Two-way prepositions in German are called Wechselpräpositionen because they can be used with either the accusative case or the dative case. The case depends on whether the preposition indicates movement (direction) or a static position (location). These prepositions are:
- an (at, on)
- auf (on, upon)
- hinter (behind)
- in (in, into)
- neben (next to)
- über (over, above)
- unter (under, among)
- vor (in front of, before)
- zwischen (between)
Usage Rules
- Use accusative when the preposition expresses movement towards a goal or destination (answering the question "Wohin?" — Where to?).
- Use dative when the preposition expresses a static location or position (answering the question "Wo?" — Where?).
Examples
| Preposition | Case | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| in | Accusative | Ich gehe in das Haus. | I am going into the house. |
| in | Dative | Ich bin in dem Haus. | I am in the house. |
| auf | Accusative | Er legt das Buch auf den Tisch. | He puts the book onto the table. |
| auf | Dative | Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. | The book lies on the table. |
| hinter | Accusative | Sie läuft hinter den Baum. | She runs behind the tree. |
| hinter | Dative | Sie steht hinter dem Baum. | She stands behind the tree. |
Common Questions
Q: How do I know which case to use?
- If the sentence involves movement or a change of location (answering "Wohin?"), use accusative.
- If the sentence describes a fixed position or location (answering "Wo?"), use dative.
Q: Can the meaning change with case?
- Yes, using accusative often implies movement toward a place, while dative implies staying or being in a place.
Q: Do I always have to repeat the article with the same case?
- Yes, the article or noun pronoun following the preposition must be in the correct case to show the function clearly.
Do two-way prepositions always use the same case in a sentence?
Yes, the case must match the function—accusative for movement, dative for location.
The case after a two-way preposition depends on its function: accusative for movement (Wohin?) and dative for location (Wo?).
Tips for Learning
- Practice with common sentences describing both movement and location.
- Memorize the list of two-way prepositions.
- When in doubt, ask "Wohin?" (Where to?) → accusative, or "Wo?" (Where?) → dative.
What should you do if you are unsure whether to use accusative or dative with a two-way preposition?
Think about whether the sentence describes movement (use accusative) or position (use dative).
Correct case use depends on whether the action involves movement (accusative) or static position (dative).
Summary
Two-way prepositions in German are unique because they require you to think about whether there is movement (accusative) or position (dative). With practice, choosing the correct case becomes more intuitive.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- Preposition: in
- Case: Accusative
- English Example: I am going into the house.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
