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Vocab: Work & office — B1 (4)
Work & office vocabulary at B1 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
intern — internally, within the organisation
As an adverb, intern means within an organisation or group. It does not take an adjective ending, so it remains intern even when the sentence has a plural subject.
Wir klären das Problem intern.
We will resolve the problem internally.
klären means resolve or clarify, and das Problem means the problem. Intern is an adverb modifying klären; the finite verb is in position two, while the accusative object follows it.
Die Nachricht wurde nur intern weitergeleitet.
The message was forwarded internally only.
die Nachricht means the message, and weitergeleitet means forwarded. Intern says that this happened within the organisation; wurde ... weitergeleitet is the passive, with the Partizip II at the end.
die IT-Branche — IT industry, IT sector
The compound IT-Branche means the information-technology industry or sector. It is feminine because Branche is feminine; the common plural is IT-Branchen.
Die IT-Branche wächst schnell.
The IT industry is growing quickly.
wächst means is growing, and schnell means quickly. Die IT-Branche is the nominative subject, and the finite verb wächst is in position two.
Viele junge Leute wählen die IT-Branche.
Many young people choose the IT industry.
viele junge Leute means many young people, and wählen means choose. Die IT-Branche is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the finite verb wählen stands in position two.
Sie arbeitet in der IT-Branche.
She works in the IT industry.
sie means she, arbeitet means works, and in means in. Here in describes a location or field, so it takes the dative der IT-Branche; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Die Zukunft der IT-Branche ist spannend.
The future of the IT industry is exciting.
die Zukunft means the future, and spannend means exciting. Der IT-Branche is genitive because it identifies whose future is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
In Deutschland gibt es viele IT-Branchen.
There are many IT sectors in Germany.
Deutschland means Germany, gibt es means there are, and viele means many. IT-Branchen is plural after viele; in the fixed expression es gibt, the thing that exists is accusative.
die Jobbörse — job board, job-market website
The compound combines der Job (job) and die Börse (exchange or marketplace). It usually means an online service for job advertisements, not a physical stock exchange.
Die Jobbörse zeigt viele freie Stellen.
The job board shows many vacancies.
freie Stellen means vacancies or open positions, and zeigt means shows. Die Jobbörse is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Ich besuche die Jobbörse jeden Morgen.
I visit the job board every morning.
besuchen means to visit, and jeden Morgen means every morning. die Jobbörse is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; the finite verb besuche stands in position two.
Auf der Jobbörse finde ich passende Angebote.
I find suitable offers on the job board.
passende Angebote means suitable job offers, and finden means to find. auf der Jobbörse is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; finde is in position two.
Die Adresse der Jobbörse steht in meiner E-Mail.
The address of the job board is in my email.
die Adresse means the address, steht means is written or located, and meine E-Mail means my email. der Jobbörse is genitive because it shows possession: the address belongs to the job board.
Im Internet gibt es viele Jobbörsen.
There are many job boards on the internet.
im Internet means on the internet, and viele means many. Jobbörsen is plural after viele; in the phrase es gibt, the thing that exists is grammatically accusative.
Auf dieser Jobbörse kann man auch Praktika finden.
You can also find internships on this job board.
dieser means this, auch means also, and Praktika means internships. auf dieser Jobbörse is dative because it describes a location, and the modal verb kann sends finden to the end of the clause.
das Jobcenter — job centre, employment office
The Jobcenter is a German public employment office. It can help with job searches and may administer unemployment benefits; it is not simply any private recruitment agency.
Das Jobcenter hilft arbeitslosen Menschen.
The job centre helps unemployed people.
hilft means helps, and arbeitslose Menschen means unemployed people. Das Jobcenter is nominative because it is the subject; Menschen is dative after helfen.
Ich rufe das Jobcenter morgen an.
I will call the job centre tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and anrufen means to call. das Jobcenter is accusative because it is the direct object; the separable verb rufe ... an puts its prefix at the end of the main clause.
Ich gehe heute zum Jobcenter.
I am going to the job centre today.
heute means today, and gehen means to go. zum Jobcenter means zu dem Jobcenter; zu always takes the dative.
Die Entscheidung des Jobcenters ist noch nicht da.
The decision from the job centre is not here yet.
die Entscheidung means the decision, noch nicht means not yet, and da means here or available. des Jobcenters is genitive because it identifies whose decision it is; the noun has the genitive ending -s.
In Deutschland gibt es viele Jobcenter.
There are many job centres in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, and viele means many. Jobcenter has the same form in the singular and plural, so viele and es gibt show that it is plural here.
Das Jobcenter bietet einen Deutschkurs an.
The job centre offers a German course.
bietet ... an means offers, and einen Deutschkurs means a German course. einen Deutschkurs is accusative because anbieten takes a direct object; the prefix an stands at the end of the main clause.
der Jäger — hunter
The feminine form is die Jägerin. Do not confuse der Jäger with die Jagd, which means hunting as an activity.
Der Jäger geht früh in den Wald.
The hunter goes into the forest early.
geht means goes, früh means early, and der Wald is the forest. Der Jäger is nominative because it is the subject; in den Wald is accusative because it expresses movement into the forest.
Die Polizei befragt den Jäger.
The police question the hunter.
die Polizei means the police and befragt means questions. Den Jäger is accusative because befragen takes a direct object, and the finite verb befragt is in position two.
Der Förster spricht mit dem Jäger.
The forester is talking to the hunter.
der Förster is the forester and spricht means is talking. Dem Jäger is dative because mit always requires the dative; Förster is another job word for a person who looks after a forest.
Das Gewehr des Jägers liegt im Schrank.
The hunter’s rifle is in the cupboard.
das Gewehr means rifle, liegt means is lying, and der Schrank is the cupboard. Des Jägers is genitive because it shows possession, and the masculine noun adds -s after des.
Im Herbst sehen wir viele Jäger.
In autumn we see many hunters.
im Herbst means in autumn, sehen means see, and viele means many. Jäger is plural after viele and has the same spelling as the singular; here it is accusative because it is the object of sehen.
der Kandidat — candidate
Kandidat is a weak masculine noun, so it takes -en in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular: den Kandidaten, dem Kandidaten, des Kandidaten. It can refer to someone seeking a political office, a job, a prize, or another position.
Der Kandidat hält eine Rede.
The candidate is giving a speech.
hält means gives or delivers, and eine Rede means a speech. Der Kandidat is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb hält stands in position two.
Die Wähler wählen den Kandidaten.
The voters elect the candidate.
die Wähler means the voters and wählen means elect or choose. Den Kandidaten is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; this masculine noun adds -en outside the nominative singular.
Die Journalistin stellt dem Kandidaten eine Frage.
The journalist asks the candidate a question.
die Journalistin means the female journalist, stellt eine Frage means asks a question, and eine Frage is a question. Dem Kandidaten is dative because jemandem eine Frage stellen takes the person in the dative; the weak noun keeps -en.
Die Meinung des Kandidaten ist bekannt.
The candidate's opinion is well known.
die Meinung means the opinion and bekannt means known or well known. Des Kandidaten is genitive because it shows whose opinion it is; Kandidat takes -en in this case, not -s.
Die Kandidaten beantworten schwierige Fragen.
The candidates answer difficult questions.
beantworten means answer, and schwierige Fragen means difficult questions. Kandidaten is the plural subject; the adjective schwierige has an ending because it comes before the plural noun Fragen.
die Karriere — career
Karriere usually means professional career and often suggests progress or success. The expression Karriere machen means to build a successful career, not literally to make a career.
Die Karriere beginnt nach dem Studium.
The career begins after university.
beginnt means begins, and nach dem Studium means after university studies. Die Karriere is nominative because it is the subject; nach takes the dative here, shown by dem Studium.
Sie plant eine Karriere in der Medizin.
She is planning a career in medicine.
plant means plans, in der Medizin means in medicine, and die Medizin means medicine. Eine Karriere is accusative because planen takes a direct object; in der Medizin is dative because it describes a location or field rather than a direction.
Er hilft seiner Schwester bei der Karriere.
He helps his sister with her career.
hilft means helps, seiner Schwester means his sister, and bei means with or in connection with. Der Karriere is dative because bei always takes the dative; helfen also takes a dative person, seiner Schwester.
Der Verlauf der Karriere war ungewöhnlich.
The course of the career was unusual.
der Verlauf means the course or development, and ungewöhnlich means unusual. Der Karriere is genitive because it means of the career; the feminine genitive article is der.
Viele Karrieren enden plötzlich.
Many careers end suddenly.
viele means many, enden means end, and plötzlich means suddenly. Karrieren is plural and nominative because it is the subject; the plural ending is -n.
Nach zehn Jahren hat sie eine erfolgreiche Karriere.
After ten years, she has had a successful career.
nach zehn Jahren means after ten years, erfolgreich means successful, and hat ... forms the perfect tense. Eine erfolgreiche Karriere is accusative because it is the object of haben; the participle gehabt is understood at the end in the full perfect construction.
die Kauffrau — female businessperson, businesswoman
Kauffrau is the feminine form related to Kaufmann. In modern German, Kauffrau is also used in official job titles such as Kauffrau für Büromanagement.
