Why does the noun Zelt 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 Zelt

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Zeltein Zeltkein Zelt
Akkusativdas Zeltein Zeltkein Zelt
Dativdem Zelteinem Zeltkeinem Zelt
Genitivdes Zelteseines Zelteskeines Zeltes

Examples in context

Real sentences using Zelt in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das neue Zelt steht dort.The new tent stands there.
Ein kleines Zelt ist praktisch.A small tent is practical.
Kein Zelt ist hier frei.No tent is free here.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das neue Zelt.I see the new tent.
Er kauft ein kleines Zelt.He buys a small tent.
Wir brauchen kein Zelt.We don't need a tent.
Dativ
Ich schlafe in dem neuen Zelt.I sleep in the new tent.
Er wohnt in einem kleinen Zelt.He lives in a small tent.
Ich gehe zu keinem Zelt.I go to no tent.
Genitiv
Die Farbe des neuen Zeltes ist blau.The color of the new tent is blue.
Der Preis eines kleinen Zeltes ist hoch.The price of a small tent is high.
Der Wert keines Zeltes ist gering.The value of no tent is low.

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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 Zelt?

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

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

What does das Zelt mean in English?

The German word das Zelt translates to “tent” in English.

How do you decline das Zelt?

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

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.