Learn German Dative Case

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Understanding the German Dative Case

In German, nouns can change their form depending on how they are used in a sentence. This is called a 'case'. One of these cases is the Dative Case. We use the Dative Case to show the indirect object of a verb. An indirect object is usually the person or thing that receives something.

When to Use the Dative Case

Important Points

With certain verbs that require an indirect object
With certain prepositions
To show the receiver of something

Some verbs in German always need the Dative Case. These verbs include 'helfen' (to help), 'danken' (to thank), and 'folgen' (to follow).

Examples

Ich helfe dem Mann.
Wir danken der Frau.
Der Hund folgt dem Kind.

There are also prepositions that always use the Dative Case. Some of these prepositions are 'mit' (with), 'nach' (after/to), 'bei' (at/near), 'seit' (since), 'von' (from/of), and 'zu' (to).

Examples

Ich gehe mit dem Freund.
Wir fahren nach der Schule.
Er wohnt bei den Eltern.

Forming the Dative Case

Important Points

Masculine nouns: Add '-em' to 'der' to make 'dem'.
Feminine nouns: Add '-er' to 'die' to make 'der'.
Neuter nouns: Add '-em' to 'das' to make 'dem'.
Plural nouns: Add '-en' to 'die' to make 'den' and add '-n' to the noun if it doesn't already end in '-n'.

Examples

Ich gebe dem Mann ein Buch.
Sie schreibt der Frau einen Brief.
Wir zeigen den Kindern das Spiel.

By understanding and practicing these rules, you can become more comfortable using the Dative Case in German. Keep practicing with different sentences to see how the Dative Case changes the words.