Die Kauffrau berät den Kunden.
The female businessperson advises the customer.
beraten means to advise, and der Kunde is the customer. Die Kauffrau is nominative because she performs the action, while den Kunden is accusative because it is the object of beraten; the finite verb berät is in position two.
Ich sehe die Kauffrau im Geschäft.
I see the female businessperson in the shop.
sehen means to see, and das Geschäft is the shop or business. Die Kauffrau is accusative because sehen takes an accusative object; im Geschäft means in the shop, with in plus dative for a location.
Ich gebe der Kauffrau die Rechnung.
I give the female businessperson the bill.
geben means to give, and die Rechnung is the bill or invoice. Der Kauffrau is dative because she receives something, while die Rechnung is accusative because it is what is given.
Das Auto der Kauffrau steht vor dem Haus.
The female businessperson's car is in front of the house.
das Auto is the car, stehen means to stand or be located, and vor dem Haus means in front of the house. Der Kauffrau is genitive and shows possession; the finite verb steht is in position two.
Viele Kauffrauen besuchen die Messe.
Many female businesspeople visit the trade fair.
viele means many, besuchen means to visit, and die Messe is the trade fair. Kauffrauen is the plural with -en, and it is nominative because these women perform the action.
Die Kauffrau arbeitet seit zehn Jahren im Einzelhandel.
The female businessperson has worked in retail for ten years.
arbeiten means to work, seit zehn Jahren means for ten years, and der Einzelhandel is retail trade. The noun is nominative because it is the subject, and im Einzelhandel uses dative after in for a location or area.
der Kaufmann — businessman, merchant
Kaufmann is the traditional masculine term for a businessperson or merchant, and it also appears in professional titles. Its plural is irregular: der Kaufmann becomes die Kaufleute.
Der Kaufmann verkauft Maschinen.
The businessman sells machines.
verkaufen means to sell, and die Maschinen are machines. Der Kaufmann is nominative because he performs the action, while Maschinen is accusative because it is the object of verkaufen.
Ich treffe den Kaufmann morgen.
I am meeting the businessman tomorrow.
treffen means to meet, and morgen means tomorrow. Den Kaufmann is accusative because it is the object of treffen; this noun keeps -mann in the accusative, unlike weak nouns such as der Junge, which take -n.
Ich helfe dem Kaufmann bei der Planung.
I help the businessman with the planning.
helfen means to help, bei der Planung means with the planning, and die Planung is the planning process. Dem Kaufmann is dative because helfen always takes a dative person; bei also governs the dative.
Das Büro des Kaufmanns liegt am Hafen.
The businessman's office is by the harbour.
das Büro is the office, liegen means to be located, and der Hafen is the harbour. Des Kaufmanns is genitive and shows possession; here Kaufmann takes -s, not -en.
Viele Kaufleute reisen zur Konferenz.
Many businesspeople travel to the conference.
viele means many, reisen means to travel, and die Konferenz is the conference. Kaufleute is the irregular plural of Kaufmann; zur Konferenz means to the conference and uses dative after the contracted preposition zu.
Der Kaufmann handelt mit Kaffee.
The merchant trades in coffee.
handeln mit means to trade in, and der Kaffee is coffee. Der Kaufmann is nominative as the subject, while mit Kaffee is dative because mit always governs the dative.
kaufmännisch — commercial, business-related
Kaufmännisch describes work involving business, trade, sales or office administration. It is not the usual word for something merely bought; use käuflich for “available for purchase” in the relevant contexts.
Die Arbeit ist kaufmännisch.
The work is commercial.
die Arbeit is the work, and sein means to be. Kaufmännisch is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Sie macht eine kaufmännische Ausbildung.
She is doing commercial training.
eine Ausbildung machen means to do vocational training, and die Ausbildung is training or education. Kaufmännische stands before the feminine accusative noun and takes -e after the indefinite article eine.
Diese Aufgabe ist kaufmännischer als die andere.
This task is more commercial than the other one.
diese Aufgabe means this task, and die andere means the other one. Kaufmännischer is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the thing used for comparison; after ist, the adjective is predicative.
Er arbeitet am kaufmännischsten von allen.
He works in the most business-oriented way of all.
arbeiten means to work, and von allen means of all of them. Am kaufmännischsten is the predicative or adverbial superlative; von governs the dative, although the plural form allen does not visibly show the case strongly here.
Kaufmännische Berufe brauchen gutes Rechnen.
Commercial occupations require good numeracy.
der Beruf is an occupation, brauchen means to need, and gutes Rechnen means good numeracy or calculating ability. Kaufmännische Berufe is the plural subject, while gutes Rechnen is the accusative object of brauchen.
Kaufmännische Erfahrung hilft bei der Arbeit.
Commercial experience helps at work.
die Erfahrung means experience, helfen means to help, and bei der Arbeit means at work. Kaufmännische Erfahrung is the nominative subject, while bei der Arbeit is dative because bei governs the dative.
der Kongress — congress, conference
In modern German, Kongress usually means a large professional or academic conference. The phrase an einem Kongress teilnehmen uses dative after an.
Der Kongress beginnt am Montag.
The congress begins on Monday.
beginnt means begins and am Montag means on Monday. Der Kongress is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Organisation plant den Kongress für den Herbst.
The organization is planning the congress for autumn.
die Organisation means the organization, plant means is planning, and der Herbst means autumn. den Kongress is accusative because planen takes a direct object; für also takes the accusative.
Ich nehme an dem Kongress teil.
I am taking part in the congress.
Ich nehme teil means I take part, and an dem means at or in the. dem Kongress is dative after an for participation at an event; the separable verb teilnehmen splits in the main clause.
Die Ergebnisse des Kongresses werden veröffentlicht.
The results of the congress will be published.
die Ergebnisse means the results and veröffentlicht means published. des Kongresses is genitive because it shows which results; in the passive, werden is finite and veröffentlicht stands at the end.
Internationale Kongresse ziehen viele Fachleute an.
International congresses attract many specialists.
internationale means international, ziehen ... an means attract, and Fachleute means specialists. Kongresse is plural and nominative as the subject, while viele Fachleute is accusative as the object.
das Können — ability, skill
das Können is a noun meaning ability or skill and is always written with a capital letter. It is formed from the verb können with -en; do not confuse it with lowercase können, the modal verb “can”.
Das Können der Musiker beeindruckt mich.
The musicians’ skill impresses me.
der Musiker means of the musicians, and beeindruckt means impresses. Das Können is nominative because it is the subject, while der Musiker is genitive because it shows whose skill is meant.
Die Jury bewertet das Können der Tänzer.
The jury assesses the dancers’ skill.
die Jury means the jury, bewertet means assesses, and der Tänzer means of the dancers. das Können is accusative because bewerten takes a direct object; the neuter article is unchanged from the nominative.
Mit diesem Können kann sie viele Aufgaben lösen.
With this skill, she can solve many tasks.
mit diesem Können means with this skill, viele Aufgaben means many tasks, and lösen means solve. diesem Können is dative because mit always takes the dative; the modal kann is in position two and lösen goes to the end.
Der Wert des Könnens zeigt sich in der Arbeit.
The value of the skill shows itself in the work.
der Wert means the value, zeigt sich means shows itself, and in der Arbeit means in the work. des Könnens is genitive because it identifies what kind of value is meant; the noun takes -s.
Sein Können hat alle überrascht.
His skill surprised everyone.
sein means his, alle means everyone, and überrascht means surprised. Können has no ordinary plural here because it is an abstract mass noun; hat ... überrascht is the perfect, with the participle at the end.
kündigen — to give notice; to terminate or cancel
For contracts and subscriptions, kündigen means to end the arrangement by giving notice. Without an object, kündigen can also mean resign from a job; it takes haben in the perfect.
Ich kündige meinen Handyvertrag.
I am cancelling my mobile-phone contract.
meinen Handyvertrag means my mobile-phone contract. kündigen takes an accusative object, so meinen Handyvertrag is accusative; the finite verb kündige stands in position two.
Wir haben den Mietvertrag gekündigt.
We terminated the rental agreement.
wir means we, and der Mietvertrag is the rental agreement. den Mietvertrag is accusative because kündigen takes the contract as its object; haben is in position two and gekündigt goes to the end.
Sie kündigte das Abonnement gestern.
She cancelled the subscription yesterday.
das Abonnement means the subscription, and gestern means yesterday. das Abonnement is accusative after kündigen, while the weak past form kündigte stands in position two.
Kündige den Vertrag heute!
Cancel the contract today!
den Vertrag means the contract, and heute means today. The subject du is omitted in the imperative, and the accusative object follows the command kündige.
Wenn ich jetzt kündigen würde, müsste ich eine Frist einhalten.
