Appearance
Vocab: Travel — A2 (1)
Travel vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abfliegen — to depart, to take off
This is a separable, strong verb: abfliegen – flog ab – ist abgeflogen. For a plane, the perfect takes sein, not haben, and landen is the opposite.
Das Flugzeug fliegt ab.
The plane departs.
das Flugzeug means the plane. The finite verb fliegt is in position two, and the separable prefix ab goes to the end of the main clause.
Das Flugzeug ist pünktlich abgeflogen.
The plane departed on time.
pünktlich means on time. The perfect uses ist plus abgeflogen because abfliegen expresses movement; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Der Flug fiel aus, weil das Flugzeug gestern nicht abflog.
The flight was cancelled because the plane did not depart yesterday.
der Flug means the flight, ausfallen means to be cancelled, and gestern means yesterday. In the subordinate clause after weil, the finite verb abflog goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached.
Bitte flieg ab!
Please fly off!
bitte means please. This informal singular command omits du; the two parts of the separable verb stand together here as flieg ab.
Wenn ich früher abflöge, käme ich rechtzeitig an.
If I departed earlier, I would arrive on time.
früher means earlier, käme ... an means would arrive, and rechtzeitig means on time. The Konjunktiv II form abflöge stays together in the subordinate clause, whose finite verb goes to the end.
Wir werden morgen früh abfliegen.
We will depart early tomorrow morning.
morgen früh means early tomorrow morning. In the future, werden is the finite verb in position two and the infinitive abfliegen remains together at the end.
der Abflug — departure, take-off
Abflug is used mainly for aircraft, while Abfahrt is used for trains, buses and other land transport. The plural has an umlaut: Abflüge.
Der Abflug ist um neun Uhr.
The departure is at nine o’clock.
um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Der Abflug is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir erwarten den Abflug.
We are expecting the departure.
wir means we and erwarten means expect. Den Abflug is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Vor dem Abflug trinken wir einen Kaffee.
We drink a coffee before departure.
vor means before, trinken means drink, and einen Kaffee means a coffee. Vor takes the dative for a time expression, so der Abflug becomes dem Abflug.
Die Dauer des Abflugs beträgt zwei Stunden.
The duration of the departure is two hours.
die Dauer means the duration and beträgt means amounts to. Des Abflugs is genitive and shows what the duration belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s.
Heute gibt es drei Abflüge.
There are three departures today.
heute means today and drei means three. Abflüge is the plural form with an umlaut; after es gibt, the thing that exists is normally accusative, although the plural form has no visible article here.
die Abreise — departure, leaving
die Abreise means the act or planned time of leaving, especially for a journey. Do not confuse it with die Ankunft, which means arrival; the verb is abreisen, to depart.
Die Abreise ist für Samstag geplant.
The departure is planned for Saturday.
für Samstag means for Saturday and geplant means planned. Die Abreise is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir planen die Abreise am Abend.
We are planning the departure in the evening.
wir means we, planen means plan, and am Abend means in the evening. Die Abreise is accusative because it is the direct object of planen, while the finite verb planen is in position two.
Vor der Abreise kontrollieren wir die Tickets.
Before departure, we check the tickets.
vor means before, kontrollieren means check, and die Tickets means the tickets. Der Abreise is dative because vor takes the dative when it means time; the fronted phrase occupies position one, so kontrollieren is in position two.
Der Zeitpunkt der Abreise steht noch nicht fest.
The time of departure has not yet been decided.
der Zeitpunkt means the time or date, steht fest means is decided, and noch nicht means not yet. Der Abreise is genitive because it specifies the time belonging to the departure; the separable verb steht ... fest forms the sentence bracket.
Die Abreisen am Wochenende sind oft teuer.
Departures at the weekend are often expensive.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, oft means often, and teuer means expensive. Abreisen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
abreisen — to leave, to depart
abreisen is a separable verb: in a main clause, ab moves to the end. It normally takes sein in the perfect: ist abgereist.
Wir reisen ab.
We are leaving.
wir means we. The finite verb reisen is in position two, while the separable prefix ab goes to the end; there is no object because abreisen describes leaving.
Sie ist gestern abgereist.
She left yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. abgereist is the Partizip II and takes sein because the person changes location; the auxiliary is in position two and the participle goes to the end.
Der Zug reiste ab, bevor ich ankam.
The train left before I arrived.
der Zug means the train, bevor means before, and ankam means arrived. In the main clause, reiste is in position two and ab is at the end; the noun phrase der Zug is nominative because it is the subject.
Reis ab!
Leave!
The command Reis ab means leave. The subject du is omitted, and the prefix ab stays at the end of the imperative clause.
Ich würde morgen abreisen, wenn ich frei hätte.
I would leave tomorrow if I had time off.
morgen means tomorrow, frei means free or off work, and hätte means had. With würde, the infinitive abreisen goes to the end; wenn sends the finite verb hätte to the end of its clause.
Wir werden am Montag abreisen.
We will leave on Monday.
am Montag means on Monday. The auxiliary werden is in position two and the infinitive abreisen goes to the end; as an intransitive verb, abreisen has no accusative object.
der Abschnitt — section, part, paragraph; stretch, phase, part
For a text, der Abschnitt can mean a section or paragraph. It can also mean a distinct stretch or part of something, such as a road or a period of time.
Der Abschnitt ist ziemlich lang.
The section is quite long.
ziemlich lang means quite long. Der Abschnitt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich lese den ersten Abschnitt.
I am reading the first section.
den ersten means the first. Den ersten Abschnitt is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese is in position two.
In diesem Abschnitt geht es um die Reise.
This section is about the journey.
in diesem Abschnitt means in this section, and die Reise means the journey. In takes the dative for a fixed location or topic, while the expression es geht um uses um plus accusative.
Der Anfang des Abschnitts ist schwer zu verstehen.
The beginning of the section is difficult to understand.
der Anfang means the beginning, and schwer zu verstehen means difficult to understand. Des Abschnitts is genitive because it shows which section the beginning belongs to; zu verstehen goes at the end of its phrase.
Die Abschnitte im Buch sind kurz.
The sections in the book are short.
im Buch means in the book, and kurz means short. Die Abschnitte is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Der letzte Abschnitt der Wanderung war anstrengend.
The last part of the hike was tiring.
der letzte Abschnitt der Wanderung means the last part of the hike, and anstrengend means tiring. Der letzte Abschnitt is nominative as the subject, while der Wanderung is genitive after Abschnitt to show the part–whole relationship.
Nach diesem Abschnitt fahren wir mit dem Zug weiter.
After this stretch, we will continue by train.
nach diesem Abschnitt means after this stretch, and mit dem Zug means by train. Nach always takes the dative, and fahren is in position two; weiter means onward or continuing.
ankommen — to arrive
For arrival at a place, ankommen is normally used without a direct object, often with in, an or bei plus a place. Its perfect takes sein, not haben, and the prefix separates in main clauses.
Der Zug kommt um acht Uhr an.
The train arrives at eight o'clock.
der Zug is the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Zug is the nominative subject; kommt is in position two and the prefix an goes to the end.
Der Zug ist pünktlich angekommen.
The train arrived on time.
der Zug is the train, and pünktlich means on time. ist is used because ankommen expresses movement to a destination; angekommen goes to the end.
Der Bus kam spät an.
The bus arrived late.
der Bus is the bus, and spät means late. kam is the strong-verb past form of kommen; the prefix an is separated and placed at the end.
Komm bitte pünktlich an.
Please arrive on time.
bitte means please, and pünktlich means on time. This is an informal singular command with no subject; komm starts the sentence and an goes at the end.
Wenn der Zug früher ankäme, könnten wir zu Fuß gehen.
If the train arrived earlier, we could walk.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, and zu Fuß gehen means walk. In the wenn clause, ankäme stays together and the finite verb goes to the end; der Zug is nominative.
Der Bus wird um zehn Uhr ankommen.
The bus will arrive at ten o'clock.
der Bus is the bus, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. wird stands in position two and the infinitive ankommen goes to the end; the infinitive stays together in the future.
die Ankunft — arrival
die Ankunft is the noun for arriving and is often used in travel information. Its opposite is die Abfahrt, departure; the plural is die Ankünfte.
Die Ankunft des Zuges ist um acht Uhr.
The train arrives at eight o'clock.
der Zug is the train, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Ankunft is the nominative subject; des Zuges is genitive for the train's arrival, and ist stands in position two.
Wir erwarten die Ankunft des Busses.
