Questions & Answers about Das ist das einzige Problem.
Why does the adjective einzig have an -e ending here?
Because it comes after the definite article das in the nominative case. When an adjective is sandwiched between a definite article (like der, die, or das) and a singular nominative noun, it takes an -e ending. Since Problem is a neuter noun, we use das einzige.
Why does this sentence have the word das twice?
The first Das acts as a pronoun meaning 'That' or 'This'. The second das is the regular definite article meaning 'the', which matches the neuter noun Problem. So word-for-word, it translates to 'That is the only problem'.
Why is das einzige Problem in the nominative case? Shouldn't it be accusative after the verb?
The verb sein (here as ist) is a linking verb. It acts like an equals sign rather than showing an action directed at a direct object. Because of this, both the subject (the first Das) and the thing it equals (das einzige Problem) stay in the nominative case.
Is the word einzige related to the number one?
Yes! It is built from the root word ein (one). It is used as an adjective here to mean 'only' or 'single', pointing out that there is exactly one problem.
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