Question 1

Is Teil masculine or neuter? I've seen both.

Accepted Answer

It can be both, but the meaning changes! der Teil (masculine), used here, means a fraction or portion of a whole, like a section of a course. das Teil (neuter) refers to a physical piece or component, like a puzzle piece or a spare part for a car.

Question 2

Why is the verb fehlen in the singular form (fehlt) if 'part of the class' refers to multiple students?

Accepted Answer

In German, the verb strictly agrees with the grammatical subject. Since the subject is ein Teil (a single part), the verb must be singular (fehlt). English sometimes uses plural verbs for collective nouns, but German usually sticks to the grammatical number.

Question 3

Could I use the genitive case here instead of vom Kurs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you absolutely can! Ein Teil des Kurses is completely correct and sounds a bit more formal or written. In spoken, everyday German, people frequently replace the genitive with von plus the dative case, which combines to form vom.

Question 4

Does fehlen literally mean 'to be missing' like a lost item?

Accepted Answer

It does, but it is also the standard German way to say that someone is absent. When students or colleagues are not at school or work, Germans say they are missing (sie fehlen).

Ein Teil vom Kurs fehlt heute.

Breakdown of Ein Teil vom Kurs fehlt heute.

Questions & Answers about Ein Teil vom Kurs fehlt heute.

Learn Ein Teil vom Kurs fehlt heute and more in German