If I cancelled now, I would have to observe a notice period.
jetzt means now, müsste means would have to, and eine Frist einhalten means observe a notice period. In the wenn clause, the infinitive kündigen stands at the end; würde forms the second conditional verb phrase.
Ich werde den Vertrag zum Monatsende kündigen.
I will terminate the contract at the end of the month.
zum Monatsende means at the end of the month. den Vertrag is accusative after kündigen; werde is in position two and the infinitive kündigen goes to the end.
die Kündigung — notice of termination; cancellation; resignation
die Kündigung can refer to ending employment or to cancelling a contract. It is feminine, and nouns ending in -ung are usually feminine and form their plural with -en.
Die Kündigung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The notice of termination is on the table.
liegt auf dem Tisch means is lying on the table. Die Kündigung is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb liegt stands in position two.
Ich habe die Kündigung gestern abgeschickt.
I sent the notice yesterday.
gestern means yesterday, and abgeschickt means sent off. die Kündigung is accusative because abschicken takes a direct object; habe is in position two and abgeschickt is at the end.
Er widerspricht der Kündigung.
He objects to the notice of termination.
widerspricht means objects to or disputes. The verb widersprechen requires the dative, so der Kündigung is dative, and the finite verb widerspricht is in position two.
Die Gründe der Kündigung sind unklar.
The reasons for the termination are unclear.
die Gründe means the reasons, and unklar means unclear. der Kündigung is genitive and means of the termination; the plural subject Die Gründe makes sind plural.
Mehrere Kündigungen gingen heute ein.
Several notices came in today.
mehrere means several, and gingen ein means came in or were received. Kündigungen is plural with no ending change beyond -en; the plural subject requires gingen.
die Laufbahn — career, professional path; running track
This sense is often used for a long professional development, not just one job. eine Laufbahn einschlagen means to embark on a career.
Ihre Laufbahn begann in einem kleinen Theater.
Her career began in a small theatre.
begann means began, klein means small, and Theater means theatre. Ihre Laufbahn is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb begann stands in position two.
Sie plant eine neue Laufbahn.
She is planning a new career.
plant means is planning and neu means new. eine neue Laufbahn is accusative because planen takes an accusative object, and the finite verb plant is in position two.
Er hat seiner Laufbahn viel Zeit gewidmet.
He devoted a lot of time to his career.
viel Zeit means a lot of time and gewidmet means devoted. seiner Laufbahn is dative because widmen takes the person or thing receiving something in the dative; hat is in position two and gewidmet goes to the end.
Der Erfolg seiner Laufbahn überraschte alle.
The success of his career surprised everyone.
Erfolg means success and überraschte means surprised. seiner Laufbahn is genitive because it shows whose success is meant; the finite verb überraschte is in position two.
Viele Laufbahnen enden mit einer neuen Aufgabe.
Many careers end with a new task.
viele means many, enden means end, and Aufgabe means task. Viele Laufbahnen is a plural subject, so the verb is plural: enden.
Nach zehn Jahren wechselte sie ihre Laufbahn.
After ten years, she changed her career path.
nach zehn Jahren means after ten years and wechselte means changed. ihre Laufbahn is accusative because wechseln takes an accusative object; the time phrase comes first, but the finite verb still stays in position two.
Die Sportler trainieren auf der Laufbahn.
The athletes are training on the track.
Sportler means athletes and trainieren means train. auf der Laufbahn is dative because auf describes a fixed location here; the finite verb trainieren is in position two.
Die Kinder laufen drei Runden auf der Laufbahn.
The children run three laps on the track.
Kinder means children and drei Runden means three laps. auf der Laufbahn is dative because it describes location, not movement towards the track; the verb laufen is in position two.
die Lehre — vocational training, apprenticeship; teaching, doctrine, lesson
In the education and work sense, eine Lehre machen means to complete vocational training or an apprenticeship. Do not confuse it with die Lehre meaning a teaching or doctrine.
Die Lehre dauert drei Jahre.
The vocational training lasts three years.
dauern means to last and drei Jahre means three years. Die Lehre is nominative because it is the subject, and dauert stands in position two.
Er beginnt eine Lehre als Koch.
He is starting vocational training as a chef.
beginnen means to begin, als means as, and der Koch is the chef or cook. Eine Lehre is accusative because beginnen takes a direct object; als Koch describes the profession.
Nach der Lehre arbeitet sie in einem Hotel.
After her training, she works in a hotel.
nach means after, arbeiten means to work, and das Hotel is the hotel. Der Lehre is dative because nach always takes the dative; in einem Hotel is also dative because it describes a location.
Die Dauer der Lehre hängt vom Beruf ab.
The duration of the training depends on the profession.
die Dauer means duration, abhängen von means to depend on, and der Beruf is the profession. Der Lehre is genitive because it specifies whose duration is meant; hängt ... ab is a separable verb and vom means von dem.
Viele Lehren verbinden Theorie und Praxis.
Many training programmes combine theory and practice.
verbinden means to combine, die Theorie is theory, and die Praxis is practical work. Viele Lehren is plural and nominative as the subject, while Theorie und Praxis are accusative objects.
Sie macht eine Lehre zur Elektrikerin.
She is doing vocational training to become an electrician.
machen means to do, Elektrikerin means female electrician, and zur means zu der, to or for the. Eine Lehre is accusative as the object of machen; zur Elektrikerin states the profession she is training for.
Die Lehre betont die Bedeutung der Freiheit.
The teaching emphasises the importance of freedom.
betonen means to emphasise, die Bedeutung means importance, and die Freiheit is freedom. Die Lehre is nominative as the subject, while die Bedeutung is accusative; der Freiheit is genitive because it specifies the importance of what.
Aus diesem Fehler habe ich eine wichtige Lehre gezogen.
I learned an important lesson from this mistake.
der Fehler is the mistake, wichtig means important, and ziehen means to draw or take in the phrase eine Lehre ziehen. Eine wichtige Lehre is accusative as the object of gezogen, while aus diesem Fehler is dative because aus always takes the dative.
der Lehrgang — course, training course
A Lehrgang is usually more structured and focused on practical training than a general school subject. The verb einen Lehrgang besuchen is a common way to say “attend a course”.
Der Lehrgang beginnt im September.
The course begins in September.
beginnt means begins, and im September means in September. Der Lehrgang is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich besuche den Lehrgang am Wochenende.
I attend the course at the weekend.
besuchen means to attend or visit, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Den Lehrgang is accusative because besuchen takes a direct object; am Wochenende is a time phrase.
Wir folgen dem Lehrgang online.
We follow the course online.
folgen means to follow, and online means online. Dem Lehrgang is dative because folgen requires a dative object, unlike the similar verb besuchen, which takes accusative.
Das Ziel des Lehrgangs ist eine Prüfung.
The aim of the course is an exam.
das Ziel means the aim, and eine Prüfung is an exam. Des Lehrgangs is genitive because it identifies which aim; the masculine noun adds -s.
Die Lehrgänge sind sehr praktisch.
The courses are very practical.
praktisch means practical, and sehr means very. Die Lehrgänge is the plural subject, with -e and an umlaut; sind stands in position two.
der Lehrling — apprentice, trainee
A Lehrling is normally in vocational training and learns a profession by working in a company. In Germany, this word is common; Azubi is a shorter colloquial form of Auszubildender.
Der Lehrling arbeitet in der Werkstatt.
The apprentice works in the workshop.
arbeiten means to work, and die Werkstatt is the workshop. Der Lehrling is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Der Meister prüft den Lehrling.
The master craftsman tests the apprentice.
der Meister is the master craftsman, and prüfen means to test. Den Lehrling is accusative because prüfen takes a direct object; this noun does not change to Lehrlingen here.
Der Meister hilft dem Lehrling.
The master craftsman helps the apprentice.
helfen means to help, and der Meister is the master craftsman. Dem Lehrling is dative because helfen requires a dative object; the form remains Lehrling in the singular.
Die Arbeit des Lehrlings ist sorgfältig.
The apprentice’s work is careful.
die Arbeit means work, and sorgfältig means careful or thorough. Des Lehrlings is genitive because it shows whose work it is, and this noun takes -s in the genitive.
Die Lehrlinge lernen einen Beruf.
The apprentices are learning a profession.
lernen means to learn, and einen Beruf is a profession or trade. Die Lehrlinge is the plural subject, while einen Beruf is accusative because it is what they learn.
die Lehrstelle — apprenticeship position, training place
Lehrstelle means a specific place or position for vocational training, not the training course itself. A learner commonly uses eine Lehrstelle suchen, finden, or bekommen.
Die Lehrstelle ist noch frei.
The apprenticeship position is still available.
noch means still, and frei means available or vacant. Die Lehrstelle is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Sie sucht eine Lehrstelle in Berlin.
She is looking for an apprenticeship position in Berlin.
suchen means to look for, and in Berlin means in Berlin. Eine Lehrstelle is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the indefinite article has the same form in feminine nominative and accusative.
Er bewirbt sich bei der Lehrstelle.
