How to Use Im, Am Or Um in German?

Mastering German prepositions is a notorious challenge for learners. Even tiny words like im, am, and um can trip you up. If you’ve ever wondered how to use im, am, um in German correctly, you’re not alone – these short words carry specific meanings that don’t always translate directly from English. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain the meanings and usage of im, am, and um, including their grammatical origins, and provide plenty of examples (from everyday speech and writing) to illustrate each one. We’ll also compare them to similar prepositions (bei, an, in, auf) to highlight common confusions and distinctions. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced German learner, this post will give you the German prepositions explained clearly, along with tips to remember them. Let’s dive in!

A quick visual overview of how to use im, am, and um in German (months vs. days vs. clock times). Each preposition corresponds to specific time expressions, which we’ll explain in detail below.

How to use um, am, um in German

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Understanding Im, Am, Um – Origins and Basic Usage

In German, im and am are actually contractions (shortened combinations) of a preposition + article, while um is a standalone preposition. Specifically:

• im = in + dem (meaning “in the [something]”),

• am = an + dem (meaning “at/on the [something]”).

They combine the preposition in (in) or an (at/on) with the article dem (“the” in dative case for masculine/neuter nouns). Why the dative case? In and an are two-way (Wechsel) prepositions in German, which means their case (dative or accusative) depends on context. When there’s no movement or change of location – for example, when talking about time or a stationary location – they take the dative case. So in dem becomes im, and an dem becomes am. By contrast, um is not a contraction; it’s a preposition that always takes the accusative case and generally means “around” or “at (a time)”.

In simpler terms: im often corresponds to English “in” (in a time period or place), am often corresponds to English “on/at” (on a day or at a boundary of a place), and um often corresponds to English “at” for clock times (at 3 o’clock) or “around.” We’ll break down each one with clear usage rules. Keep in mind a handy rule of thumb:

“Im” = in (months/seasons); “Am” = on (days/dates); “Um” = at (times).

Now, let’s look at each preposition in detail, with examples for both spoken and written contexts.

When to Use “Im” in German

“Im” (pronounced like “imm”) is used when talking about being “in” a time period or place. It’s introduced early in German learning (around A1 level) and is primarily used in these contexts:

• Months: Use im to say “in [a month]”.Example (spoken): Ich habe im Juli Geburtstag. – “I have my birthday in July.”Example (written): Das Semester beginnt im Oktober. – “The semester begins in October.”

• Seasons: Use im for “in [a season]”.Example (casual speech): Wir fahren im Sommer nach Spanien. – “We’re going to Spain in the summer.”Example (writing): Im Winter schneit es oft. – “In winter, it often snows.”

• Locations (Enclosed Spaces or Countries): Use im to mean “in the” for places that are enclosed or for certain countries/regions (especially those that have a masculine or neuter article in German). This is essentially the same as saying in + dem.Examples: Meine Eltern sind im Haus – “My parents are in the house.” / Es ist ruhig im Büro – “It’s quiet in the office.” / Er wohnt im Ausland – “He lives abroad” (literally “in the foreign country”).(Spoken context: You might say “Wo ist Paul?” — “Where is Paul?” “Er ist im Garten.” — “He’s in the garden.”)*

Grammar note: Im will change form depending on the noun’s gender/number. For feminine or plural nouns, there is no contraction – you’d say in der or in den instead of im. For example, “in der* Schule**”* (in the school, since Schule is feminine) not im Schule. But the idea is the same (it means “in the”).

When to Use “Am” in German

“Am” (pronounced “ahm”) is used for talking about specific days, dates, and times of day, essentially meaning “on/at [a time]”. It’s a contraction of an + dem and is common from beginner levels onward. Use am in these cases:

• Days of the Week: Use am to say “on [Monday/Tuesday/etc]”.

• Example (spoken): Hast du am Donnerstag Zeit? – “Do you have time on Thursday?”

• Example (written): Am Montag habe ich einen Termin. – “On Monday I have an appointment.”

• Parts of the Day: Use am for times of day – morning, afternoon, evening – basically “on the morning/afternoon…” which in English we translate as “in the morning,” “in the evening,” etc.Example: Am Morgen trinke ich Kaffee. – “I drink coffee in the morning.”Example: Wir sehen uns am Abend. – “We’ll see each other in the evening.”

  Don’t confuse am Morgen with morgens! The phrase am Morgen refers to a specific morning (literally “on the morning” of a certain day), whereas morgens means “in the mornings” (habitually, every morning). For instance, “Ich jogge morgens.” means “I jog in the mornings (generally)”, but “Ich jogge am Morgen.” would mean “I jog in the morning (on that particular day).” Similarly, am Abend (on the evening of a certain day) vs. abends (in the evenings, usually).

