Guten Morgengoot-en mor-genGood Morning
Guten Taggoot-en tahkHello/Good Day
Guten Abendgoot-en ah-bentGood Evening
Gute Nachtgoot-eh nakhtGood Night
Tag / Hallo / Servustahk / hah-loh / sair-voohsHi / Hello / Hi & Bye (Southern Germany & Austria)
Auf Wiedersehenowf vee-dair-zaynGoodbye
Grüß dich / Grüß Gott!Hello! / Greetings! (Southern Germany & Austria)
Tschüs / Tschautchews / chowBye!
Gehen wir!geh-en veerLet's go!
Bis späterbiss shpay-terSee you later
Bis baldbiss bahltSee you soon
Bis morgenbiss mohr-genSee you tomorrow
Bittebih-tuhPlease
Danke (schön / sehr) dahn-kuh shurn/zairThank you
Bitte schönbih-tuh shurnYou're welcome
Es tut mir leid.ehs toot meer liteI'm sorry
Entschuldigen Sieehnt-shool-dih-gun zeeExcuse me
VerzeihungPardon me
Wie geht es Ihnen?vee gayt es ee-nenHow are you? (formal)
Wie geht's?vee gaytsHow are you? (informal)
(Sehr) Gut / So lalazair goot / zo lahlah(Very) Good / OK
Schlecht / Nicht Gutshlekht / nisht gootBad / Not good
Es geht.ess gateI'm ok. (informal)
Ja / Neinyah / nineYes / No
Wie heißen Sie?vee hie-ssen zeeWhat's your name? (formal)
Wie heißt du?vee hiesst dooWhat's your name? (informal)
Ich heiße...ikh hie-ssuhMy name is... [I am called...]
Es freut mich.froyt mikhPleased to meet you.
Gleichfalls.glykh-falsLikewise.
Herr / Frau / Fräuleinhair / frow / froi-lineMister / Misses / Miss
Woher kommen Sie?vo-hair koh-men zee
Woher kommst du?vo-hair kohmst doo
Ich komme aus...ikh koh-muh ows...
Where are you from? (formal)
Where are you from? (informal)
I'm from...
Wo wohnen Sie?vo voh-nen zeeWhere do you live? (formal)
Wo wohnst du?vo vohnst dooWhere do you live? (informal)
Ich wohne in...ikh voh-nuh in I live in...
Wie alt sind Sie?vee alt zint zeeHow old are you? (formal)
Wie alt bist du?vee alt bisst dooHow old are you? (informal)
Ich bin ____ Jahre alt.ikh bin ____ yaa-reh altI am ____ years old.
Sprechen Sie deutsch?shpreck-en zee doytchDo you speak German? (formal)
Sprichst du englisch?shprikhst doo eng-lishDo you speak English? (informal)
Ich spreche (kein)...ikh shpreck-uh kineI (don't) speak...
Verstehen Sie? / Verstehst du?fehr-shtay-en zee / fehr-shtayst dooDo you understand? (formal / informal)
Ich verstehe (nicht).ikh fehr-shtay-eh nikhtI (don't) understand.
Ich weiß (nicht).ikh vise nikhtI (don't) know.
Können Sie mir helfen?ker-nen zee meer hell-fenCan you help me? (formal)
Kannst du mir helfen?kahnst doo meer hell-fenCan you help me? (informal)
Natürlich / Gernenah-tewr-likh / gair-nuhOf course / Gladly
Kann ich Ihnen helfen?kahn ikh ee-nen hell-fenMay I help you? (formal)
Kann ich dir helfen?kahn ikh deer hell-fenMay I help you? (informal)
Wie bitte?vee bih-tuhWhat? Pardon me?
Wie heißt ___ auf deutsch?vee heist ___ owf doytchHow do you say ___ in German?
Wo ist / Wo sind... ?voh ist / voh zintWhere is / Where are... ?
Es gibt...ess geeptThere is / are...
Was ist los?vahs ist lohsWhat's the matter?
Das macht nichts.dass makht nikhtsIt doesn't matter.
Das ist mir egal.dass ist meer eh-gahlI don't care.
Keine Angst!ky-nuh ahngstDon't worry!
Ich habe es vergessen.ikh hah-buh ess fehr-geh-senI forgot.
Jetzt muss ich gehen.yetz mooss ikh geh-enI must go now.
Ich habe Hunger / Durst.ikh hah-buh hoong-er / dirstI'm hungry / thirsty.
Ich bin krank / müde.ikh bin krahnk moo-duhI'm sick / tired.
Ich habe Langeweile.ikh hah-buh lahn-guh-vy-luhI'm bored.
Ich möchte / Ich hätte gern...ikh merkh-tuh / ikh heh-tuh gairnI'd like...
Das gefällt mir.dahs geh-fehlt meerI like it.
Prima / Toll / Super!pree-mah / tohl / zoo-pairGreat / Fantastic!
Gesundheit!geh-soont-hytBless you!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!herts-likh-en glewk-voonshCongratulations!
Sei ruhig!zy roo-hikhBe quiet! (informal)
Willkommen!vil-koh-menWelcome!
Viel Glück!feel glewkGood luck!
Schauen Sie mal! / Schau mal!show-en zee mal / show malLook! (formal / informal)
Bitte schön?Yes? / What would you like to order?
Was darf's sein?What can I get you? / How can I help you?
Sonst noch etwas?Anything else?
Bitte schön.Here you go. (handing something to someone)
Zahlen bitte!The check, please!
Stimmt so.Keep the change.
Ich bin satt.I'm full.
Mir ist schlecht.I feel sick.
Es tut mir weh.It hurts.
Ich liebe dich.ikh leeb-uh dikhI love you. (informal)
Du fehlst mir.I miss you. (informal)
Alles ist in Ordnung.Everything is fine.
Wie wäre es mit ... ? Was für ein...? Nicht wahr?
How about...? What kind of (a)...? [general tag question]
Ich is not actually pronounced ikh, unless you are speaking a northern dialect of German. If you are speaking a southern dialect, then it is more like ish. There is no equivalent sound in English. In standard German, it is somewhere between ish and ikh. Technically, it is a voiceless palatal fricative and its voiced counterpart is the y sound in yes.
2. Pronunciation
German Vowels English Pronunciation
[i] viel meet, eat
[y] kühl ee rounded / long vowel
[ɪ] Tisch mitt, it
[ʏ] hübsch ih rounded / short vowel
[e] Tee mate, wait
[ø] schön ay rounded / long vowel
[ɛ] Bett met, wet
[œ] zwölf eh rounded / short vowel
[a] Mann mop, not
[ɑ] kam ah / longer vowel than [a]
[u] gut boot, suit
[ʊ] muss put, soot
[o] Sohn coat, goat
[ɔ] Stock caught, bought
[ə] bitte cut, what
[ɐ] Wetter uhr / also short vowel like [ə]
Highlighted vowels do not exist in English.
Notice that words spelled with ö and ü can be pronounced with a long or short vowel, so determining the pronunciation based on the spelling is not possible. The other umlauted letter, ä, is generally pronounced as [e], though it can be pronounced as [ɛ]
in some dialects. A general rule for pronunciation, however, states that the short vowels / ɪ ʏ ʊ ɛ
ɔ / must be followed by a consonant, whereas the long vowels / i y u e ø o / can occur at the end of
the syllable or word.
German Diphthongs English
Pronunciation
[aɪ] ein, mein eye, buy, why
[aʊ] auf, kaufen cow, now, how
[ɔɪ] neu, Gebäude toy, boy, foil
a ah astronaut der Adler (eagle), Januar (January)
B b approximate: bay
baby der Bruder (brother), aber (but)
C capproximate: tsay
creative, Celcius (soft c sound in German sounds like ts)
der Chor, der Christkindlmarkt (south German term for der Weihnachtsmarkt/ Christmas market), Celcius
D dapproximate: day
dollar Dienstag (Tuesday), oder (or)
E e approximate: ay
elegant essen (to eat), zuerst (first)
F f eff effort der Freund (friend), offen (open)
G g approximate: gay
gorgeous gut (good), gemein (mean)
H h haa hammer der Hammer, dieMühle (mill)
I i eeh Igorder Igel (porcupine), der Imbiss (snack), sieben (seven)
J j yot yellow das Jahr (year), jeder (each)
K k kah camel das Kamel, der Kuchen (cake)
L l ell love die Leute (people), das Land (land)
M m em man der Mann, die Ameise
N n en nice nicht (not), die Münze (coin)
O o oh oven Ostern (Easter),rot (red)
P p approximate: party die Polizei (police), der Apfel
pay
Q q koo coraldas Quadrat (square), die Quelle (source)Note: All German words start with qu (kw - sound)
R r approximate: er
rich der Rücken (the back), der Stern (star)
S s eszoo, shine, mouse
summen (to hum), schön (pretty, nice), die Maus
T t approximate: tay
tyrant der Tyrann, acht (eight)
U u ooh ou sound in you die Universität (university), der Mund (mouth)
V v fow father der Vogel (bird), die Nerven (nerves)
W w approximate: vay
vandie Wange (cheek), das Schwein (pig, wieviel (how much)
X x ix sounds like kz
das Xylofon/ Xylophon, die Hexe (witch) Note: There are hardly any German words that start with X
Y y uep-si-lohn yellowdie Yucca, der YetiNote: There are hardly any German words that start with Y.
Z z tset sounds like tsdie Zeitung (newspaper), der Zigeuner (gypsy)
Umlaut + ß
Aussprache des Buchstaben/ Pronunciation of Letter
Beispiele/ Examples
ä sounds similar to the e in melonähnlich (similar), gähnen (to yawn)
ö sounds similar to the i in girlÖsterreich (Austria), der Löwe (lion)
ü no equivalent nor approximate sound in über (over),müde (tired)
English
ß (esszet) double s sound heiß (hot),d
German Consonants
There are a few German consonants that do not exist in English, and some consonant
combinations that are not common in English. Notice that the pronunciation of the German r
changes according to the location in the countries that speak German, i.e. [R] in northern Germany
and [r] in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Spelling IPA Sample words How to pronounce:
ch (with vowels e and i)
[ç]Chemie, mich, nicht
Make yuh sound voiceless (no vibration of vocal cords)
ch (with vowels a, o, u)
[x]Buch, lachen, kochen
Make kuh sound a fricative (continuous airflow)
Pf [pf]Apfel, Pferd, Pfanne
Pronounce together as one sound
Z [ts]Zeit, Zug, Tanz
Pronounce together as one sound
J [j]ja, Januar, Junge
Yuh
Qu [kv]Quote, Quiz, Quitte
Kv
st / sp (at beginning of syllable)
[ʃt] / [ʃp]
Stadt, sprechen
sht / shp
Sch [ʃ]schenken, schlafen
Sh
Th [t]Theater, Thron
T
V [f]Vater, verboten
F
W [v]Wasser, warm
V
ß [s] Straße, groß S
s (before vowel) [z] Salz, seit, Sitz Z
In addition, the sounds [b], [d], and [g] lose their voicing at the end of a syllable, so they are pronounced as their voiceless counterparts [p], [t], and [k], respectively.
However, the spelling does not reflect the pronunciation.
Stress
Stress generally falls on the first syllable of the word, except in words borrowed from other languages, where the stress falls on the last syllable (especially with French words.)
3. Alphabet
a ah j yoht s Ess
b bay k kah t Tay
c tsay l el u Oo
d day m em v fow
e ay n en w vay
f eff o oh x eeks
g gay p pay y irp-se-lon
h hah q koo z tset
i ee r ehr
There is another letter in written German, ß (es-zet), pronounced like [s]. However, this letter is only used after long vowels or diphthongs, and it is not used at all in
Switzerland.
4. Nouns & Cases
All nouns have a gender in German, either masculine, feminine or neuter. There really isn't a lot of logic to which nouns are which gender, so you must memorize the gender of each noun.
1. Male persons or animals, the seasons, months, and days are all masculine, as are nouns ending in -ant, -ast, -ich, -ig, -ismus, -ling, -or and -us.
2. Female persons or animals, and numerals are all feminine, as are nouns ending in -a, -anz, -ei, -enz, -heit, -ie, -ik, -in, -keit, -schaft, -sion, -sis, -tät, -tion, -ung and -ur.
3. Young persons or animals, metals, chemical elements, letters of the alphabet, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, continents, countries and provinces are all neuter, as are nouns that end in -chen, -icht, -il, -it, -lein, -ma, -ment, -tel, -tum, and -um. Nouns referring to things that end in -al, -an, -ar, -ät, -ent, -ett, -ier, -iv, -o and -on, as well as most words with the prefix ge- and most nouns ending in -nis and -sal are also neuter.
All nouns in German are capitalized in writing.
All nouns (as well as pronouns and adjectives) have a case depending on what function they serve
in the sentence. These may seem strange, but remember that English uses cases also; however, we
would say direct object instead of accusative, or indirect object instead of dative. Although these
cases may make learning new words difficult, they actually help with word order because the
position of words in a sentence is not as fixed in German as it is in English. And the reason for
that is because words can occur in these four cases:
Nominative subject of the sentenceThe girl is reading.
Accusative direct objectsWe see the mountain.I bought a gift.
Dative indirect objects
We talk to the guide.I gave my mom a gift.
Genitiveindicates possession or relationship
The book of the girl.The dog's tail.
The nouns you look up in a dictionary will be in the nominative case.
5. Articles & Demonstratives
Definite Articles (The)
Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
Nominative der (dare) die (dee) das (dahs) die
Accusative den (dane) Die das die
Dative dem (dame) Der dem den
Genitive des (dess) Der des der
Indefinite Articles (A, An)
Masculine Feminine Neuter
Nom. ein (ine) eine (ine-uh) ein
Acc. einen (ine-en) eine ein
Dat. einem (ine-em) einer(ine-er) einem
Gen. eines (ine-es) einer eines
Demonstratives (This, That, These, Those)
This / These That / Those
Masc. Fem. Neu. Pl. Masc. Fem. Neu. Pl.
Nom. dieser diese dieses diese der die das die
Acc. diesen diese dieses diese den die das die
Dat. diesem dieser diesem diesen dem der dem den
Gen. dieses dieser dieses dieser des der des der
Jener is an older word found in written German that was used to mean that or those, but today in spoken German the definite articles are used. Dort or da may accompany the definite articles for emphasis. Das is also a universal demonstrative and therefore shows no agreement. Notice the last letter of each of the words above. They correspond to the last letters of the words for the definite articles. Words that are formed this same way are called der-words because they follow the pattern of the der-die-das declension. Other der-words are: jeder-every, and welcher-which. Mancher (many) and solcher (such) are also der-words, but they are used almost always in the plural.
6. Subject (Nominative) Pronouns
Subject Pronouns
ich ikh I wir veer we
du doo you (familiar) ihr eer you (all)
er, sie, es, man
air, zee, ess, mahn
he, she, it, one
sie, Sie zeethey, you (formal)
Man can be translated as one, we, they or the people in general. When referring to nouns as it, you use er for masculine nouns, sie for feminine nouns and es for neuter
nouns. However, the definite articles der, die and das can be substituted for er, sie and es to show more emphasis.
7. To Be, to Have, & to Become
Present tense of sein - to be (zine)
I am ich bin ikh bin we are wir sind veer zint
you are (familiar)
du bist doo bihst you (plural) are ihr seid eer zide
he/she/it is er/sie/es istair/zee/ess isst
they/you (formal) are
sie/Sie sind zee zint
Past tense of sein
I was ich war ikh var we were wir waren veer vah-ren
you were (familiar)
du warst doo varst you (plural) were ihr wart eer vart
he/she/it was er/sie/es war
air/zee/es var
they/you (formal) were
sie/Sie waren
zee vah-ren
Present tense of haben - to have (hah-ben)
ich habe hah-buh wir haben hah-ben
du hast hahst ihr habt hahbt
er/sie/es hat haht sie/Sie haben hah-ben
Past tense of haben
ich hatte hah-tuh wir hatten hah-ten
du hattest hah-test ihr hattet hah-tet
er/sie/es hatte hah-tuh sie/Sie hatten hah-ten
Present tense of werden - to become (vair-den)
ich werde vair-duh wir werden vair-den
du wirst veerst ihr werdet vair-det
er/sie/es wird veert sie/Sie werden vair-den
Past tense of werden
ich wurde voor-duh wir wurden voor-den
du wurdest voor-dest ihr wurdet voor-det
er/sie/es wurde voor-duh sie/Sie wurden voor-den
Haben is frequently used in expressions that would normally take to be in English.Ich habe Hunger. = I am hungry.Ich hatte Durst. = I was thirsty.Ich habe Langeweile. = I am bored.Ich hatte Heimweh. = I was homesick.Ich habe Angst. = I am afraid.
In everyday speech, the final -e on the ich conjugations can be dropped: ich hab' or hab' ich
8. Useful Words
And und oont isn't it? nicht wahr? nikht vahr
But aber ah-ber too bad schade shah-duh
Very sehr zair Gladly gern gehrn
Or oder oh-der Immediately sofort zoh-fort
Here hier here sure(ly) sicher(lich) zikh-er-likh
Also auch owkh but, rather sondern zohn-dehrn
Both beide by-duh Finally schließlich shleess-likh
some etwas eht-vahss right! stimmt shtimt
Only nur noor Anyway überhaupt oo-ber-howpt
again wieder vee-der Enough genug guh-nook
hopefully hoffentlich hoh-fent-likh exact(ly) genau guh-now
between zwischen zvish-en Sometimes manchmal mahnch-mal
therefore deshalb des-halp Always immer im-er
a lot, many viel(e) feel(uh) Never nie nee
really wirklich veerk-lish Often oft ohft
together zusammen tsoo-zah-men of course klar klahr
All alle ahl-luh Perhaps vielleicht fee-likht
Now jetzt yetst a little ein bisschen ine biss-khen
So also al-zoh a little ein wenig ine vay-nikh
another noch ein nohkh ine not at all gar nicht gar nikht
already schon shone not a bit kein bisschen kine biss-khen
Es gibt is commonly used to mean there is/are and it is always followed by the accusative case.
9. Question Words
Who wer vehrWhom (acc.)
Wen vain
What was vahsWhom (dat.)
wem vaim
Why warumvah-room
How come
wieso vee-zo
When wann vahnWhere from
woher vo-hair
Where wo vohWhere to
wohin vo-hin
How wie vee Whichwelche/-r/-s
velsh-uh/er/es
10. Numbers / Die Nummern
0 null nool
1 eins ines 1st erste
2 zwei tsvy 2nd zweite
3 drei dry 3rd dritte
4 vier feer 4th vierte
5 fünf fewnf 5th fünfte
6 sechs zecks 6th sechste
7 sieben zee-bun 7th siebte
8 acht ahkht 8th achte
9 neun noyn 9th neunte
10 zehn tsayn 10th zehnte
11 elf elf 11th elfte
12 zwölf tsvurlf 12th zwölfte
13 dreizehn dry-tsayn 13th dreizehnte
14 vierzehn feer-tsayn 14th vierzehnte
15 fünfzehn fewnf-tsayn 15th fünfzehnte
16 sechzehn zeck-tsayn 16th sechzehnte
17 siebzehn zeep-tsayn 17th siebzehnte
18 achtzehn ahkh-tsayn 18th achtzehnte
19 neunzehn noyn-tsayn 19th neunzehnte
20 zwanzig tsvahn-tsikh 20th zwanzigste
21 einundzwanzig ine-oont-tsvahn-tsikh 21st einundzwanzigste
22 zweiundzwanzig tsvy-oont-tsvahn-tsikh 22nd zweiundzwanzigste
23 dreiundzwanzig dry-oont-tsvahn-tsikh 23rd dreiundzwanzigste
24 vierundzwanzig feer-oont-tsvahn-tsikh 24th vierundzwanzigste
30 dreißig dry-sikh 30th dreißigste
40 vierzig feer-tsikh 40th vierzigste
50 fünfzig fewnf-tsikh 50th fünfzigste
60 sechzig zekh-tsikh 60th sechzigste
70 siebzig zeep-tsikh 70th siebzigste
80 achtzig ahkh-tsikh 80th achtzigste
90 neunzig noyn-tsikh 90th neunzigste
100 (ein)hundert ine-hoon-duhrt
1,000 (ein)tausend ine-tow-zuhnt
Sometimes zwo (tsvoh) is used instead of zwei to avoid confusion with drei when talking on the telephone. The use of commas and periods is switched in German, though a space is commonly used to separate thousandths, i.e. 1,000 would be 1 000. When saying telephone numbers, you can either say each number individually or group them in twos. For years, you use the hundreds: 1972 is neunzehn hundert zweiundsiebzig; or the thousands: 2005 is zwei tausend fünf.
Wann sind Sie geboren? When were you born?Ich bin in 1982 geboren. I was born in 1982.
11. Days of the Week / Die Tage
Monday Montag mohn-tahk
Tuesday Dienstag deens-tahk
Wednesday Mittwoch mit-vock
Thursday Donnerstag don-ers-tahk
Friday Freitag fry-tahk
Saturday(N & E Germany)
SamstagSonnabend
zahms-tahkzon-nah-bent
Sunday Sonntag zon-tahk
day der Tag (-e) dehr tahk
morning der Morgen (-) mawr-gun
afternoon der Nachmittag (-e) nakh-mih-tahk
evening der Abend (-e) ah-bunt
night die Nacht (ä, -e) nahkt
today heute hoy-tuh
tomorrow morgen mawr-gun
tonight heute Abend hoy-tuh ah-bunt
yesterday gestern geh-stairn
last night gestern Abend geh-stairn ah-bunt
week die Woche (-n) voh-kuh
weekend das Wochenende (-n) voh-ken-en-duh
daily täglich teh-glikh
weekly wöchentlich wer-khent-likh
To say on a certain day or the weekend, use am. Add an -s to the day to express "on Mondays, Tuesdays, etc." All days, months and seasons are masculine so they all use the same form of these words: jeden - every, nächsten - next, letzten - last (as in the last of a series), vorigen - previous. In der Woche is the expression for "during the week" in Northern and Eastern Germany, while unter der Woche is used in Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
12. Months of the Year / Die Monate
January Januar yah-noo-ahr
(Austria) Jänner yeh-ner
February Februar fay-broo-ahr
March März mehrts
April April ah-pril
May Mai my
June Juni yoo-nee
July Juli yoo-lee
August August ow-goost
September September zehp-tehm-ber
October Oktober ok-toh-ber
November November no-vehm-ber
December Dezember deh-tsem-ber
month der Monat (-e) moh-naht
year das Jahr (-e) yaar
monthly monatlich moh-naht-likh
yearly jährlich jehr-likh
To say in a certain month, use im.
Wann hast du Geburtstag? When is your birthday? Mein Geburtstag ist im Mai. My birthday is in May.
13. Seasons / Die Jahreszeiten
Winter der Winter dehr vin-ter
Spring der Frühling dehr frew-ling
Summer der Sommer dehr zom-mer
Autumn der Herbst dehr hehrpst
To say in the + a season, use im.
14. Directions / Die Richtungen
right rechts
left links
straight geradeaus
North der Norden
South der Süden
East der Osten
West der Westen
im Norden = in the Northnach Osten = to the Eastaus Westen = from the West
15. Colors & Shapes / Die Farben & Die Formen
orange orange square das Viereck
pink rosa circle der Kreis
purple violett / lila triangle das Dreieck
blue blau rectangle das Rechteck
yellow gelb oval das Oval
red rot octagon das Achteck
black schwarz cube der Würfel
brown braun sphere die Kugel
gray grau cone der Kegel
white weiß cylinder der Zylinder
green grün
turquoise türkis
beige beige
silver silber
gold gold
Because colors are adjectives, they must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe if they are placed before the noun. However, not all adjectives agree, such as colors ending in -a or -e; nor do they agree when they are used as predicate adjectives. To say that a color is light, put hell- before it, and to say that a color is dark, put dunkel- before it.
Das Viereck ist braun. The square is brown.Das Rechteck ist hellblau. The rectange is light blue.
16. Time / Die Zeit
What time is it? Wie spät ist es? vee shpayt isst ess
(It is) 2 AM Es ist zwei Uhr nachts ess ist tsvy oor nahkts
2 PM Es ist zwei Uhr nachmittags tsvy oor nahk-mih-tahks
6:20 Es ist sechs Uhr zwanzig zex oor tsvahn-tsikh
half past 3 Es ist halb vier hahlp feer
quarter past 4 Es ist Viertel nach vier feer-tel nahk feer
quarter to 5 Es ist Viertel vor fünf feer-tel for fewnf
10 past 11 Es ist zehn nach elf tsyan nahk elf
20 to 7 Es ist zwanzig vor sieben tsvahn-tsikh for zee-bun
noon Es ist nachmittag nakh-mih-tahk
midnight Es ist mitternacht mih-ter-nahk
in the morning morgens / früh mawr-guns / frew
in the evening abends aah-bunts
It's exactly... Es ist genau... ess ist guh-now
At 8. Um 8 Uhr. oom akht oor
early(ier) früh(er) frew(er)
late(r) spät(er) shpayt(er)
Official time, such as for bus and train schedules, always uses the 24 hour clock. Notice that halb + number means half to, not half past, so you have to use the hour that comes next.
17. Weather / Das Wetter
How's the weather today?
Wie ist das Wetter heute?
vie ist dahs vet-ter hoy-tuh
It's hot Es ist heiß ess isst hise
It's cold Es ist kalt ess isst kahlt
It's beautiful Es ist schön ess isst shern
It's bad Es ist schlecht ess isst shlehkt
It's clear Es ist klar ess isst klahr
It's icy Es ist eisig ess isst ise-ikh
It's warm Es ist warm ess isst varm
It's sunny Es ist sonnig ess isst zohn-ikh
It's windy Es ist windig ess isst vin-dikh
It's cloudy Es ist bewölkt ess isst beh-verlkt
It's hazy Es ist dunstig ess isst doons-tikh
It's muggy Es ist schwül ess isst schvool
It's humid Es ist feucht ess isst foikht
It's foggy Es ist nebelig ess isst neh-beh-likh
It's snowing Es schneit ess schnite
It's raining Es regnet ess rayg-net
It's freezing Es friert ess freert
It looks like rain.Es sieht nach Regen aus.
es seet nahkh ray-gen ows
The weather is clearingDas Wetter klärt sich auf.
dahs vett-er klairt sikh owf
18. Family / Die Familie
Parents die Eltern Relative der Verwandte (-n)
Mother die Mutter (ü) Man der Mann (ä, -er)
Father der Vater (ä) Sir / Mister der Herr (-en)
Son der Sohn (ö, -e)Woman / Ma'am / Mrs. / Ms.
die Frau (-en)
Daughter die Tochter (ö) Husband der Ehemann (ä, -er)
Brother der Bruder (ü) Wife die Ehefrau (-en)
Sister die Schwester (-n) Boy der Junge (-n)
Grandparents die Großeltern Girl das Mädchen (-)
Grandfather der Großvater (ä) Grandpa der Opa (-s)
Grandmother die Großmutter (ü) Grandma die Oma (-s)
Grandchildren die Enkelkinder Dad der Vati
Grandson der Enkel (-) Mom die Mutti
Granddaughter die Enkelin (-nen) Friend (m) der Freund (-e)
Niece die Nichte (-n) Friend (f) die Freundin (-nen)
Nephew der Neffe (-n)Partner / Significant Other (m)
der Partner (-)
Cousin (m) der Vetter (-n)Partner / Significant Other (f)
die Partnerin (-nen)
Cousin (f) die Kusine (-n) Marital Status der Familienstand
Uncle der Onkel (-) Single ledig
Aunt die Tante (-n) Married verheiratet
Siblings die Geschwister Divorced geschieden
Baby das Baby (-s) Male männlich
Godfather der Pate (-n) Female weiblich
Godmother die Patin (-nen) Child das Kind (-er)
Step- der/die Stief- Toddler das Kleinkind (-er)
-in-law der/die Schwieger- Teenager der Teenager (-)
Brother-in-law der Schwager (ä) Adult der Erwachsene (-n)
Sister-in-lawdie Schwägerin (-nen)
Twin der Zwilling (-e)
The letters in parentheses indicate the plural form of the noun. Notice that sometimes an umlaut is placed over the main vowel of the word in the plural. For example, der Mann is singular (the man) and die Männer is plural (the men). For step- and -in-law relations, just add Stief- or Schwieger- before the main person, except in the case of brother-in-law and sister-in-law noted above. The plurals follow the pattern for the main person, i.e. die Schwiegermutter (singular) and die Schwiegermütter (plural)
19. To Know People & Facts
kennen - to know people wissen - to know facts
ich kenne ken-nuh wir kennenken-nun
ich weiß vise wir wissen vih-sun
du kennst kenst ihr kennt kent du weißt vist ihr wisst vihst
er/sie/es kennt
kentsie/Sie kennen
ken-nun
er/sie/es weiß
visesie/Sie wissen
vih-sun
Kennen is a regular verb, while wissen is irregular in the present tense. You must use the subject pronouns (ich, du, er...); however, I will leave them out of future conjugations.
