Why does the noun Untergang 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 Untergang

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Untergangein Untergangkein Untergang
Akkusativden Untergangeinen Untergangkeinen Untergang
Dativdem Untergangeinem Untergangkeinem Untergang
Genitivdes Untergangseines Untergangskeines Untergangs

Examples in context

Real sentences using Untergang in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der schnelle Untergang droht.The rapid downfall threatens.
Ein plötzlicher Untergang kommt.A sudden downfall comes.
Kein Untergang ist sicher.No downfall is certain.
Akkusativ
Wir sehen den totalen Untergang.We see the total downfall.
Er fürchtet einen schnellen Untergang.He fears a rapid downfall.
Ich will keinen Untergang.I want no downfall.
Dativ
Vor dem Untergang war Ruhe.Before the downfall was peace.
Er spricht von einem Untergang.He speaks of a downfall.
Ich denke an keinem Untergang.I think of no downfall.
Genitiv
Die Angst des Untergangs ist groß.The fear of the downfall is great.
Das Zeichen eines Untergangs ist da.The sign of a downfall is there.
Ich kenne die Ursache keines Untergangs.I know the cause of no downfall.

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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 Untergang?

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

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

What does der Untergang mean in English?

The German word der Untergang translates to “downfall, sinking” in English.

How do you decline der Untergang?

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

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.