In German, relative clauses (Relativsätze) are used to provide additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. They work like English relative clauses introduced by who, which, or that.
A relative clause always follows the noun it describes and is introduced by a relative pronoun. The relative pronoun agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to, and its case depends on its role in the relative clause.
Key points:
- Relative pronouns: der, die, das (for he, she, it) and wer (for who)
- The verb in the relative clause goes to the end
- Relative clauses are set off by commas
B1
Table of Contents
- Defining Clauses
Defining clauses in German show what the German word “defining clauses” means, how they are used within sentences, and how they fit into grammar.
- Non-defining Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses in German, which add extra information to a sentence and are set off by commas, using relative pronouns.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
