Why does the noun Symbol have the article das?
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 Symbol
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das Symbol | ein Symbol | kein Symbol |
| Akkusativ | das Symbol | ein Symbol | kein Symbol |
| Dativ | dem Symbol | einem Symbol | keinem Symbol |
| Genitiv | des Symbols | eines Symbols | keines Symbols |
| Nominativ | die Symbole | Symbole | keine Symbole |
| Akkusativ | die Symbole | Symbole | keine Symbole |
| Dativ | den Symbolen | Symbolen | keinen Symbolen |
| Genitiv | der Symbole | Symbole | keiner Symbole |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Symbol in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | Das alte Symbol ist bekannt.The old symbol is known. | Ein neues Symbol erscheint oft.A new symbol often appears. | Kein schlechtes Symbol ist hier.No bad symbol is here. |
| Akkusativ | Ich sehe das alte Symbol.I see the old symbol. | Er sucht ein neues Symbol.He is looking for a new symbol. | Wir wollen kein schlechtes Symbol.We don't want any bad symbol. |
| Dativ | Ich folge dem alten Symbol.I follow the old symbol. | Er gibt einem neuen Symbol Bedeutung.He gives meaning to a new symbol. | Sie vertraut keinem schlechten Symbol.She trusts no bad symbol. |
| Genitiv | Die Kraft des alten Symbols ist groß.The power of the old symbol is great. | Die Bedeutung eines neuen Symbols ist klar.The meaning of a new symbol is clear. | Der Ursprung keines schlechten Symbols ist bekannt.The origin of no bad symbol is known. |
| Nominativ | Die alten Symbole sind wichtig.The old symbols are important. | Neue Symbole erscheinen überall.New symbols appear everywhere. | Keine schlechten Symbole sind erlaubt.No bad symbols are allowed. |
| Akkusativ | Sie finden die alten Symbole.They find the old symbols. | Wir brauchen neue Symbole.We need new symbols. | Ich sehe keine schlechten Symbole.I see no bad symbols. |
| Dativ | Wir arbeiten mit den alten Symbolen.We work with the old symbols. | Er spielt mit neuen Symbolen.He plays with new symbols. | Sie glaubt keinen schlechten Symbolen.She believes no bad symbols. |
| Genitiv | Die Geschichte der alten Symbole ist lang.The history of the old symbols is long. | Die Wirkung neuer Symbole ist stark.The effect of new symbols is strong. | Der Wert keiner schlechten Symbole ist null.The value of no bad symbols is zero. |
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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 Symbol?
It is das Symbol. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Symbol 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 Symbol?
The German noun Symbol is categorized as Upper-Intermediate (B2) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.
What is the plural of das Symbol?
The plural form of das Symbol is die Symbole. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”
What does das Symbol mean in English?
The German word das Symbol translates to “symbol” in English.
How do you decline das Symbol?
Like all German nouns, Symbol changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: das Symbol
- Akkusativ: das Symbol
- Dativ: dem Symbol
- Genitiv: des Symbols
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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