When to Use Commas in German
Comma Placement in German
The comma (das Komma) is a punctuation symbol that lets us divide up the elements of a sentence to make it more readable.
German often uses commas in the same way as English, but there are some key differences. Read on for a breakdown of when to use commas in German—and when not—then practise what you’ve learned in the online exercises.
If you want a more in-depth look at the topic of German commas, head over to the German-language version of this page.
Contents
Commas and conjunctions
Conjunctions (die Konjunktionen) are words that link sentences together. While some German conjunctions are always preceded by a comma, others are not.
Use a comma with …
The following conjunctions: aberbut, einerseits - andererseitson the one hand … on the other, jedochhowever, je - destothe … the, je - umsothe … the, sondernbut (rather), teils - teilspart(ly) … part(ly).
- Examples:
- Er arbeitet schnell, aber fehlerhaft.He works hard, but makes a lot of mistakes.
- Das ist kein Smaragd, sondern ein Saphir.That’s not an emerald, it’s a sapphire.
- Einerseits bist du frech, andererseits schüchtern.One the one hand you’re cheeky, but on the other you’re shy.
- Je schneller, desto besser.The sooner, the better.
- Es ist teils regnerisch, teils sonnig.It’s partly raining, partly sunny.
Don’t use a comma with …
The following conjunctions: alsthan, anstattinstead of, außerexcept, beziehungsweiseor, and, entweder - odereither … or, oderor, sowieas well as, stattinstead of, undand, weder - nochneither … nor, wielike.
- Examples:
- Ich muss mehr arbeiten als früher.I have to work more than before.
- Sie kann genauso schnell schwimmen wie du.She can swim just as fast as you.
- Er ist sehr eigenwillig beziehungsweise unbelehrbar.He is headstrong and unteachable.
- Ich hörte zu und lachte.I listened and laughed.
- Nimm einen Schirm oder einen Regenmantel.Take an umbrella or a raincoat.
- Nehmen Sie ihren Pass sowie ihr Flugticket zur Hand.Keep your passport as well as your flight ticket handy.
- Sie trug Sandalen statt Regenstiefel.She was wearing sandals instead of wellies.
- Von den Schülern hörte man nichts außer gelegentlichem Flüstern.We didn’t hear anything from the students except the occasional whisper.
Exceptions!
If the conjunctions als, anstatt, außer, statt or wie are followed by a subordinate clause rather than a single word, we have to use a comma.
- Examples:
- Ich muss mehr arbeiten, als ich dachte.I have to work more than I had realised.
- Sie kann genauso schnell schwimmen, wie du gesagt hast.She can swim just as fast as you said.
- Er surfte den ganzen Tag im Internet, statt seine Hausaufgaben zu machen.He spent the whole day online instead of doing his homework.
- Wir bleiben heute zu Hause, außer die Sonne kommt noch hervor.We’re going to stay at home today unless the sun comes out.
Commas between main clauses and subordinate clauses
In German, we use a comma to separate main clauses (Hauptsätze) from subordinate clauses (Nebensätze). Also known as dependent clauses, subordinate clauses are usually introduced by conjunctions like dassthat, weilbecause, wennif, als obas if, as though …
- Examples:
- Ich bin dafür, dass wir heute schwimmen gehen.I vote that we go swimming today.
- Wir gehen heute schwimmen, weil die Sonne scheint.We’re going swimming today because the sun is shining.
When the subordinate clause appears in the middle of the sentence, we place it between commas.
- Example:
- Ich gehe, wenn es das Wetter erlaubt, gerne an den See.I love going to the lake when the weather is nice.
Note: Commas are optional with verkürzten Nebensätze. These are subordinate clauses that have been shortened to omit the verb, such as wie abgemachtas agreed, wie besprochenas discussed, etc.
- Example 1:
- Der Zug aus Hamburg hat, wie üblich, eine gewaltige Verspätung.The train from Hamburg is, as usual, very delayed.
- Or without a comma:
- Der Zug aus Hamburg hat wie üblich eine gewaltige Verspätung.
- Example 2:
- Kannst du mir bitte, wenn möglich, einen Sitzplatz reservieren?Could you reserve me a seat if possible?
- Or without a comma:
- Kannst du mir bitte wenn möglich einen Sitzplatz reservieren?
Do we always use a comma before dass?
The short answer: almost always. The conjunction dass introduces a subordinate clause, meaning that it usually follows a comma.
- Example:
- Ich hoffe, dass es dir gefällt.I hope that you like it.
- Wir dachten, dass du zu spät kommst.We thought [that] you would be late.
Likewise, we use a comma before dass when it forms part of an expression that is longer than two words: für den Fall, dassin case, es sei denn, dassunless.
- Examples:
- Nimm den Schirm mit, für den Fall, dass es regnet.Take your umbrella in case it rains.
- Du kannst morgen keinen Urlaubstag nehmen, es sei denn, dass dein Kollege da ist.You can’t take a day off tomorrow unless your colleague is working.
However, the comma before dass is optional when it forms part of a two-word expression like sondern dassbut (rather), vorausgesetzt dassas long as, etc.
- Example:
- Vorausgesetzt, dass morgen die Sonne scheint, könnten wir zum See fahren.As long as the sun shines tomorrow, we can go to the lake.
- Or without a comma:
- Vorausgesetzt dass morgen die Sonne scheint, könnten wir zum See fahren.
Commas are also optional with other shorter conjunctions such as gerade weilprecisely because, egal obwhether, je nachdem ob/wie/wann …depending on if/how/when …, etc.
- Example:
- Egal, ob du Komödien magst oder nicht, diesen Film wirst du lustig finden.Whether you like comedies or not, you’ll find this film funny.
- Or without a comma:
- Egal ob du Komödien magst oder nicht, diesen Film wirst du lustig finden.
Commas and relative clauses
A relative clause (Relativsatz) is a type of subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun. They usually begin with a relative pronoun like der/die/das or welcher/welche/welches.
Unlike English relative clauses, where comma placement depends on the nature of the information given, German relative clauses are always placed between commas.
- Examples:
- Meine Schwester, die in Norwegen wohnt, liebt die Natur.My sister[,] who lives in Norway[,] loves nature.
- Mein Bruder, der Pilot ist, hat Höhenangst.My brother[,] who is a pilot[,] is scared of heights.
A relative clause can also come at the end of the sentence rather than in the middle. In this case, it is preceded by a comma and followed by a full stop.
- Example:
- Meine Schwester ist die Person, der ich am meisten vertraue.My sister is the person who I trust the most.
When a relative pronoun is preceded by a preposition, the same comma rules apply.
- Example:
- Die Firma, in der ich arbeite, verkauft tolle Produkte.The company where I work sells great products.
Commas between subordinate clauses
Whether we use a comma between two subordinate clauses depends on the conjunction used to connect them.
Use a comma with …
Conjunctions that show one subordinate clause depends on the other; e.g. dass, damit, um …
- Example:
- Ich bin dafür, dass wir ein größeres Auto kaufen, damit wir alle sieben zusammen rein passen, um in den Ferien zusammen fahren zu können.I’m in favour of buying a bigger car so that all seven of us fit and we can go on holiday together.
Don’t use a comma with …
Conjunctions like und and oder that simply connect two subordinate clauses of equal value (gleichrangige Nebensätze).
- Example:
- Bitte teilen Sie uns mit, ob Sie weitere Fragen haben oder ob Sie unsere Hilfe benötigen.Please inform us if you have any further questions or if you require our assistance.
Commas and main clauses
Main clauses without conjunctions
When main clauses are not connected by conjunctions, we separate them with a comma.
- Examples:
- Benni legte sich ins Bett, seine Schwester putzte sich noch die Zähne, seine Mutter las die Tageszeitung.Benni was getting into bed, his sister was brushing her teeth, his mum was reading the newspaper.
