German Pronouns: Complete List with Charts and Examples
German pronouns are words that replace nouns and change form based on four grammatical cases. The main types include personal pronouns like ich (I), du (you), er/sie/es (he/she/it), possessive german pronouns like mein (my), dein (your), reflexive pronouns like mich (myself), sich (himself), relative pronouns like der/die/das (who/which/that), demonstrative pronouns like dieser (this), and interrogative pronouns like wer (who), was (what). Each pronoun changes in nominative (subject), accusative (direct object), dative (indirect object), and genitive (possession) cases. For example, "ich" becomes "mich" in accusative and "mir" in dative. Unlike English, formal pronouns Sie (you formal) are always capitalized, while informal pronouns like du and ihr are lowercase. Understanding all german pronouns and their case changes is essential for speaking and writing German correctly.
Here's the thing about German pronouns: they change form based on their role in a sentence. The same pronoun looks different in nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive cases. Plus, some pronouns get capitalized while others don't.
What this means is you can't just memorize one german pronouns list and call it done. You need to understand how each pronoun transforms across cases. Once you see the pattern, everything makes sense.
This post covers every type with clear german pronouns charts and tables. You'll learn when to use accusative german pronouns versus dative german pronouns, how possessive pronouns work, what reflexive pronouns are, and when pronouns get capitalized. If you're also working on basic German greetings or preparing for your German A1 test, understanding pronouns is crucial.
What Are Personal Pronouns in German Grammar
Personal pronouns in German replace specific people or things in a sentence. They include ich (I), du (you informal singular), er (he), sie (she), es (it), wir (we), ihr (you informal plural), sie (they), and Sie (you formal). These pronouns change based on the grammatical case, which determines their function in the sentence.
The four cases are nominative (subject doing the action), accusative (direct object receiving the action), dative (indirect object), and genitive (showing possession, rarely used). Learning how personal pronouns change across these cases is fundamental to German grammar.
German Pronouns Chart: All Cases
| English | Nominative | Accusative | Dative | Genitive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | ich | mich | mir | meiner |
| you (informal singular) | du | dich | dir | deiner |
| he | er | ihn | ihm | seiner |
| she | sie | sie | ihr | ihrer |
| it | es | es | ihm | seiner |
| we | wir | uns | uns | unser |
| you (informal plural) | ihr | euch | euch | euer |
| they | sie | sie | ihnen | ihrer |
| you (formal) | Sie | Sie | Ihnen | Ihrer |
Are Pronouns Capitalized in German?
Only the formal you pronoun Sie and its related forms (Ihnen, Ihrer) are capitalized. All other personal pronouns like ich, du, er, sie (she/they), wir, and ihr stay lowercase. This capitalization rule helps distinguish between sie (she/they) and Sie (you formal) in writing.
Examples with Different Cases
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I learn German.
Subject of the sentence
Er sieht mich.
He sees me.
Direct object
Sie gibt mir das Buch.
She gives me the book.
Indirect object
Er erinnert sich meiner.
He remembers me.
Rare, mostly old texts
Understanding when to use accusative german pronouns versus dative german pronouns takes practice. Accusative answers "whom" or "what" (wen/was), while dative answers "to whom" or "for whom" (wem). Many German verbs and prepositions require specific cases, which you'll learn as you progress. If you're making common errors, check out our post on German mistakes beginners make to avoid these pitfalls.
Possessive German Pronouns
Possessive german pronouns show ownership or relationship. They include mein (my), dein (your informal), sein (his/its), ihr (her), unser (our), euer (your plural informal), ihr (their), and Ihr (your formal). These pronouns must agree with the gender and case of the noun they modify, not the gender of the owner.
This confuses many learners. When saying "her book," you use ihr Buch because Buch is neuter. When saying "her table," you use ihr Tisch because Tisch is masculine. The "her" stays ihr, but the ending might change based on the case and gender of what's being possessed.
