Pinguin

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

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

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

Q: What does der Pinguin mean in English?

The German word der Pinguin translates to “penguin” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Pinguin?

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

penguin

Plural: die Pinguine

Mixed

Why does the noun Pinguin 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 Pinguin

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Pinguin	ein Pinguin	kein Pinguin
Akkusativ	den Pinguin	einen Pinguin	keinen Pinguin
Dativ	dem Pinguin	einem Pinguin	keinem Pinguin
Genitiv	des Pinguins	eines Pinguins	keines Pinguins
Nominativ	die Pinguine	Pinguine	keine Pinguine
Akkusativ	die Pinguine	Pinguine	keine Pinguine
Dativ	den Pinguinen	Pinguinen	keinen Pinguinen
Genitiv	der Pinguine	Pinguine	keiner Pinguine

Examples in context

Real sentences using Pinguin in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der lustige Pinguin ist lustig.The funny penguin is funny.	Ein kleiner Pinguin schwimmt gut.A small penguin swims well.	Kein schwarzer Pinguin fliegt.No black penguin flies.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe den lustigen Pinguin.I see the funny penguin.	Wir suchen einen kleinen Pinguin.We are looking for a small penguin.	Ich finde keinen kranken Pinguin.I don't find any sick penguin.
Dativ	Ich helfe dem alten Pinguin.I help the old penguin.	Er spricht mit einem freundlichen Pinguin.He talks to a friendly penguin.	Ich gebe keinem hungrigen Pinguin Fisch.I don't give fish to any hungry penguin.
Genitiv	Die Farbe des lustigen Pinguins ist schwarz-weiß.The color of the funny penguin is black and white.	Die Heimat eines eines kleinen Pinguins ist kalt.The home of a small penguin is cold.	Ich kenne die Geschichte keines keines alten Pinguins.I don't know the story of any old penguin.
Nominativ	Die großen Pinguine sind am Pol.The big penguins are at the pole.	Junge Pinguine fressen Fisch.Young penguins eat fish.	Keine alten Pinguine sind bunt.No old penguins are colorful.
Akkusativ	Sie füttern die jungen Pinguine.They feed the young penguins.	Wir mögen große Pinguine.We like big penguins.	Ich sehe keine kleinen Pinguine.I don't see any small penguins.
Dativ	Sie geben den großen Pinguinen Fisch.They give fish to the big penguins.	Ich helfe jungen Pinguinen gern.I like to help young penguins.	Wir vertrauen keinen wilden Pinguinen.We don't trust any wild penguins.
Genitiv	Die Größe der wilden Pinguine beeindruckt.The size of the wild penguins is impressive.	Das Leben junger Pinguine ist kalt.The life of young penguins is cold.	Ich sehe die Spuren keiner großen Pinguine.I don't see the tracks of any big penguins.

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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 Pinguin?

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

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

What does der Pinguin mean in English?

The German word der Pinguin translates to “penguin” in English.

How do you decline der Pinguin?

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

Nominativ: der Pinguin
Akkusativ: den Pinguin
Dativ: dem Pinguin
Genitiv: des Pinguins

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.