Using 'wenn' (If & When)
wenn for conditions or future 'when', and always kick the conjugated verb to the end.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'wenn' to express conditions (if) or repeated events in the present/future (when).
- Use 'wenn' for conditions: 'Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.'
- Use 'wenn' for repeated events: 'Wenn ich Zeit habe, lese ich ein Buch.'
- The verb in the 'wenn'-clause always moves to the very end of the sentence.
Overview
Wenn is a fundamental German subordinating conjunction, commonly translating to "if" or "when" in English. For learners at the A2 CEFR level, mastering wenn is essential for constructing complex sentences that express conditions, recurring actions, and future events. As a subordinating conjunction, wenn introduces a dependent clause (Nebensatz) that cannot stand independently and structurally modifies the main clause (Hauptsatz).
The defining grammatical characteristic of any wenn clause is its verb-final word order, where the conjugated verb consistently appears at the very end of the subordinate clause. This structural feature signals the clause's dependency within the sentence.
The effective use of wenn necessitates a precise distinction from other conjunctions that might appear similar: als, ob, and wann. While wenn covers general conditions, repeated past actions, and future occurrences, als is reserved exclusively for single, completed events in the past (e.g., Als ich ein Kind war – When I was a child). Ob functions as "whether" and introduces indirect questions or expressions of doubt (e.g., Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt – I don't know whether he's coming).
Wann, an interrogative adverb, translates to "when?" and is used solely for direct or indirect questions about time (e.g., Wann kommt er? – When is he coming?). Understanding these distinctions is critical, as interchanging them is a common source of error for learners.
How This Grammar Works
wenn is to establish a subordinate clause (Nebensatz), a grammatical unit intrinsically linked to a main clause for its complete meaning. The most critical aspect of wenn clause construction is the verb-final word order. This principle dictates that the conjugated verb of the wenn clause must always be positioned as the very last element within that clause.Wenn ich Zeit habe, helfe ich dir. (If I have time, I help you.) Here, habe (the conjugated form of haben, to have) is correctly placed at the end of the wenn clause. If a modal verb is involved, as in Wenn ich gehen muss, sage ich dir Bescheid. (If I have to go, I'll let you know.), the conjugated modal verb muss moves to the end, while the infinitive gehen precedes it. This pattern holds for perfect tenses as well: the auxiliary verb (haben or sein) occupies the final position, with the past participle immediately before it.Wenn ich gegessen habe, gehe ich spazieren. (When I have eaten, I go for a walk.) The past participle gegessen precedes the auxiliary habe at the end.wenn clause. Omitting this comma constitutes a grammatical error.wenn clause begins the sentence, it significantly influences the word order of the subsequent main clause. In such cases, the entire wenn clause acts as the first structural component, occupying "Position 1." Consequently, the conjugated verb of the main clause must immediately follow the comma, claiming "Position 2." This adheres to the strict Verb-Second (V2) rule for main clauses in German. For instance, in Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. (If it rains, I stay at home.), the verb bleibe directly follows the comma.Formation Pattern
wenn follows a consistent pattern, whether it conveys a condition or a temporal relationship. The two primary structural considerations are the verb's terminal position within the wenn clause and the mandatory comma placement.
Wenn-Clause First
wenn-clause acts as the first element of the main clause, triggering an inversion of the subject and verb in the main clause.
Wenn | du | Zeit | hast | , | komme | ich | vorbei |
Wenn du Zeit hast, komme ich vorbei. (If you have time, I'll come over.)
wenn.
wenn clause directly after wenn.
wenn clause.
Wenn wir den Test schreiben, ... (When we write der test...)
wenn clause from the main clause.
wenn clause occupies the first grammatical position in the sentence, the main clause's verb must take the second position to maintain the Verb-Second (V2) rule. The main clause subject then follows this verb. Example: Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause. (If it rains, we stay at home.)
wenn-clause follows with its verb-final structure.
