B2 Relative Clauses 14 min read Medium

Who's That? German Relative Pronouns (Nominative)

Relative pronouns act as subjects in sub-clauses, matching the noun's gender and pushing the verb to the end.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Relative pronouns connect clauses by matching the gender and number of the noun they replace.

  • Use 'der' for masculine nouns: Der Mann, der dort steht.
  • Use 'die' for feminine nouns: Die Frau, die dort steht.
  • Use 'das' for neuter nouns: Das Kind, das dort spielt.
Noun + [Relative Pronoun] + Verb at the end

Overview

German relative pronouns are linguistic connectors, allowing you to embed descriptive information about a noun directly into a sentence. Instead of stating, "This is der Mann. der Mann arbeitet bei Google," you can merge these ideas seamlessly: "Das ist der Mann, der bei Google arbeitet." This structure is fundamental for expressing complex thoughts with clarity and conciseness, moving your German beyond basic statements.

Today, we focus on nominative relative pronouns, which introduce relative clauses where the pronoun itself acts as the subject. This means the pronoun performs the action within its own clause. Understanding these forms and their function is a crucial step for B2 learners, enabling richer descriptions and more nuanced communication.

While their forms (der, die, das, die) mirror definite articles, their grammatical role is distinct, serving as the essential bridge that links an antecedent (the noun being described) to its modifying clause.

Mastering nominative relative pronouns is not merely about memorizing forms; it is about grasping a core mechanism of German sentence structure. These pronouns adhere strictly to the gender and number of the noun they refer to, ensuring grammatical coherence. They also trigger the characteristic subordinate clause word order, where the conjugated verb moves to the clause's final position.

This comprehensive understanding transforms fragmented sentences into sophisticated, interconnected expressions, vital for academic and professional discourse in German.

How This Grammar Works

German relative pronouns function as a grammatical hyperlink, connecting a main clause to a subordinate relative clause. The primary role of the relative clause is to provide additional, specific information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause, known as the antecedent. For nominative relative pronouns, this additional information always describes who or what is performing an action within that relative clause.
Crucially, a nominative relative pronoun must agree with its antecedent in two key aspects: gender and number. If the antecedent is masculine singular (e.g., der Student), the relative pronoun will be masculine singular (der). If it is feminine plural (e.g., die Bücher), the relative pronoun will be feminine plural (die).
This agreement in gender and number is non-negotiable and determines the specific form of the relative pronoun you must use. However, the case of the relative pronoun (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) is determined by its grammatical function within the relative clause itself. Since we are focusing on the nominative, the relative pronoun will always be the subject of its clause.
Consider the sentence: "Ich kenne die Frau, die sehr gut Deutsch spricht." Here, die Frau is the antecedent. It is feminine singular. Therefore, the relative pronoun must also be feminine singular, which is die.
Within the relative clause (die sehr gut Deutsch spricht), die is the subject performing the action of sprechen (speaking). The verb spricht (the conjugated form of sprechen) is placed at the very end of the relative clause, a hallmark of German subordinate clauses. This verb-final position is an unyielding rule for relative clauses and is critical for correct sentence construction.
Another example: "Das ist das Auto, das mein Freund gekauft hat." The antecedent das Auto is neuter singular, so the relative pronoun is das. Within the relative clause (das mein Freund gekauft hat), das (the car) is the subject of gekauft hat (has bought). The entire conjugated verb phrase gekauft hat (a perfect tense construction) shifts to the end.
Understanding this interplay between antecedent agreement (gender/number) and internal clause function (case, verb position) is central to mastering German relative clauses.

