das Erbe
inheritance / heritage (der Erbe = heir)
Full 4-Case Declension Table
Switch determiner types to inspect how articles and noun endings change together.
Definite (der / die / das): Used for specific, already known, or general-category nouns.
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | das Erbe | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | das Erbe | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | dem Erbe | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | des Erbes | — (singular only) |
Indefinite (ein / eine): Used when introducing a countable singular noun; has no plural article in German.
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | ein Erbe | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | ein Erbe | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | einem Erbe | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | eines Erbes | — (singular only) |
Negative (kein / keine): Negates nouns with or without an indefinite article; follows ein-words in singular and die in plural.
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | kein Erbe | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | kein Erbe | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | keinem Erbe | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | keines Erbes | — (singular only) |
Possessive (mein / dein / …): Uses ein-word endings in singular and definite-like endings in plural (mein/dein/sein/ihr/unser/euer/Ihr).
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | mein Erbe | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | mein Erbe | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | meinem Erbe | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | meines Erbes | — (singular only) |
Why These Endings Work
Standard pattern for most masculine (der) and neuter (das) nouns: genitive singular ends in -s or -es.
- Uncountable / singular-only noun in standard usage (no common plural table).
Example Sentences in Context
Das kulturelle Erbe der Stadt ist beeindruckend.
The cultural heritage of the city is impressive.
Sie hat das Erbe ihrer Tante angetreten.
She has accepted her aunt’s inheritance.
Mit dem Erbe kauften sie ein Haus.
They bought a house with the inheritance.
Interactive Tools & Related Guides
More Nouns in Culture & Ideas
FAQs: das Erbe
Is "Erbe" der, die, or das in German?
"Erbe" takes the neuter definite article "das" (das Erbe). Gender cue: Exception: ends in -e but neuter (das Erbe); der Erbe means "heir".
What is the plural and Dative plural of "das Erbe"?
"das Erbe" is normally uncountable (singular-only) in standard German and does not form a common plural table.
How does "das Erbe" change in the Genitive, Accusative, and Dative?
As a strong neuter noun, "Erbe" changes only in the Genitive singular (des Erbes); Accusative and Dative keep "Erbe".