Definite Articles
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' in English. They change based on gender, number, and case.
Mastering definite articles is essential for correct German grammar.
This lesson covers definite articles in all cases.
Explanation
Nominative: der (masculine), die (feminine), das (neuter), die (plural).
Accusative: den (masculine), die (feminine), das (neuter), die (plural).
Dative: dem (masculine), der (feminine), dem (neuter), den (plural).
Genitive: des (masculine), der (feminine), des (neuter), der (plural).
Only masculine articles change significantly across cases. Feminine, neuter, and plural have fewer changes.
Definite Articles - All Cases
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | den |
| Genitive | des | der | des | der |
Examples
Der Mann liest. (nominative)
The man reads.
Ich sehe den Mann. (accusative)
I see the man.
Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch. (dative)
I give the man the book.
Das Auto des Mannes ist rot. (genitive)
The man's car is red.
Common Mistakes
Ich sehe der Mann
Ich sehe den Mann
Direct objects are accusative. Masculine 'der' becomes 'den' in accusative.
Ich gebe der Mann
Ich gebe dem Mann
Indirect objects are dative. Masculine 'der' becomes 'dem' in dative.
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.