German Two-Way Prepositions: Dative or Accusative
Nine German prepositions can take the accusative or the dative, and the movement in the sentence tells you which one to use. These are the local two-way prepositions (lokale Wechselpräpositionen). The lesson first gives you one simple rule, then goes through all nine prepositions with a pair of example sentences each, and ends with the verbs that often come together with them.
The Rule: Wohin? or Wo?
Ask yourself if there is a movement from one place to another.
| Situation | Question | Case |
|---|---|---|
| there is a movement, a change of place from A to B | Wohin? (where to?) | Akkusativ |
| there is no movement, or the movement stays inside one place | Wo? (where?) | Dativ |
An example with a pen and a book:
- Ich lege den Stift auf das Buch. (I move the pen: Akkusativ, Wohin?)
- Der Stift liegt auf dem Buch. (Nobody is moving the pen: Dativ, Wo?)
The Nine Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Akkusativ (Wohin?) | Dativ (Wo?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| auf | on (top of) | Ich stelle die Tasse auf den Tisch. | Die Tasse steht auf dem Tisch. |
| neben | next to | Ich lege den Löffel neben die Tasse. | Der Löffel liegt neben der Tasse. |
| zwischen | between | Ich stelle das Bild zwischen die Bücher. | Das Bild steht zwischen den Büchern. |
| vor | in front of | Ich lege meine Uhr vor das Bild. | Die Uhr liegt vor dem Bild. |
| hinter | behind | Er setzt sich hinter den Schreibtisch. | Er sitzt hinter dem Schreibtisch. |
| über | above, over | Ich hänge eine Lampe über den Tisch. | Die Lampe hängt über dem Tisch. |
| unter | under, below | Er stellt die Kiste unter den Tisch. | Die Kiste steht unter dem Tisch. |
| in | in, into | Er steckt eine Kreditkarte in sein Portemonnaie. | Die Kreditkarte steckt in seinem Portemonnaie. |
| an | at, on (a vertical surface) | Sie klebt ein Foto an die Wand. | Das Foto klebt an der Wand. |
Notice that different verbs are used in the two sentences of each pair: stellen and stehen, legen and liegen, setzen and sitzen. That is not an accident, see the verb table below.
More on the Preposition an
The video says that an is maybe the most difficult of the nine. Its basic meaning is contact with a vertical surface or an edge: Das Foto klebt an der Wand. It is also used for a place where you wait or stand: Sie wartet an der Ampel. (Ampel is feminine, dative: an der Ampel.)
Contractions
Some prepositions and articles are often shortened in everyday German: an dem → am, in dem → im, in das → ins, an das → ans, auf das → aufs.
The Verbs: Movement or No Movement
Some verbs come in pairs, and each pair decides the case for you. One verb describes the movement, the other one the position.
| Movement: Akkusativ | No movement: Dativ |
|---|---|
| stellen | stehen |
| legen | liegen |
| setzen | sitzen |
The video also mentions verbs like hängen and kleben. They can be used with both cases, so the movement in your sentence decides: Ich hänge die Lampe über den Tisch and Die Lampe hängt über dem Tisch.
Homework
At the end of the video, you can do some homework: describe in the comments what you see in the video and in the picture, and use what you learned in the lesson.
What to Learn Next
Combine these prepositions with possessive articles, for example in seinem Portemonnaie, in German Possessive Articles in the Dative Case. For prepositions of direction, see German Directional Prepositions: nach, zu, in, auf, an, and for verbs that go with fixed prepositions, see 18 German Verbs with Prepositions for A2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the German two-way prepositions?
The nine prepositions are auf, neben, zwischen, vor, hinter, über, unter, in and an. They can be used with the accusative or with the dative.
How do I know whether to use the accusative or the dative?
If there is a movement from A to B (Wohin?), use the accusative. If there is no movement, or the movement stays inside one place (Wo?), use the dative.
What is the difference between stellen and stehen?
Stellen describes a movement (Ich stelle die Tasse auf den Tisch, accusative). Stehen describes a position (Die Tasse steht auf dem Tisch, dative). The same applies to legen and liegen, and to setzen and sitzen.
Which verbs can be used with both cases?
Verbs such as hängen and kleben. The case depends on whether there is a movement in your sentence.
Can I say am, im and ins with these prepositions?
Yes. an dem becomes am, in dem becomes im, in das becomes ins. These contractions are very common.
Want to practise the two-way prepositions until they feel natural? Our A2 German course has clear lessons and exercises for them.
