German · B1 · Family moment
A screen agreement we can keep in German
Use solange (“as long as”) to agree on screen rules that remain in place while a condition continues. These phrases help parents set clear, supportive boundaries with children.
What you'll learn
- Use solange to express a continuing condition or duration.
- Put the finite verb at the end of a solange clause.
- Place the main-clause verb before its subject when the solange clause comes first.
German phrases for a screen agreement we can keep
Du darfst diese App benutzen, solange ich neben dir bleibe.
You can use this app as long as I stay beside you.
Solange makes permission depend on a continuing condition. Bleibe ends the subordinate clause.
Solange der Timer läuft, kannst du weiterspielen.
As long as the timer is running, you can keep playing.
Läuft ends the solange clause. The main clause then begins with kannst du.
Wir lassen den Ton leise, solange deine Schwester liest.
We will keep the sound low as long as your sister is reading.
Solange links the low volume to the duration of the reading. Liest comes last.
Solange du online bist, gelten unsere Sicherheitsregeln.
As long as you are online, our safety rules apply.
Bist ends the subordinate clause; gelten comes before the main-clause subject unsere Sicherheitsregeln.
Du kannst hier etwas anschauen, solange das Tablet auf dem Ständer bleibt.
You can watch here as long as the tablet stays on the stand.
The condition must continue throughout the viewing. Bleibt ends the solange clause.
Solange das Video pausiert ist, können wir deine Frage besprechen.
As long as the video is paused, we can discuss your question.
The finite verb ist comes last in the solange clause. The main clause starts with können wir.
Ich bleibe in der Nähe, solange du Hilfe brauchst.
I will stay nearby as long as you need help.
Solange expresses how long the support will continue. Brauchst comes last.
Solange diese Vereinbarung funktioniert, können wir sie beibehalten.
As long as this agreement works, we can keep it.
Funktioniert ends the condition clause. Können comes before wir in the main clause.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
die App, die Apps
app
An application on a phone or tablet.
der Timer, die Timer
timer
Der Timer läuft means “the timer is running.”
der Ton, die Töne
sound; tone
Den Ton leise lassen means “to keep the sound low.”
die Sicherheitsregel, die Sicherheitsregeln
safety rule
Regeln gelten means “rules apply.”
das Tablet, die Tablets
tablet
A portable touchscreen device.
der Ständer, die Ständer
stand
Here, a support that holds the tablet in position.
die Vereinbarung, die Vereinbarungen
agreement
An arrangement agreed on together.
beibehalten
to keep; to retain
Used for continuing an existing rule or agreement.
Solange: a condition that continues
Solange means “as long as” or “for as long as.” It shows that an action, permission or rule continues while a condition remains true. Write the conjunction as one word: solange.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing condition | Permission + solange + continuing condition | Du darfst diese App benutzen, solange ich neben dir bleibe. |
| Duration | Continuing action + solange + duration clause | Ich bleibe in der Nähe, solange du Hilfe brauchst. |
Put the finite verb last
In a solange clause, the finite verb—the verb that changes to match the subject—goes at the end. Separate the subordinate clause from the main clause with a comma.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single verb | solange + subject + other information + finite verb | solange das Tablet auf dem Ständer bleibt |
| Verb with another element | solange + subject + other information + finite verb | solange das Video pausiert ist |
Starting with the solange clause
When the solange clause comes first, it fills the first position of the whole sentence. The main-clause finite verb follows immediately after the comma, before the subject. If the solange clause comes last, the main clause keeps its usual order.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Solange clause first | Solange … finite verb, main-clause finite verb + subject + … | Solange der Timer läuft, kannst du weiterspielen. |
| Solange clause last | Subject + main-clause finite verb + …, solange … finite verb. | Du kannst weiterspielen, solange der Timer läuft. |
More examples
Solange ich neben dir bleibe, darfst du diese App benutzen.
As long as I stay beside you, you can use this app.
Moving the condition to the front gives darfst du after the comma.
Unsere Sicherheitsregeln gelten, solange du online bist.
Our safety rules apply as long as you are online.
With the condition last, the main-clause subject stays before gelten.
Solange du Hilfe brauchst, bleibe ich in der Nähe.
As long as you need help, I will stay nearby.
Brauchst ends the first clause; bleibe starts the main clause.