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Vocab: Travel — A1
Travel vocabulary at A1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
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.
Amerika — America, the Americas
Amerika is a proper geographical name and is normally used without an article. Use nach Amerika for movement to America and aus Amerika for origin.
Viele Menschen reisen nach Amerika.
Many people travel to America.
viele Menschen means many people, reisen means travel, and nach means to when used with a place name. Nach Amerika expresses direction; nach is used without an article for this place name, and the finite verb reisen is in position two.
Meine Tante kommt aus Amerika.
My aunt comes from America.
meine Tante means my aunt, kommt means comes, and aus means from. Aus normally forces the dative, but Amerika has no article or visible case ending; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
der Astronaut — astronaut
Der Astronaut arbeitet im Weltraum.
The astronaut works in space.
arbeitet means works, and im Weltraum means in space. Der Astronaut is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Die Kinder sehen den Astronauten im Fernsehen.
The children see the astronaut on television.
die Kinder means the children, sehen means see, and im Fernsehen means on television. Den Astronauten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Astronaut takes -en outside the nominative.
Die Lehrerin spricht mit dem Astronauten.
The teacher speaks with the astronaut.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher and spricht means speaks. Mit dem Astronauten is dative because mit always forces the dative, and the weak noun keeps the ending -en.
Das Leben des Astronauten ist spannend.
The astronaut's life is exciting.
das Leben means the life and spannend means exciting. Des Astronauten is genitive because it shows whose life is meant; this weak masculine noun takes -en in the genitive.
Die Astronauten trainieren jeden Tag.
The astronauts train every day.
trainieren means train and jeden Tag means every day. Astronauten is the plural of Astronaut; the plural has the same -en ending as its non-nominative singular forms.
der Ausflug — trip, excursion
Ausflug is usually a short leisure trip, not a long holiday. The common expression is einen Ausflug machen.
Der Ausflug beginnt um neun Uhr.
The trip starts at nine o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um neun Uhr means at nine o'clock. Der Ausflug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen den Ausflug für Samstag.
We are planning the trip for Saturday.
planen means to plan, and für Samstag means for Saturday. Den Ausflug is accusative because planen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Wir fahren mit dem Ausflug nicht, sondern mit dem Zug.
We are not travelling with the excursion, but by train.
fahren means travel or go by vehicle, nicht means not, sondern means but rather, and der Zug is the train. Dem Ausflug is dative because mit always governs the dative, although this sentence is less usual than saying mit dem Zug zum Ausflug.
Die Dauer des Ausflugs beträgt drei Stunden.
The duration of the trip is three hours.
die Dauer means the duration, and beträgt means amounts to or is. Des Ausflugs is genitive because it identifies whose duration is meant; the masculine noun adds -s.
Am Wochenende machen wir zwei Ausflüge.
At the weekend we are going on two trips.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and zwei means two. Ausflüge is the plural of Ausflug, with an umlaut and -e; after zwei, no plural article is needed.
Der Ausflug zum See war sehr schön.
The trip to the lake was very nice.
zum See means to the lake, and sehr schön means very nice. Der Ausflug is the subject in the nominative, and war is the past form of sein 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 Besuch — visit
Besuch can mean the act of visiting or the people who are visiting, depending on context. The common expression zu Besuch sein means to be visiting someone and uses no article.
Der Besuch beginnt um drei Uhr.
The visit starts at three o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um drei Uhr means at three o'clock. Der Besuch is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir machen morgen einen Besuch.
We are paying a visit tomorrow.
wir means we, machen means make or do, and morgen means tomorrow. Einen Besuch is accusative because the expression einen Besuch machen takes a direct object; machen is in position two.
Ich komme zu Besuch.
I am coming to visit.
ich means I, komme means come, and zu Besuch means to visit or as a visitor. The fixed expression uses zu with the dative, but the noun has no visible article here; the finite verb komme is in position two.
Die Zeit des Besuchs ist kurz.
The time of the visit is short.
die Zeit means the time, and kurz means short. Des Besuchs is genitive and identifies which time is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Am Wochenende kommen viele Besuche.
Many visits take place at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, viele means many, and kommen means come or arrive. Viele Besuche is plural nominative as the subject, so the verb is plural kommen.
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.
campen — to camp
campen is a regular weak verb borrowed from English. It normally takes haben in the perfect because it describes an activity, not movement to a destination.
Wir campen im Sommer am See.
We camp by the lake in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and am See means by the lake. campen is in position two; im Sommer and am See are dative because they describe fixed locations or times with in and an.
Wir haben am See gecampt.
We camped by the lake.
am See means by the lake. gecampt is the Partizip II of campen and pairs with haben; the auxiliary haben is in position two and gecampt goes to the end.
Früher campte meine Familie jeden Sommer.
My family used to camp every summer.
früher means formerly or in the past, meine Familie means my family, and jeden Sommer means every summer. campte is the regular preterite form and stands in position two; jeden Sommer is accusative as a duration-of-time expression.
Camp nicht direkt am Fluss!
Don’t camp directly by the river!
nicht means not, direkt means directly, and der Fluss is the river. Camp is the du imperative with the subject omitted; am Fluss is dative because it gives a fixed location.
Ich würde gern in den Bergen campen.
I would like to camp in the mountains.
ich würde gern means I would like to, and in den Bergen means in the mountains. campen remains an infinitive after würde and goes to the end; den Bergen is dative because in describes a location.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir am Meer campen.
Next year we will camp by the sea.
nächstes Jahr means next year and am Meer means by the sea. werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive campen goes to the end; am Meer is dative for a fixed location.
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.
