Relative Clauses (Nom/Acc)
Relativsätze (Nom/Akk)
German relative clauses use der, die and das as relative pronouns, and the pronoun takes its gender from the noun it refers back to but its case from its job inside the relative clause. If it is the subject it is nominative (der Mann, der dort steht); if it is the direct object it is accusative, where only the masculine form changes to den.
Use der, die, das as relative pronouns.
Rules & Explanations
Relative Clauses (Nominative & Accusative)
Relativsätze (Nominativ & Akkusativ)
Want to sound more sophisticated in German? Learn relative clauses! Instead of saying 'I see a man. The man is tall,' you can say 'I see a man who is tall' — 'Ich sehe einen Mann, der groß ist.' Relative clauses connect ideas and make your German flow naturally.
German relative pronouns look almost like definite articles (der, die, das) but with some differences in genitive and dative. The relative pronoun matches the gender of the noun it refers to, but its case depends on its role in the relative clause.
English uses 'who,' 'which,' 'that' for all cases: 'The man who is tall' / 'The man whom I see.' German relative pronouns change based on (1) the gender of the noun they refer to, and (2) their function (subject or object) in the relative clause.
Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder.
The man who is standing there is my brother.
DER refers to 'der Mann' (masculine) and is the subject of the relative clause (who is standing) → nominative.
Relative clauses are essential for natural, flowing German. Without them, you sound choppy and childish. With them, you can express complex ideas elegantly.
How Relative Clauses Work
Wie Relativsätze funktionieren
What Is a Relative Clause?
A relative clause gives more information about a noun. It's introduced by a relative pronoun (der, die, das, etc.). Main clause: Ich sehe einen Mann. Relative clause: Der Mann ist groß. Combined: Ich sehe einen Mann, der groß ist. (I see a man who is tall.) The relative clause is inserted after the noun it describes.
Ein Relativsatz gibt mehr information über ein Nomen. Er wird durch ein Relativpronomen eingeleitet.
Two Key Questions
To choose the correct relative pronoun, ask: 1. What gender is the noun I'm referring to? → der Mann (masc.), die Frau (fem.), das Kind (neut.), die Leute (plural) 2. What function does the relative pronoun have in the relative clause? → Is it the subject (nominative)? Or the direct object (accusative)? The gender comes from the noun. The case comes from the function.
Zwei Fragen: (1) Welches Geschlecht hat das Bezugswort? (2) Welche Funktion hat das Relativpronomen im Relativsatz?
Verb Goes to the End!
Relative clauses are subordinate clauses — the conjugated verb goes to the end! • Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder. (The man who is standing there is my brother.) • Das Buch, das ich lese, ist interessant. (The book that I am reading is interesting.) Comma before the relative pronoun, verb at the end!
Relativsätze sind Nebensätze — das konjugierte Verb geht ans Ende!
Nominative Relative Pronouns (Subject)
Relativpronomen im Nominativ (Subjekt)
When to Use Nominative
Use nominative when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause — it's doing the action. • Der Mann, der singt, ist berühmt. (The man who sings is famous.) → 'der' is the subject of 'singt' • Die Frau, die lacht, ist meine Mutter. (The woman who laughs is my mother.) → 'die' is the subject of 'lacht'
Nominativ wenn das Relativpronomen Subjekt ist — es führt die Aktion aus.
Nominative Forms
MASCULINE: der — Der Mann, der... FEMININE: die — Die Frau, die... NEUTER: das — Das Kind, das... PLURAL: die — Die Leute, die... These are identical to the definite articles!
MASKULIN: der. feminin: die. Neutrum: das. Plural: die. Wie die bestimmten Artikel!
Pattern: Noun + Comma + Relative Pronoun + ... + Verb
Der Hund, der im Garten spielt, gehört mir. (The dog that is playing in the garden belongs to me.) Das Auto, das rot ist, gehört meinem Vater. (The car that is red belongs to my father.) Die Kinder, die draußen spielen, sind laut. (The children who are playing outside are loud.)
