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TOPIC · Prepositions (Präpositionen)

Temporal prepositions used with the Dative

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After this lesson you can confidently use the prepositions "in", "an", "vor" and "nach" with the Dative to talk about times and points in time in German.

In this lesson you learn the most common temporal prepositions with the Dative: "in", "an", "vor" and "nach". They help you talk precisely about times and moments.

1"in" + Dative

Use "in" for months, seasons, years and future time spans.

Typical patterns:

  • "in" + Dative: "in dem" → "im" (singular, masculine/neuter)
  • "in" + Dative plural: "in den"
Cấu trúcExampleMeaning
im + MonatIch fahre im Januar nach Deutschland.I travel in January to Germany.
im + JahreszeitIm Frühling blühen die Blumen.The flowers bloom in spring.
in + ZeitspanneEr kommt in zwei Stunden zurück.He will come back in two hours (from now).
in + Dativ PluralIn den nächsten Tagen habe ich viel zu tun.I have a lot to do in the next few days.

Note: "im" = "in dem". In the plural it stays "in den" (no contraction).

2"an" + Dative

Use "an" for specific days and often for parts of the day.

Typical pattern:

  • "an" + Dative: "an dem" → "am"
PatternExampleMeaning
am + TagIch arbeite am Montag.I work on Monday.
am + DatumWir feiern am 5. Mai.We celebrate on May 5th.
am + TageszeitAm Morgen trinke ich Kaffee.In the morning I drink coffee.
an + Dativ PluralAn den Wochenenden bin ich zu Hause.At weekends I am at home.

Careful: With holidays both are common: "an Weihnachten", "zu Weihnachten".

3"vor" + Dative

"Vor" expresses a time before a point or event.

PatternExampleMeaning
vor + DativIch esse vor dem Fußballspiel.I eat before the football match.
vor + DativVor dem Essen wasche ich mir die Hände.Before the meal I wash my hands.

"Vor" works well with Dative nouns: "vor dem Unterricht", "vor der Arbeit".

4"nach" + Dative

"Nach" expresses a time after a point or event.

PatternExampleMeaning
nach + DativNach dem Essen gehen wir spazieren.After the meal we go for a walk.
nach + DativNach der Schule treffe ich Freunde.After school I meet friends.

Do not confuse:

  • "nach" + Dative = after an event
  • "in" + Dative = within a future time span ("in zwei Stunden").

5Small exercises

  1. Fill in "im" or "am":

    • Ich fahre ___ Juli nach Spanien.
    • ___ Abend lerne ich Deutsch.

  2. Fill in "vor" or "nach":

    • ___ der Arbeit einkaufen.
    • ___ dem Kurs wiederholen wir die Vokabeln.

Read the sentences aloud and underline each preposition and the following Dative.