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Learn German Personalpronomen (personal pronouns) in the nominative case, including singular and plural forms. Understand the difference between informal 'du' and formal 'Sie', and practice using them in everyday sentences. This lesson is perfect for beginners at the A1 level to build a strong foundation in German grammar and polite speech.
  1. The form of address "Du" is used in informal situations.
Singular (Singular)Plural (Plural)
Ich (I)Wir (We)
Du (You)Ihr (You)
Er / Sie / Es (He / She / It)Sie (They)

Exceptions!

  1. "Sie" is used as a polite form of address for one or more persons in formal situations and is always capitalised within the sentence.

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ heiße Anna, und du?

(___ is my name Anna, and you?)

2. ___ sind Kollegen aus Berlin.

(___ are colleagues from Berlin.)

3. ___ ist das dein Computer? Ja, er ist meiner.

(___ is that your computer? Yes, it is mine.)

4. ___ sind freundlich und sehr hilfsbereit.

(___ are friendly and very helpful.)

5. ___ hast eine Frage? Ich höre zu.

(___ have a question? I am listening.)

6. Wo ist ___ Büro? Es ist im zweiten Stock.

(Where is ___ office? It is on the second floor.)

Introduction to German Personal Pronouns

This lesson covers Personalpronomen (personal pronouns) in the nominative case, fundamental building blocks for constructing sentences in German. You'll learn how these pronouns replace subjects in a sentence, indicating person, number, and gender.

Singular and Plural Forms

The pronouns are divided into singular and plural forms:

  • Singular: Ich (I), Du (you, informal), Er/Sie/Es (he/she/it)
  • Plural: Wir (we), Ihr (you all, informal), Sie (they or you formal)

Notice the distinction between informal and formal pronouns. "Du" is used in informal conversations with friends or family, while "Sie" serves as a polite form when addressing one or more people and is always capitalized in writing.

Practical Examples

Examples such as "Ich heiße Anna, und du?" demonstrate usage in everyday contexts. The lesson also includes exercises focusing on correct pronoun application, such as filling in gaps with proper pronouns.

Important Notes on Usage

Unlike English, German pronouns change according to case and formality, which affects sentence structure and politeness level. For example, English "you" can be singular or plural and formal or informal, but German distinguishes clearly between du, ihr, and Sie.

Familiarity with these pronouns is crucial for basic communication and forming grammatically correct sentences, making this lesson vital for A1 learners.

Additional Tips

  • Always capitalize Sie when used formally to avoid confusion.
  • Remember that the pronouns also indicate gender in the third person singular.
  • Practice with example sentences to reinforce understanding.

By mastering these pronouns, students will gain confidence in speaking and understanding German in both informal and formal situations.

Comparison with English

English personal pronouns do not change form for formality or plurality in the second person; "you" serves multiple roles, while German uses distinct pronouns (du, ihr, and Sie) depending on the social context and number. Understanding these differences helps learners select the appropriate pronoun for their conversations and grasp the nuances of polite speech in German.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 15/07/2025 05:24