---
title: "Article Use: Definite, Indefinite, or Zero — German grammar B2"
description: "Choose articles according to given/new information, generic or specific reference, and with materials, professions, institutions, and names."
canonical: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-article-use-definite-indefinite-zero"
lang: "en"
learning_language: "de"
cefr_level: "B2"
updated: "2026-07-11"
alternates:
  en: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-article-use-definite-indefinite-zero.md"
  fr: "https://cefra.app/fr/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-article-use-definite-indefinite-zero.md"
  pl: "https://cefra.app/pl/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-article-use-definite-indefinite-zero.md"
  ru: "https://cefra.app/ru/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-article-use-definite-indefinite-zero.md"
---

# Article Use: Definite, Indefinite, or Zero

[Cefra](https://cefra.app/en.md) › [German](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de.md) › [Grammar](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar.md) › [B2](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2.md) › Article Use: Definite, Indefinite, or Zero

Choose articles according to given/new information, generic or specific reference, and with materials, professions, institutions, and names.

Last updated: July 11, 2026

## Rule-to-example map

| Rule                                 | German example                     |
| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| first mention                        | Da steht eine Frau.                |
| mentioned again                      | Die Frau wartet auf den Bus.       |
| situationally unique                 | Wo ist das Auto?                   |
| globally unique                      | Die Sonne scheint.                 |
| generic indefinite                   | Ein Hund ist ein Haustier.         |
| generic definite                     | Der Hund stammt vom Wolf ab.       |
| material/uncountable zero            | Sie trinkt Kaffee.                 |
| profession after sein zero           | Er ist Arzt.                       |
| proper name zero / modified definite | Paris / das alte Paris             |
| fixed verb–noun zero                 | Sie spielt Klavier.                |
| specific material with article       | Der Kaffee auf dem Tisch ist kalt. |

## Exercises

[Start practice](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-article-use-definite-indefinite-zero/practice)

1. Sort all expressions by the appropriate rule. (10 tasks)
2. Choose the correct version; the correct option is not always in the same position. (10 tasks)