German Prepositions – Complete Guide with Meanings and Examples

Key takeaways

• “German prepositions” show how words connect ideas in daily sentences.
• Each preposition works with a specific case, which affects articles and endings.
• Simple lists and short examples make these patterns easier to follow.
• Clear charts help you see how German expresses place, time, and movement.

German prepositions appear everywhere in daily communication. You see them in travel phrases, simple descriptions, and short messages. When you learn which case each preposition uses, you follow German sentences with far more comfort.

Some prepositions use one case every time, while others switch depending on movement or position. With steady practice and friendly examples, you can read and build clear phrases. If you want guided support, you can explore German language lessons to learn these forms step by step.

What are German prepositions?

German prepositions are small words that show relationships between places, people, time expressions, and actions. They work closely with noun cases, which means the article changes depending on the preposition.

You will find them often in simple contexts:

• location
• direction
• time
• cause
• general relationships between ideas

These forms help you build natural sentences.

Why cases matter with German prepositions

Each preposition demands a specific case — accusative, dative, or genitive. This choice affects the article and adjective endings.

Examples:

• für (accusative) → *für den Hund*
• mit (dative) → *mit der Familie*
• trotz (genitive) → *trotz des Regens*

Knowing the case helps you speak with clarity.

German prepositions by case

Understanding prepositions becomes much easier when you organize them by category.

### Accusative prepositions

These always use the accusative case:

• für (for)
• durch (through)
• gegen (against)
• ohne (without)
• um (around)

Examples:

• *Ich kaufe ein Geschenk für meinen Bruder.*
• *Wir gehen ohne den Hund spazieren.*

### Dative prepositions

These always use the dative case:

• mit (with)
• nach (after/to)
• bei (at/near)
• von (from/of)
• aus (from/out of)
• seit (since/for)
• zu (to)

Examples:

• *Ich fahre mit meiner Freundin.*
• *Er wohnt bei seinen Eltern.*

### Genitive prepositions

These more formal prepositions take the genitive:

• trotz (despite)
• während (during)
• wegen (because of)
• innerhalb (inside of)
• außerhalb (outside of)

Examples:

• *Trotz des Wetters gehen wir spazieren.*
• *Während des Tages arbeite ich.*

Two-way prepositions

Two-way prepositions take accusative for movement and dative for position:

• in, an, auf, hinter, vor, über, unter, neben, zwischen

Examples:

• Accusative (movement): *Ich gehe in die Stadt.*
• Dative (location): *Ich bin in der Stadt.*

These forms become easier with repeated examples.

Common German prepositions in daily life

Here are friendly examples you can follow:

• Ich sitze auf dem Stuhl. (location → dative)
• Wir legen das Buch auf den Tisch. (movement → accusative)
• Nach der Arbeit trinke ich Tee. (time)
• Wegen des Verkehrs komme ich spät. (reason)

These phrases show how small prepositions shape meaning.

Tips for learning German prepositions

You can follow these simple habits:

• Learn prepositions in groups: accusative, dative, genitive, two-way.
• Read short sentences and underline preposition + article pairs.
• Practice with location vs. movement forms.
• Repeat example phrases aloud for steady recall.
• Start with the most common prepositions you see in daily messages.

These steps help you grow confidence at a natural pace.

Learn German prepositions with support on Promova

Promova offers a warm, structured space to practice German prepositions with clarity. You can explore charts, guided drills, and helpful examples at a pace that matches your day. Speaking practice helps you use these forms in real conversations and feel comfortable with case changes.

Final thoughts on German prepositions

German prepositions give you the tools to describe movement, time, and everyday relationships. They may seem complex at first, but clear charts and friendly examples make them easier to follow. With calm repetition, you can express detailed ideas in natural German.

FAQ

Why do German prepositions require cases?

Each preposition controls the case of the noun that follows. This helps German show direction, location, or relationship clearly.

How can beginners learn German prepositions faster?

Start with accusative and dative groups. Then move to two-way prepositions with simple movement vs. location examples.

Are genitive prepositions common in daily conversation?

They appear more in formal writing, but you will still meet them in news, books, and official messages.

What is the best way to practice German prepositions?

Read short sentences, repeat simple phrases, and focus on preposition + article pairs. This builds steady recognition.