10K+ students - 4.8/5
Learn with a teacher Learning materials included Practise conversation

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how prepositions merge with definite articles in the dative case to form contractions like "am" (an + dem) and "zur" (zu + der). Practice useful phrases such as "Der Staubsauger ist am Herd" and "Die Frau geht zur Reparatur."
  1. The feminine dative form der only merges with the preposition to form (zu+der = zur); with other prepositions, the article and the preposition remain separate.
Präposition + Artikel (Preposition + Article)Beispiel (Example)
an + dem = amDer Staubsauger ist am Herd.
an + das = ansIch stelle mich ans Bügeleisen. 
bei + dem = beimDie Reparatur ist beim Hausmann.
in + dem = imDas Glas steht im Kühlschrank.
in + das = insIch bringe die Mikrowelle ins Haus.
von + dem = vomDas Problem kommt vom Herd.
zu + dem = zumDer Hausmann geht zum Trockner.
zu + der = zurDie Hausfrau geht zur Reparatur.

Exceptions!

  1. The preposition mit does not merge with the article.

Exercise 1: Verschmelzung von Präposition und Artikel im Dativ

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

vom, in der, im, zum, am, mit dem, zur

1. Mit:
Der Hausmann arbeitet ... Ofen.
(The househusband works with the oven.)
2. Zu:
Ich gehe ... Trockner.
(I am going to the tumble dryer.)
3. In:
Der Löffel liegt ... Besteckkasten.
(The spoon is in the cutlery drawer.)
4. An:
Der Staubsauger steht ... Herd.
(The vacuum cleaner is next to the cooker.)
5. Von:
Das Problem kommt ... Herd.
(The problem comes from the stove.)
6. In:
Die Wäsche trocknet ... Waschmaschine.
(The laundry is drying in the washing machine.)
7. Zu:
Die Hausfrau bringt die Mikrowelle ... Reparatur.
(The housewife takes the microwave to be repaired.)
8. An:
Das Bügeleisen ist ... Ofen.
(The iron is on the oven.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ich stelle den Toaster _______ Kühlschrank.

(I put the toaster _______ refrigerator.)

2. Der Staubsauger steht _______ Schrank.

(The vacuum cleaner is _______ cabinet.)

3. Die Lampe hängt _______ Tisch.

(The lamp hangs _______ table.)

4. Die Frau geht _______ Waschmaschine.

(The woman goes _______ washing machine.)

5. Ich repariere das Radio _______ Technikraum.

(I repair the radio _______ technical room.)

6. Das Geschirr spült die Hausfrau _______ Spülmaschine.

(The housewife washes the dishes _______ dishwasher.)

Understanding the Merging of Prepositions and Articles in the Dative Case

This lesson focuses on a common feature in German grammar where certain prepositions combine with the definite articles in the dative case to form contractions. These contractions simplify speech and writing by merging two words into one, making sentences sound more natural and fluent.

Key Concepts

  • Preposition + Dative Article Contractions: In German, some prepositions merge with the dative articles "dem" (masculine/neuter) and "der" (feminine) to form new combined words.
  • Examples of Contractions: an + dem = am (e.g., Der Staubsauger ist am Herd.) or zu + der = zur (e.g., Die Hausfrau geht zur Reparatur.)
  • Exceptions: Not all combinations merge. For example, the preposition "mit" does not contract with the article, so "mit der" remains separate.

Important Examples to Remember

  • am (an + dem) – next to the (masculine/neuter)
    Example: Der Staubsauger ist am Herd.
  • ans (an + das) – to the (neuter)
    Example: Ich stelle mich ans Bügeleisen.
  • beim (bei + dem) – at the (masculine/neuter)
    Example: Die Reparatur ist beim Hausmann.
  • im (in + dem) – in the (masculine/neuter)
    Example: Das Glas steht im Kühlschrank.
  • ins (in + das) – into the (neuter)
    Example: Ich bringe die Mikrowelle ins Haus.
  • vom (von + dem) – from the (masculine/neuter)
    Example: Das Problem kommt vom Herd.
  • zum (zu + dem) – to the (masculine/neuter)
    Example: Der Hausmann geht zum Trockner.
  • zur (zu + der) – to the (feminine)
    Example: Die Hausfrau geht zur Reparatur.

Notes on Usage and Differences from English

In German, the articles change depending on the case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive), gender, and number. The dative is often used to indicate the indirect object or location. English typically uses prepositions without merging articles, and articles remain separate words (e.g., "to the repair" vs. German "zur Reparatur").

Useful German phrases featuring these contractions include:

  • am Tisch – at the table
  • im Kühlschrank – in the fridge
  • zum Haus – to the house
  • beim Arzt – at the doctor
These highlight how German expressions can be more concise by combining preposition and article, which is important for fluent communication.

Summary

This lesson helps you recognize and use the common contractions formed by prepositions and dative articles in German. Understanding these will improve your comprehension and speaking ease in everyday contexts such as describing locations and movements.

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

Profile Picture

Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

University_Logo

Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 14:31