Nominative Pronouns
Nominative pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence. They're the most basic pronouns and the first ones you learn in German.
These pronouns replace the subject noun and indicate who or what is performing the action.
This lesson covers all nominative pronouns and how to use them.
Explanation
Nominative pronouns: ich (I), du (you), er (he/it), sie (she/it/they), es (it), wir (we), ihr (you), sie (they), Sie (you formal).
Nominative pronouns are used as subjects: 'Ich lerne' (I learn), 'Du sprichst' (You speak), 'Er kommt' (He comes).
After 'sein' (to be), both subject and complement can be pronouns: 'Ich bin es' (It is I), 'Du bist er' (You are he).
Nominative pronouns are the dictionary forms and are used in most basic sentences.
Nominative Pronouns
| Person | Pronoun | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st singular | ich | Ich lerne Deutsch | I learn German |
| 2nd singular (informal) | du | Du sprichst gut | You speak well |
| 3rd singular (masculine) | er | Er kommt heute | He comes today |
| 3rd singular (feminine) | sie | Sie liest ein Buch | She reads a book |
| 3rd singular (neuter) | es | Es regnet | It rains |
| 1st plural | wir | Wir lernen zusammen | We learn together |
| 2nd plural (informal) | ihr | Ihr kommt morgen | You come tomorrow |
| 3rd plural | sie | Sie lernen Deutsch | They learn German |
| 2nd formal | Sie | Sie sprechen gut | You speak well |
Examples
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I learn German.
Du sprichst Englisch.
You speak English.
Er ist Student.
He is a student.
Wir sind Freunde.
We are friends.
Sie kommen heute.
They come today.
Common Mistakes
Mich lerne
Ich lerne
The subject uses nominative pronoun. Use 'Ich', not 'mich' (accusative).
Dich sprichst
Du sprichst
The subject uses nominative pronoun. Use 'Du', not 'dich' (accusative).
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.