A1 Noun Gender 16 min read Easy

German Nouns Ending in -ung (Always Feminine)

If a German noun ends in -ung, use the article die—it's one of the few absolute rules.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Every single German noun ending in -ung is feminine, meaning it always takes the article {die|f}.

  • Identify the suffix: If a word ends in -ung, it is feminine.
  • Apply the article: Use {die|f} for nominative/accusative cases.
  • Pluralize easily: Add -en to the end (e.g., {die|f} {Übung|f} -> {die|f} {Übungen|f}).
Word + ung = {die|f}

Overview

In German, determining noun gender can often appear arbitrary. However, certain suffixes reliably indicate a noun's grammatical gender. The suffix -ung is one of the most consistent and therefore valuable indicators for learners at any level.

Whenever you encounter a German noun ending in -ung, you can confidently assign it the feminine gender, meaning its definite article will always be die. This predictability offers a significant advantage in mastering German noun genders, providing a clear rule where often none seems to exist.

This rule applies to the vast majority of such nouns, making it an exceptionally reliable pattern. Knowing this allows you to immediately recognize the gender of hundreds of vocabulary items, simplifying memorization and enhancing your confidence in speaking and writing. For instance, words like die Wohnung (apartment) or die Zeitung (newspaper) clearly demonstrate this consistent feminine assignment.

How This Grammar Works

The consistency of -ung nouns being feminine stems from a linguistic process called nominalization. This is the act of turning a verb (an action word) into a noun (a thing, concept, or process). German frequently employs this mechanism to convert dynamic actions into static entities.
The -ung suffix is primarily used to form nouns from verbs, denoting the action itself, the result of an action, or a state.
Consider the verb wohnen (to live). When you nominalize it with -ung, you get die Wohnung, which refers to the place where one lives or the act of living in a particular place. Similarly, bilden (to form, to educate) becomes die Bildung (education, formation).
This transformation is not merely about changing word class; it consistently carries the feminine gender. This phenomenon is a deeply ingrained structural feature of the German language, making these nouns an integral part of its vocabulary.
Other German suffixes also indicate gender (e.g., -heit, -keit, -schaft for feminine nouns; -chen, -lein for neuter nouns), but -ung is particularly prominent due to its high frequency and direct derivation from verbs. The immutable feminine gender for -ung nouns serves as a powerful shortcut for learners, bypassing the often challenging task of memorizing arbitrary noun genders. This systematic connection between suffix and gender is a cornerstone of German grammar for expressing actions as concrete or abstract nouns.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of -ung nouns follows a highly productive and generally straightforward pattern. These nouns are almost exclusively derived from verbs. The process typically involves taking the verb stem and attaching the suffix -ung. The meaning shifts from the action of the verb to the result, process, or state associated with that action.
2
Here is the general formation rule:
3
Verb Stem + -ung = die Noun
4
For most regular verbs, you remove the infinitive ending (-en or -n) to obtain the verb stem, and then add -ung. For example:
5
| Verb (Infinitive) | Verb Stem | Noun with -ung | English Translation |
6
|:------------------|:----------|:---------------|:--------------------|
7
| planen (to plan) | plan- | die Planung | the planning |
8
| lösen (to solve) | lös- | die Lösung | the solution |
9
| fragen (to ask) | frag- | die Frage | the question |
10
(Note: die Frage is an older, irregular formation that doesn't perfectly fit the stem + -ung rule, but is feminine and derived from fragen. The key here is the resultant -ung ending, which indicates feminine gender.)
11
Some verbs that end in -eln or -ern in their infinitive form slightly modify their stem before -ung is added, often dropping the e before the l or r:
12
| Verb (Infinitive) | Verb Stem | Noun with -ung | English Translation |
13
|:------------------|:----------|:---------------|:--------------------|
14
| sammeln (to collect) | samml- | die Sammlung | the collection |
15
| ändern (to change) | änder- | die Änderung | the change |
16
It is important to understand that while many verbs can form an -ung noun, not all do. Some verbs use different suffixes (e.g., -e as in die Rede from reden), or their nominalized forms are infinitives used as neuter nouns (e.g., das Essen from essen). However, if you see a noun ending in -ung, its origin is almost certainly a verb, and its gender is reliably feminine.

