A2-18 · Make party plans with wenn
Celebrations
Use wenn clauses for conditions and repeated occasions in a fictional celebration.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
A plan and a condition
In this fictional story, Lina and Ben plan their wedding celebration. Wenn can mean if. It introduces a condition, with the conjugated verb at the end.
Wir feiern im Garten, wenn das Wetter gut ist.
We will celebrate in the garden if the weather is good.
Wir feiern im Haus, wenn es regnet.
We will celebrate in the house if it rains.
Lina backt einen Kuchen, wenn sie Zeit hat.
Lina will bake a cake if she has time.
Ben kauft Blumen, wenn der Laden offen ist.
Ben will buy flowers if the shop is open.
Compare Es regnet with wenn es regnet. The main clause describes the plan; the wenn clause states the condition. Die Feier is a celebration, and die Hochzeit is a wedding.
02
Start with the condition
You can put the wenn clause first. The whole clause fills the first position, so the main clause starts with its conjugated verb. Keep a comma between the clauses.
Wenn die Gäste kommen, beginnt die Feier.
When the guests arrive, the celebration begins.
Wenn der Kuchen fertig ist, deckt Ben den Tisch.
When the cake is ready, Ben sets the table.
Wenn alle da sind, machen wir ein Foto.
When everyone is here, we take a photo.
Wenn die Musik beginnt, tanzen die Gäste.
When the music begins, the guests dance.
Use Wenn es regnet, feiern wir im Haus. After the comma, feiern comes before wir. Do not add another wenn to the main clause.
03
Every time we celebrate
Wenn also means when or whenever for repeated occasions. Immer wenn makes the repetition explicit. Lina describes habits in her fictional family, not customs shared by everyone.
Immer wenn wir einen Hochzeitstag feiern, laden wir Freunde ein.
Whenever we celebrate a wedding anniversary, we invite friends.
Wenn Oma Geburtstag hat, bringen wir Blumen mit.
When Grandma has her birthday, we bring flowers.
Wir gratulieren Lina, wenn sie Geburtstag hat.
We congratulate Lina when it is her birthday.
Immer wenn wir zusammen feiern, hören wir Musik.
Whenever we celebrate together, we listen to music.
Ein Hochzeitstag is a wedding anniversary. Gratulieren means to congratulate someone. Immer wenn introduces something that happens each time.
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