All A2 German Dative Verbs with Examples
There are only 12 verbs at A2 level that require the dative, and once you know them, you know when the dative is needed. This lesson goes through all of them with the meaning and an example sentence for each one, plus a bonus tip on passen versus stehen.
Why Dative Verbs Are Worth Learning
Across all levels from A1 to C1 there are only about 60 dative verbs, so it is realistic to learn them. Everywhere else, use the accusative, except for sein, which takes the nominative.
The 12 A2 Dative Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| auffallen | to notice (separable) | Ist dir der Mann im Hintergrund aufgefallen? |
| erlauben | to allow | Die Mutter erlaubt dem Kind, eine Zuckerwatte zu essen. |
| erscheinen | to seem | Der Hund erscheint mir sehr jung. |
| folgen | to follow; to obey | Folgen Sie einfach der Straße. / Das Kind folgt seiner Mutter. |
| hinterherlaufen | to run after someone or something (separable) | Der Hund läuft dem Ball hinterher. |
| nachlaufen | to follow someone (separable) | Die Katze ist mir bis nach Hause nachgelaufen. |
| passen | to fit, to suit | Passt mir der Hut? |
| vertrauen | to trust | Ein Kind vertraut seiner Mutter. |
| verzeihen | to forgive | Er hat ihr verziehen. |
| widersprechen | to disagree | Hans widerspricht seinem Bruder. |
| zusagen | to accept, usually an invitation (separable) | Ich habe ihr für das Fest zugesagt. |
| zustimmen | to agree (separable) | Die Frau stimmt dir zu. |
If you have not seen the A1 verbs yet, start with All 14 German Dative Verbs for A1 Level.
Details Worth Knowing
- Separable verbs: auffallen, hinterherlaufen, nachlaufen, zusagen and zustimmen are separable: Die Frau stimmt dir zu.
- folgen has two meanings: to follow (for example directions) and to obey. Both take the dative.
- widersprechen is not separable. The wider- here (without an e) means "against", unlike wieder, which means "again". So it literally means to speak against someone, that is, to disagree.
- zustimmen: the example in the video is Die Frau stimmt dir zu (she agrees with you). Related: a short Stimmt or Richtig means "that's correct".
Bonus Tip: passen vs. stehen
Passen means to fit or to suit, as in Passt mir der Hut? There is a second verb for the same situation: stehen. Der Hut steht ihr sehr gut has exactly the same meaning, and it is more common, especially for clothing, when you tell someone whether something suits them. But be careful: stehen is not a dative verb. The dative appears here because of the clothing-fit expression.
What to Learn Next
Want the next level? Continue with the B1 dative verbs, and review the case in What is Dativ?.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which verbs take the dative at A2 level?
The 12 verbs are auffallen, erlauben, erscheinen, folgen, hinterherlaufen, nachlaufen, passen, vertrauen, verzeihen, widersprechen, zusagen and zustimmen.
Which A2 dative verbs are separable?
Auffallen, hinterherlaufen, nachlaufen, zusagen and zustimmen. Widersprechen is not separable.
Does folgen always take the dative?
Yes, in both meanings: to follow (Folgen Sie einfach der Straße) and to obey (Das Kind folgt seiner Mutter).
Is stehen a dative verb?
No. It is used with a dative pronoun to say that clothing suits someone (Der Hut steht ihr sehr gut), but the verb itself does not require the dative.
What is the difference between passen and stehen for clothes?
They mean the same here. Stehen is the more common choice when you say whether something suits a person.
Ready for the next step in your German? Our A2 German course is designed for that.
