Complete Guide to German Prepositions: Types, Examples, and Quizzes
Table of Contents
Introduction
German prepositions are key elements for building correct sentences. They define time, location, direction, and cause/effect relationships. By mastering these prepositions and learning which cases they use (accusative, dative, genitive, or two-way), you can improve your communication skills and gain confidence in German. In this guide, we will explore different preposition types, useful examples, and internal resources for further practice.
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence. They clarify context by answering questions like “Where?”, “When?”, or “Why?” In German, each preposition controls the case of the noun that follows. Some require the accusative, others the dative or genitive, while certain two-way prepositions can switch between accusative and dative depending on meaning.
Common German Prepositions
Below is a short list of frequently used German prepositions with their English translations:
German Preposition
English Translation
an
at, on
auf
on, upon
aus
from, out of
bei
by, near
für
for
in
in, into
mit
with
nach
after, to
über
over, about
um
around
unter
under
von
from, of
vor
before, in front of
zu
to
zwischen
between
Types of German Prepositions and Their Cases
Each preposition affects the noun that follows by assigning a specific case. Below is an overview of these preposition types: accusative, dative, genitive, two-way, local, and temporal. For more detailed explanations, you can explore:
In zwei Jahren werde ich fertig sein. (I will be finished in two years.)
seit
since/for
Er arbeitet seit einem Monat hier. (He has been working here for a month.)
vor
ago
Sie kam vor drei Wochen an. (She arrived three weeks ago.)
nach
after
Nach der Schule gehe ich nach Hause. (I go home after school.)
bis [zu]
until/up to
Sie bleibt hier bis zum Abend. (She stays here until the evening.)
von… bis [zu]
from… to
Der Kurs geht von Montag bis Donnerstag. (The course runs from Monday to Thursday.)
an
on [date]
An meinem Geburtstag feiern wir. (We celebrate on my birthday.)
um
at [time]
Das Meeting beginnt um 14 Uhr. (The meeting starts at 2 pm.)
ab
starting from
Ab nächster Woche habe ich Urlaub. (I am on vacation starting next week.)
gegen
around
Tina kommt gegen 8 Uhr an. (Tina arrives around 8 o’clock.)
während
during
Während der Pause trinken wir Kaffee. (We drink coffee during the break.)
Local Prepositions
Local prepositions describe locations or directions. For more specific details, visit our German Local Prepositions page.
Location (Wo?) – Static (Dative)
Ich bin in der Schule. (I am in the school.)
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. (The book is on the table.)
Wir treffen uns an der Haltestelle. (We meet at the bus stop.)
Direction (Wohin?) – Movement (Accusative)
Ich gehe in die Schule. (I go into the school.)
Sie legt das Buch auf den Tisch. (She puts the book on the table.)
Wir fahren an die Küste. (We drive to the coast.)
Choosing the Right Preposition
The best preposition choice relies on context. “An” is used for vertical surfaces or bodies of water, “auf” for horizontal surfaces or public areas, and “in” for enclosed spaces or larger areas like countries. For countries and cities without an article, use nach for direction (e.g., nach Berlin) and in for location (e.g., in Berlin).
When heading to a person, use zu. To show origin, use aus (out of) or von (from), which both take the dative.
Conclusion
German prepositions form the backbone of proper sentence construction. They decide how nouns shift in case and meaning. By memorizing key lists (accusative, dative, genitive, and two-way), practicing with local and temporal contexts, and exploring more detailed references, you’ll develop strong German skills. Keep practicing with quizzes, forming your own sentences, and reviewing case rules to become comfortable with these building blocks of the language.
Looking to test your knowledge? We offer several free quizzes:
No. Some take accusative, some dative, some genitive, and two-way prepositions can take either accusative or dative.
How do I know if a two-way preposition needs accusative or dative?
If it indicates movement toward a destination, use accusative. If it indicates static location, use dative.
Which preposition should I use for time expressions?
Temporal prepositions like in, nach, seit, and vor show different time relationships. Check our
temporal prepositions guide for details.
Are genitive prepositions still common?
They are less common in everyday speech, but still valid in formal or written contexts. Learn more
here.
How can I practice these prepositions effectively?
Use them in your own sentences daily, read German texts focusing on prepositions, and try our
free German preposition quizzes to reinforce your learning.