He applies at the apprenticeship position.
sich bewerben means to apply, and bei means at or with. Der Lehrstelle is dative because bei always takes dative; the reflexive verb is normally used with a specific position or company.
Die Anforderungen der Lehrstelle sind hoch.
The requirements of the apprenticeship position are high.
die Anforderungen means the requirements, and hoch means high. Der Lehrstelle is genitive because it identifies which requirements; the feminine genitive has no extra noun ending.
Die Lehrstellen in dieser Stadt sind beliebt.
The apprenticeship positions in this city are popular.
in dieser Stadt means in this city, and beliebt means popular. Die Lehrstellen is the plural subject, formed with -n; the finite verb sind stands in position two.
die Leistung — achievement; performance; service or benefit; service; benefit
Leistung can mean a personal achievement or performance, but it can also mean a service or benefit provided by an organisation, such as an insurance benefit. Do not translate every use as an examination result.
Die Leistung des Sportlers war beeindruckend.
The athlete's performance was impressive.
des Sportlers means of the athlete, and beeindruckend means impressive. Die Leistung is nominative because it is the subject; des Sportlers is genitive and shows whose performance it was.
Der Trainer lobt die Leistung der Mannschaft.
The coach praises the team's performance.
der Trainer is the coach, lobt means praises, and der Mannschaft means of the team. Die Leistung is accusative because it is the object of loben; the finite verb lobt is in position two.
Wir sind mit der Leistung zufrieden.
We are satisfied with the performance.
wir means we, mit means with, and zufrieden means satisfied. Mit always takes the dative, so feminine die Leistung becomes der Leistung; the verb phrase sind ... zufrieden means are satisfied.
Die Qualität der Leistung ist sehr hoch.
The quality of the performance is very high.
die Qualität is the quality and sehr hoch means very high. Der Leistung is genitive after die Qualität and identifies which quality; the whole phrase die Qualität der Leistung is the nominative subject.
Die Leistungen der Schüler haben sich verbessert.
The students' performances have improved.
der Schüler means of the students, and haben sich verbessert means have improved. Leistungen is the plural subject, while der Schüler is a genitive phrase; the plural verb haben agrees with the subject.
Die Krankenkasse übernimmt viele Leistungen.
The health insurance fund covers many benefits.
die Krankenkasse is the health insurance fund, übernimmt means covers or takes over, and viele means many. Leistungen is accusative because it is the object of übernehmen, while übernimmt stands in position two.
Für diese Leistung müssen Sie extra bezahlen.
You have to pay extra for this service.
für diese Leistung means for this service, müssen means have to, and extra bezahlen means pay extra. Für takes the accusative, so feminine die Leistung appears as diese Leistung; the modal verb müssen is in position two and bezahlen goes to the end.
leiten — to lead; to direct; to manage; to conduct; to channel
Leiten usually takes an accusative object for the group, project, or organisation being directed. It is also used for conducting things such as electricity or water.
Sie leitet eine kleine Firma.
She manages a small company.
sie means she, eine kleine Firma is a small company, and klein means small. Eine kleine Firma is accusative because it is the object of leiten; leitet stands in position two.
Er hat das Projekt erfolgreich geleitet.
He led the project successfully.
das Projekt is the project and erfolgreich means successfully. The perfect uses hat ... geleitet because leiten takes haben; das Projekt is accusative, and geleitet stands at the end.
Früher leitete mein Vater den Betrieb.
My father used to run the business.
früher means formerly, mein Vater is my father, and der Betrieb is the business. Leitete is in position two, and den Betrieb is accusative as the organisation being managed.
Leit die Besucher zum Ausgang!
Lead the visitors to the exit!
die Besucher are the visitors, zum Ausgang means to the exit, and Ausgang means exit. The imperative leit comes first; die Besucher is accusative, while zu takes the dative in zum.
Ich leitete das Team, wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte.
I would lead the team if I had more time.
das Team is the team and mehr Zeit means more time. The hypothetical condition uses hätte in the subordinate clause, where the verb goes to the end; das Team is accusative after leitete.
Sie wird künftig die Abteilung leiten.
She will manage the department in future.
künftig means in future and die Abteilung is the department. Future wird ... leiten puts wird in position two and the infinitive at the end; die Abteilung is accusative.
Kupfer leitet elektrischen Strom.
Copper conducts electric current.
Kupfer is copper, elektrischer Strom means electric current, and leitet means conducts. Elektrischen Strom is accusative as the object of leiten, and leitet is in position two.
Das Rohr leitet das Wasser in den Garten.
The pipe channels the water into the garden.
das Rohr is the pipe, das Wasser is the water, and in den Garten means into the garden. Das Wasser is accusative as the object, and in den Garten uses accusative because it expresses movement into a place.
der Leiter — leader; manager; person in charge
The masculine der Leiter means a leader or person in charge, while feminine die Leiter means a ladder. The plural of this masculine noun is also die Leiter, so context is important.
Der Leiter der Abteilung begrüßt die neuen Mitarbeiter.
The head of the department welcomes the new employees.
der Abteilung means of the department, begrüßt means welcomes, and neuen Mitarbeiter are new employees. Der Leiter is nominative as the subject; der Abteilung is genitive, while die neuen Mitarbeiter is accusative.
Ich kenne den Leiter gut.
I know the manager well.
ich kenne means I know and gut means well. Den Leiter is accusative because it is the object of kennen; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Wir danken dem Leiter für seine Hilfe.
We thank the manager for his help.
danken means thank, für seine Hilfe means for his help, and Hilfe is help. Danken always takes a dative person, so der Leiter becomes dem Leiter; für takes the accusative in seine Hilfe.
Die Entscheidung des Leiters war richtig.
The manager's decision was right.
die Entscheidung is the decision and richtig means right or correct. Des Leiters is genitive and shows whose decision it was; the whole phrase die Entscheidung des Leiters is the subject.
Die Leiter treffen sich jeden Montag.
The managers meet every Monday.
treffen sich means meet each other, and jeden Montag means every Monday. Leiter has identical singular and plural spelling here; the plural article die and the plural verb treffen make the number clear.
die Leiterin — female director, female manager, female leader
Leiterin is the feminine form of Leiter, a person who leads rather than a ladder. The plural is Leiterinnen, with -innen.
Leiterin ist sie seit drei Jahren.
She has been the director for three years.
seit drei Jahren means for three years. Leiterin is a feminine noun naming the subject, and the verb ist comes in position two; the phrase Leiterin is a predicate noun after sein, so it stays in the nominative.
Die Eltern loben die Leiterin.
The parents praise the female director.
Die Eltern means the parents, and loben means praise. die Leiterin is accusative because loben takes a direct object; the finite verb loben stands in position two.
Die Mitarbeiter danken der Leiterin.
The employees thank the female director.
Die Mitarbeiter are the employees, and danken means thank. der Leiterin is dative because danken governs the dative; the feminine dative article is der, not die.
Die Entscheidung der Leiterin war mutig.
The director’s decision was brave.
Die Entscheidung means the decision, and mutig means brave. der Leiterin is genitive and shows whose decision it was; the finite verb war is in position two.
Bei der Konferenz treffen sich mehrere Leiterinnen.
Several female directors meet at the conference.
Bei der Konferenz means at the conference, and mehrere means several. Leiterinnen is the plural of Leiterin; the verb treffen is plural because the subject is mehrere Leiterinnen.
die Leitung — management, direction; line, connection, cable; line, cable, pipe, telephone connection
Leitung commonly means management or direction, but it can also mean a telephone line, cable, or pipe. Context usually makes the meaning clear; unter der Leitung von is followed by the person directing something.
Die Leitung übernimmt heute Frau Schneider.
Ms Schneider is taking over the management today.
übernimmt means takes over, and heute means today. Die Leitung is the feminine subject in the nominative; the finite verb übernimmt is in position two, while Frau Schneider comes after it.
Wir kritisieren die Leitung.
We criticise the management.
Wir means we, and kritisieren means criticise. die Leitung is accusative because it is the direct object of kritisieren; the finite verb stands in position two.
Die Angestellten vertrauen der Leitung.
The employees trust the management.
Die Angestellten are the employees, and vertrauen means trust. der Leitung is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; der is the feminine dative article.
Die Entscheidungen der Leitung sind verbindlich.
The management’s decisions are binding.
Die Entscheidungen means the decisions, and verbindlich means binding or obligatory. der Leitung is genitive and identifies whose decisions they are; the plural verb sind agrees with Entscheidungen.
Die Leitungen müssen regelmäßig geprüft werden.
The lines or cables must be checked regularly.
müssen means must, and regelmäßig geprüft werden means be checked regularly. Leitungen is a plural subject, so müssen is plural; the passive infinitive geprüft werden goes to the end.
Die Leitung ist seit gestern kaputt.
The line has been broken since yesterday.
seit gestern means since yesterday, and kaputt means broken or not working. Die Leitung is the nominative subject; after ist, kaputt is a predicate adjective and has no ending.
