81. SHOWING PURPOSE
Weil (because) + a dependent clause shows the reason for an action; however, damit and um…zu (so that, in order to) show the goal of an action. Damit is also followed by a dependent clause, whereas um…zu introduces an infinitive.
Sie macht das Fenster zu, damit sie nicht friert. = Sie macht das Fenster zu, um nicht zu frieren.
She closes the window, so that she won't freeze . = She closes the window, in order to not freeze.
She closes the window, so that she won't freeze . = She closes the window, in order to not freeze.
Commonly, you use damit when the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the dependent clause, and um…zu when the understood subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the main clause.
| box | die Schachtel |
| VCR | der Videorecorder |
| camera | die Kamera |
| video camera | die Videokamera |
| film | der Film |
| wristwatch | die Armbanduhr |
| handkerchief | das Taschentuch |
| perfume | das Parfüm |
| wallet | der Geldbeutel, die Geldbörse |
| radio | das Radio |
| razor | das Rasiermesser |
| size | die Größe |
| department (in store) | die Abteilung |
| greeting card | die Glückwunschkarte |
| letter | der Brief | teller | der Kassierer (in) |
| postcard | die Postkarte | bill | der Schein |
| stamp | die Briefmarke | check | der Scheck |
| phone booth | die Telefonzelle | checkbook | das Scheckbuch |
| mailbox | der Briefkasten | ATM | der Geldautomat |
| mail slot | der Briefeinwurf | key | die Schlüssel |
| address | die Adresse | lock | das Schloß |
| sender/return address | der Absender | filing cabinet | der Aktenschrank |
| label | das Etikett | safety deposit box | das Bankschließfach |
| packing tape | das Paketklebeband | notepad | der Notizblock |
| package | das Paket | credit card | die Kreditkarte |
| postmark | der Poststempel | security camera | die Überwachungsanlage |
| rubber band | das Gummiband | security guard | die Wache |
| ink pad | das Stempelkissen | drive-thru window | der Autoschalter |
| string | die Schnur | safe | der Tresor |
Infinitives are usually preceded by zu (except when modals are used) when they act as complements of verbs, adjectives or nouns. Zu + infinitive is always the last element in a sentence. If a separable prefix is used in the infinitive, the zu is inserted between the prefix and the stem.
Hast du Lust, den Dom zu besichtigen? Do you feel like visiting the cathedral?
Es dauert lange, durch die Stadt zu fahren. It takes a long time to drive through the city.
Es ist zu früh um aufzustehen. It is too early to get up.
Es dauert lange, durch die Stadt zu fahren. It takes a long time to drive through the city.
Es ist zu früh um aufzustehen. It is too early to get up.
Um, ohne and anstatt can be used with zu as well. They introduce infinitival clauses. Um.. zu is used to indicate purpose, while ohne...zu and anstatt...zu are used with infinitives, and translated as present participles in English. (Um...zu must be used instead of just zu when the English equivalent "in order to" can be used sensibly.)
Er kam, um das Buch abzuholen. He came in order to pick up the book.
Sie sagte es, ohne mich anzusehen. She said it, without looking at me.
Statt hier zu sitzen, sollten wir ihn suchen. Instead of sitting here, we should look for him.
Sie sagte es, ohne mich anzusehen. She said it, without looking at me.
Statt hier zu sitzen, sollten wir ihn suchen. Instead of sitting here, we should look for him.
Sein + zu + an infinitive is used the same way in English and German, but the construction is far more common in German.
Das ist nicht zu machen. That can't be done.
Das ist in jedem Laden zu finden. That can be found in any store.
Das ist in jedem Laden zu finden. That can be found in any store.
The verbs brauchen (to need) and scheinen (to seem, appear) are often used with zu + an infinitive. Brauchen in the negative is usually translated as to not have to, and is the opposite of müssen.
Es scheint kaputt zu sein. It seems to be broken.
Ich brauche heute nicht zu arbeiten. I don't have to work today.
