Appearance
Vocab: Transport — A1 (1)
Transport vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abfahren — to depart, to leave
Abfahren is a separable strong verb: fährt ab – fuhr ab – ist abgefahren. For a person leaving on foot, use weggehen or gehen; abfahren is especially common for vehicles and scheduled transport.
Der Zug fährt ab.
The train is departing.
der Zug means the train. The finite verb fährt stands in position two, while the separable prefix ab goes to the end of the main clause.
Der Zug ist um acht Uhr abgefahren.
The train left at eight o’clock.
um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Abgefahren pairs with sein because it expresses movement and stands at the end, while ist is in position two.
Der Zug fuhr ab, bevor wir ankamen.
The train departed before we arrived.
bevor means before and ankamen means arrived. The finite verb fuhr is in position two in the main clause; in the bevor clause, ankamen goes to the end.
Fahr ab, der Zug wartet nicht!
Leave; the train is not waiting!
der Zug means the train, and wartet nicht means is not waiting. The imperative fahr comes first and the prefix ab goes to the end of its clause.
Wenn der Zug pünktlich wäre, führe ich jetzt ab.
If the train were on time, I would leave now.
pünktlich means on time and jetzt means now. Führe ... ab is the Konjunktiv II form; the prefix remains at the end, and wäre marks the unreal condition.
Der Bus wird um sechs Uhr abfahren.
The bus will depart at six o’clock.
der Bus means the bus and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. The auxiliary wird is in position two and the infinitive abfahren goes to the end; here the prefix is not separated.
die Abfahrt — departure, departure time
Abfahrt is often used for scheduled transport and is the opposite of Ankunft. At a station, die Abfahrt can mean both the act of leaving and the listed departure time.
Die Abfahrt ist um neun Uhr.
The departure is at nine o’clock.
um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Die Abfahrt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe die Abfahrt verpasst.
I missed the departure.
verpasst means missed. Die Abfahrt is accusative because verpassen takes a direct object; the auxiliary habe is in position two and verpasst goes to the end.
Vor der Abfahrt kaufe ich noch einen Kaffee.
Before departure, I will buy another coffee.
vor means before, kaufe means buy, and noch einen Kaffee means another coffee. Der Abfahrt is dative because vor takes the dative for time; the opening phrase occupies position one, so kaufe comes directly after it.
Wegen der Abfahrt des Zuges stehen alle früh auf.
Because of the train’s departure, everyone gets up early.
wegen means because of, des Zuges means of the train, and früh aufstehen means get up early. Der Abfahrt is genitive after formal wegen, while des Zuges is also genitive to show which departure is meant.
Die Abfahrten stehen auf dem Fahrplan.
The departures are listed on the timetable.
stehen means are listed or stand, and der Fahrplan means the timetable. Die Abfahrten is plural and nominative as the subject; auf dem Fahrplan is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Ampel — traffic light; hanging flower basket
In everyday German, Ampel normally means a traffic light. The plural is Ampeln, not Ampels.
Die Ampel ist rot.
The traffic light is red.
rot means red. Die Ampel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Ampel.
I can see the traffic light.
sehen means to see. Die Ampel is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Wir warten an der Ampel.
We are waiting at the traffic light.
warten means to wait. Der Ampel is dative because the fixed preposition an means location here; the finite verb warten is in position two.
Die Farbe der Ampel ist deutlich.
The colour of the traffic light is clear.
die Farbe means the colour, and deutlich means clear or easy to see. Der Ampel is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Ampeln schalten gleichzeitig um.
The traffic lights change at the same time.
gleichzeitig means at the same time, and umschalten means to change to another signal. Die Ampeln is plural nominative as the subject, and schalten is in position two.
Die Ampel hängt am Balkon.
The hanging flower basket is hanging on the balcony.
hängt means is hanging, and der Balkon means the balcony. Die Ampel is nominative as the subject, while am Balkon is dative because an expresses location; the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Sie pflanzt Blumen in die Ampel.
She is planting flowers in the hanging basket.
pflanzt means plants, and Blumen means flowers. Die Ampel is accusative because in expresses movement into the container; the finite verb pflanzt stands in position two.
anlassen — to start (an engine); to leave switched on
The verb is separable: anlassen becomes lässt ... an in a main clause. It takes haben in the perfect and an accusative object such as den Motor.
Ich lasse an den Motor.
I start the engine.
der Motor means the engine. lasse an is the separable present form; den Motor is accusative because it is the object, the finite verb is in position two, and the prefix goes to the end.
Wir haben den Wagen angelassen.
We started the car.
der Wagen means the car. angelassen is the Partizip II and takes haben; it goes to the end, while den Wagen is accusative as the object.
Er ließ an den Bus.
He started the bus.
der Bus means the bus. ließ an is the simple-past form of anlassen; den Bus is accusative, and the separable prefix stands at the end.
Lass an, bitte!
Start it, please!
bitte means please. Lass an is the informal singular imperative; the subject du is omitted, and the prefix follows the verb.
Ich würde anlassen den Motor nicht.
I would not start the engine.
nicht means not, and der Motor means the engine. würde anlassen expresses a hypothetical situation; with würde, the infinitive stays together at the end, and den Motor is accusative.
Morgen werde anlassen ich das Auto.
Tomorrow I will start the car.
morgen means tomorrow, and das Auto means the car. werde anlassen forms the future; the infinitive remains together at the end, and das Auto is accusative.
Bitte lass an das Licht.
Please leave the light on.
bitte means please, and das Licht means the light. lass an is the informal imperative; das Licht is accusative, and the prefix goes at the end.
Sie hat den Fernseher angelassen.
She left the television on.
der Fernseher means the television. angelassen is the Partizip II with haben; den Fernseher is accusative, and the participle stands at the end.
anschnallen — to buckle up; to fasten a seat belt
The common reflexive pattern is sich anschnallen, “to buckle up”. It takes haben in the perfect, and the prefix an- separates in a main clause.
Ich schnalle mich im Auto an.
I buckle up in the car.
mich means myself, and im Auto means in the car. The reflexive pronoun is accusative because the action is done to oneself; schnalle is in position two and an moves to the end.
Wir haben uns vor der Fahrt angeschnallt.
We buckled up before the journey.
vor der Fahrt means before the journey. Uns is the reflexive accusative pronoun, and angeschnallt goes to the end with haben; do not use sein.
Der Fahrer schnallte das Kind an.
The driver fastened the child’s seat belt.
der Fahrer means the driver, and das Kind means the child. Das Kind is accusative as the direct object; the past-tense verb is split, with schnallte in position two and an at the end.
Schnall dich an!
Buckle up!
dich means yourself in the informal singular. The imperative uses schnall, and the separable prefix an stays at the end; dich is accusative.
Wenn ich im Auto wäre, würde ich mich sofort anschnallen.
If I were in the car, I would buckle up immediately.
wenn means if, sofort means immediately, and wäre means were. In this conditional, würde carries the Konjunktiv II and the infinitive anschnallen stays whole at the end of its clause.
Du wirst dich im Bus anschnallen.
You will buckle up on the bus.
im Bus means on the bus. Wirst forms the future with the infinitive anschnallen, which stays together at the end; dich is the reflexive accusative pronoun.
der Anzug — suit; tracksuit, exercise suit
A suit is a set of matching clothing, usually a jacket and trousers. The plural changes the vowel: Anzug becomes Anzüge.
Der Anzug ist sehr elegant.
The suit is very elegant.
elegant means elegant or smart. Der Anzug is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe den Anzug.
I am buying the suit.
kaufe means buy. den Anzug is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe meinem Bruder mit dem Anzug.
I help my brother with the suit.
meinem Bruder means my brother, and mit means with. helfen takes a dative person, and mit also takes the dative, so dem Anzug is dative.