Bitte rufen Sie später noch einmal an; die Leitung ist besetzt.
Please call again later; the line is busy.
Bitte makes the request polite, später means later, and besetzt means busy. die Leitung is the subject of the second clause, and ist stays in position two; anrufen means to call by telephone.
die Lohnsteuer — wage tax, income tax withheld from pay
Lohnsteuer is tax taken from wages before the employee receives them. It is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural; use die Lohnsteuer for the nominative and accusative and der Lohnsteuer for the dative and genitive.
Lohnsteuer wird direkt vom Gehalt abgezogen.
Wage tax is deducted directly from the salary.
direkt means directly, das Gehalt means salary, and abziehen means deduct. Lohnsteuer is nominative because it is the subject of the passive sentence; the finite verb wird is in position two, and the participle abgezogen goes to the end.
Mein Arbeitgeber überweist die Lohnsteuer jeden Monat.
My employer transfers the wage tax every month.
mein Arbeitgeber means my employer, überweisen means transfer, and jeden Monat means every month. Lohnsteuer is accusative because überweisen takes a direct object; the finite verb überweist stands in position two.
Mit der Lohnsteuer muss ich mich jedes Jahr beschäftigen.
I have to deal with wage tax every year.
mit means with, jedes Jahr means every year, and sich beschäftigen mit means deal with. Mit forces the dative, so der Lohnsteuer is dative; the reflexive phrase mich beschäftigen has the separable verb beschäftigen at the end because of the modal-like structure with muss.
Die Höhe der Lohnsteuer hängt vom Einkommen ab.
The amount of wage tax depends on income.
die Höhe means the amount, abhängen von means depend on, and das Einkommen means income. Der Lohnsteuer is genitive because it specifies the amount; vom Einkommen is dative after von, and ab separates from abhängen in the main clause.
der Makler — estate agent, broker
In housing, Makler usually means an estate agent; in other business contexts it can mean a broker. The plural is unchanged: der Makler, die Makler.
Der Makler zeigt uns die Wohnung.
The estate agent is showing us the flat.
zeigt means shows, uns means us, and die Wohnung is the flat. Der Makler is nominative because he is the subject, while die Wohnung is accusative as the thing shown.
Wir treffen den Makler morgen.
We are meeting the estate agent tomorrow.
treffen means meet and morgen means tomorrow. Den Makler is accusative because treffen takes a direct object; the finite verb treffen stands in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Makler nicht.
I do not trust the estate agent.
vertraue means trust, and nicht means not. Dem Makler is dative because the verb vertrauen always takes a dative person; do not use den Makler here.
Die Provision des Maklers ist hoch.
The estate agent's commission is high.
die Provision means the commission, and hoch means high. Des Maklers is genitive because it shows whose commission it is; the masculine noun takes -s in this genitive form.
Auf der Messe treffen sich viele Makler.
Many brokers meet at the trade fair.
die Messe is the trade fair, treffen sich means meet, and viele means many. Viele Makler is nominative plural as the subject, and Makler has no plural ending.
der Manager — manager, executive
Manager is a masculine noun borrowed from English and is common in business contexts. Its plural is Manager, but the genitive singular is Managers; do not use the English plural Manager with an English pronunciation assumption.
Der Manager leitet ein internationales Team.
The manager leads an international team.
leiten means to lead or manage and international means international. Der Manager is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb leitet stands in position two.
Die Firma sucht den Manager für das Projekt.
The company is looking for the manager for the project.
die Firma means the company, sucht means is looking for, and das Projekt means the project. Den Manager is accusative because suchen takes a direct object; the finite verb sucht is in position two.
Ich vertraue dem Manager nicht.
I do not trust the manager.
vertrauen means to trust and nicht means not. Dem Manager is dative because the verb vertrauen always takes a dative person; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Entscheidung des Managers war klug.
The manager's decision was wise.
die Entscheidung means the decision and klug means wise. Des Managers is genitive because it shows whose decision it was; the masculine noun adds -s in this form.
Die Manager treffen sich jeden Monat.
The managers meet every month.
treffen sich means meet each other, and jeden Monat means every month. Die Manager is plural and nominative because the managers are the subject; the plural noun has no extra ending.
die Managerin — female manager, woman manager
Managerin is the feminine form of Manager. Like most feminine job titles ending in -in, it forms the plural with -innen: Managerinnen.
Die Managerin leitet ein großes Team.
The manager leads a large team.
leiten means to lead or manage and groß means large. Die Managerin is nominative because she is the subject, and the finite verb leitet stands in position two.
Die Firma befördert die Managerin.
The company promotes the manager.
die Firma means the company and befördern means to promote. Die Managerin is accusative because befördern takes a direct object; the feminine article looks the same in nominative and accusative.
Wir danken der Managerin für ihre Hilfe.
We thank the manager for her help.
danken means to thank, für ihre Hilfe means for her help, and Hilfe means help. Der Managerin is dative because danken takes a dative person, while für takes the accusative.
Das Büro der Managerin ist im dritten Stock.
The manager's office is on the third floor.
das Büro means the office and im dritten Stock means on the third floor. Der Managerin is genitive because it shows whose office it is; the feminine noun itself does not change.
Die Managerinnen diskutieren über den neuen Vertrag.
The managers are discussing the new contract.
diskutieren means to discuss, über means about, and der neue Vertrag means the new contract. Die Managerinnen is plural and nominative because the women are the subject; über takes the accusative when it means about.
das Marketing — marketing
Das Marketing is usually an uncountable business activity, so it normally has no plural. It is often used with verbs such as machen, planen, and betreiben.
Marketing ist für jedes Unternehmen wichtig.
Marketing is important for every company.
jedes Unternehmen means every company, and wichtig means important. Marketing is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; this mass noun normally has no plural.
Viele Firmen investieren viel Geld in Marketing.
Many companies invest a lot of money in marketing.
viele Firmen means many companies, and investieren means invest; viel Geld means a lot of money. Marketing follows the preposition in here as an activity rather than a place, so it is accusative, while the finite verb investieren is in position two.
Die Firma gibt dem Marketing ein neues Gesicht.
The company is giving its marketing a new face.
die Firma is the company, gibt means gives, and ein neues Gesicht means a new face or image. Marketing is dative because it is the indirect object after geben, while ein neues Gesicht is accusative; the finite verb gibt is in position two.
Die Wirkung des Marketings ist schwer zu messen.
The effect of marketing is difficult to measure.
die Wirkung means the effect, and schwer zu messen means difficult to measure. Marketings is genitive because it identifies whose effect it is, and ist stands in position two; the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
Gutes Marketing erreicht neue Kunden.
Good marketing reaches new customers.
gutes means good, erreicht means reaches, and neue Kunden means new customers. This is a singular mass-noun sentence, not a plural example: das Marketing normally has no plural, so learners should not use an invented plural form.
der Maschinenbau — mechanical engineering, machine construction
Maschinenbau is a field of engineering and is normally used as a mass noun, so it has no ordinary plural. It is a compound of Maschinen and Bau, literally machine construction.
Der Maschinenbau ist ein wichtiger Industriezweig.
Mechanical engineering is an important industrial sector.
wichtig means important, and der Industriezweig means industrial sector. Der Maschinenbau is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Viele junge Leute wählen den Maschinenbau.
Many young people choose mechanical engineering.
viele junge Leute means many young people, and wählen means choose. den Maschinenbau is accusative because wählen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Sie arbeitet seit Jahren im Maschinenbau.
She has been working in mechanical engineering for years.
seit Jahren means for years, and arbeitet means works. im Maschinenbau means in mechanical engineering; in takes dative for a field or location, with in dem shortened to im.
Die Zukunft des Maschinenbaus hängt von neuen Ideen ab.
The future of mechanical engineering depends on new ideas.
die Zukunft means the future, hängt von ... ab means depends on, and neuen Ideen means new ideas. des Maschinenbaus is genitive after die Zukunft to show what future is meant; von takes dative, and the separable verb places ab at the end.
Er studiert Maschinenbau an einer Universität.
He studies mechanical engineering at a university.
studiert means studies, and an einer Universität means at a university. Maschinenbau is a mass or field-of-study noun and normally has no plural; after studieren, it appears without an article as the subject area.
der Matrose — sailor
Matrose is a weak masculine noun: use -en in every case except nominative singular. It normally refers to a sailor who works as part of a ship's crew.
Der Matrose arbeitet auf einem großen Schiff.
The sailor works on a large ship.
arbeitet means works, großen Schiff means large ship, and auf means on. Der Matrose is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Der Kapitän ruft den Matrosen.
The captain calls the sailor.
der Kapitän is the captain and ruft means calls. Den Matrosen is accusative because rufen takes a direct object; this weak masculine noun changes from der Matrose to den Matrosen.
Die Köchin gibt dem Matrosen eine warme Suppe.
The cook gives the sailor a warm soup.
die Köchin is the cook, gibt means gives, and warme Suppe means warm soup. Dem Matrosen is dative because he receives something, and the weak ending -en remains visible.
