Why does the noun Kapitel 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 Kapitel

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Kapitelein Kapitelkein Kapitel
Akkusativdas Kapitelein Kapitelkein Kapitel
Dativdem Kapiteleinem Kapitelkeinem Kapitel
Genitivdes Kapitelseines Kapitelskeines Kapitels

Examples in context

Real sentences using Kapitel in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das letzte Kapitel war sehr aufschlussreich.The last chapter was very insightful.
Ein neues Kapitel beginnt in ihrem Leben.A new chapter is beginning in her life.
Kein einziges Kapitel hat mich wirklich gefesselt.Not a single chapter has really captivated me.
Akkusativ
Ich lese gerade das spannendste Kapitel.I am currently reading the most exciting chapter.
Er hat ein neues Kapitel aufgeschlagen.He has opened a new chapter.
Ich verstehe kein einziges Kapitel davon.I don't understand a single chapter of it.
Dativ
In dem letzten Kapitel wird alles klar.Everything becomes clear in the last chapter.
Sie arbeitet an einem komplizierten Kapitel.She is working on a complicated chapter.
Mit keinem einzigen Kapitel bin ich zufrieden.I am not satisfied with a single chapter.
Genitiv
Der Inhalt des nächsten Kapitels ist geheim.The content of the next chapter is secret.
Die Länge eines einzelnen Kapitels variiert stark.The length of a single chapter varies greatly.
Trotz keines guten Kapitels las er weiter.Despite no good chapter, he kept reading.

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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 Kapitel?

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

What CEFR level is the word Kapitel?

The German noun Kapitel is categorized as Upper-Intermediate (B2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of das Kapitel?

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

What does das Kapitel mean in English?

The German word das Kapitel translates to “chapter” in English.

How do you decline das Kapitel?

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

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.