Singular

der

Adoptivvater

Q: Is it der, die, or das Adoptivvater?

It is der Adoptivvater. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Adoptivvater is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

Q: What is the plural of der Adoptivvater?

The plural form of der Adoptivvater is die Adoptivväter. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

Q: What does der Adoptivvater mean in English?

The German word der Adoptivvater translates to “adoptive father” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Adoptivvater?

Like all German nouns, Adoptivvater changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: der Adoptivvater Akkusativ: den Adoptivvater Dativ: dem Adoptivvater Genitiv: des Adoptivvaters These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.

adoptive father

Plural: die Adoptivväter

Strong

Why does the noun Adoptivvater have the article der?

Nouns formed from verbs with -er ending are mostly masculine. Look at the bolded -er in the noun above — that suffix is the giveaway.

Examples

der Lehrer (teacher), der Fahrer (driver), der Arbeiter (worker), der Schreiber (writer), der Spieler (player), der Maler (painter)

Exceptions

das Fenster (window), das Wasser (water), die Butter (butter), die Mutter (mother)

View all words for this rule

Declension table for German noun Adoptivvater

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Adoptivvater	ein Adoptivvater	kein Adoptivvater
Akkusativ	den Adoptivvater	einen Adoptivvater	keinen Adoptivvater
Dativ	dem Adoptivvater	einem Adoptivvater	keinem Adoptivvater
Genitiv	des Adoptivvaters	eines Adoptivvaters	keines Adoptivvaters
Nominativ	die Adoptivväter	Adoptivväter	keine Adoptivväter
Akkusativ	die Adoptivväter	Adoptivväter	keine Adoptivväter
Dativ	den Adoptivvätern	Adoptivvätern	keinen Adoptivvätern
Genitiv	der Adoptivväter	Adoptivväter	keiner Adoptivväter

Examples in context

Real sentences using Adoptivvater in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der liebe Adoptivvater ist sehr nett.The kind adoptive father is very nice.	Ein guter Adoptivvater kommt heute.A good adoptive father is coming today.	Kein strenger Adoptivvater ist hier.No strict adoptive father is here.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe den lieben Adoptivvater.I see the kind adoptive father.	Sie hat einen guten Adoptivvater.She has a good adoptive father.	Ich habe keinen strengen Adoptivvater.I don't have a strict adoptive father.
Dativ	Ich helfe dem lieben Adoptivvater.I help the kind adoptive father.	Sie spricht mit einem guten Adoptivvater.She talks with a good adoptive father.	Ich vertraue keinem strengen Adoptivvater.I don't trust any strict adoptive father.
Genitiv	Das ist das Auto des lieben Adoptivvaters.That is the car of the kind adoptive father.	Das ist die Tasche eines guten Adoptivvaters.That is the bag of a good adoptive father.	Das ist die Meinung keines strengen Adoptivvaters.That is the opinion of no strict adoptive father.
Nominativ	Die alten Adoptivväter sind glücklich.The old adoptive fathers are happy.	Junge Adoptivväter helfen gern.Young adoptive fathers like to help.	Keine neuen Adoptivväter wohnen hier.No new adoptive fathers live here.
Akkusativ	Wir kennen die alten Adoptivväter.We know the old adoptive fathers.	Sie mag junge Adoptivväter.She likes young adoptive fathers.	Ich sehe keine neuen Adoptivväter.I don't see any new adoptive fathers.
Dativ	Ich danke den alten Adoptivvätern.I thank the old adoptive fathers.	Sie gibt jungen Adoptivvätern Geschenke.She gives gifts to young adoptive fathers.	Ich spreche mit keinen neuen Adoptivvätern.I don't speak with any new adoptive fathers.
Genitiv	Das ist das Haus der alten Adoptivväter.That is the house of the old adoptive fathers.	Das ist die Arbeit junger Adoptivväter.That is the work of young adoptive fathers.	Das ist die Hilfe keiner neuen Adoptivväter.That is the help of no new adoptive fathers.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Adoptivvater?

It is der Adoptivvater. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Adoptivvater is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of der Adoptivvater?

The plural form of der Adoptivvater is die Adoptivväter. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does der Adoptivvater mean in English?

The German word der Adoptivvater translates to “adoptive father” in English.

How do you decline der Adoptivvater?

Like all German nouns, Adoptivvater changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: der Adoptivvater
Akkusativ: den Adoptivvater
Dativ: dem Adoptivvater
Genitiv: des Adoptivvaters

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.