Why does the noun Elfmeter have the article der?

Nouns formed from verbs with -er ending are mostly masculine. Look at the bolded -er in the noun above — that suffix is the giveaway.

Examples

der Lehrer (teacher), der Fahrer (driver), der Arbeiter (worker), der Schreiber (writer), der Spieler (player), der Maler (painter)

Exceptions

das Fenster (window), das Wasser (water), die Butter (butter), die Mutter (mother)

Declension table for German noun Elfmeter

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Elfmeterein Elfmeterkein Elfmeter
Akkusativden Elfmetereinen Elfmeterkeinen Elfmeter
Dativdem Elfmetereinem Elfmeterkeinem Elfmeter
Genitivdes Elfmeterseines Elfmeterskeines Elfmeters

Examples in context

Real sentences using Elfmeter in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der Elfmeter ist wichtig.The penalty kick is important.
Ein Elfmeter entscheidet das Spiel.A penalty kick decides the game.
Kein Elfmeter ist einfach.No penalty kick is easy.
Akkusativ
Wir sehen den Elfmeter.We see the penalty kick.
Er schießt einen Elfmeter.He shoots a penalty kick.
Ich will keinen Elfmeter.I don't want a penalty kick.
Dativ
Nach dem Elfmeter jubeln wir.After the penalty kick, we cheer.
Mit einem Elfmeter gewinnen sie.With a penalty kick, they win.
Bei keinem Elfmeter war er da.He was not there for any penalty kick.
Genitiv
Die Spannung des Elfmeters ist hoch.The tension of the penalty kick is high.
Der Schuss eines Elfmeters war gut.The shot of a penalty kick was good.
Die Folge keines Elfmeters ist klar.The consequence of no penalty kick is clear.

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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 Elfmeter?

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

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

What does der Elfmeter mean in English?

The German word der Elfmeter translates to “penalty kick” in English.

How do you decline der Elfmeter?

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

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.