Ich | rufe | dich an | , | wenn | ich | fertig | bin |
Ich rufe dich an, wenn ich fertig bin. (I'll call you when I am finished.)
wenn conjunction.
wenn clause with wenn.
wenn clause.
wenn clause at its very end. Example: Wir essen oft draußen, wenn das Wetter schön ist. (We often eat outside when das weather is nice.)
wenn clause, the prefix and stem of separable verbs (e.g., anrufen – to call) reunite and move together to the final position as a single unit. Example: ...wenn ich dich anrufe (not ...wenn ich dich an rufe). The separation only occurs in main clauses or specific tenses/moods.
wenn clause, and the infinitive directly precedes it. Example: Wenn ich Deutsch lernen muss, bin ich motiviert. (If I have to learn German, I am motivated.)
haben or sein) moves to the end of the clause, with the past participle immediately preceding it. Example: Wenn ich die Prüfung bestanden habe, feiere ich. (When I have passed die exam, I celebrate.) Or, for Plusquamperfekt: Wenn ich meine Arbeit beendet hatte, ging ich spazieren. (When I had finished my work, I went for a walk.)
When To Use It
Wenn is utilized in three core contexts, bridging both conditional and temporal relationships. Accurately identifying these scenarios is essential for its correct and nuanced application in German.- 1Conditions ("If"): This is the most common and intuitive application of
wenn, introducing a condition that, if fulfilled, leads to a specific outcome. These conditions can be realistic, possible, or even general truths.
- Real or Possible Conditions: These describe situations that are genuinely possible or anticipated. The outcome is contingent upon the condition being met.
Wenn es schön Wetter ist, gehen wir spazieren.(If das weather is nice, we go for a walk.) The condition of good weather is a realistic possibility that directly affects whether we go for a walk. Similarly,Wenn du Hilfe brauchst, sag Bescheid.(If you need help, let me know.) states a clear condition for an action. - General Truths or Scientific Principles:
Wenncan introduce universal or scientific statements, indicating a constant cause-and-effect relationship.Wenn man Salz ins Wasser gibt, löst es sich auf.(If you add das salt to das water, it dissolves.) This isn't a one-time event but a general rule.
- 1Repeated Actions or Habits ("Whenever," "Every time"): This usage of
wenndescribes events that occur habitually or repeatedly, whether in the present or the past. It signifies a consistent, recurring pattern. This is a critical point of distinction fromals, which is strictly for single past events.
- Present or Future Habits:
Wenn ich müde bin, trinke ich einen Kaffee.(Whenever I am tired, I drink der coffee.) This describes a personal, consistent habit. Another example:Wenn wir in den Urlaub fahren, besuchen wir oft Museen.(Whenever we go on der vacation, we often visit museums.) - Past Habits:
Wennis used for actions that repeatedly happened in the past.Wenn mein Großvater mich besuchte, erzählte er immer Geschichten.(Whenever my grandfather visited me, he always told stories.) This emphasizes that the storytelling was a regular occurrence during his visits, not a single event.
- 1Future Actions ("When"):
Wennintroduces an event anticipated to happen in the future. Crucially, thewennclause itself almost always uses the present tense (Präsens), even though it refers to a future action. The future context is provided either by the main clause or the overall sentence meaning.
Wenn ich mit der Arbeit fertig bin, rufe ich dich an.(When I am finished with die work, I will call you.) Here,bin(present tense ofsein) refers to a future completion of work. The future tense (werden) is generally avoided in thewenn-clause for future events, as it sounds unnatural to native speakers.Wenn du in Berlin ankommst, schreib mir eine Nachricht.(When you arrive in Berlin, send me die message.) The verbankommst(present tense) clearly refers to a future arrival.
wenn from als, ob, and wann:als: Exclusively for a single, non-repeated event or period in the past.Als ich klein war, wohnte ich in Köln.(When I was little, I lived in Cologne.) – This period was a unique, non-repeating phase.ob: Solely means "whether" and introduces indirect questions or expressions of doubt.Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.(I don't know whether he is coming.)wann: An interrogative adverb used only for direct or indirect questions about time.Wann kommt der Zug?(When is der train coming?) orEr fragte, wann der Zug kommt.(He asked when der train is coming.) It does not introduce a dependent clause stating a condition or timing.
