Prepositions in German determine which case you use, and that case changes the form of articles and sometimes the noun. This guide goes through the most common prepositions for each case with useful examples.
Accusative Prepositions
Accusative prepositions signal direction, time, or an object of attention. When you use one, the following noun phrase must be in the accusative case.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| durch | through | |
| für | for | |
| gegen | against | |
| ohne | without | |
| um | around / at (time) |
Examples
We walk through the park along the river.
Dative Prepositions
Dative prepositions usually mark location, giving, or more abstract relations like time or manner. After a dative preposition, the noun phrase is in the dative case.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| aus | from / out of | |
| außer | except | |
| bei | at / near / with | |
| mit | with | |
| nach | to / after | |
| seit | since / for (time) | |
| von | from / of | |
| zu | to |
Examples
Genitive Prepositions
Genitive prepositions show possession, origin, or more formal relations. The noun phrase after a genitive preposition must be in the genitive case, though in speech the dative sometimes replaces it.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| während | during | |
| wegen | because of | |
| trotz | despite | |
| statt / anstatt | instead of | |
| innerhalb | inside of | |
| außerhalb | outside of | |
| aufgrund | because of |
Examples
<|{ "type":"quiz","exercises":[{"name":"2a56f161","quiz":"17def481","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"fill-in-blank","category":"vocabulary","text":"_ (the arrival) des zugs gibt es eine Durchsage.","answer":["während der ankunft"],"translation":"During the train's arrival there is an announcement.","emoji":"🚆","explanation":"‚während‘ is a genitive preposition; ‚die Ankunft‘ → ‚der Ankunft‘ in genitive."},{"name":"-583e9109","quiz":"17def481","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"fill-in-blank","category":"vocabulary","text":"Wir müssen heute (because of the weather) drinnen bleiben.","answer":["wegen des wetters"],"translation":"Because of the weather, we have to stay inside today.","emoji":"☁️","explanation":"‚wegen‘ takes the genitive; ‚das Wetter‘ → ‚des Wetters‘."},{"name":"1d128226","quiz":"17def481","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"multiple-choice","category":"rule","prompt":"Which statement about genitive prepositions is true?","correct":["They often indicate possession or formal relations.","In speech, genitive is sometimes replaced by dative."],"incorrect":["They always require accusative articles.","They are only used for physical location."],"emoji":"⚖️","explanation":"Genitive prepositions show possession, origin, or formal relations; colloquially dative can replace genitive."},{"name":"-5e99babe","quiz":"17def481","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"fill-in-blank","category":"vocabulary","text":"__ (instead of the meeting) gehe ich früher nach Hause.","answer":["statt der besprechung"],"translation":"Instead of the meeting, I am going home earlier.","emoji":"🏠","explanation":"‚statt‘ can take genitive (‚der Besprechung‘). In colloquial speech dative is also heard."}],"name":"61145566","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case" }>
Two-Way Prepositions
Two-way prepositions Wechselpräpositionen can take either the accusative or dative case depending on whether they express movement (accusative) or location (dative). Learn to tell the difference with common verbs and contexts.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| an | at / on | |
| auf | on / upon | |
| hinter | behind | |
| in | in / into | |
| neben | next to | |
| über | over / above | |
| unter | under / beneath | |
| vor | in front of | |
| zwischen | between |
Examples
<|{ "type":"quiz","exercises":[{"name":"-3d60cc5d","quiz":"277f65d7","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"fill-in-blank","category":"vocabulary","text":"Ich lege das Buch _ (on the table).","answer":["auf den tisch"],"translation":"I put the book on the table.","emoji":"📚","explanation":"Movement onto a surface uses accusative: ‚auf den Tisch‘."},{"name":"74c3cb25","quiz":"277f65d7","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"fill-in-blank","category":"vocabulary","text":"Die Lampe steht (above the sofa).","answer":["über dem sofa"],"translation":"The lamp is above the sofa.","emoji":"💡","explanation":"Location (no movement) takes dative: ‚über dem Sofa‘."},{"name":"-3decc2dc","quiz":"277f65d7","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"multiple-choice","category":"rule","prompt":"Which criteria determine whether a two-way preposition takes accusative or dative?","correct":["Accusative for movement toward a place.","Dative for static location (where)."],"incorrect":["Dative for all buildings.","Accusative only for time expressions."],"emoji":"🛤️","explanation":"Two-way prepositions take accusative with movement/direction and dative with location."},{"name":"37a2f872","quiz":"277f65d7","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case","type":"exercise","question":"fill-in-blank","category":"vocabulary","text":"Wir sitzen __ (next to the window).","answer":["neben dem fenster"],"translation":"We are sitting next to the window.","emoji":"🪟","explanation":"Sitting (location) uses dative: ‚neben dem Fenster‘."}],"name":"7c90b806","topic":"german/grammar/prepositions/by-case" }>
Summary
Memorize prepositions by case and pay attention to whether an expression describes movement (accusative), location (dative), or a more abstract relation (genitive). Practice with real sentences to feel the difference.
## Goal
Teach German in EnglishLast updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025