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German Phrase

Bieg am großen Denkmal links ab.

/biːk am ˈɡʁoːsn̩ ˈdɛŋkmaːl lɪŋks ap/
Meaning"Turn left at the big monument."
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Meaning

This is an informal command telling someone to turn left when they reach the large monument. It combines a spatial preposition, a dative noun phrase, and a separable verb in the imperative.

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When to use

Use this sentence when giving directions on foot or by car in a casual setting—e.g., guiding a friend through a city center, a park, or a campus.

✦Grammar Breakdown

BiegamgroßenDenkmallinksab.

1

Trennbares Verb (ab|biegen)

‘abbiegen’ splits in the imperative: the stem ‘Bieg’ goes first, the prefix ‘ab’ moves to the end of the clause.

2

Imperativ Singular (du‑Form)

For informal ‘du’, drop the ‘-e’ of the infinitive stem: ‘bieg’ → ‘Bieg … ab’.

3

Präposition + Dativ (an + dem)

‘am’ is the contraction of ‘an dem’; it governs the dative case, so the noun phrase is ‘dem großen Denkmal’.

4

Adjektivdeklination (starker Dativ)

With a definite article in the dative, the adjective takes the ending ‘‑en’: ‘großen Denkmal’.

5

Adverbposition

Direction adverbs like ‘links’ normally stand directly before the separable prefix at the end of the sentence.

🗨In Conversation

A

Bieg am großen Denkmal links ab.

Turn left at the big monument.

Alles klar, danke!

Got it, thanks!

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Biege am großen Denkmal links ab.

    In the informal singular imperative you drop the final ‘‑e’; ‘Bieg … ab’ is correct.

  • Bieg am großes Denkmal links ab.

    The preposition ‘am’ (an dem) requires dative, so the adjective must be ‘großen’, not ‘großes’.

  • Bieg am großen Denkmal ab links.

    The separable prefix ‘ab’ must stay at the end of the clause; you cannot split it after the adverb.

↔Alternatives

  • Biegen Sie am großen Denkmal nach links ab.

    Turn left at the big monument. (formal)

  • Nimm die linke Abzweigung beim großen Denkmal.

    Take the left turn at the big monument.

  • Links abbiegen beim großen Denkmal.

    Turn left at the big monument.

de

Cultural Tip

In German, directions are often given with the verb ‘abbiegen’ and the adverb ‘links/rechts’. In formal contexts (e.g., speaking to strangers or older people) you should use the polite ‘Sie’ form: ‘Biegen Sie … ab.’ Also, Germans tend to be very precise about landmarks, so mentioning a well‑known monument helps the listener orient quickly.