C2 Relative Clauses 15 min read Hard

German Free Relative Clauses: Wer, Was & Case Clashes

Free relative clauses let 'who' and 'what' stand alone as the subject or object of a complex sentence, often creating a proverbial tone.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Free relative clauses use 'wer' or 'was' to act as both the antecedent and the relative pronoun simultaneously.

  • Use 'wer' for people: 'Wer das sagt, hat recht.' (Whoever says that is right.)
  • Use 'was' for things or abstract concepts: 'Was du sagst, ist falsch.' (Whatever you say is wrong.)
  • The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its role inside the relative clause.
Wer/Was + [Verb] + ... + [Main Clause Verb]

Overview

German Free Relative Clauses (Freie Relativsätze), often introduced by wer (whoever) or was (whatever), represent a sophisticated grammatical structure characteristic of C2-level German. Unlike standard relative clauses that modify an existing noun (der Mann, der... – the man, who...), free relative clauses function as a noun phrase themselves. They do not refer back to a specific antecedent noun; instead, they substitute for one, acting as the subject or object of the main clause.

This structural autonomy allows for concise generalizations and the articulation of abstract concepts or indefinite entities.

Linguistically, a free relative clause can be understood as a nominalized clause, meaning an entire clause (Satz) takes on the role of a noun (Nomen). This transformation condenses meaning, enabling statements like Wer schweigt, stimmt zu. (Whoever is silent, agrees.) or Was zählt, ist die innere Einstellung. (What counts is the inner attitude.). Mastering these clauses is crucial for expressing complex thoughts with precision and for understanding nuanced German discourse, ranging from proverbs to academic writing.

How This Grammar Works

The defining feature of a free relative clause lies in its dual case function and the phenomenon of case clash. The relative pronoun (wer, wen, wem, was, or wo- compounds) simultaneously performs two distinct grammatical roles:
  1. 1Internal Case: Within its own subordinate clause, the relative pronoun assumes a specific grammatical case (Nominativ, Akkusativ, Dativ) determined by its role inside that clause. For example, in Wer kommt, ..., wer is the nominative subject of kommt.
  2. 2External Case: The entire free relative clause acts as a constituent (e.g., subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition) within the main sentence. Consequently, this whole clause requires a grammatical case determined by its function in the main sentence. For example, in Wen ich liebe, den heirate ich., the entire clause Wen ich liebe is the direct object of heirate ich.
The challenge arises when these two cases do not align. For instance, the pronoun within the free relative clause might be in the dative, while the entire clause functions as the nominative subject of the main sentence. German resolves these case clashes through the mandatory use of a resumptive pronoun (der, die, das, dem, den) in the main clause.
This resumptive pronoun explicitly signals the external case of the free relative clause, ensuring clarity and grammatical correctness.
Consider the example: Wem nicht zu helfen ist, der ist nicht zu retten. Here, wem is dative within the free relative clause (Wem ist nicht zu helfen). However, the entire clause Wem nicht zu helfen ist acts as the nominative subject of the main clause, hence the resumptive pronoun der (nominative masculine singular, referring to the implied 'person'). Without der, the sentence would be grammatically incomplete and confusing.
This mechanism reflects German's emphasis on explicit case marking for structural coherence.
| Feature | Standard Relative Clause | Free Relative Clause |
|:----------------------|:-------------------------------------------------|:----------------------------------------------|
| Antecedent | Modifies an explicit noun (der Mann, der...) | Is the antecedent; no preceding noun |
| Role | Adjectival (describes a noun) | Nominal (acts as a noun phrase) |
| Pronoun Choice | Matches gender/number/case of antecedent | wer (persons), was (things/situations) |
| Case Clash | Not applicable in the same way | Central concept, resolved by resumptive pronoun |

