Singular

die

Elbe

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

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

Q: What is the plural of die Elbe?

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

Q: What does die Elbe mean in English?

The German word die Elbe translates to “Elbe” in English.

Q: How do you decline die Elbe?

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

Strong

Why does the noun Elbe have the article die?

About 90% of nouns ending in -e are feminine.

Examples

die Lampe (lamp), die Schule (school), die Tasche (bag), die Klasse (class), die Straße (street), die Sonne (sun), die Blume (flower)

Exceptions

der Junge (boy), der Löwe (lion), der Affe (monkey), der Name (name), der Käse (cheese), das Ende (end), das Auge (eye)

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Declension table for German noun Elbe

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	die Elbe	eine Elbe	keine Elbe
Akkusativ	die Elbe	eine Elbe	keine Elbe
Dativ	der Elbe	einer Elbe	keiner Elbe
Genitiv	der Elbe	einer Elbe	keiner Elbe

Examples in context

Real sentences using Elbe in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Die breite Elbe fließt durch Hamburg.The wide Elbe flows through Hamburg.	Eine lange Elbe ist ein schöner Fluss.A long Elbe is a beautiful river.	Keine anderee Elbe ist so bekannt.No other Elbe is so well-known.
Akkusativ	Wir sehen die ruhige Elbe.We see the calm Elbe.	Er sucht eine saubere Elbe zum Angeln.He is looking for a clean Elbe for fishing.	Ich kenne keine kleine Elbe hier.I don't know any small Elbe here.
Dativ	Er wohnt an der großen Elbe.He lives by the big Elbe.	Sie fährt mit einer schnellen Elbe zum Meer.She travels by a fast Elbe to the sea.	Er geht trotz keiner nahen Elbe spazieren.He goes for a walk despite no nearby Elbe.
Genitiv	Die Ufer der langen Elbe sind grün.The banks of the long Elbe are green.	Die Schönheit einer wilden Elbe ist bekannt.The beauty of a wild Elbe is known.	Die Quelle keiner tiefen Elbe ist hier.The source of no deep Elbe is here.

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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 Elbe?

It is die Elbe. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Elbe 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 Elbe?

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

What does die Elbe mean in English?

The German word die Elbe translates to “Elbe” in English.

How do you decline die Elbe?

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

Nominativ: die Elbe
Akkusativ: die Elbe
Dativ: der Elbe
Genitiv: der Elbe

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.