Is this translation correct?
I would be grateful if someone could correct the following translation;

'That is the book, which belongs to his wife'

'Das ist das Buch, dem seine Frau gehört'

I know that 'gehört' takes the dative, so as the relative pronoun it is referring to is the book (das) I have used the dative word for das (dem)??

Also is ending 'e' correct on 'seinE Frau'?? Or, on second thoughts, as it is effectively saying 'to his wife' should it be 'seinER Frau'

Got a bit confused on this one, so any explanations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gem

Question

Is this translation correct?
I would be grateful if someone could correct the following translation;

'That is the book, which belongs to his wife'

'Das ist das Buch, dem seine Frau gehört'

I know that 'gehört' takes the dative, so as the relative pronoun it is referring to is the book (das) I have used the dative word for das (dem)?? 

Also is ending 'e' correct on 'seinE Frau'??  Or, on second thoughts, as it is effectively saying 'to his wife' should it be 'seinER Frau'

Got a bit confused on this one, so any explanations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gem

Answer

'That is the book, which belongs to his wife'

'Das ist das Buch, DAS seineR Frau gehört'

das = subject
seiner Frau = dative

Answer

The correct way is: Das ist das Buch, das seiner Frau gehört.

The case of the relative pronoun depends on the role it plays in the subclause. If the subclause were a main clause, it would be:

Das Buch (Nom. Neutr.) gehört seiner Frau (Dat. Fem.).

So, in the subclause, it's: ..., das (Nom. Neutr.) seiner Frau (Dat. Fem.) gehört.

You can then look up the forms/endings in the tables in the grammar book/website of your choice. Don't try to think about what the English equivalent would be, it will only confuse you. Try to think "in" German.

Does this answer the question?

Answer

I meant to say;

 as the relative pronoun is referring to the book 

rather than

as the relative pronoun IT is referring to IS the book

Answers · 5

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!