Formation Pattern

1
Forming a free relative clause requires precise attention to the choice of relative pronoun, its internal case, the word order, and the potential use of a resumptive pronoun in the main clause. The basic structure is [Free Relative Clause], [Main Clause]. Remember that free relative clauses are subordinate clauses, meaning the finite verb within them moves to the end.
2
1. Choosing the Free Relative Pronoun:
3
For Persons: Use forms of wer.
4
wer (Nominativ): Wer schweigt, der stimmt zu. (Whoever is silent, agrees.)
5
wen (Akkusativ): Wen ich liebe, den heirate ich. (Whomever I love, him I marry.)
6
wem (Dativ): Wem ich vertraue, dem erzähle ich alles. (To whomever I trust, to him I tell everything.)
7
Genitive (wessen) is rare with wer in this specific free relative clause construction; it's typically rephrased or appears in other contexts. Instead of Wessen Buch ist das?, you might use Das Buch von dem, der es geschrieben hat. in a more complex scenario.
8
For Things, Abstract Concepts, or Entire Situations: Use was.
9
was (Nominativ/Akkusativ): Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen. (What you can do today, do not postpone until tomorrow.)
10
When was refers to a preceding entire sentence or situation, it functions similar to 'which' in English: Er hat gelogen, was mich sehr enttäuscht hat. (He lied, which disappointed me greatly.)
11
For Things with Prepositions: Use wo- compounds.
12
These are essential when the free relative clause expresses a prepositional relationship concerning a thing or concept. For instance, worauf (on what), worum (about what), womit (with what).
13
Worauf du wartest, das wird nie geschehen. (What you are waiting for, that will never happen.)
14
Womit er arbeitet, damit kenne ich mich nicht aus. (What he works with, with that I am not familiar.)
15
2. Internal Clause Structure:
16
The free relative pronoun starts the clause.
17
The finite verb within this subordinate clause is always placed at the very end.
18
Example: Wen du gestern getroffen hast, ... (Whom you met yesterday, ...)
19
3. Comma Placement:
20
A comma must precede the free relative clause.
21
A comma must also follow the free relative clause, separating it from the main clause.
22
4. The Main Clause and the Resumptive Pronoun:
23
The resumptive pronoun (der, die, das, dem, den) in the main clause serves to make the external case of the free relative clause explicit. It typically refers back to the implied antecedent (masculine singular for wer, neuter singular for was).
24
When cases clash: The resumptive pronoun is mandatory.
25
Internal Dative, External Nominative: Wem nicht zu helfen ist, der ist nicht zu retten.
26
Internal Nominative, External Accusative: Wer Fehler macht, den bestraft das Leben.
27
When cases match: The resumptive pronoun can often be omitted, especially in informal contexts, but is often retained for emphasis or clarity.
28
Internal Nominative, External Nominative: Wer will, (der) kann. (Whoever wants to, can.)
29
Internal Accusative, External Accusative: Was ich habe, (das) gebe ich dir. (What I have, I give to you.)
30
Placement: The resumptive pronoun typically appears at the beginning of the main clause, immediately following the comma, setting up the main clause's subject or object. The resumptive pronoun should match the gender and number of the implied antecedent of wer (masculine singular) or was (neuter singular) and take the external case required by the main clause.
31
| Free Rel. Pronoun | Internal Case | Implied Antecedent | External Case | Resumptive Pronoun | Example |
32
|:------------------|:--------------|:-------------------|:--------------|:-------------------|:-------------------------------------------------------|
33
| Wer | Nom | der Mann | Nom | der | Wer ehrlich ist, der wird belohnt. |
34
| Wer | Nom | Männer | Acc | den | Wer früh kommt, den erwartet ein Platz. |
35
| Wen | Acc | den Mann | Nom | der | Wen das betrifft, der soll sich melden. |
36
| Wen | Acc | den Mann | Dat | dem | Wen du siehst, dem kannst du vertrauen. |
37
| Wem | Dat | dem Mann | Nom | der | Wem das gefällt, der hat einen guten Geschmack. |
38
| Wem | Dat | dem Mann | Acc | den | Wem du hilfst, den unterstützen auch andere. |
39
| Was | Nom/Acc | das Ding | Nom | das | Was Spaß macht, das ist nicht immer einfach. |
40
| Was | Nom/Acc | das Ding | Acc | das | Was du wissen musst, das erfährst du hier. |
41
| Worauf | Prep | die Sache | Nom | das | Worauf er sich freut, das ist der Urlaub. |

