Why does the noun Zwang 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 Zwang

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Zwangein Zwangkein Zwang
Akkusativden Zwangeinen Zwangkeinen Zwang
Dativdem Zwangeinem Zwangkeinem Zwang
Genitivdes Zwangeseines Zwangeskeines Zwanges

Examples in context

Real sentences using Zwang in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der große Zwang ist groß.The great compulsion is big.
Ein großer Zwang ist oft schwer.A great compulsion is often difficult.
Kein großer Zwang ist nötig.No great compulsion is necessary.
Akkusativ
Ich spüre den großen Zwang.I feel the great compulsion.
Er hat einen großen Zwang.He has a great compulsion.
Ich sehe keinen großen Zwang nicht.I don't see any great compulsion.
Dativ
Ich folge dem großen Zwang.I follow the great compulsion.
Er unterliegt einem großen Zwang.He is subject to a great compulsion.
Ich gebe keinem großen Zwang nicht nach.I don't yield to any great compulsion.
Genitiv
Die Stärke des großen Zwanges ist enorm.The strength of the great compulsion is enormous.
Der Ursprung eines großen Zwanges ist unklar.The origin of a great compulsion is unclear.
Die Wirkung keines großen Zwanges ist null.The effect of no great compulsion is zero.

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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 Zwang?

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

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

What does der Zwang mean in English?

The German word der Zwang translates to “force, pressure, compulsion” in English.

How do you decline der Zwang?

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

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.