German Prepositions: Which Case Do They Take?
Which case does each preposition take? The guide with memory tricks that actually work.
One of the hardest aspects of German for English speakers is that prepositions force specific grammatical cases on the nouns that follow them. Once you know the groups, the system becomes manageable.
Always Accusative (DOGFU)
durch (through), ohne (without), gegen (against), für (for), um (around). Memory trick: DOGFU. Ich fahre durch den Tunnel. Er kämpft für die Freiheit.
Always Dative (ABGSVONZUM)
aus, bei, gegenüber, seit, von, nach, zu, mit. Ich komme aus der Schweiz. Wir fahren mit dem Zug.
Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)
an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen take accusative (movement/direction) or dative (location/state). Ask yourself: is something moving somewhere (accusative) or staying somewhere (dative)?
Memory Trick: Accusative vs Dative for Two-Way
Accusative = change/motion (wohin? — where to?): Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch. Dative = stable location (wo? — where?): Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. The verb is often the clue.