ob ... oder

Whether ... or

Level 5

Ob A oder B means whether A or B, and the result stays the same: Ob et reent oder net, mir ginn eraus.

How It Works

1. Two options, one result
Ob introduces the first option and oder the second. Whatever happens, the main clause stays true:

  • Ob et reent oder net, mir ginn eraus. (Whether it rains or not, we're going out.)
  • Ech muss elo opstoen, ob ech wëll oder net. (I have to get up now, whether I want to or not.)

2. Word order
In the ob part, the verb goes to the end, as after ob. The main clause keeps its own order with the subject first, so there is no inversion after the comma:

  • Ob s de wëlls oder net, du muss matkommen.

This is different from a wann clause, which takes first place: Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem.

3. Short forms
The options can be single words or phrases without a verb:

  • Ob grouss oder kleng, jiddereen ass wëllkomm. (Big or small, everyone is welcome.)
  • Ob mam Bus oder mam Zuch, d'Rees dauert eng Stonn.

4. Related patterns
For one open question such as no matter what, use egal wat. For a real choice between two options, use entweeder ... oder.

Examples (5)

  1. Ob et reent oder net, mir ginn eraus.

    Whether it rains or not, we're going out.

    The main clause after the comma starts with its subject, mir.

  2. Ech muss elo opstoen, ob ech wëll oder net.

    I have to get up now, whether I want to or not.

  3. Ob s de wëlls oder net, du muss matkommen.

    Whether you like it or not, you have to come along.

    After ob, du becomes s de.

  4. Ob grouss oder kleng, jiddereen ass wëllkomm.

    Big or small, everyone is welcome.

    The options can be single words.

  5. Ob mam Bus oder mam Zuch, d'Rees dauert eng Stonn.

    Whether by bus or by train, the trip takes an hour.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the verb in second place after ob.

    Ob et ass kal oder net, mir ginn eraus.
    Ob et kal ass oder net, mir ginn eraus.

    Ob starts a subordinate clause, so its verb goes to the end: kal ass.

  • Using wann for whether ... or.

    Wann et reent oder net, mir ginn eraus.
    Ob et reent oder net, mir ginn eraus.

    Wann means if or when for one condition. For two options that make no difference, use ob ... oder.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ob ... oderLevel 5Whether ... or

Learn This First

Before Whether ... Or, learn Whether: Ob and Either ... Or.

Words in This Pattern

oboder