The idea
Use das Mädchen for the nominative singular, das Mädchen for the accusative, dem Mädchen for the dative, and des Mädchens for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Mädchen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Mädchen | die Mädchen |
| Akkusativ | das Mädchen | die Mädchen |
| Dativ | dem Mädchen | den Mädchen |
| Genitiv | des Mädchens | der Mädchen |
Meaning and useful combinations
Mädchen is grammatically neuter because of the diminutive ending chen. Grammatical gender and a person's gender are different concepts.
Useful combinations: ein Mädchen; das Mädchen aus der Klasse; mit einem Mädchen sprechen. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Mädchendas MädchenThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Mädchen. In the meaning taught here, Mädchen is neuter. The nominative plural is die Mädchen. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Mädchen mit der Geige spielt die erste Melodie.The girl with the violin plays the first melody.
- Ich sehe das Mädchen am Bücherstand wieder.I see the girl again at the book stall.
- Dem Mädchen gefällt die Geschichte über den Hund.The girl likes the story about the dog.
- Der Rucksack des Mädchens trägt einen bunten Anhänger.The girl's backpack has a colorful tag.
- Die Mädchen bereiten gemeinsam ein Referat vor.The girls prepare a presentation together.
- Zwischen den Mädchen sitzt die Kursleiterin.The course instructor sits between the girls.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Mädchen — die Mädchen. Mädchen is grammatically neuter because of the diminutive ending chen. Grammatical gender and a person's gender are different concepts.
Try it yourself
___ Mädchen (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Mädchen is neuter.
Plural: das Mädchen → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Mädchen
Mädchen: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Mädchen (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Mädchen.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Mädchen (der / die / das)
Plural: das Mädchen → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Mädchen (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 Mädchen and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.