We are expecting the bus to arrive.
wir erwarten means we expect, and der Bus is the bus. die Ankunft is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object; des Busses is genitive.
Bei der Ankunft rufen Sie mich bitte an.
Please call me when you arrive.
bei means at or on, rufen Sie mich an means call me, and bitte means please. der Ankunft is dative because bei always takes the dative; an goes to the end in the formal command.
Nach der Ankunft gingen alle ins Hotel.
After arriving, everyone went to the hotel.
nach means after, alle means everyone, and ins Hotel means into the hotel. der Ankunft is dative because nach takes the dative; ins Hotel uses the accusative because it expresses movement into a destination.
Die genaue Zeit der Ankunft steht auf dem Ticket.
The exact arrival time is on the ticket.
genaue Zeit means exact time, steht means is shown, and das Ticket is the ticket. der Ankunft is genitive and specifies which time; auf dem Ticket is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Ankünfte werden auf der Tafel angezeigt.
The arrivals are displayed on the board.
werden angezeigt means are displayed, and die Tafel is the board or information display. Die Ankünfte is the plural nominative subject; auf der Tafel is dative because it describes where the information is displayed.
die Ankunftszeit — arrival time
This compound means the time when someone or something arrives. The first part, Ankunft, means arrival; the plural is formed with -en: Ankunftszeiten.
Die Ankunftszeit steht auf der Fahrkarte.
The arrival time is on the ticket.
auf der Fahrkarte means on the ticket. steht means is written or shown. Die Ankunftszeit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich kenne die Ankunftszeit noch nicht.
I do not know the arrival time yet.
kenne means know, noch nicht means not yet. die Ankunftszeit is accusative because it is the object of kenne, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Nach der Ankunftszeit fragen viele Reisende.
Many travellers ask about the arrival time.
nach ... fragen means ask about, and viele Reisende means many travellers. The preposition nach takes the dative, so der Ankunftszeit is dative; the verb fragen comes second after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Änderung der Ankunftszeit war ärgerlich.
The change to the arrival time was annoying.
die Änderung means the change, and ärgerlich means annoying. der Ankunftszeit is genitive because it specifies whose change it was; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Ankunftszeiten der Züge hängen vom Wetter ab.
The arrival times of the trains depend on the weather.
der Züge means of the trains, and vom Wetter means on the weather. Ankunftszeiten is plural and is the subject; hängen ... ab is a separable verb, so ab goes to the end.
der Anschluss — connection, link
In transport, der Anschluss is a connection to another train or bus. It can also mean a general link or contact; the plural is die Anschlüsse.
Der Anschluss nach Köln fährt um zehn Uhr.
The connection to Cologne leaves at ten o’clock.
nach Köln means to Cologne, and fährt means leaves or travels. um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Der Anschluss is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fährt stands in position two.
Ich habe den Anschluss nach Köln verpasst.
I missed the connection to Cologne.
verpasst means missed, and nach Köln means to Cologne. Den Anschluss is accusative because verpassen takes a direct object; habe is in position two and verpasst goes to the end in the perfect.
Wir warten auf den Anschluss nach Hamburg.
We are waiting for the connection to Hamburg.
warten means wait, and auf Hamburg means to Hamburg. The phrase auf den Anschluss warten uses auf with the accusative here; den Anschluss is therefore accusative, not dative, despite the English word “for.”
Wegen des Anschlusses nehmen wir den früheren Zug.
Because of the connection, we are taking the earlier train.
wegen means because of, nehmen means take, and der frühere Zug means the earlier train. Des Anschlusses is genitive because wegen traditionally governs the genitive; the finite verb nehmen comes in position two.
Die Anschlüsse am Bahnhof sind heute pünktlich.
The connections at the station are on time today.
am Bahnhof means at the station, and pünktlich means on time. Die Anschlüsse is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb is sind, not singular ist.
der Atlantik — Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic
Der Atlantik is normally used as a singular geographical name and has no ordinary plural. The genitive is des Atlantiks, with -s added to the noun.
Der Atlantik ist heute ruhig.
The Atlantic is calm today.
heute means today and ruhig means calm. Der Atlantik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir überqueren den Atlantik mit dem Schiff.
We are crossing the Atlantic by ship.
überqueren means to cross, mit dem Schiff means by ship, and das Schiff is the ship. den Atlantik is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; mit takes the dative in dem Schiff.
Am Atlantik gibt es viele schöne Strände.
There are many beautiful beaches on the Atlantic.
es gibt means there is or there are, viele schöne Strände means many beautiful beaches, and am means an dem, at or on the. am Atlantik is dative because an expresses location here; es gibt takes its thing-that-exists in the accusative.
Die Küste des Atlantiks ist sehr lang.
The coast of the Atlantic is very long.
die Küste means the coast, sehr lang means very long, and sein means to be. des Atlantiks is genitive because it identifies which coast; Atlantik adds -s in the genitive.
der Aufenthalt — stay, residence; residence, period of stay
The word can mean a temporary Aufenthalt or a more official period of residence. It is often used with während des Aufenthalts, where während takes the genitive in formal German.
Der Aufenthalt im Hotel war sehr angenehm.
The stay at the hotel was very pleasant.
das Hotel means hotel and angenehm means pleasant. Der Aufenthalt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir verlängern den Aufenthalt um zwei Tage.
We are extending the stay by two days.
verlängern means to extend and um zwei Tage means by two days. Den Aufenthalt is accusative because verlängern takes a direct object; the finite verb verlängern stands in position two.
Nach dem Aufenthalt in Berlin fahren wir nach Hause.
After the stay in Berlin, we are going home.
nach Hause means home, and fahren means go or travel. Nach takes the dative here, so dem Aufenthalt is dative; the subject wir comes after the opening phrase, but the finite verb remains in position two.
Die Dauer des Aufenthalts ist noch nicht bekannt.
The length of the stay is not yet known.
die Dauer means duration or length, and bekannt means known. Des Aufenthalts is genitive because it specifies the length belonging to the stay; ist is the finite verb in position two.
Viele Aufenthalte im Ausland verändern die Sicht auf das eigene Land.
Many stays abroad change the way people see their own country.
viele means many, im Ausland means abroad, and verändern means change. Aufenthalte is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: verändern, not verändert.
Mein Aufenthalt dauert nur drei Tage.
My stay lasts only three days.
mein means my, dauern means last, and nur means only. Mein Aufenthalt is a nominative subject, and the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Für den Aufenthalt in Deutschland brauchen manche Menschen ein Visum.
Some people need a visa to stay in Germany.
für means for, manche Menschen means some people, and brauchen means need. Für takes the accusative, so den Aufenthalt is accusative; the finite verb brauchen is in position two.
Die Behörde prüft den Aufenthalt der Familie.
The authority checks the family's residence.
die Behörde means the authority and prüfen means check or examine. Den Aufenthalt is accusative after prüft, while der Familie is genitive and means of the family.
die Ausfahrt — exit; outing, drive
In transport contexts, die Ausfahrt is an exit from a motorway or road. In eine Ausfahrt machen, it means an outing or drive by vehicle.
Die Ausfahrt ist gleich rechts.
The exit is immediately on the right.
gleich means immediately and rechts means on the right. Die Ausfahrt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir nehmen die nächste Ausfahrt.
We are taking the next exit.
nehmen means take and nächste means next. Die nächste Ausfahrt is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehmen is in position two.
An der Ausfahrt warten wir auf dich.
We are waiting for you at the exit.
an means at, warten means wait, and auf dich means for you. Here an describes a fixed location and takes the dative, so the feminine article is der; the fronted phrase is followed by the verb.
Die Nummer der Ausfahrt steht auf dem Schild.
The number of the exit is on the sign.
die Nummer means number, steht means is written or stands, and das Schild means sign. Der Ausfahrt is genitive because it specifies which exit; auf dem Schild is dative because it describes a location.
Alle Ausfahrten sind heute gesperrt.
All exits are closed today.
alle means all, heute means today, and gesperrt means closed. Alle Ausfahrten is plural nominative as the subject, and the plural verb sind agrees with it.
das Billett — ticket, fare ticket
Das Billett is a Swiss and regional German word for a ticket, especially a public-transport ticket. In Germany, die Fahrkarte or das Ticket is usually more common.
Das Billett kostet fünf Franken.
The ticket costs five francs.
kostet means “costs”, and fünf Franken means “five francs”. Das Billett is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich kaufe ein Billett nach Zürich.
