When to omit the article

In brief

German sometimes uses a noun without an article. After sein or werden, a job usually has no article when you simply state someone’s profession. Language names used for speaking or learning also stand alone. For an unspecified amount of a substance, or for people and things in general in the plural, an article is often unnecessary.

Form

sein/werden + profession; sprechen/lernen + language; unspecified substance or general plural + noun without article

Usage

• Say Ich bin Lehrerin to name a profession; use an article if you mean a particular person or add a description, as in eine gute Lehrerin.
• Say Ich spreche Deutsch when naming a language you speak.
• Use bare nouns for unspecified quantities, such as Wasser, and for general plurals, such as Kinder.

Examples

• Meine Schwester ist Ärztin. — My sister is a doctor.
• Ich lerne Deutsch. — I’m learning German.
• Kann ich Wasser haben? — Can I have some water?
• Kinder brauchen Schlaf. — Children need sleep.

Common mistake

❌ Ich spreche das Deutsch.

✅ Ich spreche Deutsch.

When naming a language you speak, use Deutsch without an article. Adding das here is not idiomatic.

Remember

A bare profession, language name or unspecified quantity often needs no article in German.