Question 1

Why is the article der used before Techniker and die before Maschine?

Accepted Answer

German nouns have gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and appear in cases. Here Techniker is a masculine noun in the nominative case (it’s the subject), so it takes the masculine nominative article der. Maschine is a feminine noun in the accusative case (it’s the direct object), so it takes the feminine accusative article die.

Question 2

How can I tell which noun is the subject and which is the object?

Accepted Answer

1. Case endings/articles: the nominative article (der) marks the subject; the accusative article (die) marks the direct object.  
2. Word order in a basic German main clause is Subject–Verb–Object (S‑V‑O). Here, Der Techniker (subject) comes first, then repariert (verb), then die Maschine (object).

Question 3

Why is the verb repariert and not reparieren?

Accepted Answer

Reparieren is the infinitive. In the present tense for 3rd person singular (er/sie/es), you add ‑t:  
ich repariere  
du reparierst  
er repariert  
wir reparieren  
ihr repariert  
sie reparieren

So since der Techniker = er, you use repariert.

Question 4

Why is the verb placed in the second position?

Accepted Answer

In standard German main clauses, the finite verb must occupy the second slot (the “V2 rule”). You can start with the subject, an adverb, or another element, but the conjugated verb always comes second. Here the order is:  
1. Der Techniker (subject)  
2. repariert (verb)  
3. die Maschine (object)

Question 5

How would I say this sentence in the past tense?

Accepted Answer

You have two common options:  
1. Simple past (Präteritum): Der Techniker reparierte die Maschine.  
2. Present perfect (Perfekt), more colloquial in speech: Der Techniker hat die Maschine repariert.

Question 6

What is the plural of Techniker and Maschine, and how does the sentence change?

Accepted Answer

‑ Techniker (masculine) forms a plural with no change in the noun: die Techniker.  
‑ Maschine (feminine) takes ‑n: die Maschinen.  
The verb must agree with a plural subject, so you say:  
Die Techniker reparieren die Maschinen.

Question 7

Why are all German nouns capitalized in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

A core rule of German orthography is that every noun—no matter its position—starts with a capital letter. This helps readers quickly spot nouns and their articles/cases.

Question 8

Are there other verbs I could use instead of reparieren?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Depending on nuance:  
‑ instandsetzen (to repair/restore)  
‑ warten (to maintain/service)  
‑ überholen (to overhaul)  
But reparieren is the most direct for “fixing” something that’s broken.

Der Techniker repariert die Maschine.

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