Appearance
Vocab: Time — A1 (1)
Time vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Abend — evening
Use am Abend for “in the evening” and Guten Abend as a greeting. Abend is normally later than Nachmittag and before Nacht.
Der Abend ist ruhig.
The evening is quiet.
ruhig means “quiet”. Der Abend is the nominative subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich mag den Abend.
I like the evening.
mag means “like”. den Abend is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Am Abend lese ich ein Buch.
In the evening, I read a book.
am Abend means “in the evening”, and lese means “read”. am is short for an dem, so Abend is dative; because the time phrase comes first, lese is in position two.
Die Ruhe des Abends gefällt mir.
I like the quiet of the evening.
die Ruhe means “the quiet”, and gefällt mir means “pleases me” or “I like it”. des Abends is genitive because it means “of the evening”; mir is dative with gefallen.
Die Abende im Sommer sind lang.
The summer evenings are long.
im Sommer means “in summer”, and lang means “long”. Abende is a plural nominative subject, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
abends — in the evening, evenings
abends usually describes a repeated or general time, while heute Abend means this evening. It is written with a lowercase letter unless it begins a sentence.
Ich lese abends ein Buch.
I read a book in the evening.
lesen means read and ein Buch means a book. abends is a time adverb and does not change its form; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Abends sind die Straßen ruhig.
In the evenings, the streets are quiet.
die Straßen means the streets and ruhig means quiet. Abends is at the beginning to set the time, so the finite verb sind comes next in position two; die Straßen remains nominative as the subject.
alt — old; former; old (no longer current)
Alt describes age or long existence. Its comparison changes the vowel: alt – älter – am ältesten; for people, alt is neutral and not automatically rude.
Mein Großvater ist alt.
My grandfather is old.
mein Großvater means my grandfather. Alt is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das ist ein altes Haus.
That is an old house.
das Haus means the house. Altes stands before the noun and takes -es because ein does not show the neuter nominative ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Meine Schwester ist älter als ich.
My sister is older than I am.
meine Schwester means my sister, and ich means I. Älter is the comparative and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective it has no ending.
Dieser Baum ist der älteste im Park.
This tree is the oldest in the park.
dieser Baum means this tree, and im Park means in the park. Älteste is the superlative before a noun and takes -e after der; the place phrase im Park is dative after in.
Mein alter Chef arbeitet jetzt in Hamburg.
My former boss now works in Hamburg.
mein Chef means my boss, arbeitet means works, and jetzt means now. Alter means former here, not necessarily elderly; it has the masculine nominative ending -er after mein, and arbeitet is in position two.
Sie besucht ihre alte Schule manchmal.
She sometimes visits her old school.
besucht means visits, ihre Schule means her school, and manchmal means sometimes. Ihre alte Schule is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; alte has the feminine accusative ending -e after ihre.
das Alter — age; old age
To ask someone's age, German normally uses Wie alt bist du?, literally “How old are you?”, rather than a direct question with Alter. Alter can also mean old age, depending on the context.
Das Alter ist nicht wichtig.
Age is not important.
wichtig means important, and nicht means not. Das Alter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne das Alter meines Bruders.
I know my brother's age.
kenne means know, and meines Bruders means my brother's. Das Alter is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; meines Bruders is genitive because it shows whose age it is.
Mit dem Alter kommen neue Erfahrungen.
As one gets older, new experiences come.
mit means with or as, kommen means come, and neue Erfahrungen means new experiences. Dem Alter is dative because mit always governs the dative; the verb kommen stands in position two after the introductory phrase.
Wegen des Alters arbeitet er weniger.
Because of his age, he works less.
wegen means because of, arbeitet means works, and weniger means less. Des Alters is genitive because wegen traditionally governs the genitive; the subject er comes after the introductory phrase and the finite verb arbeitet is still in position two.
Menschen jeden Alters können teilnehmen.
People of every age can take part.
Menschen means people, jeden means every, and teilnehmen means take part. Here Alters is a genitive form expressing “of every age”; although this example uses the genitive singular, the plural Alter is used only in special contexts, not for ordinary ages.
Sie möchte bis ins hohe Alter reisen.
She wants to travel until she is very old.
möchte means would like, reisen means travel, and hoch means high or advanced here. Ins hohe Alter is a fixed expression meaning until old age; ins is short for in das, and reisen goes to the end after the modal expression.
Im Alter braucht man manchmal mehr Hilfe.
In old age, people sometimes need more help.
braucht means needs, manchmal means sometimes, and mehr Hilfe means more help. Im Alter is short for in dem Alter and is dative because in describes a period or situation here; the finite verb braucht stands in position two.
der Anfang — beginning, start
Der Anfang is used for the first part of an event or process. The common phrase am Anfang means at the beginning, while von Anfang an means from the very beginning.
Der Anfang des Films ist sehr lustig.
The beginning of the film is very funny.
der Film is the film and lustig means funny. Der Anfang is nominative because it is the subject, while des Films is genitive and means of the film; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne den Anfang der Geschichte.
I know the beginning of the story.
kenne means know and die Geschichte is the story. den Anfang is accusative because kennen takes a direct object, while der Geschichte is genitive and means of the story.
Am Anfang war alles neu.
At the beginning, everything was new.
am Anfang means at the beginning, and alles means everything. am is short for an dem and forces dative here; because the phrase is in position one, the finite verb war comes before the subject.
Wir erinnern uns an den Beginn, aber nicht an den Anfang des Gesprächs.
We remember the beginning, but not the start of the conversation.
sich erinnern means remember, der Beginn is the beginning, and das Gespräch is the conversation. The phrase des Gesprächs is genitive and means of the conversation; an den Anfang is accusative because this fixed expression uses an with an accusative object.
Die Anfänge des Projekts waren schwierig.
The beginnings of the project were difficult.
das Projekt is the project and schwierig means difficult. Die Anfänge is plural and is the nominative subject, while des Projekts is genitive and means of the project; the plural form has an umlaut and -e.
der April — April
Month names are usually used without an article after a preposition: im April means in April. April is normally singular-only because a calendar month is a unique period of time.
Der April ist oft wechselhaft.
April is often changeable.
oft means often, and wechselhaft means changeable, especially with changing weather. Der April is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist is in position two.
Ich mag den April.
I like April.
mag means like. Den April is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den in the accusative.
Im April blühen viele Blumen.
