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📐 Grammar corner · Topic 4 of 5

The four cases

German articles change depending on the role of the noun in the sentence: subject, direct object, indirect object or possession.

  • Nominative — the subject: Der Hund schläft.
  • Accusative — the direct object, and after für, ohne, durch, gegen, um: Ich sehe den Hund.
  • Dative — the indirect object, and after mit, bei, nach, von, zu, aus, seit: Ich gebe dem Hund Wasser.
  • Genitive — possession: das Haus des Mannes (often replaced by von in speech).

Good news: only the masculine changes in the accusative (der → den).

masculinefeminineneuterplural
Nominativederdiedasdie
Accusativedendiedasdie
Dativedemderdemden (+n)
Genitivedes (+s)derdes (+s)der

Examples

  • Der Mann liest.The man is reading.
  • Ich sehe den Mann.I see the man.
  • Ich helfe dem Mann.I'm helping the man.
  • Ich fahre mit dem Bus.I go by bus.

✅ Quiz

6 questions. Score 70% to complete the topic.