The idea
Use der Schuh for the nominative singular, den Schuh for the accusative, dem Schuh for the dative, and des Schuhes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Schuhen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Schuh | die Schuhe |
| Akkusativ | den Schuh | die Schuhe |
| Dativ | dem Schuh | den Schuhen |
| Genitiv | des Schuhes | der Schuhe |
Meaning and useful combinations
Schuh forms its plural with e; the dative plural adds n: in den Schuhen.
Useful combinations: einen Schuh anprobieren; die Schuhe putzen; der Sportschuh. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Schuhder SchuhThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Schuh. In the meaning taught here, Schuh is masculine. The nominative plural is die Schuhe. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der linke Schuh drückt an der Ferse.The left shoe presses against my heel.
- Ich binde den Schuh noch einmal fester.I tie the shoe more tightly once more.
- In dem Schuh steckt ein kleiner Stein.There is a small stone in the shoe.
- Die Sohle des Schuhes löst sich.The shoe's sole is coming loose.
- Die neuen Schuhe müssen noch eingelaufen werden.The new shoes still need breaking in.
- Mit diesen Schuhen kann ich stundenlang gehen.I can walk for hours in these shoes.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Schuh — die Schuhe. Schuh forms its plural with e; the dative plural adds n: in den Schuhen.
Try it yourself
___ Schuh (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Schuh is masculine.
Plural: der Schuh → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Schuhe
Schuhe: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Schuh (dem / der)
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dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Schuh.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Schuh (der / die / das)
Plural: der Schuh → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Schuh (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 Schuh and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.