N-Declension (Weak Nouns)

Overview

Most German nouns change their form only in the genitive (adding -s or -es) and in the dative/genitive plural. But a special group of masculine nouns — and one neuter noun (das Herz) — follow a different pattern called N-Declension (also known as weak nouns or schwache Deklination).

The rule is simple: these nouns add -(e)n in every case except the nominative singular.

Notice: the N-declension noun gets -en in accusative, dative, AND genitive — the regular noun only changes in the genitive.

Regular N-Nouns

Group 1: Masculine Nouns Ending in -e

These nouns add -n (since they already end in -e):

Nationalities ending in -e also belong here:

Group 2: Masculine Nouns with Foreign Suffixes

These nouns add -en:

Also a few common nouns without these suffixes: der Mensch (human), der Herr (gentleman/Mr.), der Nachbar (neighbor), der Bauer (farmer).

Full Declension Table

Ich sehe den Studenten. — I see the student. (Akk.)

Ich helfe dem Studenten. — I help the student. (Dat.)

Das Buch des Studenten liegt auf dem Tisch. — The student's book is on the table. (Gen.)

Der Junge spielt im Garten. Ich rufe den Jungen. — The boy plays in the garden. I call the boy.

The Herr Pattern

Der Herr (gentleman, Mr.) is an N-declension noun, but it only adds -n (not -en) in the singular:

Kennen Sie den Herrn dort drüben? — Do you know the gentleman over there?

Ich habe mit dem Herrn gesprochen. — I spoke with the gentleman.

Sehr geehrter Herr Müller... — Dear Mr. Müller... (Nominative — no change)

The Name Pattern

A small group of N-declension nouns adds -n in accusative and dative, but -ns in the genitive. The most important is der Name:

Other nouns following this pattern:

And the only neuter N-declension noun: das Herz

Im Namen des Gesetzes... — In the name of the law...

Ich kann mich des Gedankens nicht erwehren. — I cannot rid myself of the thought.

Von ganzem Herzen — With all my heart (Dat.)

How to Identify N-Declension Nouns

Look for these clues — if a noun matches two or more, it is very likely an N-declension noun:

1. Gender: masculine (almost all N-declension nouns are masculine)
2. Refers to a person or animal: Junge, Student, Kollege, Löwe, Affe
3. Ends in -e: Junge, Kollege, Kunde, Löwe, Türke, Franzose
4. Has a foreign suffix: -ent, -ant, -ist, -at, -graf, -nom, -soph, -oge

Decision Flowchart

• Is the noun masculine? If no → not N-declension (exception: das Herz)
• Does it end in -e and refer to a living being? → N-declension (der Junge, der Löwe)
• Does it have a foreign suffix (-ent, -ant, -ist, etc.)? → N-declension (der Student, der Tourist)
• Is it der Herr, der Mensch, der Nachbar, der Bauer? → N-declension (memorize these)

Common Mistakes

Ich helfe dem Student. (missing -en) Ich helfe dem Studenten. (correct)

Das Buch des Junges. (wrong ending) Das Buch des Jungen. (correct — N-declension, not regular genitive)

Tips

1. The pattern is simple: add -(e)n everywhere except nominative singular. Once you identify a noun as N-declension, the rule is consistent.
2. Most N-declension nouns refer to male people or male animals. This makes sense — the pattern is about living beings, and grammatically they are masculine.
3. The -e ending is the strongest clue. If a masculine noun ends in -e and refers to a person or animal, it is almost certainly N-declension.
4. Foreign suffixes are the second-strongest clue. -ent, -ist, -ant, -at — these are reliable markers.
5. Watch out for the genitive of "Name" nouns: des Namens, des Gedankens — they add -ns, not just -n.
6. The plural of N-declension nouns always ends in -(e)n too — so singular non-nominative and all plural forms look the same: den Studenten / die Studenten.
7. In dictionaries, N-declension nouns are often marked with special notation: "Student, -en, -en" meaning accusative -en and genitive -en.