Nominative and Accusative in German

Understanding the difference between nominative and accusative is the fastest way to start building correct German sentences. Most beginner sentences are simply: Subject (nominative) + Verb + Object (accusative).

Nominative: the Subject

The nominative is the subject — who does the action (Wer? Was?).

• Der Mann sieht…
• Die Frau kauft…

Accusative: the Direct Object

The accusative is often the direct object (Wen? Was?).

• Der Mann sieht den Hund.
• Die Frau kauft das Brot.

The Key Article Change (der → den)

Most confusion comes from masculine nouns:

How to Decide Fast

• Find the verb.
• Ask: who does it? → nominative.
• Ask: what/whom? → accusative.

Mini Practice

• Der Mann sieht (der/den) Hund.
• Ich habe (ein/einen) Bruder.
• Wir kaufen (das/den) Brot. (Hint: “Brot” is neuter → “das Brot”)