German word

denn

Pronunciation

IPA/dɛn/

Meaning

  • conjunctionbecause

Example

Ich kann heute nicht kommen, denn ich bin krank.

I can't come today because I'm sick.

Illustration for denn (because)

More examples

Ich esse jetzt, denn ich habe Hunger.

I'm eating now because I'm hungry.

Core concept

A reason is placed beside a claim as something that makes the claim understandable or evident.

Common phrases

  • denn ich

    because I

  • denn sie

    because she

  • denn er

    because he

Similar words

weil: Introduces a detailed reason in a following subordinate clause.
da: Introduces background or circumstances that explain the preceding statement.

Definition in German

Koordinierende Konjunktion, die in Aussagesätzen eine Ursache ausdrückt und zwei gleichwertige Sätze verbindet.

Word origin

Middle High German denne gave rise to modern denn; the word first referred to sequence or time and later became a conjunction meaning because.

Usage tips

  • The conjunction denn differs from the conversational question particle denn, which adds context or expectation rather than introducing a cause.

Other meanings

  • after allconjunction

Related words

Word lists with this word