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{{Short description|Grammatical case generally used to indicate the noun to which something is given}} | {{Short description|Grammatical case generally used to indicate the noun to which something is given}} | ||
In [[grammar]], the '''dative case''' ([[list of glossing abbreviations|abbreviated]] {{smallcaps|'''dat'''}}, or sometimes {{smallcaps|'''d'''}} when it is a [[core argument]]) is a [[grammatical case]] used in some languages to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action, as in "{{Lang|la|Maria <em>Jacobo</em> potum dedit|italic=no}}", Latin for "Maria gave <em>Jacob</em> a drink". In this example, the dative marks what would be considered the [[indirect object]] of a [[verb]] in English. | {{More citations needed|date=November 2025}} | ||
In [[grammar]], the '''dative case''' ([[list of glossing abbreviations|abbreviated]] {{smallcaps|'''dat'''}}, or sometimes {{smallcaps|'''d'''}} when it is a [[core argument]]) is a [[grammatical case]] used in some languages to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action, as in "{{Lang|la|Maria <em>Jacobo</em> potum dedit|italic=no}}", Latin for "Maria gave <em>Jacob</em> a drink" or "Maria gave a drink <em>to Jacob</em>". In this example, with a suffix of "o" to the name "Jacob", the dative marks what would be considered the [[indirect object]] of a [[verb]] in English. | |||
Sometimes the dative has functions unrelated to giving. In [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]] and [[Irish language|Irish]], the term ''dative case'' is used in traditional grammars to refer to the [[prepositional case]]-marking of nouns following simple [[preposition]]s and the definite article. In [[Georgian language|Georgian]] and [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] ([[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]]), the dative case can also mark the subject of a sentence.<ref name=":3">Bhatt, Rajesh (2003). Experiencer subjects. Handout from MIT course “Structure of the Modern Indo-Aryan Languages”.</ref> This is called the [[dative construction]]. In [[Hindi]], the dative construction is not limited to only certain verbs or tenses and it can be used with any verb in any tense or mood. | Sometimes the dative has functions unrelated to giving. In [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]] and [[Irish language|Irish]], the term ''dative case'' is used in traditional grammars to refer to the [[prepositional case]]-marking of nouns following simple [[preposition]]s and the definite article. In [[Georgian language|Georgian]] and [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] ([[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]]), the dative case can also mark the subject of a sentence.<ref name=":3">Bhatt, Rajesh (2003). Experiencer subjects. Handout from MIT course “Structure of the Modern Indo-Aryan Languages”.</ref> This is called the [[dative construction]]. In [[Hindi]], the dative construction is not limited to only certain verbs or tenses and it can be used with any verb in any tense or mood. | ||
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
"Dative" comes from [[Latin]] ''cāsus datīvus'' ("case for giving"), a translation of Greek δοτικὴ πτῶσις, ''dotikē ptôsis'' ("inflection for giving").<ref>{{LSJ|dotiko/s|δοτικός|ref}}</ref> [[Dionysius Thrax]] in his [[Art of Grammar]] also refers to it as ''epistaltikḗ'' "for sending (a letter)",<ref>Dionysius Thrax. [http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/graeca/Chronologia/S_ante02/DionysiosThrax/dio_tech.html τέχνη γραμματική] (Art of Grammar), section ιβ´ (10b): περὶ ὀνόματος (On the noun). Bibliotheca Augustana.</ref> from the verb ''epistéllō'' "send to", a word from the same root as [[epistle]]. | "Dative" comes from [[Latin]] ''cāsus datīvus'' ("case for giving"), a translation of Greek δοτικὴ πτῶσις, ''dotikē ptôsis'' ("inflection for giving").<ref>{{LSJ|dotiko/s|δοτικός|ref}}</ref> [[Dionysius Thrax]] in his [[The Art of Grammar|''The Art of Grammar'']] also refers to it as ''epistaltikḗ'' "for sending (a letter)",<ref>Dionysius Thrax. [http://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/graeca/Chronologia/S_ante02/DionysiosThrax/dio_tech.html τέχνη γραμματική] (Art of Grammar), section ιβ´ (10b): περὶ ὀνόματος (On the noun). Bibliotheca Augustana.</ref> from the verb ''epistéllō'' "send to", a word from the same root as [[epistle]]. | ||
==English== | ==English== | ||
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==German== | ==German== | ||
In general, the dative ( | In general, the dative ({{Langx|de|Dativ}}) is used to mark the [[indirect object]] of a [[German language|German]] sentence. | ||
For example: | |||
*{{lang|de|Ich schickte '''dem Mann(e)''' das Buch.}} (literally: I sent "to the man" the book.) – Masculine | *{{lang|de|Ich schickte '''dem Mann(e)''' das Buch.}} (literally: I sent "to the man" the book.) – Masculine | ||
