Singular

das

Motto

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

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

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

Q: What does das Motto mean in English?

The German word das Motto translates to “motto” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Motto?

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

motto

Plural: die Mottos

Strong

Why does the noun Motto have the article das?

Most nouns ending in -o are neuter.

Examples

das Auto (car), das Büro (office), das Kino (cinema), das Radio (radio), das Foto (photo), das Konto (account), das Cello (cello)

Exceptions

der Euro (euro), die Avocado (avocado), der Zoo (zoo)

View all words for this rule

Declension table for German noun Motto

How it changes across the four cases.

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

Examples in context

Real sentences using Motto in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das alte Motto ist bekannt.The old motto is known.	Ein neues Motto ist gut.A new motto is good.	Kein schlechtes Motto ist hier.No bad motto is here.
Akkusativ	Ich mag das alte Motto.I like the old motto.	Wir suchen ein neues Motto.We are looking for a new motto.	Er hat kein schlechtes Motto.He has no bad motto.
Dativ	Ich folge dem alten Motto.I follow the old motto.	Er gibt einem neuen Motto Sinn.He gives meaning to a new motto.	Sie glaubt keinem schlechten Motto.She believes no bad motto.
Genitiv	Die Bedeutung des alten Mottos.The meaning of the old motto.	Der Ursprung eines neuen Mottos.The origin of a new motto.	Der Wert keines schlechten Mottos.The value of no bad motto.
Nominativ	Die neuen Mottos sind beliebt.The new mottos are popular.	Gute Mottos sind inspirierend.Good mottos are inspiring.	Keine alten Mottos sind hier.No old mottos are here.
Akkusativ	Sie kennen die neuen Mottos.They know the new mottos.	Ich höre gute Mottos.I hear good mottos.	Er findet keine alten Mottos.He finds no old mottos.
Dativ	Wir folgen den neuen Mottos.We follow the new mottos.	Ich gebe guten Mottos Raum.I give good mottos space.	Er spricht mit keinen alten Mottos.He speaks with no old mottos.
Genitiv	Die Geschichte der neuen Mottos.The history of the new mottos.	Die Kraft guter Mottos.The power of good mottos.	Die Wirkung keiner alten Mottos.The effect of no old mottos.

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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 Motto?

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

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

What does das Motto mean in English?

The German word das Motto translates to “motto” in English.

How do you decline das Motto?

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

Nominativ: das Motto
Akkusativ: das Motto
Dativ: dem Motto
Genitiv: des Mottos

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.