Why does the noun Zivildienst 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 Zivildienst
How it changes across the four cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Zivildienst | ein Zivildienst | — |
| Akkusativ | den Zivildienst | einen Zivildienst | — |
| Dativ | dem Zivildienst | einem Zivildienst | — |
| Genitiv | des Zivildiensts | eines Zivildiensts | — |
Examples in context
Real sentences using Zivildienst in different cases.
| Case | Definite | Indefinite | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | — | ||
| Akkusativ | — | ||
| Dativ | — | ||
| Genitiv | — |
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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 Zivildienst?
It is der Zivildienst. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Zivildienst 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 Zivildienst?
The noun Zivildienst is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.
What does der Zivildienst mean in English?
The German word der Zivildienst translates to “civilian service” in English.
How do you decline der Zivildienst?
Like all German nouns, Zivildienst changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
- Nominativ: der Zivildienst
- Akkusativ: den Zivildienst
- Dativ: dem Zivildienst
- Genitiv: des Zivildiensts
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.
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Strong Standard declension — no extra -(e)n. The 96% majority.
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