The idea
Use der Tisch for the nominative singular, den Tisch for the accusative, dem Tisch for the dative, and des Tisches for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Tischen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Tisch | die Tische |
| Akkusativ | den Tisch | die Tische |
| Dativ | dem Tisch | den Tischen |
| Genitiv | des Tisches | der Tische |
Meaning and useful combinations
Am Tisch describes sitting or working at a table; auf dem Tisch describes something on its surface.
Useful combinations: den Tisch decken; am Tisch; auf dem Tisch. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Tischder TischThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Tisch. In the meaning taught here, Tisch is masculine. The nominative plural is die Tische. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Tisch neben der Steckdose ist reserviert.The table next to the socket is reserved.
- Wir decken den Tisch für sechs Personen.We set the table for six people.
- Auf dem Tisch liegt eine gefaltete Karte.A folded map is lying on the table.
- Ein Bein des Tisches wackelt.One leg of the table is wobbly.
- Die Tische auf der Terrasse sind noch nass.The tables on the terrace are still wet.
- Zwischen den Tischen muss ein Gang frei bleiben.An aisle must remain clear between the tables.
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 Tisch — die Tische. Am Tisch describes sitting or working at a table; auf dem Tisch describes something on its surface.
Try it yourself
___ Tisch (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Tisch is masculine.
Plural: der Tisch → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Tische
Tische: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Tisch (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Tisch.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Tisch (der / die / das)
Plural: der Tisch → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Tisch (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 Tisch and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.