Accusative = motion into/toward a place

Ich gehe in die Küche.

Dative = static in/at a place

Ich bin in der Küche.

Practical Examples

1. Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.

• English: The book lies on the table.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because the book is located on the table; there's no movement of the book itself.

1. Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch.

• English: I lay the book onto the table.
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because there's a movement (laying) of the book to the table.

1. Wir sind heute Abend im Kino.

• English: We are at the cinema tonight.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because it describes the location where we are. (Contraction: in + dem = im)

1. Gehen wir heute Abend ins Kino?

• English: Are we going to the cinema tonight?
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because it describes the direction of movement. (Contraction: in + das = ins)

1. Die Katze schläft unter dem Bett.

• English: The cat sleeps under the bed.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because the cat is located under the bed; there's no movement.

1. Warum schiebst du die Tasche unter das Bett?

• English: Why are you pushing the bag under the bed?
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because there's a movement (pushing) of the bag to under the bed.

1. Das Bild hängt an der Wand.

• English: The picture hangs on the wall.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because the picture is located on the wall; it's stationary.

1. Hängst du das Poster an die Wand?

• English: Are you hanging the poster on the wall?
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because there's a movement (hanging) of the poster to the wall.

1. Der Schlüssel steckt im Schloss.

• English: The key is in the lock.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because the key is located in the lock; it's stationary. (Contraction: in + dem = im)

1. Steck den Schlüssel ins Schloss!

• English: Put the key into the lock!
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because there's a movement (putting) of the key into the lock. (Contraction: in + das = ins)

1. Die Kinder spielen vor dem Haus.

• English: The children are playing in front of the house.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because it describes the location where the children are playing.

1. Stell die Schuhe nicht vor die Tür!

• English: Don't put the shoes in front of the door!
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because there's a movement (putting) of the shoes to in front of the door.

1. Der Vogel fliegt über den Baum.

• English: The bird flies over the tree.
• Usage Note: Accusative is used because the bird is moving across or over the tree, indicating direction.

1. Der Himmel ist über den Wolken.

• English: The sky is above the clouds.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because it describes the location of the sky relative to the clouds; there's no movement.

1. Die Fernbedienung liegt hinter dem Sofa.

• English: The remote control lies behind the sofa.
• Usage Note: Dative is used because the remote control is located behind the sofa; it's stationary.