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Dec 19, 2007

Die Bibel - Weihnachten Bible scripture for X'mas Matthäus, 2.

The following German-English biblical passages are related to the Christmas story. The German is taken from the Lutherbibel as it appears in the Kirchenbuch für Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden of 1908. The English is from the King James or Authorized Bible that first appeared in 1611. For more about various versions and translations of the Bible, see our article The Bible in German.
 
Matthäus - Matthew 2
Matthäus, 2. Kapitel - Lutherbibel

1 Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande, zur Zeit des Königs Herodes, siehe, da kamen die Weisen vom Morgenlande gen Jerusalem,
2 und sprachen: Wo ist der neugeborene König der Juden? Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen im Morgenlande und sind gekommen ihn anzubeten.
3 Da das der König Herodes hörte, erschrak er, und mit ihm das ganze Jerusalem.
4 Und ließ versammeln alle Hohepriester und Schriftgelehrten unter dem Volk, und erforschte von ihnen, wo sollte Christus geboren werden.
5 Und sie sagten ihm: Zu Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande. Denn also stehet geschrieben durch den Propheten:
6 Und du Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande bist mit nichten die kleinste unter den Fürsten Juda; denn aus dir soll mir kommen der Herzog, der über mein Volk Israel ein Herr sei.
7 Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich und erlernte mit Fleiß von ihnen, wann der Stern erschienen wäre;
8 Und wies sie gen Bethlehem und sprach: Ziehet hin und forschet fleißig nach dem Kindlein, und wenn ihrs findet, saget mirs wieder, dass ich auch komme und es anbete.
9 Als sie nun den König gehöret hatten, zogen sie hin. Und siehe, der Stern den sie im Morgenlande gesehen hatten, ging vor ihnen hin, bis dass er kam und stand oben über, da das Kindlein war.
10 Da sie den Stern sahen, wurden sie hoch erfreut,
11 Und gingen in das Haus und fanden das Kindlein mit Maria, seiner Mutter, und fielen nieder und beteten es an und thaten ihre Schätze auf und schenkten ihm Gold, Weihrauch und Myrrhen.
12 Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum, dass sie sich nicht sollten wieder zu Herodes lenken. Und zogen durch einen anderen Weg wieder in ihr Land.
 
Matthew, Chapter 2 - King James

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he damanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
 

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German Christmas Vocabulary

A

Advent r Advent
Advent calendar(s) r Adventskalender (-)
Advent season e Adventszeit
Advent wreath r Adventskranz

Advent (Latin for "arrival, coming") is the four-week period leading up to Christmas. In German-speaking countries and most of Europe the first Advent weekend is the traditional beginning of the Christmas season when open-air Christmas markets ( Christkindlmärkte) appear in many cities, the most famous ones being those in Nuremberg and Vienna. Most stores and shops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are open weekends and evenings during Advent. - In Austria the 's' is often dropped in Advent-words (as in Adventzeit or Adventkalender). - See our special Advent Calendar with daily Christmas facts!

angel(s)

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r Engel (-)

B

baked goods, pastry s Gebäck
See our German Christmas Recipes

Barbara Branch Barbarazweig - A pre-Christmas custom celebrated in Catholic regions on Dec. 4th, the traditional feast day of St. Barbara (Barbaratag). See our feature: Barbara: The Name, the Legend.

Basel chocolate balls Basler Brunsli - A sweet confection made with chocolate, almonds, and hazelnut; a Christmas treat.

Baumkuchen r Baumkuchen - "Tree cake" is a layered cake whose interior resembles (Christmas) tree rings when cut.

bell e Glocke, s Glöckchen (little bell)

Bible e Bibel
Also see: Die Bibel - Weihnachten

bow (ribbon) (n.) e Schleife

C

candle(s) e Kerze (-n)

Candles, with their light and warmth, have long been used in winter celebrations as symbols of the sun in the dark of winter. The Christians later adopted candles as their own symbol of the "Light of the World." Candles also play an important role in the eight-day Jewish "Festival of Lights" Hanukkah celebration.

candy, sweets s/r Bonbon (-s), Süssigkeiten (pl.)

carol(s), Christmas carol(s) s Weihnachtslied (-er)

carp (n.) r Karpfen (-)

Carp is considered a Christmas or New Year's delicacy in many parts of Germany.

chimney r Schornstein

choir r Chor

crèche, manger e Krippe

Christ Child s Christkind, s Christkindl

The word "Kris Kringle" is a corruption of Christkindl. The word came into American English via the Pennsylvania Germans, whose neighbors misunderstood the German word for the bringer of gifts. With the passage of time, Santa Claus (from Dutch "Sinterclaas") and Kris Kringle became synonymous. The Austrian town of Christkindl bei Steyr is a popular Christmas post office, an Austrian "North Pole."

Christmas E-Cards in German

Christmas s Weihnachten (sing., pl.), s Weihnachtsfest
Es weihnachtet. It's Christmas./Christmas is coming.
Frohe Weihnachten! Merry/Happy Christmas!
Also see: Die Bibel - Weihnachten (The Bible - Christmas)

Christmas bread/cake, fruit cake (n.) r Stollen, r Christstollen, r Striezel (dial.)

Christmas card(s) e Weihnachtskarte (-n)

Send digital Greetings of the Season to anyone with an email address... free!

Christmas Eve r Heiligabend

Christmas market(s) r Weihnachtsmarkt (-märkte), r Christkindlesmarkt

Christmas pyramid e Weihnachtspyramide (-n)

Originally from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, the wood or rope pyramid was the "poor man's Christmas tree." Today it is a popular Christmas decoration in many parts of Germany, usually made with candles and bells that ring as the heat from the candles turns a wooden rotor at the top.

