A1 Prepositions 9 min read Easy

German Preposition: 'Through' (durch + Accusative)

Always use the accusative case after durch to describe moving through a space or using a medium.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The preposition 'durch' always takes the Accusative case and describes movement from one side to another.

  • Always use Accusative after 'durch': 'durch {den|m} Park'.
  • Use it for physical movement: 'Ich gehe durch {die|f} Tür'.
  • Use it for means/method: 'durch {das|n} Internet'.
durch + Accusative Noun

Overview

Durch is a fundamental German preposition meaning 'through'. It describes movement from one side of something to another, or the means by which an action occurs. At the A1 level, mastering durch is crucial for expressing directional movement and basic causality.

This preposition invariably governs the accusative case, meaning any noun or pronoun following durch must be in its accusative form. Understanding durch provides insight into how German distinguishes between direction and location within its case system.

Durch consistently maintains its form and requires the noun phrase it precedes to adopt the accusative case. This grammatical requirement is a cornerstone for clear communication in German, indicating a direct relationship between the action and the object that is being traversed or used as a channel. You will encounter durch frequently in everyday German, from navigating spaces to explaining processes.

How This Grammar Works

German employs four grammatical cases: nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive. Each case signals the function of a noun or pronoun within a sentence. Prepositions like durch are powerful grammatical operators because they force the noun phrase they introduce into a specific case.
For durch, this case is always the accusative.
The accusative case typically marks the direct object of a verb or, in the context of prepositions, indicates direction, movement, or a specific relationship that involves passing through or by means of something. When you use durch, you are conceptually moving into and out of a space, or using something as a conduit. This active engagement with the object necessitates the accusative case.
Crucially, you must remember that only masculine singular nouns clearly change their definite article from der (nominative) to den (accusative). Feminine (die), neuter (das), and plural (die) definite articles remain unchanged in the accusative. Indefinite articles and possessive pronouns also undergo specific changes, predominantly in the masculine singular.
Understanding these article and pronoun transformations is essential for correctly applying durch.
For instance, if you are talking about der Park (the park), it becomes durch den(m) Park. If it is die Tür (the door), it remains durch die Tür. The consistent application of the accusative case after durch helps German speakers immediately comprehend the nature of the action described, creating precision in communication that is characteristic of the language.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming a phrase with durch requires combining the preposition with a noun phrase in the accusative case. This involves selecting the correct accusative article (definite, indefinite, or possessive) or pronoun that corresponds to the gender and number of the noun.
2
Here is a detailed breakdown of how articles change in the accusative case:
3
Definite Articles (the)
4
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
5
| :--------- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- |
6
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
7
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
8
Notice that only the masculine definite article changes from der to den. The feminine, neuter, and plural definite articles remain the same in both the nominative and accusative cases.
9
Ich gehe durch den(m) Wald. (I go through the forest.)
10
Wir fahren durch die Stadt. (We drive through the city.)
11
Das Licht scheint durch das Fenster. (The light shines through the window.)
12
Die Kinder laufen durch die(pl) Gärten. (The children run through the gardens.)
13
Indefinite Articles (a/an)
14
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
15
| :--------- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- |
16
| Nominative | ein | eine | ein | none |
17
| Accusative | einen | eine | ein | none |
18
Similar to definite articles, only the masculine indefinite article changes, from ein to einen. There are no indefinite articles for plural nouns.
19
Er geht durch einen Tunnel. (He goes through a tunnel.)
20
Sie sieht durch eine Lücke. (She looks through a gap.)
21
Das Wasser fließt durch ein Rohr. (The water flows through a pipe.)
22
Possessive Pronouns (my, your, etc.)
23
Possessive pronouns (mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, ihr/Ihr) behave like indefinite articles. They take the same endings as ein in the accusative case.
24
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
25
| :--------- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- |
26
| Nominative | mein | meine | mein | meine |
27
| Accusative | meinen | meine | mein | meine |
28
Ich sehe durch meinen(m) Computer. (I see through my computer.)
29
Sie spazieren durch ihre(f) Nachbarschaft. (They stroll through their neighborhood.)
30
Er fährt durch sein(n) Land. (He drives through his country.)
31
Personal Pronouns
32
When durch is followed by a personal pronoun, the pronoun also takes its accusative form:
33
Ich (I) becomes mich (me)
34
Du (you, singular informal) becomes dich (you)
35
Er (he) becomes ihn (him)
36
Sie (she) becomes sie (her)
37
Es (it) becomes es (it)
38
Wir (we) becomes uns (us)
39
Ihr (you, plural informal) becomes euch (you)
40
Sie (they/you, formal) becomes sie/Sie (them/you)
41
Ich habe es durch dich(you) erfahren. (I found out through you.)
42
Das wurde durch ihn(him) verursacht. (That was caused by him.)
43
The consistent structure is always: Verb + durch + Accusative Noun Phrase.

