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Vocab: Work & office — A2 (2)
Work & office vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
das Flipchart — flipchart
This is a borrowed neuter noun: das Flipchart. Its plural is regular with -s, and it is common in presentations, classrooms, and meetings.
Das Flipchart steht neben der Tafel.
The flipchart is next to the board.
steht means is standing, neben means next to, and die Tafel means the board. das Flipchart is the nominative subject; neben der Tafel is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Ich stelle das Flipchart vor die Tür.
I put the flipchart in front of the door.
stelle means put or place, vor means in front of, and die Tür means door. das Flipchart is accusative because it is the object of stelle; vor die Tür is also accusative because it shows movement to a place.
Wir schreiben auf dem Flipchart.
We write on the flipchart.
schreiben means write and auf means on. auf dem Flipchart is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the article dem shows the dative neuter form.
Die Farbe des Flipcharts ist blau.
The colour of the flipchart is blue.
die Farbe means colour and blau means blue. des Flipcharts expresses possession or association and is genitive; the neuter article is des and the noun has -s.
Im Raum stehen drei Flipcharts.
There are three flipcharts in the room.
im Raum means in the room and drei means three. Flipcharts is the regular plural with -s; im Raum is dative because in describes a location.
der Forscher — researcher, scientist
This noun has the same singular and plural stem: der Forscher, die Forscher. It refers to a person who researches; the related feminine noun is die Forscherin.
Der Forscher arbeitet im Labor.
The researcher works in the laboratory.
das Labor means laboratory. Der Forscher is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Ich sehe den Forscher im Labor.
I see the researcher in the laboratory.
sehen means to see, and im Labor means in the laboratory. Den Forscher is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe stands in position two.
Ich helfe dem Forscher bei der Arbeit.
I help the researcher with the work.
helfen means to help, and bei der Arbeit means with the work. Dem Forscher is dative because helfen governs the dative, while bei also takes the dative here.
Die Ergebnisse des Forschers sind interessant.
The researcher's results are interesting.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and interessant means interesting. Des Forschers is genitive to show possession or association, and the verb sind is in position two.
Viele Forscher arbeiten an diesem Thema.
Many researchers work on this topic.
viele means many, and dieses Thema means this topic. Forscher is the unchanged plural, and an takes the dative here because the sentence describes ongoing work at a topic rather than movement toward it.
die Forscherin — female researcher, woman scientist
Die Forscherin is the feminine form of der Forscher. Its plural is die Forscherinnen, with doubled n before the plural ending.
Die Forscherin arbeitet an einem neuen Projekt.
The female researcher is working on a new project.
ein neues Projekt means a new project. Die Forscherin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Wir treffen die Forscherin heute.
We are meeting the female researcher today.
treffen means to meet, and heute means today. Die Forscherin is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; with a feminine noun, the nominative and accusative article are both die.
Wir danken der Forscherin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the female researcher for her help.
danken means to thank, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Forscherin is dative because danken governs the dative; the feminine dative article is der.
Die Idee der Forscherin ist überzeugend.
The female researcher's idea is convincing.
die Idee means the idea, and überzeugend means convincing. Der Forscherin is genitive to show possession, and the verb ist is in position two.
Forscherinnen arbeiten oft im Team.
Female researchers often work in a team.
oft means often, and im Team means in a team. Forscherinnen is formed by changing -in to -innen, and it is nominative plural because it is the subject.
die Fotokopie — photocopy
A Fotokopie is a copy made by a machine, not usually a digital scan. The plural is Fotokopien, with -n.
Die Fotokopie ist nicht gut lesbar.
The photocopy is not easy to read.
nicht gut lesbar means not easy to read. Die Fotokopie is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich brauche die Fotokopie für den Kurs.
I need the photocopy for the course.
brauche means need, für means for, and der Kurs is the course. Die Fotokopie is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; für always takes the accusative.
Ich gebe dem Lehrer die Fotokopie.
I give the teacher the photocopy.
gebe means give, and der Lehrer means the teacher. Dem Lehrer is dative as the recipient, while die Fotokopie is accusative as the thing given.
Die Rückseite der Fotokopie ist leer.
The back of the photocopy is blank.
die Rückseite means the back, and leer means blank. Der Fotokopie is genitive after die Rückseite to show which photocopy is meant; ist is in position two.
Die Sekretärin verteilt die Fotokopien.
The secretary distributes the photocopies.
die Sekretärin means the secretary, and verteilt means distributes. Fotokopien is plural and accusative because it is the object of verteilen.
der Frisör — hairdresser
der Frisör is the traditional spelling for a male hairdresser; der Friseur is also common and often preferred in formal writing. A female hairdresser is die Frisörin or die Friseurin.
Der Frisör schneidet meinem Sohn die Haare.
The hairdresser is cutting my son's hair.
schneidet means cuts, meinem Sohn means to my son, and die Haare means the hair. Der Frisör is nominative because it is the subject; meinem Sohn is dative as the person receiving the service, and die Haare is accusative as the thing cut.
Ich sehe den Frisör im Laden.
I see the hairdresser in the shop.
sehe means see, im Laden means in the shop, and Laden is a shop. den Frisör is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the finite verb sehe is in position two.
Ich danke dem Frisör für die gute Arbeit.
I thank the hairdresser for the good work.
danke means thank, für means for, and gute Arbeit means good work. dem Frisör is dative because danken always takes a dative person, while für die gute Arbeit is accusative because für requires the accusative.
Das Auto des Frisörs steht vor dem Laden.
The hairdresser's car is standing in front of the shop.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing, and vor dem Laden means in front of the shop. des Frisörs is genitive to show possession; vor dem Laden is dative because it describes a fixed location, not movement.
Im Einkaufszentrum arbeiten drei Frisöre.
Three hairdressers work in the shopping centre.
im Einkaufszentrum means in the shopping centre, arbeiten means work, and drei means three. Frisöre is the plural of der Frisör, and the plural subject requires the plural verb arbeiten.
der Förster — forester
A Förster manages forests, for example by caring for trees and wildlife. The plural is also Förster, with no ending change.
Der Förster arbeitet im Wald.
The forester works in the forest.
arbeitet means works, and im Wald means in the forest. Förster is nominative as the subject; in takes the dative here because the sentence describes a location, not movement into it.
Ich sehe den Förster im Wald.
I see the forester in the forest.
sehe means see, and im Wald means in the forest. Förster is accusative after sehen, but its form is unchanged; the article shows the case with den.
Ich spreche mit dem Förster.
I am speaking with the forester.
spreche means speak, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so the masculine phrase is dem Förster.
Der Hut des Försters liegt hier.
The forester's hat is lying here.
der Hut means the hat, and liegt hier means is lying here. Des Försters is genitive and shows possession; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Förster kontrollieren den Wald.
The foresters inspect the forest.
kontrollieren means inspect or check, and den Wald means the forest. Förster is plural with no ending change, while den Wald is accusative as the object.
führen — to lead, to guide; to run, to manage, to conduct
The person or group being led is normally an accusative object: jemanden führen. A destination can be added with zu plus the dative or with durch plus the accusative.
Der Stadtführer führt uns durch die Altstadt.
The city guide leads us through the old town.
der Stadtführer means the city guide, uns means us, and die Altstadt means the old town. Uns is accusative because führen takes the person being led as its direct object; durch also takes the accusative here, and führt is in position two.
Der Stadtführer hat uns durch die Altstadt geführt.
The city guide led us through the old town.
der Stadtführer is the city guide and die Altstadt is the old town. The perfect uses hat plus geführt because führen takes haben; uns is accusative and the participle goes to the end.
Der Stadtführer führte uns durch die Altstadt.
The city guide led us through the old town.
der Stadtführer means the city guide and die Altstadt means the old town. Führte is the weak-verb simple past; uns is accusative as the person being led, while durch forces accusative for the route.
Führ mich zum Bahnhof!
Lead me to the station!
mich means me and der Bahnhof means the railway station. Führ is a direct du command, mich is accusative as the person being led, and zu takes the dative in zum Bahnhof.
Ich würde die Besucher sicher durch den Wald führen.
I would safely guide the visitors through the forest.
die Besucher means the visitors, sicher means safely, and der Wald means the forest. Würde ... führen expresses a hypothetical action; die Besucher is accusative, and durch den Wald also has accusative because durch always governs it.
Morgen werde ich die Gäste zum Museum führen.
Tomorrow I will guide the guests to the museum.
morgen means tomorrow, die Gäste means the guests, and das Museum means the museum. In the future, werde is finite and führen goes to the end; die Gäste is accusative, while zum Museum is dative after zu.
Sie führt seit Jahren eine erfolgreiche Firma.
She has been running a successful company for years.
seit Jahren means for years, erfolgreich means successful, and die Firma means the company. Eine erfolgreiche Firma is accusative because it is the thing being managed; führt stands in position two.