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing a nominative relative clause in German follows a precise pattern. The process involves identifying the antecedent, selecting the correct relative pronoun, and adhering to strict word order within the relative clause. Here is a step-by-step guide:
2
Identify the Antecedent: Begin by locating the noun or pronoun in your main clause that you wish to describe further. This noun will be the antecedent for your relative pronoun.
3
Example: "Ich sehe den(m) Mann." (Antecedent: der Mann)
4
Determine Gender and Number: The relative pronoun must match the gender and number of its antecedent. For nominative relative pronouns, the forms are identical to the definite articles:
5
| Antecedent Gender/Number | Nominative Relative Pronoun |
6
| :----------------------- | :-------------------------- |
7
| Masculine Singular | der |
8
| Feminine Singular | die |
9
| Neuter Singular | das |
10
| Plural (all genders) | die |
11
Example: der Mann is masculine singular, so the pronoun is der.
12
Place a Comma: German grammar always requires a comma to separate the main clause from the relative clause. This is not optional and signals the start of the subordinate clause.
13
Example: "Ich sehe den(m) Mann,...
14
Introduce the Relative Pronoun: The relative clause begins immediately after the comma with the chosen nominative relative pronoun.
15
Example: "Ich sehe den(m) Mann, der...
16
Formulate the Relative Clause's Content: Construct the rest of the relative clause, ensuring that the chosen relative pronoun acts as the subject of this new mini-sentence. This means it is the one performing the action.
17
Example: "... der arbeitet bei Google."
18
Move the Conjugated Verb to the End: In a relative clause, the finite (conjugated) verb always occupies the final position. If there are multiple verb parts (e.g., modal verbs, perfect tense auxiliaries), the conjugated part goes last.
19
Correct: "Ich sehe den(m) Mann, der bei Google arbeitet."
20
Correct (with modal): "Das ist die Studentin, die gut Deutsch sprechen kann."
21
Correct (perfect tense): "Wir suchen das Buch, das schon oft gelesen wurde."
22
This systematic approach ensures grammatical correctness and clarity. Always remember the three pillars: antecedent agreement (gender/number), comma placement, and verb-final position.

When To Use It

Nominative relative clauses are indispensable tools for enriching your German expression by providing essential context, identifying individuals or items, and differentiating between similar entities. You will use them frequently in academic, professional, and everyday communication, moving beyond simple statements to more sophisticated descriptions.
One primary application is to identify or specify a person or thing. When you need to clarify which person or object you are referring to, a nominative relative clause adds the necessary detail. For instance, if several people are present, you might say: "Kannst du mir das Buch geben, das auf dem Tisch liegt?" (Can you give me the book that is on the table?) Here, das specifies which book, distinguishing it from other books that might not be on the table.
Similarly, "Ich habe einen Kollegen, der fließend Französisch spricht." identifies a particular colleague through their skill.
Relative clauses are also vital for defining terms or concepts. In formal writing or technical discussions, they allow for precise definitions without breaking the flow of a sentence. Consider a presentation: "Das ist eine Software, die komplexe Daten analysiert." This concisely defines the software's core function.
In a less formal context, describing a new restaurant, you could say: "Es gibt ein neues Restaurant, das fantastisches vegetarisches Essen anbietet." This elaborates on the restaurant's key feature.
Furthermore, these clauses enable you to add extra, non-essential information that enriches the narrative. While sometimes the information is crucial for identification, other times it simply provides additional color. "Meine Tante, die in Berlin wohnt, besucht uns nächste Woche." Here, the information about where the aunt lives is supplemental; the main point is her visit.
Whether the information is restrictive (essential for identification) or non-restrictive (additional detail), the grammatical structure remains the same, always separated by commas.
In online interactions, such as social media profiles or dating apps, nominative relative clauses efficiently convey personal attributes or preferences. "Ich suche eine Person, die gerne reist und neue Kulturen entdeckt." or "Das ist ein Freund, der immer gute Laune hat." They allow you to paint a vivid picture of someone or something, making your descriptions more engaging and precise.

