Appearance
Vocab: Work & office — A2 (1)
Work & office vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
abgeben — to hand in, to hand over; to give away, to give up
This separable, strong verb has the forms abgeben – gab ab – hat abgegeben. The thing handed in or handed over is accusative: jemand gibt jemandem etwas ab.
Sie gibt ab, was sie gestern geschrieben hat.
She hands in what she wrote yesterday.
was sie gestern geschrieben hat means what she wrote yesterday. The finite verb gibt is in position two and the prefix ab goes to the end; the implied thing handed in is an accusative object.
Er hat den Schlüssel abgegeben.
He handed in the key.
er means he and der Schlüssel means the key. The perfect uses hat plus abgegeben because this action takes haben; the Partizip II goes to the end and den Schlüssel is accusative.
Sie sagte, dass sie den Brief gestern abgab.
She said that she handed in the letter yesterday.
sagte means said, der Brief means the letter, and gestern means yesterday. After dass, the finite verb abgab goes to the end and the separable prefix remains attached; den Brief is accusative.
Bitte gib ab!
Please hand it in!
bitte means please. This informal singular command omits du; the two parts of the separable verb stand together as gib ab.
Wenn ich die Arbeit heute abgäbe, wäre ich morgen frei.
If I handed in the work today, I would be free tomorrow.
die Arbeit means the work, heute means today, wäre means would be, and frei means free. In the subordinate clause, the Konjunktiv II form abgäbe stays together at the end; die Arbeit is accusative as the direct object.
Ich werde den Antrag später abgeben.
I will hand in the application later.
der Antrag means the application and später means later. Werde is the finite verb in position two, while the infinitive abgeben remains together at the end; den Antrag is accusative.
Er will seine Verantwortung nicht abgeben.
He does not want to give up his responsibility.
will means wants to, seine Verantwortung means his responsibility, and nicht means not. Seine Verantwortung is accusative, and after the modal verb will, the infinitive abgeben stays together at the end.
Sie gibt ab, was sie nicht mehr braucht.
She gives away what she no longer needs.
was sie nicht mehr braucht means what she no longer needs, and mehr means anymore in this negative sentence. The object is accusative, while the finite verb gibt stands in position two and ab follows it directly as the separable prefix.
abheften — to file, to put away in a folder
Abheften takes an accusative object: the papers or document being put into a folder. Do not confuse it with heften, which means to staple or fasten.
Sie heftet ab die Rechnung.
She files the bill.
die Rechnung means the bill or invoice. Die Rechnung is accusative because it is the document being filed; the finite verb heftet is in position two and ab goes to the end.
Sie hat die Rechnung abgeheftet.
She filed the bill.
die Rechnung means the bill or invoice. It is accusative as the object of abheften, and hat abgeheftet uses haben with the participle at the end.
Früher heftete ab er alle Briefe.
He used to file all the letters.
früher means in the past, and alle Briefe means all the letters. Alle Briefe is accusative after abheften; the weak past form is heftete, while ab remains at the end.
Heft ab den Vertrag!
File the contract!
der Vertrag means the contract. Den Vertrag is accusative because it is the object, and the informal command splits into heft ... ab without du.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich die Unterlagen abheften.
If I had more time, I would file the documents.
mehr Zeit means more time, and die Unterlagen means the documents or papers. The conditional clause has hätte at the end after wenn; in the result clause, würde ... abheften keeps the infinitive together at the end.
Morgen werde ich die Unterlagen abheften.
Tomorrow I will file the documents.
morgen means tomorrow, and die Unterlagen means the documents or papers. Werde is in position two and the infinitive abheften goes to the end; as an infinitive, the separable verb is one word.
die Abteilung — department, section
Abteilung can mean a department in a company or a section in a shop or organisation. The feminine plural is regular: die Abteilungen.
Die Abteilung ist heute geschlossen.
The department is closed today.
heute means today and geschlossen means closed. Die Abteilung is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche die neue Abteilung.
I am looking for the new department.
ich suche means I am looking for, and neu means new. die neue Abteilung is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Wir helfen der Abteilung heute.
We are helping the department today.
helfen means to help, and heute means today. der Abteilung is dative because helfen always takes a dative object, while helfen stands in position two.
Die Tür der Abteilung ist offen.
The department’s door is open.
die Tür means the door and offen means open. der Abteilung is genitive because it expresses whose door it is; the finite verb ist belongs to the main subject die Tür.
In unserer Firma gibt es drei Abteilungen.
There are three departments in our company.
unsere Firma means our company and drei means three. drei Abteilungen is plural, while es gibt takes an accusative object; the plural ending is -en.
die Akte — file, dossier; case file, official record
For an official file, die Akte often contains documents about a case or person. Do not translate it as die Datei, which usually means a computer file.
Die Akte liegt auf dem Schreibtisch.
The file is on the desk.
liegt means is lying, and der Schreibtisch means desk. Die Akte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Ich lese die Akte heute.
I am reading the file today.
lese means am reading, and heute means today. Die Akte is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Der Anwalt gibt der Akte einen neuen Namen.
The lawyer gives the file a new name.
der Anwalt is the lawyer, gibt means gives, and einen neuen Namen means a new name. Der Akte is dative because it is the thing receiving the name, while einen neuen Namen is accusative.
Der Inhalt der Akte ist vertraulich.
The contents of the file are confidential.
der Inhalt means the contents, and vertraulich means confidential. Der Akte is genitive because it identifies whose contents they are.
Die Akten liegen im Schrank.
The files are in the cupboard.
liegen means are lying, and der Schrank means cupboard. Die Akten is plural and nominative because it is the subject; im Schrank is dative after in for a fixed location.
Die Behörde legt den Brief zu den Akten.
The authority puts the letter on file.
die Behörde means the authority, legt means puts, and der Brief means letter. Zu den Akten is a fixed expression meaning on file; zu takes the dative, and den Akten is therefore dative plural.
Der Richter öffnet die Akte im Gericht.
The judge opens the file in court.
der Richter means judge, öffnet means opens, and das Gericht means court. Die Akte is accusative because it is the object of öffnen, while im Gericht gives the location.
die Aktentasche — briefcase, work bag
The word combines Akte (file) and Tasche (bag). It usually means a professional briefcase, not an ordinary handbag.
Die Aktentasche ist sehr schwer.
The briefcase is very heavy.
ist means is, and schwer means heavy. Die Aktentasche is nominative because it is the subject, and sehr means very; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich nehme die Aktentasche mit.
I am taking the briefcase with me.
nehme ... mit means take along, and mit means along or with. Die Aktentasche is accusative because mitnehmen takes a direct object; the prefix mit moves to the end of the main clause.
Ich helfe der Aktentasche?
I help the briefcase?
This sentence is intentionally not natural: helfen means help and normally takes a person in the dative, not a bag. Der Aktentasche has the dative form, but learners should say Ich helfe dem Kollegen mit der Aktentasche when they mean that they help a colleague with the briefcase.
Der Griff der Aktentasche ist kaputt.
The handle of the briefcase is broken.
der Griff means handle, and kaputt means broken. Der Aktentasche is genitive because it shows that the handle belongs to the briefcase.
Die Aktentaschen stehen neben der Tür.
The briefcases are next to the door.
stehen means are standing, neben means next to, and die Tür means door. Die Aktentaschen is plural nominative as the subject; der Tür is dative because neben describes a fixed location here.
der Angestellte — employee, male employee
This is an adjectival noun: der Angestellte means a male employee and is written with a capital letter. It is a weak masculine noun, so use den Angestellten, dem Angestellten, and des Angestellten, not the bare form in those cases.
Der Angestellte arbeitet im Büro.
The employee works in the office.
arbeitet means works, and im Büro means in the office. Der Angestellte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Angestellten jeden Tag.
I see the employee every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. den Angestellten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun changes from Angestellte to Angestellten.
Ich helfe dem Angestellten bei der Arbeit.
I help the employee with the work.
helfe means help, bei der Arbeit means with the work, and Arbeit means work. dem Angestellten is dative because helfen requires the dative; the noun has -en outside the nominative.
Das Auto des Angestellten steht vor dem Haus.
The employee's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. des Angestellten is genitive because it shows whose car it is; des and the ending -en mark the masculine genitive.
Die Angestellten machen eine Pause.
The employees are taking a break.
machen means make or take, and eine Pause means a break. Die Angestellten is plural nominative because it is the subject, and the verb has the plural form machen.
die Angestellte — employee, female employee
This is an adjectival noun: die Angestellte means a female employee and is written with a capital letter. Do not confuse singular die Angestellte with plural die Angestellten.
Die Angestellte arbeitet im Büro.
The employee works in the office.
arbeitet means works, and im Büro means in the office. Die Angestellte is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Angestellte jeden Tag.
I see the employee every day.
sehe means see, and jeden Tag means every day. die Angestellte is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine definite article stays die in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Angestellten bei der Arbeit.