When To Use It

Free relative clauses are a linguistic tool for expressing nuanced and generalized statements. Their C2-level proficiency lies in understanding not just their formation, but when their use is stylistically appropriate and semantically precise. They add a layer of formality, universality, or emphasis that simpler constructions often lack.
  1. 1Generalizations, Proverbs, and Maxims: This is perhaps their most common and iconic use. They allow you to make broad statements that apply to any person or situation fitting the description.
  • Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt. (Whoever doesn't dare, doesn't win.)
  • Was man nicht weiß, das macht einen nicht heiß. (What one doesn't know, doesn't bother one.)
  1. 1Referring to Undefined or Indefinite Entities: When the specific person or thing is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally left unspecified, free relative clauses are ideal. They replace phrases like derjenige(m), der... (the one who...).
  • Ich gebe, wem ich will. (I give to whomever I want.) – wem refers to an unspecified person.
  • Nimm, was du brauchst. (Take what you need.) – was refers to an indefinite quantity or type of things.
  1. 1Referring to Entire Situations or Preceding Clauses (with was): The pronoun was can concisely summarize a preceding action, statement, or entire scenario, similar to 'which' referring to a whole clause in English. This is particularly common in both formal and informal speech.
  • Er hat das Rennen gewonnen, was niemand erwartet hatte. (He won the race, which no one had expected.) – was refers to the entire event of winning the race.
  • Sie hat nicht geantwortet, was mich beunruhigt. (She didn't answer, which worries me.)
  1. 1Emphasis and Clarity: By isolating the relative clause at the beginning of the sentence and using a resumptive pronoun, you draw attention to the conditional or general statement being made. This structure can add a certain gravitas or analytical precision to your language, reflecting a characteristic of German linguistic style that values explicit structural signaling.
  1. 1Fixed Expressions and Formal Language: Many idiomatic expressions and more formal or literary texts utilize free relative clauses. Recognizing these patterns enhances comprehension of sophisticated German.
  • Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu', das füg' auch keinem anderen zu. (What you don't want done to you, don't do to anyone else.)

Common Mistakes

C2 learners often encounter specific pitfalls when employing free relative clauses, primarily due to the intricate interplay of internal and external cases. Avoiding these errors is key to achieving native-like fluency and precision.
  1. 1Omitting the Resumptive Pronoun (der, dem, den, das) in Case Clashes: This is arguably the most frequent and significant error. When the internal case of the relative pronoun (wer, wen, wem, was) differs from the external case required by the main clause, the resumptive pronoun is mandatory for grammatical integrity. Its absence leads to grammatically incomplete sentences that confuse native speakers.
  • Incorrect: Wem das Buch gefällt, kann es behalten. (Grammatically ambiguous; Wem is Dative, but the main clause needs a Nominative subject.)
  • Correct: Wem das Buch gefällt, der kann es behalten. (der provides the Nominative subject for kann es behalten.)
  • Incorrect: Was du hast, gib mir. (Missing explicit object for gib mir.)
  • Correct: Was du hast, das gib mir. (das functions as the Accusative direct object of gib mir.)
  1. 1Confusing wer and was: Learners sometimes use was to refer to people, which is grammatically incorrect and considered highly impolite in German. Wer (and its forms wen, wem) is exclusively for persons, while was is for things, concepts, or situations.
  • Incorrect: Was das gesagt hat, muss verrückt sein.
  • Correct: Wer das gesagt hat, der muss verrückt sein.
  1. 1Incorrect Case of the Resumptive Pronoun: The resumptive pronoun must match the external case required by the main clause, not the internal case of the relative pronoun. It also generally refers to a masculine singular implied antecedent for wer and a neuter singular for was.
  • Incorrect: Wem du hilfst, den gebe ich eine Belohnung. (den is Accusative, but the main clause ich gebe ... eine Belohnung needs a Dative indirect object for the person being rewarded.)
  • Correct: Wem du hilfst, dem gebe ich eine Belohnung. (dem is Dative, matching the indirect object role in the main clause.)
  1. 1Confusing Free Relative Clauses with Indirect Questions: While structurally similar, their functions differ. An indirect question reports a question and usually follows verbs of knowing, asking, or wondering (wissen, fragen, sich wundern). A free relative clause makes a statement about an unspecified entity.
  • Indirect Question: Ich weiß nicht, wer angerufen hat. (I don't know who called.)
  • Free Relative Clause: Wer angerufen hat, der soll sich melden. (Whoever called, should report.)
  1. 1Incorrect Word Order: Forgetting that the free relative clause is a subordinate clause means the finite verb must be at the very end.
  • Incorrect: Was ich brauche ist das.
  • Correct: Was ich brauche, das ist es.
  1. 1Overuse in Simpler Contexts: While elegant, using free relative clauses where a simpler noun phrase or a demonstrative pronoun would suffice can sound overly formal or contrived in casual speech. Judge the context carefully.

