{"id":93608,"date":"2023-08-19T20:41:19","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T00:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/german-contractions\/"},"modified":"2025-01-31T00:11:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T05:11:10","slug":"german-contractions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/german-contractions\/","title":{"rendered":"18 German Contractions"},"content":{"rendered":"

In most languages, native speakers will often opt for shortcuts, such as ways to express what they need to say in a simpler way using fewer words, and the German language<\/a> is no exception. This post is all about words that are shortened<\/a> by being fused together into one. Or, as they’re commonly known: contractions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In German, contractions are usually made up of prepositions<\/a> and the definite article<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0without any extra apostrophes into the new word.<\/p>\n

Below, you’ll find 18 of the most common German contractions and see them used in context with example sentences.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. an + dem = am <\/em>(on the \/ at the)<\/h2>\n

Ich bin am<\/strong> Rathaus.
\n<\/i>(I’m at the town hall.)<\/p>\n

2. an + das = ans <\/em>(on the \/ at the)<\/h2>\n

Er ist ans<\/strong> Haus gebunden.
\n<\/em>(He’s\u00a0stuck indoors.)<\/p>\n

3. auf + das = aufs <\/em>(on the \/ at the)<\/h2>\n

Es l\u00e4uft aufs<\/strong> Geld hinaus.
\n<\/em>(It comes down to the money.)<\/p>\n

4. bei + dem = beim <\/em>(at the \/ in the \/ with the)<\/h2>\n

Sie ist beim<\/strong> Freund.
\n<\/em>(She’s with the boyfriend.)<\/p>\n

Beim<\/strong> ersten Mal k\u00f6nnte es schwer werden.
\n<\/em>(The first time could be difficult.)<\/p>\n

5. durch + das = durchs <\/em>(through the)<\/h2>\n

Es gleitet durchs<\/strong> Wasser.
\n<\/em>(It slides through the water.)<\/p>\n

6. f\u00fcr + das = f\u00fcrs <\/em>(for the)<\/h2>\n

Das ist nur f\u00fcrs<\/strong> Auge.
\n<\/em>(That’s only window-dressing.) (Literally, “That is only for the eyes.”)<\/p>\n

7. hinter + dem <\/em>= hinterm <\/em>(behind the)<\/h2>\n

Ich stehe hinterm<\/strong> Haus.
\n<\/em>(I’m standing behind the house.)<\/p>\n

8. in + das = ins <\/em>(in the \/ into the \/ to the)<\/h2>\n

Wir gehen ins<\/strong> Kino.
\n<\/i>(We’re going to the cinema.)<\/p>\n

Er ist ins<\/strong> Bett gegangen.<\/em>
\n(He’s gone to bed.)<\/p>\n

9. in + dem = im <\/em>(at \/ in the)<\/h2>\n

Er sitzt im<\/strong> Restaurant.
\n<\/em>(He’s sitting in the restaurant.)<\/p>\n

Ich warte geduldig im<\/strong> Auto.
\n<\/em>(I’m waiting patiently in the car.)<\/p>\n

10. \u00fcber + das = \u00fcbers <\/em>(over the \/ about the)<\/h2>\n

Ich rede \u00fcbers<\/strong> Buch.
\n<\/em>(I’m talking about the book.)<\/p>\n

11. um + das = ums <\/em>(at the \/ around)<\/h2>\n

Viele B\u00e4ume stehen ums<\/strong> Haus.
\n<\/em>(There are many trees around the house.)<\/p>\n

Sie ist ums<\/strong> Leben gekommen.
\n<\/em>(She has passed away.)<\/p>\n

12. unter + das = unters <\/em>(under the)<\/h2>\n

Ich lege mich unters<\/strong> Messer.
\n<\/em>(I’m going under the knife.)<\/p>\n

13. unter + dem = unterm <\/em>(under the)<\/h2>\n

Ich habe es unterm<\/strong> Ladentisch gefunden.
\n<\/i>(I found it under the counter.)<\/p>\n

14. von + dem = vom <\/em>(from the)<\/h2>\n

Es dauert vom<\/strong> 1. Januar bis 11. Januar.
\n<\/em>(It lasts from January 1st to January 11th.)<\/p>\n

Sie schweifen vom<\/strong> Thema ab.
\n<\/em>(They wandered from the subject.)<\/p>\n

15. vor + das = vors <\/em>(in front of the)<\/h2>\n

Sie geht vors<\/strong> Haus.<\/em>
\n(She goes in front of the house.)<\/p>\n

16. vor + dem = vorm <\/em>(in front of the \/ from)<\/h2>\n

Er hat mich vorm<\/strong> Ertrinken gerettet.<\/em>
\n(He rescued me from drowning.)<\/p>\n

17. zu + dem = zum <\/em>(to the \/ to)<\/h2>\n

Wie komme ich zum<\/strong> Stadtzentrum?<\/em>
\n(How do I get to the city center?)<\/p>\n

As you can see, contractions can even be helpful for asking and giving directions in German<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ich h\u00e4tte gern einen Kaffee zum<\/strong> mitnehmen, bitte.
\n<\/em>(I would like a coffee to go, please.)<\/p>\n

18. zu + der = zur <\/em>(to the \/ to)<\/h2>\n

Die Kinder gehen zur<\/strong> Schule.
\n<\/em>(The kids are going to school.)<\/p>\n

Wir stehen gerne zur<\/strong> Verf\u00fcgung.
\n<\/em>(We’re pleased to be available.)<\/p>\n

Why Learn German Contractions?<\/h2>\n