Example sentences to identify the indirect object in a sentence.

Die Eltern kaufen dem Jungen ein Fahrrad. The parents buy a bicycle for the boy.

To whom or for whom is something done?

- The boy. The boy is the beneficiary of what happens in the sentence and is therefore the indirect object in the dative case.

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Der Junge gibt der Katze einen Fisch. The boy gives a fish to the cat.

To whom or for whom is something done?

- The cat. The cat is the beneficiary of what happens in the sentence and is therefore the indirect object in the dative case.

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Der Junge hilft dem Mädchen. The boy helps the girl.

To whom or for whom is something done?

- The girl. The girl is the beneficiary of what happens in the sentence and is therefore the indirect object in the dative case.

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Die Frau gibt dem Kind das Geschenk. The woman gives the gift to the child.

To whom or for whom is something done?

- The child. The child is the beneficiary of what happens in the sentence and is therefore the indirect object in the dative case.

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Das Kind gibt den Enten Brot. The child gives bread to the ducks. 

To whom or for whom is something done?

- The ducks. The ducks are the beneficiary of what happens in the sentence and are therefore the indirect object in the dative case.