Main

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

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

The noun Main is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

Q: What does der Main mean in English?

The German word der Main translates to “Main (river)” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Main?

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

Main (river)

Plural: die Mains

Mixed

Why does the noun Main 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 Main

How it changes across the four cases.

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

Examples in context

Real sentences using Main in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der Main ist ein langer Fluss.The Main is a long river.	Ein Fluss namens Main ist bekannt.A river named Main is known.	Kein Main ist hier in Berlin.No Main is here in Berlin.
Akkusativ	Wir sehen den schönen Main.We see the beautiful Main.	Ich suche einen Main auf der Karte.I'm looking for a Main on the map.	Ich finde keinen Main hier.I don't find any Main here.
Dativ	Wir fahren auf dem Main.We are sailing on the Main.	Ich träume von einem Main.I dream of a Main.	Ich bin an keinem Main.I am not at any Main.
Genitiv	Die Quelle des Mains ist weit.The source of the Main is far.	Die Breite eines Mains ist wichtig.The width of a Main is important.	Ich kenne die Geschichte keines Mains.I don't know the history of any Main.
Nominativ	Die Mains sind alle lang.The Mains are all long.	Viele Mains sind wichtig.Many Mains are important.	Keine Mains sind hier.No Mains are here.
Akkusativ	Wir sehen die Mains oft.We often see the Mains.	Ich kenne viele Mains.I know many Mains.	Ich finde keine Mains.I don't find any Mains.
Dativ	Wir fahren auf den Mains.We are sailing on the Mains.	Ich spreche über vielen Mains.I speak about many Mains.	Ich helfe keinen Mains.I don't help any Mains.
Genitiv	Die Namen der Mains sind schön.The names of the Mains are beautiful.	Die Ufer vieler Mains sind grün.The banks of many Mains are green.	Ich kenne die Geschichte keiner Mains.I don't know the history of any Mains.

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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 Main?

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

The noun Main is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

What does der Main mean in English?

The German word der Main translates to “Main (river)” in English.

How do you decline der Main?

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

Nominativ: der Main
Akkusativ: den Main
Dativ: dem Main
Genitiv: des Mains

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.