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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/German|German]]  → [[Language/German/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/German/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Definite and Indefinite Articles → Cases: Nominative and Accusative</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/German|German]]  → [[Language/German/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/German/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Cases: Nominative and Accusative</div>


== Introduction ==
Welcome to our lesson on the '''Nominative and Accusative cases''' in German! Understanding these grammatical cases is essential for forming correct sentences and communicating effectively in German. Whether you are ordering a coffee or chatting with a friend, mastering these cases will enhance your ability to express yourself clearly.
 
In this lesson, we will break down the Nominative and Accusative cases, explore their roles in sentences, and provide plenty of examples to help you grasp these concepts. After that, we’ll engage you with exercises that will reinforce your understanding.
 
Here’s what we will cover:


__TOC__
__TOC__


Welcome to the lesson on cases: nominative and accusative in German grammar! In this lesson, you will learn how to use the cases for nominative and accusative in basic sentences. Understanding the cases is essential for building correct and meaningful sentences in German. So let's dive in and explore this topic in depth!
=== The Importance of Cases in German ===
 
In German, the way nouns and pronouns behave in a sentence depends on their grammatical case. This means that nouns can change their form based on their function in the sentence. The two cases we will focus on today are:
 
* '''Nominative Case''': This is used for the subject of the sentence, the one performing the action.
 
* '''Accusative Case''': This is used for the direct object of the sentence, the one receiving the action.
 
Understanding these cases is crucial as they affect articles, adjectives, and even verbs.


== Nominative Case ==
=== Nominative Case ===


The nominative case is used for the subject of a sentence. It answers the question "who?" or "what?" is doing the action. In German, definite and indefinite articles change depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun. Let's take a look at the definite and indefinite articles in the nominative case:
The '''Nominative case''' is the simplest of the four German cases. It answers the question: '''Who?''' or '''What?''' It is used for the subject of the sentence.


=== Definite Articles in Nominative ===
==== Nominative Articles ====


In German, the definite articles in the nominative case are:
In the Nominative case, the definite and indefinite articles are as follows:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
 
! Article Type !! Singular !! Plural
 
|-
|-
| der || deɐ || the (masculine)
 
| Definite Article (the) || der (masculine) || die (feminine) || das (neuter) || die (plural)
 
|-
|-
| die || diː || the (feminine)
 
|-
| Indefinite Article (a/an) || ein (masculine) || eine (feminine) || ein (neuter) || -
| das || das || the (neuter)
 
|-
| die || diː || the (plural)
|}
|}


=== Indefinite Articles in Nominative ===
==== Examples of Nominative Case ====


In German, the indefinite articles in the nominative case are:
Here are some examples to illustrate the use of the Nominative case:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| ein || a, an (masculine) || a, an (masculine)
 
| Der Hund ist groß. || deːɐ̯ hʊnt ɪst ɡʁoːs || The dog is big.
 
|-
|-
| eine || a, an (feminine) || a, an (feminine)
 
| Die Katze schläft. || diː ˈkaːtsə ʃlɛːft || The cat is sleeping.
 
|-
|-
| ein || a, an (neuter) || a, an (neuter)
 
| Das Kind spielt. || das kɪnt ʃpiːlt || The child is playing.
 
|-
|-
| — || — || — (plural)
 
| Die Lehrer sind freundlich. || diː ˈleːʁɐ zɪnt ˈfʁɔ͜ʏntlɪç || The teachers are friendly.
 
|-
 
| Ein Mann läuft. || aɪ̯n man lɔɪ̯ft || A man is running.
 
|-
 
| Eine Frau kocht. || ˈaɪ̯nə fʁaʊ̯ kɔxt || A woman is cooking.
 
|}
|}


It's important to remember that the indefinite article "ein" does not have a plural form. In the plural, no article is used in German.
=== Accusative Case ===


Now that you know the definite and indefinite articles in the nominative case, let's see how they are used in sentences.
The '''Accusative case''', on the other hand, is used for the direct object of the sentence. It answers the question: '''What?''' or '''Whom?'''


