Dative Verbs in German
Dative Verbs in German #
Dative verbs in German are verbs that require their direct object to be in the dative case rather than the accusative case. They are called “dative verbs” because they govern the dative case - meaning the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb must be declined in the dative form.
Why are they called Dative Verbs? #
In German, most verbs take their direct object in the accusative case. However, certain verbs always require their object to be in the dative case. This is a grammatical requirement that must be memorized, as there’s no logical pattern to determine which verbs are dative verbs. The term “dative verb” simply indicates that these verbs govern (require) the dative case for their objects.
Common Dative Verbs for A1 and A2 Level #
| German Verb | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| helfen | to help | मदद करना |
| danken | to thank | धन्यवाद देना |
| folgen | to follow | पीछे आना/अनुसरण करना |
| gefallen | to like/please | पसंद आना |
| gehören | to belong to | का होना/संबंधित होना |
| antworten | to answer | जवाब देना |
| gratulieren | to congratulate | बधाई देना |
| glauben | to believe | विश्वास करना/मानना |
| vertrauen | to trust | भरोसा करना |
| zuhören | to listen to | सुनना |
| begegnen | to meet/encounter | मिलना |
| passieren | to happen to | होना (किसी के साथ) |
| schaden | to harm/damage | नुकसान पहुंचाना |
| schmecken | to taste (good to someone) | स्वाद आना |
| wehtun | to hurt | दर्द करना/चोट पहुंचाना |
Example Sentences: #
- Ich helfe dir. (I help you.) - मैं तुम्हारी मदद करता हूं।
- Sie dankt ihm. (She thanks him.) - वह उसे धन्यवाद देती है।
- Das Buch gehört mir. (The book belongs to me.) - यह किताब मेरी है।
- Die Musik gefällt uns. (We like the music.) - हमें संगीत पसंद है।
Important Note: #
Remember that with dative verbs, the person or thing receiving the action must always be in the dative case, regardless of whether it seems like a direct object in English or Hindi.