Der, die or das? How to define articles in German? When to use the definite or indefinite article? How to determine the gender of a noun and how to use German articles? Almost all German nouns are preceded by a small word that scares even native speakers, but we can’t be scared, we’ll analyze it in our video and article.
Nouns in German, as well as in Russian, have the category of gender - masculine, feminine or neuter. At the same time, the gender of nouns in German and Russian often does not coincide. For example:
das house- neuter, and house- male
die Fliese- feminine, and tile- male
Therefore, nouns must be memorized with the article, which indicates the gender of the noun. Remembering the gender of nouns is often difficult, but many nouns have some features that help determine the gender of these nouns. The gender of nouns can be determined:
- by the meaning of the word;- according to the method of word formation (according to the form of the word).
1.1. Masculine (by meaning)
Male persons - der Mann(the male), der Junge(boy)
- male animals der Bar(bear)
- sides of the world - der Norden(north)
- seasons - sommer(summer), der Winter(winter)
- the names of the months - der Januar(January), der Mai(May), September(September)
- days of the week - der Montag(Monday), der Mittwoch(Wednesday), der Sonntag(Sunday)
- times of day der Morgen(morning), but die Nacht(night)
- precipitation - der Regen(rain), der Schnee(snow)
- minerals - der Granite(granite)
- stones - der Rubin(ruby)
- mountain names der Harz(harz)
- names of lakes - der Baikal(Baikal)
- alcohol - der Wodka(vodka), der Sekt(sparkling wine), but Das Bier(beer)
- monetary units - der Euro(euro) but die Kopeke(penny), die Crown(crown), die Mark(brand)
- celestial bodies der Mond(moon) but die Venus(Venus), die Sonne(sun)
- names of car brands - der Opel, der BMW
1.2. Masculine (by form)
-er– der Fahrer (driver)
-ler - der Sportler (athlete)
-ner-der Gärtner (gardener)
-ling- der Lehrling (student)
-s - der Fuchs (fox)
Note: do not confuse the suffix <-er> in derivative nouns with words whose root ends in <-er> : die Mutter, die Tochter, das Fenster, etc.
Foreign words (mostly animate) with suffixes:
-ent - der Student (student)
-ant - der Laborant (lab assistant)
-ist - der Publizist (publicist)
-et - der Poet (poet)
-ot - der Pilot (pilot)
-at - der Candidate (candidate)
-soph - der Philosoph (philosopher)
-nom - der Astronom (astronomer)
-graph - der Photograph (photographer)
-eur - der Ingenieur (engineer)
-ier - der Pionier (pioneer)
-ar - der Jubilar (jubilee)
-är - der Sekretär (secretary)
-or - der Doktor (doctor)
Note: inanimate nouns with suffixes <-ent>, <-at>, <-et> can be both masculine and neuter: der Kontinent - das Patent, der Apparat - das Referat, der Planet - das Alphabet.
Nouns formed from the root of verbs without a suffix (often with a change in the root vowel)der Gang - (from ge hen)
der Gru ß - (from grü ßen)
der Sprung - (from spri ngen), but Das Spiel
2.1. Feminine (by meaning)
- female faces die Frau(woman) but das Mädchen (see neuter gender)- female animals die Kuh(cow) but Das Huhn(hen), Das Schaf(sheep)
- names of trees - die Birke(Birch), but der Ahorn(maple)
- color names die Aster(aster), butder Mohn(poppy), der Kactus(cactus)
- names of berries - die Himbeere(raspberry)
name of fruits and vegetables die Byrne(pear), but der Apfel(Apple), der Pfirsich(peach), der Kohl(cabbage), der Kurbis(pumpkin)
- most German rivers - die Elbe, die Oder, die Spree, but der Rhein, der Main, der Neckar
2.2. Feminine (by form)
Nouns with suffixes:-in die Laborantin (lab assistant)
-ung—die Übung (exercise)
-heit—die Freiheit (freedom)
-keit—die Möglichkeit (opportunity)
-schaft —die Landschaft (landscape)
-ei—die Malerei (painting)
Foreign words with stressed suffixes:
-ie—die Chemie (chemistry)
-tät—die Universität (university)
-tion -die Station (station)
-ur—die Kultur (culture)
-ik—die Physik (physics)
-age --die Reportage (reportage)
-ade —die Fassade (facade)
-anz—die Ambulanz (outpatient clinic)
-enz —die Existenz (existence)
Most nouns with a suffix -e (mostly double sided):
die liebe (love)
die Kalte (cold)
die Hilfe (help)
die Lampe (lamp)
Note: there are also a number of nouns male ending in -e: der Kollege, der Russe, der Junge, der Name, der Gedanke, der Käse and several nouns neuter: das Ende, das Interesse, das Auge.
