Chapter 16: Verbs with Dativ
Grammar Section: Verbs with Dativ (Verben mit Dativ)
Introduction
In German, certain verbs require their objects to be in the dative case. These verbs are known as dative verbs (Verben mit Dativ). Understanding which verbs govern the dative case is crucial because it affects how you form sentences and choose the correct pronouns and articles.
Why is this important?
- Correct use of cases is fundamental in German grammar.
- Using the wrong case can change the meaning or make a sentence incorrect.
- Many common verbs always take a dative object, so mastering these will improve your fluency and comprehension.
What is the Dative Case?
The dative case typically marks the indirect object of a sentence — the person or thing receiving the benefit or harm of the action.
Example:
Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch.
(I give the man the book.)
- dem Mann is in dative because he is the indirect object — the recipient of the book.
List of Common Verbs with Dativ
Here are some frequently used verbs that always require a dative object:
| German Verb | English Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| helfen | to help | Ich helfe dem Freund. (I help the friend.) |
| danken | to thank | Wir danken der Lehrerin. (We thank the teacher.) |
| gefallen | to please / to like | Das Buch gefällt mir. (I like the book.) |
| gehören | to belong to | Das Auto gehört dem Mann. (The car belongs to the man.) |
| passen | to fit | Der Mantel passt dir nicht. (The coat doesn’t fit you.) |
| glauben | to believe | Ich glaube dir. (I believe you.) |
| folgen | to follow | Der Hund folgt dem Kind. (The dog follows the child.) |
| antworten | to answer | Sie antwortet dem Lehrer. (She answers the teacher.) |
| schmecken | to taste (be pleasing) | Das Essen schmeckt uns. (The food tastes good to us.) |
| vertrauen | to trust | Er vertraut seiner Freundin. (He trusts his girlfriend.) |
| begegnen | to meet (by chance) | Ich begegne dem Nachbarn oft. (I often meet the neighbor.) |
| fehlen | to be missing / to lack | Du fehlst mir. (I miss you.) |
Sentence Structure with Dative Verbs
Most sentences with dative verbs have this typical structure:
Subject + verb + dative object (+ accusative object)
Examples:
- Ich helfe dem Mann. (I help the man.) — only dative object
- Er gibt dem Kind das Buch. (He gives the child the book.) — dative + accusative
- Das Geschenk gefällt ihr. (She likes the gift.) — dative pronoun as indirect object
Pronouns in the Dative Case
| Person | Nominative | Dative |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ich | mir |
| du | du | dir |
| er | er | ihm |
| sie (she) | sie | ihr |
| es | es | ihm |
| wir | wir | uns |
| ihr | ihr | euch |
| sie (they) | sie | ihnen |
| Sie (formal) | Sie | Ihnen |
Example:
Kannst du mir helfen? (Can you help me?)
Important Notes
- Some verbs have different meanings depending on whether they take accusative or dative objects.
Example:- Ich sehe den Mann. (accusative — I see the man.)
- Ich glaube dem Mann. (dative — I believe the man.)
- Dative verbs often express feelings, possession, or relationships.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing accusative and dative pronouns.
- Using the wrong article for dative objects (e.g., der instead of dem).
- Forgetting that certain verbs always require dative objects.
Practice Sentences
Translate into German, paying attention to the dative objects:
- I thank the teacher.
- The gift pleases her.
- He helps the woman.
- The dog follows the child.
- I believe you (informal).
Summary
- Dative verbs require their indirect object in the dative case.
- Learn the common verbs that always take dative objects.
- Remember dative pronouns and articles for correct sentence construction.
- Practice by identifying dative objects in sentences.
Exercises, Dialogues & Vocabulary
Vocabulary: Common Verbs with Dative & Example Sentences
| Verb | Meaning | Example Sentence (German) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| helfen | to help | Ich helfe dem Mann. | I help the man. |
| danken | to thank | Wir danken der Lehrerin. | We thank the teacher. |
| gefallen | to please / like | Das Buch gefällt mir. | I like the book. |
| gehören | to belong to | Das Auto gehört dem Freund. | The car belongs to the friend. |
| passen | to fit | Die Schuhe passen dir gut. | The shoes fit you well. |
| glauben | to believe | Ich glaube dir. | I believe you. |
| folgen | to follow | Der Hund folgt dem Kind. | The dog follows the child. |
| antworten | to answer | Sie antwortet dem Lehrer. | She answers the teacher. |
| schmecken | to taste (good) | Das Essen schmeckt uns. | The food tastes good to us. |
| vertrauen | to trust | Er vertraut seiner Freundin. | He trusts his girlfriend. |
| fehlen | to miss | Du fehlst mir. | I miss you. |
Dialogue Practice: Using Dative Verbs
Dialogue 1: At the Restaurant
- Kellner: Guten Tag! Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
- Gast: Guten Tag! Können Sie mir bitte die Speisekarte geben?
- Kellner: Natürlich! Hier ist die Karte. Gefällt Ihnen das Menü?
- Gast: Ja, das Essen schmeckt mir immer sehr gut hier. Danke!
Dialogue 2: Asking for Help
- Anna: Kannst du mir helfen? Ich finde meine Schlüssel nicht.
- Ben: Natürlich! Ich glaube, sie gehören dir.
- Anna: Danke! Du bist sehr nett. Ich danke dir.
Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct dative form of the noun/pronoun:
a) Ich helfe _______ (der Mann).
b) Das Buch gef ällt _______ (ich).
c) Er gibt _______ (die Frau) die Blumen.
d) Die Schuhe passen _______ (du) nicht.
e) Wir danken _______ (die Lehrer).
2. Translate the sentences into German:
a) I thank the doctor.
b) The gift pleases her.
c) He helps the children.
d) The food tastes good to us.
e) She answers the question.
3. Sentence building: Rearrange the words into a correct sentence
a) helfe / ich / dem Freund / heute / .
b) dem Kind / antwortet / der Lehrer / schnell / .
c) passt / dir / die Jacke / nicht / .
d) schmeckt / das Essen / uns / sehr / .
e) ich / glaube / dir / immer / .
Flashcards: Question-Answer Pairs
Q: Which case do dative verbs govern?
A: The dative case.
Q: How do you say "I help the man" in German?
A: Ich helfe dem Mann.
Q: What is the dative pronoun for "you" (informal singular)?
A: dir
Q: Translate: "The shoes fit you."
A: Die Schuhe passen dir.
Q: Which verb means "to thank"?
A: danken
Workbook Summary & Practice
- Key Point: Dative verbs require their indirect object in dative case.
- Practice: Identify dative objects in texts or conversations.
- Try: Write 5 sentences using different dative verbs from the list.
Speaking Practice Tips
- Practice dialogues aloud focusing on the dative object pronouns (mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen).
- Use role plays where one person asks for help or thanks another (using helfen, danken).
- Record yourself explaining what things belong to whom using gehören and dative articles.
Multimedia Resources
- YouTube: Learn German with Jenny — Search for "German dative verbs explained"
- Podcast: Coffee Break German — Episodes covering German cases and dative verbs
- Website: mein-deutschbuch.de — Detailed grammar explanations & exercises on dative verbs
This section helps you master the use of verbs with dative objects. Practice regularly to build confidence in everyday conversation and writing.