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The noun phrase: determiners and pronouns
3.3 Uses of the articles Generally speaking, articles are used in German much as they are in English. But there are certain differences, with usage being affected by context and style. These are the main differences to watch out for in German:
The definite article is often used before abstract nouns: Die Demokratie ist in einer Krise. Sie glaubt an das Leben nach dem Tod.
Democracy is in a state of crisis. She believes in life after death.
The definite article is often used before infinitives used as nouns: Das Fotografieren ist verboten. Ich liebe das Drachenfliegen.
It is not permitted to take photographs. I love hang-gliding.
The definite article is used with names of languages if these are in an ‘inflected’ form, i.e. with a case ending: eine Übersetzung aus dem Russischen Im Deutschen sagt man das nicht. BUT: Ich kann Deutsch.
a translation from Russian You don’t say that in German. I can speak German/I know German.
The definite article is used with names of months and seasons: Der April war verregnet. Im Winter friert der Bach zu.
April was rainy. In winter the stream freezes over.
The definite article is used with street names and with feminine and plural names of countries: Ich wohne in der Marktstraße. Wir wohnen jetzt in der Schweiz. Sie lebt in den Niederlanden.
I live in Market Street. We live in Switzerland now. She lives in the Netherlands.
The definite article is used with all proper names qualified by an adjective or adjectival phrase: das heutige Deutschland der junge Heinrich Mann das zerstörte Dresden das zur Hauptstadt ernannte Berlin
Germany today/modern Germany the young Heinrich Mann the destroyed city of Dresden Berlin, which has been made the capital
