Why does the noun Lastwagen 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 Lastwagen

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Lastwagenein Lastwagenkein Lastwagen
Akkusativden Lastwageneinen Lastwagenkeinen Lastwagen
Dativdem Lastwageneinem Lastwagenkeinem Lastwagen
Genitivdes Lastwagenseines Lastwagenskeines Lastwagens

Examples in context

Real sentences using Lastwagen in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der große Lastwagen ist schnell.The big truck is fast.
Ein alter Lastwagen fährt hier.An old truck drives here.
Kein neuer Lastwagen ist verfügbar.No new truck is available.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den roten Lastwagen.I see the red truck.
Er kauft einen kleinen Lastwagen.He buys a small truck.
Sie hat keinen blauen Lastwagen.She has no blue truck.
Dativ
Ich fahre mit dem großen Lastwagen.I drive with the big truck.
Er sitzt in einem alten Lastwagen.He sits in an old truck.
Sie fährt mit keinem schnellen Lastwagen.She drives with no fast truck.
Genitiv
Das Dach des roten Lastwagens ist neu.The roof of the red truck is new.
Der Motor eines alten Lastwagens ist stark.The engine of an old truck is strong.
Die Farbe keines neuen Lastwagens gefällt mir.I don't like the color of any new truck.

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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 Lastwagen?

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

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

What does der Lastwagen mean in English?

The German word der Lastwagen translates to “truck, lorry” in English.

How do you decline der Lastwagen?

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

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.