How to use accusative pronouns in German?

In German we use accusative pronouns in all the same places where you would use accusative nouns: mostly for the direct object of the sentence and to follow certain prepositions.

Accusative pronouns are often called direct object pronouns because they are most classically used to replace the direct object of a sentence. Notice that, in the example below, the direct object pronoun has a different form from the subject pronoun:

However, accusative pronouns are not only used for the direct object of the sentence. In this post, we’ll introduce you to the accusative forms of the German personal pronouns, discuss when you should use them, and discuss where to put them in German sentences. Ready to have a look? Let’s dive in!

The accusative personal pronouns in German are mich, dich, ihn, sie, es, uns, euch, sie, and Sie. These are sometimes also called “direct object pronouns.”

Here are some good ways to memorize the accusative pronouns:

• The accusative pronouns mich and dich rhyme with the nominative pronoun ich.

• The singular “you” pronoun dich starts with “d” just like its nominative equivalent, du.

• Notice in the table above that the accusative pronouns ihn, sie, es are the same as the nominative pronouns er, sie, es, except for the masculine pronoun ihn.

• The RESE-NESE-MRMN-SRSR mnemonic for the ending of the definite articles can be used to remember the endings of these pronouns: the accusative mnemonic is NESE which corresponds to the pronouns: ihn, sie, es, sie.

• Uns sounds a lot like its English equivalent “us.”

In German, we use accusative pronouns in two main instances:

1. To replace a noun that is the direct object of the sentence, in other words, the the noun directly affected by the action:

   accusative pronoun

   Ich sehe meinen Hund Waldi. → Ich sehe ihn.

   Translation: I see my dog Waldi. → I see him.

2. To replace nouns that are introduced by certain prepositions.

   • We always use these pronouns after the accusative prepositions, such as durch or für.

     accusative prepositionaccusative pronoun

     Die Wurst ist für meinen Hund Waldi. → Die Wurst ist für ihn.

     Translation: The sausage is for my dog Waldi. → The sausage is for him.

   • We can use these pronouns after two-case prepositions (e.g. in, an, or auf) when they introduce nouns for people or pets (animals we treat like people).

     two-case prepositionaccusative pronoun

     Waldi springt auf die Katze. → Waldi springt sich auf sie.

     Translation: Waldi is jumping on the cat. → Waldi is jumping on her.

In German, accusative pronouns most often come after the verb, where direct objects usually go in standard German word order.

However, when your sentence has both a direct object and an indirect object (recipient or beneficiary, there’s a special little rule to learn. Though usually the direct object in German comes after the indirect object, if the direct object is a pronoun, it’ll come before the indirect object instead.

• indirect objectdirect object

  Ich gebe dem Hund eine Wurst.

  Translation: I give the dog a sausage.

• BUT:

• indirect objectdirect object

  Ich gebe sie dem Hund.

  Translation: I give it to the dog.

What if both nouns are pronouns? No problem, we use the second order, with the accusative pronoun first:

What else is there to know about accusative pronouns? Accusative pronouns are part of some useful idiomatic phrases.

Check these out if you want to greet someone and introduce yourself:

Something to say when it is cold outside:

Say this if you need a little peace and quiet and people have been ignoring your more gentle requests:

In this article we discussed:

• The accusative pronouns in German are mich, dich, ihn, sie, es, uns, euch, sie, and Sie.

• Accusative pronouns are used to replace nouns that are:

  • direct objects

  • after accusative prepositions

• Accusative pronouns always stand before an indirect object, not after.

Now, you’re ready to practice! Have a look at our German accusative pronoun activities, or review what you’ve learned by checking out this sheet with all the German personal pronouns!