Frame description

In this frame, some Cause causes an Effect. Almost any kind of thing could constitute a Cause, such as a person, a thing, or a whole situation. When the Effect happens to a particular entity, we call this entity the Affected.

 Examples:

1. Die Treibhausgase verursachen die globale Erwärmung.1. Greenhouse gasses cause  global warming.
2.  Martha zerbrach den Teller,  weil  ihr Freund mit ihr Schluss machte.2.  Martha broke the plate,  because her boyfriend broke up with her.3
3. Das Gemälde macht das Zimmer hell und warm.3. The painting makes the room light and warm.
Read more ...

In this frame, some Cause causes an Effect. Almost any kind of thing could constitute a Cause, such as a person, a thing, or a whole situation. When the Effect happens to a particular entity, we call this entity the Affected.

 Examples:

1. Die Treibhausgase verursachen die globale Erwärmung.1. Greenhouse gasses cause  global warming.
2.  Martha zerbrach den Teller,  weil  ihr Freund mit ihr Schluss machte.2.  Martha broke the plate,  because her boyfriend broke up with her.3
3. Das Gemälde macht das Zimmer hell und warm.3. The painting makes the room light and warm.


It is important to know that many of the words in this frame, e.g. "der Grund" ("reason") and "warum" ("why"), can also evoke a situation in which someone intentionally responds to a state of affairs by performing an action. Although this is not always genuine causation (because people have the freedom of choice), it is expressed linguistically in the same way (see example 2). Both English and German allow their speakers to construe intentional responses as Effects of an outside Cause, which makes a volitional action seem involuntary. (This is one way human language and thought might influence one another. For more information, look into linguistic relativity.)

Display columns:
Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms

Frame Elements

Frame Element descriptions (on hover):

Cause

A force, process, or event that produces an Effect.

Effect

A situation or phenomenon brought about by the Cause.

Affected

An entity affected by the Cause. This FE can sometimes stand in for the Effect.

Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms
See All Information
also conjunction so, therefore

Details:

so, therefore, thus

In the Causation frame, "also" conveys that one thing follows from another, like English "therefore." However, not all uses of this word evoke this frame; "also" is also used as a particle (i.e. a word that has little meaning but adds a stylistic flavor to a sentence), so be careful.

When using "also," you should remember the difference in word order between English and German. English often uses "so" at the beginning of a sentence, but German can just as easily embed "also" after the verb. Compare: "Er kann nicht kommen, also gehe ich allein." ("He cannot come, therefore I go alone.") and "Er kann nicht kommen. Ich gehe also allein." ("He cannot come. Therefore, I go alone."). See also the examples section to get a better idea where to put "also."

Further details:

Synonyms:

"folglich," "demnach"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„also“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/also#1>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen, also bleibe ich im Bett.
  2. Ihr habt vor zwei Wochen die Hausaufgabe bekommen. Es gibt also keinen Grund, sie nicht pünktlich abzugeben.
  3. Wir wollen um 8 Uhr ins Kino und es ist schon 7 Uhr 30, also müssen wir uns beeilen.
  4. Er hat Zeit, also muss er uns helfen.
  5. Auf dem Brief steht dein Name, also bist du der Empfänger.
  1. I have a headache, so I'm staying in bed.
  2. You received two weeks ago the homework. There is therefore no reason, not to turn it in on time.
  3. We want to go at 8 o'clock to the movies and it's already 7:30, so we must hurry.
  4. He has time, so he must help us.
  5. The letter has your name on it, so you are the recipient.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Grammar:

Word Order - V2

Frames: 
Causation

German word order ("Wortstellung") is very different from English. Remember this rule to be sure you have everything in the right place.

The V2 rule: The finite verb (i.e. the verb that is conjugated to match the subject) belongs in the second position. As in English, the most common word order in German is Subject - Verb - Direct Object (as in "Der Mann isst den Apfel," "The man eats the apple"). In contrast to English, however, when bringing a word or phrase to the beginning of the sentence (known as topicalization), that word or phrase fills the first position, and the verb follows it. While topicalization is possible with practically any phrase in German, it is especially important to remember the V2 rule when using adverbs (e.g. "deshalb," "therefore," or "danach," "after that") because:

  1. they are frequently placed at the beginning of the sentence, and
  2. when they are topicalized in English, they are inserted without any impact on word order. See the examples in the table below.
Topicalized LUFrameGermanEnglish
also ("so," "therefore")Causation

Ich bin müde. Ich gehe ins Bett.

Ich bin müde. Also gehe ich ins Bett.

I am tired. I am going to bed.

I am tired. So, I am going to bed.

  

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Ich]1   [gehe]2   [ins Bett.]3

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Also]1   [gehe]2   [ich]3   [ins Bett.]4

 
deswegen ("because of that")Causation

Deswegen habe ich meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Ich habe meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Therefore, I did not do my homework.

I did not do my homework.

  

[Ich]1   [habe]2   [meine Hausaufgabe]3   [nicht gemacht.]4

[Deswegen]1   [habe]2   [ich]3   [meine Hausaufgabe]4   [nicht gemacht.]5

 

For more about word order in German, please consult Grimm Grammar. 

*While this grammatical feature applies to all German sentences (except for questions where subject and verb are inverted, e.g. "Gehst du jetzt?" "Are you going now?"), this grammar note will only appear with lexical units that pose particular difficulty for English speaking learners of German, such as adverbs that can be placed at the beginning of sentences in English.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE, also EFFECT.
  2. Na also!
  1. CAUSE, so EFFECT.
  2. There!
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

so, therefore, thus

In the Causation frame, "also" conveys that one thing follows from another, like English "therefore." However, not all uses of this word evoke this frame; "also" is also used as a particle (i.e. a word that has little meaning but adds a stylistic flavor to a sentence), so be careful.

When using "also," you should remember the difference in word order between English and German. English often uses "so" at the beginning of a sentence, but German can just as easily embed "also" after the verb. Compare: "Er kann nicht kommen, also gehe ich allein." ("He cannot come, therefore I go alone.") and "Er kann nicht kommen. Ich gehe also allein." ("He cannot come. Therefore, I go alone."). See also the examples section to get a better idea where to put "also."

Further details:

Synonyms:

"folglich," "demnach"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„also“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/also#1>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
Anlass, der noun reason, cause

Details:

reason, cause

"Der Anlass" refers to a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition; as such it is also an explanation or justification of an Effect. Given its meaning, "der Anlass" usually represents the Cause frame element. Two common collocations for this word have equivalents in English: "Anlass haben," "to have reason" and "Anlass geben," "to give reason." 

"Anlass" is a synonym of "der Grund" ("reason"), but differs slightly in meaning. While "Grund" indicates an underlying cause, "Anlass" conveys something more like an opportunity -- a set of circumstances that allows an Effect  to come into being. (Note: another sense of the word "Anlass" means "event" or "opportunity.")

"Anlass" can be used with "für" ("for"), "zu" ("to"), or the genetive case to express an Effect. The "für" phrase is used in the same way with "Anlass" as it is with "Grund"; to express the Effect the reason is "for." The "zu" phrase is often used with effects that are mental or emotional reactions (e.g. "Anlass zur Freude / zur Spekulation / zur Sorge," "cause for joy / for speculation / for concern").

When used with "haben," the Effect is expressed in a new clause using the infinitive construction. For example, "Wir haben Anlass, etwas zu machen" ("We have reason to do something"). 

Further details:

Word formation:

"veranlassen" ("to induce," "to cause," "to trigger"), "anlässlich" (preposition with genitive case: "on the occasion of," e.g. "Anlässlich des Jubiläums findet eine Feier statt." "On the occasion of the anniversary there will be a party.")

