Genitivobjekt

Genitivobjekt is a noun phrase in the genitive case that functions as the object of certain verbs or verbal expressions in German. It answers questions like “Wessen?” and indicates what is affected or involved by the action. The Genitivobjekt is relatively rare in everyday speech and is more common in formal or literary language. Often it is replaced by a prepositional construction or by a clause introduced with dass.

A small group of verbs historically governs a Genitivobjekt. Typical examples include bedürfen, gedenken, entbehren, sich bedienen, and sich erinnern, among others. In the impersonal construction with the verb es, the Genitivobjekt also appears in expressions like es bedarf der Zustimmung. Because of its limited use, the Genitivobjekt can sound archaic or elevated in contemporary German.

Examples:

- Es bedarf keiner weiteren Erklärungen. (Es bedarf + genitive object)

- Der Kunde bedarf der Zustimmung des Vorstands.

- Wir gedenken der Opfer.

- Ich erinnere mich des Tages.

- Sie schämt sich der Lüge.

- Er bediente sich eines Glases Wein.

- Sie entbehren der Unterstützung.

Notes:

- The Genitivobjekt is distinct from objects in other cases and from genitive phrases that express possession.

- In many contexts, speakers replace it with a dative or a clause introduced by dass, or with a prepositional phrase using von or über, especially in everyday speech.