gemischte Deklination

German edit

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ɡəˈmɪʃtə deklinaˈtsi̯oːn/
  • (file)

Noun edit

die gemischte Deklination f (usually definite, definite genitive der gemischten Deklination, no definite plural)

  1. mixed declension
    1. (Germany grammar) a type of declension that adjectives use after ein, kein, and possessive determiners
    2. (Germany grammar) a type of noun declension with -en in the plural, but -s, -es, -ens in the genitive singular
    3. (Latin grammar) a subclass of the third declension of nouns and adjectives

Usage notes edit

  • With regard to German adjectives, the term “mixed declension” is generally used for simplicity. A closer analysis shows, however, that there are in fact just two declensions, strong and weak, but that there is a general rule prescribing that determiners with no declensional ending must be followed by strong adjectives, even if they are otherwise followed by weak ones. This rule is most relevant for ein, kein and possessives, but is not restricted to them. Compare welcher schöne Tag (which beautiful day) with welch schöner Tag (what a beautiful day), in which latter the undeclined determiner causes the adjective to become strong.

Declension edit