Synonyms:

"der Auslöser," "der Grund," "der Anstoß," "die Anregung," "die Veranlassung," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Anlass“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Anlass>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Die Schüler hatten keinen Anlass für ihre Beschwerde.
  2. Heikes Chef gibt ihr Anlass, einen neuen Job zu suchen.
  3. Die Analytiker sehen keinen Anlass zur Besorgnis.
  4. Trumps Ideen und politische Einstellungen geben Anlass  zu scharfer Kritik.
  5. Wir wissen jetzt, dass viele Vitamine in den Schälen von Karotten stecken. Es besteht also kein Anlass mehr, Karotten zu schälen.
  1. The students had no reason for their complaints.
  2. Heike's boss gave her reason  to find a new job.
  3. The analysts see no reason for concern.
  4. Trump's ideas and political views give reason  for sharp critique.
  5. We know now, that many vitamins are in the peels of carrots. There exists therefore no reason anymore, to peel carrots.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. ETWAS gibt Anlass für / zu EFFECT.
  2. JEMAND hat Anlass, EFFECT.
  1. SOMETHING gives reason for / to EFFECT.
  2. SOMEONE has reason, EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

reason, cause

"Der Anlass" refers to a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition; as such it is also an explanation or justification of an Effect. Given its meaning, "der Anlass" usually represents the Cause frame element. Two common collocations for this word have equivalents in English: "Anlass haben," "to have reason" and "Anlass geben," "to give reason." 

"Anlass" is a synonym of "der Grund" ("reason"), but differs slightly in meaning. While "Grund" indicates an underlying cause, "Anlass" conveys something more like an opportunity -- a set of circumstances that allows an Effect  to come into being. (Note: another sense of the word "Anlass" means "event" or "opportunity.")

"Anlass" can be used with "für" ("for"), "zu" ("to"), or the genetive case to express an Effect. The "für" phrase is used in the same way with "Anlass" as it is with "Grund"; to express the Effect the reason is "for." The "zu" phrase is often used with effects that are mental or emotional reactions (e.g. "Anlass zur Freude / zur Spekulation / zur Sorge," "cause for joy / for speculation / for concern").

When used with "haben," the Effect is expressed in a new clause using the infinitive construction. For example, "Wir haben Anlass, etwas zu machen" ("We have reason to do something"). 

Further details:

Word formation:

"veranlassen" ("to induce," "to cause," "to trigger"), "anlässlich" (preposition with genitive case: "on the occasion of," e.g. "Anlässlich des Jubiläums findet eine Feier statt." "On the occasion of the anniversary there will be a party.")

Synonyms:

"der Auslöser," "der Grund," "der Anstoß," "die Anregung," "die Veranlassung," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Anlass“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Anlass>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(pl.) die Anlässe
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
denn conjunction because

Details:

because

Although this is the easiest form of "because" (an Effect is there for the reason of a Cause), it is not the most common form for native speakers. Once you can master subordinating conjunctions, you should use "weil" more frequently, but until then, "denn" will do just fine. When you use "denn" to connect two sentences, it does not affect word order (just like "und" and "oder"). Compare: "Carsten geht ins Restaurant, denn er ist hungrig." ("Carsten goes in a restaurant because he is hungry.") and "Carsten geht ins Restaurant, weil er hungrig ist." ("Carsten goes in a restaurant because he is hungry.").

Further details:

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„denn“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/denn#1>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Reinhardt ist spät angekommen, denn er hatte eine Autopanne.
  2. Viele Studenten machen einen Austausch, denn sie wollen eine andere Kultur erleben.
  3. Farah hat keine Haustiere, denn sie hat Allergien.
  4. Ich kann nicht kommen, denn ich bin krank.
  1. Reinhardt came late, because he had car trouble.
  2. Many students do an exchange because they want to experience a different culture.
  3. Farah has no pets because she has allergies.
  4. I cannot come because I'm sick.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. EFFECT, denn CAUSE.
  1. EFFECT, because CAUSE.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

because

Although this is the easiest form of "because" (an Effect is there for the reason of a Cause), it is not the most common form for native speakers. Once you can master subordinating conjunctions, you should use "weil" more frequently, but until then, "denn" will do just fine. When you use "denn" to connect two sentences, it does not affect word order (just like "und" and "oder"). Compare: "Carsten geht ins Restaurant, denn er ist hungrig." ("Carsten goes in a restaurant because he is hungry.") and "Carsten geht ins Restaurant, weil er hungrig ist." ("Carsten goes in a restaurant because he is hungry.").

Further details:

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„denn“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/denn#1>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
deshalb conjunction therefore, because of that

Details:

therefore, because of that

This conjunction is used much like English "therefore" (meaning "for the reason that," "since"), but does not sound quite as formal, and can be used appropriately in everyday conversation as well as in more formal contexts like academic writing. "Deshalb" can sometimes be translated with "that's why" or "for this reason," e.g. "Er ist krank, (und deshalb kommt er heute nicht zur Uni." ("He is sick and therefore he doesn't come to the university today.").

Further details:

Synonyms:

"darum," "daher," "aufgrund," "deswegen," "aus diesem Grund"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„deshalb“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/deshalb>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Lola ist krank und kann deshalb nicht zum Unterricht kommen.
  2. Das deutsche Schulsystem ist ziemlich kompliziert im Vergleich zum amerikanischen Schulsystem. Deshalb ist es schwierig für amerikanische Studenten zu begreifen.
  3. In Deutschland darf man mit 16 Bier trinken; es gibt deshalb Probleme mit Alkoholmissbrauch bei Teenagern.
  4. Ich bin krank. Deshalb komme ich heute nicht ins Büro.
  1. Lola is sick and therefore cannot come to class.
  2. The German school system is fairly complicated in comparison to the American school system. That's why it is difficult for American students to understand.
  3. In Germany one is allowed to drink beer at 16; there are therefore problems with alcohol abuse among teenagers.
  4. I am sick. Therefore I don't come to the office today.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Grammar:

Word Order - V2

Frames: 
Causation

German word order ("Wortstellung") is very different from English. Remember this rule to be sure you have everything in the right place.

The V2 rule: The finite verb (i.e. the verb that is conjugated to match the subject) belongs in the second position. As in English, the most common word order in German is Subject - Verb - Direct Object (as in "Der Mann isst den Apfel," "The man eats the apple"). In contrast to English, however, when bringing a word or phrase to the beginning of the sentence (known as topicalization), that word or phrase fills the first position, and the verb follows it. While topicalization is possible with practically any phrase in German, it is especially important to remember the V2 rule when using adverbs (e.g. "deshalb," "therefore," or "danach," "after that") because:

  1. they are frequently placed at the beginning of the sentence, and
  2. when they are topicalized in English, they are inserted without any impact on word order. See the examples in the table below.
Topicalized LUFrameGermanEnglish
also ("so," "therefore")Causation

Ich bin müde. Ich gehe ins Bett.

Ich bin müde. Also gehe ich ins Bett.

I am tired. I am going to bed.

I am tired. So, I am going to bed.

  

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Ich]1   [gehe]2   [ins Bett.]3

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Also]1   [gehe]2   [ich]3   [ins Bett.]4

 
deswegen ("because of that")Causation

Deswegen habe ich meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Ich habe meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Therefore, I did not do my homework.

I did not do my homework.

  

[Ich]1   [habe]2   [meine Hausaufgabe]3   [nicht gemacht.]4

[Deswegen]1   [habe]2   [ich]3   [meine Hausaufgabe]4   [nicht gemacht.]5

 

For more about word order in German, please consult Grimm Grammar. 

