Dative case: indirect objects

In brief

The dative case often marks the person who receives something or to whom you tell or show something. In English, you might say ‘I give the man the key’ or ‘I give the key to the man.’ In German, the article before that person changes to show this role.

Form

For definite articles in the dative: der → dem, die (singular) → der, das → dem, die (plural) → den. Dative plural nouns usually add -n if they do not already end in -n or -s: die Freunde → den Freunden.

Usage

• Use the dative for the recipient with verbs such as geben (give) and schicken (send).
• The person you show or tell something to is also in the dative: jemandem etwas zeigen or erzählen.

Examples

• Ich gebe dem Mann den Schlüssel. — I give the man the key.
• Sie zeigt der Frau das Foto. — She shows the woman the photo.
• Wir schicken dem Kind eine Karte. — We send the child a card.
• Er erzählt den Freunden eine Geschichte. — He tells his friends a story.

Common mistake

❌ Ich gebe der Mann den Schlüssel.

✅ Ich gebe dem Mann den Schlüssel.

The man receives the key, so the masculine article der becomes dem in the dative.

Remember

Ask who receives the thing or information: that person is usually in the dative.