Breakdown of Das Dorf ist auf den Bus angewiesen.
der Bus
the bus
das Dorf
the village
angewiesen sein auf
to be dependent on
Questions & Answers about Das Dorf ist auf den Bus angewiesen.
Why does this sentence use the accusative auf den Bus instead of the dative?
The expression angewiesen sein (to be dependent) is always paired with the preposition auf plus the accusative case. While auf is a two-way preposition that can sometimes take the dative, when it is used in a fixed, abstract combination with a verb or adjective like this one, it almost always takes the accusative.
How is angewiesen auf different from abhängig von?
Both translate to "dependent on," but they have slightly different nuances. Angewiesen sein auf implies a practical reliance or need—the village needs the bus because there are no other transport options. Abhängig sein von often implies a deeper lack of freedom, subordination, or even an addiction.
Does the word angewiesen come from a verb?
Yes, it functions as an adjective here, but it is the past participle of the verb anweisen, which means to instruct, direct, or assign. You can think of the logic like this: if you have been "directed" to use a specific resource because nothing else is available, you are reliant or dependent on it.
Could I say Das Dorf verlässt sich auf den Bus to mean the same thing?
They are very close, but the focus is slightly different. Sich verlassen auf means "to rely on" in the sense of trust (the village trusts that the bus will arrive). Angewiesen sein auf emphasizes strict necessity and a lack of alternatives (the village has no choice but to use the bus).
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