The idea
Use der Spiegel for the nominative singular, den Spiegel for the accusative, dem Spiegel for the dative, and des Spiegels for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Spiegeln.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Spiegel | die Spiegel |
| Akkusativ | den Spiegel | die Spiegel |
| Dativ | dem Spiegel | den Spiegeln |
| Genitiv | des Spiegels | der Spiegel |
Meaning and useful combinations
Spiegel has no plural ending in the nominative. Sich im Spiegel sehen means to see yourself in a mirror.
Useful combinations: in den Spiegel schauen; vor dem Spiegel; ein runder Spiegel. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Spiegelder SpiegelThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Spiegel. In the meaning taught here, Spiegel is masculine. The nominative plural is die Spiegel. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Spiegel im Flur macht den Raum heller.The mirror in the hallway makes the room brighter.
- Ich hänge den Spiegel etwas tiefer.I hang the mirror a little lower.
- Vor dem Spiegel bindet Leo seine Krawatte.Leo ties his tie in front of the mirror.
- Der Rand des Spiegels ist gesprungen.The edge of the mirror is cracked.
- Im Tanzraum hängen große Spiegel.Large mirrors hang in the dance room.
- Auf den Spiegeln sind noch Fingerabdrücke.There are still fingerprints on the mirrors.
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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 Spiegel — die Spiegel. Spiegel has no plural ending in the nominative. Sich im Spiegel sehen means to see yourself in a mirror.
Try it yourself
___ Spiegel (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Spiegel is masculine.
Plural: der Spiegel → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Spiegel
Spiegel: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Spiegel (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Spiegel.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Spiegel (der / die / das)
Plural: der Spiegel → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Spiegel (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 Spiegel and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.