*While this grammatical feature applies to all German sentences (except for questions where subject and verb are inverted, e.g. "Gehst du jetzt?" "Are you going now?"), this grammar note will only appear with lexical units that pose particular difficulty for English speaking learners of German, such as adverbs that can be placed at the beginning of sentences in English.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE, deshalb EFFECT.

  1. CAUSE, therefore EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

therefore, because of that

This conjunction is used much like English "therefore" (meaning "for the reason that," "since"), but does not sound quite as formal, and can be used appropriately in everyday conversation as well as in more formal contexts like academic writing. "Deshalb" can sometimes be translated with "that's why" or "for this reason," e.g. "Er ist krank, (und deshalb kommt er heute nicht zur Uni." ("He is sick and therefore he doesn't come to the university today.").

Further details:

Synonyms:

"darum," "daher," "aufgrund," "deswegen," "aus diesem Grund"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„deshalb“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/deshalb>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
deswegen conjunction therefore, because of that

Details:

therefore

This conjunction means "because of that," and is derived from the preposition "wegen" ("because of"). It is often used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to refer to a Cause without repeating it. "Deswegen" is often used in the beginning of a clause or sentence but it can also be placed inside the clause / sentence; compare "Die Frauen wollen anonym bleiben, deswegen sind ihre Namen geändert." ("The women want to stay anonymous, therefore their names are changed.") and "Die Frauen wollen anynym bleiben, ihre Namen sind deswegen geändert." ("The women want to stay anonymous, therefore their names are changed.").

Further details:

Synonyms:

"deshalb," "daher," "darum," "aufgrund dessen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„deswegen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/deswegen>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Niklas ist krank, und deswegen kommt er nicht zum Unterricht.
  2. Ich habe wenig Geld. Deswegen komme ich nicht mit ins Kino.
  3. Es soll die ganze Woche lang regnen. Das Konzert wurde deswegen abgesagt.
  4. Ich habe falsch geparkt. Deswegen habe ich einen Strafzettel bekommen.
  1. Niklas is sick, and therefore he's not coming to class.
  2. I have little money. Because of that, I'm not coming with to the movies.
  3. It's supposed to rain all week long. The concert was therefore cancelled.
  4. I parked in a wrong spot. Because of that I got a ticket.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Grammar:

Word Order - V2

Frames: 
Causation

German word order ("Wortstellung") is very different from English. Remember this rule to be sure you have everything in the right place.

The V2 rule: The finite verb (i.e. the verb that is conjugated to match the subject) belongs in the second position. As in English, the most common word order in German is Subject - Verb - Direct Object (as in "Der Mann isst den Apfel," "The man eats the apple"). In contrast to English, however, when bringing a word or phrase to the beginning of the sentence (known as topicalization), that word or phrase fills the first position, and the verb follows it. While topicalization is possible with practically any phrase in German, it is especially important to remember the V2 rule when using adverbs (e.g. "deshalb," "therefore," or "danach," "after that") because:

  1. they are frequently placed at the beginning of the sentence, and
  2. when they are topicalized in English, they are inserted without any impact on word order. See the examples in the table below.
Topicalized LUFrameGermanEnglish
also ("so," "therefore")Causation

Ich bin müde. Ich gehe ins Bett.

Ich bin müde. Also gehe ich ins Bett.

I am tired. I am going to bed.

I am tired. So, I am going to bed.

  

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Ich]1   [gehe]2   [ins Bett.]3

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Also]1   [gehe]2   [ich]3   [ins Bett.]4

 
deswegen ("because of that")Causation

Deswegen habe ich meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Ich habe meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Therefore, I did not do my homework.

I did not do my homework.

  

[Ich]1   [habe]2   [meine Hausaufgabe]3   [nicht gemacht.]4

[Deswegen]1   [habe]2   [ich]3   [meine Hausaufgabe]4   [nicht gemacht.]5

 

For more about word order in German, please consult Grimm Grammar. 

*While this grammatical feature applies to all German sentences (except for questions where subject and verb are inverted, e.g. "Gehst du jetzt?" "Are you going now?"), this grammar note will only appear with lexical units that pose particular difficulty for English speaking learners of German, such as adverbs that can be placed at the beginning of sentences in English.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE, (und) deswegen EFFECT.
  1. CAUSE, (and) therefore EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

therefore

This conjunction means "because of that," and is derived from the preposition "wegen" ("because of"). It is often used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to refer to a Cause without repeating it. "Deswegen" is often used in the beginning of a clause or sentence but it can also be placed inside the clause / sentence; compare "Die Frauen wollen anonym bleiben, deswegen sind ihre Namen geändert." ("The women want to stay anonymous, therefore their names are changed.") and "Die Frauen wollen anynym bleiben, ihre Namen sind deswegen geändert." ("The women want to stay anonymous, therefore their names are changed.").

Further details:

Synonyms:

"deshalb," "daher," "darum," "aufgrund dessen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„deswegen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/deswegen>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
Ergebnis, das noun result

Details:

result

This noun is used like its English equivalent, referring to the outcome (the Effect) of an occurance (the Cause).

Further details:

Word formation:

"das Abstimmungsergebnis" ("vote"), "das Endergebnis" ("end result," "final result"), "das Gesamtergebnis" ("total result"), "das Ernteergebnis" ("crop yield"), "das Zwischenergebnis" ("interim result," "provisional result"), among others

Synonyms:

"das Resultat," "die Folge," "das Fazit"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Ergebnis“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Ergebnis>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Die Ergebnisse der Studie waren positiv.
  2. Die Untersuchung der Polizei führte zu keinem Ergebnis.
  3. Die Ergebnisse des Brexit Referendums waren knapp!
  4. Das Ergebnis des Tests bekommen Sie in zwei Wochen.
  5. Das Ergebnis ist befriedigend.
  1. The results of the study were positive.
  2. The investigation of the police led to no result.
  3. The results of the Brexit referendum were close!
  4. The result of the test you will get in two weeks.
  5. The result is satisfying.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE hat ein Ergebnis.
  1. CAUSE has a result.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

result

This noun is used like its English equivalent, referring to the outcome (the Effect) of an occurance (the Cause).

Further details:

Word formation:

"das Abstimmungsergebnis" ("vote"), "das Endergebnis" ("end result," "final result"), "das Gesamtergebnis" ("total result"), "das Ernteergebnis" ("crop yield"), "das Zwischenergebnis" ("interim result," "provisional result"), among others

Synonyms:

"das Resultat," "die Folge," "das Fazit"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Ergebnis“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Ergebnis>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(pl.) die Ergebnisse
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
Folge, die noun consequence, result

Details:

consequence, result, effect

This noun is related to the verb "folgen" ("to follow"), and in this frame, it denotes the Effect that follows a Cause, which is typically expressed with a "von" phrase or in the genetive case. It is used like its English equivalent, but is also associated with the construction "etwas zur Folge haben," where the specific result can be overtly mentioned and identified as the Effect, much like the English expression "to result in" (see example 4).

