Rule
Dative
A1.2 · NewDative is the case of the recipient / indirect relation (to whom?). All genders change here: der/das → dem, die → der, plural → den (+ -n on the noun). Common after the prepositions mit, nach, von, zu, bei: «zum Bahnhof» (m), «zur Post» (f). Also after geben / helfen / gehören.
Imperative
A1.2 · NewThe imperative is the command form. In a main clause the verb sits in position 1 with no subject: du-form «Geh!», «Sprich!»; polite Sie-form «Gehen Sie!», «Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer!». Separable prefixes still slide to the end: «Biegen Sie rechts ab!». Used for instructions, directions, polite requests.
Read more →Separable verbs
A1.1 · RecapSome verbs have a prefix that splits off from the stem in a main clause and slides to the end: «aufstehen» → «Ich stehe um sieben auf», «einkaufen» → «Wir kaufen Brot ein». Common separable prefixes: auf-, ein-, ab-, an-, mit-, weg-, zu-, vor-, nach-. In the dictionary they're one word — in speech they break apart.