Ace the German B1 Exam — PDF Grammar + Conversation Guide

What’s Inside:

• ✅ All essential B1 grammar points — clearly explained

• ✅ Real-life conversation phrases to boost speaking confidence

• ✅ A link to my custom-made online flashcard app for memorizing fast

• ✅ Mobile-friendly PDF (also works on Kindle & desktop)

• ✅ Created by someone who passed B1 in 3 months

Why This Exists:

I’m a software engineer and expat in Germany who passed the B1 exam — and I know how overwhelming it can be. I made this for anyone preparing for B1 who wants something practical and clear.

Let’s get you to B1 fast — viel Erfolg!

Sample chapter:

The Dative Object (Dativobjekt) in German

The dative case is used in different situations: as an indirect object, with specific prepositions, with two-way prepositions, and with certain verbs.

1. Dative as an Indirect Object

Used when there is a recipient or beneficiary of an action.

Example:

- Ich gebe dem Mann ein Glas.

- (I give the man a glass.)

Sentence structure:

Subject + Verb + Indirect Object (Dative) + Direct Object (Accusative)

2. Fixed Prepositions That Always Take the Dative

Some prepositions always require the dative case.

Common dative prepositions:

• mit (with) → Ich spreche mit ihm. (I speak with him.)

• nach (after, to) → Wir fahren nach Berlin. (We are going to Berlin.)

• zu (to) → Ich gehe zum Arzt. (I go to the doctor.)

• aus (from, out of) → Er kommt aus Deutschland. (He comes from Germany.)

• bei (at, near) → Ich bin bei meinen Eltern. (I am at my parents’ house.)

3. Two-Way Prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen)

These prepositions take the dative when answering Wo? (Where?) or Wann? (When?)

If answering "Wohin?" (Where to?), they take the accusative!

Common examples:

• Wo bist du? → Ich bin im Bad. (I am in the bathroom.) Dative

• Wann bist du fertig? → In einer Minute. (In one minute.) Dative

• Wohin gehst du? → Ich gehe ins Bad. (I am going to the bathroom.) X Accusative

4. Dative with Certain Verbs

Some verbs require a dative object instead of an accusative.

Common verbs:

• helfen (to help) → Ich helfe dir. (I help you.)

• gefallen (to please) → Das Bild gefällt mir. (I like the picture.)

• passen (to fit) → Passt dir das Hemd? (Does the shirt fit you?)

• schmecken (to taste) → Schmeckt Ihnen das Essen? (Does the food taste good to you?)

Important word order rule:

- If both subject and object are pronouns → Subject first!

• Passt es dir? (Does it fit you?)

• Schmeckt es Ihnen? (Does it taste good to you?)

- But with nouns, the dative object often comes first:

• Passt dir das Hemd? (Does the shirt fit you?)

• Gefällt euch das Bild? (Do you like the picture?)

5. Word Order in Sentences with Dative Objects

Basic rule:

Subject → Verb → Dative Object → Accusative Object

Example:

- Ich gebe dem Kind (Dative) einen Apfel (Accusative).

- (I give the child an apple.)

If pronouns are used, follow this order:

- Subject Pronoun → Accusative Pronoun → Dative Pronoun

- Es passt mir. (It fits me.)

- Mir passt es nicht. (It doesn’t fit me.) (Emphasized on "mir")

6. Common Expressions Using the Dative

Some fixed phrases use the dative even though there is no direct object.

Common dative expressions:

• Mir ist kalt. (I am cold.)

• Meinem Mann ist heiß. (My husband is hot.)

• Ihr ist schlecht. (She feels sick.)

• Ihnen ist schwindlig. (They feel dizzy.)

Why? These sentences follow an old grammar rule where the dative case was used for physical states.

7. Real-Life Dialogue Example

A dinner scene to show natural dative usage:

Jana: Wie schmeckt euch das Essen?

Tobias: Fantastisch!

Natascha: Es ist sehr lecker! Normalerweise schmecken mir Kichererbsen nicht so gut, aber mit diesen Gewürzen … ein Gedicht!

Astrid: Danke, es hat mir wirklich gut geschmeckt, aber ich bin satt.

Kai: Mir hat es auch wirklich gut geschmeckt, und ich nehme noch eine Portion.

Jana: Gib mir deinen Teller. Ich hole dir noch eine Portion aus der Küche.

Key takeaways from this dialogue:

• Jana asks "Wie schmeckt euch das Essen?" (Placing the person first.)

• Natascha naturally uses mir to emphasize that she normally dislikes chickpeas.

• Kai begins with "Mir hat es gut geschmeckt" to emphasize that HE liked it.

Summary to Memorize

Dative is used for:

1. Indirect Objects → Ich gebe dem Mann ein Glas.

2. Fixed Prepositions → Ich spreche mit ihm.

3. Two-Way Prepositions (Wo? Wann?) → Ich bin im Bad.

4. Certain Verbs → Das Bild gefällt mir.

5. Physical Conditions → Mir ist kalt.

Word order tips:

• Dative object often comes first when it’s a person.

• With pronouns: Subject pronoun → Accusative pronoun → Dative pronoun.

• In questions, the person usually comes first:
  • Passt dir das Hemd?
  • Passt es dir? (Only for pronouns!)

Practice tip:

Try using these phrases in daily life! For example, when trying food:

- "Schmeckt dir das Essen?" (Does the food taste good to you?)

- "Passt dir das Hemd?" (Does the shirt fit you?)