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- "Der Herr isst einen Apfel."
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Context.
"An apple" is in the Akkusativ form "einen Apfel" because the apple receives the action:
- The gentleman eats (is eating) an apple = Der Herr isst einen Apfel
The verb "sein" (ist) has a linking function, so it takes the Nominative "ein Apfel":
- The gentleman is an apple = Der Herr ist ein Apfel
101
It’s because they’re not direct objects or any objects at all, but predicative nouns referring to the subject.
2591
Well, Mann translates as 'man', while Herr is 'mister', which is more formal as far as I know.
You can tell by context. "An apple" is in the Akkusativ form "einen Apfel" because the apple receives the action:
- The gentleman eats (is eating) an apple = Der Herr isst einen Apfel
The verb "sein" (ist) has a linking function, so it takes the Nominative "ein Apfel":
- The gentleman is an apple = Der Herr ist ein Apfel
There are comments about pronunciation on the webpage below. In summary, official dictionary pronunciation for "ist" and "isst" is the same: IPA [ɪst]
The exception is in informal language for "ist" where the "t" may be dropped. As well, other commenters indicate that there may be regional differences between "ist" and "isst".
657
You address a knight or baronet as 'Sir' followed by his first name, eg "Sir John". You address a gentleman as "Sir" alone; or if you know him you can say "Mr Smith". There is never any occasion to say "a sir", or "the sir" - you probably mean a knight/gentleman/master/officer. The only time you would use "Sirs" is when addressing a group, or writing a formal business letter; it is very uncouth to use it to talk ABOUT them.