en after dem.
Der voraussichtliche Termin liegt früher als erwartet.
The expected date is earlier than expected.
früher means earlier and als erwartet means than expected. Voraussichtliche itself is normally not compared; this sentence uses the comparison on früher, while voraussichtliche remains an attributive adjective before Termin.
Die voraussichtliche Dauer beträgt höchstens zwei Stunden.
The expected duration is at most two hours.
die Dauer means the duration, beträgt means amounts to, and höchstens means at most. Voraussichtliche normally has no superlative form; höchstens expresses the upper limit, and the adjective ending follows the feminine article die.
voraussichtlich — probably; as expected
As an adverb, voraussichtlich means probably or according to current expectations and never takes an ending. Do not add an adjective ending in a sentence such as voraussichtlich morgen; endings are used only when it stands before a noun.
Der Zug kommt voraussichtlich um acht Uhr an.
The train will probably arrive at eight o’clock.
der Zug is the train, kommt ... an means arrives, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Voraussichtlich is an unchanged adverb; the separable verb ankommen splits in a main clause, so kommt is in position two and an goes to the end.
Voraussichtlich bleibt das Geschäft heute geschlossen.
The shop will probably remain closed today.
bleibt means remains, das Geschäft is the shop, geschlossen means closed, and heute means today. When voraussichtlich comes first, the finite verb bleibt still comes directly after it in position two; the adverb does not change its form.
vorhaben — to intend; to plan
Vorhaben is separable: in a main clause, haben or another finite form comes first and vor goes to the end. Its perfect uses haben: hat etwas vorgehabt.
Ich habe morgen einen Ausflug vor.
I am planning an outing tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and ein Ausflug is an outing. Einen Ausflug is accusative because it is the object of the plan; the separable verb appears as habe ... vor, with the finite part in position two and the prefix at the end.
Wir haben ein großes Fest vorgehabt.
We had planned a big celebration.
ein großes Fest means a big celebration. Ein großes Fest is accusative as the object of the plan, and vorgehabt is the inseparable-looking whole Partizip II at the end with auxiliary haben.
Sie nahm eine lange Reise vor.
She planned a long journey.
eine lange Reise means a long journey. The object is accusative, and the simple past of vorhaben separates as nahm ... vor; the form nahm comes from nehmen.
Nimm dir am Wochenende etwas Schönes vor.
Plan something nice for yourself at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and etwas Schönes means something nice. Dir is dative because it means for yourself, while etwas Schönes is the accusative object; the imperative separates as nimm ... vor.
Ich hätte gern mehr Zeit zum Lesen vor.
I would like to plan more time for reading.
gern means gladly or would like to, and mehr Zeit zum Lesen means more time for reading. The polite hypothetical form uses hätte ... vor; because the verb is separable, vor goes to the end of the main clause.
Er wird im Sommer eine Sprachreise vorhaben.
He will be planning a language trip in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and eine Sprachreise is a language trip. Eine Sprachreise is accusative as the object, and the whole infinitive vorhaben stays at the end after wird; it does not split there.
vorhersagen — to predict, to forecast
This separable verb takes an accusative object: etwas vorhersagen means to predict something. In a main clause the prefix vor- separates, but it remains attached in the infinitive and in the Partizip II vorhergesagt.
Die Wetter-App sagt für morgen Regen vor.
The weather app predicts rain for tomorrow.
die Wetter-App is the weather app, für morgen means for tomorrow, and Regen is rain. Für takes the accusative here to express the time period; the finite verb sagt is in position two, and the prefix vor moves to the end.
Die Expertin hat den Sturm genau vorhergesagt.
The expert predicted the storm accurately.
die Expertin is the female expert, der Sturm is the storm, and genau means accurately. Den Sturm is accusative because vorhersagen takes an accusative object; hat is the auxiliary in position two and vorhergesagt closes the clause.
Der Wetterbericht sagte starken Wind vor.
The weather report predicted strong winds.
der Wetterbericht is the weather report and starker Wind means strong wind; starken has an accusative ending because it describes the object. The finite verb sagte stands in position two, while the separable prefix vor goes to the end.
Sag bitte das Ergebnis vor.
Please predict the result.
bitte means please and das Ergebnis is the result. Das Ergebnis is accusative because it is the object; in the singular command, sag comes first and the prefix vor goes to the end.
Niemand könnte die genaue Zahl vorhersagen.