Ich brauche heute nicht zu arbeiten. I don't have to work today.
| compact disc | die Compact Disc | calculator | der Taschenrechner |
| floppy disk | die Diskette | eraser | der Radiergummi |
| document | das Dokument | notebook | das Heft |
| computer | der Computer | folder | das Prospekt |
| monitor | der Monitor | colored pencil | der Buntstift |
| keyboard | die Tastatur | ruler | das Lineal |
| mouse | die Maus | pencil sharpener | der Anspitzer (or Spitzer) |
| printer | der Drucker | pencil | der Bleistift |
| memo | die Mitteilung | pen | der Kuli |
| paper | das Papier | scissors | die Schere |
| photocopier | das Fotokopierer | glue | der Klebstoff |
| typewriter | die Schreibmaschine | binder | der Ordner |
| software | die Software | chalk | die Kreide |
| file / computer file | die Akten / die Datei | chalkboard | die Tafel |
| cabinet | der Schrank | backpack | der Rucksack |
| briefcase | die Aktentasche | stapler | die Heftmaschine |
The accusative case is used to indicate definite time when no preposition is used.
Letzten Sonntag blieb ich zu Hause. Last Sunday I stayed home.
Sie fährt nächste Woche nach Deutschland. She's going to Germany next week.
Er hat uns voriges Jahr besucht. He visited us last year.
Sie fährt nächste Woche nach Deutschland. She's going to Germany next week.
Er hat uns voriges Jahr besucht. He visited us last year.
Time expressions with the prepositions an, in and vor are in the dative case.
Wir müssen am Sonntag zurück. We must return on Sunday.
In der Nacht wird es kalt. It gets cold at night.
Vor drei Jahren war es hier genau so kalt. Three years ago it was just as cold here.
In der Nacht wird es kalt. It gets cold at night.
Vor drei Jahren war es hier genau so kalt. Three years ago it was just as cold here.
The genitive case is used to express indefinite time, and may refer to the future or past.
Eines Tages war er krank. One day he was sick.
Eines Morgens wird er zu spät kommen. One morning he'll be late.
Eines Morgens wird er zu spät kommen. One morning he'll be late.
| Customs Office | das Zollamt |
| Airline Office | das Büro der Fluglinie |
| Travel Agency | das Reisebüro |
| Information Office | das Auskunftsbüro |
| Train Station | der Bahnhof (ö, e) |
| departure | die Abfahrt (en) |
| arrival | die Ankunft (ü, e) |
| flight tickets | die Flugkarten |
| baggage | das Gepäck |
| bag | die Tasche (-n) |
| suitcase | der Koffer (-) |
| passport | der Pass (ä, e) |
| left | links |
| right | rechts |
| next (to) | neben |
| near | bei |
| straight ahead | geradeaus |
| along the (noun) | (acc. noun +) entlang |
| over the (noun) | über (+ acc. noun) |
| past the (noun) | an (noun) vorbei |
| up to, as far as the (noun) | bis zu (noun) |
| across from the (noun) | gegenüber von (noun) |
Ein(e) ander- and noch ein- both mean another, but they cannot be used interchangeably. Ein(e) ander- means a different one, and ander- takes the adjective endings for adjectives preceded by ein words. Noch ein means one more.
Sollen wir ein anderes Mal wiederkommen? Should we come again at another (a different) time?
Möchtest du noch einen Raum anschauen? Would you like to look at another (one more) room?
| toothbrush | die Zahnbürste | hair spray | der Haarfestiger |
| toothpaste | die Zahnpasta | hair dryer | der Fön |
| dental floss | die Zahnseide | nail polish | der Nagellack |
| hair brush | die Bürste | mascara | die Wimperntusche |
| comb | der Kamm | lipstick | der Lippenstift |
| shampoo | das Shampoo | powder | der Puder |
| curling iron | der Lockenstab | soap | die Seife |
| shaving cream | die Rasiercreme | makeup | die Schminke |
| razor | das Rasiermesser | perfume | das Parfüm |
| mousse | der Schaum | cologne | das Kölnisch Wasser |
This subjunctive mood is used to make statements that are contrary to fact, instead of factual statements that are made in the indicative mood. There are two forms of the German subjunctive: Subjunctive II and Subjunctive I. Subjunctive II or the general subjunctive is used with if...then (wenn... dann) statements and conditional sentences. Subjunctive I or special subjunctive is a less common mood that is used with indirect discourse. (If you study other languages with a subjunctive mood, please don't confuse it with the German subjunctive. They are not the same!)
