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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/German|German]]  → [[Language/German/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/German/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Cases: Nominative and Accusative</div>


<div class="pg_page_title">German Grammar → Definite and Indefinite Articles → Cases: Nominative and Accusative</div>
Welcome to our lesson on the '''Nominative and Accusative cases''' in German! Understanding these grammatical cases is essential for forming correct sentences and communicating effectively in German. Whether you are ordering a coffee or chatting with a friend, mastering these cases will enhance your ability to express yourself clearly.
 
In this lesson, we will break down the Nominative and Accusative cases, explore their roles in sentences, and provide plenty of examples to help you grasp these concepts. After that, we’ll engage you with exercises that will reinforce your understanding.
 
Here’s what we will cover:


__TOC__
__TOC__


As a German language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know that learning German grammar can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to cases. In this lesson, we will focus on the two most basic cases in German: Nominative and Accusative. We will also explore how they are used with definite and indefinite articles.
=== The Importance of Cases in German ===
 
In German, the way nouns and pronouns behave in a sentence depends on their grammatical case. This means that nouns can change their form based on their function in the sentence. The two cases we will focus on today are:
 
* '''Nominative Case''': This is used for the subject of the sentence, the one performing the action.
 
* '''Accusative Case''': This is used for the direct object of the sentence, the one receiving the action.
 
Understanding these cases is crucial as they affect articles, adjectives, and even verbs.
 
=== Nominative Case ===
 
The '''Nominative case''' is the simplest of the four German cases. It answers the question: '''Who?''' or '''What?''' It is used for the subject of the sentence.
 
==== Nominative Articles ====
 
In the Nominative case, the definite and indefinite articles are as follows:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Article Type !! Singular !! Plural
 
|-
 
| Definite Article (the) || der (masculine) || die (feminine) || das (neuter) || die (plural)
 
|-
 
| Indefinite Article (a/an) || ein (masculine) || eine (feminine) || ein (neuter) || -


|}


<span link>Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: [[Language/German/Grammar/Temporal-Prepositions|Temporal Prepositions]] & [[Language/German/Grammar/Past-Tense---Part-1---Perfect-Tense|Past Tense Part 1 Perfect Tense]].</span>
==== Examples of Nominative Case ====
==Nominative Case==


The nominative case is the case of the subject of a sentence. In other words, when a noun is used as the subject of the sentence, it is in the nominative case. In German, the definite article for the nominative case is "der" for masculine, "die" for feminine, and "das" for neuter. The indefinite article is "ein" for masculine and neuter, and "eine" for feminine. Here are some examples:
Here are some examples to illustrate the use of the Nominative case:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Der Mann  || [deːɐ̯ man] || The man
 
| Der Hund ist groß. || deːɐ̯ hʊnt ɪst ɡʁoːs || The dog is big.
 
|-
|-
| Die Frau  || [diː fʁau] || The woman
 
| Die Katze schläft. || diː ˈkaːtsə ʃlɛːft || The cat is sleeping.
 
|-
|-
| Das Kind || [das kɪnt] || The child
 
| Das Kind spielt. || das kɪnt ʃpiːlt || The child is playing.
 
|-
|-
| Ein Hund  || [aɪ̯n hʊnt] || A dog
 
| Die Lehrer sind freundlich. || diː ˈleːʁɐ zɪnt ˈfʁɔ͜ʏntlɪç || The teachers are friendly.
 
|-
|-
| Eine Katze  || [aɪ̯nə kat͡sə] || A cat
 
| Ein Mann läuft. || aɪ̯n man lɔɪ̯ft || A man is running.
 
|-
 
| Eine Frau kocht. || ˈaɪ̯nə fʁaʊ̯ kɔxt || A woman is cooking.
 
|}
|}


For example:
=== Accusative Case ===


* Der Mann liest ein Buch. (The man reads a book.)
The '''Accusative case''', on the other hand, is used for the direct object of the sentence. It answers the question: '''What?''' or '''Whom?'''
* Die Frau isst ein Stück Kuchen. (The woman eats a piece of cake.)
* Das Kind spielt mit einem Ball. (The child plays with a ball.)


