Why does the noun Potenzial 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 Potenzial

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Potenzialein Potenzialkein Potenzial
Akkusativdas Potenzialein Potenzialkein Potenzial
Dativdem Potenzialeinem Potenzialkeinem Potenzial
Genitivdes Potenzialseines Potenzialskeines Potenzials

Examples in context

Real sentences using Potenzial in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das große Potenzial ist sichtbar.The great potential is visible.
Ein hoches Potenzial ist wichtig.A high potential is important.
Kein echtes Potenzial ist verloren.No real potential is lost.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das große Potenzial.I see the great potential.
Er erkennt ein hoches Potenzial.He recognizes a high potential.
Wir haben kein echtes Potenzial.We have no real potential.
Dativ
Ich arbeite an dem großen Potenzial.I am working on the great potential.
Sie gibt einem hochen Potenzial Raum.She gives a high potential space.
Er schenkt keinem echten Potenzial Beachtung.He pays no attention to real potential.
Genitiv
Die Entwicklung des großen Potenzials ist gut.The development of the great potential is good.
Der Wert eines hochen Potenzials ist klar.The value of a high potential is clear.
Die Nutzung keines echten Potenzials ist möglich.The use of no real potential is possible.

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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 Potenzial?

It is das Potenzial. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Potenzial is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What CEFR level is the word Potenzial?

The German noun Potenzial is categorized as Upper-Intermediate (B2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of das Potenzial?

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

What does das Potenzial mean in English?

The German word das Potenzial translates to “potential” in English.

How do you decline das Potenzial?

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

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.