1. Accusative Function

Learn with the Video!

This topic German Akkusativ is a bit complex. Please have a look at the video.

Accusative is the form for the Object. In German, you have to differ between Subject (=Nominative Case) and Object.

Other languages (English, French, Spanish) have a fixed syntax: Subject – Verb – Object. That means, the subject is always at position 1.

In German, however, Object – Verb – Subject is possible as well. It is not common, but you have to understand that German does not mark the subject or object by its position, but by its case.

Examples. Try to translate the sentences.

Subjekt (Nominativ) und Objekt (Akkusativ) 

  1. das Mädchenschießt den Ball.
  2. das Mädchenschießt der Ball.
  3. Den Ballschießt das Mädchen.
  4. Der Ballschießt das Mädchen.
  • German Akkusativ

 Da-Compounds Sentence 1 and 3 are equal, sentence 2 and 4 are equal.

Note: The syntax S-V-O is most common, but depending on the context and verb, another possibility is normal.

How do I know that in sentence 4 “Der Ball” is the subject? Because “der” can only be subject, as it is in the nominative case.

Questions

  • 0

    i want to improve my speaking

    anipa

    i am in germany.My problem is when somebody asking me and talk to me in german language.i can’t understand as i learn the language and grammer.it is not using in the speaking.the german people are so fast speaking and i can’t understand.Tell me the Way..Thanking you.and one more thing that your site as very good and contains are really good.i hope you add more exercises so learner can learn more and more from your site.

  • 1

    Oliver

    Dear Anna,

    I do enjoy learning German very much.
    Thanks for your interesting videos:-) My teacher in Highschool said to me when I was worried about passing the Exam, because of my poor understanding the German Grammar:” I forsee no problems in your case, because You do read and understand the language very well!”
    Well, he was right, I passed:-) But now I try, to learn the Grammar, because when I try to write,…Google Translate doesn’t always tell me how to:-)
    While watching your videos I wonder, where on the website do I find the PDF”s you talk about you make available for downloading? Grusse, Oliver

    • Anna Müller

      Hi Oliver, thanks for you nice comment! Congratulation for your passed exam 🙂
      Could you please specify which courses?
      Normally, you see the PDF in the lessons of the courses 🙂

  • 0

    albobaggins

    I’ve looked for the PDF files for this lesson but cannot find any ?

  • 0

    albobaggins

    I’ve looked for the PDF files for this lesson but cannot find any ?
    Alan.

  • 0

    acatgriff

    Hi! Your videos are great

    I was just looking for the link to the second video of this group but cannot find it.

    Greetings,

    Andrea

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