Verbs with Two Objects
Many common actions involve transferring something to someone, such as giving, sending, or showing. These sentences take two objects:
- The direct object (Accusative): The thing being transferred.
- The indirect object (Dative): The recipient.
When both objects are nouns, the Dative noun always precedes the Accusative noun. The recipient stands closer to the verb than the item being given.
| The boss shows the employee the contract. | Der Chef zeigt dem Mitarbeiter den Vertrag. |
| The man gives the employee the report. | Der Mann gibt der Mitarbeiterin den Bericht. |
| The woman sends the child the package. | Die Frau schickt dem Kind das Paket. |
This word order applies to many everyday verbs, like lending, recommending, or writing.
| I lend my friend the car. | Ich leihe meinem Freund das Auto. |
| The waiter recommends the wine to the guest. | Der Kellner empfiehlt dem Gast den Wein. |
| The child writes the grandma a letter. | Das Kind schreibt der Oma einen Brief. |
Separable Prefix Verbs
Some double-object verbs have separable prefixes, like anbieten (to offer). The dative-before-accusative rule remains exactly the same, while the prefix drops to the end of the clause.
| We offer our partner the contract. | Wir bieten unserem Partner den Vertrag an. |
| Do you offer your sister a tea? | Bieten Sie Ihrer Schwester einen Tee an? |
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