Why does the noun Dilemma have the article das?

Nouns ending in -ma (Greek origin) are mostly neuter.

Examples

das Thema (topic), das Drama (drama), das Trauma (trauma), das Klima (climate), das Dogma (dogma), das Schema (scheme)

Exceptions

die Firma (company), der Puma (puma) - not of Greek origin

Declension table for German noun Dilemma

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Dilemmaein Dilemmakein Dilemma
Akkusativdas Dilemmaein Dilemmakein Dilemma
Dativdem Dilemmaeinem Dilemmakeinem Dilemma
Genitivdes Dilemmaseines Dilemmaskeines Dilemmas

Examples in context

Real sentences using Dilemma in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das neue Dilemma beginnt heute.The new dilemma begins today.
Ein großes Dilemma ist sichtbar.A big dilemma is visible.
Kein leichtes Dilemma existiert hier.No easy dilemma exists here.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das große Dilemma.I see the big dilemma.
Er hat ein kleines Dilemma.He has a small dilemma.
Wir haben kein echtes Dilemma.We have no real dilemma.
Dativ
Ich stehe vor dem großen Dilemma.I stand before the big dilemma.
Er kämpft mit einem Dilemma.He struggles with a dilemma.
Ich arbeite an keinem wichtigen Dilemma.I am not working on any important dilemma.
Genitiv
Die Lösung des großen Dilemmas ist klar.The solution to the big dilemma is clear.
Die Ursache eines Dilemmas ist unklar.The cause of a dilemma is unclear.
Die Lösung keines echten Dilemmas ist einfach.The solution to no real dilemma is simple.

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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 Dilemma?

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

What CEFR level is the word Dilemma?

The German noun Dilemma is categorized as Upper-Intermediate (B2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of das Dilemma?

The plural form of das Dilemma is die Dilemmata. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does das Dilemma mean in English?

The German word das Dilemma translates to “dilemma” in English.

How do you decline das Dilemma?

Like all German nouns, Dilemma changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: das Dilemma
  • Akkusativ: das Dilemma
  • Dativ: dem Dilemma
  • Genitiv: des Dilemmas

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.