When To Use It

Durch has several primary applications in German, extending beyond simple physical movement. Its core meaning consistently revolves around the concept of traversing a medium or acting via an intermediary.
  1. 1Physical Movement Through an Enclosed Space or Object: This is the most direct and common use. Durch indicates passing from one side to another, implying that the movement occurs within or inside the object.
  • Wir gehen durch den(m) Wald. (We walk through the forest.) – You are physically inside the forest, moving from one edge to another.
  • Der Zug fährt durch den(m) Tunnel. (The train goes through the tunnel.) – The train enters at one end and exits at the other.
  • Sie schaute durch das Fenster. (She looked through the window.) – Her gaze passed through the glass.
  1. 1Passage Across a Barrier or Material: Similar to movement through an enclosed space, this use describes something penetrating a surface or substance.
  • Das Wasser drang durch die Wand. (The water penetrated through the wall.)
  • Die Sonne scheint durch die Wolken. (The sun shines through the clouds.)
  1. 1Causality or Means (by means of, thanks to, via): This is a crucial conceptual expansion. Durch explains how or by what means an action was accomplished, or who/what was the agent or channel for something to happen. It often translates to 'by', 'via', or 'because of' when describing the mechanism.
  • Ich habe den(m) Fehler durch Unachtsamkeit(f) gemacht. (I made the mistake through carelessness.) – Carelessness was the cause/means.
  • Er wurde durch seine(m) Freunde berühmt. (He became famous through his friends.) – His friends were the conduit for his fame.
  • Man lernt eine Sprache durch ständiges(n) Üben. (One learns a language through constant practice.) – Practice is the method.
  1. 1Distribution or Dissemination: When something spreads or is communicated across a group or area.
  • Die Nachricht verbreitete sich schnell durch die ganze Stadt. (The news spread quickly throughout the entire city.)
  • Er gab die Informationen durch einen Mittelsmann weiter. (He passed the information on through an intermediary.)
  1. 1Duration (throughout – less common at A1, but good to recognize): Occasionally, durch can indicate duration, meaning 'throughout' or 'for the entire duration'.
  • Er arbeitete die ganze Nacht durch. (He worked through the entire night.)
  • Sie hielt die Diät den(m) ganzen Monat durch. (She maintained the diet throughout the entire month.)
  1. 1Figurative or Modern Usage (e.g., digital navigation): Reflecting contemporary language, durch is often used to describe navigating digital interfaces.
  • Ich scrolle durch meinen(m) Social-Media-Feed. (I scroll through my social media feed.)
  • Er klickte sich durch die Webseite. (He clicked his way through the website.)