I help the employee with the work.
helfe means help, bei der Arbeit means with the work, and Arbeit means work. der Angestellten is dative because helfen requires the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das Auto der Angestellten steht vor dem Haus.
The employee's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is parked, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. der Angestellten is genitive because it shows whose car it is; the feminine genitive article is der.
Die Angestellten machen eine Pause.
The employees are taking a break.
machen means make or take, and eine Pause means a break. Die Angestellten is plural nominative because it is the subject; the feminine and masculine forms have the same plural here.
anstellen — to switch on, to turn on; to employ, to hire; to queue; to make a fuss
For the meaning ‘switch on’, anstellen takes an accusative object such as das Licht. Do not confuse it with aufstellen, which means to put something up or arrange it.
Meine Schwester stellt jeden Abend die Lampe an.
My sister switches on the lamp every evening.
meine Schwester means my sister, jeden Abend means every evening, and die Lampe is the lamp. die Lampe is accusative because anstellen takes the thing being switched on as an accusative object; stellt is in position two and an is at the end.
Ich habe das Radio angestellt.
I switched on the radio.
das Radio means the radio. The object is accusative after anstellen, and the Partizip II angestellt goes to the end with habe.
Er stellte die Heizung morgens an.
He switched on the heating in the morning.
die Heizung means the heating and morgens means in the morning. die Heizung is accusative as the object, while stellte is in position two and an is separated to the end.
Stell bitte das Licht an!
Please switch on the light!
bitte means please and das Licht means the light. The object is accusative, and the informal command separates stell from the prefix an.
Wenn es dunkel wäre, stellte ich die Lampe an.
If it were dark, I would switch on the lamp.
dunkel means dark and die Lampe means the lamp. die Lampe is accusative because it is switched on; stellte plus the context expresses a hypothetical situation, with an at the end.
Ich werde später den Computer anstellen.
I will switch on the computer later.
später means later and der Computer means the computer. The future auxiliary werde stands in position two, the accusative object follows, and the complete infinitive anstellen goes to the end.
Die Firma stellt neue Mitarbeiter an.
The company is hiring new employees.
die Firma means the company and neue Mitarbeiter means new employees. neue Mitarbeiter is accusative because the people hired are the direct object; stellt is in position two and an goes to the end.
Sie hat ihn als Fahrer angestellt.
She employed him as a driver.
ihn means him and als Fahrer means as a driver. ihn is accusative because anstellen takes the person employed as its direct object; angestellt stands at the end of the perfect clause.
Wir stellen uns an der Kasse an.
We are queuing at the checkout.
uns means ourselves and an der Kasse means at the checkout; die Kasse is a checkout here. uns is the reflexive object, while an der Kasse is dative after the fixed location phrase; an goes to the end.
Du stellst dich wegen jeder Kleinigkeit an.
You make a fuss about every little thing.
dich means yourself, wegen jeder Kleinigkeit means about every little thing, and Kleinigkeit means a minor matter. dich is the accusative reflexive object; stellst is in position two and an goes to the end.
der Anstreicher — painter, house painter
This word normally means a professional painter of walls and buildings, not an artist who paints pictures. The feminine form is Anstreicherin.
Der Anstreicher arbeitet heute in unserem Haus.
The painter is working in our house today.
arbeitet means is working, heute means today, and unserem Haus means our house. Der Anstreicher is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Anstreicher morgen an.
I will call the painter tomorrow.
rufe ... an means call, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Anstreicher is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable prefix an goes to the end of the clause.
Ich gebe dem Anstreicher den Schlüssel.
I give the painter the key.
gebe means give, and den Schlüssel means the key. Dem Anstreicher is dative because he receives something, while den Schlüssel is the accusative thing given.
Die Leiter des Anstreichers steht im Flur.
The painter's ladder is in the hallway.
Die Leiter means the ladder, steht means is standing, and im Flur means in the hallway. Des Anstreichers is genitive because it expresses possession; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Anstreicher beginnen um acht Uhr.
The painters start at eight o'clock.
beginnen means start, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Die Anstreicher is the plural subject, so the verb is plural: beginnen, not singular beginnt.
anstrengen — to make an effort, to try hard; to tire someone out, to strain someone
The usual pattern is sich anstrengen, with an accusative reflexive pronoun: mich, dich, sich, and so on. It is separable: an moves to the end in a main clause, but the infinitive remains anstrengen.
Ich strenge mich an, die Prüfung zu bestehen.
I am trying hard to pass the exam.
mich means myself, die Prüfung means the exam, and zu bestehen means to pass. Mich is accusative because the reflexive verb uses an accusative reflexive pronoun; the finite verb strenge is in position two and an goes to the end.
Wir haben uns für das Konzert angestrengt.
We worked hard for the concert.
uns means ourselves, für das Konzert means for the concert, and Konzert means concert. The perfect uses haben plus angestrengt, which stands at the end; für forces the accusative case.
Er strengte sich an, aber die Aufgabe blieb schwierig.
He tried hard, but the task remained difficult.
aber means but, die Aufgabe means the task, and blieb schwierig means remained difficult. Sich is the accusative reflexive pronoun, and in the preterite strengte stands in position two while an closes the clause.
Streng dich an und lies den Text noch einmal!
Make an effort and read the text again!
lies means read, den Text means the text, and noch einmal means once again. Streng dich an is the informal singular imperative; dich is accusative and the separable an goes at the end.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich mich noch mehr anstrengen.
If I had more time, I would try even harder.
Wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and noch mehr means even more. In the wenn clause the finite verb hätte goes to the end; the conditional main clause uses würde plus the infinitive anstrengen.
Ich werde mich anstrengen, pünktlich zu sein.
I will make an effort to be on time.
pünktlich means on time, and zu sein means to be. Future tense uses werde in position two and the infinitive anstrengen at the end; mich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Die lange Reise strengt besonders die Kinder an.
The long journey especially tires the children out.
Die lange Reise means the long journey, besonders means especially, and die Kinder means the children. Die Kinder is accusative because this sense takes a person who is affected; strengt is in position two and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Die schwere Arbeit hat ihn sehr angestrengt.
The heavy work has tired him out a lot.
schwere Arbeit means heavy work, ihn means him, and sehr means very or a lot. Ihn is accusative because the work affects him, and the perfect places angestrengt at the end after hat.
der Anwalt — lawyer, attorney
Anwalt is a masculine weak noun: outside the nominative singular, it normally gets -en, as in den Anwalt and mit dem Anwalt. Its plural is irregular in the vowel: Anwälte.
Der Anwalt arbeitet in Berlin.
The lawyer works in Berlin.
arbeitet means works, and Berlin is the city of Berlin. Der Anwalt is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Anwalt heute an.
I’m calling the lawyer today.
rufe ... an means call, and heute means today. den Anwalt is accusative because it is the direct object; the separable verb places rufe in position two and an at the end.
Ich spreche mit dem Anwalt.
I’m speaking with the lawyer.
sprechen means speak, and mit means with. mit always requires the dative, so dem Anwalt is dative.
Das Büro des Anwalts ist neben dem Gericht.
The lawyer’s office is next to the court.
das Büro is the office, neben means next to, and das Gericht is the court. des Anwalts is genitive because it shows whose office it is; Anwalt takes -s here.
Viele Anwälte arbeiten in dieser Stadt.
Many lawyers work in this city.
viele means many, arbeiten means work, and diese Stadt means this city. Anwälte is plural and is nominative because it is the subject; the umlaut and -e form the plural.
anwesend — present, in attendance
anwesend is normally used with sein to say that someone is physically present. Its opposite is abwesend, meaning absent; it is not normally used for the idea of being mentally attentive.
Alle sind anwesend.
Everyone is present.
alle means everyone or all people. anwesend is predicative after sind and therefore has no adjective ending; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die anwesenden Gäste warten im Saal.
The guests who are present are waiting in the hall.
die Gäste are the guests, warten means are waiting, and der Saal is the hall. anwesenden stands before the plural noun and takes -en after die; the whole noun phrase is nominative as the subject.
Heute sind mehr anwesende Mitglieder als gestern da.
Today there are more members present than yesterday.
heute means today, mehr means more, Mitglieder are members, and gestern means yesterday. The comparative is used before the plural noun and takes -e after mehr; als introduces the comparison.
Bei der Sitzung war sie am anwesendsten.
At the meeting, she was the most present.
bei der Sitzung means at the meeting, and sie means she. bei always takes the dative, while predicative am anwesendsten has no adjective ending because it follows war.
der Apotheker — pharmacist
The feminine form is die Apothekerin. The plural Apotheker can mean male pharmacists or pharmacists generally, depending on context.
Der Apotheker berät die Kundin.
The pharmacist advises the customer.
berät means advises and die Kundin means the female customer. Der Apotheker is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb berät is in position two.
Ich frage den Apotheker.
I ask the pharmacist.
fragen means to ask and ich means I. Den Apotheker is accusative because fragen takes the person asked as a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich spreche mit dem Apotheker.
