German four cases

German Nominative


The nominative is the easiest case in German and also the one dictionaries use as the standard form of nouns, adjectives, articles…and refers to the subject of the sentence. The teacher went to school, “The teacher” is the subject of the sentence, and therefore “The teacher” is nominative.

So it will take the nominative form in German, which is “Der Lehrer”.

Below is a table of some forms of Nominative, you will only know the difference when you will go through the 3 other cases (accusative, Dative, Genitive).


German Nominative Case

Definite Articles
Der, die, das, die (they all means the)

Indefinite Articles
Ein, Eine, Ein (they all mean a, an)

Personal Pronouns
Ich, du, er, sie, wir, ihr, sie. (I, you, he, she...)

Adjectives (masc., fem, neuter, plural)

Weißer, weiße, weißes, weiße
(all these forms mean white)


These are just some examples to show the nominative form of some elements such as articles, pronouns, adjectives. Note that the nominative case can be used in a much wider scope such as in Nouns, interrogative pronouns…what comes next will help you notice the difference between Nominative and what the other 3 German cases.


German Accusative

Now we will learn the second case in German which is the accusative, the good news is that apart from the masculine, the other 2 genders + the plural (feminine, neuter and plural) look just like the Nominative. Now let’s learn what the accusative really is. The accusative case is considered the direct object. I see the teacher, “the teacher” is the direct object of the sentence, and therefore would take the accusative form, and since “the teacher” is masculine it will become in German “den Lehrer” and not “der Lehrer” as in the nominative case. I see the teacher = Ich sehe den Lehrer.


German Accusative Case

Definite Articles
Den, die, das, die (they all means the)

Indefinite Articles
Einen, Eine, Ein (they all mean a, an)

Personal Pronouns
mich, dich, ihn, sie,  uns, euch, sie. (me, you, him, her...)

Adjectives (masc., fem, neuter, plural)
 Weißen, weiße, weißes, weiße (all these forms mean white)

Let’s get adjectives involved as well. I see the young teacher = ich sehe den jungen Lehrer. Young in German is jung, but since we’re using the accusative case, then the adjective should copy the article it follows, which is “den/ the” = masculine, so “den jungen”. If you look at the table above you will understand why we added “en” after the adjective “jung”. Now let’s get personal pronouns involved. I see him = ich sehe ihn. Easy, isn’t it!

 The accusative case has four functions.






1) Direct object

The direct object of a sentence is the person, thing, entity, or idea that is acted upon by the subject. It answers the question: What or whom does the subject ?

EXAMPLES: Wir sehen einen Film.

We're watching a film.

"A film" is the direct object. It is what the subject "we" is watching.

Martha trinkt viel Kaffee.

Martha drinks a lot of coffee.

"Coffee" is the direct object. It is what the subject "Martha" drinks.

Mein Chef hat eine Schwester.

My boss has a sister. A sister" is the direct object. It is what the subject "my boss" has.





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2) Object of an accusative preposition

The object of an accusative preposition must be in the accusative case. These are the prepositions in German whose noun objects are always in the accusative case:

bis until pro per

durch through ohne without

für for um around; at (with time)

gegen against wider against



EXAMPLES: Er fuhr gegen einen Baum.

He drove into a tree.

"A tree" is the object of the accusative preposition gegen.

Ohne dich kann ich nicht leben.

I can't live without you.

"You" is the object of the accusative preposition ohne.

Sie arbeitet schwer für das Geld.

She works hard for the money. "The money" is the object of the accusative preposition für.



For more information on prepositions, see the German prepositions page.





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3) Object of a two-way preposition

Two-way prepositions are named as such because their objects are sometimes in the dative case and sometimes in the accusative case. Here are the two-way prepositions:

an to, toward, onto (a vertical surface) über across; about

auf to, toward, onto (a horizontal surface) unter (to a place) under

hinter (to a place) behind vor (to a place) in front of

in in, into zwischen (to a place) between

neben (to a place) beside



When two-way prepositions are used with the accusative case, they (1) designate a change of location or destination of movement, or (2) are in idiomatic expressions requiring the use of the accusative.

EXAMPLES of 2-WAY PREPOSITIONS + ACCUSATIVE to indicate DESTINATIONS: Sie geht gerade in die Bank.

She is going into the bank.

"Into the bank" is a destination of movement, hence in takes the acc.

Ich setzte mich neben ihn.

I sat down next to him.

"Next to him" is a destination of movement, hence neben uses acc.

Grete wartet auf ihren Vater.

Grete is waiting for her father. "Her father" is the acc.object of auf because the idiom warten auf requires the use of the acc.case.



In addition to the meanings listed , the two-way prepositions + accusative have a wide range of idiomatic meanings, as the last example above shows: warten auf (+ acc.) = to wait for. For a list of such common idiomatic expressions in German and their English equivalents, see the page on verb + preposition combinations.



For more information on prepositions, see the German prepositions page.





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4) Expressions of definite time

Expressions of specific time that are (1) not adverbs (e.g., heute, morgen, gestern) and (2) not governed by a preposition (e.g., um vier Uhr, seit letztem Jahr, am Donnerstag) take the accusative case.

EXAMPLES: Wir gehen jeden Freitag einkaufen.

We go shopping every Friday.

"Every Friday" is an expression of definite time that does not use a prep.

Dieses Wochenende kommt Jens.

Jens is coming this weekend.

"This weekend" is an expression of definite time that does not use a prep.





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Nouns and pronouns in the ACCUSATIVE CASE

Finally, here are some examples of nouns and pronouns in the accusative case. Words and endings in red indicate a form that differs from the corresponding nominative case form.

Nouns Personal Pronouns

masculine feminine neuter plural

den Onkel

diesen Onkel

einen Onkel

keinen Onkel

unseren Onkel

die Tante

diese Tante

eine Tante

keine Tante

unsere Tante

das Buch

dieses Buch

ein Buch

kein Buch

unser Buch die Kinder

diese Kinder

Kinder

keine Kinder

unsere Kinder mich

dich

ihn, sie, es

uns

euch

Sie, sie


German Dative


Now things will get serious because the dative case is very important in German, and it also changes in all the 3 genders + the plural (masculine, feminine, neuter and plural). But first let’s learn what the Dative means. The Dative in German is just like the indirect object in English, or in other words, it’s like the receiver of the direct object. So for example: I give the book to him, “I” is the subject of the sentence, “the book” is the direct object, and “him” is the receiver, therefore also called the indirect object, in which we’re interested when it comes to the dative case.


German Dative Case

Definite Articles
Dem, der, dem, den (they all means to the)

Indefinite Articles
Einem, Einer, Einem (they all mean to a, to an)

Personal Pronouns
mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen. (to me, to you, to him, to her...)
Adjectives (masc., fem, neuter)
Weißen, weißen, weißen, weißen(all these forms mean to white)




Usually the equivalent of the dative case in English would include “to”, like our example above, I give the book to him, I send it to him, I show it to him… but in German that “to” is usually included in the expression used, for example “to him = ihm” “to the = dem” …so it’s not that complicated after all.



The dative case has four functions:




1) Indirect object

The indirect object of a sentence is the being (usually a person, but sometimes a pet or an inanimate object) for whose benefit the subject is acting upon the direct object.. It answers the question: To or for whom does the subject ?

EXAMPLES: Wir backen euch einen Kuchen.

We're baking you a cake.

We're baking a cake for you.

"You" (pl). answers for whom the subject "we" is baking a cake.

