vor / nach + dative time

• vor dem Essen, nach der Arbeit
• vor zwei Jahren (ago)

in + dative vs accusative

• in einer Woche (within / after a week — future)
• im Januar (when: dative)

seit + dative

Ongoing since: Ich lerne seit einem Jahr Deutsch.

am + weekday

am Montag, am Wochenende

Practical Examples

1. Ich habe ihn vor zwei Jahren kennengelernt.

• English: I met him two years ago.
• Note: Used to express a point in time in the past, meaning "ago". Always with Dative.

1. Kommst du nach der Arbeit nach Hause?

• English: Are you coming home after work?
• Note: Used to express an event happening subsequent to another. Always with Dative.

1. Der Zug fährt in zehn Minuten ab.

• English: The train departs in ten minutes.
• Note: Used to express a future point in time, meaning "in X minutes/hours/days". Always with Dative.

1. Ich lerne Deutsch seit einem Jahr.

• English: I have been learning German for one year.
• Note: Used to express a duration that started in the past and continues up to the present. Always with Dative.

1. Wir treffen uns vor dem Konzert.

• English: We'll meet before the concert.
• Note: Used to indicate an event happening prior to another specific event. Always with Dative.

1. Was machst du nach dem Abendessen?

• English: What are you doing after dinner?
• Note: A common question to ask about plans following a meal or event. Always with Dative.

1. Meine Schwester hat im (in dem) Juli Geburtstag.

• English: My sister has her birthday in July.
• Note: Used with months and seasons (e.g., im Sommer) to specify when something happens. Always with Dative.

1. Er wohnt seit 2020 in München.

• English: He has been living in Munich since 2020.
• Note: Used to specify a starting point in the past from which an action or state continues. Always with Dative.

1. Ich habe vor einer Stunde gefrühstückt.

• English: I had breakfast an hour ago.
• Note: Another example of "ago" with a specific time duration. Always with Dative.

1. Wir fahren in den Urlaub in zwei Wochen.

• English: We're going on holiday in two weeks.
• Note: Combines "in" for a future point in time. Always with Dative.

1. Ich habe ihn seit letzter Woche nicht gesehen.

• English: I haven't seen him since last week.
• Note: Used in negative sentences to indicate that something has not happened since a certain point in time. Always with Dative.

1. Bitte ruf mich nach 17 Uhr an.

• English: Please call me after 5 PM.
• Note: Used to specify a time after which an action should occur. Always with Dative.

1. Kannst du vor dem Meeting die E-Mails checken?

• English: Can you check the emails before the meeting?
• Note: A polite request for an action to be completed prior to another event. Always with Dative.

1. Die Kinder sind in den Ferien bei ihren Großeltern.

• English: The children are with their grandparents during the holidays.
• Note: Used to refer to a period of time like holidays (die Ferien is plural, hence den Ferien). Always with Dative.

1. Wie lange wartest du schon? – Ich warte seit einer halben Stunde.

• English: How long have you been waiting? – I've been waiting for half an hour.
• Note: A common question-and-answer pair demonstrating "seit" for duration. Always with Dative.