gemischte Deklination
German
Pronunciation
Noun
gemischte Deklination f (genitive gemischter Deklination, plural gemischte Deklinationen)
Usage notes
- With regard to German adjectives, the term “mixed declension” is generally used for simplicity. A closer analysis shows, however, that there are in fact just two declensions, strong and weak, but that there is a general rule prescribing that determiners with no declensional ending must be followed by strong adjectives, even if they are otherwise followed by weak ones. This rule is most relevant for ein, kein and possessives, but is not restricted to them. Compare welcher schöne Tag (“what a beautiful day”) with the synonymous welch schöner Tag, in which latter the undeclined determiner causes the adjective to become strong.