Declension of weak nouns
B2 · Upper-Intermediate · Style & Precision
The rule
der Junge, den Jungen, dem Jungen, des Jungen.
How it works
Weak masculine nouns take -n or -en in all cases except the nominative singular. Der Junge becomes den Jungen, dem Jungen and des Jungen. This pattern includes many nouns that refer to people or animals (der Bär, der Herr). The rule must be learned with each noun, because some nouns are weak and some are not.
When to use it
Decline weak masculine nouns with -n or -en in all cases except the nominative: der Junge, den Jungen, dem Jungen, des Jungen.
Use cases
- Talking about young people: Ich sehe den Jungen
- Addressing a formal person: Guten Tag, Herr Müller
- Describing animals: Der Bär schläft im Winter
Examples
- Ich sehe den Jungen – I see the boy
- Wir helfen dem Kollegen. – We help the colleague.
- Das Auto des Herrn ist neu. – The gentleman's car is new.
- Ich kenne den Präsidenten nicht. – I do not know the president.
Common mistake
Forgetting the -n in the accusative, dative or genitive.
Memory tip
Weak masculine nouns follow the pattern -n or -en in every case but the nominative.
Read the wider picture in our guide: German Cases Explained: Nominative, Accusative, Dative and Genitive.