Nouns

Genitive

Genitiv

The genitive case in German answers the question Wessen? (Whose?). It is used after certain prepositions (in particular after wegen and während) and to describe possession. Sometimes also certain verbs require the Genitiv case.

Examples

  • Translation
  • because of the bad weather
  • Translation
  • Daniel lost his wallet during his vacation.
  • Translation
  • this woman's bag (or lady's)
  • Translation
  • Julia's doll

Construction

Masculine and neuter nouns get the -s suffix (in some cases -es can/must be added instead). On the other hand, we don't add anything to feminine and plural nouns.

Declension of the noun in the genitive case
masculine feminine neutral plural
definite article des Mannes der Frau des Kindes der Leuten
indefinite article eines Mannes einer Frau eines Kindes Leuten

Usually -es is added to monosyllabic masculine and neuter nouns in the singular (to make pronunciation easier).

Applications

Using genitive with certain prepositions

The noun is always in the genitive case (Genitiv) after the following prepositions: abseits, abzüglich, angesichts, anhand, anlässlich, anstelle, aufgrund, außerhalb, bezüglich, dank, halber, infolge, innerhalb, laut, mangels, mithilfe, oberhalb, statt, trotz, ungeachtet, unterhalb, unweit, wegen, während, zugunsten, zwecks.

  • Translation
  • In this situation, we have no other choice.
  • Translation
  • According to this law, one has to pay a tax for each car.
Using genitive with certain verbs

A noun is always in the genitive case after the following verbs: an|klagen, sich erfreuen, sich schämen. (There are only about 40-50 of these and they are rarely used.)

  • Translation
  • Mr Müller was accused of murder.
  • Explanation
  • An alternative and more common version using the preposition wegen (because of): Herr Müller wurde wegen eines Betrug(e)s angeklagt.
  • Translation
  • The surgeon enjoys a good reputation.
Using the genitive to describe ownership

One of the main applications of the genitive case (Genitiv) is describing ownership e.g. der Hut des Lehrers (the teacher's hat). Alternatively, the construction von + Dativ + a noun can be used, e.g. der Hut von dem Lehrer.

  • Translation
  • the child's toy
  • Explanation
  • Alternatively: ein Spielzeug von dem Kind
  • Translation
  • Martin's backpack
  • Explanation
  • Alternatively: der Rucksack von Martin
  • Translation
  • German economy
  • Explanation
  • Alternatively: die Wirtschaft von Deutschland

Exceptions and special cases

Using Genitiv to describe something that belongs to a city

City names are an exception when it comes to using Genitiv. In that case most often the suffix -er is added to the city name.

  • Translation
  • Berlin Wall
  • Translation
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Translation
  • Frankfurt banks
  • Explanation
  • Alternatively: die Banken von Frankfurt
Proper names ending with s, ß, x, z

When a proper name ends with s, ß, x, z we cannot add -s anymore because it would be very hard to pronounce it. In that case we add an apostrophe (there is no difference in the oral form).

  • Translation
  • Jens' sweater
  • Translation
  • Max's table
Masculine and neuter nouns ending with s, ß, x, z

When a masculine or neuter noun ends with s, ß, x, z, it is necessary to add -es because otherwise it is hard to pronounce it.

  • Translation
  • circumference of a circle
  • Translation
  • during impact/collision
  • Translation
  • an important point of the annex
  • Translation
  • the smell of the spice
Nouns with an irregular inflection

Some nouns simply have an irregular declension and they have to be learned by heart.

  • Translation
  • heart disease
Nouns that belong to the N-Deklination group

The nouns belonging to the N-Deklination group are nouns (almost always masculine) that in the following cases Genitiv, Akkusativ and Dativ get an additional suffix -n or -en. (Details in the chapter about N-Deklination)

  • Translation
  • (that) Mr's hat (or this gentleman's hat)
  • Translation
  • president's suit