Common Mistakes
wenn. Recognizing these recurring error patterns and understanding their underlying grammatical causes is vital for achieving accuracy and fluency.- 1Incorrect Verb Placement in the
wenn-Clause: This is arguably the most pervasive error. German subordinate clauses demand the conjugated verb at the absolute end. Learners often mistakenly place the verb after the subject, replicating English word order patterns.
- Incorrect:
Wenn ich habe Zeit, helfe ich dir. - Correct:
Wenn ich Zeit habe, helfe ich dir.(If I have time, I help you.) - Why it's wrong:
Wennintroduces aNebensatz, which inherently triggers verb-final placement. The incorrect structure (wenn+ Subject + Verb) mimics a main clause's V2 structure, failing to acknowledge the subordinating role ofwenn.
- 1Violation of the Main Clause's Verb-Second (V2) Rule: When a
wennclause initiates a sentence, it occupies the sentence's first grammatical position (Position 1). Consequently, the main clause must immediately begin with its conjugated verb (Position 2), followed by its subject. Failing to adhere to this V2 rule is a significant error.
- Incorrect:
Wenn es regnet, ich bleibe zu Hause. - Correct:
Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.(If it rains, I stay at home.) - Why it's wrong: The entire
wennclause functions as the initial element. To preserve the V2 structure in the main clause, the verb must directly follow the comma. Placing the subject (ich) before the verb (bleibe) after the comma disrupts the fundamental V2 principle of German main clauses.
- 1Missing Comma: German grammar strictly requires a comma to delineate the boundary between any main clause and a subordinate clause. Its omission is a grammatical fault.
- Incorrect:
Wenn ich müde bin gehe ich ins Bett. - Correct:
Wenn ich müde bin, gehe ich ins Bett.(When I am tired, I go to bed.) - Why it's wrong: The comma serves as a crucial syntactic marker, clearly separating the dependent clause from the independent clause, which is essential for sentence clarity and parsing in German.
- 1Confusion with
als(Single Past Event): Usingwennfor a unique, non-repeated event in the past is incorrect.Alsis the designated conjunction for such specific past occurrences.
- Incorrect:
Wenn ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel. - Correct:
Als ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel.(When I was a child, I played a lot.) - Why it's wrong:
Wennin a past context signals repetition ("whenever"). Usingwennhere implies a recurrent childhood, which is logically unsound.Alsuniquely identifies a single, bounded period or event in the past.
- 1Confusion with
ob("Whether"):Wennmust not be used to introduce indirect questions or expressions of uncertainty that translate to "whether." This function is exclusively reserved forob.
- Incorrect:
Ich weiß nicht, wenn er kommt. - Correct:
Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.(I don't know whether he is coming.) - Why it's wrong:
Wennestablishes a condition or a temporal relationship.Ob, on the other hand, introduces an alternative or a question that implies a binary (yes/no) answer.
- 1Confusion with
wann(Interrogative Adverb):Wann(meaning "when?") is an interrogative adverb used for direct and indirect questions concerning time. It is not a subordinating conjunction and cannot introduce a dependent clause that states a condition or time.
- Incorrect:
Ich frage, wenn der Zug abfährt. - Correct:
Ich frage, wann der Zug abfährt.(I ask when der train departs.) - Why it's wrong:
Wannspecifically seeks information about a point in time.Wennintroduces a conditional or temporal clause, but not a direct or indirect question about time.
- 1Incorrect Handling of Separable Verbs: Learners may incorrectly attempt to separate the prefix of a separable verb within a
wennclause, mirroring their behavior in main clauses.