Er hat das schwierige Gespräch ruhig geführt.
He conducted the difficult conversation calmly.
schwierig means difficult and ruhig means calmly; das Gespräch is the conversation. The perfect uses hat ... geführt, and das schwierige Gespräch is an accusative object after führen.
das Gehalt — salary, pay
Neuter das Gehalt means salary or pay. Its plural is die Gehälter; this is a different word from masculine der Gehalt, meaning content or substance, whose plural is die Gehalte.
Das Gehalt kommt am Monatsende.
The salary arrives at the end of the month.
kommt means arrives, and das Monatsende is the end of the month. Das Gehalt is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Ich bekomme das Gehalt am Freitag.
I receive the salary on Friday.
bekomme means receive, and am Freitag means on Friday. Das Gehalt is accusative because bekommen takes a direct object; with a neuter noun, nominative and accusative both use das.
Mit dem Gehalt kann ich gut leben.
I can live well on the salary.
mit means with or on, and gut leben means live well. Dem Gehalt is dative because the preposition mit always requires the dative; kann is a modal verb in position two and leben goes to the end.
Die Höhe des Gehalts hängt von der Erfahrung ab.
The amount of the salary depends on experience.
die Höhe is the amount or level, hängt ... ab means depends on, and die Erfahrung is experience. Des Gehalts is genitive because it identifies the salary’s amount; the separable verb abhängen splits, with ab at the end.
Die Gehälter steigen jedes Jahr.
Salaries rise every year.
steigen means rise, and jedes Jahr means every year. Die Gehälter is the plural of das Gehalt, with an umlaut and -er; the plural verb steigen stands in position two.
halbtags — half-day; part-time
Halbtags usually describes working or opening hours and can mean part-time or for half a day. It is an adverb, so it never receives an adjective ending.
Ich arbeite halbtags.
I work part-time.
arbeite means work, and halbtags means for half the day or part-time. Halbtags is an adverb, so it has no case ending; the finite verb arbeite is in position two.
Die Praxis ist halbtags geöffnet.
The medical practice is open for half the day.
die Praxis means the medical practice, and geöffnet means open. Halbtags describes how long the practice is open and does not change form; ist is the finite verb in position two.
der Handwerker — craftsman, tradesperson
Der Handwerker is a male craftsman or tradesperson; the gender-neutral word is die Fachkraft or die Handwerkskraft in suitable contexts. The plural is unchanged: der Handwerker, die Handwerker.
Der Handwerker repariert die Heizung.
The tradesperson is repairing the heating system.
reparieren means to repair, and die Heizung means the heating system. Der Handwerker is nominative because he is the subject, while die Heizung is accusative as the object.
Wir brauchen einen Handwerker.
We need a tradesperson.
brauchen means to need. Einen Handwerker is accusative because it is the direct object; the masculine article changes from der to einen.
Ich helfe dem Handwerker bei der Arbeit.
I help the tradesperson with the work.
helfen means to help, and bei der Arbeit means with the work. Helfen takes the dative, so dem Handwerker is dative; bei also takes the dative.
Das Werkzeug des Handwerkers liegt im Auto.
The tradesperson's tools are in the car.
das Werkzeug means the tool, and liegt im Auto means is in the car. Des Handwerkers is genitive because it shows possession and takes -s; the plural subject das Werkzeug is grammatically singular here.
Die Handwerker beginnen früh am Morgen.
The tradespeople start early in the morning.
beginnen means to start, and früh am Morgen means early in the morning. Handwerker is unchanged in the plural, so die rather than the ending identifies the plural.
die Handwerkerin — female craftsman, female tradesperson
Die Handwerkerin is the feminine form of der Handwerker. Its plural is die Handwerkerinnen, formed by changing -in to -innen.
Die Handwerkerin installiert eine neue Tür.
The tradesperson is installing a new door.
installieren means to install, and eine neue Tür means a new door. Die Handwerkerin is nominative because she is the subject, while eine neue Tür is accusative as the direct object.
Wir rufen eine Handwerkerin.
We are calling a female tradesperson.
anrufen means to call, and rufen is its separated form here. Eine Handwerkerin is accusative because it is the object; the prefix an stands at the end of the main clause.
Ich gebe der Handwerkerin den Schlüssel.
I give the tradesperson the key.
geben means to give, and der Schlüssel means the key. Der Handwerkerin is dative because it is the recipient, while den Schlüssel is accusative as the thing given.
Das Auto der Handwerkerin steht vor dem Haus.
The tradesperson's car is in front of the house.
das Auto means the car, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Handwerkerin is genitive because it shows possession; vor dem Haus is dative because it describes a location.
Die Handwerkerinnen arbeiten heute auf einer Baustelle.
The female tradespeople are working on a building site today.
heute means today, and Baustelle means building site. Handwerkerinnen is the plural with -innen; auf einer Baustelle is dative because auf describes a location rather than movement.
der Hausmeister — caretaker, janitor
The plural is unusual because der Hausmeister and die Hausmeister have the same noun form. The word commonly describes someone who looks after a shared or public building.
Der Hausmeister repariert die kaputte Tür.
The caretaker is repairing the broken door.
kaputt means broken and die Tür means the door. Der Hausmeister is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb repariert is in position two; die kaputte Tür is accusative because reparieren takes a direct object.
Ich rufe den Hausmeister wegen des Lichts an.
I am calling the caretaker because of the light.
anrufen means to call, wegen means because of, and das Licht means the light. Den Hausmeister is accusative because anrufen takes a direct object; rufe is in position two and the separable part an goes to the end.
Ich gebe dem Hausmeister den Schlüssel.
I give the caretaker the key.
geben means to give and der Schlüssel means the key. Dem Hausmeister is dative because he receives something, while den Schlüssel is accusative as the thing given; the finite verb gebe stands in position two.
Die Nummer des Hausmeisters steht an der Tür.
The caretaker’s number is on the door.
die Nummer means the number, stehen means to be written or located, and an der Tür means on the door. Des Hausmeisters is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Hausmeister arbeiten heute im Keller.
The caretakers are working in the basement today.
arbeiten means to work, heute means today, and der Keller means the basement. Hausmeister has the same form in the plural, marked by die; im Keller is a dative location phrase.
die Hausmeisterin — female caretaker, female janitor
Hausmeisterin is the feminine form of Hausmeister. Its plural is Hausmeisterinnen, not Hausmeisterin; the ending -innen must be included.
Die Hausmeisterin öffnet morgens das Tor.
The caretaker opens the gate in the morning.
öffnen means to open, morgens means in the morning, and das Tor means the gate. Die Hausmeisterin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb öffnet stands in position two; das Tor is accusative as the direct object.
Wir suchen die Hausmeisterin.
We are looking for the caretaker.
suchen means to look for. Die Hausmeisterin is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb suchen is in position two.
Ich danke der Hausmeisterin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the caretaker for her help.
danken means to thank, für means for, and ihre Hilfe means her help. Der Hausmeisterin is dative because danken always takes a dative person; für ihre Hilfe is accusative because für requires the accusative.
Das Büro der Hausmeisterin ist neben dem Eingang.
The caretaker’s office is next to the entrance.
das Büro means the office, neben means next to, and der Eingang means the entrance. Der Hausmeisterin is genitive and shows whose office it is; neben dem Eingang is a dative location phrase.
Die Hausmeisterinnen treffen sich im Hof.
The caretakers meet in the courtyard.
treffen sich means meet one another, im means in the, and der Hof means the courtyard. Hausmeisterinnen is plural and takes die; sich treffen is reflexive, and im Hof is a dative location phrase.
herstellen — to manufacture, produce; to make; to restore, re-establish
Herstellen is separable: in a main clause, her moves to the end, as in stellt ... her. In the perfect, use haben and the whole form hergestellt; the verb normally takes an accusative object for the thing produced.
Die Firma stellt Fahrräder her.
The company manufactures bicycles.
die Firma means “the company”, and Fahrräder are “bicycles”. Fahrräder is accusative because herstellen takes the thing made as a direct object; in a main clause, stellt is in position two and her moves to the end.
Die Firma hat neue Fahrräder hergestellt.
The company has manufactured new bicycles.
neue Fahrräder means “new bicycles”. The perfect uses hat plus hergestellt because herstellen takes haben; the Partizip II stands at the end, and the object is accusative.
Die Fabrik stellte früher Spielzeug her.
The factory used to manufacture toys.
die Fabrik means “the factory”, früher means “formerly”, and Spielzeug means “toys”. The weak past form is stellte; because the verb is separable, her goes to the end of this main clause.
Stell bitte den Tisch her!
Please put the table here!
bitte means “please”, and der Tisch means “the table”. The singular informal imperative is stell ... her, with the prefix at the end; here the verb is used in the sense “put or place here”, and den Tisch is accusative.
