German Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

In German, conjunctions (Konnektoren) are used to connect words, phrases, and clauses. They are divided into two main categories:

• Coordinating Conjunctions (Nebenordnende Konjunktionen)
• Subordinating Conjunctions (Unterordnende Konjunktionen)

Each type affects word order differently, so it’s important to understand their usage and sentence structure.

Coordinating Conjunctions (Nebenordnende Konjunktionen)

What Are Coordinating Conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions connect two main clauses (Hauptsätze) or two words/phrases without affecting the word order.

• Common Coordinating Conjunctions:

• aber (but)
• denn (because)
• oder (or)
• sondern (but rather)
• und (and)

Rule:
Word order does NOT change! The conjugated verb remains in position 2 in the clause.

Examples and Sentence Structure

• aber (but) → Shows contrast

Ich wollte ins Kino gehen, aber ich hatte keine Zeit.
I wanted to go to the cinema, but I had no time.

• denn (because) → Provides a reason (less common in spoken German)

Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.
I am staying at home because I am sick.

• oder (or) → Offers a choice

Willst du Kaffee oder Tee?
Do you want coffee or tea?

• sondern (but rather) → Used after a negative statement

Er ist nicht Lehrer, sondern Arzt.
He is not a teacher, but rather a doctor.

• und (and) → Adds information

Ich lese ein Buch und sie hört Musik.   
I am reading a book, and she is listening to music.

Subordinating Conjunctions (Unterordnende Konjunktionen)

What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?

Subordinating conjunctions connect a main clause (Hauptsatz) with a subordinate clause (Nebensatz) and change the word order in the subordinate clause.

Rule:
In subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause.

• Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

• weil (because)
• dass (that)
• nachdem (after)
• obwohl (although)
• bevor (before)
• während (while/during)
• wenn (if, when)
• seit/seitdem (since)
• bis (until)
• damit (so that)
• als (when, in past events)
• ob (whether, if)
• solange (as long as)
• sofern (provided that)

Examples and Sentence Structure

• weil (because) → Gives a reason

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.
I stay at home because I am sick.

• dass (that) → Introduces indirect speech, facts (factual information) or thoughts

Ich weiß, dass du klug bist.
I know that you are smart.

• nachdem (after) → Indicates a completed action before another

Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich schlafen.
After I had eaten, I went to sleep.

• obwohl (although) → Shows contradiction

Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.
Although it is raining, we go for a walk.

• bevor (before) → Indicates an event happening earlier than another event.

Bevor ich ins Bett gehe, lese ich ein Buch.
Before I go to bed, I read a book.

• während (while, during) → Indicates simultaneous actions

Während ich koche, hört sie Musik.
While I cook, she listens to music.

• wenn (if, when) → Used for conditions or repeated actions

Wenn es kalt ist, tragen wir Jacken.
If it is cold, we wear jackets.

• seit/seitdem (since) → Expresses time duration

Seitdem ich in Deutschland lebe, lerne ich Deutsch.
Since I have lived in Germany, I have been learning German.

• bis (until) → Indicates a deadline or end point

Warte hier, bis ich zurückkomme.
Wait here until I come back.

• damit (so that) → Expresses purpose

Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich in Deutschland arbeiten kann.
I learn German so that I can work in Germany.

• als (when, past events) → Used for one-time events in the past

Als ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel draußen.
When I was a child, I played outside a lot.

• ob (whether, if) → Used for indirect questions or uncertainity

Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.
I don’t know whether he is coming.

• solange (as long as) → Expresses duration

Solange du fleißig lernst, wirst du Erfolg haben.
As long as you study hard, you will be successful.

• sofern (provided that) → Expresses a condition

Du kannst mitkommen, sofern du pünktlich bist.
You can come along, provided that you are punctual.

Additional Connectors: trotzdem, deshalb, deswegen, daher, darum

These words connect ideas and affect word order:

Understanding the Differences Between “wann,” “wenn,” and “als” in German

In German, wann, wenn, and als all relate to time, but they are used differently depending on the context. Let’s explore each one in detail, including examples and exercises.

