The idea
Use das Papier for the nominative singular, das Papier for the accusative, dem Papier for the dative, and des Papiers for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Papieren.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Papier | die Papiere |
| Akkusativ | das Papier | die Papiere |
| Dativ | dem Papier | den Papieren |
| Genitiv | des Papiers | der Papiere |
Meaning and useful combinations
Papier as a material is normally not counted. Papiere usually means documents or different kinds of paper, not simply several sheets.
Useful combinations: ein Blatt Papier; wichtige Papiere; aus Papier. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Papierdas PapierThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Papier. In the meaning taught here, Papier is neuter. The nominative plural is die Papiere. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Papier für die Einladung ist besonders dick.The paper for the invitation is especially thick.
- Ich falte das Papier entlang der markierten Linie.I fold the paper along the marked line.
- Auf dem Papier bleibt ein blasser Abdruck.A faint imprint remains on the paper.
- Die Oberfläche des Papiers fühlt sich rau an.The paper's surface feels rough.
- Die wichtigen Papiere stecken in einer verschlossenen Mappe.The important documents are in a closed folder.
- Zwischen den Papieren liegt eine alte Fahrkarte.There is an old ticket among the documents.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Papier — die Papiere. Papier as a material is normally not counted. Papiere usually means documents or different kinds of paper, not simply several sheets.
Try it yourself
___ Papier (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Papier is neuter.
Plural: das Papier → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Papiere
Papiere: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Papier (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Papier.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Papier (der / die / das)
Plural: das Papier → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Papier (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 Papier and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.