Relative pronouns and relative clauses in German

In the process of learning German, the relative clause (Relativsatz) is one of the familiar topics that is frequently used. However, this is a grammar point that can easily confuse German learners. Today's article will help you learn about relative clauses.

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- A relative clause (Relativsatz) is a subordinate clause (Nebensatz) used to modify and provide additional information about a noun or noun phrase, or even an entire preceding sentence.

Das ist die Frau, die ich gestern getroffen habe.

(This is the woman that I met yesterday.)

→ die is called a relative pronoun (Relativpronomen). Die replaces die Frau in the relative clause die ich gestern getroffen habe. Die functions as the object, feminine, in the Akkusativ.

→ Relativpronomen is a relative pronoun that replaces the noun or noun phrase preceding it.

Below is the declension table of relative clauses to remember:

***Note:

- In cases where the pronoun is used together with a preposition, the preposition will come at the beginning of the relative clause.

Ben hat viele Freunde, mit denen er eine unvergessliche Kindheit hat.(Ben has many friends, with whom he had an unforgettable childhood.)

→ Freunde is the noun that needs to be supplemented with information. Freunde is plural, and the relative pronoun following mit must take the Dative case (Dativ), so the relative pronoun denen must be used.

- The relative clause stands immediately after the noun or noun phrase it modifies. However, in cases where the main clause is conjugated in the present perfect tense, the relative pronoun may follow the entire clause. Example:

Ich habe gestern eine schöne Frau getroffen, die ein rotes Auto gefahren ist.

(Yesterday, I met a beautiful woman who had driven a red car.)

→ eine schöne Frau is the noun phrase that needs to be supplemented with information. Frau is singular, and the relative pronoun serves as the subject in the relative clause, so the relative pronoun die must be used.

- How to transform a relative clause:

Die Frau, die aus Hannover kommt, heißt Gertrude Nimmersatt.

= Die Frau heißt Gertrude Nimmersatt. Sie kommt aus Hannover.

(The woman named Gertrude Nimmersatt is the one who comes from Hannover.)