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German Grammar Guidebook

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Attributive Adjectives

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Attributive adjectives precede nouns. All attributive adjectives first take the ending -e.

Under certain circumstances, they take an additional ending. These six special rules cover all the possibilities. Apply them in the order they are given.

  • If the article ein precedes and the modified noun is masculine, an -r is added.
  • If the article ein precedes and the modified noun is neuter, an -s is added.
  • If the article das precedes, add nothing.
  • If the article der precedes and the modified noun is masculine and singular, add nothing.
  • If the article eine or die precedes and the noun is singular, add nothing.
  • If any other article or ending appears, add -n.

Illustrated Summary of Attributive Adjective Endings

GENERAL RULE: all attributive adjectives take an automatic -e.
 

groß => große-

SPECIAL RULE 1: After ein, add -r for masculine nouns.
 

große- + -r
Ein großer Ausländer kommt ins Hotel.
A tall foreigner comes into the hotel.

SPECIAL RULE 2: After ein, add -s for neuter nouns.
 

große- + -s
Das Parkhotel ist ein großes Hotel.
The Park Hotel is a big hotel.

SPECIAL RULE 3: After das, add nothing else.
 

große- + '—'
Sehen Sie das große Schild?
Do you see the big sign?

SPECIAL RULE 4: After eine or die, if the noun is singular, add nothing else.
 

große- + '—'
Die große Bank in New York ist Citibank.
The big bank in New York is Citibank.

 
große- + '—'
Sie arbeitet für eine große Bank in Tokio.
She works for a big bank in Tokyo.

SPECIAL RULE 5: After der, if the noun is masculine and singular, add nothing else.
 

große- + '—'
Der große Bus da fährt zum Bahnhof.
The big bus there goes to the train station.

SPECIAL RULE 6: After any other article ending, add -n.
 

große- + -n
Die Taxis stehen um die großen Busse.
The taxis are located around the big busses.

 
große- + -n
Wir fahren mit dem großen Bus zum Bahnhof.
We are going to the train station by the big bus.

 
große- + -n
Ich bin in der großen Bank in der Goethestraße.
I’m in the big bank on Goethe Street.

In practice, the most important of these rules is the general rule, because it preserves the rhythm of the German sentence. Mastery of the special rules is achieved by regular practice over a considerable period.



Examples of Attributive Adjectives

  • Ein Telefongespräch hier in Frankfurt. Gehen Sie hier durch die große Tür.
  • Links finden Sie die gelben Telefonzellen. Sie müssen drei Groschen einwerfen.