Ein

Ein is the indefinite article in German, used to refer to a non-specified singular noun, and also to express the cardinal number “one” before a noun. It corresponds to the English “a” or “an” in indefiniteness, and to the numeral sense when used before a noun. There is no plural indefinite article in German; quantities or numerals are used instead.

Declension and forms

Ein is declined for gender and case in the singular. Nominative: ein (masculine and neuter), eine (feminine). Accusative: einen (masculine), eine (feminine), ein (neuter). Dative: einem (masculine and neuter), einer (feminine). Genitive: eines (masculine and neuter), einer (feminine). Examples: ein Mann (a man), eine Frau (a woman), ein Kind (a child); einen Mann, eine Frau, ein Kind; mit einem Mann, einer Frau, einem Kind; eines Mannes, einer Frau, eines Kindes. When accompanied by adjectives, ein triggers the mixed declension: ein guter Mann, eine schöne Blume, ein kleines Haus.

Usage notes

Ein is used both as a determiner before nouns and as a numeral meaning “one” in contexts without a noun or after certain numerals, though the standalone pronoun eins is used for “one” in some constructions. The pronunciation is typically [aɪn]. In compounds and fixed expressions, the form may vary with the surrounding grammar.

Etymology and related forms

Ein derives from Proto-Germanic *ainaz and is cognate with English one, Dutch een, and other Germanic forms. It shares its root with the numeral eins, which stands alone and is not declined like the article.

See also: indefinite articles in German, German declension, German numerals.