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Vocab: Time — A2 (1)
Time vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
anfangs — at first, initially
Anfangs is an adverb, not the noun der Anfang. It usually describes the first period of a situation and often appears at the beginning of the sentence.
Anfangs war die neue Arbeit schwierig.
At first, the new job was difficult.
die neue Arbeit is the new job and schwierig means difficult. Anfangs is an adverbial placed in position one, so the finite verb war must come in position two before the subject.
Anfangs habe ich jeden Tag mit dem Bus gefahren.
At first, I travelled by bus every day.
jeden Tag means every day and mit dem Bus means by bus. Anfangs occupies position one, habe is the finite verb in position two, and gefahren goes to the end in the perfect; mit dem Bus is dative after mit.
die Ankunftszeit — arrival time
This compound means the time when someone or something arrives. The first part, Ankunft, means arrival; the plural is formed with -en: Ankunftszeiten.
Die Ankunftszeit steht auf der Fahrkarte.
The arrival time is on the ticket.
auf der Fahrkarte means on the ticket. steht means is written or shown. Die Ankunftszeit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kenne die Ankunftszeit noch nicht.
I do not know the arrival time yet.
kenne means know, noch nicht means not yet. die Ankunftszeit is accusative because it is the object of kenne, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Nach der Ankunftszeit fragen viele Reisende.
Many travellers ask about the arrival time.
nach ... fragen means ask about, and viele Reisende means many travellers. The preposition nach takes the dative, so der Ankunftszeit is dative; the verb fragen comes second after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Änderung der Ankunftszeit war ärgerlich.
The change to the arrival time was annoying.
die Änderung means the change, and ärgerlich means annoying. der Ankunftszeit is genitive because it specifies whose change it was; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Ankunftszeiten der Züge hängen vom Wetter ab.
The arrival times of the trains depend on the weather.
der Züge means of the trains, and vom Wetter means on the weather. Ankunftszeiten is plural and is the subject; hängen ... ab is a separable verb, so ab goes to the end.
die Arbeitszeit — working hours, working time
This compound combines Arbeit, work, with Zeit, time. Arbeitszeit often means the official time someone is expected to work, while Arbeitsstunde means one working hour.
Meine Arbeitszeit beginnt um acht Uhr.
My working hours begin at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Meine Arbeitszeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich verkürze meine Arbeitszeit im Sommer.
I reduce my working hours in summer.
verkürze means reduce, and im Sommer means in summer. Meine Arbeitszeit is accusative because verkürzen takes a direct object; the finite verb verkürze is in position two.
Bei Teilzeit ist die Arbeitszeit oft kürzer.
With part-time work, working hours are often shorter.
Teilzeit means part-time work, and kürzer means shorter. Bei always takes the dative, so bei Teilzeit is a dative phrase; the subject die Arbeitszeit is nominative, and ist stands in position two.
Die Länge der Arbeitszeit hängt vom Vertrag ab.
The length of the working hours depends on the contract.
die Länge means the length, hängt ... ab means depends on, and der Vertrag means the contract. Der Arbeitszeit is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the separable verb hängt ... ab puts ab at the end of the main clause.
Viele Arbeitszeiten beginnen früh am Morgen.
Many working hours begin early in the morning.
viele means many, and früh am Morgen means early in the morning. Arbeitszeiten is the plural subject, so it takes beginnen, not singular beginnt; the finite verb is in position two.
das Baujahr — year of construction, year of manufacture
Baujahr is used for buildings, vehicles, and machines. In vehicle advertisements, it often means the year the vehicle was manufactured.
Das Baujahr steht im Fahrzeugschein.
The year of manufacture is stated in the vehicle registration document.
steht means is written or stated, and der Fahrzeugschein means the vehicle registration document. Das Baujahr is nominative as the subject, while im Fahrzeugschein is a location phrase.
Ich kenne das Baujahr des Autos.
I know the car’s year of manufacture.
kenne means know and des Autos means of the car. das Baujahr is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; des Autos is genitive possession.
Dem Baujahr nach ist das Auto ziemlich alt.
Judging by its year of manufacture, the car is quite old.
dem Baujahr nach means judging by the year of manufacture, and ziemlich alt means quite old. dem Baujahr is dative in the fixed expression nach, while the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Alter des Baujahrs ist für den Kauf wichtig.
The age of the year of manufacture is important for the purchase.
das Alter means the age, für den Kauf means for the purchase, and wichtig means important. des Baujahrs is genitive because it specifies whose age is meant.
Die Baujahre der Modelle sind unterschiedlich.
The models’ years of manufacture are different.
der Modelle means of the models and unterschiedlich means different. Die Baujahre is a plural subject, while der Modelle is genitive possession.
bereits — already
Bereits is a slightly more formal synonym of schon. It often appears in written German, while schon is more common in everyday speech.
Ich habe die E-Mail bereits gelesen.
I have already read the email.
die E-Mail means the email and gelesen means read. Bereits usually comes before the main information it highlights; habe is in position two and gelesen goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Ist der Bus bereits da?
Is the bus already here?
der Bus means the bus and da means here or present. In a yes-no question the finite verb ist comes first; bereits says that the bus has arrived earlier than expected.
bisher — so far, until now
Bisher refers to the period from the past up to now. It is different from bisherig, which is an adjective used before a noun.
Bisher habe ich keine Antwort bekommen.
I have not received an answer so far.
habe ... bekommen means have received, and keine Antwort means no answer. Bisher is in the first position, so the finite verb habe comes next; the participle bekommen goes to the end.
Wir hatten bisher viel Glück.
We have had a lot of luck so far.
hatten means had, and viel Glück means a lot of luck. Bisher is a time adverb in the middle field; it does not change the verb position, and Glück is a mass noun with no plural here.
dabei — with it, with you; at the same time; at the same time, in the process
Dabei is often used for something that someone has with them. Do not confuse it with dabei sein, which means to be present or take part.
Hast du deinen Ausweis dabei?
Do you have your identity card with you?
deinen Ausweis means your identity card, and hast du means do you have. Dabei means with you here; the finite verb hast comes first in a yes-no question, while dabei stands at the end.
Ich habe keinen Regenschirm dabei.
I do not have an umbrella with me.
keinen Regenschirm means no umbrella. The noun phrase is accusative because haben takes an accusative object, while dabei means with me and stands at the end of the clause.
Sie hört Musik und lernt dabei.
She listens to music while studying.
hört Musik means listens to music, and lernt means studies. Dabei links the second action to the first as something happening at the same time; the finite verb lernt remains in position two.
Er hat viel gelacht und dabei alles vergessen.
