Master German N-Declension (N-Deklination): Rules, Examples & Quiz

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

Focused learner taking notes on German N-Declension (N-Deklination) with a laptop, studying key grammar concepts.

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.

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.