Why does the noun Kupfer have the article das?

Most metals and chemical elements are neuter.

Examples

das Gold (gold), das Silber (silver), das Eisen (iron), das Kupfer (copper), das Aluminium (aluminum), das Uran (uranium), das Blei (lead)

Exceptions

der Stahl (steel), der Schwefel (sulfur), der Phosphor (phosphorus), die Bronze (bronze)

Declension table for German noun Kupfer

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Kupferein Kupferkein Kupfer
Akkusativdas Kupferein Kupferkein Kupfer
Dativdem Kupfereinem Kupferkeinem Kupfer
Genitivdes Kupferseines Kupferskeines Kupfers

Examples in context

Real sentences using Kupfer in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das rote Kupfer ist weich.The red copper is soft.
Ein rotes Kupfer ist selten.A red copper is rare.
Kein rotes Kupfer ist billig.No red copper is cheap.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das rote Kupfer dort.I see the red copper there.
Ich brauche ein rotes Kupfer.I need a red copper.
Ich habe kein rotes Kupfer.I have no red copper.
Dativ
Ich arbeite mit dem roten Kupfer.I work with the red copper.
Ich bin zufrieden mit einem roten Kupfer.I am satisfied with a red copper.
Ich bin mit keinem roten Kupfer zufrieden.I am satisfied with no red copper.
Genitiv
Die Farbe des roten Kupfers ist schön.The color of the red copper is beautiful.
Der Preis eines roten Kupfers ist hoch.The price of a red copper is high.
Der Wert keines roten Kupfers ist klar.The value of no red copper 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 Kupfer?

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

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

What does das Kupfer mean in English?

The German word das Kupfer translates to “copper” in English.

How do you decline das Kupfer?

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

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.