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N-Declension
What is N-Declension?
Some masculine nouns require n-declension.
That means these nouns have an extra "-(e)n" ending in the singular accusative, singular dative, and singular genitive cases. → It looks like the plural form. The nominative stays the same!
When is N-Declension Necessary?
All 4 criteria must be fulfilled:
- Only masculine nouns (exception: "das Herz")
- The plural form has to end in "-n" or "-en"
- People or animals
- Only in accusative, dative, and genitive singular
Step-by-Step: N-Declension or Not?
Step 1: Is the noun being used in the accusative, dative, or genitive case?
- Yes ⇒ No N-Declension
„Der Franzose ist freundlich.” Nominativ ⇒ No N-Declension
- No ⇒ On to Step 2
„Der Deutsche gibt dem Franzosen einen Tipp.“
Step 2: Are we talking about a person or animal?
- No ⇒ No N-Declension
- Yes ⇒ On to Step 3
„Der Deutsche gibt dem Franzosen einen Tipp.“
„einen Tipp“: no ⇒ no n-declension
„dem Franzosen“ ⇒ yes
Step 3: Is the noun masculine and singular?
- No ⇒ No N-Declension
- Yes ⇒ On to Step 4
„Der Deutsche gibt dem Franzosen einen Tipp.“
„dem Franzosen“ ⇒ yes
Step 4: Does the plural form end in "-n" or "-en"?
- No ⇒ No N-Declension
- Yes ⇒ N-Declension
„Der Deutsche gibt dem Franzosen einen Tipp.“
„die Franzosen“ ⇒ yes ⇒ N-Declension
Summary
You have to add an "-n" or "-en" ending when:
- the noun is masculine
- it is a person or an animal
- the plural ends in "-n" or "-en" and
- it is not in nominative.
All 4 conditions MUST BE fulfilled.
Exceptions
This rule works in almost every situation, but there are some exceptions:
1. Use n-declension for these nouns (even though not all 4 rules are fulfilled):
- der Automat, die Automaten: den Automaten – dem Automaten – des Automaten
- der Planet, die Planeten: den Planeten – dem Planeten – des Planeten
- der Konsonant, die Konsonanten den Konsonanten – dem Konsonanten – des Konsonanten
- der Hydrant, die Hydranten: den Hydranten – dem Hydranten – des Hydranten
- das Herz, die Herzen: das Herz - dem Herzen - des Herzens
2. Do NOT use n-declension for these nouns (even though all 4 rules are fulfilled):
- der Doktor, die Doktoren: den Doktor – dem Doktor – des Doktors
- der Drachen, die Drachen: den Drachen – dem Drachen – des Drachens
(-> in the sense of a toy kite)
3. For these nouns, the n-declension is used together with the genitive’s "-s":
- der Gedanke, die Gedanken: den Gedanken – dem Gedanken – des Gedankens
- der Glaube, kein Plural: den Glauben – dem Glauben – des Glaubens
- der Wille. die Willen: den Willen – dem Willen – des Willens
- der Frieden, (no plural form): den Frieden – dem Frieden – des Friedens
- der Name. die Namen: den Namen - dem Namen - des Namens
Related Topics:
An introduction to German nouns and gender.
To many rules for you? Guess 75% of all article correctly with my article trick.
What articles are there in German? Articles.
How to form plural nouns in German.
How do the articles change based on the case the noun is in? More about German cases.
