CEFR B2
Noun Gender: Semantic and Derivational Rules
Determine noun gender from semantic groups, suffixes, and the final element of compounds, while recognising important exceptions.
Last updated: July 12, 2026
Explanation
Rule-to-example map
| Rule | German example |
|---|---|
| male person | der Lehrer |
| suffix -ung/-heit/-keit | die Entscheidung / die Freiheit / die Möglichkeit |
| suffix -chen/-lein | das Mädchen / das Häuschen |
| nominalised infinitive | das Lesen |
| suffix -ismus/-ist | der Realismus / der Journalist |
| suffix -ion/-tät/-ik | die Diskussion / die Universität / die Musik |
| suffix -ment/-um | das Argument / das Museum |
| many weekdays, months, seasons, and weather phenomena | der Montag / der Regen |
| exception | das Bier, aber der Wein |
| compound inherits final element | die Sprachschule, aber der Sprachkurs |
| abbreviation inherits full form | die Info = die Information |
Exercises
Start practice- Start practice
Type the correct article. Infer gender from word formation or meaning.
10 tasks
- Start practice
Choose the correct version; the correct option is not always in the same position.
10 tasks