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In reply to the discussion: Does anyone have any tips about learning a new language? [View all]The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,681 posts)41. The reasons are probably lost in history. There is no obvious reason for any of it
except to the extent that the gender articles are appropriate to the genders of actual people - der Mann, etc. Other languages have different but equally obscure reasons for assigning a gender article to an inanimate object. Buch is neuter in German but bok is masculine in Norwegian, a somewhat related language. Tafel is feminine in German but bord is neuter in Norwegian. In Germany a cat is a girl (eine Katze) but in Norway a cat is a boy (en katt), but in both countries dogs are boys (Hund and hund). Who knows?
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For correct gender, memorise gender as you learn noun--DER Mann, DAS Kind, DIE Frau
bobbieinok
Oct 2018
#23
I wish you'd been able to give me this great advice when I studied German in high schoool 50 yrs ago
fierywoman
Oct 2018
#32
The reasons are probably lost in history. There is no obvious reason for any of it
The Velveteen Ocelot
Oct 2018
#41
On the other hand, I have also been told that if you are visiting one of those countries
The Velveteen Ocelot
Oct 2018
#37