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Understanding the German Accusative Case
In German, the accusative case is used to show the direct object of a verb. This means it's used for the person or thing that is directly receiving the action.
Definite and Indefinite Articles
In the accusative case, articles change slightly. For example, 'der' changes to 'den', while 'die' and 'das' stay the same.
Examples
Ich sehe den Hund.
Er isst die Banane.
Wir haben das Buch.
Important Points
'Der' becomes 'den'
'Die' stays 'die'
'Das' stays 'das'
'Ein' becomes 'einen'
'Eine' stays 'eine'
'Ein' (neuter) stays 'ein'
Pronouns in the Accusative
Just like articles, pronouns also change in the accusative case. For example, 'ich' becomes 'mich' and 'du' becomes 'dich'.
Examples
Kannst du mich hören?
Ich sehe dich.
Er liebt sie.
Important Points
'Ich' becomes 'mich'
'Du' becomes 'dich'
'Er' becomes 'ihn'
'Sie' (she) stays 'sie'
'Es' stays 'es'
'Wir' becomes 'uns'
'Ihr' becomes 'euch'
'Sie' (they/formal) stays 'sie'
Prepositions with the Accusative
Some prepositions always take the accusative case. These include 'durch', 'für', 'gegen', 'ohne', and 'um'.
Examples
Er geht durch den Park.
Das Geschenk ist für dich.
Wir spielen gegen das Team.
Important Points
'durch' (through)
'für' (for)
'gegen' (against)
'ohne' (without)
'um' (around)
Common Verbs with the Accusative
Certain verbs in German always use the accusative case for their objects. These include 'haben', 'sehen', 'finden', and 'brauchen'.
Examples
Ich habe einen Stift.
Wir sehen den Film.
Sie braucht einen Freund.
Important Points
haben (to have)
sehen (to see)
finden (to find)
brauchen (to need)
Understanding the accusative case is important for making sentences correctly in German. Practice by identifying the direct object in sentences and using the right articles and pronouns.
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