Gender & Agreement

The grammatical gender of nouns ending in -ung is invariably feminine. This consistency is one of the most helpful aspects of this rule for German learners. It means that regardless of the noun's meaning or its English equivalent, if it carries the -ung suffix, it will always be die in the nominative case.
This absolute rule simplifies both article usage and the declension of adjectives and pronouns that refer to these nouns.
When a noun is feminine, it follows a specific declension pattern in the four German cases. You must remember that while the inherent gender remains feminine, the form of the article and any accompanying adjectives will change depending on the case and number (singular or plural).
Here is the declension of a typical -ung noun, using die Wohnung (apartment) as an example:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Noun | Indefinite Article | Noun | English Translation (example) |
|:------------|:-----------------|:------------|:-------------------|:------------|:------------------------------------|
| Nominative | die | Wohnung | eine | Wohnung | the apartment (subject), an apartment |
| Accusative | die | Wohnung | eine | Wohnung | the apartment (direct object), an apartment |
| Dative | der | Wohnung | einer | Wohnung | to/for the apartment, to/for an apartment |
| Genitive | der | Wohnung | einer | Wohnung | of the apartment, of an apartment |
Plural
All German plural nouns take the article die in the nominative and accusative cases, den(pl) in the dative, and der(pl) in the genitive. For -ung nouns, the plural is typically formed by adding -en to the singular form.
| Case | Definite Article | Noun | English Translation (example) |
|:------------|:-----------------|:-------------|:------------------------------|
| Nominative | die | Wohnungen | the apartments (subject) |
| Accusative | die | Wohnungen | the apartments (direct object)|
| Dative | den(pl) | Wohnungen | to/for the apartments |
| Genitive | der(pl) | Wohnungen | of the apartments |
Adjective endings also agree with the feminine gender and the specific case. For example:
  • die neue Wohnung (the new apartment – Nominative singular)
  • Ich suche die gute Lösung`. (I am looking for the good solution – Accusative singular)
  • Er arbeitet an einer wichtigen Entscheidung`. (He is working on an important decision – Dative singular)
Mastering this agreement is crucial for constructing grammatically correct German sentences. The consistent feminine gender of -ung nouns provides a reliable anchor in this process.

When To Use It

Nouns ending in -ung are extremely common and versatile in German, describing a wide range of concepts related to actions, processes, results, states, and abstract ideas. You will encounter them in almost every aspect of daily life, from informal conversations to formal documents and technical contexts. Understanding their typical usage patterns enhances both your comprehension and active vocabulary.
1. Actions or Processes: Many -ung nouns denote the act of doing something, an ongoing process, or an activity.
  • die Besprechung (meeting) from besprechen (to discuss)
  • die Entwicklung (development) from entwickeln (to develop)
  • die Prüfung (exam/test) from prüfen (to test, examine)
Example: Die Besprechung beginnt um 10 Uhr. (The meeting starts at 10 AM.)
2. Results or Outcomes: These nouns often refer to the product or consequence of an action.
  • die Entscheidung (decision) from entscheiden (to decide)
  • die Rechnung (bill/invoice) from rechnen (to calculate)
  • die Lösung (solution) from lösen (to solve)
Example: Ich warte auf die Rechnung`. (I am waiting for the bill.)
3. Abstract Concepts or States: Many abstract ideas, emotions, or conditions are expressed using -ung nouns.
  • die Hoffnung (hope) from hoffen (to hope)
  • die Meinung (opinion) from meinen (to be of the opinion)
  • die Erfahrung (experience) from erfahren (to experience)
Example: Das ist meine(f) Meinung`. (That is my opinion.)
4. Collections or Groups (less common but present): Some -ung nouns can signify a collection of items or a group, though this is not their primary function.
  • die Sammlung (collection) from sammeln (to collect)
  • die Führung (guidance, tour) from führen (to lead)
Example: Wir machen eine Führung durch die Stadt. (We are doing a tour through the city.)
These nouns are prevalent in both formal and informal contexts. In business or academic settings, you'll encounter terms like die Forschung (research), die Verwaltung (administration), or die Vorbereitung (preparation). In everyday communication, phrases such as eine gute Stimmung (a good mood/atmosphere) or keine Ahnung (no idea) frequently feature these feminine nouns.
Their pervasive use makes mastering this suffix incredibly beneficial for your German fluency.

