The noun Wasser is a special noun in German as it can be used with many different prepositions. So what are the differences in how they are used? In today's article, Vogel will explore this topic with you!!!
The noun Wasser is a special noun in German because it can be used with many different prepositions. So what are the differences in how they are used? In today's article, Vogel will explore this topic together with you!!!
1. UNTER + Wasser
- When we want to express that someone or something is below the surface of the water, or is moving below the surface of the water, we use the preposition UNTER. The noun WASSER is an uncountable noun, so it usually does not take an article when combined with the preposition UNTER:
Das U-Boot taucht unter Wasser.
(The submarine dives underwater.)
Die antike Stadt liegt heute unter Wasser.
(The ancient city is now underwater.)
2. AUF + Wasser
- When we want to express that something is moving on the surface of the water, we use the preposition AUF with the noun WASSER:
Das Boot fährt auf dem Wasser.
(The boat travels on the water.)
Die Enten schwimmen auf dem See.
(The ducks are swimming on the lake.)
3. IN + Wasser
- The preposition IN is used when we want to refer to a space. The noun WASSER used with the preposition IN can be understood as a large body of water, which also includes the air beneath the water's surface:
Die Fische schwimmen im Wasser.
(The fish swim in the water.)
Die Kinder schwimmen im Wasser.
(The children swim in the water.)
→ Although when swimming, the head is kept above the surface of the water, the rest of the body is largely below the water, so we also use im Wasser when referring to the act of swimming by humans.
!!! In addition, we can also use im Wasser with ships, submarines, and divers when water and the area below the surface of the water are regarded as a space.
4. AN + Wasser- The preposition AN used with the noun WASSER in general or specific bodies of water (Fluss, Meer) is used to refer to coastlines and areas right at the water's edge (Küste, Ufer, Strand)
Maria hat ein Haus am Meer.
(Maria has a house by the sea.)
Wir gehen an den Strand.
(We are going to the beach.)
!!! We use AN instead of NEBEN to emphasize the connection between WASSER and a person or object.
Knowledge test
Prepositions used with the noun Wasser
- 1.
Es ist sehr kalt, deshalb können wir nicht .... See schwimmen.
- 2.
Wir sind stundenlang ..... Ufer spazieren gegangen.
- 3.
Das Boot schwimmt ..... dem Wasser.