German Prepositions (Akkusativ & Dativ)
German prepositions govern specific cases. Some always take accusative (für, durch, gegen, ohne, um), some always take dative (aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu), and nine two-way prepositions take either depending on movement vs. location.
Prepositions in German are more complex than in English because each one requires a specific grammatical case. Mastering prepositions means knowing which case follows each one.
Accusative Prepositions
These prepositions always require the accusative case: bis (until/to), durch (through), für (for), gegen (against), ohne (without), um (around/at), entlang (along — follows the noun). Mnemonic: DOGFU (durch, ohne, gegen, für, um).
Dative Prepositions
These prepositions always require the dative case: aus (from/out of), außer (except), bei (at/near/during), gegenüber (opposite), mit (with), nach (after/to/according to), seit (since/for), von (from/of/by), zu (to/at).
Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)
Nine prepositions take either accusative or dative: an (at/on), auf (on/onto), hinter (behind), in (in/into), neben (next to), über (over/above), unter (under), vor (in front of/before), zwischen (between). The rule: accusative for movement toward a destination (Wohin?) and dative for static location (Wo?).
Contractions
Many preposition + article combinations contract: in dem → im, in das → ins, an dem → am, an das → ans, zu dem → zum, zu der → zur, bei dem → beim, von dem → vom. These contractions are standard and expected in everyday German.
Reference Tables
Prepositions by Case
| Case | Prepositions |
|---|---|
| Accusative | bis, durch, für, gegen, ohne, um, entlang |
| Dative | aus, außer, bei, gegenüber, mit, nach, seit, von, zu |
| Two-Way (Akk. or Dat.) | an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen |
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in dem | im | im Haus (in the house) |
| in das | ins | ins Kino (to the cinema) |
| an dem | am | am Montag (on Monday) |
| zu dem | zum | zum Bahnhof (to the station) |
| zu der | zur | zur Schule (to school) |
| bei dem | beim | beim Arzt (at the doctor's) |
| von dem | vom | vom Markt (from the market) |
Example Sentences
Das Geschenk ist für meinen Bruder.
The gift is for my brother.
'für' always takes accusative: meinen Bruder
Ich komme aus der Schweiz.
I come from Switzerland.
'aus' always takes dative: der Schweiz (feminine)
Ich gehe in den Park. (Wohin?)
I go into the park.
Two-way 'in' + accusative = movement toward
Ich bin im Park. (Wo?)
I am in the park.
Two-way 'in' + dative = location (im = in dem)
Common Mistakes
Ich gehe in dem Park. (meaning movement)
Ich gehe in den Park.
With two-way prepositions, use accusative for movement (Wohin?) and dative for location (Wo?). Going to the park is movement.
Ich fahre mit mein Auto.
Ich fahre mit meinem Auto.
'Mit' always requires dative. 'Mein' must become 'meinem' in the dative for neuter nouns.
Er wohnt gegenüber die Schule.
Er wohnt gegenüber der Schule.
'Gegenüber' takes the dative case. Feminine 'die' becomes 'der' in the dative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are two-way prepositions in German?
Two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen) are nine prepositions — an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen — that take the accusative for movement (Wohin?) and the dative for location (Wo?).
How do you remember which German prepositions take accusative?
Use the mnemonic DOGFU: Durch, Ohne, Gegen, Für, Um. These five (plus bis and entlang) always require the accusative case, regardless of context.
What are German preposition contractions?
Common preposition + article combinations merge into one word: in dem → im, in das → ins, an dem → am, zu dem → zum, zu der → zur, bei dem → beim, von dem → vom. These contractions are standard in everyday German.
Related Grammar Topics
Related Words
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