Breakdown of Lass uns die Plattform auf diesem Ast bauen!
wir
we
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
auf
on / to (down/up to a level)
bauen
to build
Questions & Answers about Lass uns die Plattform auf diesem Ast bauen!
How does the grammar for 'Let's build' work in this sentence?
It uses the imperative (command) form of the verb lassen (lass) followed by uns (us). The main action verb (bauen) goes to the very end of the sentence as an infinitive. This structure is the standard way to say 'Let's do something' in German.
Why do we use Lass uns here instead of Lasst uns?
The word lass is the singular informal command form. You use it when you are suggesting the idea to just one person you are on a du basis with. If you were talking to multiple friends, you would use Lasst uns, and if you were speaking formally, you would use Lassen Sie uns.
Why is the phrase auf diesem Ast in the dative case rather than the accusative?
The preposition auf is a two-way preposition. Here it takes the dative case because we are describing the fixed location where the building takes place (answering 'where?'), rather than a directional movement towards a destination (answering 'to where?').
How can I tell the gender of the word Ast from this sentence?