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Vocab: Thinking & opinion — B2
Thinking & opinion vocabulary at B2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
auseinandersetzen — to separate, to set apart; to deal with, to engage with, to examine
This less common literal sense takes an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas auseinandersetzen means to separate someone or something. The much more frequent reflexive use means dealing with a subject or problem.
Die Lehrerin setzt die beiden Schüler auseinander.
The teacher seats the two pupils apart.
die Lehrerin means teacher, beide means both, and der Schüler means pupil. Die beiden Schüler is accusative because it is the object, while setzt is in position two and auseinander is at the end.
Der Betreuer hat die Gruppen auseinandergesetzt.
The supervisor separated the groups.
der Betreuer means supervisor and die Gruppen means groups. Die Gruppen is accusative, and the Partizip II auseinandergesetzt goes to the end with hat.
Der Trainer setzte die Spieler nach dem Streit auseinander.
The coach separated the players after the argument.
der Trainer means coach, die Spieler means players, and der Streit means argument. The object is accusative, while nach dem Streit is a dative time phrase; the finite verb is split from its prefix.
Setz die beiden Kinder auseinander!
Separate the two children!
beide means both and das Kind means child. The singular du command is setz, and the prefix auseinander must stand at the end.
Ich würde die beiden Parteien nicht auseinandersetzen.
I would not separate the two parties.
die Partei means party, here a side in a dispute, and nicht means not. The hypothetical form würde is followed by the complete infinitive auseinandersetzen at the end.
Der Schiedsrichter wird die Spieler sofort auseinandersetzen.
The referee will separate the players immediately.
der Schiedsrichter means referee, die Spieler means players, and sofort means immediately. The future auxiliary wird stands in position two and the full infinitive goes to the end.
Wir setzen uns mit dem Klimawandel auseinander.
We are dealing with climate change.
wir means we, sich mit etwas auseinandersetzen means to deal with something, and der Klimawandel means climate change. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Klimawandel is dative; the reflexive pronoun uns agrees with wir and the verb is split.
Sie hat sich intensiv mit dem Thema auseinandergesetzt.
She dealt with the topic intensively.
intensiv means intensively and das Thema means topic. Mit dem Thema is dative because mit governs the dative; in the perfect, hat comes early and auseinandergesetzt closes the clause.
außerordentlich — extraordinary, exceptional
Außerordentlich is stronger than simply besonders and often describes something remarkable or outside the normal range. It can be used before a noun with an adjective ending or after a linking verb without an ending.
Seine Leistung war außerordentlich.
His achievement was extraordinary.
seine Leistung means his achievement, and war means was. Außerordentlich is predicative after the linking verb war, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Sie hat eine außerordentliche Leistung gezeigt.
She showed an extraordinary achievement.
sie means she, eine Leistung means an achievement, and gezeigt means shown. Außerordentliche comes before the feminine accusative noun Leistung and takes -e after eine; hat is in position two and gezeigt goes to the end.
Das Ergebnis ist außerordentlicher als erwartet.
The result is more extraordinary than expected.
das Ergebnis means the result, and erwartet means expected. Außerordentlicher is predicative after ist, so it has no noun ending; als introduces the comparison, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das war die außerordentlichste Leistung des Jahres.
That was the most extraordinary achievement of the year.
das war means that was, die Leistung means the achievement, and des Jahres means of the year. Before the feminine noun Leistung, the superlative takes the ending -ste; des Jahres is genitive to show whose period is meant.
außerordentlich — exceptionally, extraordinarily
As an adverb, außerordentlich strengthens an adjective or another adverb and means exceptionally or extraordinarily. It does not take an adjective ending because it does not describe a noun directly.
Der Arzt hat mir außerordentlich gut geholfen.
The doctor helped me exceptionally well.
der Arzt means the doctor, mir means to me, and geholfen means helped. Außerordentlich modifies gut as an adverb; mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, while hat and geholfen form the perfect.
Das Buch ist außerordentlich interessant.
The book is exceptionally interesting.
das Buch means the book, and interessant means interesting. Außerordentlich modifies the adjective interessant, and the finite linking verb ist stands in position two.
beabsichtigen — to intend, to plan; to have in mind, to intend
beabsichtigen is a formal verb, often used with a zu-infinitive: beabsichtigen, etwas zu tun. In ordinary conversation, vorhaben is often more natural.
Sie beabsichtigt, nächstes Jahr nach Kanada zu reisen.
She intends to travel to Canada next year.
nächstes Jahr means next year, nach Kanada means to Canada, and reisen means to travel. beabsichtigt is in position two; the planned action appears as a zu-infinitive at the end.
Wir haben beabsichtigt, früher zu kommen.
We intended to come earlier.
früher means earlier and kommen means to come. The perfect uses haben beabsichtigt, with the Partizip II at the end; zu kommen gives the action that was intended.
Er beabsichtigte, den Vertrag morgen zu unterschreiben.
He intended to sign the contract tomorrow.
der Vertrag means the contract, morgen means tomorrow, and unterschreiben means to sign. beabsichtigte is the simple past in position two, while den Vertrag is accusative as the object of unterschreiben.
Beabsichtige, wirklich so lange zu bleiben!
Do intend to stay for so long!
wirklich means really, so lange means for so long, and bleiben means to stay. The imperative has no subject and stands first; the planned action follows as zu bleiben, though this command sounds formal and unusual.
Ich würde beabsichtigen, mich schriftlich zu beschweren.