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Folgeerscheinung" ("after-effect"), "die Folgekosten" ("follow-up cost," "consequential cost, charges"), "der Folgemonat" ("the following month"), "folgenlos" ("without consequences"), "folgenschwer" ("grievous," "with severe consequences"), "infolge" ("due to," "as a result of," "because of"), among others

Synonyms:

"die Wirkung," "die Auswirkung," "der Effekt," "die Konsequenz," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Folge“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Folge>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Die Folgen dieser Tat sind ernsthaft.
  2. Sabine will die Folgen ihrer Entscheidung nicht akzeptieren.
  3. Der Minister hat die Folgen von der Rezession nicht richtig eingeschätzt.
  4. Seine Entscheidung hat schwere Schäden zur Folge.
  5. Die Folgen des Unfalls waren schlimm.
  1. The consequences of this action are serious.
  2. Sabine doesn't want to accept the consequences of her decision.
  3. The minister did not correctly assess the consequences of the recession.
  4. His decision results in heavy damages.
  5. The consequences of the accident were severe.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE hat eine Folge.
  2. CAUSE hat EFFECT zur Folge.
  1. CAUSE has a consequence.
  2. CAUSE results in EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

consequence, result, effect

This noun is related to the verb "folgen" ("to follow"), and in this frame, it denotes the Effect that follows a Cause, which is typically expressed with a "von" phrase or in the genetive case. It is used like its English equivalent, but is also associated with the construction "etwas zur Folge haben," where the specific result can be overtly mentioned and identified as the Effect, much like the English expression "to result in" (see example 4).

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Folgeerscheinung" ("after-effect"), "die Folgekosten" ("follow-up cost," "consequential cost, charges"), "der Folgemonat" ("the following month"), "folgenlos" ("without consequences"), "folgenschwer" ("grievous," "with severe consequences"), "infolge" ("due to," "as a result of," "because of"), among others

Synonyms:

"die Wirkung," "die Auswirkung," "der Effekt," "die Konsequenz," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Folge“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Folge>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(pl.) die Folgen
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
führen zu multi-word expression to lead (to)

Details:

to lead to

In the Causation frame, "führen" is used to express that one thing (a Cause) leads to another (an Effect), e.g. "Die Baustelle führt zu Verkehrstaus." ("The construction site leads to traffic jams."). This verb can also be used in the more literal sense that involves motion (e.g. "Er führte sie zum Wald." "He led her to the woods").

Further details:

Synonyms:

"etwas hat etwas.acc zur Folge," "etwas bringt etwas.acc hervor"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„führen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/f%C3%BChren>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Ungesunde Ernährung führt zur Krankheit.
  2. Leider führte es zu nichts.
  3. Lars hat eine Belohnung von 1.000 Euro bekommen, weil sein Hinweis zur Ergreifung der Täter geführt hat.
  4. Der starke Regen führte zu Überschwemmungen.
  1. Unhealthy diet leads to sickness.
  2. Unfortunately, it led to nothing.
  3. Lars received a reward of 1,000 euros because his tip led to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
  4. The heavy rain lead to flooding.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE führt zu EFFECT.
  1. CAUSE leads to EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

to lead to

In the Causation frame, "führen" is used to express that one thing (a Cause) leads to another (an Effect), e.g. "Die Baustelle führt zu Verkehrstaus." ("The construction site leads to traffic jams."). This verb can also be used in the more literal sense that involves motion (e.g. "Er führte sie zum Wald." "He led her to the woods").

Further details:

Synonyms:

"etwas hat etwas.acc zur Folge," "etwas bringt etwas.acc hervor"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„führen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/f%C3%BChren>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(es) führt zu, führte zu, hat zu [etwas] geführt,
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
Grund, der noun reason

Details:

reason

For the most part, this noun is used like its English equivalent, providing an explanation or justification for an Effect. A notable exception is the common phrase "aus diesem Grund," which appears with a different preposition in English: "for this reason."

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Entlassungsgrund" ("cause of dismissal"), "der Scheidungsgrund" ("reason for divorce"), among others

Synonyms:

"der Anlass," "die Ursache"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Grund“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Grund>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Ihr habt vor zwei Wochen die Hausaufgabe bekommen. Es gibt also keinen Grund, sie nicht pünktlich abzugeben.
  2. Uli hat kein Geld. Ein Grund dafür ist, dass er nicht arbeitet.
  3. Des Diebes Tochter war sehr krank und brauchte Medizin, aber er hatte nicht genug Geld dafür. Aus diesem Grund überfiel er die Bank.
  4. Es gibt viele Gründe für den wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung in den 50er Jahren.
  5. Auf Grund des schlechten Wetters spielen wir heute keinen Fußball.
  6. Sophia hat mich ohne Grund  geschlagen.
  7. Sie haben Ihre Stelle gekündigt. Aus welchem Grund?
  8. Sie haben keinen Grund, sich zu beschweren.
  1. You received two weeks ago the homework. There is therefore no reason, not to turn it in on time.
  2. Uli has no money. A reason for that is that he doesn't work.
  3. The thief's daughter was very sick and needed medicine, but he didn't have enough money for it. For that reason, he robbed the bank.
  4. There are many reasons for the economic upturn in the 50's.
  5. For the reason of the bad weather, we are playing no football today.
  6. Sophia hit me without reason.
  7. You have resigned from your job. For what reason?
  8. You have no reason to complain.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. Es gibt einen Grund für dieses EFFECT.
  2. Aus diesem Grund EFFECT.
  3. EFFECT passiert mit / ohne Grund.
  4. Ein Grund dafür ist, dass CAUSE.
  5. Auf Grund des CAUSE, EFFECT.
  1. There is a reason for this EFFECT.
  2. For this reason, EFFECT.
  3. EFFECT happens with / without a reason.
  4. A reason for it is that CAUSE.
  5. For the reason of CAUSE, EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

reason

For the most part, this noun is used like its English equivalent, providing an explanation or justification for an Effect. A notable exception is the common phrase "aus diesem Grund," which appears with a different preposition in English: "for this reason."

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Entlassungsgrund" ("cause of dismissal"), "der Scheidungsgrund" ("reason for divorce"), among others

Synonyms:

"der Anlass," "die Ursache"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Grund“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Grund>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(pl.) die Gründe
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
lassen: etwas (machen) lassen construction to let happen, to have/get something done

Details:

let something happen, to have / get something done

This is where Causation gets complicated. In German, "machen lassen" is used when someone has something done that they personally are not doing. For example, when a person has someone cut their hair ("Magda lässt ihr Haar schneiden." - lit. "Magda let (someone) cut her hair;" "Magda gets a haircut."), or when they have brochures printed ("Die Organisation ließ Informationsbroschüren drucken." - "The organization let (someone) print information brochures;" "The organization had information brochures printed."). Basically, "lassen" is used as a support verb when it's not literally that person (the subject) who is doing the action denoted by the other verb ("machen" or any other), but they are still bringing about the event by requesting or otherwise arranging it. So if you hear "Sie lässt sich die Haare schneiden," you know for sure that she's not cutting her own hair.

In English, the support verb "get" typically plays the same role as German "lassen," but sometimes the distinction goes unnoticed in English, and the person allowing the Effect is construed directly as the Cause (e.g. "I want to cut my hair"). Here are some common phrases in both langauges:

GermanEnglish
sich scheiden lassento get divorced
sich die Haare schneiden lassento have one's hair cut
etwas fallen lassento drop something
Wasser laufen lassento run water

When this construction is used in the Perfekt tense (aka Conversational Past Tense), the normal past participle for "lassen" ("gelassen") is not used. Instead, the verb stays in its infinitive form. This happens only under the circumstances described here, where "lassen" is used as a support verb in conjunction with another verb (see example 3).

As with some other lexical units in this frame (e.g. "der Anlass"), "lassen" can be used in the sense of "allow" without implying causation. Examine the context closely, and you will be able to tell which meaning is intended.

