Relative pronouns in German are essential for connecting parts of a sentence and adding extra details. These small words allow you to describe nouns without having to repeat the noun itself.
In this post, we’ll break down how to use relative pronouns in German with helpful examples.
What are relative pronouns in German?
Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses, which provide more information about, for example, a noun. In English, these words are who, which, or that. In German, relative pronouns depend on the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe.
Relative pronouns in German correspond to the definite articles (der, die, das) but adapt to fit their grammatical case. Here’s a quick reference:
| Nominative | Akkusative | Dativ | Genitiv | |
| Maskulin | der | den | dem | dessen |
| Feminin | die | die | der | deren |
| Neutral | das | das | dem | dessen |
| Plural | die | die | denen | deren |
Examples in Context
Let’s explore how relative pronouns in German work in sentences. Each example includes a relative clause that adds information about the noun.
1. Using “der” for masculine nouns
- Gibt es einen Supermarkt, der am Sonntag geöffnet ist? Is there a supermarket that is open on Sundays?
Here, der refers to the masculine noun Supermarkt. It is in the nominative case because it acts as the subject of the relative clause.
- Der Supermarkt, der am Sonntag geöffnet ist, ist sehr praktisch. The supermarket, which is open on a Sunday, is very convenient.
2. Using “die” for feminine nouns
- Die Kirche, die bis 6 Uhr geöffnet ist, ist sehr alt. The church, which is open until 6 o’clock, is very old.
The feminine noun Kirche uses die as the relative pronoun in the nominative case.
- Die Kirche, die neben dem Museum ist, ist bis sechs Uhr geöffnet. The church, which is next to the museum, is open until 6 o’clock.
3. Using “das” for neuter nouns
- Das Haus, das neu gebaut wurde, ist sehr modern. The house, which was newly built, is very modern.
Here, das refers to the neuter noun Haus and is in the nominative case because it is the subject of the relative clause.
- Das Auto, das ich gestern gekauft habe, ist rot. The car which I bought yesterday is red.
In this example, das refers to the neuter noun Auto and is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb gekauft habe I bought.
4. Using “die” for plural nouns
- Aber es gibt auch viele Straßenbahnen, die direkt zum Hauptbahnhof fahren. But there are also many trams which go directly to the main station.
In this sentence, die is used because Straßenbahnen is plural, and it is the subject of the relative clause.
3 key tips for using relative pronouns in German
Firstly, match the gender and number. The relative pronoun must match the gender and number of the noun it describes.
Next, determine the case. The case of the relative pronoun depends on its role in the relative clause. Is it the subject? Or is it an object and requires a different case?
- Der Supermarkt, der geöffnet ist… The supermarket, which is open… (subject in the relative clause – nominative case)
- Der Bus, den wir nehmen… The bus which we are taking… (object in the relative clause – accusative case)
Lastly, keep word order in mind. In a relative clause, the verb always goes to the end:
- Gibt es einen Supermarkt, der am Sonntag geöffnet ist? Is there a supermarket that is open on Sundays?
Practice makes perfect
Relative pronouns are an essential part of German grammar. Becoming familiar with them will help take your German to the next level. Try these couple of sentences to practise:
- Is there a library which is open late?
- The park, which is near my house, is beautiful.
Understanding relative pronouns opens up new ways to describe and connect ideas in German. Keep practising, and you’ll see your skills grow!
To keep your language learning going, why not learn about pharmacy vocabulary in German and see some of these relative pronouns being used in practice? Check out the blog post we prepared.
ANSWERS
- Gibt es eine Bibliothek, die spät geöffnet ist?
- Der Park, der in der Nähe meines Hauses ist, ist schön.
