Breakdown of Jenes Exemplar ist ein sehr wertvoller Edelstein.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
sehr
very
wertvoll
valuable
das Exemplar
the copy (specimen, of a publication)
der Edelstein
the gemstone
jenes
that (n)
Questions & Answers about Jenes Exemplar ist ein sehr wertvoller Edelstein.
Why use "jenes" instead of just "das" to say "that specimen"?
In German, das is often used casually to mean "that," but jenes (from jener) specifically emphasizes distance or contrast, like "that one over there" versus "this one here." It is also considered more formal or literary. It takes the -es ending here because it is modifying the neuter noun Exemplar in the nominative case.
Why does the adjective "wertvoll" take the ending "-er" here?
wertvoll (valuable) describes the masculine noun Edelstein. Because it follows the indefinite article ein—which has no distinct ending in the masculine nominative case to show the gender—the adjective has to do the heavy lifting. Therefore, it takes the strong masculine ending -er, becoming wertvoller.
Why isn't "ein sehr wertvoller Edelstein" in the accusative case?
Normally, a noun following a verb is the direct object and takes the accusative case. However, the verb sein (here as ist) is a linking verb. It acts like an equals sign connecting the subject (Jenes Exemplar) to a description. In German, linking verbs keep both sides of the equation in the nominative case.
When do Germans use the word "Exemplar"? Can it only refer to scientific specimens?
Exemplar generally means "specimen" or "individual piece." While it sounds very natural in scientific or collector contexts (like appraising a gemstone, an insect, or a plant), it is also the standard word for a "copy" of a book, newspaper, or magazine (for example, ein Exemplar des Buches).
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