Bach

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

It is der Bach. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Bach 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 Bach?

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

Q: What does der Bach mean in English?

The German word der Bach translates to “stream” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Bach?

Like all German nouns, Bach changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: der Bach Akkusativ: den Bach Dativ: dem Bach Genitiv: des Baches 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.

stream

Plural: die Bäche

Strong

Why does the noun Bach have the article der?

This noun follows no general suffix rule — its gender is part of the core vocabulary you simply learn alongside the word.

Declension table for German noun Bach

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Bach	ein Bach	kein Bach
Akkusativ	den Bach	einen Bach	keinen Bach
Dativ	dem Bach	einem Bach	keinem Bach
Genitiv	des Baches	eines Baches	keines Baches
Nominativ	die Bäche	Bäche	keine Bäche
Akkusativ	die Bäche	Bäche	keine Bäche
Dativ	den Bächen	Bächen	keinen Bächen
Genitiv	der Bäche	Bäche	keiner Bäche

Examples in context

Real sentences using Bach in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der kleine Bach fließt schnell.The small stream flows quickly.	Ein klarer Bach ist hier.A clear stream is here.	Kein breiter Bach ist in Sicht.No wide stream is in sight.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe den kleinen Bach dort.I see the small stream there.	Wir suchen einen klaren Bach zum Angeln.We are looking for a clear stream for fishing.	Er findet keinen breiten Bach im Wald.He finds no wide stream in the forest.
Dativ	Ich sitze an dem kleinen Bach gern.I like to sit by the small stream.	Er spielt an einem klaren Bach oft.He often plays by a clear stream.	Sie geht zu keinem breiten Bach heute.She is not going to any wide stream today.
Genitiv	Das Ufer des kleinen Baches ist grün.The bank of the small stream is green.	Der Lauf eines klaren Baches ist lang.The course of a clear stream is long.	Die Quelle keines breiten Baches ist hier.The source of no wide stream is here.
Nominativ	Die kleinen Bäche sind sauber.The small streams are clean.	Klare Bäche sind wichtig für die Natur.Clear streams are important for nature.	Keine breiten Bäche gibt es hier.There are no wide streams here.
Akkusativ	Sie überqueren die kleinen Bäche vorsichtig.They cross the small streams carefully.	Ich mag klare Bäche sehr.I like clear streams very much.	Wir sehen keine breiten Bäche auf dem Weg.We see no wide streams on the way.
Dativ	Wir gehen zu den kleinen Bächen im Park.We are going to the small streams in the park.	Ich laufe an klaren Bächen oft vorbei.I often walk past clear streams.	Ich bin bei keinen breiten Bächen gewesen.I haven't been to any wide streams.
Genitiv	Die Geräusche der kleinen Bäche sind leise.The sounds of the small streams are quiet.	Das Wasser klarer Bäche ist frisch.The water of clear streams is fresh.	Die Tiefe keiner breiten Bäche ist bekannt.The depth of no wide streams is known.

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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 Bach?

It is der Bach. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Bach 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 Bach?

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

What does der Bach mean in English?

The German word der Bach translates to “stream” in English.

How do you decline der Bach?

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

Nominativ: der Bach
Akkusativ: den Bach
Dativ: dem Bach
Genitiv: des Baches

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.