Kasus (cases):
Why we need cases in Deutsch?
The word order in English matters; if we do not follow the order, it can change the whole meaning of the sentence. In Deutsch, word order is much more flexible. For example, verbs might jump to the end of the German sentence, or you might see three nouns sitting right next to each other in the middle of a German sentence. That is why cases are critical in Deutsch.
To understand the cases, you have to understand the different parts of a sentence.
Subject – who/what does the action
Verb – the action
Direct object – who/what is being affected by the action.
Indirect object – who/what is passively receiving the action or just hanging out in the sentence
In German, there are 4 cases.
- Nominativ
- Akkusativ
- Dativ
- Genitiv
In A1 we will learn only the first 3 cases.
The subject of a sentence is always Nominativ.
I am a boy N
Ich bin ein Junge
Subject : I - > Ich -> Nominativ
The apple is red.
Apple – der Apfel
Der Apfel ist rot.
Subjekt -> der Apfel-> Nominativ
Akkusativ: ->Conveys the direct object in a sentence, person or animal or object being affected by an action carried out by subject in a sentence. Or
-> when there is a movement (change in location). Or
->Akkusativ preposition. Or
-> Akkusativ Verbs.
z:B:
I am eating salad.
Ich esse den Salat. (der Salat -> den Salat)
den Salat is a direct object, that's why it is in Akkusativ case.
Dativ : -> Indirect object in a sentence. Or
->Existing things. Or
-> when there is no movement. Or
-> Dativ prepositions. Or
->Dativ Verbs
The teacher is explaining the grammar to the students.
z:B:
Der Lehrer erklärt den Studenten die Grammatik
Nominativ-> Der Lehrer(subject)
Akkusativ->die Grammatik(direct object)
Dativ - > den Studenten (indirect person)