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'Es' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Es'?

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The word 'Es' is a German word that can mean various things in English, such as 'it', 'it' or 'it'. Below are a few of the different meanings of the word 'Es', with examples sentences to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definitions of 'Es' in English

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pronoun

The pronoun 'es' is used to refer to a previously mentioned or understood object or thing. It can be translated as 'it' in English.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'es,' think of it as 'e' for 'entity' or 'thing.' It represents an unnamed object or thing in the sentence.

Es - It

pronoun

The pronoun 'Es' is used in German to refer to inanimate objects or to emphasize the existence or presence of something. It is often translated as 'it' in English.

Example Sentences:

  • Es gibt einen kleinen Bären namens Max. - There is a little bear named Max.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'Es,' think of the letter 'E' as representing something 'Existing' or 'Existing thing.' This can help you remember that 'Es' is used to refer to something that exists or is present, like an object or situation.

- - -

pronoun

The pronoun 'Es' is used as the subject in a sentence to refer to something non-specific or previously mentioned. In this case, it translates to 'It' in English.

Example Sentences:

  • Es ist Sommer. - It is summer.

Related Words

Gibt Es Einen Ist Läuft

German Challenges

Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for a Feminine noun?

Die Idee der Frau ist sehr gut.

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The phrase indicates possession, using the genitive case. The correct definite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "der." Hence, the sentence should be "Die Idee der Frau ist gut," which means "The woman's idea is very good" in English.
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Beginner

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the definite article "the" in the accusative case for a Masculine noun.

Ich entdecke den Brief unter einem Stapel alter Bücher.

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The word "Brief" is a masculine noun in German. In German grammar, "Brief" is "der Brief" in the nominative case. However, when a masculine noun is used in the accusative case, the definite article changes from "der" to "den." Therefore, in the sentence "Ich entdecke den Brief unter einem Stapel alter Bücher," which translates to "I discover the letter under a pile of old books" in English, "den Brief" correctly uses the accusative case for the masculine noun "Brief."
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "können" to fit the sentence below

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.

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The correct form for "können" in the first person singular is "kann".
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "wollen" to fit the sentence.

Ihr wollt tanzen lernen

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The correct form for 'wollen' in the second person plural is 'wollt'. The full translation is "You (plural) want to learn to dance".
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken.

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'Backen' is a transitive action verb, hence it requires 'haben' to form the perfect past tense. So, the correct sentence is 'Ich habe einen Kuchen gebacken', which means 'I baked a cake'. 'Sein' is typically used with intransitive verbs which involve a change in state or movement, which is not the case with 'backen'. Understanding the differential usage of 'haben' and 'sein' is crucial to forming accurate sentences in German.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "sollen" to fit the sentence below. Important to note that we are using the third person plural or formal address here.

Sie sollen das Buch lesen.

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The correct form for 'sollen' in the third person singular or formal address is 'sollen'. The full translation of the sentence is "You should read the book" or "They should read the book". Fun fact - this sentence would also be correct with 'soll' if we were using the third person singular 'sie' to mean 'she'.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Die Kinder haben im Park gespielt.

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In the case of 'spielen' which is an action verb, we typically use 'haben' as an auxiliary verb when forming the past tense. Thus, 'Die Kinder haben im Park gespielt' (The children played in the park) is the correct sentence. 'Sein' is usually used with verbs that depict movement or state change, which is not the case with 'spielen'. Understanding the appropriate usage of 'haben' and 'sein' forms a fundamental part mastering past tense in the German language.
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Beginner

Which word correctly identifies the subject of the sentence?

Er öffnet das Buch und beginnt die komplizierten Texte zu lesen.

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In this context, 'Er' is a personal pronoun used in the nominative case, indicating the subject of the sentence, translated as 'He' in English. The pronoun 'Er' is essential here as it refers to a specific male subject who is performing the action. All the other options are personal pronouns as well but in different forms such as 'Ihr' (You - formal), 'Du' (You - informal) and 'Es' (It), and would not fit in this sentence gramatically.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Die Katze hat den ganzen Tag geschlafen.

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Although 'schlafen' is an intransitive verb, it uses 'haben' as the helping verb in the perfect tense because it does not indicate a change of state or location. The correct sentence is 'Die Katze hat den ganzen Tag geschlafen', which means 'The cat slept the whole day'. Understanding this distinction is important for accurately expressing actions in German. Note that this is different to 'einschlafen' which means 'to fall asleep'. This uses 'sein' because it indicates a change of state.
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Beginner

Which coordinating conjunction fits best in this sentence?

Ich möchte Milch kaufen, denn ich habe keine zu Hause.

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The coordinating conjunction 'denn' is used to provide a reason or explanation for the action or state described in the main clause. In this case, the desire to buy milk is explained by the fact that there is no milk at home. Note - 'weil' can also fill this role, but doesn't fit in this sentence grammatically as the verb would need to move to the end.
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German Topics

Prepositional Verbs Accusative Prepositions Modal Verbs Cases Summary Accusative Case Dative Case Genitive Case Auxiliary Verbs Personal Pronouns Cases Dative Prepositions Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

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