Real Conversations

Free relative clauses, particularly those with was, are surprisingly common in everyday German, demonstrating their versatility beyond formal contexts. Their conciseness makes them suitable for quick, impactful communication in various settings.

1. Texting and Social Media: In informal digital communication, the resumptive pronoun is sometimes omitted if the context is absolutely clear and the cases happen to align, or if speakers prioritize brevity, although this is generally an exception rather than the rule for C2-level correctness.

- Wer jetzt nicht lacht, versteht nix 😂 (Whoever doesn't laugh now, understands nothing.) – Implied: der versteht nix.

- Was du postest, bleibt im Netz. (What you post, stays online.) – Implied: das bleibt im Netz.

2. Casual Speech: You'll frequently hear was free relative clauses referring to situations or general statements. They contribute to a fluid conversational style.

- Ich esse einfach, was da ist. (I just eat what's there.)

- Was soll das? (What's that supposed to mean?) – A common idiomatic question, though Was soll das, das du da machst? would be a formal free relative variant.

- Was mich wirklich stört, ist die Unpünktlichkeit. (What really bothers me is the unpunctuality.)

3. Work Emails and Formal Discussions: Here, the full, grammatically correct structure with the resumptive pronoun is almost always maintained to ensure clarity and professionalism.

- Wer die Richtlinien nicht beachtet, den müssen wir leider ermahnen. (Whoever disregards the guidelines, him we unfortunately have to admonish.)

- Was im Meeting besprochen wurde, das werden wir im Protokoll festhalten. (What was discussed in the meeting, that we will record in the minutes.)

4. Proverbial and General Statements: As noted, many German proverbs and common sayings are structured as free relative clauses, making them sound authoritative and universally applicable. These are deeply embedded in the language.

- Wer rastet, der rostet. (He who rests, rusts.)

- Was lange währt, wird endlich gut. (What lasts a long time, finally turns out well.)

Understanding these clauses in diverse contexts provides insight into the German linguistic preference for structurally robust and semantically dense expressions, even in informal communication. They are not merely an academic construction but an integral part of how native speakers communicate precisely.

Quick FAQ

  • Can wo- compounds be used in free relative clauses?
  • Yes, absolutely. For things or concepts that require a prepositional relationship, wo- compounds (worauf, worum, wobei, wovon, worüber, etc.) are the correct choice within the free relative clause. These follow the same case clash rules, typically requiring das as the resumptive pronoun in the main clause. Example: Worum es geht, das ist die Wahrheit. (What it's about, that is the truth.)
  • How formal are free relative clauses?
  • Free relative clauses with wer often carry a more formal, proverbial, or philosophical tone. They are common in maxims and generalized statements. Clauses with was are much more flexible and appear frequently in both formal and informal speech, especially when referring to entire situations or indefinite things. The presence or absence of the resumptive pronoun can also subtly affect formality, with its omission often indicating greater informality (but only where grammatically permissible).
  • When can I omit the resumptive pronoun (der, dem, den, das)?
  • You can only omit the resumptive pronoun when the internal case of the free relative pronoun matches the external case required by the main clause and the sentence remains unambiguously clear. Even then, its retention is often preferred for emphasis or to maintain a more formal, robust structure. In general, for C2-level German, it is safer and more grammatically sound to always include the resumptive pronoun unless you are completely certain of its optionality in a specific context.
  • Example where omission is possible: Wer will, (der) kann. (Both are Nominative.)
  • Can wer or was refer to plural entities?
  • Grammatically, wer and was are singular, and the verb in both the free relative clause and the main clause will be singular. However, semantically, wer can certainly imply a group of people (e.g., Wer das tut, der ist mutig. – This could apply to multiple brave individuals). If you explicitly need to refer to a plural group, you would typically rephrase using diejenigen(p), die... (those who...) or a similar construction, as free relative clauses are designed for singular, generic reference.
  • Are there genitive forms like wessen in free relative clauses?
  • While wessen is the genitive form of wer, its use in the free relative clause construction is uncommon and often avoided or rephrased. For instance, instead of directly saying Wessen Auto kaputt ist, ..., you would likely opt for a construction like Das Auto von dem, der es kaputt gemacht hat, ... or a sentence implying possession without a direct genitive relative pronoun within this specific structure. Similarly for was, genitive is not directly formed with was in this way; one would use a prepositional phrase or dessen/deren referring to an implied das Ding.
  • How do these relate to nominalized adjectives or participles?
  • Free relative clauses share a conceptual similarity with nominalized adjectives or participles (der Reisende – the traveler) in that they both convert a descriptive element into a noun. However, free relative clauses go a step further by nominalizing an entire clause, allowing for more complex, complete statements to function as a single noun phrase within a larger sentence. This reflects German's capacity for creating highly dense and information-rich grammatical units.

