Sentences that answer Wo? (where) or Woher? (where from) almost always use the dative.
Ich bin im Supermarkt. I’m inside the supermarket.
German A2
A2 is the second level of German. You already know simple sentences, and now you learn to talk about everyday situations in more detail. Here you find the A2 grammar topics, word lists, flashcards, reading texts and games.
Start with A2 grammar
Elementary level. No account needed.
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A2Dative prepositions
Ich fahre mit blank Bus.
I am going by bus.
Pick the word that fits the gap.
Six A2 questions, one per topic. At the end you see which topics to read first.
German levels
What you can do at A2
- Understand sentences and common expressions about everyday topics such as family, shopping and work
- Handle simple, routine tasks that need a direct exchange of information
- Describe your background, your surroundings and what you need in simple words
These points follow the CEFR description of A2. The matching exam is the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.
A2 German Grammar
At A2 the sentences get longer. You learn the dative case, prepositions that change the case, how to compare things, and how to join two sentences.
Two-way prepositions take the accusative when something moves to a new place, and the dative when it stays in one place.
Ich gehe in den Park. Ich bin im Park. I’m going into the park. I’m in the park.
A small group of common verbs, such as helfen, always takes the dative, even where English uses a plain object.
Ich helfe dir. I help you.
To say something is too much for you, use: thing + sein + person in the dative + zu + adjective.
Das ist mir zu teuer. That’s too expensive for me.
The ending of dies- copies the last letter of the article.
der Käse, dieser Käse the cheese, this cheese
Jed- (every) goes with one thing, so it uses a singular noun. Alle (all) goes with many things, so it uses a plural noun.
Jede Wohnung im Haus hat einen Balkon. Every flat in the building has a balcony.
Add -er for the comparative. For the superlative, put am in front and add -sten to the end.
schnell, schneller, am schnellsten fast, faster, the fastest
Before a noun, an adjective takes an ending. The ending depends on the article, the gender of the noun, and the case.
der rote Pullover, ein roter Pullover the red sweater, a red sweater
After weil, the verb goes to the end. After deshalb, the verb comes next. Denn changes nothing.
Ich trinke Tee, weil ich keinen Kaffee mag. I drink tea because I don’t like coffee.
In a wenn clause, the conjugated verb goes at the very end.
Ich trinke einen Kaffee, wenn ich müde bin. I drink a coffee when I’m tired.
German puts zu + infinitive at the very end of the sentence.
Ich habe vergessen, Milch zu kaufen. I forgot to buy milk.
A2 German Vocabulary
The Goethe A2 word list is the vocabulary the A2 exam expects. The web shows a preview of each list. The complete lists and decks are in the iPhone app.
A2 nouns
PreviewThe nouns on the Goethe A2 word list, each with its article, plural and English meaning.
A2 verbs
PreviewThe verbs on the Goethe A2 word list, each with its conjugation and English meaning.
A2 adjectives
PreviewThe adjectives on the Goethe A2 word list, each with its comparative and superlative.
A2 German Reading
Every text on this site comes at A1, A2 and B1. Short sentences, a little more detail, an occasional weil or dass.
Games for A2
Grammar games for the topics above, and word games. They run in the browser and need no account.
German A2 FAQ
What is German A2?
A2 is one of the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which run from A1 to C2. At A2 you can understand sentences and common expressions about everyday topics such as family, shopping and work. The matching exam at the Goethe-Institut is the Goethe-Zertifikat A2.
What grammar do I need for A2?
The A2 grammar topics on this page are: Dative prepositions, Two-way prepositions, Dative verbs and pronouns, Too much for me: ist mir zu, Dieser, diese, dieses (this), Jeder and alle (every, all), Comparative and superlative, Adjective endings, Because: weil, denn, deshalb, Wenn clauses (when, if) and Zu + infinitive. Each card shows the rule and links to its guide, game or quiz.
Is the A2 practice on this page free?
The grammar guides, games, quizzes and reading texts are free and need no account. The A2 word lists and flashcard decks show a preview on the web. The complete lists are in the iPhone app.
What comes after A2?
The next level is B1. When the A2 topics on this page feel easy, go on to German B1.
Find your weak topics first
Six short questions show which grammar topics to read before the others.