Genitive Prepositions

Level 3

The prepositions während (during), trotz (despite), wegen (because of), and statt (instead of) are the most common words that trigger the genitive case.

How It Works

Genitive prepositions are a hallmark of formal and written German. While they are often replaced by the dative in casual speech, becoming proficient in the genitive is essential for academic or professional contexts.

1. Common Prepositions:

  • während: Used for time (e.g., während des Urlaubs - during the vacation).
  • trotz: Used for concession (e.g., trotz der Kälte - despite the cold).
  • wegen / aufgrund: Used for cause (e.g., wegen des Regens - because of the rain).
  • statt / anstatt: Used for substitution (e.g., statt eines Autos - instead of a car).

2. Noun Endings:
When using these prepositions with masculine or neuter singular nouns, you must add the genitive noun ending. Monosyllabic nouns usually take -es (des Weges), while longer nouns take -s (des Regens). Nouns ending in s-sounds (-s, -ss, -ß, -x, -z, -tz) must take the -es ending (e.g., des Platzes). Feminine and plural nouns do not change their endings.

3. Special Cases:

  • N-Deklination: Masculine weak nouns (like der Student) take an -en ending. However, a small group of 'mixed' weak nouns (like der Name) take -ns (e.g., wegen des Namens).
  • Proper Names: When using proper names, we add an -s (wegen Peters). If the name ends in an s-sound, we add an apostrophe (wegen Max').
  • Pronouns: Instead of saying 'wegen mir', German uses special combined forms: meinetwegen, deinetwegen, seinetwegen, etc.

4. Formal vs. Spoken:
In spoken German, you will frequently hear wegen dem... (dative). While common, this should be avoided in formal writing. In the plural, if the case isn't clear from the article, the dative is actually preferred (e.g., trotz Beweisen).

Examples (6)

  1. Während des Films durften wir nicht sprechen.

    During the film, we were not allowed to speak.

    Word by Word: During the film (gen.) allowed we not speak.

    Note the masculine noun 'Film' becomes 'des Films' in the genitive.

  2. Trotz der starken Kopfschmerzen ging er zur Arbeit.

    Despite the strong headache, he went to work.

    Word by Word: Despite the strong headache (gen.) went he to work.

    Plural nouns like 'Kopfschmerzen' use the article 'der' in the genitive.

  3. Wegen des schlechten Wetters bleibt das Schwimmbad geschlossen.

    Because of the bad weather, the swimming pool remains closed.

    Word by Word: Because of the bad weather (gen.) remains the swimming pool closed.

    Neuter nouns like 'Wetter' take the 'des' article and the '-s' ending.

  4. Statt eines Briefes schickte sie nur eine kurze SMS.

    Instead of a letter, she only sent a short SMS.

    Word by Word: Instead of a letter (gen.) sent she only a short SMS.

    'Statt' triggers the genitive 'eines Briefes'.

  5. Aufgrund des Staus kommen wir später an.

    Due to the traffic jam, we are arriving later.

    Word by Word: Due to the traffic jam (gen.) come we later at.

    'Aufgrund' is a common formal preposition that requires the genitive case.

  6. Trotz Beweisen wurde er freigesprochen.

    Despite evidence, he was acquitted.

    Word by Word: Despite evidence (dat. plural) was he acquitted.

    In plural constructions without an article, the dative is often used to make the case visible (Beweisen vs. Beweise).

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the -s ending on masculine and neuter nouns.

    wegen des Regen
    wegen des Regens

    In the genitive case, masculine and neuter singular nouns MUST take an -s or -es ending.

  • Using the dative in formal writing.

    wegen dem Wetter
    wegen des Wetters

    While 'wegen dem' is common in speech, 'wegen des' should be used in formal or academic writing.

  • Using standard pronouns like 'wegen mir' instead of the combined forms.

    wegen mir
    meinetwegen

    When using personal pronouns with 'wegen', German uses special combined forms like 'meinetwegen' or 'deinetwegen' rather than the preposition followed by a pronoun.

How It Connects

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Genitive PrepositionsLevel 3

Learn This First

To learn genitive prepositions, you must first understand how the genitive case functions in German. This includes knowing the specific articles used for each gender in the genitive and the mandatory -s or -es endings added to masculine and neuter nouns.

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Words in This Pattern

trotzwegenstatt