The idea
Learn the complete construction zuliebe, including its Dativ complement. The preposition zuliebe 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.
| Muster | Kasus |
|---|---|
| zuliebe | Dativ |
Repair the complement
Den Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.Dem Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.The beneficiary before zuliebe is dative: dem Gast.
Examples
- Wir sprechen den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer.We speak a little more slowly for the sake of the new participants.
- Sprechen wir den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer?Do we speak a little more slowly for the sake of the new participants?
- Ich nehme meinem Nachbarn zuliebe den späteren Termin.I take the later appointment for my neighbor's sake.
- Nehme ich meinem Nachbarn zuliebe den späteren Termin?Do I take the later appointment for my neighbor's sake?
- Die Gruppe verzichtet der Ruhe zuliebe auf laute Musik.The group does without loud music for the sake of quiet.
- Verzichtet die Gruppe der Ruhe zuliebe auf laute Musik?Does the group do without loud music for the sake of quiet?
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Watch out
The beneficiary before zuliebe is dative: dem Gast.
Try it yourself
zuliebe — Kasus der Ergänzung?
Show answer or example answer
Dativ
Dativ: this is the required case in zuliebe.
Korrigiere: Den Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.
Show answer or example answer
Dem Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.
Dem Gast zuliebe warten wir noch. The beneficiary before zuliebe is dative: dem Gast.
Verwandle in eine Ja/Nein-Frage: Wir sprechen den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer.
Show answer or example answer
Sprechen wir den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer?
Sprechen wir den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer? The finite verb comes first; the complement keeps its case.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
zuliebe — Kasus der Ergänzung?
Korrigiere: Den Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.
Dem Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.
Verwandle in eine Ja/Nein-Frage: Wir sprechen den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer.
Sprechen wir den neuen Teilnehmenden zuliebe etwas langsamer?
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write two sentences about your own week with zuliebe: a statement and the matching yes/no question. The word order changes, but the complement stays in the Dativ; compare both with “Dem Gast zuliebe warten wir noch.”.