Learn German | Adjektivendungen | Nominativ | German for beginners | A2 - Lesson 5

Introduction

In this tutorial, we'll explore the use of adjective endings in the nominative case in German. This lesson is aimed at beginners who are looking to improve their understanding of how adjectives change based on the articles they accompany. By the end of this guide, you will be equipped with the knowledge to correctly use adjective endings with definite, indefinite, negative, possessive articles, and when there are no articles present.

Step 1: Understanding When Adjectives Take Endings

Adjectives in German must be declined when placed before nouns. Here's when to apply these endings:

• Before a Noun: Adjectives take endings only when they are used to describe a noun.
• With Articles: The endings depend on the type of article used (definite, indefinite, negative, possessive, or none).

Step 2: Adjective Endings with Definite Articles

Definite articles (der, die, das) use specific endings based on the gender and case of the noun. Here are the endings for the nominative case:

• Masculine: -e (der große Mann)
• Feminine: -e (die große Frau)
• Neuter: -e (das große Kind)
• Plural: -en (die großen Männer)

Practical Tip

Always match the adjective ending with the gender and number of the noun it describes.

Step 3: Adjective Endings with Indefinite Articles

Indefinite articles (ein, eine) also require specific endings:

• Masculine: -er (ein großer Mann)
• Feminine: -e (eine große Frau)
• Neuter: -es (ein großes Kind)
• Plural: No indefinite article, use -e for plural nouns (große Männer)

Step 4: Adjective Endings with Negative Articles

Negative articles (kein, keine) follow the same pattern as indefinite articles:

• Masculine: -er (kein großer Mann)
• Feminine: -e (keine große Frau)
• Neuter: -es (kein großes Kind)
• Plural: -e (keine großen Männer)

Step 5: Adjective Endings with Possessive Articles

Possessive adjectives (mein, dein, sein, etc.) also have specific endings:

• Masculine: -er (mein großer Mann)
• Feminine: -e (meine große Frau)
• Neuter: -es (mein großes Kind)
• Plural: -e (meine großen Männer)

Step 6: Adjective Endings Without Articles

When there are no articles (nullartikel), the adjective endings are different:

• Masculine: -er (großer Mann)
• Feminine: -e (große Frau)
• Neuter: -es (großes Kind)
• Plural: -e (große Männer)

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Forgetting to match the adjective endings with the noun's gender and number.
• Misusing the adjective endings based on the type of article.

Conclusion

Understanding adjective endings in the nominative case is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences in German. Practice using these endings with various nouns and articles to build your confidence. For further learning, consider revising related video lessons on different cases and articles available on the channel. Happy learning!