Nominative Case
Nominativ
The nominative is the German case for the subject — the person or thing doing the action — and it answers the question wer? (who?) or was? (what?). Its articles are der, die, das and die in the plural, the dictionary forms, and it is also used after the verbs sein, werden and bleiben.
Learn the subject case and its article forms.
Rules & Explanations
The Nominative Case
Der Nominativ
German has four cases — and the nominative is the easiest one. It's the 'default' form, the one you see in dictionaries. When you learned 'der, die, das,' you were learning nominative. Now let's understand Why it's called nominative and when to use it.
In German, the nominative marks the subject of a sentence — the person or thing doing the action. It also follows the verb 'sein' (to be). The articles you already know (der, die, das, ein, eine) are nominative forms.
English used to have cases too (Old English had them!). Today, we only see case changes in pronouns: 'I' vs 'me,' 'he' vs 'him.' German kept the full system for all nouns.
Der Mann liest. Die Frau singt. Das Kind spielt.
The man reads. The woman sings. The child plays.
Nominative is your foundation. Once you know it well, the other cases (accusative, dative, genitive) are just changes from this base. Master nominative = understand all cases faster.
What Is the Nominative Case?
Was ist der Nominativ?
The nominative is like the lead actor in a movie. They're the star, doing the main actions. Other cases (accusative, dative) are supporting actors who receive actions. The lead actor keeps their 'original' costume — no changes.
- ▸The nominative case answers the question 'Wer?' (who?) or 'was?' (What?) is doing the action. It marks the subject — the main actor in the sentence.
- ▸Think of the subject as the 'boss' of the sentence. The subject controls the verb conjugation (ich gehe, du gehst, er geht). Everything revolves around this main actor.
- ▸The nominative is also used after 'sein' (to be), 'werden' (to become), and 'bleiben' (to stay/remain). These verbs link the subject to another noun that describes it: 'Er ist ein Lehrer' (He is a teacher) — both 'er' and 'ein Lehrer' are nominative.
Germans identify the subject by asking 'Wer oder was...?' (Who or what...?). 'Wer liest das Buch?' — 'Der Mann liest das Buch.' Der Mann is the answer, so it's nominative.
When to Use Nominative
Wann man den Nominativ verwendet
Use the nominative case in these situations:
| Name | Example | Example | Description | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As the Subject | Der Hund bellt. | The dog barks. | The person/thing doing the action | Who barks? Der Hund. = Subject = Nominative |
| After sein (to be) | Das ist ein Buch. | That is a book. | What follows 'is/am/are' stays nominative | 'ein Buch' describes 'das' — both nominative |
| After werden (to become) | Er wird Arzt. | He is becoming a doctor. | What you become stays nominative | 'Arzt' describes what 'er' becomes |
| After bleiben (to remain) | Sie bleibt meine Freundin. | She remains my friend. | What you remain/stay stays nominative | 'meine Freundin' describes 'sie' |
The nominative is the only case used for subjects. If you can replace the noun with 'er/sie/es' (he/she/it) and it still makes sense, it's nominative.
Nominative Articles: The Full Picture
Nominativ-Artikel: Die vollständige Übersicht
Here are all the nominative article forms. These are the 'dictionary' forms you already know.
These nominative forms are your baseline. Other cases will change them (der → den, ein → einen, etc.).
Definite Articles (the)
| Gender | Nominative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | der Mann |
| Feminine | die | die Frau |
| Neuter | das | das Kind |
| Plural | die | die Kinder |
Negative Article (no/not a)
| Gender | Nominative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | kein | kein Mann |
| Feminine | keine | keine Frau |
| Neuter | kein | kein Kind |
| Plural | keine | keine Kinder |
Indefinite Articles (a/an)
| Gender | Nominative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | ein | ein Mann |
| Feminine | eine | eine Frau |
| Neuter | ein | ein Kind |
| Plural | (keine/no article) | Kinder / keine Kinder |
Common Nominative Mistakes
Häufige Nominativ-Fehler
These mistakes happen when learners confuse nominative with other cases.
✗Using accusative after sein
✓Always use nominative after sein
After 'sein' (is), use nominative, not accusative. No -en ending!
🧠 sein = nominative. 'Das ist ein Mann' — no change!
✗Confusing subject and object
✓Ask 'Wer?' to find the subject
'Der Mann' does the reading (subject/nominative). 'Das Buch' is read (object/accusative).
🧠 WHO does it? = Nominative. What gets done to? = Other case.
✗Changing articles when subject comes after verb
✓Subject stays nominative regardless of position
Even when subject comes after verb (inversion), it's still nominative.
🧠 Subject = nominative, no matter where it is in the sentence.