Nobody could predict the exact number.
niemand means nobody, die genaue Zahl is the exact number, and könnte means could. The modal verb könnte carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, while the infinitive vorhersagen remains whole at the end and its object is accusative.
Das Modell wird die Nachfrage für nächstes Jahr vorhersagen.
The model will predict demand for next year.
das Modell is the model, die Nachfrage is demand, and nächstes Jahr means next year. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive vorhersagen goes to the end; die Nachfrage is accusative as the object.
die Vorkenntnis — prior knowledge, previous knowledge or skills
Vorkenntnis is often used in the plural Vorkenntnisse, especially in course descriptions. It refers to knowledge already possessed before learning something new, not simply to general information.
Die Vorkenntnis ist für den Kurs nicht notwendig.
Prior knowledge is not necessary for the course.
notwendig means necessary, and der Kurs is the course. Die Vorkenntnis is the nominative subject; für den Kurs uses the accusative after für and states who or what the requirement concerns.
Der Lehrer prüft die Vorkenntnis der Teilnehmer.
The teacher checks the participants’ prior knowledge.
der Lehrer is the teacher, prüft means checks, and die Teilnehmer are the participants. Die Vorkenntnis is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; der Teilnehmer is genitive and means of the participants.
Mit der Vorkenntnis können Sie schneller arbeiten.
With prior knowledge, you can work faster.
mit means with, schneller means faster, and arbeiten means work. Mit der Vorkenntnis is dative because mit always governs the dative; können is in position two and the infinitive arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Bedeutung der Vorkenntnis wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of prior knowledge is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung is the importance, oft means often, and unterschätzt means underestimated. Der Vorkenntnis is genitive after die Bedeutung to show what the importance concerns; wird unterschätzt is a passive construction.
Für den Kurs brauchen die Teilnehmer Vorkenntnisse.
The participants need prior knowledge for the course.
für den Kurs means for the course, brauchen means need, and die Teilnehmer are the participants. Vorkenntnisse is an accusative plural object of brauchen; für also takes the accusative, and the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
das Vorurteil — prejudice, preconceived idea
Vorurteil combines vor, meaning before, with Urteil, meaning judgement. It is usually negative; for a neutral opinion or expectation, use die Meinung or die Erwartung instead.
Ein Vorurteil kann Menschen verletzen.
A prejudice can hurt people.
Menschen means people and verletzen means to hurt. Ein Vorurteil is nominative because it is the subject; after the modal kann, the infinitive verletzen goes to the end.
Wir müssen dieses Vorurteil hinterfragen.
We must question this prejudice.
müssen means must or have to, and hinterfragen means to question critically. Dieses Vorurteil is accusative because it is the object of hinterfragen; after müssen, the infinitive stands at the end.
Mit diesem Vorurteil kann man niemandem helfen.
You cannot help anyone with this prejudice.
niemandem means to nobody and helfen means to help. Diesem Vorurteil is dative after mit, and niemandem is dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die Entstehung des Vorurteils ist schwer zu erklären.
The origin of the prejudice is difficult to explain.
Entstehung means origin or development, schwer means difficult, and erklären means to explain. Des Vorurteils is genitive because it specifies the origin’s subject; zu erklären is an infinitive phrase after schwer.
Viele Vorurteile entstehen durch fehlende Informationen.
Many prejudices arise through a lack of information.
viele means many, entstehen means arise, and fehlend means missing or lacking. Viele Vorurteile is nominative plural because it is the subject, while durch fehlende Informationen is an accusative phrase introduced by durch.
vorziehen — to prefer, to choose rather than; to bring forward, to move earlier
The preferred item is normally an accusative object, while the alternative is often introduced by dative: etwas jemandem vorziehen. In a main clause, vorziehen separates, but it stays together after a modal or in a subordinate clause.
Ich ziehe den Frühling dem Winter vor.
I prefer spring to winter.
der Frühling means spring and der Winter means winter. Den Frühling is accusative because it is the thing preferred, while dem Winter is dative in the comparison; the finite verb is split, with ziehe in position two and vor at the end.
Sie hat den Zug dem Bus vorgezogen.
She preferred the train to the bus.
der Zug means train and der Bus means bus. Den Zug is accusative because it is the preferred object, and dem Bus is dative in the comparison; hat is the auxiliary in position two and vorgezogen goes to the end.
Er zog Ruhe dem Lärm vor.
