In German, possessive pronouns (Possessivpronomen or Possessivartikel) like mein, dein, etc., don't just indicate ownership; they also reflect the grammatical case of the noun they modify. Our previous guide focused on the Nominative case, where the possessive pronoun agrees with the subject.

This article will explain how German possessive pronouns change their endings when the noun they refer to is in the Akkusativ or Dativ case. These cases are typically used for direct and indirect objects, or after certain prepositions. Mastering these changes is crucial for fluency when you learn German online.

We'll provide detailed tables and examples for both the Akkusativ and Dativ cases.

The Basic German Possessive Pronouns

As a quick recap, here are the base forms, which remain consistent regardless of the case:

Possessive Pronoun Declension: Akkusativ & Dativ Cases

The rule remains the same fundamental principle as in the Nominative, but you now need to apply the endings corresponding to the Akkusativ and Dativ cases.

Rule: The ending of a possessive pronoun depends entirely on the gender, number, and case of the NOUN IT POSSESSES.

The endings mirror those of the indefinite article ein (a/an) and the negative article kein (no/not a) for each respective case.

Recall: Endings for 'ein' / 'kein'

Here's a quick look at the endings for ein / kein in Akkusativ and Dativ, which possessive pronouns follow:

• Akkusativ Endings:
  • Masc: -en (keinen)
  • Fem: -e (keine)
  • Neut: No ending (kein)
  • Plural: -e (keine)
• Dativ Endings:
  • Masc: -em (keinem)
  • Fem: -er (keiner)
  • Neut: -em (keinem)
  • Plural: -en (keinen) *Note: The noun itself often adds an -n in Dativ plural.*

Let's see this applied to the possessive pronouns.

Akkusativ Possessive Pronoun Table

Use this table when the noun being possessed is the direct object of a verb or follows an Akkusativ preposition (like durch, für, gegen, ohne, um).

Akkusativ Examples:

• Ich sehe meinen Bruder. (I see my brother. - Bruder is masc., direct object)
• Er kauft seine Tasche. (He buys his bag. - Tasche is fem., direct object)
• Wir haben unser Auto. (We have our car. - Auto is neut., direct object)
• Sie besucht ihre Eltern. (She visits her/their parents. - Eltern is plural, direct object)
• Ich gehe durch deinen Garten. (I go through your garden. - Garten is masc., after Akkusativ preposition 'durch')

Dativ Possessive Pronoun Table

Use this table when the noun being possessed is the indirect object of a verb or follows a Dativ preposition (like aus, außer, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu).

Dativ Examples:

• Ich gebe meinem Bruder ein Geschenk. (I give my brother a gift. - Bruder is masc., indirect object)
• Er fährt mit seiner Mutter. (He drives with his mother. - Mutter is fem., after Dativ preposition 'mit')
• Sie spielt mit ihrem Kind. (She plays with her/their child. - Kind is neut., after Dativ preposition 'mit')
• Wir helfen unseren Freunden. (We help our friends. - Freunden is plural, indirect object. Note the -n on Freunde.)
• Ich komme aus deinem Haus. (I come from your house. - Haus is neut., after Dativ preposition 'aus')

Common Confusion Points in Akkusativ & Dativ

1. sein vs. ihr

The distinction between the owner being masculine/neuter (sein-) or feminine/plural/formal (ihr- or Ihr-) is still crucial. The ending then follows the case and gender/number of the possessed noun.

• Ich sehe seinen Vater. (I see his father. - owner is masc/neut, Vater is masc Akkusativ)
• Ich sehe ihren Vater. (I see her/their/Your father. - owner is fem/pl/formal, Vater is masc Akkusativ)
• Er spricht mit seinem Kind. (He speaks with his/its child. - owner is masc/neut, Kind is neut Dativ)
• Er spricht mit ihrem Kind. (He speaks with her/their/Your child. - owner is fem/pl/formal, Kind is neut Dativ)

2. euer -> eur-

The contraction rule applies whenever euer needs an ending. This happens in all Akkusativ and Dativ forms except Akkusativ Neuter (where no ending is needed).

• Wir besuchen eure Oma. (We visit your grandma. - Oma is fem Akkusativ)
• Wir besuchen euren Opa. (We visit your grandpa. - Opa is masc Akkusativ)
• Wir besuchen euer Haus. (We visit your house. - Haus is neut Akkusativ - no ending, no contraction)
• Wir besuchen eure Großeltern. (We visit your grandparents. - Großeltern is plural Akkusativ)


• Ich spreche mit eurem Sohn. (I speak with your son. - Sohn is masc Dativ)
• Ich spreche mit eurer Tochter. (I speak with your daughter. - Tochter is fem Dativ)
• Ich spreche mit eurem Kind. (I speak with your child. - Kind is neut Dativ)
• Ich spreche mit euren Kindern. (I speak with your children. - Kindern is plural Dativ)

Rule: euer + ending = eur + ending (except when no ending is needed - Akkusativ Neuter).

Tips for Mastering Possessives in Akkusativ & Dativ

1. Master the Base Forms: Be quick to identify the correct base form (mein, dein, sein, etc.) based on the *owner*.
2. Identify the Possessed Noun: Determine its gender and number.
3. Identify the Case: Ask yourself: Is the noun the direct object (usually Akkusativ)? Is it the indirect object (usually Dativ)? Is it after an Akkusativ or Dativ preposition?
4. Use the Tables: Once you know the base form, the noun's gender/number, and the case, find the correct ending in the Akkusativ or Dativ table.
5. Practice with Examples: Actively create sentences using different verbs and prepositions that require Akkusativ or Dativ.
6. Drill sein vs. ihr: Pay extra attention to whether the owner is masculine/neuter (`sein-`) or feminine/plural/formal (`ihr-/Ihr-`).
7. Watch for euer: Remember the eur- contraction when adding endings.
8. Pay Attention to Dativ Plural Nouns: Remember to add the -n to most Dativ plural nouns (meinen Kindern, euren Häusern).

Conclusion: Expanding Your Possessive Pronoun Skills

Understanding possessive pronoun declension in the Akkusativ and Dativ cases is a significant step in mastering German grammar. It builds upon the foundation of the Nominative case and reinforces the critical rule: the ending depends on the gender, number, and case of the *possessed noun*.

By diligently practicing with verbs and prepositions that trigger these cases and referring to the tables, you'll become more comfortable forming phrases like meinen Bruder (Akkusativ), seiner Mutter (Dativ), or euren Freunden (Dativ plural).

This article covered the Akkusativ and Dativ cases. You can revisit our guide on the Nominative case here. The Genitive case also exists but is less common for direct objects or after most prepositions.

Viel Erfolg beim Meistern der Possessivpronomen im Akkusativ und Dativ!