Direct object (many verbs)

Ich sehe den Film. Ich kaufe das Brot.

ein/einen/eine

Masculine accusative einen: Ich habe einen Bruder.

Common accusative prepositions

durch, für, gegen, ohne, um …

Practical Examples

• Ich sehe den Mann.
• I see the man.
• Note: "Der Mann" (nominative) becomes "den Mann" (accusative) because "sehen" (to see) requires an accusative object.

• Du kaufst eine Pizza.
• You buy a pizza.
• Note: "Die Pizza" (feminine) uses "eine Pizza" in the accusative, as feminine indefinite articles don't change.

• Wir trinken das Wasser.
• We drink the water.
• Note: "Das Wasser" (neuter) remains "das Wasser" in the accusative, as neuter definite articles don't change.

• Er hat einen Hund.
• He has a dog.
• Note: The verb "haben" (to have) always takes an accusative object. "Ein Hund" (masculine nominative) becomes "einen Hund" (masculine accusative).

• Sie liest ein Buch.
• She reads a book.
• Note: "Das Buch" (neuter) uses "ein Buch" in the accusative, as neuter indefinite articles don't change.

• Kochst du das Essen?
• Are you cooking the food?
• Note: "Das Essen" (neuter) remains "das Essen" in the accusative when used as the direct object of "kochen" (to cook).

• Ich mag dich.
• I like you.
• Note: "Du" (nominative personal pronoun) becomes "dich" in the accusative when it's the direct object.

• Wir besuchen unsere Freunde.
• We visit our friends.
• Note: "Die Freunde" (plural) uses "unsere Freunde" in the accusative, as plural articles/possessive pronouns don't change in the accusative.

• Hast du einen Stift?
• Do you have a pen?
• Note: "Ein Stift" (masculine nominative) becomes "einen Stift" (masculine accusative) because "haben" requires an accusative object.

• Ich habe keinen Hunger.
• I don't have hunger / I'm not hungry.
• Note: "Der Hunger" (masculine) becomes "keinen Hunger" in the accusative to negate having hunger.

• Sie sucht ihre Tasche.
• She is looking for her bag.
• Note: "Die Tasche" (feminine) uses "ihre Tasche" in the accusative, as feminine possessive pronouns don't change.

• Er versteht die Frage nicht.
• He doesn't understand the question.
• Note: "Die Frage" (feminine) remains "die Frage" in the accusative when it's the direct object of "verstehen" (to understand).

• Wir brauchen ein Auto.
• We need a car.
• Note: "Das Auto" (neuter) uses "ein Auto" in the accusative, as neuter indefinite articles don't change.

• Kennen Sie Herrn Müller?
• Do you know Mr. Müller?
• Note: "Herr Müller" (masculine proper noun) takes the accusative ending "-n" when it's the direct object, becoming "Herrn Müller".

• Ich esse keinen Apfel.
• I am not eating an apple.
• Note: "Der Apfel" (masculine) becomes "keinen Apfel" in the accusative when negated with "kein".