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Questions & Answers about Die Brücke ist modern.
Why is the article die used for Brücke?
In German every noun has a gender. Brücke (bridge) is feminine, so in the nominative case you must use the feminine definite article die.
Why is the adjective modern not declined (no ending like –e or –en)?
Because here modern is in predicative position (it comes after the verb ist). Predicative adjectives in German are never declined. Only attributive adjectives (those directly before a noun) take endings.
What’s the difference between a predicative adjective and an attributive adjective?
A predicative adjective follows a copular verb (like sein, werden, bleiben). It describes the subject but stays unchanged:
Die Brücke ist modern.
An attributive adjective stands directly before the noun and must agree in gender, number, and case:
Die moderne Brücke (feminine, nominative)
Could I say die moderne Brücke ist … instead?
Yes, but then moderne is attributive and must take the –e ending:
Die moderne Brücke ist neu.
This changes the structure: now you’re describing the bridge with an adjective before the noun.