Prepositions

Countries

Some countries have the definite article as well as the simple name in German. A good example is 'die Schweiz' (Switzerland). Always use the preposition 'in' for these countries.

For example:

Ich wohne in der Schweiz. Ich fahre in die Schweiz. - I live in Switzerland. I am going to Switzerland.

Short forms of some prepositions

Some prepositions combine with the article in a shortened form.

Nächstes Jahr fahren wir ans Meer. - Next year we’re going to the seaside.

Wir gehen ins Kino. - We’re going to the cinema.

Ich sitze am Tisch und lese ein Buch. - I’m sitting at the table reading a book.

Phrases containing the word 'home'

Note the stock phrase 'zu Hause', meaning 'at home', where 'zu' means 'at', and not 'to'.

Note also the phrase 'nach Hause', meaning '(to) home', as illustrated in the following examples.

Heute abend bleibe ich zu Hause und sehe fern. - I’m staying in/at home this evening (and) watching television.

Wann gehst du nach Hause?' - 'When are you going home?

Points to note

Of the prepositions used in these particular ways, 'an' and 'auf' can take either the accusative or dative, and follow the normal rules about movement / no movement. (See the section on Prepositions which can take the accusative OR dative.)

Ich fahre aufs/auf das Land. - I’m going to the country. (accusative case)

Ich wohne auf dem Lande. - I live in the country. (dative case)

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