Ich trinke Kaffee.
English: I drink coffee.
- Language
- German
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Satzstruktur und Nebensätze
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
A Hauptsatz is a main clause in German. It is a complete sentence that can stand alone and expresses a full idea.
When to use it
Use a Hauptsatz when you want to make a statement, ask a yes/no question, or give a command in German. Hauptsätze are the basic sentences you use to share information.
Key forms
- The verb is always in the second position: Ich lese ein Buch.
- The subject usually comes first: Der Hund schläft.
- Other parts (like time or place) can come at the beginning, but the verb stays in the second position: Heute gehe ich ins Kino.
Examples
Morgen fahre ich nach Berlin.
English: Tomorrow I am going to Berlin.
Der Mann arbeitet im Büro.
English: The man works in the office.
Wir spielen Fußball.
English: We play football.
Heute regnet es.
English: It is raining today.
Tips
- Always put the verb in the second position in a Hauptsatz.
- If you start the sentence with something other than the subject (like time or place), the subject comes right after the verb.
- Do not use a comma before a Hauptsatz unless it is part of a longer sentence.
Exceptions and edge cases
- In yes/no questions, the verb comes first: Kommst du heute?
- In commands (imperatives), the verb is also first: Geh nach Hause!