I am buying a ticket to Zurich.
kaufe means “buy”, and nach Zürich means “to Zurich”. Ein Billett is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen, while nach Zürich expresses the destination; the finite verb kaufe is in position two.
Der Kontrolleur gibt dem Fahrgast das Billett zurück.
The inspector gives the ticket back to the passenger.
Der Kontrolleur is “the inspector”, dem Fahrgast is “to the passenger”, and zurück means “back”. Dem Fahrgast is dative because it is the recipient, while das Billett is accusative as the thing returned; the finite verb gibt stands in position two.
Der Preis des Billets steht auf der Rückseite.
The price of the ticket is on the back.
Der Preis means “the price”, steht means “is written or stands”, and die Rückseite means “the back”. Des Billets is genitive because it specifies the price, while auf der Rückseite is dative because auf describes a location here.
Die Billette liegen auf dem Tisch.
The tickets are lying on the table.
liegen means “are lying”, and auf dem Tisch means “on the table”. Billette is plural nominative because it is the subject, and auf dem Tisch uses the dative because it describes a fixed location rather than movement.
die Bordkarte — boarding pass
A Bordkarte can be printed on paper or stored digitally on a phone. It is a compound of Bord (on board) and Karte (card), and its plural is Bordkarten.
Die Bordkarte liegt in meiner Tasche.
The boarding pass is in my bag.
liegt means is lying, meine Tasche means my bag, and in means in. Die Bordkarte is nominative because it is the subject; in meiner Tasche is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich zeige die Bordkarte am Schalter.
I show the boarding pass at the desk.
zeige means show, der Schalter means desk or counter, and am means at the. Die Bordkarte is accusative because zeigen takes the thing shown; am Schalter is a dative location phrase.
Der Mitarbeiter hilft mir mit der Bordkarte.
The employee helps me with the boarding pass.
der Mitarbeiter means employee and hilft means helps. Mir is dative because helfen takes a dative person, and mit der Bordkarte is also dative because mit always governs the dative.
Die Nummer der Bordkarte steht auf dem Handy.
The number of the boarding pass is on the mobile phone.
die Nummer means number, steht means is written or appears, and das Handy means mobile phone. Der Bordkarte is genitive because it identifies which number is meant; auf dem Handy is dative because the number has a fixed location.
Die Passagiere zeigen ihre Bordkarten.
The passengers show their boarding passes.
die Passagiere means the passengers, zeigen means show, and ihre means their. Bordkarten is plural and accusative because zeigen takes the documents being shown; the finite verb zeigen is in position two.
die Buchung — booking, reservation
Die Buchung is the noun from buchen, to book. It can refer to the reservation itself or to the act of booking, depending on context.
Die Buchung ist bestätigt.
The booking is confirmed.
bestätigt means confirmed. Die Buchung is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich ändere die Buchung.
I am changing the booking.
ändern means to change. Die Buchung is accusative because ändern takes a direct object, even though the feminine nominative and accusative articles look identical.
Nach der Buchung erhalten Sie eine E-Mail.
After the booking, you will receive an email.
nach means after, erhalten means receive, and eine E-Mail means an email. Der Buchung is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so erhalten is still in position two.
Die Details der Buchung stehen in der E-Mail.
The details of the booking are in the email.
die Details means the details, stehen means are written or appear, and in der E-Mail means in the email. Der Buchung is genitive because it identifies which details; feminine genitive has the same noun form.
Online sind mehrere Buchungen möglich.
Several bookings are possible online.
online means online, mehrere means several, and möglich means possible. Buchungen is plural after mehrere, and the verb sind agrees with the plural subject.
der Campingplatz — campsite, campground
Campingplatz is a compound of Camping and Platz, place. With a tent, the usual location phrase is auf dem Campingplatz, with the dative after auf for a fixed location.
Der Campingplatz liegt direkt am See.
The campsite is right by the lake.
liegen means to be situated, direkt means right or directly, and der See is the lake. Der Campingplatz is nominative because it is the subject, and am See is an dem See, using the dative for location.
Wir suchen den Campingplatz auf der Karte.
We are looking for the campsite on the map.
suchen means to look for, die Karte is the map, and auf der Karte means on the map. Den Campingplatz is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; auf der Karte is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir übernachten auf dem Campingplatz.
We are staying overnight at the campsite.
übernachten means to stay overnight. Auf dem Campingplatz uses the dative because auf describes a location here, not movement towards it; the finite verb übernachten is in position two.
Die Regeln des Campingplatzes stehen am Eingang.
The campsite's rules are at the entrance.
die Regeln means the rules and der Eingang is the entrance. Des Campingplatzes is genitive to show whose rules they are, and the masculine singular noun takes -es after des.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Campingplätze.
There are many campsites in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany and viele means many. Campingplätze is the plural of Campingplatz and has an umlaut; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although the plural form itself has no visible case ending here.
der Check-in-Schalter — check-in counter
The compound combines Check-in with Schalter, meaning counter. Its plural is die Check-in-Schalter, with no plural ending because the final noun Schalter already has the same form in singular and plural.
Der Check-in-Schalter öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The check-in counter opens at six o’clock.
öffnet means opens, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Der Check-in-Schalter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich suche den Check-in-Schalter.
I am looking for the check-in counter.
suche means am looking for. Den Check-in-Schalter is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb suche stands in position two.
Wir warten am Check-in-Schalter.
We are waiting at the check-in counter.
warten means wait, and am means at the. Am Check-in-Schalter is dative because an describes a fixed location here; warten is in position two.
Die Nummer des Check-in-Schalters steht auf der Anzeige.
The number of the check-in counter is on the display.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is shown or stands, and die Anzeige is the display. Des Check-in-Schalters is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the check-in counter.”
Am Flughafen gibt es viele Check-in-Schalter.
There are many check-in counters at the airport.
der Flughafen is the airport, and viele means many. Check-in-Schalter is plural without an ending; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative, although the form looks like the nominative plural.
Der Check-in-Schalter ist neben dem Eingang.
The check-in counter is next to the entrance.
neben means next to, and der Eingang is the entrance. Der Check-in-Schalter is the subject in the nominative, while dem Eingang is dative because neben describes a location.
der Dampfer — steamer; steamship; vaporizer; steam device
A Dampfer is usually a ship, often one associated with an earlier period of steam-powered travel. The plural has no ending: der Dampfer, die Dampfer.
Der Dampfer fährt heute nach Hamburg.
The steamer is going to Hamburg today.
fährt means “travels” or “goes,” heute means “today,” and nach Hamburg means “to Hamburg.” Der Dampfer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb fährt is in position two.
Wir nehmen den Dampfer über den See.
We take the steamer across the lake.
wir nehmen means “we take,” über means “across,” and der See here means “the lake.” Den Dampfer is accusative because it is the direct object of nehmen; über den See is also accusative because it expresses movement across the lake.
Die Reise mit dem Dampfer macht Spaß.
The trip by steamer is fun.
die Reise means “the trip,” mit means “with” or “by,” and macht Spaß means “is fun.” Dem Dampfer is dative because mit always takes the dative; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Die Kabinen des Dampfers sind klein.
The steamer’s cabins are small.
die Kabinen means “the cabins,” and klein means “small.” Des Dampfers is genitive because it shows possession, and the plural subject die Kabinen makes the verb sind plural.
Dampfer fahren nicht mehr so oft wie früher.
Steamers do not travel as often as they used to.
nicht mehr means “no longer,” so oft means “as often,” and wie früher means “as in the past.” Dampfer has the same spelling in the singular and plural; the plural is shown by Dampfer with the article die when an article is present.
Der Arzt empfiehlt einen Dampfer für die Nase.
The doctor recommends a vaporizer for the nose.
der Arzt means “the doctor,” empfiehlt means “recommends,” and für die Nase means “for the nose.” Einen Dampfer is accusative because empfehlen takes a direct object, while für also requires the accusative.
Der Dampfer steht neben dem Bett.
The vaporizer is next to the bed.
steht means “is standing,” neben means “next to,” and das Bett means “the bed.” Der Dampfer is nominative because it is the subject, while neben dem Bett is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Doppelzimmer — double room
This compound combines doppelt, meaning double, with das Zimmer, meaning room. The plural is unusual because Doppelzimmer keeps the same ending in singular and plural.
Das Doppelzimmer ist heute noch frei.
The double room is still available today.
heute means today, noch means still, and frei means available or free. Das Doppelzimmer is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir nehmen das Doppelzimmer.