He preferred peace and quiet to noise.
die Ruhe means peace and quiet, and der Lärm means noise. Ruhe is accusative and dem Lärm is dative in the comparison; the strong past form zog stands in position two and vor closes the main clause.
Zieh den Zug dem Bus vor!
Prefer the train to the bus!
der Zug means train and der Bus means bus. The preferred thing is accusative, while the thing it is compared with is dative; the informal command separates zieh and vor, without stating du.
Ich würde den Zug dem Bus vorziehen.
I would prefer the train to the bus.
der Zug means train and der Bus means bus. The conditional meaning is expressed by würde plus the infinitive vorziehen, which stays whole at the end; den Zug is accusative and dem Bus is dative in the comparison.
Wir werden den Zug dem Auto vorziehen.
We will prefer the train to the car.
der Zug means train and das Auto means car. Den Zug is accusative as the preferred object, and dem Auto is dative in the comparison; werden is in position two and the infinitive vorziehen goes to the end.
Wir ziehen den Termin um eine Woche vor.
We are bringing the date forward by one week.
der Termin means date or appointment, and um eine Woche means by one week. The time expression uses um for the amount of change; in this main clause ziehen is in position two and vor is separated to the end.
Können wir die Prüfung vorziehen?
Can we bring the exam forward?
die Prüfung means exam. Die Prüfung is accusative because it is the event being moved; after the modal können, the infinitive vorziehen stays together and goes to the end.
wahrnehmen — to notice, perceive, become aware of; to attend, fulfil, exercise
Wahrnehmen is a separable verb: ich nehme etwas wahr. It takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben; the related noun die Wahrnehmung means perception or awareness.
Ich nehme den Geruch sofort wahr.
I notice the smell immediately.
der Geruch means the smell, and sofort means immediately. Den Geruch is accusative because wahrnehmen takes an accusative object; the finite part nehme is in position two and the prefix wahr goes to the end.
Wir haben den Lärm sofort wahrgenommen.
We noticed the noise immediately.
wir means we, der Lärm means the noise, and sofort means immediately. Den Lärm is accusative, while haben is the auxiliary in position two and wahrgenommen goes to the end; the prefix is not split in the Partizip II.
Sie nahm einen seltsamen Geschmack wahr.
She noticed a strange taste.
sie means she, ein Geschmack is a taste, and seltsam means strange. Einen seltsamen Geschmack is accusative because the verb takes an accusative object; nahm is in position two and wahr stands at the end.
Nimm die Warnung ernst wahr.
Take the warning seriously.
die Warnung means the warning, and ernst nehmen means take seriously. Die Warnung is accusative, and in the imperative the stem is nimm while the separable prefix wahr goes to the end.
Ich würde den Unterschied früher wahrnehmen.
I would notice the difference earlier.
der Unterschied means the difference, and früher means earlier. Den Unterschied is accusative because wahrnehmen takes an accusative object; in this conditional sentence the infinitive wahrnehmen stays whole at the end after würde.
Du wirst die Veränderung bald wahrnehmen.
You will soon notice the change.
du means you, die Veränderung means the change, and bald means soon. Die Veränderung is accusative; wirst stands in position two and the whole infinitive wahrnehmen goes to the end.
Sie nimmt ihren Arzttermin wahr.
She attends her doctor's appointment.
sie means she, der Arzttermin means the doctor's appointment, and ihren means her. Ihren Arzttermin is accusative because wahrnehmen takes an accusative object; nimmt is in position two and wahr goes to the end.
Er hat seine Verantwortung wahrgenommen.
He fulfilled his responsibility.
er means he, seine Verantwortung means his responsibility, and Verantwortung is responsibility. The object is accusative, while hat stands in position two and wahrgenommen goes to the end as the Partizip II.
weise — wise, sensible
Weise is the capitalized noun meaning way or melody, while weise is the adjective meaning wise. The adjective can also mean sensible in a practical decision.
Meine Großmutter ist weise.
My grandmother is wise.
die Großmutter means grandmother. Weise is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein weiser Rat.
That is wise advice.
der Rat means advice, and das means that. Weiser comes before the masculine nominative noun Rat and takes -er after the indefinite article ein.
Sie ist heute weiser als früher.
She is wiser today than before.
heute means today and früher means before or in the past. Weiser compares two states and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Er ist am weisesten in schwierigen Situationen.
