am
/am/
The English phrase "by the" can be translated into German as am.
am is used to indicate the location of something next to or beside another object.
Which one should you use?
While am indicates being "at" or "by" the edge of something, the word neben would be used to mean "beside" in the sense of being next to an object without necessarily being at its edge. The uncontracted form an dem is grammatically correct but is almost always contracted to am in standard German unless specific emphasis is required.
How do you pronounce it?
/am/
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, am can describe a state of being, such as am Verhungern, which means 'in the process of starving'.
- While am means 'by the' for location, it is also the standard way to say 'on' when talking about dates and days of the week, such as am Montag for 'on Monday'.
- In a professional context, saying someone is am Telefon means they are 'on the phone', even though am literally translates to 'by the' or 'at the'.
Examples in context
- Tom saß am Feuer.Tom sat by the fireplace.This sentence is useful for showing how to use am with a fireplace.Tatoeba #7908240 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7783597 by Hybrid
- Ich wohne am Fluss.I live by the river.This sentence is useful for showing how to use am with a river.Tatoeba #12064173 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12037592 by sundown
- Wir wohnten am Meer.We lived close by the sea.This sentence is useful for showing how to use am with the sea.Tatoeba #7714859 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #262929 by CK
- Der Brief wurde durch den Kurier zugestelltThe letter was delivered by the courier.
- Die Entscheidung wurde von der Kommission getroffenThe decision was made by the commission.
- Ich wurde vom Arzt behandeltI was treated by the doctor.
- Die Daten wurden durch den Computer analysiert.The data was analyzed by the computer.
- Das Essen wurde vom Chefkoch zubereitet.The food was prepared by the chef.
- Ich wurde vom Taxi abgeholt.I was picked up by the taxi.
- 189 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are waiting for a friend at a park.
- SarahWir treffen uns am Brunnen.We are meeting by the fountain.
- FelixIst er schon am Brunnen?Is he already by the fountain?
- SarahNein, er ist noch am Bahnhof.No, he is still at the station.
- FelixGut, ich warte am Brunnen auf ihn.Good, I will wait for him by the fountain.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry am, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
