Ich glaube an das Gute im Menschen.

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Breakdown of Ich glaube an das Gute im Menschen.

• der Mensch: the person
• im: in the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
• glauben an: to believe in

Questions & Answers about Ich glaube an das Gute im Menschen.

Why is it an after glaube, and not in or some other preposition?

In German, when you mean “to believe in something” in a more abstract, trusting sense, the normal pattern is:

• an + accusative
  
  • Ich glaube an Gott. – I believe in God.
  • Ich glaube an dich. – I believe in you.
  • Ich glaube an das Gute im Menschen. – I believe in the good in people.

Using in with glauben usually means “to believe that something is located somewhere” or is factually present there:

• Ich glaube, in diesem Haus spukt es. – I think this house is haunted.
• Ich glaube, in der Tasche ist mein Schlüssel. – I think my key is in the bag.

So:

• glauben an + Akk. = believe in (have faith in, trust in)
• glauben, dass / glauben, … = think/believe (that something is the case)

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What case is das Gute in, and why?