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Vocab: Travel — A2 (2)
Travel vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
die Meile — mile
In everyday German, distances are usually given in Kilometer rather than Meilen. The word can also refer specifically to a nautical mile in contexts involving ships or aviation, but that meaning is normally made clear by Seemeile.
Die Meile ist eine alte Entfernungseinheit.
The mile is an old unit of distance.
alte means old, and Entfernungseinheit means unit of distance. Die Meile is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir laufen eine Meile.
We run one mile.
laufen means run or walk, and eine means one or a. eine Meile is accusative because it gives the distance of the action; the finite verb laufen stands in position two.
Nach einer Meile machen wir eine Pause.
After one mile, we take a break.
nach means after, machen means take or make, and eine Pause means a break. einer Meile is dative because nach takes the dative; the fronted prepositional phrase is followed by the finite verb machen in position two.
Die Länge der Meile beträgt 1,609 Kilometer.
The length of the mile is 1.609 kilometres.
die Länge means the length, beträgt means amounts to, and Kilometer means kilometres. der Meile is genitive because it identifies which length; the subject Die Länge is nominative.
Sie sind drei Meilen gelaufen.
They walked three miles.
drei means three, and gelaufen means walked or ran. Meilen is plural after the number drei; sind gelaufen is the perfect of movement verb laufen, so it uses sein.
das Navigationsgerät — navigation device; satnav
In everyday speech, people may also use Navi as a shorter form. A Navigationsgerät can be a separate device or a navigation system built into a car.
Das Navigationsgerät zeigt den Weg.
The navigation device shows the way.
zeigt den Weg means shows the way. Das Navigationsgerät is nominative because it is the subject, while den Weg is accusative because zeigen takes the thing shown as a direct object; zeigt is in position two.
Ich schalte das Navigationsgerät ein.
I switch on the navigation device.
schalte ... ein means switch on. Das Navigationsgerät is accusative because einschalten takes a direct object; the separable verb places schalte in position two and ein at the end.
Wir folgen dem Navigationsgerät.
We follow the navigation device.
folgen means follow. Dem Navigationsgerät is dative because folgen always takes a dative object; the finite verb folgen stands in position two.
Die Stimme des Navigationsgeräts ist laut.
The voice of the navigation device is loud.
Die Stimme means the voice, and laut means loud. Des Navigationsgeräts is genitive because it identifies whose voice it is; the neuter compound takes -s in the genitive.
Viele Navigationsgeräte haben eine Sprachsteuerung.
Many navigation devices have voice control.
Viele means many, and eine Sprachsteuerung means voice control. Navigationsgeräte is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb haben is in position two.
die Passkontrolle — passport control, passport check
Passkontrolle is a compound of Pass (passport) and Kontrolle (check or inspection). At an airport or border, it usually means the place or procedure where officials check passports.
Die Passkontrolle dauert nur wenige Minuten.
Passport control takes only a few minutes.
dauert means takes or lasts, and nur wenige Minuten means only a few minutes. die Passkontrolle is the nominative subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Passkontrolle schon.
I can already see passport control.
ich sehe means I see, and schon means already. die Passkontrolle is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir stehen an der Passkontrolle.
We are standing at passport control.
wir stehen means we are standing. an der Passkontrolle describes a fixed location, so an takes dative; the feminine article is der in the dative.
Die Schlange der Passkontrolle ist sehr lang.
The queue for passport control is very long.
die Schlange means the queue, and sehr lang means very long. der Passkontrolle is genitive and means of passport control; the feminine genitive article is der, while the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Passkontrollen an den Flughäfen sind heute geöffnet.
The passport controls at the airports are open today.
an den Flughäfen means at the airports, and heute geöffnet means open today. Passkontrollen is plural and is the nominative subject; an takes dative for location, shown by plural den Flughäfen.
der Personalausweis — identity card, ID card
Der Personalausweis is an official identity document; it is not simply any card with a person's name on it. The compound contains Personal (personal) and Ausweis (official identity document).
Der Personalausweis liegt auf dem Tisch.
The identity card is lying on the table.
liegen means to lie or be situated, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Personalausweis is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Bitte zeigen Sie den Personalausweis.
Please show your identity card.
bitte means please and zeigen means to show. Den Personalausweis is accusative because it is the direct object of zeigen; the polite command uses zeigen Sie.
Ich gebe der Beamtin dem Personalausweis?
I give the identity card to the official?
geben means to give and die Beamtin is the female official. This sentence is not natural because dem Personalausweis is dative; for the thing given, German normally uses accusative: Ich gebe der Beamtin den Personalausweis.
Die Nummer des Personalausweises steht hier.
The identity-card number is written here.
die Nummer is the number and hier means here. Des Personalausweises is genitive because it specifies which number; Ausweis takes -es in the genitive singular.
Die Polizei kontrolliert mehrere Personalausweise.
The police are checking several identity cards.
die Polizei is the police and kontrollieren means to check. Personalausweise is the plural with -e, and it is accusative because it is the object of kontrolliert.
die Rakete — rocket, missile
Die Rakete can refer to a space vehicle or, in another context, a missile or a firework rocket. The plural is Raketen, with -n added to the feminine noun.
Die Rakete startet morgen ins All.
The rocket launches into space tomorrow.
starten means to launch or take off, morgen means tomorrow, and ins All means into space. Die Rakete is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb startet is in position two.
Die Ingenieure bauen die Rakete in einer großen Halle.
The engineers are building the rocket in a large hall.
die Ingenieure means the engineers, bauen means build, in einer großen Halle means in a large hall, and groß means large. Die Rakete is accusative because bauen takes a direct object; the finite verb bauen is in position two.
Die Wissenschaftler geben der Rakete einen neuen Namen.
The scientists give the rocket a new name.
die Wissenschaftler means the scientists, geben means give, and einen neuen Namen means a new name. Der Rakete is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Namen is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Start der Rakete wurde verschoben.
The launch of the rocket was postponed.
der Start means the launch, verschieben means to postpone, and wurde means was. Der Rakete is genitive because it identifies which launch is meant; wurde verschoben is a passive construction, with the participle verschoben at the end.
Am Himmel sieht man mehrere Raketen.
You can see several rockets in the sky.
am Himmel means in the sky, sehen means see, man means one or people in general, and mehrere means several. Raketen is plural after mehrere and is accusative because sehen takes a direct object.
das Reisebüro — travel agency, travel office
A Reisebüro can arrange transport, accommodation and complete holidays. The compound combines Reise, trip, with Büro, office; the final noun determines the neuter article.
Das Reisebüro ist neben dem Bahnhof.
The travel agency is next to the railway station.
neben means next to and der Bahnhof means railway station. Das Reisebüro is nominative because it is the subject; dem Bahnhof is dative because neben describes a location.
