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A2 → Grammar · Lesson 14 of 22

German Adjective Endings Explained (A2)

die Adjektivendung
Before this lesson: make sure you've covered da- and wo-Compounds first.

You know adjectives after "sein" need no ending: "Das Auto ist schnell." But when an adjective sits directly IN FRONT of a noun, it needs an ending — which one depends on the noun's gender, case, and which article (if any) comes before it.

Types you should know

nach dem bestimmten Artikel
after der/die/das — weak endings
nach dem unbestimmten Artikel
after ein/eine — mixed endings

See it in action

MasculineFeminineNeuterPlural
der/die/dasder kleine Hunddie kleine Katzedas kleine Kinddie kleinen Kinder
ein/eine (Nom.)ein kleiner Hundeine kleine Katzeein kleines Kindkleine Kinder
Akkusativ (ein-)einen kleinen Hundeine kleine Katzeein kleines Kindkleine Kinder
Dativ (ein-)einem kleinen Hundeiner kleinen Katzeeinem kleinen Kindkleinen Kindern
Memory trick: If der/die/das already shows the gender clearly, the adjective can be 'lazy' (-e or -en). If the article is missing or ambiguous (ein), the adjective works harder and shows the gender itself.
⚠ Common mistake: Don't use the same ending everywhere — "ein kleine Hund" is wrong; since "ein" doesn't show masculine gender, the adjective must add -er: "ein kleiner Hund".

🎯 Quick check

"Ich habe ___ Hund." (a small dog, Akkusativ)

Related topics

da- and wo-CompoundsComparative and Superlative
← Previousda- and wo-Compounds