German Prepositions and Their English Translations
Below is a table listing common German prepositions along with their English translations:
- ab from
- aus out of, from
- bei at, by, with
- bis until, by
- durch through
- für for
- gegen against
- ohne without
- um around, at, about
- von from, of
- zu to
- über over, above
- unter under, among
- seit since
- nach after, to
- vor before, in front of
- mit with
- an on, at
- in in, into
- vorbei past
- entlang along
- gegenüber across from, opposite to
- anstelle von instead of
- außerhalb von outside of
- innerhalb von inside of
- angesichts in view of
- dank thanks to
Understanding Prepositions in German
Prepositions play a vital role in indicating the relationship between words in a sentence, providing clarity on position, direction, or time. In the German language, there are over 80 prepositions, but about half of them are commonly used. Let's explore these essential elements of German grammar.
Importance of Prepositions in German
Prepositions are crucial in German grammar as they help convey precise meanings and relationships between words within a sentence. They provide essential context for understanding the message being communicated.
Commonly Used German Prepositions
Here's a list of commonly used German prepositions along with their functions:
Preposition |
Function |
in |
Accusative, Dative |
auf |
Accusative, Dative |
über |
Accusative, Dative |
unter |
Accusative, Dative |
neben |
Accusative, Dative |
hinter |
Accusative, Dative |
vor |
Accusative, Dative |
zwischen |
Accusative, Dative |
an |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
über |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
auf |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
hinter |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
neben |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
in |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
vor |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
unter |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
zwischen |
Accusative, Dative, Genitive |
Understanding Different Functions of Prepositions
Prepositions in German can be classified into four groups based on their functions:
- Prepositions initiating the accusative case.
- Prepositions initiating the dative case.
- Two-way prepositions that can initiate either the accusative or dative case.
- Prepositions initiating the genitive case.
German Dative Prepositions
German dative prepositions are paired with nouns or pronouns in the dative case, indicating various relationships within a sentence, such as location and direction. Let's explore some common German dative prepositions and their meanings.
Preposition |
English Meaning |
Example Sentence |
Translation |
Aus |
From, out, outside of, of, off |
Heute gehe ich nicht aus dem Haus. |
Today I won’t go out of the house. |
Außer |
Except, unless |
Niemand außer dir versteht mich. |
Nobody understands me except you. |
Bei |
At, with, by |
Ich bin bei Anna. |
I’m with Anna. (locally, next to her) |
Mit |
With |
Ich bin mit Anna zusammen. |
I’m with Anna. (We’re dating) |
Nahe |
Near |
Ich wohne nahe dem Fluss. |
I live near the river. |
Neben |
Next to, besides |
Der Stift liegt neben dem Telefon. |
The pen is next to the telephone. |
Gemäß |
According to |
Gemäß Paragraph 18 sind Sie jetzt zum Kauf verpflichtet. |
According to paragraph 18 you are now obliged to purchase. |
Entgegen |
Contrary to |
Entgegen aller Vernunft kaufte sie den Porsche. |
Contrary to all reason, she bought the Porsche. |
Nach |
To, towards, past (+time) |
Ich fliege nach L.A. |
I’m flying to L.A. |
Zu |
To |
Ich fahre zu Julian. |
I’m driving to Julian’s. |
Binnen |
Within |
Bitte überweisen Sie den Betrag binnen 14 Tagen. |
Please transfer the amount within 14 days. |
Ab |
From |
Ich arbeite ab 8 Uhr. |
I work from 8AM. |
Abgesehen von |
Aside from, apart from |
Abgesehen von kleinen Schwierigkeiten läuft das Projekt gut. |
Apart from a few minor difficulties, the project is going well. |
Seit |
Since |
Seit dem Gespräch hab ich hier das Sagen. |
Since the conversation, I've been in charge here. |
Von |
Of, from |
Von hier aus sind es noch 20 km. |
From here it’s another 20 km. |
Einschließlich |
Including |
Ich hab alles gefunden, einschließlich Bananen. |
I found everything, including bananas. |
Samt, mitsamt |
With, along with |
Ich bin samt Kleidung ins Wasser gesprungen. |
I jumped into the water with all my clothes. |
Laut |
According to |
Laut deiner Mama solltest du in der Schule sein. |
According to your mom, you should be in school. |
Dank |
Thanks to |
Dank dir bin ich glücklicher als je zuvor. |
Thanks to you, I am happier than ever before. |
Entsprechend |
Accordingly |
Dem Vertrag entsprechend geht das leider nicht. |
Unfortunately, this is not possible according to the contract. |
Gegenüber |
Opposite, compared to |
Er saß mir direkt gegenüber. |
He was sitting directly across from me. |
Zufolge |
According to |
Ihr zufolge gibt es keinen Grund zur Sorge. |
According to her, there is no need to worry. |
German accusative prepositions
German accusative prepositions are linked with a noun or pronoun in the accusative case, indicating various relationships within a sentence, such as manner and time. Let's explore some common German accusative prepositions and their meanings.
