am
at
Short for 'an dem' (at the); indicates a location or position at a place or object.
EXAMPLE
Das Bild hängt am Fenster.
The picture is hanging by the window.
am
at / on / most
am + dative
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
am
on / in
Short for 'an dem' (on the / in the); indicates a point in time or a period of time.
EXAMPLE
Am Montag beginnt die neue Arbeitswoche.
The new working week begins on Monday.
am
at / on
Short for 'an dem' (at the / on the) in fixed expressions referring to an activity, a state, or an area.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist gerade am Telefon.
She is on the phone right now.
am ...sten
most / -est
The pattern 'am …sten' (most … / …-est) forms the superlative of adjectives or adverbs when used adverbially or predicatively.
EXAMPLE
Am schnellsten kommt man mit dem Zug dorthin.
The fastest way to get there is by train.
Usage tips
Contraction and case
In its uses for location, time, and fixed expressions, 'am' (at the / on the) is a contraction of 'an dem'. It is followed by the dative and occurs only before masculine and neuter singular nouns.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder warten am Eingang.
The children are waiting at the entrance.
Am Morgen ist die Straße noch leer.
In the morning, the street is still empty.
Er sitzt seit Stunden am Computer.
He has been sitting at the computer for hours.
Expressions of location
To indicate a position at a place or object, 'am' (at the) is often used with verbs such as 'stehen' (to stand), 'sitzen' (to sit), 'liegen' (to lie), or 'hängen' (to hang).
EXAMPLE
Meine Schwester sitzt am Fenster und liest.
My sister is sitting at the window and reading.
Expressions of time
With days of the week, times of day, and certain periods of time, 'am' (on / in / at) is often used to indicate when something happens.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende besuchen wir unsere Großeltern.
We visit our grandparents on the weekend.
Fixed expressions
In fixed expressions, 'am' (at the / on the) often refers to an activity, a state, or an area. Common phrases include 'am Telefon sein' (to be on the phone), 'am Steuer sitzen' (to be at the wheel), and 'am Ende sein' (to be exhausted).
EXAMPLE
Während der Fahrt darf niemand am Steuer telefonieren.
No one may use the phone while driving.
Forming the superlative
When forming the superlative, 'am' comes before the form ending in '-sten' (most … / …-est). This form is used adverbially or predicatively and makes a comparison within a group.
EXAMPLE
Von allen Bewerbern hat Lea am überzeugendsten gesprochen.
Of all the applicants, Lea spoke most convincingly.
In real life
Loading video examples...