Nouns & Gender - Grammar Table

The tables below show many hints that can help identify the gender of a noun in German.
Note that these tables don't cover all German nouns, as there exists many nouns with different endings than the ones shown here, as well as many exceptions. Thus, it's always advisable when learning new nouns to study them along with their gender.

  • Hints for Masculine Nouns
  • Suffix Example Definition
    -el  der Vogel bird
    -er  der Computer computer
    -ig  der Käfig cage
    -ismus  der Journalismus journalism
    -ling  der Frühling spring
    -or der Professor professor
    Rule Example Definition
    Male persons der Sohn son
    Days der Sonntag Sunday
    Months der Januar January
    Seasons der Winter winter
  • Hints for Feminine Nouns
  • Suffix Example Definition
    -ei  die Partei party
    -ie  die Batterie battery
    -enz  die Konferenz conference
    -heit  die Freiheit freedom
    -keit  die Männlichkeit manhood
    -ion  die Legion legion
    -ik  die Akustik acoustic
    -age  die Garage garage
    -tät  die Universität university
    -schaft  die Mannschaft team/crew
    -ung  die Wohnung flat
    -ur die Karikatur caricature
    Rule Example Definition
    Female persons die Tochter daughter
    Most trees die Föhre pine tree
    Most flowers die Rose rose
    Most fruits die Banane banana
  • Hints for Neuter Nouns
  • Suffix Example Definition
    -chen das Kätzchen kitten
    -lein das Fräulein young lady
    -ma das Drama drama
    -ett das Bett bed
    -ment das Experiment experiment
    -o das Foto photo
    -um das Kalzium calcium
    Rule Example Definition
    Towns das Frankfurt Frankfurt
    Countries das Ägypten Egypt
    Colors das Grün green
    Infinitives used as nouns das Tanzen dancing