Christmas tree r Christbaum, r Tannenbaum, r Weihnachtsbaum

The first Christmas tree to decorate the inside of the White House was put up by US President Franklin Pierce in 1856. (German immigrants brought the custom to America.) In England Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert (1819-1861) of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, helped popularize the Christmas tree and other German Christmas customs.

cinnamon star(s) r Zimtstern (-e) - Star-shaped, cinnamon-flavored Christmastime cookies

cookies (pl.) Kekse, Kipferln, Plätzchen
See our German Christmas Recipes

cradle, crèche e Krippe, s Kripplein, e Wiege

crescent(s) s Kipferl (-n) - Also see: cookies, vanilla crescent(s) Vanillekipferl(n)

German Christmas Word Search

D

decorate (v.) schmücken, verzieren, dekorieren
decoration(s) (Christmas) r Weihnachtsschmuck

Dresden Christmas [fruit] bread/loaf Dresdner Weihnachtsstollen
See our Recipe for Dresdner Stollen

E

eggnog r Eierlikör (similar but not the same as eggnog)

Epiphany s Dreikönigsfest (Jan. 6)

F

Father Christmas, Santa Claus r Weihnachtsmann

In the 16th century Protestants, led by Martin Luther, introduced "Father Christmas" to replace Saint Nicholas and to avoid the Catholic saints. In the Protestant parts of Germany and Switzerland, Saint Nicholas became der Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man"). In the U.S. he came to be known as Santa Claus, while in England children look forward to a visit from Father Christmas.

fir/pine branch r Tannenzweig

fir tree r Tannenbaum (-bäume)

Originally, most German Christmas trees were fir trees (Tannenbäume). Over the years, as the percentage of fir trees in German forests dropped, spruce trees (Fichtenbäume) became more prevalent. But today the word Tannenbaum is still synonymous with "Christmas tree."

fireplace r Kamin

frankincense r Weihrauch

fruit bread, Christmas bread r Stollen, s Kletzenbrot (an Alpine rye bread containing dried pears, Kletzen, and various spices)

See our German Christmas Recipes

garland

G



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garland (n.) e Girlande (-n)

gift(s), present(s) s Geschenk (-e)

Caution! The German word das Gift means "poison." If you are mailing a present to German Europe, you may wish to mark it with the German word Geschenk, in addition to "gift."

gift giving, exchange of presents e Bescherung

gingerbread r Lebkuchen

glass ball e Glaskugel (-n)

Christmas E-Cards in German

H

Happy New Year! Prosit Neujahr!

holy (adj.) heilig

holly (n.) e Stechpalme

In pagan times, holly was believed to have magical powers that kept evil spirits away. The Christians later made it a symbol of Christ's crown of thorns. According to legend, the holly berries were originally white, but turned red from Christ's blood.

I

ice s Eis

icicle(s) r Eiszapfen (-), (tinsel) s Eis-Lametta

ice skate(s) r Schlittschuh (-e)

ice skate (v.) Eislaufen, Schlittschuhlaufen

ice skating s Eislaufen

J

Jesus Jesus (YEA-zoos), Jesulein (Baby Jesus)

K

king(s) r König (-e)
Three Kings (Wise Men) die Heiligen Drei Könige, die Weisen

Kipferl(n) (n.) s Kipferl (-n) - An Austrian Christmas cookie. See: vanilla crescents Vanillekipferln

Krampus r Krampus - See Ruprecht
L

lighting e Beleuchtung
outdoor lighting e Außenbeleuchtung

lights e Lichter, elektrische Kerzen (electric candles)

M

manger e Krippe

Mary and Joseph Maria und Joseph

marzipan s Marzipan (almond paste candy)

Merry Christmas! Happy Christmas! Fröhliche Weihnachten!, Frohe Weihnachten!
See our German Christmas Greetings for more.

midnight mass e Christmette, Mitternachtsmette

mistletoe e Mistel

mulled, spiced wine r Glühwein ("glow wine")
See our German Christmas Recipes

myrrh e Myrrhe

N

nativity e Krippe, s Krippenbild, die Geburt Christi

Nickel (name) r Nickel - See Ruprecht below.

nut(s) e Nuss (Nüsse)

nutcracker(s) r Nussknacker (-)

O

organ, pipe organ e Orgel

ornaments, ornamentation (tree, etc.) e Verzierung, r Schmuck

P

Peace on Earth! Friede auf Erden!

pickle saure Gurke
See The German Christmas Pickle - tradition or myth?

poinsettia e Poinsettie, r Weihnachtsstern
Named for J.R. Poinsett (1779-1851), US ambassador to Mexico, who popularized the flower. In German it is also called "Christmas star." See graphic below.

poinsettia

pyramid (See "Christmas pyramid")

R

reindeer s Rentier (-e)
See the popular Christmas song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in German and English!

Rejoice! Freut euch! Freue dich!

ring [bells] (v.) erklingen, klingeln

rod, switch (n.) e Rute (see "Ruprecht" below)

Ruprecht (name) r Ruprecht, Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus

A demonic figure who used to accompany St. Nicholas to punish bad children with his Rute; based on mythical winter figures going back to pagan times. Rarely seen today. Also known as: Hans Muff, Krampus, or Nickel. In some parts of Germany, Ruprecht is good — just another Weihnachtsmann, and Krampus is the bad guy. - See The Many German St. Nicks for more.

Christmas E-Cards in German

S

Saint Nicholas r Sankt Nikolaus

Saint Nicholas is not Santa Claus or the American "Saint Nick." Dec. 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, is the day upon which the original Bishop Nicholas of Myra (today in Turkey) is commemorated — and is the date of his death in the year 343. He was later granted sainthood. The German Sankt Nikolaus, dressed as a bishop, brings gifts on that day. (Also see "Ruprecht" above.)
According to legend, it was also Bishop Nicholas who gave us the Christmas tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace. The kindly bishop is said to have thrown bags of gold for the poor down the chimney. The bags landed in stockings that had been hung by the fire to dry. This Saint Nicholas legend may also partly explain the American custom of Santa coming down the chimney with his bag of gifts. - See The Many German St. Nicks for more.
It was the German-American Thomas Nast who gave the US its traditional image of Santa Claus. (See Christmas - The German Way for more about Nast.

Santa Claus, Father Christmas r Weihnachtsmann

St. Nikolaus Day r Nikolaustag (Dec. 6)

(the) Savior r Heiland, r Retter

sheep s Schaf (-e)

shepherd(s) r Hirt (-en), r Schäfer (-)

"Silent Night" "Stille Nacht"

The world's most popular Christmas carol was created 180 years ago in Austria by Franz Gruber (music) and Joseph Mohr (text), and first performed by them with guitar accompaniment in Oberndorf bei Salzburg on Christmas Eve of 1818. More at "Stille Nacht" from The German Way. - Also see our Silent Night Christmas E-Cards in German.

sing singen

German Christmas Word Search

sled, sleigh, toboggan r Schlitten (-)

snow (n.) r Schnee
snowball (n.) r Schneeball
snowflake (n.) e Schneeflocke
snowman (n.) r Schneemann
snow sled/sleigh (n.) r Schlitten

snow (v.) schneien - It's snowing. = Es schneit.

snowy (adj.) schneeig, schneebedeckt (covered), Schnee- (in noun compounds)

stable, stall r Stall

star(s) r Stern (-e)

Sternsinger ("star singers") - dressed as the Wise Men/Three Kings - make their rounds during Advent to raise money for Catholic missions all over the world.

straw star(s) r Strohstern (Strohsterne) - A traditional Christmas decorations made of straw.

garland

T

(the) Three Wise Men, Three Kings, Magi die Heiligen Drei Könige, die Weisen

tinsel s Lametta, r Flitter

toy(s) s Spielzeug(e)

V

vanilla crescent(s) s Vanillekipferl (-n)

An Austrian/Bavarian pastry. Vanillekipferln or Kipferln are small sweet baked crescents covered with powdered vanilla sugar. Traditionally served around Christmas, Kipferln are also made in nut (Nuss), almond (Mandeln), and other varieties.

See our German Christmas Recipes

W

the Wise Men, the Magi die Weisen, die Heiligen Drei Könige

wreath (n.) r Kranz

Quotations from http://german.about.com/library/blcmasvoc2.htm



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German New Year’s Greetings

 Alles Gute zum neuen Jahr!
  Best wishes for the New Year!

  Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
  A good start in the New Year!

  Prosit Neujahr!
  Happy New Year!

  Ein glückliches neues Jahr!
  Happy New Year!

  Glück und Erfolg im neuen Jahr!
  Good fortune and success in the New Year!

  Zum neuen Jahr Gesundheit, Glück und viel Erfolg!
  Health, happiness, and much success in the New Year!
 


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"Merry Christmas” auf Deutsch

Ich wünsche... / Wir wünschen...
I wish... / We wish...
dir (you)... euch (you all)...
Ihnen (you, formal)...
deiner Familie (your family)...

Ein frohes Fest! - Frohe Festtage!
A joyous holiday! - Season's Greetings!/Happy Holidays!

Frohe Weihnachten! - Frohes Weihnachtsfest!
Merry Christmas! - [A] joyous Christmas celebration!

Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Merry Christmas!

Ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest!
A blessed / joyous Christmas!

Gesegnete Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr!
A blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Herzliche Weihnachtsgrüße!
Best Christmas greetings!

Ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute zum neuen Jahr!
A joyful Christmas (festival) and best wishes for the New Year!

Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Merry Christmas!

Zum Weihnachtsfest besinnliche Stunden!
[We wish you] Contemplative hours during the Christmas celebration!

Quotations from http://german.about.com/library/blkarte_chelp.htm


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Nov 29, 2007

Sentence Structure and Conjunctions

Word Order of Sentences and Clauses: Sentences are grammatically independent units of expression. A sentence comprises one or more clauses. A clause has both a subject (sometimes understood) and a predicate ( verb) and it functions either as an independent unit (main clause) or as a dependent unit (subordinate clause used as an adverb, an adjective, or a noun).
Sentences are classified according to structure and function.

Structure
SIMPLE:
COMPOUND:
COMPLEX:
COMPOUND-COMPLEX:
Ich weiß.
Ich weiß aber sie wissen auch.
Ich weiß daß sie wissen.
Ich weiß und sie wissen daß ich weiß.
(I know.) [main clause]
(I know but they know also.) [two main clauses]
(I know that they know.) [main clause/sub. clause]
(I know and they know that I know.)
[two main clauses/subordinate clause]

Function
DECLARATIVE:
IMPERATIVE:
INTERROGATIVE:
EXCLAMATORY:
Ich gehe nach Hause.
Gehe (Gehen Sie) nach Hause!
Gehst du (Gehen Sie) nach Hause?
Ginge ich auch nach Hause!
(I'm going home.) [statement]
(Go home!) [command]
(Are you going home!) [question]
(Would I were also going home!) [exclamatory]
The position of the finite verb (the inflected part of the predicate) in a German clause is more rigidly fixed than in English. In a simple affirmative German statement it is the second element in the main clause. The first element is usually the subject, but this position may be taken for emphasis by an adverb, an adverbial clause or phrase, prepositional phrase, subordinate clause, or by a direct or indirect object if its (or its article's) inflection makes its roll in the clause clear. If the subject is so displaced, it follows the verb. Non-inflected parts of the main verb (infinitives, past participles, and separable verb prefixes) come at the end of the main clause. The following examples illustrate word order in simple declarative German sentences:

Simple Declarative Sentence
Subject or
emphasized other elements
Finite Verb
Other Elements
(objects, adverbs, adverbial phrases)
Past Participle, Infinitive,
or separable prefixes
Ich
sehe
I see
Ich
sehe
dich
I see you
Ich
habe
dich
gesehen [past participle]
I have seen (saw) you
Mein armer alter Großvater
hat
dich gestern zufällig in der Schule
gesehen [past participle]
My poor old grandfather saw you yesterday by chance in the school.
Meine Mutter
wird
dich ihm morgen
vorstellen [infinitive]
My mother will introduce you to him tomorrow.

