Table of Contents
- Introduction to German Cases
- Why Cases Matter in German
- Overview of the Four German Cases
- The Nominative Case
- Usage
- Examples
- The Accusative Case
- Usage
- Examples
- The Dative Case
- Usage
- Examples
- The Genitive Case
- Usage
- Examples
- Declension of Articles and Nouns
- Definite Articles
- Indefinite Articles
- Noun Endings
- German Prepositions and Cases
- Prepositions with Accusative
- Prepositions with Dative
- Prepositions with Genitive
- Two-way Prepositions
- Case Requirements of Verbs
- Tips and Tricks for Mastering Case
- Mnemonic Devices
- Learning Strategies
- Practice Exercises
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Conclusion
Introduction to German Cases
You’ve likely noticed by now that German has a lot of articles to use with nouns.
There’s ein, eine, einer, einen, and einem. Then, there’s der, die, das, den, and dem. Then even keine, keiner, and keinen.
Whew.
Well, you have noun genders and noun cases to blame. Based on these, a specific article must be used.
Huh? Genders? Cases?
Yes! If you didn’t know by now, each noun in the German language has a gender. It’s either masculine, feminine, or neuter (or plural—though I guess that’s not a gender).
It may not make much sense, but it’s simple enough, really. Just remember what a noun’s gender is each time you encounter a new one.
But cases are the juicier, arguably more difficult part of German grammar.
So what are cases?
Think of cases as the use case of a noun in a sentence. It refers to the role it plays in that sentence relative to the other nouns.
Is it the doer of the action? Or a receiver of it? Or the possessor of another noun?
This reflects the case of the noun and, along with its gender, also tells us which article to use with it.
Why Cases Matter in German
While seemingly complicated, I find the case system beautiful. Why?
Because it actually allows for the nouns in a sentence to be rearranged—and still mean the exact same thing!
Take, for example, the English sentence:
The woman gives the man a gift.
We can rearrange the nouns in this sentence, but it won’t mean the same thing anymore:
The man gives the woman a gift.
Now, let’s take a look at this same sentence in German:
Die Frau macht dem Mann ein Geschenk.
We can rearrange this to become:
Dem Mann macht Die Frau ein Geschenk.
This still means the same thing. It still means The woman gives the man a gift, even if the position of the nouns has been rearranged.
Why? Because of the articles used with each noun!
The noun Frau uses the article die—and die indicates its case as the performer of the verb macht (give).
Meanwhile, the noun Mann uses the article Dem—and dem indicates its case as a receiver of that action.
In German, it’s not really the position of the noun that dictates its role in the sentence like in English, but its case, which indicates which article to use. (Though you could also say that the article indicates its case—but you get the idea!)
After you read this article, make sure to head to our article about, well, German articles to get a clearer idea of all this!
Or, if you want a quick rundown, here are tables explaining which article to use with each gender-case combination!
Source: germanwithlaura.com
Overview of the Four German Cases
There are four distinct cases in the German language:
- Nominative Case: Identifies the subject of the sentence.
- Accusative Case: Marks the direct object.
- Dative Case: Marks the indirect object.
- Genitive Case: Indicates possession or close relationships between nouns.
Let’s dive deeper into each of them.
The Nominative Case
Nominative Usage
A noun is in the nominative case when it’s used as the subject of the sentence—or being the doer or performer of the action of the verb.
Nominative Examples
- Der Hund bellt.
- Translation: The dog barks.
- Explanation: "Der Hund" (the dog) is the subject performing the action of barking.
- Translation: The dog barks.
- Die Frau liest ein Buch.
- Translation: The woman reads a book.
- Explanation: "Die Frau" (the woman) is the subject who is reading.
- Translation: The woman reads a book.
- Das Kind spielt im Garten.
- Translation: The child plays in the garden.
- Explanation: "Das Kind" (the child) is the subject doing the playing.
- Translation: The child plays in the garden.
- Die Bücher sind interessant.
- Translation: The books are interesting.
- Explanation: "Die Bücher" (the books) is the subject being described.
- Translation: The books are interesting.
Key Point: The nominative case answers the question "Who?" or "What?" is performing the action.
