The idea
Use das Kleid for the nominative singular, das Kleid for the accusative, dem Kleid for the dative, and des Kleides for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Kleidern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Kleid | die Kleider |
| Akkusativ | das Kleid | die Kleider |
| Dativ | dem Kleid | den Kleidern |
| Genitiv | des Kleides | der Kleider |
Meaning and useful combinations
Ein Kleid usually means a dress. Kleider can mean dresses and, in broader or older usage, clothes.
Useful combinations: ein Kleid anziehen; ein festliches Kleid; das Sommerkleid. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Kleiddas KleidThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Kleid. In the meaning taught here, Kleid is neuter. The nominative plural is die Kleider. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Kleid hat einen schmalen Gürtel.The dress has a narrow belt.
- Ich leihe mir ein Kleid für die Feier.I borrow a dress for the celebration.
- Zu dem Kleid passen flache Schuhe.Flat shoes go well with the dress.
- Der Rücken des Kleides ist offen.The back of the dress is open.
- Die Kleider für das Theaterstück hängen bereit.The dresses for the play are hanging ready.
- An den Kleidern sind die Namen der Figuren befestigt.The characters' names are attached to the dresses.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Kleid — die Kleider. Ein Kleid usually means a dress. Kleider can mean dresses and, in broader or older usage, clothes.
Try it yourself
___ Kleid (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Kleid is neuter.
Plural: das Kleid → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Kleider
Kleider: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kleid (dem / der)
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dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Kleid.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Kleid (der / die / das)
Plural: das Kleid → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kleid (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 Kleid and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.