The idea
Use das Brötchen for the nominative singular, das Brötchen for the accusative, dem Brötchen for the dative, and des Brötchens for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Brötchen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Brötchen | die Brötchen |
| Akkusativ | das Brötchen | die Brötchen |
| Dativ | dem Brötchen | den Brötchen |
| Genitiv | des Brötchens | der Brötchen |
Meaning and useful combinations
The diminutive ending chen makes Brötchen neuter. Regional names such as Semmel have their own gender and plural.
Useful combinations: ein belegtes Brötchen; frische Brötchen holen; das Vollkornbrötchen. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Brötchendas BrötchenThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Brötchen. In the meaning taught here, Brötchen is neuter. The nominative plural is die Brötchen. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Brötchen mit dem Mohn ist für Eva.The poppy-seed roll is for Eva.
- Ich nehme ein Brötchen mit Käse mit.I take a cheese roll with me.
- Auf dem Brötchen liegt eine Scheibe Gurke.There is a slice of cucumber on the roll.
- Die Unterseite des Brötchens ist dunkel.The underside of the roll is dark.
- Morgens holen wir sechs frische Brötchen.In the morning we fetch six fresh rolls.
- Zwischen den Brötchen liegt ein kleines Gebäckstück.There is a small pastry among the rolls.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Brötchen — die Brötchen. The diminutive ending chen makes Brötchen neuter. Regional names such as Semmel have their own gender and plural.
Try it yourself
___ Brötchen (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Brötchen is neuter.
Plural: das Brötchen → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Brötchen
Brötchen: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Brötchen (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Brötchen.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Brötchen (der / die / das)
Plural: das Brötchen → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Brötchen (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 Brötchen and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.