Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns connect a main clause with a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun.
In German, relative pronouns decline based on the gender, number, and case of the noun they refer to.
This lesson covers relative pronouns and how to form relative clauses correctly in German.
Explanation
Relative pronouns in German are 'der', 'die', 'das' (who, which, that) and must match the gender and number of the noun they refer to.
The case of the relative pronoun depends on its function within the relative clause, not the main clause.
Relative clauses are always separated by commas and the verb goes to the end of the relative clause.
When the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, it's in the nominative case. When it's an object, it takes the appropriate case.
Relative Pronouns - Nominativ
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | der | die |
| Feminine | die | die |
| Neuter | das | die |
Relative Pronouns - Akkusativ
When the relative pronoun is the direct object in the relative clause, it takes the accusative case.
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | den | die |
| Feminine | die | die |
| Neuter | das | die |
Der Mann, den ich sehe, ist mein Freund.
The man, whom I see, is my friend.
Das Buch, das ich lese, ist interessant.
The book, which I read, is interesting.
Relative Pronouns - Dativ
When the relative pronoun is the indirect object in the relative clause, it takes the dative case.
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | dem | denen |
| Feminine | der | denen |
| Neuter | dem | denen |
Der Mann, dem ich helfe, ist freundlich.
The man, whom I help, is friendly.
Die Frau, der ich schreibe, antwortet schnell.
The woman, to whom I write, answers quickly.
Examples
Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder.
The man, who stands there, is my brother.
Die Frau, die ich kenne, ist Lehrerin.
The woman, whom I know, is a teacher.
Das Buch, das auf dem Tisch liegt, ist interessant.
The book, which lies on the table, is interesting.
Die Leute, die hier wohnen, sind freundlich.
The people, who live here, are friendly.
Der Student, dem ich helfe, lernt Deutsch.
The student, whom I help, learns German.
Die Stadt, in der ich wohne, ist schön.
The city, in which I live, is beautiful.
Common Mistakes
Der Mann, der ich sehe
Der Mann, den ich sehe
When the relative pronoun is the direct object, use the accusative 'den', not the nominative 'der'.
Das Buch, der ich lese
Das Buch, das ich lese
The relative pronoun must match the gender of the noun. 'Buch' is neuter, so use 'das'.
Die Leute, der hier wohnen
Die Leute, die hier wohnen
For plural nouns, always use 'die' in the nominative case, regardless of gender.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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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.