Welcome to martial arts training (der Kampfsport). Before we learn to spar, we must learn the proper etiquette and posture.
| The beginners bow silently and show good posture. | Die Anfänger verbeugen sich schweigend und zeigen eine gute Haltung. |
Normally, when a German verb takes two objects (like giving a gift to a friend), the person is in the Dative case and the thing is in the Accusative case. However, a small group of verbs require two Accusative objects.
lehren (to teach)
With lehren (a formal word for teaching a subject or skill), both the person being taught and the skill take the Accusative.
| The strict master teaches the beginner martial arts. | Der strenge Meister lehrt den Anfänger den Kampfsport. |
Notice how both masculine nouns (der Anfänger and der Kampfsport) change to den. This double Accusative rule also applies when the person is represented by a pronoun, like mich (me):
| The trainer teaches me the fast attack. | Der Trainer lehrt mich den schnellen Angriff. |
nennen (to call / to name)
With nennen, both the thing being described and the name you give it take the Accusative.
| He calls this fast movement an attack. | Er nennt diese schnelle Bewegung einen Angriff. |
| We call this movement the perfect defense. | Wir nennen diese Bewegung die perfekte Verteidigung. |
kosten (to cost)
When an action costs someone something—whether money, energy, time, or points—both the person and the price paid are in the Accusative.
| The defense costs the beginner a lot of energy. | Die Verteidigung kostet den Anfänger viel Energie. |
| A bad kick costs you the point. | Ein schlechter Tritt kostet dich den Punkt. |