He is the wisest in difficult situations.
schwierig means difficult and die Situation means situation. Am weisesten is the predicative superlative; in schwierigen Situationen is a dative phrase describing the situations.
weise — wisely, sensibly
This adverb means wisely or sensibly and does not change its form. Do not confuse lowercase weise with the capitalized noun die Weise, meaning way or melody.
Sie handelt weise.
She acts wisely.
handeln means to act. Weise is an adverb, so it does not take an adjective ending; the finite verb handelt is in position two.
Er hat weise entschieden.
He made a wise decision.
entscheiden means to decide, and entschieden means decided. Weise modifies the verb rather than a noun; in the perfect, hat is in position two and entschieden goes to the end.
das Wissen — knowledge
das Wissen is an uncountable noun for knowledge in general, so it normally has no plural. The related verb wissen means “to know” facts, while kennen means “to be familiar with” people or places.
Wissen ist wichtig.
Knowledge is important.
wichtig means “important.” Wissen is the nominative subject, and the linking verb ist stands in position two; this mass noun normally has no plural.
Ich brauche mehr Wissen.
I need more knowledge.
brauche means “need,” and mehr means “more.” Wissen is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, although the neuter article is not visible here.
Mit Wissen kann man Probleme lösen.
With knowledge, one can solve problems.
mit means “with,” Probleme means “problems,” and lösen means “solve.” Mit forces the dative, and kann sends the infinitive lösen to the end of the clause.
Die Grenzen des Wissens sind nicht immer klar.
The limits of knowledge are not always clear.
die Grenzen means “the limits,” nicht immer means “not always,” and klar means “clear.” Des Wissens is a genitive phrase showing whose limits they are; Wissens adds -s.
Sein Wissen hilft vielen Menschen.
His knowledge helps many people.
sein means “his,” hilft means “helps,” and vielen Menschen means “many people.” This example shows the noun in a sentence with a dative group after helfen; Wissen itself remains singular because it is a mass noun.
zufällig — accidental; random; by chance
As an adjective, zufällig describes something unplanned or accidental. Do not confuse it with the adverbial use meaning accidentally or by chance; the adjective takes endings before nouns.
Das war ein zufälliges Treffen.
That was an accidental meeting.
das Treffen means the meeting, and war means was. Zufälliges describes the neuter noun Treffen after ein in the nominative; the adjective takes -es.
Wir haben eine zufällige Entdeckung gemacht.
We made a chance discovery.
eine Entdeckung machen means to make a discovery. Eine zufällige Entdeckung is the accusative object of gemacht, and the adjective takes -e after eine; haben is in position two and gemacht closes the perfect construction.
Seine Erklärung klingt zufälliger als meine.
His explanation sounds more accidental than mine.
seine Erklärung means his explanation, and klingen means to sound. Zufälliger is a predicative comparative after klingt and is followed by als; it has no ending because it stands after the verb.
Dieser Zusammenhang wirkt am zufälligsten.
This connection seems the most accidental.
dieser Zusammenhang means this connection, and wirken means to seem or appear. Am zufälligsten is a predicative superlative after wirkt and therefore has no noun ending.
Die Ähnlichkeit war völlig zufällig.
The similarity was entirely accidental.
die Ähnlichkeit means the similarity and völlig means completely. Zufällig follows war as a predicative adjective, so it does not take an ending; war is in position two.
zukunftsorientiert — future-oriented, forward-looking
This adjective describes people, plans or organisations that prepare for future developments. It is a compound of Zukunft and orientiert and is often used in business, education and technology.
Das Unternehmen ist zukunftsorientiert.
The company is future-oriented.
das Unternehmen means the company. Zukunftsorientiert is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie entwickelt eine zukunftsorientierte Strategie.
She is developing a future-oriented strategy.
entwickelt means is developing, and eine Strategie means a strategy. Zukunftsorientierte stands before the feminine accusative noun Strategie and takes -e after the indefinite article eine.
Diese Lösung ist zukunftsorientierter als die alte.
This solution is more future-oriented than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution, and die alte means the old one. Zukunftsorientierter is a predicative comparative after ist, and als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Von allen Vorschlägen ist dieser am zukunftsorientiertesten.
Of all the proposals, this one is the most future-oriented.
von allen Vorschlägen means of all the proposals, and dieser means this one. Von takes the dative, while am zukunftsorientiertesten is the predicative superlative at the end of the clause.
der Zusammenhang — connection, context, relationship; context, wider connection
Zusammenhang can mean a connection between facts or the context that makes something understandable. The fixed phrase im Zusammenhang mit means in connection with and takes the dative after mit.
