Relative clauses with was and wo
B2 · Upper-Intermediate · Style & Precision
The rule
was after alles, nichts, etwas; wo for places.
How it works
Was introduces a relative clause after indefinite pronouns and after neuter words such as alles, nichts, etwas and das, and after superlatives. It refers to a whole idea rather than a noun: Das ist alles, was ich weiß. Wo introduces a relative clause that refers to a place: Das ist das Dorf, wo ich aufgewachsen bin.
When to use it
Use was after alles, nichts, etwas and das, and wo for places in relative clauses.
Use cases
- Describing everything: Alles, was du sagst, ist wahr
- Describing a place: Die Stadt, wo wir uns kennenlernten, ist klein
- Referring to a whole fact: Das ist etwas, was mich überrascht
Examples
- Alles, was du sagst, stimmt – Everything you say is true
- Nichts, was er sagt, stimmt. – Nothing he says is true.
- Das Café, wo wir uns treffen, ist neu. – The café where we meet is new.
- Das Beste, was passieren konnte, ist eingetreten. – The best that could have happened has happened.
Common mistake
Using der or die after alles: "alles, was" is correct.
Memory tip
Was refers to a whole idea or to alles/nichts/etwas. Wo refers to a place.
Read the wider picture in our guide: German Cases Explained: Nominative, Accusative, Dative and Genitive.