The idea
Use das Messer for the nominative singular, das Messer for the accusative, dem Messer for the dative, and des Messers for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Messern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Messer | die Messer |
| Akkusativ | das Messer | die Messer |
| Dativ | dem Messer | den Messern |
| Genitiv | des Messers | der Messer |
Meaning and useful combinations
Messer is neuter and has an unchanged plural. Ein scharfes Messer uses the neuter adjective ending es.
Useful combinations: ein scharfes Messer; mit dem Messer schneiden; das Brotmesser. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Messerdas MesserThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Messer. In the meaning taught here, Messer is neuter. The nominative plural is die Messer. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Messer mit dem schwarzen Griff ist stumpf.The knife with the black handle is blunt.
- Benutze ein scharfes Messer für die Tomaten.Use a sharp knife for the tomatoes.
- Mit dem Messer schneide ich dünne Scheiben ab.I cut off thin slices with the knife.
- Die Klinge des Messers ist aus Stahl.The knife's blade is made of steel.
- Die scharfen Messer bewahren wir getrennt auf.We store the sharp knives separately.
- An den Messern hängen keine Preisschilder mehr.There are no longer any price tags on the knives.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Messer — die Messer. Messer is neuter and has an unchanged plural. Ein scharfes Messer uses the neuter adjective ending es.
Try it yourself
___ Messer (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Messer is neuter.
Plural: das Messer → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Messer
Messer: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Messer (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Messer.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Messer (der / die / das)
Plural: das Messer → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Messer (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 Messer and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.