I would intend to complain in writing.
schriftlich means in writing and sich beschweren means to complain. würde beabsichtigen expresses a hypothetical intention; mich is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and zu beschweren closes the infinitive clause.
Die Firma wird beabsichtigen, ihre Preise zu senken.
The company will intend to lower its prices.
die Firma means the company, ihre Preise means its prices, and senken means to lower. Future uses wird beabsichtigen, with wird in position two and the infinitive beabsichtigen at the end.
Die Stadt beabsichtigt, eine neue Brücke zu bauen.
The city intends to build a new bridge.
die Stadt means the city, eine neue Brücke means a new bridge, and bauen means to build. beabsichtigt stands in position two, and the planned action is expressed by eine neue Brücke zu bauen at the end.
Er hat keine Täuschung beabsichtigt.
He did not intend any deception.
keine Täuschung means no deception. The perfect uses hat beabsichtigt; keine Täuschung is accusative because it is the direct object, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
berechtigt — justified, legitimate, reasonable; entitled, authorised
In berechtigte Kritik, the adjective means justified or reasonable. With zu and an infinitive, as in berechtigt sein, etwas zu tun, it can instead mean entitled or authorised to do something.
Deine Sorge ist berechtigt.
Your concern is justified.
Deine Sorge means your concern, and Sorge can mean worry or concern. Berechtigt is a predicate adjective after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the adjective describes the subject deine Sorge.
Das ist eine berechtigte Frage.
That is a justified question.
eine Frage means a question, and das means that. Berechtigte stands before the feminine noun Frage and takes -e after the indefinite article; the phrase is the nominative subject complement after ist.
Seine Kritik ist berechtigter als meine.
His criticism is more justified than mine.
Seine Kritik means his criticism, and meine means mine, with Kritik understood. Berechtigter is a predicate comparative after ist and is followed by als for the comparison; it has no ending here.
Das ist der berechtigtste Einwand im Bericht.
That is the most justified objection in the report.
der Einwand is the objection and der Bericht is the report. Berechtigtste comes before the masculine noun with the definite article and takes -e; im Bericht means in the report, with in expressing location and therefore taking the dative.
Sein Ärger ist berechtigt.
His anger is justified.
Sein Ärger means his anger. Berechtigt follows ist as a predicate adjective and does not take an ending; it describes the nominative subject sein Ärger.
Die Kundin hat einen berechtigten Einwand.
The customer has a justified objection.
Die Kundin is the female customer, einen Einwand is an objection, and haben means to have. Einen berechtigten Einwand is the accusative object of hat, so the masculine adjective takes -en after einen.
Sie sind berechtigt, den Vertrag zu kündigen.
You are entitled to terminate the contract.
Sie is the formal you, der Vertrag is the contract, and kündigen means to terminate or cancel. Berechtigt is a predicate adjective after sind, and the action follows as zu kündigen; the object den Vertrag is accusative after kündigen.
Nur Mitglieder sind zum Eintritt berechtigt.
Only members are entitled to admission.
Nur Mitglieder means only members, and der Eintritt means admission or entry. Berechtigt follows sind as a predicate adjective; zum Eintritt is a dative phrase after zu, and nur Mitglieder is the nominative subject.
bestreiten — to dispute, to deny; to pay for, to support oneself
In this sense, bestreiten means to deny or dispute a statement, fact, or accusation. It is a strong verb: bestreiten - bestritt - hat bestritten.
Der Angeklagte bestreitet die Tat.
The accused denies the offence.
der Angeklagte is the accused person, and die Tat is the offence or act. Die Tat is accusative because it is the direct object of bestreiten; the finite verb bestreitet stands in position two.
Der Angeklagte hat die Tat bestritten.
The accused has denied the offence.
der Angeklagte means the accused person, and die Tat means the offence. The perfect uses hat with bestritten at the end; die Tat remains the accusative object.
Der Angeklagte bestritt die Tat vor Gericht.
The accused denied the offence in court.
der Angeklagte is the accused person, die Tat is the offence, and vor Gericht means in court. Die Tat is accusative, and bestritt is the strong simple-past form in position two.
Bestreite diese Behauptung nicht!
Do not dispute this claim!
diese Behauptung means this claim, and nicht means not. Bestreite is the du imperative and comes first; the claim is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde diese Behauptung bestreiten.
I would dispute this claim.
ich means I, würde means would, and diese Behauptung means this claim. The infinitive bestreiten stands at the end after würde, and the claim is an accusative object.
Der Angeklagte wird die Tat vor Gericht bestreiten.
The accused will deny the offence in court.
der Angeklagte means the accused person, die Tat means the offence, and vor Gericht means in court. Wird forms the future with bestreiten at the end; die Tat is accusative.
Sie bestreitet ihren Lebensunterhalt selbst.
She supports herself financially.
sie means she, ihren Lebensunterhalt means her living expenses, and selbst means herself or independently. Ihren Lebensunterhalt is accusative because it is what she pays for; the finite verb bestreitet is in position two.
Mit diesem Gehalt kann er die Miete bestreiten.
With this salary, he can pay the rent.
mit diesem Gehalt means with this salary, kann means can, and die Miete is the rent. Mit takes the dative, while die Miete is accusative; after the modal kann, the infinitive bestreiten goes to the end.
einsehen — to realise; to understand; to inspect; to inspect; to consult
Einsehen is separable in main clauses: sieht ... ein. In the sense ‘admit or recognise’, it commonly takes an accusative object, while the perfect uses haben.
