German Adjectives
530 words.
The same German adjective changes its ending depending on what comes before it: der gute Tag, ein guter Tag, and guter Tag all mean roughly 'a good day,' but the adjective ending shifts each time.
Die Leute pflanzen alle möglichen Blumen.
People are planting all kinds of flowers.
Ein Laptop kostet mehr als ein Tablet.
A laptop costs more than a tablet.
Why the Ending Moves Around
A definite article like der already signals the noun's gender and case, so the adjective after it only needs a light, simple ending - mostly -e or -en. Drop the article entirely, and the adjective has to carry that signal by itself, so it takes a stronger ending instead.
The Pattern in One Sentence
More signal from the article means less signal needed from the adjective, and less signal from the article means more needed from the adjective - the two work like a seesaw that always balances out to exactly one clear signal per phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many German adjectives are on this page?+
530. Use the search box to jump straight to one, or check the ones you want to build a custom study set.
Why does the same adjective have different endings?+
The ending depends on what's already carrying the noun's gender and case signal. A definite article like der carries it, so the adjective takes a light ending; with no article, the adjective carries the signal alone and takes a stronger one.
Do adjective endings change after the noun too?+
No - endings only apply when the adjective comes directly before the noun it describes. Der Tag ist gut has no ending on gut at all.
How do I practice these adjectives?+
Select the words you want, then use the bar at the bottom to start Flashcards, Multiple Choice, or a Final Test.
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