german essay connectors

50 Useful German Essay Words and Phrases

by  fredo21  

January 9, 2019

2  Comments

Essay-writing is in itself already a difficult endeavor. Now writing an essay in a foreign language like German ---that’s on a different plane of difficulty.  

To make it easier for you, here in this article, we’ve compiled the most useful German essay phrases. Feel free to use these to add a dash of pizzazz into your essays. It will add just the right amount of flourish into your writing---enough to impress whoever comes across your work!

You can also download these phrases in PDF format by clicking the button below.

Now here’s your list!

What other German vocabulary list would you like to see featured here? Please feel free to leave a message in the comment section and we’ll try our best to accommodate your requests soon!

Once again, you can download your copy of the PDF by subscribing using the button below!

For an easier way to learn German vocabulary, check out German short stories for beginners!

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71 German Conjunctions To Help You Speak Like A German Native

Learning German and want to sound more fluent? Conversational sentence connectors in German or German conjunctions allow your ideas to flow together smoothly and naturally.

Let's examine a few English examples first so that you can understand what conjunctions in German are. Here's a paragraph without connectors:

This year, I'm planning a vacation. I really look forward to the vacation. There are still details that need to be ironed out. I still need to pack. We have to rent a car. There are limited vehicles available. I'd prefer to plan earlier. We'll have to make the best out of the situation.

Conversational connectors, usually conjunctions, are transitional words that enable us to combine dependent clauses into complete sentences, like this:

This year, I'm planning a vacation, and I really look forward to it. However , there are still a few details that need to be ironed out in addition to packing. We have to rent a car, but there are limited vehicles available. In the future , I'd prefer to plan earlier. Meanwhile , we'll have to make the best out of the situation.

The bolded words above are conjunctions in German that link short, related phrases together into one long sentence. These words allow a conversation to flow more naturally and help you sound more fluent in the German language.

By the way, if you want to learn German fast and have fun while doing it, my top recommendation is  German Uncovered  which teaches you through StoryLearning®. 

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Table of Contents

What are german conversational connectors.

German conjunctions or connectors can include adverbs, German coordinating conjunctions, subordinating German conjunctions, and prepositions that enable a smooth transition between ideas in a sentence. 

German coordinating conjunctions are linking words that keep the normal word order of sentences. The verbs in both phrases stay in the same position.

Example : Ich putze mir die Zähne und gehe ins Bett. (I'm brushing my teeth and going to bed.)

On the other hand, German subordinating conjunctions send the conjugated verb in the second clause to the end of the sentence .

Example : Ich putze mir die  Zähne, weil ich ins Bett gehe . (I'm brushing my teeth because I'm going to bed.)

There are many more German subordinating conjunctions.You'll recognize subordinating conjunctions when you see the conjugated verb at the end of a sentence.

71 German Conjunctions

First, let's look at the most frequently-used conversational connectors in German. These words are common in daily speech and can instantly improve your fluency.

#1 Aber – But 

• Example: Sie möchten ins Kino gehen, aber sie haben kein Geld. (They want to go to the movies, but don't have any money.)

#2 Denn – Because 

• Example: Du gehst in die Schule, denn du willst lernen . (You go to school because you want to learn.)

#3 Doch – After All, But

• Example: Das hat er doch gesagt . (He did say that (after all))

#4 Natürlich – Naturally, Of Course

• Example: Natürlich wünsche ich mir ein großes Haus (Of course I wish for a big house.)

#5 Obwohl – Although, Even Though

• Example: Er möchte draußen spielen, obwohl es regnet. (He wants to play outside, even though it's raining.)

#6 Sonst – Otherwise, Or

• Example: Sei freundlich, sonst gehe ich. (Be friendly, otherwise I'll leave.)

#7 Weil – Because 

• Example: Wir gehen nach Hause, weil es spät ist. (We are going home because it's late.)

#8 Zum Beispiel – For Example

• Example: Welche Gemüse magst du, zum Beispiel? (Which vegetables do you like, for example.)

Speak Like A Native With These German Conjunctions Of Time

Adding specifics about when something happens can jazz up your German sentences immensely. Another benefit of describing when an event occurs is that it can help others understand the context of what you want to say. 

#9 Am Anfang, Anfangs – At First, At the Beginning

• Example: Am Anfang (Anfangs) war alles einfach . (At first, everything was easy.)

#10 Am Ende, Endlich, Zum Schluss, Schließlich – Lastly, Finally, In the End

• Example: Am Ende (Endlich, Zum Schluss, Schließlich) habe ich viel gelernt. (In the end, I learned a lot.)

#11 Auf Einmal – Suddenly, At Once

• Example: Auf einmal kam unser Lehrer. (Suddenly, our teacher came.)

#12 Bald – Soon, Shortly

• Example: Sie geht bald ins Bett. (She's going to bed soon.)

#13 Bisher – Up Until Now, So Far

• Example: Bisher waren wir immer pünktlich. (So far, we were always on time.)

#14 Damals – Back Then

• Example: Das waren gute Zeiten damals. (Those were good times back then.)

#15 Danach – After, Afterward

• Example: Ich muss arbeiten, danach können wir tanzen gehen. (Ich habe to work, afterward we can go dancing.)

#16 Dann – Then 

• Example: Morgens futtern wir die Tiere, dann frühstücken wir. (Mornings we feed the animals, then we eat breakfast.)

#17 Eher – More Likely, Rather

• Example: Ich glaube, das Wetter wird morgen eher schlecht. (I think the weather is more likely to be bad tomorrow.)

#18 Früher, Vorher – Back Then, Earlier, Previously

• Example: Früher (Vorher) hat er als Musiker gearbeitet. (He previously worked as a musician.)

#19 Gleichzeitig, Zur Gleichen Zeit – At the Same Time, Simultaneously

• Example: Ich kann gleichzeitig (zur gleichen Zeit) singen und tanzen . (I can sing and dance simultaneously.)

#20 Immer Noch – Still

• Example: Liebst du mich immernoch? (Do you still love me?)

#21 In der Zukunft, Zukünftig – In The Future

• Example: Wir wollen zukünftig (in der Zukunft) umziehen. (We want to move in the future.)

#22 Inzwischen – Meanwhile, In The Meantime

Inzwischen implies a recent change in circumstances.

• Example: Ich habe mich inzwischen anders entschieden. (I made a different decision in the meantime.)

#23 Jetzt – Now 

• Example: Er hat jetzt vier Tage Urlaub. (He has four days of vacation now.)

#24 Mittlerweile, Unterdessen – Meanwhile, For The Time Being

• Example: Mittlerweile geht's mir besser. (For the time being, I feel better.)

#25 Nachdem – After 

• Example: Nachdem ich Deutsch gelernt habe, wollte ich eine dritte Sprache lernen. (After I learned German, I wanted to learn a third language.)

#26 Nachher – Later, Afterward 

• Example: Wir können nachher putzen. (We can clean later.)

#27 Neulich – Recently 

• Example: Ich habe neulich eine Abkürzung entdeckt. (I recently discovered a shortcut.)

#28 Noch – Still 

• Example: Sie hat noch genug Geld. (She still has enough money.)

#29 Plötzlich – Suddenly 

• Example: Plötzlich haben wir ein Geräusch gehört. (Suddently, we heard a noise.)

#30 Schließlich – Eventually, After All, Ultimately

• Example: schließlich haben sie uns nicht eingeladen. (Ultimately, they didn't invite us.)

#31 Seitdem, Seither – Since Then

• Example: Wir sehen die beiden selten seitdem sie heirateten. (We see the two rarely since they got married.)

#32 Sobald – As Soon As

• Example: Sobald ich Deutsch lerne, fliege ich nach Deutschland! (As soon as I learn German, I'm flying to Germany!)

#33 Vor Kurzem – Recently, Lately

• Example: Ich habe deine Tochter vor kurzem gesehen. (I recently saw your daughter.)

#34 Zuerst – First, At First

• Example: Zuerst lesen wir das Buch, und dann machen wir die Übungen. (First, we're reading the book, and then we'll do the exercises.)

#35 Zuletzt – At the End, Last

• Example: Zuletzt kommt der Nachtisch. (At the end comes the dessert.)

#36 Zum Ersten/Zweiten Mal – For The First/Second Time

• Example: Er war 19 als er zum ersten mal Berlin besucht hat. (He was 19 when he visited Berlin for the first time.)

#37 Zunächst – For Now, First of All

• Example: Lass uns zunächst was anderes tun. (Let's do something else for now.)

German Connectors To Express Your Opinions

Many conversations require you to state your opinion instead of just the raw facts. The German sentence connectors below can help you when you need to say what's on your mind. 

#38 Auf der anderen Seite, Andererseits – On The Other Hand

• Example: Es ist schade, aber andererseits (auf der anderen Seite) nicht verwunderlich. (It's a shame, but on the other hand not surprising.)

#39 Auf der einen Seite, Einerseits – On The One Hand

• Example: Einerseits (Auf der einen Seite) kann ich deine Entscheidung verstehen. (On the one hand I can understand your decision.)

#40 Auf jeden Fall, Jedenfalls – Definitely, In Any Case

• Example: Wir können auf jeden Fall (jedenfalls) am Samstag treffen. (We can definitely meet on Saturday.)

#41 Aus diesem Grund – For This Reason

• Example: Aus diesem Grund habe ich die deutsche Sprache studiert. (For this reason, I studied the German language.)

#42 Es scheint mir, dass – It Seems To Me That…

• Example: Es scheint mir, dass dein Deutsch viel besser ist. (It seems to me that your German is much better.)

#43 Sozusagen – So To Speak, In A Matter Of Speaking

• Example: Ich habe sozusagen meine Schwiegermutter gleich mit geheiratet. (I married my mother-in-law at the same time, so to speak.)

German Connecting Words To Transition Topics 

Sometimes, you need to form a connection between two similar or different topics. The linking words below can add emphasis to your sentence transitions.

#44 Also – Hence, So

• Example: Ich habe meine Schlüssel vergessen, also bin ich zu spät gekommen. (I forgot my keys, so I was late.)

#45 Außerdem – In Addition, Besides

• Example: Er braucht außerdem noch viel aufmerksamkeit. (In addition, he needs a lot of attention.)

#46 Beispielsweise, Zum Beispiel – For Example

• Example: Ich habe zum Beispiel (beispielsweise) Mathe, Deutsch, und Chemie Unterricht. (I have for example, math, German, and chemistry class.)

#47 Das Heißt – That Means

• Example: Das heißt, du kommst morgen nicht? (That means you're not coming tomorrow?)

#48 Deshalb, Deswegen – That's Why

• Example: Deswegen ist er im Krankenhaus. (That's why he's in the hospital.)

#49 Ganz im Gegenteil – On The Contrary

• Example: Ich streite nicht mit dir, ganz im Gegenteil. (I'm not arguing with you; on the contrary.)

#50 Immerhin – After All, At Least

• Example: Immerhin hat sie sich entschuldigt. (At least she apologized.)

#51 Wobei – Whereby

While the connecting word dabei implies that one action results from another, the word wobei indicates when two events coincide.

• Example: Das Essen war lecker, wobei ich sagen muss, dass es sehr teuer war. (The food was delicious, whereby it was very expensive.) 

#52 Zumindest – At Least

• Example: Kannst du zumindest versuchen? (Can you at least try?)

Improve Your German With These Connectors

When you write in German, especially for academic purposes, you'll need more formal connectors.

The linking words below can help you sound more fluent in German business correspondence and educational settings, where a distinct formality level is required. 

#53 Daher, Darum – Therefore, Because Of That

• Example: Daher (Darum) mussten wir vier Stunden warten. (Therefore (Because of that), we had to wait four hours.)

#54 Daraufhin – Consequently, Subsequently, With Regard To

• Example: Ihre Anfrage wird daraufhin an die entsprechenden Mitarbeiter weitergeleitet. (Your order will subsequently be forwarded to the appropriate employees.)

#55 Darüber Hinaus – Furthermore, In Addition

• Example: Darüber hinaus ist es wichtig, pünktlich zu sein. (Furthermore, it's important to be on time.)

#56 Dennoch, Jedoch – Nevertheless, Yet, Still

Both dennoch and jedoch are a more formal way of saying trotzdem and add sophistication to your German story-telling.

• Example: Wir haben uns dennoch verliebt. (We fell in love nevertheless.)

#57 Im Wesentlichen – Essentially, Fundamentally

• Example: Dies ist im Wesentlichen die Ursache des Problems. (This is essentially the cause of the problem.)

#58 Indessen – Meanwhile

• Example: Sie machte sich indessen auf den Rückweg. (Meanwhile, she started on the way back.)

#59 Stattdessen – Instead 

Anstatt is used to mean “instead of,” whereas stattdessen corresponds to “instead.”

• Example: wegen des schlechten Wetters mussten wir stattdessen zu Hause bleiben. (Because of bad weather, we had to stay home instead.)

