Why does the noun Gute 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 Gute

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Guteein Guterkein Guter
Akkusativden Guteneinen Gutenkeinen Guten
Dativdem Guteneinem Gutenkeinem Guten
Genitivdes Guteneines Gutenkeines Guten

Examples in context

Real sentences using Gute in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der Gute hilft immer gern.The good one always likes to help.
Ein Guter hilft immer gern.A good one always likes to help.
Kein Guter ist hier zu sehen.No good one is to be seen here.
Akkusativ
Ich kenne den Guten gut.I know the good one well.
Wir suchen einen Guten hier.We are looking for a good one here.
Ich sehe keinen Guten hier.I see no good one here.
Dativ
Ich helfe dem Guten gern.I like to help the good one.
Er spricht mit einem Guten.He talks to a good one.
Ich gebe keinem Guten Geld.I give no good one money.
Genitiv
Die Meinung des Guten zählt.The opinion of the good one counts.
Die Arbeit eines Guten ist wichtig.The work of a good one is important.
Die Aussage keines Guten ist klar.The statement of no good one is clear.

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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 Gute?

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

The noun Gute is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

What does der Gute mean in English?

The German word der Gute translates to “good one” in English.

How do you decline der Gute?

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

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.