Erik erzählt seinen Brüdern Witze.

Erik is telling his brothers jokes.

Erik is telling jokes to his brothers.

"His brothers" answers to whom the subject "Erik" is telling jokes.

Den Touristen zeigt er die Kirche.

He shows the tourists the church.

He shows the church to the tourists. "The tourists" answers to whom the subject "he" is showing the church.



Note that the dative case, when it denotes an indirect object in the sentence, can be and often is rendered into English using the preposition to or for. Because the dative case in German includes the meanings of these prepositions, those prepositions are not needed in German to designate the indirect object.



Note also that a sentence cannot have an indirect object unless it first has a direct object. The indirect object is by definition to or for whom the subject does something to a direct object.





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2) Object of a dative verb or dative construction

A number of verbs, adjectives, and idiomatic expressions require a dative object in German. The following verbs require a dative object and will never have an accusative object.

antworten to answer imponieren to impress

begegnen to encounter Leid tun to be sorry

danken to thank nutzen to be useful to

dienen to serve passen to suit

drohen to threaten passieren to happen to

ein•fallen to occur to reichen to be enough

fehlen to be missing schaden to damage

folgen to follow schmecken to taste

gefallen to be pleasing to schwer•fallen to be difficult for

gehören to belong to vertrauen to trust

gelingen to succeed verzeihen to forgive

glauben to believe weh•tun to hurt

gratulieren to congratulate widersprechen to contradict

helfen to help zu•hören to listen to



EXAMPLES: Hilfst du mir mit der Hausaufgabe?

Will you help me with the homework?

"Me" is the object of the dative verb helfen.

Der Hund folgte dem Kind nach Hause.

The dog followed the child home.

"The child" is the object of the dative verb folgen.

Das Geld reicht uns nicht.

The money is not enough for us. "Us" is the object of the dative verb reichen.



Like dative indirect objects, the objects of dative verbs normally refer to persons. In the few instances where the verb objects are impersonal, they take the accusative case.

Ich glaube dir (dat.).

I believe you.

Ich glaube die Geschichte (acc.).

I believe the story.

Er verzeiht mir nie (dat.).

He'll never forgive me. Er verzeiht den Fehler nie (acc.).

He'll never forgive the mistake.



In addition to the dative verbs, a number of adjectives and other idiomatic phrases are commonly used with dative objects. Here are some of them:

ähnlich similar gleich same

angenehm pleasant leicht easy

begreiflich understandable nützlich useful

behilflich helpful peinlich embarrassing

bekannt known schädlich damaging

bequem comfortable teuer expensive

dankbar thankful verwandt related

fremd foreign willkommen welcome



Notice in the examples below that the dative objects that accompany these adjectives are often rendered in English with an accompanying "to" or "for". There is no need to add an additional preposition to the German sentence, since these meanings are included when the noun or pronoun is declined in the dative case.

EXAMPLES: Sie ist ihrem Vater sehr ähnlich.

She is very similar to her father. "(To) her father" is the dative object of the adjective "similar".

Dieses Bett ist mir zu teuer.

This bed is too expensive for me.

"(For) me" is the dative object of the adjective "expensive".

Der Name war ihm sehr bekannt.

The name was well-known to him. "(To) him" is the dative object of the adjective "known".





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3) Object of a dative preposition

The object of an dative preposition must be in the dative case. These are the prepositions in German whose noun objects are always in the dative case:

aus out of, from nach to, after, according to

außer except for seit since, for (+ time period)

bei at, with von from, by

gegenüber opposite, in relation to zu to

mit with; by means of



EXAMPLES: Wir fahren mit der Bahn.

We're traveling by train.

"The train" is the object of the dative preposition mit.

Außer dir waren alle dabei.

Besides you, everyone was there.

"You" is the object of the dative preposition außer.

Sie wohnt bei ihren Großeltern.

She's living with her grandparents. "Her grandparents" is the object of the dative preposition bei.



For more information on prepositions, see the German prepositions page.





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4) Object of a two-way preposition

Two-way prepositions are named as such because their objects are sometimes in the dative case and sometimes in the accusative case. Here are the two-way prepositions:



an at, on (a vertical surface) über above, over

auf at, on (a horizontal surface) unter under

hinter behind vor in front of; before

in in zwischen between

neben beside



When two-way prepositions are used with the dative case, they (1) designate a location, or (2) are in idiomatic expressions requiring the use of the dative.



EXAMPLES of 2-WAY PREPOSITIONS + DATIVE to indicate LOCATIONS: Sie sitzt gerade in der Bank.

She's sitting in the bank.

"In the bank" is a location describing where "she" is, hence in takes the dat.

Ich sitze neben ihn.

I am sitting next to him.

"Next to him" is the location where the subject "I" is sitting, hence neben uses dat.

Grete hat Angst vor ihrem Vater.

Grete is afraid of her father. "Her father" is the dat.object of vor because the idiom Angst haben vor requires the use of the acc.case.



In addition to the meanings listed , the two-way prepositions + dative have a range of idiomatic meanings, as the last example above shows: Angst haben vor (+ dat.) = to be afraid of. For a list of such common idiomatic expressions in German and their English equivalents, see the page on verb + preposition combinations.








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Nouns and pronouns in the DATIVE CASE

Finally, here are some examples of nouns and pronouns in the dative case. Words and endings in red indicate a change in form from the accusative.

Nouns     
masculine         
dem Onkel
diesem Onkel
einem Onkel
keinem Onkel
unserem Onkel

feminine
der Tante
dieser Tante
einer Tante
keiner Tante
unserer Tante

neuterdem Buch
diesem Buch
einem Buch
keinem Buch
unserem Buch

 plural
 den Kindern
diesen Kindern
Kindern
keinen Kindern
unseren Kindern

Personal Pronouns
mir,dir ihm, ihr, ihm, uns ,euch ,hnen, ihnen

PERFECT TENSE - DAS PERFEKT

Forming the Present Perfect Tense in German:


Weak verbs typically form the past participle by adding the prefix ge- and a suffix of -t or -et to the stem:

Ich habe das gesagt. I said that.

Sie hat gut gespielt. She played well.

Wir haben schwer gearbeitet. We worked hard.

Ich habe nichts gehört. I didn't hear anything.

If the verb has a separable prefix, the "ge" becomes an infix; it is placed between the prefix and the stem:

Wir haben die Tür zugemacht. We closed the door.

Ich habe eingekauft. I went shopping.

If the verb ends in -ieren, there is no ge- added:

Das hat gut funktioniert. That worked well.


Sie hat Physik studiert. She studied physics.


Hast du auch die Küche renoviert? Did you renovate the kitchen, too?

If the verb has an inseparable prefix, that replaces the "ge":

Was hast du ihnen erzählt? What did you tell them?


Habt ihr viel Geld dafür bezahlt? Did y'all pay a lot of money for that?


Der Wagen hat mir gehört. The car belonged to me.

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Strong verbs:

The "irregular strong verbs," including the modal auxiliaries when they are not associated with another verb in the infinitive, add the suffix -t or -et to a (usually) changed stem:

Ich habe das nicht gewollt. I didn't want that.


Als Kind habe ich gut Chinesisch gekonnt. As a child I could speak Chinese well.


Sie hat das nicht gewusst. She didn't know that.


Was hast du mir gebracht? What did you bring me?



The remaining strong verbs add -en to a stem that may or may not be changed.

Ich habe meinen Hut gefunden. I found my hat.


Du hast zu schnell gesprochen. You spoke too fast.


