B2 Verb Moods 15 min read Easy

Reporting What People Said (Indirekte Rede mit dass)

Report speech by using dass and kicking the verb to the end without unnecessary English-style tense shifts.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'dass' to introduce reported speech, pushing the conjugated verb to the very end of the clause.

  • Use a reporting verb like 'sagen' or 'meinen' followed by a comma.
  • Start the new clause with the conjunction 'dass'.
  • Place the conjugated verb at the end of the 'dass'-clause: 'Er sagt, dass er müde ist.'
Subject + Verb + , + dass + Subject + ... + Verb(end)

Overview

Reporting what others have said, thought, or felt is a fundamental aspect of human communication. In German, this often involves the use of indirect speech (indirekte Rede), which allows you to convey a message without directly quoting the original speaker. At the B2 level, mastering indirekte Rede primarily involves the use of the conjunction dass (that) followed by a subordinate clause.

This structure provides a clear, unambiguous way to integrate reported information into your sentences, making your communication more sophisticated and adaptable. Understanding this grammatical construction is crucial for academic discussions, professional correspondence, and nuanced everyday conversations, moving beyond simple direct quotes to a more integrated narrative style.

The dass-clause serves as a direct object to the main verb, meaning it answers the question "What was said?" or "What was thought?". Unlike some other languages, German often maintains the original tense of the reported statement when using dass with the indicative mood, simplifying the process for learners. This stability in tense reflects a logical consistency in German grammar, where the focus remains on the content of the message rather than a back-shifted temporal perspective.

The consistent application of the verb-final word order in subordinate clauses is a cornerstone of this construction, ensuring clarity and adherence to German syntactic principles.

How This Grammar Works

Indirect speech with dass functions by embedding a complete statement within another sentence. This embedded statement, known as the subordinate clause (Nebensatz), is introduced by the conjunction dass and contains the reported content. The main clause, or reporting clause (Berichtsatz), typically introduces the speaker and often uses a reporting verb such as sagen (to say), denken (to think), meinen (to mean/think), erzählen (to tell), glauben (to believe), or wissen (to know).
The linguistic principle at play here is subordination: one clause is dependent on the other, providing additional information necessary for the main clause's complete meaning.
The most significant structural change you will encounter with dass-clauses is the verb-final word order. In a standard German main clause, the conjugated verb typically occupies the second position. However, in a dass-clause, the conjugated verb moves to the absolute end of the clause.
This is a consistent feature of all German subordinate clauses and is essential for maintaining grammatical correctness and natural flow. This verb-final position allows the listener or reader to process the subject and object of the reported statement before encountering the action itself, creating a clear hierarchical structure within the sentence. It is a systematic way German grammar signals the dependency of one clause upon another.
Consider the sentence structure:
| Main Clause (Reporting Clause) | , dass | Subordinate Clause (Reported Content) |
|---|---|---|
| Er sagt (He says) | , dass | er müde ist. (he is tired.) |
| Sie glaubt (She believes) | , dass | der Film interessant war. (the film was interesting.) |
Notice that a comma always precedes dass, separating the main clause from the subordinate clause. This comma is not optional; it is a mandatory punctuation mark in German grammar, serving as a visual cue for the structural shift occurring within the sentence. Failure to include this comma is a common error and can lead to grammatical ambiguity.
The proper use of dass with its attendant word order signifies a more advanced command of German syntax, distinguishing a B2 learner from those at lower levels.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming indirect speech with dass follows a precise and predictable pattern. This systematic approach ensures clarity and correct grammatical construction. The process generally involves four key steps, which you must execute consistently.
2
Identify the Reporting Clause: Start with a main clause that introduces the person reporting the information. This clause will contain the subject and a suitable reporting verb. Common reporting verbs include sagen (to say), meinen (to mean/think), erzählen (to tell), glauben (to believe), wissen (to know), hoffen (to hope), finden (to find/think), behaupten (to claim), fragen (to ask – when reporting an indirect question, though dass is for statements), and vorschlagen (to suggest).
3
Example: Meine Freundin sagt... (My friend says...)
4
Insert the Comma and dass: Immediately after the reporting clause, place a comma, followed by the conjunction dass. This establishes the subordinate clause and signals the upcoming change in word order.
5
Example: Meine Freundin sagt, dass...
6
Construct the Reported Content: Formulate the reported statement as if it were a direct statement, but adjust pronouns, possessive adjectives, and certain adverbs (e.g., hier to dort) to reflect the new perspective. For instance, if the original speaker said "I," you must change it to "he" or "she" in reported speech.
7
Original: „Ich habe morgen keine Zeit.“ (I have no time tomorrow.)
8
Reported content (initial thought): sie hat morgen keine Zeit
9
Place the Conjugated Verb at the End: This is the most crucial step. Take the conjugated verb from the reported content and move it to the very last position in the dass-clause. If there are auxiliary verbs (e.g., in perfect tenses or with modal verbs), the auxiliary verb goes at the very end, while the main verb (in its infinitive or past participle form) precedes it.
10
Complete Example: Meine Freundin sagt, dass sie morgen keine Zeit hat. (My friend says that she has no time tomorrow.)
11
Let's examine another example, showing pronoun and verb placement:
12
Original: „Wir gehen heute Abend ins Kino.“ (We are going to the cinema this evening.)
13
Reporting: Peter und Maria erzählen, dass sie heute Abend ins Kino gehen. (Peter and Maria tell that they are going to the cinema this evening.)
14
In cases involving modal verbs or perfect tenses, the structure is slightly more complex, but the core principle of the conjugated verb (or auxiliary) moving to the end remains constant:
15
Original: „Ich muss noch arbeiten.“ (I still have to work.)
16
Reported: Er sagt, dass er noch arbeiten muss. (He says that he still has to work.)
17
Original: „Ich bin gestern ins Museum gegangen.“ (I went to the museum yesterday.)
18
Reported: Sie hat erzählt, dass sie gestern ins Museum gegangen ist. (She told that she went to the museum yesterday.)
19
This systematic approach ensures that you consistently produce grammatically correct and coherent dass-clauses, a hallmark of advanced German proficiency.

