The idea
Use die Ampel for the nominative singular, die Ampel for the accusative, der Ampel for the dative, and der Ampel for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Ampeln.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Ampel | die Ampeln |
| Akkusativ | die Ampel | die Ampeln |
| Dativ | der Ampel | den Ampeln |
| Genitiv | der Ampel | der Ampeln |
Meaning and useful combinations
Ampel is singular for a traffic-light installation even when English uses plural traffic lights. Ampeln counts several installations.
Useful combinations: an der Ampel warten; eine rote Ampel; die Fußgängerampel. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
das Ampeldie AmpelThis check asks for the nominative singular: die Ampel. In the meaning taught here, Ampel is feminine. The nominative plural is die Ampeln. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Die Ampel an der Schule bleibt lange rot.The traffic light by the school stays red for a long time.
- Ich kann die Ampel hinter dem Bus kaum sehen.I can hardly see the traffic light behind the bus.
- An der Ampel warten mehrere Radfahrer.Several cyclists are waiting at the traffic lights.
- Das Signal der Ampel ist auch hörbar.The traffic light's signal can also be heard.
- Die Ampeln entlang der Strecke wurden erneuert.The traffic lights along the route have been replaced.
- Zwischen den Ampeln liegen nur wenige Meter.There are only a few meters between the traffic lights.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is die Ampel — die Ampeln. Ampel is singular for a traffic-light installation even when English uses plural traffic lights. Ampeln counts several installations.
Try it yourself
___ Ampel (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
die
die: Ampel is feminine.
Plural: die Ampel → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Ampeln
Ampeln: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ampel (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: mit takes the dative, giving mit der Ampel.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Ampel (der / die / das)
Plural: die Ampel → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ampel (dem / der)
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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Read the six situations, identify Ampel and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.