German Prepositions
Prepositions show relationships between things. They can be:
- Physical: The mouse is under the table. / I'm walking into a shop.
- Philosophical: I'm looking forward to the summer holiday. / He believes in God.
Prepositions are sometimes known as trigger words because they trigger a grammatical change in the item immediately after them (i.e. a different case).
Accusative Prepositions
The following prepositions trigger the accusative case:
| Preposition | Translation |
|---|
| für | for |
| um | around / for / at (time) |
| durch | through |
| gegen | against |
| entlang | along |
| bis | until |
| ohne | without |
| wider | against |
Memory tip: the first letters spell "fudge bow".
Examples
- Arsenal spielt gegen eine europäische Mannschaft. – Arsenal is playing against a European team.
- Wir sind durch den alten Markt gelaufen. – We walked through the market.
- Ich interessiere mich für moderne Technologie. – I’m interested in modern technology.
Dative Prepositions
The following prepositions trigger the dative case (try singing them to the tune of "Good King Wenceslas"):
| Preposition | Translation |
|---|
| aus | from / out of |
| bei | at / at the house of |
| mit | with |
| nach | to (a place) / after / past (time) |
| seit | since / for (time) |
| von | from |
| zu | to |
| gegenüber | opposite |
| außer | except for |
Contractions:
- zu + dem = zum
- zu + der = zur
- von + dem = vom
Examples
- Meine Mutter kommt aus einem kleinen Dorf. – My mum comes from a little village.
- Ich studiere Deutsch seit vielen Jahren. – I’ve been learning German for many years.
- Meine Schwester tanzt mit ihrer besten Freundin. – My sister dances with her best friend.
Mixed Prepositions
The following prepositions can trigger accusative or dative depending on whether there is movement or not:
| Preposition | Accusative Use | Dative Use |
|---|
| an | onto (vertical) | on (vertical) |
| auf | onto (horizontal) | on (horizontal) |
| hinter | behind (motion) | behind (location) |
| in | into | in |
| neben | next to (motion) | next to (location) |
| über | over (motion) | over (location) |
| unter | under (motion) | under (location) |
| vor | in front of / before (motion) | in front of / before (location) |
| zwischen | between (motion) | between (location) |
Contractions:
- an + dem = am
- in + dem = im
- in + das = ins
Examples
- Ich gehe in die Stadt. (motion → accusative) – I’m going into town.
- Ich bin in der Stadt. (no motion → dative) – I’m in town.
- Ich klebe ein Poster an die Wand. (motion → accusative) – I’m sticking a poster onto the wall.
- Es gibt ein Poster an der Wand. (no motion → dative) – There’s a poster on the wall.
- Er läuft zwischen seine Freunde. (motion through) – He’s walking between his friends.
- Er läuft zwischen seinen Freunden. (alongside) – He’s walking among his friends.
Genitive Prepositions
The following prepositions trigger the genitive case:
| Preposition | Translation |
|---|
| (an)statt | instead of |
| trotz | in spite of |
| außerhalb | outside |
| während | during |
| innerhalb | inside |
| wegen | because of |
Examples
- Während der Woche darf ich nicht ausgehen. – During the week I’m not allowed out.
- Ich bin wegen des Wetters nicht gegangen. – I didn’t go because of the weather.
- Ich wohne außerhalb der Stadt. – I live outside the town.
Common Mistakes Made by English Speakers
- Not learning what case follows each preposition
- Not knowing whether to use accusative or dative with mixed prepositions
