German word

am

Pronunciation

IPA/am/

Meaning

  • prepositionat

Example

Ich warte am Bahnhof.

I'm waiting at the station.

Illustration for am (at)

More examples

Ich treffe sie am Abend.

I meet her in the evening.

Core concept

A place or time marked as the point where something is located or happens.

Common phrases

  • am Morgen

    in the morning

  • am Abend

    in the evening

  • am Bahnhof

    at the station

Similar words

an: Marks a position touching an edge or surface, or right by an entrance.
in: Marks a position inside a building, room, box, or other enclosed space.
bei: Marks a location near a person, shop, or other facility.
vor: Marks a position in front of an object, place, or entrance.

Definition in German

Kurzform von 'an dem', mit Dativ gebraucht; drückt örtliche Nähe oder einen bestimmten Zeitpunkt aus (z.B. am Bahnhof, am Montag).

Word origin

German am preserves the combination of an, expressing position or contact, and the dative form dem.

Usage tips

  • Because am contains a dative article, a stationary location follows it in the dative, as in am Bahnhof; directional uses of an take the accusative.

Other meanings

  • bypreposition
  • onpreposition

Word lists with this word