Adjective Declension in German
New terminology: Classic articles: Non-classic articles: Classic articles are definite and indefinite articles that have not been altered from their original form. Ex. der (cl.) becomes den (non cl.) Non-classic articles are definite and indefinite articles that have been altered from their original form. Ex. When das (cl.) becomes dem (non cl.)
Examples of classic and non-classic articles: Die Der Das Eine Die (used as plural) Den Dem Der (used as fem. dat. or gen.) Des Einen Einem Einer Eines
Ein__ großes Fest Notice there’s nothing here! The word ein has no ending and is neither classic nor non-classic, and it is neither strong nor weak. It is nothing. Ein__ großes Fest Notice there’s nothing here!
Strong vs. Weak Endings: A strong or weak ending could be on an article or an adjective. A strong ending gives clear indication of the gender and case of the associated noun. Ex. Der braune Hund. Der lets you know the noun is masculine and in the nominative case. Ex. Stilles Wasser. The –es on the end of Stilles lets you know that Wasser is neuter and nominative. A weak ending does not give clear indication neither gender nor case. Ex. Der braune Hund. The –e in braune is a weak ending. It does not indicate gender nor case. Ex. In der großen Schule. –en is a weak ending. The der is what indicates feminine and dative. The –en indicates nothing.
Weak endings only serve the purpose of maintaining the correct rhythm of a sentence.
The word kein has the same rules as the indefinite article, “ein” Keine Schule Es spielt keine Rolle Sie hat keinen blauen Rock gekauft. Mit keinem gelben Auto
All of the possessive articles follow the same rules as the indefinite article “ein” as well. The possessive articles are: Mein Dein Sein Ihr Euer Unser
Zum Beispiel: Tampa ist meine schöne Stadt. Sie hat sein blaues Hemd geliehen. Suzi hat bei Karstadt ihren neuen Rock gekauft. Wir leben in unserem großen Haus.
The following words are just like die, der, das: Dieser, starting a sentence with “this” Jeder, each Mancher, starting a sentence with “some” Solcher, starting a sentence with “such a” Welcher, which