Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of connecting ideas and referring to people or things with precision and confidence.
- Construct complex sentences using relative clauses.
- Use dative and indefinite pronouns to replace nouns.
- Connect abstract concepts with pronominal adverbs.
Connect, refer, and refine your German fluency.
学べること
Use dative pronouns, indefinite pronouns, reflexive forms, and build relative clauses.
-
ドイツ語の与格代名詞：私に、君に、彼に (mir, dir, ihm)与格代名詞は「誰に・誰のために」という情報の受け手を表します。
mirやdirを使って、自然なやり取りを楽しみましょう。 -
場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節Use
woto easily describe locations while keeping your verb strictly at the end of the clause. -
ドイツ語の与格関係代名詞 (dem, der, denen)動詞や前置詞が3格を必要とする時は、
dem(男性/中性)、der(女性)、denen(複数) を使って文を繋げましょう！ -
ドイツ語の不定代名詞（物）：etwas, nichts, alles形容詞を大文字にして、語尾を
etwas/nichts + -esかalles + -eにするのが鉄則です。 -
所有を表す関係代名詞 (dessen, deren)関係代名詞の
dessenとderenを使えば、「〜さんの〇〇が〜だ」という情報を一文にスッキリまとめられるよ。動詞は文の最後に置くのがポイント！dessenderen«動詞は最後» -
ドイツ語の3格再帰代名詞：mir, dir, sich文の中に「4格（〜を）」という目的語がすでに座っているときは、再帰代名詞は「3格」の席に座るというルールです。
mirdirsichを使いこなしましょう。 -
人物の不定代名詞 (jemand, niemand)「誰か」を指す
jemandと「誰も〜ない」のniemandは、冠詞のように格変化させて使いましょう。jemand,niemand,jemanden,niemandem -
物事について尋ねる：Wo型疑問副詞 (worüber, wovon)モノや考えについて聞くときは
wo-複合語を使い、人には絶対に使わないのが鉄則です。woranやwomitを使いこなしましょう！ -
代名詞的副詞：物事について話す (dafür, damit)「da-」を使って文をスッキリさせましょう！これだけでドイツ語がグッと自然でこなれた印象になりますよ。
da-damitdafür
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
-
1
By the end you will be able to: Use dative pronouns to express indirect objects in daily conversation.
-
2
By the end you will be able to: Build relative clauses to provide detailed descriptions of places and people.
チャプターガイド
Overview
This chapter is your gateway to expressing more complex ideas and engaging in nuanced conversations in German. By mastering pronouns and relative clauses, you'll be able to connect sentences smoothly, refer to people and things efficiently, and ask and answer questions about them with greater precision. This knowledge moves you beyond simple statements, allowing you to describe relationships, places, and possessions in detail.
You will learn to use dative pronouns like *mir* and *dir*, skillfully build relative clauses with *wo*, *dem*, *der*, *dessen*, and *deren*, and correctly employ indefinite pronouns such as *etwas* and *jemand*.
Understanding these structures is crucial for natural communication. For instance, instead of saying
I gave a book to the man. The man was happy,you'll be able to say
I gave a book to the man, *who* was happy,making your language more fluid.
Similarly, knowing *wo*-compounds (*worüber*) and pronominal adverbs (*dafür*) will enable you to speak about abstract concepts without awkward constructions. This chapter will equip you with the tools to significantly enhance your descriptive and conversational abilities, making your German sound much more native-like.
How This Grammar Works
Let's explore the mechanics of these essential grammar points with clear examples. Remember, we'll be using the informal 'du' form for personal examples.
German Dative Pronouns (mir, dir, ihm)
These pronouns function as the indirect object in a sentence, indicating to whom or for whom something is done. They often follow verbs or prepositions that require the dative case.
* Gibst du *mir* bitte das Buch?
(Will you please give *me* the book?)
* Ich helfe *dir* gerne bei den Hausaufgaben.
(I gladly help *you* with your homework.)
* Wir erzählen *ihm* die Geschichte.
(We tell *him* the story.)
Describing Places: Relative Clauses with 'wo'
When you want to describe a place, *wo* (where) can introduce a relative clause, acting as a relative adverb. The verb goes to the end of this clause.
