By the end of this lesson, I can…
- After definite articles
- After indefinite articles
- Without an article
- Predicative and attributive adjectives
- Practise case in complete phrases
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
German adjective declension explains how adjectives change their endings before nouns. The correct ending depends on the article, gender, and case of the noun. In this lesson, you will learn the main patterns, practical examples, common mistakes, and how to use adjective endings naturally in German.
After definite articles
After der, die, das, dieser, jeder, or similar words, the article already shows most grammatical information. The adjective usually takes weak endings, mainly -e or -en. Example: der alte Mann.
After indefinite articles
After ein, eine, kein, or possessive determiners like mein and dein, the adjective sometimes has to show additional information. Example: ein guter Freund.
Without an article
When there is no article, the adjective must show grammatical information itself. Therefore, it receives strong endings. Example: kaltes Wasser.
Predicative and attributive adjectives
Das Wasser ist kalt has no declension ending, whereas kaltes Wasser and das kalte Wasser are attributive and inflect. Identify position and role first. A determiner's spelling alone is insufficient because case can change.
Practise case in complete phrases
Der neue Computer, den neuen Computer, mit dem neuen Computer and der Preis des neuen Computers illustrate four cases. The table covers all three declensions in four cases and gender/number categories. Check noun endings too, especially dative plural.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Choose attributive endings by case, gender, number and determiner type. Read the full weak/mixed/strong table; strong masculine/neuter genitive normally uses en: guten Weines, kalten Wassers. Ein has no plural, so the mixed plural uses a possessive such as meine guten Freunde. Predicative adjectives do not decline: Der Wein ist gut.
Full adjective-declension table
Choose attributive endings by case, gender, number and determiner type. Read the full weak/mixed/strong table; strong masculine/neuter genitive normally uses en: guten Weines, kalten Wassers. Ein has no plural, so the mixed plural uses a possessive such as meine guten Freunde. Predicative adjectives do not decline: Der Wein ist gut.
| Case and declension | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weak · Nominativ | der gute Mann | die gute Frau | das gute Kind | die guten Freunde |
| Weak · Akkusativ | den guten Mann | die gute Frau | das gute Kind | die guten Freunde |
| Weak · Dativ | dem guten Mann | der guten Frau | dem guten Kind | den guten Freunden |
| Weak · Genitiv | des guten Mannes | der guten Frau | des guten Kindes | der guten Freunde |
| Mixed · Nominativ | ein guter Mann | eine gute Frau | ein gutes Kind | meine guten Freunde |
| Mixed · Akkusativ | einen guten Mann | eine gute Frau | ein gutes Kind | meine guten Freunde |
| Mixed · Dativ | einem guten Mann | einer guten Frau | einem guten Kind | meinen guten Freunden |
| Mixed · Genitiv | eines guten Mannes | einer guten Frau | eines guten Kindes | meiner guten Freunde |
| Strong · Nominativ | guter Wein | frische Milch | kaltes Wasser | gute Freunde |
| Strong · Akkusativ | guten Wein | frische Milch | kaltes Wasser | gute Freunde |
| Strong · Dativ | gutem Wein | frischer Milch | kaltem Wasser | guten Freunden |
| Strong · Genitiv | guten Weines | frischer Milch | kalten Wassers | guter Freunde |
Grammar formula
With definite article
Artikel + Adjektivendung + Nomender alt(e) Mann / die schön(e) Stadt
With indefinite article
ein/eine + Adjektivendung + Nomenein gut(er) Freund
Without article
Adjektiv mit starker Endung + Nomenfrisches Wasser
Core rules
- 1
After definite articles
After der, die, das, dieser, jeder, or similar words, the article already shows most grammatical information. The adjective usually takes weak endings, mainly -e or -en. Example: der alte Mann.
- 2
After indefinite articles
After ein, eine, kein, or possessive determiners like mein and dein, the adjective sometimes has to show additional information. Example: ein guter Freund.
- 3
Without an article
When there is no article, the adjective must show grammatical information itself. Therefore, it receives strong endings. Example: kaltes Wasser.
- 4
Predicative and attributive adjectives
Das Wasser ist kalt has no declension ending, whereas kaltes Wasser and das kalte Wasser are attributive and inflect. Identify position and role first. A determiner's spelling alone is insufficient because case can change.
- 5
Practise case in complete phrases
Der neue Computer, den neuen Computer, mit dem neuen Computer and der Preis des neuen Computers illustrate four cases. The table covers all three declensions in four cases and gender/number categories. Check noun endings too, especially dative plural.