Further details:

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„lassen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/lassen>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Ich möchte mir die Haare schneiden lassen, weil ich am Montag ein Vorstellungsgespräch habe.
  2. Petras Eltern ließen sich  scheiden, als sie nur 3 Jahre alt war.
  3. Gestern hat Malte seinen Bruder wissen lassen, dass er im Dezember zu Besuch kommt.
  4. Du musst unbedingt die Bremsen kontrollieren lassen.
  5. Wir müssen das Dach reparieren lassen.
  6. Bei welcher Firma haben Sie diese Prospekte drucken lassen?
  7. Ich habe meinen Anzug reinigen lassen.
  8. Gegen welche Krankheiten sollte ich mich impfen lassen?
  9. Ich habe das Kleid kürzer machen lassen.
  1. I would like to get my hair cut, because on Monday I have a job interview.
  2. Petra's parents got divorced when she was only 3 years old.
  3. Yesterday Malte let his brother know that he is coming to visit in December.
  4. You absolutely have to get the brakes checked.
  5. We have to get the roof repaired.
  6. At which company did you get these brochures printed?
  7. I had my suit cleaned.
  8. Against which illnesses should I get vaccinated?
  9. I had the dress shortened.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE lässt EFFECT machen.
  1. CAUSE has EFFECT done.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

let something happen, to have / get something done

This is where Causation gets complicated. In German, "machen lassen" is used when someone has something done that they personally are not doing. For example, when a person has someone cut their hair ("Magda lässt ihr Haar schneiden." - lit. "Magda let (someone) cut her hair;" "Magda gets a haircut."), or when they have brochures printed ("Die Organisation ließ Informationsbroschüren drucken." - "The organization let (someone) print information brochures;" "The organization had information brochures printed."). Basically, "lassen" is used as a support verb when it's not literally that person (the subject) who is doing the action denoted by the other verb ("machen" or any other), but they are still bringing about the event by requesting or otherwise arranging it. So if you hear "Sie lässt sich die Haare schneiden," you know for sure that she's not cutting her own hair.

In English, the support verb "get" typically plays the same role as German "lassen," but sometimes the distinction goes unnoticed in English, and the person allowing the Effect is construed directly as the Cause (e.g. "I want to cut my hair"). Here are some common phrases in both langauges:

GermanEnglish
sich scheiden lassento get divorced
sich die Haare schneiden lassento have one's hair cut
etwas fallen lassento drop something
Wasser laufen lassento run water

When this construction is used in the Perfekt tense (aka Conversational Past Tense), the normal past participle for "lassen" ("gelassen") is not used. Instead, the verb stays in its infinitive form. This happens only under the circumstances described here, where "lassen" is used as a support verb in conjunction with another verb (see example 3).

As with some other lexical units in this frame (e.g. "der Anlass"), "lassen" can be used in the sense of "allow" without implying causation. Examine the context closely, and you will be able to tell which meaning is intended.

Further details:

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„lassen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/lassen>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(er) lässt etwas [machen], ließ etwas [machen], hat etwas [machen] lassen
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
machen verb to make, to cause

Details:

to make, to cause

Just as in English "make," German "machen" can be used to express causation. It is often used with an adjective as the Effect. In contrast to English, German does not use this verb when the Effect is an action expressed by a phrase, such as "she made me do it."

Further details:

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„machen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/machen>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Sonja macht Anjay eifersüchtig.
  2. Das Gemälde macht das Zimmer hell und warm.
  3. Der Lärm von der Party meines Nachbarn macht mich verrückt!
  4. Deine Größe macht mich klein.
  1. Sonja is making Anjay jealous.
  2. The painting makes the room light and warm.
  3. The noise from my neighbor's party  is making me crazy!
  4. Your greatnessmakes me small.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE macht AFFECTED EFFECT.
  1. CAUSE macht AFFECTED EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

to make, to cause

Just as in English "make," German "machen" can be used to express causation. It is often used with an adjective as the Effect. In contrast to English, German does not use this verb when the Effect is an action expressed by a phrase, such as "she made me do it."

Further details:

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„machen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/machen>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(er) macht, machte, hat gemacht
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
resultieren (aus) verb to result

Details:

to result (from)

This verb is used much like English "to result," i.e. an Effect results from a Cause. However, in German, the Effect always appears as subject of the verb (i.e. this verb cannot be used as an equivalent for English "to result in"). The Cause is encoded with a prepositional phrase headed by "aus" ("from"), and therefore requires the dative case. "Resultieren" has a formal, scholarly flair to it and is rarely used in colloquial contexts.

Further details:

Synonyms:

"hervorgehen aus," "folgen aus"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„resultieren“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/resultieren>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Die Aufteilung Deutschlands resultierte aus dem zweiten Weltkrieg.
  2. Johanns Erfolg resultiert aus seinem persönlichen Einsatz und harter Arbeit.
  3. Aus der Untersuchung des Privatdetektivs resultierten drei Festnahmen.
  1. The division of Germany resulted from the second World War.
  2. Johann's success results from his personal commitment and hard work.
  3. From the investigation of the private detective resulted three arrests.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. EFFECT resultiert aus CAUSE.
  1. EFFECT results from CAUSE.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

to result (from)

This verb is used much like English "to result," i.e. an Effect results from a Cause. However, in German, the Effect always appears as subject of the verb (i.e. this verb cannot be used as an equivalent for English "to result in"). The Cause is encoded with a prepositional phrase headed by "aus" ("from"), and therefore requires the dative case. "Resultieren" has a formal, scholarly flair to it and is rarely used in colloquial contexts.

Further details:

Synonyms:

"hervorgehen aus," "folgen aus"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„resultieren“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/resultieren>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(es) resultiert, resultierte, hat resultiert
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
Ursache, die noun cause

Details:

cause

"Die Ursache" refers - like English "cause" - to a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition. Used like its English equivalent, this noun is often found in close proximity to another noun, "die Wirkung" ("effect"). For example, "the law of cause and effect" is expressed as "das Gesetz von Ursache und Wirkung."

Typically, "die Ursache" will instantiate the Cause frame element. To express the Effect, German speakers can insert (after "Ursache") a prepositional phrase headed by either "von" or "für," or the genitive case (see examples 1-3).

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Ursachenforschung" ("root cause analysis," "causal research"), "die Ursachenfindung" ("sourcing"), "ursächlich" ("causative," "causal"), among others

Synonyms:

"der Grund," "der Anlass," "der Auslöser" 

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Ursache“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Ursache>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Die Ursache des Unfalls ist noch unbekannt.
  2. Man muss versuchen, alle Ursachen für die Entwicklung zu sehen.
  3.  Sind Insekten die Ursache von den Epidemien in Argentinien?
  4. Diese kleine Ursache hatte eine große Wirkung.
  5. Kennt man schon die Unfallursache?
  1. The cause of the accident is still unknown.
  2. One must try to see all causes for the development.
  3. Are insects the cause of the epidemics in Argentina?
  4. This small cause had a big effect.
  5. Does one already know the cause of the accident?
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. a[die Ursache von EFFECT.dat]
  2. [die Ursache des EFFECT.gen]
  3. [die Ursache für EFFECT.acc]
  1. [the cause of EFFECT]
  2. [the cause of EFFECT]
  3. [the cause for EFFECT]
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

cause

"Die Ursache" refers - like English "cause" - to a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition. Used like its English equivalent, this noun is often found in close proximity to another noun, "die Wirkung" ("effect"). For example, "the law of cause and effect" is expressed as "das Gesetz von Ursache und Wirkung."

Typically, "die Ursache" will instantiate the Cause frame element. To express the Effect, German speakers can insert (after "Ursache") a prepositional phrase headed by either "von" or "für," or the genitive case (see examples 1-3).