He laughed a lot and forgot everything in the process.
viel gelacht means laughed a lot, and alles vergessen means forgot everything. Dabei refers to the action happening at the same time; in the perfect, hat is the finite verb in position two and the participles go to the end.
damals — then, at that time
Damals means then or at that time and refers to a past period. Do not confuse it with damalig: damals is an adverb used with a verb, while damalig is an adjective placed before a noun.
Damals lebte ich noch bei meinen Eltern.
Back then, I still lived with my parents.
lebte means lived, noch means still, and bei meinen Eltern means with my parents. Damals occupies the first position, so the finite verb lebte comes directly after it in position two.
Wie war dein Leben damals?
What was your life like back then?
Wie war means what was ... like, and dein Leben means your life. Damals is a time adverb referring to the past; in this question the finite verb war comes before the subject dein Leben.
dauern — to last, to take (time)
dauern normally has a time period as its subject: Der Film dauert zwei Stunden means the film lasts two hours. Do not use sein in the perfect; the correct form is hat gedauert.
Der Unterricht dauert fünfzig Minuten.
The lesson lasts fifty minutes.
der Unterricht means the lesson and fünfzig Minuten means fifty minutes. The duration is expressed without a preposition; dauert is in position two because this is a main clause, and the period of time is not an accusative object.
Der Film hat zwei Stunden gedauert.
The film lasted two hours.
der Film means the film, zwei Stunden means two hours, and hat ... gedauert means lasted. The perfect uses haben, not sein; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gedauert goes to the end.
Die Besprechung dauerte länger als geplant.
The meeting lasted longer than planned.
die Besprechung means the meeting, länger means longer, and geplant means planned. dauerte is the regular simple-past form in position two; als geplant compares the actual duration with the planned one.
Dauere bitte nicht so lange!
Please do not last so long!
bitte means please and nicht so lange means not so long. Dauere is the singular imperative, but this command sounds unusual because people normally ask about the duration rather than command an event to last.
Wenn die Reise nicht so lange dauern würde, wären wir schon da.
If the journey did not take so long, we would already be there.
die Reise means the journey, wären means would be, and schon da means already there. In the wenn clause, dauern würde goes to the end; würde plus the infinitive expresses an unreal or hypothetical situation.
Der Besuch wird nur eine Stunde dauern.
The visit will last only one hour.
der Besuch means the visit, nur means only, and eine Stunde means one hour. Future tense uses wird in position two and the infinitive dauern at the end; the duration is stated without a preposition.
demnächst — soon, in the near future
Demnächst means at a time soon after now, but not necessarily today. It is often used for plans, events and announcements; it is less exact than morgen or um drei Uhr.
Wir ziehen demnächst in eine größere Wohnung.
We are moving to a larger flat soon.
ziehen means to move house, größer means larger, and die Wohnung means the flat or apartment. Demnächst is a time adverb; in eine größere Wohnung is accusative because in shows movement into a place.
Der neue Film kommt demnächst ins Kino.
The new film is coming to cinemas soon.
der neue Film means the new film, kommen means to come, and das Kino means the cinema. Demnächst says when the event will happen; ins is short for in das, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
dienstags — on Tuesdays, every Tuesday
The ending -s turns Dienstag into a recurring-time adverb. Do not confuse dienstags, every Tuesday, with am Dienstag, on one particular Tuesday.
Dienstags gehe ich zum Schwimmkurs.
On Tuesdays I go to swimming class.
zum Schwimmkurs means to swimming class. Dienstags is an adverb of regular time; because it comes first, the finite verb gehe comes immediately after it in position two.
Wir arbeiten dienstags von zu Hause.
We work from home on Tuesdays.
von zu Hause means from home. Dienstags usually has no article and means every Tuesday; the finite verb arbeiten stays in position two even though the time adverb is in the middle of the sentence.
die Eile — hurry, haste
Eile is normally uncountable and is used in fixed phrases such as in Eile sein and keine Eile haben. It usually has no plural.
Eile ist heute nicht nötig.
There is no need to hurry today.
heute means “today,” and nötig means “necessary.” Eile is the nominative subject; the finite verb ist is in position two, and nicht nötig means “not necessary.”
Ich habe keine Eile.
I’m not in a hurry.
habe means “have,” and keine means “no” or “not any.” Keine Eile is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the feminine form keine looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Mit der Eile passieren oft Fehler.
When people hurry, mistakes often happen.
mit means “with,” passieren means “happen,” oft means “often,” and Fehler means “mistakes.” Mit der Eile is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb passieren is in position two, before the plural subject Fehler.
Wegen der Eile habe ich den Bus verpasst.
Because I was in a hurry, I missed the bus.
wegen means “because of,” verpasst means “missed,” and den Bus means “the bus.” Wegen der Eile is genitive in careful standard German; the perfect has habe in position two and verpasst at the end.
Wir müssen die Arbeit ohne Eile machen.
We have to do the work without rushing.
müssen means “have to,” die Arbeit means “the work,” ohne means “without,” and machen means “do.” Ohne Eile is accusative after ohne, although the feminine noun has no visible ending; the modal verb müssen sends machen to the end.
eilig — hurried, urgent; urgent
eilig often describes a lack of time, as in es eilig haben, “to be in a hurry.” It can mean either “hurried” or “urgent” depending on whether it describes a person’s manner or a task’s importance.
Die Sache ist eilig.
The matter is urgent.
die Sache means the matter or issue. The adjective is predicative after ist, the finite form of sein, so it has no ending.
Wir brauchen eine eilige Antwort.
We need an urgent reply.
brauchen means to need, and eine Antwort means a reply. eine eilige Antwort is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; the adjective has -e after the feminine article eine.
Heute ist er eiliger als gestern.
Today he is more hurried than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. eiliger is the comparative and is followed by als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Von allen arbeitet sie am eiligsten.
Of everyone, she works most hurriedly.
von allen means of everyone, and arbeitet means works. von takes the dative, while am eiligsten is the adverbial superlative and therefore has no adjective ending.
Ich habe es eilig.
I am in a hurry.
es eilig haben is the common expression for being in a hurry, and es means it. es is an accusative object of haben; the adjective stays unchanged in this fixed expression.
Die eilige Nachricht kam am Abend.
The urgent message arrived in the evening.
die Nachricht means the message, and kam means arrived or came. die eilige Nachricht is the nominative subject, so the feminine adjective takes -e after die; the finite verb is in position two.
Der Arzt braucht eilige Hilfe.
The doctor needs urgent help.
der Arzt means the doctor, and Hilfe means help. eilige Hilfe is accusative because braucht takes an accusative object; the feminine adjective takes -e after the zero article.
Das ist ein eiliges Problem.
That is an urgent problem.
das means that, and das Problem means the problem. ein eiliges Problem is a predicative noun phrase after ist; the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
endlich — finally, at last
As an adverb, endlich usually means finally or at last and often expresses relief, impatience or satisfaction. It is different from the adjective endlich, meaning finite or limited.
