wenn
Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
If it rains, I stay home.
Introduces a conditional clause, meaning 'if' or 'when' depending on context.
Wenn du fertig bist, lass es mich wissen.
Let me know when you're finished.
Wenn ich Zeit habe, gehe ich ins Kino.
If I have time, I'll go to the cinema.
The meaning can shift between 'if' and 'when' based on context. In general, 'wenn' is used for hypothetical or future conditions, while 'falls' is used for more specific conditions.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The translation of 'wenn' as 'if' or 'when' depends on the context. Pay attention to whether the situation is hypothetical or certain.
Gold Rule
Conditional Clauses
'Wenn' is essential for forming conditional sentences in German. It is often followed by a comma in written German.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'wenne', from Old High German 'wenne', from Proto-Germanic 'hwannē' (when).
Usage Notes
In German, 'wenn' is used to introduce conditional clauses. It can sometimes be translated as 'when' in English, especially when referring to future events that are certain to happen. For hypothetical conditions, 'wenn' is often translated as 'if'.