Haben Sie gut geschlafen? Did you sleep well?


Sie hat mein Buch nicht gelesen. She didn't read my book.



These strong verbs fall into distinct categories. Here is a list of the most common strong verbs, arranged in those groups.


The rules about the prefix ge- remain the same:

Was hast du mitgebracht? What did you bring along?


Das Konzert hat schon begonnen. The concert has already begun.


Sie hat schon alles aufgegessen. She has already eaten up everything.


Die Kinder haben den ganzen Tag ferngesehen. The children watched TV all day.


Wir haben etwas anderes vorgehabt. We planned to do something else.

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The Auxiliary Verb: Most verbs, as in the examples above, take "haben," but some require "sein":

Wann bist du nach Hause gekommen? When did you come home?


Wir sind ins Kino gegangen. We went to the movies.


Seid ihr geflogen oder gefahren? Did y'all fly or drive?


Er ist alt geworden. He's gotten old.


Sie sind in der Stadt geblieben. They stayed in the city.


Die Musik ist sehr laut gewesen. The music was very loud.



Ablaut Patterns in German



Note: Because the ablaut classes are based on the vowel sounds in Proto-Indo-European, Old English, and Old High German, the spelling of the vowels may differ in modern English and German.

Ablaut

Class German Examples English Examples

1a. ei - i - i

beissen, biss, gebissen

leiden, litt, gelitten drive, drove, driven

slide, slid, slid

1b. ei - ie - ie

bleiben, blieb, geblieben

schreiben, schrieb, geschrieben

2. ie - o - o

fliegen, flog, geflogen

ziehen, zog, gezogen freeze, froze, frozen

shoot, shot, shot

3a. i - a - u/o

finden, fand, gefunden

beginnen, begann, begonnen begin, began, begun

sing, sang, sung

3b. e - a - o

helfen, half, geholfen

befehlen, befahl, befohlen win, won, won

find, found, found

4. e - a - o See Class 3b

Same as 3b in modern German break, broke, broken

speak, spoke (spake), spoken

5. e/i - a - e

essen, aß, gegessen

bitten, bat, gebeten eat, ate, eaten

give, gave, given

6. a - u - a

graben, grub, gegraben shake, shook, shaken

7. [x] - ie - [x]*

blasen, blies, geblasen fall, fell, fallen

*Class 7 verbs are uniform in having an ie past tense form, but the other vowels in the infinitive or past participle forms can vary: a/au/ei/o/u. See the chart for details


Ablaut Class Exceptions - German

German Strong-Verb Conjugation Patterns

Principal Parts - Other

German Verb English Meaning

betrügen, betrog, betrogen - deceive, deceived, deceived


erlöschen, erlosch, erloschen - extinguish, extinguished, extinguished


gehen, ging, ist gegangen-


go, went, gone


kommen, kam, ist gekommen-


come, came, come


lügen, log, gelogen - lie, lied, lied (falsehood)


saufen, soff, gesoffen - drink, drank, drunk (alcohol)


saugen, sog, gesogen - suck, sucked, sucked


schwören, schwor, geschworen-  swear, swore, sworn


stehen, stand, gestanden - stand, stood, stood


tun, tat, getan - do, did, done

Mixed Verbs in German


brennen, brannte, gebrannt -burn, burned, burned

bringen, brachte, gebracht -bring, brought, brought

denken, dachte, gedacht-

think, thought, thought

kennen, kannte, gekannt-

know, knew, known

mahlen, mahlte, gemahlen* (Class 6)-

grind, ground, ground

nennen, nannte, genannt-

name, named, named

rennen, rannte, gerannt-

run, ran, run

salzen, salzte, gesalzen* (Class 6)-

salt, salted, salted

senden, sandte, gesandt -send, sent, sent

spalten, spaltete, gespalten* (Class 6)-

split, split, split

wenden, wandte, gewandt- turn, turned, turned

wissen, wusste, gewusst-

know, knew, known

*Verbs with a strong past participle that belong to ablaut class 6 (strong verbs).

Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - A-F


INFINITIV PRÄTERITUM

(Preterite) PERFEKT

(Past Participle)

A A A

anfangen begin

fing an began angefangen begun

ankommen arrive kam an arrived ist angekommen arrived

anrufen call up

rief an called up angerufen called up

B B B

backen bake

backte baked gebacken baked

befehlen command befahl commanded befohlen commanded

beginnen begin

begann began begonnen begun

beißen bite biss bit gebissen bitten

bekommen get, receive bekam got bekommen gotten

bergen salvage barg salvaged geborgen salvaged

bersten burst barst burst geborsten burst

betrügen deceive betrog deceived betrogen deceived

biegen bend bog bent gebogen bent

bieten offer bot offered geboten offered

binden tie band tied gebunden tied

bitten request bat requested gebeten requested

blasen blow blies blew geblasen blown

See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-ie-a, a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.

bleiben stay

blieb stayed ist geblieben stayed

bleichen bleach blich bleached geblichen bleached

braten roast briet roasted gebraten roasted

brechen break brach broke gebrochen broken

brennen* burn brannte burned gebrannt burned

bringen* bring brachte brought gebracht brought

*Both brennen and bringen are "mixed" verbs, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.


D D D

denken* think

dachte thought gedacht thought

*The verb denken is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.


dreschen thresh drosch threshed gedroschen threshed

dringen force drang forced gedrungen forced

dürfen may

durfte was allowed gedurft* been allowed

*Used with an infinitive, as for all modals, the past participle is the infinitive dürfen: "Wir haben nicht gehen dürfen."

E E E

empfangen receive empfing received empfangen received

empfehlen recommend empfahl recommended empfohlen recommended

erfinden invent

erfand invented erfunden invented

erlöschen extinguish erlosch extinguished erloschen extinguished

erschallen echo, sound erscholl sounded erschollen sounded

erschrecken* scare erschrak scared erschrocken scared

*This verb has both strong (passive) and weak (active) forms: "Ich habe ihn erschreckt." (I scared him.) and "Ich erschrak bei der Explosion." (I was startled/scared by the explosion.)

essen eat

aß ate gegessen eaten

F F F

fahren travel

fuhr traveled ist gefahren traveled

fallen fall fiel fell ist gefallen fallen

fangen catch fing caught gefangen caught

fechten fence focht fenced gefochten fenced

finden find

fand found gefunden found

fliegen fly flog flew ist geflogen flown

fliehen flee floh fled ist geflohen fled

fließen flow floss flowed ist geflossen flowed

fressen gorge fraß gorged gefressen gorged

frieren freeze fror froze gefroren* frozen

*The verb frieren takes the helping verb haben or sein, depending on its meaning. In most cases ("to be cold") it is "hat gefroren," but in the meaning of "to freeze, turn into ice," it is "Der Boden / Das Wasser ist steif gefroren." (The ground / water has frozen solid.)

frohlocken rejoice frohlockte rejoiced frohlockt rejoiced



Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - G-M

INFINITIV PRÄTERITUM

(Preterite) PERFEKT

(Past Participle)

