Temporal Präpositionen (2): Zeitpunkt

In German, temporal prepositions (temporale Präpositionen) are divided into 2 types: those indicating a duration of time and those indicating a point in time. In the previous article, Vogel introduced you to the usage of prepositions indicating duration of time, and in this article Vogel will explore with you the prepositions indicating a point in time.

Let's get started!

In den 50ern waren viele Studenten politisch aktiv.  (In the 1950s, many students were politically active)

Er ist 1898 geboren. (He was born in 1898)

Im nächsten Jahr fliege ich nach Australien.  (Next year I will fly to Australia)

Ich habe ihn in letzter Zeit oft gesehen. (Lately I have seen him quite often) 

nach

Used for an event that occurs after another event.

Nach dem Kino gehen wir noch essen. (After the cinema, we went to eat)

vor

Used for an event that occurs before another event.

Ich war vor der Prüfung ziemlich nervös.  (I was quite nervous before the exam)

zu

Used to indicate a point in time or a period of time in the past. (**)

Zu dieser Zeit war ich in New York.  (At that time I was in New York)

gegen

+Akk

Used for an approximate, unspecified point in time.

Wir kommen erst gegen Abend.  (Until evening, we will not arrive)

Die Party beginnt gegen 8.  (The party starts at around 8)

Dieses Gebäude entstand gegen Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts.  (This building was constructed around the end of the 17th century)

um

Used to state a specific time, or an approximate, vague year (around the year…)

Dieses Gebäude ist um 1730 entstanden. (This building was built around 1730)

Das Flugzeug startet um 22.30 Uhr. (The flight will depart at 10:30 PM)

Note: Some words can also be used to indicate a period of time

(*) except Nacht used with the preposition in : in der Nacht

(**) always combined with a noun indicating time / a point in time.