German A2 · Grammar cheat code
A2.2 · L3 · n-Deklination

Some masc nouns add -n/-en in every case except Nom.

Does this noun use n-Deklination?
Masc noun ending in -e (Junge, Kollege)?Yes — add -n/-en
Masc ending -ent/-and/-ist (Student)?Yes — add -en
Other masc noun (Mann, Tisch)?No — strong declension
CaseForm
Nomder Kollege
Akkden Kollegen
Datdem Kollegen
Ich kenne den Kollegen gut.
I know the colleague well. (Akk)
Er spricht mit dem Studenten.
He's talking to the student. (Dat)
A2.2 · L3 · n-Deklination · Detail

Some masc nouns add -n/-en in every case except Nom.

  • Masc nouns ending in -e: Junge, Kollege, Name, Gedanke
  • Masc nouns ending in -ent/-and/-ist: Student, Assistent, Journalist
  • Irregular: Herr → Herrn, Mensch, Nachbar
Caseder Kollegeder Student
Nomder Kollegeder Student
Akkden Kollegenden Studenten
Datdem Kollegendem Studenten
Sie hat dem Journalisten geholfen.
She helped the journalist. (Dat)
Ich treffe den Kollegen morgen.
I'm meeting the colleague tomorrow. (Akk)

Questions

What is the rule for n-Deklination?
Some masc nouns add -n/-en in every case except Nom.
How do I use n-Deklination?
n-Deklination (weak masculine): these nouns add -n or -en in Akk, Dat, and Gen. Nom has no ending.
Does this noun use n-Deklination?
Masc noun ending in -e (Junge, Kollege)?: Yes — add -n/-en; Masc ending -ent/-and/-ist (Student)?: Yes — add -en; Other masc noun (Mann, Tisch)?: No — strong declension
Open in the app → Interactive canvas with practice exercises