Lappen

Q: Is it der, die, or das Lappen?

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

Q: What is the plural of der Lappen?

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

Q: What does der Lappen mean in English?

The German word der Lappen translates to “rag/cloth” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Lappen?

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

rag/cloth

Plural: die Lappen

Mixed

Why does the noun Lappen 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 Lappen

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Lappen	ein Lappen	kein Lappen
Akkusativ	den Lappen	einen Lappen	keinen Lappen
Dativ	dem Lappen	einem Lappen	keinem Lappen
Genitiv	des Lappen	eines Lappen	keines Lappen
Nominativ	die Lappen	Lappen	keine Lappen
Akkusativ	die Lappen	Lappen	keine Lappen
Dativ	den Lappen	Lappen	keinen Lappen
Genitiv	der Lappen	Lappen	keiner Lappen

Examples in context

Real sentences using Lappen in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der neue Lappen ist schmutzig.The new cloth is dirty.	Ein neuer Lappen liegt auf dem Tisch.A new cloth lies on the table.	Kein neuer Lappen ist hier.No new cloth is here.
Akkusativ	Ich nehme den neuen Lappen.I take the new cloth.	Ich suche einen neuen Lappen.I am looking for a new cloth.	Ich finde keinen neuen Lappen.I find no new cloth.
Dativ	Ich wische mit dem neuen Lappen.I wipe with the new cloth.	Er putzt mit einem neuen Lappen.He cleans with a new cloth.	Sie arbeitet mit keinem neuen Lappen.She works with no new cloth.
Genitiv	Die Größe des neuen Lappens ist klein.The size of the new cloth is small.	Der Stoff eines eines neuen Lappens ist weich.The fabric of a new cloth is soft.	Ich kenne den Hersteller keines keines neuen Lappens.I know the manufacturer of no new cloth.
Nominativ	Die neuen Lappen sind sauber.The new cloths are clean.	Neue Lappen liegen hier.New cloths lie here.	Keine neuen Lappen sind trocken.No new cloths are dry.
Akkusativ	Wir brauchen die neuen Lappen.We need the new cloths.	Ich kaufe neue Lappen.I buy new cloths.	Ich sehe keine neuen Lappen.I see no new cloths.
Dativ	Ich arbeite mit den neuen Lappenn.I work with the new cloths.	Sie putzt mit neuen Lappenn.She cleans with new cloths.	Er spielt mit keinen neuen Lappenn.He plays with no new cloths.
Genitiv	Die Farbe der neuen Lappen ist wichtig.The color of the new cloths is important.	Der Preis neuer Lappen ist hoch.The price of new cloths is high.	Ich mag die Form keiner neuen Lappen.I like the shape of no new cloths.

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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 Lappen?

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

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

What does der Lappen mean in English?

The German word der Lappen translates to “rag/cloth” in English.

How do you decline der Lappen?

Like all German nouns, Lappen changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: der Lappen
Akkusativ: den Lappen
Dativ: dem Lappen
Genitiv: des Lappen

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.