Strong, weak, and mixed declension patterns
In German, adjectives change their endings depending on three factors: (1) the grammatical case (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive), (2) the gender and number of the noun (masculine, feminine, neuter, plural), and (3) whether a definite article, indefinite article, or no article precedes the adjective. There are three declension patterns: weak (after definite articles), mixed (after indefinite articles and possessives), and strong (no article). Mastering these patterns is essential for B1 fluency — Germans use adjectives before nouns constantly.
Weak declension (schwache Deklination) — after definite articles
Use weak endings after der/die/das, dieser/diese/dieses, jeder/jede/jedes, welcher/welche/welches, and all other definite-type determiners. The definite article already shows the case and gender clearly, so the adjective takes a 'weak' ending: mostly -en, with -e only in Nominative (all genders) and Accusative feminine/neuter. Rule of thumb: -e in 5 positions (Nom M/F/N, Acc F/N), -en everywhere else. Example: der alte Mann (Nom M), die alte Frau (Nom F), das alte Kind (Nom N), den alten Mann (Acc M), dem alten Kind (Dat N).
Mixed declension (gemischte Deklination) — after indefinite articles and possessives
Use mixed endings after ein/eine/ein, kein/keine/kein, and all possessives (mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, ihr/Ihr). These determiners don't show gender in Masculine Nominative and Neuter Nominative/Accusative, so the adjective must 'step in' and carry the strong ending there: -er (Nom M), -es (Nom/Acc N). In all other positions, mixed endings are identical to weak endings (-e for Nom/Acc F, -en elsewhere). Example: ein alter Mann (Nom M, -er), eine alte Frau (Nom F, -e), ein altes Kind (Nom N, -es), meinen alten Freund (Acc M, -en).
Strong declension (starke Deklination) — no article before the adjective
When no article precedes the adjective, the adjective itself must show case and gender — it carries the full 'strong' endings that mirror the definite article forms (minus the 'de-' prefix). This pattern is common with: quantities (viel, wenig, einige), numbers, proper names in Genitive, and standalone adjectives. Strong endings differ most in Dative (M/N: -em, F: -er) and Genitive (M/N: -en, F/Pl: -er). Example: kalter Kaffee (Nom M), frisches Brot (Nom N), guter Wein (Nom M), mit frischem Brot (Dat N), wegen schlechten Wetters (Gen N).
Identifying which declension type to use
The key is to look at what comes directly before the adjective: (1) Nothing before the adjective → strong declension. (2) Definite article / dieser / jeder / welcher → weak declension. (3) Indefinite article / kein / possessive (mein, dein...) → mixed declension. When multiple adjectives appear before the same noun, they all take the same ending: das alte, schöne Haus (both weak -e). With strong: kalter, starker Kaffee (both strong -er). Practice tip: first identify the determiner, then look up the ending for that case/gender/number combination.
Adjectives after nichts, alles, etwas, viel, wenig, and other indefinite pronouns
After nichts (nothing), alles (everything), etwas (something), viel (much), wenig (little), and similar indefinite pronouns, adjectives are capitalized and take strong endings with -es: nichts Interessantes (nothing interesting), etwas Schönes (something beautiful), alles Gute (all the best), viel Schlechtes (much that is bad), wenig Positives (little that is positive). These constructions are essentially nominalized adjectives acting as neuter nouns — always Nominative/Accusative neuter strong: -es ending.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -e (der alte Mann) | -e (die alte Frau) | -e (das alte Kind) | -en (die alten Männer) |
| Accusative | -en (den alten Mann) | -e (die alte Frau) | -e (das alte Kind) | -en (die alten Männer) |
| Dative | -en (dem alten Mann) | -en (der alten Frau) | -en (dem alten Kind) | -en (den alten Männern) |
| Genitive | -en (des alten Mannes) | -en (der alten Frau) | -en (des alten Kindes) | -en (der alten Männer) |
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -er (ein alter Mann) | -e (eine alte Frau) | -es (ein altes Kind) | -en (keine alten Männer) |
| Accusative | -en (einen alten Mann) | -e (eine alte Frau) | -es (ein altes Kind) | -en (keine alten Männer) |
| Dative | -en (einem alten Mann) | -en (einer alten Frau) | -en (einem alten Kind) | -en (keinen alten Männern) |
| Genitive | -en (eines alten Mannes) | -en (einer alten Frau) | -en (eines alten Kindes) | -en (keiner alten Männer) |
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -er (kalter Kaffee) | -e (frische Milch) | -es (gutes Bier) | -e (alte Freunde) |
| Accusative | -en (kalten Kaffee) | -e (frische Milch) | -es (gutes Bier) | -e (alte Freunde) |
| Dative | -em (kaltem Kaffee) | -er (frischer Milch) | -em (gutem Bier) | -en (alten Freunden) |
| Genitive | -en (kalten Kaffees) | -er (frischer Milch) | -en (guten Biers) | -er (alter Freunde) |
Der neue Kollege aus München ist sehr nett.
The new colleague from Munich is very nice.
Weak declension: Nominative masculine after 'der' → -e ending
Ich habe einen alten Freund in Berlin besucht.
I visited an old friend in Berlin.
Mixed declension: Accusative masculine after 'einen' → -en ending
Mit frischem Brot und guter Butter schmeckt das Frühstück am besten.
Breakfast tastes best with fresh bread and good butter.
Strong declension: Dative neuter (frischem) and Dative feminine (guter) — no article
Das kleine Mädchen hat ihrem müden Vater geholfen.
The little girl helped her tired father.
Weak (dem kleinen → Dat N after 'das'); Mixed (ihrem müden → Dat M after possessive)
Er trinkt jeden Morgen starken schwarzen Kaffee.
He drinks strong black coffee every morning.
Strong declension: Accusative masculine without article — both adjectives take -en
Die Chefin hat dem jungen Praktikanten eine schwierige Aufgabe gegeben.
The boss gave the young intern a difficult task.
Weak (dem jungen → Dat M after 'dem'); Mixed (eine schwierige → Acc F after 'eine')
Es gibt hier nichts Interessantes zu sehen.
There is nothing interesting to see here.
After 'nichts', the adjective is capitalized and takes strong neuter -es
Wegen schlechten Wetters sind wir zu Hause geblieben.
Because of bad weather, we stayed at home.
Strong Genitive neuter after 'wegen' (no article) → -en ending
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