Explaining Life Choices: weshalb and weswegen
To connect a conclusion to an entire preceding statement, use the relative connectors weshalb and weswegen. Both mean "which is why" and are completely interchangeable.
Unlike standard relative pronouns that refer back to a single noun, weshalb and weswegen refer back to the entire situation described in the main clause. Because they introduce relative clauses, they follow a comma and send the conjugated verb to the very end of their clause.
| The work was too boring, which is why I am daring a fresh start. | Die Arbeit war zu langweilig, weshalb ich einen Neustart wage. |
| My previous profession was very stressful, which is why I resigned. | Mein bisheriger Beruf war sehr stressig, weswegen ich gekündigt habe. |
These connectors are perfect for linking complex motives to their outcomes.
| I searched for the meaning of my life, which is why I am doing a retraining. | Ich habe den Sinn meines Lebens gesucht, weshalb ich eine Umschulung mache. |
If you have multiple verbs at the end of the relative clause (like an infinitive and a modal verb), the conjugated verb still goes to the absolute end:
| We got no promotion, which is why we want to realize our own ideas. | Wir haben keine Beförderung bekommen, weswegen wir unsere eigenen Ideen verwirklichen wollen. |
Whether you choose weshalb or weswegen, the structure is exactly the same: state the situation, add a comma, insert the connector, and send the conjugated verb to the end.
| The office is very loud and stressful, which is why I prefer to work at home. | Das Büro ist sehr laut und stressig, weswegen ich lieber zu Hause arbeite. |