- Es wurde still im Saal, die Musiker betraten die Bühne, das Konzert begann.The room fell silent, the musicians took to the stage, the concert began.
When one main clause appears in the middle of another, the interrupting clause is placed between commas.
- Examples:
- Gestern um 21:00 Uhr, es war kaum dunkel, fing es an zu regnen.Yesterday at 9 o’clock, it was barely dark, it started to rain.
- Hier auf diesem Foto siehst du meinen Bruder, da war er vielleicht 4 Jahre alt, mit unserer Mutter.In this photo you can see my brother, he was around 4 there, with my mum.
Commas are optional with expressions such as Gott sei DankThank God, so gut es gehtas much as possible, etc. when they appear in the middle of a main clause.
- Example:
- Gestern hatte Anton einen Fahrradunfall. Aber ihm ist, Gott sei Dank, nichts passiert.Yesterday, Anton had a bike accident. He’s fine, thank God.
- Or without commas:
- Gestern hatte Anton einen Fahrradunfall. Aber ihm ist Gott sei Dank nichts passiert.
Main clauses with conjunctions
Commas are optional when two main clauses are connected by the following conjunctions: undand, oderor, beziehungsweise (bzw.) or, and, entweder – odereither … or, weder – nochneither … nor, nicht – nochneither … nor, sowohl – als auchas well as.
- Example 1:
- Es wurde still im Saal, und die Musiker betraten die Bühne, und das Konzert begann.The room fell silent and the musicians took to the stage and the concert began.
- Or without commas:
- Es wurde still im Saal und die Musiker betraten die Bühne und das Konzert begann.
- Example 2:
- Entweder haben wir uns das alles nur eingebildet, oder in diesem Haus spukt es wirklich.Either we’ve imagined all this or this house is truly haunted.
- Or without commas:
- Entweder haben wir uns das alles nur eingebildet oder in diesem Haus spukt es wirklich.
Info
When the subject of two clauses is the same, we often omit it in the second clause to avoid repetition. This is known as an elliptischer Hauptsatz in German.
In this case, we do not need a comma before undand, oderor, beziehungsweise (bzw.)or, and and entwedereither.
- Examples:
- Er spielt gerne Fußball oder geht am Park spazieren.He likes playing football or walking in the park.
- Jeden Tag frühstücke ich und putze danach meine Zähne.Every day I have breakfast and brush my teeth afterwards.
Commas and the infinitive with zu
The infinitive with zu frequently appears together with commas. In standard sentences, the commas are optional, although the recommendation is to include them:
- Examples:
- Ich habe vergessen[,] den Brief zu schreiben.I forgot to write the letter.
- Wir versuchten[,] die Seite neu zu laden.We tried to reload the page.
There are some instances where commas are obligatory with the infinitive with zu, and a few instances where we do not need a comma at all:
We must use a comma …
- before the conjunctions alsthan, other than, anstattinstead of, außerexcept for, other than, ohnewithout, stattinstead of or umto when they introduce the infinitive with zu
- Examples:
- Herr Müller hatte sich heute nichts anderes vorgenommen, außer spazieren zu gehen.Mr Müller has no plans for today other than going for a stroll.
- Leider war aber sein Hund Klaus krank und so musste er ihn pflegen, anstatt in den Wald zu gehen.Unfortunately, his dog Klaus was sick and he had to look after him instead of going to the forest.
- Klaus war so schlapp, dass er nichts anderes machen konnte, als zu liegen.Klaus was so exhausted that he couldn’t do anything other than lie down.
- So ging Herr Müller nur kurz in seinen Garten, ohne Klaus jedoch aus den Augen zu lassen.So Mr Müller just went in the garden for a while instead, without letting Klaus out of his sight.
- Klaus wiederum hatte Angst, dass Herr Müller weggeht, und so stürmte er ihm hinterher, statt sich auszuruhen.Klaus was scared that Mr Müller was leaving, so ran after him instead of resting.