The Accusative Case
Accusative Usage
A noun is in the accusative case if it’s used as the direct object—or the one being performed by the verb or the one receiving the action of the verb.
Accusative Examples
- Ich sehe den Mann.
- Translation: I see the man.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Ich" (I)
- Direct Object: "den Mann" (the man) is receiving the action of seeing.
- Subject: "Ich" (I)
- Translation: I see the man.
- Sie kauft einen Apfel.
- Translation: She buys an apple.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Sie" (She)
- Direct Object: "einen Apfel" (an apple) is being bought.
- Subject: "Sie" (She)
- Translation: She buys an apple.
- Wir besuchen die Stadt.
- Translation: We visit the city.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Direct Object: "die Stadt" (the city) is being visited.
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Translation: We visit the city.
- Er trinkt das Wasser.
- Translation: He drinks the water.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Er" (He)
- Direct Object: "das Wasser" (the water) is being drunk.
- Subject: "Er" (He)
- Translation: He drinks the water.
- Sie lieben die Kinder.
- Translation: They love the children.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Sie" (They)
- Direct Object: "die Kinder" (the children) are being loved.
- Subject: "Sie" (They)
- Translation: They love the children.
Key Point: The accusative case answers the question "Whom?" or "What?" is directly affected by the action or “What?” is being performed by the action.
Note on Masculine Articles: In the accusative case, only the masculine singular definite article changes from "der" to "den" and the indefinite article from "ein" to "einen".
The Dative Case
Dative Usage
A noun is in the dative case if it’s the indirect object of a sentence—or being indirectly affected by the action, often as its recipient or beneficiary.
Dative Examples
- Er gibt dem Kind einen Ball.
- Translation: He gives the child a ball.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Er" (He)
- Direct Object: "einen Ball" (a ball)
- Indirect Object: "dem Kind" (the child) receives the ball.
- Subject: "Er" (He)
- Translation: He gives the child a ball.
- Sie schreibt ihrer Freundin einen Brief.
- Translation: She writes her friend a letter.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Sie" (She)
- Direct Object: "einen Brief" (a letter)
- Indirect Object: "ihrer Freundin" (her friend) receives the letter.
- Subject: "Sie" (She)
- Translation: She writes her friend a letter.
- Wir erzählen den Kindern eine Geschichte.
- Translation: We tell the children a story.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Direct Object: "eine Geschichte" (a story)
- Indirect Object: "den Kindern" (the children) receive the story.
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Translation: We tell the children a story.
- Kannst du mir helfen?
- Translation: Can you help me?
- Explanation:
- Subject: "du" (you)
- Indirect Object: "mir" (me) is the person needing help.
- Note: Some verbs like "helfen" take a dative object directly.
- Subject: "du" (you)
- Translation: Can you help me?
- Ich schenke meinem Vater ein Buch.
- Translation: I give my father a book.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Ich" (I)
- Direct Object: "ein Buch" (a book)
- Indirect Object: "meinem Vater" (my father) receives the book.
- Subject: "Ich" (I)
- Translation: I give my father a book.
Key Point: The dative case answers the question "To whom?" or "For whom?" is the action done.
Note on Plurals: In the dative plural, an "-n" is added to the noun if it doesn't already end with an "n" or "s".
The Genitive Case
Genitive Usage
A noun is in the genitive case if it possesses or has a close relationship with another noun.
Think of it as using the phrase "of the" or the possessive "'s" in English.
Genitive Examples
- Das Auto des Mannes ist rot.
- Translation: The man's car is red.
- Explanation:
- Possessor: "des Mannes" (of the man)
- Subject: "Das Auto" (The car)
- Shows that the car belongs to the man.
- Possessor: "des Mannes" (of the man)
- Translation: The man's car is red.
- Die Farbe des Himmels ist blau.
- Translation: The color of the sky is blue.
- Explanation:
- Possessor: "des Himmels" (of the sky)
- Indicates the color pertains to the sky.
- Possessor: "des Himmels" (of the sky)
- Translation: The color of the sky is blue.
- Wir gedenken der Opfer.