Case Declension of 'Wer'

Case Pronoun Function
Nominative
Wer
Subject
Accusative
Wen
Direct Object
Dative
Wem
Indirect Object
Genitive
Wessen
Possessive

Meanings

A free relative clause acts as a noun phrase within a sentence without an explicit antecedent. It functions as the subject or object of the main clause.

1

Personal (Wer)

Refers to an indefinite person.

“Wer hier arbeitet, muss pünktlich sein.”

“Wer das getan hat, wird bestraft.”

2

Impersonal (Was)

Refers to an indefinite thing or situation.

“Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen.”

“Ich verstehe nicht, was du meinst.”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Free Relative Clauses: Wer, Was & Case Clashes
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Wer + Verb + ...
Wer arbeitet, verdient Geld.
Object
Main Clause + was + ...
Ich weiß, was du meinst.
Dative
Wem + Verb + ...
Wem das gefällt, der bleibt.
Accusative
Wen + Verb + ...
Wen du liebst, ist deine Sache.
Genitive
Wessen + Noun + Verb
Wessen Auto dort steht, der muss zahlen.
Negative
Wer nicht + Verb
Wer nicht fragt, bleibt dumm.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Wer teilnehmen möchte, möge sich anmelden.

Wer teilnehmen möchte, möge sich anmelden. (Invitation)

Neutral
Wer mitkommen will, kann das tun.

Wer mitkommen will, kann das tun. (Invitation)

Informal
Wer Bock hat, kommt mit.

Wer Bock hat, kommt mit. (Invitation)

Slang
Wer will, der kann.

Wer will, der kann. (Invitation)

The Wer/Was Universe

Free Relative Clause

People

  • Wer whoever

Things

  • Was whatever
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Examples by Level

1

Wer das sagt, hat recht.

Whoever says that is right.

2

Was ist das?

What is that?

3

Wer kommt, der kommt.

Whoever comes, comes.

4

Was du sagst, ist gut.

What you say is good.

1

Wer nicht arbeitet, bekommt kein Geld.

Whoever doesn't work gets no money.

2

Was du heute kannst besorgen, verschiebe nicht auf morgen.

Whatever you can do today, don't put off until tomorrow.

3

Ich weiß nicht, wer das war.

I don't know who that was.

4

Was er macht, ist mir egal.

Whatever he does, I don't care.

1

Wem das nicht gefällt, der kann gehen.

Whoever doesn't like this can leave.

2

Was auch immer passiert, wir bleiben ruhig.

Whatever happens, we stay calm.

3

Wen du auch einlädst, es wird voll.

Whoever you invite, it will be crowded.

4

Was du mir gegeben hast, ist sehr wertvoll.

What you gave me is very valuable.

1

Wessen Auto hier steht, der muss es wegfahren.

Whoever's car is standing here must move it.

2

Was man nicht weiß, macht einen nicht heiß.

What one doesn't know doesn't hurt.

3

Wer sich anmeldet, erhält einen Rabatt.

Whoever registers receives a discount.

4

Was er behauptet, ist völlig aus der Luft gegriffen.

What he claims is completely baseless.

1

Wem nicht zu helfen ist, dem kann man nicht helfen.

Whoever cannot be helped, cannot be helped.

2

Was auch immer die Konsequenzen sein mögen, wir stehen dazu.

Whatever the consequences may be, we stand by them.

3

Wen die Götter lieben, der stirbt jung.

Whom the gods love dies young.