Das Fahrrad des Matrosen steht im Hafen.
The sailor's bicycle is in the harbour.
das Fahrrad is the bicycle, steht means is standing, and Hafen means harbour. Des Matrosen is genitive because it shows possession.
Viele Matrosen schlafen in dieser Kabine.
Many sailors sleep in this cabin.
Viele means many, schlafen means sleep, and Kabine means cabin. Viele Matrosen is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural ends in -en.
der Minijob — part-time job with limited hours or earnings
A Minijob is a low-hour or low-earnings job, especially common for students and people with another source of income. It is not necessarily a temporary job; the important point is the limited scope.
Der Minijob ist gut mit meinem Studium vereinbar.
The part-time job fits in well with my studies.
gut means good or well, mit means with, and mein Studium means my studies. Mit takes the dative, so meinem Studium has a dative ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich habe einen Minijob im Café gefunden.
I found a part-time job in the café.
gefunden means found, im Café means in the café, and haben is the perfect auxiliary. Einen Minijob is accusative because finden takes a direct object; gefunden stands at the end of the perfect-tense clause.
Sie verdient mit einem Minijob etwas Geld.
She earns some money with a part-time job.
verdient means earns, etwas Geld means some money, and mit means with. Mit always takes the dative, so einem Minijob is dative; the finite verb verdient stands in position two.
Die Arbeitszeiten des Minijobs sind flexibel.
The working hours of the part-time job are flexible.
die Arbeitszeiten means the working hours, and flexibel means flexible. Des Minijobs is genitive because it identifies whose working hours they are; the plural subject Arbeitszeiten requires sind.
Viele Studierende haben Minijobs neben der Universität.
Many students have part-time jobs alongside university.
viele Studierende means many students, neben means alongside, and die Universität means university. Minijobs is plural and accusative because haben takes a direct object; after neben here, der Universität is dative because it describes a fixed location or association.
der Misserfolg — failure, unsuccessful result
der Misserfolg is the opposite of der Erfolg and can describe one failed attempt or a generally unsuccessful result. It is a masculine compound noun with plural Misserfolge and genitive des Misserfolgs.
Der Misserfolg hat ihn enttäuscht.
The failure disappointed him.
enttäuschen means disappoint and ihn means him. Der Misserfolg is nominative because it is the subject, while ihn is accusative as the person affected.
Sie akzeptiert den Misserfolg.
She accepts the failure.
akzeptieren means accept. Den Misserfolg is accusative because it is the direct object, and the finite verb akzeptiert stands in position two.
Nach dem Misserfolg begann er neu.
After the failure, he started again.
nach means after and begann neu means started again. Dem Misserfolg is dative because nach always forces the dative; the finite verb begann is in position two after the fronted prepositional phrase.
Die Ursachen des Misserfolgs sind unklar.
The causes of the failure are unclear.
die Ursachen means the causes and unklar means unclear. Des Misserfolgs is genitive because it identifies whose causes they are; the plural subject die Ursachen controls sind.
Viele Misserfolge machen Menschen vorsichtig.
Many failures make people cautious.
viele means many, Menschen means people, and vorsichtig means cautious. Misserfolge is plural after viele and is accusative as the object of machen, although its form is identical to nominative plural.
der Modedesigner — fashion designer
A Modedesigner designs clothes, unlike a Schneider, who mainly makes or alters clothes. The plural is unchanged: der Modedesigner, die Modedesigner.
Der Modedesigner arbeitet an einer neuen Kollektion.
The fashion designer is working on a new collection.
arbeitet means is working, an means on here, and eine neue Kollektion means a new collection. Der Modedesigner is nominative because it is the subject; an takes the dative in this fixed expression, and arbeitet is in position two.
Die Zeitung interviewt den Modedesigner.
The newspaper is interviewing the fashion designer.
die Zeitung means the newspaper and interviewt means interviews. Den Modedesigner is accusative because interviewen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Die Journalistin gibt dem Modedesigner einen Tipp.
The journalist gives the fashion designer a tip.
die Journalistin means the journalist, gibt means gives, and einen Tipp means a tip. Dem Modedesigner is dative because it is the recipient of gibt, while einen Tipp is the accusative thing given.
Die Arbeit des Modedesigners ist sehr kreativ.
The fashion designer's work is very creative.
die Arbeit means the work and kreativ means creative. Des Modedesigners is genitive because it shows whose work it is; this masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
Die Modedesigner zeigen ihre Entwürfe auf der Messe.
The fashion designers show their designs at the trade fair.
zeigen means show, ihre Entwürfe means their designs, and die Messe means the trade fair. Modedesigner is unchanged in the plural; ihre Entwürfe is accusative because it is the object of zeigen.
Der Modedesigner entwirft elegante Kleidung.
The fashion designer designs elegant clothing.
entwirft means designs, elegant means elegant, and Kleidung means clothing. Der Modedesigner is the nominative subject, while elegante Kleidung is the accusative object; the finite verb entwirft is in position two.
der Moderator — male moderator; host or presenter
A Moderator may lead a live discussion or host a radio or television programme. The feminine form is Moderatorin, and the plural of der Moderator is die Moderatoren.
Der Moderator begrüßt die Gäste.
The host welcomes the guests.
begrüßt means welcomes, and die Gäste means the guests. Der Moderator is nominative because he is the subject; the finite verb begrüßt stands in position two and die Gäste is accusative as the direct object.
Wir sehen den Moderator jeden Abend im Fernsehen.
We see the host on television every evening.
wir sehen means we see, jeden Abend means every evening, and im Fernsehen means on television. Den Moderator is accusative because sehen takes a direct object; im is short for in dem, and in takes the dative here because this describes a location.
Ich stelle dem Moderator eine Frage.
I ask the host a question.
ich stelle eine Frage means I ask a question, and eine Frage is a question. Dem Moderator is dative because stellen uses a dative person receiving or being asked something, while eine Frage is accusative; the verb stelle is in position two.
Die Stimme des Moderators ist sehr ruhig.
The host's voice is very calm.
die Stimme means the voice, and ruhig means calm. Des Moderators is genitive to show whose voice it is; the masculine noun adds -s, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Die Moderatoren sprechen mit vielen Gästen.
The hosts talk to many guests.
sprechen means talk, vielen Gästen means many guests, and mit means with. Die Moderatoren is the plural subject, and mit forces the dative in vielen Gästen; the finite verb sprechen is in position two.
die Moderatorin — female moderator; host or presenter
A Moderatorin is the feminine form of Moderator. It can mean a woman leading a discussion or a woman hosting a radio or television programme.
Die Moderatorin eröffnet die Konferenz.
The moderator opens the conference.
eröffnet means opens, and die Konferenz means the conference. Die Moderatorin is nominative because she is the subject, while die Konferenz is accusative as the direct object; the finite verb eröffnet stands in position two.
Das Publikum hört die Moderatorin aufmerksam zu.
The audience listens attentively to the moderator.
das Publikum means the audience, and aufmerksam means attentively. Die Moderatorin is accusative because hören takes a direct object; in hört ... zu, the prefix zu separates and moves to the end of the main clause.
Nach der Pause danken wir der Moderatorin.
After the break, we thank the moderator.
nach der Pause means after the break, and danken means thank. Der Moderatorin is dative because danken always takes a dative person, and nach also forces the dative; the finite verb danken is in position two.
Die Fragen der Moderatorin waren sehr klar.
The moderator's questions were very clear.
die Fragen means the questions, and klar means clear. Der Moderatorin is genitive to show whose questions they were; the finite verb waren stands in position two.
Mehrere Moderatorinnen arbeiten bei diesem Sender.
Several female moderators work for this broadcaster.
mehrere means several, arbeiten means work, and dieser Sender means this broadcaster. Moderatorinnen is plural and is the subject; bei forces the dative in diesem Sender, while arbeiten stands in position two.
die Motivation — motivation, incentive
Die Motivation is usually uncountable when it means motivation in general, but Motivationen is possible when different motives or sources of motivation are being listed. It is closely related to motiviert, meaning motivated.
Motivation ist beim Lernen sehr wichtig.
Motivation is very important when learning.
beim Lernen means while learning, and sehr wichtig means very important. Motivation is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Der Trainer gibt den Spielern neue Motivation.
The coach gives the players new motivation.
der Trainer is the coach, gibt means gives, and die Spieler are the players. Neue Motivation is accusative because geben takes the thing given in the accusative, while den Spielern is dative for the recipients.
Mit der Motivation der Gruppe war die Arbeit leichter.
With the group's motivation, the work was easier.
mit means with, die Gruppe is the group, and leichter means easier. Der Motivation is dative because mit requires the dative; der Gruppe is genitive, meaning of the group.
Die Stärke der Motivation überrascht mich.
The strength of the motivation surprises me.
die Stärke means strength and überrascht means surprises. Der Motivation is genitive because it specifies whose strength is meant, while mich is accusative as the person surprised.
