You wonder: “When do I use ‘ihr’ and when ‘euch’ in German?”
The answer: It depends on the case – that is, nominative, accusative, or dative.
“ihr” or “euch” – How to tell the difference
Many learners don’t know when to use “ihr” and “euch” or what the difference is. That’s normal – even advanced learners often stumble here.
- “ihr” is always the subject (nominative).
- “euch” can be accusative or dative. So it is the object.
Examples:
- Ihr seht einen Film. (ihr = subject, nominative)
- Ich sehe euch. (euch = object, accusative)
- Ich gebe euch einen Tipp. (euch = object, dative)
Overview of “ihr” and “euch”
| Form | Case | Example | Explanation |
| ihr | Nominative | Ihr seid müde. | „ihr“ = subject, multiple people, informal |
| euch | Accusative | Ich sehe euch. | „euch“ = akkusative objekt, multiple people, informal |
| euch | Dative | Ich gebe euch einen Tipp. | „euch“ = dative objekt, multiple people, informal |
💡 Important: “ihr” can only be the subject.
⚠️ Attention: There is also “ihr” as a possessive pronoun (ihr Auto). That is a different topic and will be explained in a separate article soon.
Common problems with “ihr” and “euch”
Many learners struggle with “ihr” and “euch” because they:
- are unclear which person is meant,
- don’t recognize the case (Nom., Acc., Dat.),
- don’t know that certain verbs require “ihr” or “euch”.
Learners often don’t realize that some verbs require accusative or dative. These are the so-called accusative and dative verbs. You need to learn:
- which verbs require the accusative,
- which require the dative,
- and that “ihr” is only the subject in the nominative.
Everyday examples:
- Ich gebe euch einen Tipp. (dative)
- Wir sehen euch am Wochenende. (accusative)
- Ihr seht einen Film. (nominative, subject)
All personal pronouns in nominative, accusative, and dative
Here is an overview, so you can better understand it:
| Nominative | Akkusative | Dative |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mich | mir |
| du | dich | dir |
| er | ihn | ihm |
| sie | sie | ihr |
| es | es | ihm |
| wir | uns | uns |
| ihr | euch | euch |
| sie / Sie | sie / Sie | ihnen / Ihnen |
List: important verbs with accusative and dative
| 12 Basic verbs with accusative | 12 Basic verbs with dative |
|---|---|
| arbeiten essen haben hören kaufen lernen lesen nehmen brauchen suchen sehen trinken verstehen | antworten danken erklären folgen gefallen geben gehören glauben helfen passen zeigen vertrauen |
Mini-excercise: Fill in “ihr” or “euch”
- Hallo Kinder, was macht ___?
- Ich sehe ___ morgen im Kurs.
- Wir geben ___ die Hausaufgaben.
- Thomas, Maria und Anna – kommt ___ heute Abend?
- Wir verstehen _____ gut.
- Gefällt _____ das neue Auto?
- Kommt, wir zeigen ______ die Stadt.
- ___ seid sehr freundlich.
Solutions:
- ihr (nominative, subject)
- euch (akkusative)
- euch (dative)
- ihr (nominative, subject)
- euch (akkusative, object)
- euch (dative, object)
- euch (dative, object)
- ihr (nominative, subject)
Conclusion
- “ihr” = always subject (nominative).
- “euch” = accusative or dative.
Many mistakes happen because learners don’t learn the verbs with the correct case.
Listen carefully to how native speakers speak – this helps you quickly recognize the difference.
👉 Reading Tip: Read also our article: How to use “ihr” correctly (A1 German Guide)
Use “ihr” and “euch” confidently – with the right course
Frankfurt intensive German course (5 days per week)
Wan to make fast progress? In the intensive course, you learn German every day – with a focus on active speaking practice. Small groups (max. 8 participants) ensure you speak a lot and gain confidence quickly.
German evening class Frankfurt Main (2 evenings per week)
Perfect for working people: learn 2x a week in the evening in a relaxed atmosphere. You can come directly after work and improve your German step by step.
German language course Frankfurt (2 mornings per week)
You have time in the morning and want to study regularly but not daily? Our morning courses are ideal. This way you stay consistent without overloading yourself.
Private lessons (1:1)
Want maximum flexibility and to work specifically on your goals? In private lessons, you set the pace and content. Your teacher adapts each lesson to your needs.
👉 Learn quickly, confidently, and enjoyably – and soon you’ll use “ihr” and “euch” correctly automatically.
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