G

gären ferment gor fermented gegoren fermented

gebären bear (child) gebar bore geboren born

geben give

gab gave gegeben given

gedeihen flourish gedieh flourished ist gediehen flourished

gefallen be pleasing, like gefiel liked gefallen liked

gehen go

ging went

ist gegangen gone


gelingen succeed gelang succeeded ist gelungen succeeded

gelten be valid galt was valid gegolten been valid

genesen recover genas recovered genesen recovered

genießen enjoy genoß enjoyed genossen enjoyed

geschehen happen geschah happened ist geschehen happened

gewinnen win gewann won gewonnen won

gießen pour goß poured gegossen poured

gleichen resemble glich resembled geglichen resembled

gleiten glide, slide glitt glided ist geglitten glided

glimmen glow, smoulder glomm* glowed ist geglommen* glowed

*Also glimmte and hat geglimmt (weak)

graben dig grub dug gegraben dug

greifen grasp griff grasped gegriffen grasped

H

haben have

hatte had

gehabt had


For the complete conjugation of the verb haben in the present tense, see Lesson 4 of German for Beginners.

halten hold hielt held gehalten held

hängen hang hing hung/hanged* gehangen hung/hanged*

*The verb hängen is weak in transitive situations ("Er hängte das Bild an die Wand.") and strong in intransitive situations ("Das Bild hing an der Wand.").

hauen hew, hit haute* hit gehauen hit

*The strong past form hieb is used when the meaning is "struck (him) with a weapon."

heben lift hob lifted gehoben lifted

heißen be called

hieß named geheißen named

helfen help

half helped geholfen helped

See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.

K

kennen* know

kannte knew gekannt known

*The verb kennen is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.


klingen ring klang rang geklungen rung

kneifen pinch kniff pinched gekniffen pinched

kommen come

kam came ist gekommen come

können can

konnte could gekonnt* could

*With an infinitive, the past participle is können: "Ich habe nicht gehen können."

kriechen crawl kroch crawled ist gekrochen crawled

L

laden load lud loaded geladen loaded

lassen let, allow ließ let gelassen let

laufen run

lief ran ist gelaufen run

leiden suffer litt suffered gelitten suffered

leihen lend lieh lent geliehen lent

lesen read las read gelesen read

liegen* lie lag lay gelegen lain

*Do not confuse liegen (lie, recline, strong) and (sich) legen (lay, put, weak)!

lügen lie log lied gelogen lied

M

mahlen grind mahlte ground gemahlen ground

meiden avoid mied avoided gemieden avoided

messen measure maß measured gemessen measured

misslingen fail misslang failed misslungen failed

mögen like

mochte liked gemocht* liked

*With an infinitive, the past participle is mögen: "Sie hat nicht gehen mögen."

müssen must

musste had to gemusst* had to

*Used with an infinitive, as with all modals, the past participle is the infinitive müssen: "Wir haben nicht gehen müssen."







INFINITIV PRÄTERITUM

(Preterite) PERFEKT

(Past Participle)

N

nehmen take

nahm took genommen taken

nennen name

nannte named genannt named

P

pfeifen whistle pfiff whistled gepfiffen whistled

preisen praise pries praised gepriesen praised

Q

quellen gush quoll* gushed ist gequollen* gushed

*Also has the weak forms quellte and hat gequellt.

R

raten advise riet advised geraten advised

reiben rub rieb rubbed gerieben rubbed

reißen tear riss tore gerissen torn

reiten* ride ritt rode ist geritten ridden

*The verb reiten is only used for riding an animal (e.g., horseback riding); to express "ride" in a transportation sense (bus, train, etc.), fahren is used.

rennen run rannte ran ist gerannt run

*The verb rennen is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page.


riechen smell roch smelled gerochen smelled

ringen wring rang wrung gerungen wrung

rinnen flow rann flowed ist geronnen flowed

rufen call rief called gerufen called

S

salzen salt salzte salted gesalzen/gesalzt salted

saufen drink soff drank gesoffen drunk

saugen suck sog* sucked gesogen* sucked

* Also has the weak forms saugte and hat gesaugt. In technical use, only the weak form is used.

schaffen create;

accomplish, make schuf* created

geschaffen* created


*The strong forms schuf/hat geschaffen are used when the meaning is "created" ("Sie hat schöne Sachen geschaffen."). To express "accomplished" or "made it," the weak forms schaffte/hat geschafft are used: "Er hat es geschafft (ein Tor zu machen)!"

scheiden depart; separate schied separated geschieden* separated

*In the sense of "leave" or "depart" scheiden takes sein as a helping verb: "Karl ist aus dem Dienst geschieden."

scheinen shine schien shone geschienen shone

scheißen shit schiss shit geschissen shit

schelten scold schalt scolded gescholten scolded

schießen shoot schoss shot geschossen shot

See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.

schlafen sleep schlief slept geschlafen slept

schlagen hit schlug hit geschlagen hit

schleichen sneak schlich sneaked ist geschlichen sneaked

schleifen polish schliff* polished geschliffen* polished

*Although the strong form is preferred, schleifte and hat geschleift (weak) are also used.

schleißen slit schliß slit geschlissen slit

schließen close, lock schloss closed geschlossen closed

schlingen gulp (down) schlang gulped geschlungen gulped

schmeißen fling, toss schmiss flung geschmissen flung

schmelzen melt schmolz melted geschmolzen melted

schneiden cut schnitt cut geschnitten cut

schrecken scare schrak/schreckte scared geschreckt/geschrocken scared

schreiben write

schrieb wrote geschrieben written

schreien scream schrie screamed geschrien screamed

schreiten step schritt stepped ist geschritten stepped

schweigen be silent schwieg was silent geschwiegen been silent

schwellen* swell, rise schwoll swelled ist geschwollen swollen

*There are two forms of schwellen: (1) strong (above) for the sense of "to swell up/fill with wind," and (2) weak to "fill (something) up with wind/to swell (something) up."

schwimmen swim schwamm swam ist geschwommen swum

schwinden dwindle schwand dwindled ist geschwunden dwindled

schwingen swing schwang swung geschwungen swung

schwören swear schwur/schwor swore geschworen sworn



Starke Verben - Strong Verbs - Se-Z

INFINITIV PRÄTERITUM

(Preterite) PERFEKT

(Past Participle)

Se

sehen see

sah saw gesehen seen

sein be

war was ist gewesen been

For the conjugation of sein in the present tense, see Lesson 4 of German for Beginners.


senden* send, transmit sandte sent gesandt sent

*In the sense of "transmit" or "broadcast" only the weak forms sendete and hat gesendet are used. The weak forms may also be used in the sense of "send."

sieden boil sott/siedete boiled gesotten boiled

singen sing sang sang gesungen sung

sinken sink sank sank ist gesunken sunk

sitzen* sit saß sat gesessen sat

*Do not confuse sitzen (sit, strong) and (sich) setzen (set, weak)!

sollen should, ought to

sollte should gesollt* should

*With an infinitive, the past participle is sollen: "Ich habe nicht gehen sollen."

spalten split spaltete split gespalten/gespaltet split

speien spew spie spewed gespien spewed

spinnen spin spann spun gesponnen spun

sprechen speak

sprach spoke gesprochen spoken

sprießen sprout spross sprouted gesprossen sprouted

springen jump sprang jumped ist gesprungen jumped

stechen stab, sting stach stung gestochen stung

stehen stand

stand stood gestanden* stood

*In some southern German and Austrian dialects, stehen takes sein as a helping verb: "Er ist im Eingang gestanden."

stehlen steal stahl stole gestohlen stolen

steigen climb stieg climbed ist gestiegen climbed

sterben die starb died ist gestorben died

stieben fly about stob flew about ist gestoben flown about

stinken stink stank stank gestunken stunk

stoßen push, bump stieß pushed gestoßen pushed

streichen strike, paint strich struck gestrichen struck

streiten argue stritt argued gestritten argued

See the ablaut groups for learning the various patterns (a-u-a, e-a-o, etc.) of German strong verbs.

