Cases (Casus) in German

Definition

The cases modify the article to inform the role of a noun in the sentence.

Case	Function	Fragewort
Nominativ	Identifies the subject of a sentence.	Wer/Was (Who/what)
Akkusativ	Identifies the direct object of a verb.	Wen (Whom)
Dativ	Identifies the indirect object of a verb.	Wem (To whom)
Genitiv	Indicates possession or association.	Wessen (Whose)

Example:

• Definite Case

  $$\underset{\text{Subjekt}}{\underbrace{\text{Der Mann}}}\text{ gibt }\underset{\text{Indirektes Objekt}}{\underbrace{\text{dem Hund}}}\stackrel{\text{Direktes Objekt}}{\overbrace{\text{den Knochen.}}}$$

• Indefinite Case

  $$\underset{\text{Subjekt}}{\underbrace{\text{Ein Mann}}}\text{ gibt }\underset{\text{Indirecktes Objekt}}{\underbrace{\text{einem Hund}}}\stackrel{\text{Direktes Objekt}}{\overbrace{\text{einen Knochen.}}}$$

• Genitiv

  $$\text{Das ist }\underset{\text{Nominative}}{\underbrace{\text{das Haus }}}\stackrel{\text{Genitiv}}{\overbrace{\text{meines Bruders.}}}$$

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References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLPqnfc6WPM