German Connecting Words To Add Emphasis

In some cases, you want to emphasise a particular action or emotion in your sentence. Using the following linking words, you can let other German speakers know exactly how you feel about a situation. Here are some other conjunctions to get you sounding fluent in no time:

#60 Eben, Gerade – Just

• Example: Ich habe eben (gerade) die Wäsche aufgehängt. (I just hung up the laundry.)

#61 Einmal – Once

• Example: Wir haben einmal auf einem Bauernhof gelebt. (We lived on a farm once.)

#62 Erst – Only

• Example: Meine Mutter kommt erst am Sonntag. (My mother is only coming Sunday.)

#63 Grundsätzlich – Basically

• Example: Alles ist grundsätzlich gleich geblieben. (Everything has basically stayed the same.)

#64 Im Großen und Ganzen – Overall 

• Example: Im großen und ganzen würde ich sagen, dass wir gute Arbeit geleistet haben. (Overall, I'd say we did a good job.)

#65 Kurz Gesagt – In A Nutshell 

• Example: Kurz gesagt, es war eine sehr lange Reise. (In a nutshell, it was a very long trip.)

#66 Tatsächlich – Actually, Really

• Example: Hast du tatsächlich im Lotto gewonnen? (Did you really win the lottery?)

#67 Trotzdem – Nevertheless, Nonetheless

• Example: Du verdienst trotzdem eine zweite Chance. (You deserve a second chance nonetheless.)

#68 Übrigens – By The Way

• Example: Ich habe übrigens eine neue Telefonnummer. (By the way, I have a new phone number.)

#69 Weiter – Further 

• Example: Können Sie mir weiter helfen? (Can you assist me further?)

#70 Wenigstens – At Least 

• Example: Sie muss noch wenigstens drei Stunden lernen. (She still has to learn for at least 3 more hours.)

#71 Zumeist – Mostly 

• Example: Er ist zumeist pessimistisch. (He is mostly pessimistic.)

FAQs About German Conjunctions

What are the conjunctions in German?

Conjunctions are words that connect clauses for smoother transitions and fluid speech. There are coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating conjunctions link clauses while maintaining the standard word order in both halves of the sentence. For example, Ich trinke Kaffee und esse Kuchen (I drink coffee and eat cake).

und (and) oder (or) aber (but) denn (because) sondern (but rather) doch, jedoch (but, however) beziehungsweise (respectively)

Subordinating conjunctions send the conjugated verb of the dependent clause to the end of the sentence. For instance, Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet (I’m staying home because it’s raining).

wenn (if, whenever) bevor (before) nachdem (after) als (when) bis (until) weil (because) falls (in case) dass (that)

Do German verbs always come after conjunctions?

No, German verbs do not always come directly after conjunctions. The placement of the verb depends on the type of conjunction used:

Coordinating Conjunctions – the word order in both clauses remains the same as if the clauses were independent.

For example, in the sentence Ich lese ein Buch und trinke Tee (I’m reading a book and drinking tea), the verb trinke is in the second position and follows the subject directly, just as it would if they were two independent sentences.

Subordinating Conjunctions – the verb in the dependent clause is sent to the end. For example, Ich komme nicht, weil ich krank bin (I’m not coming because I’m sick), where bin (am) is at the end of the clause.

The verb position is a key grammatical rule in German and is crucial for constructing correct sentences.

What are the connectors in German?

Connectors in German are words or phrases that help to link sentences and ideas together, making your speech or writing more cohesive. These include conjunctions, but also extend to certain adverbs and phrases that serve a similar function.

Examples of German connectors:

Also (so, therefore): Ich habe keine Zeit, also muss ich absagen (I don’t have time, so I have to cancel). Deshalb (that’s why): Er hat viel gelernt, deshalb hat er bestanden (He studied a lot, that’s why he passed). Trotzdem (nevertheless): Es war kalt, trotzdem gingen wir spazieren (It was cold, nevertheless we went for a walk).

Connectors transition between thoughts and are useful in spoken and written German.

When to use um zu in German?

The phrase um zu in German is used to express purpose or intention. The English equivalent is “in order to.”  Always use an infinitive verb after “zu.”

Ich gehe früh ins Bett, um morgen fit zu sein (I’m going to bed early in order to be fit tomorrow).  Ich spare Geld, um ein neues Auto zu kaufen (I’m saving money in order to buy a new car).

The subject performing the action in both clauses must be the same.

What is the difference between Aber and Sondern?

In German, “ aber ” and “ sondern ” both mean “but” in English. However, you use them in different contexts. Aber is a general contrast word, used like “but” in English. Whereas sondern comes after a negation to introduce a correction or alternative.

Ich bin müde, aber ich gehe noch zur Party . (I am tired, but I am still going to the party.) Ich bin nicht müde, sondern hungrig . (I am not tired, but hungry.)

How to use obwohl in German?

Obwohl is a subordinating conjunction in German that means “although” or “even though” in English. It introduces a subordinate clause that expresses a contrast or contradiction to the main clause.

Ich gehe spazieren, obwohl es regnet. (I am going for a walk, although it is raining.) Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich spazieren . (Although it is raining, I am going for a walk.)

Note that you can put obwohl in the middle or at the beginning of the sentence, but the word order changes.

German Connectors: The Fast Way To Improve Your German Language Skills

By starting to incorporate German conjunctions into your sentences, you'll be able to express your thoughts with greater accuracy and sound more fluent at the same time. 

Add these German conjunctions to your German vocabulary , and you're sure to turn the heads of native speakers. Best of all, you can add connectors to your sentences without any drastic grammatical changes.  

I hope this list helps accelerate your learning process as you practice listening to and reading the German language . You can acquire these words faster by paying attention to how native speakers use them in sentences.

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German connectors: list and examples

The purpose of the connectors in German (and in all other languages) is establish a relationship of two types of sentences , which are classified as subordinate and main. Among the types of connectors the following can be mentioned:

• Coordinating conjunctions
• Subordinate conjunctions

Y also some adverbs that are used to link sentences correctly.

Learning connectors in German: types and examples

To learn German you have to avoid confusion, this is because connectors are words that connect sentences, but they are also used with the function of relative pronouns and as conjunctions of the German language.

Conjunctions in German ( konjunktioren ) generally are used to connect and match sentences in a grammatically correct way . According to their typology, conjunctions are classified into coordinating or subordinating and related to their function they can be disjunctive, causal and adversative.

Coordinating conjunctions are always used to give meaning to the main sentences and the most used are the following:

• Denn (well)
• Sondern (fate)
• beziehungsweise (that is, that is)

Examples of coordinating conjunctions

• I have to go to school, but first I will have to do my homework : Ich muss zur Schule, aber zuerst muss ich meine Hausaufgaben machen
• The boy did the exam correctly and earned great recognition : Das Kind hat die Prüfung richtig gemacht und eine große Anerkennung erhalten
• It seems like it's dark or am I wrong : It's sieht so aus, als wäre is dunkel oder ich liege falsch
• The German language is a bit complicated, that is, it has a complicated grammar : Die Deutsche Sprache ist ein bisschen kompliziert beziehungsweise eine komplizierte Grammatik

Subordinate conjunctions are those used to form subordinate sentences, the presence of these connectors in German send the verb to the end of the sentence according to the grammatical rules of the German language.

• Damit (for)
• Obwohl (despite)
• owährend (during - while)
• oweil (because)
• obwohl (despite)
• oseit (from)
• oseitdem (since)
• osobald (as for)
• Soviel (so)

Example subordinating conjunctions

• When I was a child I lived in Murcia : Als ich ein Kind war, lebte ich in Murcia
• I save money so my wife can buy a house : Ich spare Geld, damit meine Frau ein Haus kaufen kann
• I like children even though they are very naughty : Ich mag Kinder, obwohl sie sehr ungezogen sind
• While I was studying I concentrated on learning another language : Während ich studierte, konzentrierte ich mich darauf, eine andere Sprache zu lernen
• He does not work today because he is sick : Er arbeitet heute nicht, weil er krank ist
• I don't have the correct heating since I live in France : Ich habe nicht die richtige Heizung seit ich in Frankreich lebe

It is also important to mention another list of words that are used to properly connect sentences in German grammar:

• Also = therefore, therefore
• Anstatt = instead of
• Auch wenn = even, even
• Bis = until
• Dass = what
• Dennoch = nevertheless, in spite of everything
• Deshalb = therefore
• Ehe = before
• Entweder ... oder = either ... or
• Falls = yes

Other examples

• Instead of studying, I have to work : Anstatt zu lernen, muss ich arbeiten
• You can earn a lot of money even if you work only one hour :   Sie können viel Geld verdienen, auch wenn Sie nur eine Stunde arbeiten
• Until I am fifteen : Bis er fünfzehn is

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German Conjunctions

In the German language, conjunctions and connectors play a crucial role in linking ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, ensuring smooth transitions and enhancing the overall coherence of your writing. Whether you're crafting an essay, a formal document, or even an informal email, mastering the use of conjunctions and connectors is essential for effective communication. In this blog post, we will explore different types of conjunctions and connectors in German, their usage, and provide examples to help you elevate your writing skills. Let's get started!

Coordinating Conjunctions

"und" (and).

The coordinating conjunction "und" is one of the most common connectors in German. It is used to join two or more ideas of equal importance. Whether you want to connect subjects, verbs, or complete sentences, "und" is your go-to connector. For example:

• "Ich lese gerne Bücher und schaue Filme." (I enjoy reading books and watching movies.)

"Aber" (But)

When you want to express a contrasting or contradictory relationship between ideas, the coordinating conjunction "aber" comes into play. It helps introduce an opposing thought or present a different perspective. For example:

• "Das Wetter war sonnig, aber ich hatte keine Lust rauszugehen." (The weather was sunny, but I didn't feel like going out.)

"Oder" (Or)

If you want to present alternatives or give a choice between two or more options, the coordinating conjunction "oder" is your ally. It is commonly used in questions or conditional statements. For example:

• "Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee trinken?" (Would you like to have tea or coffee?)

Subordinating Conjunctions

"weil" (because).

The subordinating conjunction "weil" is a powerful connector used to introduce a reason or cause for an action or statement. It helps provide an explanation or justification. For example:

• "Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich mich erkältet habe." (I'm staying home because I caught a cold.)

"Obwohl" (Although)

When you want to express a contrast or concession, the subordinating conjunction "obwohl" comes into play. It introduces a subordinate clause that presents contradictory or unexpected information. For example:

• "Ich mag Sport, obwohl ich nicht sehr sportlich bin." (I enjoy sports, although I'm not very athletic.)

"Damit" (So that)

The conjunction "damit" is used to indicate purpose or intention. It introduces a subordinate clause that explains the intended outcome or goal. For example:

• "Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich mich besser verständigen kann." (I'm learning German so that I can communicate better.)

Conjunctions and connectors are essential tools for creating coherence and cohesion in your German writing. Coordinating conjunctions like "und," "aber," and "oder" help connect ideas of equal importance, while subordinating conjunctions like "weil," "obwohl," and "damit" establish relationships of cause, contrast, or purpose. By mastering the usage of conjunctions and connectors, you can ensure that your writing flows smoothly, making it easier for readers to follow your thoughts and arguments.

Remember to practice incorporating these conjunctions and connectors in your writing to improve your language skills and make your German texts more compelling and well-structured.

Download our free pdf for German learners, with 99 German words & idioms. Each idiom comes with an example, a translation & helpful vocabulary.

Leave a comment & let us know what you think, or what other materials you might find helpful.

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How to Write an Essay in German, 15 Essential German Essay Phrases

Writing an essay in German can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor, whether you’re a student navigating academic assignments or a language enthusiast looking to improve your German proficiency. With the right tools and strategies, you can effectively communicate your thoughts and ideas in a structured and coherent manner. In this article, we’ll explore 15 essential German essay phrases to help you craft compelling and articulate essays.

Einleitung (Introduction)

Die Einleitung ist der erste Abschnitt deines Aufsatzes und dient dazu, das Thema vorzustellen und das Interesse des Lesers zu wecken. (The introduction is the first section of your essay and serves to introduce the topic and pique the reader’s interest.)

• Zu Beginn möchte ich über… sprechen. (To begin with, I would like to talk about…)
• In diesem Aufsatz werde ich… diskutieren. (In this essay, I will discuss…)
• Es ist allgemein bekannt, dass… (It is widely known that…)
• Mein Ziel ist es, zu zeigen, dass… (My aim is to show that…)

Thesis Statement (Thesenstellung)

Die These ist der zentrale Gedanke deines Essays, der deine Position zum Thema klar macht. (The thesis is the central idea of your essay that makes your position on the topic clear.)

