Dative Prepositions
Dative prepositions always require the dative case, regardless of the context or meaning.
These prepositions are essential for everyday German and appear frequently in conversation and writing.
This lesson covers the most common dative prepositions and how to use them correctly with articles and pronouns.
Explanation
Common dative prepositions include: mit (with), von (from/of), zu (to), bei (at/near), nach (after/to), aus (from/out of), seit (since), gegenüber (opposite).
All dative prepositions require dative case articles: dem (masculine/neuter), der (feminine), den (plural).
Dative prepositions never change - they always take dative, unlike two-way prepositions which can take accusative or dative.
When using pronouns with dative prepositions, use dative pronouns: mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen.
Common Dative Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| mit | with | mit dem Auto | with the car |
| von | from/of | von der Frau | from the woman |
| zu | to | zu dem Haus | to the house |
| bei | at/near | bei dem Arzt | at the doctor's |
| nach | after/to | nach Hause | home/to home |
| aus | from/out of | aus dem Haus | from/out of the house |
| seit | since | seit dem Jahr | since the year |
| gegenüber | opposite | gegenüber dem Park | opposite the park |
Examples
Ich fahre mit dem Bus.
I travel by bus.
Das Buch ist von meinem Freund.
The book is from my friend.
Ich gehe zu dem Arzt.
I go to the doctor.
Ich wohne bei meinen Eltern.
I live with my parents.
Nach dem Essen gehe ich spazieren.
After the meal, I go for a walk.
Ich komme aus Deutschland.
I come from Germany.
Seit einem Jahr lerne ich Deutsch.
I have been learning German for a year.
Common Mistakes
mit den Auto
mit dem Auto
'Mit' requires dative, so neuter becomes 'dem', not 'den'.
von der Mann
von dem Mann
'Von' requires dative, so masculine becomes 'dem', not 'der'.
zu der Schule
zur Schule (or zu der Schule)
'Zu der' can contract to 'zur', but both are correct. However, 'zu dem' contracts to 'zum'.
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.