✗Using wrong article with sein + profession
✓Professions after sein use nominative
'eine Ärztin' is nominative — it describes the subject 'sie'.
🧠 He is a doctor = Er ist ein Arzt. She is a doctor = Sie ist eine Ärztin.
Nominative Pronouns
Nominativ-Pronomen
| Person | Nominative Pronoun | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1st singular | ich | I |
| 2nd singular (informal) | du | you |
| 3rd singular masculine | er | he |
| 3rd singular feminine | sie | she |
| 3rd singular neuter | es | it |
| 1st plural | wir | we |
| 2nd plural (informal) | ihr | you (plural) |
| 3rd plural / formal | sie / Sie | they / you (formal) |
These nominative pronouns are always used as subjects. They change to mich/dich/ihn... in accusative.
Nominative pronouns: ich, du, er, sie, es, wir, ihr, sie. These are the subject forms.
How to Find the Subject
Wie man das Subjekt findet
To find the nominative/subject, ask 'Wer?' (who?) or 'Was?' (what?) + verb. Example: 'Der Hund beißt den Mann.' Ask: 'Wer beißt?' Answer: 'Der Hund.' So 'der Hund' is nominative. The man is the victim (accusative), not the doer.
Um das Subjekt zu finden, frage 'Wer?' oder 'Was?' + Verb.
The subject answers 'Wer/Was + verb?' This test works 100% of the time.
WER macht das? = Subject = Nominative. Every single time.
Nominative = Dictionary Form
Nominativ = Wörterbuchform
When you look up a noun in a dictionary, you see the nominative form: 'der Tisch, die Lampe, das Buch.' This is your baseline. Other cases change from this form. So you already know nominative — now you just need to know When to use it!
Wenn du ein Nomen im Wörterbuch nachschlägst, siehst du die Nominativform.
Dictionary forms = nominative. You've been learning nominative all along!
der/die/das + ein/eine = nominative. You knew this from day one!
Dialogue: Meeting New People
Dialog: Neue Leute kennenlernen
Anna
Wer ist der Mann dort?
Who is the man there?
'der Mann' = nominative (subject of question)
Ben
Das ist mein Bruder. Er ist Ingenieur.
That is my brother. He is an engineer.
'mein Bruder' and 'Ingenieur' = nominative (after sein)
Anna
Und die Frau neben ihm?
And the woman next to him?
'die Frau' = nominative (subject implied: wer ist...)
Ben
Sie ist seine Freundin. Sie wird bald Ärztin.
She is his girlfriend. She will soon be a doctor.
'seine Freundin' after ist, 'Ärztin' after wird = nominative
At a party, introducing people
Auf einer Party, Leute vorstellen
Notice how all descriptions after 'ist' and 'wird' use nominative forms: mein Bruder, Ingenieur, seine Freundin, Ärztin. The linking verbs keep everything in nominative.
Quick Reference: Nominative Case
Kurzübersicht: Nominativ
- ▸Subject of sentence = nominative (der/die/das, ein/eine)
- ▸After sein, werden, bleiben = nominative (Er ist ein Lehrer)
- ▸Nominative = dictionary forms (no changes from what you learned)
Nominative = Subject + after sein/werden/bleiben. Ask: Wer macht das?
Learn the accusative case — when the articles change for direct objects.
- ▸Using accusative after sein: Das ist einen Mann ❌ → Das ist ein Mann ✓
- ▸Changing articles during inversion: Morgen kommt den Mann ❌ → der Mann ✓
- ▸Confusing subject (nominative) with object (accusative)
WER? = Nominative. Whatever answers 'who does it?' or 'who is it?' is nominative.
The nominative case marks the subject (the doer) and follows sein/werden/bleiben — it uses the basic dictionary forms der/die/das and ein/eine.
Examples
Der Mann liest ein Buch.
The man reads a book.
Der MannWer liest? Der Mann. Subject = nominative. Uses 'der' (masculine nominative).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Der Mann | the man (nominative subject) |
| liest | reads |
| ein Buch | a book (accusative object) |
Die Frau singt.
The woman sings.
Die FrauWer singt? Die Frau. Subject = nominative. Uses 'die' (feminine nominative).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Die Frau | the woman (nominative) |
| singt | sings |
Das Kind spielt im Garten.
The child plays in the garden.
Das KindWer spielt? Das Kind. Subject = nominative. Uses 'das' (neuter nominative).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Das Kind | the child (nominative) |
| spielt | plays |
| im Garten | in the garden |
Ein Hund bellt laut.
A dog barks loudly.
