uns/euch/ihnen
Dative Pronouns Plural
Dative pronouns represent the indirect object (the recipient) in a sentence. In the plural, they are: uns (us), euch (you all), ihnen (them), and Ihnen (you formal).
How It Works
In German, the dative case is used for the 'receiver' of an action. Plural pronouns have specific forms you must learn:
- uns (us): Used for the first person plural. It is identical to the accusative form.
- euch (you all): Used for the informal second person plural. It is also identical to the accusative form.
- ihnen (them): Used for the third person plural. Note the final -n, which is a hallmark of the dative plural.
- Ihnen (you formal): Used for formal address (singular or plural). It is always capitalized in writing.
These pronouns are required after verbs like helfen (to help), danken (to thank), or gehören (to belong to). They also follow prepositions like mit, von, and zu.
Examples (5)
- Können Sie uns bitte helfen?
Can you please help us?
Word by Word: Can you us please help?
'Helfen' is a dative verb, so 'wir' (we) becomes 'uns'.
- Ich danke euch für das Geschenk.
I thank you all for the gift.
Word by Word: I thank you-all for the gift.
'Danken' requires the dative case for the person being thanked.
- Das Haus gehört ihnen.
The house belongs to them.
Word by Word: The house belongs them.
'Gehören' is a dative verb; 'ihnen' indicates the owners (them).
- Wie geht es Ihnen, Herr Müller?
How are you, Mr. Müller?
Word by Word: How goes it to-you, Mr. Müller?
The phrase 'Wie geht es...' always uses the dative. 'Ihnen' is the formal 'you'.
- Ich gehe mit ihnen ins Kino.
I am going to the cinema with them.
Word by Word: I go with them into-the cinema.
The preposition 'mit' always triggers the dative case.
Common Mistakes
Using 'sie' instead of 'ihnen' after a dative preposition.
Ich spreche mit sie.Ich spreche mit ihnen.'Mit' is a dative preposition. While 'sie' is the plural for 'them' in the accusative, you must use 'ihnen' in the dative.
Confusing 'ihr' (to her) with 'ihnen' (to them).
Ich helfe ihr (meaning 'them').Ich helfe ihnen.'Ihr' is dative singular feminine (to her). 'Ihnen' is dative plural (to them).
Forgetting to capitalize 'Ihnen' for formal address.
Wie geht es ihnen, Frau Schmidt?Wie geht es Ihnen, Frau Schmidt?In writing, 'ihnen' (lowercase) means 'them', while 'Ihnen' (uppercase) means 'you' (formal).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn plural dative pronouns, you first need to be familiar with the plural personal pronouns in the nominative case. Additionally, you must understand the purpose of the dative case (indirect objects and specific prepositions) and how pronouns generally shift from nominative to dative, which is best learned through the singular forms first.
- wir/ihr/sie/SiePersonal Pronouns Plural and Formal
Learners must first know the nominative plural personal pronouns to understand who 'uns', 'euch', and 'ihnen' refer to.
Level 1 - mir/dir/ihmDative Pronouns Singular
Learning the singular dative pronouns provides the conceptual framework for how personal pronouns change form in the dative case.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- uns/euch/sieAccusative Pronouns Plural
These are the plural accusative pronouns; note that 'uns' and 'euch' are identical in both cases.
Level 1 - Verbs Requiring The Dative
These pronouns are frequently used as the objects of dative-governing verbs.
Level 2 - aus/bei/mit/nach/seit/von/zuDative Prepositions
These prepositions always require the dative case, necessitating the use of these pronouns.
Level 1 - gehörenTo Belong to (Gehören)
A common dative verb used to show possession with dative pronouns.
Level 2
Practice uns/euch/ihnen in Bubblegum
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