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Prepositions: Two-Way ​
The 9 prepositions that take Dativ (location) or Akkusativ (direction).
The Rule: Wo or Wohin? ​
German has 9 special prepositions called Wechselpräpositionen (two-way prepositions). What makes them special? They can take either Akkusativ or Dativ — and the meaning changes depending on which one you use.
The rule is simple:
Wo? (Where? = location, staying in one place) → Dativ
Wohin? (Where to? = direction, movement to a new place) → Akkusativ
The easiest way to remember: "Already there = Dativ. Going there = Akkusativ."
Think of it this way: if the person or thing is already at the location and staying put, use Dativ. If the person or thing is moving to that location (changing position), use Akkusativ.
The 9 two-way prepositions are: an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen.
Common contractions:
am = an + dem · ans = an + das · im = in + dem · ins = in + das · aufs = auf + das
The rule is simple:
Wo? (Where? = location, staying in one place) → Dativ
Wohin? (Where to? = direction, movement to a new place) → Akkusativ
The easiest way to remember: "Already there = Dativ. Going there = Akkusativ."
Think of it this way: if the person or thing is already at the location and staying put, use Dativ. If the person or thing is moving to that location (changing position), use Akkusativ.
The 9 two-way prepositions are: an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen.
Common contractions:
am = an + dem · ans = an + das · im = in + dem · ins = in + das · aufs = auf + das
an — on (vertical surface), at ​
an means "on" when something touches a vertical surface (a wall, a door, a window) or "at" when something is at the edge of something (at the sea, at the table). Think of it as contact with a side or edge — unlike auf, which is for horizontal surfaces (on top of).
Wo? Das Bild hängt an der Wand.
The picture hangs on the wall. (Location → Dativ)
das Bild (neutrum) = picture · die Wand (feminin) = wall · hängen = to hang (location). "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. The picture is already on the wall, not moving there.
Wohin? Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand.
I hang the picture on the wall. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Bild (neutrum) = picture · die Wand (feminin) = wall · hängen = to hang (direction). "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). I am moving the picture onto the wall.
Wo? Er steht am Fenster.
He stands at the window. (Location → Dativ)
das Fenster (neutrum) = window · stehen = to stand. "Am" = an + dem, because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. He is already standing at the window.
Wohin? Er geht ans Fenster.
He goes to the window. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Fenster (neutrum) = window · gehen = to go. "Ans" = an + das, because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). He is walking toward the window.
Wo? Wir sitzen an dem Tisch.
We sit at the table. (Location → Dativ)
der Tisch (maskulin) = table · sitzen = to sit. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. We are already sitting at the table.
Wohin? Wir setzen uns an den Tisch.
We sit down at the table. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Tisch (maskulin) = table · sich setzen = to sit down. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. We are moving to sit at the table. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
auf — on (horizontal surface), onto ​
auf means "on" or "on top of" — used for horizontal surfaces (tables, floors, desks) and open public places (the street, the market, the playground). Contrast with an, which is for vertical surfaces and edges.
Wo? Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
The book lies on the table. (Location → Dativ)
das Buch (neutrum) = book · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · liegen = to lie (location). "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. The book is already on the table.
Wohin? Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch.
I put the book on the table. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Buch (neutrum) = book · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · legen = to lay/put down. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. I am placing the book onto the table. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Die Katze schläft auf dem Sofa.
The cat sleeps on the sofa. (Location → Dativ)
die Katze (feminin) = cat · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · schlafen = to sleep. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The cat is already on the sofa, not moving there.
Wohin? Die Katze springt auf das Sofa.
The cat jumps onto the sofa. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Katze (feminin) = cat · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · springen = to jump. "Das" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). The cat is moving onto the sofa.
Wo? Die Kinder spielen auf der Straße.
The children play on the street. (Location → Dativ)
das Kind (neutrum), plural: die Kinder · die Straße (feminin) = street · spielen = to play. "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. The children are already on the street, playing there.
Wohin? Die Kinder laufen auf die Straße.
