The idea
Use der Stift for the nominative singular, den Stift for the accusative, dem Stift for the dative, and des Stiftes for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Stiften.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Stift | die Stifte |
| Akkusativ | den Stift | die Stifte |
| Dativ | dem Stift | den Stiften |
| Genitiv | des Stiftes | der Stifte |
Meaning and useful combinations
Stift is a broad word for a writing or drawing implement. Bleistift, Filzstift and Kugelschreiber are more specific.
Useful combinations: einen Stift benutzen; mit einem Stift schreiben; der Filzstift. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Stiftder StiftThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Stift. In the meaning taught here, Stift is masculine. The nominative plural is die Stifte. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Stift mit der blauen Kappe schreibt nicht mehr.The pen with the blue cap no longer writes.
- Ich leihe dir einen Stift für das Formular.I lend you a pen for the form.
- Mit diesem Stift kann man auch auf Folie schreiben.You can also write on plastic film with this pen.
- Die Spitze des Stiftes ist beschädigt.The pen's tip is damaged.
- Die Stifte liegen nach Farben sortiert im Becher.The pens are arranged by color in the cup.
- Zwischen den Stiften steckt ein kleiner Pinsel.There is a small paintbrush among the pens.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Stift — die Stifte. Stift is a broad word for a writing or drawing implement. Bleistift, Filzstift and Kugelschreiber are more specific.
Try it yourself
___ Stift (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Stift is masculine.
Plural: der Stift → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Stifte
Stifte: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Stift (dem / der)
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dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Stift.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Stift (der / die / das)
Plural: der Stift → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Stift (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 Stift and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.