GLOSSARY

Nebensatz — the subordinate clause

A subordinate clause — weil, dass, wenn — defined by the verb moving to the final position. The change that makes German sound adult.

VON GERMANIUM

Editorial desk — reviewed against Goethe A1–A2 frameworks

A Nebensatz is a subordinate clause — introduced by a conjunction (weil, dass, wenn, ob) or a relative pronoun — and its defining feature is mechanical: the conjugated verb moves to the end. Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin**. Everything else (subject, objects, negation) keeps its usual place.

It is the structure that separates beginner from adult German — A2's core skill, and the engine of the opinion-with-reason template the A2 exam scores. Watch the weil/denn trap: denn is a coordinator (verb second), weil subordinates (verb last).