A1 Pronouns 15 min read Easy

Informal 'Your' (dein)

Use 'dein' with friends and family, making sure its ending matches the gender and case of the noun.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'dein' to say 'your' when talking to friends or family, but remember to match the ending to the noun's gender.

  • Use 'dein' for masculine {der|m} and neuter {das|n} nouns: 'dein {Hund|m}'.
  • Add an '-e' for feminine {die|f} and plural nouns: 'dein-e {Katze|f}'.
  • The ending changes based on the noun that follows it, not the person speaking.
dein/deine + Noun

Overview

In German, expressing possession requires careful attention to context, specifically who you are addressing and what noun is being possessed. The possessive adjective dein translates to 'your' in English, but it carries a distinct informal tone. It is used exclusively when addressing a single person with whom you have a Du-relationship.

This means you are on a first-name basis, are close friends, family, or addressing a child. The choice between dein and its formal counterpart, Ihr (capitalized and also meaning 'your'), is a fundamental aspect of German social interaction. Dein reflects intimacy and familiarity, signaling that you consider the other person a peer or close acquaintance.

Using dein appropriately is not merely a grammatical choice; it is a social convention that establishes and maintains personal boundaries and relationships in German-speaking cultures.

Unlike the static English 'your', dein is a declining word. This means its ending changes based on two critical factors: the grammatical gender of the noun it modifies (der Hund, die Katze, das Buch) and the grammatical case in which that noun appears within the sentence (Nominative, Accusative, or Dative). This inflection is a cornerstone of German grammar, providing precision about a noun's role that English conveys through word order.

Understanding dein serves as an excellent entry point into the broader system of German declension, as its patterns mirror those of definite articles and other possessive adjectives like mein (my) or sein (his).