When To Use It

Indirect speech with dass is pervasive in both written and spoken German, allowing you to seamlessly integrate information that originated from another source. Its primary function is to report statements, opinions, beliefs, or facts. You will find yourself using this construction in a multitude of contexts, from everyday interactions to more formal settings.
  • Reporting Facts and Information: When you need to convey information that has been stated by someone else, dass is the standard choice. This is common in news reports, academic writing, and professional communication.
  • Der Professor erklärt, dass die Prüfung nächste Woche stattfindet. (The professor explains that the exam takes place next week.)
  • Die Firma hat mitgeteilt, dass die Preise steigen werden. (The company announced that the prices will rise.)
  • Expressing Opinions and Beliefs: To share someone's perspective, thoughts, or convictions without committing to them yourself, dass is invaluable.
  • Mein Chef glaubt, dass das Projekt erfolgreich sein wird. (My boss believes that the project will be successful.)
  • Viele Leute meinen, dass die Politik sich ändern muss. (Many people think that politics must change.)
  • Summarizing Conversations: When recounting a conversation or meeting, dass allows you to condense and report key takeaways efficiently.
  • In der Besprechung wurde gesagt, dass wir uns auf den neuen Markt konzentrieren sollten. (In the meeting, it was said that we should focus on the new market.)
  • Justifying Actions or Decisions: You can use dass to explain the reasoning behind an action or decision based on someone else's input.
  • Ich habe entschieden, dass ich den Job annehme, weil mein Mentor es empfohlen hat. (I decided that I take the job because my mentor recommended it.)
  • Formal vs. Informal Contexts: While Konjunktiv I is traditionally associated with highly formal reporting (e.g., news anchors, legal documents) to maintain neutrality, dass with the indicative is perfectly appropriate and common across nearly all registers. For B2 learners, focusing on dass with the indicative ensures clear, grammatically sound communication that is universally understood and accepted. The directness of dass makes it a workhorse of German communication, unlike the often archaic-sounding Konjunktiv I in casual conversation. The reliability of dass makes it suitable for almost any scenario where you need to report speech or thought, making it a cornerstone of effective German communication.

