German · B2 · Everyday language
People words with an extra ending in German
Some masculine German nouns for people gain -(e)n when they are not the subject. This pattern, called n-declension, helps you refer accurately to people when asking, thanking, describing or discussing.
What you'll learn
- Recognise common masculine weak nouns for people.
- Add -n or -en in the accusative, dative and genitive singular.
- Keep the nominative singular unchanged.
- Notice that an ending such as -en does not necessarily mean plural.
German phrases for people words with an extra ending
Hast du den Nachbarn nach dem ungewöhnlichen Geräusch gefragt?
Have you asked the neighbour about the unusual noise?
Nachbar becomes Nachbarn in the accusative singular: den Nachbarn.
Ich habe den Fotografen aus der Zeitung wiedererkannt.
I recognised the photographer from the newspaper.
Fotograf adds -en in the accusative singular: den Fotografen.
Lass uns dem Studenten dafür danken, dass er das so klar erklärt hat.
Let's thank the student for explaining that so clearly.
The person being thanked is in the dative: dem Studenten.
Der Vorschlag des Jungen verdient eine gründliche Diskussion.
The boy's suggestion deserves a proper discussion.
The genitive singular is des Jungen, not des Jungens.
Ich würde einen Menschen nicht nach einer einzigen unbedachten Bemerkung beurteilen.
I wouldn't judge a person by one careless remark.
Mensch adds -en in the accusative singular, also after einen.
Kannst du dem Herrn den Weg erklären?
Can you explain the route to that gentleman?
Herr has the singular form Herrn outside the nominative. Here, dem Herrn is dative.
Die Frage des Journalisten war überraschend schwer zu beantworten.
The journalist's question was surprisingly difficult to answer.
Journalist takes -en in the genitive singular: des Journalisten. Do not add -s.
Wir sollten dem Experten zuhören, bevor wir eine Entscheidung treffen.
We should listen to the expert before making a decision.
The person being listened to is in the dative: dem Experten.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
der Nachbar, die Nachbarn
neighbour
Singular outside the nominative: Nachbarn.
der Fotograf, die Fotografen
photographer
Singular outside the nominative: Fotografen.
der Student, die Studenten
student, usually at a university or college
Singular outside the nominative: Studenten.
der Junge, die Jungen
boy
Singular outside the nominative: Jungen.
der Mensch, die Menschen
person; human being
Grammatically masculine, but can refer to a person of any gender. Singular outside the nominative: Menschen.
der Herr, die Herren
gentleman; Mr
Note the difference: Herrn in the accusative, dative and genitive singular, but Herren in the plural.
der Journalist, die Journalisten
journalist
Singular outside the nominative: Journalisten.
der Experte, die Experten
expert
Singular outside the nominative: Experten.
One noun, four singular cases
Weak masculine nouns keep their dictionary form in the nominative singular. In the accusative, dative and genitive singular, the noun itself gains -n or -en. The genitive has no additional -s.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative: subject | der Junge | Der Junge hat einen Vorschlag. |
| Accusative: direct object | den Jungen | Ich frage den Jungen. |
| Dative: person being thanked | dem Jungen | Wir danken dem Jungen. |
| Genitive: whose suggestion? | des Jungen | Der Vorschlag des Jungen ist hilfreich. |
Which ending should you add?
For the nouns in this unit, words ending in -e add -n; Mensch, Student, Fotograf and Journalist add -en. Learn Nachbar → Nachbarn and Herr → Herrn alongside them. This is a pattern for particular masculine nouns, not for every word referring to a person.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add -n after -e | Junge → Jungen; Experte → Experten | Wir hören dem Experten zu. |
| Add -en | Mensch → Menschen; Student → Studenten; Fotograf → Fotografen; Journalist → Journalisten | Ich erkenne den Fotografen. |
| Other forms to remember | Nachbar → Nachbarn; Herr → Herrn | Ich zeige dem Herrn den Weg. |
The ending does not automatically mean plural
Forms such as Studenten and Jungen can still refer to just one person. Use the article and context to identify number. The weak ending also remains after einen or diesem; it is part of the noun's case form.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One student | den Studenten | Ich frage den Studenten. |
| Several students | die Studenten | Ich frage die Studenten. |
| With other determiners | einen Menschen; diesem Jungen | Wir danken diesem Jungen. |
More examples
Der Nachbar wartet draußen. Ich frage den Nachbarn nach dem Geräusch.
The neighbour is waiting outside. I ask the neighbour about the noise.
Compare nominative Nachbar with accusative Nachbarn.
Der Student hilft uns. Wir danken dem Studenten.
The student helps us. We thank the student.
Compare nominative Student with dative Studenten.
Der Fotograf ist hier. Die Kamera des Fotografen liegt auf dem Tisch.
The photographer is here. The photographer's camera is on the table.
Compare nominative Fotograf with genitive Fotografen, without an extra -s.