Sie sieht ihren Fehler ein.
She admits her mistake.
ihren Fehler means her mistake. Ihren Fehler is accusative because einsehen takes a direct object; in this main clause the finite part sieht is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Er hat seine Verantwortung eingesehen.
He has recognised his responsibility.
seine Verantwortung means his responsibility, and erkannt would mean recognised, but here the verb is eingesehen. The perfect uses hat with eingesehen, and the Partizip II stands at the end; the object is accusative.
Nach dem Gespräch sah er seinen Irrtum ein.
After the conversation, he realised his error.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and der Irrtum means error. Nach takes dative, so dem Gespräch is dative; because the opening phrase occupies position one, sah still comes in position two and ein goes to the end.
Sieh endlich ein, dass du dich geirrt hast.
Finally admit that you were mistaken.
endlich means finally, and sich irren means to be mistaken. This is the du imperative, with sieh first and the prefix ein at the end; dass sends the finite verb hast to the end of its subordinate clause.
Du würdest die Wahrheit bald einsehen.
You would soon realise the truth.
die Wahrheit means the truth, and bald means soon. Würdest ... einsehen is the usual Konjunktiv II construction for a hypothetical situation; the infinitive einsehen goes to the end and takes an accusative object.
Sie wird die Folgen noch einsehen.
She will realise the consequences later.
die Folgen means the consequences, and noch means still or later in this context. Wird ... einsehen forms the future; wird is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end, with die Folgen as accusative object.
Die Anwältin darf die Akte einsehen.
The lawyer is allowed to inspect the file.
die Anwältin means the lawyer, darf means is allowed to, and die Akte is the file. Die Akte is accusative because einsehen takes a direct object; after the modal darf, the infinitive stays at the end as one word.
Wir haben die alten Unterlagen eingesehen.
We inspected the old documents.
alt means old, and die Unterlagen means the documents or records. The perfect uses haben plus eingesehen at the end, and die alten Unterlagen is an accusative plural object.
entgegengesetzt — opposite, contrary
Entgegengesetzt is normally an absolute adjective, so standard dictionary comparison forms are not used. It can stand after sein or before a noun, where its ending changes: entgegengesetzte Meinung.
Unsere Meinungen sind entgegengesetzt.
Our opinions are opposite.
unsere Meinungen means our opinions, and sind means are. The adjective is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; entgegengesetzt describes the subject.
Sie vertritt eine entgegengesetzte Meinung.
She holds an opposing opinion.
vertritt means represents or holds, and eine Meinung means an opinion. Meinung is accusative because vertreten takes an accusative object; entgegengesetzte has an adjective ending after the feminine accusative article eine.
Die beiden Gruppen arbeiten in entgegengesetzter Richtung.
The two groups are working in opposite directions.
die beiden Gruppen means the two groups, arbeiten means work, and Richtung means direction. This adjective is normally not compared; the form entgegengesetzter is an inflected positive adjective after in for location, not a true comparative.
Der Pfeil zeigt in die entgegengesetzte Richtung.
The arrow points in the opposite direction.
der Pfeil means the arrow, zeigt means points, and Richtung means direction. This adjective has no normal superlative; entgegengesetzte is again an inflected positive adjective, and in takes the accusative here because the arrow points into a direction.
entschließen — to resolve, make up one’s mind
This reflexive verb is stronger and more formal than sich entscheiden and often suggests a firm resolution. The usual pattern is sich zu etwas entschließen, with zu taking the dative.
Er entschließt sich zu einem Neuanfang.
He decides to make a fresh start.
ein Neuanfang is a fresh start. sich is accusative because the verb is reflexive, while zu einem Neuanfang is dative because zu always takes the dative; entschließt stands in position two.
Sie hat sich zu diesem Schritt entschlossen.
She decided to take this step.
dieser Schritt means this step. sich is accusative and zu diesem Schritt is dative; hat is in position two and entschlossen closes the perfect-tense sentence.
Nach langem Überlegen entschloss er sich zum Wechsel.
After thinking it over for a long time, he decided to make the change.
nach langem Überlegen means after thinking it over for a long time, and der Wechsel is the change. zum Wechsel means zu dem Wechsel and is dative; the opening phrase occupies position one, so entschloss comes directly after it in position two.
Entschließ dich endlich zu einer Antwort!
Make up your mind and finally give an answer!
endlich means finally and eine Antwort is an answer. dich is the required accusative reflexive pronoun, while zu einer Antwort is dative after zu; the imperative entschließ comes first.
Ich würde mich zu diesem Schritt entschließen.
I would resolve to take this step.
dieser Schritt means this step. mich is accusative and zu diesem Schritt is dative; würde is finite in position two and the infinitive entschließen stands at the end.
Nach dem Gespräch wird sie sich zu einer Lösung entschließen.
After the conversation, she will decide on a solution.
das Gespräch is the conversation and eine Lösung is a solution. nach dem Gespräch is dative after nach, and zu einer Lösung is dative after zu; wird is finite in position two and entschließen goes to the end.
erfassen — to grasp; to record; to register; to record; to enter
This verb is used for mentally grasping meaning and for officially recording or registering information. It is a weak verb: erfasste and hat erfasst.
Sie erfasst den schwierigen Text schnell.
She quickly understands the difficult text.
den schwierigen Text means the difficult text and schnell means quickly. The phrase den schwierigen Text is accusative because erfassen takes an accusative object, and erfasst is in position two.