We will take the double room.
wir means we and nehmen means take or choose. Das Doppelzimmer is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object, while the finite verb nehmen stands in position two.
Wir schlafen in dem Doppelzimmer.
We are sleeping in the double room.
schlafen means to sleep. In takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location, so dem Doppelzimmer is dative; the finite verb schlafen is in position two.
Die Tür des Doppelzimmers ist offen.
The door of the double room is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. Des Doppelzimmers is genitive because it shows whose door it is, and the genitive ending -s belongs to the neuter noun.
Im Hotel gibt es zehn Doppelzimmer.
There are ten double rooms in the hotel.
im Hotel means in the hotel, gibt es means there are, and zehn means ten. The plural Doppelzimmer does not change its ending; after zehn, no article is needed.
einchecken — to check in
Einchecken is a separable verb borrowed from English: in a main clause, checke ... ein is split, but the infinitive and Partizip II stay together. It normally takes haben in the perfect: hat eingecheckt.
Ich checke um drei Uhr im Hotel ein.
I am checking in at the hotel at three o'clock.
um drei Uhr means at three o'clock, and im Hotel means at the hotel. The finite verb checke stands in position two and ein goes to the end because the verb is separable; im means in dem, and the dative marks the location rather than movement.
Wir haben schon am Flughafen eingecheckt.
We have already checked in at the airport.
schon means already, and am Flughafen means at the airport. The perfect uses haben ... eingecheckt because checking in is an action, not a movement to a new place; the auxiliary is in position two and the Partizip II goes to the end.
Sie checkte gestern online ein.
She checked in online yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and online means online. The weak past form is checkte, formed with -te, and the prefix ein is separated and placed at the end of the main clause.
Check bitte vor dem Flug ein!
Please check in before the flight!
bitte means please, and vor dem Flug means before the flight. This is the informal singular imperative: check comes first and ein goes to the end; vor takes the dative here because it refers to a time before an event.
Wenn ich früher ankomme, würde ich sofort einchecken.
If I arrived earlier, I would check in immediately.
wenn means if, früher means earlier, ankomme means arrive, and sofort means immediately. The subordinate verb ankomme goes to the end, while würde stands in position two and the infinitive einchecken stays together at the end of the main clause.
Nach der Landung wird die Reisegruppe im Hotel einchecken.
After landing, the tour group will check in at the hotel.
nach der Landung means after landing, die Reisegruppe is the tour group, and die Landung is the landing. In the future, wird is in position two and the infinitive einchecken remains together at the end; im Hotel is dative because it names the place where the group checks in.
die Einzelfahrkarte — single ticket
This usually means a ticket for one journey, not a return ticket. Einzelfahrkarte is common in public-transport contexts; Fahrkarte is the more general word for a ticket.
Die Einzelfahrkarte kostet drei Euro.
The single ticket costs three euros.
kosten means “to cost”, and drei Euro means “three euros”. Die Einzelfahrkarte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Einzelfahrkarte nach Bonn.
I am buying a single ticket to Bonn.
kaufen means “to buy”, and nach Bonn means “to Bonn”. Eine Einzelfahrkarte is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the destination uses nach with a place name.
Ich fahre mit einer Einzelfahrkarte nach Köln.
I am travelling to Cologne with a single ticket.
fahren means “to travel”, and nach Köln means “to Cologne”. Einer Einzelfahrkarte is dative because mit always takes the dative; the feminine article is einer.
Der Preis der Einzelfahrkarte steht am Automaten.
The price of the single ticket is shown on the machine.
der Preis means “the price”, steht means “is shown” here, and am Automaten means “on the ticket machine”. Der Einzelfahrkarte is genitive because it shows whose price it is; der is the feminine genitive article.
Die Einzelfahrkarten sind nur für eine Fahrt gültig.
The single tickets are valid for only one journey.
nur means “only”, eine Fahrt is “one journey”, and gültig means “valid”. Die Einzelfahrkarten is plural, and sind agrees with the plural subject.
das Einzelzimmer — single room
An Einzelzimmer is a hotel room for one person. Its plural is also Einzelzimmer, so the article or a number shows whether it is singular or plural.
Das Einzelzimmer ist im zweiten Stock.
The single room is on the second floor.
im zweiten Stock means on the second floor, and ist means is. Das Einzelzimmer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich buche das Einzelzimmer online.
I am booking the single room online.
buche means book, and online means online. Das Einzelzimmer is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Das Hotel gibt dem Einzelzimmer eine neue Nummer.
The hotel gives the single room a new number.
das Hotel is the hotel, gibt means gives, and eine neue Nummer is a new number. Dem Einzelzimmer is dative because it is the recipient or affected thing after geben; the neuter article changes from das to dem.
Die Tür des Einzelzimmers ist offen.
The door of the single room is open.
die Tür is the door and offen means open. Des Einzelzimmers is genitive because it identifies which door; the neuter noun adds -s and uses des.
Im Hotel gibt es zehn Einzelzimmer.
There are ten single rooms in the hotel.
im Hotel means in the hotel, gibt es means there are, and zehn means ten. Einzelzimmer has the same form in singular and plural; after es gibt, the plural noun is accusative, although the article is absent here.
entfernt — distant, far away; remote
For physical distance, entfernt means far away; it can also mean emotionally or socially distant. Do not confuse it with the verb entfernen, which means to remove.
Der Bahnhof ist entfernt.
The railway station is far away.
der Bahnhof is the railway station, and sein means to be. Entfernt is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir besuchen ein entferntes Dorf.
We are visiting a distant village.
besuchen means to visit, and das Dorf is the village. Entferntes stands before the noun and takes -es because ein entferntes Dorf is neuter accusative.
Der neue Bahnhof ist entfernter als der alte.
The new railway station is farther away than the old one.
neu means new, alt means old, and als means than. Entfernter compares two stations and is predicative, so it has no adjective ending.
Dieses Dorf liegt am entferntesten.
This village is the farthest away.
dieses Dorf means this village, and liegen means to be situated. Am entferntesten is the predicative superlative; am is part of the fixed am ... -sten form.
die Entfernung — distance
The plural Entfernungen is used for separate distances or distances in general. The genitive singular is der Entfernung; the form is identical to the dative singular, so the surrounding grammar shows the case.
Die Entfernung ist nicht groß.
The distance is not great.
nicht groß means not great or not large. Die Entfernung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir messen die Entfernung.
We are measuring the distance.
messen means to measure. Die Entfernung is accusative because it is the direct object of messen; the feminine article is identical in nominative and accusative.
Bei der Entfernung brauche ich ein Auto.
At that distance, I need a car.
bei means at or with, and brauchen means to need. Der Entfernung is dative because bei always requires the dative; ein Auto is the thing needed.
Die Größe der Entfernung überrascht mich.
The size of the distance surprises me.
die Größe means the size, and überraschen means to surprise. Der Entfernung is genitive because it specifies which size; mich is accusative because I am the person affected.
Große Entfernungen sind anstrengend.
Long distances are tiring.
groß means large or long, and anstrengend means tiring. Entfernungen is the plural subject; the adjective große has -e because it stands before a plural noun with no article.
der Fahrgast — passenger, public-transport passenger
Fahrgast is used especially for someone travelling on public transport; Passagier is more common for air or sea travel. Do not confuse it with Fahrer, who operates the vehicle.
Der Fahrgast liest eine Zeitung.
The passenger is reading a newspaper.
liest means is reading, and eine Zeitung means a newspaper. Der Fahrgast is nominative because it is the subject; eine Zeitung is accusative because lesen takes a direct object.
Der Kontrolleur bittet den Fahrgast um den Fahrschein.
The inspector asks the passenger for the ticket.
der Kontrolleur means the inspector, bittet means asks, and der Fahrschein means the ticket. Den Fahrgast is accusative because it is the person asked; um takes the accusative in the pattern jemanden um etwas bitten.
Die Schaffnerin gibt dem Fahrgast eine Auskunft.
The train conductor gives the passenger some information.
die Schaffnerin means the train conductor, and eine Auskunft means some information or an answer. Dem Fahrgast is dative because it is the recipient of geben; eine Auskunft is the accusative thing given.
Die Beschwerde des Fahrgasts liegt am Schalter.
The passenger's complaint is at the counter.
die Beschwerde means the complaint, and der Schalter means the service counter. Des Fahrgasts is genitive because it identifies whose complaint it is; the masculine noun takes -s, while am means an dem and takes the dative for a location.
Die Fahrgäste steigen an der nächsten Station aus.
