The idea
Use der Knopf for the nominative singular, den Knopf for the accusative, dem Knopf for the dative, and des Knopfes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Knöpfen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Knopf | die Knöpfe |
| Akkusativ | den Knopf | die Knöpfe |
| Dativ | dem Knopf | den Knöpfen |
| Genitiv | des Knopfes | der Knöpfe |
Meaning and useful combinations
Knopf can be a clothing button or a control button. Taste often names a keyboard or flat control key.
Useful combinations: einen Knopf annähen; den Knopf drücken; der Ersatzknopf. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Knopfder KnopfThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Knopf. In the meaning taught here, Knopf is masculine. The nominative plural is die Knöpfe. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Knopf am Ärmel sitzt locker.The button on the sleeve is loose.
- Ich nähe den Knopf mit blauem Garn an.I sew on the button with blue thread.
- Unter dem Knopf ist der Stoff eingerissen.The fabric is torn beneath the button.
- Die Farbe des Knopfes passt genau zur Jacke.The button's color matches the jacket exactly.
- Die Knöpfe der Fernbedienung sind gut zu erkennen.The buttons on the remote control are easy to see.
- Zwischen den Knöpfen hat sich Staub gesammelt.Dust has collected between the buttons.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
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 der Knopf — die Knöpfe. Knopf can be a clothing button or a control button. Taste often names a keyboard or flat control key.
Try it yourself
___ Knopf (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Knopf is masculine.
Plural: der Knopf → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Knöpfe
Knöpfe: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Knopf (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Knopf.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Knopf (der / die / das)
Plural: der Knopf → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Knopf (dem / der)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Read the six situations, identify Knopf and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.