Many flowers bloom in April.
blühen means bloom, and viele Blumen means many flowers. Im April means in April; in takes the dative here because this is a time expression, and the verb follows the phrase in position two.
Das Wetter des Aprils ist manchmal kalt.
The weather in April is sometimes cold.
Das Wetter means the weather, and manchmal kalt means sometimes cold. Des Aprils is genitive after das Wetter to specify the month; the verb ist agrees with das Wetter.
der Arbeitstag — working day; workday; working day; hours worked in a day
Arbeitstag means a day spent working, while Werktag often means a weekday or business day, including days when a person may not personally work. The plural is Arbeitstage, not Arbeitstags.
Der Arbeitstag beginnt um acht Uhr.
The working day starts at eight o’clock.
beginnen means to start and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Arbeitstag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich habe heute einen langen Arbeitstag.
I have a long working day today.
heute means today and lang means long. Arbeitstag is accusative because haben takes a direct object; after einen, the adjective has the ending -en, and the finite verb habe stands in position two.
Nach dem Arbeitstag bin ich müde.
I am tired after the working day.
nach means after and müde means tired. Arbeitstag is dative because nach always takes the dative; bin is in position two and müde completes the clause.
Das Ende des Arbeitstages ist um fünf Uhr.
The end of the working day is at five o’clock.
das Ende means the end and um fünf Uhr means at five o’clock. Arbeitstages is genitive after das Ende to show which end; the masculine genitive uses des and -es, while ist stands in position two.
Die Arbeitstage sind diese Woche sehr lang.
The working days are very long this week.
diese Woche means this week and sehr lang means very long. Arbeitstage is plural because there is more than one working day; the plural subject takes sind, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Mein Arbeitstag dauert normalerweise acht Stunden.
My working day normally lasts eight hours.
normalerweise means normally and dauern means to last. Arbeitstag is nominative as the subject, and dauert stands in position two; acht Stunden gives the duration.
Der flexible Arbeitstag endet manchmal schon um drei.
The flexible working day sometimes ends as early as three.
flexibel means flexible, manchmal means sometimes, and schon means as early as or already. Arbeitstag is nominative because it is the subject, and endet stands in position two; um drei means at three o’clock.
die Armbanduhr — wristwatch
Die Armbanduhr ist kaputt.
The wristwatch is broken.
kaputt means broken. Die Armbanduhr is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine neue Armbanduhr.
I am buying a new wristwatch.
kaufen means to buy and neu means new. Eine neue Armbanduhr is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, and the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Er gibt seiner Tochter eine Armbanduhr.
He gives his daughter a wristwatch.
geben means to give, and seiner Tochter means his daughter. Seiner Tochter is dative because she receives the watch, while eine Armbanduhr is accusative as the thing given.
Das Glas der Armbanduhr ist zerkratzt.
The glass of the wristwatch is scratched.
das Glas means the glass, and zerkratzt means scratched. Der Armbanduhr is genitive because it identifies whose glass is meant; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Die Armbanduhren liegen im Schaufenster.
The wristwatches are in the shop window.
liegen means to lie or be displayed, and das Schaufenster means the shop window. Die Armbanduhren is plural and nominative as the subject; im Schaufenster means in dem Schaufenster and marks location.
der Augenblick — moment
der Augenblick means a short period of time, usually translated as “moment.” The phrase einen Augenblick is commonly used to ask someone to wait briefly, and the plural is die Augenblicke.
Der Augenblick war sehr schön.
The moment was very beautiful.
war means “was,” and sehr schön means “very beautiful.” Der Augenblick is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Warte bitte einen Augenblick.
Please wait a moment.
warte means “wait,” and bitte means “please.” einen Augenblick is accusative because a short period of time is used as a duration expression; the imperative verb comes first.
Ich helfe dir in einem Augenblick.
I will help you in a moment.
ich helfe dir means “I help you,” and in einem Augenblick means “in a moment.” einem Augenblick is dative because in has a time expression here; dir is also dative because helfen requires a dative person.
Die Ruhe des Augenblicks tat mir gut.
The calm of the moment did me good.
die Ruhe means “the calm,” tat mir gut means “did me good,” and gut means “well or good.” des Augenblicks is genitive because it means “of the moment,” while mir is dative for the person who benefits.
Manchmal sind kleine Augenblicke besonders wertvoll.
Sometimes small moments are especially valuable.
manchmal means “sometimes,” kleine means “small,” and wertvoll means “valuable.” Augenblicke is a plural subject, so the verb is sind; the adjective takes -e after the plural form without an article.
der August — August
August is a month name and is normally used without a plural. With a date or time, im August means in August.
Der August ist oft heiß.
August is often hot.
oft means often, and heiß means hot. Der August is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den August.
I like August.
mögen means to like. Den August is accusative because mag takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im August fahren wir ans Meer.
In August we go to the seaside.
im means in the, and ans Meer means to the seaside. Im August is dative because in refers to a fixed time here; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Ferien des Augusts sind lang.
The August holidays are long.
die Ferien means the holidays, and lang means long. Des Augusts is genitive because it identifies which holidays; sind is in position two.
bald — soon
Bald means soon, not “bald” in English. It refers to a relatively short time in the future and does not change its form.
Ich komme bald zurück.
I will be back soon.
komme ... zurück means come back. Bald is an adverb of time and can stand after the subject; the finite verb komme is in position two, while the separable part zurück goes to the end.
Bis bald!
See you soon!
Bis bald is a fixed farewell meaning see you soon. Bald is an adverb and does not change form; the expression is short because the full sentence is understood.
danach — afterwards, after that; accordingly, according to that
danach usually refers back to an event or action already mentioned. Do not confuse it with davor, which means before that.
Wir essen zuerst, danach sehen wir einen Film.
We will eat first, and afterwards we will watch a film.
zuerst means first, and einen Film sehen means to watch a film. danach is an adverb of time; it can stand in position one, so the finite verb sehen comes directly after it in position two.
Danach war ich sehr müde.
After that, I was very tired.
müde means tired, and sehr means very. At the beginning of the main clause, Danach occupies position one and the finite verb war remains in position two.
Wir richten uns danach, was der Arzt sagt.
We will act according to what the doctor says.
sich nach etwas richten means to follow or be guided by something, and der Arzt is the doctor. danach refers to the following information, while was der Arzt sagt is a subordinate clause with the finite verb sagt at the end.