Common Mistakes

Even at the B2 level, several common pitfalls can derail the correct usage of nominative relative pronouns. Awareness of these specific error patterns is crucial for refining your German.
  1. 1Ignoring the Antecedent's Gender and Number: A frequent error is mismatching the relative pronoun's gender or number with its antecedent. Remember, this agreement is absolute. You cannot use der for a feminine noun, even if it feels more natural in some contexts.
  • Incorrect: "Ich habe eine Freundin, der in München lebt." (Antecedent die Freundin is feminine singular, relative pronoun must be die)
  • Correct: "Ich habe eine Freundin, die in München lebt."
  1. 1Incorrect Case Within the Relative Clause: While the gender and number of the relative pronoun match the antecedent, its case is determined by its role within its own clause. Since we are discussing nominative relative pronouns, they must always be the subject of their clause. Using an accusative (den, die, das, die) or dative (dem, der, dem, denen) form by mistake is common.
  • Incorrect: "Das ist der Professor, den die Vorlesung hält." (den is accusative, but the professor is holding the lecture, so der [nominative] is needed as the subject)
  • Correct: "Das ist der Professor, der die Vorlesung hält."
  1. 1Forgetting the Verb-Final Position: This is perhaps the most persistent error for learners. In any German subordinate clause, including relative clauses, the conjugated verb must move to the very end. This applies even when there are multiple verb parts (e.g., modals, auxiliaries).
  • Incorrect: "Das ist der Kollege, der arbeitet in Hamburg." (Verb arbeitet is in second position)
  • Correct: "Das ist der Kollege, der in Hamburg arbeitet."
  • Incorrect: "Sie sucht einen Job, der sie kann gut bezahlen." (Modal verb kann is not at the end, and bezahlen is incorrectly placed)
  • Correct: "Sie sucht einen Job, der sie gut bezahlen kann."
  1. 1Omitting the Comma: German's strict comma rules dictate that a comma always separates a main clause from a subordinate clause. Failing to place a comma before the relative pronoun is a grammatical error.
  • Incorrect: "Wir besuchen das Museum das viele alte Gemälde hat."
  • Correct: "Wir besuchen das Museum, das viele alte Gemälde hat."
  1. 1Confusing das (relative pronoun) with dass (conjunction): These homophones (das vs. dass) cause significant confusion. Remember:
  • das (relative pronoun): Can be replaced by "which" or "that" (referring to a neuter singular noun or a general concept). It introduces a relative clause and always takes an article form.
  • dass (conjunction): Means "that" in the sense of introducing a content clause (e.g., "I believe that..."). It cannot be replaced by "which" or refer to a specific noun's gender.
  • Example: "Das ist das Kind, das Schokolade mag." (Relative pronoun: referring to das Kind)
  • Example: "Ich glaube, dass er kommt." (Conjunction: introduces a statement)
  1. 1Overuse of welcher/welche/welches: While welcher forms are grammatically correct as relative pronouns, they sound formal and archaic in most modern contexts. Stick to der/die/das for natural, contemporary German.
By consciously avoiding these common errors, you will significantly improve the accuracy and fluency of your German relative clause constructions.

Real Conversations

Observing how native speakers use nominative relative pronouns in authentic communication reveals their practical utility and common contexts. These aren't just textbook examples; they are integral to everyday interactions, from casual chats to more formal digital exchanges.

In social media and messaging apps, efficiency is key. Relative clauses allow for concise descriptions without needing multiple sentences. For instance, commenting on a friend's photo:

- "Das ist der Park, der so schön grün ist!" (That's the park that is so beautifully green!)

- "Ich liebe die Schuhe, die du anhast!" (I love the shoes that you're wearing!)

When describing people or distinguishing them in a group, nominative relative pronouns are essential:

- "Ich spreche von dem(m) Typen, der gestern die Präsentation gehalten hat." (I'm talking about the guy who held the presentation yesterday.)

- "Kennst du die neue Kollegin, die aus Hamburg kommt?" (Do you know the new colleague who is from Hamburg?)

In work-related emails or discussions, precision is valued. Relative clauses help to clearly define tasks, projects, or issues:

- "Bitte senden Sie mir das Dokument, das die Projektzahlen enthält." (Please send me the document that contains the project figures.)

- "Wir müssen die Aufgabe priorisieren, die bis Freitag fällig ist." (We need to prioritize the task that is due by Friday.)

Even in casual spoken German, where sentences can be shorter, relative clauses appear naturally, often with slight contractions or reduced pronunciation of der/die/das in rapid speech, though grammatically the forms remain. For example, when complaining about something:

- "Der Bus, der immer zu spät kommt, nervt mich!" (The bus that is always late annoys me!)

- "Das Wetter, das wir gerade haben, ist wirklich schlecht." (The weather that we're having right now is really bad.)