• Meiner Meinung nach… (In my opinion…)
• Ich bin der Überzeugung, dass… (I am convinced that…)
• Es ist offensichtlich, dass… (It is obvious that…)
• Man könnte behaupten, dass… (One could argue that…)

Hauptteil (Main Body)

Der Hauptteil deines Aufsatzes enthält die Hauptargumente und -ideen, die deine These unterstützen. (The body of your essay contains the main arguments and ideas that support your thesis.)

• Zunächst einmal… (First of all…)
• Ein weiterer wichtiger Punkt ist… (Another important point is…)
• Darüber hinaus… (Furthermore…)
• Es ist wichtig zu betonen, dass… (It is important to emphasize that…)

Beispiele anführen (Providing Examples)

Beispiele dienen dazu, deine Argumente zu veranschaulichen und zu unterstützen. (Examples are used to illustrate and support your arguments.)

• Ein gutes Beispiel hierfür ist… (A good example of this is…)
• Zum Beispiel… (For example…)
• Ein anschauliches Beispiel wäre… (An illustrative example would be…)
• Nehmen wir zum Beispiel… (Let’s take for example…)

Gegenargumente (Counterarguments)

Es ist wichtig, auch gegnerische Standpunkte zu berücksichtigen und darauf einzugehen. (It is important to also take opposing viewpoints into account and respond to them.)

• Einige Leute behaupten, dass… (Some people argue that…)
• Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass… (It cannot be denied that…)
• Allerdings muss man auch berücksichtigen, dass… (However, one must also consider that…)
• Trotzdem sollte man nicht vergessen, dass… (Nevertheless, one should not forget that…)

Schlussfolgerung (Conclusion)

Die Schlussfolgerung fasst deine wichtigsten Argumente zusammen und zieht ein Fazit. (The conclusion summarizes your most important arguments and draws a conclusion.)

• Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass… (In summary, it can be said that…)
• Abschließend kann man festhalten, dass… (In conclusion, it can be stated that…)
• Alles in allem… (All in all…)
• In Anbetracht dieser Argumente… (Considering these arguments…)

Abschließende Bemerkungen (Final Remarks)

Abschließende Bemerkungen bieten Raum für Reflexion und geben einen Ausblick auf mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen. (Concluding remarks provide space for reflection and provide an outlook on possible future developments.)

• Es bleibt abzuwarten, wie sich… entwickeln wird. (It remains to be seen how… will develop.)
• Diese Diskussion wirft wichtige Fragen auf, die weiter untersucht werden sollten. (This discussion raises important questions that should be further investigated.)
• Es ist unerlässlich, dass wir uns mit diesem Thema auch in Zukunft auseinandersetzen. (It is essential that we continue to engage with this topic in the future.)
• Abschließend möchte ich betonen, dass… (In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that…)

By incorporating these 15 essential German essay phrases into your writing repertoire, you’ll be better equipped to articulate your thoughts and arguments effectively. Remember to adapt these phrases to suit the specific context and focus of your essay, ensuring that your writing remains authentic and persuasive. With practice and perseverance, you’ll soon master the art of essay writing in German and unlock new avenues for expression and communication. Happy writing!

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German Conjunctions: 7 Types of Conjunctions in German Grammar + Examples

German conjunctions are meaningful elements of the language that allow you to make complex sentences. Without these connectors, communication would be limited to simple statements.

YourGermanTeacher made a great introductory video about basic German conjunctions. It’s a great start!

In this blog post, you’ll learn about the 7 types of conjunctions in German: what are they, how and when you should use them, and we’ll also give you example sentences.

What are German conjunctions and connecting words?

Effortless answers.

German conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses together in a sentence. They help us express more complex thoughts and ideas.

The 7 types of conjunctions in German are:

• Coordinating Conjunctions
• Subordinating Conjunctions
• Correlative Conjunctions
• Contrasting Conjunctions
• Concessive Conjunction
• Causal Conjunction
• Conditional Conjunctions

1. Coordinating conjunctions in German

Coordinating conjunctions in German are used to join two independent clauses or sentences of equal importance. They connect words, phrases, or clauses in a compound sentence.

Examples with real-life sentences:

• Connects two noun phrases.
• Presents a choice between two options.
• Connects two contrasting independent clauses.
• Introduces a reason or explanation for the second clause.

2. Subordinating conjunctions in German

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause, which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They link the dependent clause to the main clause, thus creating a complex sentence.

Let’s check some examples:

• Introduces a noun clause as the object of the main clause.
• Introduces a reason or cause for the action in the main clause.
• Introduces a dependent clause expressing doubt or uncertainty.
• Introduces a condition or hypothesis for the main clause.

3. Learn German correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions used to join two equal parts of a sentence. They express an alternative or addition.

A few example sentences::

• Presents two mutually exclusive alternatives.
• Adds an additional element to the first part of the sentence.
• Offers a choice between two options, with consequences for each.
• Emphasizes an additional aspect or quality beyond the initial statement.

4. Contrasting German conjunctions

Contrasting conjunctions in German are used to express a contrast, exception, or opposition between two parts of a sentence.

You can use it like this:

• Introduces a contrasting statement or situation.
• Expresses a stronger contrast or correction of the previous statement.
• Indicates that something happened despite an opposing circumstance.
• Introduces a contrasting or unexpected situation.

5. Improve your German concessive conjunctions

Concessive conjunctions add a dependent clause that acknowledges something contrary to the main clause.

Examples from real-life situations:

• Acknowledges an opposing circumstance or situation.
• Expresses that something should happen regardless of a hypothetical situation.
• Concedes an opposing circumstance before stating the main clause.

6. Causal conjunctions in the German language

Causal conjunctions are used to express a cause, reason, or explanation for the main clause. Simple, right?

For example:

• Provides the reason for being tired.
• Explains the cause for the action in the main clause.
• Gives the reason or explanation for the situation described in the main clause.
• Introduces the cause or justification for the action in the main clause.

7. A guide to German conditional conjunctions

Conditional conjunctions introduce a dependent clause that expresses a condition or hypothesis for the main clause to be true.

Examples with a few German sentences :

• States a condition for the action in the main clause to happen.
• Expresses a hypothetical situation and a precautionary action.
• Sets a condition that must be met for the main clause to be valid.
• Presents a condition and its consequence in the main clause.

Time to practice! – German conjunction exercises

It’s time to use conjunctions in German. Here’s a snippet from our Full Practice Worksheet Library!

Do you want to practice more? Click the button and see what we have in our Full Practice Worksheet Library!

Learn more about German conversational connectors with Conversation Based Chunking

You need German conjunctions to make complex German sentences. If you want to express even the tiniest of details, you should check this blog post and use the Conversation Based Chunking method to practice it.

What is it?

The Conversation Based Chunking method breaks down topics into smaller, interactive chunks with examples. These are the natural building blocks of the language that can effectively help you learn all of these conjunctions in German.

Click the button below and get your first package fo German Conversation Based Chunking Guide!

Lukas is the founder of Effortless Conversations and the creator of the Conversation Based Chunking™ method for learning languages. He's a linguist and wrote a popular book about learning languages through "chunks". He also co-founded the language education company Spring Languages, which creates online language courses and YouTube content.

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Helpful German Expressions to Organize Your Writing

Using expressions to organize ideas

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• Pronunciation & Conversation
• M.A., German Studies, McGill University
• B.A., German and French

If you feel that your German writing assignments sound choppy or stilted, try incorporating some of the following expressions to make your writing flow better. These are all variations of common phrases that we often include in our native language — often without even thinking about it.

Listing and Ordering Facts and Ideas

• First of all, first — zunächst, erstens.
• Secondly, thirdly... — zweitens, drittens...
• besides — außerdem.
• then — dann.
• incidentally — übrigens.
• further — darüber hinaus.
• above all — vor allem.
• lastly, finally — letztendlich, schließlich.

Introducing and Stating Examples

• For example — zum Beispiel (abbreviated as z.B.)
• An example, as in "I would like to give an example" — ich möchte ein Beispiel anführen.
• Referring to point/example… — dabei sei auf Punkt/Beispiel… hingewiesen
• namely — und zwar.

To Clarify a Point

• In other words — Mit anderen Worten, anders ausgedrückt.
• This signifies particularly... — Dies gilt besonders für...
• This means — Dies bedeutet.

Writing a Summary or Conclusion

• In a nutshell — Im Großen und Ganzen.
• In a word — Kurz und gut.
• In conclusion — zum Schluss.
• To conclude, one can say that… — Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass...
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German Conjunctions (Konjunktionen): A Complete Guide

• “This dress is so pretty, but it’s just a little bit too short.”
• “I had to go home because I wasn’t feeling well.”
• “He didn’t study very hard and therefore he failed his classes.”

What do all these sentences have in common? If you take a closer look at the way these statements are structured, you will see that all of these are held together by words like but , because , and or therefore .

These words allow us to construct long and complicated sentences instead of only communicating with short and simple ones like “I like drawing. I like painting.”

So what are those magic words that let us link together two different statements or explain causalities?

The answer is: Conjunctions.

And just like in any other language, German conjunctions are a vital part of the German language.

In this post, we’re going to have a closer look at the magic that is German conjunctions!

Types of German Conjunctions

There are two types of German conjunctions:  coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions .

Subordinating conjunctions affect the structure of the sentence by changing the position of the verb while coordinating conjunctions leave the position of the verb unchanged.

Let’s have a closer look at these two types of German conjunctions!

Coordinating conjunctions in German

As already stated, coordinating conjunction s in the German language do not affect the verb (or its position).

If you encounter the following expressions, you can be sure that you are dealing with a coordinating conjunction.

If you stumble upon the words listed above in a sentence, you know that these coordinating conjunctions link two sentences of equal importance together.

Because conjunctions (coordinating as well as subordinating) explain correlations between two sentences and/or determine relations between two (or more) statements, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with the meaning of each specific conjunction.

Let me give you some examples of German coordinating conjunctions!

→ und, aber oder, sondern, denn

Andy ist sehr intelligent, aber er hat einfach keinen Ehrgeiz. — Andy is very intelligent, but he just doesn’t have any ambition .

Sie ist nicht nur Mutter von drei Kindern, sondern [ sie ] schreibt auch Kinderbücher. — She is not only a mom of three, but she writes children’s books as well . (In this case, the word “sie” is put in parentheses since you can technically leave it out )

Er wurde nach Hause geschickt, denn er war krank. — He was sent home because he was sick .

Ich mag es, zu zeichnen und zu malen. — I like drawing and painting .

Fun fact : The Linguistic Society of America at the University of Michigan suggests that in order to memorize some of the German coordinating conjunctions, you can sing them to the music of “ Stayin’ Alive ” by the Bee Gees.

(I can guarantee you it is very effective. Also, you will have the song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. But whatever helps, right?)

Let me show you:

Building this kind of memory hooks is essential—especially when learning German conjunctions.

After a coordinating conjunction, you will continue with the same word order as in the previous sentence. This means that both parts of the coordinated sentence act as independent sentences (which have been linked together) and their structure is not affected.

When it comes to the position of the conjugated verb in a coordinating conjunction, the verb will be in the second position:

“ Sie ist nicht nur Mutter von drei Kindern, sondern schreibt auch Kinderbücher .”

Here the conjugated verb (“schreiben” — “sie schreibt”) is in position two, meaning in the second “slot” of the sentence linked to the first one with a coordinating conjugation.

A few other helpful tips on German coordinating conjunctions :

• The phrase “ nicht nur ” is always followed by “ sondern auch ”.
• The difference between the words “ sondern ” and “ aber ” is that you use “ sondern ” where you’d use “but rather” (meaning: instead ) in English.
• The word “ sondern ” must be preceded by a negation.
• “ Aber ” can be preceded by a negation, but it doesn’t have to be.
• “ Denn ” vs. “ weil ”: both words explain a causality and provide a reason, but there is one significant difference between them — they require a different word order. A “ denn ”- clause can never be at the beginning of a sentence . If you want to start a sentence explaining a reason you have to use “ weil ”.
• “ Jedoch ” is generally a stronger word than “ doch ” and can be used to add emphasis. The emphasis of the word can change depending on what position it occupies in the sentence: → Er war verärgert, jedoch zeigte er es nicht. — He was angered, but he didn’t show it . → Er war verärgert, er zeigte es jedoch nicht. — He was angered, but he didn’t show it . In the first sentence, the position of the word “ jedoch ” puts much more emphasis on the control he has over his anger.

Two-part coordinating conjunctions in German

German wouldn’t be German if there wasn’t some “special case” for every instance. Lucky for you, this one is pretty simple: I’m talking about two-part coordinating conjunctions .

With two-part coordinations it is pretty much the same thing as with regular coordinating conjunctions: they leave the verb in the same position as in the preceding sentence.

Entweder wir gehen heute ins Kino oder wir gehen morgen. — We can either go to the cinema today or we’ll go tomorrow .

Ich mag sowohl Richard Wagner als auch Richard Strauss. — I like both Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss .

Es ist weder eine besonders schöne Stadt noch sind ihre Bewohner freundlich. — It is neither a nice city nor are its inhabitants particularly friendly .

Einerseits würde ich wirklich gerne auf die Party gehen, andererseits bin ich sehr müde. — On the one hand I would love to go to the party, on the other hand I am very tired .

Mal kann ihr Hund sehr ruhig sein, mal ist er sehr anstrengend. — Sometimes her dog is very calm, sometimes he’s very exhausting .

Der Film war teils sehr schön, teils etwas langweilig. — The movie was partly very beautiful, [and] partly somewhat boring .

Subordinating conjunctions in German

Unlike coordinating conjunctions, German subordinating conjunctions change the position of the verb in the sentence. When encountering a subordinating conjunction, you will see that the verb is moved to the end of the sentence.

How to spot a subordinating conjunction, you may wonder?

These words indicate you’re dealing with one:

I’ll admit: compared to the coordinating conjunctions, this is quite the bigger list.

Unfortunately, I also do not have a catchy memory hook to offer this time — but I’m sure you’ll have the key subordinating conjunctions down in no time!

When to use “ wenn ” and “ als ”?

If you are referring to an event in the past that has been completed, you will have to use the word “ als ”:

• Als ich ein Kind war, mochte ich keinen Brokkoli. — When I was a child, I didn’t like broccoli .

The word “ wenn ” can be used to describe a repeated event:

• [Immer] wenn ich nach Heidelberg gehe, schaue ich mir das Schloss an. — [Whenever/] When I go to Heidelberg, I visit the castle .

As you can see, the word “ wenn ” can mean both “when” and “whenever”.

The difference between “ wenn ” and “ ob ”

Both “ wenn ” and “ ob ” translate to “ if ”, but they cannot be used interchangeably . The memory hook here is pretty easy: if you can use “whether” in English, you will have to use “ ob ” in German.

• Ob es stimmt, weiß ich nicht. — Whether it’s true I don’t know .
• Wenn das wahr ist, will ich mir die Konsequenzen nicht ausmalen. — If this is true, I don’t want to imagine the consequences .

Instead of using “ wenn ” to indicate a possibility, you can also use “ falls ”:

• Falls das wahr ist, will ich mir die Konsequenzen nicht ausmalen. — If this is true, I don’t want to imagine the consequences .

Using “ wann ”

As stated above, “ wann ” is only used for questions.

• Wann gehst du nach Stuttgart? — When are you going to Stuttgart ?

“ Nach ” and “ nachdem ”

There is a simple rule you can follow when it comes to using “ nach ” and “ nachdem ”: “ Nachdem ” is used with actions, whereas “ nach ” is used with nouns.

• Wir haben uns nach der Arbeit getroffen. — We met up after work . ( Die Arbeit = noun)
• Mir ging es nicht gut, nachdem ich zu viel Kuchen gegessen hatte. — I didn’t feel well after eating too much cake . ( Essen = verb/action) .

“ Seit ” and “ seitdem ”

The usage of “ seit ” and “ seitdem ” is similar to “ nach ” and “ nachdem ”: you can use “ seit ” and “ seitdem ” both with actions and nouns, but when encountering nouns, you can only use “ seit ”.

• Seitdem er mit seiner neuen Freundin zusammen ist, hat er sich sehr verändert. — Since he got together with his new girlfriend, he has changed a lot .
• Er schläft seit Beginn des Films. — He’s been sleeping since the beginning of the movie .

Differences between “ da ” and “ weil ”

There are no differences between the two words, with one exception: “ da ” is more formal than “ weil ” (both mean because ). So if you’re writing a formal letter or you are in a situation that requires less informal language, choosing “ da ” over “ weil ” is probably the more suitable decision.

“ Bevor ” und “ ehe ”

Same as above: “ ehe ” is more formal than “ bevor ”. It is to note though that “ bevor ” is used with actions, but the shorter form “ vor ” can only be used with nouns.

• Wir sollten uns treffen, bevor es dunkel wird. — We should meet up before it gets dark . ( Dunkel werden = action )
• Wir treffen uns vor dem Theater. — We’re meeting up in front of the theater.  ( Theater = noun )

“Während” can mean “during” or also “whereas”:

• Während des Vortrages ist er eingeschlafen. — During the lecture, he fell asleep .
• Er hat blonde Haare, während sein Bruder rote Haare hat. — He has blond hair, whereas his brother has red hair .
• Er hat bis um acht Uhr geschlafen. — He slept until eight o’clock .
• Bis er das merkt werden Stunden vergangen sein. — By the time he realizes that, hours will have passed .
• Obwohl er nur zwölf Jahre alt ist, ist er ein begnadeter Schlagzeuger. — Although he is only twelve years old, he is a very talented drummer .
• Um ihr eine Freude zu machen, hat er ihr Blumen gekauft. — In order to make her happy, he bought her flowers .

Just like the English translation “ that ”, “ dass ” can be omitted in a sentence:

• Er glaubt, dass die Erde eine Scheibe sei. — He believes that the Earth is a disc .
• Er glaubt, die Erde sei eine Scheibe. — He believes the Earth is a disc .
• Er behauptete, eine Erkältung zu haben, sodass er seinen Aufsatz nicht vor der Klasse vorlesen musste. — He claimed to have a cold so that he didn’t have to read his essay in front of the class .
• Hans sicherte sich eine gute Note, indem er sich beim Lehrer einschleimte. — By brown-nosing the teacher, Hans made sure he got a good grade .

Sooft, sobald, solange

• Sooft er sich auch bemühte, seine Französischkenntnisse wurden nicht besser. — As often as he tried, his French skills didn’t get better .
• Sobald wir genug Geld gespart haben, wollen wir nach Bali reisen. — As soon as we have enough money saved up, we want to travel to Bali .
• Solange sie ihre Einstellung nicht ändert, wird sie keinen Erfolg haben. — As long as she doesn’t change her attitude, she won’t be successful .

Als wenn, als ob, als

• Er hat die Prüfung bestanden, als ob es nichts wäre. — He passed his exam as if it was nothing .
• Er tat so, als ob er davon noch nie gehört hatte. — He pretended as if he never had heard of it before .
• Dieser Grashüpfer sieht so aus als wäre er ein Zweig. — This grasshopper looks like as if it was a twig .
• Er stellte er sich zwei Wecker, damit er nicht verschlief. — He set two alarms, so that he wouldn’t oversleep .

This was — admittedly — a lot of info for one single blog post. German conjunctions (as you can see) is a pretty broad field that is full of irregularities and words that change meaning depending on how they’re used.

So don’t stress if you don’t have them down in an instant — it is something that even some Germans do struggle with!

As soon as you feel ready to tackle the topic of German conjunctions, you can test your knowledge with Clozemaster!

Viel Erfolg !

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Test your skills and see what you’ve learned from this article by playing a selection of sentences with all kinds of German conjunctions.

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9 thoughts on “German Conjunctions (Konjunktionen): A Complete Guide”

thank you so much!!!

thanks a lot.. I have been struggling to understand sentence structure. This was very clear ,precise and ,easz to understand !! Kudos !!

I agree with Haidar, this was clear, precise and easy to understand. Thanks for the BeeGees sing to help… I actually love them. Also I already use Clozemaster. Very useful and helpful!

Thanks again!,

Vielen Dank. Es war mir sehr hilfreich.

Very simple and effective

Thank you. Really helpfull and very well organized.

Thanks a lot I’ve been looking for sentence chunks like this for a while and I finally found them here It’s also quite entertaining to play these games so keep up the great work clozemaster 😉

Wow have been struggling for a long time with conjunctions. Thanks for clarifying in an understandable way.

sehr klar und hilfreich. Ich schätze die Anstrengungen, die Sie unternommen haben

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24 Important Subordinating Conjunctions In German

Elevate your German language skills with our comprehensive guide to 24 essential subordinating conjunctions.

Intermediate

Conjunctions in the German Language

Most common subordinate conjunctions in the german language, using the subordinate conjunction in german, let’s practice, let’s summarize, challenge yourself.

What are German subordinate conjunctions, and why should you pay special attention to them when learning German?

Conjunctions are a vital part of grammar in many languages, including German. They are used to bind together different parts of complex and compound sentences – for example, the main clause and the subordinate clause in a complex sentence. In many cases, this can affect the word order, so you need to know how exactly to use different conjunctions in different situations. 

When it comes to the German complex sentences, they consist of two clauses. A subject and verb make up an independent (or main) clause that can stans alone as a sentence. A subordinate (or dependent) clause also has a subject and verb, but it cannot stand alone because it needs the information given in the main clause. German subordinating conjunctions are used to put together main and subordinate clauses so that the sentence sounds as natural as possible.

In the article above, you can find all the information you need about the German subordinating constructions and German sentence structure rules that apply to complex sentences. Read on and boost your knowledge of German grammar.

In the German language, there are two types of conjunctions:  coordinating conjunctions  and  subordinating conjunctions . Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses – for example, in a compound sentence. On the other hand, German subordinating conjunctions link the dependent clause (subordinate clause) to the independent clause.

Subordinating conjunctions affect the sentence structure by changing the position of the verb, while coordinating conjunctions leave the position of the verb unchanged. Today we want to concentrate on the most common subordinating conjunctions in German as they change the normal word order in a sentence, which can impact the way you speak or write.

German Subordinating Conjunctions: the Basics

Subordinate clauses and, therefore, subordinating conjunctions change the word order in a sentence.

When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, the main clause begins with the conjugated verb. This happens because, according to the German word order, the verb must stand in the second position in the sentence at all times. Here, the subordinate clause stands in the first position, so the verb of the main clause must go right after it.

Translation

Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.

Since I am sick, I’m staying home.

Weil (because, since) is the subordinating conjunction, and bleibe (to stay) must start the main clause.

On the other hand, when the sentence ends with a subordinate clause, you should s end the verb in it to the end of the sentence .

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.

I’m staying home because I am sick

Weil  (because) is the subordinating conjunction, and  bin (I am) must go to the end.

We want to help you spot German subordinating conjunctions when you come across them – you can do that based on the rules above. In clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions, the conjugated verb is forced to move to the end of the clause (not the sentence), and a comma is placed before the conjunction.

However, this tip might be a little tricky sometimes, so it’s best to simply memorize German subordinate conjunctions. Here’s a picture that should help:

Here’s a list of the 24 most important German subordinating conjunctions you will need to remember:

• weil – because
• als – when (in describing past events)
• da – because
• damit – so that
• indem – by … -ing
• ob – whether*, if (*only use when you could say “whether” in English as well)
• falls – in case, if
• wenn – if, when
• um … zu – in order to
• dass – that
• sodass – so that
• bevor – before
• nachdem – after
• ehe – before
• seit, seitdem – since (indicating time, not a causality)
• während – while, during, whereas
• wenn – when (describing present and future), if, whenever
• wann – when (for questions only)
• bis – until, by
• obwohl – although
• als ob, als wenn, als – as if
• sooft – as often as (whenever)
• sobald – as soon as
• solange – as long as

To separate the subordinating conjunctions from the main clause, you should always use a comma to distinguish between the clauses.

To create a complex sentence, remember to:

• join the sentences with the conjunction
• send the verb to the end

For example:

Sie ist mit dem Bus gekommen, weil ein Taxi zu teuer ist.

She came by bus because a taxi is too expensive.

Main clause: Sie ist mit dem Bus gekommen.

Subordinate clause: weil ein Taxi zu teuer ist.

Here are a few more examples of the sentences with subordinate clauses and subordinate conjunctions:

• Main clause: Es schneite.
• Subordinate clause: Ich kam in Berlin an.

Es schneite, als ich in Berlin ankam.

It was snowing when I arrived in Berlin.

Subordinate clause: Du warst nicht zu Hause.

Main clause: Das Paket wurde beim Nachbarn abgegeben

Da   du nicht Zuhause warst, wurde das Paket beim Nachbarn abgegeben. (Since you weren’t at home, the package was handed over to the neighbor).

• Main clause: Ich esse viel   Gemüse .
• Subordinate clause: Ich bleibe Gesund.

Ich esse viel Gemüse, damit ich Gesund bleibe.

I eat a lot of vegetables so that I stay healthy.

Please note:

If there is a separable prefix verb in a dependent clause, the prefix remains attached to the verb, and the entire verb goes to the end of the clause, whereas normally, the prefix would go to the end.

Er ist immer schlecht gelaunt, wenn er hunger hat.

He is always moody when he gets hungry.

• A conjunction is a word or a phrase used to connect two clauses. Their purpose is to show the relationship between the clauses.
• Subordinating conjunctions in German join the subordinate clause and the main clause into one complex sentence.
• A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• The word order usually changes when two clauses come together. Subordinating conjunctions in German change the verb’s location in the sentence; the verb is pushed to the end of the sentence.