Die Farbe des Anzugs gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the suit.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt mir means is pleasing to me. des Anzugs is genitive to show possession, while mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Die Anzüge hängen im Schaufenster.
The suits are hanging in the shop window.
hängen means are hanging, and im Schaufenster means in the shop window. Die Anzüge is plural nominative as the subject; im means in dem, with dative for a fixed location.
Er läuft im Anzug durch den Park.
He runs through the park in the tracksuit.
läuft means runs, durch den Park means through the park, and im Anzug means in the tracksuit. im is in dem and takes the dative for a fixed situation; durch takes the accusative.
Mein neuer Anzug ist bequem.
My new tracksuit is comfortable.
mein neuer Anzug means my new tracksuit, and bequem means comfortable. The noun phrase is nominative as the subject, and neuer has the masculine nominative ending after mein.
das Auto — car
Das Auto is a common loanword with the plural die Autos. German also uses Auto fahren without an article when speaking generally about driving.
Das Auto ist neu.
The car is new.
neu means new. Das Auto is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das Auto.
I am buying the car.
ich means I and kaufe means buy. Das Auto is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article is the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir fahren mit dem Auto zur Arbeit.
We go to work by car.
wir means we, fahren means go or drive, and zur Arbeit means to work. Dem Auto is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Farbe des Autos ist blau.
The colour of the car is blue.
die Farbe is the colour and blau means blue. Des Autos is genitive because it means of the car; the noun adds -s.
Die Autos stehen vor dem Haus.
The cars are in front of the house.
stehen means are standing and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Die Autos is plural, formed with -s; vor dem Haus uses the dative for location.
die Autobahn — motorway, highway
Die Autobahn is a major road for fast travel between towns and cities. With auf, use the dative for location (auf der Autobahn) but the accusative for movement onto it (auf die Autobahn).
Die Autobahn ist heute voll.
The motorway is busy today.
heute means today and voll means full or busy. Die Autobahn is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir nehmen die Autobahn.
We take the motorway.
wir means we and nehmen means take. Die Autobahn is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the feminine article is unchanged.
Wir fahren auf der Autobahn.
We are driving on the motorway.
fahren means drive or travel, and auf der Autobahn means on the motorway. Der Autobahn is dative because auf describes a fixed location here, not movement onto it.
Die Einfahrt der Autobahn ist dort.
The motorway entrance is there.
die Einfahrt is the entrance and dort means there. Der Autobahn is genitive because it means of the motorway; the feminine noun itself has no ending change.
Die Autobahnen sind im Sommer oft voll.
The motorways are often busy in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and oft means often. Die Autobahnen is plural, formed with -en, and the finite verb sind is in position two.
das Autofahren — driving; driving a car
This is a nominalized infinitive: das Autofahren means the activity of driving. It is normally used only in the singular and is often followed by beim, a contraction of bei dem, when describing something done while driving.
Autofahren macht mir Spaß.
I enjoy driving.
Spaß machen means to be fun, and mir means to me. Autofahren is a nominalized infinitive and stands in the nominative as the subject; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Ich mag Autofahren nicht.
I do not like driving.
mögen means to like, and nicht means not. Autofahren is the accusative object of mag; because it is neuter, its form is the same as in the nominative, and the finite verb is in position two.
Beim Autofahren höre ich gern Musik.
I like listening to music while driving.
beim means while or during, höre means listen to, and Musik means music. Beim is a contraction of bei dem and forces the dative; the phrase comes first, so höre still occupies position two.
Die Regeln des Autofahrens sind wichtig.
The rules of driving are important.
die Regeln are the rules and wichtig means important. Des Autofahrens is a genitive phrase describing Regeln; a nominalized infinitive adds -s in the genitive.
Autofahren ist in Deutschland sehr beliebt.
Driving is very popular in Germany.
beliebt means popular and in Deutschland means in Germany. Autofahren is normally a mass noun for an activity, so it has no ordinary plural; this sentence therefore uses the singular neuter subject.
der Autofahrer — male driver; car driver
The feminine form is die Autofahrerin. In everyday language, the plural Autofahrer can refer to a mixed group or to drivers generally, not only to men.
Der Autofahrer fährt vorsichtig.
The driver drives carefully.
fährt means drives or is driving, and vorsichtig means carefully. Der Autofahrer is the masculine nominative subject, and the finite verb fährt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Autofahrer.
I see the driver.
sehe means see. Den Autofahrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the noun itself keeps its form.
Ich helfe dem Autofahrer.
I help the driver.
helfe means help. Dem Autofahrer is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the masculine article changes to dem, and the finite verb is in position two.
Das Auto des Autofahrers ist neu.
The driver’s car is new.
das Auto means the car and neu means new. Des Autofahrers is genitive to show possession, and the masculine noun adds -s; the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Viele Autofahrer fahren heute mit dem Zug.
Many drivers are travelling by train today.
viele means many, heute means today, and mit dem Zug means by train. Viele Autofahrer is the plural subject; the plural noun has no ending, and mit forces the dative in dem Zug.
die Autofahrerin — female driver
Die Autofahrerin is the feminine form of der Autofahrer. Its plural is formed with -nen, a common pattern for nouns ending in -in.
Die Autofahrerin fährt sehr vorsichtig.
The female driver drives very carefully.
fährt means drives or is driving, and sehr vorsichtig means very carefully. Die Autofahrerin is the feminine nominative subject, and the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Ich sehe die Autofahrerin.
I see the female driver.
sehe means see. Die Autofahrerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Autofahrerin.
I help the female driver.
helfe means help. Der Autofahrerin is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das Auto der Autofahrerin ist rot.
The female driver’s car is red.
das Auto means the car and rot means red. Der Autofahrerin is a genitive phrase showing possession; feminine nouns keep their ending, but the article is der.
Die Autofahrerinnen warten vor dem Hotel.
The female drivers are waiting in front of the hotel.
warten means wait, vor means in front of, and das Hotel means the hotel. Die Autofahrerinnen is the plural subject, formed with -nen; vor dem Hotel uses the dative because it describes a location.
die Bahn — train, railway; rail transport; track, lane, route
In everyday travel language, die Bahn often means train travel or the rail service, not one particular train only. Mit der Bahn means “by train” and requires the dative after mit.
Die Bahn ist heute pünktlich.
The train is on time today.
heute means today and pünktlich means on time. Die Bahn is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme die Bahn zur Arbeit.
I take the train to work.
nehmen means to take, zur Arbeit means to work, and Arbeit is work. Die Bahn is accusative because it is the direct object of nehme; the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir fahren mit der Bahn nach Hamburg.
We are travelling to Hamburg by train.
fahren means to travel, and nach Hamburg means to Hamburg. Mit always takes the dative, so der Bahn is dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Verspätung der Bahn ärgert alle Fahrgäste.
The train’s delay annoys all the passengers.
die Verspätung is the delay, ärgert means annoys, and Fahrgäste are passengers. Der Bahn is genitive and shows whose delay it is; the finite verb ärgert stands in position two.
Die Bahnen fahren am Wochenende seltener.
The trains run less often at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and seltener means less often. Die Bahnen is nominative plural because it is the subject, and fahren follows it in position two.
Die Läufer starten auf der Bahn.
The runners start on the track.
Läufer means runners and starten means start. Auf der Bahn describes a location, so auf takes the dative here; the finite verb starten is in position two.
Der Zug wechselt auf eine andere Bahn.
The train changes to another track.
der Zug is the train, wechselt means changes, and eine andere means another. Auf eine andere Bahn expresses movement towards a new track, so auf takes the accusative; the finite verb wechselt is in position two.
der Bahnhof — train station, railway station
The compound Bahnhof combines Bahn (railway or train) and Hof (yard or court). The plural has an umlaut: Bahnhof becomes Bahnhöfe.