The passengers get off at the next station.
steigen ... aus means get off, and die nächste Station means the next station. Fahrgäste is the umlaut plural of Fahrgast; the separable verb puts steigen in position two and aus at the end.
der Fahrkartenschalter — ticket counter, ticket office
This compound means a counter for buying Fahrkarten. The plural has the same noun form as the singular, so the article or another determiner is important.
Der Fahrkartenschalter öffnet um sechs Uhr.
The ticket counter opens at six o'clock.
öffnet means opens, and sechs Uhr means six o'clock. Der Fahrkartenschalter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb öffnet is in position two.
Ich suche den Fahrkartenschalter.
I am looking for the ticket counter.
suche means am looking for. Den Fahrkartenschalter is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Am Fahrkartenschalter bekomme ich eine Fahrkarte.
I get a ticket at the ticket counter.
bekomme means get, and eine Fahrkarte means a ticket. Am Fahrkartenschalter is dative because am means an dem; the finite verb bekomme is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Öffnungszeiten des Fahrkartenschalters stehen an der Tür.
The ticket counter's opening hours are displayed on the door.
die Öffnungszeiten means opening hours, and an der Tür means on the door. Des Fahrkartenschalters is genitive to show possession and takes -s; the verb stehen is in position two.
Die Fahrkartenschalter sind heute geschlossen.
The ticket counters are closed today.
heute means today, and geschlossen means closed. Fahrkartenschalter is plural even though its form does not change; sind and the article die show the plural.
der Fernbus — long-distance bus
Fernbus means a bus for long-distance travel, in contrast to a local city bus. The plural is Fernbusse; after mit, use dative: mit dem Fernbus.
Der Fernbus fährt um acht Uhr ab.
The long-distance bus leaves at eight o'clock.
fährt ... ab means leaves, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Fernbus is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb abfahren splits, with fährt in position two and ab at the end.
Ich nehme den Fernbus nach Hamburg.
I am taking the long-distance bus to Hamburg.
nehme means take and nach Hamburg means to Hamburg. Den Fernbus is accusative because it is the object of nehmen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir fahren mit dem Fernbus nach Köln.
We are travelling to Cologne by long-distance bus.
mit means with or by, and nach Köln means to Cologne. Dem Fernbus is dative because mit always takes dative; the means of transport is normally expressed with mit.
Die Abfahrt des Fernbusses verspätet sich.
The departure of the long-distance bus is delayed.
die Abfahrt means the departure and verspätet sich means is delayed. Des Fernbusses is genitive because it specifies the bus's departure; the masculine noun adds -es in the genitive.
Fernbusse sind oft günstig.
Long-distance buses are often inexpensive.
oft means often and günstig means inexpensive. Fernbusse is the plural subject, so it takes the plural verb sind; the plural ending is -e with an umlaut in Bus.
der Flug — flight; flight, flying
Der Flug usually means a journey by plane, while fliegen is the verb to fly. A common pattern is einen Flug buchen, to book a flight; transport destinations often follow nach, as in der Flug nach Berlin.
Der Flug dauert drei Stunden.
The flight takes three hours.
dauert means takes or lasts, and drei Stunden means three hours. Der Flug is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich buche den Flug online.
I am booking the flight online.
ich buche means I book, and online means online. Den Flug is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; buche is the finite verb in position two.
Nach dem Flug brauche ich einen Kaffee.
After the flight, I need a coffee.
nach dem Flug means after the flight, brauche means need, and einen Kaffee means a coffee. The preposition nach always takes the dative; because the prepositional phrase comes first, brauche still comes second and ich follows it.
Die Dauer des Flugs ist unklar.
The duration of the flight is unclear.
die Dauer means the duration, and unklar means unclear. Des Flugs is genitive and shows which flight is meant; ist is in position two, with die Dauer as the subject.
Im Sommer sind die Flüge oft voll.
In summer, the flights are often full.
im Sommer means in summer, oft means often, and voll means full. Flüge is the plural subject, so the verb is plural sind; the umlaut is part of the plural form.
Der Vogel verändert seine Richtung im Flug.
The bird changes its direction in flight.
der Vogel means the bird, verändert means changes, and seine Richtung means its direction. Im Flug is short for in dem Flug and uses dative after in for a location or state; verändert is in position two.
Im Flug der Zeit wird vieles leichter.
As time goes by, many things become easier.
der Zeit means of time, and vieles means many things; leichter means easier. Im Flug der Zeit is a figurative phrase meaning as time passes, and wird is in position two while leichter comes at the end as the predicate adjective.
die Flugverbindung — flight connection, flight route
A Flugverbindung can be one direct route or a journey involving a connection. direkt means direct, while a connection with a change of plane may still be called a Flugverbindung.
Die Flugverbindung nach Madrid ist bequem.
The flight connection to Madrid is convenient.
nach Madrid means to Madrid, and bequem means convenient. Flugverbindung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich buche die Flugverbindung online.
I am booking the flight connection online.
buche means book, and online means on the internet. die Flugverbindung is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; the feminine article does not change in the accusative.
Mit der Flugverbindung spare ich Zeit.
With this flight connection, I save time.
mit means with, spare means save, and die Zeit means time. der Flugverbindung is dative because mit requires the dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so spare still occupies position two.
Die Dauer der Flugverbindung beträgt drei Stunden.
The duration of the flight connection is three hours.
die Dauer means the duration, and beträgt means amounts to or is. der Flugverbindung is genitive after Dauer to say whose duration it is; the feminine noun itself does not add an ending.
Direkte Flugverbindungen sind oft teurer.
Direct flight connections are often more expensive.
direkte means direct, oft means often, and teurer means more expensive. Flugverbindungen is plural and is the subject, so the verb is sind; the plural ending is -en.
das Gate — airport gate; access gate; access gate; gateway
In travel contexts, das Gate is the place where passengers board a plane. It is a borrowed neuter noun with the regular plural Gates.
Das Gate für unseren Flug ist Nummer zwölf.
The gate for our flight is number twelve.
unseren Flug means our flight, and Nummer zwölf means number twelve. Das Gate is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen das richtige Gate.
We are looking for the correct gate.
suchen means to look for, and richtig means correct. Das richtige Gate is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das does not change in the accusative.
Ich warte am Gate auf meine Schwester.
I am waiting for my sister at the gate.
warte means am waiting, and meine Schwester means my sister. Am is an dem and forces the dative for a location, so dem Gate becomes am Gate.
Die Nummer des Gates steht auf der Bordkarte.
The gate number is on the boarding pass.
die Nummer means the number, steht means is written or stands, and die Bordkarte is the boarding pass. Des Gates is genitive because it identifies whose number it is; the borrowed noun takes -s.
Die Gates öffnen eine Stunde vor dem Abflug.
The gates open one hour before departure.
öffnen means open, eine Stunde means one hour, and der Abflug means departure. Die Gates is the plural subject, while vor dem Abflug uses the dative because vor describes a time.
Am Eingang gibt es ein zusätzliches Gate.
There is an additional access gate at the entrance.
der Eingang means the entrance, zusätzlich means additional, and es gibt means there is. Ein zusätzliches Gate is accusative after es gibt, while the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Bitte öffne das Gate für die Besucher.
Please open the gate for the visitors.
öffne means open, für means for, and die Besucher are the visitors. Das Gate is accusative because öffnen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
das Gepäckband — luggage belt, baggage carousel
Gepäckband is a compound of Gepäck (luggage) and Band (belt). At an airport, it means the conveyor belt or carousel where you collect your bags; its plural is Gepäckbänder.
Das Gepäckband ist noch leer.
The luggage belt is still empty.
noch means still, and leer means empty. Das Gepäckband is nominative because it is the subject, and the adjective leer follows ist without an ending.
Wir suchen das Gepäckband.
We are looking for the luggage belt.
wir suchen means we are looking for. Das Gepäckband is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suchen is in position two.
Wir stehen neben dem Gepäckband.
We are standing next to the luggage belt.
stehen means to stand, and neben means next to. Here neben describes a fixed location and takes dative, so das Gepäckband becomes dem Gepäckband.
Die Nummer des Gepäckbandes steht auf der Anzeige.
The number of the luggage belt is shown on the display.
die Nummer means the number, steht auf means is shown on, and die Anzeige is the display. des Gepäckbandes is genitive because it identifies whose number it is; auf der Anzeige is dative because it describes a location.
Die Gepäckbänder sind im Erdgeschoss.