== Accusative Case ==
==== Accusative Articles ====


The accusative case is used for the direct object of a sentence. It answers the question "whom?" or "what?" the action is being done to. In German, definite and indefinite articles change again depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun. Let's take a look at the definite and indefinite articles in the accusative case:
In the Accusative case, the articles change slightly:


=== Definite Articles in Accusative ===
{| class="wikitable"


In German, the definite articles in the accusative case are:
! Article Type !! Singular !! Plural


{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| den || deːn || the (masculine)
 
| Definite Article (the) || den (masculine) || die (feminine) || das (neuter) || die (plural)
 
|-
|-
| die || diː || the (feminine)
 
|-
| Indefinite Article (a/an) || einen (masculine) || eine (feminine) || ein (neuter) || -
| das || das || the (neuter)
 
|-
| die || diː || the (plural)
|}
|}


=== Indefinite Articles in Accusative ===
==== Examples of Accusative Case ====


In German, the indefinite articles in the accusative case are:
Let's see how the Accusative case works in practice:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Ich sehe den Hund. || ɪç ˈzeːə den hʊnt || I see the dog.
|-
| Sie hat eine Katze. || ziː hat ˈaɪ̯nə ˈkaːtsə || She has a cat.
|-
|-
| einen || a, an (masculine) || a, an (masculine)
 
| Er isst das Brot. || eːʁ ɪst das bʁoːt || He eats the bread.
 
|-
|-
| eine || a, an (feminine) || a, an (feminine)
 
| Wir kaufen die Bücher. || viːɐ̯ ˈkaʊ̯fən diː ˈbyːkɐ || We are buying the books.
 
|-
|-
| ein || a, an (neuter) || a, an (neuter)
 
| Ich habe einen Freund. || ɪç ˈhaːbə ˈaɪ̯nən fʁɔʊ̯nd || I have a friend.
 
|-
|-
| — || — || — (plural)
 
| Sie sieht einen Mann. || ziː ziːt ˈaɪ̯nən man || She sees a man.
 
|}
|}


Just like in the nominative case, the indefinite article "ein" does not have a plural form in the accusative case.
=== Key Differences Between Nominative and Accusative ===
 
To summarize, here are the key distinctions between the Nominative and Accusative cases:


Now that you know the definite and indefinite articles in the accusative case, let's see how they are used in sentences.
* The '''Nominative''' case is used for the subject of the sentence.


== Using Cases in Basic Sentences ==
* The '''Accusative''' case is used for the direct object of the sentence.


To understand how cases work in German, let's look at some examples of basic sentences using both the nominative and accusative cases:
* Articles change:  


=== Nominative Examples ===
* Definite articles: der (Nominative) → den (Accusative)


1. Der Hund bellt. (The dog is barking.)
* Indefinite articles: ein (Nominative) → einen (Accusative for masculine nouns)
2. Die Katze schläft. (The cat is sleeping.)
3. Das Buch ist interessant. (The book is interesting.)
4. Die Kinder spielen. (The children are playing.)


In these examples, the definite articles "der," "die," and "das" are used in the nominative case to indicate the subject of the sentence.
=== Practice Scenarios ===


1. Ein Hund bellt. (A dog is barking.)
Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help solidify your understanding of the Nominative and Accusative cases.
2. Eine Katze schläft. (A cat is sleeping.)
3. Ein Buch ist interessant. (A book is interesting.)
4. — Kinder spielen. (Children are playing.)


In these examples, the indefinite articles "ein" and "eine" are used in the nominative case to indicate the subject of the sentence.
==== Exercise 1: Identify the Cases ====


=== Accusative Examples ===
Read the following sentences and identify whether the nouns are in the Nominative or Accusative case.


1. Er sieht den Hund. (He sees the dog.)
1. Der Junge spielt mit dem Ball.
2. Sie füttert die Katze. (She is feeding the cat.)
3. Ich lese das Buch. (I am reading the book.)
4. Wir besuchen die Kinder. (We are visiting the children.)


In these examples, the definite articles "den," "die," and "das" are used in the accusative case to indicate the direct object of the sentence.
2. Ich sehe die Frau.


1. Er sieht einen Hund. (He sees a dog.)
3. Die Blumen sind schön.
2. Sie füttert eine Katze. (She is feeding a cat.)
3. Ich lese ein Buch. (I am reading a book.)
4. Wir besuchen — Kinder. (We are visiting children.)


In these examples, the indefinite articles "einen" and "eine" are used in the accusative case to indicate the direct object of the sentence.
4. Er hat einen Hund.


== Summary ==
5. Das Auto fährt schnell.


Congratulations! You have learned how to use the cases for nominative and accusative in basic sentences. Understanding the cases is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences in German. Make sure to practice using the definite and indefinite articles in both cases to reinforce your understanding. Keep up the good work, and soon you'll be speaking German with confidence!
''Answers:''
 
1. Nominative
 
2. Accusative
 
3. Nominative
 
4. Accusative
 
5. Nominative
 
==== Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks ====
 
Complete the sentences by filling in the appropriate form of the article (either Nominative or Accusative).
 
1. ___ Katze ist süß. (Nominative)
 
2. Ich kaufe ___ Buch. (Accusative)
 
3. ___ Lehrer erklärt die Aufgabe. (Nominative)
 
4. Sie sieht ___ Mann. (Accusative)
 
5. ___ Kinder spielen im Park. (Nominative)
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Die
 
2. ein
 
3. Der
 
4. einen
 
5. Die
 
==== Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences ====
 
Translate the following sentences from English to German, using the appropriate cases.
 
