N-Deklination — weak masculine nouns
A small but persistent group of masculine nouns adds -n or -en in every case EXCEPT nominativ singular. You'll see it on some of the most common words in the language — Junge, Mensch, Name, Herr — so you have to know the rule even though it's a small one.
The rule in one line
N-Deklination masculine nouns add -n or -en in Akkusativ, Dativ, and Genitiv (singular and plural).
Nominativ singular stays bare. Everything else picks up the ending. Compare a regular masculine noun (no ending), the standard -en group, the -n shortcut for Herr, and the lone neuter das Herz:
| 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.
Note: a small group (Name, Buchstabe, Gedanke, Glaube, Wille) takes a mixed Genitiv with -ens (not just -en) — des Namens, des Willens. Akkusativ and Dativ still get -n only.
Which nouns are N-Declension?
Four informal groups to recognize:
1) Masculine nouns ending in -e that refer to people or animate beings.
Examples (tap to reveal translation)
2) Certain masculine professions and nationalities (often of non-German origin).
der Polizist, der Tourist, der Student, der Fotograf, der Architekt — they all decline.
3) A handful of stubborn high-frequency nouns.
der Herr, der Mensch, der Nachbar, der Bauer, der Junge.
4) Some masculine nouns for animals.
der Löwe, der Hase, der Affe, der Bär (Bär = des Bären in formal Gen., usually des Bären).
Quick worked example
Ich helfe dem Jungen. I help the boy.
- helfen takes Dativ.
- Junge is N-Deklination.
- Masc. Dat. → dem + noun with -n → dem Jungen.
Without the -n, it would read as wrong (dem Junge). Native speakers catch this instantly.
Herr — the extra-small pattern
Herr picks up only -n, not -en, in all non-Nom-sg cases.
Examples (tap to reveal translation)
Whenever you say a man's name preceded by Herr in any non-nom-sg position, you add the -n: Herrn Meier, never Herr Meier.
Name, Buchstabe, Gedanke, Glaube, Wille — the "special -e- noun" group
A handful of masculine -e nouns take a mixed Genitiv with -ens (not just -en).
| Nom. | Gen. singular |
|---|---|
| der Name | des Namens |
| der Buchstabe | des Buchstabens |
| der Gedanke | des Gedankens |
| der Glaube | des Glaubens |
| der Wille | des Willens |
Akkusativ and Dativ still get -n only: den Namen, dem Namen.
Plural behavior
In the plural, N-Deklination nouns simply keep the -n across all cases, which is often already the plural form:
Examples (tap to reveal translation)
Does this really matter?
Yes, more than it might seem. Native speakers hear the missing -n instantly, and it's the kind of error that marks you as a learner. The list is short enough to memorize — worth the hour.
Common mistakes, named
-
Dropping the -n in Akk/Dat. Ich kenne den Junge. ❌ → Ich kenne den Jungen. ✓
-
Using apostrophes or wrong Genitiv forms. Des Junge's Auto. ❌ → Des Jungen Auto. ✓ (Or more naturally, das Auto des Jungen.)
-
Forgetting Herr declines. Ich sehe Herr Meier. ❌ → Ich sehe Herrn Meier. ✓
-
Applying N-Deklination to feminine nouns. N-Deklination is masculine-only. die Studentin doesn't take -n anywhere.
Mini check
Quick Check
Ich kenne ___ Jungen schon lange.
Quick Check
Ich spreche mit ___ Herrn Meier.
Quick Check
Genitiv of 'der Name'?
Where this leads
Back to the full Genitiv-preposition list. You met a few; now the complete set with everyday examples.
Next up: Genitiv-Präpositionen — wegen, trotz, während, statt.
Test yourself
Quick Check
Translate: 'I asked the neighbor.' (der Nachbar, Akkusativ)
Quick Check
Der Arzt hilft dem ___. (Patient)
Quick Check
Ich kenne den ___. (Student)
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