By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Apply: An adjective before a noun normally takes an ending
- Apply: An adjective after sein normally has no declension ending
- Apply: Definite articles in the nominative singular usually take -e
- Apply: Plural after die usually takes -en
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
What is adjective declension?
Adjective declension means changing the ending of an adjective when it appears directly before a noun. For example, schön can become schöne, schöner, schönes, or schönen. The correct form depends mainly on the article, the gender of the noun, and the grammatical case.
When does an adjective take an ending?
An adjective normally takes a declension ending when it comes directly before a noun: ein schönes Haus, der neue Kollege, eine warme Jacke. If the adjective comes after verbs such as sein, werden, or bleiben, it normally has no declension ending: Das Haus ist schön. Die Jacke bleibt warm.
Three things to check first
Before choosing an adjective ending, check three things. First, identify the article. Second, identify whether the noun is masculine, feminine, neuter, or plural. Third, decide whether the noun is in the nominative or accusative. At A2 level, mastering these common patterns is more useful than memorizing every possible adjective-declension table at once.
Adjectives after definite articles in the nominative
With der, die, and das in the nominative singular, the basic pattern is simple: the adjective usually ends in -e. We say der alte Mann, die nette Frau, and das kleine Kind. In the plural after die, the adjective normally ends in -en: die neuen Bücher.
Adjectives after ein and eine in the nominative
After ein and eine, the adjective sometimes carries grammatical information that is not fully visible in the article. For masculine nouns, use -er: ein guter Freund. For feminine nouns, use -e: eine nette Kollegin. For neuter nouns, use -es: ein kleines Kind.
Adjectives in the accusative
The most important change in the accusative is with masculine nouns. Der alte Mann becomes den alten Mann, and ein guter Freund becomes einen guten Freund. Feminine and neuter patterns are often similar to the nominative: eine rote Tasche, das kleine Auto, ein kaltes Getränk.
Positive, negative, and question forms
Adjective declension works the same way in statements, negative sentences, and questions. The sentence type does not decide the adjective ending. The article, gender, and case do. Compare: Das ist ein neues Handy. Das ist kein neues Handy. Ist das ein neues Handy? In all three examples, Handy is neuter and the adjective ends in -es after ein-type words.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Choose the adjective ending from determiner, gender, number and case together: der alte Mann in nominative, den alten Mann in accusative; ein guter Mann, ein gutes Buch. After definite determiners, dative and plural normally use en: mit den frischen Kräutern. Article-free nominative/accusative plurals can take e: frische Brötchen. A predicative adjective after sein is uninflected: Das Buch ist gut. This foundation is not the entire advanced paradigm.
Usage reference table
The table gives construction models. Meaning-question options follow the interface language; translated sentences appear in Examples.
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Definite articles in the nominative singular usually take -e | Der alte Mann wartet hier. |
| Definite articles in the nominative singular usually take -e | Die neue Lampe ist schön. |
| Definite articles in the nominative singular usually take -e | Das kleine Kind spielt. |
| Masculine accusative normally takes -en | Ich sehe einen guten Film. |
| Neuter nominative after ein takes -es | Das ist ein großes Haus. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | Wir kaufen die frischen Äpfel. |
Grammar formula
Nominative masculine with definite article
der + Adjektiv-e + maskulines Nomender neue Lehrer
Nominative feminine with definite article
die + Adjektiv-e + feminines Nomendie schöne Stadt
Nominative neuter with definite article
das + Adjektiv-e + neutrales Nomendas kleine Kind
Nominative plural with definite article
die + Adjektiv-en + Pluralnomendie neuen Bücher
Nominative masculine with ein
ein + Adjektiv-er + maskulines Nomenein guter Freund
Nominative feminine with eine
eine + Adjektiv-e + feminines Nomeneine nette Kollegin
Nominative neuter with ein
ein + Adjektiv-es + neutrales Nomenein schönes Zimmer
Accusative masculine with definite article
den + Adjektiv-en + maskulines Nomenden neuen Computer
Accusative masculine with indefinite article
einen + Adjektiv-en + maskulines Nomeneinen neuen Computer
Accusative feminine
die/eine + Adjektiv-e + feminines Nomeneine warme Jacke
Accusative neuter
das + Adjektiv-e oder ein + Adjektiv-es + neutrales Nomenein kaltes Getränk
Core rules
- 1
An adjective before a noun normally takes an ending
When an adjective directly describes a following noun, it normally needs a declension ending: ein neues Handy, die schöne Stadt, einen guten Kaffee.
