da(r)- + Preposition
Da-Compounds
Da-compounds (e.g., damit, darauf, davon) are used to say things like 'with it', 'on it', or 'about that'. They are essential because German does not allow phrases like 'mit es' or 'auf das' when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
How It Works
In German, personal pronouns like ihn, ihm, or sie are used for people and animals when they are the object of a verb. However, when an inanimate object or idea follows a preposition, you usually use a da-compound instead of a pronoun.
1. Formation:
- da + consonant: da + mit = damit (with it/that)
- da + vowel: da + r + auf = darauf (on it/that)
2. Usage:
These compounds replace a prepositional phrase referring to things. For example, if someone asks 'Are you waiting for the Bus?', you don't say 'Ich warte auf ihn' (which implies a person or animal); you say 'Ich warte darauf'.
3. Anticipatory Use:
They often point forward to a dass-clause or an infinitive phrase.
Example: Ich freue mich darauf, dich zu sehen. (I am looking forward to seeing you.)
4. Restrictions and Exceptions:
- People and Animals: Usually do not use da-compounds for people or animals (especially pets). Use the preposition + pronoun (e.g., mit ihm).
- Preposition Exceptions: Some prepositions like ohne, seit, außer, gegenüber, and bis cannot form da-compounds. In these cases, use the preposition + personal pronoun even for objects (e.g., ohne es).
- Cases: They do not work with genitive prepositions like trotz or während.
- Hier-compounds: You may occasionally see hier-compounds (e.g., hiermit). These are formal alternatives to da-compounds, often used in official documents.
Examples (4)
- Hier ist ein Stift. Ich schreibe damit.
Here is a pen. I am writing with it.
Word by Word: Here is a pen. I write there-with.
'Damit' replaces 'mit dem Stift'. Since a pen is an object, we use the da-compound.
- Denkst du an den Termin? Ja, ich denke daran.
Are you thinking about the appointment? Yes, I'm thinking about it.
Word by Word: Think you on the appointment? Yes, I think there-on.
Because 'an' starts with a vowel, we insert an '-r-' to make 'daran'.
- Ich warte auf den Bus. Ich warte schon lange darauf.
I am waiting for the bus. I've been waiting for it for a long time.
Word by Word: I wait on the bus. I wait already long there-on.
'Darauf' refers back to 'der Bus'. Using 'auf ihn' would imply the bus is a person or an animal.
- Der Hund bleibt zu Hause. Ich gehe ohne ihn spazieren.
The dog stays at home. I am going for a walk without him.
Word by Word: The dog stays at home. I go without him walking.
We use 'ohne ihn' instead of a da-compound because 'ohne' does not form da-compounds, and we are referring to an animal.
Common Mistakes
Using a da-compound for a person or a pet.
Ich gehe mit meinem Hund spazieren. Ich gehe damit spazieren.Ich gehe mit ihm spazieren.Da-compounds are mostly for inanimate objects or abstract concepts. For people and animals (especially pets), you must use the preposition plus the personal pronoun (mit ihm, für sie, etc.).
Translating 'for it' literally as 'für es' for inanimate objects.
Das ist ein Geschenk. Ich danke dir für es.Das ist ein Geschenk. Ich danke dir dafür.In German, you cannot combine most prepositions directly with the pronoun 'es' when referring to things. You must use the da-compound 'dafür'.
Forgetting the linking '-r-' before a vowel.
Ich freue mich daauf.Ich freue mich darauf.If the preposition starts with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), you must insert an '-r-' between 'da' and the preposition for pronunciation.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand da-compounds, you must first be familiar with German prepositions (both dative and accusative) because these form the second half of the compound. Additionally, you need to understand how personal pronouns work, as da-compounds specifically replace the need to use a pronoun when referring to things or concepts rather than people.
- aus/bei/mit/nach/seit/von/zuDative Prepositions
Da-compounds are formed by combining 'da-' with prepositions, so understanding common dative prepositions like 'mit' or 'von' is essential.
Level 1 - für/durch/gegen/ohne/umAccusative Prepositions
Understanding accusative prepositions is necessary as they frequently form compounds like 'dafür' or 'darum'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- wo(r)- + PrepositionWo-Compounds
Wo-compounds (like 'womit') are the question counterparts to da-compounds.
Level 2 - Fixed Verb-Preposition Combinations
Verbs with fixed prepositions often require da-compounds to refer back to the object of the sentence.
Level 3 - dassThat (Dass)
Da-compounds often act as placeholders that point toward a following 'dass' clause.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice da(r)- + Preposition in Bubblegum
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