Nouns formed from verbs with a suffix -t:
die Fahrt (riding)
die Kunst (art)
die macht (power)
Related cheat sheets to keep yourself and enjoy:
3.2. Neuter gender (by form)
Nouns with suffixes:-chen—das Mädchen (girl)
-lein—das Tischlein (table)
-(s)tel -das Fünftel (one fifth)
Most nouns with suffixes:
-tum
das Eigentum (property), but der Reichtum, der Irrtum-nis
das Verhältnis (attitude), but die Kenntnis, die Erlaubnis
Foreign words (objects and abstract concepts) ending in:
-(i)um—das Stadium (stadium)
-ett —das Kabinett (cabinet)
-ment --das Document (document)
-ma—das Drama (drama)
-o —das Kino (cinema)
Nouns with a prefix Ge- :
das Gewasser (waters)
das Gebirge (mountain range)
das Ge mälde (painting)
Substantivized infinitives:
das Laufen (run) - from laufen (run)
das Lesen (reading) - from lesen (to read)
Der, die or das? How to define articles in German? When to use the definite or indefinite article? How to determine the gender of a noun and how to use German articles? Almost all German nouns are preceded by a small word that scares even native speakers, but we can’t be scared, we’ll analyze it in our video and article.
Nouns in German, as well as in Russian, have the category of gender - masculine, feminine or neuter. At the same time, the gender of nouns in German and Russian often does not coincide. For example:
das house- neuter, and house- male
die Fliese- feminine, and tile- male
Therefore, nouns must be memorized with the article, which indicates the gender of the noun. Remembering the gender of nouns is often difficult, but many nouns have some features that help determine the gender of these nouns. The gender of nouns can be determined:
- by the meaning of the word;- according to the method of word formation (according to the form of the word).
1.1. Masculine (by meaning)
Male persons - der Mann(the male), der Junge(boy)
- male animals der Bar(bear)
- sides of the world - der Norden(north)
- seasons - sommer(summer), der Winter(winter)
- the names of the months - der Januar(January), der Mai(May), September(September)
- days of the week - der Montag(Monday), der Mittwoch(Wednesday), der Sonntag(Sunday)
- times of day der Morgen(morning), but die Nacht(night)
- precipitation - der Regen(rain), der Schnee(snow)
- minerals - der Granite(granite)
- stones - der Rubin(ruby)
- mountain names der Harz(harz)
- names of lakes - der Baikal(Baikal)
- alcohol - der Wodka(vodka), der Sekt(sparkling wine), but Das Bier(beer)
- monetary units - der Euro(euro) but die Kopeke(penny), die Crown(crown), die Mark(brand)
- celestial bodies der Mond(moon) but die Venus(Venus), die Sonne(sun)
- names of car brands - der Opel, der BMW
1.2. Masculine (by form)
-er– der Fahrer (driver)
-ler - der Sportler (athlete)
-ner-der Gärtner (gardener)
-ling- der Lehrling (student)
-s - der Fuchs (fox)
Note: do not confuse the suffix <-er> in derivative nouns with words whose root ends in <-er> : die Mutter, die Tochter, das Fenster, etc.
Foreign words (mostly animate) with suffixes:
-ent - der Student (student)
-ant - der Laborant (lab assistant)
-ist - der Publizist (publicist)
-et - der Poet (poet)
-ot - der Pilot (pilot)
-at - der Candidate (candidate)
-soph - der Philosoph (philosopher)
-nom - der Astronom (astronomer)
-graph - der Photograph (photographer)
-eur - der Ingenieur (engineer)
-ier - der Pionier (pioneer)
-ar - der Jubilar (jubilee)
-är - der Sekretär (secretary)
-or - der Doktor (doctor)
Note: inanimate nouns with suffixes <-ent>, <-at>, <-et> can be both masculine and neuter: der Kontinent - das Patent, der Apparat - das Referat, der Planet - das Alphabet.
