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Predicative adjectives (no ending)

Predicative adjectives (no ending)

After sein, werden, bleiben

The adjective has no ending when it is not directly in front of a noun:

  • Das Auto ist rot.
  • Sie wird müde.
  • Der Kuchen bleibt warm.

With noun (attributive)

Then endings return: ein rotes Auto, die müde Frau — see B2 cheatsheet for the full grid.

gut / besser / am besten

Das ist gut. vs ein guter Tag (attributive needs an ending).

Practical Examples

  1. Das Auto ist rot.
  • The car is red.
  • Usage Note: Adjectives used after forms of "sein" (to be) do not take an ending.
  1. Die Blumen sind schön.
  • The flowers are beautiful.
  • Usage Note: Even with plural subjects, the predicative adjective remains unchanged.
  1. Ist der Kaffee heiß?
  • Is the coffee hot?
  • Usage Note: The rule applies equally to questions; the adjective stays in its base form.
  1. Das Buch ist nicht interessant.
  • The book is not interesting.
  • Usage Note: When negating, the adjective still has no ending.
  1. Er ist müde.
  • He is tired.
  • Usage Note: This applies to describing people's states or characteristics.
  1. Sie sind nett.
  • They are nice.
  • Usage Note: The adjective form is consistent regardless of the gender or number of the subject.
  1. Sind die Äpfel frisch?
  • Are the apples fresh?
  • Usage Note: This is a common structure for asking about the quality of items.
  1. Das Essen ist nicht lecker.
  • The food is not delicious.
  • Usage Note: Use "nicht" before the adjective to negate it.
  1. Das Wetter ist gut.
  • The weather is good.
  • Usage Note: A very common phrase using a predicative adjective.
  1. Ich bin glücklich.
  • I am happy.
  • Usage Note: This structure is used to express personal feelings or states.
  1. Ist das Wasser kalt?
  • Is the water cold?
  • Usage Note: Simple questions about temperature follow this pattern.
  1. Die Musik ist laut.
  • The music is loud.
  • Usage Note: Used to describe qualities of things, like sounds.
  1. Meine Wohnung ist nicht groß.
  • My apartment is not big.
  • Usage Note: Useful for describing the size of objects or places.
  1. Wir sind fertig.
  • We are finished/ready.
  • Usage Note: A practical phrase for indicating completion or readiness.
  1. Die Aufgabe ist einfach.
  • The task is simple.
  • Usage Note: This structure is used to describe the difficulty or nature of a task.