How This Grammar Works

To correctly form dein, you must first grasp the core principles of German declension. Possessive adjectives in German do not behave like simple adjectives that describe a noun's quality (e.g., rot for 'red'). Instead, they function more like determiners, preceding the noun and indicating possession while simultaneously reflecting the noun's grammatical properties.
The two primary grammatical properties dictating the ending of dein are the gender of the noun being possessed and the case of that noun in the sentence.
Every German noun has one of three genders: masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das). Additionally, nouns can be plural. This gender (or plurality) is an inherent linguistic feature of the noun itself, not necessarily related to biological sex.
For example, der Tisch (table) is masculine, die Lampe (lamp) is feminine, and das Fenster (window) is neuter. When dein precedes one of these nouns, its ending will adapt to match that gender.
Beyond gender, the grammatical case specifies the noun's function in the sentence. German has four cases:
  • Nominative: Used for the subject of the sentence (who or what is performing the action) and after the verb sein (to be) or werden (to become). It answers the questions 'who?' or 'what?'.
  • Accusative: Used for the direct object of the sentence (who or what is receiving the action) and after certain prepositions. It answers the questions 'whom?' or 'what?'.
  • Dative: Used for the indirect object of the sentence (to whom or for whom the action is performed) and after specific prepositions or verbs. It answers the questions 'to whom?' or 'for whom?'.
The endings of dein are not arbitrary. They follow a highly systematic pattern that is directly analogous to the endings of definite articles (der, die, das). If you are familiar with how der, die, das change in different cases, you will find a strong parallel in how dein changes.
This parallelism is a key linguistic principle in German: determiners (like articles and possessive adjectives) share similar declension patterns to provide consistent grammatical signaling. For instance, the feminine Nominative definite article is die, and the feminine Nominative form of dein is deine. The masculine Accusative definite article is den, and the masculine Accusative form of dein is deinen.
This internal consistency reduces the memorization burden, as once you understand the article system, applying it to possessives becomes intuitive. The process always involves first identifying the noun's gender and then its role (case) within the sentence.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming the correct version of dein involves a methodical, two-step process: first, identify the gender of the noun being possessed, and second, determine the grammatical case in which that noun functions within the sentence. The base form is dein-, to which specific endings are appended. These endings are highly regular and consistent across all possessive adjectives in German.
2
Step 1: Identify the Noun's Gender and Number
3
Masculine: der Hund (dog)
4
Feminine: die Katze (cat)
5
Neuter: das Buch (book)
6
Plural: die Hunde (dogs), die Katzen (cats), die Bücher (books)
7
Step 2: Determine the Grammatical Case
8
Is the noun the subject of the sentence (Nominative), the direct object (Accusative), or the indirect object (Dative)? The verb and prepositions often dictate the case.
9
Declension Tables for dein
10
Here are the specific endings applied to dein- based on gender/number and case:
11
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
12
| :---------- | :-------------- | :-------------- | :-------------- | :-------------- |
13
| Nominative | dein | deine | dein | deine |
14
| Accusative | deinen | deine | dein | deine |
15
| Dative | deinem | deiner | deinem | deinen |
16
Let's examine each case with examples:
17
Nominative Case (Subject of the sentence)
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Masculine: Dein Vater der arbeitet viel. (Your father works a lot.)
19
Feminine: Deine Mutter die ist Ärztin. (Your mother is a doctor.)
20
Neuter: Dein Kind das spielt draußen. (Your child is playing outside.)
21
Plural: Deine Freunde die kommen heute. (Your friends are coming today.)
22
Accusative Case (Direct object of the sentence)
23
Masculine: Ich sehe deinen Bruder der. (I see your brother.)
24
Notice the -en ending for masculine direct objects. This is a common point of error for learners.
25
Feminine: Er kauft deine Tasche die. (He is buying your bag.)
26
Neuter: Sie liest dein Buch das. (She is reading your book.)
27
Plural: Wir besuchen deine Eltern die. (We are visiting your parents.)
28
Dative Case (Indirect object, or after certain prepositions/verbs)
29
Masculine: Ich helfe deinem Freund der. (I am helping your friend.)
30
The verb helfen (to help) always takes the Dative case.
31
Feminine: Er gibt deiner Schwester die ein Geschenk. (He is giving your sister a gift.)
32
Neuter: Sie sitzt auf deinem Stuhl das. (She is sitting on your chair.)
33
The preposition auf (on) can take Dative or Accusative; here, indicating location, it takes Dative.
34
Plural: Ich erzähle deinen Geschwistern die eine Geschichte. (I am telling your siblings a story.)
35
Observe that the endings of dein often mirror the endings of the definite articles. For example, der (masculine Nom.) is dein, die (feminine Nom./Acc., plural Nom./Acc.) is deine, den (masculine Acc.) is deinen, dem (masculine/neuter Dat.) is deinem, and der (feminine Dat., also plural Nom.) is deiner. This consistent pattern is a crucial mnemonic device for learners. If you can recall the article endings, you can apply them to dein and all other possessive adjectives.

