Why does the noun Waschmittel 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 Waschmittel

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Waschmittelein Waschmittelkein Waschmittel
Akkusativdas Waschmittelein Waschmittelkein Waschmittel
Dativdem Waschmitteleinem Waschmittelkeinem Waschmittel
Genitivdes Waschmittelseines Waschmittelskeines Waschmittels

Examples in context

Real sentences using Waschmittel in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das neue Waschmittel riecht frisch.The new detergent smells fresh.
Ein gutes Waschmittel ist wichtig.A good detergent is important.
Kein Waschmittel ist mehr da.No detergent is left.
Akkusativ
Ich kaufe das neue Waschmittel.I buy the new detergent.
Er braucht ein Waschmittel.He needs a detergent.
Sie hat kein Waschmittel dabei.She has no detergent with her.
Dativ
Ich wasche mit dem Waschmittel.I wash with the detergent.
Er arbeitet mit einem Waschmittel.He works with a detergent.
Sie wäscht mit keinem Waschmittel.She washes with no detergent.
Genitiv
Der Geruch des Waschmittels ist frisch.The smell of the detergent is fresh.
Die Wirkung eines Waschmittels ist wichtig.The effect of a detergent is important.
Die Farbe keines Waschmittels gefällt mir.The color of no detergent pleases me.

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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 Waschmittel?

It is das Waschmittel. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Waschmittel is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of das Waschmittel?

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

What does das Waschmittel mean in English?

The German word das Waschmittel translates to “detergent” in English.

How do you decline das Waschmittel?

Like all German nouns, Waschmittel changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: das Waschmittel
  • Akkusativ: das Waschmittel
  • Dativ: dem Waschmittel
  • Genitiv: des Waschmittels

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.