- Herr Müller brauchte eine ganze Weile, um seinen kranken Hund zu beruhigen.It took a while for Mr Müller to calm his sick dog.
- after main clauses that contain prepositional adverbs (da- words) such as daran, darum, darauf …
- Examples:
- Kannst du mich morgen daran erinnern, Anne-Marie anzurufen?Can you remind me to call Anne-Marie tomorrow?
- Es geht einfach darum, ein Gleichgewicht herzustellen.The point is simply to bring back some balance.
- Lisa, Laura und Karlchen warten schon den ganzen Tag darauf, ins Schwimmbad zu gehen.Lisa, Laura and Karlchen have been waiting to go swimming all day.
- when the infinitive with zu refers back to es
- Example:
- Jana mag es, neue Rezepte auszuprobieren.Jana likes trying out new recipes.
- Wir lieben es, im Meer zu baden.We love swimming in the sea.
- after the infinitive with zu when it appears at the beginning of the sentence
- Example:
- Alleine zu segeln, das traute er sich nicht.He didn’t dare to sail alone.
- before the infinitive with zu when it refers to a noun in the main clause
- Example:
- Es ist mein Traum, ein Haus mit garten zu haben.It’s my dream to have a house with a garden.
-
before and after the clause containing the infinitive with zu when it appears in the middle of the sentence
- Examples:
- Seine Art, sich auszudrücken, brachte sie zur Weißglut.His way of expressing himself drove her up the wall.
- Ihr Plan, sich auf die Malediven abzusetzen, fiel ins Wasser.Her plan to escape to the Maldives was ruined.
- Sie konnte es kaum erwarten, die Limonade zu kosten, die ihre Oma gemacht hatte.She couldn’t wait to try the lemonade that her grandma had made.
Do not use a comma …
- when the infinitive with zu is introduced by one of the following verbs: scheinento seem, pflegento look after, brauchen,to need versprechento promise (but only when its meaning is similar to ‘suggest’), drohento threaten, verstehento understand, wissento know, seinto be, habento have.
- Examples:
- Er scheint keine Lust zu haben.He doesn’t seem to be in the mood.
- Er pflegt jeden Tag eine Zeitung zu kaufen.He usually buys a newspaper every day.
- Du brauchst nicht auf mich zu warten.You don’t need to wait for me.
- Sie war kaum zu erkennen.She was practically unrecognisable.
- Die Reise verspricht interessant zu werden.The trip promises to be interesting.
- when the sentence contains a Satzklammer; this is when the conjugated verb occupies second position and the other verb or verbs come at the end, meaning that they 'bracket' or 'frame' the sentence
- Example:
- Den Brief habe ich vergessen zu schreiben.I forgot to write the letter.
- here, habe and schreiben form the Satzklammer
Commas in lists
Like in English, we use a comma after each element in a list and generally separate the final two elements with und or oder. Unlike in English, where the comma before and is optional, in German we cannot use a comma before und or oder at the end of a list.
- Examples:
- Ich finde dein Verhalten kindisch, verletzend und dumm.I find your behaviour childish, insulting and stupid.
- Heute möchte ich auf den Markt gehen, um Rosen, Tulpen oder Narzissen zu kaufen.Today I want to to go the market to buy roses, tulips or daffodils.
A comma appears before und or oder when it belongs to a parenthetical (additional information inserted into the middle of the sentence).
- Example:
- Heute möchte ich Rosen, Tulpen, aber nur rote, oder Narzissen kaufen.Today I want to buy roses, tulips, but only red ones, or daffodils.
Commas between adjectives
We only use a comma between adjectives that are of the same type and/or equal rank.
- Examples:
- Diesen alten, zerbeulten Hut kannst du wegwerfen.You can throw away this old, battered hat.
- the adjectives alt and zerbeult both describe the hat’s appearance
- Das ist aber ein lieber, netter Junge.That’s a dear, sweet boy.
