der
the (masculine nominative)
The definite article for masculine nouns in the nominative case. It corresponds to 'the' in English and changes form depending on case, gender, and number.
Example sentences
- Der Hund ist groß.The dog is big.
- Der Mann liest ein Buch.The man is reading a book.
- Der Tisch ist neu.The table is new.
Grammar
| Gender | masculine |
|---|---|
| Case | nominative |
| Plural | die |
| Other forms | den (accusative), dem (dative), des (genitive) |
The definite article changes with case and gender. Learn the full declension table.
The mistake English speakers make
Using 'der' for feminine or neuter nouns in nominative. Remember: der (masculine), die (feminine), das (neuter).
Don’t confuse it with
- die — Die is the feminine nominative and plural nominative/accusative article, while der is masculine nominative.
- das — Das is the neuter nominative and accusative article, while der is masculine nominative.
Questions learners ask
When do I use 'der'?
Use 'der' before masculine nouns in the nominative case, e.g., der Mann, der Tisch.
How do I know if a noun is masculine?
You need to learn the gender with each noun. Some endings like -ling, -ismus, -er often indicate masculine, but there are exceptions.