Learn prepositions that take either accusative or dative
Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)
These 9 prepositions can take either accusative or dative, depending on context.
The 9 Two-Way Prepositions
| German | English |
|---|---|
| an | at, on (vertical) |
| auf | on (horizontal) |
| hinter | behind |
| in | in, into |
| neben | next to |
| über | over, above |
| unter | under |
| vor | in front of, before |
| zwischen | between |
When to Use Which Case?
Akkusativ - Movement INTO/TO a place (Wohin?)
Dativ - Location/Position AT a place (Wo?)
Memory Trick
Motion → Akkusativ (action verbs: gehen, legen, stellen, setzen)
Location → Dativ (state verbs: sein, liegen, stehen, sitzen)
Common Verb Pairs
| Akkusativ (Motion) | Dativ (Location) |
|---|---|
| legen (to lay) | liegen (to lie) |
| stellen (to put standing) | stehen (to stand) |
| setzen (to set/seat) | sitzen (to sit) |
| hängen (to hang up) | hängen (to be hanging) |
Examples / Beispiele
Ich gehe in die Schule.
→
I go to school.
Ich bin in der Schule.
→
I am at school.
Er legt das Buch auf den Tisch.
→
He puts the book on the table.
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
→
The book is on the table.
Sie hängt das Bild an die Wand.
→
She hangs the picture on the wall.