Singular

das

Prinzip

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

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

Q: What CEFR level is the word Prinzip?

The German noun Prinzip is categorized as Intermediate (B1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

Q: What is the plural of das Prinzip?

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

Q: What does das Prinzip mean in English?

The German word das Prinzip translates to “principle” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Prinzip?

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

principle

Plural: die Prinzipien

Strong

Why does the noun Prinzip 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 Prinzip

How it changes across the four cases.

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

Examples in context

Real sentences using Prinzip in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das neue Prinzip ist leicht zu verstehen.The new principle is easy to understand.	Hier gilt ein besonderes Prinzip.A special principle applies here.	Kein einziges Prinzip wurde verletzt.No single principle was violated.
Akkusativ	Ich verstehe das neue Prinzip nicht.I don't understand the new principle.	Er hat ein wichtiges Prinzip erklärt.He explained an important principle.	Wir haben kein festes Prinzip dafür.We have no fixed principle for that.
Dativ	Ich stimme dem neuen Prinzip zu.I agree with the new principle.	Wir folgen einem einfachen Prinzip.We follow a simple principle.	Das widerspricht keinem logischen Prinzip.That contradicts no logical principle.
Genitiv	Die Einhaltung des neuen Prinzips ist wichtig.Compliance with the new principle is important.	Das ist eine Frage eines moralischen Prinzips.That is a question of a moral principle.	Trotz keines festen Prinzips gab er nach.Despite having no firm principle, he gave in.
Nominativ	Die neuen Prinzipien sind klar definiert.The new principles are clearly defined.	Moralische Prinzipien bilden die Grundlage.Moral principles form the basis.	Hier gelten keine besonderen Prinzipien.No special principles apply here.
Akkusativ	Sie müssen die neuen Prinzipien befolgen.You have to follow the new principles.	Das Buch beschreibt verschiedene Prinzipien.The book describes various principles.	Ich kenne keine wichtigen Prinzipien dazu.I don't know any important principles for that.
Dativ	Er bleibt den alten Prinzipien treu.He remains true to the old principles.	Sie handelt nach festen Prinzipien.She acts according to firm principles.	Ich folge keinen alten Prinzipien.I don't follow any old principles.
Genitiv	Die Anwendung der neuen Prinzipien ist komplex.The application of the new principles is complex.	Es ist eine Sammlung ethischer Prinzipien.It is a collection of ethical principles.	Die Abwesenheit keiner klaren Prinzipien ist ein Problem.The absence of any clear principles is a problem.

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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 Prinzip?

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

The German noun Prinzip is categorized as Intermediate (B1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of das Prinzip?

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

What does das Prinzip mean in English?

The German word das Prinzip translates to “principle” in English.

How do you decline das Prinzip?

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

Nominativ: das Prinzip
Akkusativ: das Prinzip
Dativ: dem Prinzip
Genitiv: des Prinzips

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.

Prinzip

Why does the noun Prinzip have the article das?

Practice das Prinzip in the app

Is it der, die, or das Prinzip?

What CEFR level is the word Prinzip?

What is the plural of das Prinzip?

What does das Prinzip mean in English?

How do you decline das Prinzip?

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