4

Was immer du auch planst, es wird scheitern.

Whatever you are planning, it will fail.

1

Wer auch immer sich dazu berufen fühlt, möge vortreten.

Whoever feels called to do so, may step forward.

2

Was man auch an Argumenten vorbringt, es bleibt eine subjektive Sicht.

Whatever arguments one brings forward, it remains a subjective view.

3

Wessen man sich nicht sicher ist, das sollte man nicht behaupten.

Whatever one is not sure about, one should not claim.

4

Wen das Schicksal trifft, der muss es tragen.

Whomever fate strikes must bear it.

Easily Confused

German Free Relative Clauses: Wer, Was & Case Clashes vs Relative Clauses vs. Free Relative Clauses

Learners confuse standard relative clauses (modifying a noun) with free ones (acting as a noun).

German Free Relative Clauses: Wer, Was & Case Clashes vs Wer vs. Wen

Learners use 'Wer' for everything.

German Free Relative Clauses: Wer, Was & Case Clashes vs Was vs. Das

Learners use 'Was' as a relative pronoun for nouns.

Common Mistakes

✗

Der, wer das sagt...

✓

Wer das sagt...

Redundant antecedent.
✗

Was ist mein Freund...

✓

Wer mein Freund ist...

Wrong pronoun for person.
✗

Wer das Buch ist...

✓

Was das Buch ist...

Wrong pronoun for thing.
✗

Wer kommt, der kommt.

✓

Wer kommt, der kommt.

Actually correct, but often misused.
✗

Was du liebst, ist mein Bruder.

✓

Wen du liebst, ist mein Bruder.

Wrong case for person.
✗

Wem du siehst...

✓

Wen du siehst...

Wrong case (dative vs accusative).
✗

Wer ich mag...

✓

Wen ich mag...

Wrong case for object.
✗

Wessen das ist, ist egal.

✓

Was das ist, ist egal.

Wessen is possessive.
✗

Wer auch immer er ist, ich kenne ihn.

✓

Wer auch immer er ist, ich kenne ihn.

Actually correct.
✗

Was er hat gesagt...

✓

Was er gesagt hat...

Word order error.
✗

Wem er liebt...

✓

Wen er liebt...

Dative vs Accusative.
✗

Was er mir gab, war gut.

✓

Was er mir gab, war gut.

Actually correct.
✗

Wer auch immer er trifft...

✓

Wen auch immer er trifft...

Accusative needed.

Sentence Patterns

Wer ___ , der ___ .

Was ___ , ist ___ .

Wen ___ , den ___ .

Wem ___ , dem ___ .

Real World Usage

Social Media common

Wer das teilt, gewinnt!

Legal Documents very common

Wer gegen diese Regeln verstößt, wird bestraft.

Texting common

Was machst du?

Job Interviews common

Wer sich für diese Stelle interessiert, sollte Erfahrung haben.

Travel occasional

Was kostet das?

Food Delivery occasional

Was ist in der Box?

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💡

Check the Case

Always ask: is the pronoun the subject or the object?
⚠️

No Antecedent

Never put a noun before 'wer' or 'was'.
🎯

Use Correlatives

Use 'der' or 'das' in the main clause for emphasis.
💬

Proverbs

Many German proverbs use this structure.

Smart Tips

Replace the relative clause with a simple noun to see which case it takes.

Wer/Wen ich liebe... → Ich liebe den Mann (Accusative) -> Wen ich liebe...

Use the correlative 'der' or 'das' in the main clause.

Wer arbeitet, verdient Geld. → Wer arbeitet, der verdient Geld.

Use 'wer' to refer to an unspecified group of people.

Alle Leute, die interessiert sind... → Wer interessiert ist...

Remember 'was' is for abstract concepts or things, not people.

Was ist mein Freund? → Wer ist mein Freund?

Pronunciation

/veːɐ̯/

Emphasis

The relative pronoun 'Wer' or 'Was' usually receives stress in the sentence.

Rising-Falling

Wer das sagt, (rise) hat recht (fall).

Assertive statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Wer is for the Person, Was is for the Thing. If you're talking about a human, use Wer; if it's an object or idea, use Was.

Visual Association

Imagine a person ('Wer') holding a giant 'W' and a box ('Was') holding another 'W'.

