Breakdown of Die Absicht dieses Gedankens ist der Friede.
sein
to be
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Absicht
the intention
der Friede
the peace
der Gedanke
the thought
Questions & Answers about Die Absicht dieses Gedankens ist der Friede.
Why does Gedankens end in -ns?
Gedanke (thought) is a special type of masculine noun. It belongs to the mixed N-declension group. These nouns usually take an -n ending in all cases except the nominative singular. However, in the genitive case (which shows possession, like "of the thought"), they take an extra -s, making the ending -ns. That is why we say dieses Gedankens.
Why is it dieses and not diesen before Gedankens?
The word dieses is the masculine genitive form of dieser (this). Even though N-declension nouns often trick learners into using an -n ending on the preceding adjective or article, the word dieser must still show the correct genitive case ending. Since we are saying "of this thought," the determiner takes the masculine genitive -es ending.
I usually see "peace" written as Frieden. Why is it Friede here?
Both der Friede and der Frieden are correct nominative forms for "peace." Der Friede is the traditional form and actually belongs to the exact same mixed N-declension group as Gedanke. While der Frieden is very common in everyday modern German, der Friede is still widely used, particularly in written, formal, or fixed expressions.
Why is der Friede in the nominative case and not the accusative?
The verb sein (used here as ist) is a linking verb. It acts like an equals sign connecting the subject (Die Absicht) to a describing noun. In German, a noun that follows sein to rename the subject always takes the nominative case, never the accusative.
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