German grammar: Adjektivdeklination im Dativ

What this grammar point covers

Adjective declension in the dative case means changing the ending of an adjective when it describes a noun that is in the dative case in German. The ending depends on the gender, number, and article before the noun.

When to use it

Use adjective declension in the dative case when you describe something (with an adjective) that is the indirect object in the sentence, usually after prepositions like 'mit', 'bei', 'nach', 'zu', 'aus', 'von', 'seit'.

Key forms

• mit dem großen Hund
• mit der neuen Tasche
• mit dem kleinen Kind
• mit den alten Freunden

Examples

Tips

• Always check the article (der/die/das/den/dem/der/den), as it changes the adjective ending.
• In the plural dative, add '-n' to the noun and '-en' to the adjective.
• Don't forget that after 'mit', the noun is always in the dative.

Exceptions and edge cases

• If there is no article before the noun, the adjective endings change (strong declension).