Subordinating conjunctions – this grammar topic is the one that you need to learn to become fluent in German. Both your speaking and writing will depend on it!

We know that it can seem a bit too much at first, but don’t worry – you will get there. Make sure to learn the subordinating conjunctions we’ve listed above, and your language learning process should become a little quicker and easier.

Learning the German language with all its grammar rules and parts like conjunctions, conjugated verbs, dependent clauses, and so on can be a lot to deal with until it makes sense. So don’t stress if you can’t understand them in an instant. German grammar is something that even Germans struggle with sometimes!

On a good note, there is a little tool that might improve your German skills in no time. As soon as you feel ready to tackle difficult topics in German, you can test your knowledge with the Readle App – learn German. There, you can practice reading, listening, and understanding, learn new vocabulary and expressions, master grammar, and get entertained by an engaging quiz after each short story. Do you want to learn more about subordinate conjunctions in German? Then check it out today.

How to get fluent, with Dr Popkins

How to learn a foreign language. Methods, matrials and stories to help you maximise your effectiveness on the road to fluency

In-depth explorations, actionable tips and inspiring conversations for language learners who REALLY want to get fluent…..plus a little bit of fun along the way.

Intermediate German conjunctions: joining it all up

By Dr Popkins Leave a Comment

If you’re already a solid beginner in German and looking to become move into intermediate, one of the things you have to learn to do is understand and use longer, more complex sentences . To transform your German as you burst into intermediate, you’re going to need conjunctions . But what exactly are conjunctions? This post explains all. Let’s look at the most useful intermediate German conjunctions and see how to use them.

Now to those German CONJUNCTIONS!

First, a quick reminder of what you’re expect to be able to do as you move into intermediate. “Upper beginner” is level A2 (“elementary” or “wayfarer”) level on the “global scale” of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages . At that level, it’s all still about keeping it simple. You’re expected to be able to “….communicate in simple and routine situations requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters….”

Move into intermediate – B1 (“threshold” or “intermediate)” on the CEFR scale and the bursts of language that you hear, read, say or write are expected not only to include a wider range of vocab, but to be longer and structurally more varied too.

Using “connectors” is a key element of this. So, at B1, says the CEFR, you are expected to produce “simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest…”.

The requirements for TELC B1 German exam confirm these expectations. TELC says that to pass the B1 German exam you expected to show that “you can communicate in a simple and connected way in everyday situations…”.”

To pass the Goethe B1 German exam you need, among other things, to be able to “report on experiences and events, describe dreams, hopes and ambitions as well as make short statements and explanations.”

You’ll find the German conjunctions discussed below very helpful as you develop your skills in doing just this as you prepare for the Goethe B1 exam. Indeed, the new “B1” level or intermediate German conjunctions discussed below all appear in the approved Goethe Institut B1 exam word list.

Dr P joins it up with some intermediate German conjugations in the background.

What are conjunctions?

Before we get to “conjunctions” we need to tackle the concepts of the “clause” and “sentence” .

Simple sentences contain one clause.

A “clause” is a group of words which contains a verb in a “finite” form (showing the subject and the tense: “he listened to music”)(as opposed to a non-finite verb form, e.g. the infinitive or just a participle (“driving the car”). “He listened to music.” is a clause and a sentence. “Driving the car” is neither. “Driving the car, he listened to music.” is also, therefore, a one clause sentence.

Conjunctions are words used to join up two clauses up to make one more complex sentence .

There are two types of German conjugations.

Co-ordinating conjunctions: there are not many of these. You use them as the first word in a clause to link up two sentences each of equal importance and expressing information of equal value. You end up with a more complex “compound sentence”. A co-ordinating conjunction can just head up a free-standing sentence, too.

As we’ll see in the examples, co-ordinating conjunctions don’t affect the normal word order in the German sentence.

Subordinating conjunctions link up two clauses by supplementing the main idea in the principle sentence (Hauptsatz) with a subsidiary idea in the subordinate clause (Nebensatz).

Unlike the co-ordinating conjunctions, they only work in a subordinating clause (“Nebensatz”). They cannot introduce in a free-standing principle sentence.

The subordinating conjunction normally comes at the beginning of the subordinate clause and the main verb usually goes to end of the clause.

There are only a few German co-ordinating conjunctions and you’ll probably already know several them.

German (like English) has many more subordinating conjunctions. You’ll probably be tackling these properly for the first time as an intermediate German student.

Let’s start with the co-ordinating conjunctions.

German co-ordinating conjunctions

There are two types : pure co-ordinating conjunctions and adverbial conjunctions.

Pure co-ordinating conjunctions in German

Pure co-ordinating conjunctions : these German conjunctions doesn’t have any effect whatsoever on the position of the verb in the clause.

As a solid A2 (upper beginner) student, you’ll probably already have come across several pure co-ordinating conjunctions:

und (If you don’t know what this means, you’re not ready to move into intermediate yet 😉 ): “Mein Vater hat angerufen, und wir muessen sofort los.” (My father has phoned and we have to leave at once.) “Sie duerfen hier im Wohnzimmer fernsehen und auch telefonieren.” (You may watch TV here in the living room and make telephone calls as well.) You only use a comma if the subject of both clauses is different.

aber : this is “but” but, unlike in English, it does not have to be at the beginning of the clause. It can pop up later (like “however” in English). If you wan’t to say “not….but”, though, you have to use “sondern” (see below). You can’t use “aber”.

oder means “or”. If the subject of the two clauses is the same, you don’t use a comma: “Er kann hier bis morgen warten oder schon heute gehen”.

New in: B1 / intermediate German conjunctions

allein means “alone” when you’re introducing an unexpected or unwelcome restriction (“before you consider…”, “without even…”) “Allein das Essen hat schoen ueber E50 gekostet.” (the food alone cost more than Euros 50).

denn meaning “because”. “Denn” in this sense is not used much in speech today. A mistake I often make is to think it’s a subordinating conjunction and move the verb to the end, by analogy with “weil” (see below). Among native speakers, it’s the opposite that tends to happen. You’ll often hear “weil” used with the normal word order “weil ich esse nie Fisch” instead of the more “correct” “weil ich nie Fisch esse”, by analogy with “denn”.

naemlich (“namely” but often translated as an emphasised “because”). For example: “Ich muss gehen, ich habe naemlich noch einen Termin beim Zahnaert.” (I have to go because I have an appointment at the dentist.)

sondern/nicht nur, sondern auch (not only…., but): “Es ist nicht nur total schmutzig, sondern es gibt auch viel Kriminalitaet.” (It’s not only totally polluted, but there’s a lot of criminality.)

Something you may well not have met as a beginner are German conjunctions pairs (the concept is familiar enough, as you’ll see from the English translations):

entweder….oder (“either…or”): “Ich konnte entweder dort bleiben oder nach Hamburg fliegen.” (I was able either to stay there or fly to Hamburg.)

weder….noch (“neither…nor”): “Es klappt weder heute noch morgen.” (It’ll work neither today nor tomorrow; it won’t work either today or tomorrow.) “Sie kann weder lesen noch schreiben.” (She can neither read nor write.)

sowohl….als (“both [x] and [y]” or “[x] as well as [y]”): “Sie spricht sowohl Deutsch, als auch Englisch und Franzoesisch.” (She speaks English and French, as well as German – the sense here is “in addition to speaking German not “to the same level as she speaks German.”)

zwar…aber (maybe…but; in fact….but): “Es regnet zwar, aber zum Glueck habe ich einen Regenschirm dabei.” (It may be raining, but luckily I’ve got an umbrella with me.).

The “zwar” makes the info in its clause less important. The rain matters less in this example, because I’ve got my brolly.

You can put “zwar” at the beginning of the clause, in which case the verb comes second: “Zwar regnet es, aber…”.

ebenso….wie (both [x] and [y]” in the sense of “just as much as”). “Meinen Deutschlehrer mag ich ebenso gern wie meinen Englischlehrer.” (I like my German teacher just as much as my English teacher.)

German adverbial conjunctions

Adverbial conjunctions show the relationship of one idea to another. They are adverbs, that’s to say they describe a verb or an adjective (I eat quickly; a very fast car). They follow the usual rule for German adverbs that they push subject from first to third place when they come at the beginning of the clause (i.e. you need to flip the subject and the verb).

From A2 you’ll probably already know:

also (thus, therefore): “Er hat Geld, also kann er bezahlen.” (He has money, so he is able to pay.)

dann (then): “Wenn Sie noch laenger warten, dann verpassen Sie den Zug.” (If you wait any longer, (then) you’ll miss the train.)

denn (because): “Ich kann nicht kommen, denn ich bin krank.” (I cannot come because I’m ill (for “denn” as because, see below).

New adverbial conjunctions for B1 German

da (as, since, whereas): “Da sie keine Freunde hat, sitzt sie immer allein im Kafe.” (Since/as she doesn’t have any friends, she always sits on her own in the cafe). You probably already know the simple adverb “da” in the sense of “there” or “here”) “Ich bin gleich wieder da.” (I’ll be right back.) You may not yet have met it as a conjunction.

daher (therefore, hence): “Ich war krank. Daher konnte ich gestern nicht kommen.” (I was ill. That’s why I couldn’t come yesterday.)

darum/deswegen/deshalb (therefore): “Marko hat kein eigenes Zimmer. Darum/deswegen/deshalb wohnt er bei Jens.” (Marko doesn’t have his own room. Therefore he lives at Jen’s place).

“Deswegen” and “deshalb” sound more formal than “darum”.

je……desto (umso)(the….the) : “Je mehr Geld ich verdiene, desto mehr kann ich kaufen.” (the more money I earn, the more I can buy).

trotzdem : nevertheless “Mein Handy ist schon sehr alt. Trotzdem funktioniert es noch einwandfrei.” (My mobile/cell phone is very old. Nevertheless, it still works fine).

German subordinating conjunctions

Because the subordinate clause adds information to the main clause, it can’t stand on its own as a separate sentence. It usually comes after the main clause, but not always.

The additional information could be “reported speech” begin with the subordinating conjunction dass (that) or ob (whether) or a question word: wo (where), wann (when), wie (how), mit wem (with whom). We’ll come back to reported speech another time, as it’s a big topic.

The German subordinating conjunctions we’ll now explore add various types of information: the cause – weil (because); purpose – damit/um….zu + INF (in order to, so that); time – als (as), waehrend (during), seit/seitdem (since), bevor/ehe (before), nachdem (after); some condition – wenn/falls (if, in case); a concession – obwohl/obgleich (although); an alternative – (an)statt dass/stat…zu +INF (instead of); instrumental information – indem (by means of); a (non)result – so dass/dass (so that), ohne dass/ohne….zu + INF (without); a comparison so….wie (as…as), NOUN-er als (NOUN-er than), je….desto (the more….the more), als ob (as if).

In the subordinate clause the verb moves to the end.

If the verb is in a compound tense, it’s the auxiliary that goes last, shunting the past participle to second from last place.

Modal verbs also take last place in a subordinate clause.

The subordinating clause can come before the main clause. If this happens, there’s a change in the main clause: the verb and subject of the main clause switch places. For example:

“Jens faehrt nach Berlin, obwohl er ein bisschen Angst hat” (Jens is going to Berlin, although he is a bit uneasy about it) becomes –

“Obwohl er ein bisschen Angst hat, faehrt Jens nach Berlin.” (Although he is a bit uneasy about it, Jens is going to Berlin).

“Ich gehe mit meiner Schwester, da du nicht kommen kannst.” (I’m going with my sister, since you can’t come.) becomes –

“Da du nicht kommen kannst, gehe ich mit meiner Schwester.” (Since you can’t come, I’m going with my sister.)

Subordinating conjunctions familiar from upper beginner German:

dass is used for “that” when you’re reporting speech. You’ll already have met this at A2 but you’ll use it much more at lower intermediate as you start to practise reported speech – die “Indirekte Rede” a lot with the focus on the verb tenses. That’s a big topic, for another day.

weil (because). You’ll have met this one already, of course. In spoken German the normal word order is often heard in a clause beginning with weil (see the comments on “denn”, above).

wenn (when, if). At A2 you’ll already be familiar with “wenn” and (in the past) to give information about time (“Wenn ich fertig bin, sage ich dir Bescheid” – When I’m finished, I’ll tell you), “Als ich fertig war, sind wir nach Hause gegangen.” (When I was ready, we went home.) At B1 you’ll meet it in the sense of “if” with varying degrees of conditionality at various points in time. See below.

New subordinating conjunctions for B1 German

als : You may already have come across “als” to mean “as a” (er arbeitet als Lehrer; he works as a teacher) and studied done some “comparison of adjectives”: “Frank ist junger als Heinrich.” (Frank is younger than Heinrich.)

