German Relative Pronouns: Basics, Characteristics, & Mistakes

The Basics of Relative Pronouns

The pronoun is used to replace other nouns in sentences to not repeat anything tediously. But, the relative pronouns, refers back to provide information previously mentioned in the sentence. When used in the statement, it usually introduces a relative clause that delivers more information about the subject.

You might be surprised to know that relative pronouns in German are slightly different from English. Thus, in the further segment, we are going to talk about how German relative pronouns works in English and German. So, let’s begin.

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How Do Relative Pronouns Work in English

In English, there are multiple relative pronouns used to introduce the relative clause to provide additional information about the object. Thus, it could be denoted by using who, whom, whose, that, and more.

For example

1. The dog who chased the cat was brown.
2. He is the boy who won the competition.
3. The guesthouse whose roof is black is for sale.

This is how relative pronouns are used in the English grammar. Now, let’s move ahead and understand how relative pronouns are used in the German language.

How Do Relative Pronouns Work in German

 The German relative pronouns are pronounced as “Relativpronomen”. It is basically the same as the English one, who present the relative clauses and connects them with the main clause. However, these pronouns are declined, as their forms get changed depending on their case, gender, and the number. It sounds just like the definite articles in German. The common relative pronouns in German are "der," "die," "das," and "welcher," "welche," "welches". For example

1. Das ist die Frau, die einen Ferrari hat.- This is the women who has Ferrari.
2. Der Mann, den ich getroffen habe, ist ein Soldat.“ – The man I met is a soldier.
3. "Ich habe der Frau geholfen, welcher es schlecht geht." - I helped the woman who was in distress.

This is all about how relative pronoun is used in the German. Now let’s explore the chart of German relative pronouns. Have a look.

Must read: German Possessive Pronouns

Chart of German Relative Pronouns

German is not so famous for its complicated grammar, especially when it comes to pronouns and articles. Also, this language distinguishes the grammatical genders and four different grammatical cases when relative pronouns is used. All of them are declined differently. Here are the German Relative pronouns chart that will help you to understand how case and gender get declined in relative pronouns.

This German Relative pronouns chart provides a complete overview of the structure about how relative pronoun is used according to the case gender and number. Now, let’s see how German relative pronouns are used in cases in a detailed way in the next sections.

How to use German Relative Pronouns in Different Cases

As we saw in the above table, the grammatical gender and grammatical case of the word you want to talk about, determine the relative pronoun to use in German. The German cases adhere to strict rules, while you have to learn grammatical gender with the noun to use them correctly. Unlike English, in German, you have to always use the comma (,) when writing the clause with a relative pronoun. So, let’s see how German relative pronouns are used in different cases.

The Nominative Case

In this case, the nominative relative pronouns in German are used to transfer who or that in the sentence. For example

Die Jacke, die ich heute trage, ist schwarz.

The jacket that I’m wearing today is black.

In this example of Nominative Relative pronouns in German, the gender of dieJackie is feminine, which is why, here dieis used.

The Accusative Case

The Accusative Relative pronouns in German are used when translating the whom or that. Understand this by the example mentioned below. 

 Der Mann, den ich heute treffe, ist groß.

The man whom I’m meeting today is tall.

In this instance of Accusative Relative pronouns in German, the der mann in the sentences is masculine gender, so here den is used. 

The Dative Case

The dative relative pronouns in German are used when transforming whom or that in amalgamation with a preposition. Have a look at the example to understand this.

Das Mädchen, mit dem ich tanze, ist hübsch.

The girl with whom I’m dancing is pretty.

Here in the Dative Relative pronouns German instance, we have used dem due to the grammatical gender in the German case of das Mädchenis neutral.

The Genitive Case

Lastly, in this case, the Genitive Relative pronouns in German is used to highlight the ownership and convert it whose or that. Look at the example to understand this German case.

Die Menschen, deren Haus ich miete, sind nett.

The people whose house I’m renting are nice.

In this example of Genitive Relative pronouns, Die Menschen is plural, which denotes that we have to use deren in the sentence.

This is how German relative pronouns are used with different cases to make the sentence by introducing the clauses and providing the information. But there are some important German pronouns you need to pick correctly, but what are they? Let’s know them.

Have a read to this - German Personal Pronouns

How to Pick the Correct German Relative Pronouns

It is crucial to choose the correct German relative pronouns while making sentences to provide the right details. So here are some of the strategies that can help you in this.

1. Determines the number and gender of the noun: Classify the noun that refers to relative pronouns, and check if it is singular or plural to determine its gender and number.
2. Defines the case of relative pronouns: Examine the role of relative pronouns in its own clause, whether it is object, subject, indirect object, or possessive. This will help you to determine the case it requires.
3. Pick the right relative pronoun: use the table or chart to analyse how relative pronouns decline according to the case, gender, and number.

6 Common Mistakes to Avoid in German Relative Pronouns

 Here are the six common mistakes that you should avoid while using German relative pronouns in sentences.

1. Using the wrong relative pronouns in the sentence may convey the wrong information.
2. Avoiding the defined article
3. Incorrect word order in the relative clauses
4. Using was in an alternative of der/die/das.
5. Using the wrong gender of the relative pronouns
6. Neglecting to change the articles with the case.

Final thought

In the end, German grammar is challenging to learn but once you understand the approach, you can excel. Thus, practising is the key that can help you to become proficient. Moreover, in this guide, we have talked about the relative pronouns in German, their parts, cases and more. This will help you to learn German. Moreover, if you want to learn more grammar parts in this language, such as German Reflexive Pronouns, possessive or personal, you can get connected to our experts. They will guide you to become proficient So, what are you waiting for? Enroll in our German online coaching today!

FAQ's

What are the German relative pronouns?

Answer: In German relative pronouns are used to present relative clauses and pair them to the main clause. The common relative pronouns is der, die, das, welcher, welche, welches. However, these pronouns can be changed according to gender, case and number just as definite articles.

What are the 7 relative pronouns?

Answers: The seven relative pronouns in English are who, whom, which, that, what, and where. In German it is der, die, das, den, dem, dessen, and deren. They are used to provide an introduction to relative clauses. Also, provide additional information about a noun in the main clauses.

When do I use "der," "die," "das," or "welcher," "welche," "welches"?

Answer: "Der," "die," and "das," in German are definite articles and are used to specify a noun while "welcher," "Welche," and "welches" are the relative pronouns are used to present the relative clauses that provide information about a noun.

How do I choose the correct relative pronoun?

Answer: To choose the correct German relative pronouns, you need to use both the case and gender of the noun it refers to within the relative clause. Moreover, it should be agreed in number (singular or plural).