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Vocab: Transport — A2 (2) ​
Transport vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Laster — truck, lorry ​
This masculine noun means a truck. Do not confuse der Laster with das Laster, which means a vice; both have the plural form die Laster.
Der Laster steht vor dem Lager.
The truck is in front of the warehouse.
steht means is standing or is located, vor means in front of, and das Lager is the warehouse. der Laster is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe den Laster auf der StraĂźe.
I see the truck on the road.
sehe means see, auf der StraĂźe means on the road, and die StraĂźe is the road. den Laster is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Der Fahrer hilft dem Laster nicht.
The driver does not help the truck.
der Fahrer is the driver, hilft means helps, and nicht means not. dem Laster is dative because helfen governs the dative; the finite verb hilft stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Lasters ist blau.
The truck’s colour is blue.
die Farbe means the colour and blau means blue. des Lasters expresses possession, meaning the colour of the truck; the masculine genitive uses des and adds -s.
Die Laster fahren langsam durch die Stadt.
The trucks drive slowly through the city.
fahren means drive, langsam means slowly, durch means through, and die Stadt is the city. die Laster is plural and therefore takes the plural verb fahren; the article is die, not der.
der Lastwagen — truck, lorry ​
der Lastwagen is the standard everyday word for a truck or lorry. Its plural is unchanged: der Lastwagen, die Lastwagen; the shorter der Laster has the same meaning.
Der Lastwagen kommt aus Hamburg.
The truck is coming from Hamburg.
kommt means comes or is coming, and aus Hamburg means from Hamburg. der Lastwagen is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir kaufen den Lastwagen heute.
We are buying the truck today.
wir means we, kaufen means buy, and heute means today. den Lastwagen is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Der Fahrer sitzt in dem Lastwagen.
The driver is sitting in the truck.
der Fahrer is the driver and sitzt means is sitting. in dem Lastwagen describes a location, so in takes the dative; dem is the dative masculine article.
Die Ladung des Lastwagens ist schwer.
The truck’s load is heavy.
die Ladung means the load and schwer means heavy. des Lastwagens expresses possession, meaning the load of the truck; the masculine genitive uses des and adds -s to Lastwagen.
Die Lastwagen fahren durch den Tunnel.
The trucks drive through the tunnel.
fahren means drive, durch means through, and der Tunnel is the tunnel. die Lastwagen is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; den Tunnel is accusative because durch always takes the accusative.
lenken — to steer; to direct, guide ​
Lenken takes an accusative object when you steer or direct something: etwas lenken. It can also take the fixed pattern die Aufmerksamkeit auf etwas lenken, with auf plus accusative for the target.
Sie lenkt das Auto vorsichtig durch die enge StraĂźe.
She carefully steers the car through the narrow street.
das Auto is the car, vorsichtig means carefully, and die enge StraĂźe means the narrow street. das Auto is accusative because lenken takes a direct object; the finite verb lenkt is in position two.
Wir haben den Wagen sicher gelenkt.
We steered the car safely.
der Wagen means the car, and sicher means safely. den Wagen is accusative because lenken takes an accusative object; haben is in position two and gelenkt goes to the end.
Der Fahrer lenkte den Bus um das Hindernis.
The driver steered the bus around the obstacle.
Der Fahrer is the driver, der Bus is the bus, and das Hindernis is the obstacle. den Bus is accusative as the direct object, and the simple-past verb lenkte stands in position two.
Lenk das Fahrrad nicht so nah an die Mauer!
Don’t steer the bicycle so close to the wall!
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, nicht so nah means not so close, and die Mauer is the wall. The imperative lenk addresses du; das Fahrrad is accusative, while an die Mauer expresses direction and therefore also takes the accusative.
Ich würde den Blick auf die Lösung lenken.
I would direct attention to the solution.
der Blick means the gaze or attention, and die Lösung means the solution. den Blick is accusative because it is the object of lenken; in the conditional, würde is in position two and the infinitive lenken goes to the end.
Der neue Weg lenkt den Verkehr um das Zentrum.
The new road will divert traffic around the city centre.
der neue Weg means the new road, der Verkehr means traffic, and das Zentrum means the city centre. den Verkehr is accusative because it is the object of lenken; in the future, wird would stand in position two and lenken would go to the end, but this present tense also expresses a planned future.
die Lieferung — delivery, shipment ​
Lieferung can mean the process of delivery or a shipment that arrives. It is a feminine noun formed from liefern with -ung, and nouns ending in -ung are normally feminine.
Die Lieferung kommt heute.
The delivery is arriving today.
kommt heute means is arriving today. Die Lieferung is nominative because it is the subject, and kommt is the finite verb in position two.
Ich erwarte die Lieferung.
I am expecting the delivery.
erwarte means am expecting. Die Lieferung is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object, while the finite verb erwarte stands in position two.
Wir warten auf die Lieferung.
We are waiting for the delivery.
warten auf means wait for. The phrase auf die Lieferung is accusative because auf takes the accusative in this fixed expression, even though English uses for.
Die Verspätung der Lieferung ärgert den Kunden.
The delay of the delivery annoys the customer.
die Verspätung means the delay, ärgert means annoys, and der Kunde means the customer. Der Lieferung is genitive because it identifies which delivery had the delay; den Kunden is accusative as the object of ärgert.
Die Lieferungen kommen am Morgen.
The deliveries arrive in the morning.
am Morgen means in the morning. Die Lieferungen is plural nominative as the subject, so the plural verb kommen is required.
der Lkw — truck; lorry ​
Lkw is short for Lastkraftwagen, meaning a truck or lorry. The abbreviation is masculine and forms its plural and genitive with -s: Lkws.
Der Lkw steht vor dem Haus.
The truck is standing in front of the house.
steht means is standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Lkw is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe den Lkw auf der StraĂźe.
I see the truck on the road.
Ich sehe means I see, auf der StraĂźe means on the road, and StraĂźe means street or road. den Lkw is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; the preposition auf is dative here because it describes location.
Der Fahrer hilft dem Lkw nicht.
The driver does not help the truck.
Der Fahrer means the driver, hilft means helps, and nicht means not. dem Lkw is dative because helfen always takes a dative object; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Die Farbe des Lkws ist blau.
The truck's colour is blue.
Die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. des Lkws is genitive and shows whose colour it is; Lkw takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Lkws liefern Waren in die Stadt.
The trucks deliver goods to the city.
liefern means deliver, Waren means goods, and in die Stadt means into the city. Die Lkws is the plural subject, so the verb is liefern, not singular liefert.
die Lokomotive — locomotive, engine ​
Lokomotive means the engine that pulls a train. It is feminine and has the regular plural Lokomotiven; the genitive is der Lokomotive.
Die Lokomotive zieht den Zug.
The locomotive pulls the train.
ziehen means pull and der Zug means train. Lokomotive is nominative because it is the subject, while den Zug is accusative because ziehen takes a direct object; the finite verb zieht is in position two.
Die Kinder fotografieren die Lokomotive.
The children photograph the locomotive.
die Kinder means the children and fotografieren means photograph. Lokomotive is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren; the finite verb fotografieren stands in position two.
Wir stehen neben der Lokomotive.
We are standing next to the locomotive.
stehen means stand and neben means next to. Neben forces the dative here, so der Lokomotive is dative; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Der Fahrer der Lokomotive winkt den Kindern zu.
The driver of the locomotive waves to the children.
der Fahrer means the driver, winken means wave, and den Kindern means to the children. Der Lokomotive is genitive because it identifies the driver’s locomotive; den Kindern is dative with zuwinken, and the separable prefix zu goes to the end.
Die Lokomotiven stehen im Bahnhof.
The locomotives are standing at the station.
stehen means stand and der Bahnhof means station. Lokomotiven is the plural subject, while im Bahnhof means at the station and uses the dative for location.
mitfahren — to ride along, to travel along; to get a lift ​
Mitfahren normally means travelling as a passenger, not driving the vehicle. It is separable in main clauses and forms the perfect with sein: ist mitgefahren.
Meine Schwester fährt morgen nach Berlin mit.
My sister is riding along to Berlin tomorrow.
Meine Schwester means my sister, morgen means tomorrow, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. The destination uses nach, and the verb splits in a main clause: fährt ... mit.
Er ist gestern mit dem Zug mitgefahren.
He travelled along by train yesterday.
Gestern means yesterday, and mit dem Zug means by train. Mit takes the dative here, shown by dem Zug; ist is in position two and mitgefahren goes to the end because movement takes sein.
Tom fuhr mit seinen Freunden mit.
Tom rode along with his friends.
