CEFR B2
What you will learn
- Recognise the pattern taught in “N-declension: der Student, den Studenten” in a short example.
- Choose the appropriate form from “N-declension: der Student, den Studenten” using explicit evidence.
- Apply and justify the rule from “N-declension: der Student, den Studenten” in a new case.
Before you start
- Have studied “German accusative: complete articles and pronouns”.
- Have studied “German dative A2: forms, functions and government”.
The idea
A limited group of masculine nouns keeps its base form only in the nominative singular and adds -(e)n in the other cases. Similar-looking nouns may follow mixed patterns and must remain separate.
The basic contrast has two forms, not four: der Student versus den Studenten, dem Studenten and des Studenten. The plural is also Studenten in every case; articles show its function. The n therefore belongs to the noun and is not a dative ending that can be added to any word.
Many members denote people or animals. Masculines ending in -e are commonly weak: der Junge, der Kunde, der Kollege, der Löwe. Foreign-derived endings such as -ant, -ent, -ist, -oge and -at are also common: Demonstrant, Präsident, Journalist, Biologe, Soldat. Several frequent words must be learnt lexically: Mensch, Herr, Held, Bär, Nachbar.
The exact ending depends on the base. Junge forms Jungen; Student forms Studenten; Herr shortens its oblique singular to Herrn and uses Herren in the plural. Meaning alone does not identify the entire class, so learn each noun with its nominative and plural and confirm its pattern.
Name is not a regular weak masculine noun. It forms den Namen and dem Namen, but its genitive is des Namens. This is a mixed pattern because -(e)n combines with a genitive s. Herz is neuter and also special: das Herz, dem Herzen, des Herzens. Putting them in the same row as Student would conceal real differences.
To solve a sentence, first identify gender and case from the determiner, then ask whether the noun belongs to the weak class. If it does and the form is not nominative singular, add -(e)n. Finally check for Herr or a mixed pattern before writing the form.
Weak masculine: Student
| Item | Form |
|---|---|
| 1 | nominative · der Student · die Studenten |
| 2 | accusative · den Studenten · die Studenten |
| 3 | dative · dem Studenten · den Studenten |
| 4 | genitive · des Studenten · der Studenten |
Weak masculine: Junge and Herr
| Item | Form |
|---|---|
| 1 | nominative singular · der Junge · der Herr |
| 2 | accusative singular · den Jungen · den Herrn |
| 3 | dative singular · dem Jungen · dem Herrn |
| 4 | genitive singular · des Jungen · des Herrn |
| 5 | nominative plural · die Jungen · die Herren |
Mixed patterns, treated separately
| Item | Form |
|---|---|
| 1 | nominative singular · der Name · das Herz |
| 2 | accusative singular · den Namen · das Herz |
| 3 | dative singular · dem Namen · dem Herzen |
| 4 | genitive singular · des Namens · des Herzens |
| 5 | nominative plural · die Namen · die Herzen |
Lexical clues (not absolute)
| Item | Form |
|---|---|
| 1 | masculine nouns in -e · Junge, Kunde, Kollege, Löwe |
| 2 | ending -ant/-ent · Demonstrant, Präsident, Student |
| 3 | ending -ist/-oge/-at · Journalist, Biologe, Soldat |
| 4 | group to learn by heart · Mensch, Herr, Held, Bär, Nachbar |
| 5 | mixed pattern with n + genitive s · Name, Gedanke, Glaube, Wille |
How it sounds
- Der Kunde wartet vor dem Büro.Nominative singular: Kunde keeps its dictionary form.
- Die Mitarbeiter sprechen mit dem Kunden.The weak dative singular adds -n.
- Der Bericht des Journalisten fehlt.Journalist adds -en in the genitive as well.
- Wir helfen Herrn Becker.Herr forms Herrn in the oblique singular cases.
Check objective 1Another case
A proposed answer is “Kollege” for this case: “Ich danke dem Kollege. (Kollege)”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “Kolleges” for this case: “Ich danke dem Kolleges. (Kollege)”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: Kollegen — Kollege is weak masculine and the dative singular adds -n: dem Kollegen.
Kollege is weak masculine and the dative singular adds -n: dem Kollegen.
Answer: Kollegen — Kollege is weak masculine and the dative singular adds -n: dem Kollegen.
Kollege is weak masculine and the dative singular adds -n: dem Kollegen.
Check objective 2Another case
A proposed answer is “Präsident” for this case: “Wir sehen den Präsident vor dem Rathaus. (Präsident)”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “Präsidentens” for this case: “Wir sehen den Präsidentens vor dem Rathaus. (Präsident)”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: Präsidenten — Präsident belongs to the -ent group, and its accusative singular is Präsidenten.
Präsident belongs to the -ent group, and its accusative singular is Präsidenten.
Answer: Präsidenten — Präsident belongs to the -ent group, and its accusative singular is Präsidenten.
Präsident belongs to the -ent group, and its accusative singular is Präsidenten.
Check objective 3Another case
A proposed answer is “Gedanken” for this case: “Die Entwicklung dieses Gedanken war schwierig. (Gedanke)”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “Gedankes” for this case: “Die Entwicklung dieses Gedankes war schwierig. (Gedanke)”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: Gedankens — Gedanke follows the mixed pattern: Gedanken in the accusative and dative, but Gedankens in the genitive.
Gedanke follows the mixed pattern: Gedanken in the accusative and dative, but Gedankens in the genitive.
Answer: Gedankens — Gedanke follows the mixed pattern: Gedanken in the accusative and dative, but Gedankens in the genitive.
Gedanke follows the mixed pattern: Gedanken in the accusative and dative, but Gedankens in the genitive.
When it doesn't hold
What breaks the rule, said out loud. Hiding it is what makes you feel cheated in the exam.
- The mixed ones also add an -s in the genitive, and there are only a few.des Namens, des Herzens
- Herr takes -n in the singular and -en in the plural, and is the only one like that.dem Herrn, den Herren
- In speech many people drop this -n, but in writing it is still a mistake.Ich sehe den Junge.
What your own language pushes you to say
Wrong Ich sehe den Junge.
Right Ich sehe den Jungen.
English nouns only ever change for plural and possession, so the idea of an ending that appears in three cases out of four has nothing to attach to. This group is small enough to learn as a list.
Challenge: apply every rule
Solve every case and justify each choice: 1) A proposed answer is “Präsidenten” for this case: “Ich danke dem Präsidenten. (Kollege)”. Choose the only valid form. 2) A proposed answer is “Kollegen” for this case: “Wir sehen den Kollegen vor dem Rathaus. (Präsident)”. Choose the only valid form. 3) A proposed answer is “Gedanken” for this case: “Die Entwicklung dieses Gedanken war schwierig. (Gedanke)”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
- Recognise the pattern taught in “N-declension: der Student, den Studenten” in a short example.
- Choose the appropriate form from “N-declension: der Student, den Studenten” using explicit evidence.
- Apply and justify the rule from “N-declension: der Student, den Studenten” in a new case.
Answer: Kollegen · Präsidenten · Gedankens
Kollege is weak masculine and the dative singular adds -n: dem Kollegen. Präsident belongs to the -ent group, and its accusative singular is Präsidenten. Gedanke follows the mixed pattern: Gedanken in the accusative and dative, but Gedankens in the genitive.
Continue along this corridor
Practise this: der Junge, den Jungen: the nouns that take an nSubjective modals: deduction, possibility and source