German Phrase
Vergleich die Straßennamen genau.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct instruction to look at two or more street names and compare them with great attention to detail. It is often used when checking a map, a navigation system, or a list of addresses.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want someone to verify that street names match, for example while planning a route, checking delivery addresses, or proofreading a document that contains many locations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
VergleichdieStraßennamengenau.
Imperativ (du)
‘Vergleich’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘vergleichen’ (to compare). The -e ending is optional; ‘Vergleich!’ sounds more colloquial.
Accusative plural article
‘die’ is the definite article in the accusative plural, used here because ‘Straßennamen’ is the direct object of ‘vergleichen’.
Plural noun ‘Straßennamen’
‘Straßennamen’ is the plural of ‘Straßenname’ and appears in the accusative case after the verb.
Adverb ‘genau’
‘genau’ modifies the verb and means ‘carefully, precisely’. It is placed after the object for emphasis.
🗨In Conversation
Vergleich die Straßennamen genau.
Compare the street names carefully.
Okay, ich sehe, dass ‚Hauptstraße‘ und ‚Hauptstrasse‘ unterschiedlich geschrieben sind.
Okay, I see that ‘Hauptstraße’ and ‘Hauptstrasse’ are written differently.
✕Common Mistakes
Vergleiche die Straßennamen genau.
Both ‘Vergleich!’ and ‘Vergleiche!’ are correct; the shorter form is more colloquial, while the longer form sounds slightly more formal.
Vergleich der Straßennamen genau.
The article must be accusative plural ‘die’, not nominative/genitive ‘der’.
Vergleich die Straßennamen genaues.
‘Genaues’ is an adjective; the adverb ‘genau’ is required to modify the verb.
↔Alternatives
Vergleiche die Straßennamen genau.
Compare the street names carefully.
Schau dir die Straßennamen genau an.
Take a close look at the street names.
Prüfe die Straßennamen genau.
Check the street names precisely.
Cultural Tip
In German the imperative can be either formal (Sie) or informal (du). For a formal request you would say ‘Vergleichen Sie die Straßennamen genau.’ The adverb ‘genau’ adds a sense of precision and is common in technical or bureaucratic contexts, so using it signals that you expect a thorough check.