A2Adjectives

German Adjective Declension

German adjectives change their endings based on the gender, case, and whether they follow a definite or indefinite article.

Key Rules

  • 1After definite articles (der/die/das): add -e or -en
  • 2After indefinite articles (ein/eine): must show gender
  • 3Strong endings when no article: -er, -e, -es
  • 4Predicative adjectives don't change (Das Haus ist groß)

Examples

Der große Mann liest.

The tall man reads.

💡 After 'der', adjective takes -e ending.

Ein großer Mann liest.

A tall man reads.

💡 After 'ein' (masc.), adjective shows gender with -er.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Der große Mann → Ein große Mann→✓ Ein großer Mann

After 'ein' (no ending), adjective must carry the gender marker.

Related Grammar Topics

Articles
German Articles (der, die, das)
A1
Cases
German Nominative Case (Nominativ)
A1
Cases
German Accusative Case (Akkusativ)
A1

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