German adjectives come before the noun, as in English, and are not capitalized. However, as in French and other Indo-European languages, they are generally inflected when they come before a noun: they take an ending that depends on the gender and case of the noun phrase. Note that when using an uninflectedindefinite article, or when noarticle is used, the adjective takes the ending letter of the definite article of the noun.
* non-inflectable phrases: ein paar , ein bisschen
The adjective endings are similar to the definite article endings, apart from the adjectival ending "-en" in the masculine and neuter genitive singular.
"wenig" and "viel" can be put in the plural, where they take endings as normal: viele/wenige Kinder
Criteria for inflection
German adjectives take different sets of endings in different circumstances. Essentially, the adjectives must provide case, gender and numberinformation only if the articles do not. This is among the more confusing aspects of German grammar for those learning the language. However, the adjective endings nearly always adhere to the following rules:
Strong inflection
The strong inflection is used when there is no article at all, or if the noun is preceded by a non-inflectable word or phrase such as ein bisschen, etwas or viel. It is also used when the adjective is preceded merely by another regular adjective.
Mixed inflection
The mixed inflection is used when the adjective is preceded by an indefinite article or a possessive determiner. Note: The prevailing view is that the mixed inflection is not a true inflection in its own right, but merely the weak inflection with a few additions to compensate for the lack of the masculine nominative and neuter nominative and accusative endings.
Weak inflection
The weak inflection is used when there is a definite word in place. The definite word has provided most of the necessary information, so the adjective endings are simpler. The endings are applicable to every degree of comparison.
Adjective comparison
Positive form
The basic form of the adjective is the positive form: the adjective stem with the appropriate ending.
Comparative form
The basic comparative form consists of the stem and the suffix-er. Inflected, the corresponding adjective ending is attached.
A predicate form of the superlative is actually a prepositional phrase. One attaches the suffixes-st and the adjective ending -en to the root, and the wordam is put before it. The attributive superlative form adds the "st" to the comparative root and then the conventional adjective ending. This form can also be placed in a predicate position with the appropriate adjective ending:
