The idea
Use der Zug for the nominative singular, den Zug for the accusative, dem Zug for the dative, and des Zuges for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Zügen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Zug | die Züge |
| Akkusativ | den Zug | die Züge |
| Dativ | dem Zug | den Zügen |
| Genitiv | des Zuges | der Züge |
Meaning and useful combinations
Zug can have several meanings; this entry focuses on rail transport. The plural Züge adds an umlaut.
Useful combinations: mit dem Zug fahren; den Zug erreichen; der Regionalzug. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
die Zugder ZugThis check asks for the nominative singular: der Zug. In the meaning taught here, Zug is masculine. The nominative plural is die Züge. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Der Zug nach Norden hält heute an Gleis drei.The northbound train stops at platform three today.
- Wir erreichen den Zug gerade noch rechtzeitig.We reach the train just in time.
- Im Zug gibt es einen Bereich für Fahrräder.There is an area for bicycles on the train.
- Die Türen des Zuges schließen automatisch.The train's doors close automatically.
- Die Züge fahren hier im Halbstundentakt.The trains run every half hour here.
- Zwischen den Zügen bleibt genug Zeit zum Umsteigen.There is enough time to change between the trains.
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 Zug — die Züge. Zug can have several meanings; this entry focuses on rail transport. The plural Züge adds an umlaut.
Try it yourself
___ Zug (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: Zug is masculine.
Plural: der Zug → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Züge
Züge: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Zug (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
dem
dem: mit takes the dative, giving mit dem Zug.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Zug (der / die / das)
Plural: der Zug → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Zug (dem / der)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Read the six situations, identify Zug and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.