Introduction
Time is an essential aspect of communication, and in German, temporal prepositions are the key to expressing it accurately. Whether you’re scheduling a meeting, discussing past events, or planning for the future, understanding these prepositions will significantly improve your fluency.
What Are German Temporal Prepositions?
German temporal prepositions are words that describe the timing of an action or event. They answer questions like “When?”, “For how long?”, and “Since when?” By using them correctly, you can convey precise time-related information in your sentences.
German Temporal Prepositions List
Below are common German temporal prepositions divided into three categories, along with their English translations and associated grammatical cases.
1. Point in Time (Zeitpunkt)
| German Preposition (Case) | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| an (Dative) | on, at | am Morgen, am Montag |
| bei (Dative) | during, while | beim Essen, bei Regen |
| gegen (Accusative) | around (approximately) | gegen 19.00 Uhr |
| in (Dative) | in | im August, im Sommer, in einer Woche |
| nach (Dative) | after | nach Weihnachten |
| um (Accusative) | at | um 19.00 Uhr |
| vor (Dative) | before, ago | vor einer Woche |
| zu (Dative) | at, to | zu Ostern, zu dieser Zeit |
| über (Accusative) | over, during | über die Feiertage |
| anlässlich (Genitive) | on the occasion of | anlässlich seines Geburtstags |
2. Beginning and End (Beginn und Ende)
| German Preposition (Case) | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ab (Dative or Accusative without article) | from | ab nächster Woche, ab morgen |
| von (Dative) … an | starting from | von morgen an |
| bis (Accusative) | until | bis drei Uhr, bis bald |
| bis zu (Dative) | up to | bis zu drei Stunden |
| seit (Dative) | since | seit einem Jahr |
| binnen (Genitive/Dative) | within | binnen einer Woche |
| im Laufe (Genitive) | in the course of | im Laufe des Tages |
3. Duration (Dauer)
| German Preposition (Case) | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| für (Accusative) | for | für eine Woche |
| von (Dative) … bis (Accusative) | from … to | von Oktober bis März |
| während (Genitive) | during | während der Ferien |
| zwischen (Dative) | between | zwischen dem 15. Mai und dem 1. Juni |
| außerhalb (Genitive) | outside of | außerhalb der Öffnungszeiten |
| innerhalb (Genitive) | within | innerhalb einer Woche |
Explore German temporal prepositions with this hourglass image.
Example Sentences
Here are example sentences using the temporal prepositions from each category:
1. Point in Time (Zeitpunkt)
| Preposition | German Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| an | Ich treffe ihn am Montag. | I will meet him on Monday. |
| bei | Beim Essen sollten wir nicht sprechen. | We shouldn’t talk while eating. |
| gegen | Sie kommt gegen 19.00 Uhr. | She arrives around 7:00 PM. |
| in | In einer Woche fahren wir in den Urlaub. | In one week, we are going on vacation. |
| nach | Nach Weihnachten beginnt der Sale. | After Christmas, the sale begins. |
| um | Das Meeting ist um 14.00 Uhr. | The meeting is at 2:00 PM. |
| vor | Vor einer Woche war ich krank. | A week ago, I was sick. |
| zu | Zu Ostern besuchen wir unsere Familie. | At Easter, we visit our family. |
| über | Wir reisen über die Feiertage. | We are traveling over the holidays. |
| anlässlich | Anlässlich seines Geburtstags gibt es eine Feier. | On the occasion of his birthday, there is a celebration. |
2. Beginning and End (Beginn und Ende)
| Preposition | German Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ab | Ab morgen esse ich gesünder. | Starting tomorrow, I will eat healthier. |
| von … an | Von morgen an habe ich Urlaub. | From tomorrow on, I am on vacation. |
| bis | Wir bleiben bis Sonntag. | We are staying until Sunday. |
| bis zu | Die Lieferung dauert bis zu drei Tage. | The delivery takes up to three days. |
| seit | Er arbeitet seit einem Jahr hier. | He has been working here for a year. |
| binnen | Wir antworten binnen eines Tages. | We respond within one day. |
| im Laufe | Im Laufe des Abends wurde es kalt. | In the course of the evening, it became cold. |
3. Duration (Dauer)
| Preposition | German Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| für | Ich bleibe für eine Woche. | I am staying for one week. |
| von … bis | Der Kurs geht von Oktober bis März. | The course runs from October to March. |
| während | Während der Ferien haben wir viel gesehen. | During the holidays, we saw a lot. |
| zwischen | Der Zug fährt zwischen dem 15. Mai und dem 1. Juni. | The train runs between May 15 and June 1. |
| außerhalb | Außerhalb der Öffnungszeiten ist das Geschäft geschlossen. | Outside of business hours, the store is closed. |
| innerhalb | Wir liefern innerhalb einer Woche. | We deliver within one week. |
Temporal Prepositions Quiz
Practice what you have learned with our free quiz: here.
Conclusion
Mastering German temporal prepositions is crucial for anyone looking to become fluent in the language. They allow you to express time-related concepts accurately and make your conversations more precise. Remember to practice regularly and refer back to this guide whenever you need a refresher.
FAQ: German Temporal Prepositions
What are temporal prepositions in German?
Temporal prepositions in German are words that describe the timing of an action or event. They help answer questions like “When?” and “For how long?”
How do I know which case to use with temporal prepositions?
Each temporal preposition is associated with a specific grammatical case—Dative, Accusative, or Genitive. It’s essential to memorize which case each preposition requires.
Can one preposition have multiple meanings?
Yes, some prepositions like “in” and “vor” can have different meanings based on context. For example, “in” can mean “in” or “within,” and “vor” can mean “before” or “ago.”
Are there other temporal prepositions not commonly used?
Yes, there are some, especially genitive temporal prepositions such as ‘eingangs’ or ‘ausgangs’ are rarely used. You can get more information about all genitive prepositions: here.
Which types of prepositions does the German language have?
The German language has several types of prepositions, each playing a crucial role in sentence structure. These include:
- Dative Prepositions (e.g., mit, bei): Always followed by the dative case.
- Accusative Prepositions (e.g., für, durch): Always followed by the accusative case.
- Two-Way Prepositions (e.g., auf, in): Can be used with either the accusative or dative case, depending on whether they express motion or location.
- Genitive Prepositions (e.g., während, wegen): Less frequently used, these are followed by the genitive case.
- Temporal Prepositions (e.g., um, nach): Used to indicate time.
- Local Prepositions (e.g., an, neben): Used to indicate location or direction.
Which prepositions should I learn first?
For beginners, it’s best to start with Dative and Accusative Prepositions, as they are the most frequently used in everyday conversations. Once you’re comfortable with these, move on to Two-Way Prepositions, Temporal, and Local Prepositions.
Which prepositions are the least important?
Genitive Prepositions are the least frequently used in spoken German. While still important for formal writing or advanced learners, they are often replaced by dative constructions in everyday conversation, making them less essential for beginners.
Where can I practice German temporal prepositions?
You can practice the temporal prepositions in German with our free quiz: here.
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