The luggage belts are on the ground floor.
die Gepäckbänder means the luggage belts, and das Erdgeschoss means the ground floor. The plural subject takes sind, while im Erdgeschoss is dative because im means in dem and describes location.
der Hafen — harbour, port
Der Hafen is used for a place where ships arrive and depart. Do not confuse it with der Bahnhof, railway station, which contains the related word Bahn, railway.
Der Hafen liegt nahe am Stadtzentrum.
The harbour is near the city centre.
liegt means is situated, nahe means near, and das Stadtzentrum means the city centre. Der Hafen is nominative because it is the subject; am means an dem, and dem Stadtzentrum is dative because this phrase describes location.
Wir besuchen den Hafen am Abend.
We are visiting the harbour in the evening.
besuchen means visit, and am Abend means in the evening. Den Hafen is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus zu dem Hafen.
I am going to the harbour by bus.
fahre means travel or go, mit dem Bus means by bus, and zu means to. Dem Hafen is dative because zu always takes the dative; the finite verb fahre is in position two and the destination phrase follows.
Die Einfahrt des Hafens ist heute gesperrt.
The entrance to the harbour is closed today.
die Einfahrt means the entrance, heute means today, and gesperrt means closed or blocked. Des Hafens is genitive because it identifies which entrance is meant; ist is in position two and gesperrt is a predicative adjective.
An der Küste gibt es viele Häfen.
There are many harbours on the coast.
an der Küste means on the coast, and gibt es means there are. Häfen is plural, but it is accusative because the fixed expression es gibt takes an accusative object; der Küste is dative because an describes a location here.
die Halbpension — half board; breakfast and one main meal included
Halbpension is a mass noun and normally has no plural. In hotel descriptions, it usually means breakfast plus dinner, while Vollpension means all main meals.
Halbpension ist im Preis enthalten.
Half board is included in the price.
im Preis enthalten means included in the price. Halbpension is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir buchen Halbpension für eine Woche.
We are booking half board for a week.
buchen means to book, and für eine Woche means for one week. Halbpension is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; für also always takes the accusative.
Mit Halbpension müssen wir abends nicht kochen.
With half board, we do not have to cook in the evenings.
mit means with, abends means in the evenings, and kochen means to cook. Mit Halbpension is dative because mit always takes the dative; müssen is in position two and kochen goes to the end.
Der Preis der Halbpension steht auf der Rechnung.
The price of the half board is on the bill.
der Preis means the price, steht means is written or stands, and die Rechnung means the bill. Der Halbpension is genitive because it identifies what the price is for; steht is in position two.
das Handgepäck — hand luggage, carry-on baggage
Handgepäck is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For separate items, use ein Gepäckstück or zwei Taschen.
Mein Handgepäck ist schon fertig.
My hand luggage is ready.
schon fertig means already ready. Mein Handgepäck is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two; Handgepäck is a mass noun and normally has no plural.
Ich nehme mein Handgepäck mit ins Flugzeug.
I take my hand luggage onto the plane.
mitnehmen means to take along, and das Flugzeug is the plane. Mein Handgepäck is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the separable verb appears as nehme ... mit, with the finite part in position two and the prefix at the end.
Mit meinem Handgepäck gehe ich direkt zum Gate.
With my hand luggage, I go straight to the gate.
mit means with, direkt means straight, and das Gate is the gate. Mit forces the dative, so meinem Handgepäck is dative; the verb gehe still stands in position two after the opening phrase.
Das Gewicht des Handgepäcks ist begrenzt.
The weight of the hand luggage is limited.
das Gewicht is the weight, and begrenzt means limited. Des Handgepäcks is genitive to show what the weight belongs to, and ist is the finite verb in position two.
die Himmelsrichtung — compass direction, cardinal direction
The four basic Himmelsrichtungen are Norden, Süden, Osten and Westen.
Die Himmelsrichtung ist auf der Karte eingezeichnet.
The compass direction is marked on the map.
die Karte means the map, and eingezeichnet means marked or drawn in. Die Himmelsrichtung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two, and eingezeichnet goes to the end in the passive.
Ich kenne die Himmelsrichtung nicht.
I do not know the compass direction.
kennen means to know or be familiar with, and nicht means not. Die Himmelsrichtung is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Wir folgen der Himmelsrichtung.
We follow the compass direction.
folgen means to follow, and wir means we. Der Himmelsrichtung is dative because folgen always takes a dative object; the finite verb folgen stands in position two.
Die Bedeutung der Himmelsrichtung ist klar.
The meaning of the compass direction is clear.
die Bedeutung means the meaning, and klar means clear. Der Himmelsrichtung is genitive because it shows whose meaning it is; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die vier Himmelsrichtungen heißen Norden, Süden, Osten und Westen.
The four compass directions are called north, south, east and west.
vier means four, and heißen means are called; Norden, Süden, Osten and Westen are north, south, east and west. Himmelsrichtungen is plural and is the nominative subject, so the plural verb heißen stands in position two.
hinfahren — to go there, to travel there
The separable prefix hin- points away from the speaker towards a destination. For movement in a vehicle, the perfect normally uses sein, as in ist hingefahren.
Wir fahren morgen nach Berlin hin.
We are travelling to Berlin tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Nach Berlin is a directional phrase, and the finite verb fahren stands in position two while the prefix hin moves to the end.
Wir sind gestern nach Berlin hingefahren.
We travelled to Berlin yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Hingefahren is the Partizip II and pairs with sein because this verb expresses movement; it stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Früher fuhr ich jeden Sommer ans Meer hin.
I used to travel to the seaside every summer.
früher means in the past, jeden Sommer means every summer, and ans Meer means to the seaside. The strong past form fuhr is in position two, while hin is separated and placed at the end.
Fahr jetzt nach Hause hin!
Go home now!
jetzt means now, and nach Hause means home. This is the informal singular imperative; fahr comes first and the separable prefix hin goes to the end.
Ich würde morgen gern nach Köln hinfahren.
I would like to travel to Cologne tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, gern means gladly or would like to, and nach Köln means to Cologne. Würde introduces the Konjunktiv II, so the whole infinitive hinfahren stays together at the end.
Wir werden am Samstag nach Hamburg hinfahren.
We will travel to Hamburg on Saturday.
am Samstag means on Saturday, and nach Hamburg means to Hamburg. In the future, werden is the finite verb in position two and the complete infinitive hinfahren goes to the end.
die Hinfahrt — outward journey, trip to a destination
Hinfahrt usually means the first journey of a return trip, in contrast to Rückfahrt, the journey back. It is feminine, so the genitive singular is der Hinfahrt.
Die Hinfahrt dauert drei Stunden.
The outward journey takes three hours.
dauert means lasts, and drei Stunden means three hours. Die Hinfahrt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich buche die Hinfahrt online.
I book the outward journey online.
buche means book, and online means online. Die Hinfahrt is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Auf der Hinfahrt lesen wir ein Buch.
We read a book on the outward journey.
auf der Hinfahrt means on the outward journey, and lesen means read. Here auf describes a location or situation rather than movement and therefore takes the dative; der Hinfahrt is feminine dative.
Die Dauer der Hinfahrt überrascht mich.
The length of the outward journey surprises me.
die Dauer means the length, and überrascht means surprises. Der Hinfahrt is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the genitive feminine article is der.
Die Hinfahrten sind am Wochenende oft teurer.
Outward journeys are often more expensive at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, oft means often, and teurer means more expensive. Die Hinfahrten is plural and nominative as the subject, so the finite verb is sind.
die Hochzeitsreise — honeymoon, honeymoon trip
Die Hochzeitsreise is the trip a couple takes after getting married. German often uses the expression auf Hochzeitsreise, with auf plus dative for being on the trip.
Die Hochzeitsreise beginnt morgen.
The honeymoon begins tomorrow.
beginnt means begins and morgen means tomorrow. Die Hochzeitsreise is nominative because it is the subject, and beginnt is in position two.
Wir buchen die Hochzeitsreise heute.
We are booking the honeymoon today.
buchen means to book and heute means today. Die Hochzeitsreise is accusative because it is the direct object of buchen.
Nach der Hochzeitsreise beginnt wieder die Arbeit.
After the honeymoon, work starts again.
nach means after, beginnt means starts, and wieder means again. Der Hochzeitsreise is dative because nach takes the dative; the verb comes before die Arbeit because the phrase is in position one.
Die Fotos der Hochzeitsreise hängen im Flur.
