Konnektoren are one of the most important tools for writing well in German, and one of the trickiest to get right. This quick reference guide shows you the three types, their word order rules, and how to use them correctly.
A2 · B1 · B2 HSC · IB · Goethe Free resource
💡 Three connector types — three different word order rules. A Konjunktion (e.g. aber, und) leaves word order unchanged.
A Subjunktion (e.g. weil, obwohl) sends the verb to the very end of its clause.
A Konjunktionaladverb (e.g. trotzdem, deshalb) flips subject and verb in the second clause.
Get these three rules into your head and your sentence structure will level up immediately!
Konnektoren — Quick Reference Guide
Konnektoren & Satzbau — Connecting Words
Three types · Each with different word order rules
① Konjunktionen
Verbinden zwei Hauptsätze.
Join two main clauses.
Join two main clauses.
✔ Word order stays the same on both sides
- undand
- aberbut
- oderor
- dennbecause / for
- sondernbut rather
② Subjunktionen
Leiten einen Nebensatz ein.
Introduce a subordinate clause.
Introduce a subordinate clause.
⚠ Verb goes to the very END of the clause!
- weilbecause
- dassthat
- obwhether / if
- obwohlalthough
- wennwhen / if
- währendwhile / whereas
- bevorbefore
- nachdemafter
- damitso that
- dasince / as
- alswhen (past)
- bisuntil
- fallsin case / if
- indemby (doing sth.)
- sodassso that (result)
- solangeas long as
- seitdemsince (time)
- sooftwhenever
③ Konjunktionaladverbien
Beginnen den zweiten Satz.
Start the second clause.
Start the second clause.
⚠ Verb comes 2nd! Subject & verb flip!
- deshalbtherefore
- deswegenbecause of that
- trotzdemnevertheless
- außerdembesides / also
- allerdingshowever
- jedochhowever
- dagegenon the other hand
- danachafter that
- dannthen
- alsoso / therefore
- schließlichfinally
- inzwischenmeanwhile
- späterlater
- vorherbefore / beforehand
- zwarindeed / admittedly
- genausojust as / equally
① Konjunktion
Er spielt Gitarre, aber er singt nicht.
He plays guitar, but he doesn’t sing.
② Subjunktion
Er lernt Deutsch, weil er Berlin liebt.
He learns German because he loves Berlin.
③ Konjunktionaladverb
Es regnet, trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.
It’s raining; nevertheless we go for a walk.
Quiz — Welcher Konnektor passt?
Quiz — Welcher Konnektor passt?
Choose the correct connecting word for each sentence. 8 questions.
Score: 0 / 0
out of 8
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