B1 Adjectives & Adverbs 14 min read Medium

Adjective Endings: Mixed Declension (after ein, mein, kein)

After 'ein' words, adjectives use strong endings to show gender unless the article already shows the case clearly.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When you use 'ein', 'mein', or 'kein', the adjective ending must show the gender and case of the noun.

  • If the article already shows the gender/case, the adjective gets -e or -en.
  • If the article doesn't show the gender/case, the adjective takes the strong ending.
  • In the plural, 'keine' always forces an -en ending on the adjective.
Ein-word + Adjective(-ending) + Noun

Overview

Mastering German adjective endings is a cornerstone of clear and natural communication, particularly as you advance to B1 proficiency. This guide focuses on the Mixed Declension, a crucial pattern used when an adjective follows an indefinite article (ein, kein) or a possessive pronoun (mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, ihr/Ihr). It is termed 'mixed' because its endings are a blend, drawing from both the Strong Declension and the Weak Declension systems.

This hybrid nature makes it unique but entirely logical once its underlying principles are understood.

Unlike English, where adjectives remain unchanged regardless of the noun they modify, German adjectives must adapt their endings to agree with the noun's gender, number, and grammatical case. The Mixed Declension specifically addresses situations where the preceding determiner (the 'ein-word') does not fully specify these grammatical features, requiring the adjective to provide the missing information. Understanding this system is vital for constructing grammatically correct and fluent German sentences, moving beyond simple word-for-word translation to genuine linguistic competence.

How This Grammar Works

The core principle behind German adjective declension, and specifically the Mixed Declension, is information distribution. Each noun in German has an inherent gender (der, die, das) and a grammatical case (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive), determined by its role in the sentence. The primary function of adjective endings is to convey these grammatical details when they are not already clearly indicated by a preceding article or determiner.
In the Mixed Declension, the indefinite articles (ein, kein) and possessive pronouns (collectively referred to as 'ein-words' or indefinite articles) play a distinct role. These determiners themselves only partially decline. For example, in the Nominative case, ein is identical for masculine (ein Mann) and neuter (ein Zimmer(n)).
It also lacks a plural form. This grammatical ambiguity means the adjective must 'step up' and provide the necessary gender and case markers to prevent confusion. This is where the 'strong' endings come into play.
Conversely, when the 'ein-word' does provide clear information about the noun's gender, number, and case, the adjective no longer needs to carry this burden. In these instances, the adjective adopts the simpler, less informative 'weak' endings. This dynamic interplay ensures that the noun's grammatical properties are always explicitly marked, either by the article, the adjective, or a combination of both.
It's a system of redundancy to ensure clarity, preventing the listener from having to guess the grammatical function of a noun based solely on word order or context.
Consider the masculine Nominative: ein guter Freund(m). Here, ein does not indicate masculine gender, as ein is also used for neuter nouns (ein gutes Buch(n)). Therefore, the adjective gut takes the strong masculine Nominative ending -er to explicitly mark the gender.
In contrast, in the Dative case, einem clearly marks masculine singular Dative. Consequently, the adjective gut then takes the weak ending -en: einem guten Freund(m). This illustrates the principle: when the article is 'weak' (ambiguous), the adjective is 'strong'; when the article is 'strong' (unambiguous), the adjective is 'weak'.

