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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how to form and use German zero conditional sentences (Konditionalsätze Typ 0) with "Wenn … dann …". Understand sentence structure, verb placement, and see practical examples like "Wenn der Hund Hunger hat, frisst er das Futter." This lesson is suitable for A1 beginners focusing on everyday present tense conditions and results.
  1. A zero conditional sentence consists of two parts: the if-clause (subordinate clause with the verb at the end) + the main clause (verb is in the second position).
  2. Both verbs are in the present tense.
  3. The order is flexible.
Situation (Wenn ...) (Situation (if ...))Reaktion (... dann) (reaction (... then))
Wenn der Hund Hunger hat,frisst er das Futter.
Wenn die Katze müde ist,schläft sie auf dem Sofa.
Wenn ich die Leine nehme,läuft der Hund zur Tür.
Wenn die Maus Angst hat,versteckt sie sich.

Exceptions!

  1. In the if-clause, the verb always comes at the end.

Exercise 1: Konditionalsätze Typ 0: Wenn … dann …

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

gebe, wohl, Gassi gehe, sich, kommt, Angst hat, trinkt, bekommt, freut, sieht, schläft, fühlt, mich, ist, riecht, läuft, versteckt, kümmere

1. Sein, schlafen:
Wenn die Katze müde ..., ... sie.
(If the cat is tired, it sleeps.)
2. Gassi gehen, freuen:
Wenn ich mit dem Hund ..., ... er sich.
(When I take the dog for a walk, he is happy.)
3. Sehen, laufen:
Wenn der Hund die Leine ..., ... er zur Tür.
(When the dog sees the lead, he runs to the door.)
4. Angst haben, sich verstecken:
Wenn die Maus ..., ... sie ....
(If the mouse is afraid, it hides.)
5. Geben, trinken:
Wenn ich der Katze Wasser ..., ... sie.
(If I give the cat water, she drinks.)
6. Sich kümmern, wohlfühlen:
Wenn ich ... um mein Haustier ..., ... es sich ....
(When I take care of my pet, it feels comfortable.)
7. Bekommen, sein:
Wenn die Schildkröte Sonne ..., ... sie aktiv.
(When the tortoise gets sun, it is active.)
8. Riechen, kommen:
Wenn die Katze Futter ..., ... sie.
(When the cat smells food, it comes.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Wenn der Hund Hunger hat, ___ er das Futter.

(When the dog is hungry, ___ he eats the food.)

2. Wenn die Katze müde ist, ___ sie auf dem Sofa.

(When the cat is tired, ___ she sleeps on the sofa.)

3. Wenn ich die Leine ___, läuft der Hund zur Tür.

(When I ___ take the leash, the dog runs to the door.)

4. Wenn die Maus Angst hat, ___ sie sich.

(When the mouse is scared, ___ it hides.)

5. Wenn die Vögel zwitschern, ___ wir sie im Garten.

(When the birds chirp, ___ we hear them in the garden.)

6. Wenn das Kaninchen Durst hat, ___ es Wasser.

(When the rabbit is thirsty, ___ it drinks water.)

Understanding Conditional Sentences Type 0: "Wenn … dann …"

This lesson introduces you to the German zero conditional sentences, used to describe general truths or actions that always happen under certain conditions. The structure consists of two parts: the "Wenn" clause (condition) and the main clause (result). For example, "Wenn der Hund Hunger hat, frisst er das Futter." translates to "If the dog is hungry, it eats the food." Both verbs in these clauses appear in the present tense.

Key Structure Elements

  • The "Wenn" clause is a subordinate clause, so the verb always goes to the end.
  • The main clause’s verb appears in the second position.
  • The order of clauses can be switched without changing the meaning, but the verb position rules apply.

Example Situations and Reactions

Here are practical examples that show this conditional pattern:

Situation (Wenn ...)Reaction (... dann)
Wenn der Hund Hunger hat,frisst er das Futter.
Wenn die Katze müde ist,schläft sie auf dem Sofa.
Wenn ich die Leine nehme,läuft der Hund zur Tür.
Wenn die Maus Angst hat,versteckt sie sich.

Linguistic Notes

Unlike English, where "if" clauses often come first, in German, the verb must be placed at the end of the "wenn" clause, which requires careful word order attention. Basic verbs like "haben" (have), "sein" (be), and "nehmen" (take) appear frequently in these constructions. Remember that the zero conditional in German emphasizes facts or habitual actions rather than hypothetical or future possibilities.

Useful phrases: "Wenn ... dann ..." (If ... then ...), "frisst" (eats), "schläft" (sleeps), "läuft" (runs), "versteckt“ (hides). These examples help you practice both the vocabulary and the grammar rules together.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Monday, 14/07/2025 23:38