Langula
EN
Sign up free
← Grammar

The accusative

What is wanted or needed?

Take a look

The rule

The accusative often marks the person or thing directly affected by an action. Ask whom or what you need: Ich brauche einen Arzt. With masculine nouns, der changes to den and ein to einen. With feminine and neuter nouns, the basic article stays the same here: eine Fahrkarte, ein Ticket. Some verbs do not take this kind of target, so learn what each verb needs.

Remember: With masculine nouns: der → den, ein → einen.

Goes with lesson 4, 5, 8 of the course.

What differs for you

English object pronouns can differ from subject pronouns, so the idea of a direct object is familiar. Articles such as a do not change for that role. German does change the masculine article: “ein Arzt” becomes “einen Arzt” when directly affected, while “ein Ticket” keeps ein. Look at both the noun’s gender and its place in the action.

The forms

Articles in the accusative
Grundformbestimmtunbestimmt
der Tischden Tischeinen Tisch
die Suppedie Suppeeine Suppe
das Hausdas Hausein Haus

Common mistakes

Quick check

  1. Ich sehe ___ Hund.
    Choose the correct article.
    1. der
    2. den
    3. dem
    4. des
    Answer
    den — Masculine in the accusative: der → den
  2. Sie trinkt ___ Tee. (masculine)
    Insert the correct article.
    Answer
    den — Tee is masculine, accusative: den
  3. Er kauft ___ Tasche. (feminine)
    Choose the correct form.
    1. ein
    2. eine
    3. einen
    4. einer
    Answer
    eine — Feminine doesn't change in the accusative
  4. Ich habe ein Bruder.
    Correct the mistake.
    Answer
    Ich habe einen Bruder. — Bruder is masculine → accusative: einen
  5. Das Geschenk ist für ___ Lehrerin.
    Insert the correct article.
    Answer
    die — Feminine stays the same in the accusative
  6. Wähle den grammatisch korrekten Satz.
    Which sentence is correct?
    1. Wir brauchen ein Tisch.
    2. Wir brauchen einen Tisch.
    3. Wir brauchen der Tisch.
    4. Wir brauchen den Tische.
    Answer
    Wir brauchen einen Tisch. — Tisch is masculine → accusative: einen

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

Case
The form of a word can show its role: he sees her; she sees him.
Accusative
The form for who or what an action directly affects: I see him.
Direct object
The person or thing directly affected by an action: I see the dog.
Article
A short word before a name for a thing: the dog, a dog.
BeforeAsking questionsAfterThe dative: to whom?

Cases

Genitive B1The genitive shows possession or belonging and answers the question 'Wessen?→

Learn German, don’t just read about it

The sentences on this page are part of the free course — with pronunciation and repetition.

Start for free