Using the dative and accusative in a sentence

A sentence may contain supplementary information in both the accusative and the dative.

Sigi bringt dem Gast das Frühstück. (dem Gast = Dativ, das Frühstück = Akkusativ)

Sigi brings the guest breakfast. (the guest = dative, breakfast = accusative)

Magda sendet Anna eine Nachricht. (Anna = Dativ, eine Nachricht = Akkusativ)

Magda sends Anna a message. (Anna = dative, a message = accusative)

The position of dative and accusative objects varies:

  • Noun + noun: dative + accusative

Du kaufst deiner Tochter eine Geige. (deiner Tochter = Dativ, eine Geige = Akkusativ)

You buy your daughter a violin. (your daughter = dative, a violin = accusative)

Caroline bringt dem Kunden den Salat. (dem Kunden = Dativ, den Salat = Akkusativ)

Caroline brings the customer a salad. (the customer = dative, the salad = accusative)

  • Pronoun + pronoun: dative + accusative

Du kaufst ihr eine Geige. Du kaufst ihr diese. (ihr = Dativ, diese = Akkusativ)Demonstrativpronomen

You buy her a violin. → You buy her this. (her = dative, this = accusative)

Ich schenke euch unser Auto. Ich schenke euch unseres. (euch = Dativ, unseres = Akkusativ)Possessivpronomen Nominativ

I give you our car. → I give you ours. (you = dative, ours = accusative)

  • Personal pronoun + personal pronoun: accusative + dative

Du kaufst deiner Tochter eine Geige. Du kaufst sie ihr. (sie / eine Geige = Akkusativ, ihr / deiner Tochter = Dativ)

You buy your daughter a violin. → You buy it for her. (it / a violin = accusative, her / your daughter = dative)

Caroline bringt dem Kunden den Salat. Caroline bringt ihn ihm. (ihn / den Salat = Akkusativ, ihm / dem Kunden = Dativ)

Caroline brings the customer the salad. → Caroline brings it to him. (it / the salad = accusative, him / the customer = dative)

Note: if there is a pronoun + a noun, the pronoun always comes first.

Sigi bringt dem Gast das Frühstück. Sigi bringt ihm das Frühstück. Sigi bringt es dem Gast.

Sigi brings the guest the breakfast. → Sigi brings him the breakfast. → Sigi brings it to the guest.

Magda sendet Anna eine Nachricht. Magda sendet ihr eine Nachricht. Magda sendet sie Anna.

Magda sends Anna a message. → Magda sends her a message. → Magda sends it to Anna.


Still facing difficulties with 'Using the dative and accusative in a sentence'? Learn and enhance your German grammar through our online German course. Start with a free test and improve today!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online German lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my German. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Improve your German further and test Wunderbla, online German lessons.