All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| von | from; of or by in other constructions | A starting point, person or source | Preposition with dative: von dem, von der, von den. Von dem usually contracts to vom. The dative remains the same for a starting point, even when the sentence describes movement. |
| aus | out of; from an origin | An interior, birthplace/origin or material | Preposition with dative: aus dem, aus der, aus den. Country names without articles remain without them: aus Kanada; with an article, use dative: aus der Schweiz. No accusative switch occurs for movement. |
von
Meaning and usage: Von describes departure from a point, a person or an activity. Ein Geschenk von meiner Schwester identifies its source; vom Bahnhof describes coming from the station. A route can also start von Berlin, so never teach that cities categorically forbid von. In other constructions, von expresses relationships, authorship or a passive agent rather than physical movement.
Grammar: Preposition with dative: von dem, von der, von den. Von dem usually contracts to vom. The dative remains the same for a starting point, even when the sentence describes movement.
Ich komme gerade vom Arzt.
I have just come from the doctor’s.
Die Nachricht ist von meiner Schwester.
The message is from my sister.
aus
Meaning and usage: Aus can describe emerging from inside a place or an origin such as a town, country or family. It also introduces materials: aus Holz means made of wood. The origin sense does not mean you are literally stepping out of a container. It is a conventional way to answer a background question.
Grammar: Preposition with dative: aus dem, aus der, aus den. Country names without articles remain without them: aus Kanada; with an article, use dative: aus der Schweiz. No accusative switch occurs for movement.
Sie kommt aus der Schweiz.
She comes from Switzerland.
Er nimmt das Buch aus dem Rucksack.
He takes the book out of the backpack.
Overlap and context
Aus dem Krankenhaus focuses on leaving the hospital interior; vom Krankenhaus can focus on the hospital as the starting point. More specific context may favour one. For a person, von meiner Freundin naturally gives a source or visit; aus meiner Freundin does not mean from my friend. For geographical origin, aus is the normal beginner pattern, while von appears in routes and several regional or conventional expressions.
Common mistakes
- Both prepositions take dative; do not change aus dem Haus to aus das Haus because somebody is moving.
- For ordinary personal origin, use aus Deutschland rather than assuming every from is von.
- Do not replace aus Holz with von Holz for made of wood.
Memory aid: Aus: out of, origin or material. Von: starting point, person or source. Add the full phrase to your notes so a useful tendency does not become a false universal rule.
Try it
Complete: Das Geschenk ist ___ meinem Bruder.
Show the answer
von
The brother is the source or giver of the gift; von + dative expresses that relationship.