* Das ist das Café, *wo* wir uns immer treffen.
(That is the café *where* we always meet.)
* Ich kenne einen Park, *wo* du gut joggen kannst.
(I know a park *where* you can jog well.)
German Dative Relative Pronouns (dem, der, denen)
These pronouns refer back to a noun in the main clause and introduce a relative clause. They must agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to, but their case is determined by their function within the relative clause (here, dative).
* Das ist der Freund, *dem* ich geholfen habe. (Masculine singular, dative)
(That is the friend *to whom* I helped.)
* Kennst du die Frau, *der* du das Geschenk gegeben hast? (Feminine singular, dative)
(Do you know the woman *to whom* you gave the gift?)
* Das sind die Kinder, *denen* wir zugewinkt haben. (Plural, dative)
(These are the children *to whom* we waved.)
German Indefinite Pronouns: etwas, nichts, alles (Things)
These pronouns refer to an unspecified quantity or type of 'thing'. They are invariant.
* Hast du *etwas* Interessantes gelesen?
(Have you read *something* interesting?)
* Ich habe *nichts* verstanden.
(I understood *nothing*.)
* Du weißt *alles* über ihn.
(You know *everything* about him.)
Whose? Genitive Relative Pronouns (dessen, deren)
These pronouns indicate possession within a relative clause. They agree in gender and number with the *antecedent* (the noun they refer back to), while the *possessed item* determines the word order. *Dessen* is used for masculine and neuter singular antecedents, *deren* for feminine singular and all plural antecedents.
* Das ist der Mann, *dessen* Auto kaputt ist. (Man is masculine, car is possessed)
(That is the man *whose* car is broken.)
* Das ist die Frau, *deren* Kinder hier spielen. (Woman is feminine, children are possessed)
(That is the woman *whose* children are playing here.)
* Das ist das Haus, *dessen* Dach neu ist. (House is neuter, roof is possessed)
(That is the house *whose* roof is new.)
* Das sind die Leute, *deren* Hund bellt. (People are plural, dog is possessed)
(Those are the people *whose* dog is barking.)
German Dative Reflexive Pronouns (mir, dir, sich)
Some verbs are reflexive and take a dative object, especially when the action is done *for oneself* or affects oneself indirectly.
* Ich kaufe *mir* einen Kaffee.
(I buy *myself* a coffee.)
* Du wünschst *dir* einen Urlaub, richtig?
(You wish *yourself* a holiday, right?)
* Er bestellt *sich* immer Pizza.
(He always orders *himself* pizza.)
Indefinite Pronouns for People (jemand, niemand)
These pronouns refer to an unspecified person or no person. They can take case endings, but often remain uninflected in the nominative and accusative, especially in informal speech.
* Ist *jemand* zu Hause?
(Is *someone* at home?)
* Ich habe *niemand* gesehen.
(I saw *no one*.)
* Hast du *jemandem* davon erzählt? (Dative)
(Did you tell *someone* about it?)
Asking About Things: Wo-Compounds (worüber, wovon)
When you want to ask about a 'thing' or an abstract concept that would normally require a preposition and a pronoun (e.g., *über was*), German uses *wo*-compounds. These are formed by *wo* + preposition (or *wor* + preposition if the preposition starts with a vowel).
* *Worüber* sprichst du? (statt: Über was sprichst du?)
(*About what* are you talking?)
* *Wovon* träumst du? (statt: Von was träumst du?)
(*Of what* are you dreaming?)
German Pronominal Adverbs: Talking About Things (dafür, damit)
These are the counterparts to *wo*-compounds, used to refer *back* to a 'thing' or an abstract concept using a preposition. They are formed by *da* + preposition (or *dar* + preposition if the preposition starts with a vowel).
* Ich interessiere mich für Sport. Ich trainiere täglich *dafür*.
(I'm interested in sports. I train daily *for it*.)
* Sie hat viel Arbeit. Sie ist müde *davon*.
(She has a lot of work. She is tired *of it*.)
Common Mistakes
✗ Das ist der Mann, dem Auto kaputt ist.
✓ Das ist der Mann, *dessen* Auto kaputt ist.