20. Formation of Plural Nouns
Plural nouns in German are unpredictable, so it's best to memorize the plural form with the singular. However, here are some rules that can help:
1. Feminine nouns usually add -n or -en. Nouns that end in -in (such as the female equivalents of masculine nouns) add -nen.
eine Lampe zwei Lampen
eine Tür zwei Türen
eine Studentin zwei Studentinnen
eine Gabel zwei Gabeln
2. Masculine and neuter nouns usually add -e or -er. Many masculine plural nouns ending in -e add an umlaut as well, but neuter plural nouns ending in -e don't. Plurals that end in -er add an umlaut when the stem vowel is a, o , u or au.
Masculine Neuter
ein Rock zwei Röcke ein Heft zwei Hefte
ein Mann zwei Männer ein Buch zwei Bücher
3. Masculine and neuter singular nouns that end in -er either add an umlaut or change nothing at all. Many nouns with a stem vowel of a, o, u or au add an umlaut. Masculine and neuter singular nouns that end in -el also add nothing at all (with three
exceptions: Pantoffel, Stachel, Muskel).
Masculine Neuter
ein Bruder zwei Brüder ein Fenster zwei Fenster
ein Kegel zwei Kegel ein Mittel zwei Mittel
4. Nouns that end in a vowel other than an unstressed -e and nouns of foreign origin add -s.
ein Hobby zwei Hobbys
ein Hotel zwei Hotels
21. Possessive Adjectives
Masc. Fem. Neu. Pl.
Nom. mein meine mein meine
Acc. meinen meine mein meine
Dat. meinem meiner meinem meinen
Gen. meines meiner meines meiner
Other words that are formed like mein (my) are: ein - a/an, dein-your (du form), sein-his/its, ihr-her, unser-our, euer-your (ihr form), ihr-their, Ihr-your (Sie form), and kein-no/not any.
22. Accusative Case
The accusative case corresponds to direct objects. Here are the accusative forms of the definite
and indefinite articles. Note that only the masculine changes in this case.
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Masc. Fem. Neuter Plural
Definite den die das die
Indefinite einen eine ein keine
Some masculine nouns add an -(e)n to the accusative form, such as international nouns ending in -t (Dirigent, Komponist, Patient, Polizist, Soldat, Student, Tourist, Journalist); nouns ending in -e denoting male persons or animals (Drache, Junge, Kunde, Löwe, Neffe, Riese, Vorfahre, Zeuge); and the following nouns: Elefant, Herr, Mensch, Nachbar. And wen (whom) is the accusative of wer (who).
Personal Pronouns - Nominative & Accusative
ich I mich me wir we uns us
Du you dich you ihr you euch you
Er he ihn him sie they sie them
Sie she sie her Sie you Sie you
Es it es it
German uses the case system to show the function of a word in a sentence, whereas English relies mainly on word order. Take, for example, the following sentences: Ich esse den Apfel translates into I eat the apple. In German, you can switch the word order around without affecting the meaning. Den Apfel esse ich is also I eat the apple, but in English, if you were to change word order, you would have to say the apple eats me. English does not accommodate for the direct object to be placed before the subject and verb like German does. Usually, word order reflects (subjective) focus: the noun having the speakers focus is usually put as much as possible towards the beginning of a sentence.
23. Dative Case
The dative case corresponds to indirect objects. Usually in English, we use the words to or for to indicate an indirect object. But German relies on the endings of the dative case. Here
are the dative forms of the definite and indefinite articles.
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Masc. Fem. Neuter Plural
Definite dem der dem den
Indefinite einem einer einem keinen
Those same masculine nouns that added an -(e)n in the accusative form also add an -(e)n in the dative form. And all plural nouns add an -(e)n in the dative plural, unless they already end in an -n or -s. And wem (to/for whom) is the dative of wer
(who).
Personal Pronouns
mir me uns us
dir you euch you
ihm him ihnen they
ihr her Ihnen you
ihm it
In sentences with both a direct and indirect object, the noun in the dative case precedes the accusative noun, unless the accusative case is a pronoun.
Ich schenke meinem Bruder eine Krawatte. I give (to) my brother a tie.Ich schenke sie meinem Bruder. I give it to my brother.
24. Genitive Case
The genitive case is used to show possession, more often in writing than in speech. When speaking, most people use von (of) plus the dative case to show possession. For proper nouns, German only adds an -s to the noun, whereas English would add an apostrophe and an -s. Feminine and Plural nouns do not change in the Genitive case. Masculine and Neuter nouns add an -s if the word is more than one syllable, or an -es if the word is one syllable. Except the weak masculine nouns that added -(e)n in the accusative and dative; they also add -(e)n in the genitive. There are some irregular nouns that add -s after -en in the genitive case as well, for example der Name becomes des Namens and das Herz becomes des Herzens.
die Farbe des Vogels - the color of the birddie Grösse des Hauses - the size of the house
die Tasche meiner Mutter - my mother's purse [the purse of my mother]
der Bleistift des Studenten - the student's pencil [the pencil of the student]
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Masc. Fem. Neu. Plural
Definite des der des der
Indefinite eines einer eines keiner
25. To Do or Make
machen - to do or make
mache mock-uh machen mock-en
machst mockst macht mockt
macht mockt machen mock-en
26. Work and School
masculine feminine
actor Schauspieler Schauspielerin
architect Architekt (en) Architektin
artist Künstler Künstlerin
author Schriftsteller Schriftstellerin
bank clerk Bankangestellter Bankangestellte
businessman/woman Geschäftsmann Geschäftsfrau
cashier Kassierer Kassiererin
civil servant Beamter Beamtin
conductor Dirigent Dirigentin
cook Koch (ö, e) Köchin
custodian Hausmeister Hausmeisterin
dentist Zahnarzt (ä, e) Zahnärztin
doctor Arzt (e) Ärztin
engineer Ingenieur Ingenieurin
farmer Landwirt Landwirtin
flight attendant Flugbegleiter Flugbegleiterin
hairdresser Friseur Friseurin
journalist Journalist Journalistin
judge Richter Richterin
lawyer Anwalt (ä, e) Anwältin
lecturer Dozent Dozentin
librarian Bibliothekar Bibliothekarin
mechanic Automechaniker Automechanikerin
nurse Krankenpfleger Krankenpflegerin
pensioner (retired) Rentner Rentnerin
pharmacist Drogist Drogistin
photographer Fotograf Fotografin
pilot Pilot (en) Pilotin
police officer Polizist (en) Polizistin
politician Politiker Politikerin
postal worker Postangestellter Postangestellte
president Präsident (en) Präsidentin
priest Priester Priesterin
professor Professor Professorin
salesperson Verkäufer Verkäuferin
secretary Sekretär Sekretärin
student Student Studentin
taxi driver Taxifahrer Taxifahrerin
teacher Lehrer Lehrerin
TV reporter Fernsehreporter Fernsehreporterin
waiter Kellner Kellnerin
worker Arbeiter Arbeiterin
writer Schriftsteller Schriftstellerin
Besides the plural forms shown above, the rest of the male professions are the same (they do not add anything) in the plural, while all the feminine add -nen in the plural. Also, German does not use articles before professions. You would only say Ich bin Kellner if you mean I am a waiter.
Was sind Sie von Beruf? What do you do for a living?Ich bin Arzt. I'm a doctor (male).
School die Schule (n) Elementary School die Grundschule (n)
University die Universität (en) Secondary School das Gymnasium
College / University
die Hochschule (n) High School die Oberschule (n)
Subject das Fach (ä, er) Foreign languages Fremdsprachen
Literature Literatur Linguistics Linguistik
Social Studies Sozialkunde History Geschichte
Biology Biologie Natural Science Naturwissenschaft
Philosophy Philosophie Psychology Psychologie
Earth science Erdkunde Sociology Soziologie
Math Mathematik Geography Geographie
Geometry Geometrie Computer science Informatik
Mechanical Maschinenbau Economics Wirtschaft
Engineering
Management Betriebswirtschaft Chemistry Chemie
Marketing Marketing Media Studies Medienwissenschaft
Physics Physik Political Science Politik
Music Musik Art Kunst
Drawing Zeichnen Band Musikkapelle
Test die Prüfung (en) Class die Klasse (n)
Lunchtime die Mittagspause Lunch das Mittagessen
Cafeteria die Mensa School Supplies die Schulsachen
Dictionarydas Wörterbuch (ü, er)
Staplerdie Heftmaschine (n)
Scissors die Schere (n) Ruler das Lineal (e)
Eraserdas Radiergummi (s)
Chalk die Kreide
Book das Buch (ü, er) Notebook das Heft (e)
Pencil der Bleistift (e) Sheet of Paper das Blatt Papier
Schoolbag die Schultasche (n) Calculatorder Taschenrechner (-)
Pender Kugelschreiber / der Kuli
Homework die Hausaufgaben
Girl das Mädchen (-) Boy der Junge (n)
Friend (m) der Freund (e) Friend (f) die Freundin (nen)
Pupil/Student (m) der Schüler (-) Pupil/Student (f) die Schülerin (nen)
Student (m) der Student (en) Student (f) die Studentin (nen)
Teacher (m) der Lehrer (-) Teacher (f) die Lehrerin (nen)
Professor (m) der Professor Professor (f) die Professorin (nen)
Grades die Noten hard schwer
Course der Kurs (e) easy leicht
Semester das Semester (-) Vacation die Ferien (pl.)
Scheduleder Stundenplan (ä, e)
Assignment die Aufgabe (n)
In Germany, students must pass das Abitur in order to graduate from high school. In Austria, this final exam is called die Matura. Notice that there are two words for
student: Schüler is used for students in primary and secondary schools, while Student is only used for university students.
The verb studieren is used for university study or to state your major. The verb lernen should be used for studying in general, and especially for learning a language.
Er studiert in Freiburg. He studies (goes to university) in Freiburg.Ich studiere Französisch. I study French (in college). / French is my major. Ich lerne Spanisch und Italienisch. I'm studying/learning Spanish and Italian.
27. Prepositions
Prepositions that take the Accusative case
durch through
gegen against
um around / at
für for
ohne without
bis until
Preps. that take the Dative case
aus out (of), from (country, town or place)
mit with, by means of (transportation)
von from (person, open space, or direction), by
seit since, for
bei near, at, at home of or place of business
nach after, to (cities and countries)
zu to (mostly people and specifically named buildings)
gegenüber across from
außer except for, besides
Preps. that take the Genitive case
während during
trotz in spite of
(an)statt instead of
wegen because of
außerhalb outside of
innerhalb inside of
Preps. that may take Acc. or Dat. (two-way)
anat, to, on (vertical surfaces, denotes border or limiting area)
aufonto, on (horizontal surfaces), to (some public buildings)
hinter behind
inin, into, to (building, enclosed space, feminine or plural countries)
neben beside, next to
über over, above, across, about
unter under, below, among, beneath
vor in front of, before
zwischen between
For the two-way prepositions: The accusative form indicates direction and movement and answers the question where to? The dative form indicates position and location and answers the question where? For example: In die Schule means to school and uses the accusative form because it is a direction. In der Schule means in school and uses the dative form because it is a location. But one exception is zu Hause - at home (dat.) and nach Hause - (to) home (acc.) Ich bin zu Hause is I am at home, and Ich gehe nach Hause is I am going home.
Accusative: movement & direction Dative: location & position
Er hängt das Bild über das Sofa.He hangs the picture over the sofa.
Das Bild hängt über dem Sofa.The picture hangs over the sofa.
Stell es unter den Tisch.Put it under the table.
Es ist unter dem Tisch.It is under the table.
Fahren Sie den Wagen hinter das Haus.Drive the car behind the house.
Der Wagen steht hinter dem Haus.The car is behind the house.
Stellen Sie die Flaschen vor die Tür.Put the bottles in front of the door.
Die Flaschen stehen vor der Tür.The bottles are in front of the door.
Stell es auf den Tisch.Put it on the table.
Es liegt auf dem Tisch.It's lying on the table.
Schreib es an die Tafel.Write it on the board.
Es steht an der Tafel.It is on the board.
Er geht in die Küche.He goes into the kitchen.
Er ist in der Küche.He is in the kitchen.
Stellen Sie es neben das Haus.Put it beside the house.
Es ist neben dem Haus.It is beside the house.
Stell die Lampe zwischen das Sofa und den Tisch.Put the lamp between the sofa and the table.
Die Lampe steht zwischen dem Sofa und dem Tisch.The lamp is between the sofa and the table.
Stellen, legen and setzen use the accusative case, while stehen, liegen and sitzen use the dative case.
28. Prepositional Contractions
Contractions in Writing Contractions in Informal Speech
an dem am an den an'n
auf das aufs auf den auf'n
für das fürs auf dem auf'm
in das ins aus den aus'n
zu dem zum für den für'n
an das ans gegen das gegen's
bei dem beim in den in'n
in dem im nach dem nach'm
von dem vom
zu der zur
durch das durchs
um das ums
29. Countries and Nationalities
Africa Afrika Ireland Irland
African Afrikaner/in Irishman Ire/Irin
Albania Albanien Israel Israel
Albanian Albaner/in Israeli Israeli
America Amerika Hebrew Hebräisch
American Amerikaner/in Italy Italien
Argentina Argentinien Italian Italiener/in
Argentine Argentinier/in Japan Japan
Asia Asien Japanese Japaner/in
Asian Asiat/in Latvia Lettland
Australia Australien Latvian Lette/Lettin
Australian Australier/in Lithuania Litauen
Austria Österreich Lithuanian Litauer/in
Austrian Österreicher/in Luxembourg Luxemburg
Belgium Belgien Luxembourger Luxemburger/in
Belgian Belgier/in Macedonia Mazedonien
Bosnia Bosnien Macedonian Mazedonier/in
Bosnian Bosnier/in Malta Malta
Brazil Brasilien Maltese Malteser/in
Brazilian Brasilianer/in Mexico Mexiko
Bulgaria Bulgarien Mexican Mexikaner/in
Bulgarian Bulgare/Bulgarin Netherlands die Niederlande
Canada Kanada Dutch Holländer/in
Canadian Kanadier/in New Zealand Neuseeland
China China New Zealander Neuseeländer/in
Chinese Chinese/Chinesin Norway Norwegen
Croatia Kroatien Norwegian Norweger/in
Croatian Kroate/Kroatin Poland Polen
Cyprus Zypern Polish Pole/Polin
Cypriot Zypriot/in Portugal Portugal
Czech Republic
die Tschechische Republik
Portuguese Portugiese/Portugiesin
Czech Tscheche/Tschechin Romania Rumänien
Denmark Dänemark Romanian Rumäne/Rumänin
Danish Däne/Dänin Russia Russland
Egypt Ägypten Russian Russe/Russin
Egyptian Ägypter/in Scotland Schottland
England England Scottish Schotte/Schottin
English Engländer/in Serbia Serbien
Estonia Estland Serbian Serbe/Serbin
Estonian Este/Estin Slovakia die Slowakei
Europe Europa Slovak Slowake/Slowakin
European Europäer/in Slovenia Slowenien
Finland Finnland Slovene Slowene/Slowenin
Finnish Finne/Finnin South Africa Südafrika
France Frankreich South African Südafrikaner/in
French Franzose/Französin Spain Spanien
Germany Deutschland Spanish Spanier/in
German Deutscher/Deutsche Sweden Schweden
Great Britain Großbritannien Swedish Schwede/in
British Brite/Britin Switzerland die Schweiz
Greece Griechenland Swiss Schweizer/in
Greek Grieche/Griechin Turkey die Türkei
Hungary Ungarn Turk Türke/Türkin
Hungarian Ungar/in Ukraine die Ukraine
Iceland Island Ukrainian Ukrainer/in
Icelandic Isländer/in United Kingdom Vereinigtes Königreich
India Indien United States die Vereinigten Staaten
Indian Inder/in Wales Wales
Indonesia Indonesien Welsh Waliser/in
Indonesian Indonesier/in
Female nationalities add -in to the masculine nationality but some need to delete the final -e before adding -in. A few nationalities are slightly irregular or have spelling changes: Deutscher (German man), Deutsche (German woman), Franzose (Frenchman), Französin (Frenchwoman)
To form the adjective, use the masculine nationality stem and add -isch: amerikanisch, belgisch, griechisch, polnisch, schwedisch, etc. Some are slightly irregular: deutsch, englisch, französisch
The adjectives can also refer to the language, but then the word must be capitalized, i.e. deutsch is the adjective that is usually followed by a noun, whereas Deutsch is the German language.
30. Negative Sentences
Nicht and kein are forms of negation, but nicht means not and kein means no, not a, or not any. Kein is used to negate nouns that either have no articles or are preceded by the indefinite article. Kein precedes the nouns in sentences. It is declined as an ein-word.
Ist das eine Katze? Is that a cat?
Nein, das ist keine Katze. No, that's not a cat.
Nicht negates nouns preceded by a definite article or a possessive adjective; or it could negate any part (verb, noun, adjective) or all of a sentence. Nicht always follows the verb, but usually precedes the part of the sentence to be negated. It you want to negate an entire sentence, nicht comes last. Nicht also follows expressions of time.
Das ist meine Frau. That's my wife.
Das ist nicht meine Frau. That's not my wife.
Heute ist es kalt. It is cold today.
Heute ist es nicht kalt. It is not cold today.
31. To and From Countries and Cities
to nach
from aus
in in
In also means to when it is used before a country that has a definite article (feminine and plural countries.)
Ich fliege in die Schweiz. I'm flying to Switzerland. Ich fliege nach Deutschland. I'm flying to Germany.
And when aus is used with feminine or plural countries, the definite article must also be used.
Ich bin aus den USA . I am from the US. Ich bin aus Frankreich . I am from France.
32. To Come and to Go
kommen - to come
komme koh-muh kommen koh-men
kommst kohmst kommt kohmt
kommt kohmt kommen koh-men
gehen - to go
gehe geh-uh gehen geh-in
gehst gehst geht gate
geht gate gehen geh-in
33. Modal Verbs
German has six modal verbs that you should memorize. They express an attitude about an action or condition described by the main verb. The modal auxiliary is conjugated and placed in the second position of the sentence. The main verb is in the infinitive form and placed at the end of the clause or sentence.
Ich kann eine Fahrkarte kaufen. (I can buy a ticket.) Kann is the conjugated auxiliary verb and kaufen is the main verb in infinitive form.
können - to be able to, can
ich kann wir können
du kannst ihr könnt
er/sie/es kann sie/Sie können
müssen - to have to, must
ich muß wir müssen
du mußt ihr müsst
er/sie/es muß sie/Sie müssen
dürfen - to be allowed/permitted to
ich darf wir dürfen
du darfst ihr dürft
er/sie/es darf sie/Sie dürfen
Nicht müssen translates to do not have to or do not need to. Nicht dürfen translates to must not. Du mußt es nicht machen is you don't have to do it. Du darfst es nicht machen is you must not (or are not allowed) to do it.
sollen - to be supposed to
ich soll wir sollen
du sollst ihr sollt
er/sie/es soll sie/Sie sollen
wollen - to want (to)
ich will wir wollen
du willst ihr wollt
er/sie/es will sie/Sie wollen
mögen - to like
ich mag wir mögen
du magst ihr mögt
er/sie/es mag sie/Sie mögen
Subjunctive of mögen - would like
ich möchte wir möchten
du möchtest ihr möchtet
er/sie/es möchte sie/Sie möchten
This subjunctive of mögen expresses would like to and is used more often than the indicative of mögen. Ich möchte eine Fahrkarte kaufen means I would like to buy a ticket.
Sometimes the infinitive is not required with modal verbs, if the meaning is clear enough without them. For example, you can often omit sprechen and tun after können and you can omit verbs of motion if there is an adverb of place.
Ich kann Spanisch. I can/know how to speak Spanish.Er will nach Hause. He wants to go home.
34. Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
To conjugate means to give the different forms of a verb depending on the subject. English only has two regular conjugations in the present tense, no ending and -s ending (I, you, we, they run vs. he/she/it runs). To form regular verbs in German, remove
the -en ending and add these endings:
-e -en
-st -t
-t -en
Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
antworten to answer machen to make
arbeiten to work passieren to happen
beginnen to begin rauchen to smoke
bekommen to get reisen to travel
benutzen to use rennen to run
besuchen to visit rufen to call
bezahlen to pay for sagen to say
bleiben to remain/stay schlafen to sleep
brauchen to need schreiben to write
dauern to last schwimmen to swim
denken to think sehen to see
entdecken to discover singen to sing
erfinden to invent sitzen to sit
ergänzen to complete sparen to save (money)
erlauben to permit stecken to put
erzählen to tell stehen to stand
essen to eat studieren to study
finden to find suchen to look for
fischen to fish tanzen to dance
fliegen to fly treffen to meet
fragen to ask trennen to separate
gehen to go trinken to drink
gewinnen to win verdienen to earn (money)
glauben to believe/think vergessen to forget
helfen to help verlieren to lose
kaufen to buy versprechen to promise
kennen to know (people) verstehen to understand
kommen to come warten to wait
laufen to run waschen to wash
lehren to teach winken to wave
lernen to learn wischen to wipe
lieben to love wünschen to wish/desire
liegen to lay ziehen to move
English has three ways of expressing the present tense, such as I run, I am running, I do run. All three of these tenses are translated as one tense in German (ich laufe.) However, you can add gerade after the verb to indicate the progressive form. Ich mache meine Hausaufgaben can be translated as I do my homework or I'm doing my homework. Ich mache gerade meine Hausaufgaben is translated as I'm doing my homework.
35. Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs express an action that reciprocates back to the subject. In other words, whoever is
speaking is doing an action to himself. Examples in English would be: I wash myself, he hurts
himself, we hate ourselves. Usually the -self words are a clue in English; however, there are more
reflexive verbs in German than in English.
Reflexive Pronouns
Accusative Dative
mich uns mir uns
dich euch dir euch
sich sich sich sich
The reflexive pronoun follows the verb and agrees with the subject. When a clause contains another object besides the reflexive pronoun, then the reflexive pronoun is in the dative case since the other object is in the accusative case. This is when you use the dative reflexive pronouns instead of the accusative ones.
Accusative: Ich fühle mich nicht wohl - I don't feel well.
Dative: Ich ziehe mir den Mantel aus - I'm taking off my coat.
Also note that parts of the body and articles of clothing use the definite article, not a possessive.
Reflexive Verbs
sich ärgern to get angry sich aufregen to get agitated
sich ausruhen to rest sich erkälten to catch a cold
sich freuen to be happy sich (wohl) fühlen to feel (well)
sich hinlegen to lie down sich anziehen to get dressed
sich verletzen to get hurt sich ausziehen to get undressed
sich beeilen to hurry sich setzen to sit down
sich erholen to relax sich vorstellen to imagine
Reflexive Verbs + Accusative:
sich ärgern über to get annoyed about
sich erinnern an to remember
sich freuen über to be happy about
sich freuen auf to look forward to
sich gewöhnen an to get used to
sich kümmern um to take care of
sich bewerben um to apply for
sich interessieren für to be interested in
sich konzentrieren auf to concentrate on
sich vorbereiten auf to prepare for
sich entscheiden für to decide on
sich verlieben in to fall in love with
Reflexive Verbs + Dative:
sich trennen von to break up with
sich erkundigen nach to ask about
sich fürchten vor to be afraid of
36. Exceptions: Irregularities in Regular verbs
1) Some verbs require an umlaut over the a in the 2nd and 3rd person singular.
Fahren-to travel
fahre fahren
fährst fahrt
fährt fahren
Examples: fallen-to fall, schlafen-to sleep, tragen-to carry, waschen-to wash, laufen-to run
2) Some verbs change the e to ie in the 2nd and 3rd person singular.
Sehen-to see
sehe sehen
siehst seht
sieht sehen
Examples: lesen- to read, befehlen-to command, empfehlen-to recommend, geschehen-to happen, stehlen-to steal
3) Some verbs change the e to an i in the 2nd and 3rd person singular.
Geben-to give
gebe geben
gibst gebt
gibt geben
Examples: brechen-to break, essen-to eat, helfen-to help, sprechen-to speak, sterben-to die, treffen-to meet, werfen-to throw*nehmen has another irregularity: it doubles the m and drops the h*
nehme nehmen
nimmst nehmt
nimmt nehmen
4) Verb stems ending -d or -t, add an e before three endings.
Reden-to speak
rede reden
redest redet
redet reden
5) Verb stems ending in an s or z sound, have -t for du form ending instead of -st.
Sitzen-to sit
sitze sitzen
sitzt sitzt
sitzt sitzen
6) Infinitives ending in -n (not -en) only have -n ending for wir and sie forms. Infinitive stems
ending in -el or -er can drop the e in the ich form.
Tun-to do / Segeln-to sail
tue tun segle segeln
tust tut segelst segelt
tut tun segelt segeln
37. Verbs with Prepositions
Accusative Dative
denken an to think about arbeiten an to work on
glauben an to believe in erkennen an to recognize something by
kommen an to come to sterben an to die of
schreiben an to write to teilnehmen an to participate in
achten auf to pay attention to helfen bei to help with
ankommen auf
to come down to/be a question of
anfangen mit to begin with
antworten auf
to answer fahren mitto go/travel (by means of)
böse sein auf
to be angry at rechnen mit to count on, expect
gespannt sein auf
to be excited about sprechen mit to talk to
hoffen auf to hope for fragen nach to ask about
warten auf to wait for riechen nach to smell of/like
danken für to thank for abhängen von to depend on
sorgen für to care for erzählen von to tell about
lachen über to laugh about halten vonto think/feel about
lesen über to read about handeln vonto deal with/be about
nachdenken über
to think about sprechen von to talk about
reden über to talk about träumen von to dream about
schreiben über
to write about verstehen von to know about/understand
sprechen über
to talk about wissen von to know of
bitten um to ask for/request Angst haben vor to be afraid of
kämpfen um to fight for retten vor to save from
Fahren mit cannot be used with all forms of transportation, such as on foot or by plane.
38. Separable Prefixes
ab- auf- bei- los- mit- vor- weg- zurück-
an- aus- ein- fern- nach- vorbei- zu- zusammen-
These prefixes are added to the infinitive and change the meaning of the verb. Kommen is to come, but ankommen is to arrive. When conjugated, the prefix goes to the end of the sentence. Er kommt um fünf Uhr an means "he is arriving at 5." But Er kommt um drei Uhr means "he is coming at 3." With modals, the infinitive goes to the end of the sentence as usual, but the prefix remains attached. Ich will jetzt ausgehen means "I want to go out now."
