Adjective As Predicate

Level 1

In German, when an adjective comes after a verb like sein (to be), it stays in its basic form. You do not add any endings like -e, -er, or -en.

How It Works

The predicative adjective is one of the simplest parts of German grammar because it requires no declension (endings).

1. The Linking Verbs
This pattern occurs with 'copula' or linking verbs. The most common are:

  • sein (to be)
  • werden (to become)
  • bleiben (to stay/remain)
  • scheinen (to seem)
  • aussehen (to look/appear)

2. No Endings
Regardless of whether the subject is masculine, feminine, neuter, or plural, the adjective remains in its dictionary form.
Example: Der Mann ist jung. Die Frau ist jung. Die Kinder sind jung.

3. Adjective vs. Adverb
In German, predicative adjectives often look identical to adverbs. The difference is that the adjective describes a state of the noun, while an adverb describes how an action is performed.

4. Exceptions and Special Cases

  • Predicative-only adjectives: Some adjectives, such as quitt (even), schade (a pity), or egal (all the same), can only be used in this position and never directly before a noun.
  • Superlatives: When using a superlative (the best, the tallest) in this position, you most commonly use the 'am ... -sten' form (e.g., Der Berg ist am höchsten). However, it is also possible to use the definite article (e.g., Der Berg ist der höchste).
  • Attributive-only: A few adjectives like gestrig (yesterday's) cannot be used in the predicative position.

Examples (5)

  1. Das Auto ist neu.

    The car is new.

    Word by Word: The car is new.

    Even though 'Auto' is neuter, the adjective 'neu' takes no ending because it follows the verb 'ist'.

  2. Die Pizza schmeckt gut.

    The pizza tastes good.

    Word by Word: The pizza tastes good.

    'Gut' describes the pizza (the subject) and remains in its base form.

  3. Meine Freunde sind lustig.

    My friends are funny.

    Word by Word: My friends are funny.

    Even with a plural subject ('Freunde'), the adjective 'lustig' does not change.

  4. Das Wetter wird heute schön.

    The weather is becoming beautiful today.

    Word by Word: The weather becomes today beautiful.

    The verb 'werden' (to become) also triggers the predicative (no ending) form of the adjective.

  5. Bleib bitte ruhig!

    Please stay calm!

    Word by Word: Stay please calm!

    The verb 'bleiben' (to stay) links the state 'ruhig' to the implied subject 'du'.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding adjective endings to predicative adjectives.

    Der Tee ist heiße.
    Der Tee ist heiß.

    Learners often try to add an ending, because they know endings from adjectives before a noun. However, a basic adjective after 'ist' takes no ending.

  • Forgetting endings when the adjective moves before the noun.

    Ein gut Mann.
    Ein guter Mann.

    While predicative adjectives have no endings, attributive adjectives (before the noun) MUST have endings.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Adjective As PredicateLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand how adjectives function as predicates, you first need to know how to conjugate the verb 'sein' (to be), as it is the primary verb used in this construction. Additionally, a basic grasp of German word order and personal pronouns is essential for forming complete sentences like 'Ich bin müde' or 'Das Haus ist groß'.

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