Prepositions (Junior Cert German): Revision Notes
Prepositions
Overview
Prepositions are small but essential words that show relationships between other words in a sentence. In German, prepositions help express location, time, direction, and other important connections. They appear very frequently in everyday German, so learning them well is crucial for building strong communication skills.
German prepositions work similarly to English ones, but their meanings can vary depending on context. Unlike English, German prepositions also affect the case of the nouns that follow them, making them particularly important to master.
Prepositions are among the most frequently used words in German. Mastering them early will significantly improve your ability to express complex ideas and understand native speakers.
Common German prepositions and their meanings
Learning the most frequent prepositions and their typical meanings will give you a solid foundation. Here are the key prepositions you'll encounter regularly:
Location and direction prepositions
- an = at, on
- auf = up, on, onto
- bei = with, at (someone's place), near
- in = in, into
- nach = to (with place names), after, according to
- über = over, above, about/concerning
- unter = under, among, below
- vor = in front of, before, ago
- zu = to
These nine prepositions are essential for describing where things are and where they're going. Focus on learning these first, as they appear in almost every German conversation.
Time prepositions
- seit = since, for (with time)
- während = during
- um = around, at (with time)
- vor = before, ago
Other essential prepositions
- aus = out of, from
- außer = except, apart from
- durch = through, by means of
- für = for (on behalf of)
- gegen = against, towards
- mit = with
- ohne = without
- von = from, of, by (means of)
- wegen = on account of, because of
More advanced prepositions
- (an)statt = instead of
- entlang = along
- gegenüber = opposite
- gemäß = according to
- hinter = behind
- neben = next to
- trotz = in spite of
- wider = against
- zwischen = between
Understanding preposition meanings in context
German prepositions don't translate directly into English on a one-to-one basis. The meaning of a preposition depends heavily on the context in which it's used. This is exactly the same in English - think about how "on" can mean different things in "on the table", "on Monday", and "on purpose".
For example, the German preposition an can mean:
- an der Wand = on the wall
- an Montag = on Monday
- denken an = to think of/about
The key is to learn prepositions as part of phrases and expressions, not just as isolated words.
Prepositions with verbs and adjectives
Many German verbs and adjectives require specific prepositions to complete their meaning. These combinations often don't match what you might expect from English.
Common Verb + Preposition Combinations:
- denken an = to think of/about
- glauben an = to believe in
- warten auf = to wait for
- sich fürchten vor = to be afraid of
Common Adjective + Preposition Combinations:
- stolz auf = proud of
- gierig nach = greedy for
When you learn new verbs and adjectives, always check if they require a specific preposition. Your dictionary will show these combinations under the main word entry, not under the preposition itself.
Translation tips
When translating sentences with prepositions, avoid translating word by word. Instead, follow this approach:
Translation Strategy for Prepositions:
- Read the entire sentence or phrase first
- Understand the overall meaning and context
- Consider how the preposition works with surrounding words
- Then find the best English equivalent for the whole expression
For example, with bestehen aus (to consist of) vs bestehen auf (to insist on), the preposition completely changes the verb's meaning. Focus on understanding the complete phrase rather than individual words.
Common mistakes and tips
Mistake 1: Assuming German prepositions translate directly to English
- Tip: Learn prepositions as part of phrases, not isolated words
Mistake 2: Forgetting that prepositions affect noun cases
- Tip: Always learn which case each preposition requires (this comes in later grammar lessons)
Mistake 3: Translating prepositions before understanding the sentence meaning
- Tip: Always read the whole sentence first, then work out the best translation
Mistake 4: Not learning verb + preposition combinations
- Tip: When learning new verbs, check if they need specific prepositions
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Prepositions are essential connecting words that show relationships between other words
- German prepositions don't translate directly to English - context matters enormously
- Many verbs and adjectives require specific prepositions to complete their meaning
- Always translate prepositions as part of the whole phrase, not individually
- Learning common preposition combinations will make your German sound much more natural