As a conjunction it means “when”, used in the past (wenn is used for the present and future, see below).

als ob (as if): “Er tut so, als ob wir uns nicht kannten” (he behaves as if we didn’t know each other).

bis : as a beginner, you’ll have come across “bis” as a preposition in simple clauses to mean until/as far as in sentences like “Der Zug faehrt bis Hamburg.” (The train goes as far as Hamburg.) “Ich warte bis 8 Uhr.” (I’ll wait until 8 o’clock.)

In B1 its use as a conjunction is introduced. “Warte, bis du an die Reihe kommst.” (Wait until it’s your turn).

da : you’ll already know “da” the sense of “there” (sometimes, in English: “here” – “Er ist noch nicht da.” means “He isn’t here yet.”). At lower intermediate it appears as a conjunction, to mean “as”, “whereas”, “since”.

damit means “so that” in the sense of “in order that” or “in order to”. “So that” in the sense of “with the result that” is “sodass”.

bevor (before): “Bevor wir gehen, moechte ich aufraeumen.” (Before we leave, I want to clear up.)

falls (in the event that): “Falls ich im Lotto gewinne, kaufe ich mir ein grosses Haus.” (If I win the lottery, I’ll buy myself a large house.)

indem (by means of – in English we use a participle “-ing” phrase – by + VERB + ing” here. For example: “Ich halte mich gesund, indem ich wenig Fleisch esse.” (I stay healthy by not eating much meat.)

je nachdem (depending on): “Je nachdem, wie lange die Besprechung dauert, bin ich um 18 Uhr zu Hause oder später.” (Depending on how long the meeting lasts, I’ll be home around 6 o’clock or later.)

nachdem (after): “Nachdem wir die Arbeit gemacht hatten, sind wir ins Kino gegangen.” (After we’d done the work, we went to the cinema.)

ob (not A2, yes B1) if in the sense of whether. “Ich weiss noch nicht, ob ich Zeit haben werde.” (I don’t know yet, whether I’ll have time.)

obwohl (although): “Ich trage eine warme Jacke, obwohl es 30 Grad hat.” (I’m wearing a warm jacket, although it’s 30 degrees).

ohne : you’ll have met ohne as a preposition. As a conjunction “ohne….+zu infinitive” and “ohne dass”, in English “without + VERB + ing”. For example, “Er hat das Restaurant gelassen, ohne die Rechnung zu bezahlen.” or “Er hat das Restaurant gelassen, ohne dass er die Rechnung bezahlte.” (He left the restaurant without paying.)

seit : as a beginner, you’ll have met “seit” as a preposition of time in simple sentences with the meaning since/for a period of time. For example “Ich wohne seit 3 Jahren in Koeln.” (I’ve been living in Cologne for three years. Now it’s time to learn to use “seit” as a conjunction: “Seit ich verheiratet bin, gehe ich nicht mehr tanzen.” (Since getting married, I don’t go dancing any more)

sobald (as soon as): “Sobald ich den Schluessel gefunden habe, mache ich die Tuer auf.” (As soon as I’ve found the key, I’ll open the door.)

waehrend (while, during): “Waehrend ich studiere, hoere ich nie Musik.” (While I’m studying, I never listen to music.). “Waehrend der Ferien ist sie immer bei ihrer Familie.” (During the holiday, she’s always at her family’s place.)

wenn (if): “Wenn ich nicht arbeiten muss, gehe ich einkaufen.” (If I don’t have to work, I’ll go shopping.); “Wenn ich nicht so spaet angekommen waere, haette ich die Rede nicht verpasst.” (If I hadn’t arrived so late, I wouldn’t have missed the speech.) “Wenn ich doch schneller eine Arbeit finden wuerde!” (If only I could find a job quicker.) As you can see from these examples, wenn in the sense of “if”, as opposed to “when”.

I’m sure you can see how all these intermediate German conjunctions can enrich your powers of German comprehension and expression. Don’t panic at this embarrassment of riches, though. In a good course, they’ll be introduced gradually with lots of opportunities to practise. As always, getting lots of exposure to these forms is crucial in ensuring that you develop a “feel” for the word order. It will come, with time and….more practice.

You might also like: 

The German Imperfect Tense: forms and uses made clear

German future tense: top dos and don’ts

Los geht’s! 🙂

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Easy German Essays for Beginners: 8 Examples to Practice Your Language Skills

Are you a beginner in learning German and looking for ways to practice your language skills? One great way to do so is by writing essays in German. Writing essays not only improves your grammar and vocabulary but also helps you express your thoughts and ideas in the target language. In this article, we will provide you with eight easy German essays for Beginners with English translation and vocabulary to help you get started.

• Meine Familie (My family) – Write about your family, including their names, occupations, and hobbies.
• Mein Haus (My house) – Describe your house or apartment, including the number of rooms, furniture, and decorations.
• Meine Hobbys (My hobbies) – Talk about your favorite hobbies, such as playing sports, reading books, or listening to music.
• Meine Schule (My school) – Write about your school, including its location, teachers, and subjects you study.
• Meine Freunde (My friends) – Discuss your friends, including how you met them, their personalities, and what you like to do together.
• Meine Stadt (My city) – Describe your city or town, including its population, tourist attractions, and cultural events.
• Meine Reise (My trip) – Write about a recent trip you took, including the destination, transportation, and activities you did there.
• Meine Lieblingsessen (My favorite food) – Talk about your favorite foods, including traditional German dishes and other international cuisines.

Remember to use simple vocabulary and sentence structures while writing the essays. Good luck with your German learning journey!

Table of Contents

Meine familie (my family).

Ich heiße Maria und ich möchte euch gerne meine Familie vorstellen. Wir sind insgesamt vier Personen in meiner Familie. Mein Vater heißt Klaus und er arbeitet als Ingenieur. Meine Mutter heißt Petra und sie ist Hausfrau. Mein Bruder heißt Jan und er geht noch zur Schule.

(My name is Maria, and I would like to introduce you to my family. We are a family of four. My father’s name is Klaus, and he works as an engineer. My mother’s name is Petra, and she is a homemaker. My brother’s name is Jan, and he still goes to school.)

Vocabulary:

• Ich heiße Maria (My name is Maria)
• insgesamt (altogether)
• vier Personen (four persons)
• der Vater (father)
• arbeiten (to work)
• der Ingenieur (engineer)
• die Mutter (mother)
• Hausfrau (homemaker)
• der Bruder (brother)
• noch zur Schule gehen (still go to school)

Mein Vater arbeitet in einem großen Unternehmen als Ingenieur. Er ist sehr fleißig und verbringt viel Zeit im Büro. In seiner Freizeit geht er gerne joggen oder spielt Golf. Meine Mutter kümmert sich um den Haushalt und verbringt viel Zeit damit, leckere Mahlzeiten zu kochen. Sie liest auch gerne Bücher und geht regelmäßig zum Yoga.

(My father works in a large company as an engineer. He is very hardworking and spends a lot of time in the office. In his free time, he likes to go jogging or play golf. My mother takes care of the household and spends a lot of time cooking delicious meals. She also likes to read books and regularly attends yoga classes.)

• in einem großen Unternehmen (in a large company)
• sehr fleißig (very hardworking)
• viel Zeit (a lot of time)
• im Büro (in the office)
• in seiner Freizeit (in his free time)
• joggen (to go jogging)
• Golf spielen (to play golf)
• sich kümmern um (to take care of)
• der Haushalt (household)
• leckere Mahlzeiten kochen (cook delicious meals)
• gerne lesen (like to read)
• regelmäßig (regularly)
• zum Yoga gehen (go to yoga)

Mein Bruder Jan geht noch zur Schule und ist sehr sportlich. Er spielt Fußball im Verein und geht regelmäßig ins Fitnessstudio. In seiner Freizeit hört er gerne Musik und schaut Filme.

(My brother Jan still goes to school and is very sporty. He plays soccer in a club and regularly goes to the gym. In his free time, he likes to listen to music and watch movies.)

• sehr sportlich (very sporty)
• Fußball spielen (to play soccer)
• im Verein (in a club)
• ins Fitnessstudio gehen (to go to the gym)
• Musik hören (listen to music)
• Filme schauen (watch movies)

Ich studiere im Moment an der Universität und meine Hobbys sind Lesen, Reisen und Yoga. In meiner Freizeit gehe ich gerne in die Natur und genieße die frische Luft.

(I am currently studying at the university, and my hobbies are reading, traveling, and yoga. In my free time, I like to go into nature and enjoy the fresh air.)

• studieren (to study)
• an der Universität (at the university)
• die Hobbys (hobbies)
• Lesen (reading)
• Reisen (traveling)
• Yoga (yoga)
• die Freizeit (free time)
• in die Natur gehen (go into nature)
• genießen (enjoy)
• frische Luft (fresh air)

Das ist meine Familie. Wir haben viele verschiedene Hobbys und Interessen, aber wir verbringen auch gerne gemeinsam Zeit miteinander.

(This is my family. We have many different hobbies and interests, but we also enjoy spending time together.)

• das ist (this is)
• verschiedene Hobbys und Interessen (different hobbies and interests)
• gerne Zeit miteinander verbringen (enjoy spending time together)

Top reasons why Berlin is the best city for Expats!

Mein Haus (My House)

Ich lebe in einem Haus mit drei Schlafzimmern und zwei Bädern. Das Haus ist zweistöckig und hat auch einen Keller. Im Erdgeschoss befinden sich das Wohnzimmer, die Küche und ein Esszimmer. Im Wohnzimmer haben wir ein bequemes Sofa und einen großen Fernseher. In der Küche gibt es eine Spülmaschine, einen Herd, einen Backofen und einen Kühlschrank. Das Esszimmer hat einen Esstisch mit sechs Stühlen.

(I live in a house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house is two stories and also has a basement. On the ground floor, there is the living room, kitchen, and a dining room. In the living room, we have a comfortable sofa and a large television. In the kitchen, there is a dishwasher, stove, oven, and refrigerator. The dining room has a dining table with six chairs.)

• das Haus (house)
• die Schlafzimmer (bedrooms)
• die Bäder (bathrooms)
• zweistöckig (two-storied)
• der Keller (basement)
• das Erdgeschoss (ground floor)
• das Wohnzimmer (living room)
• die Küche (kitchen)
• das Esszimmer (dining room)
• ein bequemes Sofa (a comfortable sofa)
• ein großer Fernseher (a large television)
• eine Spülmaschine (a dishwasher)
• ein Herd (a stove)
• ein Backofen (an oven)
• ein Kühlschrank (a refrigerator)
• ein Esstisch (a dining table)
• sechs Stühle (six chairs)

Im Obergeschoss befinden sich die Schlafzimmer und die Bäder. Mein Schlafzimmer hat ein großes Bett, einen Schreibtisch und einen Kleiderschrank. Das Badezimmer hat eine Badewanne und eine Dusche. In den anderen Schlafzimmern gibt es auch Betten und Schränke für Kleidung.

(Upstairs, there are the bedrooms and bathrooms. My bedroom has a large bed, a desk, and a closet. The bathroom has a bathtub and a shower. In the other bedrooms, there are also beds and closets for clothes.)

• das Obergeschoss (upper floor)
• das Schlafzimmer (bedroom)
• der Schreibtisch (desk)
• der Kleiderschrank (closet)
• das Badezimmer (bathroom)
• die Badewanne (bathtub)
• die Dusche (shower)
• die anderen Schlafzimmer (the other bedrooms)

Im Keller haben wir eine Waschmaschine und einen Trockner. Wir nutzen den Keller auch als Lager für Dinge, die wir nicht oft brauchen.

(In the basement, we have a washing machine and dryer. We also use the basement as a storage area for things we don’t need often.)

• die Waschmaschine (washing machine)
• der Trockner (dryer)
• als Lager nutzen (use as storage area)
• Dinge (things)

Wir haben auch einige Dekorationen im Haus. Im Wohnzimmer haben wir ein großes Gemälde an der Wand und im Esszimmer steht eine Vase mit Blumen auf dem Tisch.

(We also have some decorations in the house. In the living room, we have a large painting on the wall, and in the dining room, there is a vase of flowers on the table.)

• die Dekorationen (decorations)
• das Gemälde (painting)
• die Wand (wall)
• die Vase (vase)
• die Blumen (flowers)
• der Tisch (table)

Wir haben auch ein paar Teppiche im Haus, um den Boden zu bedecken. Das Wohnzimmer hat einen braunen Teppich, während die Schlafzimmer jeweils einen unterschiedlichen Farbton haben. Mein Schlafzimmer hat einen blauen Teppich, während das andere Schlafzimmer einen roten Teppich hat.

(We also have some carpets in the house to cover the floor. The living room has a brown carpet, while the bedrooms have a different color tone each. My bedroom has a blue carpet, while the other bedroom has a red carpet.)

