Questions & Answers about Wir füllen die Flasche mit Wasser.
What case is “die Flasche,” and why is it “die” here?
It’s accusative, because the bottle is the direct object of the action. “Flasche” is feminine, and the feminine article is “die” in both nominative and accusative singular. Dative would be “der Flasche,” and genitive “der Flasche.”
What case does “mit” take in “mit Wasser”?
Why is there no article before “Wasser”?
Because “Wasser” is a mass/uncountable noun; German often omits the article for substances in a generic sense: “mit Wasser.” Use an article when referring to specific water (“mit dem Wasser aus dem Hahn”) or add “etwas” for “some”: “mit etwas Wasser.”
Can I also say “Wir füllen Wasser in die Flasche,” and is there a difference?
Yes.
- “Wir füllen die Flasche mit Wasser” focuses on the container being filled (container as object).
- “Wir füllen Wasser in die Flasche” focuses on moving the liquid into the container (content as object). With “in,” use accusative for motion: “in die Flasche.”
Where can “mit Wasser” go in the sentence?
Default and most natural: “Wir füllen die Flasche mit Wasser.” You can front it for emphasis: “Mit Wasser füllen wir die Flasche.” Placing it before the object (“Wir füllen mit Wasser die Flasche”) is possible but marked and less natural unless you’re contrasting the means/content.