Adjective endings
Before a noun, adjectives take endings. After a definite article: der nette Mann, die nette Frau, das nette Kind, den netten Mann; dative adjectives use -en. After ein: ein netter Mann, ein nettes Kind. Predicate adjectives have no ending.
Understand the idea
An adjective before a noun carries an ending that helps mark the noun phrase's grammar. An adjective used after sein or a similar linking verb usually has no such ending. Before-noun endings depend on gender, number, case and the preceding article pattern.
Build it step by step
Identify the case and the noun's gender/number first. Then decide whether a definite article, an ein-type article or no article precedes the adjective. After a definite article, weak -e/-en endings predominate. Where an ein-type article has no ending, the adjective supplies a stronger signal. Dative adjectives commonly end in -en after an article.
See it in a sentence
Das ist ein gutes Buch.
Ich sehe den netten Mann.
Quick reference
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der gute Wein | die gute Milch | das gute Brot | die guten Bücher |
| Accusative | den guten Wein | die gute Milch | das gute Brot | die guten Bücher |
| Dative | dem guten Wein | der guten Milch | dem guten Brot | den guten Büchern |
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ein guter Wein | eine gute Milch | ein gutes Brot |
| Accusative | einen guten Wein | eine gute Milch | ein gutes Brot |
| Dative | einem guten Wein | einer guten Milch | einem guten Brot |
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | guter Wein | gute Milch | gutes Brot | gute Bücher |
| Accusative | guten Wein | gute Milch | gutes Brot | gute Bücher |
| Dative | gutem Wein | guter Milch | gutem Brot | guten Büchern |
A useful memory aid
Work through decisions in a fixed order: case, gender/number, article type, adjective ending. The tables below let you compare complete noun phrases.
A common trap
Do not give predicate adjectives noun-style endings. Also avoid learning one isolated ending without its article and noun.