Common Mistakes

Even at the B2 level, certain patterns of error persist when learners attempt to use dass-clauses. Recognizing and actively correcting these mistakes is key to achieving fluency and grammatical precision.
  1. 1Incorrect Word Order (Verb Placement): This is by far the most frequent and noticeable error. Learners often forget to move the conjugated verb to the end of the dass-clause, reverting to main clause word order.
  • Incorrect: Er sagt, dass er ist müde. (He says that he is tired.)
  • Correct: Er sagt, dass er müde ist.
Remember the fundamental rule: the conjugated verb always goes to the very end of a subordinate clause. This applies consistently, regardless of whether the clause contains a single verb, a modal verb, or a perfect tense construction. If there is a modal verb or an auxiliary verb (like haben or sein in perfect tenses), it is the conjugated auxiliary or modal verb that occupies the final position, preceded by the infinitive or past participle.
  • Incorrect (Modal): Sie denkt, dass sie will nach Hause gehen.
  • Correct (Modal): Sie denkt, dass sie nach Hause gehen will.
  • Incorrect (Perfect): Ich weiß, dass er hat das Buch gelesen.
  • Correct (Perfect): Ich weiß, dass er das Buch gelesen hat.
  1. 1Missing Comma: German grammar strictly requires a comma to separate a main clause from a subordinate clause. Omitting this comma is a grammatical error.
  • Incorrect: Sie meint dass sie kommt später.
  • Correct: Sie meint, dass sie später kommt.
The comma acts as a structural marker, guiding the reader through the sentence's syntax. Ignoring it disrupts the expected flow.
  1. 1Tense Shifting (English Influence): While English often "back-shifts" tenses in reported speech (e.g., "He said he was tired," even if he is still tired), German with dass generally maintains the original tense if the statement is still true or relevant. Introducing an unnecessary tense shift can alter the meaning or sound unnatural.
  • Original: „Ich bin heute beschäftigt.“ (I am busy today.)
  • Incorrect (English tense shift): Er hat gesagt, dass er heute beschäftigt war. (Implies he was busy, but might not be now.)
  • Correct: Er hat gesagt, dass er heute beschäftigt ist. (He said that he is busy today – implying it is still true.)
Tense changes are only necessary if the time reference of the reported event itself has genuinely changed, making the original tense factually incorrect.
  1. 1Confusing dass and das: These two words are homophones but have distinct grammatical functions. dass (with ss) is always a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause. das (with a single s) is either a definite article (das Haus), a demonstrative pronoun (Das ist schön), or a relative pronoun (das Buch, das...). Using the wrong spelling is a common typographical error.
  • Incorrect: Ich glaube, das ist eine gute Idee. (Here, das implies Ich glaube, DAS (this thing) ist eine gute Idee. rather than reporting a statement.)
  • Correct: Ich glaube, dass das eine gute Idee ist. (I believe that this is a good idea.)
Pay close attention to whether you are introducing a clause (dass) or referring to a noun or concept (das).
  1. 1Forgetting Pronoun and Adverb Adjustments: The perspective shifts when you report someone's words. You must adjust pronouns (ich to er/sie), possessive adjectives (mein to sein/ihr), and sometimes adverbs of place or time (hier to dort, jetzt to dann) to match the new narrative context.
  • Original: „Ich bringe mein Buch mit hierher.“ (I bring my book here.)
  • Incorrect: Sie sagte, dass ich bringe mein Buch mit hierher.
  • Correct: Sie sagte, dass sie ihr Buch mit dorthin bringt. (She said that she brings her book there.)
These adjustments ensure that the reported statement is logically coherent from your perspective as the reporter.

Real Conversations

In modern German communication, dass-clauses are an indispensable tool for relaying information efficiently and naturally, far beyond the confines of textbooks. You will encounter and use them in casual chat, social media, professional emails, and even when summarizing complex discussions.

- Casual Chat/Messaging: When recounting what a friend said or explaining plans, dass is frequently used.

- "Markus hat gesagt, dass er später kommt." (Markus said that he's coming later.)

- "Lea meinte, dass das Konzert ausverkauft ist." (Lea mentioned that the concert is sold out.)

- "Meine Schwester hat mir geschrieben, dass sie am Wochenende Besuch hat." (My sister wrote to me that she has visitors on the weekend.)

- Work/Academic Emails: In formal or semi-formal written communication, dass provides a clear and concise way to refer to previous discussions or decisions.

- "Herr Schmidt hat bestätigt, dass die Unterlagen bis Freitag benötigt werden." (Mr. Schmidt confirmed that the documents are needed by Friday.)

