German Prepositions
24 words.
Nine German prepositions - including an, auf, and in - change case depending on motion. Moving toward something takes accusative; staying in one place takes dative.
Das Bild hängt an der Wand.
The picture hangs on the wall.
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The book is on the table.
Ich komme aus Spanien.
I come from Spain.
Ich bin bei meiner Oma.
I am at my grandma's.
Bis morgen!
Until tomorrow!
Wir gehen durch den Park.
We walk through the park.
Das Geschenk ist für dich.
The gift is for you.
Er spielt gegen seinen Freund.
He plays against his friend.
Der Ball ist hinter dem Sofa.
The ball is behind the sofa.
Sie ist in der Küche.
She is in the kitchen.
Ich fahre mit dem Bus.
I go by bus.
Wir fahren nach Berlin.
We're going to Berlin.
Der Stuhl steht neben dem Tisch.
The chair is next to the table.
Er trinkt Kaffee ohne Zucker.
He drinks coffee without sugar.
Der Vogel fliegt über das Haus.
The bird flies over the house.
Wir treffen uns um drei Uhr.
We meet at three o'clock.
Die Katze liegt unter dem Bett.
The cat is lying under the bed.
Das ist ein Geschenk von meiner Mutter.
This is a gift from my mother.
Das Auto steht vor dem Haus.
The car is in front of the house.
Ich gehe zu meinem Freund.
I'm going to my friend's place.
Die Schule ist zwischen den Häusern.
The school is between the houses.
Während des Urlaubs habe ich gelesen.
During the vacation I read.
Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause.
Because of the rain we're staying home.
Ich lerne seit einem Jahr Deutsch.
I've been learning German for a year.
Wohin vs. Wo: The Question That Gives You the Answer
Wohin ('to where') asks about motion and takes accusative: Ich gehe in die Küche (I'm going into the kitchen). Wo ('where') asks about location and takes dative: Ich bin in der Küche (I'm in the kitchen). Asking the right question first makes the case almost automatic.
An vs. Auf: Vertical Surface vs. Horizontal Surface
An usually describes contact with a vertical surface or an edge: an der Wand (on the wall). Auf usually describes contact with a horizontal surface: auf dem Boden (on the floor), auf dem Tisch (on the table). Picture the surface, and the right preposition tends to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many German prepositions are on this page?+
24. Use the search box to jump straight to one, or check the ones you want to build a custom study set.
Why do an, auf, and in sometimes take accusative and sometimes dative?+
They're two-way prepositions - accusative for motion toward a destination, dative for a static location. Asking wohin ('to where') signals accusative; asking wo ('where') signals dative.
What's the difference between an and auf?+
An usually describes a vertical surface or an edge, like an der Wand (on the wall). Auf usually describes a horizontal surface, like auf dem Tisch (on the table).
How do I practice these prepositions?+
Select the words you want, then use the bar at the bottom to start Flashcards, Multiple Choice, or a Final Test.
Practice Prepositions Vocabulary
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