The idea
Use das Kind for the nominative singular, das Kind for the accusative, dem Kind for the dative, and des Kindes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Kindern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Kind | die Kinder |
| Akkusativ | das Kind | die Kinder |
| Dativ | dem Kind | den Kindern |
| Genitiv | des Kindes | der Kinder |
Meaning and useful combinations
Kind has neuter grammatical gender regardless of the child's gender. Kinder is an er plural without an umlaut.
Useful combinations: ein Kind abholen; mit einem Kind sprechen; das Schulkind. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Kinddas KindThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Kind. In the meaning taught here, Kind is neuter. The nominative plural is die Kinder. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Kind baut einen Turm aus Holzklötzen.The child builds a tower from wooden blocks.
- Ich hole das Kind nach dem Kurs ab.I collect the child after the course.
- Mit dem Kind bespreche ich den Weg zur Schule.I discuss the route to school with the child.
- Die Jacke des Kindes hängt am niedrigen Haken.The child's jacket hangs on the low hook.
- Die Kinder malen Bilder für das Sommerfest.The children paint pictures for the summer party.
- Bei den Kindern kommt die neue Geschichte gut an.The new story is popular with the children.
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No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Kind — die Kinder. Kind has neuter grammatical gender regardless of the child's gender. Kinder is an er plural without an umlaut.
Try it yourself
___ Kind (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Kind is neuter.
Plural: das Kind → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Kinder
Kinder: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kind (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Kind.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Kind (der / die / das)
Plural: das Kind → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kind (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 Kind and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.