German for English speakers House · Lesson 6

Under and on

German spatial prepositions — unter dem Tisch (under the table) — and weil for 'because' with verb at the end.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Warum liest du unter dem Tisch?

    Why are you reading under the table?

    Tip: <unter dem> = this indicates that the subject is not moving but is located somewhere.

  2. Pishi Pishi

    Weil der Stuhl viel zu niedrig für mich ist.

    Because the chair is too low for me

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Du kannst auf dem Tisch lesen, wenn du willst.

    You can get on the table, if you wish.

  4. Pishi Pishi

    Alles klar.

    Ok

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'under' in German?

Unter + dative for location, accusative for direction. Unter dem Tisch = 'under the table' (where). Unter den Tisch = under the table (direction toward).

Weil vs denn for 'because'?

Weil sends verb to the end: weil ich müde bin. Denn doesn't: denn ich bin müde. Same meaning, different syntax.

Common German position words?

Unter (under), auf (on), neben (next to), zwischen (between), vor (in front of), hinter (behind), in (in).

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