German grammar: Genitiv (Grundlagen)

What this grammar point covers

The Genitiv is a German case that shows possession or relationships between nouns. It often answers the question 'whose?'.

When to use it

Use the Genitiv in German to show that something belongs to someone or something, or to indicate relationships between nouns. It is also used after certain prepositions and in some fixed expressions.

Key forms

• Des Mannes Hut (masculine singular: add -es or -s to the noun, article changes to 'des')
• Der Frau Tasche (feminine singular: article changes to 'der', noun stays the same)
• Des Kindes Spielzeug (neuter singular: add -es or -s to the noun, article changes to 'des')
• Der Kinder Bücher (plural: article changes to 'der', noun stays the same)

Examples

Tips

• The Genitiv is less common in spoken German; in everyday speech, people often use 'von' + Dativ instead.
• Remember to change both the article and sometimes add -s or -es to masculine and neuter nouns in the Genitiv.
• Some prepositions (wie 'während', 'trotz', 'wegen') always require the Genitiv.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some masculine and neuter nouns only add -s in the Genitiv, others add -es. Short nouns usually take -es, longer ones -s.
• In spoken German, the Genitiv is often replaced by 'von' + Dativ.