Wenn die Firma mehr Geräte herstellen würde, wären sie billiger.
If the company produced more devices, they would be cheaper.
mehr Geräte means “more devices”, and billiger means “cheaper”. After würde, the infinitive herstellen goes to the end of the subordinate clause; Geräte is accusative as the thing produced.
Die Firma wird nächstes Jahr neue Maschinen herstellen.
The company will manufacture new machines next year.
nächstes Jahr means “next year”, and neue Maschinen means “new machines”. Future uses wird plus the infinitive herstellen, which goes to the end; neue Maschinen is the accusative object.
Die Techniker stellten die Verbindung schnell her.
The technicians quickly restored the connection.
die Techniker are “the technicians”, die Verbindung means “the connection”, and schnell means “quickly”. Die Verbindung is accusative because it is the thing restored; stellten is in position two and her closes the main clause.
Nach dem Streit haben sie den Kontakt wieder hergestellt.
After the argument, they re-established contact.
nach dem Streit means “after the argument”, Kontakt means “contact”, and wieder means “again”. The perfect uses haben with hergestellt, which goes at the end; nach takes the dative, while den Kontakt is accusative.
die Industrie — industry
die Industrie can mean industry as an economic sector or the group of industrial businesses and factories. For a single factory, use die Fabrik; the plural is Industrien.
Die Industrie ist ein wichtiger Arbeitgeber.
Industry is an important employer.
ein wichtiger Arbeitgeber means an important employer. Die Industrie is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; wichtiger has an adjective ending because it comes before the noun.
Viele Länder fördern die Industrie.
Many countries support industry.
viele Länder means many countries and fördern means support or promote. die Industrie is accusative because fördern takes a direct object; the finite verb fördern is in position two.
Viele Menschen arbeiten in der Industrie.
Many people work in industry.
viele Menschen means many people and arbeiten means work. in takes the dative here because it describes a fixed place or field, so der Industrie is dative; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Das Wachstum der Industrie verändert die Stadt.
The growth of industry is changing the city.
das Wachstum means the growth and verändert means changes. der Industrie is genitive and means of industry; it depends on das Wachstum, while the finite verb verändert is in position two.
Neue Industrien entstehen in dieser Region.
New industries are developing in this region.
neue means new, entstehen means develop or arise, and diese Region means this region. Industrien is the plural nominative subject, so it takes the plural article die when an article is needed; the finite verb entstehen is in position two.
der Job — job, paid work
Job is a masculine loanword with the regular plural Jobs. It is common in everyday German and can mean a permanent position or temporary paid work.
Der Job ist anstrengend.
The job is tiring.
ist means is, and anstrengend means tiring or demanding. der Job is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich suche den Job noch.
I am still looking for the job.
suche means am looking for, and noch means still. den Job is masculine accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the finite verb suche is in position two.
Sie erzählt ihrem Freund von dem Job.
She tells her friend about the job.
erzählt means tells, ihrem Freund means her friend, and von means about or of. ihrem Freund is dative because erzählen tells someone something, and dem Job is dative because von always takes the dative.
Die Bedingungen des Jobs sind gut.
The conditions of the job are good.
die Bedingungen means the conditions, and gut means good. des Jobs is genitive because it shows whose conditions they are; the masculine noun has des and the ending -s.
Viele Jobs beginnen früh.
Many jobs start early.
viele means many, beginnen means start, and früh means early. Jobs is plural and has no ending change apart from -s; as the subject, it is nominative, and the finite verb beginnen is in position two.
jobben — to work part-time, to do a temporary job
jobben is a regular weak verb and usually describes temporary or part-time paid work. It forms the perfect with haben: hat gejobbt; do not confuse it with the noun der Job, which means a job.
Ich jobbe am Wochenende in einem Café.
I work part-time in a café at the weekend.
am Wochenende means at the weekend, and in einem Café means in a café. jobbe is the finite verb in position two; in einem Café is dative here because it describes location, not movement.
Ich habe am Samstag in einem Café gejobbt.
I worked in a café on Saturday.
am Samstag means on Saturday, and in einem Café means in a café. gejobbt is the Partizip II and goes to the end, while habe is in position two; jobben forms the perfect with haben.
Früher jobbte er in einem Hotel.
He used to work in a hotel.
früher means formerly or in the past, and das Hotel is the hotel. jobbte is the regular weak preterite in position two; in einem Hotel is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Jobb nicht jeden Abend so lange!
Don't work every evening for so long!
nicht means not, jeden Abend means every evening, and so lange means for so long. Jobb is the du imperative without a pronoun; the command is negative because nicht comes before the time and manner information.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, jobbte ich weniger.
If I had more time, I would work less.
wenn means if, mehr Zeit means more time, and weniger means less. jobbte is also the Konjunktiv II form here; after wenn, the finite verb goes to the end, while in the following main clause ich jobbte has the verb in position two.
Im Sommer werde ich in Berlin jobben.
In summer I will work in Berlin.
im Sommer means in summer, and Berlin is the city Berlin. werde is the finite form of werden in position two, while the infinitive jobben goes to the end to form the future.
der Journalist — journalist, reporter
der Journalist is a weak masculine noun: it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular, as well as in the plural. The feminine form is die Journalistin.
Der Journalist schreibt einen Artikel.
The journalist is writing an article.
schreibt means is writing and einen Artikel means an article. Der Journalist is the nominative subject, and schreibt stands in position two.
Ich lese den Journalisten jeden Morgen.
I read the journalist every morning.
lesen means to read and jeden Morgen means every morning. Den Journalisten is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the weak noun keeps -en outside the nominative.
Ich gebe dem Journalisten ein Interview.
I give the journalist an interview.
geben means to give and ein Interview means an interview. Dem Journalisten is dative because it is the person receiving something, and the noun has the weak ending -en.
Die Arbeit des Journalisten beginnt früh.
The journalist's work begins early.
die Arbeit means the work and früh means early. Des Journalisten is genitive because it shows whose work it is; this weak masculine noun takes -en, not -s.
Viele Journalisten berichten über die Wahl.
Many journalists report on the election.
viele means many, berichten means report, and die Wahl means the election. Journalisten is the plural, and über takes the accusative here because it introduces the topic being reported on.
die Journalistin — female journalist, reporter
die Journalistin is the feminine form of der Journalist. Its plural is Journalistinnen, not Journalisten; the latter is the plural of the masculine noun.
Die Journalistin schreibt einen Artikel.
The journalist is writing an article.
schreibt means is writing and einen Artikel means an article. Die Journalistin is the nominative subject, and schreibt stands in position two.
Ich lese die Journalistin jeden Morgen.
I read the journalist every morning.
lesen means to read and jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Journalistin is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, but the feminine noun has no special accusative ending.
Ich gebe der Journalistin ein Interview.
I give the journalist an interview.
geben means to give and ein Interview means an interview. Der Journalistin is dative because it is the person receiving something; the feminine article changes from die to der.
Die Arbeit der Journalistin beginnt früh.
The journalist's work begins early.
die Arbeit means the work and früh means early. Der Journalistin is genitive because it shows whose work it is; the feminine article is der, while the noun remains unchanged.
Viele Journalistinnen berichten über die Wahl.
Many female journalists report on the election.
viele means many, berichten means report, and die Wahl means the election. Journalistinnen is the feminine plural, formed with -nen, and über takes the accusative here because it introduces the topic.
der Kassierer — cashier; checkout operator
Der Kassierer is the man working at a checkout; the feminine form is Kassiererin. Do not confuse the person, Kassierer, with the place or machine, Kasse.
Der Kassierer ist freundlich.
The cashier is friendly.
freundlich means friendly. Der Kassierer is the nominative subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Kassierer.
I call the cashier.
rufe means call. Den Kassierer is masculine accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the article changes from der to den.
Ich gebe dem Kassierer das Geld.
I give the cashier the money.
gebe means give and das Geld is the money. Dem Kassierer is dative because he receives the money, while das Geld is accusative.
Die Stimme des Kassierers war laut.
The cashier’s voice was loud.
die Stimme is the voice and laut means loud. Des Kassierers is genitive, meaning of the cashier; this noun takes -s, not a weak-noun ending.
Die Kassierer arbeiten heute lange.
The cashiers are working for a long time today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and lange means for a long time. Die Kassierer is plural nominative and has no visible plural ending, so the plural verb arbeiten identifies the number.
die Konferenz — conference; formal meeting
The usual expression is an einer Konferenz teilnehmen, meaning “to take part in a conference.” The verb teilnehmen is separable, so it appears as nimmt ... teil in a main clause.
Die Konferenz beginnt morgen.
The conference begins tomorrow.
beginnt means “begins,” and morgen means “tomorrow.” Die Konferenz is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir organisieren die Konferenz im Mai.