Seine Freunde means his friends, and mit seinen Freunden means with his friends. The preposition mit requires the dative, and the irregular past form fuhr is split from mit.
Fahr mit uns mit!
Come along with us!
Mit uns means with us. The informal imperative is fahr, and mit goes at the end; uns is dative because it follows mit.
Ich wĂĽrde gern mit euch mitfahren.
I would like to ride along with you.
Gern means gladly or would like to, and mit euch means with you plural. In the wĂĽrde construction, the infinitive mitfahren stays together at the end, while euch is dative after mit.
Du wirst am Wochenende nach MĂĽnchen mitfahren.
You will ride along to Munich at the weekend.
Am Wochenende means at the weekend, and nach MĂĽnchen means to Munich. Wirst stands in position two and mitfahren goes to the end; nach marks the destination.
Kann ich bei dir mitfahren?
Can I get a lift with you?
Kann ich means can I, and bei dir means with you or at your place. Bei requires the dative, so dir is used; after the modal verb kann, the infinitive mitfahren goes to the end.
Sie fährt jeden Morgen bei ihrem Nachbarn mit.
She gets a lift with her neighbour every morning.
Jeden Morgen means every morning, and ihr Nachbar means her neighbour. Bei takes the dative, giving ihrem Nachbarn, and fährt ... mit shows the separated verb.
der Motor — engine, motor ​
For a car or motorcycle, der Motor usually means the engine. For a small machine, it can mean a motor; the plural is always Motoren.
Der Motor läuft noch.
The engine is still running.
läuft means is running and noch means still. Der Motor is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb läuft stands in position two.
Ich höre den Motor.
I can hear the engine.
höre means hear, and den is the masculine accusative article. Den Motor is accusative because hören takes an accusative object; the finite verb höre is in position two.
Ich fahre mit dem Motor vorsichtig.
I drive carefully with the motor.
fahre means drive or travel, and vorsichtig means carefully. Dem Motor is dative because mit requires the dative; the adverb vorsichtig describes how the driving happens.
Die Leistung des Motors ist beeindruckend.
The engine's performance is impressive.
die Leistung means performance or power, and beeindruckend means impressive. Des Motors is genitive because it means of the engine; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Motoren der Schiffe sind sehr laut.
The engines of the ships are very loud.
die Schiffe are the ships and laut means loud. Motoren is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Schiffe is genitive, meaning of the ships.
Der Mechaniker repariert den Motor.
The mechanic is repairing the engine.
der Mechaniker is the mechanic and repariert means repairs. Den Motor is accusative because reparieren takes an accusative object; the finite verb is in position two.
die Motorhaube — bonnet, hood ​
Die Motorhaube is the cover over a car engine: British English uses bonnet, while American English uses hood. It is a compound of der Motor and die Haube, meaning cover or hood.
Die Motorhaube ist offen.
The bonnet is open.
offen means open. Die Motorhaube is nominative because it is the subject, and offen is a predicative adjective after ist, so it has no ending.
Ich öffne die Motorhaube.
I am opening the bonnet.
öffne means open. Die Motorhaube is accusative because öffnen takes an accusative object; the feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Unter der Motorhaube ist der Motor.
The engine is under the bonnet.
unter means under, and der Motor is the engine. Der Motorhaube is dative because the sentence describes a fixed location after unter; with movement toward a place, unter would take the accusative.
Die Farbe der Motorhaube ist blau.
The colour of the bonnet is blue.
die Farbe means colour and blau means blue. Der Motorhaube is genitive because it means of the bonnet; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Motorhauben sind beschädigt.
Many bonnets are damaged.
viele means many and beschädigt means damaged. Viele Motorhauben is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural is built by adding -n.
Der Fahrer muss die Motorhaube schlieĂźen.
The driver has to close the bonnet.
der Fahrer is the driver, muss means has to, and schlieĂźen means close. Die Motorhaube is accusative because schlieĂźen takes an accusative object; with the modal verb, the infinitive goes to the end of the clause.
das Motorrad — motorbike, motorcycle ​
The compound Motorrad combines Motor, engine, with Rad, wheel or bicycle. In everyday German, Motorrad fahren means to ride a motorbike.
Das Motorrad steht vor dem Haus.
The motorbike is standing in front of the house.
steht means is standing, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Das Motorrad is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich sehe das Motorrad jeden Tag.
I see the motorbike every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. das Motorrad is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while sehe stands in position two.
Wir fahren mit dem Motorrad zur Arbeit.
We ride the motorbike to work.
fahren means ride or travel, and zur Arbeit means to work. dem Motorrad is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Farbe des Motorrads ist schwarz.
The motorbike’s colour is black.
Die Farbe means the colour, and schwarz means black. des Motorrads is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, and the neuter noun has the ending -s.
Vor dem Café stehen drei Motorräder.
Three motorbikes are standing in front of the café.
Vor dem Café means in front of the café, and drei means three. Motorräder is the plural of Motorrad; the umlaut and ending -er must not be forgotten.
der Motorradfahrer — motorbike rider, motorcyclist ​
Motorradfahrer is a compound made from Motorrad, motorbike, and Fahrer, driver or rider. It can refer to any person who rides a motorbike, not only to a professional rider.
Der Motorradfahrer trägt einen Helm.
The motorbike rider is wearing a helmet.
trägt means is wearing or carries, and einen Helm means a helmet. Der Motorradfahrer is nominative because it is the subject, while einen Helm is accusative because tragen takes a direct object.
Ich sehe den Motorradfahrer an der Kreuzung.
I see the motorbike rider at the crossroads.
sehe means see, and an der Kreuzung means at the crossroads. den Motorradfahrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich helfe dem Motorradfahrer mit der Karte.
I help the motorbike rider with the map.
helfe means help, mit der Karte means with the map, and Karte is map. dem Motorradfahrer is dative because helfen requires a dative person; mit also requires dative.
Das Motorrad des Motorradfahrers ist sehr schnell.
The motorbike of the motorbike rider is very fast.
sehr schnell means very fast. des Motorradfahrers is genitive because it shows who owns the motorbike, and this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Viele Motorradfahrer warten an der Ampel.
Many motorbike riders are waiting at the traffic lights.
Viele means many, warten means are waiting, and Ampel means traffic lights. Motorradfahrer is unchanged in the plural, so viele and the plural verb warten help show the number.
der Motorroller — scooter, motor scooter ​
A Motorroller is generally smaller and less powerful than a Motorrad, motorbike. German also often uses the shorter word Roller for this vehicle.
Der Motorroller steht in der Garage.
The scooter is in the garage.
steht means is standing or is located, and Garage means garage. Der Motorroller is nominative because it is the subject; in der Garage is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Sie kauft den Motorroller morgen.
She is buying the scooter tomorrow.
kauft means buys, and morgen means tomorrow. den Motorroller is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to den.
Er fährt mit dem Motorroller zur Schule.
He goes to school by scooter.
fährt means travels or rides, and zur Schule means to school. dem Motorroller is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Reparatur des Motorrollers kostet viel.
The scooter’s repair costs a lot.
Reparatur means repair, and kostet viel means costs a lot. des Motorrollers is genitive because it identifies which scooter the repair belongs to, and the masculine noun ends in -s.
Vor dem Laden stehen zwei Motorroller.
Two scooters are standing in front of the shop.
Vor dem Laden means in front of the shop, and zwei means two. Motorroller has no visible plural ending, so the number is shown by zwei and the plural verb stehen.
der Neuwagen — new car ​
der Neuwagen means a new car, usually one sold by a dealer. It is a compound of neu and Wagen; the plural is unchanged, die Neuwagen, and the genitive is des Neuwagens.
Der Neuwagen steht vor dem Haus.
The new car is parked in front of the house.
steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Neuwagen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb steht is in position two, while vor dem Haus uses dative for a fixed location.
Ich kaufe den Neuwagen morgen.
I am buying the new car tomorrow.
Ich kaufe means I am buying and morgen means tomorrow. den Neuwagen is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two, even though the object comes before the time expression.
Der Verkäufer zeigt dem Neuwagen einen Kratzer.
The salesman shows a scratch to the new car.
Der Verkäufer means the salesman, zeigt means shows, and einen Kratzer means a scratch. This sentence is unusual in meaning because a car cannot normally be shown something: dem Neuwagen is dative as the recipient, while einen Kratzer is the accusative thing shown.
Der Preis des Neuwagens ist sehr hoch.
The price of the new car is very high.
Der Preis means the price and sehr hoch means very high. des Neuwagens is genitive because it tells whose price it is; the masculine noun adds -s and takes des, and the finite verb ist remains in position two.
