Nouns ending in -tum: das

dasNeuter (das)

Words ending in -tum are almost always neuter.

How reliable is this rule?

In our rule set: Almost always (a few exceptions exist).

In our word lists, nouns ending in -tum that take das: 6 of 8.

Examples ending in -tum

  • dasEigentum
  • dasWachstum

    growth

  • dasAltertum
  • dasChristentum
  • dasBrauchtum

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.

  • derReichtum

    wealth

  • derIrrtum

    mistake, error

Common questions

Which article do German nouns ending in -tum take?
Words ending in -tum are almost always neuter. In our word lists, 6 of 8 of them take das.
Are there exceptions to the -tum rule?
In our lists, yes: der Reichtum, der Irrtum. Learn these words together with their article.

Practice this rule

The free plan's gender-rules trainer covers 11 of 18 rules, including this one.

Look up any noun in the article finder

More free tools

Stop looking words up. Start remembering them.

The gender-rules trainer in SRS Deutsch repeats each noun of a rule just before you would forget its article.

Already have an account? Sign in