Verbs with Separable Prefixes
abholen to pick up ausmachen to turn off
abräumen to clear (the table) aussehen to look like, appear
abtrocknen to dry (dishes) austragen to deliver
abwischen to wipe clean auswandern to emigrate
anfangen to begin ausziehen to take off clothes
ankommen to arrive einkaufen to shop
anmachen to turn on einladen to invite
anrufen to call up einpacken to pack up
anschauen to look at einschlafen to fall asleep
ansehen to look at, watch einsteigen to board
anziehen to put on clothes fernsehen to watch TV
anzünden to light (candles) mitkommen to come with
aufhören to stop mitnehmen to take with
aufmachen to open vorbeikommen to come by
aufräumen to tidy up (clothes) vorschlagen to suggest
aufstehen to get up vorstellen to introduce
aufwachen to wake up weggehen to go away
aufwischen to mop up wegstellen to put away
ausfüllen to fill in (the blanks) zuhören to listen to
ausgeben to spend zumachen to close
ausgehen to go out zurückkommen to come back
ausleeren to empty zusehen to observe
Ausgehen can also mean to be on good/bad terms with someone.
39. Inseparable Prefixes
be- ent- ge- ver-
emp- er- miss- zer-
These prefixes always remain attached to their infinitives. The inseparable prefixes are unstressed syllables, as compared to the separable prefixes which can stand alone as different words. Some examples of verbs with inseparable prefixes are besuchen - to visit, erzählen - to tell, gewinnen - to win, and versprechen - to promise.
Unter and über can function as separable prefixes, but they are much more commonly used as inseparable prefixes. When prefixes are stressed, they are separable; when they are not stressed, they are inseparable. The stress on the following verbs in not on the prefix, so they are all inseparable: unterhalten - to entertain, unternehmen - to undertake, überholen - to overtake, and übersetzen - to translate.
The German National Anthem: Deutschland-Liedby Heinrich Hoffman von Fallersleben
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit für das deutsche Vaterland!Danach lasst uns alle streben brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit sind des Glückes Unterpfand Blüh im Glanze dieses Glückes blühe deutsches Vaterland!
Unity and right and freedom for the German fatherland;Let us all pursue this purpose brotherly, with heart and hands.Unity and right and freedom are the pawns of happiness.Flourish in this blessing's glory, flourish, German fatherland.
The Austrian National Anthem: Österreichische Bundeshymneby Paula von Preradovic
Land der Berge, Land am Strome,Land der Äcker, Land der Dome,Land der Hämmer, zukunftsreich!Heimat bist du großer Söhne,Volk, begnadet für das Schöne,Vielgerühmtes Österreich.
Heiß umfehdet, wild umstrittenleigst dem Erdteil du inmitteneinem starken Herzen gleich.Hast seit frühen AhnentagenHoher Sendung Last getragenVielgeprüftes Österreich.
Mutig in die neuen Zeiten,Frei und gläubig sich uns schreiten,Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich.Einig laß in Brüderchören,Vaterland, dir Treue schwören,Vielgeliebtes Österreich.
Land of mountains, land of streams,Land of fields, land of spires, Land of hammers, with a rich future.You are the home of great sons,A nation blessed by its sense of beauty,Highly praised Austria.
Strongly fought for, fiercely contested,You are in the centre of the ContinentLike a strong heart.You have borne since the earliest days.The burden of a high mission, Much tried Austria.
Watch us striding free and believing,With courage, into new eras, Working cheerfully and full of hope.In fraternal chorus let us take in unityThe oath of allegiance to you, our country,Our much beloved Austria.
The Swiss National Anthem: Schweizerpsalm
by Leonhard Widmer
Trittst im Morgenrot daher,Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,Betet, freie Schweizer, betet!Eure fromme Seele ahntGott im hehren Vaterland,Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Kommst im Abendglühn daher,Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!In des Himmels lichten RäumenKann ich froh und selig träumen!Denn die fromme Seele ahntGott im hehren Vaterland,Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer,Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!Aus dem grauen LuftgebildeTritt die Sonne klar und milde,Und die fromme Seele ahntGott im hehren Vaterland,Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland.
Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,Bist Du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!In Gewitternacht und GrauenLasst uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt,Ja, die fromme Seele ahntGott im hehren Vaterland,Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland !
40. Present Perfect or Past Indefinite Tense
This tense is used more often than the simple past, especially in conversation, and is equivalent to I have done or I did. Regular verbs use a form of haben or sein and a past participle. Past participles are made by adding ge- to the beginning of the verb stem and -t (or -et, if stem ends in -t or -d) to the end.
Fragen is to ask, and -frag- is the stem; therefore gefragt is the past participle. Arbeiten is to work, and -arbeit- is the stem; therefore gearbeitet is the past participle.Machen is to do/make, and -mach- is the stem; therefore gemacht is the past participle.
Verbs ending in -ieren only add the -t ending. Studieren is to study and studier- is the stem, so studiert is the past participle.
The form of haben or sein is placed where the verb should be, and the past participle goes to the end of the sentence. Ex: Ich habe meinen Bruder gefragt - I asked my brother.
Haben or Sein
Most verbs use haben, but a few use sein, if and only if, both of these conditions are met:
1. The verb expresses motion or change of condition. 2. The verb is intransitive (i.e. cannot take a direct object.)
Double Infinitive: When modals are used in the present perfect tense with a dependent infinitive, the past participle is not used. The infinitive of the modal acts as the past participle. Logically, I had to go home would be translated as ich habe nach Hause gehen gemußt. However, it is actually Ich habe nach Hause gehen müssen. When there is no other infinitive in the sentence, then the past participles of the modals are used. I had to would be translated as Ich habe gemußt.
→ All modals, as well as reflexive verbs, use haben in the present perfect tense. The reflexive pronouns follow the auxiliary verb as in Ich habe mir den Arm gebrochen. I broke my arm.
→ With separable prefixes, the prefix comes before the ge- in a past participle, such as angekommen and aufgestanden. From the participle of the base verb, and then add the prefix to the beginning. But note that the prefix does change the entire meaning of the verb, and it may take a different auxiliary verb than its base verb. For example, stehen takes haben, but aufstehen takes sein.
→ With inseparable prefixes, whether the verb is regular or irregular, there is no ge- prefix when forming the past participle, such as besucht and verloren.
→ To express something that has been going on or happening for a period of time, German using the present tense (rather than the past) and the word schon. "I have been studying German for two years" translates to Ich studiere Deutsch schon zwei Jahre.
41. Irregular Past Participles with Haben
These irregular past participles end with -en, and some have vowel changes in the stem. All of the following irregular past participles use haben as the auxiliary verb.
anfangen begin angefangen raten advise geraten
aufstehen get up aufgestanden reißen tear gerissen
befehlen order, command befohlen riechen smell gerochen
beginnen begin begonnen rufen call gerufen
beißen bite gebissen scheinen shine geschienen
bekommen get, receive bekommen schieben push geschoben
bewerben apply beworben schlafen sleep geschlafen
binden tie gebunden schließen shut geschlossen
bitten ask gebeten schneiden cut geschnitten
brechen break gebrochen schreiben write geschrieben
einladen invite eingeladen schreien yell geschrieen
empfehlen recommend empfohlen schweigen be silent geschwiegen
essen eat gegessen schwingen swing geschwungen
finden find gefunden sehen see gesehen
fressen eat (of animals) gefressen singen sing gesungen
frieren freeze gefroren sitzen sit gesessen
geben give gegeben sprechen speak gesprochen
gewinnen win gewonnen stehen stand gestanden
gießen pour, water gegossen stehlen steal gestohlen
greifen reach gegriffen streiten quarrel gestritten
halten hold gehalten tragen wear getragen
hängen hang, suspend gehangen treffen meet getroffen
heben lift gehoben trinken drink getrunken
heißen be called geheißen tun do getan
helfen help geholfen verbieten forbid verboten
klingen sound geklungen vergessen forget vergessen
lassen let, allow gelassen verlassen leave verlassen
leiden suffer gelitten verlieren lose verloren
leihen lend geliehen versprechen promise versprochen
lesen read gelesen verstehen understand verstanden
liegen recline gelegen verzeihen forgive verziehen
lügen lie, fib gelogen waschen wash gewaschen
nehmen take genommen werfen throw geworfen
pfeifen whistle gepfiffen ziehen pull gezogen
Some verbs change their stems, like all irregular verbs; but take the endings for regular verbs instead of irregular verbs. They form their past participles like regular verbs. (Ge-stem-t)
Infinitive Irregular Stem Past Participle
brennen-to burn brann- gebrannt
bringen-to bring brach- gebracht
denken-to think dach- gedacht
kennen-to know (people) kann- gekannt
nennen-to call, name nann- genannt
rennen-to run rann- gerannt
wenden-to turn wand- gewandt
wissen-to know (facts) wuß- gewußt
42. Sein Verbs and Past Participles
The following verbs use sein as the auxiliary verb, and many have irregular past participles.
aufwachen wake up aufgewacht laufen run gelaufen
bleiben remain geblieben passieren happen passiert
erscheinen appear erschienen reisen travel gereist
ertrinken drown ertrunken reiten ride (horseback)
geritten
fahren drive, go, travel
gefahren rennen run gerannt
fallen fall gefallen schwimmen swim geschwommen
fliegen fly geflogen sein be gewesen
folgen follow gefolgt sinken sink gesunken
gebren be born geboren springen jump gesprungen
gehen go gegangen steigen climb gestiegen
gelingen succeed gelungen sterben die gestorben
geschehen happen geschehen treten step getreten
joggen jog gejoggt wachsen grow gewachsen
klettern climb geklettert wandern hike gewandert
kommen come gekommen werden become geworden
kriechen creep gekrochen
43. Food and Meals
breakfast das Frühstück bread das Brot (e)
lunch das Mittagessen pepper der Pfeffer
dinner das Abendessen salt das Salz
glass das Glas (ä, er) ice das Eis
fork die Gabel (n) vinegar der Essig
spoon der Löffel (-) oil das Öl
knife das Messer (-) sugar der Zucker
napkin die Serviette (n) butter die Butter
plate der Teller (-) table der Tisch (e)
silverware das Besteck dishes das Geschirr
tea der Tee juice der Saft (ä, e)
steak das Steak water das Wasser
cake der Kuchen wine der Wein
chicken das Huhn beer das Bier
coffee der Kaffee soft drink die Limonade
fish der Fisch milk die Milch
ham der Schinken egg das Ei (er)
ice cream das Eis honey der Honig
jam die Marmelade snack der Imbiss
rice der Reis cheese der Käse
salad der Salat mustard der Senf
soup die Suppe pie die Torte (n)
44. Fruits, Vegetables and Meats
fruit das Obst pumpkin der Kürbis (e)
pineapple die Ananas (-) olive die Olive (n)
apple der Apfel (ä) raddish der Rettich (e)
apricot die Aprikose (n) lettuce der Salat
banana die Banane (n) tomato die Tomate (n)
pear die Birne (n) onion die Zwiebel (n)
strawberry die Erdbeere (n) green beans die grünen Bohnen
raspberry die Himbeere (n) corn der Mais
cherry die Kirsche (n) meat das Fleisch
lime die Limone (n) roast der Braten (-)
lemon die Zitrone (n) veal das Kalbfleisch
orange die Orange (n) lamb das Lammfleisch
peach der Pfirsisch (e) beef das Rindfleisch
grape die Traube (n) pork das Schweinefleisch
vegetable das Gemüse bacon der Speck
cauliflower der Blumenkohl sausage die Wurst (ü, e)
bean die Bohne (n) poultry das Geflügel
pea die Erbse (n) duck die Ente (n)
cucumber die Gurke (n) goose die Gans (ä, e)
carrot die Karotte (n) chicken das Huhn (ü, er)
potato die Kartoffel (n) turkey der Truthahn (ä, e)
cabbage der Kohl fish der Fisch (e)
In Austria, der Karfiol is cauliflower, die Fisolen is green beans, and der Kukuruz is corn.
45. Genitive Partitive
The genitive partitive is mostly used when talking about quantities of food. Both words are in the nominative case in German, and of is not needed.
a glass of water - ein Glas Wassera piece of cake - ein Stück Kuchena slice of pizza - ein Stück Pizza
46. Commands
Gehen-to go
du form conjugated form, minus -(s)t Geh!
ihr form conjugated form Geht!
wir formconjugated form with wir following
Gehen wir!
Sie formconjugated form with Sie following
Gehen Sie!
Verbs that take an umlaut in conjugations leave it off in commands. Verbs that change their stem vowel from e to i use the changed stem in the du form. All commands require an exclamation point. The wir forms translate as Let's + verb in English.
Imperative of Sein
du form Sei!
ihr form Seid!
Sie form Seien Sie!
47. Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect an independent and dependent clause together, and they do affect word order. An independent (or main) clause contains a subject and verb and can stand alone as its own sentence. A dependent (or subordinate) clause also contains a subject and verb, but is introduced with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone as its own sentence.
There are also other conjunctions (called coordinating) that do not affect word order. The easiest way to tell the two types of conjunctions apart is to memorize the coordinating ones. Und, aber, denn - for/because, sondern - but (on the contrary) and oder are the coordinating conjunctions. The rest of the conjunctions act as subordinating, and interrogative words can also act as subordinating conjunctions. Some examples are als-when, bevor-before, bis-until, damit-so that, dass-that,
wenn-if/when, ob-whether, obwohl-although, nachdem-after, da-since, während-while, weil-because, and wie-how.
1. In clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions, the conjugated verb is forced to the end of the clause (not sentence) and a comma is placed before the conjunction.
Ich bleibe zu Hause. Ich bin krank. I'm staying home. I am sick.Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. I'm staying home because I am sick.(weil is the subordinating conjunction, and bin must go to the end.)
Sie kommt nach zu dir. Sie hat gegessen. She's coming to your place. She has eaten.Sie kommt nach zu dir, nachdem sie gegessen hat. She's coming to your place after she has eaten.(nachdem is the sub. conjunction, and hat must go to the end.)
→ However, when a double infinitive construction is involved, the conjugated verb form precedes the two infinitives. The double infinitive always goes to the end of the clause or sentence.
Ich weiß nicht, ob er hat mitkommen wollen. I don't know if he wanted to come along.
2. When a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, the main clause begins with the conjugated verb in keeping with the normal word order of German that states verbs are always in the second position. The subordinate clause becomes the first position, so the verb of the main clause must occupy the second position.
Hans telefoniert mit Ihnen, während Sie in Berlin sind. Hans will call you while you're in Berlin.Während Sie in Berlin sind, telefoniert Hans mit Ihnen. While you are in Berlin, Hans will call you.(während is a subordinating conjunction, and the subordinating clause occupies the first position of the sentence, so the second position must be occupied by the verb of the main clause, telefoniert.)
3. If there is a separable prefix verb in a dependent clause, the prefix remains attached to the verb, and the entire verb goes to the end of the clause, whereas normally the prefix would go to the end.
Er ist immer müde, wenn er früh aufsteht. He is always tired when he gets up early.
4. When there are two verbs in a dependent clause (such as a modal and an infinitive), the modal goes last, following the infinitive.
Er ist müde, wenn er früh aufstehen muss. He is tired when he must get up early.
48. Holiday Phrases
Frohe Weihnachten! Merry Christmas!
Frohe Ostern! Happy Easter!
Glückliches Neues Jahr! Happy New Year!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
Happy Birthday!
das Silvester New Year's Eve
das Neujahr New Year's Day
der Valentinstag Valentine's Day
der Fasching (S. Germany) / der Karneval (Rhineland)
Mardi Gras
das Ostern Easter
das Weihnachten Christmas
der Geburtstag birthday
die Hochzeit wedding
49. Helfen, lassen and the senses
Helfen, lassen and verbs indicating the senses (such as sehen and hören) function like modal auxiliaries. Like the modals, these verbs require a double infinitive construction when forming the present perfect tense if there is a dependent infinitive involved. After verbs of this type, English often uses a present participle, but German uses a dependent infinitive.
Ich sehe ihn kommen. I see him coming. Ich habe ihn kommen hören. I heard him coming.
Lassen can have different meanings depending on how it is used in the sentence. Usually, lassen means to let or allow, as in Laß den Jungen spielen! Let the boy play! (Notice that lassen takes an accusative object) But it can also mean to have something done or to have someone do something.
Wir lassen uns ein Haus bauen. We're having a house built./We're building a house.
Ich lasse meinen Sohn die Post abholen. I'm having my son pick up the mail.
50. Places
street die Straße (n) strass-uh pharmacydie Apotheke (n)
ah-poh-tek-uh
bank die Bank (en) bahnk drugstoredie Drogerie (n)
droh-ger-ee
hotel das Hotel (s) hoh-tel factorydie Fabrik (en)
fah-breek
restaurant das Restaurant (s)res-toh-rahn
butcher shop
die Metzgerei (en)
mets-geh-rie
theater das Theater (-) tay-ah-terdry cleaner's
die Reinigung (en)
rien-ee-gunk
storedas Geschäft / der Laden (ä)
lah-den bookstoreder Buchladen (ä)
booch-lah-den
museumdas Museum (Museen)
moo-zay-um
airportder Flughafen (ä)
flook-hahf-en
church die Kirche (n) keer-kuh garagedie Garage (n)
gah-rah-zhuh
square der Platz (ä, e) plahtz town halldas Rathaus (ä)
raht-house
monumentdas Denkmal (ä, er)
denk-mall castledas Schloss (ö, er)
shlohss
building das Gebäude (-)guh-boy-duh
schooldie Schule (n)
shoo-luh
house das Haus (ä, er) house citydie Stadt (ä, e)
shtaht
grocery store
das Lebensmittel-geschäft (e)
lay-buns-mit-tel-geh-sheft
bardie Kneipe (n)
knigh-puh
library die Bibliothek (en)beeb-lee-oh-tek
cathedral der Dom (e) dome
hospitaldas Krankenhaus (ä, er)
krahnk-en-house
villagedas Dorf (ö, er)
dorf
stadium das Stadion shtah-dee- cemetery der Friedhof freed-hoff
(Stadien) on (ö, e)
movie theater
das Kino (s) kee-noh backerydie Bäckerei (en)
beck-er-ie
hardware store
das Eisenwaren-geschäft (e)
ise-en-war-en-geh-sheft
shoe storedas Schuh-geschäft (e)
shoo-geh-sheft
stationery store
das Schreibwaren-geschäft (e)
shribe-var-en-geh-scheft
In Austria and Southern Germany, die Buchhandlung is used for bookstore.
51. Transportation
bus der Bus (se) boos
trolleybus der Obus oh-boos
subway die U-Bahn oo-bahn
train der Zug (ü, e) tsook
airplane das Flugzeug (e) flook-tsoyk
ship das Schiff (e) shiff
boat das Boot (e) boat
motorcycle das Motorrad (ä, er) moh-toh-raht
automobile das Auto (s) ow-toh
streetcar die Straßenbahn (en) shtrass-en-bahn
moped das Moped (s) mo-ped
bike das Fahrrad (ä, er) fah-raht
car der Wagen (-) vah-gen
on foot zu Fuss foos
Die U-Bahn is short for die Untergrundbahn and der Obus is short for der Oberleitungsbus. To say by bus, train, etc., use mit dem + the noun for masculine and neuter nouns; and mit der + the noun for feminine nouns.
52. Simple Past / Imperfect Tense
In English, this tense corresponds to I did, you saw, he cried, etc. and is used less often in spoken German than the present perfect tense. It is used more often in writing to tell a sequence of past events. Nevertheless, even in conversational German, sein, haben, werden, wissen and the modal verbs are preferred in the simple past tense than in the present perfect tense. In addition, the simple past tense is commonly used in clauses that begin with als (when).
All regular verbs add these endings to their original stems:
-te -ten
-test -tet
-te -ten
Verb stems ending in -d or -t, add an -e before all endings for ease of pronunciation.
Simple Past of sein, haben & werden
sein haben werden
ich war hatte wurde
du warst hattest wurdest
er, sie, es war hatte wurde
wir waren hatten wurden
ihr wart hattet wurdet
sie waren hatten wurden
For the modal verbs, drop the umlaut found in the infinitive before adding the endings. Mögen changes the g to ch as well.
Simple Past of Modals
können müssen dürfen sollen wollen mögen
ich konnte mußte durfte sollte wollte mochte
du konntest mußtest durftest solltest wolltest mochtest
er, sie, es konnte mußte durfte sollte wollte mochte
wir konnten mußten durften sollten wollten mochten
ihr konntet mußtet durftet solltet wolltet mochtet
sie konnten mußten durften sollten wollten mochten
The following verbs are called mixed verbs because although they have an irregular stem, they still use the imperfect endings for regular verbs. These are the same stems that are used in the present perfect tense as well.
Simple Past of Mixed Verbs
wissen bringen denken kennen brennen nennen rennen wenden
ich wußte brachte dachte kannte brannte nannte rannte wandte
du wußtest brachtest dachtest kanntest branntest nanntest ranntest wandtest
er, sie, es
wußte brachte dachte kannte brannte nannte rannte wandte
wir wußten brachten dachten kannten brannten nannten rannten wandten
ihr wußtet brachtet dachtet kanntet branntet nanntet ranntet wandtet
sie wußten brachten dachten kannten brannten nannten rannten wandten
53. Irregular Stems in Simple Past / Imperfect Tense
Irregular verbs have a different stem for the past tense and add different endings than those of the
regular verbs. You will have to memorize these stems, as they can be unpredictable (and unlike
the past participles). Remember the simple past forms given below are just the stems; you must
add different irregular endings depending on the subject.
Infinitive Simple Past Past Participle Translation
anfangen fing ... an angefangen begin
aufstehen stand ... auf aufgestanden get up
befehlen befahl befohlen order, command
beginnen begann begonnen begin
beissen biss gebissen bite
begreifen begriff begriffen comprehend
bekommen bekam bekommen get, receive
bewerben bewarb beworben apply
binden band gebunden tie
biegen bog gebogen turn, bend
bieten bot geboten offer
bitten bat gebeten ask
blasen blies geblasen blow
bleiben blieb ist geblieben remain
brechen brach gebrochen break
einladen lud ... ein eingeladen invite
entscheiden entschied entschieden decide
empfehlen empfahl empfohlen recommend
erscheinen erschien ist erschienen appear
ertrinken ertrank ist ertrunken drown
essen aß gegessen eat
fahren fuhr ist gefahren drive, go, travel
fallen fiel ist gefallen fall
fangen fing gefangen catch
finden fand gefunden find
fliegen flog ist geflogen fly
fressen fraß gefressen eat (of animals)
frieren fror gefroren freeze
geben gab gegeben give
gebören gebar ist geboren be born
gehen ging ist gegangen go
gelingen gelang ist gelungen succeed
geschehen geschah ist geschehen happen
gewinnen gewann gewonnen win
gießen goss gegossen pour, water
greifen griff gegriffen reach
halten hielt gehalten hold
hngen hing gehangen hang, suspend
heben hob gehoben lift
heißen hieß geheißen be called
helfen half geholfen help
klingen klang geklungen sound
kommen kam ist gekommen come
kriechen kroch ist gekrochen creep
lassen liess gelassen let, allow
laufen lief ist gelaufen run
leiden litt gelitten suffer
leihen lieh geliehen lend
lesen las gelesen read
liegen lag gelegen recline
lügen log gelogen lie, fib
nehmen nahm genommen take
pfeifen pfiff gepfiffen whistle
raten riet geraten advise
reissen riss gerissen tear
reiten ritt ist geritten ride (horseback)
riechen roch gerochen smell
rufen rief gerufen call
scheinen schien geschienen shine
schieben schob geschoben push
schiessen schoss geschossen shoot
schlafen schlief geschlafen sleep
schlagen schlug geschlagen hit
schließen schloss geschlossen shut
schneiden schnitt geschnitten cut
schreiben schrieb geschrieben write
schreien schrie geschrieen cry
schweigen schwieg geschwiegen be silent
schwimmen schwamm ist geschwommen swim
schwingen schwang geschwungen swing
sehen sah gesehen see
sein war ist gewesen be
singen sang gesungen sing
sinken sank ist gesunken sink
sitzen saß gesessen sit
spinnen span gesponnen spin
sprechen sprach gesprochen speak
springen sprang ist gesprungen jump
stehen stand gestanden stand
stehlen stahl gestohlen steal
steigen stieg ist gestiegen climb
sterben starb ist gestorben die
streiten stritt gestritten quarrel
tragen trug getragen wear
treffen traf getroffen meet
treiben trieb getrieben play sports
treten trat ist getreten step
trinken trank getrunken drink
tun tat getan do
verbieten verbot verboten forbid
vergessen vergaß vergessen forget
vergleichen verglich verglichen compare
verlassen verliess verlassen leave
verlieren verlor verloren lose
versprechen versprach versprochen promise
verstehen verstand verstanden understand
verzeihen verzieh verziehen forgive
vorschlagen schlug ... vor vorgeschlagen suggest
wachsen wuchs ist gewachsen grow
waschen wusch gewaschen wash
werfen warf geworfen throw
ziehen zog gezogen pull
Irregular Endings
- -en
-st -t
- -en
There are no endings for the 1st and 3rd person singular. If the verb stem ends in an s sound (such as aß-), the du form ending becomes -est (du aßest.) If the verb stem ends in -t or -d, the ihr form ending becomes -et while the du form ending sometimes becomes -est. Most verb stems do add -est in the du form, but some do not. For example, finden is conjugated without the -e- (du fandst) while sich befinden is conjugated with the -e- (du befandest dich.) Similarly, stehen is conjugated without the -e- (du standst) while verstehen is conjugated with the -e- (du verstandest.) The other main verbs that are conjugated without the -e- are braten (brietst; to roast), erfinden (erfandst, to invent), laden (ludst, to invite), leiden (littst, to suffer), and schneiden (schnittst, to cut).
54. House and Furniture
window das Fenster (-) ground floor das Erdgeschoss
curtain der Vorhang (ä, e) 1st floor/storey
der erste Stock
clock die Uhr (en) floor/ground der Boden (ö)
bookcase das Bücherregal (e) roof das Dach (ä, er)
lamp die Lampe (n) shower die Dusche (n)
table der Tisch (e) bathtub die Badewanne (n)
sofa das Sofa (s) stairs/steps die Treppen
chair der Stuhl (ü, e) stove der Herd (e)
armchair der Sessel (-) oven der Backofen (ö)
mirror der Spiegel (-) refrigerator der Kühlschrank (e)
towel das Handtuch (ü, er) dishwasherdie Geschirrspülmaschine (n)
toilet die Toilette (n) faucet der Wasserhahn (ä, e)
wastebasket der Papierkorb (ö, e) pot, pan der Topf (ö, e)
bathroom sink das Waschbecken (-) drawer die Schublade (n)
(clothes) closetder (Kleider)schrank (ä, e)
silverware das Besteck
picture das Bild (er) dishes das Geschirr
nightstand der Nachttisch (e) kitchen sink das Spülbecken (-)
vase die Vase (n) desk der Schreibtisch (e)
dresser die Kommode (n) alarm clock der Wecker (-)
bed das Bett (en) shelf das Regal (e)
rug der Teppich (e) television der Fernseher (-)
room das Zimmer (-) telephone das Telefon (e)
bathroom das Badezimmer (-) VCR der Videorekorder (-)
bedroom das Schlafzimmer (-) CD Player der CD-Spieler (-)
living room das Wohnzimmer (-) computer der Computer (-)
kitchen die Küche (n) radio das Radio (s)
hallway/corridor der Flur (e) pillow das Kopfkissen (-)
balcony der Balkon (e) cupboard der Schrank (ä, e)
furniture die Möbelblanket, ceiling
die Decke (n)
wall die Wand (ä, e) door die Tür (en)
lawn der Rasen garden, yard der Garten (ä)
Remember that in Europe, buildings always start with the ground floor, and then the next floor up is the first floor. Many Americans would refer to these floors as the first floor and second floor, respectively, and not even use ground floor.
55. Location vs. Direction
Location: the prepositions in, an, auf and bei (followed by the dative case) are used with fixed locations, while aus and von (also followed by the dative case) are used to
signify origin.
in enclosed spacesIch bin in der Kirche.Wir sind in der Schule.
I'm at church.We are at school.
andenotes border or limiting area
Er ist am See.Das Bild ist an der Wand.
He is at the lake.The picture is on the wall.
aufon surfaces, or at public buildings
Es ist auf dem Tisch.Sie sind auf der Bank.
It's on the table.They are at the bank.
bei
before name of place or business where someone lives or works
Ich arbeite bei McDonald's.Ich wohne bei meiner Tante.
