Adjective Endings After Ein-Words

Level 2

The 'mixed' declension is used when an adjective follows words like ein, kein, or mein. It uses a mix of 'strong' endings (to show gender/case when the article doesn't) and 'weak' endings (when the article already shows the case).

How It Works

The mixed declension applies to attributive adjectives following 'ein-words':

  • Indefinite articles: ein, eine
  • The negative article: kein, keine
  • Possessive determiners: mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, Ihr

The Logic of the 'Gaps':
In three specific singular cases, the word ein (or mein/kein) has no ending: Masculine Nominative, Neuter Nominative, and Neuter Accusative. Because the article is 'empty,' the adjective must 'step up' and provide the signal for the gender:

  • Masculine Nominative: ein guter Mann (-er signals masculine)
  • Neuter Nominative/Accusative: ein altes Haus (-es signals neuter)

The 'Relaxed' Rule:
In all other cases (where the article has an ending like -e, -en, -em, -er) and in all plural forms, the adjective 'relaxes' into the weak endings -e or -en. In the plural, the ending is always -en after keine or meine.

Examples (5)

  1. Ein neuer Wagen steht vor der Tür.

    A new car is standing in front of the door.

    Word by Word: A new car stands before the door.

    Masculine Nominative: 'ein' has no ending, so the adjective takes the strong '-er' to show it is masculine.

  2. Ich habe mein altes Fahrrad verkauft.

    I sold my old bicycle.

    Word by Word: I have my old bicycle sold.

    Neuter Accusative: 'mein' has no ending, so the adjective takes the strong '-es' to show it is neuter.

  3. Wir haben keine guten Ideen mehr.

    We don't have any more good ideas.

    Word by Word: We have no good ideas more.

    Plural: After 'keine', the adjective always takes the weak '-en' ending.

  4. Ich helfe meinem kleinen Bruder.

    I am helping my little brother.

    Word by Word: I help my little brother.

    Dative: 'meinem' already has the '-em' ending, so the adjective takes the weak '-en' ending.

  5. Sie sucht einen schwarzen Rock.

    She is looking for a black skirt.

    Word by Word: She seeks a black skirt.

    Masculine Accusative: 'einen' has an ending, so the adjective takes the weak '-en' ending.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the weak ending '-e' when the article has no ending.

    Ein gute Mann.
    Ein guter Mann.

    Since 'ein' doesn't show the masculine gender, the adjective must use the strong '-er' ending.

  • Over-applying strong endings when the article already has one.

    Mit einem gutem Freund.
    Mit einem guten Freund.

    Because 'einem' already signals the dative case with '-em', the adjective should use the weak '-en' ending.

  • Forgetting the '-en' ending in the plural.

    Meine neue Freunde.
    Meine neuen Freunde.

    In the mixed declension (after 'meine' or 'keine'), plural adjectives always end in '-en'.

How It Connects

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Adjective Endings After Ein-WordsLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn mixed adjective endings, you must first be comfortable with noun genders and the indefinite article (ein/eine). Since mixed endings are used when the article doesn't clearly show the case and gender (like 'ein' vs 'der'), understanding how adjectives behave after definite articles (weak endings) provides the necessary contrast to learn when the adjective must supply the missing grammatical information.

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