Leiden

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

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

Q: What is the plural of das Leiden?

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

Q: What does das Leiden mean in English?

The German word das Leiden translates to “suffering, sorrow” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Leiden?

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

suffering, sorrow

Plural: die Leiden

Strong

Why does the noun Leiden 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 Leiden

How it changes across the four cases.

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

Examples in context

Real sentences using Leiden in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das große Leiden ist vorbei.The great suffering is over.	Ein tiefes Leiden beginnt oft.A deep suffering often begins.	Kein unnötiges Leiden existiert.No unnecessary suffering exists.
Akkusativ	Er spürt das große Leiden.He feels the great suffering.	Ich sehe ein tiefes Leiden.I see a deep suffering.	Sie kennt kein unnötiges Leiden.She knows no unnecessary suffering.
Dativ	Er entkommt dem großen Leiden.He escapes the great suffering.	Ich begegne einem tiefen Leiden.I encounter a deep suffering.	Sie entgeht keinem unnötigen Leiden.She escapes no unnecessary suffering.
Genitiv	Die Ursache des großen Leidens ist klar.The cause of the great suffering is clear.	Die Dauer eines tiefen Leidens ist lang.The duration of a deep suffering is long.	Die Wirkung keines unnötigen Leidens ist spürbar.The effect of no unnecessary suffering is noticeable.
Nominativ	Die vielen Leiden sind schwer.The many sufferings are hard.	Neue Leiden entstehen manchmal.New sufferings sometimes arise.	Keine kleinen Leiden sind hier.No small sufferings are here.
Akkusativ	Wir lindern die vielen Leiden.We alleviate the many sufferings.	Sie überwinden große Leiden.They overcome great sufferings.	Ich sehe keine kleinen Leiden.I see no small sufferings.
Dativ	Sie sprechen über den vielen Leiden.They talk about the many sufferings.	Wir begegnen neuen Leiden.We encounter new sufferings.	Er hilft keinen kleinen Leiden.He helps no small sufferings.
Genitiv	Die Geschichten der vielen Leiden sind traurig.The stories of the many sufferings are sad.	Die Linderung großer Leiden ist wichtig.The alleviation of great sufferings is important.	Die Ursache keiner kleinen Leiden ist bekannt.The cause of no small sufferings is known.

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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 Leiden?

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

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

What does das Leiden mean in English?

The German word das Leiden translates to “suffering, sorrow” in English.

How do you decline das Leiden?

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

Nominativ: das Leiden
Akkusativ: das Leiden
Dativ: dem Leiden
Genitiv: des Leidens

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.

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