I work at McDonald's.I live at my Aunt's (house).
aus
comes from enclosed or defined space, such as country, town or building
Sie kommt aus dem Zimmer.Ich komme aus den USA.
She comes from the bedroom.I come from the USA.
voncomes from open space, particular direction or person
Das Auto kommt von rechts.Ich weiß es von ihm.
The car comes from the right.I know it from him.
Direction: the prepositions in and auf (followed by the accusative case) or zu and nach (followed by the dative case) are used.
in
building or enclosed space; countriesand cities that have definite articles*
Ich gehe in die Kirche.Ich fliege in die USA.
I'm going to church.I'm flying to the USA.
auf open spaces or public Er geht auf den He's going to the
buildings Markt. market.
zuspecifically named buildings or places,and people
Sie geht zum Strand.Sie gehen zu McDonald's.Ich gehe zur Bank.
She's going to the beach.They're going to McDonald'sI'm going to the bank.
nachcountries and cities that have no articles
Ich fliege nach Österreich.Ich fliege nach Paris.
I'm flying to Austria.I'm flying to Paris.
Only a few countries include the articles, such as der Iran (m.), die Niederlande (pl.), die Schweiz (f.), die Türkei (f.), and die USA (pl.), because they are not neuter.
Remember the two idioms with Haus: zu Hause is a location and means at home, while nach Hause is a direction and means (to) home.
56. Clothing
jacket die Jacke (n) ring der Ring (e)
dress das Kleid (er) necklace die Halskette (n)
blouse die Bluse (n) bracelet das Armband (ä, er)
shirt das Hemd (en) earring der Ohrring (e)
T-shirt das T-Shirt (s) glove der Handschuh (e)
skirt der Rock (ö, e) jeans die Jeans
sweater der Pullover (-) watch die Armbanduhr (en)
pullover der Pulli (s) glasses die Brille
tie die Krawatte (n) man's suit der Anzug (ü, e)
sock die Socke (n) woman's suit das Kostüm (e)
shoe der Schuh (e) sports jacket das Sakko (s)
boot der Stiefel (-) bag, pocket die Tasche (n)
sandal die Sandale (n) underwear die Unterwäsche
purse die Handtasche (n) pants die Hose (n)
belt der Gürtel (-) raincoat der Regenmantel (ä)
scarf der Schal (s) coat der Mantel (ä)
swimsuit der Badeanzug (ü, e) hat der Hut (ü, e)
A few words to describe patterns are: kariert - plaid, gepunktet - polka-dotted, gestreift - striped, geblümt - flowered, gemustert - patterned.
A few verbs that require dative objects can be used with clothing: gefallen - to like, passen - to fit, stehen - to look (good/bad)
Gefällt dir dieses Hemd? Do you like this shirt? Die Farbe steht mir nicht. The color doesn't look good on me.Größe 48 paßt ihr bestimmt. Size 48 fits her well.
57. Future Tense
The future tense is simple to form in German. Just use the present tense forms of werden and put the infinitive to the end of the sentence. However, German usually relies on the present tense to indicate the future (implied future) and uses time expressions, such as tonight, tomorrow, etc. so the actual future tense is not quite as common in German as it is in English. Wir gehen morgen nach Deutschland is translated as We are going to Germany tomorrow, and implies a future action, yet it uses the present tense, in both German and English. To express present or future probability, use wohl (probably) with the future tense.
Present tense of werden
werde werden
wirst werdet
wird werden
I will fly to Germany. Ich werde nach Deutschland fliegen.You will help me! Du wirst mir helfen!We will learn Latin. Wir werden Latein lernen.My friend should be home now. Mein Freund wird jetzt wohl zu Hause sein. (Expresses probability)
58. Asking Questions
1. Simply add a question mark
2. Invert the verb and subject
3. Use a question word + verb + subject
4. Add nicht wahr? to the end of the statement
59. Declensions of Adjectives
There are three types of declensions for adjectives: adjectives used with der words, adjectives used with ein words, and independent adjectives. Predicate adjectives (Das brot ist frisch. The bread is fresh.) are not declined and usually follow a form of sein.
Adjectives used after der words (Weak Endings)
Masc. Fem. Neu. Plural
Nom. der gute Wein die gute Milch das gute Brot die guten Freunde
Acc. den guten Wein die gute Milch das gute Brot die guten Freunde
Dat. dem guten Wein der guten Milch dem guten Brot den guten Freunden
Gen. des guten Weines der guten Milch des guten Brotes der guten Freunde
Adjectives used after ein words (Weak Endings)
Masc. Fem. Neu. Plural
Nom. kein guter Wein keine gute Milch kein gutes Brot keine guten Freunde
Acc. keinen guten Wein keine gute Milch kein gutes Brot keine guten Freunde
Dat.keinem guten Wein
keiner guten Milch
keinem guten Brot
keinen guten Freunden
Gen.keines guten Weines
keiner guten Milch
keines guten Brotes
keiner guten Freunde
The only difference between the adjectives used after der words and the adjectives used after ein
words are the masculine and neuter nominative, and neuter accusative. The rest of the endings are
the same. These types of attributive adjectives are the weak endings. The strong endings (below)
are used on adjectives that have no preceding article. They are the same as the endings for the der
words (with the exception of the masculine and neuter genitive.)
Independent Adjectives (Strong Endings)
Masc. Fem. Neu. Plural
Nom. guter Wein gute Milch gutes Brot gute Freunde
Acc. guten Wein gute Milch gutes Brot gute Freunde
Dat. gutem Wein guter Milch gutem Brot guten Freunden
Gen. guten Weines guter Milch guten Brotes guter Freunde
Viele (many), wenige (few), andere (other), einige (some), and mehrere (several) are all plural expressions that do not act as limiting words. Adjectives that follow them take strong endings. In the singular, mancher (many a) and solcher (such) also use strong endings (when used with another adjective in the singular, they turn into manch ein and so ein), but in the plural they function as normal limiting words.
60. Adjectives
short kurz high, tall hoch light hell
long lang wide breit dark dunkel
loud laut fat, thick dick terrible furchtbar
quiet ruhig thin dünn sweet süß
cute niedlich narrow eng in love verliebt
perfect perfekt weak schwach serious ernsthaft
sad traurig strong stark clean sauber
happy glücklich deep tief dirty schmutzig
dear lieb lazy faul shy schüchtern
famous berühmt cheap billig nervous nervös
different unterschiedlich dumb dumm comfortable bequem
easy leicht early früh worried besorgt
difficult schwierig near nah right richtig
pretty hübsch nice nett wrong falsch
ugly häßlich inexpensive preiswert jealous eifersüchtig
small klein expensive teuer drunk betrunken
large groß crazy verrückt popular beliebt
good gut far weit excellent ausgezeichnet
bad schlecht beautiful schön valuable wertvoll
new neu curious neugierig alone allein
tired müde old alt important wichtig
angry wütend young jung busy beschäftigt
annoying ärgerlich interesting interessant sick krank
wonderful wunderbar fantastic fantastisch ready fertig
61. Comparative & Superlative
For comparisons of equality, use the construction so + adjective or adverb + wie to mean as + adjective or adverb + as. You can also add nicht in front of the so for a comparison of inequality.
Die Küche ist so gross wie das Wohnzimmer. The kitchen is as big as the living room.Eine Waschmaschine ist nicht so schwer wie ein Kühlschrank. A washing machine is not as heavy as a refrigerator.
Comparative
1. For comparisons of superiority and inferiority, add -er to the adjective or adverb, followed by als (than). German always uses the -er ending, although English sometimes uses the word more before the adjective instead of the ending.
Ein radio is billiger als ein Fernseher. A radio is cheaper than a TV.Jens läuft schneller als Ernst. Jens runs faster than Ernst.Lydia ist intelligenter als ihr Bruder. Lydia is more intelligent than her brother.
2. Adjectives that end in -el, -en or -er, drop the -e in the comparative form. Teuer becomes teurer instead of teuerer, and dunkel becomes dunkler instead of dunkeler. Some one-syllable adjectives and adverbs whose stem vowel is a, o, or u add an umlaut in the comparative, such as alt, arm, dumm, grob, groß, hart, jung, kalt, klug, krank, kurz, lang, oft, scharf, schwach, stark, warm. Adjectives that never add an umlaut are flach, froh, klar, rasch, roh, schlank, stolz, toll, voll and zart.
Superlative
1. To form the superlative, add -(e)st to the adjective. The ending -est is used when the word ends in -d, -t, or an s sound. The adjectives that end in -el, -en, or -er retain the -s in the superlative form. The same adjectives that took an umlaut in the comparative take an umlaut in the superlative as well.
2. The superlative also has an alternative form: am + adjective or adverb + sten. When the adjective or adverb ends in a d, t or s sound, an e is inserted between the
stem and ending (am grössten is an exception.) This is the only form of the superlative of adverbs, but either forms of the superlative can be used for adjectives.
Hans is am jüngsten. Hans is the youngest.Sie ist am intelligentesten. She is the most intelligent.
Irregular Forms
Adj. / Adv. Comparative Superlative
gern lieber am liebsten
gut besser am besten
hoch höher am höchsten
nah näher am nächsten
viel mehr am meisten
Common forms of the comparative
Je mehr, desto besser. The more, the better.Je mehr Geld er hat, desto glücklicher ist er. The more money he has, the happier he is.Die preise werden immer höher. The prices are getting higher and higher.Julia wird immer hübscher. Julia is getting prettier and prettier.
Keep in mind that the comparative and superlative forms take normal adjective endings when they precede a noun. And the adjective form of the superlative must always take an adjective ending because it is preceded by the definite article.
Haben Sie billigere Anzüge? Do you have less expensive suits?Diese Anzüge sind die billigsten. These suits are the least expensive.
62. Sports & Hobbies
to do sports Sport treiben hang-gliding Drachen fliegen
golf Golf spielen windsurfing Windsurfing gehen
soccer Fußball spielen water-skiing Wasserski fahren
volleyballVolleyball spielen
fishing angeln
football Football spielen aerobics Aerobic machen
basketballBasketball spielen
bungee-jumping Bungee-jumping gehen
baseball Baseball spielen gymnastics turnen
hockeyEishockey spielen
mountaineering bergsteigen gehen
tennis Tennis spielen climbing klettern
table tennis Tischtennis spielen
judo Judo machen
bowling kegeln weight training Body-building machen
sailing segeln wrestling ringen
horseback riding reiten diving tauchen
boxing boxento tinker, build things
basteln
roller-skatingRollschuh laufen
to listen to music Musik hören
ice-skatingSchlittschuh laufen
to play cards Karten spielen
skiing Ski fahren to collect coins/stamps
Münzen/Briefmarken sammeln
bicycling Radfahrento play video games
Videospiele spielen
swimmingSchwimmen gehen
photography fotografieren
jogging joggen to do ceramics töpfern
hiking wandern to draw zeichnen
camping Camping gehen to play chess Schach spielen
gardeningim Garten arbeiten
to knit stricken
go out with friends mit Freunden ausgehen
to watch TV fernsehen
to lie around, be lazy
faulenzen go to the movies ins Kino gehen
A lot of sports/hobbies exist as nouns and as verbs, so just as in English, you can say either I like to fish or I like to go fishing. If it's capitalized, it's a noun and if it's not capitalized, it's a verb.
kegeln - to bowldas Kegeln - bowling
63. Nature
barn die Scheune (n) stream der Bach (ä, e)
bridge die Brücke (n) sky der Himmel
hill der Hügel (-) island der Insel (n)
mountain der Berg (e) air die Luft
beach der Strand (ä, e) meadow die Wiese (n)
lake der See (n) desert die Wüste (n)
river die Fluss (ü, e) pond der Teich (e)
street die Straße (n) grass das Gras
farm der Bauernhof (ö, e) leaf das Blatt (ä, er)
field das Feld (er) flower die Blume (n)
forest der Wald (ä, er) ocean der Ozean (e)
plant die Pflanze (n) tree der Baum (ä, e)
city die Stadt (ä, e) country das Land (ä, er)
sea die See / das Meer (e) valley das Tal (ä, er)
bay die Bucht (en) coast die Küste (n)
mountain range
das Gebirge jungle der Dschungel (-)
64. Object Pronouns
Subject (Nom.) Direct Objects (Acc.) Indirect Objects (Dat.)
ich I mich me mir (to) me
du you (fam.) dich you dir (to) you
er he ihn him ihm (to) him
sie she sie her ihr (to) her
es it es it ihm (to) it
wir we uns us uns (to) us
ihr you (pl.) euch you euch (to) you
sie they sie them ihnen (to) them
Sie you (pol.) Sie you Ihnen (to) you
If there are two nouns in a sentence, one accusative and one dative, then the dative noun will be first. However, if there are two pronouns, one accusative and one dative, then the accusative pronoun will be first. In sentences with one noun and one pronoun (regardless of which is accusative or dative), the pronoun will be first.
Some verbs always take indirect objects, even if they take direct objects in English. For verbs that
can take two objects, the direct object will usually be a thing, and the indirect object will usually
refer to a person.
antworten to answer (a person) The following four need an object as a subject:
schenken to give schaden to be harmful to
bringen to bring schmecken to taste good to
danken to thank stehen to suit
zuhören to listen to passen to fit
gehören to belong toThe following two need the subject and object inverted from the original English construction:
glauben to believe
helfen to help
gratulieren to congratulate fehlen to be missing to
begegnen to meet gefallen to be pleasing to
vertrauen to trust
empfehlen to recommend
geben to give
kaufen to buy
leihen to lend, borrow
sagen to tell, say
schicken to give as a gift
schreiben to write
wünschen to wish
zeigen to show
65. Parts of the Body
body der Körper (-) chin das Kinn (e)
arm der Arm (e) knee das Knie (-)
eye das Auge (n) bone der Knochen (-)
cheek die Backe (n) head der Kopf (ö, e)
belly der Bauch (ä, e) lip die Lippe (n)
leg das Bein (e) stomach der Magen (ä)
chest die Brust (ü, e) nail der Nagel (ä)
finger der Finger mouth der Mund (ü, er)
foot der Fuss (ü, e) nose die Nase (n)
ankle das Fussgelenk (e) ear das Ohr (en)
brain das Gehirn back der Rücken (-)
hair das Haar (e) shoulder die Schulter (n)
neck der Hals (ä, e) forehead die Stirn (en)
hand die Hand (ä, e) tooth der Zahn (ä, e)
wrist das Handgelenk (e) toe die Zehe (n)
skin die Haut (ä, e) tongue die Zunge (n)
heart das Herz (en) face das Gesicht (er)
jaw der Kiefer (-) cheek die Wange (n)
Ich fühle mich nicht wohl. I don't feel well.Mir ist schlecht. I feel sick.Mir ist kalt/warm. I'm cold/hot.Was fehlt dir? What's the matter?Der Hals tut mir weh. My throat hurts.
The separable verb wehtun is used to say that something hurts. Remember when the noun is plural, the verb needs to be plural as well and that parts of the body do not use possessive articles.
Die Füße tun ihm weh. His feet hurt. (The feet are hurting to him.)
Other health expressions:
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. I have a headache.
Ich habe Halsschmerzen. I have a sore throat.
Ich habe Rückenschmerzen. I have a backache.
Ich habe Bauchschmerzen. I have a stomachache.
Ich habe eine Erkältung. I have a cold.
Ich habe Fieber. I have a fever.
Ich habe die Grippe. I have the flu.
Ich habe Husten. I have a cough.
Ich habe Schnupfen. I have a head cold.
Ich habe zu viel gegessen. I ate too much.
Gute Besserung! Get well soon!
66. Relative Pronouns
Relative clauses begin with relative pronouns - words that correspond to who, whom, that and which in English. These may be omitted in English, but must be included in German. A comma always precedes the relative pronoun, which is put into the correct gender depending on the noun it refers to, and the correct case depending on its function in the clause. (In the following example, the relative pronoun is in the masculine accusative case because Mantel is masculine, and is a direct object of the verb "to buy", therefore, it is accusative.) The conjugated verb goes to the end of the sentence as well.
That's the coat (that) I bought yesterday.Das is der Mantel, den ich gestern gekauft habe.
Relative pronouns have the same gender and number as the nouns they refer to, and the forms closely resemble those of the definite articles:
Masc. Fem. Neu. Plural
Nom. der die das die
Acc. den die das die
Dat. dem der dem denen
Gen. dessen deren dessen deren
Examples
Nominative
Der Fluss, der durch Wien fliesst, heißt Donau.
The river, that through Vienna flows, is called the Danube.
The river that flows through Vienna is called the Danube.
Accusative
Der Hund, den ich letzte Woche gesehen habe, war Julias.
The dog, that I last week seen have, was Julia's.
The dog that I saw last week was Julia's.
Dative
Mein Vater ist der einzige Mensch, dem ich nichts davon erzählt habe.
My father is the only person, to whom I nothing about it told have.
My father is the only person (to) whom I have told nothing about it.
When a relative pronoun follows a preposition, the preposition determines the case, while the gender and number are determined by the noun. The preposition and pronoun always stay together as one unit as well.
Wer war die Frau, mit der ich dich gesehen habe?Who was the woman, with whom I you seen have?Who was the woman (whom) I saw you with?
67. Da- and Wo- Compounds
Personal pronouns are used after prepositions when referring to people. However, when you need to refer to a thing, a compound using da- (or dar- if the preposition begins with a vowel) plus the preposition is used.
auf dem Tisch (on the table) becomes darauf (on it)
in der Tasche (in the pocket) becomes darin (in it)
vor der Schule (in front of the school) becomes davor (in front of it)
hinter den Häusern (behind the houses) becomes dahinter (behind them)
zwischen dem Haus und der Schule (between the house and the school) becomes dazwischen (between them)
Da(r) Compounds
daraus out of it/them dagegen against it/them darüber over it/them
damit with it/them darin in it/them darunterunderneath it/them
davon from it/them daran in it/them daneben next to it/them
dazu to it/them daraufon top of it/them
dazwischen between it/them
dadurchthrough it/them
dahinter behind it/them dabei on me/you
dafür for it/them davorin front of it/them
darum that's why
Dahin is commonly used with verbs of motion to show location, regardless of the preposition used. The English translation is usually there. Dahin can be shortened to hin in everyday speech, and sometimes da is placed at the beginning of the sentence and hin is placed at the end.
Ich muß heute zur Bank. I have to go to the bank.Ich muß auch dahin. I have to go there too.
Dabei and darum are idioms. Hast du Geld dabei? Do you have any money on you? Darum hast du kein Glück. That's why you have no luck.
Not all prepositions + pronouns can be replaced by the da(r) compounds. Ohne, ausser, and seit
can never form a da(r) compound, and here are others that cannot:
ohnedies without it stattdessen instead
bis dahin until then trotzdem nevertheless
ausserdem besides währenddessen in the meanwhile
seit dem since deswegen for that reason
There are also corresponding questions word that use wo(r)- as the prefix. Wo(r) can be
substituted in all of the above da(r) compounds. When asking about people, use a preposition and
wen/wem, and use a preposition and the corresponding personal pronoun to answer.
Worüber sprechen Sie? Ich spreche darüber.
What are you talking about? I'm talking about it.
Woran denkst du? Ich denke daran.
What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about it.
Mit wem gehst du ins Theater? Mit ihr!
Who are you going to the Theater with? With her!
Wo- compounds can also be used as shortcuts for the relative pronouns because you do not need to the know the gender or case to form the relative pronoun. This shortcut can only be used with things and not people.
Die Uhr, mit der er reist, hat viel gekostet. = Die Uhr, womit er reist, hat viel gekostet.The watch, with which he travels, cost a lot.
Die Stadt, in der wir wohnen, hat ein großes Konzerthaus. = Die Stadt, worin wir wohnen, hat ein großes Konzerthaus.The city, in which we live, has a large concert hall.
68. Animals
animal das Tier (e) bull der Stier (e)
bear der Bär (en) wolf der Wolf (ö, e)
squirrel das Eichhörnchen (-) worm der Wurm (ü, er)
fox der Fuchs (ü, e) bird der Vogel (ö)
hare die Hase (n) rooster der Hahn (ä, e)
dog der Hund (e) hen die Henne (n)
calf das Kalb (ä, er) eagle der Adler (-)
rabbit das Kaninchen (-) chick das Küken (-)
cat die Katze (n) ant die Ameise (n)
kitten das Kätzchen (-) bee die Biene (n)
cow die Kuh (ü, e) fly die Fliege (n)
lion der Löwe (n) grasshopper die Heuschrecke (n)
mouse die Maus (ä, e) moth die Motte(n)
horse das Pferd (e) mosquito die Mücke (n)
rat die Ratte (n) butterfly der Schmetterling (e)
turtle die Schildkröte (n) spider die Spinne (n)
snake die Schlange (n) chicken das Huhn
69. Likes and Dislikes
Use the words gern, nicht gern, lieber, and am liebsten after a verb to express preferences.
Ich spiele gern Fussball. I like to play soccer.
Ich spiele lieber Hockey I prefer to play hockey.
Ich spiele am liebsten Tennis. I like to play tennis most of all.
Ich spiele nicht gern Basketball. I don't like to play Basketball.
Or just use haben with any of the four phrases for general likes/dislikes.
Ich habe Fussball gern. I like soccer.
Ich habe Julia am liebsten. I like Julia most of all.
Ich habe das Restaurant nicht gern. I don't like the restaurant.
Gefallen is another verb used for expressing likes. It literally means to please. To use it
correctly, you must switch the object in English with the subject in German. Das Zimmer is the
object in English, but it becomes the subject in German. And the object in German (mir) would
become the subject in English (I). It is always in the dative case in German.
German sentence Literally Translated
Das Zimmer gefällt mir. The room pleases me. I like the room.
You could always just use the verb mögen to express likes and dislikes, but another common way of saying that you like (doing) something is macht spaß.
Was macht dir spaß? What do you like (to do)?Fußball macht mir spaß. I like soccer.
70. Past Perfect Tense
The Past Perfect Tense or Pluperfect corresponds to the English had + past participle and refers to something that had already happened when something else happened. It consists of the imperfect of haben or sein and a past participle and is comparable to the present perfect tense.
Present perfect: Ich habe in Wiesbaden gewohnt. I (have) lived in Wiesbaden.Past perfect: Ich hatte in Wiesbaden gewohnt. I had lived in Wiesbaden.
Present perfect: Was ist passiert? What (has) happened?Past perfect: Was war passiert? What had happened?
71. Als, wenn and wann
All three words correspond to when and act as subordinating conjunctions (therefore, the conjugated verb goes to the end of the sentence.) Als is used in past time contexts for a single event, wenn is used to mean whenever or if, as well as in future time, and wann is an adverb of time or a question word and can be used in declarative sentences.
Als ich ihn fand...When I found him.. (followed by simple past tense)
Wenn er kommt...Whenever he comes...If he comes...When he comes... (followed by future tense)
Ich weiß nicht, wann er kommt.
I don't know when (or at what time) he's coming.
72. Review of Word Order
1. In most sentences, the order is subject - verb - time - manner - place.
Ich gehe morgen mit dem Bus in die Schule. I'm going to school tomorrow by bus.
2. Sometimes another element begins a sentence instead of a subject. Then the verb is still in the second position, but the subject follows it.
Morgen gehe ich mit dem Bus in die Schule. Tomorrow I'm going to school by bus.
3. In sentences with more than one verb or with past participles, the conjugated verb remains in the normal position and the infinitive or past participle goes to the end of the sentence.
Ich will nach Hause gehen. I want to go home.Ich habe dir geglaubt. I believed you.
4. When asking questions, you can usually just invert the subject and verb.
Kann ich jetzt gehen? Can I go now?
5. In sentences with dependent clauses (phrases that have a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as sentences), the verb in the dependent clause is last. Dependent clauses are introduced with a comma and certain conjunctions, such as als-when, bevor-before, bis-until, damit-so that, dass-that, wenn-if/when, ob-whether, obwohl-although, nachdem-after, da-since, während-while, weil-because, and wie-how. However, these conjunctions use normal word order: und-and, oder-or, aber-but, denn-for/because.
Ich bleibe im Bett, wenn ich krank bin. I stay in bed when I am sick.
6. If there is a separable prefix verb in a dependent clause, the prefix remains attached to the verb, and the entire verb goes to the end of the sentence, whereas normally the prefix would go to the end.
Er ist immer müde, wenn er früh aufsteht. He is always tired when he gets up early.
7. When there are two verbs in a dependent clause (such as a modal and an infinitive), the modal goes last, following the infinitive.
Er ist müde, wenn er früh aufstehen muss. He is tired when he must get up early.
8. And when a dependent clause begins a sentence, it acts as an element, therefore the subject and verb in the following clause are inverted.
Wenn ich krank bin, bleibe ich im Bett. When I am sick, I stay in bed.
9. If you have both direct and indirect pronouns in your sentence, remember that if the direct object is a noun it is placed after the indirect object. If the direct object is a pronoun, it goes before the indirect object. So basically the only time the accusative is placed before the dative is when the accusative is a pronoun.
Ich schenke meinem Bruder eine Krawatte. I give my brother a tie.Ich schenke sie meinem Bruder. I give it to my brother.
73. Flavoring Particles
German has many words that cannot be translated literally into English. These words are mostly
for emphasis.
doch yes, of coursecounteracts negative statement, used for persuasion, or implies something is obvious
ja really emphasis
aber is it ever emphasis
denn well then indicates impatience, or adds emphasis to question
gerade right now immediacy
nur, bloß
only, just
malsometime, someday
used in suggestions, or softens commands
74. Colloquial Expressions and Idioms
In informal speech and writing, es is commonly contracted with the preceding word by 's. Geht es = geht's
Es is also used as an impersonal pronoun (es regnet, it's raining), but it can also be used as an introductory word for emphasis or stylistic reasons. Es begins the sentence, and the true subject follows the verb.
Es ist niemand zu Hause. No one is at home.Es kommen heute drei Kinder. Three children are coming today.
Es can also be used to anticipate a dependent clause or infinitive phrase. This is almost like in English when we say I hate it when that happens instead of I hate when that happens. "It" has no real meaning in the first sentence, but it is not incorrect to say it.
Ich kann es nicht glauben, daß er sich vor nichts fürchtet. I can't believe that he's not afraid of anything.Er haßt es, nichts davon zu wissen. He hates not knowing anything about it.
Other idioms:
Sie ist mit ihrem Urteil immer sehr schnell bei der Hand. She makes her judgments rather quickly. (Literally: She is quick at hand with her judgments.)
Alles ist in Butter. Everything is fine. (Literally: Everything is in butter.)
Er geht mit dem Kopf durch die Wand. He does as he pleases. (Literally: He goes with his head through the wall.)
75. Word Formation
Noun compoundsGerman uses compounds more often than English and they are formed by simply putting the two words together (sometimes adding an -n or -s in between), and using the gender of the last word. Die Woche (week) + der Tag (day) = der Wochentag (Days of the week)
The prefix un-As in English, the prefix un- gives a word a negative or opposite meaning. klar (clear) - unklar (unclear)
The suffix -losThis suffix is often the equivalent of the English suffix -less, and is used to form adjectives and adverbs from nouns. das Ende (the end) - endlos (endless)
The suffix -haftThe suffix -haft is used to form adjectives from nouns so as to designate related qualities. das Kind (the child) - kindhaft (childlike)
The suffix -ungThis suffix may be added to the stem of a verb to form a noun. All nouns ending in -ung are feminine. wandern (to hike) - die Wanderung (the hike)
The suffix -erThis suffix designates a person is from a certain place. Frankfurt (a city) - Frankfurter (a person from Frankfurt)
The suffix -inThis suffix designates a female person and is added to the male counterpart. Architekt (male architect) - Architektin (female architect)
76. Adjectival Nouns
When referring to people, adjectives can sometimes be used as nouns. The definite article precedes the adjective, which is now capitalized because it is functioning as a noun. The adjectival nouns take the regular adjective endings for adjectives preceded by a der word as well.
der Alte - the old mandie Alte - the old womandas Alte - everything that is olddie Alten - the old people
77. Ordinal Numbers
To form the ordinal numbers, just add -te to the cardinal numbers for 1-19, and -ste for 20 and up. The exceptions are erste, dritte, siebte, and achte.
first erste eleventh elfte
second zweite twelfth zwölfte
third dritte thirteenth dreizehnte
fourth vierte fourteenth vierzehnte
fifth fünfte fifteenth fünfzehnte
sixth sechste sixteenth sechzehnte
seventh siebte seventeenth siebzehnte
eighth achte eighteenth achtzehnte
ninth neunte nineteenth neunzehnte
tenth zehnte twentieth zwanzigste
In writing dates, German uses the number followed by a period. On February 2nd would be am 2. Februar. However, when saying this out loud, you would say am zweiten Februar. You must use the construction am + -en to answer a question beginning with Wann? But you use the construction der + -e to answer the question Welches Datum?
