Why does the noun Ellbogen have the article der?

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 Ellbogen

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Ellbogenein Ellbogenkein Ellbogen
Akkusativden Ellbogeneinen Ellbogenkeinen Ellbogen
Dativdem Ellbogeneinem Ellbogenkeinem Ellbogen
Genitivdes Ellbogenseines Ellbogenskeines Ellbogens

Examples in context

Real sentences using Ellbogen in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der schmutzige Ellbogen ist schmutzig.The dirty elbow is dirty.
Ein Ellbogen tut oft weh.An elbow often hurts.
Kein Ellbogen ist sauber.No elbow is clean.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den schmutzigen Ellbogen.I see the dirty elbow.
Er hat einen Ellbogen gestoßen.He bumped an elbow.
Ich habe keinen Ellbogen berührt.I haven't touched any elbow.
Dativ
Ich helfe dem schmutzigen Ellbogen.I help the dirty elbow.
Er gibt einem Ellbogen eine Creme.He gives an elbow a cream.
Ich helfe keinem Ellbogen bei der Pflege.I don't help any elbow with care.
Genitiv
Die Form des schmutzigen Ellbogens.The shape of the dirty elbow.
Die Form eines Ellbogens ist rund.The shape of an elbow is round.
Die Form keines Ellbogens ist eckig.The shape of no elbow is angular.

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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 Ellbogen?

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

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

What does der Ellbogen mean in English?

The German word der Ellbogen translates to “elbow” in English.

How do you decline der Ellbogen?

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

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.