German Dative Verbs

Overview

A German dative verb is one that normally takes an object in the dative case—usually without any other object. Yes, there are more lists to memorize, but the concept is a very simple one to master...

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June 28, 2023

Stephen Sovenyhazy

In German there are a number of verbs that require dative case objects (typically pronouns). These verbs do not need accusative objects. Here is a partial list of such verbs:

Beispiele:

Ich danke dir! I thank you!

Eine Lampe fehlt mir im Wohnzimmer. I am missing a lamp in my living room.

Die neue Wohnung gefällt uns. We like the new apartment.

Sein Arm tut ihm weh. His arm hurts.

Die Bluse steht ihr gut. The blouse suits her well / looks good on her.

Sie sind ihnen im Fussballstadion begegnet. They ran into them at the soccer stadium.

Herr Krauss, ich stimme Ihnen zu! Mr. Krauss, I agree with you!

Highlighted Author:

Stephen Sovenyhazy

Stephen is the President of CORE Languages having founded the company in 2007. His focus is on empowering those with a need for community, culture and communication. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. A quote from Stephen. "When I started teaching, I sought to bring that same energy, dedication, and sense of purpose into my own classrooms. I founded CORE Languages to expand that vision, seeing the growing need for language training options designed to meet the unique needs of business environments. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. It’s a privilege to do what we do and share what we love with you.”

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Additional Topics

German Accusative and Dative Prepositions

Soccer player in action on the soccer stadium

German Review of all Tenses

German Idioms

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.

Spoken Production:

I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.

Spoken Interaction:

I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

Reading:

I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.

Listening:

I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.