Adjective endings: complete system
Choose endings across articles and cases.
The rule
Identify case, gender and number, then inspect the determiner. Use strong adjective endings without an article, weak endings after der-words and mixed endings after ein-words.
no article = strong · der-word = weak · ein-word = mixed
Identify case/gender/number before examining the determiner.
Without an article, the adjective carries the strong der-word signal.
After der-words, use -e in five cells and -en elsewhere; after ein-words, supply missing -er/-es.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern 1 | Without an article, masculine nominative takes strong -er. | Frischer Kaffee schmeckt gut. | Fresh coffee tastes good. |
| Pattern 2 | No-article neuter accusative takes strong -es. | Ich trinke kaltes Wasser. | I drink cold water. |
| Pattern 3 | After der in masculine nominative, adjectives take weak -e. | Der neue internationale Kurs beginnt. | The new international course begins. |
| Pattern 4 | Masculine accusative after an ein-word takes -en. | Sie kauft einen warmen roten Mantel. | She buys a warm red coat. |
| Pattern 5 | No-article neuter dative adjectives take strong -em. | Mit gutem deutschem Brot schmeckt es besser. | It tastes better with good German bread. |
German examples with English meanings
Frischer Kaffee schmeckt gut.
Fresh coffee tastes good.
Without an article, masculine nominative takes strong -er.
Ich trinke kaltes Wasser.
I drink cold water.
No-article neuter accusative takes strong -es.
Der neue internationale Kurs beginnt.
The new international course begins.
After der in masculine nominative, adjectives take weak -e.
Sie kauft einen warmen roten Mantel.
She buys a warm red coat.
Masculine accusative after an ein-word takes -en.
Mit gutem deutschem Brot schmeckt es besser.
It tastes better with good German bread.
No-article neuter dative adjectives take strong -em.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Frische Kaffee schmeckt gut.
Correct: Frischer Kaffee schmeckt gut.
Without an article, masculine nominative takes strong -er.
Incorrect: Ich trinke kalte Wasser.
Correct: Ich trinke kaltes Wasser.
No-article neuter accusative takes strong -es.
Incorrect: Der neuer internationale Kurs beginnt.
Correct: Der neue internationale Kurs beginnt.
After der in masculine nominative, adjectives take weak -e.
Incorrect: Sie kauft einen warmer roten Mantel.
Correct: Sie kauft einen warmen roten Mantel.
Masculine accusative after an ein-word takes -en.
Incorrect: Mit guten deutschem Brot schmeckt es besser.
Correct: Mit gutem deutschem Brot schmeckt es besser.
No-article neuter dative adjectives take strong -em.
Details and useful distinctions
Apply the same ending to every coordinated adjective and check dative plural noun -n.
Practise this grammar
Run four checks: case, gender/number, determiner class, ending. Never guess from the noun alone.
Open Adjective endings: complete system exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.