Genitive (introduction: des/der + -s)
Genitiv (Einführung: des/der + -s)
The shows possession: 'des' + -(e)s for masculine/neuter, 'der' for feminine and .
Structure
des + Nomen+(e)s / der + Nomen (Possession)
des + noun+(e)s / der + noun (possession)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Case
- Word Type
- Genitive
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
The genitive shows possession or belonging - it answers the question wessen? (whose?). The changes, and masculine and neuter nouns add an ending.
| ending | ||
|---|---|---|
| masculine | des | + -(e)s |
| neuter | des | + -(e)s |
| feminine | der | - |
| der | - |
- Das ist das Auto des Lehrers. - That is the teacher's car.
- Der Titel des Buches ist lang. - The title of the book is long.
- Die Farbe der Blume ist schön. - The colour of the flower is beautiful.
In everyday spoken German the is often replaced by von + : das Auto von dem Lehrer. The itself is more common in writing.
Common mistakes: Don't forget the -(e)s on masculine and neuter nouns: des Mannes, des Buches. Feminine and nouns get no ending, only the der.
About Genitive (introduction: des/der + -s)
The shows possession: 'des' + -(e)s for masculine/neuter, 'der' for feminine and .
der → des (+ -(e)s on the ), das → des, die → der, die → der. Often replaced by 'von + ' in speech.
Der zeigt Besitz: 'des' + -(e)s (m/n), 'der' (f/).
Caution
Masculine and neuter nouns add -s or -es: 'das Auto des Mannes', 'der Titel des Buches'.