German grammar
German word order: the verb rules
German word order is strict but logical. Three rules cover most of what you will say.
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German · lesson preview
Step 4Wie spät ist es?
What time is it?
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start freeRule 1: the verb is second
- Ich gehe heute ins Kino.
- Heute gehe ich ins Kino. (When something else leads, the subject and verb swap.)
- Morgen kann ich nicht kommen.
Rule 2: other verb parts go to the end
- Ich habe gestern einen Film gesehen.
- Ich will heute Abend ins Kino gehen.
Rule 3: in a subordinate clause, the verb is last
- Ich weiß, dass er müde ist.
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.
- Wenn ich Zeit habe, rufe ich dich an. (After a leading wenn-clause, the main verb comes right away.)
Time, manner, place
With several details, German usually orders them time, then manner, then place: Ich fahre morgen mit dem Zug nach Berlin.
Examples you can play
| Meaning · why | German |
|---|---|
| I am going to the cinema today. · verb in second place | Ich gehe heute ins Kino. |
| Today I am going to the cinema. · verb stays second; subject follows | Heute gehe ich ins Kino. |
| I watched a film yesterday. · participle goes to the end | Ich habe gestern einen Film gesehen. |
| I know that he is tired. · dass sends the verb to the end | Ich weiß, dass er müde ist. |
| I am staying home because it is raining. · weil sends the verb to the end | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet. |
| I am traveling to Berlin by train tomorrow. · time, manner, place | Ich fahre morgen mit dem Zug nach Berlin. |
Mistakes to avoid
- Putting the verb third after a leading time word: say Heute gehe ich, not Heute ich gehe.
- Keeping the verb in second place after dass or weil.
- Leaving the participle in the middle: the participle goes last in a main clause.
More on learning German: start German free.
Is the verb always second?
In statements, yes. Questions without a question word put the verb first, and subordinate clauses put it last.
Does the order of other words matter?
It is flexible, but the default time-manner-place order sounds natural. The case endings tell you who does what.
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Practise it in German sentences
A rule sticks when you say it in real sentences. Build each one, say it out loud, and get feedback. Free, no card.