German grammar: Adjektivdeklination nach unbestimmtem Artikel

What this grammar point covers

Adjective declension after an indefinite article in German means changing the ending of an adjective (like 'klein', 'schön') when it comes after 'ein', 'eine', or 'kein'. The ending depends on the gender, case, and number of the noun.

When to use it

Use this when you have an adjective right after an indefinite article ('ein', 'eine', 'kein') and before a noun. The adjective needs a special ending to match the gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), case (nominative, accusative, dative), and number (singular, plural) of the noun.

Key forms

• ein kleiner Mann (Nominative, masculine)
• eine schöne Frau (Nominative, feminine)
• ein kleines Kind (Nominative, neuter)
• keine guten Bücher (Nominative, plural)

Examples

Tips

• Remember: The adjective ending changes with the article, gender, and case.
• After 'ein' or 'kein', the adjective often takes the same ending as the definite article would.
• Do not forget to add an ending to the adjective after 'ein', even if the adjective is short.