The children run onto the street. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Kinder = children · die Straße (feminin) = street · laufen = to run. "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). The children are running from somewhere else onto the street.
hinter — behind ​
hinter means "behind" or "in back of." Simple and straightforward — the same Wo/Wohin rule applies. Is something already behind something? Dativ. Is something moving to behind something? Akkusativ.
Wo? Der Hund liegt hinter dem Haus.
The dog lies behind the house. (Location → Dativ)
der Hund (maskulin) = dog · das Haus (neutrum) = house · liegen = to lie. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The dog is already behind the house.
Wohin? Der Hund läuft hinter das Haus.
The dog runs behind the house. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Hund (maskulin) = dog · das Haus (neutrum) = house · laufen = to run. "Das" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). The dog is running to behind the house.
Wo? Das Auto steht hinter dem Baum.
The car is (standing) behind the tree. (Location → Dativ)
das Auto (neutrum) = car · der Baum (maskulin) = tree · stehen = to stand. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. The car is already behind the tree.
Wohin? Er fährt das Auto hinter den Baum.
He drives the car behind the tree. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Auto (neutrum) = car · der Baum (maskulin) = tree · fahren = to drive. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. He is moving the car to behind the tree. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Die Tasche steht hinter der Tür.
The bag is behind the door. (Location → Dativ)
die Tasche (feminin) = bag · die Tür (feminin) = door · stehen = to stand. "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. The bag is already behind the door.
Wohin? Ich stelle die Tasche hinter die Tür.
I put the bag behind the door. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Tasche (feminin) = bag · die Tür (feminin) = door · stellen = to put/place (upright). "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). I am moving the bag to behind the door.
in — in, into ​
in means "in" (inside something) or "into" (going inside something). This is one of the most common two-way prepositions. Remember the contractions: im = in + dem (Dativ), ins = in + das (Akkusativ). You will use these constantly!
Wo? Ich bin im Zimmer.
I am in the room. (Location → Dativ)
das Zimmer (neutrum) = room · sein = to be. "Im" = in + dem, because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. I am already in the room.
Wohin? Ich gehe ins Zimmer.
I go into the room. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Zimmer (neutrum) = room · gehen = to go. "Ins" = in + das, because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). I am walking into the room.
Wo? Die Milch ist in dem Kühlschrank.
The milk is in the fridge. (Location → Dativ)
die Milch (feminin) = milk · der Kühlschrank (maskulin) = fridge · sein = to be. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. The milk is already in the fridge.
Wohin? Ich stelle die Milch in den Kühlschrank.
I put the milk in the fridge. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Milch (feminin) = milk · der Kühlschrank (maskulin) = fridge · stellen = to put/place. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. I am moving the milk into the fridge. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Wir wohnen in der Stadt.
We live in the city. (Location → Dativ)
die Stadt (feminin) = city · wohnen = to live (reside). "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. We already live in the city.
Wohin? Wir fahren in die Stadt.
We drive into the city. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Stadt (feminin) = city · fahren = to drive. "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). We are traveling into the city.
neben — next to, beside ​
neben means "next to" or "beside." Same rule: something is already next to something (Dativ), or something moves to be next to something (Akkusativ).
Wo? Die Lampe steht neben dem Bett.
The lamp stands next to the bed. (Location → Dativ)
die Lampe (feminin) = lamp · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · stehen = to stand. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The lamp is already next to the bed.
Wohin? Ich stelle die Lampe neben das Bett.
I put the lamp next to the bed. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Lampe (feminin) = lamp · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · stellen = to put/place. "Das" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). I am moving the lamp to next to the bed.
Wo? Er sitzt neben dem Lehrer.
He sits next to the teacher. (Location → Dativ)
der Lehrer (maskulin) = teacher · sitzen = to sit. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. He is already sitting next to the teacher.
Wohin? Er setzt sich neben den Lehrer.
He sits down next to the teacher. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Lehrer (maskulin) = teacher · sich setzen = to sit down. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. He is moving to sit next to the teacher. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Der Stuhl steht neben der Tür.
The chair stands next to the door. (Location → Dativ)
der Stuhl (maskulin) = chair · die Tür (feminin) = door · stehen = to stand. "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. The chair is already next to the door.