1. The child sees the dog.
 
2. I have a cat.
 
3. The women are friendly.
 
4. He buys a book.
 
5. The man is running.
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Das Kind sieht den Hund.
 
2. Ich habe eine Katze.
 
3. Die Frauen sind freundlich.
 
4. Er kauft ein Buch.
 
5. Der Mann läuft.
 
==== Exercise 4: Sentence Creation ====
 
Create sentences based on the following prompts. Use the correct case for the articles.
 
1. (The girl) / (the ball)
 
2. (A friend) / (the book)
 
3. (The teacher) / (a student)
 
4. (The cat) / (a mouse)
 
5. (The children) / (the toys)
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Das Mädchen sieht den Ball.
 
2. Ich habe einen Freund und das Buch.
 
3. Der Lehrer hilft einem Schüler.
 
4. Die Katze fängt eine Maus.
 
5. Die Kinder spielen mit den Spielsachen.
 
==== Exercise 5: Matching Exercise ====
 
Match the German sentences with their English translations.
 
1. Der Hund ist süß.
 
2. Ich sehe die Katze.
 
3. Die Männer essen.
 
4. Sie hat einen Apfel.
 
5. Das Mädchen spielt.
 
''Answers:''
 
1. The dog is cute.
 
2. I see the cat.
 
3. The men are eating.
 
4. She has an apple.
 
5. The girl is playing.
 
=== Conclusion ===
 
Congratulations on completing this lesson! You've taken a significant step in understanding how to use the Nominative and Accusative cases in German. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take time to work on the exercises and use these cases in your daily conversations.  
 
Keep exploring the beautiful German language, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Happy learning!


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=German Grammar → Definite and Indefinite Articles → Cases: Nominative and Accusative
 
|keywords=German grammar, definite articles, indefinite articles, cases, nominative case, accusative case
|title=German Grammar: Nominative and Accusative Cases
|description=Learn how to use the cases for nominative and accusative in basic sentences in German. Understand the definite and indefinite articles and their usage in different cases.
 
|keywords=German grammar, nominative case, accusative case, learn German, German sentences, beginners German
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about the Nominative and Accusative cases in German grammar, complete with examples, exercises, and solutions suitable for beginners.
 
}}
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==Videos==
==Videos==

Latest revision as of 18:17, 31 July 2024

◀️ Plural Forms — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Numbers 1-100 ▶️

German-Language-PolyglotClub.jpg
German → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Cases: Nominative and Accusative

Welcome to our lesson on the Nominative and Accusative cases in German! Understanding these grammatical cases is essential for forming correct sentences and communicating effectively in German. Whether you are ordering a coffee or chatting with a friend, mastering these cases will enhance your ability to express yourself clearly.

In this lesson, we will break down the Nominative and Accusative cases, explore their roles in sentences, and provide plenty of examples to help you grasp these concepts. After that, we’ll engage you with exercises that will reinforce your understanding.

Here’s what we will cover:

The Importance of Cases in German[edit | edit source]

In German, the way nouns and pronouns behave in a sentence depends on their grammatical case. This means that nouns can change their form based on their function in the sentence. The two cases we will focus on today are:

  • Nominative Case: This is used for the subject of the sentence, the one performing the action.
  • Accusative Case: This is used for the direct object of the sentence, the one receiving the action.

Understanding these cases is crucial as they affect articles, adjectives, and even verbs.

Nominative Case[edit | edit source]

The Nominative case is the simplest of the four German cases. It answers the question: Who? or What? It is used for the subject of the sentence.

Nominative Articles[edit | edit source]

In the Nominative case, the definite and indefinite articles are as follows:

Article Type Singular Plural
Definite Article (the) der (masculine) die (feminine) das (neuter) die (plural)
Indefinite Article (a/an) ein (masculine) eine (feminine) ein (neuter) -

Examples of Nominative Case[edit | edit source]

Here are some examples to illustrate the use of the Nominative case:

German Pronunciation English
Der Hund ist groß. deːɐ̯ hʊnt ɪst ɡʁoːs The dog is big.
Die Katze schläft. diː ˈkaːtsə ʃlɛːft The cat is sleeping.
Das Kind spielt. das kɪnt ʃpiːlt The child is playing.
Die Lehrer sind freundlich. diː ˈleːʁɐ zɪnt ˈfʁɔ͜ʏntlɪç The teachers are friendly.
Ein Mann läuft. aɪ̯n man lɔɪ̯ft A man is running.
Eine Frau kocht. ˈaɪ̯nə fʁaʊ̯ kɔxt A woman is cooking.

