Subordinate Conjunctions
Subordinate conjunctions (subordinating conjunctions) introduce dependent clauses and change the word order.
When a subordinate conjunction is used, the verb moves to the end of the clause.
This lesson covers the most common subordinate conjunctions in German and how they affect sentence structure.
Explanation
Common subordinate conjunctions: dass (that), weil (because), obwohl (although), wenn (when/if), als (when/than), ob (whether/if), damit (so that), bevor (before), nachdem (after).
When a subordinate clause comes first, the main clause verb comes before the subject: 'Weil ich müde bin, gehe ich nach Hause' (Because I am tired, I go home).
The verb in the subordinate clause always goes to the end: 'Ich weiß, dass er kommt' (I know that he comes).
Subordinate conjunctions create dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
Common Subordinate Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| dass | that | Ich weiß, dass er kommt | I know that he comes |
| weil | because | Ich komme, weil ich Zeit habe | I come because I have time |
| obwohl | although | Ich gehe, obwohl es regnet | I go although it's raining |
| wenn | when/if | Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause | When it rains, I stay home |
| als | when/than | Als ich jung war, lernte ich Deutsch | When I was young, I learned German |
| ob | whether/if | Ich frage, ob er kommt | I ask whether he comes |
| damit | so that | Ich lerne, damit ich besser werde | I learn so that I get better |
| bevor | before | Bevor ich gehe, räume ich auf | Before I go, I clean up |
| nachdem | after | Nachdem ich gegessen habe, gehe ich | After I have eaten, I go |
Examples
Ich weiß, dass er kommt.
I know that he comes.
Ich komme, weil ich Zeit habe.
I come because I have time.
Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich spazieren.
Although it's raining, I go for a walk.
Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
When it rains, I stay home.
Als ich jung war, lernte ich Deutsch.
When I was young, I learned German.
Ich frage, ob er kommt.
I ask whether he comes.
Common Mistakes
Ich weiß, dass er kommt
Ich weiß, dass er kommt
The verb 'kommt' must be at the end of the subordinate clause after 'dass'.
Ich komme, weil ich habe Zeit
Ich komme, weil ich Zeit habe
In subordinate clauses, the verb goes to the end. 'habe' must come after 'Zeit'.
Wenn es regnet, ich bleibe zu Hause
Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause
When subordinate clause comes first, the main clause verb comes before the subject.
Practice Exercises
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.