Same word, different article: der See or die See?

With some German nouns, only the article tells you what’s meant. Der See is a lake; die See is the sea. Words like these are the best reason never to learn a noun without its article.

One word, two meanings

The same word for a man and a woman

Nouns made from an adjective or participle take either article, depending on who is meant: der Angestellte (a male employee), die Angestellte (a female one). After ein, the ending changes as an adjective’s would: ein Angestellter, but eine Angestellte. More examples: Angestellte, Bekannte, Deutsche, Erwachsene, Jugendliche, Verwandte, Vorsitzende, Kranke.

Two articles, one meaning

Sometimes both articles are correct and mean the same thing, often depending on the region: der or das Joghurt, der or das Radiergummi, der or das Liter. The dictionary page then shows both.