In German, the Genitiv is one of the ways to express the possession of a noun referring to a person, thing or matter. It is considered one of the most important topics and plays a foundational role in learning German. In today's article, we will explore this form of possession together.

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1. The Genitiv answers the question ‘’Wessen?’’ (whose)

Wessen Haus ist das? (Whose house is this?)

→ Das ist das Haus meiner Eltern. (This is my parents' house.)

2. Using articles in the Genitiv

• General structure: Possessed noun + article/possessive pronoun + Possessor noun

a. Ben sucht das Buch seines Bruders.

(Ben is looking for his brother's book.)

→ das Buch: the possessed noun

→ Bruder: the possessor noun referring to a person

b. Wir brauchen ein Zimmer deines Hauses.

(We need a room of your house.)

→ ein Zimmer: the possessed noun

→ dein Haus: the possessor noun referring to a thing

3. The possessor noun and the article/possessive pronoun change:

• Possessor noun with the gender der or das: Possessed noun + des/eines/keines/meines/.... + Possessor noun with the ending -s or -es added

Man kann die Atmosphäre des Raums durch Licht ändern.

(You can change the atmosphere of a room with light.)

→ der Raum → des Raums

!!!Note: Most nouns take the ending -s. Nouns with only one syllable take -es.

• Possessor noun with the gender die: Possessed noun + der/einer/keiner/meiner/.... + Possessor noun

Wir sollen die Tür unserer Wohnung reparieren.

(We need to repair the door of our apartment.)

→ unsere Wohnung (die) → unserer Wohnung

• Possessor noun in the plural (Plural): Possessed noun + der/ keiner/meiner/.... + Possessor noun

Linda liest die Nachrichten der Gäste.

(Linda reads the messages from the guests.)

→ die Gäste (Pl.) → der Gäste