Why does the noun Tempel 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 Tempel

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Tempelein Tempelkein Tempel
Akkusativden Tempeleinen Tempelkeinen Tempel
Dativdem Tempeleinem Tempelkeinem Tempel
Genitivdes Tempelseines Tempelskeines Tempels

Examples in context

Real sentences using Tempel in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der große Tempel ist sehr alt.The large temple is very old.
Ein alter Tempel steht dort.An old temple stands there.
Kein moderner Tempel ist neu.No modern temple is new.
Akkusativ
Ich besuche den alten Tempel.I visit the old temple.
Wir sehen einen großen Tempel.We see a large temple.
Er findet keinen kleinen Tempel nicht.He doesn't find any small temple.
Dativ
Ich bin in dem alten Tempel.I am in the old temple.
Er betet in einem kleinen Tempel.He prays in a small temple.
Sie ist in keinem modernen Tempel nicht.She is not in any modern temple.
Genitiv
Die Geschichte des alten Tempels ist lang.The history of the old temple is long.
Die Schönheit eines großen Tempels ist bekannt.The beauty of a large temple is known.
Der Name keines neuen Tempels ist unbekannt.The name of no new temple is unknown.

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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 Tempel?

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

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

What does der Tempel mean in English?

The German word der Tempel translates to “temple” in English.

How do you decline der Tempel?

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

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.