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Ursachenforschung" ("root cause analysis," "causal research"), "die Ursachenfindung" ("sourcing"), "ursächlich" ("causative," "causal"), among others

Synonyms:

"der Grund," "der Anlass," "der Auslöser" 

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Ursache“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Ursache>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(pl.) die Ursachen
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
verantwortlich (für) adjective responsible

Details:

responsible (for)

You've probably noticed that "verantwortlich" is related to "Antwort" ("answer"). This reflects the idea that if someone is "verantwortlich" ("responsible") they may have to answer to others if something goes wrong (note that the same connection can be made for English "response"), i.e. someone or something is accountable for something that has happened. Overall, the German usage is remarkably similar to English, even with regard to the preposition that is used to express the EFFECT, "für" ("for").

This adjective is not, however, used without the preposition to describe a positive character trait as in "He's a very responsible teenager." (With "verantwortlich" in the same sentence, one would think: Responsible for WHAT? Does he run a business or something?) The German word for that use would be "verantwortungsbewusst" ("verantwortungsbewusster, am verantwortungsbewusstesten").

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Verantwortlichkeit" ("accountability," "responsibility"), "der / die Verantwortliche" ("the responsible person, party")

Synonym:

"zuständig (für)"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„verantwortlich“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/verantwortlich>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Der Fahrer war voll verantwortlich für den Unfall.
  2. Toni ist dafür verantwortlich, dass meine Kopfhörer kaputt sind.
  3. Holly ist depressiv; sie fühlt sich verantwortlich für den Tod ihrer Mutter.
  4. Sie sind für Ihre Kinder verantwortlich.
  1. The driver was fully responsible for the accident.
  2. Toni is responsible for the fact that my headphones are broken.
  3. Holly is depressed; she feels responsible for her mother's death.
  4. You are responsible for your children.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Grammar:

Adjectives in Action

There are two main ways to use adjectives in German that parallel the ways adjectives are used in English:

Firstly, you can use them after some form of "sein" ("to be"), as in "Adjektive sind faszinierend" ("adjectives are fascinating"). This one is easy. Other verbs like "werden" ("to become") may be used in this context also. We call these "predicate adjectives" because they appear after the verb to give information about the subject.

Secondly, you can use adjectives directly before a noun, as in "die eifersüchtige Frau" ("the jealous woman/wife"). In this context, we call it an "attributive adjective" because it directly attributes some quality to the noun. These can be a little tricky because they require an extra adjective ending, typically "-e" or "-en."

These usages are illustrated in the table below.

 Predicate AdjectivesAttributive Adjectives
1.

Sara ist arbeitslos.
Sara is unemployed.

Saras arbeitsloser Mann sucht einen Job.
Sara's unemployed husband is looking for a job.
2.

Der Kunde wurde wütend.
The customer became angry.

Der wütende Kunde verließ den Laden.
The angry customer left the store.
3.Viele deutsche Wähler sind gut informiert.
Many German voters are well informed.		Informierte Wähler sind wichtig für eine Demokratie.
Informed voters are important for a democracy.

Depending on how advanced you are in German, you may want to delve into the wonders of adjective endings (for highly motivated, grammar-oriented or advanced students), or you may want to simply note that they have an "e" (or more) at the end and move on with your life (recommended for those in the first or second year of study). If you so desire, you can learn more about using adjective endings in Grimm Grammar (after der-words, after ein-words, without articles).

Comparisons using Adjectives
In the Alternate Forms tab, you can see the comparative (e.g. "gut" - "besser," "good" - "better") and superlative (e.g. "gut" - "am besten," "good" - "the best") forms of an adjective. German and English are similar in their uses of comparative; both languages add an "-er" ending to make comparative forms, for example: "wütend, wütender" ("angry, angrier"), "informiert, informierter" ("informed, more informed"), etc. The main difference is that English sometimes does not allow such an ending (e.g. *"stupider," *"informeder," *"loster"), but in German, the "-er" ending is always possible, and "more" does NOT appear with an adjective to convey the comparative meaning. There are a few more rules for German comparatives and superlatives (including some irregular forms) that you can read about in Grimm Grammar.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE ist verantwortlich für EFFECT.
  2. [Person, die CAUSE macht] ist verantwortlich für EFFECT.
  1. CAUSE is responsible for EFFECT.
  2. [Person who does CAUSE] is responsible for EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

responsible (for)

You've probably noticed that "verantwortlich" is related to "Antwort" ("answer"). This reflects the idea that if someone is "verantwortlich" ("responsible") they may have to answer to others if something goes wrong (note that the same connection can be made for English "response"), i.e. someone or something is accountable for something that has happened. Overall, the German usage is remarkably similar to English, even with regard to the preposition that is used to express the EFFECT, "für" ("for").

This adjective is not, however, used without the preposition to describe a positive character trait as in "He's a very responsible teenager." (With "verantwortlich" in the same sentence, one would think: Responsible for WHAT? Does he run a business or something?) The German word for that use would be "verantwortungsbewusst" ("verantwortungsbewusster, am verantwortungsbewusstesten").

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Verantwortlichkeit" ("accountability," "responsibility"), "der / die Verantwortliche" ("the responsible person, party")

Synonym:

"zuständig (für)"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„verantwortlich“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/verantwortlich>, abgerufen am 03.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

verantwortlicher, am verantwortlichsten
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
verursachen verb to cause

Details:

to cause, to induce

Used much like "to cause" in English, i.e. when a force, process or event is the Cause of some Effect, makes something happen.

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Verursacher" ("causer," "origin," "person responsible"), "die Verursachung" (no plural, "causation," "cause"), "die Schadensverursachung" ("causing damage"), "mitverursachen" ("contributing to the cause")

Synonyms:

"bewirken," "hervorrufen," "evozieren" (formal)

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„verursachen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/verursachen>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Lenas Einstellung zu ihrer Arbeit verursacht Schwierigkeiten für ihre Mitarbeiter.
  2. Bakterien können Entzündungen verursachen.
  3. Das Feuer wurde durch einen Blitz verursacht.
  4. Dieser Busfahrer verursachte den Unfall.
  1. Lena's attitude toward her work is causing difficulties for her coworkers.
  2. Bacteria can cause inflammations.
  3. The fire was caused by lightening.
  4. This bus driver caused the accident.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE verursacht EFFECT.
  1. CAUSE causes EFFECT.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

to cause, to induce

Used much like "to cause" in English, i.e. when a force, process or event is the Cause of some Effect, makes something happen.

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Verursacher" ("causer," "origin," "person responsible"), "die Verursachung" (no plural, "causation," "cause"), "die Schadensverursachung" ("causing damage"), "mitverursachen" ("contributing to the cause")

Synonyms:

"bewirken," "hervorrufen," "evozieren" (formal)

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„verursachen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/verursachen>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(er) verursacht, verursachte, hat verursacht
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
warum adverb why

Details:

why

Used like its English equivalent to ask for a reason or explanation. It can start a direct question, e.g. "Warum tust du das?" ("Why are you doing that?") or an indirect question, e.g. "Ich möchte wissen, warum er das getan hat." ("I want to know why he did it.").

Further details:

Synoyms:

"aus welchem Grund," "weshalb," "wieso," "weswegen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„warum“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/warum>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Ich weiss nicht, warum du keine Hausaufgaben machst.
  2. Warum ist Margerete traurig?
  3. Meine Eltern wollen wissen, warum ich Deutsch lerne.
  4. Ben ist gemein. Das ist, warum er keine Freunde hat.
  5. Warum kommt er nicht?
  6. Warum macht ihr nicht mit?
  1. I don't know why you do no homework.
  2. Why is Margerete sad?
  3. My parents want to know why I'm studying German.
  4. Ben is mean. That is why he has no friends.
  5. Why doesn't he come?
  6. Why are you not participating?
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Grammar:

Word Order - V2

Frames: 
Causation

German word order ("Wortstellung") is very different from English. Remember this rule to be sure you have everything in the right place.

