Weil vs Denn
When explaining cause in German, weil and denn both connect reasons but work differently in grammar and style. This short guide shows when to use each one.
Weil
Weil introduces a subordinate clause that gives the cause, and it forces the verb to go to the end. Use weil when you want to emphasize the reason or to bundle the cause as one unit.
Examples
Denn
Denn joins two main clauses and keeps the normal word order. It feels more conversational and lightweight, so use denn for quick explanations or when you want to sound natural in speech.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Ich gehe spazieren, denn die Sonne scheint. | I’m going for a walk, for the sun is shining. | Coordinating cause |
| 🥪 Wir machen Picknick, denn der Park ist schön. | We’re having a picnic, because the park is nice. | Friendly reason |
| 🕯️ Ich zünde Kerzen an, denn es wird früh dunkel. | I’m lighting candles, for it gets dark early. | Explanation cause |
| 🧼 Sie putzt Fenster, denn es soll heller werden. | She’s cleaning windows, because it should get brighter. | Result reason |
| 🚗 Wir fahren jetzt los, denn so ist der Verkehr leichter. | We’re leaving now, for the traffic is lighter then. | Traffic cause |
Summary
Use weil for subordinate cause clauses that put the verb at the end and give emphasis, and use denn to connect reasons as main clauses with normal word order for a more casual tone.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025