Common Mistakes

While the -ung rule is highly reliable for gender, learners often make mistakes regarding its application and the correct nominalization of verbs. Avoiding these common pitfalls will significantly improve your accuracy.
1. Over-generalization of the -ung suffix: Not every verb can form a noun simply by adding -ung. Some verbs have established nominal forms that use different suffixes or even completely different words. Forgetting this can lead to incorrect or non-existent words.
  • Incorrect: *die Laufung (from laufen - to run)
  • Correct: der Lauf (the run, course, flow) or das Laufen (the running, as a gerund)
  • Incorrect: *die Sprechung (from sprechen - to speak)
  • Correct: die Sprache (the language/speech) or das Sprechen (the speaking)
Why it happens: Learners, keen to apply a consistent rule, might assume all verbs follow this pattern. However, German, like any language, has historical irregularities and alternative nominalization strategies.
2. Misidentifying -ung as a suffix: A very small number of German nouns end in ung but do not derive from a verb using the -ung suffix. These are typically one-syllable nouns where ung is part of the original root word, not an added ending. These rare exceptions are almost exclusively masculine.
  • der Schwung (momentum, swing)
  • der Sprung (jump, leap)
Why it happens: The visual similarity leads learners to mistakenly apply the feminine rule. However, these words are often monosyllabic and their etymology differs. For the vast majority of polysyllabic nouns ending in -ung (especially those clearly derived from a verb), the feminine rule holds.
3. Forgetting Case Declension: While the gender is fixed as feminine, the article and adjective endings will change in different cases. An A1 learner might correctly identify die Wohnung but then use die in the dative case (e.g., *mit die Wohnung instead of mit der Wohnung`).
Why it happens: Learners might over-emphasize the fixed gender and neglect the dynamic nature of German case endings. This is a common hurdle requiring consistent practice of declension tables.
4. Incorrect Plural Formation: While the plural article is always die, -ung nouns typically form their plural by adding -en to the singular, sometimes with an Umlaut on the stem vowel, though not often for -ung nouns themselves.
  • die Wohnung -> die Wohnungen
  • die Prüfung -> die Prüfungen
Why it happens: Inconsistent plural rules across German nouns can cause confusion. Learners should explicitly learn the plural form along with the singular noun.
To mitigate these mistakes, focus on learning -ung nouns in context, paying attention to their verbal origin, and memorizing their specific declension and plural forms. Be cautious with monosyllabic words ending in ung and always verify their gender if unsure.

Common Collocations

German nouns ending in -ung frequently appear in established phrases and expressions, known as collocations. Learning these common pairings helps you sound more natural and use the language more idiomatically. These often involve verbs that regularly combine with specific -ung nouns, or adjectives that describe them.
1. Verb + die-Noun Combinations: These are particularly common, as many -ung nouns represent actions or results.
  • eine Entscheidung treffen (to make a decision)
  • Example: Wir müssen schnell eine Entscheidung treffen. (We have to make a decision quickly.)
  • eine Lösung finden (to find a solution)
  • Example: Ich hoffe, wir können eine Lösung finden. (I hope we can find a solution.)
  • eine Anmeldung ausfüllen (to fill out a registration form)
  • Example: Bitte füllen Sie die Anmeldung aus. (Please fill out the registration form.)
  • eine Frage stellen (to ask a question)
  • Example: Darf ich eine Frage stellen? (May I ask a question?)
  • eine Besprechung abhalten (to hold a meeting)
  • Example: Der Chef wird morgen eine Besprechung abhalten. (The boss will hold a meeting tomorrow.)
2. Adjective + die-Noun Combinations: Adjectives frequently modify -ung nouns, providing more detail.
  • wichtige Mitteilung (important announcement)
  • Example: Es gibt eine wichtige Mitteilung. (There is an important announcement.)
  • gute Stimmung (good atmosphere/mood)
  • Example: Wir hatten eine gute Stimmung auf der Party. (We had a good atmosphere at the party.)
  • große Enttäuschung (big disappointment)
  • Example: Das war eine große Enttäuschung für ihn. (That was a big disappointment for him.)
  • schnelle Entwicklung (rapid development)
  • Example: Die Technik zeigt eine schnelle Entwicklung. (The technology shows rapid development.)
3. Prepositional Phrases: -ung nouns are also often found within prepositional phrases.
  • in Bearbeitung (in progress, currently being processed)
  • Example: Ihre Bestellung ist in Bearbeitung. (Your order is in progress.)
  • mit Begeisterung (with enthusiasm)
  • Example: Sie hat das Projekt mit Begeisterung angenommen. (She accepted the project with enthusiasm.)
  • zur Verfügung stehen (to be available)
  • Example: Für Fragen stehe ich zur Verfügung. (I am available for questions.)
By integrating these collocations into your vocabulary study, you will not only remember the nouns more effectively but also learn to use them in contextually appropriate and natural-sounding ways. This is a key step towards advanced fluency.

