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Definite article 'dem' (the, neuter, dative)
Bestimmter Artikel 'dem' (neutrum, Dativ)
'dem' is the of neuter 'das'.
Structure
dem + neutrales Nomen (Dativ)
dem + neuter noun (dative)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Article
- Word Type
- Definite article
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
In the the neuter das becomes dem. Masculine and neuter share the same dative form, dem.
Examples:
- Ich gebe dem Kind einen Ball. - I give the child a ball.
- Wir wohnen neben dem Haus. - We live next to the house.
- Ich helfe dem Mädchen. - I am helping the girl.
Where you use it: after verbs, for the recipient, and after dative prepositions with a neuter .
Contractions: because dem is so common, it merges with prepositions: in dem → im, zu dem → zum, an dem → am, bei dem → beim. Ich bin in dem Auto becomes Ich bin im Auto.
Common mistakes:
- Keeping das in the (mit dem Auto, not mit das Auto).
- Skipping the natural contraction (im, zum).
About Definite article 'dem' (the, neuter, dative)
'dem' is the of neuter 'das'.
of neuter 'das'; masculine and neuter share 'dem'.
'dem' ist der von 'das' ().
Caution
das → dem in the dative - masculine and neuter share 'dem'. Contraction: in dem → im, zu dem → zum.