Viele Neuwagen haben ein Navigationssystem.
Many new cars have a navigation system.
Viele means many, haben means have, and ein Navigationssystem means a navigation system. Viele Neuwagen is the plural subject in the nominative; the plural form stays Neuwagen without an ending, and haben is in position two.
das Nummernschild — licence plate, number plate; registration mark; vehicle identification number ​
Nummernschild is a compound of Nummer and Schild and means the registration plate on a vehicle. In British English, number plate is usual; in American English, license plate is usual.
Das Nummernschild ist schmutzig.
The licence plate is dirty.
schmutzig means dirty. Das Nummernschild is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two; the adjective comes after sein, so it has no ending.
Die Polizei fotografiert das Nummernschild.
The police photograph the licence plate.
die Polizei is the police, and fotografiert means photographs. Das Nummernschild is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich habe dem Nummernschild einen Aufkleber hinzugefĂĽgt.
I added a sticker to the licence plate.
habe ... hinzugefĂĽgt means have added, and ein Aufkleber is a sticker. Dem Nummernschild is dative as the thing receiving the sticker, while einen Aufkleber is accusative as the thing added; the participle hinzugefĂĽgt goes to the end.
Die Farbe des Nummernschilds ist verblasst.
The colour of the licence plate has faded.
die Farbe means the colour, and verblasst means has faded or is faded. Des Nummernschilds is genitive after die Farbe to show whose colour it is; the finite verb ist is in position two and verblasst follows as a predicative adjective.
Die Nummernschilder der Autos sind gut lesbar.
The cars’ licence plates are easy to read.
der Autos means of the cars, and gut lesbar means easy to read. Die Nummernschilder is the plural subject, while der Autos is genitive to show which vehicles they belong to; sind agrees with the plural.
Bitte notiere das Nummernschild.
Please write down the licence plate number.
bitte means please, and notiere means write down or note. Das Nummernschild is accusative as the object of notieren; the polite imperative uses the verb first, and bitte softens the command.
Die Zeugin konnte das Nummernschild erkennen.
The witness was able to recognise the licence plate.
die Zeugin is the female witness, konnte means was able to, and erkennen means recognise. Das Nummernschild is accusative after erkennen; the modal verb konnte is in position two and sends the infinitive erkennen to the end.
Die Polizei sucht nach einem Auto mit einem bestimmten Nummernschild.
The police are looking for a car with a particular licence plate.
sucht nach means is looking for, ein bestimmtes Auto is a particular car, and bestimmt means particular or specific. Nach always takes the dative, so einem bestimmten Nummernschild is dative; the phrase mit einem Nummernschild also uses the dative because mit requires it.
der Paketbote — parcel delivery worker, delivery driver ​
Paketbote is a weak masculine noun: use den Paketboten, dem Paketboten, and des Paketboten, not forms without -en. The feminine form is Paketbotin.
Der Paketbote klingelt an der TĂĽr.
The parcel delivery worker is ringing the doorbell.
klingelt means rings, and an der TĂĽr means at the door. Der Paketbote is nominative because it is the subject; an takes the dative for a location.
Ich sehe den Paketboten im Hof.
I see the parcel delivery worker in the courtyard.
sehe means see, and im Hof means in the courtyard. Den Paketboten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the weak noun takes -en outside the nominative.
Ich gebe dem Paketboten einen Tipp.
I give the parcel delivery worker a tip.
geben means give, and einen Tipp means a tip. Dem Paketboten is dative because he receives something, while einen Tipp is accusative; Paketbote takes -en outside the nominative.
Das Fahrrad des Paketboten steht drauĂźen.
The parcel delivery worker's bicycle is outside.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and drauĂźen means outside. Des Paketboten is genitive because it shows possession; this weak masculine noun uses -en, not -s.
Die Paketboten arbeiten auch samstags.
The parcel delivery workers also work on Saturdays.
arbeiten means work, and samstags means on Saturdays. Die Paketboten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural has the same -en ending as the non-nominative singular.
Der Paketbote stellt das Paket vor die TĂĽr.
The parcel delivery worker puts the parcel in front of the door.
stellt means puts or places, and vor die TĂĽr means in front of the door. Der Paketbote is nominative, while das Paket is accusative; vor takes the accusative because the parcel is moved to a destination.
die Panne — breakdown; mishap, hitch ​
Panne is used especially for a vehicle or machine that stops working. It can also mean a mistake or mishap, but eine Panne haben is the common expression for a breakdown.
Die Panne passiert auf der Autobahn.
The breakdown happens on the motorway.
passiert means happens, and auf der Autobahn means on the motorway. Die Panne is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative for a location.
Wir melden die Panne sofort.
We report the breakdown immediately.
melden means report, and sofort means immediately. Die Panne is accusative because melden takes a direct object; the finite verb melden is in position two.
Der Mechaniker hilft uns bei der Panne.
The mechanic helps us with the breakdown.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic, and hilft uns means helps us. Der Panne is dative because bei always takes the dative; uns is also dative because helfen requires a dative person.
Die Ursache der Panne ist noch unbekannt.
The cause of the breakdown is still unknown.
die Ursache means the cause, noch means still, and unbekannt means unknown. Der Panne is genitive because it identifies the cause; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Pannen kosten dem Betrieb viel Geld.
The breakdowns cost the company a lot of money.
kosten means cost, der Betrieb means the company, and viel Geld means a lot of money. Die Pannen is plural nominative as the subject; dem Betrieb is dative for the organisation affected, and viel Geld is accusative.
Das Auto hat eine Panne.
The car has broken down.
das Auto means the car, and hat means has. Eine Panne is accusative after haben; the expression eine Panne haben commonly means that a vehicle has broken down.
die Parklücke — parking space, parking spot ​
ParklĂĽcke is a compound of Park and LĂĽcke, a gap or empty space. The plural is ParklĂĽcken, with -n added to the final noun.
Die ParklĂĽcke ist zu klein.
The parking space is too small.
zu klein means too small. Die ParklĂĽcke is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe eine ParklĂĽcke.
I see a parking space.
sehe means see. Eine ParklĂĽcke is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the indefinite article eine looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Wir stehen neben der ParklĂĽcke.
We are standing next to the parking space.
stehen means are standing, and neben means next to. Der ParklĂĽcke is dative because neben describes a fixed location here; do not use accusative unless there is movement toward a place.
Die Breite der ParklĂĽcke reicht nicht.
The width of the parking space is not sufficient.
die Breite means the width, and reicht nicht means is not sufficient. Der ParklĂĽcke is genitive because it specifies whose width is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Auf dieser StraĂźe gibt es nur wenige ParklĂĽcken.
There are only a few parking spaces on this street.
auf dieser StraĂźe means on this street, nur wenige means only a few. ParklĂĽcken is the plural with -n, and gibt es is the fixed expression used to say that spaces exist.
die Parkuhr — parking meter ​
A Parkuhr is a parking meter, not a clock for general use. The compound combines parken, to park, and die Uhr, clock or watch.
Die Parkuhr funktioniert nicht.
The parking meter is not working.
funktionieren means to work or function, and nicht means not. Die Parkuhr is nominative because it is the subject; funktioniert is the finite verb in position two.
Ich stelle die Zeit an der Parkuhr ein.
I set the time on the parking meter.
die Zeit means the time, and einstellen means to set or adjust. Parkuhr is dative after an because it names the location; the separable verb stelle ... ein puts ein at the end of the main clause.
Wir stehen neben der Parkuhr.
We are standing next to the parking meter.
stehen means to stand, and neben means next to. der Parkuhr is dative because neben takes the dative for a fixed location.
Das Display der Parkuhr ist kaputt.
The display of the parking meter is broken.
das Display means the display, and kaputt means broken. der Parkuhr is genitive because it identifies whose display it is; feminine nouns keep the noun form Parkuhr.
Die neuen Parkuhren akzeptieren Karten.
The new parking meters accept cards.
neu means new, and akzeptieren means accept; Karten means cards. Parkuhren is plural with die; the adjective takes -en after the definite article.
der Radfahrer — cyclist ​
Der Radfahrer is a masculine noun for a cyclist. Its plural has no ending: die Radfahrer.
Der Radfahrer trägt einen Helm.
The cyclist is wearing a helmet.
trägt means is wearing, and der Helm means the helmet. Der Radfahrer is nominative because it is the subject; trägt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Radfahrer.
I see the cyclist.
sehen means to see. Den Radfahrer is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and sehe is the finite verb in position two.
Ich helfe dem Radfahrer.