Wir haben das Problem sofort erfasst.
We understood the problem immediately.
das Problem means the problem and sofort means immediately. haben is in position two and erfasst goes to the end as the Partizip II; das Problem is accusative.
Der Schüler erfasste die Frage nicht.
The student did not understand the question.
der Schüler means the student, die Frage means the question, and nicht means not. erfasste is the weak Präteritum form in position two, and die Frage is accusative.
Erfass zuerst die wichtigsten Punkte.
First grasp the most important points.
zuerst means first and die wichtigsten Punkte means the most important points. Erfass is the informal singular imperative, and the object is accusative after erfassen.
Wenn du den Zusammenhang erfassen könntest, wäre alles leichter.
If you could understand the connection, everything would be easier.
der Zusammenhang means the connection and leichter means easier. In the wenn-clause, könntest is finite and erfassen goes to the end; den Zusammenhang is accusative.
Die Software wird die Daten automatisch erfassen.
The software will automatically record the data.
die Software means the software, die Daten means the data, and automatisch means automatically. wird is in position two and the infinitive erfassen goes to the end; die Daten is the accusative object.
Das Gerät erfasst die Temperatur.
The device records the temperature.
das Gerät means the device and die Temperatur means the temperature. die Temperatur is accusative because it is what the device records, and the finite verb erfasst is in position two.
Bitte erfassen Sie Ihre Kundennummer.
Please enter your customer number.
bitte means please, Ihre means your in the formal form, and die Kundennummer means the customer number. The polite imperative uses erfassen Sie, and Ihre Kundennummer is accusative.
die Erkenntnis — insight; realization; finding
Erkenntnis is a formal noun for an insight or realization, often based on thought, experience, or research. Its plural is Erkenntnisse, not Erkenntnisen.
Die Erkenntnis kam erst nach vielen Jahren.
The insight only came after many years.
erst means only or not until, and viele Jahre means many years. Die Erkenntnis is nominative because it is the subject; nach vielen Jahren is a time phrase with nach, which takes the dative.
Diese Erkenntnis verändert meine Sicht auf das Problem.
This insight changes my view of the problem.
verändern means to change, meine Sicht means my view, and das Problem means the problem. Diese Erkenntnis is accusative because verändert takes it as its direct object; auf das Problem uses the accusative because it specifies the target of the view.
Mit dieser Erkenntnis kann das Team besser arbeiten.
With this insight, the team can work better.
das Team means team, besser means better, and arbeiten means to work. Mit dieser Erkenntnis is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and arbeiten goes to the end.
Die Bedeutung der Erkenntnis wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of the insight is often underestimated.
die Bedeutung means importance, oft means often, and unterschätzen means to underestimate. Der Erkenntnis is genitive because it identifies whose importance is meant; wird ... unterschätzt is a passive construction with the Partizip II at the end.
Neue Erkenntnisse helfen bei der Lösung des Problems.
New insights help with solving the problem.
neu means new, helfen means to help, die Lösung means solution, and das Problem means problem. Neue Erkenntnisse is plural nominative because it is the subject, while bei der Lösung is dative after bei and des Problems is genitive inside the noun phrase.
innovativ — innovative, forward-thinking
innovativ describes ideas, products, or methods that use new and effective approaches. It is a regular adjective: innovativer means more innovative and am innovativsten means most innovative.
Die neue App ist sehr innovativ.
The new app is very innovative.
die neue App means the new app and sehr means very. innovativ is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das Unternehmen entwickelt eine innovative Lösung.
The company is developing an innovative solution.
das Unternehmen means the company, entwickelt means is developing, and eine Lösung means a solution. innovative comes before the feminine accusative noun Lösung and takes the adjective ending -e after eine; the finite verb entwickelt is in position two.
Diese Methode ist innovativer als die alte.
This method is more innovative than the old one.
diese Methode means this method and die alte means the old one. innovativer compares two methods and is followed by als, meaning than; after ist, the comparative adjective is predicative and has no extra ending.
Von allen Vorschlägen ist dieser am innovativsten.
Of all the suggestions, this one is the most innovative.
von allen Vorschlägen means of all the suggestions and dieser means this one. von takes the dative, and am innovativsten is the predicative superlative; because the prepositional phrase comes first, ist remains in position two.
lückenlos — complete, comprehensive, gapless
Lückenlos is an absolute adjective: it describes something as complete, without gaps. It is normally not compared, so there are no regular comparative or superlative forms in this entry.
Die Dokumentation ist lückenlos.
The documentation is complete.
die Dokumentation means the documentation. Lückenlos is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the subject and does not stand before a noun here.
Wir brauchen eine lückenlose Erklärung.
We need a complete explanation.
brauchen means to need, and die Erklärung means the explanation. Eine lückenlose Erklärung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, and the adjective has -e after eine.
Der neue Bericht ist lückenloser als der alte.
The new report is more complete than the old one.
der Bericht means the report, neu means new, and alt means old. Lückenloser is used here as a comparative before als; the adjective ending is -er because it follows ist only in the comparison form? More precisely, lückenloser is the predicative comparative and has no separate case ending.
Diese Liste ist am lückenlosesten.
This list is the most complete.
diese Liste means this list. Am lückenlosesten is the predicative superlative, built with am plus -sten; it does not take an attributive ending because it follows ist.
die Mentalität — mentality, mindset
die Mentalität is often used for the characteristic outlook of a group, region or culture, rather than for a temporary mood. It is a formal, abstract noun and commonly combines with kulturell or offen.
