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Genitive · des Vaters

The "of" form (genitive): des Vaters (the father's), der Frau (the woman's); and after wegen, trotz, während.

Examples

  • Das ist das Auto des Vaters.That's the father's car.
  • Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause.Because of the rain we're staying at home.

How it works

The genitive (the "of" form, like English 's) shows whose something is. It's the last of the four cases you meet, mostly in writing and after a few prepositions.

The articles

masculine / neuter: des + noun with -s or -es
das Auto des Vatersthe father's car
der Name des Kindesthe child's name
feminine / plural: der, and the noun doesn't change
die Tasche der Frauthe woman's bag
das Zimmer der Kinderthe children's room

Names

just add -s, no apostrophe

Annas BuchAnna's book

AFTER WEGEN, TROTZ, WÄHREND

Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause.

Because of the rain we're staying home.

Während der Woche arbeite ich viel.

During the week I work a lot.

In speech

von + the dative (the "to / for whom" form, used after von) is common instead

das Auto von meinem Vatermy father's car

Common mistakes

das Auto der Vaterdas Auto des Vaters

masculine: des + -s

Anna's BuchAnnas Buch

no apostrophe

die Tasche des Fraudie Tasche der Frau

feminine: der

What you'll practise

  1. 1. des … -s, der …

    Masculine and neuter: des + noun with -s / -es. Feminine and plural: der, noun unchanged.

    • die Tasche der Frauthe woman's bag

  2. 2. Names: Annas Buch

    Add -s to a name, with no apostrophe: Annas Buch, Peters Auto.

    • Annas BuchAnna's book

  3. 3. wegen, trotz, während

    These prepositions take the genitive (the "of" form): wegen des Regens, während der Woche.

    • Während der Woche arbeite ich viel.During the week I work a lot.

Practise it until it sticks

Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.

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