I speak with the pharmacist.
sprechen means speak. Mit always takes the dative, so dem Apotheker is dative; the noun itself has no extra ending.
Das Fahrrad des Apothekers steht draußen.
The pharmacist's bicycle is outside.
das Fahrrad means the bicycle and draußen means outside. Des Apothekers is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Apotheker arbeiten heute lange.
The pharmacists are working late today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and lange means for a long time or late. Die Apotheker is plural and has the same noun form as the singular; the plural verb is arbeiten.
der Arbeiter — worker; labourer
Arbeiter usually refers to a worker, especially one doing practical or physical work. The plural is identical in form to the singular, so the article or another determiner shows the number.
Der Arbeiter trägt einen Helm.
The worker is wearing a helmet.
trägt means wears or carries, and der Helm means the helmet. Der Arbeiter is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb trägt is in position two.
Die Firma sucht einen Arbeiter.
The company is looking for a worker.
die Firma means the company and sucht means is looking for. Einen Arbeiter is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Der Chef hilft dem Arbeiter bei der Arbeit.
The boss helps the worker with the work.
der Chef means the boss and bei der Arbeit means with or during the work. Dem Arbeiter is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; this masculine noun has no extra -n because it is not a weak noun.
Das Werkzeug des Arbeiters liegt auf dem Tisch.
The worker's tool is lying on the table.
das Werkzeug means the tool, liegt means is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Des Arbeiters is genitive to show possession; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Viele Arbeiter fahren früh zur Fabrik.
Many workers travel to the factory early.
viele means many, früh means early, and zur Fabrik means to the factory. Arbeiter is plural after viele and has the same form as the singular; zu forces the dative in zur Fabrik.
arbeitslos — unemployed, jobless
arbeitslos describes a person who has no job. It is normally used predicatively with sein or before a noun with an adjective ending; the related noun is die Arbeitslosigkeit.
Nach der Schließung der Fabrik ist mein Nachbar arbeitslos.
After the factory closed, my neighbour is unemployed.
die Schließung means the closure, die Fabrik means factory, and mein Nachbar means my neighbour. The adjective is predicative after ist, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele arbeitslose Menschen suchen eine neue Stelle.
Many unemployed people are looking for a new job.
viele Menschen means many people, suchen means are looking for, eine neue Stelle means a new job or position. arbeitslose comes before the plural noun and has the weak adjective ending -e after viele; eine neue Stelle is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object.
Ohne Berufserfahrung ist es oft arbeitsloser, eine Stelle zu finden.
Without professional experience, it is often more difficult to find a job while unemployed.
ohne Berufserfahrung means without professional experience, and eine Stelle zu finden means to find a job. The comparative ends in -er; ohne takes the accusative, while zu finden goes at the end of the infinitive clause.
In dieser Region sind junge Menschen am längsten arbeitslosesten.
In this region, young people are unemployed for the longest time.
in dieser Region means in this region, junge Menschen means young people, and am längsten means for the longest time. The superlative of arbeitslos is normally am arbeitslosesten; here the sentence uses the adjective with am, and in takes the dative for a location.
der Arbeitsplatz — job, workplace; workstation, place of work
Arbeitsplatz can mean a paid job or the physical place where someone works. Do not confuse it with Arbeitsstelle, which usually means a job or position rather than a desk or workstation.
Der Arbeitsplatz ist nur zehn Minuten von meiner Wohnung entfernt.
The workplace is only ten minutes from my flat.
zehn Minuten means ten minutes, meine Wohnung means my flat, and entfernt means away or distant. Der Arbeitsplatz is nominative because it is the subject; entfernt sein is a fixed expression, and von takes the dative in von meiner Wohnung.
Sie sucht den Arbeitsplatz seit zwei Monaten.
She has been looking for the job for two months.
sie sucht means she is looking for, and seit zwei Monaten means for two months. den Arbeitsplatz is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; seit takes the dative, and German often uses the present tense for an action that started in the past and continues.
Der Chef bietet dem Arbeitsplatz neue Geräte an.
The boss offers the workplace new equipment.
der Chef means the boss, bietet ... an means offers, and neue Geräte means new equipment or devices. dem Arbeitsplatz is dative because anbieten can take the recipient or place receiving something in the dative; the separable prefix an stands at the end.
Die Ausstattung des Arbeitsplatzes ist modern.
The equipment of the workplace is modern.
die Ausstattung means the equipment, and modern means modern. des Arbeitsplatzes is genitive because it identifies which workplace the equipment belongs to; ist modern is a copular structure with the adjective after sein.
Viele Arbeitsplätze entstehen in dieser Firma.
Many jobs are being created in this company.
viele means many, entstehen means come into existence or are created, and diese Firma means this company. Arbeitsplätze is plural nominative because it is the subject; in dieser Firma is dative because in describes a location.
Bitte räum deinen Arbeitsplatz auf.
Please tidy your workstation.
bitte means please, räum ... auf means tidy up, and deinen means your. deinen Arbeitsplatz is accusative because aufräumen takes a direct object; the separable verb puts räum first and auf at the end.
Am Arbeitsplatz darf man nicht rauchen.
You are not allowed to smoke at the workplace.
am means an dem, darf man nicht means one is not allowed to, and rauchen means to smoke. am Arbeitsplatz is dative because an describes a fixed location; after the modal verb darf, the infinitive rauchen goes to the end.
die Arbeitsstelle — job; workplace; position; workplace
Arbeitsstelle can mean either the job itself or the place where you work. For the more general idea of employment, German also commonly uses Arbeit or Job.
Die Arbeitsstelle ist nur zehn Minuten entfernt.
The workplace is only ten minutes away.
nur zehn Minuten means only ten minutes and entfernt means away or distant. Arbeitsstelle is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich suche eine neue Arbeitsstelle.
I am looking for a new job.
suchen means to look for and neu means new. Arbeitsstelle is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains eine in the accusative, and suche stands in position two.
Sie erzählt ihrer Freundin von der Arbeitsstelle.
She tells her friend about the job.
erzählen means to tell, ihrer Freundin means to her female friend, and von means about or from. Arbeitsstelle is dative because von always governs the dative; the finite verb erzählt stands in position two.
Die Lage der Arbeitsstelle ist sehr gut.
The location of the workplace is very good.
die Lage means the location and sehr gut means very good. Arbeitsstelle is genitive after die Lage to show which location; with a feminine noun, der marks the genitive, while ist stands in position two.
In unserer Stadt gibt es viele Arbeitsstellen.
There are many jobs in our city.
unsere Stadt means our city and viele means many. Arbeitsstellen is plural because there are many jobs; after es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, but the plural form still has the article-free ending -n.
An meiner Arbeitsstelle gibt es eine Kantine.
There is a canteen at my workplace.
an meiner Arbeitsstelle means at my workplace and die Kantine means the canteen. an takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, and gibt es introduces something that exists.
Meine Arbeitsstelle liegt im Stadtzentrum.
My workplace is in the city centre.
liegen means to be located and das Stadtzentrum means the city centre. Arbeitsstelle is nominative as the subject, and the finite verb liegt stands in position two; im is short for in dem.
die Arbeitszeit — working hours, working time
This compound combines Arbeit, work, with Zeit, time. Arbeitszeit often means the official time someone is expected to work, while Arbeitsstunde means one working hour.
Meine Arbeitszeit beginnt um acht Uhr.
My working hours begin at eight o’clock.
beginnt means begins, and um acht Uhr means at eight o’clock. Meine Arbeitszeit is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich verkürze meine Arbeitszeit im Sommer.
I reduce my working hours in summer.
verkürze means reduce, and im Sommer means in summer. Meine Arbeitszeit is accusative because verkürzen takes a direct object; the finite verb verkürze is in position two.
Bei Teilzeit ist die Arbeitszeit oft kürzer.
With part-time work, working hours are often shorter.
Teilzeit means part-time work, and kürzer means shorter. Bei always takes the dative, so bei Teilzeit is a dative phrase; the subject die Arbeitszeit is nominative, and ist stands in position two.
Die Länge der Arbeitszeit hängt vom Vertrag ab.
The length of the working hours depends on the contract.
die Länge means the length, hängt ... ab means depends on, and der Vertrag means the contract. Der Arbeitszeit is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; the separable verb hängt ... ab puts ab at the end of the main clause.
Viele Arbeitszeiten beginnen früh am Morgen.
Many working hours begin early in the morning.
viele means many, and früh am Morgen means early in the morning. Arbeitszeiten is the plural subject, so it takes beginnen, not singular beginnt; the finite verb is in position two.
das Arbeitszimmer — study, home office
This compound combines Arbeit, work, with Zimmer, room. Its plural is unusual because Arbeitszimmer has the same form in the singular and plural; only the article or another word shows the number.
Das Arbeitszimmer liegt neben dem Schlafzimmer.
