TOPIC · Verbs (Verben)

Verbs that take Dative and Accusative in German

A2B1B2

After this lesson, learners will be able to identify and use verbs that require both a dative and an accusative object.

In the German language, there are verbs that require both a dative object and an accusative object. In this lesson, we will explore how to use dative and accusative with these verbs. First, let's clarify what dative and accusative represent and how they differ.

Dative and Accusative

  • Dative (dem, der, den): indicates to whom something is given or for whom something is intended.
  • Accusative (den, die, das): indicates what is given or where something is going.

Examples of Verbs with Dative and Accusative

Here are some commonly used verbs that require both a dative and an accusative object, along with their meanings and examples:

VerbMeaningExample
gebento giveIch gebe der Frau das Buch.
(I give the woman the book.)
bringento bringEr bringt dem Nachbarn das Werkzeug.
(He brings the tool to the neighbor.)
erklärento explainSie erklärt mir die Regel.
(She explains the rule to me.)
kaufento buyDer Mann kauft seiner Freundin Blumen.
(The man buys flowers for his girlfriend.)
schenkento giftIch schenke meinem Vater ein Geschenk.
(I give my father a gift.)
zeigento showEr zeigt uns die Stadt.
(He shows us the city.)
wünschento wishWir wünschen dir viel Glück.
(We wish you a lot of happiness.)

Usage of the Verbs

Some verbs like "geben" and "zeigen" are particularly important because they frequently occur in everyday situations. Here are a few tips for using them:

  • Make sure the dative object comes first.
  • Pay attention to the endings of the articles: Dative articles often have different endings than accusative articles (e.g., dem for dative and den for accusative with masculine nouns).

Exercises

To reinforce your knowledge, try to create a few sentences. Use the verbs listed above and insert correct dative and accusative objects. Example: "Ich gebe ___ (the teacher) ___ (the notebook)."

Conclusion

Understanding the use of dative and accusative is crucial for forming correct and clear sentences in German. Practice regularly and try to incorporate dative and accusative objects in your conversations.