I help the cyclist.
helfen means to help. Helfen always takes the dative, so dem Radfahrer is dative; helfe stands in position two.
Das Fahrrad des Radfahrers ist teuer.
The cyclist's bicycle is expensive.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and teuer means expensive. Des Radfahrers is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Radfahrer warten an der Ampel.
The cyclists are waiting at the traffic light.
warten means to wait, and die Ampel means the traffic light. Radfahrer has the same spelling in the singular and plural, while die shows the plural here; an der Ampel is dative because it describes a location.
die Radfahrerin — female cyclist ​
Die Radfahrerin is the feminine form of der Radfahrer. The plural ending is -innen, giving die Radfahrerinnen.
Die Radfahrerin fährt sehr vorsichtig.
The female cyclist rides very carefully.
fährt means rides or drives, and vorsichtig means carefully. Die Radfahrerin is nominative as the subject, and fährt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Radfahrerin.
I see the female cyclist.
sehen means to see. Die Radfahrerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; with feminine nouns, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Radfahrerin.
I help the female cyclist.
helfen means to help. It takes the dative, so the feminine article is der in der Radfahrerin; helfe is in position two.
Das Fahrrad der Radfahrerin ist rot.
The female cyclist's bicycle is red.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle, and rot means red. Der Radfahrerin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine noun does not receive an extra ending.
Die Radfahrerinnen fahren durch den Park.
The female cyclists are riding through the park.
fahren means ride, and durch den Park means through the park. Radfahrerinnen is the plural formed with -innen; durch takes the accusative.
das Radrennen — bicycle race ​
Das Radrennen is a race on bicycles, usually as a sporting event. It is a compound of das Rad (bicycle) and das Rennen (race), and its plural is unchanged: die Radrennen.
Das Radrennen beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The bicycle race starts at ten o'clock.
beginnen means to begin, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Das Radrennen is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Zuschauer sehen das Radrennen im Fernsehen.
The spectators watch the bicycle race on television.
die Zuschauer means the spectators, sehen means watch or see, and im Fernsehen means on television. Das Radrennen is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehen is in position two.
Die Strecke gefällt dem Radrennen nicht.
The route does not suit the bicycle race.
die Strecke means the route, gefallen means to please or suit, and nicht means not. Dem Radrennen is dative because gefallen assigns dative to the person or thing that likes something; the finite verb gefällt is in position two.
Die Organisation des Radrennens war schwierig.
Organising the bicycle race was difficult.
die Organisation means the organisation, and schwierig means difficult. Des Radrennens is genitive because it specifies which organisation is meant; the finite verb war is in position two.
Im Sommer finden viele Radrennen statt.
Many bicycle races take place in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and stattfinden means to take place. Radrennen has the same singular and plural form; finden is in position two and the separable prefix statt goes to the end.
die Radtour — bicycle tour, bike ride ​
Die Radtour usually means a pleasant bicycle trip rather than a competitive race. It is a compound of das Rad (bicycle) and die Tour (tour or trip).
Die Radtour war anstrengend, aber schön.
The bicycle tour was tiring but beautiful.
anstrengend means tiring, aber means but, and schön means beautiful or pleasant. Die Radtour is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir planen die Radtour fĂĽr Samstag.
We are planning the bicycle tour for Saturday.
planen means to plan, fĂĽr means for, and Samstag means Saturday. Die Radtour is accusative because planen takes a direct object; fĂĽr also takes accusative when it introduces a time or purpose.
Nach der Radtour trinken wir im Garten Wasser.
After the bicycle tour, we drink water in the garden.
nach means after, trinken means drink, im Garten means in the garden, and Wasser means water. Der Radtour is dative because nach always takes the dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so trinken is still in position two.
Die Länge der Radtour beträgt fünfzig Kilometer.
The length of the bicycle tour is fifty kilometres.
die Länge means the length, betragen means to amount to, and fünfzig Kilometer means fifty kilometres. Der Radtour is genitive because it tells whose length is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im FrĂĽhling machen wir oft Radtouren.
In spring we often go on bicycle tours.
im FrĂĽhling means in spring, oft means often, and machen means make or do. Radtouren is plural after the omitted quantity; the phrase Radtouren machen is a common way to say go on bicycle tours.
der Reifen — tire; tyre; hoop; ring ​
In everyday transport language, der Reifen is a tire. It is a weak masculine noun: use der Reifen only for the nominative singular, and den Reifen, dem Reifen, or des Reifens elsewhere.
Der Reifen ist platt.
The tire is flat.
platt means flat, usually because there is no air. Der Reifen is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the adjective after sein is predicative and has no ending.
Ich repariere den Reifen.
I am repairing the tire.
ich repariere means I am repairing. den Reifen is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the weak noun itself stays Reifen.
Mit dem Reifen stimmt etwas nicht.
Something is wrong with the tire.
etwas means something, and stimmt nicht means is not right. dem Reifen is dative because mit requires the dative; the noun keeps its -en ending in all non-nominative singular cases.
Die Größe des Reifens passt nicht.
The size of the tire does not fit.
die Größe means the size, and passt nicht means does not fit. des Reifens is genitive because it identifies whose size is meant; this weak masculine noun takes -en in the genitive.
Die Reifen mĂĽssen gewechselt werden.
The tires need to be changed.
mĂĽssen gewechselt werden means need to be changed. Die Reifen is plural and looks like the singular noun without a visible change; the modal mĂĽssen is finite in position two and gewechselt werden goes to the end.
Der Mechaniker prĂĽft den Reifen.
The mechanic checks the tire.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic, and prĂĽft means checks. den Reifen is accusative after prĂĽfen; as a weak masculine noun, Reifen has -en outside the nominative.
Das Kind springt durch einen Reifen.
The child jumps through a hoop.
das Kind means the child, and springt durch means jumps through. einen Reifen is accusative because durch always takes the accusative; the finite verb springt is in position two.
Die Kinder spielen mit den Reifen.
The children play with the hoops.
die Kinder means the children, and spielen means play. den Reifen is dative because mit takes the dative; the plural form is identical in spelling to the singular, so the article gives the clue.
das Rücklicht — rear light, tail light; rear lights on a vehicle ​
This compound combines rĂĽck- (back or rear) with das Licht (light). It is used especially for bicycles, cars and motorcycles; the red light at the front is usually called der Scheinwerfer.
Das RĂĽcklicht funktioniert nicht.
The rear light does not work.
funktioniert nicht means does not work. Das RĂĽcklicht is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb funktioniert is in position two.
Ich repariere das RĂĽcklicht.
I am repairing the rear light.
repariere means repair. das RĂĽcklicht is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, the nominative and accusative article are both das.
Mit dem RĂĽcklicht ist die Fahrt sicherer.
With the rear light, the journey is safer.
mit means with, die Fahrt means the journey, and sicherer means safer. dem RĂĽcklicht is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Farbe des RĂĽcklichts ist vorgeschrieben.
The colour of the rear light is prescribed by law.
die Farbe means the colour, and vorgeschrieben means prescribed or required. des RĂĽcklichts is genitive because it identifies which colour is meant; the neuter noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Rücklichter der Fahrräder leuchten rot.
The rear lights of the bicycles shine red.
der Fahrräder means of the bicycles, and leuchten rot means shine red. Rücklichter is plural nominative because it is the subject; der Fahrräder is genitive plural and shows which bicycles they belong to.
Bitte prĂĽfe das RĂĽcklicht vor der Fahrt.
Please check the rear light before the journey.
prĂĽfe means check, vor der Fahrt means before the journey. das RĂĽcklicht is accusative because prĂĽfen takes a direct object; prĂĽfe is the informal singular imperative.
Am Auto sind beide RĂĽcklichter kaputt.
Both rear lights on the car are broken.
am Auto means on the car, beide means both, and kaputt means broken. RĂĽcklichter is plural nominative as the subject, while am Auto is dative because an describes a fixed position here.
Die Polizei kontrolliert die RĂĽcklichter des Lastwagens.
The police are checking the lorry's rear lights.
die Polizei means the police, kontrolliert means checks, and der Lastwagen means the lorry. RĂĽcklichter is accusative because kontrollieren takes a direct object; des Lastwagens is genitive and shows which vehicle they belong to.
der Schaffner — conductor, ticket inspector ​
Schaffner traditionally refers to a male employee; the feminine form is Schaffnerin. In modern transport language, Zugbegleiter is also common for a train conductor.
Der Schaffner kontrolliert die Fahrkarten.
The conductor is checking the tickets.
kontrollieren means to check, and die Fahrkarten are the tickets. Der Schaffner is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb kontrolliert is in position two.
