Genitiv - Wessen?
Genitiv — for English Speakers
Introduction
The genitive case shows possession, like English 's (the man's car) or 'of' (the color of the car). In German, articles change again: der becomes des, die becomes der, and masculine/neuter nouns often add -s or -es. English speakers find the concept familiar but struggle with the article changes and the fact that certain prepositions (trotz, wegen, während) also demand genitive.
German vs English
In German
Das Auto meines Vaters (my father's car)
In English
My father's car / The car of my father
Key Difference
German uses case endings on the article and noun; English uses 's or 'of'.
In German
Trotz des Regens (despite the rain — genitive prep)
In English
Despite the rain (no case change in English)
Key Difference
Some German prepositions force genitive case; English prepositions don't change articles.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Das Auto von mein Vater.
Using 'von + dative' is colloquially accepted, but formal German requires the genitive with correct endings.
Das Titel des Buch ist interessant.
Forgetting the -es ending on the masculine/neuter noun and wrong article for 'Titel'.
Practice Examples
Der Anfang des Films war spannend.
The beginning of the film was exciting.
Wegen des Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause.
Because of the weather, we're staying home.
Das ist die Meinung meiner Kollegin.
That's my colleague's opinion.
Memory Tip
Genitive = 'of' case — 'des' sounds like 'of the', and nouns get an -s just like English possessives.
View Grammar Rule
Genitiv - Wessen?
Genitiv — B1
Practice Exercises
Genitiv - Wessen? Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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