Akkusativ

The direct object case. Ask: Wen? (whom?) or Was? (what?). Only the masculine article changes from Nominativ.

Definite & Indefinite Articles

Key Rule

Only masculine singular changes in Akkusativ. Feminine, neuter, and plural stay the same as Nominativ.

Akkusativ Prepositions

Always Akkusativ: durch, für, gegen, ohne, um, bis, entlang — see Akkusativ-Präpositionen for the full table with meanings and examples.

Wohin? — Direction with Two-Way Prepositions

Wohin? (Where to?) signals direction or movement. When a two-way preposition (in, an, auf, über, unter, vor, hinter, neben, zwischen) expresses movement toward something, it takes Akkusativ:

• Ich gehe in den Park. (direction → Akkusativ)
• Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch. (movement onto → Akkusativ)

For location (where something is), these prepositions take Dativ. See Wechselpräpositionen.

With Modal Verbs

The direct object of an infinitive after a modal verb is still Akkusativ:

• Ich möchte einen Kaffee. (einen = masculine Akkusativ)
• Kannst du das Auto sehen? (das Auto = neuter Akkusativ)
• Er will seinen Bruder besuchen.

Common Mistakes

Examples