==Accusative Case==
==== Accusative Articles ====


The accusative case is used for the direct object of a sentence. In other words, when a noun is receiving the action of the sentence, it is in the accusative case. In German, the definite article for the accusative case is "den" for masculine, "die" for feminine, and "das" for neuter. The indefinite article is "einen" for masculine and neuter, and "eine" for feminine. Here are some examples:
In the Accusative case, the articles change slightly:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Article Type !! Singular !! Plural
|-
| Definite Article (the) || den (masculine) || die (feminine) || das (neuter) || die (plural)
|-
| Indefinite Article (a/an) || einen (masculine) || eine (feminine) || ein (neuter) || -
|}
==== Examples of Accusative Case ====
Let's see how the Accusative case works in practice:
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| Den Mann  || [deːn man] || The man
 
| Ich sehe den Hund. || ɪç ˈzeːə den hʊnt || I see the dog.
 
|-
|-
| Die Frau  || [diː fʁau] || The woman
 
| Sie hat eine Katze. || ziː hat ˈaɪ̯nə ˈkaːtsə || She has a cat.
 
|-
|-
| Das Kind  || [das kɪnt] || The child
 
| Er isst das Brot. || eːʁ ɪst das bʁoːt || He eats the bread.
 
|-
|-
| Einen Hund  || [aɪ̯nən hʊnt] || A dog
 
| Wir kaufen die Bücher. || viːɐ̯ ˈkaʊ̯fən diː ˈbyːkɐ || We are buying the books.
 
|-
|-
| Eine Katze  || [aɪ̯nə kat͡sə] || A cat
 
| Ich habe einen Freund. || ɪç ˈhaːbə ˈaɪ̯nən fʁɔʊ̯nd || I have a friend.
 
|-
 
| Sie sieht einen Mann. || ziː ziːt ˈaɪ̯nən man || She sees a man.
 
|}
|}


For example:
=== Key Differences Between Nominative and Accusative ===
 
To summarize, here are the key distinctions between the Nominative and Accusative cases:
 
* The '''Nominative''' case is used for the subject of the sentence.
 
* The '''Accusative''' case is used for the direct object of the sentence.


* Ich sehe den Mann. (I see the man.)
* Articles change:
* Sie hat eine Katze gefüttert. (She fed a cat.)
* Das Kind hat den Ball verloren. (The child lost the ball.)


==Definite and Indefinite Articles in Nominative and Accusative Cases==
* Definite articles: der (Nominative) → den (Accusative)


It is important to remember that the articles change depending on the case they are used in. Here is a summary of how articles change in German:
* Indefinite articles: ein (Nominative) → einen (Accusative for masculine nouns)


{| class="wikitable"
=== Practice Scenarios ===
! !! Nominative !! Accusative
 
|-
Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help solidify your understanding of the Nominative and Accusative cases.
| Masculine "the" || der || den
 
| Masculine "a/an" || ein || einen
==== Exercise 1: Identify the Cases ====
| Feminine "the" || die|| die
 
| Feminine "a/an" || eine || eine
Read the following sentences and identify whether the nouns are in the Nominative or Accusative case.
| Neuter "the" || das || das
 
| Neuter "a/an" || ein || ein
1. Der Junge spielt mit dem Ball.
|}
 
2. Ich sehe die Frau.
 
3. Die Blumen sind schön.
 
4. Er hat einen Hund.
 
5. Das Auto fährt schnell.
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Nominative
 
2. Accusative
 
3. Nominative
 
4. Accusative
 
5. Nominative
 
==== Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks ====
 
Complete the sentences by filling in the appropriate form of the article (either Nominative or Accusative).
 
1. ___ Katze ist süß. (Nominative)
 
2. Ich kaufe ___ Buch. (Accusative)
 
3. ___ Lehrer erklärt die Aufgabe. (Nominative)
 
4. Sie sieht ___ Mann. (Accusative)
 
5. ___ Kinder spielen im Park. (Nominative)
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Die
 
2. ein
 
3. Der
 
4. einen
 
5. Die
 
==== Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences ====
 
Translate the following sentences from English to German, using the appropriate cases.
 
1. The child sees the dog.
 
2. I have a cat.
 
3. The women are friendly.
 
4. He buys a book.
 
5. The man is running.
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Das Kind sieht den Hund.
 
2. Ich habe eine Katze.
 
3. Die Frauen sind freundlich.
 
4. Er kauft ein Buch.
 
5. Der Mann läuft.
 
==== Exercise 4: Sentence Creation ====
 
Create sentences based on the following prompts. Use the correct case for the articles.
 
1. (The girl) / (the ball)
 
2. (A friend) / (the book)
 
3. (The teacher) / (a student)
 
4. (The cat) / (a mouse)
 
5. (The children) / (the toys)
 
''Answers:''
 
1. Das Mädchen sieht den Ball.
 
2. Ich habe einen Freund und das Buch.
 
3. Der Lehrer hilft einem Schüler.
 
4. Die Katze fängt eine Maus.
 
5. Die Kinder spielen mit den Spielsachen.
 
==== Exercise 5: Matching Exercise ====
 
Match the German sentences with their English translations.
 
1. Der Hund ist süß.
 
2. Ich sehe die Katze.
 
3. Die Männer essen.
 
4. Sie hat einen Apfel.


==Exceptions==
5. Das Mädchen spielt.


As with any rule, there are exceptions. Some masculine nouns that end in "-e" in the nominative case will add an "-n" in the accusative case. For example:
''Answers:''
* Der Junge spielt mit dem Ball. (The boy plays with the ball.)
* Ich sehe einen großen Bären. (I see a big bear.)


The neuter definite article "das" changes to "dass" in certain cases. "Dass" is a subordinating conjunction meaning "that" in English, and it is not a definite article. For example:
1. The dog is cute.
* Ich glaube, dass das richtig ist. (I believe that is correct.)


==Practice==
2. I see the cat.


To practice using the nominative and accusative cases with definite and indefinite articles, try these exercises:
3. The men are eating.


1. Fill in the blanks with the correct article and case:
4. She has an apple.


* Ich sehe ___ Mann. (den, dem, das)
5. The girl is playing.
* Die Frau gibt ___ Kind einen Apfel. (der, die, das)
* ___ Hund beißt den Mann. (ein, eine, einen)
* Das Mädchen spielt mit ___ Puppen. (die, das, der)


2. Translate the following sentences into German:
=== Conclusion ===


* The cat is on the table.
Congratulations on completing this lesson! You've taken a significant step in understanding how to use the Nominative and Accusative cases in German. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take time to work on the exercises and use these cases in your daily conversations.  
* I see a big house.
* The children are playing with a ball.
* She is eating a sandwich.


==Sources==
Keep exploring the beautiful German language, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Happy learning!
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_declension German Declension]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_articles German Articles]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=German Grammar: Definite and Indefinite Articles, Cases (Nominative and Accusative) | A1 Level
 
|keywords=German, grammar, cases, nominative, accusative, definite articles, indefinite articles, declension, A1 level
|title=German Grammar: Nominative and Accusative Cases
|description=Learn how to use the cases for nominative and accusative in basic sentences in German, as well as the definite and indefinite articles used in the two cases. Suitable for complete beginners aiming to reach the A1 level.
 
|keywords=German grammar, nominative case, accusative case, learn German, German sentences, beginners German
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about the Nominative and Accusative cases in German grammar, complete with examples, exercises, and solutions suitable for beginners.
 