Wann sind Sie geboren? When were you born?Am achzehnten Mai. On May 18th.
Welches Datum is heute? What is today's date?Heute ist der neunte Oktober. Today is October ninth.
78. Passive Voice
To change a sentence from the active to the passive, change three things:
1. accusative object of active sentence to nominative subject of passive sentence2. active verb to a tense of werden (same tense!) plus the past participle of verb in active sentence3. subject to von + dative object in the passive sentence, if agent is mentioned
Present TenseViele Studenten lesen diesen Roman. = Dieser Roman wird von vielen Studenten gelesen.Many students read this novel. = This novel is read by many students.
Imperfect TenseViele Studenten lasen diesen Roman. = Dieser Roman wurde von vielen Studenten gelesen.Many students read this novel. = This novel was read by many students.
Future TenseViele Studenten werden diesen Roman lesen. = Dieser Roman wird von vielen Studenten gelesen werden.Many students will read this novel. = This novel will be read by many students.
Present Perfect TenseViele Studenten haben diesen Roman gelesen. = Dieser Roman ist von vielen Studenten gelesen worden.Many students have read this novel. = This novel has been read by many students.
Past Perfect TenseViele Studenten hatten diesen Roman gelesen. = Dieser Roman war von vielen Studenten gelesen worden.Many students had read this novel. = This novel had been read by many students.
*Notice that in the passive voice, the past participle of werden is worden and not geworden.
Durch can replace von when the agent is an impersonal force (fire, wind, etc.); but it cannot be used if preceded by a limiting word (such as an article or adjective.)
Passive with modalsShifts in tense will only affect the modal part of the sentence. The infinitive forms of the past participles are used with modals in the passive voice as well. And where you might expect something like Das Haus hat werden müssen verkauft, the actual construction is Das Haus hat verkauft werden müssen because of the double infinitive construction. Double infinitives always go to the end of the sentence, but you only need to worry about these in the present perfect and past perfect tenses.
Passive InfinitivesTo be + past participle in English is translated as the past participle + werden in German. With a passive infinitive, usually only the present or simple past of modals is used.
Die Tiere konnten gerettet werden. The animals were able to be saved.
79. Problems with the Passive
False PassiveGrammatically, the false passive is the same as sein + an adjective. This construction describes a condition rather than an action. Das Haus ist verkauft is the false passive, while das Haus wird verkauft is the true passive. The false passive sentence indicates that the house is already sold (condition), while the true passive indicates the house is in the process of being sold (action).
Passive with Absentee SubjectsPassive forms may have a definite or indefinite subject, or no apparent subject at all. The accusative object of an active sentence becomes the nominative subject of the passive sentence. But sometimes there is no accusative object. Since a verb cannot be in the first position of sentence without turning the sentence into a question, es is used as the subject.
Man antwortet ihnen nicht is an active sentence, but if it were turned into the passive, there would be no accusative object. The passive would have to be es wird ihnen nicht geantwortet. (Here werden agrees with the apparent subject, es.)
But if another element, such as a dative object or time expression, can be put in the first position, then es is omitted. Ihnen wird nicht geantwortet can also be used as the passive. There is no apparent subject, only an implied es, so the form of werden remains wird to agree with es.
80. Avoiding the Passive
1. The construction man + an active verb can be used instead of the passive voice. Man translates to one, you, we, they, people and constitutes the subject.
Diese Bluse wird gereinigt. This blouse is being dry-cleanedMan reinigt diese Bluse. They are dry-cleaning this blouse.
Der Dieb wurde gefunden. The thief was caughtMan fand den Dieb. They caught the thief.
2. Man + modal + an infinitive is frequently used with müssen or können.
Der Flecken kann nicht entfernt werden. The stain cannot be removed.Den Flecken kann man nicht entfernen. We can't remove the stain.
3. Sein + zu + an infinitive can be used with können or müssen to express the possibility or necessity of an action.
Das kann schnell gemacht werden. That can be done quickly.Das ist schnell zu machen. That is quickly done.
4. Sich lassen + an infinitive can replace können and a passive infinitive.
Das kann gemacht werden. That can be done.Das läßt sich machen. That can be done.
Die Loreleiby Heinrich Heine
Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten I know not, what it is portending
Daß ich so traurig bin; that I am so depressed;
Ein Märchen aus alten Zeiten a legend from olden days past
Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn. will not leave my mind alone.
Die Luft ist kühl und es dunkelt, The breeze is cool and it darkens,
Und ruhig fließt der Rhein; and peaceful flows the Rhine;
Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt the peak of the mountain sparkles
Im Abendsonnenschein. with evening's setting sun.
Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet The fairest maiden sits perched
Dort oben wunderbar, right up there wondrously,
Ihr gold'nes Geschmeide blitzet her golden jewelry flashes
Sie kämmt ihr gold'nes Haar. she combs her golden hair.
Sie kämmt es mit gold'nem Kamme She combs with a comb all golden
Und singt ein Lied dabei; and thus she sings a song;
Das hat eine wundersame that has a mysteriously
Gewaltige Melodei. Tyrannical melody.
Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe The sailor in tiny vessel
ergreift es mit wildem Weh, is seized with a savage woe,
Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe, he sees not the rocky reef edge,
Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'. he looks only up toward the height.
Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen I think that the waves have devoured
Am Ende Schiffer und Kahn; at last the sailor and boat;
Und das hat mit ihrem Singen and that's the deed, by her singing
Die Lorelei getan. the Lorelei has done.
81. Showing Purpose
Weil (because) + a dependent clause shows the reason for an action; however, damit and um…zu (so that, in order to) show the goal of an action. Damit is also followed by a dependent clause, whereas um…zu introduces an infinitive.
Sie macht das Fenster zu, damit sie nicht friert. = Sie macht das Fenster zu, um nicht zu frieren.She closes the window, so that she won't freeze . = She closes the window, in order to not freeze.
Commonly, you use damit when the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the dependent clause, and um…zu when the understood subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the main clause.
82. Shopping
box die Schachtel
VCR der Videorecorder
camera die Kamera
video camera die Videokamera
film der Film
wristwatch die Armbanduhr
handkerchief das Taschentuch
perfume das Parfüm
wallet der Geldbeutel, die Geldbörse
radio das Radio
razor das Rasiermesser
size die Größe
department (in store) die Abteilung
greeting card die Glückwunschkarte
83. Post Office and Bank
letter der Brief teller der Kassierer (in)
postcard die Postkarte bill der Schein
stamp die Briefmarke check der Scheck
phone booth die Telefonzelle checkbook das Scheckbuch
mailbox der Briefkasten ATM der Geldautomat
mail slot der Briefeinwurf key die Schlüssel
address die Adresse lock das Schloß
sender/return address
der Absender filing cabinet der Aktenschrank
label das Etikettsafety deposit box
das Bankschließfach
packing tapedas Paketklebeband
notepad der Notizblock
package das Paket credit card die Kreditkarte
postmark der Poststempel security camera die Überwachungsanlage
rubber band das Gummiband security guard die Wache
ink pad das Stempelkissendrive-thru window
der Autoschalter
string die Schnur safe der Tresor
84. Zu with Infinitives
Infinitives are usually preceded by zu (except when modals are used) when they act as complements of verbs, adjectives or nouns. Zu + infinitive is always the last element in a sentence. If a separable prefix is used in the infinitive, the zu is inserted between the prefix and the stem.
Hast du Lust, den Dom zu besichtigen? Do you feel like visiting the cathedral?Es dauert lange, durch die Stadt zu fahren. It takes a long time to drive through the city.Es ist zu früh um aufzustehen. It is too early to get up.
Um, ohne and anstatt can be used with zu as well. They introduce infinitival clauses. Um.. zu is used to indicate purpose, while ohne...zu and anstatt...zu are used with
infinitives, and translated as present participles in English. (Um...zu must be used instead of just zu when the English equivalent "in order to" can be used sensibly.)
Er kam, um das Buch abzuholen. He came in order to pick up the book.Sie sagte es, ohne mich anzusehen. She said it, without looking at me.Statt hier zu sitzen, sollten wir ihn suchen. Instead of sitting here, we should look for him.
Sein + zu + an infinitive is used the same way in English and German, but the construction is far more common in German.
Das ist nicht zu machen. That can't be done.Das ist in jedem Laden zu finden. That can be found in any store.
The verbs brauchen (to need) and scheinen (to seem, appear) are often used with zu + an infinitive. Brauchen in the negative is usually translated as to not have to, and is the opposite of müssen.
Es scheint kaputt zu sein. It seems to be broken. Ich brauche heute nicht zu arbeiten. I don't have to work today.
85. Office & School Supplies
compact disc die Compact Disc calculator der Taschenrechner
floppy disk die Diskette eraser der Radiergummi
document das Dokument notebook das Heft
computer der Computer folder das Prospekt
monitor der Monitor colored pencil der Buntstift
keyboard die Tastatur ruler das Lineal
mouse die Mauspencil sharpener
der Anspitzer (or Spitzer)
printer der Drucker pencil der Bleistift
memo die Mitteilung pen der Kuli
paper das Papier scissors die Schere
photocopier das Fotokopierer glue der Klebstoff
typewriterdie Schreibmaschine
binder der Ordner
software die Software chalk die Kreide
file / computer file
die Akten / die Datei
chalkboard die Tafel
cabinet der Schrank backpack der Rucksack
briefcase die Aktentasche stapler die Heftmaschine
86. Expressions of Time
The accusative case is used to indicate definite time when no preposition is used.
Letzten Sonntag blieb ich zu Hause. Last Sunday I stayed home.Sie fährt nächste Woche nach Deutschland. She's going to Germany next week.Er hat uns voriges Jahr besucht. He visited us last year.
Time expressions with the prepositions an, in and vor are in the dative case.
Wir müssen am Sonntag zurück. We must return on Sunday.In der Nacht wird es kalt. It gets cold at night.Vor drei Jahren war es hier genau so kalt. Three years ago it was just as cold here.
The genitive case is used to express indefinite time, and may refer to the future or past.
Eines Tages war er krank. One day he was sick.Eines Morgens wird er zu spät kommen. One morning he'll be late.
87. Travelling / Airport
Customs Office das Zollamt
Airline Office das Büro der Fluglinie
Travel Agency das Reisebüro
Information Office das Auskunftsbüro
Train Station der Bahnhof (ö, e)
departure die Abfahrt (en)
arrival die Ankunft (ü, e)
flight tickets die Flugkarten
baggage das Gepäck
bag die Tasche (-n)
suitcase der Koffer (-)
passport der Pass (ä, e)
left links
right rechts
next (to) neben
near bei
straight ahead geradeaus
along the (noun) (acc. noun +) entlang
over the (noun) über (+ acc. noun)
past the (noun) an (noun) vorbei
up to, as far as the (noun) bis zu (noun)
across from the (noun) gegenüber von (noun)
88. Another
Ein(e) ander- and noch ein- both mean another, but they cannot be used interchangeably. Ein(e) ander- means a different one, and ander- takes the adjective endings for adjectives preceded by ein words. Noch ein means one more.
Sollen wir ein anderes Mal wiederkommen? Should we come again at another (a different) time?
Möchtest du noch einen Raum anschauen? Would you like to look at another (one more) room?
89. Cosmetics & Toiletries
toothbrush die Zahnbürste hair spray der Haarfestiger
toothpaste die Zahnpasta hair dryer der Fön
dental floss die Zahnseide nail polish der Nagellack
hair brush die Bürste mascara die Wimperntusche
comb der Kamm lipstick der Lippenstift
shampoo das Shampoo powder der Puder
curling iron der Lockenstab soap die Seife
shaving cream die Rasiercreme makeup die Schminke
razor das Rasiermesser perfume das Parfüm
mousse der Schaum cologne das Kölnisch Wasser
90. Subjunctive II or General Subjunctive (Conditional)
This subjunctive mood is used to make statements that are contrary to fact, instead of factual statements that are made in the indicative mood. There are two forms of the German subjunctive: Subjunctive II and Subjunctive I. Subjunctive II or the general subjunctive is used with if...then (wenn... dann) statements and conditional sentences. Subjunctive I or special subjunctive is a less common mood that is used with indirect discourse. (If you study other languages with a subjunctive mood, please don't confuse it with the German subjunctive. They are not the same!)
The present tense of Subjunctive II is derived from the simple past / imperfect tense of the
indicative. For weak (regular) verbs, the subjunctive II is the same as the simple past tense. For
strong (irregular) verbs, the present tense of the subjunctive II uses the stem of the simple past,
adds an umlaut where possible, and then adds the following endings:
-e-est-e
-en-et-en
Strong verbs in the subjunctive II
gehen fahren fliegen
gingegingestginge
gingengingetgingen
führeführestführe
führenführetführen
flögeflögestflöge
flögenflögetflögen
Sein, haben and werden in the subjunctive II
sein haben werden
wärewärestwäre
wärenwäretwären
hättehättesthätte
hättenhättethätten
würdewürdestwürde
würdenwürdetwürden
Some exceptions include the mixed verbs, modals and wissen which use the same endings as the
simple past:
Imperfekt Subjunctive II
brachtedachtedurftekonntemochte
brächtedächtedürftekönntemöchte
solltewolltemußtewußte
solltewolltemüßtewüßte
The past tense of Subjunctive II is simply the subjunctive II of sein or haben (whichever auxiliary the verb takes in the indicative) and a past participle. The future tense of Subjunctive II is the subjunctive II of werden and an infinitive.
Conditional sentencesThese sentences are based on an if... then (wenn... dann) pattern in both English and German. Dann can be omitted in these sentences also. Remember that wenn is a subordinating conjunction, and forces the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.
Present Subj. II: Wenn ich Zeit hätte, (dann) ginge ich ins Kino. If I had time, (then) I would go to the movies.Past Subj. II: Wenn ich Zeit gehabt hätte, dann wäre ich ins Kino gegangen. If I had had time, (then) I would have gone to the movies.
Wenn clauses may be introduced by a verb, and in this case, wenn disappears and dann may be replaced by so:
Kommt er heute nicht, (so) kommt er morgen. If he's not coming today, then he'll come tomorrow.
A conditional sentence may begin with the dann clause as well; but in this case, dann is not actually used and the clause uses normal word order:
Wir trinken den Kaffee nicht, wenn er zu heiß ist. We don't drink coffee if it is too hot.
Forms of würden + an infinitiveWürde and an infinitive translates to would + infinitive and is more common than the one word form in the dann clause. Wenn clauses tend to avoid the würde construction, except with these eight verbs: helfen, stehen, sterben, werfen, brennen, kennen, nennen, and rennen. These eight verbs use the würde construction in the wenn clause because the one word forms are archaic. Moreover, conversational German tends to replace many subjunctive II forms of strong verbs with the würde construction. However, this construction is generally not used with the modal auxiliaries, wissen, haben or sein.
Wenn ich Zeit dann ginge ich ins Kino. If I had time, I would go to the
hätte, dann würde ich ins Kino gehen. movies.
Wenn ich Geld hätte,
dann flöge ich nach Deutschland.dann würde ich nach Deutschland fliegen.
If I had money, I would fly to Germany.
91. Other uses of Subjunctive II
1. Being PoliteTo be more polite, use the subjunctive II form of the modals.
Subjunctive II forms of modals
können müssen dürfen sollen wollen mögen
ich könnte müsste dürfte sollte wollte möchte
du könntest müsstest dürftest solltest wolltest möchtest
er, sie, es könnte müsste dürfte sollte wollte möchte
wir könnten müssten dürften sollten wollten möchten
ihr könntet müsstet dürftet solltet wolltet möchtet
sie könnten müssten dürften sollten wollten möchten
Könnten sie mir bitte helfen? Could you please help me?Dürfte ich Ihr Telefon benutzen? Could I use your phone?
In modern German, the subjunctive forms of mögen has become almost a synonym of wollen. Was willst du? = What do you want? Was möchtest du? = What would you like?
Hätte gern is also becoming common as a synonym for "would like" especially when ordering food. Wir hätten gern zwei Colas, bitte. = We would like two colas, please.
Note that these polite forms are only limited to the modal verbs, sein, haben and werden. For this reason, you may hear Würden Sie mir helfen? but never Hülfen Sie mir?
2. Expressing Wishes The subjunctive II is also used to express wishes. These phrases generally begin with "I wish" or "If only" in English. Wenn (if) can be omitted from these statements, but then you must move the conjugated verb in the subjunctive II to the place of wenn at the beginning of the phrase. When expressing wishes, the present and past tenses of the subjunctive II can be used.
Wenn ich nur noch jung wäre! = Wäre ich nur noch jung! I wish I were still young! / If only I were still young! Wenn er nur früher gekommen wäre! = Wäre er nur früher gekommen! If only he had come earlier! Wenn sie doch mehr Zeit gehabt hätten! = Hätten sie doch mehr Zeit gehabt! If only they had had more time!
Ich wünschte and ich wollte (I wish) are fixed expressions followed by the subjunctive II or würde + infinitive. Another expression always followed by the subjunctive is an deiner Stelle (in your place / If I were you) when giving advice.
92. Subjunctive I or Special Subjunctive (Indirect Discourse)
The Subjunctive I form is used with indirect discourse when reporting what someone says in a formal, impartial way. The indicative can also be used to imply a statement of fact, while the subjunctive II can be used to imply the statement is open to question (since subjunctive II is used with contrary to fact statements.) These three distinctions are quite subtle, although they are important. In everyday conversation, the tendency is to avoid the subjunctive I and to choose instead between the indicative and subjunctive II.
The present tense of Subjunctive I is derived from the present tense of the indicative and
formed by adding the following endings to the stem of the verb. Note that the subjunctive I forms
never have the stem vowel change found in their present indicative counterparts (a does not
become ä, e does not become ie, etc.)
-e-est-e
-en-et-en
Haben, werden and wissen in the subjunctive I
haben werden wissen
habehabesthabe
habenhabethaben
werdewerdestwerde
werdenwerdetwerden
wissewissestwisse
wissenwissetwissen
Notice that sein has no endings in the ich and er forms:
seiseiestsei
seienseietseien
The past tense of Subjunctive I is derived from the present perfect tense of the indicative. It is composed of the subjunctive I form of haben or sein and a past participle. The future tense of Subjunctive I is simply the subjunctive I form of werden and an infinitive.
TensesThe tense used in an indirect quotation is dependent upon the tense used in the direct quotation
that underlies it. If the direct quotation is in the present tense of the indicative, then the indirect
quotation must be in the present tense of the subjunctive I. If the direct quotation is in any tense
referring to past time in the indicative (simple past, present perfect, or past perfect), then the
indirect quotation is in the past tense of the subjunctive I. Subjunctive I only has one tense when
referring to past time, as compared to the three tenses of the indicative. If the direct quotation is in
the future tense, then the future tense of subjunctive I is used. If the original quotation is in
subjunctive II, then the indirect quotation will also be in subjunctive II.
Tense in direct quotation Tense in indirect quotation
present indicative present subjunctive I
simple past, present perfect, past perfect indicative
past subjunctive I
future indicative future subjunctive I
subjunctive II subjunctive II
In certain cases, the subjunctive I forms and the indicative forms are identical, so the subjunctive II forms must be used instead. Overall, you can use subjunctive I solely for the third person singular form, and use subjunctive II forms for all other persons.
93. Parts of a Car
brake die Bremse (n) wheel das Rad (ä, er)
horn die Hupe (n) carder Wagen (-) / der PKW
hood die Motorhaube (n) traffic light die Ampel (n)
flat tire die Reifenpanne (n) highway die Autobahn (en)
gear der Gang (ä, e) intersection die Kreuzung (en)
trunk der Kofferraum (ä, e)(one-way) street
die (Einbahn)straße (n)
tire der Reifen (-) pedestrian der Fussgänger (-)
windshield wiper
der Scheibenwischer (-)
sidewalk der Fussgängerweg (e)
seat belt der Sicherheitsgurt (e) traffic jam der Stau (s)
seat der Sitz (e) ticket der Strafzettel (-)
steering wheel das Lenkrad (ä, er) (traffic) signdas (Verkehrs)schild (er)
parking space die Parklücke (n) license plate das Nummernschild (er)
Der PKW is short for der Personenkraftwagen. Der LKW is also commonly used to mean truck. It is short for der Lastkraftwagen.
94. Present Participle
To form the present participle, simply add -d to the infinitive. It usually functions as an adjective and takes the normal adjective endings. It can also function as an adverb, but then of course, it does not add any endings.
kochendes Wasser - boiling waterdie führenden Kritiker - the leading critics im kommenden Sommer - in the coming summer
Sie spricht fließend Deutsch. She speaks German fluently.
95. In the Ocean
scuba diver
wet suit
flipper
oxygen tank
der Taucher
der Wasseranzug
die Schwimmflosse
der Lufttank
shipwreck
helm
anchor
treasure chest
der Schiffbruch
der Helm
der Anker
die Schatzkiste
snorkel
mask
starfish
jellyfish
sea urchin
sea horse
seaweed
fishing line
fish hook
der Schnorchel
die Tauchermaske (or Tauchmask)
der Seestern
die Qualle
der Seeigel
das Seepferdchen
der Seetang
die Angelschnur
der Angelhaken
barnacle
coral
seashell
wave
sand
bubble
clam
crab
die Entenmuschel
die Koralle
die Muschel
die Welle
der Sand
die Blase
die Muschel
die Krabbe
96. Als ob / Als wenn
The conjunctions als wenn and als ob are interchangeable; they both mean "as if" or "as though." Both introduce a dependent clause, so the conjugated verb must go to the end. In addition, both require the subjunctive II.
Als ob ich das nicht wüßte! As if I didn't know that!Er tut, als wenn er nichts Besseres zu tun hätte. He acts as though he had nothing better to do.
97. In Space
astronaut
space shuttle
control panel
satellite
spaceship
der Astronaut
die Raumfähre
die Kontrolltafel
der Satellit
das Raumschiff
beaker
test tube
galaxy
Earth
moon
das Becherglas
das Reagenzglas
die Milchstraße
die Erde
der Mond
alien
asteroid
space suit
lunar rover
landing capsule
space station
solar panel
meteor shower
constellation
solar system
der Ausserirdische
der Asteroid
der Raumanzug
das Mondfahrzeug
das Landungsgerät
die Raumstation
die Sonnenzellen
der Meteorschwarm
das Sternbild
das Sonnensystem
sun
planet
rings
crater
stars
comet
rocket
robot
nebula
laboratory
die Sonne
der Planet
die Höfe
der Krater
die Sterne
der Komet
die Rakete
der Roboter
der Nebelfleck
das Labor
98. Future Perfect
The future perfect tense is comparable to the other perfect tenses. It is formed with the future of haben or sein, and the past participle. The future perfect deals with the future as if it were already past time (he will have done it), or it is used to imply probability (that was probably him.) The latter case commonly uses the past tense in English though.
Er wird gegangen sein. He will have gone.Ich werde es genommen haben. I will have taken it.Es wird dunkel geworden sein. It will have become dark.Das wird Rudi gewesen sein. That will have been Rudi. / That was probably Rudi.
When using modals, the future perfect tense can create the double infinitive construction, so make sure to put the double infinitive at the very end.
Die Uhr wird sehr viel gekostet haben müssen.
99. Fantasy & Make-Believe
dragon der Drache unicorn das Einhorn
fairy
elf
giant
tower
knight
squire
court jester
minstrel
armor
dungeon
moat
castle
die Fee
der Elf / die Elfe
der Riese
der Turm
der Ritter
der Edelknabe
der Hofnarr
der Minnesänger
die Rüstung
der Kerker
der Burggraben
das Schloß
shield
sword
lance
ax
drawbridge
crown
king
queen
princess
prince
throne
der Schild
das Schwert
die Lanze
die Axt
die Zugbrücke
die Krone
der König
die Königin
die Prinzessin
der Prinz
der Thron
100. Spelling Reform
Recently, there has been a spelling reform of the German language. The following are a few points that have changed:
1. Write ss after a short vowel, and ß after a long vowel or diphthong. Please note that ß is not used in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and a lot of people don't pay attention to this rule anyway. Also, there is no capital letter that corresponds to the lower case ß, so it must be written as SS.
2. Words that are now capitalized: (auf) Deutsch, Mittag, Abend, Morgen, Recht haben, Leid tun…
3. The forms of Du (familiar you) are no longer capitalized in letters.
4. A comma is not necessary when two independent clauses are joined by und.
Review of Declensions of Nouns
1) Feminine Singular nouns remain unchanged in all Singular cases.
Singular: Typewriter Street
Nom. die Schreibmaschine die Straße
Acc. die Schreibmaschine die Straße
Dat. der Schreibmaschine der Straße
Gen. der Schreibmaschine der Straße
2) All Neuter and most Masculine Singular add -s or -es (if one syllable) to Genitive Singular.
Singular: Shoe Shirt
Nom. der Schuh das Hemd
Acc. den Schuh das Hemd
Dat. dem Schuh dem Hemd
Gen. des Schuhes des Hemdes
Note: The genitive singular of shoe is generally written des Schuhs in colloquial German.
3) Masculine nouns that end in -e in Nom. Sing. and designate living things add -n to form both Singular and Plural for all cases.
Lion(s)
Singular Plural
Nom. der Löwe die Löwen
Acc. den Löwen die Löwen
Dat. dem Löwen den Löwen
Gen. des Löwen der Löwen
4) All Dative Plural either adds -n or -en.
Man Woman Child
Nom. Sing.
der Mann die Frau das Kind
Dat. Pl. den den den
Männern Frauen Kindern
5) In Plurals of all declensions of all genders, the Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative Plural are the same.
Forest Pear
Nom. Sing. der Wald die Birne
Nom. Pl. die Wälder die Birnen
Acc. Pl. die Wälder die Birnen
Dat. Pl. den Wäldern den Birnen
Gen. Pl. der Wälder der Birnen
To form the Dative Plural, add -n or -en to the Nominative Plural, unless it already ends in -s or -n, then add nothing.
Most singular declensions can be formed from the first three rules above, but plural nouns are more complex and irregular. Some may add -n, -en, -r, -er, -e, or an umlaut over the stem vowel with a final -e, and some nouns do not change from singular to plural.
Group 1-Singular follows rules
-Plural adds umlaut to stem vowel and -n to all datives
Father(s) (masc.)
Sing. Plural
Nom. der Vater die Väter
Acc. den Vater die Väter
Dat. dem Vater den Vätern
Gen. des Vaters der Väter
Nouns belonging to this group: Most nouns whose Nom. Sing. end in -el, -en, -er; and neuter nouns that begin with Ge- and end with -e
Group 2-Singular follows rules
-Plural sometimes adds umlaut to stem vowel and -e to Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative; -
en to Dative
Fruit (fem.)
Sing. Plural
Nom. die Frucht die Früchte
Acc. die Frucht die Früchte
Dat. der Frucht den Früchten
Gen. der Frucht der Früchte
Nouns belonging to this group: Masculine that are one syllable; half of feminine and neuter that are one syllable
Group 3-Singular follow rules
-Plural adds umlaut to stem vowel and -er to Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative; -ern to Dative
Man/men (masc.)
