cases Flashcards
What are the 4 cases that are used in German grammar?
- Nominative
- Accusative
- Genetive
- Dative
Why are cases important in German?
Cases are important in German because they indicate the role that a noun plays in a sentence, also some words have to be spelt differently depending upon which case they’re in.
Der rote Hund folgt dem roten Hund
Explain the nominative case
The subject of the sentence is always in the nominative case.
Hermann isst Eis (Hermann eats ice cream)
Hermann is in the nominative case.
Explain the accusative case
The direct object of the sentence is always in the accusative case.
Hermann isst Eis (Hermann eats ice cream)
Eis is in the accusative case.
Explain the genitive case
The genitive case denotes ownership.
Hermann isst das Eis des Mädchens
(Hermann eats the girl’s ice cream)
Mädchens is in the genitive case.
Explain the dative case
The indirect object of the sentence is always in the dative case.
Hermann schreibt einem Freund
(Hermann writes to a friend)
einem Freund is in the dative case