Genitive Case
Explicação
You have said "das Auto von meinem Vater" and been understood perfectly. But in written exams, formal emails and any academic text, what is expected is das Auto meines Vaters. The Genitive separates spoken German from written German.
What it is
The Genitive expresses possession and belonging. It answers Wessen? (Whose?).
Masculine and Neuter: des + -(e)s on the noun · Feminine and Plural: der, noun unchanged.
Genitive articles
| Gender | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | des | der Mann → des Mannes |
| Feminine | der | die Frau → der Frau |
| Neuter | des | das Kind → des Kindes |
| Plural | der | die Kinder → der Kinder |
Prepositions taking the Genitive
| Preposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| wegen | because of |
| trotz | despite |
| während | during |
| statt / anstatt | instead of |
⚠️ Watch out
✗ das Auto von meinem Vater (in formal writing)
✓ das Auto meines Vaters
In informal speech von + Dative replaces the Genitive and nobody blinks. In formal writing it reads as poor style.
✗ wegen dem Regen
✓ wegen des Regens
You will hear wegen + Dative everywhere. Exams still require the Genitive.
🧠 Memory anchor: Masculine and Neuter take DES and the noun gains -s. Feminine and Plural take DER and the noun stays put.
Exemplos
Das Auto meines Vaters ist neu.
My father's car is new.
Wegen des schlechten Wetters blieben wir zu Hause.
Because of the bad weather we stayed home.
Trotz des Regens ging er spazieren.
Despite the rain he went for a walk.
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