German Phrase
Prüf zuerst die Stromkabel.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct instruction to check the power cables before proceeding with any further work. It is typical in safety briefings, technical manuals, and on‑site instructions where electrical safety is a priority.
When to use
Use this phrase in any context where you need to remind someone—especially a colleague or a technician—to verify that all power cables are correctly connected and undamaged before starting a device or a piece of equipment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
PrüfzuerstdieStromkabel
Imperative (du) without pronoun
‘Prüf’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘prüfen’; in written instructions the pronoun is omitted.
Adverb ‘zuerst’
‘zuerst’ means ‘first’ and is placed directly after the verb in German imperative sentences.
Accusative plural article ‘die’
‘die’ is the definite article for plural nouns in the accusative case, which is required after the verb ‘prüfen’.
Compound noun ‘Stromkabel’
‘Stromkabel’ (electric cables) is a neuter plural noun; the plural ending is zero, so the article ‘die’ signals the plural.
🗨In Conversation
Bevor wir das Gerät einschalten, was sollten wir zuerst tun?
Before we turn the device on, what should we do first?
Prüf zuerst die Stromkabel.
Check the power cables first.
✕Common Mistakes
Prüfe zuerst die Stromkabel.
‘prüfe’ is also a correct imperative, but in concise safety instructions the shorter ‘prüf’ is preferred.
Prüf zuerst der Stromkabel.
‘der’ is the masculine singular article; ‘Stromkabel’ is plural, so the correct article is ‘die’.
Prüf zuerst das Stromkabel.
Using the singular article ‘das’ suggests only one cable, which changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Überprüfe zuerst die Stromkabel.
Check the power cables first.
Sieh zuerst nach den Stromkabeln.
Look at the power cables first.
Stelle sicher, dass die Stromkabel zuerst geprüft werden.
Make sure the power cables are checked first.
Cultural Tip
In German technical instructions the imperative is often given without a subject pronoun and in the informal ‘du’ form, even when speaking to a whole team. This sounds neutral and efficient. If you need a more formal tone (e.g., in a written manual for a broader audience), you can use the polite form: ‘Bitte prüfen Sie zuerst die Stromkabel.’