German word order may look confusing at first, but there are clear patterns you can learn. In this chapter, we focus on the most important rule: The verb is always in the second position in main clauses.
🎯 Learning Goals
- Understand the basic word order in German main clauses (Subject-Verb-Object).
- Learn how to start a sentence with a different element (time, place, object) and still keep the verb in second position.
- Use adverbs of time and place correctly.
🧱 Basic Word Order: Subject – Verb – Object
In simple sentences, the word order is similar to English.
Example:
- Ich lerne Deutsch.
(I learn German.)
| Position | Element | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subject | Ich |
| 2 | Verb | lerne |
| 3 | Object | Deutsch |
🔄 Word Order with Time or Place First
In German, you can move elements to the beginning of the sentence (like time or place), but the verb always stays in the second position. That means the subject often comes after the verb.
Examples:
- Heute lerne ich Deutsch. (Today I learn German.)
- In Berlin arbeitet mein Bruder. (In Berlin my brother works.)
| Position | Example |
|---|---|
| 1 | Heute / In Berlin |
| 2 | lerne / arbeitet |
| 3 | ich / mein Bruder |
| ... | object or other parts |
💬 Dialogue
Marta und Ben sprechen über ihre tägliche Routine.
Marta: Was machst du morgens?
Ben: Morgens trinke ich Kaffee und lese die Nachrichten.
Marta: Ich lese auch die Nachrichten. Aber ich arbeite um acht Uhr.
Ben: Ich arbeite zu Hause. Wo arbeitest du?
Marta: Ich arbeite im Büro in der Stadt.
📚 Vocabulary
| German | English |
|---|---|
| morgens | in the morning |
| trinken | to drink |
| lesen | to read |
| arbeiten | to work |
| auch | also / too |
| zu Hause | at home |
| im Büro | in the office |
| in der Stadt | in the city |
| wann? | when? |
| wo? | where? |
✏️ Exercises
1. Word Order Practice (put the words in the correct order)
Put the words into a correct German sentence. Make sure the verb is in position 2.
a) heute / ich / arbeite / nicht
b) im Park / spielen / die Kinder
c) trinkt / am Morgen / sie / Tee
d) ich / Deutsch / lerne / jeden Tag
a) Heute arbeite ich nicht.
b) Im Park spielen die Kinder.
c) Am Morgen trinkt sie Tee.
d) Ich lerne jeden Tag Deutsch.
2. Translate into German
a) Today I cook at home.
b) In the evening we watch TV.
c) My friend works in Berlin.
d) At 8 o’clock, I go to school.
a) Heute koche ich zu Hause.
b) Am Abend sehen wir fern.
c) Mein Freund arbeitet in Berlin.
d) Um acht Uhr gehe ich zur Schule.
3. Identify the verb position
Mark the verb in the following sentences and say what position it is in.
a) Ich trinke Kaffee.
b) Am Abend lese ich ein Buch.
c) In der Stadt arbeitet sie.
a) trinke is in position 2
b) lese is in position 2
c) arbeitet is in position
➡ The verb is always in the second position, even when the sentence doesn’t start with the subject.
🧠 Tips and Notes
- The verb must always be in position 2 in main clauses.
- The first element can be the subject, a time phrase, a place, or an object.
- If the subject is not at the beginning, it usually comes right after the verb.