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.
der Fahrschein — ticket, travel ticket
The compound Fahrschein combines Fahrt, journey, and Schein, ticket or document. In everyday transport language, it means a ticket for a bus, tram or train; it is not normally a ticket for a cinema or concert.
Der Fahrschein liegt in meiner Tasche.
The ticket is in my bag.
liegt means is lying, and in meiner Tasche means in my bag. Der Fahrschein is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt is in position two.
Ich kaufe den Fahrschein am Automaten.
I buy the ticket at the machine.
kaufe means buy, and am Automaten means at the ticket machine. Den Fahrschein is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes to den.
Ich fahre mit dem Fahrschein nach Berlin.
I travel to Berlin with the ticket.
fahre means travel or go, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Mit always takes the dative, so the form is dem Fahrschein.
Die Nummer des Fahrscheins ist schwer zu lesen.
The number on the ticket is difficult to read.
Die Nummer means the number, and schwer zu lesen means difficult to read. Des Fahrscheins is genitive because it identifies whose number it is, and the noun takes -s.
Die Kontrolleure prüfen alle Fahrscheine.
The inspectors check all the tickets.
Die Kontrolleure are the inspectors, and prüfen means check. Fahrscheine is plural, and it is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object.
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.
die Ferien — holidays; vacation
Die Ferien is a plural-only noun, so it always takes a plural verb such as sind. In Germany it commonly means school holidays; for a person's time away from work, Urlaub is often more precise.
Die Ferien beginnen heute.
The holidays start today.
beginnen means start, and heute means today. Die Ferien is nominative because it is the subject, and the plural verb beginnen agrees with it.
Wir planen die Ferien.
We are planning the holidays.
planen means plan, and wir means we. Die Ferien is accusative because it is the object of planen; the finite verb planen is in position two.
Wir fahren in den Ferien ans Meer.
We are going to the seaside during the holidays.
fahren means go or travel, and ans Meer means to the seaside. The fixed expression in den Ferien uses dative for a time period, so die becomes den; the verb is in position two.
Die Länge der Ferien hängt vom Schulkalender ab.
The length of the holidays depends on the school calendar.
die Länge means the length, hängt ... ab means depends on, and der Schulkalender means the school calendar. Der Ferien is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the separable verb abhängen splits in the main clause.
Die Ferien sind schon vorbei.
The holidays are already over.
schon means already and vorbei means over. Die Ferien is always plural, so it takes the plural verb sind; there is no singular form.
das Ferienhaus — holiday house, vacation home
Ferienhaus is a compound of Ferien, holidays, and Haus, house. Its plural is Ferienhäuser, with an umlaut in the plural part; it is often used with verbs such as mieten or wohnen.
Das Ferienhaus liegt am See.
The holiday house is by the lake.
liegt means is situated, and am See means by the lake. Das Ferienhaus is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir mieten das Ferienhaus im Juli.
We are renting the holiday house in July.
mieten means rent and im Juli means in July. Das Ferienhaus is accusative because mieten takes an accusative object; the article stays das because neuter nominative and accusative look the same.
Wir geben dem Ferienhaus einen Namen.
We give the holiday house a name.
geben means give, and einen Namen means a name. Dem Ferienhaus is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while einen Namen is the accusative thing being given.
Die Tür des Ferienhauses ist offen.
The door of the holiday house is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Ferienhauses is genitive because it tells whose door it is; the neuter noun adds -es in the genitive.
In der Gegend stehen viele Ferienhäuser.
There are many holiday houses in the area.
in der Gegend means in the area, and stehen means stand or are located. Ferienhäuser is plural after viele; the umlaut changes Haus to Häuser, and the location phrase uses dative after in.
das Festland — mainland
Das Festland is a mass noun and normally has no plural. Use it when contrasting the mainland with die Insel or die Inseln.
Das Festland ist nur zehn Kilometer entfernt.
The mainland is only ten kilometres away.
nur zehn Kilometer means only ten kilometres, and entfernt means away or distant. Das Festland is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir sehen das Festland vom Schiff aus.
We can see the mainland from the ship.
wir sehen means we see, vom Schiff aus means from the ship, and das Schiff is the ship. Das Festland is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; vom Schiff is dative after the contraction von dem.
Auf dem Festland gibt es viele große Städte.
There are many large cities on the mainland.
viele große Städte means many large cities. Auf dem Festland is dative because auf describes a fixed location, and gibt es means there are; the plural phrase after gibt es is accusative.
Die Küste des Festlands ist sehr lang.
The mainland’s coastline is very long.
die Küste means the coastline, and sehr lang means very long. Des Festlands is genitive because it shows which coastline is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
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 Gepäck — luggage, baggage
Gepäck is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural in German. To count it, use expressions such as ein Gepäckstück for one piece of luggage.
Das Gepäck ist schon im Bus.
The luggage is already on the bus.
das Gepäck means the luggage, schon means already, and der Bus is the bus. Das Gepäck is nominative because it is the subject; the verb ist is in position two.
Ich hole das Gepäck ab.
I am collecting the luggage.
ich hole ... ab means I collect or pick up, and abholen is a separable verb. das Gepäck is accusative because it is the object, and ab moves to the end of this main clause.
Wir helfen dem Mann mit dem Gepäck.
We help the man with the luggage.
helfen means to help, der Mann is the man, and mit means with. dem Mann is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and dem Gepäck is also dative because mit always takes dative.
Die Farbe des Gepäcks ist auffällig.