The above pattern is varied to shift emphasis as shown below:

Variations on the Simple Declarative Sentence Structure
SUBJECT
FINITE VERB
Other Elements
V
e
r
b
a
l

P
r
e
f
i
x
Past
Participle
Infinitive
Direct
Object
SUBJECT
Objects,
Adverbs,
Prepositional
Phrases
etc.
Indirect
Object
Prepositional
Phrase
Adverb
Subordinate
clause

Take the simple declarative sentence Der Mann gibt dem Kind den Brief. (The man gives the child the letter.) This sentence can be varied as follows:

Der Mann
Dem Kind
Den Brief
gibt
gibt
gibt

dem Kind
der Mann
der Mann
den Brief
den Brief
dem Kind

The finite verb is move to the first position in simple imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences. When it is expressed, the subject follows the verb. When interrogative adverbs or adverbial expressions are used, they precede the finite verb. Typical interrogative adverbs and adverbial expression are as follows:

Interrogative Adverbs and Adverbial Expressions
wann (when)
warum (why)
wie (how)
wie lange (how long)
wie oft (how often)
wieviel (how much)
was (what)
wo (where)
wohin (where [to])
woher (where [from])
Wann kommt er an? (When does he arrive?)
Warum kommt er? (Why is he coming>)
Wie ist das Wetter heute? (How is the weather today?)
Wie lange dauert es? (How long does it last?)
Wie oft besuchen sie dich? (How often do they visit you?)
Wieviel kostet es? (How much does it cost?)
Was wollen Sie hier? (What do you want here?)
Wo wohnen Sie (Where do you live?)
Wohin gehen Sie? (Where are you going?)
Woher kommst du? (Where did you come from?)
Note: Wo (where) implies no motion. Verbs of motion require direction be indicated either
away from [wohin (where to)] or toward [woher (where from)] the speaker.

Interrogative pronouns are used in the same way as adverbs but they are inflected to indicate declension:

Interrogative Pronouns
wer (who)
wen (whom)
wem (whom)
wessen (whose)
Wer sind Sie? (Who are you?)
Wen sahen Sie? (Whom did you see?)
Wem gab Sie das Buch? (To whom did you give the book are you?)
In wessen Haus wohnst du? (In whose house do you live?)

Interrogative adjectives are used somewhat differently:

Interrogative Adjectives
was für ein (what kind of)
wie viele(how many)
Was für ein Mensch bist du? (What sort of person are you?)
Wie viele Kinder haben sie? (How many children do they have?)

Compound and complex sentences usually joined clauses with conjunctions.

Conjunctions: There are two types of conjunctions; coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions join two main clauses of equal grammatical value. Subordinating conjunctions joins a dependent clause to another clause. Coordinating conjunctions do not affect the regular word order of either clause. Subordinating conjunctions change the word order of the dependent clause. The coordinating conjunctions are as follows:

Coordinating Conjunctions
aber (but)
denn (for)
oder (or)
sondern (but*)
und (and)
Ich mußte lernen, aber er ging ins Kino.
Ich gehe nicht mit, denn ich muß lernen.
Ich muß lernen, oder ich falle durch.
Ich ging nicht mit, sondern ich blieb zu Hause.
Ich blieb zu Hause und er ging ins Kino.
I had to study but he went to the movies.
I'm not going along for I must study.
I must study or I will fail.
I didn't go along but (instead) I stayed at home.
I stayed at home and he went to the movies.
*Note: sondern as a conjunction always follows negatives and means "but, on the contrary, rather, instead."

Several coordinating conjunctions come in pairs. Each term in the pair may be followed by a single word or a clause. The word order in these clauses may vary to change emphasis. The word order is not changed if the two terms of the coordinate pair occur in the same clause. If neither clause is emphasized or if emphasis is on the objects of the verbs, these conjunctions (except oder) are treated as adverbs and come after the finite verb. If the subjects are emphasized, they are placed first in each clause. If the verbs are emphasized, they are placed first. These conjunction pairs are:

Coordinating Conjunction Pairs
entweder ... oder (either ... or ...)
Entweder du holst ihn ab oder ich hole ihn ab. (Either you pick him up or I pick him up.)
Entweder geht er zu Fuß oder er geht nicht. (Either he goes on foot or he doesn't go.)
Du bist entweder sehr dumm oder sehr schlau. (You are either very stupid or very sly.)
weder ... noch (neither ... nor)
Weder Sie noch ich gehen mit. (Neither you nor I am going along.)
Er ist weder reich noch arm. (He is neither rich nor poor.)
Weder lachte er noch weinte er. {He neither laughed nor cried.)
nicht nur ... sondern auch ... (not only ... but also ...)
Ich bin nicht nur arbeitslos sondern auch obdachlos. (Not only am I unemployed, but also homeless.)
Er war nicht nur ein Bösewicht, sondern auch gefährlich. (He was not only a villain but also dangerous.)
Nicht nur du, sondern auch ich fühle mich nicht wohl. (Not only you but I also don't feel well [either].)
je ... desto ... (the ... the ...)
Je mehr ich fluchte, desto lauter lachte sie. (The more I cursed, the louder she laughed.)
Je mehr, desto besser. (The more the better.)
Je mehr man Deutsch hört, desto besser versteht man es. (The more you hear German, the more you understand.)
je ... um so ... (the ... the ...)
Je mehr er aß, um so dicker wurde er. (The more he ate, the fatter he became.)
Je eher, um so lieber [besser]. (The sooner the better.)
Je länger ich meine Frau kannte, um so lieber hatte ich sie. (The longer I knew my wife the more I loved her.)
Note: The verb comes at the end of the je clause and at the beginning of the desto or um so clause.

