Adjectives: Declension

01

Adjectives after Definite Articles (Weak Declension)

When an adjective follows a definite article (der, die, das, den, dem, des) or words that function similarly (like dieser, jeder, welcher), the article already clearly indicates the case and gender. Therefore, the adjective takes a "weak" ending.

There are only two possible endings in this category: -e or -en.

The -e ending

Use the ending -e in the singular Nominative for all genders, and in the singular Accusative for feminine and neuter nouns.

• Der neue Tisch ist teuer.

  The new table is expensive.

• Das kleine Kind spielt.

  The small child is playing.

• Ich sehe die rote Blume.

  I see the red flower.

The -en ending

Use the ending -en for everything else. This includes all plural forms and all Dative and Genitive cases.

• Die neuen Tische sind hier.

  The new tables are here.

• Wir sprechen mit dem alten Mann.

  We are speaking with the old man.

• Das ist das Haus der netten Frau.

  That is the nice woman's house.

• Ich kenne den jungen Lehrer.

  I know the young teacher.

02

Adjectives after Indefinite Articles (Mixed Declension)

This pattern applies when the adjective follows an indefinite article (ein, eine) or a possessive article (mein, dein, sein, etc.) or the negation kein.

Here, the article does not always show the grammatical gender clearly (for example, ein is used for both masculine and neuter). The adjective must step in to provide that missing information.

Nominative and Accusative Singular

If the article has no ending (like ein), the adjective takes the strong ending that indicates the gender (-er for masculine, -es for neuter). If the article has an ending (like eine), the adjective takes the weak -e.

• Das ist ein guter Film.

  That is a good movie. (Masculine Nominative)

• Wir haben ein schnelles Auto.

  We have a fast car. (Neuter Accusative)

• Sie ist eine gute Freundin.

  She is a good friend. (Feminine Nominative)

Dative and Genitive

In the Dative and Genitive cases, the adjective always takes the ending -en, regardless of gender.

• Ich wohne in einem großen Haus.

  I live in a big house.

• Er hilft einer alten Dame.

  He is helping an old lady.

Plural

The indefinite article ein has no plural. However, possessive articles (meine) and keine do. In the plural, adjectives following these words always take the ending -en.

• Das sind meine neuen Schuhe.

  Those are my new shoes.

• Ich habe keine kleinen Kinder.

  I have no small children.

03

Adjectives without Articles (Strong Declension)

When there is no article before the noun, the adjective must carry the full grammatical weight. This often happens with materials, abstract concepts, or indefinite plurals.

The adjective endings generally mimic the endings of the definite articles (der becomes -er, das becomes -es, den becomes -en, etc.).

• Kaltes Wasser schmeckt gut.

  Cold water tastes good. (Neuter Nominative, like 'das')

• Er trinkt heißen Tee.

  He is drinking hot tea. (Masculine Accusative, like 'den')

• Wir kaufen frische Äpfel.

  We are buying fresh apples. (Plural Accusative, like 'die')

• Das riecht nach gutem Käse.

  That smells like good cheese. (Masculine Dative, like 'dem')

04

Summary of Predicative Adjectives

It is vital to distinguish between an adjective describing a noun directly (attributive) and one following a verb like sein, werden, or bleiben (predicative). Predicative adjectives never take an ending.

• Der Mann ist alt.

  The man is old. (No ending)

• Der alte Mann schläft.

  The old man is sleeping. (Ending applied)