Wohin? Ich stelle den Stuhl neben die Tür.
I put the chair next to the door. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Stuhl (maskulin) = chair · die Tür (feminin) = door · stellen = to put/place. "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). I am moving the chair to next to the door.
über — over, above, across ​
über means "over," "above," or "across." When something is hovering or positioned above something, use Dativ (Wo?). When something moves over or across something, use Akkusativ (Wohin?).
Wo? Die Lampe hängt über dem Tisch.
The lamp hangs over the table. (Location → Dativ)
die Lampe (feminin) = lamp · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · hängen = to hang (location). "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. The lamp is already above the table.
Wohin? Ich hänge die Lampe über den Tisch.
I hang the lamp over the table. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Lampe (feminin) = lamp · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · hängen = to hang (direction). "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. I am moving the lamp to above the table. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Der Vogel fliegt über dem Haus.
The bird flies above the house. (Location → Dativ)
der Vogel (maskulin) = bird · das Haus (neutrum) = house · fliegen = to fly. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The bird is circling above the house, staying in that area.
Wohin? Der Vogel fliegt über den Fluss.
The bird flies across the river. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Vogel (maskulin) = bird · der Fluss (maskulin) = river · fliegen = to fly. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. The bird is flying from one side of the river to the other. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Das Bild hängt über dem Sofa.
The picture hangs above the sofa. (Location → Dativ)
das Bild (neutrum) = picture · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · hängen = to hang (location). "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The picture is already above the sofa.
Wohin? Ich hänge das Bild über das Sofa.
I hang the picture above the sofa. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Bild (neutrum) = picture · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · hängen = to hang (direction). "Das" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). I am placing the picture above the sofa.
unter — under, below ​
unter means "under" or "below." Something is already under something (Dativ), or something moves to under something (Akkusativ). Very intuitive once you know the Wo/Wohin rule.
Wo? Die Schuhe stehen unter dem Bett.
The shoes are under the bed. (Location → Dativ)
der Schuh (maskulin), plural: die Schuhe = shoes · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · stehen = to stand. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The shoes are already under the bed.
Wohin? Ich stelle die Schuhe unter das Bett.
I put the shoes under the bed. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Schuhe = shoes · das Bett (neutrum) = bed · stellen = to put/place. "Das" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). I am moving the shoes to under the bed.
Wo? Die Katze schläft unter dem Tisch.
The cat sleeps under the table. (Location → Dativ)
die Katze (feminin) = cat · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · schlafen = to sleep. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. The cat is already under the table, sleeping.
Wohin? Die Katze läuft unter den Tisch.
The cat runs under the table. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Katze (feminin) = cat · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · laufen = to run. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. The cat is running to under the table. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Der Ball liegt unter der Bank.
The ball lies under the bench. (Location → Dativ)
der Ball (maskulin) = ball · die Bank (feminin) = bench · liegen = to lie. "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. The ball is already under the bench.
Wohin? Der Ball rollt unter die Bank.
The ball rolls under the bench. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Ball (maskulin) = ball · die Bank (feminin) = bench · rollen = to roll. "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). The ball is rolling to under the bench.
vor — in front of, before ​
vor means "in front of" or "before." It is the opposite of hinter (behind). Something is already in front of something (Dativ), or something moves to in front of something (Akkusativ).
Wo? Das Auto steht vor dem Haus.
The car is in front of the house. (Location → Dativ)
das Auto (neutrum) = car · das Haus (neutrum) = house · stehen = to stand. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: das → dem. The car is already parked in front of the house.
Wohin? Er fährt das Auto vor das Haus.
He drives the car in front of the house. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Auto (neutrum) = car · das Haus (neutrum) = house · fahren = to drive. "Das" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: das stays das (neutrum doesn't change in Akk). He is moving the car to in front of the house.
Wo? Der Mann steht vor der Tür.
The man stands in front of the door. (Location → Dativ)
der Mann (maskulin) = man · die Tür (feminin) = door · stehen = to stand. "Der" because Wo? = Dativ: die → der. The man is already standing in front of the door.
