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Adjective endings in German can be challenging because they depend on the noun’s case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive), gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), and number (singular or plural). Mastering these endings helps you sound more natural and precise in German. This guide explains what you need to know about German adjective declension and shows you how to learn these endings step by step.
What Is the German Adjective Declension?
German adjective declension is the system of changing adjective endings based on the noun’s article (definite, indefinite, possessive, or no article) and the case and gender of that noun. These endings signal important grammatical details. If you use the wrong ending, native speakers may still understand you, but it can sound off or confusing.
An adjective in German agrees with its noun in both gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive). This is why learners should already know German articles and German cases for a smoother experience.
German Adjective Endings with ‘Der, Die, Das’ (Definite Articles)
When an adjective comes after a definite article (der, die, das), you usually use the “weak” endings. Below is an image illustrating common endings in each case and gender.
Example Sentences (Definite Articles)
- Der kleine Hund schläft. (Nominative) = The small dog sleeps.
- Ich sehe den kleinen Hund. (Accusative) = I see the small dog.
- Ich helfe dem kleinen Hund. (Dative) = I help the small dog.
You can read more about German adjective declension with definite articles in detail.
Adjective Endings with ‘Ein, Eine’: Learn Indefinite Articles
After an indefinite article (ein, eine) or words like kein, you usually use “mixed” endings, which carry some markers similar to the definite articles.
Example Sentences (Indefinite Articles)
- Ein kleiner Hund schläft. (Nominative) = A small dog sleeps.
- Ich sehe einen kleinen Hund. (Accusative) = I see a small dog.
- Ich helfe einem kleinen Hund. (Dative) = I help a small dog.
You can explore detailed information about German adjective endings with indefinite articles.
Adjective Endings with Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns (like mein, dein, sein, ihr) follow the similar pattern as indefinite articles.
Example Sentences (Possessive Pronouns)
- Mein kleiner Hund ist sehr aktiv. (Nominative) = My small dog is very active.
- Ich füttere meinen kleinen Hund. (Accusative) = I feed my small dog.
- Ich gehe mit meinem kleinen Hund spazieren. (Dative) = I go for a walk with my small dog.
Access in this article explanations about adjective endings with possessive pronouns.
Adjective Endings with Zero Articles
When there is no article at all, you normally use “strong” endings, because these endings carry the grammatical information that would otherwise come from an article.
Example Sentences (Zero Articles)
- Guter Wein schmeckt lecker. (Nominative) = Good wine tastes delicious.
- Ich trinke guten Wein. (Accusative) = I drink good wine.
- Ich spreche mit gutem Freund. (Dative) = I speak with a good friend.
Read more about adjective declination with zero articles.
Common Mistakes with German Adjective Endings
Adjective endings can be tricky, and many learners make the same mistakes. Below are the most frequent errors and how to correct them.
❌ Mistake 1: Wrong Endings After Definite Articles
When using der, die, das, the adjective takes a weak ending (-e or -en).
🔴 Incorrect: Der großer Mann ist nett.
✅ Correct: Der große Mann ist nett.
❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting Strong Endings with No Article
If there is no article, the adjective must show case, gender, and number.
🔴 Incorrect: Ich trinke gut Wein.
✅ Correct: Ich trinke guten Wein.
❌ Mistake 3: Mixing Up Accusative and Dative Forms
Some learners use accusative endings instead of dative endings or vice versa.
🔴 Incorrect: Ich sehe schönem Sand.
✅ Correct: Ich sehe schönen Sand.
❌ Mistake 4: Using Weak Endings After Indefinite Articles
After ein, eine, kein, the adjective takes mixed endings, not weak ones.
🔴 Incorrect: Ein kluge Mann liest ein Buch.
✅ Correct: Ein kluger Mann liest ein Buch.
❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting Plural Endings
Adjectives in the plural must agree with case and article presence.
🔴 Incorrect: Ich sehe die kleine Hunde.
✅ Correct: Ich sehe die kleinen Hunde.
❌ Mistake 6: Ignoring Gender Rules
Some learners guess adjective endings instead of following gender rules.
🔴 Incorrect: Ich mag die schönes Auto.
✅ Correct: Ich mag das schöne Auto.
Practice German Adjective Endings with Free Quizzes
Mastering adjective endings takes practice. Test your knowledge with quizzes designed for different levels. These exercises will help you apply what you’ve learned and avoid common mistakes.
📝 Choose a quiz based on your level:
🎯 Why take these quizzes?
✔ Reinforce weak, mixed, and strong endings
✔ Get immediate feedback on your answers
✔ Learn from real sentence examples
🔗 Start practicing now: Click on a quiz and improve your German adjective skills!
Tips: How to Learn Adjective Endings
- Start with Definite Articles: Learn the endings after der, die, das. This helps you get used to the basic forms.
- Move on to Indefinite Articles: Master ein, eine next. Notice the similarities to definite articles.
- Understand Possessive Pronouns: Recognize they behave much like indefinite articles. Same patterns, just different words (e.g., mein, dein).
- Practice Zero Articles Last: See how strong endings replace missing article information. This final step solidifies all patterns.
- Spot Similarities: Mixed and weak endings often overlap. Identify repeated endings to reduce memorizing everything from scratch.
- Use Quizzes and Exercises: Check out our newest grammar quizzes for German adjective declension. Repetition is the key to long-term memory.
Examples in Sentences:
- Der kleine Mann geht mit der großen Frau ins Kino. (Definite articles)
- Ein kleiner Mann geht mit einer klugen Frau ins Theater. (Indefinite articles)
- Mein kluger Freund liest ein interessantes Buch. (Possessive pronoun)
- Gute Freunde helfen gern. (Zero article, nominative plural)
Conclusion
Adjective endings tie together articles, cases, and genders in German. By learning them systematically—starting with definite, then indefinite, then possessive pronouns, and finally zero-article forms—you build confidence. Reinforce these endings through consistent practice, exercises, and quizzes. Over time, they will become second nature, helping you communicate more accurately and fluently.
FAQ: Adjective Declension
Why does German have Different Adjective Endings?
German adjectives reflect the grammatical information normally carried by articles and cases. These endings indicate whether a noun is masculine, feminine, or neuter and the case used in the sentence.
Are Definite Articles easier than Indefinite Articles?
Many learners start with definite articles because their endings are more straightforward. Indefinite articles and possessive pronouns are similar but require extra attention to detail.
Do I need to memorize all Adjective Endings?
Memorizing patterns helps, but you can also rely on consistent practice. Eventually, you will recognize common endings without conscious effort.
How can I remember Strong, Weak, and Mixed Endings?
“Weak” endings appear with definite articles, “mixed” endings appear with indefinite articles and possessives, and “strong” endings appear with zero articles or after certain words. Think of each pattern as a separate “template.”
Which Step should I learn first?
Begin with definite articles, then move to indefinite articles, possessive pronouns, and zero articles. Notice overlaps to simplify the process.
Where can I practice Adjective Endings?
You can practice on our site with free grammar quizzes. Regular practice cements these endings so you can use them confidently in conversation.
Is there a Difference between “Adjective Declension” and “Adjective Declination”?
These expressions are synonyms and can be used interchangeably.
