The idea
Use der Kopf for the nominative singular, den Kopf for the accusative, dem Kopf for the dative, and des Kopfes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Köpfen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Kopf | die Köpfe |
| Akkusativ | den Kopf | die Köpfe |
| Dativ | dem Kopf | den Köpfen |
| Genitiv | des Kopfes | der Köpfe |
Meaning and useful combinations
Kopf has umlaut plural Köpfe. Den Kopf schütteln means shaking one's head; nicken means nodding.
Useful combinations: den Kopf drehen; den Kopf schütteln; im Kopf rechnen. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Kopfder KopfThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Kopf. In the meaning taught here, Kopf is masculine. The nominative plural is die Köpfe. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Kopf der Statue ist aus hellem Stein.The statue's head is made of pale stone.
- Ich drehe den Kopf zur sprechenden Person.I turn my head toward the person speaking.
- Auf dem Kopf trägt er einen weiten Hut.He wears a wide hat on his head.
- Die Haltung des Kopfes verändert den Blickwinkel.The position of the head changes the viewing angle.
- Die Köpfe der Puppen lassen sich drehen.The dolls' heads can be turned.
- Über den Köpfen hängen bunte Papiergirlanden.Colorful paper garlands hang above the heads.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Kopf — die Köpfe. Kopf has umlaut plural Köpfe. Den Kopf schütteln means shaking one's head; nicken means nodding.
Try it yourself
___ Kopf (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Kopf is masculine.
Plural: der Kopf → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Köpfe
Köpfe: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kopf (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Kopf.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Kopf (der / die / das)
Plural: der Kopf → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Kopf (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 Kopf and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.