Having a variety of German nouns on hand is a foundational step for anyone learning how to speak German. German nouns can initially seem a bit tricky to navigate because they come with their own set of rules and structures, from case endings to gender distinctions. However, once you understand the basics, such as which articles to use and how to identify gender, you’ll find it much easier to form clear, correct sentences. Check out the nuances of nouns in German with practical tips and over 245 examples!
Table of Contents
Introducing gendered German nouns
Gendered nouns is a concept in the German language that does not exist in English. Every German noun from “uncle” to the days of the week in German has been assigned one of three grammatical genders. Each gender has its own article. There is a masculine gender, shown by the article der (the), a feminine gender, which pairs with the article die (the), and finally, there is a neuter gender which is shown by the article das (the).
Which gender a noun in German has been assigned is not always intuitive. For example, der Tisch (the table) is considered masculine and paired with the masculine German article der, despite being an object with no masculine traits. It’s highly important to learn the gender of a noun as you expand your pool of German vocabulary for this reason.
3 ways to identify the gender of nouns in German
You can study smarter, not harder, by learning the trends of how grammatical gender is assigned to nouns in German—usually the ending of the noun in question. These endings are usually paired with a grammatical gender in the German language in the following groups:
- If the noun ends in -ig, -ling, -mus, -us, -or, -en, -er, then it’s most likely masculine.
- Examples: Materialismus (materialism), Frühling (spring)
- Should the noun end in -in, -ion, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ei, -ur, -ik, -tät, -anz, or -ie, chances are that it’s feminine.
- Examples: Geschellschaft (society), Mathematik (mathematics)
- When a noun ends in -tum, -chen, -lein, -ment, or -um, then you likely are looking at a neuter noun.
- Examples: Märchen (fairy tale), Datum (date)
How to pluralize German nouns
Pluralizing nouns in German can be a bit more involved than in English, as there are no strict pluralization rules that apply to all nouns. Instead, how a noun changes in German to show plurality is indicated by the noun’s gender and ending. The article is also changed to the plural die.
Here are a few guidelines on how to pluralize nouns in German:
- German nouns often change their ending to -e, -en, -n, or even -s like in English.
- Example: der Hund (the dog) becomes die Hunde (the dogs) when pluralized.
- Some nouns in German undergo a vowel change, taking on an Umlaut to show plurality. This change typically occurs in masculine nouns and some neuter nouns
- Example: der Apfel (the apple) becomes die Äpfel (the apples) when pluralized.
- There are German nouns (usually neuter or some masculine nouns) that do not change at all when pluralized, leaving the job of showing plurality to its article.
- Example: das Mädchen (the girl) becomes die Mädchen when pluralized.
Case endings for nouns in German
Understanding the case endings for German nouns is crucial for forming correct sentences and conveying meaning accurately. There are four cases in German to learn, but for the most part, noun endings will only change to agree with the case when written in the Genitiv (genitive) case.
Masculine and neuter nouns in this grammatical case will take on an ending of either -s or -es. For example, der Mann (the man) changes its ending to des Mannes (the man’s/of the man) when written in the Genitiv case to show possession.
Common German nouns by categories
You’ll learn hundreds or even thousands of nouns in German the more you practice. The charts below aren’t comprehensive, but you can check out other basic German words and German phrases to test your knowledge.
People and Families
Some of the most basic nouns to learn involve the people you may interact with regularly.
| German | Article and Gender | English |
| Arzt/Ärztin | der (m)/die (f) | doctor (male/female) |
| Bruder | der (m) | brother |
| Chef/Chefin | der (m)/die (f) | boss (male/female) |
| Cousin/Cousine | der (m)/die (f) | cousin |
| Eltern | plural (die) | parents |
| Frau | die (f) | woman |
| Freund | der (m) | friend/boyfriend (masculine) |
| Freundin | die (f) | friend/girlfriend (feminine) |
| Großmutter/Oma | die (f) | grandmother/grandma |
| Großvater/Opa | der (m) | grandfather/grandpa |
| Junge | der (m) | boy |
| Kartenvermittler/ Kartenvermittlerin | der (m)/die (f) | ticket agent (male/female) |
| Kind | das (n) | child |
| Kollege/Kollegin | der (m)/die (f) | colleague (male/female) |
| Mädchen | das (n) | girl |
| Mann | der (m) | man |
| Mitbewohner/Mitbewohnerin | der (m)/die (f) | roommate (male/female) |
| Mutter/Mutti/Mama | die (f) | mother/mom/mommy |
| Nachbar/Nachbarin | der (m)/die (f) | neighbor (male/female) |
| Onkel | der (m) | uncle |
| Polizist/Polizistin | der (m)/die (f) | policeman/woman |
| Postbote/Postbotin | der (m)/die (f) | mailman/mailwoman |
| Schwager/Schwägerin | der (m)/die (f) | brother/sister-in-law |
| Schwester | die (f) | sister |
| Schwiegermutter/Schwiegervater | der (m)/die (f) | mother/father-in-law |
| Sohn | der (m) | son |
| Tante | die (f) | aunt |
| Tochter | die (f) | daughter |
| Vater/Vati/Papa | der (m) | father/dad/daddy |
| Verkäufer/Verkäuferin | der (m)/die (f) | store clerk (male/female) |
Hobbies and sports
Enjoy describing your free time activities with this list of nouns for Hobbies und Sport (hobbies and sports).