Accusative Case[edit | edit source]

The Accusative case, on the other hand, is used for the direct object of the sentence. It answers the question: What? or Whom?

Accusative Articles[edit | edit source]

In the Accusative case, the articles change slightly:

Article Type Singular Plural
Definite Article (the) den (masculine) die (feminine) das (neuter) die (plural)
Indefinite Article (a/an) einen (masculine) eine (feminine) ein (neuter) -

Examples of Accusative Case[edit | edit source]

Let's see how the Accusative case works in practice:

German Pronunciation English
Ich sehe den Hund. ɪç ˈzeːə den hʊnt I see the dog.
Sie hat eine Katze. ziː hat ˈaɪ̯nə ˈkaːtsə She has a cat.
Er isst das Brot. eːʁ ɪst das bʁoːt He eats the bread.
Wir kaufen die Bücher. viːɐ̯ ˈkaʊ̯fən diː ˈbyːkɐ We are buying the books.
Ich habe einen Freund. ɪç ˈhaːbə ˈaɪ̯nən fʁɔʊ̯nd I have a friend.
Sie sieht einen Mann. ziː ziːt ˈaɪ̯nən man She sees a man.

Key Differences Between Nominative and Accusative[edit | edit source]

To summarize, here are the key distinctions between the Nominative and Accusative cases:

  • The Nominative case is used for the subject of the sentence.
  • The Accusative case is used for the direct object of the sentence.
  • Articles change:
  • Definite articles: der (Nominative) → den (Accusative)
  • Indefinite articles: ein (Nominative) → einen (Accusative for masculine nouns)

Practice Scenarios[edit | edit source]

Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help solidify your understanding of the Nominative and Accusative cases.

Exercise 1: Identify the Cases[edit | edit source]

Read the following sentences and identify whether the nouns are in the Nominative or Accusative case.

1. Der Junge spielt mit dem Ball.

2. Ich sehe die Frau.

3. Die Blumen sind schön.

4. Er hat einen Hund.

5. Das Auto fährt schnell.

Answers:

1. Nominative

2. Accusative

3. Nominative

4. Accusative

5. Nominative

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Complete the sentences by filling in the appropriate form of the article (either Nominative or Accusative).

1. ___ Katze ist süß. (Nominative)

2. Ich kaufe ___ Buch. (Accusative)

3. ___ Lehrer erklärt die Aufgabe. (Nominative)

4. Sie sieht ___ Mann. (Accusative)

5. ___ Kinder spielen im Park. (Nominative)

Answers:

1. Die

2. ein

3. Der

4. einen

5. Die

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences from English to German, using the appropriate cases.

1. The child sees the dog.

2. I have a cat.

3. The women are friendly.

4. He buys a book.

5. The man is running.

Answers:

1. Das Kind sieht den Hund.

2. Ich habe eine Katze.

3. Die Frauen sind freundlich.

4. Er kauft ein Buch.

5. Der Mann läuft.

Exercise 4: Sentence Creation[edit | edit source]

Create sentences based on the following prompts. Use the correct case for the articles.

1. (The girl) / (the ball)

2. (A friend) / (the book)

3. (The teacher) / (a student)

4. (The cat) / (a mouse)

5. (The children) / (the toys)

Answers:

1. Das Mädchen sieht den Ball.

2. Ich habe einen Freund und das Buch.

3. Der Lehrer hilft einem Schüler.

4. Die Katze fängt eine Maus.

5. Die Kinder spielen mit den Spielsachen.

Exercise 5: Matching Exercise[edit | edit source]

Match the German sentences with their English translations.

1. Der Hund ist süß.

2. Ich sehe die Katze.

3. Die Männer essen.

4. Sie hat einen Apfel.

5. Das Mädchen spielt.

Answers:

1. The dog is cute.

2. I see the cat.

3. The men are eating.

4. She has an apple.

5. The girl is playing.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations on completing this lesson! You've taken a significant step in understanding how to use the Nominative and Accusative cases in German. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take time to work on the exercises and use these cases in your daily conversations.

Keep exploring the beautiful German language, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - German Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Basic Sentence Structures


Greetings and Introduction


Definite and Indefinite Articles


Numbers, Dates and Time


Verbs and Conjugation


Family and Friends


Prepositions


Food and Drinks


Germany and German-Speaking Countries


Pronouns and Possessives


Travel and Transportation


Modal Verbs


Shopping and Clothes


Music and Entertainment


Adjectives


Health and Body


Time and Temporal Prepositions

Videos[edit | edit source]

The German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Understand the GERMAN CASES - Accusative, Dative, Nominative ...[edit | edit source]

The German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube[edit | edit source]

German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube - YouTube[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Plural Forms — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Numbers 1-100 ▶️

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