Ich besuche das Reisebüro heute.
I am visiting the travel agency today.
besuchen means to visit and heute means today. Das Reisebüro is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, the article stays das in nominative and accusative.
Wir fragen dem Reisebüro nach einem Hotel.
We ask the travel agency about a hotel.
fragen means to ask, nach einem Hotel means about a hotel, and das Hotel is hotel. In the natural pattern jemanden nach etwas fragen, the person asked is accusative, so this sentence should use das Reisebüro rather than dem Reisebüro; the example highlights a common case mistake.
Die Adresse des Reisebüros steht im Internet.
The travel agency's address is on the internet.
die Adresse means address, steht means is listed or stands, and im Internet means on the internet. Des Reisebüros is genitive because it shows whose address it is; the neuter article des and ending -s mark the genitive.
In der Stadt gibt es viele Reisebüros.
There are many travel agencies in the city.
in der Stadt means in the city, viele means many, and es gibt means there are. Viele Reisebüros is plural after viele; the plural ending is -s.
der Reiseführer — travel guide
A Reiseführer is usually a book, website or app with practical information about a destination. It can also mean a person who guides travellers, but the book meaning is the common learner meaning.
Der Reiseführer liegt auf dem Tisch.
The travel guide is lying on the table.
liegt means is lying, auf dem Tisch means on the table, and der Tisch is table. Der Reiseführer is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich lese den Reiseführer im Zug.
I am reading the travel guide on the train.
lesen means to read, im Zug means on the train, and der Zug is train. Den Reiseführer is accusative because it is the direct object of lesen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich vertraue dem Reiseführer nicht ganz.
I do not completely trust the travel guide.
vertrauen means to trust, nicht ganz means not completely. Dem Reiseführer is dative because vertrauen always takes a dative person or thing; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Karte des Reiseführers ist sehr praktisch.
The travel guide's map is very practical.
die Karte means map and praktisch means practical. Des Reiseführers is genitive because it identifies whose map it is; the masculine noun adds -s in this case.
Im Laden liegen viele Reiseführer.
There are many travel guides in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, liegen means are lying, and viele means many. Reiseführer has the same form in singular and plural; viele and the plural verb liegen make the plural clear.
der Reisende — male traveller; traveller
This is a noun made from the adjective reisend, meaning travelling. It follows weak masculine declension: use Reisende only in the nominative singular after der, and Reisenden in the other singular cases and in the plural.
Der Reisende wartet am Bahnhof.
The traveller is waiting at the station.
warten means to wait, and der Bahnhof is the railway station. Der Reisende is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Reisenden am Eingang.
I see the traveller at the entrance.
sehen means to see, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den Reisenden is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the weak masculine noun has -en in the accusative.
Ich helfe dem Reisenden mit dem Koffer.
I help the traveller with the suitcase.
helfen means to help, and der Koffer is the suitcase. Dem Reisenden is dative because helfen requires a dative object, and Reisende takes -en in this case.
Das Gepäck des Reisenden steht neben der Tür.
The traveller’s luggage is next to the door.
das Gepäck means luggage, stehen means to stand or be located, and neben der Tür means next to the door. Des Reisenden is genitive because it shows possession; the masculine adjectival noun has the ending -en.
Die Reisenden kommen heute Abend an.
The travellers are arriving this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and ankommen means to arrive. Die Reisenden is the plural subject; kommen stands in position two and the separable part an goes to the end.
die Reisende — female traveller
This noun is the feminine form of der Reisende and comes from the adjective reisend, meaning travelling. It has the regular feminine pattern in the singular, but the plural is die Reisenden with -n.
Die Reisende wartet am Bahnhof.
The female traveller is waiting at the station.
warten means to wait, and der Bahnhof is the railway station. Die Reisende is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb wartet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Reisende am Eingang.
I see the female traveller at the entrance.
sehen means to see, and der Eingang is the entrance. Die Reisende is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine form does not change after the definite article.
Ich helfe der Reisenden mit dem Koffer.
I help the female traveller with the suitcase.
helfen means to help, and der Koffer is the suitcase. Der Reisenden is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the feminine article changes from die to der, and the noun gets -n.
Das Gepäck der Reisenden steht neben der Tür.
The female traveller’s luggage is next to the door.
das Gepäck means luggage, stehen means to be located, and neben der Tür means next to the door. Der Reisenden is genitive because it shows possession; do not confuse this der with the masculine nominative article.
Die Reisenden kommen heute Abend an.
The female travellers are arriving this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and ankommen means to arrive. Die Reisenden is the plural subject; kommen is in position two and an goes to the end because the verb is separable.
der Reiseplan — travel plan; itinerary
Reiseplan is a compound of Reise, journey or trip, and Plan, plan. The plural is Reisepläne with an umlaut and -e.
Der Reiseplan ist noch nicht fertig.
The itinerary is not finished yet.
noch nicht means not yet, and fertig means finished or ready. Der Reiseplan is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist is in position two.
Wir prüfen den Reiseplan vor der Abfahrt.
We check the itinerary before departure.
prüfen means to check, vor der Abfahrt means before departure, and die Abfahrt is the departure. Den Reiseplan is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object.
Ich folge dem Reiseplan genau.
I follow the itinerary exactly.
folgen means to follow, and genau means exactly or carefully. Dem Reiseplan is dative because folgen requires a dative object, unlike the English verb follow.
Die Änderungen des Reiseplans sind wichtig.
The changes to the travel plan are important.
die Änderungen means the changes, and wichtig means important. Des Reiseplans is genitive because it identifies which changes are meant; the masculine noun takes -s.
Die Reisepläne liegen auf dem Schreibtisch.
The travel plans are on the desk.
liegen means to be situated, and der Schreibtisch is the desk. Die Reisepläne is plural and has an umlaut; the finite verb liegen stands in position two.
das Reiseziel — travel destination
The compound combines Reise, “journey or trip,” with Ziel, “destination or goal.” It usually refers to a place chosen for a trip or holiday.
Das Reiseziel ist noch nicht entschieden.
The travel destination has not been decided yet.
noch nicht entschieden means “not decided yet.” Das Reiseziel is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir suchen ein Reiseziel am Meer.
We are looking for a travel destination by the sea.
suchen means “to look for,” and am Meer means “by the sea.” Ein Reiseziel is accusative because it is the object of suchen; the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Wir fahren zu einem Reiseziel in Spanien.
We are travelling to a destination in Spain.
fahren means “to travel,” and in Spanien means “in Spain.” Zu always takes the dative, so einem Reiseziel is dative; the finite verb fahren is in position two.
Die Lage des Reiseziels ist ideal.
The location of the travel destination is ideal.
die Lage means “the location,” and ideal means “ideal.” Des Reiseziels is genitive because it identifies whose location it is; the noun gets -s in the genitive.
