Esel

Q: Is it der, die, or das Esel?

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

Q: What is the plural of der Esel?

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

Q: What does der Esel mean in English?

The German word der Esel translates to “donkey” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Esel?

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

donkey

Plural: die Esel

Strong

Why does the noun Esel 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 Esel

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Esel	ein Esel	kein Esel
Akkusativ	den Esel	einen Esel	keinen Esel
Dativ	dem Esel	einem Esel	keinem Esel
Genitiv	des Esels	eines Esels	keines Esels
Nominativ	die Esel	Esel	keine Esel
Akkusativ	die Esel	Esel	keine Esel
Dativ	den Eseln	Eseln	keinen Eseln
Genitiv	der Esel	Esel	keiner Esel

Examples in context

Real sentences using Esel in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der alte Esel geht.The old donkey walks.	Ein Esel trägt Lasten.A donkey carries loads.	Kein Esel schläft hier.No donkey sleeps here.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe den alten Esel.I see the old donkey.	Er hat einen Esel.He has a donkey.	Ich finde keinen Esel.I find no donkey.
Dativ	Ich helfe dem alten Esel.I help the old donkey.	Er gibt einem Esel Wasser.He gives water to a donkey.	Ich spreche mit keinem Esel.I speak with no donkey.
Genitiv	Die Ohren des alten Esels sind lang.The ears of the old donkey are long.	Die Geduld eines Esels ist groß.The patience of a donkey is great.	Der Wert keines Esels ist bekannt.The value of no donkey is known.
Nominativ	Die müdeen Esel sind müde.The tired donkeys are tired.	Esel arbeiten hart.Donkeys work hard.	Keine Esel sind dort.No donkeys are there.
Akkusativ	Wir sehen die müdeen Esel.We see the tired donkeys.	Sie füttern Esel.They feed donkeys.	Wir haben keine Esel.We have no donkeys.
Dativ	Ich gebe den müdeen Eseln Futter.I give food to the tired donkeys.	Er hilft Eseln oft.He often helps donkeys.	Ich arbeite mit keinen Eseln.I work with no donkeys.
Genitiv	Die Farbe der müdeen Esel ist grau.The color of the tired donkeys is gray.	Das Leben Esel ist einfach.The life of donkeys is simple.	Die Größe keiner Esel ist wichtig.The size of no donkeys is important.

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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 Esel?

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

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

What does der Esel mean in English?

The German word der Esel translates to “donkey” in English.

How do you decline der Esel?

Like all German nouns, Esel changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: der Esel
Akkusativ: den Esel
Dativ: dem Esel
Genitiv: des Esels

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.