- Translation: We commemorate the victims.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Genitive Object: "der Opfer" (of the victims)
- "Gedenken" requires a genitive object.
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Translation: We commemorate the victims.
- Wegen des Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause.
- Translation: Because of the weather, we stay at home.
- Explanation:
- Reason: "des Wetters" (of the weather)
- The preposition "wegen" takes the genitive case.
- Reason: "des Wetters" (of the weather)
- Translation: Because of the weather, we stay at home.
- Das Ende eines langen Tages.
- Translation: The end of a long day.
- Explanation:
- Possessor: "eines langen Tages" (of a long day)
- Shows the end belongs to the day.
- Possessor: "eines langen Tages" (of a long day)
- Translation: The end of a long day.
Key Point: The genitive case answers the question "Whose?" or "Of what?"
Note on Noun Endings: Masculine and neuter nouns often add "-s" or "-es" in the genitive singular.
Declension of Articles and Nouns
As said before, the articles used with each noun change based on its case and gender. Even the nouns themselves may vary slightly in form.
As you may know, these variations in form are called declensions.
Below are the declensions of nouns and articles, based on the noun’s case and gender.
Definite Articles
Indefinite Articles
Note on Noun Endings: In the genitive case, masculine and neuter nouns add "-s" or "-es". In the dative plural, nouns take an additional "-n" if they don't already end in "n" or "s".
German Prepositions and Cases
Some prepositions in German are only to be used with nouns in specific cases.
Prepositions with Accusative
These prepositions are always used in the accusative case:
- durch (through)
- für (for)
- gegen (against)
- ohne (without)
- um (around)
- bis (until)
- entlang (along) (usually placed after the noun)
Examples:
- Wir gehen durch den Park.
- Translation: We walk through the park.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "durch" (through)
- Object: "den Park" (the park) is in the accusative case.
- Preposition: "durch" (through)
- Translation: We walk through the park.
- Das Geschenk ist für meine Mutter.
- Translation: The gift is for my mother.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "für" (for)
- Object: "meine Mutter" (my mother) is accusative.
- Preposition: "für" (for)
- Translation: The gift is for my mother.
- Er kämpft gegen die Zeit.
- Translation: He fights against time.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "gegen" (against)
- Object: "die Zeit" (time) is accusative.
- Preposition: "gegen" (against)
- Translation: He fights against time.
Prepositions with Dative
These prepositions are always used in the dative case:
- aus (out of)
- außer (except for)
- bei (at, near)
- mit (with)
- nach (after, to)
- seit (since)
- von (from, of)
- zu (to)
- gegenüber (opposite)
Examples:
- Ich komme aus dem Haus
- Translation: I come out of the house.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "aus" (out of)
- Object: "dem Haus" (the house) is dative.
- Preposition: "aus" (out of)
- Translation: I come out of the house.
- Sie arbeitet bei der Firma.
- Translation: She works at the company.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "bei" (at)
- Object: "der Firma" (the company) is dative.
- Preposition: "bei" (at)
- Translation: She works at the company.
- Wir fahren mit den Kindern.
- Translation: We travel with the children.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "mit" (with)
- Object: "den Kindern" (the children) is dative plural.
- Preposition: "mit" (with)
- Translation: We travel with the children.
Prepositions with Genitive
These prepositions are always used in the genitive case:
- anstatt / statt (instead of)
- trotz (despite)
- während (during)
- wegen (because of)
- innerhalb (within)
- außerhalb (outside of)
Examples:
- Während des Sommers reisen viele Leute.
- Translation: During the summer, many people travel.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "während" (during)
- Object: "des Sommers" (the summer) is genitive.
- Preposition: "während" (during)
- Translation: During the summer, many people travel.
- Trotz des Regens gehen wir spazieren.
- Translation: Despite the rain, we go for a walk.
- Explanation:
- Preposition: "trotz" (despite)
- Object: "des Regens" (the rain) is genitive.
- Preposition: "trotz" (despite)
- Translation: Despite the rain, we go for a walk.
