SEIT & BIS used as German Conjunctions
"Seit" and "bis" already do double duty as German prepositions, but they can also connect two full clauses as conjunctions — and that second job comes with its own word order rule. This lesson focuses specifically on that conjunction use: how "seit" and "bis" link a main clause to a subordinate clause, what each one means when used this way, and how to avoid mixing them up with their preposition counterparts.
"Seit" as a Conjunction: Since / Ever Since
Used as a conjunction, seit introduces a subordinate clause describing when an ongoing situation started, and it sends the verb to the end of that clause: Seit ich in Deutschland wohne, spreche ich viel besser Deutsch. — Since I've been living in Germany, I speak German much better. Just like when it's used as a time preposition, the action introduced by "seit" is still ongoing.
"Bis" as a Conjunction: Until
Bis as a conjunction introduces a subordinate clause describing the point up to which something happens, also sending the verb to the end: Ich warte hier, bis du zurückkommst. — I'll wait here until you come back. Unlike "seit," which points to an ongoing state, "bis" marks an endpoint.
Word Order With "Seit" and "Bis" as Conjunctions
Because both words introduce a subordinate clause here, the conjugated verb always moves to the very end of that clause — the same pattern you'd expect from "weil" or "wenn." If the subordinate clause comes first in the sentence, the main clause that follows starts directly with its verb: Seit ich hier arbeite, habe ich neue Freunde gefunden. — Since I've been working here, I've made new friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "seit" mean when used as a conjunction?
As a conjunction, "seit" means "since" or "ever since" and introduces a subordinate clause describing when an ongoing situation started, e.g. "Seit ich in Deutschland wohne, spreche ich viel besser Deutsch."
What does "bis" mean when used as a conjunction?
As a conjunction, "bis" means "until" and introduces a subordinate clause describing the point up to which something happens, e.g. "Ich warte hier, bis du zurĂĽckkommst."
What is the word order rule for "seit" and "bis" as conjunctions?
Both send the conjugated verb to the end of their subordinate clause, the same pattern as other subordinating conjunctions like "weil" or "wenn."
Are "seit" and "bis" also prepositions?
Yes — both can function as prepositions taking a noun (e.g. "seit 2020," "bis Freitag") or as conjunctions introducing a full subordinate clause, which is the focus of this lesson.
What is the difference in meaning between "seit" and "bis" as conjunctions?
"Seit" points to an ongoing situation that started at a certain point and continues, while "bis" marks the endpoint up to which something happens.
Sentence-combining like this gets a lot of practice in our A2 German course.