- Incorrect:
Wenn ich dich rufe an, ... - Correct:
Wenn ich dich anrufe, ...(If I call you, ...) - Why it's wrong: In subordinate clauses, the strong bond created by the subordinating conjunction causes separable verbs to remain united, with the entire verb (prefix + stem) moving together to the final position. The prefix only detaches in main clauses or specific grammatical contexts.
wenn in German.Real Conversations
Wenn is an omnipresent element in authentic German communication, spanning formal written reports to informal digital exchanges. Its adaptability allows speakers to articulate nuanced conditions, future intentions, and habitual actions efficiently. Observing its application in real-world contexts offers practical insights beyond grammatical paradigms.
- Casual Texting/Messaging: In informal digital communication, wenn is frequently employed for making plans or stating simple conditions.
- Bin gleich da, wenn du schon wach bist. (I'll be there soon, if you're already awake.)
- Können wir morgen treffen, wenn du Zeit hast? (Can we meet tomorrow, if you have time?)
- Cultural Insight: While grammar dictates commas between clauses, you may occasionally observe native speakers omitting them in very casual, rapid-fire texting for brevity. This is a stylistic choice, not a grammatical standard for formal writing.
- Everyday Spoken German: In spoken language, especially in rapid conversation, slight phonetic reductions of common verb forms often occur, yet the fundamental wenn clause structure remains unchanged.
- Wenn ich Hunger hab, ess ich was. (When I'm hungry, I eat something.) – Note the common elision of the final -e in habe to hab and esse to ess. This is typical in casual speech but should be written as habe and esse.
- Wenn's kalt wird, ziehen wir uns warm an. (When it gets cold, we dress warmly.) – The contraction wenn es to wenn's is very common, especially at the beginning of a sentence.
- Wenn du in die Stadt fährst, kauf mir bitte Brot. (If you go to die city, please buy me das bread.)
- Social Media/Online Comments: Wenn is crucial for expressing opinions, hypothetical scenarios, or reactions in online discourse.
- Total schönes Bild! Könnte glatt aus nem Reiseführer sein, wenn die Sonne nur noch länger schiene. (Really nice picture! Could easily be from a travel guide, if only the sun would shine longer.)
- Progressive Complexity: This example incorporates wenn with the Subjunctive II (schiene), an advanced construction (B1/B2 level) used for counterfactual or highly hypothetical conditions. Even at A2, recognizing that the wenn-clause's verb-final rule still applies here is beneficial.
- Formal and Professional Contexts: In business emails, reports, or formal discussions, wenn maintains its precise grammatical structure and is indispensable for clear conditional statements and accurate temporal references.
- Wenn die Daten vollständig vorliegen, können wir die Analyse beginnen. (If die data is completely available, we can begin die analysis.)
- Bitte informieren Sie uns, wenn Sie Änderungen vornehmen. (Please inform us if you make die changes.)
- Cultural Insight: German communication, particularly in professional and academic settings, places a high value on clarity and grammatical precision. Correct wenn usage significantly contributes to avoiding ambiguity in instructions, contracts, and conditional agreements, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on accuracy.
These diverse examples highlight wenn as a versatile and indispensable component of the German language, seamlessly integrating into various communication styles while adhering to its fundamental grammatical rules. Close observation of native usage will aid in internalizing these patterns effectively.
Quick FAQ
wenn can clarify specific points and solidify your overall understanding of this essential conjunction.- Does the verb always go to the end of a
wennclause?
Nebensatz introduced by wenn, the conjugated verb must be the final element. This is a non-negotiable rule for all German subordinate clauses.Wenn ich ein neues Auto kaufen möchte, spare ich Geld. (If I want to buy das new car, I save money.)- Can
wennstart a sentence?
wenn clause begins a sentence, it functions as the initial element (Position 1), necessitating that the main clause immediately follow the comma with its conjugated verb (Position 2), adhering to the Verb-Second (V2) rule. Example: Wenn es schön ist, gehen wir spazieren. (If das weather is nice, we go for a walk.)- What's the difference between
wennandfalls?
wenn and falls can translate to "if," but falls (in case that) carries a subtle nuance of a slightly higher degree of uncertainty or contingency than wenn. Falls suggests a less expected or more specific potential scenario, often implying a need for preparedness. While often interchangeable, falls adds a shade of precaution or a lower perceived probability.Wenn es regnet, nehme ich einen Schirm mit.(If it rains, I'll take der umbrella with me.) – Rain is a common possibility.Falls es regnet, habe ich einen Regenschirm im Auto.(In case it rains, I have der umbrella in das car.) – This implies preparation for a less certain or more specific event, possibly unexpected.
