Why does the noun Empfang 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 Empfang

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Empfangein Empfangkein Empfang
Akkusativden Empfangeinen Empfangkeinen Empfang
Dativdem Empfangeinem Empfangkeinem Empfang
Genitivdes Empfangseines Empfangskeines Empfangs

Examples in context

Real sentences using Empfang in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der erste Empfang ist wichtig.The first reception is important.
Ein guter Empfang ist nötig.A good reception is necessary.
Kein offener Empfang ist verfügbar.No open reception is available.
Akkusativ
Ich finde den kurzen Empfang gut.I find the short reception good.
Er braucht einen schnellen Empfang.He needs a quick reception.
Ich habe keinen schlechten Empfang.I don't have any bad reception.
Dativ
Wir sprechen von dem letzten Empfang.We are talking about the last reception.
Sie arbeitet an einem neuen Empfang.She is working on a new reception.
Sie spricht mit keinem guten Empfang.She doesn't speak with any good reception.
Genitiv
Die Bedeutung des ganzen Empfangs ist klar.The meaning of the whole reception is clear.
Der Wert eines neuen Empfangs ist groß.The value of a new reception is great.
Die Wirkung keines guten Empfangs ist gering.The effect of no good reception 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 Empfang?

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

What CEFR level is the word Empfang?

The German noun Empfang is categorized as Elementary (A2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of der Empfang?

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

What does der Empfang mean in English?

The German word der Empfang translates to “reception” in English.

How do you decline der Empfang?

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

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.