Weak Adjective Endings Across Cases
The weak declension is used when a 'strong' determiner (like der, die, das) has already clearly marked the case and gender. In this pattern, the adjective only ever ends in -e or -en.
How It Works
Weak adjective endings occur after 'der-words'. These include definite articles, as well as determiners like welcher, dieser, jeder, jener, mancher, and solcher.
The 'L-Shape' Rule:
In the weak paradigm, the ending is -e only in these five cases:
- Nominative Singular: Masculine, Feminine, and Neuter
- Accusative Singular: Feminine and Neuter
Every other form (all Dative, all Genitive, all Plural, and Masculine Accusative) takes the -en ending. This creates an 'L' shape on a standard grammar grid.
Important Note on Plurals:
While alle and beide trigger these weak endings in the plural, most other plural quantifiers (like viele, einige, or mehrere) actually trigger strong endings.
This pattern is also triggered by contracted prepositions like im (in dem) or am (an dem), because they contain a hidden definite article.
Examples (5)
- Der kleine Hund schläft.
The small dog is sleeping.
Word by Word: The small dog sleeps.
Masculine Nominative: The article 'der' is strong, so the adjective takes the weak '-e' ending.
- Ich sehe das rote Auto.
I see the red car.
Word by Word: I see the red car.
Neuter Accusative: After 'das', the adjective takes the weak '-e' ending.
- Wir helfen der alten Frau.
We are helping the old woman.
Word by Word: We help the old woman.
Feminine Dative: The article 'der' (dative) is strong, so the adjective takes the '-en' ending.
- Alle guten Freunde sind hier.
All good friends are here.
Word by Word: All good friends are here.
Plural Nominative: After 'alle', adjectives always take the '-en' ending in the weak paradigm.
- Ich kaufe den neuen Tisch.
I am buying the new table.
Word by Word: I buy the new table.
Masculine Accusative: Unlike feminine/neuter, the masculine accusative takes '-en'.
Common Mistakes
Using -en for all singular nominative forms.
Der guten Mann ist hier.Der gute Mann ist hier.Learners often over-apply the '-en' ending. Remember that Masculine, Feminine, and Neuter Nominative singular always take '-e' in the weak pattern.
Adding endings to predicate adjectives.
Das Auto ist rote.Das Auto ist rot.Adjectives only take endings when they come BEFORE a noun. If they follow a verb like 'sein', they remain uninflected.
Treating 'viele' like 'alle'.
Viele guten Kinder.Viele gute Kinder.While 'alle' triggers weak endings (-en), 'viele' usually triggers strong endings. In the plural nominative/accusative, this means 'viele' is followed by '-e', not '-en'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the full paradigm of weak adjective endings, you must first understand the German case system and noun genders, as these factors dictate which ending is applied. Additionally, familiarity with the basic concept of how adjectives behave after definite articles (der-words) is required before learning the complete set of endings for all cases.
Related Patterns
- Mixed Adjective Endings Across Cases
The mixed paradigm is used after 'ein-words' and is identical to the weak paradigm except for three specific 'strong' substitutions.
Level 3 - Adjective Endings Without An Article
Strong endings are used when there is no article at all to show the case/gender.
Level 3 - The Four Cases
Understanding cases is essential because the adjective ending depends on whether the noun is the subject (Nominative), direct object (Accusative), or indirect object (Dative).
Level 1 - dieser/diese/diesesThis/These
This determiner functions exactly like 'der/die/das' and triggers the weak adjective paradigm.
Level 1 - Contracted Preposition-Article Forms
Words like 'im' and 'am' contain definite articles and therefore require weak adjective endings.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Weak Adjective Endings Across Cases in Bubblegum
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