Level: A2-B1

Akkusativ vs Dativ

When to Use

Akkusativ marks the direct object (Wen/Was? — whom/what?) while Dativ marks the indirect object (Wem? — to whom?). Many prepositions require a specific case: für, durch, gegen, ohne always take Akkusativ; mit, nach, bei, von, zu, seit, aus always take Dativ. With Wechselpräpositionen (in, an, auf, über, unter, vor, hinter, neben, zwischen), Akkusativ indicates direction/movement and Dativ indicates location.

Comparison

	Akkusativ	Dativ
Question word	wen? / was?	wem?
Function	Direct object	Indirect object
Article (masc.)	den / einen	dem / einem
Prepositions	für, durch, gegen, ohne	mit, nach, bei, von, zu
Wechselpräp.	Direction (wohin?)	Location (wo?)

Examples

Correct

Ich sehe den Mann.

Wrong

Ich sehe dem Mann.

Rule: Akkusativ for direct objects: Wen sehe ich? → den Mann

Correct

Ich gebe dem Kind ein Buch.

Wrong

Ich gebe das Kind ein Buch.

Rule: Dativ for indirect objects: Wem gebe ich? → dem Kind

Correct

Ich gehe in die Schule. (direction)

Wrong

Ich bin in der Schule. (location)

Rule: Wechselpräposition: Akkusativ for movement, Dativ for position

Tips

Ask 'Wen/Was?' for Akkusativ and 'Wem?' for Dativ. If the answer is who receives something, it's Dativ.

Memorize preposition groups: FUDGO (für, um, durch, gegen, ohne) → Akkusativ.

With Wechselpräpositionen, think: movement → Akk, no movement → Dat.

Similar Comparisons

Nominativ vs Akkusativ

A1-A2

Genitiv vs von + Dativ

B2-C1

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