Der Bahnhof ist nicht weit entfernt.
The train station is not far away.
nicht weit entfernt means not far away. Der Bahnhof is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche den Bahnhof.
I am looking for the train station.
suchen means to look for. Den Bahnhof is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Bahnhof.
We are meeting in front of the station.
treffen uns means meet each other, and vor means in front of. Vor takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Bahnhof is dative; uns means each other.
Die Türen des Bahnhofs sind geschlossen.
The station’s doors are closed.
Türen are doors and geschlossen means closed. Des Bahnhofs is genitive and shows that the doors belong to the station; the verb sind stands in position two.
Die Bahnhöfe in dieser Stadt sind modern.
The train stations in this city are modern.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and modern means modern. Die Bahnhöfe is nominative plural because it is the subject, and sind is in position two.
der Bahnsteig — platform
Bahnsteig means the platform beside the tracks, not the whole station. The related word Gleis means the track itself.
Der Bahnsteig ist sehr voll.
The platform is very crowded.
sehr voll means very crowded. Der Bahnsteig is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich suche den Bahnsteig.
I am looking for the platform.
suchen means to look for. Den Bahnsteig is accusative because it is the direct object of suche; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir warten auf dem Bahnsteig.
We are waiting on the platform.
warten means wait. Here auf describes a fixed location, so it takes the dative: auf dem Bahnsteig; do not use the accusative unless there is movement onto the platform.
Die Nummer des Bahnsteigs steht auf dem Ticket.
The platform number is written on the ticket.
Nummer means number, steht means is written or stands, and Ticket means ticket. Des Bahnsteigs is genitive because it identifies which number; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Bahnsteige sind heute voll.
The platforms are crowded today.
heute means today and voll means crowded. Die Bahnsteige is nominative plural because it is the subject, and sind follows in position two.
das Benzin — petrol, gasoline
das Benzin is a mass noun and normally has no plural when referring to fuel. In Germany, Benzin usually means petrol or gasoline, while diesel fuel is called Diesel.
Benzin ist heute teuer.
Petrol is expensive today.
heute means “today,” and teuer means “expensive.” Benzin is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir brauchen Benzin für das Auto.
We need petrol for the car.
brauchen means “need,” für means “for,” and das Auto means “the car.” Benzin is accusative because it is the direct object of brauchen; für also takes the accusative, as shown by das Auto.
Mit Benzin fährt das Auto weiter.
With petrol, the car keeps going.
mit means “with,” fährt means “drives” or “goes,” and weiter means “on” or “further.” Benzin follows mit, which always takes the dative, although the form of this neuter mass noun does not change; the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Der Geruch des Benzins ist stark.
The smell of the petrol is strong.
der Geruch means “the smell,” and stark means “strong.” Benzins is genitive to show what the smell comes from, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
der Blinker — turn signal, indicator; flashing light, blinker
In everyday German, der Blinker usually means a vehicle’s turn signal; the verb blinken means to flash or blink.
Der Blinker ist kaputt.
The turn signal is broken.
kaputt means broken. Der Blinker is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich schalte den Blinker ein.
I switch on the turn signal.
einschalten means to switch on. Den Blinker is accusative because einschalten takes a direct object, and the separable verb appears as schalte ... ein in a main clause.
Mit dem Blinker zeigst du die Richtung an.
You show the direction with the turn signal.
mit means with, and die Richtung means the direction. Dem Blinker is dative because mit always takes the dative; zeigst is in position two and an belongs to anzeigen.
Die Farbe des Blinkers ist kaum zu sehen.
The colour of the turn signal can hardly be seen.
die Farbe means colour and kaum means hardly. Des Blinkers is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the masculine noun takes -s after des.
Die Blinker an den Autos sind sehr hell.
The turn signals on the cars are very bright.
an den Autos means on the cars, and hell means bright. Die Blinker is the plural of der Blinker and has no ending change; an takes the dative here because this describes a location.
Der kleine Blinker am Fahrrad funktioniert nicht.
The small flashing light on the bicycle does not work.
klein means small, das Fahrrad means bicycle, and funktionieren means to work. Der Blinker is nominative as the subject, while nicht negates the verb funktioniert.
Wir kaufen neue Blinker für die Fahrräder.
We are buying new flashing lights for the bicycles.
neu means new, kaufen means buy, and die Fahrräder means the bicycles. Neue Blinker is accusative because it is the object of kaufen; its plural form is identical to the singular form.
das Boot — boat
The plural of das Boot is die Boote. After mit, use the dative form dem Boot; for movement with a vehicle, mit dem Boot fahren is a common expression.
Das Boot liegt am See.
The boat is on the lake.
liegt means is lying or is located, der See here means lake, and am means at the. Das Boot is nominative because it is the subject; am See is a location phrase in the dative.
Wir kaufen ein Boot.
We are buying a boat.
kaufen means buy and wir means we. Ein Boot is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufen is in position two.
Sie fährt mit dem Boot.
She is travelling by boat.
sie means she and fährt means travels or goes. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Boot is dative; the finite verb fährt stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Boots ist blau.
The colour of the boat is blue.
die Farbe means colour and blau means blue. Des Boots is genitive because it shows whose colour is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Im Hafen liegen viele Boote.
Many boats are in the harbour.
im Hafen means in the harbour, liegen means are located, and viele means many. Boote is plural and is the nominative subject; because im Hafen comes first, the verb liegen still stays in position two.
der Bus — bus
Bus is masculine and has the plural Busse. With transport, mit dem Bus fahren means to travel by bus; the preposition mit always requires the dative.
Der Bus kommt um acht Uhr.
The bus is coming at eight o'clock.
kommt means is coming, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Bus is the nominative subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Bus zur Arbeit.
I take the bus to work.
nehme means take, and zur Arbeit means to work. Den Bus is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; zur is short for zu der and marks a destination.
Wir fahren mit dem Bus nach Hause.
We are going home by bus.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, and nach Hause means home. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Bus is dative; fahren is in position two.
Die Tür des Busses ist offen.
The bus's door is open.
Die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Des Busses is masculine genitive and means of the bus; it identifies which door, while ist stands in position two.
An der Haltestelle warten drei Busse.
Three buses are waiting at the stop.
An der Haltestelle means at the stop, and warten means are waiting. Busse is the plural of Bus; an takes the dative for a location, while drei Busse is the nominative subject after the introductory phrase.
die Bushaltestelle — bus stop
Bushaltestelle is a compound: Bus means bus and Haltestelle means stop. It is feminine, and the plural is Bushaltestellen; use an der Bushaltestelle for being at the stop.
Die Bushaltestelle ist dort vorne.
The bus stop is up ahead.
dort vorne means up ahead, and ist means is. Die Bushaltestelle is the nominative subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche die Bushaltestelle.
I am looking for the bus stop.
suche means am looking for. Die Bushaltestelle is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Wir warten an der Bushaltestelle.
We are waiting at the bus stop.
warten means wait. An takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Bushaltestelle is dative; warten stands in position two.
Die Lage der Bushaltestelle ist praktisch.
The location of the bus stop is convenient.
Die Lage means the location, and praktisch means convenient. Der Bushaltestelle is feminine genitive and means of the bus stop; it describes Lage, while ist is in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Bushaltestellen.
There are many bus stops in this city.
In dieser Stadt means in this city, and viele means many. Bushaltestellen is the plural of Bushaltestelle and is accusative because es gibt always takes an accusative object; in marks location here.
der Diesel — diesel; diesel fuel; diesel vehicle; diesel engine
In everyday German, der Diesel usually means diesel fuel, and it can also refer informally to a diesel-powered vehicle. It is normally a mass noun, so use Diesel without a plural when talking about the fuel.
