German Sentence Connectors: Linking Words for Better Writing and Speaking

If your German sentences feel short, choppy, and disconnected, you are not alone. Many learners hit a wall at the B1 level because they know plenty of vocabulary and grammar rules, but they struggle to connect their ideas into smooth, flowing text. The solution? German sentence connectors -- the linking words that transform a list of simple sentences into coherent paragraphs.

In this guide you will find the most important German connectors organized by function, complete with word order rules and example sentences you can start using today.

What Are Linking Words in German?

Linking words (Verbindungswoerter or Konnektoren) are words and phrases that join clauses, sentences, or ideas together. They signal relationships like addition, contrast, cause, time sequence, or opinion to your reader or listener.

German has three main categories of connectors, and each one affects word order differently:

• Coordinating conjunctions (und, aber, denn, oder, sondern) -- connect two main clauses without changing word order.
• Subordinating conjunctions (weil, obwohl, dass, wenn) -- send the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.
• Adverbial connectors (deshalb, trotzdem, allerdings, ausserdem) -- occupy position 1 and force the verb into position 2 (inverted word order).

Understanding which category a connector belongs to is the key to getting your German word order right every time.

How Do You Connect Sentences in German?

The simplest way to connect two German sentences is to use a coordinating conjunction. These five words -- und, aber, denn, oder, sondern -- sit between two main clauses and do not change the word order in either clause.

Example with aber:

Ich lerne Deutsch. + Es ist manchmal schwierig. Ich lerne Deutsch, aber es ist manchmal schwierig. (I'm learning German, but it's sometimes difficult.)

For a deeper look at all conjunction types, see our German conjunctions chart.

Once you move beyond these basic five, you enter the world of adverbial connectors and subordinating conjunctions, which require specific word order patterns. Let's explore the most useful ones grouped by function.

1. Connectors for Adding Information

When you want to pile on extra details or supporting points, reach for these connectors.

Example with ausserdem:

Deutsche Grammatik ist logisch. Ausserdem macht sie Spass, wenn man sie mit Spielen uebt. (German grammar is logical. Moreover, it's fun when you practice it with games.)

Notice how ausserdem takes position 1 and the verb macht immediately follows in position 2. This inverted pattern applies to all adverbial connectors in this list.

2. Connectors for Contrast

Contrast connectors let you present opposing ideas, concessions, or unexpected outcomes.

Example with trotzdem:

Das Wetter war schlecht. Trotzdem sind wir spazieren gegangen. (The weather was bad. Nevertheless, we went for a walk.)

Example with obwohl (subordinating):

Wir sind spazieren gegangen, obwohl das Wetter schlecht war. (We went for a walk, although the weather was bad.)

See the difference? With trotzdem, the verb stays in position 2 of a new main clause. With obwohl, the conjugated verb moves to the very end of the clause. For more on this verb-final pattern, read our guide on German subordinate clauses.

3. Connectors for Cause and Result

These connectors explain why something happened or what consequence followed.

Example with deshalb:

Ich moechte fliessend Deutsch sprechen. Deshalb uebe ich jeden Tag. (I want to speak German fluently. That's why I practice every day.)

Example with weil (subordinating):

Ich uebe jeden Tag, weil ich fliessend Deutsch sprechen moechte. (I practice every day because I want to speak German fluently.)

A useful tip: deshalb, deswegen, and daher are largely interchangeable. Using all three in a single essay shows range and keeps your writing from sounding repetitive. Try typing them quickly in our Type Rush game to build muscle memory.

4. Connectors for Time Sequence

Sequencing connectors help you narrate events, describe processes, or structure arguments in a logical order.

Example chain:

Zuerst lese ich den Text. Dann beantworte ich die Fragen. Danach korrigiere ich meine Fehler. Schliesslich schreibe ich eine Zusammenfassung. (First I read the text. Then I answer the questions. After that I correct my mistakes. Finally I write a summary.)

All four sentences follow the same inverted pattern: connector in position 1, verb in position 2, subject in position 3. Once you internalize this pattern, time-sequence connectors become incredibly easy to use.

5. Connectors for Expressing Opinion

At the B1 level and above, you are expected to share and support opinions. These phrases help you do that with nuance.

Example with einerseits ... andererseits:

Einerseits ist das Leben in Deutschland teuer. Andererseits sind die Gehaelter hoch. (On the one hand, life in Germany is expensive. On the other hand, salaries are high.)

Example with meiner Meinung nach:

Meiner Meinung nach ist Deutsch eine schoene Sprache. (In my opinion, German is a beautiful language.)

These opinion phrases are essential for the writing and speaking sections of the B1 exam. Practice unscrambling them with our Word Scramble game to get comfortable with the word order.

What Are B1 German Connectors?

B1 is the level where connectors become genuinely important. At A1 and A2, simple conjunctions like und, aber, and weil are enough. At B1, examiners and conversation partners expect you to use a wider range.

Here is a B1 connector checklist to work through:

• Addition: ausserdem, darueber hinaus
• Contrast: trotzdem, jedoch, allerdings, obwohl
• Cause / Result: deshalb, deswegen, daher, weil, da
• Time: zuerst, dann, danach, schliesslich
• Opinion: meiner Meinung nach, einerseits ... andererseits
• Condition: falls (in case), sofern (provided that)
• Purpose: damit (so that), um ... zu (in order to)

Aim to use at least three or four different connectors in every written text or speaking response. Variety signals competence.

Quick Word Order Cheat Sheet

Here is the essential rule condensed into one table:

Print this table, stick it to your desk, and refer to it every time you write a sentence with a new connector. Over time the patterns will become automatic.

Practice Makes Perfect

Knowing connector lists is only half the battle. You need to actively use them until they become second nature. Here are some practical ways to practice:

1. Play Type Rush: Type German connector sentences against the clock to build speed and accuracy.
2. Try Word Scramble: Unscramble sentences that use linking words to reinforce correct word order.
3. Take a grammar quiz: Test your understanding of connector rules with instant feedback.
4. Write daily: Pick three connectors each day and write a short paragraph using all of them.
5. Speak aloud: Practice narrating your daily routine using time-sequence connectors (zuerst, dann, danach, schliesslich).

The more you practice, the more naturally connectors will flow into your German. And if you want to take your practice everywhere, download the Deutschwunder app for quick sessions on the go.

Viel Erfolg beim Ueben! (Good luck practicing!)

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Explore more: German conjunctions chart · German word order explained · German subordinate clauses · German writing practice