When to use “als”, “wenn”, and “wann” in German: A Comprehensive Guide

Nov 10

Ever find yourself puzzled over when to use 'als', 'wenn', and 'wann'? Dive into this comprehensive guide and turn your confusion into confidence. Master the nuances of these tricky words to use them flawlessly in your German sentences!

When to use “als,” “wenn” and “wann”

Many students get confused with “als,” “wenn,” and “wann” because these words are used differently in German and sometimes even represent a synonym in English and other languages. In this article, I’ll clarify the meaning and usage of each to help you avoid common mistakes and become more fluent in German.

Recommended study materials on the topic:

Worksheet: Als, wenn & wann
Overview: Comparison with adjectives
Worksheet: Comparison with adjectives (incl. answers)
B-Grammar: Practice German grammar (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)

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1. What is the meaning of “als”?

The German word "als" can be used in various ways:

a) “als” in the sense of “as”

The German word “als” functions similarly to the English “as.” With its help, it is possible to express sentences like:

I work as … – Ich arbeite als …
I start a job as … – Ich beginne eine Stelle als …

b) “als” in the sense of “than”

Another common usage of the word “als” is in making comparisons. We use it in the “Komparativ,” which – as you might already guess – is when we compare two things with each other:

For example:

Ich bin größer als sie. – I am taller than her.
Dieses Auto ist billiger als das blaue Auto. – This car is cheaper than the blue car.

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c) “als” as a conjunction

We also use the German word “als” as a conjunction. It connects two sentences: a main clause and a subordinate clause introduced by “als.” In German grammar, this affects the verb position, which is moved to the end of the sentence.

The meaning of “als” as a conjunction is similar to the English “when” but with a crucial difference: it is used only in the past tense (Präteritum, Perfekt, and Plusquamperfekt) and not in the present or future tenses.

Think of it as describing a specific moment in the past. For example, remember the sentence beginning, “Als ich ein Kind war …” (When I was a child…). Use "als" when referring to a specific moment in the past.

Remember: "Als" is used for comparisons ("taller than"), as "as" in job titles, and for specific moments in the past.

2. What is the meaning of “wenn”?

The German word “wenn” expresses a condition in a sentence. Like "als," "wenn" is also a conjunction, but it has a broader usage since it can be used in all tenses (past, present, future).

People often confuse “wenn” and “als” because both can translate to “when” in English. However, “wenn” is also equivalent to the English “if.” We use “wenn” to express conditions, creating sentences with an "If A, then B" structure.

For example:

Immer wenn ich nach Hause komme, mache ich mir einen Tee. (Whenever I come home, I make myself a tea.)
Wenn ich nach Berlin fahren werde, will ich das Brandenburger Tor ansehen. (When I go to Berlin, I want to see the Brandenburg Gate.)

Remember: "Wenn" is used to express conditions or recurring events and can be translated as both "when" and "if" in English.

3. What is the meaning of “wann”?

Choosing between “wenn” and “wann” can be tricky because both translate to "when" in English. However, only “wenn” can express conditions in German.

a) “wann” as a question word

In German, we use the word “wann” when asking about the time something happens.

For example:

Wann gehen wir ins Theater? – When do we go to the theatre?
Wann hast du Geburtstag? – When is your birthday?

b) “wann” as a conjunction

“Wann” can also function as a conjunction, where the verb goes to the end of the sentence. You can easily check this by transforming the sentence into a question:

For example:

Ich weiß nicht, wann das Treffen ist. – Question: Wann ist das Treffen? (I do not know when the meeting is. – When is the meeting?)
Ich habe vergessen, wann dein Geburtstag ist. – Question: Wann ist dein Geburtstag? (I forgot when your birthday is. – Question: When is your birthday?)

Remember: Use "wenn" to express conditions, and "wann" to ask about specific times or as a conjunction that can be turned into a question.

Conclusion: “Als”, “Wenn” or “Wann”

To summarize:

Does your sentence express a condition? – If so, use “wenn”.
Does your sentence describe a specific moment in the past? – If so, use “als”.
Does your sentence involve a question? – If so, use “wann”.

After reading this article, you should feel more confident about when to use “als,” “wenn,” or “wann” in your German sentences. If you have any questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please comment below or message me! Check out the difference between “im,” “am,” and “um” in German.

Bis bald!

Steffie

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