C2 Relative Clauses 6 min read صعب

Satzbezogene Relativsätze mit 'was' und 'wo(r)-' Präpositionalpronomen

Sentence-referring relative clauses use 'was' or 'wo(r)-' to elegantly comment on entire preceding thoughts or situations.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'was' to refer to an entire preceding clause and 'wo(r)-' to replace prepositional objects.

  • Use 'was' when the relative clause refers to the entire content of the main clause: 'Er lügt, was mich ärgert.'
  • Use 'wo(r)-' + preposition for inanimate objects: 'Das ist das Haus, worin ich wohne.'
  • If the preposition starts with a vowel, add 'r' to 'wo': 'worin', 'worauf', 'wovon'.
Main Clause + , + (was / wo(r)- + Prep) + ... + Verb

نظرة عامة

You have already mastered the basics of German relative clauses. You know how to describe a noun using der, die, or das. But what happens when you want to comment on an entire situation?
Imagine you are at a job interview. You mention you speak five languages. You want to add that this fact is a huge advantage.
You aren't just describing languages; you are describing the fact that you speak them. This is where sentence-referring relative clauses come in. They act like a meta-commentary on your own speech.
In English, we often use which for this (e.g.,
He forgot my birthday, which annoyed me
). In German, we use was or special wo(r)- compounds. This is high-level German that makes your transitions smooth and your logic clear.
Think of it as the ultimate tool for adding nuance without starting a new, clunky sentence.

كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة

Unlike standard relative clauses, these don't have a single noun as an antecedent. Instead, the entire preceding clause is the boss. The relative pronoun was or the pronominal adverb wo(r)- looks back at the whole idea. If the verb in your relative clause doesn't need a preposition, you use was.
For example: Er hat die Beförderung erhalten, was uns alle sehr freut. The thing that makes us happy isn't just the promotion, but the fact that he got it. If your relative clause uses a verb that requires a preposition (like warten auf or rechnen mit), you must use the wo(r)- form. It’s like a grammar glue that binds two complex thoughts together.
This structure is incredibly common in academic writing and sophisticated daily conversation. It helps you avoid repeating yourself or using too many short, choppy sentences.

نمط التكوين

1
Start with a complete main clause or a subordinate clause.
2
Always place a comma after the first clause. German loves its commas!
3
Choose your connector: Use was if the relative clause verb takes a direct object or no preposition. Use wo + [preposition] if the verb requires one.
4
Add an r if the preposition starts with a vowel (e.g., wo + auf = worauf).
5
Place the conjugated verb of the relative clause at the very end of the sentence.
6
Ensure the relative clause provides a comment, a consequence, or a summary of the first part.

متى نستخدمها

Use this structure whenever you need to evaluate a situation. It is perfect for professional settings. Imagine you are writing an email: Wir haben das Projekt vor der Frist abgeschlossen, was die Kundenzufriedenheit deutlich steigern wird. Here, was summarizes the success.
Use wo(r)- when your reaction involves a specific prepositional verb. For instance, Der Aktienkurs ist gefallen, womit wir nicht gerechnet hatten. (The stock price fell, which we hadn't expected). It’s also great for social situations.
If a friend tells you they finally moved out, you might say: Du hast endlich eine Wohnung gefunden, worauf wir heute anstoßen sollten! It adds a layer of sophistication that shows you aren't just translating from English, but thinking in German structures.

متى لا نستخدمها

Do not use was if you are referring to a specific person. That is a common trap! If you say Der Mann, was..., your German teacher might shed a tear.
People always get der, die, or welcher. Also, do not use was when referring to a specific gendered noun. If you want to describe a table, use der.
This grammar is strictly for abstract ideas, whole sentences, or neuter pronouns like alles, nichts, and etwas. Think of it like a grammar traffic light: was only turns green for whole sentences or indefinite concepts. If there is a clear noun involved, the light stays red for was and you must use a standard relative pronoun.

الأخطاء الشائعة

Even native speakers mess this up when they are tired, but you can be better. The most frequent error is using das as a relative pronoun for a whole sentence. In English, we say that, so it’s tempting to say Er kam zu spät, das ärgerte mich. This is 100% wrong in written German. It must be was. Another mistake is splitting the preposition: was ich mich darüber freue instead of worüber ich mich freue. Remember, the wo(r)- form is a single word. Also, watch out for the r. It’s not woauf, it’s worauf. It acts like a little cushion between the vowels so the word doesn't sound like a hiccup. Finally, don't forget the comma. Without it, the sentence loses its logical structure.