- Why does German have different words for "when" (
wenn,als,wann)?
wenn: A subordinating conjunction for recurring events (past, present, future) and for conditions ("if").als: A subordinating conjunction used exclusively for a single, non-repeated event or period in the past (e.g.,als ich Kind war).wann: An interrogative adverb used solely for direct or indirect questions about time (e.g.,Wann fährt der Zug ab?). It does not introduce a dependent clause that states a condition or time.
- Does
wennchange the case of nouns?
Wenn is a conjunction that governs word order within its clause, but it does not directly influence the grammatical case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) of nouns or pronouns. Their case is determined by the specific verb or preposition governing them within their respective clause, whether it's the wenn clause or the main clause.- Can I use
wennwith the perfect tense?
haben or sein) will move to the end of the wenn clause, with the past participle preceding it. Example: Wenn ich meine Hausaufgaben gemacht hatte, durfte ich spielen. (Whenever I had done my homework, I was allowed to play.) Here, hatte (imperfect of haben, used as an auxiliary for the plusquamperfekt) moves to the end, indicating a repeated past condition.- Is it natural to use
wennfor future events with the future tense (werden)?
wenn, German predominantly uses the present tense (Präsens) in the wenn clause. The future meaning is almost always conveyed by the main clause or the surrounding context.- Natural and idiomatic:
Wenn ich morgen Zeit habe, komme ich vorbei.(When I have time tomorrow, I will come over.) - Grammatically correct but less natural:
Wenn ich morgen Zeit haben werde, komme ich vorbei.(If I will have time tomorrow, I will come over.) – Avoid this construction for smoother, more idiomatic German.
Sentence Structure with 'Wenn'
| Clause Type | Conjunction | Subject | Middle | Verb (End) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wenn-Clause
|
Wenn
|
ich
|
Zeit
|
habe
|
|
Main Clause
|
-
|
gehe
|
ich
|
los
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
wenn es
|
wenn's
|
Meanings
A subordinating conjunction used to introduce conditional clauses (if) or temporal clauses referring to repeated events in the present or future (when).
Conditional
Expressing a condition that must be met.
“Wenn du willst, helfe ich dir.”
“Wenn ich Geld hätte, würde ich reisen.”
Temporal (Recurring)
Describing events that happen repeatedly in the present or future.
“Wenn ich {die|f} Arbeit beende, gehe ich nach Hause.”
“Wenn wir uns sehen, lachen wir immer.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Wenn + S + O + V
|
Wenn ich Zeit habe, lerne ich.
|
|
Negative
|
Wenn + S + nicht + V
|
Wenn ich nicht lerne, bin ich traurig.
|
|
Question
|
V + S + wenn + S + V
|
Lernst du, wenn du Zeit hast?
|
|
Hypothetical
|
Wenn + S + V(Konj.II)
|
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, lernte ich.
|
|
Modal
|
Wenn + S + O + V + Modal
|
Wenn ich lernen muss, bleibe ich.
|
|
Past (Recurring)
|
Wenn + S + O + V(Perfekt)
|
Wenn ich gelernt habe, bin ich froh.
|
Formality Spectrum
Wenn Sie Zeit haben, rufen Sie mich bitte an. (Making plans)
Wenn du Zeit hast, ruf mich an. (Making plans)
Wenn du Zeit hast, klingel mal durch. (Making plans)
Wenn du Zeit hast, meld dich. (Making plans)
Wenn vs. Als vs. Ob
Wenn
- Bedingung Condition
- Wiederholung Repetition
Als
- Einmalig One-time
- Vergangenheit Past
Ob
- Indirekte Frage Indirect question
Examples by Level
Wenn ich Zeit habe, lerne ich.
