Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how to express likes and dislikes in German using the verb "gefallen". This lesson covers the use of indirect object pronouns with "mir gefällt" and "mir gefällt nicht", including examples and explanations to help A1 level learners communicate preferences effectively.
  1. Conjugation in the third person: The verb gefallen is always conjugated in the third person singular or plural, as it describes the subject that someone likes.
  2. The sentence is formed with the indirect object pronouns "mir", "dir", "ihm", "uns", "euch", "ihnen".
Ausdruck (expression)Verb (Verb)Beispiel (Example)
Positiv (Positive)GefallenMir gefällt das gelbe T-Shirt.
Dir gefallen die schwarzen Schuhe.
Ihm / Ihr gefällt der blaue Anzug.
Negativ (Negative)Nicht gefallenUns gefallen die gelben Taschen nicht.
Euch gefällt die graue Hose nicht.
Ihnen gefallen die roten Hüte nicht. 

Exercise 1: Vorlieben und Abneigungen: Mir gefällt (nicht)...

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Mir, Dir, Ihm, Euch, gefallen, Uns, Ihnen, Ihr, gefällt

1. Ihr:
... ... die lila Taschen.
(You like the purple bags.)
2. Sie (Plural):
... ... die schwarze Lederjacke nicht.
(You don't like the black leather jacket.)
3. Er:
... ... die modernen Schuhe.
(He likes the modern shoes.)
4. Sie (Singular):
... ... das schöne Kleid.
(I like the nice dress.)
5. Wir:
... ... die gelben Röcke.
(I like the yellow skirts.)
6. Du:
... ... die blauen Hemden.
(You like the blue shirts.)
7. Ich:
... ... deine neue Kleidung.
(I like your new clothes.)
8. Er:
... ... der rosa Hut.
(He likes the pink hat.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Mir _____ das grüne Hemd sehr gut.

(I really _____ the green shirt.)

2. Dir _____ die blauen Schuhe nicht.

(You _____ don’t like the blue shoes.)

3. Ihm _____ der rote Mantel nicht.

(He _____ doesn’t like the red coat.)

4. Uns _____ die gelben Taschen sehr gut.

(We really _____ the yellow bags.)

5. Euch _____ die schwarze Jacke nicht.

(You all _____ don’t like the black jacket.)

6. Ihnen _____ die roten Hüte sehr gut.

(They really _____ the red hats.)

Likes and Dislikes in German: Using "Mir gefällt (nicht)..."

This lesson introduces you to expressing preferences in German through the verb "gefallen". You'll learn how to say what you like or dislike using simple sentences tailored for everyday situations.

Understanding the Verb "gefallen"

The verb "gefallen" means "to please" or "to be liked by". Instead of saying "I like something" directly, German uses this construction where the thing you like is the subject, and the person who likes it is indicated by an indirect object pronoun.

  • Important: "gefallen" is always conjugated in the third person singular or plural matching the subject (the thing that is liked).
  • Common indirect object pronouns are: mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen.

Examples of Positive and Negative Expressions

Here are some practical examples that you can use to practice:

  • Mir gefällt das gelbe T-Shirt. (I like the yellow T-shirt.)
  • Dir gefallen die schwarzen Schuhe. (You like the black shoes.)
  • Uns gefallen die gelben Taschen nicht. (We do not like the yellow bags.)

Notes on Structure and Usage

Unlike English, where the subject pronoun is active, German expresses likes and dislikes with a reversed subject-object relationship. This takes some getting used to but is very common in German daily speech.

Try to get familiar with the indirect object pronouns and the conjugation of "gefallen" in the third person. These are key to mastering this expression.

Useful Vocabulary Highlight

  • Positiv (positive): gefällt (singular), gefallen (plural)
  • Negativ (negative): nicht gefallen
  • Mir, Dir, Ihm, Ihr, Uns, Euch, Ihnen – Indirect object pronouns indicating the person who likes or dislikes something.

Learning these phrases and understanding this sentence structure will help you communicate preferences clearly and naturally in German.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 15/07/2025 00:19