T

tragen carry, wear trug wore getragen worn

treffen meet traf met getroffen met

treiben move, drive trieb drove getrieben* driven

*In the sense of "drift" or "float" treiben takes sein as a helping verb: "Das Eis ist den Fluss entlang getrieben."

triefen drip triefte/troff dripped getrieft dripped

trinken drink

trank drank getrunken drunk

trügen be deceptive trog was deceptive getrogen been deceptive

tun do

tat did getan done

U

überwinden overcome überwand overcame überwunden overcome

V

verderben spoil verdarb spoiled verdorben spoiled

verdrießen annoy verdross annoyed verdrossen annoyed

vergessen forget vergaß forgot vergessen forgotten

verlieren lose verlor lost verloren lost

verschleißen wear (out) verschliss wore (out) verschlissen worn (out)

verzeihen forgive verzieh forgave verziehen forgiven

W

wachsen* grow wuchs grew ist gewachsen grown

*In the sense of "to wax" (skis, etc.), wachsen is weak: (wachste and hat gewachst).

waschsen wash wusch washed gewaschsen washed

weben weave wob/webte wove gewoben/gewebt woven

weichen* yield wich yielded ist gewichen yielded

*In the sense of "to soften" (up), weichen is weak: (weichte and hat geweicht).

weisen indicate wies indicated gewiesen indicated

wenden turn wandte* turned gewandt* turned

*Also wendete and gewendet (car, hay, etc.).

werben recruit warb recruited geworben recruited

werden become

wurde became ist geworden* become

*As a helping verb in the passive voice: worden, as in "Ich bin oft gefragt worden." (I have often been asked.)

werfen throw warf threw geworfen thrown

wiegen weigh wog/wiegte weighed gewogen/gewiegt weighed

winden twist wand twisted gewunden twisted

wissen* know

wusste knew gewusst known

*The verb wissen is a "mixed" verb, combining elements of strong and weak verbs. For more see our Mixed Verbs page. - For the complete conjugation of wissen in all tenses, see wissen in our conjugation tables.

wollen want to

wollte wanted to gewollt* wanted to

*With an infinitive, the past participle is wollen: "Ich habe nicht gehen wollen."

wringen wring wrang wrung gewrungen wrung

Z

zeihen accuse zieh accused geziehen accused

ziehen pull zog pulled gezogen pulled

zwingen compel zwang compelled gezwungen compelled

German modal verbs

GERMAN MODAL VERBS


eg Ich kann gut schwimmen, Wir können nicht nach Chadstone gehen

Present Tense
Imperfect Tense



müssen       (must, to have to)
sollen          (to be supposed to)
dürfen           (to be allowed to)
können         (can, to be able)
wollen        (to want [to...])
mögen       (to like [to do])


  
     möchten   (would like [to...])





* ich

(I) muss /darf/ kann /will /soll /mag/ möchte

du

(you, informal) musst /darfst/ kannst/ willst/ sollst/ magst/ möchtest

* er / sie / es

(he / she / it) muss/ darf/ kann/ will/ soll/ mag/ möchte

* wir

(we) müssen /dürfen/ können/ wollen/ sollen/ mögen /möchten

ihr

(you, informal, plural) müsst /dürft/ könnt/ wollt/ sollt/ mögt /möchtet

* sie

(they) müssen /dürfen/ können/ wollen/ sollen/ mögen/ möchten

* Sie

(you, formal) müssen/ dürfen /können /wollen /sollen /mögen /möchten

TIPS!

 * The ich form and the er/sie/es form are the same. * The wir form, the sie (they) form and the Sie (you, formal) forms are the same.

 Except for ich and er/sie/es, the other endings are the same as with normal regular verbs.

 Each of the modal verbs except for sollen and möchten change their vowel in the ich, du, and er/sie/es forms.

 Modal verbs usually need a second verb in the sentence in order to make sense. That verb is in its infinitive form (like in your German dictionary) and comes at the end of the sentence.

eg - Ich kann Fußball gut spielen.

Exceptions: Ich kann Deutsch. I can speak German. (It's obvious from the word "Deutsch" what I can do.) - Ich muss nach Berlin. I have to go to Berlin (If I say "nach Berlin" it's already obvious that I'm talking about going there.) - Ich kann nichts dafür. I can't help it.

 Perfect Tense - You use haben as well, and the modal verb stays in the infinitive  at the end of the sentence.

eg :Er hat Tennis spielen müssen. (He had to play tennis.)

 müssen: Be careful when using it with nicht. It doesn't mean the same as the English "(you) musn't". It means "(you) don't have to (if you don't want to)."

E.g. Du musst das nicht tun. (You don't have to do that.)

E.g. Das darfst du nicht tun. (You musn't do that / You're not allowed to do that.)

 können/dürfen: In English "can" is sometimes used to mean "may" (Can I sit here?). In German there's a clear difference between können (can) and dürfen (may, be allowed to).

E.g. Darf ich hier sitzen? (Can/May I sit here?)

 sollen: E.g.

Ich soll nächste Woche nach Österreich fliegen. (I am to fly to Austria next week.)

Sie soll sehr intelligent sein. (She is supposed to be very intelligent.)

Sie sollen sehr unfreundlich sein. (They are said to be very unfriendly.)



Modal verbs & their meanings

The German modal verbs are a group of 6 verbs that behave and are formed in much the same way. Modal verbs indicate the attitude of the sentence subject with regard to what is being said in the rest of the sentence.

Modal verb Primary (& secondary)

"modes" it conveys English meaning

können ability (possibility) can, to be able to (may, might)

dürfen permission (probability) may, to be allowed to

(in the negative: ought not)

müssen necessity, compulsion must, to have to, to need to

(should, ought)

mögen liking (probability, possibility) to like (may, can)

wollen desire, intention to want to, to intend to, shall

(to claim to)

sollen obligation (intention, prediction) shall, to be supposed to

(should, is said to be, ought to)





ENGLISH MODALS vs. GERMAN MODALS



While English modal verbs have only two tenses -- past and present (can, could - like, liked - have to, had to, etc.) -- German modal verbs have a full range of tenses and moods. This can sometime create confusion for English-speakers, because in English the past tense is sometimes used to relate a conditional meaning. For example: Ich konnte gehen. (past indicative) and Ich könnte gehen. (present subjunctive) both translatate into English as I could go but they don't mean the same thing. Ich konnte gehen means I was able to go, whereas Ich könnte gehen means It would be possible for me to go. Though it may seem confusing at first, it is important that English speakers develop a sense of these differences in German.

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Usage

These verbs behave much like an auxiliary verb in that they are typically used in combination with other verbs. The modal verb is conjugated to agree with the subject of the sentence. The other verb is at the end of the sentence in its infinitive form.









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MODAL VERB + INFINITIVE

EXAMPLES of MODAL VERB + PRESENT INFINITIVE

Wir können nicht kommen. We can't come.

Sie kann zu Hause sein. She might be at home.

Er darf heute nach Hause gehen. He's allowed to go home today.

Wollen wir uns treffen? Shall we meet?

Ich soll hier bleiben. I am supposed to stay here.

EXAMPLES of MODAL VERB + PERFECT INFINITIVE

Das muss ein Mißverständnis gewesen sein. That must have been a misunderstanding.

Er will das Buch schon gelesen haben. He claims to have read the book already.