*{{lang|de|Ich gab '''der Frau''' den Stift zurück.}} (literally: I gave "to the woman" the pencil back.) – Feminine | *{{lang|de|Ich gab '''der Frau''' den Stift zurück.}} (literally: I gave "to the woman" the pencil back.) – Feminine | ||
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===Ancient=== | ===Ancient=== | ||
In addition to its main function as the ''dativus'', the dative case has other functions in [[Ancient Greek language|Classical Greek]].<ref>Morwood, James. Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek. Oxford University Press, 2002. ({{ISBN|0-19-521851-5}})</ref> | |||
In addition to its main function as the ''dativus'', the dative case has other functions in [[Ancient Greek language|Classical Greek]] | |||
The chart below uses the Latin names for the types of dative; the Greek name for the dative is δοτική πτῶσις, like its Latin equivalent, derived from the verb "to give"; in Ancient Greek, {{Lang|grc|δίδωμι}}. | |||
*Dativus finalis: The ''dativus finalis'', or the 'dative of purpose', is when the dative is used to denote ''the purpose'' of a certain action. For example: | *Dativus finalis: The ''dativus finalis'', or the 'dative of purpose', is when the dative is used to denote ''the purpose'' of a certain action. For example: | ||
**"{{lang|grc|'''τῷ βασιλεῖ''' μάχομαι}}" | **"{{lang|grc|'''τῷ βασιλεῖ''' μάχομαι}}" | ||
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===Modern=== | ===Modern=== | ||
The dative case, strictly speaking, no longer exists in Modern Greek, except in fossilized expressions like δόξα τω Θεώ (from the ecclesiastical τῷ Θεῷ δόξα, "Glory to God") or | The dative case, strictly speaking, no longer exists in Modern Greek, except in fossilized expressions like δόξα τω Θεώ (from the ecclesiastical τῷ Θεῷ δόξα, "Glory to God") or εντάξει (ἐν τάξει, lit. "in order", i.e. "all right" or "OK"). Otherwise, most of the functions of the dative are expressed by the [[genitive case|genitive]] or by [[prepositional phrase]]s. | ||
==Slavic languages== | ==Slavic languages== | ||
===Russian=== | |||
In [[Russian language|Russian]], the dative case is used for indicating the indirect object of an action (that to which something is given, thrown, read, etc.). In the instance where a person is the goal of motion, dative is used instead of [[accusative case|accusative]] to indicate motion toward. This is usually achieved with the preposition {{lang|ru|κ|italic=no}} + destination in dative case; {{lang|ru|К врачу|italic=no}}, meaning "to the doctor." | In [[Russian language|Russian]], the dative case is used for indicating the indirect object of an action (that to which something is given, thrown, read, etc.). In the instance where a person is the goal of motion, dative is used instead of [[accusative case|accusative]] to indicate motion toward. This is usually achieved with the preposition {{lang|ru|κ|italic=no}} + destination in dative case; {{lang|ru|К врачу|italic=no}}, meaning "to the doctor." | ||
Dative is also the necessary case taken by certain [[prepositions]] when expressing certain ideas. For instance, when the preposition ''по'' is used to mean "along", its object is always in dative case, as in {{lang|ru|По бокам|italic=no}}, meaning "along the sides." | Dative is also the necessary case taken by certain [[prepositions]] when expressing certain ideas. For instance, when the preposition ''по'' is used to mean "along", its object is always in dative case, as in {{lang|ru|По бокам|italic=no}}, meaning "along the sides." | ||
===Polish=== | |||
Polish uses dative case when: | |||
* after certain verbs ({{Lang|pl|dziękować '''komuś'''|italic=no}} "to thank someone", pomóc '''komuś''' "to help someone", wierzyć '''komuś''' "to believe someone") | |||
* in certain expressions (Czy podoba '''ci''' się piosenka? "Do you like the song?", Jest '''mi''' zimno "I'm cold", Jest '''nam''' smutno "We're feeling sad", Będzie '''wam''' trudniej... "It will be more difficult for you guys"), Śniło '''jej''' się, że... "She dreamt that" | |||
* ''dativus commodi'' to indicate action for somebody (Zbuduję t'''emu''' człowiek'''owi''' dom "I will build a house for this person") | |||
* when something is taken away or something occurs to someone (Zdechł '''im''' pies "Their dog died"; Zabrali '''mu''' komputer "They took away his computer"; Zepsuł '''nam''' się samochód "Our car broke down"; Coś '''mi''' się przypomniało "I just remembered something") | |||
For example, in Polish, {{Lang|pl|syn}} ("son") and {{Lang|pl|ojciec}} ("father") are both masculine singular nouns, and they will change: | |||
''[[wiktionary:syn#Polish|syn]] → syn'''owi''''' and ''[[wiktionary:ojciec#Declension|ojciec]] → ojc'''u''''' | |||
===Serbo-Croatian=== | |||
