Accusative preposition (durch)

The Preposition "durch"

In German, the preposition durch ("through") always requires the accusative case. You will use it often to describe movement through a space, like navigating a city or a building.

Remember that in the accusative case, only masculine nouns change their definite article (from der to den). Feminine (die) and neuter (das) articles stay exactly the same.

The train drives through the tunnel.
Der Zug fährt durch den Tunnel.
We are walking through the pedestrian zone.
Wir laufen durch die Fußgängerzone.
This path leads through the gate.
Dieser Weg führt durch das Tor.

Giving Directions

When giving directions or describing a route, you will often pair durch with verbs of motion like führen (to lead) or gehen (to walk).

The way to the exit leads through the hall.
Der Weg zum Ausgang führt durch die Halle.
We wanted to walk through the alley, but it is too narrow.
Wir wollten durch die Gasse gehen, aber sie ist zu eng.
Why did you run through the hallway?
Warum bist du durch den Flur gerannt?