| Singular | Plural | Singular & Plural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich = I | wir = we | ||
| du = you (informal) | ihr = you (informal plural) | Sie = you (formal) |  |
| er = he, it (masculine) sie = she, it (feminine) es = it (neuter) |
sie = they |
The personal pronouns in the accusative case are:
| Singular | Plural | Singular & Plural |
|---|---|---|
| mich = me | uns = us | |
| dich = you (informal) | euch = you (informal plural) | Sie = you (formal) |
| ihn = him, it (masculine) sie = her, it (feminine) es = it |
sie = them |
The personal pronouns in the dative case are:
| Singular | Plural | Singular & Plural |
|---|---|---|
| mir = me | uns = us | dir = you (informal) | euch = you (informal plural) | Ihnen = you (formal) | |
ihm = him, it (masculine) ihr = her, it (feminine) ihm = it (neuter) |
ihnen = them |
In English, only pronouns referring to people show gender differentiation (the woman - she/her, the man - he/him). In German, pronouns referring to objects also show gender differentiation. Thus er / ihn / ihm are used to refer to masculine nouns, sie / sie / ihr to refer to feminine nouns, and es / es / ihm to refer to neuter nouns. All translate into English as "it."
| Ich möchte diese Jacke,
aber ich kann sie mir nicht leisten. Er braucht einen Wagen, aber er kann ihn sich nicht leisten. |
I would like this jacket, but I can't afford it. He needs a car, but he can't afford it. |
|
© 1997 by Gary Smith
Revised 2023
Revised 2023