Endlich bist du wieder da!
You are finally back!
wieder da means back again. Endlich is a sentence adverb placed in position one for emphasis, so the finite verb bist comes directly after it in position two.
Ich habe endlich eine Wohnung gefunden.
I have finally found an apartment.
eine Wohnung means an apartment, and gefunden means found. Endlich expresses relief after a long search; in the perfect, the finite auxiliary habe is in position two and gefunden goes to the end.
erst — only; not until; first; only; just
erst often means ‘not until’ or ‘only’, and it usually suggests that the time or amount is later or smaller than expected. Do not confuse it with zuerst, which means ‘first’ in a sequence.
Ich komme erst morgen.
I’m not coming until tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and komme means come. erst limits the time and means not until; the finite verb komme remains in position two, while erst morgen is a time expression.
Wir essen erst nach dem Film.
We’ll eat only after the film.
essen means eat, and nach dem Film means after the film. erst means only then or not before that, and nach takes the dative, shown by dem Film.
Mein Sohn ist erst drei Jahre alt.
My son is only three years old.
mein Sohn means my son, drei Jahre alt means three years old, and alt means old. erst emphasises that his age is still low; the phrase drei Jahre alt follows ist as a predicative age expression.
Das Buch kostet erst zehn Euro.
The book costs only ten euros.
das Buch means the book, kostet means costs, and zehn Euro means ten euros. erst shows that the price is lower than expected; zehn Euro is the accusative amount complement of kostet.
ewig — eternal, endless; forever
ewig can mean literally eternal, but in everyday speech it often means for an extremely long time, as in ewig warten. The opposite is endlich, meaning finite or finally, depending on context.
Ihre Liebe ist ewig.
Their love is eternal.
ihre Liebe means their love. ewig is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sprechen über die ewige Frage nach dem Sinn des Lebens.
We are talking about the eternal question of the meaning of life.
wir sprechen means we are talking, die Frage is the question, der Sinn des Lebens is the meaning of life, and nach means about or after. über takes the accusative here, and ewige takes -e after die.
Diese Reise fühlt sich ewiger an als die letzte.
This journey feels more endless than the last one.
diese Reise means this journey, fühlt sich ... an means feels, and die letzte means the last one. ewiger is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von allen Geschichten klingt diese am ewigsten.
Of all the stories, this one sounds the most eternal.
von allen Geschichten means of all the stories, and klingt means sounds. The predicative superlative is formed with am ewigsten; von takes the dative, shown by plural allen.
ewig — forever, endlessly
As an adverb, ewig modifies a verb and means forever or for a very long time. It has no adjective ending, even when it refers to a noun elsewhere in the sentence.
Ich werde dich ewig lieben.
I will love you forever.
dich means you and lieben means to love. Dich is accusative because lieben takes an accusative object; in the future, werde is in position two and lieben goes to the end.
Wir haben ewig auf den Bus gewartet.
We waited forever for the bus.
den Bus means the bus and gewartet means waited. auf takes the accusative when it means waiting for something, so den Bus is accusative; the perfect uses haben, with gewartet at the end.
der Fahrplan — timetable, schedule
A Fahrplan gives scheduled departure and arrival times. It can be printed, displayed at a station or consulted online.
Der Fahrplan hängt an der Haltestelle.
The timetable is displayed at the bus stop.
hängt means is hanging, and die Haltestelle means the stop. Der Fahrplan is nominative because it is the subject; an der Haltestelle is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich lese den Fahrplan.
I am reading the timetable.
lese means read. Den Fahrplan is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the masculine article changes from der to den.
Nach dem Fahrplan fährt der Zug um acht Uhr.
According to the timetable, the train leaves at eight o'clock.
nach dem Fahrplan means according to the timetable, and der Zug means the train. Nach takes the dative here; the fronted phrase occupies position one, so fährt comes in position two.
Die Zeiten des Fahrplans ändern sich im Winter.
The timetable's times change in winter.
die Zeiten means the times, ändern sich means change, and im Winter means in winter. Des Fahrplans is genitive to show possession and has the ending -s.
Die Fahrpläne hängen an jeder Station.
The timetables are displayed at every station.
jede Station means every station, and hängen means are hanging or displayed. Fahrpläne is nominative plural, with ä and -e; the plural verb is hängen.
fallen — to fall; to fall, to decrease
Fallen is a strong verb with the principal parts fallen – fiel – ist gefallen. It normally takes sein in the perfect because it describes movement or a change of position.
Das Glas fällt auf den Boden.
The glass is falling onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass and der Boden means the floor. Das Glas is nominative, while auf den Boden is accusative because auf shows movement towards a place; the finite verb fällt is in position two.
Das Glas ist auf den Boden gefallen.
The glass fell onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass and der Boden means the floor. Auf den Boden is accusative because it expresses movement, and ist ... gefallen uses sein because fallen describes a change of position; the participle stands at the end.
Das Glas fiel auf den Boden.
The glass fell onto the floor.
das Glas means the glass and der Boden means the floor. Das Glas is nominative and auf den Boden is accusative for movement; fiel is the strong preterite form in position two.
Fall nicht vom Stuhl!
Don't fall off the chair!
nicht means not, vom means from the, and der Stuhl means the chair. Fall is the du imperative and comes first; vom Stuhl is dative because von always takes the dative.
Wenn er nicht aufpasst, könnte er fallen.
If he does not pay attention, he could fall.
wenn means if, aufpassen means pay attention, and könnte means could. Fallen is the infinitive at the end because it follows the modal könnte; in the wenn clause, the finite verb aufpasst also goes to the end.
Der Schnee wird auf die Straße fallen.
The snow will fall onto the street.
der Schnee means the snow and die Straße means the street. Auf die Straße is accusative because it expresses movement towards the street; wird is in position two and the infinitive fallen goes to the end.
Die Preise fallen.
Prices are falling.
die Preise means prices. Die Preise is a plural nominative subject, and the finite verb fallen stands in position two; this sense has no physical movement.
Die Temperatur ist stark gefallen.
The temperature has fallen sharply.
die Temperatur means the temperature and stark means sharply or considerably. Die Temperatur is nominative, and ist ... gefallen uses sein because the level has changed; gefallen stands at the end of the perfect clause.
folgend — following, next
Folgend usually means next in a sequence, not physically following someone. It is often used before a noun, as in die folgende Seite, and its ending changes with the article and case.
Die Gründe sind folgende.
The reasons are as follows.
die Gründe means the reasons, and folgende means as follows or the following ones. Here folgende is a predicate complement after sein; it agrees with the plural subject rather than standing directly before a noun.
