What Does gemäß Mean?
Gemäß is a German preposition that translates to “according to,” “in accordance with,” or “as per” in English. It is commonly used in both formal and legal contexts to indicate compliance with rules, regulations, or instructions.
Grammatical Rules for Using gemäß
Case Usage
Gemäß always requires the dative case. This means that the noun or pronoun following gemäß must be in the dative form.
- Example: Gemäß dem Vertrag (According to the contract)
- Example: Gemäß den Vorschriften (According to the regulations)
Position in the Sentence
Unlike some other German prepositions, gemäß can be placed both before or after the noun it governs. Both options are correct, though putting it after the noun is more common in formal writing.
- Before the noun: Gemäß dem Gesetz müssen wir handeln. (According to the law, we must act.)
- After the noun: Wir müssen dem Gesetz gemäß handeln. (We must act according to the law.)
In spoken German or less formal writing, placing gemäß before the noun is perfectly acceptable and may sound more natural to learners.
Common Expressions and Examples
Here are some typical situations and examples where gemäß is used:
- Gemäß den Angaben (According to the information)
- Gemäß der Anweisung (According to the instructions)
- Gemäß dem Bericht (According to the report)
Full-sentence examples:
- Gemäß den neuesten Studien ist Deutsch eine der meistgesprochenen Sprachen Europas. (According to the latest studies, German is one of the most spoken languages in Europe.)
- Die Mitarbeiter haben den Vorschriften gemäß gehandelt. (The employees acted in accordance with the regulations.)
How Does gemäß Differ From Other Prepositions?
German offers several ways to express “according to,” such as laut, nach, and entsprechend. However, gemäß is more formal and often found in written communication, contracts, and official documents. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Gemäß: Formal, used in legal or official contexts, always with dative.
- Laut: Can be used with dative or genitive, less formal, common in news or spoken German.
- Nach: Used with dative, but generally for time or direction, not for rules or regulations.
- Entsprechend: Similar to gemäß, but can also be used as an adjective (“entsprechende Regeln” = “corresponding rules”).
Tips for Using gemäß Correctly
- Always remember to use the dative case after gemäß.
- For formal writing, it’s often better to place gemäß after the noun.
- Practice with official documents, news articles, or legal texts to see gemäß in context.
- Use Talkpal’s AI-powered exercises to reinforce your understanding of German prepositions like gemäß.
Practice: Test Your Understanding
Try rewriting the following sentences using gemäß:
- According to the rules, mobile phones are not allowed in class.
- According to the plan, we will meet at 9 AM.
Answers:
- Gemäß den Regeln sind Handys im Unterricht nicht erlaubt. / Handys sind den Regeln gemäß im Unterricht nicht erlaubt.
- Gemäß dem Plan treffen wir uns um 9 Uhr. / Wir treffen uns dem Plan gemäß um 9 Uhr.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use gemäß gives your German a more formal and accurate touch, especially in written or professional situations. With regular practice and exposure, you’ll master its usage in no time. For more detailed explanations and interactive exercises, visit the Talkpal AI language learning blog and continue your journey toward German fluency!