Der Diesel ist heute sehr teuer.
Diesel is very expensive today.
heute means today and teuer means expensive. Der Diesel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich tanke den Diesel an der Tankstelle.
I fill up with diesel at the petrol station.
tanken means to fill up with fuel, and die Tankstelle is a petrol station. Den Diesel is accusative because tanken takes a direct object; an der Tankstelle is a location in the dative.
Mein Auto fährt mit dem Diesel.
My car runs on diesel.
mein Auto means my car and fährt means runs or drives. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Diesel is dative; the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Der Preis des Diesels steigt wieder.
The price of diesel is rising again.
der Preis means the price and steigt wieder means is rising again. Des Diesels is genitive because it shows what the price is for; the masculine genitive article is des, and the noun adds -s.
Diesel ist an dieser Tankstelle ausverkauft.
Diesel is sold out at this petrol station.
ausverkauft means sold out and an dieser Tankstelle means at this petrol station. Diesel is used without an article here because fuel is a mass noun; it normally has no plural in this meaning.
Der Diesel meines Vaters ist sehr zuverlässig.
My father’s diesel car is very reliable.
meines Vaters means my father’s, and zuverlässig means reliable. Der Diesel is nominative as the subject, while meines Vaters is genitive to show possession.
Sie verkauft ihren alten Diesel.
She is selling her old diesel car.
sie verkauft means she is selling, ihren alten means her old, and verkaufen means to sell. Ihren alten Diesel is accusative because it is the direct object; the adjective ending -en follows the masculine accusative article ihren.
die Einbahnstraße — one-way street
die Einbahnstraße is a feminine compound made from ein and Bahnstraße. Its plural is die Einbahnstraßen, and the word is common in traffic signs and directions.
Die Einbahnstraße beginnt hier.
The one-way street starts here.
beginnt means starts, and hier means here. Die Einbahnstraße is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Einbahnstraße.
I see the one-way street.
sehe means see. die Einbahnstraße is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir fahren durch die Einbahnstraße.
We drive through the one-way street.
fahren means drive or travel, and durch means through. durch always takes the accusative, so die Einbahnstraße is accusative here; it is not dative despite the movement meaning.
Das Ende der Einbahnstraße ist dort.
The end of the one-way street is there.
das Ende means the end, and dort means there. der Einbahnstraße is genitive because it tells us which street the end belongs to; feminine nouns have no extra genitive ending.
In Berlin gibt es viele Einbahnstraßen.
There are many one-way streets in Berlin.
in Berlin means in Berlin, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. viele Einbahnstraßen is accusative after the fixed expression gibt es; the plural adds -n to Einbahnstraße.
einparken — to park
Einparken is used for putting a car or another vehicle into a parking space. It is separable: einparken becomes parkt ein in a main clause, but stays together after werden or in a subordinate clause.
Mein Vater parkt das Auto ein.
My father is parking the car.
mein Vater means my father, and das Auto means the car. Das Auto is accusative because it is the vehicle being parked; the finite verb parkt is in position two and ein goes to the end.
Sie hat den Wagen schnell eingeparkt.
She parked the car quickly.
den Wagen means the car, and schnell means quickly. Eingeparkt is the Partizip II used with hat; the vehicle is accusative because it is the object of einparken.
Er parkte vor dem Hotel ein.
He parked in front of the hotel.
vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Vor takes the dative here because it describes a fixed location, so dem Hotel is dative; parkte is in position two and ein is separated to the end.
Park hier bitte ein!
Please park here!
hier means here, and bitte means please. This is the informal singular imperative; the prefix ein must remain separate and goes at the end.
Ich würde lieber dort einparken.
I would rather park there.
lieber means rather, and dort means there. In the Konjunktiv II construction, würde occupies position two and the complete infinitive einparken goes to the end; it is not separated.
Wir werden gleich vor dem Eingang einparken.
We will park in front of the entrance shortly.
gleich means shortly, and der Eingang means the entrance. Vor dem Eingang is dative because vor describes a location; werden is in position two and einparken goes to the end.
die Eisenbahn — railway, railroad; train system
In everyday speech, mit der Eisenbahn fahren often means to travel by train. The compound contains die Eisenbahn, but the whole noun is feminine: die Eisenbahn, der Eisenbahn.
Die Eisenbahn verbindet viele Städte.
The railway connects many cities.
verbinden means to connect, and viele Städte means many cities. Die Eisenbahn is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb verbindet stands in position two.
Wir nehmen die Eisenbahn.
We are taking the train.
nehmen means to take, and wir means we. Die Eisenbahn is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehmen is in position two.
Sie fährt mit der Eisenbahn nach Berlin.
She is travelling to Berlin by train.
fahren means to travel or go by vehicle, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Mit always takes the dative, so der Eisenbahn is dative; the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Die Geschichte der Eisenbahn begann im neunzehnten Jahrhundert.
The history of the railway began in the nineteenth century.
die Geschichte is the history, begann means began, and das Jahrhundert is a century. Der Eisenbahn is genitive because it specifies whose history is meant; feminine nouns use der in the genitive.
Die Eisenbahnen brauchen moderne Signale.
The railways need modern signals.
brauchen means need, modern means modern, and das Signal is a signal. Die Eisenbahnen is a plural subject, so the finite verb is brauchen, not singular braucht.
fahren — to drive, to travel (by vehicle)
Fahren can mean driving a vehicle or travelling in one, especially with mit plus the dative. In the perfect, use sein for movement to a destination but haben when the vehicle is the direct object, as in Ich habe das Auto gefahren.
Ich fahre jeden Morgen mit dem Bus zur Arbeit.
I take the bus to work every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, mit dem Bus means by bus, and zur Arbeit means to work. The finite verb fahre is in position two; mit takes the dative, while zur is short for zu der and also takes the dative.
Wir sind gestern nach Berlin gefahren.
We travelled to Berlin yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Sind ... gefahren uses sein because fahren expresses movement; the auxiliary is in position two and gefahren goes to the end.
Sie fuhr bei starkem Regen sehr langsam.
She drove very slowly in heavy rain.
bei starkem Regen means in heavy rain, and sehr langsam means very slowly. Fuhr is the strong-verb preterite of fahren and stands in position two; bei takes the dative.
Fahr vorsichtig!
Drive carefully!
vorsichtig means carefully. Fahr is the du imperative, so du is omitted; do not use the present form fährst as an imperative.
Wenn ich ein Auto hätte, führe ich jeden Tag ans Meer.
If I had a car, I would drive to the sea every day.
wenn means if, ein Auto means a car, and ans Meer means to the sea. Führe is the Konjunktiv II of fahren; it is in the subordinate clause, where the verb goes to the end, while ich follows the comma in the main clause.
Morgen werde ich mit dem Zug nach München fahren.
Tomorrow I will travel to Munich by train.
morgen means tomorrow, mit dem Zug means by train, and nach München means to Munich. The auxiliary werde stands in position two and the infinitive fahren goes to the end; mit takes the dative.
der Fahrer — driver
Fahrer is the general word for a person who drives, including a car, bus, or lorry driver. The feminine form is Fahrerin; the plural Fahrer can refer to men or to a mixed group.
Der Fahrer wartet vor dem Hotel.
The driver is waiting in front of the hotel.
wartet means is waiting, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Der Fahrer is nominative because it is the subject; vor takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location.
Ich sehe den Fahrer.
I see the driver.
ich sehe means I see. Den Fahrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir danken dem Fahrer für die Hilfe.
