Voted Best Answer
Dec 19, 2019 - 10:13 PM
Hi, this is a complex issue because it implies several elements:
- "Ein" is not really an adjective, it is what we call an "article", so the declension marks are different from the ones we use on proper adjectives.
- IN has to be followed by "dative" endings when it expresses a location, so either by dem (masc.), der (fem.) or dem (neut.) as in:
I'm at the restaurant = Ich bin in dem Restaurant
OR by einem (masc.), einer (fem.) or einem (neut.) as in:
I'm at a restaurant = Ich bin in einem Restaurant
If you haven't come accross these endings we'll introduce them soon in the program don't worry!
- Now, on the other hand, IN has to be followed by "accusative" endings when it expresses a direction, like here going into a place.
Which means it should be followed either by den (masc.), die (fem.) or das (neut.)
I'm going into the restaurant = Ich gehe in das Restaurant
Or it should be followed by einen (masc.), eine (fem.) or ein (neut.).
Watch out, "eines" is NOT the accusative form of "ein", it just stays the same "ein", which is why in your example, we have to say:
I'm going into a restaurant = Ich gehe in ein Restaurant
Don't hesitate to ask again if you still have any doubts, this issue can be quite confusing at first, but you'll see when you get the hang of it it starts becoming natural,
Keep up the good work,
Emilie
- "Ein" is not really an adjective, it is what we call an "article", so the declension marks are different from the ones we use on proper adjectives.
- IN has to be followed by "dative" endings when it expresses a location, so either by dem (masc.), der (fem.) or dem (neut.) as in:
I'm at the restaurant = Ich bin in dem Restaurant
OR by einem (masc.), einer (fem.) or einem (neut.) as in:
I'm at a restaurant = Ich bin in einem Restaurant
If you haven't come accross these endings we'll introduce them soon in the program don't worry!
- Now, on the other hand, IN has to be followed by "accusative" endings when it expresses a direction, like here going into a place.
Which means it should be followed either by den (masc.), die (fem.) or das (neut.)
I'm going into the restaurant = Ich gehe in das Restaurant
Or it should be followed by einen (masc.), eine (fem.) or ein (neut.).
Watch out, "eines" is NOT the accusative form of "ein", it just stays the same "ein", which is why in your example, we have to say:
I'm going into a restaurant = Ich gehe in ein Restaurant
Don't hesitate to ask again if you still have any doubts, this issue can be quite confusing at first, but you'll see when you get the hang of it it starts becoming natural,
Keep up the good work,
Emilie
