At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the basic vocabulary needed to describe themselves and their immediate surroundings, which heavily includes family. The word 'Verwandte' (relatives) is introduced as a plural noun to help learners talk about their extended family without needing to know the specific terms for cousin, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece right away. It serves as a highly useful umbrella term. A beginner might learn to say simple sentences like 'Das sind meine Verwandten' (These are my relatives) or 'Ich habe viele Verwandte' (I have many relatives). The focus at this stage is not on the complex adjectival declension, but rather on memorizing the phrase 'meine Verwandten' as a fixed chunk of vocabulary. Teachers often use family tree diagrams (Stammbäume) to visually explain the difference between 'Eltern' (parents), 'Geschwister' (siblings), and the broader group of 'Verwandte'. Learners practice using the word in the context of basic verbs like 'haben' (to have), 'wohnen' (to live), and 'besuchen' (to visit). For example, 'Meine Verwandten wohnen in Berlin' is a standard A1 sentence pattern. The cultural aspect is also touched upon, noting that family is an important topic of small talk in German-speaking countries. By mastering this single word, an A1 learner can effectively communicate the concept of extended family, paving the way for more detailed relationship vocabulary in subsequent levels.
As learners progress to the A2 level, their ability to describe past events and future plans expands, and the word 'Verwandte' is used in more dynamic contexts. At this stage, learners begin to encounter the grammatical reality that 'Verwandte' is a nominalized adjective, though they may not yet know the formal linguistic term. They start noticing the difference between 'viele Verwandte' (many relatives) and 'meine Verwandten' (my relatives). The vocabulary is frequently practiced around topics of holidays, celebrations, and travel. A typical A2 task involves writing a short postcard or email describing a weekend trip: 'Am Wochenende habe ich meine Verwandten in München besucht' (On the weekend I visited my relatives in Munich). Learners also practice using the dative case with prepositions, such as 'mit meinen Verwandten' (with my relatives) or 'zu meinen Verwandten' (to my relatives). This is a critical step in grammatical development. Furthermore, A2 learners start to differentiate between 'enge Verwandte' (close relatives) and 'entfernte Verwandte' (distant relatives), adding nuance to their descriptions. The word becomes a staple in conversations about personal life, allowing learners to ask and answer questions like 'Feierst du Weihnachten mit deinen Verwandten?' (Do you celebrate Christmas with your relatives?). The focus remains on practical, everyday communication regarding family ties.
At the B1 level, the usage of 'Verwandte' becomes significantly more sophisticated, reflecting the learner's growing ability to express opinions, describe experiences in detail, and handle everyday situations in German-speaking environments. Grammatically, B1 learners are expected to fully understand and apply adjectival declension, meaning they must correctly use 'ein Verwandter' (a male relative), 'eine Verwandte' (a female relative), and the plural forms 'die Verwandten' and 'Verwandte' across all four cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive). The vocabulary expands to include related concepts like 'die Verwandtschaft' (kinship/the relatives collectively) and 'die Angehörigen' (dependents/next of kin). In conversation, B1 learners discuss family dynamics, conflicts, and traditions. They might express complex thoughts such as 'Obwohl wir weit voneinander entfernt wohnen, habe ich ein gutes Verhältnis zu meinen Verwandten' (Although we live far apart, I have a good relationship with my relatives). The topic of family is common in B1 oral exams, where candidates might be asked to compare family structures in their home country with those in Germany. They learn to read and understand longer texts, such as blog posts or magazine articles, about family reunions (Familientreffen) or the changing definition of family in modern society. Mastery of 'Verwandte' at this level demonstrates a solid grasp of both core vocabulary and essential German grammar.
