Beyond the “Wo vs. Wohin” Rule: Fixed Local Prepositions
By now, you probably know that German prepositions can be tricky. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the 9 “Two-Way” prepositions that switch between Dative and Accusative.
But what about the others?
In German, there is a group of local prepositions that are fixed. This means they don’t care if there is movement or a static position—they always demand the same case. Master these, and you’ll eliminate half of your grammar mistakes instantly!
1. The “Always Accusative” Group
When you use these prepositions to describe a path or a direction, you must use the Accusative case. No exceptions, no “Wo vs. Wohin” thinking!
- Durch (Through): Use this for movement through a space, like a park or a tunnel.
- Example: Ich gehe durch den Park. (I am walking through the park.)
- Um (Around): Use this when going around an object or a corner.
- Example: Wir fahren um den See. (We are driving around the lake.)
- Gegen (Against / Into): Used when you physically hit or lean against something.
- Example: Er läuft gegen die Tür. (He walks into the door.)
2. The “Always Dative” Group
On the flip side, we have prepositions that are strictly Dative. Even if you are moving towards a destination, the grammar stays Dative.
- Zu (To): This is the most common one! Used for people, specific buildings, or stores.
- Example: Ich gehe zum (zu dem) Arzt. (I am going to the doctor.)
- Nach (To): Used for cities, countries (without articles), and directions.
- Example: Ich fliege nach Berlin. (I am flying to Berlin.)
- Aus (Out of): Moving from the inside to the outside of a place.
- Example: Sie kommt aus dem Haus. (She is coming out of the house.)
- Von (From): Coming from a specific point or person.
- Example: Ich komme gerade vom (von dem) Training. (I am just coming from training.)
Why This is a Game Changer
The biggest mistake learners make is trying to apply the “movement rule” to “zu”.
- Common Mistake: “Ich gehe zu den Bahnhof” (using Accusative because there is movement).
- The Reality: “Ich gehe zum Bahnhof” (Dative).
Because “zu” is a “Dative Boss,” it doesn’t matter that you are moving. The preposition itself dictates the case. Understanding this will save you a lot of headache!
Need a refresher on cases? If you’re still feeling shaky on how these cases work in general, check out our guide on Dative vs. Accusative in German.
Quick Cheat Sheet
| Preposition | Case | Best used for… |
| Durch | Accusative | Movement through a space |
| Um | Accusative | Going around something |
| Zu | Dative | Destinations (people/places) |
| Nach | Dative | Cities, Countries, Directions |
| Aus | Dative | Leaving a place |
Final Thoughts
Not every preposition in German is a “two-way” street. By memorizing these fixed prepositions, you take the guesswork out of your sentences. Start by focusing on “zu” and “nach”—they are the ones you will use every single day!
For a deep dive into all types of local grammar, don’t miss our main explanation of lokalpräpositionen.