We thank the driver for the help.
danken means thank, and die Hilfe means the help. Dem Fahrer is dative because the verb danken requires a dative person; für takes the accusative.
Das Auto des Fahrers ist neu.
The driver's car is new.
das Auto means the car, and neu means new. Des Fahrers is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Fahrer warten an der Ampel.
The drivers are waiting at the traffic light.
warten means are waiting, and die Ampel means the traffic light. Fahrer is plural with die; an der Ampel is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Fahrerin — female driver
Fahrerin specifically means a woman who drives; it is the feminine counterpart of Fahrer. The plural is Fahrerinnen, with doubled n before the plural ending.
Die Fahrerin öffnet die Tür.
The driver opens the door.
öffnet means opens, and die Tür means the door. Die Fahrerin is nominative because it is the subject; die Tür is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object.
Der Polizist kontrolliert die Fahrerin.
The police officer checks the female driver.
der Polizist means the police officer, and kontrolliert means checks. Die Fahrerin is accusative because it is the direct object of kontrollieren; feminine nominative and accusative articles both look like die.
Der Mann hilft der Fahrerin.
The man helps the female driver.
der Mann means the man, and hilft means helps. Der Fahrerin is dative because helfen requires a dative person; the feminine dative article is der.
Das Auto der Fahrerin steht draußen.
The female driver's car is outside.
das Auto means the car, and draußen means outside. Der Fahrerin is genitive because it shows possession; with a feminine noun, the article is der in both genitive and dative, so the context matters.
Die Fahrerinnen tragen Warnwesten.
The female drivers are wearing safety vests.
tragen means wear or carry, and Warnwesten means safety vests. Fahrerinnen is the plural of Fahrerin, formed by changing -in to -innen; the finite verb tragen stands in position two.
die Fahrkarte — ticket, travel ticket
A Fahrkarte is used for buses, trains, trams and similar public transport. In everyday speech, Ticket is also common.
Die Fahrkarte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The ticket is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Die Fahrkarte is nominative because it is the subject; the verb liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Fahrkarte.
I am buying a ticket.
kaufe means buy. Eine Fahrkarte is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object, while Ich is the nominative subject.
Mit einer Fahrkarte kann man den Bus nehmen.
With a ticket, you can take the bus.
mit means with, and den Bus nehmen means take the bus. Einer Fahrkarte is dative because mit always takes the dative; kann is in position two and nehmen goes to the end.
Der Preis der Fahrkarte ist gestiegen.
The price of the ticket has risen.
der Preis means the price, and ist gestiegen means has risen. Der Fahrkarte is genitive to show whose price it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Fahrkarten sind noch gültig.
The tickets are still valid.
noch means still, and gültig means valid. Fahrkarten is nominative plural because it is the subject, so the verb is sind, not ist.
das Fahrrad — bicycle, bike
The compound Fahrrad literally contains Rad, wheel, but it means the complete bicycle. The usual verb phrase is Fahrrad fahren, without an article when speaking generally.
Mein Fahrrad ist neu.
My bicycle is new.
mein means my, and neu means new. Mein Fahrrad is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist is in position two.
Ich repariere das Fahrrad.
I am repairing the bicycle.
repariere means repair. Das Fahrrad is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich fahre mit dem Fahrrad zur Schule.
I ride to school by bicycle.
mit dem Fahrrad means by bicycle, and zur Schule means to school. Dem Fahrrad is dative because mit always takes the dative; zur is short for zu der.
Die Farbe des Fahrrads ist blau.
The bicycle's colour is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Fahrrads is genitive to show possession and takes -s; the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Fahrräder stehen vor dem Haus.
The bicycles are standing in front of the house.
stehen means are standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Fahrräder is nominative plural, formed with ä and -er; vor dem Haus is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Fahrradhelm — bicycle helmet
The compound Fahrradhelm combines Fahrrad, bicycle, and Helm, helmet. It is masculine, so use der in the singular and die Fahrradhelme in the plural.
Der Fahrradhelm liegt auf dem Tisch.
The bicycle helmet is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Fahrradhelm is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme den Fahrradhelm.
I take the bicycle helmet.
nehme means take. Den Fahrradhelm is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Fahrradhelm zur Schule.
I ride to school with the bicycle helmet.
fahre means ride or go, and zur Schule means to school. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Fahrradhelm is dative.
Die Farbe des Fahrradhelms ist blau.
The colour of the bicycle helmet is blue.
Die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Fahrradhelms is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
Im Laden hängen viele Fahrradhelme.
Many bicycle helmets are hanging in the shop.
Im Laden means in the shop, and hängen means are hanging. Fahrradhelme is the plural with -e, and viele means many.
die Fahrt — journey, trip, ride; ride, especially an amusement-park ride
Die Fahrt usually describes travelling by a vehicle or a particular ride, while die Reise is often a longer trip or holiday. It is related to the verb fahren, to travel or drive.
Die Fahrt dauert zwei Stunden.
The journey takes two hours.
dauert means takes or lasts, and zwei Stunden means two hours. Die Fahrt is nominative because it is the subject, and dauert is in position two.
Wir genießen die Fahrt durch die Berge.
We enjoy the journey through the mountains.
genießen means enjoy, and durch die Berge means through the mountains. Die Fahrt is accusative because genießen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Nach der Fahrt bin ich müde.
I am tired after the journey.
Nach der Fahrt means after the journey, and müde means tired. Nach always takes the dative, so the feminine article is der.
Das Ende der Fahrt war angenehm.
The end of the journey was pleasant.
Das Ende means the end, and angenehm means pleasant. Der Fahrt is genitive because it means of the journey; feminine nouns use der in the genitive.
Die Fahrten am Wochenende sind oft voll.
The journeys at the weekend are often crowded.
Am Wochenende means at the weekend, and voll means full or crowded. Fahrten is the plural with -en and an umlaut, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
Die Fahrt mit der Achterbahn war aufregend.
The roller-coaster ride was exciting.
Mit der Achterbahn means on the roller coaster, and aufregend means exciting. Die Fahrt is the subject in the nominative, and war is the finite verb in position two.
Für die Fahrt müssen Kinder einen Helm tragen.
Children have to wear a helmet for the ride.
Für means for, müssen means have to, and einen Helm tragen means wear a helmet. Für die Fahrt is accusative because für always takes the accusative; the infinitive tragen goes to the end after the modal verb.
fliegen — to fly; to travel by plane
For movement, the perfect normally uses sein: ist geflogen. When a person has flown or piloted an aircraft as an activity, haben is also possible, for example Der Pilot hat das Flugzeug geflogen.
Der Vogel fliegt über den See.
The bird is flying over the lake.
der Vogel means the bird, and über den See means over the lake. fliegt is in position two as the finite verb; über takes accusative here because the bird moves across the lake.
Wir sind nach Berlin geflogen.
We flew to Berlin.
nach Berlin means to Berlin. geflogen pairs with sein because it describes movement from one place to another, and the participle goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Der Pilot flog sehr niedrig.
The pilot flew very low.
der Pilot means the pilot, and sehr niedrig means very low. flog is the strong Präteritum form of fliegen and stands in position two.
Flieg nicht so hoch!
Don't fly so high!
nicht so hoch means not so high. Flieg is the informal singular imperative, and the subject du is normally omitted; nicht comes before the phrase it negates.
Wenn ich könnte, würde ich um die Welt fliegen.
If I could, I would fly around the world.
wenn ich könnte means if I could, and um die Welt means around the world. The conditional form uses würde plus the infinitive fliegen; the infinitive goes to the end of the main clause.
Morgen fliegt meine Familie nach Spanien.
