A1 foundations · Lesson 6

Definite and indefinite articles

Choose der, die, das or ein and eine in the nominative.

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What you will learn

Choose der, die, das or ein and eine in the nominative.

Definite and indefinite articles

In the nominative, use der for masculine, die for feminine, das for neuter and die for plural. Use the definite article when the referent can be identified. For an unspecified singular item, use ein with masculine and neuter and eine with feminine. There is no plural indefinite article: Das sind Bücher. Learn nouns with their articles.

Examples

Das ist ein Tisch. Der Tisch ist rund.

Meaning

This is a table. The table is round.

Das ist eine Lampe. Die Lampe ist neu.

Meaning

This is a lamp. The lamp is new.

Das ist ein Buch. Das Buch ist blau.

Meaning

This is a book. The book is blue.

Lesson exercises

A1 · 10

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Exercise 1 / 10

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Tisch → bestimmter Artikel

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Correct answer: der

Why? Learn this noun as der Tisch.

Exercise 2 / 10

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Lampe → bestimmter Artikel

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Correct answer: die

Why? Lampe is feminine: die Lampe.

Exercise 3 / 10

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Buch → bestimmter Artikel

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Correct answer: das

Why? Buch is neuter: das Buch.

Exercise 4 / 10

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der Tisch → unbestimmt

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Correct answer: ein

Why? Masculine nominative takes ein.

Exercise 5 / 10

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die Lampe → unbestimmt

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Correct answer: eine

Why? Feminine nominative takes eine.

Exercise 6 / 10

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das Heft → unbestimmt

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Correct answer: ein

Why? Neuter nominative takes ein.

Exercise 7 / 10

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Bücher (Plural) → bestimmt

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Correct answer: die

Why? The definite nominative plural article is die.

Exercise 8 / 10

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Das sind ___ Bücher. (unbestimmt)

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Correct answer: —

Why? Use no article in the indefinite plural.

Exercise 9 / 10

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Das ist eine Tasche. ___ Tasche ist rot. (bekannt)

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Correct answer: Die

Why? The bag is now known and feminine: Die.

Exercise 10 / 10

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Das ist ___ Stuhl. (der Stuhl, unbestimmt)

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Correct answer: ein

Why? Stuhl is masculine and nominative here: ein Stuhl.

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Grammar references for further reading

Explanations, examples and exercises were created for WikiGerman. An introduction to A1, not a complete course.

Content last reviewed: 2026-11-03

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