  Note: Most parts of the day use am, but “at night” is an exception – Germans say in der Nacht (“in the night”) for at night. E.g. Ich schlafe in der Nacht schlecht – “I sleep poorly at night.” So “am Nacht” is incorrect.

• Dates and Days with Dates: Use am when specifying calendar dates or days in combination with a date. In English we say “on [date]”. German: am [day]. Example: Ich bin am 2. Juli 1982 geboren. – “I was born on 2nd July 1982.”Example: Am 3. Oktober ist der Tag der Deutschen Einheit. – “On October 3rd is German Unity Day.”

  You also use am for expressions like am Wochenende – “on the weekend/at the weekend.” (This is a time expression treated like a particular period, so German uses am.)

• Fixed Expressions (Location/Other): There are many common phrases that use am for places or abstract times. For example, am Telefon (“on the phone”), am Computer (“at the computer”), am Meer (“at the sea”), am Ufer (“at the shore”), am Bahnhof (“at the train station”). In these cases am often implies at a specific point or next to something. For instance, Ich warte am Bahnhof means “I’m waiting at the station”. (Meanwhile im Bahnhof would mean “inside the station building” – more on such distinctions later.)

When to Use “Um” in German

“Um” (pronounced like “oom”) is used primarily for specific clock times and can also mean “around” in both temporal and spatial senses. It is not a contraction – just a preposition that typically translates to “at (a time)” or “around.” Use um in these situations:

• Clock Times (Exact Times): Use um to say “at [X o’clock]” for precise times of day. This is equivalent to English “at.”Example (spoken): Der Zug fährt um 8 Uhr ab. – “The train leaves at 8 o’clock.”Example (spoken, another): Treffen wir uns um 18:30 Uhr. – “Let’s meet at 6:30 PM.”Example (writing): Die Vorlesung beginnt um 9.00 Uhr. – “The lecture begins at 9:00.”

  You also use um with general words like Mitternacht (midnight) or Mittag (noon) to say at that time: Um Mitternacht war alles still – “At midnight everything was quiet.”

• Approximate Times (“around”): um can indicate an approximate time when used with the word herum (around) or even alone colloquially. It conveys “around/about [time].”Example: Er kommt um 7 Uhr herum. – “He’ll arrive around 7 o’clock.”You could also simply say “so um 7” in conversation to mean “around 7-ish.” Another way to say “around [time]” in German is gegen [Zeit] (e.g. gegen 7 Uhr). Both um 7 Uhr herum and gegen 7 Uhr would be understood as approximately 7. Just remember um alone without herum usually implies exactly at that time. So um 7 Uhr = at 7:00 sharp, whereas um 7 Uhr herum or gegen 7 Uhr = about 7:00.

• “Um” for Spatial “around”: Outside of time expressions, um also means “around” in a spatial sense. For example, um die Ecke – “around the corner,” um den Tisch sitzen – “to sit around the table,” um das Haus gehen – “to walk around the house.” If you attach um to the article das in such expressions, it can contract to ums (though this contraction is less common in modern usage except in set phrases). For instance, Er rannte ums Haus = Er rannte um das Haus (“He ran around the house”). But be careful: this spatial usage is separate from the temporal usage – context will tell you whether um means "at (time)" or "around (location)".

Quick Summary of im, am, um (Cheat Sheet)

If the above rules feel like a lot, here’s a quick cheat sheet to memorise the basics:

• “im” – used for Months and Seasons, and for being “in” a location (enclosed spaces/countries).(Think: im = in)

• “am” – used for Days of the week, Dates, Parts of the day, and some “at the [place]” phrases.(Think: am = on/at for days and certain places)

• “um” – used for Clock Times (specific times at X o’clock) and “around” a time or place.(Think: um = at (time) or around)

Remember this key rule: Use “im” for seasons & months, “am” for days & parts of days (and dates), and “um” for clock times. For example, you’d say: im Juli, am Montag, um 8 Uhr – in July, on Monday, at 8 o’clock.

Let’s solidify this with a combined example using all three prepositions in one sentence:

• Ich habe im Dezember am Sonntag um 14 Uhr eine Feier. – I have a party in December on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

In this single (somewhat contrived) sentence, im sets the month, am sets the day, and um sets the exact time. Practicing sentences like this can help you remember which preposition goes with which time unit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Because im, am, and um all translate to English "in/at/on," it’s easy to mix them up. Here are some common mistakes German learners make – and how to fix them:

• Using the wrong preposition for a time expression:– ❌ im Montag (wrong) — You cannot say “in Monday” in German.– ✅ am Montag (correct) — Use am for days: am Montag = “on Monday.”

  Similarly:– ❌ am Juli (wrong) — Don’t say “on July.”– ✅ im Juli (correct) — Use im for months: im Juli = “in July.”

