German Adjectives

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Adjectives in German have the same function as in English – they give you more information about the noun. In German, if the adjective comes after the verb it does not take the specific endings. However, if the adjective comes before the noun you must employ ‘adjectival endings’ that qualify the noun.

• 'Das Mädchen ist schön' (adjective after verb)
• 'Das schöne Mädchen ist…' (adjective with ending)

There are three basic types of adjective endings: 1. adjective endings after the definite article: der/die/das 2. adjective endings after the indefinite article: ein/eine/ein 3. adjectives used alone with noun (no article present) The only way to ensure accuracy in the usage of adjectival endings is to learn and understand the tables and thoroughly practise composing sentences containing adjectival endings. This page is a guide to where and when to use the endings.

Adjective endings after the definite article: 'der/die/das': Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural Nominative e e e en Accusative en e e en Dative en en en en Genitive en en en en

• Nominative Singular Masculine: 'Der schwarze Hund heisst Shabba'.
• Accusative Singular Masculine: 'Der grössere Hund bisst den schwarzen Hund'.
• Dative Singular Masculine: 'Ich gehe mit dem schwarzen Hund spazieren'.
• Nominative Plural Masculine: 'Die schwarzen Hunde bellen so laut'.

Adjective endings after the indefinite article: ein/eine/ein

• • Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
  • Nominative er e es en
  • Accusative en e es en
  • Dative en en en en
  • Genitive en en en en
• Nominative Singular Masculine: 'Mein schwarzer Hund heißt Shabba'.
• Accusative Singular Masculine: 'Ich mag meinen schwarzen Hund'
• Dative Singular Masculine: 'Ich gehe mit meinem schwarzen Hund spazieren.'
• Nominative Plural Masculine: 'Meine schwarzen Hunde sind so freundlich'.

Adjectives used alone with noun (no article present).

• • Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
  • Nominative -er -e -es -e
  • Accusative -en -e -es -e
  • Dative -em -er -em -en
  • Genitive -en -er -en -er
• Nominative Singular Masculine: 'Französischer Wein ist billig'.
• Accusative Singular Masculine: 'Ich trinke immer französischen Wein'.
• Dative Singular Masculine: 'Ich esse gern Käse mit französischem Wein'.
• Nominative Plural Masculine: 'Deutsche Bücher sind interessant'.