A SMALL MAP OF THE LANGUAGE
One noun.
Four perspectives.
Gender belongs to the noun. Case tells you its role in the sentence. Together, they determine the article.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nominative | der | die | das | die |
| accusative | den | die | das | die |
| dative | dem | der | dem | den |
| genitive | des | der | des | der |
Who?
Der Mann liest.
The man is reading. The subject is nominative.
Whom?
Ich sehe den Mann.
I see the man. The direct object is accusative.
With whom?
Ich spreche mit dem Mann.
I speak with the man. The preposition mit takes dative.