Changes in the dative case
| Definite | Indefinite | |
| Masculine | dem | einem/keinem |
| Feminine | der | einer/keiner |
| Neuter | dem | einem/keinem |
| Plural | den* | –––/keinen |
| Masculine | |
|---|---|
| Definite | dem |
| Indefinite | einem/keinem |
| Feminine | |
|---|---|
| Definite | der |
| Indefinite | einer/keiner |
| Neuter | |
|---|---|
| Definite | dem |
| Indefinite | einem/keinem |
| Plural | |
|---|---|
| Definite | den* |
| Indefinite | –––/keinen |
* In the plural add –n or –en to the end of the noun that follows.
The following words change in the same way as ein and kein:
- mein – my
- dein – your (informal, singular)
- sein – his
- ihr – her
- unser – our
- euer – your (informal, plural)
- ihr – their
- Ihr – your (formal, singular and plural)
Hilfsvokabeln– Helpful vocabulary
- erzählen – to tell/explain (to someone)
- geben – to give (to someone)
- schenken – to give (to someone as a present)
Examples in use
The dative is highlighted in bold.
Example one
Ich schenkte meiner Mutter (f) ein T-Shirt. – I gave (to) my Mum a T-shirt.
- Mutter is a feminine noun – die Mutter/eine Mutter
- the feminine form of 'my' is meine
- meine changes to meiner in the dative
Example two
Der Kritiker gab dem Film vier Sterne. – The critic gave (to) the film four stars.
- Film is a masculine noun – der Film /ein Film
- der changes to dem in the dative
Example three
Die Reiseführerin erzählte dem Kind, warum die Berliner Mauer gebaut wurde. – The tour guide explained (to) the child why the Berlin Wall was built.
- Kind is a neuter noun – das Kind/ein Kind
- das changes to dem in the dative
Did you know?
In Germany, a type of ginger biscuit known as Lebkuchen is popular, particularly at Christmas time.
These traditional biscuits are sold in fairs and Christmas markets, and are often heart-shaped.
They are decorated with icing and usually have affectionate little messages written on them, like Ich liebe dich (I love you), Schenk mir dein Herz (Give (to) me your heart), or Du fehlst mir (I miss you, literally: you are lacking to me).