The photos from the honeymoon are hanging in the hallway.
die Fotos means the photos, hängen means are hanging, and der Flur means the hallway. Der Hochzeitsreise is genitive and specifies which trip the photos are from.
Viele Hochzeitsreisen führen nach Italien.
Many honeymoon trips go to Italy.
viele means many, führen means lead or go, and nach Italien means to Italy. Hochzeitsreisen is plural after viele; nach marks direction and is used without an article before most country names.
Sie sparen lange für die Hochzeitsreise.
They save for a long time for the honeymoon.
sparen means to save money and lange means for a long time. Für die Hochzeitsreise is accusative because für always takes the accusative, and sparen is in position two.
das Hostel — hostel, budget accommodation
A Hostel is usually cheaper than a hotel and often has shared rooms. It is a borrowed noun, so its plural is Hostels, not Hostele.
Das Hostel liegt im Zentrum.
The hostel is in the city centre.
liegt means is located, and im Zentrum means in the city centre. Das Hostel is the nominative subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir buchen das Hostel online.
We book the hostel online.
buchen means book, and online means online. Das Hostel is accusative because buchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das is the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir vertrauen dem Hostel bei der Reiseplanung.
We trust the hostel when planning the trip.
vertrauen means trust, and bei der Reiseplanung means when planning the trip. Dem Hostel is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative object; this is a common case trap because English uses no visible case ending.
Die Adresse des Hostels steht in der E-Mail.
The hostel's address is in the email.
die Adresse means the address, and steht means is written or is found. Des Hostels is genitive because it means of the hostel; the borrowed neuter noun adds -s after des.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Hostels.
There are many hostels in this city.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and viele means many. Hostels is plural after viele and takes -s; with es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative even though the sentence is translated with “there are”.
der Intercity — InterCity train
der Intercity is a fast long-distance train; travel information often abbreviates it as der IC. The plural is regular with -s, and the word is often used with mit plus the dative.
Der Intercity fährt um acht Uhr ab.
The InterCity train departs at eight o'clock.
fährt ab means departs, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. der Intercity is the nominative subject; fährt is in position two and the separable prefix ab goes to the end.
Wir nehmen den Intercity nach Hamburg.
We are taking the InterCity train to Hamburg.
wir nehmen means we are taking, and nach Hamburg means to Hamburg. den Intercity is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Mit dem Intercity sind wir schnell in Köln.
By InterCity train, we are quickly in Cologne.
mit dem Intercity means by InterCity train, schnell means quickly, and in Köln means in Cologne. mit always takes the dative, so the masculine article is dem; the finite verb sind is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Abfahrt des Intercitys wurde verschoben.
The departure of the InterCity train was postponed.
die Abfahrt means the departure and wurde verschoben means was postponed. des Intercitys is genitive and means of the InterCity train; the masculine article is des, while the noun itself keeps its -s ending.
Am Bahnsteig warten schon drei Intercitys.
Three InterCity trains are already waiting at the platform.
am Bahnsteig means at the platform, warten means are waiting, schon means already, and drei means three. Intercitys is plural and is the subject, so the verb is plural: warten.
die Jugendherberge — youth hostel
A Jugendherberge is usually cheaper and more basic than a hotel, and guests often share rooms. The common abbreviation is JH, especially in names and travel information.
Die Jugendherberge liegt nahe am Bahnhof.
The youth hostel is near the train station.
liegt means is located, nahe means near, and Bahnhof means train station. Die Jugendherberge is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir suchen die Jugendherberge im Internet.
We are looking for the youth hostel on the internet.
suchen means look for and im Internet means on the internet. Die Jugendherberge is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir schlafen in der Jugendherberge.
We are sleeping in the youth hostel.
schlafen means sleep. In der Jugendherberge describes a location, so in requires the dative; the finite verb schlafen is in position two.
Der Eingang der Jugendherberge ist neben dem Park.
The entrance to the youth hostel is next to the park.
Eingang means entrance, neben means next to, and Park means park. Der Jugendherberge is genitive because it identifies which entrance; neben dem Park uses dative because neben describes a location.
Viele Jugendherbergen bieten Frühstück an.
Many youth hostels offer breakfast.
viele means many, bieten means offer, and Frühstück means breakfast. Jugendherbergen is the plural subject, and an belongs to the separable verb anbieten, so it moves to the end of the main clause.
die Kabine — cabin, booth, compartment; vehicle or aircraft cabin
Kabine can mean a changing booth, a cabin on a ship or aircraft, or a compartment such as a truck cab. The exact meaning usually comes from the context.
Die Kabine ist sehr eng.
The cabin is very cramped.
ist means is, and eng means cramped or narrow. Die Kabine is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen die Kabine am Ende des Flurs.
We are looking for the cabin at the end of the corridor.
suchen means look for, am Ende means at the end, and der Flur means corridor. Die Kabine is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; suchen stands in position two.
Der Arzt hilft der Kabine?
—
helfen means help, but a doctor does not normally help a cabin, so this sentence is not a natural example. The dative form der Kabine is nevertheless the form used after a verb that assigns dative; learners should use a human or an institution with helfen instead.
Die Tür der Kabine ist offen.
The door of the cabin is open.
Die Tür means the door and offen means open. Der Kabine is genitive because it shows which door is meant; the feminine genitive article is der, and ist stands in position two.
Die Gäste warten vor den Kabinen.
The guests are waiting outside the cabins.
Die Gäste means the guests, warten means wait, and vor means in front of or outside. Den Kabinen is plural dative because vor expresses location here; the plural keeps -n after the article den.
Die Passagiere sitzen in der Kabine.
The passengers are sitting in the cabin.
Die Passagiere means the passengers and sitzen means are sitting. In der Kabine is dative because in describes a fixed location here; sitzen stands in position two.
Der Pilot geht zurück in die Kabine.
The pilot goes back into the cabin.
Der Pilot means the pilot, geht zurück means goes back, and in means into here. Die Kabine is accusative because in expresses movement towards a place; the separable verb has geht in position two and zurück at the end.
der Kanal — canal; channel; channel
A Kanal can be a waterway, but it can also be a television or online channel. The intended meaning is usually clear from words such as Boot for boat or Fernsehen for television.
Der Kanal führt durch die Stadt.
The canal runs through the city.
führt durch means runs through, and die Stadt means the city. Der Kanal is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb führt is in position two, while durch die Stadt gives the route.
Wir überqueren den Kanal mit dem Fahrrad.
We cross the canal by bicycle.
überqueren means cross, mit dem Fahrrad means by bicycle. Den Kanal is accusative because überqueren takes a direct object; mit requires the dative, shown by dem Fahrrad.
Die Boote fahren durch den Kanal.
The boats travel through the canal.
die Boote means the boats and fahren means travel or go. Den Kanal is accusative because the preposition durch always takes the accusative; it is not dative here, despite the canal being a location.
Die Breite des Kanals beträgt zehn Meter.
The canal's width is ten metres.
die Breite means the width and beträgt means amounts to or is. Des Kanals is genitive because it identifies what the width belongs to; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Kanäle verbinden mehrere Städte.
The canals connect several cities.
verbinden means connect and mehrere Städte means several cities. Kanäle is the plural subject, so the verb is verbinden; the umlaut and -e are part of the plural form.
Welchen Kanal möchtest du sehen?
Which channel would you like to watch?
welchen means which, möchtest means would like, and sehen means watch or see. Welchen Kanal is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; after the finite möchtest, the infinitive sehen goes to the end.
Auf diesem Kanal läuft heute ein Film.
A film is showing on this channel today.
auf diesem Kanal means on this channel, läuft means is showing, and heute means today. Auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so diesem Kanal is dative; the finite verb läuft is in position two.
die Küste — coast, shore
Die Küste ist heute sehr windig.
The coast is very windy today.
heute means today, and windig means windy. Die Küste is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Küste im Sommer.
We are visiting the coast in summer.
besuchen means visit, and im Sommer means in summer. die Küste is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuchen is in position two.
Wir wohnen nahe der Küste.
We live near the coast.
wohnen means live, and nahe means near. der Küste is dative because the preposition nahe governs the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Schönheit der Küste beeindruckt mich.
The beauty of the coast impresses me.
die Schönheit means the beauty, and beeindruckt means impresses. der Küste is genitive because it identifies whose beauty it is; the finite verb beeindruckt remains in position two.
An den Küsten gibt es viele kleine Dörfer.