• der Teppich (carpet)
• den Boden bedecken (to cover the floor)
• unterschiedliche Farbton (different color tone)

Insgesamt bin ich sehr glücklich mit meinem Haus. Es ist gemütlich und hat genug Platz für meine Familie und mich.

(Overall, I am very happy with my house. It is cozy and has enough space for my family and me.)

• insgesamt (overall)
• glücklich (happy)
• gemütlich (cozy)
• genug Platz (enough space)

Difference between ein, eine, einen, and einem in the German Language

Meine hobbys (my hobbies).

Ich habe einige Hobbys, die ich sehr gerne mache. Eines meiner Lieblingshobbys ist es, Sport zu treiben. Insbesondere mag ich es, Basketball zu spielen und Laufen zu gehen. Ich liebe es, im Freien zu sein und Sport zu treiben, weil es mir hilft, mich fit und gesund zu halten.

(I have some hobbies that I really enjoy doing. One of my favorite hobbies is doing sports. In particular, I like to play basketball and go running. I love being outdoors and doing sports because it helps me stay fit and healthy.)

• das Hobby (hobby)
• Sport treiben (to do sports)
• Basketball spielen (to play basketball)
• Laufen gehen (to go running)
• im Freien sein (to be outdoors)
• fit und gesund (fit and healthy)

Ein weiteres Hobby von mir ist das Lesen von Büchern. Ich lese gerne Romane und Sachbücher, besonders über Geschichte und Wissenschaft. Lesen ist für mich eine Möglichkeit, zu lernen und meine Vorstellungskraft zu erweitern.

(Another hobby of mine is reading books. I enjoy reading novels and non-fiction books, especially about history and science. Reading is a way for me to learn and expand my imagination.)

• das Lesen (reading)
• das Buch (book)
• der Roman (novel)
• das Sachbuch (non-fiction book)
• die Geschichte (history)
• die Wissenschaft (science)
• die Vorstellungskraft (imagination)

Außerdem höre ich gerne Musik. Ich mag viele verschiedene Genres wie Pop, Rock und Klassik. Musik kann meine Stimmung beeinflussen und mich entspannen.

(Additionally, I like to listen to music. I enjoy many different genres like pop, rock, and classical. Music can influence my mood and help me relax.)

• die Musik (music)
• das Genre (genre)
• Pop, Rock, Klassik (pop, rock, classical)
• die Stimmung (mood)
• sich entspannen (to relax)

Insgesamt bin ich sehr dankbar für meine Hobbys. Sie helfen mir, meinen Geist und Körper gesund zu halten und mich zu entspannen.

(Overall, I am very grateful for my hobbies. They help me keep my mind and body healthy and help me relax.)

• dankbar (grateful)
• der Geist (mind)
• der Körper (body)

German Essays on My Family: Meine Familie

Meine schule (my school).

Ich besuche eine Schule in der Nähe meines Hauses. Die Schule ist relativ groß und hat viele Schülerinnen und Schüler. Wir haben viele Lehrerinnen und Lehrer, die alle sehr nett und hilfsbereit sind.

(I attend a school near my house. The school is relatively large and has many students. We have many teachers who are all very kind and helpful.)

• besuchen (to attend)
• die Nähe (proximity)
• relativ (relatively)
• die Schülerin (female student)
• der Schüler (male student)
• viele (many)
• die Lehrerin (female teacher)
• der Lehrer (male teacher)
• nett (kind)
• hilfsbereit (helpful)

Die Schule bietet viele verschiedene Fächer an, einschließlich Mathematik, Geschichte, Englisch, Naturwissenschaften und Fremdsprachen. Mein Lieblingsfach ist Englisch, weil ich gerne Geschichten lese und schreibe. Ich denke, dass es wichtig ist, eine gute Ausbildung zu haben, um im Leben erfolgreich zu sein.

(The school offers many different subjects, including mathematics, history, English, science, and foreign languages. My favorite subject is English because I enjoy reading and writing stories. I believe that having a good education is important to be successful in life.)

• das Fach (subject)
• einschließlich (including)
• Mathematik (mathematics)
• Geschichte (history)
• Englisch (English)
• Naturwissenschaften (science)
• Fremdsprachen (foreign languages)
• das Lieblingsfach (favorite subject)
• die Geschichte (story)
• die Ausbildung (education)
• erfolgreich (successful)

Unsere Schule hat auch viele außerschulische Aktivitäten, wie zum Beispiel Sportmannschaften und Musikgruppen. Ich bin Mitglied des Schulfußballteams und wir haben viele Spiele gegen andere Schulen in der Gegend. Es macht mir viel Spaß und ich habe viele Freunde durch das Team kennengelernt.

(Our school also has many extracurricular activities, such as sports teams and music groups. I am a member of the school soccer team and we have many games against other schools in the area. It’s a lot of fun and I have made many friends through the team.)

• außerschulisch (extracurricular)
• die Aktivitäten (activities)
• die Sportmannschaften (sports teams)
• die Musikgruppen (music groups)
• das Mitglied (member)
• das Schulfußballteam (school soccer team)
• das Spiel (game)
• die Gegend (area)
• der Spaß (fun)
• der Freund (friend)

Insgesamt bin ich sehr glücklich auf meiner Schule und ich denke, dass ich hier eine gute Ausbildung bekomme. Ich hoffe, dass ich in Zukunft noch mehr von den vielen Möglichkeiten, die die Schule bietet, profitieren kann.

(Overall, I am very happy at my school and I think that I am getting a good education here. I hope that in the future, I can take advantage of even more of the many opportunities that the school offers.)

• die Möglichkeit (opportunity)
• profitieren (to take advantage of)

List of German adjectives with English meaning

Meine Freunde (My friends)

Ich habe viele Freunde, aber ich möchte über meine drei engsten Freunde sprechen. Wir haben uns alle in der Grundschule kennengelernt und sind seitdem unzertrennlich.

(I have many friends, but I want to talk about my three closest friends. We all met in elementary school and have been inseparable ever since.)

• die Freunde (friends)
• unzertrennlich (inseparable)

Mein erster Freund heißt Max. Er ist sehr sportlich und spielt gerne Fußball und Basketball. Max ist auch sehr lustig und hat immer eine positive Einstellung. Wir lieben es, zusammen Sport zu treiben oder Videospiele zu spielen.

(My first friend is Max. He is very athletic and likes to play soccer and basketball. Max is also very funny and always has a positive attitude. We love to exercise or play video games together.)

• sportlich (athletic)
• Fußball (soccer)
• Basketball (basketball)
• die Einstellung (attitude)
• lustig (funny)
• zusammen (together)
• Videospiele (video games)

Meine Freundin Anna ist sehr künstlerisch und liebt es zu malen und zu zeichnen. Sie hat auch ein großes Herz und ist immer bereit, anderen zu helfen. Anna und ich machen oft zusammen Kunstprojekte oder gehen ins Kino.

(My friend Anna is very artistic and loves to paint and draw. She also has a big heart and is always willing to help others. Anna and I often do art projects together or go to the movies.)

• künstlerisch (artistic)
• malen (to paint)
• zeichnen (to draw)
• das Herz (heart)
• bereit (willing)
• helfen (to help)
• das Kunstprojekt (art project)
• ins Kino gehen (to go to the movies)

Mein Freund Tom ist sehr intelligent und liebt es, neue Dinge zu lernen. Er ist auch sehr abenteuerlustig und geht gerne auf Reisen. Tom und ich haben viele spannende Abenteuer erlebt, wie zum Beispiel Campingausflüge oder Klettertouren.

(My friend Tom is very smart and loves to learn new things. He is also very adventurous and likes to travel. Tom and I have had many exciting adventures, such as camping trips or climbing expeditions.)

• intelligent (smart)
• abenteuerlustig (adventurous)
• die Reise (travel)
• die Abenteuer (adventures)
• der Campingausflug (camping trip)
• die Klettertour (climbing expedition)

Insgesamt bin ich sehr dankbar für meine Freunde und bin froh, dass ich sie habe. Wir haben so viele schöne Erinnerungen zusammen gemacht und ich freue mich auf viele weitere Abenteuer mit ihnen.

(Overall, I am very grateful for my friends and am glad to have them. We have made so many beautiful memories together and I look forward to many more adventures with them.)

• froh (glad)
• die Erinnerungen (memories)

Meine Stadt (My city)

Ich lebe in einer Stadt namens Hamburg in Deutschland. Hamburg ist die zweitgrößte Stadt Deutschlands und hat eine Bevölkerung von etwa 1,8 Millionen Menschen. Es ist eine Hafenstadt und liegt an der Elbe.

(I live in a city called Hamburg in Germany. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and has a population of about 1.8 million people. It is a port city and located on the river Elbe.)

• die Bevölkerung (population)
• der Hafen (port)
• die Elbe (river Elbe)

Hamburg ist bekannt für seine vielen Touristenattraktionen. Eines der bekanntesten ist der Hamburger Hafen, der einer der größten Häfen Europas ist. Es gibt auch den Fischmarkt, auf dem man frischen Fisch kaufen und lokale Spezialitäten probieren kann.

(Hamburg is known for its many tourist attractions. One of the most famous is the Port of Hamburg, which is one of the largest ports in Europe. There is also the Fish Market, where you can buy fresh fish and try local specialties.)

• die Touristenattraktionen (tourist attractions)
• bekannt (known)
• der Fischmarkt (fish market)
• frisch (fresh)
• lokale Spezialitäten (local specialties)

Außerdem gibt es viele kulturelle Veranstaltungen in Hamburg. Jedes Jahr findet das Hamburger Domfest statt, das größte Volksfest im Norden Deutschlands. Es gibt auch das Internationale Filmfest Hamburg, bei dem Filme aus der ganzen Welt gezeigt werden.

(Additionally, there are many cultural events in Hamburg. Every year, the Hamburg Dom Festival takes place, which is the largest folk festival in northern Germany. There is also the Hamburg International Film Festival, where films from all over the world are shown.)

• kulturelle Veranstaltungen (cultural events)
• das Domfest (folk festival)
• das Internationale Filmfest (international film festival)
• aus der ganzen Welt (from all over the world)

Insgesamt ist Hamburg eine lebendige und vielfältige Stadt, die für jeden etwas zu bieten hat.

(Overall, Hamburg is a vibrant and diverse city that has something to offer for everyone.)

• lebendig (vibrant)
• vielfältig (diverse)
• etwas zu bieten haben (to have something to offer)

My trip (Meine Reise)

Ich bin vor Kurzem mit meiner Familie nach Paris gereist. Wir sind direkt von unserer Stadt aus geflogen und kamen früh am Morgen in Paris an.

(I recently went on a trip to Paris with my family. We took a direct flight from our city and arrived in Paris early in the morning.)

• Vor Kurzem (recently)
• Die Reise (trip)
• Meine Familie (my family)
• Fliegen (to fly)
• Direkt (direct)
• Unsere Stadt (our city)
• Ankommen (to arrive)
• Früh (early)
• Am Morgen (in the morning)

Wir haben in einem Hotel im Herzen der Stadt gewohnt, in der Nähe vieler beliebter Sehenswürdigkeiten. Unser Hotelzimmer hatte eine tolle Aussicht auf den Eiffelturm, der nur einen kurzen Spaziergang entfernt war.

(We stayed in a hotel in the heart of the city, close to many popular tourist attractions. Our hotel room had a great view of the Eiffel Tower, which was just a short walk away.)

• das Hotel (hotel)
• die Stadt (city)
• die Nähe (proximity, closeness)
• die Sehenswürdigkeiten (tourist attractions)
• das Hotelzimmer (hotel room)
• die Aussicht (view)
• der Eiffelturm (Eiffel Tower)
• der Spaziergang (walk)

Während unseres Aufenthalts haben wir viele berühmte Wahrzeichen der Stadt besucht, darunter das Louvre-Museum und die Kathedrale Notre-Dame. Wir haben auch eine Bootsfahrt auf der Seine gemacht, was eine großartige Möglichkeit war, die Stadt aus einer anderen Perspektive zu sehen.

(During our stay, we visited many of the city’s famous landmarks, including the Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral. We also went on a boat tour of the Seine River, which was a great way to see the city from a different perspective.)

• der Aufenthalt (stay)
• berühmte Wahrzeichen (famous landmarks)
• das Louvre-Museum (the Louvre Museum)
• die Kathedrale Notre-Dame (Notre-Dame Cathedral)
• die Bootsfahrt (boat tour)
• die Seine (the Seine River)
• aus einer anderen Perspektive (from a different perspective)

Eines der Highlights unserer Reise war das Probieren der köstlichen französischen Küche. Wir haben in vielen verschiedenen Restaurants und Cafés gegessen und alles von Croissants bis Escargots ausprobiert.

(One of the highlights of our trip was trying the delicious French cuisine. We ate at many different restaurants and cafes, and tried everything from croissants to escargots.)

