CEFR A2 • Pronomen

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Relativpronomen

Q: Was ist ein Relativpronomen?

A Relativpronomen introduces a relative clause (Relativsatz) that describes a noun from the main clause — like "who," "which," or "that" in English. It agrees in gender and number with the Bezugswort but takes its case from its function inside the relative clause.

Q: How do I choose the correct Relativpronomen?

Two decisions: (1) Match gender and number to the Bezugswort — die Frau (feminine singular) → die/der/der; (2) Determine case from the pronoun's function inside the relative clause — subject → Nominativ, direct object → Akkusativ, indirect object or after a dative verb → Dativ.

Q: What is denen and when do I use it?

denen is the Dativ plural Relativpronomen. It differs from the article den (accusative masculine). Use denen when the relative pronoun refers to a plural noun in the dative: Das sind die Kinder, denen wir geholfen haben.

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses that describe a noun from the main clause — similar to "who," "which," and "that" in English.

Kernregel: A Relativpronomen agrees in gender and number with its Bezugswort but takes its case from its function inside the relative clause. The conjugated verb goes to the end of the relative clause.

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses that describe a noun from the main clause — similar to "who," "which," and "that" in English.

Example:

Ich kenne die Frau. + Sie arbeitet in diesem Büro.

→ Ich kenne die Frau, die in diesem Büro arbeitet.

I know the woman who works in this office.

The relative pronoun refers to its Bezugswort (antecedent) and comes directly after the noun it describes.

Formen

Relative pronouns resemble definite articles — their form depends on two factors:

Gender and number: Match the antecedent (noun in main clause).
Case: Determined by the pronoun's function within the relative clause.

Kasus	Singular			Plural
	maskulin	feminin	neutral	alle Geschlechter
Nominativ	der	die	das	die
Akkusativ	den	die	das	die
Dativ	dem	der	dem	denen

Rule: The dative plural form is denen — not den like the definite article.
Contrast: den = definite article (accusative masculine): Ich sehe den Mann. | denen = relative pronoun (dative plural): Die Kinder, denen wir geholfen haben, …

Verwendung nach Kasus

The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its function within the relative clause:

Nominativ

Use the nominative when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause.

Das ist die Lehrerin, die Deutsch unterrichtet.

That is the teacher who teaches German. (The teacher teaches → subject)

Wo ist der Mann, der gestern hier war?

Where is the man who was here yesterday? (The man was → subject)

Akkusativ

Use the accusative when the relative pronoun is the direct object of the relative clause.

Das ist das Buch, das ich letzte Woche gekauft habe.

That is the book that I bought last week. (I bought the book → direct object)

Der Film, den wir gesehen haben, war sehr spannend.

The movie that we saw was very exciting. (We saw the movie → direct object)

Dativ

Use the dative when the relative pronoun is the indirect object or follows a dative verb or preposition.

Die Freundin, der ich geholfen habe, ist sehr nett.

The friend whom I helped is very nice. (helfen takes dative)

Das sind die Kinder, denen wir die Geschenke gegeben haben.

Those are the children to whom we gave the presents. (plural dative)

Das Thema, über das wir gesprochen haben, war interessant.

The topic about which we spoke was interesting. ("über" takes accusative → das)

Satzbau

Relative clauses are subordinate clauses (Nebensätze). This means they have a special word order: the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause. The relative clause is always separated from the main clause by commas.

Struktur

Hauptsatz + Komma + Relativpronomen + ... + Verb + Komma

Ich habe eine Kollegin, die sehr gut Spanisch spricht.

I have a colleague who speaks Spanish very well.

Position im Satz

The relative clause always comes immediately after the noun it describes, even if this interrupts the main clause.

Der Mann, der neben mir wohnt, ist Arzt.

The man who lives next to me is a doctor.

Wichtige Hinweise

1. Genus und Numerus vom Bezugswort

The relative pronoun's gender and number must match the antecedent in the main clause.

Beispiel: Die Frau (feminine) → die/der/der...

2. Kasus durch Funktion im Relativsatz

The case is determined by the pronoun's role inside the relative clause, not the main clause.

Beispiel: Ich kenne den Mann (Akkusativ in Hauptsatz), der hier wohnt (Nominativ in Relativsatz).

3. Verb am Ende

The conjugated verb goes to the end of the relative clause (as in all German subordinate clauses).

Beispiel: Das ist das Haus, das meine Eltern gekauft haben.

4. Kommas sind Pflicht

Relative clauses are always set off by commas; if mid-sentence, add a comma before and after.

Beispiel: Der Lehrer, der Mathematik unterrichtet, ist sehr streng.

Beispiele im Kontext

Mit Präpositionen

• Die Firma, für die er arbeitet, ist sehr groß.

The company for which he works is very large.

• Die Freunde, mit denen ich in Urlaub fahre, sind sehr lustig.

The friends with whom I'm going on vacation are very funny.

Zusammenfassung

Relative pronouns agree in gender and number with the antecedent.
Their case depends on their function within the relative clause.
Relative clauses are subordinate clauses: verb goes to the end.
Always use commas to separate relative clauses from the main clause.
With prepositions, the preposition comes before the relative pronoun.
Special form: denen (dative plural).

Häufig gestellte Fragen – FAQ

Was ist ein Relativpronomen?

A Relativpronomen introduces a relative clause (Relativsatz) that describes a noun from the main clause — like "who," "which," or "that" in English. It agrees in gender and number with the Bezugswort but takes its case from its function inside the relative clause.

How do I choose the correct Relativpronomen?

Two decisions: (1) Match gender and number to the Bezugswort — die Frau (feminine singular) → die/der/der; (2) Determine case from the pronoun's function inside the relative clause — subject → Nominativ, direct object → Akkusativ, indirect object or after a dative verb → Dativ.

What is denen and when do I use it?

denen is the Dativ plural Relativpronomen. It differs from the article den (accusative masculine). Use denen when the relative pronoun refers to a plural noun in the dative: Das sind die Kinder, denen wir geholfen haben.

Where does the verb go in a Relativsatz?

In a Relativsatz (subordinate clause), the conjugated verb moves to the end: Das ist der Mann, der hier wohnt. If the clause interrupts the main sentence, add commas before and after: Der Mann, der hier wohnt, ist Arzt.