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses which are separated from the main clause by a comma. The verb of a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction is found at the end of the dependent clause. When the dependent clause is the first element in the sentence, the subject of the main clause follows its finite verb. The most common subordinating conjunctions follow:

Subordinating Conjunctions
als (when)
als ob (as if)
bevor (before)
bis (until)
da (since, as)
damit (so that)
daß (that)
ehe (before)
nachdem (after)
ob (if, whether)
obgleich (although)
obwohl (although)
seit (since)
seitdem (since)
sobald (as soon as)
trotzdem (despite)
während (while)
weil (because)
wenn (when, if)
wann (when?)
Als er ins Zimmer kam, stand der Student auf.
Sie sehen aus, als ob Sie krank gewesen wären.
Du mußt mir helfen, bevor du gehst.
Ich muß warten, bis er ankommt.
Ich mußte warten, da er noch nicht da war.
Ich rufe ihn an, damit er nicht kommt.
Ich weiß, daß er nicht kommt.
Gehen wir nach Hause, ehe es regnet.
Er schlief ein, nachdem er gegessen hatte.
Sie wollten wissen, ob sie gehen dürfen.
Obgleich ich nicht gehen kann, gehen Sie allein.
Ich muß noch lernen, obwohl es spät ist.
Er ist immer müde, seit er keine Ruhe hat.
Seitdem er arbeitet, hat er keine Zeit.
Wir gingen nach Hause, sobald er kam.
Ich lernte, während er spielte.
Ich muß hier bleiben, weil ich kein Geld habe.
Wenn er zurückkommt, essen wir.
Wissen Sie, wann er kommt?
When he came in the room, the student stood up.
You look as if (like) you've been sick.
You must help me before you go.
I must wait until he arrives.
I had to wait since he still wasn't there .
I'll call him so he won't come.
I know that he is not coming.
Let us go home before it rains.
He fell asleep after he had eaten.
They wanted to know if (whether) they might go.
Although I can't go, you go alone.
I must still study although it is late.
He is always tired since he gets no peace.
Since he has been working he has no time.
We went home as soon as he came.
I studied while he played.
I must stay here because I have no money.
When (if) he comes back we'll eat.
Do you know when he is coming?

When is expressed three ways in German.

    Als refers to events in the past. Als ich jung war... (When I was young..)
    Wann as a question. Wann kommst du zurück? (When do you return?)
    Wenn is used for future events or means "whenever." Wir essen, wenn er kommt. (We eat when he comes.)
    Wenn can also mean "if," especially when used with the conditional. Wir werden ihn ja sehen, wenn er kommt. (We will see him if he comes.)

    The complex sentence follows the following pattern when the main clause comes first:

    Complex Sentences [Main Clause First]
    Main Clause
    Dependent Clause
    Subject
    Finite
    Verb
    Other
    Elements
    Conjunction
    Subject plus
    Other elements
    Verb
    Ich
    gehe
    nicht
    weil
    ich hier
    bleiben muß
    I'm not going because I must stay here.
    Sie
    brachte
    das Buch mit
    als
    sie ins Zimmer
    kam
    She brought the book with [her] when she came into the room.
    Ich
    weiß
    nicht
    ob
    er heute
    kommt*
    I don't know if (whether) he will come today.
    *Germans usually use present tense in such sentences.

    If the dependent clause precedes the main clause, the subject and verb in the main clause are reversed:

    Complex Sentences [Dependent Clause First]
    Dependent Clause
    Main Clause
    Conjunction
    Subject plus
    Other elements
    Verb
    Finite
    Verb
    Subject
    Other
    Elements
    Weil
    ich hier
    bleiben muß
    gehe
    ich
    nicht
    Because I must stay here, I'm not going .
    Als
    sie ins Zimmer
    kam
    brachte
    sie
    das Buch mit
    When she came into the room, she brought the book with [her].
    Ob
    er heute
    kommen wird
    weiß
    ich
    nicht
    If (whether) he will come today, I don't know .

    The subordinating conjunction daß (that) can be omitted in German as it can in English. For example, one can say; "I know that he will come" or one can say "I know he will come." When the subordinating conjunction is omitted in German, the dependent clause becomes a main clause, and the word order is changed appropriately. The subject is followed immediately by the (inflected) verb. Examine the following:

    Ich weiß, daß er kommen wird.(I know that he will come.)
    Ich weiß, er wird kommen.(I know he will come.)

    Direct and indirect objects have an order of precedence although there is some freedom allowed for emphasis. This order of precedence is as follows. If both the direct and indirect objects are nouns, the indirect object comes first:

    Der Kellner brachte dem Gast[indirect object] das Bier[direct object]. (The waiter brought the guest the beer.)

    If either the direct object of the indirect object is a pronoun, it will precede the noun:

    Der Kellner brachte ihm[indirect object] das Bier[direct object]. (The waiter brought him the beer.)
    Der Kellner brachte es [direct object] dem Gast[indirect object]. (The waiter brought it [to] the guest.)

    If both the direct and indirect objects are pronouns, the accusative (direct object) precedes the dative (indirect):

    Der Kellner brachte es[direct object] ihm[indirect object]. (The waiter brought it [to] him.)

    Pronoun objects may precede or follow a noun subject if the subject is not in the first position:

    Ich weiß, daß ihm[indirect object] der Kellner[subject] ein Glas Bier[direct object] gebracht hatte .
    Ich weiß, daß der Kellner[subject] ihm[indirect object] ein Glas Bier[direct object] gebracht hatte .
    (I know that the waiter had brought him a glass of beer.)




