Singular

der

Brief

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

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

Q: What CEFR level is the word Brief?

The German noun Brief is categorized as Beginner (A1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

Q: What is the plural of der Brief?

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

Q: What does der Brief mean in English?

The German word der Brief translates to “letter” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Brief?

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

letter

Plural: die Briefe

Strong

Why does the noun Brief 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 Brief

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Brief	ein Brief	kein Brief
Akkusativ	den Brief	einen Brief	keinen Brief
Dativ	dem Brief	einem Brief	keinem Brief
Genitiv	des Briefes	eines Briefes	keines Briefes
Nominativ	die Briefe	Briefe	keine Briefe
Akkusativ	die Briefe	Briefe	keine Briefe
Dativ	den Briefen	Briefen	keinen Briefen
Genitiv	der Briefe	Briefe	keiner Briefe

Examples in context

Real sentences using Brief in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der lange Brief ist angekommen.The long letter has arrived.	Ein wichtiger Brief liegt auf dem Tisch.An important letter is on the table.	Kein neuer Brief kam heute.No new letter came today.
Akkusativ	Ich lese den langen Brief.I am reading the long letter.	Er schreibt einen kurzen Brief.He is writing a short letter.	Ich erwarte keinen persönlichen Brief.I am not expecting a personal letter.
Dativ	Ich stimme dem offiziellen Brief zu.I agree with the official letter.	Er vertraut einem alten Brief.He trusts an old letter.	Ich glaube keinem komischen Brief.I don't believe any strange letter.
Genitiv	Der Inhalt des langen Briefes ist geheim.The content of the long letter is secret.	Das Datum eines alten Briefes fehlt.The date of an old letter is missing.	Der Absender keines offiziellen Briefes ist unbekannt.The sender of no official letter is known.
Nominativ	Die alten Briefe sind von Oma.The old letters are from grandma.	Neue Briefe sind im Kasten.New letters are in the box.	Keine offiziellen Briefe sind angekommen.No official letters have arrived.
Akkusativ	Sie öffnet die neuen Briefe.She opens the new letters.	Wir haben wichtige Briefe bekommen.We have received important letters.	Er liest keine alten Briefe.He reads no old letters.
Dativ	Sie hilft mir mit den wichtigen Briefen.She helps me with the important letters.	Er antwortet mit alten Briefen.He responds with old letters.	Ich habe von keinen neuen Briefen gehört.I have heard of no new letters.
Genitiv	Die Sprache der alten Briefe ist einfach.The language of the old letters is simple.	Die Bedeutung wichtiger Briefe ist groß.The meaning of important letters is great.	Trotz keiner neuen Briefe kam keine Antwort.Despite no new letters, no answer came.

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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 Brief?

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

What CEFR level is the word Brief?

The German noun Brief is categorized as Beginner (A1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of der Brief?

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

What does der Brief mean in English?

The German word der Brief translates to “letter” in English.

How do you decline der Brief?

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

Nominativ: der Brief
Akkusativ: den Brief
Dativ: dem Brief
Genitiv: des Briefes

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.

Brief

Why does the noun Brief have the article der?

Practice der Brief in the app

Is it der, die, or das Brief?

What CEFR level is the word Brief?

What is the plural of der Brief?

What does der Brief mean in English?

How do you decline der Brief?

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