Learn the use of adjectives with definite articles in accusative (den, die, das) and dative (dem, der) cases in German. Practice key words like "neuen" (new), "wichtige" (important), and "freundlichen" (friendly) to master adjective endings in context.
  1. The article shows the case (accusative or dative).
  2. The adjective follows the article and receives the appropriate ending.
  3. Without an article, the adjective has to take on the “work” and clearly show the ending.
Artikel & Fall (Articles & Case)Beispiel (Example)
den + Akkusativ (the + accusative)Ich kontrolliere den neuen Reisepass. (I check the new passport.)
die + Akkusativ (the + accusative)Sie zeigt die wichtige Sicherheitskontrolle. (She shows the important security check.)
das + Akkusativ (the + accusative)Wir buchen das bequeme Flugzeug. (We book the comfortable plane.)
dem + Dativ (dem + dative)Ich zeige dem freundlichen Mitarbeiter die Unterlagen. (I show the friendly employee the documents.)
der + Dativ (der + dative)Wir helfen der freundlichen Passagierin. (We help the friendly passenger.)
ohne Artikel + Dativ (without article + dative)Er hilft kleinen Kindern am Flughafen. (He helps small children at the airport.)

 

Exercise 1: Adjektive:„den/die/das" +Akkusativ, „dem/der"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

späten, doppelte, wichtigen, neue, leere, große, bequemes, blaues

1. Bequem:
Ich habe ein ... Flugzeug für den Flug gebucht.
(Ich habe ein bequemes Flugzeug für den Flug gebucht.)
2. Neu:
Sie finden das ... Hostel in der Nähe vom Terminal.
(Sie finden das neue Hostel in der Nähe vom Terminal.)
3. Doppelt:
Das Reisebüro bestätigt das ... Zimmer für uns.
(Das Reisebüro bestätigt das doppelte Zimmer für uns.)
4. Spät:
Er beeilt sich wegen des ... Fluges.
(Er beeilt sich wegen des späten Fluges.)
5. Leer:
Die Sicherheitskontrolle zeigt das ... Handgepäck.
(Die Sicherheitskontrolle zeigt das leere Handgepäck.)
6. Wichtig:
Ich kontrolliere die ... Tickets vor dem Abflug.
(Ich kontrolliere die wichtigen Tickets vor dem Abflug.)
7. Groß:
Er packt das ... Gepäck in den Rucksack.
(Er packt das große Gepäck in den Rucksack.)
8. Blau:
Ich habe ein ... Ticket am Check-in vorgezeigt.
(Ich habe ein blaues Ticket am Check-in vorgezeigt.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the grammatically correct sentence with the proper use of the adjective in the accusative or dative case.

1.
Wrong case for the adjective: 'newem' is dative, but accusative is required here.
Incorrect adjective ending '-e' instead of '-en' in masculine accusative after a definite article.
2.
Wrong article ('the' instead of 'the') for feminine dative; this causes incorrect adjective inflection.
The adjective must have an ending after the article; the correct form is 'friendly' with the '-en' ending.
3.
In accusative feminine singular after a definite article, the adjective takes the ending '-e', not '-en'.
Wrong article 'the' (dative) instead of 'the' (accusative); therefore the adjective ending is incorrect.
4.
Wrong case for the noun: after 'helps', dative plural is required, so 'children'.
In strong dative plural, the adjective must end with '-en', not '-e'.

Adjective Endings with Definite Articles in Accusative and Dative Cases

This lesson focuses on how adjectives change their endings when used with definite articles in the Accusative and Dative cases in German. It is designed for learners at the A2 level who want to improve their grammar skills by understanding adjective declension in practical contexts.

Understanding the Role of Articles and Cases

In German, the article indicates the gender, number, and case of the noun, which affects the ending of the adjective that follows. Here, we focus on the definite articles:

  • Accusative Case: den (masculine), die (feminine), das (neuter)
  • Dative Case: dem (masculine/neuter), der (feminine)

The adjectives follow immediately after the article and receive specific endings that correspond to the case and gender of the noun they describe.

Key Examples

  • Ich kontrolliere den neuen Reisepass. (masculine, Accusative)
  • Sie zeigt die wichtige Sicherheitskontrolle. (feminine, Accusative)
  • Wir buchen das bequeme Flugzeug. (neuter, Accusative)
  • Ich zeige dem freundlichen Mitarbeiter die Unterlagen. (masculine, Dative)
  • Wir helfen der freundlichen Passagierin. (feminine, Dative)

Adjectives Without Articles in the Dative Case

When no article is present before a noun in the Dative case, the adjective must carry the ending that indicates the case and number by itself. For example:

  • Er hilft kleinen Kindern am Flughafen.

Important Highlights

  • The article signals the case (Accusative or Dative) and gender, helping to determine the correct adjective ending.
  • Adjectives after definite articles in these cases commonly receive the endings: -en for masculine and feminine in Dative and for masculine in Accusative; -e for feminine Accusative; and -e or -en depending on case and gender.
  • Without an article, adjectives take on stronger endings to clarify the grammatical role.

Useful Phrases and Words

This lesson helps you use adjectives like neu (new), wichtig (important), bequem (comfortable), and freundlich (friendly) correctly with nouns in daily contexts such as travel documents, safety controls, and people at the airport.

Comparing German and English Instruction

Unlike English, where adjectives do not change form, German requires adjective endings to show the grammatical relationship and gender of nouns. For example, while in English you say "the new passport," in German it is "den neuen Reisepass" in the masculine accusative case. Understanding these endings helps you form correct sentences and improves your communication precision in German.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Louis Fernando Hess

Bachelor of Science - Intercultural Business Psychology

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

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Germany


Last Updated:

Tuesday, 02/12/2025 22:04