The colour of the luggage is conspicuous.
die Farbe means the colour, and auffällig means conspicuous or noticeable. des Gepäcks expresses possession in the genitive, meaning of the luggage; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
die Grenze — border, boundary, limit; limit, boundary
die Grenze can be a national border or a limit. For a location, an der Grenze uses the dative; for movement across it, über die Grenze uses the accusative.
Die Grenze ist nicht weit entfernt.
The border is not far away.
nicht weit entfernt means not far away. Die Grenze is the feminine nominative subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir überqueren die Grenze heute.
We are crossing the border today.
heute means today, and überqueren means cross. die Grenze is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; the finite verb überqueren is in position two.
Wir stehen an der Grenze.
We are standing at the border.
stehen means stand. an takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Grenze is dative; the finite verb stehen is in position two.
Die Länge der Grenze beträgt fünfhundert Kilometer.
The length of the border is five hundred kilometres.
die Länge is the length, and beträgt means amounts to or is. der Grenze is genitive after die Länge to mean of the border; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Viele Grenzen sind heute offen.
Many borders are open today.
viele means many, and offen means open. Grenzen is plural and is the nominative subject; the verb sind agrees with the plural subject and stands in position two.
Jeder Mensch hat Grenzen.
Every person has limits.
jeder Mensch means every person, and hat means has. Grenzen is the accusative object of hat; the plural has no article here because jeder already determines the noun phrase.
Du musst deine Grenze kennen.
You must know your limit.
musst means must, and kennen means know. deine Grenze is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; musst is in position two and the infinitive kennen goes to the end.
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.
das Hotel — hotel
Das Hotel is a place where travellers stay. It is a neuter noun; its plural is die Hotels, with -s.
Das Hotel ist modern.
The hotel is modern.
modern means modern. Das Hotel is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen das Hotel.
We are looking for the hotel.
suchen means to look for. Das Hotel is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Wir übernachten in dem Hotel.
We are staying at the hotel.
übernachten means to stay overnight. In takes the dative here because this describes a location, so dem Hotel is dative; the verb übernachten is at the end because the sentence begins with Wir and the finite verb remains in position two.
Die Tür des Hotels ist offen.
The hotel’s door is open.
die Tür means the door, and offen means open. Des Hotels is genitive to show possession, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Hotels.
There are many hotels in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, and viele means many. Hotels is plural; after the fixed expression es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the plural article is still die when it is present.
die Karte — card, playing card, bank card; map
For a payment card, die Karte is often used with mit, as in mit der Karte. The meaning is clear from context.
Die Karte liegt auf dem Tisch.
The card is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, and der Tisch means the table. Die Karte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich nehme die Karte.
I take the card.
nehme means take. Die Karte is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, and the finite verb nehme stands in position two.
Ich bezahle mit der Karte.
I pay by card.
bezahle means pay, and mit means with or by. Der Karte is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Farbe der Karte ist blau.
The colour of the card is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Der Karte is genitive because it expresses possession or association; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Karten liegen auf dem Tisch.
The cards are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, and der Tisch means the table. Karten is plural and takes the article die; as the subject, it is nominative.
Ich sehe den Bahnhof auf der Karte.
I can see the station on the map.
sehe means see, and der Bahnhof means the station. Auf der Karte is dative because it describes a fixed location; auf takes the dative for location.
Kannst du mir die Karte geben?
Can you give me the map?
Kannst du means can you, mir means to me, and geben means give. Mir is dative for the receiver, while die Karte is accusative as the thing being given.
der Kilometer — kilometre
Kilometer is used for distance and is often abbreviated km in writing. Its plural is unchanged: ein Kilometer, but drei Kilometer.
Der Kilometer ist eine wichtige Entfernungseinheit.
The kilometre is an important unit of distance.
wichtig means important, and die Entfernungseinheit means unit of distance. Der Kilometer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir laufen einen Kilometer.
We walk one kilometre.
laufen means walk or run, and einen means one in the masculine accusative. Einen Kilometer is an accusative distance expression with laufen; the finite verb laufen is in position two.
Nach einem Kilometer machen wir eine Pause.
After one kilometre, we take a break.
nach means after, machen means take or make, and eine Pause is a break. Nach always takes the dative, so einem Kilometer has the dative article; the main-clause verb machen is in position two.
Die Länge des Kilometers steht auf dem Schild.
The length of the kilometre is written on the sign.
die Länge means the length, steht means is written or stands, and das Schild is the sign. Des Kilometers is genitive to show what length is meant, while auf dem Schild is dative because it describes location.
Die letzten drei Kilometer waren anstrengend.
The last three kilometres were tiring.
die letzten drei means the last three, and anstrengend means tiring. Kilometer has the same spelling in singular and plural; drei and waren show that it is plural.
der Koffer — suitcase
A Koffer is a suitcase for travel. Its plural is also Koffer, with no ending, so learners must notice the article or context.
Der Koffer ist schwer.
The suitcase is heavy.
schwer means heavy. Der Koffer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; the adjective follows the verb sein and has no ending.
Ich packe den Koffer.
I am packing the suitcase.
ich means I, and packe means pack. den Koffer is accusative because packen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den, and packe is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Koffer ein neues Schloss.
I give the suitcase a new lock.
geben means give, ein neues Schloss means a new lock, and neu means new. dem Koffer is dative as the recipient or target after geben, while ein neues Schloss is accusative; the finite verb gebe is in position two.
Der Griff des Koffers ist kaputt.
The suitcase handle is broken.
der Griff means the handle, and kaputt means broken. des Koffers is genitive and identifies which handle; the masculine noun adds -s, and ist stands in position two.
Die Koffer stehen im Flur.
The suitcases are in the hallway.
stehen means are standing or are placed, and der Flur means the hallway. Die Koffer is the plural subject; the plural form is unchanged from the singular, while im Flur is dative because in describes a location.
der Kurs — course, class; rate, quoted value
For a series of lessons, der Kurs usually means course or class. It is different from die Klasse, which can mean a school class.
Der Kurs beginnt heute.
The course starts today.
beginnt means starts and heute means today. Der Kurs is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich besuche den Kurs zweimal pro Woche.
I attend the course twice a week.
besuche means attend and zweimal pro Woche means twice a week. Den Kurs is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; besuche is in position two.
Wir sprechen nach dem Kurs.
We talk after the course.
sprechen means talk and nach means after. Dem Kurs is dative because nach requires the dative; sprechen is in position two.
Die Dauer des Kurses beträgt zehn Wochen.
The course lasts ten weeks.
die Dauer means duration, beträgt means amounts to, and zehn Wochen means ten weeks. Des Kurses is genitive because it identifies the course; beträgt is in position two.
An unserer Schule gibt es drei Kurse.
There are three courses at our school.
unserer Schule means our school and gibt es means there is or there are. Kurse is the plural form after es gibt; the plural has -e and an umlaut, not -n.
Der Kurs des Euro steigt.
The euro exchange rate is rising.
des Euro means of the euro and steigt means rises. Der Kurs is nominative as the subject; des Euro is genitive, and steigt is in position two.
Der aktuelle Kurs liegt bei 1,10 Dollar.
The current rate is 1.10 dollars.
aktuelle means current, liegt bei means stands at, and Dollar means dollars. Der Kurs is nominative as the subject; liegt is in position two.
die Landkarte — map; road map
Do not confuse die Landkarte with das Land (“country” or “land”): a Landkarte is the map, not the country itself.
Die Landkarte hängt an der Wand.
The map is hanging on the wall.
hängt means “is hanging”, and die Wand means “the wall”. an der Wand means “on the wall”; the preposition an takes the dative here because the map is in a fixed location, and the finite verb hängt is in position two.
Ich brauche die Landkarte für die Reise.
I need the map for the journey.
brauche means “need”, and die Reise means “the journey”. die Landkarte is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Auf der Landkarte sehe ich den kleinen See.
I can see the small lake on the map.
sehe means “see”, der kleine See means “the small lake”, and auf der Landkarte means “on the map”. auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so der Landkarte is dative; the subject ich comes after the verb because the prepositional phrase occupies position one.
Der Rand der Landkarte ist schon ganz zerknittert.
The edge of the map is already quite crumpled.
der Rand means “the edge”, schon means “already”, and zerknittert means “crumpled”. der Landkarte is genitive because it identifies whose edge it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Landkarten liegen im Schrank.
The maps are lying in the cupboard.
liegen means “are lying”, im Schrank means “in the cupboard”, and der Schrank is “the cupboard”. Landkarten is plural, and im is short for in dem, which is dative because the maps are in a fixed place.
Ohne Landkarte finden wir den Weg nicht.
Without a map, we will not find the way.
ohne means “without”, finden means “find”, and den Weg means “the way”. ohne takes the accusative, but the article is omitted here in the general sense; finden is in position two, while nicht negates the sentence.
Mit einer Landkarte ist die Wanderung viel leichter.
The hike is much easier with a map.
mit means “with”, die Wanderung means “the hike”, and viel leichter means “much easier”. mit always takes the dative, so einer Landkarte is dative; the verb ist is in position two after the prepositional phrase.
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.
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.
der Pass — passport; mountain pass; mountain pass
The most common meaning of Pass is passport; it can also mean a mountain pass between mountains. The plural Pässe is the same for both meanings.
Mein Pass ist noch gültig.
My passport is still valid.
noch means still, and gültig means valid. Mein Pass is nominative because it is the subject; the adjective gültig stands after ist as a predicate, and ist is in position two.
Ich brauche meinen Pass.
I need my passport.
brauchen means to need, and meinen means my in the masculine accusative form. Meinen Pass is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Mit dem Pass kann man nach Kanada reisen.
With a passport, you can travel to Canada.
mit means with, nach Kanada means to Canada, and reisen means to travel. Dem Pass is dative because mit always takes dative; with the modal kann, the infinitive reisen goes to the end.
Die Nummer des Passes steht auf dem Formular.
The passport number is on the form.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or appears, and das Formular is the form. Des Passes is genitive because it shows what kind of number it is; auf dem Formular is dative because it describes a location.
Alle Pässe liegen auf dem Tisch.
All the passports are lying on the table.
alle means all, liegen means are lying, and der Tisch is the table. Pässe is a plural nominative subject, while auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Der Pass ist im Winter oft gesperrt.
The mountain pass is often closed in winter.
im Winter means in winter, oft means often, and gesperrt means closed to traffic. Der Pass is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir fahren morgen über den Pass.
We are driving over the mountain pass tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow and über means over. Den Pass is accusative because über expresses movement across a place here; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
der Passagier — passenger
Passagier means a passenger, not the driver or pilot. Its plural is Passagiere, and the genitive singular is Passagiers.
Der Passagier wartet am Gate.
The passenger is waiting at the gate.
wartet means is waiting, and das Gate is the gate at an airport. Der Passagier is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb wartet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Passagier.
I see the passenger.
sehen means to see. Den Passagier is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe dem Passagier mit dem Koffer.
I am helping the passenger with the suitcase.
helfen means to help, mit means with, and der Koffer is the suitcase. Dem Passagier is dative because helfen requires dative; mit dem Koffer is also dative because mit always takes dative.
Das Gepäck des Passagiers ist verschwunden.