The present tense of Subjunctive II is derived from the simple past / imperfect tense of the indicative. For weak (regular) verbs, the subjunctive II is the same as the simple past tense. For strong (irregular) verbs, the present tense of the subjunctive II uses the stem of the simple past, adds an umlaut where possible, and then adds the following endings:
| -e -est -e | -en -et -en |
Strong verbs in the subjunctive II
| gehen | fahren | fliegen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ginge gingest ginge | gingen ginget gingen | führe führest führe | führen führet führen | flöge flögest flöge | flögen flöget flögen |
Sein, haben and werden in the subjunctive II
| sein | haben | werden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wäre wärest wäre | wären wäret wären | hätte hättest hätte | hätten hättet hätten | würde würdest würde | würden würdet würden |
Some exceptions include the mixed verbs, modals and wissen which use the same endings as the simple past:
| Imperfekt | Subjunctive II |
|---|---|
| brachte dachte durfte konnte mochte sollte wollte mußte wußte | brächte dächte dürfte könnte möchte sollte wollte müßte wüßte |
The past tense of Subjunctive II is simply the subjunctive II of sein or haben (whichever auxiliary the verb takes in the indicative) and a past participle. The future tense of Subjunctive II is the subjunctive II of werden and an infinitive.
Conditional sentences
These sentences are based on an if... then (wenn... dann) pattern in both English and German. Dann can be omitted in these sentences also. Remember that wenn is a subordinating conjunction, and forces the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.
These sentences are based on an if... then (wenn... dann) pattern in both English and German. Dann can be omitted in these sentences also. Remember that wenn is a subordinating conjunction, and forces the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.
Present Subj. II: Wenn ich Zeit hätte, (dann) ginge ich ins Kino. If I had time, (then) I would go to the movies.
Past Subj. II: Wenn ich Zeit gehabt hätte, dann wäre ich ins Kino gegangen. If I had had time, (then) I would have gone to the movies.
Past Subj. II: Wenn ich Zeit gehabt hätte, dann wäre ich ins Kino gegangen. If I had had time, (then) I would have gone to the movies.
Wenn clauses may be introduced by a verb, and in this case, wenn disappears and dann may be replaced by so:
Kommt er heute nicht, (so) kommt er morgen. If he's not coming today, then he'll come tomorrow.
A conditional sentence may begin with the dann clause as well; but in this case, dann is not actually used and the clause uses normal word order:
Wir trinken den Kaffee nicht, wenn er zu heiß ist. We don't drink coffee if it is too hot.
Forms of würden + an infinitive
Würde and an infinitive translates to would + infinitive and is more common than the one word form in the dann clause. Wenn clauses tend to avoid the würde construction, except with these eight verbs: helfen, stehen, sterben, werfen, brennen, kennen, nennen, and rennen. These eight verbs use the würde construction in the wenn clause because the one word forms are archaic. Moreover, conversational German tends to replace many subjunctive II forms of strong verbs with the würde construction. However, this construction is generally not used with the modal auxiliaries, wissen, haben or sein.
Würde and an infinitive translates to would + infinitive and is more common than the one word form in the dann clause. Wenn clauses tend to avoid the würde construction, except with these eight verbs: helfen, stehen, sterben, werfen, brennen, kennen, nennen, and rennen. These eight verbs use the würde construction in the wenn clause because the one word forms are archaic. Moreover, conversational German tends to replace many subjunctive II forms of strong verbs with the würde construction. However, this construction is generally not used with the modal auxiliaries, wissen, haben or sein.
| Wenn ich Zeit hätte, | dann ginge ich ins Kino. dann würde ich ins Kino gehen. | If I had time, I would go to the movies. |
| Wenn ich Geld hätte, | dann flöge ich nach Deutschland. dann würde ich nach Deutschland fliegen. | If I had money, I would fly to Germany. |
1. Being Polite
To be more polite, use the subjunctive II form of the modals.
To be more polite, use the subjunctive II form of the modals.
| können | müssen | dürfen | sollen | wollen | mögen | |
| ich | könnte | müsste | dürfte | sollte | wollte | möchte |
| du | könntest | müsstest | dürftest | solltest | wolltest | möchtest |
| er, sie, es | könnte | müsste | dürfte | sollte | wollte | möchte |
| wir | könnten | müssten | dürften | sollten | wollten | möchten |
| ihr | könntet | müsstet | dürftet | solltet | wolltet | möchtet |
| sie | könnten | müssten | dürften | sollten | wollten | möchten |
Könnten sie mir bitte helfen? Could you please help me?
Dürfte ich Ihr Telefon benutzen? Could I use your phone?
