wenn and als
Separate repeated conditions from one-time past events.
The rule
Use als for a single past occasion or period. Use wenn for repeated occasions and conditions; English “when” does not determine the German choice.
wenn = repeated/condition · als = one-time past
Choose by time and repetition, not by one English word 'when'.
wenn handles present, future, conditions, and repeated past events.
als handles one completed past event or past period.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern 1 | A recurring present situation uses wenn and final verb. | Wenn ich Zeit habe, lese ich. | When I have time, I read. |
| Pattern 2 | A condition uses wenn; the main verb follows the comma. | Wenn es morgen regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause. | If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home. |
| Pattern 3 | A one-time past period uses als. | Als ich zehn war, wohnte ich in Bonn. | When I was ten, I lived in Bonn. |
| Pattern 4 | Repeated past events use wenn. | Immer wenn er kam, brachte er Blumen. | Whenever he came, he brought flowers. |
| Pattern 5 | A single completed past event uses als. | Als der Zug ankam, wartete Mia schon. | When the train arrived, Mia was already waiting. |
German examples with English meanings
Wenn ich Zeit habe, lese ich.
When I have time, I read.
A recurring present situation uses wenn and final verb.
Wenn es morgen regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.
A condition uses wenn; the main verb follows the comma.
Als ich zehn war, wohnte ich in Bonn.
When I was ten, I lived in Bonn.
A one-time past period uses als.
Immer wenn er kam, brachte er Blumen.
Whenever he came, he brought flowers.
Repeated past events use wenn.
Als der Zug ankam, wartete Mia schon.
When the train arrived, Mia was already waiting.
A single completed past event uses als.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Wenn ich habe Zeit, lese ich.
Correct: Wenn ich Zeit habe, lese ich.
A recurring present situation uses wenn and final verb.
Incorrect: Wenn es morgen regnet, wir bleiben zu Hause.
Correct: Wenn es morgen regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
A condition uses wenn; the main verb follows the comma.
Incorrect: Wenn ich zehn war, wohnte ich in Bonn.
Correct: Als ich zehn war, wohnte ich in Bonn.
A one-time past period uses als.
Incorrect: Immer als er kam, brachte er Blumen.
Correct: Immer wenn er kam, brachte er Blumen.
Repeated past events use wenn.
Incorrect: Wann der Zug ankam, wartete Mia schon.
Correct: Als der Zug ankam, wartete Mia schon.
A single completed past event uses als.
Details and useful distinctions
Both are subordinate connectors and send the finite verb to the end.
Practise this grammar
Ask two questions: Is it past? Did it happen once? Only two yes answers select als; otherwise use wenn.
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.