The study is next to the bedroom.
liegt neben means is next to, and das Schlafzimmer means the bedroom. Das Arbeitszimmer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Wir streichen das Arbeitszimmer morgen.
We are painting the study tomorrow.
streichen means paint, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Arbeitszimmer is accusative because streichen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Im Arbeitszimmer steht ein großer Schreibtisch.
There is a large desk in the study.
ein großer Schreibtisch means a large desk, and steht means stands or is located. Im Arbeitszimmer means in dem Arbeitszimmer and is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the verb steht comes in position two.
Die Tür des Arbeitszimmers ist geschlossen.
The door of the study is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. Des Arbeitszimmers is genitive because it shows which room the door belongs to; the neuter noun adds -s, and ist stands in position two.
Unsere Arbeitszimmer sind noch nicht eingerichtet.
Our studies are not furnished yet.
unsere means our, and eingerichtet means furnished or set up. Arbeitszimmer is plural here even though it has no ending; sind shows the plural, and the adjective eingerichtet stays at the end of the clause.
der Assistent — assistant; assistant; digital assistant
Assistent is a masculine weak noun: only the nominative singular is der Assistent; the other singular cases use Assistenten. The plural is also Assistenten, and the feminine form is Assistentin.
Der Assistent organisiert den Termin.
The assistant organises the appointment.
organisiert means organises, and der Termin means the appointment. Der Assistent is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb organisiert stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Assistenten an.
I call the assistant.
anrufen means to call, and ich means I. den Assistenten is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; as a weak noun, Assistent takes -en, and the separable prefix an goes to the end.
Ich danke dem Assistenten.
I thank the assistant.
danken means to thank. dem Assistenten is dative because danken governs the dative, and the weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative singular.
Das Büro des Assistenten ist nebenan.
The assistant's office is next door.
das Büro means the office, and nebenan means next door. des Assistenten is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the weak noun uses -en, and ist is in position two.
Die Assistenten arbeiten heute zusammen.
The assistants are working together today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and zusammen means together. Die Assistenten is the plural subject, and the plural form ends in -en; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Der digitale Assistent beantwortet meine Frage.
The digital assistant answers my question.
digital means digital, beantwortet means answers, and meine Frage means my question. Der digitale Assistent is nominative as the subject, while meine Frage is accusative because beantworten takes a direct object.
Viele Assistenten können Musik abspielen.
Many assistants can play music.
viele means many, können means can, and Musik abspielen means play music. Viele Assistenten is the plural subject; with the modal können, the infinitive abspielen goes to the end of the clause.
die Assistentin — female assistant
Assistentin is the feminine form of Assistent. Its plural is Assistentinnen, formed with -innen; the singular noun does not change in the dative or genitive, but the article does.
Die Assistentin organisiert den Termin.
The assistant organises the appointment.
organisiert means organises, and der Termin means the appointment. Die Assistentin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb organisiert stands in position two.
Ich rufe die Assistentin an.
I call the assistant.
anrufen means to call. die Assistentin is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; the separable prefix an goes to the end of the main clause.
Ich danke der Assistentin.
I thank the assistant.
danken means to thank. der Assistentin is dative because danken governs the dative; with a feminine noun, the dative article is der, although the noun ending stays the same.
Das Büro der Assistentin ist nebenan.
The assistant's office is next door.
das Büro means the office, and nebenan means next door. der Assistentin is genitive because it shows whose office it is; feminine nouns use der in both genitive and dative, so the context matters.
Die Assistentinnen arbeiten heute zusammen.
The assistants are working together today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and zusammen means together. Die Assistentinnen is the plural subject; the plural is formed with -innen, and the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
aufbauen — to build, to put up, to set up; to develop, to establish
Aufbauen is separable in a main clause: ich baue ... auf, but the infinitive and participle stay together. It can describe physically putting something together or, in a later sense, establishing something less concrete.
Wir bauen heute das Zelt auf.
We are putting up the tent today.
heute means today, and das Zelt is the tent. Das Zelt is accusative because aufbauen takes a direct object; the finite part bauen is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Wir haben das Zelt aufgebaut.
We put up the tent.
das Zelt means the tent, and the sentence says that it was put up. Das Zelt is accusative, while the Partizip II aufgebaut goes to the end and combines with haben.
Sie baute das Regal gestern auf.
She assembled the shelf yesterday.
das Regal is the shelf, and gestern means yesterday. The weak past form baute is in position two, and the separable prefix auf stands at the end; das Regal is accusative.
Bau das Regal auf!
Assemble the shelf!
das Regal means the shelf. The informal command uses bau without du, and the prefix auf separates and goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Ich würde gern ein kleines Haus aufbauen.
I would like to build a small house.
gern means gladly or would like to, klein means small, and das Haus is the house. Würde is Konjunktiv II, and the complete infinitive aufbauen stays at the end after it; ein kleines Haus is accusative.
Nächstes Jahr werden wir ein neues Büro aufbauen.
Next year we will set up a new office.
nächstes Jahr means next year, neu means new, and das Büro is the office. The finite verb werden is in position two and the inseparable-looking whole infinitive aufbauen goes to the end; the office is accusative.
Sie baut langsam Vertrauen auf.
She is slowly building trust.
langsam means slowly, and Vertrauen is trust. Vertrauen is an accusative object, while baut stays in position two and auf moves to the end.
Das Unternehmen hat ein neues Team aufgebaut.
The company has established a new team.
das Unternehmen is the company, neu means new, and das Team is the team. The perfect uses hat plus aufgebaut at the end; ein neues Team is the accusative object.
aufgeben — to give up, to abandon; to submit, to post; to assign, to set
In this sense, aufgeben is often used without an object, as in nicht aufgeben. With an object, it can mean abandoning a plan, attempt, or hope.
Er gibt nicht auf.
He is not giving up.
nicht means not. Er is the nominative subject; the finite part gibt stands in position two, while the separable prefix auf goes to the end.
Sie hat nach einer Stunde aufgegeben.
She gave up after an hour.
nach einer Stunde means after an hour. The perfect uses hat because aufgeben takes haben; the complete Partizip II aufgegeben stays together at the end.
Der Läufer gab kurz vor dem Ziel auf.
The runner gave up shortly before the finish.
der Läufer means the runner, kurz vor means shortly before, and das Ziel means the finish. Gab is the strong past form of geben, and the prefix auf is separated and placed at the end.
Gib jetzt nicht auf.
Don't give up now.
jetzt means now and nicht means not. This is a du command with the subject omitted; the irregular imperative is gib, and the prefix auf must stand at the end.
Wenn du früher aufgäbest, wärst du jetzt entspannter.
If you gave up earlier, you would be more relaxed now.
früher means earlier and entspannter means more relaxed. In the wenn clause, the Konjunktiv II form aufgäbest goes to the end; because the verb is separable in finite clauses, the prefix is written together in this subordinate clause.
Ich werde nie aufgeben.
I will never give up.
nie means never. In the future, werde is in position two and the complete infinitive aufgeben goes to the end; it is not separated because it is an infinitive.
Ich gebe den Brief bei der Post auf.
I am posting the letter at the post office.
der Brief means the letter and bei der Post means at the post office. Den Brief is accusative because it is the thing being posted; gebe is in position two and auf goes to the end.
Bitte geben Sie das Formular heute auf.
Please submit the form today.
das Formular means the form and heute means today. This is the formal Sie imperative, so geben stays in the infinitive-like form; das Formular is accusative and auf goes to the end.
Die Lehrerin gibt den Kindern Hausaufgaben auf.
The teacher assigns the children homework.
die Lehrerin means the female teacher, den Kindern means the children, and Hausaufgaben means homework. Den Kindern is dative because they receive the assignment, while Hausaufgaben is accusative; gibt is in position two and auf is at the end.
Der Kursleiter hat uns eine schwierige Aufgabe aufgegeben.
The course instructor assigned us a difficult task.
der Kursleiter means the course instructor, uns means us, and schwierig means difficult. Uns is dative as the recipient and eine schwierige Aufgabe is accusative; hat is in position two and aufgegeben closes the perfect clause.
die Ausbildung — vocational training, education, training
In everyday German, eine Ausbildung machen usually means to complete vocational training for a job, not simply to attend a general course.
Die Ausbildung dauert drei Jahre.
The vocational training lasts three years.
dauert means lasts, and drei Jahre means three years. Die Ausbildung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Ich beginne die Ausbildung im September.
I am starting the training in September.
beginne means start, and im September means in September. Die Ausbildung is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; the finite verb beginne is in position two.
In der Ausbildung lerne ich viele praktische Dinge.
During my vocational training, I learn many practical things.
in der Ausbildung means during the vocational training, and praktische Dinge means practical things. Der Ausbildung is dative because in describes a fixed context or location here; after the introductory phrase, the finite verb lerne stands in position two.
Die Dauer der Ausbildung hängt vom Beruf ab.