Wir vergleichen mehrere Reiseziele.
We are comparing several travel destinations.
vergleichen means “to compare,” and mehrere means “several.” Reiseziele is plural and accusative because it is the object of vergleichen; the plural is formed with -e.
die Rezeption — reception desk; front desk; reception; critical response
In a hotel, die Rezeption is the front desk and the service provided there. In academic or cultural contexts, it can mean how a work is received or understood; the context usually makes the meaning clear.
Die Rezeption ist rund um die Uhr geöffnet.
Reception is open around the clock.
rund um die Uhr means around the clock, and geöffnet means open. Die Rezeption is the nominative subject; ist geöffnet is a predicate phrase, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche die Rezeption.
I am looking for reception.
suche means am looking for. Die Rezeption is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; with this feminine noun, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich frage an der Rezeption nach dem Weg.
I ask at reception for directions.
frage means ask, and nach dem Weg means for directions or about the way. An takes the dative when it describes a fixed location, so der Rezeption is dative; nach also takes the dative in nach dem Weg.
Die Telefonnummer der Rezeption steht im Zimmer.
The reception desk's telephone number is in the room.
die Telefonnummer means the telephone number, and das Zimmer means the room. Der Rezeption is genitive after die Telefonnummer to show whose number it is; im Zimmer is a shortened form of in dem Zimmer and expresses location.
Rezeptionen gibt es in vielen Hotels.
There are reception desks in many hotels.
gibt es means there are, and vielen Hotels means many hotels. Rezeptionen is the plural noun in the existential expression gibt es; in vielen Hotels is dative because it describes fixed locations.
Die Rezeption des Films war überwiegend positiv.
The reception of the film was mostly positive.
des Films means of the film, and überwiegend positiv means mostly positive. Die Rezeption is the nominative subject, while des Films is genitive to identify the work being received; the finite verb war stands in position two.
Forscher untersuchen die Rezeption des Romans.
Researchers are examining the reception of the novel.
Forscher means researchers, untersuchen means examine, and des Romans means of the novel. Die Rezeption is accusative because untersuchen takes a direct object; des Romans is genitive and identifies which reception is meant.
die Rundfahrt — sightseeing tour, tour around a place; round trip, tour by vehicle
Rundfahrt combines rund, meaning round or around, with Fahrt, meaning journey or ride. It usually describes an organised tour by bus, boat, train, or another vehicle.
Die Rundfahrt beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The sightseeing tour begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Die Rundfahrt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir buchen die Rundfahrt online.
We are booking the sightseeing tour online.
buchen means book and online means online. Die Rundfahrt is accusative because buchen takes a direct object, while the finite verb buchen stands in position two.
Der Reiseleiter gibt den Gästen Informationen über die Rundfahrt.
The tour guide gives the guests information about the sightseeing tour.
der Reiseleiter is the tour guide, den Gästen means the guests, and Informationen means information. Den Gästen is dative because geben gives something to someone, while über die Rundfahrt is an accusative phrase after über meaning about.
Die Dauer der Rundfahrt beträgt drei Stunden.
The sightseeing tour lasts three hours.
die Dauer means the duration, beträgt means is or amounts to, and drei Stunden means three hours. Der Rundfahrt is genitive because it specifies the duration of the tour; the finite verb beträgt is in position two.
Die Rundfahrten sind im Sommer sehr beliebt.
The sightseeing tours are very popular in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and beliebt means popular. Rundfahrten is the plural subject, so it takes sind; the plural has -en, not -s.
Die Rundfahrt mit dem Schiff dauert zwei Stunden.
The boat tour takes two hours.
mit dem Schiff means by boat or on the boat, and dauert means takes or lasts. Die Rundfahrt is the nominative subject, and mit always takes the dative, hence dem Schiff.
Nach der Rundfahrt steigen alle Passagiere aus.
After the tour, all the passengers get off.
nach means after, alle Passagiere means all the passengers, and aussteigen means get off. Nach der Rundfahrt is a dative phrase because nach takes the dative; the separable verb aussteigen appears as steigen ... aus in the main clause.
der Rundgang — tour, walk around a place
Rundgang can be a guided tour or simply a walk around a place to inspect it. The common phrase einen Rundgang machen uses the accusative.
Der Rundgang durch das Museum dauert eine Stunde.
The tour through the museum takes an hour.
durch das Museum means through the museum, and dauert eine Stunde means takes an hour. Der Rundgang is nominative because it is the subject; durch takes the accusative, hence das Museum.
Wir machen einen Rundgang durch die Altstadt.
We are taking a tour through the old town.
machen means make or take, durch means through, and die Altstadt means the old town. Einen Rundgang is accusative because the fixed expression einen Rundgang machen treats the tour as a direct object; durch die Altstadt is also accusative after durch.
Der Stadtführer zeigt den Besuchern beim Rundgang wichtige Gebäude.
During the tour, the city guide shows the visitors important buildings.
der Stadtführer is the city guide, zeigt means shows, den Besuchern means the visitors, and wichtige Gebäude means important buildings. Beim Rundgang means during the tour and is dative because bei takes the dative; den Besuchern is also dative as the people being shown something.
Das Ende des Rundgangs ist wieder am Eingang.
The end of the tour is back at the entrance.
das Ende means the end, wieder means again or back, and der Eingang means the entrance. Des Rundgangs is genitive because it tells us whose end is meant; the masculine noun has the ending -s.
Die Rundgänge beginnen jeweils um neun Uhr.
The tours begin at nine o’clock each time.
beginnen means begin and jeweils means each time or respectively. Rundgänge is the plural subject, and the umlaut changes a to ä in the plural.
die Rückfahrkarte — return ticket
The compound combines Rückfahrt (return journey) and Karte (ticket). In some transport systems, a return ticket may be called Hin- und Rückfahrkarte, literally an outward-and-return ticket.
Die Rückfahrkarte kostet zwanzig Euro.
The return ticket costs twenty euros.
kostet means costs, and zwanzig Euro means twenty euros. Die Rückfahrkarte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kostet stands in position two.
Ich kaufe eine Rückfahrkarte.
I am buying a return ticket.
kaufe means buy, and eine means a or one in the feminine accusative. Eine Rückfahrkarte is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufe; the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Der Schalter gibt mir die Rückfahrkarte.
The ticket counter gives me the return ticket.
der Schalter means the ticket counter, and gibt means gives. Mir is dative because it is the recipient, while die Rückfahrkarte is accusative because it is the thing given.
Der Preis der Rückfahrkarte ist günstig.
The price of the return ticket is reasonable.
der Preis means the price, and günstig means reasonably priced or cheap. Der Rückfahrkarte is genitive because it means of the return ticket, while Der Preis der Rückfahrkarte is the nominative subject.
