Genitiv (Genitive Case)
The genitive shows who something belongs to, like English 's or of: das Auto des Lehrers (the teacher's car), die Farbe der Tasche (the colour of the bag). The genitive usually comes after the noun it describes. The question word is Wessen? (Whose?). It is usually learnt last, after the nominative, accusative and dative.
Articles in the genitive
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Lehrer | die Tasche | das Haus | die Kinder |
| Genitiv | des Lehrers | der Tasche | des Hauses | der Kinder |
| Genitiv with ein, kein | eines Lehrers | einer Tasche | eines Hauses | keiner Kinder |
- Masculine and neuter: der and das become des, and the noun adds -s or -es.
- Feminine and plural: die becomes der, and the noun does not change.
-s or -es?
- Nouns with more than one syllable usually add -s: des Lehrers, des Autos, des Computers.
- Nouns ending in -s, -ß, -x, -z or -sch add -es: des Hauses, des Fußes, des Tisches.
- Many one-syllable nouns can take either ending; -es is more formal: des Buches or des Buchs.
- n-nouns (masculine nouns that add -n or -en in every case except the nominative singular) do the same here: des Menschen, des Jungen, des Studenten.
- A few nouns add -ns: das Herz → des Herzens, der Name → des Namens.
Die Tür des Autos ist zerkratzt.The door of the car is scratched.
Das ist das Büro des Direktors.That's the director's office.
Der Titel des Gedichts ist sehr lang.The title of the poem is very long.
Die Farbe der Tasche gefällt mir.I like the colour of the bag.
Die Zimmer der Kinder sind oben.The children's rooms are upstairs.
Das ist das Fahrrad des Jungen.That's the boy's bike.
Common mistake
Das ist das Auto des Lehrer. is wrong; correct: Das ist das Auto des Lehrers.
After des, most masculine and neuter nouns need -s or -es. English adds 's to the owner; German marks both the article and the noun.
Common mistake
Das ist mein Vaters Auto. is wrong; correct: Das ist das Auto meines Vaters.
English puts the owner first (my father's car). In German the owner normally follows in the genitive. Only names go first: Peters Auto. A genitive in front, as in meines Vaters Auto, sounds old-fashioned.
In everyday speech: von + dative
The genitive is typical of written German. In speech, von + dative often replaces it: das Auto von meinem Lehrer (my teacher's car). von is also used when a plural noun has no article, because the genitive would not be visible: die Preise von Wohnungen (the prices of flats). With names, German adds -s without an apostrophe: Annas Buch; see possessives and possessives in the genitive.
Prepositions with the genitive
A few common prepositions take the genitive: wegen (because of), trotz (despite), während (during), statt or anstatt (instead of), innerhalb (within) and außerhalb (outside). In everyday speech, wegen and trotz are often used with the dative: wegen dem Wetter. In writing, the genitive is the standard choice.
Wegen des Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause.We're staying at home because of the weather.
Trotz des Regens gehen sie spazieren.They're going for a walk despite the rain.
Während der Ferien arbeitet er im Café.He works in a café during the holidays.
Die Post liegt außerhalb der Stadt.The post office is outside the town.
Check yourself
Written by: Fatih Ün, German teacher · Last updated: