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An accusative object is often the person or thing directly affected by the verb. In ‘Ich sehe den Hund’, ask: whom do I see? The dog.
CASES · A1–A2
Akkusativ: Who or what receives the action?
Learn when a German object takes accusative, which articles change, and why destinations use it after two-way prepositions.
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THE SHORT VERSION
Akkusativ, made clear.
Start with these three ideas. Then test them in real German sentences.
Watch masculine articles
Masculine ‘der’ changes to ‘den’, and ‘ein’ changes to ‘einen’. Feminine ‘die’ and neuter ‘das’ stay the same in the accusative singular.
Notice prepositions
‘Für’, ‘ohne’, ‘durch’, ‘gegen’ and ‘um’ take accusative. With a two-way preposition like ‘in’, a destination (where to?) takes accusative.
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Ich bin im Park. → Where? Dative with ‘in’.
Ich gehe in den Park. → Where to? Accusative with ‘in’.
The destination rule applies to two-way prepositions. ‘Zu’ still takes dative: Ich gehe zum Park.A CLOSER LOOK
Recognize the accusative trigger
The accusative often marks a direct object, but certain prepositions always require it. With two-way prepositions, a destination uses accusative.
Article change
| Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
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In these definite-article forms, only masculine singular changes. With an indefinite article, ein Mann becomes einen Mann.
Three common triggers
Direct object: “Ich sehe den Hund.” Fixed accusative preposition: “Das Geschenk ist für den Hund.” Two-way preposition with a destination: “Ich gehe in den Park.” Compare “Ich bin im Park” for location.
Try this: A verb can describe movement while a two-way preposition still names a location: “Ich laufe im Park.”
For a fuller reference, see the Goethe-Institut German grammar overview ↗.
YOUR AKKUSATIV CHALLENGE
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Akkusativ, without the confusion.
What is Akkusativ?
Akkusativ is the German accusative case. It often marks a direct object: ‘Ich sehe den Hund’ means ‘I see the dog’.
Which articles change?
In the singular, masculine der becomes den and ein becomes einen. Feminine die and neuter das keep their forms.
When does ‘in’ take accusative?
Use accusative when ‘in’ points to a destination: ‘Ich gehe in den Park.’ Use dative for a location: ‘Ich bin im Park.’