Relative Pronoun (Accusative)
Relative clauses provide extra info about a noun. If that noun acts as the direct object in the new clause, you must use the accusative forms: den (masc.), die (fem.), das (neut.), or die (plural).
How It Works
In German, a relative clause is a subordinate clause that functions like an adjective. When the relative pronoun is the direct object of the verb in that clause, it takes the accusative case.
1. The Forms:
- Masculine: den (Der Mann, den ich sehe...)
- Feminine: die (Die Frau, die ich sehe...)
- Neuter: das (Das Kind, das ich sehe...)
- Plural: die (Die Leute, die ich sehe...)
2. The Comma Rule:
Unlike English, German relative clauses must be set off by commas. You must place a comma before the relative pronoun, and if the main clause continues after the relative clause, you must place another comma at the end of it (e.g., 'Der Film, den ich schaue, ist gut').
3. Word Order:
Relative clauses follow subordinate clause word order, meaning the conjugated verb moves to the very end of the clause.
4. Prepositions:
If the relative clause starts with an accusative preposition, the pronoun must also be accusative (e.g., 'Das ist der Tisch, für den ich bezahlt habe').
5. No Omission:
You can never leave out the relative pronoun in German. While English allows 'The book I am reading,' German requires 'Das Buch, das ich lese.'
Examples (5)
- Der Film, den ich gestern gesehen habe, war toll.
The movie that I saw yesterday was great.
Word by Word: The movie, which I yesterday seen have, was great.
'Film' is masculine. Since it is the direct object of 'sehen' (to see), we use the masculine accusative 'den'.
- Das ist die Frau, die wir morgen besuchen.
That is the woman whom we are visiting tomorrow.
Word by Word: That is the woman, whom we tomorrow visit.
'Frau' is feminine. It is the object of 'besuchen' (to visit), so we use 'die'.
- Wo ist das Buch, das du mir geschenkt hast?
Where is the book that you gave to me as a gift?
Word by Word: Where is the book, which you me gifted have?
'Buch' is neuter. It is the object of 'schenken', so we use 'das'.
- Die Freunde, die ich eingeladen habe, kommen bald.
The friends whom I invited are coming soon.
Word by Word: The friends, whom I invited have, come soon.
'Freunde' is plural. It is the object of 'einladen' (to invite), so we use 'die'.
- Das ist der Schlüssel, ohne den ich nicht weggehen kann.
That is the key without which I cannot go away.
Word by Word: That is the key, without which I not away-go can.
The preposition 'ohne' always takes the accusative, so 'der Schlüssel' becomes 'den'.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the mandatory commas around the relative clause.
Der Mann den ich kenne ist nett.Der Mann, den ich kenne, ist nett.In German, relative clauses must always be separated from the main clause by commas. If the relative clause is in the middle of a sentence, it needs a comma both before and after it.
Using the nominative 'der' instead of the accusative 'den' for masculine nouns.
Der Kaffee, der ich trinke, ist heiß.Der Kaffee, den ich trinke, ist heiß.Since 'Kaffee' is the object being drunk, it must be in the accusative case (den).
Incorrect verb placement.
Das ist der Hund, den ich habe gesehen.Das ist der Hund, den ich gesehen habe.Relative clauses are subordinate clauses, so the conjugated verb (habe) must go to the very end.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn relative pronouns in the accusative case, you need to understand three core components: how relative clauses are structured (verb-final word order), the basic function of relative pronouns in the nominative case, and how the accusative case changes the forms of definite articles, which serve as the basis for these pronouns.
- der/die/dasRelative Pronoun
The learner must first understand the basic concept of relative clauses and how relative pronouns function in the nominative case before applying the accusative case.
Level 3 - Accusative Case Articles
Since relative pronouns in German are identical to definite articles (except for the dative plural and genitive), understanding the accusative forms of 'der/die/das' is essential.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Relative Clause Word Order
Explains the specific verb-final rules required for all relative clauses.
Level 3 - für/durch/gegen/ohne/umAccusative Prepositions
These prepositions trigger the accusative case when used at the start of a relative clause.
Level 1 - Relative Pronoun (Dative)
The next step: using relative pronouns when the verb or preposition requires the dative case.
Level 3 - welcherWhich (Formal Relative)
A formal alternative to der/die/das often used in literature to avoid repetitive sounds.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Relative Pronoun (Accusative) in Bubblegum
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