LERNPFAD · A2 · fließend in alltäglichen Situationen
Adjektivdeklination nach bestimmtem Artikel — Einführung
I see the red bus.
ERKLÄRUNG
After a definite article, the adjective ending is usually either -e or -en. At A2, you only need a few clear patterns: -e in nominative singular and in accusative singular feminine/neuter, -en everywhere else in the cases covered here.
After the definite article (der/die/das and words like dieser, jeder, welcher), adjective endings are simple at this level: -e in nominative singular for all genders, and also -e in accusative singular feminine and neuter. Everywhere else in the forms you learn here, use -en: masculine accusative, all dative forms, and all plurals. That is why you say der rote Apfel, die rote Tasche, das kleine Kind, but den roten Apfel, mit dem roten Auto, and die roten Schuhe. We stop here with Nominativ, Akkusativ and Dativ; Genitiv and the full system come later.
STRUKTUR
definite article in nominative singular + Adjektiv + NomenUse -e in nominative singular for masculine, feminine, and neuter.
- Der kalte Wind kommt heute von Norden.The cold wind is coming from the north today.
- Die neue Tasche ist teuer.The new bag is expensive.
- Das kleine Kind spielt im Garten.The small child is playing in the garden.
definite article in accusative singular + Adjektiv + NomenUse -en after masculine accusative, but -e after feminine and neuter accusative.
- Ich kaufe den roten Mantel.I am buying the red coat.
- Wir sehen die neue Ausstellung.We are seeing the new exhibition.
- Er findet das kleine Hotel gut.He thinks the small hotel is good.
definite article in dative + Adjektiv + NomenIn all dative forms, the adjective ending is -en.
- Ich gehe mit dem alten Freund spazieren.I am going for a walk with the old friend.
- Sie sitzt auf der roten Bank.She is sitting on the red bench.
- Wir fahren mit den roten Fahrrädern.We are going by the red bikes.
ÜBERSICHT
Adjective endings after definite articles at A2
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| Accusative | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| Dative | -en | -en | -en | -en |
TYPISCHE FEHLER
Ich sehe den rote Hund.
Ich sehe den roten Hund.
After masculine accusative 'den', the adjective needs -en, not -e.
Die roten Tasche ist neu.
Die rote Tasche ist neu.
Feminine nominative singular after 'die' takes -e.
Mit dem alter Freund spreche ich oft.
Mit dem alten Freund spreche ich oft.
All dative forms take -en after the definite article.
Das kleinen Kind schläft.
Das kleine Kind schläft.
Neuter nominative singular after 'das' also takes -e, not -en.
HINWEISE
- Words like dieser, jeder and welcher behave like the definite article here.
- Do not learn the whole adjective system yet. Here, the contrast is only -e versus -en in the cases you already know.
- If the article shows the case clearly, the adjective ending is usually easy to choose.
- Plural after the definite article always uses -en in this lesson.
VERWANDT
Pick the answer that completes the sentence
Die ＿＿ Tasche steht neben dem Bett. (groß)
The big bag is next to the bed.