Nomen + Komma + Relativpronomen + ... + Verb
Accusative Relative Pronouns (Object)
Relativpronomen im Akkusativ (Objekt)
When to Use Accusative
Use accusative when the relative pronoun is the direct object of the relative clause — it's receiving the action. • Der Mann, den ich sehe, ist groß. (The man whom I see is tall.) → 'den' is the object of 'sehe' (ich sehe den Mann) • Das Buch, das ich lese, ist gut. (The book that I am reading is good.) → 'das' is the object of 'lese' (ich lese das Buch)
Akkusativ wenn das Relativpronomen direktes Objekt ist — es empfängt die Aktion.
Accusative Forms
MASCULINE: den — Der Mann, den ich sehe... FEMININE: die — Die Frau, die ich sehe... NEUTER: das — Das Kind, das ich sehe... PLURAL: die — Die Leute, die ich sehe... Only masculine changes! (der → den, just like regular accusative)
Nur maskulin ändert sich! der → den. Feminin, Neutrum, Plural bleiben gleich.
How to Identify Accusative
Ask: Is there another subject in the relative clause? • Der Film, den Ich gesehen habe, war toll. 'ich' is the subject, 'den' is the object → accusative • Der Film, der interessant war, ist vorbei. 'der' is the subject → nominative If someone/something else does the action to the relative pronoun = accusative.
Frage: Gibt es ein anderes Subjekt im Relativsatz? Wenn ja → Akkusativ.
Common Mistakes with Relative Clauses
Häufige Fehler bei Relativsätzen
✗Der Mann, der ich sehe, ist groß.
✓Der Mann, den ich sehe, ist groß.
'ich' is the subject, so the relative pronoun is the object → accusative den, not nominative der.
'ich' ist Subjekt, also ist das Relativpronomen Objekt → Akkusativ den.
✗Die Frau, den ich kenne, ist nett.
✓Die Frau, die ich kenne, ist nett.
'Frau' is feminine, so the relative pronoun must be die (not den which is masculine).
'Frau' ist feminin, also muss das Relativpronomen die sein.
✗Der Mann, der groß ist.
✓Der Mann, der groß ist, arbeitet hier.
A relative clause cannot stand alone! It must be part of a complete sentence.
Ein Relativsatz kann nicht allein stehen! Er braucht einen Hauptsatz.
✗Der Mann der dort steht ist mein Bruder.
✓Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder.
Relative clauses need commas! One before the relative pronoun, one after the clause.
Relativsätze brauchen kommas! Eins vor dem Relativpronomen, eins nach dem Satz.
✗Der Mann, der steht dort, ist mein Bruder.
✓Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder.
Verb goes to the end of the relative clause! 'steht' must come last.
Verb ans Ende des Relativsatzes! 'steht' muss zuletzt kommen.
✗Das Buch, dass ich lese, ist gut.
✓Das Buch, das ich lese, ist gut.
DAS (one s) = relative pronoun. dass (double s) = conjunction 'that'. Don't confuse them!
DAS (ein s) = Relativpronomen. dass (zwei s) = Konjunktion. Nicht verwechseln!
Relative Pronouns: Nominative & Accusative
Relativpronomen: Nominativ & Akkusativ
| Gender | Nominative (Subject) | Accusative (Object) | Example Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | DER | DEN | der Mann |
| Feminine | DIE | DIE | die Frau |
| Neuter | DAS | DAS | das Kind |
| Plural | DIE | DIE | die Leute |
Nominative vs Accusative: How to Choose
Nominativ vs Akkusativ: Wie wählt man?
| Question | Nominative | Accusative |
|---|---|---|
| Role in relative clause? | Subject (does action) | Object (receives action) |
| Another subject present? | NO — pronoun is subject | YES — someone else is subject |
| Test question | WHO/What does...? | WHO/What does someone see/have/etc.? |
| Masc. example | Der Mann, der singt... | Der Mann, den ich sehe... |
| Fem. example | Die Frau, die singt... | Die Frau, die ich sehe... |
| Neut. example | Das Kind, das singt... | Das Kind, das ich sehe... |
At a Party
Auf einer Party
Anna
Kennst du den Mann, der dort am Fenster steht?
Do you know the man who is standing there by the window?
der dort am Fenster steht (nominative - subject)
Ben
Ja, das ist der Kollege, den ich dir letzte Woche vorgestellt habe.
Yes, that is the colleague whom I introduced to you last week.
den ich dir vorgestellt habe (accusative - object)
Anna
Ach ja! Und wer ist die Frau, die neben ihm sitzt?
