German Adjective Endings Explained Simply

German adjectives change form before a noun: ein großer Mann, die große Frau, das große Haus. But after the verb, they stay bare: Der Mann ist groß. The endings look chaotic, but they follow logic.

When endings are needed

• Before a noun: endings are needed: ein alter Hund, die neue Lampe.
• After sein, werden, bleiben (predicate adjectives): no ending: Das Auto ist neu.

The core idea

The ending's job is to show gender, number and case. If the article already shows it clearly, the adjective takes a weak ending (-e or -en). If the article doesn't show it (or there is no article), the adjective takes the "strong" ending, which looks like the definite article.

Pattern 1: after the definite article (der, die, das)

Mostly -e or -en:

Case	Masc.	Fem.	Neut.	Plural
Nom	der große Mann	die große Frau	das große Kind	die großen Leute
Acc	den großen Mann	die große Frau	das große Kind	die großen Leute
Dat	dem großen Mann	der großen Frau	dem großen Kind	den großen Leuten
Gen	des großen Mannes	der großen Frau	des großen Kindes	der großen Leute

Remember: -e for nominative singular (all genders) and feminine/neuter accusative; -en everywhere else.

Pattern 2: after ein, kein, mein (mixed)

Same as pattern 1, except where ein has no ending (masculine nominative, neuter nominative and accusative). There, the adjective shows the gender:

• ein großer Mann (masculine nominative: -er)
• ein großes Kind (neuter nominative/accusative: -es)
• eine große Frau
• einen großen Mann (masculine accusative)
• meine großen Kinder (plural)

Pattern 3: no article (strong)

The adjective carries the ending, which mirrors the definite article:

Case	Masc.	Fem.	Neut.	Plural
Nom	guter Wein	frische Milch	kaltes Wasser	gute Freunde
Acc	guten Wein	frische Milch	kaltes Wasser	gute Freunde
Dat	gutem Wein	frischer Milch	kaltem Wasser	guten Freunden
Gen	guten Weines	frischer Milch	kalten Wassers	guter Freunde

A quick decision guide

1. Is there a definite article (der, die, das, dieser, jeder)? Use -e or -en.
2. Is there an ein-word? Use -e/-en, except -er (masc. nom.) and -es (neut. nom./acc.).
3. No article? Use the strong endings (like der/die/das).

Endings at a glance

• -e after der/die/das in nominative singular, and feminine/neuter accusative.
• -en in most other places.
• -er, -es, -em only when the article doesn't show the case.

Comparatives and superlatives

• groß → größer → am größten
• With nouns: ein größeres Haus, das größte Haus.
• The endings apply on top: das größere Haus.

Special adjectives

• hoch → hohe: ein hohes Haus (the c drops)
• teuer → teure: ein teures Auto
• dunkel → dunkle: eine dunkle Nacht
• Colours like rosa and lila often don't decline: ein rosa Kleid.
• Two adjectives take the same ending: ein großer, alter Hund.

Common mistakes

• Adding an ending after sein: Das Haus ist großes.
• Forgetting -en in dative.
• Using -e when -en is needed.

Learning strategy

1. Master pattern 1 (after der/die/das).
2. Learn pattern 2 as a variation.
3. Learn pattern 3 by remembering it mirrors the definite article.
4. Practise with short phrases, not tables.
5. Read a lot, and notice.

Dictionary tip

A dictionary lists adjectives in the base form, without endings, and gives irregular comparatives.

Practice

Describe five objects in your room using adjectives with correct endings after der, ein and no article.

Look up German adjectives with English German Dictionary →