Real Conversations

To truly grasp the utility of -ung nouns, observing their use in authentic, modern communication is essential. These examples demonstrate how naturally they fit into everyday German, from casual chats to digital correspondence.

1. Text Message (WhatsApp/SMS):

- Hey, wann ist die Besprechung morgen? Ich hab eine wichtige Mitteilung.

- (Hey, when's the meeting tomorrow? I have an important announcement.)

- Keine Ahnung(f). Frag mal Sarah. Brauchst du eine Empfehlung für eine gute Wohnung?

- (No idea. Ask Sarah. Do you need a recommendation for a good apartment?)

In these short exchanges, -ung nouns like Besprechung, Mitteilung, Ahnung, Empfehlung, and Wohnung are used concisely and efficiently to convey information, questions, and suggestions. The feminine article die is consistently applied.

2. Social Media Comment (Instagram/Facebook):

- Wow, eine tolle Leistung! Meine(f) Anerkennung!

- (Wow, a great achievement! My recognition/appreciation!)

- Was ist deine(f) Meinung zu dieser(f) Entwicklung?

- (What's your opinion on this development?)

- Danke für die Erklärung!

- (Thanks for the explanation!)

Social media showcases informal but immediate use. Leistung (achievement), Anerkennung (recognition), Meinung (opinion), Entwicklung (development), and Erklärung (explanation) are common in expressing reactions, opinions, and appreciation online.

3. Informal Email (Work/Study context):

- `Hallo Max,

Ich habe eine Frage bezüglich der Planung für das Projekt. Hast du schon eine Entscheidung getroffen?

Viele Grüße,

Lisa`

- (Hi Max,

I have a question regarding the planning for the project. Have you already made a decision?

Best regards,

Lisa)

- `Liebe Frau Schmidt,

Vielen Dank für Ihre(f) schnelle Antwort. Ihre(f) Unterstützung ist sehr hilfreich.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Tom Müller`

- (Dear Ms. Schmidt,

Thank you very much for your quick reply. Your support is very helpful.

Sincerely,

Tom Müller)

In emails, nouns such as Frage, Planung, Entscheidung, Antwort, and Unterstützung are essential for clear and polite communication. Notice how the article changes to der in the dative case for der Planung (referring to die Planung).

