Dative Case
The dative case is used for the indirect object - the person or thing that receives the direct object or benefits from the action.
Many verbs and prepositions require dative case. It's essential for expressing 'to/for whom' something is done.
This lesson covers how to identify and use the dative case in German.
Explanation
The indirect object is in dative: 'Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch' (I give the man the book) - 'dem Mann' is dative (to whom), 'das Buch' is accusative (what).
Dative articles: dem (masculine), der (feminine), dem (neuter), den (plural).
Dative pronouns: mir, dir, ihm, ihr, ihm, uns, euch, ihnen, Ihnen.
In plural, dative adds '-n' to nouns: 'die Kinder' → 'den Kindern' (to the children).
Many verbs require dative: helfen (to help), geben (to give), schenken (to give as a gift), danken (to thank), folgen (to follow).
Dative Articles
| Gender | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | dem | einem | dem Mann | to/for the man |
| Feminine | der | einer | der Frau | to/for the woman |
| Neuter | dem | einem | dem Kind | to/for the child |
| Plural | den | - | den Kindern | to/for the children |
Examples
Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch.
I give the man the book. (dem Mann = dative indirect object)
Er hilft der Frau.
He helps the woman. (der Frau = dative object)
Wir schenken dem Kind ein Spielzeug.
We give the child a toy. (dem Kind = dative)
Sie danken den Lehrern.
They thank the teachers. (den Lehrern = dative)
Common Mistakes
Ich gebe der Mann
Ich gebe dem Mann
Indirect objects are dative. Masculine 'der' becomes 'dem' in dative.
Er hilft die Frau
Er hilft der Frau
'Helfen' requires dative, not accusative. Use 'der', not 'die'.
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.