Dürfte ich Ihr Telefon benutzen? Could I use your phone?
In modern German, the subjunctive forms of mögen has become almost a synonym of wollen. Was willst du? = What do you want? Was möchtest du? = What would you like?
Hätte gern is also becoming common as a synonym for "would like" especially when ordering food. Wir hätten gern zwei Colas, bitte. = We would like two colas, please.
Note that these polite forms are only limited to the modal verbs, sein, haben and werden. For this reason, you may hearWürden Sie mir helfen? but never Hülfen Sie mir?
2. Expressing Wishes
The subjunctive II is also used to express wishes. These phrases generally begin with "I wish" or "If only" in English. Wenn (if) can be omitted from these statements, but then you must move the conjugated verb in the subjunctive II to the place of wenn at the beginning of the phrase. When expressing wishes, the present and past tenses of the subjunctive II can be used.
The subjunctive II is also used to express wishes. These phrases generally begin with "I wish" or "If only" in English. Wenn (if) can be omitted from these statements, but then you must move the conjugated verb in the subjunctive II to the place of wenn at the beginning of the phrase. When expressing wishes, the present and past tenses of the subjunctive II can be used.
Wenn ich nur noch jung wäre! = Wäre ich nur noch jung! I wish I were still young! / If only I were still young!
Wenn er nur früher gekommen wäre! = Wäre er nur früher gekommen! If only he had come earlier!
Wenn sie doch mehr Zeit gehabt hätten! = Hätten sie doch mehr Zeit gehabt! If only they had had more time!
Wenn er nur früher gekommen wäre! = Wäre er nur früher gekommen! If only he had come earlier!
Wenn sie doch mehr Zeit gehabt hätten! = Hätten sie doch mehr Zeit gehabt! If only they had had more time!
Ich wünschte and ich wollte (I wish) are fixed expressions followed by the subjunctive II or würde + infinitive. Another expression always followed by the subjunctive is an deiner Stelle (in your place / If I were you) when giving advice.
The Subjunctive I form is used with indirect discourse when reporting what someone says in a formal, impartial way. The indicative can also be used to imply a statement of fact, while the subjunctive II can be used to imply the statement is open to question (since subjunctive II is used with contrary to fact statements.) These three distinctions are quite subtle, although they are important. In everyday conversation, the tendency is to avoid the subjunctive I and to choose instead between the indicative and subjunctive II.
The present tense of Subjunctive I is derived from the present tense of the indicative and formed by adding the following endings to the stem of the verb. Note that the subjunctive I forms never have the stem vowel change found in their present indicative counterparts (a does not become ä, e does not become ie, etc.)
| -e -est -e | -en -et -en |
Haben, werden and wissen in the subjunctive I
| haben | werden | wissen | |||
| habe habest habe | haben habet haben | werde werdest werde |
werden
werdet werden | wisse wissest wisse | wissen wisset wissen |
Notice that sein has no endings in the ich and er forms:
| sei seiest sei | seien seiet seien |
The past tense of Subjunctive I is derived from the present perfect tense of the indicative. It is composed of the subjunctive I form of haben or sein and a past participle. The future tense of Subjunctive I is simply the subjunctive I form of werden and an infinitive.
Tenses
The tense used in an indirect quotation is dependent upon the tense used in the direct quotation that underlies it. If the direct quotation is in the present tense of the indicative, then the indirect quotation must be in the present tense of the subjunctive I. If the direct quotation is in any tense referring to past time in the indicative (simple past, present perfect, or past perfect), then the indirect quotation is in the past tense of the subjunctive I. Subjunctive I only has one tense when referring to past time, as compared to the three tenses of the indicative. If the direct quotation is in the future tense, then the future tense of subjunctive I is used. If the original quotation is in subjunctive II, then the indirect quotation will also be in subjunctive II.
