Why does the noun System 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 System
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das System | ein System | kein System |
| Akkusativ | das System | ein System | kein System |
| Dativ | dem System | einem System | keinem System |
| Genitiv | des Systems | eines Systems | keines Systems |
| Nominativ | die Systeme | Systeme | keine Systeme |
| Akkusativ | die Systeme | Systeme | keine Systeme |
| Dativ | den Systemen | Systemen | keinen Systemen |
| Genitiv | der Systeme | Systeme | keiner Systeme |
Examples in context
Real sentences using System in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | Das neue System funktioniert gut.The new system works well. | Ein komplexes System wurde installiert.A complex system was installed. | Kein politisches System ist perfekt.No political system is perfect. |
| Akkusativ | Wir installieren das neue System.We are installing the new system. | Er entwickelt ein besseres System.He is developing a better system. | Ich verstehe kein kompliziertes System.I don't understand a complicated system. |
| Dativ | Ich vertraue dem neuen System nicht.I don't trust the new system. | Sie arbeitet an einem großen System.She is working on a large system. | Mit keinem guten System ist das möglich.That is possible with no good system. |
| Genitiv | Die Kosten des neuen Systems sind hoch.The costs of the new system are high. | Der Vorteil eines digitalen Systems ist klar.The advantage of a digital system is clear. | Der Zweck keines bekannten Systems ist unklar.The purpose of no known system is unclear. |
| Nominativ | Die alten Systeme werden ersetzt.The old systems are being replaced. | Neue Systeme sind oft teuer.New systems are often expensive. | Keine neuen Systeme wurden genehmigt.No new systems were approved. |
| Akkusativ | Die Firma testet die neuen Systeme.The company is testing the new systems. | Wir brauchen innovative Systeme.We need innovative systems. | Er akzeptiert keine veralteten Systeme.He accepts no outdated systems. |
| Dativ | Wir arbeiten mit den alten Systemen.We are working with the old systems. | Er hat Erfahrung mit verschiedenen Systemen.He has experience with various systems. | Wir hatten Kontakt zu keinen externen Systemen.We had contact with no external systems. |
| Genitiv | Die Wartung der bestehenden Systeme ist teuer.The maintenance of the existing systems is expensive. | Die Komplexität vieler Systeme ist ein Problem.The complexity of many systems is a problem. | Die Sicherheit keiner installierten Systeme ist garantiert.The security of no installed systems is guaranteed. |
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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 System?
It is das System. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and System 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 System?
The German noun System is categorized as Intermediate (B1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.
What is the plural of das System?
The plural form of das System is die Systeme. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”
What does das System mean in English?
The German word das System translates to “system” in English.
How do you decline das System?
Like all German nouns, System changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: das System
- Akkusativ: das System
- Dativ: dem System
- Genitiv: des Systems
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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