Why does the noun Dreck 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 Dreck
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Dreck | ein Dreck | kein Dreck |
| Akkusativ | den Dreck | einen Dreck | keinen Dreck |
| Dativ | dem Dreck | einem Dreck | keinem Dreck |
| Genitiv | des Dreck | eines Dreck | keines Dreck |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Dreck in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | Der ganze Dreck ist weg.All the dirt is gone. | Ein Dreck ist immer schmutzig.A dirt is always dirty. | Kein Dreck ist hier.No dirt is here. |
| Akkusativ | Ich sehe den alten Dreck.I see the old dirt. | Wir finden einen neuen Dreck.We find a new dirt. | Er mag keinen Dreck.He likes no dirt. |
| Dativ | Ich spiele mit dem feuchten Dreck.I play with the damp dirt. | Ich liege in einem Dreck.I lie in a dirt. | Ich liege in keinem Dreck.I lie in no dirt. |
| Genitiv | Der Geruch des alten Dreck ist stark.The smell of the old dirt is strong. | Die Farbe eines Dreck ist braun.The color of a dirt is brown. | Der Wert keines Dreck ist hoch.The value of no dirt is high. |
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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 Dreck?
It is der Dreck. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Dreck 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 Dreck?
The noun Dreck is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.
What does der Dreck mean in English?
The German word der Dreck translates to “dirt, filth” in English.
How do you decline der Dreck?
Like all German nouns, Dreck changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: der Dreck
- Akkusativ: den Dreck
- Dativ: dem Dreck
- Genitiv: des Dreck
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.
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