When To Use It

Using dein correctly is primarily a matter of social context and identifying a Du-relationship. The decision to use dein (informal 'your') versus Ihr (formal 'your') reflects German social etiquette, often referred to as the Duzen (using Du) and Siezen (using Sie) distinction. Dein is used when you are addressing a single person who you duzen.
Here are the specific scenarios where dein is appropriate:
  • Friends and Peers: When speaking to individuals you consider friends, classmates, or colleagues of similar age and status, especially in informal settings. Was ist dein Lieblingsfilm` der?
  • Family Members: Always used with parents, siblings, children, cousins, grandparents, and other relatives. Wie geht es deiner Schwester die?
  • Children: Adults invariably use dein when speaking to children, regardless of whether they know the child personally. Ist das dein Ball der, kleiner Junge?
  • Pets: When addressing an animal. Komm her, dein Futter das ist fertig! (Come here, your food is ready!)
  • Online Communication: In informal written communication like text messages, social media posts, and private chats, dein is standard. The increasing prevalence of Du in online interactions reflects a broader trend towards less formality among younger generations.
  • Initiated Du-Offer: In Germany, the Du-form (and therefore dein) is typically offered by the older person to the younger, or by the higher-ranking person to the lower-ranking. Once Du is established, dein follows naturally. To revert to Sie (and Ihr) after establishing Du is generally considered a significant social affront.
Using dein signals a degree of closeness and familiarity. Misusing it in a formal context (e.g., with a stranger, a police officer, a professor, or an unknown service provider) can be perceived as disrespectful or overly familiar. Conversely, using Ihr in a context where dein is expected (e.g., with a close friend) can create an awkward distance or suggest offense.
The choice is a powerful social cue that defines the relationship dynamics between speakers.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific challenges when using dein, largely due to the inflectional nature of German that is absent in English. Recognizing these common pitfalls can significantly improve accuracy and fluency.
  1. 1The Missing -e Syndrome: This is perhaps the most prevalent error. Many learners forget to add the -e ending for feminine or plural nouns in the Nominative and Accusative cases. They might say dein Tasche instead of deine Tasche die (your bag) or dein Freunde instead of deine Freunde die (your friends). The rule is consistent: if the noun is feminine or plural, and in the Nominative or Accusative case, dein becomes deine.
  1. 1Forgetting the Masculine Accusative -en: The masculine noun in the Accusative case consistently takes an -en ending. Learners often incorrectly use the Nominative dein instead of deinen. For example, Ich sehe dein Hund instead of Ich sehe deinen Hund der (I see your dog). This is a critical distinction, as it is the only instance where the possessive adjective changes its stem in the Accusative singular.
  1. 1Confusing dein with Ihr (Formal 'Your'): This is a social rather than purely grammatical error. Using dein with someone you should siezen (address formally) is considered rude or overly familiar. Conversely, using Ihr with a close friend can create an unexpected distance. Always consider your relationship with the person you are addressing. Example: Ist das Ihr der Platz? (Is that your seat? - to a stranger) vs. Ist das dein der Platz? (Is that your seat? - to a friend).
  1. 1Confusing dein with sein (His/Its): While sounding somewhat similar, dein (your) and sein (his/its) have entirely different meanings. Learners might mistakenly say Das ist sein das Auto when intending to say Das ist dein das Auto. Pay close attention to context and the intended possessor.
  1. 1Confusing dein with dir (Dative Pronoun 'To/For You'): Dein is a possessive adjective (your), while dir is the Dative form of the personal pronoun du (to/for you). They serve different grammatical functions. Example: Das ist dein das Geschenk. (That is your gift.) vs. Ich gebe dir ein Geschenk. (I give you a gift.) The phonetic similarity can lead to confusion, but their roles in the sentence are distinct. Dein always modifies a noun, while dir replaces one.
  1. 1Over-generalization of euer: While dein is for one informal person, euer is for multiple informal people. Learners sometimes mistakenly use dein when addressing a group of friends. Ist das euer das Auto? (Is that your car? - to a group) vs. Ist das dein das Auto? (Is that your car? - to one person). Remember, dein is strictly singular.
Overcoming these errors requires consistent practice and a conscious application of the gender and case rules. Focusing on the endings of the definite articles as a guide can be particularly helpful.

Real Conversations

Understanding how dein is employed in authentic, modern German communication goes beyond textbook exercises. Here are examples showcasing its usage across various informal contexts:

1. Text Message between Friends:

- A: Hey, wann ist dein Termin der morgen? (Hey, when's your appointment tomorrow?)

- B: Um 10 Uhr. Kannst du deinen Schlüssel der mitbringen? Ich habe meinen vergessen. (At 10 AM. Can you bring your key? I forgot mine.)

Here, dein Termin is masculine Nominative. deinen Schlüssel is masculine Accusative after mitbringen.*

2. Social Media Comment (Instagram/TikTok):

- OMG, deine neue Frisur die ist der Hammer! Steht dir super! (OMG, your new hairstyle is amazing! Looks great on you!)

deine neue Frisur is feminine Nominative. The owner is addressed informally.*

3. Spoken Dialogue at a Party:

- Friend 1: Schmeckt dein Getränk das? Ich finde meins ein bisschen komisch. (Does your drink taste good? I find mine a bit strange.)