If I have time, I study.
Wenn du willst, gehen wir.
If you want, we go.
Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich hier.
If it rains, I stay here.
Wenn ich Hunger habe, esse ich.
If I am hungry, I eat.
Wenn ich {die|f} Hausaufgaben mache, höre ich Musik.
When I do my homework, I listen to music.
Wenn du nicht kommst, gehe ich allein.
If you don't come, I go alone.
Kommst du, wenn du fertig bist?
Are you coming when you are finished?
Wenn ich müde bin, schlafe ich sofort ein.
When I am tired, I fall asleep immediately.
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, würde ich nach Japan reisen.
If I had more money, I would travel to Japan.
Wenn er mich anruft, sage ich ihm Bescheid.
When he calls me, I will let him know.
Wenn man gesund bleiben will, muss man Sport treiben.
If one wants to stay healthy, one must exercise.
Wenn ich gewusst hätte, dass du kommst, hätte ich gekocht.
If I had known you were coming, I would have cooked.
Wenn auch die Umstände schwierig sind, bleiben wir optimistisch.
Even if the circumstances are difficult, we remain optimistic.
Wenn es sich um ein dringendes Problem handelt, rufen Sie bitte an.
If it is an urgent problem, please call.
Wenn ich nur wüsste, wo er ist!
If only I knew where he is!
Wenn man bedenkt, wie viel er gearbeitet hat, ist das Ergebnis gut.
When one considers how much he worked, the result is good.
Wenn schon, denn schon.
If you're going to do it, do it right.
Wenn dem so wäre, müssten wir handeln.
If that were the case, we would have to act.
Wenn die Sonne untergeht, färbt sich der Himmel rot.
When the sun sets, the sky turns red.
Wenn auch nicht perfekt, so ist es doch eine Verbesserung.
If not perfect, it is still an improvement.
Wenn's beliebt, können wir fortfahren.
If it pleases you, we can continue.
Wenn man sich vor Augen führt, welche Konsequenzen drohen, ist Vorsicht geboten.
When one considers the consequences, caution is advised.
Wenn auch nur ein Funken Wahrheit darin steckt, ist es skandalös.
If there is even a spark of truth in it, it is scandalous.
Wenn man so will, ist alles eine Frage der Perspektive.
If you look at it that way, everything is a matter of perspective.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'wenn' for past events.
Learners use 'wenn' for indirect questions.
Learners think they are identical.
Common Mistakes
Wenn ich gehe nach Hause.
Wenn ich nach Hause gehe.
Wenn ich habe Zeit.
Wenn ich Zeit habe.
Als ich Zeit habe, gehe ich.
Wenn ich Zeit habe, gehe ich.
Wenn ich Zeit, habe ich gehe.
Wenn ich Zeit habe, gehe ich.
Wenn ich ging, war ich froh.
Als ich ging, war ich froh.
Ich weiß nicht, wenn er kommt.
Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.
Wenn er kommt, ich gehe.
Wenn er kommt, gehe ich.
Wenn ich hätte Zeit, gehe ich.
Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich gehen.
Wenn man will, man kann.
Wenn man will, kann man.
Wenn ich das gewusst hätte, ich hätte es gesagt.
Wenn ich das gewusst hätte, hätte ich es gesagt.
Wenn schon, denn schon.
Wenn schon, denn schon.
Wenn dem so ist, ich gehe.
Wenn dem so ist, gehe ich.
Wenn auch nicht, es ist okay.
Wenn auch nicht, ist es okay.
Sentence Patterns
Wenn ich ___, ___ ich.
___ du, wenn du ___ hast?
Wenn ich ___, würde ich ___.
Wenn man ___, muss man ___.
Real World Usage
Wenn du da bist, schreib mir!
