By the end of this lesson, I can…
- The relative clause decides the case
- Always use commas
- The verb comes at the end
- Prepositions control the case
- Genitive relatives
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
German relative clauses describe nouns with additional information. The relative pronoun changes according to gender, number, and its grammatical function inside the clause. In this lesson, you will learn how to use Nominative, Accusative, Dative, and Genitive relative pronouns correctly.
The relative clause decides the case
The noun before the clause only determines gender and number. The function inside the relative clause determines the case.
Always use commas
German relative clauses are separated from the main sentence with commas.
The verb comes at the end
The conjugated verb is placed at the end because a relative clause is a subordinate clause.
Prepositions control the case
When a preposition comes before a relative pronoun, it determines the case. Example: mit dem, für den, bei der.
Genitive relatives
Der Mann, dessen Tochter…; die Frau, deren Sohn…; die Kinder, deren Vater… show possession. Dessen follows masculine/neuter antecedents, deren feminine/plural ones. The following noun still has its own role and inflection in the clause.
Preposition and pronoun
Mit der/mit dem use dative; für die/für den accusative. Put the preposition before the pronoun: die Freundin, mit der ich spreche. Do not strand it at the clause's end by copying an English pattern.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Gender and number come from the antecedent, case from the role inside the relative clause. Learn plural dative denen and genitive dessen for masculine/neuter, deren for feminine/plural. Dessen/deren before a noun express possession independently of main-clause case. A preposition inside the relative clause requires its own case. Embedded relatives take two commas.
Relative pronouns in four cases
Gender and number come from the antecedent, case from the role inside the relative clause. Learn plural dative denen and genitive dessen for masculine/neuter, deren for feminine/plural. Dessen/deren before a noun express possession independently of main-clause case. A preposition inside the relative clause requires its own case. Embedded relatives take two commas.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der | die | das | die |
| Akkusativ | den | die | das | die |
| Dativ | dem | der | dem | denen |
| Genitiv | dessen | deren | dessen | deren |
Grammar formula
Basic relative clause structure
Nomen + , + Relativpronomen + Informationen + VerbDas Buch, das ich lese, ist interessant.
Nominative relative pronoun
Relativpronomen = Subjekt im RelativsatzDer Mann, der dort arbeitet, ist mein Nachbar.
Accusative relative pronoun
Relativpronomen = Objekt im RelativsatzDer Film, den ich sehe, ist spannend.
Dative relative pronoun
Relativpronomen nach Dativ-Verb oder PräpositionDie Frau, der ich helfe, ist nett.
Genitive relative pronoun
Relativpronomen zeigt BesitzDer Mann, dessen Auto kaputt ist, wartet.
Core rules
- 1
The relative clause decides the case
The noun before the clause only determines gender and number. The function inside the relative clause determines the case.
- 2
Always use commas
German relative clauses are separated from the main sentence with commas.
- 3
The verb comes at the end
The conjugated verb is placed at the end because a relative clause is a subordinate clause.
- 4
Prepositions control the case
When a preposition comes before a relative pronoun, it determines the case. Example: mit dem, für den, bei der.
- 5
Genitive relatives
Der Mann, dessen Tochter…; die Frau, deren Sohn…; die Kinder, deren Vater… show possession. Dessen follows masculine/neuter antecedents, deren feminine/plural ones. The following noun still has its own role and inflection in the clause.
- 6
Preposition and pronoun
Mit der/mit dem use dative; für die/für den accusative. Put the preposition before the pronoun: die Freundin, mit der ich spreche. Do not strand it at the clause's end by copying an English pattern.
- 7
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Gender and number come from the antecedent, case from the role inside the relative clause. Learn plural dative denen and genitive dessen for masculine/neuter, deren for feminine/plural. Dessen/deren before a noun express possession independently of main-clause case. A preposition inside the relative clause requires its own case. Embedded relatives take two commas.
Useful examples
Der Mann, der neben mir sitzt, ist mein Bruder.
The man who is sitting next to me is my brother.
Der is Nominative because the man performs the action.
Das Auto, das vor dem Haus steht, gehört meinem Freund.
The car that is standing in front of the house belongs to my friend.
