The genitive
The genitive is used to show ownership and belonging.
Das ist Bettys Hotel. (Betty)
This is Bettyâs hotel. (Betty = nominative, Bettys = genitive)
Die Sprache meiner Mutter. (meine Mutter)
My mother's language. (meine Mutter = nominative, meiner Mutter = genitive)
These are the endings for articles in the genitive:
| Genitive | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| masculine | -es + s | Das BĂŒro eines Buchhalters The office of an accountant |
| neuter | -es + s | Das Dach des Hotels ist kaputt The roof of the hotel is broken |
| feminine | -er | Die Schwester einer KĂŒchenchefin The sister of a chef |
| Plural | -er | Die Badesachen der GĂ€ste The swimwear of the guests |
To ask whom something belongs to, we use wessen (whose, to whom):
-Wessen Koffer sind das? -Die Koffer der GĂ€ste. (die GĂ€ste)
âWhose suitcases are these? âThe guests' suitcases. (die GĂ€ste = nominative, der GĂ€ste = genitive)
Note:
- For names, or masculine and neuter nouns in the genitive, âes or âs is generally added to the name/noun.
das Hotel â die TĂŒren des Hotels
the hotel â the doors of the hotel
ein Mann â das Buch eines Mannes
a man â a man's book
Anna â Annas Kleiderschrank
Anna â Annaâs wardrobe
- Instead of the genitive we use von + dative for nouns without an article. The dative can also simply be used instead of the genitive in informal speech.
Die Produktion von BademÀnteln.
The production of dressing gowns.
Das Hotel von Betty.
Bettyâs hotel.
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