Table of Contents
Introduction
Mastering German grammar can be a challenging yet rewarding journey, especially when it comes to nuanced topics like the N-Deklination (N-Declension). Understanding this unique declension pattern is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in the German language.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll focus on the German N-Declension by exploring its rules, providing clear charts and examples, and offering a free quiz to test your knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the tools you need to confidently use N-Declension nouns in your everyday conversations and writing.
What is the German N-Declension (N-Deklination)?
N-Deklination, also known as the N-declension, is a feature of German grammar that involves certain masculine nouns taking an “-n” or “-en” ending in certain cases. Most nouns with n- declension end with an „e“ in the nominative. As you can see in the chart, the genitive, dative, and accusative in Singular and plural are having the same ending.
| Case | Singular | Plural |
| Nominative | der Junge | die Jungen |
| Genitive | des Jungen | der Jungen |
| Dative | dem Jungen | den Jungen |
| Accusative | den Jungen | die Jungen |
The Rules of N-Deklination
To figure out the n-declension in German you can apply these rules:
- Always male nouns
- Most nouns are ending with an “e”
Here you can see more specific rules for the N-Deklination:
| Characteristic | Examples |
| People, job titles, nationalities | der Kollege, der Postbote, der Kroate, der Deutsche, der Junge |
| Animals | der Rabe, der Hase, der Löwe, der Affe |
| Noun ends with –and | Proband, Doktorand |
| Noun ends with –ant | der Kommandant, Sekundant, der Demonstrant, der Informant, der Repräsentant, der Garant, der Praktikant |
| Noun ends with –ent | der Student, der Präsident, der Dozent, der Referent, der Klient, der Patient, der Assistent |
| Noun ends with –oge | der Biologe, der Geologe, der Psychologe, der Archäologe, der Ökologe, der Kardiologe, der Radiologe, der Neurologe, der Meteorologe, der Pathologe, der Astrologe, der Zoologe |
| Noun ends with –ad | der Kamerad |
| Noun ends with –at | der Soldat, der Bürokrat, der Akrobat, der Kandidat |
| Noun ends with –ist | der Journalist, der Pianist, der Florist, der Tourist, der Aktivist, der Kommunist, der Altruist, der Egoist |
| Exceptions | der Architekt, der Bär, der Bauer, der Buchstabe, der Fotograf, der Fürst, der Graf, der Held, der Herr, der Mensch, der Nachbar, der Narr, der Pilot, der Prinz, der Rebell |
Example sentences with N-Deklination
In the following chart, you can see an example sentence for each rule.
| Characteristic | Example Sentence | English |
| People, job titles, nationalities | Du bekommst den Brief von dem Postboten. | You get the letter from the postman. |
| Animals | Die Federn des Raben sind schwarz. | The raven’s feathers are black. |
| Noun ends with -and | Der Forscher spricht mit dem Probanden. | The researcher talks to the test person. |
| Noun ends with -ant | Die Arbeit des Praktikanten ist langweilig. | The intern’s job is boring. |
| Noun ends with -ent | Der Arzt behandelt den Patienten. | The doctor treats the patient. |
| Noun ends with -oge | Die Praxis des Psychologen ist sehr groß. | The psychologist’s office is very large. |
| Noun ends with -ad | Der Mann denkt an seinen Kameraden. | The man thinks of his comrade. |
| Noun ends with -at | Die Frau wartet auf den Bürokraten. | The woman is waiting for the bureaucrat. |
| Noun ends with -ist | Die Reiseziele des Touristen sind sehr vielseitig. | Tourist destinations of the tourist are very diverse. |
| Exceptions | Die Bilder des Fotografen sind sehr schön. | The photographer’s pictures are very beautiful. |
Common Mistakes with N-Deklination and How to Avoid Them
Mastering the N-Deklination in German can be difficult. Below are the most common mistakes and how to correct them.
1. Forgetting the “-n” or “en” Ending the Accusative Case
In N-Deklination, masculine nouns require an -n or -en ending in the accusative case.
❌ Ich sehe den Student.
✅ Ich sehe den Studenten. (I see the student.)
❌ Er kennt den Löwe.
✅ Er kennt den Löwen. (He knows the lion.)
2. Incorrect Genitive or Dative Case Ending
In the genitive, and dative case, the noun must also take an -n or -en ending.
❌ Sie hilft dem Patient.
✅ Sie hilft dem Patienten. (She helps the patient.)
❌ Er gibt dem Junge ein Buch.
✅ Er gibt dem Jungen ein Buch. (He gives the boy a book.)
3. Using the Wrong Ending in Plural Forms
The plural form of N-Deklination nouns always ends in -n or -en even in the nominative case.
❌ Die Student sind in der Bibliothek.
✅ Die Studenten sind in der Bibliothek. (The students are in the library.)
❌ Er spricht mit die Biologe.
✅ Er spricht mit den Biologen. (He speaks with the biologists.)
4. Misapplying N-Deklination to Feminine or Neuter Nouns
Only masculine nouns follow N-Deklination.
❌ Ich sehe die Präsidenten. (Incorrect for a female president!)
✅ Ich sehe die Präsidentin. (I see the female president.)
How to Avoid These Mistakes
- Always check if a noun is masculine.
- Memorize common endings (-e, -ant, -ist, -oge, etc.) to recognize these nouns faster.
- Remember that accusative, dative, and genitive cases always require an “-n” or “-en” ending.
- In plural forms, add “-n” or “en” to all cases.
By understanding these patterns, you can avoid errors and improve your German grammar accuracy. Want to test your knowledge? Try our free N-Deklination quiz!
Free N-Declension Quiz
Did you understand everything? Practice the topic with the help of our free quiz: here.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a solid understanding of the N-Declension and how to apply its rules to various nouns. We’ve covered the fundamental principles, examined detailed charts, and walked through practical examples to reinforce your learning. Don’t forget to take our free quiz to test your comprehension and solidify your grasp of this important grammatical concept.
FAQ
What is the N-Declension?
It is a grammatical feature in German where certain masculine nouns take an “-n” or “-en” ending in the genitive, dative, and accusative cases, both in singular and plural forms.
Which Nouns follow the N-Deklination rules?
The N-Deklination typiapplies to masculine nouns, especially those ending in “-e” in the nominative case. Common categories include nouns related to people, job titles, nationalities, and certain animals.
Are there specific endings that indicate a noun follows N-Deklination?
Yes, nouns that end in “-and,” “-ant,” “-ent,” “-oge,” “-ad,” “-at,” and “-ist” often follow N-Deklination. For example, “der Student” (the student) becomes “dem Studenten” in the dative case.
Are there any exceptions to the N-Deklination rules?
Yes, there are a few exceptions, such as “der Bär” (the bear), “der Herr” (the gentleman), and “der Nachbar” (the neighbor), which follow N-declension despite not fitting the typical patterns.
How can I practice N-Deklination?
You can test your understanding by taking our free N-Deklination quiz, available here.
