Dative Pronouns
Dative pronouns replace nouns in the dative case (indirect objects). They're used to express 'to/for whom' something is done.
Dative pronouns are essential for natural German conversation, especially with verbs like 'helfen', 'geben', and 'schenken'.
This lesson covers all dative pronouns and how to use them.
Explanation
Dative pronouns: mir (to/for me), dir (to/for you), ihm (to/for him/it), ihr (to/for her/it), ihm (to/for it), uns (to/for us), euch (to/for you), ihnen (to/for them), Ihnen (to/for you formal).
Dative pronouns replace indirect objects: 'Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch' → 'Ich gebe ihm das Buch' (I give him the book).
Pronouns come before nouns: 'Ich gebe ihm und dem Kind das Buch' (I give him and the child the book).
Dative pronouns are used with verbs that require dative: helfen (to help), geben (to give), schenken (to give), danken (to thank).
Dative Pronouns
| Person | Pronoun | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | mir | Er gibt mir das Buch | He gives me the book |
| du | dir | Ich helfe dir | I help you |
| er | ihm | Ich gebe ihm das Buch | I give him the book |
| sie (she) | ihr | Ich helfe ihr | I help her |
| es | ihm | Ich gebe ihm das Buch | I give it the book |
| wir | uns | Er gibt uns das Buch | He gives us the book |
| ihr | euch | Ich helfe euch | I help you |
| sie (they) | ihnen | Ich gebe ihnen das Buch | I give them the book |
| Sie (formal) | Ihnen | Ich helfe Ihnen | I help you |
Examples
Ich helfe dir.
I help you.
Er gibt mir das Buch.
He gives me the book.
Wir schenken ihr ein Geschenk.
We give her a gift.
Sie danken uns.
They thank us.
Ich gebe ihm und ihr das Buch.
I give him and her the book.
Common Mistakes
Ich helfe dich
Ich helfe dir
'Helfen' requires dative. Use 'dir' (dative), not 'dich' (accusative).
Er gibt mich das Buch
Er gibt mir das Buch
Indirect objects use dative pronouns. Use 'mir' (dative), not 'mich' (accusative).
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.