German Relative Pronouns

German relative pronouns (Relativpronomen) are used to introduce relative clauses, which provide extra information about a noun. They are the equivalent of "who," "whom," "whose," "which," and "that" in English.

The key to German relative pronouns is that their form is determined by the gender & number of the noun they refer to (the antecedent) and the case they have within their own clause.

The Declension Table: The Key to It All

This table is the most important part to memorize. The forms are very similar to the definite articles (der, die, das).

How to use this table:

1. Identify the antecedent (the noun the clause describes). This gives you the gender & number (column).

2. Determine the case of the relative pronoun inside the relative clause. This gives you the row.

Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Let's see how the table works in practice.

1. Nominative Case

The relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause.

• Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Lehrer.
  (The man who is standing there is my teacher.)

  • Antecedent: der Mann (masculine)

  • Role in clause: Subject (Who is standing? -> he is) -> Nominative

  • Result: der

• Das Kind, das spielt, lacht.
  (The child that is playing is laughing.)

  • Antecedent: das Kind (neuter)

  • Role: Subject -> Nominative

  • Result: das

2. Accusative Case

The relative pronoun is the direct object of the relative clause.

• Der Film, den wir sehen, ist spannend.
  (The film that we are watching is exciting.)

  • Antecedent: der Film (masculine)

  • Role in clause: Direct object (We are watching what? -> the film) -> Accusative

  • Result: den

• Die Frau, die ich kenne, ist Ärztin.
  (The woman whom I know is a doctor.)

  • Antecedent: die Frau (feminine)

  • Role: Direct object -> Accusative

  • Result: die

3. Dative Case

The relative pronoun is the indirect object or object of a dative verb/preposition.

• Der Mann, dem ich geholfen habe.
  (The man whom I helped.)

  • Antecedent: der Mann (masculine)

  • Role in clause: Indirect object of helfen (to help someone - dative) -> Dative

  • Result: dem

• Die Kinder, denen ich das Buch gebe.
  (The children to whom I am giving the book.)

  • Antecedent: die Kinder (plural)

  • Role: Indirect object -> Dative

  • Result: denen (Notice the special plural dative form!)

4. Genitive Case

The relative pronoun shows possession. It replaces "whose" or "of which".

• Der Mann, dessen Auto da steht.
  (The man whose car is standing there.)

  • Antecedent: der Mann (masculine)

  • Role in clause: Shows possession (The car of the man) -> Genitive

  • Result: dessen

• Die Frau, deren Hund bellt.
  (The woman whose dog is barking.)

  • Antecedent: die Frau (feminine)

  • Role: Shows possession -> Genitive

  • Result: deren

Important Rules and Nuances

1. The "Comma" Rule

In German, relative clauses are always set off by commas. This is a strict rule and different from English.

• Correct: Das ist das Haus, das ich kaufe.

• Incorrect: Das ist das Haus das ich kaufe.

2. Prepositions with Relative Pronouns

If the relative pronoun is the object of a preposition, the preposition is shoved to the front of the relative clause. The case of the pronoun is determined by that preposition.

• Der Tisch, auf dem das Buch liegt.
  (The table on which the book is lying.)

  • Preposition: auf (takes Dative)

  • Antecedent: der Tisch (masculine) -> Dative = dem

• Der Freund, mit dem ich ins Kino gehe.
  (The friend with whom I am going to the cinema.)

  • Preposition: mit (always Dative)

  • Antecedent: der Freund (masculine) -> Dative = dem

3. The Word "wo" as a Relative Pronoun

When talking about a location or a point in time, you can often replace a preposition + pronoun with wo (or wor- + preposition).

• Die Stadt, in der ich wohne. OR Die Stadt, wo ich wohne.
  (The city in which I live.)

• Der Tag, an dem er kam. OR Der Tag, wo er kam.
  (The day on which he came.)

For other prepositions, you combine them with wo-:

• Das Thema, worüber wir sprechen.
  (The topic about which we are speaking.) (wo + über = worüber)

4. "was" for neuter indefinite pronouns

When the antecedent is an indefinite neuter word like alles (everything), etwas (something), nichts (nothing), or a whole clause, you use was.

• Alles, was er sagt, ist wahr.
  (Everything that he says is true.)

• Das ist das Beste, was mir passieren konnte.
  (That is the best thing that could happen to me.)

Summary

1. Find the Antecedent: What noun is being described? (Gives you gender/number)

2. Find the Role: What is the pronoun's job inside the relative clause? (Gives you the case)

3. Use the Table: Match gender/number and case to get the correct pronoun.

4. Don't Forget the Commas!