These examples illustrate that nominative relative pronouns are not just a grammatical concept but a dynamic part of German communication, enabling speakers to build detailed, interconnected sentences seamlessly. They allow for an economy of words while conveying rich information, making conversations more fluid and expressive.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about German nominative relative pronouns, addressing common points of confusion for B2 learners.
  • Do relative pronouns always come immediately after the noun they refer to?
Generally, yes. To ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity, the relative pronoun usually follows directly after its antecedent (the noun it describes). This proximity minimizes confusion, especially in complex sentences.
However, if the antecedent is part of a prepositional phrase, the relative pronoun still refers to the noun within that phrase:
  • "Ich spreche mit dem(m) Mann im Anzug, der sehr nett ist." (The pronoun der refers to der Mann, not der Anzug.)
  • Can I use welcher/welche/welches instead of der/die/das?
Grammatically, yes, the welcher-forms can function as relative pronouns. However, their usage is highly formal and sounds archaic or overly stiff in most modern contexts. For everyday communication, including written and spoken German at the B2 level and beyond, it is strongly recommended to use der, die, and das as relative pronouns.
Stick to welcher/welche/welches only if you aim for a very specific, elevated, or antiquated tone.
  • What happens if there's a modal verb or a perfect/passive construction in the relative clause?
The fundamental rule for verb position in subordinate clauses (verb at the end) remains absolute. If a modal verb (können, müssen, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen) is present, it will always be the last element in the clause, following any infinitive verbs:
  • "Das ist der Film, den ich unbedingt sehen möchte." (want to see)
  • "Er sucht einen Partner, der gut zuhören kann." (can listen well)
If you are using the perfect tense, the auxiliary verb (haben or sein) goes to the very end:
  • "Wir haben ein Problem gefunden, das gestern aufgetaucht ist." (that appeared yesterday)
Similarly, in passive constructions, the auxiliary verb (werden) goes last:
  • "Der Bericht, der heute geschrieben wurde, ist sehr wichtig." (that was written today)
  • Are there instances where the relative pronoun can refer to an entire preceding clause or idea?
Yes, for this specific function, German typically uses was (if the antecedent is neuter singular, or a general idea) or wo (if referring to a place or situation). For a complete clause, was is often used:
  • "Er hat mich beleidigt, was mich sehr ärgerte." (He insulted me, which annoyed me greatly.)
While this is a relative pronoun, its usage differs from der/die/das and is often introduced at a slightly more advanced stage. For now, focus on der/die/das referring to specific nouns.

Nominative Relative Pronouns

Gender Nominative Pronoun
Masculine {der|m}
der
Feminine {die|f}
die
Neuter {das|n}
das
Plural
die

Meanings

Relative pronouns introduce a clause that provides more information about a noun mentioned previously.

1

Subject replacement

Replacing a subject in a relative clause.

“Der Lehrer, der heute krank ist.”

“Die Blume, die so schön blüht.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Who's That? German Relative Pronouns (Nominative)
Form Structure Example
Masculine
Noun + der + ...
Der Mann, der lacht.
Feminine
Noun + die + ...
Die Frau, die lacht.
Neuter
Noun + das + ...
Das Kind, das lacht.
Plural
Noun + die + ...
Die Leute, die lachen.
Question
Wer ist der Mann, der...?
Wer ist der Mann, der lacht?
Negative
Noun + Pronoun + nicht
Der Mann, der nicht lacht.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Der Herr, der anwesend ist.

Der Herr, der anwesend ist. (Describing someone.)

Neutral
Der Mann, der hier ist.

Der Mann, der hier ist. (Describing someone.)

Informal
Der Typ, der hier ist.

Der Typ, der hier ist. (Describing someone.)

Slang
Der Typ, der da ist.

Der Typ, der da ist. (Describing someone.)

Relative Pronoun Mapping

Noun Gender

Pronoun

  • der masculine
  • die feminine
  • das neuter
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Examples by Level

1

Das ist der Mann, der hier arbeitet.

This is the man who works here.

2

Die Frau, die dort steht, ist nett.

The woman who stands there is nice.

3

Das Kind, das spielt, ist mein Sohn.

The child who is playing is my son.

4

Der Hund, der bellt, ist laut.

The dog that is barking is loud.

1

Ich suche das Buch, das auf dem Tisch liegt.

I am looking for the book that lies on the table.

2

Die Lehrerin, die uns hilft, ist sehr klug.

The teacher who helps us is very smart.

3

Der Freund, der heute kommt, ist aus Berlin.

The friend who is coming today is from Berlin.

4

Das Haus, das dort steht, ist alt.

The house that stands there is old.

1

Der Kollege, der das Projekt leitet, ist sehr erfahren.

The colleague who leads the project is very experienced.

2

Die Stadt, die so viele Museen hat, ist toll.

The city that has so many museums is great.

3

Das Auto, das gestern kaputtging, ist in der Werkstatt.

The car that broke down yesterday is in the shop.

4

Die Person, die den Brief geschrieben hat, ist weg.

The person who wrote the letter is gone.

1

Der Wissenschaftler, der die Studie veröffentlichte, ist renommiert.

The scientist who published the study is renowned.

2

Die Firma, die den Vertrag unterschrieb, ist erfolgreich.

The company that signed the contract is successful.

3

Das Ereignis, das die Welt veränderte, war historisch.

The event that changed the world was historical.

4

Die Lösung, die das Problem löst, ist einfach.

The solution that solves the problem is simple.

1

Der Autor, der das Werk verfasste, bleibt anonym.

