The difference between "aus" & "von" | German prepositions A2
"Aus" and "von" both get translated as "from" in English, which is exactly why they're one of the most common mix-ups for German learners at this level. Both take the dative case, so the grammar isn't the problem β the problem is knowing which situation calls for which word. This lesson breaks down exactly when to use each one, with plenty of example sentences to make the distinction stick.
"Aus": Coming Out of a Place or Origin
Aus is used for leaving an enclosed space (a building, a room, a country) or stating where someone originally comes from: Ich komme aus Deutschland. β I'm from Germany (origin). Sie kommt gerade aus dem Haus. β She's just coming out of the house (leaving an enclosed space). "Aus" also means "made of/from," a separate but related use: Der Tisch ist aus Holz. β The table is made of wood.
"Von": Coming From a Person, Direction, or Activity
Von is used when the starting point is a person, a general direction, or an activity rather than an enclosed space: Ich komme gerade von der Arbeit. β I'm just coming from work. Das Geschenk ist von meiner Mutter. β The gift is from my mother. Unlike "aus," "von" doesn't require the origin to be an enclosed space β it just marks a starting point.
The Core Difference Between "Aus" and "Von"
The simplest test: if you're describing leaving a physical, enclosed space or your country/city of origin, use "aus." If you're describing coming from a person, an event, an activity, or a general direction, use "von." Ich komme aus dem BΓΌro (I'm coming out of the office β a specific enclosed space) vs. Ich komme von der Arbeit (I'm coming from work β the activity/context, not the building itself).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "aus" and "von" in German?
"Aus" is used for leaving an enclosed space or stating your origin (country, city), while "von" is used for a starting point that's a person, activity, or general direction, e.g. "aus Deutschland" vs. "von der Arbeit."
Do "aus" and "von" both take the dative case?
Yes β both are dative prepositions, so the case itself is never the issue; choosing between them is purely about the type of origin you're describing.
Can "aus" mean something other than "from"?
Yes β "aus" also means "made of," as in "Der Tisch ist aus Holz" (The table is made of wood), in addition to its use for origin and leaving an enclosed space.
Why can't I use "aus" for "coming from work"?
Because "work" (die Arbeit) is treated as an activity/context rather than an enclosed physical space you're exiting, so German uses "von der Arbeit" instead of "aus der Arbeit."
How do you say a gift is from someone in German?
Use "von": "Das Geschenk ist von meiner Mutter" β The gift is from my mother, since the origin here is a person, not an enclosed space.
Easily-confused pairs like this one come up constantly in our A2 German course, always with real example sentences.