When Not To Use It

While durch is versatile, it is important to distinguish its usage from other prepositions that might seem similar but convey different spatial or causal relationships. Incorrectly using durch can alter the meaning of your sentence or make it sound unnatural.
  1. 1When Moving Over or Across Without Penetration: If movement occurs on top of something or simply from one side to another without passing into it, über (over, across) is usually the correct choice. Über also takes the accusative in these directional contexts.
  • Do not use durch: Ich fahre durch die Brücke. (Incorrect – implies driving inside the bridge structure.)
  • Use über: Ich fahre über die Brücke. (I drive over the bridge.) – This means driving on its surface.
  • Do not use durch: Der Ball fliegt durch das Dach. (Incorrect – implies the ball pierced the roof.)
  • Use über: Der Ball fliegt über das Dach. (The ball flies over the roof.)
  1. 1When Indicating Accompaniment or Tool Usage: If you mean 'with' someone or 'with' a tool, mit is the appropriate preposition, and it always takes the dative case.
  • Do not use durch: Ich gehe durch meinem(m) Freund. (Incorrect – implies physically going through your friend.)
  • Use mit: Ich gehe mit meinem(m) Freund. (I go with my friend.)
  • Do not use durch: Ich esse durch einem Löffel. (Incorrect – implies eating through the spoon.)
  • Use mit: Ich esse mit einem Löffel. (I eat with a spoon.)
  1. 1When Indicating a Destination: To express movement to a place, you would use prepositions like zu (to a person/building, dative) or nach (to a city/country/home, without article).
  • Do not use durch: Ich fahre durch die Schule. (Incorrect – implies driving through the building.)
  • Use zu: Ich fahre zu der Schule. (I drive to the school.)
  1. 1When Indicating a Purpose or Beneficiary: For meanings like 'for' someone or 'for' a specific purpose, für is the correct preposition, which also governs the accusative case.
  • Do not use durch: Dieses Geschenk ist durch dich(you). (Incorrect – implies the gift came via you.)
  • Use für: Dieses Geschenk ist für dich(you). (This gift is for you.)
Careful consideration of the specific meaning you wish to convey will guide you in choosing durch or another suitable preposition.

Common Mistakes

Even at the A1 level, certain recurring errors appear when learners use durch. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you avoid them and refine your German.
  1. 1Using the Dative Case Instead of Accusative: This is by far the most prevalent error. Many prepositions in German take the dative case (e.g., mit, nach, von, zu), leading learners to incorrectly apply dative after durch.
  • Incorrect: Ich laufe durch dem(m) Park. (The definite article dem(m) is dative masculine.)
  • Correct: Ich laufe durch den(m) Park. (The definite article den(m) is accusative masculine.)
  • Correction Principle: Always remember durch is one of the

Accusative Articles with 'durch'

Gender Article Example
Masculine
den
durch den Park
Feminine
die
durch die Tür
Neuter
das
durch das Haus
Plural
die
durch die Straßen

Meanings

Used to describe movement through a physical space or as a means to achieve something.

1

Spatial movement

Passing through a physical object or area.

“Er geht durch {die|f} Tür.”

“Sie schwimmt durch {den|m} Fluss.”

2

Means/Instrument

Achieving something by means of something else.

“Er wurde durch {die|f} Werbung berühmt.”

“Ich habe es durch {das|n} Radio gehört.”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Preposition: 'Through' (durch + Accusative)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
durch + Acc
Ich gehe durch den Wald.
Negative
durch + Acc + nicht
Ich gehe nicht durch den Wald.
Question
durch + Acc?
Gehst du durch den Wald?
Instrumental
durch + Acc
Er lernt durch das Buch.
Plural
durch + die
Wir laufen durch die Felder.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Wir schreiten durch den Park.

Wir schreiten durch den Park. (Walking)

Neutral
Wir gehen durch den Park.

Wir gehen durch den Park. (Walking)

Informal
Wir laufen durch den Park.

Wir laufen durch den Park. (Walking)

Slang
Wir ziehen durch den Park.

Wir ziehen durch den Park. (Walking)

Durch Concept Map

durch

Spatial

  • Wald forest
  • Tür door

Instrumental

  • Internet internet
  • Hilfe help

Examples by Level

1

Ich gehe durch {den|m} Park.

I walk through the park.

2

Wir fahren durch {die|f} Stadt.

We drive through the city.

3

Er läuft durch {das|n} Haus.

He runs through the house.

4

Sie gehen durch {die|f} Tür.

They go through the door.

1

Das Licht kommt durch {das|n} Fenster.

The light comes through the window.

2

Wir sind durch {den|m} Tunnel gefahren.

We drove through the tunnel.

3

Sie hat es durch {die|f} Hilfe gelernt.

She learned it through the help.

4

Er schaut durch {das|n} Rohr.

He looks through the pipe.

1

Durch {die|f} neue Regelung ändert sich viel.

Through the new regulation, much is changing.

2

Er hat Erfolg durch {die|f} harte Arbeit.

He has success through hard work.

3

Wir müssen durch {den|m} dichten Wald.

We must go through the dense forest.

4

Das Wasser fließt durch {das|n} Rohr.

