Appearance
Vocab: Time — B1 (1)
Time vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Ablauf — course, process, sequence; expiry, expiration
Der Ablauf describes the stages or course of something, while der Verlauf is often used for how something develops over time.
Der Ablauf des Kurses ist gut geplant.
The course schedule is well planned.
der Kurs means course, and gut geplant means well planned. Der Ablauf is nominative because it is the subject, while des Kurses is genitive because it identifies which course; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir ändern den Ablauf des Treffens.
We are changing the course of the meeting.
ändern means to change, and das Treffen means meeting. Den Ablauf is accusative because ändern takes a direct object, while des Treffens is genitive; the finite verb ändern stands in position two.
Nach dem Unfall fehlte es dem Ablauf an Struktur.
After the accident, the process lacked structure.
der Unfall means accident, and die Struktur means structure. Dem Ablauf is dative after the fixed expression es fehlt an, while nach dem Unfall also uses dative; the verb fehlte is in position two.
Die Qualität des Ablaufs war überraschend gut.
The quality of the process was surprisingly good.
die Qualität means quality, and überraschend means surprisingly. Des Ablaufs is genitive because it says whose quality it is; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Wir vergleichen verschiedene Abläufe.
We are comparing different processes.
vergleichen means to compare, and verschieden means different. Verschiedene Abläufe is accusative plural because vergleichen takes a direct object; the finite verb vergleichen stands in position two.
Nach Ablauf der Frist ist keine Änderung mehr möglich.
After the deadline has expired, no further change is possible.
die Frist means deadline, and keine Änderung means no change. Ablauf is part of the fixed phrase nach Ablauf der Frist; der Frist is genitive, and möglich appears with the modal verb ist.
Der Vertrag endet mit Ablauf des Jahres.
The contract ends at the end of the year.
der Vertrag means contract, and enden means to end. Ablauf is used in the phrase mit Ablauf, with mit taking dative; des Jahres is genitive and specifies the year.
aktuell — current, up-to-date, topical
Aktuell can mean current information or topical news, not only physically up to date. Its comparison is regular: aktueller, am aktuellsten.
Die Information ist aktuell.
The information is current.
Die Information means the information. Aktuell is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese die aktuelle Zeitung.
I am reading the current newspaper.
lese means am reading, and die Zeitung means the newspaper. Aktuelle stands before the feminine accusative noun Zeitung and takes -e after die; the whole noun phrase is the accusative object of lese.
Diese Nachricht ist aktueller als die alte.
This news item is more current than the old one.
Diese Nachricht means this news item, and alte means old one. Aktueller is the comparative with -er; als introduces the thing being compared, and the adjective is predicative after ist.
Diese Meldung ist am aktuellsten.
This report is the most up-to-date.
Diese Meldung means this report. Am aktuellsten is the predicative superlative; am is part of this form, so do not use an attributive ending such as aktuellste here.
andauern — to last, to continue
andauern is intransitive, so it normally has no direct accusative object. It is a separable verb: dauert an, but andauert in a subordinate clause.
Der Regen dauert an.
The rain continues.
der Regen means the rain. The finite verb dauert is in position two, while the separable prefix an moves to the end of the main clause.
Der Lärm hat die ganze Nacht angedauert.
The noise lasted all night.
der Lärm means the noise, and die ganze Nacht means all night. The perfect uses hat plus angedauert; the Partizip II stands at the end, while die ganze Nacht is an accusative time expression.
Die Krise dauerte an.
The crisis continued.
die Krise means the crisis. The finite past form dauerte stands in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Dauere an!
Keep going!
The imperative dauere an means continue or keep going; an is separated from the verb. This command is usually figurative because a person does not normally andauern.
Wenn der Streit länger andauerte, würden wir gehen.
If the argument lasted longer, we would leave.
der Streit means the argument, länger means longer, and gehen means to leave or go. In the wenn clause, the finite verb andauerte stays at the end and the prefix is not separated; würden wir gehen expresses the hypothetical result.
Der Kurs wird bis Freitag andauern.
The course will last until Friday.
der Kurs means the course, and bis Freitag means until Friday. The future uses wird in position two and the infinitive andauern at the end, where the prefix remains attached.
andauernd — lasting, continuous, constant
andauernd describes something that continues without a break. It can stand before a noun with an adjective ending, as in andauernder Lärm, or after a verb such as sein without an ending.
Der andauernde Regen macht mich müde.
The continuous rain makes me tired.
der Regen means the rain, and müde means tired. andauernde is attributive and has the -e ending after der; the finite verb macht stands in position two.
Sie ist wegen des andauernden Lärms genervt.
She is annoyed because of the constant noise.
wegen means because of, der Lärm means the noise, and genervt means annoyed. wegen usually governs the genitive, so des andauernden Lärms is genitive; the adjective takes -en after des.
Sein Husten ist andauernder als meiner.
His cough is more persistent than mine.
sein Husten means his cough, and meiner means mine. The predicative comparative andauernder has no adjective ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Der Streit war am andauerndsten.
The argument lasted the longest.
der Streit means the argument, and war means was. The predicative superlative uses am andauerndsten; the finite verb war is in position two.
andauernd — continuously, constantly
As an adverb, andauernd describes an action rather than a noun. It is often similar to ständig, but it can suggest that the repeated action is irritating.
Der Hund bellt andauernd.
The dog keeps barking.
der Hund means the dog, and bellt means barks. The adverb andauernd usually comes after the finite verb in a simple main clause; bellt is in position two.
Es regnet andauernd, deshalb bleiben wir zu Hause.
It keeps raining, so we are staying at home.
regnet means is raining, deshalb means therefore, and zu Hause means at home. andauernd modifies the verb regnet; after deshalb, bleiben is again in position two.
anfänglich — initial, at first
anfänglich is fairly formal and means at the beginning, not simply first in a list. In everyday German, anfangs or zu Beginn is often more natural; comparison is grammatically possible but uncommon.
Die Aufgabe ist anfänglich schwierig.
The task is initially difficult.
die Aufgabe means the task, and schwierig means difficult. anfänglich is a predicative adverbial adjective and therefore has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Anfängliche Probleme sind normal.
Initial problems are normal.
Probleme means problems, and normal means normal. Anfängliche stands before the plural noun and takes -e because the definite article die is understood; the plural subject puts sind in position two.
Die anfänglichere Version war übersichtlicher.
The more initial version was clearer.
die Version means the version, war means was, and übersichtlicher means clearer or easier to navigate. The comparative anfänglichere has the attributive ending -e after die; the finite verb war is in position two.
Das war die anfänglichste Erklärung.
That was the most initial explanation.
die Erklärung means the explanation. anfänglichste is an attributive superlative with the ending -e after die; the finite verb war stands in position two, while the phrase is unusual and is normally expressed with erste or zu Beginn.
der Beginn — beginning, start
The everyday time expression is zu Beginn, meaning at the beginning. The plural Beginne exists but is uncommon; learners should not confuse Beginn with Anfang, which is more general and more frequent.
Der Beginn des Films ist spannend.
The beginning of the film is exciting.
des Films means of the film, and spannend means exciting or suspenseful. Der Beginn is nominative because it is the subject, while des Films is genitive to show what is beginning; ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Beginn der Ferien.
We are celebrating the beginning of the holidays.
feiern means celebrate, and der Ferien means of the holidays. den Beginn is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; der Ferien is genitive and specifies which beginning.
Am Beginn war alles neu.