“Wann” – Used for Direct and Indirect Questions

“Wann” means “when” and is used only in questions (both direct and indirect). It does NOT introduce a subordinate clause expressing a condition or event.It is typically used when asking about a specific time.

Examples of “wann” in Questions (Direct and Indirect)

• Direct Questions:

Wann kommst du?
When are you coming?

Wann beginnt der Unterricht?
When does the class start?

Wann hast du Geburtstag?
When is your birthday?

• Indirect Questions:

Ich weiß nicht, wann er kommt.
I don’t know when he is coming.

Kannst du mir sagen, wann der Film beginnt?
Can you tell me when the movie starts?

Wir fragen uns, wann sie heiraten.
We wonder when they will get married.

“Wenn” – Used for Repeated Events, Conditions, and Future Events

“Wenn” means “when” or “if” and is used in subordinate clauses.

It introduces:

• Repeated events in the past or present.
• Conditional statements (if… then).
• Future events (whenever/if something happens).

“Wenn” for Repeated Events (Past or Present)

Examples:

Wenn ich nach Hause kam, machte meine Mutter Tee.
Whenever I came home, my mother made tea.

Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Whenever it rains, I stay at home.

“Wenn” in Conditional Sentences (“If…Then” Sentences)

Examples:

Wenn du müde bist, sollst du schlafen.
If you are tired, you should sleep.

Wenn du fleißig lernst, wirst du die Prüfung bestehen.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

“Wenn” for Future Events …CAN IMMER WENN BE ADDED OR

Examples:

Wenn ich in Berlin bin, besuche ich meine Freunde.
When I am in Berlin, I will visit my friends.

Wenn du ankommst, ruf mich an.
When you arrive, call me.

Rule: “Wenn” is for repeated events or conditional situations, NOT for one-time events in the past.

“Als” – Used for One-Time Events in the Past

 “Als” means “when” but is used only for singular events in the past.   It is used for events that happened once and are completed. It cannot be used for future or repeated actions.

“Als” for One-Time Past Events

Examples:

Als ich ein Kind war, hatte ich viele Spielsachen.
When I was a child, I had many toys.

Als ich nach Deutschland zog, konnte ich kein Deutsch sprechen.
When I moved to Germany, I couldn’t speak German.

Als ich 18 Jahre alt war, bekam ich mein erstes Auto.
When I was 18 years old, I got my first car.

Rule: Use “als” for a one-time event in the past.

Use of “wann” in Indirect Questions

Sometimes, people mistakenly replace “wann” with “wenn” in indirect questions.

Incorrect: Ich weiß nicht, wenn er kommt.
Correct: Ich weiß nicht, wann er kommt. (I don’t know when he is coming.)

Examples:

Kannst du mir sagen, wann der Unterricht beginnt?
Can you tell me when the class starts?

Wir wissen nicht, wann sie ankommen.
We don’t know when they will arrive.

“wenn” for Conditions vs. Time

Wenn is used for both time and condition, depending on the sentence.

“wenn” for Time (Repeated Actions in Past or Present)

Wenn ich Urlaub habe, fahre ich ans Meer.
Whenever I have vacation, I go to the sea.

Wenn es schneit, gehen wir Schlitten fahren.
Whenever it snows, we go sledding.

“wenn” for Conditional Sentences

Wenn du lernst, wirst du die Prüfung bestehen.
If you study, you will pass the exam.

Wenn du Hunger hast, kannst du etwas essen.
If you are hungry, you can eat something.

“als” in Past One-Time Events

“Als” is only used for a single event in the past.

Incorrect: Wenn ich jung war, spielte ich Fußball.
Correct: Als ich jung war, spielte ich Fußball. (When I was young, I played football.)

Examples:

Als ich nach Deutschland zog, sprach ich kein Deutsch.
When I moved to Germany, I didn’t speak German.

Als wir uns das erste Mal trafen, war es Liebe auf den ersten Blick.
When we met for the first time, it was love at first sight.

Special Case: “wenn” vs. “als” for Comparisons

“Als” is also used for comparisons, which can confuse learners.

Examples:

Es ist wärmer als gestern.
It is warmer than yesterday.

Ich bin größer als du..
I am taller than you

Note: Never use “wenn” for comparisons!