The passenger's luggage has disappeared.
das Gepäck means luggage, and verschwunden means disappeared. Des Passagiers is genitive because it shows whose luggage it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Passagiere steigen in den Zug ein.
The passengers get on the train.
einsteigen means to get on or into a vehicle, and der Zug is the train. Passagiere is the plural subject; the separable verb appears as steigen ... ein, with ein at the end of the main clause.
die Passagierin — female passenger
Passagierin is the feminine form of Passagier. Its plural is Passagierinnen, formed with -innen.
Die Passagierin liest ein Buch.
The female passenger is reading a book.
liest means is reading, and ein Buch means a book. Die Passagierin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liest stands in position two.
Der Kontrolleur fragt die Passagierin.
The inspector asks the female passenger.
der Kontrolleur is the inspector, and fragen means to ask. Die Passagierin is accusative because fragen takes the person asked as a direct object; the finite verb fragt stands in position two.
Der Schaffner gibt der Passagierin eine Auskunft.
The conductor gives the female passenger some information.
der Schaffner is the train conductor, gibt means gives, and eine Auskunft means some information. Der Passagierin is dative because she receives something, while eine Auskunft is the accusative thing given.
Die Tasche der Passagierin liegt unter dem Sitz.
The female passenger's bag is under the seat.
die Tasche means the bag, liegt means is lying, and unter dem Sitz means under the seat. Der Passagierin is genitive because it shows whose bag it is; unter dem Sitz is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Passagierinnen warten auf den Bus.
The female passengers are waiting for the bus.
warten means to wait, and auf den Bus means for the bus. Passagierinnen is the plural nominative subject; the fixed expression warten auf takes the accusative, so den Bus is accusative.
der Pilot — pilot
Pilot is a weak masculine noun: it has -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, but not in the nominative singular. It normally means someone who flies an aircraft.
Der Pilot begrüßt die Passagiere.
The pilot greets the passengers.
begrüßt means greets, and die Passagiere means the passengers. Der Pilot is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two.
Die Passagiere sehen den Piloten im Cockpit.
The passengers see the pilot in the cockpit.
die Passagiere are the passengers, and das Cockpit is the part of an aircraft where the pilot works. Den Piloten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Pilot becomes Piloten.
Die Flugbegleiterin spricht mit dem Piloten.
The flight attendant speaks with the pilot.
die Flugbegleiterin means flight attendant. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Piloten is dative and the weak noun keeps its -en ending.
Das Büro des Piloten ist im Flughafen.
The pilot's office is at the airport.
das Büro means office, and der Flughafen means airport. Des Piloten is genitive because it shows whose office it is; Pilot is a weak masculine noun and therefore has -en here.
Die Piloten warten auf ihren Einsatz.
The pilots are waiting for their assignment.
warten means wait, and ihr Einsatz means their assignment or duty. Die Piloten is plural; auf takes the accusative here because the sentence describes what they are waiting for, not a location.
die Pilotin — female pilot, woman pilot
Pilotin is the feminine form of Pilot and refers specifically to a woman who flies an aircraft. Its plural is formed with -innen, as with other feminine job titles ending in -in.
Die Pilotin fliegt das Flugzeug sicher.
The pilot flies the aircraft safely.
fliegt means flies, das Flugzeug means the aircraft, and sicher means safely. Die Pilotin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb fliegt stands in position two.
Die Passagiere sehen die Pilotin am Eingang.
The passengers see the pilot at the entrance.
die Passagiere are the passengers, and der Eingang means entrance. Die Pilotin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Pilotin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the pilot for her help.
danke means thank, ihre Hilfe means her help, and für means for. Danken takes a dative person, so der Pilotin is dative; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Entscheidung der Pilotin war richtig.
The pilot's decision was right.
die Entscheidung means decision and richtig means right or correct. Der Pilotin is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Pilotinnen sprechen mit den Kindern.
The female pilots are speaking with the children.
sprechen means speak, and die Kinder are the children. Die Pilotinnen is plural and is formed with -innen; mit den Kindern is dative because mit always takes the dative.
die Reise — trip, journey; travel, travelling
Eine Reise machen means to go on a trip, not literally to make a journey. Auf Reisen sein is a common expression meaning to be travelling.
Die Reise beginnt morgen.
The journey begins tomorrow.
beginnt means begins and morgen means tomorrow. Die Reise is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen die Reise im Sommer.
We are planning the trip in summer.
planen means to plan and im Sommer means in summer. Die Reise is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Auf der Reise lerne ich viele Menschen kennen.
On the journey I meet many people.
auf der Reise means on the journey, and viele Menschen kennenlernen means to meet many people. Here auf describes a location or situation, so it takes dative; the verb lerne is in position two even though the sentence begins with the prepositional phrase.
Die Dauer der Reise beträgt drei Wochen.
The duration of the trip is three weeks.
die Dauer means duration and beträgt means amounts to. Der Reise is genitive because it tells us which duration is meant; the feminine genitive article is der.
Im Sommer machen wir zwei Reisen.
In summer we take two trips.
im Sommer means in summer and zwei means two. Zwei Reisen is plural and accusative because machen takes the object of the activity; the plural ending is -n.
Meine Reise nach Spanien dauert zehn Tage.
My trip to Spain lasts ten days.
meine means my, nach Spanien means to Spain, and dauert means lasts. Meine Reise is the subject in nominative, and the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Für die Reise brauche ich einen großen Koffer.