At the beginning, everything was new.
am Beginn means at the beginning, and alles means everything; neu means new. am is a contraction of an dem, and an takes the dative here because this is a fixed time expression; the verb war follows the fronted phrase in position two.
Der Zeitpunkt des Beginns steht noch nicht fest.
The time of the beginning has not yet been decided.
der Zeitpunkt means the point in time, noch nicht means not yet, and feststehen means to be decided or fixed. des Beginns is genitive because it identifies the relevant point in time, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Beginne der beiden Kurse liegen nah beieinander.
The beginnings of the two courses are close together.
der beiden Kurse means of the two courses, and nah beieinander means close to each other. Die Beginne is a plural subject, and der beiden Kurse is genitive; the plural Beginne is uncommon outside formal or comparative contexts.
bisherig — previous, so far, up to now
Bisherig is normally used before a noun: die bisherige Entwicklung means the development so far. It is not normally compared; the idea is “up to now”, not a degree of being previous.
Bisherig ist nur der erste Teil des Berichts.
Only the first part of the report exists so far.
nur means only, erste Teil means first part, and Bericht means report. Bisherig is used predicatively here, although this adjective is much more common before a noun; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die bisherige Lösung ist besser als die alte.
The solution so far is better than the old one.
Lösung means solution, besser means better, and alte means old one. Bisherige stands before the feminine noun Lösung after die, so it takes -e; the actual comparison is made by besser, not by bisherig.
Die bisherige Methode ist einfacher als die neue.
The method used so far is simpler than the new one.
Methode means method, einfacher means simpler, and neue means new one. Bisherige is an attributive form before the feminine noun Methode; bisherig itself is not normally compared, so einfacher carries the comparison.
Unter den bisherigen Ergebnissen ist dieses am besten dokumentiert.
Among the results so far, this one is documented best.
Ergebnisse means results, dieses means this one, and dokumentiert means documented. Bisherigen is plural dative after unter in the meaning “among”; am besten is the superlative in the sentence, because bisherig itself has no normal superlative.
bislang — so far, until now
Bislang is a somewhat formal alternative to bisher, meaning up to now. It usually refers to a period that continues or may change.
Bislang hat niemand die Ursache gefunden.
So far, nobody has found the cause.
niemand means nobody, and die Ursache means the cause. Bislang is a time adverb at the beginning, so the finite verb hat comes in position two; gefunden goes to the end because this is a perfect-tense sentence.
Bislang war das Wetter ungewöhnlich warm.
Until now, the weather has been unusually warm.
das Wetter means the weather, and ungewöhnlich warm means unusually warm. Bislang occupies the first position, so the finite verb war comes directly after it; learners should not add a preposition before bislang.
die Bürozeit — office hours
Bürozeit usually means the period when an office is open or reachable, while the plural Bürozeiten is common for opening or contact hours. It does not usually mean the amount of time an employee spends doing office work.
Die Bürozeit beginnt um acht Uhr.
Office hours begin at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Bürozeit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Bürozeit nicht.
I do not know the office hours.
kennen means to know and nicht means not. Die Bürozeit is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Bitte rufen Sie mir während der Bürozeit an.
Please call me during office hours.
bitte means please and anrufen means to call. Während normally takes the genitive, so this sentence uses der Bürozeit as genitive, while mir is dative because it is the person being called; rufen stands in position two and an goes to the end.
Das Ende der Bürozeit ist um fünf Uhr.
The end of office hours is at five o'clock.
das Ende means the end and um fünf Uhr means at five o'clock. Der Bürozeit is genitive because it specifies the end of what; the verb ist agrees with das Ende.
Die Bürozeiten stehen auf der Website.
The office hours are listed on the website.
stehen means are listed or stand, and die Website means the website. Bürozeiten is the plural subject, so the verb is stehen; auf der Website is a dative location phrase.
damalig — former, at that time
Damalig means belonging to an earlier time already being discussed, often translated as former or then. It is normally used before a noun, as in der damalige Präsident; it is not normally compared, so it has no regular comparative or superlative form.
Der damalige Präsident war sehr beliebt.
The president at that time was very popular.
der Präsident means the president, and beliebt means popular. Damalige is used before the noun and takes the adjective ending -e after the definite article der; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Wir besuchten die damalige Hauptstadt.
We visited the former capital.
Wir means we, besuchten means visited, and die Hauptstadt means the capital city. Die damalige Hauptstadt is an accusative object because besuchen takes the accusative; the adjective ending -e follows the feminine article die.
Die damalige Situation war schwieriger als heute.
The situation at that time was more difficult than today.
die Situation means the situation, schwieriger means more difficult, and heute means today. Damalige refers to an earlier time and is not itself being compared; schwieriger is the comparative adjective after war.
Die damalige Situation war die schwierigste von allen.
The situation at that time was the most difficult of all.
die Situation means the situation, die schwierigste means the most difficult one, and von allen means of all of them. Damalige remains an attributive adjective with the ending -e after die; the superlative in the sentence is schwierigste, not a comparison of damalig.
daraufhin — as a result, afterwards; in response to that
This adverb links an event to a later reaction or consequence. It is more formal than danach and usually refers to something already mentioned.
Der Bus kam nicht. Daraufhin nahm ich ein Taxi.
The bus did not come. As a result, I took a taxi.
der Bus is the bus, and ein Taxi is a taxi. Daraufhin refers back to the bus not coming; it stands at the beginning of the second main clause, so the finite verb nahm comes immediately after it in position two.
Sie bekam die Nachricht und handelte daraufhin sofort.
She received the message and acted immediately afterwards.
die Nachricht is the message, handeln means to act, and sofort means immediately. Daraufhin comes after the verb here and means that her action followed the message; it does not describe a physical place.
Der Fahrer übersah das Schild; daraufhin wurde die Straße gesperrt.
The driver overlooked the sign; as a result, the road was closed.
der Fahrer is the driver, übersehen means to overlook, das Schild is the sign, and gesperrt means closed to traffic. Daraufhin introduces the consequence, while wurde ... gesperrt is a passive construction with the finite verb in position two.
Er hörte die Kritik und änderte daraufhin seinen Plan.
He heard the criticism and changed his plan in response.
die Kritik is the criticism, ändern means to change, and der Plan is the plan. Seinen Plan is accusative because ändern takes a direct object; daraufhin says that the change was a response to the criticism.
die Dauer — duration, length of time; long term, permanence
die Dauer describes how long something lasts and is often followed by von plus a time period, as in von kurzer Dauer. Do not confuse it with the verb dauern, meaning to last.
Die Dauer des Films beträgt zwei Stunden.
The film lasts two hours.
der Film means the film, beträgt means amounts to or is, and zwei Stunden means two hours. Die Dauer is nominative because it is the subject, while des Films is genitive because it specifies whose duration.
Wir planen die Dauer der Reise.
We are planning the duration of the journey.
planen means plan and die Reise means the journey. die Dauer is accusative because it is the direct object of planen; the finite verb planen stands in position two.
Nach der Dauer der Prüfung brauche ich eine Pause.
After the length of the exam, I need a break.
nach means after, die Prüfung means the exam, and eine Pause means a break. der Dauer is dative because nach always takes the dative; the main verb brauche is in position two.
Wegen der Dauer des Seminars bin ich müde.
Because of the length of the seminar, I am tired.
wegen means because of, das Seminar means the seminar, and müde means tired. der Dauer is genitive because wegen traditionally governs the genitive; feminine genitive looks the same as feminine dative, so the preposition is the clue.
Die Dauern der Sitzungen sind unterschiedlich.
The durations of the meetings are different.
die Sitzungen means the meetings and unterschiedlich means different. Dauern is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the plural verb sind agrees with it.
