Article Words

Pronouns can come before a noun when they are used as a definite or indefinite article, e.g. the possessive pronoun.

The interrogative pronouns was für ein, welcher and wie viel(e) can also come before a noun like an article. In this case, the interrogative pronoun is called an interrogative article.

Only ein is declined with the singular interrogative article was für ein – just like the indefinite article ein/eine/ein. The interrogative article does not contain a declinable part when it comes to categories or classes. The plural form is was für and is not declined, e.g.:

The singular interrogative article wie viel is not declined. The declension of the plural form wie viel(e) is largely optional.

The demonstrative pronoun (like the definite or indefinite article), e.g.: dieser/diese/dieses – diese, jener/jene/jenes – jene, der/die/das – die, can come before a noun as a demonstrative article. It is declined and usually strongly emphasized. The endings are identical to the endings of the definite der/die/das – die.