The idea
Use das Amt for the nominative singular, das Amt for the accusative, dem Amt for the dative, and des Amtes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Ämtern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Amt | die Ämter |
| Akkusativ | das Amt | die Ämter |
| Dativ | dem Amt | den Ämtern |
| Genitiv | des Amtes | der Ämter |
Meaning and useful combinations
Amt can mean a public office or an official position. Behörde names an administrative authority; the words are related but not always interchangeable.
Useful combinations: bei einem Amt; ein öffentliches Amt; das Bürgeramt. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Amtdas AmtThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Amt. In the meaning taught here, Amt is neuter. The nominative plural is die Ämter. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Amt hat seine Besucherzeiten geändert.The public office has changed its visiting hours.
- Ich kontaktiere das Amt zunächst schriftlich.I contact the office in writing first.
- Bei dem Amt frage ich nach der zuständigen Abteilung.At the office I ask for the responsible department.
- Die Telefonnummer des Amtes steht im Verzeichnis.The office's telephone number is in the directory.
- Die Ämter im Gebäude haben getrennte Eingänge.The public offices in the building have separate entrances.
- Zwischen den Ämtern werden Termine nicht automatisch übertragen.Appointments are not automatically transferred between the offices.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Amt — die Ämter. Amt can mean a public office or an official position. Behörde names an administrative authority; the words are related but not always interchangeable.
Try it yourself
___ Amt (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Amt is neuter.
Plural: das Amt → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Ämter
Ämter: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Amt (dem / der)
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dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Amt.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Amt (der / die / das)
Plural: das Amt → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Amt (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 Amt and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.