FormDa + Subjekt … Verb (Ende), Verb + Subjekt …
Meaning and usage
da can mean since or because. It starts a subordinate clause, so the verb goes to the end, and it usually opens the sentence: Da der Bus Verspätung hatte, nahm ich ein Taxi, Da meine Mutter krank ist, kocht heute mein Vater. The main clause then starts with its verb.
da is a little more formal than weil, and it suits a reason the listener already knows or can see. weil is the one to use when answering Warum? Do not confuse it with da meaning there: Da ist er!, where the verb comes second.
Examples 5
Da der Bus Verspätung hatte, nahm ich mir ein Taxi.
Since the bus was late, I took a taxi.
Da meine Mutter krank ist, wird heute mein Vater kochen.
Because my mother is sick, my father will cook today.
Da sie eine Frage stellen wollte, hob sie ihre Hand.
She wanted to ask a question, so she raised her hand.
Da es heute heiß ist, können wir im Meer schwimmen.
It's hot today, so we can swim in the ocean.
Da er sehr groß ist, habe ich ihn sofort erkannt.
He was very tall, so I recognized him at once.
Test yourself
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1 Sprachbausteine
es schon spät war, sind wir mit dem Taxi nach Hause gefahren.
Show answer
Correct answer: Da
The clause gives a reason and has its verb at the end, war, so it starts with the subordinating conjunction Da.
- dann means then and is followed by the verb in second place.
- denn cannot open the sentence like this and does not send the verb to the end.
- deshalb introduces a result and is followed by the verb, not by es … war.
In this topic: Connectors
Example sentences from Tatoeba, used under CC BY 2.0 FR. See sources.