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Genitiv Prepositions: wegen, statt, trotz, während
The four common prepositions that take the genitive case, with a simple sentence pattern and examples.
October 14, 2026 · 3 min read
🇩🇪 Genitiv Präpositionen
These four prepositions are followed by a noun in the genitive case.
1. wegen — due to / because of
2. statt — instead of
3. trotz — in spite of
4. während — during
Pattern
Genitiv-Präposition + Nomen (in the genitive case)
Put this phrase in position I of the sentence. The verb then follows in position II, then the subject (III), then the object (IV).
I: Genitiv-Präp + Nomen → II: Verb → III: Subjekt → IV: Objekt
Examples
1. Wegen der Erkältung komme ich heute nicht. — Because of the cold, I'm not coming today.
2. Trotz des Regens gehe ich ins Kino. — In spite of the rain, I'm going to the cinema.
3. Statt des Autos benutze ich öffentliche Verkehrsmittel. — Instead of the car, I use public transport.
4. Während meines Schlafes träume ich. — During my sleep, I dream.
💡 Watch the endings
Feminine nouns take der in the genitive and the noun itself does not change: der Erkältung.
Masculine and neuter nouns take des (or a possessive like meines) and add -s or -es to the noun: des Regens, des Autos, meines Schlafes.