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German Adjective Declension

In German, adjectives change their endings when they come before a noun, depending on the gender, case, number, and type of article (definite vs. indefinite) used. This process is called adjective declension, and it follows three distinct patterns: weak, mixed, and strong.

Declined vs. Undeclined Adjectives:

  • Das Auto ist rot. (The car is red.) - not before nounundeclined
  • Das rote Auto fährt schnell. (The red car drives fast.) - before noundeclined

Three Types of Declension

The type of declension depends on what comes before the adjective. Each type has its own pattern of endings:

Declension TypeUsed AfterExamplesPattern
Weakder, die, das (definite)der gute Mann-e or -en
Mixedein, eine (indefinite), mein, dein (possessive)ein guter MannMix of weak and strong
StrongNo articleguter KaffeeShows case/gender clearly

These words also trigger weak declension: dieser, jener, jeder, welcher, solcher, mancher, alle.

Weak Declension

Weak declension is used after definite articles and similar words. The endings are simple: -e or -en.

CaseMasculineFeminineNeuterPlural
Nominativeder gute Manndie gute Fraudas gute Kinddie guten Leute
Accusativeden guten Manndie gute Fraudas gute Kinddie guten Leute
Dativedem guten Mannder guten Fraudem guten Kindden guten Leuten
Genitivedes guten Mannesder guten Fraudes guten Kindesder guten Leute

More examples with weak declension:

  • Dieser alte Baum ist schön. (This old tree is beautiful.)
  • Ich mag jede neue Idee. (I like every new idea.)
  • Alle kleinen Kinder spielen. (All small children play.)

Strong Declension

Strong declension is used when there's no article before the adjective. The adjective endings must show the gender, case, and number clearly, so there are more endings to memorize.

CaseMasculineFeminineNeuterPlural
Nominativeguter Weingute Milchgutes Biergute Bücher
Accusativeguten Weingute Milchgutes Biergute Bücher
Dativegutem Weinguter Milchgutem Bierguten Büchern
Genitiveguten Weinesguter Milchguten Bieresguter Bücher

Examples with strong declension:

  • Frisches Brot schmeckt gut. (Fresh bread tastes good.)
  • Ich trinke kalte Milch. (I drink cold milk.)
  • Mit gutem Willen geht alles. (With good will, everything works.)

Mixed Declension

Mixed declension is used after indefinite articles (ein, eine) and possessive articles (mein, dein, etc.). It combines weak and strong endings.

CaseMasculineFeminineNeuterPlural (kein/mein)
Nominativeein guter Manneine gute Frauein gutes Kindkeine guten Leute
Accusativeeinen guten Manneine gute Frauein gutes Kindkeine guten Leute
Dativeeinem guten Manneiner guten Fraueinem guten Kindkeinen guten Leuten
Genitiveeines guten Manneseiner guten Fraueines guten Kindeskeiner guten Leute

Notice: In masculine nominative and neuter nominative/accusative, the adjective takes strong endings (-er, -es) because the article doesn't show the case clearly.

Examples with possessive articles:

  • Mein neuer Computer ist schnell. (My new computer is fast.)
  • Ich besuche deine alte Schule. (I visit your old school.)
  • Das ist sein bestes Buch. (That is his best book.)

Special Cases

Some adjectives have special rules when adding endings:

RuleBase FormWith EndingExample
Adjectives ending in -eleiseleiserein leiser Ton
Adjectives ending in -eldunkeldunklerein dunkler Raum
Adjectives ending in -er (after vowel)teuerteuresein teures Auto

Predicate vs. Attributive Adjectives

Only attributive adjectives (adjectives that come before nouns) are declined. Predicate adjectives (adjectives that come after verbs like sein or werden) never change their form.

TypePositionExample
AttributiveBefore nounDer kleine Hund
PredicateAfter sein/werdenDer Hund ist klein

Compare these sentences:

  • Das neue Haus ist groß. → Das Haus ist neu. (The new house is big. → The house is new.)
  • Ich kaufe frisches Obst. → Das Obst ist frisch. (I buy fresh fruit. → The fruit is fresh.)
  • Die alten Bücher werden wertvoll. → Die Bücher werden alt. (The old books become valuable. → The books become old.)