Reaching the B2 level signifies a transition to independent and fluent use of the language. Here, 'Verwandte' is used not just in personal anecdotes, but in abstract and societal discussions. B2 learners encounter the word in news reports, sociological articles, and formal debates. The focus shifts to topics like demographic changes, the concept of the 'Patchworkfamilie' (blended family), and the social responsibilities of relatives towards one another, such as caring for elderly family members (Pflege von Angehörigen/Verwandten). Learners are expected to use precise collocations and idiomatic expressions. They might discuss 'den Kontakt zu Verwandten abbrechen' (to break off contact with relatives) or 'ein familiäres Netzwerk aus Verwandten aufbauen' (to build a familial network of relatives). Grammatically, errors in the declension of 'Verwandte' should be minimal at this stage. Learners also dive into the legal and bureaucratic implications of the word, understanding its use in contexts like 'Verwandte ersten Grades' (first-degree relatives) when discussing inheritance or medical proxies. Writing tasks might involve formal letters or essays where 'Verwandte' must be distinguished from 'Bekannte' (acquaintances) or 'Freunde' (friends) in a sociological context. The word serves as a bridge to understanding deeper cultural values regarding family duty, privacy, and social support systems in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
At the C1 level, the learner's command of German is highly proficient, and the use of 'Verwandte' reflects this advanced capability. The word is encountered in complex, authentic texts such as legal documents, academic papers on sociology or psychology, and classical literature. C1 learners understand the strict legal definitions of 'Verwandtschaft' (kinship) under the German Civil Code (BGB), differentiating between 'Verwandtschaft in gerader Linie' (lineal kinship) and 'in der Seitenlinie' (collateral kinship). They can effortlessly navigate discussions about inheritance law (Erbrecht), using terms like 'gesetzliche Erbfolge der Verwandten' (statutory succession of relatives). In literature and media, they pick up on subtle nuances and connotations—for instance, the slightly burdensome implication when someone sighs about 'die liebe Verwandtschaft' (the dear relatives, often used ironically). C1 learners can express highly nuanced personal and societal observations, such as analyzing how globalization affects the geographic dispersal of 'Verwandte' and the subsequent impact on cultural identity. They use advanced synonyms like 'Blutsverwandte' (blood relatives) or 'Anverwandte' (archaic/formal for relatives) appropriately. The grammatical declension of nominalized adjectives is completely internalized, allowing the learner to focus entirely on the rhetorical and stylistic impact of their words in both academic writing and sophisticated professional discourse.
The C2 level represents near-native mastery of the German language. At this pinnacle, the word 'Verwandte' is utilized with absolute precision, elegance, and an innate understanding of its historical, cultural, and literary weight. C2 speakers can engage in philosophical or anthropological discussions about the concept of kinship, exploring how the definition of 'Verwandte' has evolved from tribal societies to modern, chosen families (Wahlverwandtschaften—a nod to Goethe's famous novel). They effortlessly understand and employ archaic, poetic, or highly specialized legal variations of the term. In reading, they can analyze texts from different historical periods, recognizing how the societal role of 'Verwandte' is portrayed in the works of Thomas Mann or Franz Kafka. They can play with the language, using irony, sarcasm, or deep empathy when discussing familial bonds. A C2 speaker might use expressions like 'Er ist mir im Geiste ein Verwandter' (He is a kindred spirit to me) playing on the root meaning of the word. There is no hesitation regarding the complex grammar of nominalized adjectives; it flows naturally in the most complex sentence structures, whether in a spontaneous debate, a highly formal speech, or a meticulously crafted essay. The word 'Verwandte' at C2 is a tool for profound expression of human connection and societal structure.

