What are the different ways to say the in German?

Answer 1

Gender, number and case can change the definite article.

masculine

der (nominative) - der Mann

des (genitive) - des Mannes

dem (dative) - dem Mann

den (accusative) - den Mann

feminine

die (nominative) - die Frau

der (genitive) - der Frau

der (dative) - der Frau

die (accusative) - die Frau

neuter

das (nominative) - das Mädchen

des (genitive) - des Mädchens

dem (dative) - dem Mädchen

das (accusative) - das Mädchen

plural

die (nominative) - die Autos

der (genitive) - der Autos

den (dative) - der Autos

die (accusative) die Autos

Note that these don't always only mean the but include information that would have to be expressed by using additional preposition in English.

the ... the ... - je ... desto, je ... umso ...