Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of prepositions of location in German. So, whether you’re a beginner just starting your German journey, or a seasoned learner looking to polish your skills, understanding how to identify and use these prepositions with confidence will let you take your German to the next level.
The Coffee Break German Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations in which we chat through interesting German language topics. In the latest episode, Mark and Thomas explore the world of German prepositions, following on from the previous episode looking at when certain prepositions take the accusative or the dative. They look at each preposition in turn, the case it uses and provide loads of examples to accompany their explanations.
Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go? Plus, don’t miss our free worksheet at the end to practise what you learn!
It’s all about the location
Prepositions of location in German will vary according to (believe or not) the type of location you are talking about. If you are confused with this explanation so far, fear not! We will explain everything you need to know about the subject below.
Let’s get on top of ‘auf’
Let’s kick things off with auf. In German, auf is your go-to preposition when talking about being “on top of” something. For example:
Er legt sich auf die Couch.
He’s lying down on the couch.
There’s movement involved in the action of moving to the couch and starting to lie down on it, so the accusative is used. An open space to consider is:
Auf dem Marktplatz ist viel los.
Lots is happening on the market square.
Or, another context in which we can use auf is the following:
Meine Freunde gehen alle auf das Festival.
My friends are all going to the festival.
Plus, it’s perfect for describing places like islands, roofs, or even mountains. Remember, don’t try to translate directly from English because it could hinder you in choosing the correct preposition in German. So, next time you’re chilling on a rooftop terrace, remember: you’re auf the roof!
To say where you’re at, ‘an’ does the job
Next up, we have an on your list of prepositions in German. This versatile word comes in handy when you’re talking about being “close to” something and, interestingly, all things related to water. Here are a few examples:
Im Sommer fahren wir an das Meer.
In the summer we’re going to the sea.
Wir sind an dem Meer.
We’re at the sea.
Ich stehe an der Haltestelle.
I am standing at the bus stop.
Ich sitze am Computer.
I sit at the computer.
In all of these contexts, the preposition an is the one to use.
Let’s get ‘in’ to this
Now, let’s talk about the preposition in in German – a small word with a lot of power. It’s used to describe being “inside” something – any building, for example.
Wir sitzen im Café.
We are sitting in the café.
Wir laufen in das Einkaufszentrum.
We’re going into the shopping centre.
In is also used for exploring when we’re out and about, surrounded by something. For example:
Wir gehen im Wald spazieren.
We’re going walking in the forest.
Die Kinder wollen in den Park.
The children want to go to the park.
Regions, countries and cities which have an article use in. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Black Forest or Switzerland, you know which preposition to use!
Wir machen einen Ausflug in den Schwarzwald.
We are going on a trip to the Black Forest.
Wir fahren in die Schweiz.
We are going to Switzerland.
But beware! It’s been the same preposition for destination or location until now. However, when talking about countries and cities that don’t use an article, there’s a difference. For example, in the following sentence, the country is a destination, and we have to use nach:
Ich fliege nach Schottland.
I am flying to Scotland.
However, here, the country is a location, and we have to use in:
Ich wohne in Deutschland.
I live in Germany.
A handy flowchart: noun > preposition > case
As promised in the podcast episode, we’ve put together a flowchart to help you with your choice of German prepositions and cases when it comes to countries.
Click on the image to download your own PDF copy of the flowchart.
Dative destinations only – ‘zu’
What about the use of zu in German?
This preposition is exclusively used for destinations, when a question is asked using wohin. But there’s a catch: it’s always followed by the dative case. Let’s look at an example:
Wir gehen zu dem Konzert.
We are going to the concert.
It’s also used for all people, professions and institutions. So, whether you’re visiting family or heading to the bank, zu is the preposition to choose.
Ich gehe zu meinen Eltern.
I am going to my parents’ (house).
Ich gehe zu einem Freund.
I am going to a friend’s house.
Ich gehe zu der Bank.
I am going to the bank.
Ich gehe zum Arzt.
I am going to the doctor’s.
‘Bei’ is your ‘zu’ for locations
As just mentioned, zu is only used for destinations – places you haven’t reached yet. Once you are there and it is now your location, bei is used. For example:
Wir sind bei meinen Eltern.
We are at my parents’ (house).
Ich bin beim Arzt.
I am at the doctor’s.
So, there you have it, a swift introduction to prepositions of location in German. Whether you’re lounging auf the couch, chilling an the beach, exploring in the park, or heading zu grandma’s house, these prepositions have got you covered.
If you found this interesting, make sure to listen to the full episode with Thomas and Mark on The Coffee Break German Show. We will regularly be uploading more episodes for German learners, so make sure to subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube to find out when the next episode is available.
Plus! To get regular, free German lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your German. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!
So, go ahead, get practising, and soon enough, you’ll be a pro at navigating German prepositions of location like a native speaker. Happy Coffee Breaking!
