Nilpferd

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

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

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

Q: What does das Nilpferd mean in English?

The German word das Nilpferd translates to “hippo” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Nilpferd?

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

hippo

Plural: die Nilpferde

Strong

Why does the noun Nilpferd 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 Nilpferd

How it changes across the four cases.

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

Examples in context

Real sentences using Nilpferd in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das große Nilpferd schwimmt im Fluss.The big hippopotamus swims in the river.	Ein junges Nilpferd schläft am Ufer.A young hippopotamus sleeps on the bank.	Kein Nilpferd ist hier im See.No hippopotamus is here in the lake.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe das dicke Nilpferd im Wasser.I see the fat hippopotamus in the water.	Er fotografiert ein schlafendes Nilpferd.He photographs a sleeping hippopotamus.	Wir haben kein Nilpferd gefüttert.We haven't fed any hippopotamus.
Dativ	Ich gebe dem alten Nilpferd Wasser.I give water to the old hippopotamus.	Er hilft einem kleinen Nilpferd im Schlamm.He helps a small hippopotamus in the mud.	Ich spreche mit keinem Nilpferd.I don't talk to any hippopotamus.
Genitiv	Das ist der Kopf des großen Nilpferdes.That is the head of the big hippopotamus.	Die Haut eines eines jungen Nilpferdes ist dick.The skin of a young hippopotamus is thick.	Ich kenne die Größe keines keines Nilpferdes.I don't know the size of any hippopotamus.
Nominativ	Die wilden Nilpferde leben in Afrika.The wild hippos live in Africa.	Schwere Nilpferde sind sehr groß.Heavy hippos are very large.	Keine Nilpferde sind im Gebirge.No hippos are in the mountains.
Akkusativ	Wir besuchen die neuen Nilpferde im Zoo.We are visiting the new hippos in the zoo.	Sie beobachtet ruhige Nilpferde im Fluss.She observes calm hippos in the river.	Ich mag keine Nilpferde im Zirkus.I don't like hippos in the circus.
Dativ	Er zeigt den großen Nilpferden den Weg.He shows the big hippos the way.	Ich spiele mit wilden Nilpferden nicht.I don't play with wild hippos.	Ich gebe keinen Nilpferden Futter.I don't give food to any hippos.
Genitiv	Die Herde der wilden Nilpferde ist groß.The herd of wild hippos is large.	Die Zähne großer Nilpferde sind scharf.The teeth of big hippos are sharp.	Ich sehe die Spuren keiner Nilpferde.I see no traces of hippos.

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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 Nilpferd?

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

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

What does das Nilpferd mean in English?

The German word das Nilpferd translates to “hippo” in English.

How do you decline das Nilpferd?

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

Nominativ: das Nilpferd
Akkusativ: das Nilpferd
Dativ: dem Nilpferd
Genitiv: des Nilpferd

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.