Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition. In German, personal pronouns change form depending on the grammatical case.
Personal pronouns are essential for everyday conversation. You'll use them constantly when speaking German.
This lesson covers personal pronouns in all three cases: Nominativ (subject), Akkusativ (direct object), and Dativ (indirect object).
Explanation
German has personal pronouns for all persons: I (ich), you (du/Sie), he (er), she (sie), it (es), we (wir), you plural (ihr), and they (sie).
The formal 'you' is 'Sie' (always capitalized) and is used when speaking to adults you don't know well, in professional settings, or to show respect.
Pronouns must match the gender of the noun they replace. For example, 'der Tisch' (masculine) becomes 'er', 'die Tür' (feminine) becomes 'sie', and 'das Buch' (neuter) becomes 'es'.
In German, pronouns change form based on their function in the sentence: Nominativ for subjects, Akkusativ for direct objects, and Dativ for indirect objects.
Personal Pronouns - Nominativ
| Person | German |
|---|---|
| 1st singular | ich |
| 2nd singular (informal) | du |
| 2nd singular (formal) | Sie |
| 3rd singular (masculine) | er |
| 3rd singular (feminine) | sie |
| 3rd singular (neuter) | es |
| 1st plural | wir |
| 2nd plural | ihr |
| 3rd plural | sie |
Personal Pronouns - Akkusativ
The accusative case (Akkusativ) is used for direct objects - the person or thing that receives the action of the verb.
In German, personal pronouns change form in the accusative case.
| Person | German |
|---|---|
| 1st singular | mich |
| 2nd singular (informal) | dich |
| 2nd singular (formal) | Sie |
| 3rd singular (masculine) | ihn |
| 3rd singular (feminine) | sie |
| 3rd singular (neuter) | es |
| 1st plural | uns |
| 2nd plural | euch |
| 3rd plural | sie |
Er sieht mich.
He sees me.
Ich liebe dich.
I love you.
Wir besuchen sie.
We visit them.
Personal Pronouns - Dativ
The dative case (Dativ) is used for indirect objects - the person or thing that receives the direct object or benefits from the action.
Personal pronouns also change form in the dative case.
| Person | German |
|---|---|
| 1st singular | mir |
| 2nd singular (informal) | dir |
| 2nd singular (formal) | Ihnen |
| 3rd singular (masculine) | ihm |
| 3rd singular (feminine) | ihr |
| 3rd singular (neuter) | ihm |
| 1st plural | uns |
| 2nd plural | euch |
| 3rd plural | ihnen |
Er gibt mir ein Buch.
He gives me a book.
Ich helfe dir.
I help you.
Wir schreiben ihnen.
We write to them.
Examples
Ich bin Student.
I am a student.
Du hast ein Buch.
You have a book.
Er kommt aus Deutschland.
He comes from Germany.
Sie ist Lehrerin.
She is a teacher.
Es ist kalt.
It is cold.
Wir lernen Deutsch.
We learn German.
Ihr geht zur Schule.
You (plural) go to school.
Sie sprechen Englisch.
They speak English.
Wie geht es Ihnen?
How are you? (formal)
Können Sie mir helfen?
Can you help me? (formal)
Common Mistakes
Ich bin Studentin. (for a male)
Ich bin Student.
The pronoun 'ich' doesn't change, but the noun/adjective must match your gender.
Du sind
Du bist
With 'du', the verb ending is '-st' or 'bist', not 'sind'.
Sie (lowercase) for formal you
Sie (capitalized)
The formal 'you' must always be capitalized as 'Sie' to distinguish it from 'sie' (she/they).
Es ist ein Mann
Er ist ein Mann
Use 'er' for masculine nouns, not 'es'. 'Es' is only for neuter nouns.
Er ist eine Frau
Sie ist eine Frau
Use 'sie' for feminine nouns, not 'er'. Match the pronoun to the noun's gender.
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.