Die Mentalität der Stadt ist offen.
The mentality of the city is open-minded.
der Stadt means “of the city,” and offen means “open-minded.” Die Mentalität is nominative because it is the subject, while der Stadt is genitive and shows which city’s mentality is meant.
Viele Besucher kritisieren die Mentalität.
Many visitors criticise the mentality.
viele Besucher means “many visitors,” and kritisieren means “criticise.” Die Mentalität is accusative because kritisieren takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir müssen uns an die Mentalität gewöhnen.
We have to get used to the mentality.
wir müssen means “we have to,” and sich an etwas gewöhnen means “to get used to something.” Uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun, while an die Mentalität is accusative because this fixed expression uses an with the accusative.
Die Unterschiede der Mentalität sind deutlich.
The differences in mentality are clear.
die Unterschiede means “the differences,” deutlich means “clear,” and sind means “are.” Der Mentalität is genitive because it specifies what kind of differences are meant.
Unterschiedliche Mentalitäten treffen aufeinander.
Different mentalities meet and come into contact.
unterschiedliche means “different,” and aufeinandertreffen means “to meet or come into contact.” Mentalitäten is plural, and the separable verb aufeinandertreffen appears here with its finite part treffen in position two and aufeinander at the end.
Eine offene Mentalität hilft im internationalen Team.
An open-minded mentality helps in an international team.
eine offene means “an open-minded,” hilft means “helps,” and internationalen Team means “international team.” Eine offene Mentalität is nominative as the subject, while im internationalen Team is a location phrase with dative after in.
nachvollziehen — to understand, to follow; to trace, to reconstruct
Nachvollziehen means to understand how a thought, feeling, or decision makes sense, rather than merely to know a fact. It is separable: ich vollziehe ... nach, but its infinitive and Partizip II remain together; it takes haben in the perfect.
Ich vollziehe deine Entscheidung gut nach.
I can understand your decision well.
deine Entscheidung means your decision, and gut means well. Deine Entscheidung is accusative because nachvollziehen takes an object; the finite part vollziehe is in position two and the prefix nach goes to the end.
Wir haben seine Reaktion nicht nachvollzogen.
We could not understand his reaction.
seine Reaktion means his reaction, and nicht means not. Seine Reaktion is accusative because it is the object; the perfect uses haben, with nachvollzogen at the end, and the prefix is not split in the Partizip II.
Sie vollzog den Gedankengang schnell nach.
She quickly followed the line of thought.
den Gedankengang means the line of thought, and schnell means quickly. The object is accusative, while the strong past form vollzog stands in position two and nach moves to the end.
Vollzieh bitte meinen Gedankengang nach.
Please follow my line of thought.
bitte means please, and meinen Gedankengang means my line of thought. This is an informal singular command, so du is omitted; the prefix nach is separated and placed at the end.
Du könntest seine Enttäuschung besser nachvollziehen.
You could understand his disappointment better.
seine Enttäuschung means his disappointment, and besser means better. The object is accusative, and after the modal könntest the infinitive nachvollziehen stays together at the end; this is why the prefix is not separated.
Sie wird die Gründe bald nachvollziehen.
She will soon understand the reasons.
die Gründe means the reasons, and bald means soon. Die Gründe is accusative as the object; in the future, wird is in position two and the complete infinitive nachvollziehen goes to the end.
Die Polizei konnte den Weg des Täters nachvollziehen.
The police were able to retrace the perpetrator’s route.
die Polizei means the police, der Täter means the perpetrator, and der Weg means the route. Den Weg des Täters is accusative as the object, with a genitive phrase meaning “of the perpetrator”; after konnte, the infinitive stays together at the end.
Anhand der Daten lässt sich die Entwicklung nachvollziehen.
The development can be traced using the data.
anhand der Daten means using the data, die Entwicklung means the development, and lässt sich means can be. Der Daten is genitive after anhand, and the infinitive nachvollziehen stands at the end in this impersonal construction.
objektiv — objective, impartial
Objektiv can describe a judgment based on facts, or a person who tries not to let personal feelings influence a judgment. The opposite is subjektiv.
Die Bewertung ist objektiv.
The assessment is objective.
die Bewertung means assessment, and sein means to be. Objektiv is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; die Bewertung is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir brauchen eine objektive Einschätzung.
We need an objective assessment.
brauchen means to need, and die Einschätzung means assessment or evaluation. Eine objektive Einschätzung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e because it follows the indefinite article eine in the feminine accusative.
Dieser Bericht ist objektiver als der vorige.
This report is more objective than the previous one.
dieser Bericht means this report, and der vorige means the previous one. Objektiver is a predicative comparative after ist and therefore has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Sie versucht, die objektivste Lösung zu finden.
She is trying to find the most objective solution.
versuchen means to try, die Lösung means solution, and finden means to find. Die objektivste Lösung is accusative because it is the object of finden; the adjective takes -ste before the noun, and zu finden goes to the end of the infinitive clause.
Ein guter Journalist muss objektiv bleiben.
A good journalist must remain objective.
der Journalist means journalist, gut means good, müssen means must, and bleiben means to remain. Objektiv is predicative after bleiben and has no ending; after the modal verb muss, the infinitive bleiben stands at the end.
radikal — radical, extreme; far-reaching; radical, politically extreme
Radikal can describe an extreme action or a far-reaching change, not only politics. Its comparison is regular: radikaler, am radikalsten.