We are organising the conference in May.
organisieren means “organise,” and im Mai means “in May.” Die Konferenz is accusative because organisieren takes a direct object; the finite verb organisieren is in position two.
Sie nimmt an der Konferenz teil.
She is taking part in the conference.
nimmt ... teil means “takes part,” and teilnehmen an requires an plus dative. Therefore der Konferenz is dative; the separable verb has nimmt in position two and teil at the end.
Das Thema der Konferenz ist künstliche Intelligenz.
The topic of the conference is artificial intelligence.
das Thema means “the topic,” and künstliche Intelligenz means “artificial intelligence.” Der Konferenz is genitive because it identifies which conference the topic belongs to; ist is in position two.
Auf der Messe finden drei Konferenzen statt.
Three conferences are taking place at the trade fair.
die Messe means “the trade fair,” and finden ... statt means “take place.” Drei Konferenzen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural is formed with -en.
Nach der Konferenz fahren wir nach Hause.
After the conference, we go home.
nach Hause means “home,” and fahren means “go/travel.” Nach der Konferenz uses the dative because the preposition nach requires it; the finite verb fahren stands in position two.
der Konferenzraum — conference room; meeting room
This is a compound noun: die Konferenz plus der Raum. The gender and plural pattern come from the last part, der Raum, so the word is masculine and has the plural Konferenzräume.
Der Konferenzraum ist im zweiten Stock.
The conference room is on the second floor.
im zweiten Stock means “on the second floor,” and ist means “is.” Der Konferenzraum is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir reservieren den Konferenzraum für morgen.
We are reserving the conference room for tomorrow.
reservieren means “reserve,” and für morgen means “for tomorrow.” Den Konferenzraum is accusative because reservieren takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Im Konferenzraum stehen zwölf Stühle.
There are twelve chairs in the conference room.
zwölf Stühle means “twelve chairs,” and stehen means “are standing/are placed.” Im Konferenzraum is dative because in describes a fixed location; stehen is in position two.
Die Tür des Konferenzraums ist offen.
The conference room door is open.
die Tür means “the door,” and offen means “open.” Des Konferenzraums is genitive because it shows which room the door belongs to; the masculine noun takes -s in this case.
Die Firma hat fünf Konferenzräume.
The company has five conference rooms.
die Firma means “the company,” and fünf means “five.” Fünf Konferenzräume is plural accusative after hat; the plural ending -e belongs to Raum, and the a changes to ä.
Bitte warten Sie im Konferenzraum.
Please wait in the conference room.
Bitte means “please,” and warten means “wait.” Im Konferenzraum is dative because it names a location; warten Sie is the polite imperative, with the verb in position two.
kontrollieren — to check, to inspect; to control, to manage
Kontrollieren usually takes an accusative object: jemanden oder etwas kontrollieren. It is a regular verb, but its Partizip II is kontrolliert, without ge- because the infinitive ends in -ieren.
Der Schaffner kontrolliert die Tickets.
The conductor checks the tickets.
der Schaffner is the conductor, and die Tickets are the tickets. Die Tickets is accusative because kontrollieren takes a direct object; the finite verb kontrolliert stands in position two.
Der Schaffner hat die Tickets kontrolliert.
The conductor has checked the tickets.
der Schaffner is the conductor, and die Tickets are the tickets. Kontrolliert is the Partizip II and goes to the end; hat is used because kontrollieren forms the perfect with haben.
Der Schaffner kontrollierte die Tickets im Zug.
The conductor checked the tickets on the train.
der Schaffner is the conductor, and im Zug means on the train. Die Tickets is accusative as the direct object; the regular past form kontrollierte is the finite verb in position two.
Kontrolliere bitte deine Rechnung.
Please check your bill.
bitte means please, and deine Rechnung is your bill. Kontrolliere is the singular imperative, so the subject du is omitted; deine Rechnung is accusative because it is the object.
Ich würde die Angaben noch einmal kontrollieren.
I would check the details once more.
die Angaben are the details or information, and noch einmal means once more. Würde ... kontrollieren expresses a hypothetical or polite suggestion; the infinitive kontrollieren stands at the end.
Der Arzt wird morgen den Blutdruck kontrollieren.
The doctor will check the blood pressure tomorrow.
der Arzt is the doctor, morgen means tomorrow, and der Blutdruck is blood pressure. Wird is the finite future auxiliary in position two, while the infinitive kontrollieren goes to the end; the object is accusative.
Wir müssen kontrollieren, wie viel Geld wir ausgeben.
We have to control how much money we spend.
wie viel Geld means how much money, and ausgeben means spend. After müssen, the infinitive kontrollieren goes to the end; in the subordinate clause introduced by wie, the finite verb ausgeben also comes at the end.
Sie kontrolliert den Zugang zum Gebäude.
She controls access to the building.
der Zugang is access, and das Gebäude is the building. Den Zugang is accusative because it is the direct object; zu takes the dative in zum Gebäude.
der Krankenpfleger — male nurse, male nursing professional
Krankenpfleger specifically refers to a male nurse; the gender-neutral professional term is Pflegefachkraft. The plural is identical in spelling to the singular, so the article or another determiner is important.
Der Krankenpfleger hilft dem Patienten.
The male nurse helps the patient.
hilft means “helps” and der Patient means “the patient.” Der Krankenpfleger is nominative because he is the subject, while dem Patienten is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; hilft is in position two.
Die Klinik sucht den Krankenpfleger.
The clinic is looking for the male nurse.
die Klinik is the clinic and sucht means “is looking for.” Den Krankenpfleger is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; this noun is not a weak noun, so it does not change to Krankenpflegern in the accusative singular.
Ich spreche mit dem Krankenpfleger.
I am speaking with the male nurse.
spreche means “speak” and mit means “with.” Dem Krankenpfleger is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb spreche stands in position two.
Das Büro des Krankenpflegers ist neben der Station.
The male nurse’s office is next to the ward.
das Büro is the office, neben means “next to,” and die Station is the ward. Des Krankenpflegers is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Die Krankenpfleger besprechen den Notfall.
The nurses discuss the emergency.
besprechen means “discuss” and der Notfall means “the emergency.” Krankenpfleger is plural because it refers to several male nurses; the group is nominative, while den Notfall is accusative as the object.
krankmelden — to report sick
This verb is normally used reflexively: sich krankmelden, to report that one is ill. It is a separable weak verb, so meldet ... krank occurs in a main clause, but krankmelden stays together after a modal or in a subordinate clause.
Ich melde mich heute bei der Arbeit krank.
I am reporting sick at work today.
heute means today and bei der Arbeit means at work. Mich is accusative because the speaker reports themself as sick; melde is in position two and the separable part krank goes to the end.
Ich habe mich gestern krankgemeldet.
I reported sick yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. The perfect uses haben with krankgemeldet; the reflexive pronoun mich is accusative, and the Partizip II stands at the end.
Sie meldete sich am Montag krank.
She reported sick on Monday.
am Montag means on Monday. Sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun for sie; meldete is in position two and krank separates to the end.
Meld dich sofort krank!
Report sick immediately!
sofort means immediately. The informal imperative drops the subject du, uses meld, and places the separable part krank at the end; dich is the accusative reflexive pronoun.
Ich würde mich morgen krankmelden.
I would report sick tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and würde expresses would. After würde, the whole infinitive krankmelden goes to the end, so it is not separated; mich remains accusative.
Er wird sich morgen krankmelden.
He will report sick tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow. Future uses wird plus the whole infinitive krankmelden at the end; sich is the reflexive accusative pronoun for er.
die Krankmeldung — sick note; notification of illness
Die Krankmeldung can mean the act of notifying an employer or school, or the written medical certificate supporting the absence. In everyday work contexts, the document is also often called die Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, a formal word for a certificate of incapacity for work.
Die Krankmeldung ist heute angekommen.
The sick note arrived today.
heute means today and angekommen means arrived. Die Krankmeldung is nominative because it is the subject; ist angekommen is the perfect tense, with the Partizip II at the end.
Ich brauche die Krankmeldung.
I need the sick note.
brauche means need. Die Krankmeldung is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich schicke der Firma die Krankmeldung.
I am sending the sick note to the company.
schicke means send and die Firma is the company. Der Firma is dative because it is the recipient, while die Krankmeldung is accusative because it is the thing being sent.
Die Frist der Krankmeldung endet morgen.
The deadline of the sick note ends tomorrow.
die Frist is the deadline and endet means ends. Der Krankmeldung is genitive because it identifies which deadline is meant; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Die Krankmeldungen liegen im Büro.
The sick notes are in the office.
liegen means are lying or are located, and das Büro is the office. Krankmeldungen is plural with die understood as the subject; im Büro is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Köchin — female cook, female chef
Köchin is the feminine form of Koch, a woman who prepares food professionally or at home. In a restaurant, it can mean female chef.
Die Köchin bereitet das Abendessen zu.
