Language/German/Grammar/Using-Prepositions
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As a beginner in learning German, it is important to understand the basics of grammar and how to use prepositions correctly. In this lesson, you will learn how to use prepositions with common verbs and expressions.
Introduction to Prepositions
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They can indicate location, direction, time, manner, and more. In German, prepositions can be either one word or two words, separated by a space.
Here are some common prepositions in German:
- aus (from)
- bei (at, with)
- durch (through)
- für (for)
- gegen (against)
- mit (with)
- nach (after, to)
- von (from, of)
- zu (at, to)
- über (about, above)
When using prepositions in German, it is important to know the grammatical cases of the nouns being used in the sentence. The case will determine which preposition to use, and how it will be used in the sentence.
Prepositions with Verbs
Many verbs in German come with prepositions that change the meaning of the verb. Here are some examples:
- denken an (to think about)
- sprechen mit (to speak with)
- warten auf (to wait for)
- sich freuen auf (to look forward to)
- entschuldigen für (to apologize for)
- träumen von (to dream of)
- sich interessieren für (to be interested in)
- antworten auf (to answer to)
- glauben an (to believe in)
It is important to remember which preposition goes with which verb. Here are some examples of how these verbs are used in sentences:
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ich denke an dich. | Ish den-ke an dikh | I am thinking of you. |
| Ich spreche mit meinem Lehrer. | Ish shpre-khe mit mai-nem lay-rer | I am speaking with my teacher. |
| Ich warte auf den Bus. | Ish var-te owf den boos | I am waiting for the bus. |
| Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende. | Ish froy-e mich owf das vo-khen-ende | I am looking forward to the weekend. |
| Ich entschuldige mich für mein Verhalten. | Ish ent-shool-di-ge mich foor main ver-hal-ten | I apologize for my behavior. |
| Ich träume von einer Weltreise. | Ish troy-me fon ayner velt-ray-se | I am dreaming of a world trip. |
| Ich interessiere mich für Kunst. | Ish in-te-ress-iere mich foor koost | I am interested in art. |
| Ich antworte auf deine Frage. | Ish ant-vor-te owf dih-ne frah-ge | I am answering your question. |
| Ich glaube an die Liebe. | Ish glaw-be an dee lee-be | I believe in love. |
Prepositions with Nouns
Nouns in German can also be used with prepositions. Here are some common examples:
- der Name von (the name of)
- das Buch über (the book about)
- die Geschichte von (the history of)
- der Film über (the film about)
- die Angst vor (the fear of)
- die Freude über (the joy about)
- der Grund für (the reason for)
- das Geschenk für (the gift for)
- die Hilfe bei (the help with)
Here are some examples of how these nouns are used in sentences:
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Was ist der Name von dem neuen Restaurant? | Vas ist der na-me fon dem noy-en res-tau-rant | What is the name of the new restaurant? |
| Ich lese das Buch über den Zweiten Weltkrieg. | Ish lay-ze das booch oo-ber den tsvay-ten velk-reek | I am reading the book about the Second World War. |
| Ich bin beeindruckt von der Geschichte von Beethoven. | Ish been bay-in-drukht fon der geshish-te fon Bay-to-ven | I am impressed by the history of Beethoven. |
| Der Film über das Unbekannte begeistert mich. | Der film oo-ber das oon-be-khan-te by-geist-ert mikh | The film about the unknown excites me. |
| Ich habe Angst vor Spinnen. | Ish ha-be angst foor shpin-nen | I am afraid of spiders. |
| Ich habe Freude über den Erfolg meines Bruders. | Ish ha-be froy-de oo-ber den er-folg mai-nes broo-ders | I am happy about my brother's success. |
| Der Grund für meine Absage ist Privatsache. | Der grunnt foor mai-ne ab-sa-ge ist pree-wat-sa-khe | The reason for my cancellation is private. |
| Ich suche ein Geschenk für meine Mutter. | Ish zoo-khe ein ge-shenk foor mai-ne moo-ter | I am looking for a gift for my mother. |
| Ich brauche Hilfe bei meinen Hausaufgaben. | Ish brau-khe hil-fe bay mai-nen hows-owf-gah-ben | I need help with my homework. |
Two-Way Prepositions
In German, some prepositions can be used with both accusative and dative cases, depending on the context. These are called two-way prepositions. Here are some examples of two-way prepositions:
- in (in)
- auf (on, upon)
- unter (under)
- über (above, over)
- hinter (behind)
- neben (next to)
- an (at, on, to)
- vor (before, in front of)
Here are some examples of how these prepositions are used with both cases:
| German | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Der Hund ist in den Park gelaufen. | Der hund ist in den park gey-lauf-en | The dog ran into the park. (accusative) |
| Der Hund ist im Park. | Der hund ist im park | The dog is in the park. (dative) |
| Das Bild hängt auf den Nagel. | Das bilt hangt oo-f den na-gel | The picture hangs on the nail. (accusative) |
| Das Bild hängt an der Wand. | Das bilt hangt an der vand | The picture hangs on the wall. (dative) |
| Ich lege die Tasse unter den Tisch. | Ish lay-ge dee tas-se un-ter den tish | I put the cup under the table. (accusative) |
| Ich liege unter der Sonne. | Ish lie-ge un-ter der son-ne | I am lying under the sun. (dative) |
| Der Vogel fliegt über die Mauer. | Der fo-gel fligt oo-ber dee mau-er | The bird flies over the wall. (accusative) |
| Der Himmel ist über uns. | Der himel ist oo-ber uns | The sky is above us. (dative) |
| Das Buch ist hinter das Regal gefallen. | Das booch ist hin-ter das ray-gal ge-fal-len | The book fell behind the shelf. (accusative) |
| Das Auto ist hinter dem Haus. | Das ow-to ist hin-ter dem house | The car is behind the house. (dative) |
| Ich gehe neben den Supermarkt. | Ish gay-he ne-ben den soo-per-markt | I am walking next to the supermarket. (accusative) |
| Ich sitze neben meinem Bruder. | Ish sit-ze ne-ben mai-nem broo-der | I am sitting next to my brother. (dative) |
| Ich stehe vor die Tür. | Ish shtay-he foor dee tewr | I am standing in front of the door. (accusative) |
| Ich warte vor dem Kino. | Ish var-te foor dem kee-no | I am waiting in front of the cinema. (dative) |
Conclusion
Prepositions are an important part of German grammar and can greatly affect the meaning of a sentence. Understanding prepositions and how to use them correctly can greatly improve your language skills. Keep practicing and don't be afraid to make mistakes!
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