German Topic
Frequently asked questions: Cases Summary in German.
German grammar is known for its cases, which can be challenging for learners. Cases are used to show the function of a word in a sentence – whether it's the subject, direct object, indirect object, or shows possession. Let's break down each case to provide a clearer understanding.
If at any point you want more detail about a specific case, you can check out the specific topic for that case via the related topics navigation.
For example - "Er läuft durch den Park"
The correct preposition to use with 'laufen' to convey the meaning of 'to run through' is 'durch', forming the phrase 'laufen durch'. The sentence 'Er läuft durch den Park' translates to 'He is running through the park.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of running through a place. Fun Fact: 'Laufen durch' requires the accusative case, as it typically involves a direct object – the place being run through.
For example - "Die Katze der Nachbarin ist sehr süß."
The correct definite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "der". So, the sentence should be "Die Katze der Nachbarin ist sehr süß", which translates to "The neighbor's cat is very cute" in English. Note that "die Nachbarin" is the feminine form of the noun "der Nachbar", which is why we use the feminine definite article. This becomes "der Nachbarin" in the genitive case.
For example - "Die Farbe des Hauses ist rot."
The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the genitive case is "des." Hence, the sentence should be "Die Farbe des Hauses ist rot," which means "The color of the house is red" in English.
For example - "Die Blätter des Baumes sind grün."
The appropriate definite article for masculine nouns in the genitive case is "des." Therefore, the sentence should be "Die Blätter des Baumes sind grün," which translates to "The leaves of the tree are green" in English.
For example - "Er arbeitet an einem neuen Projekt"
The correct preposition to use with 'arbeiten' to convey the meaning of 'to work on' is 'an', forming the phrase 'arbeiten an'. The sentence 'Er arbeitet an einem neuen Projekt' translates to 'He is working on a new project.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of working on something. Fun Fact: 'Arbeiten an' requires the dative case.
For example - "Die Schönheit einer Stadt ist atemberaubend"
The correct indefinite article for feminine nouns in the genitive case is "einer." Thus, the sentence should be "Die Schönheit einer Stadt ist atemberaubend," which translates to "The beauty of a city is breathtaking" in English.
For example - "Erinnern Sie sich an meinen Namen?"
The correct preposition to use with "erinnern" to convey the meaning of "to remember" is "an", making the expression "sich erinnern an". The sentence "Erinnern Sie sich an meinen Namen" means "Do you remember my name".
For example - "Das Haus des Kindes ist groß"
The genitive case is used for possession. The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the genitive case is "des." Thus, the sentence should be "Das Haus des Kindes ist groß", which translates to "The child's house is big" in English.
For example - "Ich helfe ihm immer, wenn er Hilfe braucht."
The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'er' (he) is 'ihm'. In the sentence, 'ihm' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. 'Er' changes to 'ihm' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.
For example - "Ich entdecke den Brief unter einem Stapel alter Bücher."
The word "Brief" is a masculine noun in German. In German grammar, "Brief" is "der Brief" in the nominative case. However, when a masculine noun is used in the accusative case, the definite article changes from "der" to "den." Therefore, in the sentence "Ich entdecke den Brief unter einem Stapel alter Bücher," which translates to "I discover the letter under a pile of old books" in English, "den Brief" correctly uses the accusative case for the masculine noun "Brief."
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