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This lesson focuses on "dass" (that), one of the most important subordinating conjunctions in German. "Dass" introduces subordinate clauses and is essential for expressing thoughts, beliefs, statements, and reported speech. Unlike the demonstrative "das" (that/the), "dass" with double 's' is exclusively a conjunction that fundamentally changes German sentence structure by sending the verb to the end of the clause.
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FAQ Schema (Plain Text): Q: What does "dass" mean in German? A: "Dass" is a subordinating conjunction meaning "that" in English, used to introduce dependent clauses, especially after verbs of thinking, saying, feeling, or knowing.
In the following 15 examples, you'll encounter "dass" in various contexts - after different main clause verbs, with various tenses, and demonstrating the crucial German rule that places the conjugated verb at the end of the dass-clause. This word order change is one of the most challenging aspects for English speakers learning German.
Educational Schema: This is Lesson 22 of a German language learning course for English speakers, focusing on the conjunction "dass" (that) with interlinear glossing method.
Key Takeaways: -
"Dass" always sends the verb to the end of its clause -
Double 's' distinguishes it from "das" (the/that) -
Common after verbs like sagen, denken, wissen, glauben -
Creates complex sentences essential for advanced communication
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dass [das] - pronounced like "dahss" with a sharp 's' sound das [das] - identical pronunciation but single 's' in spelling
Note: The pronunciation of "dass" and "das" is identical. The difference is purely orthographic and grammatical. The double 'ss' indicates it's a conjunction, while single 's' in "das" indicates an article or pronoun.
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22.1 Ich I weiß know dass that er he kommt comes
22.2 Sie she sagt says dass that das the Wetter weather schön beautiful ist is
22.3 Wir we glauben believe dass that du you recht right hast have
22.4 Er he denkt thinks dass that wir we zu too spät late kommen come
22.5 Ich I hoffe hope dass that alles everything gut well geht goes
22.6 Sie they verstehen understand dass that wir we keine no Zeit time haben have
22.7 Es it ist is wichtig important dass that du you pünktlich punctual bist are
22.8 Ich I habe have gehört heard dass that sie she geheiratet married hat has
22.9 Er he merkt notices dass that etwas something nicht not stimmt agrees
22.10 Wir we freuen please uns ourselves dass that ihr you-pl kommen come könnt can
22.11 Sie she befürchtet fears dass that es it regnen rain wird will
22.12 Ich I bin am sicher sure dass that er he die the Wahrheit truth sagt says
22.13 Es it tut does mir to-me leid sorrow dass that ich I zu too spät late bin am
22.14 Er he vergisst forgets nie never dass that wir we ihm him geholfen helped haben have
22.15 Ich I finde find es it schön beautiful dass that du you da there bist are
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22.1 Ich weiß, dass er kommt → "I know that he's coming"
22.2 Sie sagt, dass das Wetter schön ist → "She says that the weather is nice"
22.3 Wir glauben, dass du recht hast → "We believe that you're right"
22.4 Er denkt, dass wir zu spät kommen → "He thinks that we're arriving too late"
22.5 Ich hoffe, dass alles gut geht → "I hope that everything goes well"
22.6 Sie verstehen, dass wir keine Zeit haben → "They understand that we have no time"
22.7 Es ist wichtig, dass du pünktlich bist → "It's important that you're punctual"
22.8 Ich habe gehört, dass sie geheiratet hat → "I heard that she got married"
22.9 Er merkt, dass etwas nicht stimmt → "He notices that something's wrong"
22.10 Wir freuen uns, dass ihr kommen könnt → "We're happy that you can come"
22.11 Sie befürchtet, dass es regnen wird → "She fears that it will rain"
22.12 Ich bin sicher, dass er die Wahrheit sagt → "I'm sure that he's telling the truth"
22.13 Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin → "I'm sorry that I'm late"
22.14 Er vergisst nie, dass wir ihm geholfen haben → "He never forgets that we helped him"
22.15 Ich finde es schön, dass du da bist → "I think it's nice that you're here"
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22.1 Ich weiß, dass er kommt.