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Angel | die (f) | fishing rod |
| Basketball | der (m) | basketball |
| Bogen | der (m) | bow (for hunting) |
| Bowlingbahn | die (f) | bowling alley |
| Brettspiel | das (n) | board game |
| Buch | das (n) | book |
| Fahrradtour | die (f) | bike tour |
| Fitnessstudio | das (n) | fitness studio |
| Fußball | der (m) | soccer |
| Fußballplatz | der (m) | soccer field |
| Garten | der (m) | garden |
| Gitarre | die (f) | guitar |
| Jagd | die (f) | hunt |
| Jagdausrüstung | die (f) | hunting gear |
| Kamera | die (f) | camera |
| Klavier | das (n) | piano |
| Leinwand | die (f) | canvas |
| Marathon | der (m) | marathon |
| Musikinstrument | das (n) | musical instrument |
| Puzzle | das (n) | puzzle |
| Rennen | das (n) | race |
| Schachfigur | die (f) | chess piece |
| Schläger | der (m) | racket/bat |
| Schlagzeug | das (n) | drums |
| Spielplatz | der (m) | playground |
| Sporthalle | die (f) | sport hall/gym |
| Stadion | das (n) | stadium |
| Staffelei | die (f) | easel |
| Surfbrett | das (n) | surfboard |
| Tanzkurs | der (m) | dance class |
| Tennisschläger | der (m) | tennis racket |
| Training | das (n) | training/practice |
| Wanderkarte | die (f) | hiking map |
| Wanderung | die (f) | hike |
| Yoga | das (n) | yoga |
Emotions and feelings
Express what Emotionen und Gefühle (emotions and feelings) are in your heart by mastering this helpful vocabulary:
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Aggression | die (f) | aggression |
| Angst | die (f) | fear |
| Aufregung | die (f) | excitement |
| Befriedigung | die (f) | satisfaction |
| Begeisterung | die (f) | enthusiasm |
| Dankbarkeit | die (f) | gratitude |
| Eifersucht | die (f) | jealousy |
| Einsamkeit | die (f) | loneliness |
| Empörung | die (f) | outrage |
| Entspannung | die (f) | relaxation |
| Enttäuschung | die (f) | disappointment |
| Erleichterung | die (f) | relief |
| Freude | die (f) | joy |
| Frustration | die (f) | frustration |
| Furcht | die (f) | dread |
| Gefühl | das (n) | feeling |
| Gelassenheit | die (f) | calmness |
| Hoffnung | die (f) | hope |
| Liebe | die (f) | love |
| Melancholie | die (f) | melancholy |
| Mitleid | das (n) | compassion |
| Neid | der (m) | envy |
| Neugier | die (f) | curiosity |
| Scham | die (f) | shame |
| Sehnsucht | die (f) | longing |
| Trauer | die (f) | mourning |
| Traurigkeit | die (f) | sadness |
| Überraschung | die (f) | surprise |
| Ungeduld | die (f) | impatience |
| Vertrauen | das (n) | trust |
| Wonne | die (f) | bliss |
| Wut | die (f) | anger |
| Zärtlichkeit | die (f) | tenderness |
| Zufriedenheit | die (f) | contentment |
| Zuneigung | die (f) | affection |
Weather
Be prepared for what Wetter (weather) you’ll experience in Germany with this vocabulary list.