The V2 rule: The finite verb (i.e. the verb that is conjugated to match the subject) belongs in the second position. As in English, the most common word order in German is Subject - Verb - Direct Object (as in "Der Mann isst den Apfel," "The man eats the apple"). In contrast to English, however, when bringing a word or phrase to the beginning of the sentence (known as topicalization), that word or phrase fills the first position, and the verb follows it. While topicalization is possible with practically any phrase in German, it is especially important to remember the V2 rule when using adverbs (e.g. "deshalb," "therefore," or "danach," "after that") because:

  1. they are frequently placed at the beginning of the sentence, and
  2. when they are topicalized in English, they are inserted without any impact on word order. See the examples in the table below.
Topicalized LUFrameGermanEnglish
also ("so," "therefore")Causation

Ich bin müde. Ich gehe ins Bett.

Ich bin müde. Also gehe ich ins Bett.

I am tired. I am going to bed.

I am tired. So, I am going to bed.

  

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Ich]1   [gehe]2   [ins Bett.]3

[Ich]1   [bin]2   [müde.]3       [Also]1   [gehe]2   [ich]3   [ins Bett.]4

 
deswegen ("because of that")Causation

Deswegen habe ich meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Ich habe meine Hausaufgabe nicht gemacht.

Therefore, I did not do my homework.

I did not do my homework.

  

[Ich]1   [habe]2   [meine Hausaufgabe]3   [nicht gemacht.]4

[Deswegen]1   [habe]2   [ich]3   [meine Hausaufgabe]4   [nicht gemacht.]5

 

For more about word order in German, please consult Grimm Grammar. 

*While this grammatical feature applies to all German sentences (except for questions where subject and verb are inverted, e.g. "Gehst du jetzt?" "Are you going now?"), this grammar note will only appear with lexical units that pose particular difficulty for English speaking learners of German, such as adverbs that can be placed at the beginning of sentences in English.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE ist warum es einen EFFECT gibt.
  2. Warum EFFECT?
  1. CAUSE is why there is an EFFECT.
  2. Why EFFECT?
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

why

Used like its English equivalent to ask for a reason or explanation. It can start a direct question, e.g. "Warum tust du das?" ("Why are you doing that?") or an indirect question, e.g. "Ich möchte wissen, warum er das getan hat." ("I want to know why he did it.").

Further details:

Synoyms:

"aus welchem Grund," "weshalb," "wieso," "weswegen"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„warum“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/warum>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
wegen preposition because of

Details:

because of

"Wegen" states like its English equivalent the reason, i.e. the Cause of an Effect. Officially, this preposition is used with the genitive case (e.g. "wegen des Unfalls," "because of the accident"), but in spoken German and in informal settings, it often appears with dative. Certain expressions are very strongly associated with the dative (see those shown with dative in the examples). This could be a case of language change in progress.

The expression "von [Cause] wegen" means for reasons related to the Cause, as in "von Berufs wegen" ("for professional reasons"; "Beruf" means "profession/career").

Further details:

Word formation:

"deinetwegen" ("because of you"), "seinetwegen" ("because of him"), "ihretwegen" ("because of her"), "unser(e)twegen / unsretwegen" ("because of us"), "euertwegen / euretwegen" ("because of y'all, you" (pl.)), "meinetwegen" ("because of me," "for my sake;" in some situations it also means that the speaker doesn't care about something or doesn't mind / forbid something, e.g. "Mama, darf ich ein Eis essen? - Meinetwegen." - "Mom, may I eat an icecream? - Sure."), "deswegen" ("therefore," see entry in this frame)

Synonyms:

"aufgrund," "infolge," "durch," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„wegen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/wegen>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Das Museum ist wegen Umbau geschlossen.
  2. Wegen der Krankheit bleibt Moritz im Bett.
  3. Wegen Antonia will Finn die Stadt nicht verlassen. 
  4. Die Studenten bleiben in der Bibliothek wegen des schlechten Wetters.
  5. Von Berufs wegen hat Lara sich nicht bei Facebook angemeldet.
  6. Er macht das wegen mir. (dative; genitive = "meinentwegen")
  7. Das war nicht der Grund; es war wegen etwas anderem (dative).
  8. Wegen seiner Arbeit kann er leider nicht kommen.
  9. Ich rufe wegen meiner Tochter an.
  1. The museum is closed due to remodelling.
  2. Because of the sickness, Moritz is staying in bed.
  3. Because of Antonia, Finn doesn't want to leave the city. 
  4. The students stay in the library because of the bad weather.
  5. Because of her career, Lara has not signed up for Facebook.
  6. He does that because of me.
  7. That was not the reason; it was because of something else.
  8. Because of his work, he unfortunately cannot come.
  9. I call because of my daughter.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. EFFECT ist wegen CAUSE.
  2. AFFECTED macht etwas von CAUSE wegen.
  1. EFFECT is because of CAUSE.
  2. AFFECTED does something because of CAUSE.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

because of

"Wegen" states like its English equivalent the reason, i.e. the Cause of an Effect. Officially, this preposition is used with the genitive case (e.g. "wegen des Unfalls," "because of the accident"), but in spoken German and in informal settings, it often appears with dative. Certain expressions are very strongly associated with the dative (see those shown with dative in the examples). This could be a case of language change in progress.

The expression "von [Cause] wegen" means for reasons related to the Cause, as in "von Berufs wegen" ("for professional reasons"; "Beruf" means "profession/career").

Further details:

Word formation:

"deinetwegen" ("because of you"), "seinetwegen" ("because of him"), "ihretwegen" ("because of her"), "unser(e)twegen / unsretwegen" ("because of us"), "euertwegen / euretwegen" ("because of y'all, you" (pl.)), "meinetwegen" ("because of me," "for my sake;" in some situations it also means that the speaker doesn't care about something or doesn't mind / forbid something, e.g. "Mama, darf ich ein Eis essen? - Meinetwegen." - "Mom, may I eat an icecream? - Sure."), "deswegen" ("therefore," see entry in this frame)

Synonyms:

"aufgrund," "infolge," "durch," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„wegen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/wegen>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
weil conjunction because

Details:

because

"Weil" is the most common way to say "because" in German, i.e. an Effect is there for the reason of a Cause. Watch out, though! This is a subordinating conjunction, which means that when it's used, the verb appears at the end of the clause. Check out the examples to see how this works.

Further details:

Synoyms:

"denn," "aufgrund," "da," among others; check each conjunction for the required word order

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„weil“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/weil>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Otto ist froh, weil Marlene mit ihm zusammen sein möchte.
  2. Weil Roland das Abitur nicht gemacht hat, darf er nicht an der Uni studieren.
  3. Mir gefallen die Filme von Fassbinder, weil sie provokativ sind.
  4. Warum ärgerst du dich? - Ich ärgere mich, weil das Wetter schlecht ist.
  5. Ich freue mich, weil ich heute mit meinen Freunden Fußball spiele.
  6. Ich kann nicht kommen, weil ich arbeiten muss.
  1. Otto is happy because Marlene wants to be with him.
  2. Because Roland did not do the Abitur, he is not allowed to study at the university.
  3. I like the movies of Fassbinder because they are provocative.
  4. Why are you angry? - I'm angry because the weather is bad.
  5. I'm happy because I play soccer with my friends today.
  6. I cannot come because I have to work.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. EFFECT, weil CAUSE.
  1. EFFECT, because CAUSE.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

because

"Weil" is the most common way to say "because" in German, i.e. an Effect is there for the reason of a Cause. Watch out, though! This is a subordinating conjunction, which means that when it's used, the verb appears at the end of the clause. Check out the examples to see how this works.

