What is the difference between using ‘weil’ and ‘denn’ in German?

Both 'weil' and 'denn' mean 'because', however it is important to remember that they affect the structure of sentences differently:

'Denn' introduces a 'main clause', meaning that it can be used without any change to the word order of a sentence. 

eg. Jana ist eine gute Freundin, denn sie ist immer hilfsbereit und vertrauenswuerdig.

Jana is a good friend, because she is always helpful and trustworthy. 

VS

'Weil' introduces a 'subordinate clause', which means that it sends the verb to the end of the sentence.

eg. Jana ist eine gute Freundin, weil sie immer hilfsbereit und vertrauenswuerdig ist.

Jana is a good friend, because she is always helpful and trustworthy.

TIP: Always remember to put a comma before using either 'weil' or 'denn'!

HT
Answered by Hannah T. German tutor

32113 Views

See similar German GCSE tutors

Related German GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why is it incorrect to say 'in das Haus' for 'in the house'?


How would one change 'ich habe' to be in the past tense?


How do I use the accusative case?


Deine deutsche Freundin hat dir eine Postkarte geschrieben. Sie hat dich gefragt wo du gerne in den Urlaub fahren möchtest. Beschreibe was dein Traumurlaub wäre, wieso du gerne dahin fahren möchtest und was du dort machen würdest.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning