Accusative Absolute - German

German

In German, a noun phrase can be put in the accusative to indicate that the subject of the sentence has the property described. For example:

Neben ihm saß der dünnhaarige Pianist, den Kopf im Nacken, und lauschte.
next to him sat the thin-haired pianist the-masc.acc.sg head in the neck and listened
"The thin-haired pianist, his head hanging (lit. his head in his neck), sat next to him and listened."

Read more about this topic:  Accusative Absolute

Famous quotes containing the word german:

    The German language “speaks Being,” while all the others merely “speak of Being.”
    Martin Heidegger (1889–1976)

    The French courage proceeds from vanity—the German from phlegm—the Turkish from fanaticism & opium—the Spanish from pride—the English from coolness—the Dutch from obstinacy—the Russian from insensibility—but the Italian from anger.
    George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)

    I am particularly interested in the indications that the people seem to understand and approve the necessity of pursuing the course that will prevent a further effort on the part of the German peoples to continue the struggle for world domination, even though they are thoroughly beaten in this war.
    Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)