📖 The Accusative Case in Practice – Akkusativ
The accusative case marks the direct object of a sentence — the noun that is directly acted upon. This lesson focuses on practical usage: spotting the accusative, using it correctly with prepositions, and forming accusative pronouns.
🔍 How to Spot the Accusative
Ask: Wen? (Whom?) or Was? (What?) after the verb. The answer is in the accusative.
Ich kaufe einen Kaffee. → Was kaufe ich? → einen KaffeeI buy a coffee. → What do I buy? → a coffee
📋 Accusative Articles
| Gender | Definite (the) | Indefinite (a/an) | Negative (no) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | den | einen | keinen |
| Feminine | die | eine | keine |
| Neuter | das | ein | kein |
| Plural | die | — | keine |
👤 Accusative Pronouns
| Nominative | Accusative | English |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mich | me |
| du | dich | you |
| er | ihn | him |
| sie | sie | her / them |
| es | es | it |
| wir | uns | us |
| ihr | euch | you (plural) |
| Sie | Sie | you (formal) |
Accusative Prepositions
These prepositions ALWAYS take the accusative: durch (through), für (for), gegen (against), ohne (without), um (around). Memory trick: DOGFU — Durch, Ohne, Gegen, Für, Um.
Das Geschenk ist für dich.The gift is for you.
Wir gehen durch den Park.We are walking through the park.
✏️ Übungen
1. Fill in: Das ist für ___ Lehrer. (der/den/dem?) Answer: den (m, accusative after "für")
2. Change to pronoun: Ich sehe den Hund. Answer: Ich sehe ihn.
3. Is "ohne" accusative or dative? Accusative.
🏆 Test Your German Knowledge!
Practice what you've just learned with our free interactive quiz.
✅ Take the Free Quiz Now →