  – ❌ am 8 Uhr (wrong) — Don’t use am for clock times.– ✅ um 8 Uhr (correct) — Use um for hours of the day: um 8 Uhr = “at 8 o’clock.”

• Forgetting to contract with “im” and “am”: In spoken German, you’ll virtually always hear im and am rather than in dem or an dem. In writing, the contraction is also the norm. Saying in dem Park instead of im Park sounds odd and overly formal (unless you have a specific reason). So remember to use the contracted forms. (Note: Contractions are mandatory in many cases. For example, one would always write am Montag, not an dem Montag.)

• Translating directly from English: If you think in English, you might guess “in the morning” = in dem Morgen or “at the weekend” = bei dem Wochenende – these would be incorrect. It must be am Morgen and am Wochenende. Avoid word-for-word translation; instead, memorize which preposition German uses for each context. The correspondence is often: in → im, on → am, at (time) → um, but with exceptions as noted (e.g., “at night” = in der Nacht).

A good strategy is to memorise chunks or phrases rather than single words. For example, memorize “am Montag” as a unit meaning “on Monday,” “um 5 Uhr” as “at 5 o’clock,” and so on. By learning these in context, you’ll develop an instinct for what sounds right.

“Im” vs “In”, “Am” vs “An/Bei”, “Auf” etc. – Choosing the Right Preposition

German has several prepositions that can all translate as “at” or “in” in English, so it’s important to understand the differences. Here’s a quick comparison to highlight distinctions and prevent confusion:

• “in”/“im” vs. other prepositions: Use in/im when you mean inside an enclosed space or within a time range. If you are physically inside something, in is usually the correct choice. For example, im Kino = “in the cinema (inside the movie theatre)”, im Zimmer = “in the room”. For time: im Mai = “in May,” im 21. Jahrhundert = “in the 21st century.”

• “an”/“am” (at/on) vs. “bei” (at/near): an (contracted to am when appropriate) is used for being at a border or side of something or a point. It often applies to locations on edges (an der Wand – on the wall, am Fenster – at the window) or bodies of water (am Fluss – at the river, am Meer – at the sea). It’s also used for certain places like am Bahnhof (at the train station) or am Tisch (at the table). Bei, on the other hand, means “at the place of” or “near/by”. Use bei when you mean you are at someone’s house or at the premises of a business or event, or just nearby a location. For example, bei meiner Freundin = “at my girlfriend’s (place)”, beim Arzt (bei + dem Arzt) = “at the doctor’s (office)”, bei der Party could mean “near the party (venue)” or more naturally auf der Party for “at the party” (more on auf next). A rule of thumb: bei is used once you’re at a person’s home or a professional’s place (think bei = at somebody’s), or near a location (bei Berlin = near Berlin).

  Example distinctions:– Ich warte am Bahnhof. – I’m waiting at the station (likely at or very near the station itself).– Ich wohne beim Bahnhof. – I live by the station (in the vicinity of the station, not necessarily directly adjacent).– Wir treffen uns an der Haltestelle. – We’ll meet at the (bus) stop (right at the stop).– Wir treffen uns bei der Haltestelle. – (less common phrasing, but implies “near the stop” rather than exactly at it).

• “auf” (on/at [open space]): Use auf when you want to say “on top of” something or for being at certain public places and events. For physical surfaces: auf dem Tisch = “on the table.” For events/places: Germans typically say auf for being “at” open or loosely defined locations: e.g. auf dem Markt = “at the market,” auf dem Marktplatz = “in the marketplace”, auf einer Party = “at a party,” auf dem Festival = “at the festival”. If you’re on an island or mountain: auf Hawaii (on Hawaii), auf dem Mount Everest (on Mount Everest), etc. So, auf often conveys being on a surface or at a gathering. (By contrast, in would imply inside an enclosed area, and an would imply at a boundary of something.)

• Summary of “at/in”:

  • im (in) = inside a space: im Haus (in the house), im Park (in the park).

  • am (an) = at a side/boundary or a point: am Haus (at the house, e.g. standing by it), am Park (at the park’s edge), am Strand (at the beach, by the water’s edge).

  • auf = on top of / at (an open place/event): auf dem Dach (on the roof), auf dem Spielplatz (at the playground), auf der Universität (at the university – colloquial, meaning on campus), auf der Straße (on the street).

  • bei = at the location of a person/business or near: bei Oma (at Grandma’s house), bei Aldi (at Aldi’s store, i.e. in/at that shop), bei München (near Munich).

These distinctions become clearer with practice and exposure. The key is not to translate “at/in/on” blindly from English, but to learn the typical German usage for each situation. If you’re ever unsure, try to recall an example sentence or phrase you’ve heard/read, or check a dictionary for a set phrase.