Der Termin steht noch nicht fest; wir entscheiden danach.
The appointment is not fixed yet; we will decide accordingly.
der Termin means the appointment, noch nicht feststehen means not to be fixed yet, and entscheiden means to decide. danach means according to the situation just mentioned and comes at the end of the second main clause.
dann — then; at that time
Dann can mean then in a sequence or at a previously mentioned time. At the beginning of a main clause, it occupies the first position and the finite verb follows immediately.
Ich mache zuerst die Hausaufgaben, dann spiele ich.
First I do my homework, then I play.
zuerst means first, die Hausaufgaben means homework, and spiele means play. Dann is a time adverb; when it begins the second clause, the finite verb spiele comes directly after it in position two.
Bis dann!
See you then!
bis means until, so Bis dann literally refers to the time until then. This is a fixed farewell expression, and dann is an adverb rather than a noun or a preposition.
das Datum — date
das Datum means a calendar date, not a romantic meeting; that meaning is usually das Date in modern German. Its plural is die Daten, while die Daten can also mean data.
Das Datum steht oben auf dem Brief.
The date is at the top of the letter.
oben means at the top and der Brief means the letter. Das Datum is nominative because it is the subject, and steht stands in position two.
Ich schreibe das Datum auf.
I write down the date.
schreibe ... auf means write down. das Datum is accusative because it is the direct object of aufschreiben; the separable prefix auf goes to the end of the main clause.
Auf dem Datum steht ein Fehler.
There is an error in the date.
auf means on or in here, and ein Fehler means an error. dem Datum is dative because auf describes a fixed location in this sentence; the verb steht is in position two.
Die Schreibweise des Datums ist falsch.
The way the date is written is wrong.
die Schreibweise means the way of writing, and falsch means wrong. des Datums is genitive because it means of the date; Datum takes -s in the genitive.
Bitte vergleichen Sie die beiden Daten.
Please compare the two dates.
vergleichen means compare and beiden means two or both. Daten is plural accusative because it is the object of vergleichen; the same form Daten can also mean data, so context matters.
der Dezember — December
Month names are masculine and are usually used without an article after im, meaning in the month. They are normally not plural, but die Dezember is possible when comparing different years.
Der Dezember ist oft kalt.
December is often cold.
ist means is and oft kalt means often cold. Der Dezember is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den Dezember wegen der Feiertage.
I like December because of the holidays.
mag means like, wegen means because of, and die Feiertage means holidays. Den Dezember is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; wegen der Feiertage gives the reason.
Im Dezember wird es früh dunkel.
In December it gets dark early.
früh means early and dunkel means dark. Im Dezember is dative because in means a time when something happens and therefore takes the dative; the finite verb wird stands in position two.
Die Kälte des Dezembers überrascht mich.
The coldness of December surprises me.
die Kälte means coldness and überrascht means surprises. Des Dezembers is genitive because it identifies whose coldness it is; mich is accusative because it is the object of überraschen.
Die Dezember in den letzten Jahren waren mild.
The Decembers in recent years were mild.
in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, and mild means mild or not very cold. Dezember is plural here, even though it looks like the singular; waren is plural because the months are the subject.
der Dienstag — Tuesday
The weekday names are masculine and normally occur with am, meaning on, for a specific day. In everyday speech, Dienstag is often used without an article after jeden or nächsten.
Dienstag ist mein Lieblingstag.
Tuesday is my favourite day.
mein Lieblingstag means my favourite day. Dienstag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den Dienstag besonders gern.
I particularly like Tuesday.
besonders gern means particularly gladly or especially. den Dienstag is accusative because mögen takes a direct object, and mag is in position two.
Am Dienstag habe ich einen Arzttermin.
I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday.
am Dienstag means on Tuesday, and ein Arzttermin is a doctor's appointment. am is an dem and forces the dative; habe is the finite verb in position two.
Der Beginn des Dienstags war ruhig.
The beginning of Tuesday was quiet.
der Beginn means the beginning, and ruhig means quiet. des Dienstags is genitive because it identifies whose beginning it is; the genitive ending -s is easy to miss.
Die Dienstage im Sommer sind lang.
The Tuesdays in summer are long.
im Sommer means in summer, and lang means long. Die Dienstage is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural has -e and an umlaut.
Am Dienstag lerne ich Deutsch.
On Tuesday I study German.
lerne ich Deutsch means I study German. Am Dienstag is a dative time expression, and because it comes first, the finite verb lerne still stays in position two.
diesmal — this time
Diesmal is written as one word and means dieses Mal, “this time.” Do not confuse it with damals, which means “back then” or “at that time in the past.”
Diesmal komme ich pünktlich.
This time I’m arriving on time.
komme means am coming and pünktlich means on time. Diesmal is a time adverb in position one, so the finite verb komme comes directly after it in position two.
Wir nehmen diesmal den Zug.
This time we’re taking the train.
nehmen means take and der Zug means the train. Diesmal is an adverb and does not change form; den Zug is accusative because it is the direct object of nehmen.
der Donnerstag — Thursday
Days of the week are masculine nouns. For a regular weekly time, use am Donnerstag; for repeated events, jeden Donnerstag means “every Thursday.”
Der Donnerstag ist mein Lieblingstag.
Thursday is my favourite day.
mein Lieblingstag means “my favourite day.” Der Donnerstag is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich mag den Donnerstag.
I like Thursday.
mag means “like.” Den Donnerstag is accusative because it is the object of mögen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Am Donnerstag habe ich frei.
I have the day off on Thursday.
am is an dem, meaning “on the,” and habe ich frei means “I have the day off.” The preposition an takes the dative for a fixed time, so Donnerstag is dative after am.
Die Hälfte des Donnerstags war stressig.
Half of Thursday was stressful.
die Hälfte means “half,” and stressig means “stressful.” Des Donnerstags is genitive because it means “of Thursday”; the verb war is in position two.
Die Donnerstage sind bei uns ruhig.
Thursdays are quiet where we live.
bei uns means “where we live/with us,” and ruhig means “quiet.” Die Donnerstage is plural nominative as the subject, and the noun adds -e in the plural.
donnerstags — on Thursdays
The ending -s turns Donnerstag into a regular time adverb meaning on Thursdays. Do not confuse it with am Donnerstag, which usually refers to one particular Thursday.
Donnerstags spiele ich Fußball.
On Thursdays I play football.
