Adjective Declension
Adjective declension is how adjectives change their endings based on the article, case, and gender of the noun they describe.
In German, there are three declension patterns: strong, weak, and mixed. Understanding these patterns is essential for correct German.
This lesson covers adjective declension with definite articles (weak declension), indefinite articles (mixed declension), and without articles (strong declension).
Explanation
With definite articles (der, die, das), adjectives use weak declension: most endings are '-e' or '-en'.
With indefinite articles (ein, eine) or possessive pronouns, adjectives use mixed declension: some endings match the article, others are '-e' or '-en'.
Without articles, adjectives use strong declension: endings match the definite article endings (der, die, das, etc.).
The case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) also affects adjective endings. Each case has specific ending patterns.
Adjective Declension - Nominative (with definite article)
| Gender | Article + Adjective | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der + -e | der große Tisch | the big table |
| Feminine | die + -e | die schöne Frau | the beautiful woman |
| Neuter | das + -e | das kleine Kind | the small child |
| Plural | die + -en | die großen Tische | the big tables |
Adjective Declension - Accusative
In the accusative case, only masculine adjectives change: from '-e' to '-en'. Feminine, neuter, and plural stay the same as nominative.
| Gender | Article + Adjective | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | den + -en | den großen Tisch | the big table (acc.) |
| Feminine | die + -e | die schöne Frau | the beautiful woman (acc.) |
| Neuter | das + -e | das kleine Kind | the small child (acc.) |
| Plural | die + -en | die großen Tische | the big tables (acc.) |
Adjective Declension - Dative
In the dative case, all adjectives get '-en' ending, regardless of gender.
| Gender | Article + Adjective | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | dem + -en | dem großen Tisch | the big table (dat.) |
| Feminine | der + -en | der schönen Frau | the beautiful woman (dat.) |
| Neuter | dem + -en | dem kleinen Kind | the small child (dat.) |
| Plural | den + -en | den großen Tischen | the big tables (dat.) |
Adjective Declension with Indefinite Articles
With indefinite articles (ein, eine), adjectives use mixed declension. The endings are different from definite articles.
| Gender | Article + Adjective | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | ein + -er | ein großer Tisch | a big table |
| Feminine | eine + -e | eine schöne Frau | a beautiful woman |
| Neuter | ein + -es | ein kleines Kind | a small child |
Examples
Der große Tisch ist teuer.
The big table is expensive.
Ich sehe den großen Tisch.
I see the big table.
Ich gebe dem großen Tisch einen Platz.
I give the big table a place.
Ein großer Tisch steht im Zimmer.
A big table stands in the room.
Eine schöne Frau kommt.
A beautiful woman comes.
Das kleine Kind spielt.
The small child plays.
Common Mistakes
der groß Tisch
der große Tisch
With definite articles, adjectives need '-e' ending in nominative masculine.
ein groß Tisch
ein großer Tisch
With indefinite articles, masculine adjectives need '-er' ending in nominative.
dem groß Tisch
dem großen Tisch
In dative case, all adjectives get '-en' ending, regardless of gender.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.