📖 Explanation: Coordinating Conjunctions (Nebenordnende Konjunktionen)
Coordinating conjunctions connect two equal parts of a sentence: two main clauses, two phrases, or two words. They do not change the word order – the verb always stays in second position in both clauses.
The most important coordinating conjunctions (Nebenordnende Konjunktionen) in German are:
- und = and
- oder = or
- aber = but
- denn = because (explains a reason; usually not used at the beginning of a sentence)
- sondern = but rather / instead (used after a negative)
- doch = but / however / yet (with emphasis or contrast)
There is also beziehungsweise (bzw.) = or rather / respectively, but it is more formal.
📋 Table: Main Coordinating Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Meaning | Word Order Effect | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| und | and | No change | Ich lerne Deutsch und du lernst Englisch. (I’m learning German and you’re learning English.) |
| oder | or | No change | Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? (Would you like tea or coffee?) |
| aber | but | No change | Ich wollte kommen, aber ich war krank. (I wanted to come, but I was sick.) |
| denn | because / for | No change | Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet. (I’m staying home because it’s raining.) |
| sondern | but (rather) / instead | No change | Ich trinke keinen Kaffee, sondern Tee. (I don’t drink coffee, but rather tea.) |
| doch | but / yet / however | No change | Es regnet, aber ich gehe doch spazieren. (It’s raining, but I’m still going for a walk.) |
🔑 Rules and Tips
- Word order: All these conjunctions allow two main clauses with normal V2 (verb second) order. Example: Ich mag Äpfel und du magst Bananen. (Both verbs in second position.)
- denn vs. weil:
- denn is coordinating → no verb to end.
- weil is subordinating → verb goes to the end. Compare: Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde. (main clause) Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. (subordinate clause)
- sondern: Used only after a negation to correct or contrast. Wrong: Ich mag Äpfel, sondern Bananen. Correct: Ich mag keine Äpfel, sondern Bananen.
- doch: Adds emphasis or surprise. Often used to contradict an expectation.
- Comma rule: Always put a comma before these conjunctions when they connect two full main clauses.
Common examples in context:
- Kommst du mit, oder bleibst du hier? (Are you coming, or are you staying here?)
- Das Kleid ist schön, aber teuer. (The dress is pretty, but expensive.)
- Er hat viel gelernt, doch die Prüfung war schwer. (He studied a lot, yet the exam was hard.)
Practice these first – they are used constantly in everyday German! Once you master coordinating conjunctions, we’ll move on to subordinating ones (wie weil, dass, obwohl, etc.).