Dative and genitive cases The dative case is used for the indirect object. It indicates to whom or for whom an action is done. Er gibt dem Fahrer ein Ticket. He gives a ticket to the driver. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases To form the dative case, add the appropriate endings to the der- and ein-words. Dative definite article der-words indefinte article/ ein-words Masculine dem diesem einem Feminine der dieser einer Neuter Plural den (+ –n) diesen (+ –n) meinen (+ –n) Die Polizistin wartet neben der Ampel. Ich erkläre der Polizistin den Unfall. The policewoman is waiting at the light. I explain to the policewoman about the accident. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases An –n is added to all nouns in the dative plural that do not already end with an –n. Ich zeige den Touristen den Stadtplan. I show the city map to the tourists. Mein Vater bringt den Kindern Geschenke. My father brings gifts to the children. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases The rules for the dative case also apply to possessive adjectives and personal pronouns. Possessive adjectives in the dative Masculine Neuter Feminine Plural meinem deinem seinem ihrem unserem eurem ihrem/Ihrem meiner deiner seiner ihrer unserer eurer ihrer/Ihrer meinen deinen seinen ihren (+ –n if needed) unseren euren ihren/Ihren © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases Personal pronouns in the dative mir (me/to me) dir (you/to you) ihm (him/to him) ihr (her/to her) ihm (it/to it) uns (us/to us) euch (you/to you) ihnen/Ihnen (them/ to them; you/to you) Ich gebe meinem Fahrer das Geld. I give the money to my driver. Ich gebe ihm das Geld. I give him the money. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases In German word order, the indirect object comes before the direct object, unless the direct object is a pronoun. Ich gebe dem Fremden eine Wegbeschreibung. I give directions to the stranger. Ich gebe ihm eine Wegbeschreibung. I give him directions. Ich gebe sie dem Fremden. I give them to the stranger. Ich gebe sie ihm. I give them to him. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases A number of verbs in German require a dative object. gefallen gehören schmecken passen Gefällt dir das? Do you like that? Gehört ihm das Buch? Does the book belong to him? Das Essen schmeckt ihr. She likes the food. Die Uniform passt mir gut. The uniform fits me well. Other verbs that require an object in the dative case are antworten, danken, glauben, gratulieren, helfen, folgen, and vertrauen. Ich dank’ dir. I thank you. Kannst du mir helfen? Can you help me? © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases Some adjectives in idiomatic expressions also require the dative case: ähnlich, dankbar, kalt, peinlich, teuer, and warm. Mir ist viel zu warm! I am way too warm! Ich bin meinem Partner sehr dankbar. I am very grateful to my partner. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases The genitive case is used to show possession. In English, it corresponds to ’s or to the word of. In German, the possessive –s is used only with peoples’ names. Marias Nachbarschaft ist sehr lebhaft. Maria’s neighborhood is very lively. Die Straßen dieser Stadt sind gefährlich. The streets of this city are dangerous. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases In the genitive case, the masculine and neuter definite articles change to des, and the possessive pronouns add the ending –es. Der- and ein-words follow the same pattern (dieses, meines). The masculine and neuter nouns take –s. The feminine and plural definite articles change to der in the genitive, and the possessive pronouns add the ending –er. Der- and ein-words, again, follow the same pattern (dieser, meiner). No ending is added to the noun. die Stadtplanung des Stadtzentrums the planning of the city center der Preis seiner Wohnung the price of his apartment © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases ACHTUNG! One-syllable nouns add –es at the end of the word (des Mannes). All nouns that end in s, ss, ß, z, or t add –es. © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases The dative and genitive cases also have corresponding question words. Was remains the same in all cases, but when asking about a person, use wem in the dative and wessen in the genitive. Nominative Accusative Dative Genitive Wer? Who? Wen? Whom? Wem? To whom? Wessen? Whose? © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Dative and genitive cases ACHTUNG! In spoken German, the genitive case is often replaced by the preposition von [+ Dat.]. der Name des Mieters der Name von dem Mieter the name of the tenant © and ® 2012 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.