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German Conjunctions

15 words.

German conjunctions split into two groups that behave completely differently. Coordinating conjunctions (aber, denn, und, sondern, oder) never touch word order. Subordinating conjunctions (weil, dass, wenn, obwohl) push the verb all the way to the end of the clause.

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und
and

Ich trinke Kaffee und esse ein Brötchen.

I drink coffee and eat a bread roll.

oder
or

Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee?

Would you like tea or coffee?

aber
but

Ich bin müde, aber glücklich.

I am tired, but happy.

denn
because (coordinating)

Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.

I'm staying home, because I'm sick.

sondern
but rather

Nicht heute, sondern morgen.

Not today, but tomorrow.

weil
because (subordinating)

Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich nach Berlin ziehe.

I'm learning German because I'm moving to Berlin.

dass
that

Ich weiß, dass du müde bist.

I know that you are tired.

wenn
if / when

Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.

If it rains, I'll stay home.

obwohl
although

Obwohl es kalt ist, gehen wir spazieren.

Although it's cold, we go for a walk.

während (Konjunktion)
while

Während ich koche, liest du.

While I cook, you read.

bevor
before

Wir essen, bevor wir gehen.

We eat before we go.

nachdem
after

Nachdem wir gegessen haben, gehen wir.

After we've eaten, we go.

damit
so that

Ich spare Geld, damit ich reisen kann.

I save money so that I can travel.

deshalb
therefore

Es regnet, deshalb bleiben wir drinnen.

It's raining, therefore we stay inside.

also
so / therefore

Ich habe keine Zeit, also gehe ich nicht mit.

I have no time, so I'm not coming along.

Denn vs. Weil: Same Meaning, Opposite Word Order

Denn and weil both mean 'because,' which makes them the clearest example of the rule. Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet keeps normal word order after denn. Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet moves the verb (regnet) to the very end after weil. Same idea, same translation, opposite grammar.

The Five Conjunctions That Never Change Word Order

Remember them with the acronym ADUSO: aber, denn, und, sondern, oder. Any clause after one of these five reads exactly like a normal main clause - verb in second position, nothing rearranged.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many German conjunctions are on this page?+

15. Use the search box to jump straight to one, or check the ones you want to build a custom study set.

Which German conjunctions change word order?+

Subordinating conjunctions - weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, and others - push the verb to the end of the clause. The five coordinating conjunctions (aber, denn, und, sondern, oder) never change word order at all.

Do denn and weil really mean the same thing?+

Yes, both translate as 'because.' The only difference is grammatical: denn keeps normal word order, weil sends the verb to the end of the clause.

How do I practice these conjunctions?+

Select the words you want, then use the bar at the bottom to start Flashcards, Multiple Choice, or a Final Test.

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