I need a large suitcase for the trip.
für means for, brauchen means to need, and ein großer Koffer is a large suitcase. Für die Reise takes accusative because für always governs accusative; einen großen Koffer is also accusative because it is the object of brauchen.
reisen — to travel; to travel regularly, to be a traveller
Reisen usually takes sein in the perfect: ist gereist. Destinations commonly follow nach for cities and most countries without an article, while travel by transport commonly follows mit plus dative.
Ich reise gern mit dem Zug.
I like travelling by train.
gern means gladly or like doing something, mit dem Zug means by train, and der Zug is train. The finite verb reise stands in position two; mit always takes dative, so dem Zug is dative.
Wir sind gestern nach Berlin gereist.
We travelled to Berlin yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and nach Berlin means to Berlin. The perfect uses sind plus gereist because reisen expresses movement; sind is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Früher reiste sie oft allein.
She often travelled alone in the past.
früher means in the past, oft means often, and allein means alone. Reiste is the regular simple-past form; because the sentence begins with Früher, the finite verb still comes in position two.
Reis morgen vorsichtig!
Travel carefully tomorrow!
morgen means tomorrow and vorsichtig means carefully. Reis is the du imperative, so the subject du is omitted; the imperative verb stands at the beginning.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, reiste ich um die Welt.
If I had more time, I would travel around the world.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and um die Welt means around the world. In this unreal condition, hätte is Konjunktiv II and reiste expresses the imagined result; after wenn, the finite verb goes to the end, while the main clause has verb-second order.
Nächstes Jahr werde ich nach Kanada reisen.
Next year I will travel to Canada.
nächstes Jahr means next year and nach Kanada means to Canada. Futur I uses werde in position two and the infinitive reisen at the end; learners should not use the Partizip II gereist after werden.
Mein Vater reist beruflich sehr viel.
My father travels a lot for work.
mein Vater means my father, beruflich means for work, and sehr viel means a great deal. The finite verb reist is in position two, and beruflich explains the reason or context of the travelling.
Sie reist immer mit leichtem Gepäck.
She always travels with light luggage.
immer means always, leichtes Gepäck means light luggage, and Gepäck is luggage. Mit leichtem Gepäck is a prepositional phrase in dative because mit governs dative; reist remains in position two.
der Reisepass — passport
Reisepass is a compound of Reise, journey or trip, and Pass, passport or pass. Its plural has an umlaut and -e: die Reisepässe.
Der Reisepass liegt auf dem Tisch.
The passport is on the table.
liegen means to lie or be situated, auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Reisepass is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Reisepass für die Reise.
I need the passport for the journey.
brauchen means to need, and für die Reise means for the journey. Den Reisepass is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich reise mit dem Reisepass im Rucksack.
I am travelling with the passport in my backpack.
reisen means to travel, im Rucksack means in the backpack, and der Rucksack is the backpack. Mit always takes the dative, so der Reisepass becomes dem Reisepass.
Die Nummer des Reisepasses steht hier.
The passport number is written here.
die Nummer means the number, stehen means to be written or displayed, and hier means here. Des Reisepasses is genitive because it specifies whose number it is; masculine nouns usually take -s or -es in this case.
Die Reisepässe liegen im Safe.
The passports are in the safe.
liegen means to be situated, and der Safe is the safe. Die Reisepässe is plural; notice the umlaut in Pässe, and the finite verb remains in position two.
die Reservierung — reservation, booking
die Reservierung is the noun formed from reservieren and means an advance booking. Do not use Buchung for every situation: Reservierung is especially common for tables, rooms, and seats.
Die Reservierung ist für acht Uhr.
The reservation is for eight o’clock.
für acht Uhr means “for eight o’clock”. Die Reservierung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich habe die Reservierung per E-Mail bestätigt.
I confirmed the reservation by email.
per E-Mail means “by email”, and bestätigt means “confirmed”. die Reservierung is accusative because it is the object of bestätigen; the perfect uses habe and puts bestätigt at the end.
Der Kellner hilft uns bei der Reservierung.
The waiter helps us with the reservation.
der Kellner is “the waiter”, hilft means “helps”, and uns means “us”. The preposition bei always takes the dative, so der Reservierung is dative.
Der Name der Reservierung steht auf der Liste.
The name of the reservation is on the list.
der Name means “the name”, and auf der Liste means “on the list”. der Reservierung is genitive and expresses “of the reservation”; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Heute habe ich drei Reservierungen.
Today I have three reservations.
heute means “today”, and drei means “three”. drei Reservierungen is plural and accusative because it is the object of habe; the plural has the ending -en.
der Rucksack — backpack, rucksack
The plural is Rucksäcke, with an umlaut and -e. The noun is masculine and is not a weak noun.
Der Rucksack ist sehr schwer.
The backpack is very heavy.
schwer means heavy, and sehr means very. Der Rucksack is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich trage den Rucksack jeden Tag.
I carry the backpack every day.
tragen means to carry, and jeden Tag means every day. Den Rucksack is accusative because tragen takes a direct object; the finite verb trage is in position two.
Ich gebe dem Rucksack einen neuen Bezug.
I give the backpack a new cover.
geben means to give, einen neuen Bezug is a new cover, and neu means new. Dem Rucksack is dative because it is the recipient with geben, while einen neuen Bezug is the accusative thing given.
Die Farbe des Rucksacks gefällt mir nicht.
I do not like the colour of the backpack.
die Farbe is the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir nicht means not to me. Des Rucksacks expresses possession and is genitive; the masculine noun adds -s and uses des.
Im Flur stehen drei Rucksäcke.