Ich sehe den Schaffner im Zug.
I see the conductor on the train.
sehen means to see and der Zug is the train. Den Schaffner is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, while im Zug means on the train.
Ich danke dem Schaffner fĂĽr die Hilfe.
I thank the conductor for the help.
danken means to thank and die Hilfe is the help. Dem Schaffner is dative because danken always takes a dative person; fĂĽr die Hilfe is an additional phrase with accusative after fĂĽr.
Die Pfeife des Schaffners klingt laut.
The conductor's whistle sounds loud.
die Pfeife is the whistle and laut means loud. Des Schaffners is genitive because it shows whose whistle it is; klingt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Schaffner prĂĽfen die Tickets.
The conductors check the tickets.
prĂĽfen means to check and die Tickets are the tickets. Die Schaffner is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; die Tickets is accusative because it is what they check.
der Scheinwerfer — headlight, spotlight ​
der Scheinwerfer can mean a vehicle headlight or a powerful spotlight. The plural is unchanged in form: der Scheinwerfer, but die Scheinwerfer; use the article to distinguish singular from plural.
Der Scheinwerfer ist kaputt.
The headlight is broken.
kaputt means broken. Der Scheinwerfer is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
Ich repariere den Scheinwerfer.
I am repairing the headlight.
ich means I and reparieren means to repair. den Scheinwerfer is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; the noun itself does not change in the accusative singular.
Der Mechaniker hilft dem Scheinwerfer nicht.
The mechanic does not help the headlight.
der Mechaniker means the mechanic and hilft means helps. helfen requires a dative object, so dem Scheinwerfer is dative; nicht negates the verb phrase.
Das Licht des Scheinwerfers blendet mich.
The light from the headlight dazzles me.
das Licht means the light and blendet means dazzles or blinds. des Scheinwerfers is genitive and identifies whose light it is; mich is accusative because I am the person affected by blenden.
Die Scheinwerfer des Autos sind sehr hell.
The car's headlights are very bright.
des Autos means of the car and sehr hell means very bright. Die Scheinwerfer is a plural nominative subject, and the noun has no visible plural ending, so the article die shows the plural.
die Schiene — rail, track; splint ​
In transport, die Schiene is a rail or track. The same word can also mean a medical splint; the context shows which meaning is intended.
Die Schiene ist beschädigt.
The rail is damaged.
ist beschädigt means is damaged. Die Schiene is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Arbeiter repariert die Schiene.
The worker repairs the rail.
der Arbeiter means the worker, and repariert means repairs. Die Schiene is accusative because it is the direct object of reparieren; the finite verb repariert is in position two.
Der Zug fährt auf der Schiene.
The train travels on the rail.
der Zug means the train, and fährt means travels or goes. Auf takes the dative here because the train is already located on the rail, so der Schiene is dative.
Die Oberfläche der Schiene ist glatt.
The surface of the rail is smooth.
die Oberfläche means the surface, and glatt means smooth. Der Schiene is genitive and means “of the rail”; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Schienen mĂĽssen erneuert werden.
The rails need to be replaced.
mĂĽssen means must or need to, and erneuert werden means be replaced. Die Schienen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the modal verb mĂĽssen is in position two, and werden goes to the end.
Der Arzt legt meinem Arm eine Schiene an.
The doctor puts a splint on my arm.
der Arzt means the doctor, meinem Arm means to my arm, and legt ... an means puts on. Eine Schiene is accusative as the object being put on, while meinem Arm is dative for the body part receiving it; the separable verb anlegen splits in the main clause.
Ich muss die Schiene noch eine Woche tragen.
I still have to wear the splint for another week.
ich muss means I have to, noch means still, eine Woche means one week, and tragen means wear. Die Schiene is accusative because it is the object of tragen; after the modal verb muss, the infinitive tragen goes to the end.
das Segelboot — sailing boat, sailboat; recreational sailboat ​
The compound Segelboot combines Segel, sail, and Boot, boat. It is a neuter noun, so its article is das.
Das Segelboot liegt im Hafen.
The sailing boat is in the harbour.
liegen means to be lying or located, and der Hafen is the harbour. Das Segelboot is nominative because it is the subject; im Hafen means in the harbour, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir kaufen das Segelboot im FrĂĽhjahr.
We are buying the sailing boat in spring.
kaufen means to buy, and im FrĂĽhjahr means in spring. Das Segelboot is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Sie fährt mit dem Segelboot zur Insel.
She goes to the island by sailing boat.
fahren means to go or travel, and die Insel means island. Dem Segelboot is dative after mit, which always takes the dative; zur Insel means to the island.
Die Farbe des Segelbootes ist besonders schön.
The colour of the sailing boat is especially beautiful.
die Farbe means colour, and besonders schön means especially beautiful. Des Segelbootes is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the neuter noun has the genitive article des and the ending -es.
Im Hafen liegen viele Segelboote.
There are many sailing boats in the harbour.
im Hafen means in the harbour, and viele means many. Segelboote is plural after viele; because it comes before the verb as the subject, the finite verb liegen follows in position two.
Am Wochenende sind wir mit einem Segelboot unterwegs.
At the weekend, we are out sailing in a boat.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and unterwegs sein means to be out or travelling. Einem Segelboot is dative after mit; the verb sind is in position two, while unterwegs comes later as part of the expression.
Das kleine Segelboot eignet sich gut für Anfänger.
The small sailing boat is well suited to beginners.
klein means small, sich eignen means to be suitable, and Anfänger means beginners. Das Segelboot is nominative as the subject, while Anfänger is dative after sich eignen für in this meaning; the finite verb eignet is in position two.
der Sicherheitsgurt — seat belt, safety belt ​
This is a compound of die Sicherheit and der Gurt. In a car, den Sicherheitsgurt anlegen means fasten the seat belt; do not translate the compound word by word as a general belt for security.
Der Sicherheitsgurt ist wichtig.
The seat belt is important.
wichtig means important. Der Sicherheitsgurt is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Bitte leg den Sicherheitsgurt an.
Please fasten your seat belt.
bitte means please, and leg ... an means fasten or put on. den Sicherheitsgurt is accusative because anlegen takes a direct object; the separable prefix an moves to the end of the imperative clause.
Mit dem Sicherheitsgurt fahren wir sicherer.
With the seat belt, we drive more safely.
mit means with, and sicherer means more safely here. mit always takes the dative, so dem Sicherheitsgurt is dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two even though the sentence begins with the prepositional phrase.
Die Farbe des Sicherheitsgurtes ist schwarz.
The colour of the seat belt is black.
die Farbe means the colour, and schwarz means black. des Sicherheitsgurtes is genitive after die Farbe and means of the seat belt; the whole phrase Die Farbe des Sicherheitsgurtes is the nominative subject.
Die Sicherheitsgurte liegen auf den Sitzen.
The seat belts are lying on the seats.
liegen means are lying, and die Sitze are the seats. Die Sicherheitsgurte is a plural nominative subject; auf den Sitzen uses dative because the belts are already located there, not moving onto the seats.
die Station — station, stop; ward; hospital ward, unit ​
Die Station can mean a public-transport stop or a section of a hospital. The intended meaning usually comes from the context.
Die Station ist nicht weit entfernt.
The station is not far away.
nicht weit entfernt means not far away. Die Station is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen die Station.
We are looking for the station.
wir means we, and suchen means look for. Die Station is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article is unchanged in the accusative.
Ich steige an der Station aus.
I get off at the station.
aussteigen means to get off, and an means at in this location phrase. Der Station is dative because an expresses a location here; steige ... aus is a separable verb whose prefix goes to the end.
Die Lage der Station ist praktisch.
The location of the station is convenient.
die Lage means the location, and praktisch means convenient. Der Station is genitive because it specifies which location; the genitive phrase follows Lage.
Die nächsten Stationen sind voll.
The next stations are crowded.
die nächsten means the next ones, and voll means crowded or full. Stationen is plural and nominative as the subject; sind agrees with the plural.
Sie arbeitet auf der Station.
She works on the ward.
sie means she, arbeitet means works, and das Krankenhaus is a hospital. Der Station is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the prepositional phrase can come at the end.
Der Patient bleibt noch auf der Station.
The patient is staying on the ward a little longer.
der Patient means the patient, bleibt means stays, and noch means still or a little longer. Der Station is dative after location auf; bleibt is the finite verb in position two.
der Steuer — steering wheel, control ​
This is the masculine noun der Steuer, used for a steering wheel or control. The feminine die Steuer means a tax and has a different plural, die Steuern.
Das Steuer ist sehr empfindlich.
