Understanding the Meaning of “laut” as a Preposition
In German, “laut” as a preposition is used to express the idea of “according to” or “as stated by.” It introduces information that comes from a source, such as a person, document, law, or report. For example, you might want to say “according to the newspaper” or “according to the rules” in German. In these cases, “laut” is the perfect preposition to use.
Grammatical Rules: Which Case Follows “laut”?
One of the most important aspects of using prepositions in German is knowing which grammatical case to use. “Laut” is most commonly followed by the dative case in modern spoken and written German. However, in more formal or legal contexts, it can also be used with the genitive case. For everyday conversation and most written communication, the dative case is the safe and standard choice.
Examples with Dative Case
- Laut dem Lehrer ist die Prüfung morgen. (According to the teacher, the exam is tomorrow.)
- Laut dem Wetterbericht wird es regnen. (According to the weather report, it will rain.)
Examples with Genitive Case (Formal or Legal Contexts)
- Laut des Gesetzes ist das verboten. (According to the law, that is prohibited.)
Notice that using the genitive case is mostly seen in written, legal, or very formal contexts. If you are unsure, use the dative case to sound natural and correct in everyday German.
Position of “laut” in the Sentence
“Laut” is a flexible preposition and can appear at the beginning, middle, or even at the end of a sentence. However, it most often appears at the beginning or right before the clause it modifies. Here are some examples:
- Laut meinem Freund gibt es heute Pizza in der Mensa. (According to my friend, there is pizza in the cafeteria today.)
- Es gibt heute Pizza in der Mensa, laut meinem Freund. (There is pizza in the cafeteria today, according to my friend.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t confuse “laut” with “laut” as an adjective, which means “loud.” As a preposition, it always relates to a source of information.
- Be sure to use the correct case after “laut”—preferably the dative for most situations.
- Remember that “laut” does not require a comma after it when used as a preposition.
Alternatives to “laut”
While “laut” is a common way to say “according to,” German has other expressions you can use with similar meanings. For example:
- Nach – Nach dem Bericht (According to the report)
- Gemäß – Gemäß den Vorschriften (In accordance with the regulations)
Each alternative has its own nuance, but “laut” remains one of the most direct and widely used for relaying information from a source.
Practice Using “laut” with Talkpal
The best way to master new grammar is through practice. On the Talkpal AI language learning blog and platform, you’ll find interactive exercises and real-life examples to help you get comfortable using “laut” in conversation and writing. Try forming your own sentences using “laut” and check your work with AI feedback or language partners!
Conclusion
Using “laut” as a preposition in German is straightforward once you know the rules: it means “according to,” is usually followed by the dative case, and is used to reference information from a specific source. With the tips and examples provided here, you’ll be able to use “laut” confidently and accurately. For more detailed lessons and practice, be sure to visit Talkpal’s AI language learning blog and take your German skills to the next level!
