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 | sie helfen dem Mann |
| feminin | DER | sie helfen der Frau |
| neutrum | DEM | sie helfen dem Kind |
| Plural | DEN | sie helfen den Männern, den Frauen, den Kindern |
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 gebe den Kindern Schokolade.
I give the children chocolate (neuter plural).
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