Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch.
English: I give the book to the man.
- Language
- German
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Nomen und Kasus
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The dative case (Dativ) in German shows to whom or for whom something is done. It is used with certain verbs and prepositions.
When to use it
Use the dative case in German to indicate the indirect object of a sentence (the person who receives something), after certain verbs (like 'helfen', 'geben') and after some prepositions (like 'mit', 'zu', 'bei').
Key forms
- dem Mann (masculine singular)
- der Frau (feminine singular)
- dem Kind (neuter singular)
- den Kindern (plural)
Examples
Sie hilft der Frau.
English: She helps the woman.
Wir spielen mit dem Kind.
English: We play with the child.
Er spricht mit den Kindern.
English: He speaks with the children.
Tips
- Remember that the definite articles change in the dative case.
- Not all verbs take the dative—learn which verbs require it.
- Some prepositions always use the dative, like 'mit', 'zu', and 'bei'.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Plural dative adds '-n' to most nouns (den Kindern).
- Some masculine and neuter nouns add '-n' or '-en' in the dative singular (dem Studenten).