EXAMPLES of MODAL VERB + PASSIVE INFINITIVE

Es musste sofort gegessen werden. It had to be eaten immediately.

Dürftet ihr zusammen gesehen werden? Are you allowed to be seen together?

EXAMPLES of MODAL VERB + PASSIVE PERFECT INFINITIVE

Der Brief mag schon geschrieben worden sein. The letter may already have been written.

Es soll schon verkauft worden sein. It is supposed to have been sold already.



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THE SPECIAL STATUS OF MÖGEN



Unlike the other modal verbs, the verb mögen is usually used without an additional verb when it is used to express a liking of someone or something. When used with another verb, it often means may. The most common use of mögen is the subjunctive form möchte, would like.

Ich mag keine Filme. I don't like movies.


Magst du diesen Lehrer? Do you like this teacher?


Das mag wohl sein. That may well be.


Er möchte eine Tasse Kaffee. He would like a cup of coffee.


Möchtest du noch länger schlafen? Would you like to sleep longer?




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OMISSION OF THE 2nd VERB



Occasionally, the infinitive of the 2nd verb may be omitted when its meaning is understood from the context of the sentence. This occurs most often with verbs of motion, tun, and haben, or when the verb has been previously mentioned. It also occurs with the verb können when expressing a knowledge of something that has been learned.

Wir müssen bald nach Hause. We have to go home soon.


Er will nach England. He wants to travel to England.


Wollten Sie ein Stück Kuchen? Did you want a piece of cake?


Was soll ich mit dem Auto? What am I supposed to do with the car?


Ich rauche gern, aber ich darf (es) nicht. I like to smoke, but I'm not allowed to.


Ich kann gut Deutsch. I can speak German well.


Kannst du Schach? Can you play chess?

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Tense Formation (Indicative)

As mixed verbs, the modal verbs have irregularities in their conjugations. As with all verbs, each of the tenses of the modal verbs is formed with one of the verb's principle parts:

Infinitive Present tense stem Simple past stem Past participle

können kann konnte gekonnt

dürfen darf durfte gedurft

müssen muss musste gemusst

mögen mag mochte gemocht

wollen will wollte gewollt

sollen soll sollte gesollt



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PRESENT TENSE



All of the modal verbs (except for sollen) have characteristic stem changes in their present tense singular forms. Note that the the ich-form and er/sie/es-forms of the modal verbs all lack personal endings and these two forms are also identical for each verb. Present tense plural forms of modal verbs are wholly regular.


As noted above, when used in a sentence, the modal verb falls in the 2nd position in a sentence and any accompanying infinitive appears at the end of the sentence:

EXAMPLES:

Wir müssen morgen aufräumen. We have to clean up tomorrow.

Er kann das Buch geschrieben haben. He may have written the book.



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SIMPLE PAST TENSE



The simple past tense forms are created using the simple past stem. These forms look much like the forms for weak verbs, with the difference that the 4 verbs that have umlauts in their infinitive forms drop them in the simple past tense.

Simple past forms = Simple past stem (infinitive minus -en & minus umlaut + weak simple past suffix -te) + personal endings: -, -st, -, -en, -t, -en.



Another way to approach the simple past of modals is: Simple past forms = Infinitive minus -en & minus umlaut + simple past personal endings: -te, -test, -te, -ten, -tet, -ten.

können -müssen- dürfen -mögen -wollen- sollen

ich konnte; ich musste ; ich durfte ; ich mochte ; ich wollte ; ich sollte


du konntest ; du musstest ; du durftest ; du mochtest;  du wolltest;  du solltest


er konnte; sie musste ;es durfte ;es mochte ;er wollte ;sie sollte


wir konnten ;wir mussten ;wir durften ;wir mochten ;wir wollten ;wir sollten


ihr konntet ;ihr musstet ;ihr durftet ;ihr mochtet; ihr wolltet; ihr solltet


sie konnten ;Sie mussten ;sie durften ;Sie mochten; Sie wollten ;sie sollten

Just like in the present tense, modal verbs in the simple past tense occur in the finite form and any accompanying verb is in its infinitive form at the end of the sentence.







EXAMPLES:

Er konnte die Aufgabe nicht machen. It couldn't do the assignment.


Wir mussten früh aufstehen. We had to get up early.


Sie wollten mich schon besucht haben. They claimed to have visited me already.


Durftest du es wissen? Were you allowed to know?



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FUTURE, PRESENT PERFECT, PAST PERFECT & FUTURE PERFECT TENSES



All of the other verb tenses are compound tenses, i.e. they employ a helping verb (or two helping verbs) in addition to the modal verb. In these tenses, a helping verb is the finite verb in the 2nd position in the sentence and the modal verb is relegated to a place at or near the end of the sentence. In the perfect tenses, the helping verb for all modal verbs is haben.

Tense Form English equivalent

FUTURE ich werde ... können


er wird ... wollen I will be able to


he will want to


PRES. PERFECT ich habe ... gekonnt


er hat ... gewollt I could, I have been able to


he wanted to, he has wanted to


PAST PERFECT ich hatte ... gekonnt


er hat ... gewollt I had been able


he had wanted


FUTURE PERFECT ich werde ... gekonnt haben


er wird ... gewollt haben I will have been able


he will have wanted

When the modal verb is accompanied by another verb in any of these 4 compound tenses, a double infinitive construction is used. In the perfect tenses this means that the double infinitive takes the place of the past participle:

Tense Form English equivalent

FUTURE ich werde ... schreiben können


er wird ... arbeiten wollen I will be able to write


he will want to work


PRES PERF ich habe ... schreiben können


er hat ... arbeiten wollen






FREQUENTLY USED ALTERNATIVE: (SIMPLE PAST)


ich konnte ... schreiben.


er wollte ... arbeiten. I have been/I was able to write


he (has) wanted to work














I was able to/could write.


he wanted to work


PAST PERFECT ich hatte ... schreiben können


er hatte ... arbeiten wollen I had been able to write


he had wanted to work


FUTURE PERFECT ich werde ... haben schreiben können


er wird ... haben arbeiten können


**This future perfect form


with modals is rarely used. I will have been able to write


he will have wanted to work






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hayford anyidoho: ERSTER TAG DER DEUTSCHEN SPRACHE IN GHANA

hayford anyidoho: ERSTER TAG DER DEUTSCHEN SPRACHE IN GHANA

hayford anyidoho: MEIN LEBEN

hayford anyidoho: MEIN LEBEN

German verbs+prepositions

German idioms: Verb + preposition

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About verb + preposition idioms

There are a number of set phrases in both English and German that consist of a verb + a certain preposition. Examples of such English phrases are: to wait for, to think of, to name after, to count on, to believe in, etc. In such idioms, the common meanings of prepositions often do not apply and the choice of preposition is completely determined by the verb choice. It is therfore best to learn the German verb and preposition pair together along with the meanings of these phrases as a whole.



As with all prepositional phrases, the case of the prepositional object will depend on the preposition itself. Thus, objects of accusative prepositions will take the accusative case and objects of dative prepositions will take the dative case.

Ich danke dir für das Geschenk. I thank you for the present.

danken für = to thank for

für is an accusative preposition, so its object will always take the accusative case

Oma fragt mich immer nach dir. Grandma always asks me about you.

fragen nach = to ask about

nach is a dative preposition, so its object will always take the dative case.

Two-way prepositions may take either the accusative case or the dative case. In the verb + preposition combinations that employ two-way prepositions, it will be necessary to memorize along with the phrase also the case that the preposition uses in that particular phrase.

