Unit 13 Guidebook: use the accusative case
KEY PHRASES
Use the accusative case
Hast du einen Bruder?
Do you have a brother?
Do you have a brother?
Ja, ich habe einen Bruder.
Yes, I have a brother.
Yes, I have a brother.
Oh, hat er einen Freund?
Oh, does he have a boyfriend?
Oh, does he have a boyfriend?
Er hat keinen Freund.
He doesn't have a boyfriend.
He doesn't have a boyfriend.
Meine Partnerin heißt Marie.
My partner's name is Marie.
My partner's name is Marie.
TIP
You’re accusing me?
In English, we say He likes me, but I like him. He becomes him because of the role it plays. German does the same thing with words like ein and mein!
Ich habe einen Bruder.
I have a brother.
I have a brother.
When something is on the receiving end of an action — being loved, being seen, etc. — the word is put in the accusative case, which makes certain words change form!
Ich liebe meinen Mann.
I love my husband.
I love my husband.
TIP
Not everything changes!
In the accusative, only masculine words change form. Others stay the same!
Meine Tochter liebt meine Schwester.
My daughter loves my sister.
My daughter loves my sister.