The chef prepares dinner.
bereitet ... zu means prepares, and das Abendessen means dinner. Die Köchin is nominative because it is the subject; the separable verb zubereiten puts bereitet in position two and zu at the end.
Der Besitzer lobt die Köchin.
The owner praises the chef.
der Besitzer means the owner, and lobt means praises. Die Köchin is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the feminine article is unchanged from nominative.
Der Kellner dankt der Köchin.
The waiter thanks the chef.
der Kellner means the waiter, and dankt means thanks. Der Köchin is dative because danken always takes a dative person, not an accusative person.
Das Rezept der Köchin ist geheim.
The chef's recipe is secret.
das Rezept means the recipe, and geheim means secret. Der Köchin is genitive because it shows who the recipe belongs to; feminine genitive uses der without changing the noun.
Die Köchinnen arbeiten heute bis spät.
The female chefs are working late today.
arbeiten means are working, heute means today, and bis spät means until late. Köchinnen is plural with -innen, and the plural keeps the umlaut ö.
die Küchenhilfe — kitchen assistant, kitchen helper
This usually means a person, not general help in a kitchen. The plural is Küchenhilfen, with -n.
Die Küchenhilfe beginnt um sechs Uhr.
The kitchen assistant starts at six o'clock.
beginnt means starts, and um sechs Uhr means at six o'clock. Die Küchenhilfe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Der Chef ruft die Küchenhilfe.
The chef calls the kitchen assistant.
der Chef means the boss or chef, and ruft means calls. Die Küchenhilfe is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the feminine article remains die in both nominative and accusative.
Ich gebe der Küchenhilfe die Kiste.
I give the kitchen assistant the crate.
gebe means give, and die Kiste is the crate. Der Küchenhilfe is dative because it is the person receiving something; die Kiste is the accusative thing being given.
Die Aufgaben der Küchenhilfe sind klar.
The kitchen assistant's tasks are clear.
die Aufgaben means the tasks, and klar means clear. Der Küchenhilfe is genitive because it shows possession or connection; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Heute arbeiten drei Küchenhilfen in der Kantine.
Today three kitchen assistants are working in the cafeteria.
heute means today, drei means three, and die Kantine is the cafeteria. Küchenhilfen is plural with -n, and the plural subject comes before the finite verb arbeiten in position two.
der Künstler — artist
der Künstler is a masculine noun for a person who makes art; the feminine form is die Künstlerin. It is a weak masculine noun, but its plural is simply Künstler, with no ending change.
Der Künstler malt ein Porträt.
The artist is painting a portrait.
malt means is painting, and ein Porträt is a portrait. Der Künstler is nominative because it is the subject, while ein Porträt is accusative after malen; the finite verb malt stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Künstler im Museum.
I see the artist in the museum.
sehe means see, and im Museum means in the museum. den Künstler is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; as a weak masculine noun, Künstler keeps its form here but the article changes to den.
Sie spricht mit dem Künstler.
She is speaking with the artist.
spricht means speaks, and mit means with. mit always takes the dative, so dem Künstler is dative; as a weak masculine noun, Künstler would take -n in many other dative forms, but this noun already ends in -er.
Das Atelier des Künstlers ist hell.
The artist's studio is bright.
das Atelier means the studio, and hell means bright. des Künstlers is genitive and means of the artist; the genitive masculine article is des, and this noun adds -s.
Die Künstler zeigen ihre Werke.
The artists are showing their works.
zeigen means show, ihre means their, and die Werke means the works. Künstler has the same form in singular and plural, but die and the plural verb zeigen show that it means artists here.
das Lager — camp; storage facility; warehouse; warehouse; storage area
das Lager has two common meanings: a temporary camp and a place where goods are stored. The plural is also Lager, so the article or another determiner is important.
Das Lager liegt am See.
The camp is beside the lake.
liegt means is located, am See means beside the lake. Das Lager is nominative as the subject, and am is an dem, with dative because it describes a location.
Wir bauen das Lager im Wald auf.
We are setting up the camp in the forest.
bauen ... auf means set up, and im Wald means in the forest. das Lager is accusative because it is the object of the separable verb aufbauen; auf moves to the end in the main clause.
Die Kinder helfen dem Lager mit Essen.
The children help the camp with food.
die Kinder means the children and mit Essen means with food. dem Lager is dative because helfen takes a dative object, and mit also forces dative for Essen.
Die Regeln des Lagers sind einfach.
The camp’s rules are simple.
die Regeln means the rules and einfach means simple. des Lagers is genitive to show that the rules belong to the camp; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Im Sommer gibt es viele Lager für Kinder.
In summer there are many camps for children.
im Sommer means in summer, viele means many, and für Kinder means for children. Lager is the unchanged plural after viele; für Kinder is accusative because für always takes accusative.
Die Firma hat die Möbel im Lager.
The company has the furniture in the warehouse.
die Firma means the company and die Möbel means the furniture. die Möbel is accusative after hat, while im Lager is in dem Lager and uses dative because it describes a fixed location.
Unser Lager ist fast leer.
Our warehouse is almost empty.
unser means our, fast means almost, and leer means empty. Unser Lager is nominative as the subject; leer is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending.
die Landwirtschaft — agriculture, farming; farming as an occupation
Landwirtschaft is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural. For one farm or business, German uses der Bauernhof or der Landwirtschaftsbetrieb instead.
Die Landwirtschaft ist für die Region sehr wichtig.
Agriculture is very important for the region.
für die Region means “for the region”, and wichtig means “important”. Die Landwirtschaft is the nominative subject; für takes the accusative, so die Region is accusative, and ist is in position two.
Der Staat unterstützt die Landwirtschaft.
The state supports agriculture.
der Staat means “the state”, and unterstützt means “supports”. die Landwirtschaft is accusative because unterstützen takes a direct object; although this noun is a mass noun, its singular article still changes when the case requires it.
Viele Menschen arbeiten in der Landwirtschaft.
Many people work in agriculture.
viele Menschen means “many people”, and arbeiten means “work”. in der Landwirtschaft is dative because in expresses the field or area in which people work; the finite verb arbeiten is in position two.
Die Zukunft der Landwirtschaft hängt vom Klima ab.
The future of agriculture depends on the climate.
die Zukunft means “the future”, hängt ... ab means “depends”, and das Klima means “the climate”. der Landwirtschaft is genitive because it identifies whose future; abhängen is separable, so hängt is in position two and ab goes at the end.
Die moderne Landwirtschaft braucht weniger Arbeitskräfte.
Modern agriculture needs fewer workers.
moderne means “modern”, braucht means “needs”, and weniger Arbeitskräfte means “fewer workers”. Die moderne Landwirtschaft is the nominative subject, while weniger Arbeitskräfte is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object.
Ohne technische Hilfe ist die Landwirtschaft heute kaum möglich.
Without technical assistance, farming is hardly possible today.
ohne technische Hilfe means “without technical assistance”, heute means “today”, and kaum möglich means “hardly possible”. ohne takes the accusative, so technische Hilfe is accusative; ist is in position two, and möglich is predicative, so it has no adjective ending.
der Lebenslauf — CV, résumé
der Lebenslauf is used mainly for a job or university application. In Switzerland and Austria, the term CV is also common, but Lebenslauf is understood throughout German-speaking countries.
Der Lebenslauf liegt auf dem Tisch.
The CV is on the table.
liegt means lies or is lying, and auf dem Tisch means on the table. Der Lebenslauf is nominative because it is the subject; auf takes the dative for a fixed location, so dem Tisch is dative.
Ich aktualisiere den Lebenslauf.
I am updating the CV.
ich means I, and aktualisiere means update. Den Lebenslauf is accusative because it is the direct object of aktualisieren; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Personalchefin gibt dem Lebenslauf besondere Aufmerksamkeit.
The head of personnel gives the CV special attention.
die Personalchefin means the head of personnel, and besondere Aufmerksamkeit means special attention. Dem Lebenslauf is dative as the recipient or target of geben, while besondere Aufmerksamkeit is the accusative object.
Die Länge des Lebenslaufs sollte zwei Seiten nicht überschreiten.
The length of the CV should not exceed two pages.
die Länge means the length, sollte means should, and zwei Seiten means two pages. Des Lebenslaufs is genitive after Länge to show what is being measured; the noun adds -s and the modal construction sends überschreiten to the end.
Die Bewerber schicken ihre Lebensläufe per E-Mail.
The applicants send their CVs by email.
die Bewerber means the applicants, ihre means their, and per E-Mail means by email. Lebensläufe is plural and accusative as the direct object of schicken; the umlaut and -e are part of the plural form.
leisten — to afford; to manage to pay for; to accomplish; to perform
In the common pattern sich etwas leisten, the person is expressed with a reflexive dative pronoun and the thing is accusative. The verb is also used for achieving or providing a result, as in eine gute Leistung leisten.