Der Vorschlag ist radikal.
The proposal is radical.
der Vorschlag means the proposal. Radikal is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Sie plant eine radikale Änderung.
She is planning a radical change.
plant means is planning, and die Änderung means the change. Eine radikale Änderung is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the adjective has -e after the indefinite article in feminine accusative.
Diese Lösung ist radikaler als die alte.
This solution is more radical than the old one.
diese Lösung means this solution, and die alte means the old one. Radikaler compares two solutions and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no ending.
Das war die radikalste Änderung des Jahres.
That was the most radical change of the year.
das war means that was, and des Jahres means of the year. Before the feminine noun, the superlative is radikalste with an adjective ending; des Jahres is genitive and shows the time period.
Die radikale Partei fordert mehr direkte Demokratie.
The radical party is calling for more direct democracy.
die Partei means the party, fordert means demands or calls for, and direkte Demokratie means direct democracy. Die radikale Partei is nominative as the subject, while mehr direkte Demokratie is accusative as the object of fordert; the finite verb is in position two.
Viele Menschen lehnen radikale Ideen ab.
Many people reject radical ideas.
viele Menschen means many people, Ideen means ideas, and ablehnen means to reject. Radikale Ideen is accusative after ablehnen; the separable verb has lehnen in position two and ab at the end.
radikal — radically, drastically
As an adverb, radikal describes an action that goes to the root of a problem or is very drastic. It does not change its form.
Die Stadt will den Verkehr radikal verändern.
The city wants to change traffic radically.
die Stadt means the city, der Verkehr means traffic, and verändern means to change. Radikal modifies verändern; after will, the other verb stays in the infinitive at the end of the clause.
Das neue Gesetz senkt die Kosten radikal.
The new law cuts costs drastically.
das neue Gesetz means the new law, senken means to lower or cut, and die Kosten means the costs. Radikal describes the extent of senkt and comes at the end here; the finite verb senkt is in position two.
scheinbar — apparent, seeming
scheinbar means that something only appears to be true; it does not mean wirklich, really. Do not confuse scheinbar with anscheinend: scheinbar often suggests that the appearance is misleading.
Der scheinbare Erfolg war schnell vorbei.
The apparent success was soon over.
der Erfolg means the success, and schnell vorbei means over quickly. scheinbare is attributive and takes a masculine nominative ending because it describes der Erfolg; the finite verb war is in position two.
Sie feierte einen scheinbaren Sieg.
She celebrated an apparent victory.
feierte means celebrated, and der Sieg is the victory. einen scheinbaren Sieg is accusative because feiern takes a direct object, so the adjective has the masculine accusative ending -en.
Die Lösung wirkt scheinbarer als das Problem.
The solution seems more apparent than the problem.
die Lösung is the solution, wirken means to seem or appear, and das Problem is the problem. scheinbarer is comparative and follows wirkt in a comparison with als; die Lösung is nominative because it is the subject.
Am scheinbarsten war seine Ruhe.
His calmness seemed the most apparent.
seine Ruhe means his calmness. am scheinbarsten is the superlative used predicatively, and war comes in position two while seine Ruhe is the nominative subject.
scheinbar — apparently, seemingly
As an adverb, scheinbar does not take adjective endings: it stays unchanged before an adjective, verb, or whole clause. It often signals that the appearance may be false, unlike wirklich, really.
Er löste die Aufgabe scheinbar mühelos.
He solved the task seemingly effortlessly.
löste means solved, die Aufgabe is the task, and mühelos means effortlessly. The adverb scheinbar modifies the whole manner of solving; die Aufgabe is accusative because lösen takes a direct object.
Der Zug kam scheinbar zufällig zur gleichen Zeit an.
The train apparently arrived at the same time by chance.
der Zug means the train, zufällig means by chance, and zur gleichen Zeit means at the same time. kam ... an is the separable verb ankommen: the finite part is in position two and an goes to the end; scheinbar means that this is only how it appeared.
die These — thesis, claim, proposition
In academic contexts, These is a claim supported by reasons or evidence, not necessarily a completed academic thesis. A common phrase is eine These aufstellen, meaning to put forward a claim.
Die These ist umstritten.
The thesis is controversial.
umstritten means controversial. Die These is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Der Autor erklärt die These.
The author explains the thesis.
der Autor means the author and erklärt means explains. Die These is accusative because erklären takes a direct object; erklärt is in position two.
Wir widersprechen der These.
We contradict the thesis.
widersprechen means contradict or disagree with. Der These is dative because widersprechen always takes a dative object, not an accusative one.
Die Begründung der These fehlt.
The justification for the thesis is missing.
die Begründung means the justification and fehlt means is missing. Der These is genitive because it identifies which justification is meant; fehlt is in position two.
Die Thesen der Forscher sind überzeugend.
The researchers' theses are convincing.
der Forscher means of the researchers and überzeugend means convincing. Thesen is nominative plural as the subject; der Forscher is genitive to show possession.
verdrängen — to push out; to suppress; to repress; to suppress
For the physical meaning, verdrängen takes an accusative object: jemanden or etwas verdrängen. In the psychological meaning, it often means consciously or unconsciously refusing to think about something.
Neue Geschäfte verdrängen die kleinen Läden.
