Genitive Prepositions

Overview

Most German prepositions take either the accusative or the dative. However, a group of important prepositions require the genitive case. At B1 level, you need to master the four most common ones:

These four appear frequently in written and formal spoken German. Learning them is essential for sounding more advanced and expressing nuanced relationships between ideas.

Quick Genitive Reminder

The genitive forms of the definite article are:

• Masculine/Neuter: des (+ noun adds -(e)s)
• Feminine/Plural: der (noun unchanged)

des Regens (m), des Kindes (n), der Kälte (f), der Ferien (pl)

trotz — despite

Trotz expresses that something happens contrary to what you would expect given the circumstances.

Masculine

Trotz des Regens gehen wir spazieren. — Despite the rain, we go for a walk.

Trotz des Staus sind wir pünktlich angekommen. — Despite the traffic jam, we arrived on time.

Feminine

Trotz der Kälte spielen die Kinder draußen. — Despite the cold, the children play outside.

Trotz der Warnung ist er ins Wasser gesprungen. — Despite the warning, he jumped into the water.

Neuter

Trotz des schlechten Wetters war das Fest ein Erfolg. — Despite the bad weather, the festival was a success.

Trotz des Verbots hat er geraucht. — Despite the ban, he smoked.

Plural

Trotz der vielen Probleme hat sie es geschafft. — Despite the many problems, she managed it.

Trotz der hohen Preise kaufen die Leute dort ein. — Despite the high prices, people shop there.

während — during

Während indicates a time frame within which something happens. (Note: "während" can also be a conjunction meaning "while," but as a preposition it means "during" and takes the genitive.)

Masculine

Während des Unterrichts darf man nicht telefonieren. — During class, you may not use your phone.

Während des Fluges habe ich geschlafen. — During the flight, I slept.

Feminine

Während der Pause trinken wir Kaffee. — During the break, we drink coffee.

Während der Ferien fahren wir ans Meer. — During the vacation, we go to the sea.

Neuter

Während des Konzerts war es ganz still im Saal. — During the concert, it was completely quiet in the hall.

Während des Gewitters sind wir im Haus geblieben. — During the thunderstorm, we stayed inside.

Plural

Während der Sommerferien arbeite ich als Kellner. — During summer vacation, I work as a waiter.

Während der letzten Jahre hat sich viel verändert. — During the last years, a lot has changed.

wegen — because of

Wegen expresses the reason or cause of something.

Masculine

Wegen des Staus kommen wir zu spät. — Because of the traffic jam, we are late.

Wegen des Unfalls war die Straße gesperrt. — Because of the accident, the road was closed.

Feminine

Wegen der Hitze bleiben viele zu Hause. — Because of the heat, many people stay home.

Wegen der Prüfung muss ich lernen. — Because of the exam, I have to study.

Neuter

Wegen des schlechten Wetters fällt das Spiel aus. — Because of the bad weather, the game is cancelled.

Wegen des Feiertags ist das Geschäft geschlossen. — Because of the holiday, the shop is closed.

Plural

Wegen der Bauarbeiten gibt es eine Umleitung. — Because of the construction work, there is a detour.

A Note on Spoken German

In everyday spoken German, wegen is very often used with the dative instead of the genitive:

Wegen dem Stau... (colloquial) instead of Wegen des Staus... (standard)

This is widely accepted in speech but considered incorrect in formal and written German. For exams and writing, always use the genitive.

statt / anstatt — instead of

Statt (or its longer form anstatt) means something is done or chosen in place of something else.

Masculine

Statt des Autos nehmen wir den Zug. — Instead of the car, we take the train.

Anstatt des Kaffees trinkt sie Tee. — Instead of coffee, she drinks tea.

Feminine

Statt der Prüfung schreiben wir eine Hausarbeit. — Instead of the exam, we write a paper.

Anstatt der Suppe bestelle ich einen Salat. — Instead of the soup, I order a salad.

Neuter

Statt des Geldes hat er mir ein Geschenk gegeben. — Instead of money, he gave me a gift.

Plural

Statt der Blumen bringen wir Schokolade mit. — Instead of flowers, we bring chocolate.

Additional Genitive Prepositions

Beyond the core four, several other prepositions also take the genitive. These are particularly common in written and formal German:

Genitive Forms Quick Reference

When to add -es vs. -s:

• Monosyllabic nouns usually take -es: des Tages, des Mannes, des Kindes
• Multi-syllable nouns usually take -s: des Regens, des Unterrichts, des Konzerts
• Nouns ending in -s, -ß, -x, -z, -tz always take -es: des Hauses, des Flusses

Tips

1. Start with the big four: trotz, während, wegen, (an)statt. These are the ones you will encounter most often and need most urgently.
2. Genitive = des (m/n) + -(e)s on the noun, der (f/pl) + no noun change. Drill this pattern until it is automatic.
3. "Wegen" with dative is common in speech — but for writing and exams, stick with the genitive.
4. Position is flexible: These prepositions can start the sentence or appear mid-sentence: Wir bleiben wegen des Regens zu Hause.
5. Don't forget adjective endings in genitive: They follow normal adjective declension rules — trotz des schlechten Wetters.
6. If you forget the genitive form, try restructuring the sentence: Wegen des Regens... → Es regnet, deshalb...