- 2
An adjective after sein normally has no declension ending
When an adjective comes after sein and does not stand directly before a noun, it stays unchanged: Das Handy ist neu. Die Stadt ist schön.
- 3
Definite articles in the nominative singular usually take -e
After der, die, and das in the nominative singular, the adjective normally ends in -e: der alte Mann, die neue Wohnung, das kleine Kind.
- 4
Plural after die usually takes -en
With a plural noun after die, the adjective normally ends in -en: die neuen Bücher, die kleinen Kinder.
- 5
Masculine nominative after ein takes -er
With a masculine noun in the nominative after ein, the adjective takes -er: ein guter Freund, ein neuer Computer.
- 6
Neuter nominative after ein takes -es
With a neuter noun in the nominative after ein, the adjective takes -es: ein schönes Zimmer, ein kleines Kind.
- 7
Masculine accusative normally takes -en
With a masculine noun in the accusative after den or einen, the adjective takes -en: den alten Mann, einen neuen Computer.
- 8
Possessive articles follow the ein-pattern
Words such as mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, and euer generally follow the same adjective pattern as ein: mein neuer Kollege, meine neue Tasche, mein neues Handy.
- 9
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Choose the adjective ending from determiner, gender, number and case together: der alte Mann in nominative, den alten Mann in accusative; ein guter Mann, ein gutes Buch. After definite determiners, dative and plural normally use en: mit den frischen Kräutern. Article-free nominative/accusative plurals can take e: frische Brötchen. A predicative adjective after sein is uninflected: Das Buch ist gut. This foundation is not the entire advanced paradigm.
Useful examples
Das ist ein schöner Park.
That is a beautiful park.
Park is masculine and nominative. After ein, the adjective takes -er.
Die neue Wohnung ist sehr hell.
The new apartment is very bright.
Wohnung is feminine and nominative. After die, the adjective takes -e.
Das kleine Café ist heute geschlossen.
The small café is closed today.
Café is neuter. After das in the nominative, the adjective takes -e.
Die frischen Brötchen sind noch warm.
The fresh bread rolls are still warm.
Brötchen is plural here. After die in the plural, the adjective takes -en.
Mein neuer Kollege kommt aus Köln.
My new colleague comes from Cologne.
Mein follows the ein-pattern. With a masculine nominative noun, the adjective takes -er.
Sie hat eine rote Tasche.
She has a red bag.
Tasche is feminine and accusative. After eine, the adjective takes -e.
Er bestellt ein kaltes Wasser.
He orders a cold water.
Wasser is neuter and accusative. After ein, the adjective takes -es.
Ich kaufe einen schwarzen Pullover.
I am buying a black sweater.
Pullover is masculine and accusative. After einen, the adjective takes -en.
Ich kenne den netten Nachbarn.
I know the friendly neighbor.
Nachbar is masculine and accusative. After den, the adjective takes -en.
Wir suchen eine günstige Wohnung.
We are looking for an affordable apartment.
Wohnung is feminine and accusative. After eine, the adjective takes -e.
Das Essen ist lecker.
The food is tasty.
Lecker comes after sein and not directly before a noun, so it has no declension ending.
Wir essen das leckere Essen zusammen.
We eat the tasty food together.
