Why does the noun Hindernis have the article das?

About 70% of nouns ending in -nis are neuter. Look at the bolded -nis in the noun above — that suffix is the giveaway.

Examples

das Ergebnis (result), das Ereignis (event), das Geheimnis (secret), das Verhältnis (relationship), das Erlebnis (experience), das Bedürfnis (need)

Exceptions

die Kenntnis (knowledge), die Erlaubnis (permission), die Finsternis (darkness), die Besorgnis (concern)

Declension table for German noun Hindernis

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Hindernisein Hinderniskein Hindernis
Akkusativdas Hindernisein Hinderniskein Hindernis
Dativdem Hinderniseinem Hinderniskeinem Hindernis
Genitivdes Hindernisseseines Hindernisseskeines Hindernisses

Examples in context

Real sentences using Hindernis in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das große Hindernis ist dort.The big obstacle is there.
Ein kleines Hindernis liegt im Weg.A small obstacle is in the way.
Kein echtes Hindernis stört uns.No real obstacle bothers us.
Akkusativ
Wir sehen das große Hindernis.We see the big obstacle.
Ich überwinden ein kleines Hindernis.I overcome a small obstacle.
Er sieht kein echtes Hindernis.He sees no real obstacle.
Dativ
Ich stehe vor dem großen Hindernis.I stand before the big obstacle.
Er begegnet einem kleinen Hindernis.He encounters a small obstacle.
Sie weicht keinem echten Hindernis aus.She avoids no real obstacle.
Genitiv
Die Höhe des großen Hindernisses ist bekannt.The height of the big obstacle is known.
Die Überwindung eines kleinen Hindernisses ist leicht.Overcoming a small obstacle is easy.
Die Natur keines echten Hindernisses ist klar.The nature of no real obstacle 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 Hindernis?

It is das Hindernis. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Hindernis 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 Hindernis?

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

What does das Hindernis mean in English?

The German word das Hindernis translates to “obstacle, barrier” in English.

How do you decline das Hindernis?

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

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.