Ich stelle das Buch auf den Tisch.
English: I put the book onto the table. (movement – accusative)
- Language
- German
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Nomen, Fälle und Pronomen
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Wechselpräpositionen are German prepositions that can take either the accusative or dative case. The case depends on whether there is movement (change of location) or no movement (location).
When to use it
Use these prepositions to describe the position or movement of people or objects. Use accusative if something moves to a new place (change of location). Use dative if something is already at a place (no movement).
Key forms
- an
- auf
- hinter
- in
- neben
- über
- unter
- vor
- zwischen
Examples
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
English: The book is lying on the table. (no movement – dative)
Wir gehen in die Schule.
English: We are going into the school. (movement – accusative)
Wir sind in der Schule.
English: We are in the school. (no movement – dative)
Der Hund läuft unter den Tisch.
English: The dog runs under the table. (movement – accusative)
Tips
- Remember: Accusative for movement, dative for location.
- Pay attention to the article changes: 'der Tisch' becomes 'den Tisch' (accusative) or 'dem Tisch' (dative).
- Do not confuse Wechselpräpositionen with prepositions that always take only one case.