Lecker now comes directly before Essen. After das, it takes -e.
Ein gutes Frühstück ist mir wichtig.
A good breakfast is important to me.
Frühstück is neuter and nominative. After ein, the adjective takes -es.
Ich brauche einen schnellen Internetanschluss.
I need a fast internet connection.
Internetanschluss is masculine and accusative. After einen, the adjective takes -en.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Der alten Mann wartet hier. ✅ Der alte Mann wartet hier.
- ❌ Die neuen Lampe ist schön. ✅ Die neue Lampe ist schön.
- ❌ Das kleinen Kind spielt. ✅ Das kleine Kind spielt.
- ❌ Ich sehe einen gute Film. ✅ Ich sehe einen guten Film.
- ❌ Das ist ein große Haus. ✅ Das ist ein großes Haus.
- ❌ Wir kaufen die frische Äpfel. ✅ Wir kaufen die frischen Äpfel.
Learning tips
- First ask whether the adjective comes directly before a noun. If it does not, you usually do not need a declension ending.
- Do not memorize endings without nouns. Learn complete chunks such as ein guter Freund, einen guten Freund, and das neue Auto.
- Focus first on the nominative and accusative before adding the dative.
- Pay special attention to masculine accusative forms: der alte Mann becomes den alten Mann.
- Memorize the three key nominative patterns after ein: ein guter Mann, eine gute Frau, ein gutes Kind.
- After der, die, and das in the nominative singular, -e is the most important basic ending.
- With plural die, the adjective normally takes -en.
- Possessive articles and kein follow the same basic pattern as ein.
- Negative and question sentences do not create new adjective endings; article, gender, and case still determine the form.
Use it in your own text
Write six connected sentences about your life, plans or experiences, using each table pattern once. Check why each construction fits, using this lesson’s rules. This is self-assessment; the multiple-choice test has a separate recorded score.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Der alte Mann wartet hier. Die neue Lampe ist schön. Das kleine Kind spielt. Ich sehe einen guten Film. Das ist ein großes Haus. Wir kaufen die frischen Äpfel.
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
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “An adjective before a noun normally takes an ending”?
When an adjective directly describes a following noun, it normally needs a declension ending: ein neues Handy, die schöne Stadt, einen guten Kaffee.
What should I check for “An adjective after sein normally has no declension ending”?
When an adjective comes after sein and does not stand directly before a noun, it stays unchanged: Das Handy ist neu. Die Stadt ist schön.
What should I check for “Definite articles in the nominative singular usually take -e”?
After der, die, and das in the nominative singular, the adjective normally ends in -e: der alte Mann, die neue Wohnung, das kleine Kind.
What should I check for “Plural after die usually takes -en”?
With a plural noun after die, the adjective normally ends in -en: die neuen Bücher, die kleinen Kinder.
What should I check for “Masculine nominative after ein takes -er”?
With a masculine noun in the nominative after ein, the adjective takes -er: ein guter Freund, ein neuer Computer.
What should I check for “Neuter nominative after ein takes -es”?
With a neuter noun in the nominative after ein, the adjective takes -es: ein schönes Zimmer, ein kleines Kind.
What should I check for “Masculine accusative normally takes -en”?
With a masculine noun in the accusative after den or einen, the adjective takes -en: den alten Mann, einen neuen Computer.
What should I check for “Possessive articles follow the ein-pattern”?
Words such as mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, and euer generally follow the same adjective pattern as ein: mein neuer Kollege, meine neue Tasche, mein neues Handy.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Choose the adjective ending from determiner, gender, number and case together: der alte Mann in nominative, den alten Mann in accusative; ein guter Mann, ein gutes Buch. After definite determiners, dative and plural normally use en: mit den frischen Kräutern. Article-free nominative/accusative plurals can take e: frische Brötchen. A predicative adjective after sein is uninflected: Das Buch ist gut. This foundation is not the entire advanced paradigm.
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