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Starke Verben

Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - A-F
INFINITIVPRÄTERITUM
(Preterite)
PERFEKT
(Past Participle)
A A A
anfangen beginfing an beganangefangen begun
ankommen arrivekam an arrivedist angekommen arrived
anrufen call uprief an called upangerufen called up
B B B
backen bakebackte bakedgebacken baked
befehlen commandbefahl commandedbefohlen commanded
beginnen beginbegann beganbegonnen begun
beißen bitebiss bitgebissen bitten
bekommen get, receivebekam gotbekommen gotten
bergen salvagebarg salvagedgeborgen salvaged
bersten burstbarst burstgeborsten burst
betrügen deceivebetrog deceivedbetrogen deceived
biegen bendbog bentgebogen bent
bieten offerbot offeredgeboten offered
binden tieband tiedgebunden tied
bitten requestbat requestedgebeten requested
blasen blowblies blewgeblasen blown
See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-ie-a, a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.
bleiben stayblieb stayedist geblieben stayed
bleichen bleachblich bleachedgeblichen bleached
braten roastbriet roastedgebraten roasted
brechen breakbrach brokegebrochen broken
brennen* burnbrannte burnedgebrannt burned
bringen* bringbrachte broughtgebracht brought
*Both brennen and bringen are "mixed" verbs, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.
D D D
denken* thinkdachte thoughtgedacht thought
*The verb denken is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.
dreschen threshdrosch threshedgedroschen threshed
dringen forcedrang forcedgedrungen forced
dürfen maydurfte was allowedgedurft* been allowed
*Used with an infinitive, as for all modals, the past participle is the infinitive dürfen: "Wir haben nicht gehen dürfen."
E E E
empfangen receiveempfing receivedempfangen received
empfehlen recommendempfahl recommendedempfohlen recommended
erfinden inventerfand inventederfunden invented
erlöschen extinguisherlosch extinguishederloschen extinguished
erschallen echo, sounderscholl soundederschollen sounded
erschrecken* scareerschrak scarederschrocken scared
*This verb has both strong (passive) and weak (active) forms: "Ich habe ihn erschreckt." (I scared him.) and "Ich erschrak bei der Explosion." (I was startled/scared by the explosion.)
essen eat ategegessen eaten
F F F
fahren travelfuhr traveledist gefahren traveled
fallen fallfiel fellist gefallen fallen
fangen catchfing caughtgefangen caught
fechten fencefocht fencedgefochten fenced
finden findfand foundgefunden found
fliegen flyflog flewist geflogen flown
fliehen fleefloh fledist geflohen fled
fließen flowfloss flowedist geflossen flowed
fressen gorgefraß gorgedgefressen gorged
frieren freezefror frozegefroren* frozen
*The verb frieren takes the helping verb haben or sein, depending on its meaning. In most cases ("to be cold") it is "hat gefroren," but in the meaning of "to freeze, turn into ice," it is "Der Boden / Das Wasser ist steif gefroren." (The ground / water has frozen solid.)
frohlocken rejoicefrohlockte rejoicedfrohlockt rejoiced
Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - G-M
INFINITIVPRÄTERITUM
(Preterite)
PERFEKT
(Past Participle)
G
gären fermentgor fermentedgegoren fermented
gebären bear (child)gebar boregeboren born
geben givegab gavegegeben given
gedeihen flourishgedieh flourishedist gediehen flourished
gefallen be pleasing, likegefiel likedgefallen liked
gehen goging wentist gegangen gone
gelingen succeedgelang succeededist gelungen succeeded
gelten be validgalt was validgegolten been valid
genesen recovergenas recoveredgenesen recovered
genießen enjoygenoß enjoyedgenossen enjoyed
geschehen happengeschah happenedist geschehen happened
gewinnen wingewann wongewonnen won
gießen pourgoß pouredgegossen poured
gleichen resembleglich resembledgeglichen resembled
gleiten glide, slideglitt glidedist geglitten glided
glimmen glow, smoulderglomm* glowedist geglommen* glowed
*Also glimmte and hat geglimmt (weak)
graben diggrub duggegraben dug
greifen graspgriff graspedgegriffen grasped
H
haben havehatte hadgehabt had
For the complete conjugation of the verb haben in the present tense, see Lesson 4 of German for Beginners.
halten holdhielt heldgehalten held
hängen hanghing hung/hanged*gehangen hung/hanged*
*The verb hängen is weak in transitive situations ("Er hängte das Bild an die Wand.") and strong in intransitive situations ("Das Bild hing an der Wand.").
hauen hew, hithaute* hitgehauen hit
*The strong past form hieb is used when the meaning is "struck (him) with a weapon."
heben lifthob liftedgehoben lifted
heißen be calledhieß namedgeheißen named
helfen helphalf helpedgeholfen helped
See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.
K
kennen* knowkannte knewgekannt known
*The verb kennen is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.
klingen ringklang ranggeklungen rung
kneifen pinchkniff pinchedgekniffen pinched
kommen comekam cameist gekommen come
können cankonnte couldgekonnt* could
*With an infinitive, the past participle is können: "Ich habe nicht gehen können."
kriechen crawlkroch crawledist gekrochen crawled
L
laden loadlud loadedgeladen loaded
lassen let, allowließ letgelassen let
laufen runlief ranist gelaufen run
leiden sufferlitt sufferedgelitten suffered
leihen lendlieh lentgeliehen lent
lesen readlas readgelesen read
liegen* lielag laygelegen lain
*Do not confuse liegen (lie, recline, strong) and (sich) legen (lay, put, weak)!
lügen lielog liedgelogen lied
M
mahlen grindmahlte groundgemahlen ground
meiden avoidmied avoidedgemieden avoided
messen measuremaß measuredgemessen measured
misslingen failmisslang failedmisslungen failed
mögen likemochte likedgemocht* liked
*With an infinitive, the past participle is mögen: "Sie hat nicht gehen mögen."
müssen mustmusste had togemusst* had to
*Used with an infinitive, as with all modals, the past participle is the infinitive müssen: "Wir haben nicht gehen müssen."

Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - N-Schw
INFINITIVPRÄTERITUM
(Preterite)
PERFEKT
(Past Participle)
N
nehmen takenahm tookgenommen taken
nennen namenannte namedgenannt named
P
pfeifen whistlepfiff whistledgepfiffen whistled
preisen praisepries praisedgepriesen praised
Q
quellen gushquoll* gushedist gequollen* gushed
*Also has the weak forms quellte and hat gequellt.
R
raten adviseriet advisedgeraten advised
reiben rubrieb rubbedgerieben rubbed
reißen tearriss toregerissen torn
reiten* rideritt rodeist geritten ridden
*The verb reiten is only used for riding an animal (e.g., horseback riding); to express "ride" in a transportation sense (bus, train, etc.), fahren is used.
rennen runrannte ranist gerannt run
*The verb rennen is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.
riechen smellroch smelledgerochen smelled
ringen wringrang wrunggerungen wrung
rinnen flowrann flowedist geronnen flowed
rufen callrief calledgerufen called
S
salzen saltsalzte saltedgesalzen/gesalzt salted
saufen drinksoff drankgesoffen drunk
saugen sucksog* suckedgesogen* sucked
* Also has the weak forms saugte and hat gesaugt. In technical use, only the weak form is used.
schaffen create;
accomplish, make
schuf* createdgeschaffen* created
*The strong forms schuf/hat geschaffen are used when the meaning is "created" ("Sie hat schöne Sachen geschaffen."). To express "accomplished" or "made it," the weak forms schaffte/hat geschafft are used: "Er hat es geschafft (ein Tor zu machen)!"
scheiden depart; separateschied separatedgeschieden* separated
*In the sense of "leave" or "depart" scheiden takes sein as a helping verb: "Karl ist aus dem Dienst geschieden."
scheinen shineschien shonegeschienen shone
scheißen shitschiss shitgeschissen shit
schelten scoldschalt scoldedgescholten scolded
schießen shootschoss shotgeschossen shot
See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.
schlafen sleepschlief sleptgeschlafen slept
schlagen hitschlug hitgeschlagen hit
schleichen sneakschlich sneakedist geschlichen sneaked
schleifen polishschliff* polishedgeschliffen* polished
*Although the strong form is preferred, schleifte and hat geschleift (weak) are also used.
schleißen slitschliß slitgeschlissen slit
schließen close, lockschloss closedgeschlossen closed
schlingen gulp (down)schlang gulpedgeschlungen gulped
schmeißen fling, tossschmiss flunggeschmissen flung
schmelzen meltschmolz meltedgeschmolzen melted
schneiden cutschnitt cutgeschnitten cut
schrecken scareschrak/schreckte scaredgeschreckt/geschrocken scared
schreiben writeschrieb wrotegeschrieben written
schreien screamschrie screamedgeschrien screamed
schreiten stepschritt steppedist geschritten stepped
schweigen be silentschwieg was silentgeschwiegen been silent
schwellen* swell, riseschwoll swelledist geschwollen swollen
*There are two forms of schwellen: (1) strong (above) for the sense of "to swell up/fill with wind," and (2) weak to "fill (something) up with wind/to swell (something) up."
schwimmen swimschwamm swamist geschwommen swum
schwinden dwindleschwand dwindledist geschwunden dwindled
schwingen swingschwang swunggeschwungen swung
schwören swearschwur/schwor sworegeschworen sworn

Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - Se-Z
INFINITIVPRÄTERITUM
(Preterite)
PERFEKT
(Past Participle)
Se
sehen seesah sawgesehen seen
sein bewar wasist gewesen been
For the conjugation of sein in the present tense, see Lesson 4 of German for Beginners.
senden* send, transmitsandte sentgesandt sent
*In the sense of "transmit" or "broadcast" only the weak forms sendete and hat gesendet are used. The weak forms may also be used in the sense of "send."
sieden boilsott/siedete boiledgesotten boiled
singen singsang sanggesungen sung
sinken sinksank sankist gesunken sunk
sitzen* sitsaß satgesessen sat
*Do not confuse sitzen (sit, strong) and (sich) setzen (set, weak)!
sollen should, ought tosollte shouldgesollt* should
*With an infinitive, the past participle is sollen: "Ich habe nicht gehen sollen."
spalten splitspaltete splitgespalten/gespaltet split
speien spewspie spewedgespien spewed
spinnen spinspann spungesponnen spun
sprechen speaksprach spokegesprochen spoken
sprießen sproutspross sproutedgesprossen sprouted
springen jumpsprang jumpedist gesprungen jumped
stechen stab, stingstach stunggestochen stung
stehen standstand stoodgestanden* stood
*In some southern German and Austrian dialects, stehen takes sein as a helping verb: "Er ist im Eingang gestanden."
stehlen stealstahl stolegestohlen stolen
steigen climbstieg climbedist gestiegen climbed
sterben diestarb diedist gestorben died
stieben fly aboutstob flew aboutist gestoben flown about
stinken stinkstank stankgestunken stunk
stoßen push, bumpstieß pushedgestoßen pushed
streichen strike, paintstrich struckgestrichen struck
streiten arguestritt arguedgestritten argued
See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.
T
tragen carry, weartrug woregetragen worn
treffen meettraf metgetroffen met
treiben move, drivetrieb drovegetrieben* driven
*In the sense of "drift" or "float" treiben takes sein as a helping verb: "Das Eis ist den Fluss entlang getrieben."
triefen driptriefte/troff drippedgetrieft dripped
trinken drinktrank drankgetrunken drunk
trügen be deceptivetrog was deceptivegetrogen been deceptive
tun dotat didgetan done
U
überwinden overcomeüberwand overcameüberwunden overcome
V
verderben spoilverdarb spoiledverdorben spoiled
verdrießen annoyverdross annoyedverdrossen annoyed
vergessen forgetvergaß forgotvergessen forgotten
verlieren loseverlor lostverloren lost
verschleißen wear (out)verschliss wore (out)verschlissen worn (out)
verzeihen forgiveverzieh forgaveverziehen forgiven
W
wachsen* growwuchs grewist gewachsen grown
*In the sense of "to wax" (skis, etc.), wachsen is weak: (wachste and hat gewachst).
waschsen washwusch washedgewaschsen washed
weben weavewob/webte wovegewoben/gewebt woven
weichen* yieldwich yieldedist gewichen yielded
*In the sense of "to soften" (up), weichen is weak: (weichte and hat geweicht).
weisen indicatewies indicatedgewiesen indicated
wenden turnwandte* turnedgewandt* turned
*Also wendete and gewendet (car, hay, etc.).
werben recruitwarb recruitedgeworben recruited
werden becomewurde becameist geworden* become
*As a helping verb in the passive voice: worden, as in "Ich bin oft gefragt worden." (I have often been asked.)
werfen throwwarf threwgeworfen thrown
wiegen weighwog/wiegte weighedgewogen/gewiegt weighed
winden twistwand twistedgewunden twisted
wissen* knowwusste knewgewusst known
*The verb wissen is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page. - For the complete conjugation of wissen in all tenses, see wissen in our conjugation tables.
wollen want towollte wanted togewollt* wanted to
*With an infinitive, the past participle is wollen: "Ich habe nicht gehen wollen."
wringen wringwrang wrunggewrungen wrung
Z
zeihen accusezieh accusedgeziehen accused
ziehen pullzog pulledgezogen pulled
zwingen compelzwang compelledgezwungen compelled

