Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Genitive case shows possession or relationship by adding -s or -es to masculine/neuter nouns and changing articles.
- Masculine and neuter nouns add -s or -es: 'Das Auto des Mann-es'.
- Feminine and plural articles change to 'der' and 'der': 'Die Tasche der Frau'.
- Use it to show ownership or relationship instead of 'von + Dative'.
Overview
Formation Pattern
When To Use It
Common Mistakes
-s 또는 -es 어미를 붙이는 것을 잊는 것입니다...Contrast With Similar Patterns
von + 3격(Dativ)을 사용하는 것을 들을 수 있습니다...Quick FAQ
2격이 사라지고 있나요? A: 꼭 그렇지는 않습니다!...
Genitive Article Declension
| Gender | Nominative | Genitive Article | Noun Ending |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Masculine {der|m}
|
der
|
des
|
-s/-es
|
|
Neuter {das|n}
|
das
|
des
|
-s/-es
|
|
Feminine {die|f}
|
die
|
der
|
-
|
|
Plural
|
die
|
der
|
-
|
Common Genitive Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
None
|
N/A
|
Meanings
The Genitive case is used to indicate possession, belonging, or a relationship between two nouns. It answers the question 'Wessen?' (Whose?).
Possession
Indicating ownership of an object.
“Das Buch des Schülers.”
“Die Tasche der Mutter.”
Partitive/Relationship
Describing a part of a whole or a relationship.
“Die Farbe des Autos.”
“Der Anfang des Films.”
Genitive Prepositions
Prepositions that force the Genitive case.
“Wegen des Wetters.”
“Trotz des Regens.”
Reference Table
| 성별 | 관사 (소유격) | 명사 어미 | 예시 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
남성
|
{des|m}
|
-(e)s
|
des Mannes / des Königs
|
|
여성
|
{der|f}
|
없음
|
der Frau / der Stadt
|
|
중성
|
{des|n}
|
-(e)s
|
des Kindes / des Autos
|
|
복수
|
{der|pl}
|
없음
|
der Kinder / der Autos
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Das Fahrzeug des Mannes. (Describing a vehicle.)
Das Auto des Mannes. (Describing a vehicle.)
Das Auto von dem Mann. (Describing a vehicle.)
Die Karre vom Typen. (Describing a vehicle.)
수준별 예문
Das ist das Buch des Kindes.
This is the child's book.
Die Tasche der Frau ist neu.
The woman's bag is new.
Das Auto des Mannes ist rot.
The man's car is red.
Die Farbe des Hauses ist weiß.
The house's color is white.
Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause.
Because of the rain, we are staying home.
Während des Essens sprechen wir nicht.
During the meal, we don't talk.
Das Ende des Films war traurig.
The end of the movie was sad.
Die Meinung der Lehrerin ist wichtig.
The teacher's opinion is important.
Trotz des schlechten Wetters gehen wir spazieren.
Despite the bad weather, we are going for a walk.
Die Lösung des Problems ist einfach.
The solution to the problem is simple.
Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung sind da.
The results of the investigation are here.
Das Design des neuen Handys ist modern.
The design of the new phone is modern.
Infolge des Streiks fallen alle Züge aus.
Due to the strike, all trains are cancelled.
Angesichts der Lage müssen wir handeln.
In view of the situation, we must act.
Die Entwicklung des Projekts verlief positiv.
The development of the project proceeded positively.
Die Ankunft der Gäste verzögert sich.
The arrival of the guests is delayed.
Das Erscheinen des Buches wurde lange erwartet.
The publication of the book was long awaited.
Die Umsetzung des Plans bedarf der Zustimmung.
The implementation of the plan requires approval.
Die Komplexität des Themas erfordert Zeit.
The complexity of the topic requires time.
Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar.
Human dignity is inviolable.
Man bediente sich der Hilfe eines Experten.
One availed oneself of the help of an expert.
Die Unzulänglichkeit des Systems ist offensichtlich.
The inadequacy of the system is obvious.
Er war sich der Konsequenzen bewusst.
He was aware of the consequences.
Die Schönheit der Sprache liegt in ihrer Nuance.
The beauty of the language lies in its nuance.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often use Dative when Genitive is required.
Confusing the subject with the possessor.
Using Accusative for objects of possession.
자주 하는 실수
Das Buch der Mann.
Das Buch des Mannes.
Die Tasche des Frau.
Die Tasche der Frau.
Das Auto von der Mann.
Das Auto des Mannes.
Das Haus des Kind.
Das Haus des Kindes.
Wegen dem Wetter.
Wegen des Wetters.
Trotz dem Regen.