Fußball means football or soccer. Donnerstags means on Thursdays and usually describes a regular habit; it stands at the start here, so the finite verb spiele comes in position two.
Wir essen donnerstags zusammen.
We eat together on Thursdays.
zusammen means together. Donnerstags gives the regular time, while wir is the subject; the finite verb essen remains in position two, and the adverb can also stand later in the sentence.
einmal — once, one time
Einmal can state frequency, as in once, or soften a request in spoken German. In the expression auf einmal, it means suddenly or all at once.
Ich war einmal in Berlin.
I was in Berlin once.
war means was, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Einmal is an adverb of frequency and does not change; the finite verb war is in position two.
Komm einmal her, bitte.
Come over here for a moment, please.
komm her means come over here, and bitte means please. Here einmal softens the informal imperative rather than literally meaning once; the command starts with the verb.
das Ende — end; ending
Das Ende is a noun and is written with a capital letter. Do not confuse it with lowercase ende, which can be a verb form of enden.
Das Ende des Films ist traurig.
The end of the film is sad.
der Film means film and traurig means sad. Das Ende is nominative because it is the subject; des Films is genitive and means of the film.
Wir sehen das Ende der Geschichte.
We see the end of the story.
sehen means to see and die Geschichte means story. Das Ende is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; der Geschichte is genitive and identifies what has an end.
Am Ende gehen alle nach Hause.
At the end, everyone goes home.
am Ende means at the end, alle means everyone, and nach Hause means home. Am is an dem, and an takes the dative for a fixed time or place; the verb gehen remains in position two.
Die Farbe des Endes ist dunkel.
The colour of the end is dark.
die Farbe means colour and dunkel means dark. Des Endes is genitive to show which colour is meant; the whole phrase Die Farbe des Endes is the nominative subject.
Die Enden der Straßen sind gesperrt.
The ends of the streets are closed.
die Straße means street and gesperrt means closed or blocked. Die Enden is plural nominative as the subject; der Straßen is genitive and means of the streets.
enden — to end; to come to an end; to end up; to finish in a situation
Enden is normally intransitive: a lesson, film, or event ends. Its perfect auxiliary is usually haben when it simply means to finish, although some speakers also use sein when focusing on the event reaching its endpoint.
Der Unterricht endet um zwölf Uhr.
The lesson ends at twelve o’clock.
der Unterricht means the lesson or class and um zwölf Uhr means at twelve o’clock. Der Unterricht is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb endet is in position two, and enden has no accusative object here.
Der Film ist spät geendet.
The film ended late.
der Film means film and spät means late. The perfect uses ist geendet here because enden describes the event reaching its endpoint; the auxiliary is in position two and geendet goes to the end.
Das Konzert endete um elf Uhr.
The concert ended at eleven o’clock.
das Konzert means concert and um elf Uhr means at eleven o’clock. Endete is the regular weak Präteritum form; the finite verb is in position two and the time expression does not require an object case.
Ende jetzt mit dem Lärm!
Stop the noise now!
jetzt means now and der Lärm means noise. Ende is the du imperative; mit dem Lärm means with the noise and uses dative after mit, although this command is more natural as a colloquial demand to stop.
Wenn du früher endetest, könntest du mitkommen.
If you finished earlier, you could come along.
früher means earlier and mitkommen means to come along. Endetest is the Konjunktiv II form of regular enden; the finite verb goes to the end of the wenn-clause, while könntest is in position two in the main clause.
Der Kurs wird nächste Woche enden.
The course will end next week.
der Kurs means course and nächste Woche means next week. Futur I uses wird in position two and the infinitive enden at the end; enden is intransitive here and has no accusative object.
Die Reise endet in einem kleinen Dorf.
The journey ends in a small village.
die Reise means journey and das Dorf means village. In einem kleinen Dorf is dative because it describes the final location; the finite verb endet stands in position two.
Der Streit endete ohne Ergebnis.
The argument ended without a result.
der Streit means argument and ohne Ergebnis means without a result. Ohne takes the accusative, but the noun has no visible ending here; endete is the weak Präteritum form in position two.
der Februar — February
Months are masculine nouns, so use der Februar. In dates, German commonly says im Februar or simply am 12. Februar; the plural Februare is uncommon and is used only when several February months are compared.
Der Februar ist oft kalt.
February is often cold.
oft means often and kalt means cold. Der Februar is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den Februar nicht.
I do not like February.
mag means like, and nicht means not. Den Februar is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Im Februar fahren wir in die Berge.
In February we are going to the mountains.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, and die Berge are the mountains. Im Februar means in February and uses dative because in describes time here; im is short for in dem.
Die Tage des Februars sind kurz.
The days of February are short.
Die Tage means the days and kurz means short. Des Februars is genitive to show which days, and the masculine month takes -s in this form.
Die Februare meiner Kindheit waren sehr kalt.
The Februaries of my childhood were very cold.
meiner Kindheit means of my childhood, and sehr kalt means very cold. Februare is the plural used when several February months are meant; meiner Kindheit is genitive and shows whose Februaries are being discussed.
der Feierabend — end of the working day; evening after work
Feierabend usually means the time after work, not simply any evening. The very common phrase Feierabend machen means to finish work for the day.
Der Feierabend beginnt um fünf Uhr.
The working day ends at five o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um fünf Uhr means at five o’clock. Der Feierabend is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich genieße den Feierabend.
I enjoy my evening after work.
genieße means enjoy, and ich means I. den Feierabend is accusative because genießen takes an accusative object; the finite verb genieße stands in position two.
Nach dem Feierabend gehe ich nach Hause.
After work, I go home.
nach means after here, and nach Hause means home. dem Feierabend is dative because nach takes the dative in this time meaning; the verb gehe is in position two even though the sentence begins with the prepositional phrase.
Die Ruhe des Feierabends tut mir gut.
The quiet of the evening after work does me good.
die Ruhe means the quiet, and tut mir gut means does me good. des Feierabends is genitive and means of the evening after work, while mir is dative with the fixed expression jemandem guttun.
Viele Feierabende verbringt er mit Freunden.
He spends many evenings after work with friends.
viele means many, verbringt means spends, and mit Freunden means with friends. Feierabende is plural accusative because it is the object of verbringen; mit Freunden is dative because mit requires the dative.
der Feiertag — public holiday; feast day
der Feiertag is an official day off work, often connected with a religious or national event. It is not the same as der Urlaub, which is personal holiday or vacation time.
