The idea
Use die Treppe for the nominative singular, die Treppe for the accusative, der Treppe for the dative, and der Treppe for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Treppen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Treppe | die Treppen |
| Akkusativ | die Treppe | die Treppen |
| Dativ | der Treppe | den Treppen |
| Genitiv | der Treppe | der Treppen |
Meaning and useful combinations
Treppe is singular even when it contains many steps. One individual step is eine Stufe.
Useful combinations: die Treppe hinaufgehen; auf der Treppe; eine steile Treppe. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
das Treppedie TreppeThis check asks for the nominative singular: die Treppe. In the meaning taught here, Treppe is feminine. The nominative plural is die Treppen. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Die Treppe zum Dachboden ist steil.The stairs to the attic are steep.
- Wir nehmen heute die Treppe statt des Aufzugs.We take the stairs instead of the lift today.
- Auf der Treppe stehen keine Kartons mehr.There are no longer any boxes on the stairs.
- Das Geländer der Treppe wurde erneuert.The staircase handrail has been replaced.
- Die beiden Treppen führen in verschiedene Flügel.The two staircases lead to different wings.
- Auf den Treppen wird gerade gereinigt.The staircases are being cleaned at the moment.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is die Treppe — die Treppen. Treppe is singular even when it contains many steps. One individual step is eine Stufe.
Try it yourself
___ Treppe (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
die
die: Treppe is feminine.
Plural: die Treppe → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Treppen
Treppen: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Treppe (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: mit takes the dative, giving mit der Treppe.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Treppe (der / die / das)
Plural: die Treppe → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Treppe (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 Treppe and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.