The idea
Use das Buch for the nominative singular, das Buch for the accusative, dem Buch for the dative, and des Buches for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Büchern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Buch | die Bücher |
| Akkusativ | das Buch | die Bücher |
| Dativ | dem Buch | den Büchern |
| Genitiv | des Buches | der Bücher |
Meaning and useful combinations
Buch forms Bücher with an umlaut and er. Buchhandlung is feminine because Handlung is the final element.
Useful combinations: ein Buch ausleihen; in einem Buch lesen; das Wörterbuch. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Buchdas BuchThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Buch. In the meaning taught here, Buch is neuter. The nominative plural is die Bücher. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Buch über alte Handwerksberufe ist sehr anschaulich.The book about old trades is very vivid.
- Ich leihe das Buch für unsere Projektwoche aus.I borrow the book for our project week.
- In dem Buch steckt ein handgeschriebener Zettel.There is a handwritten note inside the book.
- Der Titel des Buches klingt wie eine Frage.The book's title sounds like a question.
- Die Bücher auf dem unteren Regal sind für Anfänger.The books on the lower shelf are for beginners.
- Zwischen den Büchern steht ein kleines Holzhaus.A small wooden house stands between the books.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Buch — die Bücher. Buch forms Bücher with an umlaut and er. Buchhandlung is feminine because Handlung is the final element.
Try it yourself
___ Buch (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Buch is neuter.
Plural: das Buch → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Bücher
Bücher: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Buch (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Buch.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Buch (der / die / das)
Plural: das Buch → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Buch (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 Buch and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.