Wir treffen uns in der folgenden Woche.
We will meet in the following week.
sich treffen means to meet, and die Woche is the week. in der folgenden Woche is dative because in describes a fixed time here, and folgenden has the dative feminine ending after der.
Der folgendere Abschnitt ist ausführlicher als der erste.
The section that follows more closely is more detailed than the first one.
der Abschnitt means the section, and ausführlicher means more detailed. folgendere is an uncommon comparative form of folgend; it has the masculine nominative ending -e after der, while als introduces the comparison.
Dieser Hinweis ist am folgendsten erklärt.
This point is explained in the way that follows most closely.
dieser Hinweis means this point or note, and erklärt means explained. am folgendsten is the superlative predicate form; it is built with am and -sten, although everyday German normally prefers am nächsten in this meaning.
das Frühjahr — spring
Frühjahr and Frühling both mean spring. Frühjahr is often used when talking about weather, farming, or the coming season, while Frühling is also common in everyday speech and can sound more poetic.
Das Frühjahr ist dieses Jahr besonders warm.
Spring is especially warm this year.
dieses Jahr means this year, besonders means especially, and warm means warm. Das Frühjahr is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich mag das Frühjahr sehr.
I like spring very much.
ich means I, mag means like, and sehr means very much. Das Frühjahr is accusative because mögen takes a direct object; the article stays das because the neuter nominative and accusative forms are identical.
Im Frühjahr fahren wir oft aufs Land.
In spring we often go to the countryside.
im means in the, fahren means travel or go, oft means often, and aufs Land means to the countryside. Im is in dem and forces dative for a time when something happens; Frühjahr is therefore dative, and the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Farben des Frühjahrs gefallen mir.
The colours of spring appeal to me.
die Farben means the colours, gefallen means appeal to or please, and mir means to me. Des Frühjahrs is genitive because it identifies whose colours they are; the noun has the genitive ending -s, while mir is dative with gefallen.
Die Frühjahre in den Bergen sind kurz.
The springs in the mountains are short.
in den Bergen means in the mountains, and kurz means short. Frühjahre is the plural of Frühjahr and is nominative because it is the subject; the plural article is die.
das Geburtsdatum — date of birth
das Geburtsdatum is a compound of die Geburt (birth) and das Datum (date). In forms and official documents, it normally means the complete day, month and year of birth.
Mein Geburtsdatum steht im Pass.
My date of birth is in my passport.
mein means my, steht means is written or appears, and der Pass is the passport. mein Geburtsdatum is the nominative subject; im Pass is dative because in describes a fixed location.
Bitte schreiben Sie Ihr Geburtsdatum hier auf.
Please write your date of birth down here.
bitte means please, and hier means here. Ihr Geburtsdatum is accusative because aufschreiben takes a direct object; in the formal imperative, schreiben Sie ... auf splits the separable verb.
Ich gebe dem Amt mein Geburtsdatum.
I am giving the office my date of birth.
geben means to give, and das Amt is the public office. dem Amt is dative because it is the recipient, while mein Geburtsdatum is accusative as the thing given.
Die Richtigkeit des Geburtsdatums ist wichtig.
The correctness of the date of birth is important.
die Richtigkeit means correctness, and wichtig means important. des Geburtsdatums is genitive because it specifies which correctness; the neuter genitive has des and -s, and ist is in position two.
Die Geburtsdaten aller Kinder stehen in der Liste.
All the children's dates of birth are in the list.
aller Kinder means of all children, and die Liste is the list. die Geburtsdaten is the plural nominative subject, while aller Kinder is genitive and shows whose dates they are.
gelegentlich — occasionally, sometimes
Gelegentlich is more neutral and slightly more formal than manchmal; it means that something happens from time to time, not often.
Ich gehe gelegentlich ins Kino.
I occasionally go to the cinema.
ins Kino means “to the cinema,” and gehe means “go.” Gelegentlich is an adverb and does not change its form; here it comes before the destination phrase, while the finite verb gehe remains in position two.
Gelegentlich treffen wir uns nach der Arbeit.
We occasionally meet after work.
treffen wir uns means “we meet,” and nach der Arbeit means “after work.” The adverb Gelegentlich occupies position one, so the finite verb treffen comes immediately after it and the subject wir follows.
gleichzeitig — at the same time, simultaneously
Gleichzeitig describes actions or events that happen at the same time. It is an adverb, so it does not change its form and is often placed before the verb or another phrase.
Die Kinder gleichzeitig lachen und klatschen.
The children laugh and clap at the same time.
die Kinder means the children, and lachen means laugh and klatschen means clap. Gleichzeitig modifies both coordinated verbs and means that the two actions happen at the same time.
Wir müssen gleichzeitig losfahren.
We have to leave at the same time.
losfahren means to set off or leave, and müssen means have to. The modal verb müssen is finite and stands in position two, while losfahren goes to the end; gleichzeitig describes when the action happens.
halbtags — half-day; part-time
Halbtags usually describes working or opening hours and can mean part-time or for half a day. It is an adverb, so it never receives an adjective ending.
Ich arbeite halbtags.
I work part-time.
arbeite means work, and halbtags means for half the day or part-time. Halbtags is an adverb, so it has no case ending; the finite verb arbeite is in position two.
Die Praxis ist halbtags geöffnet.
The medical practice is open for half the day.
die Praxis means the medical practice, and geöffnet means open. Halbtags describes how long the practice is open and does not change form; ist is the finite verb in position two.
halten — to hold; to keep
Halten is a strong verb: halten – hielt – hat gehalten. In the sense of holding or keeping something, it takes an accusative object; it can also mean to stop, especially for vehicles.
Sie hält das Glas vorsichtig.
She holds the glass carefully.
das Glas is the glass, and vorsichtig means carefully. Das Glas is accusative because halten takes a direct object, while the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Er hat meine Tasche gehalten.
He held my bag.
meine Tasche means my bag. Meine Tasche is accusative because it is the object of halten; the auxiliary hat is in position two and gehalten goes to the end.
Der Mann hielt die Tür offen.
The man kept the door open.
der Mann is the man, die Tür is the door, and offen means open. Die Tür is accusative after halten, while hielt is the strong-verb past form in position two.
Halt bitte meinen Regenschirm!
Please hold my umbrella!
bitte means please, and der Regenschirm is an umbrella. Halt is the singular imperative; meinen Regenschirm is accusative because it is the object, and the subject du is omitted.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, hielte ich die Tür auf.
If I had time, I would hold the door open.
wenn means if, Zeit is time, and aufhalten here means to hold open. Hielte is the Konjunktiv II form for an unreal situation; the finite verb goes to the end after wenn, but hielte returns to position two in the main clause.
Ich werde das Baby vorsichtig halten.