Formation Pattern

1
To correctly form adjective endings in the Mixed Declension, you must first identify the 'ein-word' and then determine the gender, number, and grammatical case of the noun the adjective modifies. The 'ein-words' include ein (a/an), kein (no/not any), and all possessive pronouns: mein (my), dein (your, singular informal), sein (his/its), ihr (her/their/your formal), unser (our), euer (your, plural informal), and Ihr (your, formal).
2
The endings are a combination of strong and weak declension patterns. The adjective uses strong endings primarily where the 'ein-word' is ambiguous (Nominative masculine, Nominative/Accusative neuter). It uses weak endings (-e or -en) where the 'ein-word' clearly indicates gender and case.
3
Here is the comprehensive table for adjective endings in the Mixed Declension, using gut as the example adjective:
4
Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural
5
-----------|----------------------|----------------------|---------------------|----------------------
6
Nominative | ein guter Mann(m) | eine gute Frau(f) | ein gutes Kind(n) | meine guten Bücher(n)
7
Accusative | einen guten Mann(m) | eine gute Frau(f) | ein gutes Kind(n) | meine guten Bücher(n)
8
Dative | einem guten Mann(m) | einer guten Frau(f) | einem guten Kind(n) | meinen guten Büchern(n)
9
Genitive | eines guten Mannes(m) | einer guten Frau(f) | eines guten Kindes(n) | meiner guten Bücher(n)
10
Detailed Breakdown of Endings:
11
Nominative Masculine: -er
12
ein does not differentiate between masculine and neuter (ein Mann, ein Kind). To signal masculine gender in the Nominative, the adjective takes the strong masculine ending -er. This is crucial for clarity.
13
Example: Das ist ein schöner Tag(m). (That is a beautiful day.)
14
Nominative/Accusative Feminine: -e
15
eine clearly indicates feminine singular in both Nominative and Accusative. Therefore, the adjective takes the weak ending -e, as the necessary information is already provided.
16
Example: Ich habe eine neue Tasche(f). (I have a new bag.)
17
Nominative/Accusative Neuter: -es
18
Similar to Nominative masculine, ein does not distinguish masculine from neuter. The adjective must therefore take the strong neuter ending -es to mark the gender and case.
19
Example: Er hat ein neues Auto(n). (He has a new car.)
20
Accusative Masculine: -en
21
einen specifically marks masculine singular Accusative. Since the article is already explicit, the adjective takes the weak ending -en.
22
Example: Wir suchen einen guten Lehrer(m). (We are looking for a good teacher.)
23
All Dative Cases (Masculine, Feminine, Neuter, Plural): -en
24
Dative forms of 'ein-words' (einem, einer, einem, meinen) are always highly specific, unequivocally marking gender, number, and case. Consequently, the adjective consistently adopts the weak ending -en.
25
Example: Ich spreche mit einem alten Freund(m). (I am speaking with an old friend.)
26
All Genitive Cases (Masculine, Feminine, Neuter, Plural): -en
27
Genitive forms of 'ein-words' (eines, einer, eines, meiner) are also highly specific. As with the Dative, the adjective invariably takes the weak ending -en.
28
Example: Das Haus einer reichen Familie(f). (The house of a rich family.)
29
All Plural Cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive): -en
30
While ein does not have a plural, kein and possessive pronouns (mein, dein, etc.) do. These plural 'ein-words' (e.g., meine, keine) effectively function as definite articles in the plural for declension purposes, providing sufficient information. Therefore, adjectives following them in the plural consistently take the weak ending -en across all cases.
31
Example: Sie hat keine großen Pläne(m). (She has no big plans.)
32
Special Case: euer (your, plural informal)
33
When euer receives an ending, the second e is often dropped to avoid an awkward consonant cluster. This only affects the spelling, not the rule for the adjective ending.
34
euer + -e (feminine Nom/Acc) becomes eure
35
euer + -en (plural Dative) becomes euren
36
Example: Mit euren neuen Ideen(f) (With your new ideas).

When To Use It

The Mixed Declension applies specifically when an adjective modifies a noun that is preceded by an indefinite article or a possessive pronoun. These determiners are often grouped as 'ein-words' due to their similar declension patterns and their role in requiring mixed adjective endings. Recognizing these preceding words is the primary trigger for employing this declension pattern.
Key Scenarios:
  • After Indefinite Articles: This is the most direct application. Whenever you use ein (a/an) or kein (no/not any) before an adjective and noun, the Mixed Declension is required. This occurs frequently when introducing something for the first time or negating the existence of something.
  • Example: Ich habe ein interessantes Buch(n) gefunden. (I found an interesting book.)
  • Example: Sie hat keinen guten Tag(m). (She is not having a good day.)
  • After Possessive Pronouns: All possessive pronouns — mein, dein, sein, ihr (her), unser, euer, ihr (their), and Ihr (your, formal) — function grammatically like 'ein-words' in this context. They also require the adjective that follows them to use Mixed Declension endings. This is common when discussing ownership or relationships.
  • Example: Das ist mein neues Smartphone(n). (That is my new smartphone.)
  • Example: Mit unserer netten Nachbarin(f). (With our nice neighbor.)
  • Describing Non-Specific Nouns: The indefinite nature of ein means this declension is used for general descriptions or when the specific identity of the noun is not yet known or important. For instance, when asking a general question about a characteristic or making a broad statement.
  • Example: Hast du einen kleinen Hund(m)? (Do you have a small dog?)
This pattern is ubiquitous in everyday German communication, from casual conversation to formal writing. Its consistent application ensures that the grammatical relationship between adjectives and nouns is always clear, contributing significantly to the overall coherence and precision of the German language. Ignoring these endings will lead to grammatically incorrect sentences that sound unnatural to native speakers, hindering effective communication.

