Prepositions

German Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons German Lessons
Linguistic German Vocabulary
Culture German Phrases
Structure German Grammar

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of German like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at German Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, German, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in German

Prepositions German Audio
In front ofvor
Behindhinter
Beforevor
Afternach
Insideinnerhalb
Withmit
Withoutohne
Outsideaußerhalb
On top ofoben auf
Underunter
About (in regards to)über
Againstgegen
Andund
As (similar to)wie
Betweenzwischen
Butaber
Forfür
Fromvon
Inin
Instead ofstatt
Nearin der Nähe von
Ofvon
Oroder
Sinceseit
Soalso
Tozu
Untilbis

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full German sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

German Prepositions in a Sentence

English German Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Kann ich mit dir Italienisch üben?
I speak French but with an accentIch spreche Französisch, aber mit einem Akzent
I was born in MiamiIch wurde in Miami geboren
I'm from JapanIch komme aus Japan
The letter is inside the bookDer Brief ist im Buch
The pen is under the deskDer Stift ist unter dem Schreibtisch
Directions
Can I help you?Kann ich Ihnen helfen?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please German contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in German

Directions German Audio
Can you help me?Können Sie mir helfen?
Can you show me?Können Sie mir zeigen?
Come with me!Komm mit mir!
Downtown (city center)Innenstadt
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Entschuldigung!
Go straightFahren/Gehen Sie geradeaus
How can I get to the museum? Wie komme ich zum Museum?
How long does it take to get there?Wie lange dauert es, um dorthin zu gelangen?
I'm lostich hab mich verirrt
I'm not from hereich bin fremd
It's far from herees ist weit
It's near herees ist nah
One moment please!Einen Moment bitte!
Turn leftlinks abbiegen
Turn rightrechts abbiegen
Farweit
Herehier
Leftlinks
Rightrechts
Nearnah
Straightgeradeaus
Theredort
To drivefahren
To turnabbiegen
To walkgehen
Traffic lightAmpel
TransportationTransport

Daily Conversation in German

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in German. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our German Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in German

English German Audio
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Just a littleNur ein bisschen
What's your name?Wie heisst du?
My name is (John Doe)Ich heisse (John Doe)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Herr / Frau / Fräulein
Nice to meet you!Schön, Sie kennen zu lernen!
You're very kind!Sie sind sehr freundlich!

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in German about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend German Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn German homepage.

Lessons German Lessons
Linguistic German Vocabulary
Culture German Phrases
Structure German Grammar