Auf Dauer ist diese Lösung zu teuer.
In the long term, this solution is too expensive.
auf Dauer means in the long term, diese Lösung means this solution, and teuer means expensive. In this fixed expression, Dauer has no article; the phrase is placed first, so the finite verb ist follows it in position two.
Sie möchte Dauer in ihrem neuen Zuhause finden.
She wants to find lasting stability in her new home.
möchte means would like, ihrem neuen Zuhause means her new home, and finden means find. This sentence uses Dauer in the less common abstract sense of lasting stability; Dauer is accusative as the object of finden, and the infinitive goes to the end.
dauerhaft — permanent, lasting, durable
dauerhaft describes something that lasts or remains in place for a long time. It is often used for solutions, protection, damage, or relationships, while dauernd more often describes something happening repeatedly or continuously.
Die Creme bietet dauerhaften Schutz vor der Sonne.
The cream offers lasting protection from the sun.
die Creme is cream, bietet means offers, Schutz means protection, and vor der Sonne means from the sun. dauerhaften Schutz is accusative because bieten takes an accusative object; the adjective has the ending -en after dauerhaften because the noun phrase has a definite article, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Die Lösung ist dauerhaft.
The solution is permanent.
die Lösung means the solution, and ist means is. dauerhaft is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Diese Reparatur ist dauerhafter als die alte.
This repair is more durable than the old one.
diese Reparatur means this repair, alte means old, and als means than. dauerhafter compares this repair with another one; after sein, the comparative is predicative and has no extra adjective ending.
Das ist die dauerhafteste Lösung für das Problem.
That is the most lasting solution to the problem.
das means that, Lösung means solution, and für das Problem means for the problem. die dauerhafteste Lösung is the nominative noun phrase after sein; the superlative before the noun takes the ending -e, and für always takes the accusative.
dauernd — constant, continuous, continual
dauernd usually describes something that happens repeatedly or without a break, and it can suggest annoyance: dauernde Fragen means constant questions. It is close to ständig, while dauerhaft focuses more on lasting over a long period.
Das dauernde Warten macht mich müde.
The constant waiting makes me tired.
das Warten means the waiting, macht means makes, and müde means tired. das dauernde Warten is the nominative subject, while mich is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Der Lärm ist dauernd.
The noise is constant.
der Lärm means the noise and ist means is. dauernd is predicative after sein, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb stands in position two.
Der Verkehr ist heute dauernder als sonst.
The traffic is more constant today than usual.
der Verkehr means the traffic, heute means today, and sonst means usually or otherwise. dauernder is a predicative comparative after sein; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Am Wochenende ist der Lärm am dauerndsten.
At the weekend, the noise is most constant.
am Wochenende means at the weekend and der Lärm means the noise. The superlative am dauerndsten is predicative after sein and uses am; the time phrase occupies position one, so the finite verb still comes in position two.
derzeitig — current; present
Derzeitig is normally used before a noun, especially in formal or written language, and means current rather than temporary. It is usually not compared; aktuell is more common in everyday German, although comparative and superlative forms can be formed when a comparison is needed.
Die Lage ist derzeitig schwer einzuschätzen.
The current situation is difficult to assess.
schwer einzuschätzen means difficult to assess. Derzeitig is used predicatively after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die derzeitige Lage ist schwierig.
The current situation is difficult.
die Lage means the situation, and schwierig means difficult. Derzeitige stands before the feminine noun Lage and takes the ending -e after the definite article die; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Der derzeitigere Plan berücksichtigt die neuen Informationen besser.
The more current plan takes the new information into account better.
der Plan means the plan, berücksichtigen means to take into account, and die neuen Informationen means the new information. Derzeitigere is a comparative adjective before the masculine nominative subject Plan; die neuen Informationen is accusative because it is the object of berücksichtigt.
Diese Daten sind am derzeitigsten.
These data are the most current.
diese Daten means these data, and am ...sten expresses the superlative in a predicative phrase. Derzeitigsten follows sind without an adjective ending; the form is unusual, and everyday German normally uses am aktuellsten instead.
einhalten — to observe, keep, comply with
Use einhalten for rules, agreements, limits, deadlines, and promises. It is separable in a main clause, but einhalten stays together as an infinitive and eingehalten as a Partizip II.
Er hält die Regeln genau ein.
He follows the rules exactly.
die Regeln means the rules and genau means exactly. Die Regeln is accusative because einhalten takes an accusative object; the finite verb hält is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Wir haben die Frist eingehalten.
We met the deadline.
die Frist means the deadline, and wir means we. The perfect uses haben because this is an action performed by someone; die Frist is accusative and eingehalten stands at the end.
Sie hielt ihr Versprechen ein.
She kept her promise.
ihr Versprechen means her promise. The strong past form is hielt, the possessive phrase is accusative as the object, and the prefix ein is separated to the end.
Halt bitte die Verkehrsregeln ein.
Please obey the traffic rules.
bitte means please and die Verkehrsregeln means the traffic rules. This is the informal imperative with omitted du; the object is accusative and the prefix ein stays at the end.
Wenn er die Vereinbarung einhielte, gäbe es keinen Streit.
If he kept the agreement, there would be no argument.
die Vereinbarung means the agreement, keinen Streit means no argument, and gäbe es means there would be. Einhielte is the Konjunktiv II in the subordinate clause, so it comes at the end; the agreement is accusative.
Ihr werdet die Sicherheitsregeln einhalten.
You will obey the safety rules.
ihr means you plural, and die Sicherheitsregeln means the safety rules. Werdet is the future auxiliary in position two, while the complete infinitive einhalten goes to the end; the object is accusative.
endlich — finite, limited
The adjective endlich means finite or limited. Do not confuse it with the adverb endlich, which usually means finally or at last.
Unsere Zeit ist endlich.
Our time is limited.
unsere Zeit means our time, and begrenzt means limited. Endlich follows ist and has no ending because it is used predicatively after sein.
Wir müssen mit den endlichen Ressourcen sparsam umgehen.
We must use the finite resources sparingly.
die Ressourcen are resources, and sparsam umgehen means to use carefully or economically. Mit always takes the dative, so den endlichen Ressourcen has the dative plural ending -en on the adjective.
Die Ressourcen dieser Insel sind endlicher als die des Festlands.
The resources of this island are more limited than those of the mainland.
die Insel means island, das Festland means mainland, and die Ressourcen dieser Insel means the resources of this island. Endlicher is the comparative and als introduces the second item; because the adjective follows sind, it has no ending.
Von allen Vorräten ist dieser am endlichsten.
Of all the supplies, this one is the most limited.
die Vorräte means supplies, and dieser means this one. Von takes the dative in von allen Vorräten, while am endlichsten is the superlative used predicatively after ist.
die Frist — deadline, fixed period; official time limit
Frist often refers to a legally or officially fixed period. Learn it with eine Frist einhalten, meaning to do something before the deadline.
Die Frist endet am Freitag.
The deadline ends on Friday.
endet means ends and am Freitag means on Friday. Frist is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb endet stands in position two.
Wir müssen die Frist einhalten.
We must meet the deadline.
müssen means must and einhalten means meet or comply with. Frist is accusative because einhalten takes a direct object; einhalten goes to the end after müssen.
Ich widerspreche der Frist.
I object to the deadline.
widerspreche means object to or contradict. Frist is dative because widersprechen requires a dative object, not an accusative one.
Die Verlängerung der Frist kostet Geld.