Der Feiertag ist am Montag.
The public holiday is on Monday.
am Montag means on Monday. Der Feiertag is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; am is short for an dem and marks a date with the dative.
Wir genießen den Feiertag.
We are enjoying the public holiday.
genießen means enjoy, and wir means we. den Feiertag is accusative because genießen takes an accusative object; the finite verb genießen stands in position two.
Am Feiertag schlafen viele Menschen lange.
On the public holiday, many people sleep late.
schlafen means sleep, viele Menschen means many people, and lange means for a long time or late. Am Feiertag is dative because an takes the dative for a fixed time; the verb schlafen remains in position two after the opening phrase.
Die Öffnungszeiten des Feiertags stehen auf der Website.
The opening hours for the public holiday are on the website.
die Öffnungszeiten means the opening hours, and auf der Website means on the website. des Feiertags is genitive and identifies the holiday connected with the opening hours; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Feiertage.
There are many public holidays in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Feiertage is the plural form; in es gibt viele Feiertage, the noun phrase is accusative because es gibt requires the accusative.
der Freitag — Friday
For a specific Friday, German normally uses am Freitag, with am meaning an dem plus the dative. To mean every Friday, use the adverb freitags, not the plural noun alone.
Freitag ist mein Lieblingstag.
Friday is my favourite day.
mein Lieblingstag means my favourite day. Freitag is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich liebe Freitag.
I love Friday.
ich liebe means I love. Freitag is accusative because lieben takes an accusative object; without an article, the masculine noun looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Am Freitag treffe ich meine Freunde.
I meet my friends on Friday.
treffe means meet, and meine Freunde means my friends. am is an dem, and an takes the dative for a fixed time; because the time phrase comes first, treffe still occupies position two.
Die Planung des Freitags beginnt heute.
The planning for Friday begins today.
die Planung means the planning, and heute means today. des Freitags is genitive after Planung to specify which day is being planned; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Freitage im Sommer sind oft warm.
The Fridays in summer are often warm.
im Sommer means in summer, and oft warm means often warm. Freitage is the plural subject, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
freitags — on Fridays, every Friday
freitags is an adverb meaning every Friday or regularly on Fridays. It is written with a lowercase letter and is different from am Freitag, which usually refers to one particular Friday.
Freitags kaufe ich frisches Brot.
On Fridays, I buy fresh bread.
frisches Brot means fresh bread, and kaufe ich means I buy. freitags is an adverb of time; because it comes first, the finite verb kaufe is still in position two, before the subject ich.
Wir spielen freitags Fußball.
We play football on Fridays.
wir spielen means we play, and Fußball means football. freitags says when the action happens and does not take a case; the finite verb spielen stands in position two.
frisch — fresh; new, lively, refreshed
For food, frisch means recently made, picked, or bought and still good. The opposite can be alt for bread or verdorben for spoiled food.
Das Brot ist frisch.
The bread is fresh.
das Brot means the bread. frisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe frische Brötchen.
I am buying fresh bread rolls.
kaufe means buy and Brötchen means bread rolls. frische describes the plural accusative object after kaufe and takes -e because there is no article before the plural noun.
Dieses Brot ist frischer als das von gestern.
This bread is fresher than yesterday's bread.
dieses Brot means this bread and von gestern means from yesterday. frischer compares two kinds of bread and is followed by als; after ist, it is predicative and has no ending.
Der Salat ist heute am frischesten.
The salad is the freshest today.
der Salat means the salad and heute means today. am frischesten is the predicative superlative after ist; use this am form after the verb, not before a noun.
Wir brauchen frische Luft.
We need some fresh air.
brauchen means need and Luft means air. frische Luft is the accusative object of brauchen; the feminine adjective takes -e after the unmarked quantity word etwas is understood.
Nach dem Urlaub fühle ich mich frisch.
After the holiday, I feel refreshed.
nach dem Urlaub means after the holiday and fühle ich mich means I feel. mich is accusative because sich fühlen uses an accusative reflexive pronoun, while frisch is predicative and stays unchanged.
früh — early
As an adjective, früh describes a noun, as in ein früher Zug. Do not confuse it with früh am Morgen, which means early in the morning and often functions adverbially.
Der Zug ist früh.
The train is early.
der Zug means the train. Früh is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den frühen Zug.
I am taking the early train.
nehmen means take, and der Zug is the train. Frühen stands before the masculine accusative noun Zug and takes -en after den; den frühen Zug is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object.
Der Bus ist früher als der Zug.
The bus is earlier than the train.
der Bus means the bus, and als means than in a comparison. Früher is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; als der Zug gives the second point of comparison.
Sie kommt am frühesten.
She arrives earliest.
sie kommt means she arrives or comes. Am frühesten is the adverbial superlative, describing when she arrives; it is not placed directly before a noun.
früh — early
As an adverb, früh modifies a verb and does not take an adjective ending. The same word can also be an adjective before a noun, but in früh aufstehen it means doing the action early.
Ich stehe jeden Tag früh auf.
I get up early every day.
jeden Tag means every day, and aufstehen means get up. Früh is an adverb modifying the separable verb aufstehen; in this main clause, stehe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir treffen uns früh am Morgen.
We meet early in the morning.
wir treffen uns means we meet each other, and am Morgen means in the morning. Früh modifies the time of meeting; am is a contraction of an dem, and dem Morgen is dative after an for a time expression.
der Frühling — spring
Frühling is the usual everyday word for spring. Unlike English, German writes it with a capital letter because all nouns are capitalised.
Der Frühling beginnt im März.
Spring begins in March.
beginnt means begins, and im März means in March. Der Frühling is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich liebe den Frühling.
I love spring.
ich means I and liebe means love. Den Frühling is accusative because lieben takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Frühling blühen viele Blumen.
In spring, many flowers bloom.
im means in the, blühen means bloom, viele means many, and Blumen means flowers. Im is in dem and forces dative for a time when something happens; Frühling is therefore dative, and blühen follows the fronted time phrase.
Die Tage des Frühlings sind länger.
The days of spring are longer.
die Tage means the days and länger means longer. Des Frühlings is genitive because it means of spring; the masculine noun adds -s, and the finite verb sind is in position two.
Die Frühlinge meiner Kindheit waren schön.
