Appearance
Contractions
Preposition + article fused into one word — im, ins, zum, zur, vom, beim, and more.
What are Verschmelzungen?
In spoken and written German, certain prepositions fuse with the definite article into a single word. These fused forms are called Verschmelzungen (contractions).
You MUST use contractions in most cases. Saying "in dem Kino" instead of "im Kino" sounds unnatural and overly formal to German ears. Native speakers almost always use the contracted form.
Contractions only happen with the definite articles dem, das, and der (Dativ feminin). They do NOT happen with ein/eine/einen/einem or with possessives (mein, dein, etc.).
Here is the key insight: the contraction tells you which case is being used. If the contraction ends in -m (im, am, zum, vom, beim), it comes from dem = Dativ. If it ends in -s (ins, ans, aufs, ums), it comes from das = Akkusativ. If it ends in -r (zur), it comes from der = Dativ feminin. Once you can decode the contraction, you know the case automatically.
There are 10 common contractions to learn:
Dativ (6): im, am, zum, zur, vom, beim
Akkusativ (4): ins, ans, aufs, ums
You MUST use contractions in most cases. Saying "in dem Kino" instead of "im Kino" sounds unnatural and overly formal to German ears. Native speakers almost always use the contracted form.
Contractions only happen with the definite articles dem, das, and der (Dativ feminin). They do NOT happen with ein/eine/einen/einem or with possessives (mein, dein, etc.).
Here is the key insight: the contraction tells you which case is being used. If the contraction ends in -m (im, am, zum, vom, beim), it comes from dem = Dativ. If it ends in -s (ins, ans, aufs, ums), it comes from das = Akkusativ. If it ends in -r (zur), it comes from der = Dativ feminin. Once you can decode the contraction, you know the case automatically.
There are 10 common contractions to learn:
Dativ (6): im, am, zum, zur, vom, beim
Akkusativ (4): ins, ans, aufs, ums
Dativ Contractions
These are the most common contractions in German. They all involve dem (maskulin/neutrum Dativ) or der (feminin Dativ) fusing with a preposition. Since they come from Dativ articles, they signal location (Wo?), or follow prepositions that always take Dativ (zu, von, bei).
im = in + dem (maskulin/neutrum Dativ)
Ich bin im Haus.
I am in the house.
im = in + dem · das Haus (neutrum) = house · sein = to be. Dativ because you are IN the house (location, Wo?). in + dem → im.
Wir kaufen im Supermarkt ein.
We shop at the supermarket.
im = in + dem · der Supermarkt (maskulin) = supermarket · einkaufen = to shop. Dativ because you are inside the supermarket (location, Wo?). in + dem → im.
Das Kind schläft im Bett.
The child sleeps in the bed.
im = in + dem · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · schlafen = to sleep. Dativ because the child is IN the bed (location, Wo?). in + dem → im.
Er arbeitet im Büro.
He works in the office.
im = in + dem · das Büro (neutrum) = office · arbeiten = to work. Dativ because he is inside the office (location, Wo?). in + dem → im.
am = an + dem (maskulin/neutrum Dativ)
Ich komme am Montag.
I'm coming on Monday.
am = an + dem · der Montag (maskulin) = Monday · kommen = to come. Dativ because "an" with days of the week is a fixed expression. an + dem → am.
Wir treffen uns am Bahnhof.
We meet at the train station.
am = an + dem · der Bahnhof (maskulin) = train station · sich treffen = to meet. Dativ because you are AT the station (location, Wo?). an + dem → am.
Er steht am Fenster.
He stands at the window.
am = an + dem · das Fenster (neutrum) = window · stehen = to stand. Dativ because he is AT the window (location, Wo?). an + dem → am.
Wir essen am Meer.
We eat at the sea.
am = an + dem · das Meer (neutrum) = sea · essen = to eat. Dativ because you are AT the sea (location, Wo?). an + dem → am.
zum = zu + dem (maskulin/neutrum Dativ)
Ich gehe zum Arzt.
I'm going to the doctor.
zum = zu + dem · der Arzt (maskulin) = doctor · gehen = to go. "Zu" always takes Dativ. zu + dem → zum.
Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?
How do I get to the train station?
zum = zu + dem · der Bahnhof (maskulin) = train station · kommen = to come/get to. "Zu" always takes Dativ. zu + dem → zum.
Was gibt es zum Frühstück?
What is there for breakfast?
zum = zu + dem · das Frühstück (neutrum) = breakfast · geben = to give. "Zu" always takes Dativ. zu + dem → zum.
Wir fahren zum Krankenhaus.
