das Problem
problem
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 Problem | die Probleme |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | das Problem | die Probleme |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | dem Problem | den Problemen |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | des Problems | der Probleme |
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 Problem | Probleme |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | ein Problem | Probleme |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | einem Problem | Problemen |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | eines Problems | Probleme |
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 Problem | keine Probleme |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | kein Problem | keine Probleme |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | keinem Problem | keinen Problemen |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | keines Problems | keiner Probleme |
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 Problem | meine Probleme |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | mein Problem | meine Probleme |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | meinem Problem | meinen Problemen |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | meines Problems | meiner Probleme |
Why These Endings Work
Standard pattern for most masculine (der) and neuter (das) nouns: genitive singular ends in -s or -es.
- Dative plural adds -n to the plural stem: Probleme → Problemen.
Example Sentences in Context
Wir haben ein kleines Problem mit der Heizung.
We have a small problem with the heating.
Bei diesem Problem kann ich dir leider nicht helfen.
Unfortunately, I can't help you with this problem.
Interactive Tools & Related Guides
More Nouns in Study & Grammar
FAQs: das Problem
Is "Problem" der, die, or das in German?
"Problem" takes the neuter definite article "das" (das Problem). Gender cue: Lexical gender — memorize together with its article.
What is the plural and Dative plural of "das Problem"?
The Nominative plural of das Problem is "die Probleme" (pattern: -e). In the Dative plural it becomes "den Problemen".
How does "das Problem" change in the Genitive, Accusative, and Dative?
As a strong neuter noun, "Problem" changes only in the Genitive singular (des Problems); Accusative and Dative keep "Problem".