der Pfeffer
pepper (spice)
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? | der Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | den Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | dem Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | des Pfeffers | — (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 Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | einen Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | einem Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | eines Pfeffers | — (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 Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | keinen Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | keinem Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | keines Pfeffers | — (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 Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | meinen Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | meinem Pfeffer | — (singular only) |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | meines Pfeffers | — (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
Der Pfeffer ist sehr scharf.
The pepper is very hot.
Gib noch etwas Pfeffer an die Soße.
Add a little more pepper to the sauce.
Das Ei schmeckt gut mit Pfeffer.
The egg tastes good with pepper.
Interactive Tools & Related Guides
More Nouns in Food & Drink
FAQs: der Pfeffer
Is "Pfeffer" der, die, or das in German?
"Pfeffer" takes the masculine definite article "der" (der Pfeffer). Gender cue: Ending -er -> often masculine (der).
What is the plural and Dative plural of "der Pfeffer"?
"der Pfeffer" is normally uncountable (singular-only) in standard German and does not form a common plural table.
How does "der Pfeffer" change in the Genitive, Accusative, and Dative?
As a strong masculine noun, "Pfeffer" changes only in the Genitive singular (des Pfeffers); Accusative and Dative keep "Pfeffer".