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The dative case

An indirect object is indicated by the dative case. Frequently-used verbs that require both an indirect object and a direct object are schenken (to give as a gift), geben (to hand, to give), leihen (to lend), zeigen (to show), and erklären (to explain). Examples:

Many verbs that only require a direct object may take an additional indirect object. Example sentences:

Dative verbs

Some verbs require a dative object. The most important verbs in this category are gehören (to belong to), gefallen (to please), helfen (to help), glauben (to believe), passen (to fit, to suit), folgen (to follow). Example sentences:

Adjectives used with the dative

Many adjectives are used with the dative to express a physical sensation or emotional state. Examples kalt, warm, heiß, schlecht, gleichgültig, egal, schwindelig, recht, peinlich, wichtig, gut, wohl. Example sentences:

Dative prepositions

The most important dative prepositions are aus (from), bei (at, by) mit (with), von (from), nach (to), zu (to), außer (except for) and seit (since, for). Examples:

Example sentences:

Frau Schmidt kommt aus Österreich. Im Juni fährt sie nach Toronto. Dort wohnt sie bei ihren Verwandten. Von dort fährt sie weiter zu ihrer Freundin in Montreal. Ihre Freundin wohnt seit sieben Jahren in Montreal. Frau Schmidt schreibt allen ihren Freunden in Österreich Postkarten, außer ihrem Exfreund Peter.

(Ms. Smith comes from Austria. In June she is going to Toronto. She stays with her relatives there. From there she travels to her friend's house in Montreal. Her friend has been living in Montreal for seven years. Ms. Smith writes postcards to all her friends in Austria, except her ex-boyfriend Peter.)

Case
Nominative
Accusative
Genitive