The extension of the deadline costs money.
die Verlängerung means the extension and kostet Geld means costs money. Frist is genitive because it identifies which extension, and kostet is in position two.
Die Fristen für die Anträge sind sehr kurz.
The deadlines for the applications are very short.
die Anträge means the applications and kurz means short. Fristen is plural, and für die Anträge is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Bitte verlängern Sie die Frist.
Please extend the deadline.
Bitte means please and verlängern means extend. This is a formal request with Sie; Frist is accusative because it is the direct object of verlängern.
Wegen der Frist müssen wir uns beeilen.
Because of the deadline, we have to hurry.
wegen means because of, müssen means have to, and uns beeilen means hurry. In careful standard German, Frist is genitive after wegen; müssen sends beeilen to the end.
Das Gericht setzte eine Frist von zwei Wochen.
The court set a time limit of two weeks.
das Gericht means the court, setzte means set, and zwei Wochen means two weeks. Frist is accusative because it is the object of setzte; von zwei Wochen uses von with the dative to state the length.
Nach Ablauf der Frist wird der Antrag abgelehnt.
After the deadline has passed, the application will be rejected.
nach Ablauf means after the expiry, der Antrag means the application, and abgelehnt means rejected. Frist is genitive in the formal expression nach Ablauf der Frist; the passive Partizip II abgelehnt stands at the end.
fristgerecht — on time, by the deadline
Fristgerecht describes something completed within an official time limit. It is often used in formal or legal writing and can stand before a noun with an adjective ending or after a verb without an ending.
Die Zahlung ist fristgerecht.
The payment was made on time.
die Zahlung means the payment, and ist means is. Fristgerecht is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; it says that the payment met the required deadline.
Wir schicken den fristgerechten Antrag heute ab.
We are sending the application that meets the deadline today.
schicken ... ab means send off, der Antrag means the application, and heute means today. Fristgerechten comes before the masculine accusative noun Antrag, so it takes -en after den; the separable verb has schicken in position two and ab at the end.
Eine fristgerechtere Lösung wäre besser.
A solution that meets the deadline more reliably would be better.
eine Lösung means a solution and wäre besser means would be better. Fristgerechtere is comparative and has -e because it follows the feminine nominative article eine; wäre is Konjunktiv II for a hypothetical suggestion.
Diese Zahlung war am fristgerechtesten.
This payment met the deadline most reliably.
diese Zahlung means this payment and war means was. Am fristgerechtesten is the predicative superlative with am, so it has no noun ending; the Präteritum war is the past form of sein.
Der Antrag wurde fristgerecht eingereicht.
The application was submitted on time.
der Antrag means the application, wurde means was, and eingereicht means submitted. Fristgerecht is an adverb modifying the passive action, so it has no ending; the passive Partizip II eingereicht stands at the end.
Bitte senden Sie die Unterlagen fristgerecht an uns.
Please send the documents to us by the deadline.
senden means send, die Unterlagen means the documents, and an uns means to us. Fristgerecht is used adverbially and therefore has no adjective ending; this formal request uses Sie, and an takes the accusative here because it expresses direction.
frühestens — at the earliest
Frühestens sets the earliest possible time and is the opposite of spätestens, at the latest. Do not confuse it with früh, which simply means early.
Der Zug kommt frühestens um sechs Uhr.
The train will arrive at six o’clock at the earliest.
der Zug means the train, kommt means arrives, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Frühestens limits the time and usually comes before the time expression; the finite verb kommt remains in position two.
Wir können frühestens am Freitag anfangen.
We can start on Friday at the earliest.
wir means we, können means can, am Freitag means on Friday, and anfangen means to start. Frühestens says that Friday is the earliest possible time; with the modal verb können, the infinitive anfangen goes to the end.
die Gegenwart — present, present time; presence
For the time period, die Gegenwart contrasts with die Vergangenheit and die Zukunft. It is normally a singular-only abstract noun; do not form an ordinary plural.
Die Gegenwart ist wichtiger als die Vergangenheit.
The present is more important than the past.
wichtiger means more important, and die Vergangenheit means the past. Die Gegenwart is nominative because it is the subject; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Wir müssen die Gegenwart genießen.
We must enjoy the present.
müssen means must and genießen means enjoy. Die Gegenwart is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; with müssen, the second verb genießen goes to the end.
In der Gegenwart leben viele Menschen sehr schnell.
Many people live very fast in the present.
leben means live and sehr schnell means very quickly. In der Gegenwart is dative because in describes a time or situation here, not movement; the finite verb leben is in position two.
Die Probleme der Gegenwart brauchen neue Lösungen.
The problems of the present need new solutions.
die Probleme means the problems and neue Lösungen means new solutions. Der Gegenwart is genitive because it specifies which problems; feminine nouns use der in the genitive.
Die Gegenwart ist wichtiger als die Zukunft.
The present is more important than the future.
wichtiger means more important and die Zukunft means the future. This sentence uses die Gegenwart as a singular nominative subject; Gegenwart is a singular-only noun in this meaning, so it has no normal plural.
In der Gegenwart meiner Eltern spreche ich vorsichtiger.
In my parents’ presence, I speak more carefully.
meiner Eltern means my parents’ and vorsichtiger means more carefully. In der Gegenwart is dative after in because it describes a situation; spreche remains in position two after the initial phrase.
Er fühlt sich in ihrer Gegenwart wohl.
He feels comfortable in her presence.
fühlt sich ... wohl means feels comfortable, and ihrer means her. In ihrer Gegenwart is dative after in; the separable verb sich wohlfühlen places wohl at the end of the main clause.
gleichzeitig — simultaneous, at the same time
Gleichzeitig is both an adjective and a common adverb: gleichzeitige Ereignisse means simultaneous events, while sie kommen gleichzeitig means they come at the same time. Do not confuse it with gleich, which can mean same or soon.
Beide Ereignisse passieren gleichzeitig.
Both events happen at the same time.
beide Ereignisse means both events and passieren means happen. Gleichzeitig is used adverbially here, so it has no ending; the finite verb passieren is in position two.
Wir hörten einen gleichzeitigen Knall.
We heard a simultaneous bang.
hörten means heard and der Knall is the bang or loud noise. Einen gleichzeitigen Knall is an accusative object after hören; the adjective has -en because it follows the masculine accusative article einen.
Die beiden Reaktionen waren gleichzeitiger als erwartet.
The two reactions were more simultaneous than expected.
die beiden Reaktionen means the two reactions and erwartet means expected. Gleichzeitiger als compares the timing of the reactions; the adjective is predicative after waren and therefore has no case ending.
Bei diesem Versuch waren die Bewegungen am gleichzeitigsten.
In this experiment, the movements were the most simultaneous.
bei diesem Versuch means in this experiment and die Bewegungen means the movements. Bei takes the dative, while the predicative superlative uses am gleichzeitigsten after waren.
Die Kinder sprechen gleichzeitig und niemand versteht sie.
The children speak at the same time and nobody understands them.
die Kinder are the children, niemand means nobody, and versteht sie means understands them. Gleichzeitig describes the speaking, and the coordinating conjunction und leaves normal word order in the second clause.
Die zwei Züge kamen gleichzeitig am Bahnhof an.
The two trains arrived at the station at the same time.
die zwei Züge means the two trains, kamen ... an means arrived, and der Bahnhof is the station. Gleichzeitig describes when the action happened; the separable verb ankommen splits in the main clause, with an at the end.
der Glückstag — lucky day
The compound der Glückstag combines das Glück, luck, with der Tag, day. It describes a day that brings unusually good fortune.
