Two-Way Prepositions
German has a special group of prepositions called "two-way prepositions" (Wechselpräpositionen). Unlike the prepositions you have learned so far, these can take either the Accusative or the Dative case, depending on the context.
Fixed Locations (Wo?)
When a two-way preposition describes a fixed, non-moving location—answering the question "where?" (wo?) with no movement toward a new destination—it always takes the Dative case.
As a quick reminder, here is how definite articles change in the Dative case:
| Gender / Number | Definite Article (Dative) |
|---|---|
| Masculine / Neuter | dem |
| Feminine | der |
| Plural | den (+ add -n to noun) |
German speakers also love to be specific about how something is located. Instead of just saying something "is" somewhere, they often use verbs like stehen (to stand) for upright objects and liegen (to lie) for flat objects.
On and under: auf, unter
auf means "on" or "on top of" (usually a horizontal surface), while unter means "under" or "below". Notice how masculine and neuter nouns change to use dem.
| The computer is standing on the table. | Der Computer steht auf dem Tisch. |
| The suitcase is lying under the bed. | Der Koffer liegt unter dem Bett. |
Next to, in front of, and behind: neben, vor, hinter
These prepositions describe position relative to another object.
| Is there a supermarket next to the hotel? | Gibt es einen Supermarkt neben dem Hotel? |
| The bus stops in front of the train station. | Der Bus hält vor dem Bahnhof. |
| We are playing behind the house. | Wir spielen hinter dem Haus. |
Above, at, between, and in: über, an, zwischen, in
über means "above" or "over" (without necessarily touching).
| The bedroom is above the living room. | Das Schlafzimmer ist über dem Wohnzimmer. |
While auf means "on" a horizontal surface, an is used for "at" or "on" a vertical surface (like a wall). The feminine noun die Wand (the wall) changes to der Wand in the Dative case.
| The picture is on the wall. | Das Bild ist an der Wand. |
zwischen means "between". When describing something between two distinct objects, both take the Dative case.
| The chair is standing between the bed and the wall. | Der Stuhl steht zwischen dem Bett und der Wand. |
Finally, in translates to "in" or "inside".
| Is your ticket in the bag? | Ist dein Ticket in der Tasche? |