- Friend 2: Ja, meins ist lecker. Gib mir mal deine Brille die, ich kann das nicht lesen. (Yes, mine is tasty. Give me your glasses, I can't read that.)

dein Getränk is neuter Nominative. deine Brille is plural Accusative, as Brille is often used in plural in German (die Brille). Note: Brille is grammatically singular feminine, but 'glasses' in English is plural. German die Brille is singular. So it should be deine Brille (feminine Accusative). Correction: deine Brille is feminine singular Accusative, hence deine. If referring to multiple actual glasses, it would be deine Brillen.*

4. Casual Email to a Classmate:

- `Hallo Max,

Ich hoffe, deine Präsentation die lief gut heute! Ich habe eine Frage zu deinem Vortrag der – könntest du mir deine Folien die schicken? Ich habe ein paar Notizen vergessen.

Viele Grüße,

Lisa`

(Hello Max,

I hope your presentation went well today! I have a question about your talk – could you send me your slides? I forgot some notes.

Best regards,

Lisa)

deine Präsentation (feminine Nom.), deinem Vortrag (masculine Dative after zu), deine Folien (plural Accusative).*

5. Parent to Child:

- Hast du schon deine Hausaufgaben die gemacht? Wo ist dein Rucksack der? (Have you done your homework yet? Where is your backpack?)

deine Hausaufgaben (plural Accusative), dein Rucksack (masculine Nominative).*

These examples demonstrate that dein is integral to everyday informal communication, adapting its ending fluidly to match the gender and case of the noun being discussed. The context clearly implies a Du-relationship, which makes the use of dein natural and expected.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Is dein always capitalized?
  • A: No. dein is only capitalized if it begins a sentence, just like any other word. Historically, possessive adjectives addressing a person were sometimes capitalized (e.g., Dein), even in the middle of a sentence, for politeness. This is now largely outdated and only seen in very formal or older texts. In modern German, especially in informal contexts, you should only capitalize dein if it starts a sentence.
  • Q: Does the gender of the person I'm talking to affect the ending of dein?
  • A: Absolutely not. This is a common misconception. The ending of dein depends exclusively on the gender and number of the noun being possessed, and its grammatical case in the sentence. It has nothing to do with the biological sex or gender of the person to whom you are speaking. For example, if you're talking to a girl about her der Bruder (brother), it's dein Bruder. If you're talking to a boy about his die Schwester (sister), it's deine Schwester.
  • Q: What if I need to say 'your' to a group of people I know informally?
  • A: For a group of people you duzen (e.g., your friends), you use the possessive adjective euer (your, plural informal). Dein is strictly for a single informal person. Ist das euer Auto das? (Is that your car? - to a group of friends).
  • Q: How do I know the gender of a German noun if I don't recognize the article?
  • A: This is a challenge for all German learners. When encountering a new noun, you must learn it with its definite article (der, die, das) or its plural form. Dictionaries always provide this information. There are some helpful patterns (e.g., nouns ending in -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ion are usually feminine; most nouns ending in -chen or -lein are neuter), but generally, it requires memorization. When in doubt, consulting a dictionary or an online resource is the best approach. Once you know the article, you know the gender, which is crucial for applying the correct ending to dein.
  • Q: Can I use dein with objects, or only people?
  • A: Dein is used with objects, concepts, or even other people that belong to or are associated with the single informal person you are addressing. For instance, dein Buch (your book), deine Idee (your idea), dein Vater (your father). The possessor is a person, but what is possessed can be anything.
  • Q: Is dein related to the pronoun Du?
  • A: Yes, dein is the possessive adjective derived from the informal singular personal pronoun du (you). Just as mein comes from ich (I), dein comes from du. They are part of a consistent system of personal pronouns and their corresponding possessive adjectives in German.
  • Q: What happens if a noun is not explicitly masculine, feminine, or neuter, like a proper noun?
  • A: Proper nouns, especially names of people, usually do not take articles in German and thus don't typically combine directly with possessive adjectives in the same way. You wouldn't say dein Anna. Instead, you would use the genitive case of the name (Annas Buch) or a dative construction with a personal pronoun (Das Buch gehört dir). However, for common nouns (like dein Auto), the gender is always relevant.

Possessive 'Your' (Informal)

Noun Gender Example Possessive Form
Masculine {der|m}
Hund
dein
Neuter {das|n}
Buch
dein
Feminine {die|f}
Tasche
deine
Plural
Bücher
deine

Meanings

The possessive determiner 'dein' indicates that something belongs to the person you are addressing informally.