- "Das Team hat beschlossen, dass wir die Marketingstrategie anpassen müssen." (The team decided that we must adjust the marketing strategy.)

- Social Media/Online Forums: Even in less formal online environments, dass is common when referring to external information or others' opinions.

- "Viele User posten, dass das neue Update viele Bugs hat." (Many users post that the new update has many bugs.)

- "Jemand schrieb, dass der Artikel sehr informativ war." (Someone wrote that the article was very informative.)

- Explaining Decisions or Background: When providing context or justification for something, dass allows you to attribute information.

- "Ich bin spät, weil meine Mutter angerufen hat und gesagt hat, dass sie meine Hilfe braucht." (I'm late because my mother called and said that she needs my help.)

- "Wir haben das Projekt verschoben, da wir bemerkt haben, dass die Ressourcen nicht ausreichen." (We postponed the project because we noticed that the resources are not sufficient.)

In these real-world examples, you can see how dass clauses enable sophisticated and accurate reporting, crucial for navigating complex social and professional landscapes in German-speaking environments. The verb-final position is consistently applied, demonstrating the inherent structure of German syntax in reported clauses.

Quick FAQ

  • Does the tense ever change in German indirect speech with dass?
Generally, no. German dass-clauses with the indicative mood typically maintain the original tense of the reported statement, especially if the reported fact or opinion is still valid or current. A tense change only occurs if the actual time of the reported event has shifted relative to the moment of reporting.
  • What about reporting questions? Does dass work for them?
No, dass is exclusively for reporting statements. To report questions, you use different conjunctions: ob (if/whether) for yes/no questions, and the original question word (e.g., wer, was, wo, wann) for W-questions. These also trigger verb-final word order but are grammatically distinct from dass-clauses.
  • Can I omit dass and still have indirect speech?
Yes, in spoken German, it is very common to omit dass (e.g., Er sagt, er kommt später.). When dass is omitted, the subordinate clause reverts to main clause word order (conjugated verb in second position). While grammatically acceptable in informal contexts, using dass is generally preferred in written and more formal spoken German as it unequivocally signals a subordinate clause and its accompanying verb-final structure, which B2 learners should master for clarity.
  • What if the original statement uses a modal verb?
If the original statement contains a modal verb, both the modal verb (conjugated) and the main verb (infinitive) will appear at the end of the dass-clause. The conjugated modal verb takes the absolute final position.
  • Original: „Ich kann gut Deutsch sprechen.“
  • Reported: Sie sagt, dass sie gut Deutsch sprechen kann.
  • Is the use of Konjunktiv I ever necessary with dass?
While Konjunktiv I is traditionally used for indirect speech, especially in news and formal contexts to indicate neutrality or distance from the reported statement, it is a more advanced grammatical concept (often C1/C2). For B2 learners, using dass with the indicative mood is sufficient, correct, and far more common in everyday communication. The context rules for Konjunktiv I are complex, and the indicative with dass reliably conveys the message without requiring those nuanced shifts.
  • How do I handle adverbs of place and time like hier and jetzt?
These adverbs often need to be adjusted to reflect the change in perspective. hier (here) might become dort (there), and jetzt (now) might become dann (then) or zu diesem Zeitpunkt (at that time), depending on whether the reported location or time is still relevant to the speaker.
  • Original: „Ich warte hier.“
  • Reported: Er sagte, dass er dort wartet. (He said that he waits there.)
  • Why does German have such strict word order rules for subordinate clauses?
The verb-final position in German subordinate clauses is a fundamental aspect of its syntactic structure. It serves to clearly delineate the subordinate clause, making it easier to parse complex sentences. By placing the verb at the end, German allows all arguments and adverbials of the clause to be presented before the action itself, contributing to the language's reputation for precision and structural clarity.
It is an inherent feature of German that provides consistency across all types of subordinate clauses.

Structure of a 'dass' Clause

Main Clause Conjunction Subject Middle Verb (End)
Er sagt
,
dass
er
kommt.
Sie meint
,
dass
das Wetter
schön ist.
Wir wissen
,
dass
er heute
arbeitet.
Ich glaube
,
dass
sie morgen
kommt.
Er hat gesagt
,
dass
er müde
ist.
Sie hofft
,
dass
es nicht
regnet.

Meanings

This structure is used to report statements or thoughts made by others. It turns a direct quote into a subordinate clause.