مقارنة مع أنماط مشابهة

How does this differ from da(r)- compounds? Da(r)- compounds (like darüber or damit) usually start a new, independent sentence. They refer back to something mentioned previously, but they don't connect the clauses.
Ich habe gewonnen. Darüber freue ich mich. (Two sentences). With our relative clauses, we merge them: Ich habe gewonnen, worüber ich mich freue. (One sentence).
The relative version is much more fluid and elegant. Also, distinguish this from was used after superlatives. Das ist das Beste, was ich je gehört habe. Here, was refers to das Beste, not the whole sentence.
It looks similar, but the logic is slightly different. At C2, you should be able to toggle between these styles depending on how much punch you want your sentence to have.

أسئلة شائعة

Q

Can I use was to refer to a whole paragraph? A: Usually, it refers to the immediately preceding clause, but context can extend it to the general idea. Q: Is womit formal? A: It is standard German. Using mit was is very informal and should be avoided in writing. Q: Does the verb always go at the end? A: Yes, it is a subordinate clause, so the verb is the caboose of the train. Q: Can I use woran for people? A: No, never. Use an den / an die for people. Q: Why do we use was for whole sentences? A: Because a whole sentence is considered a neuter abstract concept, and was is the universal neuter relative pronoun.

Wo(r)- Compound Formation

Preposition Wo(r)- Form Example
auf
worauf
Das worauf ich warte.
in
worin
Das worin ich lebe.
mit
womit
Das womit ich schreibe.
über
worüber
Das worüber wir reden.
von
wovon
Das wovon ich träume.
für
wofür
Das wofür ich danke.

Meanings

These structures allow you to connect a whole thought or an inanimate object to a relative clause without repeating nouns.

1

Clause-referencing 'was'

Refers to the entire preceding statement.

“Sie kommt zu spät, was mich nervt.”

“Er hat gekündigt, was niemand erwartet hat.”

2

Inanimate 'wo(r)-' pronouns

Replaces a prepositional object referring to things.

“Das ist der Stuhl, worauf ich sitze.”

“Das ist das Ziel, worauf wir hinarbeiten.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Satzbezogene Relativsätze mit 'was' und 'wo(r)-' Präpositionalpronomen
Type Structure Example
Clause-Ref
Main Clause + , + was + ...
Er lacht, was mich freut.
Inanimate
Noun + , + wo(r)- + Prep + ...
Das Buch, worin ich lese.
Negative
Main Clause + , + was + nicht + ...
Er kam nicht, was mich nicht wundert.
Question
Was + ... + ?
Was ist das, worüber du sprichst?
Complex
Noun + , + wo(r)- + ... + Verb
Das Haus, worin ich wohne, ist alt.

طيف الرسمية

رسمي
Dass er gelogen hat, was bedauerlich ist.

Dass er gelogen hat, was bedauerlich ist. (Describing a lie.)

محايد
Er hat gelogen, was bedauerlich ist.

Er hat gelogen, was bedauerlich ist. (Describing a lie.)

غير رسمي
Er hat gelogen, was echt mies ist.

Er hat gelogen, was echt mies ist. (Describing a lie.)

عامية
Er hat gelogen, was voll kacke ist.

Er hat gelogen, was voll kacke ist. (Describing a lie.)

Relative Clause Mapping

Relative Clause

Referent

  • was Whole clause
  • wo(r)- Inanimate object
سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Das ist gut, was ich weiß.

That is good, which I know.

2

Er lernt, was wichtig ist.

He learns what is important.

1

Sie kommt spät, was mich stört.

She is coming late, which bothers me.

2

Das ist das Haus, wo ich wohne.

That is the house where I live.

1

Er hat gelogen, was alle enttäuscht hat.

He lied, which disappointed everyone.

2

Das ist der Tisch, worauf das Buch liegt.

That is the table on which the book lies.

1

Die Firma ist pleite, was zur Kündigung führte.

The company is bankrupt, which led to the dismissal.

2

Das ist das Problem, worüber wir sprachen.

That is the problem about which we spoke.

1

Er ignorierte die Warnung, was fatale Folgen hatte.

He ignored the warning, which had fatal consequences.

2

Das ist das Ziel, worauf wir hinarbeiten.