The length of the training depends on the occupation.
die Dauer means the length, hängt ... ab means depends, and der Beruf means the occupation. Der Ausbildung is genitive because it identifies whose length is meant; hängt is in position two and the separable part ab goes to the end.
Viele junge Leute machen Ausbildungen in verschiedenen Berufen.
Many young people do vocational training in different occupations.
viele junge Leute means many young people, and verschiedene Berufe means different occupations. Ausbildungen is plural and has no ending after machen; the finite verb machen stands in position two.
der Automechaniker — car mechanic
der Automechaniker is a person who repairs cars. It is a weak masculine noun: the singular has -n in the accusative and dative and -s in the genitive, while the plural is unchanged.
Der Automechaniker arbeitet in einer Werkstatt.
The car mechanic works in a garage.
arbeiten means to work and die Werkstatt means the garage or workshop. der Automechaniker is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Automechaniker an.
I call the car mechanic.
anrufen means to call. den Automechaniker is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object, and the separable verb puts rufe in position two and an at the end.
Ich spreche mit dem Automechaniker.
I am speaking with the car mechanic.
sprechen means to speak and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so dem Automechaniker is dative; the verb spreche is in position two.
Die Rechnung des Automechanikers ist hoch.
The mechanic's bill is high.
die Rechnung means the bill and hoch means high or expensive. des Automechanikers is genitive because it shows whose bill it is; as a weak masculine noun, Automechaniker takes -s here.
Die Automechaniker prüfen die Bremsen.
The car mechanics check the brakes.
prüfen means to check and die Bremsen means the brakes. die Automechaniker is plural and nominative as the subject, while die Bremsen is accusative as the object.
der Autor — author
der Autor is a person who writes texts, especially books. Its plural is Autoren, not Autors; the genitive singular is des Autors.
Der Autor schreibt einen neuen Roman.
The author is writing a new novel.
schreiben means to write and der Roman means the novel. der Autor is nominative because it is the subject, while einen neuen Roman is accusative because it is the direct object.
Ich lese den Autor gern.
I like reading the author.
lesen means to read and gern means gladly or with pleasure. den Autor is accusative because lesen takes a direct object; gern says that the speaker enjoys the activity.
Ich danke dem Autor für das Buch.
I thank the author for the book.
danken means to thank and für means for. danken takes a dative person, so dem Autor is dative, while für takes the accusative in das Buch.
Der Stil des Autors gefällt mir.
I like the author's style.
der Stil means the style and gefallen means to please or be liked. des Autors is genitive because it shows whose style it is, while mir is dative because gefallen presents the person who likes something in the dative.
Viele Autoren lesen auf der Messe.
Many authors read at the fair.
viele means many, lesen means read, and die Messe means the fair or exhibition. viele Autoren is the plural subject, and auf der Messe is dative because it describes a fixed location.
der Babysitter — babysitter
The plural of der Babysitter is also Babysitter. In the genitive singular, it becomes des Babysitters, with -s.
Der Babysitter kommt um acht Uhr.
The babysitter is coming at eight o'clock.
kommt means is coming, and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Babysitter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir suchen einen Babysitter.
We are looking for a babysitter.
wir means we, and suchen means are looking for. einen Babysitter is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Die Kinder vertrauen dem Babysitter.
The children trust the babysitter.
die Kinder are the children, and vertrauen means trust. dem Babysitter is dative because vertrauen governs the dative, so the masculine article is dem.
Die Telefonnummer des Babysitters steht hier.
The babysitter's telephone number is here.
die Telefonnummer means the telephone number, and steht hier means is here. des Babysitters is genitive because it shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s.
Die Babysitter spielen mit den Kindern.
The babysitters are playing with the children.
spielen means are playing, and mit den Kindern means with the children. Babysitter has no visible plural ending; mit always takes the dative, shown by den Kindern.
die Bedienung — service; waiter or waitress; operation, control
die Bedienung commonly means service in a restaurant, or the waiter or waitress providing it. In technical contexts it can instead mean operation or control of a device.
Die Bedienung im Restaurant ist sehr freundlich.
The service in the restaurant is very friendly.
im Restaurant means “in the restaurant,” and sehr freundlich means “very friendly.” Die Bedienung is nominative because it is the subject; im is in dem, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir rufen die Bedienung.
We call the waiter or waitress.
wir rufen means “we call,” and rufen means “call.” die Bedienung is accusative because it is the person being called; the finite verb rufen stands in position two.
Wir geben der Bedienung ein Trinkgeld.
We give the waiter or waitress a tip.
geben means “give,” and ein Trinkgeld means “a tip.” der Bedienung is dative as the recipient, while ein Trinkgeld is accusative as the thing given; the verb geben is in position two.
Die Qualität der Bedienung war ausgezeichnet.
The quality of the service was excellent.
die Qualität means “the quality,” war means “was,” and ausgezeichnet means “excellent.” der Bedienung is genitive because it identifies whose quality is meant; the full phrase Die Qualität der Bedienung is nominative.
In diesem Café gibt es zwei Bedienungen.
There are two waiters or waitresses in this café.
in diesem Café means “in this café,” and zwei means “two.” Bedienungen is plural after zwei; in es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative, although the plural article is not shown here.
Die Bedienung des Geräts ist einfach.
The operation of the device is easy.
des Geräts means “of the device,” and einfach means “easy.” des Geräts is genitive because it specifies which device is operated; the subject Die Bedienung des Geräts is nominative and ist stands in position two.
Die Anleitung erklärt die Bedienung der Maschine.
The instructions explain how to operate the machine.
die Anleitung means “the instructions,” erklärt means “explains,” and der Maschine means “of the machine.” die Bedienung is accusative because erklären takes an accusative object, while der Maschine is genitive and identifies the machine.
beschäftigt — busy, occupied; employed
beschäftigt can mean ‘busy’ or ‘employed’, depending on the context. It is also the Partizip II of beschäftigen, but after sein it often functions as an adjective describing a state.
Ich bin heute sehr beschäftigt.
I am very busy today.
heute means ‘today’ and sehr means ‘very’. beschäftigt is a predicative adjective after sein, so it has no ending; the finite verb bin is in position two.
Die beschäftigte Ärztin arbeitet bis spät.
The busy doctor works until late.
die Ärztin means ‘the female doctor’, arbeitet means ‘works’, and bis spät means ‘until late’. Before the feminine noun with definite article die, the adjective takes the ending -e: beschäftigte.
Heute bin ich noch beschäftigter als gestern.
Today I am even busier than yesterday.
noch means ‘even’ and gestern means ‘yesterday’. The comparative beschäftigter follows sein without an adjective ending, and als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Am Montag bin ich am beschäftigtsten.
On Monday I am the busiest.
am Montag means ‘on Monday’. The predicative superlative is formed with am and -sten; it comes after bin, while the finite verb remains in position two.
die Besprechung — meeting; discussion
Besprechung can mean a planned meeting or the discussion held during it. It is formed from besprechen, “to discuss”, plus -ung.
Die Besprechung beginnt um neun Uhr.
The meeting starts at nine o’clock.
beginnt means “starts”, and um neun Uhr means “at nine o’clock”. Die Besprechung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich muss die Besprechung vorbereiten.
I have to prepare the meeting.
muss means “must” or “have to”, and vorbereiten means “prepare”. Die Besprechung is accusative because it is the direct object of vorbereiten; the modal verb muss is in position two and the infinitive goes to the end.
Nach der Besprechung fahre ich nach Hause.
After the meeting, I am going home.
nach means “after” here, fahre means “go by vehicle”, and nach Hause means “home”. The time expression nach der Besprechung is dative because nach takes the dative, and the verb comes before ich because the first position is already occupied.
Das Ergebnis der Besprechung war sehr positiv.
The result of the meeting was very positive.
das Ergebnis means “the result”, war means “was”, and positiv means “positive”. Der Besprechung is genitive after das Ergebnis to show which meeting the result belongs to.
Diese Woche habe ich drei Besprechungen.
This week I have three meetings.
diese Woche means “this week”, drei means “three”, and habe means “have”. Besprechungen is plural and accusative because haben takes a direct object; the verb comes before ich after the time expression in first position.
der Besprechungsraum — meeting room
This compound combines Besprechung, “meeting”, and Raum, “room”. With a fixed location, in takes the dative, as in im Besprechungsraum; with movement into the room, it takes the accusative.
Der Besprechungsraum ist im zweiten Stock.
The meeting room is on the second floor.
ist means “is”, and im zweiten Stock means “on the second floor”. Der Besprechungsraum is nominative because it is the subject; im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative for a location.
Wir suchen den Besprechungsraum.
We are looking for the meeting room.
suchen means “look for”, and wir means “we”. Den Besprechungsraum is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich sitze im Besprechungsraum.
I am sitting in the meeting room.
sitze means “am sitting”, and im means “in the”. Im Besprechungsraum is dative because in describes a fixed location; do not use the accusative unless there is movement into the room.