Nouns formed from the root of verbs without a suffix (often with a change in the root vowel)der Gang - (from ge hen)
der Gru ß - (from grü ßen)
der Sprung - (from spri ngen), but Das Spiel
2.1. Feminine (by meaning)
- female faces die Frau(woman) but das Mädchen (see neuter gender)- female animals die Kuh(cow) but Das Huhn(hen), Das Schaf(sheep)
- names of trees - die Birke(Birch), but der Ahorn(maple)
- color names die Aster(aster), butder Mohn(poppy), der Kactus(cactus)
- names of berries - die Himbeere(raspberry)
name of fruits and vegetables die Byrne(pear), but der Apfel(Apple), der Pfirsich(peach), der Kohl(cabbage), der Kurbis(pumpkin)
- most German rivers - die Elbe, die Oder, die Spree, but der Rhein, der Main, der Neckar
2.2. Feminine (by form)
Nouns with suffixes:-in die Laborantin (lab assistant)
-ung—die Übung (exercise)
-heit—die Freiheit (freedom)
-keit—die Möglichkeit (opportunity)
-schaft —die Landschaft (landscape)
-ei—die Malerei (painting)
Foreign words with stressed suffixes:
-ie—die Chemie (chemistry)
-tät—die Universität (university)
-tion -die Station (station)
-ur—die Kultur (culture)
-ik—die Physik (physics)
-age --die Reportage (reportage)
-ade —die Fassade (facade)
-anz—die Ambulanz (outpatient clinic)
-enz —die Existenz (existence)
Most nouns with a suffix -e (mostly double sided):
die liebe (love)
die Kalte (cold)
die Hilfe (help)
die Lampe (lamp)
Note: there are also a number of nouns male ending in -e: der Kollege, der Russe, der Junge, der Name, der Gedanke, der Käse and several nouns neuter: das Ende, das Interesse, das Auge.
Nouns formed from verbs with a suffix -t:
die Fahrt (riding)
die Kunst (art)
die macht (power)
Related cheat sheets to keep yourself and enjoy:
3.2. Neuter gender (by form)
Nouns with suffixes:-chen—das Mädchen (girl)
-lein—das Tischlein (table)
-(s)tel -das Fünftel (one fifth)
Most nouns with suffixes:
-tum
das Eigentum (property), but der Reichtum, der Irrtum-nis
das Verhältnis (attitude), but die Kenntnis, die Erlaubnis
Foreign words (objects and abstract concepts) ending in:
-(i)um—das Stadium (stadium)
-ett —das Kabinett (cabinet)
-ment --das Document (document)
-ma—das Drama (drama)
-o —das Kino (cinema)
Nouns with a prefix Ge- :
das Gewasser (waters)
das Gebirge (mountain range)
das Ge mälde (painting)
Substantivized infinitives:
das Laufen (run) - from laufen (run)
das Lesen (reading) - from lesen (to read)
The noun is Der Substantiv. Gender of nouns in German.
It is very easy to distinguish a noun in German from other parts of speech - it is always capitalized: das Land, die Mitte, der See, die Menschen.
Since in Russian you can determine the gender of nouns by the end, in German this can be done using the article: the article DER corresponds to the masculine gender in Russian, DIE to the feminine, DAS to the middle and DIE -.
For example:
It should be noted that the gender of nouns in German and Russian in most cases does not match, for example, the noun das Boot (boat) in German is neuter, in Russian it is feminine, or vice versa die Sonne (sun) in German feminine language, and in Russian - middle. This is just one example, and, as already mentioned, there are many more mismatches in gender than matches. Therefore, when learning new words, they should be memorized immediately with the German article, and not automatically transfer the gender of the Russian noun to German.
