dative
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dative
The third of four grammatical cases in German. It answers the question 'Wem?' (to whom?) and is often used for the indirect object in a sentence.
Das Verb „helfen“ steht immer mit dem Dativ.
The verb 'helfen' (to help) always takes the dative.
The dative often marks the indirect object in a sentence. This is typically the person or thing that receives something or for whom an action is intended. It answers the question 'Wem?' (to whom?).
Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch.
I give the man the book.
A fixed group of verbs always requires an object in the dative. The most important ones include: helfen, danken, gefallen, gehören, passen, schmecken, and zuhören.
Kannst du mir bitte helfen?
Can you please help me?
Certain prepositions always require the dative. The most common are: aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu.
Nach der Arbeit gehe ich direkt nach Hause.
After work, I go straight home.
Prepositions that can describe a location (e.g., in, an, auf, über) use the dative when they indicate a static position. They then answer the question 'Wo?' (where?).
Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The book is lying on the table.
genitive
After prepositions such as „wegen“, both the dative and genitive can occur. In standard German, the genitive is usually used, while the dative is especially common regionally or in everyday spoken language. In formal writing, therefore, use „wegen“ with the genitive; the dative sounds more casual or regional.
Wegen dem starken Regen kam der Bus heute etwas später.
Because of the heavy rain, the bus arrived a little later today.
Wegen des starken Regens kam der Bus heute etwas später.
Because of the heavy rain, the bus arrived a little later today.
