"You see, the preposition thing is complicated. Do you think that your students must solve the problem in detail? In my opinion they may make mistakes. People understand them surely!" Mrs Engelhardt has asked me this question while she explained to me about prepositions which I asked.
We, Indonesians, who learn German, have sometimes difficulties in choosing the right preposition as we should build a sentence. It is possible that an Indonesian word (not always a preposition) can be "represented" by more than one German preposition. For example: the word "melewati" in the sentence "Anak-anak melewati taman." For the word "melewati" these prepositions are possible: "durch", "ueber", "an...vorbei" because these prepositions can mean "melewati" in Indonesian language.
Now we try to build German sentences from the above-mentioned example. Anak-anak means Kinder (= children) in German, taman can mean Park or Garten (park / garden).
So:
1. Die Kinder gehen durch den Park.
2. Die Kinder gehen ueber den Park.
3. Die Kinder gehen am Park vorbei.
Whether the usage of these prepositions is right and the message of the Indonesian sentence "Anak-anak melewati taman." is accommodated, it should be checked. Besides, we need to know the knowledge regarding the land: What is the definition of "taman" for Indonesia people? What is the definition of "Park" or "Garten" for the Germans? Do these Indonesian and German words have same concepts?
Grammatically the usage of the prepositions is already correct:
1. Preposition "durch" needs the accusative explanation: den Park.
2. Preposition "ueber" can be completed by accusative or dative explanation. A further problem raises here. You should have the ability to choose the right one. ;-) In this case the accusative explanation is needed: den Park.
3.Preposition "an" also can be completed by accusative or dative explanation. Also, a problem again. ;-) In this case the dative explanation is needed: am Park.
Since there are some concerned factors, then we, the German learning Indonesians, need to know more, so that we can build correct sentences. However it is good, that the Germans or the native speakers of German understand us although we make small grammatical mistakes. Because it is tiring, if we, foreigners, must always think of the German grammar during daily conversation. In other side, it is also terrible, if we make these small mistakes in the grammar test. It can cause that somebody doesn't get the German certificate. :-( Therefore somebody must learn, ask a lot and try to find the right answers.
Back to text 35: You Drink Coffee, Don't You?
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