Oh yes! And who is the woman who is sitting next to him?
die neben ihm sitzt (nominative - subject)
Ben
Das ist seine Schwester, die ich noch nicht kenne.
That is his sister, whom I do not know yet.
die ich noch nicht kenne (accusative - object)
Anna
Das Kleid, das sie trägt, ist wunderschön!
The dress that she is wearing is beautiful!
das sie trägt (accusative - object)
Ben
Ja, und die Schuhe, die dazu passen, sind auch toll.
Yes, and the shoes that match it are also great.
die dazu passen (nominative - subject)
Two friends talking about people at a party.
Zwei Freunde sprechen über Leute auf einer Party.
Relative Clauses Summary
Zusammenfassung: Relativsätze
Practice identifying whether the relative pronoun is subject or object. Then move on to dative and genitive relative pronouns.
GENDER from the noun, case from the function. Only masculine changes in accusative (der → den). Verb goes to the end!
GESCHLECHT vom Bezugswort, Fall von der Funktion. Nur Maskulin ändert sich im Akkusativ (der → den). Verb ans Ende!
Is there another subject? Yes → accusative (den for masc). no → nominative (der for masc).
Gibt es ein anderes Subjekt? ja → Akkusativ (den). Nein → Nominativ (der).
- ▸NOMINATIVE (subject): der/die/das/die — pronoun does the action
- ▸ACCUSATIVE (object): den/die/das/die — pronoun receives the action
- ▸Only masculine changes: der (nom) → den (acc)
- ▸Feminine, neuter, plural: same in nom and acc (die/das/die)
- ▸COMMA before relative pronoun
- ▸VERB at the end of relative clause
- ▸DAS (one s) = relative pronoun ≠ dass (two s) = conjunction
Examples
Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder.
The man who is standing there is my brother.
der dort stehtNOMINATIVE: 'der' refers to 'der Mann' (masc.) and is the SUBJECT of 'steht' (who is standing).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| der | who (masc. nom.) |
| dort | there |
| steht | is standing (verb at END) |
Die Frau, die Deutsch spricht, kommt aus Berlin.
The woman who speaks German comes from Berlin.
die Deutsch sprichtNOMINATIVE: 'die' refers to 'die Frau' (fem.) and is the SUBJECT of 'spricht'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die | who (fem. nom.) |
| Deutsch | German |
| spricht | speaks (verb at END) |
Das Kind, das im Garten spielt, ist meine Tochter.
The child who is playing in the garden is my daughter.
das im Garten spieltNOMINATIVE: 'das' refers to 'das Kind' (neut.) and is the SUBJECT of 'spielt'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| das | who/that (neut. nom.) |
| im Garten | in the garden |
| spielt | plays (verb at END) |
Die Studenten, die fleißig lernen, bestehen die Prüfung.
The students who study hard pass the exam.
die fleißig lernenNOMINATIVE: 'die' refers to 'die Studenten' (plural) and is the SUBJECT of 'lernen'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die | who (pl. nom.) |
| fleißig | diligently |
| lernen | study (verb at END) |
Der Mann, den ich gestern gesehen habe, ist Arzt.
The man whom I saw yesterday is a doctor.
den ich gestern gesehen habeACCUSATIVE: 'den' refers to 'der Mann' (masc.) but is the OBJECT of 'gesehen habe' (ich = subject).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| den | whom (masc. ACC) |
| ich | I (subject) |
| gesehen habe | have seen (verb at END) |
Die Lehrerin, die wir sehr mögen, ist krank.
The teacher whom we like very much is sick.
die wir sehr mögenACCUSATIVE: 'die' refers to 'die Lehrerin' (fem.) and is the OBJECT of 'mögen' (wir = subject). Same form as nominative!
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die | whom (fem. acc = same as nom) |
| wir | we (subject) |
| mögen | like (verb at END) |
Das Buch, das ich gerade lese, ist spannend.
The book that I am currently reading is exciting.
das ich gerade leseACCUSATIVE: 'das' refers to 'das Buch' (neut.) and is the OBJECT of 'lese' (ich = subject). Same form as nominative!
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| das | that (neut. acc = same as nom) |
| ich | I (subject) |
| lese | am reading (verb at END) |
Die Filme, die er empfohlen hat, sind alle gut.