New businesses are pushing the small shops out.
neue Geschäfte means new businesses, and kleine Läden means small shops. die kleinen Läden is accusative because verdrängen takes a direct object, while the finite verb verdrängen stands in position two.
Der Onlinehandel hat viele Fachgeschäfte verdrängt.
Online retail has pushed many specialist shops out.
der Onlinehandel means online retail, and Fachgeschäfte are specialist shops. viele Fachgeschäfte is accusative because it is the object of verdrängt; hat is in position two and verdrängt goes to the end.
Der Konzern verdrängte die Konkurrenz aus der Region.
The corporation drove the competition out of the region.
der Konzern means the corporation, die Konkurrenz means the competition, and die Region means the region. die Konkurrenz is accusative because verdrängte takes a direct object, while aus takes the dative here for the place something is removed from.
Verdräng deine Sorgen nicht.
Do not suppress your worries.
deine Sorgen means your worries, and nicht means not. deine Sorgen is accusative because it is the object of the imperative verdräng; the negative word usually comes after the object in this short command.
Sie verdrängte die Erinnerung, als wäre nichts passiert.
She repressed the memory as if nothing had happened.
die Erinnerung means the memory, and als wäre nichts passiert means as if nothing had happened. The clause is an unreal comparison: wäre is Konjunktiv II, while die Erinnerung is accusative as the object of verdrängte.
Die Technik wird alte Berufe verdrängen.
Technology will push old occupations out.
die Technik means technology, and alte Berufe means old occupations. alte Berufe is accusative because it is the object of verdrängen; wird occupies position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Er verdrängt, dass er einen Fehler gemacht hat.
He is repressing the fact that he made a mistake.
einen Fehler gemacht means made a mistake, and dass introduces a that-clause. The whole dass-clause is the object of verdrängt, and its finite verb hat goes to the end.
Viele Menschen verdrängen ihre Angst vor Veränderungen.
Many people suppress their fear of change.
viele Menschen means many people, ihre Angst means their fear, and Veränderungen means changes. ihre Angst is accusative because it is the object of verdrängen; vor takes the dative here, with Veränderungen in the plural.
vereinbar — compatible; reconcilable; lawful; acceptable
The common pattern is mit etwas vereinbar sein, meaning to be compatible with something. The opposite is unvereinbar, meaning incompatible or irreconcilable.
Die beiden Ziele sind vereinbar.
The two goals are compatible.
beide Ziele means both goals, and sind means are. vereinbar is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the adjective describes the nominative subject die beiden Ziele.
Wir brauchen eine vereinbare Lösung für beide Seiten.
We need a solution that works for both sides.
eine Lösung means a solution, beide Seiten means both sides, and brauchen means need. eine vereinbare Lösung is accusative because it is the object of brauchen, so the adjective has the feminine ending -e.
Flexible Arbeitszeiten sind mit dem Studium vereinbarer.
Flexible working hours are more compatible with studying.
flexible Arbeitszeiten means flexible working hours, and das Studium means studying or a university course. vereinbarer is predicative after sind; mit dem Studium is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Diese Regelung ist am vereinbarsten mit unseren Werten.
This arrangement is the most compatible with our values.
diese Regelung means this arrangement, and unsere Werte means our values. am vereinbarsten is a predicative superlative, while mit unseren Werten is dative because mit requires the dative.
Die Entscheidung ist nicht mit dem Gesetz vereinbar.
The decision is not compatible with the law.
die Entscheidung means the decision, nicht means not, and das Gesetz means the law. vereinbar is predicative after ist, and mit dem Gesetz is dative because mit requires the dative.
Die Maßnahme muss mit den Grundrechten vereinbar sein.
The measure must be compatible with fundamental rights.
die Maßnahme means the measure, muss means must, and Grundrechte means fundamental rights. mit den Grundrechten is dative after mit; with the modal verb muss, the infinitive vereinbar sein goes to the end.
verhältnismäßig — proportionate; reasonable in relation to something
As an adjective, verhältnismäßig describes something that is proportionate or reasonable in relation to the circumstances. It is also often used before an adjective to mean “relatively,” but that use is treated as the adverb entry.
Die Strafe ist verhältnismäßig.
The punishment is proportionate.
die Strafe means “the punishment,” and ist means “is.” Verhältnismäßig is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das Gericht verhängte eine verhältnismäßige Strafe.
The court imposed a proportionate punishment.
das Gericht means “the court,” and verhängte means “imposed.” Eine verhältnismäßige Strafe is an accusative object of verhängte, so the adjective takes the ending -e after eine.
Diese Reaktion ist verhältnismäßiger als die erste.
This reaction is more proportionate than the first one.
diese Reaktion means “this reaction,” and die erste means “the first one.” Verhältnismäßiger is a predicative comparative after ist; als introduces the thing it is compared with.
Von allen Lösungen ist diese am verhältnismäßigsten.
Of all the solutions, this one is the most proportionate.
von allen Lösungen means “of all the solutions,” and diese means “this one.” The superlative uses am before the adjective, and von takes the dative plural allen Lösungen.
verwirklichen — to realize, fulfil, make come true; to implement, carry out
This verb is commonly used with Traum, Wunsch, Plan or Idee. It takes haben in the perfect, and its prefix ver- is inseparable, so the verb is never split.
Sie verwirklicht ihren großen Traum.
She is making her big dream come true.
groß means big and Traum means dream. Ihren großen Traum is accusative because verwirklichen takes a direct object; the finite verb verwirklicht stands in position two.
