The idea
Use die Zwiebel for the nominative singular, die Zwiebel for the accusative, der Zwiebel for the dative, and der Zwiebel for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Zwiebeln.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Zwiebel | die Zwiebeln |
| Akkusativ | die Zwiebel | die Zwiebeln |
| Dativ | der Zwiebel | den Zwiebeln |
| Genitiv | der Zwiebel | der Zwiebeln |
Meaning and useful combinations
Zwiebel adds n in the plural. Rote Zwiebeln is an adjective plus a plural noun, not a different grammatical gender.
Useful combinations: eine Zwiebel würfeln; rote Zwiebeln; die Zwiebelschale. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
das Zwiebeldie ZwiebelThis check asks for the nominative singular: die Zwiebel. In the meaning taught here, Zwiebel is feminine. The nominative plural is die Zwiebeln. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Die Zwiebel treibt schon grüne Blätter.The onion is already sprouting green leaves.
- Ich würfle eine Zwiebel für das Risotto.I dice an onion for the risotto.
- Mit der Zwiebel beginnt das Rezept.The recipe starts with the onion.
- Die äußere Schicht der Zwiebel ist trocken.The onion's outer layer is dry.
- Die Zwiebeln braten langsam in etwas Öl.The onions are slowly frying in a little oil.
- Aus den Zwiebeln und Kartoffeln machen wir eine Pfanne.We make a pan-fried dish from the onions and potatoes.
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Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is die Zwiebel — die Zwiebeln. Zwiebel adds n in the plural. Rote Zwiebeln is an adjective plus a plural noun, not a different grammatical gender.
Try it yourself
___ Zwiebel (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
die
die: Zwiebel is feminine.
Plural: die Zwiebel → die ___
Show answer or example answer
Zwiebeln
Zwiebeln: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Zwiebel (dem / der)
Show answer or example answer
der
der: mit takes the dative, giving mit der Zwiebel.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Zwiebel (der / die / das)
Plural: die Zwiebel → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Zwiebel (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 Zwiebel and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.