German Capitalization Rules – Learn What Words Are Capitalized in German

Key takeaways

• German capitalization rules focus on nouns, including all names of things, ideas, and people.
• Verbs and adjectives used as nouns are also capitalized, even in short phrases.
• Titles, formal greetings, and some pronouns follow clear capitalization patterns.
• Learning these rules helps you read with ease and build stronger writing habits.

German capitalization rules are different from English ones, but they follow steady patterns that help you read with more comfort. In German, nouns are always capitalized, even in the middle of a sentence. Once you learn the common signals, it becomes easier to recognize key words quickly. If you want clear support as you study, you can explore German learning to take steady steps at your own pace.

Why are nouns capitalized in German?

German capitalizes nouns to make them easier to identify. This tradition goes back centuries and continues to support clarity in long sentences. Capitalizing nouns helps you spot important information quickly, especially when the sentence structure changes.

Examples:

• Der Hund schläft. (The dog sleeps.)
• Ich trinke Wasser. (I drink water.)

Are all nouns capitalized in German?

Yes. Every noun — concrete or abstract — begins with a capital letter.

Examples:

• der Tisch (the table)
• die Freiheit (freedom)
• das Leben (life)

Capitalization for nouns used as verbs or adjectives

Sometimes German turns verbs or adjectives into nouns. These forms are called *Nominalisierungen* and always use a capital letter.

Examples:

• das Schwimmen (swimming)
• im Allgemeinen (in general)
• das Gute (the good)

These patterns help you identify when a word acts like a noun, even when the meaning shifts.

Capitalization in titles and greetings

German capitalizes most nouns in titles and formal greetings:

Examples:

• Liebe Frau König
• Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren
• Der Kleine Prinz (The Little Prince)

Adjectives in titles may appear capitalized depending on the style, but nouns always follow the rule.

Pronouns and capitalization in German

Pronouns are normally lowercase, with one important exception: the formal “you.”

Examples:

• Sie, Ihnen, Ihr (formal you) → capitalized
• du, dir, ihr (informal you) → lowercase
• es, sie, wir → lowercase

This helps you distinguish respect and formality in written communication.

Capitalization after commas and in long sentences

German continues capitalization even after commas, because nouns always keep their capital letter. This supports comprehension in sentences with many clauses.

Example:

• Ich weiß, dass der Lehrer heute früher geht.

Capitalization with days, months, and languages

Unlike English, German does not capitalize days of the week, months, or language names unless they act as nouns.

Examples:

• montag, dienstag
• januar, februar
• deutsch, spanisch

But:

• ein Montag im Mai (noun use → capital M)

Common mistakes with German capitalization

Learners often mix up these points:

• Capitalizing adjectives when unnecessary
• ❌ *Ich mag Grüner Tee.*
• ✅ Ich mag grünen Tee.

• Forgetting to capitalize nouns after articles
• ❌ *der tisch*
• ✅ der Tisch

• Lowercasing formal pronouns
• ❌ *ich hoffe, sie kommen*
• ✅ Ich hoffe, Sie kommen.

Practical examples for daily practice

Here are simple sentences that show correct capitalization:

• Das Wetter ist schön.
• Ich habe eine Frage.
• Sie helfen uns heute.
• Ich interessiere mich für Geschichte.

These forms help you see patterns that appear in everyday reading.

Tips for learning German capitalization rules

You can build clarity with friendly habits:

• Look at the article: if it appears before the word, the noun is capitalized.
• Watch for verbs and adjectives used as nouns.
• Review short examples each day.
• Read simple texts to see capitalization in action.
• Write short sentences and check noun forms carefully.

Consistent practice helps the patterns feel natural.

Learn German capitalization with Promova

Promova gives you a supportive space to practice German capitalization through simple examples and guided exercises. You can follow clear explanations, learn how nouns appear in natural sentences, and study at a pace that matches your day. With steady practice, you begin to spot nouns easily and write with more confidence.

Final thoughts on German capitalization rules

German capitalization rules follow clear patterns that help you understand the meaning of each sentence. When you know which words need capital letters, reading becomes smoother and writing feels more natural. With patient practice and friendly guidance, you can master these forms step by step.

FAQ

Are nouns always capitalized in German?

Yes. All nouns, including abstract concepts, names, and objects, begin with a capital letter.

Why does German capitalize nouns?

German uses capitalization for clarity. It helps readers identify key information quickly, especially in long sentences.

Do adjectives ever get capitalized in German?

Yes, but only when the adjective functions as a noun. Forms like das Gute or im Allgemeinen follow this rule.

Are pronouns capitalized in German?

Most pronouns are lowercase, except for the formal Sie, which shows respect and politeness.