1

Informal possession

Ownership or association with the second-person singular (du).

“Das ist dein {Auto|n}.”

“Wo ist dein {Bruder|m}?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Informal 'Your' (dein)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
dein/deine + Noun
Das ist dein {Haus|n}.
Negative
kein- + Noun
Das ist nicht dein {Haus|n}.
Question
Ist + dein/deine + Noun?
Ist das dein {Haus|n}?
Plural
deine + Noun
Das sind deine {Bücher|pl}.
Feminine
deine + Noun
Das ist deine {Lampe|f}.
Masculine
dein + Noun
Das ist dein {Tisch|m}.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ist das Ihr {Buch|n}?

Ist das Ihr {Buch|n}? (Asking about an object)

Neutral
Ist das dein {Buch|n}?

Ist das dein {Buch|n}? (Asking about an object)

Informal
Ist das dein {Buch|n}?

Ist das dein {Buch|n}? (Asking about an object)

Slang
Ist das dein {Teil|n}?

Ist das dein {Teil|n}? (Asking about an object)

The 'Dein' Decision Tree

Your (Informal)

Masculine/Neuter

  • dein your

Feminine/Plural

  • deine your

Gender-Based Possessives

Masculine/Neuter
dein {Hund|m} your dog
Feminine/Plural
deine {Katze|f} your cat

Choosing Dein vs Deine

1

Is the noun feminine or plural?

YES
Use 'deine'
NO
Use 'dein'

Noun Gender Groups

🐕

Masculine

  • • dein {Hund|m}
  • • dein {Vater|m}
📖

Neuter

  • • dein {Buch|n}
  • • dein {Auto|n}
🐈

Feminine

  • • deine {Katze|f}
  • • deine {Mutter|f}
👟

Plural

  • • deine {Schuhe|pl}
  • • deine {Eltern|pl}
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Examples by Level

1

Ist das dein {Hund|m}?

Is that your dog?

2

Das ist deine {Katze|f}.

That is your cat.

3

Wo ist dein {Buch|n}?

Where is your book?

4

Sind das deine {Schuhe|pl}?

Are those your shoes?

1

Dein {Vater|m} ist sehr nett.

Your father is very nice.

2

Hast du deine {Hausaufgaben|pl} gemacht?

Did you do your homework?

3

Ich mag dein {Haus|n}.

I like your house.

4

Ist deine {Schwester|f} hier?

Is your sister here?

1

Ich habe dein {Fahrrad|n} in der Garage gesehen.

I saw your bike in the garage.

2

Deine {Idee|f} ist wirklich gut.

Your idea is really good.

3

Kann ich dein {Handy|n} kurz benutzen?

Can I use your phone for a second?

4

Deine {Eltern|pl} sind sehr gastfreundlich.

Your parents are very hospitable.

1

Dein {Engagement|n} für das Projekt ist beeindruckend.

Your commitment to the project is impressive.

2

Deine {Einschätzung|f} der Lage war absolut korrekt.

Your assessment of the situation was absolutely correct.

3

Ich schätze dein {Vertrauen|n} sehr.

I value your trust very much.

4

Deine {Entscheidungen|pl} haben Konsequenzen.

Your decisions have consequences.

1

Dein {Auftreten|n} in dieser Situation war vorbildlich.

Your conduct in this situation was exemplary.

2

Deine {Interpretation|f} des Textes ist faszinierend.

Your interpretation of the text is fascinating.

3

Dein {Wissen|n} über Geschichte ist bemerkenswert.

Your knowledge of history is remarkable.

4

Deine {Bemühungen|pl} sind nicht unbemerkt geblieben.

Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

1

Dein {Eigensinn|m} ist manchmal schwer zu ertragen.

Your stubbornness is sometimes hard to bear.

2

Deine {Unnachgiebigkeit|f} in dieser Frage ist bekannt.

Your intransigence on this issue is well known.

3

Dein {Urteilsvermögen|n} lässt in diesem Fall zu wünschen übrig.

Your judgment leaves something to be desired in this case.

4

Deine {Ausführungen|pl} sind von großer Präzision.

Your explanations are of great precision.

