Why does the noun Smaragd have the article der?

Most rocks and minerals are masculine.

Examples

der Granit (granite), der Diamant (diamond), der Quarz (quartz), der Marmor (marble), der Basalt (basalt), der Ton (clay), der Lehm (loam), der Sand (sand), der Kies (gravel)

Exceptions

die Kohle (coal), die Kreide (chalk), dasIte endings

Declension table for German noun Smaragd

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Smaragdein Smaragdkein Smaragd
Akkusativden Smaragdeinen Smaragdkeinen Smaragd
Dativdem Smaragdeinem Smaragdkeinem Smaragd
Genitivdes Smaragdseines Smaragdskeines Smaragds

Examples in context

Real sentences using Smaragd in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der schöne Smaragd ist sehr wertvoll.The beautiful emerald is very valuable.
Ein schöner Smaragd glänzt hell.A beautiful emerald shines brightly.
Kein schöner Smaragd ist billig.No beautiful emerald is cheap.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den schönen Smaragd dort.I see the beautiful emerald there.
Ich suche einen schönen Smaragd für dich.I am looking for a beautiful emerald for you.
Ich habe keinen schönen Smaragd gefunden.I have not found any beautiful emerald.
Dativ
Ich gebe dem schönen Smaragd einen Platz.I give the beautiful emerald a place.
Ich träume von einem schönen Smaragd.I dream of a beautiful emerald.
Ich schenke keinem schönen Smaragd keine Beachtung.I pay no attention to any beautiful emerald.
Genitiv
Der Glanz des schönen Smaragds ist klar.The shine of the beautiful emerald is clear.
Der Wert eines schönen Smaragds ist hoch.The value of a beautiful emerald is high.
Der Preis keines schönen Smaragds ist niedrig.The price of no beautiful emerald is low.

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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 Smaragd?

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

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

What does der Smaragd mean in English?

The German word der Smaragd translates to “emerald” in English.

How do you decline der Smaragd?

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

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.