N-Deklination (Weak Masculine Nouns)
A group of masculine nouns that add -(e)n in every case except Nominativ singular. These are also called "schwache Maskulina" (weak masculine nouns).
The Pattern
Regular masculine nouns only change the article. N-Deklination nouns change the noun itself — they add -n or -en everywhere except Nominativ singular. The matrix below puts all four variants side by side so the rule "everywhere except Nom.Sg" becomes visible at a glance.
| Case | regular Mask. (der Mann) | N-Dekl. (der Junge / Student) | der Herr / Bauer / Nachbar | das Herz (only neuter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | derMann∅ | derStudent∅ | derHerr∅ | dasHerz∅ |
| Akkusativ | denMann∅ | denStudenten | denHerrn | dasHerz∅ |
| Dativ | demMann∅ | demStudenten | demHerrn | demHerzen |
| Genitiv | desMannes | desStudenten | desHerrn | desHerzens |
Read across to compare: regular masculine never adds anything to the noun (just es on Genitiv). N-Deklination nouns add en or n in every case except Nominativ singular. das Herz is the lone neuter that joins the club, but only in Dativ and Genitiv.
Which Nouns Follow N-Deklination?
All N-Deklination nouns are masculine (except das Herz). They typically:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| End in -e (people/animals) | der Junge, der Kunde, der Kollege, der Löwe, der Affe, der Neffe, der Erbe |
| End in -ant, -ent, -ist | der Student, der Patient, der Polizist, der Tourist, der Journalist, der Komponist |
| End in -at, -et, -ot | der Soldat, der Automat, der Pilot, der Demokrat, der Kandidat |
| End in -oge, -oph, -aph | der Biologe, der Philosoph, der Fotograf |
| Other common nouns | der Herr, der Mensch, der Nachbar, der Bauer, der Held, der Prinz, der Bär |
A note on plurals
The N-Dekl. forms above are singular. In the plural the article changes (die) and most weak-masculine nouns end in -en in every case (except Dativ which already had it): die Studenten / Herren / Jungen. das Herz has a regular plural die Herzen.
Examples
Examples (tap to reveal translation)
5 of 20Common Mistake
Forgetting to add -(e)n in Akkusativ and Dativ is one of the most common errors:
Quick Check
Translate: 'I asked the neighbor.' (der Nachbar, Akkusativ)
Quick Check
Können Sie ___ Müller rufen? (Herr, Akkusativ)
Quick Check
Ich kenne den ___. (Student)