Adjectives with Fixed Cases
What are Adjectives with Fixed Cases in German ?
In German, some adjectives require a specific case (Dative, Genitive, or Accusative) when used with a noun or pronoun. These adjectives often describe emotions, states, or evaluations and do not follow the usual adjective-noun agreement rules.
1. Overview of Adjectives with Fixed Cases
A. Adjectives with the Dative Case (Dativ)
Some adjectives take Dative because they express a state or an effect on a person.
Adjective | Meaning | Example Sentence |
gleichgültig sein + D | to be indifferent to | Das ist mir völlig gleichgültig. (That is completely indifferent to me.) |
dankbar sein + D | to be grateful to | Ich bin dir sehr dankbar. (I am very grateful to you.) |
(un)angenehm sein + D | to be (un)pleasant for | Die Situation war ihm unangenehm. (The situation was unpleasant for him.) |
ähnlich sein + D | to be similar to | Dieses Buch ist dem anderen sehr ähnlich. (This book is very similar to the other one.) |
behilflich sein + D | to be helpful to | Kann ich Ihnen behilflich sein? (Can I be of assistance to you?) |
peinlich sein + D | to be embarrassing for | Das wäre mir sehr peinlich. (That would be very embarrassing for me.) |
fremd sein + D | to be unfamiliar with | Die Situation war ihm fremd. (The situation was unfamiliar to him.) |
nützlich + D | to be useful to | Das Wörterbuch ist mir sehr nüzlich. (The dictionary is very useful to me.) |
Rule:
The affected person is always in Dative.
B. Adjectives with the Genitive Case (Genitiv)
Some adjectives take Genitive because they express possession, awareness, or suspicion.
Adjective | Meaning | Example Sentence |
sich sicher sein + G | to be sure of | Ich bin meiner Sache sicher. (I am sure of my case.) |
sich bewusst sein + G | to be aware of | Er war sich seines Fehlers bewusst. (He was aware of his mistake.) |
verdächtig sein + G | to be suspected of | Er wurde des Diebstahls verdächtigt. (He was suspected of theft.) |
mächtig sein + G | to be powerful over | Der König war seiner Macht mächtig. (The king was powerful over his authority.) |
schuldig sein + G | to be guilty of | Er ist des Betrugs schuldig. (He is guilty of fraud.) |
Rule:
These adjectives require Genitive because they indicate knowledge, certainty, or suspicion. In modern usage, however, many native speakers use Dative instead.
C. Adjectives with the Accusative Case (Akkusativ)
Some adjectives take Accusative because they express a state directly affecting the subject.
Adjective | Meaning | Example Sentence |
gewohnt sein + A | to be used to | Ich bin das kalte Wetter gewohnt. (I am used to the cold weather.) |
wert sein + A | to be worth | Diese Idee ist jeden Versuch wert. (This idea is worth every attempt.) |
leid sein + A | to be tired of | Ich bin das ständige Streiten leid. (I am tired of the constant arguing.) |
gewahr sein + A | to be worth of | Er ist den Preis wert. (He is worth the price.) |
Rule:
The thing affected is always in Accusative.
2. Common Sentence Structures
Case | Structure |
Dative (D) | Adjective + Dative object |
Genitive (G) | Adjective + Genitive object |
Accusative (A) | Adjective + Accusative object |
Examples:
- Dative: Der Fehler war mir peinlich. (The mistake was embarrassing for me.)
- Genitive: Sie war sich ihrer Entscheidung bewusst. (She was aware of her decision.)
Accusative: Ich bin diesen Stress gewohnt. (I am used to this stress.)