Dunkel

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

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

Q: What is the plural of das Dunkel?

The noun Dunkel is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

Q: What does das Dunkel mean in English?

The German word das Dunkel translates to “darkness” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Dunkel?

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

darkness

Strong

Why does the noun Dunkel have the article das?

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 Dunkel

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	das Dunkel	ein Dunkel	kein Dunkel
Akkusativ	das Dunkel	ein Dunkel	kein Dunkel
Dativ	dem Dunkel	einem Dunkel	keinem Dunkel
Genitiv	des Dunkels	eines Dunkels	keines Dunkels

Examples in context

Real sentences using Dunkel in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das tiefe Dunkel ist sehr kalt.The deep darkness is very cold.	Ein kaltes Dunkel umgibt uns.A cold darkness surrounds us.	Kein großes Dunkel bleibt hier.No great darkness remains here.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe das tiefe Dunkel.I see the deep darkness.	Wir spüren ein kaltes Dunkel.We feel a cold darkness.	Er mag kein großes Dunkel.He doesn't like any great darkness.
Dativ	Ich sitze in dem tiefen Dunkel.I sit in the deep darkness.	Er lebt in einem kalten Dunkel.He lives in a cold darkness.	Sie arbeitet in keinem großen Dunkel.She doesn't work in any great darkness.
Genitiv	Die Angst des tiefen Dunkels ist groß.The fear of the deep darkness is great.	Die Macht eines kalten Dunkels ist stark.The power of a cold darkness is strong.	Der Reiz keines großen Dunkels lockt nicht.The charm of no great darkness attracts.

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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 Dunkel?

It is das Dunkel. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Dunkel 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 Dunkel?

The noun Dunkel is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

What does das Dunkel mean in English?

The German word das Dunkel translates to “darkness” in English.

How do you decline das Dunkel?

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

Nominativ: das Dunkel
Akkusativ: das Dunkel
Dativ: dem Dunkel
Genitiv: des Dunkels

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.