Genitivpräpositionen
Genitive prepositions
The genitive is used not only for possession but also after certain prepositions. These prepositions are typical of written and standard German. They are followed by a noun in the genitive (masc./neuter with des …-s, fem./plural with der).
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wegen | because of | wegen des Regens |
| trotz | despite | trotz der Kälte |
| während | during | während des Tages |
| (an)statt | instead of | statt des Autos |
| innerhalb | within | innerhalb einer Woche |
Note:
- "wegen, trotz, während, statt" → genitive (colloquially you also hear the dative).
- "während" can also be a conjunction (then a clause with the verb at the end).
- The preposition comes before the genitive: trotz des Wetters.
Examples:
- Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause. (Because of the rain we stay home.)
- Trotz der Kälte gehen wir spazieren. (Despite the cold we go for a walk.)
- Während der Woche arbeite ich viel. (During the week I work a lot.)
Wir bleiben zu Hause ___ des Regens.