The idea
Use das Auto for the nominative singular, das Auto for the accusative, dem Auto for the dative, and des Autos for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Autos.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Auto | die Autos |
| Akkusativ | das Auto | die Autos |
| Dativ | dem Auto | den Autos |
| Genitiv | des Autos | der Autos |
Meaning and useful combinations
Auto is neuter and forms the plural Autos. Mit dem Auto fahren means to travel by car, whether driving or riding.
Useful combinations: mit dem Auto fahren; das Auto parken; ein geliehenes Auto. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Autodas AutoThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Auto. In the meaning taught here, Auto is neuter. The nominative plural is die Autos. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Auto steht heute zwei Straßen weiter.The car is parked two streets away today.
- Wir teilen ein Auto mit einer anderen Familie.We share a car with another family.
- Im Auto liegt noch mein Regenschirm.My umbrella is still in the car.
- Der Motor des Autos springt sofort an.The car's engine starts immediately.
- Die Autos auf diesem Parkplatz gehören zum Betrieb.The cars in this car park belong to the business.
- Zwischen den Autos läuft eine Katze hindurch.A cat walks between the cars.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Auto — die Autos. Auto is neuter and forms the plural Autos. Mit dem Auto fahren means to travel by car, whether driving or riding.
Try it yourself
___ Auto (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Auto is neuter.
Plural: das Auto → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Autos
Autos: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Auto (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Auto.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Auto (der / die / das)
Plural: das Auto → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Auto (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 Auto and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.