Rhyme

Wer for people, Was for things, that is how the grammar sings.

Story

Wer the baker baked a cake. Was the cake delicious? Yes. Whoever ate it loved it.

Word Web

WerWenWemWessenWasAllesNichts

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using 'Wer' and 5 using 'Was' in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Used frequently in proverbs and legal language.

Similar usage, often slightly more formal in writing.

Standard German rules apply in writing.

Derived from Old High German interrogative pronouns.

Conversation Starters

“

Wer ist dein Vorbild?

“

Was macht dich glücklich?

“

Wen würdest du gerne treffen?

“

Wem würdest du vertrauen?

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über jemanden, den du bewunderst.
Was ist das Wichtigste in deinem Leben?
Wen würdest du auf eine einsame Insel mitnehmen?
Wem würdest du ein Geheimnis anvertrauen?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with 'Wer' or 'Was'.

___ das sagt, hat recht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer
Subject is a person.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ du liebst, ist deine Sache.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Accusative object.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Der, wer das sagt, hat recht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer das sagt...
Remove redundant antecedent.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Die Person, die das sagt, hat recht. -> ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer das sagt, hat recht.
Free relative clause.
Match the case. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer-Nom
Correct case mapping.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wer kommt heute? B: ___ Lust hat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer
Subject.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

was / du / ist / sagst / wahr

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Was du sagst, ist wahr.
Correct word order.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Can 'was' be used for people?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Was is for things.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with 'Wer' or 'Was'.

___ das sagt, hat recht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer
Subject is a person.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ du liebst, ist deine Sache.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen
Accusative object.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Der, wer das sagt, hat recht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer das sagt...
Remove redundant antecedent.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Die Person, die das sagt, hat recht. -> ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer das sagt, hat recht.
Free relative clause.
Match the case. Match Pairs

Match the pronoun to its case.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer-Nom
Correct case mapping.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wer kommt heute? B: ___ Lust hat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer
Subject.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

was / du / ist / sagst / wahr

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Was du sagst, ist wahr.
Correct word order.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Can 'was' be used for people?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Was is for things.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Choose the correct pronoun. Fill in the Blank

___ das liest, ist doof.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer
Match the beginning of the proverb to its end. Match Pairs

Match the clauses.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["sollte nicht mit Steinen werfen","muss auch B sagen","ist des Talers nicht wert"]
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

kann / Wer / der / will / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer will, der kann.
Which sentence handles the case clash correctly? Multiple Choice

Select the best option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen du einlädst, der muss nett sein.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Ich esse alles, was schmeckt es mir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich esse alles, was mir schmeckt.
Complete the sentence with a prepositional form. Fill in the Blank

Das ist genau das, ___ ich gewartet habe!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: worauf
Translate 'Whoever says that is lying.' Translation

Translate the sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer das sagt, lügt.
Identify the function of 'Was'. Multiple Choice

In 'Was er gesagt hat, ist wahr', what role does the clause play?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Subject
Correct the pronoun usage. Error Correction

Was das getan hat, wird bestraft.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wer das getan hat, wird bestraft.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

___ du heute besorgen kannst, verschiebe nicht auf morgen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Was
Build the sentence. Sentence Reorder

Götter / Wen / lieben / die / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wen die Götter lieben.
Choose the informal variant. Multiple Choice

How do you say 'I do what I want' casually?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich mach, was ich will.

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

No, 'wer' is strictly for people.

No, it can be the object too.

The comma separates the relative clause from the main clause.

It's a pronoun like 'der' or 'das' that refers back to the relative clause.

Yes, it is very common in formal writing.

Yes, especially in proverbs.

Try to rephrase the sentence to see the role of the pronoun.

Yes, but 'wer' and 'was' are the main ones for free relative clauses.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Quien/Lo que

Spanish requires 'lo que' for things, German just uses 'was'.

French high

Qui/Ce que

French 'ce que' is two words, German 'was' is one.

English high

Whoever/Whatever

English doesn't have cases like German.

Japanese low

Dare/Nani

Japanese doesn't have relative clauses in the same way.

Arabic moderate

Man/Ma

Arabic is a Semitic language with different syntax.

Chinese low

Shei/Shenme

Chinese lacks the relative clause structure of German.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Connecting Sentences with 'wo-' Compounds (Satzanschluss)

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