Accusative Contractions

In German, accusative contractions occur when certain accusative prepositions combine with the neuter definite article das to create a single, shortened word. This is used primarily in spoken language, though sometimes in informal written language as well. Because we at Yabla strive to always transcribe native speakers' words as accurately as possible, you'll see these contractions often.

Let's look at examples with some of the prepositions that always take the accusative case. These include bis, durch, für, gegen, je, ohne, um, and wider, but only a few of them work in a contraction:

Rötlich-violette Schwaden ziehen durchs Wasser, das hier fast frei von Sauerstoff ist.

Reddish-violet vapors move through the water, which here is almost oxygen-free.

Caption 8, Alpenseen: Kühle Schönheiten
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Also, vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen.

So, many thanks for watching.

Caption 42, 48 h in Innsbruck: Sehenswürdigkeiten & Tipps
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Wenn der Schutzmann ums Eck kommt, nimmt der Ede Reißaus.

When the lawman comes around the corner, Ede runs away.

Caption 2, Großstadtrevier: Nicht mit mir
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And now for some two-way prepositions, presented here in accusative examples:

Denn das ist unsre Chance aufs Glück.

Since this is our chance for happiness.

Caption 11, Beatrice Egli: Wir leben laut
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Wir gehen ins Kino, OK?

We're going to the movies, OK?

Caption 63, Die Pfefferkörner: Abi um jeden Preis
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Stellen Sie die Lieferung vors Café, ich komm gleich rüber.

Leave the delivery in front of the café, I'll be right over.

Caption 32, Die Pfefferkörner: Das Wunderkind
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Jetzt geht's ans nächste Hindernis direkt an den Kicker.

Now I'll go to the next obstacler, directly to the slope.

Caption 29, 48 h in Innsbruck: Sehenswürdigkeiten & Tipps
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Und es ist wirklich sensationell, mit über vierzig Knoten übers Wasser zu fliegen,

And it's really sensational to fly across the water at more than forty knots

Caption 14, Die Insel Fehmarn: Speedsurfen auf Fehmarn
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Further Learning
Using neuter nouns and prepositions, create your own sentences, or look for additional examples of contractions in use on Yabla German.