Am Automaten liegen mehrere Rückfahrkarten.
Several return tickets are available at the machine.
am Automaten means at the ticket machine, liegen means lie or are available, and mehrere means several. Rückfahrkarten is the plural with -n; am Automaten is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Rückfahrt — return journey, journey back; return trip, ride back
This word is a compound of zurück (back) and die Fahrt (journey or ride). It normally means the journey home or back after an outward trip, and it is feminine like die Fahrt.
Die Rückfahrt dauert zwei Stunden.
The return journey takes two hours.
dauert means takes or lasts, and zwei Stunden means two hours. Die Rückfahrt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert is in position two.
Ich bezahle die Rückfahrt heute.
I am paying for the return journey today.
bezahle means pay for, and heute means today. die Rückfahrt is accusative because bezahlen takes a direct object; the finite verb bezahle stands in position two.
Wir sprechen über die Rückfahrt.
We are talking about the return journey.
sprechen über means talk about. This example uses die Rückfahrt after über in the accusative, not the dative: über takes the accusative here because it means about, not a location.
Die Kosten der Rückfahrt sind schon bezahlt.
The costs of the return journey have already been paid.
die Kosten means the costs, and schon bezahlt means already paid. der Rückfahrt is genitive because it identifies whose costs they are; sind is in position two and bezahlt comes at the end.
Die Rückfahrten am Sonntag sind oft voll.
The return journeys on Sundays are often full.
am Sonntag means on Sunday, and voll means full. Rückfahrten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; sind agrees with the plural subject.
Wir planen die Rückfahrt für Freitag.
We are planning the return journey for Friday.
planen means plan, and für Freitag means for Friday. die Rückfahrt is accusative because planen takes a direct object, while für also requires the accusative.
Auf der Rückfahrt haben wir Musik gehört.
We listened to music on the way back.
auf der Rückfahrt means on the return journey, and Musik gehört means listened to music. der Rückfahrt is dative because auf describes a fixed location or situation here; haben ... gehört forms the perfect tense.
Die Rückfahrt mit dem Bus war sehr ruhig.
The return journey by bus was very quiet.
mit dem Bus means by bus, and ruhig means quiet. Die Rückfahrt is nominative as the subject, while mit dem Bus is dative because mit always takes the dative.
der Schlafsack — sleeping bag
Der Schlafsack ist warm.
The sleeping bag is warm.
warm means warm. Der Schlafsack is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich nehme den Schlafsack mit.
I’m taking the sleeping bag with me.
mitnehmen means to take along. Den Schlafsack is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the separable verb has nehme in position two and mit at the end.
Ich schlafe in dem Schlafsack.
I sleep in the sleeping bag.
schlafen means to sleep. In dem Schlafsack is dative because in describes a fixed location here, not movement into it.
Der Reißverschluss des Schlafsacks ist kaputt.
The sleeping bag’s zip is broken.
der Reißverschluss means zip, and kaputt means broken. Des Schlafsacks is genitive to show possession; masculine nouns add -s in this form.
Im Laden liegen viele Schlafsäcke.
There are many sleeping bags in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, and liegen means are lying or are located. Schlafsäcke is the plural with an umlaut and -e; im is short for in dem and takes the dative for location.
die Seereise — sea voyage, sea trip; sea cruise, holiday voyage
The compound Seereise combines See, sea, and Reise, journey. It normally means a journey by ship rather than an ordinary trip along the coast.
Die Seereise beginnt morgen.
The sea voyage begins tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow. Die Seereise is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir planen die Seereise seit Monaten.
We have been planning the sea voyage for months.
planen means to plan, and seit Monaten means for months. Die Seereise is accusative because it is the direct object of planen; the finite verb planen is in position two.
Auf der Seereise lernten wir viele neue Menschen kennen.
On the sea voyage, we met many new people.
auf means on, and kennenlernen means to meet or get to know; viele neue Menschen means many new people. Der Seereise is dative because auf describes a location or situation here, and the finite verb lernten is in position two.
Die Dauer der Seereise beträgt zehn Tage.
The duration of the sea voyage is ten days.
die Dauer means the duration, and betragen means to amount to or be. Der Seereise is genitive because it shows whose duration is meant; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Im Sommer machen viele Familien Seereisen.
In summer, many families go on sea voyages.
im Sommer means in summer, and viele Familien means many families. Seereisen is plural and is the object of machen in the fixed expression eine Seereise machen; the finite verb machen is in position two.
Wir möchten im nächsten Jahr eine lange Seereise machen.
We would like to go on a long sea voyage next year.
möchten means would like, im nächsten Jahr means next year, and lang means long. Eine Seereise is accusative as the object of machen; after the modal verb möchten, the infinitive machen goes to the end.
Die luxuriöse Seereise war ein besonderes Erlebnis.
The luxurious sea cruise was a special experience.
luxuriös means luxurious, and ein besonderes Erlebnis means a special experience. Die Seereise is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Auf dieser Seereise besuchten wir drei Inseln.
On this sea cruise, we visited three islands.
diese means this, and besuchen means to visit; drei Inseln means three islands. Seereise is dative after auf because it refers to the situation in which the visit happened, not a direction.
das Segelboot — sailing boat, sailboat; recreational sailboat
The compound Segelboot combines Segel, sail, and Boot, boat. It is a neuter noun, so its article is das.
Das Segelboot liegt im Hafen.
The sailing boat is in the harbour.
liegen means to be lying or located, and der Hafen is the harbour. Das Segelboot is nominative because it is the subject; im Hafen means in the harbour, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir kaufen das Segelboot im Frühjahr.
We are buying the sailing boat in spring.
kaufen means to buy, and im Frühjahr means in spring. Das Segelboot is accusative because it is the direct object of kaufen; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative articles are both das.
Sie fährt mit dem Segelboot zur Insel.
She goes to the island by sailing boat.
fahren means to go or travel, and die Insel means island. Dem Segelboot is dative after mit, which always takes the dative; zur Insel means to the island.
Die Farbe des Segelbootes ist besonders schön.
The colour of the sailing boat is especially beautiful.
die Farbe means colour, and besonders schön means especially beautiful. Des Segelbootes is genitive because it identifies whose colour is meant; the neuter noun has the genitive article des and the ending -es.
Im Hafen liegen viele Segelboote.
There are many sailing boats in the harbour.
im Hafen means in the harbour, and viele means many. Segelboote is plural after viele; because it comes before the verb as the subject, the finite verb liegen follows in position two.
Am Wochenende sind wir mit einem Segelboot unterwegs.
At the weekend, we are out sailing in a boat.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and unterwegs sein means to be out or travelling. Einem Segelboot is dative after mit; the verb sind is in position two, while unterwegs comes later as part of the expression.
