🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Accusative Case?

The accusative case marks the direct object of a transitive verb — the noun that receives or experiences the action. In German, the accusative also follows certain prepositions that indicate movement toward a place.

Short answer

The accusative case is the direct object case in German. It answers the question 'Whom?' or 'What?' and identifies what receives the action.

How Accusative Works in Sentences

1
Subject (Nominative)
performs the action
↓
2
Verb
the action itself
↓
3
Object (Accusative)
receives the action

Step-by-step worked examples

Ich sehe den Mann. (I see the man.) — What case is 'Mann'?

den Mann = direct object
The man is what 'I' see
Answer: Accusative case

Sie liebt das Kind. (She loves the child.) — Identify accusative.

das Kind = direct object
The child is what 'she' loves
Answer: Accusative case

Wir besuchen die Stadt. (We visit the city.) — Which word is accusative?

die Stadt = direct object
The city is what 'we' visit
Answer: Accusative case

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which word is accusative in 'Der Junge kickt den Ball'?

Correct answer: D. 'den Ball' is the direct object (what receives the kick) — accusative case.

Q2.What question does accusative answer?

Correct answer: C. Wen? (Whom?) asks for the direct object — the accusative case.

Q3.The accusative case is used for…

Correct answer: C. Accusative marks the direct object — what receives the action.

Q4.In 'Wir lesen ein Buch,' what case is 'Buch'?

Correct answer: B. 'ein Buch' is the direct object (what we read) — accusative case.

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Common mistakes

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Accusative and nominative have the same articles. — Correct: They differ: der (nom) vs. den (acc) for masculine.

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You never use accusative after prepositions. — Correct: Some prepositions take accusative: für, durch, gegen, um, ohne.

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Accusative marks the subject. — Correct: Nominative marks the subject. Accusative marks the direct object.

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Accusative is only for masculine nouns. — Correct: All genders can be accusative; article forms vary.

FAQ

What is accusative case in German?

The case of the direct object — the noun receiving or experiencing the verb's action.

What question does accusative answer?

Wen? (Whom?) or Was? (What?) — it identifies the direct object.

How is accusative used in sentences?

It follows transitive verbs: 'Ich sehe den Mann.' (I see the man.)

Which prepositions take accusative?

für, durch, gegen, um, ohne, and some others that show movement toward.