Genitive Case

The Genitive Case shows possession or close relationships. In modern German, it’s often replaced by von + Dative, but it’s still important for formal writing.

1. Definite Articles in Genitive

CaseMasculineNeuterFemininePlural
Genitivedesdesderder

➡ Masculine/Neuter nouns usually add -s or -es:

das Auto des Mannes → the man’s car

die Tasche des Kindes → the child’s bag

2. Indefinite Articles in Genitive

CaseMasculineNeuterFemininePlural
Genitiveeineseineseinereiner

die Wohnung eines Freundes → an apartment of a friend

die Bücher einer Studentin → the books of a student

3. Common Genitive Prepositions

Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause. → Because of the rain, we stay at home.

Trotz des Problems machen wir weiter. → Despite the problem, we continue.

💡 Tip: In everyday German, many speakers use von + Dative instead of Genitive:
Das Auto von dem Mann = das Auto des Mannes.
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