In English, when talking about location, there are word combinations that naturally go together. Up here, down there. This is also true in Pennsylvania Dutch. Let’s talk about how to talk about location in Pennsylvania Dutch first.
Location
When talking about location in Pennsylvania Dutch, you need at least one of 2 words in your sentence: do (here) and datt (there). These are from the speaker’s point of view.
do (here)
Something close to the speaker
datt (there)
Something away from speaker
Location in Simple Sentences
In simple sentences, you may only need to use here and there.
| EN: I am here. PDC: Ich binn do. | EN: You are there. PDC: Du bisht datt. |
| EN: The cats are here. PDC: Di katza sinn do. | EN: The cats are there. PDC: Di katza sinn datt. |
Location in Complex Sentences
But many times, you’ll need to explain more about where something is. In those cases, you need a preposition. Prepositions go with do (here) and datt (there) and give more details.
Here are some prepositions that work along with do and datt:
- in (in)
- aus (out)
- ovva/uf (up/on)
- unna (down/under)
- ivvah (over)
| EN: I am in here. PDC: Ich binn do hinn. | EN: You are out there. PDC: Du bisht datt draus. |
| EN: The cats are down here. PDC: Di katza sinn do hunna. | EN: The cats are up there. PDC: Di katza sinn datt drovva. |
Note: Do and datt go before the prepositions in the sentence.
You’ll notice the prepositions listed above become different words. When used with a location word like here and there, they get a prefix added to the front.
For example:
- Prepositions that go with do (here) get an h added to the front
- h + in = hinn
- h + unna = hunna
- Prepositions that go with datt (there) get dr added to the front
- dr + aus = draus
- dr + ovva = drovva
Do More With What You’ve Just Learned
Interactive Worksheet
Use the interactive worksheet to practice and quiz yourself using location and prepositions in Pennsylvania Dutch to see how the sentence changes.
For more examples of location and direction words in action, see the Location and Direction (PDF)
on deitshbooks.com.