We drive to the hospital.
zum = zu + dem · das Krankenhaus (neutrum) = hospital · fahren = to drive. "Zu" always takes Dativ. zu + dem → zum.
zur = zu + der (feminin Dativ)
Die Kinder gehen zur Schule.
The children go to school.
zur = zu + der · die Schule (feminin) = school · gehen = to go. "Zu" always takes Dativ: die → der. zu + der → zur.
Ich fahre zur Arbeit.
I drive to work.
zur = zu + der · die Arbeit (feminin) = work · fahren = to drive. "Zu" always takes Dativ: die → der. zu + der → zur.
Er geht zur Apotheke.
He goes to the pharmacy.
zur = zu + der · die Apotheke (feminin) = pharmacy · gehen = to go. "Zu" always takes Dativ: die → der. zu + der → zur.
Wir gehen zur Haltestelle.
We go to the bus stop.
zur = zu + der · die Haltestelle (feminin) = bus stop · gehen = to go. "Zu" always takes Dativ: die → der. zu + der → zur.
vom = von + dem (maskulin/neutrum Dativ)
Ich komme vom Arzt.
I'm coming from the doctor.
vom = von + dem · der Arzt (maskulin) = doctor · kommen = to come. "Von" always takes Dativ. von + dem → vom.
Der Zug fährt vom Bahnhof ab.
The train departs from the train station.
vom = von + dem · der Bahnhof (maskulin) = train station · abfahren = to depart. "Von" always takes Dativ. von + dem → vom.
Wir kommen vom Essen.
We are coming from eating / from the meal.
vom = von + dem · das Essen (neutrum) = food/meal · kommen = to come. "Von" always takes Dativ. von + dem → vom.
Das Geschenk ist vom Vater.
The gift is from the father.
vom = von + dem · der Vater (maskulin) = father · sein = to be. "Von" always takes Dativ. von + dem → vom.
beim = bei + dem (maskulin/neutrum Dativ)
Wir reden beim Essen.
We talk during the meal / while eating.
beim = bei + dem · das Essen (neutrum) = food/eating · reden = to talk. "Bei" always takes Dativ. bei + dem → beim. "Beim + verb-as-noun" means "while doing something."
Ich bin beim Arzt.
I am at the doctor's.
beim = bei + dem · der Arzt (maskulin) = doctor · sein = to be. "Bei" always takes Dativ. bei + dem → beim.
Sie hilft mir beim Lernen.
She helps me with studying / while studying.
beim = bei + dem · das Lernen (neutrum) = studying/learning · helfen = to help. "Bei" always takes Dativ. bei + dem → beim. "Beim Lernen" = while learning.
Er ist beim Kochen.
He is cooking (in the middle of cooking).
beim = bei + dem · das Kochen (neutrum) = cooking · sein = to be. "Bei" always takes Dativ. bei + dem → beim. "Beim Kochen" = in the process of cooking.
Akkusativ Contractions
These contractions are fewer but still very common. They all involve das (neutrum Akkusativ) fusing with a preposition. Since they come from Akkusativ, they signal direction (Wohin?) — movement toward or into something.
ins = in + das (neutrum Akkusativ)
Ich gehe ins Kino.
I'm going to the cinema.
ins = in + das · das Kino (neutrum) = cinema · gehen = to go. Akkusativ because you are going INTO the cinema (direction, Wohin?). in + das → ins.
Das Kind geht ins Bett.
The child goes to bed.
ins = in + das · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · gehen = to go. Akkusativ because the child is getting INTO bed (direction, Wohin?). in + das → ins.
Er springt ins Wasser.
He jumps into the water.
ins = in + das · das Wasser (neutrum) = water · springen = to jump. Akkusativ because he jumps INTO the water (direction, Wohin?). in + das → ins.
ans = an + das (neutrum Akkusativ)
Er geht ans Fenster.
He goes to the window.
ans = an + das · das Fenster (neutrum) = window · gehen = to go. Akkusativ because he is walking TO the window (direction, Wohin?). an + das → ans.
Wir fahren ans Meer.
We drive to the sea.
ans = an + das · das Meer (neutrum) = sea · fahren = to drive. Akkusativ because you are going TO the sea (direction, Wohin?). an + das → ans.
Sie hängt das Bild ans Regal.
She hangs the picture on the shelf.
ans = an + das · das Regal (neutrum) = shelf · hängen = to hang (direction). Akkusativ because the picture is being moved ONTO the shelf (direction, Wohin?). an + das → ans.
aufs = auf + das (neutrum Akkusativ)
Die Katze springt aufs Sofa.