Common Mistakes

German learners frequently encounter specific challenges with the Mixed Declension, primarily due to overgeneralization or confusion with the other declension types. Identifying these common pitfalls and understanding their underlying reasons can significantly accelerate your mastery.
  • Forgetting Strong Endings in Nominative Masculine/Neuter: A very common error is to use a weak ending (-e or -en) where a strong ending (-er, -es) is required. This often stems from an incomplete understanding of the information distribution principle.
  • Incorrect: ein gut Mann(m) (should be guter)
  • Incorrect: ein schön Buch(n) (should be schönes)
  • Why it's wrong: ein in the Nominative does not specify gender for masculine and neuter nouns. The adjective must provide this crucial r (masculine) or s (neuter) marker.
  • Correct: Das ist ein guter Freund(m). (That is a good friend.)
  • Correct: Ich lese ein spannendes Buch(n). (I am reading an exciting book.)
  • Confusion in Accusative: While Nominative feminine and neuter forms remain the same in Accusative (e.g., eine gute Frau, ein gutes Kind), the masculine changes. Learners sometimes incorrectly apply the Nominative masculine -er ending to the Accusative.
  • Incorrect: Ich sehe einen netter Mann(m). (should be netten)
  • Why it's wrong: The article einen already clearly marks Accusative masculine. Therefore, the adjective takes the weak -en ending.
  • Correct: Ich sehe einen netten Mann(m). (I see a nice man.)
  • Incorrect Plural Endings: Learners might attempt to use strong endings in the plural after possessive pronouns or keine, incorrectly assuming more information is needed from the adjective. Remember, in the plural, adjectives always take -en in the Mixed Declension.
  • Incorrect: meine neue Bücher(n) (should be neuen)
  • Why it's wrong: Plural 'ein-words' (like meine) already signal plurality. The adjective does not need to provide additional strong plural markers and defaults to -en.
  • Correct: Ich habe meine neuen Schuhe(m) verloren. (I lost my new shoes.)
  • Overlooking euer contraction: Forgetting that euer often drops its second e when an ending is added can lead to awkward spelling or pronunciation.
  • Incorrect: eueren Vätern(m)
  • Correct: Mit euren neuen Vätern(m). (With your new fathers.)
By systematically checking the gender, number, and case, and consciously applying the information distribution rule, you can mitigate these common errors and develop a robust understanding of Mixed Declension endings. The key is consistent practice and attention to the preceding determiner.

Real Conversations

In everyday German, the Mixed Declension appears constantly across various informal and semi-formal contexts. It's not limited to textbooks but forms the backbone of descriptive language used by native speakers. Observing its use in texting, social media, and casual conversation highlights its natural integration.

- Texting/Instant Messaging: Short, concise descriptions often employ mixed declension.

- Hab ein gutes Wochenende(n)! ✨ (Have a good weekend!)

- Kenne einen super Film(m)! (I know a super film!)

- Meine alte Jacke(f) ist kaputt gegangen. (My old jacket broke.)

These examples show how quickly these forms are used, often without conscious thought, to convey gender and case.

- Social Media Comments/Captions: Describing photos, experiences, or opinions commonly uses this declension.