Ich leiste mir heute ein gutes Abendessen.
I am treating myself to a good dinner today.
mir means to myself, heute means today, and ein gutes Abendessen is a good dinner. The reflexive dative mir marks the beneficiary, while ein gutes Abendessen is accusative because leisten takes the thing afforded as its object; leiste is in position two.
Wir haben uns den Urlaub am Meer geleistet.
We were able to afford the holiday by the sea.
uns means ourselves, den Urlaub is the holiday, and am Meer means by the sea. The perfect uses haben plus geleistet, with the Partizip II at the end; den Urlaub is accusative, while am Meer is dative after an dem.
Früher leistete er sich jedes Jahr eine Reise.
He used to afford a trip every year.
früher means formerly, jedes Jahr means every year, and eine Reise is a trip. The simple-past form leistete is in position two, and eine Reise is accusative as the thing he afforded.
Leist dir heute einen freien Nachmittag!
Treat yourself to a free afternoon today!
dir means to yourself, heute means today, and einen freien Nachmittag is a free afternoon. The informal imperative leist comes first; dir is dative for the beneficiary and einen freien Nachmittag is accusative.
Ich leistete mir gern ein größeres Auto, wenn ich mehr verdienen würde.
I would gladly afford a larger car if I earned more.
gern means gladly, ein größeres Auto is a larger car, and mehr verdienen means earn more. The conditional meaning is expressed with würde; leistete is in the main clause, while würde and verdienen form the hypothetical subordinate clause.
Sie wird sich bald eine eigene Wohnung leisten.
She will soon be able to afford her own flat.
bald means soon, eine eigene Wohnung is her own flat, and sich means herself. Future wird ... leisten puts wird in position two and the infinitive at the end; eine eigene Wohnung is accusative.
Das Team leistet in dieser Saison viel.
The team is accomplishing a lot this season.
das Team is the team, in dieser Saison means this season, and viel means a lot. Here leisten means accomplish rather than afford; leistet is in position two, and viel is an uncountable object.
Die Maschine leistet auch bei großer Hitze gute Arbeit.
The machine does a good job even in great heat.
die Maschine is the machine, auch means also, bei großer Hitze means in great heat, and gute Arbeit is good work. Gute Arbeit is an accusative object, and leistet remains in position two.
der Lohn — wage, pay; reward
Der Lohn usually means pay for work and is common in work-related contexts. For a fixed monthly salary, das Gehalt is often more specific; the plural Löhne means wages.
Der Lohn ist nicht besonders hoch.
The pay is not particularly high.
nicht besonders hoch means not particularly high. Der Lohn is nominative because it is the subject of ist; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Firma zahlt den Lohn pünktlich.
The company pays the wages on time.
Firma means company and pünktlich means on time. Den Lohn is accusative because zahlen takes the payment as a direct object; the finite verb zahlt is in position two.
Die Firma hilft den Beschäftigten mit dem Lohn.
The company helps the employees with the pay.
Beschäftigten means employees and hilft means helps. Dem Lohn is dative because mit always takes the dative; den Beschäftigten is also dative after helfen.
Die Höhe des Lohns hängt von der Ausbildung ab.
The level of pay depends on the training.
Höhe means level or amount, hängt ... ab means depends, and Ausbildung means training or qualifications. Des Lohns is genitive because it identifies the level of what; the separable verb abhängen splits, with ab at the end of the main clause.
In vielen Berufen steigen die Löhne langsam.
In many professions, wages rise slowly.
vielen Berufen means many professions and langsam means slowly. Die Löhne is nominative plural because it is the subject of steigen; the umlaut and -e are part of the plural form.
Der Erfolg war der Lohn für ihre harte Arbeit.
The success was the reward for her hard work.
Erfolg means success, harte Arbeit means hard work, and für means for. Der Lohn is a predicate noun after war; für ihre harte Arbeit uses the accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Als Lohn bekam er eine zusätzliche Woche Urlaub.
As a reward, he received an extra week of holiday.
Als Lohn means as a reward, bekam means received, zusätzlich means extra, and Urlaub means holiday. The phrase als Lohn introduces the reward, while eine zusätzliche Woche Urlaub is the accusative object of bekam; the finite verb is in position two.
der Mechaniker — mechanic
A Mechaniker repairs and services machines; in everyday contexts this often means a car mechanic. The plural is unusual because der Mechaniker and die Mechaniker have the same noun form.
Der Mechaniker repariert mein Auto.
The mechanic is repairing my car.
repariert means repairs, and Auto means car. Der Mechaniker is nominative because he is the subject, while mein Auto is accusative because reparieren takes an accusative object.
Ich rufe den Mechaniker an.
I am calling the mechanic.
rufe ... an means call, and anrufen is a separable verb. den Mechaniker is accusative because anrufen takes an accusative object; the finite part rufe is in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich vertraue dem Mechaniker.
I trust the mechanic.
vertraue means trust. vertrauen takes the dative, so dem Mechaniker is dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Diagnose des Mechanikers war richtig.
The mechanic's diagnosis was correct.
Diagnose means diagnosis, and richtig means correct. des Mechanikers is genitive because it shows whose diagnosis it was; the verb war is the past-tense form of sein and stands in position two.
Die Mechaniker arbeiten heute lange.
The mechanics are working late today.
arbeiten means work, heute means today, and lange means for a long time or late. Mechaniker is plural and has no ending change; the plural verb arbeiten shows that there is more than one mechanic.
die Mechanikerin — female mechanic
Mechanikerin is the specifically feminine form of Mechaniker. Its plural is formed with -innen, and the feminine noun has the same form in nominative and accusative singular apart from the article.
Die Mechanikerin repariert mein Fahrrad.
The mechanic is repairing my bicycle.
repariert means repairs, and Fahrrad means bicycle. Die Mechanikerin is nominative because she is the subject, while mein Fahrrad is accusative because reparieren takes an accusative object.
Ich sehe die Mechanikerin in der Werkstatt.
I see the mechanic in the workshop.
sehe means see, Werkstatt means workshop, and in der Werkstatt means in the workshop. die Mechanikerin is accusative after sehen; in der Werkstatt is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Wir helfen der Mechanikerin.
We help the mechanic.
helfen means help. helfen takes the dative, so der Mechanikerin is dative; the finite verb helfen is in position two.
Das Werkzeug der Mechanikerin liegt hier.
The mechanic's tools are lying here.
Werkzeug means tool or tools, liegt means is lying, and hier means here. der Mechanikerin is genitive because it identifies whose tools they are; the verb liegt is in position two.
Die Mechanikerinnen prüfen die Bremsen.
The mechanics are checking the brakes.
prüfen means check, and Bremsen means brakes. Mechanikerinnen is the plural subject, while die Bremsen is accusative because prüfen takes an accusative object.
das Meeting — meeting
The borrowed noun das Meeting is common in business German. Its plural is die Meetings, not die Meeting.
Das Meeting beginnt um neun Uhr.
The meeting starts at nine o’clock.
beginnt means starts, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Das Meeting is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Ich verschiebe das Meeting auf morgen.
I am postponing the meeting until tomorrow.
verschiebe means postpone, and morgen means tomorrow. Das Meeting is accusative because verschieben takes a direct object; the finite verb verschiebe stands in position two.
Bei dem Meeting sprechen wir über den neuen Plan.
At the meeting, we are talking about the new plan.
bei means at, sprechen means talk, and der neue Plan means the new plan. Bei always takes the dative, so dem Meeting is dative; sprechen is in position two.
Die Ergebnisse des Meetings sind wichtig.
The results of the meeting are important.
die Ergebnisse means the results, and wichtig means important. Des Meetings is genitive because it shows whose results they are; the finite verb sind is in position two.
Die Meetings dauern oft nur eine Stunde.
The meetings often last only an hour.
dauern means last, oft means often, and nur eine Stunde means only one hour. Meetings is plural and has the same -s ending as in English; the plural verb dauern stands in position two.
der Meister — master craftsman; master; champion; champion; master
In professional contexts, der Meister can mean a qualified master craftsperson, especially in a skilled trade. In sport, it can mean a champion; the feminine form is die Meisterin.
Der Meister repariert die alte Uhr.
The master craftsman is repairing the old clock.
repariert means is repairing, die alte Uhr means the old clock, and alt means old. Der Meister is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb repariert stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Meister in seiner Werkstatt.
I am visiting the master craftsman in his workshop.
besuche means visit, in seiner Werkstatt means in his workshop, and Werkstatt means workshop. Den Meister is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; seiner is dative after the location preposition in here.
Ich vertraue dem Meister völlig.
I completely trust the master craftsman.
vertraue means trust, and völlig means completely. Dem Meister is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object, not an accusative one; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Arbeit des Meisters ist beeindruckend.
