German word

falls

Pronunciation

IPA/fals/

Meaning

  • conjunctionif

Example

Ich nehme einen Regenschirm mit, falls es regnet.

I'll take an umbrella with me if it rains.

Illustration for falls (if)

More examples

Sag mir Bescheid, falls du Hilfe brauchst.

Let me know if you need help.

Core concept

One possible situation sets the terms for what follows, like a contingency clause in a plan.

Common phrases

  • falls du Hilfe brauchst

    if you need help

Similar words

wenn: States a condition under which a result or action follows.
ob: Introduces a question about whether an event will occur.
sobald: Marks what happens as soon as another event occurs.

Definition in German

Subjunktion zur Einleitung eines Konditionalsatzes; kann mit 'im Falle, dass' oder 'wenn' übersetzt werden.

Word origin

Falls is a shortened conjunction formed from the noun Fall in the expression im Falle, dass.

Usage tips

  • In a falls-clause, the finite verb remains at the end, as in Falls es regnet, nehme ich einen Regenschirm mit.

Other meanings

  • in caseconjunction

Word lists with this word