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Learn how German nouns and articles change in the dative case to show indirect objects. This lesson covers masculine, feminine, neuter, and plural forms with definite and indefinite articles. Discover how to ask "wem?" and apply the dative to sentences for clear, natural communication.
  1. In the dative case, you ask "wem".
  2. In the plural, an "-n" is added to nouns in the dative case, unless the noun in the plural already ends in "-n" or "-s".
Genus / Numerus (Gender / Number)Bestimmter Artikel  (Definite article )Unbestimmter Artikel  (Indefinite Article )Beispiel  (Example )
Maskulin (Masculine)demeinemIch gebe dem (einem) Mann das Buch.
Feminin (Feminine)dereinerIch gebe der (einer) Frau den Schlüssel
Neutrum (Neuter)demeinemIch gebe dem (einem) Kind das Spielzeug.
Plural (Plural)den– (kein Artikel) (– (no article))Ich gebe (den) Kindern keinen Zucker.

Exercise 1: Nomen und Artikel - Dativ

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

den, einer, einem, der, dem

1. (Bestimmt):
Ich wünsche ... Mann ein frohes neues Jahr.
(I wish the man a happy new year.)
2. (Unbestimmt):
Sie bringt ... Frau die Geschenke.
(She brings a woman the gifts.)
3. (Unbstimmt):
Ich gebe ... Kind ein Geschenk.
(I give a child a present.)
4. (Bestimmt):
Das Buch gehört ... Schwester.
(The book belongs to the sister.)
5. (Bestimmt):
Die Feier gefällt ... Kindern.
(The children like the party.)
6. (Unbestimmt):
Wir helfen ... Freundin bei der Arbeit.
(We are helping a friend at work.)
7. (Bestimmt):
Die Feier gefällt ... Freunden.
(The party appeals to the friends.)
8. (Bestimmt):
Ich gebe ... Kollegin ein Stück Kuchen.
(I give the colleague a piece of cake.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ich gebe ___ Mann das Buch.

(I give ___ man the book.)

2. Sie hilft ___ Frau bei den Einkäufen.

(She helps ___ woman with the shopping.)

3. Wir geben ___ Kind das Spielzeug.

(We give ___ child the toy.)

4. Ich schenke ___ Kindern einen Ball.

(I give ___ children a ball.)

5. Am Montag gebe ich ___ Kollegen die Dokumente.

(On Monday I give ___ colleague the documents.)

6. Im Januar schicke ich ___ Freundin eine Karte.

(In January I send ___ friend a card.)

Nouns and Articles in the Dative Case

This lesson introduces the dative case in German, focusing on how nouns and their corresponding definite and indefinite articles change to indicate the indirect object in a sentence. The dative case answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?" an action is done.

Understanding the Gender and Number

The dative case affects masculine, feminine, neuter, and plural nouns differently. For example, masculine and neuter nouns use "dem" for the definite article and "einem" for the indefinite article. Feminine nouns use "der" and "einer" respectively. In the plural, the definite article changes to "den" and the nouns usually gain an "-n" ending if they don’t already end with "-n" or "-s"; there is no indefinite article in the plural.

Example Sentences

  • Ich gebe dem (einem) Mann das Buch. (I give the man the book.)
  • Ich gebe der (einer) Frau den Schlüssel. (I give the woman the key.)
  • Ich gebe dem (einem) Kind das Spielzeug. (I give the child the toy.)
  • Ich gebe (den) Kindern keinen Zucker. (I don’t give the children any sugar.)

Key Features and Tips

  • Dative marks the indirect object, showing to whom or for whom something is given or happens.
  • Always ask "wem?" to identify the indirect object.
  • Remember the plural rule: add "-n" to the noun in dative plural unless it ends with "-n" or "-s" already.

Important Differences from English

Unlike English, which often uses word order and prepositions to express indirect objects, German changes the article and sometimes the noun ending itself to reflect the dative case. For example, "to the man" becomes "dem Mann" in German, where "dem" marks the dative masculine article. This structural difference means learners must memorize the correct dative forms of articles and noun endings rather than relying on prepositions alone.

Useful German phrases:
Wem gibst du das Buch? (To whom do you give the book?)
Ich helfe der Frau. (I help the woman.)

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Monday, 14/07/2025 23:53