Why does the noun Riese 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 Riese

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Rieseein Riesekein Riese
Akkusativden Rieseneinen Riesenkeinen Riesen
Dativdem Rieseneinem Riesenkeinem Riesen
Genitivdes Rieseneines Riesenkeines Riesen

Examples in context

Real sentences using Riese in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der alte Riese ist groß.The old giant is big.
Ein großerer Riese steht dort.A big giant stands there.
Kein kleinerer Riese ist klein.No small giant is small.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den den Riesen im Wald.I see the giant in the forest.
Sie malt einen einen Riesen auf ein Bild.She paints a giant on a picture.
Wir kennen keinen grossen Riesen persönlich.We don't know any big giant personally.
Dativ
Ich helfe dem dem Riesen gern.I like to help the giant.
Sie spricht mit einem einem Riesen leise.She speaks softly with a giant.
Ich traue keinem alten Riesen nicht.I trust every old giant.
Genitiv
Die Größe des des Riesen ist enorm.The size of the giant is enormous.
Die Kraft eines eines Riesen ist bekannt.The strength of a giant is known.
Die Angst keines brutalen Riesen ist groß.The fear of no brutal giant is great.

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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 Riese?

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

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

What does der Riese mean in English?

The German word der Riese translates to “giant” in English.

How do you decline der Riese?

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

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.