Learn Hardcore German: Das Rezept ist einfach.

In German, adjectives used predicatively (i.e. after a linking verb like ist) remain in their base, uninflected form. Only attributive adjectives—that is, those directly preceding a noun—take case, gender, and number endings.

How would I use einfach attributively to say a simple recipe in German?

Attributive adjectives must be declined. Rezept is neuter singular nominative, so with the indefinite article you say ein einfaches Rezept. Here -es is the proper ending for a neuter nominative attributive adjective.

Why is das used in Das Rezept ist einfach?

Das is the definite article for neuter nouns in the nominative case. Since Rezept is neuter and we’re talking about a specific recipe—the recipe—you use das. If you meant a recipe, you’d use ein Rezept instead.

How do I know that Rezept is neuter?

German noun genders often have to be memorized, but there are patterns: many nouns ending in -et are neuter. Ultimately, it’s safest to check a dictionary entry, which will list das Rezept.

How do I pronounce Rezept and einfach?