Why does the noun Drittel have the article das?

Most fractions are neuter.

Examples

das Drittel (third), das Viertel (quarter), das Fünftel (fifth), das Zehntel (tenth), das Prozent (percent)

Exceptions

die Hälfte (half)

Declension table for German noun Drittel

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Drittelein Drittelkein Drittel
Akkusativdas Drittelein Drittelkein Drittel
Dativdem Dritteleinem Drittelkeinem Drittel
Genitivdes Drittelseines Drittelskeines Drittels

Examples in context

Real sentences using Drittel in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das erste Drittel ist vorbei.The first third is over.
Ein großes Drittel fehlt noch.A large third is still missing.
Kein Drittel ist perfekt.No third is perfect.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das erste Drittel.I see the first third.
Er isst ein kleines Drittel.He eats a small third.
Wir haben kein Drittel.We have no third.
Dativ
Ich gebe dem ersten Drittel Wasser.I give water to the first third.
Er hilft einem kleinen Drittel.He helps a small third.
Ich vertraue keinem Drittel.I trust no third.
Genitiv
Der Wert des ersten Drittels ist hoch.The value of the first third is high.
Die Größe eines kleinen Drittels ist wichtig.The size of a small third is important.
Der Preis keines Drittels ist bekannt.The price of no third 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 Drittel?

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

What is the plural of das Drittel?

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

What does das Drittel mean in English?

The German word das Drittel translates to “third” in English.

How do you decline das Drittel?

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

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.