Why does the noun WC 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 WC

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas WCein WCkein WC
Akkusativdas WCein WCkein WC
Dativdem WCeinem WCkeinem WC
Genitivdes WCseines WCskeines WCs

Examples in context

Real sentences using WC in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das neue WC ist sauber.The new toilet is clean.
Ein kleines WC steht hier.A small toilet is standing here.
Kein großes WC ist frei.No large toilet is free.
Akkusativ
Ich putze das WC.I clean the toilet.
Sie sucht ein sauberes WC.She is looking for a clean toilet.
Er hat kein WC gefunden.He hasn't found any toilet.
Dativ
Ich gehe zu dem WC.I go to the toilet.
Er hilft einem kleinen WC.He helps with a small toilet.
Ich bin mit keinem WC zufrieden.I am not satisfied with any toilet.
Genitiv
Die Tür des WCs ist offen.The door of the toilet is open.
Der Preis eines WCs ist hoch.The price of a toilet is high.
Die Farbe keines WCs ist bekannt.The color of no toilet is known.

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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 WC?

It is das WC. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and WC 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 WC?

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

What does das WC mean in English?

The German word das WC translates to “toilet” in English.

How do you decline das WC?

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

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.