German relative pronouns

What is a relative pronoun in German?

A German relative pronoun introduces a relative clause. This clause describes a nouns, pronoun or even a whole sentence more precisely. Therefore the relative pronouns replaces the related element in the relative clause. Gender and number of the pronoun are dependent to the element it is replacing.

The most common relative pronouns are 'der/die/das' and 'welcher/welche/welches'.

In English the mentioned pronouns can be translated with 'who', 'that' or 'which'. 

Have a question?

Take online language lessons with a professional teacher

1. Native & verified teachers
2. Free trial lesson
3. Learning materials included

Georg C.

Sebastian G.

Jens-Gerrit E.

Héloïse Elisabeth D.

Miriam C.

Kübra D.

Marie S.

Theresa S.

Camilla R.

Miguel L.

Sign up for free

Examples

• Maria ist ein Mädchen, das Fußball mag. - Maria is a girl who likes football. 
• Borussia Dortmund ist ein Verein, welcher ihr gefällt. - Borussia Dortmund is a club that she likes.
• Marco Reus ist der Spieler, den sie am liebsten hat. - Marco Reus is the player which she likes most

Function of relative pronouns in German

Relative pronouns are used to form relative clauses which consists of a main and a subordinate clause. The relative pronoun initiates the subordinate clause. 

The subordinate clause gives a closer description of the a noun standing in the main sentence.

In German the subordinate clause has a different structure than the main sentence: the verb stands in the end of the subordinate clause, the pronoun instead occupies the first place and a position very close to the related element.

The subordinate clause can also stand in a middle position:

• Die Katze, die sie schon ewig hatte, ist gestorben. - The cat, which she had since a long time, died.
• Zähne, welche kariös sind, müssen behandelt werden. - Teeth, that are carious, have to be treated.

Declension of relative pronouns in German

The following tables show the declension of the most common relative pronouns in German. Most forms equal the forms of definite articles.

'Der', 'die', 'das' 

'der/die/das' are not only used as definite articles. They are also the most common relative pronouns.

Examples:

• Hier ist der Patient, der gestern kam. - Here is the patient who came yesterday.
• Magst du den Wagen, den ich fahre? - Do you like the car that I drive?
• Das ist der Straßenhund, dem ich Futter gebe. - That is the street dog to which I give food.
• Robin ist der Junge, dessen Kaninchen gestorben ist. - Robin is the boy, whose bunny died.

'Welcher', 'welche', 'welches' 

Instead of 'der/die/das' we can use 'welcher/welche/welches'.

Examples:

• Ich habe dir von dem Mann erzählt, welcher nebenan lebte. - I told you about the men who lives next door.
• Er mag den Tisch, welchen sie gekauft hast. - He like the table (that) she bought.
• Du hast einen Sohn, welchem du oft Geschenke machst. - You have a son to whom you often give presents.

The case of relative pronouns in German

Unlike number and gender, the case of the pronoun and the related element can be different: 

The case of the relative pronoun depends on the verb (or the preposition) given in the relative clause.

(Check out German cases to get more information!)

Relative pronouns with prepositions

Relative pronouns in German can be accompanied by prepositions.

The pronouns case depends on the preposition now!

The preposition stands before the relative pronoun in the relative clause.

• Johannes ist der Freund, mit dem ich in den Urlaub fahre. - Johannes is the friend (that) I am going to travel with.
• Das ist das Haus, in dem ich wohne. - That is the House (that) I live in.
• Felix fährt das gleiche Auto, für das ich spare. - Felix drives the same car (that) I am saving money for.
• Bus Nummer 23 ist der Bus, auf den ich warte. - Bus number 23 is the bus (that) I'm waiting for.

'Was' and 'wo' as relative pronouns

For some expressions in German we use 'was' and 'wo' as relative pronouns. These pronouns are not declined.

Function of 'was'

The relative pronoun 'was' can be used instead of 'das' to replace a noun. It can also replace another pronoun or even the whole main sentence.

Function of 'wo'

The relative pronoun 'wo' refers to a spacial or temporal element mentioned in the main sentence.

Instead of 'wo' we can use the forms of 'der/die/das' or 'welcher/welche/welches' + preposition

'Wohin, woher"

If a replaced spatial element indicates some kind of direction we use 'wohin' or 'woher'.

'Wo-' + preposition

The word 'wo' can also be united with some prepositions.