Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn the difference between the verbs mögen and gefallen in German, including key examples like Ich mag den Film and Der Film gefällt mir, focusing on their grammar and usage differences.
  1. You use "mögen" when you actively like or want something.
  2. "Gefallen" describes how something appeals to you.
Merkmal (Characteristic)Wortart (Part of speech)Grammatik (Grammar)Satzbau (Sentence structure)Sprachregister (Language register)
mögen Vollverb (full verb)Subjekt = Person (subject = person)

Ich mag den Film.

Ich mag die blauen Schuhe

Neutral, alltäglich (Neutral, everyday)
gefallenVerb mit Dativ (verb with dative)Subjekt = Sache, Person im Dativ (Subject = thing, person in the dative)

Der Film gefällt mir.

Die blauen Schuhe gefallen mir.

Etwas formeller, höflicher (Somewhat more formal, polite)

Exercise 1: Gefallen oder Mögen?

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

gefallen, mag, gefällt, mögen

1.
Das neue weiße Sofa ... uns sehr.
(We really like the new white sofa.)
2.
Gefallen dir die gelben Schuhe? – Nein, ich ... sie nicht.
(Do you like the yellow shoes? – No, I don't like them.)
3.
Ich ... die das lila Kleid.
(I like the purple dress.)
4.
Wir ... grüne Äpfel lieber als rote.
(We like green apples better than red ones.)
5.
Die Farben Weiß und Grau ... ihnen – sie sind elegant.
(They like the colours white and grey – they are elegant.)
6.
Magst du das grüne Fahrrad? – Nein, mir ... das schwarze besser.
(Do you like the green bicycle? – No, I prefer the black one.)
7.
Die grauen Schuhe ... mir gut – ich nehme sie!
(I like the grey shoes – I'll take them!)
8.
Die Kinder ... buntes Eis am liebsten.
(Children like colourful ice cream the most.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Mir ____ das grüne Hemd sehr gut.

(I really ____ the green shirt.)

2. Dir ____ die bunten Socken nicht.

(You ____ don't like the colorful socks.)

3. Ihm ____ der schwarze Mantel nicht.

(He ____ doesn't like the black coat.)

4. Uns ____ die gelben T-Shirts sehr.

(We ____ really like the yellow T-shirts.)

5. Euch ____ die rote Tasche nicht.

(You (plural) ____ don't like the red bag.)

6. Ihnen ____ die weißen Schuhe sehr gut.

(They ____ really like the white shoes.)

Understanding the Difference Between "Mögen" and "Gefallen" in German

This lesson focuses on two common German verbs that express liking something: "mögen" and "gefallen". Although they often seem similar in meaning, they are used differently in everyday German, both grammatically and in terms of tone.

The Verb "mögen"

"Mögen" is a full verb used to express active liking or wanting something. It is straightforward and neutral, suitable for casual, everyday conversations.

  • Word type: Full verb
  • Grammar: The subject is the person who likes something.
  • Sentence structure examples:
    • Ich mag den Film. (I like the movie.)
    • Ich mag die blauen Schuhe. (I like the blue shoes.)
  • Language register: Neutral and common.

The Verb "gefallen"

"Gefallen" is a verb that uses the dative case. It describes how something appeals to you or gives you a positive impression. It is often a bit more formal or polite than "mögen".

  • Word type: Verb with dative
  • Grammar: The subject is the thing liked, and the person who likes it is expressed in the dative case.
  • Sentence structure examples:
    • Der Film gefällt mir. (The movie pleases me / I like the movie.)
    • Die blauen Schuhe gefallen mir. (I like the blue shoes.)
  • Language register: Slightly more formal and polite.

Key Highlights

Remember these differences for correct usage:

  • Use "mögen" when you actively like or want something.
  • Use "gefallen" when you want to say that something appeals to you, focusing on the effect the object has on you.
  • The grammatical subjects differ: "mögen" takes a personal subject; "gefallen" takes the object as subject with the person in dative.

Notes on Differences Between English and German

In English, "like" covers both active liking and something appealing to you without changing grammatical structure. In German, you must choose between "mögen" and "gefallen," which have different grammar and nuance. For example, while both translate to "like," the sentence structure with "gefallen" involves the dative case: Der Film gefällt mir (literally: "The film pleases me").

Some useful phrases include:

  • Ich mag dieses Buch. (I like this book.)
  • Das Buch gefällt mir. (The book appeals to me.)
  • Magst du den Kaffee? (Do you like the coffee?)
  • Gefällt dir der Kaffee? (Does the coffee please you?)

Understanding these differences helps you sound natural and grammatically correct in German conversations.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 13:14