The noun (Substantiv/Nomen) Orange is feminine in German. Therefore, the correct definite article in the nominative singular is die. So, you say: die Orange.
(orange)
Eine Zitrusfrucht mit oranger Schale und saftigem Fruchtfleisch.
A citrus fruit with an orange peel and juicy pulp.
Ich esse gern eine Orange zum Frühstück.
I like to eat an orange for breakfast.
German grammatical gender can be tricky at first, as it doesn't always seem logical - like with the neuter 'das Mädchen' (the girl). But here's the good news: Even though you won't find a rule for every word and some things just need to be memorized, there are quite a few helpful patterns and rules! These are real guideposts and can make your life significantly easier. So it's definitely worth knowing them!
Nouns ending in -a are usually feminine. Common in words of Latin/Italian origin
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Nouns ending in -anz are usually feminine. Found in abstract nouns, often of Latin origin
Nouns ending in -enz are usually feminine. Abstract nouns, often derived from Latin
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Nouns ending in -ei are usually feminine. Common in nouns referring to places or activities
Nouns ending in -ie are usually feminine. Found in abstract nouns, often of French/Latin origin
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Nouns ending in -heit are usually feminine. Forms abstract nouns from adjectives, indicating a state or quality
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Nouns ending in -keit are usually feminine. Similar to -heit, used to form abstract nouns from adjectives
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Nouns ending in -ik are usually feminine. Found in abstract nouns, often related to sciences or disciplines
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Nouns ending in -sion are usually feminine. Abstract nouns, often of Latin origin
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Nouns ending in -tion are usually feminine. Abstract nouns, often of Latin origin
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Nouns ending in -sis are usually feminine. Abstract nouns, often of Greek origin
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Nouns ending in -tät are usually feminine. Abstract nouns, often of Latin origin
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Nouns ending in -ung are usually feminine. Forms nouns from verbs, indicating an action or result
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Nouns ending in -ur are usually feminine. Abstract nouns, often of Latin origin
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Nouns ending in -schaft are usually feminine. Forms collective or abstract nouns, often indicating relationships or groups
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Female Counterparts (-in/-frau): Nouns referring to female individuals
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Verbal Nouns ending in -t: Often derived from verbs, indicating actions or results
Aircraft, Motorcycles & Ships: These are typically feminine in German
Animals: Female animals are typically feminine in German
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Female Persons: Nouns referring to female individuals are feminine
Exceptions:
Numerals as Nouns: Numbers used as nouns are feminine
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Exceptions:
German-Speaking Countries' Rivers: Rivers in German-speaking countries are typically feminine
Nouns ending in -kraft are usually feminine. Typically describing power or strength
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Nouns ending in -flucht are usually feminine. Typically describing escape or flight
Nouns ending in -sucht are usually feminine. Typically describing desires or addictions
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Nouns ending in -kunft are usually feminine. Typically describing arrivals or origins
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Nouns ending in -sicht are usually feminine. Typically describing views or perspectives
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Nouns ending in -welt are usually feminine. Typically describing worlds or environments
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The noun (Substantiv/Nomen) Orange is neutral in German. Therefore, the correct definite article in the nominative singular is das. So, you say: das Orange.
(orange)
Eine Farbe zwischen Rot und Gelb.
A color between red and yellow.
Das Kleid ist orange.
The dress is orange.
German grammatical gender can be tricky at first, as it doesn't always seem logical - like with the neuter 'das Mädchen' (the girl). But here's the good news: Even though you won't find a rule for every word and some things just need to be memorized, there are quite a few helpful patterns and rules! These are real guideposts and can make your life significantly easier. So it's definitely worth knowing them!
Nouns ending in -chen are always neuter. This diminutive suffix makes things small or cute
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Nouns ending in -lein are always neuter. This diminutive suffix makes things small or cute
Examples:
Nouns ending in -icht are usually neuter. Found in abstract or collective nouns
Nouns ending in -il are usually neuter. Found in technical or scientific terms
Nouns ending in -it are usually neuter. Found in technical or scientific terms
Nouns ending in -ma are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
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Nouns ending in -ment are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
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Nouns ending in -tel are usually neuter. Found in fractional or diminutive terms
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Nouns ending in -tum are usually neuter. Found in abstract or collective nouns
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Nouns ending in -um are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
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Words with Ge- prefix: Often neuter, especially in collective or abstract nouns
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Exceptions:
Nouns ending with -nis and -sal: About 70% are neuter, often abstract or collective
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Foreign Loan Words (-al, -an, -ar, -är, -at, -ent, -ett, -ier, -iv, -o, -on): Often neuter, especially in technical or abstract terms
Alphabet Letters and Music Notes: Always neuter in German
Continents, Cities, Provinces, and Countries: Typically neuter, except for specific exceptions
Exceptions:
Gerunds and Parts of Speech as Nouns: Always neuter in German
Examples:
Hospitality Establishments: Names of hotels, restaurants, and cinemas are neuter
Nouns ending in -gut are usually neuter. Often describing goods or assets