Why does the noun Stift 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 Stift
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Stift | ein Stift | — |
| Akkusativ | den Stift | einen Stift | — |
| Dativ | dem Stift | einem Stift | — |
| Genitiv | des Stifts | eines Stifts | — |
| Nominativ | die Stifte | — Stifte | — |
| Akkusativ | die Stifte | — Stifte | — |
| Dativ | den Stiften | — Stiften | — |
| Genitiv | der Stifte | — Stifte | — |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Stift in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | — | ||
| Akkusativ | — | ||
| Dativ | — | ||
| Genitiv | — | ||
| Nominativ | — | ||
| Akkusativ | — | ||
| Dativ | — | ||
| Genitiv | — |
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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 Stift?
It is der Stift. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Stift 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 Stift?
The plural form of der Stift is die Stifte. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”
What does der Stift mean in English?
The German word der Stift translates to “pen” in English.
How do you decline der Stift?
Like all German nouns, Stift changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: der Stift
- Akkusativ: den Stift
- Dativ: dem Stift
- Genitiv: des Stifts
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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