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Blitz | der (m) | lightning |
| Brise | die (f) | breeze |
| Donner | der (m) | thunder |
| Dürre | die (f) | drought |
| Eis | das (n) | ice |
| Feuchtigkeit | die (f) | humidity |
| Frost | der (m) | frost |
| Gewitter | das (n) | thunderstorm |
| Hagel | der (m) | hail |
| Himmel | der (m) | sky |
| Hitzewelle | die (f) | heatwave |
| Kaltfront | die (f) | cold front |
| Klima | das (n) | climate |
| Lawine | die (f) | avalanche |
| Luftfeuchtigkeit | die (f) | air humidity |
| Monsun | der (m) | monsoon |
| Nebel | der (m) | fog |
| Orkan | der (m) | hurricane |
| Regen | der (m) | rain |
| Regenbogen | der (m) | rainbow |
| Schnee | der (m) | snow |
| Smog | der (m) | smog |
| Sonne | die (f) | sun |
| Sturm | der (m) | storm |
| Taifun | der (m) | typhoon |
| Tau | der (m) | dew |
| Temperatur | die (f) | temperature |
| Trockenheit | die (f) | dryness |
| Überschwemmung | die (f) | flood |
| Unwetter | das (n) | bad weather/storm |
| Warmfront | die (f) | warm front |
| Wettervorhersage | die (f) | weather forecast |
| Wind | der (m) | wind |
| Wirbelsturm | der (m) | cyclone |
| Wolke | die (f) | cloud |
Plants, flowers, and trees
Explore the diverse world of Pflanzenwelt (plant life) with the aid of the chart below.
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Ahorn | der (m) | maple |
| Alge | die (f) | algae |
| Ast | der (m) | branch |
| Bambus | der (m) | bamboo |
| Baum | der (m) | tree |
| Blatt | das (n) | leaf |
| Blume | die (f) | flower |
| Blüte | die (f) | blossom |
| Busch | der (m) | bush |
| Eiche | die (f) | oak |
| Farn | der (m) | fern |
| Flechte | die (f) | lichen |
| Gemüse | das (n) | vegetable |
| Gras | das (n) | grass |
| Hecke | die (f) | hedge |
| Kaktus | der (m) | cactus |
| Kiefer | die (f) | pine |
| Knospe | die (f) | bud |
| Laub | das (n) | foliage |
| Löwenzahn | der (m) | dandelion |
| Moos | das (n) | moss |
| Obst | das (n) | fruit |
| Orchidee | die (f) | orchid |
| Palme | die (f) | palm |
| Pflanze | die (f) | plant |
| Pilz | der (m) | mushroom |
| Rinde | die (f) | bark |
| Rose | die (f) | rose |
| Samen | der (m) | seed |
| Sonnenblume | die (f) | sun flower |
| Strauch | der (m) | shrub |
| Weide | die (f) | willow |
| Wurzel | die (f) | root |
| Zeder | die (f) | cedar |
| Zweig | der (m) | twig |
Vehicles and transportation
Travel safely and efficiently with these terms for Fahrzeuge und Transport (vehicles and transportation).
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Anhänger | der (m) | trailer |
| Auto | das (n) | car |
| Boot | das (n) | boat |
| Bus | der (m) | bus |
| Dampfer | der (m) | steam ship |
| Doppeldecker | der (m) | double-decker |
| Fähre | die (f) | ferry |
| Fahrrad | das (n) | bicycle |
| Flugzeug | das (n) | airplane |
| Geländewagen | der (m) | SUV |
| Geländewagen | der (m) | off-road vehicle |
| Hubschrauber | der (m) | helicopter |
| Kleinwagen | der (m) | compact car |
| Krankenwagen | der (m) | ambulance |
| Lastwagen | der (m) | truck |
| Lieferwagen | der (m) | delivery van |
| Lokomotive | die (f) | locomotive |
| Minivan | der (m) | minivan |
| Moped | das (n) | moped |
| Motorrad | das (n) | motorcycle |
| Müllwagen | der (m) | garbage truck |
| Polizeiauto | das (n) | police car |
| Rennwagen | das (n) | race car |
| Rettungsboot | das (n) | lifeboat |
| Roller | der (m) | scooter |
| Schiff | das (n) | ship |
| Segelflieger | der (m) | glider |
| Straßenbahn | die (f) | tram |
| Straßenwalze | die (f) | steamroller |
| Taxi | das (n) | taxi |
| Traktor | der (m) | tractor |
| U-Bahn | die (f) | subway |
| U-Boot | das (n) | submarine |
| Wohnmobil | das (n) | motorhome |
| Zug | das (n) | train |
Geographical features
Appreciate the diversity of geographische Merkmale (geographical features) in the world by studying this table of terms.
