German neuter nouns list

German neuter nouns 

The third gender in German is neuter. It is used with the definite article das or the indefinite article ein. We not only recognize them according to type and nature of the noun, but also according to the endings of the concerning noun.

Have a question?

Take online language lessons with a professional teacher

1. Native & verified teachers
2. Free trial lesson
3. Learning materials included

Alessandro C.

Arianna L.

Manuela Z.

Silvia B.

Antonio S.

Donatella P.

Uta H.

Valentina D.

Alireza N.

Bruna D.

Sign up for free

The ending "-chen" of neuter nouns (Diminutive nouns)

All diminutives nouns with the ending -chen are neuter. 

The endings do not change in any case, but the Genitive singular.

This table show some example of neuter nouns with the ending -chen.

Note: Nouns with the ending -chen, that are not diminutives, do not have to be neuter. Example:  der Kuchen - cake, der Knochen - bone, der Rochen - ray [zoo.]

The ending "-lein" of neuter nouns

Nouns with this endings are seldom. This mean that they only appear on a few occasions. Their pluaral form stays the same, there will never be a diferent ending to make the plural. Example (das Häuslein to die Häuslein). All diminutives ending with "-lein" are neuter. 

The ending "-ett" of neuter nouns

Nouns with this ending are seen often in the German language. Their plural can be formed with the following endings; "-en" (das Bett - die Betten)  or with "-er" (das Brett - die Bretter") or with "-e" (das Amulett - die Amulette).

The ending "-ment" of neuter nouns

Nouns with this ending are average. Their plural is formed with the ending "-e" for words which have German origin, (das Medikament - die Medikamente) but with the "-s"  ending for foreign words (das Apartment - die Apartments).

The ending "-tum" of neuter nouns

Nouns with this ending are average in the German language. Their plural form with the ending "-en", for example (das Datum ➜ die Daten). 

The ending "-eau" of neuter nouns

These words come from the French, they are seldom nouns which appear on very few occasions. Their plural is formed with the ending "-s". For example (das Niveau - die Niveaus)

Identification of neuter nouns by noun groups 

Some types of nouns are almost always associated with the neuter gender. Here you can find a list. 

Neuter nouns formed out of adjectives

Some nouns are formed out of adjectives: the substantivized adjectives. These nouns are normally neuter. To form substantivized adjectives, we take the radical of the adjective and add -e to the end of the word.

Examples:

• das Gute - the good
• das Böse - the bad
• das Wichtige - the important
• das Neue - the new

Neuter nouns formed out of infinitives

Some nouns are substantivized infinitives, that means that the nouns are formed out of an infinitive of a verb. All the substantivized infinitives are neuter.

Examples:

• das Leben - life
• das Essen - food
• das Reisen - travel
• das Lachen - laugh

We hope you have enjoyed out short lesson on the German neuter nouns

Watch the video clip below and find out how to pronounce each noun. Don't forget to practice your knowledge with out fun and interactive exercises! See you soon