Heute ist mein Glückstag.
Today is my lucky day.
heute means today, and mein means my. Mein Glückstag is nominative because it comes after sein and identifies the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Glückstag.
I wish you a wonderful lucky day.
wünsche means wish, dir means to you, and schönen means wonderful. Einen schönen Glückstag is accusative because wünschen takes a direct object, while dir is dative for the person receiving the wish.
An meinem Glückstag habe ich eine Reise gewonnen.
On my lucky day, I won a trip.
an means on, meinem means my, eine Reise is a trip, and gewonnen means won. Meinem Glückstag is dative because an refers here to a fixed time, and the finite verb habe comes second after the time phrase.
Die Erinnerung meines Glückstags bleibt lange.
The memory of my lucky day remains for a long time.
die Erinnerung means the memory, bleibt means remains, and lange means for a long time. Meines Glückstags is genitive because it tells whose memory it is; the masculine noun has -s and the determiner is meines.
Solche Glückstage vergisst man nicht.
You do not forget lucky days like that.
solche means such, vergisst means forgets, and man means one or people in general. Glückstage is plural and accusative because vergessen takes a direct object; the subject man is followed by the finite verb in position two.
heutzutage — nowadays, these days
Heutzutage means nowadays or these days and refers broadly to modern life, not only to the day of speaking. It is similar to heute in this broader sense but is more explicit about the present era.
Heutzutage arbeiten viele Menschen von zu Hause.
Nowadays many people work from home.
viele Menschen means many people, and von zu Hause means from home. Heutzutage occupies the first position, so the finite verb arbeiten comes in position two; von takes the dative here, shown by zu Hause in the fixed expression.
Kinder lernen heutzutage oft mit digitalen Geräten.
Children nowadays often learn with digital devices.
Kinder means children, oft means often, and digitale Geräte means digital devices. The finite verb lernen is in position two; mit always takes the dative, so digitalen Geräten has dative plural marking.
historisch — historical, historic
historisch can mean connected with history or especially important in history. It is not usually the same as English historical when that word only means factual or based on past events.
Das Gebäude ist historisch sehr wichtig.
The building is historically very important.
das Gebäude means the building and sehr wichtig means very important. The adjective historisch stands after ist in the predicative position, so it has no ending.
Wir besichtigen eine historische Altstadt.
We are visiting a historic old town.
besichtigen means to visit and die Altstadt is the old town. eine historische Altstadt is accusative because besichtigen takes an accusative object; the adjective has the ending -e after eine.
Dieses Dokument ist historischer als der Brief.
This document is more historical than the letter.
dieses Dokument means this document and der Brief means the letter. historischer is followed by als in a comparison, and der Brief stays nominative because it is the comparison standard, not an object.
Das ist das historischste Foto der Stadt.
That is the most historic photo in the city.
das Foto means the photo and der Stadt means of the city. das historischste Foto is a superlative noun phrase, while der Stadt is genitive and identifies which city the photo belongs to.
jahrelang — for years, lasting several years
Jahrelang is normally used for a long duration of several years and is often placed before an infinitive or other verb phrase. It is not normally compared, so it has no comparative or superlative forms; comparisons use länger and am längsten instead.
Sie hat jahrelange Erfahrung in diesem Beruf.
She has years of experience in this profession.
jahrelange Erfahrung means years of experience, and dieser Beruf means this profession. Jahrelange is an attributive adjective before the feminine noun Erfahrung; the phrase is accusative after hat as the object of haben.
Er musste jahrelang auf eine Antwort warten.
He had to wait years for an answer.
musste means had to, auf eine Antwort warten means wait for an answer, and Antwort means answer. Jahrelang is used adverbially to describe the duration; after the modal verb, the infinitive warten goes to the end.
Die Reparatur dauerte jahrelang, viel länger als geplant.
The repair lasted for years, much longer than planned.
die Reparatur means the repair, dauerte means lasted, and geplant means planned. Jahrelang itself is not declined here; the comparison is expressed by länger, while the finite verb dauerte stands in position two.
Von allen Projekten dauerte dieses jahrelang und am längsten.
Of all the projects, this one lasted for years and the longest.
von allen Projekten means of all the projects, and dieses means this one. Jahrelang has no superlative form; the superlative meaning is expressed separately by am längsten, and the finite verb dauerte is in position two.
das Jahrtausend — millennium; thousands of years; millennia
A Jahrtausend is a period of one thousand years. The plural changes the vowel: Jahrtausende has äu, not au.
Das dritte Jahrtausend hat begonnen.
The third millennium has begun.
das dritte means the third, and begonnen means begun. Das dritte Jahrtausend is the nominative subject; hat begonnen is the perfect tense, with the participle at the end.
Viele Menschen begrüßten das neue Jahrtausend.
Many people welcomed the new millennium.
begrüßen means welcome, viele Menschen means many people, and neu means new. Das neue Jahrtausend is accusative because it is the direct object of begrüßten.
Im neuen Jahrtausend verändert sich unser Leben.
In the new millennium, our lives are changing.
neu means new, verändert sich means changes, and unser Leben means our life. Im neuen Jahrtausend is short for in dem neuen Jahrtausend and uses dative for a time period; the finite verb verändert is in position two.
Die Geschichte des Jahrtausends bleibt lange interessant.
The history of the millennium remains interesting for a long time.
die Geschichte means history, bleibt means remains, and lange means for a long time. Des Jahrtausends is genitive because it means of the millennium; the noun has the ending -s.
Mehrere Jahrtausende liegen zwischen diesen Kulturen.
Several millennia lie between these cultures.
mehrere means several, liegen zwischen means lie between, and diese Kulturen means these cultures. Mehrere Jahrtausende is the plural nominative subject, while zwischen diesen Kulturen uses dative for a fixed relationship.
Diese Tradition hat sich über Jahrtausende erhalten.
This tradition has survived for thousands of years.
diese Tradition means this tradition, and sich erhalten means survive or be preserved. Über Jahrtausende takes accusative when it means over a span of time, and hat sich erhalten places the participle at the end.
Seit Jahrtausenden beobachten Menschen die Sterne.
For thousands of years, people have observed the stars.
seit Jahrtausenden means for thousands of years, and beobachten means observe. Seit takes dative, so the plural form is Jahrtausenden with -n; the finite verb beobachten is in position two.
das Jahrzehnt — decade
The plural is die Jahrzehnte, with -e. Do not confuse ein Jahrzehnt with a period of ten exact calendar years in every context; it often means a named period such as the 1990s.
Das Jahrzehnt war von großen Veränderungen geprägt.
The decade was marked by major changes.
große Veränderungen means major changes, and geprägt sein von means to be marked by. Das Jahrzehnt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two, while geprägt comes at the end with war.
Wir haben ein ganzes Jahrzehnt gewartet.
We waited for a whole decade.
ein ganzes means a whole, and gewartet means waited. Ein Jahrzehnt is accusative because it is the object of haben in the expression ein Jahrzehnt warten; haben is in position two and gewartet goes to the end.
In einem Jahrzehnt kann sich viel verändern.
A lot can change in a decade.
sich verändern means to change, and viel means a lot. Einem Jahrzehnt is dative because the preposition in refers here to a period of time, not movement; the finite verb kann is in position two.
Die Geschichte des Jahrzehnts ist noch nicht vollständig erforscht.
The history of the decade has not yet been fully researched.
die Geschichte means the history, noch nicht means not yet, and vollständig erforscht means fully researched. Des Jahrzehnts is genitive because it identifies whose history it is; ist is in position two and erforscht stands at the end.
