German is a language notable for its grammatical complexity and rich vocabulary. One of the areas that students often struggle with is prepositions. In this chapter, we'll explore German prepositions of origin, which are used to indicate the origin or starting point of something or someone.
The original prepositions in German are 'aus', 'von', 'ab' and 'seit'. Each of them has a specific use and nuances that differentiate them from each other. Let's look at each of them in detail.
Aus
'Aus' is a preposition that indicates origin or provenance. It is used when we want to indicate that something or someone comes from a closed place or from a country or city. For example:
- Ich komme aus Deutschland. (I come from Germany.)
- Er kommt aus dem Haus. (He comes from the house.)
In addition, 'aus' can also be used to indicate the raw material something is made of. For example:
- Das Haus ist aus Holz. (The house is made of wood.)
You will
'Von' is another preposition of origin, which is used to indicate the origin or beginning of something in a more abstract sense. For example:
- Das Buch ist von meinem Freund. (The book is my friend's.)
- Die Idee kommt von ihr. (The idea comes from her.)
'Von' is also used to indicate the author of a work. For example:
- Das Bild ist von Picasso. (The painting is by Picasso.)
Ab
'Ab' is a preposition that indicates the beginning of a period of time or a distance. For example:
- Ab Montag bin ich im Urlaub. (From Monday I'll be on vacation.)
- Ab hier sind es noch funf Kilometer. (From here it's another five kilometers.)
Seit
'Seit' is a preposition that indicates the beginning of a period of time that continues into the present. For example:
- Ich wohne seit zwei Jahren in Berlin. (I have lived in Berlin for two years.)
It is important to note that all of these prepositions require the dative case in German. This means that the noun or pronoun that follows the preposition must be in the dative case.
German source prepositions are a crucial part of German grammar and the correct use of these prepositions can make a big difference to your fluency in German. Understanding and practicing using these prepositions will help you express the origin and beginning of something clearly and precisely.
In summary, the prepositions of origin in German 'aus', 'von', 'ab', and 'seit' are used to indicate the origin or starting point of something or someone. Each of them has specific uses and nuances that differentiate them from each other. Practicing using these prepositions in different contexts will help you improve your German skills.