The tense used in an indirect quotation is dependent upon the tense used in the direct quotation that underlies it. If the direct quotation is in the present tense of the indicative, then the indirect quotation must be in the present tense of the subjunctive I. If the direct quotation is in any tense referring to past time in the indicative (simple past, present perfect, or past perfect), then the indirect quotation is in the past tense of the subjunctive I. Subjunctive I only has one tense when referring to past time, as compared to the three tenses of the indicative. If the direct quotation is in the future tense, then the future tense of subjunctive I is used. If the original quotation is in subjunctive II, then the indirect quotation will also be in subjunctive II.
| Tense in direct quotation | Tense in indirect quotation |
| present indicative | present subjunctive I |
| simple past, present perfect, past perfect indicative | past subjunctive I |
| future indicative | future subjunctive I |
| subjunctive II | subjunctive II |
In certain cases, the subjunctive I forms and the indicative forms are identical, so the subjunctive II forms must be used instead. Overall, you can use subjunctive I solely for the third person singular form, and use subjunctive II forms for all other persons.
| brake | die Bremse (n) | wheel | das Rad (ä, er) |
| horn | die Hupe (n) | car | der Wagen (-) / der PKW |
| hood | die Motorhaube (n) | traffic light | die Ampel (n) |
| flat tire | die Reifenpanne (n) | highway | die Autobahn (en) |
| gear | der Gang (ä, e) | intersection | die Kreuzung (en) |
| trunk | der Kofferraum (ä, e) | (one-way) street | die (Einbahn)straße (n) |
| tire | der Reifen (-) | pedestrian | der Fussgänger (-) |
| windshield wiper | der Scheibenwischer (-) | sidewalk | der Fussgängerweg (e) |
| seat belt | der Sicherheitsgurt (e) | traffic jam | der Stau (s) |
| seat | der Sitz (e) | ticket | der Strafzettel (-) |
| steering wheel | das Lenkrad (ä, er) | (traffic) sign | das (Verkehrs)schild (er) |
| parking space | die Parklücke (n) | license plate | das Nummernschild (er) |
Der PKW is short for der Personenkraftwagen. Der LKW is also commonly used to mean truck. It is short for der Lastkraftwagen.
To form the present participle, simply add -d to the infinitive. It usually functions as an adjective and takes the normal adjective endings. It can also function as an adverb, but then of course, it does not add any endings.
kochendes Wasser - boiling water
die führenden Kritiker - the leading critics
im kommenden Sommer - in the coming summer
die führenden Kritiker - the leading critics
im kommenden Sommer - in the coming summer
Sie spricht fließend Deutsch. She speaks German fluently.
scuba diver
wet suit
flipper
oxygen tank
snorkel
mask
starfish
jellyfish
sea urchin
sea horse
seaweed
fishing line
fish hook
|
der Taucher
der Wasseranzug
die Schwimmflosse
der Lufttank
der Schnorchel
die Tauchermaske (or Tauchmask)
der Seestern
die Qualle
der Seeigel
das Seepferdchen
der Seetang
die Angelschnur
der Angelhaken
|
shipwreck
helm
anchor
treasure chest
barnacle
coral
seashell
wave
sand
bubble
clam
crab
|
der Schiffbruch
der Helm
der Anker
die Schatzkiste
die Entenmuschel
die Koralle
die Muschel
die Welle
der Sand
die Blase
die Muschel
die Krabbe
|
The conjunctions als wenn and als ob are interchangeable; they both mean "as if" or "as though." Both introduce a dependent clause, so the conjugated verb must go to the end. In addition, both require the subjunctive II.
Als ob ich das nicht wüßte! As if I didn't know that!
Er tut, als wenn er nichts Besseres zu tun hätte. He acts as though he had nothing better to do.
Er tut, als wenn er nichts Besseres zu tun hätte. He acts as though he had nothing better to do.
astronaut
space shuttle
control panel
satellite
spaceship
alien
asteroid
space suit
lunar rover
landing capsule
space station
solar panel
meteor shower
constellation
solar system
|
der Astronaut
die Raumfähre
die Kontrolltafel
der Satellit
das Raumschiff
der Ausserirdische
der Asteroid
der Raumanzug
das Mondfahrzeug
das Landungsgerät
die Raumstation
die Sonnenzellen
der Meteorschwarm
das Sternbild
das Sonnensystem
|
beaker
test tube
galaxy
Earth
moon
sun
planet
rings
crater
stars
comet
rocket
robot
nebula
laboratory
|
das Becherglas
das Reagenzglas
die Milchstraße
die Erde
der Mond
die Sonne
der Planet
die Höfe
der Krater
die Sterne
der Komet
die Rakete
der Roboter
der Nebelfleck
das Labor
|
The future perfect tense is comparable to the other perfect tenses. It is formed with the future of haben or sein, and the past participle. The future perfect deals with the future as if it were already past time (he will have done it), or it is used to imply probability (that was probably him.) The latter case commonly uses the past tense in English though.