Die Tür des Besprechungsraums ist geschlossen.
The door of the meeting room is closed.
die Tür means “the door”, and geschlossen means “closed”. Des Besprechungsraums is genitive after die Tür to show which room the door belongs to; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Besprechungsräume sind heute alle belegt.
All the meeting rooms are occupied today.
heute means “today”, alle means “all”, and belegt means “occupied”. Besprechungsräume is plural, with an umlaut in Räume, so the verb is plural sind.
das Besprechungszimmer — meeting room; meeting room, conference room
This compound combines Besprechung, a meeting or discussion, with Zimmer, room. It normally refers to a room in an office or institution, not to the meeting itself.
Das Besprechungszimmer ist heute frei.
The meeting room is free today.
heute means today, and frei means free or available. Das Besprechungszimmer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir suchen das Besprechungszimmer.
We are looking for the meeting room.
suchen means to look for. Das Besprechungszimmer is accusative because suchen takes a direct object, and suchen stands in position two.
Wir treffen uns in dem Besprechungszimmer.
We are meeting in the meeting room.
treffen uns means meet each other. In takes the dative here because the sentence describes a fixed location, so dem Besprechungszimmer is dative; with movement into the room, accusative would be used.
Die Tür des Besprechungszimmers ist geschlossen.
The meeting room's door is closed.
die Tür means the door, and geschlossen means closed. Des Besprechungszimmers is genitive because it shows whose door it is; the noun adds -s in the genitive singular.
Die Besprechungszimmer sind modern.
The meeting rooms are modern.
modern means modern. The plural is die Besprechungszimmer, with no ending on the noun, and the plural subject requires sind.
Wir reservieren ein Besprechungszimmer für morgen.
We are reserving a meeting room for tomorrow.
reservieren means to reserve, and für morgen means for tomorrow. Ein Besprechungszimmer is accusative because it is the direct object of reservieren; the finite verb is in position two.
Im Besprechungszimmer steht ein großer Tisch.
There is a large table in the meeting room.
im means in the and ein großer Tisch means a large table. Im Besprechungszimmer is dative because in describes location, while steht is in position two and the subject follows it.
die Betreuerin — female supervisor; female carer; female carer; female support worker
The feminine form is built from der Betreuer with -in. Depending on the context, a Betreuerin may supervise studies, support a group, or care for people.
Die Betreuerin arbeitet an der Universität.
The female supervisor works at the university.
die Universität means university. Die Betreuerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Betreuerin jeden Montag.
I see the female supervisor every Monday.
jeden Montag means every Monday. Die Betreuerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich danke der Betreuerin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the female supervisor for her help.
danke means thank, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Betreuerin is dative because danken always takes a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is an accusative phrase after für.
Das Büro der Betreuerin ist im zweiten Stock.
The female supervisor's office is on the second floor.
das Büro means office, and im zweiten Stock means on the second floor. Der Betreuerin is genitive and shows whose office it is; ist stands in position two.
Die Betreuerinnen helfen den neuen Studenten.
The female supervisors help the new students.
helfen means help, and den neuen Studenten means the new students. Betreuerinnen is plural and nominative as the subject, while den neuen Studenten is dative because helfen takes a dative object.
Die Betreuerin kümmert sich um die Kinder.
The female carer looks after the children.
kümmert sich um means looks after, and die Kinder means the children. The reflexive phrase sich um takes the accusative after um; the finite verb kümmert is in position two.
Unsere Betreuerin organisiert den Ausflug.
Our female supervisor is organising the outing.
unsere means our, and organisiert means organises; der Ausflug is an outing. Unsere Betreuerin is nominative as the subject, while den Ausflug is accusative after organisieren.
der Betrieb — business; company; operation; operation; functioning
Betrieb can mean a business or workplace, but also the operation of a machine or system. In everyday speech, the context usually makes the meaning clear.
Der Betrieb ist seit zehn Jahren erfolgreich.
The business has been successful for ten years.
seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and erfolgreich means successful. Der Betrieb is nominative as the subject; ist stands in position two, while seit takes the dative phrase zehn Jahren.
Die Firma eröffnet den Betrieb im April.
The company opens the operation in April.
die Firma means the company, eröffnet means opens, and im April means in April. Den Betrieb is accusative because eröffnen takes a direct object; the finite verb eröffnet is in position two.
Die Stadt hilft dem Betrieb mit einem Kredit.
The city helps the business with a loan.
die Stadt means the city, hilft means helps, and ein Kredit is a loan. Dem Betrieb is dative because helfen takes a dative object; mit einem Kredit is also dative after mit.
Die Mitarbeiter des Betriebs treffen sich jeden Freitag.
The employees of the business meet every Friday.
die Mitarbeiter means the employees, and jeden Freitag means every Friday. Des Betriebs is genitive and shows which employees are meant; treffen sich means meet each other, with the reflexive pronoun sich in the accusative.
Viele Betriebe suchen neue Mitarbeiter.
Many businesses are looking for new employees.
viele means many, suchen means are looking for, and neue Mitarbeiter means new employees. Betriebe is plural and nominative as the subject, while neue Mitarbeiter is accusative after suchen.
Der Betrieb der Heizung kostet viel Energie.
Operating the heating system uses a lot of energy.
die Heizung means the heating system, and viel Energie means a lot of energy. Der Heizung would be wrong here: der Heizung is dative after mit, but der Heizung is not the genitive form; the correct genitive is der Heizung because the feminine noun has the same article, and Betrieb is the subject.
Nach dem Unfall steht der Betrieb still.
After the accident, operations are at a standstill.
nach dem Unfall means after the accident, and stillstehen means be at a standstill. Dem Unfall is dative after nach; der Betrieb is nominative, and the finite verb steht comes in position two.
der Bogen — sheet of paper; arc, bow
Der Bogen can also mean an arc or a bow used with arrows.
Der Bogen ist weiß.
The sheet is white.
weiß means white. Der Bogen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist is in position two.
Ich nehme einen Bogen Papier.
I take a sheet of paper.
nehmen means to take, and Papier means paper. Einen Bogen is accusative because it is the object of nehme.
Ich schreibe auf einem Bogen.
I am writing on a sheet.
schreiben means to write. Auf einem Bogen is dative because auf describes a fixed surface or location.
Die Mitte des Bogens ist leer.
The middle of the sheet is empty.
die Mitte means the middle, and leer means empty. Des Bogens is genitive to show which sheet is meant, and Bogen takes -s.
Die Bögen liegen auf dem Tisch.
The sheets are lying on the table.
liegen means are lying, and der Tisch means the table. Bögen is the plural of der Bogen; auf dem Tisch is dative for location.
Der Bogen des Regenbogens ist wunderschön.
The arc of the rainbow is beautiful.
der Regenbogen means the rainbow, and wunderschön means beautiful. Des Regenbogens is genitive and means of the rainbow.
Der Jäger trägt Pfeil und Bogen.
The hunter carries bow and arrow.
der Jäger means the hunter, trägt means carries, and der Pfeil means the arrow. Pfeil und Bogen is the accusative object of trägt.
der Briefträger — postman, mail carrier
Briefträger is a compound of Brief, “letter”, and Träger, “carrier”. It is a weak masculine noun, so use forms such as den Briefträger and dem Briefträger, not the unchanged form.
Der Briefträger kommt jeden Morgen.
The mail carrier comes every morning.
kommt means “comes”, and jeden Morgen means “every morning”. Der Briefträger is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Ich sehe den Briefträger vor dem Haus.
I see the mail carrier in front of the house.
sehe means “see”, and vor dem Haus means “in front of the house”. Den Briefträger is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Briefträger adds -n outside the nominative.
Ich danke dem Briefträger für die Hilfe.
I thank the mail carrier for the help.
danke means “thank”, and für die Hilfe means “for the help”. Dem Briefträger is dative because danken governs the dative; the weak noun has the ending -n here.
Das Fahrrad des Briefträgers steht dort.
The mail carrier’s bicycle is standing there.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, and steht dort means “is standing there”. Des Briefträgers is genitive to show possession, and the weak masculine noun takes -s in this genitive form.
Die Briefträger sortieren die Post.
The mail carriers sort the mail.
sortieren means “sort”, and die Post means “the mail”. Die Briefträger is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural has no ending change.
die Briefträgerin — female postman, female mail carrier
Briefträgerin is the feminine form of Briefträger, “mail carrier”. The ending -in marks a female person, and the plural ending is -innen.
Die Briefträgerin arbeitet heute.
The female mail carrier is working today.
arbeitet means “is working”, and heute means “today”. Die Briefträgerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Briefträgerin an der Tür.
I see the female mail carrier at the door.
sehe means “see”, and an der Tür means “at the door”. Die Briefträgerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Briefträgerin für den Brief.
I thank the female mail carrier for the letter.
danke means “thank”, and für den Brief means “for the letter”. Der Briefträgerin is dative because danken governs the dative; the feminine article changes to der.
