Breakdown of In der Firma arbeiten wir zusammen.
in
in
wir
we
arbeiten
to work
zusammen
together
die Firma
the company
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Questions & Answers about In der Firma arbeiten wir zusammen.
Why is it der Firma and not die Firma?
Because after in with a static location, German uses the dative case. Firma is feminine; the feminine dative singular article is der. If you express motion into the company, you use the accusative: in die Firma.
What explains the word order arbeiten wir after In der Firma?
German main clauses are verb-second (V2). When you put an element like In der Firma in first position, the conjugated verb (arbeiten) must come second, and the subject (wir) follows: In der Firma (slot 1) – arbeiten (slot 2) – wir (slot 3) – zusammen (rest).
Can I say Wir arbeiten zusammen in der Firma instead? Which order is more natural?
Yes. A neutral guideline is time–manner–place, so Wir arbeiten zusammen in der Firma (manner before place) sounds natural. Wir arbeiten in der Firma zusammen is also common, since zusammen often appears toward the end. Fronting In der Firma emphasizes the location.
Why is zusammen at the end?
You can analyze this as the separable verb zusammenarbeiten. In main clauses, separable prefixes go to the end: Wir arbeiten zusammen. In subordinate clauses or infinitives, it stays together: …, dass wir in der Firma zusammenarbeiten. / Wir wollen in der Firma zusammenarbeiten.
Could I write zusammenarbeiten as one word here?
Not in this main-clause finite form. The dictionary form is one word (zusammenarbeiten), but in main clauses the prefix separates: arbeiten … zusammen. It remains one word at the end of subordinate clauses and infinitives.
Is In der Firma wir arbeiten zusammen ever correct?
No. The verb must be in second position in a main clause. If you front In der Firma, the verb must follow immediately: In der Firma arbeiten wir zusammen.
What’s the difference between in der Firma and bei der Firma?
- in der Firma focuses on the location (on the premises/at the office). It can also loosely mean “at work.”
- bei der Firma means “at/for the company” as your employer: Ich arbeite bei Siemens. Both are idiomatic; the emphasis differs.
Do I need the subject pronoun wir, or can German drop it like Spanish?
You need it. German normally requires explicit subject pronouns: Wir arbeiten … You can omit it only in imperatives or very casual ellipses.
Why is Firma capitalized?
All nouns are capitalized in German: die Firma. Pronouns like wir are not capitalized mid‑sentence (except formal Sie).
How do I turn this into a yes/no question?
Move the verb to first position: Arbeiten wir zusammen in der Firma? For a wh-question, front the question word: Wo arbeiten wir zusammen? – In der Firma.
Does the German present here mean “we work” or “we are working”?
Both. German present tense covers simple and continuous meanings; context decides.
Why not im Firma?
im is a contraction of in dem (dative masculine/neuter). Firma is feminine, so you must use in der. Compare: im Büro (because das Büro is neuter).
Are there good synonyms for zusammen here?
- gemeinsam (slightly more formal/neutral): In der Firma arbeiten wir gemeinsam.
- miteinander (emphasizes “with each other”): In der Firma arbeiten wir miteinander. All convey cooperation, with small tone differences.
How can I remember that in can take dative or accusative?
in is a two-way preposition (Wechselpräposition). Use dative for location (wo? where?) and accusative for direction/motion (wohin? to where?): in der Firma (where), in die Firma (to where).