I will hold the baby carefully.
das Baby is the baby, and vorsichtig means carefully. Das Baby is accusative after halten; werde is in position two and the infinitive halten goes to the end.
heutig — today's, present-day, current
Heutig is normally used before a noun, as in heutige Nachrichten. It is not usually used as a standalone predicative adjective, and it normally does not form a comparative or superlative.
Das heutige Wetter ist schön.
Today's weather is nice.
das Wetter means the weather, and schön means nice or beautiful. Here heutige is attributive, not predicative: it stands before the neuter noun Wetter and takes the ending -e after das.
Ich lese die heutige Zeitung.
I am reading today's newspaper.
die Zeitung means the newspaper, and lese means am reading. Die heutige Zeitung is an accusative object because lesen takes an accusative object; after die, the adjective has the ending -e.
Heutige Nachrichten verbreiten sich schneller als früher.
Today's news spreads faster than in the past.
Nachrichten means news, sich verbreiten means to spread, schneller means faster, and früher means in the past. Heutige is still the ordinary positive adjective; heutig is normally not compared, so the comparative belongs to schnell.
Die heutige Ausgabe ist besonders wichtig.
Today's edition is particularly important.
die Ausgabe means the edition, and besonders wichtig means particularly important. Heutige remains an ordinary attributive adjective here; heutig normally has no superlative, so besonders wichtig expresses the emphasis instead.
hinterher — afterwards, after, behind
hinterher is an adverb meaning afterwards or following behind. Do not confuse it with the preposition hinter, which is followed by a noun phrase and takes the accusative or dative.
Wir trinken hinterher noch einen Kaffee.
Afterwards, we will have another coffee.
wir trinken means we drink, noch einen Kaffee means another coffee, and danach or hinterher means afterwards. hinterher is an adverb and does not take a case; einen Kaffee is accusative because trinken takes a direct object.
Lauf nicht so schnell, ich komme hinterher!
Don't run so fast; I am coming after you!
lauf nicht so schnell means do not run so fast, and ich komme means I am coming. hinterher means following or catching up here; it is separate from the verb and is not the same as the preposition hinter, which needs a following noun.
der Hochzeitstag — wedding anniversary
Der Hochzeitstag usually means a wedding anniversary, not simply any day on which a wedding takes place. The compound is masculine because its final part, der Tag, is masculine.
Der Hochzeitstag ist nächste Woche.
The wedding anniversary is next week.
nächste Woche means next week. Der Hochzeitstag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Hochzeitstag im Restaurant.
We are celebrating the wedding anniversary in a restaurant.
feiern means to celebrate and im Restaurant means in a restaurant. Den Hochzeitstag is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Zum Hochzeitstag schenke ich ihr Blumen.
For the wedding anniversary, I am giving her flowers.
zum means for the occasion of and schenke means give as a present; ihr means to her and Blumen means flowers. Zum Hochzeitstag is dative because zu takes the dative, and the verb schenke comes before the subject ich after the fronted phrase.
Das Datum des Hochzeitstags steht im Kalender.
The date of the wedding anniversary is in the calendar.
das Datum means the date and der Kalender means the calendar. Des Hochzeitstags is genitive because it identifies which date is meant; the masculine noun has -s in this form.
Viele Hochzeitstage werden gemeinsam gefeiert.
Many wedding anniversaries are celebrated together.
viele means many, gemeinsam means together, and gefeiert means celebrated. Hochzeitstage is plural after viele; werden ... gefeiert is the passive, with the participle at the end.
Wir denken jedes Jahr an den Hochzeitstag.
Every year we think about the wedding anniversary.
jedes Jahr means every year and denken an means think about. An den Hochzeitstag is accusative because an takes the accusative with this figurative direction of thought.
häufig — frequent; often
Häufig can describe a noun, meaning frequent, or modify a verb, meaning often. The comparison is regular: häufiger and am häufigsten; do not confuse it with oft, which is mainly an adverb.
Der Bus ist häufig zu spät.
The bus is often late.
der Bus means the bus, and zu spät means late. Häufig is used adverbially here to mean often; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Das ist ein häufiger Fehler.
That is a frequent mistake.
der Fehler means the mistake. Ein häufiger Fehler is nominative because it follows ist as the subject complement, and the masculine adjective after ein takes -er.
Im Sommer fahren wir häufiger ans Meer.
In summer we go to the seaside more often.
im Sommer means in summer, ans Meer means to the sea, and fahren means go or travel. Häufiger is an adverbial comparative meaning more often; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Am Wochenende schlafe ich am häufigsten.
I sleep most often at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and schlafe means sleep. Am häufigsten is the adverbial superlative meaning most often; because the time phrase is first, the finite verb schlafe still comes in position two.
inzwischen — by now, in the meantime
Inzwischen usually refers to a change that has happened during the time since an earlier moment. It can stand at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle, and it does not govern a case.
Ich habe inzwischen eine neue Wohnung.
I have a new flat by now.
eine neue Wohnung means a new flat. Inzwischen means by now or in the meantime; the finite verb habe is in position two, while eine neue Wohnung is the accusative object of haben.
Inzwischen ist der Zug angekommen.
The train has arrived by now.
der Zug is the train, and angekommen means arrived. Inzwischen is in first position, so the finite verb ist comes second; angekommen goes to the end because this is the perfect tense with sein.
das Jahresende — end of the year; year-end, end of the financial year
This compound is made from das Jahr, year, and das Ende, end. It usually refers to the end of the calendar year, not simply the end of any period.
Am Jahresende machen wir eine kleine Feier.
At the end of the year, we have a small celebration.
eine kleine Feier is a small celebration. Am Jahresende means at the end of the year; am is short for an dem. The noun is dative after an for a time when something happens, and the finite verb machen is in position two.
Wir planen die Feier für das Jahresende.
We are planning the celebration for the end of the year.
planen means to plan, and die Feier is the celebration. Für das Jahresende means for the end of the year; für always takes the accusative, so the neuter article is das.
Zum Jahresende schenken wir unseren Kunden Karten.
At the end of the year, we give our customers cards.
schenken means to give as a present, unseren Kunden means our customers, and Karten are cards. Zum Jahresende is dative after zu, and the finite verb schenken comes in position two even though the sentence starts with this time phrase.
Die Ergebnisse des Jahresendes liegen noch nicht vor.
The results of the end of the year are not available yet.
die Ergebnisse are the results, and vorliegen means to be available. Des Jahresendes is genitive because it identifies which results; the article is des and the noun has -s.
Viele Firmen veröffentlichen ihre Berichte am Jahresende.
Many companies publish their reports at the end of the year.
viele Firmen means many companies, and veröffentlichen means publish. Here Jahresende is singular, because am Jahresende means at the end of one year; am requires the dative.
