Singular

der

Elefant

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

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

Q: What is the plural of der Elefant?

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

Q: What does der Elefant mean in English?

The German word der Elefant translates to “elephant” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Elefant?

Like all German nouns, Elefant changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: der Elefant Akkusativ: den Elefanten Dativ: dem Elefanten Genitiv: des Elefanten 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.

elephant

Plural: die Elefanten

Weak

Why does the noun Elefant have the article der?

Nouns ending in -ant or -ent (usually people) are masculine.

Examples

der Student (student), der Patient (patient), der Präsident (president), der Assistent (assistant), der Lieferant (supplier), der Emigrant (emigrant)

Exceptions

das Restaurant, das Deodorant

View all words for this rule

Declension table for German noun Elefant

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Elefant	ein Elefant	kein Elefant
Akkusativ	den Elefanten	einen Elefanten	keinen Elefanten
Dativ	dem Elefanten	einem Elefanten	keinem Elefanten
Genitiv	des Elefanten	eines Elefanten	keines Elefanten
Nominativ	die Elefanten	Elefanten	keine Elefanten
Akkusativ	die Elefanten	Elefanten	keine Elefanten
Dativ	den Elefanten	Elefanten	keinen Elefanten
Genitiv	der Elefanten	Elefanten	keiner Elefanten

Examples in context

Real sentences using Elefant in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der alte Elefant ist groß.The old elephant is big.	Ein junger Elefant trinkt Wasser.A young elephant drinks water.	Kein kleiner Elefant ist klein.No small elephant is small.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe den alten Elefanten.I see the old elephant.	Sie füttert einen jungen Elefanten.She feeds a young elephant.	Er mag keinen kleinen Elefanten.He doesn't like a small elephant.
Dativ	Ich helfe dem kranken Elefanten.I help the sick elephant.	Er gibt einem hungrigen Elefanten Wasser.He gives water to a hungry elephant.	Sie spricht mit keinem wilden Elefanten.She doesn't speak with a wild elephant.
Genitiv	Die Größe des alten Elefanten ist enorm.The size of the old elephant is enormous.	Die Haut eines jungen Elefanten ist dick.The skin of a young elephant is thick.	Der Rüssel keines kleinen Elefanten ist kurz.The trunk of no small elephant is short.
Nominativ	Die wilden Elefanten fressen Gras.The wild elephants eat grass.	Große Elefanten sind klug.Big elephants are smart.	Keine jungen Elefanten sind im Zirkus.No young elephants are in the circus.
Akkusativ	Wir besuchen die wilden Elefanten.We visit the wild elephants.	Ich sehe große Elefanten.I see big elephants.	Sie fängt keine jungen Elefanten.She doesn't catch any young elephants.
Dativ	Ich gebe den jungen Elefanten Futter.I give food to the young elephants.	Er hilft kranken Elefanten.He helps sick elephants.	Sie spielt mit keinen wilden Elefanten.She doesn't play with any wild elephants.
Genitiv	Die Spuren der wilden Elefanten sind groß.The tracks of the wild elephants are big.	Das Leben großer Elefanten ist lang.The life of big elephants is long.	Die Angst keiner jungen Elefanten ist klein.The fear of no young elephants is small.

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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 Elefant?

It is der Elefant. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Elefant 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 Elefant?

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

What does der Elefant mean in English?

The German word der Elefant translates to “elephant” in English.

How do you decline der Elefant?

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

Nominativ: der Elefant
Akkusativ: den Elefanten
Dativ: dem Elefanten
Genitiv: des Elefanten

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.