Der Zusammenhang ist leicht zu verstehen.
The connection is easy to understand.
leicht zu verstehen means easy to understand. Der Zusammenhang is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich sehe den Zusammenhang nicht.
I do not see the connection.
sehen means to see, and nicht means not. Den Zusammenhang is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Sie erklärt mir den Zusammenhang.
She explains the connection to me.
erklären means to explain, and mir means to me. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while den Zusammenhang is accusative as the thing being explained; erklärt is in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Zusammenhangs bleibt unklar.
The meaning of the connection remains unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unklar means unclear. Des Zusammenhangs is genitive because it specifies which meaning is meant; the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Die Zusammenhänge sind kompliziert.
The connections are complicated.
kompliziert means complicated. Zusammenhänge is the plural nominative subject, so it takes the plural verb sind, not singular ist.
Ohne den Zusammenhang klingt der Satz seltsam.
Without the context, the sentence sounds strange.
ohne means without, der Satz means the sentence, and seltsam means strange. Den Zusammenhang is accusative because ohne always takes the accusative; the finite verb klingt is in position two.
Im Zusammenhang mit dem Unfall gab es viele Fragen.
There were many questions in connection with the accident.
der Unfall means the accident, and es gab viele Fragen means there were many questions. The fixed phrase im Zusammenhang mit uses im for in dem, and mit dem Unfall is dative because mit always requires the dative.
die Zustimmung — agreement, approval
Zustimmung is often used for approval of a plan or for permission from a person. The related opposite is Ablehnung, meaning rejection; do not confuse Zustimmung with merely understanding something.
Die Zustimmung der Eltern ist wichtig.
The parents’ approval is important.
die Eltern means the parents, and wichtig means important. Die Zustimmung is nominative because it is the subject, while der Eltern is genitive and means of the parents; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir brauchen deine Zustimmung für den Plan.
We need your approval for the plan.
brauchen means to need, deine means your, and der Plan means the plan. Deine Zustimmung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and für also forces the accusative in für den Plan.
Mit ihrer Zustimmung können wir anfangen.
With her approval, we can start.
mit means with, ihrer means her, and anfangen means to start. Mit ihrer Zustimmung is dative because mit always takes the dative; können is in position two and anfangen goes to the end.
Die Bedeutung der Zustimmung wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of approval is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means the importance, oft means often, and unterschätzen means to underestimate. Der Zustimmung is genitive after die Bedeutung to mean the importance of approval, while wird ... unterschätzt forms a passive sentence.
Für das Projekt fehlen noch drei Zustimmungen.
Three approvals are still missing for the project.
das Projekt means the project, fehlen means to be missing, and noch means still. Drei Zustimmungen is the plural subject, and für das Projekt is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
der Zweifel — doubt
The plural is die Zweifel, with no ending change from the singular. Zweifel an etwas uses an with the dative, as in Zweifel an seinem Plan.
Mein Zweifel bleibt.
My doubt remains.
bleibt means remains, and mein means my. Mein Zweifel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb bleibt is in position two.
Sie hat keinen Zweifel an seinem Plan.
She has no doubt about his plan.
keinen means no, and seinem Plan means his plan. Zweifel is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; an here takes the dative, shown by seinem.
Mit großem Zweifel unterschrieb er den Vertrag.
He signed the contract with great doubt.
mit means with, großem means great, unterschrieb means signed, and der Vertrag means the contract. Mit always takes the dative, so großem Zweifel is dative; the finite verb unterschrieb is in position two.
Der Grund ihres Zweifels ist die fehlende Information.
The reason for her doubt is the missing information.
der Grund means the reason, ihres means her, and fehlende Information means missing information. Ihres Zweifels is genitive and expresses possession or connection; the verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Zweifel verschwinden mit der Zeit.
Many doubts disappear over time.
Viele means many, verschwinden means disappear, and mit der Zeit means over time. Zweifel is plural here but has no ending; viele Zweifel is the plural subject, so the verb is verschwinden.
Der Zweifel macht mich vorsichtig.
The doubt makes me cautious.
macht means makes, mich means me, and vorsichtig means cautious. Der Zweifel is the nominative subject, while mich is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; the finite verb is in position two.
zweifeln — to doubt, to have doubts
The usual pattern is an etwas zweifeln, with an taking the dative: an seiner Geschichte zweifeln. It is a weak verb: zweifeln – zweifelte – hat gezweifelt.
