Breakdown of Ich sehe das Dokument auf dem Bildschirm.
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
ich
I
sehen
to see
auf
on
das Dokument
the document
der Bildschirm
the screen
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Questions & Answers about Ich sehe das Dokument auf dem Bildschirm.
Why is das Dokument in the accusative case, and how do I recognize it?
In German, sehen is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, which must be in the accusative. You identify the direct object by asking “what?” after the verb (Ich sehe what? → the document). For neuter nouns like Dokument, the definite article is das in both nominative and accusative, so it stays das Dokument here.
Why is it auf dem Bildschirm instead of auf den Bildschirm?
The preposition auf is one of the two-way (“Wechsel-”) prepositions that use dative for location (answering “wo?”) and accusative for movement (answering “wohin?”). Since you’re stating where something is seen (static location), you use the dative: dem Bildschirm (the dative form of der Bildschirm).
If you were placing something onto the screen (movement toward), you would say auf den Bildschirm.
Can I use an dem Bildschirm instead of auf dem Bildschirm?
Although an can also mean “at/on,” German speakers conventionally say auf dem Bildschirm when referring to what’s displayed on a screen. Using an dem Bildschirm here would sound unusual. Stick with auf dem Bildschirm for “on the screen.”
How would I say “I see a document on the screen” instead of “the document”?
Replace the definite article das with the indefinite article ein (neuter accusative):
Ich sehe ein Dokument auf dem Bildschirm.
Why are Dokument and Bildschirm capitalized?
In German, every noun is always capitalized, no matter where it appears in a sentence. That’s why you see Dokument and Bildschirm with initial capitals.
Can I move auf dem Bildschirm to the beginning of the sentence?
Yes. German allows you to place an adverbial or prepositional phrase at the front for emphasis. The finite verb remains second. You get:
Auf dem Bildschirm sehe ich das Dokument.
What’s the difference between ich sehe das Dokument and ich sehe mir das Dokument an?
- Ich sehe das Dokument means “I see the document” (simple perception).
- Ich sehe mir das Dokument an uses the separable verb ansehen (“to look at”), implying you’re actively examining or inspecting the document.
How do I pronounce Dokument and Bildschirm?
- Dokument: doh‑koo‑MENT (stress on the last syllable)
- Bildschirm: BILD‑shirm, with the “ch” pronounced softly (like the “ich”‑Laut: [ɪç]).