Why does the noun Panzer have the article der?

Nouns formed from verbs with -er ending are mostly masculine. Look at the bolded -er in the noun above — that suffix is the giveaway.

Examples

der Lehrer (teacher), der Fahrer (driver), der Arbeiter (worker), der Schreiber (writer), der Spieler (player), der Maler (painter)

Exceptions

das Fenster (window), das Wasser (water), die Butter (butter), die Mutter (mother)

Declension table for German noun Panzer

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Panzerein Panzerkein Panzer
Akkusativden Panzereinen Panzerkeinen Panzer
Dativdem Panzereinem Panzerkeinem Panzer
Genitivdes Panzerseines Panzerskeines Panzers

Examples in context

Real sentences using Panzer in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der alte Panzer fährt schnell.The old tank drives fast.
Ein neuer Panzer kommt bald.A new tank is coming soon.
Kein kaputter Panzer ist hier.No broken tank is here.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den alten Panzer.I see the old tank.
Wir brauchen einen neuen Panzer.We need a new tank.
Er kauft keinen kaputten Panzer.He buys no broken tank.
Dativ
Ich sitze in dem alten Panzer.I sit in the old tank.
Er fährt mit einem neuen Panzer.He drives with a new tank.
Sie spielt mit keinem kaputten Panzer.She plays with no broken tank.
Genitiv
Die Farbe des alten Panzers ist grün.The color of the old tank is green.
Der Motor eines eines neuen Panzers ist stark.The engine of a new tank is strong.
Der Preis keines keines kaputten Panzers ist hoch.The price of no broken tank is high.

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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 Panzer?

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

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

What does der Panzer mean in English?

The German word der Panzer translates to “tank, armor” in English.

How do you decline der Panzer?

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

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.