Verwandte 30秒了解

  • Means 'relatives' in English.
  • Used for extended family members.
  • Declined like an adjective.
  • Crucial for everyday family talks.
Understanding the German word Verwandte is crucial for navigating social and familial contexts in German-speaking countries. The term translates directly to 'relatives' in English and is used to describe individuals who are connected by blood, marriage, or legal adoption. When learning German, grasping the nuances of this word opens up a deeper understanding of how relationships are categorized and discussed. In everyday conversation, you will frequently hear people talking about their extended family using this exact term. It is a nominalized adjective, which means it behaves like an adjective but functions as a noun, a grammatical feature that often challenges learners but is essential for fluency. To fully comprehend its usage, one must look at various contexts.

Zu Weihnachten besuchen wir all unsere Verwandten, die in Süddeutschland leben.

Example of holiday usage.
The concept of family in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland extends beyond the nuclear family (Kernfamilie) to include the extended family (Großfamilie), where 'Verwandte' play a significant role during holidays, celebrations, and significant life events.
Blutsverwandte
Blood relatives, sharing genetic ties.
Angeheiratete Verwandte
Relatives by marriage, such as in-laws.

Er hat viele Verwandte in den Vereinigten Staaten.

Furthermore, the legal definition of 'Verwandte' is important in matters of inheritance (Erbrecht) and family law (Familienrecht). The German Civil Code (BGB) strictly defines degrees of kinship (Verwandtschaftsgrad), which determines legal rights and responsibilities.

Die nächsten Verwandten werden im Testament bedacht.

When discussing family trees (Stammbäume), the term is indispensable. Whether you are talking about a distant cousin (ein entfernter Verwandter) or a close aunt (eine nahe Verwandte), the root word remains the same.
Nahe Verwandte
Close relatives like parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Wir laden nur enge Verwandte zur Hochzeit ein.

Meine Verwandten mütterlicherseits kommen aus Berlin.

Ultimately, mastering the word 'Verwandte' allows learners to participate in fundamental human conversations about origin, belonging, and familial bonds, making it a cornerstone of A1-level vocabulary that continues to expand in complexity through C2.
Using the word Verwandte correctly requires an understanding of German adjectival declension, a topic that often requires extensive practice. Because 'Verwandte' is derived from the past participle of the verb 'verwenden' (in its older sense of being connected or turned toward), it follows the rules of adjectives used as nouns. This means its ending changes based on gender, number, case, and the type of article that precedes it. Let us break down the plural forms, as the prompt focuses on the plural 'Relatives'. In the nominative case, with a definite article, it is 'die Verwandten'.

Die Verwandten kommen morgen zu Besuch.

Without an article, it is 'Verwandte'.

Verwandte können manchmal anstrengend sein.

In the accusative case, the forms remain the same for the plural: 'die Verwandten' and 'Verwandte'.
Nominative Plural
die Verwandten (definite), meine Verwandten (possessive), Verwandte (zero article).
Dative Plural
den Verwandten (definite), meinen Verwandten (possessive), Verwandten (zero article).

Ich gebe meinen Verwandten schöne Geschenke.

The dative case is particularly important because many common verbs related to social interaction, such as 'helfen' (to help) or 'gratulieren' (to congratulate), require the dative.

Er hilft seinen Verwandten beim Umzug.

In the genitive case, which is used to indicate possession, the forms are 'der Verwandten' (definite) and 'Verwandter' (zero article).
Genitive Plural
der Verwandten (definite), Verwandter (zero article).

Das Haus meiner Verwandten ist sehr groß.

Beyond grammar, the usage of 'Verwandte' often involves specific collocations. You will frequently hear 'enge Verwandte' (close relatives) and 'entfernte Verwandte' (distant relatives). When organizing events, Germans might say 'im Kreis der Verwandten feiern' (to celebrate in the circle of relatives). Understanding these grammatical rules and common pairings ensures that your German sounds natural and precise, allowing you to communicate effectively about family structures.
The term Verwandte is ubiquitous in German-speaking environments, appearing in a wide array of contexts ranging from casual daily conversations to formal legal documents. One of the most common places you will hear this word is during the planning of holidays and family gatherings. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, family cohesion is highly valued, and holidays like Christmas (Weihnachten), Easter (Ostern), and significant birthdays (runde Geburtstage) are traditional times for extended families to reunite.

An Weihnachten trifft sich die ganze Familie, auch die entfernten Verwandten.

You will also encounter this word frequently in medical and emergency contexts. When filling out forms at a hospital or doctor's office, you may be asked to list 'nächste Verwandte' (next of kin) to be contacted in case of an emergency.
Medical Forms
Often ask for 'nächste Verwandte' for emergency contacts.