Trotz des Regens.
Während der Tag.
Während des Tages.
Die Farbe des Autos ist rot.
Die Farbe des Autos ist rot.
Die Meinung der Lehrer.
Die Meinung der Lehrerin.
Das Ende des Film.
Das Ende des Films.
Die Entwicklung des Plan.
Die Entwicklung des Planes.
Die Ankunft der Gäste.
Die Ankunft der Gäste.
Die Würde des Mensch.
Die Würde des Menschen.
문장 패턴
Das ___ des ___ ist ___.
Wegen des ___ konnte ich nicht ___.
Trotz des ___ war die ___ gut.
Während des ___ habe ich ___.
Real World Usage
Bezüglich des Termins...
Die Entscheidung des Gerichts...
Die Analyse des Textes...
Das Auto des Jahres!
Wegen des Staus...
Die Ziele des Unternehmens...
한 글자 규칙!
Tages, Hauses). Der Tag des Kindes war schön.
아포스트로피는 금지!
소유격 vs. 목적격
Smart Tips
Use the Genitive to sound more professional.
Always use Genitive after 'wegen'.
Use Genitive for precision.
Use Genitive for possession.
발음
Genitive -es
The '-es' ending is pronounced as a separate syllable /əs/.
Falling
Das ist das Buch des MANNES.
Emphasis on the owner.
암기하기
기억법
Remember: 'Des' is for the boys (masc) and the small (neut), 'Der' is for the girls (fem) and the many (plural).
시각적 연상
Imagine a king (masc) wearing a crown marked 'des' and a queen (fem) holding a scepter marked 'der'.
Rhyme
Masculine and Neuter take the 's', Feminine and Plural use 'der' no less.
Story
The King (des) lost his crown. The Queen (der) found it. The children (der) cheered. The King's crown is now the Queen's treasure.
Word Web
챌린지
Write 5 sentences describing items in your room using the Genitive case.
문화 노트
The Genitive is a hallmark of educated, formal speech.
Austrians often use the Genitive more frequently than Germans in daily speech.
Swiss German speakers often avoid the Genitive entirely in spoken dialects.
The Genitive case comes from Proto-Indo-European, used to indicate origin or possession.
대화 시작하기
Wessen Buch ist das?
Warum bist du spät?
Was hältst du von der Meinung des Experten?
Wie beurteilst du die Lage des Unternehmens?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
Das ist das Auto ___ (der Vater).
올바른 소유격 구문을 선택하세요:
Find and fix the mistake:
Wegen das Wetters bleiben wir hier.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesDas Haus ___ Mannes ist groß.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Das Buch der Kind ist neu.
Das Auto von dem Mann.
Feminine nouns take an -s in the Genitive.
A: Wessen Tasche ist das? B: Das ist die Tasche ___.
des / ist / das / Mannes / Auto
Wegen -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesDas Haus ___ (meine Großeltern) ist alt.
Ich trinke Tee statt der Kaffees.
Hundes / das / des / ist / Nachbarn / Essen / .
The name of the street is long.
짝을 맞추세요:
Während ___ (der Film) habe ich geschlafen.
Max의 소유권을 나타내는 올바른 방법을 선택하세요:
Die Blätter der Baums fallen.
I am working instead of my sister.
Das ist das Haus ___ (unser Lehrer).
Score: /10
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
No, in spoken German, 'von + Dative' is very common.
After specific prepositions like 'wegen' and in formal writing.
Only masculine and neuter nouns.
They only change the article to 'der'.
It takes practice, but the patterns are consistent.
It comes from Latin 'genitivus', meaning 'of birth/origin'.
Yes, it is highly recommended for professional emails.
Yes, some nouns have irregular endings, but start with the basics.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
de + noun
Spanish has no case endings for possession.
de + noun
French uses prepositions, not noun inflections.
Genitive case
It is the only one of these that uses noun suffixes for possession.
no particle
Japanese particles are invariant; German articles change.
Idafa construction
Arabic uses word order; German uses case markers.
de particle
Chinese has no case system or gender.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
07:33 Dating in Germany is DEAD! 🤯 Nobody wants anything real anymore! (2025)
01:23 Papas Pipi in Mamis Popo
21:50 Dark Staffel 1-3 | Ende erklärt + Analyse | Netflix
독일어 문법 - 소유격 (Genitiv) 완벽 정리! (쉬운 예문 다수)
독일어 알려주는 독일인
독일어 Genitiv (소유격) 완벽 마스터하기
독일어 꿀팁
독일어 문법 - Genitiv (소유격) 완벽 정리
독일어 공부방
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