Was ist Akkusativ? | German accusative explained | YourGermanTeacher

Summary

In this German grammar lesson, Lucy explains the accusative case (Akkusativ), which is used for the direct object in sentences. The video covers how to use accusative with specific verbs and articles, highlighting how only masculine nouns change in accusative (from 'der' to 'den' and 'ein' to 'einen'). Examples with masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns are provided, demonstrating the accusative's role in sentence structure. Lucy also discusses word order flexibility in German, where the object can be emphasized by placing it before the subject, unlike English. The lesson is essential for mastering direct objects in German sentences.

Takeaways

• 😀 The accusative case in German is used to mark the direct object in a sentence.
• 😀 The accusative case is the second grammatical case you encounter in German, following the nominative case.
• 😀 A sentence with both a subject and an object will use the nominative for the subject and accusative for the object.
• 😀 The accusative is used after specific verbs like 'sehen' (to see) and also some prepositions, which will be covered in another lesson.
• 😀 In the accusative case, only masculine nouns change their article: 'der' becomes 'den' and 'ein' becomes 'einen'.
• 😀 Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns do not change their articles in the accusative case.
• 😀 For example, in the sentence 'Der Hund sieht den Ball' ('The dog sees the ball'), 'den Ball' is in the accusative.
• 😀 Word order in German is more flexible than in English. You can emphasize the object by placing it at the beginning of the sentence, as long as the conjugated verb stays in second position.
• 😀 Accusative objects are typically direct objects of verbs, and knowing when to use them depends on the verb being used.
• 😀 The lesson emphasizes that practice is essential, especially for masculine nouns where the accusative articles change, such as 'den' and 'einen'.

Q & A

What is the accusative case in German grammar?

The accusative case is used for the direct object in a sentence. It is commonly applied after specific verbs and prepositions in German grammar.

Which nouns or pronouns change in the accusative case?

In the accusative case, only masculine nouns and pronouns change. The articles 'der' and 'ein' become 'den' and 'einen' respectively in the accusative.

Do feminine, neuter, and plural nouns change in the accusative case?

No, feminine, neuter, and plural nouns do not change in the accusative case. The articles remain the same as in the nominative case.

Can you provide an example sentence with the accusative case for masculine nouns?

Sure! An example is 'Der Hund sieht den Ball' (The dog sees the ball). 'Der Hund' is the subject (nominative), and 'den Ball' is the direct object (accusative).

Which verbs typically require the accusative case for their direct objects?

Verbs such as 'sehen' (to see), 'haben' (to have), 'finden' (to find), and 'lieben' (to love) require the accusative case for their direct objects.

How does word order in German differ from English when using the accusative case?

In German, the word order can be flexible due to the case system. The subject and object can often be swapped around without changing the meaning, but the verb must always be in the second position in the sentence.

What happens to articles in the accusative case for masculine nouns?

In the accusative case, masculine articles change. The definite article 'der' becomes 'den', and the indefinite article 'ein' becomes 'einen'.

What does the term 'nominative' refer to in German grammar?

The nominative case refers to the subject of a sentence, which performs the action. It is the basic form of a noun or pronoun in German grammar.

What is the role of prepositions in the accusative case?

Certain prepositions in German require the use of the accusative case for the noun or pronoun that follows them. However, the video focuses mainly on verbs, and prepositions are discussed in a separate lesson.

What is the significance of the verb 'haben' when using the accusative case?

The verb 'haben' (to have) always requires the accusative case for its direct object. For example, 'Ich habe einen Hund' (I have a dog), where 'einen Hund' is the direct object in the accusative.