Two-way Prepositions
These prepositions can be used in either the accusative case (for motion/direction) or the dative case (for location), depending on the context:
- an (at, on)
- auf (on)
- hinter (behind)
- in (in)
- neben (next to)
- über (over, above)
- unter (under)
- vor (in front of)
- zwischen (between)
Examples:
- Motion (Accusative):
- Er stellt das Buch auf den Tisch.
- Translation: He puts the book on the table.
- Explanation:
- Verb: "stellt" (puts)
- Direct Object: "das Buch" (the book)
- Preposition: "auf" (on)
- Object: "den Tisch" (the table) is accusative due to motion toward.
- Verb: "stellt" (puts)
- Translation: He puts the book on the table.
- Er stellt das Buch auf den Tisch.
- Location (Dative):
- Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
- Translation: The book lies on the table.
- Explanation:
- Verb: "liegt" (lies)
- Preposition: "auf" (on)
- Object: "dem Tisch" (the table) is dative indicating location.
- Verb: "liegt" (lies)
- Translation: The book lies on the table.
- Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
- Motion (Accusative):
- Sie geht in die Schule.
- Translation: She goes into the school.
- Explanation:
- Verb: "geht" (goes)
- Preposition: "in" (into)
- Object: "die Schule" (the school) is accusative.
- Verb: "geht" (goes)
- Translation: She goes into the school.
- Sie geht in die Schule.
- Location (Dative):
- Sie ist in der Schule.
- Translation: She is in the school.
- Explanation:
- Verb: "ist" (is)
- Preposition: "in" (in)
- Object: "der Schule" (the school) is dative.
- Verb: "ist" (is)
- Translation: She is in the school.
- Sie ist in der Schule.
Tip: Ask "Where to?" (Wohin?) for accusative (motion) and "Where?" (Wo?) for dative (location).
Case Requirements of Verbs
Similarly, some verbs are also only to be used in certain cases.
Verbs with Accusative Objects
These verbs take a direct object in the accusative case.
- haben (to have)
- sehen (to see)
- finden (to find)
- kaufen (to buy)
- lieben (to love)
Example:
- Sie hat einen Hund.
- Translation: She has a dog.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Sie" (She)
- Direct Object: "einen Hund" (a dog) is accusative.
- Subject: "Sie" (She)
- Translation: She has a dog.
Verbs with Dative Objects
These verbs take an indirect object in the dative case.
- helfen (to help)
- danken (to thank)
- glauben (to believe)
- gefallen (to please)
- gehören (to belong)
Example:
- Ich danke dem Lehrer.
- Translation: I thank the teacher.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Ich" (I)
- Indirect Object: "dem Lehrer" (the teacher) is dative.
- Subject: "Ich" (I)
- Translation: I thank the teacher.
Verbs with Genitive Objects (Less Common)
Some verbs require a genitive object.
- gedenken (to commemorate)
- bedürfen (to require)
- sich erinnern (to remember) (often with "an" + accusative)
Example:
- Wir gedenken der Verstorbenen.
- Translation: We commemorate the deceased.
- Explanation:
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Genitive Object: "der Verstorbenen" (the deceased)
- Subject: "Wir" (We)
- Translation: We commemorate the deceased.
Tips and Tricks for Mastering Cases
Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic devices can be incredibly helpful, especially since German cases and articles involve a lot of memorization.
For example, here are some I’ve made for prepositions for specific cases:
- Accusative Prepositions
Use the acronym FUDGEBOW (für, um, durch, gegen, entlang, bis, ohne, wider) to remember accusative prepositions.
- Dative Prepositions
Remember AUS BAN S MVZ (aus, außer, seit, bei, an, nach, von, zu, mit, gegenüber).
Learning Strategies
Simply memorizing concepts and examples won’t be enough. If you want to learn German cases effectively and efficiently, incorporate these techniques:
Ask Questions
It can be difficult to determine the case at a mere glance, especially for beginners. After all, some articles are used with more than a single case. For example, eine is used for feminine nouns in both the nominative and accusative cases.
When unsure, asking questions can help you determine which nouns are in which case:
- Nominative: "Who/what is doing it?" (Wer?)
- Accusative: "Whom/what is it being done to?"(Wen? Was?)
- Dative: "To whom?" or "For whom?" (Wem?)
- Genitive: "Whose?" (Wessen?)
