Accusative Case
The accusative case is used for the direct object of a sentence - the person or thing that receives the action of the verb.
Many verbs require accusative objects. Prepositions can also require accusative case.
This lesson covers how to identify and use the accusative case in German.
Explanation
The direct object is always in accusative: 'Ich sehe den Mann' (I see the man) - 'den Mann' is accusative.
Accusative articles: den (masculine), die (feminine), das (neuter), die (plural).
Accusative pronouns: mich, dich, ihn, sie, es, uns, euch, sie, Sie.
Only masculine articles change in accusative: 'der' → 'den'. Feminine, neuter, and plural stay the same as nominative.
Many verbs require accusative: sehen (to see), kaufen (to buy), lesen (to read), machen (to make), essen (to eat).
Accusative Articles
| Gender | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | den | einen | den Mann | the man |
| Feminine | die | eine | die Frau | the woman |
| Neuter | das | ein | das Kind | the child |
| Plural | die | - | die Kinder | the children |
Examples
Ich sehe den Mann.
I see the man. (den Mann = accusative direct object)
Er kauft die Zeitung.
He buys the newspaper. (die Zeitung = accusative direct object)
Wir lesen das Buch.
We read the book. (das Buch = accusative direct object)
Sie essen die Äpfel.
They eat the apples. (die Äpfel = accusative direct object)
Common Mistakes
Ich sehe der Mann
Ich sehe den Mann
Direct objects are accusative. Masculine 'der' becomes 'den' in accusative.
Er kauft der Zeitung
Er kauft die Zeitung
Direct objects are accusative. For feminine, 'die' stays 'die' in accusative (same as nominative).
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
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.