Genitive Case in German – Meaning, Rules, and Examples

Key takeaways

• “German adjective endings” show how adjectives change before nouns in daily sentences.
• Endings depend on gender, case, number, and whether the noun has a definite, indefinite, or no article.
• Simple charts help you follow patterns without stress.
• Short examples support calm, step-by-step learning.

German adjective endings help you create clear, accurate phrases in everyday German. These small changes appear often in reading, travel situations, and simple conversations. When you learn the main patterns, the language becomes easier to follow.

Many learners start with basic adjectives, then explore how endings shift depending on the noun and article. With steady practice and clear charts, you begin to recognize repeating structures. If you want guided practice, you can explore lessons designed to help you learn to speak German at a pace that feels comfortable.

What are German adjective endings?

German adjective endings are small endings added to adjectives when they appear before a noun. They reflect:

• the gender (masculine, feminine, neuter)
• the case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive)
• the number (singular or plural)
• the article type (definite, indefinite, or none)

These endings help show the role of each noun inside a sentence.

When do German adjectives take endings?

Adjectives take endings only when they stand directly before a noun:

• ein kleines Haus
• der neue Tisch
• gute Bücher

If the adjective comes after a verb, it stays in its base form:

• Das Haus ist klein.
• Die Bücher sind gut.

Three types of German adjective endings

German adjective endings follow three patterns based on article type.

### 1. After definite articles (der, die, das)

These articles already show gender and case, so the adjective endings are softer:

• der kleine Hund
• die kleine Blume
• das kleine Auto

### 2. After indefinite articles (ein, eine)

These articles do *not* always show gender or case, so the adjective carries more information:

• ein kleiner Hund
• eine kleine Blume
• ein kleines Auto

### 3. Without an article

The adjective must show full information through strong endings:

• kleiner Hund
• kleine Blume
• kleines Auto

German adjective endings chart (simple guide)

A comfortable starter chart helps you see how endings shift:

Nominative

• der kleine Hund
• die kleine Katze
• das kleine Kind
• kleine Kinder

Accusative

• den kleinen Hund
• die kleine Katze
• das kleine Kind
• kleine Kinder

Dative

• dem kleinen Hund
• der kleinen Katze
• dem kleinen Kind
• kleinen Kindern

These patterns repeat across many nouns.

Tips for learning German adjective endings

Friendly habits make the process easier:

• Learn endings in small steps, one case at a time.
• Use color-coded charts to notice repeating patterns.
• Practice with short phrases like “ein kleines Haus” or “der neue Tag.”
• Read slowly and underline adjective–noun pairs.
• Repeat examples aloud to strengthen recall.

Why adjective endings matter

German uses endings to show sentence structure. When you follow these small patterns, you:

• understand descriptions with clarity
• express details about objects and people
• read simple texts more comfortably
• build accurate sentences without confusion

These skills support confident communication.

German adjective endings in real sentences

Here are friendly examples to guide you:

• Ich kaufe einen roten Apfel.
• Wir besuchen das neue Museum.
• Sie spricht mit dem netten Lehrer.
• Er hat kleine Probleme.

Each sentence shows endings matched to article, case, and gender.

Learn German adjective endings with support on Promova

Promova gives you a warm, encouraging space to practice adjective endings without pressure. You can explore short patterns, simple drills, and helpful charts. Guided lessons help you repeat forms and apply them in natural phrases.

Speaking tools support slow, steady practice so you feel more confident building real sentences.

Final thoughts on German adjective endings

German adjective endings may look complex at first, but the patterns are predictable. With charts, short examples, and calm repetition, you can understand how endings reflect gender, case, and article type. Steady practice helps you express detailed ideas with clarity.

FAQ

What are German adjective endings used for?

They show gender, case, number, and article information when an adjective appears before a noun. These endings help build clear descriptions.

Do all German adjectives take endings?

Only adjectives placed before nouns take endings. After verbs like *sein*, *werden*, or *bleiben*, the adjective stays in base form.

How can beginners learn German adjective endings faster?

Start with simple charts, focus on one case at a time, and repeat short phrases. Visual color-coding also helps you notice patterns.

Are strong, weak, and mixed endings the same as article-based endings?

Yes. These terms describe endings after no article (strong), definite article (weak), or indefinite article (mixed). They follow the same core logic.