Verbs that take two Akkusativ complements

Verbs that take two Akkusativ objects (Verben mit doppeltem Akkusativ) are a rare case. Only a few verbs can be used this way: „abfragen", „angehen", „lehren / unterrichten", „nennen" and „kosten". In today's article, we will explore these verbs together!!!

1. abfragen + doppelter Akkusativ

Consider the example:

„Mein Vater fragt mich die Vokabeln ab."

(My father quizzes me on the vocabulary.)

Mich and die Vokabeln are the two objects of the verb abfragen. These two objects must be in the Akkusativ because there is no recipient, no indirect object.

2. angehen + doppelter Akkusativ

Consider the example:

„Das geht dich einen Dreck an."

(That is none of your business.)

Similar to the verb abfragen, the verb angehen also has two Akkusativ objects: dich and einen Drecksind.

!!! Note: angehen only takes two Akkusativ objects when it carries the meaning "something does or does not concern someone". With other meanings, this pattern does not apply.

3. lehren / unterrichten + doppelter Akkusativ

Example:

„Der Lehrer lehrt uns die deutsche Sprache."

(The teacher teaches us the German language.)

The synonym of lehren: BEIBRINGEN + Dativ + Akkusativ can be used as a substitute for lehren.

„Der Klavierlehrer bringt mir das Klavierspielen bei."

(The piano teacher teaches me how to play the piano.)

4. kosten + doppelter Akkusativ

Example:

„Der Apfel kostet mich einen Euro."

(The apple I bought costs 1 euro.)

5. nennen + doppelter Akkusativ

Example:

„Er nennt mich einen Idioten."

(He calls me an idiot.)

The verb nennen requires one object referring to a person and one object referring to a thing.

In everyday language, an indirect speech construction (Konjunktiv I) can be used as a substitute:„Er nennt mich einen Idioten."

= „Er sagt, dass ich ein Idiot sei."