The films that he recommended are all good.
die er empfohlen hatACCUSATIVE: 'die' refers to 'die Filme' (plural) and is the OBJECT of 'empfohlen hat' (er = subject).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die | that (pl. acc = same as nom) |
| er | he (subject) |
| empfohlen hat | has recommended |
Der Hund, der bellt, gehört dem Mann, den ich kenne.
The dog that barks belongs to the man whom I know.
der bellt / den ich kenneTwo relative clauses! 'der bellt' = nominative (dog is subject). 'den ich kenne' = accusative (man is object, ich is subject).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| der | that (nom - subject) |
| den | whom (acc - object) |
Die Frau, die dort wohnt, arbeitet bei Siemens.
The woman who lives there works at Siemens.
die dort wohntRelative clause interrupts the main clause. Main verb 'arbeitet' comes after the relative clause ends.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die dort wohnt | who lives there (inserted) |
| arbeitet | works (main verb) |
Der Film, den ich sehen möchte, läuft im Kino.
The film that I want to see is playing at the cinema.
den ich sehen möchteACCUSATIVE with modal: 'den' is object of 'sehen möchte'. Order: infinitive + modal at end.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| den | that (acc) |
| sehen möchte | want to see (infinitive + modal) |
Das Auto, das er gekauft hat, ist sehr teuer.
The car that he bought is very expensive.
das er gekauft hatACCUSATIVE with perfect: 'das' is object of 'gekauft hat'. Order: participle + haben at end.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| das | that (acc) |
| gekauft hat | has bought (participle + haben) |
Der Zug, der um 10 Uhr abfährt, ist immer voll.
The train that departs at 10 o'clock is always full.
der um 10 Uhr abfährtNOMINATIVE: 'der' refers to 'der Zug' (masc.) and is the SUBJECT of 'abfährt'.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| der | that (nom) |
| abfährt | departs (separable verb reunited at END) |
Das Problem, das ich habe, ist, dass ich keine Zeit habe.
The problem that I have is that I have no time.
das ich habe / dass ich keine Zeit habeDAS (one s) = relative pronoun referring to 'das Problem'. DASS (two s) = conjunction 'that'. Different functions!
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| das | that (relative pronoun) |
| dass | that (conjunction) |
Die Stadt, die ich besucht habe und die mir gefallen hat, heißt München.
The city that I visited and that I liked is called Munich.
die ich besucht habe / die mir gefallen hatTwo relative clauses joined by 'und'. First 'die' = accusative (object of besucht). Second 'die' = nominative (subject of gefallen).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die ich besucht habe | that I visited (acc) |
| die mir gefallen hat | that pleased me (nom) |
Practice Exercises
15 interactive exercises
Der Mann, ___ dort steht, ist mein Vater.
The man who is standing there is my father.
You got on this topic's exercises.
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Common questions about German relative clauses
How do German relative clauses work?
A relative clause adds information about a noun and is introduced by a relative pronoun that looks like the definite article. Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Bruder. Two things decide the form: the gender and number come from the noun outside the clause, the case comes from the role the pronoun plays inside it. The verb always moves to the end.
When do I use der and when den in a relative clause?
Use der when the pronoun is the subject, doing the action: Der Mann, der singt, ist berühmt. Use den when it is the direct object, receiving the action: Der Mann, den ich sehe, ist groß. Test it by rebuilding the clause as a full sentence — ich sehe den Mann shows you need the accusative den.
Do German relative pronouns need a comma?
Yes, always. German puts a comma before every relative clause and another one after it if the sentence continues: Die Frau, die Deutsch spricht, kommt aus Berlin. Unlike English, the comma is not optional and does not depend on whether the information is essential. Leaving it out is a genuine punctuation error.
Where does the verb go in a German relative clause?
At the very end, because a relative clause is a subordinate clause. Das Kind, das im Garten spielt, ist meine Tochter — spielt comes last. With modal or compound verbs the conjugated verb is still final: Der Film, den ich sehen wollte, läuft nicht mehr. This verb-final pattern is the clearest signal you are in a subordinate clause.
Can you drop the relative pronoun in German like in English?
No. English lets you say the book I bought, dropping that, but German always requires the pronoun: das Buch, das ich gekauft habe. Omitting it makes the sentence ungrammatical. This is one of the most frequent English-speaker mistakes, so treat the relative pronoun as obligatory in every single relative clause.