Why does the noun Ernst 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 Ernst
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Ernst | ein Ernst | kein Ernst |
| Akkusativ | den Ernst | einen Ernst | keinen Ernst |
| Dativ | dem Ernst | einem Ernst | keinem Ernst |
| Genitiv | des Ernstes | eines Ernstes | keines Ernstes |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Ernst in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | Der große Ernst ist spürbar.The great seriousness is palpable. | Ein gewisser Ernst ist wichtig.A certain seriousness is important. | Kein echter Ernst ist hier.No real seriousness is here. |
| Akkusativ | Ich sehe den tiefen Ernst.I see the deep seriousness. | Er zeigt einen neuen Ernst.He shows a new seriousness. | Wir wollen keinen falschen Ernst.We don't want any false seriousness. |
| Dativ | Mit dem ganzen Ernst ist es schwer.It is difficult with the whole seriousness. | Er begegnet einem plötzlichen Ernst.He encounters a sudden seriousness. | Sie spricht mit keinem echten Ernst.She speaks with no real seriousness. |
| Genitiv | Die Lage des großen Ernstes ist klar.The situation of the great seriousness is clear. | Der Beginn eines eines neuen Ernstes ist nah.The beginning of a new seriousness is near. | Der Wert keines keines falschen Ernstes ist hoch.The value of no false seriousness is high. |
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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 Ernst?
It is der Ernst. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Ernst 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 Ernst?
The noun Ernst is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.
What does der Ernst mean in English?
The German word der Ernst translates to “seriousness” in English.
How do you decline der Ernst?
Like all German nouns, Ernst changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: der Ernst
- Akkusativ: den Ernst
- Dativ: dem Ernst
- Genitiv: des Ernstes
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.
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Strong Standard declension — no extra -(e)n. The 96% majority.
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