Prepositions answering the question „Wo?“

Almost all local prepositions can answer the question „Wo?“. As an answer to the question „Wo?“, all local prepositions ALWAYS use the dative case.

The Prepositions

Summary

As an answer to the question „Wo?“, all local prepositions ALWAYS use the dative case. They are used similarly to in English.

Task

Print out the little birds and hang them on the wall behind your computer or in a place you frequently see.

Prepositions answering the question „Woher?“

General

With the prepositions „aus“ and „von“, one expresses coming from a specific direction. They therefore answer the question: „Woher?“.

Both prepositions ALWAYS use the dative case!

Prepositions „aus“

„aus“ describes how one physically leaves something.

This means that one must be INSIDE something (for example, a building) before leaving it. For countries, cities, and regions without an article, „aus“ must also be used.

„Der Vogel kommt aus der Kiste (heraus).“

„Ich komme aus dem Haus (heraus).“

„Ich komme aus Deutschland.“

Prepositions „von“

With „von“ one expresses coming from a specific place or point. The focus is not on the act of leaving:

„Ich komme vom Bahnhof.“ (Die Gegend Bahnhof und nicht unbedingt das Gebäude Bahnhof)

If one cannot go INTO something, one cannot physically leave it either. → „von“ is mandatory.

„Ich komme vom Einkaufen.“ (Du kannst „Einkaufen“ nicht verlassen → „von“)

You can also have Jan explain the grammar to you in a video lesson:

Summary

To the question „Woher?“ one can only answer with two prepositions: „aus“ and „von“.
Both always use the dative case!
„aus” means physically leaving something.
„von“ describes the location/region one has just come from, without emphasizing physical departure. Additionally, it is used when returning from an activity. (Einkaufen, Sport,...)

L2.1: Pose a question using Wohin? Wo? Woher? appropriate to the picture and answer it: (Wohin gehen? Wo sein? Woher kommen?)

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Grammar training – Two-Way Prepositions

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