A1 · 3.1 · das Genus
der, die, das: German noun gender
Every noun is der (masculine), die (feminine) or das (neuter). Always learn a noun with its article.
Three genders
der
der Schlüssel (key), der Bahnhof (station)
die
die Klinik (clinic), die Miete (rent)
das
das Zimmer (room), das Handy (mobile)
Endings that tell you the gender
die: almost always
- -ung
- -heit
- -keit
- -schaft
- -ion
- -tät
- -ei
- -in (women)
- most -e
die Wohnungflat
die Gesundheithealth
die Ärztindoctor (f.)
die Bäckereibakery
das: almost always
- -chen
- -lein
- -ment
- -um
- verbs used as nouns
das Brötchenbread roll
das Medikamentmedicine
das Zentrumcentre
das Essenfood
der: very often
- days
- months
- seasons
- -er for men and tools
- -ling
- -ismus
der MontagMonday
der MaiMay
der Lehrerteacher
der Weckeralarm clock
Long nouns
The last part decides the gender.
die Tür + der Schlüssel = der Türschlüsseldoor + key = door key
Good to know 1 1
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1Colour your flashcards: der = blue, die = red, das = gold, like in this app. Your memory links the colour to the word.
Gender doesn’t always match meaning: das Mädchen (girl) is neuter because of -chen.
Practise: der, die, das10 questions with instant feedback · free, no account needed
Cheat sheet: Gender and plurals