The master's work is impressive.
die Arbeit means the work, and beeindruckend means impressive. Des Meisters is genitive because it shows possession; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Meister treffen sich heute.
The masters are meeting today.
treffen sich means meet one another, and heute means today. Die Meister is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural form has no ending, and the reflexive pronoun sich refers back to the subject.
Der Meister gewinnt das Finale.
The champion wins the final.
gewinnt means wins, and das Finale means the final. Der Meister is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb gewinnt stands in position two.
Alle feiern den Meister nach dem Spiel.
Everyone celebrates the champion after the match.
alle means everyone, feiern means celebrate, nach dem Spiel means after the match, and Spiel means match or game. Den Meister is accusative because feiern takes a direct object; nach takes the dative, so dem Spiel is dative.
die Meisterin — female master craftsperson; female champion
Die Meisterin is the feminine form of der Meister. It can refer to a qualified craftswoman or to a female champion, depending on the context.
Die Meisterin erklärt den Lehrlingen die Maschine.
The master craftswoman explains the machine to the apprentices.
erklärt means explains, den Lehrlingen means to the apprentices, and die Maschine means the machine. Die Meisterin is nominative because she is the subject; den Lehrlingen is dative for the people receiving the explanation, while die Maschine is accusative.
Wir besuchen die Meisterin morgen.
We are visiting the master craftswoman tomorrow.
besuchen means visit and morgen means tomorrow. Die Meisterin is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; for feminine nouns, nominative and accusative both use die.
Ich danke der Meisterin für ihre Hilfe.
I thank the master craftswoman for her help.
danke means thank, für ihre Hilfe means for her help, and Hilfe means help. Der Meisterin is dative because danken requires a dative object; für takes the accusative, so ihre Hilfe is accusative.
Die Werkzeuge der Meisterin sind sehr teuer.
The master craftswoman's tools are very expensive.
die Werkzeuge means the tools, sind means are, and sehr teuer means very expensive. Der Meisterin is genitive because it expresses possession; feminine genitive uses der, and the finite verb sind stands in position two.
Die Meisterinnen präsentieren ihre Arbeiten.
The female master craftswomen present their work.
präsentieren means present, and ihre Arbeiten means their works or projects. Die Meisterinnen is plural and nominative because it is the subject; -innen marks the feminine plural.
die Messe — trade fair; exhibition; Mass; church service
In the business sense, die Messe is a trade fair or exhibition. Do not confuse it with die Ausstellung, which can be a general exhibition and does not necessarily involve companies selling products.
Die Messe beginnt morgen.
The trade fair begins tomorrow.
beginnt means begins, and morgen means tomorrow. Die Messe is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir besuchen die Messe.
We are attending the trade fair.
wir besuchen means we visit or attend. Die Messe is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the feminine nominative and accusative articles are both die.
Auf der Messe treffe ich viele Firmen.
I meet many companies at the trade fair.
auf der Messe means at the trade fair, treffe means meet, and viele Firmen means many companies. Der Messe is dative because auf describes a fixed location; the phrase comes first, so treffe is still in position two.
Die Besucherzahlen der Messe steigen.
The visitor numbers of the trade fair are rising.
die Besucherzahlen means the visitor numbers and steigen means are rising. Der Messe is genitive because it identifies which trade fair the numbers belong to; the finite verb steigen stands in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Messen.
There are many trade fairs in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, viele means many, and gibt es means there are. Messen is plural after viele; in es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative, although no plural article appears.
Am Sonntag gehen wir zur Messe.
On Sunday we are going to Mass.
am Sonntag means on Sunday, gehen means go, and zur Messe means to Mass. Zur is zu der, and zu always takes the dative; the phrase is a destination, not an accusative object.
Die Messe beginnt um zehn Uhr.
Mass begins at ten o’clock.
beginnt means begins and um zehn Uhr means at ten o’clock. Die Messe is nominative because it is the subject; um introduces the time and beginnt is in position two.
der Metzger — butcher; butcher's shop
Metzger can mean a butcher or, in some regions, a butcher's shop. The profession is usually described with beim Metzger for shopping there.
Der Metzger arbeitet früh am Morgen.
The butcher works early in the morning.
arbeitet means works and früh am Morgen means early in the morning. Der Metzger is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Metzger am Samstag.
I visit the butcher on Saturday.
besuche means visit and am Samstag means on Saturday. den Metzger is accusative because it is the direct object of besuchen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Ich kaufe beim Metzger Wurst.
I buy sausage at the butcher's.
kaufe means buy and Wurst means sausage. beim Metzger is short for bei dem Metzger; bei always takes the dative, while Wurst is the accusative object of kaufe.
Das Auto des Metzgers steht vor dem Laden.
The butcher's car is in front of the shop.
Auto means car, steht means is standing or is parked, and Laden means shop. des Metzgers is genitive because it shows possession, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Die Metzger öffnen ihre Läden früh.
The butchers open their shops early.
öffnen means open, ihre means their, and Läden means shops. Metzger is plural because it has the article die; the noun has the same form in the singular and plural.
Wir kaufen das Fleisch beim Metzger.
We buy the meat at the butcher's.
Fleisch means meat and kaufen means buy. beim Metzger means at the butcher's and is dative after bei; das Fleisch is accusative because it is the object of kaufen.
Der Metzger an der Ecke hat heute zu.
The butcher's on the corner is closed today.
an der Ecke means on the corner and zu haben means to be closed. Der Metzger is the subject in the nominative, and heute means today; the phrase an der Ecke gives more information about the shop.
der Mitarbeiter — employee, staff member
The plural is also Mitarbeiter, with no ending. Do not confuse this general job word with Kollege, which specifically means colleague.
Der Mitarbeiter arbeitet heute im Büro.
The employee is working in the office today.
arbeitet means works, heute means today, and im Büro means in the office. Der Mitarbeiter is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe den Mitarbeiter.
I see the employee.
sehe means see. den Mitarbeiter is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the noun itself does not change.
Ich helfe dem Mitarbeiter.
I help the employee.
helfe means help. helfen takes a dative object, so dem Mitarbeiter is dative; unlike a weak noun, Mitarbeiter does not add -n.
Das Auto des Mitarbeiters steht vor dem Gebäude.
The employee’s car is in front of the building.
das Auto means the car, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Gebäude means in front of the building. des Mitarbeiters is genitive because it shows whose car it is; vor dem Gebäude is dative because it describes a fixed location.
Die Mitarbeiter treffen sich um neun Uhr.
The employees meet at nine o’clock.
treffen sich means meet, and um neun Uhr means at nine o’clock. Mitarbeiter has the same form in singular and plural, so the article die and the plural verb treffen show that it is plural.
die Mitarbeiterin — female employee, female staff member
The plural is Mitarbeiterinnen, formed by changing -in to -innen. Feminine nouns use der Mitarbeiterin in both the genitive and dative singular, so the surrounding structure tells you which case is meant.
Die Mitarbeiterin arbeitet heute im Büro.
The female employee is working in the office today.
arbeitet means works, heute means today, and im Büro means in the office. Die Mitarbeiterin is nominative because she is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich sehe die Mitarbeiterin.
I see the female employee.
sehe means see. die Mitarbeiterin is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; the feminine article die looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Ich helfe der Mitarbeiterin.
I help the female employee.
helfe means help. helfen takes a dative object, so der Mitarbeiterin is dative; feminine der can look like the masculine nominative article, but here it marks the dative.
Das Büro der Mitarbeiterin ist im zweiten Stock.
The female employee’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 Mitarbeiterin is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the feminine genitive and dative forms are identical, so the context is important.
Die Mitarbeiterinnen planen eine Besprechung.
The female employees are planning a meeting.
planen means plan and eine Besprechung means a meeting. Mitarbeiterinnen is plural, marked by -nen, and is nominative as the subject; eine Besprechung is accusative as the object.
das Model — fashion model
das Model is usually a person who presents clothes or products. Its plural is die Models; das Modell with two l means a model, design, or scale version.
Das Model trägt ein rotes Kleid.
The model is wearing a red dress.
trägt means is wearing, ein rotes Kleid means a red dress. Das Model is nominative because it is the subject, while ein rotes Kleid is accusative because it is the object of trägt.
Der Fotograf fotografiert das Model.
The photographer is photographing the model.
der Fotograf means the photographer and fotografiert means photographs. Das Model is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object; the neuter article das is unchanged from the nominative.
Die Stylistin gibt dem Model einen neuen Mantel.
The stylist gives the model a new coat.
die Stylistin means the stylist, gibt means gives, and einen neuen Mantel means a new coat. Dem Model is dative because it is the recipient, while einen neuen Mantel is accusative.
Die Karriere des Models begann in Berlin.
The model's career began in Berlin.
die Karriere means the career and begann means began. Des Models is genitive because it shows whose career it is; begann is the finite verb in position two.
