New here? This is lesson 166 of a free 240-lesson German course.
Why that way in German
Jonas calls Priya over in the loft. The meeting ran long, and he wants to know why she cut the demo.
The recycling app still has tests running, and the data is still missing. She has a few reasons, and she will give them in order.
By the end, you'll say why you chose something, ask how it happened, and check if that is the reason.
Deshalb sums up a choice. Wie kam es dazu asks how it started.
By the end of this lesson
Explain why you chose something and why it happened.
- Ein Grund ist, dass ___.One reason is that ___
- Ich frage, weil ___.I'm asking because ___
- Es gibt ein paar Gründe.There are a few reasons.
- Deshalb habe ich so entschieden.That's why I decided that way.
- Wie kam es dazu?How did that come about?
- Ist das der Grund?Is that the reason?
Scene — the loft after the meeting
The co-working loft by the canal is quiet after a long meeting. Laptops are still open. Jonas has his coffee mug and wants a plain answer.
Priya sits across from him. The demo is gone from the plan, and he waits.
Learn — why and because
Six lines help you give a reason, ask why, and say that is why you decided.
After weil and dass, the verb waits until the end of the clause.
Ein Grund ist, dass ___.
One reason is that ___
When to use it: Use this to start one reason, then finish the thought.
After dass, the verb comes last in that clause.
Ich frage, weil ___.
I'm asking because ___
When to use it: Use this when you explain why you are asking.
After weil, the verb comes last in that clause.
Es gibt ein paar Gründe.
There are a few reasons.
When to use it: Use this when more than one reason is coming.
In 'ein paar Gründe,' paar means 'a few' and stays lowercase.
Say it: Gründe puts a rounded ü in the first syllable.
Deshalb habe ich so entschieden.
That's why I decided that way.
When to use it: Use this after your reasons, to sum up the choice.
Deshalb comes first, then the verb.
Wie kam es dazu?
How did that come about?
When to use it: Ask this when you want the story of how it happened.
Use this as one piece when you ask how it happened.
Ist das der Grund?
Is that the reason?
When to use it: Ask this to check if you have the right reason.
Der Grund is the reason you just heard.
Story — she cut the demo
Jonas wants to know why Priya cut the demo. She gives her reasons in order, and none of them are mysterious.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- Jonas sets his mug down. The whiteboard is blank where the demo was.
JonasWie kam es dazu?How did that come about?
PriyaEs gibt ein paar Gründe.There are a few reasons.- He waits. He wants the reasons in order, not a long story.
- JonasIch frage, weil die Demo fehlt.I'm asking because the demo is missing.
- PriyaWir sind etwas hinter dem Zeitplan.We're a bit behind schedule.
- JonasIst das der Grund?Is that the reason?
- PriyaEin Grund ist, dass die Tests noch laufen.One reason is that the tests are still running.
- JonasWir sind blockiert, weil die Daten fehlen.We're blocked because the data is missing.
- PriyaJa, das auch.Yes, that too.
- JonasDann kommt die Demo später.Then the demo comes later.
- PriyaDeshalb habe ich so entschieden.That's why I decided that way.
- He nods. The plan is shorter now, and that is fine.
- JonasGut. Dann nicht heute.Fine. Then not today.
- PriyaIn Ordnung.All right.
Practice — reasons in order
Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, fill a gap, swap a word, and build a line.
They stay on why you chose and how it happened.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
German
Es gibt ein paar Gründe.Drop the English hereDeshalb habe ich so entschieden.Drop the English hereWie kam es dazu?Drop the English hereIst das der Grund?Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
You already named your reasons. Close with why you chose that way.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
One reason is that ___
Ein Grund ist, ____ ___.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Jonas asks how it came about. Say you have several reasons.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Ist das der Grund?
Swap the word
Swap the word
You want to say you are asking because something, not when.
Ich frage, ____ ___.
Build the line
Build the line
That's why I decided that way.
.
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
On the agenda, the demo is the next item. Say that.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
We're blocked because the data is missing.
Wir sind blockiert, ____ die Daten fehlen.
True or false?
True or false?
This means you are a bit behind schedule.
Say it — say why
Now you're Priya in the loft after the meeting. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- JonasWie kam es dazu?How did that come about?
- Priya (you)Tell him there are a few reasons.
Tell him there are a few reasons.
Es gibt ein paar Gründe.
There are a few reasons.
0 of 4 said
Recap — what you can say now
| German | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Ein Grund ist, dass ___. | One reason is that ___ | |
| Ich frage, weil ___. | I'm asking because ___ | |
| Es gibt ein paar Gründe. | There are a few reasons. | |
| Deshalb habe ich so entschieden. | That's why I decided that way. | |
| Wie kam es dazu? | How did that come about? | |
| Ist das der Grund? | Is that the reason? |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these reasons handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your reasons ready for the next meeting.
Open Yak Cards