Definite articles (nominative)

A1 · Beginner · Basics

The rule

der (m), die (f), das (n), die (plural).

How it works

In the nominative case the definite article is der (masculine), die (feminine), das (neuter) or die (plural). The nominative is used for the subject of a sentence, and it is the form you see in dictionaries. Learning this table first makes the accusative, dative and genitive much easier to learn later.

When to use it

Use der, die or das for the subject of a sentence and for "the" with a specific noun.

Use cases

Naming the subject of a sentence: Der Hund bellt.
Introducing a noun after sein: Das ist die Lehrerin.
Giving the dictionary form of a noun with its article

Examples

Der Mann liest – The man reads
Die Kinder spielen – The children play
Der Zug kommt um acht. – The train arrives at eight.
Die Kinder spielen draußen. – The children play outside.
Das Wetter ist schön. – The weather is nice.

Common mistake

Mixing up der, die and das, for example giving a feminine noun das (das Frau instead of die Frau).

Memory tip

Learn "der, die, das, die" as one line and say it out loud with each new noun.

Read the wider picture in our guide: German Articles: der, die, das Explained with Rules and Tips.