German grammar: Dativ

What this grammar point covers

The dative is a German case used to show the indirect object of a sentence, often answering the question 'to whom?' or 'for whom?'. It changes the articles and sometimes the endings of nouns.

When to use it

Use the dative case in German to indicate the indirect object (the person or thing receiving something), after certain prepositions (like 'mit', 'zu', 'bei', 'nach', 'aus', 'von', 'seit'), and after some verbs that require the dative.

Key forms

• dem Mann
• der Frau
• dem Kind
• den Kindern

Examples

Tips

• Remember: the definite articles change in the dative (der → dem, die → der, das → dem, die (plural) → den).
• After some verbs like 'helfen', always use the dative.
• Pay attention to prepositions that always take the dative, like 'mit', 'zu', 'bei'.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some prepositions can take either dative or accusative, depending on movement or position (e.g., 'in', 'an', 'auf').