The idea
Use das Sofa for the nominative singular, das Sofa for the accusative, dem Sofa for the dative, and des Sofas for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Sofas.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Sofa | die Sofas |
| Akkusativ | das Sofa | die Sofas |
| Dativ | dem Sofa | den Sofas |
| Genitiv | des Sofas | der Sofas |
Meaning and useful combinations
The plural Sofas uses s. Auf dem Sofa describes a location; aufs Sofa is a contraction of auf das Sofa for a destination.
Useful combinations: auf dem Sofa; sich aufs Sofa setzen; ein bequemes Sofa. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Sofadas SofaThis check asks for the nominative singular: das Sofa. In the meaning taught here, Sofa is neuter. The nominative plural is die Sofas. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Das Sofa passt genau in die Nische.The sofa fits exactly into the alcove.
- Wir stellen das Sofa gegenüber der Tür auf.We place the sofa opposite the door.
- Auf dem Sofa schläft unser Hund.Our dog is sleeping on the sofa.
- Der Bezug des Sofas ist abnehmbar.The sofa cover is removable.
- Im Laden stehen Sofas in vielen Farben.The shop has sofas in many colors.
- Auf den Sofas liegen kleine Stoffmuster.Small fabric samples lie on the sofas.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is das Sofa — die Sofas. The plural Sofas uses s. Auf dem Sofa describes a location; aufs Sofa is a contraction of auf das Sofa for a destination.
Try it yourself
___ Sofa (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
das
das: Sofa is neuter.
Plural: das Sofa → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Sofas
Sofas: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Sofa (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Sofa.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Sofa (der / die / das)
Plural: das Sofa → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Sofa (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 Sofa and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.