Relative clauses
B1 · Intermediate · Advanced Structures
The rule
Relative pronoun matches gender/number; case from role in clause.
How it works
A relative clause adds information about a noun and is introduced by a relative pronoun (der, die, das, die). The pronoun agrees with the noun in gender and number, but its case depends on its role in the relative clause. The verb goes to the end: Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Vater.
When to use it
Add information with a relative clause that starts with der, die, das or welcher, and takes the verb to the end.
Use cases
- Describing a person: Die Frau, die die Schule leitet, ist sehr nett
- Describing a thing: Das Buch, das ich lese, ist spannend
- Adding information in formal writing: Die Stadt, in der ich aufgewachsen bin, ist klein
Examples
- Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Vater – The man who stands there is my father
- Das ist der Film, den wir gestern gesehen haben. – That is the film that we saw yesterday.
- Die Kinder, die im Garten spielen, sind meine Neffen. – The children who are playing in the garden are my nephews.
- Ich kenne den Mann, dessen Hund so groß ist. – I know the man whose dog is so big.
Common mistake
Choosing the case from the English sentence instead of from the role of the pronoun in the relative clause.
Memory tip
Gender and number come from the noun; the case comes from the verb inside the relative clause.
Read the wider picture in our guide: German Cases Explained: Nominative, Accusative, Dative and Genitive.