There are three backpacks in the hallway.
im Flur means in the hallway, and stehen means are standing or are placed. Rucksäcke is the plural after drei; im means in dem, and the location takes the dative.
das Ticket — ticket; ticket, fine
Ticket is used for travel, entrance, and many digital bookings. It is a neuter noun, so use das Ticket in the singular and die Tickets in the plural.
Das Ticket liegt auf dem Tisch.
The ticket is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Das Ticket is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich kaufe das Ticket online.
I am buying the ticket online.
kaufe means buy, and online means on the internet. Das Ticket is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Ich zeige dem Kontrolleur das Ticket.
I show the ticket to the inspector.
zeige means show, and der Kontrolleur is the inspector. Dem Kontrolleur is dative as the recipient, while das Ticket is accusative as the thing shown; the finite verb zeige is in position two and the object is at the end.
Die Farbe des Tickets ist blau.
The colour of the ticket is blue.
die Farbe means the colour, and blau means blue. Des Tickets is genitive because it shows whose colour it is; the verb ist stands in position two.
Die Tickets sind schon ausverkauft.
The tickets are already sold out.
sind means are, schon means already, and ausverkauft means sold out. Die Tickets is the plural subject, and the plural is made with -s; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Der Polizist gibt mir ein Ticket.
The police officer gives me a ticket.
Der Polizist is the police officer, and gibt means gives. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while ein Ticket is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Wegen des Falschparkens muss ich das Ticket bezahlen.
I have to pay the ticket because of illegal parking.
wegen des Falschparkens means because of illegal parking, and bezahlen means pay. Das Ticket is accusative after bezahlen; muss is in position two and the infinitive bezahlen goes to the end.
der Urlaub — holiday, vacation
In the common expression Urlaub machen, Urlaub is normally singular and has no article. To say you are going on holiday, use in den Urlaub fahren or in den Urlaub fliegen.
Der Urlaub beginnt am Montag.
The holiday begins on Monday.
beginnt means begins, and am Montag means on Monday. Der Urlaub is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen den Urlaub.
We are planning the holiday.
wir means we, and planen means plan. Den Urlaub is accusative because planen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub.
I am looking forward to the holiday.
sich freuen auf means look forward to, and ich freue mich means I am looking forward to something. Auf takes the accusative for the target of the anticipation, so den Urlaub is accusative; mich is the reflexive pronoun.
Die Länge des Urlaubs hängt vom Wetter ab.
The length of the holiday depends on the weather.
die Länge means the length, hängt ... ab means depends, and vom Wetter means on the weather. Des Urlaubs is genitive because it specifies the holiday's length; the separable verb puts ab at the end of the main clause.
Viele Urlaube verbringen wir am Meer.
We spend many holidays by the sea.
viele means many, verbringen means spend, and am Meer means by the sea. Urlaube is plural and accusative as the object of verbringen; it stands first for emphasis, while the finite verb remains in position two.
der Urlaubstag — vacation day, day of leave
This compound combines Urlaub, holiday or leave, with Tag, day. It usually means one paid day off work, not necessarily a day during a long trip.
Ich habe heute einen Urlaubstag.
I have a vacation day today.
heute means today, and haben means to have. Einen Urlaubstag is accusative because haben takes an accusative object; the finite verb habe is in position two.
Ich nehme morgen einen Urlaubstag.
I am taking a vacation day tomorrow.
nehme means take and morgen means tomorrow. Einen Urlaubstag is accusative because nehmen takes the thing taken as its direct object; morgen is an adverb of time.
Ich fahre an meinem Urlaubstag ans Meer.
I am going to the seaside on my vacation day.
fahre means travel or go by vehicle, ans Meer means to the seaside, and Meer means sea. An meinem Urlaubstag is dative because an means when or on a particular day here; the separable verb fahre ... an is not being used—the phrase is an meinem Urlaubstag, while fahre is the finite verb in position two.
Die Planung meines Urlaubstags ist schon fertig.
The planning for my vacation day is already finished.
Planung means planning and schon fertig means already finished. Meines Urlaubstags is genitive because it identifies which day's planning; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In diesem Jahr habe ich fünf Urlaubstage.
This year I have five vacation days.
in diesem Jahr means this year and fünf means five. Urlaubstage is plural, and it is accusative because haben takes it as its object; after a number, the noun has no article.
das Zelt — tent
Zelt can mean the shelter itself or, in compounds, a tent-related place such as Zeltplatz. The phrase im Zelt uses the dative because in describes location here.
Das Zelt ist neu.
The tent is new.
neu means new. Das Zelt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir kaufen das Zelt morgen.
We are buying the tent tomorrow.
kaufen means buy, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Zelt is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; for a neuter noun, the nominative and accusative article are both das.
Wir schlafen in dem Zelt.
We are sleeping in the tent.
schlafen means sleep. In dem Zelt is dative because it describes a fixed location rather than movement into the tent; in takes the dative for location and the accusative for direction.
Die Farbe des Zeltes gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the tent.
die Farbe means the colour, and gefällt means is pleasing to. Des Zeltes is genitive because it says whose colour it is; mir is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Im Sommer stehen viele Zelte am See.
In summer, many tents stand by the lake.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and der See means the lake. Zelte is the plural subject; am See is a location phrase with dative, formed from an dem See.
zelten — to camp, to sleep in a tent
zelten normally means spending the night in a tent outdoors. It is an intransitive verb, so it has no direct object; the place is commonly added with in, an or bei.
Wir zelten im Wald.
We are camping in the forest.
der Wald means the forest. The finite verb zelten is in position two, and im Wald is a dative location phrase because in describes where someone is, not where they are going.
Wir haben am See gezeltet.
We camped by the lake.
der See means the lake, and am See means by the lake. The perfect uses haben plus gezeltet at the end; am See is a dative location phrase after an.
