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Beginner

Word Order (V2)

The verb-second rule

The verb is the second element

In a main clause the conjugated verb comes second.

💬 Examples
Ich trinke Kaffee.
I drink coffee.
📝 Subject-verb-object
Heute trinke ich Kaffee.
Today I drink coffee.
📝 Time first, but verb still 2nd
Inversion after a fronted element

If something else opens the clause, the subject follows the verb.

💬 Examples
Morgen gehe ich nach Hause.
Tomorrow I go home.
📝 Morgen first → gehe ich
In Berlin wohnt sie.
She lives in Berlin.
📝 Phrase first → verb-subject
Other verb parts go to the end

Infinitives and participles move to the end of the clause.

💬 Examples
Ich will Kaffee trinken.
I want to drink coffee.
📝 will 2nd, trinken at the end
Ich habe Kaffee getrunken.
I have drunk coffee.
📝 habe 2nd, getrunken at the end