📖 Explanation: The N-Declension (n-Deklination or schwache Deklination)
The n-declination (also called weak declension) is a special pattern for certain masculine nouns (and one neuter: das Herz). These nouns add -(e)n endings in all cases except the nominative singular.
Typical features:
- Mostly animate (people, animals) masculine nouns.
- Nominative singular ends in -e (der Name, der Junge) or consonant (der Mensch, der Bär).
- In plural: always -n (or -en if no ending).
These nouns are called “schwache Nomen” because they “borrow” endings from adjectives.
Common in names of male persons, nationalities, animals.
📋 Table 1: Declension Pattern (Example: der Name)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Name | die Namen |
| Accusative | den Namen | die Namen |
| Dative | dem Namen | den Namen |
| Genitive | des Namens | der Namen |
📋 Table 2: Common n-Declension Nouns
| Noun (Nom. Sg.) | Meaning | Acc. Sg. | Dat. Sg. | Gen. Sg. | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| der Name | name | den Namen | dem Namen | des Namens | die Namen |
| der Junge | boy | den Jungen | dem Jungen | des Jungen | die Jungen |
| der Mensch | human / person | den Menschen | dem Menschen | des Menschen | die Menschen |
| der Herr | gentleman / Mr. | den Herrn | dem Herrn | des Herrn | die Herren |
| der Student | student (male) | den Studenten | dem Studenten | des Studenten | die Studenten |
| der Bär | bear | den Bären | dem Bären | des Bären | die Bären |
| der Löwe | lion | den Löwen | dem Löwen | des Löwen | die Löwen |
| der Hase | hare | den Hasen | dem Hasen | des Hasen | die Hasen |
| das Herz | heart (only neuter!) | das Herz | dem Herzen | des Herzens | die Herzen |
📋 Table 3: Mixed/Variable Nouns (often with -en or -s in Genitive)
| Noun | Special Note | Genitive Sg. |
|---|---|---|
| der Freund | Strong noun; -en may appear in spoken language (not standard) | des Freundes |
| der Nachbar | Can follow weak or strong pattern | des Nachbarn / des Nachbars |
| der Bauer | Can follow weak or strong pattern | des Bauern / des Bauers |
📋 Table 4: Usage in Sentences
| Case | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Der Junge spielt Fußball. | The boy is playing soccer. |
| Accusative | Ich sehe den Jungen. | I see the boy. |
| Dative | Ich gebe dem Jungen ein Buch. | I give the boy a book. |
| Genitive | Das ist das Fahrrad des Jungen. | This is the boy’s bike. |
| Plural | Die Jungen sind laut. | The boys are loud. |
🔑 Rules and Tips
- How to recognize: Most end in -e in nominative (der Affe, der Russe, der Pole), or are male persons/animals.
- Plural always -n/-en: No umlaut usually.
- das Herz is the only neuter with n-declension.
- Foreign words: Many ending in -ant, -ent, -ist, -oge, -at take n-declination (der Student, der Elefant, der Psychologe, der Demokrat).
- Genitive: Usually des + –(e)n.
- Exception: der Name → des Namens, das Herz → des Herzens.
- Spoken variation: Some nouns (der Freund, der Nachbar) allow both -n and -s in genitive/dative.
- Common mistake: Forgetting the -n in dative/accusative (dem Junge wrong → dem Jungen).
- Tip: Learn them as a group – most male animate nouns ending in -e are n-declension.
More examples:
- Ich helfe dem Studenten. (I help the student.)
- Die Gedanken des Menschen sind kompliziert. (The thoughts of man are complicated.)
- Kennst du den Namen des neuen Nachbarn? (Do you know the new neighbor’s name?)
- Das Herz des Löwen schlägt stark. (The lion’s heart beats strongly.)
The n-declension is a small but important group – memorize the most common ones, and you’ll avoid many mistakes!