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German Grammar Guidebook

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Adjective Nouns

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Any adjective or participle can be made into a noun in German. Adjective nouns are capitalized and take the case endings called for by adjective ending rules. Masculine and feminine nouns denote men and women respectively.

ADJECTIVE DEUTSCH
 

Male (definite, indefinite)
der Deutsche, ein Deutscher
Female (definite, indefinite)
die Deutsche, eine Deutsche
Plural (definite, indefinite)
die Deutschen, Deutsche

PARTICIPLE ANGESTELLT
 

Male (definite, indefinite)
der Angestellte, ein Angestellter
Female (definite, indefinite)
die Angestellte, eine Angestellte
Plural (definite, indefinite)
die Angestellten, Angestellte

Among the most common adjective nouns are: Deutsche/r (German), Erwachsene/r (adult), Kranke/r (patient), Konservative/r (conservative), Liberale/r (free market liberal), Linke/r (left winger), Reisende/r (traveler), Rechte/r (right winger), Verwandte/r (relative), and Beamter (male official). The feminine noun die Beamtin, die Beamtinnen is used for women officials.

Neuter Adjective Nouns

Neuter adjective nouns express the quality denoted by the adjective itself.
 

Ich glaube, wir haben genau das Richtige gefunden.
I think we have found just the right thing.

English often uses "thing" or "things" to express the qualities that German expresses with neuter adjective nouns.
 

etwas Billigeres
something less expensive
 
etwas Interessantes
something interesting


Examples of Adjective Nouns

  • Für mich bitte das Menü Nr. 1 und ein großes Dunkles.
  • Ich glaube, wir haben genau das Richtige.