Heute kommen vierzehn Kollegen.

Breakdown of Heute kommen vierzehn Kollegen.

kommen
to come
heute
today
der Kollege
the colleague
vierzehn
fourteen

Questions & Answers about Heute kommen vierzehn Kollegen.

How is the number vierzehn formed?
It is made by combining vier (four) and zehn (ten). This is the standard pattern for German numbers from 13 to 19, which is very similar to how English adds "-teen" to the end of numbers (fourteen, nineteen).
Why is the verb kommen before the subject vierzehn Kollegen?
In German, the conjugated verb must always be the second idea in a normal statement. Because this sentence starts with the time word heute (today), the verb kommen takes the second spot, and the subject (vierzehn Kollegen) is pushed right after it.
Why does the German sentence just use kommen instead of a translation for "are coming"?
German does not have an "is doing" or "are doing" form. The simple present tense verb kommen translates to both "come" and "are coming". German also frequently uses the present tense to talk about sure future plans, like colleagues arriving later today.
Is Kollegen masculine or feminine here?
Kollegen is the plural of der Kollege, the masculine word for "colleague". German traditionally uses the masculine plural for a mixed group of male and female colleagues, though you will also hear people say Kolleginnen und Kollegen to specifically include the feminine form (die Kollegin).

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