- the adjectives lieb and nett describe the boy’s personality
When the two adjectives are different types/rank, we do not need a comma. This is because the more specific adjective forms a linguistic unit with the noun (e.g. deutscher Philosopha German philosopher).
- Examples:
- Das ist ein guter französischer Rotwein.That is a good French red wine.
- gut describes the quality; französisch describes the origin
- Hier wohnte einst ein berühmter deutscher Philosoph.A famous German philosopher once lived here.
- berühmt describes his status; deutsch describes his nationality
Commas and parentheticals
We often interrupt our sentence to include additional, and sometimes non-essential information. In grammar terms, these are known as parentheticals or parenthetical remarks. In German, these inserts are always placed between commas.
- Examples:
- Ulli, meine Katze, ist rund um die Uhr hungrig.Ulli, my cat, is constantly hungry.
- Elli, Hannas Schwester, hat gestern ein Mädchen bekommen.Elli, Hanna’s sister, had a little girl yesterday.
When the same information appears at the beginning of a sentence, it is no longer a parenthetical so we do not use a comma.
- Example:
- Meine Katze Ulli ist rund um die Uhr hungrig.My cat Ulli is hungry constantly.
Typical Expressions
When a parenthetical remark appears at the end of a sentence, it is separated by a comma.
- Example:
- Kater Horst ist den lieben langen Tag müde, besonders am frühen Morgen.Horst the cat is tired all day, especially early in the morning.
We use a comma before the following expressions when they introduce a parenthetical remark: aberbut, allerdingshowever, alsotherefore, besondersespecially, das heißtthat means, i.e., das istthat is, insbesonderein particular, jedenfallsin any case, jedochthough, nämlichnamely, und zwarnamely, vor allemabove all, will/soll heißen i.e., z. B. for example, zumindestat least.
- Examples:
- Nur eines kann Horst vom Sofa locken, nämlich Fressen.There’s only one thing that can get him off the couch, and that’s food.
- Er liebt sein Katzenfutter über alles, vor allem die Leckerlis.He loves his cat food more than anything, especially the treats.
- Manchmal geht er raus in den Garten, aber nur kurz.Sometimes he goes out into the garden, but just briefly.
We use a comma before and after das heißt and das ist when they are followed by a clause (a phrase containing a conjugated verb).
- Example:
- Früh morgens, das heißt, nachdem der Kater aufgestanden ist, putzt er sich.Early in the morning, after the cat has got up, he has a wash.
If the additional information is a comparison introduced by als, we also do not need a comma.
- Example:
- Mir als guter Mitarbeiterin wäre das aufgefallen.As a good employee, I would have noticed that.
Commas, brackets or dashes?
Like in English, we can also write German parentheticals between brackets or dashes instead of commas. The choice depends on how much emphasis we wish to place on the additional information.
- Examples:
- Paul (der Freund von Sandra) hat gestern Kuchen für uns gebacken.Paul (Sandra’s boyfriend) baked us a cake yesterday. (passing mention)
- Paul, der Freund von Sandra, hat gestern Kuchen für uns gebacken. (neutral)
- Paul – der Freund von Sandra – hat gestern Kuchen für uns gebacken. (emphasis)
Commas and direct speech
Direct speech (direkte Rede) appears between speech marks („ “). Unlike English, German places the comma after the closing speech marks and before the reporting verb.
- Example:
- „Ich gehe jetzt besser“, sagte sie und verließ die Wohnung.“I should go,” she said, and left the flat.
In German, we must also use a comma even when the speech marks contain a question mark or an exclamation mark.
- Example:
- „Ihr seid schon zurück?“, fragte Jens ganz erstaunt.“Are you back already?” asked Jens in surprise.
When the reporting verb 'interrupts' the direct speech, we place it between commas.
- Example:
- „Sie da“, rief Herr Bastian empört, „jetzt bleiben Sie doch stehen.““You over there,” shouted Mr Bastian angrily, “stay where you are.”