Easily Confused

Informal 'Your' (dein) vs dein vs. dein-e

Learners often forget the -e ending for feminine and plural nouns.

Informal 'Your' (dein) vs dein vs. Ihr

Learners use 'dein' in formal situations.

Informal 'Your' (dein) vs dein vs. mein

Learners mix up 'your' and 'my'.

Common Mistakes

✗

deine {Hund|m}

✓

dein {Hund|m}

Hund is masculine, so it needs 'dein'.
✗

dein {Katze|f}

✓

deine {Katze|f}

Katze is feminine, so it needs 'deine'.
✗

dein {Bücher|pl}

✓

deine {Bücher|pl}

Plural nouns always take 'deine'.
✗

deine {Kind|n}

✓

dein {Kind|n}

Kind is neuter, so it needs 'dein'.
✗

dein {Mutter|f}

✓

deine {Mutter|f}

Mutter is feminine.
✗

deine {Auto|n}

✓

dein {Auto|n}

Auto is neuter.
✗

dein {Eltern|pl}

✓

deine {Eltern|pl}

Eltern is plural.
✗

dein {Tante|f}

✓

deine {Tante|f}

Tante is feminine.
✗

deine {Haus|n}

✓

dein {Haus|n}

Haus is neuter.
✗

dein {Freunde|pl}

✓

deine {Freunde|pl}

Freunde is plural.
✗

dein {Eigenschaft|f}

✓

deine {Eigenschaft|f}

Eigenschaft is feminine.
✗

deine {Wissen|n}

✓

dein {Wissen|n}

Wissen is neuter.
✗

dein {Leute|pl}

✓

deine {Leute|pl}

Leute is plural.
✗

deine {Gefühl|n}

✓

dein {Gefühl|n}

Gefühl is neuter.

Sentence Patterns

Ist das ___ {___|m/n}?

Sind das ___ {___|pl}?

Ich mag ___ {___|f}.

Wo ist ___ {___|m}?

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Wo ist dein {Handy|n}?

Ordering coffee with a friend very common

Ist das dein {Kaffee|m}?

Talking to a roommate very common

Wo sind deine {Schuhe|pl}?

Social media comment common

Ich liebe dein {Foto|n}!

Family dinner common

Wie schmeckt dein {Essen|n}?

Travel with a partner occasional

Hast du deine {Karte|f}?

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💡

Check the Noun

Always look at the noun after 'dein'. If it's feminine or plural, add an -e.
⚠️

Don't use 'dein' for formal situations

Using 'dein' with a boss or stranger can be rude. Use 'Ihr' instead.
🎯

Practice with objects

Label items in your house with their gender to practice.
💬

The 'Du' culture

Germans value the 'Du' form for friends. It's a sign of trust.

Smart Tips

Always add an -e to the possessive.

dein {Katze|f} → deine {Katze|f}

Always add an -e to the possessive.

dein {Schuhe|pl} → deine {Schuhe|pl}

Switch to 'Ihr' to be polite.

Ist das dein {Pass|m}? → Ist das Ihr {Pass|m}?

Check the article first.

dein {Tisch|m} → dein {Tisch|m}

Pronunciation

IPA: /daɪn/

Final -n

The 'n' in 'dein' is soft and nasal.

IPA: /ˈdaɪnə/

Final -e

The 'e' in 'deine' is a schwa sound.

Rising intonation for questions

Ist das dein {Buch|n}↗?

Indicates a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Dein is for the boys and the neutral toys; Deine is for the girls and the plural noise.

Visual Association

Imagine a boy holding a toy (dein) and a girl holding a pile of books (deine).

Rhyme

Masculine and neuter take dein, feminine and plural take deine.

Story

You walk into a room. You see your brother (dein {Bruder|m}) and your sister (deine {Schwester|f}). You ask for your book (dein {Buch|n}) and your keys (deine {Schlüssel|pl}).

Word Web

deindeineduBesitzFreundFamilie

Challenge

Label 5 items in your room with 'dein' or 'deine' based on their German gender.

Cultural Notes

Using 'du' and 'dein' is common among peers. Switching to 'Sie' and 'Ihr' too early can seem distant.

Austrians are often more formal, but 'dein' is still used among friends.

