Introduction to the Accusative Case
The accusative case (Akkusativ) is used for the direct object of a sentence—the person or thing that is receiving the action. It answers the question "Whom?" (Wen?) or "What?" (Was?).
Definite and Indefinite Articles in the Accusative Case
| Gender |
Definite Article (the) |
Indefinite Article (a/an) |
Example |
| Masculine |
den |
einen |
Ich sehe den Mann. (I see the man.) |
| Feminine |
die |
eine |
Ich höre die Frau. (I hear the woman.) |
| Neuter |
das |
ein |
Ich habe das Buch. (I have the book.) |
| Plural |
die |
(no plural form) |
Ich sehe die Kinder. (I see the children.) |
Accusative Case with Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns also change in the accusative case when they are used as the direct object.
| Person |
Nominative |
Accusative |
English |
| 1st Person Singular |
ich |
mich |
me |
| 2nd Person Singular |
du |
dich |
you |
| 3rd Person Singular (masculine) |
er |
ihn |
him |
| 3rd Person Singular (feminine) |
sie |
sie |
her |
| 3rd Person Singular (neuter) |
es |
es |
it |
| 1st Person Plural |
wir |
uns |
us |
| 2nd Person Plural |
ihr |
euch |
you (plural) |
| 3rd Person Plural |
sie |
sie |
them |
| Formal |
Sie |
Sie |
you (formal) |
Examples of Accusative Case in Sentences
Here are some sentences that use the accusative case:
- Ich sehe den Mann. (I see the man.)
- Sie kauft die Blume. (She buys the flower.)
- Er isst das Brot. (He eats the bread.)
- Wir treffen die Freunde. (We meet the friends.)
Accusative Case with Prepositions
Certain prepositions always require the accusative case. These are known as accusative prepositions. Some common examples include:
- für (for)
- durch (through)
- gegen (against)
- ohne (without)
- um (around)
Examples:
- Ich kaufe ein Geschenk für meinen Freund. (I am buying a gift for my friend.)
- Wir gehen durch den Park. (We are walking through the park.)
- Sie spielt gegen ihn. (She plays against him.)
Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct accusative form:
- Ich sehe _______ Mann. (the man)
- Er hat _______ Apfel gegessen. (an apple)
- Wir kaufen _______ Blume. (the flower)
- Sie bringt _______ Buch. (the book)
Answers
- Ich sehe den Mann. (I see the man.)
- Er hat einen Apfel gegessen. (He ate an apple.)
- Wir kaufen die Blume. (We buy the flower.)
- Sie bringt das Buch. (She brings the book.)