Er hat seinen Plan verwirklicht.
He carried out his plan.
Plan means plan and seinen means his. Seinen Plan is accusative because it is the object; the auxiliary hat stands in position two and the Partizip II verwirklicht goes to the end.
Die Architektin verwirklichte ihre ungewöhnliche Idee.
The architect realized her unusual idea.
Architektin means female architect, ungewöhnlich means unusual, and Idee means idea. Ihre ungewöhnliche Idee is accusative because it is the object; the weak past form verwirklichte stands in position two.
Verwirkliche deinen Wunsch Schritt für Schritt.
Make your wish come true step by step.
Wunsch means wish and Schritt für Schritt means step by step. Verwirkliche is the du imperative, so the subject is understood; deinen Wunsch is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich würde diesen Vorschlag gern verwirklichen.
I would gladly put this suggestion into practice.
Vorschlag means suggestion and gern means gladly. Diesen Vorschlag is accusative because it is the object; würde stands in position two and the infinitive verwirklichen goes to the end.
Das Team wird sein Ziel bald verwirklichen.
The team will soon achieve its goal.
Team means team, Ziel means goal, and bald means soon. Sein Ziel is accusative because it is the object; wird is in position two and the infinitive verwirklichen goes to the end.
Die Gemeinde verwirklicht ein neues Verkehrskonzept.
The municipality is implementing a new transport concept.
Gemeinde means municipality, neu means new, and Verkehrskonzept means transport concept or traffic plan. Ein neues Verkehrskonzept is accusative because it is the object; the finite verb verwirklicht stands in position two.
Nach langen Gesprächen konnte das Projekt verwirklicht werden.
After long discussions, the project could be implemented.
nach langen Gesprächen means after long discussions, konnte means could, and Gespräche means discussions. The passive subject das Projekt is nominative, while verwirklicht is the Partizip II at the end before werden; with the modal konnte, the verb group forms a special end bracket.
die Verwirklichung — realization, fulfilment, implementation; personal fulfilment
This noun can describe making a personal dream real or carrying out a concrete project or reform. The more formal meaning ‘implementation’ is especially common in administrative and professional texts.
Die Verwirklichung des Projekts dauerte mehrere Jahre.
The realization of the project took several years.
Projekt means project, dauern means to take time, and mehrere Jahre means several years. Die Verwirklichung is nominative as the subject, while des Projekts is genitive; the finite verb dauerte stands in position two.
Wir unterstützen die Verwirklichung dieses Plans.
We support the realization of this plan.
unterstützen means support and Plan means plan. Die Verwirklichung is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; dieses Plans is genitive and means of this plan.
Mit der Verwirklichung seines Traums begann er sofort.
He began immediately to make his dream come true.
mit means with or through, Traum means dream, and sofort means immediately. Mit forces the dative, so the feminine form is der Verwirklichung; the prepositional phrase comes first, causing the subject er to follow the finite verb begann.
Die Chancen der Verwirklichung sind heute besser.
The chances of realization are better today.
Chancen means chances, heute means today, and besser means better. Der Verwirklichung is genitive because it specifies what the chances concern; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Viele Verwirklichungen brauchen Zeit und Geduld.
Many realizations require time and patience.
viele means many, brauchen means require, and Geduld means patience. Verwirklichungen is the plural subject, while Zeit und Geduld are accusative objects of brauchen; the finite verb agrees with the plural subject.
Für viele Menschen bedeutet Arbeit auch Verwirklichung.
For many people, work also means personal fulfilment.
viele Menschen means many people, bedeuten means mean, and Arbeit means work. Für viele Menschen is accusative because für forces the accusative; Verwirklichung is a noun used without an article in an abstract general meaning.
Kreative Aufgaben geben ihr Raum zur Verwirklichung.
Creative tasks give her room for personal fulfilment.
kreative Aufgaben means creative tasks, geben means give, ihr means to her, and Raum means room or space. Ihr is dative because geben gives something to someone, and zur Verwirklichung means zu der Verwirklichung, a fixed phrase for room to fulfil oneself.
das Vorgehen — approach, procedure
das Vorgehen means the way of dealing with a task or problem. It is usually an abstract mass noun and normally has no plural; for several methods, German often uses die Vorgehensweisen.
Das Vorgehen der Polizei war sehr professionell.
The police procedure was very professional.
die Polizei means the police, and professionell means professional. Das Vorgehen der Polizei is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Ich kritisiere das Vorgehen der Firma.
I criticise the company’s approach.
kritisieren means to criticise, and die Firma means the company. Das Vorgehen is accusative because it is the object of kritisiere; der Firma is genitive and means ‘of the company’.
Mit diesem Vorgehen sparen wir viel Zeit.
With this approach, we save a lot of time.
mit diesem means with this, and sparen means save. The preposition mit forces the dative, so diesem Vorgehen is dative; the finite verb sparen is in position two.
Die Vorteile des Vorgehens sind klar.
The advantages of the approach are clear.
die Vorteile means the advantages, and klar means clear. Des Vorgehens is genitive after die Vorteile and means ‘of the approach’; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject die Vorteile.
Dieses Vorgehen funktioniert in vielen Situationen.
This approach works in many situations.
funktionieren means to work or function, and vielen Situationen means many situations. In vielen Situationen is a location phrase with the dative; das Vorgehen is normally used only in the singular, so this example shows the singular form in a plural-containing sentence.