If the reporting verb appears between two separate sentences, it is introduced by a comma and followed by a full stop. The next item of direct speech then begins with a new set of speech marks and a capital letter.
- Example:
- „Jetzt wird er auch noch frech“, entrüstete sich Herr Bastian. „Das wird Sie teuer zu stehen kommen!““And now he’s getting cheeky,” said Mr Bastian. “That’s going to cost you!”
Important!
When the reporting verb is followed by another introducing a further item of direct speech, the second reporting verb is followed by a colon (:), not a comma.
- Example:
- „Jetzt wird er auch noch frech“, entrüstete sich Herr Bastian und fügte hinzu: „Das wird Sie teuer zu stehen kommen!““And now he’s getting cheeky,” said Mr Bastian and added, “That’s going to cost you!”
Commas and indirect questions
We always place a comma before indirect questions (indirekte Fragen).
- Examples:
- Es würde mich schon sehr interessieren, warum er heute nicht aufgetaucht ist.I would be interested to know why he didn’t come today.
- Ich will dir aber nicht verraten, wieso er geschwänzt hat.I don’t want to tell you why he skipped, though.
The comma is optional when the indirect question consists of just the question word rather than a full clause.
- Example:
- Es würde mich schon sehr interessieren, warum.I would be interested to know why.
- Or without a comma:
- Es würde mich schon sehr interessieren warum.
Commas for emphasis
Interjections (Ausrufe) are small words like oh, ach, wow, etc. that give emphasis to a sentence. They are followed by a comma.
- Example:
- Oh, das ist ja seltsam.Oh, that’s weird.
When these words are followed by a proper noun or name, we place the comma after the noun.
- Example:
- Ach Mama, Noten sind eben nicht alles.Oh mum, grades aren’t everything.
Sometimes we bring the most important part of the sentence to the beginning for emphasis. In this case, it is followed by a comma. The word that follows the comma is often (but not always) a definite article.
- Examples:
- Dieser Frau, der würde ich auch nicht immer alles glauben.I wouldn’t believe everything that woman says.
- In diesem Gebäude, da war früher mein Kindergarten drin.My kindergarten used to be in that building.
Commas for clarity
Although the comma is small, its power is mighty: incorrect comma placement can completely change the meaning of your sentence.
- Examples:
- Warte, nicht losfahren. VS. Warte nicht, losfahren.Wait, don’t drive. vs. Don’t wait, drive.
- Paolo meint, sein Vater kann nicht kochen. VS. Paolo, meint sein Vater, kann nicht kochen.Paolo says that his dad can’t cook. vs. According to his father, Paolo can’t cook.
- Ich liebe dich, nicht Robert. VS. Ich liebe dich nicht, Robert.I love you, not Robert. vs. I don’t love you, Robert.
- Ich empfehle, ihm zuzuhören. VS. Ich empfehle ihm, zuzuhören.I recommend listening to him. vs. I recommend that he listens.
Commas in greetings and sign-offs
Commas in greetings
Like in English, we also write a comma after the greeting in a letter or email.
- Examples:
- Sehr geehrter Herr Ricken,Dear Mr Ricken,
- Liebe Ruth,Dear Ruth,
- Hallo Mutti,Hi mum,
If the greeting begins with Guten Tag, this is also followed by a comma.
- Example:
- Guten Tag, Herr Dr. Kowalski,
When we address someone directly in writing, we place a comma after their name.
- Example:
- Jonas, du kannst dir doch nicht mit meiner Körperlotion die Haare waschen!Jonas, you can’t wash your hair with my body lotion!
- Ich danke Ihnen vielmals, Frau Doktor. Ich fühle mich wirklich schon viel besser.Thank you, doctor. I already feel much better.
Sign-offs
Unlike in English, German does not use a comma after a sign-off in an email or letter. It does, however, place the name of the sender on a new line.
- Examples:
- Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Peter S. Burkhard - Liebe Grüße
Sabine
Commas and polite forms
Phrases for apologies, thanks and requests take commas when they come at the beginning or end of the sentence.
