Lesson 14: Basic Sentence Structure
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to build a very simple German sentence. You do not need to know a lot of grammar for this. We will keep it easy and focus on one useful pattern.
What you’ll learn
- What a subject is
- What a verb is
- What an object is
- How to build a short German sentence
- How to use a few simple everyday words
A simple sentence pattern
Many short German sentences follow this pattern:
subject + verb + object
Do not worry if these words feel new. Let’s look at them one by one.
What is the subject?
The subject is the person or thing that does the action.
Examples of subjects:
- ich = I
- du = you
- er = he
- sie = she
- wir = we
In this sentence:
Ich lerne Deutsch.
Ich is the subject because I am doing the action.
What is the verb?
The verb is the action word.
Examples of verbs:
- lerne = learn
- lese = read
- trinke = drink
- habe = have
- sehe = see
In this sentence:
Ich lerne Deutsch.
lerne is the verb because it tells you the action.
What is the object?
The object is the person, thing, or idea that comes after the action.
In this sentence:
Ich lerne Deutsch.
Deutsch is the object because it tells you what I am learning.
So:
- Ich = subject
- lerne = verb
- Deutsch = object
The basic order
In a very simple German sentence, the order is often:
subject + verb + object
Examples:
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I learn German.
Du trinkst Kaffee.
You drink coffee.
Er liest ein Buch.
He reads a book.
Wir haben Zeit.
We have time.
This is a good beginner pattern because it is clear and easy to practice.
Look at the pattern
Read these sentences slowly:
Ich lerne Deutsch.
Du trinkst Kaffee.
Er liest ein Buch.
Sie hört Musik.
Wir haben Zeit.
Try to notice the same pattern each time:
- first: who
- second: action
- third: thing
Sentence building tip
When you make your first German sentences, do not try to say too much.
Start with:
- one subject
- one verb
- one object
That is enough.
For example:
Ich habe Zeit.
Du lernst Deutsch.
Er trinkt Wasser.