Unterschiedliche Motivationen führen zu unterschiedlichen Zielen.
Different motivations lead to different goals.
unterschiedlich means different, führen zu means lead to, and die Ziele are the goals. Unterschiedliche Motivationen is plural nominative as the subject; zu unterschiedlichen Zielen is dative because zu requires the dative.
Ich brauche mehr Motivation für die Prüfung.
I need more motivation for the exam.
brauche means need, mehr means more, and die Prüfung is the exam. Mehr Motivation is accusative because brauchen takes an accusative object; für die Prüfung is also accusative because für requires it.
motiviert — motivated, keen
Motiviert is often used with sein to describe a person's state. It is the Partizip II of motivieren, but here it functions as an adjective and can be compared normally.
Nach dem Gespräch ist sie wieder motiviert.
After the conversation, she is motivated again.
nach dem Gespräch means after the conversation, and wieder means again. Motiviert is predicative after ist, so it has no adjective ending; the finite verb is in position two.
Ein motivierter Mitarbeiter lernt schneller.
A motivated employee learns faster.
ein Mitarbeiter is an employee and schneller means faster. Motivierter stands before the masculine nominative noun and takes -er after ein; the adjective describes the subject.
Sie ist heute motivierter als gestern.
She is more motivated today than yesterday.
heute means today and gestern means yesterday. Motivierter compares her motivation today with yesterday's using als; after ist, the adjective is predicative and has no extra ending.
Von allen ist Paul am motiviertesten.
Of everyone, Paul is the most motivated.
von allen means of or among everyone, and von takes the dative. Am motiviertesten is the predicative superlative after ist; do not put am before a noun.
mühsam — laborious, arduous, tiring; painstakingly, laboriously
mühsam describes something that takes considerable effort or patience. It is often used for work, journeys, repairs, or tasks and is not the same as schwierig, which mainly means difficult.
Die Reparatur ist mühsam.
The repair is laborious.
die Reparatur means the repair. The adjective mühsam stands after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending.
Wir haben eine mühsame Reparatur hinter uns.
We have a laborious repair behind us.
hinter uns means behind us, and eine Reparatur is a repair. eine mühsame Reparatur is accusative because hinter uns haben describes what we have completed; the adjective takes -e after eine.
Der Aufstieg ist mühsamer als gedacht.
The climb is more laborious than expected.
der Aufstieg is the climb, and als gedacht means than expected. mühsamer is the comparative and is followed by als; ist is in position two.
Das war der mühsamste Teil der Reise.
That was the most laborious part of the journey.
der Teil means the part, and die Reise means the journey. der mühsamste Teil is a superlative noun phrase; der Reise is genitive because it identifies whose part it was.
Sie arbeitete sich mühsam durch den Bericht.
She worked her way laboriously through the report.
sich durcharbeiten means to work one's way through, and der Bericht is the report. The adverb mühsam describes how she worked; the reflexive pronoun is accusative, and the separable verb places durch at the end.
Er fand mühsam einen Parkplatz.
He painstakingly found a parking space.
fand means found and der Parkplatz means parking space. mühsam is an adverb modifying fand; einen Parkplatz is accusative because finden takes an accusative object.
der Nachtdienst — night shift, night duty
This compound is common in hospitals, care work, security, and other jobs that continue through the night. Nachtdienst haben means to be assigned to night duty, not simply to spend a night somewhere.
Der Nachtdienst beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The night shift begins at ten o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um zehn Uhr means at ten o'clock. Der Nachtdienst is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich übernehme den Nachtdienst am Freitag.
I am taking over the night shift on Friday.
übernehmen means take over and am Freitag means on Friday. den Nachtdienst is accusative because übernehmen takes a direct object; the finite verb übernehme is in position two.
Nach dem Nachtdienst schlafe ich lange.
After the night shift, I sleep for a long time.
nach means after, and lange means for a long time. dem Nachtdienst is dative because nach always governs the dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so schlafe remains in position two.
Die Länge des Nachtdienstes ist anstrengend.
The length of the night shift is tiring.
die Länge means the length and anstrengend means tiring. des Nachtdienstes is genitive because it specifies the length of what; the masculine genitive has des and -es.
In unserem Krankenhaus gibt es mehrere Nachtdienste.
There are several night shifts at our hospital.
unserem Krankenhaus means our hospital and mehrere means several. Nachtdienste is plural after mehrere; es gibt takes an accusative object, although the plural form looks the same in nominative and accusative.
die Nebentätigkeit — additional job, side job
Nebentätigkeit usually means paid work done in addition to a main job. It is a feminine noun; common contexts include employment contracts, taxes and permission from an employer.
Die Nebentätigkeit macht mir viel Spaß.
I really enjoy my additional job.
macht means gives or makes, mir means to me, and viel Spaß means a lot of enjoyment. Die Nebentätigkeit is nominative because it is the subject, while mir is dative with the expression Spaß machen; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Ich suche eine Nebentätigkeit am Wochenende.
I am looking for an additional job at the weekend.
suche means am looking for, and am Wochenende means at the weekend. Eine Nebentätigkeit is accusative because suchen takes an accusative object; the feminine accusative article eine looks the same as the nominative article.
Neben meiner Nebentätigkeit studiere ich noch.
Alongside my additional job, I am also studying.
Neben means alongside, meiner means my, and studieren means study. Here neben describes a fixed situation and governs the dative, so meiner Nebentätigkeit is dative; because the prepositional phrase comes first, the finite verb studiere still comes before the subject ich.
Die Arbeitszeiten der Nebentätigkeit sind flexibel.
The working hours of the additional job are flexible.
Die Arbeitszeiten means the working hours, and flexibel means flexible. Der Nebentätigkeit is genitive because it shows whose working hours they are; the plural subject Arbeitszeiten requires sind, not singular ist.
Viele Nebentätigkeiten sind nur wenige Stunden pro Woche.
Many additional jobs are only a few hours per week.
Viele means many, nur wenige Stunden means only a few hours, and pro Woche means per week. Nebentätigkeiten is plural and therefore takes sind; the ending -keiten is the regular plural form of this feminine noun.
der Nettoverdienst — net income, take-home pay
A Nettoverdienst is what remains after tax and other deductions; the corresponding amount before deductions is the Bruttoverdienst. It usually refers to money earned from employment, often per month.
Der Nettoverdienst reicht für die Miete.
The net income is enough for the rent.
reichen für means to be enough for, and die Miete is the rent. Der Nettoverdienst is the nominative subject; für takes the accusative in für die Miete.
Viele Menschen vergleichen den Nettoverdienst.
Many people compare the net income.
viele Menschen means many people, and vergleichen means to compare. Den Nettoverdienst is accusative because it is the direct object of vergleichen; the plural subject comes first.
Die Firma zahlt den Angestellten den Nettoverdienst jeden Monat aus.
The company pays the employees their net income every month.
die Firma is the company, der Angestellte is the employee, and jeden Monat means every month. Den Angestellten is dative as the recipients, while den Nettoverdienst is accusative; zahlt ... aus is separable and places aus at the end.
Die Höhe des Nettoverdienstes hängt von der Arbeitszeit ab.
The amount of the net income depends on the working hours.
die Höhe is the amount, abhängen von means to depend on, and die Arbeitszeit is the working time or hours. Des Nettoverdienstes is genitive after die Höhe; von takes the dative in von der Arbeitszeit, and hängt ... ab is separable.
Nettoverdienste unterscheiden sich je nach Beruf.
Net incomes differ depending on the profession.
sich unterscheiden means to differ, je nach means depending on, and der Beruf is the profession. Nettoverdienste is a plural subject without an article; je nach usually takes the dative, although the article is omitted here.
pensioniert — retired
Pensioniert means retired, especially in Austrian and Swiss usage; in Rente or im Ruhestand is also common in Germany. Although comparative forms can be built grammatically, comparison is unusual because retirement is normally a yes-or-no state.
Mein Vater ist seit zwei Jahren pensioniert.
My father has been retired for two years.
mein Vater means my father and seit zwei Jahren means for two years. Pensioniert is predicative because it comes after ist, the finite form of sein; it describes a state rather than standing before a noun.
Die pensionierte Ärztin arbeitet noch ehrenamtlich.
The retired doctor still works as a volunteer.
die Ärztin means female doctor, noch means still, and ehrenamtlich means as a volunteer or unpaid. Pensionierte stands before the noun and takes -e after the definite article die in the nominative feminine; the finite verb arbeitet is in position two.
Er ist heute pensionierter als sein Bruder.
He is more retired today than his brother.
heute means today and sein Bruder means his brother. Pensionierter is the comparative with -er, and als introduces the person used for comparison; because sein is a linking verb, the adjective is predicative and has no case ending.
Von allen Familienmitgliedern ist er am pensioniertesten.
