German Topic

FAQ - Dative Case

Frequently asked questions: Dative Case in German.

Introduction

Dative Case (Der Dativ) in German

The Dative case in German is used to identify the indirect object of a sentence – that is, the entity that is indirectly affected by the action of the verb. It often indicates the recipient of something or the beneficiary of an action. Understanding when and how to use the Dative case is vital for sentence construction and communication in German. The Dative case can also be used after certain prepositions and with certain verbs that require it, even if there is no direct object present in the sentence. This case is essential for expressing nuanced relationships between different elements of a sentence and plays a significant role in the structure and meaning of German language communication.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dative Case form of 'Ich' Personal Pronoun?

For example - "Die Mutter kauft mir ein Geschenk"

The dative case of the personal pronoun 'ich' (I) is 'mir'. In the sentence "Die Mutter kauft mir ein Geschenk," 'mir' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'kaufen' (to buy) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the gift is bought. 'Ich' changes to 'mir' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.

What is the Dative Case form of 'Ich' Personal Pronoun?

For example - "Sie hat mir den Schlüssel gegeben"

The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'ich' (I) is 'mir'. In the sentence "Sie hat mir den Schlüssel gegeben," 'mir' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'geben' (to give) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the key is given. 'Ich' changes to 'mir' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.

What is the Dative Case form of 'Du' Personal Pronoun?

For example - "Ich habe dir bereits die Einladung gegeben"

The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'du' (you) is 'dir'. In the sentence, 'dir' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'gegeben' ("given" - to give) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the book is given. 'Du' changes to 'dir' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.

What is the Dative Case form of 'Wir' Personal Pronoun?

For example - "Der Lehrer hat uns die Hausaufgaben aufgegeben"

The dative case form of the personal pronoun 'wir' (we) is 'uns'. In the sentence "Der Lehrer hat uns die Hausaufgaben aufgegeben," 'uns' is used as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb. Here, the verb 'aufgeben' (to assign) requires an indirect object to indicate to whom the homework is assigned. 'Wir' changes to 'uns' in the dative case to reflect its role as the recipient of the action in the sentence.

What is the Dative form of "die" in German?

For example - "Ich helfe der Frau"

In German, the dative case form of the feminine article "die" is "der." For example, in the sentence "Ich helfe der Frau," which translates to "I help the woman" in English, the word "Frau" (woman) is in the dative case as the indirect object of the verb "helfen" (to help), so the article changes from "die" to "der."

What is the dative case form for "Eine"?

For example - "Ich schenke einer Freundin eine Blume."

The sentence indicates the indirect object in the dative case. We are giving a flower <i>to</i> a friend (female). The correct form of the indefinite article for feminine nouns in the dative case is "einer." Therefore, the sentence should be "Ich schenke einer Freundin eine Blume," which means "I give a flower to a friend (female)" in English.

What is the Dative form of "das" in German?

For example - "Ich gebe dem Kind das Spielzeug."

The sentence "Ich gebe _________ Kind das Spielzeug" uses the dative case to indicate that "Kind" is the indirect object of the verb "geben" (to give). The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the dative case is "dem," so the sentence reads "Ich gebe dem Kind das Spielzeug," translating to "I give the toy to the child" in English.

What is the dative case form for "Ein"?

For example - "Ich gebe einem Kind ein Spielzeug."

The sentence indicates the indirect object in the dative case. We are giving a toy <i>to</i> a child. The correct form of the indefinite article for neuter nouns in the dative case is "einem." Therefore, the sentence should be "Ich gebe einem Kind ein Spielzeug," which means "I give a toy to a child" in English.

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