Log inSign up

Vor dem hohen Gebäude steigen wir aus dem Taxi.

Vor dem hohen Gebäude steigen wir aus dem Taxi.
In front of the tall building we get out of the taxi.
FromLesson 22inHardcore German
……

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.

More from this lesson

die Ampellosfahrendas TaxiSobald die Ampel grün wird, fährt das Taxi los.das GebäudeaussteigenrenovierenIch renoviere heute die Küche.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“How do German cases work?”
German has four grammatical cases: nominative (subject), accusative (direct object), dative (indirect object), and genitive (possession). The case determines the form of articles and adjectives. For example, "the dog" is "der Hund" as a subject but "den Hund" as a direct object.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning German

Master German — from Vor dem hohen Gebäude steigen wir aus dem Taxi to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning German freeBrowse the full course