Der Teller auf dem Tisch ist schmutzig, deshalb muss ich ihn abwaschen.

The plate on the table is dirty, therefore I have to wash it.

Breakdown of Der Teller auf dem Tisch ist schmutzig, deshalb muss ich ihn abwaschen.

• sein: to be
• dem: the
• ich: I
• der Tisch: the table
• müssen: must
• auf: on
• deshalb: therefore
• der Teller: the plate
• schmutzig: dirty
• abwaschen: to wash up

Questions & Answers about Der Teller auf dem Tisch ist schmutzig, deshalb muss ich ihn abwaschen.

Why is it auf dem Tisch instead of auf den Tisch?

In German, the preposition auf can take either the accusative or dative case. When it indicates movement (e.g., placing something onto a table), it takes the accusative. When it indicates a static location (something is merely on the table), it takes the dative. Here, Der Teller is already on the table, so dem Tisch is correct.

Why is it Der Teller and not something else for "plate"?

Der Teller is simply the standard German word for "plate," and it's a masculine noun. Nouns in German are divided into der (masculine), die (feminine), and das (neuter), and unfortunately, there's often no easy rule for which article a noun takes. You just have to memorize them with the noun.

What function does deshalb serve in this sentence?

Deshalb is a linking word (a conjunctive adverb) that means "therefore," "for that reason," or "that's why." It connects the reason (the plate is dirty) with the consequence (it must be washed).

Why do we say muss instead of müssen?

Muss is the first-person singular form of the modal verb müssen. Because the sentence uses ich (I), we need the singular form:

• Ich muss
• Du musst
• Er/Sie/Es muss

Why do we say ihn when referring to the plate?

In German, der Teller is masculine, so the accusative pronoun is ihn. If the plate were neuter (for instance, das Glas), we would say es instead. The pronoun must match the gender and case of the noun.