Why:
Dem is dative, indicating an indirect object. Dessen indicates possession (whose) and matches the masculine singular antecedent Mann.✗ Ich gehe zu dem Haus, das ich gewohnt habe.
✓ Ich gehe zu dem Haus, *wo* ich gewohnt habe.
Why:
Das is a relative pronoun for things, but wo is specifically used for describing places.✗ Ich brauche etwas für meine Hausaufgaben. Ich suche für es.
✓ Ich brauche etwas für meine Hausaufgaben. Ich suche *danach*.
Why: When referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts with a preposition, pronominal adverbs like
danach (da + nach) are used instead of für es.✗ Ich gebe dir den Schlüssel. Du hast mir geholfen.
✓ Ich gebe dir den Schlüssel, *dem* du geholfen hast.
Why: The second sentence
Du hast mir geholfendoesn't make sense in this context. If
dem refers to Schlüssel, it means to which you helped, which is grammatically incorrect and makes no sense. The original example for dative relative pronoun is correct:
Das ist der Freund, dem ich geholfen habe.
Let's fix this example.
✗ Das ist der Freund, den ich geholfen habe.
✓ Das ist der Freund, *dem* ich geholfen habe.
Why: The verb
helfen (to help) always takes a dative object. The relative pronoun must therefore be in dative case, *dem* (for masculine singular).✗ Was denkst du über es?
✓ *Worüber* denkst du?
Why: When asking about things or abstract concepts with a preposition, use a *wo*-compound (*worüber*) instead of
über es.✗ Kaufst du einen Kaffee mir?
✓ Kaufst du *mir* einen Kaffee?
Why: Reflexive pronouns, especially dative ones, typically come after the conjugated verb or directly after the subject if there's no direct object (and often before the direct object when there is one).
Real Conversations
A
A
Hallo, wie geht es dir? Ich habe da ein kleines Problem, *wofür* ich deine Hilfe brauche.
B
B
Hallo! Mir geht es gut, danke. Klar, sag mal, *worum* geht es denn? Ich helfe *dir* gerne.
A
A
Ich habe da ein Buch, *dessen* Geschichte sehr spannend ist, aber ich verstehe einen Teil nicht. Es geht um einen Mann, *der* einen Schatz sucht.
B
B
Ah, ich weiß schon, *was* du meinst! Ich habe das Buch auch gelesen. Der Mann, *dem* du hilfst, ist sehr clever.
A
A
Ja, genau! Ich wollte *mir* auch ein ähnliches Buch kaufen. Hast du *etwas* Empfehlenswertes?
B
B
Ich habe *nichts* mehr im Kopf, aber ich schaue mal nach und melde *mich* bei *dir*.
---
A
A
Hello, how are you? I have a small problem *for which* I need your help.
B
B
Hello! I'm good, thanks. Sure, tell me, *what* is it about? I'd love to help *you*.
A
A
I have a book *whose* story is very exciting, but I don't understand one part. It's about a man *who* is looking for a treasure.
B
B
Ah, I know *what* you mean! I also read that book. The man *whom* you are helping is very clever.
A
A
Yes, exactly! I also wanted to buy *myself* a similar book. Do you have *anything* recommendable?
B
B
I can't think of *anything* right now, but I'll check and get back to *you*.
Quick FAQ
Q
What's the main difference between *mir* (dative personal pronoun) and *mir* (dative reflexive pronoun)?
Both are dative, but their function differs. As a personal pronoun, *mir* (me) is the indirect object of an action done *to* or *for* you by someone else (e.g.,
Er gibt *mir* ein Geschenk- He gives *me* a gift). As a reflexive pronoun, *mir* (myself) indicates an action you do *for yourself* or that affects you directly (e.g.,
Ich kaufe *mir* ein Eis- I buy *myself* an ice cream).
Q
When should I use *wo* versus a dative relative pronoun (*dem/der/denen*) for places?
Use *wo* when the relative clause describes the *location* where an action happens (e.g.,
Das ist das Haus, *wo* ich wohne- That's the house *where* I live). Use a dative relative pronoun (*dem/der/denen*) when the place itself is the *indirect object* within the relative clause, often following a dative preposition (e.g.,
Das ist der Ort, *an dem* ich mich wohlfühle- That's the place *at which* I feel comfortable. Note that sometimes *an dem* can be replaced by *wo*, but *wo* is more common for simple location).