Denkst du an mich? Will you think of me?

denken an = to think of

an is a two-way preposition that happens to take the accusative case in the phrase denken an.

Er arbeitet an dem Projekt. He's working on the project.

arbeiten an = to work on

an is a two-way preposition that happens to take the dative case in the phrase arbeiten an.

Note that sentences that use such prepositional objects may also have other objects as well. This includes direct and/or indirect objects as well as additional prepositional objects.

Ich danke dir für das Geschenk. I thank you for the present.

In addition to the prepositional phrase für das Geschenk, the sentence also has a dative object dir. (danken is a dative verb.)


Oma fragt mich immer nach dir. Grandma always asks me about you.

In addition to the prepositional phrase nach dir, the sentence also has an accusative direct object mich.

Ich danke dir von Herzen für das Geschenk. I thank you from the heart for the present.

This sentence contains an additional prepositional object in von Herzen.

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List of common verb + preposition idioms

Here is a list of some of the most common verb + preposition idioms in German along with their English equivalents. They are organized by preposition and, when two-way prepositions, are sub-grouped according to the case each phrase uses. General tendencies are noted wherever they apply.

Common German Verb - Preposition Idioms English equivalents



AN

In verb + preposition idioms, the two-way preposition an is used more frequently with the dative case than with the accusative case. Most of the an + accusative phrases refer to mental processes. The preposition in an + dative idioms often means in connection with, with respect to.

denken an (+ acc.) to think of (somebody / something)

erinnern an (+acc.) to remind of (sb. / sth.)

sich erinnern an (+ acc.) to remember (sb. / sth.)

sich gewöhnen an (+ acc.) to get used to (sb. / sth.)

glauben an (+ acc.) to believe in (sb. / sth.)

schreiben an (+ acc.) to write to (sb.)

arbeiten an (+ dat.) to work on (sth.)

hindern an (+ dat.) to prevent from doing (sth.)

leiden an (+ dat.) to suffer from (sth.)

sterben an (+ dat.) to die of (sth.)

teil•nehmen an (+ dat.) to take part in (sth.)

zweifeln an (+ dat.) to doubt (sth.)



AUF

In verb + preposition idioms, the two-way preposition auf is almost always used with the accusative. In the few instances where auf occurs with the dative, it indicates an enduring position, a lack of movement. Auf is the most commonly used preposition in verb + preposition idioms.

achten auf (+ acc.) to pay attention to (sb. / sth.)

antworten auf (+ acc.) to answer (sth.)

auf•passen auf (+ acc.) to keep an eye on (sb. / sth.)

beschränken auf (+ acc.) to limit to (sth.)

sich beziehen auf (+ acc.) to refer to (sb. / sth.)

sich freuen auf (+ acc.) to look forward to (sth.)

hin•weisen auf (+ acc.) to point to (sth.)

hoffen auf (+ acc.) to hope for (sth.)

sich konzentrieren auf (+ acc.) to concentrate on (sth.)

reagieren auf (+ acc.) to react to (sth.)

sich verlassen auf (+ acc.) to rely on (sb. / sth.)

verzichten auf (+ acc.) to do without (sb. / sth.)

warten auf (+ acc.) to wait for (sb. / sth.)

zählen auf (+ acc.) to count on (sb. / sth.)

bestehen auf (+ dat.) to insist on (sth.)



AUS

The dative preposition aus usually remains close to its conventional meaning of of or from.

bestehen aus to consist of (sth.)

entnehmen aus to gather from (sth.)

sich ergeben aus to result from (sth.)

schließen aus to conclude from (sth.)



FÜR

The accusative preposition für usually remains close to its conventional meaning for.

sich begeistern für to be enthusiastic about (sth.)

danken für to thank for (sth.)

sich eignen für to be suitable for (sb. / sth.)

sich entscheiden für to decide in favor of (sb. / sth.)

halten für to consider to be (sth.)

sich interessieren für to be interested in (sb. / sth.)

sorgen für to take care of (sb. / sth.)



IN

In most verb + preposition combinations, the two-way preposition in is used with the accusative.

ein•führen in (+ acc.) to introduce to (sth.)

sich ein•mischen in (+ acc.) to intervene, meddle in (sth.)

ein•willigen in (+ acc.) to agree to (sth.)

sich verlieben in (+ acc.) to fall in love with (sb.)

sich vertiefen in (+ acc.) to become engrossed in (sth.)

bestehen in (+ dat.) consist in (sth.)



MIT

The dative preposition mit normally means with in verb + preposition idioms.

sich ab•finden mit to be satisfied with (sth.)

an•fangen mit to start with (sth.)

auf•hören mit to stop doing (sth.)

sich befassen mit to deal with (sb. / sth.)

sich beschäftigen mit to be busy with (sb. / sth.)

rechnen mit to count on (sth.)

sprechen mit to speak with (sb.)

telefonieren mit to talk on the phone with (sb.)

überein•stimmen mit to agree with (sb. / sth.)

sich unterhalten mit to converse with (sb.)



NACH

The dative preposition nach often means after or for with verbs of calling, asking, longing, and reaching. With sensory verbs (e.g. to smell, to taste), nach usually means of or like.

aus•sehen nach to look like (sth.)

sich erkundigen nach to inquire about (sb. / sth.)

fragen nach to ask about/for (sb. / sth.)

greifen nach to grab at (sth.)

riechen nach to smell like/of (sth.)

schmecken nach to taste like (sth.)

sich sehnen nach to long for (sth.)

streben nach to strive for (sth.)

suchen nach to search for (sb. / sth.)



ÜBER

In verb + preposition idioms, the two-way preposition über is always used with the accusative case. In a number of idioms, über means about.

sich ärgern über (+ acc.) to be annoyed about (sb. / sth.)

sich beschweren über (+ acc.) to complain about (sb. / sth.)

diskutieren über (+ acc.) to discuss (sth.)

sich informieren über (+ acc.) to inform oneself about (sth.)

klagen über (+ acc.) to complain about (sb. / sth.)

lachen über (+ acc.) to laugh about (sb. / sth.)

nach•denken über (+ acc.) to think about, ponder (sb. / sth.)

spotten über (+ acc.) to mock (sb. / sth.)

sprechen über (+ acc.) to talk about (sb. / sth.)

sich streiten über (+ acc.) to argue about (sth.)

urteilen über (+ acc.) to judge (sb. / sth.)

verfügen über (+ acc.) to have (sth.) at one's disposal

sich wundern über (+ acc) to be surpised at/about (sb. / sth.)



UM

The accusative preposition um usually has the sense of concerning or with respect to in verb + preposition idioms.

sich bemühen um to make efforts toward (sth.)

betrügen um to cheat out of (sth.)

bitten um to ask for (sth.)

sich handeln um to be about (sth.)

kämpfen um to fight about (sth.)

konkurrieren um to compete for (sth.)

sich kümmern um to take care of (sb. / sth.)



VON

The dative preposition von usually has the sense of English of or from in verb + preposition idioms. Some verbs of thinking or communication may be used in combination with von or über in the sense of about, but in these instances über conveys a more in-depth knowledge or communication than does von.

ab•hängen von to depend on (sb. / sth.)

ab•raten von to advise against (sth.)

ab•sehen von to disregard (sth.)

erholen von to recover from (sth.)

erzählen von to tell about (sb. / sth.)

etw. halten von to think sth. of (sb. / sth.)

sprechen von to speak of (sb. / sth.)

träumen von to dream of (sb. / sth.)

