Masculine nouns that add -(e)n in all cases except nominative singular
Can decline weak masculine nouns in all cases
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Ich kenne den Studenten gut.
I know the student well.
Der Arzt hilft dem Patienten.
The doctor helps the patient.
Können Sie dem Herrn helfen?
Can you help the gentleman?
Der Junge spielt mit dem Nachbarn.
The boy plays with the neighbor.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
A group of masculine nouns adds -(e)n in every case except nominative singular.
| Standard | N-Deklination | |
|---|---|---|
| Nom. | der Student | der Student |
| Akk. | den Student | den Studenten |
| Dat. | dem Student | dem Studenten |
| Gen. | des Students | des Studenten |
Which nouns? Masculine ending in -e (people/animals): der Junge, der Kollege, der Kunde. Foreign: -ant, -ent, -ist, -at, -oge: der Student, der Patient, der Tourist. Plus: der Herr (→Herrn), der Mensch, der Nachbar.
Exception: der Name, der Buchstabe, der Gedanke add -n but -ns in genitive.
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Practice ExercisesWrong grammatical gender assigned to noun
Learn nouns with their articles (der/die/das) from the start
Incorrect plural ending or umlaut
Review the 5 plural patterns: -e, -er, -en, -s, and no change
Wrong case ending on noun or article
Practice case tables and identify subject/object/indirect object in sentences
Ich kenne den Studenten gut.
I know the student well.
Acc.: der Student → den Studenten.
Der Arzt hilft dem Patienten.
The doctor helps the patient.
Dat.: der Patient → dem Patienten.
Können Sie dem Herrn helfen?
Can you help the gentleman?
Der Herr → dem Herrn (only -n).
Der Junge spielt mit dem Nachbarn.
The boy plays with the neighbor.
Dat.: der Nachbar → dem Nachbarn.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises