Why does the noun Erfinder 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 Erfinder

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Erfinderein Erfinderkein Erfinder
Akkusativden Erfindereinen Erfinderkeinen Erfinder
Dativdem Erfindereinem Erfinderkeinem Erfinder
Genitivdes Erfinderseines Erfinderskeines Erfinders

Examples in context

Real sentences using Erfinder in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der junge Erfinder ist klug.The young inventor is clever.
Ein neuer Erfinder kommt bald.A new inventor is coming soon.
Kein bekannter Erfinder ist hier.No known inventor is here.
Akkusativ
Ich kenne den berühmten Erfinder.I know the famous inventor.
Wir suchen einen jungen Erfinder.We are looking for a young inventor.
Er trifft keinen alten Erfinder.He doesn't meet any old inventor.
Dativ
Ich helfe dem jungen Erfinder.I help the young inventor.
Er dankt einem guten Erfinder.He thanks a good inventor.
Ich spreche mit keinem alten Erfinder.I don't speak with any old inventor.
Genitiv
Die Idee des jungen Erfinders ist gut.The idea of the young inventor is good.
Der Name eines eines neuen Erfinders ist geheim.The name of a new inventor is secret.
Die Arbeit keines keines bekannten Erfinders ist leicht.The work of no known inventor is easy.

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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 Erfinder?

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

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

What does der Erfinder mean in English?

The German word der Erfinder translates to “inventor” in English.

How do you decline der Erfinder?

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

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.