A1 German GrammarNoun Gender
Learn about German grammatical gender: masculine (der), feminine (die), and neuter (das). Discover patterns and rules to help predict noun gender and remember articles correctly.
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1Three Genders in German
Every German noun has a grammatical gender: masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das). Gender affects articles, adjectives, and pronouns. Always learn nouns with their article.
The Three Genders
| Gender | Definite | Indefinite | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | ein | der Mann (the man) |
| Feminine | die | eine | die Frau (the woman) |
| Neuter | das | ein | das Kind (the child) |
| Plural (all) | die | — | die Männer (the men) |
Examples
Der Tisch ist groß.
The table is big.
Masculine: der Tisch
Die Lampe ist neu.
The lamp is new.
Feminine: die Lampe
Das Fenster ist offen.
The window is open.
Neuter: das Fenster
Die Bücher sind interessant.
The books are interesting.
Plural: always 'die'
2Masculine Noun Patterns
Some noun categories are typically masculine: male persons, days, months, seasons, weather, and many nouns ending in -er, -ling, -ismus. These patterns help you guess the gender.
Typically Masculine Categories
| Category | Examples | English |
|---|---|---|
| Male persons | der Vater, der Onkel | father, uncle |
| Days/Months | der Montag, der Januar | Monday, January |
| Seasons | der Sommer, der Winter | summer, winter |
| -er ending | der Lehrer, der Computer | teacher, computer |
Examples
Der Frühling ist schön.
Spring is beautiful.
Seasons are masculine
Der Samstag ist frei.
Saturday is free.
Days are masculine
Der Kuchen schmeckt gut.
The cake tastes good.
-en ending, masculine
Der Regen kommt.
The rain is coming.
Weather is masculine
3Feminine Noun Patterns
Feminine nouns include female persons and nouns ending in -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -tion, -ie, -ei, -in. Most flowers and trees are also feminine.
Typically Feminine Categories
| Category/Ending | Examples | English |
|---|---|---|
| Female persons | die Mutter, die Tante | mother, aunt |
| -ung | die Zeitung, die Wohnung | newspaper, apartment |
| -heit/-keit | die Freiheit, die Möglichkeit | freedom, possibility |
| -tion/-ie | die Nation, die Energie | nation, energy |
Examples
Die Übung ist schwer.
The exercise is difficult.
-ung ending = feminine
Die Freundschaft ist wichtig.
Friendship is important.
-schaft ending = feminine
Die Bäckerei ist dort.
The bakery is there.
-ei ending = feminine
Die Lehrerin ist nett.
The (female) teacher is nice.
-in for female persons
4Neuter Noun Patterns
Neuter nouns include diminutives (-chen, -lein), infinitives used as nouns, nouns ending in -um, -ment, and many words starting with Ge-. Young animals are also typically neuter.
Typically Neuter Categories
| Category/Ending | Examples | English |
|---|---|---|
| Diminutives | das Mädchen, das Brötchen | girl, bread roll |
| Ge- prefix | das Gebäude, das Gespräch | building, conversation |
| -um/-ment | das Museum, das Instrument | museum, instrument |
| Infinitives as nouns | das Essen, das Leben | eating/food, life |
Examples
Das Mädchen lacht.
The girl laughs.
Diminutive = neuter (even for girl)
Das Zentrum ist alt.
The center is old.
-um ending = neuter
Das Geschenk ist schön.
The gift is beautiful.
Ge- prefix = neuter
Das Schwimmen macht Spaß.
Swimming is fun.
Infinitive as noun = neuter
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
What gender is 'Mädchen' (girl)?
What gender is a noun ending in '-ung' (like 'Zeitung')?
Which article goes with 'Tag' (day)?
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