Schuh is masculine in German — the correct article is der. The plural is die Schuhe. In English, Schuh means shoe.Der Schuh is one of the most foundational words in German clothing vocabulary, learned right at the A1 level. You will use it constantly when talking about dressing, shopping, or weather. Below you'll find the full declension, example sentences, and a quiz.
Gender rule: There is no absolute ending-based rule for Schuh — the article must be memorized. However, many short, monosyllabic nouns in German tend to be masculine. See all gender patterns in the Article Rules and a full overview at the German Articles.
Schuh — Declension Table
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Schuh | die Schuhe |
| Genitive | des Schuhs / des Schuhes | der Schuhe |
| Dative | dem Schuh | den Schuhen |
| Accusative | den Schuh | die Schuhe |
Example Sentences with Schuh
Der linke Schuh ist nass geworden.
(The left shoe got wet.) — Nominative
Er putzt den Schuh vor dem Ausgehen.
(He cleans the shoe before going out.) — Accusative
An dem Schuh klebt ein Kaugummi.
(There is a chewing gum stuck to the shoe.) — Dative
Die Sohle des Schuhs hat ein Loch.
(The sole of the shoe has a hole.) — Genitive
Die Schuhe stehen ordentlich im Regal.
(The shoes are standing neatly on the shelf.) — Nominative Plural
Mit den neuen Schuhen läuft es sich viel besser.
(Walking is much better with the new shoes.) — Dative Plural
Related Words & Compounds
Word family (Wortfamilie): das Schühchen (little shoe — diminutive), das Schuhwerk (footwear)
Common compounds (Komposita): der Hausschuh (slipper), der Sportschuh (sports shoe), der Handschuh (glove), der Turnschuh (sneaker)
Common Mistake with Schuh
❌ Common mistake: Die Schuhen sind sehr bequem.
✅ Correct: Die Schuhe sind sehr bequem.
💡 Why: The standard plural form is die Schuhe. You only add the extra "-n" in the dative plural case (e.g., mit den Schuhen). Using "die Schuhen" in the nominative or accusative case is a very frequent grammatical error among learners.
Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Can you get all three right? Apply what you've learned above.
1. Die Farbe ___ passt nicht zur Hose.
- A) dem Schuh
- B) des Schuhs
- C) den Schuh
Check Answer
"Die Farbe des Schuhs" — the genitive shows possession (the color of what?). Masculine genitive = des + noun adds -s: des Schuhs.
2. Er sucht ___ schon den ganzen Morgen.
- A) der Schuh
- B) dem Schuh
- C) den Schuh
Check Answer
"Suchen" takes an accusative object (what is he looking for?). Masculine accusative = den: den Schuh.
3. Ein gut___ Schuh ist wichtig beim Wandern.
- A) -er
- B) -e
- C) -en
Check Answer
After the indefinite article ein in the nominative masculine, the adjective ending is -er: ein guter Schuh.
Want to practice more nouns like this? The Article Trainer has 600+ nouns to drill — including everyday vocabulary. Pick the article, get instant feedback, and stop guessing.
More Clothing Nouns & Vocabulary
- der Mantel — the coat
- die Jacke — the jacket
- die Hose — the pants
- der Pullover — the sweater
- das Kleid — the dress
- der Hut — the hat
For more themed words, explore the Vocabulary overview list, check out the full clothing vocabulary, or browse the grammar overview.
Is it der, die, or das Kollege? Practice makes perfect.
The Article Trainer gives you 600+ nouns to drill — including everyday vocabulary. Pick the article, get instant feedback, and stop guessing.
Practice German Articles →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Schuh masculine, feminine, or neuter in German?
Schuh is masculine — the correct article is der. Because it is a short, monosyllabic noun without a specific ending, there is no strict rule to determine its gender. It must be memorized: der Schuh. This gender applies to all compounds: der Hausschuh, der Sportschuh, der Handschuh.
What is the plural of Schuh?
The plural is die Schuhe. Like many masculine nouns, the plural is formed by adding an -e. A very common mistake is adding an extra "-n" (die Schuhen). The only time you add the "-n" is in the dative plural: den Schuhen.
What is the difference between Schuh and Stiefel?
Der Schuh is the general term for a shoe, typically covering the foot up to the ankle. Der Stiefel refers to a boot, which extends further up the leg, covering the ankle and sometimes reaching the knee or higher.