Das kleine Segelboot eignet sich gut für Anfänger.
The small sailing boat is well suited to beginners.
klein means small, sich eignen means to be suitable, and Anfänger means beginners. Das Segelboot is nominative as the subject, while Anfänger is dative after sich eignen für in this meaning; the finite verb eignet is in position two.
segeln — to sail
Segeln can mean travelling by sail or taking part in sailing as a sport. In the perfect, use sein when the sentence focuses on movement, but haben is also possible when it focuses on the activity: Wir haben den ganzen Tag gesegelt.
Wir segeln jeden Samstag auf dem See.
We sail on the lake every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and der See means lake. Wir segeln is in the present tense with the finite verb in position two; auf dem See is dative because auf describes a location here.
Wir sind gestern auf dem See gesegelt.
We sailed on the lake yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and der See means lake. Gesegelt pairs with sein here because it describes movement, and the Partizip II goes to the end of the clause; auf dem See is dative for location.
Sie segelte den ganzen Nachmittag.
She sailed all afternoon.
den ganzen Nachmittag means all afternoon. Segelte is the weak-verb simple past in position two; the time expression is accusative because duration expressions commonly use the accusative.
Segel vorsichtig zum Ufer!
Sail carefully to the shore!
vorsichtig means carefully, and das Ufer means shore. Segel is the du imperative, so the pronoun is omitted and the verb comes first; zum Ufer means to the shore.
Ich würde segeln, wenn das Wetter besser wäre.
I would sail if the weather were better.
wenn means if, das Wetter means the weather, and besser means better. Würde segeln expresses an unreal condition; segeln goes to the end after würde, and wäre is final in the wenn-clause.
Morgen werden wir zur Insel segeln.
Tomorrow we will sail to the island.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Insel means island. In the future, the finite form werden is in position two and the infinitive segeln goes to the end; zur Insel expresses direction.
die Sehenswürdigkeit — sight, tourist attraction; landmark, notable attraction
The compound Sehenswürdigkeit literally describes something worth seeing, from sehen, to see, and würdig, worthy. It normally refers to a tourist attraction, not simply anything that happens to be visible.
Die Sehenswürdigkeit ist im Stadtzentrum.
The tourist attraction is in the city centre.
das Stadtzentrum means the city centre. Die Sehenswürdigkeit is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; im Stadtzentrum gives its location.
Wir besuchen die Sehenswürdigkeit am Nachmittag.
We are visiting the attraction in the afternoon.
besuchen means to visit, and am Nachmittag means in the afternoon. Die Sehenswürdigkeit is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; with a feminine noun, the article remains die in the accusative.
Der Reiseführer gibt der Sehenswürdigkeit fünf Sterne.
The guidebook gives the attraction five stars.
der Reiseführer means the guidebook, and fünf Sterne means five stars. Der Sehenswürdigkeit is dative because it is the recipient of gibt, while fünf Sterne is accusative as the thing given.
Die Geschichte der Sehenswürdigkeit ist sehr interessant.
The history of the attraction is very interesting.
die Geschichte means history, and sehr interessant means very interesting. Der Sehenswürdigkeit is genitive because it identifies which attraction’s history is meant; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Berlin hat viele berühmte Sehenswürdigkeiten.
Berlin has many famous sights.
berühmt means famous, and viele means many. Sehenswürdigkeiten is plural and accusative as the object of hat; the plural ending -en must not be omitted.
Die alte Brücke ist eine wichtige Sehenswürdigkeit der Stadt.
The old bridge is an important landmark of the city.
die alte Brücke means the old bridge, and wichtig means important. Eine Sehenswürdigkeit is nominative after sein, not accusative; der Stadt is genitive and means of the city.
Viele Besucher fotografieren die historischen Sehenswürdigkeiten der Region.
Many visitors photograph the historical sights of the region.
viele Besucher means many visitors, historisch means historical, and die Region means the region. Sehenswürdigkeiten is plural accusative as the object of fotografieren, while der Region is genitive, meaning of the region.
das Souvenir — souvenir, memento
das Souvenir is a keepsake from a place or experience. It is a loanword and has the plural die Souvenirs; the genitive is des Souvenirs, with -s on the noun.
Das Souvenir erinnert mich an Berlin.
The souvenir reminds me of Berlin.
erinnert means reminds, mich means me, and an Berlin means of Berlin or about Berlin. Das Souvenir is nominative because it is the subject, while mich is accusative because erinnern uses an accusative person; an takes the accusative here.
Ich kaufe ein Souvenir.
I am buying a souvenir.
kaufe means am buying. ein Souvenir is accusative because kaufen takes an accusative object; the neuter article ein has the same form in nominative and accusative.
Ich schenke meiner Schwester ein Souvenir.
I give my sister a souvenir as a present.
schenke means give as a present, and meiner Schwester means to my sister. Souvenir is accusative because it is the thing given, while meiner Schwester is dative because she is the recipient.
Die Farbe des Souvenirs ist sehr schön.
The colour of the souvenir is very beautiful.
die Farbe means the colour, and sehr schön means very beautiful. des Souvenirs is genitive because it means of the souvenir; both the neuter article des and the borrowed noun ending -s mark the genitive.
Auf dem Tisch liegen drei Souvenirs.
Three souvenirs are lying on the table.
auf dem Tisch means on the table, liegen means are lying, and drei means three. Souvenirs is plural with -s; auf dem Tisch is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
die Stewardess — female flight attendant
Stewardess means a female flight attendant, but the gender-neutral job title Flugbegleiterin is also common in German. The plural is Stewardessen, not Stewardesse.
Die Stewardess zeigt uns unseren Platz.
The flight attendant shows us our seat.
zeigt means shows, uns means us, and unseren Platz means our seat. Die Stewardess is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Stewardess am Eingang.
I see the flight attendant at the entrance.
sehe means see, am Eingang means at the entrance, and Eingang means entrance. die Stewardess is accusative because it is the direct object of sehen; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Stewardess für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the flight attendant for her help.
danke means thank, and ihre Hilfe means her help. der Stewardess is dative because danken takes a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is an additional phrase with accusative after für.
Die Stimme der Stewardess war freundlich.
The flight attendant's voice was friendly.
die Stimme means the voice, and freundlich means friendly. der Stewardess is genitive because it shows whose voice it was; with a feminine noun, the form is identical to the dative form.
Die Stewardessen bringen das Essen.
The flight attendants bring the food.
bringen means bring, and das Essen means the food. Die Stewardessen is the plural subject, formed with -en; the finite verb bringen stands in position two.
die Strecke — route, distance, stretch; section, stretch
For a journey, die Strecke is the route or distance travelled. It is different from der Weg, which often means a path or way, while Strecke focuses more on the measured route.
Die Strecke von Berlin nach Hamburg ist sehr schön.
