ein
a, an · one
The indefinite article 'ein' means 'a' or 'an' in English. It is used before masculine and neuter nouns in the nominative case, and changes form depending on case and gender. It can also be used as a pronoun meaning 'one'.
What ein means
- a, an — Before a masculine or neuter noun in nominative case
- one — As a pronoun or when emphasizing the number one
Heard in real German videos
Lines where ein was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Hier sind ein paar Büroartikel.Here are some office supplies.
- Und jetzt ein bisschen Musik.And now a little music.
Example sentences
- Ich habe einen Hund.I have a dog.
- Das ist ein Buch.That is a book.
- Sie kauft eine Tasche.She is buying a bag.
- Er gibt einem Kind einen Apfel.He gives an apple to a child.
Grammar
| Gender | masculine, neuter (nominative) |
|---|---|
| Plural | not used (no plural indefinite article) |
| Declension | nominative: ein (masc./neut.), eine (fem.); accusative: ein (neut.), einen (masc.), eine (fem.); dative: einem (masc./neut.), einer (fem.); genitive: eines (masc./neut.), einer (fem.) |
The indefinite article has no plural form; use 'kein' for negation or omit the article.
Common phrases
- ein paara few, some
- ein bisschena little, a bit
- ein und dasselbeone and the same
The mistake English speakers make
Using 'ein' with plural nouns or forgetting to decline it according to case and gender.
Don’t confuse it with
- kein — 'kein' is the negative form of 'ein' and means 'no' or 'not a'.
Questions learners ask
When do I use 'ein' vs. 'einen'?
Use 'ein' for masculine and neuter nouns in the nominative case, and 'einen' for masculine nouns in the accusative case.
Does 'ein' have a plural form?
No, the indefinite article has no plural. Use no article or 'einige' (some) instead.
How do I say 'a' with feminine nouns?
Use 'eine' for feminine nouns in the nominative and accusative cases.