In die Schule or In der Schule (Akkusativ and Dativ)

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In die Schule or In der Schule (Akkusativ and Dativ)

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In German, if you are going somewhere (meaning a movement or motion involved – ‘Bewegung’) then it’s Akkusativ. But when you are already ‘at a place’ or doing something at a place it’s Dativ.

That’s why when you say – ‘I am going to school’ – it means a motion or movement - Akkusativ

On the other hand,

when you say – ‘I am at school’ – it means you are already ‘at this place or at school’. It doesn’t matter, what you are doing at school – may be you are learning at school or playing with other students at school – it’s always Dativ

Examples - Akkusativ

Ich gehe in die Schule – I go to school.

Er geht in die Schule – He goes to school.

Examples - Dativ

Ich bin schon in der Schule – I am already at school.

Ich lerne in der Schule – I learn at school.

Ich spiele in der Schule – I play at school.

Darf man in der Schule Handy benutzen? - Is it possible to use cell phone in school? (or May I use my cell phone at school?)

Darf man in der Schule Alkohol trinken? – Is it possible to drink alcohol in school?

Similar examples:

Er geht in den Garten – He goes into the garden (Akkusativ)

Er ist im Garten – He is in the garden (Dativ)

der Garten – garden (Plural form – die Gärten)

die Bewegung – motion, movement (Plural form – die Bewegungen)
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