Adjectives After Definite Articles
When you use an adjective directly before a noun to describe it, you must add a small ending to it. This is called adjective declension.
When the noun is the subject of the sentence (the nominative case) and comes right after a singular definite article (der, die, or das), simply add -e to the adjective.
| The wide entrance is here. | Der breite Eingang ist hier. |
| The steep stairs begin here. | Die steile Treppe fängt hier an. |
| The modern building was previously a hospital. | Das moderne Gebäude war früher ein Krankenhaus. |
Plural Adjectives
For plural nouns, the definite article is always die. When an adjective comes after the plural die in the nominative case, you add -en to the adjective instead.
| The historical buildings in this city are very beautiful. | Die historischen Gebäude in dieser Stadt sind sehr schön. |
Here is a quick summary of the nominative endings after definite articles:
| Number / Gender | Article | Adjective Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | -e | der breite Eingang |
| Feminine | die | -e | die steile Treppe |
| Neuter | das | -e | das moderne Dach |
| Plural | die | -en | die historischen Gebäude |
The Irregular Adjective "hoch"
Most adjectives keep their base spelling when you add an ending. However, hoch (high) is a common exception. When it takes an ending, it drops the "c" to become hoh-.
| The high tower belongs to the castle. | Der hohe Turm gehört zum Schloss. |
| The high towers are gorgeous. | Die hohen Türme sind wunderschön. |
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