The idea
Use das Bett for the nominative singular, das Bett for the accusative, dem Bett for the dative, and des Bettes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Betten.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Bett | die Betten |
| Akkusativ | das Bett | die Betten |
| Dativ | dem Bett | den Betten |
| Genitiv | des Bettes | der Betten |
Meaning and useful combinations
Ins Bett gehen describes going to bed; im Bett bleiben describes staying there. The plural Betten adds en to Bett.
Useful combinations: ins Bett gehen; im Bett bleiben; das Bett machen. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Bettdas BettThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Bett. In the meaning taught here, Bett is neuter. The nominative plural is die Betten. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Bett steht unter der Dachschräge.The bed is under the sloping ceiling.
- Heute gehe ich ungewöhnlich früh ins Bett.Today I am going to bed unusually early.
- Neben dem Bett steht ein Glas Wasser.There is a glass of water beside the bed.
- Die Matratze des Bettes ist zu weich.The bed's mattress is too soft.
- Im Schlafraum stehen acht Betten.There are eight beds in the dormitory.
- Zwischen den Betten ist wenig Platz.There is little space between the beds.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Bett — die Betten. Ins Bett gehen describes going to bed; im Bett bleiben describes staying there. The plural Betten adds en to Bett.
Try it yourself
___ Bett (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Bett is neuter.
Plural: das Bett → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Betten
Betten: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Bett (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Bett.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Bett (der / die / das)
Plural: das Bett → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Bett (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 Bett and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.