1

Reporting Facts

Stating what someone has claimed or stated as a fact.

“Er sagt, dass er morgen kommt.”

“Sie meint, dass das Wetter schön wird.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reporting What People Said (Indirekte Rede mit dass)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Main + , + dass + S + ... + V
Er sagt, dass er kommt.
Negative
Main + , + dass + S + nicht + ... + V
Er sagt, dass er nicht kommt.
Modal
Main + , + dass + S + ... + V(modal)
Er sagt, dass er kommen muss.
Perfect
Main + , + dass + S + ... + Partizip + Aux
Er sagt, dass er gekommen ist.
Separable
Main + , + dass + S + ... + Prefix + Verb
Er sagt, dass er ankommt.
Question
Main + , + dass + S + ... + V
Er fragt, ob er kommt (Note: 'ob' for questions).

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Er gibt an, dass er müde ist.

Er gibt an, dass er müde ist. (Reporting state)

Neutral
Er sagt, dass er müde ist.

Er sagt, dass er müde ist. (Reporting state)

Informal
Er meint, er sei müde.

Er meint, er sei müde. (Reporting state)

Slang
Er sagt, er ist voll müde.

Er sagt, er ist voll müde. (Reporting state)

The 'dass' Bridge

Reporting

Verbs

  • sagen to say
  • meinen to think
  • glauben to believe
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Examples by Level

1

Er sagt, dass er kommt.

He says that he is coming.

2

Sie sagt, dass sie müde ist.

She says that she is tired.

3

Ich glaube, dass er nett ist.

I believe that he is nice.

4

Er sagt, dass er Hunger hat.

He says that he is hungry.

1

Ich weiß, dass er heute arbeitet.

I know that he is working today.

2

Sie meint, dass das Essen gut ist.

She thinks that the food is good.

3

Er sagt, dass er das Buch liest.

He says that he is reading the book.

4

Wir hoffen, dass es morgen regnet.

We hope that it rains tomorrow.

1

Er hat gesagt, dass er gestern nicht da war.

He said that he wasn't there yesterday.

2

Sie hat erklärt, dass sie den Zug verpasst hat.

She explained that she missed the train.

3

Ich habe gehört, dass er umgezogen ist.

I heard that he moved.

4

Sie meinte, dass sie später kommen muss.

She said that she has to come later.

1

Der Manager betonte, dass das Projekt pünktlich abgeschlossen wird.

The manager emphasized that the project will be finished on time.

2

Es wurde berichtet, dass die Preise gestiegen sind.

It was reported that prices have risen.

3

Sie hat versprochen, dass sie sich bei mir meldet.

She promised that she would get in touch with me.

4

Er behauptet, dass er das nicht gewusst hat.

He claims that he didn't know that.

1

Man geht davon aus, dass die Maßnahmen wirksam sind.

It is assumed that the measures are effective.

2

Es ist offensichtlich, dass er überfordert ist.

It is obvious that he is overwhelmed.

3

Sie gab zu, dass sie den Fehler gemacht hat.

She admitted that she made the mistake.

4

Er stellte klar, dass er nicht verantwortlich ist.

He clarified that he is not responsible.

1

Es ist unbestritten, dass diese Theorie wissenschaftlich fundiert ist.

It is undisputed that this theory is scientifically sound.

2

Sie betonte nachdrücklich, dass keine Alternative besteht.

She emphasized emphatically that there is no alternative.

3

Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass der Wandel notwendig ist.

It cannot be denied that the change is necessary.

4

Er versicherte, dass alle Vorkehrungen getroffen wurden.

He assured that all precautions had been taken.

Easily Confused

Reporting What People Said (Indirekte Rede mit dass) vs Dass vs. Das

Learners often confuse the conjunction 'dass' with the relative pronoun 'das'.

Reporting What People Said (Indirekte Rede mit dass) vs Dass vs. Ob

Both introduce subordinate clauses, but 'ob' is for yes/no questions.

Reporting What People Said (Indirekte Rede mit dass) vs Dass vs. Konjunktiv I

Both report speech, but Konjunktiv I is for indirect speech without 'dass'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Er sagt, dass er ist müde.

✓

Er sagt, dass er müde ist.

Verb must be at the end.
✗

Er sagt dass er müde ist.

✓

Er sagt, dass er müde ist.

