Illustration of the A2 German word “die Erfindung”, which translates to “invention”. A lightbulb hovering in mid-air, sprouting wings and gears, taking flight as it leaves a trail of sparkling blueprints in the sky.
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Erfindung is one of the A2 words in the free course — with this picture, the audio, and spaced repetition.

dieErfindung, -en

invention

/ɛɐ̯ˈfɪndʊŋ/

Examples — Erfindung in a sentence

Das Telefon war eine wichtige Erfindung.

The telephone was an important invention.

Diese Erfindung hat unser Leben verändert.

This invention changed our lives.

How to remember it

ER-FIN-DOONG sounds like "air-find-doong." An inventor tries to "air-find" a solution, creating a new invention.

Word family

finden family · 10 related words

  • auffinden Coming soon to locate, to find
  • befinden be located / find oneself Not predictable
  • erfinden to invent Shifted meaning
  • herausfinden find out
  • stattfinden take place Not predictable
  • wiederfinden find again
  • vorfinden Coming soon to find, to encounter Shifted meaning
  • der Fund find / discovery Shifted meaning

More A2 words

Illustration of the A2 German word “die Feier”, which translates to “celebration, party”. A neighborhood party on a floating island where bubbles carry snacks and laughter turns into tiny, colorful confetti fireworks.
die Feier

/ˈfaɪ̯ɐ/

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celebration, party

Examples

Wir gehen heute Abend zu einer Feier.

We are going to a party tonight.

Die Feier war wirklich sehr schön.

The celebration was really very nice.

Illustration of the A2 German word “feiern”, which translates to “to celebrate”. A street scene where the buildings themselves have arms and are dancing, throwing handfuls of confetti made of starlight into the air.
feiern

/ˈfaɪ̯ɐn/

to celebrate

Principal parts

feiern, feierte, hat gefeiert

ich feiere
du feierst
er/sie/es feiert
wir feiern
ihr feiert
sie/Sie feiern

Examples

Wir haben seinen Geburtstag gefeiert.

We celebrated his birthday.

Wann wollt ihr die Party feiern?

When do you want to celebrate the party?

Illustration of the A2 German word “das Fest”, which translates to “celebration, party, festival”. A banquet table floating in mid-air where gravity is reversed, sending confetti and cake frosting drifting upwards like magical golden snow.
das Fest

/fɛst/

celebration, party, festival

Examples

Das Fest war sehr lustig.

The party was very fun.

Wir planen ein großes Fest im Sommer.

We are planning a big celebration in summer.

Illustration of the A2 German word “formell”, which translates to “formal”. A tuxedo-clad cat sitting at a dinner table, gracefully sipping from a teacup while floating bubbles of etiquette dance in the air.
formell

/fɔʁˈmɛl/

formal

Comparative Forms

Positive formell
Komparativ formeller
Superlativ am formellsten

Examples

Das war ein sehr formelles Treffen.

That was a very formal meeting.

Ihre Sprache klingt oft sehr formell.

Her language often sounds very formal.

Illustration of the A2 German word “früher”, which translates to “in the past, formerly”. Looking through an ornate keyhole to see a sepia-toned version of the room, where furniture from a bygone era is still softly humming.
früher

/ˈfʁyːɐ/

in the past, formerly

Examples

Früher wohnte ich in Berlin.

In the past, I lived in Berlin.

Mein Bruder hat früher oft Fußball gespielt.

My brother often played soccer in the past.

Illustration of the A2 German word “die Geschichte”, which translates to “history / story”. An open book where the ink letters transform into tiny, golden birds that fly off the page to act out the story in the air.
die Geschichte

/ɡəˈʃɪçtə/

history / story

Examples

Ich lese gerne alte Geschichten vor dem Schlafengehen.

I like to read old stories before going to bed.

Die Geschichte Europas ist sehr lang und komplex.

The history of Europe is very long and complex.

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feminine Feier — celebration, party

FeierfeiernFestformellfrüherGeschichteAll German word pages

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