Ein HundWer bellt? Ein Hund. Indefinite article 'ein' for masculine nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ein Hund | a dog (nominative) |
| bellt | barks |
| laut | loudly |
Meine Mutter kocht das Essen.
My mother cooks the food.
Meine MutterWer kocht? Meine Mutter. Possessive + noun as subject = nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Meine Mutter | my mother (nominative) |
| kocht | cooks |
| das Essen | the food (accusative) |
Die Kinder spielen Fußball.
The children play soccer.
Die KinderWer spielt? Die Kinder. Plural subject = nominative plural 'die'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Die Kinder | the children (nominative plural) |
| spielen | play |
| Fußball | soccer |
Das ist ein Buch.
That is a book.
ein BuchAfter 'ist' (sein) = nominative. 'ein Buch' describes 'das'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Das | that (nominative) |
| ist | is |
| ein Buch | a book (nominative) |
Er ist ein Lehrer.
He is a teacher.
ein LehrerAfter 'ist' = nominative. 'ein Lehrer' (not 'einen') because it follows sein.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Er | he (nominative) |
| ist | is |
| ein Lehrer | a teacher (nominative) |
Sie ist meine Freundin.
She is my friend.
meine Freundin'meine Freundin' is nominative after 'ist' — describes 'sie'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sie | she (nominative) |
| ist | is |
| meine Freundin | my friend (nominative) |
Er wird Arzt.
He is becoming a doctor.
ein ArztAfter 'wird' (werden) = nominative. What you become stays nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Er | he |
| wird | becomes |
| ein Arzt | a doctor (nominative) |
Das bleibt ein Problem.
That remains a problem.
ein ProblemAfter 'bleibt' (bleiben) = nominative. What you remain is nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Das | that |
| bleibt | remains |
| ein Problem | a problem (nominative) |
Morgen kommt der Lehrer.
Tomorrow the teacher comes.
der LehrerSubject after verb (inversion) is STILL nominative. 'der Lehrer' = nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Morgen | tomorrow |
| kommt | comes |
| der Lehrer | the teacher (nominative) |
Hier wohnt eine Familie.
Here lives a family.
eine FamiliePlace first, verb second, subject third — but subject stays nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hier | here |
| wohnt | lives |
| eine Familie | a family (nominative) |
Im Park spielt das Kind.
In the park plays the child.
das KindDespite coming last, 'das Kind' is the subject = nominative.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Im Park | in the park |
| spielt | plays |
| das Kind | the child (nominative) |
Wer ist der Mann?
Who is the man?
Wer, der MannBoth 'Wer' and 'der Mann' are nominative — question word and the answer.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wer | who (nominative) |
| ist | is |
| der Mann | the man (nominative) |
Practice Exercises
15 interactive exercises
Was ist das Subjekt? "Der Hund beißt den Mann."
What is the subject? "The dog bites the man."
You got on this topic's exercises.
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Accusative Case Intro
Introduction to direct objects and article changes.
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Accusative Case Intro
Introduction to direct objects and article changes.
Dative Case
Master indirect objects and dative article changes.
Genitive Case
Express possession and use genitive endings.
Definite Articles
Master the use of der, die, das with nouns.
Personal Pronouns
Master ich, du, er, sie, es, wir, ihr, sie/Sie.
Common questions about the German nominative case
What is the nominative case in German?
It is the case that marks the subject of a sentence, the element performing the action. In Der Hund bellt, the dog is doing the barking, so der Hund is nominative. You find it by asking wer? or was? before the verb. The nominative uses the base article forms der, die, das and die.
How do I find the subject of a German sentence?
Ask wer? or was? together with the verb. In Der Mann liest ein Buch, asking wer liest? gives der Mann, so that is the nominative subject. A reliable cross-check is verb agreement: the subject always controls the verb ending, so if you change der Mann to die Männer, the verb must change to lesen.
Why does the nominative stay the same after sein?
Because sein, werden and bleiben do not act on anything — they link two descriptions of the same thing. Das ist ein Buch has ein Buch in the nominative, not the accusative, because it describes das rather than receiving an action. The same holds for Er wird Arzt and Er bleibt mein Freund.
What is the difference between nominative and accusative in German?
The nominative marks the doer, the accusative marks the receiver of the action. Der Mann liest has der Mann as subject, while Ich sehe den Mann has den Mann as object. Only masculine articles visibly change: der becomes den and ein becomes einen. Feminine, neuter and plural articles look identical in both cases.
Are dictionary forms of German nouns always nominative?
Yes. Dictionaries and vocabulary lists always give the nominative singular with its article, such as der Tisch or die Lampe, because that is the baseline form all other cases are built from. When you learn a noun, you are learning its nominative, and later cases apply changes to that starting point.