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German Accusative Case Overview
The Accusative case (Akkusativ) is the direct object case in German. It answers the questions "Wen?" (Whom?) or "Was?" (What?) and identifies who or what directly receives the action of the verb.
The Accusative case is the second most important case after Nominative and is essential for forming complete German sentences with transitive verbs.
Key Function: The Accusative case identifies the direct object - the person or thing that directly receives the action of the verb.
Examples
Ich lese das Buch.
I read the book. (das Buch = direct object in Accusative)
Sie sieht den Hund.
She sees the dog. (den Hund = direct object in Accusative)
Wir kaufen eine Lampe.
We buy a lamp. (eine Lampe = direct object in Accusative)
Accusative Articles
In the Accusative case, German articles change from their Nominative forms. Only masculine articles change - feminine, neuter, and plural remain the same.
Key Change: der → den (masculine definite article)
Key Change: ein → einen (masculine indefinite article)
This is the most important change to remember for the Accusative case.
Definite Articles - Accusative
The definite articles in Accusative case:
Definite Articles - Accusative Case
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | den | the (masculine) - CHANGES! |
| Feminine | die | the (feminine) - same as Nominative |
| Neuter | das | the (neuter) - same as Nominative |
| Plural | die | the (plural) - same as Nominative |
Ich sehe den Mann. (der Mann → den Mann)
I see the man. (masculine changes)
Ich sehe die Frau. (die Frau → die Frau)
I see the woman. (feminine stays same)
Ich sehe das Kind. (das Kind → das Kind)
I see the child. (neuter stays same)
Ich sehe die Kinder. (die Kinder → die Kinder)
I see the children. (plural stays same)
Indefinite Articles - Accusative
The indefinite articles in Accusative case:
Indefinite Articles - Accusative Case
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | einen | a/an (masculine) - CHANGES! |
| Feminine | eine | a/an (feminine) - same as Nominative |
| Neuter | ein | a/an (neuter) - same as Nominative |
| Plural | (keine) | no plural indefinite article |
Ich kaufe einen Tisch. (ein Tisch → einen Tisch)
I buy a table. (masculine changes)
Ich kaufe eine Lampe. (eine Lampe → eine Lampe)
I buy a lamp. (feminine stays same)
Ich kaufe ein Auto. (ein Auto → ein Auto)
I buy a car. (neuter stays same)
When to Use Accusative Case
The Accusative case is used in several specific situations:
1. Direct Object of Transitive Verbs
The most common use - the person or thing directly receiving the action:
Der Lehrer erklärt die Lektion.
The teacher explains the lesson. (die Lektion = direct object)
Ich trinke einen Kaffee.
I drink a coffee. (einen Kaffee = direct object)
Sie liest das Buch.
She reads the book. (das Buch = direct object)
2. Time Expressions (Duration)
Accusative is used for expressions of time duration:
Ich arbeite den ganzen Tag.
I work the whole day. (time duration)
Wir bleiben eine Woche.
We stay for a week. (time duration)
Er schläft jeden Tag acht Stunden.
He sleeps eight hours every day. (time duration)
3. Accusative Prepositions
Certain prepositions always require Accusative case:
Accusative Prepositions
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| durch | through | durch den Park (through the park) |
| für | for | für den Mann (for the man) |
| gegen | against | gegen die Wand (against the wall) |
| ohne | without | ohne das Auto (without the car) |
| um | around/at | um den Tisch (around the table) |
Ich gehe durch den Park.
I walk through the park.
Das Geschenk ist für die Mutter.
The gift is for the mother.
Wir fahren ohne das Auto.
We drive without the car.
Identifying the Accusative Case
To identify the Accusative case in a sentence, ask these questions:
"Wen?" (Whom?) - for people
"Was?" (What?) - for things
The answer to these questions will be in the Accusative case. This helps you identify the direct object.
Important: The subject (Nominative) performs the action, the direct object (Accusative) receives it.
Examples
Der Student liest ein Buch.
The student reads a book. → Was liest er? → ein Buch (Accusative)
Die Mutter ruft den Sohn.
The mother calls the son. → Wen ruft sie? → den Sohn (Accusative)
Wir sehen die Berge.
We see the mountains. → Was sehen wir? → die Berge (Accusative)
Er kauft einen Computer.
He buys a computer. → Was kauft er? → einen Computer (Accusative)
Accusative Pronouns
Personal pronouns in the Accusative case are used as direct objects:
Personal Pronouns - Accusative
These are the direct object pronouns in German:
Personal Pronouns - Accusative Case
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mich | me | first person singular |
| dich | you | second person singular (informal) |
| ihn | him | third person singular masculine |
| sie | her | third person singular feminine |
| es | it | third person singular neuter |
| uns | us | first person plural |
| euch | you | second person plural (informal) |
| sie | them | third person plural |
| Sie | you | formal (singular/plural) |
Er sieht mich.
He sees me.
Ich kenne dich.
I know you.
Sie liebt ihn.
She loves him.
Wir besuchen sie.
We visit them.
Common Accusative Patterns
Certain sentence patterns always use the Accusative case:
Pattern 1: Subject + Transitive Verb + Direct Object (Accusative)
Pattern 2: Subject + Verb + Accusative Preposition + Object
Pattern 3: "Es gibt" + Accusative Object (There is/are)
Understanding these patterns helps you use the Accusative case correctly.
Examples
Der Hund frisst das Fleisch.
The dog eats the meat. (transitive verb pattern)
Ich gehe durch den Wald.
I walk through the forest. (accusative preposition)
Es gibt einen Park in der Stadt.
There is a park in the city. ("es gibt" + accusative)
Sie macht ihre Hausaufgaben.
She does her homework. (transitive verb)
Accusative in Sentences with Multiple Objects
Some sentences have both Accusative (direct object) and Dative (indirect object):
Pattern: Subject + Verb + Dative (indirect) + Accusative (direct)
Word Order: Dative usually comes before Accusative
Pronouns: Accusative pronouns come before Dative nouns
This is common with verbs like "geben" (to give), "schenken" (to give as gift), "zeigen" (to show).
Examples
Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch.
I give the man the book. (dem Mann = Dative, das Buch = Accusative)
Sie schenkt der Tochter eine Puppe.
She gives the daughter a doll. (der Tochter = Dative, eine Puppe = Accusative)
Er zeigt es dem Lehrer.
He shows it to the teacher. (es = Accusative pronoun before Dative noun)
Wir kaufen ihm einen Computer.
We buy him a computer. (ihm = Dative, einen Computer = Accusative)
Accusative vs Nominative
Distinguishing between Nominative (subject) and Accusative (direct object) is crucial:
Nominative: Who/what does the action (subject)
Accusative: Who/what receives the action (direct object)
Memory tip: The Nominative "does" something TO the Accusative.
Article changes: Only masculine articles change (der→den, ein→einen)
Examples
Der Hund (Nom.) sieht den Kater (Acc.).
The dog sees the cat.
Die Mutter (Nom.) ruft die Tochter (Acc.).
The mother calls the daughter.
Das Kind (Nom.) hat einen Ball (Acc.).
The child has a ball.
Ein Mann (Nom.) kauft das Auto (Acc.).
A man buys the car.