Why does the noun Eisenbahn have the article die?

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 Eisenbahn

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdie Eisenbahneine Eisenbahnkeine Eisenbahn
Akkusativdie Eisenbahneine Eisenbahnkeine Eisenbahn
Dativder Eisenbahneiner Eisenbahnkeiner Eisenbahn
Genitivder Eisenbahneiner Eisenbahnkeiner Eisenbahn

Examples in context

Real sentences using Eisenbahn in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Die neue Eisenbahn fährt schnell.The new railway runs fast.
Eine schnelle Eisenbahn ist praktisch.A fast railway is practical.
Keine alte Eisenbahn kommt heute.No old railway is coming today.
Akkusativ
Wir sehen die lange Eisenbahn.We see the long railway.
Er baut eine kleine Eisenbahn.He is building a small railway.
Ich habe keine alte Eisenbahn gesehen.I haven't seen any old railway.
Dativ
Er fährt mit der alten Eisenbahn.He travels by the old railway.
Sie reist mit einer schnellen Eisenbahn.She travels by a fast railway.
Er fährt trotz keiner neuen Eisenbahn weiter.He continues to drive despite no new railway.
Genitiv
Die Geschichte der deutschen Eisenbahn ist lang.The history of the German railway is long.
Der Bau einer neuen Eisenbahn ist teuer.The construction of a new railway is expensive.
Die Farbe keiner alten Eisenbahn ist bekannt.The color of no old railway 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 Eisenbahn?

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

What is the plural of die Eisenbahn?

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

What does die Eisenbahn mean in English?

The German word die Eisenbahn translates to “railway, railroad” in English.

How do you decline die Eisenbahn?

Like all German nouns, Eisenbahn changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: die Eisenbahn
  • Akkusativ: die Eisenbahn
  • Dativ: der Eisenbahn
  • Genitiv: der Eisenbahn

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.