Breakdown of Die Einsamkeit des Studenten ist ein großes Problem.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
groß
big / tall
das Problem
the problem
der Student
the university student
die Einsamkeit
the loneliness
Questions & Answers about Die Einsamkeit des Studenten ist ein großes Problem.
Why is it des Studenten and not des Students?
Student belongs to a special group of masculine nouns called weak nouns (or n-declension nouns). These nouns add an -en (or -n) ending in all cases except the nominative singular. Because it is in the genitive case here to show possession (the loneliness of the student), it becomes des Studenten.
How can I easily remember the gender of Einsamkeit?
Any German noun ending in the suffix -keit (or -heit) is always feminine. Because of this reliable rule, you can confidently know it is die Einsamkeit.
Why does groß have the ending -es in ein großes Problem?
Problem is a neuter noun (das Problem) and it is in the nominative case here. When a neuter noun follows the indefinite article ein (which has no ending of its own to show gender), the adjective has to step in and show the neuter gender by taking the -es ending.
Can I say Die Einsamkeit von dem Studenten instead?
Yes, using von plus the dative case (von dem Studenten) means the same thing and is very common in everyday spoken German. However, using the genitive case (des Studenten) is the standard way to show possession in written German and sounds more formal.
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