Adjectives in German must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe, and they usually follow predictable positions relative to the noun. This guide goes through the key rules for adjective agreement and typical placements.
Agreement
Adjectives change their endings based on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, neuter, or plural, and on the case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) and the type of article or determiner that precedes them. Paying attention to the article helps you choose the correct adjective ending.
Definite Articles
When an adjective follows a definite article like der, die, or das, it takes the weak ending that signals gender, number, and case has already been marked by the article.
| Gender/Number | Case | Definite Article | Adjective Ending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Nominative | der | -e | |
| Feminine | Nominative | die | -e | |
| Neuter | Nominative | das | -e | |
| Plural | Nominative | die | -en | |
| Masculine | Accusative | den | -en | |
| Feminine | Accusative | die | -e | |
| Neuter | Accusative | das | -e | |
| Plural | Accusative | die | -en | |
| Masculine | Dative | dem | -en | |
| Feminine | Dative | der | -en | |
| Neuter | Dative | dem | -en | |
| Plural | Dative | den | -en | |
| Masculine | Genitive | des | -en | |
| Feminine | Genitive | der | -en | |
| Neuter | Genitive | des | -en | |
| Plural | Genitive | der | -en |
That is the old dog in the park.
Indefinite Articles
With an indefinite article like ein, eine, or ein, the adjective must carry an ending that shows gender, number, and case when the article does not fully mark it, typically adding a stronger ending.
| Gender/Number | Case | Indefinite Article | Adjective Ending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Nominative | ein | -er | |
| Feminine | Nominative | eine | -e | |
| Neuter | Nominative | ein | -es | |
| Plural | Nominative | — | -e | |
| Masculine | Accusative | einen | -en | |
| Feminine | Accusative | eine | -e | |
| Neuter | Accusative | ein | -es | |
| Plural | Accusative | — | -e | |
| Masculine | Dative | einem | -en | |
| Feminine | Dative | einer | -en | |
| Neuter | Dative | einem | -en | |
| Plural | Dative | — | -en | |
| Masculine | Genitive | eines | -en | |
| Feminine | Genitive | einer | -en | |
| Neuter | Genitive | eines | -en | |
| Plural | Genitive | — | -en |
No Article
When there is no article before the adjective, the adjective must take the strong ending that clearly marks gender, number, and case, since there is no article to signal these features.
| Gender/Number | Case | Article | Adjective Ending | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Nominative | — | -er | |
| Feminine | Nominative | — | -e | |
| Neuter | Nominative | — | -es | |
| Plural | Nominative | — | -e | |
| Masculine | Accusative | — | -en | |
| Feminine | Accusative | — | -e | |
| Neuter | Accusative | — | -es | |
| Plural | Accusative | — | -e | |
| Masculine | Dative | — | -em | |
| Feminine | Dative | — | -er | |
| Neuter | Dative | — | -em | |
| Plural | Dative | — | -en | |
| Masculine | Genitive | — | -en | |
| Feminine | Genitive | — | -er | |
| Neuter | Genitive | — | -en | |
| Plural | Genitive | — | -er |
Position
Adjectives normally appear immediately before the noun they modify when used attributively, and they follow certain fixed orders when multiple adjectives appear. Adjectives used predicatively or adverbially occupy different positions in the sentence.
Attributive Adjectives
Attributive adjectives come directly before the noun and take endings according to agreement rules. This position highlights the adjective as a property of the noun.
Predicative Adjectives
Predicative adjectives follow a linking verb like sein, werden, or bleiben and do not take endings. They describe the subject and appear after the verb.
Adverbial Adjectives
Adjectives that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs appear in their base form without endings and occupy positions typical for adverbs, often after the verb or at the end of the sentence.
Summary
Adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, taking endings that depend on the presence and type of article. Adjectives used attributively appear before the noun with agreement endings, while predicative adjectives follow the verb and remain uninflected.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025