Das is Nominative because the car is the subject of the relative clause.
Die Frau, die ich gestern getroffen habe, ist Ärztin.
The woman whom I met yesterday is a doctor.
Die is Accusative because the woman receives the action.
Der Film, den wir gestern gesehen haben, war sehr spannend.
The film that we watched yesterday was very exciting.
Den is the Accusative form for masculine nouns.
Das Buch, das du mir gegeben hast, liegt auf dem Tisch.
The book that you gave me is on the table.
Das is the Accusative form for neuter nouns.
Der Lehrer, dem ich eine Frage stelle, hilft mir.
The teacher whom I ask a question is helping me.
Dem is Dative because the person receives something.
Die Freundin, mit der ich spreche, wohnt in Berlin.
The friend whom I am talking with lives in Berlin.
Mit always requires Dative.
Die Kinder, denen wir helfen, sind sehr freundlich.
The children whom we help are very friendly.
Denen is the plural Dative form.
Der Mann, dessen Auto kaputt ist, kommt später.
The man whose car is broken is coming later.
Dessen shows possession and uses Genitive.
Die Frau, deren Tochter in Deutschland lebt, spricht Deutsch.
The woman whose daughter lives in Germany speaks German.
Deren shows possession for feminine and plural nouns.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Das ist der Mann, den hier arbeitet. ✅ Das ist der Mann, der hier arbeitet.
- ❌ Das ist der Mann, der Anna sucht. ✅ Das ist der Mann, den Anna sucht.
- ❌ Der Mann, mit den ich spreche, ist nett. ✅ Der Mann, mit dem ich spreche, ist nett.
- ❌ Die Kinder, den ich helfe, sind hier. ✅ Die Kinder, denen ich helfe, sind hier.
- ❌ Der Mann, deren Auto kaputt ist, wartet. ✅ Der Mann, dessen Auto kaputt ist, wartet.
- ❌ der Mann, der hilft → der → accusative object ✅ der Mann, der hilft → der → subject: nominative
Learning tips
- Do not choose the case from the noun before the relative clause.
- First identify the function of the pronoun inside the clause.
- Learn common verbs with their required cases.
- Remember that prepositions often decide the case immediately.
Use it in your own text
Write six new sentences about your life, experiences or views. Use the rules and table and check why each form fits. The models are illustrations; you need not force every form into one text. This is self-assessment; the test score is recorded separately.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “The relative clause decides the case”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Always use commas”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “The verb comes at the end”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Prepositions control the case”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Genitive relatives”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Der Mann, der neben mir sitzt, ist mein Bruder. Das Auto, das vor dem Haus steht, gehört meinem Freund. Die Frau, die ich gestern getroffen habe, ist Ärztin. Der Film, den wir gestern gesehen haben, war sehr spannend. Das Buch, das du mir gegeben hast, liegt auf dem Tisch. Der Lehrer, dem ich eine Frage stelle, hilft mir.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “The relative clause decides the case”?
The noun before the clause only determines gender and number. The function inside the relative clause determines the case.
What matters for “Always use commas”?
German relative clauses are separated from the main sentence with commas.
What matters for “The verb comes at the end”?
The conjugated verb is placed at the end because a relative clause is a subordinate clause.
What matters for “Prepositions control the case”?
When a preposition comes before a relative pronoun, it determines the case. Example: mit dem, für den, bei der.
What matters for “Genitive relatives”?
Der Mann, dessen Tochter…; die Frau, deren Sohn…; die Kinder, deren Vater… show possession. Dessen follows masculine/neuter antecedents, deren feminine/plural ones. The following noun still has its own role and inflection in the clause.
What matters for “Preposition and pronoun”?
Mit der/mit dem use dative; für die/für den accusative. Put the preposition before the pronoun: die Freundin, mit der ich spreche. Do not strand it at the clause's end by copying an English pattern.
What matters for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Gender and number come from the antecedent, case from the role inside the relative clause. Learn plural dative denen and genitive dessen for masculine/neuter, deren for feminine/plural. Dessen/deren before a noun express possession independently of main-clause case. A preposition inside the relative clause requires its own case. Embedded relatives take two commas.
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