Adjective Endings After Der-Words

Level 2

When a determiner like 'der', 'die', or 'das' already shows the case and gender, the adjective takes a 'weak' ending: either -e or -en.

How It Works

In German, attributive adjectives must have an ending. The 'weak' pattern is triggered by 'der-words', which include:

  • Definite articles: der, die, das
  • Demonstratives: dieser (this)
  • Quantifiers: jeder (every), alle (all), welcher (which)

The Two Endings:
1. -e: Used in the 'L-shape' area of the grammar chart. This covers Nominative singular (all genders) and Accusative singular (Feminine and Neuter only).
2. -en: Used everywhere else. This includes the Masculine Accusative, all Dative and Genitive forms, and all plural forms.

Special Spelling Changes:
If an adjective ends in -el (e.g., dunkel), the internal 'e' is dropped (e.g., das dunkle Zimmer). For adjectives ending in -er, the 'e' is only dropped if it follows a vowel or diphthong (e.g., teuer becomes die teure Uhr, but sauber remains das saubere Zimmer). The adjective hoch (high) changes its stem to hoh- (e.g., der hohe Baum).

Examples (5)

  1. Der neue Film ist sehr interessant.

    The new film is very interesting.

    Word by Word: The new film is very interesting.

    Nominative Masculine: Since 'der' signals the case, the adjective 'neu' takes the weak ending -e.

  2. Ich sehe den kleinen Hund im Garten.

    I see the small dog in the garden.

    Word by Word: I see the small dog in-the garden.

    Accusative Masculine: After 'den', the adjective always takes -en.

  3. Wir helfen der alten Frau.

    We are helping the old woman.

    Word by Word: We help the old woman.

    Dative Feminine: All dative adjectives in the weak declension end in -en.

  4. Diese grünen Äpfel schmecken gut.

    These green apples taste good.

    Word by Word: These green apples taste good.

    Nominative Plural: After 'diese' (a der-word), all plural adjectives take -en.

  5. Das teure Auto gehört meinem Vater.

    The expensive car belongs to my father.

    Word by Word: The expensive car belongs my father.

    Nominative Neuter: 'teuer' drops its internal 'e' before adding the weak ending -e.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the 'strong' ending when a 'der-word' is present.

    Der guter Mann arbeitet hier.
    Der gute Mann arbeitet hier.

    Learners often try to add -er to masculine adjectives because they know 'der' is masculine. However, because 'der' already shows the gender, the adjective must use the weak -e ending.

  • Forgetting the -en ending for all plural forms.

    Die neu Bücher sind teuer.
    Die neuen Bücher sind teuer.

    In the plural, adjectives following 'die' or 'diese' must always end in -en, regardless of the case.

  • Applying endings to adjectives that come after the verb.

    Das Haus ist schöne.
    Das Haus ist schön.

    Adjectives only take endings when they are placed directly before a noun. When they follow a verb like 'sein', they remain undeclined.

How It Connects

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

Adjective Endings After Der-WordsLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn weak adjective endings, you must first understand that German nouns have genders and that the language uses a case system. Since weak endings occur specifically after definite articles and 'der-words' (like 'dieser'), you need to be familiar with how these determiners function before applying the corresponding adjective suffixes.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-e-en