Missing comma.
✗

Er sagt, dass ist er müde.

✓

Er sagt, dass er müde ist.

Subject must follow 'dass'.
✗

Er sagt, dass er müde.

✓

Er sagt, dass er müde ist.

Missing verb.
✗

Er hat gesagt, dass er hat Hunger.

✓

Er hat gesagt, dass er Hunger hat.

Verb at end.
✗

Sie meint, dass sie kommt morgen.

✓

Sie meint, dass sie morgen kommt.

Time expressions before verbs.
✗

Er sagt, dass er muss gehen.

✓

Er sagt, dass er gehen muss.

Modal verb at end.
✗

Er sagt, dass er hat das Buch gelesen.

✓

Er sagt, dass er das Buch gelesen hat.

Perfect tense verb at end.
✗

Sie sagt, dass sie anruft mich.

✓

Sie sagt, dass sie mich anruft.

Separable verb at end.
✗

Er sagt, dass er nicht kann kommen.

✓

Er sagt, dass er nicht kommen kann.

Modal verb at end.
✗

Es wurde gesagt, dass das Projekt ist fertig.

✓

Es wurde gesagt, dass das Projekt fertig ist.

Passive voice verb at end.
✗

Er behauptet, dass er hat es nicht gewusst.

✓

Er behauptet, dass er es nicht gewusst hat.

Perfect tense verb at end.
✗

Sie stellte klar, dass sie ist nicht verantwortlich.

✓

Sie stellte klar, dass sie nicht verantwortlich ist.

Verb at end.

Sentence Patterns

Er sagt, dass ___ ___ .

Ich glaube, dass ___ ___ ___ .

Sie hat gesagt, dass ___ ___ ___ ___ .

Es ist wichtig, dass ___ ___ ___ ___ .

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Er hat geschrieben, dass er später kommt.

Job Interview common

Mein früherer Chef hat gesagt, dass ich sehr zuverlässig bin.

News Report very common

Die Polizei hat berichtet, dass der Täter gefasst wurde.

Social Media common

Alle sagen, dass dieser Film super ist.

Travel occasional

Der Reiseleiter hat gesagt, dass der Bus um 10 Uhr abfährt.

Food Delivery occasional

Der Fahrer hat gesagt, dass das Essen in 5 Minuten kommt.

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💡

The Comma Rule

Always put a comma before 'dass'. It's not optional!
⚠️

Verb Position

Don't forget to push the verb to the very end. If you have a separable verb, it stays together at the end.
🎯

Practice with Modals

Practice with modal verbs (können, müssen, wollen) to get used to the verb-at-the-end structure.
💬

Formal vs Informal

In very formal contexts, you might use Konjunktiv I instead of 'dass', but 'dass' is always correct.

Smart Tips

Always remember the comma and the verb at the end.

Er sagt, dass er ist müde. → Er sagt, dass er müde ist.

The auxiliary verb (haben/sein) must go to the very end.

Er sagt, dass er hat das gemacht. → Er sagt, dass er das gemacht hat.

The modal verb must go to the very end.

Er sagt, dass er muss gehen. → Er sagt, dass er gehen muss.

The prefix and the verb stay together at the end.

Er sagt, dass er ankommt um 8. → Er sagt, dass er um 8 ankommt.

Pronunciation

/das/

Dass

The 'ss' is a sharp 's' sound, like in 'hiss'.

Rising-Falling

Er sagt, dass er kommt. ↗↘

Standard statement intonation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Dass pushes the verb to the back, like a train engine at the end of the track.

Visual Association

Imagine a 'dass' sign acting like a magnet that pulls the verb from the middle of the sentence to the very end.

Rhyme

With 'dass' you must be fast, put the verb at the very last.

Story

Hans is a gossip. He loves to say 'Er sagt, dass...'. Every time he says 'dass', he grabs the verb and drags it to the end of the sentence. His friends find it funny, but they always understand him.

Word Web

sagendassmeinenglaubendenkenwissen

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about what your friends said today using 'dass'.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision in reporting. Using 'dass' is the standard way to ensure clarity.

In Austria, you might hear 'dass' used similarly, but sometimes with more formal reporting verbs.

Swiss German speakers often use 'dass' in standard German, but in dialect, they might use 'dass' or 'wo'.