22.2 Sie sagt, dass das Wetter schön ist.
22.3 Wir glauben, dass du recht hast.
22.4 Er denkt, dass wir zu spät kommen.
22.5 Ich hoffe, dass alles gut geht.
22.6 Sie verstehen, dass wir keine Zeit haben.
22.7 Es ist wichtig, dass du pünktlich bist.
22.8 Ich habe gehört, dass sie geheiratet hat.
22.9 Er merkt, dass etwas nicht stimmt.
22.10 Wir freuen uns, dass ihr kommen könnt.
22.11 Sie befürchtet, dass es regnen wird.
22.12 Ich bin sicher, dass er die Wahrheit sagt.
22.13 Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin.
22.14 Er vergisst nie, dass wir ihm geholfen haben.
22.15 Ich finde es schön, dass du da bist.
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Grammar Rules for This Passage:
The conjunction "dass" (that) is a subordinating conjunction that introduces dependent clauses in German. Here are the crucial rules:
1. Word Order in dass-Clauses: The MOST IMPORTANT RULE: The conjugated verb moves to the END of the dass-clause. -
Main clause: "Er kommt" (He comes) -
Dass-clause: "dass er kommt" (that he comes)
2. Comma Usage: A comma ALWAYS precedes "dass" when it introduces a subordinate clause. This is not optional in German.
3. Complex Tenses in dass-Clauses: -
Present Perfect: "dass sie geheiratet hat" - auxiliary verb (hat) goes to the end -
Future: "dass es regnen wird" - auxiliary (wird) at the end -
With modals: "dass ihr kommen könnt" - modal (könnt) at the end, infinitive before it
4. Common Verbs that Introduce dass-Clauses: -
Verbs of thinking: denken, glauben, meinen (think, believe, mean) -
Verbs of saying: sagen, erzählen, berichten (say, tell, report) -
Verbs of knowing: wissen, erfahren (know, learn) -
Verbs of feeling: hoffen, befürchten, sich freuen (hope, fear, be happy)
5. dass vs. das: -
"dass" (double s) = conjunction "that" -
"das" (single s) = article "the" or pronoun "that/which" Never confuse these! Spelling matters for meaning.
Common Mistakes: -
Forgetting to move the verb to the end -
Using English word order in the dass-clause -
Confusing "dass" with "das" -
Omitting the comma before "dass"
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The distinction between "dass" and "das" became standardized with the German spelling reform of 1996. Before this reform, "daß" (with ß) was used for the conjunction. This change helps learners distinguish between the two words more easily.
Formal vs. Informal Usage: In formal German, "dass" clauses are essential for precise communication. In informal spoken German, speakers sometimes omit "dass" in rapid speech, similar to English ("I think he's coming" vs. "I think that he's coming"), though this is less common than in English.
Regional Variations: -
In some dialects, particularly in Bavaria and Austria, "dass" might be pronounced "doss" -
Swiss German often uses "das" or drops the conjunction entirely in spoken language
Common Expressions with dass: -
"Schön, dass du da bist!" - Nice that you're here! (standard greeting) -
"Gut, dass..." - Good that... (expressing relief) -
"Es kann sein, dass..." - It may be that... (expressing possibility) -
"Ich finde, dass..." - I think that... (expressing opinion)
Written vs. Spoken German: In written German, "dass" clauses are extremely common and considered good style. Academic and professional German relies heavily on complex sentences with multiple subordinate clauses. In spoken German, speakers often use shorter sentences or pause before the dass-clause.
False Friends: English speakers often try to maintain English word order after "dass," but this is incorrect. The verb-final rule is absolute and non-negotiable in standard German.
Reminder: Lesson for English speakers learning German
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Part F-A: Interleaved Text
From Kafka's "Die Verwandlung" (simplified):
Gregor Gregor wusste knew dass that er he sich himself verwandelt transformed hatte had
Er he konnte could nicht not glauben believe dass that dies this wirklich really geschehen happened war was
Seine his Familie family merkte noticed sofort immediately dass that etwas something Schreckliches terrible passiert happened war was
Part F-B: The Text from F-A
Gregor wusste, dass er sich verwandelt hatte. Er konnte nicht glauben, dass dies wirklich geschehen war. Seine Familie merkte sofort, dass etwas Schreckliches passiert war. → "Gregor knew that he had transformed. He couldn't believe that this had really happened. His family immediately noticed that something terrible had happened."
