In German

das Kind

Meaning: “das Kind” (the child) — Akkusativ, neuter: the direct object

Example sentences

  • IchsehedasKind.

    I see the child.

  • SiekenntdasKind.

    She knows the child.

  • WirfragendasKind.

    We ask the child.

Grammar note

Like feminine, neuter “das” stays the same in the Akkusativ. Of the three genders, only masculine (“der” → “den”) changes — that's the one rule worth memorizing first.

Common mistake

Don't add an extra ending to “das” in the Akkusativ by analogy with masculine “den” — neuter stays “das” in both Nominativ and Akkusativ, with no change at all.

Quick check

In “Ich sehe das Kind”, which case is “das Kind” in?

More words on this topic

das Kind“das Kind” (the child) — Nominativ, neuter: the subject of the sentencedem Kind“dem Kind” (the child) — Dativ, neuter: the indirect objectdes Kindes“des Kindes” (of the child) — Genitiv, neuter: shows possessionden Mann“den Mann” (the man) — Akkusativ, masculine: the direct object

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Frequently asked questions

Does “das” ever become “den” for neuter nouns?

No — “den” is only for masculine Akkusativ. Neuter stays “das”.

What's the one case ending worth memorizing first?

Masculine Akkusativ: “der” becomes “den”. Everything else in the Akkusativ stays the same as Nominativ.