The steering wheel is very sensitive.
empfindlich means sensitive. Das Steuer is nominative because it is the subject; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Er hält das Steuer fest.
He holds the steering wheel tightly.
hält means holds, and fest means firmly or tightly. Das Steuer is accusative because halten takes a direct object; the finite verb hält is in position two.
Sie sitzt am Steuer.
She is sitting at the wheel.
sitzt means is sitting, and am means an dem, at the. Am Steuer is dative because an describes a fixed location here; sitzt is in position two.
Die Farbe des Steuers passt zum Auto.
The colour of the steering wheel matches the car.
die Farbe means the colour, passt zu means matches, and das Auto means the car. Des Steuers is genitive because it identifies whose colour it is; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die Steuer der beiden Boote sind unterschiedlich.
The steering wheels of the two boats are different.
beide Boote means both boats, and unterschiedlich means different. The plural Steuer has no ending, while der beiden Boote is genitive and means of the two boats.
die Stoßstange — bumper ​
A StoĂźstange is the protective part on a car, not a general bar or rail. The compound combines StoĂź (impact) and Stange (bar).
Die StoĂźstange ist kaputt.
The bumper is broken.
kaputt means broken or damaged. Die StoĂźstange is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die StoĂźstange.
I can see the bumper.
sehen means to see. Die StoĂźstange is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; for a feminine noun, the article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Er hilft der StoĂźstange nicht.
He does not help the bumper.
helfen means to help and nicht means not. Helfen takes the dative, so the feminine article is der, although this sentence sounds unusual outside a repair context.
Die Farbe der StoĂźstange ist neu.
The bumper’s colour is new.
die Farbe means the colour and neu means new. Der StoĂźstange is genitive because it shows possession or association: the colour belongs to the bumper.
Die Autos haben neue StoĂźstangen.
The cars have new bumpers.
die Autos means the cars and neue means new. StoĂźstangen is plural, and it is accusative here because it is the object of haben; the article neue has a plural ending.
der Straßenrand — roadside, edge of the road ​
StraĂźenrand means the edge of a road, where people may walk or cars may stop. With a fixed location, use am StraĂźenrand; am is the contraction of an dem.
Der StraĂźenrand ist voller Schnee.
The roadside is covered with snow.
voller Schnee means full of snow or covered with snow. Der StraĂźenrand is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Fahrer sieht den StraĂźenrand nicht.
The driver cannot see the roadside.
der Fahrer is the driver, and nicht means not. Den StraĂźenrand is accusative because sieht has it as its direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir halten am StraĂźenrand.
We stop at the roadside.
halten means stop here, and wir means we. Am is short for an dem; an takes the dative for a fixed location, so StraĂźenrand is dative.
Die Farbe des StraĂźenrandes ist gelb.
The colour of the roadside is yellow.
die Farbe means the colour, and gelb means yellow. Des StraĂźenrandes is genitive because it identifies which colour is meant; the masculine noun takes -es.
Die Straßenränder sind oft schmutzig.
Roadsides are often dirty.
oft means often, and schmutzig means dirty. Die Straßenränder is plural and has the umlaut ä plus -er, so the verb is sind.
der Straßenverkehr — road traffic, traffic ​
StraĂźenverkehr normally describes traffic in general and is often used without a plural. In everyday speech, im StraĂźenverkehr means in traffic; im is the contraction of in dem.
Der StraĂźenverkehr ist heute sehr stark.
The traffic is very heavy today.
heute means today, and sehr stark means very heavy or intense here. Der StraĂźenverkehr is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Der Unfall behindert den StraĂźenverkehr.
The accident is disrupting the traffic.
der Unfall is the accident, and behindern means to obstruct or disrupt. Den StraĂźenverkehr is accusative because it is the direct object of behindert; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Kinder mĂĽssen im StraĂźenverkehr vorsichtig sein.
Children must be careful in traffic.
Kinder means children, mĂĽssen means must, and vorsichtig means careful. Im is short for in dem; in takes the dative for a location, and the infinitive sein goes to the end after the modal verb.
Die Regeln des StraĂźenverkehrs gelten fĂĽr alle.
The rules of the traffic system apply to everyone.
die Regeln are the rules, gelten means apply, and fĂĽr alle means for everyone. Des StraĂźenverkehrs is genitive because it specifies which rules; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die Straßenverkehre verschiedener Länder sind unterschiedlich.
The road-traffic systems of different countries are different.
verschiedener Länder means of different countries, and unterschiedlich means different. Die Straßenverkehre is a plural subject, used here for separate traffic systems; the verb is sind.
die Strecke — route, distance, stretch; section, stretch ​
For a journey, die Strecke is the route or distance travelled. It is different from der Weg, which often means a path or way, while Strecke focuses more on the measured route.
Die Strecke von Berlin nach Hamburg ist sehr schön.
The route from Berlin to Hamburg is very beautiful.
von Berlin nach Hamburg means from Berlin to Hamburg, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Die Strecke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Strecke sehr gut.
I know the route very well.
kenne means know and sehr gut means very well. Die Strecke is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Wir fahren auf der Strecke jeden Tag.
We travel on the route every day.
fahren means travel or drive, and jeden Tag means every day. Der Strecke is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb fahren stands in position two.
Die Länge der Strecke beträgt hundert Kilometer.
The length of the route is one hundred kilometres.
die Länge means the length and beträgt means is or amounts to. Der Strecke is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; beträgt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Strecken sind heute wegen eines Unfalls gesperrt.
The routes are closed today because of an accident.
heute means today, wegen eines Unfalls means because of an accident, and gesperrt means closed. Strecken is plural and takes die; the finite verb sind agrees with the plural subject and stands in position two.
Wir mĂĽssen noch eine Strecke zu FuĂź gehen.
We still have to walk a distance on foot.
noch means still, zu FuĂź means on foot, and gehen means walk. Eine Strecke is accusative because it is the distance covered; after the modal verb mĂĽssen, the infinitive gehen goes to the end.
Die letzte Strecke war besonders anstrengend.
The final section was especially tiring.
letzte means final, and besonders anstrengend means especially tiring. Strecke is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
tanken — to refuel, to fill up with fuel ​
Tanken usually takes the vehicle as an accusative object, as in das Auto tanken. In everyday speech, it can also be used without an object when the context makes the vehicle clear.
Ich tanke heute an der Tankstelle.
I am getting fuel at the petrol station today.
Heute means today, and die Tankstelle means the petrol station. The finite verb tanke is in position two; an takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Tankstelle is dative.
Wir haben gestern getankt.
We got fuel yesterday.
Gestern means yesterday, and getankt means got fuel or refuelled. The perfect uses haben, not sein, because tanken describes an activity rather than movement; the participle goes to the end.
Er tankte vor der langen Fahrt.
He got fuel before the long journey.
Vor der langen Fahrt means before the long journey. Tankte is the regular preterite, formed with -te; the finite verb is in position two.
Tank bitte das Auto!
Please fill up the car!
Bitte means please, and das Auto means the car. Tank is the du imperative, and das Auto is accusative because tanken takes the vehicle as its direct object.
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, tankte ich voll.
If I had more money, I would fill the tank completely.
Wenn means if, mehr Geld means more money, and voll means completely or full. Tankte is the Konjunktiv II form here; in the wenn clause the finite verb goes to the end, while the main clause begins with ich after the comma.
Morgen tanke ich vor der Arbeit.
Tomorrow I will get fuel before work.
Morgen means tomorrow, and vor der Arbeit means before work. The future uses werde plus tanken, with the infinitive at the end; the finite verb werde is in position two.
der Taxifahrer — taxi driver ​
Taxifahrer is a compound made from Taxi and Fahrer, meaning “driver”. Its plural is unchanged: der Taxifahrer, die Taxifahrer; in the genitive singular it takes -s: des Taxifahrers.
Der Taxifahrer kennt den Weg.
The taxi driver knows the way.
kennt means “knows”, and den Weg means “the way”. der Taxifahrer is nominative because it is the subject, while den Weg is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kennt stands in position two.
Ich frage den Taxifahrer nach dem Bahnhof.
I ask the taxi driver about the station.
ich frage means “I ask”, nach means “about/for”, and dem Bahnhof means “the station”. den Taxifahrer is accusative because fragen takes the person asked as its direct object, while nach forces the dative dem Bahnhof.
Wir geben dem Taxifahrer die Adresse.
We give the taxi driver the address.
wir geben means “we give”, and die Adresse means “the address”. dem Taxifahrer is dative because it is the recipient, while die Adresse is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb geben stands in position two.
Das Auto des Taxifahrers steht vor dem Haus.
