What is the Dative Case?
What is the Dative Case?
The dative case is mainly used for the indirect object — a person or thing to whom or to which something is done.
In this sentence, "der Frau" (the woman) is the indirect object — she receives the book.
← From Previous (Chapter 12)
← From Previous (Chapter 12)
The Accusative Case is used for direct objects — the thing being acted upon directly.
Now you've learned that the dative case is for indirect objects — the recipient of the action.
Example: "Ich gebe dem Mann den Apfel" — "den Apfel" (accusative) is what you give, "dem Mann" (dative) is who receives it.
→ Coming Next (Chapter 14)
The Genitive Case — used to show possession or relationships between nouns.
You'll learn how to say "the man's car" or "the book's cover" using the genitive case.
Preview: das Auto des Mannes (the man's car)