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- Adjectives preceding nouns normally have endings.
- Noun phrases contain NOUNS along with limiting words (der- or ein-words) and/or adjectives: the coffee, the hot coffee, a hot coffee, or just hot coffee
- You must memorize two charts, “Primary Endings” and “Secondary Endings”
Primary Endings
(Same as “er-word” endings, except genitive masc. and neut.*)
| |
Masc |
Neut |
Fem |
Plural |
| Nom |
-er |
-es |
-e |
-e |
| Acc |
-en |
-es |
-e |
-e |
| Dat |
-em |
-em |
-er |
-en |
| Gen |
-en |
-en |
-er |
-er |
* Constructions using these forms are rare. The normal primary ending "-(e)s" still appears on the noun itself:
EX: Das ist kein Zeichen großen Mutes. (That is no sign of great courage.)
Secondary Endings (can only be -e or -en)
| |
Masc |
Neut |
Fem |
Plural |
| Nom |
-e |
-e |
-e |
-en |
| Acc |
-en |
-e |
-e |
-en |
| Dat |
-en |
-en |
-en |
-en |
| Gen |
-en |
-en |
-en |
-en |
| Adjective Ending Rules (Only 3!! ) |
- If limiting word has an ending, then adjective takes secondary ending:
Ex: Der gute Mann ist mein Vater. Ich fahre mit diesem alten Wagen.
- If limiting word has no ending (ein-words
in some cases) or if there is NO limit word, then the adjective takes
the primary ending:
Ex: Das ist ein gutes Haus. Mit kaltem Wasser kannst du nicht kochen.
- Multiple adjectives in a row take the same ending: Ein gutes
schönes Haus.
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| Steps to get adjective endings right |
- Isolate the noun phrase and determine its gender and case.
- If necessary, put the correct endings on the limiting word FIRST.
(Ignore the adj.)
- Follow above rules to choose the correct adjective ending.
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