The genitive: whose it is, and when you say it that way
CEFR B1
What you will learn
- Recognise the pattern taught in “The genitive: whose it is, and when you say it that way” in a short example.
- Choose the appropriate form from “The genitive: whose it is, and when you say it that way” using explicit evidence.
- Apply and justify the rule from “The genitive: whose it is, and when you say it that way” in a new case.
The idea
The genitive expresses possession and other noun relations. Determiners distinguish des and der; many masculine and neuter nouns add -(e)s, while other noun classes follow their own patterns. In everyday speech, von plus the dative is a frequent alternative for many possession relations.
The determiner forms are des for masculine and neuter, der for feminine and der for the plural. Many strong masculine and neuter nouns add -s or -es: das Auto meines Vaters, der Titel des Buches. Weak masculine nouns keep -(e)n —des Studenten, des Jungen— and some mixed nouns have their own form, such as des Namens or des Herzens; therefore -s is not added automatically to every masculine noun.
In the usual noun phrase, the thing owned comes first and the owner second: «die Farbe des Autos». With proper names, the owner can come first with an attached -s: «Annas Auto», with no apostrophe. Names ending in s, ß, x or z take an apostrophe only: «Max’ Fahrrad».
In everyday speech, von plus the dative is a frequent alternative for many possession relations: «das Auto von meinem Vater». It is neither wrong nor sloppy. The genitive nevertheless remains current in fixed combinations and in formal and written registers.
Prepositions such as während, wegen, trotz, statt, innerhalb and außerhalb govern the genitive in standard German. Colloquial usage has regional or dative variants, so learn the standard government without turning it into an absolute ban.
To choose a form, separate three layers: the determiner marks gender, number and case; the noun class determines whether -(e)s, -(e)n or another form appears; and the whole group normally follows the noun it modifies. This keeps the standard rule distinct from register-based alternatives.
genitivo articulo y nombre
| elemento | forma |
|---|---|
| 1 | masculino singular · des · eines · des neuen Plans |
| 2 | neutro singular · des · eines · des alten Hauses |
| 3 | femenino singular · der · einer · der langen Reise |
| 4 | plural · der · keiner · der neuen Pläne |
nombres propios
| elemento | forma |
|---|---|
| 1 | terminación ordinaria · Paul → Pauls Fahrrad |
| 2 | terminación s/ß/x/z · Max → Max’ Fahrrad |
| 3 | grupo pospuesto · das Fahrrad meines Bruders |
terminacion del sustantivo
| elemento | forma |
|---|---|
| 1 | fuerte masculino · der Vater · des Vaters · -s |
| 2 | fuerte neutro · das Buch · des Buches · -es |
| 3 | débil masculino · der Student · des Studenten · -(e)n |
| 4 | mixto masculino · der Name · des Namens · -(e)n + s |
| 5 | caso especial · das Herz · des Herzens · forma léxica |
| 6 | femenino · die Reise · der Reise · sin sufijo nominal |
| 7 | plural · die Pläne · der Pläne · sin sufijo genitivo adicional |
How it sounds
- das Auto meines VatersThe owner comes second and the masculine adds -s to the noun.
- das Auto von meinem VaterThe same idea as spoken, with von and the dative.
- Während des Sommers arbeite ich nicht.während takes the genitive, and there is no von alternative there.
- Annas Auto steht draußen.With a proper name the owner goes first, and with no apostrophe.
Your turn
Two or three, to check that the bit above landed.
Die Tür ___ Museums bleibt heute geschlossen.
des — Museum is singular neuter; the definite article in the genitive is des.
Das ist ___ Fahrrad. (Leon)
Leons — The proper name Leon comes before the noun and adds -s without an apostrophe.
Während ___ Reise blieb das Büro geschlossen.
der — während governs the genitive; Reise is feminine, so the article is der.
When it doesn't hold
What breaks the rule, said out loud. Hiding it is what makes you feel cheated in the exam.
- wegen and trotz are often heard with the dative, and grammars now accept that in speech.trotz dem Regen
- A handful of nouns add -ens instead of -es, and have to be learnt.des Herzens, des Namens
- Some time expressions are fossilised genitives that nobody parses any more.eines Tages
What your own language pushes you to say
Wrong des Vater Auto
Right das Auto des Vaters
English puts the owner first and marks it with 's —«my father's car»— so the German order gets reversed and the -s lands on the wrong word.