Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Dative Case

Definition: 

Dative case is a case that marks any of the following:

  • Indirect objects (for languages in which they are held to exist)
  • Nouns having the role of:
    • recipient (as of things given)
    • beneficiary of an action
    • possessor of an item
Examples: 

(German)

The word mir ‘(to) me’ is in dative case, as seen in the following sentence.

  • Gib mir Brot. Give me bread.

This word contrasts with ich ‘I’ and mich ‘me’.

Source: