Mixed Adjective Endings Across Cases
Mixed declension applies when an adjective follows an indefinite article (ein), a negative article (kein), or a possessive (mein, dein, etc.). It uses 'strong' endings to show gender in three specific gaps (Masculine Nom., Neuter Nom., Neuter Acc.) and 'weak' endings (-en/-e) everywhere else.
How It Works
The mixed paradigm is a hybrid system used after ein-words. It is essentially the weak declension with three specific exceptions where the adjective must carry the 'strong' signal because the article is uninflected (bare).
1. The Three 'Strong' Gaps:
In these three cases, the article (ein/mein/kein) has no ending, so the adjective takes the ending of the definite article:
- Masculine Nominative: ein guter Mann (signals der)
- Neuter Nominative: ein gutes Kind (signals das)
- Neuter Accusative: ein gutes Kind (signals das)
2. The Weak Endings:
In all other cases (Feminine, Dative, Genitive, and Masculine Accusative), the article already has a clear ending (e.g., eine, einem, einen). Therefore, the adjective follows the weak pattern, usually taking -en (or -e for Feminine Nominative/Accusative).
3. The Plural Rule:
Since 'ein' has no plural, this paradigm applies to kein and possessives in the plural. In the plural, the adjective always takes the weak ending -en (e.g., meine neuen Bücher).
Examples (5)
- Das ist ein großer Hund.
That is a big dog.
Word by Word: That is a big dog.
Masculine Nominative: 'ein' has no ending, so the adjective takes the strong '-er' to signal the masculine gender.
- Ich habe ein neues Auto.
I have a new car.
Word by Word: I have a new car.
Neuter Accusative: 'ein' is bare, so the adjective takes the strong '-es' to signal the neuter gender.
- Er hilft seiner alten Mutter.
He is helping his old mother.
Word by Word: He helps his old mother.
Dative Feminine: The possessive 'seiner' already signals the case, so the adjective takes the weak '-en' ending.
- Wir suchen unseren kleinen Schlüssel.
We are looking for our small key.
Word by Word: We search our small key.
Masculine Accusative: 'unseren' signals the case, so the adjective takes the weak '-en' ending.
- Keine neuen Nachrichten sind gute Nachrichten.
No new news is good news.
Word by Word: No new news are good news.
Plural: After 'keine', the adjective in the plural always takes the weak '-en' ending.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the strong ending when the article is bare (the 'gap').
Ein gut Mann.Ein guter Mann.Because 'ein' has no ending here, the adjective MUST take the '-er' ending to show that the noun is masculine nominative.
Using strong endings in the plural after 'keine' or possessives.
Meine gute Freunde.Meine guten Freunde.In the plural mixed declension, the adjective always takes the weak '-en' ending, not the strong '-e' ending.
Adding endings to predicate adjectives (adjectives after the verb).
Mein Auto ist neues.Mein Auto ist neu.Adjectives only take these endings when they stand directly before a noun. If they follow a verb like 'sein', they remain undeclined.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the full paradigm of mixed adjective endings, a learner needs to be comfortable with the four-case system (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive) and how 'ein-words' (indefinite articles, negative articles, and possessives) behave in those cases. This pattern builds directly on the basic mixed adjective rules by extending them to the dative and genitive cases.
- Adjective Endings After Ein-Words
The learner must first understand the basic concept of mixed adjective endings in the nominative and accusative before applying them to the full case paradigm.
Level 2 - Possessive Pronouns Across Cases
Mixed adjective endings occur after 'ein-words', which include possessive pronouns; understanding how these articles change across all cases is essential.
Level 2 - Genitive Case Articles
A full paradigm includes the genitive case, so the learner must be familiar with genitive article forms to apply the corresponding adjective endings.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- Weak Adjective Endings Across Cases
The mixed paradigm is based on the weak paradigm, used after definite articles.
Level 3 - Adjective Endings Without An Article
Strong endings are used when no article is present at all; the mixed paradigm 'borrows' three of these endings.
Level 3 - ein/eineIndefinite Article
The indefinite article triggers the mixed declension pattern.
Level 1 - mein/dein/seinPossessive Pronouns Singular
Possessive adjectives trigger the mixed declension pattern just like 'ein'.
Level 1 - The Four Cases
Understanding cases is essential to knowing which ending to apply in the mixed paradigm.
Level 1 - Basic Adjective Placement
This is the basic rule for where attributive adjectives are placed before they are declined.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Mixed Adjective Endings Across Cases in Bubblegum
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