Bitte geben Sie die Telefonnummer Ihrer nächsten Verwandten an.

In legal and bureaucratic settings, the term is highly formalized. Inheritance law (Erbrecht) relies heavily on the definition of 'Verwandte' to determine who receives assets when someone passes away without a will.
Legal Documents
Used to establish 'Verwandtschaftsgrad' (degree of kinship).

Laut Gesetz erben die direkten Verwandten zuerst.

Furthermore, in literature and storytelling, 'Verwandte' often serve as plot devices—the wealthy distant relative, the long-lost relative, or the meddling relatives.
Literature
Commonly features 'reiche Verwandte' (rich relatives) as a trope.

In dem Roman geht es um einen Streit zwischen Verwandten.

Er hat von seinen Verwandten in Amerika ein Vermögen geerbt.

Whether you are watching a German soap opera, reading a news article, or simply chatting with a colleague about their weekend plans, 'Verwandte' is a foundational vocabulary word that bridges the gap between personal life and societal structure.
When learning the word Verwandte, students frequently encounter several stumbling blocks, primarily due to its nature as a nominalized adjective. The most pervasive mistake is incorrect declension. Because English simply uses 'relatives' regardless of the grammatical case or preceding article, English speakers often default to a single form in German, typically 'Verwandte', and use it incorrectly across all contexts. For instance, a learner might say, 'Ich besuche meine Verwandte' instead of the correct 'Ich besuche meine Verwandten'. Because 'meine' acts like a definite article in the plural, the nominalized adjective must take the '-en' ending.

FALSCH: Ich liebe alle meine Verwandte. RICHTIG: Ich liebe alle meine Verwandten.

Another common error is confusing 'Verwandte' with 'Eltern' (parents) or 'Familie' (family). While parents are relatives, 'Eltern' is the specific term for them. 'Familie' is a singular collective noun (die Familie), whereas 'Verwandte' is typically used in the plural to refer to the individual members of the extended family.
Familie vs. Verwandte
'Familie' is singular collective; 'Verwandte' refers to multiple individuals.

Meine Familie ist klein, aber ich habe viele Verwandte.

Learners also struggle with the dative plural. In German, the dative plural of almost all nouns adds an '-n', but since 'Verwandten' already ends in '-n' when preceded by an article, learners sometimes overcorrect or get confused when there is no article.
Dative Plural Error
Using 'von meine Verwandte' instead of 'von meinen Verwandten'.

Das Geschenk ist von meinen Verwandten.

Ich fahre am Wochenende zu meinen Verwandten.

Finally, capitalization is a frequent issue. Because it is derived from an adjective, learners sometimes write it in lowercase ('meine verwandten'). However, since it functions as a noun, it must always be capitalized.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Verwandte' when used as a noun.

Er hat heute seine Verwandten angerufen.

By paying close attention to adjectival endings, distinguishing it from similar family terms, and remembering to capitalize, learners can easily avoid these common pitfalls.
The German language offers a rich vocabulary for discussing family and relationships, and while Verwandte is the most common term for 'relatives', several similar words are used in specific contexts. Understanding these synonyms and related terms helps to build a more nuanced and native-like vocabulary. One of the most frequent synonyms is 'die Angehörigen'. While 'Verwandte' strictly implies a blood or legal family tie, 'Angehörige' is often used in official, medical, or military contexts to mean 'dependents' or 'next of kin'.

Der Arzt spricht nur mit den engsten Angehörigen.

Another related term is 'die Familie' (the family). As mentioned earlier, 'Familie' is a singular noun representing the collective unit, whereas 'Verwandte' refers to the individual members outside the immediate nuclear family.
Die Familie
The family unit as a whole (singular).

Die ganze Familie war da, inklusive aller Verwandten.

For a more archaic or slightly derogatory tone, one might use 'die Sippe' or 'die Verwandtschaft'. 'Die Verwandtschaft' is a singular collective noun meaning 'the kinship' or 'the relatives as a group'. It is often used colloquially.
Die Verwandtschaft
Collective noun for all relatives; sometimes used with a sigh.

Morgen kommt die ganze Verwandtschaft zu Besuch.

'Die Sippe' translates closer to 'clan' or 'tribe' and can have a negative connotation, implying a large, perhaps overwhelming or overly tight-knit group of relatives.

Er reist immer mit seiner ganzen Sippe an.

Finally, 'die Ahnen' or 'die Vorfahren' refer specifically to ancestors—relatives who lived in the past. While all Ahnen are technically Verwandte, not all Verwandte are Ahnen.
Die Vorfahren
Ancestors; relatives from previous generations.

Unsere Vorfahren kamen aus Italien.

By distinguishing between 'Verwandte', 'Angehörige', 'Familie', 'Verwandtschaft', and 'Vorfahren', a learner can express exact familial relationships and match the appropriate register, whether they are chatting at a barbecue or reading a legal document.

How Formal Is It?

难度评级

需要掌握的语法

Adjectival Nouns

Plural Formation

Dative Plural (-n)

Prepositions with Dative (mit, von, zu)

Possessive Articles

按水平分级的例句

1

Das sind meine Verwandten.

These are my relatives.

Plural with possessive article 'meine' ends in -en.

2

Ich habe viele Verwandte.

I have many relatives.

Plural without an article ends in -e.

3

Meine Verwandten wohnen in Berlin.

My relatives live in Berlin.

Subject of the sentence, nominative plural.

4

Wir besuchen unsere Verwandten.

We are visiting our relatives.

Accusative object after 'besuchen'.

5

Sind das deine Verwandten?

Are those your relatives?

Question form, nominative plural.

6

Meine Verwandten kommen heute.

My relatives are coming today.

Nominative plural.

7

Ich liebe meine Verwandten.

I love my relatives.

Accusative plural.

8

Wo wohnen deine Verwandten?

Where do your relatives live?

W-question, nominative plural.

1

Am Wochenende fahre ich zu meinen Verwandten.

On the weekend I am driving to my relatives.

Dative plural after the preposition 'zu'.

2

Ich feiere Weihnachten mit meinen Verwandten.

I celebrate Christmas with my relatives.

Dative plural after the preposition 'mit'.

3

Meine Verwandten aus Italien sind sehr nett.

My relatives from Italy are very nice.

Nominative plural with a prepositional phrase.

4

Hast du viele Verwandte in Deutschland?

Do you have many relatives in Germany?

Accusative plural without an article (viele).

5

Das Geschenk ist von meinen Verwandten.

The gift is from my relatives.

Dative plural after the preposition 'von'.

6

Wir haben unsere Verwandten lange nicht gesehen.

We haven't seen our relatives in a long time.

Accusative plural in the perfect tense.

7

Alle meine Verwandten sprechen Englisch.

All my relatives speak English.

Nominative plural after 'alle'.

8

Ich schreibe meinen Verwandten eine Karte.

I am writing my relatives a card.

Dative object (indirect object).

1

Obwohl sie weit weg wohnen, habe ich ein gutes Verhältnis zu meinen Verwandten.

Although they live far away, I have a good relationship with my relatives.

Subordinate clause with 'obwohl' and dative after 'zu'.

2

Auf der Hochzeit waren über hundert Verwandte und Bekannte.

There were over a hundred relatives and acquaintances at the wedding.

Nominative plural, zero article after a number.

3

Es ist wichtig, den Kontakt zu seinen Verwandten zu pflegen.

It is important to maintain contact with one's relatives.

Infinitive clause with 'zu', dative after 'zu'.

4

Einige meiner Verwandten sind vor vielen Jahren ausgewandert.

Some of my relatives emigrated many years ago.

Genitive plural after 'einige'.

5

Wir laden nur die engsten Verwandten zur Feier ein.

We are only inviting the closest relatives to the celebration.

Accusative plural with superlative adjective 'engsten'.