- Ein wunderschöner Sonnenuntergang(m) heute Abend. (A beautiful sunset this evening.)

- Total glücklich mit meinem neuen Haarschnitt(m). (Totally happy with my new haircut.)

- Sehe keine schlechten Seiten(f) daran. (I see no bad sides to it.)

The compact nature of these platforms demands grammatically correct yet efficient expression, where adjective endings play a vital role in clarity.

- Casual Conversation: Whether talking about recent purchases, personal opinions, or daily occurrences, mixed declension is ever-present.

- Ich hab mir ein neues Handy(n) gekauft. (I bought a new mobile phone.)

- Hast du schon unseren kleinen Garten(m) gesehen? (Have you already seen our small garden?)

- Das ist kein einfaches Problem(n). (That's not an easy problem.)

These common phrases demonstrate that the mixed declension is not an academic construct but an organic part of how Germans communicate naturally. For B1 learners, actively listening for and attempting to replicate these patterns in conversation will significantly improve fluency.

- Work Emails/Formal Communication (B1 context): Even in somewhat more formal settings, when indefinite articles or possessives are used, the mixed declension is applied consistently.

- Wir benötigen einen erfahrenen Mitarbeiter(m). (We need an experienced employee.)

- Vielen Dank für Ihre schnelle Antwort(f). (Many thanks for your quick reply.)

- Dies ist ein wichtiger Punkt(m) für unsere Diskussion. (This is an important point for our discussion.)

The consistent application across registers reinforces its fundamental grammatical role, underscoring why mastering this specific declension is indispensable for accurate German expression.

Quick FAQ

This section addresses common questions related to the Adjective Endings: Mixed Declension, consolidating key takeaways for quick reference.
  • Q: Why is it called 'mixed' declension?
  • A: It's called 'mixed' because it uses a combination of endings from both the strong and weak adjective declension systems. This hybrid approach ensures that the grammatical information (gender, number, case) is always clearly conveyed, either by the article or by the adjective.
  • Q: What exactly are 'ein-words'?
  • A: 'Ein-words' refer to indefinite articles (ein, kein) and all possessive pronouns (mein, dein, sein, ihr (her), unser, euer, ihr (their), Ihr (your formal)). They all follow the same declension pattern, which influences the adjective endings that follow them.
  • Q: Does ein have a plural? How does that affect adjective endings?
  • A: No, ein (a/an) itself does not have a plural form. However, kein and all possessive pronouns do have plural forms (e.g., keine, meine). When adjectives follow these plural 'ein-words', they always take the weak -en ending in all cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive).
  • Q: Is the -en ending always used in the Dative case after an 'ein-word'?
  • A: Yes, absolutely. In the Mixed Declension, if the article is an 'ein-word' and the noun is in the Dative case, the adjective ending will invariably be -en. This is because the Dative forms of 'ein-words' (e.g., einem, einer, einem, meinen) are already highly specific and clearly indicate gender, number, and case, rendering the adjective's role less informative.
  • Q: How do I remember when to use a strong vs. weak ending in the Mixed Declension?
  • A: Remember the information principle: If the 'ein-word' (like ein in Nominative masculine/neuter) does not clearly show the gender and case, the adjective takes a strong ending (-er, -es). If the 'ein-word' does clearly show the gender, number, and case (e.g., eine, einen, all Dative/Genitive forms, all plural forms), the adjective takes a weak ending (-e or -en). The adjective provides the missing grammatical information when the article is ambiguous.
  • Q: Are there any exceptions to these rules?
  • A: The rules for Mixed Declension are quite consistent. The main 'exception' to be aware of is the optional dropping of the second e in euer (e.g., eure, euren) when it takes an ending, which is a spelling and pronunciation convention rather than a declension rule change itself. Otherwise, the pattern is highly reliable.
  • Q: Why do some adjectives like hoch (high) and teuer (expensive) change their stem?
  • A: Some adjectives undergo minor stem changes before an ending is added. hoch becomes hoh- (e.g., ein hohes Haus(n)) and teuer often drops an e (e.g., ein teures Auto(n)). These are specific to these adjectives and occur regardless of the declension type, including mixed declension. These are phonetic adjustments for ease of pronunciation.

