Verbs & Prepositions
Many German verbs require specific prepositions. These combinations must be memorized as they don't always translate directly from English.
The preposition determines which case (dative, accusative, or genitive) to use.
This lesson covers common verb-preposition combinations in German.
Explanation
Verbs with dative prepositions: 'denken an' (to think about) + accusative, 'sich freuen auf' (to look forward to) + accusative, 'sich interessieren für' (to be interested in) + accusative.
Verbs with accusative prepositions: 'warten auf' (to wait for) + accusative, 'fragen nach' (to ask about) + dative.
Verbs with genitive prepositions: 'sich erinnern an' (to remember) + accusative (note: 'an' takes accusative, not genitive).
Common combinations: 'sich freuen auf' (look forward to), 'denken an' (think about), 'sich interessieren für' (be interested in), 'warten auf' (wait for), 'sprechen mit' (speak with) + dative.
Common Verb-Preposition Combinations
| Verb + Preposition | Case | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| sich freuen auf | Accusative | Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub | I look forward to the vacation |
| denken an | Accusative | Ich denke an dich | I think about you |
| sich interessieren für | Accusative | Ich interessiere mich für Deutsch | I am interested in German |
| warten auf | Accusative | Ich warte auf den Bus | I wait for the bus |
| sprechen mit | Dative | Ich spreche mit meinem Freund | I speak with my friend |
| sich erinnern an | Accusative | Ich erinnere mich an dich | I remember you |
Examples
Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub.
I look forward to the vacation.
Er denkt an seine Familie.
He thinks about his family.
Wir interessieren uns für Musik.
We are interested in music.
Sie wartet auf den Zug.
She waits for the train.
Ich spreche mit meinem Lehrer.
I speak with my teacher.
Common Mistakes
Ich freue mich für den Urlaub
Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub
'Sich freuen' requires 'auf', not 'für'. 'Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub'.
Ich denke von dich
Ich denke an dich
'Denken' requires 'an', not 'von'. 'Ich denke an dich'.
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.