Ich zweifle an seiner Geschichte.
I doubt his story.
seiner Geschichte means his story. Zweifeln an takes an with the dative, so seiner Geschichte is dative; the finite verb zweifle is in position two.
Wir haben lange an seiner Entscheidung gezweifelt.
We doubted his decision for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and seiner Entscheidung means his decision. The perfect uses haben plus gezweifelt; an forces the dative, and the participle goes to the end.
Früher zweifelte sie an ihren Fähigkeiten.
She used to doubt her abilities.
Früher means formerly or in the past, and ihren Fähigkeiten means her abilities. Zweifelte is the weak-verb preterite; an takes the dative, so ihren Fähigkeiten is dative plural.
Zweifle nicht an dir!
Do not doubt yourself!
nicht means not, and dir means yourself or you. Zweifle is the du imperative; an takes the dative, so the reflexive pronoun is dir, not dich.
Ich würde nicht an ihm zweifeln.
I would not doubt him.
würde means would, nicht means not, and ihm means him. The conditional uses würde with the infinitive zweifeln at the end; an requires the dative, so ihm is used.
Sie wird bald an ihrem Plan zweifeln.
She will soon doubt her plan.
bald means soon, and ihrem Plan means her plan. Future uses wird in position two and sends the infinitive zweifeln to the end; an forces the dative in ihrem Plan.
der Überblick — overview, general picture
The fixed expression den Überblick behalten means to stay organised and understand what is happening. With topics, Überblick über is common, and über takes accusative here because it means about or concerning.
Der Überblick hilft mir bei der Prüfung.
The overview helps me with the exam.
hilft means helps, mir means to me, and die Prüfung is the exam. Der Überblick is nominative because it is the subject, and bei takes dative in bei der Prüfung.
Ich brauche den Überblick über die Kosten.
I need an overview of the costs.
brauche means need, and die Kosten are the costs. Den Überblick is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; über die Kosten specifies what the overview covers.
Mit dem Überblick kann ich besser planen.
With the overview, I can plan better.
mit means with, besser means better, and planen means plan. Dem Überblick is dative because mit always requires dative; the modal verb kann is in position two and planen goes to the end.
Die Qualität des Überblicks ist sehr gut.
The quality of the overview is very good.
die Qualität is the quality, and sehr gut means very good. Des Überblicks is genitive and shows whose quality is meant; masculine and neuter genitives use des, and this noun adds -s.
Die Bücher geben Überblicke über die Geschichte Europas.
The books provide overviews of European history.
die Bücher are the books, geben means give or provide, and die Geschichte Europas is the history of Europe. Überblicke is plural accusative because geben takes the thing given as an accusative object; the plural ending is -e with an umlaut.
die Überlegung — consideration, thought
Überlegung is often used for a thought made before a decision. The verb überlegen means to think something over; do not confuse it with Überlegenheit, which means superiority.
Die Überlegung war, mit dem Zug zu fahren.
The consideration was to travel by train.
mit dem Zug means by train, and fahren means to travel or go. Die Überlegung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Ich bespreche die Überlegung heute mit meiner Kollegin.
I am discussing the consideration with my colleague today.
besprechen means to discuss, heute means today, and meine Kollegin is my female colleague. Die Überlegung is accusative because besprechen takes a direct object; the finite verb bespreche stands in position two.
Wir geben der Überlegung noch etwas Zeit.
We are giving the consideration a little more time.
geben means to give, and noch etwas Zeit means a little more time. Der Überlegung is dative because it is the recipient of geben; etwas Zeit is the accusative thing being given.
Die Vorteile der Überlegung sind klar.
The advantages of the consideration are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and klar means clear. Der Überlegung is genitive because it shows whose advantages they are; the finite verb sind agrees with the plural subject die Vorteile.
Wir sammeln verschiedene Überlegungen für den Plan.
We are collecting various considerations for the plan.
verschiedene means various, sammeln means to collect, and der Plan means the plan. Überlegungen is plural accusative because it is the direct object of sammeln; the plural article is omitted after verschiedene.
Ich habe lange über die Überlegung nachgedacht.
I thought about the consideration for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and nachdenken über means to think about. The perfect uses habe with the participle nachgedacht, and über takes the accusative here because it introduces the topic of thought.