Why does the noun Erdbeben have the article das?

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 Erdbeben

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Erdbebenein Erdbebenkein Erdbeben
Akkusativdas Erdbebenein Erdbebenkein Erdbeben
Dativdem Erdbebeneinem Erdbebenkeinem Erdbeben
Genitivdes Erdbebenseines Erdbebenskeines Erdbebens

Examples in context

Real sentences using Erdbeben in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das neue Erdbeben ist stark.The new earthquake is strong.
Ein gutes Erdbeben liegt hier.A good earthquake lies here.
Kein altes Erdbeben ist schwach.No old earthquake is weak.
Akkusativ
Ich spüre das neue Erdbeben.I feel the new earthquake.
Wir erleben ein gutes Erdbeben.We experience a good earthquake.
Er hat kein altes Erdbeben gespürt.He felt no old earthquake.
Dativ
Ich helfe dem neuen Erdbeben Opfer.I help the new earthquake victims.
Ich spreche über einem guten Erdbeben.I talk about a good earthquake.
Er denkt an keinem alten Erdbeben.He thinks of no old earthquake.
Genitiv
Die Stärke des neuen Erdbebens ist hoch.The strength of the new earthquake is high.
Der Schaden eines guten Erdbebens ist groß.The damage of a good earthquake is great.
Die Wirkung keines alten Erdbebens ist gering.The effect of no old earthquake is low.

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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 Erdbeben?

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

What CEFR level is the word Erdbeben?

The German noun Erdbeben is categorized as Intermediate (B1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of das Erdbeben?

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

What does das Erdbeben mean in English?

The German word das Erdbeben translates to “earthquake” in English.

How do you decline das Erdbeben?

Like all German nouns, Erdbeben changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: das Erdbeben
  • Akkusativ: das Erdbeben
  • Dativ: dem Erdbeben
  • Genitiv: des Erdbebens

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.