Why does the noun Bestand 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 Bestand

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Bestandein Bestandkein Bestand
Akkusativden Bestandeinen Bestandkeinen Bestand
Dativdem Bestandeinem Bestandkeinem Bestand
Genitivdes Bestandeseines Bestandeskeines Bestandes

Examples in context

Real sentences using Bestand in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der alte Bestand ist wichtig.The old stock is important.
Ein neuer Bestand hilft uns.A new stock helps us.
Kein großer Bestand ist vorhanden.No large stock is available.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den alten Bestand.I see the old stock.
Wir brauchen einen neuen Bestand.We need a new stock.
Er hat keinen großen Bestand.He has no large stock.
Dativ
Ich helfe dem alten Bestand.I help the old stock.
Er gibt einem neuen Bestand Wert.He gives value to a new stock.
Sie traut keinem großen Bestand.She trusts no large stock.
Genitiv
Der Wert des alten Bestandes ist hoch.The value of the old stock is high.
Die Größe eines eines neuen Bestandes ist wichtig.The size of a new stock is important.
Der Zweck keines keines großen Bestandes ist klar.The purpose of no large stock is clear.

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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 Bestand?

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

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

What does der Bestand mean in English?

The German word der Bestand translates to “stock, inventory” in English.

How do you decline der Bestand?

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

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.