Circumpositions (Zirkumposition) in German are pairs of words that function like prepositions, except they are split into two parts: one part before the noun and one part after the noun.
Where prepositions (pre = before) come before the noun, and postpositions (post = after), circumpositions (circum = around) go around the noun! Circumpositions, prepositions, and postpositions are together referred-to as “adpositions,” as and they all have the same basic function: indicating how a noun should be related to the rest of a sentence.
By the end of this post you'll be a master of German circumpositions and you’ll be able to impress all your friends with your delicious grammatical finesse. Let's take a closer look at these cuddly little adpositions and how they work in German grammar!
What are the circumpositions in German?
The most important German circumpositions are listed in the table below, along with their meanings. Like German prepositions and postpositions, each circumposition “triggers” a certain case.
| Circumposition | Translation | Case |
|---|---|---|
von…an | from + [time] + on | dative |
von…ab | from + [place] | dative |
von…aus | from…on | dative |
auf…zu | towards | accusative |
auf…hin | because of, following | accusative |
in…inbegriffen | included in | dative |
an…entlang | along | dative |
um…willen* | for the sake of | genitive |
an…statt* | in place of | genitive |
von…wegen* | by the power of | genitive |
In general, circumpositions are not as common as prepositions in German, but it’s still important to learn to use them. In the sections below, we’ll go through each of these circumpositions in detail, with some examples of each. Let’s have a look!
‘von…an’
This circumposition roughly means “from + [point in time] + on.” The noun it surrounds represents a starting point for an action or situation and will be in the dative case.
‘von…ab’
Von…ab also means “from…on” but unlike von…an, it is used for space rather than for time. It takes the dative.
‘von…aus’
Von…aus also means “from…on” and takes the dative case, except it is generally used when you have some particular with an ending point in mind:
This circumposition is used in a few other common constructions:
Use von Zuhause aus meaning from home to describe “work from home”:
In unserer Firma haben wir die Wahl, zwei Tage pro Woche von Zuhause aus zu arbeiten.Translation: In our company, we have the choice to work from home two days a week.Use von Natur aus how you might use the phrase “by nature” in English:
Hauskatzen sind von Natur aus sehr zutraulich.Translation: Domestic cats are very trusting by nature.You can use von + reflexive pronoun + aus like “on ones own accord” or “by ones own volition”:
Der Gewinner hat von sich aus auf das Preisgeld verzichtet.Translation: The winner has waived the prize money of his own accord.The phrase von mir aus is used to express that you’re fine with something:
Das war super! Von mir aus könnte es direkt weitergehen!Translation: That was great! As far as I’m concerned, it could go directly further!Often, it follows a little bit of pleading:
Speaker A:Kann ich deinen Keks haben?Translation: Can I have your cookie?Speaker B:Nein, ich würde ihn gerne selber essen.Translation: No, I’d rather eat it myself.Speaker A:Bitte bitte bitte! Der ist sooo lecker!Translation: Please, please, please! It’s sooo delicious!Speaker B:Okay, von mir aus…Translation: Okay, fine…
‘auf…zu’
Auf…zu means “towards” and can be used in the context of both space and time. Since it indicates movement, the accusative is used.
‘auf…hin’
Auf…hin means “because of”, “in reaction to, or “following.” It takes the accusative.
‘in…inbegriffen’
In…inbegriffen means “included in,” and is mostly used in the context of purchasing a product or service. It’s used with the dative case.
‘an…entlang’
An…entlang, like entlang on its own, means “along.” As a circumposition, it’s used with the dative case.
‘um…willen’
Um…willen is a little more formal and literary, meaning “for the sake of.” It is used with the genitive case.
Um…willen is a more formal synonym of wegen meaning because of or zuliebe meaning for the sake of:
You’ll often hear this circumposition in the common phrase Um Himmels willen meaning for heaven’s sake:
‘an…statt’
An…statt is a formal circumposition meaning “in place of.” It takes the genitive case.
A less formal way to phrase this is to use the construction an jemandes Stelle meaning in someone’s place:
You’ll often hear an…statt in the set phrase Annahme an Kindes statt meaning adoption in lieu of a child, which is a legal term for child adoption.
‘von…wegen’
Von…wegen meaning by the power of is almost exclusively found in legal language and it takes the genitive case.
Two of the most common uses, within formalized language, are:
von Amts wegen → “ex officio” or “by official mandate,” often shortened to v. A. w.
von Rechts wegen → “ipso jure” and is shortened to v. R. w.
For example:
Summary
And these are the circumpositions of German! Here are some points to remember:
Circumpositions are like prepositions that surround the noun. Like prepositions, they’re each associated with a particular case.
Circumpositions are not as common in German as simple prepositions, but some, like von…an meaning starting from and auf…zu meaning towards are a little more common. Others, like an…statt meaning in place of or von…wegen meaning by, are really only found in literary, formal, or legal language.
Ready to study? Review this list of German circumpositions, then try our German circumpositions activities!
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