}}
}}


{{German-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
{{Template:German-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}


[[Category:Course]]
[[Category:Course]]
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[[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:German-0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:German-0-to-A1-Course]]
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==Videos==
==Videos==
Line 137: Line 326:
===German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube - YouTube===
===German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube - YouTube===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TyV-rmNTIo</youtube>
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TyV-rmNTIo</youtube>
==Sources==
* [https://storylearning.com/learn/german/german-tips/german-cases-explained The German Cases Explained In 5 Steps - I Will Teach You A ...]
* [https://www.thegermanproject.com/german-lessons/nominative-accusative German Nominative and Accusative cases + audio]
* [https://germanwithlaura.com/noun-cases/ German Cases: Your Essential Guide | German with Laura]


==Other Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
Line 150: Line 348:
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Talking-About-Obligations|Talking About Obligations]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Talking-About-Obligations|Talking About Obligations]]


<span class='maj'></span>
 
==Sources==
* [https://storylearning.com/learn/german/german-tips/german-cases-explained The German Cases Explained In 5 Steps - I Will Teach You A ...]
* [https://www.thegermanproject.com/german-lessons/nominative-accusative German Nominative and Accusative cases + audio]
* [https://germanwithlaura.com/noun-cases/ German Cases: Your Essential Guide | German with Laura]


{{German-Page-Bottom}}
{{German-Page-Bottom}}
<span links></span>
 
<span pgnav>
<span pgnav>
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{| class="wikitable pg_template_nav"  

Latest revision as of 18:17, 31 July 2024

◀️ Plural Forms — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Numbers 1-100 ▶️

German-Language-PolyglotClub.jpg
German → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Cases: Nominative and Accusative

Welcome to our lesson on the Nominative and Accusative cases in German! Understanding these grammatical cases is essential for forming correct sentences and communicating effectively in German. Whether you are ordering a coffee or chatting with a friend, mastering these cases will enhance your ability to express yourself clearly.

In this lesson, we will break down the Nominative and Accusative cases, explore their roles in sentences, and provide plenty of examples to help you grasp these concepts. After that, we’ll engage you with exercises that will reinforce your understanding.

Here’s what we will cover:

The Importance of Cases in German[edit | edit source]

In German, the way nouns and pronouns behave in a sentence depends on their grammatical case. This means that nouns can change their form based on their function in the sentence. The two cases we will focus on today are:

  • Nominative Case: This is used for the subject of the sentence, the one performing the action.
  • Accusative Case: This is used for the direct object of the sentence, the one receiving the action.

Understanding these cases is crucial as they affect articles, adjectives, and even verbs.

Nominative Case[edit | edit source]

The Nominative case is the simplest of the four German cases. It answers the question: Who? or What? It is used for the subject of the sentence.

Nominative Articles[edit | edit source]

In the Nominative case, the definite and indefinite articles are as follows:

Article Type Singular Plural
Definite Article (the) der (masculine) die (feminine) das (neuter) die (plural)
Indefinite Article (a/an) ein (masculine) eine (feminine) ein (neuter) -

Examples of Nominative Case[edit | edit source]

Here are some examples to illustrate the use of the Nominative case:

German Pronunciation English
Der Hund ist groß. deːɐ̯ hʊnt ɪst ɡʁoːs The dog is big.
Die Katze schläft. diː ˈkaːtsə ʃlɛːft The cat is sleeping.
Das Kind spielt. das kɪnt ʃpiːlt The child is playing.
Die Lehrer sind freundlich. diː ˈleːʁɐ zɪnt ˈfʁɔ͜ʏntlɪç The teachers are friendly.
Ein Mann läuft. aɪ̯n man lɔɪ̯ft A man is running.
Eine Frau kocht. ˈaɪ̯nə fʁaʊ̯ kɔxt A woman is cooking.

Accusative Case[edit | edit source]

The Accusative case, on the other hand, is used for the direct object of the sentence. It answers the question: What? or Whom?

Accusative Articles[edit | edit source]

In the Accusative case, the articles change slightly:

Article Type Singular Plural
Definite Article (the) den (masculine) die (feminine) das (neuter) die (plural)
Indefinite Article (a/an) einen (masculine) eine (feminine) ein (neuter) -

Examples of Accusative Case[edit | edit source]

Let's see how the Accusative case works in practice:

German Pronunciation English
Ich sehe den Hund. ɪç ˈzeːə den hʊnt I see the dog.
Sie hat eine Katze. ziː hat ˈaɪ̯nə ˈkaːtsə She has a cat.
Er isst das Brot. eːʁ ɪst das bʁoːt He eats the bread.
Wir kaufen die Bücher. viːɐ̯ ˈkaʊ̯fən diː ˈbyːkɐ We are buying the books.
Ich habe einen Freund. ɪç ˈhaːbə ˈaɪ̯nən fʁɔʊ̯nd I have a friend.
Sie sieht einen Mann. ziː ziːt ˈaɪ̯nən man She sees a man.

