Nouns ending in -chen: das
dasNeuter (das)
Diminutives with -chen are always neuter.
Not every word that ends in these letters follows the rule. See the look-alikes below.
How reliable is this rule?
In our rule set: Always (firm rule in our data).
In our word lists, nouns ending in -chen that take das: 8 of 11.
Examples ending in -chen
- dasMädchen
girl · pl. Mädchen
- dasHäuschen
- dasBrötchen
- dasBlümchen
- dasStückchen
- dasHündchen
- dasKätzchen
Look-alikes: same ending, different article
These nouns end in the same letters but do not take das. Some come from our lists, some are common words we checked by hand. Matching letters alone are not always enough, so check the word.
- derKuchen
cake
- derDrachen
dragon, kite
- derRachen
throat, pharynx
Common questions
- Which article do German nouns ending in -chen take?
- Diminutives with -chen are always neuter. In our word lists, 8 of 11 of them take das.
- Are there exceptions to the -chen rule?
- In our lists, yes: der Kuchen, der Drachen, der Rachen. Learn these words together with their article.
Practice this rule
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