Mixed Declension Endings (after ein/mein/kein)

Case Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
Nom.
-er
-e
-es
-en
Acc.
-en
-e
-es
-en
Dat.
-en
-en
-en
-en
Gen.
-en
-en
-en
-en

Meanings

Mixed declension occurs when an adjective follows an indefinite article (ein, eine), a possessive pronoun (mein, dein), or the negative article (kein). It is called 'mixed' because the article provides some information, and the adjective provides the rest.

1

Indefinite usage

Describing a noun introduced for the first time.

“Ich habe ein neues {Auto|n}.”

“Sie sucht einen alten {Schlüssel|m}.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Adjective Endings: Mixed Declension (after ein, mein, kein)
Form Structure Example
Nom. Masc.
ein + adj + er
ein guter {Mann|m}
Acc. Masc.
einen + adj + en
einen guten {Mann|m}
Nom. Neut.
ein + adj + es
ein schönes {Kind|n}
Nom. Fem.
eine + adj + e
eine schöne {Frau|f}
Dat. All
einem/einer + adj + en
mit einem guten {Freund|m}
Gen. All
eines/einer + adj + en
wegen eines guten {Grundes|m}

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ich besitze ein neues {Fahrzeug|n}.

Ich besitze ein neues {Fahrzeug|n}. (Describing property)

Neutral
Ich habe ein neues {Auto|n}.

Ich habe ein neues {Auto|n}. (Describing property)

Informal
Ich hab' ein neues {Auto|n}.

Ich hab' ein neues {Auto|n}. (Describing property)

Slang
Ich hab' 'ne neue {Karre|f}.

Ich hab' 'ne neue {Karre|f}. (Describing property)

The Mixed Declension Map

Ein-word

Masculine

  • ein guter a good

Feminine

  • eine gute a good

Neuter

  • ein gutes a good

Weak vs. Mixed Declension

Weak (der/die/das)
der gute Mann the good man
Mixed (ein/mein/kein)
ein guter Mann a good man

Choosing the Ending

1

Is there an ein-word?

YES
Use Mixed Table
NO
Use Strong Table
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Examples by Level

1

Das ist ein kleiner {Hund|m}.

This is a small dog.

2

Ich habe ein neues {Buch|n}.

I have a new book.

3

Das ist meine gute {Freundin|f}.

This is my good friend.

4

Ich möchte ein kaltes {Bier|n}.

I would like a cold beer.

1

Er sucht einen neuen {Job|m}.

He is looking for a new job.

2

Sie hat keinen großen {Hunger|m}.

She is not very hungry.

3

Wir brauchen eine schnelle {Lösung|f}.

We need a quick solution.

4

Das ist mein altes {Auto|n}.

That is my old car.

1

Mit einem guten {Freund|m} macht alles Spaß.

Everything is fun with a good friend.

2

Ich habe von einer interessanten {Reise|f} gehört.

I heard about an interesting trip.

3

Wegen eines plötzlichen {Regens|m} sind wir zu Hause geblieben.

Because of a sudden rain, we stayed home.

4

Er schenkt seiner kleinen {Tochter|f} ein {Spielzeug|n}.

He gives his little daughter a toy.

1

Trotz eines anstrengenden {Tages|m} war er sehr produktiv.

Despite a tiring day, he was very productive.

2

Sie hat sich für eine mutige {Entscheidung|f} entschieden.

She opted for a brave decision.

3

Er begegnet einem alten {Bekannten|m} auf der Straße.

He meets an old acquaintance on the street.

4

Das ist das Ergebnis einer gründlichen {Analyse|f}.

This is the result of a thorough analysis.

1

Infolge eines unerwarteten {Ereignisses|n} wurde die Sitzung vertagt.

Due to an unexpected event, the meeting was postponed.

2

Er bedarf einer klaren {Struktur|f} für sein Projekt.

He requires a clear structure for his project.

3

Sie zeigten eine bemerkenswerte {Ausdauer|f} bei der Arbeit.

They showed remarkable endurance at work.

