Word order in German is not completely free but follows certain rules.
Arranging words correctly makes sentences sound more natural and easier to understand.

1. Overview of the 4 main rules

ℹ️ **There are 4 important rules**

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The indirect object (Dativ) comes before the direct object (Akkusativ).
If the direct object is a personal pronoun → it comes before the indirect object.
Adverbial phrases follow the TeKaMoLo rule (Temporal – Kausal – Modal – Lokal).
The most important part usually appears at the beginning or end of the sentence.

2. Rule 1: The Dativ object comes before the Akkusativ object

When there are both objects, the Dativ (the recipient) comes first, and the Akkusativ (the thing) comes after.

ℹ️ **Formula**

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Subject + Verb + Dativ object + Akkusativ object

Example:

Ich gebe dem Kind ein Buch.
(I give the child a book.)

Er schenkt seiner Mutter eine Blume.
(He gives his mother a flower.)

3. Rule 2: If the Akkusativ object is a personal pronoun

When the Akkusativ is a personal pronoun (mich, dich, ihn, sie, es, uns, euch, sie/Sie) → it comes before the Dativ.

ℹ️ **Formula**

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Subject + Verb + Akkusativ object (pronoun) + Dativ object

Example:

Ich gebe es dem Kind.
(I give it to the child.)

Er schenkt sie seiner Mutter.
(He gives it to his mother.)

The order of adverbials in a sentence usually follows the rule:

Te → Temporal (Time – when?)
Ka → Kausal (Cause – why?)
Mo → Modal (Manner – how?)
Lo → Lokal (Place – where?)

Example:

Ich fahre morgen (Te) wegen der Arbeit (Ka) mit dem Auto (Mo) nach Berlin (Lo). (I'm going to Berlin tomorrow because of work by car.)

5. Rule 4: Emphasizing the important element

In German, the important part is often moved to the front or to the end of the sentence for emphasis.
The verb always stays in second position in a main clause.

Example:

Den Film habe ich gestern gesehen.
(That film I watched yesterday.) → Emphasizes "Den Film".

Ich habe gestern den Film gesehen.
(I watched the film yesterday.) → A normal sentence.

📍 6. Summary

ℹ️ Note

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The Dativ comes before the Akkusativ.
If the Akkusativ is a personal pronoun → it comes before the Dativ.
Adverbials follow the TeKaMoLo order (Time – Cause – Manner – Place).
The most important element is moved to the front or end of the sentence for emphasis.

ℹ️ Exercise

Practice exercises

Apply what you've just learned:

📝 B1 exercise overview

Practice B1 grammar structures through detailed exercises.

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1. Overview of the 4 main rules

2. Rule 1: The Dativ object comes before the Akkusativ object

3. Rule 2: If the Akkusativ object is a personal pronoun

4. Rule 3: TeKaMoLo (Temporal – Kausal – Modal – Lokal)

5. Rule 4: Emphasizing the important element

📍 6. Summary