The idea
Use der Weg for the nominative singular, den Weg for the accusative, dem Weg for the dative, and des Weges for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Wegen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Weg | die Wege |
| Akkusativ | den Weg | die Wege |
| Dativ | dem Weg | den Wegen |
| Genitiv | des Weges | der Wege |
Meaning and useful combinations
Weg is a noun with a long vowel; weg as an adverb means away and has a short vowel. Capitalization changes the word type.
Useful combinations: den Weg zeigen; auf dem Weg; ein schmaler Weg. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Wegder WegThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Weg. In the meaning taught here, Weg is masculine. The nominative plural is die Wege. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Weg am Bach ist nach dem Regen matschig.The path by the stream is muddy after the rain.
- Kannst du mir den Weg zur Werkstatt zeigen?Can you show me the way to the workshop?
- Auf dem Weg treffen wir unsere Nachbarn.We meet our neighbors on the way.
- Das Ende des Weges ist durch ein Tor markiert.The end of the path is marked by a gate.
- Mehrere Wege führen zum Aussichtspunkt.Several paths lead to the viewpoint.
- Auf den Wegen im Wald liegen viele Äste.There are many branches on the paths in the forest.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is der Weg — die Wege. Weg is a noun with a long vowel; weg as an adverb means away and has a short vowel. Capitalization changes the word type.
Try it yourself
___ Weg (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Weg is masculine.
Plural: der Weg → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Wege
Wege: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Weg (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Weg.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Weg (der / die / das)
Plural: der Weg → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Weg (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 Weg and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.