175 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
175 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Two-Way Prepositions - German for English SpeakersGerman for English Speakers"
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source: "https://germanforenglishspeakers.com/prepositions/two-way-prepositions"
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crawled: "2026-06-30"
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---
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# Two-Way Prepositions - German for English SpeakersGerman for English Speakers
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# Two-Way Prepositions
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The following two-way prepositions are called _Wechselpräpositionen_ in German (from the verb _wechseln,_ to change). They’re accusative when they express motion/direction, and dative when they express only location:
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I put the book **on** the table.
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ACC
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The book is **on** the table.
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DAT
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**English
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equivalent(s)**
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**Sample usage and notes**
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an
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at, on
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Setz dich an den Tisch. \[ACC\]
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Sit down at the table.
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ein Bild an die Wand hängen \[ACC\]
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to hang a picture on the wall
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Das Bild hängt an der Wand. \[DAT\]
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The picture hangs (is hanging) on the wall.
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auf
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on, up
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auf den Berg steigen \[ACC\]
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to climb up the mountain
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eine Vase auf den Tisch stellen \[ACC\]
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to set a vase down on the table
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Die Vase steht auf dem Tisch. \[DAT\]
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The vase is (standing) on the table.
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**_an_ vs. _auf_:** The word _auf_ implies a position on top of something;
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_an_ is more like "beside" or suspended from.
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hinter
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behind
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ein Blick hinter die Kulissen \[ACC\]
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a glimpse behind the scenes
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Was passiert hinter den Kulissen? \[DAT\]
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What's happening behind the scenes?
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in
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into, to \[ACC\]
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in \[DAT\]
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Die Kinder gehen in die Schule. \[ACC\]
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The kids are going to school.
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Was hast du in der Schule gelernt? \[DAT\]
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What did you learn in school?
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neben
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next to (_not_ just near)
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Komm, setz dich neben mich. \[ACC\]
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Come sit down next to me.
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Der Platz neben mir ist frei. \[DAT\]
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The seat next to me is free.
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über
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over, above
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Der Zug fuhr über die Brücke. \[ACC\]
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The train went over the bridge.
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Die Sonne hing über dem Meer \[DAT\]
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The sun hung over the sea.
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about
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Wir redeten über den Film. \[ACC\]
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We talked about the movie.
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unter
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under, below
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Schau unters Bett vorm Schlafengehen \[ACC\]
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Look under the bed before going to sleep.
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Ein Monster versteckt sich unterm Bett. \[DAT\]
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A monster is hiding under the bed.
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among
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ein Schaf unter Wölfen \[DAT\]
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a sheep among wolves
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_unter anderem (u.a.)_ \[DAT\]
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among other things / _inter alia_
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vor
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in front of
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_Ich stellte mich vors Mikro(fon)._ \[ACC\]
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I went up to the microphone.
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_Der Tisch steht vor dem Fenster._ \[DAT\]
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The table is in front of the window.
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of
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_Angst vor Höhe_ \[DAT\]
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fear of heights
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before
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_Ich muss es vorm Wochenende machen_ \[DAT\]
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I have to do it before the weekend.
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zwischen
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between
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_etwas zwischen die Finger bekommen_ \[ACC\]
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to get a hold of something
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(literally, between one's fingers)
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_zwischen den Jahren_ \[DAT\]
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between the years
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(German expression for the time between Christmas and New Year’s)
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[Continue to next section >>](/prepositions/genitive-prepositions.md)
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