wann
If and When: Wann
Wann means if, and also when for present, future or repeated events: Wann et reent, huelen ech de Bus (If it rains, I take the bus).
How It Works
Three meanings
- if: Wann et reent, huelen ech de Bus.
- when for a future event: Wann ech muer ukommen, ruffen ech dech un.
- whenever for something that keeps happening: Wann d'Sonn schéngt, fuere mir mam Vëlo.
The n-rule
Wann follows the n-rule: wann et, wann ech, but wa mir, wa meng Schwëster.
With du
An s is added before du or de: wann s de Zäit hues. See wann s de.
Dann in the main clause
After a wann clause, the main clause can start with dann (then), which takes first place. By the n-rule it is written da before most consonants: Wann et reent, da bleiwen ech doheem.
Not for the past, not for questions
- A single past event uses wéi: Wéi ech kleng war, ... See wann or wéi.
- A question uses wéini: Wéini kënnt de Bus?
Imagined situations
For something that is not real, both clauses use a conditional: Wann ech Zäit hätt, géif ech méi reesen. See unreal conditions.
Och wann
Och wann means even if: Mir grillen, och wann et reent.
Examples (6)
- Wann et reent, huelen ech de Bus.
If it rains, I take the bus.
Word by Word: If it rains, take I the bus.
The main verb huelen comes right after the comma.
- Wann ech Zäit hunn, liesen ech.
When I have time, I read.
Word by Word: When I time have, read I.
This describes something that happens again and again.
- Ruff mech un, wann s de doheem bass.
Call me when you're home.
Word by Word: Call me on, when s you at-home are.
An s is added between wann and de.
- Wa mir Zäit hunn, gi mir an de Kino.
If we have time, we'll go to the cinema.
Word by Word: If we time have, go we into the cinema.
Wann becomes wa, and ginn becomes gi, before the m of mir.
- Wann ech muer ukommen, ruffen ech dech un.
When I arrive tomorrow, I'll call you.
Word by Word: When I tomorrow arrive, call I you on.
Wann is used for a single event in the future. Ukommen is joined at the end of the wann clause.
- Wann d'Sonn schéngt, fuere mir mam Vëlo.
Whenever the sun shines, we go by bike.
Word by Word: When the sun shines, ride we with-the bike.
Fueren becomes fuere before the m of mir.
Common Mistakes
Using wann for a single event in the past.
Wann ech kleng war, hunn ech zu Esch gewunnt.Wéi ech kleng war, hunn ech zu Esch gewunnt.For one time or one period in the past, when is wéi. Wann in the past only means whenever, for things that happened again and again.
Using wann as a question word.
Wann kënnt de Bus?Wéini kënnt de Bus?Wann only joins clauses. To ask when, use wéini.
Keeping the n of wann before a consonant.
Wann mir Zäit hunn, gi mir an de Kino.Wa mir Zäit hunn, gi mir an de Kino.By the n-rule, wann becomes wa before the m of mir. The n stays before vowels, as in wann et, and before d, h, n, t and z.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before If and When: Wann, learn The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses and When: Wéini.
Related Patterns
- wann or wéiWhen: Wann or Wéi?
Use wann for the present, the future and repeated events, and wéi for one event in the past.
Level 3 - wéi (When in the Past)When in the Past: Wéi
Wéi means when for a single event in the past.
Level 3 - wann s deThe S After Conjunctions with Du
After wann, an s is added before du or de.
Level 2 - Unreal Conditions: wann ... géif
For imagined situations, wann combines with géif, wier or hätt.
Level 3 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
When a wann clause comes first, the main verb follows the comma.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice wann in Bubblegum
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