German Grammar Glossary
English and German Grammar Terms
Explained in Plain English
I-L
HOW TO USE THIS GLOSSARY: Each grammar term is listed alphabetically in English, along with its German equivalent (often Latin-based) and in some cases the Germanic term. Words in ALL CAPS refer to terms that are also defined in this glossary. Noun gender is indicated by r (der), e (die), or s (das). Most entries have a link to a related lesson or grammar guide.
| German Grammar Glossary Deutsches Grammatik-Lexikon |
||
| English | Deutsch | Explanation |
| IDIOM/IDIOMATIC | s Idiom/idiomatisch | A common expression or phrase whose meaning should not be taken literally. Idiomatic expressions, such as "he hit the nail on the head," express a meaning that is more colorful and expressive than a literal phrase would be. An idiom is also the characteristic dialect or language of a region or class. > Proverbs and Idioms and Taking Things Too Literally |
| IMPERATIVE | r Imperativ e Befehlsform |
The command form of a verb. In German there are three command forms for "you" (Kommen Sie mit!, Komm mit! (du), Kommt mit! (ihr)), plus the "we" command (Gehen wir!, "Let's go."). > German Verbs |
| IMPERFECT/ PRETERITE |
s Präteritum s Imperfekt |
The simple (one-word) past tense (preterite). WEAK VERBS in the preterite end in -te (sagte, machte), while STRONG VERBS are STEM-CHANGING (ging, sprach). Also known as the NARRATIVE PAST, the preterite is most often used in written German. In some languages, the term IMPERFECT also implies an aspect of uncompleted or continuing action, while PERFECT implies an action completed in the past. However, in German this is usually not a key consideration. > German Verbs |
| INDEFINITE ARTICLE | unbestimmter Artikel | Refers to a person or thing (noun) in general, rather than a particular item - a tree, as opposed to the tree. German has two basic forms of the indefinite article (a/an): ein and eine, reflecting the noun GENDERS, and DECLINED to agree with the German CASES. Also see DEFINITE ARTICLE and EIN-WORDS. > Gender Hints |
| INDEFINITE PRONOUN | s Indefinitpronomen unbestimmtes Fürwort |
A PRONOUN that refers to something or some things in general. Examples include irgendein (some), jemand (someone), mancher (many a), niemand (no one). Also see ADJECTIVES. > Adjective Endings |
| INDEPENDENT CLAUSE | unabhängiger Satzteil | A clause within a sentence that can stand on its own or as a complete sentence by itself. |
| INDICATIVE | r Indikativ e Wirlichkeitsform |
The normal MOOD of a standard DECLARATIVE sentence stating a real fact, as opposed to the less common SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD (contrary to reality). |
| INDIRECT OBJECT | r Dativ r Wemfall |
A NOUN, noun phrase, or PRONOUN (usually a person) that receives the DIRECT OBJECT or is the object of a DATIVE verb. The DATIVE case in German. Examples: Ich gab ihm das Buch. ("I gave him the book.)- Antworten Sie mir! ("Answer me!) > German Cases |
| INFINITIVE | r Infinitiv Grundform des Zeitworts |
The basic, unconjugated form of a VERB. The "to" form found in the dictionary (gehen, probieren, sagen, sein). A CONJUGATED VERB is an infinitive with the proper endings added or in put into the form that agrees with the subject. |
| INFLECTION | e Flexion e Beugung |
The practice of altering the form of an ARTICLE, a NOUN, a VERB, or other word to indicate its CASE (noun DECLINATION), its GENDER (article), or its CONJUGATION (verb). Examples: der > dem, dem Herrn (article/noun); ich bin (verb). |
| INFORMAL | informell vertraut |
Unlike English, the German forms of address (you) can be FORMAL or INFORMAL. It is important to learn the correct use of the PERSONAL PRONOUNS du/ihr (informal/familiar) and Sie (formal). > Sie und du |
| INTERJECTION | e Interjektion s Ausrufewort |
An exclamation (a word of surprise, pain, or comment) inserted into a sentence without any grammatical connection. Examples: ach!, autsch!, haha!, pfui! |
| INTERROGATIVE | r Interrogativ e Frageform |
A question word, such as an interrogative pronoun (Interrogativpronomen, "who?"). Examples: was?, wer?, wie viel?, was für ein? |
| INTRANSITIVE VERB | intransitives Verb nichtzielendes Zeitwort |
A verb that does not require a DIRECT OBJECT. Examples: Es regnet. (It's raining.); Sie schläft. (She's sleeping.) |
| English | Deutsch | Explanation |
| LITERARY GERMAN LIT. REGISTER |
literarisches Deutsch | German and other languages have varying levels or REGISTERS that are appropriate for various business, social, spoken, or written situations. Linguists refer to R1, R2, or R3 registers, with varying stylistic and vocabulary levels from casual (R1) to formal or literary (R3). Also see COLLOQUIAL. |
| LINKING VERB | e Kopula | A VERB that connects a SUBJECT and a PREDICATE COMPLEMENT. Such verbs (be, appear, seem, become) can often be considered as an equal sign, as in Mein Vater ist Architekt. (My father is an architect. father = architect) |
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Index 1 | G-H | I-L | M-N | O-P | More Terms
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