Revision: adjective declension
An adjective can directly precede the noun it describes. In this case, the adjective ending changes to match that of the noun. This change is known as adjective declension; there are three different declensions. The correct declension to use depends on the article before the noun: the indefinite article, the definite article or no article?
Revision: adjective declension after an indefinite article
In the nominative and accusative cases, the adjective takes the ending of the definite article:
| Nominative | |
| der Garten: | ein großer Garten |
| die Familie: | eine große Familie |
| das Haus: | ein großes Haus |
| die Geschäfte: | große Geschäfte |
In the accusative case, the masculine article – and along with it the adjective ending – changes. All other forms stay the same.
| Accusative | |
| den Garten: | einen großen Garten |
| die Familie: | eine große Familie |
| das Haus: | ein großes Haus |
| die Geschäfte: | große Geschäfte |
Exceptions:
- Adjectives that end in -el or -er often lose the e in front of the adjective ending:
teuer: Wir hatten ein teures Auto. - A few adjectives (super, extra and some adjectives describing color) are not declined:
super: Das war ein super Essen.