Part F-C: Original Target Language Text of F-A Only
Gregor wusste, dass er sich verwandelt hatte. Er konnte nicht glauben, dass dies wirklich geschehen war. Seine Familie merkte sofort, dass etwas Schreckliches passiert war.
Part F-D: Grammar Commentary
This Kafka excerpt demonstrates "dass" with past perfect tense (hatte/war at clause end). Note how in German past perfect, the auxiliary verb (hatte/war) goes to the very end of the dass-clause, after the past participle. This creates a structure very different from English. The passage also shows how multiple dass-clauses can appear in sequence, each maintaining the verb-final rule. Kafka's clear, precise style makes extensive use of subordinate clauses, typical of German literary prose.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
22.16 Der the Minister minister bestätigte confirmed dass that die the Gespräche talks erfolgreich successful waren were
22.17 Experten experts warnen warn dass that die the Preise prices weiter further steigen rise werden will
22.18 Die the Polizei police meldet reports dass that der the Täter perpetrator gefasst caught wurde was
22.19 Wissenschaftler scientists haben have entdeckt discovered dass that das the Medikament medicine wirksam effective ist is
22.20 Der the Bürgermeister mayor erklärt explains dass that neue new Arbeitsplätze jobs geschaffen created werden will-be
22.21 Zeugen witnesses berichten report dass that der the Unfall accident gegen around Mittag noon passierte happened
22.22 Die the Regierung government bestreitet denies dass that sie she Fehler mistakes gemacht made hat has
22.23 Analysten analysts prognostizieren predict dass that der the Markt market sich itself erholen recover wird will
22.24 Die the Studie study zeigt shows dass that Jugendliche youth weniger less lesen read
22.25 Der the Sprecher speaker betonte emphasized dass that alle all Vorwürfe accusations unbegründet unfounded seien are-SUBJ
22.26 Nachbarn neighbors erzählen tell dass that sie they nichts nothing Ungewöhnliches unusual bemerkt noticed haben have
22.27 Die the Firma company gibt gives bekannt known dass that sie she expandieren expand will wants
22.28 Kritiker critics behaupten claim dass that das the Projekt project zu too teuer expensive sei is-SUBJ
22.29 Der the Wetterbericht weather-report sagt says dass that es it morgen tomorrow sonnig sunny wird becomes
22.30 Die the Umfrage survey ergab yielded dass that die the Mehrheit majority dagegen against-it ist is
Part B: Natural Sentences
22.16 Der Minister bestätigte, dass die Gespräche erfolgreich waren → "The minister confirmed that the talks were successful"
22.17 Experten warnen, dass die Preise weiter steigen werden → "Experts warn that prices will continue to rise"
22.18 Die Polizei meldet, dass der Täter gefasst wurde → "Police report that the perpetrator was caught"
22.19 Wissenschaftler haben entdeckt, dass das Medikament wirksam ist → "Scientists have discovered that the medicine is effective"
22.20 Der Bürgermeister erklärt, dass neue Arbeitsplätze geschaffen werden → "The mayor explains that new jobs will be created"
22.21 Zeugen berichten, dass der Unfall gegen Mittag passierte → "Witnesses report that the accident happened around noon"
22.22 Die Regierung bestreitet, dass sie Fehler gemacht hat → "The government denies that it made mistakes"
22.23 Analysten prognostizieren, dass der Markt sich erholen wird → "Analysts predict that the market will recover"
22.24 Die Studie zeigt, dass Jugendliche weniger lesen → "The study shows that young people read less"
22.25 Der Sprecher betonte, dass alle Vorwürfe unbegründet seien → "The spokesperson emphasized that all accusations are unfounded"
22.26 Nachbarn erzählen, dass sie nichts Ungewöhnliches bemerkt haben → "Neighbors say that they noticed nothing unusual"
