8. Prepositions
Prepositions are words that indicate relationships between two or more words.
In German, there are prepositions that require the accusative and others that require the dative case.
However, there are also prepositions that can demand either case depending on the context. These prepositions are called two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen). The prepositions require the accusative case, if they provide an answer to the question Wohin? (Where to?) and contrarily, the dative case when answering the questions Wann? (When?) and Wo? (Where?).
The table below presents these prepositions and attempts to define them as accurately as possible.
| Accusative | Definition |
|---|---|
| durch | through/via |
| für | for |
| gegen | against |
| ohne | without |
| um | around |
| Dative | Definition |
|---|---|
| aus | from |
| bei | at |
| mit | with |
| nach | to(wards) |
| seit | since |
| von | from |
| zu | to |
| Accusative & Dative | Definition |
|---|---|
| an | at |
| auf | on |
| hinter | behind |
| in | in |
| neben | next to |
| über | over/via |
| unter | under/among |
| vor | in front of |
| zwischen | between |
Ich habe für dich einen Kuchen gebacken.
I baked you a cake.
Ich gehe mit meinen Freunden ins Kino.
I am going to the cinema with my friends.
The first sentence contains a preposition (für) that requires the accusative case and the latter a preposition (mit) that requires the dative case:
Ich stelle die Vase auf den Tisch.
I place the vase on the table.
Die Vase ist auf dem Tisch.
The vase is on the table.
In the examples above, the first sentence answers the question: Wohin? (Where to?). Therefore, the accusative, den Tisch, is used. The second sentence states where the vase is, and thus requires the dative, dem Tisch.
Prepositions are occasionally merged with the definite article, especially in speech:
in + dem = im
zu + dem = zum
in + das = ins
von + dem = vom
Wir gehen ins Kino.
We are going to the cinema.
The following prepositions require the genitive case: während (while), wegen (due to), trotz (despite), (an)statt (instead of), außerhalb (outside) and innerhalb (within/inside):
Wegen des schlechten Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause.
Due to the bad weather, we will stay at home.