The idea
Use die Kartoffel for the nominative singular, die Kartoffel for the accusative, der Kartoffel for the dative, and der Kartoffel for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Kartoffeln.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Kartoffel | die Kartoffeln |
| Akkusativ | die Kartoffel | die Kartoffeln |
| Dativ | der Kartoffel | den Kartoffeln |
| Genitiv | der Kartoffel | der Kartoffeln |
Meaning and useful combinations
Kartoffel forms its plural with n rather than en after the final el. Kartoffelpüree is neuter because Püree is neuter.
Useful combinations: Kartoffeln schälen; eine gekochte Kartoffel; das Kartoffelpüree. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
das Kartoffeldie KartoffelThis check asks for the nominative singular: die Kartoffel. In the meaning taught here, Kartoffel is feminine. The nominative plural is die Kartoffeln. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Die Kartoffel ist innen noch fest.The potato is still firm inside.
- Schneide die Kartoffel in gleichmäßige Würfel.Cut the potato into even cubes.
- Mit einer großen Kartoffel reicht die Suppe für zwei.With one large potato the soup is enough for two people.
- Die Schale der Kartoffel lässt sich leicht lösen.The potato skin comes off easily.
- Die Kartoffeln kochen seit zehn Minuten.The potatoes have been cooking for ten minutes.
- Zwischen den Kartoffeln liegen ein paar Rosmarinzweige.There are a few sprigs of rosemary among the potatoes.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is die Kartoffel — die Kartoffeln. Kartoffel forms its plural with n rather than en after the final el. Kartoffelpüree is neuter because Püree is neuter.
Try it yourself
___ Kartoffel (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
die
die: Kartoffel is feminine.
Plural: die Kartoffel → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Kartoffeln
Kartoffeln: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kartoffel (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: mit takes the dative, giving mit der Kartoffel.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Kartoffel (der / die / das)
Plural: die Kartoffel → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kartoffel (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 Kartoffel and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.