6

Er hat sich mit seinen Verwandten um das Erbe gestritten.

He argued with his relatives over the inheritance.

Reflexive verb 'sich streiten mit' + dative.

7

Meine Verwandten mütterlicherseits kommen aus einem kleinen Dorf.

My relatives on my mother's side come from a small village.

Use of the adverb 'mütterlicherseits'.

8

Ich freue mich darauf, alle meine Verwandten wiederzusehen.

I am looking forward to seeing all my relatives again.

Pronominal adverb 'darauf' + infinitive clause.

1

Die Pflege von älteren Verwandten ist eine große gesellschaftliche Herausforderung.

The care of elderly relatives is a major societal challenge.

Genitive plural without article (von + dative is also possible, but here genitive is implied by context if rephrased, wait, 'von älteren Verwandten' is dative).

2

In vielen Kulturen leben mehrere Generationen von Verwandten unter einem Dach.

In many cultures, multiple generations of relatives live under one roof.

Dative plural after 'von'.

3

Er wurde von seinen Verwandten finanziell unterstützt, während er studierte.

He was financially supported by his relatives while he studied.

Passive voice with 'von' + dative.

4

Das Gesetz regelt die Unterhaltspflicht zwischen direkten Verwandten.

The law regulates the maintenance obligation between direct relatives.

Dative plural after 'zwischen'.

5

Trotz familiärer Differenzen hielten die Verwandten in der Krise zusammen.

Despite familial differences, the relatives stuck together in the crisis.

Nominative plural, simple past tense (Präteritum).

6

Sie hat ein riesiges Netzwerk an Verwandten, das ihr bei der Jobsuche half.

She has a huge network of relatives that helped her with her job search.

Dative plural after 'an'.

7

Der Kontakt zu entfernten Verwandten bricht heutzutage oft ab.

Contact with distant relatives often breaks off nowadays.

Dative plural after 'zu', separable verb 'abbrechen'.

8

Es bedarf viel Geduld, um die Konflikte unter den Verwandten zu lösen.

It requires a lot of patience to resolve the conflicts among the relatives.

Dative plural after 'unter'.

1

Die gesetzliche Erbfolge tritt ein, wenn der Verstorbene keine letztwillige Verfügung zugunsten seiner Verwandten hinterlassen hat.

Intestate succession occurs if the deceased has not left a testamentary disposition in favor of his relatives.

Genitive plural after 'zugunsten'.

2

In der soziologischen Forschung wird die Rolle der Verwandten im Kontext der Urbanisierung neu bewertet.

In sociological research, the role of relatives in the context of urbanization is being re-evaluated.

Genitive plural (die Rolle der Verwandten).

3

Die emotionale Bürde, die mit der Pflege demenzkranker Verwandter einhergeht, wird oft unterschätzt.

The emotional burden that accompanies the care of relatives with dementia is often underestimated.

Genitive plural without article (demenzkranker Verwandter).

4

Er berief sich auf die Loyalität seiner Verwandten, wurde jedoch bitter enttäuscht.

He appealed to the loyalty of his relatives, but was bitterly disappointed.

Genitive plural (seiner Verwandten).

5

Die Verflechtungen zwischen den adeligen Verwandten führten zu komplexen politischen Allianzen.

The interconnections between the noble relatives led to complex political alliances.

Dative plural after 'zwischen'.

6

Man sagt oft scherzhaft, dass man sich seine Freunde aussuchen kann, seine Verwandten jedoch nicht.

It is often jokingly said that one can choose one's friends, but not one's relatives.

Accusative plural (seine Verwandten).

7

Die Testamentseröffnung offenbarte tiefe Risse im Verhältnis der hinterbliebenen Verwandten.

The reading of the will revealed deep rifts in the relationship of the surviving relatives.

Genitive plural (der hinterbliebenen Verwandten).

8

Anthropologisch betrachtet, definieren unterschiedliche Kulturen den Kreis der Verwandten völlig verschieden.

Anthropologically speaking, different cultures define the circle of relatives completely differently.

Genitive plural (den Kreis der Verwandten).

1

Goethes 'Die Wahlverwandtschaften' spielt auf subtile Weise mit dem Konzept der determinierten Bindung unter Verwandten.

Goethe's 'Elective Affinities' plays subtly with the concept of determined bonding among relatives.

Dative plural after 'unter'.

2

Die Ahnenforschung offenbarte ein weit verzweigtes Netz an Verwandten, das bis ins 16. Jahrhundert zurückreicht.

Genealogy revealed a widely branched network of relatives dating back to the 16th century.

Dative plural after 'an'.

3

In der patriarchalischen Sippenstruktur ordneten sich die jüngeren Verwandten bedingungslos dem Familienoberhaupt unter.

In the patriarchal clan structure, the younger relatives subordinated themselves unconditionally to the head of the family.

Nominative plural, reflexive verb 'sich unterordnen'.

4

Die Verwandten ersten Grades sind von der Zeugnispflicht vor Gericht befreit.

First-degree relatives are exempt from the obligation to testify in court.

Nominative plural, genitive attribute (ersten Grades).

5

Es ist eine Binsenweisheit, dass finanzielle Transaktionen unter Verwandten oft den Keim des Zerwürfnisses in sich tragen.

It is a truism that financial transactions among relatives often carry the seed of discord.

Dative plural after 'unter'.

6

Die Blutsverwandten pochten auf ihr angestammtes Recht, während die angeheirateten Verwandten das Nachsehen hatten.

The blood relatives insisted on their ancestral right, while the relatives by marriage lost out.

Nominative plural (die angeheirateten Verwandten).

7

Sein literarisches Werk ist durchdrungen von der melancholischen Sehnsucht nach den verlorenen Verwandten im Osten.

His literary work is permeated by the melancholic longing for the lost relatives in the East.

Dative plural after 'nach'.

8

Die Nepotismus-Vorwürfe basierten auf der offenkundigen Bevorzugung seiner eigenen Verwandten bei der Ämtervergabe.

The accusations of nepotism were based on the blatant favoritism of his own relatives in the allocation of offices.

Genitive plural (seiner eigenen Verwandten).

常见搭配

enge Verwandte
entfernte Verwandte
nächste Verwandte
angeheiratete Verwandte
Verwandte besuchen
Verwandte einladen
Verwandte mütterlicherseits
Verwandte väterlicherseits
reiche Verwandte
arme Verwandte

容易混淆的词

Verwandte vs Eltern

Verwandte vs Familie

Verwandte vs Angehörige

容易混淆

Verwandte vs

Verwandte vs

Verwandte vs

句型

如何使用

note

While 'Verwandte' is the standard term, 'Angehörige' is preferred in formal, medical, or police contexts.

常见错误
  • Saying 'meine Verwandte' instead of 'meine Verwandten' for the plural.
  • Using 'Familie' when referring to multiple individual relatives (e.g., 'Ich habe viele Familien' instead of 'Ich habe viele Verwandte').
  • Forgetting to capitalize the word because it looks like an adjective.
  • Using the nominative instead of the dative after prepositions (e.g., 'mit meine Verwandten' instead of 'mit meinen Verwandten').
  • Confusing the pronunciation of the 'V' (it should be an 'F' sound, not an English 'V' sound).

小贴士

Adjective Endings

Treat 'Verwandte' exactly like an adjective. If you know how to say 'die guten Kinder', you know how to say 'die lieben Verwandten'.

Use with Prepositions

Memorize chunks. Always say 'zu meinen Verwandten' and 'mit meinen Verwandten'. This saves you from calculating the dative case every time.

Holiday Small Talk

Asking 'Besuchst du deine Verwandten?' is a perfect, polite small-talk question before Christmas or Easter in Germany.

Capitalization

Never write 'meine verwandten'. Because it represents people, it is a noun and must start with a capital 'V'.

Catching the 'n'

Listen closely to native speakers. The difference between 'Verwandte' and 'Verwandten' is subtle but crucial for understanding the grammar of the sentence.