Die Models laufen über den Laufsteg.
The models walk along the catwalk.
laufen means walk, über means along or across here, and der Laufsteg means catwalk. Models is the plural with -s; über den Laufsteg is accusative because it describes movement along the catwalk.
Das Model lächelt in die Kamera.
The model smiles at the camera.
lächelt means smiles and die Kamera means the camera. Das Model is the nominative subject; in die Kamera uses the accusative because the expression describes the direction of the smile.
der Musiker — musician (male)
The feminine form is Musikerin; Musiker can also refer to musicians generally when the gender is mixed or unknown.
Der Musiker spielt heute Abend in einem kleinen Club.
The musician is playing in a small club this evening.
heute Abend means this evening, and kleinen Club means small club. Der Musiker is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb spielt is in position two.
Ich höre den Musiker jeden Samstag im Radio.
I listen to the musician on the radio every Saturday.
höre means listen to, jeden Samstag means every Saturday, and Radio means radio. Den Musiker is accusative because hören takes a direct object; the finite verb höre stands in position two.
Wir geben dem Musiker nach dem Konzert Wasser.
We give the musician water after the concert.
geben means give, nach dem Konzert means after the concert, and Wasser is water. Dem Musiker is dative because the person receiving something is an indirect object; Wasser is the accusative thing given.
Das Fahrrad des Musikers steht vor dem Hotel.
The musician's bicycle is outside the hotel.
Fahrrad means bicycle, steht means is standing or is located, and vor dem Hotel means outside the hotel. Des Musikers is genitive because it shows whose bicycle it is; the genitive ending -s is added to Musiker.
Die Musiker spielen zusammen auf der Bühne.
The musicians are playing together on the stage.
zusammen means together, and Bühne means stage. Die Musiker is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the verb spielen has the plural ending -en.
die Mühe — effort, trouble
The singular die Mühe is common for a general effort or inconvenience; the plural die Mühen often means repeated efforts or difficulties. The fixed expression sich die Mühe machen takes die Mühe as an accusative object.
Die Mühe lohnt sich.
The effort is worth it.
lohnt sich means is worth it. Die Mühe is nominative because it is the subject; the reflexive pronoun sich belongs to the verb sich lohnen, and the finite verb lohnt is in position two.
Ich mache mir die Mühe.
I make the effort.
mache mir means make for myself, and die Mühe means the effort. Die Mühe is accusative because sich die Mühe machen takes it as its direct object, while mir is dative for the person making the effort.
Mit der Mühe kommt man zum Ziel.
With effort, one reaches the goal.
mit means with, kommt man means one reaches or comes, and das Ziel is the goal. Mit always takes the dative, so der Mühe is dative; kommt is the finite verb in position two.
Das Ergebnis der Mühe war gut.
The result of the effort was good.
das Ergebnis is the result, and gut means good. Der Mühe is genitive because it identifies which effort the result came from; the finite verb war is in position two.
Die Mühen der Reise waren groß.
The difficulties of the journey were great.
die Reise is the journey, and groß means great or considerable. Die Mühen is plural nominative because it is the subject, while der Reise is genitive because it means “of the journey”.
der Notizblock — notepad, writing pad
A Notizblock is a block of loose or attached blank sheets. It is not the same as das Notizbuch, which has bound pages and a cover.
Der Notizblock liegt neben dem Telefon.
The notepad is next to the telephone.
liegt means “is lying”, and neben dem Telefon means “next to the telephone”. Der Notizblock is nominative because it is the subject; neben takes the dative for a fixed position.
Ich brauche einen Notizblock.
I need a notepad.
brauche means “need”, and einen means “a” in the masculine accusative. Einen Notizblock is accusative because brauchen takes a direct object, and the finite verb brauche is in position two.
Ich schreibe in dem Notizblock.
I write in the notepad.
schreibe means “write”, and in dem means “in the”. In dem Notizblock is dative because it describes where the writing happens, not movement into the block; the finite verb schreibe is in position two.
Die Seiten des Notizblocks sind leer.
The pages of the notepad are blank.
die Seiten means “the pages”, and leer means “blank”. Des Notizblocks is genitive after die Seiten to mean “of the notepad”; the masculine noun adds -s.
Im Büro liegen mehrere Notizblöcke.
Several notepads are lying in the office.
im Büro means “in the office”, and mehrere means “several”. Notizblöcke is the plural subject and has the umlaut and ending -e; because the sentence starts with the location, the verb liegen still comes in position two.
das Notizbuch — notebook
Das Notizbuch usually has bound pages and is used for longer-term writing. For one small written message, use die Notiz.
Das Notizbuch ist in meiner Tasche.
The notebook is in my bag.
ist means “is”, and in meiner Tasche means “in my bag”. Das Notizbuch is nominative because it is the subject; in takes the dative for a location, and meiner Tasche is feminine dative.
Ich kaufe ein neues Notizbuch.
I am buying a new notebook.
kaufe means “buy”, and neues means “new”. Ein neues Notizbuch is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the neuter adjective ending is -es after ein.
Ich schreibe in meinem Notizbuch.
I write in my notebook.
schreibe means “write”, and meinem means “my” in the neuter dative. In meinem Notizbuch is dative because it describes a fixed location; the finite verb schreibe stands in position two.
Der Einband des Notizbuchs ist blau.
The cover of the notebook is blue.
der Einband means “the cover”, and blau means “blue”. Des Notizbuchs is genitive after der Einband to show what the cover belongs to; the neuter noun adds -s.
Auf dem Regal stehen viele Notizbücher.
Many notebooks are standing on the shelf.
das Regal is “the shelf”, stehen means “are standing”, and viele means “many”. Notizbücher is the plural subject, while auf dem Regal is dative because it gives a fixed location.
der Notizzettel — note slip, scrap of paper with a note
A Notizzettel is usually smaller and less permanent than a page in das Notizbuch. It can be a loose scrap of paper or a small adhesive note.
Der Notizzettel hängt an der Tür.
The note slip is hanging on the door.
hängt means “is hanging”, and an der Tür means “on the door”. Der Notizzettel is nominative because it is the subject; an takes the dative for a fixed location.
Ich klebe den Notizzettel an den Kühlschrank.
I stick the note slip on the fridge.
klebe means “stick”, and den Kühlschrank means “the fridge”. Den Notizzettel is accusative because it is the object of klebe; an den Kühlschrank is also accusative because it expresses movement to a place.
Ich vertraue dem Notizzettel nicht.
I do not trust the note slip.
vertraue means “trust”, and nicht means “not”. Dem Notizzettel is dative because vertrauen requires a dative object; the finite verb vertraue stands in position two.
Die Farbe des Notizzettels ist gelb.
The colour of the note slip is yellow.
die Farbe means “the colour”, and gelb means “yellow”. Des Notizzettels is genitive after die Farbe to mean “of the note slip”; the masculine noun adds -s.
Auf dem Schreibtisch liegen drei Notizzettel.
Three note slips are lying on the desk.
der Schreibtisch is “the desk”, and liegen means “are lying”. Drei Notizzettel is the plural subject; this noun has no plural ending, so drei and the verb liegen show the number.
der Ober — waiter (Austrian/Swiss); card in a traditional card game; Ober card in a traditional card game
In Austrian and Swiss German, der Ober commonly means “waiter”; in much of Germany, der Kellner is more usual. In traditional card games, der Ober is also a particular court card, and both meanings have the unchanged plural die Ober.
Der Ober bringt die Rechnung.
The waiter brings the bill.
bringt means “brings” and die Rechnung means “the bill”. Der Ober is nominative because it is the subject doing the action, and the finite verb bringt stands in position two.
Ich rufe den Ober.
I call the waiter.
ich rufe means “I call”. Den Ober is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den, while the noun itself stays unchanged.
Ich gebe dem Ober das Geld.
I give the waiter the money.
gebe means “give”, das Geld means “the money”. Dem Ober is dative because it is the recipient, while das Geld is accusative as the thing given.
Die Stimme des Obers klingt freundlich.
The waiter's voice sounds friendly.
die Stimme means “the voice”, klingt means “sounds”, and freundlich means “friendly”. Des Obers expresses possession in the genitive; the masculine noun takes -s in this form.
Die Ober arbeiten heute Abend zusammen.
The waiters are working together this evening.
arbeiten means “work”, heute Abend means “this evening”, and zusammen means “together”. Die Ober is plural and has no noun ending; the plural verb arbeiten stands in position two.
Ich spiele einen Ober aus.
I play an Ober card.
ich spiele ... aus means “I play ...”, and ausspielen means “to play a card”. Einen Ober is accusative because ausspielen takes a direct object; the separable prefix aus moves to the end of the main clause.
Der Ober gewinnt diese Runde.
The Ober card wins this round.
gewinnt means “wins”, diese Runde means “this round”. Der Ober is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb gewinnt is in position two.