22.27 Die Firma gibt bekannt, dass sie expandieren will → "The company announces that it wants to expand"
22.28 Kritiker behaupten, dass das Projekt zu teuer sei → "Critics claim that the project is too expensive"
22.29 Der Wetterbericht sagt, dass es morgen sonnig wird → "The weather report says that it will be sunny tomorrow"
22.30 Die Umfrage ergab, dass die Mehrheit dagegen ist → "The survey revealed that the majority is against it"
Part C: Target Language Only
22.16 Der Minister bestätigte, dass die Gespräche erfolgreich waren.
22.17 Experten warnen, dass die Preise weiter steigen werden.
22.18 Die Polizei meldet, dass der Täter gefasst wurde.
22.19 Wissenschaftler haben entdeckt, dass das Medikament wirksam ist.
22.20 Der Bürgermeister erklärt, dass neue Arbeitsplätze geschaffen werden.
22.21 Zeugen berichten, dass der Unfall gegen Mittag passierte.
22.22 Die Regierung bestreitet, dass sie Fehler gemacht hat.
22.23 Analysten prognostizieren, dass der Markt sich erholen wird.
22.24 Die Studie zeigt, dass Jugendliche weniger lesen.
22.25 Der Sprecher betonte, dass alle Vorwürfe unbegründet seien.
22.26 Nachbarn erzählen, dass sie nichts Ungewöhnliches bemerkt haben.
22.27 Die Firma gibt bekannt, dass sie expandieren will.
22.28 Kritiker behaupten, dass das Projekt zu teuer sei.
22.29 Der Wetterbericht sagt, dass es morgen sonnig wird.
22.30 Die Umfrage ergab, dass die Mehrheit dagegen ist.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This news report section demonstrates advanced uses of "dass": -
Reported Speech: Examples 22.25 and 22.28 use subjunctive (seien/sei) for indirect speech, common in news reporting -
Passive Voice: "gefasst wurde" (was caught), "geschaffen werden" (will be created) - passive constructions within dass-clauses -
Perfect Tense: "gemacht hat," "bemerkt haben" - perfect tense with auxiliary at clause end -
Future Tense: "steigen werden," "erholen wird" - future with werden at end -
Separable Verbs: "gibt bekannt" becomes "dass sie... bekannt gibt" would be wrong; here it's "will" at the end -
Formal Register: News language uses more complex dass-constructions than everyday speech
The verb "seien/sei" in examples 22.25 and 22.28 represents Subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I), used in formal German for reported speech to indicate distance from the statement's truth claim.
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Spelling Distinction: -
"dass" (conjunction) - always with double 's' -
"das" (article/pronoun) - always with single 's' This distinction has been mandatory since the 1996 spelling reform.
Historical Note: Pre-1996: "daß" (with ß) Post-1996: "dass" (with ss) The reform made the distinction clearer for learners.
Punctuation Rules: -
ALWAYS use a comma before "dass": "Ich weiß, dass..." -
No comma if "dass" starts the sentence: "Dass er kommt, weiß ich." -
Multiple dass-clauses each get a comma: "Er sagt, dass er kommt, dass er Zeit hat."
Common Spelling Errors: -
Using "das" instead of "dass" (or vice versa) -
Forgetting the comma before "dass" -
Old spelling "daß" (now incorrect) -
Hypercorrection: using "dass" for the article "das"
Pronunciation in Different Contexts: -
Formal speech: clear pronunciation [das] -
Rapid speech: may reduce to [dəs] -
Regional: Southern dialects may pronounce as [dɔs] -
Swiss German: often omitted entirely in dialect
Tips for Remembering: -
"dass" = "that" (both have 'a' + double consonant) -
If you can replace it with "which" → use "das" -
If it introduces a complete thought → use "dass"
Typing Note: On German keyboards, 'ß' and 'ss' are distinct. Since "daß" is outdated, always type "dass" for the conjunction.
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