Subordinate Clauses: weil, dass, wenn
A2Connect your first complex sentences — and send the verb to the end, where German keeps its plot twists.
The comma is real and the verb goes last
In a subordinate clause introduced by weil (because), dass (that), wenn (if/when), or obwohl (although), the conjugated verb moves to the very end: 'Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.' German doesn't just allow the trailing verb — it requires it, and the comma before the clause is mandatory.
Beispiele — examples in context
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Wien arbeiten will.
I'm learning German because I want to work in Vienna.
Sie sagt, dass sie morgen kommt.
She says that she's coming tomorrow.
because, twice: weil vs. denn
Both mean 'because', but they build different sentences. 'denn' is a coordinating conjunction — the verb stays in position two ('Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde'). 'weil' is subordinating — the verb dives to the end. Learners who master this distinction suddenly sound noticeably more fluent.
Beispiele — examples in context
Ich komme später, denn ich muss noch arbeiten.
I'll come later, because I still have to work.
The question behind weil: a mistake to avoid early
A question rearranged into a statement keeps its question word order — but that order is a trap inside a weil-clause. Wrong: '…weil ich bin müde.' The weil-clause is not a question, so the verb goes last: '…weil ich müde bin.' This is the single most common A2 mistake; eliminate it and you level up visibly.
Beispiele — examples in context
Warum bist du müde? — Ich bin müde, weil ich schlecht geschlafen habe.
Why are you tired? — I'm tired because I slept badly.