Letzten Sommer zelteten wir in Österreich.
Last summer we camped in Austria.
letzten Sommer means last summer, and Österreich is Austria. The finite verb zelteten comes in position two after the time phrase; in Österreich is a location phrase.
Zelt nicht bei Regen!
Don’t camp when it rains!
bei Regen means when it rains or in the rain. Zelt is the du imperative, so the subject is omitted; bei takes the dative, shown by Regen.
Ich würde gern am Meer zelten.
I would like to camp by the sea.
gern means gladly or would like to, and das Meer is the sea. würde carries the Konjunktiv II meaning, while the infinitive zelten goes to the end; am Meer is a dative location phrase.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir in Norwegen zelten.
Next year we will camp in Norway.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and Norwegen is Norway. werden is in position two and the infinitive zelten goes to the end; in Norwegen describes the camping location.
das Ziel — goal, aim, target; destination, endpoint
The common expression ein Ziel erreichen means to reach a goal, while ein Ziel haben means to have a goal. The plural is Ziele, not Ziels.
Das Ziel ist noch weit entfernt.
The goal is still far away.
weit entfernt means far away. Das Ziel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir erreichen heute unser Ziel.
We will reach our goal today.
heute means today, and erreichen means reach. Unser Ziel is accusative because erreichen takes a direct object; the finite verb erreichen is in position two.
Sie arbeitet jeden Tag an ihrem Ziel.
She works on her goal every day.
arbeitet means works, and jeden Tag means every day. An meaning work on takes the dative here because this is a fixed, non-directional expression, so ihrem Ziel is dative.
Die Bedeutung des Ziels ist allen klar.
The meaning of the goal is clear to everyone.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Des Ziels is genitive because it means of the goal; allen is dative because klar sein can be clear to someone.
Die Ziele der Gruppe sind realistisch.
The group’s goals are realistic.
der Gruppe means of the group, and realistisch means realistic. Die Ziele is plural and nominative because it is the subject; der Gruppe is genitive and shows whose goals they are.
Mein Ziel ist, die Prüfung zu bestehen.
My goal is to pass the exam.
die Prüfung means the exam, and bestehen means pass. Mein Ziel is the subject; the infinitive group zu bestehen explains what the goal is.
Wir sind endlich am Ziel.
We have finally arrived at our destination.
endlich means finally, and angekommen means arrived. Am Ziel is short for an dem Ziel; an takes the dative here because it describes a location, not movement towards it.
Der Zug fährt direkt zum Ziel.
The train goes directly to the destination.
der Zug is the train, direkt means directly, and fährt means goes or travels. Zum Ziel is short for zu dem Ziel and is dative because zu always takes the dative.
zurückkommen — to come back, to return
Use zurückkommen for returning to the speaker's place or another reference point. It takes sein in the perfect because it describes movement.
Meine Schwester kommt heute Abend nach Hause zurück.
My sister is coming home this evening.
meine Schwester means my sister, heute Abend means this evening, and nach Hause means home. heute Abend is a time expression and nach Hause expresses direction; kommt is in position two and zurück goes to the end.
Wir sind um zehn Uhr zurückgekommen.
We came back at ten o'clock.
um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. zurückgekommen combines with sein because the verb describes movement, and the Partizip II stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Der Bus kam um Mitternacht zurück.
The bus came back at midnight.
der Bus is the bus, and um Mitternacht means at midnight. The time phrase does not change the word order: the finite verb kam is in position two and zurück is at the end.
Komm schnell zurück!
Come back quickly!
schnell means quickly. This is a singular command with omitted du; komm comes first and the separable prefix zurück comes at the end.
Ich würde gern morgen zurückkommen.
I would like to come back tomorrow.
gern means gladly or would like to, and morgen means tomorrow. würde expresses the conditional, while the complete infinitive zurückkommen stands at the end and is written as one word.
Sie wird am Sonntag zurückkommen.
She will come back on Sunday.
am Sonntag means on Sunday. wird is in position two, and the complete infinitive zurückkommen goes to the end; do not split it in this future construction.
übernachten — to spend the night, to stay overnight
Übernachten is intransitive: it says where someone spends the night, not what they spend. A place is commonly introduced by bei plus dative for a person or in plus dative for a location.
Wir übernachten heute bei Freunden.
We’re spending the night at friends’ place today.
heute means “today,” and bei Freunden means “at friends’ place.” Bei always takes the dative, so Freunden has the dative plural ending; the finite verb übernachten is in position two.
Wir haben im Hotel übernachtet.
We stayed overnight in the hotel.
im Hotel means “in the hotel,” and Hotel is a hotel. Im is in dem, with dative for a location; übernachtet is the Partizip II and goes to the end with haben.
Früher übernachtete ich oft bei meiner Tante.
In the past I often spent the night at my aunt’s place.
früher means “in the past,” oft means “often,” and meine Tante means “my aunt.” Bei forces the dative, giving meiner Tante; the simple-past verb übernachtete is in position two.
Übernachte heute bei uns!
Spend the night at our place today!
heute means “today,” bei uns means “at our place,” and uns means “us.” The imperative omits du, and bei requires the dative pronoun uns.
Ich würde gern bei euch übernachten.
I would like to spend the night at your place.
gern means “gladly,” and bei euch means “at your place.” Würde plus the infinitive expresses a polite wish; bei takes the dative, shown by euch.
Wir werden dort übernachten.
We will spend the night there.
dort means “there.” Werden is the finite future auxiliary in position two, and the infinitive übernachten goes to the end; the verb is not split.