Definition
Dative case is a case that marks any of the following:
- Indirect objects (for languages in which they are held to exist)
- Nouns having the role of:
- recipient (as of things given)
- beneficiary of an action
- possessor of an item
Examples
(German)
The word mir ‘(to) me’ is in dative case, as seen in the following sentence.
- Gib mir Brot. Give me bread.
This word contrasts with ich ‘I’ and mich ‘me’.
Sources 2
- Crystal 1980, 102
- Gove 1966, 577