German word

dann

Pronunciation

IPA/dan/

Meaning

  • adverbthen

Example

Ich kaufe Brot, dann bereite ich das Frühstück zu.

I buy bread; then I prepare breakfast.

Illustration for dann (then)

More examples

Na dann, gute Nacht.

Well then, good night.

Core concept

A preceding event points forward to what happens next or to what follows from it.

Common phrases

  • Na dann

    well then

  • Wenn ..., dann

    if ___, then

  • und dann

    and then

Similar words

danach: Means at the time or stage following a particular event.
gleich: Shows that something happens straight away afterward.
anschließend: Introduces an action that follows directly in an ongoing sequence.
später: Indicates that something happens at a later time.

Definition in German

dann gibt an, dass etwas später eintritt oder als Konsequenz folgt und erscheint oft in Konditionalsätzen zusammen mit wenn.

Word origin

The German adverb dann developed from Old High German danne and ultimately from Proto-Germanic *þan, an old demonstrative form.

Usage tips

  • As a standalone response, Dann can introduce a decision or conclusion, with the sense 'well then' or 'in that case'.

Other meanings

  • in that caseadverb
  • well thenadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word