My family is flying to Spain tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and meine Familie means my family. Here the present tense can express a planned future, with nach Spanien meaning to Spain; the finite verb fliegt remains in position two.
der Flughafen — airport
The preposition am means an dem and is very common with this noun: am Flughafen means at the airport. For movement towards it, use zum Flughafen, short for zu dem Flughafen.
Der Flughafen ist heute sehr voll.
The airport is very busy today.
heute means today, and voll means full or busy. Der Flughafen is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen den Flughafen.
We are visiting the airport.
besuchen means to visit. Den Flughafen is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus zu dem Flughafen.
I am going to the airport by bus.
mit dem Bus means by bus, and zu means to. Dem Flughafen is dative because zu always takes the dative; zu dem is usually shortened to zum.
Die Größe des Flughafens überrascht mich.
The size of the airport surprises me.
die Größe means the size, and überraschen means to surprise. Des Flughafens is genitive and shows possession; the masculine noun takes -s and the article is des.
Die Flughäfen sind im Sommer voll.
The airports are busy in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and voll means busy or full. Die Flughäfen is plural nominative as the subject; notice the umlaut ä in the plural.
der Flugplatz — airfield, airport
This everyday transport word can mean an airport or a smaller airfield. Do not confuse der Flugplatz with das Flugzeug, which means aircraft.
Der Flugplatz liegt außerhalb der Stadt.
The airport is outside the city.
außerhalb means outside, and die Stadt means the city. liegt means is situated. The noun is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir suchen den Flugplatz.
We are looking for the airport.
wir means we, and suchen means are looking for. den Flugplatz is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus zum Flugplatz.
I am taking the bus to the airport.
mit dem Bus means by bus, and zum means to the. mit always takes the dative, while zum Flugplatz is a shortened form of zu dem Flugplatz and also has dative; fahre is in position two.
Die Ankunft des Flugplatzes ist gut ausgeschildert.
The way to the airport is well signposted.
die Ankunft means the arrival, and ausgeschildert means signposted. des Flugplatzes is genitive and identifies which arrival or route is meant; the masculine noun takes -es.
Große Flugplätze haben mehrere Startbahnen.
Large airports have several runways.
große means large, mehrere means several, and die Startbahnen are runways. Flugplätze is the plural of Flugplatz; the verb haben agrees with the plural subject.
das Flugzeug — aeroplane, aircraft
Flugzeug is the usual everyday word for an aeroplane or aircraft. The compound contains Flug, meaning flight, and Zeug, meaning thing or equipment, but learners should use the whole word for the aircraft.
Das Flugzeug landet gerade.
The aeroplane is landing right now.
landet means lands, and gerade means right now. Flugzeug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb landet stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Flugzeug.
We can see the aeroplane.
wir means we, and sehen means see. das Flugzeug is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the neuter article das stays the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich sitze im Flugzeug.
I am sitting on the aeroplane.
sitze means am sitting, and im means in the, from in dem. im Flugzeug is dative because in describes a fixed location here; im is not used for movement into the aircraft.
Die Tür des Flugzeugs ist geschlossen.
The door of the aeroplane is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. des Flugzeugs is genitive after Tür to show possession; Flugzeug adds -s in the genitive.
Die Flugzeuge starten pünktlich.
The aeroplanes take off on time.
starten means take off or start, and pünktlich means on time. Flugzeuge is the plural subject, so the verb is starten; the plural article is die.
der Führerschein — driving licence
The compound Führerschein literally contains führen, to lead or drive, and Schein, document or certificate. In Germany, der Führerschein is the licence itself; der Führerschein can also be used for the physical document.
Mein Führerschein liegt im Auto.
My driving licence is in the car.
mein means my and liegt means is lying or is located; im Auto means in the car. Mein Führerschein is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich habe meinen Führerschein dabei.
I have my driving licence with me.
dabei means with me or on me. Meinen Führerschein is accusative because haben takes a direct object, while the finite verb habe stands in position two.
Ich zeige dem Polizisten meinen Führerschein.
I show the police officer my driving licence.
zeigen means to show and der Polizist means police officer. Dem Polizisten is dative for the person shown something, while meinen Führerschein is the accusative thing being shown.
Die Nummer meines Führerscheins steht auf dem Formular.
The number of my driving licence is on the form.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and das Formular means the form. Meines Führerscheins is genitive because it expresses whose number it is; the genitive noun has -s.
Viele Führerscheine sind heute digital.
Many driving licences are digital today.
viele means many, heute means today, and digital means digital. Führerscheine is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: sind.
das Gleis — track, railway track
In transport, das Gleis means a railway track and is also used for the numbered track at a station. The plural is die Gleise, not die Gleisen.
Das Gleis ist noch leer.
The track is still empty.
leer means empty, and noch means still. Das Gleis is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche das Gleis für den Zug nach Berlin.
I am looking for the track for the train to Berlin.
suchen means to look for, der Zug is the train, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Das Gleis is accusative because suchen takes the thing being sought as its direct object.
Wir warten an dem Gleis.
We are waiting by the track.
warten means to wait, and an means by or at here. Dem Gleis is dative because the stationary location preposition an takes dative; dem is the dative form of das.
Die Nummer des Gleises steht auf der Anzeige.
The number of the track is shown on the display.
die Nummer means the number, and die Anzeige is the display or information board. Des Gleises is genitive because it identifies whose number it is, and Gleis takes -es in the genitive singular.
Die Gleise sind wegen des Schnees gesperrt.
The tracks are closed because of the snow.
der Schnee means snow, and gesperrt means closed or blocked. Die Gleise is the plural subject, so the verb is sind; wegen des Schnees gives the reason and commonly uses the genitive.
der Hauptbahnhof — main railway station
der Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station of a town or city. The common short form is der Bahnhof when it is clear that the main station is meant.
Der Hauptbahnhof ist im Zentrum.
The main railway station is in the city centre.
im Zentrum means in the city centre. Der Hauptbahnhof is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; im means in dem and marks a fixed location.
Ich suche den Hauptbahnhof.
I am looking for the main railway station.
suche means am looking for. den Hauptbahnhof is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb suche is in position two.
Wir treffen uns am Hauptbahnhof.
We are meeting at the main railway station.
treffen uns means meet each other, and am means an dem, at the. am Hauptbahnhof is dative because an describes a fixed location here; the finite verb treffen is in position two.
Die Nähe des Hauptbahnhofs ist praktisch.
The proximity of the main railway station is convenient.
die Nähe means the proximity, and praktisch means convenient. des Hauptbahnhofs is genitive because it specifies the proximity of what; the masculine noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Hauptbahnhöfe sind heute voll.
The main railway stations are full today.
sind means are, heute means today, and voll means full or crowded. Hauptbahnhöfe is the plural subject, with an umlaut and -e; the plural verb sind stands in position two.
die Hauptstraße — main road, main street
Hauptstraße is used for the main road through a town or city. Do not confuse it with Autobahn, which means motorway.
Die Hauptstraße ist heute gesperrt.
The main road is closed today.
Heute means today and gesperrt means closed to traffic. Die Hauptstraße is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich überquere die Hauptstraße vorsichtig.
I cross the main road carefully.
Ich means I, überquere means cross, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Hauptstraße is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; the finite verb überquere is in position two.
An der Hauptstraße gibt es einen Bäcker.
There is a baker’s on the main road.
An means at or on, gibt es means there is, and einen Bäcker means a baker’s shop or baker. Der Hauptstraße is dative because an describes a location; gibt is in position two.
Die Geschäfte der Hauptstraße schließen spät.
The shops on the main road close late.
Die Geschäfte means the shops and spät means late. Der Hauptstraße is genitive because it specifies which shops; the finite verb schließen is in position two.
Die Hauptstraßen sind am Abend laut.
The main roads are loud in the evening.
