What Is Akkusativ? German Cases Explained
Akkusativ is the case that trips up beginners the most β but it's really just the German version of the direct object you already know from English. In this lesson, we explain what accusative actually means, when you need to use it, and walk through the accusative articles with examples of the Akkusativobjekt (accusative object) in real sentences.
What Does Akkusativ Actually Mean?
Accusative marks the direct object β the thing directly receiving the action of the verb. It's very close to the English direct object. It answers the question wen? (whom?) or was? (what?). In Ich sehe den Mann. (I see the man.), den Mann is accusative because he's the one being seen.
When Do You Use Akkusativ?
Accusative shows up after most transitive verbs (verbs with a direct object) like sehen, haben, kaufen, and lesen, and also after a specific group of prepositions such as fΓΌr, durch, and ohne.
The Accusative Articles
The good news: only the masculine article actually changes. Definite: den (masculine, changed from der), die (feminine, unchanged), das (neuter, unchanged), die (plural, unchanged). Indefinite: einen (masculine, changed from ein), eine (feminine), ein (neuter). Feminine, neuter, and plural articles look exactly the same as in the nominative β it's really just der β den and ein β einen to remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Akkusativ mean in German?
Akkusativ marks the direct object of a sentence β the thing directly receiving the verb's action β and is very close to the English direct object.
Which article changes in the accusative case?
Only the masculine article changes: der becomes den, and ein becomes einen. Feminine, neuter, and plural articles stay the same as in the nominative.
What question does Akkusativ answer?
Wen? (whom?) for people, or was? (what?) for things.
Which prepositions always take the accusative case?
A fixed group including fΓΌr (for), durch (through), and ohne (without).
Is Akkusativ the same as the English direct object?
Essentially yes β it marks the noun that directly receives the action of the verb, the same role the direct object plays in English.
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