The idea
Use der Nachbar for the nominative singular, den Nachbarn for the accusative, dem Nachbarn for the dative, and des Nachbarn for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Nachbarn.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Nachbar | die Nachbarn |
| Akkusativ | den Nachbarn | die Nachbarn |
| Dativ | dem Nachbarn | den Nachbarn |
| Genitiv | des Nachbarn | der Nachbarn |
Meaning and useful combinations
Nachbar commonly has n in the oblique singular forms and plural. Some singular variants without n occur; this entry consistently teaches den/dem/des Nachbarn.
Useful combinations: den Nachbarn grüßen; der direkte Nachbar; mit Nachbarn 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 Nachbarder NachbarThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Nachbar. In the meaning taught here, Nachbar is masculine. The nominative plural is die Nachbarn. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Nachbar über uns spielt abends Klavier.The neighbor above us plays piano in the evenings.
- Ich frage den Nachbarn nach dem Werkzeug.I ask the neighbor for the tool.
- Mit dem Nachbarn teile ich eine Leiter.I share a ladder with the neighbor.
- Die Katze des Nachbarn schläft auf unserer Bank.The neighbor's cat sleeps on our bench.
- Die Nachbarn organisieren ein kleines Hoffest.The neighbors organize a small courtyard party.
- Unter den Nachbarn wird der Garten gemeinsam gepflegt.The neighbors share the work of tending the garden.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Nachbar — die Nachbarn. Nachbar commonly has n in the oblique singular forms and plural. Some singular variants without n occur; this entry consistently teaches den/dem/des Nachbarn.
Try it yourself
___ Nachbar (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Nachbar is masculine.
Plural: der Nachbar → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Nachbarn
Nachbarn: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Nachbarn (dem / der)
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dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Nachbarn.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Nachbar (der / die / das)
Plural: der Nachbar → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Nachbarn (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 Nachbar and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.