Further details:

Synoyms:

"denn," "aufgrund," "da," among others; check each conjunction for the required word order

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„weil“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/weil>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
wirken verb to affect

Details:

to have an effect, to affect, to be effective

Don't let this verb's form fool you - it does NOT mean "to work," instead it is used to express that a Cause (a thing or a person) produces a certain Effect. Despite the etymological connection (the two words do derive from a root in their common ancestor language), this is a false friend. Its meaning is difficult to translate, and is sometimes described as "to act" or "to function." The main thing to remember is that this verb is not used with a meaning as direct as "cause," but it does denote some kind of effect. In fact, the related noun "die Wirkung" means "effect."

Use the preposition "auf" to indicate who or what one has an effect "on." This verb-preposition combo can be used to say that someone makes a certain impression on another person. So if you hear "Sebastian wirkt böse," it does not mean that Sebastian has evil ("böse") effects, nor that he is evil. It means that he gives the impression of being evil or angry. 

The best way to become familiar with the usage of "wirken" is to hear it in context, so whenever you come across it, take note and you will soon be comfortable using it yourself.

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Wirkkraft" ("effect," "efficacy"), "der Wirkmechanismus" ("mode / mechanism of action"), "das Wirkprinzip" ("active principle"), "der Wirkstoff" ("active component"), "die Wirksubstanz" ("active ingredient"), "die Wirkung" ("effect"), "wirksam" ("effective"), "sich auswirken" ("to make, have an impact on sth."), "nachwirken" ("to continue to have an effect"), "wechselwirken" ("to interact"), among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„wirken“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/wirken#1>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Die Freunde und Familie von Leni sagen alle, sie habe in ihrem Leben viel Gutes gewirkt.
  2. Der Arzt gab dem Patienten ein Medikament, das schmerzstillend wirkte.
  3. Das Schmerzmittel wirkt schnell.
  4. Sam weiß nicht, wie er auf andere wirkt.
  5. Der neue Lehrer wirkt etwas nervös auf mich.
  6. Die Tabletten haben nicht gewirkt.
  1. The friends and family of Leni all said she had in her life affected a lot of good.
  2. The doctor gave the patient a medicine that had a painkilling effect.
  3. The painkiller works fast.
  4. am doesn't know how he affects others.
  5. The new teacher has the effect on me that he appears nervous.
  6. The pills didn't work.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE wirkt EFFECT.
  2. CAUSE wirkt auf AFFECTED.
  1. CAUSE affects EFFECT.
  2. CAUSE has EFFECT on AFFECTED.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

to have an effect, to affect, to be effective

Don't let this verb's form fool you - it does NOT mean "to work," instead it is used to express that a Cause (a thing or a person) produces a certain Effect. Despite the etymological connection (the two words do derive from a root in their common ancestor language), this is a false friend. Its meaning is difficult to translate, and is sometimes described as "to act" or "to function." The main thing to remember is that this verb is not used with a meaning as direct as "cause," but it does denote some kind of effect. In fact, the related noun "die Wirkung" means "effect."

Use the preposition "auf" to indicate who or what one has an effect "on." This verb-preposition combo can be used to say that someone makes a certain impression on another person. So if you hear "Sebastian wirkt böse," it does not mean that Sebastian has evil ("böse") effects, nor that he is evil. It means that he gives the impression of being evil or angry. 

The best way to become familiar with the usage of "wirken" is to hear it in context, so whenever you come across it, take note and you will soon be comfortable using it yourself.

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Wirkkraft" ("effect," "efficacy"), "der Wirkmechanismus" ("mode / mechanism of action"), "das Wirkprinzip" ("active principle"), "der Wirkstoff" ("active component"), "die Wirksubstanz" ("active ingredient"), "die Wirkung" ("effect"), "wirksam" ("effective"), "sich auswirken" ("to make, have an impact on sth."), "nachwirken" ("to continue to have an effect"), "wechselwirken" ("to interact"), among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„wirken“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/wirken#1>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(er) wirkt, wirkte, hat gewirkt
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL
Wirkung, die noun effect

Details:

effect

Used like its English equivalent, this noun typically instantiates the Effect frame element. The Cause of this "Wirkung" can be expressed using genitive case or a prepositional phrase headed by "von" ("of"), and the Affected can be expressed in a prepositional phrase with "auf" ("on"), as shown in the examples section.

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Wirkungsgrad" ("efficiency factor," "effectiveness"), "die Wirkungsweise" ("effect," "effectiveness," "mode of action," "mode of operation"), "wirkungslos" ("ineffective," "without effect"), "die Hebelwirkung" ("leverage," "lever action"), "die Zauberwirkung" ("magic effect"), "die Vorbildwirkung" ("role model effect"), among others

Synonyms:

"die Auswirkung," "der Effekt," "die Folge," "die Nachwirkung," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Wirkung“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Wirkung>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Example Sentences:

  1. Was der Minister sagt, hat eine politische Wirkung.
  2. Die Reformen hatten eine stabilisierende Wirkung auf die Wirtschaft.
  3. Die Wirkung von Kunst auf den Menschen kann sehr stark sein.
  4. Welche Wirkungen hat dieses Medikament? Muss ich vorsichtig sein?
  5. Die Musik entfaltet ihre beruhigende Wirkung auf die Anwesenden.
  6. Die Wirkung der Sauna beruht auf dem Wechsel von extremen Wärme- und Kältereizen.
  7. Das Gift zeigt eine sofortige Wirkung.
  1. What the minister says has a political effect.
  2. The reforms had a stabilizing effect on the economy.
  3. The effect of art on man can be very strong.
  4. What effects does this medication have? Do I have to be careful?
  5. The music is having a soothing effect on the attending people.
  6. The effect of the sauna is based on the alternation of extreme warm and cold stimuli.
  7. The poison shows an immediate effect.
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. CAUSE hat eine Wirkung.
  2. CAUSE entfaltet Wirkung.
  3. [die Wirkung des CAUSE.gen]
  4. [die Wirkung von CAUSE]
  5. [die Wirkung auf AFFECTED]
  6. Die Wirkung beruht auf CAUSE.
  7. [sofortig- / abschreckend- / heilend- / erhofft- / gewünscht- / schädlich- / positiv- / negativ- / usw. Wirkung]
  1. CAUSE has an effect.
  2. CAUSE is in the process of having an effect.
  3. [effect of the CAUSE]
  4. [effect of the CAUSE]
  5. [effect on AFFECTED]
  6. The effect is based on CAUSE.
  7. [immediate / deterrent / healing / hoped-for / desired / detrimental, harmful / positive / negative / etc. effect]
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Details:

effect

Used like its English equivalent, this noun typically instantiates the Effect frame element. The Cause of this "Wirkung" can be expressed using genitive case or a prepositional phrase headed by "von" ("of"), and the Affected can be expressed in a prepositional phrase with "auf" ("on"), as shown in the examples section.

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Wirkungsgrad" ("efficiency factor," "effectiveness"), "die Wirkungsweise" ("effect," "effectiveness," "mode of action," "mode of operation"), "wirkungslos" ("ineffective," "without effect"), "die Hebelwirkung" ("leverage," "lever action"), "die Zauberwirkung" ("magic effect"), "die Vorbildwirkung" ("role model effect"), among others

Synonyms:

"die Auswirkung," "der Effekt," "die Folge," "die Nachwirkung," among others

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Wirkung“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Wirkung>, abgerufen am 04.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL

Alternate Forms:

(pl.) die Wirkungen
TOP OF PAGE | COLLAPSE ALL