By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Masculine articles change
- Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
The Akkusativ case in German is used for the direct object of a sentence. It shows the person or thing directly affected by an action. This lesson explains how to recognize Akkusativ, change articles correctly, and use it in everyday German sentences at A1 level.
Masculine articles change
For masculine nouns, Akkusativ changes the article: der → den and ein → einen. Example: Ich sehe den Mann.
Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns
The articles die, das, and die remain unchanged in Akkusativ. Example: Ich kaufe die Tasche. Ich lese das Buch.
Common verbs with Akkusativ
Many everyday verbs usually take an Akkusativ object, including haben, sehen, kaufen, brauchen, lesen, and besuchen.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Here masculine der/ein becomes den/einen; die/eine, das/ein and plural die look unchanged from nominative. Learn verbs such as sehen, haben and brauchen with their object patterns. Not every affected person takes accusative: helfen requires dative. Prepositions such as für and ohne require accusative too. Compare Ich sehe den Mann with Der Mann sieht mich: the case expresses a different role, not merely a different word position.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| Masculine articles change | Ich sehe den Mann. |
| Masculine articles change | Anna sieht einen Mann. |
| Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns | Ich sehe die Frau. |
| Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns | Ich sehe das Kind. |
| Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns | Ich sehe die Kinder. |
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Das Geschenk ist für einen Mann. |
Grammar formula
Positive sentence
Subjekt + Verb + AkkusativobjektIch kaufe den Apfel.
Negative sentence
Subjekt + Verb + keinen/keine/kein + NomenIch habe keinen Hund.
Question
Wen/Was + Verb + Subjekt?Wen siehst du?
Core rules
- 1
Masculine articles change
For masculine nouns, Akkusativ changes the article: der → den and ein → einen. Example: Ich sehe den Mann.
- 2
Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns
The articles die, das, and die remain unchanged in Akkusativ. Example: Ich kaufe die Tasche. Ich lese das Buch.
- 3
Common verbs with Akkusativ
Many everyday verbs usually take an Akkusativ object, including haben, sehen, kaufen, brauchen, lesen, and besuchen.
- 4
Usage, exceptions and scope
Here masculine der/ein becomes den/einen; die/eine, das/ein and plural die look unchanged from nominative. Learn verbs such as sehen, haben and brauchen with their object patterns. Not every affected person takes accusative: helfen requires dative. Prepositions such as für and ohne require accusative too. Compare Ich sehe den Mann with Der Mann sieht mich: the case expresses a different role, not merely a different word position.
Useful examples
Ich kaufe den Apfel.
I buy the apple.
Apfel is masculine, so der changes to den in Akkusativ.
Sie sieht den Mann.
She sees the man.
Mann is the direct object of the verb sehen.
Wir haben einen Hund.
We have a dog.
A masculine noun uses einen with an indefinite article in Akkusativ.
Ich lese das Buch.
I read the book.
Neuter nouns keep das in Akkusativ.
Er besucht die Schule.
He visits the school.
Feminine nouns keep die in Akkusativ.
Ich trinke einen Kaffee.
I drink a coffee.
Kaffee is masculine here, so ein becomes einen.
Wir kaufen die Blumen.
We buy the flowers.
Plural die does not change in Akkusativ.
Sie braucht ein Auto.
She needs a car.
Neuter nouns keep ein in Akkusativ.
Ich sehe meinen Freund.
I see my friend.
Possessive articles also change with masculine Akkusativ objects.
Du öffnest die Tür.
You open the door.
Tür is feminine, so die stays unchanged.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Ich sehe der Mann. ✅ Ich sehe den Mann.
- ❌ Anna sieht ein Mann. ✅ Anna sieht einen Mann.
- ❌ Ich sehe der Frau. ✅ Ich sehe die Frau.
- ❌ Ich sehe der Kind. ✅ Ich sehe das Kind.
- ❌ Ich sehe der Kinder. ✅ Ich sehe die Kinder.
- ❌ Das Geschenk ist für ein Mann. ✅ Das Geschenk ist für einen Mann.
Learning tips
- Read the context and word roles before choosing an option.
- After feedback, read the reason and make a new sentence.
- After practising, take the test without the table; test mastery is recorded separately from reading.
Use it in your own sentences
Adapt the names, times or places in the models to write six sentences about your own life. Keep the target construction and check that the meaning fits the rule. This is a self-assessment activity; the multiple-choice test has a separate score.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Ich sehe den Mann. Anna sieht einen Mann. Ich sehe die Frau. Ich sehe das Kind. Ich sehe die Kinder. Das Geschenk ist für einen Mann.
Check your own work
- I identified the subject, verb and target construction in every sentence.
- I adapted the context instead of only copying the model.
- I checked my choices against this lesson’s rules and exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “Masculine articles change”?
For masculine nouns, Akkusativ changes the article: der → den and ein → einen. Example: Ich sehe den Mann.
What should I check for “Feminine, neuter, and plural nouns”?
The articles die, das, and die remain unchanged in Akkusativ. Example: Ich kaufe die Tasche. Ich lese das Buch.
What should I check for “Common verbs with Akkusativ”?
Many everyday verbs usually take an Akkusativ object, including haben, sehen, kaufen, brauchen, lesen, and besuchen.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Here masculine der/ein becomes den/einen; die/eine, das/ein and plural die look unchanged from nominative. Learn verbs such as sehen, haben and brauchen with their object patterns. Not every affected person takes accusative: helfen requires dative. Prepositions such as für and ohne require accusative too. Compare Ich sehe den Mann with Der Mann sieht mich: the case expresses a different role, not merely a different word position.
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