The route from Berlin to Hamburg is very beautiful.
von Berlin nach Hamburg means from Berlin to Hamburg, and sehr schön means very beautiful. Die Strecke is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich kenne die Strecke sehr gut.
I know the route very well.
kenne means know and sehr gut means very well. Die Strecke is accusative because kennen takes a direct object; the finite verb kenne is in position two.
Wir fahren auf der Strecke jeden Tag.
We travel on the route every day.
fahren means travel or drive, and jeden Tag means every day. Der Strecke is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb fahren stands in position two.
Die Länge der Strecke beträgt hundert Kilometer.
The length of the route is one hundred kilometres.
die Länge means the length and beträgt means is or amounts to. Der Strecke is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; beträgt is the finite verb in position two.
Die Strecken sind heute wegen eines Unfalls gesperrt.
The routes are closed today because of an accident.
heute means today, wegen eines Unfalls means because of an accident, and gesperrt means closed. Strecken is plural and takes die; the finite verb sind agrees with the plural subject and stands in position two.
Wir müssen noch eine Strecke zu Fuß gehen.
We still have to walk a distance on foot.
noch means still, zu Fuß means on foot, and gehen means walk. Eine Strecke is accusative because it is the distance covered; after the modal verb müssen, the infinitive gehen goes to the end.
Die letzte Strecke war besonders anstrengend.
The final section was especially tiring.
letzte means final, and besonders anstrengend means especially tiring. Strecke is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb war stands in position two.
das Terminal — terminal, passenger terminal; computer terminal
In transport, Terminal is a passenger building or area at an airport, station, or port. The plural is Terminals, not Terminale.
Das Terminal ist sehr groß.
The terminal is very large.
Sehr groß means very large. Das Terminal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen das Terminal für den Flug nach Berlin.
We are looking for the terminal for the flight to Berlin.
Wir suchen means we are looking for, der Flug is the flight, and nach Berlin means to Berlin. Das Terminal is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the neuter article das looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich warte in dem Terminal auf meine Familie.
I am waiting in the terminal for my family.
Warte means am waiting, meine Familie means my family, and auf means for in this expression. In dem Terminal is dative because in describes a fixed location here, and warte is the finite verb in position two.
Der Eingang des Terminals ist dort hinten.
The entrance to the terminal is back there.
Der Eingang means the entrance, and dort hinten means back there. Des Terminals is genitive because it shows which terminal the entrance belongs to; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Terminals schließen um Mitternacht.
The terminals close at midnight.
Schließen means close, and um Mitternacht means at midnight. Terminals is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural noun has -s, and schließen stands in position two.
Das Computer-Terminal zeigt eine Fehlermeldung.
The computer terminal displays an error message.
Das Computer-Terminal means the computer terminal, zeigt means displays, and die Fehlermeldung means error message. The compound noun is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Bitte melden Sie sich an dem Terminal an.
Please log in at the terminal.
Bitte means please, sich anmelden means to log in, and sich refers to the person logging in. An dem Terminal is dative because an describes the place of the action here; the separable verb anmelden splits into melden ... an in the main clause.
die Tour — tour, trip
Tour is used for an organised trip or a trip along a route. It can also refer to a series of performances or sporting events, especially in auf Tour sein.
Die Tour beginnt am Bahnhof.
The tour begins at the train station.
beginnt means begins, and der Bahnhof is the train station. Die Tour is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Wir machen die Tour morgen.
We are doing the tour tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and machen means do or take here. Die Tour is accusative because machen takes the thing being done as its direct object; the finite verb machen is in position two.
Wir folgen der Tour durch die Altstadt.
We follow the tour through the old town.
folgen means follow, durch means through, and die Altstadt is the old town. Der Tour is dative because folgen governs the dative; durch die Altstadt is an accusative phrase because durch always takes the accusative.
Das Ende der Tour ist um sechs Uhr.
The end of the tour is at six o’clock.
das Ende means the end, and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. Der Tour is genitive because it shows whose end it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Am Wochenende machen wir zwei Touren.
At the weekend we are doing two tours.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and zwei means two. Touren is plural and accusative because machen takes it as its direct object; the plural is formed with -en.
der Tourist — tourist
Tourist is a weak masculine noun: use der Tourist only in the nominative singular, but den Touristen, dem Touristen, and des Touristen in the other singular cases. The plural is also Touristen.
Der Tourist fotografiert den Dom.
The tourist is photographing the cathedral.
fotografiert means is photographing, and der Dom is the cathedral. Der Tourist is nominative as the subject; den Dom is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object.
Ich sehe den Touristen am Eingang.
I see the tourist at the entrance.
sehe means see, and der Eingang is the entrance. Den Touristen is accusative after sehen; this weak masculine noun takes -en outside the nominative.
Wir helfen dem Touristen mit dem Stadtplan.
We help the tourist with the city map.
helfen means help, mit means with, and der Stadtplan is the city map. Dem Touristen is dative because helfen governs the dative, and the noun also has -en in this case.
Das Hotel des Touristen liegt am See.
The tourist’s hotel is by the lake.
das Hotel is the hotel, and liegt am See means is by the lake. Des Touristen is genitive to show possession; the weak noun has -en, while the masculine article is des.
Die Touristen warten vor dem Museum.
The tourists are waiting in front of the museum.
warten means wait, and vor dem Museum means in front of the museum. Touristen is plural and nominative as the subject; vor takes the dative here because it describes a location.
die Touristin — female tourist
Touristin is the feminine form of Tourist. Its plural is Touristinnen, formed with -innen, while the masculine plural is Touristen.
Die Touristin sucht den Weg zum Bahnhof.
The female tourist is looking for the way to the train station.
sucht means is looking for, and der Weg zum Bahnhof means the way to the train station. Die Touristin is nominative as the subject, while den Weg is accusative after suchen.
Wir treffen die Touristin vor dem Hotel.
We meet the female tourist in front of the hotel.
treffen means meet, and vor dem Hotel means in front of the hotel. Die Touristin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Touristin eine Karte.
I give the female tourist a map.
gebe means give, and eine Karte is a map. Der Touristin is dative because it is the recipient of geben, while eine Karte is the accusative thing being given.
Die Tasche der Touristin ist schwer.
The female tourist’s bag is heavy.
die Tasche means the bag, and schwer means heavy. Der Touristin is genitive because it shows possession; the feminine genitive article is der.
Touristinnen besuchen gern kleine Dörfer.
Female tourists like visiting small villages.
besuchen means visit, gern means gladly or like to, and kleine Dörfer means small villages. Touristinnen is plural and nominative as the subject; the feminine ending changes from -in to -innen.
die Unterkunft — accommodation, place to stay
Unterkunft is a general word for a place to stay; it does not necessarily mean a hotel. The plural is irregular in spelling: Unterkünfte has an umlaut.
