Word
Der Zeuge vertraut mir, weil ich Kommissar bin.
Meaning
The witness trusts me because I am a detective.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Der Zeuge vertraut mir, weil ich Kommissar bin.
ich
I
sein
to be
vertrauen
to trust
mir
me / to me (dative)
Questions & Answers about Der Zeuge vertraut mir, weil ich Kommissar bin.
Why does the sentence use mir instead of mich?
The verb vertrauen (to trust) is a dative verb. This means it always requires its object to be in the dative case. So, "trusts me" becomes vertraut mir instead of using the accusative mich.
Why is the verb bin at the very end of the sentence?
The word weil (because) introduces a subordinate clause, which pushes the conjugated verb (bin) to the very end. This is the exact same verb-final word order you are currently learning to use with relative clauses!
Why isn't there a word for "a" before Kommissar?
In German, when you state someone's profession or role using the verb sein (to be), you usually drop the indefinite article (ein or eine). You just say ich bin Kommissar (I am a detective).
Is Zeuge always masculine, or does it change if the witness is female?
Der Zeuge specifically refers to a male witness. If the witness were female, you would use the feminine form, die Zeugin.