Genitive Prepositions
Genitive prepositions require the genitive case, which is more formal and often used in written German.
In modern spoken German, these prepositions are sometimes used with dative, but genitive is still preferred in formal writing.
This lesson covers the most common genitive prepositions and their usage in formal and informal contexts.
Explanation
Common genitive prepositions include: während (during), wegen (because of), trotz (despite), statt (instead of), innerhalb (within), außerhalb (outside of).
Genitive prepositions require genitive case articles: des (masculine/neuter), der (feminine/plural).
In spoken German, many speakers use dative with these prepositions (e.g., 'wegen dem' instead of 'wegen des'), but genitive is still correct in formal writing.
Genitive prepositions are less common in everyday conversation but important for formal writing and advanced German.
Common Genitive Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| während | during | während des Tages | during the day |
| wegen | because of | wegen des Wetters | because of the weather |
| trotz | despite | trotz des Regens | despite the rain |
| statt | instead of | statt des Autos | instead of the car |
| innerhalb | within | innerhalb des Jahres | within the year |
| außerhalb | outside of | außerhalb der Stadt | outside of the city |
Examples
Während des Tages arbeite ich.
During the day I work.
Wegen des Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause.
Because of the weather we stay at home.
Trotz des Regens gehen wir spazieren.
Despite the rain we go for a walk.
Statt des Autos fahre ich mit dem Bus.
Instead of the car I travel by bus.
Innerhalb des Jahres muss ich fertig sein.
Within the year I must be finished.
Außerhalb der Stadt ist es ruhig.
Outside of the city it is quiet.
Common Mistakes
während der Tag
während des Tages
'Während' requires genitive, so masculine becomes 'des Tages', not 'der Tag'.
wegen das Wetter
wegen des Wetters
'Wegen' requires genitive, so neuter becomes 'des Wetters', not 'das Wetter'.
trotz der Regen
trotz des Regens
'Trotz' requires genitive, so masculine becomes 'des Regens', not 'der Regen'.
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.