These examples underscore the fundamental role of -ung nouns in conveying clear and nuanced meanings in various communication scenarios. By paying attention to such usage, you can internalize the patterns and confidently incorporate these nouns into your own German expressions.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about German nouns ending in -ung:
  • Q: Are there absolutely no exceptions to -ung nouns being feminine?
  • A: For nouns where -ung is clearly an added suffix derived from a verb, the rule is practically 100% reliable for A1 learners. The very few exceptions like der Sprung (jump) or der Schwung (momentum) are words where ung is part of the original root, not a suffix. These are typically monosyllabic and you will encounter them rarely at A1. For practical purposes, at your current level, always assume -ung means feminine.
  • Q: Can I turn any German verb into an -ung noun?
  • A: No, not every verb forms a noun with -ung. While it's a highly productive suffix, some verbs have older, established noun forms that use other suffixes (e.g., die Sprache from sprechen) or use the infinitive as a neuter noun (e.g., das Lesen from lesen). The best approach is to learn the -ung nouns as part of your vocabulary and recognize the pattern when you encounter new words.
  • Q: How do -ung nouns form their plural?
  • A: Nouns ending in -ung almost always form their plural by adding -en. The plural article is always die for all genders in the nominative and accusative cases. For example, die Wohnung becomes die Wohnungen, and die Zeitung becomes die Zeitungen. No Umlaut is typically added to the stem vowel in these cases.
  • Q: Why is the -ung suffix always feminine? Is there a logical reason?
  • A: The gender assignment of suffixes in German is largely a matter of historical linguistic development, not logical reasoning in the modern language. Over centuries, these patterns became fixed. There's no inherent logical reason why an action made into a noun should be feminine, but this is how the language evolved. Accepting and applying this rule is more effective than seeking a logical explanation for gender in German.
  • Q: How does -ung compare to other feminine suffixes like -heit or -keit?
  • A: While -ung, -heit, and -keit all reliably indicate feminine gender, they typically derive from different word classes. -ung nouns are almost exclusively formed from verbs, indicating actions, processes, or results. In contrast, -heit and -keit nouns are generally formed from adjectives, denoting states or qualities (e.g., die Freiheit from frei (free), die Höflichkeit from höflich (polite)). Understanding these distinctions helps you recognize the origin and subtle meaning differences of these feminine nouns.

Formation of -ung Nouns

Verb Stem Noun Article
planen
plan
Planung
die
üben
üb
Übung
die
rechnen
rechn
Rechnung
die
wohnen
wohn
Wohnung
die
einladen
einlad
Einladung
die
bedeuten
bedeut
Bedeutung
die

Meanings

The suffix -ung is used to turn verbs into nouns, describing an action or the result of an action.

1

Action Noun

Describes the process of doing something.

“{Die|f} {Planung|f} dauert lange.”

“{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} kommt später.”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Nouns Ending in -ung (Always Feminine)
Form Structure Example
Singular
die + -ung
die Wohnung
Plural
die + -ungen
die Wohnungen
Accusative
die + -ung
Ich sehe die Wohnung
Dative
der + -ung
Ich bin in der Wohnung
Genitive
der + -ung
Das Ende der Wohnung
Question
Ist die + -ung...?
Ist die Wohnung frei?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} ist hoch.

{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} ist hoch. (Restaurant)

Neutral
{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} ist hoch.

{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} ist hoch. (Restaurant)

Informal
{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} ist hoch.

{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} ist hoch. (Restaurant)

Slang
Die Rechnung ist heftig.

Die Rechnung ist heftig. (Restaurant)

The -ung Feminine Anchor

-ung

Home

  • Wohnung apartment

Work

  • Planung planning

School

  • Übung exercise
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Examples by Level

1

{Die|f} {Übung|f} ist gut.

The exercise is good.

2

{Die|f} {Wohnung|f} ist klein.

The apartment is small.

3

{Die|f} {Rechnung|f} bitte.

The bill, please.

4

{Die|f} {Planung|f} ist fertig.

The planning is finished.

1

Ich mache {die|f} {Übung|f}.

I am doing the exercise.

2

Wo ist {die|f} {Verbindung|f}?

Where is the connection?

3

{Die|f} {Erfahrung|f} ist wichtig.

The experience is important.

4

{Die|f} {Zeitung|f} liegt hier.

The newspaper is here.

1

{Die|f} {Bedeutung|f} ist klar.

The meaning is clear.

2

{Die|f} {Entwicklung|f} war schnell.

The development was fast.

3

{Die|f} {Regierung|f} entscheidet heute.

The government decides today.

4

{Die|f} {Einladung|f} kam gestern.

The invitation arrived yesterday.

1

{Die|f} {Überraschung|f} war groß.

The surprise was big.

2

{Die|f} {Verwaltung|f} ist langsam.

The administration is slow.

3

{Die|f} {Ausbildung|f} dauert drei Jahre.