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Acker | der (m) | field |
| Berg | der (m) | mountain |
| Bucht | die (f) | bay |
| Canyon | der (m) | canyon |
| Delta | das (n) | delta |
| Ebene | die (f) | plain |
| Fjord | der (m) | fjord |
| Fluss | der (m) | river |
| Geälde | das (n) | cliff face |
| Gebirge | das (n) | mountain range |
| Gletscher | der (m) | glacier |
| Halbinsel | die (f) | peninsula |
| Hochland | das (n) | highland |
| Hügel | der (m) | hill |
| Hügelland | das (n) | hill country |
| Insel | die (f) | island |
| Klippe | die (f) | cliff |
| Küste | die (f) | coast |
| Landschaft | die (f) | landscape |
| Meer | das (n) | sea |
| Moor | das (n) | moor |
| Ozean | der (m) | ocean |
| Plateau | das (n) | plateau |
| Quelle | die (f) | spring |
| Sandstrand | der (m) | sandy beach |
| Schlucht | die (f) | gorge |
| See | der (m) | lake |
| Steppe | die (f) | steppe |
| Strand | der (m) | beach |
| Tal | das (n) | valley |
| Teich | der (m) | pond |
| Vulkan | der (m) | volcano |
| Wasserfall | der (m) | waterfall |
| Wiese | die (f) | meadow |
| Wüste | die (f) | desert |
Abstract ideas and concepts
Not all nouns can be physically held or seen—some are abstrakte Konzepte und Ideen (abstract concepts and ideas) and are helpful to express your opinions.
| German Noun | Article and Gender | English |
| Bewusstsein | das (n) | consciousness |
| Einfluss | der (m) | influence |
| Entschlossenheit | die (f) | determination |
| Entwicklung | die (f) | development |
| Erziehung | die (f) | education |
| Ethik | die (f) | ethics |
| Fortschritt | der (m) | progress |
| Freiheit | die (f) | freedom |
| Gerechtigkeit | die (f) | justice |
| Gesellschaft | die (f) | society |
| Gewissenhaftigkeit | die (f) | conscientiousness |
| Identität | die (f) | identity |
| Inspiration | die (f) | inspiration |
| Integrität | die (f) | integrity |
| Komplexität | die (f) | complexity |
| Kultur | die (f) | culture |
| Motivation | die (f) | motivation |
| Mündigkeit | die (f) | maturity |
| Optimismus | der (m) | optimism |
| Paradigma | das (n) | paradigm |
| Perspektive | die (f) | perspective |
| Pessimismus | der (m) | pessimism |
| Phantasie | die (f) | fantasy |
| Prinzip | das (n) | principle |
| Sicherheit | die (f) | security |
| Umstand | der (m) | circumstance |
| Urteil | das (n) | judgment |
| Veränderung | die (f) | change |
| Verantwortung | die (f) | responsibility |
| Vernunft | die (f) | reason |
| Verstehen | das (n) | understanding |
| Vorstellung | die (f) | imagination |
| Wahrheit | die (f) | truth |
| Weisheit | die (f) | wisdom |
| Wissen | das (n) | knowledge |
Frequently asked questions about German nouns
It’s possible you’ve wondered about some of the am häufigsten gestellten Fragen (most commonly asked questions) about German nouns. We’ve included some answers to help clear up any confusion about nouns in German.
Do German nouns have a grammatical gender?
Yes, all German nouns are assigned one of three genders: masculine, feminine, or neuter. These grammatical genders are not always intuitive, such as der Berg (the mountain) being considered masculine despite being an object which, naturally, has no physical gender. The gender of a noun is incredibly important, as it affects several aspects of German grammar like articles and adjectives and changes from one case to another.
Do adjectives attach to nouns in German?
Yes, adjectives do attach to nouns in German. They must agree with the noun in terms of gender, number, and German case. This agreement affects how the adjective is declined, meaning the ending of the adjective changes based on the noun it modifies.
Are all nouns capitalized in German?
Yes, whether at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, all nouns are capitalized in German. In the case of compound nouns, where two or more words are combined into one noun, only the first letter of the compound noun is capitalized. For example, the words Hand (hand) and Schuh (shoe) can be combined into Handschuh (glove), but only the first letter of the compound noun is capitalized
Proper nouns, like names of people, places, brands, and so on are also always capitalized. However, German pronouns, with the exception of the formal Sie (you/you all), are only capitalized if they are at the start of the sentence.
How can I tell the gender of nouns in German?
A generally successful way of identifying the gender of common nouns in German is by analyzing the ending of the given noun. Noun endings such as -mus in the word Materialismus (materialism) are usually masculine. Other endings like -heit in the word Gesundheit (health) are generally labeled feminine and if the noun ends in -ment as in Medikament (medication) then chances are that it’s a neuter noun. Many German noun endings can be identified and grouped by grammatical gender in this way, which makes it easy to learn German!
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