The genitive links one noun to another, as in the roof of a house or the end of a journey.
The idea
Masculine and neuter articles become des or eines; many corresponding nouns add s or es. Feminine and plural articles become der. Names commonly add s without an apostrophe.
| Form / Muster | Beispiel / Gegensatz |
|---|---|
| maskulin | des Mannes / eines Mannes |
| neutral | des Kindes / eines Kindes |
| feminin | der Frau / einer Frau |
| Plural | der Gäste |
Examples
- Das Fahrrad des Lehrers ist blau.
- Die Tür der Wohnung klemmt.
- Wir kennen den Namen des Kindes.
- Das Ende der Reise war schön.
- Die Taschen der Gäste stehen hier.
- Lenas Schlüssel liegt im Flur.
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Watch out
Do not change only the article: masculine and neuter genitive nouns often need an ending too, as in des Kindes. Feminine nouns keep their form in der Tasche.
Try it yourself
Das Dach ___ Hauses ist alt. (des / dem)
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des
Answer: “des”. The dependent noun phrase is genitive; masculine and neuter nouns commonly add s or es.
Die Farbe ___ Tasche gefällt mir. (der / die)
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der
“Der” is the feminine singular genitive article. Tasche is feminine, so its article changes from die to der; the noun itself does not add s or es.
Das Zimmer des ___ ist klein. (Kind / Kindes)
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Kindes
Answer: “Kindes”. The dependent noun phrase is genitive; masculine and neuter nouns commonly add s or es.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Das Dach ___ Hauses ist alt. (des / dem)
Die Farbe ___ Tasche gefällt mir. (der / die)
Das Zimmer des ___ ist klein. (Kind / Kindes)
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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Use “Das Fahrrad des Lehrers ist blau.” as a model. Replace the noun phrase with two new people or objects, then explain which case each replacement needs.