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Normally, a noun in German comes with an article:
With a definite article (der, das, die) or with an indefinite article (a, an).
But sometimes we don't need an article. Then we say: The noun has got a zero-article.
You will easily learn the zero article in German grammar and how to use it in this article.
Content
I. What is the Zero-Article, der Nullartikel?
Normally nouns have a definite article (der/die/das) or an indefinite article.
But there are exceptions.
In some cases, nouns come without articles. Then we say: The noun has a zero article.
You can think of it like a vacuum:
There is no air = There is a vacuum.
There is no article = There is a zero article.
II. How to use the Zero-Article in German Grammar
In the following cases, you do not need an article. That means: we have a zero-article.
To show it's position, it is marked here like this: ()
1. The indefinite article in the plural
The indefinite article (a, an) has no plural form. That's why you need the zero article here:
Hier ist eine Blume 🌷. - Hier sind () Blumen💐.
Franziska hat einen Hund 🐕. - Franziska hat () Hunde🐕🐩.
2. Proper names of People and Companies
We use the zero-article for proper names of people and companies.
Das ist () Sonja.
Die Geschirrspülmaschine ist von () Siemens.
3. Nationalities and Languages
The same is true for nationalities and languages:
Ich bin Deutsche und Pierre ist Franzose.
Pierre lernt Deutsch.
Lena spricht Französisch.
4. Cities, Continents, Countries
Cities, continents, and most countries also take the zero-article.
Warst du schon in () Hamburg?
Deutschland liegt in () Europa.“
BUT:
Some countries always have an article:
Olha komme aus der Ukraine
Jim kommt aus den USA.
5. Professions
For Professions, you need the zero-article if you use „werden“ (to become), „sein“ (to be), or „als“ (as).
Theresa ist () Lehrerin/ Schülerin/ Krankenschwester/ ...
Frau Müller arbeitet als () Taxifahrerin.
Alexander will () Arzt werden.
6. After Size, Weight, or Number descriptions
There is a zero-article after size, weight, or quantity (number description).
Möchtest du eine Tasse () Kaffee?
Du brauchst 250g () Zucker.
Für dieses Rezept nimmst du drei () Bananen.
7. Materials and Substances
Materials and Substances come without an article.
For example: Wasser, Holz, Gold, Papier, Seide, Wolle, ...
Der Tisch ist aus () Holz.
Das Spiezeug ist aus () Plastik.
8. Abstract Nouns
Abstract Nouns are the ones that you can neither see nor touch.
For example: Luft, Liebe, Glück, Wut, Freude, Hoffnung ...
They also come with the zero-article.
Die Blumen brauchen () Licht.
Das Malen macht mir () Freude.
III. Exceptions: you need an article, if ...
1. There is an adjective before the noun
If there is an adjective before the noun, you usually (not always!) need an article:
Das ist () Sonja. (without adjective)
Das ist die liebe Sonja. (with adjective)
Alexander will () Arzt werden. (without adjective)
Alexander will ein guter Arzt werden. (with adjective)
Remember: Just like in English, there is no plural of undetermined articles.
Hier sind () Blumen.
Hier sind schöne () Blumen. (with adjective but without article)
2. Specific People or Things
Frau Müller ist () Taxifahrerin.
Frau Müller ist die Taxifahrerin mit dem großen, neuen Auto. (= precisely this women)
Frau Müller ist eine Taxifahrerin, mit der ich sehr gerne fahre. (= closer description, can be one of many)
Hier sind die schönen Blumen, die mir mein Mann geschenkt hat. (these specific flowers - with a determined article).
IV. Summary
The zero-article means: There is no article in front of the noun.
You usually need the zero article when a noun is unspecified.
If there is an adjective before the noun, you often cannot leave out the article.
Is there a zero article in your language? Is it used the same way as in German?
Recognizing the differences and similarities can help you learn German!
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