Abstand zu: case, meaning and sentence patterns

The idea

Learn the complete construction Abstand zu, including its Dativ complement. The preposition zu belongs to the construction; do not infer its case from English. In a yes/no question the finite verb moves before the subject, while the complement keeps its case.

Patterns to compare

Muster	Kasus
Abstand zu	Dativ

Repair the complement

• Halte Abstand zu den Rand. → Halte Abstand zu dem Rand.

  Zu takes dative; the correct form is dem Rand.

Examples

• Der Tisch hat genug Abstand zur Tür.The table is far enough from the door.
• Hat der Tisch genug Abstand zur Tür?Is the table far enough from the door?
• Die Gruppe hält Abstand zu dem frisch gestrichenen Geländer.The group keeps its distance from the freshly painted railing.
• Hält die Gruppe Abstand zu dem frisch gestrichenen Geländer?Does the group keep its distance from the freshly painted railing?
• Wir messen den Abstand zu dem vorderen Rand.We measure the distance from the front edge.
• Messen wir den Abstand zu dem vorderen Rand?Do we measure the distance from the front edge?

Watch out

Zu takes dative; the correct form is dem Rand.

Try it yourself

1. Abstand ___ — Präposition ergänzen

   Show answer or example answer

   zu

   zu: this is the required preposition in Abstand zu.

2. Korrigiere: Halte Abstand zu den Rand.

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   Halte Abstand zu dem Rand.

   Halte Abstand zu dem Rand. Zu takes dative; the correct form is dem Rand.

3. Verwandle in eine Ja/Nein-Frage: Der Tisch hat genug Abstand zur Tür.

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   Hat der Tisch genug Abstand zur Tür?

   Hat der Tisch genug Abstand zur Tür? The finite verb comes first; the complement keeps its case.

Use it today

Write two sentences about your own week with Abstand zu: a statement and the matching yes/no question. The word order changes, but the complement stays in the Dativ; compare both with “Halte Abstand zu dem Rand.”.