German Pronouns Possessive Table
| English | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| my | mein | meine | mein | meine |
| your (informal singular) | dein | deine | dein | deine |
| his/its | sein | seine | sein | seine |
| her | ihr | ihre | ihr | ihre |
| our | unser | unsere | unser | unsere |
| your (informal plural) | euer | eure | euer | eure |
| their | ihr | ihre | ihr | ihre |
| your (formal) | Ihr | Ihre | Ihr | Ihre |
The table above shows nominative case forms. Possessive pronouns also change in accusative, dative, and genitive cases. The endings follow the same pattern as the indefinite article ein.
Possessive Pronouns Across Cases
Nominative (Subject)
Mein Bruder wohnt in Berlin.
My brother lives in Berlin.
Deine Schwester ist nett.
Your sister is nice.
Accusative (Direct Object)
Ich sehe meinen Bruder.
I see my brother.
Er liebt seine Katze.
He loves his cat.
Dative (Indirect Object)
Ich helfe meinem Vater.
I help my father.
Sie gibt ihrer Mutter Blumen.
She gives flowers to her mother.
Quick Tip
When writing emails in German, possessive pronouns matter for formal communication. Learn more about proper usage in our guide on how to write German emails. Understanding possessive pronouns also helps when talking about German family members.
What Are Reflexive Pronouns in German
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence. They're used with reflexive verbs, which are actions the subject does to itself. In English, these are words like myself, yourself, himself. In German, reflexive pronouns include mich (myself), dich (yourself), sich (himself/herself/itself/themselves/yourself formal), uns (ourselves), and euch (yourselves).
Many German verbs are reflexive by default. For example, sich freuen (to be happy), sich erinnern (to remember), sich waschen (to wash oneself). You can't use these verbs without the reflexive pronoun.
Reflexive Pronouns List
| Subject | Accusative | Dative |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mich | mir |
| du | dich | dir |
| er/sie/es | sich | sich |
| wir | uns | uns |
| ihr | euch | euch |
| sie/Sie | sich | sich |
Most reflexive verbs use accusative reflexive pronouns. Some verbs require dative reflexive pronouns, especially when there's already a direct object in the sentence.
Common Reflexive Verbs with Examples
Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende.
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
Er wäscht sich jeden Morgen.
He washes himself every morning.
Sie stellt sich vor.
She introduces herself.
Ich wasche mir die Hände.
I wash my hands. (literally: I wash the hands to myself)
Ich kann mir das vorstellen.
I can imagine that.
Du musst dir das merken.
You must remember that.
When to Use Dative Reflexive Pronouns
Use dative reflexive pronouns when the sentence already has a direct object in the accusative case. In "Ich wasche mir die Hände," die Hände (the hands) is the direct object, so the reflexive pronoun becomes dative (mir instead of mich). This pattern appears often with body parts and clothing.
Learning reflexive verbs is part of building your German vocabulary. These verbs appear frequently in daily conversation, especially when discussing routines and activities. Practice them alongside other basics like colors in German and German adjectives to build fluency.
What Are Relative Pronouns in German
Relative pronouns connect clauses and refer back to a noun mentioned earlier. In English, these are words like who, which, that. In German, relative pronouns are der, die, das and change based on the gender, number, and case of the noun they refer to. The case depends on the relative pronoun's function within the relative clause, not the main clause.
German relative clauses always require a comma before them and use verb-final word order. The relative pronoun cannot be omitted like in English. You can't say "the book I read" in German. You must say "the book that I read" with das Buch, das ich gelesen habe.
Relative Pronouns Chart
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | denen |
| Genitive | dessen | deren | dessen | deren |
How to Choose the Right Relative Pronoun
Identify the Gender and Number
Look at the noun the relative pronoun refers to. Is it masculine, feminine, neuter, or plural?