The springs of my childhood were beautiful.
meiner Kindheit means of my childhood, waren means were, and schön means beautiful. Frühlinge is the plural of Frühling and is nominative because it is the subject; meiner Kindheit is genitive in meaning and shows which springs are meant.
der Geburtstag — birthday
A birthday is the yearly date of someone's birth. For congratulations, use the fixed phrase Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!, where zum means “for the”.
Heute ist mein Geburtstag.
Today is my birthday.
heute means today. Mein Geburtstag is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir feiern seinen Geburtstag am Samstag.
We are celebrating his birthday on Saturday.
feiern means to celebrate, and am Samstag means on Saturday. Seinen Geburtstag is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; am Samstag gives the time.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester etwas zum Geburtstag.
I am giving my sister something for her birthday.
schenken means to give as a present, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Zum Geburtstag means for the birthday and combines zu with dem; zu takes the dative.
Die Party meines Geburtstags war sehr schön.
The party for my birthday was very nice.
die Party means the party, and sehr schön means very nice. Meines Geburtstags is genitive because it identifies the birthday connected with the party; the masculine noun has -s and the article is meines.
Meine Geburtstage verbringe ich gern mit der Familie.
I like spending my birthdays with my family.
verbringen means to spend time, gern means gladly or like to, and mit der Familie means with the family. Meine Geburtstage is plural and accusative because it is the object of verbringe; the verb is in position two after the fronted object.
gerade — straight
Gerade as an adjective means straight, not bent or curved. It can also be used for things that are level or even, but the common basic use is describing a straight line, road, or object.
Die Linie ist gerade.
The line is straight.
die Linie means the line. Gerade is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; this is different from eine gerade Linie before a noun.
Er zeichnet eine gerade Linie.
He is drawing a straight line.
er zeichnet means he is drawing, and die Linie means the line. eine gerade Linie is accusative because zeichnen takes a direct object; the feminine adjective ending after eine is -e.
Dieser Weg ist gerader als der andere.
This path is straighter than the other one.
dieser Weg means this path, and der andere means the other one. The comparative is followed by als; dieser Weg is nominative because it is the subject of ist.
Diese Linie ist am geradesten.
This line is the straightest.
diese Linie means this line. The superlative am geradesten follows ist and therefore has no adjective ending; do not say am geradeste.
gerade — just now, right now; straight, directly
As an adverb, gerade commonly means just now or right now. Do not confuse this use with the adjective gerade, meaning straight; the context shows which meaning is intended.
Ich bin gerade angekommen.
I have just arrived.
ich bin angekommen means I have arrived, and angekommen means arrived. Gerade means just now; in the perfect, bin is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Was machst du gerade?
What are you doing right now?
was machst du means what are you doing, and jetzt means now. Gerade means right now and stands in the middle of the question; the finite verb machst comes before the subject because this is a question.
Gehen Sie gerade bis zur Kirche.
Go straight until the church.
gehen Sie means go in the formal form, bis means until, and die Kirche is the church. Gerade tells the listener not to turn; bis zur Kirche uses zu der and dative after zu.
Der Bus fährt gerade zum Bahnhof.
The bus goes directly to the station.
der Bus means the bus, fährt means travels or goes, and der Bahnhof is the station. Gerade means directly here, while zum Bahnhof uses zu dem with dative to show the destination.
gestern — yesterday
Gestern refers to the whole day before today. It is an adverb, so it has no endings and can move to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
Gestern habe ich lange gearbeitet.
Yesterday I worked for a long time.
lange means for a long time, and gearbeitet means worked. Gestern can stand first for emphasis, so the finite verb habe remains in position two; the participle gearbeitet goes to the end.
Wir waren gestern im Kino.
We were at the cinema yesterday.
wir means we, im Kino means at the cinema, and waren means were. Gestern is an adverb and does not change; im is in dem, with dative because it describes a location, and the finite verb waren is in position two.
gleich — same, equal, alike
Before a noun, gleich takes an adjective ending, as in die gleiche. Do not confuse adjective gleich, meaning the same or equal, with adverb gleich, meaning soon or immediately.
Die beiden Taschen sind gleich.
The two bags are the same.
die beiden Taschen means the two bags, and sind means are. Gleich is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; die beiden Taschen is nominative because it is the subject.
Wir haben die gleiche Idee.
We have the same idea.
wir haben means we have, and die Idee means the idea. Die gleiche Idee is accusative because haben takes a direct object; with the feminine definite article, the adjective ends in -e.
Diese Schuhe sind gleicher als meine alten.
These shoes are more alike than my old ones.
diese Schuhe means these shoes, meine alten means my old ones, and als means than. Gleicher is predicative after sein, so it has no ending; als introduces the comparison.
Die beiden Antworten sind am gleichsten.
The two answers are the most alike.
die beiden Antworten means the two answers, and sind means are. Am gleichsten is the predicative superlative after sein; the noun phrase is nominative because it is the subject.
das Halbjahr — half-year; school semester
Halbjahr means a six-month period; in education it often means one of the two school periods in a year. The compound combines halb meaning half and Jahr meaning year.
Das Halbjahr beginnt im August.
The school half-year begins in August.
beginnt means begins, and im August means in August. Das Halbjahr is the nominative subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich plane das Halbjahr mit meinem Lehrer.
I plan the half-year with my teacher.
plane means plan, mit means with, and mein Lehrer means my teacher. das Halbjahr is accusative because planen takes a direct object, while mit requires the dative meinem Lehrer.
Im Halbjahr habe ich viel gelernt.
During the half-year, I learned a lot.
viel gelernt means learned a lot, and im Halbjahr means during the half-year. im is short for in dem and takes the dative for a period of time; the perfect auxiliary habe is in position two and gelernt goes to the end.
Die Ergebnisse des Halbjahres sind sehr gut.
The results of the half-year are very good.
die Ergebnisse means the results and sehr gut means very good. des Halbjahres is genitive because it identifies whose results they are; the genitive article des and ending -es mark the relationship.
Die beiden Halbjahre waren anstrengend.
Both half-years were demanding.
die beiden means both, and anstrengend means demanding or tiring. Halbjahre is the nominative plural subject, so the verb is plural: waren, not singular war.
die Hand — hand; helping hand, assistance
The plural is die Hände, with an umlaut. In expressions such as jemandem die Hand geben, the person receiving the hand is in the dative.
Meine Hand tut weh.
My hand hurts.
tut weh means hurts. weh means painful or sore. Meine Hand is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb tut stands in position two; the separable-looking expression wehtun is split here.