Die Jahrzehnte danach waren politisch sehr unterschiedlich.
The decades that followed were very different politically.
danach means afterwards or that followed, and politisch means political. Die Jahrzehnte is plural nominative because it is the subject; waren is the finite verb in position two.
die Kindheit — childhood
Kindheit refers to the whole period of being a child, not just one event. It is formed from Kind, child, with the ending -heit, which often creates abstract nouns.
Die Kindheit prägt viele Menschen.
Childhood shapes many people.
prägt means shapes or influences, and viele Menschen means many people. Die Kindheit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb prägt is in position two.
Sie erinnert sich oft an die Kindheit.
She often remembers childhood.
sich erinnern means to remember, and oft means often. The fixed preposition an takes accusative with this meaning, so die Kindheit is accusative; the verb phrase is split, with erinnert in position two.
Er erzählt seinen Freunden von der Kindheit.
He tells his friends about his childhood.
erzählt means tells, seinen Freunden means his friends, and von means about or from. Von always takes dative, so der Kindheit is dative; seinen Freunden is also dative because erzählen can take the person told in the dative.
Die Erinnerungen der Kindheit bleiben lange.
The memories of childhood remain for a long time.
die Erinnerungen means the memories and bleiben means remain or stay. Der Kindheit expresses the connection “of childhood,” so it is genitive; with a feminine noun, the form Kindheit itself does not change.
Ihre Kindheiten waren sehr unterschiedlich.
Their childhoods were very different.
ihre means their, waren means were, and unterschiedlich means different. Kindheiten is plural because several people had different childhoods; the finite verb waren is in position two.
das Kriegsende — end of the war
Kriegsende is usually used for the end of a particular war, often one already known from the context. It is a neuter compound: der Krieg means war and das Ende means end.
Das Kriegsende brachte den Menschen Hoffnung.
The end of the war brought people hope.
brachte means brought, and die Menschen means the people; Hoffnung is hope. Das Kriegsende is nominative because it is the subject, while den Menschen is dative because bringen can show who receives something.
Viele Familien erwarteten das Kriegsende.
Many families were waiting for the end of the war.
viele Familien means many families, and erwarteten means expected or were waiting for. Das Kriegsende is accusative because erwarten takes an accusative object; the finite verb erwarteten is in position two.
Nach dem Kriegsende kehrten die Soldaten nach Hause zurück.
After the end of the war, the soldiers returned home.
nach means after here, die Soldaten are the soldiers, and nach Hause means home. Dem Kriegsende is dative because nach governs the dative; the separable verb kehrten ... zurück places zurück at the end.
Die Folgen des Kriegsendes waren noch lange spürbar.
The consequences of the end of the war were noticeable for a long time.
die Folgen are the consequences, noch lange means for a long time, and spürbar means noticeable. Des Kriegsendes is genitive and identifies whose consequences they were; the finite verb waren follows the subject phrase.
Die Kriegsenden verschiedener Länder werden heute untersucht.
The ends of wars in different countries are studied today.
verschiedener Länder means of different countries, and heute means today; untersucht means studied or examined. Kriegsenden is the plural after die, and the passive uses werden plus untersucht at the end.
kurzfristig — short-term, at short notice
kurzfristig can describe a plan for a short period or an action arranged with little warning. It is often used as an adverb with verbs such as ändern, entscheiden, or absagen.
Die Lösung ist nur kurzfristig.
The solution is only short-term.
die Lösung means the solution and nur means only. kurzfristig follows ist as a predicative adjective and therefore has no ending.
Wir brauchen eine kurzfristige Lösung.
We need a short-term solution.
brauchen means need and die Lösung is the solution. eine kurzfristige Lösung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; after eine, the feminine adjective has the ending -e.
Diese Lösung ist kurzfristiger als die andere.
This solution is more short-term than the other one.
diese Lösung means this solution and die andere means the other one. kurzfristiger compares two solutions and is followed by als; as a predicative adjective it has no ending.
Das war die kurzfristigste Lösung.
That was the most short-term solution.
das war means that was and die Lösung is the solution. die kurzfristigste Lösung is a superlative noun phrase; after the feminine article die, the adjective has the ending -ste.
künftig — future; forthcoming
künftig describes something that will happen later or apply from now on. Although comparative and superlative forms are possible in a literal comparison of future times, everyday German usually uses künftig as an absolute word meaning future.
Das ist für künftig wichtig.
That is important for the future.
wichtig means important, and für die Zukunft means for the future. künftig is used predicatively here, while für takes the accusative in the full phrase für die Zukunft; the adjective has no ending because it follows ist.
Wir planen die künftigen Projekte.
We are planning the future projects.
planen means plan, and die Projekte means the projects. künftigen stands before the plural noun and has the weak adjective ending -en after die; the whole noun phrase is accusative after planen.
Wir sprechen über einen künftigeren Zeitpunkt.
We are talking about a point in time further in the future.
einen Zeitpunkt means a point in time, and weiter in der Zukunft gives the meaning of künftiger here. über takes the accusative when it means about, so einen künftiger(en) Zeitpunkt is accusative; the comparative adjective has the ending -en after einen.
Von allen möglichen Zeitpunkten liegt dieser am künftigsten.
Of all the possible points in time, this one is furthest in the future.
von allen möglichen Zeitpunkten means of all possible points in time, and dieser means this one. am künftigsten is a predicative superlative after liegt and is formed with am and -sten; this comparison is uncommon in everyday German.
kürzlich — recently, not long ago
Kürzlich refers to a time not long before now and is more neutral and slightly more formal than conversational gerade erst. It normally describes a completed recent event.
Ich habe ihn kürzlich gesehen.
I saw him recently.
ihn means him and gesehen means seen. Kürzlich is a time adverb and can stand in the middle field; the perfect uses habe in position two and gesehen at the end.
Kürzlich wurde ein neues Café eröffnet.
A new café was opened recently.
wurde eröffnet means was opened, ein neues Café means a new café, and neues means new. Kürzlich occupies the first position, so the finite verb wurde comes immediately after it in position two; the passive participle eröffnet goes to the end.
langfristig — long-term; in the long term
The opposite is kurzfristig, meaning short-term or for the short term. The adjective can describe a noun, as in eine langfristige Planung, or an action, as in langfristig planen.
Die Lösung ist langfristig.
The solution is long-term.
die Lösung means the solution. langfristig follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; it describes something that lasts for a long period.
Wir brauchen eine langfristige Lösung.
We need a long-term solution.
brauchen means to need. eine langfristige Lösung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the feminine adjective takes -e after eine.
Diese Strategie ist langfristiger als die vorige.
This strategy is more long-term than the previous one.
diese Strategie means this strategy and die vorige means the previous one. langfristiger als compares two strategies; because it follows ist, the comparative is predicative and has no ending.
Das ist die langfristigste Maßnahme.
That is the most long-term measure.
die Maßnahme means the measure or action taken. die langfristigste Maßnahme is a superlative noun phrase in the nominative; after die, the feminine adjective takes -e.
langst — long ago; long since; already for a long time
The usual spelling is längst, with an umlaut, although learners may encounter langst when the umlaut is unavailable. It often means long since or already for a long time, not simply long.
Das ist längst vergessen.
That has long since been forgotten.
vergessen means forgotten. längst says that something happened or became true a long time ago; it stands next to the participle in this passive construction, while ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir sind längst zu Hause.