Preposition |
English Meaning |
Example Sentence |
Translation |
Für |
For |
Die Blumen sind für dich. |
The flowers are for you. |
Je |
Per, as per |
Wir haben je einen Kaffee bestellt. |
We ordered one coffee each. |
Pro |
Per |
Es gab nur einen Keks pro Person. |
There was only one cookie per person. |
Ohne |
Without |
Ohne dich ist es langweilig. |
It's boring without you. |
Durch |
Through |
Ich weiß durch meine Chefin davon. |
I know about it through my boss. |
Gegen |
Against, around (+time) |
Ich bin gegen die Idee. |
I am against the idea. |
Bis |
Until |
Wir waren bis zum Morgen wach. |
We were awake until morning. |
Um |
At (+time), about, around |
Der Film fängt um 20:15 Uhr an. |
The movie starts at 8:15 pm. |
Two-Way Prepositions
Two-way prepositions in German are a group of prepositions that can be accompanied by either the accusative or the dative case, depending on their usage in a sentence. Let's explore some common two-way prepositions and how they function:
Preposition |
English Meaning |
Example Sentence (Dative) |
Translation (Dative) |
Example Sentence (Accusative) |
Translation (Accusative) |
an |
at, to, on |
Das Buch liegt an dem Tisch. |
The book is on the table. |
Ich lege das Buch an den Tisch. |
I place the book on the table. |
auf |
at, to, on, upon |
Die Tasse steht auf dem Tisch. |
The cup is on the table. |
Ich stelle die Tasse auf den Tisch. |
I place the cup on the table. |
hinter |
behind |
Der Stuhl steht hinter dem Tisch. |
The chair is behind the table. |
Ich stelle den Stuhl hinter den Tisch. |
I place the chair behind the table. |
in |
to, into |
Die Schlüssel sind in der Tasche. |
The keys are in the bag. |
Ich lege die Schlüssel in die Tasche. |
I put the keys into the bag. |
neben |
next to, beside |
Der Stift liegt neben dem Buch. |
The pen is next to the book. |
Ich lege den Stift neben das Buch. |
I place the pen next to the book. |
über |
over, above |
Das Bild hängt über dem Sofa. |
The picture is over the sofa. |
Ich hänge das Bild über das Sofa. |
I hang the picture over the sofa. |
unter |
under, among |
Der Ball ist unter dem Tisch. |
The ball is under the table. |
Ich lege den Ball unter den Tisch. |
I place the ball under the table. |
vor |
before, in front of |
Die Lampe steht vor dem Bett. |
The lamp is in front of the bed. |
Ich stelle die Lampe vor das Bett. |
I place the lamp in front of the bed. |
zwischen |
between |
Das Buch liegt zwischen den Stühlen. |
The book is between the chairs. |
Ich lege das Buch zwischen die Stühle. |
I place the book between the chairs. |
When these prepositions indicate a static position, they are used with the dative case. For example, "Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch" (The book is on the table).
German genitive prepositions
German genitive prepositions are a group of prepositions that are accompanied by a noun or pronoun in the genitive case, indicating possession or referencing time. Let's explore some common German genitive prepositions and their meanings:
Preposition |
English Meaning |
Example Sentence |
Translation |
Anstatt |
Instead of |
Sie ging mit ihrer Schwester zum Ball anstatt mit ihrem Freund. |
She went to the prom with her sister instead of her boyfriend. |
Außerhalb |
Outside of |
Wir sind außerhalb der Geschäftszeiten nicht zu erreichen. |
We can’t be reached outside of office hours. |
Innerhalb |
Inside of, within |
Das muss innerhalb einer Stunde fertig sein. |
This must be completed within an hour. |
Trotz |
In spite of |
Trotz des Regens ging ich spazieren. |
In spite of the rain, I went for a walk. |
Wegen |
Because of, due to |
Der Unterricht fällt heute wegen des Schnees aus. |
Classes are canceled because of the snow. |
Während |
During |
Während meines Urlaubs habe ich viel gelesen. |
During my vacation, I read a lot. |