Key Differences Between Nominative and Accusative[edit | edit source]

To summarize, here are the key distinctions between the Nominative and Accusative cases:

  • The Nominative case is used for the subject of the sentence.
  • The Accusative case is used for the direct object of the sentence.
  • Articles change:
  • Definite articles: der (Nominative) → den (Accusative)
  • Indefinite articles: ein (Nominative) → einen (Accusative for masculine nouns)

Practice Scenarios[edit | edit source]

Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help solidify your understanding of the Nominative and Accusative cases.

Exercise 1: Identify the Cases[edit | edit source]

Read the following sentences and identify whether the nouns are in the Nominative or Accusative case.

1. Der Junge spielt mit dem Ball.

2. Ich sehe die Frau.

3. Die Blumen sind schön.

4. Er hat einen Hund.

5. Das Auto fährt schnell.

Answers:

1. Nominative

2. Accusative

3. Nominative

4. Accusative

5. Nominative

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Complete the sentences by filling in the appropriate form of the article (either Nominative or Accusative).

1. ___ Katze ist süß. (Nominative)

2. Ich kaufe ___ Buch. (Accusative)

3. ___ Lehrer erklärt die Aufgabe. (Nominative)

4. Sie sieht ___ Mann. (Accusative)

5. ___ Kinder spielen im Park. (Nominative)

Answers:

1. Die

2. ein

3. Der

4. einen

5. Die

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences from English to German, using the appropriate cases.

1. The child sees the dog.

2. I have a cat.

3. The women are friendly.

4. He buys a book.

5. The man is running.

Answers:

1. Das Kind sieht den Hund.

2. Ich habe eine Katze.

3. Die Frauen sind freundlich.

4. Er kauft ein Buch.

5. Der Mann läuft.

Exercise 4: Sentence Creation[edit | edit source]

Create sentences based on the following prompts. Use the correct case for the articles.

1. (The girl) / (the ball)

2. (A friend) / (the book)

3. (The teacher) / (a student)

4. (The cat) / (a mouse)

5. (The children) / (the toys)

Answers:

1. Das Mädchen sieht den Ball.

2. Ich habe einen Freund und das Buch.

3. Der Lehrer hilft einem Schüler.

4. Die Katze fängt eine Maus.

5. Die Kinder spielen mit den Spielsachen.

Exercise 5: Matching Exercise[edit | edit source]

Match the German sentences with their English translations.

1. Der Hund ist süß.

2. Ich sehe die Katze.

3. Die Männer essen.

4. Sie hat einen Apfel.

5. Das Mädchen spielt.

Answers:

1. The dog is cute.

2. I see the cat.

3. The men are eating.

4. She has an apple.

5. The girl is playing.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations on completing this lesson! You've taken a significant step in understanding how to use the Nominative and Accusative cases in German. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take time to work on the exercises and use these cases in your daily conversations.

Keep exploring the beautiful German language, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - German Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Basic Sentence Structures


Greetings and Introduction


Definite and Indefinite Articles


Numbers, Dates and Time


Verbs and Conjugation


Family and Friends


Prepositions


Food and Drinks


Germany and German-Speaking Countries


Pronouns and Possessives


Travel and Transportation


Modal Verbs


Shopping and Clothes


Music and Entertainment


Adjectives


Health and Body


Time and Temporal Prepositions

Videos[edit | edit source]

The German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Understand the GERMAN CASES - Accusative, Dative, Nominative ...[edit | edit source]

The German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube[edit | edit source]

German Cases | Nominative, Accusative, Dative - YouTube - YouTube[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Plural Forms — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Numbers 1-100 ▶️

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