Swiss German speakers use 'du' and 'dein' very frequently in informal settings.

The word 'dein' comes from the Proto-Germanic *þīnaz.

Conversation Starters

“

Ist das dein {Stift|m}?

“

Wo ist deine {Tasche|f}?

“

Ist das dein {Auto|n}?

“

Sind das deine {Schlüssel|pl}?

Journal Prompts

Describe your room.
Write about your family.
What are your favorite things?
Describe your daily routine.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with 'dein' or 'deine'.

Ist das ___ {Hund|m}?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dein
Hund is masculine.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

___ {Katze|f} ist süß.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Deine
Katze is feminine.
Correct the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist dein {Tasche|f}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist deine {Tasche|f}.
Tasche is feminine.
Change to plural. Sentence Transformation

Das ist dein {Buch|n}. -> Das sind ___ {Bücher|pl}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: deine
Plural nouns take 'deine'.
Is this true? True False Rule

Do masculine and neuter nouns use 'dein'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, both use 'dein'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Ist das dein {Auto|n}? B: Ja, das ist ___ {Auto|n}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mein
Auto is neuter.
Order the words. Sentence Building

dein / ist / das / Hund / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ist das dein Hund?
Correct word order.
Sort the nouns. Grammar Sorting

Which takes 'deine'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Katze|f}
Katze is feminine.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with 'dein' or 'deine'.

Ist das ___ {Hund|m}?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dein
Hund is masculine.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

___ {Katze|f} ist süß.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Deine
Katze is feminine.
Correct the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist dein {Tasche|f}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist deine {Tasche|f}.
Tasche is feminine.
Change to plural. Sentence Transformation

Das ist dein {Buch|n}. -> Das sind ___ {Bücher|pl}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: deine
Plural nouns take 'deine'.
Is this true? True False Rule

Do masculine and neuter nouns use 'dein'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, both use 'dein'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Ist das dein {Auto|n}? B: Ja, das ist ___ {Auto|n}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mein
Auto is neuter.
Order the words. Sentence Building

dein / ist / das / Hund / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ist das dein Hund?
Correct word order.
Sort the nouns. Grammar Sorting

Which takes 'deine'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Katze|f}
Katze is feminine.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Wie heißt ___ {die|f} Freundin?

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

Das ist dein Tasche.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist deine Tasche.
Select the correct informal form Multiple Choice

Is this your car (neuter)?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ist das dein Auto?
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

ist / deine / Wo / Brille / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wo ist deine Brille?
Translate into German Translation

I have your book (neuter).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe dein Buch.
Match the noun gender with the correct form of 'dein' Match Pairs

Match gender to form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All matched correctly
Dative case Fill in the Blank

Ich helfe ___ {der|m} Vater.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: deinem
Accusative masculine Multiple Choice

I see your brother.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich sehe deinen Bruder.
Check the ending Error Correction

Wo sind deine Eltern?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct as is
WhatsApp Style Fill in the Blank

Check mal ___ {das|n} Handy!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dein

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It changes to match the gender and number of the noun it describes.

Use 'deine' for feminine and plural nouns.

No, 'dein' is informal. Use 'Ihr' for formal situations.

Plural nouns always take 'deine'.

No, that would be considered rude. Use 'Ihr'.

They follow the same rules, but 'dein' means 'your' and 'mein' means 'my'.

Forgetting the -e ending for feminine nouns.

Label items in your house and use them in sentences.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

tu/tus

Spanish possessives agree with the number, not the gender of the object.

French high

ton/ta/tes

French uses 'ton' for feminine nouns starting with a vowel.

Japanese low

no (particle)

Japanese has no grammatical gender or possessive agreement.

Arabic low

ka/ki suffix

Arabic uses suffixes instead of separate words.

Chinese low

de

Chinese has no gender or number agreement for possessives.

English low

your

English has no gender or number agreement for possessives.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
German Possessive: My (mein)
Next
German Possessives: His/Her (sein/ihr)

Learn These First

A1 Builds On

German Possessive: My (mein)

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German Accusative Pronouns: me, you, him (mich, dich, ihn)

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German Pronouns: Matching Gender (er, sie, es)

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