NEXT > G-M

MORE > A-F G-M N-Schw Se-Z Examples

MORE > Verb-Lexikon - All verbs (index)

Ablaut Classes - Alphabetical List
German Strong-Verb Vowel Patterns
a - ie - a (Class 7)ei - i - i (Class 1a)
a - u - a (Class 6)ei - ie - ie (Class 1b)
e - a - e (Class 5)i - a - o/u (Class 3a)
e - a - o (Class 3b/4)ie - o - o (Class 2)
e - o - o (Class 3b/4)[x] - ie - [x] (Class 7)
Mixed Verbs
combine weak and strong elements
Ablaut Classes 1-7





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50 Common German Verbs

50 Common German Verbs
Click on any linked verb for a full conjugation
Deutsch English 2nd/3rd Per. Sing.
Sample Sentence
antworten to answer Er antwortet nicht.
arbeiten to work Er arbeitet heute.
bedeuten to mean, signify Was bedeutet dieses Wort?
beginnen to begin Wann beginnt der Film?
bekommen to get, receive Was bekommen Sie?
What can I get for you?
bestellen to order Er bestellt es online.
besuchen to visit Wir besuchen meine Tante in Berlin.
bezahlen to pay Bezahlen wir jetzt?
bleiben to stay, remain Wir bleiben hier.
bringen to bring, take Ich bringe Sie zum Flughafen.
I'll take you to the airport.
danken to thank Ich danke Ihnen. (dative verb)
Danke! > 10 Ways to Say 'Thank You' in German
denken to think Was denken Sie darüber?
What do you think about that?
essen to eat du/er isst
Wann isst du zu Mittag?
When do you eat lunch?
fahren to travel,
drive, go
du fährst/er fährt
Ich fahre morgen nach Dresden.
I'm going/traveling to Dresden tomorrow.
finden to find Wie finden Sie den Film?
What do you think of the movie?
fliegen to fly Er fliegt nach Boston.
fragen to ask Fragst du mich?
geben to give du gibst/er gibt
Wann gibst du ihm das Buch?
es gibt = there is/there are
gehen to go Wir gehen ins Kino.
helfen to help du hilfst/er hilft
Helfen Sie mir! (dative verb)
hören to hear, listen Hörst du die Musik?
kaufen to buy Ich kaufe die Postkarte.
Also see: Present Tense Quiz 1
A self-scoring quiz on the German regular verbs.
kommen to come Wann kommt er nach Hause?
kosten to cost Was kostet das Buch?
lesen to read du/er liest
Ich lese die Zeitung.
lieben to love Ich liebe dich.
machen to make, do Was macht er?
nehmen to take du nimmst/er nimmt
Nehmt ihr das Geld?
öffnen to open Sie öffnet die Tür.
MORE > Verb-Lexikon - 500+ German verbs
probieren to try (out) Probieren geht über Studieren.
(saying)The proof's in the pudding.
regnen to rain Es regnet heute.
reisen to travel Er reist nach Teneriffa.
sagen to say, tell Er sagt nein.
schlafen to sleep du schläfst/er schläft
Wir schlafen gut.
schmecken to taste, be tasty Das schmeckt!
That tastes good!
schreiben to write Er schreibt eine Mail.
schwimmen to swim Er schwimmt gern.
He likes to swim.
sehen to see du siehst/er sieht
Ich sehe ihn nicht.
senden to send, transmit Er sendet eine E-Mail.
setzen to put, set Er setzt sich.
He sits down.
singen to sing Sie singt sehr schön.
spielen to play, act Hans spielt Fußball.
sprechen to speak du sprichst/er spricht
Ich spreche Deutsch.
suchen to seek, search
look for
Was suchst du?
What are you looking for?
trinken to drink Ich trinke lieber Kaffee.
I'd rather drink coffee.
vergessen to forget du vergisst/er vergisst
Ich vergesse den Namen.
verstehen to understand Er versteht Deutsch.
warten to wait Sie wartet auf den Bus.
She's waiting for the bus.
wohnen to reside, live (in) Mein Vater wohnt in Hamburg.
zeigen to show, indicate Ich zeige Ihnen, wo das ist.
See more about conjugating regular verbs in
Lektion 4B - German Verbs: Present Tense
MORE > Verb-Lexikon - 500+ German verbs


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