Alternative

noun
alternative, option, choice
B1

Alternative: noun meaning an alternative, option, or choice. Feminine: die Alternative, plural Alternativen. Often used in phrases like 'als Alternative zu' (as an alternative to). Regular declension. Used for substitute proposals, different possibilities or choices in decisions and planning contexts.

Examples

Gibt es denn keine Alternative zu diesem Plan?
Is there no alternative to this plan?
Als Alternative zum Auto nahm sie das Fahrrad.
As an alternative to the car, she took her bike.
Die Alternative ist, das Projekt zu verschieben.
The option is to postpone the project.

Details

PluralAlternativen

Declension

CaseSingularPlural
nominativedie Alternativedie Alternativen
genitiveder Alternativeder Alternativen
dativeder Alternativeden Alternativen
accusativedie Alternativedie Alternativen

Mnemonics

👁️Picture two doors; choosing the other door is choosing an 'Alternative'.
👂Same as English 'alternative' — think another option.
⚧️die — pair with 'die Option' (feminine) to remember it's feminine.

Notes

Feminine noun often used interchangeably with 'Option' in everyday contexts; plural frequently used when discussing multiple choices.

Category

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Related Words

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