That is the goal toward which we are working.

1

Die Regierung trat zurück, was eine Neuwahl erforderlich machte.

The government resigned, which made a new election necessary.

2

Das ist der Punkt, worauf es ankommt.

That is the point on which it depends.

سهل الخلط

Satzbezogene Relativsätze mit 'was' und 'wo(r)-' Präpositionalpronomen مقابل Relative Pronouns vs. Was

Learners use 'was' for nouns.

أخطاء شائعة

✗

Der Mann, was ich kenne.

✓

Der Mann, den ich kenne.

Use 'den' for people.
✗

Das Haus, was ich wohne.

✓

Das Haus, in dem ich wohne.

Use 'in dem' for places.
✗

Das Buch, wo ich lese.

✓

Das Buch, in dem ich lese.

Avoid 'wo' for things.
✗

Er ist krank, der mich traurig macht.

✓

Er ist krank, was mich traurig macht.

Use 'was' for the whole fact.
✗

Das ist das Ziel, wo ich arbeite.

✓

Das ist das Ziel, worauf ich hinarbeite.

Use 'worauf' for inanimate objects.
✗

Ich habe Hunger, der mich nervt.

✓

Ich habe Hunger, was mich nervt.

Use 'was' for the situation.
✗

Das ist der Stuhl, wo ich sitze.

✓

Das ist der Stuhl, worauf ich sitze.

Use 'worauf' for inanimate objects.
✗

Sie hat gewonnen, der mich freut.

✓

Sie hat gewonnen, was mich freut.

Use 'was' for the whole clause.
✗

Das ist die Idee, wo ich denke.

✓

Das ist die Idee, woran ich denke.

Use 'woran' for abstract things.
✗

Das ist der Plan, wo wir zustimmen.

✓

Das ist der Plan, dem wir zustimmen.

Use dative relative pronoun for 'zustimmen'.
✗

Er kam zu spät, der mich ärgerte.

✓

Er kam zu spät, was mich ärgerte.

Use 'was' for the clause.
✗

Das ist das Haus, worin ich wohne.

✓

Das ist das Haus, in dem ich wohne.

Both are correct but 'in dem' is more natural.

أنماط الجُمل

___, was mich sehr ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

Er hat gewonnen, was mega ist!

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة
🎯

The 'Was' Test

If you can replace the antecedent with 'die Tatsache, dass...', use 'was'.

Smart Tips

Use 'was'.

Er kam spät, der mich nervte. → Er kam spät, was mich nervte.

النطق

wo-RAUF

Stress

Stress the 'wo' in 'worauf'.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Was for the whole thought, Wo(r) for the thing you bought.

ربط بصري

Imagine a giant 'WAS' bubble encompassing a whole sentence, and a 'WOR-' hook pulling an inanimate object out of a box.

Rhyme

Was refers to the whole idea, Wo(r)- makes the object clear.

Story

I told a lie, which (was) made my mom sad. I looked at the table, on which (worauf) my book lay. I realized that grammar, which (was) is hard, is actually fun.

Word Web

wasworaufworinwomitworüberwovon

تحدٍّ

Write 3 sentences about your day using 'was' to comment on your actions.

ملاحظات ثقافية

Using 'wo' for people is common in spoken dialects but strictly forbidden in formal writing.

Derived from Old High German interrogative pronouns.

بدايات محادثة

“

Was ist etwas, was dich heute gefreut hat?

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe a situation that surprised you today.

أخطاء شائعة

Incorrect

صحيح

Incorrect

صحيح

Incorrect

صحيح

Incorrect

صحيح

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Er hat gelogen, ___ mich ärgert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was
Refers to the whole clause.

Score: /1

تمارين تطبيقية

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Er hat gelogen, ___ mich ärgert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was
Refers to the whole clause.

Score: /1

الأسئلة الشائعة (1)

No, never.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

lo que

Spanish uses 'lo que' for everything; German distinguishes between 'was' and 'das'.

French high

ce qui / ce que

French requires subject/object distinction for 'ce qui/ce que'.

Japanese low

koto

Japanese structure is entirely different, placing the verb at the end of the relative clause.

Arabic moderate

ma

Arabic 'ma' is less flexible for clause-referencing than German 'was'.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Das Gerundiv (Partizip I mit 'zu') als attributive Passivform
Next
Archaische und gehobene Konnektoren (wenngleich, obschon, unbeschadet)

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