The idea
Use das Ei for the nominative singular, das Ei for the accusative, dem Ei for the dative, and des Eies for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Eiern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Ei | die Eier |
| Akkusativ | das Ei | die Eier |
| Dativ | dem Ei | den Eiern |
| Genitiv | des Eies | der Eier |
Meaning and useful combinations
Ei forms the plural Eier. In recipes zwei Eier is a count; Eiweiß and Eigelb name the separate parts.
Useful combinations: ein Ei kochen; ein rohes Ei; das Eigelb. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Eidas EiThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Ei. In the meaning taught here, Ei is neuter. The nominative plural is die Eier. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Ei im blauen Becher ist weich gekocht.The egg in the blue cup is soft-boiled.
- Für den Teig brauche ich noch ein Ei.I need one more egg for the dough.
- Aus dem Ei schlüpft ein kleines Küken.A little chick hatches from the egg.
- Die Schale des Eies hat einen feinen Riss.The eggshell has a fine crack.
- Die Eier stammen von einem Hof in der Nähe.The eggs come from a nearby farm.
- Auf den Eiern stehen kleine Kennzeichnungen.There are small markings on the eggs.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Ei — die Eier. Ei forms the plural Eier. In recipes zwei Eier is a count; Eiweiß and Eigelb name the separate parts.
Try it yourself
___ Ei (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Ei is neuter.
Plural: das Ei → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Eier
Eier: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ei (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Ei.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Ei (der / die / das)
Plural: das Ei → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ei (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 Ei and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.