The dative
The dative marks many recipients and follows certain verbs and prepositions. Articles: der → dem, die → der, das → dem, plural die → den. Add -n to a dative plural noun unless it already ends in -n or -s.
Understand the idea
Dative often marks a recipient, but that is only one way it appears. Some verbs require dative, and some prepositions always require it. Learning those patterns is more useful than translating every dative phrase as to or for someone.
Build it step by step
For definite articles, use dem with masculine and neuter nouns, der with feminine nouns and den with plural nouns. Many dative plural nouns also add -n, unless their plural already ends in -n or -s. Choose the ending of an indefinite or possessive article by the same gender, number and case decisions.
See it in a sentence
Ich helfe der Frau.
Das Buch gehört dem Mann.
Quick reference
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | den |
| Genitive | des | der | des | der |
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ein | eine | ein |
| Accusative | einen | eine | ein |
| Dative | einem | einer | einem |
| Genitive | eines | einer | eines |
A useful memory aid
Learn short combinations such as mit dem Zug and einer Frau helfen. They connect an ending to a useful situation.
A common trap
Do not use accusative after helfen just because English says help someone. Also remember that dative plural can change the noun as well as its article.