The noun (Substantiv/Nomen) Stier is masculine in German. Therefore, the correct definite article in the nominative singular is der. So, you say: der Stier.
(bull)
Ein männliches Rind.
A male bovine.
Der Stier war sehr kräftig.
The bull was very strong.
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 -ant are usually masculine. Common in words of Latin/French origin, often describing people or technical/scientific terms
Nouns ending in -ast are usually masculine. Usually found in scientific or technical terms, often from Greek/Latin origins
Nouns ending in -ich are usually masculine. Common Germanic suffix, often in everyday vocabulary and adjective-derived nouns
Nouns ending in -ig are usually masculine. Germanic suffix forming nouns from adjectives or verbs, often describing containers or enclosed spaces
Nouns ending in -ling are usually masculine. Forms nouns describing people or things with certain characteristics, often with diminutive or derogatory meaning
Nouns ending in -or are usually masculine. Latin origin, typically describing machines, devices, or professional roles
Nouns ending in -us are usually masculine. Latin/Greek origin, common in scientific, academic, and cultural terms
Strong Verb Nouns: Derived from strong verbs, describing the action itself or its result are usually masculine. Very reliable rule in German
Examples:
Cars: Car brands and models are generally masculine in German
Examples:
Currency: Most currency names are masculine, except for a few notable exceptions
Days, Months, and Seasons: These temporal nouns are consistently masculine
Male Persons: Nouns referring to male individuals are masculine
Examples:
Mountains and Mountain Ranges: Most mountain names are masculine, except for specific ranges
Non-German Rivers: Rivers outside German-speaking countries are typically masculine
Nouns ending in -gang are usually masculine. Typically describing paths or processes
Examples:
Nouns ending in -mut are usually masculine. Typically describing states or qualities
Examples:
The noun (Substantiv/Nomen) Stier is neutral in German. Therefore, the correct definite article in the nominative singular is das. So, you say: das Stier.
(Taurus)
Sternzeichen im Tierkreis.
Taurus astrological sign.
Ich bin im Sternzeichen Stier geboren.
I was born under the sign of Taurus.
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
Examples:
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
Examples:
Nouns ending in -ment are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
Examples:
Nouns ending in -tel are usually neuter. Found in fractional or diminutive terms
Examples:
Nouns ending in -tum are usually neuter. Found in abstract or collective nouns
Examples:
Nouns ending in -um are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
Examples:
Words with Ge- prefix: Often neuter, especially in collective or abstract nouns
Examples:
Exceptions:
Nouns ending with -nis and -sal: About 70% are neuter, often abstract or collective
Examples:
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