German TutorAndroid app ↗Find the subject
The subject tells you who or what does something. In “Die Frau kauft einen Apfel”, “die Frau” is the subject.
VERBS & SENTENCES · A1–B1
Satzglieder: See how a German sentence fits together.
Find the subject, verb, and object, then use sentence position to make your own German sound natural.
Six sentences · Instant explanations · No sign-up
THE SHORT VERSION
Satzglieder, made clear.
Start with these three ideas. Then test them in real German sentences.
Find the predicate and object
The finite verb carries the action; an object is another sentence part. In “Die Frau kauft einen Apfel”, kauft is the verb and einen Apfel is the direct object.
Move a part, keep the verb second
A time phrase can come first: “Morgen kauft die Frau einen Apfel.” The finite verb still follows the first sentence element.
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Die Frau kauft heute Brot. → subject first
Heute kauft die Frau Brot. → time first; verb second
Kauft die Frau heute Brot? → yes/no question; verb first
A sentence element can contain several words: “Am Montag” is one time phrase.A CLOSER LOOK
Move the blocks without losing the verb
A sentence element can be one word or a whole phrase. Moving a time or place phrase to the front changes emphasis, but the finite verb remains second in a main statement.
Mark the roles
| Element | Example | Question it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | die Frau | Who buys? |
| Finite verb | kauft | What happens? |
| Time phrase | heute | When? |
| Direct object | einen Apfel | What is bought? |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →
See the positions
Die Frau | kauft | heute einen Apfel.
Heute | kauft | die Frau einen Apfel.
The first element changes; the finite verb stays second. “Am Montag” is one element even though it has two words. In a yes/no question the verb is first: “Kauft die Frau heute einen Apfel?”
Try this: To test whether words form a movable element, move them together to the start and check whether the verb stays second.
For a fuller reference, see the Goethe-Institut German grammar overview ↗.
YOUR SATZGLIEDER CHALLENGE
Six sentences.
One insight at a time.
Choose the missing word. Learn from each answer, then try the next sentence.
LEVEL 10 / 6 correct first try
This exercise runs in your browser. We do not receive your score.
YOUR NEXT SENTENCE
Now try your own.
Use the free German Tutor Android app to correct your own German sentences offline. Premium adds English explanations and follow-up conversation in German.
Get German Tutor on Google Play ↗QUICK ANSWERS
Satzglieder, without the confusion.
What is a Satzglied?
A Satzglied is a sentence element, such as a subject, object, or time phrase.
Is the verb always the second word?
No. In a German main statement it is the second element; “Am Montag” counts as one element.
Where is the verb in a yes/no question?
The finite verb normally comes first: “Kauft die Frau Brot?”