Am Jahresende zieht die Firma Bilanz.
At the end of the business year, the company takes stock.
die Firma is the company, and Bilanz ziehen means to take stock or review the results. Am Jahresende is a dative time phrase after an, and the separable verb zieht ... Bilanz has its finite part in position two.
Die Abteilung muss vor dem Jahresende alle Rechnungen prüfen.
The department must check all the invoices before the end of the business year.
die Abteilung is the department, vor means before here, and alle Rechnungen prüfen means check all the invoices. Vor dem Jahresende uses dative for a time point; muss is the finite modal verb in position two, and prüfen goes to the end.
die Jahreszahl — year number; year in a date; historical year
Jahreszahl is used for the number that names a year, especially in a written date. Do not confuse it with das Datum, the complete date.
Die Jahreszahl steht auf dem Dokument.
The year number is written on the document.
steht auf dem Dokument means is written on the document. Die Jahreszahl is the nominative subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich schreibe die Jahreszahl auf das Formular.
I write the year number on the form.
aufschreiben means to write down, and das Formular is the form. Die Jahreszahl is accusative because schreiben takes it as its direct object; auf das Formular shows movement onto a surface and therefore uses accusative.
Auf dem Buch steht eine alte Jahreszahl.
An old year number is written on the book.
das Buch is the book, and alt means old. Auf dem Buch is dative because it describes a fixed location, while eine alte Jahreszahl is the nominative subject.
Die Bedeutung der Jahreszahl ist unklar.
The meaning of the year number is unclear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and unklar means unclear. Der Jahreszahl is genitive because it tells whose meaning it is; a feminine noun has der in the genitive.
Alte Jahreszahlen sind manchmal schwer zu lesen.
Old year numbers are sometimes difficult to read.
alte means old, manchmal means sometimes, and schwer zu lesen means difficult to read. Alte Jahreszahlen is a plural nominative subject, so the verb sind is plural.
Wie spricht man diese Jahreszahl aus?
How do you say this year aloud?
wie means how, and aussprechen means pronounce or say aloud. Diese Jahreszahl is accusative as the object of aussprechen, while man is the general subject.
Die Jahreszahl 1989 erinnert viele Menschen an die Wiedervereinigung.
The year 1989 reminds many people of reunification.
erinnern an means remind someone of, and die Wiedervereinigung is reunification. Viele Menschen is dative because erinnern takes the person reminded in the dative; the finite verb erinnert is in position two.
das Jahrhundert — century; historical age; century
A Jahrhundert is exactly one hundred years. Ordinals are often used before it, as in das 20. Jahrhundert, the twentieth century.
Das 20. Jahrhundert war sehr ereignisreich.
The twentieth century was very eventful.
20. Jahrhundert means twentieth century, and ereignisreich means eventful. Das 20. Jahrhundert is the nominative subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir studieren das 20. Jahrhundert im Unterricht.
We study the twentieth century in class.
studieren means study, and im Unterricht means in class. Das 20. Jahrhundert is accusative because it is the direct object of studieren; the neuter article stays das.
Im 20. Jahrhundert veränderte sich die Welt schnell.
In the twentieth century, the world changed quickly.
veränderte sich means changed, and schnell means quickly. Im 20. Jahrhundert is short for in dem 20. Jahrhundert and uses dative for a period of time; the finite verb veränderte is in position two.
Die Geschichte des Jahrhunderts ist kompliziert.
The history of the century is complicated.
die Geschichte means the history, and kompliziert means complicated. Des Jahrhunderts is genitive because it means of the century; the noun takes -s and the article is des.
Viele Jahrhunderte liegen zwischen den beiden Ereignissen.
Many centuries lie between the two events.
viele means many, liegen zwischen means lie between, and beide Ereignisse are the two events. Viele Jahrhunderte is the plural nominative subject, while zwischen den beiden Ereignissen uses dative for a fixed position.
Die Burg steht dort seit einem Jahrhundert.
The castle has stood there for a century.
die Burg is the castle, and seit means for or since when referring to a period continuing to now. Seit einem Jahrhundert takes dative after seit, and steht is in position two.
Dieses Jahrhundert hat große technische Fortschritte gebracht.
This century has brought great technological progress.
technische Fortschritte means technological advances, and gebracht means brought. Dieses Jahrhundert is nominative as the subject, while große technische Fortschritte is accusative after gebracht.
jederzeit — at any time, whenever
jederzeit is neutral and useful when offering permission or saying that something is possible whenever needed. It is usually stronger and more open-ended than manchmal, which means sometimes.
Sie können mich jederzeit anrufen.
You can call me at any time.
anrufen means to call someone by phone, and mich means me. jederzeit is an adverb of time and does not change; the modal verb können is in position two and the infinitive anrufen goes to the end.
Wenn du Hilfe brauchst, kannst du jederzeit kommen.
If you need help, you can come at any time.
Hilfe means help, brauchst means need, and kommen means come. In the wenn clause the finite verb brauchst goes to the end, while in the main clause kannst returns to position two; jederzeit stays unchanged.
jemals — ever
jemals means ever and is most common in questions, negative sentences, or comparisons. Do not use it as a simple replacement for immer, which means always.
Bist du jemals in Österreich gewesen?
Have you ever been to Austria?
Österreich means Austria, and gewesen means been. jemals usually appears in questions about experience; the finite verb bist comes first in a yes-no question, while the Partizip II gewesen goes to the end.
Ich habe so etwas noch jemals gesehen.
I have ever seen something like that before.
so etwas means something like that, and gesehen means seen. The sentence is natural with noch in a negative or comparative context; in the perfect, habe is in position two and gesehen goes to the end, while jemals does not change.
die Jugend — youth, young people; young people, the youth
Die Jugend can mean the period of being young or young people as a group. It is normally used only in the singular; for individual people, use Jugendliche.
Die Jugend ist eine wichtige Zeit.
Youth is an important time.
wichtige means important and Zeit means time. Die Jugend is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Menschen vermissen die Jugend.
Many people miss their youth.
viele Menschen means many people and vermissen means miss. Die Jugend is accusative because vermissen takes a direct object; the article looks the same in nominative and accusative feminine.
Er denkt oft an die Jugend.
He often thinks about his youth.
denkt means thinks and oft means often. The fixed phrase an die Jugend denken uses an with accusative for the topic being thought about; the finite verb denkt is in position two.
Die Erinnerungen der Jugend bleiben lange.
The memories of youth remain for a long time.
Erinnerungen means memories, bleiben means remain, and lange means for a long time. Der Jugend is genitive because it identifies the memories; lange is an adverb and the finite verb bleiben stands in position two.
Die Jugend von heute benutzt viel Technik.