Er wird gegangen sein. He will have gone.
Ich werde es genommen haben. I will have taken it.
Es wird dunkel geworden sein. It will have become dark.
Das wird Rudi gewesen sein. That will have been Rudi. / That was probably Rudi.
Ich werde es genommen haben. I will have taken it.
Es wird dunkel geworden sein. It will have become dark.
Das wird Rudi gewesen sein. That will have been Rudi. / That was probably Rudi.
When using modals, the future perfect tense can create the double infinitive construction, so make sure to put the double infinitive at the very end.
Die Uhr wird sehr viel gekostet haben müssen.
dragon
fairy
elf
giant
tower
knight
squire
court jester
minstrel
armor
dungeon
moat
castle
|
der Drache
die Fee
der Elf / die Elfe
der Riese
der Turm
der Ritter
der Edelknabe
der Hofnarr
der Minnesänger
die Rüstung
der Kerker
der Burggraben
das Schloß
|
unicorn
shield
sword
lance
ax
drawbridge
crown
king
queen
princess
prince
throne
|
das Einhorn
der Schild
das Schwert
die Lanze
die Axt
die Zugbrücke
die Krone
der König
die Königin
die Prinzessin
der Prinz
der Thron
|
Recently, there has been a spelling reform of the German language. The following are a few points that have changed:
1. Write ss after a short vowel, and ß after a long vowel or diphthong. Please note that ß is not used in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and a lot of people don't pay attention to this rule anyway. Also, there is no capital letter that corresponds to the lower case ß, so it must be written as SS.
2. Words that are now capitalized: (auf) Deutsch, Mittag, Abend, Morgen, Recht haben, Leid tun…
3. The forms of Du (familiar you) are no longer capitalized in letters.
4. A comma is not necessary when two independent clauses are joined by und.
1) Feminine Singular nouns remain unchanged in all Singular cases.
| Singular: | Typewriter | Street |
|---|---|---|
| Nom. | die Schreibmaschine | die Straße |
| Acc. | die Schreibmaschine | die Straße |
| Dat. | der Schreibmaschine | der Straße |
| Gen. | der Schreibmaschine | der Straße |
2) All Neuter and most Masculine Singular add -s or -es (if one syllable) to Genitive Singular.
| Singular: | Shoe | Shirt |
|---|---|---|
| Nom. | der Schuh | das Hemd |
| Acc. | den Schuh | das Hemd |
| Dat. | dem Schuh | dem Hemd |
| Gen. | des Schuhes | des Hemdes |
Note: The genitive singular of shoe is generally written des Schuhs in colloquial German.
3) Masculine nouns that end in -e in Nom. Sing. and designate living things add -n to form both Singular and Plural for all cases.
3) Masculine nouns that end in -e in Nom. Sing. and designate living things add -n to form both Singular and Plural for all cases.
| Singular | Plural | |
| Nom. | der Löwe | die Löwen |
| Acc. | den Löwen | die Löwen |
| Dat. | dem Löwen | den Löwen |
| Gen. | des Löwen | der Löwen |
4) All Dative Plural either adds -n or -en.
| Man | Woman | Child | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nom. Sing. | der Mann | die Frau | das Kind |
| Dat. Pl. | den Männern | den Frauen | den Kindern |
5) In Plurals of all declensions of all genders, the Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative Plural are the same.
| Forest | Pear | |
|---|---|---|
| Nom. Sing. | der Wald | die Birne |
| Nom. Pl. | die Wälder | die Birnen |
| Acc. Pl. | die Wälder | die Birnen |
| Dat. Pl. | den Wäldern | den Birnen |
| Gen. Pl. | der Wälder | der Birnen |
To form the Dative Plural, add -n or -en to the Nominative Plural, unless it already ends in -s or -n, then add nothing.
Most singular declensions can be formed from the first three rules above, but plural nouns are more complex and irregular. Some may add -n, -en, -r, -er, -e, or an umlaut over the stem vowel with a final -e, and some nouns do not change from singular to plural.
