Subordinating conjunctions (Unterordnende Konjunktionen) are words that connect a subordinate clause to a main clause. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, which join elements of equal rank, subordinating conjunctions create a dependent relationship between clauses (the subordinating clause cannot exist without the main clause).
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet. (I stay at home because it is raining.)
- Sie weiß, dass er morgen kommt. (She knows that he is coming tomorrow.)
When a subordinating conjunction introduces a clause, the conjugated verb moves to the end of that clause.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions by Category
Subordinating conjunctions can be grouped by the type of relationship they express between clauses.
Cause and Reason
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
weil | because | Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Berlin arbeiten möchte.
(I'm learning German because I want to work in Berlin.) |
da | since, because | Da es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
(Since it's raining, we're staying home.) |
Time
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
als | when (single past event) | Als ich jung war, spielte ich Fußball.
(When I was young, I played soccer.) |
wenn | when, whenever, if | Wenn ich Zeit habe, lese ich ein Buch.
(When I have time, I read a book.) |
während | while, during | Während er arbeitet, hört er Musik.
(While he works, he listens to music.) |
bevor | before | Bevor du gehst, ruf mich bitte an.
(Before you go, please call me.) |
nachdem | after | Nachdem er gegessen hatte, ging er spazieren.
(After he had eaten, he went for a walk.) |
bis | until | Warte hier, bis ich zurück bin.
(Wait here until I'm back.) |
seit / seitdem | since (time) | Seit er hier wohnt, ist er viel glücklicher.
(Since he has lived here, he is much happier.) |
sobald | as soon as | Sobald ich ankomme, rufe ich dich an.
(As soon as I arrive, I'll call you.) |
solange | as long as | Solange du hier bist, bist du sicher.
(As long as you're here, you're safe.) |
als vs. wenn: Use als for single events in the past. Use wenn for repeated events, present/future situations, or conditional statements.
- Als ich 10 war, ... (When I was 10... → one-time past event)
- Wenn ich klein war, ... (Whenever I was little... → repeated past)
- Wenn ich Zeit habe, ... (When/If I have time... → present/future)
Condition
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
wenn | if | Wenn du willst, können wir ins Kino gehen.
(If you want, we can go to the cinema.) |
falls | in case, if | Falls es regnet, nehmen wir einen Schirm.
(In case it rains, we'll take an umbrella.) |
sofern | provided that, if | Sofern nichts dazwischenkommt, treffen wir uns um acht.
(Provided nothing comes up, we'll meet at eight.) |
Contrast and Concession
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
obwohl | although | Obwohl er müde ist, arbeitet er weiter.
(Although he is tired, he keeps working.) |
während | whereas, while | Während sie fleißig ist, ist er eher faul.
(While she is hardworking, he is rather lazy.) |
Purpose
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
damit | so that, in order that | Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst.
(I speak slowly so that you understand me.) |
um ... zu | in order to | Er lernt Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.
(He's learning German in order to work in Germany.) |
damit vs. um ... zu: Use damit when the subjects of the two clauses are different. Use um ... zu when the subject is the same in both clauses (note: um ... zu uses an infinitive construction).
Manner and Comparison
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
wie | as, like | Mach es so, wie ich es dir gezeigt habe.
(Do it the way I showed you.) |
als | than (comparison) | Er ist größer, als ich dachte.
(He is taller than I thought.) |
indem | by (doing) | Man lernt, indem man Fehler macht.
(One learns by making mistakes.) |
Statement and Explanation
Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
dass | that | Ich weiß, dass er recht hat.
(I know that he is right.) |
ob | whether, if | Ich frage mich, ob er kommt kommt.
(I wonder whether he is coming.) |
Punctuation
Subordinate clauses are always separated from the main clause by a comma, regardless of whether they come before or after the main clause.
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.
- Weil es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.