This lesson explains Dativ and Akkusativ usage with two objects in a sentence, focusing on word order rules like "Ich gebe dem Gast den Schlüssel" and pronoun placement in "Ich gebe es dem Gast."
  1. The dative object usually comes before the accusative object.
Regel (Rule)Beispiel (Example)
Dativ vor Akkusativ (Dative before accusative)Ich gebe dem Gast den Schlüssel. (I give the guest the key.)
Akkusativ-Pronomen vor Dativ (Accusative pronoun before dative)Ich gebe es dem Gast (I give it to the guest)

Exceptions!

  1. With pronouns: the accusative object comes before the dative object, e.g. "Ich gebe es dir" (I give it to you).

Exercise 1: Dativ + Akkusativ: Ich gebe es dem Gast

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

mir, die Reinigung, etwas, ein Handtuch, Ihnen, die Bar, euch, den Schlüssel

1. Dativ vor Akkusativ:
Kannst du ... bitte das Handtuch bringen?
(Kannst du mir bitte das Handtuch bringen?)
2. Dativ vor Akkusativ:
Wir schicken ... ein Taxi zum Hotel.
(Wir schicken euch ein Taxi zum Hotel.)
3. Dativ vor Akkusativ:
Er verspricht mir ... für den Pool.
(Er verspricht mir ein Handtuch für den Pool.)
4. Dativ vor Akkusativ:
Ich gebe dir ... an der Rezeption.
(Ich gebe dir den Schlüssel an der Rezeption.)
5. Dativ vor Akkusativ:
Ich danke Ihnen für ....
(Ich danke Ihnen für die Reinigung.)
6. Dativ vor Akkusativ:
Die Rezeptionistin zeigt dir ... im Hotel.
(Die Rezeptionistin zeigt dir die Bar im Hotel.)
7. Akkusativ-Pronomen vor Dativ:
Die Rezeption gibt ... den Regenschirm
(Die Rezeption gibt Ihnen den Regenschirm)
8. Akkusativ-Pronomen vor Dativ:
Sie fragt uns ... zum Zimmer.
(Sie fragt uns etwas zum Zimmer.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct variant with two objects (dative + accusative) in each sentence. Pay special attention to the correct order and form of the objects.

1.
Wrong order: The dative object usually comes before the accusative object.
The word 'not' changes the word order and is unusual here for this exercise.
2.
With pronouns, the accusative precedes the dative, but here the sentence makes no sense.
The order is wrong: The dative object should come before the accusative object.
3.
The pronoun 'it' is unnecessary here and changes the correct sentence structure.
Wrong order: The dative object must come before the accusative object.
4.
Wrong order: The dative object must come before the accusative object.
The pronoun 'it' is wrong here; with pronouns, the accusative should come before the dative, and the sentence is also incorrect.

Understanding the German Dative and Accusative Objects: "Ich gebe es dem Gast"

This lesson focuses on mastering sentences in German that contain two objects: one in the dative case and one in the accusative case. At level A2, you will learn how to correctly place and use these objects together in simple sentences, improving clarity and fluency.

Key Concepts

  • Dative Object (Dativobjekt): The indirect object typically receiving something, like dem Gast (to the guest).
  • Accusative Object (Akkusativobjekt): The direct object directly affected by the action, such as den Schlüssel (the key).

Word Order Rules

When both objects appear, the usual order is:

  • Dative object before the accusative object:
    Ich gebe dem Gast den Schlüssel.
  • If either object is a pronoun, the accusative pronoun comes before the dative object:
    Ich gebe es dem Gast.

Examples and Practice Points

The table below summarizes the rules with examples:

RuleExample
Dative before accusativeIch gebe dem Gast den Schlüssel.
Accusative pronoun before dativeIch gebe es dem Gast.

Useful Vocabulary

  • geben — to give
  • der Gast — the guest (dative: dem Gast)
  • der Schlüssel — the key (accusative: den Schlüssel)
  • zeigen — to show
  • der Weg — the way (accusative: den Weg)
  • ich — I
  • dir — to you (dative informal)
  • es — it (accusative pronoun)

Differences Between English and German Object Order

In English, the indirect object usually comes before the direct object without special marking, e.g., "I give the guest the key." In German, cases show the role of each object, and word order is more flexible but traditionally places the dative before the accusative for clarity. However, when pronouns are involved, the accusative pronoun takes precedence and comes before the dative object.

Knowing these rules helps you form natural and grammatically correct sentences.
For example:

  • Ich gebe dem Gast den Schlüssel. — I give the guest the key.
  • Ich gebe es dem Gast. — I give it to the guest.

Written by

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

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Louis Fernando Hess

Bachelor of Science - Intercultural Business Psychology

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

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Germany


Last Updated:

Tuesday, 02/12/2025 23:38