Ich wasche mir die Hand.
I am washing my hand.
wasche means wash, and mir means to myself. die Hand is accusative because waschen takes the thing being washed as its direct object; mir is dative for the person whose hand it is.
Gib mir bitte die Hand.
Please give me your hand.
Gib means give, mir means to me, and bitte means please. mir is dative because it is the receiver, while die Hand is accusative because it is the thing given; Gib is an imperative.
Die Finger der Hand sind kalt.
The fingers of the hand are cold.
Finger means fingers and kalt means cold. der Hand is genitive because it shows whose fingers they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Beim Klatschen bewegen sich die Hände schnell.
When clapping, the hands move quickly.
Beim Klatschen means when clapping, bewegen means move, and schnell means quickly. Hände is the plural subject, and the reflexive pronoun sich belongs with bewegen; the verb remains in position two.
Kannst du mir die Hand geben?
Can you give me a hand?
Kannst du means can you, and geben means give. mir is dative because it names the person receiving help, while die Hand is accusative; after the modal verb kannst, the infinitive geben goes to the end.
Bei dem Umzug brauche ich viele Hände.
I need many helping hands for the move.
Bei dem Umzug means for the move, and brauche means need. viele Hände is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; here the plural is figurative and means helpers.
der Herbst — autumn, fall
Der Herbst is masculine, but seasons are often used with the dative phrase im Herbst, meaning in autumn. The plural die Herbste is uncommon and usually refers to different autumn seasons.
Der Herbst beginnt im September.
Autumn begins in September.
beginnt means begins, and im September means in September. Der Herbst is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, a dative time expression.
Ich mag den Herbst.
I like autumn.
ich means I and mag means like. Den Herbst is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the finite verb mag stands in position two.
Im Herbst regnet es oft.
It often rains in autumn.
regnet means rains and oft means often. Im Herbst is dative because in describes a time period here; es is the impersonal subject used with weather verbs.
Die Farben des Herbstes sind schön.
The colours of autumn are beautiful.
die Farben means the colours, and schön means beautiful. Des Herbstes is genitive and means of autumn; the entire phrase Die Farben des Herbstes is the nominative subject.
Die Herbste in dieser Region sind mild.
The autumns in this region are mild.
diese Region means this region, and mild means mild. Herbste is plural and nominative because it is the subject; it is uncommon and refers to different autumn seasons here.
heute — today
Heute means today and can stand at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. Do not confuse it with heutig, which is used before a noun and means today's or current.
Heute ist Montag.
Today is Monday.
Montag means Monday. The adverb heute usually comes in the first position, so the finite verb ist comes next in position two.
Ich habe heute keine Zeit.
I don't have time today.
keine Zeit means no time. Heute is a time adverb; the finite verb habe is in position two, and keine Zeit is an accusative object.
häufig — often, frequently
Häufig is more neutral and slightly more formal than oft, but the two words are often interchangeable.
Ich sehe ihn häufig im Zug.
I often see him on the train.
ihn means him, and im Zug means on the train. Häufig is an adverb and can stand after the verb or later in the sentence; the finite verb sehe remains in position two.
Dieses Problem kommt häufig vor.
This problem occurs frequently.
dieses Problem means this problem, and vorkommen means to occur. In the separable verb vorkommen, the finite part kommt is in position two and vor goes to the end; häufig describes how often it happens.
immer — always; every time; increasingly; more and more
Immer normally describes something that happens at all times or repeatedly. It can also be used in phrases such as immer noch, meaning still.
Ich trinke immer morgens Kaffee.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
trinke means drink, morgens means in the morning, and Kaffee means coffee. Immer is an adverb and does not change; the finite verb trinke stays in position two.
Sie ist immer freundlich.
She is always friendly.
sie means she and freundlich means friendly. Immer comes before the adjective to show frequency, while the finite verb ist is in position two.
Das Wetter wird immer besser.
The weather is getting better and better.
das Wetter means the weather and besser means better. Immer strengthens the comparative besser to mean increasingly better; the finite verb wird is in position two.
Die Aufgabe wird immer schwieriger.
The task is becoming more and more difficult.
die Aufgabe means the task and schwieriger means more difficult. Immer shows a continuing increase, and wird is in position two because this is a main clause.
irgendwann — sometime, at some point
Irgendwann refers to an unspecified time and is often translated as sometime or at some point. It can refer to the future or to an unknown time in the past; it does not govern a case.
Wir sehen uns irgendwann wieder.
We will see each other again sometime.
sehen uns wieder means see each other again. Irgendwann means sometime and is a time adverb, not an object; the separable verb wiedersehen appears as sehen ... wieder in this main clause.
Irgendwann möchte ich nach Japan reisen.
At some point I would like to travel to Japan.
möchte means would like, nach Japan means to Japan, and reisen means travel. Irgendwann is in first position, so möchte remains the finite verb in position two; reisen goes to the end after the modal expression möchte ....
das Jahr — year
Das Jahr is used for a twelve-month period and in many time expressions. Its plural is irregular in the vowel and ending: die Jahre; the genitive is des Jahres.
Das Jahr beginnt im Januar.
The year begins in January.
beginnt means begins, and im Januar means in January. Das Jahr is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich lerne ein Jahr Deutsch.
I am learning German for a year.
lerne means am learning, and Deutsch means German. Ein Jahr is accusative because a duration without a preposition is commonly expressed with an accusative time phrase; lerne is in position two.
Seit einem Jahr wohnt sie in Köln.
She has been living in Cologne for a year.
seit means since or for, wohnt means lives, and Köln is Cologne. Einem Jahr is dative because seit always requires the dative; the finite verb wohnt follows the fronted time phrase.
Die Ferien des Jahres sind vorbei.
The holidays of the year are over.
die Ferien means the holidays, and vorbei means over. Des Jahres is genitive because it identifies which holidays are meant; Jahres takes the ending -es.
Die Jahre vergehen schnell.
The years pass quickly.
vergehen means pass, and schnell means quickly. Die Jahre is a plural subject, with the umlaut and ending -e; the plural verb vergehen stands in position two.
die Jahreszeit — season; seasonal period
The four Jahreszeiten are der Frühling, spring, der Sommer, summer, der Herbst, autumn, and der Winter, winter. German often uses im plus a season name, as in im Sommer.
Der Frühling ist meine liebste Jahreszeit.
