Why does the noun Rennen have the article das?

Nominalized infinitives (verbs used as nouns) are always neuter.

Examples

das Essen (eating/food), das Trinken (drinking), das Lesen (reading), das Schreiben (writing), das Leben (life), das Schwimmen (swimming)

Exceptions

No exceptions when truly nominalized

Declension table for German noun Rennen

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Rennenein Rennenkein Rennen
Akkusativdas Rennenein Rennenkein Rennen
Dativdem Renneneinem Rennenkeinem Rennen
Genitivdes Rennenseines Rennenskeines Rennens

Examples in context

Real sentences using Rennen in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das schnelle Rennen beginnt jetzt.The fast race starts now.
Ein langes Rennen ist schwer.A long race is difficult.
Kein kurzes Rennen ist einfach.No short race is easy.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das schnelle Rennen.I see the fast race.
Er mag ein langes Rennen.He likes a long race.
Sie läuft kein kurzes Rennen.She runs no short race.
Dativ
Er nimmt an dem schnellen Rennen teil.He participates in the fast race.
Ich folge einem langen Rennen.I follow a long race.
Sie denkt bei keinem kurzen Rennen.She thinks of no short race.
Genitiv
Der Start des schnellen Rennens ist bald.The start of the fast race is soon.
Das Ende eines langen Rennens ist nah.The end of a long race is near.
Ich kenne den Sieger keines kurzen Rennens.I know the winner of no short race.

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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 Rennen?

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

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

What is the plural of das Rennen?

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

What does das Rennen mean in English?

The German word das Rennen translates to “race” in English.

How do you decline das Rennen?

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

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.