The idea
Use der Hof for the nominative singular, den Hof for the accusative, dem Hof for the dative, and des Hofes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Höfen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Hof | die Höfe |
| Akkusativ | den Hof | die Höfe |
| Dativ | dem Hof | den Höfen |
| Genitiv | des Hofes | der Höfe |
Meaning and useful combinations
Hof can mean a courtyard or a farm. The building context decides which meaning is intended.
Useful combinations: im Hof; auf dem Hof; ein gepflasterter Hof. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Hofder HofThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Hof. In the meaning taught here, Hof is masculine. The nominative plural is die Höfe. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Hof hinter dem Theater ist öffentlich zugänglich.The courtyard behind the theater is open to the public.
- Wir überqueren den Hof auf dem Weg zur Werkstatt.We cross the courtyard on the way to the workshop.
- Im Hof stehen zwei Kastanien.Two chestnut trees stand in the courtyard.
- Das Tor des Hofes wird nachts abgeschlossen.The courtyard gate is locked at night.
- Die Höfe in diesem Viertel sind oft begrünt.The courtyards in this neighborhood often have plants.
- Zwischen den Höfen gibt es schmale Durchgänge.There are narrow passageways between the courtyards.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Hof — die Höfe. Hof can mean a courtyard or a farm. The building context decides which meaning is intended.
Try it yourself
___ Hof (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Hof is masculine.
Plural: der Hof → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Höfe
Höfe: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Hof (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Hof.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Hof (der / die / das)
Plural: der Hof → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Hof (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 Hof and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.