handeln von + Dativ
to be about (a book, a film)
The verb handeln von (to be about (a book, a film)) always goes with the preposition von, and here von takes the Dativ (dative). The preposition von always takes the Dativ, whatever the verb. The article follows the case: der Krieg → vom Krieg (von + dem contracts to vom). For a thing you replace the whole phrase with davon; for a person you keep the preposition and use a pronoun: von ihnen. You ask “Wovon handelt das?” about a thing and “Von wem handelt das?” about a person.
At a glance
| Case | Dativ |
|---|---|
| Preposition + article | vom (masculine)von der (feminine)vom (neuter)von den …-n (plural) |
| Thing → da-word | davon |
| Question about a thing | Wovon …? |
| Person → pronoun | von ihm · von ihr · von ihnen (pl) |
| Question about a person | Von wem …? |
Example sentences
- Der Film handelt von der Liebe.
- Das Buch handelt von einem Detektiv.
- Die Geschichte handelt von einem Jungen.
- Der Film handelt vom Krieg.
- Das Buch handelt von einer Reise.
- Die Geschichte handelt von einer Katze.
- Der Film handelt von einer Familie.
- Das Buch handelt von den Einwanderern.
Replacing the phrase: davon or a pronoun
Thing
Der Film handelt vom Krieg.
Der Film handelt davon.
Question: Wovon handelt das?
Person
Das Buch handelt von den Einwanderern.
Das Buch handelt von ihnen.
Question: Von wem handelt das?
Typical mistake
Learners often use um here. The construction es geht um + Akkusativ means the same, but it is built differently. With handeln von you need von + Dativ: Der Film handelt vom Krieg.
Don't confuse with
Drill handeln von until it sticks
The free preposition trainer asks for the preposition with its article in real sentences, then the da-word and the question word. Verbs you miss come back a few tasks later in a different sentence.
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