We have been home for a long time already.
zu Hause means at home and sind means are or have arrived. längst means already for a long time; zu Hause is a fixed expression, not a normal zu plus dative phrase.
der Letzte — the last one, the last person
Der Letzte is a masculine substantivized adjective: it refers to the last man or person and is therefore capitalized. Its endings follow adjective declension, so the forms include den Letzten, dem Letzten, and des Letzten.
Der Letzte muss die Tür abschließen.
The last person has to lock the door.
muss means has to, die Tür is the door, and abschließen means to lock. Der Letzte is nominative because it is the subject; with the modal verb muss, the infinitive abschließen goes to the end.
Ich sehe den Letzten noch im Gebäude.
I can still see the last person in the building.
noch means still and das Gebäude is the building. Den Letzten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the substantivized adjective keeps the masculine ending -en after den.
Wir helfen dem Letzten beim Tragen.
We help the last person with carrying things.
helfen means to help and beim Tragen means with carrying. Dem Letzten is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; the capitalized adjective functions as a noun.
Die Tasche des Letzten steht neben der Tür.
The last person's bag is standing next to the door.
die Tasche is the bag, steht means is standing, and neben der Tür means next to the door. Des Letzten is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine substantivized adjective has the ending -en.
Die Letzten kommen erst morgen an.
The last people will not arrive until tomorrow.
erst morgen means not until tomorrow, and ankommen means to arrive. Die Letzten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; in the main clause, the separable verb appears as kommen ... an.
die Letzte — the last woman; the last one (feminine)
This is an adjectival noun: die Letzte is a woman or female person understood from context, not simply the adjective letzte. It is capitalised like every German noun, and its endings follow adjective declension.
Die Letzte bekommt den Schlüssel.
The last one gets the key.
bekommt means gets, and der Schlüssel is the key. Die Letzte is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb bekommt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Letzte am Eingang.
I see the last one at the entrance.
sehe means see, der Eingang is the entrance, and am means at the. Die Letzte is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich helfe der Letzten mit den Taschen.
I help the last one with the bags.
helfe means help, die Taschen are the bags, and mit means with. Der Letzten is dative because helfen takes a dative object, while mit also requires the dative.
Das Auto der Letzten steht draußen.
The last one's car is outside.
das Auto is the car, and draußen means outside. Der Letzten is genitive to show possession, meaning the car belonging to the last one; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Letzten verlassen den Saal zusammen.
The last ones leave the hall together.
verlassen means leave, der Saal is the hall, and zusammen means together. Die Letzten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -en.
längst — long ago; long since
Längst is stronger than schon: it says that something has been true or finished for a long time. It often appears with sein, wissen, or a past event.
Der Film ist längst vorbei.
The film has been over for a long time.
der Film means the film and vorbei means over. Längst is an adverb that emphasizes that something ended a long time ago; ist is in position two and vorbei stands at the end with sein.
Ich weiß längst, dass er nicht kommt.
I have known for a long time that he is not coming.
wissen means to know, dass means that, and kommen means to come. Längst means for a long time already; in the dass clause, the finite verb kommt goes to the end.
mittlerweile — by now, in the meantime
Mittlerweile usually describes a change between an earlier time and now. It can stand at the beginning of a main clause, where the finite verb still remains in position two.
Mittlerweile wohnt sie in Berlin.
By now, she lives in Berlin.
wohnt means lives, and sie means she. Mittlerweile is an adverb in the first position, so the finite verb wohnt comes immediately after it in position two.
Er war zuerst nervös, aber mittlerweile spricht er ganz sicher.
He was nervous at first, but by now he speaks very confidently.
zuerst means at first, nervös means nervous, and ganz sicher means very confidently. aber is a coordinating conjunction and does not send the verb to the end; in the second clause, spricht is still in position two, after the adverb mittlerweile.
der Nationalfeiertag — national holiday
The compound Nationalfeiertag is masculine because its final part Tag is masculine. The exact date and event vary from country to country.
Der Nationalfeiertag ist jedes Jahr im Sommer.
The national holiday is every year in summer.
jedes Jahr means every year, and im Sommer means in summer. Der Nationalfeiertag is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir feiern den Nationalfeiertag mit einem Fest.
We celebrate the national holiday with a festival.
Wir feiern means we celebrate, mit means with, and einem Fest means a festival. Den Nationalfeiertag is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; mit forces the dative in einem Fest.
Am Nationalfeiertag bleiben die Geschäfte geschlossen.
On the national holiday, the shops stay closed.
Am means on the and die Geschäfte means the shops; geschlossen means closed. Am Nationalfeiertag is dative because an in this time expression takes the dative, and the finite verb bleiben is in position two.
Die Geschichte des Nationalfeiertags ist interessant.
The history of the national holiday is interesting.
Die Geschichte means the history, and interessant means interesting. Des Nationalfeiertags is genitive because it identifies which history is meant; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
In Europa gibt es viele Nationalfeiertage.
There are many national holidays in Europe.
In Europa means in Europe, viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Nationalfeiertage is plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
neuerdings — recently; lately
neuerdings usually points to a new habit or situation that began recently. It is different from neulich, which usually means on one particular recent occasion.
Ich fahre neuerdings mit dem Bus zur Arbeit.
Lately, I have been taking the bus to work.
fahre means travel or go, mit dem Bus means by bus, and zur Arbeit means to work. neuerdings is an adverb and can stand in the middle field; mit dem Bus is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Sie kocht neuerdings jeden Abend selbst.
Recently, she has been cooking for herself every evening.
kocht means cooks, jeden Abend means every evening, and selbst means herself or on her own. neuerdings modifies the whole action and normally appears in the middle field; the finite verb kocht remains in position two.
nächtlich — night-time, nocturnal; night-time, nocturnal
nächtlich is a derived adjective meaning relating to or happening at night. It is usually used before a noun, as in nächtliche Geräusche, but it can be compared when describing something as more or most nocturnal.
Die nächtlichen Geräusche haben mich geweckt.
The night-time noises woke me up.
Geräusche means noises, geweckt means woken, and mich means me. nächtlichen Geräusche is the plural nominative subject, so the adjective takes -en after die; the perfect uses haben and puts geweckt at the end.
Er macht einen nächtlichen Spaziergang.
He is taking a night-time walk.
macht means takes or does, einen Spaziergang means a walk, and er means he. einen nächtlichen Spaziergang is accusative because machen takes a direct object; after masculine einen, the adjective ends in -en.
Dieser Spaziergang ist nächtlicher als der vorige.
This walk is more nocturnal than the previous one.
dieser Spaziergang means this walk, als means than, and der vorige means the previous one. nächtlicher is a predicative comparative and therefore has no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison.
Von allen Filmen wirkt dieser am nächtlichsten.
Of all the films, this one feels the most nocturnal.
von allen Filmen means of all the films, and wirkt means seems or feels. von takes the dative, while predicative superlative uses am nächtlichsten; the finite verb wirkt stands in position two.
Der nächtliche Lärm störte die Nachbarn.
The night-time noise disturbed the neighbours.
der Lärm means noise, störte means disturbed, and die Nachbarn means the neighbours. nächtliche has the masculine nominative ending -e after der; die Nachbarn is accusative because stören takes a direct object.
Nach dem nächtlichen Flug war sie sehr müde.
She was very tired after the night flight.
nach dem Flug means after the flight, and sehr müde means very tired. nach takes the dative, so dem nächtlichen Flug has the dative adjective ending -en; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Der nächtliche Lärm störte die Nachbarn.
The night-time noise disturbed the neighbours.
der Lärm means noise, störte means disturbed, and die Nachbarn means the neighbours. nächtliche has the masculine nominative ending -e after der; die Nachbarn is accusative because stören takes a direct object.