Practice Active Reading and Listening
Next time you’re reading German, don’t just breeze through the text. The same goes for listening to German speech. Pay attention to how each sentence is constructed and try to determine the cases of each noun you encounter.
Create Your Own Sentences
But don’t stop at reading! Real-life—and language proficiency tests—will need you to speak and write too.
Get a wide array of nouns and use each of them in a different case in different sentences.
Use Color-Coding
At first, it can be difficult to keep track of each noun’s role in a sentence. One technique I’ve used when I was learning is highlighting each noun in a sentence with a different color based on its case.
Practice Exercises
Try translating each sentence into German—and ensure correct case usage!
- The teacher (male) gives the student (female) a book.
- The woman sees the dog.
- We are helping our friends.
- During the day, the sun shines.
- He puts the lamp on the table.
- She is sitting under the tree.
- Because of the storm, the flight was canceled.
- They thank the parents.
- I need an umbrella.
- The child's toy is broken.
Answers:
- Der Lehrer gibt der Schülerin ein Buch.
- Subject: "Der Lehrer" (Nominative)
- Indirect Object: "der Schülerin" (Dative)
- Direct Object: "ein Buch" (Accusative)
- Subject: "Der Lehrer" (Nominative)
- Die Frau sieht den Hund.
- Subject: "Die Frau" (Nominative)
- Direct Object: "den Hund" (Accusative)
- Subject: "Die Frau" (Nominative)
- Wir helfen unseren Freunden.
- Subject: "Wir" (Nominative)
- Indirect Object: "unseren Freunden" (Dative)
- Subject: "Wir" (Nominative)
- Während des Tages scheint die Sonne.
- Genitive Phrase: "Während des Tages" (Genitive)
- Subject: "die Sonne" (Nominative)
- Genitive Phrase: "Während des Tages" (Genitive)
- Er stellt die Lampe auf den Tisch.
- Subject: "Er" (Nominative)
- Direct Object: "die Lampe" (Accusative)
- Prepositional Object: "auf den Tisch" (Accusative due to motion)
- Subject: "Er" (Nominative)
- Sie sitzt unter dem Baum.
- Subject: "Sie" (Nominative)
- Prepositional Object: "unter dem Baum" (Dative for location)
- Subject: "Sie" (Nominative)
- Wegen des Sturms wurde der Flug abgesagt.
- Genitive Phrase: "Wegen des Sturms" (Genitive)
- Subject: "der Flug" (Nominative)
- Genitive Phrase: "Wegen des Sturms" (Genitive)
- Sie danken den Eltern.
- Subject: "Sie" (They) (Nominative)
- Indirect Object: "den Eltern" (Dative)
- Subject: "Sie" (They) (Nominative)
- Ich brauche einen Regenschirm.
- Subject: "Ich" (I) (Nominative)
- Direct Object: "einen Regenschirm" (Accusative)
- Subject: "Ich" (I) (Nominative)
- Das Spielzeug des Kindes ist kaputt.
- Possessive Phrase: "des Kindes" (Genitive)
- Subject: "Das Spielzeug" (Nominative)
- Possessive Phrase: "des Kindes" (Genitive)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
With how so many things depending on the case system in German grammar, there are many common mistakes:
- Mixing Up Verbs and Cases with Preposition
It’s very easy to forget that some verbs and prepositions can only be used in certain cases, so make sure to memorize them!
- Forgetting Noun Declensions
Another thing that’s easy to forget is the noun declensions for dative plural nouns or genitive case nouns.
- Overlooking Verbs that Require Dative:
Some verbs are always used in the dative case, even if the noun seems to be a direct object (or in the accusative case).
- Two-way Prepositions Confusion:
Another common oversight is that people forget that some prepositions are two-way. They can be either accusative (when indicating motion) or dative (when indicating location).
Conclusion
A lot of people fear learning about cases—it’s like the German language’s boogeyman.
But once you grasp its basics (and yes, memorize those declensions and prepositions), the actual usage is not that complicated.
As always, simply keep practicing! In no time you’ll find yourself naturally using the right article for all the cases and even remembering those pesky case-specific prepositions.
