The definite article in the dative case
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The definite article in the dative case
Reminder: we use the definite article (equivalent to “the” in English) to refer to something specific: a person or thing whose identity is already known.
Sigi hilft dem Gast.
Sigi is helping the guest.
Here are the endings for the definite article in the dative: Dativ
| Artikel | Nomen | |
|---|---|---|
| maskulin | DEM | dem Mann |
| feminin | DER | der Frau |
| neutrum | DEM | dem Haus |
| plural | DEN | den Männern, den Frauen, den Häusern |
Rüdiger gibt dem Mann die Hand.
Rüdiger offers the man a handshake.
Caroline spricht mit der Kundin.
Caroline is talking with the customer.
Ich helfe dem Kind.
I help the child.
Note: masculine plural and neuter plural nouns take an extra ‑n in the dative (feminine plural nouns generally end in ‑n already):
Ich erkläre den Männern den Weg zum Flughafen.
I explain to the men how to get to the airport (masculine plural).
Ich gebe den Kindern Schokolade.
I give the children chocolate (neuter plural).
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