Der Mann isst Brot.

the man

Breakdown of Der Mann isst Brot.

• essen: to eat
• das Brot: the bread

Questions & Answers about Der Mann isst Brot.

Why is "Der" used before "Mann"?

In German, "Der" is the definite article in the nominative masculine singular case. Because "Mann" is a masculine noun in the subject position, "Der" is the correct article to use.

Why is "Brot" capitalized?

In German, all nouns are written with a capital letter, regardless of their position in the sentence. This includes words like "Brot", which means "bread."

Why is there no article before "Brot"?

Although you can say "Der Mann isst das Brot" ("The man eats the bread"), using no article is also common if you’re speaking about bread in a general, indefinite sense. In German, it’s normal to leave out the article when referring to an uncountable or indefinite quantity of something, like bread.

Why does "isst" have a double "s"?

The verb "essen" (to eat) is irregular. Its du (you) form is "isst", and its er/sie/es (he/she/it) form is also "isst". The double s simply reflects the correct spelling for these present tense conjugations of "essen."

How can I tell the difference between "ist" and "isst"?

"Ist" (is) comes from the verb "sein" (to be) and is used for stating a fact or identity, such as "Er ist müde" ("He is tired"). "Isst" is a form of "essen" (to eat) and indicates the action of eating, such as "Er isst Brot" ("He is eating bread"). The context usually makes it clear which one is meant.