The idea
Use der Tunnel for the nominative singular, den Tunnel for the accusative, dem Tunnel for the dative, and des Tunnels for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Tunneln.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Tunnel | die Tunnel |
| Akkusativ | den Tunnel | die Tunnel |
| Dativ | dem Tunnel | den Tunneln |
| Genitiv | des Tunnels | der Tunnel |
Meaning and useful combinations
Tunnel has an unchanged plural in standard usage. Durch den Tunnel describes a route through it.
Useful combinations: durch den Tunnel fahren; im Tunnel; ein langer Tunnel. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Tunnelder TunnelThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Tunnel. In the meaning taught here, Tunnel is masculine. The nominative plural is die Tunnel. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Tunnel ist wegen Bauarbeiten gesperrt.The tunnel is closed because of construction work.
- Wir umfahren den Tunnel auf einer Nebenstraße.We bypass the tunnel on a side road.
- Im Tunnel darf niemand wenden.No one may turn around in the tunnel.
- Die Einfahrt des Tunnels ist gut beleuchtet.The tunnel entrance is well lit.
- Die neue Strecke führt durch drei Tunnel.The new route passes through three tunnels.
- In den Tunneln ist der Radioempfang schwach.Radio reception is weak in the tunnels.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Tunnel — die Tunnel. Tunnel has an unchanged plural in standard usage. Durch den Tunnel describes a route through it.
Try it yourself
___ Tunnel (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Tunnel is masculine.
Plural: der Tunnel → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Tunnel
Tunnel: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Tunnel (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Tunnel.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Tunnel (der / die / das)
Plural: der Tunnel → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Tunnel (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 Tunnel and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.