The idea
Use das Gelenk for the nominative singular, das Gelenk for the accusative, dem Gelenk for the dative, and des Gelenks for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Gelenken.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Gelenk | die Gelenke |
| Akkusativ | das Gelenk | die Gelenke |
| Dativ | dem Gelenk | den Gelenken |
| Genitiv | des Gelenks | der Gelenke |
Meaning and useful combinations
Gelenk can name a body joint or a joint in a mechanism. The word alone does not identify a medical problem.
Useful combinations: ein bewegliches Gelenk; das Handgelenk; das Gelenk der Lampe. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Gelenkdas GelenkThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Gelenk. In the meaning taught here, Gelenk is neuter. The nominative plural is die Gelenke. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Gelenk der Schreibtischlampe ist locker.The desk lamp's joint is loose.
- Ich bewege das Gelenk des Modells vorsichtig.I carefully move the model's joint.
- An dem Gelenk sitzt eine kleine Schraube.There is a small screw at the joint.
- Die Beweglichkeit des Gelenks wird im Modell gezeigt.The joint's mobility is shown in the model.
- Die Gelenke der Puppe lassen sich in mehrere Richtungen bewegen.The doll's joints can move in several directions.
- Zwischen den Gelenken liegen feste Verbindungsteile.Rigid connecting parts lie between the joints.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Gelenk — die Gelenke. Gelenk can name a body joint or a joint in a mechanism. The word alone does not identify a medical problem.
Try it yourself
___ Gelenk (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Gelenk is neuter.
Plural: das Gelenk → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Gelenke
Gelenke: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Gelenk (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Gelenk.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Gelenk (der / die / das)
Plural: das Gelenk → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Gelenk (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 Gelenk and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.