By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Apply: The basic N-declension rule
- Apply: Masculine nouns ending in -e
- Apply: Nouns ending in -ant, -ent, -ist, and -oge
- Apply: Change the noun as well as the article
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
What is N-declension?
N-declension is a special pattern used by certain masculine German nouns. In the nominative singular, these nouns usually appear in their basic form. In the accusative, dative, and genitive singular, they normally add -n or -en. For example: der Student, den Studenten, dem Studenten, des Studenten.
The key idea: nominative versus the other cases
At A2 level, the most important point is simple: the nominative singular usually keeps the dictionary form. In the other singular cases, an N-declension noun normally changes. This means that you must pay attention not only to the article but also to the noun itself.
Which nouns often follow this pattern?
Many N-declension nouns refer to male people. A common group includes masculine nouns ending in -e, such as der Junge, der Kunde, and der Kollege. Many nouns ending in -ant, -ent, -ist, or -oge also follow this pattern, for example der Praktikant, der Student, der Journalist, and der Biologe. These endings are useful clues, but they are not a complete rule for every masculine noun.
N-declension in the accusative
In the accusative, the masculine article changes, for example der becomes den and ein becomes einen. With an N-declension noun, the noun also changes. Therefore, Ich sehe den Student is incorrect in standard German. The correct sentence is Ich sehe den Studenten.
N-declension in the dative
In the dative, N-declension nouns also normally add -n or -en. Common combinations include mit dem Kollegen, bei dem Kunden, and von einem Studenten. A verb or preposition may determine the dative, but once you know the case, you must also check whether the noun belongs to the N-declension group.
What happens in the genitive?
The same basic pattern also appears in the genitive. For example, das Buch des Studenten and das Büro des Kollegen. The genitive is less central at A2 than the accusative and dative, but it helps you see the full pattern: the nominative singular is usually the only singular form without the extra -n or -en ending.
Do not confuse singular forms with the plural
Many N-declension nouns also have plural forms ending in -n or -en. For example, Studenten can be a singular form in the accusative, dative, or genitive, but it can also be plural. Articles and sentence context help you identify the correct meaning: der Student, den Studenten, die Studenten.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
These masculine nouns normally add n/en outside nominative singular: der Student, den/dem Studenten. Changing only the article is insufficient. Herr is used in an address or as subject, Herrn as object or after a preposition: Herr Müller ist hier; ich sehe Herrn Müller. Name has a special pattern: den Namen, genitive des Namens. Not every masculine noun or noun ending in e belongs here; learn a declined example with the word.
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 |
|---|---|
| The basic N-declension rule | Ich sehe den Studenten. |
| Change the noun as well as the article | Ich helfe dem Kollegen. |
| The basic N-declension rule | Der Student kommt heute. |
| Masculine nouns ending in -e | Meine Mutter sieht den Jungen. |
| A special point about Herr | Ich spreche mit dem Herrn Müller. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | Ich kenne deinen Namen. |
Grammar formula
Nominative singular
der/ein + Nomen in GrundformDer Student wartet.
Accusative singular
den/einen + Nomen + n/enIch sehe den Studenten.
Dative singular
dem/einem + Nomen + n/enIch helfe dem Studenten.
Genitive singular
des/eines + Nomen + n/enDas ist das Buch des Studenten.
Accusative question
Wen + Verb + Subjekt + ...?Wen kennst du? – Den Kollegen.
Dative after a preposition
Präposition + dem/einem + Nomen + n/enIch spreche mit dem Kunden.
Core rules
- 1
The basic N-declension rule
Certain masculine nouns add -n or -en in the singular accusative, dative, and genitive. In the nominative singular, they usually remain in their basic form.
- 2
Masculine nouns ending in -e
Many masculine nouns referring to people and ending in -e follow N-declension. Examples include der Junge → den Jungen, der Kunde → dem Kunden, and der Kollege → mit dem Kollegen.
- 3
Nouns ending in -ant, -ent, -ist, and -oge
Many masculine nouns with these endings take -en outside the nominative. Examples include der Praktikant → den Praktikanten, der Student → dem Studenten, and der Journalist → mit dem Journalisten.
- 4
Change the noun as well as the article
With N-declension nouns, changing only the article is not enough. The correct accusative form is den Studenten, not den Student.
- 5
Some common nouns must be learned individually
Frequent nouns such as der Mensch, der Herr, and der Nachbar also follow this pattern fully or partly. It is useful to learn them together with one changed form rather than learning only the dictionary form.
- 6
A special point about Herr
Herr normally becomes Herrn outside the nominative singular. For example: Ich sehe Herrn Müller and Ich spreche mit Herrn Müller.
- 7
Usage, exceptions and meaning
These masculine nouns normally add n/en outside nominative singular: der Student, den/dem Studenten. Changing only the article is insufficient. Herr is used in an address or as subject, Herrn as object or after a preposition: Herr Müller ist hier; ich sehe Herrn Müller. Name has a special pattern: den Namen, genitive des Namens. Not every masculine noun or noun ending in e belongs here; learn a declined example with the word.
Useful examples
Der Student wartet vor der Bibliothek.
The student is waiting in front of the library.
Student is in the nominative singular, so it keeps its basic form.