Sing. Plural
Nom. der Mann die Männer
Acc. den Mann die Männer
Dat. dem Mann den Männern
Gen. des Mannes der Männer
Nouns belonging to this group: Many neuter that are one syllable; no feminine nouns
Group 4-Singular adds -en to all Masculine Dative, Accusative, and Genitive; Feminine
follows rule-Plural adds -n or -en to all forms
Student (s)Woman/Women
Sing. Plural Sing. Plural
Nom.
der Student
die Studenten
die Frau
die Frauen
Acc.den Studenten
die Studenten
die Frau
die Frauen
Dat.dem Studenten
den Studenten
der Frau
den Frauen
Gen.des Studenten
der Studenten
der Frau
der Frauen
Nouns belonging to this group: Most feminine that are more than one syllable, most masculine that denote living things; no neuter nouns
Group 5-Add -s to Genitive Singular
-Add -s to all plural forms
Auto(s) (neu.)
Sing. Plural
Nom. das Auto die Autos
Acc. das Auto die Autos
Dat. dem Auto den Autos
Gen. des Autos der Autos
Nouns belonging to this group: Foreign origin words, such as das Radio, das Restaurant, and das Hotel.
Group 6 - Irregular-Add -ns or -ens to Genitive Singular
-Add -en to Dative Singular, may add -en to Accusative Singular -All plural add -en
Heart(s) Name(s)
Sing. Plural Sing. Plural
Nom. das Herz die Herzen der Name die Namen
Acc. das Herz die Herzen den Namen die Namen
Dat. dem Herzen den Herzen dem Namen den Namen
Gen. des Herzens der Herzen des Namens der Namen
Group 7 - Mixed-Add -s or -es for Genitive Singular
-Add -n or -en for all plural
Bed(s) (neu.)
Sing. Plural
Nom. das Bett die Betten
Acc. das Bett die Betten
Dat. dem Bett den Betten
Gen. des Bettes der Betten
German States / BundeslAnder
German States English Translation
Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg
Berlin Berlin
Brandenburg Brandenburg
Bremen Bremen
Hamburg Hamburg
Bayern Bavaria
Sachsen Saxony
Thüringen Thuringia
Hessen Hesse
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Niedersachsen Lower Saxony
Nordrhein-Westfalen North Rhine-Westphalia
Rheinland-Pfalz Rhineland-Palatinate
Saarland Saarland
Sachsen-Anhalt Saxony-Anhalt
Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein
Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg are cities as well as states.
Austrian States / BundeslAnder
Austrian States English Translation
Burgenland Burgenland
Kämten Carinthia
Niederösterreich Lower Austria
Oberösterreich Upper Austria
Salzburg Salzburg
Steiermark Styria
Tirol Tyrol
Vorarlberg Vorarlberg
Wien Vienna
There are 4 declinations in German:
1. NOMINATIV - (Subject): Answers questions such as: Who? (Wer?) and What?
(Was?)
Gender Definitive Indefinite Negative Demonstrative
(Pronoun)Masculine: Der Ein Kein DieserFeminine: Die Eine Keine DieseNeutral: Das Ein Kein DiesesPlural: Die --- Keine Diese
2. AKUSATIV: (Direct Object). Answers questions such as: Whom? (Wen?) and What?
(Was?)
Gender Definitive Indefinite Negative Demonstrative
(Pronoun)Masculine: Den Einen Keinen DiesenFeminine: Die Eine Keine DieseNeutral: Die Ein Kein DiesesPlural: Die --- Keine Diese
3. DATIV: (Indirect Object) Answers questions such as: To whom? (Wem?)
Gender Definitive Indefinite Negative Demonstrative
(Pronoun)Masculine: Dem Einem Keinem DiesemFeminine: Der Einer Keiner DieserNeutral: Dem Einem Keinem DiesemPlural: Den --- Keinem Diesen + n at
the end of the noun
4. GENITIV : (Possessive case):answers questions such as: Whose? (Wessen?)
Gender Definitive Indefinite Negative Demonstrative
(Pronoun)Masculine: Des Eines Keines Dieses + e/es
at the end of the noun
Feminine: Der Einer Keiner DieserNeutral: Des Eines Keines Dieses + e/es
at the end of the noun
Plural: Der --- Keiner Dieser Observation: a) these endings accomplish also other kind of pronouns like possessives,
indefinites etc.
b) the cases Akusativ, Dativ and Genitiv also depend on prepositions (not
detailed here).
Examples:
Nominativ (Masculine):
WER ist das? (Who is this?)
Das ist der/ein/kein/dieser Fußballspieler. (That is the/a/not a/this soccer player).
Nominativ (Neutral):
WAS ist das? (What is this?)
Das ist das/ein/kein/dieses Buch. (That is the/a/not a/this book).
Akusativ (Masculine):
WEN siehst du? (Whom do you see?)
Ich see den/einen/keinen/diesen Mann. (I see the/a/not a/that Mann).
Akusativ (Feminine):
WAS kauft Linda? (What does Linda buy?)
Sie kauft die/eine/keine/diese Tasche. (She buys the/a/not a/these purse).
Dativ (Plural):
WEM gehört dieses Haus? (To whom belongs this house?)
Das Haus gehört den/keinen/diesen Leuten. (This house belongs to the/these people).
Genetive (Neutral):
WESSEN Spielzeug ist das? (Whose toy is that?)
Das ist das Spielzeug des/eines/keines/dieses Kindes. (It is the child’s toy)
The verb “Sein” – “to be” in German is very similar in his use as in English.
Conjugation in present tense:
Singular:
Ich bin (I am)
Du bist (You are – informal)
Sie sind (You are – formal)
Er ist (He is)
Sie ist (she is)
Es ist (it is)
Plural
Wir sind (we are)
Ihr seid (you are – informal)
Sie sind (You are – formal)
Sie sind (they are)
Formal form is always written with capital letters, the others only at beginning of a sentence.
Examples:
Ich bin Amerikaner. (I am American.)
Bist du glücklich? (Are you happy?)
Er ist aus England. (He is from England.)
Ist sie auch aus England? (Is she also from England?)
Das ist ihr Kind. (This is her child).
Wir sind in Urlaub. (We are on vacation)
Seid ihr meine Freunde? (Are you my friends?)
Herr Schmidt, Sie sind herzlich willkommen! (Mr. Schmidt you are welkomm!)
Die Kinder sind im Garten. (The children are in the Garden)
Definite and Indefinite articles – Definit and Indefinit Artikel
Definite articles precede a noun
Indefinite articles (positive or negative*) indicate that a thing or person is not unique in some
way
* In German you deny a noun with a negative article:
English: This is not (isn’t) a book.
German: Das ist kein Buch.
There are 3 Articles:
Singular: Definite Indefinite Positive
Indefinite Negative
Masculine: Der Ein Kein
Feminine: Die Eine Keine
Neutral: Das Ein Kein
Plural **: Die --- Keine
** Plural is the same for all 3 articles. Plural has several forms in German.
Note: all nouns in German are written with capital letters.
Examples masculine:
Der / Ein / Kein Mann, Vater, Direktor, Fußball, Tisch (singular)......ist.....
Die / - - / Keine Männer, Väter, Direktoren, Fußbälle, Tische (plural).....sind....
Note: Fußball means soccer. ß is equivalent to double s – you get it by pressing ALT 225 in
windows/word. Tisch means table. As you see plural can be formed in various ways.
Examples feminine:
Die / Eine /Keine Frau, Mutter, Direktorin, Lektion, Blume (singular) ....ist.....
Die / --- / Keine Frauen, Mütter, Direktorinnen, Lektionen, Blumen (plural)...sind...
Note: Frau means lady/ misses, Blume means flower
Examples neutral:
Das / Ein / Kein Kind, Bier / Museum / Hotel / Haus (singular)....ist.....
Die / --- / Keine Kinder, Biere, Museen, Hotels, Häuser (plural) ....sind.....
Note: Kind means child, Bier beer, Haus house.
Diphthongs
DiphthongDoubleVowels
AussprachePronunciation
Beispiele / Examples
ai / ei eyebei (at, near), das Ei (egg), der Mai (May)
au ow auch (also), das Auge (eye), aus (out of)
eu / äu oyHäuser (houses), Europa (Europe), neu (new)
ie eeh bieten (offer), nie (never), Sie (you)
Grouped Consonants
BuchstabeConsonant
AussprachePronunciation
Beispiele / Examples
ck k dick (fat, thick), der Schock (shock)
ch >>
After a, o, u and au, pronounced like the guttural ch in Scottish "loch" - das Buch (book), auch (also). Otherwise it is a palatal sound as in: mich (me), welche (which), wirklich (really). TIP: If no air is passing over your tongue when you say a ch-sound, you aren't saying it correctly. No true equivalent in English. - Although ch doesn't usually have a hard k sound, there are exceptions: Chor, Christoph, Chaos, Orchester, Wachs (wax)
pf pf
Both letters are (quickly) pronounced as a combined puff-sound: das Pferd (horse), der Pfennig. If this is difficult for you, an f sound will work, but try to do it!
ph fdas Alphabet, phonetisch - Some words formerly spelled with ph are now spelled with f: das Telefon, das Foto
qu kvdie Qual (anguish, torture), die Quittung (receipt)
sch sh
schön (pretty), die Schule (school) - The German sch combination is never split, whereas sh usually is (Grashalme, Gras/Halme; but die Show, a foreign word).
sp / st shp / shtAt the start of a word, the s in sp/st has a sch sound as in English "show, she." sprechen (speak), stehen (stand)
th t
das Theater (tay-AHTER), das Thema (TAY-muh), topic - Always sounds like a t (TAY). NEVER has the English th sound!
Letters in Words
SpellingAussprache
PronunciationBeispiele / Examples
final b p Lob (LOHP)
final d t Freund (FROYNT), Wald (VALT)
final g k genug (guh-NOOK)
silent h - gehen (GAY-en), sehen (ZAY-en)
When h follows a vowel, it is silent. When it precedes a vowel (Hund), the h is pronounced.
German th t Theorie (TAY-oh-ree)
German v f Vater (FAHT-er)
In some foreign, non-Germanic words with v, the v is pronounced as in English: Vase (VAH-suh), Villa (VILL-ah)
German w v Wunder (VOON-der)
German z tsZeit (TSITE), like ts in "cats"; never like an English soft z (as in "zoo")
Similar Words
Pronunciation Pitfalls
WortWord
AussprachePronunciation
Comments
Bombebomb
BOM-buh The m, b, and e are all heard
Geniegenius
zhuh-NEEThe g is soft, like the s sound in "leisure"
Nationnation
NAHT-see-ohnThe German -tion suffix is pronounced TSEE-ohn
Papierpaper
pah-PEER Stress on the last syllable
Pizzapizza
PITS-uhThe i is a short vowel because of the double z
1 Main Sentence
If a verb has a separable prefix, this prefix is moved to the end of the sentence.
Ich werde den Müll wegwerfen. ("I will throw away the rubbish.", literally "I will the rubbish away-throw.")Ich werfe den Müll weg. (statement) ("I'm throwing away / I throw away the rubbish.", literally "I throw the rubbish away.")Werfe ich den Müll weg? (question) ("Am I throwing away the rubbish?", literally "Throw I the rubbish away?")Wirf den Müll weg! (command, familiar form) ("Throw away the rubbish!", literally "Throw the rubbish away!")
2 Statement
A normal statement is quite simple to construct. First the Subject, then the conjugated verb, at last the rest of the infinitive without this verb.
Ich + den Baum sehen -> Ich sehe den Baum.("I + to see the tree" -> I see the tree.)Ein Text + geschrieben werden -> Ein Text wird geschrieben("A text + to be written -> A text is being written.")Wir + den Raum verlassen -> Wir verlassen den Raum("we + to leave the room -> We leave the room.")Der König + eine Burg bauen lassen -> Der König lässt eine Burg bauen.("the king + to have a castle built -> The king has a castle built.")
If the conjugated verb has a separable prefix, this prefix stays at the end of the sentence.
Ich + den Müll wegwerfen -> Ich werfe den Müll weg.("I + to dispose of the trash -> I dispose of the trash.")
In addition, past participles in the perfect tenses fall at the end of the sentence, with the conjugated auxiliary verb (Hilfsverb) in the second position of the sentence.
Conventional German syntax presents information within a sentence in the following order:
Wichtigstes (what is the most important thing of the things following? *, **) Was (what? the conjugated verb***) Wer (who? the subject) Wem (to/for whom - dative object) Wann (when - time) Warum (why - reason) Wie (how - manner) Wo (where - place) Wen (whom - accusative object) Wohin/Woher (to/from where) Verb, nochmal (first part of the separable verb)
*The word "da" with the meaning "then suddenly" must take the first place. A "dann", then, does so
often, but not necessarily; otherwise, the Subject will do.
**If the verb is most important, the first part of the separable verb is placed here, but even then
separated from the second part. If the verb is not separable or periphrastical, the infinitive will do.
***and in this case, a form of "tun" is legitimately inserted for the conjugated verb, as in Arbeiten tun
wir. "Working, that's what we do."
Wir gehen am Freitag miteinander ins Kino. Literally,"We go on Friday together to the movies."
Wegen ihres Jahrestages bereiten wir unseren Eltern eine Exkursion (Ausflug) nach München vor. Literally,We are planning for our parents today because of their anniversary a trip to Munich.
Comparisons can be put after both parts of the verb, or before the place of its later part. So:Er ist größer gewesen als ich. / Er war größer als ich. "He was greater than me."OREr ist größer als ich gewesen
Additionally, German often structures a sentence according to increasing news value. So:Wir gehen am Donnerstag ins Kino. We're going to the movies on Thursday. BUT
An welchem Tag gehen wir ins Kino? (On) What day are we going to the movies?
Am Donnerstag gehen wir ins Kino. OR Wir gehen am Donnerstag ins Kino. On Thursday we're going to the movies. OR We're going on Thursday to the movies."
Additionally, when the accusative object is a pronoun, it moves in front of the dative object. Florian gibt mir morgen das Buch. "Florian is giving me tomorrow the book." BUT Florian gibt es mir morgen. "Florian is giving it to me tomorrow."
Inversion
By an inversion you emphasize a component of the sentence: an adverbial phrase, a predicative or an object, or even an inner verbal phrase. The subject phrase is put directly behind the conjugated verb, and the component to emphasize is taken to the beginning. The conjugated verb is always the second sentence element in indicative statements.
Ich fliege schnell - Schnell fliege ich ("I fly fast - I fly fast")Du bist wunderschön - wunderschön bist du ("You are lovely - you are lovely")Ich bin gelaufen - Gelaufen bin ich ("I ran - I ran")
3 Questions
Questions may be divided into yes/no questions, asking for the truthfulness of a statement, and specific questions, which ask for a concrete aspect of a statement.
Specific questions are similar to inverted statements. They begin with a question word, then there is the conjugated verb, followed by the subject (if there is one), and the rest of the sentence follows.
Was machst du jetzt? ("What are you doing now?")Wer geht ins Kino? ("Who is going to the cinema?" -- In this sentence, the interrogative pronoun wer serves as the subject)
Yes/No questions
This kind of question is similar to the inversion: you put the inflected verb at the beginning of the (not inverted) sentence.
Du kommst. - Kommst du? ("You are coming - Are you coming?")Ich habe geschlafen. - Habe ich geschlafen? ("I slept - Did I sleep?")
Ich werde das Spiel beenden. - Werde ich das Spiel beenden? ("I'm going to (lit. 'I will') finish the game - Am I going to (lit. 'Will I') finish the game?")Du wirfst den Torwart raus. - Wirfst du den Torwart raus? ("You are throwing the goalkeeper out - Are you throwing the goalkeeper out?")
Asking for subject or object
In a normal question, you replace the subject phrase or object phrase with a corresponding interrogative pronoun, then move it to the beginning of the sentence, like an inversion. Theoretically, you must use the interrogative pronoun of welcher, welche, welches or a nominal phrase with the interrogative article.
Du hast deiner Frau einen Ring gekauft. ("You bought your wife a ring.") - Welchen hast du deiner Frau gekauft? ("Which one did you buy your wife?")Du hast deiner Frau einen roten Ring gekauft. ("You bought your wife a red ring.") - Welchen Ring hast du deiner Frau gekauft? ("Which ring did you buy your wife?")Du hast deiner Frau einen roten Ring gekauft. ("You bought your wife a red ring.") - Welchen Roten hast du deiner Frau gekauft? ("Which red one did you buy your wife?")Du hast deiner Frau einen roten Ring gekauft. ("You bought your wife a red ring.") - Welchen roten Ring hast du deiner Frau gekauft? ("Which red ring did you buy your wife?")
But the usage of this pronoun implies that the speaker knows both the gender and number of the unknown object. So, practically, you replace these pronouns by short forms.
Du hast deiner Frau einen Ring gekauft. ("You bought your wife a ring.") - Was hast du deiner Frau gekauft? ("What did you buy your wife?")
person thing
nominative wer was
genitive (object) wessen wessen
dative wem wem
accusative wen was
Regardless of whether you use the full pronoun or the short form, the genitive case is practically only used for genitive objects.
Asking for a predicative
You ask for a predicative with the either interrogative pronoun Was or, if knowing it is not a nominal phrase, Wie.
Er ist schnell - Wie/Was ist er? ("He's fast - What is he?")Ein Schmetterling ist ein Insekt - Was ist ein Schmetterling? ("A butterfly is an insect - What is a butterfly?")
You can also use other interrogative pronouns like Wo.
Asking for an adverb
It is possible to ask for the adverb of a predicative, if it is not a nominal phrase (and even for the adverb of the adverb etc.)
Der Baum ist 3 Meter hoch.- Wie hoch ist der Baum? ("The tree is three metres tall - How tall is the tree?")
Asking for a possessor
When searching for the possessor of a nominal phrase, you first act as if you would invert the corresponding statement, placing the noun with the unknown possessor at the beginning. Then give it the possessive interrogative article (wessen for all cases, genders and numbers). Of course, this nominal phrase may not have a genitive possessor.
Ich habe das Auto des Chefs gesehen. - Wessen Auto hast du gesehen? ("I saw the boss's car - Whose car did you see?")Ich habe sein Auto gesehen - Wessen Auto hast du gesehen? ("I saw his car - Whose car did you see?")Ich habe sein Auto gesehen - Wessen hast du gesehen? ("I saw his car - Whose did you see?") (Wessen is no longer an article, but a pronoun)
Usage is the same for both unknown possessive articles as for unknown genitive possessors.
Asking for an adverb
First the interrogative pronoun (Wie), then the conjugated verb, next the subject, then the rest of the sentence.
Der Vogel fliegt schnell am Himmel - Wie fliegt der Vogel am Himmel? ("The bird flies quickly in the sky - How does the bird fly in the sky?")
If the adverb describes another adverb or an adjective:
Der Vogel fliegt ungeheuer schnell - Wie schnell fliegt der Vogel? ("The bird flies amazingly quickly - How quickly does the bird fly?")
Asking for position or adverbial clause
Developing the question for an adverbial phrase may be slightly more complicated.
Theoretically, like the other specific questions, the unknown position is inverted to the beginning of the sentence. Whereas the pre- or post- position remains, the nominal part is replaced either by an interrogative pronoun or by a nominal phrase having the interrogative article.
Er sah den Vogel auf dem Baum. - Auf welchem Baum sah er den Vogel? ("He saw the bird in the tree - In which tree did he see the bird?")Dein Hund wurde in diesem Jahr geboren. ("Your dog was born this year")- In welchem Jahr wurde dein Hund geboren? ("Which year was your dog born?")
Practically, the person asking the question will know neither the gender of the noun, nor the number of the noun, nor even the kind of preposition, before he hears the answer. So a short form is used instead in nearly every case. These short forms are also the only way to ask for an adverbial clause or for a proposition.
Er sah den Vogel auf dem Baum. - Wo sah er den Vogel? ("He saw the bird in the tree - Where did he see the bird?")Dein Hund wurde damals geboren. - Wann wurde dein Hund geboren? ("Your dog was born at that time - When was your dog born?")
Some interrogative pronouns: Wo, Woher, Wohin, Wann, Wieso, Weshalb, Warum, Weswegen.
4 Commands
For a command, take the imperative form of the conjugated verb from the infinitive and put it at the beginning of the sentence followed by the corresponding personal pronoun. There also must be an exclamation point at the end of the sentence to make it a command. The separable prefix, if there is one, remains at its old place, separated. In the literary language it is possible to leave the verb at the second place.
If the verb changes the vowel in the second and third person singular, the vowel is also changed in the second person singular of the imperative.
The 2nd person plural pronoun is always omitted. In archaic language, or to emphasize who is ordered for the action, the 2nd person singular pronoun may be left.
Das Tier verfolgen - Verfolge (du) das Tier! ("to trail the animal - Trail the animal!")Das Tier verfolgen lassen - Lass(e) (du) das Tier verfolgen! ("to have the animal trailed - Have the animal trailed!")wegfahren - Fahr(e) (du) weg! ("to drive away - Drive away!")jemanden mitnehmen - Nimm (du) jemanden mit! ("to give someone a lift - Give someone a lift!")
Note that an "'e"' may be added on to the end of the command form, but only if the verb does not have a stem-change. This is a result of the spoken language and has no difference in meaning. Schreib das Wort auf! means the same as Schreibe das Wort auf! ("Write the word down!")
*Lese das Buch!, though very common in spoken language, is considered incorrect because the stem changes from les to lies in the command form. Lies das Buch! ("Read the book!") (singular) and Lest das Buch! (plural) are correct.
There are no imperative forms for first person plural and second person formal. The first and third person plural of the conditional of the present (this is mostly the same form as verb infinitive aside from sein 'to be' for which seien is used) is used (but not for tun 'to do' for which tun is used). You must put it to beginning of the sentence, separate the separable prefix before that, and place the personal pronouns wir or Sie directly after it.
wegfahren - Fahren wir weg! (Let's drive away!) - Fahren Sie weg! (You) Drive away!froh sein - Seien wir froh! (Let's be glad!) - Seien Sie froh! Be glad!
Note that imperatives must have the same word order as yes/no questions.
As a matter of fact, actual commands are often given as simple unconjugated infinitive. This is inevitable in the military (excepting the formal commands Rührt euch and Richt't euch), but way not restricted to it.
In Linie antreten! (Line up! to soldiers) but alsoWarm anziehen und den Schlüssel nicht vergessen! (Put some warm clothes on and do not forget your key; a mother to her child)Hey, nicht faulenzen, arbeiten! (Hey yo, do not laze around, get some work done!, normal imperative would be very odd)
The military command "Stillgestanden", Freeze!, oddly even takes the perfect participle for an imperative.
5 Subordinate clauses
A subordinate clause (Nebensatz) is always incorporated in a main sentence (or another subordinate clause). Any part of the main clause can be replaced by it, but some conjugated verb must remain. However, subclauses are generally moved to the end of the sentence if it can be done without inconvenience, and if they do not take the first place because of importance. As for its word order, it differs in two things only from a main clause:
1. In general, it begins with a special word, a 'subordinating conjunction' or a relative pronoun, setting it into relation with the encompassing sentence.2. The verb is, without separation, sent to the place where the first part of a separable verb would be in a main clause, i. e. at the end of the sentence.
Ich nehme das frühere Flugzeug, damit ich heute noch ankomme. = "I'll take the earlier plane so that I arrive even today."
Question words (in the following example, 'wohin') have the same effect as subordinating conjunctions within a sentence.
Wohin ist er gelaufen? Niemand wusste, wohin er gelaufen ist. ("Where did he run (to)? No one knew where he ran (to)." -- Note that, unlike in English, a subordinate or dependent clause is always separated from the independent clause (Hauptsatz) by a comma.)
Oddities:
1. Final clauses can be replaced by an "um-zu"-infinitive, if the subject is identical; in practice, um behaves as conjunction, and the infinitive, with a zu, as conjugated verb, and the subject falls away.
Wir haben genug Geld, um diese CD zu kaufen. = Wir haben genug Geld, damit wir diese CD kaufen. "We have enough money to/that we buy this CD."
2. In conditional phrases, the conjunction wenn may be left out in the main clause and the verb put into its place. In this case, so replaces dann in the subordinate clause.
Hast du genügend Geld, so no "dann" in this case kannst du diese CD kaufen. = Wenn du genügend Geld hast, dann kannst du diese CD kaufen. "If you have enough money, then you can buy this CD."
3. Indirect speech may behave as subclause in relation to the main clause, but the conjunction (which would be "dass") may be left out and then its word-order is as in main clauses.
Er sagte, er sei mit der Arbeit fertig. = Er sagte, dass er mit der Arbeit fertig sei. = "He said (that) he had finished his work."
4. Denn, by custom translated into English as for, is in practice just an equivalent to weil "because", but it requires a main-clause word-order and may even take a semicolon instead of a comma.
Er kommt nicht zur Arbeit, denn er ist krank. (He doesn't come to work, for he's ill.) = Er kommt nicht zur Arbeit, weil er krank ist. = "He doesn't come to work because he's ill."
To confuse things, in some dialects weil has the role which denn has in Standard German. However this
doesn't mean they generally neglect the subclause word order, since other conjunctions meaning the
same, i. e. da "as" or even a "deswegen weil" (literally: because of that because) take ordinary
subclauses even there.
6 Subordinate sentence structure
Just as in English, a subordinate clause may be used at the beginning or end of a complete expression, so long as it is paired with at least one independent clause. For instance, just as one could say either:
I will go with you, if I can. or If I can, I will go with you.
so you can also say in German:
Ich komme mit, wenn ich kann. or Wenn ich kann, komme ich mit.
Note, however, that in German when the independent clause comes after a subordinate clause the conjugated verb comes before the subject. This arises from the basic rule that always places the conjugated verb in a sentence in the second position, even if that puts it ahead of the sentence's subject.
7 Clauses with dass
Subordinate clauses beginning with dass [thus, so, that] enable the speaker to use statements like nominal phrases or pronouns. These sentences are singular, neuter and either nominative or accusative. However, the verb must go at the end of the sentence. Ich denke, dass er ein Vater ist.
Dass Spinnen keine Insekten sind, ist allgemein bekannt. ("It's well-known that spiders are not insects.")Ich weiß, dass Spinnen keine Insekten sind. - Ich weiß das. ("I know that spiders are not insects - I know that.")
8 Indirect questions with ob
Whereas the word dass indicates that the statement is a fact, ob starts an indirect yes/no question.
Ich weiß nicht, ob ich fliegen soll. ("I don't know whether I should fly.")9 Specific indirect question10 Relative clauses
The outer nominal phrase the relative clause relates to can be any nominal phrase in any case. The clause begins with a form of the relative pronoun derived from and largely identical to the definite pronoun (der/die/das), or the interrogative pronoun (welchem/welcher/welches), the remaining words are put after it. Using the interrogative pronoun without good cause is considered typical for legalese language.
Der Mann, der/welcher seiner Frau den Hund schenkt (nominative subject)("The man who gives his wife the dog")Der Hund, den/welchen der Mann seiner Frau schenkt (accusative object) ("The dog which the man gives his wife")Die Frau, der/welcher der Mann den Hund schenkt (dative object) ("The woman to whom the man gives the dog")Der Mann, der/welcher ich bin (predicative noun) ("The man I am")
The outer nominal phrase can also be the possessor of a noun inside. You use the genitive case of a relative pronoun matching the outer nominal phrase in gender and number.
Der Mann, dessen Auto auf der Straße parkt ("The man whose car is parked on the street")Die Person, deren Auto ich kaufe ("The person whose car I am buying")Das Auto, dessen Fahrer ich helfe ("The car whose driver I am helping")Die Kinder, deren Lehrer ich kenne ("The children whose teacher I know")
Prepositions/Postpositions are attached to these phrases in the relative clause if necessary.
Das Haus, in dem ich lebe ("The house I live in")Die Person, derentwegen ich hier bin ("The person I am here because of")Das Haus, durch dessen Tür ich gegangen bin ("The house whose door I came in by")
If the relative pronoun is identical to the definite article several identical forms may follow each other.