- Examples:
- Entschuldigen Sie, könnten Sie mich bitte durchlassen?Excuse me, could I get through, please?
- Könnten Sie mich durchlassen, bitte?Could you let me through, please?
- Ich möchte ein Schokoladeneis mit Sahne, danke.I’d like a chocolate ice cream with cream. Thank you.
Commas with bitte
Although a comma is not obligatory, we usually place one before or after the word bitte depending on where it appears in the sentence.
- Examples:
- Bitte, mach es dir ruhig bequem!Please, make yourself at home!
- Kann ich heute bei Anna übernachten, bitte?Can I sleep over at Anna’s tonight, please?
When bitte appears in the middle of the sentence, it can be placed between commas for emphasis, but this is optional.
- Example:
- Könnten Sie mir bitte bis spätestens Mittwoch Bescheid geben?Could you please let me know by Wednesday?
- Or with commas:
- Könnten Sie mir, bitte, bis spätestens Mittwoch Bescheid geben?
When an apology, thanks or request is followed by für, we do not use a comma.
- Examples:
- Danke für diese wunderschönen Blumen!Thank you for these beautiful flowers!
- Entschuldigung für die Unannehmlichkeiten, die ich Ihnen verursacht habe.Sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you.
Commas with names and addresses
Commas with names
In official documents, surnames are usually placed before first names. Like in English, we use a comma to separate them in this format.
- Example:
- Müller, Florian
Commas and addresses
When we give an address, each element (city, street, house number, etc.) is separated by a comma.
- Example:
- Lisa wohnt in Köln, Zülpicher Straße 9, 5. Stock.Lisa lives in Cologne, 9 Zülpich Street, fifth floor.
If the sentence carries on after the final element of the address, a comma is optional.
- Example:
- Lisa aus der Zülpicher Straße 9, 5. Stock[,] zieht bald um.Lisa from 9 Zülpicher Street, fifth floor, is moving soon.
However, we do not use a comma when the street and the floor are introduced by prepositions.
- Example:
- Lisa wohnt in Köln in der Zülpicher Straße 9 im fünften Stockwerk.Lisa lives in Cologne at 9 Zülpich Street on the fifth floor.
Info
We do not use commas when each element of an address is placed on a new line (e.g. in a letter).
- Example:
- Otto Ottmann
Ottostraße 27
76227 Karlsruhe
Commas in dates and numbers
Commas in numbers
Where English places a decimal point between numbers, German uses a comma.
- Examples:
- 1,5 Stunden1.5 hours
- 0,25 Liter Milch0.25 litres of milk
- 4,50€€4.50
Likewise, where English places a comma between millions and thousands, German uses a decimal point.
- Examples:
- 1.0001,000
- 525.600525,600
Commas in dates and times
When we write out the date in German, we always use a comma after the day of the week.
- Example:
- Wir sehen uns Freitag, den 11. Juni.We’re seeing each other on Friday, 11th June.
If we include the time after the date, this too is separated by a comma.
- Example:
- Wir halten unser Referat am 27. Juni, 09:00 Uhr.We’re giving our presentation on the 27th of June at 9 o’clock in the morning.
If the sentence continues after the final date or time element, a comma is optional.
- Examples:
- Sie kam am Freitag, dem 13. Dezember[,] zu spät zur Arbeit, weil ihr Wecker nicht geklingelt hat.On Friday, 13th December, she was late for work because her alarm didn’t go off.
- German uses a decimal point to indicate ordinal numbers
When the time or date is introduced by a preposition, we do not use commas.
- Example:
- Hans kommt am 3. Juni um 19:30 Uhr am Leipziger Hauptbahnhof an.Hans is arriving at Leipzig Main Station on the 3rd of June at 7.30 in the evening.
When we write the date at the beginning of a letter, we also include the city or location followed by a comma.
- Example:
- Leipzig, den 7. Mai 2014