The idea
Use der Keller for the nominative singular, den Keller for the accusative, dem Keller for the dative, and des Kellers for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Kellern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Keller | die Keller |
| Akkusativ | den Keller | die Keller |
| Dativ | dem Keller | den Kellern |
| Genitiv | des Kellers | der Keller |
Meaning and useful combinations
Keller has the same form in singular and plural. Im Keller is a location; in den Keller is a destination.
Useful combinations: im Keller lagern; in den Keller gehen; der Fahrradkeller. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Kellerder KellerThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Keller. In the meaning taught here, Keller is masculine. The nominative plural is die Keller. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Keller ist nach dem Regen feucht.The cellar is damp after the rain.
- Wir räumen den Keller am Samstag auf.We are clearing out the cellar on Saturday.
- Im Keller lagern die Apfelkisten.The crates of apples are stored in the cellar.
- Das Fenster des Kellers ist vergittert.The cellar window has bars.
- Die Keller der alten Häuser sind miteinander verbunden.The cellars of the old houses are connected.
- In diesen Kellern darf nichts Brennbares stehen.Nothing flammable may be stored in these cellars.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Keller — die Keller. Keller has the same form in singular and plural. Im Keller is a location; in den Keller is a destination.
Try it yourself
___ Keller (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Keller is masculine.
Plural: der Keller → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Keller
Keller: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Keller (dem / der)
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dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Keller.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Keller (der / die / das)
Plural: der Keller → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Keller (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 Keller and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.