The Secret of the German Language Lesson 8: Today we have a special guest: That crazy German teacher that wrote all of these stories. That’s right: Das Gesicht von Wahnsinn! We go back to a lesson we had when we first started learning German. That makes today’s lesson really easy, right?

The Secret of the German Language Do you remember our “Vor und hinter” song? Let’s sing it! Okay, well there’s another version, a rhyme, by the face of insanity! Want to see it?

The Secret of the German Language He has a reason for saying “either/or position” at the end of the rhyme. Now you’re going to find out that secret, too! So get out your preliminary notes and add these prepositions.

The Secret of the German Language AC/DC Prepositions An - on (vertically) Auf - on (horizontally) Hinter - behind In - in Neben - near/next to Über - over Unter - under Vor - in front of/before Zwischen - between

The Secret of the German Language The AC/DC means that these prepositions can be either accusative (NESE) or dative (MRMN). The essential idea is that if the sentence indicates motion/placement/action/transition the prepositions take the accusative (NESE). If the sentence just describes a condition or position, the prepositions take the dative (MRMN). “Dative is stative” This is a very simplistic explanation for now. I don’t go beyond this at this stage.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) So if you take the first one (an) you can have sentences like these: The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. The poster hangs on the wall.

R E S N M R N+n S+s The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. The poster hangs on the wall. The first sentence shows a placement. The first sentence would therefore use the accusative (NESE)

R E S N M R N+n S+s The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. The poster hangs on the wall. So the first sentence would be: Die Lehrerin hängt das Poster an die Wand.

R E S N M R N+n S+s The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. The poster hangs on the wall. The second sentence shows the condition or position of the poster without any placement. This uses the dative (MRMN)

R E S N M R N+n S+s The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher hangs the poster on the wall. The poster hangs on the wall. Therefore the second sentence would be: Das Poster hängt an der Wand.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Now compare both: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Now compare both: Die Lehrerin hängt das Poster an die Wand. Das Poster hängt an der Wand.

R E S N M R N+n S+s That’s why these prepositions can be AC/DC. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) That’s why these prepositions can be AC/DC. Die Lehrerin hängt das Poster an die Wand. Das Poster hängt an der Wand.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Let’s try some more: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Let’s try some more: Der Schüler legt den Bleistift auf d__ Tisch. Der Bleistift liegt auf d__ Tisch.

R E S N M R N+n S+s The first is NESE and the second is MRMN. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The first is NESE and the second is MRMN. Der Schüler legt den Bleistift auf den Tisch. Der Bleistift liegt auf dem Tisch.

R E S N M R N+n S+s How about these: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) How about these: Die Katze steckt den Ball hinter d__ Sofa. Der Ball steckt hinter d__ Sofa.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) If you know the gender of Sofa, you should get it. Die Katze steckt den Ball hinter das Sofa. Der Ball steckt hinter dem Sofa.

R E S N M R N+n S+s How about these: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) How about these: Ich werfe das Papier in d__ Mülleimer. Das Papier steckt in d__ Mülleimer.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Since Mülleimer ends with –er, you should guess the gender is masculine. Ich werfe das Papier in den Mülleimer. Das Papier steckt in dem Mülleimer.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Here’s some more: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Here’s some more: Ich setze mich neben mein__ Freundin. Ich sitze neben mein__ Freundin.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Did you know the first sentence shows a type of placement but the second shows position? Ich setze mich neben meine Freundin. Ich sitze neben meiner Freundin.

R E S N M R N+n S+s How about this one: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) How about this one: Ich hänge die Lampe über d__ Sessel. Die Lampe hängt über d__ Sessel.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Did you get this? masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Did you get this? Ich hänge die Lampe über den Sessel. Die Lampe hängt über dem Sessel.

R E S N M R N+n S+s How about this one: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) How about this one: Ich stecke die Maus unter d__ Kiste. Die Maus steckt unter d__ Kiste.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Getting easier yet? masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Getting easier yet? Ich stecke die Maus unter die Kiste. Die Maus steckt unter der Kiste.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Okay, almost done. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Okay, almost done. Ich stelle die Tasse vor d__ Teller. Die Tasse steht vor d__ Teller.

R E S N M R N+n S+s You got this right, right? Right? masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) You got this right, right? Right? Ich stelle die Tasse vor den Teller. Die Tasse steht vor dem Teller.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Okay, I’ve saved the best for last: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Okay, I’ve saved the best for last: Ich lege den Teller zwischen d__ Gabel und d__ Messer. Der Teller liegt zwischen d__ Gabel und d__ Messer. I just got through telling students to guess masculine with –er nouns. There is a masculine version of Messer, which means a meter or some sort. Knife, however, is neuter.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Did you graduate from Cotillion? masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Did you graduate from Cotillion? Ich lege den Teller zwischen die Gabel und das Messer. Der Teller liegt zwischen der Gabel und dem Messer.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Now try two translations: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Now try two translations: The teacher (m) stands in front of the hard-working class.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher (m) stands in front of the hard-working class. This might be hard to translate. I might need more info.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher (m) stands in front of the hard-working class. Does the teacher walk in and position himself in front of the class?

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher (m) stands in front of the hard-working class. Or does this simply describe where the teacher is positioned?

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher (m) stands in front of the hard-working class. If we assume the former, you would have: Der Lehrer stellt sich vor die Klasse.

masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) The teacher (m) stands in front of the hard-working class. If we assume the latter, you would have: Der Lehrer steht vor der Klasse.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Last one: masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Last one: The young baker walks into his old bakery.

R E S N M R N+n S+s Here there is no doubt. There is motion. masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) adjective Endings Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive) Here there is no doubt. There is motion. Der junge Bäcker geht in seine alte Bäckerei.

The Secret of the German Language Now for today’s tip: Just about every noun that ends in –o is neuter: (Main exception: der Euro) Ex: Radio, Kino, Büro All gerunds (nouns made from verbs) are neuter. Ex: Das Deutschlernen macht Spaß.

R E S N M R N+n S+s -e -en adjective Endings masculine feminine neuter plural -e R E S N M R N+n S+s -en Nominative (Subject) Accusative (Direct Object) Dative (Indirect Object) Genitive (Possessive)