Language/German/Grammar/Temporal-Prepositions

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German → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Time and Temporal Prepositions → Temporal Prepositions

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore temporal prepositions in German. Temporal prepositions are used to express time relationships between different events or actions. Understanding how to use these prepositions correctly will greatly enhance your ability to communicate and express yourself in German. So let's dive in and learn about temporal prepositions!

What are Temporal Prepositions?

Temporal prepositions are a specific type of preposition that indicate time relationships. They are used to describe when an action takes place, for how long, or during which period of time. In German, temporal prepositions are commonly used to answer questions like "When?", "How long?", or "During which time?".

Common Temporal Prepositions

Here are some commonly used temporal prepositions in German:

German	Pronunciation	English
vor	/foːr/	before
nach	/nax/	after
während	/'veːrənt/	during
seit	/zaɪ̯t/	since
ab	/ap/	from/onwards
bis	/bɪs/	until
um	/ʊm/	at
gegen	/'geːgən/	around/about
innerhalb	/ˈɪnɐhalp/	within
außerhalb	/ˈaʊsɐhalp/	outside of
zwischen	/ˈtsʋɪʃən/	between

How to Use Temporal Prepositions

Temporal prepositions are typically used in combination with specific time expressions or clauses to provide more information about the timing of an action or event. Let's look at some examples:

Example 1 - Before and After:

Ich gehe vor dem Essen einkaufen. (I go shopping before eating.)

In this example, the temporal preposition "vor" is used to indicate that the action of going shopping takes place before the action of eating. The gerund "Essen" is used in the dative case "dem Essen," matching the case of the preposition "vor" (dative) and creating the phrase "before eating."

The phrase could just as easily be modified to mean "I go shopping after eating" by switching the preposition to "nach" instead:

Ich gehe nach dem Essen einkaufen.

Note that both "vor" and "nach" take the dative case when used temporally. "Nach" always takes the dative, but "vor" is a two-way preposition.

Example 2 - Since Expressions:

Er arbeitet set zwei Jahren bei der Firma. (He has been working at the company for two years.)

In this example, the temporal preposition "seit" is used to indicate the duration of time (two years) during which the action (working) has been ongoing. The time expression "zwei Jahren" (two years) specifies the length of time.

Note that "seit" can also be used as a conjunction:

Seit ich der Firma beigetreten bin, habe ich weniger Zeit, mit meiner Familie zu reden. (Since I joined the firm, I have [had] less time to talk to my family.)

In this case, "seit" is a subordinating conjunction which takes up the first position, moving the subject to third position while the verb remains in second.

Other temporal prepositions have conjunction equivalents, but most cannot directly be used as conjunctions.

Example 3 - Describing a Specific Time:

Wir treffen uns um 8 Uhr am Bahnhof. (We [will] meet at the train station at 8 o'clock.)

Here, the temporal preposition "um" is used to indicate the specific time (8 o'clock) at which the action of meeting takes place. The time expression "8 Uhr" (8 o'clock) provides the necessary information.

Tips for Using Temporal Prepositions

To use temporal prepositions correctly, it's important to keep the following tips in mind:

1. Pay attention to the case. Though temporal prepositions almost always take the dative case, there are some exceptions, and some can also be used as conjunctions

2. Practice with different verbs and situations: Temporal prepositions can be used with a wide range of verbs and in various situations. Practice using them with different verbs and in different contexts to become more comfortable and proficient.

3. Do not make the mistake of using the temporal prepositions as conjunctions directly. This is a very common mistake, likely because "seit" can be used as a conjunction. However, sentences such as "Nach ich in den Laden gegangen bin" are incorrect and should instead use the equivalent conjunction: "Nachdem ich in den laden gegangen bin," (after I have gone to the store--a dependent clause) to be grammatically correct.

Quiz

Let's test your understanding of temporal prepositions! Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence:

1. Ich gehe _____ dem Film ins Kino. a) vor b) nach c) während

2. Die Party geht _____ Mitternacht. a) vor b) nach c) seit

3. Wir treffen uns _____ dem Restaurant. a) ab b) bis c) um

4. Er hat _____ drei Stunden geschlafen. a) gegen b) innerhalb c) seit

5. Das Konzert findet _____ dem 15. Juli statt. a) außerhalb b) zwischen c) seitdem

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored temporal prepositions in German. We have learned about the common temporal prepositions and how to use them in context. Remember to pay attention to the case and use the appropriate time expressions when using temporal prepositions. Keep practicing and incorporating temporal prepositions into your German conversations, and you will soon become more confident and fluent in expressing time relationships. Good luck!

Table of Contents - German Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Sentence Structures

• Subject and Verb
• Noun and Gender

  ---

Greetings and Introduction

• Greetings and Goodbyes
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Definite and Indefinite Articles

• Gender and Articles
• Plural Forms
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative

  ---

Numbers, Dates and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Days of the Week and Months
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Conjugation

• Verb Forms
• Present Tense
• Separable Verbs

  ---

Family and Friends

• Family Members
• Talking About Your Friends

  ---

Prepositions

• Using Prepositions
• Two-Way Prepositions

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Meals
• Drinks and Beverages

  ---

Germany and German-Speaking Countries

• Geography and Landmarks
• Cuisine and Traditions

  ---

Pronouns and Possessives

• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Booking a Trip
• Public Transportation

  ---

Modal Verbs

• Expressing Abilities
• Talking About Obligations

  ---

Shopping and Clothes

• Shopping for Clothes
• Buying Groceries

  ---

Music and Entertainment

• Popular Musicians and Genres
• Movies, TV and Literature

  ---

Adjectives

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative Forms

  ---

Health and Body

• Talking About Health
• Body Parts

  ---

Time and Temporal Prepositions

• Using Time Expressions
• Temporal Prepositions

Sources

• Temporal Prepositions in German | Simple Explanations
• :: German Time Prepositions :: | Your Daily German
• Prepositions for talking about time - German Grammar | Wunderbla

Other Lessons

• Subject and Verb
• Questions
• Plural Forms
• Imperative Tense
• Plurals
• Pronouns in German
• Descriptive Adjectives
• Possessive Case in German
• Noun and Gender
• Inflections of adjectives

◀️ Using Time Expressions — Previous Lesson