The idea
Use der Umschlag for the nominative singular, den Umschlag for the accusative, dem Umschlag for the dative, and des Umschlags for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Umschlägen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Umschlag | die Umschläge |
| Akkusativ | den Umschlag | die Umschläge |
| Dativ | dem Umschlag | den Umschlägen |
| Genitiv | des Umschlags | der Umschläge |
Meaning and useful combinations
Umschlag can be an envelope or a book's cover. Briefumschlag makes the mailing meaning explicit.
Useful combinations: einen Umschlag öffnen; im Umschlag; der Briefumschlag. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Umschlagder UmschlagThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Umschlag. In the meaning taught here, Umschlag is masculine. The nominative plural is die Umschläge. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Umschlag ist für die Unterlagen zu klein.The envelope is too small for the documents.
- Ich öffne den Umschlag vorsichtig an der Seite.I open the envelope carefully at the side.
- In dem Umschlag steckt eine handgeschriebene Karte.There is a handwritten card in the envelope.
- Die Rückseite des Umschlags trägt unsere Adresse.The back of the envelope bears our address.
- Die Umschläge liegen nach Größe sortiert.The envelopes are arranged by size.
- Auf den Umschlägen fehlen noch die Briefmarken.The envelopes still need stamps.
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 Umschlag — die Umschläge. Umschlag can be an envelope or a book's cover. Briefumschlag makes the mailing meaning explicit.
Try it yourself
___ Umschlag (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Umschlag is masculine.
Plural: der Umschlag → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Umschläge
Umschläge: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Umschlag (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Umschlag.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Umschlag (der / die / das)
Plural: der Umschlag → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Umschlag (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 Umschlag and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.