German cases: learn the function before the ending

Published 29 August 2026 · DeckLearn Editorial Team · Reviewed by DeckLearn Canada

German has four cases. Nominative usually marks the subject, accusative the direct object, dative the recipient or indirect object, and genitive possession or relationship.

With a masculine definite article, the contrast is easy to see: der → den → dem → des. Compare Der Mann schläft, Ich sehe den Mann, Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch, and das Auto des Mannes.

This follows yesterday’s der, die or das lesson by adding the next important idea: articles can change when the noun’s grammatical role changes.