Der Ausdruck in diesem Buch ist schwierig.

The expression in this book is difficult.

Breakdown of Der Ausdruck in diesem Buch ist schwierig.

• sein: to be
• in: in
• das Buch: the book
• schwierig: difficult

Questions & Answers about Der Ausdruck in diesem Buch ist schwierig.

Why is it Der Ausdruck and not Die Ausdruck or Das Ausdruck?

German nouns have fixed grammatical gender that you just have to learn with the noun.

• Ausdruck is masculine, so its definite article in the nominative case is der.
• Die is for feminine singular nouns (and all plurals).
• Das is for neuter singular nouns.

Here Der Ausdruck is the subject of the sentence, so it must be in the nominative case:

• Nominative (subject): der Ausdruck ist schwierig – the expression is difficult
• Accusative (object): Ich verstehe den Ausdruck nicht – I don’t understand the expression
• Dative (indirect object): Mit dem Ausdruck habe ich Probleme – I have problems with the expression

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What exactly does Ausdruck mean here? Is it like “expression”, “phrase”, or “style”?

Ausdruck is a flexible word and its meaning depends on context. It can mean:

1. Facial expression / emotional expression

   • Sein Ausdruck war traurig. – His expression was sad.

2. Linguistic expression, phrasing, choice of words – this is the meaning in your sentence

   • Der Ausdruck in diesem Buch ist schwierig.
     → The in this book is difficult.