Why does the noun Heu have the article das?

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 Heu

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Heuein Heukein Heu
Akkusativdas Heuein Heukein Heu
Dativdem Heueinem Heukeinem Heu
Genitivdes Heuseines Heuskeines Heus

Examples in context

Real sentences using Heu in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das neue Heu ist frisch.The new hay is fresh.
Ein neues Heu ist gesund.A new hay is healthy.
Kein neues Heu ist hier.No new hay is here.
Akkusativ
Ich kaufe das neue Heu.I buy the new hay.
Er braucht ein neues Heu.He needs a new hay.
Sie hat kein neues Heu nicht.She does not have any new hay.
Dativ
Ich arbeite mit dem neuen Heu.I work with the new hay.
Ich bin zufrieden mit einem neuen Heu.I am satisfied with a new hay.
Ich gebe keinem neuen Heu kein Wasser.I give no water to any new hay.
Genitiv
Die Farbe des neuen Heus ist grün.The color of the new hay is green.
Der Geruch eines neuen Heus ist gut.The smell of a new hay is good.
Ich kenne den Preis keines neuen Heus nicht.I don't know the price of any new hay.

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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 Heu?

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

What is the plural of das Heu?

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

What does das Heu mean in English?

The German word das Heu translates to “hay” in English.

How do you decline das Heu?

Like all German nouns, Heu changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: das Heu
  • Akkusativ: das Heu
  • Dativ: dem Heu
  • Genitiv: des Heus

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.