n-declension
n-Deklination
Certain masculine nouns add -n or -en in every except the .
Structure
der Junge → den/dem/des Jungen (-n / -en in allen Kasus außer Nominativ Singular)
der Junge → den/dem/des Jungen (-n / -en in all cases except the nominative singular)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Case
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
What it is. The n-Deklination (weak ) is a group of masculine nouns that add -n or -en in every except the . Most other masculine nouns only change in the (with -s), but these also change in the and .
Which nouns. Typical members are: der Junge, der Kunde, der Kollege, der Mensch, der Name, der Student, der Nachbar. Many denote people, and many end in -e.
How it works.
- : der Student (no ending)
- : den Studenten
- : dem Studenten
- : des Studenten
- (all cases): die Studenten
Examples.
- Ich kenne den Jungen aus meiner Klasse. - I know the boy from my class.
- Ich helfe dem Kunden. - I am helping the customer.
- Das ist das Auto des Studenten. - That is the student's car.
Common mistakes. The classic error is forgetting the ending: Ich sehe den Student is wrong - it must be den Studenten. Note that der Name even has a special : des Namens.
About n-declension
Certain masculine nouns add -n or -en in every except the .
Weak masculine nouns () take -n/-en in the , and and throughout the plural. Examples: Junge, Kunde, Student, Mensch, Name.
Bestimmte maskuline bekommen in allen außer dem ein -n/-en.
Caution
Common n-nouns: der Junge, der Kunde, der Name, der Mensch, der Student, der Kollege. Forgetting the ending ('Ich sehe den Student') is a typical mistake.