Some other kinds of dative use as found in the [[Serbo-Croatian language]] are: ''Dativus finalis'' ('''Titaniku''' u pomoć "to Titanic's rescue"), ''Dativus commodi/incommodi'' (Operi '''svojoj majci''' suđe "Wash the dishes for your mother"), ''Dativus possessivus'' ('''Ovcama''' je dlaka gusta "Sheep's hair is thick"), ''Dativus ethicus'' (Šta/što '''mi''' radi Boni? "What is Boni doing? (I am especially interested in what it is)") and Dativus auctoris (Izgleda '''mi''' okej "It seems okay to me").{{Clarification needed|reason=Use of Latin grammatical concepts without explanation|date=December 2022}} | Some other kinds of dative use as found in the [[Serbo-Croatian language]] are: ''Dativus finalis'' ('''Titaniku''' u pomoć "to Titanic's rescue"), ''Dativus commodi/incommodi'' (Operi '''svojoj majci''' suđe "Wash the dishes for your mother"), ''Dativus possessivus'' ('''Ovcama''' je dlaka gusta "Sheep's hair is thick"), ''Dativus ethicus'' (Šta/što '''mi''' radi Boni? "What is Boni doing? (I am especially interested in what it is)") and Dativus auctoris (Izgleda '''mi''' okej "It seems okay to me").{{Clarification needed|reason=Use of Latin grammatical concepts without explanation|date=December 2022}} | ||
==Baltic languages== | ==Baltic languages== | ||
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[[Finnish language|Finnish]] does not have a separate dative case. However, the [[allative]] case can fulfill essentially the same role as dative, beyond its primary meaning of directional movement (that is, going somewhere or approaching someone). For example: ''He lahjoittivat kaikki rahansa '''köyhille''' (They donated all their money '''to the poor'''.)'' It is similar in Estonian''.'' | [[Finnish language|Finnish]] does not have a separate dative case. However, the [[allative]] case can fulfill essentially the same role as dative, beyond its primary meaning of directional movement (that is, going somewhere or approaching someone). For example: ''He lahjoittivat kaikki rahansa '''köyhille''' (They donated all their money '''to the poor'''.)'' It is similar in Estonian''.'' | ||
===Tsez=== | ===Tsez=== | ||
In the Northeast Caucasian languages, such as [[Tsez language|Tsez]], the dative also takes the functions of the [[lative case]] in marking the direction of an action. By some linguists, they are still regarded as two separate cases in those languages, although the suffixes are exactly the same for both cases. Other linguists list them separately only for the purpose of separating syntactic cases from locative cases. An example with the ditransitive verb "show" (literally: "make see") is given below: | In the Northeast Caucasian languages, such as [[Tsez language|Tsez]], the dative also takes the functions of the [[lative case]] in marking the direction of an action. By some linguists, they are still regarded as two separate cases in those languages, although the suffixes are exactly the same for both cases. Other linguists list them separately only for the purpose of separating syntactic cases from locative cases. An example with the ditransitive verb "show" (literally: "make see") is given below: | ||
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The dative also is for objects, usually indirect objects, but sometimes objects that in English would be considered direct: | The dative also is for objects, usually indirect objects, but sometimes objects that in English would be considered direct: | ||
{{interlinear|indent=3 | {{interlinear | ||
|Güneşin batışı'''na''' bak. | | indent = 3|Güneşin batışı'''na''' bak.|sun's at-its-sinking look|"Look at the sunset." | ||
|sun's at-its-sinking look | }} | ||
|"Look at the sunset."}} | |||
The dative case tells ''whither'', that is, the place ''to which''. Thus it has roughly the meaning of the English prepositions "to" and "into", and also "in" when it can be replaced with "into": | The dative case tells ''whither'', that is, the place ''to which''. Thus it has roughly the meaning of the English prepositions "to" and "into", and also "in" when it can be replaced with "into": | ||
{{interlinear|indent=3 | {{interlinear | ||
|Birayı buzdolabı'''na''' koy. | | indent = 3|Birayı buzdolabı'''na''' koy.|the-beer into-icebox put|"Put the beer in(to) the fridge." | ||
|the-beer into-icebox put | }} | ||
|"Put the beer in(to) the fridge."}} | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{wiktionary|dative|dative case}} | |||
*[http://www.deutsched.com/Grammar/Lessons/0204dative.php German dative case] A lesson covering the dative case in the German language | *[http://www.deutsched.com/Grammar/Lessons/0204dative.php German dative case] A lesson covering the dative case in the German language | ||
*[http://www.hungarianreference.com/Nouns/nak-nek-dative.aspx Hungarian dative case] from www. HungarianReference.com | *[http://www.hungarianreference.com/Nouns/nak-nek-dative.aspx Hungarian dative case] from www. HungarianReference.com | ||