Am Abend means in the evening and laut means loud or noisy. Hauptstraßen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; sind is in position two.
Unsere Hauptstraße führt zum Bahnhof.
Our main road leads to the railway station.
Unsere means our, führt means leads, and zum Bahnhof means to the railway station. Unsere Hauptstraße is the subject in the nominative, and the finite verb führt is in position two.
Fahr nicht so schnell über die Hauptstraße!
Don’t drive across the main road so fast!
Fahr nicht means don’t drive, so schnell means so fast, and über means across here. Die Hauptstraße is accusative because über expresses movement across it; the imperative fahr comes first.
hupen — to honk, to sound the horn
hupen means to sound a vehicle's horn and normally has no object: jemand hupt. Its perfect uses haben, not sein, and the common noun for the action is die Hupe, the horn.
Der Fahrer hupt laut.
The driver honks loudly.
der Fahrer is the driver and laut means loudly. der Fahrer is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb hupt stands in position two.
Der Bus hat an der Haltestelle gehupt.
The bus honked at the bus stop.
der Bus is the bus, die Haltestelle is the bus stop, and an der Haltestelle means at the bus stop. The perfect uses hat plus gehupt because hupen takes haben; hat is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Der Autofahrer hupte, weil die Ampel grün war.
The driver honked because the traffic light was green.
der Autofahrer is the driver, weil means because, die Ampel is the traffic light, and grün means green. hupte is the weak preterite in position two; after weil, the finite verb war goes to the end of its clause.
Hup nicht so laut!
Do not honk so loudly!
nicht means not and so laut means so loudly. Hup is the du imperative and stands first; nicht comes before the phrase it negates, and the informal subject du is omitted.
Ich würde nur hupen, wenn es gefährlich wäre.
I would only honk if it were dangerous.
ich means I, nur means only, wenn means if, and gefährlich means dangerous. würde ... hupen expresses a hypothetical action, with the infinitive hupen at the end of the main clause; after wenn, wäre also goes to the end.
Morgen wird der Fahrer an der Kreuzung hupen.
Tomorrow the driver will honk at the crossroads.
morgen means tomorrow, der Fahrer is the driver, and die Kreuzung is the crossroads. Future uses wird plus the infinitive hupen; wird is in position two and hupen goes to the end, while an der Kreuzung is a location phrase with the dative.
der ICE — Intercity-Express; high-speed train
ICE is an abbreviation for Intercity-Express, the name of a German high-speed train. Its plural is ICEs, not ICEe.
Der ICE kommt pünktlich.
The ICE is arriving on time.
pünktlich means on time. Der ICE is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two; kommt means comes or arrives.
Ich nehme den ICE nach Berlin.
I am taking the ICE to Berlin.
nehmen means to take, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. den ICE is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehme is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem ICE nach München.
We are travelling to Munich by ICE.
fahren means to travel or go by vehicle, and nach München means to Munich. mit always takes the dative, so dem ICE is dative.
Die Türen des ICEs schließen automatisch.
The ICE's doors close automatically.
die Türen means the doors, schließen means close, and automatisch means automatically. des ICEs is genitive because it shows whose doors they are; the genitive article is des and the noun has -s.
Die ICEs stehen auf Gleis drei.
The ICE trains are on platform three.
stehen means are standing or are located, and Gleis drei means platform three. Die ICEs is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending -s must not be omitted.
der Krankenwagen — ambulance
The word combines krank, sick, and Wagen, vehicle or car. Do not confuse der Krankenwagen with der Rettungswagen: both can mean ambulance, but Rettungswagen focuses more on rescue and emergency service.
Der Krankenwagen kommt schnell.
The ambulance is coming quickly.
kommt means is coming, and schnell means quickly. Der Krankenwagen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir rufen den Krankenwagen.
We are calling an ambulance.
rufen means call. Den Krankenwagen is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie fährt mit dem Krankenwagen ins Krankenhaus.
She is going to the hospital by ambulance.
fährt means goes or drives, and ins Krankenhaus means into the hospital. Mit dem Krankenwagen is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Sirene des Krankenwagens ist laut.
The ambulance’s siren is loud.
die Sirene is the siren, and laut means loud. Des Krankenwagens is genitive because it shows that the siren belongs to the ambulance; the noun adds -s.
Mehrere Krankenwagen stehen vor dem Gebäude.
Several ambulances are standing in front of the building.
mehrere means several, stehen means are standing, and das Gebäude is the building. Krankenwagen has the same form in singular and plural; vor dem Gebäude is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Lift — lift, elevator; ski lift; ski lift
In Germany, der Lift usually means an elevator; in Austria and Switzerland it can also mean a ski lift. The alternative everyday word for an elevator is der Aufzug.
Der Lift ist kaputt.
The lift is broken.
kaputt means broken or out of order. Der Lift is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich nehme den Lift.
I am taking the lift.
ich nehme means I take, and nehmen means to take. den Lift is accusative because it is the direct object of nehme; the finite verb is in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Lift nach oben.
We are going up in the lift.
wir fahren means we go or travel, and nach oben means upwards. dem Lift is dative because mit always takes dative; nach oben shows the direction.
Die Tür des Lifts ist offen.
The lift’s door is open.
die Tür is the door and offen means open. des Lifts is genitive because it shows whose door it is; der Lift has masculine genitive article des and commonly takes -s here.
In unserem Haus gibt es zwei Lifte.
There are two lifts in our building.
unserem Haus means our building or house, gibt es means there is or there are, and zwei means two. Lifte is the plural after zwei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not visible.
Der Skifahrer fährt mit dem Lift nach oben.
The skier rides the lift up.
der Skifahrer is the skier and nach oben means upwards. dem Lift is dative after mit, and the verb phrase fährt ... nach oben describes travelling upwards.
Der Lift bringt uns auf den Berg.
The lift takes us up the mountain.
bringt means takes or brings, uns means us, and der Berg is the mountain. Der Lift is nominative as the subject, while uns is accusative as the direct object of bringt.
die Linie — line; route; policy; telephone line
die Linie can mean a drawn line or a public-transport route. In transport, it is often used with a number, as in Linie 4.
Die Linie ist gerade.
The line is straight.
gerade means straight. Die Linie is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich zeichne eine Linie.
I am drawing a line.
zeichnen means to draw. eine Linie is accusative because it is the direct object, and the finite verb zeichne stands in position two.
Wir folgen der Linie auf der Karte.
We follow the line on the map.
folgen means to follow, and die Karte means the map. der Linie is dative because folgen governs the dative; the finite verb folgen stands in position two.
Die Farbe der Linie ist blau.
The colour of the line is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. der Linie is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Linien sind auf dem Papier.
The lines are on the paper.
das Papier means the paper. Linien is plural and takes sind; dem Papier is dative because auf describes a fixed location.
Die neue Linie der Firma ist umweltfreundlicher.
The company's new policy is more environmentally friendly.
neu means new, die Firma means the company, and umweltfreundlicher means more environmentally friendly. der Firma is genitive to show whose policy it is, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Unsere Telefon-Linie ist seit gestern gestört.
Our telephone line has been faulty since yesterday.
unsere means our, Telefon means telephone, and gestört means faulty or disrupted. Unsere Telefon-Linie is nominative, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
losfahren — to set off, to drive away
losfahren is a separable strong verb: fährt los, fuhr los, ist losgefahren. It normally takes sein in the perfect because it describes movement; the prefix separates in a main clause but stays attached in the infinitive and Partizip II.
Der Zug fährt um acht Uhr los.
The train leaves at eight o'clock.
der Zug means the train and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. losfahren is separable: the finite part fährt is in position two and the prefix los goes to the end of the main clause.
Wir sind früh losgefahren.
We set off early.
wir means we and früh means early. losgefahren pairs with sein because it expresses movement, and the Partizip II stands at the end of the clause.
Der Bus fuhr pünktlich los.
The bus set off on time.
der Bus means the bus and pünktlich means on time. fuhr is the strong simple-past form of fahren, while the separable prefix los stands at the end of the main clause.
Fahr jetzt los!
Set off now!
jetzt means now. The du imperative of losfahren is fahr los: the prefix separates and stands at the end, and the subject du is normally left out.
Ich würde sofort losfahren, wenn ich könnte.
I would set off immediately if I could.
sofort means immediately, wenn means if, and könnte means could. würde losfahren expresses a hypothetical action; the complete infinitive losfahren stays together after würde, while the verb könnte goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
Morgen werden wir früh losfahren.
Tomorrow we will set off early.
morgen means tomorrow and früh means early. In the future, the finite auxiliary werden is in position two and the complete infinitive losfahren goes to the end; it does not split in this construction.
die Maschine — machine
Maschine can refer to a technical device or, in everyday speech, an engine or machine in a vehicle. The plural is Maschinen.
Die Maschine funktioniert gut.
The machine works well.
funktioniert means works or functions, and gut means well. Die Maschine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Der Techniker repariert die Maschine.
The technician is repairing the machine.
der Techniker means the technician, and repariert means repairs. Die Maschine is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Der Techniker hilft der Maschine nicht.
The technician cannot help the machine.
hilft means helps, and nicht means not. der Maschine is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Der Lärm der Maschine ist laut.
The noise of the machine is loud.
der Lärm means the noise, and laut means loud. der Maschine is genitive because it identifies whose noise it is; with a feminine noun, the article changes to der but the noun does not change.
In der Fabrik arbeiten viele Maschinen.
Many machines work in the factory.
in der Fabrik means in the factory, and viele means many. Maschinen is plural because there are many machines; in takes dative here for a fixed location, while the plural noun itself has the ending -en.
Mercedes — Mercedes; a Mercedes car
Mercedes is normally used without an article as a brand name. When it means a car, it is commonly masculine: der Mercedes.
Mercedes ist eine deutsche Automarke.
Mercedes is a German car brand.
ist means is, deutsche means German, and Automarke means car brand. Mercedes is the subject in the nominative; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Mein Vater fährt einen Mercedes.
My father drives a Mercedes.
mein Vater means my father and fährt means drives. Einen Mercedes is accusative because fahren takes a direct object here; the finite verb fährt is in position two.
das Mietauto — rental car
Mietauto is a compound of Miete, rent, and Auto, car. It is neuter, and its plural is formed with -s: Mietautos.
Das Mietauto steht vor dem Hotel.
The rental car is in front of the hotel.
steht means is standing or is located, vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel, and Hotel is a hotel. Das Mietauto is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir nehmen das Mietauto am Flughafen.
We take the rental car at the airport.
Wir nehmen means we take, am Flughafen means at the airport, and Flughafen is airport. Das Mietauto is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the neuter article stays das in both nominative and accusative.
Ich fahre mit dem Mietauto zum Strand.
I drive to the beach in the rental car.
fahre means drive, mit means with or by, and zum Strand means to the beach. Mit always takes the dative, so das Mietauto becomes dem Mietauto; fahre is in position two.
Die Farbe des Mietautos ist weiß.
The rental car's colour is white.
Die Farbe means the colour, ist means is, and weiß means white. Des Mietautos shows possession and is genitive; the genitive article is des, and this compound noun adds -s.
Die Mietautos stehen hinter dem Gebäude.
The rental cars are behind the building.
stehen means are located, hinter dem Gebäude means behind the building, and Gebäude is building. Die Mietautos is the plural subject, formed with -s; the plural verb is stehen, not singular steht.
das Moped — moped
Moped is a borrowed neuter noun with the regular plural Mopeds. It is used for a small motorised two-wheeled vehicle, often ridden by teenagers or young adults.
Das Moped steht vor dem Haus.
The moped is standing in front of the house.
steht means is standing, vor dem Haus means in front of the house, and das Haus means house. Das Moped is nominative because it is the subject, and vor dem Haus is dative because it describes a location.
Ich kaufe ein Moped.
I am buying a moped.
kaufe means buy. Ein Moped is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, the indefinite article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er fährt mit dem Moped zur Arbeit.
He rides his moped to work.
fährt means rides or drives, mit means with or by, and zur Arbeit means to work. Dem Moped is dative because mit always takes the dative; zur is short for zu der.
Der Motor des Mopeds ist kaputt.
The moped's engine is broken.
der Motor means engine and kaputt means broken. Des Mopeds is genitive because it shows whose engine it is, and the neuter noun adds -s.
Die Mopeds stehen neben der Garage.
The mopeds are standing next to the garage.
stehen means are standing, neben means next to, and die Garage means garage. Mopeds is plural and therefore takes stehen; der Garage is dative because neben describes a fixed location here.
das Paket — parcel, package
In everyday German, Paket usually means a parcel sent by post or a delivery company. Do not confuse it with Packung, which is a packet or container of a product.
Das Paket ist heute angekommen.
The parcel arrived today.
heute means today, and angekommen means arrived. Das Paket is nominative because it is the subject; ist is in position two and angekommen goes to the end in the perfect tense.
Ich öffne das Paket sofort.
I am opening the parcel immediately.
öffnen means to open, and sofort means immediately. Das Paket is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; öffne is in position two.
Ich schicke meiner Schwester das Paket.
I am sending my sister the parcel.
meiner Schwester means to my sister, and schicke means send. Das Paket is accusative because it is the thing sent, while meiner Schwester is dative because she receives it.
Der Inhalt des Pakets ist geheim.
The contents of the parcel are secret.
der Inhalt means the contents, and geheim means secret. Des Pakets is genitive because it shows whose contents they are; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Pakete stehen vor der Tür.
The parcels are standing in front of the door.
stehen means are standing, and vor der Tür means in front of the door. Die Pakete is plural and nominative because it is the subject; vor takes the dative for a fixed location.
Das Paket liegt neben der Tür.
The parcel is lying next to the door.
liegt means is lying, and neben der Tür means next to the door. Das Paket is the nominative subject, and neben takes the dative for a fixed location; liegt is in position two.
parken — to park
Parken usually takes the vehicle as an accusative object: ein Auto parken. It forms the perfect with haben, not sein, and is a regular weak verb: parkte – hat geparkt.
Ich parke das Auto vor dem Haus.
I am parking the car in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Das Auto is accusative because parken takes a direct object, while vor dem Haus is dative because it describes a fixed location; parke is in position two.
Wir haben das Auto dort geparkt.
We parked the car there.
dort means there. Das Auto is accusative because it is the object of parken, and geparkt goes to the end with the auxiliary haben to form the perfect.
Er parkte neben dem Bahnhof.
He parked next to the train station.
neben dem Bahnhof means next to the train station. Neben dem Bahnhof is dative because it describes a location, and the regular past form parkte stands in position two.
Park bitte hier!
Please park here!
bitte means please, and hier means here. Park is the informal singular imperative, so du is omitted and the verb comes first; it is not followed by the normal -st ending.
Wenn ich einen Platz finde, würde ich dort parken.
If I found a space, I would park there.
Wenn means if, einen Platz means a space, and finde means find. The wenn clause sends its finite verb to the end, while würde ... parken expresses a hypothetical situation; einen Platz is accusative after finde.
Ich werde gleich vor dem Supermarkt parken.
I will park in front of the supermarket shortly.
gleich means shortly, and vor dem Supermarkt means in front of the supermarket. Future werde ... parken places the infinitive at the end; vor dem Supermarkt is dative because it gives a location.