German Relative Clauses (Relativsätze)

Why Relative Clauses Matter for the Goethe Exam

Relative clauses are one of the most effective ways to demonstrate grammatical range in the Goethe exam. At B1 level, they show that you can construct complex sentences beyond the basic subject-verb-object pattern. At B2 level, they are essential — examiners expect to see a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and relative clauses are the most natural way to add complexity.

A candidate who writes Ich habe eine Kollegin. Sie spricht drei Sprachen. Sie hilft mir oft. uses only simple sentences. A candidate who writes Ich habe eine Kollegin, die drei Sprachen spricht und mir oft hilft. communicates the same information in one elegant sentence that earns higher marks for grammar range and coherence.

How Relative Clauses Work in German

A relative clause is a subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun in the main clause. It is introduced by a relative pronoun — which in German looks almost identical to the definite article (der, die, das) — and follows verb-final word order.

The relative pronoun must match the noun it refers to in gender and number, but its case depends on its function within the relative clause. This is the part that most learners find challenging.

If the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, it takes the nominative case: Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Lehrer. (The man who is standing there is my teacher.) Die Frau, die dort arbeitet, ist meine Chefin. (The woman who works there is my boss.) Das Kind, das dort spielt, ist mein Sohn. (The child who is playing there is my son.)

If the relative pronoun is the direct object (accusative): Der Film, den ich gestern gesehen habe, war toll. (The film that I saw yesterday was great.) Note that der (masculine nominative) becomes den (masculine accusative).

If the relative pronoun follows a dative verb or preposition: Die Freundin, der ich geholfen habe, hat sich bedankt. (The friend whom I helped thanked me.) Der Kollege, mit dem ich arbeite, ist sehr nett. (The colleague with whom I work is very nice.)

Relative Pronoun Forms

The relative pronoun forms closely mirror the definite articles, with a few exceptions in the dative plural and genitive:

Nominative: der (masc.), die (fem.), das (neut.), die (plural) Accusative: den (masc.), die (fem.), das (neut.), die (plural) Dative: dem (masc.), der (fem.), dem (neut.), denen (plural) Genitive: dessen (masc.), deren (fem.), dessen (neut.), deren (plural)

For the Goethe B1 exam, you need nominative and accusative relative pronouns confidently. For B2, add dative forms. Genitive relative pronouns (dessen, deren) are a bonus that demonstrates C1-level grammar range at B2.

Word Order in Relative Clauses

The critical rule: the conjugated verb goes to the end of the relative clause. This is the same verb-final rule as in all German subordinate clauses (weil, dass, obwohl), but learners often forget it in relative clauses.

Der Kurs, den ich besuche, beginnt um 9 Uhr. — Correct. The verb besuche is at the end of the relative clause.

Der Kurs, den ich besuche ihn, beginnt um 9 Uhr. — Wrong. Do not add an extra pronoun (ihn) — the relative pronoun den already serves as the object.

When the relative clause contains a compound tense (Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt), the auxiliary verb goes to the end: Die E-Mail, die ich gestern geschrieben habe, wurde nicht beantwortet. (The email that I wrote yesterday was not answered.)

Relative Clauses in Goethe Exam Tasks

In informal emails (B1 Teil 1), relative clauses help you develop content points with more detail: Ich habe einen neuen Nachbarn, der aus Spanien kommt und sehr freundlich ist. (I have a new neighbor who comes from Spain and is very friendly.)

In forum posts (B1 Teil 2, B2 Teil 1), relative clauses support your arguments: Menschen, die regelmäßig Sport treiben, sind oft gesünder und produktiver. (People who exercise regularly are often healthier and more productive.) Schulen, in denen Handys erlaubt sind, haben oft mehr Probleme mit Ablenkung. (Schools in which phones are allowed often have more problems with distraction.)

In formal letters (B1 Teil 3, B2 Teil 2), relative clauses add professional detail: Das Gerät, das ich am 15. März gekauft habe, funktioniert nicht mehr. (The device that I bought on March 15 no longer works.) Ich beziehe mich auf das Gespräch, das wir letzte Woche geführt haben. (I refer to the conversation that we had last week.)

Common Relative Clause Mistakes in the Goethe Exam

Wrong case of the relative pronoun. The most common error: using nominative when accusative is needed. Der Mann, der ich gestern gesehen habe — wrong. Since der Mann is the object of sehen, the relative pronoun must be accusative: Den Mann, den ich gestern gesehen habe. Always ask: what function does the relative pronoun have inside its own clause?

Forgetting the comma. German relative clauses are always separated from the main clause by commas. Der Kurs den ich besuche is missing the comma: Der Kurs, den ich besuche. The comma is not optional.

Wrong verb position. Placing the verb in second position (main clause order) instead of final position: Das Buch, das ist sehr interessant — wrong. Correct: Das Buch, das sehr interessant ist.

Avoiding relative clauses entirely. Some candidates stick to simple sentences because they are afraid of making errors. This is a risky strategy — at B2, the lack of complex sentences will definitely lower your grammar range score. Even at B1, one or two correct relative clauses can noticeably improve your mark.

Practice Relative Clauses with Deutsch Fox

On deutschfox.com, the AI examiner evaluates your sentence complexity and identifies opportunities for relative clauses. If you write only simple sentences, the feedback will suggest where a relative clause would improve your text. When you use relative clauses, the AI checks pronoun case, verb position, and comma placement. The error memory feature tracks whether relative clauses are a strength or weakness in your writing, so your practice targets exactly what you need.