In dictionaries, the gender of nouns is indicated as follows:
m (lat. maskulinum)- masculine, i.e. der,
f (lat. femininum)- female, i.e. die , and
n (lat. neutrum)- neuter gender, i.e. das.
The plural is not indicated in dictionaries, since it is formed from all nouns in one way - using the article die(note: see "use of the article").
There are several rules to help determine the gender of a German noun.
Female
1. Ending in suffixes -in, -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ei, -ie, -ik, -ion, -tion, -tät, -ur.
For example: die Lehrerin, die Zeitung, die Freiheit, die Neuigkeit, die Landwirtschaft, die Partei, die Sympatie, die Politik, die Union, die Communication, die Aktivität, die Kultur.
2. Cardinal numbers as a noun: die Eins (one), die Zwei (two), die Sechs (six).
3. Female beings (with the exception of the word "girl" das Mädchen!): die Frau, die Ärztin, die Praktikantin.
Male are the following nouns:
1. Denoting cardinal points, seasons, months and days of the week: der Norden, der Süden, der Westen, der Osten, der Winter, der Sommer, der März, der Dienstag.
2. Designating precipitation: der Regen, der Nebel, der Frost.
3. Beings of the masculine gender: der Mann, der Fahrer, der Praktikant.
Neuter are:
1. Nouns ending in the suffixes -chen, -lein, um-, -ment, -al.
The suffixes -chen, -lein are used to form a diminutive form of nouns). For example: das Vogelchen, das Fischlein, das Museum, das Monument, das Spital.
2. Nouns formed from a verb: das Leben, das Lesen, das Turnen.
3. Nouns with prefix ge - and suffix -(d)e: das Gemüse, das Gebäude, das Gemälde.
4. Nouns denoting young animals: das Fohlen, das Kalb, das Ferkel.
5. Most countries (used with the article only in combination with an adjective), eg. das whitee Russland, das kalte Schweden.
There are several names of countries that belong to a different gender and are always used with a definite article:
Feminine:
Die Schweiz, die Slovakei, die Sowjetunion, die Ukraine
Masculine:
Der Iran, der Iraq, der Libanon
Plural:
Die USA, die Niederlande
Wer von euch war schon in der Schweiz?
Meine Eltern fliegen morgen in die USA.
Exercises on the topic "Gender of nouns in German" / ÜBUNGEN
1. Find the translation of the following nouns in the dictionary and determine their gender:
border, car, customs, plant, economy, trip, sea, apartment, plane, ticket, practice, animal, year, food, conversation, earth, rain, tractor, work, bakery.
Write the German nouns in three columns according to gender. Compare the gender of German and Russian nouns.
maskulinum | Femininum | Neutrum |
2. Translate the following words into Russian and match the gender in German and Russian.
maskulinum Femininum Neutrum
Der Mond die Erde das Wasser
Der Westen die Kuh das Wetter
Bahnhof die Demokratie das Bonbon
der Erfolg die Währung das Blatt
der Staat die Kanzlerin das Ziel
der Baum die Zeit das Land
der Traum die Grenze das Loch
der Einwohner die Reise das Meer
der Wunsch die Stadt das Schwein
3. Find in the right column the corresponding translation of simple sentences in the left.
| 1. Deutschland liegt im Zentrum Europas. | a) At breakfast he always reads the morning paper. |
| 2. Auf dem Bauernhof gibt es Schweine, Ziegen, Hühner, Kühe und Pferde. | b) The rain prevented us from working on the field. |
| 3. Das Fenster in meinem Zimmer geht nicht auf. | c) There are pigs, goats, chickens, cows and horses on the farm. |
| 4. Beim Fruhstuck liest er immer seine Morgenzeitung. | d) Germany lies in the center of Europe. |
| 5. Die Reise von Russland nach Deutschland mit dem Bus dauert etwa 24 Stunden. | e) I always fly to Russia by plane. |
| 6. An der Grenze werden alle Autos kontrolliert. | f) Doesn't open in my room window. |
| 7. Der Regen störte uns bei den Feldarbeiten. | g) The journey from Russia to Germany by bus takes approximately 24 hours. |
| 8. Nach Russland fliege ich immer mit dem Flugzeug. | h) All vehicles are checked at the border. |
4. Write down all the new words for you in a separate notebook and learn them!
If you have ever studied German, you know that nouns in this language are divided into three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. Why know the gender of a noun? Everything is simple. Without gender, you will not be able to use the word correctly in a sentence.
In this article, you will learn how to easily determine the gender of a German noun, even if you met it for the first time.
How to find out the gender of a German noun by the definite article
If you come across a new noun, you can recognize its gender by the definite article. Each of the three genders in German has its own article.
How to find out the gender of a German noun by suffix
The article method is effective, but what if the noun does not have an article? In this case, the form of the word will help you. Some suffixes correspond to one of the three genders.
masculine
Note that -er is not always a masculine suffix. Sometimes -er can be part of the root of a feminine or neuter noun. Example: die Mutter (mother) or das Fenster (window).
Feminine
Neuter gender
How to find out the gender of a German noun by meaning
If you cannot recognize the gender of a noun by its form or article, the meaning of the word can help you. The fact is that many groups of nouns correspond to only one gender.
masculine
Feminine
Neuter gender
Determine the gender of nouns together
We have paid enough attention to theory, now it is time to apply new knowledge in practice.
Exercise 1: determine the gender of the noun by the article.
Exercise 2: determine the gender of the noun by the suffix.
Exercise 3: determine the gender of a noun by meaning.
More German practice with a native speaker
If you want to learn German but don't know where to start, sign up for first free lesson in our online center. The session will be led by one of our professional tutors from Germany– Christoph Deininger and Eliane Roth. They will be happy to answer all your questions related to the German language and German culture, as well as help you create the optimal class schedule.
A noun in German, as in Russian, has a category of gender: masculine, feminine or neuter. At the same time, the gender of nouns in German and Russian often does not coincide. Therefore, nouns must be memorized with the article, which indicates the gender of the noun.
Remembering the gender of nouns is often difficult. However, many nouns have some features that help determine the gender of these nouns. The gender of nouns can be determined:
- according to the meaning of the word
- in the form of a word
Masculine by value:
- male persons | der Mann (male) |
- male animals | der Bär (bear) |
- sides of the world | der Norden (north) |
- seasons | der Sommer (summer) |
- month names | der Januar (January) |
- days of the week | der Montag (Monday) |
- times of day | der Morgen (morning) but die Nacht (night) |
- precipitation | der Regen (rain) |
– minerals | der Granit (granite) |
- stones | der Rubin (ruby) |
- mountain names | der Harz (Harz) |
- names of lakes | der Baikal (Baikal) |
- alcohol | der Wodka (vodka), but das bier (beer) |
- monetary units | der Euro (euro), but die Kopeke (penny), die Krone (crown), die Mark (mark) |
- celestial bodies | der Mond (moon) but die Venus (Venus) |
- brand names | der Opel, der BMW |
Masculine in form:
-er | der Fahrer (driver) |
-ler | der Sportler (athlete) |
-ner | der Gartner (gardener) |
-ling | der Lehrling (student) |
-s | der Fuchs (fox) |
Note: do not confuse the suffix -er in derivative nouns with words whose root ends in -er: die Mutter, die Tochter, das Fenster, etc.
- Foreign words (mostly animate) with suffixes: | |
-ent | der Student (student) |
-ant | der Laborant (laboratory assistant) |
-ist | der Publicist (publicist) |
-et | der Poet (poet) |
-ot | der Pilot (pilot) |
-at | der Candidate (candidate) |
-soph | der Philosoph (philosopher) |
-nom | der Astronom (astronomer) |
-graph | der Photograph (photographer) |
-eur | der Ingenieur (engineer) |
-ier | der Pionier (pioneer) |
-ar | der Jubilar (jubilee) |
-ar | der Sekretär (Secretary) |
-or | der Doctor (doctor) |
Note: inanimate nouns with suffixes -ent, -at,-et can be both masculine and neuter: der Kontinent - das Patent, der Apparat - das Referat, der Planet - das Alphabet.