Wenn ich eine Aufgabe übernehme, erledige ich sie gründlich.
Wenn der Zug Verspätung hat, nehme ich den Bus.
Wenn ihr das Video mögt, lasst ein Like da!
Wenn das Essen kalt ist, reklamiere ich.
Wenn man die Daten analysiert, erkennt man ein Muster.
Verb Magnet
Past Tense Trap
V2 Rule
Politeness
Smart Tips
Immediately look for the verb at the end of that clause.
Check if the main clause starts with the verb.
Ask yourself: 'Did this happen once?' If yes, use 'als'.
Use 'ob' instead of 'wenn'.
Pronunciation
Wenn
Pronounced like 'ven' in English, with a short 'e'.
Rising-Falling
Wenn ich Zeit habe ↗, gehe ich ↘.
The rising intonation at the comma signals a dependent clause.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Wenn is for 'When' (repeated) and 'If' (condition). Remember: 'Wenn' pushes the verb to the end like a magnet.
Visual Association
Imagine a magnet at the end of the sentence pulling the verb away from its normal position.
Rhyme
Wenn the verb is at the end, the sentence is your best friend.
Story
Hans wants to go to the park. He says, 'Wenn it is sunny, I go.' He waits for the sun. Every time the sun shines, he goes. He repeats this routine every day.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your daily routine using 'Wenn'.
Cultural Notes
Germans value precision. Using 'wenn' correctly shows you understand the logical dependencies in their language.
Austrians often use 'wenn' in more relaxed, conversational ways, sometimes omitting the 'e' in 'wenn' to 'wann' in dialects.
Swiss German speakers often use 'wenn' similarly, but the surrounding dialectal structure changes the verb placement.
Derived from Old High German 'hwenne', related to 'wann'.
Conversation Starters
Was machst du, wenn du am Wochenende frei hast?
Was kaufst du, wenn du im Supermarkt bist?
Was tust du, wenn du gestresst bist?
Was würdest du tun, wenn du im Lotto gewinnen würdest?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Wenn ich Zeit ___, gehe ich.
Find and fix the mistake:
Wenn ich müde bin, ich schlafe.
___ ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
If it rains, I stay home.
Answer starts with: Wen...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Ich weiß nicht, ___ er kommt.
Wenn er ___ (anrufen), sage ich Bescheid.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesWenn ich Zeit ___, gehe ich.
Find and fix the mistake:
Wenn ich müde bin, ich schlafe.
___ ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel.
habe / Wenn / ich / Zeit / , / gehe / ich / .
If it rains, I stay home.
Wenn ich Geld hätte, ...
Ich weiß nicht, ___ er kommt.
Wenn er ___ (anrufen), sage ich Bescheid.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exerciseswenn / ich / bin / müde / schlafe / ich
If I have money, I'll buy the laptop.
Match the condition to the result:
Ich komme später, wenn ich muss noch arbeiten.
Wir gehen ins Kino, ______ wir Tickets finden.
_____ ich nächste Woche in Berlin bin, besuche ich dich.
wenn / du / willst / wir / können / gehen
Whenever I was hungry, I ate.
Wenn du die Nachricht ______, sag mir Bescheid.
Which sentence means 'If I win'?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Only if they are repeated events. For single past events, use 'als'.
Because 'wenn' is a subordinating conjunction, which creates a dependent clause.
Yes, mostly. It also covers 'when' for recurring events.
'Wenn' is for conditions, 'ob' is for indirect questions (whether).
Yes, it is very common.
The main clause must start with the verb to keep the V2 rule.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Add 'nicht' before the verb or the object.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
if / when
German forces the verb to the end of the 'wenn' clause.
si / cuando
German uses one word for both functions.
si / quand
German syntax is much stricter regarding verb placement.
~tara / ~toki
Japanese is SOV, German is SVO with verb-at-end in clauses.
idha / mata
Arabic word order is flexible, German is rigid.
ruguo / dang
Chinese has no verb conjugation or clause-end verb movement.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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