Vor dem hohen Gebäude steigen wir aus dem Taxi.
In front of the tall building we get out of the taxi.
Breakdown of Vor dem hohen Gebäude steigen wir aus dem Taxi.
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
wir
we
vor
in front of
hoch
tall
das Taxi
the taxi
das Gebäude
the building
aussteigen
to get out
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Questions & Answers about Vor dem hohen Gebäude steigen wir aus dem Taxi.
Why is dem used in vor dem hohen Gebäude, instead of den or das?
Because vor is a two‐way preposition. When it indicates location (“where?”), it takes the dative. Gebäude is neuter, so its dative singular article is dem. Hence vor dem Gebäude.
Why does hohen end with -en?
After a definite article in the dative (dem), adjectives follow the weak declension pattern, which requires -en. So dem hohen Gebäude.
When would you use the accusative with vor instead of dative?
Use accusative with vor when you describe movement toward a point:
• Wir fahren vor das hohe Gebäude. (We drive up to the front of the tall building.)
Here, however, you describe location (we get out in front of it), so you use the dative.
Why does the verb steigen come before wir in this sentence?
In German main clauses the conjugated verb must occupy the second position. If you start with an adverbial phrase (here Vor dem hohen Gebäude is position 1), the verb follows in position 2, then the subject comes in position 3.
What is the actual verb in this sentence? Why not use the separable verb aussteigen?
The verb here is steigen (to step). Aus dem Taxi is a prepositional phrase showing from where we step. You could also use the separable verb aussteigen and say:
Wir steigen aus dem Taxi aus.
But it’s equally correct to say aus dem Taxi steigen without adding the separable prefix at the end.
Is a comma needed after Gebäude?
No. Simple introductory prepositional phrases do not require a comma in German. Commas appear with subordinate clauses, lists, or parenthetical inserts—not after a lone PP.
Could you put wir at the beginning instead of Vor dem hohen Gebäude?
Yes. You could say:
Wir steigen vor dem hohen Gebäude aus dem Taxi.
The meaning stays the same, but by starting with wir you shift the slight emphasis onto the subject. The verb still remains in second position.
Why are Gebäude and Taxi capitalized?
All German nouns are capitalized, regardless of their position in a sentence. That’s why you see Gebäude and Taxi with initial capitals.