Adjective endings
Describe things. After the verb ("the car is new") an adjective takes no ending at all. In front of a noun ("the new car") it always takes one, and the article decides which.
Examples
- Der Wagen ist neu.The car is new.
- Das ist ein neuer Wagen.That's a new car.
- Ich kaufe den roten Pullover.I'm buying the red jumper.
After this pattern you can
- describe things and people
- say "a new car" as well as "the car is new"
- sound natural instead of textbook-flat
Start with a conversation
What's your car like?
My car is new.
A new car? Nice!
Yes, and the new car is very fast.
neu appeared three times: bare after ist, then neues after ein, then neue after der. Same word, three shapes.
After the verb
no ending, ever (sein, werden, bleiben)
In front of a noun
always an ending.
After a DEFINITE article (der/die/das) the article already shows the gender, so the adjective only needs -e or -en — the dative (the "to / for whom" form) is the third row:
After an INDEFINITE article (ein/eine/kein/mein) the article does NOT show masculine from neuter, so the adjective has to:
Phrases you can use today
That's a lovely …
I'm looking for a small flat.
Typical mistakes
After the verb: no ending. (neuer would mean "newer".)
ein can't tell masculine from neuter, so the adjective has to.
In front of a noun there is always an ending.
What you'll practise
1. After the verb · no ending
After sein / werden / bleiben the adjective stays bare: Der Wagen ist neu.
- Die Suppe ist heiß.The soup is hot.
- Die Kinder sind müde.The children are tired.
2. After a definite article
Only -e or -en: -e in the subject singular, -en almost everywhere else. Der neue Wagen.
- Der neue Wagen ist teuer.The new car is expensive.
- Ich kaufe den roten Pullover.I'm buying the red jumper.
3. After an indefinite article
The adjective supplies the gender ein hides: ein neuer Wagen (m), ein neues Auto (n).
- Das ist ein neuer Wagen.That's a new car.
- Ich habe ein neues Handy.I have a new phone.
Practise it until it sticks
Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.