Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)
The nine prepositions that take dative (location) or accusative (direction).
Overview
German has nine prepositions that can take either the dative or the accusative case. The choice depends on the meaning: static location (where something is) triggers dative, while direction/movement (where something is going) triggers accusative.
These are called Wechselpräpositionen — "alternating prepositions."
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. (Dative — location) Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch. (Accusative — direction)
The Nine Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| an | at, on (vertical surface) |
| auf | on (horizontal surface) |
| hinter | behind |
| in | in, into |
| neben | next to, beside |
| über | over, above, across |
| unter | under, below, among |
| vor | in front of, before |
| zwischen | between |
Wo? → Dative (Location)
When describing where something is — a static location with no change of position — use the dative case. The key question word is Wo? (Where?).
Typical verbs indicating location: liegen (to lie), sitzen (to sit), stehen (to stand), hängen (intransitive, to hang), sein (to be), wohnen (to live), arbeiten (to work), schlafen (to sleep).
Das Bild hängt an der Wand. — The picture hangs on the wall.
Die Katze sitzt auf dem Stuhl. — The cat sits on the chair.
Die Kinder spielen in dem Garten. — The children play in the garden.
Das Auto steht hinter einem Haus. — The car stands behind a house.
Er schläft neben seiner Frau. — He sleeps next to his wife.
Wohin? → Accusative (Direction)
When describing where something is going — movement to a new location — use the accusative case. The key question word is Wohin? (Where to?).
Typical verbs indicating direction: legen (to lay), setzen (to set/seat), stellen (to place upright), hängen (transitive, to hang something), gehen (to go), laufen (to walk/run), fahren (to drive), kommen (to come).
Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand. — I hang the picture on the wall.
Die Katze springt auf den Stuhl. — The cat jumps onto the chair.
Die Kinder laufen in den Garten. — The children run into the garden.
Er stellt das Auto hinter ein Haus. — He parks the car behind a house.
Sie setzt sich neben ihren Mann. — She sits down next to her husband.
Common Contractions
Several two-way prepositions contract with articles in everyday speech:
| Full Form | Contraction | Case |
|---|---|---|
| in + dem | im | Dative |
| in + das | ins | Accusative |
| an + dem | am | Dative |
| an + das | ans | Accusative |
Er arbeitet im Büro. — He works in the office. (im = in dem, dative)
Wir gehen ins Kino. — We go to the cinema. (ins = in das, accusative)
Das Bild hängt am Fenster. — The picture hangs at the window. (am = an dem, dative)
Sie geht ans Fenster. — She goes to the window. (ans = an das, accusative)
Tips
- Ask yourself: Is there movement to a NEW location? → Accusative. Static position? → Dative.
- "hängen" is tricky: intransitive (Das Bild hängt an der Wand = dative) vs. transitive (Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand = accusative).
- Abstract and figurative uses usually take dative: "Ich denke an dich" — no physical movement, but this is a fixed expression with accusative. Learn common fixed expressions individually.
- When in doubt, dative is more common in everyday speech for two-way prepositions.