Feminine by value:
- female faces | die Frau (female) but das Madchen |
- female animals | die Kuh (cow), but das Huhn (chicken), das Schaf (sheep) |
- tree names | die Birke (birch), but der Ahorn |
- color names | die Aster (aster), but der Mohn (poppy), der Kaktus (cactus) |
- names of berries | die Himbeere (raspberry) |
- names of fruits and vegetables | die Birne (pear), but der Apfel (apple), der Pfirsich (peach), der Kohl (cabbage), der Kürbis (pumpkin) |
- most German rivers | die Elbe, die Oder, die Spree,butder Rhein, der Main, der Neckar |
Feminine in form:
— Nouns with suffixes: | |
-in | die Laborantin (lab assistant) |
-ung | die Übung (exercise) |
-heit | die Freiheit (freedom) |
-keit | die Möglichkeit (opportunity) |
-schaft | die Landschaft (landscape) |
-ei | die Malerei (painting) |
- Foreign words with stressed suffixes: | |
-ie | die Chemie (chemistry) |
-tat | die Universität (university) |
-tion | die Station (station) |
-ur | die Kultur (culture) |
-ik | die Physik (physics) |
-age | die Reportage |
-ade | die Fassade (facade) |
-anz | die Ambulanz (outpatient clinic) |
-enz | die Existenz (existence) |
Note: there are also a number of nouns male ending in -e: der Kollege, der Russe, der Junge, der Name, der Gedanke, der Käse and several nouns neuter: das Ende, das Interesse, das Auge.
neuter by value:
- names of children and cubs | das Kind (child), das Lamm (lamb) |
— metals and alloys | das Silber (silver) but der Stahl (steel), die Bronze (bronze) |
- chemical elements | das Chlor (chlorine), but der Schwefel (sulphur), der Phosphor (phosphorus) |
- continents | (das) Africa, but die Arktis (Arctic), die Antarktis (Antarctic) |
- countries | (das) Deutschland, butder Iran, der Iraq, der Sudan, die BRD, die Schweiz, die Türkei, die Mongolei, die Ukraine, die USA |
- cities | (das) Moscow, but der Haag |
- the names of the islands | (das) Rugen, but die Krim (Crimea) |
- physical units | das Kilowatt (kilowatt) |
- languages | das Russisch (Russian language) |
Middle gender in form:
- Foreign words (objects and abstract concepts) ending in: | |
-(i)um | das Stadium (stadium) |
-ett | das Kabinett (cabinet) |
-ment | das Document (document) |
-ma | das Drama (drama) |
-o | das Kino (cinema) |
— Substantiated infinitives: | das Laufen (run) - from laufen (run) |
These are almost all the rules for determining the gender of a noun in German. However, do not forget that not all nouns fit these rules. The surest way not to get confused when assigning a noun to one gender or another is to simply learn it with the article!
The gender of compound nouns depends on the gender of the main word. The first part of the word is called the defining word, the last part of the compound word is called the main word.
Der Kuchen schrank(kitchen cabinet, kitchen sideboard) = die Küche (kitchen) + der Schrank (cupboard)
The main word of a compound noun can only be a noun. Various parts of speech act as a defining word: a noun in the singular (die Tischlampe - table lamp) and in the plural (der Kräutertee - herbal tea), a verb (das Schlafzimmer - bedroom), an adjective in a short form (der Kurzstreik - short-term strike), preposition (das Nebenamt - part-time position).
The words that make up a compound noun are attached to each other either directly (das Schlafzimmer) or with the help of connecting elements - (e) s (die Lebensmittel), - (e) n (der Küchenschrank).
The gender of compound words also depends on the main word: der PKW = der Personenkraftwagen - a car. In German, some words are abbreviated so that only some part of the word remains - the beginning or the end. For example, die Universität (university) - die Uni, der Autobus (bus) - der Bus. A word abbreviated in this way retains the gender of the full word.
Some nouns have different meanings depending on the gender:
- der See (lake) - die See (sea),
- der Band (volume) - das Band (tape),
- das Steuer (rudder, steering wheel) - die Steuer (tax),
- der Leiter (head) - die Leiter (ladder),
- der Tor (fool) - das Tor (gate),
- der Schild (shield) - das Schild (signboard, tablet),
- der Bauer (peasant) - das Bauer (cage)
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