Der, der der Frau, der ich schon Honig gegeben hatte, Honig gab, muss mehr Honig kaufen ("The man who gave honey to the woman I had already given honey to, has to buy more honey")
Such constructions are generally avoided by using forms of welch- as relative pronouns.
Der, welcher der Frau, welcher ...
or rather
Derjenige, welcher der Frau, der ich ...
Otherwise, welcher is rarely used (never in the genitive), and without a difference in meaning. If the relative pronoun refers to a thing as yet unknown or a whole sentence and not a part of it, was is used instead, always equivalent here to an English "which".
Der Chef stellte einen Arbeiter ein, was diesen sehr gefreut hat. - "The manager hired a worker, which the latter was very happy about."
From sentences such as this
In dem Geschäft, wo ( or in dem) man auch Brot kaufen kann, kaufe ich Bier. - "In this shop where you also can buy bread I am buying beer."
one may understand why colloquial usage extends this to other quasi-locational prepositional expressions
Die Zeit, wo (= in der) wir Rom besucht haben, war sehr schön. - "The time lit. where we visited Rome was really fine." Regular "in der", literally "in which",
would translate to a "when" in English.
and then, in Northern German slang, to all relative clauses:
Der Mann, wo bei Siemens arbeitet, hat an der Technischen Universität studiert. "The man where works at Siemens's has graduated from the Technical University."
Southern Germans never use this form, but they have constructed a double form "der wo, die wo, das wo" which is almost necessary in their dialect. "Wo" may here be replaced
by "was", which for undiscoverable reasons seems to occur mostly in the feminine genus.
11 Adverbial clauses
An adverbial clause begins with a conjunction, defining its relation to the verb or nominal phrase described.
Als ich auf dem Meer segelte ("When/As I was sailing on the sea")
Some examples of conjunctions: als, während, nachdem, weil?
German Gender: MasulineSuffix: Most nouns ending in -en, -el, -ling, -ner, -ismus, -ig, -ich, or -er are masculine:der Boden (ground), der Vogel (bird), der Frühling (spring), der Vater (father).Rules: Days, months, and seasons, weather (rain, snow…) are usually masculine in German.
der Sonntag (Sunday), der Winter (winter), der Februar (February, der Regen (rain), der Schnee (snow), but das Wetter (the weather).
Note that these suffixes and rules can only assist you in increasing your chance of guessing what the gender would be, but it’s still guessing, because there are some exceptions that can be found time to time.
German Gender: FeminineSuffix: Nouns ending in -heit, -ie, -ik, -age, -ei ,-ion, -itis, -keit, -ur, -schaft, -tät, and -ung are feminine: die Freiheit (freedom), die Garage (garage), die Operation (operation), die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Natur (nature), die Freundschaft (friendship), die Qualität (quality), die Ehrung, (honor).Rules: Trees, flowers, fruit, and cardinal numbers are most of the time feminine:die Föhre (pine tree), die Rose (rose), die Orange (Orange), die Sieben (the seven).
German Gender: NeuterSuffix: Nouns ending in -ett, -chen, -lein, -il, -ium, -ma, -ment, -nis, -tel, -tum, -um and -o are neuter:das Bett (bed), das Kaninchen (Rabbit), das Stadium (stage), das Klima (climat), das Geheimnis (secret), das Viertel (quarter), das Album (album), das Fräulein (young lady).Rules: Names of towns, countries, colors, infinitives used as nouns, and the
diminutives that we’ve seen above ending in -chen or -lein, they’re all usually neuter: das Berlin (Berlin), das Deutschland (Germany), das Rot (Red), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Hündchen (little dog), das Kindlein (little child).
12 The Plural in German
German is more diverse in its plural than in English, to express the plural in English we simply add “s” or “es” to the end of the noun, well in German it’s not the case. Some nouns add “e” to their end: der Freund (friend) becomes die Freunde (friends), der Schuh (a shoe) becomes die Schuhe (shoes).
Other nouns add “en” to their end: der Student (student) becomes die Studenten (students), die Zeit (time) becomes die Zeiten (times).
The other forms of plural in German are:
(-n) for example: die Schule becomes die Schulen (schools).
(no diffrence) for example: das Fenster (window) stays die Fenster (windows).
(-¨) for example: der Bruder becomes die Brüder (brothers).
(-¨er or -er) for example: das Haus becomes die Häuser (houses), or das Kind becomes die Kinder (childen).
(-s) for example: das Radio becomes die Radios (this form can be used usually with foreign words) das Baby becomes die Babys
Tips: Note that most nouns ending in the suffixes (-heit, -ie, -ik, -age, -ei ,-ion, -itis, -keit, -ur, -schaft, -tät, and -ung) add -en in the plural.
Feminine nouns ending in (-in) add -nen to form their plural.
Note that most German plurals add an extra -n or -en to the plural form in the dative case.
Finally note that while English takes capital letter only in countries names or days… in German all nouns take a capital letter as you may have noticed in this lesson.
13 German Articles
If you don’t know it yet articles in German change depending on the case used in the sentences. If you’re not familiar with that then please check the German Cases page before proceeding to this page.
German Definite Articles
The definite articles in German refer to specific persons, objects, ideas…etc. and they are : der, die, das, die (plural) they all mean the expression “the” in English, der is used for masculine nouns, die is used for feminine nouns, das is used for neuter nouns, and finally die used also for plural nouns.
German Definite ArticleMasculine der Mann (the man)Feminine die Frau (the woman)Neuter das Brot (the bread)Plural die Männer (the men), die Frauen (the women), die Brote (the
breads)
Well, that’s not all; the form we went through above is only for the nominative case. Now let’s have a look at all the rest:
German Definite Articles masculine feminine neuter plural Nominative case der die das die theAccusative case den die das die theDative case dem der dem den to theGenitive cases des der des der of the
Here are some examples:
Nominative: der Mann ist hier (the man is here)
Accusative: Ich grüße den Mann (I greet the man)
Dative: Ich gebe dem Mann ein Buch (I give the book to the man)
Genitive: Ich habe das Buch des Mannes (I have the book of the man)
You may have noticed how the definite article changes each time the case changes. So try to memorize the table above by heart, I’m sure it’s not that hard.
14 German Indefinite Articles
The indefinite articles in German refer to unspecified persons, objects, ideas…etc. and they are: ein, eine, ein, they all mean the indefinite article “a, an” in English, ein is used for masculine nouns, eine is used for feminine nouns, ein is used for neuter nouns, and there is no plural for the indefinite article.
German Indefinite ArticleMasculine ein Mann (a man)Feminine eine Frau (the woman)Neuter ein Brot (a bread)
Again, that’s not all; the form we went through above is only for the nominative case. Now let’s
have a look at all the rest:
German Indefinite Articles masculine feminine neuter Nominative case ein eine ein a, anAccusative case einen eine ein a, anDative case einem einer einem to a, to anGenitive cases eines einer eines of a, of an
Here are some examples:
Nominative: ein Mann ist hier (a man is here)
Accusative: Ich grüße einen Mann (I greet a man)
Dative: Ich gebe einem Mann ein Buch (I give the book to a man)
Genitive: Ich habe das Buch eines Mannes (I have the book of a man)
So the same thing happens to the indefinite article, it changes each time the case changes. So try to memorize the table above by heart as well.
A. GENERAL GENDER RULES AND TIPS
1. With words referring to people, the grammatical gender usually coincides with the person's sex.
2. Many words which can be used to refer to human beings of either gender are masculine.
3. With most of the words in category 2 above, the feminine form can be created by adding the suffix -in.
4. The masculine version of some nouns is frequently used to refer to females, even when feminine forms with the suffix -in exist [Frau Doktor Kranzl ist Professor (Professorin) an der Universität].
5. With animals, generally nouns referring to the animal as a category where no thought is given to gender, are neuter.
6. Young animals also tend to be neuter.7. Where for some reason an animal is thought to have more feminine or more
masculine characteristics. that gender is used. Sometimes the gender may be due to the structure of the word.
8. Compound nouns take the gender of the last element of the compound.
B. FEMININE NOUNS
1. Most nouns which end in -e (but not -ee).2. Those words denoting feminine human beings (and occasionally animals)
which are formed from the masculine words by adding -in.3. Numerals used as nouns.4. Nouns with the Germanic suffixes -ei, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ung.5. Nouns with the suffixes -d and -t are usually feminine. The ending must be a
suffix, though, and not just a -d or -t ending.6. Nouns with the common foreign suffixes -ie, -ik, -ion, -et.7. A host of other foreign suffixes are also feminine, including -a, -ade, -age, -
eille, -aise, -anee, -äne, -anz, -elle, -enz, -esse, -ette, -euse, -(i)ere, -ille, -ine, -isse, -itis, -ive, -ose, -sis, -se, -ur, -üre.
C. MASCULINE NOUNS
1. Male human beings and nouns referring specifically to the male of an animal species.
2. Names of days of the week, months, seasons and directions.3. Names of most stones and minerals.4. Names for storms and most other weather phenomena.5. Five nouns ending in -ee.6. Nouns with the suffix -ling.7. Those nouns which indicate the person doing a given verb action (agent
nouns) which are formed by adding -er to the stem of the verb.8. Many other nouns ending in -er, most ending in -s, and a large percentage (but
not all) of those ending in -en and -el.9. Almost all nouns formed from one of the principle parts of a verb, especially
one-syllable ones formed from strong verbs.10. Nouns formed with the foreign suffixes -and, -ant, -ar, -är, -ast, -ent, -cur, -
ier, -iker, -ikus, -ismus, -ist, -or, -us. Of these, the most important are -ier, -ismus, -ist, -or.
D. NEUTER NOUNS
1. Those nouns which end in -chen and -lein.
2. Young persons and animals except those which, because of a suffix, have another gender).
3. Names for many animals designating both male and female collectively.4. Names of cities, touns, most countries and continents. Note: the article is not
generally used with any of these geographic entities, unless an adjective precedes the name.
5. Other parts of speech used as nouns, unless they designate persons.6. Most collective nouns, especially those formed with the prefix ge- and the
suffix -e.7. Most nouns with the suffixes -icht, -tel, -tum.8. Most nouns ending with the foreign suffixes -ett, -il, -in, -ium, -ma, -ment, -
um.9. Letters of the Alphabet.
E. NOUNS WITH MORE THAN ONE GENDER
Some nouns have two different genders, depending on the definition. Here is a list of the most common such words.
der Alp (nightmare) die Alp (mountain pasture)
der Band (volume) das Band* (ribbon)
der Bauer (farmer) das (der) Bauer (birdcage)
der Bund (federation) das Bund (bundle, bunch)
der Erbe (heir) das Erbe (inheritance)
der Flur (hallway) die Flur (meadow)
der Gefallen (favor) das Gefallen (pleasure)
der Gehalt (content) das Gehalt (salary)
der Harz (mountain range) das Harz (resin)
der Heide (heathen) die Heide (heath)
der Hut (hat) die Hut (protection)
der Junge (boy) das Junge (animal offspring)
der Kiefer (jaw) die Kiefer (pine tree)
der Kristall (type of mineral) das Kristall (type of glass)
der Kunde (customer) die Kunde (news, information)
der Leiter (leader) die Leiter (ladder)
das Mark (marrow) die Mark (monetary unit)
der Marsch (march) die Marsch (marsh)
das Maß (measure) die Maß (liter container--Bavaria)
der Mast (mast) die Mast (fattening of animals)
der Messer (surveyor) das Messer (knife)
der Moment (moment, instant) das Moment (motive, factor)
der Otter (otter) die Otter (adder)
der Reis (rice) das Reis (twig)
der Schild (shield) das Schild (sign)
der See (lake) die See (sea)
das Steuer (rudder) die Steuer (tax)
der Stift (pin) das Stift (convent)
der Tau (dew) das Tau (rope)
der Tor (fool) das Tor (gate)
der Verdienst (earnings) das Verdienst (merit)
das Wehr (dam) die Wehr (defense)
* also "die Band" (with English pronunciation; band)
The words "Meter" and "Teil" and their compounds occur as both neuters and masculines.
"Meter" by itself was originally neuter but it is now usually considered masculine. In compounds indicating units of length it is always masculine: "der Zentimeter," "der Kilometer." Compounds indicating a measuring device are neuter: "das Thermometer," "das Barometer."
"Teil" is masculine if it is felt to be a component part of the whole: "der westlichc Teil." If it designates a separate part or an individual share it is neuter: "Das ist mein Teil." In a store displaying various unrelated items on sale for the same price you frequently see a sign indicating the price for "jedes Teil." Compounds of "Teil" vary in gender: "das Abteil," "das Urteil," "der Vorteil," "der Nachteil," "der Körperteil," "der Bruchteil."
With a few nouns two (or, rarely, even all three genders) are possible without any difference in meaning. Most of them are foreign words for which a firm gender has not (yet) been determined, but there are also a few old Germanic ones in this category:
der (die) Abscheuder (das) Mündelder (das) Dotterder (das) Simsder (das) Erbteilder (die) Wulst
der (das) Knäuelder (das) Zubehör
Some of the foreign words include the following:
der (das) Barockder (das, die) Dschungelder (das) Kathederder (das) Kompromißder (das) Lassodas Taxi/die Taxeder (das) Bonbonder (das Filterder (das) Keksder (das) Lampionder (das) Radardie (das) Cola
15 German Vocabularya (indefinite article) eine (for feminine)
a (indefinite article) ein (for masculine & neuter)
ability Fähigkeit, f
able, capable fähig
about (circa) etwa
about (concerning) über
above über, darüber
abroad im Ausland
absent abwesend
accept annehmen
accident Unfall, m
account Konto, n
achieve erreichen
across (through) durch
act (verb) handeln
action Handlung, f
activity Tätigkeit, f
actor Schauspieler, m
actress Schauspielerin, f
actual tatsächlich
actually eigentlich
add hinzufügen
added zusätzlich
additional beigefügt
address Adresse, f
adequate angemessen
administration Verwaltung, f
adult erwachsen
advanced fortgeschritten
advantage Vorteil, m
advertising Werbung, f
advice Rat, m
affairs (plural) Geschäfte, pl
afraid besorgt
after nach
after that darnach
afternoon Nachmittag, m
afterwards nachher
again wieder
against gegen
age Alter, n
ago vor
agree zustimmen
agreement Vereinbarung, f
aid (help) Hilfe, f
aim Ziel, n
air Luft, f
airplane Flugzeug, n
airport Flughafen, m
alarm clock Wecker, m
alcohol Alkohol, m
alive lebendig
all alle
allow erlauben
almost fast
alone allein
along entlang
already schon
also (too) auch
although obwohl
always immer
among unter, zwischen
amount Betrag, m
amuse vergnügen
ancient alt
and und
and so on und so weiter (or simply usw.)
angle Winkel, m
angry wütend
animal Tier, n
ankle Fessel, f
announce ankündigen
annual jährlich
another ein anderer,-e,-es
answer Antwort, f
ant Ameise, f
any jeder, e, -es
anyone irgend jemand
anything irgend etwas
anywhere irgendwo
apartment Wohnung, f
appear erscheinen
appetite Appetit, m
apple Apfel, m
apply anwenden
approach sich nähern
appropriate passend
approval Billigung, f
approximately ungefähr
apricot Aprikose, f
April April, m
area Gebiet, n
argument Beweis, m
arm Arm, m
armchair Sessel, m
arms (plural) Waffen, pl
army Armee, f
around herum
arrival Ankunft, f
arrive ankommen
art Kunst, f
article Artikel, m
artist (feminine) Künstlerin, f
artist (masculine) Künstler, m,
as (like) wie
as (when) als
ask (beg) bitten
ask (question) fragen
aspect Anblick, m
assembly Versammlung, f
assignment Zuweisung, f
assistance Beistand, m, Assistenz, f
association Verband, m
assume annehmen
at (hour) um
at (place) an
at last endlich
at least wenigstens
at most höchstens
at the same time zur gleichen Zeit
attack angreifen
attempt Versuch, m
attention Achtung, f
attitude Haltung, f
attorney Anwalt, m
August August, m
aunt Tante, f
author (feminine) Schriftstellerin, f
author (masculine) Schriftsteller, m,
autumn Herbst, m
available käuflich
avoid vermeiden
awake erwachen
aware aufgeweckt
away weg
baby Baby, n
back zurück
back (body) Rücken, m
background Hintergrund, m
bacon Speck, m
bad schlechter,-e,-es
badly schlecht
bag Tasche, f
baggage Gepäck, n
bake backen
baker Bäcker, m
bakery Bäckerei, f
balcony Balkon, m
ball Ball, m
banana Banane, f
band Band, n
bank Bank, f
bank note Banknote, f
bar Bar, f
base Grundlage, f
based beruhen auf
basement Keller, m
basic grundlegend
basket Korb, m
bath Bad, n
bathroom Badezimmer, n
battle Schlacht, f
bay Bucht, f
be sein
be called heissen
be valid gültig sein
beach Strand, m
bean Bohne, f
bear Bär, m
beard Bart, m
beat schlagen
beautiful schön
beauty Schönheit, f
because weil
become werden
bed Bett, n
bedroom Schlafzimmer, n
bee Biene, f
beef Rindfleisch, n
beefsteak Steak, n
beer Bier, n
before vor
begin beginnen
beginning Anfang, m
behavior Benehmen, n
behind hinter
belief Glauben, m
believe glauben
bell (door) Klingel, f
below unter
belt Gurt, m
beneath unter
benefit Nutzen, m
beside neben
besides ausserdem
best bester,-e,-es
bet Wette, f
better besser
between zwischen
beverage Getränk, n
beyond jenseits
bible Bibel, f
bicycle Fahrrad, n
big gross
bill Rechnung, f
bird Vogel, m
birth Geburt, f
birthday Geburtstag, m
biscuit Biscuit, n
bit Stück, f
bitter bitter
black schwarz
black schwarz
blanket Decke, f
blind blind
block Block, m
blood Blut, n
blouse Bluse, f
blue blau
board Brett, f
boat Boot, n
body Körper, m
boil kochen
bone Knochen, m
book Buch, n
bookshop Buchhandlung, f
boring langweilg
both beide
bottle Flasche, f
bottom Boden, m
bowl Schale, f
box Schachtel, f
boy Junge, m
brain Gehirn, n
brake Bremse, f
bread Brot, n
break brechen
breakfast Frühstück, n
breast Brust, f
breath Atem, m
bridge Brücke, f
brief kurz
bright hell
brilliant strahlend
bring bringen
broad breit
broke pleite
broom Besen, m
brother Bruder, m
brown braun
brush Bürste, f
budget Budget, f
build bauen
building Gebäude, n
burn brennen
burning Verbrennung, f
bus Bus, m
business Geschäft, n
busy beschäftigt
but aber
butcher Metzger, m
butter Butter, f
butterfly Schmetterling, m
button Knopf, m
buy kaufen
buy kaufen
by (a person) durch, von
by chance zufällig
by heart auswendig
by the way übrigens
Bottom of Form
cabbage Kohl, m
café Café, n
cake Kuchen, m
calf Kalb, n
call rufen, anrufen
camp Lager, n
can können
candle Kerze, f
capacity Aufnahmefähigkeit, f
capital Kapital, n
captain Kapitän, m
car Wagen, m, Auto, n
card Karte, f
care sorgen
career Karriere, f
careful vorsichtig
carpet Teppich, m
carrot Rübe, f, Karrotte, f
carry tragen
case, instance Fall, m
cashier Kassierer, m,
cat Katze
catch fangen
cathedral Kathedrale, f
cattle Vieh, n
cauliflower Blumenkohl, m
cause Grund, m
cell Zelle, f
cellar Keller, m
center Zentrum, n
central zentral
century Jahrhundert, n
certain gewiss
certainly gewiss
chain Kette, f
chair Stuhl, m
chairman Vordsitzender, m
chance Chance, f
changable veränderlich
change (noun) Wechsel
change (verb) wechseln
chapter Kapitel, f
character Charakter, m
characteristics Merkmal
charge beladen
cheap billig
check (verb) prüfen
cheek Wange, f
cheese Käse, m
chemical chemisch
cherry Kirsche, f
chest Brust, f
chicken Hühnchen, n
chief Leiter, m
child Kind, n
childhood Kindheit, f
chill kühlen
chin Kinn, n
china Porzellan, n
chinese chinesisch
chocolate Schokolade, f
choice Wahl, f
choose wählen, auswählen
christian christlich
christmas Weihnachten
church Kirche, f
cigarette Zigarette, f
circle Kreis, m
circumstances Umstände, pl
citizen Bürger, m
city Stadt, f
civil bürgerlich
claim Anspruch, m
class Klasse, f
clay Lehm, m
clean sauber
clear klar, hell
client Kunde, m
clock(tower) Uhr, f
clock,watch Armbanduhr, f
close nahe, bei
closely eng
clothes Kleider, pl
cloud Wolke, f
club Club, m
coast Küste, f
coat Mantel, m
coffee Kaffee, m
cold kalt
collar Kragen, m
collection Sammlung, f
college College, n
color Farbe, f
column Säule, f
comb Kamm, m
combination Verbindung, f
come kommen
come back zurückkommen
command befehlen
commerce Handel, m
commercial Werbespot, m
commission Kommission, f
committee Komittee, n
common gewöhnlich
communication Verbindung, f
company Gesellschaft, f
compare vergleichen
competition Wettbewerb, m
complete vollständig
complexion Hautfarbe, f
comrade Kamarad, m
concept Planung, f
concern betreffen
conclusion Ergebnis, n
condition Bedingung, f
conduct Verhalten, n
conference Besprechung, f
confess bekennen
confidence Zutrauen, n
conflict Konflikt, m
congress Kongress, m
connection Verbindung, f
consider erwägen, überlegen
considerable beträchtlich
construction Bauwerk, n
contact kontaktieren
contain enthalten
contemporary zeitgenössisch
content Inhalt, m
continue fortsetzen
contract Vertrag, m
contrary Gegenteil, n
contrast Gegensatz, m
control Kontrolle, f
conversation Gespräch, n
conviction Ueberzeugung, f
convince überzeugen
cook kochen
cook Koch, m, Köchin, f
cool kühl
cord Seil, n
corner Ecke, f
corporation Gesellschaft, f
correct richtig
cost kosten
council Ratsversammlung, f
count zählen, berechnen
country Land, n
county Grafschaft, f
couple Paar, n
course Lauf, m, Verlauf, m
court Gericht, n
cousin Cousin, m, Cousine, f
cover bedecken
cow Kuh, f
cream Sahne, f
create erschaffen
credit Kredit, m
crime Verbrechen, n
crisis Krise, f
critical kritisch
cross Kreuz, n
crowd Menge, f
crown Krone, f
cry, weep weinen
cucumber Gurke, f
cultural kulturell
culture Kultur, f
cup Tasse, f
cupboard Schrank, m
current laufend
curtain Vorhang, m
customs Zoll, m
cut schneiden
daddy Papa, m
daily täglich
dance tanzen
danger Gefahr, f
dangerous gefährlich
dark dunkel
data Daten, pl
date Datum, n
daughter Tochter, f
day Tag, m
dead tot
deaf taub
deal Abmachung, f
dear teuer, lieb
December Dezember
decide entscheiden
decision Entscheidung, f
declare bekanntgeben
deep tief
defense Verteidigung, f
degree Grad, m
demand Anfrage, f
demand verlangen
democratic demokratisch
dentist Zahnarzt, m
depart, leave abreisen
department Abteilung, f
departure Abfahrt, f
depth Tiefe, f
describe beschreiben
desert Wüste, f
design entwerfen
desire begehren
desk Schreibtisch, m
despite trotz
dessert Dessert, n
detail Detail, f
detective Detektiv, m
determine bestimmen
determined entschlossen
develop entwickeln
development Entwicklung, f
device Gerät, n
devoted ergeben
dictionary Wörterbuch, n
die sterben
difference Unterschied, m
different verschieden
difficult schwierig
dining room Esszimmer, n
dinner Abendessen, n
direct lenken
direction Richtung, f
directly direkt
director Direktor, m
dirty schmutzig
disappointed enttäuscht
discover entdecken
discuss besprechen
discussion Besprechung
disease Krankheit, f
distance Distanz, f
distribute verteilen
district Distrikt, m
divided geteilt
division Abteilung, f
do tun, machen
doctor Arzt, m, Aerztin, f
dog Hund, m
domestic häuslich
dominant herrschend
donkey Esel, m
door Türe, f
double doppelt
doubt Zweifel, m
down unten, hinunter
dozen Dutzend, n
dramatic dramatisch
draw zeichnen
drawer Schublade, f
dream Traum, m
dress Kleid, n
drink trinken
drive Auto fahren
drunk betrunken
dry trocken
duck Ente, f
due Gebühr, f
during während
dust Staub, m
duty Pflicht, f
dwelling Wohnung, f
each jeder, -e, -es
ear Ohr, n
early früh
earn verdienen
earth Erde, f
east Osten
easy leicht
eat essen
economy Wirtschaft, f
edge Kante, f
editor Herausgeber, m
education Erziehung, f, Bildung, f
effect Wirkung, f
effective wirksam
effort Anstrengung, f
egg Ei, n
eight acht
either beide
elbow Ellbogen, m
election Wahl, f
electric elektrisch
electronic elektronisch
element Element, n
elephant Elefant, m
elevator Fahrstuhl, m, Lift, m
eleven elf
else sonst
emotional gefühlsmässig
employee Angestellter, m
empty leer
end Ende, n
enemy Feind, m
energy Energie, f
engine Motor, m
enjoy geniessen
enough genug
enter eintreten
entire ganzer
entrance Eingang, m
envelope Briefumschlag, m
equal gleich
equipment Ausrüstung, f
escape entkommen
especially besonders
essential wesentlich
establish einrichten
estate Liegenschaft, f
estimated geschätzt
even A622 sogar
evening Abend, m
event Ereignis, n
eventually schliesslich
ever jemals, immer
every jeden,-e,-es
everybody jeder
everyone jeder
everything alles
everywhere überall
evidence Beweis, m
evil Übel, n
exactly genau
example Beispiel, f
excellent ausgezeichnet
except ausser
exchange Wechsel, m
executive Geschäftsführer, m