The cat jumps onto the sofa.
aufs = auf + das · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · springen = to jump. Akkusativ because the cat jumps ONTO the sofa (direction, Wohin?). auf + das → aufs.
Wir fahren aufs Land.
We drive to the countryside.
aufs = auf + das · das Land (neutrum) = countryside/land · fahren = to drive. Akkusativ because you are going TO the countryside (direction, Wohin?). auf + das → aufs.
Leg das Buch aufs Regal.
Put the book on the shelf.
aufs = auf + das · das Regal (neutrum) = shelf · legen = to put/lay. Akkusativ because you are placing the book ONTO the shelf (direction, Wohin?). auf + das → aufs.
ums = um + das (neutrum Akkusativ)
Der Hund läuft ums Haus.
The dog runs around the house.
ums = um + das · das Haus (neutrum) = house · laufen = to run. "Um" always takes Akkusativ. um + das → ums.
Die Kinder sitzen ums Feuer.
The children sit around the fire.
ums = um + das · das Feuer (neutrum) = fire · sitzen = to sit. "Um" always takes Akkusativ. um + das → ums.
Dativ vs Akkusativ — Same Preposition, Different Contraction
This is the most important section. The prepositions in and an are two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen). They take Dativ for location (Wo? = where?) and Akkusativ for direction (Wohin? = where to?). The contraction changes accordingly:
im (in + dem) = Dativ = you are THERE already
ins (in + das) = Akkusativ = you are GOING there
am (an + dem) = Dativ = you are THERE already
ans (an + das) = Akkusativ = you are GOING there
Learning to hear the difference between im/ins and am/ans is a huge step in understanding German case usage.
im (in + dem) = Dativ = you are THERE already
ins (in + das) = Akkusativ = you are GOING there
am (an + dem) = Dativ = you are THERE already
ans (an + das) = Akkusativ = you are GOING there
Learning to hear the difference between im/ins and am/ans is a huge step in understanding German case usage.
im (Dativ, location) vs ins (Akkusativ, direction)
Wo? Ich bin im Kino.
I am in the cinema. (Location → Dativ)
im = in + dem · das Kino (neutrum) = cinema · sein = to be. Dativ because you are already INSIDE the cinema (Wo?). in + dem → im.
Wohin? Ich gehe ins Kino.
I'm going to the cinema. (Direction → Akkusativ)
ins = in + das · das Kino (neutrum) = cinema · gehen = to go. Akkusativ because you are moving INTO the cinema (Wohin?). in + das → ins.
Wo? Das Kind liegt im Bett.
The child is lying in bed. (Location → Dativ)
im = in + dem · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · liegen = to lie. Dativ because the child is already IN bed (Wo?). in + dem → im.
Wohin? Das Kind geht ins Bett.
The child goes to bed. (Direction → Akkusativ)
ins = in + das · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · gehen = to go. Akkusativ because the child is getting INTO bed (Wohin?). in + das → ins.
am (Dativ, location) vs ans (Akkusativ, direction)
Wo? Er steht am Fenster.
He stands at the window. (Location → Dativ)
am = an + dem · das Fenster (neutrum) = window · stehen = to stand. Dativ because he is already AT the window (Wo?). an + dem → am.
Wohin? Er geht ans Fenster.
He goes to the window. (Direction → Akkusativ)
ans = an + das · das Fenster (neutrum) = window · gehen = to go. Akkusativ because he is walking TO the window (Wohin?). an + das → ans.
Wo? Wir sitzen am Meer.
We sit at the sea. (Location → Dativ)
am = an + dem · das Meer (neutrum) = sea · sitzen = to sit. Dativ because you are already AT the sea (Wo?). an + dem → am.
Wohin? Wir fahren ans Meer.
We drive to the sea. (Direction → Akkusativ)
ans = an + das · das Meer (neutrum) = sea · fahren = to drive. Akkusativ because you are going TO the sea (Wohin?). an + das → ans.
When NOT to Contract
There are three situations where you do not use contractions, even when a preposition meets a definite article.
1. With indefinite articles (ein, eine, einem, einen)
Ich wohne in einem Haus.
I live in a house.
ein Haus (neutrum) = a house · wohnen = to live. No contraction possible. "Einem" is the indefinite article in Dativ. You cannot say *"innem" — that is not a word.
Sie geht in ein Restaurant.
She goes into a restaurant.
ein Restaurant (neutrum) = a restaurant · gehen = to go. No contraction with "ein." Only the definite article "das" contracts: in + das → ins. But in + ein stays "in ein."
2. When the article is stressed or emphasized
In DEM Haus dort wohnt mein Freund.
