Akkusativ Case Question

[chilly ocean]

I am trying to write out "Ich werde in die Bergen wandern." I keep checking to make sure if it is right but everything I see says it should be "in den Bergen." Can someone explain to me why it is this way?

[rugged oriole]

"Bergen" with that N is only for the dative case plural.
"Den" is the definite article used for dative plural.
Since you want to use the accusative here, the correct sentence would be, "Ich werde in die Berge wandern," without the N.

[stray reef]

It can be confusing sometimes, so it's good to use these helper questions:
wo? -> Dativ
wohin? -> Akkusativ

[toxic sparrow]

Maybe have a look at the following:

faq two-way prepositions

[ancient dirge]

Two-way prepositions

Two-way prepositions (or dual prepositions) are prepositions that govern the accusative or dative case. Ten prepositions have this property, namely:

an     auf      entlang    hinter    in
neben  über     unter      vor       zwischen

Generally, these prepositions are used with the accusative if they express a direction or change of position. They are used with the dative if they express location.

For example, the verb etw. an etw. hängen can be used to express both meanings depending on the intention:

Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand. (I am hanging the picture on the wall.)
Das Bild hängt an der Wand. (The picture is hanging on the wall.)

Expressing direction vs. location

It is important to note that the accusative should only be used if something has moved from one position to another. If movement has been indicated, but the location has not changed, then the dative should be used. For example,

Der Hund läuft in den Park. (The dog ran (from somewhere) into the park.)
Der Hund läuft im Park (herum). (The dog is running in the park.)

The dative is usually used with verbs of arriving, appearing and disappearing

Even though these verbs indicate direction, they are still used with dative rather than accusative.

Sie kamen am Bahnhof an.
Sie landeten auf dem Mond.
Das Pferd verschwand hinter dem Berg.

[chilly ocean]

Thank you all.

[royal haven]

FYI: this method of telling the difference doesn't help German learners who don't know what "wohin" means to begin with, 😅

[toxic sparrow]

Oh, look! I just realized the thing about verschwinden is there, in the last line of the faq above! (Remember, we talked about this?)

[stray reef]

I assumed this would be known to them already, if they're learning the cases.

One of the first things you learn is "Woher kommst du?", so I'd assume "wohin" is somewhere between this and the cases, as one of the W-words.

[royal haven]

I have to say, I only really understood what "wohin" meant after learning how two-way prepositions worked.

[royal haven]

I... don't remember. But I can probably look up the old conversation and remind myself 😄

[toxic sparrow]

It was in one of your writings. Somebody disappeared into the forest. ;)