Noun Object Order
In German, the standard order for two nouns is: Dative (Person) then Accusative (Thing).
How It Works
When using ditransitive verbs (verbs that take two objects like geben, zeigen, or schenken), you must decide which object comes first.
1. The Neutral Rule (Noun + Noun)
If both objects are nouns, the Dative object (usually the recipient) typically precedes the Accusative object (the thing being given).
Example: Ich gebe dem Kind (Dat) den Apfel (Akk).
2. The 'Given-before-New' Principle
German word order is influenced by information flow. We usually put 'known' information (definite articles like der/die/das) before 'new' information (indefinite articles like ein/eine). If the Accusative object is definite and the Dative is indefinite, the order can flip to sound more natural:
Example: Ich habe das Buch (Akk) einem Freund (Dat) geschenkt.
3. Nouns vs. Pronouns
The Dative-before-Accusative order still holds if only the Dative is a pronoun (e.g., Ich gebe ihm den Apfel). However, if the Accusative object is a pronoun, it must move in front of a Dative noun.
Example: Ich gebe ihn (Akk) dem Kind (Dat).
4. Two Pronouns
If both objects are pronouns, the order flips entirely: the Accusative pronoun always comes before the Dative pronoun.
Example: Ich gebe es (Akk) ihm (Dat).
Examples (4)
- Der Vater schenkt dem Sohn ein Fahrrad.
The father gives the son a bicycle as a gift.
Word by Word: The father gifts the son (Dat) a bicycle (Akk).
This is the standard neutral order: Dative (dem Sohn) comes before Accusative (ein Fahrrad).
- Ich zeige der Touristin den Weg.
I show the tourist the way.
Word by Word: I show the tourist (Dat) the way (Akk).
Even with feminine dative nouns, the person (recipient of the information) comes first.
- Können Sie dem Mann die Tür öffnen?
Can you open the door for the man?
Word by Word: Can you the man (Dat) the door (Akk) open?
In questions, the objects still follow the Dative-before-Accusative rule in the 'middle' of the sentence.
- Ich habe das Geld einem Bettler gegeben.
I gave the money to a beggar.
Word by Word: I have the money (Akk) a beggar (Dat) given.
Here, the Accusative comes first because 'the money' is specific/known, while 'a beggar' is new information.
Common Mistakes
Using the preposition 'zu' to mirror the English 'to'.
Ich gebe das Buch zu dem Lehrer.Ich gebe dem Lehrer das Buch.In German, the Dative case itself expresses the 'to' relationship. Using 'zu' for people in this context is grammatically incorrect.
Applying the noun-noun order to pronouns.
Ich gebe ihm es.Ich gebe es ihm.When both objects are pronouns, the order flips: Accusative comes before Dative. The noun-noun rule (Dative first) does not apply here.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the order of noun objects, you must first be comfortable identifying which noun is the direct object (Accusative) and which is the indirect object (Dative), as well as how their articles change to reflect these cases.
- Dative Case Articles
To order objects correctly, the learner must first be able to identify and form the indirect object (dative case).
Level 2 - Basic Word Order
Understanding the standard position of the verb and subject is necessary before learning how multiple objects are arranged in the sentence.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Accusative Case Articles
Accusative articles are necessary to identify the direct object in the sentence.
Level 1 - Pronoun Order In The Mittelfeld
This explains how the order changes when pronouns are involved instead of nouns.
Level 2 - The Four Cases
Understanding the general function of cases helps in recognizing which noun is the recipient and which is the object.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Noun Object Order in Bubblegum
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