The taxi driver's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means “the car”, steht means “is standing/is located”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. des Taxifahrers is genitive because it shows possession, and vor dem Haus uses the dative for a fixed location; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Viele Taxifahrer arbeiten nachts.
Many taxi drivers work at night.
viele means “many”, arbeiten means “work”, and nachts means “at night”. The plural Taxifahrer has the same form as the singular, so viele identifies the number; the finite verb arbeiten stands in position two.
das Tempo — speed, pace; musical tempo ​
For ordinary speed or pace, both Tempos and Tempi occur, but Tempos is especially common. Tempo can also refer to musical speed, where Tempi is frequent.
Das Tempo ist zu hoch.
The speed is too high.
zu hoch means “too high”. Das Tempo is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Fahrer verringert das Tempo.
The driver reduces the speed.
der Fahrer means “the driver”, and verringert means “reduces”. Das Tempo is accusative because verringern takes a direct object; the finite verb verringert is in position two.
Bei diesem Tempo kommen wir spät an.
At this pace, we will arrive late.
bei diesem Tempo means “at this pace”, spät means “late”, and kommen ... an means “arrive”. Diesem Tempo is dative because bei always takes the dative; the separable verb places kommen in position two and an at the end.
Die Ă„nderung des Tempos war deutlich.
The change in pace was clear.
die Änderung means “the change”, and deutlich means “clear” or “noticeable”. Des Tempos is genitive because it specifies what was changed; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Tempos der beiden Läufer waren verschieden.
The paces of the two runners were different.
die beiden Läufer means “the two runners”, and verschieden means “different”. Tempos is the plural used here for different ordinary running paces; der beiden Läufer is genitive because it shows whose paces they are.
Der Dirigent gibt das Tempo vor.
The conductor sets the tempo.
der Dirigent means “the conductor”, and gibt ... vor means “sets” or “specifies”. Das Tempo is accusative because it is the object of vorgeben; the separable verb splits around the finite form, with gibt in position two and vor at the end.
Die Musiker spielen in verschiedenen Tempi.
The musicians play at different tempos.
die Musiker means “the musicians”, spielen means “play”, and verschiedenen means “different”. Tempi is the musical plural of Tempo, and in verschiedenen Tempi is dative because in describes the manner or setting, not movement into a place.
das Terminal — terminal, passenger terminal; computer terminal ​
In transport, Terminal is a passenger building or area at an airport, station, or port. The plural is Terminals, not Terminale.
Das Terminal ist sehr groĂź.
The terminal is very large.
Sehr groĂź means very large. Das Terminal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen das Terminal fĂĽr den Flug nach Berlin.
We are looking for the terminal for the flight to Berlin.
Wir suchen means we are looking for, der Flug is the flight, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Das Terminal is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich warte in dem Terminal auf meine Familie.
I am waiting in the terminal for my family.
Warte means am waiting, meine Familie means my family, and auf means for in this expression. In dem Terminal is dative because in describes a fixed location here, and warte is the finite verb in position two.
Der Eingang des Terminals ist dort hinten.
The entrance to the terminal is back there.
Der Eingang means the entrance, and dort hinten means back there. Des Terminals is genitive because it shows which terminal the entrance belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Terminals schlieĂźen um Mitternacht.
The terminals close at midnight.
SchlieĂźen means close, and um Mitternacht means at midnight. Terminals is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural noun has -s, and schlieĂźen stands in position two.
Das Computer-Terminal zeigt eine Fehlermeldung.
The computer terminal displays an error message.
Das Computer-Terminal means the computer terminal, zeigt means displays, and die Fehlermeldung means error message. The compound noun is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Bitte melden Sie sich an dem Terminal an.
Please log in at the terminal.
Bitte means please, sich anmelden means to log in, and sich refers to the person logging in. An dem Terminal is dative because an describes the place of the action here; the separable verb anmelden splits into melden ... an in the main clause.
die Tiefgarage — underground garage, parking garage ​
Tiefgarage is a compound of tief and Garage and means a garage below ground level. It is feminine: die Tiefgarage, with plural die Tiefgaragen.
Die Tiefgarage ist heute voll.
The underground garage is full today.
ist means is, heute means today, and voll means full. Die Tiefgarage is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Ich suche die Tiefgarage.
I am looking for the underground garage.
suche means look for, and ich means I. Die Tiefgarage is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Wir parken in der Tiefgarage.
We park in the underground garage.
parken means park, and wir means we. In der Tiefgarage is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement into it; the finite verb parken is in position two.
Die Einfahrt der Tiefgarage ist neben dem Hotel.
The entrance to the underground garage is next to the hotel.
die Einfahrt means the entrance, and neben dem Hotel means next to the hotel. Der Tiefgarage is genitive because it shows which garage the entrance belongs to; ist is in position two.
Die Tiefgaragen öffnen um sechs Uhr.
The underground garages open at six o'clock.
öffnen means open, and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Tiefgaragen is the plural subject, formed with -n; the plural verb öffnen stands in position two.
der Traktor — tractor ​
Traktor is mainly used for a farm tractor. Its plural is irregular in shape: Traktoren, not Traktors.
Der Traktor steht auf dem Feld.
The tractor is standing in the field.
steht means is standing and das Feld is the field. Der Traktor is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Feld uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Der Bauer fährt den Traktor in die Scheune.
The farmer drives the tractor into the barn.
der Bauer is the farmer and die Scheune is the barn. den Traktor is accusative because fahren takes an object here; in die Scheune is accusative because in expresses movement into a place.
Der Bauer arbeitet mit dem Traktor.
The farmer works with the tractor.
der Bauer means the farmer and arbeitet means works. mit always takes the dative, so dem Traktor is dative; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Farbe des Traktors ist grĂĽn.
The tractor’s colour is green.
die Farbe means the colour and grĂĽn means green. des Traktors is genitive because it shows which vehicle the colour belongs to; the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
Auf dem Hof stehen zwei Traktoren.
There are two tractors standing in the farmyard.
der Hof is the farmyard and zwei means two. zwei Traktoren is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the initial location phrase comes first, so stehen follows it in position two.
der Transporter — van, transporter ​
In everyday German, der Transporter usually means a van used to carry goods or people, not a person who transports something.
Der Transporter steht vor der Werkstatt.
The van is parked in front of the workshop.
steht means is standing or is parked, vor der Werkstatt means in front of the workshop, and Werkstatt means workshop. Der Transporter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich miete den Transporter fĂĽr den Umzug.
I am renting the van for the move.
miete means rent, fĂĽr means for, and der Umzug means the move to a new home. Den Transporter is accusative because mieten takes a direct object; fĂĽr also always takes the accusative.
Wir helfen dem Fahrer mit dem Transporter.
We are helping the driver with the van.
helfen means help, der Fahrer means driver, and mit means with. Dem Transporter is dative because mit requires the dative; dem Fahrer is also dative because helfen takes a dative person.
Die TĂĽr des Transporters ist offen.
The van's door is open.
die TĂĽr means door and offen means open. Des Transporters is genitive and expresses possession, meaning the door of the van; the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
Auf dem Parkplatz stehen drei Transporter.
Three vans are parked in the car park.
auf dem Parkplatz means in the car park, stehen means are standing or are parked, and drei means three. Transporter has no plural ending, so the plural is shown by drei and the verb stehen; auf takes the dative here because this is a location.
die Umleitung — detour, diversion ​
Die Umleitung is used for a marked alternative route, especially when a road is closed or blocked. Der Umleitung folgen takes the dative because folgen always governs the dative.
Die Umleitung beginnt hier.
The diversion starts here.
beginnt hier means starts here. Die Umleitung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir nehmen die Umleitung.
We are taking the detour.
nehmen means take. Die Umleitung is accusative because it is the direct object of nehmen; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative, so the verb helps show the structure.
Wir folgen der Umleitung.
We are following the diversion.
folgen means follow. It is a dative verb, so der Umleitung is dative even though English uses a direct object.
Das Ende der Umleitung ist nicht ausgeschildert.
The end of the diversion is not signposted.
das Ende means the end, and ausgeschildert means signposted. Der Umleitung is genitive because it specifies which end; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
Die Umleitungen sind gut ausgeschildert.
The diversions are well signposted.
gut ausgeschildert means well signposted. Umleitungen is plural, so it takes sind, not the singular ist.
die Untergrundbahn — underground railway, subway ​
Untergrundbahn is a compound of Untergrund, “underground”, and Bahn, “railway or train”. In everyday German, U-Bahn is the shorter and more common word for an underground train or system.
