Very often I can realize that learners of German struggle with using the correct form of the 1st person and 2nd person personal pronouns in the singular. Both “me” and “you” have each two translations in German. “Me” can mean either mich or mir and “you” can mean either dich or dir. The difference between these forms is their grammar case. Mir and dir are DATIVE personal pronouns and mich and dich are ACCUSATIVE personal pronouns.
|
Singular
|
|
1st Person
|
2nd Person
|
| Dative |
mir
|
dir
|
| Accusative |
mich
|
dich
|
Which grammar case we have to use in a sentence is determined by the verb or preposition of our phrase. Let’s have a look at some examples with very common prepositions and with a few verbs.
Prepositions
- The prepositions mit, von, zu, and bei require the dative case.
- The prepositions für and ohne require the accusative case.
- Ich gehe nur mit dir (dat.) zur Feier. – I am only going to the party with you.
- Ich gehe ohne dich (acc.) nicht zur Feier. – I am not going to the party without you.
- Das Geschenk ist von mir (dat.) – The present is from me.
- Das Geschenk ist für dich (acc.) – The present is for you.
- Ich komme zu dir. – I am coming to you(r place).
- Er ist bei mir. – He is with me. / He is at my place.
Verbs that take the dative
- antworten – to answer: Sie hat mir noch nicht geantwortet. – She has not answered me yet.
- helfen – to help: Ich helfe dir. – I help you.
- gehören – to belong: Das gehört mir. –That belongs to me.
- zuhören – to listen: Ich höre dir zu. – I am listening to you.
Verbs that take the accusative
- anrufen – to call: Ich rufe dich morgen an. – I will call you tomorrow.
- kennen – to know: Sie kennen mich. – They know me.
- verstehen – to understand: Wir verstehen dich. – We understand you.
- vergessen – to forget: Vergiess mich nicht. – Do not forget me.
So whenever you come across verbs and/or prepositions in connection with personal pronouns it is very useful to remember these forms well because most of the time it is the only form that exists. That is, forms like “mit dich”, “ohne dir”, “dir kennen”, “dich antworten” do NOT exist.
Comments:
santos:
sher gut
Bini:
Ur explanation is one of the simplest and best I have found on the internet. Thank you so much. I have just begun learning German n it’s baffling!!
Thank you again!!
Cheers!!
Flávio:
Thanks a lot for clarifying these issues. It was one of the most common problems I still had while studying German.
Keep as always your excellent posts.
Cheers!
Kenneth:
Wunderbar; herzlichen Dank!
Dennis:
I am happy to say that I understand every thing in your blog, however, as a stranger or foreigner, should I address german speakers as “Sie” or “sie”? This is where I am hesitant about learning German.
Sten:
@Dennis check out the blog about duzen and siezen here: https://blogs.transparent.com/german/the-german-you-duzen-und-siezen/. But you should with Sie.
Sandra:
@Dennis Hello Dennis,
I guess your question is whether you should address a stranger with “Sie” or “du”. Am I right? I wish I could give you a clear cut answer but things have changed. You definitely should address a stranger with “Sie” in official situations: For example, when you talk to a shop assistant, a waiter or waitress, etc. In such business situations “Sie” is still an indicator of politeness and respect.
In personal situations you can also say “du” to a stranger, for example at a party. But don’t think so much about that. Most Germans have started to feel uncomfortable when they are addressed with “Sie”. Then they will offer you the “du”.
Sandra
Jass:
I just want to know if there is a rule about it. For me direct/indirect speech is not working. Should i just memorize the verbs with accusative and verbs with dative? What will happen then when i learn a new word? I mean that list is a never-ending one that no one has explained yet.
For example, you say “ich frage dich” (i ask you), on the other hand you say “ich antworte dir” (i answer you). My mind tells me both should be with dative, but sure it is wrong. I guess there is a rule behind.
For example i know there is rule when it comes to body. You say, for example, “ich dusche mich” (i have shower) because you are washing your whole body. On the other hand, you say, “ich wasche mir die Hände” (i wash my hands) or “ich putze mir die Zähne” (i brush my teeth) because you are washing/cleaning a part of your body. That makes sense, it is not written anywhere, i learned it from my teacher. Just please give me something like that.
Sandra:
@Jass Hi Jass,
The only hints I can give are to check which grammar case a verb or a preposition requires. And when you learn a new word: Don’t worry so much. Germans will also understand you when you use the dative instead of the accusative and vice versa.
I know, this is probably not the answer you wished for but language is illogical from time to time and there aren’t rules for everything.
I guess, the only way to soak up the right forms is to read and to listen to as many German as you can.
Good luck,
Sandra 🙂
Jessica:
@Sandra @Jass
Our teacher in high-school had us memorize the words this way:
To the tune of The Blue Danube… (Dative Prepositions)
Aus Ausser Bei Mit, Nach Seit, Von Zu, Gegenuber
(Gegenuber is a bit out of beat but you can make it work!)
And to the tune of ABC’s (Two Way Prepositions)
An auf hinter in neben, uber, unter, von zwischen
Accusative Prepostions we just memorized to the beat: Bis durch fur gegen ohne um entlang
Hope this helps!
Zara:
Merci pour l’explication, j’aimerai bien que se soit en français aussi, car ya des personnes qui comprennent pas bien englisch .
Wielen danke
Tedd:
thank you, this actually explains alot, not just about “mir/dir” v. “mich/dich”, but also about dativ v. akusativ (something with which i have been struggling). for the others reading here,.. just engage as much as you can with other people, most of the time germans will understand you and are more than happy to correct you (seriously, germans love correcting people, they live to correct falshoods i think 😉 ) especially if they see you are trying to learn and understand it.
Yousef:
Dear Sir, Thank you for this explains. It is simple and clear. I wish I would see more examples about the same points.
Thanks alot
Shinde:
Danke!
Franklin:
Hi there! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.
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I am completely new to blogging but I do write in my journal on a daily basis.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and feelings online.
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Sten:
@Franklin Hey!
Great idea. Just be consistent with posting, and keep that up. THAT is the most important!
Anand Advani:
its Vergiess oder Vergiss
Jasline:
Er war wirblich hilfreich ….danke schon☺️
Gregor Hughes:
Thanks Sandra!
Bibi:
Vergiess mich nicht. => Vergiss mich nicht, oder?
John:
Thank you so much for this simple explanation! This has been so confusing for me and really helped clear things up.
Walter Lombardi.:
Hi. I need make a difficult traslation of a verses from german to english. They from a Middle Ages german poet. The verses are:
Dô ich dich [Vrô Werlt] gesach rehte under ougen,
dô was dîn echoene an zu schounwen wünneclîch al sunder lougen:
doch was der schanden alse vil,
dô ich dîn hinden wart gewar,
daz ich dich iemer schelten wil.
Can you help me? I know spanish, french, english, some portuguese, but my german is poor, and worth if middle age german. Thank you a lot for your time.
Kaye:
can “mich/dich” be used with the verb “treffen”. Many thanks! 😀