When in doubt, use 'meine'

If you aren't sure whether to use an ending, just use 'meine Verwandten'. It's the most common phrase and always ends in -en in Nom/Acc/Dat.

Enge vs. Entfernte

Use 'enge Verwandte' for grandparents/aunts and 'entfernte Verwandte' for second cousins. It shows a high level of vocabulary mastery.

Die liebe Verwandtschaft

Use the phrase 'Ach, die liebe Verwandtschaft!' with a sigh when family is being slightly annoying. Native speakers will love it.

Forms and Documents

If a form asks for 'Angehörige', you can list your 'Verwandte'. They mean the same thing in that context.

The 'Wand' trick

Visualize your relatives standing against a wall (Wand). Ver-WAND-te. It helps remember the spelling!

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'Verwandte' as people who 'WANDER' over to your house for the holidays. The 'Ver-WAND-te' wander in!

词源

Middle High German

文化背景

The BGB (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) defines 'Verwandtschaftsgrad' precisely for inheritance.

Relatives traditionally gather on the 25th and 26th of December.

Often only 'enge Verwandte' are invited to the civil registry office (Standesamt), while 'entfernte Verwandte' join the larger party later.

在生活中练习

真实语境

对话开场白

"Wohnen deine Verwandten in der Nähe?"

"Wie oft besuchst du deine Verwandten?"

"Feierst du Weihnachten mit deinen Verwandten?"

"Hast du viele Verwandte im Ausland?"

"Verstehst du dich gut mit deinen Verwandten?"

日记主题

Beschreibe ein typisches Treffen mit deinen Verwandten.

Wer ist dein Lieblingsverwandter und warum?

Wie wichtig sind Verwandte in deiner Kultur?

Erzähle von einem lustigen Erlebnis mit deinen Verwandten.

Sollte man seinen Verwandten immer helfen?

常见问题

10 个问题

Because it is a nominalized adjective. It follows the rules of adjective declension. If there is a definite article (die) or a possessive article (meine) in the plural, it takes the weak ending '-en' (die Verwandten). If there is no article, it takes the strong ending '-e' in the nominative/accusative plural (viele Verwandte).

No. 'Familie' is a singular collective noun that refers to the family unit as a whole (e.g., Meine Familie ist groß). 'Verwandte' is a plural noun referring to the individual members of the extended family (e.g., Meine Verwandten sind hier). You cannot say 'Ich habe viele Familien' to mean you have many relatives.

For a male, you say 'ein Verwandter' (der Verwandte). For a female, you say 'eine Verwandte' (die Verwandte). The plural for mixed or female groups is 'die Verwandten'.

It means relatives by marriage, or in-laws. These are people who are not blood relatives (Blutsverwandte) but became part of the family through a wedding. For example, your spouse's siblings or parents.

Yes, whenever the sentence structure or preposition requires it. For example, after the prepositions 'mit', 'von', or 'zu', you must use the dative. In the plural, this is always 'Verwandten' (z.B. mit meinen Verwandten).

Technically yes, they are 'nahe Verwandte' (close relatives). However, in everyday speech, Germans usually specify 'Eltern' (parents) or 'Geschwister' (siblings) and use 'Verwandte' for the extended family like aunts, uncles, and cousins.

It is a humorous, slightly derogatory idiom. It literally translates to 'the hunchbacked relatives'. It is used to refer to annoying, difficult, or unwanted extended family members that one is obliged to deal with.

Yes, always. Even though it comes from an adjective, it functions as a noun in this context. All nouns in German are capitalized.

'Verwandte' refers to blood or legal relatives and is used in everyday life. 'Angehörige' is a more formal term meaning 'dependents' or 'next of kin', often used by doctors, police, or in legal documents.

The 'V' is pronounced like an English 'F'. The 'w' is pronounced like an English 'v'. The emphasis is on the second syllable: fer-VANT-uh.

自我测试 180 个问题

/ 180 correct

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