German adjective endings table: Quick reference for A1‑B2

Here is a concise German adjective endings table that lists the correct endings for each case, gender, and number, so you can see at a glance how adjectives agree with nouns. Below you’ll find the full table, easy rules, example sentences, and a quick practice routine.

What does a German adjective endings table show?

The table displays the suffixes that adjectives take when they modify a noun in the nominative, accusative, dative, or genitive case, for masculine, feminine, neuter, and plural nouns. It is the backbone of correct adjective agreement.

Example entry for the nominative masculine singular with a definite article:

der gute Mann (the good man)

And for the same adjective after an indefinite article:

ein guter Mann (a good man)

Use the free everyday phrases tool to hear these combinations spoken aloud.

How do adjective endings change with case, gender, and number?

German has four cases, three genders, and a plural form, resulting in 16 possible endings for each article type (definite, indefinite, or none). The table groups them as follows:

• Nominative: der gute Mann (the good man), die gute Frau (the good woman), das gute Kind (the good child), die guten Leute (the good people)
• Accusative: den guten Mann (the good man), die gute Frau, das gute Kind, die guten Leute
• Dative: dem guten Mann, der guten Frau, dem guten Kind, den guten Leuten
• Genitive: des guten Mannes, der guten Frau, des guten Kindes, der guten Leute

Notice the pattern: with definite articles the ending is often -e in nominative singular, -en in dative and genitive, and -e again in accusative for masculine. The free numbers tool can help you practice the case endings in isolation.

Can I memorize the endings with a simple 3‑rule system?

Yes. Reduce the 16 endings to three easy rules:

1. Definite article rule: The adjective takes the same ending as the article would if the article were omitted. Example: der gute Mann → gute matches der.
2. Indefinite article rule: Add -er for masculine nominative, -e for feminine and neuter, and -en for all other cases. Example: ein guter Mann, eine gute Frau, ein gutes Kind.
3. No article (strong) rule: Use the strong endings -er, -e, -es, -e for nominative; -en, -e, -es, -e for accusative; -em, -er, -em, -en for dative; -en, -er, -en, -er for genitive. Example: guter Mann, gute Frau, gutes Kind, gute Leute.

Apply each rule to a short sentence and check your answer with the listen‑and‑repeat tool.

Practical steps to use the table in daily practice

Follow this 5‑step routine each day:

1. Pick one case (e.g., dative) and write five nouns of each gender.
2. Consult the table and add the correct adjective ending to schön (beautiful) for each noun.
3. Read the sentences aloud, focusing on the ending sound.
4. Record yourself and compare with the native pronunciation in the phrases tool.
5. Swap your sentences with a study partner or post them in the German Buddy community for feedback.

This routine reinforces the pattern and builds muscle memory.

How to practise adjective endings with German Buddy

German Buddy’s free prompt library includes daily writing and speaking tasks that require adjective agreement. Choose a prompt like “Describe your favorite restaurant” and write a paragraph using at least three adjectives. The app will correct any wrong endings and give you a short tip, such as “Remember the dative ending –en after ‘mit’.” You get 7 days of unlimited practice, then a free daily allowance that never runs out.

To try it now, start practising free. The correction engine will highlight each adjective, show the proper ending, and suggest a more natural phrasing.

FAQ

Why do some adjective endings look the same for different cases?

In the plural, many endings converge to -en for all cases except nominative, which uses -e. This simplification helps learners focus on singular patterns first.

Do strong adjective endings appear without an article?

Yes. When no article is present, the adjective itself carries the case information, using the “strong” set of endings listed in the table.

Can I rely on memorising the table alone?

The table is a reference, but active use in sentences and speaking drills solidifies the patterns. Combine the table with the practice steps above for best results.

Is there a shortcut for the genitive case?

For most everyday speech the genitive is replaced by a dative construction with “von”. However, written German and formal contexts still require the proper genitive endings shown in the table.