4

Dank eines hilfreichen {Hinweises|m} konnte ich den Fehler finden.

Thanks to a helpful hint, I was able to find the error.

1

Man bedarf einer gewissen {Sensibilität|f} für diese Nuancen.

One requires a certain sensitivity for these nuances.

2

Er erfreut sich eines guten {Rufs|m} in der Branche.

He enjoys a good reputation in the industry.

3

Sie entbehrt einer logischen {Grundlage|f} für ihre Argumentation.

She lacks a logical basis for her argumentation.

4

Das ist ein Zeichen einer tiefgreifenden {Veränderung|f}.

This is a sign of a profound change.

Easily Confused

Adjective Endings: Mixed Declension (after ein, mein, kein) vs Strong vs. Mixed

Strong declension has no article, mixed has 'ein'.

Adjective Endings: Mixed Declension (after ein, mein, kein) vs Weak vs. Mixed

Weak has 'der', mixed has 'ein'.

Adjective Endings: Mixed Declension (after ein, mein, kein) vs Nominative vs. Accusative

Masculine changes, others don't.

Common Mistakes

✗

ein gut Mann

✓

ein guter Mann

Missing the case ending.
✗

mein gute Hund

✓

mein guter Hund

Wrong gender ending.
✗

ein schönes Frau

✓

eine schöne Frau

Wrong article for feminine.
✗

kein groß Haus

✓

kein großes Haus

Missing neuter ending.
✗

ich habe einen gut Hund

✓

ich habe einen guten Hund

Accusative needs -en.
✗

mit mein Freund

✓

mit meinem Freund

Dative needs -em on the article.
✗

eine gute Tag

✓

ein guter Tag

Wrong gender for Tag.
✗

wegen eines guten Tag

✓

wegen eines guten Tages

Genitive needs -es on the noun.
✗

mit eine gute Frau

✓

mit einer guten Frau

Dative feminine article is einer.
✗

keine gute Leute

✓

keine guten Leute

Plural always takes -en.
✗

trotz ein schlechtes Wetter

✓

trotz eines schlechten Wetters

Genitive requires -es on article and noun.
✗

er bedarf eine Hilfe

✓

er bedarf einer Hilfe

Bedarf takes Genitive.
✗

einer guten Mann

✓

eines guten Mannes

Genitive masculine article is eines.

Sentence Patterns

Ich habe ___ ___ {Auto|n}.

Er sucht ___ ___ {Job|m}.

Mit ___ ___ {Freund|m} gehe ich aus.

Wegen ___ ___ {Regens|m} bleibe ich da.

Real World Usage

Job Interview very common

Ich habe einen interessanten {Hintergrund|m}.

Texting constant

Hab' ein neues {Handy|n}!

Ordering Food very common

Ich möchte ein kaltes {Bier|n}.

Travel common

Haben Sie ein freies {Zimmer|n}?

Social Media common

Das ist ein tolles {Foto|n}!

Academic Writing common

Dies ist ein wichtiges {Argument|n}.

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💡

Focus on -en

If you are unsure, -en is the most common ending in Dative and Genitive.
⚠️

Don't ignore the case

Always identify the case first. It changes everything.
🎯

Chunking

Learn 'einen guten' as a single unit.
💬

Politeness

Using correct endings makes you sound more professional.

Smart Tips

Pause and check the case of the noun.

Ich habe ein gut Auto. → Ich habe ein neues Auto.

It's Dative, so use -en.

Mit ein gut Freund. → Mit einem guten Freund.

It's Genitive, so use -en.

Wegen ein gut Grund. → Wegen eines guten Grundes.

Always add -en.

Keine gut Leute. → Keine guten Leute.

Pronunciation

/ən/

Ending -en

The -en ending is pronounced with a schwa sound, like 'un'.

Emphasis

Das ist ein ↑guter {Mann|m}.

Emphasizing the adjective.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Ein-words are 'weak' articles, so the adjective must be 'strong' to show the gender.

Visual Association

Imagine a weak, tired 'ein' leaning on a strong, muscular adjective that is holding up the heavy noun.

Rhyme

Ein, mein, kein, dein, ihr, sein—add the ending to make it fine!