Die Untergrundbahn fährt alle fünf Minuten.
The underground train runs every five minutes.
fährt means “runs or travels”, and alle fünf Minuten means “every five minutes”. Die Untergrundbahn is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fährt stands in position two.
Ich nehme die Untergrundbahn zur Arbeit.
I take the underground train to work.
ich nehme means “I take”, zur Arbeit means “to work”, and Arbeit is “work”. Die Untergrundbahn is accusative because it is the object of nehmen; zur means zu der and takes the dative.
Wir fahren mit der Untergrundbahn ins Zentrum.
We travel to the city centre by underground train.
mit means “by or with”, ins Zentrum means “into the city centre”, and das Zentrum is “the city centre”. Der Untergrundbahn is dative because mit always takes the dative; ins means in das and shows movement into a place.
Die TĂĽren der Untergrundbahn schlieĂźen automatisch.
The doors of the underground train close automatically.
die Türen means “the doors”, schließen means “close”, and automatisch means “automatically”. Der Untergrundbahn is genitive after Türen to show whose doors they are; the plural subject Türen takes schließen.
In Berlin gibt es mehrere Untergrundbahnen.
There are several underground railway systems in Berlin.
in Berlin means “in Berlin”, and mehrere means “several”. Untergrundbahnen is plural after mehrere; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
das Velo — bicycle (Swiss German) ​
Velo is the regional Swiss German word for Fahrrad, bicycle. It is neuter and has the plural Velos; learners in Germany normally use Fahrrad instead.
Das Velo steht vor dem Haus.
The bicycle is standing in front of the house.
stehen means to stand, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Das Velo is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich repariere das Velo.
I am repairing the bicycle.
reparieren means to repair. Das Velo is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich fahre mit dem Velo zur Arbeit.
I ride my bicycle to work.
fahren means to travel or ride, and zur Arbeit means to work. Mit always takes the dative, so the phrase is mit dem Velo; zur is short for zu der.
Die Farbe des Velos ist rot.
The bicycle's colour is red.
die Farbe means the colour, and rot means red. Des Velos is genitive because it shows possession; the neuter noun takes -s in the genitive.
Vor dem Bahnhof stehen viele Velos.
Many bicycles are standing in front of the station.
der Bahnhof is the station, and viele means many. Viele Velos is plural, with the ending -s; because Vor dem Bahnhof comes first, stehen remains in position two.
der Verkehr — traffic; transport ​
In everyday German, der Verkehr usually means traffic or transport in general and normally has no plural. öffentlicher Verkehr means public transport, while Straßenverkehr means road traffic.
Der Verkehr ist heute sehr langsam.
The traffic is very slow today.
ist means is, heute means today, and sehr langsam means very slow. The noun is nominative because it is the subject; ist stands in position two.
Ich beobachte den Verkehr.
I watch the traffic.
beobachte means watch or observe, and ich means I. The noun is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; den shows the masculine accusative.
Wir fahren mit dem Verkehr in die Stadt.
We go into the city using public transport.
fahren means go or travel, mit means with or by, and in die Stadt means into the city. dem Verkehr is dative because mit always governs the dative; fahren stands in position two.
Die Regeln des Verkehrs sind wichtig.
The traffic rules are important.
die Regeln are the rules, and wichtig means important. des Verkehrs is genitive because it specifies which rules; the noun takes -s after des.
die Verkehrsampel — traffic light ​
Die Verkehrsampel is a traffic light; in everyday speech, people often simply say die Ampel. With a fixed location, an der Verkehrsampel uses the dative after an.
Die Verkehrsampel ist rot.
The traffic light is red.
ist means is, and rot means red. The noun is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Verkehrsampel.
I see the traffic light.
sehe means see, and ich means I. The noun is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in the accusative.
Wir warten an der Verkehrsampel.
We wait at the traffic light.
warten means wait, and an means at here. der Verkehrsampel is dative because an describes a fixed location in this sentence; do not use the accusative unless there is a change of position.
Das Licht der Verkehrsampel wechselt.
The traffic light changes.
das Licht is the light, and wechselt means changes. der Verkehrsampel is genitive because it tells us whose light it is; the feminine noun itself has no genitive ending.
An dieser StraĂźe stehen zwei Verkehrsampeln.
There are two traffic lights on this street.
an dieser StraĂźe means on this street, and stehen means stand or are located. The plural is Verkehrsampeln, with -n; dieser StraĂźe is dative because an describes location.
verschicken — to send, to dispatch ​
Verschicken is a weak verb with the forms verschickte and hat verschickt. It takes an accusative object, and its prefix ver- is inseparable, so the verb never splits into two parts.
Der Händler verschickt die Bestellung heute.
The retailer is sending the order today.
Der Händler means the retailer, die Bestellung means the order, and heute means today. Die Bestellung is accusative because verschicken takes a direct object, and the finite verb verschickt stands in position two.
Wir haben das Paket gestern verschickt.
We sent the parcel yesterday.
das Paket is the parcel and gestern means yesterday. Das Paket is accusative because it is the object of verschicken; haben is in position two and the Partizip II verschickt goes to the end.
Der Laden verschickte alle Bestellungen am Montag.
The shop sent all the orders on Monday.
Der Laden means the shop, alle Bestellungen means all the orders, and am Montag means on Monday. Alle Bestellungen is accusative after verschicken, while the weak-verb past form verschickte stands in position two.
Verschick den Brief noch heute!
Send the letter today!
den Brief means the letter and noch heute means today still, or today without delay. Verschick is the singular du imperative; the object den Brief is accusative, and the subject du is omitted.
Ich wĂĽrde die Unterlagen sofort verschicken.
I would send the documents immediately.
die Unterlagen means the documents and sofort means immediately. The conditional form wĂĽrde ... verschicken puts the finite verb wĂĽrde in position two and the infinitive at the end; die Unterlagen is accusative.
Morgen werden wir die Ware verschicken.
Tomorrow we will send the goods.
Morgen means tomorrow and die Ware means the goods or merchandise. In the future, werden stands in position two and the infinitive verschicken goes to the end; die Ware is accusative.
verspäten — to be late, to be delayed ​
This verb is normally reflexive: sich verspäten. It describes a person, vehicle or event that is late; the perfect uses haben, not sein, despite the connection with travel.
Der Zug verspätet sich heute.
The train is delayed today.
der Zug is the train and heute means today. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun referring back to der Zug; the finite verb verspätet is in position two, while sich remains after it.
Der Zug hat sich um zwanzig Minuten verspätet.
The train was delayed by twenty minutes.
um zwanzig Minuten means by twenty minutes. The reflexive pronoun is sich, and hat is the auxiliary in position two while the Partizip II verspätet goes to the end; do not use sein with this verb.
Der Bus verspätete sich wegen des Verkehrs.
The bus was late because of the traffic.
der Bus is the bus, wegen means because of, and der Verkehr is the traffic. Sich is accusative and refers to der Bus; verspätete is the regular Präteritum form in position two.
Verspäte dich heute bitte nicht!
Please do not be late today!
heute means today, bitte means please, and nicht means not. With the singular du imperative, the reflexive pronoun is dich, not sich; the command form verspäte comes first.
Wenn ich mich verspätete, würde ich anrufen.
If I were late, I would call.
wenn means if, anrufen means call, and würde marks a conditional meaning. In the wenn clause, verspätete stands at the end; mich is the first-person accusative reflexive pronoun, while würde is in position two in the main clause.
Der Flug wird sich wahrscheinlich verspäten.
The flight will probably be delayed.
der Flug is the flight and wahrscheinlich means probably. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun; wird is in position two and the infinitive verspäten goes to the end of the future clause.
verspätet — late, delayed ​
Verspätet is the adjective related to sich verspäten and is common for trains, flights, deliveries and people. Before a noun it takes an adjective ending, but after sein it stays unchanged.
Der Zug ist verspätet.
The train is delayed.
der Zug is the train. Verspätet is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Der verspätete Zug kommt endlich an.
The delayed train is finally arriving.
der Zug is the train and endlich means finally. Verspätete stands before the masculine nominative noun Zug, so it takes -e after the definite article der; kommt ... an is the separable verb ankommen.
Der nächste Zug ist noch verspäteter als dieser.
The next train is even more delayed than this one.
der nächste Zug means the next train, noch means even or still, and dieser means this one. Verspäteter is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; als introduces the second part of a comparison.
Dieser Flug kam am verspätetsten an.
This flight arrived the most late.
dieser Flug means this flight and kam ... an means arrived. Am verspätetsten is the predicative superlative, while the separable verb ankommen splits into kam in position two and an at the end.