Spring is my favourite season.
der Frühling means spring, and liebste means favourite. Meine liebste Jahreszeit is the nominative part after ist, and ist stands in position two.
Ich mag diese Jahreszeit sehr.
I like this season very much.
mögen means to like, and sehr means very much. Diese Jahreszeit is accusative because mögen takes a direct object.
In einer anderen Jahreszeit fahre ich gern ans Meer.
In another season, I like travelling to the seaside.
andere means another, gern means gladly or like to, and ans Meer means to the seaside. In einer anderen Jahreszeit uses dative because in describes a time period here, and the finite verb fahre is in position two.
Die Farben der Jahreszeit sind wunderschön.
The colours of the season are beautiful.
die Farben are the colours, and wunderschön means beautiful. Der Jahreszeit is genitive because it means of the season; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die vier Jahreszeiten sind Frühling, Sommer, Herbst und Winter.
The four seasons are spring, summer, autumn and winter.
vier means four, and Herbst means autumn. Die vier Jahreszeiten is a plural nominative subject, so the verb sind is plural.
In der warmen Jahreszeit essen wir oft draußen.
In the warm season, we often eat outside.
warm means warm, oft means often, and draußen means outside. In der warmen Jahreszeit uses dative because in describes a time period here, not movement.
Viele Tiere schlafen in der kalten Jahreszeit.
Many animals sleep in the cold season.
viele Tiere means many animals, schlafen means sleep, and kalt means cold. In der kalten Jahreszeit is a dative time phrase after in, and the plural subject viele Tiere takes schlafen.
der Januar — January
Month names are usually used without an article after a preposition, as in im Januar. In the genitive, standard German uses des Januars, and the uncommon plural is die Januare.
Der Januar ist oft sehr kalt.
January is often very cold.
oft means often, and kalt means cold. Der Januar is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den Januar nicht besonders.
I do not particularly like January.
mag means like, nicht means not, and besonders means particularly. Den Januar is accusative because it is the object of mögen; the finite verb mag is in position two.
Im Januar schneit es manchmal.
It sometimes snows in January.
schneit means snows, and manchmal means sometimes. Im Januar means in dem Januar; in takes the dative here because it describes a time, and schneit is in position two.
Die Kälte des Januars dauert nicht lange.
The cold of January does not last long.
die Kälte means the cold, dauert means lasts, and nicht lange means not long. Des Januars is genitive because it means of January; dauert stands in position two.
Die Januare in den Bergen waren besonders kalt.
The Januaries in the mountains were especially cold.
in den Bergen means in the mountains, and besonders kalt means especially cold. Die Januare is plural nominative because it is the subject; waren is in position two, and the plural is mainly used for January periods in different years.
jetzt — now
jetzt refers to the present moment. It can stand at the beginning of a sentence, and then the finite verb still comes immediately after it in position two.
Ich muss jetzt nach Hause.
I have to go home now.
muss means have to, and nach Hause means homewards or home. jetzt is a time adverb; the modal verb muss is in position two, while the infinitive understood as gehen comes at the end.
Jetzt beginnt der Film.
The film is starting now.
beginnt means starts, and der Film is the film. Because jetzt occupies position one, the finite verb beginnt comes directly after it and the subject der Film follows.
der Juli — July
der Juli is the seventh month. For dates, German commonly uses im Juli; the month is masculine, but month names usually do not show a visible genitive ending in des Juli.
Der Juli ist oft sehr warm.
July is often very warm.
oft means often, and warm means warm. Der Juli is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir planen den Juli schon lange.
We have been planning July for a long time.
wir planen means we are planning, and schon lange means for a long time. den Juli is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Juli fahren wir ans Meer.
In July we go to the seaside.
fahren means go or travel, and ans Meer means to the seaside. im is in dem; in takes the dative for a time when, so the month is im Juli.
Die Ferien des Juli sind bald vorbei.
The July holidays will soon be over.
die Ferien means the holidays, bald means soon, and vorbei means over. des Juli is genitive because it specifies which holidays; the month name normally keeps the bare form after des.
Die Julis waren in den letzten Jahren heiß.
The Julys were hot in recent years.
waren means were, in den letzten Jahren means in recent years, and heiß means hot. Die Julis is a plural subject; several instances of a month name take the plural ending -s.
der Juni — June
der Juni is the name of the sixth month. German normally uses im Juni for in June, with im meaning in dem; the plural Junis is mainly used when comparing different years.
Der Juni ist oft warm.
June is often warm.
oft means often and warm means warm. Der Juni is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag den Juni sehr.
I like June very much.
mag means like and sehr means very much. den Juni is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the month name has an article here because it is the object.
Im Juni fahren wir ans Meer.
In June we go to the seaside.
fahren means go or travel, wir means we, and ans Meer means to the seaside. Im Juni means in dem Juni and uses the dative for a time period; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Tage des Junis sind lang.
The days of June are long.
Tage means days and lang means long. des Junis is genitive and expresses which days are meant; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Die Junis der letzten Jahre waren ungewöhnlich heiß.
The Junes of recent years were unusually hot.
der letzten Jahre means of recent years and ungewöhnlich heiß means unusually hot. Die Junis is the plural subject, while der letzten Jahre is a genitive phrase specifying the years; the finite verb waren is in position two.
der Kalender — calendar
Kalender has the same spelling in the singular and plural: der Kalender, but die Kalender. The article or a number tells you which form is meant.
Der Kalender hängt an der Wand.
The calendar is hanging on the wall.
hängen means to hang, and die Wand is the wall. Der Kalender is nominative because it is the subject; an der Wand is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich öffne den Kalender jeden Morgen.
I open the calendar every morning.
öffnen means to open, and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Kalender is accusative because öffnen takes an accusative object; öffne is in position two.
Ich schreibe dem Kalender einen Termin hinzu.
I add an appointment to the calendar.
einen Termin is an appointment, and hinzuschreiben means to add in writing. Dem Kalender is dative as the destination; schreibe is in position two and hinzu goes to the end.
Die erste Seite des Kalenders ist leer.
The first page of the calendar is empty.
die erste Seite means the first page, and leer means empty. Des Kalenders is genitive because it shows which calendar the page belongs to; ist is in position two.
Im Laden liegen viele Kalender.
There are many calendars in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, and viele means many. Kalender is plural but has the same spelling as the singular; liegen agrees with the plural subject.