Satzbau II: German Subordinate Clauses
The moment you add a word like weil (because) or dass (that) to a German sentence, the verb picks up and moves all the way to the end. In this lesson, we cover what a Nebensatz is, the 7 most common subordinating conjunctions, and how a subordinate clause combines with a main clause.
What Is a Nebensatz?
A Nebensatz is a dependent, subordinate clause — it can't stand on its own and needs a main clause to complete its meaning. Its defining feature: the conjugated verb moves to the very end of the clause. Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. (I'm staying home because I'm sick.)
The 7 Most Common Subordinating Conjunctions
weil (because), dass (that), wenn (if/when), obwohl (although), damit (so that), bevor (before), nachdem (after). Each one sends the verb to the end of its clause.
Combining Hauptsatz and Nebensatz
A sentence can start with either clause — if the Nebensatz comes first, the whole subordinate clause counts as position 1, so the main clause's verb comes right after the comma: Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause. One extra wrinkle: separable verbs rejoin their prefix at the very end of a Nebensatz instead of splitting it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Nebensatz in German?
A dependent, subordinate clause that can't stand alone and sends its conjugated verb to the end of the clause.
What are common German subordinating conjunctions?
Weil (because), dass (that), wenn (if/when), obwohl (although), damit (so that), bevor (before), and nachdem (after).
Where does the verb go in a German subordinate clause?
At the very end of the clause.
What happens when a sentence starts with the Nebensatz?
The entire subordinate clause counts as position 1, so the main clause's verb comes immediately after the comma, e.g. Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.
What happens to separable verbs in a Nebensatz?
They rejoin their prefix at the end of the clause instead of splitting the prefix off, as they would in a main clause.
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