An adjective before a noun takes an ending. The ending depends on the article pattern, gender, number and case. This lesson starts with nominative and accusative.
The idea
After der in der kleine Hund, the article already marks masculine nominative and the adjective takes -e. After ein, the adjective supplies the visible masculine marker: ein kleiner Hund. Masculine accusative gives den kleinen Hund and einen kleinen Hund. Without an article, neuter accusative can be frisches Brot. Treat these as patterns, then extend to other cases.
| Nominativ | Akkusativ |
|---|---|
| der kleine Hund | den kleinen Hund |
| ein kleiner Hund | einen kleinen Hund |
| die rote Tasche | die rote Tasche |
| frisches Brot | frisches Brot |
An adjective used as a noun starts with a capital: ein Bekannter. German adjectives as nouns: ein Bekannter, etwas Neues
Examples
- Der kleine Hund schläft.
- Ich sehe den kleinen Hund.
- Ein kleiner Hund kommt.
- Ich sehe einen kleinen Hund.
- Die rote Tasche ist neu.
- Ich kaufe frisches Brot.
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Watch out
An adjective after sein normally has no such ending: Der Hund ist klein. Do not copy endings onto every adjective in a sentence.
Try it yourself
Der klein___ Hund schläft.
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e
After masculine nominative der, klein takes -e: der kleine Hund.
Ich sehe einen klein___ Hund.
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en
After einen in masculine accusative, klein takes -en: einen kleinen Hund.
Ich kaufe frisch___ Brot.
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es
With no article and neuter accusative Brot, frisch takes -es.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Der klein___ Hund schläft.
Ich sehe einen klein___ Hund.
Ich kaufe frisch___ Brot.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Compare a small dog as subject and object, first with der and then with ein. Finally describe a food without an article.