Vending Machine Struggles
Before we tackle today's grammar, let's look at the basic process of using a vending machine (der Automat).
| I have to insert the money before I buy the can. | Ich muss das Geld einwerfen, bevor ich die Dose kaufe. |
Referring to a Whole Clause with "was"
| which (referring to a whole clause) | was |
Normally, relative pronouns like der, die, or das refer back to a specific noun. But what if you want to comment on the entire situation described in the preceding clause?
In English, we usually use "which" to do this. In German, you use the relative pronoun was.
Because a was clause is a dependent relative clause, it must be separated from the main clause by a comma, and its conjugated verb is pushed to the very end of the sentence.
| The vending machine swallows the money, which makes me angry. | Der Automat schluckt das Geld, was mich wütend macht. |
In the example above, was doesn't just refer to the money. It refers to the entire frustrating event of the machine swallowing it.
| It doesn't spit out a can, which is really a pity. | Er spuckt keine Dose aus, was wirklich schade ist. |
More Technical Difficulties
As the vending machine continues to malfunction, you can use was to attach your reactions and commentary to each new disaster.
| The button is stuck too, which is a problem. | Die Taste klemmt auch, was ein Problem ist. |
| We shake the vending machine, which unfortunately brings nothing. | Wir schütteln den Automaten, was leider nichts bringt. |
| The candy bar is stuck now too, which I don't like at all. | Der Riegel klemmt jetzt auch, was mir gar nicht gefällt. |