Q
How do I choose between *dessen* and *deren* for whose?
The choice depends on the *gender and number of the antecedent* (the person or thing that possesses something). Use *dessen* for masculine singular (der Mann, *dessen* Auto) and neuter singular (das Kind, *dessen* Spielzeug). Use *deren* for feminine singular (die Frau, *deren* Hund) and all plural nouns (die Leute, *deren* Haus). The gender/number of the possessed item does not affect *dessen/deren* itself.
Q
Why do Germans use *dafür* or *wovon* instead of *für es* or *von was*?
In German, it's considered unidiomatic and often grammatically incorrect to use a preposition directly with a personal pronoun (*es*, *sie*, *ihn*, etc.) when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Instead, Germans use *pronominal adverbs* (*dafür, damit, davon, darüber*) to refer back to such things, and *wo-compounds* (*wofür, womit, wovon, worüber*) to ask questions about them. This creates a more concise and natural-sounding sentence structure.
Cultural Context
The precise nature of German grammar, particularly the case system and its impact on pronouns and relative clauses, reflects a cultural value placed on clarity and detail. The ability to clearly distinguish between direct and indirect objects, or to precisely specify possession with *dessen* and *deren*, allows for unambiguous communication. This meticulousness in language can be seen as mirroring German engineering or organizational tendencies, where every component has a specific function and placement.
Furthermore, the use of indefinite pronouns and the nuanced constructions of relative clauses contribute to a sophisticated style of communication often valued in German discourse. While informal 'du' forms are common among friends and family, the ability to construct grammatically sound and detailed sentences, especially in more formal settings, is highly regarded. Mastering these structures not only improves your linguistic skills but also helps you engage more effectively in German conversations, understanding and appreciating the precision that native speakers often employ.
重要な例文 (6)
1
Das ist das Café, wo wir uns gestern getroffen haben.
That is the café where we met yesterday.
場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節
2
Ich poste ein Bild von dem Ort, wo ich gerade Urlaub mache.
I'm posting a picture of the place where I'm currently on vacation.
場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節
3
Ich habe einen Nachbarn, dessen WLAN-Passwort ich kenne.
Wi-Fiのパスワードを知っている近所の人がいるんだ。
所有を表す関係代名詞 (dessen, deren)
4
Die Künstlerin, deren Bilder auf Instagram viral gingen, ist erst 19.
インスタで作品がバズったそのアーティストは、まだ19歳なんだよ。
所有を表す関係代名詞 (dessen, deren)
5
Ich habe ein lustiges {das|n} Video auf TikTok gesehen. `Worüber` lachst du?
TikTokで面白い動画を見たんだ。何について笑ってるの？
物事について尋ねる：Wo型疑問副詞 (worüber, wovon)
6
Ich schaue gerade eine neue Netflix-Show. `Wovon` handelt sie?
今Netflixで新しい番組を見てるんだ。どんな内容なの？
物事について尋ねる：Wo型疑問副詞 (worüber, wovon)ヒントとコツ (4)
💡
「M」の法則で覚えよう
英語の 'him' や 'them' と同じように、ドイツ語の男性単数や複数の与格も 'm' や 'n' で終わることが多いですよ。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の与格代名詞：私に、君に、彼に (mir, dir, ihm)
ihm, ihnen。
💡
Keep it simple
Don't worry about cases. 'Wo' is always 'wo'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節
🎯
複数形は `denen`！
3格の複数形は
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の与格関係代名詞 (dem, der, denen)
den ではなく denen になります。B1で一番間違えやすいポイントです！ Die Freunde, denen ich schreibe.