The author who wrote the work remains anonymous.

2

Die Theorie, die auf Fakten basiert, ist überzeugend.

The theory that is based on facts is convincing.

3

Das Phänomen, das wir beobachten, ist selten.

The phenomenon that we observe is rare.

4

Die Entscheidung, die das Komitee traf, ist endgültig.

The decision that the committee made is final.

1

Der Philosoph, der das Dasein hinterfragte, ist ein Genie.

The philosopher who questioned existence is a genius.

2

Die Epoche, die den Wandel einleitete, war prägend.

The era that initiated the change was formative.

3

Das Konstrukt, das die Sprache bildet, ist komplex.

The construct that forms the language is complex.

4

Die Intuition, die den Künstler leitet, ist unfehlbar.

The intuition that guides the artist is infallible.

Easily Confused

Who's That? German Relative Pronouns (Nominative) vs Relative vs. Demonstrative

Both use 'der, die, das'.

Who's That? German Relative Pronouns (Nominative) vs Nominative vs. Accusative

Learners use Nominative for objects.

Who's That? German Relative Pronouns (Nominative) vs Relative vs. Interrogative

Both use 'wer/was'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Der Mann, der arbeitet hier.

✓

Der Mann, der hier arbeitet.

Verb must be at the end.
✗

Die Frau, der lacht.

✓

Die Frau, die lacht.

Wrong gender pronoun.
✗

Das Kind, das spielt.

✓

Das Kind, das spielt.

This is actually correct.
✗

Der Mann, die arbeitet.

✓

Der Mann, der arbeitet.

Wrong gender.
✗

Das Buch, das ist rot.

✓

Das Buch, das rot ist.

Verb at end.
✗

Die Leute, der kommen.

✓

Die Leute, die kommen.

Plural uses 'die'.
✗

Der Hund, das bellt.

✓

Der Hund, der bellt.

Masculine noun.
✗

Der Lehrer, der ich kenne.

✓

Der Lehrer, den ich kenne.

This requires Accusative, not Nominative.
✗

Das Haus, das ich baue es.

✓

Das Haus, das ich baue.

Don't repeat the object.
✗

Die Frau, die ich sehe sie.

✓

Die Frau, die ich sehe.

Don't repeat the object.
✗

Der Mann, welcher er geht.

✓

Der Mann, der geht.

Redundant pronoun.
✗

Die Sache, die ich denke, dass sie gut ist.

✓

Die Sache, die ich für gut halte.

Avoid clunky clauses.
✗

Das Auto, das fährt schnell.

✓

Das Auto, das schnell fährt.

Adverb position.

Sentence Patterns

Das ist ___ (noun), ___ (pronoun) ___ (verb).

Ich kenne ___ (noun), ___ (pronoun) ___ (adjective) ist.

___ (noun), ___ (pronoun) ___ (verb) hat, ist ___ (adjective).

___ (noun), ___ (pronoun) ___ (adverb) ___ (verb) ist, ist ___ (noun).

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

Hier ist das Foto, das ich gemacht habe.

Job Interview common

Ich habe die Erfahrung, die Sie suchen.

Texting constant

Der Typ, der da war, ist weg.

Travel common

Das ist der Zug, der nach Berlin fährt.

Food Delivery occasional

Das Essen, das ich bestellt habe, ist kalt.

Academic common

Die Studie, die wir lesen, ist wichtig.

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💡

Gender Check

Always identify the noun's gender before choosing the pronoun.
⚠️

Verb Position

The verb MUST go to the end of the relative clause.
🎯

Comma Rule

Always use a comma before the relative pronoun.
💬

Natural Flow

Relative clauses make you sound like a native speaker.

Smart Tips

Look at the article of the noun you are describing.

Der Mann, das arbeitet. → Der Mann, der arbeitet.

Remember: The relative clause is a 'verb-at-the-end' zone.

Die Frau, die ist nett. → Die Frau, die nett ist.

Use 'welcher' for variety if you have many relative clauses.

Der Mann, der... Der Mann, der... → Der Mann, der... Der Mann, welcher...

Keep the relative pronoun short and unstressed.

Der Mann, DER dort steht... → Der Mann, der dort steht...

Pronunciation

der (short)

Emphasis

Relative pronouns are usually unstressed.

Rising-Falling

Der Mann, der hier wohnt, ist nett.

Standard declarative.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'D-D-D': Der, Die, Das. They match the articles perfectly!