Story

Once there was a tiny 'ein' who couldn't carry the heavy 'Hund'. So, the adjective 'gut' put on a heavy '-er' backpack to help carry it. Now the 'Hund' is happy and the sentence is grammatically correct.

Word Web

einmeindeinkeinihrseinunsereuer

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your room using 'mein' + adjective + noun.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision; using the correct ending is seen as a sign of respect for the language.

Austrians often use slightly different vocabulary, but the grammar remains the same.

Swiss German speakers in formal writing follow these rules strictly, though spoken Swiss German varies.

German adjective endings evolved from Proto-Germanic inflectional systems.

Conversation Starters

“

Was ist dein liebstes {Essen|n}?

“

Hast du einen guten {Film|m} gesehen?

“

Was ist eine wichtige {Eigenschaft|f} bei Freunden?

“

Welches ist ein unvergessliches {Erlebnis|n} in deinem Leben?

Journal Prompts

Describe your ideal house.
Write about a difficult day you had.
Discuss a professional goal.
Analyze a recent social trend.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Ich habe ___ (ein) neues {Auto|n}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ein
Neuter Nominative/Accusative is ein.
Choose the correct ending. Multiple Choice

Er sucht ___ (ein) guten {Job|m}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: einen
Masculine Accusative needs -en.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich sehe ein gut {Mann|m}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: einen guten Mann
Accusative masculine.
Change to Dative. Sentence Transformation

Das ist ein guter {Freund|m}. (Mit...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mit einem guten Freund
Dative masculine.
Is this correct? True False Rule

Keine guten {Leute|pl} sind hier.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Plural always -en.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Hast du ein {Problem|n}? B: Nein, ich habe ___ (kein) großes {Problem|n}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein
Neuter Accusative.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

wegen / eines / guten / Grundes

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wegen eines guten Grundes
Genitive masculine.
Match the case. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: einen guten
Masculine Accusative.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Ich habe ___ (ein) neues {Auto|n}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ein
Neuter Nominative/Accusative is ein.
Choose the correct ending. Multiple Choice

Er sucht ___ (ein) guten {Job|m}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: einen
Masculine Accusative needs -en.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich sehe ein gut {Mann|m}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: einen guten Mann
Accusative masculine.
Change to Dative. Sentence Transformation

Das ist ein guter {Freund|m}. (Mit...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mit einem guten Freund
Dative masculine.
Is this correct? True False Rule

Keine guten {Leute|pl} sind hier.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Plural always -en.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Hast du ein {Problem|n}? B: Nein, ich habe ___ (kein) großes {Problem|n}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein
Neuter Accusative.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

wegen / eines / guten / Grundes

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wegen eines guten Grundes
Genitive masculine.
Match the case. Match Pairs

Match: Masculine Accusative

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: einen guten
Masculine Accusative.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

6 exercises
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Er sucht einen ___ (neu) Job.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: neuen
Select the right form. Multiple Choice

Sie trägt ein ___ Kleid.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: rotes
Correct the ending. Error Correction

Kein guter Mensch würde das tun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kein guter Mensch würde das tun.
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

ist / mein / das / neuer / Freund / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist mein neuer Freund.
Translate to German. Translation

I have a small dog.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe einen kleinen Hund.
Match the adjective ending to the noun. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All matches correct.

Score: /6

FAQ (8)

Because the article provides some info, and the adjective provides the rest.

Yes, 'kein' acts exactly like 'ein'.

Plural is always -en after 'keine'.

No, the rules are the same, but you should be more careful.

Case is hard! Practice identifying the case first.

Standard German is consistent, but dialects vary.

No, it's essential for being understood.

No, it's a very regular system.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Adjective agreement

German has case, Spanish does not.

French partial

Adjective agreement

German has four cases.

Japanese low

No adjective declension

German is highly inflected.

Arabic moderate

Case and gender agreement

Arabic is Semitic, German is Indo-European.

Chinese none

No declension

Chinese has no inflection.

English low

No declension

German retains complex endings.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
German Adjectives after 'viele' and 'einige'

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