Conjunctions: und, oder, aber, denn
Conjunctions are the glue of language — they let you connect words, phrases, and whole sentences. Instead of saying two short sentences back to back, you can link them into one flowing idea. Master just four conjunctions and your German will immediately sound more natural.
The four conjunctions in this lesson — und (and), oder (or), aber (but), and denn (because) — are called coordinating conjunctions. They join two main clauses without changing the word order of either one. That makes them the easiest conjunctions to learn first.
The Four Conjunctions at a Glance
Here are the four conjunctions with their meanings and typical uses:
| Conjunction | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| und | and | Adds information or joins equal ideas |
| oder | or | Presents alternatives or choices |
| aber | but | Introduces a contrast or contradiction |
| denn | because | Gives a reason (easier than weil at this level) |
All four are used to join two main clauses — sentences that could each stand alone.
Word Order: The Great News
Coordinating conjunctions do not change German word order. The verb stays in position 2 in each clause, exactly as in a normal sentence.
Pattern: [Clause 1] + conjunction + [Clause 2 — normal word order]
| Sentence | Verb positions |
|---|---|
| Ich lerne Deutsch und ich höre Musik. | lerne (pos. 2) · höre (pos. 2) |
| Er ist müde, aber er arbeitet. | ist (pos. 2) · arbeitet (pos. 2) |
| Sie bleibt zu Hause, denn es regnet. | bleibt (pos. 2) · regnet (pos. 2) |
Punctuation tip: Write a comma before aber and denn when joining two full clauses. With und and oder, a comma is optional.
und and oder: Adding and Choosing
Und (and) adds things together — nouns, verbs, or entire clauses:
- Ich kaufe Brot und Milch. — I buy bread and milk.
- Sie singt und tanzt. — She sings and dances.
- Er liest ein Buch und sie schläft. — He reads a book and she sleeps.
Oder (or) presents alternatives, exactly like English "or":
- Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? — Would you like tea or coffee?
- Kommst du heute oder morgen? — Are you coming today or tomorrow?
aber and denn: Contrasting and Explaining
Aber (but) introduces something unexpected or opposite:
- Das Wetter ist schlecht, aber ich gehe spazieren. — The weather is bad, but I'm going for a walk.
- Das Buch ist alt, aber interessant. — The book is old, but interesting.
Denn (because) gives a reason. Unlike weil, it keeps normal word order — making it perfect for A1:
- Ich trinke Wasser, denn ich habe Durst. — I drink water because I'm thirsty.
- Wir fahren langsam, denn die Straße ist nass. — We drive slowly because the road is wet.
Denn vs. weil: Both mean "because", but weil sends the verb to the very end of the clause. Stick with denn for now — same meaning, easier word order!
📖 Examples
Ich trinke Tee und sie trinkt Kaffee.
I drink tea and she drinks coffee.
Kommst du heute oder morgen?
Are you coming today or tomorrow?
Er ist müde, aber er arbeitet.
He is tired, but he is working.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet.
I'm staying home because it's raining.
Das Buch ist alt, aber interessant.
The book is old, but interesting.
Wir essen Pizza oder Pasta.
We eat pizza or pasta.
Sie spricht Deutsch und Englisch.
She speaks German and English.
Ich mag Hunde, aber ich habe eine Katze.
I like dogs, but I have a cat.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn regnet es.Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet.
Denn does not change word order. The subject (es) stays before the verb (regnet), just like in a normal sentence. Only weil pushes the verb to the end of the clause.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, dann es regnet.Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet.
Denn (because) and dann (then) look similar but mean very different things. Denn gives a reason; dann indicates what happens next in time. The sentence means 'I stay home because it is raining', not 'I stay home, then it rains'.
Er ist müde aber er schläft nicht.Er ist müde, aber er schläft nicht.
A comma is required before aber (and denn) when joining two full clauses. German punctuation rules require this, unlike English where the comma before 'but' is sometimes considered optional.
Ich lerne Deutsch und höre ich Musik.Ich lerne Deutsch und ich höre Musik.
After und, the second clause keeps its normal subject-verb order. The subject ich stays before the verb höre. You may drop the repeated subject ('und höre Musik'), but you must never invert subject and verb after a conjunction.
✏️ Exercises
Test your understanding. Click an option or type your answer, then check.
Choose the correct conjunction: 'Ich bin müde, ___ ich schlafe nicht.'
Choose the correct conjunction: 'Er lernt Deutsch, ___ er hat eine Prüfung.'
Choose the correct conjunction: 'Möchtest du Tee ___ Kaffee?'
Choose the correct conjunction: 'Ich kaufe Brot ___ Butter.'
Which sentence uses correct word order after 'denn'?
Choose the correct conjunction: 'Das Hotel ist teuer, ___ es ist sehr schön.'
Ich lerne Deutsch, ___ ich mag die Sprache. (because)
Möchten Sie Bier ___ Wein? (or)
Das Essen schmeckt gut, ___ es ist kalt. (but)
Er spielt Gitarre ___ singt Lieder. (and)