Was ist Dativ? German Case Explained
The Dativ is the third German case, and many beginners dread it. This lesson explains in simple steps what the Dativ is, which articles you need, and when to use it: after certain verbs and in sentences with two objects.
The Dativ Articles
| Masculine | Feminine | Neutral | Plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definite | dem | der | dem | den |
| Indefinite | einem | einer | einem | (none) |
Masculine and neutral are the same. Feminine is different, and in the Dativ plural the definite article is den.
When Do You Use the Dativ?
- After certain prepositions. You need to memorise which ones take the Dativ.
- After certain verbs. About 50 verbs need the Dativ and nothing else.
- In sentences with more than one object, for the indirect object.
Verbs With Dativ
- Der Mann hilft der Frau. The man helps the woman.
- Du hilfst dem Kind. You help the child.
- Der Stift gehört mir. The pen belongs to me.
- Der Hund gehört der Frau. The dog belongs to the woman.
Subject, Direct Object and Indirect Object
| Sentence type | Cases | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Only a subject | Nominativ | Das Auto ist kaputt. |
| Subject and one object | Nominativ and Akkusativ | Du schreibst einen Brief. |
| Subject, direct and indirect object | Nominativ, Akkusativ and Dativ | Der Mann gibt der Frau einen Brief. |
The direct object has direct contact with the subject and is in the Akkusativ. The indirect object, usually a person, is in the Dativ.
Verbs With Dativ and Akkusativ
- Der Kellner bringt dem Gast das Essen. The waiter brings the food to the guest.
- Er schreibt der Mutter einen Brief. He writes a letter to the mother.
- Er erzählt dem Kind eine Geschichte. He tells the child a story.
- Ich erkläre den Studenten den Dativ. I explain the Dativ to the students.
Word order: with two nouns, the indirect object (Dativ, usually a person) comes before the direct object (Akkusativ). The order can change when you use pronouns.
Bonus Tip: Adjectives With Dativ
- Mir ist heiß. I feel hot. Do not say Ich bin heiß, which has a completely different meaning.
- Mir ist kalt. I feel cold. Ich bin kalt would describe a cold person.
- Ist dir langweilig? Are you bored?
Homework
Write a sentence with one of these verbs, which all need Dativ and Akkusativ: geben, bringen, zeigen or kochen.
What to Learn Next
Review What Is Nominativ? and What Is Akkusativ?. Then learn All 14 German Dative Verbs for A1, German Verbs With Dative and Accusative Objects and German Personal Pronouns in the Dativ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dativ in German?
The Dativ is the third German case. It is used for the indirect object, after certain verbs and after certain prepositions.
What are the Dativ articles?
Masculine and neutral dem / einem, feminine der / einer, plural den.
Which verbs always take the Dativ?
About 50 verbs, for example helfen and gehören: Der Mann hilft der Frau.
What is the word order with two objects?
With two nouns, the Dativ object comes first and the Akkusativ object second: Der Kellner bringt dem Gast das Essen.
How do I say I feel hot or cold in German?
Use the Dativ: Mir ist heiß and Mir ist kalt. Ich bin heiß has a different meaning.
Want the cases to finally make sense? Our A1 German online course explains them step by step.
