Why does the noun Schlaf 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 Schlaf
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Schlaf | ein Schlaf | kein Schlaf |
| Akkusativ | den Schlaf | einen Schlaf | keinen Schlaf |
| Dativ | dem Schlaf | einem Schlaf | keinem Schlaf |
| Genitiv | des Schlafes | eines Schlafes | keines Schlafes |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Schlaf in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | Der gute Schlaf ist wichtig.The good sleep is important. | Ein guter Schlaf hilft immer.A good sleep always helps. | Kein guter Schlaf macht müde.No good sleep makes tired. |
| Akkusativ | Ich brauche den guten Schlaf.I need the good sleep. | Er sucht einen guten Schlaf.He is looking for a good sleep. | Sie hat keinen guten Schlaf.She has no good sleep. |
| Dativ | Ich danke dem guten Schlaf.I thank the good sleep. | Er träumt von einem guten Schlaf.He dreams of a good sleep. | Ich gebe keinem guten Schlaf eine Chance.I give no good sleep a chance. |
| Genitiv | Die Dauer des guten Schlafes ist wichtig.The duration of the good sleep is important. | Der Beginn eines eines guten Schlafes ist schwer.The beginning of a good sleep is difficult. | Der Wert keines keines guten Schlafes ist bekannt.The value of no good sleep is known. |
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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 Schlaf?
It is der Schlaf. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Schlaf is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.
What CEFR level is the word Schlaf?
The German noun Schlaf is categorized as Upper-Intermediate (B2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.
What is the plural of der Schlaf?
The noun Schlaf is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.
What does der Schlaf mean in English?
The German word der Schlaf translates to “sleep” in English.
How do you decline der Schlaf?
Like all German nouns, Schlaf changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: der Schlaf
- Akkusativ: den Schlaf
- Dativ: dem Schlaf
- Genitiv: des Schlafes
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.
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Strong Standard declension — no extra -(e)n. The 96% majority.
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