There are many small villages on the coasts.
an den Küsten means on the coasts, viele means many, and kleine Dörfer means small villages. Küsten adds -n in the plural, and an takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement.
landen — to land; to end up; to come down
Landen is an intransitive verb, so it normally has no direct accusative object. Its perfect uses sein: ist gelandet, not hat gelandet.
Das Flugzeug landet um acht Uhr.
The plane lands at eight o'clock.
das Flugzeug is the plane, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. The finite verb landet is in position two, and the sentence uses the present for a timetable or a current event.
Das Flugzeug ist sicher gelandet.
The plane landed safely.
sicher means safely. Gelandet is the Partizip II and pairs with ist, not hat, because the plane changes location; the participle goes to the end of the perfect clause.
Das Flugzeug landete gestern Abend.
The plane landed yesterday evening.
gestern Abend means yesterday evening. Landete is the regular weak preterite form, and the finite verb remains in position two in this main clause.
Lande bitte sofort!
Please land immediately!
bitte means please, and sofort means immediately. The imperative puts lande first and leaves out du; the exclamation mark belongs to the sentence, not to the searchable verb form.
Wenn der Wind schwächer wäre, landete das Flugzeug früher.
If the wind were weaker, the plane would land earlier.
der Wind is the wind, schwächer means weaker, and früher means earlier. Here landete is also the Konjunktiv II form, whose form is identical to the preterite for this weak verb; it comes after the subject in the main clause, while wäre goes to the end of the conditional clause.
Das Flugzeug wird um Mitternacht landen.
The plane will land at midnight.
um Mitternacht means at midnight. Wird is the finite form of werden in position two, and the infinitive landen goes to the end; German often uses the present instead when the future time is already clear.
Der Ball landet im Garten.
The ball lands in the garden.
der Ball is the ball, and der Garten is the garden. Im Garten is short for in dem Garten and is dative because it describes the place where the ball ends up; the finite verb landet is in position two.
Nach dem Sprung ist er im Wasser gelandet.
After the jump, he ended up in the water.
der Sprung is the jump, and das Wasser is the water. Im Wasser is dative because it names a location, and ist gelandet uses sein because the person changes place; the participle stands at the end.
die Landstraße — country road
A Landstraße is outside a built-up area; it is not necessarily an unpaved road. The word Land here means the countryside, not a country.
Die Landstraße führt durch einen Wald.
The country road leads through a forest.
führt durch means “leads through”, and der Wald means “the forest”. Die Landstraße is the nominative subject; durch takes the accusative, so einen Wald is accusative.
Wir nehmen die Landstraße nach Bonn.
We take the country road to Bonn.
nehmen means “take”, and nach Bonn means “to Bonn”. die Landstraße is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb nehmen stands in position two.
Auf der Landstraße muss man langsam fahren.
You have to drive slowly on the country road.
muss man means “one has to”, and langsam fahren means “drive slowly”. auf der Landstraße is dative because auf expresses a fixed location; with the modal müssen, the infinitive fahren goes to the end.
Der Rand der Landstraße ist schlecht beleuchtet.
The edge of the country road is poorly lit.
der Rand means “the edge”, schlecht beleuchtet means “poorly lit”. der Landstraße is genitive because it identifies which edge; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Landstraßen sind am Wochenende oft voll.
The country roads are often busy at the weekend.
am Wochenende means “at the weekend”, and voll means “busy” or “full”. Landstraßen is plural, so the verb is sind; am is short for an dem.
die Landung — landing
Landung is most often used for an aircraft, but it can also describe a person or object reaching the ground. The related verb is landen, “to land”.
Die Landung war sehr ruhig.
The landing was very smooth.
war means “was”, and ruhig means “smooth” or “quiet”. Die Landung is the nominative subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Passagiere erwarten die Landung um acht Uhr.
The passengers expect the landing at eight o’clock.
die Passagiere means “the passengers”, erwarten means “expect”, and um acht Uhr means “at eight o’clock”. die Landung is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object; the finite verb erwarten is in position two.
Nach der Landung bleiben alle noch im Flugzeug.
After the landing, everyone stays on the plane for a while.
nach der Landung means “after the landing”, bleiben means “stay”, and alle means “everyone”. nach always takes the dative, so der Landung is dative; the verb bleiben is in position two after the opening phrase.
Der Zeitpunkt der Landung hängt vom Wetter ab.
The time of the landing depends on the weather.
der Zeitpunkt means “the time”, hängt ... ab means “depends”, and das Wetter means “the weather”. der Landung is genitive because it specifies which time; abhängen is separable, so hängt is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Wegen der starken Winde wurden mehrere Landungen verschoben.
Because of the strong winds, several landings were postponed.
wegen means “because of”, starke Winde means “strong winds”, mehrere means “several”, and verschoben means “postponed”. der starken Winde is genitive after wegen; Landungen is plural and is the subject of the passive verb wurden verschoben.
der Leuchtturm — lighthouse
Leuchtturm is a compound of leuchten, to shine, and Turm, tower. Its plural has an umlaut: die Leuchttürme.
Der Leuchtturm steht auf der Insel.
The lighthouse stands on the island.
steht means stands, and die Insel is the island. Der Leuchtturm is nominative because it is the subject; auf der Insel uses the dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir fotografieren den Leuchtturm.
We are photographing the lighthouse.
fotografieren means photograph. Den Leuchtturm is accusative because it is the direct object of fotografieren; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Touristin nähert sich dem Leuchtturm.
The tourist approaches the lighthouse.
die Touristin is the female tourist, and sich nähern means approach. Dem Leuchtturm is dative because sich nähern requires a dative object; the reflexive pronoun sich refers to the tourist.
Das Licht des Leuchtturms ist sehr hell.
The lighthouse's light is very bright.
das Licht is the light, and sehr hell means very bright. Des Leuchtturms is genitive to show possession, meaning the light belonging to the lighthouse; the noun adds -s.
An der Küste stehen mehrere Leuchttürme.
Several lighthouses stand on the coast.
an der Küste means on the coast, and mehrere means several. Leuchttürme is the plural subject; an takes the dative here because the lighthouses are in a fixed place.
der Lichtbildausweis — photo ID, identity card with a photograph
This compound combines Lichtbild, meaning photograph, with Ausweis, meaning identity document. The plural is Lichtbildausweise, with -e and no change to the stem.
Der Lichtbildausweis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The photo ID is on the table.
liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Lichtbildausweis is nominative because it is the subject, and liegt is in position two.
Ich brauche den Lichtbildausweis für die Anmeldung.
I need the photo ID for the registration.
brauche means need, für means for, and die Anmeldung is the registration. Den Lichtbildausweis is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the finite verb brauche stands in position two.
Ich zeige der Mitarbeiterin dem Lichtbildausweis.
I show the employee the photo ID.
zeige means show, and die Mitarbeiterin is the female employee. Dem Lichtbildausweis is dative as the thing shown to someone in this construction, while der Mitarbeiterin is also dative as the recipient; the long compound keeps the masculine article dem.
Die Nummer des Lichtbildausweises steht hier.
The number of the photo ID is written here.
die Nummer means the number, and steht hier means is written here. Des Lichtbildausweises is genitive to show which number is meant; the masculine noun takes des and -es.
Bitte bringen Sie zwei Lichtbildausweise mit.
Please bring two photo IDs with you.
bringen means bring, zwei means two, and mit means along or with you. Lichtbildausweise is the plural after zwei; mitbringen is separable, so its finite form is split in the main clause.
der Meerblick — sea view
Meerblick is a compound of Meer and Blick. It is often used after mit without an article, as in ein Zimmer mit Meerblick.
Der Meerblick ist fantastisch.
The sea view is fantastic.
fantastisch means fantastic. Der Meerblick is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Hotel bietet einen Meerblick.
The hotel offers a sea view.
das Hotel means the hotel, and bietet means offers. Einen Meerblick is accusative because bieten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Wir sitzen mit einem Meerblick auf der Terrasse.
We are sitting on the terrace with a sea view.
sitzen means to sit, mit means with, and auf der Terrasse means on the terrace. Einem Meerblick is dative because mit always takes the dative.
Die Aussicht des Meerblicks gefällt uns.
We like the view of the sea view.
die Aussicht means the view, and gefällt uns means is pleasing to us. Des Meerblicks is genitive after Aussicht; uns is dative because gefallen takes the person who likes something in the dative.
Viele Ferienwohnungen haben Meerblicke.
Many holiday apartments have sea views.
viele Ferienwohnungen means many holiday apartments, and haben means have. Meerblicke is plural accusative because haben takes a direct object.