Tips for Memorising im, am, um and Mastering Them in Real Life

Learning prepositions can feel daunting, but here are some tips to help you remember and use im, am, and um correctly:

• Group by Category: Remember the trio as a set: im = in, am = on/at, um = at (time). As mentioned, think of an example for each: im Sommer (in summer), am Sonntag (on Sunday), um 10 Uhr (at 10 o’clock). Drill this pattern into memory. Write down a list of months with im, days with am, times with um to reinforce the association. For example, create a chart in your notes:

  im (in)am (on/at)um (at)im Januar (in January)am Montag (on Monday)um 9 Uhr (at 9:00)im Winter (in winter)am Morgen (in the morning)um Mitternacht (at midnight)im Kino (in the cinema)am Bahnhof (at the station)um 7 Uhr herum (around 7:00)

  Reviewing such a table aloud can help solidify the usage in your mind.

• Use Mnemonics: Create a memory phrase or image. For example, imagine a calendar: im is inside the calendar (months/seasons inside the year), am is stuck on specific days on that calendar, and um is a clock face (“um” sounds like “zoom” around a clock). It might sound silly, but visualising a year planner with I'm at the top (months), I'm on individual day slots, and a clock with um can trigger your memory. Another simple mnemonic: IM – think “In a Month”; AM – “At a Monday” (day); UM – “Uhr” (the German word for “clock” is Uhr, which can remind you that um goes with clock times).

• Practice with Real-Life Scenarios: Incorporate these prepositions into sentences about your own life. Talk about your schedule or history: Ich habe im [Monat] Geburtstag. (My birthday is in [month]); Ich treffe Freunde am Freitag. (I meet friends on Friday); Der Kurs beginnt um 18 Uhr. (The course starts at 6 pm). By using personal examples, you’ll remember them better. Try speaking these sentences or writing them down without looking at notes.

• Listen and Repeat: When you listen to native German speakers (or watch German shows/news), pay attention to how they talk about time. You’ll frequently catch phrases like am Montag, im Frühling, um halb neun in everyday contexts. Repeat what you hear to get the hang of the natural usage. For instance, weather forecasts are great: “Im Herbst ist es kühl. Am Abend bleibt es warm. Die Sonne geht um 18:00 Uhr unter.” (In autumn it’s cool. In the evening it stays warm. The sun sets at 6:00 pm.) Mimic such sentences.

• Don’t Ignore Context: A big part of mastering prepositions is learning them in context. Instead of just drilling translations, read short paragraphs or dialogues and see how these words function. Over time, it will feel right to use im Sommer and am Montag because you’ll have seen it so often. Context also helps you handle tricky exceptions (like in der Nacht).

• Use Olesen Tuition’s Resources: (More on this below!) Read blog posts, do exercises, or use flashcards targeting prepositions. Olesen Tuition’s blog, for example, offers many grammar explanations and even free exercises for practice. Testing yourself in a low-stakes way will build confidence.

Finally, be patient. Even advanced learners slip up on prepositions occasionally – it’s normal. The more you use German in real-life situations (speaking with a tutor, writing emails, scheduling activities in German), the more second-nature these little words will become.

Master German Prepositions with Olesen Tuition – Learn German Online or In-Person

Struggling with German prepositions (or any other grammar topic) is completely normal, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. At Olesen Tuition, we specialise in helping German learners overcome exactly these kinds of challenges. Our private German lessons and comprehensive blog content are designed to provide the personalised support and German grammar help you need to gain confidence.

Why choose Olesen Tuition? We are one of London’s top-rated German language schools, offering German courses both in London and online. This means you can learn German online with a native teacher from anywhere, or join us in person if you’re in London. In one-on-one lessons, we can target those pesky prepositions (im, am, um, and beyond) with custom exercises and real-time feedback. You’ll get to practice using them in conversation and get corrections on the spot – one of the fastest ways to improve.

Our German learning blog (which you’re reading now!) is full of clear explanations and examples, just like this post. We regularly publish guides on tricky grammar points, vocabulary tips, and learning strategies. Combined with private tutoring, these resources will solidify your understanding. For instance, if you enjoyed this explanation of im/am/um, you might also like our Complete Guide to German Prepositions, which covers all prepositions in depth, or other posts answering common questions (like Is German hard to learn?). We believe that with the right guidance, even “dreaded” topics like prepositions become manageable – and even fun!

Ready to take the next step? 🚀 Visit our blog for more free lessons and tips, and book a private German tutoring session to turbo-charge your learning. In our lessons, you can practice speaking and writing using im, am, um in real-life dialogues – soon, using the correct preposition will feel natural. Don’t let small words hold you back from big progress.

Call to Action: Contact Olesen Tuition today to boost your German to the next level. Whether you need clarification on grammar, help with conversation, or exam preparation, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Book your German lesson now and say Auf Wiedersehen to confusion – and Hallo to confidence in German!

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