A guide to German adjective endings

By annasichla | Updated: June 18, 2024, 11:24 a.m.

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This is a quick guide to adjective endings in German. For answers to the activities, please contact me. Remember to pause the video when you need more time!

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German 
adjective endings
a guide to 
ein Video von Frau Sichla 
Remember to pause the video when necessary!
In German, When you are using an adjective                              , you will have to                                      to the noun it is referring to.

The Endings depend on the            of the noun and the         that is being used!

in front of a noun

gender

make the adjective agree

case
There are three groups for adjectival endings and we will look at all of them in this video:
A
B
C
adjectival endings that follow the definite article 
adjectival endings that follow the indefinite article 
adjectival endings used  when there is no article 
Let's have a look at the first group: 
adjectival endings
that follow a
definite article
(the)
Let's have a look at some example sentences...
Der neue Film gefällt mir.

Ich habe den neuen Film gut gefunden.

Trotz des neuen Films bin ich nicht ins Kino gegangen.
Why are some of the endings different? Let's have a look ... 
Der neue Film gefällt mir.

Ich habe den neuen Film gut gefunden.

Trotz des neuen Films bin ich nicht ins Kino gegangen.
In this sentence, "Film" is the subject of the sentence 
(= nominative case) and the gender of Film is masculine. 
In this sentence, "Film" is the object of the sentence 
(= accusative case) and the gender of Film is masculine. 
In this sentence, the word "trotz" is being used and the genitive case is always followed by "trotz". The gender of noun "Film" is masculine.
So what are the different endings when you use a definite article and want to put an adjective in front of the noun? 
These are the adjectival endings when followed by a definite article 
the same endings also follow dieser, jener, jeder, mancher, welcher and alle (plural).
Let's have a look at the second group: 
adjectival endings
that follow an
indefinite article
(a)
Let's have a look at some example sentences...
Ein gutes Buch gefällt mir.

Ich hab ein gutes Buch gelesen.

Ich habe es mir mit einem guten Buch gemütlich gemacht.  
nominative case (= "Buch" is the subject of the sentence)
accusative case (= "Buch" is the direct object of the sentence)
dative case (= the preposition "mit" is always followed by the dative case)
So what are the different endings when you use an indefinite article and want to put an adjective in front of the noun? 
These are the adjectival endings when followed by an indefinite article 
The same endings also follow kein or keine (plural) and possessive adjectives.
Let's have a look at the third group: 
adjectival endings
used when there is 
no  article
Let's have a look at some example sentences...
Viele junge Menschen benutzen täglich ihr Smartphone.

Wegen schlechten Wetters wurde das Konzert abgesagt.

Ich habe zwei alten Damen beim Einkaufen geholfen.  
The nominative case is used here - The gender of the noun "Menschen" is plural
"Wegen" is followed by the genitive case - the gender of the noun "Wetter" is neuter
The accusative case is used here - the gender of the noun "Damen" is plural
So what are the different endings when no article is used?
These are the adjectival endings when followed by an indefinite article 
the same endings also follow after ein paar, einige, wenige, manche, viele (plural) and numbers.
practise
Time to 
Now it is 
Aufgabe 1 
Choose the correct word from each row to translate the sentence.
Aufgabe 1 
Choose the correct word from each row to translate the sentence.
Aufgabe 1 
Choose the correct word from each row to translate the sentence.
Aufgabe 2
Add the correct adjective endings (indefinite and no article)
Meine Mutter trägt _______ ___________ Rock. (schön)

2. Wir sind mit ____________ Zügen gefahren. (modern)

3. Auch ohne ______ Deutschkenntnisse kommt man in Berlin zurecht. (gut)

4. Ich finde _______________________________ Kuchen am leckersten. (selbstgemacht)

5. Trotz _______ _______ Reifenpanne sind wir pünktlich angekommen. (nervig)

Aufgabe 3
Translate the sentences into German using the starting letter of each word. 
1. My uncle is buying a new car. - M O k e n A.

2. Because of the annoying traffic jam, we arrived late. 
- W d n S s w s a.

3. I will go fishing with my older brother. - I w m m ä B a g.

4. A very famous road in Berlin is called Bernauer Straβe. - E s b S i B h B S.

5. There is a well-known castle just outside Munich. 
- E g e b S a M.
Adjective endings are challenging, but ... 
...keep practising!

A guide to German adjective endings

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