Ich treffe den Studenten nach dem Kurs.
I am meeting the student after the class.
Student is in the accusative, so it becomes Studenten.
Die Lehrerin hilft dem Studenten bei der Aufgabe.
The teacher helps the student with the task.
The verb helfen takes the dative, so dem Studenten is required.
Kennst du den neuen Kollegen?
Do you know the new colleague?
Kollege is in the accusative and therefore becomes Kollegen.
Ich fahre morgen mit meinem Kollegen zur Arbeit.
I am going to work with my colleague tomorrow.
The preposition mit takes the dative, so Kollege becomes Kollegen.
Der Kunde wartet an der Kasse.
The customer is waiting at the checkout.
Kunde is the subject and is therefore in the nominative singular.
Wir können dem Kunden heute leider nicht helfen.
Unfortunately, we cannot help the customer today.
Kunde is in the dative and takes the ending -n.
Sie sucht einen Praktikanten für das Büro.
She is looking for an intern for the office.
Praktikant is in the accusative and becomes Praktikanten.
Hast du schon mit dem Journalisten gesprochen?
Have you already spoken with the journalist?
Journalist is in the dative after mit, so the form is Journalisten.
Der Junge spielt im Garten.
The boy is playing in the garden.
Junge is in the nominative singular and remains unchanged.
Ich sehe den Jungen jeden Morgen im Bus.
I see the boy on the bus every morning.
Junge is in the accusative and takes -n.
Die Ärztin spricht mit dem Patienten.
The doctor is speaking with the patient.
Patient is an N-declension noun and is in the dative here.
Niemand kennt den neuen Nachbarn gut.
Nobody knows the new neighbor well.
Nachbar becomes Nachbarn in the accusative singular.
Ich habe Herrn Weber gestern angerufen.
I called Mr. Weber yesterday.
Herr normally becomes Herrn outside the nominative singular.
Das Fahrrad des Jungen steht vor dem Haus.
The boy's bicycle is standing in front of the house.
Junge is in the genitive and therefore appears as Jungen.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Ich sehe den Student. ✅ Ich sehe den Studenten.
- ❌ Ich helfe dem Kollege. ✅ Ich helfe dem Kollegen.
- ❌ Der Studenten kommt heute. ✅ Der Student kommt heute.
- ❌ Meine Mutter sieht den Junge. ✅ Meine Mutter sieht den Jungen.
- ❌ Ich spreche mit dem Herr Müller. ✅ Ich spreche mit dem Herrn Müller.
- ❌ Ich kenne deinen Name. ✅ Ich kenne deinen Namen.
Learning tips
- Do not learn N-declension nouns only in their dictionary form. Learn pairs such as der Student – den Studenten.
- When you see den, dem, einen, or einem before a masculine noun, check whether the noun also needs an N-declension ending.
- Start with high-frequency nouns such as Student, Kunde, Kollege, Junge, Patient, Praktikant, and Nachbar.
- Endings such as -ant, -ent, -ist, and -oge are useful clues that a masculine noun may follow N-declension.
- Many masculine nouns referring to people and ending in -e also follow this pattern.
- Practice common chunks such as mit dem Kollegen, den Studenten, and einem Kunden instead of practicing only isolated noun forms.
- Do not confuse a changed singular form with the plural. Use the article and the sentence context to identify the form.
- At A2 level, mastering the main pattern and common nouns is more useful than memorizing long exception lists.
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
Ich sehe den Studenten. Ich helfe dem Kollegen. Der Student kommt heute. Meine Mutter sieht den Jungen. Ich spreche mit dem Herrn Müller. Ich kenne deinen Namen.
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
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The basic N-declension rule”?
Certain masculine nouns add -n or -en in the singular accusative, dative, and genitive. In the nominative singular, they usually remain in their basic form.
What should I check for “Masculine nouns ending in -e”?
Many masculine nouns referring to people and ending in -e follow N-declension. Examples include der Junge → den Jungen, der Kunde → dem Kunden, and der Kollege → mit dem Kollegen.
What should I check for “Nouns ending in -ant, -ent, -ist, and -oge”?
Many masculine nouns with these endings take -en outside the nominative. Examples include der Praktikant → den Praktikanten, der Student → dem Studenten, and der Journalist → mit dem Journalisten.
What should I check for “Change the noun as well as the article”?
With N-declension nouns, changing only the article is not enough. The correct accusative form is den Studenten, not den Student.
What should I check for “Some common nouns must be learned individually”?
Frequent nouns such as der Mensch, der Herr, and der Nachbar also follow this pattern fully or partly. It is useful to learn them together with one changed form rather than learning only the dictionary form.
What should I check for “A special point about Herr”?
Herr normally becomes Herrn outside the nominative singular. For example: Ich sehe Herrn Müller and Ich spreche mit Herrn Müller.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
These masculine nouns normally add n/en outside nominative singular: der Student, den/dem Studenten. Changing only the article is insufficient. Herr is used in an address or as subject, Herrn as object or after a preposition: Herr Müller ist hier; ich sehe Herrn Müller. Name has a special pattern: den Namen, genitive des Namens. Not every masculine noun or noun ending in e belongs here; learn a declined example with the word.
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