Das Fahrrad der Briefträgerin ist neu.
The female mail carrier’s bicycle is new.
das Fahrrad means “the bicycle”, and neu means “new”. Der Briefträgerin is genitive to show possession, meaning “of the female mail carrier”; the noun has no extra genitive ending.
Die Briefträgerinnen verteilen die Post.
The female mail carriers distribute the mail.
verteilen means “distribute”, and die Post means “the mail”. Die Briefträgerinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural is formed with -innen.
die Bäuerin — female farmer
The feminine noun die Bäuerin is formed from der Bauer with the ending -in. Its plural is die Bäuerinnen, with -innen rather than just -in.
Die Bäuerin arbeitet jeden Morgen im Stall.
The female farmer works in the stable every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning, and der Stall is the stable. Die Bäuerin is nominative because she performs the action; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Bäuerin auf dem Feld.
I see the female farmer in the field.
sehen means to see, and das Feld is the field. Die Bäuerin is accusative because it is the direct object of sehe; auf dem Feld is dative because it describes a location.
Ich helfe der Bäuerin beim Ernten.
I help the female farmer with the harvest.
helfen means to help, beim Ernten means during harvesting, and die Ernte is the harvest. Der Bäuerin is dative because helfen requires the dative; beim is bei dem, also dative.
Das Werkzeug der Bäuerin liegt im Schuppen.
The female farmer’s tools are in the shed.
das Werkzeug means tool, liegt means is lying, and der Schuppen is the shed. Der Bäuerin is genitive because it shows whose tools they are; the feminine genitive article is der.
Auf dem Hof arbeiten mehrere Bäuerinnen.
Several female farmers work on the farm.
der Hof means farmyard or farm, and mehrere means several. Bäuerinnen is plural after mehrere; auf dem Hof is dative because it describes a fixed location.
das Büromaterial — office supplies, office material
Büromaterial is a mass noun for office supplies considered as a quantity or collection, so it normally has no plural. For different kinds or sets of supplies, German can use Büromaterialien, but ordinary quantities use das Büromaterial.
Das Büromaterial liegt im Schrank.
The office supplies are in the cupboard.
liegt means is lying or is located, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Das Büromaterial is nominative because it is the subject; the mass noun has a singular form even when it refers to many items.
Wir kaufen das Büromaterial heute.
We are buying the office supplies today.
wir means we, kaufen means buy, and heute means today. das Büromaterial is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter article is unchanged from the nominative.
Mit dem Büromaterial arbeiten wir jeden Tag.
We work with the office supplies every day.
mit means with, arbeiten means work, and jeden Tag means every day. dem Büromaterial is dative because mit always requires the dative; because the sentence begins with this phrase, arbeiten still comes in position two.
Die Lieferung des Büromaterials kommt morgen.
The delivery of the office supplies arrives tomorrow.
die Lieferung means delivery, kommt means arrives or comes, and morgen means tomorrow. des Büromaterials is genitive because it identifies what is being delivered; the neuter noun takes -s.
Wir brauchen neues Büromaterial.
We need new office supplies.
wir brauchen means we need and neues means new. Büromaterial is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural; here it is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, while the adjective has the neuter ending -es.
der Dienst — duty, shift, service; military service, official duty
Dienst can mean a work shift or duty, as in Dienst haben, and it can also mean a service provided to people. In everyday speech, im Dienst means on duty or at work.
Der Dienst beginnt um acht Uhr.
The shift starts at eight o'clock.
beginnt means starts and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Dienst is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich mache heute den Dienst.
I am doing the duty shift today.
heute means today and mache means do. den Dienst is accusative because machen takes an accusative object; here Dienst means a duty shift.
Nach dem Dienst fahre ich nach Hause.
I go home after work.
nach Hause means home, and fahre means go or travel. nach takes the dative here, so dem Dienst means after the duty or shift; the phrase at the start makes fahre come in position two.
Die Dauer des Dienstes ist noch unklar.
The duration of the duty is still unclear.
die Dauer means the duration, noch means still, and unklar means unclear. des Dienstes is genitive because it identifies whose duration is meant; the noun has the ending -es.
Viele Dienste sind heute online.
Many services are online today.
viele means many, heute means today, and online means available on the internet. Dienste is plural and is the nominative subject; in this sentence it means services rather than work shifts.
Mein Bruder leistet Dienst bei der Bundeswehr.
My brother is serving in the German armed forces.
mein Bruder means my brother, leistet means performs, and bei der Bundeswehr means in the German armed forces. Dienst leisten is a fixed expression; bei takes the dative, shown by der Bundeswehr.
Nach dem Dienst trägt er wieder normale Kleidung.
After service, he wears normal clothes again.
trägt means wears, wieder means again, and normale Kleidung means ordinary clothes. Nach dem Dienst uses dative because nach governs the dative; trägt is in position two after the opening phrase.
der Direktor — director, principal, headmaster
der Direktor is used for a male leader of a company, organisation, or school. The feminine form is die Direktorin, and the plural is die Direktoren.
Der Direktor begrüßt die neuen Schüler.
The principal welcomes the new pupils.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die neuen Schüler means the new pupils. Der Direktor is the nominative subject; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two, and the pupils are the accusative object.
Ich sehe den Direktor jeden Morgen.
I see the principal every morning.
sehe means see, and jeden Morgen means every morning. den Direktor is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich spreche mit dem Direktor.
I am speaking with the principal.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. dem Direktor is dative because mit always governs the dative; the masculine article changes from der to dem.
Das Büro des Direktors ist im zweiten Stock.
The director's office is on the second floor.
das Büro means the office, ist means is, and im zweiten Stock means on the second floor. des Direktors is genitive because it shows whose office it is; masculine genitive uses des and adds -s to the noun.
Die Direktoren treffen sich heute.
The directors are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet each other, and heute means today. Die Direktoren is the plural nominative subject; the noun adds -en, and sich shows that the people meet one another.
die Direktorin — female director, female principal
die Direktorin is the feminine form of der Direktor. It is formed with -in, and its plural adds another -nen, giving die Direktorinnen.
Die Direktorin begrüßt die neuen Schüler.
The principal welcomes the new pupils.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die neuen Schüler means the new pupils. Die Direktorin is the nominative subject; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two, and the pupils are the accusative object.
Ich sehe die Direktorin jeden Morgen.
I see the principal every morning.
sehe means see, and jeden Morgen means every morning. die Direktorin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article stays die in the accusative.
Ich spreche mit der Direktorin.
I am speaking with the principal.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. der Direktorin is dative because mit always governs the dative; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Das Büro der Direktorin ist im zweiten Stock.
The principal's office is on the second floor.
das Büro means the office, ist means is, and im zweiten Stock means on the second floor. der Direktorin is genitive because it shows whose office it is; feminine genitive uses der, while the noun stays unchanged.
Die Direktorinnen treffen sich heute.
The female directors are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet each other, and heute means today. Die Direktorinnen is the plural nominative subject; -in changes to -innen in the plural, and sich shows that they meet one another.
die Erfahrung — experience; practical knowledge; experience; event lived through
die Erfahrung can mean practical knowledge gained over time or one event that teaches you something. The plural die Erfahrungen is common when talking about several events or lessons.
Die Erfahrung hilft mir im Beruf.
The experience helps me at work.
hilft means helps, mir means me, and im Beruf means at work or in my profession. Die Erfahrung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hilft is in position two.
Ich brauche die Erfahrung für diese Aufgabe.
I need the experience for this task.
brauche means need, für means for, and diese Aufgabe means this task. die Erfahrung is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object, while für also forces accusative on diese Aufgabe.
Mit der Erfahrung wird die Arbeit leichter.
With experience, the work becomes easier.
mit means with, die Arbeit means the work, and leichter means easier. mit always takes the dative, so der Erfahrung is dative; the verb wird is in position two.
Der Wert der Erfahrung ist groß.
The value of the experience is great.
der Wert means the value and groß means great. der Erfahrung is genitive because it identifies whose value is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Viele Erfahrungen verändern einen Menschen.
Many experiences change a person.
viele means many, verändern means change, and einen Menschen means a person. Erfahrungen is plural nominative as the subject, while einen Menschen is accusative after verändern.
Die Reise war eine tolle Erfahrung.
The trip was a great experience.
die Reise means the trip and toll means great. eine tolle Erfahrung is a noun phrase after war that describes the subject, and the finite verb war is in position two.
Wir teilen unsere Erfahrungen mit anderen.
We share our experiences with others.
teilen means share, unsere means our, and anderen means others. unsere Erfahrungen is accusative after teilen, while mit forces the dative in mit anderen.
der Erfolg — success; achievement
Der Erfolg can describe success in general or a particular achievement. The opposite is der Misserfolg, meaning failure.
Der Erfolg der Mannschaft überraschte alle.
The team's success surprised everyone.
die Mannschaft means team, überraschen means surprise, and alle means everyone. Der Erfolg is nominative because it is the subject; der Mannschaft is genitive, showing whose success it is.