💡
「Das Etwas」という名詞だと考えよう
なぜ形容詞が大文字になるか迷ったら、これらが形容詞を中性名詞に変えていると考えればOKです。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の不定代名詞（物）：etwas, nichts, alles
etwas Interessantes重要な語彙 (5)
helfen
to help
jemand
someone
niemand
no one
worüber
about what
dadurch
thereby / through that
Real-World Preview
coffee
Meeting at the Cafe
Review Summary
- Subject + Verb + Indirect Object (mir/dir/ihm/ihr/uns/euch/ihnen)
- da + preposition (e.g., dafür, damit)
よくある間違い
Prepositions like 'mit' require the dative case. 'Er' is nominative, 'ihm' is dative.
Wrong:
Ich gehe mit er.
正解:
Ich gehe mit ihm.
When referring to a location, 'wo' is the correct relative adverb.
Wrong:
Das ist das Haus, das ich wohne.
正解:
Das ist das Haus, wo ich wohne.
Pronominal adverbs (damit) only refer to things. For people, use a preposition + pronoun.
Wrong:
Ich habe damit gesprochen.
正解:
Ich habe mit ihm gesprochen.
このチャプターのルール (9)
Next Steps
You've conquered a huge part of German syntax. Keep building those complex sentences!
Write a diary entry using 5 pronominal adverbs.
クイック練習 (10)
「人」について尋ねる正しい文はどれですか？
Choose the correct way to ask: 'Who are you talking about?'
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Über wen sprichst du?
wo-複合語はモノ専用です。人について聞くときは「前置詞 + wen/wem」を使わなければなりません。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 物事について尋ねる：Wo型疑問副詞 (worüber, wovon)
Choose the correct sentence.
Which is correct?
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist das {Haus|n}, wo ich wohne.
Verb at the end.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節
正しい文を選んでください。
正しい文はどれ？
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Buch gehört mir.
gehören は与格を必要とします。ich の与格は mir です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の与格代名詞：私に、君に、彼に (mir, dir, ihm)
間違いを修正してください。
Find and fix the mistake:
Wir haben heute nichts neues gelernt.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir have heute nichts Neues gelernt.
nichts の後の形容詞は名詞扱いなので、大文字の 'Neues' にする必要があります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の不定代名詞（物）：etwas, nichts, alles
Fill in the blank with 'wo'.
Das ist das {Haus|n}, ___ ich wohne.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wo
It's a place.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節
Correct the error.
Find and fix the mistake:
Das ist der {Mann|m}, wo dort steht.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: der
Use 'der' for people.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 場所の説明：'wo' を使った関係節
間違いを見つけて修正してください。
Wofon träumst du jede Nacht?
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wovon träumst du jede Nacht?
'träumen' は前置詞 'von' を使います。綴りは 'Wofon' ではなく 'Wovon' が正しいです。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 物事について尋ねる：Wo型疑問副詞 (worüber, wovon)
間違いを見つけて直してください。
Kannst du mich bitte helfen?
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kannst du mir bitte helfen?
helfen は与格支配の動詞なので、対格の mich ではなく与格の mir を使います。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の与格代名詞：私に、君に、彼に (mir, dir, ihm)
空欄に正しい与格代名詞を入れてください。
Ich danke ___ (you, informal) für die Hilfe.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dir
danken は常に与格をとる動詞です。du の与格は dir になります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の与格代名詞：私に、君に、彼に (mir, dir, ihm)
空欄に適切な代名詞を入れてください。
Ich suche ___ Schönes für meine Wohnung.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: etwas
形容詞の語尾が -es で、文脈が「何かを探している」なので etwas が最適です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ドイツ語の不定代名詞（物）：etwas, nichts, alles
Score: /10
よくある質問 (6)
mir は与格（〜に）、mich は対格（〜を）です。
helfen のような動詞には mir を、sehen のような動詞には mich を使います。はい、与格では ihr は「彼女に」を意味します。主格の ihr（君たち）と混同しないように気をつけてくださいね。
Ich gebe ihr das Buch.
No, use 'der', 'die', or 'das' for people.
It is neutral/informal. Use 'in dem' for formal writing.
名詞を詳しく説明するための「誰々が〜した」という節を繋ぐ言葉です。ドイツ語ではその節の中での役割によって格が決まります。
Der Mann, dem ich helfe.
普通の定冠詞と区別するためです。これにより、文が複雑になっても関係代名詞であることがハッキリ分かります。
Die Kinder, denen ich vorlese.
