Each noun has an article. The article accompanies the noun and depends on the gender of the noun.
Types of Articles
Rule 1: The article can be male, female, or neutral, as well as singular or plural. It is put into one of the 4 German cases together with the noun and changes according to the case.
Here are categories:
- definite (der, die, das)
- indefinite (ein, eine, ein)
- negating (kein, keine, kein)
- possessive articles (mein, dein, sein, etc.)
Definite Articles
Rule 2: Definite articles (der, die, das) are used for a specific noun or a group of nouns. For example, something previously mentioned or known, something unique, or something being identified by the speaker.
Indefinite Articles
Rule 3: Indefinite articles (ein, eine, ein) are used with nouns that are not specific or nouns that have not previously been mentioned.
Rule 4: There are no indefinite articles in the plural form.
Negative Articles
Rule 5: Negative articles (kein, keine, kein) are used when we want to say that one noun or a group of nouns do not exist. You can use them like the indefinite article "ein/eine", but remember a "k" in front of it.
Rule 6: Be aware that negative articles can also accompany plural nouns:
Possessive Articles
Rule 7: Possessive articles (mein, dein, sein, ...) are used when we want to say that something or someone belongs to me, you, him, etc...
Here they are:
| English | German |
|---|---|
| mine | mein- |
| yours | dein- |
| his | sein- |
| hers | ihr- |
| its | sein- |
| ours | unser- |
| yours | euer- |
| theirs | ihr- |
Rule 8: Possessive articles have the same endings as indefinite articles "ein/eine" and exist in the plural form.