What is the dative?
The dative is the third case. We use it for the indirect object, but also for prepositions and time expressions.
The indirect object is usually a person who receives something or is affected by something.
The question word for the dative is: Wem? (to whom?)
When a sentence has both a dative and an accusative object, the dative usually comes first: Ich schenke meiner Schwester (dative) einen Pullover (accusative).
The forms
In the dative all forms change. Masculine and neuter take dem / einem, feminine takes der / einer, and the plural is den.
| masculine | feminine | neuter | Plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | den (+n) |
| einem | einer | einem | – |
In the dative plural, nouns often add an extra -n: die Hände → mit den Händen. Nouns whose plural already ends in -s stay unchanged: die Autos → mit den Autos.
Dative prepositions
These prepositions always take the dative:
ab, aus, außer, bei, gegenüber, mit, nach, seit, von, zu — these prepositions always take the dative.
Two-way prepositions: Where?
Two-way prepositions take the dative when you ask: Wo? (static location, no movement). With Wohin? (where to?) they take the accusative.
The two-way prepositions are: an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen.
Common contractions: in + dem = im, an + dem = am, zu + dem = zum, zu + der = zur, von + dem = vom, bei + dem = beim.
Time expressions and dative verbs
Time expressions
Time expressions with the dative prepositions an, in, vor, nach, seit, ab, bei take the dative. Note: um, bis and für take the accusative, während the genitive.
Verbs that always take the dative
Some verbs always take the dative. There is no accusative object with them:
All dative verbs as PDF: coming soon.
Exercises
Test your knowledge of the dative with three exercise parts.
To whom or whom?
Dative (to whom?) or accusative (who/what)?
Preposition + dative
Insert the correct dative article.
Where or where to?
Dative (where?) or accusative (where to)?