A1Cases

German Accusative Case (Akkusativ)

The accusative case is used for the direct object - the person or thing directly affected by the action.

Key Rules

  • 1Used for the direct object of a sentence
  • 2Only masculine articles change: der → den, ein → einen
  • 3Answers the question: Wen? (Whom?) or Was? (What?)
  • 4Used after accusative prepositions: durch, für, gegen, ohne, um

Examples

Ich sehe den Mann.

I see the man.

💡 'Den Mann' is the direct object - the thing being seen.

Sie kauft einen Apfel.

She buys an apple.

Das ist für dich.

This is for you.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Ich helfe den Mann.→✓ Ich helfe dem Mann.

'Helfen' takes the dative case (dem), not accusative (den).

Related Grammar Topics

Cases
German Nominative Case (Nominativ)
A1
Cases
German Dative Case (Dativ)
A2
Prepositions
German Accusative Prepositions
A1

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