Master German Dative prepositions like a pro!

PrepositionsDativ

Jun 13

Learning German can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the Dative and Accusative cases. But don't let this intimidate you! Take a look at the prepositions that are used with Dative in this article for some helpful guidance.

German Dative prepositions

Learning prepositions in a new language can be challenging, but don't worry! It's normal to struggle with mastering different prepositions, as each language has its unique set. It may seem even more difficult in German since every preposition usually requires an object following it, and you must choose the appropriate case. However, we have some good news for you - there are specific, consistent patterns that make learning easier over time!

For example, did you know German has specific prepositions that always introduce a Dative object? This means that once you learn these essential phrases, such as "mit", followed by Dative objects (like mir), changing articles or using different pronouns will no longer pose any confusion.

So take heart and keep practicing – before long, all those tricky nuances will become second nature! I've got your back with this list of reliable dative-preceding propositions below:

Recommended study materials on the topic:

A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
B-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
Accusative or Dative wheel

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The German preposition "ab"

When you come across the German preposition "ab", it can be translated into English as "as of". This word signifies the beginning point of a time frame, either in the present or the future.

For example:

Der Zug fährt jeden Tag ab Köln.
Ab Mittwoch bin ich wieder zu Hause.
Ab dem 22. Juni habe ich Urlaub.

2. The preposition "aus"

The meaning of this preposition in English is "from" or "out of." Likewise Germans use it to denote a movement out of something or the origin of a thing, a person, information, etc.

For example:

Ich komme aus dem Haus.
Unsere Katze kommt aus dem Wohnzimmer.
Er holt das Handy aus der Tasche.

3. The German preposition "außer"

"Außer" means "besides," "except," and "but" in English and calls an exception.

For example:

Außer mir war niemand im Raum.
Es gab nichts außer Regen!
Außer ihm hatten alle die Hausaufgaben gemacht.

4. The Dative preposition "bei"

So, the German preposition "bei" has a few different translations in English. It can mean "near," "at," or even "with." When it's used to indicate "at", it refers specifically to being very close to a particular location.

For example:

Ich bin beim (bei dem) Zahnarzt.
Beim Bahnhof ist eine Bushaltestelle.
Die Kinder sind bei ihrer Oma.

5. The German preposition "gegenüber"

While "gegenüber" may not be as commonly used as other prepositions, it's important to remember that it requires a Dative object. Its English equivalent is often translated to "the opposite side of". As you can see in the example, this preposition can come before or after the object. Don't overlook the significance of this lesser-known preposition!

For example:

Gegenüber der Universität ist der Supermarkt.
Gegenüber unserem Haus ist der Bahnhof.
Deinem Büro gegenüber ist der Stadtpark.

6. The Dative preposition "mit"

The word "mit" means "with," or "by" in the sense of "with the help of". It is a crucial part of German, and students usually get to know it early when studying German. It is versatile and can be used in various contexts to indicate different meanings.

For example:

Sie fährt mit ihrer Freundin in den Urlaub.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus.
Er wohnt mit seinen Freunden in einer Großstadt.

7. The preposition "nach"

"Nach" has several different uses. In English, it has many meanings but the most important ones are "to," "after," "past," and "towards". "Nach" is a common preposition in German so that you will encounter it frequently in your studies.

For example:

Nach dem Konzert gingen wir schnell nach Hause.
Das Gespräch war nach einer Minute schon zu Ende!
Ich komme nach dir zum Haus.

8. The Dative preposition "seit"

The following preposition of this list is "seit". We can translate "seit" with "since," "for," or "ever since". it describes that something started from a certain point in time and is still ongoing.

For example:

Seit dem Unfall hat er starke Schmerzen.
Wir sind seit 3 Tagen in Berlin.
Seit dem Studium habe ich kein Französisch mehr gesprochen.

7. The Dative preposition "von"

The seventh preposition of this list is "von". We can translate it with "by," "of," or "from". This preposition expresses the origin of sth.

For example:

Das Geschenk ist von meiner Oma.
Die Kinder kommen von der Schule nach Hause.
Meine neue Brille ist vom Optiker.

8. The last preposition "zu"

The last preposition in this list is "zu". This preposition to is a local indication of direction. It answers the question of "where to. While "nach" is widely used for cities, countries, and directions, we use "zu" to indicate the movement to a person or place like the supermarket.

For example: