Common Prepositions
Master the most important German prepositions for expressing location, time, and direction. Learn which case each preposition requires and how two-way prepositions work.
1Accusative Prepositions
Some prepositions in German always require the accusative case. The most common are: durch (through), für (for), gegen (against), ohne (without), um (around/at). A helpful mnemonic is "DOGFU" (Durch, Ohne, Gegen, Für, Um). These prepositions trigger accusative regardless of whether there's motion or not.
Examples
Das Geschenk ist für dich.
The gift is for you.
für + accusative (dich = you acc.)
Wir gehen durch den Park.
We walk through the park.
durch + accusative (den Park)
Ich kann ohne meinen Kaffee nicht leben.
I can't live without my coffee.
ohne + accusative (meinen Kaffee)
Er kommt um acht Uhr.
He comes at eight o'clock.
um for time = at
2Dative Prepositions
Several prepositions always require the dative case. The most important are: aus (from/out of), bei (at/near), mit (with), nach (after/to), seit (since), von (from/of), zu (to). Remember these as "Aus-Bei-Mit-Nach-Seit-Von-Zu" - they always take dative, no matter what.
Examples
Ich fahre mit dem Bus.
I travel by bus.
mit + dative (dem Bus)
Sie kommt aus der Schweiz.
She comes from Switzerland.
aus + dative (der Schweiz)
Ich gehe zu meiner Großmutter.
I go to my grandmother.
zu + dative (meiner Großmutter)
Nach dem Essen gehen wir spazieren.
After the meal we go for a walk.
nach + dative (dem Essen)
3Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)
Nine prepositions can take either accusative or dative depending on meaning. These are: an (at/on), auf (on), hinter (behind), in (in), neben (next to), über (over/above), unter (under), vor (in front of/before), zwischen (between). Use accusative for motion/direction (Wohin? - where to?). Use dative for location/position (Wo? - where?).
Examples
Ich gehe in den Supermarkt.
I go into the supermarket.
in + accusative = motion INTO
Ich bin im Supermarkt.
I am in the supermarket.
in + dative (im = in dem) = location
Er legt das Buch auf den Tisch.
He puts the book on the table.
auf + accusative = motion ONTO
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The book is (lying) on the table.
auf + dative = location/position
4Prepositions for Time
German uses specific prepositions for different time expressions. "Um" is used for clock times, "am" for days and parts of day, "im" for months and seasons, "vor" for ago, and "seit" for since/for (with present tense). Note that German uses present tense with "seit" where English uses present perfect: "Ich wohne hier seit zwei Jahren" = I have lived here for two years.
Examples
Der Kurs beginnt um neun Uhr.
The course begins at nine o'clock.
um for clock times
Am Montag habe ich frei.
On Monday I'm off.
am (an + dem) for days
Im Sommer fahren wir ans Meer.
In summer we go to the sea.
im for seasons and months
Ich lerne seit drei Monaten Deutsch.
I have been learning German for three months.
seit + dative, present tense in German
5Contracted Forms
Many prepositions contract with the definite article in everyday German. The most common are: in+dem=im, in+das=ins, an+dem=am, an+das=ans, zu+dem=zum, zu+der=zur, bei+dem=beim, von+dem=vom. These contractions are standard and should be used in most situations. Not using them can sound overly formal or unnatural.
Examples
Ich gehe ins Kino.
I go to the cinema.
ins = in das
Er wartet am Bahnhof.
He waits at the train station.
am = an dem
Wir fahren zum Arzt.
We're going to the doctor.
zum = zu dem
Sie kommt vom Sport.
She's coming from sports/the gym.
vom = von dem