By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Use und for adding information
- Use aber for contrast
- Use oder for choices
- Use denn for reasons
- The word order stays normal
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
German coordinating conjunctions such as und, aber, oder and denn help you connect words and simple sentences. They allow beginners to express more complete ideas naturally. This lesson explains their meanings, sentence structure, common uses and practical examples for A1 learners.
The word order stays normal
After und, aber, oder and denn, the second part works like a normal main clause. The verb stays in the second position.
Use und for adding information
Use und when you want to add another related piece of information.
Use aber for contrast
Use aber when the second idea is different from or opposite to the first idea.
Use oder for choices
Use oder when you present different possibilities or alternatives.
Use denn for reasons
Use denn when you want to explain why something happens.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Und adds, aber contrasts, oder offers a choice and denn gives a reason. These coordinating conjunctions do not occupy the first constituent position of the following clause: …, denn ich bin müde; …, aber morgen kommt Anna. Denn differs from weil in verb placement; do not send its finite verb to the end. Put a comma before aber and denn between clauses. Simple lists joined by und or oder normally do not need one before the conjunction.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| Use und for adding information | Anna und Tom sind hier. |
| Use aber for contrast | Das Zimmer ist klein, aber es ist schön. |
| Use oder for choices | Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? |
| Use denn for reasons | Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank. |
| The word order stays normal | Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde. |
| The word order stays normal | Anna hat heute Zeit, aber morgen kommt sie nicht. |
Grammar formula
Connecting two main clauses with und
Hauptsatz 1 + und + Hauptsatz 2Ich lerne Deutsch und ich wohne in Deutschland.
Showing contrast with aber
Aussage + aber + GegensatzIch bin müde, aber ich arbeite.
Giving a reason with denn
Aussage + denn + GrundIch bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.
Core rules
- 1
The word order stays normal
After und, aber, oder and denn, the second part works like a normal main clause. The verb stays in the second position.
- 2
Use und for adding information
Use und when you want to add another related piece of information.
- 3
Use aber for contrast
Use aber when the second idea is different from or opposite to the first idea.
- 4
Use oder for choices
Use oder when you present different possibilities or alternatives.
- 5
Use denn for reasons
Use denn when you want to explain why something happens.
- 6
Usage, exceptions and scope
Und adds, aber contrasts, oder offers a choice and denn gives a reason. These coordinating conjunctions do not occupy the first constituent position of the following clause: …, denn ich bin müde; …, aber morgen kommt Anna. Denn differs from weil in verb placement; do not send its finite verb to the end. Put a comma before aber and denn between clauses. Simple lists joined by und or oder normally do not need one before the conjunction.
Useful examples
Ich lerne Deutsch und ich spreche Englisch.
I am learning German and I speak English.
Und connects two additional pieces of information.
Maria arbeitet und sie studiert am Abend.
Maria works and she studies in the evening.
Both actions are connected equally.
Ich möchte reisen, aber ich habe kein Geld.
I want to travel, but I do not have any money.
Aber shows a contrast between a wish and a problem.
Das Hotel ist schön, aber es ist sehr teuer.
The hotel is beautiful, but it is very expensive.
Two different characteristics are compared.
Möchtest du Wasser oder Saft?
Would you like water or juice?
Oder introduces two possible choices.
Wir fahren mit dem Auto oder wir nehmen den Zug.
We go by car or we take the train.
Oder presents two possible options.
Ich gehe nach Hause, denn ich bin müde.
I am going home because I am tired.
Denn explains the reason for the first sentence.
Er lernt Deutsch, denn er lebt in Berlin.
He learns German because he lives in Berlin.
The verb stays in second position after denn.
Ich kaufe Brot und Milch.
I buy bread and milk.
Und can also connect individual words.
Heute ist es kalt, aber die Sonne scheint.
Today it is cold, but the sun is shining.
Aber connects two opposite situations.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Anna weil Tom sind hier. ✅ Anna und Tom sind hier.
- ❌ Das Zimmer ist klein, denn es ist schön. ✅ Das Zimmer ist klein, aber es ist schön.
- ❌ Möchtest du Tee denn Kaffee? ✅ Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee?
- ❌ Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich bin krank. ✅ Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.
- ❌ Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn bin ich müde. ✅ Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde.
- ❌ Anna hat heute Zeit, aber morgen sie kommt nicht. ✅ Anna hat heute Zeit, aber morgen kommt sie nicht.
Learning tips
- Read the context and word roles before choosing an option.
- After feedback, read the reason and make a new sentence.
- After practising, take the test without the table; test mastery is recorded separately from reading.
Use it in your own sentences
Adapt the names, times or places in the models to write six sentences about your own life. Keep the target construction and check that the meaning fits the rule. This is a self-assessment activity; the multiple-choice test has a separate score.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Anna und Tom sind hier. Das Zimmer ist klein, aber es ist schön. Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank. Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde. Anna hat heute Zeit, aber morgen kommt sie nicht.
Check your own work
- I identified the subject, verb and target construction in every sentence.
- I adapted the context instead of only copying the model.
- I checked my choices against this lesson’s rules and exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The word order stays normal”?
After und, aber, oder and denn, the second part works like a normal main clause. The verb stays in the second position.
What should I check for “Use und for adding information”?
Use und when you want to add another related piece of information.
What should I check for “Use aber for contrast”?
Use aber when the second idea is different from or opposite to the first idea.
What should I check for “Use oder for choices”?
Use oder when you present different possibilities or alternatives.
What should I check for “Use denn for reasons”?
Use denn when you want to explain why something happens.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Und adds, aber contrasts, oder offers a choice and denn gives a reason. These coordinating conjunctions do not occupy the first constituent position of the following clause: …, denn ich bin müde; …, aber morgen kommt Anna. Denn differs from weil in verb placement; do not send its finite verb to the end. Put a comma before aber and denn between clauses. Simple lists joined by und or oder normally do not need one before the conjunction.
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