Die Unterkunft liegt direkt am See.
The accommodation is right by the lake.
liegt means is located, direkt means right or directly, and der See means the lake. die Unterkunft is nominative because it is the subject; am See is short for an dem See, with dative for location, and liegt is in position two.
Wir suchen eine Unterkunft für drei Nächte.
We are looking for accommodation for three nights.
suchen means look for, and drei Nächte means three nights. eine Unterkunft is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suchen stands in position two.
Wir übernachten in der Unterkunft.
We are staying overnight at the accommodation.
übernachten means stay overnight. in der Unterkunft is dative because in describes a location here, not movement into it; the finite verb übernachten is in position two.
Die Adresse der Unterkunft steht in der E-Mail.
The address of the accommodation is in the email.
die Adresse means the address, steht means is written or appears, and die E-Mail means the email. der Unterkunft is genitive because it means of the accommodation; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Wir vergleichen mehrere Unterkünfte im Internet.
We compare several accommodations on the internet.
vergleichen means compare, mehrere means several, and im Internet means on the internet. Unterkünfte is plural after mehrere and accusative because it is the direct object of vergleichen; the umlaut is part of the plural form.
verloren — lost; helpless; hopeless; wasted
As an adjective, verloren can describe something missing, as in ein verlorener Schlüssel, or someone who feels helpless. It is also the Partizip II of verlieren, but this entry focuses on its adjectival uses.
Der Schlüssel ist verloren.
The key is lost.
der Schlüssel is the key. Verloren is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; it describes the subject der Schlüssel, while ist is the finite form of sein in position two.
Ich suche den verlorenen Schlüssel.
I am looking for the lost key.
suche means am looking for, and der Schlüssel is the key. Den verlorenen Schlüssel is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; before the noun, verloren takes the ending -en after den.
Ohne meine Brille fühle ich mich noch verlorener.
Without my glasses, I feel even more lost.
ohne meine Brille means without my glasses, and fühle ich mich means I feel. Verlorener is comparative and stands predicatively after fühle mich; ohne takes the accusative, so meine Brille is accusative.
Von allen Kindern wirkte Paul am verlorensten.
Of all the children, Paul seemed the most lost.
von allen Kindern means of all the children, and wirkte means seemed or appeared. Am verlorensten is a predicative superlative; von takes the dative, so allen Kindern is dative, and wirkte is the finite verb in position two.
Der Kampf war von Anfang an verloren.
The fight was lost from the beginning.
der Kampf is the fight or battle, and von Anfang an means from the beginning. Verloren is predicative after war and has no ending; von takes the dative in von Anfang, while the finite verb stands in position two.
Wir haben keine verlorene Zeit zu verschenken.
We have no time to waste.
keine Zeit means no time, and zu verschenken means to give away or waste. Verlorene is attributive and agrees with feminine accusative keine Zeit; the infinitive phrase zu verschenken comes at the end.
verreisen — to travel; to go away
Verreisen usually suggests leaving home for a holiday or trip, rather than simply travelling around during the day. It is intransitive and commonly takes a destination with nach, in or zu.
Meine Eltern verreisen im Sommer nach Spanien.
My parents are travelling to Spain in summer.
meine Eltern means my parents, im Sommer means in summer, and nach Spanien means to Spain. Nach takes no article with most country names; the finite verb verreisen stands in position two, and the destination follows later in the clause.
Wir sind letzte Woche nach Italien verreist.
We travelled to Italy last week.
letzte Woche means last week, and nach Italien means to Italy. Verreisen uses sein in the perfect because it describes a change of location; sind stands in position two and verreist goes to the end.
Er verreiste früher oft allein.
He often travelled alone in the past.
früher means in the past, oft means often, and allein means alone. The regular past form verreiste stands in position two; unlike a separable verb, verreisen remains one word.
Verreise nicht ohne deine Medikamente!
Do not travel without your medication!
nicht means not, ohne means without, and deine Medikamente means your medication. Ohne always takes the accusative, so deine Medikamente is accusative; the informal imperative verreise stands first and du is omitted.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, verreiste ich länger.
If I had more time, I would travel for longer.
wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte means if I had more time, and länger means for longer. The verb hätte goes to the end of the subordinate clause; verreiste is the regular hypothetical form and stands in position two in the main clause.
Nächstes Jahr wird sie nach Kanada verreisen.
Next year she will travel to Canada.
nächstes Jahr means next year, and nach Kanada means to Canada. Wird stands in position two after the fronted time expression, and the infinitive verreisen goes to the end; the prefix ver- does not separate.
das Visum — visa
The plural is Visa, not Visums; Visums is the genitive singular.
Das Visum ist noch gültig.
The visa is still valid.
noch means still, and gültig means valid. das Visum is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Für die Reise brauche ich das Visum.
I need the visa for the trip.
für die Reise means for the trip, and brauchen means to need. für always takes the accusative, and das Visum is also accusative because it is the direct object of brauche.
Ich reise mit dem Visum in die USA.
I am travelling to the USA with the visa.
reisen means to travel, and in die USA means to the USA. mit always takes the dative, so dem Visum is dative; the finite verb reise is in position two.
Die Gültigkeit des Visums endet im Juni.
The validity of the visa ends in June.
die Gültigkeit means validity, and endet means ends. des Visums is genitive because it says whose validity is meant; the neuter noun takes -s in this form.
Viele Visa laufen im Sommer ab.
Many visas expire in summer.
viele means many, laufen ab means expire, and im Sommer means in summer. Visa is the plural subject, and the separable verb laufen ab places ab at the end of this main clause.
die Wanderung — hike; walking trip
Die Wanderung usually means one particular hike or walking trip, while das Wandern describes hiking as an activity. It is formed from wandern with the noun ending -ung.
Die Wanderung war sehr schön.
The hike was very beautiful.
schön means beautiful or pleasant, and sehr means very. Die Wanderung is nominative because it is the subject; war is the Präteritum of sein and stands in position two.
Wir machen heute eine Wanderung.
We are going on a hike today.
heute means today and machen means to do or make; eine Wanderung machen means to go on a hike. eine Wanderung is accusative because it is the object of machen, and the finite verb machen is in position two.
Nach der Wanderung trinken wir Kaffee.
After the hike, we drink coffee.
nach means after, trinken means to drink, and Kaffee means coffee. nach always takes the dative, so der Wanderung is dative; because the sentence begins with this phrase, trinken comes before the subject wir in position two.
Die Dauer der Wanderung beträgt drei Stunden.
The duration of the hike is three hours.
die Dauer means the duration, betragen means to amount to, and drei Stunden means three hours. der Wanderung is genitive because it says which hike is meant; the finite verb beträgt stands in position two.
