Verbs with Fixed Prepositions
Many German verbs pair with a specific preposition, just like in English (e.g., waiting for, talking about). You must memorize the preposition they take and the case that follows it. The verbs in this lesson require the Accusative case.
Looking forward: sich freuen auf
To say you are "looking forward to" something, use the reflexive verb sich freuen with auf. Neuter nouns (das Festival) and feminine nouns (die Band) keep their standard articles in the Accusative case.
| We are looking forward to the festival. | Wir freuen uns auf das Festival. |
| I always look forward to the band. | Ich freue mich immer auf die Band. |
Waiting: warten auf
To "wait for" someone or something, use warten auf. Notice how the masculine article changes in the Accusative case (der becomes den):
| The fans are waiting for the singer. | Die Fans warten auf den Sänger. |
| Are you waiting for the band? | Wartest du auf die Band? |
Thinking: denken an
In English, you think about things, but in German, you think at them! Use denken an to express what is on your mind.
| The singer is thinking about the stage. | Der Sänger denkt an die Bühne. |
| He is thinking about the festival. | Er denkt an das Festival. |
Making plans
When planning, you will often use the modal verb wollen (to want). Remember that modal verbs push the main verb to the very end of the sentence, and the direct object takes the Accusative case.
| We want to visit a big festival. | Wir wollen ein großes Festival besuchen. |
| We want to buy a new tent. | Wir wollen ein neues Zelt kaufen. |
Talking: sprechen über
When discussing a topic, use sprechen über. Like the other fixed prepositions in this lesson, über takes the Accusative case.
| The singer is talking about the music. | Der Sänger spricht über die Musik. |
| We often talk about the concert. | Wir sprechen oft über das Konzert. |