- 6
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Choose attributive endings by case, gender, number and determiner type. Read the full weak/mixed/strong table; strong masculine/neuter genitive normally uses en: guten Weines, kalten Wassers. Ein has no plural, so the mixed plural uses a possessive such as meine guten Freunde. Predicative adjectives do not decline: Der Wein ist gut.
Useful examples
Der alte Mann wohnt neben uns.
The old man lives next to us.
After the definite article der in nominative masculine, the adjective takes the ending -e.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Computer.
I am buying a new computer.
In accusative masculine after einen, the adjective takes the ending -en.
Sie trägt eine schöne Jacke.
She is wearing a beautiful jacket.
After eine with a feminine noun, the adjective takes the ending -e.
Wir wohnen in einem kleinen Dorf.
We live in a small village.
After einem in dative, the adjective usually takes the ending -en.
Ich trinke kaltes Wasser.
I drink cold water.
Without an article, the adjective shows the grammatical information and takes -es.
Das ist ein interessantes Buch.
This is an interesting book.
After ein with a neuter noun in nominative, the adjective takes -es.
Er spricht mit einem netten Lehrer.
He is talking with a kind teacher.
The preposition mit requires dative, so the adjective takes -en.
Wir besuchen die berühmte Stadt.
We are visiting the famous city.
After die in accusative feminine, the adjective takes -e.
Gutes Essen ist wichtig.
Good food is important.
Without an article, the adjective carries the grammatical information.
Sie hat viele interessante Ideen.
She has many interesting ideas.
After quantity words like viele, adjective endings depend on the structure and case.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Der alten Mann wartet. ✅ Der alte Mann wartet.
- ❌ Das ist ein gute Freund. ✅ Das ist ein guter Freund.
- ❌ Das ist ein kleine Kind. ✅ Das ist ein kleines Kind.
- ❌ Ich spreche mit dem neue Lehrer. ✅ Ich spreche mit dem neuen Lehrer.
- ❌ Ich trinke kalte Wasser. ✅ Ich trinke kaltes Wasser.
- ❌ der gute Wein → mixed adjective declension ✅ der gute Wein → weak adjective declension
Learning tips
- Learn adjective endings together with common noun phrases.
- Always identify the noun's gender and case before choosing an adjective ending.
- Focus first on common patterns such as der gute Mann, ein guter Mann, and gutes Essen.
- Repeated everyday examples make adjective declension easier to remember.
Use it in your own text
Write six new sentences about your life, experiences or views. Use the rules and table and check why each form fits. The models are illustrations; you need not force every form into one text. This is self-assessment; the test score is recorded separately.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “After definite articles”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “After indefinite articles”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Without an article”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Predicative and attributive adjectives”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Practise case in complete phrases”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Der alte Mann wohnt neben uns. Ich kaufe einen neuen Computer. Sie trägt eine schöne Jacke. Wir wohnen in einem kleinen Dorf. Ich trinke kaltes Wasser. Das ist ein interessantes Buch.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
Try two questions without an account. Sign up free to continue and save your results and progress.
Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “After definite articles”?
After der, die, das, dieser, jeder, or similar words, the article already shows most grammatical information. The adjective usually takes weak endings, mainly -e or -en. Example: der alte Mann.
What matters for “After indefinite articles”?
After ein, eine, kein, or possessive determiners like mein and dein, the adjective sometimes has to show additional information. Example: ein guter Freund.
What matters for “Without an article”?
When there is no article, the adjective must show grammatical information itself. Therefore, it receives strong endings. Example: kaltes Wasser.
What matters for “Predicative and attributive adjectives”?
Das Wasser ist kalt has no declension ending, whereas kaltes Wasser and das kalte Wasser are attributive and inflect. Identify position and role first. A determiner's spelling alone is insufficient because case can change.
What matters for “Practise case in complete phrases”?
Der neue Computer, den neuen Computer, mit dem neuen Computer and der Preis des neuen Computers illustrate four cases. The table covers all three declensions in four cases and gender/number categories. Check noun endings too, especially dative plural.
What matters for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Choose attributive endings by case, gender, number and determiner type. Read the full weak/mixed/strong table; strong masculine/neuter genitive normally uses en: guten Weines, kalten Wassers. Ein has no plural, so the mixed plural uses a possessive such as meine guten Freunde. Predicative adjectives do not decline: Der Wein ist gut.
Keep your reading history and test results with a free account.
Sign up free and continue