Im Frühling unternehmen wir viele Wanderungen.
In spring we go on many hikes.
im Frühling means in spring, unternehmen means to undertake or go on, and viele means many. viele Wanderungen is accusative because unternehmen takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -en.
der Wohnwagen — caravan, camping trailer
A Wohnwagen is a trailer that contains beds and basic living facilities, so it can be used for camping. Do not confuse it with Wohnmobil, which has its own engine and can be driven without a separate car.
Der Wohnwagen steht auf dem Campingplatz.
The caravan is standing at the campsite.
steht means is standing, and der Campingplatz is the campsite. Wohnwagen is nominative because it is the subject; auf dem Campingplatz is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir kaufen einen Wohnwagen.
We are buying a caravan.
Wir kaufen means we are buying. einen Wohnwagen is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Ich schlafe in einem Wohnwagen.
I sleep in a caravan.
schlafe means sleep, and in einem Wohnwagen means in a caravan. einem Wohnwagen is dative because in describes a location here; with movement into the caravan, in would take the accusative.
Die Farbe des Wohnwagens ist weiß.
The colour of the caravan is white.
Die Farbe is the colour and weiß means white. des Wohnwagens is genitive and means of the caravan; the genitive article des and ending -s are both visible.
Auf dem Platz stehen fünf Wohnwagen.
There are five caravans on the site.
Auf dem Platz means on the site, stehen means stand, and fünf means five. Wohnwagen is unchanged in the plural after fünf; auf dem Platz is dative because it names a fixed location.
zurückfahren — to drive back; to travel back; to drive a vehicle back
For movement without a direct object, zurückfahren normally takes sein in the perfect: ist zurückgefahren. With a direct object, as in driving a car back, it takes haben: hat das Auto zurückgefahren.
Wir fahren am Sonntag nach München zurück.
We are travelling back to Munich on Sunday.
am Sonntag means on Sunday and nach München means to Munich. This use describes movement without a direct object, so the perfect takes sein; fahren is in position two and zurück is separated to the end.
Sie ist gestern nach Hause zurückgefahren.
She travelled back home yesterday.
gestern means yesterday and nach Hause means home, with movement towards home. Because the verb describes movement without a direct object, the perfect uses ist; the complete Partizip II zurückgefahren stands at the end.
Der Bus fuhr um sechs Uhr zurück.
The bus travelled back at six o’clock.
der Bus is the bus and um sechs Uhr means at six o’clock. The strong simple-past form is fuhr, not fahrte; it is in position two and the prefix zurück goes to the end.
Fahr vorsichtig zurück!
Drive back carefully!
vorsichtig means carefully. The informal imperative is fahr, without the subject du; the separable prefix zurück stands at the end.
Ich würde erst morgen zurückfahren.
I would not travel back until tomorrow.
erst morgen means not until tomorrow or only tomorrow. After würde, the complete infinitive zurückfahren goes to the end and stays together; the prefix is not separated in this position.
Nächste Woche werden sie nach Hamburg zurückfahren.
Next week they will travel back to Hamburg.
nächste Woche means next week and nach Hamburg means to Hamburg. werden is in position two, while the complete infinitive zurückfahren goes to the end; this is movement without a direct object, so the perfect counterpart uses sein.
Er hat den Wagen in die Garage zurückgefahren.
He drove the car back into the garage.
der Wagen is the car, die Garage is the garage, and in die Garage means into the garage. den Wagen is accusative because it is the direct object, and in die Garage is accusative because it expresses movement into a place; with this object use, the perfect takes hat.
Kannst du bitte das Fahrrad zurückfahren?
Can you please ride the bicycle back?
kannst du means can you, bitte means please, and das Fahrrad is the bicycle. das Fahrrad is accusative as the direct object; after the modal kannst, the complete infinitive zurückfahren goes to the end and is not split.
die Übernachtung — overnight stay, accommodation for one night
Übernachtung describes spending a night somewhere, not the whole journey or holiday. It is formed from übernachten, meaning to stay overnight.
Die Übernachtung im Hotel kostet fünfzig Euro.
The overnight stay at the hotel costs fifty euros.
im Hotel means in the hotel, and kosten means to cost. Die Übernachtung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kostet is in position two.
Wir buchen die Übernachtung online.
We are booking the overnight stay online.
buchen means to book, and online means online. Die Übernachtung is accusative because it is the direct object of buchen; the finite verb buchen stands in position two.
Wir vertrauen der Übernachtung nicht.
We do not trust the overnight accommodation.
vertrauen means to trust, and nicht means not. Der Übernachtung is dative because vertrauen takes a dative object; this is a useful exception to the common accusative pattern.
Der Preis der Übernachtung ist fair.
The price of the overnight stay is fair.
der Preis means the price, and fair means fair or reasonable. Der Übernachtung is genitive because it identifies which price; the finite verb ist agrees with the singular subject der Preis.
Zwei Übernachtungen sind im Angebot enthalten.
Two overnight stays are included in the offer.
zwei means two, im Angebot means in the offer, and enthalten means included. Übernachtungen is plural and nominative as the subject, so the verb is plural sind.
Wir brauchen die Übernachtung nur für eine Nacht.
We only need the overnight stay for one night.
brauchen means to need, nur means only, and für eine Nacht means for one night. Die Übernachtung is accusative as the object of brauchen, while für also forces the accusative.
östlich — eastern, easterly
Östlich usually describes a position or direction in the east. Do not confuse the adjective östlich with the noun der Osten, meaning the east.
Die Stadt liegt östlich.
The city is in the east.
die Stadt means the city, and liegt means is located or lies. Östlich is used predicatively or adverbially here, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb is in second position.
Wir wohnen im östlichen Teil der Stadt.
We live in the eastern part of the city.
wohnen means live, der Teil means the part, and der Stadt means of the city. Im means in dem and expresses location, so it takes the dative; the adjective has the ending -en after the definite article.
Der Osten ist östlicher als diese Region.
The east is farther east than this region.
der Osten means the east, and diese Region means this region. Östlicher is a predicative comparative after ist, so it has no adjective ending, and als introduces the comparison.
Diese Insel liegt am östlichsten.
This island is farthest east.
diese Insel means this island, and liegt means is located. Am östlichsten is the predicative or adverbial superlative; before a noun, use a form such as die östlichste Insel.
Im östlichen Wald leben viele Vögel.
Many birds live in the eastern forest.
der Wald means the forest, leben means live, and viele Vögel means many birds. Im östlichen Wald is a location phrase with dative im, and the adjective takes -en after the definite article.
Die östliche Grenze ist sehr lang.
The eastern border is very long.
die Grenze means the border, sehr lang means very long, and ist means is. Die östliche Grenze is the feminine subject, so the adjective takes -e after the definite article; the finite verb stands in second position.