German · A2 · Everyday language
A reason for each choice in German
Give your child a simple reason for an everyday choice. Use weil (because) to connect a decision or situation with its reason, placing the finite verb at the end of the weil clause.
What you'll learn
- Use weil to explain why something happens or why you make a choice.
- Place the finite verb at the end of a weil clause.
- Use a comma before weil when the reason follows the main clause.
German phrases for a reason for each choice
Ich flüstere, weil das Baby zuhört.
I am whispering because the baby is listening.
The verb zuhört goes at the end of the reason clause.
Wir brauchen eine Taschenlampe, weil es dunkel ist.
We need a torch because it is dark.
The reason ends with ist: weil es dunkel ist.
Ich nehme diese Tasche, weil sie leichter ist.
I choose this bag because it is lighter.
Ich nehme diese Tasche is a natural way to express this choice. The reason ends with ist.
Der Deckel bleibt zu, weil die Perlen winzig sind.
The lid stays shut because the beads are tiny.
The finite verb sind comes after winzig.
Ich brauche Hilfe, weil dieser Knoten fest ist.
I need help because this knot is tight.
The reason ends with fest ist.
Wir warten, weil Sam noch nicht fertig ist.
We are waiting because Sam is not ready.
Noch nicht fertig naturally means 'not ready yet' here. Ist goes last.
Ich mag diesen Platz, weil ich dich sehen kann.
I like this seat because I can see you.
With sehen kann, the finite verb kann goes last, after sehen.
Das Fenster ist offen, weil das Zimmer warm ist.
The window is open because the room is warm.
In the reason clause, ist follows warm.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
das Baby; plural: die Babys
baby
die Taschenlampe; plural: die Taschenlampen
torch; flashlight
A portable electric light.
die Tasche; plural: die Taschen
bag
der Deckel; plural: die Deckel
lid
die Perle; plural: die Perlen
bead; pearl
Here, a small bead used for crafts.
die Hilfe; plural: die Hilfen
help
Used without a plural in Ich brauche Hilfe.
der Knoten; plural: die Knoten
knot
der Platz; plural: die Plätze
place; seat
Here, a place to sit.
das Fenster; plural: die Fenster
window
das Zimmer; plural: die Zimmer
room
Giving a reason with weil
Weil means 'because' and introduces a reason. When the reason follows the main clause, put a comma before weil. The finite verb—the verb that changes to match the subject—goes at the end of the weil clause.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pattern | Main clause, weil + subject + other information + finite verb. | Wir brauchen eine Taschenlampe, weil es dunkel ist. |
| An action as the reason | weil + subject + finite verb | Ich flüstere, weil das Baby zuhört. |
| A reason with nicht | weil + subject + noch nicht fertig + ist | Wir warten, weil Sam noch nicht fertig ist. |
When the reason contains two verbs
In a reason such as 'because I can see you', the finite verb kann goes at the very end. The infinitive sehen comes just before it.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Finite verb last | weil + ich + dich + sehen + kann | Ich mag diesen Platz, weil ich dich sehen kann. |
More examples
Wir bleiben hier, weil das Baby schläft.
We are staying here because the baby is sleeping.
Schläft ends the reason clause.
Ich nehme diese Tasche, weil sie leicht ist.
I am choosing this bag because it is light.
The reason ends with leicht ist.
Wir warten, weil ich den Knoten nicht lösen kann.
We are waiting because I cannot undo the knot.
The finite verb kann comes last, after lösen.