überzeugen von to convince of (sth.)

wissen von to know of (sb. / sth.)











VOR

The two-way preposition vor is always used with the dative case in verb + preposition idioms. With verbs of fear and protection, it usually means of and from or against respectively.

Angst haben vor (+ dat.) to be afraid of (sb. / sth.)

beschützen vor (+ dat) to protect from (sb. / sth.)

fliehen vor (+ dat.) to flee from (sb. /sth.)

sich fürchten vor (+ dat.) to be afraid of (sb. / sth.)

sich hüten vor (+ dat.) to be on guard against (sb. / sth.)

retten vor (+ dat.) to save from (sb. / sth.)

warnen vor (+ dat.) to warn against (sb. / sth.)



ZU

In verb + preposition idioms, the dative preposition zu sometimes means to or into, particularly with verbs of empowering, leading, persuading, etc.

bei•tragen zu to contribute to (sb. / sth.)

bewegen zu to induce to (do sth.)

dienen zu to serve the purpose of (sth.)

sich eignen zu to be suitable as (sth.)

führen zu to lead to (sth.)

gehören zu to part of (sth.)

gratulieren zu to congratulate on (sth.)

heraus•fordern zu to challenge to (sth.)

neigen zu to lean toward (sb. / sth.)

passen zu to suit (sb. / sth.)

rechnen zu to count as one of (sth.)

treiben zu to drive / impel to (sth.)

überreden zu to talk into (sth.)

zählen zu to count as one of (sth.)

zwingen zu to force into (doing sth.)



jdn = jemanden = sb=somebody etw = etwas = sth = something jdm = jemandem

• abhängen von + D (jdm/etw) to depend on (sb/sth)

• achten auf + A (jdn/etw) to be careful about (sb/sth); to pay attention to (sb/sth)

• anfangen mit + D to start sth

• sich anpassen an + A to adjust or adapt to, to conform to (sb/sth)

• sich ärgern über +A (jdn/etw) to get angry with (sb/sth); blow up over (sb/sth)

• jdn ärgern mit + D to drive sb mad with sth

• aufhören mit + D to stop sth

• sich/ jdn befreien von + D to free or liberate (sb/sth) from sth

• beginnen mit + D to begin with sth



• sich beklagen bei + D über + A to complain to sb about (sb/sth)

• sich bemühen um + A to strive for (sb/sth); to endeavor to do sth

• sich/ jdn beschäftigen mit + D to occupy with (sb/sth); to be occupied with (sb/sth)

• sich beschweren bei + D über + A to complain to sb about (sb/sth)

• sich besinnen auf + A to reflect on (sb/sth); to ponder, to consider

• sich bewerben um + A to apply for sth (to or at a firm for a job)

• jdn bitten um + A to ask sb for sth

• bürgen für + A (jdn/ etw) to guarantee sth or to stand surety for sb

• jdm danken für + A to thank ab for sth

• denken an + A (jdn/ etw) to think of (sb/sth); to have (sb/sth) in mind

• diskutieren über + A to discuss (sth) with (sb)

• sich distanzieren von + D to dissociate (oneself) from (sb/sth)

• disponiert sein für/ zu + A/ D (medical) to be prone to (sth)

• drohen mit + D to threaten (sb/sth) with (sth)

• duften nach + D to smell or have asmell of (sth)

• sich entschuldigen bei + D to apologize to sb for sth

• sich erinnern an + A (jdn/etw) to remember (sb/sth)

• jdn erinnern an + A (jdn/etw) to remind sb of (sb/th)

• jdn erkennen an + D to know (sb/sth) by sth

• sich erkundigen bei + D nach + D to ask sb about (sb/sth); to inquire about (sb/sth)

• erzählen von/ über + D/ A to talk about (sb/sth)

• jdn fragen nach + D to ask or inquire about (sb/sth)

• sich freuen auf + A to look forward to (sb/sth)

• sich freuen über + A to be glad or pleased about (sb/sth)

• sich fürchten vor + D to be afraid of (sb/sth)

• jdm garantieren für + A to guarantee sth

• gehören zu + D to be amongst (sb/sth); to be one of (sb/sth)

• geraten in + A to get into sth

• sich/ jdn gewöhnen an + A to get used to (sb/sth); to adjust to

• glauben an + A to believe in (sb/sth)

• jdn halten für + A to take (sb/sth) for sth; to consider sn to be sth

• etwas/ nichts halten von + D to have an opinion of (sb/sth)

• es handelt sich um + A to be about (sb/sth); to deal with sth

• herrschen über + A to rule (over) (sb/sth); to govern a country

• hoffen auf + A to set one's hope on sb; to hope for sth

• sich interessieren für + A to be intrested in (sb/sth)

• sich irren in + D to be mistaken in or about or to be wrong about (sb/sth)

• kämpfen mit + D to fight with (sb/sth)

• kämpfen gegen + A to fight against (sb/sth)

• kämpfen für + A to campaign or fight for (sb/sth)

• kämpfen um + A to fight for (sb/sth)

• sich konzentrieren auf + A to concentrate on (sb/sth)

• sich kümmern um + A to look after (sb/sth) to take care of (sick person, a child)

• lachen über + A to laugh at (sb/sth)



• leiden an + D to suffer from sth (an illness)

• leiden unter + D to be suffering from (sb/sth)

• es liegt an + D to lie on (sb/sth); to depend on (sb/sth)

• nachdenken über + A to reflect on sth

• sich rächen an + D für + A to take revenge on sb for sth

jdm raten zu + D to recommend (sb/sth) to sb; to advise sb to do sth

• rechnen auf + A to reckon or count on (sb/sth)

• rechnen mit + D to reckon on or with (sb/sth)

• reden über + A to speak, talk about (sb/ sth)

• reden mit + D to speak with (sb)

• reden von + D to talk of (sb/sth)

• schreiben an + A (jdn) to write to sb

• schreiben an + D (etw) to write on sth; be writing sth (novel, story)

• schreiben über + A to write about (sb/sth)

• sich/ jdn schützen vor + D to protect oneself or sb from sth

• sich sehnen nach + D to long for (sb/sth)

• sorgen für + A to take care of sb;to look after sb

• sich sorgen um + A to be worried about (sb/sth)

• sprechen mit + D über + A to talk to sb about (sb/sth)

• sprechen von + D to talk about (sb/sth)

• staunen über + A to be astonished or amazed at (sb/sth)

• sterben an + D to die of sth

• sterben für + A to die for (sb/sth)

• sich streiten mit + D um + A to argue with sb about sth; to quarrel about sth

• teilnehmen an + D to take part or participate in sth

• etwas/nichts zu tun haben mit + D sth/ nothing to do with (sb/sth)

• sich unterhalten mit + D über + A to talk to or with sb about sth

• sich verlassen auf + A to rely or depend on (sb/sth)

• sich verlieben in + A to fall in love with (sb/sth)

• sich vertiefen in + A to become absorbed in sth

• vertrauen auf + A to trust (sb/sth); to have trust in (sb/sth)

• verzichten auf + A to do without (sb/sth)

• sich/jdb vorbereiten auf + A to prepare oneself or sb for sth

• jdn warnen vor + D to warn sb of (sb/sth)

• warten auf + A to wait for (sb/sth)

• sich wundern über + A to be surprised at/about (sb/sth)

• sich zanken mit + D to quarrel or squabble with sb

• zweifeln an + D to doubt oneself, sb or sth