Wechselpräpositionen: Prepositions indicating location used with Accusative and Dative in German
In German, there are 9 prepositions indicating location (lokale Präpositionen) that can combine with both the Akkusativ and the Dativ. These prepositions are called Wechselpräposition. Confusion about when to use the Akkusativ and when to use the Dativ with Wechselpräpositionen
In German, there are 9 types of local prepositions (lokale Präpositionen) that can combine with both the Akkusativ and the Dativ. These prepositions are called Wechselpräposition. Confusion about when to use Akkusativ and when to use Dativ with Wechselpräpositionen occurs frequently in language practice. Therefore, today's article will clarify the usage of these 9 prepositions. Let's find out!!
1. 9 types of Wechselpräpositionen
Auf: above (with direct contact)
Über: above (without direct contact)
Unter: below
Hinter: behind
Vor: in front of
In: inside
An: beside (with direct contact)
Neben: beside (without direct contact)
Zwischen: in between
2. Akkusativ or Dativ?
Akkusativ | Dativ |
Frage = Wohin? | Frage = Wo? |
We use Wechselpräposition prepositions with Akkusativ when we want to express that something is being moved to a certain position. → Describes movement (Bewegung) | We use Wechselpräpositon prepositions with Dativ when we want to express that something is placed at a certain position. → Describes a state (Zustand) |
Ich setze mich in den Sessel. → I am moving from a standing position to a sitting position, specifically into the armchair — this is a movement. Therefore, the preposition in takes the Akkusativ. | Ich sitze in dem Sessel. → I am sitting and not moving anywhere, this is a state. Therefore the preposition in goes with Dativ. |
Verbs that go with prepositions expressing movement and combine with Akkusativ: setzen sich (to sit down), stellen (to place), legen (to lie down), hängen (to hang),... | Verbs that go with prepositions describing a state and combine with Dativ: sitzen (to sit), stehen (to stand), liegen (to lie), hängen (to hang),.... |
The table below shows examples of how the Wechselpräposition prepositions are used:
Präposition | mit Dativ - keine Bewegung/Zustand | mit Akkusativ - mit Bewegung von A nach B |
an | Das Bild hängt an der Wand. The picture is hanging on the wall. | Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand. I hang the picture on the wall. |
auf | Die Vase steht auf dem Tisch. The vase is on the table. | Ich stelle die Vase auf den Tisch. I place the vase on the table. |
hinter | Ich warte hinter dem Laden. I will wait behind the shop. | Gehe hinter den Laden. Go around to the back of the shop. |
in | Die Bücher liegen in der Schachtel. The books are inside the box. | Der Junge legt die Bücher in die Schachtel. The boy puts the books into the box. |
neben |
Knowledge test
Wechselpräpositionen: Prepositions indicating location used with Accusative and Dative in German
- 1.
Ich hänge das Bild ..........
- 2.
Anna steht ........... dem Stuhl.
- 3.
Er setzt sich zwischen ...........