The water flows through the pipe.

1

Die Nachricht verbreitete sich durch {das|n} Internet.

The news spread through the internet.

2

Sie konnte durch {die|f} Übung besser werden.

She was able to improve through the practice.

3

Er drängte sich durch {die|f} Menge.

He pushed through the crowd.

4

Durch {den|m} Regen war die Sicht schlecht.

Through the rain, visibility was poor.

1

Durch {die|f} geschickte Verhandlung wurde der Vertrag unterzeichnet.

Through skillful negotiation, the contract was signed.

2

Er sah die Welt durch {die|f} Augen eines Kindes.

He saw the world through the eyes of a child.

3

Durch {den|m} Prozess der Evolution hat sich vieles gewandelt.

Through the process of evolution, much has changed.

4

Das Licht brach durch {das|n} Blätterdach.

The light broke through the canopy.

1

Durch {die|f} bloße Existenz dieser Gesetze wird Ordnung geschaffen.

Through the mere existence of these laws, order is created.

2

Er wirkte durch {die|f} Jahre hinweg verändert.

He seemed changed through the years.

3

Durch {das|n} Prisma der Geschichte betrachtet, ergibt es Sinn.

Viewed through the prism of history, it makes sense.

4

Sie navigierte durch {die|f} komplexen Strukturen.

She navigated through the complex structures.

Easily Confused

German Preposition: 'Through' (durch + Accusative) vs durch vs. über

Both can mean movement, but 'durch' is inside, 'über' is over.

German Preposition: 'Through' (durch + Accusative) vs durch vs. in

Both involve movement, but 'durch' implies passing through.

German Preposition: 'Through' (durch + Accusative) vs Accusative vs. Dative

Learners often default to Dative.

Common Mistakes

durch dem Park

durch den Park

Dative used instead of Accusative.

durch das Park

durch den Park

Wrong gender article.

durch den Tür

durch die Tür

Wrong gender article.

durch ein Park

durch einen Park

Indefinite article error.

durch in den Park

durch den Park

Redundant preposition.

durch der Wald

durch den Wald

Nominative used instead of Accusative.

durch das Wald

durch den Wald

Wrong gender.

durch die Hilfe von

durch die Hilfe

Unnecessary addition.

durch dem Internet

durch das Internet

Dative error.

durch die Brücke

über die Brücke

Wrong preposition choice.

durch die Zeit

im Laufe der Zeit

Idiomatic error.

durch den Prozess

mittels des Prozesses

Register mismatch.

durch die Meinung

aufgrund der Meinung

Wrong preposition.

Sentence Patterns

Ich gehe durch ___.

Das habe ich durch ___ gelernt.

Wir fahren durch ___.

Durch ___ wurde alles besser.

Real World Usage

Directions very common

Gehen Sie durch den Ausgang.

Tech Support common

Das geht durch das System.

Hiking common

Wir laufen durch den Wald.

Social Media common

Gefunden durch das Internet.

Job Interview occasional

Ich habe mich durch die Arbeit bewiesen.

Food Delivery occasional

Lieferung durch den Hintereingang.

💡

Case Check

Whenever you see 'durch', immediately think 'Accusative'. It's a great way to train your brain.
⚠️

Don't use Dative

Even if it feels natural to use Dative, 'durch' is a strict Accusative preposition.
🎯

Spatial vs Abstract

Try to visualize the 'tunnel' even for abstract uses like 'durch das Internet'.
💬

Formal usage

In formal writing, 'durch' is often used to describe the cause of a result.

Smart Tips

Check if you are passing through something. If yes, use 'durch'.

Ich gehe in den Park. Ich gehe durch den Park.

Use 'durch' + Accusative for the method.

Ich habe es mit dem Internet gelernt. Ich habe es durch das Internet gelernt.

Remember the 'durch' rule: it's always Accusative.

durch dem Wald durch den Wald

Use 'durch' for the path itself.

Der Weg ist in den Wald. Der Weg führt durch den Wald.

Pronunciation

/dʊʁç/

Durch

The 'ch' is a soft sound, like in 'ich'.

Statement

Ich gehe durch den Park. ↘

Falling intonation for facts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Durch is a tunnel, straight through the middle, Accusative is the key to the riddle.

