Breakdown of Wenn der Chef das Gehalt nicht erhöht, kündigt der Kollege.
nicht
not
der Chef
the boss (male)
der Kollege
the colleague
wenn
if / when (conditional, not a question word)
das Gehalt
the salary
erhöhen
to raise / to increase
kündigen
to resign / to fire / to cancel (a contract/subscription)
Questions & Answers about Wenn der Chef das Gehalt nicht erhöht, kündigt der Kollege.
Why is the verb erhöht at the very end of the first part?
The word wenn is a subordinating conjunction. That means it introduces a dependent clause and kicks the conjugated verb (erhöht) to the very end of that clause, right before the comma.
Why does the second half of the sentence start with the verb kündigt?
In German, the main verb must be in the second position. The entire wenn clause acts as the first block of information (position 1). Therefore, the verb kündigt must immediately follow the comma to take position 2, pushing the subject (der Kollege) right after it.
Does wenn mean 'if' or 'when' in this sentence?
Here it means 'if' because it sets up a condition. However, wenn can also mean 'when' or 'whenever' for present and future events. You have to rely on the context to know whether it means 'if' or 'when', but the grammar remains exactly the same!
The translation says 'will resign', but isn't kündigt the present tense?
Yes, kündigt is the present tense of kündigen (to resign or quit). German speakers frequently use the present tense to talk about the future, as long as the context makes it obvious that the event hasn't happened yet.
Why is nicht placed right before erhöht?
When you want to negate the main action of a clause, nicht normally goes to the very end. However, because wenn forces the verb (erhöht) to take the absolute final spot, nicht simply steps right in front of the verb.
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