The idea
Use das Bein for the nominative singular, das Bein for the accusative, dem Bein for the dative, and des Beines for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Beinen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Bein | die Beine |
| Akkusativ | das Bein | die Beine |
| Dativ | dem Bein | den Beinen |
| Genitiv | des Beines | der Beine |
Meaning and useful combinations
Bein can name a human or animal leg and a furniture leg. Arm is masculine, but Bein is neuter.
Useful combinations: ein Bein heben; auf einem Bein stehen; das Tischbein. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Beindas BeinThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Bein. In the meaning taught here, Bein is neuter. The nominative plural is die Beine. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Bein des Tisches wackelt leicht.The table leg wobbles slightly.
- Ich hebe das rechte Bein für die Gleichgewichtsübung.I raise my right leg for the balance exercise.
- Auf einem Bein stehen fällt mir heute schwer.Standing on one leg is difficult for me today.
- Die Länge des Beines passt nicht zur Zeichnung.The leg's length does not match the drawing.
- Die Beine des Hockers sind aus Metall.The stool's legs are made of metal.
- Zwischen den Beinen des Tisches liegt der Hund.The dog is lying between the table legs.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Bein — die Beine. Bein can name a human or animal leg and a furniture leg. Arm is masculine, but Bein is neuter.
Try it yourself
___ Bein (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Bein is neuter.
Plural: das Bein → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Beine
Beine: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Bein (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Bein.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Bein (der / die / das)
Plural: das Bein → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Bein (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 Bein and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.