Young people today use a lot of technology.
von heute means today, benutzt means uses, and viel Technik means a lot of technology. Die Jugend is a collective singular subject, so the verb is singular: benutzt, not a plural verb.
Das Angebot ist besonders für die Jugend.
The offer is especially for young people.
das Angebot means the offer, besonders means especially, and für means for. Die Jugend is accusative because the preposition für always requires the accusative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
jährlich — annual, yearly
Jährlich normally describes something that happens once a year. Comparative and superlative forms are grammatically possible but uncommon because an event is usually either annual or not; do not confuse jährlich with täglich, meaning daily.
Die Kontrolle ist jährlich.
The check is annual.
die Kontrolle is the check, and ist means is. Jährlich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending after sein; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir machen eine jährliche Kontrolle.
We have an annual check.
machen means do or have, and eine Kontrolle means a check. Jährliche stands before the feminine accusative noun Kontrolle and takes -e after the indefinite article eine; the object is accusative because of machen.
Seine Besuche sind jährlicher als früher.
His visits are more regular from year to year than they used to be.
seine Besuche means his visits, and früher means in the past or before. Jährlicher is predicative after sein and is followed by als in a comparison; it means that the visits follow a yearly pattern more regularly than before.
Von allen Terminen ist dieser am jährlichsten.
Of all the appointments, this one follows the most regular yearly pattern.
von allen Terminen means of all the appointments, and dieser means this one. Am jährlichsten is the superlative am-form and stands after ist; the comparison group is introduced by von plus the dative plural allen Terminen.
jährlich — annually, yearly
As an adverb, jährlich does not take an adjective ending: say jährlich, not jährliche. Before a noun, however, the adjective form needs an ending, as in jährliche Kosten.
Das Festival findet jährlich im Juli statt.
The festival takes place every year in July.
das Festival is the festival, findet ... statt means takes place, and im Juli means in July. Jährlich is an adverb of time; in this main clause, the separable verb stattfinden splits, with findet in position two and statt at the end.
Die Mitgliedschaft kostet jährlich hundert Euro.
The membership costs one hundred euros per year.
die Mitgliedschaft means membership, kostet means costs, and hundert Euro means one hundred euros. Jährlich modifies the whole statement and means per year; hundert Euro is the amount connected with kostet, and the finite verb is in position two.
das Kalenderjahr — calendar year
Das Kalenderjahr beginnt im Januar.
The calendar year begins in January.
beginnt means begins, and im Januar means in January. Das Kalenderjahr is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen das Kalenderjahr gemeinsam.
We plan the calendar year together.
planen means to plan, and gemeinsam means together. Das Kalenderjahr is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the finite verb planen is in position two.
Im Kalenderjahr 2026 gibt es viele Feiertage.
There are many public holidays in the 2026 calendar year.
viele Feiertage means many public holidays, and gibt es means there are. Im Kalenderjahr is dative because in describes a fixed time period here; the verb gibt stands in position two.
Die Kosten des Kalenderjahres stehen im Bericht.
The costs of the calendar year are in the report.
die Kosten means the costs, and der Bericht means the report. Des Kalenderjahres is genitive because it expresses whose costs they are; stehen is in position two.
Die Kalenderjahre 2024 und 2025 waren sehr unterschiedlich.
The calendar years 2024 and 2025 were very different.
sehr unterschiedlich means very different. Die Kalenderjahre is the plural subject, and waren is the past-tense form of sein in position two.
letzt — last, final; last, most recent
Letzt normally appears before a noun and takes ordinary adjective endings, as in der letzte Tag and den letzten Tag. In its basic meaning it marks the final item in an order; the comparative and superlative are possible when people or things are being ranked.
Der letzte Bus fährt um elf Uhr.
The last bus leaves at eleven o'clock.
der letzte Bus means the last bus, fährt means leaves, and um elf Uhr means at eleven o'clock. Letzte has a weak adjective ending after the definite article der, and the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Der Bus ist der letzte.
The bus is the last one.
der Bus means the bus, and der letzte means the last one. The adjective is used substantivally after ist, so it is capitalized; the predicate nominative agrees with the subject.
Wer kommt letzter?
Who comes last?
wer means who, and kommt means comes. Letzter is the comparative form used predicatively for someone who comes later than another person; the ending -er agrees with the implied masculine person.
Beim Rennen kam er am letzten an.
He came in last in the race.
beim Rennen means in the race, and kam ... an means arrived or came in; er means he. Am letzten is the superlative form, while the separable verb ankommen splits in the main clause and places an at the end.
Letzte Woche war ich krank.
I was ill last week.
letzte Woche means last week, and krank means ill. This is a time expression without a preposition, and the feminine adjective takes the ending -e.
Was hast du letztes Jahr gemacht?
What did you do last year?
letztes Jahr means last year, and gemacht means done. Hast ... gemacht forms the perfect, while the neuter adjective takes the ending -es in this time expression.
mehrmals — several times
mehrmals means several times and refers to repeated occasions. It is an adverb, so it does not take an ending and does not change with the noun or verb.
Ich war mehrmals in Berlin.
I was in Berlin several times.
war means was, and in Berlin means in Berlin. The adverb mehrmals usually stands in the middle field of the sentence; here war is the finite form of sein in the first position after Ich.
Bitte lies den Text mehrmals.
Please read the text several times.
lies means read, and den Text means the text. mehrmals tells how often the action happens and normally comes after the accusative object; the imperative finite verb lies stands first.
meist — mostly, usually
Meist is a short, neutral form meaning “usually” or “mostly”; meistens is more common in everyday speech. As an adverb, it does not take an ending.
Ich fahre meist mit dem Bus.
I usually go by bus.
fahre means “go” or “travel”, and mit dem Bus means “by bus”. Meist is an adverb and does not change; mit always takes the dative, and the finite verb fahre is in position two.
Am Wochenende bin ich meist zu Hause.
At the weekend I am usually at home.
am Wochenende means “at the weekend”, and zu Hause means “at home”. The adverb meist can stand after the subject or later in the clause; because Am Wochenende occupies position one, the finite verb bin comes directly in position two.
die Mitternacht — midnight
The usual time phrase is um Mitternacht, meaning at midnight. The plural Mitternächte is used when talking about several separate midnights, especially in literary or descriptive contexts.
Mitternacht ist schon vorbei.
It is already past midnight.
vorbei means over or past, and schon means already. Mitternacht is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern um Mitternacht.
We are celebrating at midnight.
feiern means to celebrate, and um means at when it introduces a clock time. The phrase um Mitternacht is a fixed time expression; um takes the accusative, although the feminine article is not visible here.
Bei Mitternacht wird es draußen ganz still.