• das Highlight (the highlight)
• die Reise (the trip)
• das Probieren (the trying/tasting)
• die köstliche französische Küche (the delicious French cuisine)
• das Restaurant (the restaurant)
• das Café (the café)
• alles (everything)
• der Croissant (the croissant)
• die Escargots (the escargots (snails))

Insgesamt war unser Trip nach Paris eine wunderbare Erfahrung. Wir haben die schönen Sehenswürdigkeiten, das leckere Essen und die reiche Kultur der Stadt genossen. Es war eine großartige Gelegenheit, Zeit mit meiner Familie zu verbringen und bleibende Erinnerungen zu schaffen.

(Overall, our trip to Paris was a wonderful experience. We enjoyed the beautiful sights, delicious food, and rich culture of the city. It was a great opportunity to spend time with my family and create lasting memories.)

• Insgesamt (Overall)
• Trip (trip)
• Paris (Paris)
• Eine wunderbare Erfahrung (A wonderful experience)
• Wir haben genossen (We enjoyed)
• Die schönen Sehenswürdigkeiten (The beautiful sights)
• Das leckere Essen (The delicious food)
• Die reiche Kultur der Stadt (The rich culture of the city)
• Eine großartige Gelegenheit (A great opportunity)
• Zeit mit meiner Familie zu verbringen (To spend time with my family)
• Bleibende Erinnerungen zu schaffen (To create lasting memories)

Meine Lieblingsessen (My favorite food)

Ich esse gerne viele verschiedene Arten von Essen und habe viele Lieblingsspeisen. Einige meiner Favoriten sind traditionelle deutsche Gerichte wie Schnitzel und Spätzle, Sauerkraut und Bratwurst.

(I like to eat many different types of food and have many favorite dishes. Some of my favorites are traditional German dishes like Schnitzel and Spätzle, Sauerkraut, and Bratwurst.)

• Lieblingsspeisen (favorite dishes)
• traditionelle deutsche Gerichte (traditional German dishes)
• Schnitzel (breaded and fried meat cutlets)
• Spätzle (soft egg noodles)
• Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage)
• Bratwurst (grilled or fried sausage)

Ich mag auch viele internationale Küchen, wie zum Beispiel italienische Pizza und Pasta, thailändisches Curry, indische Masala und japanisches Sushi.

(I also enjoy many international cuisines, such as Italian pizza and pasta, Thai curry, Indian masala, and Japanese sushi.)

• internationale Küchen (international cuisines)

Ein weiteres meiner Lieblingsessen ist mexikanisches Essen wie Tacos, Quesadillas und Guacamole. Die Kombination aus scharfen Gewürzen und frischen Zutaten macht das Essen zu einer Geschmacksexplosion.

(Another one of my favorite foods is Mexican cuisine like tacos, quesadillas, and guacamole. The combination of spicy seasonings and fresh ingredients makes the food a flavor explosion.)

• scharfe Gewürze (spicy seasonings)
• frische Zutaten (fresh ingredients)
• Geschmacksexplosion (flavor explosion)
• mexikanisches Essen (Mexican cuisine)
• Tacos (filled tortillas)
• Quesadillas (stuffed and grilled tortillas)
• Guacamole (dip made from mashed avocado)

Insgesamt genieße ich es, neue Gerichte und Küchen auszuprobieren und verschiedene Aromen und Texturen zu entdecken. Essen ist eine große Leidenschaft von mir und ich liebe es, zu kochen und neue Rezepte zu kreieren.

(Overall, I enjoy trying new dishes and cuisines and discovering different flavors and textures. Food is a big passion of mine, and I love to cook and create new recipes.)

• Aromen und Texturen (flavors and textures)
• Leidenschaft (passion)
• Rezepte (recipes)
• kochen (to cook)
• kreieren (to create)

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Conclusion:

In conclusion, writing essays in German can be a fun and effective way to improve your language skills. The eight essay examples provided in this article (Easy German Essays for Beginners) offer a range of topics that will help you practice your writing skills, expand your vocabulary, and gain confidence in your ability to express yourself in German. So why not try writing one of these essays today and see how much progress you can make in your German language journey?

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Conjunctions – Word Order in German

Introduction.

Coordinating conjunctions connect two main clauses. Subordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs connect main/independent clauses with dependent/subordinate clauses. Using subordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs changes the word order in the clause.

Learn everything you need to know about word order and conjunctions in German grammar with Lingolia. In the exercises, you can practise what you have learnt.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Subjunctions, conjunctive adverbs.

• Exercises – Conjunctions

Kerstin ist glücklich, denn sie hat Urlaub.

Sie macht Urlaub an der Nordsee, weil sie das Meer liebt.

Sie will den Sonnenuntergang sehen, deshalb ist sie jetzt am Strand.

In a clause that is introduced by a conjunction, the sentence structure is exactly the same as in a normal main clause (conjunction + subject + finite verb + …).

Some example conjunctions are: aber, denn, oder, und .

In a clause that is introduced by a subjunction, the finite verb is placed at the end of the sentence (subjunction + subject + … + finite verb).

Some example subjunctions (secondary conjunctions) are: bevor, da, dass, falls, weil, wenn.

Dependent clauses that are introduced by a subjunction are called conjunctional clauses.

In a clause that is introduced by a conjunctive adverb, the finite verb comes before the subject (conjunctive adverb + finite verb + subject + …).

Typical conjunctive adverbs include: dann, schließlich, trotzdem, zuvor.

The table below provides an overview of the most common German conjunctions, subjunctions and conjunctive adverbs together with the correct word order.

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10 Useful German Transition Words

If you’re going to be speaking German in your daily life , you need to learn German transition words so that you can piece together an excuse with a long sentence.

After all, sometimes the smallest words can make the difference between a beginner or an intermediate/advanced speaker.

So learn these 10 transition words and soon you’ll find it easy to excuse yourself in Deutschland!

1.  Vorher — Before

• 2.  Danach — After
• 3.  Weil — Because
• 4.  (Immer) noch — Still

5.  Deshalb — Therefore

• 6.  Ganz im Gegenteil — On the contrary

7.  Aber — But

8.  schließlich — finally, 9.  bald — soon.

• 10.  Trotzdem — Nevertheless

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Note:  Vorher and vor  both mean “before,” but they are used differently in German. Vorher  is used as an adverb to indicate that something happened before a specific point in time. Vor is a preposition that triggers the dative case. Here’s an example:

Ich habe ein Buch gelesen und vorher habe ich eine Serie geschaut. (I read a book, and before that I watched a TV series.)

Vor dem Treffen, habe ich Kaffee getrunken. (Before the meeting, I drank coffee.)

Let’s practice! All right. You’ve been late for everything else since you moved to Germany, but this time, you’re going to make it on time. You’ve arranged to meet your German friend at the Flohmarkt (flea market) at noon, and you’re going to be there 15 minutes early. You checked the train schedule last night, and it said that the S-bahn you needed was coming at 10:32.

But now, your app says it’s coming at 10:45! Oh boy, you know how this goes—the first mishap in a series of events that leads to your lateness. You’re going to have to tell your friend that while the train was on time before, things have changed.

So you say:

Der Zug war verspätet, aber vorher  war er pünktlich. (The train was late, but before it was on time.)

2.  Danach — A fter

Note:   Nachher and nach are similar to vorher and vor . Nach is used as a preposition that triggers the dative, and danach  is an adverb. Here’s an example:

Nach dem Unfall ist er nicht mit dem Auto gekommen. (After the accident he didn’t come by car.)

Ich habe meine Hausaufgaben gemacht und danach  habe ich geschlafen. (I did my homework, and after that I slept.)

Let’s practice! You hurry out to the station, and see that the train is now coming at 11. What’s going on? All right, you’re going to have to relate this second component of the story to your friend, and tell her that after you got to the station, the situation changed.

Ich bin zum Bahnhof gegangen und danach  habe ich gesehen, dass der Zug um 11 kommt. (I went to the station, and after I saw that the train comes at 11.)

3.  Weil — B ecause

Note: In any sentence with the word weil , you’ll have a main clause and a subordinate clause—the one that begins with weil . In subordinate clauses in German, you always put the conjugated verb at the end. Therefore, with a weil clause , always make sure to put the verb at the end. Here’s an example:

Ich bin müde, weil ich nicht gut geschlafen habe. (I am tired, because I didn’t sleep well.)

Let’s practice!  So what’s going on here? Why do the train times keep changing? Then you realize what’s going on. Yes, public transportation in Europe is great, except for a certain time: when the workers go on strike. You’ve finally realized the reason for the train’s weird antics, which means you’re going to have a big “because” to tell your friend.

Der Zug war verspätet, weil es einen Streik gibt. (The train was late because there’s a strike.)

4.  (Immer) noch — S till

Note:  There’s a subtle difference between  immer noch  and  noch,  although they both can be translated with “still.” In general,  immer noch stresses time or continuity and has a stronger attitude than plain old  noch,  which is perfect for our next example!

Let’s practice! You wait and wait at the station. Eleven o’clock goes by. Now the train’s coming at 11:10. What’s going on? It’s still  not there?

Ich habe gewartet und gewartet und der Zug war immer noch nicht da. (I waited and waited, and the train was still not there.)

Note:  Remember how in #3, you put the verb at the end of the weil clause, because it was a subordinate clause? A clause that begins with deshalb  requires a different construction. In these clauses, the conjugated verb always appears in second position, the same way it does in a main clause. Here’s an example:

Ich bin müde, deshalb möchte ich schlafen. (I am tired, therefore I would like to sleep.)

Let’s practice! At 11:15, you decide it’s time to cut your losses. You’ll hurry home, grab your bike and go meet your friend that way. The train has failed you.

Der Zug ist nicht gekommen, deshalb habe ich mich entschieden, mein Fahrrad zu benutzen. (The train didn’t come, therefore I decided to use my bicycle.)

6.  Ganz im Gegenteil — O n the contrary

Let’s practice! You grab your bike and start riding. You thought it would save you and allow you to meet your friend on time. But the air in your tires is pretty low, making it hard to pedal fast, especially on cobblestones. And you seem to be hitting every red light between here and the Flohmarkt .

You start to unspool this new part of the story in your head: You’d thought the bike would get you there on time, but on the contrary…

Ganz im Gegenteil , mein Fahrrad hat meine Reise verlängert. (On the contrary, my bike made my journey longer.)

Since transition words like this one are often said in everyday speech, you can listen to them in context on FluentU. 

Note: Along with und (and), aber is one of the few conjunctions in German that does not require you to change the word order in the following clause. The word order remains the same as in the main clause. The verb does not move to second position or to the end. Here’s an example:

Ich möchte gehen, aber ich habe zu viel zu tun. (I would like to go, but I have too much to do.)

Let’s practice! You can’t keep biking on tires this flat. You swing over to your favorite bike store, only to find it shuttered tight. Yes, you forgot: It’s Sunday, the day when Flohmärkte are open and every single other store is closed.

Ich habe einen Fahrradladen besucht, aber er war geschlossen! (I went to a bike store, but it was closed!)

Let’s practice! It’s time for drastic measures. The train didn’t work. Your bike didn’t work. There’s only one option left: Take a cab or an Uber. Finally, you’ve reached this expensive (and therefore distasteful) solution.

Schließlich habe ich mich entschlossen, ein Taxi zu finden. (Finally I decided to find a cab.)

Let’s practice! You’re in the cab, stuck in traffic because everyone else is driving due to the strike, and it’s 11:40. You decide it’s time to drop the charade that you’re going to be there on time, and text your friend. When are you going to be there, though? No idea! The traffic’s pretty bad. Maybe if you say you’ll be there soon, that’s ambiguous enough.

So you say: 

Entschuldigung, ich bin zu spät dran, aber ich komme bald ! (Sorry, I’m late, but I’m coming soon!)

10.  Trotzdem — N evertheless

Note: Trotzdem works the same as deshalb ; the verb goes to the second position in a clause beginning with trotzdem . Here’s an example:

Es ist kalt, trotzdem  gehe ich spazieren. (It’s cold, nevertheless I’m going for a walk.)

Let’s practice! Your cab arrives at the Flohmarkt at 12:10. Despite your best efforts and your determination not to be late, you’ve done it again. You scan the crowd for your friend, practicing how you’re going to tell her that even though you left early, nevertheless, you just can’t seem to show up on time.

Ich bin früh abgereist, trotzdem konnte ich nicht pünktlich ankommen. Es ist wie verhext!  (I left early, nevertheless I couldn’t come on time. Maybe there’s a curse!)

But then you check your phone, and see a response from your friend. She’s not here yet! The S-bahn strike messed up her plans too. For once, you’re not the last one to arrive somewhere!

And there you go! You’ve managed to practice 10 important German transition words that will serve you well in plenty of  scenarios.

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• Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

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Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

• We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

• Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

• A second round of testing was also carried out.
• Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
• Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

• Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
• Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

• Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
• Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

• Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
• Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

• Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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