preposition
at the, on the
A1
'am' is the fixed contraction of 'an dem', meaning 'at the' or 'on the.' It always governs the dative case. Common in time expressions (am Morgen) and locations (am Tisch). Not a standalone preposition choice; it reflects spatial or temporal relations and cannot take accusative or genitive.
Examples
Wir treffen uns am Montag um 10 Uhr.
We'll meet on Monday at 10 o'clock.
Am Bahnhof warteten viele Reisende, obwohl der Zug bereits am Gleis stand.
Many travelers waited at the station, although the train was already at the platform.
Das Bild hängt am Ende des Flurs.
The picture hangs at the end of the hallway.
Details
Mnemonics
visualize 'am Montag' with a calendar day circled
think 'am' as contraction of 'an dem' (an + dem)
Notes
'am' is a contraction of 'an dem' and governs the dative case.