Visual Association

Imagine a mirror. The relative pronoun is a mirror reflecting the gender of the noun before it.

Rhyme

Der, Die, Das, the relative class, keeps the verb at the end, my friend.

Story

A man {der|m} walked into a room. A woman {die|f} followed him. A child {das|n} ran behind them. The man, who was happy, smiled.

Word Web

derdiedasRelativsatzNominativBezugswort

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your family using relative clauses.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision in relative clauses.

Relative pronouns evolved from demonstrative pronouns in Old High German.

Conversation Starters

“

Wer ist die Person, die dort steht?

“

Welches ist das Buch, das du liest?

“

Kennen Sie den Kollegen, der das Projekt leitet?

“

Was ist das Ereignis, das dich am meisten beeindruckt hat?

Journal Prompts

Describe your best friend.
Describe your dream house.
Describe a historical figure you admire.
Discuss a complex social issue.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct relative pronoun.

Der Mann, ___ dort steht, ist mein Vater.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: der
Masculine nominative.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Frau, die singt.
Feminine nominative.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das Kind, das spielt hier.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Kind, das hier spielt.
Verb at end.
Combine the sentences. Sentence Building

Der Hund bellt. Der Hund ist laut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Hund, der bellt, ist laut.
Correct pronoun.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wer ist das? B: Das ist die Frau, ___ Klavier spielt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Feminine nominative.
Sort the pronouns. Grammar Sorting

Sort: der, die, das.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: der, die, das
Correct order.
Translate to German. Translation

The book that is old.

Answer starts with: Das...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Buch, das alt ist.
Verb at end.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Relative pronouns must match the gender of the noun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Agreement is mandatory.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct relative pronoun.

Der Mann, ___ dort steht, ist mein Vater.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: der
Masculine nominative.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Frau, die singt.
Feminine nominative.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das Kind, das spielt hier.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Kind, das hier spielt.
Verb at end.
Combine the sentences. Sentence Building

Der Hund bellt. Der Hund ist laut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Hund, der bellt, ist laut.
Correct pronoun.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wer ist das? B: Das ist die Frau, ___ Klavier spielt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Feminine nominative.
Sort the pronouns. Grammar Sorting

Sort: der, die, das.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: der, die, das
Correct order.
Translate to German. Translation

The book that is old.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Buch, das alt ist.
Verb at end.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Relative pronouns must match the gender of the noun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Agreement is mandatory.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct plural relative pronoun. Fill in the Blank

Wo sind die Freunde, ___ uns helfen wollten?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Correct the word order. Error Correction

Das ist der Kaffee, der schmeckt gut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist der Kaffee, der gut schmeckt.
Put the words in the correct order to form a relative clause. Sentence Reorder

die / Das / ist / Frau, / Gitarre / spielt. / die

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist die Frau, die Gitarre spielt.
Translate into German using a relative clause. Translation

The laptop that is broken is on the table.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Laptop, der kaputt ist, liegt auf dem Tisch.
Which relative pronoun fits? Multiple Choice

Ich mag Filme, ___ spannend sind.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: die
Match the noun with the correct relative pronoun. Match Pairs

Match gender to pronoun:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Das ist ein Problem, ___ mich nervt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: das
Fix the missing comma. Error Correction

Ich kenne den Jungen der dort spielt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich kenne den Jungen, der dort spielt.
Select the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Talking about a female doctor:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist die Ärztin, die mich operiert hat.
Order the words. Sentence Reorder

der / das / Auto, / ist / schnell / fährt. / Das

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist das Auto, das schnell fährt.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

They make your sentences flow better and avoid repetition.

Check the article of the noun.

Use 'die'.

Yes, in the relative clause.

Yes, but it's more formal.

Verb position.

German requires gender agreement.

Yes, constantly.

Scaffolded Practice

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1

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

que

German requires gender agreement.

French high

qui

German uses gendered pronouns.

German high

der/die/das

None.

Japanese low

no

Word order is reversed.

Arabic moderate

alladhi

Arabic pronouns are more complex.

Chinese low

de

Chinese has no gender agreement.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
German Relative Pronouns: The Object Form (den, die, das)

Continue With

B2 Builds On

German Relative Pronouns: The Object Form (den, die, das)

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C1 Requires

German Relative Clauses with Prepositions (mit dem, auf den)

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C1 Requires

Relative Clauses with Genitive: Using 'dessen' and 'deren'

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German Indefinite Relative Pronoun: 'was' (Everything, nothing, which)

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C1 Builds On

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B2

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