Determine the Case
Figure out what role the relative pronoun plays in the relative clause. Is it the subject (nominative), direct object (accusative), indirect object (dative), or showing possession (genitive)?
Select from the Table
Use the chart above to find the correct form based on gender, number, and case.
Examples with Different Cases
Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Lehrer.
The man who stands there is my teacher.
Der is masculine nominative because Mann is masculine and der is the subject of the relative clause.
Das Buch, das ich lese, ist interessant.
The book that I'm reading is interesting.
Das is neuter accusative because Buch is neuter and das is the direct object of lese.
Die Frau, der ich helfe, ist meine Nachbarin.
The woman whom I help is my neighbor.
Der is feminine dative because Frau is feminine and helfen takes a dative object.
Der Junge, dessen Vater Arzt ist, lernt fleißig.
The boy whose father is a doctor studies diligently.
Dessen is masculine genitive showing possession (the boy's father).
Common Mistake
Don't confuse relative pronouns with definite articles. They look similar but function differently. Der Mann (the man) uses der as an article. Der Mann, der singt (the man who sings) uses der as a relative pronoun. Context and comma placement help distinguish them.
Mastering relative pronouns takes practice. They appear constantly in written and spoken German. Understanding them helps you construct complex sentences and express detailed thoughts. As you advance past German A1 toward German A2 levels, relative clauses become essential for expressing yourself clearly.
Demonstrative Pronouns in German
Demonstrative pronouns point to specific things or people. The most common are dieser (this), jener (that), and der/die/das (that one). They replace nouns while emphasizing which specific item you mean. Like other German pronouns, they change based on gender, number, and case.
Dieser is used more frequently than jener in modern German. Many speakers use dieser for both this and that, or simply use der/die/das as demonstrative pronouns to mean that one.
Demonstrative Pronouns Table
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | dieser | diese | dieses | diese |
| Accusative | diesen | diese | dieses | diese |
| Dative | diesem | dieser | diesem | diesen |
| Genitive | dieses | dieser | dieses | dieser |
Dieser Apfel schmeckt gut.
This apple tastes good.
Ich nehme diesen hier.
I'll take this one here.
Mit diesem Problem kann ich dir helfen.
I can help you with this problem.
Interrogative Pronouns in German
Interrogative pronouns form questions. The main ones are wer (who), was (what), welcher (which), and wessen (whose). These pronouns help you ask about people, things, and possession. They also decline based on case.
Wer and Was Declension
Wer (Who)
- Nominative: wer
- Accusative: wen
- Dative: wem
- Genitive: wessen
Was (What)
- Nominative: was
- Accusative: was
- Dative: —
- Genitive: wessen
Wer ist das?
Who is that?
Nominative: subject
Wen siehst du?
Whom do you see?
Accusative: direct object
Wem gehört das?
To whom does this belong?
Dative: indirect object
Was machst du?
What are you doing?
Nominative/Accusative
Quick Reference
When asking questions in German, word order changes. The verb comes second, and the subject follows. Wer bist du? (Who are you?) not Wer du bist? Mastering question formation helps in everyday conversations, whether you're discussing days of the week or time expressions in German.
German Pronouns Cheat Sheet: All Tables
This complete reference shows all german pronouns in one place. Save this page for quick lookup when you need to check pronoun forms across different cases.
Personal Pronouns (All Cases)
| English | Nominative | Accusative | Dative | Genitive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | ich | mich | mir | meiner |
| you (informal) | du | dich | dir | deiner |
| he | er | ihn | ihm | seiner |
| she | sie | sie | ihr | ihrer |
| it | es | es | ihm | seiner |
| we | wir | uns | uns | unser |
| you (plural informal) | ihr | euch | euch | euer |
| they | sie | sie | ihnen | ihrer |
| you (formal) | Sie | Sie | Ihnen | Ihrer |
Possessive Pronouns (Nominative Case)
| English | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| my | mein | meine | mein | meine |
| your (informal) | dein | deine | dein | deine |
| his/its | sein | seine | sein | seine |
| her | ihr | ihre | ihr | ihre |
| our | unser | unsere | unser | unsere |
| your (plural informal) | euer | eure | euer | eure |
| their | ihr | ihre | ihr | ihre |
| your (formal) | Ihr | Ihre | Ihr | Ihre |
Reflexive Pronouns
| Subject | Accusative | Dative |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mich | mir |
| du | dich | dir |
| er/sie/es | sich | sich |
| wir | uns | uns |
| ihr | euch | euch |
| sie/Sie | sich | sich |
Relative Pronouns
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | denen |
| Genitive | dessen | deren | dessen | deren |
Demonstrative Pronouns (dieser)
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | dieser | diese | dieses | diese |
| Accusative | diesen | diese | dieses | diese |
| Dative | diesem | dieser | diesem | diesen |
| Genitive | dieses | dieser | dieses | dieser |
Interrogative Pronouns
Wer (Who)
| Nominative | wer |
| Accusative | wen |
| Dative | wem |
| Genitive | wessen |
Was (What)
| Nominative | was |
| Accusative | was |
| Dative | — |
| Genitive | wessen |
How Many Pronouns Are There in German?
German has six main pronoun types with multiple forms each. Personal pronouns have 9 forms across 4 cases. Possessive pronouns change based on gender and case. Reflexive pronouns have 6 subject forms. Relative and demonstrative pronouns decline through 4 cases and 4 genders. Interrogative pronouns like wer and was have 4 case forms. In total, you'll encounter over 100 different pronoun forms in German, but patterns make them manageable once you understand the case system and gender agreements. Regular practice with these german pronouns conjugation patterns builds fluency over time.
German Pronouns: Complete List with Charts and Examples
How many pronouns are there in German?
German has over 100 different pronoun forms across six main types: personal, possessive, reflexive, relative, demonstrative, and interrogative pronouns. Each type declines through multiple cases and genders.
Are pronouns capitalized in German?
Only the formal ‘you’ pronoun Sie and its related forms (Ihnen, Ihrer) are capitalised. All other pronouns like ich, du, er, sie (she/they), wir, and ihr remain lowercase.
What are personal pronouns in German grammar?
Personal pronouns replace specific people or things. They include ich (I), du (you), er (he), sie (she), es (it), wir (we), ihr (you plural), sie (they), and Sie (you formal). They change form based on the grammatical case.
When to use dative pronouns in German?
Use dative pronouns for indirect objects, which answer “to whom” or “for whom.” They appear with dative verbs like helfen (to help), gefallen (to please), and after dative prepositions like mit, bei, and aus.
What are reflexive pronouns in German?
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject and include mich, dich, sich, uns, and euch. They’re used with reflexive verbs like sich freuen (to be happy) and sich waschen (to wash oneself).
What are relative pronouns in German?
Relative pronouns connect clauses and refer to a previous noun. They include der, die, das and change based on gender, number, and case. They cannot be omitted like in English.
What's the difference between accusative and dative German pronouns?
Accusative pronouns are direct objects answering “whom/what” (wen/was), while dative pronouns are indirect objects answering “to whom/for whom” (wem). For example, ich becomes mich (accusative) or mir (dative).
How do possessive German pronouns work?
Possessive pronouns show ownership and include mein (my), dein (your), sein (his/its), ihr (her), unser (our). They must agree with the gender and case of the possessed noun, not the owner.
Do German pronouns have gender?
Third person singular pronouns have gender: er (masculine), sie (feminine), es (neuter). Other pronouns don’t have inherent gender, but their forms change based on the gender of nouns they refer to or modify.
What's the hardest part about learning German pronouns?
The case system is most challenging. The same pronoun changes form in nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive cases. Learners must identify each pronoun’s grammatical function to use the correct form.
Discover more from Elan German
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