The training lasts three years.

4

{Die|f} {Anstrengung|f} hat sich gelohnt.

The effort was worth it.

1

{Die|f} {Untersuchung|f} zeigt Ergebnisse.

The investigation shows results.

2

{Die|f} {Überzeugung|f} ist tief.

The conviction is deep.

3

{Die|f} {Veränderung|f} ist notwendig.

The change is necessary.

4

{Die|f} {Beleuchtung|f} ist perfekt.

The lighting is perfect.

1

{Die|f} {Verwirklichung|f} des Ziels.

The realization of the goal.

2

{Die|f} {Ermittlung|f} dauert an.

The inquiry is ongoing.

3

{Die|f} {Verständigung|f} ist schwierig.

The communication is difficult.

4

{Die|f} {Vorbereitung|f} war exzellent.

The preparation was excellent.

Easily Confused

German Nouns Ending in -ung (Always Feminine) vs -er vs -ung

Learners mix up masculine -er and feminine -ung.

German Nouns Ending in -ung (Always Feminine) vs -chen vs -ung

Learners mix up neuter -chen and feminine -ung.

German Nouns Ending in -ung (Always Feminine) vs -e vs -ung

Many feminine nouns end in -e, but not all.

Common Mistakes

✗

der Wohnung

✓

die Wohnung

-ung is always feminine.
✗

das Rechnung

✓

die Rechnung

-ung is always feminine.
✗

die Planungs

✓

die Planungen

Plural of -ung is -ungen.
✗

ein Wohnung

✓

eine Wohnung

Feminine indefinite article is eine.
✗

der Übungen

✓

die Übungen

Plural is always die.
✗

die Einladungs

✓

die Einladungen

Plural is -ungen.
✗

einem Rechnung

✓

einer Rechnung

Dative feminine is einer.
✗

des Bedeutungs

✓

der Bedeutung

Genitive feminine is der.
✗

die Entwicklungs

✓

die Entwicklungen

Plural is -ungen.
✗

der Einladung

✓

die Einladung

Nominative is die.
✗

des Untersuchung

✓

der Untersuchung

Genitive feminine is der.
✗

die Verwirklichungs

✓

die Verwirklichungen

Plural is -ungen.
✗

der Verwirklichung

✓

die Verwirklichung

Nominative is die.

Sentence Patterns

Die ___ ist sehr gut.

Ich mache die ___.

Die ___ dauert lange.

Hast du die ___ gesehen?

Real World Usage

Restaurant constant

Die Rechnung, bitte.

Housing very common

Die Wohnung ist frei.

Work common

Die Planung ist fertig.

School very common

Die Übung ist einfach.

Social Media occasional

Die Einladung ist da.

Bureaucracy common

Die Verwaltung antwortet nicht.

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💡

Look for the ending

Scan the end of every new noun. If you see -ung, you have already learned its gender!
⚠️

Don't guess

Never guess the gender of an -ung word. It is always {die|f}.
🎯

Pluralize with -en

Almost all -ung nouns take -en in the plural. This is a great pattern to memorize.
💬

Sound natural

Using the correct article makes you sound like a native speaker immediately.

Smart Tips

Always check if the noun ends in -ung.

I don't know the gender of 'Planung'. → It ends in -ung, so it must be {die|f} {Planung|f}!

Use the -ung rule to ensure your articles are correct.

Ich schreibe der Rechnung. → Ich schreibe die Rechnung.

Identify the suffix to understand the word's function.

I don't know what 'Entwicklung' means. → It ends in -ung, so it's a noun related to the verb 'entwickeln'.

Pause and check the ending before saying the article.

Der... äh... Übung ist schwer. → Die Übung ist schwer.

Pronunciation

/ʊŋ/

-ung ending

The 'ng' is a nasal sound, like in 'sing'.

Statement

Die {Wohnung|f} ist groß. ↘

Falling intonation for statements.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'UNG-lady'. Every time you see -ung, imagine a lady in a pink dress (feminine color).

Visual Association

Imagine a giant pink sign with 'UNG' written on it. Whenever you see a word ending in -ung, the sign glows pink, reminding you it is feminine.

