The Dative Case in German (Dativ)
The Dative Case in German (Dativ)
📍 Berlin, Germany
🗓️ Date: 16 December 2025
⏰ Time: 16:15
✍️ By: Konnektoren.help
The Dative case (Dativ) is one of the four grammatical cases in German. It is primarily used to express to whom or for whom something happens. A solid understanding of the Dative is essential for forming correct and natural German sentences, especially in everyday communication.
What Is the Dative Case?
The Dative case marks the indirect object of a sentence.
In practical terms:
The Dative answers the questions “to whom?” or “for whom?”
Example:
Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch.
(I give the man the book.)
Here:
das Buch → direct object (Accusative)
dem Mann → indirect object (Dative)
1. The Dative as the Indirect Object
When an action involves giving, sending, showing, explaining, or telling, the person who receives something is usually in the Dative case.
Typical sentence structure:
Subject + Verb + Dative object + Accusative object
Examples:
Sie erklärt dem Studenten die Aufgabe.
Wir schicken der Firma eine Nachricht.
Er bringt seiner Schwester einen Kaffee.
The focus of the Dative is the recipient of the action.
2. Dative Articles
Articles change their form in the Dative case.
Definite Articles in the Dative
| Gender | Nominative | Dative |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | dem |
| Feminine | die | der |
| Neuter | das | dem |
| Plural | die | den (+ -n on the noun) |
Examples:
Ich helfe dem Kollegen.
Ich antworte der Lehrerin.
Ich vertraue dem Kind.
Ich danke den Gästen.
Important: In the plural, the noun usually takes an additional -n if possible
(e.g. den Freunden, den Kindern).
3. Dative Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns also change in the Dative case.
| Nominative | Dative |
|---|---|
| ich | mir |
| du | dir |
| er | ihm |
| sie | ihr |
| es | ihm |
| wir | uns |
| ihr | euch |
| sie / Sie | ihnen / Ihnen |
Examples:
Kannst du mir helfen?
Der Lehrer erklärt ihnen die Regel.
Ich gebe Ihnen die Unterlagen.
4. Verbs That Require the Dative
Some verbs are always followed by a Dative object. They do not take an Accusative object.
Common Dative verbs:
helfen – to help
danken – to thank
gehören – to belong to
antworten – to answer
folgen – to follow
passen – to suit
Examples:
Ich helfe meiner Nachbarin.
Das Buch gehört dem Kind.
Die Schuhe passen mir nicht.
These verbs should always be learned together with the Dative case.
5. Dative Prepositions
Some prepositions always require the Dative case.
Common Dative prepositions:
aus (from)
bei (at)
mit (with)
nach (after / to)
seit (since)
von (from)
zu (to)
Examples:
Er kommt aus der Schweiz.
Wir sprechen mit dem Arzt.
Sie fährt mit dem Bus.
Er wohnt bei seinen Eltern.
6. Common Fixed Expressions with the Dative
The Dative case appears frequently in set expressions used in everyday German:
Mir geht es gut.
Es tut mir leid.
Wie geht es Ihnen?
Mir ist kalt.
In these sentences, the person experiencing a feeling or state is in the Dative case.
Summary
The Dative case is used:
For the indirect object (recipient)
With specific verbs that require Dative
After certain prepositions
In many fixed expressions
Understanding the Dative is a major step toward confident and accurate German communication.
To learn more German grammar with clear explanations and structured examples, visit:
👉 https://www.konnektoren.help
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