Breakdown of Die Szene erklärt die Handlung, die wir nicht verstehen.
verstehen
to understand
wir
we
nicht
not
erklären
to explain
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Szene
the scene
die Handlung
the plot
Questions & Answers about Die Szene erklärt die Handlung, die wir nicht verstehen.
Why is the word die used twice around the comma: die Handlung, die?
The first die is the normal word for 'the' before Handlung (the plot). The second die is a relative pronoun meaning 'that' or 'which'. It connects the two parts of the sentence and refers back to the feminine noun die Handlung.
What case is the relative pronoun die in this sentence?
It is in the accusative case. In the relative clause, wir (we) is the subject doing the understanding. The plot is the thing being understood, making it the direct object of the verb verstehen. Because Handlung is a feminine noun, its accusative relative pronoun is die.
Why does the verb verstehen go at the very end of the sentence?
The second part of this sentence is a relative clause, which is a type of subordinate clause in German. Whenever you have a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb is pushed to the very end.
In English we can just say 'the plot we do not understand'. Can I drop the comma and the second die in German?
No, German grammar is stricter here. You must always use a comma to separate a relative clause from the main sentence, and you can never drop the relative pronoun.
Why does Handlung translate to 'plot' here?
The noun Handlung comes from the verb handeln (to act). While it often translates to 'action' or 'deed', in the context of a movie, play, or book, die Handlung is the standard German term for the plot or storyline.
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