German Prepositions
Präpositionen
Prepositions are words that connect nouns to other parts of a sentence. In German, prepositions always control the grammatical case.
Types of Prepositions
German prepositions are grouped based on the case they require.
Common Mistakes
Prepositions are one of the most error-prone areas in German.
- Using wrong case after preposition.
- Confusing 'in' movement vs location.
- Mixing accusative and dative in two-way prepositions.
- Translating directly from English prepositions.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before using a preposition, check the context carefully.
- Does the preposition require a fixed case?
- Is there movement or location?
- Am I using a two-way preposition correctly?
- What verb-preposition pair is required?
- Am I translating from English too literally?
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions show relationships such as location, time, direction, cause, or manner. In German, every preposition determines a specific case or set of cases.
Example Sentences
Example Sentences
Which Prepositions Trigger Which Case?
Each preposition type determines the case automatically.
| Type | Case | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Accusative prepositions | Accusative | direction / target |
| Dative prepositions | Dative | location / relation |
| Genitive prepositions | Genitive | formal possession / cause |
| Two-way prepositions | Acc/Dative | depends on movement |
Most Common German Prepositions
These appear constantly in everyday German.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | in | in der Stadt |
| auf | on | auf dem Tisch |
| mit | with | mit Freunden |
| für | for | für dich |
| von | from | von der Schule |
| zu | to | zu Hause |
Dative Prepositions
These prepositions always require the dative case.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mit | with | mit dem Freund |
| nach | after / to | nach der Schule |
| bei | at / near | bei dem Arzt |
| seit | since | seit dem Jahr |
| von | from / of | von dem Mann |
| zu | to | zu dem Haus |
Movement vs Location Rule
The case depends on whether there is movement or static location.
Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)
These prepositions can take either accusative or dative depending on meaning.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | in | in dem Haus / in das Haus |
| an | on / at | an der Wand / an die Wand |
| auf | on / onto | auf dem Tisch / auf den Tisch |
| unter | under | unter dem Tisch / unter den Tisch |
| über | over | über dem Tisch / über den Tisch |
| hinter | behind | hinter dem Haus / hinter das Haus |
Genitive Prepositions
These prepositions require the genitive case and are more formal or written.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wegen | because of | wegen des Wetters |
| trotz | despite | trotz des Regens |
| während | during | während des Films |
| statt | instead of | statt des Autos |
| außerhalb | outside of | außerhalb der Stadt |
Common Verb + Preposition Pairs
Some verbs always come with specific prepositions.
| Verb | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| warten | auf | Ich warte auf den Bus. |
| denken | an | Ich denke an dich. |
| sprechen | mit | Ich spreche mit dem Lehrer. |
| bitten | um | Ich bitte um Hilfe. |
| sich interessieren | für | Ich interessiere mich für Musik. |
Accusative Prepositions
These prepositions always require the accusative case.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| für | for | für den Mann |
| ohne | without | ohne das Auto |
| durch | through | durch den Park |
| gegen | against | gegen die Wand |
| um | around | um den Tisch |