Nouns and Articles
Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. In German, every noun has a gender and requires an article.
Articles are small words that come before nouns. They change based on the gender, number, and case of the noun.
This lesson covers the basics of German nouns and articles.
Explanation
German nouns are always capitalized: 'der Mann' (the man), 'die Frau' (the woman), 'das Kind' (the child).
Every noun has a gender: masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das). The gender must be memorized with each noun.
Articles come in two types: definite (der, die, das - the) and indefinite (ein, eine, ein - a/an).
Articles change based on case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) and number (singular, plural).
Nouns can be singular (one) or plural (more than one). Plural nouns always use 'die' as the definite article.
Basic Articles - Nominative
| Gender | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | ein | der Mann | the/a man |
| Feminine | die | eine | die Frau | the/a woman |
| Neuter | das | ein | das Kind | the/a child |
| Plural | die | - | die Kinder | the children |
Examples
Der Mann liest.
The man reads.
Die Frau kocht.
The woman cooks.
Das Kind spielt.
The child plays.
Ein Mann kommt.
A man comes.
Eine Frau arbeitet.
A woman works.
Common Mistakes
der mann
der Mann
All German nouns are capitalized. 'Mann' must be capitalized, not 'mann'.
ein Frau
eine Frau
Feminine nouns require 'eine' (not 'ein') for indefinite article. 'eine Frau', not 'ein Frau'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
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.