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In, auf, unter: place or direction

Why is it “in die Schule” but “in einem Büro”?

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The rule

Some place words, including in, auf and unter, can describe either direction or location. Movement toward a destination usually takes the accusative: Mein Sohn geht in die Schule. A fixed location takes the dative: Ich arbeite in einem Büro. Ask wohin for direction and wo for location. The course has no pair with exactly the same noun, but these two real sentences still show the contrast between destination and location.

Remember: Where to? Accusative. Where? Dative.

Goes with lesson 9, 17, 25 of the course.

What differs for you

English can distinguish movement with into and location with in, so the two meanings are familiar. German may use the same word in for both and let the following form carry the difference. In “in die Schule” the destination calls for the accusative; “in einem Büro” names a fixed place and uses the dative. Check the action first.

The forms

Where? or where to?
PräpositionWo? → DativWohin? → Akkusativ
inIch bin im Park.Ich gehe in den Park.
aufDas Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch.
anDas Bild hängt an der Wand.Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand.
unterDie Katze schläft unter dem Bett.Die Katze läuft unter das Bett.
nebenEr sitzt neben mir.Er setzt sich neben mich.

Common mistakes

Quick check

  1. Ich hänge das Bild an ___ Wand. (where to?)
    Choose the correct article.
    1. der
    2. die
    3. dem
    4. den
    Answer
    die — Direction → accusative, Wand = feminine
  2. Das Bild hängt an ___ Wand. (where?)
    Choose the correct article.
    1. der
    2. die
    3. dem
    4. den
    Answer
    der — Location → dative, Wand = feminine → der
  3. Die Katze springt auf ___ Sofa. (where to?, neuter)
    Insert the correct form.
    Answer
    das — Direction → accusative, neuter: das
  4. Die Katze sitzt auf ___ Sofa. (where?, neuter)
    Insert the correct form.
    Answer
    dem — Location → dative, neuter: dem
  5. Er geht in dem Park. (direction)
    Correct the mistake.
    Answer
    Er geht in den Park. — Direction = where to? → accusative
  6. Sie legt das Buch ___ den Tisch.
    Where? or where to?
    1. auf
    2. an
    3. in
    4. unter
    Answer
    auf — legen = direction → auf + accusative

The same exercises come back in the course — there Langula remembers what you know and asks again at the right moment. Learn German free →

Terms

Preposition
A word that shows place, time, or a relation: on the table.
Accusative
The form for who or what an action directly affects: I see him.
Dative
The form for someone who receives something or gets help: I give him a book.
BeforeAdjective endingsAfterWar and hatte: the simple past

Sentence structure

The verb in second position A1Where is the verb after “Heute”?→Nicht and kein A1What does “nicht” do in these sentences?→Asking questions A1Why does one question start with “Wo” and another with “Kann”?→Join sentences with weil and dass A2Where is ist after weil in “Sie ist traurig, weil er weg ist”?→Relative clauses B1Relative clauses give additional information about a noun.→Infinitive constructions B1Infinitive constructions with 'zu' replace subordinate clauses.→

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