The idea
Use die Schulter for the nominative singular, die Schulter for the accusative, der Schulter for the dative, and der Schulter for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Schultern.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Schulter | die Schultern |
| Akkusativ | die Schulter | die Schultern |
| Dativ | der Schulter | den Schultern |
| Genitiv | der Schulter | der Schultern |
Meaning and useful combinations
Schulter adds n in the plural. Über die Schulter schauen is a fixed phrase for looking back over one's shoulder.
Useful combinations: über die Schulter schauen; die Schultern heben; auf der Schulter. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
das Schulterdie SchulterThis check asks for the nominative singular: die Schulter. In the meaning taught here, Schulter is feminine. The nominative plural is die Schultern. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Die Schulter der Jacke sitzt etwas zu tief.The jacket's shoulder sits a little too low.
- Ich drehe die rechte Schulter zum Licht.I turn my right shoulder toward the light.
- Auf seiner Schulter sitzt ein kleiner Stoffpapagei.A small fabric parrot sits on his shoulder.
- Die Form der Schulter bestimmt den Sitz des Ärmels.The shoulder's shape determines how the sleeve sits.
- Die Schultern der Statue sind breit gestaltet.The statue's shoulders are shaped broadly.
- Über den Schultern liegt eine dünne Decke.A thin blanket lies across the shoulders.
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 die Schulter — die Schultern. Schulter adds n in the plural. Über die Schulter schauen is a fixed phrase for looking back over one's shoulder.
Try it yourself
___ Schulter (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
die
die: Schulter is feminine.
Plural: die Schulter → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Schultern
Schultern: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Schulter (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: mit takes the dative, giving mit der Schulter.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Schulter (der / die / das)
Plural: die Schulter → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Schulter (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 Schulter and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.