How do I form a German relative clause?

Use a comma , then the relative pronoun , and put the verb at the end of the clause. For example: Das ist der Mann, der den Hut trägt.

How do I choose the correct relative pronoun?

Match the pronoun to the gender of the noun being described and the case needed inside the relative clause . For example, der Hund becomes den in Der Hund, den ich sehe , because the dog is the object of sehen .

What happens with prepositions in relative clauses?

If the verb needs a preposition, the preposition stays with the relative pronoun. For example: die Frau, mit der ich gesprochen habe and der Stuhl, auf dem ich sitze .

Relative Clauses — The Detailed Description 🧬

Relative clauses start with a relative pronoun (der, die, das) that refers back to a noun in the main clause. Like all dependent clauses, they kick the conjugated verb to the end. The relative pronoun must match the gender and number of the noun it describes.

Infographic describing German Relative Clauses and how they function as subordinate clauses.

We use Relative Clauses to describe a noun more precisely without starting a new sentence.

"The man, who is wearing a hat."

In German, this is a Subordinate Clause -> Verb at the End!

The Formula 🧪

Main Clause + Comma + Relative Pronoun + ... + Verb.

Das ist der Mann, der den Hut trägt. (That is the man, who the hat wears).
Das ist das Auto, das ich kaufen will.

Choosing the Pronoun

You need to check the Relative Pronouns table.

Gender: Matches the Anchor Noun (The thing you describe).
Case: Matches the Role inside the relative clause.

Example

Der Hund, ... ich sehe.

Anchor: Der Hund (Masculine).
Role: Ich sehe ... HIM. (Accusative object).
- Masc + Acc = den.

Der Hund, den ich sehe...

Prepositions in Relative Clauses

If the verb needs a preposition, it drags it along.

Das ist die Frau, mit der ich gesprochen habe.
Das ist der Stuhl, auf dem ich sitze. (Dative because "Sitzing" is static!).

Nested Sentences (The German Nightmare) 🕸️

Germans love to put relative clauses inside other sentences.

Der Mann, [der dort steht], ist mein Vater.
- Main sentence: Der Mann ... ist mein Vater.
- Insertion: ... der dort steht ...