exercise Uebung, f
exist existieren
existence Dasein, n
exit Ausgang, m
expect erwarten
expenses Auslagen, pl
expensive teuer
experience Erfahrung, f
experiment Experiment, n
explain erklären
express ausdrücken
expression Ausdruck, m
extended erweitert
extent Ausdehnung, f
extra zusätzlich
extreme äusserst
eye Auge, n
face Gesicht, n
facilities Möglichkeiten
fact Tatsache, f
factor Faktor, m
factory Fabrik, f
fail fehlschlagen
failure Versagen, n
fair ehrlich
fairly eher
fairy tale Märchen, n
faith Glauben, m
fall fallen
false, falsch
familiar gewohnt, vertraut
family Familie, f
far weit
farm Bauernhof, m
fashion Mode, f
fast schnell
fat fett
father Vater, m
fault Fehler, m
favor Gefallen, m
fear Angst, f
features Eigenschaften
February Februar, m
feed ernähren, füttern
feel (good) sich fühlen
feeling Gefühl, n
felicitate beglückwünschen
female weiblich
fetch holen
few wenig
field Feld, n
fifteen fünfzehn
fifty fünfzig
fig Feige, f
fight Kampf, m
figure out herausfinden
file Akte, f
fill füllen
film Film, m
finally endlich
find finden
fine fein, schön
finger Finger, m
finish (verb) beenden
fire Feuer, n
first erster,-e,-es
fish Fisch, m
five fünf
flat Wohnung
flat (adj.) flach
flesh (body) Fleisch
floor Boden, m
flour Mehl, n
flow fliessen
flower Blume, f
fly (insect) Fliege, f
fly (verb) fliegen
follow folgen
food Nahrung, f, Essen, n
foot Fuss, m
for für
forbidden verboten
force Kraft, f
foreign fremd, ausländisch
forest Wald, m
forget vergessen
forgive vergeben
fork Gabel, f
form Form, f
former früherer
forty vierzig
fountain Brunnen, m
four vier
fourteen vierzehn
fox Fuchs, m
frame Rahmen, m
free gratis
free (not occupied) frei
frequently häufig
fresh frisch
Friday Freitag, m
friend Freund, m, freundin, f
friendly freundlich
frighten erschrecken
from von
front Vorderseite, f
full voll
fundamental grundlegend
funny lustig
furniture Möbel, pl
further weiterer, -e, -es
future Zukunft, f
Bottom of Form
gain Gewinn, m
game Spiel, n
garden Garten, m
gas Gas, n
gasoline Benzin, n
general allgemein
get bekommen
girl Mädchen, n
give geben
glad fröhlich, froh
gladly gerne
glass Glas, n
glasses Brille, f
go gehen
goal Ziel, n
God Gott, n
gold Gold, n
goldfish Goldfisch, m
good gut
good-bye auf Wiedersehen
goods Waren, pl
goose Gans, f
government Regierung, f
gradually allmählich
grandfather Grossvater, m
grandmother Grossmutter, f
grass Gras, n
gray grau
green grün
green grün
greetings Wünsche, pl
grey grau
ground Boden, m
group Gruppe, f
grow wachsen
guess vermuten
guest Gast, m
gun Gewehr, n
guy Kerl, m
hair Haare, pl
half halb
hall Halle, f
ham Schinken, m
hammer Hammer, m
hamster Hamster, m
hand Hand, f
handbag Handtasche, f
handkerchief Taschentuch, n
handle umgehen mit
hang hängen
happen geschehen
happy glücklich
hard hard
hardly kaum
harvest Ernte, f
hat Hut, m
hate hassen
have haben
he er
head Kopf, m
health Gesundheit, f
healthy gesund
hear hören
heart Herz, n
heat Hitze, f
heavy schwer
hell Hölle, f
help (noun) Hilfe
help (verb) helfen
hen Huhn, n
here hier
hero Held, m
high hoch
highway Landstrasse, f
hill Hügel, m
him,her, it ihn, sie, es
his sein
history Geschichte, f
hit schlagen
hold halten
hole Loch, n
holiday Ferien, pl
home, at home zuhause
honor Ehre, f
hope Hoffnung, f
horrible schrecklich
horse Pferd, n
hospital Spital, n
hot heiss
hotel, inn Hotel, n
hour Stunde, f
house Haus, n
how wie
however wie auch immer
huge riesig
human menschlich
hundred hundert
hungry hungrig
hurry sich beeilen
hurt, injure verletzen
husband Ehemann, m
I ich
ice Eis, n
ice cream Eiskrem, Eis
idea Idee, f
ideal ideal
if wenn
image Bild, n
imagine sich vorstellen
immediately sofort
impact Einfluss, m
important wichtig
impossible unmöglich
improve verbessern
in in
in front of vor
in spite of trotz
inch Zoll, m
include beinhalten
increase zunehmen
indeed tatsächlich
independent unabhängig
index Inhaltsverzeichnis
index finger Zeigefinger
influence Einfluss, m
initial anfänglich
inner innerer, -e, -es
insect Insekt, n
inside drinnen
instead anstatt
interest Interesse
interesting interessant
interior Innere, f
into in.....hinein
invite einladen
involve verwickeln
iron Eisen, n
island Insel, f
issue Problem, n
it es
it's cold es ist kalt
it's foggy es ist neblig
it's freezing es friert Kälte ein
it's hot es ist heiß
it's nice es ist nett
it's rainy es ist regnerisch
it's snowy es ist schneebedeckt
it's sunny es ist sonnig
it's windy es ist windig
jacket Jacke, f
jam Marmelade, f
January Januar, m
job Job, m
join sich anschliessen
judge Richter, m
juice Saft, m
July Juli, m
jump springen
June Juni, m
just (only) nur
justice Gerechtigkeit, f
keep halten
key Schlüssel, m
kill töten
kind Art, f
king König, m
kiss Kuss, m
kitchen Küche, f
kitten Kätzchen, n
knee Knie, n
knife Messer, n
know (person) kennen
know to können
knowledge Wissen, n
labor Arbeit, f
lack mangeln
ladder Leiter, f
lady Dame, f
lake See, m
lamp Lampe, f
land Land, n
language Sprache, d
large breit
last letzter,-e,-es
last (previous) letzte
late spät
laugh lachen
law Recht, n
lay legen
lead führen
leader Anführer, d
learn lernen
leave weggehen
left links
leg Bein, n
legal gesetzlich
lemon Zitrone, f
length Länge, f
less weniger
let (allow) lassen
letter Brief, m
library Bibliothek, f
lie liegen
lie lügen
life Leben, f
lift (verb) heben
light (adjective) leicht
light (electr) Licht
lightning Blitz, m
like (as) wie
like (verb) mögen
likely wahrscheinlich
line Linie, f
lip Lippe, f
liquid flüssig
list Liste, f
listen hören, zuhören
literature Literatur, f
little (amount) wenig
little (size) klein
live leben
live, dwell wohnen
local lokal
located gelegen
location Standort, m
lock (noun) Schloss, n
long (object) lang
long (time) lange
look schauen
lose verlieren
loss Verlust, m
lot Haufen, m
loud laut
love (noun) Liebe, f
love (verb) lieben
low leise
luck Glück, n
lunch Mittagessen, n
machine Maschine, f
magazine Magazin, n
mail Post, f
maintain instandhalten
majority Mehrheit, f
make machen
man Mann, m, Mensch, m
manner Art, f
many viele
map Landkarte, f
March März, m
march marschieren
mark kennzeichnen
market Markt, m
marriage Hochzeit, f
married verheiratet
mass Messe, f
material Material, n
matter Gegenstand, m
maximum Maximum, n
May Mai, m
may dürfen
maybe vielleicht
me mich (accusative), mir (dative)
meadow Wiese, f
meal Mahlzeit, f
mean meinen, denken
meaning Bedeutung, f
means Mittel, n
meanwhile unterdessen
measure Mass, n
meat Fleisch, n
meet treffen
member Mitglied, n
memory Gedächtnis, n
mention erwähnen
merely kaum
message Botschaft, f
metal Metall, n
method Methode, f
midday, noon Mittag
middle mittlerer,-e,-es
midnight Mitternacht
mile Meile, f
milk Milch, f
million Million, f
mind Sinn, m, Geist, m
minimum Minimum, n
minister Minister, m
minute Minute, f
mirror Spiegel, m
Miss Fräulein
miss (verb) vermissen
mistake Fehler, m
modern modern
moment Augenblick, m, Moment, m
Monday Montag, m
money Geld, n
month Monat, m
moon Mond, m
more mehr
more... than mehr...als
morning Morgen, m
most die meisten
mother Mutter, f
motion Bewegung, f
motor Motor, m
mountain Berg, m
mouse Maus, f
mouth Mund, m
move bewegen
movement Bewegung, f
Mr. Herr
Mrs. Frau
much viel
murder Mord, m
music Musik, f
must müssen
my mein,-e
myself mich
nail Nagel, m
name Name, m
napkin Serviette, f
narrow eng
nasty böse, schlimm
natural natürlich
nature Natur, f
near nahe
necessary notwendig
neck Hals, m
need brauchen
needle Nadel, f
neighbor Nachbar, m
neighborhood Nachbarschaft, f
neither...nor weder...noch
never nie
nevertheless trotzdem
new neu
news Nachrichten, pl
newspaper Zeitung, f
next nächster,-e,-es
nice nett
night Nacht, f
nine neun
nineteen neunzehn
ninety neunzig
no nein
nobody niemand
nod nicken
noise Lärm, m
none niemand
nor weder
normal normal
north Norden
nose Nase, f
not nicht
note Notiz, f
nothing nichts
notice bemerken
novel Roman, m
November November, m
now jetzt
nowhere nirgendwo
number Zahl, f
nurse Krankenschwester, f
nut Nuss, f
oak Eiche, f
observe beobachten
obtain erhalten
obvious offensichtlich
occasion Gelegenheit, f
occur vorfallen
October Oktober, m
of von
of course natürlich, gewiss
off weg
offer anbieten
office Büro, n
officer Offizier, Beamter
official offiziell
often oft
oil Oel, n
old alt
on auf
on time,in time pünktlich
once ein mal
one ein, eine
one(impers.) man
oneself sich
onion Zwiebel, f
only nur
open öffnen
opinion Meinung, f
opportunity Gelegenheit, f
opposite gegenüberstehend
or oder
orange Orange, f
orange (color) orangegelb
orchestra Orchester, n
order bestellen
ordinary gewöhnlich
organization Organisation, f
original original
orning Morgen, m
other anderer,-e,-es
otherwise sonst
our unser, -e
outside draussen
oven Ofen
over über
overcoat Mantel, m
own eigener,-e,-es
page Seite, f
pain Schmerz, m
painting Gemälde, n
pair Paar, n
pale Bleich
paper Papier, n
parents Eltern, pl
park Park, m
parking Parkieren
part Teil, m
particular Besonders
partly teilweise
party Party, f
passport Pass, m
past Vergangenheit, f
patient geduldig
pattern Muster, n
pay zahlen
payment Zahlung, f
pea Erbe, f
peace Frieden, m
pear Birne, f
pen Kugelschreiber, m
people Leute, pl
performance Leistung,Vorstellung, f
perhaps vielleicht
period Punkt(Zeichen), m
permit erlauben
person Person, f
personal persönlich
pick pflücken
picture Bild, n
piece Stück, n
pig Schwein, n
pink blaßrot
place, spot Ort, m, Stelle, f
plan Plan, m
plant Pflanze, f
plate Teller, m
play spielen
pleasant angenehm
please bitte
pleasure Vergnügen, n
plenty sehr viel
point Punkt, m
police Polizei, f
pool Schwimmbecken, n
poor arm
popular beliebt
population Bevölkerung, f
pork Schweinefleisch, n
portion Teil, m
position Lage, f
possible möglich
post office Postbüro, n
postcard Postkarte, f
pot Topf, m
potato Kartoffel, f
power Macht, f,Kraft, f
powerful mächtig
practice Uebung, f
pray beten, bitten
prepare vorbereiten
present Geschenk, n
president Präsident, m
pressure Druck, m
pretty hübsch
prevent vorbeugen
previous vorheriger,-e,-es
price Preis, m
probably wahrscheinlich
problem Problem, n
product Produkt, n
program Programm, n
progress Fortschritt, m
promise versprechen
property Eigentum, n
proposal Vorschlag
propose vorschlagen
protection Schutz, m
proud stolz
prove beweisen
provide liefern
prune Zwetschge, f
public öffentlich
publish veröffentlichen
pull ziehen
pure rein
purple purpurfarbig
purpose Zweck, m
push stossen
put legen, stellen
quality Qualität, f
queen Königin, f
question Frage, f
quickly schnell
quiet ruhig
quite ganz
rabbit Kaninchen, n
race Rasse, f
radio Radio, n
railroad Eisenbahn, f
rain Regen, m
rain (verb) regnen
raise aufziehen
range Bereich, m
rapidly schnell
rare selten
rate Kurs, m,Preis, m
rather eher
raw roh
reach, manage erreichen
read lesen
ready bereit
real wirklich
reality Wirklichkeit, f
realize erkennen,ausführen
really wirklich
rear Hinterseite, f
reason Grund, m
reasonable vernünftig
receive erhalten, bekommen
recently kürzlich
recognize erkennen
record Schallplatte, f
recover sich erholen
red rot
reduce verringern
refrigerator Kühlschrank, m
refuse ablehnen
regard Hinblick, m
region Gegend
regular regelmässig, üblich
relation Verhältnis, n
relatively verhältnismässig
relief Erleichterung, f
religion Religion, f
remain zurückbleiben
remark Bemerkung, f
remember sich erinnern
remove entfernen
repeat wiedeerholen
reply antworten
report berichten
represent darstellen
require erfordern
research (do ~) Forschen
research (noun) Forschung, f
responsible verantwortlich
rest sich ausruhen
restaurant Restaurant, n
result Ergebnis, n
return zurückkehren
rice Reis, m
rich reich
right (direction) rechts
right (fair) rechtig
right (noun) Recht, n
ring läuten
rise aufstehen
risk Risiko, n
river Fluss
road Landstrasse, f
rock Fels, m
role Rolle, f
roof Dach, n
room Zimmer, n
round rund
rule Regel, f
run laufen, rennen
sad traurig
safe sicher
salad Salat, m
salt Salz, n
same gleicher,-e,-es
sample Probe, f
satisfied zufrieden
Saturday Samstag, m
sausage Wurst, f
save retten, sichern
say sagen
scarcely kaum
scene Szene
school Schule, f
science Wissenschaft, f
scissors Schere, f
screw Schraube, f
sea Meer, n
search suchen
season Jahreszeit, f
seat Sitz, m
second zweiter,-e,-es
secret Geheimnis, n
secretary Sekretärin, f
see sehen
seek suchen
seem scheinen
seldom selten
select auswählen
sell verkaufen
send senden, schicken
sense Sinn, m, Gefühl, n
September September, m
serious ernsthaft
serve as dienen als
service Dienst, m
settled abgemacht
seven sieben
seventeen siebzehn
seventy siebzig
several mehrere
sex Geschlecht, n
sexual sexuell
shadow Schatten, m
shall sollen
shape Form, f
share teilen
sharp scharf
shave sich rasieren
she sie
sheep Schaf, n
shelter Obdach, n
ship Schiff, n
shirt Hemd, n
shoes Schuhe, pl
shoot schiessen
shop Laden, m
shore Strand, m
short kurz
shot Schuss
shoulder Schulter, f
show zeigen
sick, ill krank
side Seite, f
sign (noun) Zeichen, n
sign (verb) unterschreiben
signal Signal, n
signify bedeuten
silence Ruhe, f
silver Silber, n
similar gleich
simple einfach
sin Sünde, f
since seit
sing singen
sister Schwester, f
sit sich setzen
situation Lage, f
six sechs
sixteen sechzehn
sixty sechzig
size Grösse, f
skin Haut, f
skirt Rock, m
sky Himmel, m
sleep schlafen
slight geringfügig
slow langsam
small klein
smell riechen
smile lächeln
smith Schmied, m
smoke rauchen
smooth weich, glatt
snail Schnecke, f
snake Schlange, f
snow Schnee, m
so so
soap Seife, f
society Gesellschaft, f
soft weich
soil Boden(Erde), m
soldier Soldat, m
solid fest
solution Lösung, f
some (object) einige
somebody jemand
someone jemand
sometimes manchmal
somewhere irgendwo
son Sohn, m
song Lied, n
soon bald
sound Klang, m
soup Suppe, f
sour sauer
source Quelle, f
south Süden
space Raum, m
speak sprechen
speed Geschwindigkeit, f
spend ausgeben
spider Stall, m
spirit Geist, m
splendid prächtig
spoon Löffel, m
spot Stelle, f, Ort, m
spread ausbreiten
spring Frühling, m
square Platz, m
staff Personal, n
stage Bühne, f
stairs Treppe, f
stamp Briefmarke, f
stand stehen
star Stern, m
stare starren, blicken
start beginnen
state Staat, m
station Bahnhof, m
stay bleiben
steel Stahl, m
step Schritt, m
still immer noch
stir rühren
stock Aktie, f
stomach Magen, m
stone Stein, m
stop Haltestelle, f
stop (verb) anhalten
store Laden, m
storm Sturm, m
story Geschichte, f
stove Ofen, m
straight geradeaus
strange fremd, seltsam
strawberry Erdbeere, f
stream Strom, m, Fluss, m
street Strasse
strength Kraft, f , Stärke, f
strong stark
struggle streiten,kämpfen
student Student, m,-in, f
study studieren
success Erfolg, m
successful erfolgreich
such solcher,-e,-es
suddenly plötzlich
sufficient genügend
sugar Zucker, m
suggest empfehlen
suit Anzug, m
suit (verb) passen
suitable passend
summer Sommer, m
sun Sonne, f
Sunday Sonntag, m
supper Abendessen, n
supply liefern
support unterstützen
suppose annehmen
supreme höchster,-e,-es
sure sicher
surface Oberfläche, f
surprise Ueberraschung, f
sweet süss
swim schwimmen
Table Tisch, f
take nehmen
talk reden
tall gross
task Aufgabe, f
taste (noun) Geschmack, m
taste (verb) abschmecken
taxes Steuern, pl
tea Tee, m
teach lehren
teacher Lehrer, m, Lehrerin, f
tear (verb) reissen
tears Tränen, pl
technique Technik, f
telephone Telefon, n
television Fernsehen, n
tell erzählen
temperature Temperatur, f
ten zehn
tension Spannung, f
term Semester, n
test testen
than als
thank danken
thank you danke
that das
that (which) welcher,-e,-es
the der, die, das
the( plural) die
theater Theater, n
their ihre
then dann
there dort
therefore deswegen
these diese
they sie
thick dick
thin dünn
thing Sache, f, Ding, n
think denken
thirst Durst, m
thirteen dreizehn
thirty dreissig
this dieser,-e,-es
this morning heute morgen
though obwohl
thought Gedanke, m
thousand tausend
thread Faden, m
three drei
throat Hals, m
through durch
throw werfen
thumb Daumen, m
thunder Donner, m
Thursday Donnerstag, m
thus so, darum
ticket Fahrkarte, f
tie Kravatte, f
tiger Tiger, m
till bis
time Zeit, f
times (many) mal
tiny winzig
tire Reifen, m
tired müde
title Titel, m
to zu
to you dir
today heute
toe Zehe, f
together zusammen
toilet Toilette, f
tomato Tomate, f
tomorrow morgen
tone Ton, m,Klang, m
tongs Zange, f
tongue Zunge, f
too auch
too much zu viel
tooth Zahn, m
toothbrush Zahnbürste, f
tortoise Schildkröte, f
total total
touch berühren
tower Turm, m
town Stadt, f
trade Handel, m
traffic Verkehr, m
train Zug, m
translate übersetzen
travel (verb) reisen
treatment Behandlung, f
tree Baum, m
trip Reise, f
trouble Schwierigkeiten
trousers Hose, f
truck Lastwagen, m
true, wahr
trust Vertrauen, n, Trust, m
truth Wahrheit, f
try versuchen
Tuesday Dienstag, m
turn Kurve, f, Reihe, f
twelve zwölf
twenty zwanzig
twice zwei mal
two zwei
ugly hässlich
umbrella Schirm, m
uncle Onkel, m
under unter
underground U-Bahn
understand verstehen
unique einmalig
universe Weltall, n
university Universität, f
unless falls nicht
until bis
unusual unüblich
up auf, nach oben
up to now bis jetzt
us uns
use gebrauchen
vacuum cleaner Staubsauger, m
valley Tal, n
value Wert, m
various verschieden
vast weit, ausgedehnt
veal Kalbfleisch, n
vegetable Gemüse, n
very sehr
victory Sieg, m
view Sicht, f , Ansicht, f
village Dorf, n
visit besuchen
voice Stimme, f
volume Lautstärke, f
vote wählen, abstimmen
wage Lohn, m
wagon Lastwagen, m
wait warten
waiter Kellner, m
walk (go) gehen
wall Mauer, f
want wollen
war Krieg, m
warm warm
wash waschen
watch (noun) Uhr, f
watch (verb) betrachten
water Wasser, n
way Weg, m
we wir
weapons Waffen, pl
wear (clothes) tragen
weather Wetter, n
Wednesday Mittwoch, m
week Woche, f
weight Gewicht, n
welcome willkommen
welfare Fürsorge, f
well gut
west Westen
wet nass
what was
wheel Rad, n
when wann
where wo
whether ob
which welcher,-e,-es
while während
white weiß
who wer, welcher
whole ganz
whom welchen,-e,-es
whose wessen
why warum
wide weit
wife Ehefrau, f
wild wild
win gewinnen
wind Wind, m
window Fenster, n
wine Wein, m
winter Winter, m
wish (verb) wünschen
with mit
with that damit
within darin
without ohne
woman Frau, f
wonder (verb) sich fragen
wonderful wunderbar
wood Holz, n
wool Wolle, f
word Wort, n
work (noun) Arbeit, f
work (verb) arbeiten
worker Arbeiter
world Welt, f
worse schlimmer
worthless wertlos
write schreiben
wrong falsch
yard Hof, m,Yard, m
year Jahr, n
yellow gelb
yellow gelb
yes ja
yesterday gestern
yet noch
you dich, dir
you (plural) ihr
you(singular) du, Sie
young jung
your (plural) euer, Ihr
your (singular) dein, Ihr
youth Jugend, f
zero null
Adjectives proceeded by the indefinite articles (ein/ eine/ ein) or the pronouns such as mein (my, mine), sein (his)… kein (no) have an irregular declension:
Adjetives in Germansingular masculine feminine neuternominative ein guter Mann eine schöne Rose ein altes Buchaccusative einen guten Mann eine schöne Rose ein altes Buchdative einem guten Mann einer schönen Rose einem alten Buchgenitive eines guten Mannes einer schönen Rose eines alten Buches
The plural endings for strong adjectives are the same for all three genders:
Plural adjectivesnominative keine guten Männeraccusative keine guten Männerdative keinen guten Männerngenitive keiner guten Männer
Below is a list of some common adjectives in German, they’re in their original form, so they’re not yet influenced by any other cases like (accusative, dative, and genitive), so take that into consideration when you put these adjectives in a non nominative case.
For example: Er ist schnell (he is fast). (but) Er ist ein schneller Mann.(note how in the first setences the adjective schnell wasn’t influenced by anything and therefore stayed in its original form, but in the second example “ein” made it take “er” at the end). The same thing may occur to the adjectives below:
List of German Adjectives
ambitious ehrgeizig
American Amerikaner
annoying ärgerlich
bad schlecht
beautiful schön
big, large groß
blonde blondine
boring langweilig
brave tapfer
careless unbesonnen
cautious vorsichtig
certain bestimmt
charming charmant
cheerful fröhlich
Chinese Chinesisch
conceited eingebildet
conventional herkömmlich
coward feigling
crazy, nuts verrückt, Nüsse
cruel grausam
difficult schwierig
disagreeable unangenehm
dull, boring dumm, langweilig
easy leicht
English Englisch
fake unecht
fat Fett
few, a little wenige, ein wenig
French Französisch
frequent häufig
friendly freundlich
fun, amusing lustig, amüsant
funny komisch, komisch
general General
generous großzügig
German Deutsch
good gut
handsome hübsch
hard-working fleißig
high, tall hoch, hoch
honest ehrlich
intelligent intelligent
interesting interessant
kind Art
laid-back entspannend
lazy faul
little, small wenig, klein
low, short niedrig, kurz
mean niedrig
modest bescheiden
moody launisch
naive naiv
narrow-minded engstirnig
new neu
nice (person) nett
old alt
perfect vollkommen
personal Persönlicher
pious fromm
polite höflich
poor schlecht
possible möglich
pretty ziemlich
proud stolz
rapid, fast schnell, schnell
realistic realistisch
recent neu
reliable zuverlässig
rich reich
sad jämmerlich
selfish egoistisch
sensitive empfindlich
shy schüchtern
silly, dumb dumm, stumm
skinny dünn
slender, slim schlank
slow langsam
small klein
Spanish Spanisch
strict streng
strong stark
stubborn störrisch
talkative gesprächig
trustworthy vertrauenswürdig
ugly hässlich
various verschieden
weak schwach
weird unheimlich
white weiß
young jung
Top 1,000 Words in GermanComputer analysis of word frequency
with single word variations
1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100
derdieundindenvonzudasmitsichdesauffüristimdemnichteinDieeine
alsauchesanwerdenauserhatdaß*sienachwirdbeieinerDerumamsindnochwie
einemübereinenDassoSiezumwarhabennuroderabervorzurbismehrdurchmanseinwurde
seiInProzenthattekanngegenvomkönnenschonwennhabeseineMark**ihredannunterwirsollicheines
EsJahrzweiJahrendiesedieserwiederkeineUhrseinerwordenUndwillzwischenImimmerMillionenEinwassagte
101-120 121-140 141-160 161-180 181-200
Ergibtalle
Auchihrseinen
Deutschlandanderenwerde
StadtgehtDoch
diesesstehtdabei
DM*diesemseitmußwurdenbeimdochjetztwarendreiJahreMitneueneuendamitbereitsda
müssenabihrerNachohnesondernselbsterstennunetwaBeiheuteihrenweilihmseienMenschen
IchsagtWirEinerundFürAberihnEndejedochZeitsolleninsWennSoseinemuns
sehrhierganzerstwollenBerlinvor allemsowiehattenkeindeutschenmachenlassenAlsUnternehmenandereob
wegenweiterdennbeideneinmaletwasWienichtsallerdingsviergutvielewovieldortallesAuf
201-220 221-240 241-260 261-280 281-300
wäreSPD*kommtvergangenendenenfastfünfkönntenicht nurhättenFrauAmdafürkommendiesenletztenzwarDiesegroßendazu
VonMannDasolltewürdealsobisherLebenMilliardenWeltRegierungkonnteihremFrauenwährendLandzehnwürdenstehenja
USAheißtdieszurückKinderdessenihnenderensogarFragegewesenerstegabliegtgardavongesterngebenTeilPolizei
dass**hätteeigenenkaumsiehtgroßeDennweitereWassehenmachtAngabenwenigergeradeläßtGeldMünchendeutscheallendarauf
wohlspäterkönnedeshalballerkamArbeitmichgegenübernächstenbleibtweniglangegemachtWerDiesFallmirgehenBerliner
401-420 421-440 441-460 461-480 481-500
TageDonnerstag
Nichtknapp
politischenGruppe
Problemevielleicht
neuerwartet
haltengleichnehmensolcheEntscheidungbesseralteLeuteErgebnisSamstagDaßsagenSystemMärztunMonatenkleinenlang
bringenwissenKostenErfolgbekanntfindetdarankünftigwerachtGrünenschnellGrundscheintZukunftStuttgartbinliegen
RollestelltJunisiebenSeptembernämlichMännerOktoberMrd*überhaupteigeneDanngegebenAußerdemStundeneigentlichMeterließ
ebensoBereichzum BeispielBisHöheFamilieWährendBildLändernInformationenFrankreichTagenschwerzuvorVorgenauAprilstellen
HamburgsicherführenMalÜbermehrereWirtschaftMio**ProgrammoffenbarHierweiterennatürlichkonntenstarkDezemberJuliganze
501-520 521-540 541-560 561-580 581-600
immer wiederFormMünchnerAG*andersihresvölligbeispielsweisegutebislangAugustHandjedeGmbH**FilmMinutenerreichtbeideMusikKritik
MitteVerfügungBuchdürfenUnterjeweilseinigenZumUmsatzspielenDatenwelchemüßtenhießpaarnachdemKunstEurogebrachtProblem
NochjedenIhreSprecherrechterneutlängsteuropäischenSeinElternBeginnbestehtSeinemindestensmachteJetztbietetaußerdemBürgerTrainer
baldDeutscheSchonFragenklarDurchSeitengehörenDorterstmalszeigenTitelStückgrößtenFDP***setztWertFrankfurterStaat
601-620 621-640 641-660 661-680 681-700
möchte gestellt Sache obwohl Bayern
daherwolleBundes- regierunglediglichNachtKriegOpferTodnimmtFirmazuletztWerkhohenlebenunter anderemDieserKircheweiterhingebe
MitgliederRahmenzweiteParisSituationgefundenWochenendeinternationalenWasser
RechtsonststandHälfteMöglichkeitversuchtbliebjungeMehrheitStraße
arbeitenMonateMutterberichtetletzteGerichtwolltenIhrzwölf
zumindestWahlgenugWeiseVaterBerichtamerikanischenhochbeginntWort
KopfspieltInteresseWestenverlorenPreisErstjedemerreichen
setzensprichtfrüherteilteLandeszudemeinzelnenbereitBlickDruck
KilometergemeinsamBedeutungChancePolitikerDazuZweibestenAnsicht
endlichStelledirektBeimBevölkerungVielesolchenAllesollejungen
701-720 721-740 741-760 761-780 781-800
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