Why does the noun Gegenwart have the article die?
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 Gegenwart
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Gegenwart | eine Gegenwart | keine Gegenwart |
| Akkusativ | die Gegenwart | eine Gegenwart | keine Gegenwart |
| Dativ | der Gegenwart | einer Gegenwart | keiner Gegenwart |
| Genitiv | der Gegenwart | einer Gegenwart | keiner Gegenwart |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Gegenwart in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | Die schöne Gegenwart ist kurz.The beautiful present is short. | Eine gute Gegenwart ist wichtig.A good present is important. | Keine lange Gegenwart gibt es hier.There is no long present here. |
| Akkusativ | Ich sehe die helle Gegenwart.I see the bright present. | Wir suchen eine bessere Gegenwart.We are looking for a better present. | Er hat keine schlechte Gegenwart.He has no bad present. |
| Dativ | Ich lebe in der jetzigen Gegenwart.I live in the current present. | Er träumt von einer friedlichen Gegenwart.He dreams of a peaceful present. | Sie kommt aus keiner guten Gegenwart.She does not come from a good present. |
| Genitiv | Die Farbe der neuen Gegenwart ist hell.The color of the new present is bright. | Der Wert einer guten Gegenwart ist hoch.The value of a good present is high. | Der Sinn keiner schlechten Gegenwart fehlt.The meaning of no bad present is missing. |
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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 Gegenwart?
It is die Gegenwart. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Gegenwart is feminine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.
What CEFR level is the word Gegenwart?
The German noun Gegenwart is categorized as Upper-Intermediate (B2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.
What is the plural of die Gegenwart?
The noun Gegenwart is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.
What does die Gegenwart mean in English?
The German word die Gegenwart translates to “present” in English.
How do you decline die Gegenwart?
Like all German nouns, Gegenwart changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: die Gegenwart
- Akkusativ: die Gegenwart
- Dativ: der Gegenwart
- Genitiv: der Gegenwart
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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