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Wo vs. wohin
Words like hinter or zwischen can tell you where something is. In German, if the thing you’re talking about is moving, you’ll use the accusative der word and ein word endings. Remember the phrase Active Accusative!
Sie legt das Buch auf den Tisch.
She lays the book onto the table.
She lays the book onto the table.
If the thing isn’t going anywhere, you’ll use the dative der or ein word endings after those words. Remember the phrase Dative Dormant!
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The book lies on the table.
The book lies on the table.
More smooshed words!
An, auf and um get combined with some forms of the.
| an + dem on + the | Sie isst am Tisch. She eats at the table. |
| auf + das to + the | Er geht aufs Dach. He goes onto the roof. |
| in+ das at + the in + dem at + the | Gehst du ins Wasser? Are you going into the water? Ich lese im Keller. I read in the basement. |
| um + das from + the | Ich gehe ums Haus. I go around the house. |
Flexible words
Words like an, über or unter aren’t always about location! Their meanings can change with certain verbs. Check out a few examples.
Ich schreibe über sie.
I write about her.
I write about her.
Ist ein Arzt unter uns?
Is a doctor among us?
Is a doctor among us?