The idea
Use der Koffer for the nominative singular, den Koffer for the accusative, dem Koffer for the dative, and des Koffers for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Koffern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Koffer | die Koffer |
| Akkusativ | den Koffer | die Koffer |
| Dativ | dem Koffer | den Koffern |
| Genitiv | des Koffers | der Koffer |
Meaning and useful combinations
Koffer keeps the same plural form. Koffern is the dative plural; Reisegepäck is a collective word for luggage.
Useful combinations: einen Koffer packen; den Koffer öffnen; der Rollkoffer. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Kofferder KofferThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Koffer. In the meaning taught here, Koffer is masculine. The nominative plural is die Koffer. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Koffer rollt auf dem glatten Boden leicht.The suitcase rolls easily on the smooth floor.
- Ich wiege den Koffer vor der Abfahrt.I weigh the suitcase before departure.
- In dem Koffer liegt ein zerbrechliches Geschenk.There is a fragile gift in the suitcase.
- Das Schloss des Koffers hat drei Ziffern.The suitcase lock has three digits.
- Die Koffer stehen bereits im Eingangsbereich.The suitcases are already in the entrance area.
- An den Koffern sind neue Adressanhänger befestigt.New address tags are attached to the suitcases.
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 Koffer — die Koffer. Koffer keeps the same plural form. Koffern is the dative plural; Reisegepäck is a collective word for luggage.
Try it yourself
___ Koffer (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Koffer is masculine.
Plural: der Koffer → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Koffer
Koffer: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Koffer (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Koffer.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Koffer (der / die / das)
Plural: der Koffer → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Koffer (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 Koffer and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.