Nebensätze mit 'wenn'
Subordinate clauses with "wenn"
"wenn" has two meanings: a condition (if – something is possible) or a repeated event in present/future (whenever). For a single event in the past, German uses "als" instead.
When the "wenn"-clause comes first, it is "position 1". The main clause then starts immediately with the verb (position 2) – "comma, verb".
| "wenn"-clause first | Main clause (verb right after comma) |
|---|---|
| Wenn es regnet, | bleibe ich zu Hause. (If it rains, …) |
| Wenn ich Zeit habe, | rufe ich dich an. (When I have time, …) |
| Wenn du willst, | können wir gehen. (If you want, …) |
Note:
- The verb in the "wenn"-clause goes to the end.
- "wenn" = condition/repetition; "als" = single past event.
- If the clause comes first: comma + verb in the main clause.
Examples:
- Wenn ich Urlaub habe, reise ich ans Meer. (When I'm on holiday, I travel to the sea.)
- Wenn es kalt wird, ziehe ich eine Jacke an. (When it gets cold, I put on a jacket.)
- Ich freue mich, wenn du kommst. (I'm happy when you come.)