Nach dem nächtlichen Flug war sie sehr müde.
She was very tired after the night flight.
nach dem Flug means after the flight, and sehr müde means very tired. nach takes the dative, so dem nächtlichen Flug has the dative adjective ending -en; the finite verb war stands in position two.
parallel — in parallel; at the same time
As an adverb, parallel is unchanged. Do not add an adjective ending as in parallele or paralleler; it can describe simultaneous activities or activities carried out alongside each other.
Wir arbeiten parallel an zwei Projekten.
We are working on two projects in parallel.
arbeiten means work, and zwei Projekte means two projects. Parallel is an adverb, so it does not take an adjective ending; an zwei Projekten is dative because an describes the projects being worked on.
Sie studiert und arbeitet parallel.
She studies and works at the same time.
studiert means studies, and arbeitet means works. Parallel modifies both coordinated verbs and stays unchanged; the finite verbs follow the subject in their clauses.
rasch — quick, rapid
Rasch means quick or rapid and is more formal or written than schnell in many contexts. Its regular comparison is rascher – am raschesten; do not use the irregular pattern besser – am besten here.
Die Antwort ist rasch.
The reply is quick.
die Antwort is the reply and sein means to be. Rasch is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Wir brauchen eine rasche Lösung.
We need a quick solution.
brauchen means to need and die Lösung is the solution. Eine rasche Lösung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; rasche has an -e ending after eine in the feminine accusative.
Bitte gib mir eine raschere Antwort.
Please give me a quicker reply.
gib means give, mir means to me, and die Antwort is the reply. Raschere is the comparative and has an -e ending after eine; mir is dative because geben gives something to someone.
Das ist die rascheste Verbindung zum Flughafen.
That is the quickest connection to the airport.
die Verbindung is the connection and der Flughafen is the airport. Rascheste is the superlative before a noun and therefore needs the ending -e after die; zum Flughafen means “to the airport,” with zu plus dative.
die Ruhezeit — quiet period, rest period, quiet hours
Ruhezeit can mean legally protected rest time or the quiet hours agreed in a building. In housing contexts, it often refers to times when loud music, drilling, or other noise is not allowed.
Die Ruhezeit beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The quiet period begins at ten o'clock.
beginnen means to begin, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. die Ruhezeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Bitte beachten Sie die Ruhezeit.
Please observe the quiet period.
beachten means to observe or respect, and bitte means please. die Ruhezeit is accusative because it is the direct object; Sie is the formal imperative form.
Die Hausverwaltung gibt den Mietern eine Ruhezeit.
The property management gives the tenants a quiet period.
die Hausverwaltung means the property management, and die Mieter means the tenants. den Mietern is dative for the recipients, while eine Ruhezeit is accusative as the thing given.
Die Dauer der Ruhezeit steht im Vertrag.
The length of the quiet period is stated in the contract.
die Dauer means the length, stehen means to be stated or stand, and der Vertrag means the contract. der Ruhezeit is genitive after Dauer, meaning “the length of the quiet period”; im Vertrag is a location phrase with dative.
In unserem Haus gelten feste Ruhezeiten.
Fixed quiet hours apply in our building.
unser Haus means our building or house, gelten means apply, and fest means fixed. Ruhezeiten is plural and nominative as the subject; in unserem Haus is dative because it describes location.
die Saison — season; season of the year or of an activity
die Saison is used especially for sports, tourism, and other activities with a defined active period. For the four natural seasons, Jahreszeit is usually more precise.
Die Saison beginnt im März.
The season begins in March.
beginnt means begins and im März means in March. die Saison is nominative as the subject; im is short for in dem and marks a time in the dative.
Viele Touristen besuchen die Insel in der Saison.
Many tourists visit the island during the season.
viele Touristen means many tourists and die Insel means the island. die Insel is accusative after besuchen, while in der Saison is a time phrase in the dative; besuchen is in position two.
In der Saison arbeiten wir länger.
During the season, we work longer hours.
arbeiten means work and länger means for longer or longer hours. in der Saison is dative because in describes a time period here; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Das Ende der Saison ist im Oktober.
The end of the season is in October.
das Ende means the end and im Oktober means in October. der Saison is genitive because it tells us which season's end; the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Saisons im Süden sind länger.
The seasons in the south are longer.
im Süden means in the south and länger means longer. Saisons is the plural subject, so it is nominative; sind agrees with the plural subject.
stundenlang — lasting for hours, for hours
Stundenlang normally describes a long duration and means for many hours or lasting for hours. It can be predicative, as in Das Warten war stundenlang, or adverbial, as in stundenlang warten.
Das Treffen war stundenlang.
The meeting lasted for hours.
das Treffen means the meeting and war means was. Stundenlang is predicative after war, so it has no adjective ending; it describes the meeting's long duration.
Der Vortrag war stundenlänger als geplant.
The lecture lasted longer than planned.
der Vortrag means the lecture and geplant means planned. Stundenlänger is a predicative comparative with no adjective ending; als introduces the comparison, and war is the finite verb in position two.
Von allen Sitzungen war diese am stundenlangsten.
Of all the meetings, this one lasted the longest.
von allen Sitzungen means of all the meetings, and diese means this one. Am stundenlangsten is a predicative superlative used with war; von takes the dative, shown by allen Sitzungen.
Wir mussten stundenlang warten.
We had to wait for hours.
mussten means had to and warten means wait. Stundenlang is used adverbially here, modifying warten rather than standing before a noun; the modal verb mussten is finite and the infinitive warten goes to the end.
unregelmäßig — irregular, uneven, not regular
The opposite is regelmäßig, meaning regular. For schedules, unregelmäßig often means that something does not happen at fixed times.
Der Bus kommt unregelmäßig.
The bus comes irregularly.
der Bus means the bus, and kommt means comes. The adjective is used predicatively after kommen here and describes how regularly the bus arrives; unregelmäßig does not take an ending because it is not before a noun.
Wir haben unregelmäßige Arbeitszeiten.
We have irregular working hours.
Arbeitszeiten means working hours, and haben means have. unregelmäßige stands before the plural accusative noun Arbeitszeiten and therefore has the ending -e after the zero article; Arbeitszeiten is the accusative object of haben.
Seine Besuche sind unregelmäßiger als früher.
His visits are more irregular than before.
seine Besuche means his visits, and früher means before or formerly. unregelmäßiger is the comparative after sind, and als introduces the thing it is compared with; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Im Winter fährt der Zug am unregelmäßigsten.
In winter, the train runs the least regularly.
im Winter means in winter, and der Zug means the train. am unregelmäßigsten is the predicative superlative; im is in dem and takes the dative for a time or location, while fährt is in position two.
uralt — extremely old, ancient
The prefix ur- intensifies the adjective and often adds an emotional or humorous tone. In everyday speech, sehr alt is more neutral.
Der Baum ist uralt.
The tree is extremely old.
der Baum means the tree. Uralt follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir wohnen in einem uralten Haus.
We live in an extremely old house.
wohnen means live, and in einem Haus means in a house. In describes location here and takes the dative, so einem uralten Haus has the dative ending -en.
Diese Kirche ist urälter als das Rathaus.
This church is even older than the town hall.
diese Kirche means this church, and das Rathaus means the town hall. Urälter is a comparative after ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Von den drei Gebäuden ist dieses am urältesten.
Of the three buildings, this one is the most ancient.
von den drei Gebäuden means of the three buildings, and dieses means this one. Von takes the dative, while am urältesten is the superlative after ist.