Das Wasser im Bach ist nicht trinkbar.

to be

Breakdown of Das Wasser im Bach ist nicht trinkbar.

• das Wasser: the water
• nicht: not
• im: in the; (masculine or neuter, dative)

Questions & Answers about Das Wasser im Bach ist nicht trinkbar.

Why is it das Wasser and not der Wasser or die Wasser?

Wasser is a neuter noun in German, so its definite article in the nominative singular is das.

• das Wasser = the water (neuter, singular)
• der is for masculine nouns (e.g. der Bach)
• die is for feminine nouns or plural (e.g. die Milch, die Bäche)

Also, Wasser is usually an uncountable noun in German, just like water in English. You normally do not say die Wasser to mean “the waters,” except in very poetic or special contexts (e.g. die heiligen Wasser).

What grammatical role does das Wasser have in this sentence?

Das Wasser is the subject of the sentence.

• Subject: Das Wasser im Bach
• Verb: ist
• Predicate adjective: nicht trinkbar

Because it is the subject, das Wasser is in the nominative case. That’s why the article is das, not dem, den, etc.

What does im Bach literally mean, and why is it not in dem Bach?