Of all the family members, he is the most retired.
von allen Familienmitgliedern means of all the family members. Am pensioniertesten is the predicative superlative, formed with am and -sten; it follows ist, while von takes the dative plural.
das Personal — staff, personnel
Das Personal is a collective noun for employees as a group, not normally one individual employee. It is a mass noun, so it normally has no plural and takes a singular verb such as ist.
Das Personal ist heute sehr freundlich.
The staff are very friendly today.
freundlich means friendly and heute means today. Das Personal is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two; this collective noun normally takes a singular verb.
Der Chef lobt das Personal.
The boss praises the staff.
der Chef means the boss and loben means to praise. Das Personal is accusative because loben takes a direct object, and the finite verb lobt stands in position two.
Die Gäste danken dem Personal für den guten Service.
The guests thank the staff for the good service.
die Gäste means the guests, danken means to thank, and der gute Service means the good service. Dem Personal is dative because danken governs the dative; für den guten Service is accusative because für always takes the accusative.
Die Arbeit des Personals ist anstrengend.
The staff's work is demanding.
die Arbeit means the work and anstrengend means demanding or tiring. Des Personals is genitive because it shows possession, and the noun takes -s in the genitive singular.
die Personalabteilung — HR department, personnel department
Die Personalabteilung is the part of a company responsible for personnel matters, often called HR in English. The compound combines Personal (staff) and Abteilung (department).
Die Personalabteilung organisiert die Schulung.
The HR department organises the training course.
organisieren means to organise and die Schulung is the training course. Die Personalabteilung is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb organisiert stands in position two.
Ich rufe die Personalabteilung an.
I am calling the HR department.
ich means I and anrufen means to call; an is its separable prefix. Die Personalabteilung is accusative because it is the object of anrufen, and the verb splits in a main clause: rufe stands in position two and an goes to the end.
Ich spreche mit der Personalabteilung.
I am speaking with the HR department.
sprechen means to speak and mit means with. Der Personalabteilung is dative because mit always takes the dative, while the finite verb spreche is in position two.
Die Entscheidung der Personalabteilung war überraschend.
The HR department's decision was surprising.
die Entscheidung is the decision and überraschend means surprising. Der Personalabteilung is genitive because it shows who made the decision; the feminine noun has no special genitive ending.
In vielen Firmen gibt es mehrere Personalabteilungen.
There are several HR departments in many companies.
viele Firmen means many companies and mehrere means several. Personalabteilungen is plural with -en; after es gibt, the plural phrase is accusative, although the article is not visible here.
der Personalchef — HR manager, head of personnel
Der Personalchef is a traditional masculine job title for the person in charge of HR; a woman can be called die Personalchefin. The compound combines Personal (staff) and Chef (manager or boss).
Der Personalchef führt das Vorstellungsgespräch.
The HR manager conducts the job interview.
führen means to conduct or lead and das Vorstellungsgespräch is the job interview. Der Personalchef is nominative because he is the subject, and the finite verb führt stands in position two.
Die Bewerberin ruft den Personalchef an.
The applicant calls the HR manager.
die Bewerberin is the female applicant and anrufen means to call. Den Personalchef is accusative because it is the object, and anrufen splits in a main clause: ruft is in position two and an goes to the end.
Die Bewerberin spricht mit dem Personalchef.
The applicant speaks with the HR manager.
sprechen means to speak and die Bewerberin is the female applicant. Dem Personalchef is dative because mit always governs the dative; the finite verb spricht is in position two.
Das Büro des Personalchefs ist im dritten Stock.
The HR manager's office is on the third floor.
das Büro is the office and der dritte Stock is the third floor. Des Personalchefs is genitive because it shows possession, and Personalchef takes -s in the genitive singular.
Die Firma sucht zwei Personalchefs.
The company is looking for two HR managers.
die Firma is the company and suchen means to look for. Personalchefs is the plural with -s, and it is accusative because it is the object of sucht.
die Pflegekraft — care worker, nurse
die Pflegekraft is a trained care worker; in a hospital, English often translates it as nurse. The compound combines Pflege (care) and Kraft (worker or person), and its plural is Pflegekräfte.
Die Pflegekraft hilft dem Patienten.
The nurse helps the patient.
helfen means to help and der Patient means the patient. Die Pflegekraft is nominative as the subject, while dem Patienten is dative because helfen always takes a dative object.
Ich rufe die Pflegekraft.
I am calling the nurse.
rufen means to call. die Pflegekraft is accusative because it is the direct object of rufe, and the finite verb stands in position two.
Ich danke der Pflegekraft.
I thank the nurse.
danken means to thank. der Pflegekraft is dative because danken governs dative, even though English uses a direct object.
Die Arbeit der Pflegekraft ist sehr wichtig.
The care worker’s work is very important.
die Arbeit means the work and wichtig means important. der Pflegekraft is genitive to show whose work is meant; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Im Krankenhaus arbeiten viele Pflegekräfte.
Many nurses work in the hospital.
das Krankenhaus means the hospital and viele means many. Pflegekräfte is the plural with the vowel change in Kraft, and im Krankenhaus is dative because it describes a fixed location.
die Pflegerin — female carer, nursing assistant
Die Pflegerin is the feminine form of der Pfleger. It can describe a professional carer; it does not necessarily mean a fully qualified nurse, which is often die Krankenschwester or die Pflegefachfrau.
Die Pflegerin arbeitet im Krankenhaus.
The female carer works in the hospital.
arbeitet means works, and im Krankenhaus means in the hospital. Die Pflegerin is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb arbeitet stands in position two.
Ich rufe die Pflegerin.
I call the female carer.
rufe means call. Die Pflegerin is accusative because rufen takes a direct object, although the feminine article looks the same in the nominative and accusative.
Ich danke der Pflegerin.
I thank the female carer.
danke means thank. Der Pflegerin is dative because danken requires a dative person; the feminine article changes to der.
Das Zimmer der Pflegerin ist neben dem Büro.
The female carer's room is next to the office.
das Zimmer means the room, neben means next to, and das Büro means the office. Der Pflegerin is genitive because it shows possession, meaning the room belongs to the carer.
Im Heim arbeiten mehrere Pflegerinnen.
Several female carers work in the care home.
im Heim means in the care home, and mehrere means several. Pflegerinnen is the plural with -innen; because it is the subject, it is nominative plural.
der Pilotenstreik — pilots' strike, pilot strike
This compound combines Pilot with Streik and refers to industrial action by pilots. In the plural, the final part changes to Streiks; do not treat the internal Piloten as the plural ending of the whole compound.
Der Pilotenstreik beginnt am Montag.
The pilots' strike begins on Monday.
beginnt means begins, and am Montag means on Monday. Der Pilotenstreik is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt is in position two.
Die Airline verschiebt wegen des Pilotenstreiks viele Flüge.
Because of the pilots' strike, the airline is postponing many flights.
die Airline means the airline, verschiebt means postpones, and viele Flüge means many flights. Viele Flüge is accusative because verschieben takes a direct object, while wegen des Pilotenstreiks uses the genitive after wegen.
Die Reisenden leiden unter dem Pilotenstreik.
The travellers are suffering because of the pilots' strike.
die Reisenden are the travellers, and leiden means suffer. Unter takes the dative here because it describes a cause or condition, so dem Pilotenstreik is dative.
Die Folgen des Pilotenstreiks sind noch unklar.
The consequences of the pilots' strike are still unclear.
die Folgen means the consequences, and unklar means unclear. Des Pilotenstreiks is genitive because it identifies which consequences are meant; the regular masculine noun adds -s in the genitive.
In Deutschland gab es schon mehrere Pilotenstreiks.
There have already been several pilots' strikes in Germany.
in Deutschland means in Germany, gab es means there were, and mehrere means several. Mehrere Pilotenstreiks is plural, and the compound forms its plural with -e on the final part Streik.
der Polizeibeamte — male police officer
Polizeibeamte is a weak masculine noun: use der Polizeibeamte only in the nominative singular, but den, dem, or des Polizeibeamten in the other singular cases. The plural is die Polizeibeamten.
Der Polizeibeamte wartet vor dem Gebäude.
The police officer is waiting in front of the building.
wartet means is waiting, vor dem Gebäude means in front of the building, and Gebäude means building. Der Polizeibeamte is nominative; a weak masculine noun has no extra -n in the nominative singular.
Ich sehe den Polizeibeamten.
I see the police officer.
ich sehe means I see. Den Polizeibeamten is accusative because sehen takes a direct object, and this weak masculine noun adds -n outside the nominative singular.
Wir danken dem Polizeibeamten.
We thank the police officer.
wir danken means we thank. Dem Polizeibeamten is dative because danken requires a dative object, and the weak noun keeps the ending -n.
Das Auto des Polizeibeamten steht dort.
The police officer’s car is standing there.
das Auto means the car, and dort means there. Des Polizeibeamten is genitive and shows possession; the ending -n remains in this case.
Die Polizeibeamten kontrollieren die Straße.
The police officers are checking the street.
kontrollieren means check, and die Straße means the street. Die Polizeibeamten is plural and ends in -en, which looks like the singular dative and genitive forms.