Introduction to Adjektive als Substantive
In German, adjectives can be used as nouns. When adjectives are used this way, they take a noun-like role, usually referring to people or things with a particular characteristic. These adjectives are capitalized and decline like nouns based on gender, case, and number.
Common Uses of Adjektive als Substantive
Adjectives as nouns are commonly used to refer to groups of people (e.g., the rich, the sick) or abstract concepts (e.g., the good, the bad). Here are a few common structures:
- Der Alte - The old man
- Die Reichen - The rich (plural)
- Das Gute - The good (thing)
- Die Kranke - The sick (woman)
Forming Adjektive als Substantive
To form adjectives as nouns, capitalize the adjective and use the appropriate article. Decline the adjective based on gender, case, and number as shown in the following table:
| Case |
Masculine |
Feminine |
Neuter |
Plural |
| Nominative |
der Alte |
die Alte |
das Gute |
die Alten |
| Accusative |
den Alten |
die Alte |
das Gute |
die Alten |
| Dative |
dem Alten |
der Alten |
dem Guten |
den Alten |
| Genitive |
des Alten |
der Alten |
des Guten |
der Alten |
Examples in Sentences
1. Der Alte geht spazieren. - The old man goes for a walk.
2. Die Reichen haben oft viel Einfluss. - The rich often have a lot of influence.
3. Wir schätzen das Gute im Leben. - We appreciate the good in life.
4. Die Kranken brauchen Ruhe. - The sick need rest.
5. Sie kümmert sich um die Alten. - She takes care of the elderly.
Note: Remember to capitalize adjectives when they function as nouns and to use appropriate declension based on gender and case.