Wir feiern den Erfolg heute Abend.
We are celebrating the success this evening.
wir means we, feiern means celebrate, and heute Abend means this evening. Den Erfolg is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; feiern is the finite verb in position two.
Nach dem Erfolg ging das Team nach Hause.
After the success, the team went home.
nach means after, gehen means go, das Team means the team, and nach Hause means home. Nach takes the dative when it means after, so dem Erfolg is dative; the verb ging is in position two.
Die Gründe des Erfolgs sind leicht zu verstehen.
The reasons for the success are easy to understand.
die Gründe means the reasons, leicht means easy, and verstehen means understand. Des Erfolgs is genitive because it links the reasons to the success; sind is in position two.
Seine Erfolge machten ihn stolz.
His successes made him proud.
seine means his, machen means make, and stolz means proud. Erfolge is plural nominative because it is the subject, while ihn is accusative because machen takes the person affected as an object.
erledigen — to complete, to deal with
Erledigen means completing a task or dealing with a matter, not simply ‘finishing’ a person or place. It normally takes an accusative object and forms the perfect with haben.
Ich erledige meine Hausaufgaben jeden Nachmittag.
I do my homework every afternoon.
meine Hausaufgaben means ‘my homework’, and jeden Nachmittag means ‘every afternoon’. Meine Hausaufgaben is accusative because erledigen takes a direct object, and the finite verb erledige stands in position two.
Sie hat den Einkauf schon erledigt.
She has already done the shopping.
den Einkauf means ‘the shopping’, and schon means ‘already’. The perfect uses hat plus the Partizip II erledigt, which goes to the end; den Einkauf is accusative because it is the object.
Er erledigte den Papierkram am Morgen.
He dealt with the paperwork in the morning.
den Papierkram means ‘the paperwork’, and am Morgen means ‘in the morning’. The weak past form erledigte has -te and stands in position two, while the object is accusative.
Erledige bitte diese Aufgabe heute.
Please complete this task today.
bitte means ‘please’, diese Aufgabe means ‘this task’, and heute means ‘today’. The imperative erledige omits du; diese Aufgabe is accusative because it is the object of the request.
Ich erledigte die Arbeit sofort, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would deal with the work immediately if I had more time.
die Arbeit means ‘the work’, sofort means ‘immediately’, and mehr Zeit means ‘more time’. This hypothetical sentence uses wenn with the subjunctive idea; die Arbeit is accusative, and erledigte is understood as ‘would deal with’ from context.
Wir werden die letzten Aufgaben morgen erledigen.
We will complete the last tasks tomorrow.
die letzten Aufgaben means ‘the last tasks’, and morgen means ‘tomorrow’. Future uses werden in position two and the infinitive erledigen at the end; the object is accusative.
die Fabrik — factory
The plural is Fabriken, not Fabriks. Fabrik is also used in compounds such as Fabrikarbeiter, meaning factory worker.
Die Fabrik liegt außerhalb der Stadt.
The factory is outside the city.
liegt means is situated, and außerhalb der Stadt means outside the city. Die Fabrik is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt is in position two.
Wir besuchen die Fabrik morgen.
We are visiting the factory tomorrow.
besuchen means to visit, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Fabrik is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object, while besuchen stands in position two.
Die Arbeiter arbeiten in der Fabrik.
The workers work in the factory.
die Arbeiter means the workers, and arbeiten means work. In der Fabrik is dative because in describes a fixed location here; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Das Dach der Fabrik ist sehr groß.
The factory’s roof is very large.
das Dach means the roof, and sehr groß means very large. Der Fabrik is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Fabriken.
There are many factories in this city.
dieser Stadt means this city, and viele means many. Fabriken is plural; after es gibt, the noun is accusative, although the plural article is still die.
festlegen — to set; to determine; to commit oneself
With a direct object, festlegen means set or establish something. The reflexive form sich festlegen means commit oneself or make a firm decision, and the verb is separable: legt ... fest.
Die Chefin legt den Termin heute fest.
The boss is setting the date today.
die Chefin is the female boss and der Termin is the date or appointment. Den Termin is accusative because festlegen takes a direct object; the separable verb places legt in position two and fest at the end.
Wir haben den Termin gestern festgelegt.
We set the date yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. Den Termin is accusative as the object, and the perfect uses haben festgelegt; the Partizip II stands at the end.
Der Ausschuss legte neue Regeln fest.
The committee established new rules.
der Ausschuss is the committee and neue Regeln means new rules. The weak past form legte is in position two, while fest is separated to the end; neue Regeln is accusative.
Legt bitte einen Termin fest.
Please set a date.
bitte means please and einen Termin means a date. This is the plural or polite imperative, with legt first and fest at the end; einen Termin is accusative because it is the object.
Wenn ich mich heute festlegte, wäre die Entscheidung endgültig.
If I committed myself today, the decision would be final.
mich festlegen means commit myself, die Entscheidung is the decision, and endgültig means final. The reflexive pronoun mich is accusative, and in the subordinate clause the hypothetical verb festlegte goes to the end; the reflexive use means deciding firmly for oneself.
Wir werden die Aufgaben morgen festlegen.
We will set the tasks tomorrow.
die Aufgaben means the tasks and morgen means tomorrow. Die Aufgaben is accusative as the object; werden stands in position two and the infinitive festlegen goes to the end.
der Feuerwehrmann — male firefighter
The compound contains die Feuerwehr, fire service, and der Mann, man. It specifically refers to a male firefighter; Feuerwehrfrau is the usual feminine counterpart.
Der Feuerwehrmann trägt einen Helm.
The firefighter is wearing a helmet.
trägt means wears or is carrying, and der Helm is the helmet. Der Feuerwehrmann is nominative because it is the subject; as a weak masculine noun, it has no extra ending here.
Ich sehe den Feuerwehrmann.
I see the firefighter.
sehe means see. den Feuerwehrmann is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun keeps -mann in the accusative but normally adds -en in other cases.
Das Kind dankt dem Feuerwehrmann.
The child thanks the firefighter.
das Kind means the child, and dankt means thanks. danken takes the dative, so the phrase is dem Feuerwehrmann; the article and the weak-noun ending identify the case.
Der Helm des Feuerwehrmannes ist nass.
The firefighter’s helmet is wet.
der Helm is the helmet, and nass means wet. des Feuerwehrmannes is genitive because it shows possession; the noun has the genitive ending -es.
Die Feuerwehrmänner arbeiten heute zusammen.
The firefighters are working together today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and zusammen means together. Feuerwehrmänner is the plural subject, with an umlaut and the plural form -männer.
der Fleischer — butcher
Fleischer is especially common in Austria and parts of Germany; Metzger is a regional alternative. It refers to the person who sells or prepares meat.
Der Fleischer verkauft frisches Fleisch.
The butcher sells fresh meat.
verkauft means sells and frisch means fresh. Der Fleischer is nominative as the subject, while frisches Fleisch is accusative as the object.
Ich sehe den Fleischer.
I can see the butcher.
sehen means to see. den Fleischer is accusative because it is the direct object; Fleischer does not change to Fleischern in this case.
Ich gebe dem Fleischer meine Bestellung.
I give my order to the butcher.
geben means to give and meine Bestellung means my order. dem Fleischer is dative as the recipient, while meine Bestellung is accusative.
Der Laden des Fleischers ist neben dem Markt.
The butcher’s shop is next to the market.
der Laden means shop, neben means next to, and der Markt means market. des Fleischers is genitive because it shows whose shop it is; dem Markt is dative after neben for location.
Die Fleischer arbeiten früh am Morgen.
The butchers work early in the morning.
arbeiten means work and früh am Morgen means early in the morning. Fleischer has the same form in singular and plural, so die and arbeiten show the plural.
die Fleischerin — female butcher
Fleischerin is the feminine form of Fleischer, a butcher. In many regions, Metzgerin is also common.
Die Fleischerin arbeitet heute bis sechs Uhr.
The female butcher is working until six o’clock today.
heute means today and bis sechs Uhr means until six o’clock. Die Fleischerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe die Fleischerin jeden Samstag.
I see the female butcher every Saturday.
jeden Samstag means every Saturday. Die Fleischerin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich kaufe bei der Fleischerin Wurst.
I buy sausage from the female butcher.
kaufe means buy and die Wurst is sausage. Der Fleischerin is dative because the preposition bei always takes the dative; the verb kaufe is in position two.
Das Messer der Fleischerin ist sehr scharf.
The female butcher’s knife is very sharp.
das Messer is knife and scharf means sharp. Der Fleischerin is genitive because it shows whose knife it is; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Fleischerinnen beraten die Kunden freundlich.
The female butchers advise the customers in a friendly way.
beraten means advise, die Kunden means the customers, and freundlich means in a friendly way. Die Fleischerinnen is plural and nominative, so the plural verb beraten stands in position two.