Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place describe where something happens or where something is located.
These adverbs answer the question 'wo?' (where?) or 'wohin?' (where to?).
This lesson covers common German adverbs of place and how to use them in sentences.
Explanation
Common adverbs of place include: hier (here), dort (there), überall (everywhere), nirgendwo (nowhere), irgendwo (somewhere).
Some adverbs of place can be used with prepositions: hier drin (in here), dort draußen (out there).
Adverbs of place usually come after the verb or at the end of the sentence, but can be moved for emphasis.
The difference between 'wo' (where) and 'wohin' (where to) is important: 'wo' is for location, 'wohin' is for direction.
Common Adverbs of Place
| Adverb | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| hier | here | Ich bin hier. | I am here. |
| dort | there | Das Buch ist dort. | The book is there. |
| da | there/here | Ich gehe da hin. | I'm going there. |
| überall | everywhere | Er sucht überall. | He searches everywhere. |
| nirgendwo | nowhere | Ich finde es nirgendwo. | I can't find it anywhere. |
| irgendwo | somewhere | Es ist irgendwo. | It is somewhere. |
| oben | above/up | Es ist oben. | It is up/above. |
| unten | below/down | Es ist unten. | It is down/below. |
| draußen | outside | Er ist draußen. | He is outside. |
| drinnen | inside | Sie ist drinnen. | She is inside. |
Examples
Ich bin hier.
I am here.
Das Buch liegt dort.
The book is lying there.
Er sucht überall nach seinem Schlüssel.
He searches everywhere for his key.
Sie wohnt hier in der Nähe.
She lives here nearby.
Wir gehen dort hin.
We're going there.
Die Katze ist draußen.
The cat is outside.
Common Mistakes
Ich gehe hier
Ich gehe hier hin
For direction (where to), use 'hier hin' or 'dort hin', not just 'hier' or 'dort'.
Ich bin dort hin
Ich bin dort
For location (where), use just 'dort', not 'dort hin'. 'Hin' is only for direction.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.