Rhyme

If the word ends in -ung, {die|f} is the song you must have sung!

Story

Anna lives in a {Wohnung|f}. She does her {Übung|f} every day. She checks her {Rechnung|f} carefully. Everything is feminine!

Word Web

WohnungÜbungRechnungPlanungEinladungBedeutung

Challenge

Find 5 words ending in -ung in a German newspaper or website today and write them down with their article.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision; using the correct article shows you care about the language.

Similar usage, though sometimes more formal in bureaucracy.

Standard German is used for writing, so the -ung rule applies perfectly.

The -ung suffix comes from Old High German -unga, used to form nouns from verbs.

Conversation Starters

“

Wie findest du die {Übung|f}?

“

Ist die {Wohnung|f} groß?

“

Wie läuft die {Planung|f}?

“

Hast du die {Rechnung|f} bezahlt?

Journal Prompts

Describe your apartment using the word {Wohnung|f}.
Write about a task you practiced today using {Übung|f}.
Explain your plans for the weekend using {Planung|f}.
Discuss a recent experience using {Erfahrung|f}.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Select the correct article. Multiple Choice

___ Wohnung ist groß.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die
-ung is feminine.
Fill in the correct article.

Ich brauche ___ Rechnung.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Accusative feminine is die.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Der Übung ist schwer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Übung ist schwer.
-ung is feminine.
Order the words. Sentence Building

ist / die / Planung / fertig

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Planung ist fertig.
Standard word order.
Match the noun to its plural. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wohnungen
Plural of -ung is -ungen.
What is the plural of 'Einladung'? Conjugation Drill

Einladung -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Einladungen
Standard plural.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Are all -ung nouns feminine?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
It is a 100% rule.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wo ist die ___? B: Sie ist dort.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wohnung
Wohnung is the only -ung noun.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Select the correct article. Multiple Choice

___ Wohnung ist groß.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die
-ung is feminine.
Fill in the correct article.

Ich brauche ___ Rechnung.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Accusative feminine is die.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Der Übung ist schwer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Übung ist schwer.
-ung is feminine.
Order the words. Sentence Building

ist / die / Planung / fertig

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Planung ist fertig.
Standard word order.
Match the noun to its plural. Match Pairs

Wohnung -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wohnungen
Plural of -ung is -ungen.
What is the plural of 'Einladung'? Conjugation Drill

Einladung -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Einladungen
Standard plural.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Are all -ung nouns feminine?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
It is a 100% rule.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wo ist die ___? B: Sie ist dort.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wohnung
Wohnung is the only -ung noun.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

5 exercises
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

die / ist / sehr / Heizung / warm

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Heizung ist sehr warm.
Translate 'The opinion' into German. Translation

The opinion

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Meinung
Match the verb to its -ung noun. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: planen - Planung
Which of these is NOT an -ung noun? Multiple Choice

Pick the odd one out:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Sprung
Complete the word. Fill in the Blank

Die Einlad___ zur Party ist da.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ung

Score: /5

FAQ (8)

No, there are zero exceptions. Every single noun ending in -ung is feminine.

You simply add -en to the end. For example, {die|f} {Übung|f} becomes {die|f} {Übungen|f}.

Yes, the gender is always feminine, but the article changes based on the case (e.g., {der|m} in dative).

It helps you identify the gender of thousands of words without memorizing them one by one.

Yes, it is a universal rule in German.

No, it ends in -ung, so it is feminine, but it is not derived from a verb in the same way. However, it still follows the feminine rule.

'Jung' is an adjective, not a noun. The rule only applies to nouns.

Yes, it gives you confidence to use the correct article immediately.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

-ción

Spanish -ción words are feminine, but the rule is different.

French moderate

-ion

French gender is binary, while German has three genders.

German high

-ung

It is the standard for feminine derivation.

Japanese none

none

Japanese lacks gendered articles entirely.

Arabic low

none

Arabic gender is inherent to the noun.

Chinese none

none

Chinese grammar is isolating, not inflectional.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
German Genders: Women and Girls (die/das)
Next
German Nouns Ending in -chen (Always Neuter)

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