Group 1
-Singular follows rules
-Plural adds umlaut to stem vowel and -n to all datives
-Singular follows rules
-Plural adds umlaut to stem vowel and -n to all datives
| Sing. | Plural | |
| Nom. | der Vater | die Väter |
| Acc. | den Vater | die Väter |
| Dat. | dem Vater | den Vätern |
| Gen. | des Vaters | der Väter |
Nouns belonging to this group: Most nouns whose Nom. Sing. end in -el, -en, -er; and neuter nouns that begin with Ge- and end with -e
Group 2
-Singular follows rules
-Plural sometimes adds umlaut to stem vowel and -e to Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative; -en to Dative
-Singular follows rules
-Plural sometimes adds umlaut to stem vowel and -e to Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative; -en to Dative
| Sing. | Plural | |
| Nom. | die Frucht | die Früchte |
| Acc. | die Frucht | die Früchte |
| Dat. | der Frucht | den Früchten |
| Gen. | der Frucht | der Früchte |
Nouns belonging to this group: Masculine that are one syllable; half of feminine and neuter that are one syllable
Group 3
-Singular follow rules
-Plural adds umlaut to stem vowel and -er to Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative; -ern to Dative
-Singular follow rules
-Plural adds umlaut to stem vowel and -er to Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative; -ern to Dative
| Sing. | Plural | |
| Nom. | der Mann | die Männer |
| Acc. | den Mann | die Männer |
| Dat. | dem Mann | den Männern |
| Gen. | des Mannes | der Männer |
Nouns belonging to this group: Many neuter that are one syllable; no feminine nouns
Group 4
-Singular adds -en to all Masculine Dative, Accusative, and Genitive; Feminine follows rule
-Plural adds -n or -en to all forms
-Singular adds -en to all Masculine Dative, Accusative, and Genitive; Feminine follows rule
-Plural adds -n or -en to all forms
| Student (s) | Woman/Women | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sing. | Plural | Sing. | Plural | ||
| Nom. | der Student | die Studenten | die Frau | die Frauen | |
| Acc. | den Studenten | die Studenten | die Frau | die Frauen | |
| Dat. | dem Studenten | den Studenten | der Frau | den Frauen | |
| Gen. | des Studenten | der Studenten | der Frau | der Frauen | |
Nouns belonging to this group: Most feminine that are more than one syllable, most masculine that denote living things; no neuter nouns
Group 5
-Add -s to Genitive Singular
-Add -s to all plural forms
-Add -s to Genitive Singular
-Add -s to all plural forms
| Sing. | Plural | |
| Nom. | das Auto | die Autos |
| Acc. | das Auto | die Autos |
| Dat. | dem Auto | den Autos |
| Gen. | des Autos | der Autos |
Nouns belonging to this group: Foreign origin words, such as das Radio, das Restaurant, and das Hotel.
Group 6 - Irregular
-Add -ns or -ens to Genitive Singular
-Add -en to Dative Singular, may add -en to Accusative Singular
-All plural add -en
-Add -ns or -ens to Genitive Singular
-Add -en to Dative Singular, may add -en to Accusative Singular
-All plural add -en
| Heart(s) | Name(s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sing. | Plural | Sing. | Plural | |
| Nom. | das Herz | die Herzen | der Name | die Namen |
| Acc. | das Herz | die Herzen | den Namen | die Namen |
| Dat. | dem Herzen | den Herzen | dem Namen | den Namen |
| Gen. | des Herzens | der Herzen | des Namens | der Namen |
Group 7 - Mixed
-Add -s or -es for Genitive Singular
-Add -n or -en for all plural
| Sing. | Plural | |
| Nom. | das Bett | die Betten |
| Acc. | das Bett | die Betten |
| Dat. | dem Bett | den Betten |
| Gen. | des Bettes | der Betten |
| German States | English Translation |
| Baden-Württemberg | Baden-Württemberg |
| Berlin | Berlin |
| Brandenburg | Brandenburg |
| Bremen | Bremen |
| Hamburg | Hamburg |
| Bayern | Bavaria |
| Sachsen | Saxony |
| Thüringen | Thuringia |
| Hessen | Hesse |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania |
| Niedersachsen | Lower Saxony |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | Rhineland-Palatinate |
| Saarland | Saarland |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | Saxony-Anhalt |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Schleswig-Holstein |
Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg are cities as well as states.
| Austrian States | English Translation |
| Burgenland | Burgenland |
| Kämten | Carinthia |
| Niederösterreich | Lower Austria |
| Oberösterreich | Upper Austria |
| Salzburg | Salzburg |
| Steiermark | Styria |
| Tirol | Tyrol |
| Vorarlberg | Vorarlberg |
| Wien | Vienna |
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