Visual Association

Imagine a person walking through a glass tunnel. The glass is the 'durch' and the person is the 'Accusative' noun.

Rhyme

When you go through, use Accusative too!

Story

Max walks through the door (durch die Tür). He sees a park and walks through the park (durch den Park). He finds a house and walks through the house (durch das Haus).

Word Web

durchdendiedasAccusativeBewegungWeg

Challenge

Look around your room. Name 3 things you can walk through or look through using 'durch'.

Cultural Notes

Germans are very precise with prepositions. Using 'durch' correctly shows you understand the spatial logic.

Similar usage, but often more formal in written correspondence.

Often used in directions for mountain paths.

From Old High German 'duruh', meaning 'through'.

Conversation Starters

Gehst du oft durch den Park?

Wie hast du das gelernt? Durch das Internet?

Ist es schwer, durch die Stadt zu fahren?

Wie bist du durch die Prüfung gekommen?

Journal Prompts

Describe your walk to school/work.
How do you learn German?
Describe a difficult situation you overcame.
Reflect on how technology changes life.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct article.

Wir gehen durch ___ Park.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: den
Masculine Accusative is 'den'.
Choose the correct preposition. Multiple Choice

___ den Wald laufen wir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Durch
'Durch' is the only one that fits the movement context.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich gehe durch dem Haus.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: durch das Haus
Neuter Accusative is 'das'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir gehen durch den Park.
Standard SVO word order.
Translate to German. Translation

Through the door.

Answer starts with: Dur...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Durch die Tür
Feminine Accusative is 'die'.
Sort by case. Grammar Sorting

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: durch den Wald
Accusative is required.
Select correct article for 'Tür'. Conjugation Drill

durch ___ Tür

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Feminine Accusative.
Match the phrase. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: den Park
Accusative match.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct article.

Wir gehen durch ___ Park.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: den
Masculine Accusative is 'den'.
Choose the correct preposition. Multiple Choice

___ den Wald laufen wir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Durch
'Durch' is the only one that fits the movement context.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich gehe durch dem Haus.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: durch das Haus
Neuter Accusative is 'das'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

den / durch / wir / gehen / Park

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir gehen durch den Park.
Standard SVO word order.
Translate to German. Translation

Through the door.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Durch die Tür
Feminine Accusative is 'die'.
Sort by case. Grammar Sorting

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: durch den Wald
Accusative is required.
Select correct article for 'Tür'. Conjugation Drill

durch ___ Tür

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Feminine Accusative.
Match the phrase. Match Pairs

durch ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: den Park
Accusative match.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the correct article. Fill in the Blank

Die Katze läuft durch ___ Garten.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: den
Translate to German. Translation

Through the door.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Durch die Tür.
Select the right form. Multiple Choice

Ich sehe dich durch ___ Brille.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Wir fahren durch dem Tunnel.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir fahren durch den Tunnel.
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

Park / wir / durch / gehen / den

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir gehen durch den Park.
Match the German phrase to the English meaning. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: durch den Wald : through the forest
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Das Wasser fließt durch ___ Rohr (n).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: das
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Lernst du ___ Podcasts?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: durch
Translate to German. Translation

Through the clouds (pl).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Durch die Wolken.
Find the error. Error Correction

Ich klicke durch der App.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich klicke durch die App.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, 'durch' is one of the prepositions that always takes the Accusative case.

Rarely. 'Durch' is primarily spatial or instrumental. For time, use 'während' or 'durch' in very specific contexts like 'durch die Nacht'.

Because 'den' is the Accusative form for masculine nouns.

It can be, but here we are talking about the preposition 'durch'.

The article for plural in Accusative is 'die'.

Yes, 'Ich habe es durch ihn erfahren' (I found out through him).

Extremely common. You will hear it every day.

Context. If you are moving, it's spatial. If you are explaining a cause, it's instrumental.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

a través de

German uses a single word 'durch' plus a case change.

French moderate

à travers

German requires the Accusative case.

Japanese partial

~を通って (o tōtte)

Japanese puts the marker after the noun.

Arabic high

عبر (ʿabra)

Arabic does not have the same case system as German.

Chinese moderate

通过 (tōngguò)

Chinese has no grammatical cases.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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