Around midnight, it becomes completely quiet outside.
bei means at or around, draußen means outside, and ganz still means completely quiet. bei always takes the dative, so Mitternacht has the dative form; the verb phrase wird ... still is in position two.
Die Ruhe der Mitternacht gefällt mir.
The quiet of midnight appeals to me.
die Ruhe means the quiet, and gefällt mir means appeals to me or pleases me. der Mitternacht is genitive because it identifies whose quiet it is; mir is dative with gefallen.
Die langen Mitternächte im Norden sind beeindruckend.
The long midnights in the north are impressive.
lang means long, im Norden means in the north, and beeindruckend means impressive. Mitternächte is the plural subject; the adjective ending -en follows the definite article die, and the verb sind stands in position two.
der Moment — moment, instant; moment; one moment!
Der Moment usually means a short period or instant. The common expression im Moment means at the moment, while einen Moment! is used to ask someone to wait briefly.
Der Moment war sehr schön.
The moment was very beautiful.
schön means beautiful or lovely, and sehr means very. Der Moment is the nominative subject; the finite verb war is in position two, and schön is a predicative adjective with no ending.
Ich genieße den Moment.
I am enjoying the moment.
genießen means enjoy. Den Moment is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; the finite verb genieße stands in position two.
In dem Moment klingelte das Telefon.
At that moment, the telephone rang.
in dem Moment means at that moment, klingeln means ring, and das Telefon means the telephone. Dem Moment is dative because in describes a point in time here; the prepositional phrase is first, so klingelte comes next.
Die Ruhe des Moments tat mir gut.
The peace of the moment did me good.
Ruhe means peace or quiet, and tat mir gut means did me good. Moments is genitive after die Ruhe, showing whose peace it is; mir is dative in the fixed expression jemandem guttun.
Manchmal gibt es besondere Momente.
Sometimes there are special moments.
manchmal means sometimes and besondere means special. Momente is plural accusative after es gibt; es gibt keeps the verb singular even when the following noun is plural.
Einen Moment, ich komme sofort.
One moment, I will come right away.
kommen means come and sofort means immediately or right away. Einen Moment is an accusative expression for a short duration; the second clause has komme in position two.
Warte bitte einen Moment.
Please wait a moment.
warte means wait and bitte means please. Einen Moment is accusative after warten in this duration expression; Warte is the informal singular imperative and comes first.
monatlich — monthly
monatlich normally describes something that happens or is paid once a month. It is usually used attributively, as in monatliche Miete, or predicatively, as in Die Zahlung ist monatlich; comparison is grammatically possible but rarely useful.
Die Zahlung ist monatlich.
The payment is monthly.
die Zahlung means the payment. monatlich means monthly. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben eine monatliche Besprechung.
We have a monthly meeting.
eine Besprechung means a meeting, and haben means have. monatliche describes Besprechung and takes an -e ending after eine; the noun phrase is accusative because haben takes an accusative object.
Diese Zahlung ist nicht monatlicher als die andere.
This payment is not more monthly than the other one.
diese Zahlung means this payment, and die andere means the other one. The comparative form monatlicher is grammatically possible, but it is unusual because a monthly schedule is normally not compared; als introduces the comparison.
Das ist die monatlichste Ausgabe im ganzen Jahr.
That is the most monthly expense of the whole year.
die Ausgabe means the expense, and im ganzen Jahr means in the whole year. monatlichste is a possible superlative form, but this sentence is unusual in normal German; the adjective has an ending because it stands before the feminine noun.
monatlich — monthly, every month
As an adverb, monatlich tells how often something happens or is paid. It does not take an adjective ending: monatlich bezahlen, not monatliche bezahlen.
Ich bezahle die Rechnung monatlich.
I pay the bill monthly.
ich bezahle means I pay, and die Rechnung means the bill. monatlich is an adverb telling us how often the action happens; die Rechnung is accusative because bezahlen takes an accusative object.
Der Kurs findet monatlich statt.
The course takes place monthly.
der Kurs means the course, and findet ... statt means takes place. monatlich gives the frequency, while the separable verb stattfinden splits in the main clause: findet is in position two and statt goes to the end.
neulich — recently, the other day
Neulich refers to a fairly recent but usually unspecified time. It is not normally used for something happening right now; use gerade for that meaning.
Ich habe neulich meine alte Lehrerin getroffen.
I met my old teacher the other day.
meine alte Lehrerin means my old teacher, and getroffen means met. Neulich is a time adverb and can stand near the beginning of the sentence; habe is in position two and getroffen goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Neulich war das Wetter besonders warm.
The weather was especially warm recently.
das Wetter means the weather, and besonders warm means especially warm. When neulich occupies position one, the finite verb war still comes in position two, before the subject das Wetter.
nun — now, at present; well, so, then
Nun is a neutral adverb meaning jetzt, “now”, but it can sound slightly more formal or literary. It is also common when moving to the next step in a conversation.
Wir müssen nun gehen.
We have to leave now.
müssen means have to, and gehen means leave or go. Nun is a time adverb and does not change the case; the modal verb müssen is in position two and sends gehen to the end.
Was machen wir nun?
What do we do now?
was means what, and machen means do or make. Nun means now and can appear after the verb in a question; was is the accusative object of machen, and the finite verb comes directly after the question word.
Nun, was machen wir als Nächstes?
So, what shall we do next?
was machen wir means what shall we do, and als Nächstes means next or as the next thing. Here nun introduces the next part of the discussion rather than simply giving a time; the question word was comes first and machen stays in position two.
Nun, das ist aber eine Überraschung!
Well, that is a surprise!
das means that, aber means really or indeed here, and eine Überraschung is a surprise. At the start, nun is an interjection-like discourse marker; the finite verb ist remains in position two, and aber adds emphasis rather than contrast.
das Pfingsten — Pentecost
Pfingsten is normally used without an article in time expressions such as zu Pfingsten. It has no ordinary plural because it names one yearly holiday.
Pfingsten ist im Mai.
Pentecost is in May.
im Mai means in May. Pfingsten is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern Pfingsten bei meinen Großeltern.
We celebrate Pentecost at my grandparents' house.
feiern means to celebrate, and bei meinen Großeltern means at my grandparents' house. Pfingsten is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; the noun has no visible article here.
Zu Pfingsten besuchen wir unsere Familie.
At Pentecost, we visit our family.
zu means at or on in this time expression, and besuchen means to visit. Pfingsten is dative after zu, although the form does not visibly change; the fronted phrase makes besuchen the verb in position two.
Die Bedeutung des Pfingstens ist vielen Menschen wichtig.
The meaning of Pentecost is important to many people.
die Bedeutung means meaning, and wichtig means important. Des Pfingstens is genitive because it identifies whose meaning is meant; Pfingsten takes -s in this formal construction.