The idea
Use der Ofen for the nominative singular, den Ofen for the accusative, dem Ofen for the dative, and des Ofens for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Öfen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Ofen | die Öfen |
| Akkusativ | den Ofen | die Öfen |
| Dativ | dem Ofen | den Öfen |
| Genitiv | des Ofens | der Öfen |
Meaning and useful combinations
Ofen can be an oven for baking or a stove for heating. Backofen and Kaminofen make the meaning explicit.
Useful combinations: im Ofen backen; den Ofen vorheizen; ein warmer Ofen. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Ofender OfenThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Ofen. In the meaning taught here, Ofen is masculine. The nominative plural is die Öfen. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Ofen ist schon vorgeheizt.The oven is already preheated.
- Ich schiebe das Blech in den Ofen.I slide the tray into the oven.
- Im Ofen backt ein Brot mit Sonnenblumenkernen.A loaf with sunflower seeds is baking in the oven.
- Die Scheibe des Ofens muss noch geputzt werden.The oven's glass panel still needs cleaning.
- Die Bäckerei arbeitet mit zwei großen Öfen.The bakery uses two large ovens.
- Vor den Öfen ist es auch im Winter warm.It is warm in front of the ovens even in winter.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Ofen — die Öfen. Ofen can be an oven for baking or a stove for heating. Backofen and Kaminofen make the meaning explicit.
Try it yourself
___ Ofen (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Ofen is masculine.
Plural: der Ofen → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Öfen
Öfen: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ofen (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Ofen.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Ofen (der / die / das)
Plural: der Ofen → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Ofen (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 Ofen and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.