The nominative case identifies the subject of a sentence — the person or thing doing the action. It's the first case every German learner meets, and the one the other three (see our German cases overview) all get compared against.
Simple Definition
Nominative = Who/What is doing the action?
Der Mann liest. (The man reads.)
Question: "Wer liest?" (Who reads?) → Der Mann = Nominative
Nominative Articles: Der, Die, Das, Die
The nominative articles don't change from how you first learn them — they're the "base" form:
| Gender | Article | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | der Mann (the man) |
| Feminine | die | die Frau (the woman) |
| Neuter | das | das Kind (the child) |
| Plural | die | die Männer (the men) |
Key point: These are the articles you first learn in German — nominative is the "default" form.
How to Identify the Nominative Case
Ask yourself: "Who or what is doing the action?" The answer is nominative.
Sentence: Der Hund springt über den Zaun.
Question: Wer springt? (Who jumps?)
Answer: Der Hund = Nominative (subject)
Sentence: Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
Question: Was liegt? (What is lying?)
Answer: Das Buch = Nominative (subject)
Sentence: Meine Schwester singt ein Lied.
Question: Wer singt? (Who sings?)
Answer: Meine Schwester = Nominative (subject)
Nominative with Plural
Plural nominative is always die, regardless of gender:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| der Mann | die Männer |
| die Frau | die Frauen |
| das Kind | die Kinder |
Die Kinder spielen im Park. (The children play in the park.)
Question: Wer spielen? (Who play?) → Die Kinder = Nominative plural
Nominative vs. Predicate Nominative
Sometimes the nominative appears AFTER the verb "sein" (to be). This is called a predicate nominative.
Mein Bruder ist ein Arzt. (My brother is a doctor.)
Question: Wer ist ein Arzt? (Who is a doctor?) → Mein Bruder = Nominative (subject)
"Ein Arzt" = Also nominative (predicate nominative)
Key: After "sein," the predicate nominative is ALSO nominative — not accusative like in some other languages.
More examples:
- Sie ist eine Lehrerin. (She is a teacher.) — nominative
- Das ist mein Freund. (That is my friend.) — nominative
Common Nominative Verbs
All verbs take a nominative subject, but these are ones you'll see constantly:
- sein (to be)
- haben (to have)
- laufen (to run)
- singen (to sing)
- spielen (to play)
- essen (to eat)
- trinken (to drink)
- schlafen (to sleep)
- arbeiten (to work)
- leben (to live)
Nominative Practice Sentences
Identify the nominative subject in each sentence:
- Der Lehrer erklärt die Lektion. (The teacher explains the lesson.) — Nominative: Der Lehrer
- Ein Auto fährt auf der Straße. (A car drives on the street.) — Nominative: Ein Auto
- Meine Eltern leben in Berlin. (My parents live in Berlin.) — Nominative: Meine Eltern
- Der kleine Hund schläft auf dem Sofa. (The small dog sleeps on the sofa.) — Nominative: Der kleine Hund
- Die Schüler schreiben eine Prüfung. (The students write an exam.) — Nominative: Die Schüler
Common Mistakes with Nominative
Mistake 1: Confusing Nominative with Other Cases
Wrong: Ich sehe der Mann. (nominative used for an object)
Right: Ich sehe den Mann. (accusative needed)
The subject of "sehe" (see) is "Ich," not "der Mann." The man is the object, so accusative is needed.
Mistake 2: Forgetting Nominative After "Sein"
Right: Ich bin ein Arzt. (Nominative after sein — always, never accusative.)
Mistake 3: Not Recognizing Plural Nominative
Wrong: Der Kinder spielen… (wrong article for plural)
Right: Die Kinder spielen… (correct: plural nominative)
Remember: all plurals use "die," regardless of gender.
Nominative in Different Sentence Types
Statement (Aussage): Der Mann liest ein Buch. (The man reads a book.) — Nominative: Der Mann
Question (Frage): Wer liest das Buch? — Der Mann. (Who reads the book? — The man.) — Nominative: Der Mann
Command (Befehl) — nominative often implied: Komm her! (Come here!) — Nominative (implied): Du (you)
Nominative + Adjectives
When nominative is modified by an adjective, the ending changes based on the article:
| Gender + Article | Adjective Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
| der + adjective | -e | der große Mann |
| die + adjective | -e | die große Frau |
| das + adjective | -e | das große Kind |
| die (plural) + adjective | -en | die großen Kinder |
Notice: nominative adjective endings are mostly -e or -en.
Summary Table: Nominative Case
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Function | Subject of the sentence |
| Question | Wer? (Who?) / Was? (What?) |
| Masculine Article | der |
| Feminine Article | die |
| Neuter Article | das |
| Plural Article | die |
| Adjective Ending | -e (mostly) |
| Common Verb | sein (to be) |
| Example | Der Mann arbeitet. |
Practice Exercises
Fill in the nominative form:
- _____ Frau heißt Maria. (A woman's name is Maria.) — Answer: Eine
- _____ Bücher sind interessant. (The books are interesting.) — Answer: Die
- _____ Kind spielt im Garten. (The child plays in the garden.) — Answer: Das
- _____ Arzt ist sehr erfahren. (The doctor is very experienced.) — Answer: Der
- _____ neue Film ist ausgezeichnet. (The new film is excellent.) — Answer: Der
Real-World Nominative
In texts, websites, instructions, and conversations, nominative identifies WHO or WHAT:
- Ein Student lernt Deutsch. (A student learns German.)
- Mein Freund kommt morgen. (My friend comes tomorrow.)
- Diese Wörter sind schwierig. (These words are difficult.)
- Das System funktioniert gut. (The system works well.)
FAQ
Is nominative always the subject?
Almost always. Exception: predicate nominative after "sein" (which is also nominative).
Why does nominative matter if it doesn't change for most nouns?
Because articles and adjectives DO change, and understanding cases helps you read and write correctly.
How do I practice nominative?
Identify the subject in every sentence you read. Ask "Wer/Was?" in every German sentence.
Next Steps
Now that nominative clicks, see how it works alongside the other three cases in our German cases overview, then put it into practice with our A1 grammar lessons and grammar exercises.
Not sure where your German currently stands? Take our free placement test — about 20 minutes, and it tells you exactly which level to start from. Prefer to talk it through first? Book a free consultation to discuss your grammar goals, or go straight to enrolling in a live batch that fits your schedule.