Definite or indefinite?
In German there are two types of article: the definite (der, die, das) and the indefinite (ein, eine, ein).
You use the definite article when you know which specific thing you're talking about. "Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch." You know which book is meant.
You use the indefinite article when you mention something for the first time or mean one of several. "Ich kaufe ein Buch." Some book.
In German the article changes depending on the case. You'll learn that in the declension section.
The definite article
The definite article changes its form depending on gender and case:
| Case | masculine | feminine | neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | den |
| Genitive | des | der | des | der |
The indefinite article
The indefinite article has these forms in the singular:
| Case | masculine | feminine | neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | ein | eine | ein | – |
| Accusative | einen | eine | ein | – |
| Dative | einem | einer | einem | – |
| Genitive | eines | einer | eines | – |
There is no indefinite article in the plural. You simply say: "Ich kaufe Bücher." (without article) or "Ich kaufe keine Bücher." (with kein).
kein/keine is the negation of the indefinite article: ein Buch → kein Buch, eine Frau → keine Frau, ein Kind → kein Kind.
No article
In three situations you need no article:
Exercises
Test your knowledge of articles with three exercise parts.
Definite or indefinite?
Fill in the correct article. Pay attention to context.
Which form in the nominative?
Choose the correct definite article in the nominative.
Accusative
Fill in the correct article in the accusative.