der Motor
engine / motor
Full 4-Case Declension Table
Switch determiner types to inspect how articles and noun endings change together.
Definite (der / die / das): Used for specific, already known, or general-category nouns.
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | der Motor | die Motoren |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | den Motor | die Motoren |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | dem Motor | den Motoren |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | des Motors | der Motoren |
Indefinite (ein / eine): Used when introducing a countable singular noun; has no plural article in German.
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | ein Motor | Motoren |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | einen Motor | Motoren |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | einem Motor | Motoren |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | eines Motors | Motoren |
Negative (kein / keine): Negates nouns with or without an indefinite article; follows ein-words in singular and die in plural.
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | kein Motor | keine Motoren |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | keinen Motor | keine Motoren |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | keinem Motor | keinen Motoren |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | keines Motors | keiner Motoren |
Possessive (mein / dein / …): Uses ein-word endings in singular and definite-like endings in plural (mein/dein/sein/ihr/unser/euer/Ihr).
| Case (Fall) | Question | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominative Nominativ (Werfall) | Wer oder was? | mein Motor | meine Motoren |
Accusative Akkusativ (Wenfall) | Wen oder was? | meinen Motor | meine Motoren |
Dative Dativ (Wemfall) | Wem? | meinem Motor | meinen Motoren |
Genitive Genitiv (Wesfall) | Wessen? | meines Motors | meiner Motoren |
Why These Endings Work
Standard pattern for most masculine (der) and neuter (das) nouns: genitive singular ends in -s or -es.
- Plural "Motoren" already ends in -n or -s, so Dative plural stays Motoren.
Example Sentences in Context
Der Motor dieses Wagens läuft erstaunlich leise.
The engine of this car runs surprisingly quietly.
Der Mechaniker prüft den Motor vor der langen Fahrt.
The mechanic checks the engine before the long drive.
Interactive Tools & Related Guides
More Nouns in City & Travel
FAQs: der Motor
Is "Motor" der, die, or das in German?
"Motor" takes the masculine definite article "der" (der Motor). Gender cue: Latin -or -> mostly masculine (der); strong sg, -en plural.
What is the plural and Dative plural of "der Motor"?
The Nominative plural of der Motor is "die Motoren" (pattern: -en). In the Dative plural it becomes "den Motoren".
How does "der Motor" change in the Genitive, Accusative, and Dative?
As a strong masculine noun, "Motor" changes only in the Genitive singular (des Motors); Accusative and Dative keep "Motor".