The word 'dass' comes from the Old High German 'daz', which was a demonstrative pronoun.

Conversation Starters

“

Was hat dein Lehrer gesagt?

“

Was meinst du, wie das Wetter morgen wird?

“

Was hat der Chef im Meeting gesagt?

“

Was behaupten die Leute über das neue Gesetz?

Journal Prompts

Schreibe, was dein bester Freund heute gesagt hat.
Berichte von einem Meeting oder einer Vorlesung.
Diskutiere eine aktuelle Nachricht.
Reflektiere über eine Meinung, die du gehört hast.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct verb form.

Er sagt, dass er heute ___ (kommen).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kommt
Standard present tense.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sie sagt, dass sie ist müde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagt, dass sie müde ist.
Verb must be at the end.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er das Buch gelesen hat.
Perfect tense verb at end.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er kommt.
Correct word order.
Translate to German. Translation

He says that he is working.

Answer starts with: Er ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er arbeitet.
Correct structure.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Was hat er gesagt? B: Er hat gesagt, dass ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: er kommt
Subordinate clause order.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Sie / meint / dass / er / nett / ist

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie meint, dass er nett ist.
Correct word order.
Sort the clauses. Grammar Sorting

Which is a 'dass' clause?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dass er kommt
Correct conjunction usage.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct verb form.

Er sagt, dass er heute ___ (kommen).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kommt
Standard present tense.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sie sagt, dass sie ist müde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagt, dass sie müde ist.
Verb must be at the end.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er das Buch gelesen hat.
Perfect tense verb at end.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

dass / er / sagt / kommt / er

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er kommt.
Correct word order.
Translate to German. Translation

He says that he is working.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er arbeitet.
Correct structure.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Was hat er gesagt? B: Er hat gesagt, dass ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: er kommt
Subordinate clause order.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Sie / meint / dass / er / nett / ist

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie meint, dass er nett ist.
Correct word order.
Sort the clauses. Grammar Sorting

Which is a 'dass' clause?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dass er kommt
Correct conjunction usage.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

dass / sagt / er / Zeit / hat / Er / ,

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er Zeit hat.
Translate into German: 'She says that she is at home.' Translation

She says that she is at home.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagt, dass sie zu Hause ist.
Which reporting verb fits best for a text message? Multiple Choice

Sarah ___, dass sie später kommt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: schreibt
Choose the correct connector. Fill in the Blank

Ich glaube, ___ der Film heute beginnt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dass
Correct the pronoun and verb in this report: Tim sagt: "Ich bin hungrig." Error Correction

Tim sagt, dass ich bin hungrig.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tim sagt, dass er hungrig ist.
Match the direct speech to the correct indirect report. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all matched
Fill in the missing comma and connector. Fill in the Blank

Maria sagt ___ ___ sie heute arbeitet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: , dass
Identify the correct word order with a modal verb. Multiple Choice

He says that he can swim.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, dass er schwimmen kann.
Translate: 'The teacher says that the test was difficult.' Translation

The teacher says that the test was difficult.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Lehrer sagt, dass der Test schwierig war.
Order the sentence for a social media post. Sentence Reorder

dass / postet / Sie / , / im / Urlaub / sie / ist

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie postet, dass sie im Urlaub ist.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

In German, 'dass' introduces a subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses are always separated from the main clause by a comma.

Yes, in informal speech, you can omit 'dass'. If you do, the verb stays in the second position: 'Er sagt, er kommt.'

The modal verb goes to the very end: 'Er sagt, dass er kommen muss.'

No. 'Dass' is a conjunction. 'Das' is a relative pronoun or article.

Use 'ob' for yes/no questions: 'Er fragt, ob ich komme.'

Yes, it applies to verbs like 'sagen', 'meinen', 'glauben', 'denken', 'wissen'.

You use 'ob' or a question word (wer, was, wo) and the verb goes to the end.

Yes, it is standard in both formal and informal German.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

English high

that

Verb position.

Spanish moderate

que

Verb position.

French moderate

que

Verb position.

Japanese partial

to

Particle usage.

Arabic moderate

anna

Sentence structure.

Chinese low

shuo

Grammatical structure.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
German Reported Speech: Formal & Legal Mood (Konjunktiv I)

Learn These First

B2 Requires

German Indirect Speech (Konjunktiv I): Reporting What Others Say

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