Wohin? Der Mann geht vor die Tür.
The man goes in front of the door. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Mann (maskulin) = man · die Tür (feminin) = door · gehen = to go. "Die" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ: die stays die (feminin doesn't change in Akk). The man is walking to in front of the door.
Wo? Die Kinder stehen vor dem Spiegel.
The children stand in front of the mirror. (Location → Dativ)
die Kinder = children · der Spiegel (maskulin) = mirror · stehen = to stand. "Dem" because Wo? = Dativ: der → dem. The children are already standing in front of the mirror.
Wohin? Die Kinder laufen vor den Spiegel.
The children run to the mirror. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Kinder = children · der Spiegel (maskulin) = mirror · laufen = to run. "Den" because Wohin? = Akkusativ: der → den. The children are running to in front of the mirror. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
zwischen — between ​
zwischen means "between." Something is already between two things (Dativ), or something moves to between two things (Akkusativ). This preposition often appears with plural nouns or with two separate nouns joined by "und."
Wo? Die Katze sitzt zwischen den Stühlen.
The cat sits between the chairs. (Location → Dativ)
die Katze (feminin) = cat · der Stuhl (maskulin), plural: die Stühle = chairs · sitzen = to sit. "Den Stühlen" because Wo? = Dativ plural: die → den, and the noun adds -n: Stühle → Stühlen. The cat is already sitting between the chairs.
Wohin? Die Katze springt zwischen die Stühle.
The cat jumps between the chairs. (Direction → Akkusativ)
die Katze (feminin) = cat · die Stühle = chairs (plural) · springen = to jump. "Die Stühle" stays because Wohin? = Akkusativ plural: die stays die. The cat is jumping into the space between the chairs.
Wo? Der Hund liegt zwischen dem Sofa und dem Tisch.
The dog lies between the sofa and the table. (Location → Dativ)
der Hund (maskulin) = dog · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · liegen = to lie. Both nouns take Dativ because Wo?: das → dem, der → dem. The dog is already lying between the two.
Wohin? Der Hund legt sich zwischen das Sofa und den Tisch.
The dog lies down between the sofa and the table. (Direction → Akkusativ)
der Hund (maskulin) = dog · das Sofa (neutrum) = sofa · der Tisch (maskulin) = table · sich legen = to lie down. Both nouns take Akkusativ because Wohin?: das stays das, der → den. The dog is moving into the space between them. Notice maskulin change: der → den!
Wo? Das Kind steht zwischen der Mutter und dem Vater.
The child stands between the mother and the father. (Location → Dativ)
das Kind (neutrum) = child · die Mutter (feminin) = mother · der Vater (maskulin) = father · stehen = to stand. Dativ: die → der, der → dem. The child is already standing between both parents.
Wohin? Das Kind stellt sich zwischen die Mutter und den Vater.
The child goes to stand between the mother and the father. (Direction → Akkusativ)
das Kind (neutrum) = child · die Mutter (feminin) = mother · der Vater (maskulin) = father · sich stellen = to place oneself. Akkusativ: die stays die, der → den. The child is moving into the space between both parents.
Quick summary — the dead-simple version:
Wo? (where? staying in place) = Dativ
Wohin? (where to? moving there) = Akkusativ
Location verbs (usually Dativ): stehen (stand), liegen (lie), sitzen (sit), hängen (hang), schlafen (sleep), sein (be)
Direction verbs (usually Akkusativ): stellen (put upright), legen (lay flat), setzen (set/seat), hängen (hang something), gehen (go), laufen (run), springen (jump), fahren (drive)
Already there? → Dativ. Going there? → Akkusativ.
Wo? (where? staying in place) = Dativ
Wohin? (where to? moving there) = Akkusativ
Location verbs (usually Dativ): stehen (stand), liegen (lie), sitzen (sit), hängen (hang), schlafen (sleep), sein (be)
Direction verbs (usually Akkusativ): stellen (put upright), legen (lay flat), setzen (set/seat), hängen (hang something), gehen (go), laufen (run), springen (jump), fahren (drive)
Already there? → Dativ. Going there? → Akkusativ.