German A2 - Quick Guide to Adjective Endings

German A2 - Adjective Endings

In German, adjectives that come directly before nouns (attributive adjectives) require an ending to reflect gender, case and number. Three different sets of endings have to be learned: the so-called 'ein'-word and 'der'-word endings, plus endings for adjectives without any article preceding. This is one of the most complicated topics in A-level German, and it takes a while to master. Learning all of these endings and how to use them correctly can sometimes be discouraging for students. It shouldn't be allowed to become a stumbling block to fluent and spontaneous conversation. Very often, these endings are more easily absorbed through repetition and continuous exposure than through the deliberate memorization of charts and learning theory. However, as a student's knowledge of German grows, it becomes increasingly important to know how to use these endings correctly. Because German is a case-based language, using incorrect endings can lead to potential misunderstandings. At very minimum, it can create negative impressions in a professional or business setting. Therefore, it's important to study and master this material at some point. The aim of this bundle is to teach students the correct endings as well as the underlying theory. Example sentences are provided with nouns and adjectives in the nominative, accusative and dative cases. As a prerequisite, students should have a firm grasp of gender and how to use articles ('der', 'ein', 'kein', 'mein', 'dieser', 'welcher', etc.)