In THAT house there lives my friend.
das Haus (neutrum) = house · wohnen = to live. When you stress "dem" to mean "that specific one," do NOT contract. "In DEM Haus" = in THAT house (not just any house).
An DEM Tag war alles anders.
On THAT day, everything was different.
der Tag (maskulin) = day · sein = to be. Stressed "dem" = that particular day. No contraction because you want to emphasize which specific day.
3. With possessive articles
Ich bin in meinem Haus.
I am in my house.
mein Haus (neutrum) = my house · sein = to be. No contraction with possessives. "Meinem" is a possessive, not a definite article. You cannot say *"im meinem" or *"immeinem."
Er geht zu seiner Mutter.
He goes to his mother.
seine Mutter (feminin) = his mother · gehen = to go. No contraction. "Seiner" is possessive Dativ feminin. You cannot say *"zur seiner" — "zur" replaces "zu + der," not "zu + seiner."
Contractions in Daily Phrases
Many everyday German expressions use contractions as fixed phrases. You will hear these constantly. Learning them as whole units will make your German sound much more natural.
Ich suche das im Internet.
I'll look that up on the internet.
im = in + dem · das Internet (neutrum) = internet · suchen = to search. Fixed expression: Germans say "im Internet" (in the internet), not "auf dem Internet."
Ich bin im Moment beschäftigt.
I am busy at the moment.
im = in + dem · der Moment (maskulin) = moment · sein = to be · beschäftigt = busy. Fixed expression: "im Moment" = at the moment / right now.
Was machst du am Wochenende?
What are you doing on the weekend?
am = an + dem · das Wochenende (neutrum) = weekend · machen = to do. Fixed expression: "am Wochenende" = on the weekend. Always use "am" with Wochenende.
Zum Beispiel lerne ich Deutsch.
For example, I learn German.
zum = zu + dem · das Beispiel (neutrum) = example · lernen = to learn. Fixed expression: "zum Beispiel" (often abbreviated z.B.) = for example.
Zum Glück habe ich den Bus noch bekommen.
Fortunately, I still caught the bus.
zum = zu + dem · das Glück (neutrum) = luck · bekommen = to get/catch. Fixed expression: "zum Glück" = fortunately / luckily.
Ich gehe jetzt ins Bett.
I'm going to bed now.
ins = in + das · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · gehen = to go. Fixed expression: "ins Bett gehen" = to go to bed. Akkusativ because you are getting INTO bed.
Ich gehe zur Bank.
I'm going to the bank.
zur = zu + der · die Bank (feminin) = bank · gehen = to go. "Zu" always takes Dativ: die → der. zu + der → zur.
Ich komme gerade vom Markt.
I'm just coming from the market.
vom = von + dem · der Markt (maskulin) = market · kommen = to come · gerade = just (now). "Von" always takes Dativ. von + dem → vom.
Ich höre Musik beim Kochen.
I listen to music while cooking.
beim = bei + dem · das Kochen (neutrum) = cooking · hören = to listen. Fixed pattern: "beim + verb-as-noun" = while doing that activity. beim Kochen = while cooking.
Am besten gehst du jetzt.
It's best if you go now. / Best of all, you should go now.
am = an + dem · besten = best (superlative of gut) · gehen = to go. Fixed expression: "am besten" = best of all / ideally. German superlatives use "am ___sten."
Quick Reference — All 10 Contractions:
Dativ contractions (preposition + dem/der):
im = in + dem · am = an + dem · zum = zu + dem · zur = zu + der · vom = von + dem · beim = bei + dem
Akkusativ contractions (preposition + das):
ins = in + das · ans = an + das · aufs = auf + das · ums = um + das
The pattern is simple:
Ends in -m (im, am, zum, vom, beim) → comes from dem = Dativ (maskulin/neutrum)
Ends in -r (zur) → comes from der = Dativ (feminin)
Ends in -s (ins, ans, aufs, ums) → comes from das = Akkusativ (neutrum)
If you can decode the ending, you automatically know the case!
Dativ contractions (preposition + dem/der):
im = in + dem · am = an + dem · zum = zu + dem · zur = zu + der · vom = von + dem · beim = bei + dem
Akkusativ contractions (preposition + das):
ins = in + das · ans = an + das · aufs = auf + das · ums = um + das
The pattern is simple:
Ends in -m (im, am, zum, vom, beim) → comes from dem = Dativ (maskulin/neutrum)
Ends in -r (zur) → comes from der = Dativ (feminin)
Ends in -s (ins, ans, aufs, ums) → comes from das = Akkusativ (neutrum)
If you can decode the ending, you automatically know the case!